Skip to main content

Full text of "An universal military dictionary, in English and French; in which are explained the terms of the principal sciences that are necessary for the information of an officer"

See other formats 


. 


-"..  -  ■_  -   -.    -    '• 


^KiKlty 


x^ 


\\ 


cs   *  ' 


,  : 


I'). 

II     •        I 


IHINGS  AS  THEY  Alii-:. 
I  itnrn'i  Poems 


/  -   «• 


AN  UNIVERSAL 

MILITARY  DICTIONARY, 


ix 


ENGLISH  AND  FRENCH; 


IN  WHICH  ARE  EXPLAINED 


THE  TERMS  OF  THE  PRINCIPAL  SCIENCES 


THAT  ARE  NECESSARY 


FOR  THE  INFORMATION  OF  AN  OFFICER. 


By  CHARLES  JAMES, 

LATE  MAJOR  OF  THE  ROYAL  ARTILLERY  DRIVERS, 

Author  of  the  Regimental  Companion  ;   Comprehensive  View  ;  Poems,  dedicated,  by 
Permission,  to  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales,  &c.  &c. 


Malheur  anx  apprentifs  dont  les  sens  egares 
Veulent,  sans  s'appliquer,  franchir  tous  les  degres  : 
Temeraires,  craignez  le  sort  qui  vous  menace  ! 
Phaeton  pent  seul  par  sa  funeste  audace  : 
Si  vous  guidez  trop  tot  le  Char  brillant  de  Mars, 
Songez  que  tout  l'Etat  doit  courir  vos  hasards. 

King  of  Prussia's  Art  of  Wak. 


FOURTH  EDITION. 


LONDON: 

Printed  for 

T.  EGERTON,  BOOKSELLER  TO  THE  ORDNANCE, 

MILITARY  LIBRARY,    NEAR  WHITEHALL. 


1816. 


TO 

HIS  ROYAL  HIGHNESS 

FIELD    MARSHAL 

THE    DUKE    OF   YORK, 

COMMAXDER  IN  CHIEF,  &c. 


Je  n'ai  point  le  sot  amour-propre  de  voir  mieux  qu'un  autre  ;  si   chacun  avoit 
la  meme  franchise,  il  vous  tiendroit  le  meme  langage. 

Precis  de  la  ViePubliquedu  Due  D'Otrante.— p.  65. 


SIR, 

I  continue  to  inscribe  this  Work  to  your  Royal  Highness, 
because,  under  your  auspices,  the  British  army  has  arrived  at  a  state  of 
discipline  and  regulation,  by  which  success  abroad  has  been  obtained, 
and  tranquillity  at  home  secured. 

The  Army  stands  indebted  to  you  for  the  confirmation  and  im- 
provement of  that  system  which  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia  first 
reduced  to  practice,  and  which  has  been  ably  carried  into  execution 
by  the  united  efforts  of  those  officers  who  have  acted  under  your 
influence. 

Victories  gained  in  the  field  may  reflect  the  greatest  honour  upon 
men  that  have  gallantly  fought  the  battles  of  their  Country ;  but 
victories,  after  all,  are  little  more  than  the  fruits  and  consummation 
of  those  well  digested  principles  by  which  the  arduous  science  of 
war  is  managed,  and  without  which  no  army  can  be  well  conducted, 
or  finally  triumphant.  Even  he,#  who  but  lately  astonished  every 
quarter  of  the  civilized  globe  by  his  military  exploits  and  political 
daring,  might  still  have  stood  at  the  head  of  a  great  nation,  had  he 
been  governed  by  something  less  intoxicating  than  mere  success. 

That  soldiers  are  necessary  in  every  state,  the  wildest  theorist  must 
acknowledge ;  and  the  good  or  bad  direction  of  their  energies  alone 
makes  them  a  curse  or  a  blessingr  to  community. 

Five  and  twenty  years  hard  experience  in  a  neighbouring  country 
must  have  convinced  mankind,  that  mere  abstract  reasoning  is  not 
sufficient  to  cope  with  the  vices  and  frailties  of  human  nature.  The 
dissolution  of  one  frame  of  government  may  be  effected  by  arms,  but 
unless  arms  be  resorted  to  for  the  support  of  another,  anarchy  must 

*  Bonaparte. 

A 


VI  •  DEDICATION. 

follow  until  the  old  system  be  restored,  or  a  better  one  substituted 
in  its  room  :  so  that  whether  we  have  recourse  to  Alfred's  antiquated 
plan  of  national  defence,  to  a  militia  as  it  now  exists,  or  to  a  regular 
army,  the  consequences  must  be  the  same.  The  whole  reasoning,  in 
fact,  is  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  distinction  without  a  difference. 
The  same  may  indeed  be  said  of  Party,  which  has  been  truly  called, 
the  madness  of  many  for  the  gain  of  a  few. 

These  are  truths  as  unquestionable,  as  that  the  necessity  for  criminal 
jurisprudence  is  rendered  indispensible  by  the  depravity  of  human 
nature.  In  the  hands  of  a  wicked  despot,  an  army  becomes  a  devour- 
ing locust,  and  a  creature  of  ruin  and  desolation  ;  in  those  of  a 
man  whose  highest  object  is  the  welfare  of  his  country,  it  is  the 
palladium  of  the  best  rights  and  interests  of  a  nation;  and  it  is  not 
flattery  to  say,  that  you  have  studiously  endeavoured  to  render  it  so. 
Even  the  honour  and  honesty  of  its  component  parts  have  been  kept 
in  sight;  and  every  species  of  fraud  on  the  industrious  tradesman  has 
been  discountenanced  by  the  restrictive  vigilance  of  your  rules.* 

Under  circumstances  by  no  means  encouraging  to  any  writer,  I 
have  attempted  to  add  my  mite  to  the  general  stock  of  military  know- 
ledge. That  1  have,  in  some  degree,  succeeded,  is  shewn  by  the  wide 
circulation  of  the  work,  and  most  especially  by  the  gratifying  man- 
ner in  which  you  have  done  me  the  honour  to  receive  it.f  The  path 
I  have  been  doomed  to  tread  has  been  lowly,  but  not  wholly  destitute 
of  merit,  or  unfruitful  to  the  service ;  and  although  thousands  may 
have  eclipsed  me  by  the  brilliancy  of  their  career  in  arms,  I  have 
the  hardihood  to  assert,  that  few  have  done  more,  in  zeal  and  assi- 
duity, to  second  those  views  which  have  reflected  so  much  honour  upon 
yourself.^ 

*  In  order  to  secure  the  profession  of  arms  from  the  contaminating  touch  of 
fraud,  and  to  convince  officers  of  every  rank  and  description,  that  the  slightest  de- 
viation from  honesty  will  be  noticed  at  Head-Quarters,  it  is  an  admitted  prin- 
ciple with  His  Royal  Highness  the  Commander  in  Chief,  the  Right  Honourable 
the  Secretary  at  War,  and  the  Right  Honourable  the  Master-General  of  the  Ord- 
nance, to  receive  remonstrances  from  the  lowest  tradesman,  and  to  put  defaulters 
under  suspension  and  stoppage  of  pay  until  the  debt  be  discharged.  In  very 
gross  cases  dismissal  from  the  service  may  take  place.  This  is  as  it  ought  to 
be;  for  why  should  a  man,  with  honour  on  his  lips,  indulge  dishonest  views  in  his 
heart,  under  the  cloak  of  professional  impunity  ? 

t  Extract  from  an  Official  Letter  sent  to   the  Author   on  his  presenting   the 

second  edition  : 

Horse- Guards,   2lst  January,  1804. 
'  I  am  also  directed  to  inform  you,  that  His  Royal  Highness  very  much  applauds 
viiir  zeal,  which   has  induced  you  to  allot  so  much  of  your  time  to  the  study  of 
military  subjects;  and  he  considers  the  several  treatises  which  you  have  presented 
to  the  public,  to  have  been  very  beneficial  to  the  service.' 

Addressed,  (Signed)         W.  H.  CLINTON. 

Charles  James,  Esq. 

Albany,  Piccadilly. 

X  See  Hints  to  Lord  Rawdon,  now  the  Earl  of  Moira,  published  by  Faulder,  in 
1700;  Comprehensive  View,  in  1796;  and  the  7th  edition  of  the  Regimental 
Companion;  and  Military  Dictionary,  originally,  published  in  ISO'.',  by  T.  Egerton, 

Whitehall. 


DEDICATION.  VII 

Daring  your  administration  of  the  Forces,  not  only  the  officer,  but 
the  private  soldier,  has  been  raised  from  a  comparative  state  of  indi- 
gence and  degradation  into  one  of  comfort  and  respectability  among 
his  fellow  citizens ;  their  wives,  widows,  and  children  have  been 
relieved  ;*  and  even  the  higher  orders  of  the  profession  have  been 
placed  in  a  condition  of  honourable  independence.  Emulation  has 
received  an  additional  incentive  by  honorary  marks  of  distinction,  and 
the  unavoidable  calls  of  life  have  been  answered  by  a  fair  appeal  to 
national  justice  and  liberality.  The  soldier  of  fortune  and  the  unpro- 
tected officer,  with  grey  hairs  and  crippled  limbs,  are  no  longer  left  to 
vegetate  upon  a  miserable  half-pay  with  nominal  rank  ;*f  and  although 
they  may  remain  without  regiments,  they  are  still  above  the  want  of 
those  means  which  are  required  for  the  support  of  their  respective 
stations.  And  this  has  been  done  upon  the  best  of  all  good  princi- 
ples, that  of  justice  to  the  individual  and  economy  to  the  public  ;  for 
as  regiments  become  vacant  they  are  filled  up  according  to  seniority,^ 
and  are  given  to  such  meritorious  officers  as  have  distinguished  them- 
selves on  actual  service.  In  the  distribution  of  military  pensions  the 
same  regard  has  been  paid  to  the  public  purse;  for  as  officers  recover, 
and  become  enabled  to  return  to  the  full  exercise  of  their  functions, 
they  are  examined  by  the  Medical  Board,  and  the  allowance  drops. 
The  Date  obohtm  JBetisario  is  no  longer  a  matter  of  reproach  to 
Englishmen  ;  while  a  profligate  expenditure  of  their  means  for  the 
exclusive  benefit  of  the  army,  ceases  to  be  a  just  object  of  com- 
plaint. The  interior  economy  of  corps  has  been  equally  benefited 
by  the  wisdom  of  your  arrangements.  Troops  and  companies 
have  obtained  effective  officers  by  the  abolition  of  nominal  captains 
in  the  several  field  officers.  The  Colonel's  company,  instead  of 
being  left,  as  it  formerly  was,  to  the  sole  direction  of  an  ensign,  (for  the 
adjutant  was  usually  its  lieutenant,)  is  now  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  a  captain  and  two  subalterns  ;  and  the  gay  and  thoughtless  gre- 
nadier or  light-infantry  paymaster  has  been  replaced  by  an  unassuming 
man  of  conduct  and  calculation.  Nor  have  the  superior  departments 
or  the  army  been  less  fortunate  under  your  influence  and  personal  di- 
rection. Not  only  the  General  Staff  has  been  improved  and  new-mo- 
delled by  you,  but  all  its  minor  branches  have  been  made  to  corre- 
spond with  the  exigencies  of  real  service.  You  have  destroyed  that 
system  of  plurality  which  once  prevailed  in  the  army,  and  which  is  so 
destructive  in  every  well-regulated  state,  civil,  military  or  ecclesiastical. 
We  no  longer  see  vested  in  the  same  person  the  contradictory  duties  of 
captain-lieutenant,  adjutant,  paymaster,  quarter-master,  and  chaplain  by 

*  See  the  Regulations  respecting  the  provision  for  the  widows  and  children, 
and  the  security  of  the  effects  of  deceased  officers  and  soldiers. 

t  For  particulars  respecting  the  melancholy  situation  of  a  General  Officer  of 
this  description,  before  the  allowance  took  place,  see  the  Preface  to  the  last  edi- 
tion of  the  Regimental  Companion. — Ab  uno  disce  oinnes. 

I  The  Royal  Branches  are,  of  course,  an  exception  to  the  rule;  and  this  excep- 
tion is  no  more  than  one  of  the  scarce  feathers  in  the  prerogative. 

a  a 


viii  DEDICATION. 

proxy,*  for  the  shameless  purpose  of  throwing  into  one  pocket  the 
accumulated  pay  and  allowances  of  those  situations  without  the  possi- 
bility of  lining  justice  to  any.  In  a  moral  point  of  view,  the  condition 
of  the  British  army  has  been  such  as  to  cause  it  to  be  respected  abroad, 
and  esteemed  at  home.  Even  the  French,  under  the  severe  mortifica- 
tion of  defeat,  do  not  refuse  their  tribute  to  the  general  good  beha- 
viour of  our  men  and  officers. 

With  practical  knowledge  of  the  field  and  undaunted  assiduity  in 
office,  Your  Royal  Highness  has  done  that  for  the  Army  which  the 
late  Mr.  1*111,  at  his  outset  in  life,  and  every  wise  man  besides,  has 
endeavoured  to  do  for  the  state  at  large  ;  you  have  not  only  reformed 
its  abuses,  but  you  have  raised  the  long  tried  valour  of  its  soldiers 
into  acknowledged  skill  and  reputation  ;  you  have  wisely  dismissed 
all  parade  and  imposing  grandeur,  to  receive  officers  and  common 
citizens — for  your  situation  embraces  the  concerns  of  both  classes — 
as  one  honest  man  would  receive  another;  you  have  not  done,  as 
many,  most  unfortunately  for  the  country,  sometimes  do — you  have 
not  heard  through  the  ears,  or  seen  through  the  eyes  of  others  ;  you 
have  personally  listened  to,  and  patiently  considered,  the  different 
statements  that  have  been  laid  before  you;  and  thereby  enabled  every 
man  of  zeal  and  ability  to  offer  his  contribution  to  the  public  service. 

It  is  well  known,  that  one  of  the  boldest  and  the  wisest  manoeuvres 
in  naval,  or  military,  tactics,  was  first  suggested  by  a  civilian,  and 
afterwards  successfully  practised  by  Lord  Rodney  in  1 782,  and  by 
Lord  Nelson  during  the  late  war.  It  was  also  imitated  by  Bonaparte; 
— I  mean  that  of  cutting  the  enemy's  line  asunder. f  Let  it  not  then 
be  said  that  books  and  writings  are  useless  to  the  service,  or  that  no 
notice  ought  to  be  taken  of  those  men  who  devote  their  time  and 
health  to  Theory  and  Research. 

Animal  courage  most  unquestionably  deserves  its  eulogy ;  but 
something  also  is  due  to  genius,  skill  and  conduct,  especially  in  a 
nation  where  courage  springs  from  the  cradle,  and  accompanies  every 
true-born   Briton  to  the  grave. 

W  hen  the  army  was  first  placed  in  your  hands,  you  found  it  little 
better  than  an  Augaean  stable,  choked  by  undue  promotions,  and 
reeking  with  the  Sale,  Exchange  and  Purchase  of  Commissions  ;  you 
found  Colonels,  with  their  schoolboy  habits  still  about  them,  standing 
nt  the  head  of  battalions,  and  Ensigns  emerging  from  the  Nursery  into 
troops  and  companies.  These  evils  were  obviated  by  your  judicious 
regulations,  in  which,  while  seniority  was  duly  respected,  the  path  to 
promotion  was  not  closed  against  superior  merit.  You  have  happily 
steered  between  the  two  extremes  of  an  overweening  adherence  to 
mere  rule  and  regulation,  and  an  indiscriminate  deviation  from  all  sys- 
tem ;|  and  after  having  borne  the  attacks  of  Calumny  in  its  grossest 

*  See  a  Desultory  Sketch  of  the  Abuses  in  the  Militia,  addressed  to  the  Earl  of 
Moira  in  t794  ;  published  by  John  Bell,  Oxford-street. 
t  See  Clerk's  Naval  Tactics. 
t  See  the  Seventeenth  Report  of  the  Commissioners  of  Military  Inquiry. 


DEDICATION.  IX 

sense,  and  been  vindicated  by  Recantation  in  its  purest  spirit,  you  re- 
main in  your  dignified  station  under  the  best  of  all  pretensions,  that 
of  doing  reell. 

This,  Sir,  is  the  unaltered  language,  and  these  are  the  uninvited  sen- 
timents of  a  plain  individual-,  whose  emoluments  from  the  service  have 
always  been  little,  and  whose  rank  is  less ;  who  is  not  bribed  to  flatter 
you,  or  any  other  distinguished  personage,  either  by  a  sense  of  past,  or  a 
hope  of  future,  favour  ;  and  who  thus  adds  his  slender  testimony  to 
that  of  the  army  at  large,  in  acknowledging,  that  from  the  General 
Officer  down  to  the  widow  and  orphan  child  inclusive,  the  happy 
effects  of  your  interference  continue  to  be  felt. 

totamijue  diffusa  per  artus 


Mens  agitat  niolem,  et  magno  se  corpore  miscet. — ArinoiL. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
Sir, 
Your  Royal  Highness's 

Very  obedient,  humble  Servant, 

CHARLES  JAMES. 
London,  November,  18l6. 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


Although  this  Edition  has  considerably  exceeded  the  proposed  limits 
of  the  Author's  plan,  and  contains  more  technical  terms  than  are  to  be 
found  in  the  original  undertaking,  it  is  nevertheless  so  far  reduced  as  to 
be  rendered  more  portable,  and  so  far  abridged  as  to  be  less  elaborate  in 
its  explanation,  and  more  copious  in  its  terms. 

Many  words  have  been  added  in  this  impression  which  are  not  to  be 
found  in  any  work  extant;  and  it  is  no  small  gratification  to  the  Author 
to  see  the  utility  of  his  original  introduction  of  foreign  phrases  sanc- 
tioned by  events,  in  continental  warfare,  that  have  raised  the  character  of 
the  British  army  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of  glory.  More  than  fourteen 
years  have  elapsed,  since  he  first  ventured  to  give  the  explanation  of 
military  terms  in  general,  with  the  admixture  of  French  words.  The 
propriety  of  this  introduction  is   now    unquestionable. 

Without  pretending  to  know  more  than  his  neighbours,  or  to  be  endowed 
with  deeper  sagacity  than  others,  the  Author  was  well  aware,  from  an  early 
view  of  the  French  Revolution,  and  a  mature  consideration  of  its  course, 
that  the  military  spirit  of  France  would  either  over-run  Furope,  and  lodge 
some  of  her  moveable  legions  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  or  be  forced 
back  by  the  awakened  energies  of  the  Continent  upon  her  own  distracted 
bosom  ;  in  either  of  which  unavoidable  consequences,  a  knowledge  of  the 
French  language  must  be  useful,  and  indeed  necessary,  to  the  British 
officer.  One  of  these  consequences  has  taken  place  :  and  Great  Britain 
possesses  the  exclusive  glory  of  seeing  that  power  by  which  her  very 
existence,  as  an  independent  nation,  had  been  repeatedly  menaced, 
placed  under  the  guardian  wing  of  a  British  Chief,  whose  skill,  courage, 
and  good  fortune  are  unexampled  in  history.* 

Of  the  execution  of  the  Work  itself,  either  in  its  original  state,  subse- 
quent augmentation,  or  present  abridgement,  the  Author  can  only  say, 
that  far  from  being  satisfied  himself,  he  has  done  his  best  to  satisfy 
others.  He  has  endeavoured  to  reduce  the  subject  matter  of  two 
volumes  into  a  more  portable  impression,  without  losing  the  smallest 
portion  of  its  military  cast  and  tenour;  and  by  discharging  a  redundancy 
of  explanation,  he  has  obtained  room  for  several  fresh  words.  Some 
entire  new  matter  has  also  been  admitted  ;  particularly  that  connected 
with  the  most  important  sieges  which  have  occurred  since  the  invention 
of  gunpowder;  and  likewise  the  consequences  that  have  ensued  from 
those  operations.  The  list  of  battles,  which  has  appeared  in  former 
editions,  is  now  given  with  additional  matter,  and  fresh  illustration.  The 
Author  is  free  to  confess,  that  after  having  discovered  many  contradictory 
dates  in  recent  publications,  he  has  been  enabled  to  correct  them  by  a 
reference  to  that  well  executed  and  invaluable  collection  of  mint-medals 
in  which  the  principal  events  of  the  reign  of  Bonaparte,  or  Napoleon  the 
1st,  are  minutely  described  ;  and  in  imitation  of  which  a  series  is  in  pro- 
gress here  to  preserve  the  memory  of  the  several  contests  in  which  the 
Duke  of  Wellington   has  proved  victorious.     Not  that  any  metal,  or  com- 

*  To  shew  that  the  Author's  opinion  of  the  energy  and  stability  of  Great  Britain 
has  been  uniformly  the  same,  see  the  Dedication  to  the  4th  edition  of  his  Poems, 
originally  written  in  1792. 


XII  ADVERTISEMENT. 

position,  can  be  sufficiently  lasting  to  vie  with  the  living  record  of  his 
transactions,  which  must  pass  down  from  the  lips  of  one  generation  to 
those  of  another  ;  for  he  may  indeed  exclaim,  in  the  words  of  the  Roman 
Pott,  Exegi  mommentum  are  peramuu! 

Although  in  the  prosecution  of  this  volume,  the  Author  has  been  left 
to  his  own  labour  and  researches,  and  that  too  during  a  period  of  ex- 
traneous occupation,  he  is,  nevertheless,  called  upon  by  his  own  feelings 
to  say,  that  were  he  permitted  to  indulge  his  sense  of  the  prompt  and 
friendly  manner  in  which  he  has  been  assisted  through  the  list  of  Sieges, 
by  an  intelligent  officer  of  Engineers,  an  unreserved  acknowledgement 
would  be  truly  gratifying.  This  tribute  must,  therefore,  remain  with  no 
other  direction  to  its  object  than  may  be  found  in  the  following  French 
inscription  :   A  cehii  qui  s'y  reconnoitra  ! 

The  Author  can  only  repeat  here  what  he  has  said  in  the  last  edition, 
that  to  render  this  work  (what  it  ought  to  be)  a  national  Military  Encyclo- 
paedia, the  Professors  at  Woolwich  and  Sandhurst  should  not  only  afford 
their  theoretical  contribution,  but  officers  of  known  ability  and  experience, 
who  are  provided  for  in  the  several  departments,  should  add  their  practical 
observations. 

An  office,  or  circumscribed  department,  at  a  moderate  expense  to  the 
public,  might,  indeed,  be  established  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  com- 
munications, of  translating  foreign  military  works,  and  of  digesting  the 
different  Acts  of  Parliament  which  relate  to  the  army.  This  Office,  or 
Literary  Board,  would  be  subordinate  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  and  to 
the  Secretary  at  War;  under  whose  immediate  sanction  and  direction 
works  of  a  military  tendency,  as  well  as  official  rules  and  regulations, 
could  be  arranged  in  a  short  and  conspicuous  manner.  Long  subsequent 
to  the  publication  of  the  Regimental  Companion,  a  collection  of  Official 
Rules  and  Regulations  was  given  by  authority  ;  but  this  collection  con- 
tains no  more  than  the  bare  existing  rule  without  suggestion  or  illustration  ; 
and  it  is  published  so  seldom,*  that  innumerable  alterations  occur  between 
the  appearance  of  one  edition  and  the  promulgation  of  another;  so  that 
the  officer  is  frequently  at  a  loss  through  the  want  of  official  reference. 
I  shall  not,  1  trust,  be  accused  of  egotism,  when  I  have  the  presumption  to 
arrogate  to  myself  some  slight  merit  in  having  struggled  through  many 
difficulties  to  bring  the  Companion  and  the  present  work  into  notice.  The 
former,  for  a  fair  and  candid  reason,f  was  not  sanctioned  by  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  but  it  had,  and  still  has,  the  distinguished  countenance 
of  His  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Regent. 

To  those  persons  whose  chief  study,  and  perhaps  whose  chief  delight, 
consists  in  a  malignant  pursuit  after  errors  only,  the  Author  must  ob- 
serve, that  "  //  cannot  be  expected  that  he  should  please  others,  since  he  has 
not  been  able  to  please  himself." 

Si  quid  novisti  rectius  istis, 

Candid  us  imperti  :   si  iion,  his  utcre  mecum. 

London,  2£)th  November,  1 8 1 6". 

6  For  the  correctness  of  this  remark,  I  appeal  to  the  Comptrollers  of  Army 
Accompts. 

t  When  the  Author  first  requested  permission  to  dedicate  the  Regimental 
Companion  CO  Hit  Royal  Highness  the  Commander  in  Chief,  Colonel  (now  Lieut. 
General)  Brownrigg,  who  was  then  Military  Secretary,  told  him,  that  as  the  work 
would  contain  desultory  observations  which  might  be  misconstrued  into  Rules 
and  Regulations,  the  sanction  of  Head-Quarters  could  not  be  given.  This  ob- 
jection, however,  was  waved  with  respect  to  the  Military  Dictionary. 


MILITARY 


DICTIONARY, 


ABA 

A  BAB,  a  sort  of  militia  among  the 
^*-  Turks. 

ABACOT,  IV.  a  cap  of  state. 
ABACUS,  (abaque,  Fr.)  in  architec- 
ture, the  upper  member  of  the  capital 
of  a  column,  serving  as  a  kind  of  crown- 
ing, both  to  the  capital  and  the  whole 
column.  It  is  usually  square  in  the 
Tuscan,  Doric,  and  Ionic  orders;  and 
sloping,  on  the  sides,  or  faces,  in  the 
Corinthian  and  Composite  capitals.  Vi- 
truvius,  and  others  after  him,  who  give 
the  history  of  the  orders,  say  that  the 
abacus  was  originally  intended  to  repre- 
sent a  square  tile  laid  over  an  urn,  or 
rather  a  basket.     See  Acanthus. 

ABAJOUR,  Fr.  a  sky  light;  also  a 
*mall  sloping  aperture  which  is  made  in 
walls  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  light 
from  above,  such  as  is  seen  in  prisons 
and  subterraneous  buildings. 

To  ABANDON,  (abandonner,  Fr.)  to  I 
leave  a  place  to  the  mercy  of  an  enemy, 
by  suddenly  retiring  from  it.     Hence  to  j 
abandon  a  fortress,  &c. 

ABATE,  in  horsemanship.     A  horse 
is  said  to  abate,  or  take  down,  his  cur- 
tets,   when,  working  upon    curvets,    he  | 
puts  his  'two  hind  legs  to   the  ground  j 
both   at  once,  and   observes   the  same 
exactness  in  all  his  times. 

ABATIS,  Fr.  trees  cut  down,  and  so 
laid  with  their  branches,  &c.  turned  to- 
wards the  enemy,  as  to  form  a  defence 
for  troops  stationed  behind  them.  They 
are  made  either  before  redoubts,  or 
other  works,  to  render  the  attacks  diffi- 
cult, or  sometimes  along  the  skirts  of  a 
wood,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting 
possession  of  it.  In  this  case  the  trunks 
serve  as  a  breast-work,  behind  which  the 
troops  arc  posted,  and  for  that  reason 


ABO 

!  should  be  so  disposed,  that  the  parts 
may,  if  possible,  flank  each  other. 

ABBUTTALS,  the  buttings  and 
boundings  of  a  piece  of  land  expressing 
on  what  other  lands,  streets,  highways, 
&c.  the  several  extremes  thereof  abutt 
or  terminate. 

To  ABDICATE,  (abdiquer,  Fr.)  to 
give  up  voluntarily  any  place  of  trust,  as 
to  abdicate  the  crown.  The  French  use 
the  word  abdiquer  in  the  same  manner 
that  we  do  to  resign;  hence  abdiquer  le 
commandement  dtune  armce,  d'une  com- 
pagnie,  to  resign  the  command  of  an 
army,  of  a  company. 

ABLECTI,  in  military  antiquity,  a 
choice  or  select  part  of  the  soldiery  in 
the  Roman  armies,  picked  out  of  those 
cal  led  ext raor dinar ii. 

ABOARD,  (abord,  Fr.)  in  the  ship. 
On  hoard  is  frequently  used  to  signify 
the  same;  but  the  term  is  evidently  a 
corruption  of  its  original  import  and 
etymology.  A  signifies  in.  Thus,  aloft 
is  derived  from  a,  in,  and  luft,  air,  in  the 
air;  along,  in  the  same  track.  So  that 
instead  of  saying,  the  troops  are  on 
board,  it  should  be,  the  troops  are 
aboard. 

ABOIS,  IV.  a  term  used  among  the 
French  to  signify  extreme  distress. 
Thus  an  army  which  is  hemmed  in  on  all 
sides  in  a  fortress  or  camp,  and  is  in 
want  of  provisions,  &c.  is  said  to  be  aux 
abois.  The  word  comes  from  aboi/er,  to 
bark;  perhaps  the  term  at  bay  is  de- 
rived from  it,  as  the  stag  at  bay. 

ABOI-VENTS,   Fr.  in    fortification, 
small  lodgments  constructed  in  acovered 
way,  or  in  any  other  part  of  a  fortified 
place,  to    protect  soldiers  from  the  in- 
clemency of  the  weather. 
B 


A  R  R 


(   2   ) 


A  B  S 


A  DOLL  A,  in  military  antiquity,  a 
warm  kind  of  garment,  generally  lined 
or  doubled,  used  both  by  the  Greeks 
and  Romans,  chiefly  out  of  the  city,  in 
following  the  camp* 

ABONNEMENT,  Fr.  an  engage- 
ment entered  into  by  a  country,  town, 
corporation,  &c.  tor  the  purpose  of  sup- 
plying the  exigencies  of  the  state  in 
time  of  war,  or  of  granting  provisions, 
&c.  to  an  army. 

ABORD,  Fr.  attack,  onset. 
D'ABORD,  Fr.  at  first;  in  the  be- 
ginning. 

S'ABOUCHER,  Fr.  to  parley. 
ABOUT,  a  technical  word  to  express 
the  movement,  by  which  a  body  of 
troops  changes  its  front  or  aspect,  by 
facing  according  to  any  given  word  of 
command. 

Right-Avovr,  is  when  the  soldier,  by 
placing  the  toe  of  the  right  foot  on  a 
line  in  contact  with  the  heel  of  the  left, 
makes  a  pivot  of  the  latter,  and  com- 
pletely changes  the  situation  of  his  per- 
son, by  a  semi-circular  movement  to  the 
right. 

Left-AhovT,  is  when  the  soldier,  by 
placing  the  heel  of  his  right  foot  on  a 
line  with  the  great  toe  of  the  left, 
changes  the  situation  of  his  person,  by  a 
semi-circular  movement  to  the  left. 
When  troops  are  under  arms,  they  are 
sometimes  put  to  the  left-about,  in  order 
to  prevent  the  clashing  of  the  pouches, 
which  frequently  occurs  in  the  semi-cir- 
cular movement  to  the  right.       • 

ABOUT,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  that  part 
of  a  piece  of  wood  which  is  between  one 
of  the  ends  of  the  piece  and  a  mortoise. 

ABREAST,  a  term  formerly  used  to 
express  any  number  of  men  in  front. 
At  present  they  are  determined  by  files. 
ABREUVOIR,  Fr.  a  watering  place; 
any  spot  dug  for  the  purpose  of  retain- 
ing water.  This  must  always  be  at- 
tended to  when  a  regular  camp  is  first 
formed. 

Abreivotr,  Fr.  in  masonry,  the 
joint,  or  juncture,  of  two  stones;  or  the 
interstice,  or  space,  which  is  left  be- 
tween, to  be  filled  up  with  mortar  or 
cement. 

Abreuvoir  also  signifies  small 
trenches  which  are  made  in  stone  quar- 
ries to  carry  off  the  water. 

ABRI,  Fr.  shelter,  cover.  Fire,  a 
Vabri,  to  be  under  cover,  as  of  a  wood, 
hillock,  &c. 

ABRIS,  Fr.  places  of  shelter. 


ABSCISSA,  in  military  mathematics, 
signifies  any  part  of  the  diameter  or 
axis  of  a  curve,  contained  between  its 
vertex  or  some  other  fixed  point,  and 
the  intersection  of  the  ordinate. 

In  the  parabola,  the  abscissais  a  third 
proportional  to  the  parameter  and  the 
ordinate. 

In  the  ellipsis,  the  square  of  the  ordi- 
nate is  equal  to  the  rectangle  under  the 
parameter  and  abscissa,  lessened  by  an- 
other rectangle  under  the  said  abscissa, 
and  a  fourth  proportional  to  the  axis, 
the  parameter,  and  the  abscissa. 

In  the  hyperbola,  the  squares  of  the 
ordinates  are  as  the  rectangles  of  the 
abscissa  by  another  line,  compounded  of 
the  abscissa  and  the  transverse  axis. 

But  it  must  be  remembered,  that  the 
two  proportions  relating  to  the  ellipsis 
and  hyperbola,  the  origin  of  the  abscissa, 
or  point  from  whence  they  began  to  be 
reckoned,  is  supposed  to  be  the  vertex 
of  the  curve,  or,  which  amounts  to  the 
same  thing,  the  point  where  the  axis 
meets  it;  for  if  the  origin  of  the  abscissa 
be  taken  from  the  centre,  as  is  often 
done,  the  above  proportions  will  not  be 
true. 

ABSENT,  a  term  used  in  the  British 
army.  It  forms  a  part  of  the  regimental 
reports  and  general  returns,  to  account 
for  the  deficiency  of  any  given  number 
of  officers  or  soldiers;  and  is  usually 
distinguished  under  two  principal  heads, 
|  viz. 

Absent  with  leave,  (avoir  conge,  ou 
itre  permis  d'a/ler  en  semestre,  Fr.)  offi- 
cers with  permission, or  non-commission- 
ed officers  and  soldiers  on  furlough; 
excused  parade  or  field  duty. 

Absent  without  leave,  (itre  absent, 
ou  s'ubscntcr  sans  permission,  Fr.)  Men 
who  desert  are  frequently  returned  ab- 
sent without  leave,  for  the  specific  pur- 
pose of  bringing  their  crime  under  regi- 
mental cognizance,  and  to  prevent  them 
from  being  tried  capitally  for  desertion, 
according  to  the  Mutiny  Act. 

ABSOLUTE  Gravity,  in  philosophy, 
is  the  whole  force  by  which  a  body, 
shell,  or  shot,  is  impelled  towards  the 
centre.     See  Gravity. 

Absolute  Number,  in  Algebra,  is  the 
known  quantity  which  possesses  entirely 
one  side  of  the  equation.  Thu»,  in  the 
equation,  .r.r  -f-  lOr,  —  64,  the  number 
64,  possessing  entirely  one  side  of  the 
equation,  is  called  the  absolute  number, 
and  is  equal  to  the  square  of  the  un- 


A  C  A 


(   *  ) 


A  C  C 


known  root  x,  added  to  10  x,  or  to  10 
times  .r. 

ABUTMENT,  that  which  abuts  or 
supports  the  ends  of  any  thing. 

ACADEMY,  in  antiquity,  the  name 
of  a  villa  situated  about  a  mile  from  the 
city  of  Athens,  where  Plato  and  his  fol- 
lowers assembled  for  conversing  on  phi- 
losophical subjects;  and  hence  they  ac- 
quired the  name  of  Academics. 

The  term  Academy  is  frequently  used 
among  the  moderns  for  a  regular  society, 
or  company,  of  learned  persons,  insti- 
tuted under  the  protection  of  a  prince, 
for  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of 
arts  or  sciences.  Some  authors  con- 
found ucademy  with  university ;  but, 
though  much  the  same  in  Latin,  they 
are  very  different  things  in  English.  An 
university  is,  properly,  a  body  composed 
of  graduates  in  the  several  faculties;  of 
professors,  who  teach  in  the  public 
schools;  of  regents  or  tutors,  and  stu- 
dents who  learn  under  them,  and  aspire 
likewise  to  degrees :  whereas  an  academy 
was  originally  not  intended  for  teaching, 
or  to  profess  any  art,  but  to  improve  it ; 
it  was  not  for  novices  to  be  instructed 
in,  but  for  those  who  were  more  know- 
ing, for  persons  of  distinguished  abilities 
to  confer  in,  and  communicate  their 
lights  and  discoveries  to  each  other,  for 
their  mutual  benefit  and  improvement. 
The  first  ucademy  we  read  of,  was  esta- 
blished by  Charlemagne,  at  the  motion 
of  Alcuin  ;  it  was  composed  of  the  chief 
wits  of  the  court,  the  emperor  himself 
being  a  member. 

Royal  Military  Academy.  We  have 
in  England  two  royal  academies,  one  at 
Woolwich,  and  one  at  Portsmouth. 
The  first  was  established  by  his  late 
Majesty  King  George  II.  by  warrants 
bearing  date  the  30th  day  of  April,  and 
the  18th  day  of  November,  1711,  en- 
dowed and  supported  for,  the  instructing 
of  the  people  belonging  to  the  military 
branch  of  the  ordnance,  in  the  several 
parts  of  mathematics  necessary  to  qualify 
them  for  the  service  of  the  artillery,  and 
the  business  of  engineers.  The  lectures 
of  the  masters  in  theory  were  then  duly 
attended  by  the  practitioner-engineers, 
officers,  serjeants,  corporals,  private  men, 
and  cadets.  At  present  the  gentlemen 
educated  at  this  academy  are  the  sons  of 
the  nobility  and  military  officers.  They 
are  called  gentlemen  cadets,  and  are  not 
admitted  under  14,  and  not  above  16 
years  of  age.    They  are  taught  writing. 


arithmetic,  algebra,  Latin,  French,  ma- 
thematics, mechanics,  surveying,  level- 
ling, and  fortification,  together  with  the 
attack  and  defence;  gunnery,  mining, 
laboratory-works,  geography,  perspec- 
tive, fencing,  dancing,  &c.  The  master- 
general  of  the  ordnance  is  always  cap- 
tain of  the  company  qf  gentlemen  cadets. 
One  second  captain  and  two  subalterns 
constantly  do  duty  with  the  cadets,  on 
the  common;  and  there  is  the  sam« 
number  with  those  in  the  arsenal. 

The  academy  at  Portsmouth  was 
founded  by  George  I.  in  172'2,  for  teach- 
ing the  branches  of  the  mathematics, 
which  more  immediately  relate  to  navi- 
gation. 

ACANTHUS,  in  architecture,  an  or- 
nament in  the  Corinthian  and  Compo- 
site orders,  being  the  representation  of 
the  leaves  of  the  plant  in  the  capitals  of 
them.  Acanthus  is  the  name  of  a  thorn, 
or  thistle,  which  is  called,  in  English, 
bear's  breech,  and  goat's  horn. 

ACANZI?  in  military  history,  thq 
name  of  the  Turkish  light  horse,  that 
form  the  van-guard  of  the  Grand  Si"- 
nior  s  army  on  a  march. 

ACCELERATED  Motion  on  oblique 
or  inclined  planes.     See  Motion. 

Accelerated  Motion  of  Pendulums. 
See  Pendulums. 

Accelerated  Motion  of  Projectiles. 
See  Projectiles. 

ACCELERER,  Fr.  to  hasten  on;  t» 
press  forward. 

Accelerer  tin  siege,  Fr.  to  carry 
the  trench  under  the  main  body  of  a 
fortified  place,  in  order  to  take  it  by  a 
prompt  assault. 

Accelerer  une  marcke,  Fr.  to  mak* 
extraordinary  exertions  in  advancing  a- 
gainst  an  enemy  with  rapidity;  to  make 
a  forced  march. 

ACCENDONES,  in  military  anti- 
quity, a  kind  of  gladiators,  or  supernu- 
meraries, whose  office  was  to  excite  and 
animate  the  combatants  during  the  en- 
gagement. 

ACCENSI,  in  antiquity,  were  officers 
attending  the  Roman  magistrates;  their 
business  was  to  summon  the  people  to 
the  public  games,  and  to  assist  the  pra> 
tor  when  he  sat  on  the  bench. 

Accensi,  in  military  antiquity,  was 
also  an  appellation  given  to  a  kind  of  ad- 
jutants appointed  by  the  tribune  to  as- 
sist each  centurion  and  decurion.  Ac- 
cording to  Festus,  they  were  supernu- 
merary soldiers,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
B* 


A  C  C 


t     *    ) 


A  C  T 


•Mend  their  leaders,  and  supply  the 
places  or  those  who  were  either  killed 
or  wounded.  Livy  mentions  them  us 
■{regular  troops,  hut  little  esteemed. — 
Nilmasius  tells  us,  they  were  taken  out 
of'  the  fifth  class  of  the  poor  citizens  of 
Koine. 

ACCESSIBLE,  ( 'accessible,  Fr.)  that 
which  may  be  approached.  We  say,  in 
a  military  style,  that  place,  or  that  for- 
tress, is  accessible  from  the  sea,  or  land, 
i.  e.  it  may  be  entered  on  those  sides. 

ACCLAMATIONS,  Fr.  shouts  of 
joy,  &c.  usually  given  by  troops  under 
arms,  amidst  the  discharge  of  cannon, 
&c.  on  the  surrender  of  a  place:  or  in 
testimony  of  some  great  event:  we  use 
the  term  cheers. 

ACCLIVITY,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
the  steepness  or  slope  of  any  work,  in- 
clined to  the  horizon,  reckoned  upwards. 
Some  writers  on  fortification  use  accli- 
vity as  6ynonimous  to  talus;  though 
talus  is  commonly  used  to  denote  all 
manner  of  slopes. 

ACCOMPANIMENT,  something  at- 
tetrdant  on,  or  added  to,  another  by 
way  of  ornament,  or  for  the  sake  of 
symmetry. 

ACCONTIUM,  in  ancient  military 
writers,  a  kind  of  Grecian  dart  or  jave- 
lin, somewhat  resembling  the  Roman 
pihun. 

ACCOTEMENT,  Fr.  an  upsetting; 
among  paviors,  a  space  of  ground  which 
is  between  the  border  of  a  road  and  the 
ditch;  a  sort  of  footpath  by  which  the 
road  is  widened.  Dcs-Accotement  sig- 
nifies the  reverse,  or  having  both  sides 
uncovered,  or  not  upset. 

Put;  or  Personal  ACCOUNT,  an  ac- 
count which  is  kept  by  army  agents,  spe- 
cifyiug  the  several  sums  of  money  which 
have  been  received  or  disbursed  for  an 
officer  under  the  heads  of  subsistence 
and  allowances. 

Clothing  Account,  an  account  which 
is  kept  by  army  agents,  stating  the  sums 
of  money  which  have  been  received  or 
disbursed  for  a  colonel  on  account  of 
die  clothing  of  his  regiment. 

ACCOUNTANT  (Public).  Every 
officer,  be  his  rank  and  situation  ever  so 
high  or  low,  becomes  a  public  account- 
ant the  instant  he  is  entrusted  with 
the  receipt  and  distribution  of  public 
property;  and  until  he  receive  his 
quietus,  he  and  his  heirs  remain  amena- 
ble to  the  crown — nullum  tempus  oc- 
•uriit  Jle^i. 


ACCOUTREMENTS,  in  a  military 
sense,  signify  habits,  equipage,  or  furni- 
ture, of  a  soldier,  such  as  buffs,  belts, 
pouches,  cartridge  boxes,  &c.  Accou- 
trements should  be  made  of  stout, 
smooth  buff,  as  well  for  the  service  to  he 
expected  from  them,  as  for  their  supe- 
rior look  above  the  spongy  kind,  which 
is  always  stretching,  and  difficult  to 
clean.  The"  bull  belts  are  about  2 J 
inches  broad,  with  two  buckles  to  fix 
them  to  the  pouch.  Pouches  are  mad* 
of  the  stoutest  blackened  calf-skin, 
especially  the  outside  Haps,  which  are 
of  such  a  substance  as  to  turn  the  se- 
verest rain.  Cartridge-boxes  are  made 
as  light  as  possible,  with  3ti  holes  in 
each,  to  hold  so  many  cartridges.  The 
bayonet-belt  is  also  2\  inches  broad, 
and  better  worn  over  the  shoulder  than 
about  the  waist. 

ACCULER  une  armie,  une  troupe, 
Fr.  to  drive  an  army  or  body  of  men 
into  such  a  situation  that  they  must 
either  fight  or  surrender;  also  to  come 
to  close  action. 

ACEREIt,  Fr.  to  mix  steel  with  iron; 
thus  the  point,  or  edge,  of  a  tool  is  said 
to  be  bien  act  re,  well  steeled,  when  the 
mixture  of  steel  is  pure. 

ACIIARNEMENT,  IV.  the  rage  and 
frenzy  to  which  soldiers  are  subjected 
in  the  heat  of  an  engagement;  a  thirst 
for  blood  and  carnage. 

ACLIDES,  in  Roman  antiquity,  a 
kind  of  missive  weapon,  with  a  thong 
fixed  to  it,  whereby  it  might  be  drawn 
hack  again.  Most  authors  describe  the 
aclides  as  a  dart  or  javelin  ;  but  Scaliger- 
makes  it  somewhat  of  a  round  and  glo- 
bular shape,  with  a  wooden  stein  to  poise 
it  by. 

ACOLUTIII,  in  military  antiquity, 
was  a  title  in  the  Grecian  empire  given 
to  the  captain  or  commander  of  the  7"«- 
rangi,  or  body  guards,  appointed  for  the 
security  of  the  emperor's  palace. 

ACKOTERIA,  (acrolircs,  Fr.)  in 
architecture,  small  pedestals,  usually 
without  bases,  placed  on  pediments, 
and  serving  to  support  statues. 

Sometimes  acroteria  is  used  to  signify 
those  sharp  pinnacles,  or  spiral  battle- 
ments, which  stand  in  ranges  about  fiat 
buildings,  with  rails  and  balustrades. 

ACTIAN  games,  in  antiquity,  were 
games  instituted,  or  at  least  restored, 
by  Augustus,  in  memory  of  the  famous 
victory,  at  Actiuui,  over  Mark  Au« 
thony. 


A  D  J 


(     5     ) 


ADO 


Actian  years,  in  chronology,  a  series 
of  years,  commencing  with  the  epocha 
of  the  battle  of  Actium,  otherwise  called 
the  aera  of  Augustus. 

ACTION,  {action,  Fr.)in  the  military 
art,  is  an  engagement  between  two  ar- 
mies, or  any  smaller^  body  of  troops,  or 
between  different  bodies  belonging  there- 
to. The  word  is  likewise  used  to  signify 
some  memorable  act  done  by  an  officer, 
soldier,  detachment,  or  party. 

Action  of  the  mouth,  in  a  horse,  the 
agitation  of  the  tongue  and  the  mandi- 
ble  of  a  horse,  which,  by  champing  upon 
the  bridle,  keeps  his  mouth  fresh. 

ACTIVITE,  Fr.     See  Activity. 

Eire  en  Activite,  Fr.  to  be  in  force, 
or  have  existence,  as  a  law,  rule,  or 
order ;  also  to  be  on  service. 

ACTIVITY,  in  a  military  sense,  de- 
notes laboriousness,  attention,  labour, 
diligence,  and  study. 

ACTS  of  hostility,  (actes  d'hostilite, 
Fr.)  certain  overt  acts  by  sea  or  land, 
which  tend  to  a  declaration  of  war  be- 
tween two  countries;  or  to  a  renewal  of 
it,  after  a  truce  had  been  agreed  upon. 

ACULER,  from  the  French,  signifies, 
in  the  manege,  that  a  horse,  working 
upon  volts,  does  not  go  far  enough  for- 
wards, at  every  motion,  so  that  his 
shoulders  embrace,  or  take  in,  too  little 
ground,  and  his  croupe  comes  too  near 
the  center  of  the  volt.  A  horse  is  said 
to  have  petite,  when  the  horseman  does 
not  turn  his  hand,  and  put  him  on  with 
the  calf  of  the  inner  leg. 

ACUTE  angle.    See  Angle. 

ADACTED,  applies  to  stakes,  or 
piles,  driven  into  the  earth  with  large 
malls  shod  with  iron,  as  in  securing 
ramparts  or  ponloens. 

ADAPTER,  Fr.  in  architecture,  to 
fit  an  ornament  to  any  particular  ob- 
ject. 

ADDICE,  a  sort  of  axe  which  cuts 
horizontally.  It  is  commonly,  or  cor- 
ruptly, called  an  adze. 

ADDOSSER,  Fr.    .fieeADOssER. 

AQ^jkthe  shaft,  or  entrance  into  a 
mine^ap^ssage  underground,  by  which 
miners  approach  the  part  they  intend  to 
sap.    §ee  Gallery. 

ADJUTANT-GENERAL,  an  officer 
of  distinction,  who  aids  and  assists  the 
general  in  his  laborious  duty:  he  forms 
tb^"  several  details  of  duty  of  the  army, 
with  the  brigade  majors,  and  keeps  an 
exact  state  of  each  brigade  and  regi- 
ment, with  a  roll  of  the  lieutenant-ge- 


nerals, major-generals,  colonels,  lieute- 
nant-colonels, and  majors.  He  every 
day  at  head  quarters  receives  orders 
from  the  general  officer  of  the  day,  and 
distributes  them  to  the  majors  of  bri- 
gades, from  whom  he  receives  the  num- 
ber of  men  they  are  to  furnish  for  the 
duty  of  the  army,  and  informs  them  of 
any  detail  which  may  concern  them. 
On  marching  days  he  accompanies  the 
general  to  the  ground  of  the  camp.  He 
makes  a  daily  report  of  the  situation  of 
all  the  posts  placed  for  the  safety  of  the 
army,  and  of  any  changes  made  in  their 
posts.  In  a  day  of  battle  the  adjutant- 
general  sees  the  infantry  drawn  up, 
after  which  he  places  himself  by  the 
general  to  receive  orders.  In  a  siege  he 
visits  the  several  posts  and  guards  of  the 
trenches,  and  reports  their  situation, 
and  how  circumstanced;  he  gives  and 
signs  all  orders  for  skirmishing  parties, 
(if  time  permit,)  and  has  a  serjeaut  from 
each  brigade  to  carry  any  orders  which 
he  may  have  to  send. 

ADJUTANT,  an  officer  who  eases 
the  major  of  part  of  the  burthen  of  his 
duty,  and  performs  it  in  his  absence. 
He  receives  orders  from  the  brigade  ma- 
jor, if  in  camp ;  and  when  in  garrison, 
from  the  town  major.  After  he  has  car- 
ried them  to  his  colonel  or  officer  com- 
manding the  regiment,  he  then  assembles 
the  serjeant-major, drum-major,  and  rite- 
major,  with  a  serjeant  and  corporal  of 
each  company,  who  write  the  orders  to 
shew  to  their  respective  officers.  If  con- 
voys, parties,  detachments,  or  guards,  are 
to  be  furnished,  he  gives  the  number 
which  each  company  is  to  furnish,  and 
hour  and  place  for  the  assembling :  he 
must  keep  an  exact  roster  and  roll  of 
duties,  and  have  a  perfect  knowledge  of 
all  manoeuvres,  &c. 

ADMINISTRATION  interieure  des 
Corps,  Fr.  the  interior  economy  or  in- 
ternal management  of  regiments;  such 
as  the  clothing,  capping,  accoutring,  pay- 
ing the  men  their  allowances,  &c. 

ADMINISTRER,  Fr.  to  furnish;  to 
supply. 

Administrer  des  munitions,  Fr.  to 
supply  a  town  or  army  with  the  neces- 
sary means  of  attack  and  defence. 

ADMIRAL,  the  commander  in  chief 
of  a  tleet,  squadron,  &c.  When  on  shore, 
he  is  entitled  to  receive  military  ho- 
nours, and  ranks  with  generals  in  the 
army. 

ADOS,  Fr.  a  bank  of  earth  which 


A  F  F 


(     6     ) 


AGE 


is  raised  against    a  wall   that  is  much 
exposed. 

\  DOSSER,  Fr.  to  place  one  thing 
behind  anotlu  p. 

ADOUBER,       l  Fr.     to    stop    up 

li  \DOUBER,  S  chasms  or  holes  in 
a  fountain,  machine,  &c. 

ADOUCIS8EMENT,  in  architec- 
ture, the  junction  of  one  body  with 
another;  also  tlie  reducing  two  bodies 
to  the  same  surface,  or  making  them 
even. 

ADVANCE.     See  Pay  in  Advance. 

ADVANCED  signifies  some  part  of 
an  army  in  front  of  the  rest,  as  in  ad- 
vanced guards,  which  always  precede  the 
line  of  march  or  operations  of  a  body  of 
troops;  again,  as  when  a  battalion,  or 
guns  of  a  second  line  are  brought  up  in 
front  and  before  the  first  line.  This 
term  also  applies  to  the  promotions  of 
officers  and  soldiers. 

t  Fosse  \    See  Fortifi- 

Advanced   %  Ditch  \        cation. 
(Guard.  See  Guard. 

ADVANCEMENT,  in  a  military 
sense,  signifies  honour,  promotion,  or 
preferment,  in  an  army,  regiment,  or 
company. 

ADVANTAGE  G round,  a  ground 
that  gives  superiority,  or  an  opportunity 
of  annoyance  or  resistance. 

ADVICE  Boat,  a  vessel  employed  for 
intelligence. 

ADVOCATE  General.  See  Judge 
Marshal. 

I  \  EATORES,  in  military  antiquity, 
the  musicians  in  an  army;  including 
those  who  sounded  the  trumpets,  horns, 
li/ui,  bueeitUBf  ike. 

AFFAIR,  in  the  military  acceptation 
of  the  word,  means  any  action  or  engage- 
ment. 

Affair  of  Honour,  a  duel. 

AFFAIRE  de  poste,  Fr.  any  engage- 
ment fought  hy  an  army  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  some  object  of  importance ; 
as  the  key  of  a  country,  &c. 

AFFAISSEMENT  d'un  outrage  de 
fortification,  Fr.  the  sinking  or  lowering 
of  any  part  of  a  fortification,  either 
through  time,  or  by  pressure,  &c. 

Ah'h'AyiERunc armcc,  Fr.  to  prevent 
an  army  from  receiving  provisions,  &c. 
and  thereby  starve  it  out. 

AfFAMr.it  une  place,  Fr.  to  besiege  a 
place  so  closely  as  to  starve  the  garrison 
and  inhabitants.    See  Blockade. 

AFFIDAVIT,  in  military  law,  signi- 
fies an  oath  taken  before  some  person 


who  is  properly  authorized  to  administer 
it;  as  first,  when  a  soldier  is  enlisted, 
when  it  is  styled  an  attestation  ;  second- 
ly, by  all  officers  appointed  for  a  court- 
martial;  thirdly,  by  the  commissaries,  or 
muster-masters,  Ike. 

AFFIDE,  Fr.  a  man  that  is  trusted; 
one  in  the  confidence  of  another. 

AFFLEURER,  Fr.  to  place  two 
things  upon  the  same  level. 

AFFOIBLIR,  Fr.  to  weaken;  hence 
aff'oiblir  un  ennemi,  to  weaken  an 
enemy. 

AFFRONTER  les  perils,  Fr.  to  face 
all  dangers;  not  to  be  intimidated  by  the 
sword,  ball,  or  even  death  itself. 

S'AFFRONTER,  Fr.  to  engage  one 
another  rudely.  Lcs  deux  armies  s'af- 
fronte rent,  the  two  armies  came  to  close 
action,  and  fought  hand  to  hand. 

Affronter,  Fr.  to  encounter  or  at- 
tack boldly. 

AFFUT,  the  French  name  for  a  gun- 
carriage,  and  for  which  we  have  no  pro- 
per name;  the  only  distinction  from  all 
other  carriages  is,  that  it  belongs  to  a 
gun.     See  Carriage. 

AGA,  in  the  Turkish  army,  is  the 
same  as  a  general  with  us. 

AGE.  A  young  man  must  he  14 
years  old  before  he  can  become  an  officer 
in  the  line,  or  be  entered  as  a  cadet  at 
Woolwich. 

Persons  may  be  enlisted  for  soldiers 
from  17  to  45.  After  the  latter  age, 
every  inhabitant  is  exempted  from  serv- 
ing in  the  British  militia. 

By  a  late  regulation,  growing  boys 
may  be  enlisted  under  16  years  of  age. 
These  recruits  are  chiefly  intended  for 
the  East-India  service. 

The  Romans  were  obliged  to  enter 
themselves  in  the  army  at  the  age  of  17 
years;  at  45  they  might  demand  their 
dismission.  Amongst  the  Lombards,  the 
age  of  entry  was  between  18  and  19; 
among  the  Saxons,  at  13. 

AGE  of  a  horse.  The  age  of  a  horse 
is  discovered  by  several  outward  cha- 
racters, but  principally  by  his  teeth; 
which  see.  We  also  refer  the  curious 
to  Af.  de  SolleyseVs  Complete  Horseman, 
for  particular  remarks  on  this  important 
head. 

AGEMA,  in  the  ancient  military  art, 
a  kind  of  soldiery  chiefly  in  the  Macedo- 
nian artryes.  The  word  is  Greek,  and  li- 
terally denotes  vehemence,  to  express 
the  strength  and  eagerness  of  this  corps. 
Some  authors  will  have  agema  to  denote 


AGE 


(     7     ) 


A  G  G 


a  certain  number  of  picked  men,  an- 
swering to  a  legion  among  the  Romans. 

AGENCY,  a  certain  proportion  of 
money  which  is  ordered  to  be  subtract- 
ed from  all  the  pay  and  allowances  of 
the  British  army,  for  transacting  the  busi- 
ness of  the  several  regiments  compos- 
ing it. 

AGENDA,  Fr.  a  term  used  among 
the  French,  signifying  a  minute  detail  of 
every  thing  that  is  required  in  the  inte- 
rior economy  of  a  regiment,  troop,  or 
company. 

AGENT,  a  person  in  the  civil  depart- 
ment of  the  army,  between  the,paymas- 
ter-general  and  the  paymaster  of  the 
regiment,  through  whom  every  regimen- 
tal concern  of  a  pecuniary  nature  must 
be  transacted.  He  gives  security  to  go- 
vernment, or  to  the  colonels  of  regi- 
ments, who  are  responsible  to  govern- 
ment, for  all  monies  which  may  pass 
through  his  hands  in  the  capacity  of  an 
Agent — and  by  the  Mutiny  Act  it  is 
provided,  That  if  an  agent  shall  with- 
hold the  Pay  of  Officers  or  Soldiers  for 
the  space  of  one  Month,  he  shall  be  dis- 
missed from  his  Office,  and  forfeit  100^. 
(39th  Geo.  III.  Sect.  69.) 

Half-pay  Agent,  a  person  named  or 
appointed  by  an  officer  on  half-pay,  to 
receive  his  allowances.  He  does  not 
give  any  security. 

AGENT,  Fr.  the  person  who  is  en- 
trusted with  the  interior  economy  of  a 
regiment,  troop,  or  company. 

AGGER,  in  ancient  military  writers, 
denotes  the  middle  part  of  a  military 
road,  raised  into  a  ridge,  with  a  gentle 
slope  on  each  side,  to  make  a  drain  for 
the  water,  and  keep  the  way  dry. 

Agger  is  also  used  for  the  whole 
road  or  military  way.  Where  highways 
were  to  be  made  in  low  grounds,  as 
between  two  hills,  the  Romans  used  to 
raise  them  above  the  adjacent  land,  so 
as  to  make  them  of  a  level  with  the 
hills.  These  banks  they  called  aggeres. 
Bergier  mentions  several  in  the  Gallia 
Belgica,  which  were  thus  raised  10,  15, 
or  '^0  feet  above  ground,  and  5  or  6 
leagues  long.  They  are  sometimes  call- 
ed aggeres  calceati,  or  causeways,  as 
with  us. 

Agger  also  denotes  a  work  of  for- 
tification, used  both  for  the  defence  and 
the  attack  of  towns,  camps,  &c.  in  which 
sense  agger  is  the  same  with  what  was 
otherwise  called  vallum,  and  in  later 
times,    agestum  ;  and  among  the  mo- 


derns, lines;  sometimes,  cavaliers,  fer* 
r asses,  &c. 

The  agger  was  usually  a  bank,  or  ele- 
vation of  earth,  or  other  matter,  bound 
and  supported  with  timber;  having  some- 
times turrets  on  the  top,  wherein  the 
workmen,  engineers,  and  soldiery,  were 
placed.  It  was  also  accompanied  with  a 
ditch,  which  served  as  its  chief  defence. 
The  height  of  the  agger  was  frequently 
equal  to  that  of  the  wall  of  the  place. 
Csesar  tells  us  of  one  he  made,  which 
was  30  feet  high,  and  330  feet  broad. 
Besides  the  use  of  aggers  before  towns, 
they  generally  used  to  fortify  their 
camps  with  the  same,  for  want  of  which 
precaution,  divers  armies  have  been  sur- 
prised and  ruined. 

There  were  vast  aggers  made  in  towns 
and  places  on  the  sea-side,  fortified  with 
towers,  castles,  &c.  Those  made  by 
Caesar  and  Pompey,  at  Brundusium,  are 
famous.  Sometimes  aggers  were  even 
built  across  arms  of  the  sea,  lakes,  and 
morasses;  as  was  done  by  Alexander 
before  Tyre,  and  by  M.  Anthony  and 
Cassius. 

The  wall  of  Severus,  in  the  north  of 
England,  may  be  considered  as  a  grand 
agger,  to  which  belong  several  lesser 
ones.  Besides  the  principal  agger,  or 
vallum,  on  the  brink  of  the  ditch,  Mr. 
Horsley  describes  another  on  the  south 
side  of  the  former,  about  5  paces  distant 
from  it,  which  he  calls  the  south  agger ; 
and  another  larger  one,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  ditch,  called  the  north  agger. 
This  latter  he  conjectures  to  have  served 
as  a  military  way  ;  the  former,  probably, 
was  made  for  the  inner  defence,  in  case 
the  enemy  should  beat  them  from  any 
part  of  the  principal  vallum,  or  to  pro- 
tect the  soldiers  against  any  sudden  at- 
tack from  the  provincial  Britons. 

Agger  Tarquinii  was  a  famous  fence 
built  by  TarquiniusSuperbus,  on  the  east 
side  of  Rome,  to  stop  the  incursions  of 
the  Latins  and  other  enemies,  whereby 
the  city  might  be  invested. 

Agger  is  also  used  for  the  earth  dug 
out  of  a  ditch  or  trench,  and  thrown  up 
on  the  brink  of  it :  in  which  sense,  the 
Chevalier  Folard  thinks  the  word  to  be 
understood,  when  used  in  the  plural 
number,  since  we  can  hardly  suppose 
they  would  raise  a  number  of  cavaliers 
or  terrasses. 

Agger  is  also  used  for  a  bank  or  wall, 
erected  against  the  sea,  or  some  great 
river,  to  confine  or  keep  it  within  bounds; 


A  I  G 


(     5     ) 


A  I  R 


tn  which  sense,  agger  amounts  to  the 
same  Willi  what  the  ancients  called  tu- 
mulus and  moles;  the  Dutch,  dyke; 
and  we,  dam,  sca-ica//,  \c. 

AGIADES,  in  the  Turkish  armies, 
are  a  kind  of  pioneers,  or  rather  field 
engineers,  employed  in  fortifying  the 
camp,  &c. 

AGIR,  Fr.  to  act;  hence  agir  en 
offensive ;  agir  en  defensive ;  to  act  of- 
fensively; to  act  defensively,  or  on  the 
defensive. 

AGITATOR,  (Affid't,  Fr.)  a  person  in 
the  confidence  of  a  superior,  who  mixes 
with  his  fellow  subjects  or  comrades,  and 
discusses  various  matters  for  the  pur- 
pose of  discovering  their  views  and  prin- 
ciples. This  character  was  first  created 
by  Oliver  Cromwell;  and  a  similar  one 
was  much  employed  among  the  French, 
in  order  to  preserve  the  military  ascend- 
ancy of  Bonaparte. 

AGUERRI,  Fr.  an  officer  or  soldier 
experienced  in  war;  a  veteran. 

AID,  in  horsemanship.  To  aid,  as- 
sist, or  succour  a  horse,  is  to  help  him 
to  work  true.  This  is  done  by  the  gen- 
tle and  moderate  exercise  of  the  bridle, 
the  spur,  the  caveson,  the  poinson,  the 
rod,  the  action  of  the  legs,  the  mo- 
tion of  the  thighs,  and  the  sound  of  the 
tongue. 

AIDE-DE-CAMP,  an  officer  ap- 
pointed to  attend  a  general  officer,  in  the 
field,  in  winter  quarters,  and  in  garrison ; 
he  receives  and  carries  the  orders,  as 
occasion  requires.  He  is  seldom  under 
the  degree  of  a  captain,  and  all  aides-de- 
camp  have  10s.  a  day  allowed  for  their 
duty.  This  employment  is  of  greater  im- 
portance than  is  generally  believed  :  it  is, 
however,  often  entrusted  to  young  offi- 
cers of  little  experience,  and  of  as  little 
capacity;  but  in  most  foreign  services 
the  v  give  great  attention  to  this  article. 
Marshal  de  Puysegur  mentions  the  loss 
of  a  battle  through  the  incapacity  of  an 
aide-de-camp.  The  king  may  appoint 
for  himself  as  many  as  he  pleases,  which 
appointment  gives  the  rank  of  colonel  in 
the  army.  Generals,  being  field  mar- 
shals, have  four,  lieutenant  generals  tico, 
major  generals  one,  and  brigadier  gene- 
rals one  brigade  major. 

AIDE  du  Pare  des  Vivrcs,  Fr.  an  of- 
ficer in  France,  acting  immediately  un- 
der the  commissary  of  stores  and  provi- 
sions. 

AID-MAJOR.    See  Adjutant. 

AIGREMORE,  a  term  used  by  the 


artificers  in  the  laboratory,  to  express 
the  charcoal  m  a  state  fitted  for  the 
making  of  powder. 

AIGUILLE,  an  instrument  used  by 
engineers  to  pierce  a  rock  lor  the  lodg- 
ment  ot  powder,  as  in  a  mine;  or  to 
mine  a  rock,  so  as  to  excavate  and  make 
roads. 

Aiguille  de  chariot,  Fr.  the 
draught  tree  of  a  chariot. 

AIGUILLES,  Fr,  in  carpentry,  short 
upright  pieces  of  wood  used  in  the  roofs 
or  houses. 

Aiguilles,  in  hydraulics,  round  or 
square  pieces  of  wood  which  serve  to 
lift  up,  or  let  down,  a  llood-gate. 

AIGUILLETTE9,  Fr.  tagged  points, 
such  as  hang  from  the  shoulders  in  mili- 
tary uniforms,  particularly  among  the 
Russians,  Prussians,  &c. 

AILE,  Fr.  a  wing  or  flank  of  an  army 
or  fortification. 

A  ills  de  moulin  a  vent,  Fr.  the  sails 
of  a  windmill. 

AILERONS,  Fr.  the  short  boards 
which  arc  set  into  the  outside  of  a  wa- 
ter-mill's wheel;  we  call  them  ladles, 
or  aveboards.  slubes,  Fr.  signify  the 
same. 

AiLERONsalsosignify  small  buttresses, 
or  starlings,  which  are  laid  along  the 
sides  of  rivers,  or  water  courses,  in  or- 
der to  prevent  them  from  undermining 
any  particular  building.  According  to 
Belidor,  the  word  epis  is  more  appro- 
priate. 

AIM,  the  act  of  bringing  the  mus- 
quet,  piece  of  ordnance,  or  any  other 
missive  weapon,  to  its  proper  line  of  di- 
rection with  the  object  intended  to  be 
struck. 

AIM-FRONTLET,  a  piece  of  wood 
hollowed  out  to  fit  the  muzzle  of  a  gun, 
to  make  it  of  an  equal  height  with  the 
breech,  formerly  made  use  of  by  the 
gunners,  to  level  and  direct  their  pieces. 
It  is  not  used  at  present. 

AIR,  (air,  Fr.)  in  a  horse,  a  ca- 
dence and  liberty  of  motion,  suited  to 
the  natural  disposition  of  the  horse, 
which  makes  him  work  in  the  manege, 
and  rise  correctly. 

Am,  Fr.  air,  manner,  way,  &c.  also 
look,  countenance,  &c. 

Air  de  service,  Fr.  a  look  of  hardship, 
or  of  war  ;  weather-beaten. 

AIR-GUN,  a  pneumatic  machine  for 
exploding  bullets,  &c.  with  great  vio- 
lence. 

The  common  air-gun  is.  made  of  brass, 


A  I  R 


(     9     ) 


A  L  C 


3nc]  has  two  barrels  :  the  inside  barrel  is 
of  a  small  bore,  from  whence  the  bullets 
are  exploded;  and  a  large  barrel  on  the 
outside  of  it.  There  is  likewise  a  sy- 
ringe fixed  in  the  stock  of  the  gun,  by 
which  the  air  is  injected  into  the  cavity 
between  the  two  barrels  through  a  valve. 
The  ball  is  put  down  into  its  place  in 
the  small  barrel  with  the  rammer,  as  in 
any  other  gun.  Another  valve,  being 
opened  by  the  trigger,  permits  the  air 
to  come  behind  the  bullet,  so  as  to  drive 
it  out  with  great  force.  It  this  valve  be 
opened  and  shut  suddenly,  one  charge 
of  condensed  air  may  be  sufficient  for 
several  discharges  of  bullets;  but  if  tire 
whole  air  be  discharged  on  one  single 
bullet,  it  will  drive  it  out  with  uncom- 
mon force.  This  discharge  is  effected  by 
means  of  a  lock  placed  here,  as  usual 
in  other  guns;  for  the  trigger  being 
pulled,  the  cock  will  go  down  and  drive 
the  lever,  which  will  open  tl  £  valve,  and 
let  in  the  air  upon  the  bullet  s  but  as  the 
expansive  power  of  the  condensed  air 
diminishes  at  each  discharge,  its  force  is 
not  determined  with  sufficient  precision 
for  the  purposes  of  war.  Hence  it  has 
been  Ion"  out  of  use  among  military 
men. 

In  the  air-gun,  and  all  other  cases 
where  the  air  is  required  to  be  condensed 
to  a  very  great  degree,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  have  the  syringe  of  a  small  bore, 
viz.  not  exceeding  half  an  inch  in  dia- 
meter ;  because  the  pressure  against  every 
square  inch  is  about  15  pounds,  and 
therefore  against  every  circular  inch 
about  12  pound?.  If  therefore  the  sy- 
ringe he  one  inch  in  diameter,  when  one 
atmosphere  is  injected,  there  will  be  a 
resistance  of  12  pounds  against  the  pis- 
ton ;  and  when  ten  are  injected,  there 
will  be  a  force  of  120  pounds  to  be  over- 
come; whereas  ten  atmospheres  act 
against  the  circular  half-inch  piston 
(whose  area  is  only  \  Dart  so  bi^j  with 
only  a  force  equal  to  30  pounds;  or  40 
atmospheres  may  be  injected  with  such 
a  syringe,  as  well  as  10  with  the  other. 
In  short,  the  facility  of  working  will  be 
inversely  as  the  squares  of  the  diameter 
of  the  syringe. 

AIR-SHAFTS,      in      mining.       See 
Mixing. 

AIRE,  Fr.  any  smooth  or  even  spot 
of  ground  upon  which  one  treads. 

Aire,  Fr.  in  geometry,  the  area  or 
inside  of  any  geometrical  figure. 


Aire,  Fr.  in  architecture,  the  space 
between  the  walls  in  a  building. 
AIKEE,  Fr.  a  barn-floor; 
A I  tt  I E  R,  IV.  to  fumigate. 

A  IS,  Fr.  board,  plank. 

Afs  d'entrevouj:,  Fr.  boards  or  planks 
which  cover  the  space  between  the  raft- 
ers, or  beams,  in  a  building. 

AISCEAU,  Fr.  a  chip-axe,  or  one 
handed  plane  axe,  with  which  carpenters 
hew  their  limber  smooth. 

ATSCETTE,  Fr.  a  small  planing  axe. 

AISSE,  Fr.  a  linch  pin. 

AISSIEU,  IV.  axle-tree,  axis.  It  is 
also  called  fi/mpan  or  (tuubour,  round 
which  a  rope  may  be  wound  for  the  pur- 
pose of  drawing  up  any  load  affixed  to 
it. 

AJUTAGE,  (ajutage,  FrJ  in  hy- 
draulics, part  of  the  apparatus  of  an  ar- 
tificial  fountain  ;  being  a  sort  of  jet  cPeait, 
or  kind  of  tube  fitted  to  the  mouth  or 
aperture  of  a  vessel,  through  which  the 
water  is  to  lie  played,  and  thrown  into  a 
particular  form  or  figure. 

AJUTAGES,  Fr.  pipes  for  water- 
works. 

ALAISE,  Fr.-  in  carpentry,  a  thin 
piece  of  wood  which  is  used  to  linish  the 
wooden  pannels  of  a  door.  It  is  also 
written  ali.se. 

ALARM  is  a  sudden  apprehension 
upon  some  report,  which  makes  men  run 
to  their  arms  to  stand  upon  their  guard; 
it  implies  either  the  apprehension  of  be- 
ing suddenly  attacked,  or  the  notice  given 
of  such  an  attack  being  actually  made  ; 
generally  signified  by  the  firing  of  a  can- 
non, the  beat  of  a  drum,  &c. 

Alarm-I-W,  in  the  field,  is  the 
ground  appointed  by  the  quarter-master 
general  for  each  regiment  to  march  to, 
in  case  of  an  alarm. 

Alar m- Post,  in  a  garrison,  is  the 
place  allotted  by  the  governor  for  the 
troops  to  draw  up  in,  on  any  sudden 
alarm. 

J'a/se-ALARMS,  are  stratagems  of  war, 
frequently  made  use  of  to  harass  an 
enemv,  by  keeping  them  perpetually  un- 
der arms.  They  are  often  conveyed  by 
false  reports,  occasioned  by  a  fearful  or 
negligent  sentinel.  A  vigilant  officer  will 
someiiu.es  makS  a  false  alarm,  to  try  if 
his  guards  are  strict  upon  duty. 

A  i  ARM-i'.W/,  the  bell  rung    upon  any 
sudden  emergency,  as  a  lire,  mutiny,  ap- 
proach of  an  enemv,  or  the  like,  called 
i>v  the  French,  Tocsin. 
C 


ALG 


(    to    ) 


ALL 


ALCANTARA,  kuightsof,  a  Spanish 
military  order,  who  gained  great  honour 
during  the  wars  villi  the  Moors. 

ALDER, an  aquatic  tree  well  known; 
still  much  esteemed  for  such  parts  ot 
works  as  lie  continually  under  water. 

Vitruvius  tells  us,  that  the  morasses 

about    Ravenna,    in   Italy,  were    piled 

with  alder  timber,  in  order  to  build  upon. 

The  Rialto  at  Venice  is  built  upon 

piles  of  this  wood. 

ALERT,  originally  derived  from  the 
French  word  alerte,  which  is  formed  of 
a  and  airte.  The  French  formerly  said 
airte  for  air;  so  that  alerte  means  some- 
thing continually  in  the  air,  and  always 
ready  to  be  put  in  action.  A  general  is 
said  to  be  alert  when  he  is  particularly 
vigilant. 

To  be  kept  upon  the  Alert  is  to  be  in 
continual  apprehension  of  being  sur- 
prized. Alerte,  among  the  French,  is  an 
expression  which  is  used  to  put  soldiers 
upon  their  guard.  It  is  likewise  used  by 
a  post  that  may  be  attacked  in  the  night, 
to  give  notice  to  the  one  that  is  destin- 
ed to  support  it;  and  by  a  sentry  to  give 
warning  when  any  part  of  the  enemy  is 
approaching. 

ALETTE,  Fr.    in   architecture,  the 
side  of  a   pier   between   two   arcades : 
alettes  also  signify  jaumbs,  or  piedroits. 
ALGARIE,  Fr.  a  catheter  which  sur- 
geons use  to  draw  off  the  urine. 

ALGEBRA,  the  science  of  numbers 
in  general,  in  which,  by  general  marks 
for  numbers,  and  others  for  operations 
with  them,  the  properties  of  numbers 
are  demonstrated,  and  questions  relative 
to  them  are  solved  in  an  easy  and  concise 
manner.  This  science  has  been  rendered 
obscure  by  an   affectation  of  mystery, 
and    the    supposition,     that     numbers 
might  be  less  than  nothing,  and  impos- 
sible.    But  as  number  is  delinite  in  it- 
self, and  one  of  the  clearest  ideas,  when- 
ever such  a  mysterious  expression  oc- 
curs, it  must  be  owing  to  the  negligence 
of  the  person  using  it,  not  to  any  fault 
in  the  science.     The  study  of  this  easy 
branch  of  knowledge  might  he  recom- 
mended to  officers  in  genera!,  from  the 
example  set  them  by  Descartes,  the  great 
philosopher  of  France,  who  when  a  young 
man,  and  encamped  neai  an  university, 
solved  a  difficult  problem,  which  est  r- 
cised  the  ulents  of  their  deepest  stu- 
dents.    To  officers  in  the  ordnance  de- 
partment the  knowledge  of  Algebra  is 
indispeusably     necessary.      See     Mr. 


Fiend's  very  able  publication   on  this 
science. 

ALIDADE,  Fr.  a  small  instrument 
which  is  used  in  making  the  grooves  of 
a  rillc  barrel  equal;  a  cross-staff;  also 
the  index  of  a  nocturnal  or  sea  qua- 
drant. 

ALIEN",  in  law,  implies  a  person 
born  in  a  foreign  country,  not  within 
the  king's  dominions,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  a  denizen,  or  natural-born  sub- 
ject. 

Alien-Office.  See  Office. 
ALIGN  EMENT  implies  any  thing 
straight:  for  instance,  the  alignement  of  a 
battalion  means  the  situation  of  a  body 
of  men  when  drawn  up  in  line.  The 
alignement  of  n  camp  signifies  the  rela- 
tive position  of  the  tents,  &c.  so  as  to 
form  a  straight  line  from  given  points. 

ALiE,  in  the  ancient  military  art,  the 
two  wings  or  extremes  of  an  army  ranged 
in  order  of  little. 

ALIQUANT,  (aliquante,  Fr.)  parts 
of  a  number,  which,  however  repeated, 
will  never  make  up  the  number  exactly; 
as,  3  is  an  aliquant  of  10,  thrice  3  being 
9,  four  times  3  making  12. 

ALIQUOT,  (  aliquot  cs,  Fr.)  aliquot 
parts  of  any  number  or  quantity, such  as 
will  exactly  measure  it  without  any  re- 
mainder; as  three  is  an  aliquot  part  of 
12,  because  being  taken  four  times,  it 
will  just  measure  it.  Thus  also,  the 
aliquot  parts  of  18  are  2,  3,  6,  9. 

ALLEGIANCE,  in  law,  implies  the 
obedience  which  every  subject  ought  to 
pay  to  his  lawful  sovereign. 

Oath  of  Ar.LEGfANCE  is  that  taken 
by  the  subject,  by  which  he  acknow- 
ledges the  king  his  lawful  sovereign.  It 
is  also  applied  to  the  oath  taken  hy  o(li- 
cers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and  sol- 
diers in  pledge  of  their  fidelity  to  the 
monarch,  prince,  or  state,  under  which 
they  ser\e. 
ALLEG1ANT,  loyal. 
ALLER  a  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  meet  the 
enemy;  to  march  against  him. 

ALLEZER,  Fr.  to  cleanse  the  mouth 
of  a  cannon  or  other  piece  of  ordnance, 
and  to  increase  the  bore,  so  as  to  pro- 
duce its  determined  calibre. 

ALLEZOIR,  Fr.  a  frame  of  timber 
firmly  suspended  in  the  air  with  strong 
cordage,  on  which  is  placed  a  piece  of 
ordnance  with  the  muzzle  downwards. 
In  this  situation  the  bore  is  rounded  and 
enlarged  by  means  of,  an  instrument 
which     has    a   very    sharp    and   strong 


A  L  M 


(   11   ) 


A  M  A 


edge  made  to  traverse  the  bore  by  men 
or  horses,  and  in  an  horizontal  direc- 
tion. 

ALLEZURES,  Fr.  the  metal  taken 
from  the  cannon  by  boring. 

ALLIAGE,  a  term  used  by  the 
French,  to  denote  the  composition  of 
metals  used  for  the  fabrication  of  can- 
non and  mortars,  &c. 

ALLIANCE,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense, 
signifies  a  treaty  entered  into  by  sove- 
reign princes  and  states,  for  their  i  j- 
tual  safety  and  defence.  In  this  sense 
alliances  may  be  divided  into  such  as 
are  offensive,  where  the  contracting 
parties  oblige  themselves  jointly  to  at- 
tack some  other  power;  and  into  such 
as  are  defensive,  whereby  the  contract- 
ing powers  bind  theinse  ves  to  stand  by, 
and  defend  one  another,  in  case  of  being 
attacked  by  any  other  power. 

Alliances  are  variously  distinguished 
according  to  their  object,  the  parties  in 
them,  &c.  Hence  we  read  of  equal,  un- 
equal, triple,  quadruple,  grand,  offensive, 
defensive  alliances,  ccc. 

ALLODIAL,  independent;  not  feu- 
dal. The  Allodu  of  the  Romans  were 
bodies  of  men  embodied  on  any  emer- 
gency, in  a  manner  similar  to  our  volun- 
teer associations. 

ALLOGNE,  the  cordage  used  with 
floating  bridges,  by  which  they  are 
guided  from  one  side  of  a  river  to  the 
other. 

ALLONGE,  Fr.  a  pass  or  thrust  with 
a  rapier  or  small  sword;  also  a  long  rein 
used  in  the  exercising  of  horses. 

ALLONGER,  Fr.  to  lengthen. 

ALLOWANCE,  a  sum  paid  monthly 
or  otherwise,  as  the  case  may  be,  for 
services  rendered,  &c.  The  French  use 
the  word  truitement  in  this  sense.  They 
also  say  Allouunce,  from  Allouer,  to 
allow. 

ALLOY  is  the  mixture  of  metals 
that  enter  into  the  composition  of 
the  metal  proper  for  cannon  and  mor- 
tars. 

ALLY,  ia  a  military  sense,  implies 
any  nation  united  to  another,  under  a 
treaty,  either  offensive  or  defensive,  or 
both." 

ALMADIE,  a  kind  of  military  canoe, 
or  small  vessel,  about  24  feet  long, 
made  of  the  bark  of  a  tree,  and  used  by 
the  negroes  of  Africa. 

Almadie  is  also  the  name  of  a  long- 
boat used  at  Calcutta,  near  30  feet  long, 
and  generally  six  or  seven  broad. 


ALTIMETRY,  the  taking  or  mea- 
suring altitude,  or  heights. 

ALTITUDE,  height  or  distance  from 
the  ground  measured  upwards,  and  may 
be  either  accessible  rii  inaccessible. 

ALTrTmr.  qfjigure  is  the  distance  of 
ir*  vertex  from  its  base,  ox  the  length  of 
u  perpendicular  let  fall  from  the  vertex 
to  the  base. 

Altitude  of  a  shot  or  shell  is  the 

.  pendicular  height  of  the  vertex  of  the 
cuive  in  which  it  moves  above  the  hori- 
zon.    See  Gunnery  and  Projectiles. 

Aititude,  in  optics,  r9  Usually  consi- 
dered as  the  angle  subtended  between  a 
Ime  drawn  through  the  eye,  parallel  to 
the  horizon,  and  a  visual  ray  emitted 
from  an  object  of  the  eye. 

Altitude,  in  cosmography,  is  the 
perpendicular  height  of  an  object,  or  its 
distance  from  the  horizon  upwards. 

Altitudes  are  divided  into  accessible 
and  inane-txible. 

Accessible   Altitude  of  an  object  is 

:  hat  whose  base  you  can  have  access  to, 

.  e.   measure  the  nearest  distance  be- 

weeu  your  station  and   the  foot  of  the 

object  on  the  ground. 

Inaccessible  Altitude  nf  an  object  is 
that  when  the  foot  or  but  torn  of  it  can- 
iot  be  approached,  by  reason  of  some 
impediment;  such  as  water,  or  the  like. 
The  instruments  chiefly  used  in  measur- 
ing altitudes,  are  the  quadrant,  theo- 
dolite, geometric  quadrant,  or  line  of 
shadows,  ike. 

Altitude  of  the  eye,  in  perspective, 
is  a  right  line  let  full  from  the  eye,  per- 
pendicular to  the  geometrical  plane. 

Altitude  of  motion,  a  term  used  by 
some  writers,  to  express  the  measure  of 
any  motion,  computed  according  to  the 
line  of  direction  of  the  moving  force. 

AMARRER  sur  la  culasse  d'un  canon, 
Fr.  to  tie  or  lash  to  the  breech  of  a  gun, 
in  order  to  inflict  bodily  chastisement, 
or  to  answer  any  other  put  pose. 

A  MAS,  Fr.  stores. 

AMAZON,  one  of  those  women  who 
inhabited  the  country  so  called.  They 
ire  said  to  have  composed  a  nation  of 
themselves,  exclusive  of  males,  and  to 
have  derived  their  name  from  their  cut- 
ting off  one  of  their  breasts,  that  it  might 
not  hinder  or  impede  the  exercise  of 
their  arms.  This  term  has  often  by 
modern  writers  been  used  to  signify  a 
bold  daring  woman,  whom  the  delicacy 
of  her  sex  does  not  hinder  from  engag- 
ing in  the  most  hazardous  attempts. 
C2 


A  M  M 


(    a   ) 


A  M  O 


Tlic  last  and  former  wars  with  France 
have  furnished  us  with  several  instances 
of  females  who  have  uudergone  the  fa- 
tigue of  a  campaign  with  alacrity,  and 
run  the  hazards  of  a  battle  with  the 
greatest  intrepidity. 

AMBIT,  the  compass  or  circuit  of 
any  work  or  place,  as  of  a  fortification 
or  encampment,  &c. 

AMBJ  1  [ON,  in  a  military  sense,  sig- 
nifies a  desire  or  greater  posts,  or  pre- 
ferment. Every  gentleman  in  the  army 
or  oavy  ought  to  have  a  spirit  of  ainbi- 
tion  to  arrive  at  tlie  very  summit  of  the 
profession. 

.A.MIjI.EE  OU  emblee,  Fr.  main  force, 
or  assault. 

AMBLING,  a  motion  in  a  horse 
between  the  gallop  and  trot. 

AMBULANT,  Fr.  changing  situa- 
tion according  to  circumstances;  hence 
Hopital  ambulant, i\\\  hospital  which  fol- 
lows the  army;  Chirurgien  ambulant,  a 
surgeon  who  follows  the  line  of  action. 

AMBUSCADE,  a  snare  set  for  the 
enemy,  either  to  surprize  him  when 
marching  without  precaution;  or  by 
posting  yourself  advantageously,  and 
drawing  hmi  on  by  different  stratagems, 
to  attack  himvtith  superior  force. 

AMBUSH,  a  place  of  concealment 
for  soldiers  to  surprize  an  enemy,  by 
falling  suddenly  upon  him. 

AME,  a  French  term,  similar  in  its 
import  to  the  word  chamber,  as  applied 
to  cannon,  i\:c. 

AMENDE  Honorable,  among  the 
Trench,  signifies  an  apology  for  some 
injury  done  to  another,  or  satisfaction 
given  for  an  offence  committed  against 
the  rules  of  honour  or  military  etiquette; 
and  was  also  applied  to  an  infamous 
kind  of  punishment  inflicted  upon  trai- 
tors, parricides,  or  sacrilegious  persons, 
in  the  following  manner:  the  offender 
being  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
hangman,  his  shirt  is  stripped  off,  a  rope 
put  about  his  neck,  and  a  taper  in  his 
Land;  then  he  is  led  into  court,  where 
he  must  beg  pardon  of  Cod,  the  king, 
the  court,  and  his  country.  Sometimes 
the  punishment  ends  here;  but  at  other 
times  it  is  only  a  prelude  to  death,  or 
banishmeut  to  the  gullies. 

AMMUNITION  implies  all  sorts  of 
powder  and  ball,  shells,  bullets,  car- 
tridges, grape-shot,  tin  and  case-shot, 
carcasses,  grenades,  &c. 

Ammunition,  fixed  and  unfixed. — 
The  fixed  comprises  loaded  shells,  car- 


casses, and  cartridges,  filled  with  pow- 
der; also  shot,  fixed  to  powder,  for  the 
convenience  of  loading  qaick,  and  pre- 
venting mistakes  in  using  the.  charges  of 
powder  for  filing  the  different  natures  of 
round  and  case-shot,  for  held  service; 
but  this  latter  practice  has  of  late  years 
been  discontinued,  owing  to  the  great 
danger  there  is  in  mixing  the  powder 
with  the  shot,  when  travelling,  and  from 
the  ammunition  fixed  ill  this  manner  not 
being  proper  to  deposit  in  magazines. 
Ball  and  blank  cartridges  for  the  troops, 
of  different  descriptions,  to  suit  the  na- 
tures of  arms,  are  also  termed  fixed  am- 
munition. 

Unfixed  ammunition  means  round] 
case,  and  grape-shot,  or  shells,  not  tilled 
with  powder. 

Ammunition  for  the  navy  is  all  un- 
fixed, at  the  time  it  is  sent  on  board 
shift,  except  it  may  be  the  hantlgrenades; 
and  when  on  board,  the  gunner  receives 
directions  to  keep  a  certain  number  of 
cartridges,  filled  with  powder,  for  im- 
mediate service. 

Ammunition,  or  gun-ponder,  may 
be  prohibited  to  be  exported,  at  the 
king's  pleasure,  by  Car.  II.  cap.  4.  sect. 

1o 
vJ, 

Arms,  utensils  of  war,  or  gun-powder, 
imported  without  licence  from  his  ma- 
jesty, are  to  be  forfeited  with  treble  the 

value.  Such  licence  obtained,  except 
for  the  furnishing  his  majesty's  public 
stores,  is  to  be  void,  and  the  offender  to 
incur  a  premunire,  and  be  disabled  to. 
bold  any  office  from  the  crown. 

Am. mi  mi  ion  bread,  such  as  is  con- 
tracted for  by  government,  and  served 
in  camp,  garrison,  and  barracks. 

Ammunition  shoes,  stockings,  shirts, 
storks,  6ic.  such  of  those  articles  as  are 
served  out  to  the  private  soldiers  by  go- 
vernment.    See  Half  Mountings. 

Ammunition-?^  <,'(>«  is  generally  a 
four-wheel  carriage  with  shafts;  the  sides 
are  railed  in  with  staves  and  raves,  and 
lined  with  wicker  work,  so  as  to  carry 
bread  and  all  sorts  of  tools.  It  is  drawn 
by  four  horses,  and  loaded  with  1200 
pounds  weight.     See  Wagon. 

AMMUNITlON-carf,  a  two-wheel  car- 
riage with  shafts;  the  sides  of  which,  as 
well  as  the  fore  and  hind  parts,  are  in- 
closed. 

AMNESTY,  (umnistic,  Fr.)  an  act  of 
oblivion;  a  general  pardon. 

AMOISE,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  piece 
of  wood  which  is  laid  between  two  half- 


A  N  B 


(    is    ) 


AND 


beams  of  timber  to  support  the  rafters 
in  a  roof. 

AMORCE,  an  old  military  word  for 
fine-grained  powder,  such  as  is  some- 
times used  for  the  priming  of  great 
guns,  mortars,  or  howitzers;  as  also  for 
small  arms,  on  account  of  its  rapid 
inflammation :  a  port  fire,  or  quick 
match. 

AMORCES,  Fr.  in  masonry,  bricks 
or  stones  which  serve  to  unite  a  wall  of 
some  extent,  but  which  is  not  com- 
pleted all  together. 

AMDRTIR,  Fr.  to  deaden;  as 
Amortir  un  coup  de  feu,  to  deaden  a 
shot  from  a  fire-arm. 

AMORTISSEMENT,    ou    eouronne 


ment,  Fr.  a  piece  of  architecture,  or  or-   an  army 


ANCHOR,  (ancre,  Fr.)  a  heavy  iron 
composed  of  a  long  shank,  having  a 
ring  at  one  end,  to  which  the  cable  is 
fastened,  and  at  the  other  branching  out 
into  two  arms  or  flukes,  tending  up- 
wards with  barbs  or  edges  on  each  side: 
its  use  is  to  hold  the  ship,  by  being  fixed 
to  the  ground.  There  are  ten  parts  be- 
longing to  an  anchor,  viz.  the  shank,  the 
eye,  the  ring,  the  nuts,  the  crown,  the 
arms,  the  palms,  the  flukes,  the  bill,  and 
the  stock. 

ANCHORS,  in  architecture,  a  sort  of 
carving  which  resembles  an  anchor,  or 
arrow  head. 

ANCIENT,  a  term  used  formerly  to 
express  the  grand  ensign  or  standard  of 


nament  of  sculpture,  which  diminishes 
as  it  rises,  to  terminate  some  decora- 
tion. 

AMPLITUDE  de  parabole,  Fr.  in 
artillery,  the  horizontal  range  of  a  shell, 
from  its  departure  out  of  a  mortar  to 
the  spot  on  which  it  drops. 

AMPLITUDE  of  the  range  of  a  pro- 
jectile.    See  Projectile. 

AMPOULETTE,an  old  military  term 
used  by  the  French  to  express  the  stock 
of  a  musket,  &c. 

AMUSETTE,  a  species  of  offensive 
weapon  which  was  invented  by  the  cele- 
brated Marshal  Saxe.  It  is  fired  oft*  in 
the  same  manner  as  a  musquet,  but  is 
mounted  nearly  like  a  canon.  It  was 
found  of  considerable  use  during  the 
late  war,  especially  among  th?  French, 
who  armed  their  horse  artillery  with  it ; 
and  found  it  superior  to  the  one  adopted 
by  the  Prussians.  The  ball  with  which 
it  is  loaded  is  from  one  pound  and  a 
half  to  two  pounds  weight  of  lead. 

ANABASII,  in  antiquity,  were  expe- 
ditious couriers,  who  carried  dispatches 
of  great  importance,  in  the  Roman 
wars. 

ANACLETICUM,  in  the  ancient  art 
of  war,  a  particular  blast  of  the  trum- 
pet, whereby  the  fearful  and  flying  sol- 
diers were  rallied  and  recalled  to  the 
combat. 

ANALOGY,  in  geometry,  ike.  the 
comparison  of  several  ratios  together; 
and  is  the  same  as  proportion. 

ANALYSIS,  (ana/i/se,  Fr.)  a  separa- 
tion of  a  compound  body  into  the  seve- 
ral parts  of  which  it  consists. 

ANBURY    is    a   kind    of    wen,    or 


ANCILE,  in  antiquity,  a  kind  of 
shield,  which  fell,  as  was  pretended, 
from  heaven,  in  the  reign  of  Numa 
Pompilius;  at  which  time,  likewise,  a 
voice  was  heard,  declaring,  that  Rome 
would  be  mistress  of  the  world  as  long 
as  she  should  preserve  this  holy  buckler. 

Authors  are  much  divided  about  its 
shape:  however,  it  was  kept  with  great 
care  in  the  temple  of  Mars,  under  the 
direction  of  twelve  priests;  and  lest  any 
should  attempt  to  steal  it,  eleven  others 
were  made  so  like  it,  as  not  to  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  sacred  one.  These 
Ancilia  were  carried  in  procession  every 
year  round  the  citv  of  Rome. 

AN  CONES  are  the  corners,  or  coins 
of  walls,  crossbeams,  or  rafters.  Vi- 
tmvius  calls  the  consols,  ancones. 

ANCRE,  Fr.  an  iron  brace. 

ANDABATjE,  in  military  antiquity, 
a  kind  of  gladiators,  who  fought  hood- 
winked, having  a  sort  of  helmet  that 
covered  the  eyes  and  face.  They  fought 
mounted  on  horseback,  or  out  of  cha- 
riots. 

St.  ANDREW,  or  the  Thistle,  a  mi- 
litary order  of  knighthood  in  Scotland; 
the  motto  is,  Nemo  vie  impune  lucessit. 
The  occasion  of  instituting  this  order  is 
variously  related  by  different  authors 
John  Lesley,  bishop  of  Ross,  reports, 
that  the  night  before  the  battle  betwixt 
Atheistane,  king  of  England,  or  rather 
Northumberland,  and  Hungus,  king  of 
the  Picts,  a  bright  cross,  in  the  fashion 
of  that  whereon  St.  Andrew  suffered 
martyrdom,  appeared  in  the  air  to  Hun- 
gus; he  having  gained  the  victory,  bore 
the  figure  of  that  cross  at  all  times  after 


spungy  wart,  growing  upon  any  part  of  in  bis  ensigns  and  banners;  from  which 
2  horse's  body,  full  of  blood. 


time  all  succeeding  kings  of  Scotland 


AND 


(     U     ) 


A  N  G 


liavc  religiously  observed  the  same  bear- 
ing. Others  assert,  that  this  extraordi- 
nary appearance  was  nc^t  to  Hungus,  but 
to  the  Scots,  whom  Achaius,  king  of 
Scotland,  sent  to  his  assistance.  This 
victory  is  said  to  have  been  obtained  in 
the  year  819,  (though,  according  to 
Buchanan,  Achaius  died  nine  years  be- 
forehand that  Hungus  and  Achaius  went 
bare-footed  in  solemn  procession  to  the 
kirk  of  St.  Andrew,  to  return  thanks  to 
God  and  his  apostle,  promising,  that 
they  and  their  posterity  would  ever  use 
in  their  ensigns  the  cross  of  St.  Andrew, 
which  custom  prevailed  among  the  Picts, 
and  continues  among  the  Scots  unto 
this  day;  and  that  both  these  kings  in- 
stituted an  order,  which  they  named  the 
order  of  St.  Andrew. 

Others,  who  allow  that  Achaius  in- 
stituted this  order,  give  the  following 
account  of  its  origin:  Achaius  having 
formed  that  famous  league,  offensive 
and  defensive,  with  Charlemagne,  against 
all  other  princes,  found  himself  thereby 
so  strong,  that  lie  took  for  his  device 
the  Thistle  and  the  Rue.  which  he  com- 
posed into  a  collar  of  his  order,  and  for 
his  motto,  Pour  inn  defense,  intimating 
thereby,  that  he  feared  not  the  powers 
of  foreign  princes,  seeing  he  leaned  on 
the  succour  and  alliance  of  the  French. 
And  though  from  hence  may  be  inferred, 
that  these  two  plants,  the  Thistle  and 
the  Rue,  were  the  united  symbols  of  one 
order  of  knighthood,  yet  Menenius  di- 
vides them  into  two,  making  one  whose 
badge  was  the  thistle,  whence  the  knijjhts 
were  so  called,  and  the  motto,  Nemo  me 
impune  htcessit  ;  another  vulgarly  called 
Sertumruto;  or  the  Garland  of  Rue;  the 
collar  of  which  was  composed  of  two 
branches  or  sprigs  thereof,  or  else  ol 
several  of  its  leaves:  at  both  these  col- 
lars hung  one  and  the  same  jewel,  to 
wit,  the  figure  of  St.  Andrew,  bearing 
before  him  the  cross  of  his  martyrdom. 
But  though  the  thistle  has  been  ac- 
knowledged for  the  badge  and  symbol 
of  the  kingdom  of  Scotland,  even  from 
the  reign  of  Achaius,  as  the  rose  was  of 
England,  and  the  lily  of  France,  the 
pomegranate  of  Spain,  &c.  yet  there  are 
some  who  refer  the  order  of  the  thistle 
to  later  times,  in  the  reign  of  Charles 
VII.  of  France,  when  the  league  of 
amity  was  renewed  between  that  king- 
dom and  Scotland,  by  which  the  former 
received  great  succour  from  the  latter, 
at  a  period  of  extraordinary   distress. 


Others  again  place  the  foundation  still 
later,  even  as  low  as  the  year  1500;  but 
without  any  degree  of  certainty. 

The  chief  and  principal  ensign  of  this 
order  is  a  gold  collar,  composed  of 
thistles,  interlinked  with  annulets  of 
gold,  having  pendent  thereto  the  image 
of  St.  Andrew,  with  his  cross,  and  this 
motto,  Nemo  me  impune  lucessit. 

Knights  of  St.  Andrew  is  also  an 
order  instituted  by  Peter  the  Great,  of 
Muscovy,  in  1698;  the  badge  of  which 
is  a  golden  medal,  on  one  side  whereof 
is  represented  St.  Andrew's  cross;  and 
on  the  other  are  these  words,  Czar  Pierre, 
monurque  de  toute  la  Russie.  This  medal, 
being  fastened  to  a  blue  ribbon,  is  sus- 
pended from  the  right  shoulder. 

ANGARIA,  in  ancient  military  wri- 
ters, means  a  guard  of  soldiers  posted 
in  any  place  for  the  security  of  it.  Vide 
Vegetius,  lib.  i.  c.  3.  lib.  ii.  c.  19.  lib. 
iii.  c.  8. 

Angaria,  in  civil  law,  implies  a  ser- 
vice by  compulsion,  as  furnishing  horses 
and  carriages  for  conveying  corn  or 
other  stores  for  the  army. 

ANGE,  a  term  used  by  the  French  to 
express  chain  shot. 

ANGEL  SHot.     See  Chain  Shot. 
Angel    Bed,  an    open    bed  without 
bed-posts,  such  as  may  be  seen  in  the 
wards  of  gaols,  hospitals,  &c. 

ANGELOT,  a  gold  coin,  which  was 
struck  at  Paris  when  that  capital  was  in 
the  hands  of  the  English;  and  so  called 
from  its  representing  the  figure  of  an 
angel,  supporting  the  arms  of  England 
and  France;  also  a  musical  instrument 
resembling  a  lute. 

ANGLE,  in  geometry,  is  the  incli- 
nation of  two  lines  meeting  one  another 
in  a  point. 

The  measure  of  an  angle  is  the  arch 
of  a  circle  whose  center  is  the  angular 
point,  and  radius  any  distance  in  ilie 
lines  forming  the  angle,  and  by  which 
the  arc  is  intercepted.  As  many  degrees, 
tSx.  as  are  contained  in  that  arch,  so 
many  degrees,  &c.  the  angle  is  said  to 
consist  of. 

Angles  are  either  right,  acute,  or 
obtuse. 

A  right  Angle  is  that  formed  by  a 
line  falling  perpendicularly  on  another; 
or  that  which  subtends  an  arc  of  90  de- 
grees. All  right  angles  are  equal  to  each 
other. 

An  acute  Angle  is  that  which  is 
less  than  a  right  angle,  or  90°. 


A  N  G  (   is   )  A  N  G 

An  obtuse  Angle   is  that  which  is  i  the  diameter  of  a  circle  makes  with  the 
greater  than  a  right   angle ;  or    whose  circumference, 
measure  exceeds  90°.  Angle  of  incidence  is  that  which  the 

Adjacent  Angles  are  such  as  have  the]  line  of  direction  of  a  ray  of  light,  &c, 


same  vertex,  and  one  common  side.  The 
sum  of  the  adjacent  angles  is  always 
equal  to  two  right  angles  (13  Eucl.  1), 
and  therefore,  if  one  of  them  be  acute, 
the  other  will  be  obtuse  ;  and  the  con- 
trary: whence,  if  either  of  them  be 
given,  the  other  is  also  given,  it  being 
the  complement  of  the  former  to  180°. 

Homologous  or  like  Angles,  in  similar 
figures,  are  such  as  retain  the  same  order, 
reckoning  from  the  first  in  both  figures. 

Vertical  Angles  are  the  opposite 
angles  made  by  two  lines  cutting  or 
crossing  each  other.  When  two  lines 
cut  or  cross  each  other,  the  vertical  an- 
gles are  equal.  (15  Eucl.  1.) 

Alternate  Angles  are  the  angles 
formed  by  a  straight  line  falling  on  two 
parallel  straight  lines,  so  that  each  angle 
shall  have  a  common  leg,  but  the  other 
legs  are  on  opposite  sides  of  this  com- 
mon leg.  These  alternate  angles  are 
always  equal.  (29  Eucl    1.) 

A  rectilinear  or  right-lined  Angle 
is  made  by  straight  lines,  to  distinguish 
it  from  the  spherical  or  curvilinear  angle. 

Angles  of  contact  are  angles  formed 
by  a  curve  with  its  tangent,  which  may 
be  considered  as  true  angles,  and  should 
be  compared  with  one  another,  though 
not  with  right-lined  angles,  as  being  in- 
finitely smaller. 

Angle  of  elevation,  in  gunnery,  is 
that  which  the  axis  of  the  hollow  cylin- 
der, or  barrel  of  the  gun,  makes  with  a 
horizontal  line.     See  Elevation. 

Angles  oblique  are  those  which  are 
greater  than  right  angles. 

Sp/tericul  Angle  is  an  angle  formed 
by  the  intersection  of  two  great  circles 
of  the  sphere.  A  spherical  angle  is 
measured  by  the  arc  of  a  great  circle, 
intercepted  between  the  legs,  or  the  legs 
produced,  whose  pole  is  in  the  vertex  of 
the  angle. 

Angle  lunular  is  an  angle  formed  by 
the  intersection  of  two  curves,  the  ont 
concave  and  the  other  convex. 

Mixed-line  Angle  is  that  compre- 
hended between  a  light  line  and  a  curv- 
ed line. 

Curved-line  Angle  is  that  inter- 
cepted between  two  curved  lines  meet- 
ing each  other  in  one  point,  in  the  same 
plane. 

Angle  of  a  semi-circle  is  that  which 


makes  at  the  point  where  it  first  touches 
the  body  it  strikes  against,  with  a  line 
erected  perpendicular  to  the  surface  of 
that  body. 

Angle  of  incidence,  in  projectiles,  is 
the  angle  which  the  line  of  direction  of 
the  projectile  makes  with  the  surface  of 
the  obstacle  on  which  it  impinges.  The 
force  or  effect  of  a  shot  striking  a  wall, 
or  other  obstacle,  in  an  oblique  direc- 
tion, is  to  its  force,  if  it  had  struck  the 
same  obstacle  in  a  perpendicular  direc- 
tion, as  the  angle  of  incidence  is  to  the 
radius.  Hence  the  impulsive  forces  of 
the  same  shot,  fired  in  different  direc- 
tions, are  to  each  other,  as  the  respec- 
tive angles  of  incidence  of  these  direc- 
tions. 
Angle  of  interval,  between  two  places, 
is  that  formed  by  two  lines  directed 
from  the  eye  to  those  places. 

Angle  of  reflection  is  the  angle  inter- 
cepted between  the  line  of  direction  of 
a  body  rebounding  after  it  has  struck 
against  another  body,  and  a  perpendicu- 
lar erected  at  the  point  of  contact. 

Angle  at  the  center,  in  fortification, 
is  the  angle  formed  at  the  middle  of  the 
polygon,  by  lines  drawn  from  thence  to 
the  points  of  the  two  adjacent  bastions. 

Angle  of  the  curtain,  )  that  which  is 

Angle  of  the  flank,  j  made  by,  and 
contained  between  the  curtain  and  the 
flank. 

Angle  of  the  polygon,  that  which  is 
made  by  the  meeting  of  the  two  sides  of 
the  polygon,  or  figure  in  the  center  of 
the  bastion. 

Angle  of  the  triangle  is  half  the  an- 
gle of  the  polygon. 

Angle  of  the  bastion,  or  |  that  which 

Flanked  Angle,  )  is  made  by 

the  two  faces,  being  the  utmost  part  of 
the  bastion  most  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
batteries,  frequently  called  the  point  of 
the  bastion. 

Diminished  Angle,  only  used  by 
some  foreign  engineers,  and  more  espe- 
cially the  Dutch,  is  composed  of  the  face 
of  the  bastion,  and  the  exterior  side  of 
the  polygon. 

Angle  of  the  shoulder,  i  is  formed  by 

Angle  of  the  epaule,  $  one  face,  and 
one  flank  of  the  bastion. 

Angle  of  the  tenaille,    }  is   made  by 

Angle  rentrant,  J  two  lines  fi- 


A  X  G 


(     10     ) 


A  N  I 


chant,  that  is,  the  laces  of  the  two  bas- 
tions extended  till  they  meet  in  an  an- 
gle  towards  the  curtain,  and  is  thai 
which  always  carries  its  point  towards 
the  out-works. 

AngLI  of  the  flunk  exterior  is  that 
which  i»  before  the  cent<  r  of  the  curtain, 
formed  by  the  prolongation  of  the  laces 
of  the  bastion,  or  by  both  the  fichant 
lines  of  defence,  intersecting  each  other 
on  planning  a  fortification. 

A  NCI  E  <if  tin  flunk  hilt  rior  is  formed 
by  tlu  flanked  line  of  dt  fence  and  the 
curtain  ;  being  that  point  where  the  line 
of  di  t'ence  falls  upon  the  curtain. 

Angle  of  the  line  <>f  defence  is  that 
angle  made  by  the  flank  and  the  line  of 
defence. 

Angle  of  the  face  is  formed  by  the 
angle  of  the  face  and  the  line  of  de- 
fence produced  till  they  intersect  each 
other. 

Angle  of  the  base  interior  is  the  half 
of  the  angle  of  the  figure,  which  the  in- 
terior polygon  makes  with  the  radius, 
when  they  join  each  other  in  the  cen- 
ter; intersecting  the  center  of  the  gorges 
of  each  bastion. 

Angle  of  the  base  exterior  is  an  angle 
formed  by  lines  drawn  from  the  center 
of  the  figure  to  the  angle  of  the  exterior 
polygon,  cutting  the  center  of  the  gorges 
of  each  bastion. 

Angle  of  the  gorge  is  that  angle 
formed  by  the  prolongation  of  the  cur- 
tains intersecting  each  other,  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  gorge,  through  which  the  ca- 
pital line  passes. 

ANGLE  of  the  ditch  is  formed  before 
the  center  of  the  curtain,  by  the  out- 
ward line  of  the  ditch. 

Angle  of  the  mole  is  that  which  is 
made  before  the  curtain  where  it  is  in- 
t(  rsected. 

Flanked  Angle.  Sec  Angle  of  the 
bastion. 

Salient  Angle,  )  is  that  angle   which 

Angle  tortant,  S  points  outwards,  or 
towards  the  country;  such  is  the  angle 
of  the  counterscarp  before  the  point  of 
a  bastion. 

.Entering- Angle,  or  ;  an  angle  point- 

Angle  rentrant,  S  ing  inwards,  as 
the  salient  angle  points  outwards;  such 
is  the  angle  of  the  counterscarp  before 
the  curtain. 

Angle  of  the  counterscarp,  made  by 
two  sides  of  the  counterscarp  meeting 
before  the  center  of  the  curtain. 

Angle  at  the  circumference  of  a  cir- 


cle,  is  an  angle  formed  by  two  chords  in 
the  circumference  of  a  circle. 

Angle  of  /.'/<  circumference  is  the 
mixed  angle  formed  by  an  arch,  drawn 
from  one  gorge  to  another. 

He-entering  Angle.  See  Entering 
Am.  i.e. 

Angle  qf  the  complement  of  the  line 
of  defence  is  the  angle  formed  by  the 
intersection  of  the  two  complements 
with  each  other. 

ANGLES  of  a  lalta/ion  a;e  made  by 
the  last  men  at  the  extremity  of  the 
ranks  and  tile-. 

Front  Angles,  the  two  last  men  of 
the  front  rank.  . 

Rear  Angles,  the  two  last  men  of 
the  rear  rank. 

Dead  Angle  is  a  re-entering  angle, 
consequently  nut  defended. 

Flank-forming  Angle.  When  the 
flank,  as  in  Ozanaih's  method,  passes 
when  produced  through  the  center  of 
the  polygon,  the  angle  formed  l>v  that 
line  and  the  oblique,  or  great  radio?,  a 
called  by  him  the  flank-forming  angle. 
In  the  Dutch  construction,  it  is  the 
angle  formed  by  a  di  mi-gorge  and  a 
ri^ht  line  drawn  to  the  adjacent  epaule 
from  that  extremity  thereof,  which  is  in 
the  angle  of  the  gorge  or  center  of  the 
bastion. 

ANGLET,  l'r.  an  anklet,  a  corner; 
also  a  small  right-angled  cavity;  a  term 
in  architecture. 

ANGON,  in  ancient  military  history, 
was  a  kind  of  dart  of  a  moderate  length, 
having  an  iron  bearded  head  and  cheeks; 
in  use  about  the  fifth  century.  This  sort 
of  javelin  was  much  used  by  the  French. 
The  iron  head  of  it  resembles  a  fleur- 
de-lis;  and  it  is  the  opinion  of  some 
writers,  that  the  arms  of  France  arc  not 
fleurs-de-lis,  but  the  iron  point  of  the 
angon  or  javelin  of  the  ancient  French. 

ANGULAR,  in  a  general  sense,  de- 
notes something  relating  to,  or  that  has 
angles. 

lb  ANIMATE,  in  a  military  sense, 
is  to  encourage,  to  incite,  to  add  fresh 
impulse  to  any  body  of  men  who  are  ad- 
vancing against  an  enemy,  or  to  prevent 
them  from  shamefully  abandouing  their 
colours  in  critical  situations.  Soldiers 
may  be  encouraged  and  incited  to  gal- 
lant actions  not  only  by  words,  but  by 
the  looks  and  gestures  of  the  oflicers, 
particularly  of  their  commanding  one. 
ft  is  by  the  latter  alone,  indeed,  that 
any  of  these  artificial  means   should  be 


ANT 


(   n  ) 


A  P  O 


irsorted  to;  for  silence,  steadiness,  and 
calmness  are  the  peculiar  requisites  in 
tlte  character  of  subordinate  oti':cers. 

ANIMOSITY,  (animosite,  Fr.)  ha- 
tred, grudge,  quarrel,  contention. 

AN  LACE,  a  falchion  or  sword,  shaped 
like  a  scythe. 

ANNA,  Ind.  the  sixteenth  of  a  rupee; 
the  lowest  nominal  coin  in  India,  equal 
to  about  2d.  English. 

ANNALS,  a  species  of  military  his- 
tory, wherein  events  are  related  in  the 
chronological  order  they  happened.  They 
differ  from  a  perfect  history,  in  being  only 
a  mere  relation  of  what  passes  every  year, 
as  a  journal  is  of  what  passes  every  day. 

ANNELET,  }  fcr/irce/e/,Fr.)fromara- 

ANNULET,  S  nulus,  a  ring,  a  small 
square  member  of  the  Doric  capital,  un- 
der the  quarter-round,  &c. 

Annulets  are  used  in  architecture  to 
signify  narrow  fiat  mouldings.  An  an- 
nulet is  the  same  member  which  M. 
Mauclerc,  from  Vitruvius,  calls  a  fillet; 
and  Pulladio  a  listel  or  cincture;  and 
M.  Brown,  from  Scamozzi,  a  supercili- 
um,  tinea,  eye-brow,  square  and  rabbit. 

ANNUNCIADA,  an  order  of  mili- 
tary knighthood  in  Savoy,  first  insti- 
tuted by  Amadeus  I.  in  the  year  1409; 
their  collar  was  of  15  links,  interwoven 
one  with  another,  and  the  motto  F.  E. 
R.  T.  signifying  Fortitude  ejus  Rhodum 
tenuit.  Amadeus  VIII.  changed  the 
image  of  St.  Maurice,  patron  of  Savoy, 
which  hung  at  the  collar,  for  that  of  the 
Virgin  Mary;  and  instead  of  the  motto 
above  mentioned,  substituted  the  words 
of  the  angel's  salutation. 

ANOLYMPIADES.  See  Olympiad. 

ANOMALOUS,  irregular,  unequal, 
out  of  rank. 

ANSE  des  pieces,  Fr.  the  handles 
of  cannon.  Those  of  brass  have  two — 
those  of  iron  seldom  any — these  handles 
serve  to  pass  cords,  handspikes,  or  levers, 
the  more  easily  to  move  so  heavy  a 
body,  and  are  made  to  represent  dol- 
phins, serpents,  &c. 

ANSPESADE.SeeLANCECoRi'ORAL. 

ANTA,  (antes,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
is  used  by  M.  Le  Clerc,  for  a  kind  of 
shaft  of  a  pilaster,  without  base  or  capi- 
tal, and  even  without  any  moulding. 
Belidor  calls  them  angular  pilasters, 
which  are  placed  in  the  corners  of  build- 
ings adorned    with   orders  of  architec- 


ture 


ANTvE,  pilasters  adjoining  to  a  wall. 
ANTEMURAILLE,  Fr.  in  the  an- 


cient military  art,  denoted  what  now  thft 
moderns  generally  call  the  out-works. 

ANTES,  square  pilasters,  which  the 
ancients  placed  at  the  corners  of  their 
temples. 

To  ANTEDATE,  (antidater,  Fr.)  to 
date  a  letter,  &c.  before  the  time.  Hence 
to  antedate  a  commission. 

ANTESTATURE,  in  ancient  fortifi- 
cation, signifies  an  intrenchment  of  pa- 
lisades or  sacks  of  earth  thrown  up  in 
order  to  dispute  the  remainder  of  a  piece 
of  ground. 

ANTHONY,  or  Knights  of  St.  An- 
thony, a  militarv  order  instituted  by 
Albert,  duke  of  Bavaria,  Holland,  and 
Zealand,  when  he  designed  to  make  war 
against  the  Turks  in  1382.  The  knights 
wore  a  collar  of  gold  made  in  the  form 
of  a  hermit's  girdle,  from  which  hung  a 
stick  like  a  crutch,  with  a  little  bell,  as 
they  are  represented  in  St.  Anthony's 
pictures. 

ANTICIIAMBER,  ( antichumbre,  Fr.) 
an  apartment  in  a  house  before  the 
principal  chamber;  a  lobby  or  outer 
room  of  a  large  or  noble  house,  where 
servants,  strangers,  or  petitioners  wait 
till  the  lord  or  master  of  the  house  is  at 
leisure  to  he  spoken  to.  The  French 
say  Chauffer  Vantichambre,  to  dance  at- 
tendance. 

ANTIPAGMENTS,  ornaments,  or 
garnishings  in  carved  work  set  upon  the 
architrave. 

ANTIQUO-OTraterH,  a  term  used  iu 
speaking  of  old  Gothic  churches,  to  dis- 
tinguish them  from  those  of  the  Greeks 
and  Romans. 

APERTURE,  the  opening  of  any 
thing;  or  a  hole,  cleft,  or  vacant  place 
in  some  solid  or  continuous  substance. 
In  architecture,  doors,  windows,  stair- 
cases, chimnies,  outlets  and  inlets  for 
light,  smoke,  Sec.  are  termed  aper- 
tures. 

Aperture,  in  geometry,  is  used  for 
the  space  left  between  two  lines,  which, 
mutually  incline  towards  each  other,  to 
form  an  angle. 

APOPHYGE,  in   architecture,    that 
part  of  a  column   where  it    begins   to 
spring  out  of  its  base,  and  shoot  upwards. 
|  The  French  call  it  ichappe,  conge. 

The  apopbyge,  in  its  original,  was  no 
more  than  the  ring  or  ferril,  heretofore 
fastened  at  the  extremities  of  wooden 
pillars,  to  keep  them  from  splitting, 
which  was  afterwards  imitated  in  stone- 
work. 


A  P  P 


(    i»    )' 


A  P  P 


APPANAGE,  Fr.  train,  retinue. 

APPAREIL,  Fr.  height  or  thickness 
of  a  stone  in  the  quarry;  also,  in  archi- 
tecture, the  method  of  cutting  stones 
and  laving  them. 

Pierre  A  PP A  RELLLEE,  Fr.  a  stone 
eat  to  the  measure  given. 

APPAREILLES,Fr.  are  those  slopes 
:  liit  lead  to  the  platform  of  the  bastion. 
See  FoOTIFIC  vi  ion. 

W'PARKILLEUR,  Fr.  an  architect 
who  superintends  the  workmen  in  the 
construction  of  fortifications,  sluices,  &C. 
a  marker  of  stones  to  be  cut. 

APPEAL  might  formerly  have  been 
made,  by  the  prosecutor  or  prisoner, 
from  the  sentence  or  jurisdiction  of  a 
regimental  to  a  general  court-martial. — 
At  present  no  soldier  has  a  right  to  ap- 
peal, except  in  cases  where  his  immedi- 
ate subsistence  is  concerned. 

APPEL,  Fr.  a  roll  call,  a  beat  of 
drum  for  assembling;  a  challenge. 

Appel,  in  fencing,  a  smart  beat  with 
your  blade  on  that  of  your  antagonist 
on  the  contrary  side  to  that  you  have 
engaged,  generally  accompanied  with  a 
stamp  of  the  foot,  and  used  for  the  pur- 
pose of  procuring  an  opening. 

APPENTIS,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  shed. 
See  Hangar. 

APPOINTE.  This  word  was  appli- 
cable to  French  soldiers  only,  during  the 
monarchy  of  France,  and  meant  a  man 
who,  for  his  long  service  and  extraordi- 
nary bravery,  received  more  than  com- 
mon pay.  There  were  likewise  instances 
in  which  officers  were  distinguished  by 
being  styled  officios  appoint  is.  They  were 
usually  rewarded  by  the  king. 

The  word  appoint  c  was  originally  de- 
rived from  its  being  said  that  a  soldier 
was  appointed  among  those  who  were 
to  do  some  singular  act  of  courage,  as  by 
going  upon  a  forlorn  hope,  &c.  ike. 

APPOINTMENT,^  a  military  sense, 
is  the  pay  of  the  army;  it  likewise  ap- 
plies to  warlike  habiliments,  accoutre- 
ments, &c. 

APPREHEND,  in  a  military  sense, 
implies  the  seizing  or  confining  of  any 
person.  According  to  the  Articles  of 
War,  every  person  who  apprehends  a  de- 
serter, and  attests  the  fact  duly  before  a 
magistrate,  is  entitled  to  receive  twenty 
shillings. 

APPROACHES.  All  the  works  are 
generally  so  called  that  are  carried  on  to- 
wards a  place  which  is  besieged ;  such  as 
the  first,  second,  and  third  parallels,  the 


trenches,  epaulements  with  and  without 
trenches,  redoubts,  places  of  arms,  saps, 
galleries, and  lodgments.  See  these  words 
more  particularly  under  the  head  FOR- 
TIFICATION. 

This  is  the  most  difficult  part  of  a 
siege,  and  where  most  lives  are  lost.  The 
ground  is  disputed  inch  by  inch,  and 
neither  gained  nor  maintained  without 
the  loss  of  men.  It  is  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  make  your  approaches 
with  great  caution,  and  to  secure  them 
as  much  as  possible,  that  you  may  not 
throw  away  the  lives  of  your  soldiers. 
The  besieged  neglect  nothing  to  hinder 
the  approaches;  the  besiegers  do  every 
thing  to  carry  them  on;  and  on  this 
depends  the  taking  or  defending  the  place. 

The  trenches  being  carried  to  their 
glacis,  you  attack  and  make  yourself 
master  of  their  covered-way,  establish  a 
lodgment  on  their  counterscarp,  and  ef- 
fect a  breach  by  the  sap,  or  by  mines 
with  several  chambers,  which  blow  up 
their  intrenchments  and  fougades,  or 
small  mines,  if  they  have  any. 

You  cover  yourselves  with  gabions, 
fascines,  barrels,  or  sacks;  and  if  these 
are  wanting,  you  sink  a  trench. 

You  open  the  counterscarp  by  saps  to 
make  yourself  master  of  it;  but,  before 
you  open  it,  you  must  mine  the  flanks 
that  defend  it.  The  best  attack  of  the 
place  is  the  face  of  the  bastion,  when  by 
its  regularity  it  permits  regular  ap- 
proaches and  attacks  according  to  art. 
If  the  place  be  irregular,  you  must  not 
observe  regular  approaches,  but  proceed 
according  to  the  irregularity  of  it;  ob- 
serving to  humour  the  ground,  which 
permits  you  to  attack  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner at  one  place,  as  would  be  useless  or 
dangerous  at  another;  so  that  the  engi- 
neer who  directs  the  attack  ought  exactly 
to  know  the  part  he  would  attack,  its 
proportions,  its  force  and  solidity,  in 
the  most  geometrical  manner. 

Approaches,  in  a  more  confined 
sense,  signify  attacks. 

Counter  Approaches  are  such  trench- 
es as  are  carried  on  by  the  besieged, 
against  those  of  the  besiegers. 

APPRENTI,  Fr.  apprentice. 

In  France  they  had  apprentices  or 
soldiers  among  the  artillery,  who  served 
for  less  pay  than  the  regular  artillery- 
men, until  they  became  perfect  in  their 
profession,  when  they  were  admitted  to 
such  vacancies  as  occurred  in  their  re- 
spective branches. 


A  R  A 


(     19    ) 


ARC 


APPROXIMATION,  (approxima  ■ 
tion,  Fr.)  in  arithmetic  or  algebra,  is  a 
continued  approaching  still  nearer  and 
nearer  to  the  root  or  quantity  sought, 
without  ever  expecting  to  have  it  exactly. 

APPUI,  with  horsemen,  the  stay  up- 
on the  horseman's  hand,  or  the  recipro- 
cal sense  between  the  horse's  mouth 
and  the  bridle  hand ;  or  the  horse's 
sense  of  the  action  of  the  bridle  in  the 
horseman's  hand.  Horses  for  the  army 
ought  to  have  a  full  appui,  or  firm  stay 
upon  the  hand. 

A  full  Appui,  in  horsemanship,  a 
firm  stay  without  resting  very  heavy, 
and  without  bearing  upon  the  horse- 
man's hand. 

A  more  than  full  Appui,  upon  the 
hand,  is  when  the  horse  is  stopped  with 
some  force;  but  still  so  that  he  does 
not  force  the  hand.  This  appui  is  good 
for  such  riders  as  depend  upon  the  bri- 
dle, instead  of  their  thighs. 

Appui,  (point  d'appui,  Fr.)  any  par- 
ticular given  point  or  body,  upon  which 
troops  are  formed,  or  by  which  they  are 
marched  in  line  or  column. 

Alter  a  /'Appui,  Fr.  to  go  to  the  as- 
sistance of  any  body ;  to  second,  to  back. 

Hauteur  (/'Appui,  Fr.  breast-height. 

APPUYER,  Fr.  to  sustain,  to  "sup- 
port. Hence,  une  urmee  appuyte  d'un 
hois,  d'un  marais;  an  army  which  has  a 
wood  or  a  marsh  on  either  of  its  flanks. 

Appuyer  also  signifies  to  force  any 
thing  into  an  object ;  as,  appuyer  I'eperon 
(i  uncheval,  to  drive  the  spurinto  ahorse. 

APPRELLE,  Fr.  horse-tail. 

APRON,  in  gunnery,  a  square  plate 
of  lead  that  covers  the  vent  of  a  cannon, 
to  keep  the  charge  dry,  and  the  vent 
clean  and  open. 

AQUEDUCT,  a  channel  to  convey 
water  from  one  place  to  another.  Aque- 
ducts, in  military  architecture,  are  ge- 
nerally made  to  bring  water  from  a 
spring  or  river  to  a  fortress,  Ike. ;  they 
are  likewise  used  to  carry  canals  over 
low  grounds,  and  over  brooks  or  small 
rivers  :  they  are  built  with  arches  like  a 
bridge,  only  not  so  wide,  and  are  cover- 
ed above  by  an  arch,  to  prevent  dust  or 
dirt  from  being  thrown  into  the  water. 
See  Muller's  Practical  Fortification. 

The  Romans  had  aqueducts  which  ex- 
tended 100  miles.  That  of  Louis  XIV. 
near  Maintenon,  which  carries  the  river 
Bute  to  Versailles,  is  7000  toises  long. 
.  ARAIGNEE,  Fr.  in  fortification.  See 
Gallery. 


something  done  af- 
ter the  manner  of 


ARABESQUE,; 
ARABESK, 

the  Arabians. 

Arabesk,  grotesque,  and  moresqve,  are 
terms  applied  to  such  paintings,  orna- 
ments of  friezes,  &c.  on  which  there  are 
no  human  or  animal  figures;  but  which 
consist  wholly  of  imaginary  foliages, 
plants,  stalks,  &c. 

The  terms  are  derived  from  the  Arabs, 
Moors,  and  other  Mahometans,  who 
use  these  kinds  of  ornaments,  because 
their  religion  forbids  them  to  make  any 
images  or  figures  of  men,  or  of  other 
animals. 

ARABIAN  horse,  a  horse  supposed 
to  be  of  high  value,  but  not  so  useful  as 
the  common  English  breed. 

ABASEMENT,  Fr.  in  masonry,  the 
last  course  of  stone  or  brick  upon  a  wall 
of  an  equal  height. 

ARASER,  Fr.  to  carry  the  different 
courses  of  stone  or  brick  to  an  equal 
height. 

ARASES,  Fr.  stones  or  bricks  which 
are  larger  or  smaller  than  those  of  the 
other  courses,  and  are  used  to  make  any 
given  height. 

ARBALET,  in  the  ancient  art  of  war, 
a  cross-bow,  made  of  steel,  set  in  a  shaft 
of  wood,  with  a  string  and  trigger,  bent 
with  a  piece  of  iron  fitted  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  used  to  throw  bullets,  large 
arrows,  darts,  &c.  Also  a  mathemati- 
cal instrument  called  a  Jacob's  Staff,  to 
measure  the  height  of  the  stars  upon  the 
horizon. 

ARBALETE  a  jalet.  Fr.  a  stone  bow. 

ARBALETRIER,  Fr.  a  cross-bow- 
man. 

Arbaletrier  d'une  galiere,  Fr. 
that  part  of  a  galley  where  the  cross- 
bowmen  were  placed  during  an  engage- 
ment. 

ARBORER,  Fr.  to  plant,  to  hoist. 
Arborer  I'etendart,  to  plant  the  stand- 
ard. 

ARBRE,  Fr.  tree;  in  mechanics,  the 
thickest  piece  of  timber  upon  which  all 
other  pieces  turn,  that  it  supports. 

ARC,  Fr.  a  bow;  anarch  in  building. 

Arc  en  plein  ceintre,  Fr.  in  architec- 
ture, an  arch  which  is  formed  of  a  per- 
fect half-circle. 

Arc  en  anse  de  punier,  Fr.  an  elliptic 
arch  drawn  upon  three  centers. 

Arc  biuis,  ou  de  cute,  Fr.  an  arch 
whose  piedroits  are  not  even  with  then 
plans. 

Arc  rampant,  Fr.  that  which  in  an 
D.2 


A  R  C 


(    to   ) 


A  R  C 


upright  wall  issomcwhatinclined  towards 
a  gentle  slope. 

Arc  en  (nlut,  Fr.  that  which  is  made 
to  ease  a  platband  or  an  architrave,  and 
whose  declivities  bear  upon  the  sum- 
mers. An  arch  is  also  so  called  when  il 
is  made  in  a  wall  that  slopes. 

Anc  en  tiers-point,  on  Gothique,  Fr. 
that  which  is  made  of  two  portions  of  a 
circle,  which  intersect  each  other,  at  the 
point  of  the  angle  at  top. 

Anc  ile  cloitrc,  Fr.  See  Voute  en  arc 
dc  cloitre. 

Anc  a  renters,  Fr.  an  inverse  arch 
that  is  made  to  support  the  piles  of  a 
bridge,  between  the  arches,  and  to  pre- 
vent their  falling  against  each  other, 
which  often  happens  in  loose  ground. 

ARCADE,  (arcade,  Fr.)  a  continued 
arch  ;  a  walk  arched  over. 

ARCBOUTANT,  (from  the  French 
arc  and  boater,  to  abut,)  a  flat  arch,  or 
part  of  an  arch  abutting  against  the 
reins  of  a  vault,  to  support  and  prevent 
its  giving  way. 

Arcboutant,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  any 
piece  of  timber  which  is  used  as  a  but- 
tress or  support  in  scaffolds. 

ARCBOUTER,  ou  contrcboutcr,  Fr. 
to  restrain  or  keep  in  the  bellying  of  an 
arch,  or  of  a  platband,  by  means  of  a  pile 
or  buttress. 

ARCEAU,  Fr.  an  arch.  This  term, 
however,  is  chiefly  applied  to  the  small 
arch  of  a  bridge.  Arceau  also  means  a 
saddle-bow. 

ARCH,  in  military  architecture,  is  a 
vault  or  concave  building,  in  form  of  a 
curve,  erected  to  support  some  heavy 
structure,  or  passage. 

Triumphal  Arch,  in  military  history, 
is  a  stately  erection  generally  of  a  semi- 
circular form,  adorned  with  sculpture, 
inscriptions,  &c.  in  honour  of  those  he- 
roes who  have  deserved  a  triumph.  For 
a  very  able  Treatise  on  Arches,  see  Mr. 
Atwood's  late  publication;  and  under 
Parabola  see  Parabolic  arches. 

ARC  I  IE  en  plein  ccintrc,  Fr.  an  arch 
formed  by  a  perfect  semi-circle. 

Arche  elliptique,  Fr.  that  which  is 
formed  by  a  half-oval. 

Arche  surbaissie,  Fr.  that  which  is  of 
the  lowest  proportion;  called  also  en 
tnae  de  punier,  from  its  resemblance  to 
the  handle  of  a  basket. 

Arche  en  portion  de  cercle,  Fr.  that 
which  contains  less  than  a  semi-circle. 

Arcue  cxtradossiie,  Fr.  is  that,  all  the 


hendings  of  which  are  equal  in   length 
and  parallel  to  the  cintrv. 

Anc  he  d' assemblage,  Fr.  When  a 
wooden  bridge  is  made  of  one  arch,  the 
arch  is  so  called. 

ARCHED.  A  horse  is  said  to  have 
arched  legs,  when  his  knees  are  bent 
arch-wise.  This  relates  to  the  fore- 
quarters,  and  the  infirmity  is  generally 
occasioned  by  hard  riding. 

There  are  horses,  however,  which  the 
French  call  brassicourts,  or  short  fore-' 
thighs,  that  have  their  knees  naturally 
arched. 

ARCHERS,  in  military  history,  a 
kind  of  militia  or  soldiery,  armed  with 
bows  and  arrows.  They  were  much  used 
in  former  times,  but  are  now  laid  aside, 
excepting  in  Turkey,  and  in  some  of  the 
eastern  countries. 

ARCHERY,  (I'art  de  tirer  de  I'are, 
Fr.)  the  art  of  shooting  with  a  bow  and 
arrow.  Our  ancestors  were  famous  for 
being  the  best  archers  in  Europe,  and 
most  of  our  victories  in  Fiance  were 
gained  by  the  long-bow.  The  statutes 
made  in  33  Hen.  VIII.  relative  to  this 
exercise,  are  worth  perusal.  It  is  for- 
bidden, by  statute,  to  shoot  at  a  stand- 
ing mark,  unless  it  be  for  a  rover,  where 
the  archer  is  to  change  his  mark  at  every 
shot.  Any  person  above  24  years  old  is 
also  forbidden  to  shoot  with  any  prick- 
shaft,  or  flight,  at  a  mark  of  eleven  score 
yards  or  under.  33  Hen.  YI1I.  chap.  9. 
The  former  was  a  provision  for  making 
good  marksmen  at  sight;  the  latter  for 
giving  strength  and  sinews. 

ARCHIPELAGO,  (archipel,  archi- 
pelage,  archipelague,  Fr.)  a  certain  ex- 
tent of  the  ocean,  which  is  intersected 
by  several  islands;  that  part  which  was 
anciently  called  the  /Egean  Sea,  having 
Romania,  Macedonia,  and  Greece,  on 
the  N.  and  W.,  Natolia  on  the  E.,  and 
the  Ionian  Sea  on  the  S.  It  con- 
tains a  vast  quantity  of  large  and  small 
islands. 

Archipelago,  (Northern,)  situated 
between  Kamschatka  and  the  N.  W. 
parts  of  America. 

ARCHITECTURE,  in  a  military 
sense,  is  the  art  of  erecting  all  kinds  of 
military  edifices  or  buildings,  whether 
for  habitation  or  defence. 

Military  Architecture  instructs  us 
in  the  method  of  fortifying  cities,  sea- 
ports, camps,  building  powder  maga- 
zines, barracks,  &c.     Military  architcc- 


A  R  G 


(     21     ) 


ARM 


*ure  is  divided  into  regular  and  irregu- 
lar fortification. 

Naval  Architecture,  the  art  of 
building  the  hull  or  body  of  a  ship,  dis- 
tinct from  her  machinery  and  furniture 
for  sailing,  and  may  properly  be  compre- 
hended in  three  principal  articles.  l.To 
give  the  ship  such  a  figure,  or  outward 
form,  as  may  be  most  suitable  to  the 
service  for  which  she  is  intended.  2.  To 
find  the  exact  shape  of  the  pieces  of 
timber  necessary  to  compose  such  a  fa- 
bric. 3.  To  make  convenient  apart- 
ments for  the  artillery,  ammunition, 
provisions,  and  cargo,  together  with 
suitable  accommodation  for  the  officers 
and  men. 

ARCHITRAVE,  the  master-beam, 
or  chief  supporter,  in  any  part  of  a  sub- 
terraneous fortification. 

ARCH  I  VAULT,  (archivolte,  Fr.) 
the  inner  contour  of  an  arch,  adorned 
with  mouldings,  which  goes  round  the 
faces  of  the  arch  stones,  and  bears  upon 
the  imposts.  This  contour  differs  ac- 
cording to  the  different  orders  in  archi- 
tecture. 

Faire  vuider  les  ARCONS,  Fr.  to 
throw  out  of  the  saddle. 

Perdre  les  Arcons,  Fr.  to  lose  one's 
seat  in  riding. 

AREA,  the  superficial  content  of  aay 
rampart,  or  other  work  of  fortification. 

ARENER,  Fr.  to  sink  under.  This 
is  said  of  a  beam  or  plank,  which  gives 
way  on  account  of  the  weight  upon  it. 

AREOMETER,  (arcomltre,  Fr.)  an 
instrument  usually  made  of  fine  thin 
glass,  which,  having  had  as  much  running 
quicksilver  put  into  it,  as  will  serve  to 
keep  it  upright,  is  sealed  up  at  the  top; 
so  that  the  stem  or  neck  being  divided 
into  degrees,  the  heaviness  or  lightness 
of  any  liquor  may  be  found,  by  the  ves- 
sel's sinking  more  or  less  into  it. 

ARESTIER,  Fr.  the  corner  side  of  a 
building.  Also  the  back  part  of  the 
blade  of  a  sword. 

Arestier  de  plomb,  Fr.  the  end  of  a 
piece  of  lead,  which  lies  under  the  top 
of  a  roof  that  is  slated. 

ARESTIERES,  Fr.  the  beds  or  lays 
of  plaster  which  tile-coveiers,  or  slaters, 
put  at  the  angles  of  the  top  of  a  roof 
that  is  tiled. 

ARCANE AU,  Fr.  the  ring  of  an 
anchor. 

ARGYRASPIDES,  a  part  of  the  old 
Macedonian  phalanx,  which  served  un- 
der Alexander  the  Great,  and  was  dis- 


tinguished from  the  rest  of  the  men  who 
composed  that  body,  by  carrying  silver 
shields. 

ARIGOT,  Fr.  a  fife  or  flute. 

ARM,  in  geography,  denotes  a  branch 
of  the  sea,  or  of  a  river. 

Arm  is  also  used  figuratively  to  denote, 
power. 

Arm  signifies  also  any  particular  de- 
scription or  class  of  troops. 

To  Arm,  to  take  arms,  to  be  provided 
against  an  enemy. 

ARMADA,  a  Spanish  term,  signi- 
fying a  fleet  of  men  of  war,  applied  par- 
ticularly to  that  great  one  fitted  out  by 
the  Spaniards,  with  an  intention  to  con- 
quer this  island,  in  1588,  and  which  was 
defeated  by  the  English  fleet,  under  ad- 
mirals Lord  Howard  and  Sir  Francis 
Drake. 

ARMADILLA,  a  Spanish  term,  sig- 
nifying a  small  squadron. 

ARMATEUR,  Fr.  a  privateer. 

ARMATURA,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, signifies  the  fixed  and  established 
military  exercise  of  the  Romans,  nearly 
in  the  sense  we  use  the  word  exercise. — 
Under  this  word  is  understood  the 
throwing  of  the  spear,  javelin,  shooting 
with  bows  and  arrows,  &c. 

Armattjra  is  also  an  appellation 
given  to  the  soldiers  who  were  light- 
armed.  Aquinus  seems,  without  reason, 
to  restrain  armatura  to  the  ty  rones,  or 
young  soldiers. 

Armatura  is  also  a  denomination 
given  to  the  soldiers  in  the  emperor's 
retinue. 

ARMATURE,  Fr.  In  architecture, 
this  word  comprehends  the  bars,  iron 
pins,  stirrups,  and  all  other  iron  hold- 
fasts which  are  used  in  a  large  assem- 
blage of  carpentry. 

ARME,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  among 
the  French  to  express  any  distinct  body 
of  armed  men. 

ARME-a-feu,  Fr.  a  fire-arm;  a  gun  ; 
a  musket. 

Arme  de  trait,  Fr.  a  bow,  a  cross-bow. 

Arme  blanche,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  sword  or 
bayonet. 

Attaquer  a  /'Arme  blanche,  Fr.  to  at- 
tack sword  in  hand,  or  with  tixed  bay- 
onets. 

ARMED,  in  a  general  sense,  denotes 
something  provided  with,  or  carrying 
arms. 

An  Armed  body  of  men  denotes  a 
military  detachment,  provided  with  arms 


ARM 


(     22     ) 


A  R  M 


and  animunition,  ready  for  an  engage- 
ment. 

Armed,  in  tlie  sea  language.  A  cross- 
bar-shot is  said  to  be  armed,  when  some 
rope-yarn,  or  the  like,  is  rolled  about 
the  end  of  the  iron  bar  which  runs 
through  the  shot. 

Armed  ship  is  a  vessel  taken  into  the 
government's  service,  and  equipped,  in 
time  of  war,  with  artillery,  ammunition, 
and  warlike  instruments  :  it  is  command- 
ed by  an  officer  who  has  the  rank  of 
master  and  commander  in  the  navy,  and 
upon  the  same  establishment  with  sloops 
of  war,  having  a  lieutenant,  master, 
purser,  surgeon,  &c. 

Passer  par  Ics  Armes,  Fr.  to  be  shot. 

Faire  les  Armes,  Fr.  to  fence. 

Aux  Armes!  Fr.  to  arms  ! 

ARMET,  Fr.  a  casque  or  helmet. 
This  term  is  grown  obsolete,  and  is  only 
found  in  old  stories  concerning  the 
knights  errant. 

Amain  ARMEE,  Fr.  with  open  force. 
Fntrer  unpays  a  main  Armee;  to  enter 
a  country  with  open  force. 

ARMEE,  Fr.    See  Army. 

Armze  navale,  Fr.  the  naval  forces. 

Armee  de  terre,  Fr.  the  land  forces. 

ARMEMENT,  Fr.  a  levy  of  troops, 
equipage  of  war,  either  by  land  or  sea. 

AR.MER  un  J'ourneau  de  mine,  Fr. 
to  close  up  a  mine,  after  it  has  been  pro- 
perly charged. 

ARMES  a  I'epreuve,  a  French  term 
for  armour  of  polished  steel,  which  was 
proof  against  the  sword  or  small  arms; 
but  its  weight  so  encumbered  the  wearer, 
that  modern  tacticians  have  wholly  re- 
jected its  use. 

Armes  <i  la  ligtre,  Fr.  light-armed 
troops,  who  were  employed  to  attack  in 
small  bodies,  as  opportunity  occurred. 
See  Riflemen,  &c. 

Armes  des  pieces  de  canon,  the 
French  term  for  the  tools  used  in  prac- 
tical gunnery,  as  the  scoop,  rammer, 
sponge,  &c. 

Armes  au  pied,  Fr.  ground  arms  ! 

Faire  les  premieres  Armes,  Fr.  to  be- 
pin  the  military  profession,  or  to  enter 
the  service. 

ARMIGER,  an  esquire  or  armour- 
bearer,  who  formerly  attended  his 
knight  or  chieftain  in  war,  combat,  or 
tournament,  and  who  carried  his  lance, 
shield,  or  other  weapons  with  which  he 
fought. 

ARMILUSTRIUM,  in  Roman  anti- 
quity, a  feast  observed  among  the  Ro- 


man generals,  in  which  they  sacrificed, 
armed,  to  the  sound  of  trumpets,  and 
other  warlike  instruments. 

ARMISTICE,  a  temporary  truce,  or 
cessation  of  arms  for  a  very  short  space 
of  time  only. 

ARMORY,  a  warehouse  of  arms,  or 
a  place  where  the  military  habiliments 
are  kept,  to  be  ready  for  use. 

ARMOUR  denotes  all  such  habili- 
ments as  serve  to  defend  the  body  from 
wounds,  especially  darts,  a  sword,  a 
lance,  &c.  A  complete  suit  of  armour 
formerly  consisted  of  a  helmet,  a  shield, 
a  cuirasse,  a  coat  of  mail,  a  gantlet,  &c. 
now  almost  universally  laid  aside. 

ARMOUR-BEARER,  he  that  carries 
the  armour  of  another. 

ARMOURER,  a  person  who  makes 
or  deals  in  armour  or  arms;  also  a  per- 
son who  keeps  them  clean. 

ARMS,  (armes,  Fr.)  in  a  general  sense, 
signify  all  kinds  of  weapons,  whether 
used  for  offence  or  defence. 

Arms  may  properly  be  classed  under 
two  specific  heads — 

Arms  of  offence,  which  include  mus- 
ket, bayonet,  sword,  pistol,  &c. 

Arms  of%  defence,  which  are  shields, 
helmets,  coats  of  mail,  or  any  species  of 
repulsive  or  impenetrable  covering,  by 
which  the  body  of  a  man  is  protected. 

In  a  legal  sense,  arms  may  extend  to 
any  thing  that  a  man  wears  for  his  own 
defence,  or  takes  in  his  hand,  and  uses 
in  anger,  to  strike,  throw  at,  or  wound 
another.  It  is  supposed,  that  the  first 
artificial  arms  were  of  wood,  and  only 
employed  against  beasts;  and  that  Belus, 
the  son  of  Nitnrod,  was  the  first  that 
waged  war:  whence,  according  to  some, 
came  the  appellation  bellum.  Diodorus 
Siculus  takes  Belus  to  be  the  same  with 
Mars,  who  first  trained  soldiers  up  to 
battle.  Arms  of  stone,  and  even  of 
brass,  appear  to  have  been  used  before 
they  came  to  iron  and  steel.  Josephus 
assures  us  that  the  patriarch  Joseph 
first  taught  the  use  of  iron  arms  in 
Egypt,  arming  the  troops  of  Pharaoh 
with  a  casque  and  buckler. 

The  principal  arms  of  the  ancient 
Britons  were  hatchets,  scythes,  lances, 
swords,  and  bucklers:  the  Saxons,  &c. 
brought  in  the  halberd,  bow,  arrows, 
cross-bows,  &c.  By  the  ancient  laws  of 
England,  every  man  was  obliged  to  bear 
arms,  except  the  judges  and  clergy. 
Under  Henry  VIII.  it  was  expressly 
enjoined  on  all  persons  to  be  regularly 


A  R  M 


(    S3     ) 


ARN 


instructed,  even  from  their  tender  years, 
in  the  exercise  of  the  arms  then  in  use, 
viz.  the  long  bow  and  arrows,  and  to  be 
provided  with  a  certain  number  of  them. 

By  the  common  law,  it  is  an  offence 
for  persons  to  go  or  ride  armed  with 
dangerous  weapons;  but  gentlemen, 
both  in  and  out  of  the  army,  may  wear 
common  armour,  according  to  their  qua- 
lity. The  king  may  prohibit  force  of 
arms,  and  punish  offenders  according  to 
law;  and  herein  every  subject  is  bound 
to  be  aiding.  Stat.  7.  Edward  I.  None 
shall  come  with  force  and  amis  before 
the  king's  justices,  or  ride  armed  in 
affray  of  the  peace,  on  pain  of  forfeiting 
their  armour,  and  suffering  imprison- 
ment, &c.  2  Edward  III.  c.  3.  The 
importation  of  arms  and  ammunition  is 
prohibited  by  1  Jac.  II.  c.  8.  and  by 
William  and  Mary,  stat.  2.  c.  2.  So 
likewise  arms,  cec.  shipped  after  prohi- 
bition, are  forfeited,  by  29  Geo.  I.  c.  16. 
sec.  2. 

Arms  of  parade,  or  courtesy,  were 
those  used  in  the  ancient  justs  and  tour- 
naments, which  were  commonly  unshod 
lances,  swords  without  edge  or  point, 
wooden  swords,  and  even  canes. 

Bells  of  Arms,  or  Bell  Tents,  a  kind 
of  tents  in  the  shape  of  a  cone,  where 
the  company's  arms  are  lodged  in  the 
Held.  They  are  generally  painted  with 
the  colour  of  the  facing  of  the  regiment, 
and  the  king's  arms  in  front. 

Pass  of  Arms,  a  kind  of  combat, 
when  anciently  one  or  more  cavaliers 
undertook  to  defend  a  pass  against  all 
attacks. 

Place  o/Arms.     See  Fortification. 

Stand  of  Arms,  a  complete  set  of  arms 
for  one  soldier. 

Arms,  in  artillery,  are  the  two  ends 
of  an  axletree.  See  Axletree,  under  the 
word  Carriage. 

JVre-ARMS  are  great  guns,  firelocks, 
carbines,  guns,  and  pistols ;  or  any  other 
machine  discharged  by  inflamed  powder. 

ARMY,  any  given  number  of  soldiers, 
consisting  of  artillery,  foot,  horse,  dra- 
goons, and  hussars  or  light  horse,  com- 
pletely armed,  and  provided  with  engi- 
neers, a  train  of  artillery,  ammunition, 
provisions,  commissariat,  forage,  &c. 
under  the  command  of  one  general, 
having  lieutenant-generals,  major-gene- 
rals, brigadier-generals,  colonels,  lieu- 
tenant-colonels, majors,  captains,  and 
subalterns.  An  army  is  composed  of 
brigades,  regiments,  battalions,  and  squa- 


drons, and  is  generally  divided  into 
three  or  more  corps,  and  formed  into 
three  lines:  the  first  of  which  is  called 
the  front  line,  a  part  of  which  forms  the 
van  guard;  the  second,  the  main  body; 
and  the  third,  the  rear  guard,  or  corps 
of  reserve.  The  center  of  each  line  is 
generally  occupied  by  the  foot;  the 
cavalry  form  the  right  and  left  wings  of 
each  line;  and  sometimes  a  squadron  of 
horse  is  posted  in  the  intervals  between 
the  battalions. 

Armies  in  general  are  distinguished 
by  the  following  appellations — 

A  covering  uryny. 

A  blockading  army. 

An  army  of  observation. 

An  army  of  reserve. 

AJlying  army. 

An  army  is  said  to  cover  a  place  when 
it  lies  encamped  or  in  cantonments,  for 
the  protection  of  the  different  passes 
which  lead  to  a  principal  object  of  de- 
fence. 

An  army  is  said  to  blockade  a  place, 
when,  being  well  provided  with  heavy 
ordnance  and  other  warlike  means,  it  is 
employed  to  invest  a  town  for  the  direct 
and  immediate  purpose  of  reducing  it 
by  assault  or  famine. 

An  Army  of  observation  is  so  called 
because,  by  its  advanced  positions  and 
desultory  movements,  it  is  constantly- 
employed  in  watching  the  enemy. 

An  Army  of  reserve  may  not  impro- 
perly be  called  a  general  depot  of  troops 
for  effective  service.  In  cases  of  emer- 
gency the  whole  or  detached  parts  of  an 
army  of  reserve  are  generally  employed 
to  recover  a  lost  day  or  to  secure  a  vic- 
tory. It  is  likewise  sometimes  made 
use  of  for  the  double  purpose  of  secretly 
increasing  the  number  of  active  forces, 
and  rendering  the  aid  necessary  accord- 
ing to  the  exigency  of  the  moment,  and 
of  deceiving  the  enemy  with  respect  to 
its  real  strength. 

Flying  Army,  a  strong  body  of  horse 
and  foot,  commanded,  for  the  most  part, 
by  a  lieutenant-general,  which  is  always 
in  motion  both  to  cover  its  own  garri- 
sons, and  to  keep  the  enemy  in  conti- 
nual alarm. 

A  naval  or  sea  Army  is  a  number 
of  ships  of  war,  equipped  and  manned 
with  sailors,  mariners,  and  marines,  un- 
der the  command  of  an  admiral,  with 
the  requisite  inferior  officers  under  him. 

ARNAUTS,  Turkish  light  cavalry, 
whose  only  weapon  was  a  sabre  very 


ARR 


(     24     ) 


ARS 


much  curved.     Some  are  in  the  Russian 
service. 

A 11  PENT,  Fr.  a  French  acre,  which 
contains  ten  square  perches  in  length, 
upon  as  many  in  breadth. 

ARPENTAGE,  Fr.  the  art  of  sur- 
veying land,  aud  of  taking  the  plan 
of  it. 
ARPENTEUR,  Fr.  a  land  surveyor. 
ARQUEBUSE  a  croc,  an  old  fire- 
arm, resembling  a  musket,  but  which  is 
supported  ou  a  rest  by  a  hook  of  iron, 
fastened  to  the  barrel.  It  is  longer 
than  a  musket,  and  of  larger  calibre, 
and  was  formerly  used  to  tire  through 
the  loop-holes  of  antique  fortifications. 

ARQUEBUSIER,  a  French  term, 
formerly  applied  to  all  the  soldiery  who 
fought  with  fire-arms,  whether  cavalry 
or  infantry. 

D'ARRACHE-^W,  Fr.  without  in- 
termission. 

ARRACHEMENT,  Fr.  the  taking 
out  particular  stones,  leaving  others  al- 
ternately, in  order  to  join  one  wall  to 
another. 

ARRAY,  order  of  battle.  See  Bat- 
tle Array. 

ARRAYERS,  officers  who  anciently 
had  the  charge  of  seeing  the  soldiers 
duly  appointed  in  their  armour. 

ARREARS,  in  the  army,  were  the 
difference  between  the  full  pay  and  sub- 
sistence of  each  officer,  which  was  di- 
rected to  be  paid  once  a  year  by  the 
agent.  This  retention  of  pay  has  been 
abolished  in  the  army  of  the  line  and  mi- 
litia; but  it  still  exists  among  his  Ma- 
jesty's horse  and  foot  guards. 

ARREST,  a  French  phrase,  similar  in 
its  import  to  the  Latin  word  retinacu- 
lum. It  consists  in  a  small  piece  of  steel 
or  iron,  which  was  formerly  used  in  the 
construction  of  fire-arms,  to  prevent  the 
piece  from  going  off.  Ce  pistolet  est  en 
arret  is  a  familiar  phrase  among  mili- 
tary men  in  France,  this  pistol  is  in 
arrest,  or  is  stopped. 

ARREST  is  the  exercise  of  that  part 
of  military  jurisdiction,  by  which  an  offi- 
cer is  noticed  for  misconduct,  or  put  in- 
to a  situation  to  prepare  for  his  trial  by  a 
general  court-marl  ial. 

ARRESTE  of  the  glacis  is  thejunc- 
tion  of  the  talus  which  is  formed  at  all 
the  angles. 

A  RRET  depont,Tr.  an  engine  that  goes 
with  a  vice,  and  hinders  a  draw-bridge, 
once  down,  from  being  pulled  up 
a<rain. 


Arret,  Fr.  the  rest  for  a  lance. 
Arret,  Fr.  the  stopping  of  a  horse. 
Arret  d'une  epee,  Fr.   the  crest,  or 
ridge,  of  a  sword. 

ARRETE,  Fr.  in  fortification,  the 
shelving  sides  which  form  the  glacis  of 
the  covered-way,  w  here  the  salient  angles 
are. 

Arrete,  Fr,  the  edge,  or  angle,  for- 
med by  two  faces  of  any  solid,  whether 
of  timber,  stone,  or  iron. 

Vive  Arrete  de  voiite,  Fr.  the  out- 
standing edj^e  of  a  vault.     Boyer  writes 
the  word  arete. 
ARRETE,  Fr.  resolution;  decree. 
Arrete  de  comptc,  Fr.  a  settled  ac- 
count. 

ARRIERE,  Fr.  the  rear. 
Arriere  Bun,  Fr.     See  Ban n. 
ARRiERE-g«r</e,  Fr.  the  rear-guard. 
En  Arriere — murche  !    Fr.  to  the 
rear — march ! 

ARR1  ERE-rousswre,  Fr.  the  bending 
of  an  arch  or  vault  which  is  made  be- 
hind a  door  or  casement  iu  order  to 
give  more  light. 

ARR1EHE,  Fr.  in  arrears. 
S'ARRIERER,  Fr.  to  be  in  arrears; 
to  remain  behind;  not  to  advance. 
ARRIMAGE,  Fr.  stowage. 
ARRIMER,  Fr.  to  stow. 
ARRONDISSEMENT,  Fr.  district. 
ARROW,   a  missive  weapon   of  of- 
fence, slender  and  pointed,  made  to  be- 
shot  with  a  bow. 

Arrow.  See  Fortification. 
ARRUGIE,  Fr.  subterraneous  canal. 
ARSENAL  is  that  place  where  all 
warlike  instruments  are  deposited,  and 
kept  arranged  in  a  state  for  any  service, 
such  as  guns,  mortars,  howitzers,  small 
aims,  ccc.  &c.  with  quantities  of  spare 
gun-carriages,  mortar-beds,  materials, 
tools,  &c.  &c.  In  an  arsenal  of  conse- 
quence, all  the  proper  departments  con- 
nected with  the  artillery  service,  are  pro- 
vided with  suitable  buildings  and  accom- 
modations applicable  to  their  particular 
branches,  such  as  the  foundry,  for  cast- 
ing of  brass  ordnance;  the  carriage  de- 
partment, which  includes  the  wheelers, 
carpenters,  and  smiths;  the  laboratory, 
for  making  up  and  preparing  all  kinds  of 
ammunition;  as  well  as  all  other  de- 
partments requisite,  according  to  the 
extent  of  the  arsenal.  The  term  Arse- 
nal also  applies  to  a  place  where  naval 
stores  are  deposited. 

Royal  Arsenal,  a   place  at    Wool- 
wich, where  stores,  &c.  belonging  to  the 


ART 


(     25     ) 


ART 


royal  artillery  are  deposited.  It  was 
formerly  called  the  Warren. 

ART.  Military  art  may  be  divided 
into  two  principal  branches.  The  first 
branch  relates  to  the  order  and  arrange- 
ment which  must  be  observed  in  the 
management  of  an  army,  when  it  is  to 
fight,   to   march,  or  to  be  encamped. 

The  other  branch  of  military  art  in- 
cludes the  composition  and  the  applica- 
tion of  warlike  machines. 

ARTICLES  of  WAR  are  known 
rules  and  regulations  for  the  better  go- 
vernment of  the  army  in  the  kingdoms 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  dominions 
beyond  the  seas,  and  foreign  parts  de- 
pendent upon  Great  Britain.  They  may 
be  altered  and  enlarged  at  the  pleasure 
of  the  king;  but  they  must  be  annually 
confirmed  by  parliament  under  the  mu- 
tiny act.  And  in  certain  cases  extend 
to  civilians — as  when  by  proclamation 
any  place  shall  be  put  under  martial 
law;  or  when  people  follow  a  camp  or 
army  for  the  sale  of  merchandize,  or 
serve  in  any  menial  capacity.  It  is  or- 
dained, that  the  Articles  of  War  shall  be 
read  in  the  circle  of  each  regiment  be- 
longing to  the  British  army  every  month, 
or  oftener  if  the  commanding  officer 
thinks  proper.  A  recruit  or  soldier  is 
not  liable  to  be  tried  by  a  military  tri- 
bunal, unless  it  can  be  proved  that  the 
Articles  of  War  have  been  duly  read  to 
him. 

ARTIFICE,  among  the  French,  is 
understood  as  comprehending  every 
thing  which  enters  into  the  composition 
of  fire-works;  as  the  sulphur,  salt-petre, 
charcoal,  &c.     See  Fire-works. 

ARTIFICER  or  Artificier,  he 
who  makes  fire-works,  or  works  in  the 
artillery  laboratory,  who  prepares  the 
fuzes,  bombs,  grenades,  &c.  It  is  also 
applied  to  the  military  smiths,  collar- 
makers,  &c.  &c.  and  to  a  particular 
corps. 

Artificers,  in  a  military  capacity, 
are  those  persons  who  are  employed 
with  the  artillery  in  the  field,  or  in  the 
arsenals;  such  as  wheelers,  smiths,  car- 
penters, collar-makers,  coopers,  tinmen, 
&c.     There  is  also  a  corps  of  royal  mi- 


ARTILLERY,  in  a  general  sense, 
signifies  all  sorts  of  great  guns  or  can- 
non, mortars,  howitzers,  petards,  and 
the  like;  together  with  all  the  apparatus 
and  stores  thereto  belonging,  which  are 
not  only  taken  into  the  field,  but  like- 
wise to  sieges,  and  made  use  of  both  to 
attack  and  defend  fortified  places.  See 
Ordnance. 

.Artillery,  in  a  particular  sense,  sig- 
nifies the  science  of  artillery  or  gunnery, 
which  art  includes  a  knowledge  of  sur- 
veying, levelling;  also  that  of  geometry, 
trigonometry,  conic  sections,  laws  of 
motion,  mechanics,  fortification  and  pro- 
jectiles. 

The  artillery  service  is  divided  into  the 
following  branches,  viz. 

Royal  Regiment  of  Artillery.  It  con- 
sists at  present  of  ten  battalions  of  foot, 
exclusive  of  the  royal  horse  artillery,  and 
an  invalid  battalion  ;  but  from  the  great 
want  of  artillery-men,  in  all  our  foreign 
possessions,  as  well  as  for  field  service 
generally,  and  the  defence  of  the  bat- 
teries on  our  own  coast,  there  is  no 
doubt  but  the  necessity  of  an  addition 
to  this  corps  must  be  obvious  to  every 
one  acquainted  with  the  duties  of  the 
service;  for  it  would  be  the  means  of 
having  the  artillery  better  served,  and 
do  away  the  necessity  of  breaking  up 
the  strength  of  regiments  of  the  line,  by- 
calling  upon  them  to  furnish  additional 
gunners. 

Each  battalion,  including  the  invalid 
battalion,  consists  of  one  colonel-com- 
mandant, two  colonels  en  second,  three 
lieutenant-colonels,  one  major,  and  ten 
companies,  each  company  consisting  of 
one  captain,  one  second  captain,  two 
first  and  one  second  lieutenant,  and  120 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates; 
there  is  also  an  adjutant  and  quarter- 
master to  each  battalion,  and  some  chap- 
lains for  the  different  principal  stations 
of  the  corps,  besides  a  medical  esta- 
blishment: but  it  appears  that  it  would 
be  an  advantage  to  the  field  service, 
which  is  the  most  important  part,  if  the 
companies  were  leduced  to  100  non- 
commissioned officers  and  men  each, 
which   number  would    be    sufficient    to 


litary  artificers  attached  to  the  engi-i  man  a  brigade,  on  the  present  establish- 
neei's  department,  for  the  erection  of ,  ment,  and  furnish  a  proportion  for  park 
fortifications  and  buildings  in  the  ord-  duties,  and  replacing  the  sick  and 
nance  service.  The  artificers  of  different  j  wounded,  and  would  have  the  good  ef- 
trades  necessary  to  be  employed  in  ship-  feet  of  preventing  a  genera]  mixture  of 


building,  in  the  king's   dock   yards,  also 
come  under  the  description  of  artificers. 


companies  in   the   same    brigade;    and 
other  obvious  advantages     The  princi- 

E 


A  R  T 


(     26     ) 


ART 


pal  staff  of  the  regiment  consists  of  a 
deputy  adjutant-general  and  assistants, 
who  are  stationed  at  Woolwich,  and  act 
immediately  from  the  orders  of  the  mas- 
ter-general. 

The  duties  of  the  invalid  battalion  arc 
confined  to  Great  Britain  only,  and  some 
of  its  dependant  islands. 

The  head-quarters  of  the  regiment  are 
at  Woolwich,  where  all  the  officers  and 
men  first  assemble,  upon  joining  the  re- 
giment, for  the  purpose  of  being  in- 
structed in  the  various  duties  of  the  pro- 
fession, previous  to  being  employed  on 
foreign  service. 

Royal  Horse  Artillery.  There  are 
twelve  troops,  in  addition  to  the  foot 
artillery,  each  troop  consisting  of  one 
captain,  one  second  captain,  three  sub- 
alterns, two  staff  serjeants,  twelve  non- 
commissioned officers,  seventy-live  gun- 
ners, forty-six  drivers,  six  artificers,  and 
one  trumpeter,  with  eighty-six  draught 
horses,  and  fifty-six  riding  horses,  and 
six  pieces  of  ordnance,  with  carriages 
for  the  conveyance  of  ammunition,  camp 
equipage,  and  stores.  The  introduction 
of  horse  artillery  into  the  service  of  this 
country  was  brought  forward  in  the 
year  1792,  by  the  Duke  of  Richmond, 
who  was  then  master-general  of  the 
ordnance,  for  the  purpose  of  acting  with 
cavalry.  There  is  a  colonel-command- 
ant, two  colonels  en  second,  four  lieu- 
tenant-colonels, and  one  major, attached 
to  it.  The  movements  of  horse  artillery 
are  made  with  great  celerity,  and  it  has 
been  found,  that  they  are  perfectly 
adapted  to  act  with  cavalry  in  the  field, 
in  their  most  rapid  movements,  and  are 
considered  as  forming  an  essential  addi- 
tion to  the  artillery  service. 

Royal  Artillery  Drivers,  (conduc- 
teurs  d'artilleric,  Fr.)  This  corps  was 
first  formed  about  twelve  years  ago,  by 
the  late  Duke  of  Richmond.  The  great 
advantage  derived  from  having  men  re- 
gularly enlisted,  and  well  trained  to  the 
service,  instead  of  men  accidentally 
picked  up  by  contractors,  soon  became 
so  evident,  that  at  present  the  whole  of 
the  field  artillery  is  furnished  with  dri- 
vers from  this  corps.  Previous  to  the 
corps  being  established,  the  horses  and 
drivers  were  provided  by  contract;  but, 
as  no  reliance  could  be  placed  on  the 
service  of  either  men  or  horses  so  pro- 
cured, it  was  found  absolutely  necessary 
to  abolish  so  uninilitary  and  destructive 


a  system.  The  artillery  horses  are  now 
kept  in  the  highest  condition  for  service, 
the  drivers  being  thoroughly  drilled  to 
the  manoeuvres  of  artillery  ;  so  that  the 
brigades,  instead  of  being  an  incum- 
brance to  an  army,  are  not  only  capable 
of  accompanying  the  troops,  but  also  of 
securing,  by  rapid  movements,  advan- 
tageous positions  in  the  field,  so  as  to 
annoy  an  enemy,  or  protect  our  own 
troops.  This  change  arises  from  the 
high  state  of  excellence  in  which  the  bri- 
gades are  equipped,  and  from  the  artil- 
lery-men being,  in  particular  cases, 
mounted  upon  the  cars  attending  the 
brigades.  The  corps  consisted,  in  1S09, 
of  one  colonel-commandant,  three  lieu- 
tenant-colonels, one  major,  nine  cap- 
tains, 54  subalterns,  two  adjutants,  eight 
veterinary  surgeons,  45  staff  serjeants, 
405  non-commissioned  officers,  360  arti- 
ficers, 45  trumpeters,  4050  drivers,  and 
7000  horses,  all  well  appointed,  and  in 
the  greatest  state  of  readiness  for  any 
service,  either  at  home  or  abroad,  for 
which  they  might  be  required.  A  con- 
siderable reduction  took  place  in  1814, 
when  four  troops  were  discharged;  the 
situation  of  major  having  been  abolished 
in  1812. 

Commissary's  Department,  under  the 
colonel-commandant  of  the  field  train, 
consists  of  commissaries,  assistant  com- 
missaries, clerks,  and  conductors  of 
stores,  as  well  as  artificers  of  different 
trades,  upon  the  civil  establishment  of 
the  Ordnance.  This  system  differs  from 
the  rules  of  the  service  with  most  of  the 
continental  powers  of  Europe,  it  being 
with  them  a  military  establishment,  and 
placed  upon  a  footing  with  the  oilcers 
of  the  army  at  large,  under  the  super- 
intendance  of  a  colonel-commandant, 
colonel-en-second,  comptrollers,  ccc.  &c. 
The  duties  of  this  department  are  of 
great  importance;  the  whole  service  of 
artillery  in  the  field  depending  upon 
their  exertions  for  the  good  arrange- 
ment made  in  the  equipment  of  the 
ordnance,  the  proportioning  the  am- 
munition and  stores  for  all  services,  as 
well  as  the  forming  all  the  depots  of 
ammunition,  not  only  for  the  artillery, 
but  also  for  the  whole  army.  The  com- 
missaries and  their  assistants  are  de- 
tached, in  common  with  the  regiment  of 
artillery,  upon  all  services.  It  is  con- 
sequently of  the  greatest  importance  that 
experienced  persons  should  be  selected 


ART 


(     27     ) 


ART 


for  these  employments,  it  being  a  work 
of  time  for  them  to  be  fully  instructed 
and  made  acquainted  with  the  artillery 
service.  On  this  account,  young  men 
should  be  early  brought  into  the  depart- 
ment, so  as  to  be  trained  up  regularly 
from  one  situation  to  another,  until 
they  become  complete  masters  of  their 
profession. 

Train  of  Artillery.  This  train  is 
formed  from  the  number  of  attendants 
and  carriages  which  follow  the  artillery 
in  the  field,  such  as  commissaries, 
clerks  of  stores,  conductors  of  stores, 
wheelers,  carriage  and  shoeing  smiths, 
collar  makers,  carpenters,  coopers,  tin- 
men, &c.  &c.  with  necessary  materials 
and  tools,  carriages  conveying  reserve 
ammunition  for  the  artillery  and  troops, 
spare  stores,  intrenching  tools,  spare 
wheels,  camp  equipage,  baggage,  &c. 
&c.  All  these  are  comprehended  in 
the  term  Train  of  Artillery. 

Nearly  the  whole  of  the  field  artillery 
is  divided  into  brigades  upon  a  new 
establishment  of  five  guns  and  one  how- 
itzer to  each  brigade,  for  the  natures  of 
12  pounders  medium  and  9  pounders,  6 
pounders  heavy  and  light,  3  pounders 
heavy  and  light,  as  also  H\  inch  howit- 
zers heavy  and  light.  The  guns  and 
howitzers  are  accompanied  by  ammuni- 
tion cars,  upon  a  new  principle.  To 
every  brigade  is  a  forge  cart,  a  camp 
equipage  wagon,  and  spare  gun  carriage, 
with  spare  wheels,  and  tools  for  a 
wheeler,  collar  maker,  and  carriage 
smith.  The  proportioning  of  field  and 
battering  ordnance,  for  foreign  service, 
is  a  business  of  great  importance,  from 
the  knowledge  which  is  requisite  to  fix 
upon  all  the  numerous  articles  to  accom- 
pany the  service,  and  the  method  to  be 
pursued  in  equalizing,  arranging,  and 
disposing  of  the  guns,  ammunition,  and 
stores.  No  certain  criterion  can  ever 
be  established  as  to  the  proportion  of 
artillery  to  be  sent  upon  anv  expedition, 
as  it  must  depend  entirely  upon  the 
nature  of  the  service;  and  great  changes 
are  generally  made  to  suit  the  ideas  of 
the  officer  who  is  to  command  the  army, 
and  also  those  of  the  officer  of  artillery, 
who  may  be  selected  to  accompany  it. 
It  would  therefore  only  tend  to  mislead 
were  any  detailed  account  to  be  given. 
Two  brigades  of  field  artillery  to  a  divi- 
sion of  an  army  consisting  of  6000  men, 
may  be  considered  a  good  proportion, 
independent  of  the  reserve  park,    When 


any  proportion  of  artillery  is  required 
for  foreign  service,  the  arrangement  of 
it  is  left  to  the  commandant  of  the  field 
train,  whose  immediate  duty  is  to  make 
out  all  proportions,and  to  consider  all  de- 
mands for  artillery  and  stores  for  foreign 
service,  under  the  orders  of  the  master- 
general  and  Board  of  Ordnance.  The 
grand  depot  of  field  artillery  is  kept  at 
Woolwich,  in  a  perfect  state  of  readi- 
ness for  service.  Of  late  there  have 
been  other  depots  established  in  diffe- 
rent parts  of  Great  Britain,  under  the 
orders  of  the  master-general  and  Board 
of  Ordnance.  The  great  utility  of  an  ef- 
fective artillery  is  now  so  manifest,  that 
nothing  has  been  left  undone  to  raise 
the  British  to  the  greatest  degree  of 
perfection ;  and  the  exertions  to  pro- 
mote that  object  are  clearly  evinced  by 
the  acknowledged  superiority  of  its 
equipment  over  that  of  any  other  ser- 
vice in  Europe. 

In  the  year  1500,  an  army  of  50,000 
men  had  only  40  pieces  of  cannon  in  the 
field,  and  in  the  year  1757,  the  same 
number  of  troops  brought  200  pieces 
into  the  field,  including  mortars  and 
howitzers. 

At  the  battle  of  Jemmappes,  which 
was  fought  between  the  French  and 
Austrians  on  the  6th  of  November,  1792, 
the  latter  had  120  pieces  of  cannon 
disposed  along  the  heights  of  Framery, 
whilst  their  effective  force  in  men  did 
not  exceed  17,000.  The  French,  on 
this  occasion,  brought  nearly  the  same 
quantity  of  ordnance,  some  indeed  of 
extraordinary  calibre,  but  their  strength 
in  men  was  considerably  more  formida- 
ble. 

The  Park  of  Artillery  is  a  place 
selected  by  the  general  of  an  army,  to 
form  the  grand  depot  of  guns,  ammuni- 
tion, and  stores,  to  be  in  readiness  as 
occasion  may  require.  Attached  to  the 
park  there  are  generally  as  many  officers 
and  men  of  the  royal  artillery  as  are 
sufficient  to  man  the  reserve  guns  in  the 
park,  and  to  replace  casualties  that  may 
happen  in  the  detached  guns  and  bri- 
gades. If  a  siege  is  to  be  undertaken, 
the  number  of  officers  and  ai  tillery-men 
in  the  park  must  of  course  be  augmented. 
The  reserve  officers,  drivers  and  horses, 
the  principal  commissary  with  his  as- 
sistants and  the  several  neces:-arv  arti- 
ficers are  also  stationed  here.  To  the 
park  all  the  brigades  and  field  f.irces 
detached  with  the  army,  look  for  their 
E2 


ART 


(     *8     ) 


ART 


jesources,  and  when  any  thing  is  re- 
quisite, the  park  is  the  place  whence  all 
supplies  are  forwarded.  The  reserve 
ammunition  for  the  troops  is  also  depo- 
sited at  the  park  of  artillery,  and  sup- 
plied upon  requisition  under  the  orders 
of  the  commanding  officer  of  artillery. 
The  manner  of  forming  the  Park  is  al- 
most every  where  the  same,  except  that 
some  artillery  officers  differ  in  the  dis- 
position of  the  carriages,  &c;  however, 
the  hest  and  most  approved  method  is 
to  divide  the  whole  of  the  guns  into 
brigades  of  different  natures,  and  place 
their  ammunition  in  the  cars  or  wagons 
behind  them,  iu  one  or  more  lines,  ac- 
cording to  the  number  of  ammunition 
carriages  attached  to  the  natures  of 
ordnance.  Each  brigade  of  artillery, 
including  the  ammunition  carriage,  forge 
carts,  and  camp  equipage  waguns,  have 
a  distinct  number  to  prevent  any  mixture 
of  carriages  either  in  disembarking  or 
breaking  up  of  a  campaign.  The  ar- 
rangement necessary  to  he  made  in 
forming  a  park  of  artillery  of  any  mag- 
nitude, requires  great  exertions  and  abi- 
lities to  prevent  its  being  encumbered 
With  any  greater  quantity  of  carriages, 
ammunition  and  stoics  than  are  abso- 
lutely wanted  for  the  service,  in  case 
there  should  be  any  sudden  movement, 
yet  at  the  same  time  to  have  a  sufficiency 
for  the  purpose  of  affording  any  sup- 
plies which  the  army  may  stand  in  need 
of.  Upon  expedition  service,  where 
disembarkations  of  artillery  take  place, 
the  depot  of  reserve  carriages,  ammu- 
nition and  stores,  is  usually  formed  near 
to  the  spot  where  the  articles  are  landed 
from  the  ships,  and  a  communication  is 
kept  up  between  the  advanced  park  and 
the.  depot,  from  whence  the  articles  are 
forwarded  as  demanded  for  the  imme- 
diate exigencies  of  the  park. 

Field  Artillery  includes  every  re- 
quisite to  forward  the  operations  of  an 
army,  or  of  any  part  of  an  army  acting 
offensively  or  defensively  in  the  field. 

Encampment  of  a  Regiment  of  Ar- 
tillery. Regiments  of  artillery  are 
always  encamped,  half  on  the  right  and 
half  on  the  left  of  the  park.  The  com- 
pany of  bombardiers  (when  they  are 
formed  into  companies,  which  is  the 
case  in  almost  every  nation  excepting 
England)  always  takes  the  right  of  the 
whole,  and  the  lieutenant  colonel's  com- 
pany the  left;  next  to  the  bombardiers, 
the  cuionels,   the  majors,  &c.  so    that 


the  two  youngest  are  next  but  one  tff 
the  center  or  park:  the  two  companies 
next  to  the  park,  are  the  miners  on  the 
right,  and  the  artificers  on  the  left. 

In  the  rear  of,  ami  36  feet  from  the 
park,  are  encamped  the  civil  list,  all  in 
one  line. 

March  of  the  Artillery.  The 
matches  of  the  artillery  are,  of  all  the 
operations  of  war,  the  most  delicate; 
because  they  must  not  only  be  directed 
on  the  object  you  have  in  view,  but 
according  to  the  movements  the  enemy 
make.  Armies  geneially  march  in  three 
columns,  the  center  column  of  which 
is  the  artillery:  should  the  army  march 
iu  more  columns,  the  artillery  and  heavy 
baggage  march  nevertheless  in  one  or 
more  of  the  center  columns;  the  situa- 
tion of  the  enemy  determines  this.  If 
they  are  far  from  the  enemy,  the  bag- 
gage and  ammunition  go  before  or  be- 
hind, or  are  sent  by  a  particular  road; 
an  army  in  such  a  case  cannot  march  in 
too  many  columns.  But  should  the 
march  be  towards  the  enemy,  the  hag- 
gage  must  absolutely  be  all  in  the  rear, 
and  the  whole  artillery  form  the  center 
column,  except  some  brigades,  one  of 
which  marches  at  the  head  of  each  co- 
lumn, with  guns  loaded  and  burning 
matches,  preceded  by  a  detachment  for 
their  safety.  The  French  almost  inva- 
riably place  their  baggage  in  the  center. 

Suppose  the  enemy's  army  in  a  con- 
dition to  march  towards  the  heads  of 
your  columns:  the  best  disposition  for 
the  march  is  in  three  columns  only,  that 
of  the  center  for  the  artillery;  for  it  is 
then  easy  to  form  it  in  order  of  battle. 
Hence  it  is  equally  commodious  for  each 
brigade  of  artillery  to  plant  itself  at  the 
head  of  the  troops,  in  the  place  marked 
for  it,  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  whole 
disposition  being  understood,  and  well 
executed,  the  line  of  battle  may  be 
quickly  formed  in  an  open  country,  and 
in  the  presence  of  any  enemy,  without 
risking  a  surprize;  by  which  method 
the  artillery  will  always  be  in  a  condi- 
tion to  act  as  soon  as  the  troops,  pro- 
vided it  march  in  brigades. 

If  your  march  should  be  through  a 
country  full  of  defiles,  some  dragoons 
must  march  at  the  head  of  the  columns, 
followed  by  a  detachment  of  grenadiers, 
and  a  brigade  of  artillery;  cannon  being 
absolutely  necessary  to  obstruct  the 
enemy's  forming  into  order  of  battle. 

When  you  decamp  iu  the  face  of  the 


ART 


(     29     ) 


ASP 


enemy,  you  must  give  most  attention  to 
your  rear  guard.  On  such  occasions, 
all  the  baggage,  ammunition,  provisions, 
and  artillery,  march  before  the  troops; 
your  best  grenadiers,  best  cavalry,  some 
good  brigades  of  infantry,  together  with 
some  brigades  of  artillery,  form  the  rear 
guard.  Cannon  is  of  infinite  use  for  a 
rear  guard,  when  you  are  obliged  to  pass 
a  defile,  or  a  river,  and  should  be  placed 
at  the  entry  of  such  defile,  on  an  emi- 
nence, if  there  be  one,  or  on  any  other 
place,  from  whence  the  ground  can  be 
discovered,  through  which  the  enemy 
must  march  to  attack,  the  rear  guard. 

A  detachment  of  pioneers,  with  tools, 
must  always  march  at  the  head  of  the 
artillery,  and  of  each  column  of  equi- 
page or  baasja^e. 

If  the  enemy  be  encamped  on  the 
right  flanks  of  the  march,  the  artillery, 
&c.  should  march  to  the  left  of  the 
troops,  and  vice  versa.  Should  the  ene- 
my appear  in  motion,  the  troops  front 
that  way,  by  wheeling  to  the  right  or 
left  by  divisions;  and  the  artillery, 
which  marches  in  a  line  with  the  co- 
lumns, passes  through  their  intervals, 
and  draws  up  at  the  head  of  the  front 
line,  which  is  formed  of  the  column 
that  flanked  nearest  the  enemy;  taking 
care  at  the  same  time  that  the  ban-Miie 
be  well  covered  during  the  action. 

Though  we  have  said  armies  gene- 
rally march  in  three  columns,  yet  where 
the  country  will  allow  it,  it  is  better  to 
march  in  a  greater  number;  and  let 
that  number  be  what  it  will,  the  artillery 
must  form  the  center  columns. 

Officers  of  Artillery.  The  master 
general  of  the  ordnance,  who  is  com- 
mander in  chief  of  the  artillery,  is  en- 
trusted with  one  of  the  most  laborious 
employments,  both  in  war  and  peace, 
requiring  the  greatest  ability,  applica- 
tion, and  experience.  The  officers  in 
general  should  be  great  mathematicians 
and  engineers;  *should  know  all  the 
powers  of  artillery;  the  attack  and  de- 
fence of  fortified  places;  in  a  word, 
every  thing  which  appertains  to  that 
very  important  corps. 

Honourable  Artillery  Company,  a 
band  of  infantry,  consisting  of  600  men, 
of  which  the  Prince  of  Wales  is  always 
colonel.  This  corps  forms  part  of  the 
militia,  or  citv  guard  of  London. 

ARTILLEUR,  Fr.  an  officer  belong- 
ing to  the  French  service,  who  was  for- 
merly appointed  by,  and   acted  imme- 


diately under,  the  master  general  of  the 
ordnance. 

ARTILLIER,  Fr.  a  man  who  works 
on  pieces  of  ordnance  as  a  founder;  or 
one  who  serves  them  in  action 

Artillier,  Fr.  a  matross. 

ARTISONNE,  Fr.    \  worm-eaten,  as 

Bois  ARTISONNE,  S  wood  may  be. 

ARX,  in  the  ancient  military  art,  a 
fort,  castle,  &c.  for  the  defence  of  a  place. 

ARZEGAGES,  Fr.  batons  or  canes 
with  iron  at  both  ends.  They  were  car- 
ried by  the  Estradiots  or  Albanian  ca- 
valiers who  served  in  France  under 
Charles  VIII.  and  Louis  XII. 

AS.\PPES,oi-Aza pes, auxiliary  troops 
which  are  raised  among  the  Christians 
subject  to  the  Turkish  empire.  These 
troops  are  generally  placed  in  the  front 
to  receive  the  first  shock  of  the  enemy. 

ASCENSION,  Fr.  in  artillery,  the 
upward  flight  of  a  bomb  from  its  explo- 
sion out  of  the  mortar,  to  its  utmost 
point  of  elevation.  Descension  de  la 
bombe  signifies,  oa  the  contrary,  the 
range  which  a  bomb  takes  from  its 
highest  pitch  down  to  its  fall. 

ASCENT.     See  Gunnery. 

ASPECT  is  the  view  or  profile  of 
land  or  coast,  and  contains  the  figure 
or  representation  of  the  borders  of  any 
particular  part  of  the  sea.  These  figures 
and  representations  may  be  found  in  all 
the  ruttiers  or  directories  for  the  sea 
coast.  The  Italians  call  them  demon- 
stratione.  By  means  of  this  knowledge 
you  may  ascertain  whether  the  land 
round  the  shore  be  high;  if  the  coast 
itself  be  steep  or  sloping;  bent  in  the 
form  of  an  arc,  or  extended  in  straight 
lines;  round  at  the  top,  or  rising  to  a 
point.  Every  thing,  in  a  word,  is 
brought  in  a  correct  state  before  the 
eye,  as  far  as  regards  harbours,  bogs, 
gulphs,  adjacent  churches,  trees,  wind- 
mills, ckc.  &c. 

A  menacing  Aspect.  An  army  is 
said  to  hold  a  menacing  aspect,  when  bv 
advanced  movements  or  positions  it 
gives  the  opposing  enemy  cause  to  ap- 
prehend offensive  operations. 

A  military  Aspect.  A  country  is 
said  to  have  a  military  aspect  when  its 
general  situation  presents  appropriate 
obstacles  or  facilities  for  an  army  act- 
ing on  the  offensive  or  defensive. 

An  imposing  Aspect.  An  army  is  said 
to  have  an  imposing  aspect,  when  it  ap- 
pears stronger  than  it  really  is.  This 
appearance   is   often   assumed   for  the 


ASS 


(     30     ) 


A  S  Y 


purpose  of  deceiving  an  enemy,  and 
may  not  improperly  be  considered  as 
a  principal  ruse  dc  guerre,  or  feint  in 
w;ir. 

ASPIC,  Fr.  a  piece  of  ordnance  which 
carries  a  12  pound  shot.  The  piece  it- 
self weighs  4'250  pounds. 

ASPIRANT,  Fr.  a  midshipman;  a 
person  waiting  for  promotion ;  a  candi- 
date for  any  place,  or  employment. 

ASSAILLIR,  Fr.  to  attack;  to  assail. 
This  old  French  term  applies  equally  to 
bodies  of  men  and  to  individuals. 

ASSAULT,  a  furious  effort  to  carry  a 
fortified  post,  camp,  or  fortress,  where 
the  assailants  do  not  screen  themselves 
by  any  works.  While  an  assault  during 
a  siege  continues,  the  batteries  cease, 
for  fear  of  killing  their  own  men.  An 
assault  is  sometimes  made  by  the  regi- 
ments that  guard  the  trenches  of  a 
siege,  sustained  by  detachments  from 
the  army. 

To  give  an  Assault  is  to  attack  any 
post,  &c. 

To  repulse  an  Assault,  to  cause  the 
assailants  to  retreat,  to  beat  them  back. 

To  carry  by  Assault,  to  gain  a  post 
by  storm,  &c. 

ASSAUT,  Fr.     See  Assault. 

ASSEMBLAGE,  (assemblage,  Fr.) 
the.  joining  or  uniting  of  several  things 
together*;  also  the  things  themselves  so 
joined  or  united:  of  which  assemblages 
there  are  several  kinds  and  forms  used 
by  joiners,  a  i  with  mortuiscs,  tenons, 
dove-tails,  cVc. 

ASSEMBLfiE,  Fr.  the  assembling 
together  of  an  army;  also  a  rail  by  beat 
of  drum.     See  ASSEMBLY. 

ASSEMBLY,  the  second  beating  of 
the  drum  before  a  march  ;  at  which  the 
men  strike  their  tents,  if  encatnj  ed, 
roll  them  up,  and  stand  to  arms.  See 
Dp.' 

ASSEOIR,ifr.  to  lay;  as  to  lay  the 
first  stones  of  a  foundation.  This  word 
is  also  used  to  signify  the  laying  of  stones 
for  a  pavement. 

ASSESSMENT,  in  a  military  sense, 
signifies  a  certain  rate  which  is  paid  by 
the  county  treason  r  to  the  receiver  ge- 
neral of  the  land-tax,  to  indemnify  any 
place  for  not  having  raised  the  militia; 
which  sum  is  to  be  paid  by  the  receiver- 
general  into  the  exchequer.  The  sum 
to  he  assessed  is  five  pounds  for  each 
man,  where  no  annual  certificate  of  the 
state-  of  the  militia  has  been  transmitted 
to  the  clerk  of  the  peace;  if  not  paid  be- 


fore June  yearly  it  may  be  levied  on  the 
parish  officers.  Such  assessment,  where 
there  is  no  county  rate,  is  to  be  raised 
as  the  poor's  rate. 

To  ASSIEGE,  (assieger,  Fr.)  an  ob- 
solete term  for  besiege. 

ASSIEGER,  Fr.  to  besiege, 

ASSIETTE,  Fr.  the  immediate  scite 
or  position  of  a  camp,  &c. 

To  ASSIGN,  to  make  over;  as,  to  as- 
sign a  certain  proportion  of  one's  pay, 
for  the  discharge  of  debts  contracted. 

ASSIGN  AT,  Fr.  paper  issued  upon 
supposed,  or  imaginary,  property.  Of 
this  description  were  the  assignats  in 
France,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
French  revolution. 

ASSIGNMENT,  appropriation  of 
one  thing  to  another  thing  or  person; 
as  the  assignment  which  is  made  by  the 
colonel  of  a  British  regiment  for  the 
off-reckonings,  which  are  to  be  issued 
on  the  clothing,  and  for  which  he  gene- 
rally pays  5  per  cent,  to  the  clothier. 

ASSOCIATION,  any  number  of  men 
embodied  in  arms  for  mutual  defence  in 
their  district,  and  to  preserve  the  pub- 
lic tranquillity  therein,  against  foreign 
or  domestic  enemies. 

ASTRAGAL.     See  Cannon. 

ASYLUM,  (asile,  Fr.)  a  sanctuary,  a 
place  of  refuge.  It  derives  its  name 
from  a  temple,  so  called  by  the  Ro- 
mans, which  was  built  bj  Romulus  for 
the  reception  of  malefactors.  It  is  now 
generally  used  to  signify  any  place  of 
refuge  or  reception.  Hence  the  York 
Asylum,  which  has  been  erected  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Duke  of  York,  and 
is  devoted  to  the  education  of  military 
children. 

ASSISE,  Fr.  a  course  of  stones  which 
is  carried  on  equally  high,  and  is  only 
broken,  or  interrupted,  by  doors  or  win- 
d  »w  s. 

Assise  de  picrre  dure,  Fr.  the  hard 
rough  stone  which  is  laid  for  the  foun- 
dation of  a  wall  reaching  up  to  the 
ground-floor. 

Assise  dc  parpain,  Fr.  a  course  of 
stones  that  crosses  a  wall. 

ASYMPTOTES,  {asymptotes,  Fr.) 
straight  lines  which  approach  nearer  and 
nearer  to  the  curve,  hut  being  indefi- 
nitely prolonged,  never  meet.  Of  ail 
the  curves  of  the  second  decree,  such  as 
conic  sections,  the  hyperbole  is  the  only 
one  that  has  asymptotes. 

Asymptotes  may  also  be  called  tangents 
to  their  curves,  at  an  infinite  distance. 


T 


(     31     ) 


ATT 


The  co?ichoicl,  cissoid,  and  logarithmic 
curve,  have  each  one  asymptote 

ATILT,  in  the.  attitude  of  thrusting 
with  a  spear,  &c.  as  was  formerly  the 
case  in  tournaments,  &c. 

ATLASSES,  in  architecture,  figures 
or  half  figures  of  men,  used  instead  of 
columns  or  pilasters,  to  support  any 
member  in  architecture,  as  a  balcony 
or  the  like.  They  are  also  called  te- 
1  am  ones. 

ATMOSPHERE,  (atmosphere,  Fr.)  a 
subtle  and  elastic  substance  which  sur- 
rounds the  earth,  which  gravitates  upon 
its  center,  and  partakes  of  all  its  motions. 

ATRE,  Fr.  hearth;  or  the  ground 
under  a  chimney. 

To  ATTACH,  to  place,  to  appoint. 
Officers  and  non-commissioned  oilicers 
are  said  to  be  attached  to  the  respective 
army,  regiment,  battalion,  tronp,  or 
company  with  which  they  are  instructed 
to  act. 

To  Attach,  in  a  pecuniary  sense,  sig- 
nifies to  prevent  the  issue  of  pay  or  al- 
lowance to  an  officer  on  full  or  half-pay, 
by  an  order  from  the  commander  in 
chief  or  secretary  at  war,  which  is  lodged 
at  the  regimental  agent's,  or  in  the  pay 
office. 

ATTACHE,  Fr.  the  seal  and  signa- 
ture of  the  colonel-general  in  the  old 
French  service,  which  were  affixed  to 
the  commissions  of  officers  after  they 
had  been  duly  examined. 

The  ratification  of  military  appoint- 
ments in  this  manlier  was  attended  with 
a  trifling  expense  to  each  individual, 
which  became  th  :  perquisite  of  the  co- 
lonel's secretary. 

ATTACK,  any  general  assault,  or 
onset,  that  is  given  to  gain  a  post,  or 
break  a  body  of  troops. 

Attack  of  a  siege  is  a  furious  as- 
sault made  by  the  besiegers  by  means  of 
trenches,  galleries,  saps,  breaches,  or 
mines,  &C.  by  storming  any  part  of  the 
front  attack.  Sometimes  two  attacks 
are  carried  on  at  the  same  time,  be- 
tween which  a  communication  must  be 
made.     See  Siege. 

False  Attacks  are  never  carried  on 
with  that  vigour  and  briskness  that  the 
others  are;  the  design  of  them  being  to 
favour  the  true  attack,  by  amusing  the 
enemy,  and  by  obliging  the  garrison  to 
do  a  greater  duty  in  dividing  their 
forces,  that  the  true  attack  may  be 
more  successful. 

Regular  Attack  is  that  which  is  car- 


ried on  in  form,  according  to  the  rules 
of  art.     See  Siege. 

To  Attack  in  front  or  flank,  in  for- 
tification, means  to  attack  the  salient 
angle,  or  both  sides  of  the  bastion.  Thi9 
phrase  is  familiarly  used  with  respect  to 
bodies  of  men  which  attack  each  other 
in  a  military  way.  The  French  say: 
En  front  el  sur  lesflancs. 

ATTACK  and  Defence.  A  part  of 
the  drill  for  recruits  learning  the  sword 
exercise,  which  is  commenced  with  the 
recruit  stationary  on  horseback,  the 
teacher  riding  round  him,  striking  at 
different  parts  as  openings  appear,  and 
instructing  the  recruit  how  to  ward  his 
several  attacks;  it  is  next  executed  in  a 
walk,  and,  as  the  learner  becomes  more 
perfect,  in  speed;  in  the  latter  instance 
under  the  idea  of  a  pursuit.  The  attack, 
and  defence  in  line  and  in  speed  form 
the  concluding  part  of  the  sword  exer- 
cise when  practised  at  a  review  of  ca- 
valry. It  is  to  he  observed,  that  although 
denominated  in  speed,  yet  when  prac- 
tising, or  at  a  review,  the  pace  of  the 
horse  ought  not  to  exceed  three  quar- 
ters speed. 

ATTEINDRE,  Fr.  to  reach;  to  get 
up. 

Atteindre  Vennemi,  Fr.  to  get  up 
with  the  enemy. 

ATTELIER,  Fr.  in  fortification,  all 
sorts  of  work  which  may  be  done  by  a 
variety  of  hands,  and  which  are  super- 
intended by  one  or  more  engineers. 

Entendre  bien  /'Attelieii,  Fr.  among 
engineers,  to  be  master  of  the  business; 
to  know  how  to  superintend  works,  and 
to  see  plans  executed. 

ATTENDANCE,  the  act  of  waiting 
on  another;  service. 

ATTENTION !  a  cautionary  word 
used  in  the  B>  itish  service  as  a  prepara- 
tive to  any  particular  exercise  or  ma- 
noeuvre. Gare-a-vous  has  the  same 
signification  in  the  French  service. 

ATTESTATION,  a  certificate  made 
by  some  justice  of  the  peace  within 
four  days  after  the  enlistment  of  a  re- 
cruit. This  certificate  is  to  bear  testi- 
mony, that  the  said  recruit  has  been 
brought  before  him  in  conformity  to 
the  55th  clause  of  the  Mutiny  Act,  and 
has  declared  his  assent  or  dissent  to 
such  enlistment;  and,  if  according  to 
the  said  act  he  shall  have  been,  and  is 
duly  enlisted,  that  the  proper  oaths  have 
been  administered  to  him  by  the  said 
magistrate,    and   that  the  2d    and   6th 


B  A  C 


(     32     ) 


B  A  C 


sections  of  the  Articles  of  War  against! 
mutiny  and  desertion  have  been  read  to 
the  said  recruit. 

AVANT,  Fr.  Foremost,  most  ad- 
vanced towards  the  enemy. 

AvANT-6ec,  Fr.  the  starling  of  a  stone] 
bridge.     Those  starlings   which   areal-j 
ways  pointed  towards  the  current  of  the 
water,  are  called  avanl-bec-d'amont,  and 
the  others  avant-bec~d,aval. 

AvAtn-chemin-couvert,  Fr.  the  ad- 
vanced covered-way  which  is  made  at 
the  foot  of  the  glacis  to  oppose  the  ap- 
proaches of  an  enemy. 

AvANT-«r«r,  Fr.  the  pile-work  which 
is  foimed  by  a  number  of  young  trees 
on  the  edge  or  entrance  of  a  river. 
They  are  driven  into  the  ground  with 
battering  rams  or  strong  pieces  of  iron, 
to  forma  level  Hour,  by  means  of  strong 
planks  being  nailed  upon  it,  which  serve 
for  the  foundation  of  a  bridge.  Boats 
are  placed  where  the  uvant-duc  ter- 
minates. The  avant-duc  is  had  re- 
course to  when  the  river  is  so  broad 
that  there  are  not  boats  sufficient  to 
make  a  bridge  across.  Avant-ducs  are 
made  on  each  side  of  the  river. 

AvAm-fosse,  Fr.  the  ditch  of  the 
counterscarp  next  to  the  country.  It 
is  dug  at  the  foot  of  the  glacis.  See 
Fortification. 

AvANT-grtrr/e.     See  Van  Guard. 

AvANT-main,  Fr.  the  fore-hand  of  a 
horse. 

Avant-<7y»'h,  Fr.  the  limbers  of  a 
field  piece,  on  which  are  placed  two 
boxes  containing  ammunition  enough 
for  immediate  service. 

AUDIT-o/fue,  an  office  at  Somerset- 
house,  where  accounts  are  audited. 

AUDITOR,  the  person  who  audits 
regimental  or  other  military  accounts. 
He  is  generally  a  field  officer. 

AL'AVENANT,  Fr.  proportionably; 
at  equal  rates. 


AVENUE,  in  fortification,  is  any 
kind  of  opening  or  inlet  into  a  fort, 
bastion,  or  out-work. 

A  UGE,  Fr.  a  trough  which  holds  water. 

AUGET,  or  Augette,  Fr.  a  wooden 
pipe  which  contains  the  powder  by 
which  a  mine  is  set  lire  to. 

AUGMENTATION,  increase  of  any 
thing.  Hence  colonel  commandant  by 
augmentation;  that  is,  colonel  of  an  ad- 
ditional battalion. 

AVIVES,  Fr.  vives;  a  disease  in 
horses. 

AULNE  <lc  Paris,  a  French  mea- 
sure, containing  44  inches,  used  to  mea- 
sure sand-hags. 

AUTHORITY,  in  a  general  accepta- 
tion of  the  term,  signifies  a  right  to 
command,  and  a  consequent  right  to  be 
obeyed.  The  King  of  Great  Britain 
has,  by  the  constitution  of  the  land,  a 
perpetual  inherent  right  to  exercise  mi- 
litary authority  without  controul,  so  far 
as  it  regards  the  army.  His  Majesty 
may  appoint  or  dismiss  officers  at  his 
pleasure. 

AUXILIARY  Troops.  Foreign  or 
subsidiary  troops  which  are  furnished  to 
a  belligerent  power  in  consequence  of  a 
treaty  of  alliance,  or  for  pecuniary  con- 
siderations. Of  the  latter  description, 
may  be  considered  the  Swiss  soldiers 
who  formerly  served  in  France,  and 
the  Hessians  who  were  employed  by 
Great-Britain. 

AWARD,  the  sentence  or  determina- 
tion of  a  military  court. 

AXIS,  (axe,  Fr.)  the  line  that  passes 
through  the  center  of  a  body,  which  is 
moveable  upon  the  same,  as  in  a  cylin- 
der, cone,  or  pyramid,  and  which  is 
perpendicular  to  its  base. 

AXLE-TREE,  a  transverse  beam 
supporting  a  carriage,  and  on  the  ends 
of  which  the  wheels  revolve. 


B 


T>AC,  Fr.  a  ferry  boat;  also  a  sort  of 
■"  box  made  of  lar»e  boards,  through 
which  water  is  passed,  and  carried  from 
one  quarter  to  another. 

BACK-notYs,  nails  made  with  flat 
shanks,  so  as  to  hold  fast,  and  not  to 
open  the  grain  of  the  wood. 


BACK-step,  the  retrograde  movement 
of  a  man  or  body  of  men  without  chang- 
ing front. 

BACKWARDS,  a  technical  word 
made  use  of  in  the  British  service  to  ex- 
press the  retrograde  movement  of  troops 


BAG 


(     33     ) 


B  A  L 


from  line  into  column,  and  vice  versa. 
See  Wheel. 

BACULE,  ou  bascule,  Fr.  a  swipe,  or 
swing  gate. 

BACULOMETRY,  (bac  ulamitrie,  Fr.) 
in  geometry,  the  art  of  measuring  ac- 
cessible or  inaccessible  lines,  by  the 
help  of  one  or  more  staves. 

BACULUS  divinatorius,  that  is,  a 
divining  staff" or  rod;  a  branch  of  hazel 
tree  forked,  and  used  for  the  discovery 
of  mines,  springs,  tkc. 

BAGGAGE,  in  military  affairs,  signi- 
fies the  clothes,  tents,  utensils  of  diver* 
sorts,  and  provisions,  &c.  belonging  to 
an  armv. 

B ag c ag E-Wagons.     See  Wagons. 

BAGPIPE,  the  name  of  a  well-known 
warlike  instrument,  of  the  wind  kind, 
greatly  used  by  the  Scotch  regiments, 
and  sometimes  by  the  Irish.  Bagpipes 
are  supposed  to  have  been  introduced 
by  the  Danes;  but  we  are  of  opinion 
that  they  are  much  older,  as  there  is  in 
Rome  a  most  beautiful  bas-relievo,  a 
piece  of  Grecian  sculpture  of  the  highest 
antiquity,  which  represents  a  bag-piper 
playing  on  his  instrument  exactly  like  a 
modern  Highlander.  The  Greeks  had 
also  an  instrument  composed  of  a  pipe 
and  blown-up  skin.  The  Romans,  in  all 
probability,  borrowed  it  from  them. 
The  Italians  still  use  it  under  the  names 
of  piva  and  cornu-musa .  The  bagpipe 
has  been  a  favourite  instrument  among 
the  Scots,  and  lias  two  varieties:  the 
one  with  long  pipes,  and  sounded  with 
the  mouth  -.  the  other  with  short  pipes, 
played  on  with  the  fingers:  the  hist  is 
the  loudest  and  most  ear-piercing  of  all 
music;  is  the  genuine  Highland  pipe; 
and  is  well  suited  to  the  warlike  genius 
of  that  people.  It  formerly  roused  their 
courage  to  battle,  alarmed  them  when 
too  secure,  and  collected  them  when 
scattered;  solaced  them  in  their  long 
and  painful  marches;  and  in  times  of 
peace  kept  up  the  memory  of  the  gal- 
lantry of  their  ancestors,  by  tunes  com- 
posed after  signal  victories. 

BAGS,  in  military  employments,  are 
used  on  many  occasions :  as, 

Sand-B&Gs,  generally  16  inches  dia- 
meter, and  30  high,  filled  with  earth  or 
sand,  to  repair  breaches  and  the  embra- 
sures of  batteries,  when  damaged  by  the 
enemy's  fire,  or  by  the  blast  of  the  guns. 
Sometimes  they  are  made  less,  and 
placed  three  together,  upon  the  parapets, 
for  the  men  to  fire  through. 


Earth-Bxcs,  containing  about  a  cu- 
bical foot  of  earth,  are  used  to  raise  a 
parapet  in  haste,  or  to  repair  one  that 
is  beaten  down.  They  are  only  used 
when  the  ground  is  rocky,  and  does  not 
afford  earth  enough  to  carry  on  the  ap- 
proaches. 

BAGUETTE,  in  architecture,  a  small 
round  moulding  less  than  an  astragal. 
When  enriched  with  ornaments,  it  is 
called  a  chaplet. 

BAGUETTES,  Fr.  drumsticks  ;  they 
also  signify  the  switches  with  which  sol- 
diers were  formerly  punished  in  the 
French  service;  as  passer  par  (es  ba- 
guettes, to  run  the  gauntlet. 

BAHU,  Fr.  a  trunk.  According  to 
Belidor  it  also  signifies  the  rounded  pro- 
files which  are  generally  given  to  the 
paved  roads  of  an  open  country;  also 
the  rounded  edge  or  profile  of  the  but- 
tress of  a  parapet,  ccc. 

Cheval  BAHUTIER,  Fr.  a  sumpter 
horse,  or  one  that  carries  a  portmanteau. 

BAILLOQUE,  Fr.  an  ostrich  feather. 

BAJOYERS,  Fr.  the  side  walls  in  a 
sluice  or  dam.  They  are  also  called 
jouiUieres. 

BALANCE,  in  mechanics,  one  of 
the  six  simple  powers  principally  used 
for  determining  the  equality,  or  diffe- 
rence, of  weights  in  heavy  bodies,  and 
consequently  other  masses  and  quan- 
tities of  matter. 

BALANCE,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  artillery  to  express  a  machine 
in  which  stores  and  ammunition  are 
weighed. 

BALANCIER  June  echse,  Fr.  the 
thick  bar  of  iron  which  serves  as  a 
handle  to  shut  or  open  a  sluice  with  one 
or  two  flood-gates. 

BALATRONES,  an  ancient  name 
given  to  wicked,  lewd,  and  cowardly 
persons,  from  Servilius  Balatro,  a  de- 
bauched libertine;  whence,  according  to 
Bailey,  the  French  have  probably  de- 
rived their  Poltron,  which  see. 

BALISTA,  Lat.  an  instrument  from 
which  arrows,  darts,  and  javelins  were 
thrown  in  ancient  times. 

BALISTIQUE,  Fr.  the  art  of  throw- 
ing or  projecting  heavy  substances,  as 
shells  and  cannon-balls,  to  a  given  dis- 
tance. 

BALIVEAUX,  Fr.  young  oaks  that 
are  under  40  years  growth,  and  measure 
from  12  to  21  French  feet  in  the  girth. 

BALKS,  poles  or  rafters,  over  out- 
houses or  barns;  and  among  bricklayers. 
F 


B  A  L 


(     31     ) 


B  A  L 


great  beams,  such  as  are  used  in  making 
scaffolds.  The  word  is  also,  by  some, 
npplied  to  great  pieces  of  timber  coming 
from  beyond  seas  by  floats. 

BALL,  (balle,  Fr.)  a  round  substance, 
made  of  iron  or  lead,  put  into  heavy 
ordnance,  or  fire-arms,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  killing  or  wounding,  or  making 
a  breach. 

GWjhoh-Balls  are  of  iron,  and  mus- 
ket and  pistol  balls  are  of  lead.  Cannon 
balls  are  always  distinguished  by  their 
respective  calibres,  thus, 


48' 

^6,631  inches 

32 

6,105 

24 

5,517 

10 

pound  ball,  the 

5,040 

12 

diameter  of 
which  is 

4,403 

9 

4,000 

6 
3 

3,49S 
2,775 

2 

2,423 

1, 

L  1,923 

JwYc-Bai.ls,  )  of  which  there  are  ra- 
Light-]i.\Li.i>,  S  rious  sorts,  are  used  for 
various  purposes.  Their  composition  is 
mealed  powder  2,  saltpetre  l£,  sulphur 
1,  rosin  1,  turpentine  2|.  Sometimes 
they  are  made  of  an  iron  shell,  some- 
times a  stone,  filled  and  covered  with 
various  coats  of  the  above  composition, 
till  it  conglomerates  to  a  proper  size, 
the  last  coat  being  of  grained  powder. 
But  the  best  sort,  in  our  opinion,  is  to 
take  thick  brown  paper,  and  make  a 
shell  the  size  of  the  mortar,  and  fill  it 
with  a  composition  of  an  equal  quantity 
of  sulphur,  pitch,  rosin,  and  mealed  pow- 
der, which  being  well  mixed,  and  put  in 
warm,  will  give  a  clear  fire,  and  bum  a 
considerable  time. 

When  they  are  intended  to  set  fire  to 
magazines,  buildings,  &c.  the  composi- 
tion must  be  mealed  powder  10,  saltpetre 
2,  sulphur  4,  and  rosin  1;  or  rather, 
mealed  powder  43,  saltpetre  32,  sul- 
phur 10,  rosin  4,  steel  or  iron  filings  2, 
fir-tree  saw-dust  boiled  in  saltpetre  ley 
2,  birch-wood  charcoal  1,  well  rammed 
into  a  shell  for  that  purpose,  having  va- 
rious holes  filled  with  small  barrels, 
loaded  with  musket-balls;  and  lastly, 
the  whole  immerged  in  melted  pitch, 
rosin,  and  turpentine  oil. 

SwiiAc-Balls  are  prepared  as  above, 
with  this  difl'erence,  that  they  contain 
5  to  1  of  pitch,  rosin,  and  saw-dust. 
This  composition  is  put  into  shells  made 
for  (hat  purpose,  having  4  holes  to  let 
out  the  smoke.     Smoke-balls  are  thrown 


out  of  mortars,  and  continue  to  smokal 
from  25  to  30  minutes. 

Stink-BjLLLS  are  prepared  by  a  com- 
position of  mealed  powder,  rosin,  salt- 
petre, pitch,  sulphur,  rasped  horses  and 
asses  hoofs,  burnt  in  the  fire,  assa-fojti- 
da,  seraphim-gum  or  ferula,  and  bug  or 
stinking  herbs,  made  up  into  balls,  as 
mentioned  in  Light-BALLS,  agreeable  to 
the  size  of  the  mortar  out  of  which  you 
intend  to  throw  them. 

Puisu)icd-B,\Li.a.  We  are  not  sure 
that  they  have  ever  been  used  in  Eu- 
rope; hut  the  Indians  and  Africans  have 
always  been  very  ingenious  at  poisoning 
several  sorts  of  warlike  stores  and  in- 
struments. Their  composition  is  mealed 
powder  4,  pitch  6,  rosin  3,  sulphur  5, 
assa-foetida  3,  extract  of  toads  poison  12, 
other  poisonous  substances  12,  made 
into  balls  as  above  directed.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion, poisoned  balls  were  exhibited  to 
the  people,  pretended  to  have  been  fired 
by  the  Austrians,  particularly  at  the 
siege  of  Lisle.  We  have  seen  some  of 
this  sort  ourselves.  They  contained 
glass,  small  pieces  of  iron,  &c.  and  were 
said  to  be  concocted  together  by  means 
of  a  greasy  composition,  which  was  im- 
pregnated with  poisonous  matter.  In 
1792  they  were  deposited  in  the  archives 
of  Paris. 

Red-hot  Balls,  balls  made  red-hot, 
upon  a  large  coal  fire  in  a  square  hole 
made  in  the  ground,  6  feet  every  way, 
and  4  or  5  feet  deep.  Some  make  the 
tire  tinder  an  iron  grate,  on  which  the 
shell  or  ball  is  laid;  but  the  best  method  is 
to  put  the  hall  into  the  middle  of  a  clear 
burning  fire,  and  when  red-hot,  all  the 
fiery  particles  must  be  swept  off.  What- 
ever machine  you  use  to  throw  the  red- 
hot  ball  out  of,  it  must  be  elevated  ac- 
cording to  the  distance  you  intend  it 
shall  range,  and  the  charge  of  powder 
must  be  put  into  a  flannel  cartridge,  and 
a  good  wad  upon  that;  then  a  piece  of 
wood  of  the  exact  diameter  of  the  piece, 
and  about  3|  inches  thick,  to  prevent 
the  hall  from  setting  fire  to  the  powder; 
then  place  the  ball  on  the  edge  of  the 
mortar,  &,c.  with  an  instrument  for  that 
purpose,  and  let  it  roll  of  itself  against 
the  wood, and  instantly  fire  it  off.  Should 
there  be  a  ditch  or  parallel  before  such  a 
battery,  with  soldiers,  the  wood  must  not 
be  used,  as  the  blast  of  powder  will 
break  it  to  piece*,  and  its  own  elasticity 
prevent  it  from  living  far;   it  would  in 


B  A  L 


C     35     ) 


B  A  L 


(hat  case  either  kill  or  wound  your  own 
people.  On  this  account  the  wad  must 
be  double,  the  second  being  damp.  It 
the  gun  lies  at  a  depression,  there  must 
be  a  wad  over  the  shot,  which  may  be 
rammed  home. 

Chain-BALLS  are  two  balls  linked 
together  by  a  chain  of  8  or  10  inches 
long,  and  some  have  been  made  with  a 
chain  of  3  or  4  feet  long;  they  are  used 
to  destroy  the  palisadues,  wooden 
bridges,  and  chevaux-de-frizes  of  a  for- 
tification. They  are  also  very  destruc- 
tive to  the  rigging  of  a  ship. 

Sta?ig-BALLs  are  generally  termed 
bar-shot,  and  by  some  called  balls  of 
two  heads;  they  are  sometimes  made  of 
two  half-balls  joined  together  by  a  bar 
of  iron  from  8  to  14  inches  long;  they 
are  likewise  made  of  two  entire  balls : 
they  answer  the  same  purpose  as  the 
before  mentioned. 

Anchor-Y$Ai.i.s  are  made  in  the  same 
way  as  the  light-balls,  and  filled  with 
the  same  composition,  only  with  this  ad- 
dition, that  these  are  made  with  an  iron 
bar  two-thirds  of  the  ball's  diameter  in 
length,  and  3  or  4  inches  square.  One 
half  is  fixed  within  the  ball,  and  the 
other  half  remains  without;  the  exte- 
rior end  is  made  with  a  grapple-hook. 
Anchor-balls  are  very  useful  to  set  fire  to 
wooden  bridges,  or  any  thing  made  of 
wood,  or  even  the  rigging  of  ships,  tkc. 
for  the  pile  end  being  the  heaviest,  flies 
foremost,  and  wherever  it  touches,  fas- 
tens, and  sets  all  on  fire  about  it. 

Message-Bxi.LS.     See  Shells. 

BALLE-d-lVu,  Fr.     See  IuYc-Balls 

BALLF.-m«t'A(ie,  Fr.  a  musket  ball, 
which  the  soldier  bites  and  indents  in 
different  places  before  he  loads  his  mus- 
ket. It  is  contrary  to  the  established 
rules  of  war  to  use  any  thing  of  the  sort. 

BALLIUM,  a  term  used  in  ancient 
military  history.  In  towns,  the  appel- 
lation of  ballium  was  given  to  a  work 
fenced  with  palisades,  and  some  times 
to  masonry,  covering  the  suburbs;  but 
in  castles,  it  was  the  space  immediately 
within  the  outer  wall. 

BALLON,  Fr.  balloon. 

Ballon,  Fr.  in  architecture,  the 
round  globe  on  the  top  of  a  pier  or 
pillar. 

Ballon  a  lombcs,  Fr.  a  bag  in  which 
are  placed  beds  of  smaller  bombs,  that 
are  charged  and  interlaid  with  gunpow- 
der. This  bag  is  put  into  another  co- 
vering, that  is  pitched  and  tarred,  with 


the  neck  closely  tied  up  with  pack- 
thread, in  which  a  fuse  is  fixed,  as  in 
ordinary  bombs.  These  balloons,  or 
bags  containing  bombs,  are  thrown  out 
of  mortars,  and  are  frequently  used  in 
the  attack  and  defence  of  fortified  places. 
Colonel  Shrapnel's  invention  of  the  sphe- 
rical case-shot  is  of  a  superior  kind. 

Ballon  a  eailloux,  Fr.  a  balloon  or 
bag  filled  with  stones  or  pebbles  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  above  mentioned. 

Ballon  a  grenades,  Fr.  a  balloon  or 
bag,  impregnated  with  pitch,  containing 
several  beds  of  grenades,  with  a  fuse  at- 
tached to  each. 

BALLOON,  a  hollow  vessel  of  silk, 
varnished  over  and  filled  with  inflam- 
mable air,  or  gas,  by  which  means  it  as- 
cends in  the  atmosphere.  It  has  some- 
times been  used  by  the  French  in  recon- 
noitring, particularly  at  Fleurus,  during 
the  revolutionary  war. 

Balloon  for  communicating  intelli- 
gence. This  balloon  is  5  feet  diameter, 
and  will  carry  between  4  and  albs,  weight, 
or  about  3000  printed  papers,  each  5 
inches  square.  The  balloon  by  which 
the  papers  are  carried  and  discharged 
is  12  inches  diameter.  The  fire  will 
burn  at  the  rate  of  one  minute  per  inch: 
consequently  one  round  will  be  36  inches; 
and  the  double  ring  will,  of  course,  con- 
tinue to  discharge  for  one  hour  and  12 

*  •  *  /*        I 

minutes,  and  so  on  in  proportion,  if  the 
battery  be  triple,  as  the  circle  may  go 
20  times  round  ;  by  which  means  the 
discharging  of  papers  may  be  kept  up 
for  hours:  and  to  prevent  any  possibi- 
lity of  the  fire  going  out,  it  may  be  made 
to  burn  double;  although  there  is  not 
one  chance  in  a  hundred  of  its  going 
out  by  single  fire.  By  a  simple  com- 
munication of  fire  to  the  inflammable 
air  in  the  balloon,  after  the  last  parcel 
of  papers  is  discharged,  the  whole  is  ex- 
ploded into  air.  This  balloon  was  tried 
at  the  Royal  Arsenal  in  Woolwich,  by 
order  of  the  Earl  of  Moira  jn  1S06,  and 
was  favourably  reported  upon. 

The  battery,  when  charged,  is  covered 
with  skin,  to  prevent  the  rain  or  wet 
from  affecting  the  fire, 

BALLOT,  a  little  ball  or  ticket  used 
in  giving  votes.  The  act  of  voting  by 
baliot. 

To  Ballot,  to  chuse  by  balls  or 
tickets,  without  open  declaration  of  the 
vote.  The  militia  of  Great  Britain  aud 
Ireland  is  drawn  for  by  ballot  in  the 
several  counties  and  parishes. 
F2 


B  A  N 


(    36     ) 


BAN 


BALLOTS,  Fr.  sacks  or  bales  of 
wool,  made  use  of,  in  cases  of  great 
emergency,  to  form  parapets  or  places 
of  arms.  They  are  likewise  adapted  for 
the  defence  01  trenches,  to  cover  the 
workmen. in  saps,  and  in  all  instances 
where  promptitude  is  required. 

BALUSTER,  (balustre,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  usually,  but  corruptly,  pro- 
nounced bannister.  It  is  a  small  co- 
lumn or  pilaster  of  different  dimensions, 
viz.  from  an  inch  and  three  quarters,  to 
tour  inches  square,  or  diameter.  The 
sizes  and  forms  of  balusters  are  various, 
according  to  the  fancy  of  the  workman. 
BALUSTRADE,  {balustrade,  Fr.)  an 
assemblage  of  one  or  more  rows  of  little 
turned  pillars,  called  balusters. 

Balustrade  fcinte,  Fr.  small  pillars 
or  balusters  which  are  fixed,  half  their 
usual  height,  upon  any  ground. 

BAN  and  Arrihc  Ban,  a  French 
military  phrase,  signifying  the  convoca- 
tion of  vassals  under  the  feudal  system. 
Menage,  a  French  writer,  derives  the 
term  from  the  German  word  ban,  which 
means  publication.  Nicod  derives  it 
from  another  German  term,  which  sig- 
nifies field.  Borel,  from  the  Greek  nav, 
which  means  all,  because  the  convoca- 
tion was  general.  In  the  reign  of 
Charles  VII,  the  ban  and  arriere  ban 
bad  different  significations.  Formerly  it 
meant  the  assembling  of  the  ordinary 
militia.  After  the  days  of  Charles  VII. 
it  was  called  the  extraordinary  militia. 
The  first  served  more  than  the  latter; 
and  each  was  distinguished  according 
to  the  nature  of  its  particular  service. 
The  persons  belonging  to  the  arriere- 
ban  were  at  one  period  accoutred  and 
mounted  like  light  horse:  but  there 
were  occasions  on  which  they  served 
like  infantry, — once  under  Francis  I. 
in  1545,  and  again  under  Lewis  XIII. 
who  issued  out  an  order  in  1637,  that 
the  arriere-ban  should  serve  on  foot. 

Ban  likewise  signified,  during  the 
ancient  monarchy  of  France,  a  procla- 
mation made  by  the  sound  of  drums, 
trumpets,  and  tambourines,  either  at 
the  head  of  a  body  of  troops,  or  in 
quarters.  Sometimes  to  prevent  the 
men  from  quitting  camp,  at  others  to 
enforce  the  rigour  of  military  discipline; 
sometimes  for  the  purpose  of  receiving 
a  new  commanding  officer,  and  at  others 
to  degrade  and  punish  a  military  cha- 
racter. 

BANC,  Fr.  a  bed  or  layer  of  stones 
in  the  quarry. 


Banc  decicl,  Fr.  that  bed  or  layer  of 
the  hardest  upper  stones,  which  is  sup- 
ported by  pillars,  at  intermediate  dis- 
tances. 

BAND,  (banrfe,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
is  a  general  name  for  any  fiat  low  mem- 
ber, or  one  that  is  broad,  and  not  very 
deep;  which  is  also  called  face,  from  the 
Latin  fascia,  which  Vitruvius  uses  for 
the  same  thing;  and  sometimes  fillet, 
plinth,  Ike. 

BANDELET,  (bandelette,  Fr.)  a 
little  fillet  or  band. 

BANDER,  Fr.  to  bind,  to  bend,  to 
cock.  Bander  les  yeux  a  un  trompette, 
to  blindfold  a  trumpeter.  Bander  un 
pistolet,  to  cock  a  pistol. 

Bander  also  signifies  to  unite,  to  in- 
trigue together  for  the  purposes  of  in- 
surrection. 

BANDERET,  Fr.  in  military  history, 
implies  the  commander  in  chief  of  the 
troops  of  the  canton  of  Bern,  in  Swit- 
zerland. 

BANDES,  Fr.  bands,  bodies  of  in- 
fantry. 

Bandes  Francoises,  Fr.  The  French 
infantry  was  anciently  so  called.  The 
term,  however,  has  of  late  become  less 
general,  and  been  confined  to  the  Prevot 
des  Bandes,  or  the  Judge  or  Provost 
Marshal  that  tried  the  men  belonging  to 
the  French  guards. 

Bandes,  Fr.  iron  hoops  or  rings. 

Sons-Ban de%  Fr.  the  iron  hoops  in  a 
mortar-carriage  on  which  the  trunnions 
lie. 

Sms-Bandes,  Fr.  the  iron  bands  or 
hoops  that  cover  the  trunnions  of  can- 
nons or  mortars  when  mounted  on  their 
carriages:  they  are  usually  made  with  a 
hinge. 

BANDIERE,  Fr.  This  terra  is  fre- 
quently used  in  the  same  sense  with  ban- 
nitre,  banner;  especially  on  board  ship. 

Bandiere,  Fr.  line,  artnie  rangie  en 
front  de  bandiere  signifies  an  army  in 
battle-array.  This  disposition  of  the 
army  is  opposed  to  that  in  which  it  is 
cantoned  and  divided  into  several  bodies. 
line  armie  campie  front  de  Ban- 
diere, Fr.  an  army  which  is  en- 
camped with  the  regular  stand  of  co- 
lours in  front.  Hence  La  ligne  bandiere, 
the  camp-colour  line.  The  sentries 
should  not,  on  any  account,  permit  per- 
sons out  of  regimentals  to  pass  this  line. 

BANDIT  or  Banditto,  (bandit,Yr.) 
a  lawless  plunderer,  a  military  depredator. 

BANDOLEER,  in  ancient  military 
history,  a  large  leathern  belt  worn  over 


BAN 


(     57 


$ 


BAN 


tlie  right  shoulder,  and  hanging  under 
the  left  arm,  to  carry  some  kind  of  war- 
like weapon. 

Bandoleers  arelikewiselittle  wooden 
cases  covered  with  leather,  of  which 
every  musketeer  used  to  wear  12  hang- 
ing on  a  shoulder-helt;  each  of  them 
contained  the  charge  of  powder  for  a 
musket.  They  are  now  no  more  in  use, 
hut  are  still  to  be  seen  in  the  small  ar- 
moury in  the  Tower, 

BANDROLS.    See  Camp-Colours. 

BANDS,  properly  bodies  of  foot, 
though  almost  out  of  date.  The  term 
band  is  also  applied  to  the  body  of  mu- 
sicians attached  to  any  regiment  or  bat- 
talion. 

XVaj'n-BANDS.  In  England,  the  mi- 
litia of  the  City  of  London  were  gene- 
rally so  called.  The  thud  regiment  of 
Foot,  or  the  Old  Buffs,  were  originally 
recruited  from  the  Train  Bands,  which 
circumstance  has  given  that  corps  the 
exclusive  privilege  of  marching  through 
London  with  drums  beating  and  colours 
flying. 

Band  of  Pensioners,  a  company  of 
gentlemen  so  called,  who  attend  the 
King's  person  upon  all  solemn  occasions. 
They  are  120  in  number,  and  receive  a 
yearly  allowance  of  1001. 

Band  is  also  the  denomination  of  a 
military  order  in  Spain,  instituted  by 
Alphonso  XL  King  of  Castile,  for  the 
younger  sons  of  the  nobility,  who,  before 
their  admission,  must  serve  10  years, 
at  least,  either  in  the  army  or  during  a 
war;  and  are  bound  to  take  up  arms  in 
defence  of  the  Catholic  faith,  against 
the  infidels. 

JVafe-BANDS,  with  gunners,  hoops  of 
iron,  binding  the  nave  of  a  gun-carriage 
at  both  ends. 

BANNER,  the  ordnance  flag  fixed 
on  the  fore  part  of  the  drum-major's 
kettle-drum  carriage,  formerly  used  by 
the  Royal  Artillery.  At  present,  when 
a  flag  is  carried,  it  is  affixed  to  the  car- 
riage of  the  right  hand  gun  of  the  park, 
generally  a  12  pounder. 

Banner,  in  the  horse  equipage,  for 
the  kettle-drums  and  trumpets,  must  be 
of  the  colour  of  the  facing  of  the  regi- 
ment. The  badge  of  the  regiment,  or 
its  rank,  to  be  in  the  center  of  the  har- 
rier of  the  kettle-drums,  as  on  the  se- 
cond standard.  The  king's  cypher  aur! 
crown  to  be  on  the  banner  of  the  trum- 
pets, with  the  rank  of  the  regiment  in 
figures  underneath.     The  depth  of  the 


kettle-drum  banners  to  be  3  feet  6 
inches;  the  length  4  feet  8  inches,  ex- 
cluding the  fringe.  Those  of  the  trum- 
pets to  be  12  inches  in  depth,  and  IS 
inches  in  length. 

BANNERET,  Fr.  a  term  derived  from 
banniere.  This  appellation  was  attached 
to  any  lord  of  a  fief  who  had  vassals 
sufficient  to  unite  them  under  one  ban- 
nitre  or  banner,  and  to  become  chief  of 
the  troop  or  company. 

Un  Chevalier  Banneret, or  a  Knight 
Banneret,  gave  precedence  to  the  troop 
or  company  which  he  commanded  over 
that  of  a  banneret  who  was  not  a  knight 
or  chevalier;  the  latter  obeyed  the 
former,  and  the  banner  of  the  first  was 
cut  into  fewer  vanes  than  that  of  the 
second. 

BANNERET.  Knights-banneret, ac- 
cording to  the  English  acceptation  of 
the  term,  are  persons  who,  for  any  par- 
ticular act  of  valour,  have  been  knighted 
on  the  field  of  battle. 

The  late  Sir  William  Erskine,  on  his 
return  from  the  Continent  in  1764,  was 
made  a  knight-banneret  in  Hyde  Park, 
by  his  present  Majesty,  in  consequence 
of  his  distinguished  conduct  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Emsdoiff.  But  he  was  not  ac- 
knowledged as  such  in  this  country,  al- 
though he  was  invested  with  the  order 
between  the  two  standards  of  the  15th 
regiment  of  light  dragoons,  because  the 
ceremony  did  not  take  place  where  the 
engagement  happened.  Captain  Trol- 
lope  of  the  Royal  Navy  is  the  last  cre- 
ated knight-banneret.  Knights-banne- 
ret  take  precedence  next  to  knights  ot 
the  Bath. 

BANNIANS,  Ind.  a  name  signifying 
innocent  people,  and  without  guile;  a 
religious  sect  among  the  Indians,  who 
believe  in  a  transmigration  of  souls,  and 
therefore  do  not  tat  the  flesh  of  any 
living  creature,  nor  will  they  even  kill  a 
noxious  animal.  They  wear  round  their 
necks  a  stone  called  tunibesau,  about  the 
bigness  of  an  egg,  which  is  perforated, 
and  has  three  strings  run  in  it;  this 
stone,  they  say,  represents  their  great 
God;  and  on  this  account,  the  Indians 
shew  them  very  great  respect. 

BANNiAN-rf«y,  a  day  so  called  from 
the  above  sect,  on  which  no  animal  food 
is  touched. 

BANQUET.     See  Bridges. 

Banquet,  of  a  bridle,  is  that  small 
part  of  the  branch  of  a  bridle  that  is 
under  the  eye,  which  is  rounded  like  a 


BAR 


(     38     ) 


BAR 


small  rod,  and  gathers  and  joins  the 
extremities  of  a  hit  to  the  branch,  so 
that  the  banquet  is  not  seen,  but  is  co- 
hered by  the  cap,  or  that  part  of  the  bit 
which  is  next  to  the  branch. 

BANQUETTE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  step 
made  on  the  rampart  of  a  work  near  the 
parapet.     See  Fom  ificamon. 

BAR,  a  long  piece  of  wood  or  iron, 
used  to  keep  things  together.  Bars  have 
various  denominations  in  the  construc- 
tion of  artillery  carriages,  as  sweep  and 
cross  bars  for  tumbrils;  fore,  hind,  and 
under  cross  bars  for  powder-carts;  shaft 
bars  for  wagons,  and  dowel  bars  used  in 
mortar  beds. 

B.\R-shot.  Sec  S/a»g-BALLS,  under 
the  head  Ball. 

To  Bar  a  rein,  in  farriery,  is  to 
strike  it,  or  open  it  above  the  skin,  and 
after  it  has  been  disengaged,  and  tied 
above  and  below,  to  strike  between  the 
ligatures. 

Bau,  (a  sea  word,)  a  rock  or  sand, 
lying  before  a  harbour,  which  ships  can- 
not sail  over,  but  upon  a  flood. 

BARAQUER  une  anuee,  Fr.  to  put 
an  army  into  cantonments. 

BARAQUES,  Fr.  small  huts  made 
with  wood  and  earth  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  soldiers  during  a  campaign. 

BARB,  the  reflected  points  </f  the 
head  of  an  arrow.     See  Baure. 

BAKBACAN,or  Barrican, a  watch- 
tower  for  the  purpose  of  descrying  an 
enemy  at  a  great  distance:  it  also  im- 
plies an  outer  defence  or  sort  of  ancient 
fortification  to  a  city  or  castle,  used  es- 
pecially as  a  fence  to  the  city  or  walls; 
also  an  aperture  made  in  the  walls  of  a 
fortress  to  fire  through  upon  the  enemy. 
It  is  sometimes  used  to  denote  a  fort  at 
the  entrance  of  a  bridge,  having  a  double 
wall  with  towers. 

BARBACANAGE,  money  given  to 
the  maintenance  of  a  barbacan. 

BARBE,  the  armour  of  the  horses  of 
the  ancient  knights  and  soldiers,  that 
were  accoutred  at  all  points. 

BARBETS  are  peasants  subject  to 
the  King  of  Sardinia,  who  abandon  their 
dwellings  when  the  enemy  has  taken 
possession  of  them.  The  King  forms 
them  into  bodies,  who  defend  the  Alp*. 
being  part  of  his  dominions. 

B\RHET-batterg,  in  gunnery,  is  when 
the  breast-work  of  a  battery  is  only  3 
feet  high,  that  the  guns  may  fire  over  it 
without  being  obliged  to  make  embra- 
sures: in  such  cases,  it  is  said  the  guns 
tire  en  barbel.    See  Batiery. 


BARDE,  Fr.  a  long  saddle  for  an  ass 
or  mule,  made  only  of  coarse  canvass 
stuffed  with  flocks. 

Javefine  de  Barde,  Fr.  a  barbed  ja- 
velin for  a  horseman. 

BARDE,  Fr.  barbed  or  trapped,  as  a 
great  horse  is;  also  bound  or  tied  across. 

BARDEAU,  Fr.  a  small  piece  of 
ship-timber,  made  in  the  shape  of  a  tile, 
with  which  pent-houses  and  windmills 
are  covered. 

BARDEES  cTeav,  Fr.  a  measure  used 
in  the  making  of  saltpetre,  containing 
three  half  hogsheads  of  water,  which  are 
poured  into  tubs  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
fining it.  Four  half  hogsheads  are  some- 
times thrown  in. 

BARDELLE,Fr.abardello;thequilt- 
ed  or  canvass  saddle  with  which  colts 
are  backed. 

BARGE-COURSE,  with  bricklayers, 
a  term  used  for  part  of  the  tiling  which 
projects  over,  without  the  principal 
rafters,,  in  all  sorts  of  buildings  where 
there  is  either  a  gable,  or  a  knkin-head. 

BARILLA R,  Fr.  an  officer  who  was 
formerly  employed  among  the  gallies, 
whose  chief  duty  is  to  superintend  the 
distribution  of  bread  and  water. 

BARILLET,  Fr.  keg;  the  barrel  of  a 
watch;  also  the  body  or  funnel  of  a 
sucking  pump,  in  which  the  piston  plays 
up  and  down.  It  is  likewise  called 
Secre  t. 

B ARILS,  Fr.  small  barrels,  contain- 
ing gunpowder,  flints,  &c. 

B a  r  i  ls  j'audroyu ns  et  flam boi/ans,  Fr. 
See  Thundering  Barrels. 

BARM,  or  Berm.     See  Berm. 

BARQUE,  Fr.  a  small  vessel  which 
has  only  one  deck,  and  serves  chiefly 
for  the  carriage  of  goods.  It  has  three 
masts. 

Barque  longue,  Fr.  a  small  vessel 
used  in  war,  without  a  deck,  lower  than 
the  ordinary  barges,  with  a  peak  head, 
and  carrying  sails  and  oars. 

BARRACKS  (barraques,  Fr.)  are 
places  erected  for  both  officers  and  men 
to  lodge  in ;  they  are  built  different  ways, 
according  to  their  different  situations. 
When  there  is  sufficient  room  to  make 
a  large  square,  surrounded  with  build- 
ings, they  are  very  convenient,  because 
the  soldiers  are  easily  confined  to  their 
quarters,  and  the  rooms  being  contigu- 
ous, orders  are  executed  with  privacy 
and  expedition;  and  the  troops  have  not 
the  least  connection  with  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  place  :  this  prevents  quar- 
rels and  riots.    Those  for  the  horse  were. 


BAR 


(    39    ) 


B  A  S 


formerly  called  barracks,  and  those  for 
the  foot  huts ;  but  now  barrack  is  used 
indifferently  for  both.     See  Caserne. 

Barrack  conies  from  the  Spanish, 
baruccas,  small  cabins  which  the  fisher- 
men make  on  the  sea-shore. 

BARRACK-altoToance,  a  specific  allow- 
ance of  bread,  beer,  coals,  ike.  to  the 
regiments  stationed  in  barracks. 

BARRACK-guard.  When  a  regiment 
is  in  barracks,  the  principal  guard  is  the 
barrack-guard;  the  officer  being  respon- 
sible for  the  regularity  of  the  men  in 
barracks,  and  for  all  prisoners  duly 
committed  to  his  charge  while  on  that 
duty. 

Barrack-TV/ws^?'  General,  a  staff  of- 
ficer at  the  head  of"  the  barrack  depart- 
ment; lie  has  a  number  of  barrack- 
masters  and  deputies  under  him,  who 
are  stationed  at  the  different  barracks; 
he  has  an  office  and  clerks  for  the  dis- 
patch of  business;  to  this  office  all  re- 
ports, ckc.  respecting  the  barrack  de- 
partment are  made. 

BARRACK-Q/#ce,  the  office  at  which 
all  business  relating  to  the  barrack  de- 
partment is  transacted. 

BARRE,  Fr.  a  spar,  or  long  thin 
piece  of  wood  which  serves  to  keep  to- 
gether the  boards  in  a  partition,  and  to 
fasten  other  works;  also  a  whipstaff;  a 
barrier. 

Barre  ou  barreau  de  fer,  Fr.  a  solid 
bar  of  iron. 

BARRELS,  in  military  affairs,  are  of 
various  kinds. 

.Fire-BARRELs  are  of  different  sorts; 
•some  are  mounted  on  wheels,  filled  with 
composition,  and  intermixed  with  loaded 
grenades,  and  the  outside  full  of  sharp 
spikes:  some  are  placed  underground, 
which  have  the  effect  of  small  mines: 
others  are  used  to  roll  down  a  breach, 
to  prevent  the  enemy's  entrance. — Com- 
position: corned  powder,  SOlb.  Swedish 
pitch  12,  saltpetre  6,  and  tallow  3.  Not 
used  now. 

Thundering-BARRKLS  are  for  the  same 
purpose,  filled  with  various  kinds  of 
combustibles,  intermixed  with  small 
shells,  grenades,  and  other  fire-works. 
They  are  not  used  now. 

Poztfde/'-BARRELs  are  about  16  inches 
diameter,  and  30  or  32  inches  long, 
holding  100  pounds  of  powder;  but  the 
quantity  put  into  a  whole  barrel  is  only 
90  lbs.  into  an  half  barrel  45  lbs. 
and  a  quarter  barrel,  used  for  rifle 
powder,  only  22ilbs.;  this  proportion 
leaves  a  space  for  the  powder  to  sepa- 


rate when  rolled,  or  otherwise  it  would 
always  be  in  lumps,  and  liable  thereby 
to  damage. 

Budge-B\RRZLS  hold  from  40  to  60 
pounds  of  powder;  at  one  end  is  fixed 
a  leathern  bag  with  brass  nails:  they  are 
used  in  actual  service  on  the  batteries, 
For  loading  the  guns  and  mortars,  to  keep 
the  powder  from  firing  by  accident. 

Barrels  of  earth,  in  an  army,  a  sort 
of  halt-hogsheads  filled  with  earth, 
which  are  used  as  breast-works  for  co- 
vering the  soldiery;  and  also  to  break 
the  gabions  made  in  the  ditch;  also  to 
roll  into  breaches. 

BARRER,  Fr.  to  stop;  to  obstruct. 

Barrer  te  chenun  d'une  troupe,  ou 
d'une  armie  ennemie,  Fr;  to  take  pos- 
session of  any  particular  road  or  pas- 
sage, and  to  cut  it  up,  or  plant  it  with 
ordnance,  ckc.  in  such  a  manner  that  no 
hostile  force  could  march  through. 

BARRES,  Fr.  the  martial  sport 
called  bars. 

BARRICADE.  To  barricade  is  to 
fortify  with  trees,  or  branches  of  trees, 
cut  down  for  that  purpose,  the  brushy 
ends  towards  the  enemv.  Carts,  wa- 
gons, &c.  are  sometimes  made  use  of 
for  the  same  purpose,  viz.  to  keep  back 
both  horse  and  foot  for  some  time. 

BARRICADES,  Fr.  obstructions  or 
obstacles  created  by  means  of  ditches, 
temporary  abattis,  &c. 

BARRIER,  {barriire,  Fr.)  in  a  ge- 
neral sense,  means  any  fortification,  or 
strong  place  on  the  frontiers  of  a  coun- 
try. It  is  likewise  a  kind  of  fence  com- 
posed of  stakes,  and  transums,  as  over- 
thwart  rafters,  erected  to  defend  the  en- 
trance of  a  passage,  retrenchment,  or  the 
like.  In  the  middle  of  the  barrier  is  a 
moveable  bar  of  wood,  which  is  opened 
and  shut  at  pleasure.  It  also  implies  a 
gate  made  of  wooden  bars,  about  5  feet 
long,  perpendicular  to  the  horizon,  and 
kept  together  by  two  long  bars  going 
across,  and  another  crossing  diagonally. 
Barriers  are  used  to  stop  the  cut  made 
through  the  esplanade  before  the  gate 
of  a  town. 

BARMER.-tozcns,  (vil/es  barrieres,  Fr.) 
The  barrier-towns  in  Europe  were 
Menin,  Dendermond,  Ypres,  Tournay, 
Moris,  Namur,  and  Maestricht.  These 
towns  were  formerly  garrisoned  half  by 
French  or  Imperial,  and  half  by  Dutch 
troops.  They  were  established  in  1713 
by  the  treaty  of  Utrecht,  and  demolished 
by  Joseph  II.  in  1782. 

BAS-BOUD,  Fr.  a  sea-term;  the  lar- 


B  A  S 


(    10    ) 


13  A  S 


hoard  side.  The  French  use  the  words 
bas-burd  and  slri-bord  to  distinguish  the 
right  and  left  sides  of  a  sluice,  when  a 
person  is  going  through.  Stri-btird  is 
the  right,  and  bas-burd  the  left,  or  stai- 
bmrd  and  larboard,  looking  at  the  prow 
of  a  sin  1 1. 

BASALTES,  a  sort  of  marble  of  an 
iron  colour:  the  hardest  block  mar- 
ble. 

BASCULE,  JFr.  a  counterpoise  which 
serves  to  lift  up  the  draw-oi  idge  of  a 
town.  Likewise  a  term  used  in  fortifi- 
cation to  express  a  door  that  shuts  and 
opens  like  a  trap-door. 

BASE,  rest,  support,  foundation: 
any  body  which  bears  another.  It  par- 
ticularly applies  to  the  lower  parts  of  a 
column,  or  pedestal. 

Base,  or  Basis,  in  fortification,  the 
exterior  part  or  side  of  a  polygon,  or 
rhat  imaginary  line  which  is  drawn  from 
the  flanked  angle  of  a  bastion  to  the 
angle  opposite  to  it. 

Base  signifies  also  the  level  line  on 
which  any  work  stands  that  is  even  with 
the  ground,  or  other  work  on  which  it 
is  erected.  Hence  the  base  of  a  parapet 
is  the  rampart. 

BASE-/i«e,  the  line  on  which  troops  in 
column  move.  The  first  division  that 
inarches  into  the  alignment  forms  the 
base-line,  which  each  successive  division 
prolongs. 

Base-/jW  also  signifies  the  line  on 
which  all  the  magazines  and  means  of 
supply  of  an  army  are  established,  and 
from  which  the  lines  of  operation  pro- 
ceed. 

Hxst-ring.     See  Cannon. 

Base,  with  gunners,  the  smallest 
piece  of  ordnance,  4  feet  and  a  half 
long,  the  diameter  at  the  bore  1  inch  ] 
quarter;  it  weighs  203  pounds,  carries  a 
ball  1  inch  l-8th  diameter,  and 
live  or  six  ounces. 

BASIL,  with  joiners,  the  an»le  to 
which  the  edge  of  an  iron  tool  is  ground. 
To  work  on  soft  wood,  basils  are  usually 
made  twelve  degrees;  for  hard  wood, 
eighteen  degrees:  it  being  observed, 
that  the  more  acute  or  thin  t he  basil  is, 
the  better  and  smoother  it  cuts;  and 
the  more  obtuse,  the  stronger  and  fitter 
for  service. 

BASILISK,  an  ancient  name  given  to 
a  48  pounder.     See  Cannon. 

BASIS.     See  Base. 

BASKET-/,*//,  the  hilt  of  a  sword, 
so  made  as  to  contain  and  guard  the 
whole  hand. 


weighs 


BASKETS,    in    military   affairs,   are 

simple  baskets,  frequently  used  in  sieges. 
They  are  filled  with  earth,  and  placed 
on  the  parapet  of  a  trench,  or  any  other 
part.  They  are  generally  about  a  foot 
and  a  half  in  diameter  at  the  top,  and 
eight  inches  at  the  bottom,  and  a.  foot 
and  a  half  in  height;  so  that,  being 
placed  on  the  parapet,  a  kind  of  embra- 
sure is  formed  at  the  bottom,  through 
n  Inch  the  soldiers  lire,  without  being  ex- 
posed to  the  shot  of  the  enemy.  See 
Gabion. 

There  are  common  wicker  baskets, 
bushel  and  half-bushel,  used  in  the 
field  in  making  batteries,  &c.  besides 
the  gabion  appropriated  to  forming  part 
of  the  batteries,  by  being  filled  with 
earth. 

BAS-OFFICIERS,  Fr.  non-commis- 
sioned ollicers,  i.  e.  Serjeants  and  cor- 
porals, are  so  called  in  the  French  ser- 
vice. With  us,  the  serjeants  and  lance 
Serjeants  only  are  so  called. 

BASON,  a  rcservatory  of  water,  as 
the  bason  of  a  jet  d'eau  or  fountain.  It 
is  also  applied  to  a  port  or  harbour,  as 
the  inner  or  outward  bason,  where  ships 
may  be  moored. 

BASSE,  Fr.  a  collar  for  cart-horses, 
made  of  rushes,  sedge,  straw,  &c. 

BASSIN,  Fr.  a  wet  dock. 

Bassin  de partage,  Fr.  that  spot,  in 
an  artificial  canal,  where  the  summit  of 
the  slope  is  on  a  level,  and  the  waters 
join  for  the  continuation  of  the  canal. 
Point  de  partage  is  the  point  where  the 
junction  is  formed. 

Bassin  d  chaux,  Fr.  a  lime-kiln,  or  a 
place  where  lime  is  slaked  and  inortail 
made. 

BASSINET,  Fr.  the  pan  of  a  musket. 

BASSO-RELIEVO  }  c     „ 

BASS-RELIEF,        S    te  ltELIEVO- 

BASSON  or  BASSOON,  a  wind  in- 
strument blown  with  a  reed,  performing 
the  base  to  all  martial  music,  one  or  two 
of  which  are  attached  to  each  regimental 
hand. 

BASTILLE,  Fr.  any  place  fortified 
with  towers. 

Bastille,  a  state  prison  which  stood 
near  the  Temple  in  Parts,  and  was  de- 
stroyed by  the  inhabitants  of  that  capi- 
tal on  the  14th  of  July,  1789. 

BASTINADO,  a  punishment  among 
the  Turkish  soldiers,  which  is  performed 
by  beating  them  with  a  cane  or  the  flat 
side  of  a  sword  on  the  soles  of  their 
feet.  Among  the  French,  the  culprit  is 
tied  upon  a  bundle  of  straw,  aud   re- 


BAT 


(  *i   ) 


BAT 


ceives  a  prescribed  number   of  blows, '  either  on  the  capitals  prolonged  of  the 
either  upon    the  shoulders  or   upon  his    bastions  or  half-moons,  or  upon   their 

faces.     In  thickness  it  is  from  15  to  18 
feet,  that  it   may  be  able  to  withstand 


posteriors. 
BASTION. 


See  Fortification. 
BAT,  Fr.  a  pack-saddle. 
BAT- .Horses,   }  are    baggage     horses 
BAW-flicwses,  £  belonging  to   the  offi- 
cers when  on  actual  duty. 

H&T-Men,  j  were  originally  servants 
BAW-Mien,  i  hired  in  war  time,  to 
take  cure  of  the  horses  belonging  to  the 
train  of  artillery,  bakerv,  baggage,  &c. 
They  generally  wear  the  King's  livery 
during  their  service.     Men  who  are  ex- 


the  violence  of  the  enemy's  batteries. 
Its  height  depends  upon  the  depth  of 
the  ditch,  and  upon  the  elevation  of  the 
water  that  is  necessary  to  be  kept  up 
for  an  inundation;  but  the  top  of  the 
building  must  always  be  under  the  co- 
ver of  the  parapet  of  the  covert-way,  so 
as  not  to  be  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
view.  In  the  middle  of  its  length  is 
raised    a    massive     cylindrical     turret, 

cused   regimental  duty,  for  the  specific  j  whose  height  exceeds  the  batardeau  G 

purpose  of  attending  to  the  horses  be-   feet. 


longing  to  their  officers,  are  called  bat 
men. 

BATABLE,  that  may  be  disputed. 
This  term  was  applicable  to  the  contests 
which  once  existed  between  theBorderers 
of  England  and  Scotland. 

BATAGE,  BATTAGE,  Fr.  the  time 
employed  in  reducing  gunpowder  to  its 
proper  consistency.  The  French  usually 
consumed  '24  hours  in  pounding  the  mate- 
rials to  make  good  gunpowder;  supposing 
the  mortar  to  contain  16  pounds  of  com- 
position, it  would  require  the  application 
of  the  pestle  3500  times  each  hour.  The 
labour  required  in  this  process  is  less  in 
summer  than  in  winter,  because  the 
water  is  softer. 

BATAILLE,  Fr.  a  battle. 

Clicvul  de  BatatlI/E,  Fr.  a  war  horse, 
or  charger.  This  expression  is  used 
figuratively  as  a  sheet  anchor  or  last  re- 
source. 

Bataille  rangee,  Fr.  troops  drawn 
up  in  a  regular  line  for  action. 

BATAILLER,    Fr.    to    engage    one 


EATER,  Fr.  to  saddle  with  a  pack- 
saddle. 

BATESME  du  Tropique,  Fr.  a  chris- 
tening under  the  Line.  This  is  a  pro- 
phage and  ridiculous  ceremony  which 
every  person  is  obliged  to  go  through  the 
first  time  he  crosses  the  Line  on  his  pas- 
sage to  the  East  Indies.  Different  me- 
thods of  performing  it  are  observed  by 
different  nations.  Englishmen  frequently 
buy  themselves  off.  Among  the  French, 
the  individual  who  was  to  be  baptized 
or  christened,  swore  solemnly  by  the 
Evangelists,  that  he  would  individually 
assist  in  forcing  every  person  hereafter, 
who  should  be  similarly  situated,  to  go 
through  the  same  ceremony. 

Knights  of  the  BATH,  an  English 
military  order  of  uncertain  original. 
Some  writers  say  it  was  instituted  in  the 
Saxon  times;  some  will  have  it  to  have 
been  founded  by  Richard  II.  and  others 
by  Henry  IV.  nor  is  the  occasion  that 
eave  ri^e  to  the  order  better  known. 
Some  say  it  arose  from  the  custom  which 


another   partially,    or   by    detachments,   formerly   prevailed    of    bathing,    before 


without  coming  to  a  general  engage- 
ment;  to  struggle  hard. 

BATAILLON,  Fr.  battalion,  which 
see. 

Bataillox  quarrc,  Fr.  a  battalion 
which  is  drawn  up  in   such  a  manner, 


they  received  the  golden  spurs.  Others 
say  that  Henry  IV.  being  in  the  bath, 
was  told  by  a  knight,  that  two  widows 
were  come  to  demand  justice  of  him; 
when,  leaping  out  of  the  bath,  he  cried, 
"  It  was  his  duty  to  prefer  the  doing  of 


that  it  forms  a  perfect   square,  and    is  justice  to   his  subjects  to  the  pleasures 
equally  strong  on  the  four  sides.  |  of  the   bath;"  and   in    memory  of  this 


BATARDE,  French  8  pounders  are 
so  called.     They  are  used  in  action. 

BATARDEAU,  in  fortification,  is  a 
massive  perpendicular  pile  of  masonry, 


transaction  the  Knights  of  the  Bath 
were  created.  Camden  however  insists, 
that  this  was  only  the  restoration  of  the 
order,  which  was  in   that  prince's  reign 


whose  length  is  equal  to  the  breadth  of.|  almost  abolished:  but  however  that  may 
the  ditch,  inundation,  or  any  part  of  a  i  be,  the  order  was  revived  under  George 
fortification  where  the  water  cannot  be  I.  by  a  solemn  creation  of  a  considera- 
kept  in  without  the  raising  of  these  ble  number  of  knights.  They  wear  a 
sorts   of    works,    which    are   described  1  red    ribbond,  and   their  motto   is  Tria 

G 


BAT 


(     42     ) 


BAT 


Juncta  in  uno,  alluding  to  the  three  car- 
dinal virtues  which  every  knight  ought 
to  possess. 

BATIMENT,  Fr.  any  thing  built  or 
raised  by  art;  regular  or  irregular;  also 
a  ship  or  vessel. 

BATON,  Fr.  a  staff. 

Baton  a  dtux  bouts,  Fr.  a  quarter- 
staff. 

Baton  de  commandement,  Fr.  an  in- 
strument of  particular  distinction  which 
was  formerly  given  to  generals  to  the 
French  army.  Henry  III.  before  his 
ascension  to  the  throne,  was  made  gene- 
ralissimo of  all  the  armies  belonging  to 
his  brother  Charles  the  iXtl),  and  pub- 
licly received  the  Baton,  as  a  mark  of 
high  command. 

Baton  ferrat  tt  non  ferrat,  Fr.  all 
sorts  of  weapons. 

Obtenir  son  objet  pur  It  tour  du  Ba- 
ton, Fr.  to  accomplish  one's  ends  by 
equivocal  means. 

Eire  bien  assure,  de  son  Baton,  Fr.  to 
be  morally  certain  of  a  thing. 

Eire  ridu.il  ou  Baton  btanc,  Fr.  to 
be  reduced  to  one's  last  stake. 

Se  conduire  a  Batons  rompus,  Fr.  to 
do  any  thing  by  fits  and  starts,  to  be  un- 
decided in  one's  plans  of  attack,  &c. 

BATOON,  a  truncheon,  or  marshal's 
staff. 

BATTA,  allowances  made  to  troops 
in  India. 

Dry-BATT a,  Ind.  money  which  is  given 
in  India  to  the  troops,  in  lieu  of  rations; 
or  batta  received  in  money,  to  distinguish 
it  from  wet-hatta  or  batta  received  in 
kind.  This  distinction  applies  only  to 
privates,  as  the  batta  to  officers  is  always 
paid  in  money. 

F«i/-Batta,  bid.  an  additional  al- 
lowance which  is  given  by  the  East  In- 
dia Company  to  their  troops. 

Haff'-BATTA,  Ind.  half  of  the  above 
allowance,  drawn  by  troops  in  garrison. 

Wet-BATTA,  Ind.  batta  given  in  kind. 

BATTAILOUS,  a  warlike  or  military 
appearance. 

BATTALIA.  Johnson  adopts  the 
word  from  Battaglia,  Ital.  and  calls  it 
the  main  body  of  an  army,  distin- 
guished from  its  wings.  We  are  of  opi- 
nion, that  it  farthe/  implies  an  army 
or  considerable  detachment  of  troops 
drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  or  in  any 
other  proper  form  to  attack  the  enemy. 
See  Ba  itle. 

BATTALION  or  Batai.ion,  an  un- 
determined body  of  infantry  in  regard 


to  number,  generally  from  COO  to  1000 
men.  The  royal  regiment  of  artillery 
consists  of  10  battalions,  exclusive  of 
the  invalid  or  veteran  battalion.  Some- 
times regiments  consist  each  of  1  bat- 
talion only;  but  il  more  numerous,  are 
divided  into  several  battalions,  accord- 
ing to  their  strength;  so  that  every  one 
may  come  within  the  number  men- 
tioned. A  battalion  of  one  of  our 
marching  regiments  consists  of  1000 
and  sometimes  of  1200  men,  officers 
and  non-commissioned  included.  When 
there  are  companies  of  several  regiments 
in  a  garrison  to  form  a  battalion,  those 
of  the  eldest  regiment  post  themselves 
on  the  right*  those  of  the  second  on  the 
left,  and  so  on  till  the  youngest  fall  into 
the  center.  The  officers  take  their  posts 
before  their  companies,  from  the  right 
and  left,  according  to  seniority.  Each 
battalion  is  divided  into  4  divisions,  and 
each  division  into  two  subdivisions, which 
are  again  divided  into  sections.  The 
companies  of  grenadiers  being  unequal 
in  all  battalions,  their  post  must  be  re- 
gulated by  the  commanding  ollicer.  See 
Regiment. 

Triangular  Battalion,  in  ancient 
military  history,  a  body  of  troops  rang- 
ed in  the  form  of  a  triangle,  in  which 
the  ranks  exceed  each  other  by  an  equal 
number  of  men.  If  the  first  rank  con- 
sists of  one  man  only,  and  the  difference 
between  the  ranks  is  only  one,  then  its 
form  is  that  of  an  equilateral  triangle; 
and  when  the  difference  between  the 
ranks  is  more  than  erne,  its  form  may 
then  be  an  isoscele,  having  two  sides 
equal,  or  scalene  triangle.  This  method 
is  now  laid  aside. 

BATTEN,  among  carpenters,  a  scant- 
ling of  wooden  stuff,  from  two  to  four 
inches  broad,  and  about  one  inch  thick. 

BATTER,  a  term  used  by  bricklayers, 
carpenters,  6iC.  to  signify  that  a  wall, 
piece  of  timber,  or  the  like,  does  not 
stand  upright,  but  leans  from  the  per- 
son looking  front-way  at- it.  When,  on 
the  contrary,  it  leans  towards  the  per- 
son, so  looking,  it  is  said  to  over-hang, 
or  hang-over. 

BAITER,  a  cannonade  of  heavy  ord- 
nance, from  the  1st  or  2d  parallel  of 
entrenchment,  against  any  fortress  or 
works. 

To  Batter  in  breach  implies  a  heavy 
cannonade  of  many  pieces  directed  to  one 
part  of  the  revetemeut  from  the  third 
parallel. 


BAT 


(    43     ) 


BAT 


BATTERIE  de  tambour,  a  French 
beat  of  the  drum  similar  to  the  General 
in  the  British  service. 

Batterie  en  roituge,  Fr.  a  battery 
used  to  dismount  the  enemy's  cannon. 

Batterie  par  camarade,  Fr.  the  dis- 
charge of  several  pieces  of  ordnance  to- 
gether, directed  at  one  object  or  place. 

Batterie  a  barbette,  Fr.  pieces  of 
ordnance  which  are  planted  above  a  pa- 
rapet that  is  not  sufficiently  high  to  ad- 
roit of  embrasures. 

Batterie  de  canons,  Fr.  This  term 
among  (he  French  signiries  not  only  the 
park  of  artillery,  or  the  place  where  the 
pieces  of  ordnance  are  planted,  but  also 
the  pieces  themselves. 

Batterie  directe,  Fr.  cannon  planted 
right  in  front  of  a  work,  or  of  a  body 
of  men,  and  which  can  play  directly 
upon  either. 

Batterie  d'enfilade,  Fr.  cannon  so 
planted  that  it  can  play  along  the  whole 
extent  of  a  line. 

Batterie  cnterrte,  Fr.  cannon  or 
ordnance  sunk  into  the  earth  in  such  a 
manner,  that  the  shot  can  graze  the 
whole  surface  of  the  ground  it  goes  over. 

Batterie  de  morlier,  Fr.  a  collection 
of  bombsor  shells, generally  formed  with- 
in the  circumference  of  a  wall. 

Batterie  d'obusier,  Fr.  a  battery 
formed  of  howitzers. 

Batterie  de  pierriers,  Fr.  a  battery 
consisting  of  machines,  from  which 
stones  may  be  thrown. 

Batterie  en  plein  champ,  Fr.  a  bat- 
tery consisting  of  cannon,  which  a/e 
planted  in  such  a  manner,  that  their  ob- 
ject of  attack  is  whollyunmasked.     , 

Batterie  en  reduns,  Fr.  cannon 
planted  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  se- 
veral pieces  form  a  species  of  saw,  and 
are  fired  from  alternate  intervals.  Can- 
non thus  ranged  may  be  said  to  stand 
pointed  in  echellon. 

BATTERING  implies  the  firing  with 
heavy  artillery  on  some  fortification  or 
strong  post  possessed  by  an  enemy,  in 
order  to  demolish  the  works. 

Batter i tic-p ieces  are  large  pieces  of 
cannon,  used  in  battering  a  fortified  town 
or  post. 

It  is  judged  by  all  nations,  that  no 
less  than  24  or  18  pounders  are  proper 
for  that  purpose.  Formerly  much  larger 
calibres  were  used,  but  as  they  were  so 
long  and  heavy,  and  very  troublesome 
to  transport  and  manage,  they  were  for 
a  long  time  rejected,  till  adopted  among 


the  French,  who,  during  the  late  war, 
have  brought  36  and  48  pounders  into 
the  field.  At  present  they  use  light 
pieces  in  the  field. 

BATTERiNO-TVam,  a  train  of  artil- 
lery used  solely  for  besieging  a  strong 
place,  inclusive  of  mortars  and  howit- 
zers: all  heavy  24,  18,  and  12  pounders, 
come  under  this  denomination;  as  like- 
wise the  13,  10,  and  8  inch  mortars  and 
howitzers. 

Battering-How.  See  the  article 
Ram. 

BATTERY  implies  any  place  where 
cannon  or  mortars  are  mounted,  either 
to  attack  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  or  to 
batter  a  fortification:  hence  batteries 
have  various  names,  agreeable  ta  the 
purposes  they  are  designed  for. 

G^ti-Battery  is  a  defence  made  of 
earth  faced  with  green  sods  or  fascines, 
and   sometimes  made  of  gabions    filled 
with  earth:  it  consists  of  a  breust-zoork, 
parapet,  or  epaulement,  of  13  or  20  feet 
thick  at  top,  and  of  22  or  24  at  the 
foundation;  of  a  ditch  12  feet  broad  at 
the   bottom,  and   13  at  the  top,  and   7 
feet  deep.     They  must  be  7\  feet  high. 
The  embrasures  are  2  feet  wide  within, 
and   9   without,  sloping   a  little  down- 
wards,   to  depress   the  rnetal  on  occa- 
sion.    The  distance  from  the  center  of 
one  embrasure  to  that  of  the  other  is 
13  feet;  that   is,  the  guns  are  placed  at 
18  feet  distance  from  each  other ;  con- 
sequently   the    merlons  (or    the    solid 
earth    between     the     embrasures)    are 
16   feet    within,   and    7    without.     The 
gcnouilleres  (or    part    of    the    parapet 
which  covers  the  carriage  of  the  gun) 
are  generally  made  li\   feet  high  from 
the  platform  to  the  opening  of  the  em- 
brasures ;  though  this  height  owght  to 
be  regulated  according   to  the  semi-dia- 
meter  of  the  wheels  of  the  carriage,  or 
the  nature  of  the  gun.     The  platforms 
are  a  kind  of  wooden  floors,  made  to 
prevent  the  cannon    from  sinking  into 
the  ground,  and  to  render  the  working 
of  the  guns  more  easy;  and  are,  strictly 
speaking,  a  part  of  the  battery.     They 
are  composed  of  5  sleepers,  or  joists  of 
wood,  laid  lengthways,  the  whole  extent 
of  the  intended   platform  ;  and  to  keep 
them    firm  in   their  places,  stakes  must 
be  driven  into  the  ground  on  each  side; 
these  sleepers  are    then    covered    with 
sound  thick   planks,  laid  parallel  to   the 
parapet;  and  at  the  lower  end  of  the 
platform,  next  to  the  parapet,  a  piece 
G2 


BAT 


(     44     ) 


BAT 


of  timber  6  inches  square,  called  a 
Jiurter,  is  placed,  to  prevent  tbe  wheels 
from  damaging  the  parapet.  Platforms 
lire  generally  made  li!  t'tet  long,  15  feet 
broad  hehind,  and  9  before,  with  a  slope 
of  about  9  or  10  inches,  to  prevent  the 
guns  from  recoiling  too  much,  and  to 
bring  them  more  easily  forward  when 
loaded.  The  dimensions  of  the  plat- 
forms, sleepers,  planks,  hurters,  and 
nails,  ought  to  he  regulated  according 
to  the  nature  of  the  pieces  that,  are  to 
be  mounted. 

The  powder  magazines  to  serve  the 
batteries  ought  to  be  at  a  convenient 
distance  from  the  same,  as  also  from 
each  other;  the  large  one,  at  least  55 
feet  in  the  rear  of  4 he  battery,  and  the 
small  ones  about  25.  Sometimes  the 
large  magazines  are  made  either  to  the 
right  or  left  of  the  battery,  in  order  to 
deceive  the  enemy;  they  are  generally 
built  5  feet  under  ground;  the  sides  and 
roof  must  he  well  secured  with  boards, 
and  covered  with  earth,  clay,  or  some- 
tiling  of  a  similar  substance,  to  prevent 
the  powder  from  being  tired  :  they  are 
guarded  by  sentinels.  The  balls  are 
piled  in  readiness  beside  the  merlons, 
between  the  embrasures. 

Mortar-Bxn try.  These  kinds  of 
batteries  diner  from  gun-batteries,  only 
in  having  no  embrasures.  They  consist 
of  a  parapet  of   18   or   20  feet  thick 


2 


;•  high  in  front,  and  6"   in  the  rear;  of 


a  berm  2'  or  8  feet  broad,  according  to 
the  quality  of  the  earth;  of  a  ditch  24 
I 'road  at  the  top,  and  20  at  the 
bottom.  The  beds  must  be  9  feet  long, 
(i  broad,  8  from  each  otiier,  and  5  feet 
from  the  parapet:  they  are  not  to  be 
sloping  like  the  gun-platforms,  but  ex- 
actly horizontal.  The  insides  of  these 
batteries  are  sometimes  sunk  2  or  3  feet 
into  the  ground,  by  which  they  are  much 
sooner  made  than  those  of  cannon.  The 
powder  magazines  and  piles  of  shells  are 
pi  iced  as  is  mentioned  in  the  article 
Guii-Battury. 

Ricoclict-B\TTZKY,  (Batterie  at  rico- 
chet, Fr.)  so  called  by  its  inventor  M. 
Vauban,  and  first  used  at  the  siege  of 
Aeth  in  1697.  It  is  a  method  of  dis- 
charging cannon  with  a  very  small  quan- 
tity of  powder.  The  elevation  is  so 
as  just  to  fire  over  the  parapet;  and 
then  the  shot  will  roll  along  the  oppo- 
site rampart,  dismounting  the  cannon, 
and  (hiving  or  destroying  the  troops. 
In  a  siege,  Ricochet  Batteries  are  gene- 


rally placed  at  about  300  feet  before 
the  first  parallel,  perpendicular  to  the 
faces  produced,  which  they  aie  to  enfi- 
lade. Ricochet  practice  is  not  outlined 
to  cannon  alone;  small  mortars  and 
howitzers  may  effectually  be  used  for 
the  same  purpose. — They  are  of  singu- 
lar use  in  action  to  enfilade  the  enemy's 
ranks;  for  when  the  men  perceive  the 
shells  roiling  and  bouncing  about  with 
their  fuzes  burning,  expecting  them  to 
burst  every  moment,  the  bravest  among 
them  will  hardly  have  courage  to  wait 
their  approach,  and  face  the  havoc  of 
their  explosion. 

Horizontal  Batteries,  (Batteriis 
horizontals,  Fr.)  are  such  as  have  only 
a  parapet  and  a  ditch ;  the  platform  being 
no  more  than  the  surface  of  the  horizon 
made  level. 

Ci-oss  Batteries  are  such  as  play 
athwart  each  other  against  the  same  ob- 
ject, forming  an  angle  at  the  point  of 
contact;  whence  greater  destruction  fol- 
lows, because  what  one  shut  shakes,  the 
other  beats  down. 

Oblique  Batteries,  or  Batteries  en 
echarpe,  on  par  bricole,  Fr.  are  those 
which  play  on  any  work  obliquely;  mak- 
ing an  obtuse  angle  with  the  line  of 
range,  after  striking  the  object. 

Enfilading  Batt  e  r  i  ES,(Butteries  tt en- 
filade, Fr.)  are  those  that  sweep  or  scour 
the  whole  length  of  a  straight  line,  or  the 
face  or  flank  of  any  work. 

Sweeping  Batteries.  See  Enfilad- 
ing Batteries. 

Redan  Batteries,  (Butteries  en  re- 
dans,  Fr.)  are  such  as  flank  each  other  at 
the  salient  and  rent  rant  angles  of  a  for- 
tification. 

Direct  Batteries,  (Batteries  di- 
rectes,  Fr.)are  those  situated  opposite  to 
the  place  intended  to  be  battered,  so  that 
the  balls  strike  the  works  nearly  at  right 
angles. 

Reverse  Batteries,  (Batteries  de  re- 
verSf  on  mcurtrilres,  Fr.)are  those  which 
play  on  the  rear  of  the  troops  appointed 
to  defend  the  place. 

G/arcc/ȣ-BATTERiES  are  such  whose 
shot  strike  the  object  at  an  angle  of 
about  20°,  after  which  the  ball  glances 
from  the  object,  and  recoils  to  some  ad- 
jacent parts. 

Joint  Batteries,  or  Comrade  Bat- 
teries, (Batteries  par  camarade,  Fr.) 
are  so  called  from  several  guns  firing  on 
the  same  object  at  the  same  time. — 
When  10  guns  are  fired  at  once,  their 


BAT 


(     *5     ) 


BAT 


*fifect  will  be  much  greater  than  when 
fired  separately. 

Swik  Batteries,  (batteries  enterre.es, 
Fr.)  are  those  whose  platforms  are 
sunk  beneath  the  level  of  the  field ;  the 
ground  serving  for  the  parapet ;  and  in 
it  the  embrasures  are  made.  This  often 
happens  in  mortar,  but  seldom  in  gun- 
batteries. 

Fascine  Batteries,  (batteries  a  fas- 
vines,  Fr.)  and  Gabion  Batteries,  are 
batteiies  made  of  those  machines,  where 
sods  are  scarce,  and  the  earth  very  loose 
or  sandy. 

HATTERY-planks  are  the  planks  or 
boards  used  in  making  platforms. 

BATTERY-foues  are  square  chests  or 
boxes,  filled  with  earth  or  dung;  used 
in  making  batteries,  where  gabions  and 
earth  are  not  to  be  had.  They  must  not 
be  too  large,  but  of  a  size  that  is  go- 
vernable. 

Battery-tkhYs  are  wooden  pins  made 
of  the  toughest  wood,  with  which  the 
planks  that  cover  the  platforms  are 
nailed.  Iron  nails  might  strike  fire 
against  the  iron-work  of  the  wheels,  in 
recoiling,  &c.  and  be  dangerous. 

BAJTERY-master,  the  person  whose 
duty  formerly  it  was  to  raise  the  bat- 
teries. This  office  is  now  suppressed  in 
England. 

BATTE\JRSd'estrade,Fr.  See  Scouts. 

BATTLE  implies  an  action  where 
the  forces  of  two  armies  are  engaged ; 
and  is  of  two  kinds,  general  and  parti- 
cular ;  general  where  the  whole  army  is 
engaged,  and  particular  where  only  a 
part  is  in  action ;  but  as  they  only  differ 
in  numbers,  the  methods  are  nearly  alike. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant Battles  and  Actions  that  have 
taken  place  in  all  parts  of  the  civilized 
World. 
Abraham  (St.)  Sept.  15,  1759. — Death 

of  General  Wolfe. 
Aculco,  (Mexico)  Nov.  7,  1810. 
Adige,  March  28,  1799. 
Aghrim,  July  22,  1691. 
Agincourt,  Oct.  25,  1415. — Won  by  the 

English. 
Agnaudell,  1599. 
Airolo,  1799. 

Albans,  (St.)  May  31,  1555;  1556. 
Albeck,  Oct.  1805. 
Alberes,  April  27  to  30,  1794. 
Albis  ltieden,  June  9,  1799. 
Albuhera,  May  16,  1811. 
Alcacar-quivir,  June  24,  1574. 
Aldenhoven,  Mar.  1, 1793;  Oct.  2. 1794. 


Aldudes,  June  3,  1794. 

Aleppo,  1517. 

Alessandria,  (Italy,)  May  17,  1799. 

Alexandria,  July  2,  1798;  March  12, 
1801;  March  21,  1801,  expulsion  of 
the  French  from  Egypt. 

Alkmaar,  Aug.  27  to  Nov.  30,  1799. 

Alii  Ghur,  Sept.  4,  1803. 

Almanza,  1707. — In  this  battle  the  Eng- 
lish were  entirely  defeated.  The 
English  army  was  commanded  by  a 
Frenchman,  and  that  which  conquered 
them  was  headed  by  an  Englishman. 

Almeida,  May  11,  1811. 

Altenkirken,  June  4,  1796  ;  Sept.  19, 
1796. 

Altenheim,  July  16,  1675. 

Altorff,  Aug.  14,  1799;  Sept.  30,  1799. 

Amailhon,  July  1,  1793. 

Amberg,  Aug.  21,  1796\ 

Ampfingen,  Nov.  30,  1800. 

Ancenis,  Dec.  15,  1793. 

Andaye,  June  21,  1793. 

Anderlecht,  Nov.  15,  1792. 

Anghiari,  Jan.  15  and  16,  1797. 

Angouri,  1400. — Bajazet  I.,  at  the  head 
of  100,000men,was  defeated  and  taken 
prisoner  bj  Tamerlane  at  the  head  of 
800,000.  He  received  from  his  con- 
queror the  respect  due  to  his  rank. 
He  was  not  inclosed  in  an  iron  cage, 
nor  did  he  meet  with  a  cruel  death,  a» 
the  Greek  historians  assert. 

Antoine,  (Fauxbourg  St.)  July  5,  1652. 

Antraim,  Nov.  20,  1793. 

Aoste,  June  12,  1791. 

Appenwirh,  1796. 

Aran,  (Valley  of,)  1793. 

Arcis-sur-Aube,  1814. 

Arcoli,  November  15,  16  and  17,  1796. 
— Won  by  Bonaparte. 

Arlon,  1792,  1793;  April  17,  1796. 

x\rques,  September  21,  1589. 

Arroyo  del  Molino,  October  28,  1811. 

Arysch,  (El,)  1799. 

Aspe,  September  6,  1791. 

Ascalon,(Judaja,)  1192. — Richard,  King 
of  England,  defeats  Saladin's  army, 
consisting  of  300,000  fighting  men. 

Ashdown,  1016. — Between  Canute  and 
Edmund. 

Aspeme,  August  21, 1809. 

Assaye,  Sept.  23,  1303. — Won  by  the 
British  in  India ;  on  which  occasion 
the  present  Duke  of  Wellington,  then 
Lieut.  Colonel  Wellesley  of  the  33d 
Foot,  greatly  distinguished  himself. 

Aumale,  1692. 

Aubin,  (St.)  1488. 

Aurav,  Sept.  29,  1364. 


B  A  T 


(     45  a     > 


BAT 


Aoesoy,  1791. 

Austeilit/,  Dec.  2,  1805.— Tho  conquest 

(  t Germany  by  Bonaparte. 
A\cin,  loi'.O 
Ayvaille,  1794. 
Ay  moo/..  March,  1709. 
Baden,  July  1,  1796. 
Bagdad,  17:».'». 
BagBoty  October  25,  179:'.. 
Bagnouls-la-Maixo,  1793. 
Baltimore,  1781;  September 19j  1811. 
Bamberg,  August   1,  1796. 
Banbury,  July  26,  I4t.9. 
Bannor.kburn,  June  27,  1314. 
Bavckham,  October  7  to  9,  1608. 
Bardis,  April  5,  1798. 
Barnet,  April  11,    1471. 
Barrosa,  March  5,   1811. — Won  by  the 
British   under  General  Graham,  now 
Lord  Lynedock. 
Bartholomew,  (St.)  May  8,  1800. 
Bassano,   Sept.  8,   1796;     January  11, 

1801  ;  November  9,  1805. 
Bassignana,  May  19,  1799. 
Bastan,  (Valley  of  St.)  Julv  -2-1,  1794. 
Bautzen,  May  BO  to  81,  1313. 
Beylen,  July  80>  1608: 
Bayonne,  December  10  to  IS,  1313.— 

Won  by  the  Duke  ol'  Wellington. 
Beauge,  April  S,  1481. 
Beauheu,  September  20,  1793. 
B  .■amnont,  April  26,  1794. 
Beaupreau,  March  29, 1793. 
Beansejour,  1793. 
Belbeys,  March  31,  1800. 
Belluni,  March  13,  1797. 
Belonc,  July  5,  1796. 
Belvedere,  1793;  April  29,  1791. 
Belver,  June  26,  1794. 
Beneadi,  April  18,  1798. 
Bera,  1793;  July  24,  1791. 
Berchera,  December  2  to  1,  1793. 

I .ira,  November  28,  1794. 
Bergen,  April  13,  1759. 
!     •- tried,  February  3,  1807. 

gzabern,  October  3,  1793. 
iVresiiia,  November  28,  1812. 
Berne,  March  5,  1798. 
Bessai,  Julv  SO,  1793. 
Betentll,  March  18,  1791. 
Bezalu,  July  20,  1794. 
Bhurtporey  April  2,  1805. 
Bibemcb,  Oct.  2,  1796;  May  9,  1310- 
Bicoecpie.  1528. 
BiddasBoa,  August  17  and  October  9, 

1818, 
Bilbao,  July  12  to  13,  1794. 
Binasco,  April  20  and  21,  1794. 
BingeVjVJarch  17,  1793;    March  27, 
17SB. 


Bjschofswerda,  September  22,  181*. 

Bitonto,  Mav  25,  1731. 

Blackhcath,  June  22,  1197. 

Illaekmere,  1323. 

Bladensburg,  August  21,    18]  1.— Ca]T- 

tur«  ot"  the  city  of  Washington. 
Blaregmes,  September  II.  170!>. 
Hlasclieidt,  November  20,  179-1. 
Bleneau,  April  7,  1652. 
Blenheim,  August  18,  1701.— Won  by 

the  Duke  of  Marlborough. 
r.l.nehearli,  September  24,  1439. 
Hoi-ghetto,  May  30,  1796. 
BorislofT,  J une' 25,  1708. 
Bormio,  March  26,  1799. 
Borodino,     September   7,    1812. — Th« 

capture  ol'  Moscow  bv  the  Trench. 
BoKO,  October  21,  1799. 
Bosworth,  August  21,1 185. 
Bothwell  Bridge,  June  22,  1679. 
Boulon,  August  IS,  17  91. 
Bonvines,  July  27,  121  1. 
Bouxweiller,  November  18  to  20,  1793. 
Boitel,  September  14  and  15,  1794. 
Boyne,  July  11,  1690. 
Braunsberg,  February  26,  1807. 
Brandy-wine  Creek,  September  12, 1777. 
Breeds-hill,  1775. 
Brcnta,  (Defiles  of  the,)  September  Tt 

1796;    November  3  and  3,  1796. 
Breslaw,  November  31,  1757. 
Bressuire,  August  24,  1792. 
Brienne,  January  29,  1814. 
Briga,  April  21,"  1794. 
Brignais,  1361. 
Brooklynn,  August  22,  1776. 
Brouzil,  1793. 

Bruschali,  September  4  to  15,  1796. 
Brzecie,  September  19,  1794. 
Butl'arola,  June  23,  1636. 
Bunker's-hill,near  Boston,June  17,1775. 

— Won  by  tlie  Americans. 
Burg-eberac.l),  Xov.  3  and  4,  1800. 
Burguet,  October  16, 1794. 
Bussingen,  October  7,  1799. 
Butzbach,  July  9,  1796. 
Buzaco,  September  27,  1810. 
Byn-el-barr,  April  2,  1798. 
Cadibona,  April  5,  1800. 
Cairo,  I  Egypt>)  April  19  to  27,  1800. 
Cairo,  (Italy,)  September  20,  1794. 
Calcinato,  April  19,  1706. 
Galdero,  December  12,  1796. 
Calderon,  (bridge  of,;  January  17,  1811. 

(Mexico). 
Calvi,  December  6,  1796, 
Campo  Santo,  1743. 
Cana,  June  10,  1798. 
Camden,  March  25,  1781. 

Caatalopo,  December  li,  1796. 


BAT 


(    45  6    ) 


BAT 


Carpenedolo,  January  26,  1796. 

Carpi,  1701.  * 

Cars,  June  17,  1744. 

.Casasola,  March  19,  1797. 

Cassano,  1705 ;  April  25,  1799. 

Cassovie,  1389. 

Cast,  September  4  to  10,  1758. 

Castel-franco,  November  23,  1503. 

Castel-genest,  November  24,  1793. 

Castellamare,  1617;  April  27,  1799. 

Castella,  May  12,  1812. 

Castellaro,  Sept.  12,  1796. 

Castelnaudari,  1632. 

Castel-novo,  November  21,  1796. 

Castel-novo,  (Dalmatia,)  September  30, 
and  October  10,  1806. 

Castiglione,  June  29,  1796. 

Castrel,  (Mount,)  April  30,  1794. 

Cateau-Cambresis,  April  7,  1794. 

Ce,  (bridge  of,)  April  26  and  28,  1792. 

Cerea,  September  11,  1798. 

Ceret,  May  4,  1794. 

Cerignolles,  April  28,  1503. 

Cerise,  September  1,  1794. 

Cerisolles,  April  15,  1544. 

Ceva,  April  26,  1796. 

Cezio,  May  7,  1800. 

Chabotiere,  March  23,  1796. 

Champagne,  (Campaign  of,)  August  22 
to  October  25,  1792. — The  Prussian 
army,  dreadfully  afdicted  with  the 
dysentery,  in  consequence  of  the  sol- 
diers eating  unripe  grapes,  forced  to 
abandon  the  coalition. 

Chantonnay,  September,  1793. 

Chateignerave,  1793. 

Chatillon,  (Savoy,)  May  18, 1800. 

Chatillon,  (France,)  Julv  8  to  October  6, 
1793. 

Chebreisse,  July  13,  1793. 

Chemille,  February  24, 1796. 

Chiari,  1801. 

Chili,  (India,)  1803. 

Chiusa,  August  5,  1796;  January  2, 
1801. 

Chiusella,  April  25,  1800. 

Choczim,  November  11,  1673. 

Chollet,  March  15,  1793;  October  15, 
1794 ;  February,  1794. 

Chotzemitz,  July  18,  1745. 

Circeo,  July  29,"  August  2  to  9,  1798. 

Cistella,  May  5  and  6,  1795. 

Ciudad  Rodrigo,  January  19,  1812. — 
Won  by  the  British  under  the  Duke  of 
Wellington. 

Civita-Castellana,  December  4,  1798. 

Clausen,  1797. 

Closter-camp,  October  16,  1760. 

Cocherel,  1364. 

Coefeld,  August  1,  1759. 


Col-du-mont,  Apr.  17  and  May  12,  1795- 
Colonibino,  January,  1794. 
Commines,  1382. 
Consarbruck,  November  9  to  December 

SO,  1792. 
Constance,  October  7,  1799. 
Coimbra,  October  7,  1810. 
Coptos,  March  8,  1798. 
Coraiin,  March  23,  1800. 
Coron,  September  17,  1793. 
Corbach,  June  24,  1760. 
Cornells,  August  26,    1811.' — Total  de- 
feat of  the  Dutch ;  the  general  and  a 

few  followers  being  all  that  escaped  of 

10,000  men. — The  conquest  of  Java 

by  the  English. 
Corsica,  1769;  1793;  October,  1796. — 

Taken  by  the  British,  who  expelled  the 

French. 
Corunna,  January  16,   1309.- — Won  by 

the  British  under  Sir  John  Moore,  who 

was  killed. 
Cosdorif,  February  20,  1760. 
Cossaria,  April  13,  1796. 
Costheim,  September,  1795. 
Courtrai,   1302;    June  17  to  30,  1792; 

May  10,  1794. 
Coutras,  October  20,  1537. 
Cracovie,  1702. 
Cressy,  August  26,  1346.— Won  by  th« 

British. 
Crevelt,  June  23, 1758. 
Crevent,  June,  1423. 
Croix-des-bouquets,  June  23,  1793. 
Croix-de-Mortimer,  146 1 . 
Culloden,  April  27,  1746. 
Culm,  August,  September,  1813. 
CunnersdorfT,  August  12,  1759. 
Cyr,  (St.)  September,  1795. 
Czarnowo,  December  22, 1806. 
Czaslawau,  May  17, 1742. 
Dalem,  1568. 
Dego,  April  15,  1796. 
Delhi,  September  9,  1803. 
Delmesingen,  May  22, 1800. 
Demenhour,  May  8,  1799. 
Denain,  1712. 
Denis,  (St.)  1567. 
Dennewitz,  September  6,  1813, 
Deppen,    February  5,    1807 ;     June  C, 

1807. 
Dettingen,  June  26,  1743. — George  the 

Second  commanded  in  person. 
Deux-ponts,  September  22, 1793. 
Deva,  June  28,  1795. 
DierdorrY,  April  17, 1797. 
Diernstein,  Nov.  14, 1305. 
Diersheim,  April  20  to  25, 1797. 
Diettickon,  September  22  to  26, 1799, 
Dobeln,  May  12,  1762. 


B  A  T 


(     45c     ) 


BAT 


Dominco,  (St.)  1.502,  1700. 

Dresden,  August  27  and  28,  1813.— 
Moreau  mortally  wounded. 

Dreux,  December  IP,  1562. 

Dumblain,  November  12, 1715. 

Dona,  1701. 

Dunbar,  September  3,  1650. 

Dunes,  1638. 

Dunkirk,  September  7,  1793. 

Durham,  October  17,  1346.— David, 
king  of  Scots,  taken  prisoner. 

Dusseldorff,  September  8,  1795. 

Fckeren,  June  30,  1703 —Gen.  Obdam 
commanding  the  allies,  ran  oil'  at  t'ull 
speed,  declaring  all  lost;  but  General 
Slangenbourg  remained  with  the  troops 
and  made  a  skilful  retreat. 

Edgehill,  October  23,  1642. —Lost  by 
Charles  I.  and  won  by  Oliver  Crom- 
well. 

Einbeck,  August  24,  1761. 

Eltz,  October  19, 1796. 

EmsdorfF,  July  9,  1760.— Won  by  the 
allied  army  commanded  by  Prince 
Ferdinand,  when  the  Fifteenth  Ligbt 
Dragonnslnst  distinguished  themselves 
under  Lord  Heathfield,  then  Lt.  Col. 
Elliot. 

Engadines,  (Affairs  in  the,)  March,  1799. 

Engen,  May  3,  1800. 

Ens,  1800.* 

Ensheim,  October  4,  1674. 

Erbach,  October  18, 1800, 

Eri  van,  1805. 

Ernani,  1794. 

Escaulas,  Xm  ember  20, 1794. 

Eslingen,  July  81,  1796. 

Essling,  May  32,  1809. 

Etlingen,  July  9,  1796. 

Evesham,  August  4,  1265. 

Exiles,  July  19,  1747. 

Eylau,  February  8,  1807. 

Faenza,  February  S,  1797. 

Faioum,  October  8,  1796. 

Falkirk,  July  21,  1298;  Jan.  28,  1746. 

Famars,  Mav  l  to  26,  1798. 

Favorite,  (J. a,)  January  14, 1797. 

Fehrbellin,  June  18, 1675. 

Feldkirk,  March  5  to  23,  1799;  Julv  15, 
1799. 

Femeuil,  August  27, 1424. 

Feiruekabad,(E.I.)  November  17, 1804. 

Figuiero,  November  27,  179  I. 

Fleurus,  August  ;'.0,  1622;  July  1,  1696; 
Ma}  21  and  June  26, 1794. 

Flines,  1792. 

Flodden,Sept.  9, 1513.— James  IV.  king 
of  Scots,  killed. 

Florent,  (St.)  March  10,  1793. 

Fluvia,  June  15,  1795. 


Fombio,  May  9,  1796. 

Fontaine-francaise,  1595. 

Fontarabia,  August  1,  1794, 

Fontenai,  (Vendee,)  May  16  and  24, 
1793. 

Fontenoi,  May  11,  1745. — Won  by  the 
French  under  Marshal  Saxe,  after  the 
British  had  been  masters  of  the  field 
all  day.  They  were  commanded  by 
the  fat  Duke  of  Cumberland. 

Fontoi,  August  19,  1792. 

Forham,  July  21,  1739. 

Formigni,  April  15,  1450. 

Formosa,  1662. 

Fornoue,  1494. 

Fossano,  April  23,  1796. 

Fougores,  November  2,  1793. 

Frankfort-on-the-Maine,  December  2, 
1792;  October  5,  1799. 

Frankfort-on-the-Oder,  August  12,  1759. 

Frankenthal,  June  24,  1796. 

Fraucnfeld,  May  22,  1799. 

Fravenstal,  1706. 

Freibach,  July  2  to  14,  1794. 

Frelignt,  September  13,  1794. 

Freschweiller,  December  22,  1792. 

Frendenstadt,  July  4,  1796. 

Freyberg,  October  10  and  29,  1762. 

Fribourg,August3, 1644  ;  March  1, 1798. 

Fridlingen,  1702. 

1'riedbera,  August  30, 1762  ;  August  24, 
1796." 

Friedberg,  (Silesia,)  June  3,  1747. 

Friedland,  June  14, 1807.— Won  by  Bo^ 
naparte  against  the  Prussians. 

Fuente  de  Honor,  May  5,  1811. 

Fulda,  July  28,  1762. 

Fulgent,  September  23,  1793. 

Gabesbusch,  1712. 

Garigliano,  1502. 

Garrezio,  November  29,  1791. 

Gavignana,  1530. 

Gaza,  February  26,  1799. 

Gehemi,  April  11,  1799. 

Geisberg,  December  6,  1793. 

Geisenfeld,  September  1,  179C. 

Gemblours,  1518. 

Gemmingen,  1568. 

Genola,  November  3  and  4,  1799. 

George,  (St.)  September  14, 1796. 

George,  (St.)  Fort,  E.I.  1760. 

German-town,  October  14,  1777. 

Gilletto,  October  17  and  18,  1793. 

Giorgewo,  June  2  to  8,  1790. 

Giovanni,  (St.)  June  17  to  20,  1799. 

Gleisclv.veilhr,  July  29,  1793. 

Gliswelle,  June  13,  1792. 

Goar,  (St.)  1758. 

Godart,  (St.)  1661. 

Golden  Kock,(Tritchinopolv,)  1753.— A 


BAT 


(     45  d    ) 


BAT 


handful  of  British  and  Sepoys  defeats 
a  French  battalion  and  10,000  Mah- 
ratta  horse. 

Golymin,  December,  1806. 

Gonawes,  February  22,  1802. 

Gondelour,  1759. 

Gorcum,  January  21,  1795. 

Gorde,  September  16,  1813. 

Gorlitz,  1745. 

Gothard,  (St.)  September  17,  1799. 

Governo,  1526. 

Governolo,  1796 ;  September  18,  1797. 

Grabensteyn,  June  4,  1760. 

Granchamp,  June,  1795. 

Grandpre,  September  10,  1792. 

Granson,  1475. 

Grant,  1685. 

Granville,  November  14,  1793. 

Gravelle,  1793,  to  January  24,  1794. 

Grebenstein,  June  24,  1762. 

Greussen,  October  16,  1806. 

Grisen,  April  25,  1799. 

Grimsel,  August  14,  1799. 

Grodno,  1708. 

Gros  Jegemdorff,  August  30,  1757. 

Grosberen,  August  22  and  23,  1813. 

Grunnewald,  October  22,  1793. 

Grunsberg,  March  2,  1761. 

Guastalla,  1734 ;  March  24,  1746.     . 

Guechenen,  August  15,  1799. 

Guilford  Court  House,  (America,)  March 
15,  1781. 

Guinegatte,  1479. 

Gumine,  March  5,  1798. 

Gundelfingen,  August  8,  1793. 

Guntzbourg,  October  9,  1805. 

Gurau,  1705. 

Guttstadt,  June  9,  1807. 

Haag,  October  15,  1806. 

Haguenau,  1706 ;  December  22,  1793. 

Halberstadt,  1760. 

Halidon-Hill,  July  29,  1333. 

Halle,  October  17,  1806. 

Hamptienne,  June  23,  1793. 

Hanau,  October,  1813. 

Haslach,  July  14,  1796. 

Hastenbeck,  July  26,  1757. 

Hastings,  Oct.  14,  1066. — King  Harold 
slain,  and  the  race  of  English  kings 
destroyed  by  William  the  Bastard, 
commonly  called  William  the  Con- 
queror. 

Heilsberg,  June  12,  1807. 

Helder,  August  27,  1799. 

Heliserke,  1368. 

Heliopolis,  March  19,  1800. 

Helsinborg,  1709. 

Henef,  September  13,  1795. 

HennersdortY,  November  24,  1745. 
Herrings,  February  12, 1429. 


Hersan,  1687. 

Herxheim,  June  17,  1793. 

Hexham,  May  15,  1464. 

Hocheim,  Dec.  14, 1792,  to  Jan.  6,  lf93* 

Ilochkirken,  October  14,  1758.  *«* 

Hochstedt,  August  13,  1703;  August  13, 
1704:  January  19,  1800. 

Hoff,  February  7,  1307. 

Hohenlinden,  December  3,  1800;  won 
by  the  French  under  General  Moreno 
against  the  Austrians. 

Hohenwil,  April  25  to  May  1,  1800. 

Hollabrnnn,  Dec.  15,  1805. 

Hollofin,  July  14,  1708. 

Hondscoote,  Sept.  7,  8,  9,  1793;  won 
by  the  French  over  the  British,  after 
the  unsuccessful  attempt  to  enter  Dun* 
kirk. 

Hooglede,  June  10  and  15,  1794. 

Hoterage,  July  19,  1572. 

Hundsmark,  April  4  to  15,  179G. 

Ichenhausen,  June,  1800. 

Iller,  May  28. to  June  5,  1800. 

Ingelmunster,  May  10,  1794. 

Inn,  Dec.  5  to  14,  1800;  1805. 

Inspruck,  1797;  1305. 

Intrapa,  Nov.  25  to  27,  1795. 

Iratie,  May  11,  1794. 

Irmeaca,  April  26,  1794. 

Irun,  July  23,  1793. 

Isola,  July  1  to  7,  1806. 

lvry,  March  14,  1590. 

Janvilliers,  Feb.  14,  1814. 

Jarnac,  March  13,  1569. 

Jean,  (St.)  April  16,  1796. 

Jean-de-Luz,  Feb.  5,  1794. 

Jean-pie-de-port,  (St.)  June  6,  1793. 

Jemmapes,  Nov.  6,  1792. — Won  by  the 
French  army  under  the  command  of 
General  Dumourier  against  the  Aus- 
trians, headed  by  Prince  Saxe  Teschen, 
Governor  of  the  Low  Countries.  The 
consequence  of  this  battle  was  the 
subsequent  irruption  of  the  French 
into  Flanders  and  Holland  ;  and  even- 
tually, the  cause  of  that  military  en- 
thusiasm, by  which  France  was  ena- 
bled to  over-run  all  civilized  Europe  ; 
Great  Britain  excepted. 

Jena,  Oct.  14,  1806. — The  conquest  of 
Prussia,  by  Bonaparte. 

Jersey,  Jan.  6,  1781. 

Joannesberg,  Aug.  30,  1762. 

Jagerthall,  March  8,  1774. 

Josseau,  Oct.  11,  1745. 

Josselin,  (the  Thirty,)  1351. 

Juliano,  May  11  to  29,  1799. 

Juterboch,  Aug.  1813. 

Kagoul,  July  18,  1770. 

Ka'lisk,  1706. 


B  A  T 


(     45  C    ) 


B  A  T 


Kamlacli,  August  13,  1706. 
Karmidtjea,  Dec.  28,  1806. 
Katzbach,  Augasl  96,  1813. 
Kayserlaoteni,  Nov.  98  and  29,  1793; 

Oct.  06,  1796. 
K.iM-riluil,  Un  14,  1790. 
Kill),  (passage  of  the  Rhine,)  June  24, 

L796;  SepL  15,  1790;  Nov.  22,  1796; 

.l:m.  94,  1797. 
Kent',  Feb.  12,  1799. 
Kesselsdorff,  Dec.  15,  1745. 
l\n  m:il,  17.".;;,  1789. 
Kingston,  Noveoibe»2,  1449. — Between 

Charles    I.    and    the    Parliamentary 

forces. 
Kint/ig,  (on  the,)  Aug.  18  to  15,  1793. 
Kirkdenckcrn.  Julv  IS,  17  'i  1 . 
Kinveiller,  April  23,  1794. 
Kitzinge*,  August,  1794. 
Klotten,  July  9f,  1796. 
Kffinigeberg,  lane  46,  1867. 
Kolin,  June  18,  1757. 
Korsoum,  March  15,  1799. 
Krasnoij  Nov.  id,  i«i?. 
Krattan,  (Java,)  battle  and  a^saulr  of  the 

palace  of  the  Sultan  Djojeoaita,  June 

21,  1818. 
Krupezize,  L794. 
kutVestain,  (Fort,)  Nov.  1896. 
Kursomb,  Dec  24,  180G. 
Labositz,  Oct.  I,  175G. 
Laffeld,  July  20,  1747. 
Lambach,  Oct.  27,  1806. 
Lambert,  (St.)  Sept.  19,  1765; 
Landsbut,  June  23  to  July  23,  1700. 
Langensalza,  Feb.  12,  17<>0. 
Lango-nogro,  August,  1806. 
Laogueaau,  Oct.  10,  1805'. 
Ixuuioi,  Sept.  ...  1798;  August  2ft,  1793; 

.May  18,  1791. 
Lansdown,  July  5,  1646. 
Lantesee,  Mav  i.  179  i. 
Laon,  March  9,  !0,  181  I. 
Laufeld,  July  2,  17  47  ;  Sept.  19,  1791 


July  P, 


Liege,  Nov.  1792;  July  27,   1794,  won 

by  the  French  under Dnmouriep. 
Lignitz,  1241  ;  August  15,  1760, 

Limburg,  Nov.  9,  1792;  1795; 
1795. 

Lincelles,  August  18,  1793. 

Lincoln,  May  19,  1217. 

Lissa,  Nov.  5,  1757. 

Loano,  Nov.  23,  1795. 

Lobbes,  May  24,  1794. 

Lodi,  May  11,  1790.— Tlie  bridge  of 
Lodi  was  crossed  by  Bonaparte  and 
Augereau,  under  a  heavy  lire  from  the 
Austrian  batteries;  Bonaparte  heading 
the  Grenadiers  with  a  standard  in  bis 
hand. 

Lodron,  July  13,  1790. 

Loniitten,  1807. 

Long  Island,  August  27,  1770. 

Longwy,  Oct.  22,  1792. 

Lopaczim,  Dec.  25,  130G. 

Loubi,  April  11,  1799. 

Louesch,  May  31,  1799. 

Louisbourg,  July  27,  1758. 

I.onvain,  April  22,  1793;  July  15,  1794. 

Lowers,  Dec.  5, 1806; 

Lowosita,  Oct.  l,  1750. 

Lubcck,Oct.  31,  1S06. — Capitulation  of 
Marshal  Blucher,  the  Duke  of  Saxe- 
Weiinar,  and  Duke  of  Brunswick Oels. 
'  Lucerne,  1 158. 
!  Lucia,  (Santa,)  March  30,  1799. 

Lugon,  June  23,  1793;  Oct.  13,  1793. 

Lugo,  July  9,  1790. 

Lutzelberg,  1 758. 

Lutzen,  1032;  1813. 

Luxembourg,  June  12,  1795. 

Luzara,  1702. 

Machecoult,  Mar.  14,  1793;  Dec.  1798. 

Maczim,  July  13,  1791. 

Madelaine,  Sept.  20,  1798. 

Madrid,  August  4,  1812. 

Magnan,  March  30  to  April  7,  1799. 

Maida,  July  0,  180G. 


Laurent-de-la-Mouga,     May    0,     1794 ■;,  Mairnbourg,  Sept.  7,  1790. 


H©V,  17,  1701 
Lauria,  August,  1806. 
I  .nun  rbourg,  ( let.  f  l  to  28,  1798. 
Lavis,  (River,)  1790;   March  20,  1797. 
Lax,  April  1,  1700. 
Lech,  June   11,    1800;    Oct.  0  and' 7, 

1805. 
Leipsic,  1G31;  Oct.  16  and  19,  1813.— 

Jn  the  last  great  battle,  the  King  of 

Saxony    and    his    Court    were    undo 

prisoners. 
Lesnow,  Oct.  7,  17o;;. 
Leswaree,  Nov.  1,  1803. 
Leuze,  Sept.  18,  1091. 
Lewes,  May  14,  1264. 
Lexington,  1775. 


Malines,  July  13,  1794. 

Malo-Yaraslovetz,  Oct.  24,  1812. 

Malplaquet,  Sept.  11,  1709. 

Manoss,  April  22,  1799. 

Mans,  Dec.  10,  1793. 

Mantua,  May  29,  1796. 

Marco,  (San,)  Jan.  1,  1801. 

Marengo,  June  15,  1800. — The  conquest 
of  great  part  of  Italy;  won  by  Bona- 
parte in  person  against  the  Austrian 
army.  General  Desaix,  who  largely 
contributed  by  breaking  the  line,  was 
killed  on  this  occasion. 

Mai  pee,  1641. 

Maricndal,  1645. 

Maiicnvverder,  1G29- 


BAT 


(     45/    ) 


BAT 


Marienzel,  Nov.  7,  1805. 
Marignan,  Sept.  13  and  14,  1515. 
Marquain,  April  25,  1792. 
Marsaille,  1693. 
Marston-Moor,  July  2,  1644. 
Martinique,  1762;  April  16,  1780 
Matchewitz,  Oct.  14,  1794. 
Maulde,  1792. 
Maurice,  Oct.  4,  1793. 
Maxem,  1759. 
Medellin,  Mar.  2S,  1809. 
Meer,  August  5,  1758. 
Memel,  July  3,  1757. 
Memmingen,  May  10,  1800. 
Messina,  1282. 
Mexico,  1519. 
Michel,  (St.)  June  13,  1797. 
Micoui,  1798. 

Millesitno,  April  14,  1796;  won  by  Bo- 
naparte. 
Minden,  August  1,  1759;  won  by  the 

English. 
Mitquamar,  Sept.  28,  1798. 

Mittau,  1705. 

Moescroen,  April  29,  1794. 

Moeskirck,  May  5,  1800. 

JUohatz,  1526;"  1687. 

Mohilow,  July,  1812. 

Mohrungen,  Jan.  25,  1807. 

Mohvitz,  April  10,  1741. 

Mondovi,  April  5,  1796. 
Monmouth,  March  11,  May  11,  1403. — 
Defeat  of  the  Welsh. 

Monmouth  Court-house,(America,)  June 
28,  1778. 

Mons-en-pue!Ie,  1304. 

Mtnitabaur,  April  19,  1797. 

Montaigu,  1793. 

Monte-Coccaza,  August,  1806. 

Montcontour,  1559. 

Moutebaldo,  1796;  Jan.  13,  1797. 

Montebello,  June  12,  1800. 

Monte  di  Savaro,  March  2,  1797. 

Monte-inurio,  August  1,  1538. 

Montenotte,  April  9,  10,11,  1796. 


lich 


-The 

was 


first  memorable    battle 
fought  by  Bonaparte. 
Montesimo,  1745. 
Mont-Genevre,  August  27,  1793. 
Montiel,  March  14,  1363. 
Montlhery,  1465. 

Montmartre,  Romainvilleand  Belleville, 
(heights  before  Paris,)  Mar.  30,  1814 
— Occupation  of  Paris  by  the  Allies 
— Restoration  of  Louis  XVIII. 
Monzanbano,  Dec.  26,  1800. 
Mooch,  April  14,  1574. 
Moore-Cross-Crick,  1776. 
Morat,-l476. 
Morgarten,  1499. 
Mortajme,  1793. 


Moskowa,  1812,  called  by  the  Russians 
The  Bloody  Battle  of  Borodino. — 
Marshal  Ney  distinguished  himself 
greatly  in  this  battle,  and  thence  took 
his  title. 

Mouveau,  July  10,  1793. 

Moxon,  Nov.  20  and  21,  1759. 

Mulberg,  1547. 

Mulhausen,  1674. 

Mulheim,  1505. 

Munden,  Oct.  29,  1762. 

Muradal,  1210. 

Muret,  1213. 

Muttenthal,  Oct.  1799. 

Nageara,  1368. 

Namslaw,  1745. 

Nanci,  1477. 

Nantes,  June  24  to  27,  1793. 

Narrew,  Feb.  15,  1807. 

Narva,  Nov.  30,  1700. 

Naseby,  June  25,  1645.— The  downfall 
of  the  monarchy  under  Charles  the. 
First,  and  the  erection  of  the  common- 
wealth under  Oliver  Cromwell. 

Navarete,  April  3, 1367. — Henry  the  Bas- 
tard totally  defeated  by  the  Prince  of 
Wales,  and  Don  Pedro  replaced  or 
the  throne  of  Castile. 

Nazielsk,  Dec.  30,  1806. 

Negrepelisse,  1622. 

Nerac,  July  7,  1621. 

Neresheim,  1796. 

Nerwinden,  July  29,  1693;  March  18 
and  19,  1793. — Won  by  the  Austrians 
under  the  command  of  Prince  Co- 
bourg,  father  to  the  British  Saxe  Co- 
bourg.  In  consequence  of  tins  battle, 
the  French,  under  Generals  Dumou- 
rier  and  Miranda,  were  obliged  to 
evacuate  Holland  and  the  Low  Coun- 
tries, and  Paris  itself  was  threatened 
by  the  combined  armies  under  the 
Duke  of  Brunswick. 

Neubourg,  June  26,  1800. 

Neuhoff,  April  23,  1797. 

Neumark,  (Carniola,)  April  2,  1797. 

Neumulli,  June  24,  1796. 

Neuwied,  1794;  Sept.  8,  1796;  Oct.  23, 

1796;  April,  1797. 
Neuwiller,  Nov.  18,  1794. 
Newbury,   Oct.  27,  1644;   remarkable 
for  the  obstinate  courage  which  was 
displayed  by  the  London  militia,  every 
man  of  which,  according  to  the  late 
Earl  of  Liverpool,  was  found  dead  in 
the  ranks.    See  his  Pamphlet  respect- 
ing the  Militia. 
Newport,  Sluys,  and  Ipres,  October  19", 

1793.  ' 

Niagara,  (Fort,)  1756. 
Niagara,  July  25,  1314. 


B  A  T 


(     45g     ) 


BAT 


.Nicea,  1333. 

Nicobar,  1227. 

Nicopolis,  (Danube,)  1393. 

Nicopolis,  (Epirus,)  1799. 

Nidel-Ingelheim,  Sept.  15,  1795. 

Niderbach,  May  25, 1796. 

Nieve,  Dec  9, 10, 11, 12  and  13, 1313. 

Nieuport,  July  2,  1(300;  July  8,  1794.— 
Inundated  round  and  man f ally  de- 
fended by  a  small  body  of  British 
against  the  French  army  commanded 
by  General  Pichegru,  in  1794. 

Ninety-six,  June  19,  1781. 

Nisbet,  May  7,  1402. — Between  tbe 
English  and  the  Scots,  when  10,000 
of  the  latter  were  slain. 

Noirmoutiers,  Jan.  5,  1794. 

Nordlingen,  Sept.  6,  1634 ;  August  3, 
1648. 

Northallerton,  1138. 

Northampton,  July  19,  1460. 

Novi,  1745;  August  16,  1799;  Jan.  8, 
1800. 

Nuremberg,  Dec.  15,  1800. 

Oberflesheim,  March  30,  1793. 

Obrique,  1139. 

Ockzakow,  Dec.  6,  1788. 

Offembourg,  1796. 


Oldensee,  1605. 

Omulef,  May  13,  1805. 

Oporto,  May   12,   1809.— Won  by  the 

British. 
Ost-Capelle,  July  7,  1793. 
Orchies,  July  13  to  14,  1792. 
Ormea,  April  16,  1794. 
Orthes,Feb.  €7, 1814. 
Oss,  July  16, 1796. 
Ostend,  April  19,  1798. 
Ostreiram,  1762. 
Otricoli,  Jan.  5,  1799. 
Otterburn,    July    31,    1388. — Between 

Hotspur  and  Earl  Douglas. 
Oudenarde,  July  7,  1708. 
Pampeluna,  July  9,  1795. 
Parma,  June  29,  1734;  July  12,  1799. 

— The  French  under  Gen.  Macdonald 

defeated  by  Suwarrow. 
Partha,  Oct.  15,  1813. 
Passaw,  1703. 

Patay,  June  10, 1429,  under  Joan  of  Arc. 
Paviii,  1525. 
Peila,  August  16, 1762. 
Peiiestortes,  Sept.  18,  1793. 
Periapatam,  (E.I.)  March  4,  1799. 
Peschiera,  July  19, 1796. 
Peterwaradin,  August  4,  1710. 
Pfaffenhoffen,  1745. 
Pfullendorff,  March  20  to  23,  1799. 
Pietri,  July  29,  1793. 
Pinkey,  Sept.  10,  1547. 
Piqpasteus,  Sept.  14, 1793. 


Pirna,  October  16, 1756. 
Plasencia,  June  16, 1746 ;  1799;  May  5, 
1800. 

Plassendal,  1708,  1745. 

Plassie,  (E.  I.)  February  5,  1757. 

Plomnitz,  February  13,  1745. 

Plowcre,  1331. 

Po,  (St.  Cypriano,)  June  6,  1800. 

Poitiers,  September  19,  1356. — The  King 
of  France  and  his  sou  taken  pri- 
soners. 

Polotsk,  September,  1812. 

Pontremoli,  May,  1799. 

Posnanie,  1704. 

Prague,  1600  ;  May  22,  1757. 

Prentzlow,  October  28,  1806. 

Preston-pans,  October  2,  1745. 

Pretsch,  October  29, 1759. 

Primolan,  September  7,  1796. 

Princetown,  1778. 

Prusnitz,  September  30, 1745. 

Pruth,  1711. 

Pufflich,  October  39,  1794. 

Pultusk,  1702  ;  December  26,  1806. 

Pultawa,  July  9,  1709. 

Pyramids,  July  20,  1798. 

Pyrenees,  August  11,  16,  19,  1813.— 
Won  by  the  British  under  the  Duke 
of  Wellington. 

Quaquoun,  March  13,  1799. 

Quatre  Bras,  June  16,  1815. 

Quebec,  April  28,  1760. 
i  Quentin,(St.)  August  10, 1557. 

Quiberon,  June  24  to  July  25,  1795.— 
The  Emigrants  defeated  and  destroyed 
by  the  French  Republicans  under  Ge- 
neral Hochc. 

Quievrain,  April  28,  1792. 

Radstadt,  July  5,  17961 

Kami) lies,  May  23,  1706. 

Rastars,  April  4,  1794. 

Rathenau,  1646. 

Razboc,  1390. 

Rebec,  1523. 

Reichenberg,  April  21,  1757. 

Reichlingen,  (passage  of  the  Rhine,)  April 
30,  1800. 

Reignac,  (island  of  the  Rhine,)  1743. 

Renchen,  June  28,  1796. 

Renti,  August  15,  1551. 

Rhamanie,  July  10,  1798  ;  May  9,  1801. 

Rhinberg,  October  16,  176U. 

Rhinfeld,  February  28,  1638;  July  8, 
1678. 

Ricardi,  1466. 

Rieti,  December,  1798. 

Rimenatc,  1578. 

Riota,  June  6, 1513. 

Rivoli,  January,  1797- 

Rocoux,   1746.— Won    by  the   French 


under  Marshal  SaxeA  ajjaiuit  the  Dutch 


BAT 


(     45*    ) 


BAT 


by 


and  English,  under  Prince  Charles  of 
Loraine. 
Rocroy,  1643. 

Rodelheim,  December  3,  1792. 
llolcia,  August  17,  1808. 
RoncevaUes,  July  24,  1813. 
Rorbis,  1799. 

Rosbach,  November  5,  1757. 
Rosbeq,  1382. 
Rosemberg,  1755. 

Rosetta,  March  31  and  April  19, 1807. 
Roundawaydown,  July  13,  1643. 
Roveredo,  Septernher  3  to  5,  1796. 
Runiersheirn,  August  26,  1709. 
Rymnich,  September  22, 1789. 
Sabuga!,  1404. 
Saffef,  May  12,  1799. 
Sahagun,  Dec.  21,  1803. 
Salado,  1340. 

Salamanca,  July  22,  1312. 
Salehieh,  1793  ;  March  3,  1800. 
Sal  ion  za,  December  27,  1800. 
Salza,  (Passage  of  the,)  December,  1800. 
Samanouth,  January,  1799. 
Sand   Hills,    near   Bergen,   October   2, 
1799. 

Sandershagen,  October  10,  1758. 
Sandershausen,  July  23,  1758. 

Saratoga,  October  *16,  1776. — Won 
the  Americans,  when  the  late  General 
Bourgoyne  was  taken  prisoner,  and  his 
whole  army  surrendered. 

Saragossa,  1118;  1710. 

Sarre',  November  10,  1313. 

Saumur,  June,  1793. 

Savannah,  January  15,  1778. 

Savcnay,  November  15,  1793. 

Savigliano,  September  18,  1799. 

Sawolax,  1788. 

Scherding,  January  17,  1744. 

Schifferstadt,  May  23,  1794. 

Schliengen,  October  23,  1796. 

Sebastian,  (St.)  September  9,  1813. 

Sedaseer,  March,  1799. 

Sediman,  March  30.  1798. 

Selbourg,  August,  1704. 

Seminara,  April   21,    1503;    May   28, 
1807. 

Senef,  August  11,  1674. 

Seringapatam,  1799. 

Sezia,  April  30,  1800. 

Shacton,  May  16,  1643. 

Shrewsbury,  June  21,  1403. 

Siegberg,  July  3,  1796. 

Silleri,  (Plains  of,)  1760. 

Sintzeim,  1674. 

Sion,  May  15,  1798. 

Smolensko,  September  22,  1708;  August 

17,  1812. 
Soldau,  December  26,  1806. 


Solway,  November  24,  1542. 

Sommo  Sierra,  1808. 

Sora,  1307. 

Souaqui,  January  3,  1799. 

Souhama,  1799. 

Spanden,  June  4,  5,  and  6,  1807. 

Spierbach,  November  15,  1703. 

Spire,  1792. 

Staflarde,  1690. 

Stamford,  March,  1470. 

Steinkerk,  August  3,  1692. 

Stockach,  March  25,  1799. 

Stoke,  June  6,  1487. 

Strehlen,  August  2,  1760. 

Stum,  1630. 

Suez,  April,  1800. 

Suffelsheim,  August  23,  1744. 

Sulzbach,  August  19,  1796. 

Syene,  February  12,  1799. 

Tagliacozzo,  1268. 

Tagliamento,  (Passage  of  the.)  effected 
by  Bonaparte,  March  14,  1797  ;  No- 
vember 12,  1805. 

Taillebourg,  1242. 

Talavera  de  la  Ileyna,  July  28,  1809.— 
Won  bv  the  present  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington. 

Tanaro,  1745. 

Tannenbeig,  July  15,  1409- 

Tarvis,  March  25,  1797. 

Tauris,  1514. 

Taunton,  March  SJ,  1461. 

Terni,  December,  1798- 

Terracina,  August  11,  1798. 

Tesino,  March  31,  1800. 

Tewkesbury,  May  4,  1471. 

Thanis,  (Passage  of  the,')  (Egypt,)  1250. 

Thebes,  (Egypt,)  January  13*1799. 

Theme,  April  9, 1799. 

Tiberiad,  1187. 

Ticonderoga,  July  o,  1758. 

Tidon,  1746. 

Tilsitt,  1807. — Won  by  Bonaparte,  who 
made  peace  with  the  Emperor  Alex- 
ander. 

Tirlemont,  November  8,  1792  ;  July  19, 
1794. 

Tolhuys,  (Passage  of  the  Rhine,)  1672. 

Tongres,  1  i08. 

Tonquin,  1200. 

Torfou,  September  19,  1793. 

Torgau,  September  8,  1759;  November 

3, 1760. 
Toulouse,  April  10,  1814.  / 

Tours,  October,  732. — This  battle  was 
fought  between  Abdoulrahman,  the  Sa- 
racen chief,  and  Charles  Martel,  the 
hero  of  Christendom,  and  was  pro- 
ductive of  most  important  conse- 
quences, for  it  decided  that  the  reli- 


n  a  t 


(      4(3      ) 


C  A  T 


gion  of  Mahomet  "as  not  to  become 

{wedominant  in  Eoiope. — For  pai  ticu- 
ars,  see  Gibbon's  History,  4to.  edit. 
vol.  HI. 

Trunin,  .March  83,  1797*. 
r«  di  ■  .  December,  1 776. 

Treves,  August  8.  1701. 

Tripstadt,  July  11.  1 7 i- 1 . 

Tana,  1693;  ami  1706. — Inconsequence 
of  which  the  French  were  driven  out 
of  Italy. 

Turkheim,  14 

Vim.  October  15,  1805. 

Urlaffen.  June  87,  1796. 

U telle,  October  81,  1703. 

Valmy,  September,  1798. 

Varne,  1444. 

Veillane.  16S0. 

Velletri,  (surprized  1744. 

Vellinghausen,  Julj  16,  1761. 

Verner.  September,  1J 

Verneuil,  1504. 

Verona,  August,  1704;   1799. 

Villa-Vic  osa,  1710. 

Ville-longue,  December  6,  1793. 

Villers  en  Coocbee,  A  il  24,  1701. — 
The  Emperor  Leopold  saved  by  the 
Fifteenth  Light  Dragoons;  for  which 
gallant  action  eight  of  ti;e  oriicers  were 
us  inTested  with  the  Military 
Order  of  Maria  Theresa. 

V   ntira,  August  81,  1808. 

\ 'ittoria,  June  81,  1813. 

Wa.i  --  ge  of  the,)  1795. 

Wagram,Ja  j  5,  I  ■  >9. 

W  akd  did,  I  .  r  :i.  U60. 

Waatsenau,  October  85,  1703. 

Warbourg,  July  31,  15 

Warsaw,  1771. 

Waterloo,  June  18,  1815. — Total  defeat 
of  the  French  army  under  the  guidance 
of  Bonaparte,  by  the  combined  British 
and  Frussian  armies,  commanded  by 
the  Duke  of  Wellington,  and  Marshal 
Prince  Blucher. — Second  restoration 
of  Louis  XVIII. 

Watignies,  17 

WeisseiuLerg,  1744. 

White  Plains  November  16,  1776. 

Wignendorff,  October  17,  lv06. 

WiThelmstahl,  June  04,  i; 

Wilstett,  June  86,  17. 

Wunpfen,  May  16,  1669. 

Woitenbuttel,  June  29,  1641. 
-u  1312. 

Wondiwas,  December  31,  1760. 

W    rcester,  September  3.  1651. 

Women,  May,  1313. — This  battle  was 
won  by  Bonaparte,  and  stauds  re- 
corded   in  the   famous   collection   of 


mint  medals,  known  bv  the  description 
of  the  reign. 
Wynedale,  September  28,  1708. 

York-Town,  (America,'  Oct  JO, 1781. 

Zama,  A.  R.  560  —  Ar.t.i  .—This 
I  ::le  was  fought  between  Scipio,  the 
Roman,  and  Hannibal,  the  Carthagi- 
nian, and  put  an  end  to  the  long 
existing  rivalsbip  of  Rome  aud  Car- 
thage. 

Zamora,  1476. 

Zedenick,  October  '27,  1806. 

Zenta,  16 

Zorndorff,  August  85,   175S. 

Zullichau,  July  83,  1759. 

Zuntersdorff,  November,  1805. 

Between  Porto  Novo  and  Mooteapollam, 
1.1.)  17S1. 

Between  Scindiah  and  the  English, (E.I.) 
August  11,  1803. 

Near  Riga,  (between  St.  Cyr  and  Witt- 
genstein,) IS  13. 

Near  Montinirai],  February  12,  1811, 
(between  Bonaparte  and  Blucher.) 

There  is  no  action  in  war  more  bril- 
liant than  that  of  battles,  the  success  of 
which  sometimes  decides  the  fate  of 
kingdoms.  It  is  by  this  action  a  general 
acquires  his  reputation.  It  is  in  battle 
that  his  valour,  his  force  of  genius,  and 
his  prudence,  appear  in  their  full  extent; 
and  when  !y  he  has  occasion  for 

that  firmness  of  mind,  without  which  the 
most  able  general  will  hardly  succeed. 

Bat t Us  have  ever  been  the  last  re- 
source of  good  generals.  A  situation 
where  chance  and  accident  often  baiiie 
and  overcome  the  most  prudential  and 
most  able  arrangements,  and  where  su- 
periority iu  numbers  by  no  means  en- 
sures success,  is  such  as  is  never  entered 
into  without  a  clear  necessity  for  so 
doing.  The  lighting  a  battle  only  be- 
cause an  enemy  is  near,  or  from  having 
no  other  formed  plan  of  offence,  is  a 
direful  way  of  making  war.  Darius 
lost  his  crown  and  life  by  it:  King 
Haroid  of  England,  did  the  same;  and 
Francis  I.  at  Pavia,  lost  the  battle  and 
his  liberty.  King  John,  of  Fiance, 
fought  the  battle  of  Poitiers,  though 
ruin  attended  his  eueray  if  he  had  not 
fought,  The  Russian  and  Prussian  cam- 
paigns against  Bonaparte,  in  1806  and 
".  are  also  strong  illustrations  of  this 
truth  ;  and  particularly  so,  the  battle  of 
.  loo. 

The  true  situation  for  giving  battle  is 


BAT 


(    47     ) 


BAT 


when  an  army's  situation  cannot  be 
worse,  if  defeated,  than  if  it  does  not 
fijiht  at  all;  and  when  the  advantage 
may  be  great,  and  the  loss  little.  Such 
was  the  Duke  of  Cumberland's  at  Hast- 
etiheck,  in  1757,  and  Piince  Ferdinand's 
at  Vellinghausen,in  1761.  The  reasons 
and  situations  for  giving  battle  are 
so  numerous,  that  to  treat  of  them  all 
would  fill  a  large  volume:  we  will  there- 
fore content  ourselves  with  the  follow- 
ing. There  may  be  exigencies  of  stale 
that  require  its  array,  to  attack  the  ene- 
my at  all  events.  Such  were  the  causes 
of  the  battle  of  Blenheim,  in  1794,  of 
Zorndorrt,  in  1758,  of  Cunnersdorff,  in 
1759,  and  of  Rosbuch,  in  1757.  To  raise 
a  siege,  to  defend  or  cover  a  countrv. — 
An  army  is  also  obliged  to  engage  when 
shut  up  in  a  post.  An  army  may  give 
battle  to  effectuate  its  junction  with  ano- 
ther army,  &c. 

The  preoarations  for  battle  admit  of 
infinite  variety.  By  a  knowledge  of  the 
detail  of  battles,  the  precept  will  ac- 
company the  example.  The  main  gene- 
ral preparations  are,  to  profit  by  any 
advantage  of  ground ;  that  the  tactical 
form  of  the  army  he  in  some  measure 
adapted  to  it;  and  that  such  form  be,  if 
possihle,  a  form  tactically  better  than  the 
enemy's.  In  forming  the  armv,  a  most 
careful  attention  should  be  given  to  mul- 
tiply resources,  so  that  the  fate  of  the 
army  may  not  hang  on  one  or  two  ef- 
forts; to  give  any  particular  part  of  the 
army,  whose  quality  is  superior  to  such 
part  in  the  enemy's  army,  a  position 
that  ensures  action  ;  and  finally,  to  have 
a  rear  by  nature,  or,  if  possible,  by  art, 
capable  of  checking  the  enemy  in  case 
of  defeat ;  that  is,  never  to  lose  sight  of 
the  Base  Line. 

The  dispositions  of  battles  admit 
likewise  of  an  infinite  variety  of  cases; 
for  even  the  difference  of  ground  which 
happens  at  almost  every  step,  gives  oc- 
casion to  change  the  disposition  or  plan; 
and  a  general's  experience  will  teach 
him  to  profit  oy  this,  and  take  the  ad- 
vantage the  ground  offers  him.  It  is  an 
instant,  a  coup-iCail,  which  decides  this: 
for  it  is  to  be  feared  the  enemv  raav  de- 
prive you  of  those  advantages,  or  turn 
them  to  his  own  profit;  and  for  that 
reason  this  admits  of  no  precise  rule; 
the  whole  depending  upon  time  and  op- 
portunity. 

W  ith  regard  to  battles,  there  are 
three  things   to   be   considered;    what 


precedes,  what  accompanies  and  whet 
follows  the  action.  As  to  what  pre- 
cedes the  action,  you  should  unite  all 
your  force,  examine  the  advantage  of  the 
ground,  the  wind,  and  the  sun,  (things 
not  to  be  neglected,;  and  chuse,  if  possi- 
ble, a  field  of  battle  proportioned  to  the 
number  of  your  troops. 

You  must  post  the  different  kinds  of 
troops  advantageously  for  each :  they 
must  be  so  disposed  as  to  be  able  to  re- 
turn often  to  the  charge;  for  he  who 
can  charge  often  with  fresh  troops,  is 
commonly  victorious;  witness  the  uni- 
form practice  of  the  French.  Your 
wings  must  be  covered  so  as  not  to  be 
surrounded,  and  you  must  take  care, 
that  your  troops  can  assist  each  other 
without  any  confusion,  the  intervals  be- 
ing proportioned  to  the  battalions  and 
squadrons. 

Particular  regard  must  be  had  to  the 
regulation  of  the  artillery,  which  should 
be  disposed  so  as  to  be  able  to  act  in 
every  place  to  the  greatest  advantage; 
for  nothing  is  more  certain  than  that,  if 
the  artillery  be  well  commanded,  pro- 
perly distributed,  and  manfully  served, 
it  will  greatly  contribute  to  gaining  the 
battle;  being  looked  upon  as  the  gene- 
ral instrument  of  the  army  and  the  most 
essential  part  of  military  force. — The 
artillery  must  be  well  supplied  with  am- 
munition, and  each  soldier  have  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  cartridges.  The  bag- 
gage, provisions,  and  treasures  of  the 
army,  should,  on  the  day  of  battle,  be 
sent  to  a  place  of  safety. 

In  battle,  where  the  attacks  are,  there 
is  also  the  principal  defence.  If  an  army 
attacks,  it  forms  at  pleasure;  it  makes 
its  points  at  will :  if  it  defends,  it  will 
be  sometimes  difficult  to  penetrate  into 
the  designs  of  the  enemy,  but  when 
once  found,  succour  succeeds  to  the  dis- 
covery. Ground  and  numbers  must 
ever  lead  in  the  arrangement  of  battles; 
impression  and  resource  will  ever  give 
them  the  fairest  chance  of  success.  Xever 
to  be  surprized  is  perhaps  the  surest  way 
never  to  be  beaten. 

The  Battle,  a  term  of  distinction 
which  was  used  during  the  13th  and 
14th  centuries,  to  mark  the  cavalry,  or 
gentlemen  who  served  on  horseback. 
Robertson,  in  his  View  of  the  State  of 
Europe,  vol.  i.  page  80,  observes,  that, 
during  those  period-,  the  armies  of  Eu- 
rope were  composed  almost  entirelv  of 
cavalry.    No  geutleman  would  appei- 


T,  A  T 

in  the  field  hut  on  horseback. 


(     48     ) 


BAT 


To  serve 

in  any  oilier  manner,  lie  would  have 
deemed  derogatory  to  his  rank.  The 
cavalry,  by  way  of  distinction,  was  called 
The  Battle,  and  on  it  alone  depended 
the  fate  of  every  action.  The  infantry, 
collected  from  the  dregs  and  refuse  of 
the  people,  ill  armed,  and  worse  disci- 
plined, wiis  almost  of  no  account. 

B\tti.e-^/>t«v,    )  the     method    and 

Line  of  B  \  i 1  le,  S  order  of  arranging 
the  troops  in  line  of  battle;  the  form  of 
drawing  up  the  army  for  an  ei^gagi  - 
inenf.  This  method  generally  consists 
of  three  lines,  viz.  the  front  line,  the 
rear  line,  and  the  reserve. 

The  second  line  should  be  about  300 
paces  behind  the  first,  and  the  reserve 
at  about  .3  or  GOO  paces  behind  the  se- 
cond. The  artillery  is  likewise  distri- 
buted along  the  front  of  the  first  line. 
The  front  line  should  be  stronger  than 
the  rear  line,  that  its  shock  may  be  more 
violent,  and  that,  by  being  more  exten- 
sive, it  may  more  easily  close  on  the 
enemy's  Hanks.  If  the  first  line  has  the 
advantage,  it  should  continue  to  act, 
and  attack  the  enemy's  second  line, 
which  must  be  already  terrified  by  the 
defeat  of  the  first.  The  artillery  must 
always  accompany  the  line  of  battle  in 
the  order  it  was  at  first  distributed,  if 
the  ground  permit;  and  the  rest  of  the 
army  should  follow  the  motions  of  the 
first  line,  when  it  continues  to  march 
on  alter  its  first  success. 

Main  Battle.     See  Battle-Array. 

B\TTLE-«aT,  (hache  d'armes,  Fr.)  an 
effensive  weapon,  formerly  much  used 
by  the  Danes,  and  other  northern  in- 
fantry.  It  was  a  kind  of  halberd,  and 
did  great  execution  when  wielded  by  a 
strong  arm. 

BATTLEMENTS,  in  military  af- 
fairs, are  the  indentures  in  the  tup  of 
<>id  castles  or  fortified  walls,  or  other 
buildings,  in  the  form  of  embrasures, 
for  the  greater  conveniency  of  tiring  or 
looking  through. 

BATTUE,  Fr.  to  direct  one  or  more 
|  icces  of  ordnance  in  such  a  manner, 
that  any  given  object  may  be  destroyed 
or  broken  into  by  the  continued  dis- 
ge  of  cannon  ball,  or  of  other  war- 
like materials;  it  likewise  means  to 
silence  an  enemy's  fire. 

Battre  en  Sreche,  Fr.  to  batter  in 
breach.  The  word  battre  is  aJso  applied, 
in  the  artillery,  to  all  the  different  ways 
of  battering. 


Battue  Festrade,  Fr.  to  scour;  to 
scout. 

Battue  la  campagne,  Fr.  to  scour  the 
country,  or  make  incursions  against  an 
enemy. 

Battre  de  front,  Fr.  to  throw  can- 
non-shot in  a  perpendicular  or  almost 
perpendicular  direction  against  an\  body 
or  place  which  becomes  an  object  of  at- 
tack. This  mode  of  attack  is  less  ef- 
fectual than  any  other  unless  you  bailer 
in  breach. 

Battrj  cVecharve,  Fr.  to  direct  shot, 
so  that  the  lines  of  fire  make  a  manifest 
acute  angle  with  respect  to  the  lino  of 
any  particular  object  against  which  can- 
non is  discharged. 

Bati  R  e  i  a  jlunc,  Fr.  is  when  the  shot 
from  a  battery  runs  along  the  length  of 
the  front  of  any  object  or  place  against 
which  it  is  directed. 

Battue  «  don,  Fr.  to  direct  the  shot' 
from  one  or  several  pieces  of  cannon  so 
as  to  batter,  almost  perpendicularly, 
from  behind  any  body  of  troops,  part  of 
a  rampart  or  intrenchment. 

Battre  de  revers,  Fr.  to  direct  shot 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  run  between  the 
two  last  mentioned  liens  of  fire.  When 
you  batter  from  behind,  the  shot  fall 
almost  perpendicularly  upon  the  reverse 
of  the  parapet.  When  you  batter  from 
the  reverse  side,  the  trajectories  or  lines 
of  fire  describe  acute  angles  of  forty- 
live  degrees  or  under,  with  the  prolon- 
gation of  that  reverse. 

Battre  de  bricole,  Fr.  This  method 
can  only  be  put  in  practice  at  sieges, 
and  against  works  which  have  been  con- 
structed in  front  of  others  that  are  in- 
vested. Every  good  billiard  player  will 
readily  comprehend  what  is  meant  by 
bricole  or  back-stroke. 

Battue  en  sape,  Fr.  to  batter  a  work 
at  the  foot  of  its  revetemeut. 

Battre  en  salve,  Fr.  to  make  a  gene- 
ral discharge  of  heavy  ordnance  against 
anv  spot  in  which  a  breach  is  attempted 
to  be  made. 

Battue  la  cainse,  Fr.  to  beat  a  drum. 

Battue  I'assemblce,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
assembly. 

Battre  un  ban,  Fr.  to  give  notice  by 
sound  of  drum,  when  an  officer  is  to  be 
received,  orders  given  out,  or  any  punish- 
ment to  he  publicly  inflicted. 

Battre  la  chamade,  Fr.  to  give  inti- 
mation by  the  sound  of  drum,  from  a 
besieged  place,  of  a  disposition  to  capi- 
tulate; to  beat  a  parley. 


BAY 


(    49    ) 


BAY 


Battre  aux  champs,  Fr.  to  give  notice, 
by  beat  of  drum,  that  a  regiment,  or 
armed  body  of  men,  is  approaching  or 
marching  off.  It  also  signifies  the  beat 
which  is  made  when  a  superior  officer 
comes  near  a  guard,  &c. 

Battre  la  charge,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
charge;  or  to  give  notice  that  a  general 
discharge  of  musketry  is  about  to  take 
place,  and  that  the  whole  line  is  to 
charge  with  bayonets. 

Battre  la  Diane,  Fr.  to  beat  the  Re- 
veille. 

Battre  les  drapeanx,¥r.  to  announce, 
by  beat  of  drum,  that  the  colours  are 
about  to  be  lodged. 

Battre  la  generate,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
General;  a  signal  to  collect  the  soldiers 
together  for  immediate  action,  or  for 
quitting  camp,  or  quarters. 

Battre  la  marche,  Fr.  to  give  notice, 
by  beat  of  drum,  for  troops  to  advance 
or  retreat. 

Battre  la  messe,  Fr.  to  give  notice,  by 
beat  of  drum,  for  soldiers  to  march 
to  church. 

Battre  la  prierc,  Fr.  to  give  notice, 
by  beat  of  drum,  for  soldiers  to  assem- 
ble at  any  particular  place  to  hear 
prayers. 

Battre  la  retraite,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
retreat;  a  notice  given  by  all  the  drums 
of  a  regiment  or  army,  for  soldiers  to 
keep  to  their  several  colours,  and  to  re- 
tire in  the  best  order  they  can,  after  a 
disastrous  battle. 

Se  Battre  en  retraite,  Fr.  to  main- 
tain a  running  fight. 

Mener  battant,  to  overcome. 

Mener  quelqiiun  att  tambour  battant, 
to  disconcert,  to  confound,  puzzle,  and 
perplex  any  body. 

BATTURES,  Fr.  breakers;  shelves. 

BAUDRIER,  Fr.  a  cross-belt.  It 
also  signifies  a  sword-belt. 

BAVETTE,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a 
piece,  or  apron,  of  lead,  which  is  placed 
in  front  of  a  water  pipe,  or  upon  a  roof 
that  is  slated.  It  signifies,  literally,  a 
bib,  such  as  is  put  before  a  child. 

BAUGE,  Fr.  a  coarse  sort  of  mortar 
which  is  made  with  chopped  straw,  or 
pounded  hay,  in  the  manner  that  lime 
and  sand  are  mixed  up.  This  species  of 
mortar  is  used  in  lieu  of  better. 

BAVINS,  in  military  affairs,  implies 
small  faggots,  made  of  brush-wood,  of 
a  considerable  length,  no  part  of  the 
brush  being  taken  off.     See  Fascines. 

BAYARD,  Fr.  a  provincial  term  used 


i  in  Languedoc  and  Roussilion  to  signify  a 
wheel-barrow. 

BAY,  {bai/e,  Fr.)  an  inlet  of  the  sea 
between  two  capes  or  headlands.  It 
also  signifies  such  a  gulph  or  inlet  of  the 
land  as  does  not  run  very  deep  into  it, 
whether  large  or  small;  but  smaller 
bays  are  frequently  denominated  creeks, 
havens,  or  roads.  It  may  be  observed, 
indeed,  in  general,  that  a  bay  has  a  pro- 
portionably  wider  entrance  than  either  a 
gulph,  or  a  haven;  and  that  a  creek  has 
usually  a  small  inlet,  and  is  always 
much  less  than  a  bay. 

BAY-window,  one  that  is  composed  of 
an  arch  of  a  circle;  consequently  it  will 
stand  without  the  stress  of  the  building: 
by  which  means  spectators  may  better 
see  what  is  done  in  the  street. 

BAYE,  Bee  ou  Jour,  Fr.  in  architec- 
ture, every  sort  of  aperture  in  a  build- 
ing is  so  called. 

BAYONET,  {bayonnette,  Fr.)  a  kind 
of  triangular  dagger,  made  with  a  hollow 
handle,  and  a  shoulder,  to  fix  on  the 
muzzle  of  a  firelock  or  musket,  so  that 
neither  the  charging  nor  firing  is  pre- 
vented by  its  being  fixed  on  the  piece. 
It  is  of  infinite  service  against  horse. 
At  first  the  bayonet  was  screwed  into 
the  muzzle  of  the  barrel,  consequently 
could  not  be  used  during  the  fire.  It  is 
said  by  some  to  have  been  invented  by 
the  people  of  Malacca,  and  first  made 
use  of  on  quitting  the  pikes.  Accord- 
ing to  others,  it  was  first  used  by  the 
fuzileers  in  France,  who  were  afterwards 
made  the  body  of  Royal  Artillery.  At 
present  it  is  given  to  every  infantry  re- 
giment. This  weapon  was  formerly 
called  dagger.  In  some  old  English 
writers  it  is  written  Bagonet;  and,  in- 
deed, generally  now  so  pronounced  by 
the  common  soldiers. 

A  French  writer,  in  a  work  entituled 
L'Essai  general  de  la  Tactique,  has  pro- 
posed a  methud  of  exercising  the  sol- 
diers in  a  species  of  fencing  or  tilting 
with  this  weapon.  But,  as  another  very 
sensible  author  (Mauvillion  in  his  Essai 
sur  I'lnjluence  de  la  Poudre  a  Canon  dans 
I'ylrt  de  la  Guerre  Moderne)  justly  asks, 
how  can  any  man  tilt  or  fence  with  so 
cumbrous  an  instrument,  and  so  dithcult 
to  be  handled,  as  the  firelock?  It  seems 
probable  that  great  advantage  mav  be 
obtained  by  a  person  who  has  been 
taught  to  use  such  a  weapon  scientifi- 
cally, when  contending  with  an  indi- 
vidual; but  we  do  not  think  that  the 
H 


BED 


(    so   > 


BEL 


niceties  of  parrying  are  applicable  to  the 
charge  in  line;  but  a  firm  grasp  and  a 
quick  and  steady  thrust  are  required. 
A  French  author,  M.  G.  De  Levis,  in  bis 
Maxima  and  Reflexions,  observes:  Oner 
combat tre  a  Farme  blanche,  voila  ce  qui 
constitue  le  veritable  guerrier.  Lex 
peuplet  qui  out  cttte  e'nergie  (et  its  sont 
ai  bien  petit  nomine)  peuvent  s'appeler 
<)  ban  droit  let"  Grenadiers  de  F Europe." 
Experience  has  convinced  the  French 
that  this  daring  quality  is  peculiarly 
marked  in  the  character  and  conduct  of 
a  British  soldier,  of  which  a  signal  proof 
was  given  at  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  on 
the  18th  June,  1815. 

BEACON,  (j'anal,  Fr.)  something 
raised  on  an  eminence  to  be  fired,  or 
displayed,  on  the  approach  of  an  enemy, 
to  alarm  the  country;  also,marks  erect- 
ed, or  lights  made  in  the  night,  (as  on 
the  North  and  South  Forelands  on  the 
Coast  of  Kent,  and  elsewhere,)  to  direct 
navigators  in  their  course,  and  warn 
them  from  rocks,  shallows,  and  sand- 
banks. It  is  said  that  Bonaparte's 
boasted  pillar  near  Boulogne  will  be 
converted  into  one. 

On  certain  eminent  places  of  the 
country  are  placed  long  poles  erect, 
whereon  are  fastened  pitch-barrels  to  be 
fired  by  night,  and  smoke  made  by  day, 
to  give  notice,  in  a  few  hours,  to  the 
whole  kingdom,  of  an  approaching  in- 
vasion. 

To  BEAR,  in  gunnery.  A  piece  of 
ordnance  is  said  to  bear,  or  come  to  bear, 
when  pointed  directly  against  the  ob- 
ject; that  is,  pointed  to  hit  the  object. 

BEARD,  the  reflected  points  of  the 
head  of  an  ancient  arrow,  particularly 
of  such  as  were  jagged. 

To  BEAT,  in  a    military  sense,  signi- 
fies to  gain  the  day,  to  win  the  battle,  &c. 
To  Beat  a  parley.     See  Cham  a  de- 
To  Beat  a  drum.     See  Drum. 
To  Beat  to  arms,  to  assemble  the  sol- 
diers,  or  armed  citizens  of  a  town  or 
place  by  beat  of  drum. 

BEAVER,  that  part  of  the  ancient 
helmet  which  covered  the  face,  and 
which  was  moveable  so  as  to  expose  the 
face  without  removing  the  beaver  from 
the  helmet. 

BEC  de  corbin,  Fr.  a  battle-axe. 
BEC1IE,  Fr.  a  spade  used    by  pio- 
neers. 

BEDS,  in  the  military  language,  are 
of  various  sorts,  viz. 

Mortar-BEDS  serve  for  the  same  pur- 


pose as  a  carnage  does  to  a  cannon :  they 
are  made  of  solid  timber,  consisting  ge- 
nerally of  two  pieces  fastened  together 
with  strong  iron  bolls  and  bars.  Their 
sizes  arc  according  to  the  kind  of  mortar 
they  carry. 

-Roi/«/-Beds,  )  are  carriages  for  a 
Coe A<m«b-B EDS,  S  royal  mortar,  whose 
diameter  is  5  .  8  inches:  and  a  coehorn 
mortar,  whose  diameter  is  4  .  G  inches. 
Those  beds  are  made  of  one  solid  block 
only. 

Sea-Mori 'nr-BEns  are  likewise  made 
of  solid  timber,  like  the  former,  but  differ 
in  their  form,  having  a  hole  in  the  center 
to  receive  the  pintle  or  strong  iron  bolt, 
about  which  the  bed  turns.  Sea-mortars 
are  mounted  on  these  beds,  on  board  of 
the  bomb-ketches. 

N.  B.  These  beds  are  placed  upon  very 
strong  timber  frames,  fixed  into  the 
bomb-ketch,  in  which  the  pintle  is  fixed, 
so  as  the  bed  is  turned  about  it,  to  tire 
any  way.  The  fore  part  of  these  beds  is 
an  arc  of  a  circle  described  from  the  same 
center  as  the  pintle-hole. 

There  are  iron  mortar-beds,  as  well  as 
wood,  for  the  nature  of  13,  10,  and  8 
inch  mortars,  which  are  expressly  for 
land  service. 

S/oo/-Bed  is  a  piece  of  wood  on  which 
the  breech  of  a  gun  rests  upon  a  truck- 
carriage,  with  another  piece  fixed  to  it  at 
the  hind  end,  that  rests  upon  the  body 
of  the  hind  axle-tree;  and  the  fore  part 
is  supported  by  an  iron  bolt.  See  Car- 
riage. 

Bed  of  atone,  in  masonry,  a  course  or 
range  of  stones.  The  joint  of  the  bed 
is  the  mortar  between  two  stones  placed 
over  each  other. 

BEEFEATERS,  (Buffetiers,)  yeomen 
of  the  guard  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain, 
so  called  from  being  stationed  by  the 
sideboard  at  great  royal  dinners.  They 
are  kept  up  rather  from  state  than  for 
any  military  service.  Their  arms  are  a 
sword  and  lance. 

BEETLES,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
large  wooden  hammers  for  driving  down 
palisades,  and  lor  other  uses,  &c. 

BEETLESTOCK,  the  stock  or  handle 
of  a  beetle. 

BEFROI,  Fr.  belfry,  alarm-bell ;  also 
a  watch-tower,  or  high  place  tit  for  dis- 
covery. 

BELANDRE,  Fr.  a  flat-bottomed 
vessel,  with  masts  and  sails,  &c.  which  is 
used  in  Flanders  for  the  conveyance  of 
goods. 


BEN 


(    61    ) 


B  E  V 


BELIER,  Fr.  a  battering  ram. 

BELLIGERENT,  in  a  state  of  war- 
fare. Hence  any  two  or  more  nations  at 
war  are  called  belligerent  powers. 

BELTS,  in  tlie  army,  are  of /different 
sorts,  and  for  various  purposed,  viz. 

Sword-BzLT,  a  leathern  strap  in  which 
a  sword  han^s. 

Shoulder-i')£LT,  a  broad  leathern  belt, 
which  goes  over  the  shoulder,  and  to 
which  the  pouch  is  fixed  :  it  is  also 
called  Cross-Belt .  It  should  be  made 
of  stout  smooth  buff,  with  two  buckles 
to  fix  the  pouch  to  the  belt.    See  Pouch. 

Waist-BELT,  a  leathern  strap  fixed 
round  the  waist,  by  which  a  sword  or 
bayonet  is  suspended. 

Belts  are  known  among  the  ancient 
and  middle-age  writers  by  divers  names, 
as  zona,  cingulum,  reminiculum,  ringa, 
and  baldrellus.  The  belt  was  an  essen- 
tial piece  of  the  ancient  armour,  inso- 
much that  we  sometimes  find  it  used  to 
denote  the  whole  armour.  In  latter  ages 
the  belt  was  given  to  a  person  when  he 
was  raised  to  knighthood;  whence  it  has 
also  been  used  as  a  badge  or  mark  of  the 
knightly  order. 

BELVEDERE,  Fr.  a  turret,  or  raised 
pavilion,  on  an.  elevated  ground,  in  the 
shape  of  a  platform,  whence  the  country 
round  may  be  seen. 

BENAR,  Fr.  a  large  four-wheeled 
wagon,  which  is  used  to  carry  stones  in 
the  construction  of  fortified  places. 

BENDINGS,  in  military  and  sea  mat- 
ters, are  ropes,  wood,  &c.  bent  for  se- 
veral purposes.  M.  Amontons  gives  se- 
veral experiments  concerning  the  bend- 
ing of  ropes.  The  friction  of  a  rope 
bent,  or  wound  round  an  immoveable 
cylinder,  is  sufficient,  with  a  very  small 
power,  to  sustain  very  great  weights. 
Divers  methods  have  been  contrived  for 
bending  timber,  in  order  to  supply  crook- 
ed planks  and  pieces  for  building  ships; 
such  as  by  sand,  boiling  water,  steam  of 
boiling  water,  and  by  fire.  See  M.  Du 
Hamel,  in  his  book  called  Du  Transport, 
de  la  Conservation,  et  de  la  Force  des 
Bois.  M.  Delesme  ingeniously  enough 
proposed  to  have  the  young  trees  bent 
while  growing  in  the  forest.  The  method 
of  bending  planks  by  sand-heat,  now  used 
in  the  king's  yards,  was  invented  by 
Captain  Cumberland. 

A  method  has  been  lately  invented 
and  practised  for  bending  pieces  of  tim- 
ber, so  as  to  make  the  wheels  of  car- 
riages without  joints.     The  bending  of 


boards,  and  other  pieces  of  timber  for 
carved  works  in  joinery,  is  effected  by 
holding  them  to  the  fire,  then  giving 
them  the  figure  required,  and  keeping 
them  in  it  bv  tools  for  the  purpose. 

BENEDICTION  de  drapeaux,  Fr. 
the  consecration  of  colours. 

Benediction  generate,  Fr.  a  religious 
invocation  which  is  made  to  God  by  the 
principal  chaplain  belonging  to  a  French 
army  on  the  eve  of  an  engagement. 

BENEFICIARII,  in  ancient  military 
history,  denotes  soldiers  who  attend  the 
chief  officers  of  the  army,  being  exempt- 
ed from  all  other  duty. 

Beneficiarii  were  also  soldiers  dis- 
charged from'  the  military  service  or 
duty,  and  provided  with  benejicia  to  sub- 
sist on. 

BERCEAU,  Fr.  literally  a  cradle; 
a  full-arched  vault. 

BERGE,  Fr.  the  high  bank  or  bor- 
der of  a  river.  Kivage  signifies  the  edge 
of  the  water,  but  berge  means  the  ad- 
jacent high  ground  which  secures  the 
country  round  from  inundations. 

BERM,  a  little  space  or  path  between 
the  ditch  and  the  parapet.  See  Forti- 
fication. 

To  BESIEGE,  to  lay  siege  to,  or  in-, 
vest  any  place  with  armed  forces. 

BESIEGERS,  the  army  that  lays  siege 
to  a  fortified  place. 

BESIEGED,  the  garrison  that  de- 
fends the  place  against  the  army  that 
lays  siege  to  it.     See  Siege. 

BETAIL,  Fr.  cattle  in  general. 

To  BETRAY,  (trahir,  Fr.)  to  deliver 
perfidiously  any  place  or  body  of  troops 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy;  to  dis^ 
cover  that  which  has  been  entrusted  to 
secrecy. 

BETTY,  a  machine  used  for  forcing 
open  gates  or  doors.     See  Petard. 

BEVEAU,  Fr.  a  mathematical  instru- 
ment which  is  used  to  carry  a  mixed- 
lined  angle  from  one  angle  to  another. 

BEVIL,   )  in  masonry  and  joinery,  a 

BEVEL,  S  kind  of  square,  one  leg  of 
which  is  frequently  crooked,  according 
to  the  sweep  of  an  arch  or  vault.  It  is 
moveable  on  a  point  or  center,  and  may, 
therefore,  be  set  to  any  angle.  The 
make  and  use  of  the  bevel  are  much  the 
same  as  those  of  the  common  square 
and  mitre,  except  that  the  latter  are 
fixed  ;  the  first  at  an  angle  of  90  degrees, 
and  the  second  at  45:  whereas  the  bevel 
being  moveable,  it  may  in  some  measure 
do  the  office  of  both,  and  also  their  de- 
ll 2 


r;  I  II 


(    M    ) 


B  I  L 


flciency,  which  it  is  chiefly  intended  to 
supply,  serving  to  set  off  or  transfer 
angles,  either  greater  or  less  than  90  or 
45  degrees. 

BzvEL-angle,  anv  angle  that  is  not 
square,  whether  it  he  more  ohtuse  or 
more  acute  than  a  right  angle;  but  if  it 
be  one  half  as  much  as  a  right  angle, 
viz.  45  degrees,  it  is  then  called  a  mitre. 
There  is  also  a  half-mitre,  which  is  an 
angle  that  is  one  quarter  of  a  quadrant 
or  square^  viz.  'l'2\  degrees. 

BEY,  (Beis,  Fr.)  an  officer  of  high 
rank  among  the  Turks,  but  inferior  in 
Command  to  the  Pacha. 

BIAIS,  Fr.  bevel,  slanting,  sloping, 
overthwart. 

Entreprendm  nne  affaire  de  /ow.s-  les 
Bi*rs,  to  undertake  a  thing  in  every  way. 

BIAISER,  Fr.  to  bevel,  to  slope: 
figuratively,  to  shuffle. 

BICOQL E,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  France 
to  signify  a  place  iti-fortified  and  incapa- 
ble of  much  defence.  It  is  derived  from 
a  place  on  the  road  between  Lodi  and 
Milan,  which  was  originally  a  gentle- 
man's country-house  surrounded  by 
ditches.  In  the  year  1522,  a  body  of 
imperial  troops  were  stationed  in  it,  and 
stood  the  attack  of  the  whole  French 
army  during  the  reign  of  Francis  I. 
This  engagement  was  called  the  battle 
ol  Bicoqtti . 

MI  DON,  Fr.  a  sort  of  oblong  ball  or 
shut,  which  goes  farther  than  a  round 
one. 

BTEZ,  Fr.  that  particular  part  of  a 
navigable  canal  which  lies  between  two 
floodgates,  and  whence  waters  are  drawn 
in  order  to  facilitate  the  ascent  or  de- 
scent of  boats  and  barges,  where  there 
are  fails. 

BIGORNE,  Fr.  an  anvil. 

BIGORNEAU,  Fr.  a  small  rising 
anvil. 

B1IIOUAC,  BrorAC,  Biouvac,  or 
Bivouaq,  Fr.  [derived  by  some  from 
the  German  weymacht,  a  double  watch 
or  guard  :  by  others  from  the  German 
biwacht,  an  extraordinary  guard,  set  at 
night,  tor  the  safety  of  a  camp:]  a 
night-guard,  or  a  detachment  of  the 
wh  lie  army,  which,  during  a  siege,  or  in 
the  presence  of  an  enemy,  marches  out 
every  night  in  squadrons  or  battalions 
to  line  the  circumvailations,  or  to  take 
post  in  front  of  the  camp,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  their  quarters,  prevent- 
ing surprises,  and  of  obstructing  sup- 
plies.    When  an  army  docs  not  encamp 


hut  lie's  under  arms  all  night,  it  is  said 

to  Invalid!]. 

Bivolac  also  signifies  small  huts  or 
sheds  to  which  troops  upon  the  outposts 
of  an  army  may  occasionally  retire  for 
repose,  fi)  the  Dictionnaire  de  i'Aca- 
demie  this  word  is  written  bivac  or  bi- 
vouac. 

Lever  le  Bivouac,  Fr.  to  draw  in 
the  out-posts,  after  break  of  day,  and 
order  the  different  parties,  horse  or  foot, 
into  camp  or  barracks. 

BIVAQUER,  on  Bivouaquer,  Fr. 
to  be  out  all  night  in  the  open  air.  The 
Evcubitc  of  the  Romans  corresponded 
with  these  duties,  which  were  done  night 
and  day.  See  D'Aouino't  Lexicon  Mili- 
tarc. 

BILAN,  Fr.  a  book  in  which  French 
bankers  and  merchants  write  their  active 
and  passive  debts. 

BILBO,  a  rapier  or  small  sword  was 
formerly  so  called. 

BILBOQUETS,  Fr.  small  pieces  of 
stone  which  have  been  sawed  from  the 
block,  and  remain  in  store. 

HILL  or  Bill-hook,  a  small  hatchet, 
used  for  cutting  wood  for  fascines,  ga- 
bions, bavins,  ccc.  When  it  is  long,  it  is 
called  a  hedging-bill;  when  short,  a 
hand- bill. 

7b  Bill  up,  a  term  used  when  a  sol- 
dier is  ordered  not  to  go  out  of  barracks 
or  camp;  his  name  being  stuck  up  at 
the  barrack-gate,  or  given  in  at  the  quar- 
ter-guard to  prevent  his  egress.  This 
word  is  also  used,  in  some  regiments,  to 
signify  the  putting  a  soldier  into  the 
black-hole,  or  into  what  the  Guards  call 
the  Dry-room. 

BILLE  pendante,  Fr.  in  hydraulics, 
the  piece  of  timber  which  is  suspended 
from  the  end  of  the  balance  or  beam, 
and  serves  to  put  some  other  essential 
piece  in  motion. 

Bille  couchce,  Fr.  a  piece  of  timber 
which  advances  and  recedes  with  the 
motion  of  the  wheel  in  a  water-mill. 

BILLET,  a  well-known  ticket  for 
quartering  soldiers,  which  entitles  each 
soldier,  by  act  of  parliament,  to  candles, 
vinegar,  and  salt,  with  the  use  of  fire, 
and  the  necessary  utensils  for  dressing 
and  eating  their  meat.  The  allowance 
of  small  beer  has  been  altered  by  a  lata 
regulation. 

Billet,  blanc  ou  voir,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
white  or  black  paper  which  is  folded  up, 
and  serves  to  determine  various  matters 
by  drawing  lots. 


B  L  A 


( 


) 


B  L  O 


Billet  de  came,  Fr.  an  acknowledg- 
ment which  is  given  in  writing  by  the  pay- 
master of  a  regiment  for  money  in 
hand. 

Billet  d'entree  d  Vhopital,  Fr.  a 
ticket  which  is  given  to  a  sick  soldier  to 
entitle  him  to  a  birth  in  the  military 
hospital. 

Billet  d'honneitr,Y\\  a  written  ac- 
knowledgment which  is  given  by  an 
officer  for  articles  taken  on  credit ;  but 
this  more  frequently  happens  in  matters 
of  play. 

Billet  de  logement,  Fr.  a  billet  for 
quarters.  This  billet  or  ticket  was  for- 
merly delivered  out  to  the  French  troops 
upon  the  same  general  principles  that  it 
is  issued  in  England. 

BILLETING,  in  the  army,  implies  the 
quartering  soldiers  in  the  houses  of  any 
town  or  village. 

BILLETTES  d'une  espieu,  Fr.  cross 
hars  of  iron  or  steel. 

BlNACLE,a  telescope  with  two  tubes., 
so  constructed,  that  a  distant  object 
might  be  seen  with  both  eyes,  now  rarely- 
used. 

BINARD,  Fr.    SeeBiNAR. 

BINN,  a  great  chest  to  put  corn  in. 

BINOCLE,  (binocle,  Fr.)  a  kind  of 
dioptric  telescope. 

BINOMIAL  root,  in  mathematics,  is 
a  root  composed  of  two  parts,  joined  by 
the  sign  -|-.  If  it  has  three  parts,  it  is 
called  a  trinomial ;  and  any  root  consist- 
ing of  more  than  three  parts  is  called  a 
multinomial. 

BISSAC,  Fr.  a  wallet,  or  a  sack  which 
opens  down  the  middle. 

BISSECTION,  in  geometry,  the  di- 
vision of  any  quantity  into  two  equal 
parts.  It  is  the  same  as  bipartition. 
Hence  to  bissect  any  line  is  to  divide  it 
into  two  equal  parts. 

BISTOURE,  Fr.  in  surgery,  an  inci- 
sion knife. 

BIT,  the  bridle  of  a  horse  which  acts 
by  the  assistance  of  a  curb.  See  Curb 
and  Bridon. 

BLACK-HOLE,  a  place  in  which  sol- 
diers may  be  confined  by  the  command- 
ing officer,  but  not  by  any  inferior  officer. 
In  this  place  they  are  generally  restricted 
to  bread  and  water.  Many  colonels  and 
commanding  officers  of  corps  are  advo- 
cates for  this  sort  of  correction,  in  pre- 
ference to  flogging  or  corporal  punish- 
ment. 

BLANKETSjCombustible  things  made 


of  coarse  paper  steeped  in  a  solution 
of  saltpetre,  which,  when  dry,  are  again 
dipt  in  a  composition  of  tallow,  resin, 
and  sulphur.  They  are  used  only  in  fire- 
ships. 

BLAST,  and  BLASTING.  See  Mines 
and  Mining. 

BLINDAGE,  a  work  which  is  car- 
ried on  along  a  trench,  to  secure  it  from 
the  shells,  &c.  of  a  besieged  garrison. 

BLINDE,  Fr.     See  Blinds. 

BLINDER,  Fr.  to  make  use  of 
blinds. 

BLINDS,  in  military  affairs,  are 
wooden  frames  composed  of  4  pieces, 
either  flat  or  round,  two  of  which  are 
6  feet  long,  and  the  others  3  or  4  feet, 
which  serve  as  spars  to  fasten  the  two 
first  together:  the  longest  are  pointed  at 
both  ends,  and  the  two  others  are  fasten- 
ed towards  the  extremities  of  the  former, 
at  about  10  or  12  inches  from  their 
points,  the  whole  forming  a  rectangular 
parallelogram,  the  long  sides  of  which 
project  beyond  the  other  about  10  or  12 
inches.  Their  use  is  to  fix  them  either 
upright,  or  in  a  vertical  position,  against 
the  sides  of  the  trenches  or  saps,  to 
sustain  the  earth.  Their  points  at  the 
bottom  serve  to  fix  them  in  the  earth, 
and  those  at  the  top  to  hold  the  fascines 
that  are  placed  upon  them;  so  that  the 
sap  or  trench  is  formed  into  a  kind  of 
covered  gallery,  to  secure  the  troops  from 
stones  and  grenades. 

The  term  Blind  is  also  used  to  express 
a  kind  of  hurdle,  made  of  the  branches  of 
trees,  behind  which  the  soldiers,  miners, 
or  labourers,  may  carry  on  their  work 
without  being  seen.    See  Hurdle. 

Blinds  are  sometimes  only  canvass 
stretched  to  obstruct  the  sight  of  the 
enemy.  Sometimes  they  are  planks  set 
up;  for  which  see  Mantlet.  Some- 
times they  are  made  of  a  kind  of  coarse 
basket-work.  See  Gabions.  Sometimes 
of  barrels,  or  sacks  filled  with  earth.  In 
short,  they  signify  any  thing  that  covers 
the  labourers  from  the  enemy. 

Blind.  See  Orillon  and  Fortifi- 
cation. 

BLOCAGES,  Fr.  small  stones,  or 
shards,  which  are  used  in  mortar,  or 
thrown  into  water  for  a  sort  of  founda- 
tion. 

Blocage,  ou  Blocaille,  Fr.  rubbish; 
such  as  is  used  to  fill  up  walls. 

BLOCKADE,        )  in  military  affairs, 

BLOCKADING,  ]  implies   the    sur- 


B  L  O 


(     54     ) 


BOA 


rounding  a  place  with  different  bodies 
of  troops,  who  shut  up  all  the  avenues 
on  every  side,  and  prevent  every  thing 
from  going  in  or  out  of  the  place — this 
is  usually  effected  by  means  of  the  ca- 
valry. The  design  of  the  blockade  is  to 
oblige  those  who  are  shut  up  in  the  town 
to  consume  all  their  provisions,  and  by 
that  means  to  compel  them  to  surrender 
for  want  of  subsistence. 

Hence  it  appears  that  a  blockade  must 
last  a  long  time,  when  a  place  is  well 
provided  with  necessaries:  for  which 
r i  ason  this  method  of  reducing  a  town 
is  seldom  taken,  but  when  there  is  rea- 
son to  believe  the  magazines  are  unpro- 
vided, or  sometimes  when  the  nature  or 
situation  of  the  place  permits  not  the 
approaches  to  be  made,  which  are  neces- 
sary to  attack  in  the  usual  way. 

Maritime  towns,  which  have  a  port, 
are  in  much  the  same  case  as  other 
towns,  when  their  port  can  be  blocked 
up,  and  the  besiegers  are  masters  of  the 
sea,  and  can  prevent  succours  from  being 
conveyed  that  way  into  the  place. 

To  Bi.OCKapi:  or  to  block  up  a  place, 
is  to  shut  up  all  the  avenues,  so  that  it 
cannot  receive  any  relief  either  of  men  or 
provisions,  &c. 

To  raise  a  Blockade  is  to  march 
from  before  the  place,  and  leave  it  free 
and  open  as  before. 

To  turn  a  siege  into  a  Blockade  is 
to  desist  from  a  regular  method  of  be- 
sieging, and  to  surround  the  place  with 
those  troops  who  had  formed  the 
siege. 

To  form  a  Blockade  is  to  surround 
the  place  with  troops,  and  hinder  any 
thing  from  going  in  or  coming  out. 

BLOCQUER,  BLOQUER,  or  FLO- 
QUER,  Fr.  a  sea  term,  signifying  to 
apply  the  sheathing  hair  to  a  ship's  bot- 
tom. 

BLOCUL,  Fr.  the  main  pole  in  a 
tent  ;   also  a  small  tower. 

B LOCUS,  Fr.     See  Blockade. 

BLOCK-batter>/,\\\  gunnery,  a  wooden 
battery  for  two  or  more  small  pieces 
mounted  on  wheels,  and  moveable  from 
place  to  place;  very  ready  to  fire  en  bar- 
bette, in  the  galleries  and  casemates,  &c. 
where  room  is  wanted. 

Block-Aousc,  in  the  military  art,  a 
kind  of  wooden  fort  or  fortification, 
sometimes  mounted  on  rollers,  or  on  a 
flat-bottomed  vessel,  serving  either  on 
the  lakes  or  rivers,  or  in  counterscarps 
or  counter-approaches.      The  Brisbane, 


on  the  south  side  of  Calais  harbour,  19 
of  this  description,  standing  on  wooden 
piles,  and  surrounded  by  a  battery.  This 
name  is  sometimes  given  to  a  brick 
or  a  stone  building  on  a  bridge,  or  the 
brink  of  river,  serving  not  only  for  its 
defence,  but  for  the  command  of  the 
river,  both  above  and  below. 

BLOQUEIt,  Fr.  to  blockade. 

Bloqler,  Ft",  in  mason-work,  to 
erect  thick  rough  walls  along  the  trenches, 
without  confining  them  to  measure  or 
line,  as  is  the  case  in  stone  walls. 

Bloquer  also  signifies  to  fill  up,  indis- 
criminately, the  chasms  in  walls  with 
rubbish  and  coarse  mortar,  as  is  the  case 
in  works  constructed  under  water. 

BLUES,  or  Royal  Horse  Guards,  com* 
monly  called  the  Oxford  Blues.  This 
regiment  was  originally  raised  at  Oxford, 
and  possesses  landed  property  in  that 
county.  It  consists  of  1  colonel,  with 
8  warrant  men;  2  lieutenant  colonels; 
1  majors;  8  captains,  (of  whom  his  pie- 
sent  Majesty  is  one;)  8  lieutenants;  8 
cornets;  8  quarter-masters,  who  all  bear 
the  King's  commission;  2  surgeons;  1 
adjutant;  1  assistant  surgeon;  1  vete- 
rinary surgeon;  1  corporal-major;  42 
corporals;  9  trumpeters;  .r>60  privates. 
It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  lieutenant 
colonels  and  captains  of  this  regiment 
do  not  pay  any  thing  to  the  agent,  as  is 
the  case  in  other  regiments. 

The  kettle  drummers  and  trumpeters 
belonging  to  this  corps,  and  to  the  Life 
Guards,  being  household  troops,  have 
their  clothing  furnished  to  them  out  of  his 
Majesty's  wardrobe. 

BLUNDERBUSS,  (mousqueton,  Fr.) 
a  well-known  fire-arm,  consisting  of  a 
wide,  short,  but  very  large  bore,  capable 
of  holding  a  number  of  musket  or  pistol 
balls,  or  slugs  ;  very  fit  for  doing  great 
execution  in  a  croud,  making  good  a 
narrow  passage,  defending  the  door  of  a 
house,  staircase,  &c.  or  repelling  an  at- 
tempt to  board  a  ship. 

To  BOAR,)  with  horsemen.    A  horse 

To  BORE,  J  is  said  to  boar  or  bore, 
when  he  shoots  out  his  nose  as  high  as 
he  can. 

BOARD,  (conseil,  bureau,  departe- 
ment,  Fr.)  an  office  under  the  govern- 
ment, where  the  affairs  of  the  state  are 
transacted;  of  which  there  are  several 
sorts  in  England;  as  Board  of  Ordnance,, 
Board  of  Admiralty,  &c.  &c. 

BOAT.  See  Advice  Boat,  Pontoon- 
Boat,  &c. 


B  O  I 


(     55     ) 


BOL 


BOB-tail,  with  archers,  is  the  steel  of 
an  arrow  or  shaft,  which  is  small  breasted, 
and  large  towards  the  head. 

BODY,  {corps,  Fr.)  in  the  art  of  war, 
is  a  number  of  forces,  horse  or  foot, 
united  under  one  commander. 

Main  Body  of  an  army  sometimes 
means  the  troops  encamped  in  the  cen- 
ter between  the  two  wings,  and  gene- 
rally consists  of  infantry.  The  main 
body  on  a  march  signifies  the  whole  of 
the  army,  exclusive  of  the  van  and  rear- 
guard. 

Body  of  reserve.     See  Reserve. 

Body  of  a  place  is,  generally  speak- 
ing, the  buildings  in  a  fortified  town ; 
yet  the  inclosure  round  them  is  generally 
understood  by  it. 

BOETES  pour  les  rtjouissances,  Fr. 
small  guns,  made  of  wrought  or  cast 
iron,  which  are  laid  in  a  vertical  posi- 
tion, after  thev  have  been  loaded  with 
gunpowder,  and  then  plugged  up  with  a 
wooden  stopper.  These  guns  are  let  off, 
like  other  pieces  of  ordnance,  by  apply- 
ing the  match  to  the  bottom  of  the  box. 
The  train,  along  which  the  fire  is  con- 
veyed, consists  of  bran,  with  gunpowder 
at  the  top,  in  order  to  secure  the  latter 
from  moisture. 

Boete,  in  the  artillery,  an  instrument 
made  of  brass,  to  which  a  steel  temper- 
ed blade  is  attached,  with  which  the 
metal  in  a  cannon  is  diminished,  for  the 
purpose  of  widening  the  bore.  See 
Allizer. 

Boete,  ou  coffre,  Fr.  a  wooden  box, 
in  which  is  carried  the  gun-powder  for 
a  mine. 

BozTE-a-pierrier,  Fr.  a  hollow  cy- 
linder made  of  iron  or  copper,  which, 
when  loaded,  is  placed  in  a  mortar,  so 
that  an  immediate  communication  takes 
place  between  the  fuse  of  the  latter  and 
its  touch-hole,  and  it  is  propelled  to  the 
place  of  destination. 

Aller  au  BOIS,  Fr.  to  go  with  a  party 
of  men  for  the  purpose  of  procuring 
wood,  &c. 

Bors  de  rcmontage,  Fr.  every  species 
of  timber  which  is  used  to  new  mount 
cannon,  or  refit  ammunition  wagons, 
&c. 

Boxs  de  chauffage,  Fr.  the  fuel  which 
is  distributed  among  French  troops. 

Long  Boj  s,  Fr.  a  pike,  lance,  or  spear. 

Faire  de  tout  Bois  Jleches,  Fr.  figu- 
ratively, to  use  every  thing  that  turns 
to  one's  purpose.  Literally,  to  make 
arrows  out  of  every  sort  of  wood. 


Faire  haut  le  Bors,  Fr.  pikemen  are 
said  to  do  so,  when  they  stop  and  niaks 
a  stand,  advancing  their  pikes. 

L'ceil  tend  a  au  Bots,  Fr.  warily : 
watchfully;  alluding  to  a  bowman,  who 
keeps  his  eye  upon  the  wood  of  his  in- 
strument, when  he  takes  aim. 

BOISE,  Fr.  a  log,  or  great  piece  of 
timber;  more  particularly  a  brace  of 
timber. 

BOISSEAU,  Fr.  a  French  bushel, 
being  the  12th  part  of  a  septier,  and 
somewhat  less  than  our  London  peck 
and  a  half.  A  boisseau  of  wheat 
weighs  20  pounds;  our  peck  of  wheat- 
meal  14. 

BOISSEL  d'osier,  Fr.  a  weel  or  weerc 
of  ozier  twigs. 

BOISSIER,  Fr.  to  wainscot  walls, 
&c. 

BOISSIERE,  Fr.  a  hedge,  thicket,  or 
plot  of  box  trees. 

BOLT,  an  iron  pin  used  for  strength- 
ening a  piece  of  timber,  or  for  fastening 
two  or  more  articles  together.  Bolts 
in  gunnery,  being  of  several  sorts,  aoV 
mit  of  various  denominations,  which 
arise  from  the  specific  application  of 
them,  as 
Eye 
Joint 
Transom 
Bed 

Breeching 
Bracket 
Stool-bed 

8.  Garnish 

9.  Axle-tree 
10.  Bolster 

Bolts  of  iron  for  house-building  are 
distinguished  by  ironmongers  into  three 
kinds,  viz.  plate,  round,  and  spring  bolts. 
Plate  and  spring  bolts  are  used  for  the 
fastening  of  doors  and  windows.  Bound 
boltsare  long  iron  pins,  with  a  head  at  one 
end  and  a  key  hole  at  the  other. 

Prize-BoLTS,  with  gunners,  are  large 
knobs  of  iron  on  the  cheek  of  a  car- 
riage, which  prevent  the  handspike  from 
sliding,  when  it  is  poising  up  the  breech 
of  the  piece. 

Transom-Bons,  with  gunners,  are 
bolts  which  go  between  the  cheeks  of 
a  gun-carriage  to  strengthen  the  tran- 
soms. 

Traverse-BoLTS,  with  gunners,  two 
short  bolts  put  one  into  each  end  of  an 
English  mortar  carriage,  which  serve  to 
traverse  the  raoi  tar. 

Bracket-BoLTS,    with   gunners,   bolts 


1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 


>B0LTS. 


r>  o  m 


(  ™  ) 


13  O  M 


which  go   through  the  clieeks  of  a  mor- 
tar, and   by  tin-  help  of  the  coins  keep  it 
fixed  to  the  elevation  given  her. 
/  See  Siili.l. 
nnM],)('W.     See  Caisson. 

j  Vessels,  )  small  vessels,made 
\  Ketches,  \  very  strong,  with 
large  beams,  particularly  calculated  for 
i  hi  owing  shells  into  a  town,  castle,  or 
fortification,  from  13  to  10-inch  mor- 
tars, two  of  which  are  placed  on  hoard 
of  each  ship.  They  are  said  to  have  been 
invented  by  one  M.  Reyneau,  a  French- 
man, and  to  have  been  first  put  in  action 
at  the  bombardment  of  Algiers  in  1681  : 
till  then  it  had  been  judged  impracticable 
to  bombard  a  place  from  the  sea. 

Bomb  Tender,  a  small  vessel  of  war 
laden  with  ammunition  for  the  bomb 
ketch,  and  from  which  the  latter  is  con- 
stantly supplied.  The  ammunition  and 
stores  are  now  carried  in  the  bomb  ves- 
sel :  tenders  not  being  employed  in  that 
service. 

BOMB AlfD,  (bombarde,  Fr.)  an  an- 
cient piece  of  ordnance,  very  short,  and 
very  thick,  with  an  uncommon  large 
bore.  There  have  been  bombards 
which  have  thrown  a  ball  or  shell  of  S 
Bwt. :  they  made  use  of  cranes  to  load 
them.  The  Turks  use  some  of  them 
at  present. 

To  Bombard,  (bombarder,  Fr.)  See 
Bombarding. 

BOMBARDING,  )  the  act  of  as- 
BOMBARDMENT,  S  saulting  a  city 
or  fortress,  by  throwing  shells  into  it, 
in  order  to  set  fire  to,  and  ruin  the 
houses,  churches,  magazines,  &c.  and 
to  do  other  mischief.  As  one  of  the 
effects  of  the  shell  results  from  its 
weight,  it  is  never  discharged  as  a  ball 
from  a  cannon,  that  is,  by  pointing  it  at 
a  certain  object :  but  the  mortars  in 
England  are  fixed  at  an  elevation  of  45 
degrees;  that  is,  inclined  so  many  de- 
grees from  the  horizon,  that  the  shell 
describes  a  curve,  called  the  military 
projectile:  hence  a  mortar,  whose  trun- 
nions are  placed  at  the  breech,  can  have- 
no  point  blank  range.  I  am  of  opinion 
that  mortars  should  be  so  contrived, 
that  they  may  be  elevated  to  any- -degree 
iequired,  as  much  preferable  to'  those 
rixed  at  an  angle  of  45°;  because  shells 
should  never  be  thrown  at  that  angle  but 
in  one  single  case  only,  which  seldom 
happens;  that  is,  when  the  battery  is  so 
far  off,  that  they  cannot  otherwise  reach 
the  works:  for  when  shells  are  thrown 


from  the  trenches  into  the  works  of  a 
fortification,  or  from  the  town  into  the 
trenches,  they  should  have  as  little  ele- 
vation as  possible,  in  order  to  roll  along, 
and  not  bury  themselves;  whereby  the 
damage  they  do  and  the  terror  they 
cause  to  the  troops,  is  much  greater 
than  if  they  sink  into  the  ground.  On 
the  contrary,  when  shells  are  thrown 
upon  magazines,  or  any  other  buildings, 
with  an  intention  to  destroy  them,  the 
mortar  should  be  elevated  as  high  at 
possible,  that  the  shells  may  acquire  a- 
greater  force  in  their  fall.  Some  mor- 
tars (5{  inch  brass)  have  of  late  been 
constructed  to  fire  at  different  elevations, 
upon  brigadier-general  Lawson's  princi- 

pie. 

Shells  should  be  loaded  with  no  more 
powder  than  is  required  to  burst  them 
into  the  greatest  number  of  pieces,  and 
the  length  of  the  fuzes  should  be  exactly 
calculated  according  to  the  required 
ranges;  for,  should  the  fuze  set  fire  to 
the  powder  in  the  shell  before  it  fails  on 
the  place  intended,  the  shell  will  burst  in 
the  air,  and  propably  do  more  mischief 
to  those  who  fired  the  mortar,  than  to 
those  against  whom  it  was  discharged. 
To  prevent  this,  the  fuzes  arc  divided 
into  as  many  seconds  as  the  greatest 
range  requires,  consequently  may  be  cut 
to  any  distance,  at  an  elevation  of  45 
degrees. 

Mortars  are  not  to  be  fired  with  two 
fires;  for  when  the  fuze  is  properly 
fixed,  and  both  fuze,  and  shell  dredge' 
with  mealed  powder,  the  blast  of  the 
powder  in  the  chamber  of  the  mortar, 
when  inflamed  by  the  tube,  will  likewise 
set  fire  to  the  fuze  in  the  shell. 

BOMBARDIERS,  non-commissioned 
officer,  so  called  because  they  were 
chiefly  employed  in  mortar  and  howitzer 
duty.  They  are  to  load  them  on  all  oc- 
casions; and  in  most  services  they  load 
the  shells  and  grenades,  fix  the  fuzes, 
prepare  the  composition  both  for  fuzes 
and  tubes,  and  fire  both  mortars  and 
howitzers  on  every  occasion.  They  are 
also  employed  on  all  services  in  the  ar- 
tillery. In  the  English  service,  shells, 
grenades,  and  composition  for  the  same, 
fuzes,ccc.  are  prepared  in  the  Laboratory 
by  people  well  skilled  in  that  business. 

In  most  foreign  services,  both  officers 
and  soldiers  belonging  to  the  companies 
of  bombardiers  have  an  extraordinary 
pay,  ;^s  it  requires  more  mathematical 
learning  to  throw  shells  with  some  d»- 


BOO 


(     57     ) 


BOO 


gree  of  exactness,  than  is  requisite  for 
the  rest  of  the  artillery.  In  the  British 
service,  a  specific  number  is  attached  to 
each  company  of  artillery;  hut  they  flo 
not  form  a  separate  corps  as  in  other 
countries.^ 

BOM  BE,  ou  courbe,  Fr.  a  flat  portion 
of  a  circle,  such  as  is  made  upon  the 
base  of  an  equilateral  triangle,  whose 
center  is  the  angle  at  the  top. 

Bombe,  Fr.  timber  that  is  crooked, 
and  tit  for  crotches,  knees,  &c. 

BOMBELLES,  Fr.  diminutive  bombs 
or  shells,  which  are  used  against  a  be- 
sieged fortress,  or  for  the  purpose  of 
creating  confusion  among  a  body  of 
men. 

BOMBEMENT,  Fr.  curvity,  con- 
vexity, also  the  swelling  of  a  pillar. 

BOi\T,  Fr.  a  written  document  which 
always  precedes  the  signature  of  a  sove- 
reign or  a  minister,  and  by  which  some 
appointment  is  confirmed,  to  one  or 
more  persons. 

BONACE  or  BONNACE,  Fr.  calm 
weather,  with  a  serene  sky  and  smooth 
sea. 

BONAVOGLIE,  Fr.  a  man  that  for  a 
certain  consideration  voluntarily  en- 
gages to  row. 

BONDIR,  Fr.  to  bound;  to  fly  up  as 
a  cannon  ball  does.  It  is  also  applied  to 
a  horse  that  suddenly  leaps  forward. 

BONNET,  in  fortification,  implies  a 
small  but  useful  work,  that  greatly  an- 
noys the  enemy  in  his  lodgments. 
This  work  consists  of  two  faces,  which 
make  a  salient  angle  in  the  nature  of  a 
ravelin,  without  any  ditch,  having  only  a 
parapet  three  feet  high,  and  10  or  12 
feet  broad.  They  are  made  at  the  sa- 
lient angles  of  the  glacis,  outworks,  and 
body  of  the  place,  beyond  the  counter- 
scarp, and  in  the  faussebray.  See  For- 
tification. 

Bonnet,  a  sort  of  cap  which  is  worn 
by  the  Highlanders,  hence  called  Bon- 
net-men. 

Bonnet  a  Frttre,  or  Priest's-cap, 
in  fortification,  is  an  outwork,  having 
three  salient  and  two  inward  angles,  and 
differs  from  the  double  tenaille  only  in 
having  its  sides  incline  inwards  towards 
the  gorge,  and  those  of  a  double  tenaille 
are  parallel  to  each  other.  See  Forti- 
fication. 

Bonnet  defer,  Fr.  an  iron  scull,  a 
sal  lad. 

BOOKS.  There  are  different  books 
made  use  of  in  the  British  army,  for  the 


specific  purposes  of  general   and   regi- 
mental economy. 

The  general  order  book  is  kept  by  the 
brigade  major,  from  which  the  leading 
oiders  of  regiments,  conveying  the  pa- 
role and  countersign,  are  always  taken. 

The  regimental  order  book  contains 
the  peculiar  instructions  of  corps  which 
are  given  by  a  colonel  or  commanding 
officerto  the  adjutant — Hence  adjutant's 
order  book. — And  from  him  to  the 
serjeant-major,  who  delivers  the  same 
to  the  different  Serjeants  of  companies 
assembled  in  the  orderly  room  for  that 
purpose.  Hence  the  company's  order 
book. 

The  regimental  book  is  kept  by  the 
clerk  of  the  regiment,  and  contains 
all  the  records,  &c.  belonging  to  the 
corps. 

The  black  book  is  a  sort  of  memoran- 
dum which  is  kept  in  every  regiment  to 
describe  the  character  and  c  induct  of 
non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers; 
when,  and  how  often,  they  have  been  re^ 
duceri,or  punished,  &c. 

Every  quarter-master  belonging  to  the 
cavalry  and  infantry  has  likewise  a  book 
which  may  not  improperly  be  called  a 
book  or  inventory  of  regimental  stores, 
&c.  A  black  bonk,  is  kept  in  the  adju- 
tant-general's office  in  Dublin,  so  that 
the  commander  in  chief  can  always 
know  the  state  or  condition  of  each  re- 
giment in  that  country,  with  respect  to 
its  interior  management.  This  system 
ought  to  he  general. 

Time  book.  A  book  which  is  usually 
kept  at  public  offices  in  order  to  ascer- 
tain the  exact  time  at  which  the  clerks, 
Cv'c.  make  their  appearance,  particularly 
at  the  War-Office. 

Quarter  book.  A  book  kept  in  the 
Office  of  Ordnance,  which  contains  the 
names  of  such  officers,  and  such  salaries 
only,  as  have  been  sanctioned  by  his 
Majesty's  warrants. 

Practice  book.  A  book  containing 
the  weight,  range,  &c.  of  cannon;  and 
also  the  manner  of  exercising  with 
pieces  of  artillery.  Every  officer  be- 
longing to  the  royal  artillery  ought  to 
have  a  book  of  practice. 

Regimental  court-martial  book.  This 
book  contains  the  names  of  the  soldiers 
who  have  been  tried  since  the  date  of 
the  last  inspection  of  a  regiment,  stat- 
i  ing  the  crime  lor  which  each  man  has 
been  tried;  the  punishment  awarded, 
and  i  he  punishment  inflicted. 
•         I 


BOS 


(    58    ) 


BOU 


Description  book.  This  book  is  like- 
wise called  regimental  book. 

BOOM,  in  marine  fortilication,  is  a 
long  piece  of  timber,  with  which  rivers 
or  harbours  are  stopped,  to  prevent  the 
enemy's  coining  in  :  it  is  sometimes  done 
by  a  cable  or  chain,  and  floated  wiih 
yards,  top-masts,  or  spars  of  wood  lash- 
ed to  it. 

BOOTS,  a  familiar  term  used  in  the 
British  service.  It  means  the  youngest 
officer  at  a  regimental  mess,  and  takes 
its  origin,  most  probably,  from  what  is 
generally  called  Boots  at  an  inn. 

BORDAGE,  I V.  the  planks  of  a  ship's 
side. 

Franc  Bordace,  Fr.  the  outside 
planks. 

BORDE  E  de  canon,  Fr.  a  broadside, 
or  all  the  guns  on  one  side  of  a  ship. 

BORDER,  in  military  drawings,  im- 
plies single  or  double  lines,  or  any  other 
ornament,  round  a  drawing,  &c. 

BORDER,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense,  to 
line:  as  Border  la  cole,  to  line  the  coast. 

BORDEREAU,  Fr.  a  sort  of  diary 
which  is  kept  in  a  troop  or  company,  for 
the  purpose  of  ascertaining  what  arti- 
cles have  been  distributed,  and  what 
jnonev  lias  been  paid  to  the  soldiers. 

BORDERERS(King'sown.)  The  25th 
regiment  is  so  called;  from  the  regiment 
having  originally  been  stationed  on  the 
boundaries  of  Scotland. 

BORDURE,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a 
profile  in  relievo,  which  is  either  oval  or 
round.  When  it  is  square,  it  is  called 
cadre,  and  serves  to  frame  a  picture  or 
pannel. 

Bordure  de  pave,  Fr.  the  curb  stone 
on  each  side  of  a  paved  road. 

BORE,  in  gunnery,  implies  the  cavity 
of  the  barrel  of  a  gun,  mortar,  howitzer, 
or  any  other  piece  of  ordnance.  See 
Cannon. 

BORNE,  Fr.  a  stone  stud,  which  is 
placed  at  the  corner  of,  or  before,  a 
wall,  to  secure  it  against  wagons,  &c. 

Borne,  Fr.  limit;  bound. 

BORNOYER,  Fr.  to  ascertain  the 
straight ness  of  a  line,  by  looking  with 
one  eye  through  three  or  more  stakes 
or  poles,  in  order  to  erect  a  wall,  or 
plant  a  row  of  trees. 

BOSCAGE,  ^  a  term  in  architecture, 

BOSS  AGE,  $  used  for  any  stone  that 
has  a  pmjeeture,  and  is  laid  in  a  place, 
in  a  building,  lineal,  to  be  afterwards 
carved  into  mouldings,  capitals,  coats  of 
arms,  &c 


Bossage  is  also  that  which  is  other- 
wise called  rustic  work. 

Bossage  en  liaison,  Fr.  that  which  re- 
presents the  squares  and  stones  laid 
cros,s-wavs. 

BOSSE,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  artillery  to  express  a  glass  bottle 
which  is  very  thin,  contains  four  or  five 
pounds  of  powder,  and  round  the  neck 
of  which  four  or  five  matches  are  hung 
under,  after  it  has  been  well  corked.  A 
cord,  two  or  three  feet  in  length,  is  tied 
to  the  bottle,  which  serves  to  throw  it. 
The  instant  the  bottle  breaks,  the  pow- 
der catches  fire,  and  every  thing  within 
the  immediate  effects  of  the  explosion  is 
destroyed,  or  injured. 

Bosse,  Fr.  a  small  knob  or  emboss- 
ment, which  is  left  on  the  dressing  of  a 
stone,  to  shew  that  the  dimensions  have 
not  been  toised,  and  which  the  work- 
man pares  off  when  he  finishes. 
BO  ITER,  Fr.  to  boot. 
BOTTINE,  Fr.  half  boots  worn  by 
the  hussars  and  dragoons  in  foreign 
armies. 

BOUCHE,     Fr.     the     aperture     or 
mouth  of  a  piece  of  ordnance,  &c. 
Bouche,  Fr.  the  king's  kitchen. 
BOUCAES  a  feu,  Fr.     This  word  is 
generally  used  to  signify  pieces  of  ord- 
nance, such  as  cannon  and  mortars. 

Grosse  Bouche  a  feu,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
heavy  ordnance. 

Petite  Bouche  a  feu,  Fr.  a  carbine, 
musket,  or  pistol. 

BOUCHERS  d'une  armie,  Fr.  This 
term  is  sometimes  used  among  the 
French,  to  signify  the  persons  who  con- 
tract with  the  quarter-master  general's 
department  for  a  regular  supply  of 
meat. 

BOUCHON  d'etoupe,  de  Join,  de 
paille,  Fr.  the  wad  of  a  cannon,  made 
of  tow,  hay,  straw,  &c. 

Un  port  BOUCLE,  Fr.  a  land-locked 
harbour. 

BOULANGERIE,  Fr.  a  bakery; 
the  spot  where  bread  is  baked  for  an 
army,  or  where  biscuits  are  made  at  a 
sea-port. 

BOULANGERS,  Fr.  bakers.  Per- 
sons of  this  description  are  generally  at- 
tached to  armies. 

BOVLDER-u  alls,  a  kind  of  wall 
which  is  built  with  round  flints,  or 
pebbles,  laid  in  strong  mortar.  These 
walls  are  chiefly  used  where  the  sea  has 
a  beach  cast  up,  or  where  there  is  plenty 
of  flints. 


BOU 


(     69     ) 


BOW 


BOULER  la  mutitre,  Fr.  to  stir  up  inhabitants  which  consists   of  respect- 


the  different  metals  which  are  used  in 
casting  cannon. 

BOULETS  a  deux  tites,  ou  anges,  Fr. 
double  headed  shot. 

Boulets  enchaints,Yr.  chain-shot. 

Boulets  ramis,  Fr.  barred-shot. 

Boulets  rouges,  Fr.  red -hot  shot. 

BOULEVART,  Fr.  formerly  meant 
a  bastion.  It  is  no  longer  used  as  a  mi- 
litary phrase,  although  it  sometimes  oc 


able  tradesmen  who  are  united  among 
themselves,  and,  in  moments  of  danger, 
learn  military  movements,  and  turn  out 
as  volunteers  for  the  security  of  their 
rights,  &c. 

BOURGUIGNOTE,  Fr.  a  helmet  or 
morion  which  is  usually  worn  with  a 
breast-plate.  It  is  proof  against  pikes 
and  swords.    It  is  also  called  a  Cabosset. 

BOURRADE,  Fr.  a  thrust  which  is 


curs  in  the  description  of  works  or  lines  I  made  with  the  barrel  end  of  the  musket 
which  cover  a  whole  country,  and  pro-    instead  of  the  butt. 


tect  it  from  the  incursions  of  an  enemy. 
Thus  Strasburgh  and  Landau  may  be 
called  two  principal  boulevarts  or  bul- 
warks, by  which  France  is  protected  on 
this  side  of  the  Rhine. 

The  elevated  line,  or  rampart,  which 
reaches  from  the  Champs  Elysees  in 
Paris  beyond  the  spot  where  the  Bas- 
tille was  destroyed  in  1789, and  surrounds 
Paris,  is  styled  the  Boulevart. 

In  ancient  times,  when  the  Romans 
attacked  any  place,  they  raised  boule- 
varts near  the  circumference  of  the 
walls.  These  boulevarts  were  80  feet 
high,  300  feet  broad,  upon  which  wood- 
en towers  commanding  the  ramparts 
were  erected,  covered  on  all  sides  with 
iron-work,  and  from  which  the  besiegers 
threw  upon  the  besieged  stones,  darts, 
(ire-works,  &c.  to  facilitate  the  ap- 
proaches of  the  archers  and  battering 
rams. 

BOULINER,  Fr.  to  pilfer.  Bouliner 
dans  un  camp,  to  steal  or  pilfer  in  a 
camp.  Un  soldat  boulineur,  a  soldier 
that  plunders. 

BOULINS,  Fr.  pieces  of  timber 
which  are  fastened  into  walls  in  order 
to  erect  a  scaffold. 

XVoms  <&rBouLiNS,Fr.scaffoldingholes. 

BOULON,  Fr.  an  iron  bolt. 

BOULONNER,  Fr.  to  fasten  with 
an  iron  bolt. 

BOULONS  d'afut,  Fr.  the  bolts  of 
the  gun-carriage. 

BOUNTY,  a  certain  sum  of  money 
which  is  given  to  men  who  enlist. 

FmA-BouNTY,  money  given  to  a 
soldier  when  he  continues  in  the  ser- 
vice after  the  expiration  of  the  term  for 
which  he  enlisted. 

BOU  RE,  Fr.     See  Mousse. 

BOURGEOIS,  Fr.  the  middle  order 
of  people  in  a  town  are  so  called,  to 
distinguish  them  from  the  military  and 
nobility. 

BOURGEOISIE,  Fr.   that  class  of 


BOURRE,  Fr.  a  wad. 

BOURRELET,  Fr.  the  extremity  of 
a  piece  of  ordnance  towards  its  mouth. 
Bourrelet  means  likewise  a  pad  or  collar. 

BOURRER,  Fr.  to  ram  the  wad  or 
any  other  materials  into  the  barrel  of  a 
fire-arm. 

Bourrer  une  mine,  Fr.  to  fill  up 
the  gallery  of  a  mine  with  earth,  stones, 
&c. 

BOURRIQUET,  Fr.  a  basket  made 
use  of  in  mining,  to  draw  up  the  earth, 
and  to  let  down  whatever  may  be  ne- 
cessary for  the  miner. 

BOURSEAU,  Fr.  in  architectures 
round  moulding  upon  the  ridge  of  lead, 
on  the  top  of  a  house  that  is  slated. 

BOUSIN,  Fr.  soft  crust  of  stones 
taken  out  of  the  quarry. 

BOUSSOLE,  Fr.  a  compass,  which 
every  miner  must  be  in  possession  of  to 
direct  him  in  his  work. 

BOUTE-SELLE,  Fr.  the  signal  or 
word  which  is  given  to  the  cavalry  to 
saddle  their  horses. 

BOUTON,  Fr.  the  sight  of  a  musket. 

BOW,  an  ancient  weapon  of  offence, 
made  of  steel,  wood,  or  other  elastic 
matter;  which,  after  being  bent  by 
means  of  a  string  fastened  to  its  two 
ends,  in  returning  to  its  natural  state 
throws  out  an  arrow  with  prodigious 
force. 

The  use  of  the  bow  is,  without  all 
doubt,  of  the  earliest  antiquity.  It  has 
likewise  been  the  most  universal  of  all 
weapons,  having  obtained  amongst  the 
most  barbarous  and  remote  people,  who 
had  the  least  communication  with  the 
rest  of  mankind. 

The  bow  is  a  weapon  of  offence 
amongst  the  inhabitants  of  Asia,  Africa, 
and  America,  at  this  day;  and  in  Eu- 
rope, before  the  invention  of  fire-arms,  a 
part  of  the  infantry  was  armed  with 
bows.  Lewis  XII.  first  abolished  the 
use  of  bows  in  France,  introducing,  in 
J  2 


BOY 


(     60     ) 


BRA 


their  stead,  the  halhert,  pike,  and  broad-' 
sword.  The  long-bow  was  formerly  in 
great  use  in  England,  and  many  laws 
were  made  t'>  encourage  tlie  practice 01  it. 
Tlie  parliament  under  Henry  VII.  com- 
plaints! of  tlie  disuse  of  long-bows, 
heretofore  the  safeguard  and  defence  of 
this  kingdom,  and  the  dread  and  terror 
of  its  enemies. 

Cross  How  is  likewise  an  ancient 
weapon  uf  offence,  of  the  eleventh  cen- 
tury. Philip  II.  surnamed  the  Con- 
queror, introduced  cross-hows  into 
f ranee.  In  this  reign  Richard  I.  of 
l'.n  land,  '•  s  killed  liy  a  cross-bow  at 
tl.e  siege  of  Chalus. 

1j()v\  MAN.     See  Archer. 

BOWYER,    the   man  who  made  o: 
repaired  the  military  bows  was  SO  called. 

BOXES,  in  military  affairs,  are  of 
several  sorts,  and  for  various  purposes. 

A  cutting  B>x,  a  box  wherein  chop- 
ped straw  and  cut  hay  may  he  kept. 
F.ve-y  troop  of  cavalry  intended  for 
service  or  parade,  ought  to  have  a  cut- 
ting box  I  elodging  to  it,  and  one  man 
constantly  employed,  all  day,  at  it  in 
chopping  hay,  straw,  &c.  Forage  of  all 
kinds  should  lie  cut  and  mixed  together. 
Among  the  G  rmans,  every  trooper 
carries  a  double  feed  of  chopped  straw 
and  corn  mingled  together,  which  is 
never  touched  hut  by  express  order  of 
the  commanding  officer. 

Battery-BoxES.     See  Battery. 

Cartpuch-llox.ES.     See  Cartouch. 

AViT-Boxes  arc  made  of  iron,  and 
fastened  one  at  each  end  of  the  navej  to 
prevent  the  arms  of  the  axle-tree,  about 
which  the  boxes  turn,  from  causing  too 
much  friction. 

I^b-Boxes,  such  as  are  filled  with 
small  shot  For  grape,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  gun  they  are  to  he  fired  out  of. 

/foot/- Boxes,  with  lids,  for  holding 
grape-shot,  &c.  Each  calibre  has  its 
own,  distinguished  by  marks  of  the  cali- 
bre on  the  lid. 

There  are  wooden  boxes  which  con- 
tain ammunition  carried  upon  the  lim- 
hers  and  cars  for  field  ordnance;  also 
boxes  to  contain  the  reserve  ammuni- 
tion as  it  conies  from  the  Laboratory. 
The  shot,  shells,  cartridges,  &c.  are 
packed  in  these  boxes,  according  to  their 
natures  and  descriptions,  so  as  to  prevent 
any  confusion;  and  the  ends  of  the  boxes 
are  marked  in  letters  to  shew  what  they 
contain. 

BOYAUj  in  fortification,  is  a  particu- 


lar trench  separated  from  the  others, 
which,  in  winding  about,  incloses  dif- 
ferent spaces  of  ground,  and  runs  pa- 
rallel with  the  works  of  the  place,  that 
it  may  not  be  enfiladed.  When  two  at- 
tacks are  made  at  once,  one  near  to  the 
other,  the  boyau  makes  a  communica- 
tion between  the  trenches,  and  serves  as 
a  line  of  contravallation,  not  only  to 
hinder  the  sallies  of  the  besieged,  but 
likewise  to  secure  the  miners. 

BUACES,  in  a  military  sense,  are  a 
kind  of  armour  for  the  arm:  they  were 
formerly  a  part  of  a  coat  of  mail.  'I  he 
straps  which  are  worn  across  the  shoul- 
ders, in  order  to  suspend  the  breeches, 
are  also  called  Braces. 

BRACKETS,  in  gunnery,  are  the 
cheeks  of  the  travelling  carnage  of  guns 
and  howitzers;  they  are  made  of  strong 
wooden  planks.  This  name  is  some- 
times given  to  that  part  of  a  large  mor- 
tar-hed,  where  the  trunnions  are  placed, 
for  the  elevation  of  the  mortar:  they 
are  sometimes  made  of  wood,  and  more 
frequently  of  iron,  of  almost  a  semi- 
circular figure,  well  fastened  with  nails 
and  strong  plates. 

BRACONS,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  small 
stakes  of  wood  which  are  assembled 
with  the  cross-beams  in  the  Hood-gates 
of  large  sluices. 

BRADS,  a  kind  of  nails  used  in 
building,  which  have  no  spreading 
heads,  as  other  nails  have.  They  are 
distinguished  by  ironmongers  in  the 
following  manner:  joiners'  brads,  floor- 
ing brads,  bntten  brads,  bill  brads  or 
quarter  heads}  &c. 

BRAGUE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  mortoise,  or 
joining  of  pieces  together. 

BRANCARD  ou  civiere,  Fr.  a  hand- 
barrow,  or  litter.  This  word  literally 
means  shaft.  It  is  sometimes  used  as  a 
machine  to  carry  sick  or  wounded  sol- 
diers upon.  The  difference  between 
brancard  and  civiere  is  that  the  first  is 
only  a  frame;  and  the  second,  being 
bo.ude  1  inside, and  raised  round,  it  can  be 
used  for  the  conveyance  of  earth,  sand,  &c. 

BRAN  (ill-:,  Fr.  branch.  This  word 
is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  covert-way, 
ditch,  horn-works,  and  to  every  part  of 
a  fortification,  and  signifies  the  long 
sides  of  the  different  works  which  sur- 
round a  fortified  town  or  camp.  See 
Mine  and  Gallery. 

Branche  d'un  prqjet  de  guerre,  of- 
fensive ou  defensive,  Fr.  This  term 
comprehends    the  various  designs  and 


B  R  E 


(     61     ) 


B  R  I 


means  which  are  embraced   to  carry  01 
offensive  or  defensive  measures. 

Branche  de  riviere,  Fr.  a  branch  of 
a  river. 

Brunche  also  signifies,  as  with  us,  the 
various  divisions  of  a  department,  as 
civil  and  military  branches. 

BRAND,  an  ancient  term  for  a 
sword  ;  so  called  by  the  Saxons. 

BRANDINS,  Fr.     See  Chevrons. 

BRAQUEMART,  Fr.  a  broad  short 
sword,  which  is  usually  worn  on  the  let' 
side,  and  is  properly  a  cutlass. 

BRAQUER,  Fr.  to  bring  up  any 
thins,  so  that  it  may  be  used  immedi- 
ately: hence  Braquer  le  canon,  to  bring 
cannon  to  bear. 

BRAS  de  mer,  Fr.  an  arm  of  the  sea. 

BRASSER  la  matiere,  Fr.  to  mix  the 
different  ingredients  which  are  required 
for  the  making  of  gunpowder  or  other 
combustible  matter. 

BRASSARTS,JV.thin  plates  of  beaten 
iron  which  were  anciently  used  to  cover 
the  arms  above  the  coat  of  mail. 

BRAVOURE,  Fr.  According  to  the 
author  of  the  French  Military  Dictionary, 
this  word  signifies  any  act  of  courage  and 
valour  by  which  the  enterprizing  cha- 
racter of  a  man  is  distinguished. 

BRAYETTE,  Fr.  See  Torre  cor- 
rompu. 

BRAZING,  the  soldering  or  joining 
two  pieces  of  iron,  by  means  of  thin 
plates  of  brass  melted  between  the  two 
pieces  to  be  joined. 

BREACH,  (brtche,  Fr.)  a  gap,  or 
opening,  in  any  part  of  the  works  of 
a  fortified  place,  made  by  the  artillery 
or  mines  of  the  besiegers,  preparatory  to 
the  making  of  an  assault. 

A  practicable  Breach,  (brtche  prac- 
ticable, Fr.)  an  opening  made  into  the 
wall  of  a  fortified  place,  through  which 
soldiers  may  enter. 

To  repair  a  Breach,  to  stop  or  fill  up 
the  gap  with  gabions,  fascines,  &c.  and 
prevent  the  assault. 

To  fortify  a  Breach,  to  render  it  in- 
accessible  with  chevaux-de-frize,  crow's- 
feet,  &c. 

To  make  a  lodgment  in  the  Breach. 
After  i he  besieged  are  driven  away,  the 
besieiieis  secure  themselves  against  any 
future  attack  in  the  breach. 

To  clear  the  Breach,  to  remove  the 
ruins,  that  it  may  be  the  better  defended. 

BREAK-o/^  a  term  used  when  ca- 
valry is  ordered  to  diminish  its  front — 
similar  to   rile-off  in  the  infantry.     It  is 


also  used  to  signify  wheeling  from  line; 
as  break  iNG-off  to  the  left,  for  wheeling 
to  the  left. 

To  Break-o^  (rompre,  discontinuer, 
Fr.)  also  signifies  to  desist  suddenly:  as 
to  BfiEAK-o/f  negociations. 

To  Break  a  horse,  (dresser  un  cheval, 
Fr.)  to  render  a  horse  manageable. 

To  tinEAh-ground,  (ouvrir  la  tranchte, 
Fr.)  to  make  the  first  openingof  the  earth 
to  form  entrenchments,  as  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  siege.  It  applies  also 
to  the  sti iking  of  tents,  and  quitting  the 
ground  on  which  any  troops  had  been 
encamped. 

BREAST-PLATE,  a  piece  of  defen- 
sive armour  worn  on  the  breast. 

BREAST-ziw/r.     See  Parapet. 

BRECHE,  Fr.  any  opening  which  is 
made  by  force.  It  is  also  used  among  the 
French,  to  signify  a  successful  charge 
upon  a  bodv  of  men. 

BREECH  of  a  gun,  the  end  near  the 
vent.     See  Cannon. 

BRETESQUE,  Fr.  a  public  place 
in  a  town  wherein  proclamations  are 
usually  made;  also  a  port  or  portal  of 
defence  in  the  rampart,  or  wall  of  a 
town. 

BRETESSE,  Fr.  embattled;  garnish- 
ed or  furnished  with  battlements. 

BRETESSE,  Fr.  the  battlement  of 
a  wall. 

B  REVET- rarc/c  is  a  rank  in  the  army 
higher  than  that  for  which  pay  is  re- 
ceived. It  gives  precedence  (when  corps 
are  brigaded)  according  to  the  date  of 
the  brevet  commission. 

The  Brevet,  a  term  used  to  express 
general  promotion,  by  which  a  given 
number  of  officers  are  raised  from  the 
rank  of  captain,  upwards,  without  any 
additional  pav,  until  they  reach  the  rank 
of  major-general;  when,  by  a  late  regula- 
tion, they  become  entitled  to  a  quarterly 
allowance. 

BREVET,  Fr.  commission,  appoint- 
ment. All  otiicers  in  the  old  French 
service,  from  a  cornet  or  sub-lieutenant 
up  to  a  marshal  of  J7ance,were  styled  of- 
ficiers  a  brevet. 

Brev  ets  d'assurance  ou  de  retenued'ar- 
gcnt,  Fr.  certain  military  and  civil  ap- 
pointments  granted  by  the  old  kings  of 
France,  which  were  distinguished  from 
other  places  of  trust,  in  as  much  as  every 
successor  was  obliged  to  pay  a  certain 
sum  of  money  to  the  heirs  of  the  de- 
ceased, or  for  the  discharge  of  his  debts. 

BRICKS,  substances  composed  of  an 


B  R  I 


(     62     ) 


B  R  I 


enrthv  matter,  which  are  hardened  by 
art :  they  may  be  very  well  considered 
as  artificial  stcne.  Bricks  are  of  very 
great  antiquity,  as  appears  from  sacred 
history,  the  Tower  of  Babel  being  built 
with  them;  and  it  is  said  the  remains  are 
still  visible.  The  Greeks  and  Romans, 
&c.  generally  used  bricks  in  their  build- 
ings, witness  the  Pantheon,  &c.  In  the 
east  they  baked  their  bricks  in  the  sun. 
The  Romans  used  them  unburst,  having 
first  left  them  to  dry  in  the  air  for  three, 
four,  or  five  years. 

The  best  bricks  must  not  be  made  of 
any  earth  that  is  full  of  sand  or  gravel, 
nor  of  such  as  is  gritty  or  stony;  but  of 
a  greyish  marie,  or  whitish  chalky  clay, 
or  at  least  of  reddish  earth.  But  if 
there  is  a  necessity  to  use  that  which  is 
sandy,  choice  should  be  made  of  that 
which  is  tough  and  strong. 

The  best  season  for  making  bricks  is 
the  spring;  because  they  will  be  subject 
to  crack,  and  be  full  of  chinks,  if  made 
in  the  summer :  the  loam  should  he 
well  steeped  or  soaked,  and  wrought 
with  water.  They  are  shaped  in  a  mould, 
and,  after  some  drying  in  the  sun  or 
air,  are  burnt  to  a  hardness.  This  is 
our  manner  of  making  bricks;  but  whe- 
ther they  were  always  made  in  this  man- 
ner admits  a  doubt.  We  are  not  clear 
what  was  the  use  of  straw  in  the  bricks 
for  building  in  Egypt,  or  why  in  some 
parts  of  Germany  they  mix  saw-dust  in 
their  clay  for  bricks. 

We  are  in  general  tied  down  by  cus- 
tom to  one  form,  and  one  size;  which 
is  truly  ridiculous :  8  or  9  inches  in 
length,  and  4  in  breadth,  is  our  general 
measure  :  but  beyond  doubt  there  might 
be  other  forms,  and  other  sizes,  intro- 
duced very  advantageously.  Bricks,  with- 
out any  particular  form  or  shape,  are 
used  in  the  north  of  England  to  make 
up  the  public  roads,  &c.  particularly 
those  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Sheffield, 
Wakefield,  and  Leeds. 

Compass  Bricks  are  of  acircular  form; 
their  use  is  for  steening  of  walls;  we  have 
also  concave,  and  semi-cylindrical,  used 
for  different  purposes. 

Grey-Stocks  are  made  of  the  purest 
earth,  and  better  wrought:  they  are  used 
in  front  in  building,  being  the  strongest 
and  handsomest  of  this  kind. 

P/We-BtucKS  are  made  of  the  same 
tarth,  or  worse,  with  a  mixture  of  dirt 
fro.ii  the  streets,  and  being  carelessly 
put  out  of  hand,  are  therefore  weaker 


and  more  biittle,  and  are  only  used  out 
of  sight,  and  where  little  stress  is  laid  on 
them. 

Red-Stocks  are  made  of  a  particular 
earth,  well  wrought,  and  little  injured  by 
mixture:  they  are  used  in  fine  work,  and 
ornaments. 

Hcdgcrlcy-TlRiCKS  are  made  of  a  yel- 
lowish coloured  loam,  very  hard  to  the 
touch,  containing  a  great  quantity  of 
sand  :  their  particular  excellence  is,  that 
they  will  bear  the  greatest  violence  of 
fire  without  hurt. 

BRIDGES,  in  military  affairs,  are  of 
several  sorts  and  denominations,  viz. 

Rkj/i-Bridges  are  made  of  large 
bundles  of  rushes,  bound  fast  together, 
over  which  planks  are  laid,  and  fas- 
tened: these  are  put  in  marshy  places, 
for  the  army  to  pass  over  on  any  emer- 
gency. 

Pendant  or  hanging  Bridges  are 
those  not  supported  by  posts,  pillars,  or 
hutments,  but  hung  at  large  in  the  air, 
sustained  only  at  the  two  ends. 

Diaw-B  ridge,  that  which  is  fastened 
with  hinges  at  one  end  only,  so  that  the 
other  may  be  drawn  up  (in  which  case 
the  bridge  is  almost  perpendicular)  to 
hinder  the  passage  of  a  ditch,  &c. — 
There  are  others  made  to  draw  back 
and  hinder  the  passage ;  and  some  that 
open  in  the  middle;  one  half  of  which 
turns  away  on  one  side,  and  the  other 
half  to  the  other,  and  both  again  join  at 
pleasure. 

F/i/ing-BRivcz  is  generally  made  of 
two  small  bridges,  laid  one  over  the 
other,  in  such  a  manner  that  the  upper- 
most stretches  out  by  the  help  of  certain 
cords  running  through  pullies  placed 
along  the  sides  of  the  upper  bridge, 
which  push  it  forwards,  till  the  end  of  it 
joins  the  place  it  is  intended  to  be  fixed 
on.  They  are.  frequently  used  to  sur- 
prise works,  or  out-posts,  that  have  only 
narrow  ditches. 

Bridge  of  boats  is  a  number  of 
common  boats  joined  parallel  to  each 
other,  at  the  distance  of  6"  feet,  till  they 
reach  across  the  river;  which  being 
covered  with  strong  planks,  and  fastened 
with  anchors  and  ropes,  the  troops  march 
over. 

Bridge  of  communication  is  that  made 
over  a  river,  by  which  two  armies,  or 
forts,  which  are  separated  by  that  river, 
have  a  free  communication  with  one 
another. 

Floating-BmoGZ,  abridge  resembling 


B  R  I 


(     63     ) 


B  R  I 


«  work  in  fortification,  which  is  called 
a  redoubt;  consisting  of  two  boats 
covered  with  planks,  that  are  solidly 
framed,  so  as  to  bear  either  horse  or 
artillery.  Bridges  of  this  kind  are  fre- 
quently used. 

Poh/om-Bridge,  a  number  of  tin  or 
copper  boats  placed  at  the  distance  of  7 
or  8  feet  asunder,  each  fastened  with 
an  anchor,  or  a  strong  rope  that  goes 
across  the  river,  running  through  the 
rings  of  the  pontons.  They  are  covered 
with  baulks,  and  then  with  chesses  or 
pianks,  for  the  army  to  walk  over.  See 
Ponton. 

Cask,  or  Barrel  Bridge,  a  number 
of  empty  casks  that  support  baulks  and 
planks,  made  as  above  into  a  bridge, 
where  pontons,  &c.  are  wanting.  Ex- 
perience has  taught  us  that  5  tuns  of 
empty  casks  will  support  above  water 
9000  pounds:  hence  any  calculation  may 
be  made. 

Bridges  are  made  of  carpentry  or 
masonry.  The  number  of  arches  of  a 
bridge  is  generally  made  odd;  either 
that  the  middle  of  the  stream  or  chief 
current  may  flow  freely  without  inter- 
ruption of  a  pier;  or  that  the  two 
halves  of  the  bridge,  bv  gradually  rising 
from  the  ends  to  the  middle,  may  there 
meet  in  the  highest  and  largest  arch  ; 
or  else,  for  the  sake  of  grace,  that 
being  open  in  the  middle,  the  eye  in 
observing  it  may  look  directly  through, 
as  we  always  expect  to  do  in  looking 
at  it;  and  without  which  opening  we 
generally  feel  a  disappointment  in  view- 
ing it. 

If  the  bridge  be  equally  high  through- 
out, the  arches,  being  all  of  a  height, 
are  made  of  one  size,  which  causes  a 
great  saving  of  centering.  If  the  bridge 
be  higher  in  the  middle  than  at  the 
ends,  let  the  arches  decrease  from  the 
middle  towards  each  end,  but  so  that 
each  half  have  the  arches  exactly  alike, 
and  that  they  decrease  in  span  propor- 
tionally to  their  height,  so  as  to  be  al- 
ways the  same  kind  of  figure.  Bridges 
should 


of  which  is  highly  spoken  of;  the  model  ie 
at  the  Office  of  Ordnance,  in  Pall-Mail. — 
Bridges  have  sometimes  been  built  in 
commemoration  of  great  battles,  such  as 
those  of  Jena,  Austerlitz,  &e.  in  Paris. 

Names  of  all  the  Terms  peculiar  to 
Bridges,  fyc. 

Abutment.     See  But  merit. 

Arch,  an  opening  of  a  bridge,  through 
or  under  which  the  water,  &c.  passes, 
and  which  is  supported  by  piers  or  hut- 
ments. Arches  are  denominated  cir- 
cular, elliptical,  cycloids),  caternarian, 
equilibria!,  gothic,  &c.  according  to  their 
figure  or  curve. 

Archivolt,  the  curve  or  line  formed 
by  the  upper  sides  of  the  voussoirs  or 
arch-stones.  It  is  parallel  to  the  intra- 
dos  or  under  side  of  the  arch,  when  the 
voussoirs  are  all  of  the  same  length: 
otherwise  not. 

By  the  archivolt  is  also  sometimes  un- 
derstood the  whole  set  of  voussoirs. 

Banquet,  the  raised  foot-path  at  the 
sides  or  the  bridge  next  the  parapet. 

Battardeau,  or  }  a  case  of  piling,  &c. 

Coffer-dam,  $  without  a  bottom, 
fixed  in  the  river,  water-tight,  or  nearly 
so,  in  order  to  lay  the  bottom  dry  for 
a  space  large  enough  to  build  the  pier 
on.  When  it  is  fixed,  its  sides  reaching 
above  the  level  of  the  water,  the  water 
is  pumped  out  of  it,  or  drawn  off  by 
engines,  &c.  till  the  space  be  dry:  and 
it  is  kept  so  by  the  same  means,  until 
the  pier  is  built  up  in  it,  and  then  the 
materials  of  it  are  drawn  up  again. 
Battardeaux  are  made  in  various  man- 
ners, either  by  a  single  inclosure,  or  by 
a  double  one,  with  clay  or  chalk  rammed 
in  between  the  two,  to  prevent  the 
water  from  coming  through  the  sides: 
and  these  inclosures  are  also  made  either 
with  piles  only,  driven  close  by  one  an- 
other, and  sometimes  notched  or  dove- 
tailed into  each  other;  or  with  piles 
grooved  in  the  sides,  driven  in  at  a  dis- 
tance from  one  another,  and  boards  let 
down  between  them  in  the  grooves. 

Butments  are   the  extremities    of    a 


rather    be    of    few    and    large   bridge,  by  which  it  joins  to,  or  abuts  upon 


arches,  than  of  many  and  small  ones 
if  the  height  and  situation  will  allow 
of  it. 

Several  bridges  have  lately  been  con- 
structed of  cast  iron,  as  those  of  Sunder- 
land, Colebrook  Dale,  &c. — A  portable 
iron  bridge  is  constructing  under  the  im- 
mediate direction  of  Major  By,  of  the 
corps  of  Royal  Engineers,  the  principle 


the  land,  or  sides  of  the  river,  &c. 

These  must  be  made  very  secure,  quite 
immovable,  and  more  than  barely  suffi- 
cient to  resist  the  drift  of  its  adjacent 
arch;  so  that,  if  there  are  not  rocks  or 
very  solid  banks  to  raise  them  against, 
they  must  be  well  reinforced  with  proper 
walls  or  returns,  &c. 

Caisson,  a   kind  of  chest,  or  flat-bot- 


B  R  I 


(     64     ) 


B  R  I 


tomed  boat,  in  which  a  pier  is  built, 
then  sunk  to  the  bed  of  the  river,  and 
the  sides  loosened  and  taken  off  from 
the  bottom,  by  a  contrivance  for  that 
purpose:  the  bottom  of  it  being  left 
under  the  pier  as  a  foundation.  It  is 
evident  therefore,  that  t lie  bottoms  of 
the  caissons  must  be  made  very  strong 
and  tit  for  the  foundations  of  the  piers. 
The  caisson  is  kept  afloat  till  the  pier 
be  built  to  the  height  of  low-water 
mark  ;  and  for  that  purpose  its  sides 
must  either  be  made  of  more  than  thai 
height  at  (irst,  or  else  gradually  raised 
to  it,  as  it  sinks  by  the  weight  of  the 
work,  so  as  always  to  keep  its  top  above 
water :  and  therefore  the  sides  must  be 
made  very  strong,  and  kept  asunder  by 
cross  timbers  within,  lest  the  great  pres- 
sure of  the  ambient  water  crush  the 
sides  in,  and  so  not  only  endanger  the 
work,  but  also  drown  the  workmen 
within  it.  The  caisson  is  made  of  the 
shape  of  the  pier,  but  some  feet  wider 
on  every  side,  to  make  room  for  the 
men  to  work  ;  the  whole  of  the  sides 
are  of  two  pieces,  both  joined  to  the 
bottom  quite  round,  and  to  each  other  at 
the  salient  angle,  so  as  to  be  disengaged 
from  the  bottom,  and  from  each  other, 
when  the  pier  is  raised  to  the  desired 
height,  and  sunk.  It  is  also  convenient 
to  have  a  little  sluice  made  in  the  bot- 
tom, occasionally  to  open  and  shut,  to 
sink  the  caisson  and  pier  sometimes  by, 
before  it  be  finished,  to  try  if  it  bottom 
level  and  rightly;  for  by  opening  the 
sluice,  the  water  will  rush  in  and  fill  it 
to  the  height  of  the  exterior  water,  and 
the  weight  of  the  work  already  built 
will  sink  it;  then  by  shutting  the  sluice 
again,  and  pumping  out  the  water,  it 
will  be  made  to  float  again,  and  the  rest 
of  the  work  may  be  completed.  It  must 
not  however  be  sunk  except  when  the 
sides  are  hi«h  enouiih  to  reach  above 
the  surface  of  the  water,  otherwise  it 
cannot  be  raised  and  laid  dry  again. — 
Mr.  Labeyle  tells  us,  that  the  caissons 
in  which  he  built  Westminster  bridge, 
contained  above  150  load  of  fir  timber, 
of  40  cubic  feet  each,  and  were  of  more 
tonnage  or  capacity  than  a  40-»un  ship 
of  war. 

Centers  are  the  timber  frames  elect- 
ed in  the  spaces  of  the  arches  to  turn 
them  on,  by  building  on  them  the  vnus- 
soirs  of  the  arch.  As  the  center  serves 
as  a  foundation  for  the  arch  to  be  built 
upon,  when  the  arch  is  completed,    that 


foundation  is  struck  from  under  it,  to 
make  way  for  the  water  and  navigation, 
and  then  the  arch  will  stand  of  itself 
from  its  curved  figure.  The  center 
must  be  constructed  of  the  exact  figure 
of  the  intended  arch,  convex,  as  the 
arch  is  concave,  to  receive  it  on  as  a 
mould.  If'  the  form  be  circular,  the 
curve  is  struck  from  a  central  point  by 
a  radius;  if  it  be  elliptical,  it  should  be 
struck  with  a  double  chord,  passing  over 
two  pins  fixed  in  the  focusses,  as  the 
mathematicians  describe  their  ellipses: 
and  not  by  striking  different  pieces  or 
arcs  of  circles  from  several  centers : 
for  these  will  form  no  ellipsis  at  all,  but 
an  irregular  mis-shapen  curve  made  up 
of  broken  pieces  of  different  circular 
arches;  but  if  the  arch  be  of  any  other 
form,  the  several  abscissas  and  ordinates 
should  be  calculated  ;  then  their  corre- 
sponding lengths,  transferred  to  the  cen- 
tering, will  give  so  many  points  of  the 
curve;  by  bending  a  bow  of  pliable  mat- 
ter, according  to  those  points,  the  curve 
may  be  drawn. 

The  centers  are  constructed  of  beams 
of  limber,  firmly  pinned  and  bound  to- 
gether, into  one  entire  compact  frame, 
covered  smooth  at  top  with  planks  or 
boards  to  place  the  voussoirs  on;  the 
whole  supported  by  off-sets  in  the  sides 
of  the  piers,  and  bv  piles  driven  into  the 
bed  of  the  river,  and  capable  of  being 
raised  and  depressed  by  wedges  con- 
trived for  that  purpose,  and  for  taking 
them  down  when  the  arch  is  completed. 
They  should  also  be  constructed  of  a 
strength  more  (ban  sufficient  to  bear  the 
weight  of  the  arch. 

In  taking  the  center  down,  first  lower 
it   a    little,    all    in    a   piece,    by    easing 
some  of  the  wedges;  then  let  it   rest    a 
few  days    to   try  if  the  arch  maki  s   any 
efforts  to  fall,  or  any  joints  open,  or  any 
stones    crush    or    crack,    cvc.     that     the 
damage    may     be    repaired    before    the 
center  is  entirely  removed,  which  is  not 
to  be  done  till    the  arch  ceases  to   make 
any  visible  e  fforts. 
Chest.     See  Caisson, 
Coffer-dam.     ^ee  Battardeau. 
Drift,      "i  of  an  arch,   is  the  push  or 
Shoot,  or  >  forte  which  it  exerts  in  the 
Thrust,    j  direction   of  the   length  of 
the  bridge.     This    force  arises  from  the 
perpendicular  gravitation  of  the   stones 
of  the  arch,  which  being  kept   from  de- 
scending  by  the  form  of  the  arch,  and 
the  resistance  of  the  pier,  exert   their 


B  R  I 


(     65     ) 


B  R  I 


force  in  a  lateral  or  horizontal  direction. 
This  force  is  computed  in  Prop.  10,  of 
Mr.  Hutton's  Principles  of  Bridges, 
where  the  thickness  of  the  pier  is  deter- 
mined that  is  necessary  to  resist  it,  and 
is  greater  the  lower  the  arch  is,  ceteris 
paribus. 

Elevation,  the  orthographic  projec- 
tion of  the  front  of  a  bridge,  on  the  ver- 
tical plane,  parallel  to  its  length.  This 
is  necessary  to  shew  the  form  and  di- 
mensions of  the  arches  and  other  parts, 
as  to  height  and  breadth,  and  therefore 
has  a  plain  scale  annexed  to  it,  to  mea- 
sure the  parts  by.  It  also  shews  the 
manner  of  working  up  and  decorating 
the  fronts  of  the  bridge. 

Extrados,  the  exterior  curvature,  or 
line  of  an  arch.  In  the  propositions  of 
the  second  section  of  Professor  Hutton's 
Principles  of  Bridges,  it  is  the  outer  or 
upper  line  of  the  wall  above  the  arch, 
but  it  often  means  only  the  upper  or  ex- 
terior curve  of  the  voussoirs. 

Foundations,  the  bottoms  of  the  piers, 
&c.  or  the  bases  on  which  they  are  built. 
These  bottoms  are  always  to  be  made 
with  projections,  greater  or  less,  accord- 
ing to  the  spaces  on  which  they  are 
built.  Agreeable  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground,  depth  and  velocity  of  water, 
&c.  the  foundations  are  laid,  and  the 
piers  built  after  different  manners,  either 
in  caissons,  in  battardeaus,  on  stilts  with 
starlings,  ccc.  for  the  particular  method 
of  doing  which,  see  each  under  its  re- 
spective term. 

The  most  obvious  and  simple  method 
of  laying  the  foundations  and  raising  the 
piers  up  to  the  water-mark,  is  to  turn 
the  river  out  of  its  course  above  the 
place  of  the  bridge,  into  a  new  channel 
cut  for  it  near  the  place  where  it  makes 
an  elbow  or  turn ;  then  the  piers  are 
built  on  dry  ground,  and  the  water 
turned  into  its  old  course  again;  the 
new  one  being  securely  banked  up.  This 
is  certainly  the  best  method,  when  the 
new  channel  can  be  easily  and  conve- 
niently made.  It  is,  however,  seldom 
or  never  the  case. 

Another  method  is,  to  lay  only  the 
space  of  each  pier  dry  till  it  be  built,  by 
surrounding  it  with  piles  and  planks 
tlriven  down  into  the  bed  of  the  river, 
so  close  together  as  to  exclude  the  water 
from  coming  in ;  then  the  water  is 
pumped  out  of  the  enclosed  space,  the 
pier  built  in  it,  and  lastly  the  piles  and 
planks  drawn  up.      This  is  coffer-dam 


work,  hut  evidently  cannot  be  practised 
if  the  bottom  be  of  a  loose  consistence, 
admitting  the  water  to  ooze  and  spring 
up  through  it. 

When  neither  the  whole  nor  part  of 
the  river  can  be  easily  laid  dry  as  above, 
other  methods  are  to  be  used;  such  as 
to  build  either  on  caissons  or  on  stilts, 
both  which  methods  are  described  under 
their  proper  words;  or  yet  by  another 
method,  which  hath,  though  seldom, 
been  sometimes  used,  without  laying  the 
bottom  dry,  and  which  is  thus:  the  pier 
is  built  upon  strong  rafts  or  gratings  ot 
timber,  well  bound  together,  and  buoyed 
up  on  the  surface  of  the  water  by  strong 
cables,  fixed  to  the  other  floats  or  ma- 
chines till  the  pier  is  built;  the  whole  is 
then  gently  let  down  to  the  bottom, 
which  must  be  made  level  for  the  pur- 
pose: but  of  these  methods,  that  of 
building  in  caissons  is  best. 

But  before  the  pier  can  be  built  in  any 
manner,  the  ground  at  the  bottom  must 
be  well  secured,  and  made  quite  good 
and  safe,  if  it  be  not  so  naturally.  The 
space  must  be  bored  into,  to  try  the  con- 
sistence of  the  ground  ;  and  if  a  good 
bottom  of  stone,  or  firm  gravel,  clay, 
&c.  be  met  with,  within  a  moderate 
depth  below  the  bed  of  the  river,  the 
loose  sand,  &c.  must  be  removed  and 
digged  out  to  it,  and  the  foundation 
laid  on  the  firm  bottom  on  a  strong 
grating;  or  base  of   timber  made  much 

-  1 

broader  every  way   than    the  pier,  that 
there  may  be  the  greater  base  to  press 
on,  to  prevent  its  being  sunk.     But  if  a 
solid  bottom  cannot  be  found  at  a  con- 
venient depth  to  dig  to,  the  space  must 
then  be  driven  full  of  strong  piles,  whose 
fops   must   be  sawed  off  level  some  feet 
below   the  bed  of  the  water,  the    sand 
having  been  previously  dug  out  for  that 
purpose;  and   then   the  foundation  on ; 
a  grating  of  timber  laid  on  their  tops  as 
before:  or  when  the  bottom  is  not  good, 
if  it  be  made  level,  and  a  strong  grating 
of  timber,  2,  3,  or  4  times  as  large  as 
the  base  of  the  pier  be  made,  it  will 
form  a  good  base  to  build  on,  its  great 
size    preventing    it    from   sinking.      In 
driving  the  piles,  begin  at    the  middle, 
proceed    outwards  all   the  way  to    the 
borders  or  margin;  the  reason  of  which 
is,  that  if  the  outer  ones  were  driven 
first,  the  earth  of  the  inner  space  would 
be  thereby  so  jammed  together,   as  not 
to  allow  the   inner  piles  to  be  driven  : 
and  besides  the  piles  immediately  under 
K 


B  R  I 


(    66    ) 


B  II  I 


the  pier?,  it  is  also  %ery  prudent  to  drive 
in  a  single,  doulile,  or  triple  row  of  them 
round,  and  close  to  the  frame  of  the 
foundation*  cutting  them  off  a  little 
nbove  it,  to  secure  it  from  slipping  aside 
out  of  its  place:  and  to  hind  the  ground 
under  the  pier  firmer,  for,  as  the  safety 
of  the  whole  bridge  depends  on  the 
foundation,  too  much  care  cannot  be 
used  to  have  the  bottom  made  quite  se- 
cure. 

Jcttcc,  the  border  made  round  the 
Stilts  under  a  pier.     See  Starling. 

Impost  is  the  part  of  the  pier  on  which 
the  feet  of  the  arches  stand,  or  from 
which  they  spring. 

Key-stone,  the  middle  voussoir,  or  the 
arch-stone  in  the  top  or  immediately 
over  the  center  of  the  arch.  The  length 
of  the  key-stone,  or  thickness  of  the 
nrchivolt  at  top,  is  allowed  to  be  about 
l-15th  or  1-iGth  of  the  span  by  the  best 
architects. 

Orthography,  the  elevation  of  a  bridge 
or  front  view,  as  seen  at  an  infinite  dis- 
tance. 

Parapet,  the  breast-wall  made  on  the 
top  of  a  bridge  to  prevent  passengers 
from  failing  over.  In  good  bridges,  to 
build  the  parapet  but  a  little  part  of  its 
height  close  or  solid,  and  upon  that  a 
balustrade  to  above  a  man's  height,  has 
an  elegant  effect. 

Piers,  the  walls  built  for  the  support 
of  the  arches,  and  from  which  they 
spring  as  their  bases.  They  should  be 
built  of  large  blocks  of  stone,  solid 
throughout,  and  cramped  together  with 
iron,  which  will  make  the  whole  as  one 
solid  stone.  Their  faces  or  ends,  from 
the  base  up  to  high-water  mark,  should 
project  sharp  out  with  a  salient  angle,  to 
divide  the  stream:  or  perhaps  the  bot- 
tom of  the  pier  should  be  built  flat  or 
square  up  to  about  half  the  height  of 
low-water  mark,  to  allow  a  lodgment 
against  it  for  the  sand  and  mud,  to  go 
over  the  foundation;  lest,  by  being  kept 
bare,  the  water  should  in  time  under- 
mine, and  so  ruin  or  injure  it.  The 
best  form  of  the  projection  for  dividing 
the  stream,  is  the  triangle;  and  the 
longer  it  is,  or  the  more  acute  the  sa- 
lient angle,  the  better  it  will  divide  it, 
and  the  less  will  the  force  of  the  water 
he  against  the  pier;  but  it  may  he  suf- 
ficient to  make  that  angle  a  right  one, 
as  it  will  make  the  work  stronger;  and 
in  that  case  the  perpendicular  projec- 
tion will  be  equal  to  half  the  breadth  or 


thickness  of  the  pier.  In  rivers,  an 
which  large  heavy  craft  navigate  and 
pass  the  arches,  it  may,  perhaps,  he  bet- 
ter to  make  the  ends  semicircular:  tor, 
although  it  does  not  divide  the  water  so 
well  as  the  triangle,  it  will  both  better 
turn  off  and  hear  the  shock  of'  the  craft. 

The  thickness  of  the  piers  should  be 
such  as  will  make  them  of  weight,  or 
strength,  sufficient  to  support  their  in- 
terjacent arch,  independent  of  any  other 
arches;  and  then,  if  the  middle  of  the 
pier  he  run  up  to  its  full  height,  the  cen- 
tering may  be  struck  to  be  used  in  ano- 
ther arch  before  the  haunches  are  filled 
up.  The  whole  theory  of  the  piers  may 
be  seen  in  the  third  section  of  Professor 
Hut  ton's  Principles  of  Bridges. 

They  should  be  made  with  a  broad 
bottom  on  the  foundation,  and  gradually 
diminishing  in  thickness  by  off-sets  up  to 
lower  water-mark. 

Piles  are  timbers  driven  into  the  bed 
of  the  river  for  various  purposes,  and 
are  either  round,  square,  or  flat  like 
planks.  They  may  be  of  any  wood 
which  will  not  rot  underwater;  but  oak 
and  fir  are  mostly  used,  especially  the 
latter,  on  account  of  its  length,  straight- 
ness,  and  cheapness.  They  are  shod 
with  a  pointed  iron  at  the  bottom,  the 
better  to  penetrate  into  the  ground,  and 
are  bound  with  a  strong  iron-band  or 
ring  at  top,  to  prevent  them  from  being 
split  by  the  violent  strokes  of  the  ram 
by  which  they  are  driven  down. 

Piles  are  either  used  to  build  the 
foundations  on,  or  they  are  driven  about 
the  pier  as  a  border  of  defence,  or  to 
support  the  centers  on;  and  in  this  case, 
when  the  centering  is  removed,  they  must 
either  be  drawn  up,  or  sawed  off  very 
low  under  water;  but  it  is  perhaps  bet- 
ter to  saw  them  olFand  leave  them  stick- 
ing in  the  bottom,  lest  the  drawing  of 
them  out  should  loosen  the  ground  about 
the  foundation  of  the  pier. — Those  to 
build  on,  are  either  such  as  are  cut  off 
by  the  bottom  of  the  water,  or  rather  a 
few  feet  within  the  bed  of  the  river :  or 
else  such  as  are  cut  off  at  low  water 
mark,  and  then  they  are  called  stilts. 
Those  to  form  borders  of  defence  are 
rows  driven  in  close  by  the  frame  of  a 
foundation  to  keep  it  firm,  or  else  they 
are  to  form  a  case  or  jettee  about  the 
stilts,  to  keep  the  stones  within  it,  that 
are  thrown  in  to  fill  it  up:  in  this  case 
the  piles  are  grooved,  driven  at  a  little 
distance  from  each  other,  and  plank  piles 


BR  I 


(    67    ) 


B  R  I 


let  into  tfc  grooves  between  them,  and 
driven  d'wn  a'so'  li^  tne  whole  space  is 
surrounded.    Besides  using  this  for  stilts, 
it  is  spnet'nies  necessary  to  surround  a 
stoneP'er  with  a  starling  or  jettee,  and 
fill  i'  up  with  stones  to  secure  an  injured 
pic  from  being  still  more  damaged,  and 
tlit  whole  bridge  ruined.     The  piles  to 
sjpport  the  centers  may  also  serve  as  a 
border  of  piling  to  secure  the  founda- 
tion, cutting  them  off  low  enough  after 
the  center  is  removed. 

Pile-driver,  an  engine  for  drivingdown 
the  piles.  It  consists  of  a  large  ram 
or  iron  sliding  perpendicularly  down 
between  two  guide  posts;  which  being 
lifted  up  to  the  top  of  them,  and  there 
let  fail  from  a  great  height,  comes  down 
upon  the  top  of  the  pile  with  a  violent 
blow.  It  is  woiked  either  with  men  or 
horses,  and  either  with  or  without  wheel 
work.  That  which  was  used  at  the 
building  of  Westminster  bridge,  is  per- 
haps the  best  ever  invented. 

Pitch  of  an  arch,  the  perpendicular 
height  from  the  spring  or  impost  to  the 
key-stone. 

Plan,  of  any  part,  as  of  the  founda- 
tions, or  piers,  or  superstructure,  is  the 
orthographic  projection  of  it  on  a  plane 
parallel  to  the  horizon. 

Push,  of  an  arch.  See  Drift. 
Salient  angle,  of  a  pier,  the  projec- 
tion of  the  end  against  the  stream,  to 
divide  itself.  The  right-lined  angle  best 
divides  the  stream,  and  the  more  acute, 
the  better  for  that  purpose;  but  the 
right  angle  is  generally  used,  as  making 
the  best  masonry.  A  semicircular  end, 
though  it  does  not  divide  the  stream  so 
well,  is  sometimes  preferable  in  large 
navigable  rivers,  as  it  carries  the  craft 
off,  or  bears  their  shocks  better. 
Shoot,  of  an  arch.  See  Drift. 
Springers  are  the  first  or  lowest 
stones  of  an  arch,  being  those  at  its 
feet,  and  bearing  immediately  on  the 
impost. 

Starlingn,  or  Jetties,  a  kind  of  case 
made  about  a  pier  of  stilts,  &c.  to  secure 
it,  and  is  particularly  described  under 
the  next  word,  Stilts. 

Stilts,  a  set  of  piles  driven  into  the 
space  intended  for  the  pier,  whose  tops 
being  sawed  level  off,  above  low-water 
mark,  the  pier  is  then  raised  on  them. 
Thrust.  See  Drift. 
Voussoirs,  the  stones  which  immedi- 
diately  form  the  arch,  their  undersides 
constituting  the   intiados.    The  middle 


one,  or  key-stone,  should  be  about 
l-15th  or  l-16th  of  the  span,  as  has 
been  observed ;  and  the  rest  should  in- 
crease in  size  all  the  way  down  to  the 
impost;  the  more  they  increase  the  bet- 
ter, as  they  will  the  better  bear  the 
great  weight  which  rests  upon  them 
without  being  crushed ;  and  also  will 
bind  the  firmer  together.  Their  joints 
should  also  be  cut  perpendicular  to  the 
curve  of  the  intrados.  For  more  infor- 
mation, see  Professor  Hutton's  Prin- 
ciples  of  Bridges,N ewcastle,  1772,in8vo. 

Bri  dge,  in  gunnery,  the  two  pieces  of 
timber  which  go  between  the  two  tran- 
soms of  a  gun-carriage,  on  which  the 
coins  are  placed,  for  elevating  the  piece. 
See  Carriage. 

BRIDLE-«rw  Protect,  a  guard  used 
by  the  cavalry,  which  consists  in  having 
the  sword-hilt  above  the  helmet;  the 
biade  crossing  the  back  of  the  head,  the 
point  of  the  left  shoulder,  and  the 
bridle-arm;  its  edge  directed  to  the  left, 
and  turned  a  little  upwards  in  order  to 
bring  the  mounting  in  a  proper  direction 
to  protect  the  hand. 

BRIDON  or  Bridoox,  the  snaffle  and 
rein  of  a  military  bridle ;  which  acts  in- 
dependent of  the  bit  and  curb  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  rider. 

BRIGADE,  in  military  affairs,  im- 
plies a  party  or  division  of  a  body  of 
soldiers,  whether  horse,  foot,  or  artil- 
lery, under  the  command  of  a  brigadier. 
There  are,  properly  speaking,  three  sorts 
of  brigades,  viz.  the  brigade  of  an  army, 
the  brigade  of  a  troop  of  horse,  and  the 
brigade  of  artillery.  A  brigade  of  the 
army  is  either  foot  or  dragoons,  whose 
exact  number  is  not  fixed,  but  generally 
consists  of  3  regiments,  or  6  battalions: 
a  brigade  of  horse  may  consist  of  8,  10, 
or  12  squadrons;  and  that  of  artillery, 
of  five  guns  and  one  howitzer,  with 
their  appurtenances.  The  eldest  brigade 
takes  the  right  of  the  first  line,  the  se- 
cond of  the  second  line,  and  the  rest  in 
order;  the  youngest  always  possessing 
the  center.  The  cavalry  and  artillery 
observe  the  same  order. 

Brigade  Major,  an  officer  appointed 
bv  the  brigadier,  to  assist  him  in  the 
r.jmagement  of  his  brigade.  The  most 
experienced  captains  are  generally  nomi- 
nated to  this  post.  According  to  the 
regulations  published  by  authority,  a 
brigade-major  is  attached  to  the  bri- 
gade, and  not  to  any  particular  briga- 
dier-general, as  the  aide-de-camp  is. 
K  2 


B  R  I 


(     63     ) 


B  R  G 


Brigade-majors  must  be  taken  from 
the  regular  forces,  and  must  not  be  el- 
fective  field  officers.  If  they  are  sub- 
alterns, they  take  rank  in  tlu  brigade  or 
garrison,  in  which  they  are  serving,  as 
junior  captains. 

BfLiGADE-Major-Genernl.  The  niili- 
tary  commands  in  Great-Britain  being 
divided  into  districts,  an  office  has  been 
established  for  the  sole  transaction  of 
brigade  duties.  Through  this  office  all 
milt  rs  from  the  commander-in-chief  to 
the  generals  of  districts  relative  to  corps 
of  officers,  <slc.  must  pass.  This  ap- 
pointment is  now  absorbed  in  that  ol 
assistant  adjutant-general. 

Brigade  of  Engineers.  A  brigade  of 
engineers  may  consist  of  only  two  or 
three  officers,  who  are  attached  to  an 
army. 

To  Brigade,  (embrigader,  Fr.)  to 
make  any  given  number  of  regiments, 
•  or  battalions,  act  together  for  the  pur- 
poses of  service. 

BRIGADE,  Fr.  according  to  the 
French,  signifies  the  re-union  of  several 
squadrons  or  battalions,  under  the  com- 
mand of  one  colonel,  who  has  also  the 
rank  of  brigadier-general  in  the  army. 

Brigade  de  boulangers,  Fr.  It  was 
Usual  in  the  old  French  service  to  bri- 
gade the  bakers  belonging  to  the  army. 
Each  brigade  consisted  of  one  master 
and  three  boys. 

Irish  Brig ade,(/« brigade  Irelandaise, 
Fr.)  Irish  regiments  which  once  served 
in  France,  Spain,  and  Naples. 

BRIGADIER,  a  military  officer, 
whose  rank  is  next  above  that  of  a  colo- 
nel, appointed  to  command  a  corps,  con- 
sisting of  several  battalions  or  regi- 
ments, called  a  brigade.  This  title  in 
England  is  suppressed  in  time  of  peace, 
but  revived  in  actual  service  in  the  field. 
Every  brigadier  marches  at  the  head  of 
bis  brigade  upon  duty. 

Brigadier,  (Brigadier,  Fr.)  a  certain 
rank  which  is  given  to  a  mounted  sol- 
dier.    He  is  next  to  the  quarter-master. 

BRIGADIER  des  armies,Yr.  This 
corresponds  with  our  term  Brigadier- 
General.  A  brigadier-general  ranks 
above  a  colonel,  and  has  the  command 
of  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  dragoons,  or  in- 
fantry. 

Brigadier  cPZquipage,  Fr.  a  sort  of 
head  commissary  or  wagon-master-ge- 
neral. 

BRIGAND,  Fr.  a  free-booter ;  every 
soldier,  who,  contrary  to  orders  and  the 


acknowledged  usages  of  w.r>  commits 
acts  of  plunder. 

BRIGANDINE  or  Brigaltine,  in 
alicient  military  history,  a  coat  if  mail, 
or  kind  ot  defensive  armour,  coisistiug 
of  tin;  so  called  from  the  troops  by 
which  it  was  first  worn,  who  were  cdled 
Bi  igands,  and  were  a  kind  of  light-ari\ed 
irregular  foot,  much  addicted  to  plun- 
der. The  brigandine  is  frequently  con- 
founded with  the  jack;  sometimes  with 
the  habergeon,  or  coat  of  plate  mail. 

BRIGUE,  Fr.  a  plot,  or  conspiracy 
which  is  formed  against  a  commanding 
officer,  to  deprive  him  of  his  situation. 

BRINGER,  a  term  used  iq  the  re- 
cruitiug  branch  of  the  British  service,  to 
signify  a  person  who  produces  a  man  or 
boy,  within  the  regulated  age,  that  is 
willing  to  enlist.  He  is  allowed  one 
guinea  for  his  trouble. 

Bringers-w/.>,  an  antiquated  military 
expression,  to  signify  the  whole  rear 
rank  of  a  battalion  drawn  up,  as  being 
the  hindmost  men  of  every  file. 

BRTN  d'estoe,  Fr.  quarter-staff. 

BoisJeBiUN,  fr.  solid  timber. 

BRINS  d'est,  Fr.  large  sticks  or 
poles  resembling  small  pickets,  with  irou 
at  each  end.  They  are  used  to  cross 
ditches,  particularly  in  Flanders. 

BRISER  les  jfers,  Fr.  to  break  the 
fetters;  to  obtain  liberty. 

BRISE,  Fr.  in  sluices,  a  beam  that  is 
placed,  swipe  fashion,  on  the  top  of  a 
large  pile,  upon  which  it  turns. 

Brise-com,  Fr.  a  break-neck  place;  as 
a  defect  in  a  staircase,  &c. 

BRisE-g/ace,  Fr.  starlings;  literally 
an  ice-breaker,  after  a  thaw. 

Lit  BRISE,  Fr.  a  folding  bed. 

BRISURE,  in  fortification,  is  a  line 
of  4  or  5  fathoms,  which  is  allowed  to  the 
curtain  and  orillon,  to  make  the  hol- 
low tower,  or  to  cover  the  concealed 
flank. 

BROADSIDE,  in  a  sea-fight,  implies 
the  discharge  of  all  the  artillery  on  one 
side  of  a  ship  of  war. 

BROAD-SWORD,  a  sword  with  a 
broad  blade,  chiefly  designed  for  cut- 
ting; not  at  present  much  used  in  the 
British  service,  except  by  some  few  regi- 
ments of  cavalry  and  Highland  infantry. 
Among  the  cavalry,  this  weapon  has  in 
general  given  place  to  the  sabre. 

The  principal  guards  with  the  broad 
sword  are: 

The  inside  guard,  (similar  to  carte  in 
fencing,)  which  is  formed   by  directing 


BRO 


(     69    ) 


BUF 


your  poin*11  a  mie  about  6  inches  higher 
than  vou  antagonist's  left  eye,  the  hilt 
opposif  your  own  breast,  the  finger 
nails  t'rned  upwards,  and  the  edge  of  the 
sworr  to  the  left. 

T'e  outside  guard,  (resembling  tierce,) 
in  vhich  by  a  turn  of  the  wrist  from  the 
iVnier  position,  the  point  of  the  sword 
ji  directed  ahove  your  antagonist's  right 
eye,  and  'he  edge  turned  to  the  right,  to 
protect  the  outside  of  your  body  from 
the  attack. 

The  medium  guard,  which  is  a  posi- 
tion between  the  inside  and  outside 
guard,  seldom  used,  as  it  affords  very 
little  protection. 

The  hanging  guard,  (similar  to  prime 
and  seconde,)  in  which  the  hilt  of  your 
sword  is  raised  high  enough  to  view 
your  opponent  under  the  shell,  and  the 
point  directed  towards  his  body. 

The  St.  George's  guard,  which  pro- 
tects the  head,  and  differs  from  the  last 
described,  only  in  raising  the  hand  some- 
what higher,  and  bringing  the  point 
nearer  to  yourself. 

The  swords  worn  by  officers  of  the 
infantry  being  constructed  either  for 
cutting  or  thrusting,  it  is  necessary  for 
gentlemen  to  be  acquainted  both  with 
the  method  of  attacking  and  defending 
with  the  broad-sword  and  with  the  ra- 
pier. Those  who  have  not  the  opportu- 
nity of  regular  lessons  from  a  professed 
teacher,  may  obtain  much  useful  infor- 
mation from  a  work  entituled  the  Art  of 
Defence  on  Foot,  with  the  Broad-Sword, 
&c.  in  which  the  spadroon  or  cut  and 
thrust  sword  play  is  reduced  to  a  regu- 
lar system. 

BROCHOIR,  Fr.  a  smith's  shoeing 
hummer. 

BRODEQUINS,  Fr.  buskins  or  half 
boots.  They  are  generally  worn  by 
light  armed  troops. 

BROKEN-oWra.  A  horse  is  said  to 
be  broken  down,  when  he  is  shook  in  the 
shoulders,  hurt  in  the  loins,  or  lame 
about  the  feet  from  hard  riding  or  work- 
ing. The  malady  generally  lies  in  the 
feet  or  back  sinews. 

Broken-winded,  {poussif,  Fr.)  sub- 
ject to  a  difficulty  in  breathing. 

BROKERS,  persons  who  act  between 
two  trafficking  parties. 

Arwy-BRGkF.ii-,  persons  who  former- 
ly acted  between  army  agents  and  indi- 
viduals wishing  to  purchase,  sell,  or  ex- 
change commissions.  In  1806,  a  clause 
was  introduced  into  the  Mutiny  Bill  to 
prevent  this  species  of  traffic. 


BROND.     See  Brand. 

BRONZE,  Fr.  bronze ;  brass. 

BROTHER  -  SOLDIERS,  (Freres 
d'  armes,  Fr.)  an  affectionate  and  en- 
dearing term  which  is  used  among  mili- 
tary men,  from  the  commander-in-chief 
of  an  army  to  the  lowest  drum-boy  in- 
clusive. Soldiers  ought,  in  fact,  to  con- 
stitute a  family  within  themselves.  The 
cause  they  have  to  defend,  and  the  dan- 
gers they  must  encounter,  are  so  many 
motives  for  mutual  attachment,  especi- 
ally in  a  foreign  country. 

BROUETTE,  Fr.  a  "wheelbarrow. 

B  BOUILLON,  Fr.  a  rough  copy; 
day  book. 

BROWNBILL,  the  ancient  weapon 
of  the  English  foot,  resembling  a  battle- 
axe. 

BRUGNE.  The  hauberk  was  some- 
times so  called. 

BRULOT,  Fr.  a  fire-ship. 

BRUNT,  (choc,  Fr.)  the  principal 
shock  of  the  enemy  in  action. 

BRUSQUER  une  attaque,  Fr.  to  open 
the  trenches  in  the  nearest  approaches 
to  a  place,  completing  the  works  from 
the  front  towards  the  rear.  This  un- 
dertaking is  extremely  hazardous,  unless 
the  object  invested,  or  attacked,  be  ill- 
garrisoned,  have  a  narrow  front  to  be- 
siege, or  the  ditches  be  dry,  &c. 

Brusquer  V  affaire,  Fr.  to  attack 
suddenly,  and  without  attending  to  any 
regular  rule  of  military  manoeuvre. 

Brusquer  une  place,  Fr.  to  storm  a 
place. 

BRUT,  Fr.  any  thing  in  the  rough; 
as  stones  from  the  quarry. 

BUCCANEER,  Boucanier,  {fli- 
bustier,  Fr.)  in  military  history,  a  name 
frequently  applied  to  those  famous  ad- 
venturers, consisting  of  pirates,  &c.  from 
all  the  maritime  nations  of  Europe,  who 
formerly  joined  together,  and  made  war 
upon  the  Spaniards  in  America. 

BUCCINATEUR,  Fr.  a  trumpeter. 

BUCCINE,  Fr.  a  cornet. 

BUCKLER,  a  piece  of  defensive  ar- 
mour used  by  the  ancients.  It  was  al- 
ways worn  on  the  left  arm,  and  com- 
posed of  wicker-work,  of  the  lightest 
sort,  but  most  commonly  of  hides,  forti- 
fied with  plates  of  brass  or  other  metals. 
The  shape  of  it  varied  considerably,  be- 
ing sometimes  round,  sometimes  oval, 
and  often  nearly  square. 

BUDGE-Barre/s.     See  Barrel. 

BUFF- Leader,  in  military  accoutre- 
ments, is  a  sort  of  leather  prepared 
from  the  buffalo,  which,   dressed  with 


B  U  I 


(     70     ) 


BUL 


•il,   after   the    manner    of    a    shainoy, 
makes  what  is  generally  called  buff-skin. 

BUGLE-HORN,  the  old  Saxon  horn; 
it  is  now  used  by  all  the  light  infantry 
in  the  British  service,  and  also  by  the 
horse  artillery,  and  some  regiments  of 
light  cavalry. 

BUGLER,  the  person  who  blows  the 
bugle-horn. 

BUGLES,  BEUGLES,  BIBLES,  Fr. 
were  engines  used  in  former  times  for 
throwing  large  stones. 

BUILDING,  (edi/ke,  Fr.)  a  fabric 
erected  by  art. 

Military  Buildings  are  of  various 
sorts,  viz.  powder-magazines,  bridges, 
gates,  barracks,  hospitals,  store-houses, 
guard-rooms,  ike. 

Regular  Building  is  that  whose 
plan  is  square,  the  opposite  sides  equal, 
and  all  the  parts  disposed  with  symme- 
try. 

Irregular  Building,  that  whose  plan 
is  not  contained  within  equal  or  parallel 
lines,  and  whose  parts  are  not  relative  to 
one  another  in  the  elevation. 

Insulated  Building,  that  which  is 
not  contiguous  to  any  other,  but  is  en- 
compassed with  streets,  open  squares, 
tec.  or  any  building  which  stands  in  a 
river,  on  a  rock  surrounded  by  the  sea, 
marsh,  &c. 

Engaged  Building,  one  surrounded 
with  other  buildings,  having  no  front  to 
any  street  or  public  place,,nor  any  com- 
munication without,  but  by  a  common 
passu^r. 

J nl erred  or  sialic  Building,  one 
whose  area  is  below  the  surface  of  the 
place  where  it  stands,  and  of  which  the 
lowest  courses  of  stone  are  concealed. 

In  buildi)ig  there  are  three  things  to 
be  considered,  viz.  commodity  or  con- 
veniency;  secondly,  firmness  or  stabi- 
lity; thirdly,  delight. 

To  accomplish  which  ends,  Sir  Henry 
Wotton  considers  the  whole  subject 
under  two  heads,  namely,  the  seat  or 
situation,  and  the  work. 

J.  As  for  the  seat,  cither  that  of  the 
whole  is  to  be  considered,  or  that  of  its 
parts. 

2.  As  to  the  situation,  regard  is  to  be 
had  to  the  quality,  temperature,  and  sa- 
lubrity, or  healthiness  of  the  air;  that  it 
be  a  good  healthy  air,  not  subject  to 
foggy  noisomeness  from  adjacent  fens 
or  marshes;  also  free  from  noxious  mi- 
neral exhalations  ;  nor  should  the  place 
want  the  sweet  influence   of   the  sun- 


beams, nor  be  wholly  destiUte  of  the 
breezes  of  wind,  that  will  faii<nd  purge 
the  air;  the  want  of  which  wou<j  render 
it  like  a  stagnated  pool,  and  vv)U|d  be 
very  unhealthy. 

In  the  foundationsof  buildings,  \*uru- 
vius  orders  the  ground  to  be  dug  ii),  to 
examine  its  firmness;  that  an  apparent 
solidity  is  not  to  be  trusted,  unless  ire 
whole  mould  cut  through  be  sound  ano 
solid  :  it  is  true,  he  does  not  say  to  what 
depth  it  shouid  be  dug;  but  Palladio  de- 
termines it  to  be  a  sixth  part  of  the 
height  of  the  building. 

The  great  laws  of  walling  are:— 
1.  That  the  walls  stand  perpendicular 
on  the  ground-work,  the  right  angle  be- 
ing the  foundation  of  all  stability.  2. 
That  the  largest  and  heaviest  mate  rials 
be  the  lowest,  as  more  proper  to  sustain 
others  than  to  be  sustained  themselves. 
3.  That  the  work  diminish  in  thickness, 
as  it  rises,  both  for  the  ease  of  weight, 
and  to  lessen  the  expense.  4.  That 
certain  courses,  or  lodges,  of  more 
strength  than  the  rest,  be  interlaid,  like 
bones,  to  sustain  the  wall  from  total 
ruin,  if  some  of  the  under  paits  chance 
to  decay.  5.  Lastly,  that  the  angles  be 
firmly  bound,  they  being  the  nerves  of 
the  whole  fabric.  These  are  sometimes 
fortified  on  each  side  the  comers,  even 
in  brick  buildings,  with  square  stones; 
which  add  both  beauty  and  strength  to 
the  edifice. 

BU1NDES,  Fr.  a  shield  used  by  the 
Turks  and  Tartars  when  they  fight  with 
sabres. 

BULLETIN,  Fr.  any  official  account 
which  is  given  of  public  transactions. 
See  Gazette. 

Bulletin  also  signifies  any  account 
which  is  given  of  the  stale  of  a  person's 
health,  &c.  Likewise  a  specific  account 
of  military  transactions;  hence  Bulletin 
de  I'arnite. 

BULLETS,  {balks,  boulets,  Fr.)  are 
leaden  balls,  wherewith  all  kinds  of 
small  fire-arms  are  loaded.  The  diame- 
ter of  any  bullet  is  found,  by  dividing 
1.G706  by  the  cube  root  of  the  number, 
which  shews  how  many  of  them  make  a 
pound ;  or  it  may  he  done  in  a  shorter 
way.  From  the  logarithm  . 2228756  of 
of  1.6706  subtract  continually  the  third 
part  of  the  logarithm  of  the  number  of 
bullets  in  the  pound,  and  the  difference 
will  lie  the  logarithm  of  the  diameter 
required. 

Thus  the  diameter  of  a  bullet,  where- 


BUL 


(  n   ) 


BUR 


of  12  weigh  a  pound,  is  found  by  sub- 
tracting .3597270,  a  third  part  of  the 
logarithm  of  12,  from  the  given  lo- 
garithm .2228756,  or,  when  the  lo- 
garithm is  less  than  the  former,  an  unit 
must  he  added,  so  as  to  have  1.2228756, 
and  the  difference  .8631486  will  be  the 
logarithm  of  the  diameter  sought,  which 
is  .7297  inches;  observing  that  the  num- 
ber found  will  always  be  a  decimal, 
when  the  logarithm,  which  is  to  be  sub- 
tracted is  greater  than  that  of  one 
pound;  because  the  divisor  is  greater 
than  the  dividend  in  this  case. 

Hence,  from  the  specific  gravity  of 
lead,  the  diameter  of  any  bullet  may  be 
found  from  its  given  weight:  for,  since 
a  cube  foot  weighs  11325  ounces,  and 
678  is  to  355  as  the  cube  1728  of  a  foot, 
or  12  inches,  is  the  content  of  the 
sphere,  which  therefore  is  5929.7  ounces; 
and  since  spheres  are  as  the  cubes  of 
their  diameters;  the  weight  5929.7  is  to 
16  ounces,  or  a  pound,  as  the  Cube  1728 
is  to  the  cube  of  the  diameter  of  a 
sphere  which  weighs  a  pound;  which 
cube  therefore  is  4.66263,  and  its  root 
1.6706  inches,  the  diameter  sought. 

The  diameter  of  musket  bullets  dif- 
fers but  l-50th  part  from  that  of  the 
musket  bore;  for  if  the  shot  but  just 
rolls  into  the  barrel,  it  is  sufficient. 
Government  allows  11  bullets  in  the 
pound  for  the  proof  of  muskets,  and  14 
in  the  pound,  or  29  in  two  pounds,  for 
service;  17  for  the  proof  of  carbines, 
and  20  for  service;  and  2S  in  the  pound 
for  the  proof  of  pistols,  and  34  for  ser- 
vice. 

Bullet,  ball  or  shot,  have  various 
denominations  according  to  the  use  that 
is  made  of  them,  viz. 

Hollow  Bullets,  or  shells,  of  a  cy- 
lindrical shape.  These  have  an  open- 
ing and  a  fuze  at  the  end,  by  which  fire 
is  communicated  to  the  combustibles 
within,  and  an  explosion  takes  place, 
similar  to  that  occasioned  by  the  blow- 
ing up  of  a  mine. 

Chain  Bullets.     See  Chain  Balls. 

Brunch  Bullets,  two  balls  joined  to- 
gether by  an  iron  bar. 

Two-headed  Bullets,  sometimes 
called  angles,  are  two  halves  of  a  bullet 
which  are  kept  together  by  means  of  a 
bar  or  chain. 

B\JLLOCK-Se?jeant,  Ind.  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  in  India  who  has  the 
care  and  superintendance  of  the  bul- 
locks on  service. 


BULWARK,  the  ancient  name  fof 
bastion  or  rampart. 

BUNGALOW,  Lid.  a  house  with  a 
thatched  roof.  The  rent  of  a  bungalow 
is  from  forty  to  fifty  rupees  per  month. 
But  those  persons,  who  have  ready 
money,  generally  build  themselves,  and 
when  they  leave  the  place,  especially  if 
in  the  military  service,  they  either  sell 
their  bungalows,  or  let  them.  The  rent 
is  sometimes  as  high  as  sixty  or  eighty 
rupees;  and  the  expense  of  building  is 
from  1000  to  1200  rupees. 

BURDEN,    >  in  a  general  sense  im- 

BURTHEN,  S  plies  a  load  or  weight, 
supposed  to  be  as  much  as  a  man,  horse, 
&c.  can  well  carry.  A  sj^und  healthful 
man  can  raise  a  weight  equal  to  his  own, 
can  also  draw  and  carry'oOlb.  a  mode- 
rate distance.  An  able  horse  can  draw 
3501b.  though  in  length  of  time  300  is 
sufficient,  Hence  all  artillery  calcula- 
tions are  made.  One  horse  will  draw  as 
much  as  7  men,  and  7  oxen  will  draw  as 
much  as  11  or  12  horses.  Burthen,  in 
a  figurative  sense,  means  impost,  tax,  &c. 

Beast  of  Burden,  {bete  de  somme, 
Fr.)  an  animal  that  is  used  to  carry 
loads  of  every  kind. 

BUREAU,  Fr.  office. 

Bureau  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  War-Of- 
fice. 

Bureau  du  Timbre,T?r. Stamp-Office. 

BURGANET  or  Burgonet,  Fr.  a 
kind  of  helmet  used  by  the  French. 

BURIALS,  as  practised  by  the  mili- 
tary, are  as  follow,  viz.  The  funeral  of 
a  field-marshal  shall  be  saluted  with  3 
rounds  of  15  pieces  of  cannon,  attended 
by  6  battalions,  and  8  squadrons. 

That  of  a  general,  with  3  rounds  of 
11  pieces  of  cannon,  4  battalions,  and  6 
squadrons. 

That  of  a  lieutenant-general,  with  3 
rounds  of  9  pieces  of  canon,  3  battali- 
ons, and  4  squadrons. 

That  of  a  major-general,  with  3  rounds 
of  7  pieces  of  cannon,  2  battalions,  and 
3  squadrons. 

That  of  a  brigadier-general,  3  rounds 
of  5  pieces  of  cannon,  1  battalion,  and 
2  squadrons. 

That  of  a  colonel,  by  his  own  battali- 
on, or  an  equal  number  by  detachment, 
with  3  rounds  of  small  arms. 

That  of  a  lieutenant-colonel,  by  300 
men  and  officers,  with  3  rounds  of  small 
arms. 

That  of  a  major,  by  200  men  and 
officers,  with  3  rounds  of  small  arms. 


C  A  B 


(     73     ) 


CAB 


That  of  a  captain,  by  his  own  com- 
pany, or  70  rank  and  lile,  with  3  rounds 
of  small  arms. 

That  of  a  lieutenant,  by  1  lieutenant, 
1  serjeant,  1  drummer,  1  lifer,  and  Sfl 
rank  and  tile,  with  3  rounds. 

That  of  an  ensign,  by  an  ensign,  a 
serjeant,  and  drummer,  and  '27  rank  and 
lile,  with  3  rounds. 

That  of  an  adjutant,  surgeon,  and 
quarter-master,  the  same  party  as  an 
ensign* 

That  of  a  serjeant,  by  a  serjeant,  and 
19  rank  and  lile,  with  3  rounds  of  small 
arms. 

That  of  a  corporal,  musician,  private 
man,  drummer,  and  fife,  by  1  serjeant, 
and  13  rank  and  file,  with  3  rounds  of 
small  arms. 

All  officers,  attending  the  funerals  of 
even  their  nearest  relations,  shall  not- 
withstanding wear  their  regimentals,  and 
only  have  a  black  crape  round  their  left 
arm. 

The  pall  to  be  supported  by  officers 
of  the  same  rank  with  that  of  the  de- 
ceased :  if  the  number  cannot  he  had, 
officers  next  in  seniority  are  to  supply 
their  place. 

The  order  of  march  to  be  observed  in 
military  funerals  is  reversed  with  re- 
spect to  rank.  For  instance,  if  an  offi- 
cer is  buried  in  a  garrison  town  or  from 
a  camp,  it  is  customary  for  the  officers 
belonging  to  other  corps  to  pay  his  re- 
mains the  compliment  of  attendance.  In 
which  case  the  youngest  ensign  marches 
at  the  head  immediately  after  the  pall, 
and  the  general,  if  there  be  one,  in  the 
rear  of  the  commissioned  officers,  who 
take  their  posts  in  reversed  order  ac- 
cording to  seniority.  The  battalion, 
troop,  or  company,  follow  the  same  rule. 


The  expense  for  a  regimental  burial 
is  to  be  charged  against  the  captains  of 
the  respective  troop-,  or  companies. 

BURR,  in  gunnery,  a  round  iron  ring, 
which  serves  to  rivet  the  end  of  the 
bolt,  so  as  to  form  a  round  head;  also  a 
broad  iron  ring  for  a  lance. 

BURRF.L-s/m/,  small  bullets,  nails 
and  stones  discharged  from  any  piece  of 
ordnance. 

BUSC  d'icluse,  Fr.  the  salient  point 
which  is  made  by  two  flood-gates  that 
are  shut;  presenting  an  angle  towards 
the  body  ol'  water  which  it  sustains. 

BUTER,  /•'/•.  to  support  a  wall,  or  to 
preve.it  it  from  bellying  out,  by  means 
of  an  arch  or  buttress. 

BUTIERE,  Fr.  a  species  of  large 
fire-arm,  which  was  formerly  used 
among  the  French  to  fire  point-blank. 

BUTIN,  Fr.  hootv  or  pillage. 

BUTMENTS.     See  Bridges. 

BUTT,  in  gunnery,  is  a  solid  earthen 
parapet,  to  fire  against  in  the  proving  of 
guns,  or  in  practice. 

Butt  or  Butt-end,  {couche,  Fr.) 
that  extremity  of  a  firelock  which  rests 
against  the  shoulder  when  it  is  brought 
up  to  a  position  of  levelling,  or  when  it 
rests  upon  the  hand. 

BUTTON,  in  gunnery,  a  part  of  the 
cascable,  in  either  a  gun  or  howitzer, 
and  in  the  hind  part  of  the  piece,  made 
round  in  the  form  of  a  ball.  See 
Cannon. 

BUTTRESS.    Sec  Counterfort. 

BUZE,  a  wooden,  or  ieaden  pipe,  to 
convey  the  air  into  mines. 

BY-PROFITS,  {tour  du  baton,  Fr.) 
certain  advantages  or  emoluments  which 
are  gained  by  individuals  over  and  ahove 
their  regular  salaries  or  wages.  Thej 
are  also  called  By-gains. 


/^ABANE,  Fr.  a  flat-bottomed  boat 
with  a  deck,  used  on  the  river  Loire 
for  the  accommodation  of  passengers. 

CABAS,  Fr.  a  basket  made  of  rushes, 
which  is  used  in  Languedoc  and  Rous- 
sillon,  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  stores 
and  ammunition. 

CABASSET,  Fr.  a  piece  of  armour 
which  was  formerly  used  by  foot-soldiers 
to  cover  the  head.  A  slight  kind  of 
helmet. 


CABESTAN,  Fr.    See  Capstan. 

CABINET,  (cabinet,  Fr.)  a  private 
room  in  which  consultations  are  held. 

Cabinet  Council,  a  council  held  with 
privacy  and  unbounded  confidence. — 
Hence  Cabinet  minister. 

CABLE  ou  Chable,  Fr.  a  large  rope 
which  is  used  in  the  French  artillery. 
This  word  is  likewise  used,  in  French,  to 
signify  all  kinds  of  ropes  that  are  neces- 


CAD 


(     7»    ) 


C  A  I 


sary  in   dragging,   or  raising  loads,   or 
things  of  bnrthen. 

CABOCHE,  Fr.  a  long-headed  nail. 
CABOOSE,  Fr.  the  cooking-place  of 
a  ship. 

CABOTAGE,  Fr.  coasting. 

CABOTER,  Fr.  to  coast. 
CABRER,  Fr.  to  rear  as  a  horse  does 
when  he  is  improperly  checked,  &c. 

CABRIOLET,  Fr.  a  light  low  chaise. 

CABROUET,  Fr.  a  cart. 

CABROUETTIER,  Fr.  a  carman  or 
carter. 

CACADE,  Fr.  a  word  used  among 
the  French  to  signify  an  unlucky  enter- 
prize  in  war,  occasioned  by  an  ill-con- 
certed measure  for  the  prosecution  of  it, 
and  by  ignorance  or  want  of  courage  in 
its  execution. 

CADENCE,  in  tactics,  implies  a  very 
regular  and  uniform  method  of  marching: 
it  may  not  be  improperly  called  mathe- 
matical marching;  for  after  the  length  of 
a  step  is  determined,  the  time  and  dis- 
tance may  be  found. 

Cadence  or  Cadency,  in  cavalry,  is  an 
equal  measure  or  proportion,  which  a 
horse  observes  in  all  his  motions. 

CADET,  among  the  military,  is  a 
young  gentleman,  who  applies  himself 
to  the  study  of  fortification  and  gun- 
nery, &c.  and  who  sometimes  serves  in 
the  army,  with  or  without  pay,  till  a 
vacancy  happens  for  his  promotion. 
There  is  a  company  of  gentlemen  cadets 
maintained  at  Woolwich,  at  the  King's 
expense,  where  they  are  taught  all  the 
sciences  necessary  to  form  a  complete 
officer.  Their  number  has  lately  been 
increased,  and  commissions  are  given  to 
them  when  qualified.  The  proper  signi- 
fication of  the  word  is,  younger  brother. 
See  Academy. 

Gebtlkm  ah -Cadet,  a  term  applied  to 
every  youth  belonging  to  the  company 
of  cadets,  consisting  of  one  hundred  in- 
dividuals, who  are  educated  at  the  Royal 
Military  College  at  Great  Marlow,  in  the 
county  of  Bucks,  and  also  to  the  com- 
pany of  cadets  at  Woolwich. — For  parti- 
culars, see  vol.i.  p.  116,  Regimental  Com- 
panion. 

CADET,  Fr.  differs  in  its  signification 
from  the  term  as  it  is  used  in  our  lan- 
guage. A  cadet  in  the  French  service 
did  not  receive  any  pay,  but  entered  as 
a  volunteer  in  a  troop  or  company,  for 
the  specific  purpose  of  becoming  master 
of  military  tactics. 


Cadet,  Fr.  likewise  means  any  offi- 
cer that  is  junior  to  another. 

CADRE,  Fr.  literary  a  frame;  this 
word  is  used  in  France  to  denote  the 
proposed  establishment  of  a  regiment. 

,E«-CADRER,  Fr.  to  place  an  officer 
or  soldier  in  some  particular  regiment. 

CiEMENT,    )  among     engineers,     a 

CEMENT,  >  strong  sort  of  mortar, 
used  to  bind  bricks  or  stones  together 
for  some  kind  of  moulding;  or  in  ce- 
menting a  block  of  bricks  for  the  carv- 
ing of  capitals,  scrolls,  or  the  like. — 
There  are  two  sorts,  i.  e.  hot  cement, 
which  is  the  most  common,  made  of 
resin,  bees-wax,  brick-dust,  and  chalk, 
boiled  together ;  the  bricks  to  be  ce- 
mented with  this  mixture  must  be  made 
hot  in  the  fire,  and  rubbed  to  and  fro 
after  the  cement  is  spread,  in  the  same 
manner  as  joiners  do  when  they  glue  two 
boards  together.  Cold  cement,  made  of 
Cheshire  cheese,  milk,  quick  lime,  and 
whites  of  eggs.  This  cement  is  less 
used  than  the  former,  and  is  accounted 
a  secret  known  but  to  very  few  brick- 
layers. 

CiESTUS,  in  military  antiquity,  was 
a  large  gauntlet,  composed  of  raw  hides, 
used  by  pugilists  at  the  public  games. 

CAFFTAN,  the  name  of  a  vest  worn 
among  the  Turks. 

CAGE,  a  machine  which  was  for- 
merly used  in  this  island  for  the  security 
of  a  prisoner  of  war.  Rymer  gives  a  sin- 
gular account  respecting  the  imprison- 
ment of  the  Countess  of  Baghun,  or 
Buchan,  a  Scotch  prisoner,  in  the  reign 
of  Edward  I.  A.D.  1306.— The  sister  of 
Robert  Bruce  was  prisoner  at  the  same 
time.  This  cage  was  built  of  lattice- 
work, constructed  with  stout  posts  and 
bars,  and  well  strengthened  with  iron. 
It  was  so  contrived,  that  the  prisoner 
might  have  the  convenience  of  a  privy, 
and  it  was  placed  in  one  of  the  turrets  of 
the  castle  of  Berwick  upon  Tweed.  So 
much  for  the  chivalry  of  those  times ! 
and  the  homage  said  to  have  been  paid 
to  the  fair  sex  ! 

CAGE  de  la  bascule,  Fr.  a  space 
into  which  one  part  of  the  draw-bridge 
falls,  whilst  the  other  rises  and  conceals 
the  gate. 

CAHUTE,  Fr.  a  small  hut  or  cabin 
which  soldiers  make  to  defend  them 
against  the  inclemency  of  the  wea- 
ther. 

CAIC,  CAIQUE,  Fr.  a  galley  boat, 


C  A  L 


(     74     ) 


C  A  L 


CAILLOUX,  Fr.  small  pebbles  used 
in  paving  aqueducts,  grottoes,  &c. 

C  \LMACAN,  an  officer  among  the 
Turks,  nearly  answering  to  our  lieute- 
nant. 

CAISSE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  wooden  box  in 
which  the  necessary  charge  tor  the  ex- 
plosion of  a     line  is  deposited. 

Caisse,  Fr.  die  military  chest,  con- 
taining the  necessary  funds  for  the  pay- 
ment of  a  troup  or  company,  regiment  or 
arm  v.  / 

Caisse  also  signifies  a  drum. 

CAISSIER,  Fr.  a  treasurer;  any 
person  entrusted  with  regimental  monies; 
a  paymaster. 

CAISSON,  (caisson,  Fr.)  a  wooden 
frame  or  chest,  made  square,  the  side 
planks  about  two  inches  thick  :  it  may  be 
made  to  contain  from  4  to  20  loaded 
shells,  according  to  the  execution  they 
are  to  do,  or  as  the  ground  is  firmer  or 
looser.  The  sides  mu^t  be  high  enough, 
that  when  the  cover  is  nailed  on,  the 
fuzes  may  nut  be  damaged.  Caissons 
are  buried  under  ground  at  the  depth 
of  5  or  6  feet,  under  some  work  the 
enemy  intends  to  possess  himself  of;  and 
when  he  becomes  master  of  it,  fire  is  put 
to  the  traiu  conveyed  through  a  pipe, 
which  inflames  the  shells,  and  blows  up 
the  assailants.  Sometimes  a  quantity 
of  loose  powder  is  put  into  the  chest, 
on  which  the  shells  are  placed,  sufheieut 
to  put  them  in  motion,  and  raise  them 
above  ground;  at  the  same  time  that  the 
blast  of  powder  sets  fire  to  the  fuze  in 
the  shells,  which  must  be  calculated  to 
burn  from  1  to  2\  seconds.  When  no 
powder  is  put  under  the  shells,  a  small 
quantity  of  mealed  powder  must  be 
strewed  over  them,  having  a  communi- 
cation with  the  saucisson,  in  order  to 
convey  the  fire  to  the  fuzes. 

Caisson  signifies  also  a  covered 
wagon,  to  carry  bread  or  ammunition. 

CALATRAVA,  a  Spanish  military 
order,  so  called  from  a  fort  of  that 
name. 

The  knights  of  Calatrava  bear  a  cross; 
gules,  fleur-de-lissed  with  green,  ore. 

CALCULATION,  in  military  affairs, 
is  the  art  of  computing  the  amplitudes 
of  shells,  time  of  flight,  projectile  curve, 
velocity  of  shots,  charges  of  mines,  &c. 
together  with  the  necessary  tables  for 
practice. 

Military  Calculation,  (calcul  mili- 
taire,  Fr.)  a  consideration  of  things  and 
events  in  a  military  manner;  a  view  of 


all   the  geographical  bearings,  political 
relations,    and    effective   forces   for   or 
against  a  country,  &c. 
CALF,  Fr.  creek. 

La  Cai.e,  Fr.  a  punishment  among 
the  French,  which  is  inflicted  when  one 
soldier,  or  sailor,  wounds  another  mali- 
ciously.    The  culprit  is  lied  to  the,  yard- 
arm,  and  suddenly  plunged   into  the  sea, 
and   hauled   up  again.     It  corresponds, 
in  s>>me  degree,  with  our  keel-hauhng. 
Cai.e,  on  fond  de  cale,  Fr.  ship's  hold. 
CALER,  Fr.  in  architecture,  to  place 
a  piece  of  thin  wood  under  a  stone,  in 
order  to  determine  the  width  of  the  seam 
or  joint  that  i«  to  be  filled. 
CALFATER,  Fr.  to  calk. 
CALIBER,  in  gunnery,  signifies  the 
same  as  the  bore  or  opening;  and  the 
diameter  of  the  bore  is  called   the  dia- 
meter  of  its  caliber.     This  expression 
regards  all  pieces  of  artillery. 

CALiBFR-cowjDasses,  )  the  name  of  a 
CALUPzn-compasses,  )  particular  in- 
strument used  by  gunners,  for  measuring 
the  diameters  of  shot,  shells,  &o.  as  also 
the  cylinders  of  cannon,  mortars,  and 
howitzers.  They  resemble  other  com- 
passes, except  in  their  legs,  which  are 
arched,  in  order  that  the  points  may 
touch  the  extremities  of  the  arch.  To 
find  the  true  diameter  of  a  circle,  they 
have  a  quadrant  fastened  to  one  leg,  and 
passing  through  the  other,  marked  with 
inches  and  parts,  to  express  the  diameter 
required:  the  length  of  each  ruler  or 
plate  is  usually  between  the  limits  of  6 
inches  and  a  foot.  On  these  rulers  are 
a  variety  of  scales,  tables,  proportions, 
&c.  such  as  are  esteemed  useful  to  be 
known  by  gunners.  The  following  ar- 
ticles are  on  the  completest  gunners- 
callipers,  viz.  1.  The  measure  of  con- 
vex diameters  in  inches.  2.  Of  concave 
ditto.  3.  The  weight  of  iron  shot  from 
given  diameters.  4.  The  weight  of 
iron  shot  from  given  gun  bores.  5. 
The  degrees  of  a  semicircle.  6.  The 
proportion  of  troy  and  avoirdupois 
weight.  7.  The  proportion  of  English 
and  French  feet  and  pounds.  8.  Factors 
used  in  circular  and  spherical  figures. 
9.  Tables  of  the  specific  gravity  and 
weight  of  bodies.  10.  Tables  of  the 
quantity  of  powder  necessary  for  proof 
and  service  of  brass  and  iron  guns.  11. 
Rules  for  computing  the  number  of  shot 
or  shells,  in  a  finished  pile.  12.  Rule  con- 
cerning the  fall  of  heavy  bodies.  13.  Rules 
for  raising  water.     14.  Rules  for  firing 


C  A  L 


(    75     ) 


C  A  M 


artillery  and  mortars.  15.  A  line  of 
inches.  16.  Logarithmetic  scales  of 
numbers, sines,  versed  sines  and  tangents. 
17.  A  sectoral  line  of  equal  parts,  or  the 
line  of  lines.  18.  A  sectoral  line  of 
plans,  and  superficies.  19.  A  sectoral 
line  of  solids. 

CALIBRE,  Fr.    See  Caliber. 

Calibre,  Fr.  signifies,  in  a  figurative 
sense,  cast,  weight  or  character ;  as  un 
homme  de  ce  calibre,  a  man  of  this  cast,  or 
weight. 

CALIBRER,  Fr.  to  take  the  measure- 
ment of  the  caliber  of  a  gun. 

CALIVER,  an  old  term  for  an  arque- 
buse  or  musket. 

CALOMNIERE,  Fr.  a  pop-gun. 

CALOTE,  Fr.  a  species  of  skull-cap 
wbich  officers  and  soldiers  wear  under 
their  hats  in  the  French  cavalry,  and 
which  is  proof  against  a  sabre  or  sword. 
Calotes  are  usually  made  of  iron,  wick, 
or  dressed  leather,  and  every  officer 
chuses  the  sort  he  likes  best.  Those  deli- 
vered out  to  the  troops  are  made  of  iron. 

The  CALOTE,  a  term  used  in  the 
French  service  for  the  Lieutenants' 
Court,  at  which  the  first  lieutenant  of 
the  regiment,  for  the  time  being,  always 
presided.  The  form  of  a  calote  shews 
its  connexion  with  the  English  expres- 
sion Round  Robin,  (which  see  ;)  the  lat- 
ter taking  its  allusion  from  a  circle,  and 
the  former  from  the  sphere. 

Its  object  was  to  watch  over  the  con- 
duct of  the  subalterns :  and  the  presi- 
dent instructed  young  men,  on  their  ar- 
rival, in  all  the  private  regulations  of 
the  corps,  as  also  in  the  general  rules 
necessary  for  going  through  the  service 
with  honour. 

It  took  cognizance,  as  a  court  of 
honour,  of  all  disputes  and  quarrels  in 
which  the  laws  of  honour,  or  of  good 
breeding,  had  been  violated.  Our  regi- 
mental committees,  in  some  degree,  re- 
semble the  Calote,  especially  with  re- 
gard to  the  expulsion  of  an  officer,  or 
the  sending  of  him  to  Coventry. 

Calote  spherique,  Fr.  the  section  of 
a  sphere,  having  a  circle  for  its  basis. 

Calote  also  signifies  a  tonsure,  or 
that  back  part  of  the  head  which  is 
shaved  to  denote  a  person  in  orders,  ac- 
cording to  the  rites  of  the  Romish  church. 

CALOTIN,  one  who  has  the  tonsure. 
This  term  has  been  generally  used  by  the 
French,  especially  the  soldiery,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  Revolution,  in  de- 
rision of  the  priesthood;  and  is  one  of 


the  many  proofs  of  contempt  into  which 
every  sort  of  religion  has  fallen,  and  to 
which  the  immorality  of  the  nation  may 
be  attributed. 

CALQUER,  Fr.  to  take  oft' a  counter- 
part of  any  drawing  or  design,  by  friction 
or  impression. 

CALQUING,  1  (calquer,  Fr.)  tbe  art 

CALKING,  S  »f  tracing  any  kind  of 
a  military  drawing,&c.  upon  some  plate, 
paper,  &c.  It  is  performed  by  covering 
the  backside  of  the  drawing  with  a  black 
or  red  colour,  and  fixing  the  side  so 
covered  upon  a  piece  of  paper,  waxed 
plate,  &c.  This  done,  every  line  in  the 
drawing  is  to  be  traced  over  with  a 
point,  by  which  means  all  the  outlines 
will  be  transferred  to  the  paper  or  plate, 
&c. 

CALTROPS,  pieces  of  iron  having 
four  points,  so  disposed  that  three  of 
them  always  rest  upon  the  ground,  and 
the  fourth  stands  upwards  in  a  perpen- 
dicular direction.  Each  point  is  three  or 
four  inches  long.  They  are  scattered 
over  the  ground  and  passages  where  the 
enemy  is  expected  to  march,  especially 
the  cavalry,  in  order  to  embarrass  their 
progress. 

CAMARADE,  Fr.     See  Comrade. 

CAMBRE,  on  Cambrure,  Fr.  the  bend- 
ing of  a  piece  of  timber,  or  the  curve  of 
an  arch. 

CAMBRER,  Fr.  to  vault;  to  bend. 
Also  to  fit  pannel  squares,  boards,  and 
other  pieces  of  timber  to  curved  dimen- 
sions, by  means  of  fire,  &c. 

CAMION,  Fr.  a  species  of  cart  or 
dray  with  three  wheels,  which  is  drawn 
by  two  men,  and  serves  to  convey  can- 
non-balls, &c.  These  carts  are  very 
useful  in  fortified  towns. 

It  is  also  called  petit  tombereuu,  small 
tumbrel. 

CAMISADE  or  Camisatjo,  Fr.  in 
military  transactions,  an  attack  by  sur- 
prise, either  during  the  night,  or  at 
break  of  day,  when  the  enemy  is  sup- 
posed to  be  asleep,  or  off" his  guard;  it  is 
so  called  from  the  soldiers  wearing  their 
shirts  outside,  in  order  to  know  one  an- 
other in  the  darkness. 

CAMOUFLET,  Fr.  in  war,  a  kind  of 
stinking  combustible  blown  out  of  paper 
cases  into  the  miners'  faces,  when  thev 
are  at  work  in  the  galleries  of  the  coun- 
termines. 

Camouflf.t  also  signifies  the  sudden 
explosion  of  a  pistol,  &c.  wbich  takes 
place  when  miners  encounter  one  ah- 
L2 


CAM 


(   ro   ) 


CAM 


otlicr;  hence  donner  Ic  camouftet,  to  take 
another  by  surprise,  or  (ire  at  him  unex- 
pectedly. 

CAMP,  the  extent  of  ground  oc- 
cupied by  an  army  pitching  its  tents 
when  in  the  field, and  upon  which  all  it* 
baggage  and  apparatus  are  lodged.  It 
is  marked  out  by  the  quarter-master-ge- 
neral, who  allots  to  every  regiment  its 
ground.  The  extent  of  the  front  of  a 
regiment  of  infantry  is  200  yards,  in- 
cluding the  two  battalion  guns,  and 
depth  320,  when  the  regiment  contains 
9  companies,  each  of  100  private  men, 
and  the  companies' tents  in  two  rows; 
but  when  the  companies  tents  stand  in 
one  row,  and  about  70  private  men  to 
each  row,  the  front  is  then  but  155  yards. 
A  squadron  of  horse  has  120  yards  in 
front,  and  100  for  an  interval  between 
each  regiment. 

The  nature  of  the  ground  must  also 
be  consulted,  both  for  defence  against 
the  enemy,  and  for  supplies  to  the 
army.  It  should  have  a  communication 
with  that  army's  garrisons,  and  have 
plenty  of  water,  forage,  fuel,  and  either 
rivers,  marshes,  hills,  or  woods  to  cover 
it.  An  army  always  encamps  fronting 
the  enemy,  and  generally  in  two  parallel 
lines,  besides  a  corps  de  reserve,  about 
500  yards  distant  from  each  other;  the 
horse  and  dragoons  on  the  wings,  and 
the  foot  in  the  center.  Where  and  how 
the  train  of  artillery  is  encamped,  see 
Park  of  artillery,  and  Encampment  of  a 
regiment  if  artillery,  under  the  word 
Artillery. 

In  a  siege,  the  camp  is  placed  all  along 
the  line  of  circumvallation,  or  rather  in 
the  rear  of  the  approaches,  out  of  can- 
non-shot; the  army  faces  the  circumval- 
lation, if  there  be  any. 

There  is  one  thing  very  essential  in  the 
establishing  a  camp,  and  which  should  be 
particularly  attended  to,  if  the  enemy  is 
near,  which  is,  that  there  should  not  only 
be  a  commodious  spot  of  ground  at  the 
head  of  the  camp,  where  the  army,  in 
case  of  surprise,  may  in  a  moment  be 
under  arms,  and  in  condition  to  repulse 
the  enemy;  but  also  a  convenient  field 
of  battle  at  a  small  distance,  and  of  a 
sufficient  extent  for  them  to  form  ad- 
vantageously, and  to  move  with  facility. 

The  arrangement  of  the  tents  in  camp 
is  nearly  the  same  all  over  Europe, 
which  is  to  dispose  them  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  troops  may  form  with  safety 
and  expedition. 


To  answer  this  end,  the  troops  arc 
encamped  in  the  same  order  as  that  in 
which  they  are  to  engage,  which  is  by 
battalions  and  squadrons;  hence,  the 
post  of  each  battalion  and  squadron  in 
the  line  of  battle  must  necessarily  be  at 
the  head  of  its  own  encampment.  Gus- 
tavus  Adolphus,  king  of  Sweden,  was  the 
first  who  formed  encampments  according 
to  the  order  of  battle. 

By  this  disposition,  the  extent  of  tha 
camp  from  right  to  left,  of  each  battalion 
and  squadron,  will  be  equal  to  the  front 
of  each  in  line  of  battle:  and  conse- 
quently, the  extent  from  right  to  left  of 
the  whole  camp,  should  be  equal  to  the 
front  of  the  whole  army  when  drawn  up 
in  line  of  battle,  with  the  same  intervals 
between  the  several  encampments  of  the 
battalions  and  squadrons,  as  are  in  the 
line. 

There  is  no  fixed  rule  for  the  inter- 
vals :  some  will  have  no  intervals,  some 
small  ones,  and  others  are  for  intervals 
equal  to  the  front  of  the  battalion  or 
squadron.  The  most  general  method  is, 
an  interval  of  60  feet  between  each  bat- 
talion, and  of  3G  feet  between  each 
squadron. 

Distribution  of  the  front  and  depth  of 
the  Camp  for  a  battalion  of  infantry. 
The  present  mode  of  encampments  dif- 
fers from  what  was  formerly  adopted. 
The  front  of  the  camp  for  a  battalion  of 
10  companies  of  60  men  each,  is  at  pre- 
sent 400  feet,  and  during  the  late  wars 
only  360  feet;  the  depth  at  present 
759  feet,  and  during  the  late  war  960. 
The  front  of  the  camp  of  a  battalion  of 
10  companies  of  100  men  each  is  at 
present  668  feet,  and  formerly  only  592. 
The  breadth  of  the  streets  from  45  to 
55  feet,  excepting  the  main  street,  which 
is  sometimes  from  60  to  90  feet  broad. 

Of  the  Camp  of  a  battalion  by  a  nez$ 
method.  This  is,  by  placing  the  tents 
in  3  rows  parallel  to  the  principal  front 
of  the  camp ;  which  is  suitable  to  the 
3  ranks  in  which  the  battalion  is  drawn 
up:  the  tents  of  the  first  row,  which 
front  the  camp,  are  for  the  men  of  the 
front  rank :  the  tents  of  the  second  row 
front  the  rear,  and  are  for  the  men  of 
the  second  rank ;  and  the  tents  of  the 
third  row,  which  front  the  center  row, 
are  for  the  men  of  the  rear  rank. 

When  two  field-pieces  are  allowed  to 
each  battalion,  they  are  posted  to  the 
right  of  it.  Gustavus  Adolphus,  king 
of  Sweden,  was  the  first  who  ordered 


CAM 


(    77    ) 


CAM 


two  field-pieces  to  each  battalion,  which 
are  generally  light  6  pounders. 

Camp  of  Cavalry.  The  tents  for  the 
cavalry,  as  well  as  for  the  infantry,  are 
placed  in  rows  perpendicular  to  the 
principal  front  of  the  camp  ;  and  their 
number  is  conformable  to  the  number 
of  troops.  The  horses  of  each  troop  are 
placed  in  a  line  parallel  to  the  tents, 
with  their  head  towards  them. 

The  number  of  tents  in  each  row  is 
regulated  by  the  strength  of  the  troops, 
and  the  number  of  troopers  allotted  to 
each  tent  is  5 :  it  follows,  that  a  troop 
of  30  men  will  require  6  tents,  a  troop 
of  60  men  12  tents,  and  a  troop  of  100 
men  '20  tents.  The  tents  for  the  caval- 
ry are  of  the  same  form  as  those  of  the 
infantry,  but  more  spacious,  the  better 
to  contain  the  fire-arms,  accoutrements, 
saddles,  bridles,  boots,  &c.    See  Tents. 

Distribution  of  the  front  and  depth  of 
a  Camp  of  Cavalry.  Supposing  the  re- 
giment to  consist  of  2  squadrons,  of  3 
troops  each,  and  of  50  men  in  each 
troop,  the  extent  of  the  front  will  be 
450  feet,  if  drawn  up  in  2  ranks;  but 
if  drawn  up  in  3  ranks,  the  front  will  be 
only  300  feet,  the  depth  220,  and  the 
breadth  of  the  back  streets  30  feet,  and 
the  other  streets  46  feet  each.  In  the 
last  war  600  feet  were  allowed  each  re- 
giment of  cavalry  in  front,  774  feet  for 
the  depth,  and  the  breadth  of  the  streets 
as  above. 

The  standard-guard  tents  are  pitched 
in  the  center,  in  a  line  with  the  quarter- 
master's. The  camp-colours  of  the  ca- 
valry are  also  of  the  same  colour  as  the 
facings  of  the  regiments,  with  the  rank 
of  the  regiment  in  the  center :  those  of 
the  horse  are  square,  like  those  of  the 
foot;  and  those  of  the  dragoons  are 
swallow-tailed.  The  dung  of  each  troop 
is  laid  up  behind  the  horses. 

Camp  duty  consists  in  guards,  both 
ordinary  and  extraordinary:  the  ordi- 
nary guards  are  relieved  regularly  at  a 
certain  hour  every  day  (generally  about 
9  or  10  o'clock  in  the  morning);  the 
extraordinary  guards  are  all  kinds  of 
detachments  commanded  on  particular 
occasions  for  the  further  security  of  the 
camp,  for  covering  the  foragers,  for  con- 
voys, escorts,  or  expeditions. 

The  ordinary  guards  are  distinguished 
into  grand  guards,  standard,  and  quarter 
guards;  rear  guards,  picket  guards,  and 
guards  for  the  general  officers ;  train  of 
artillery,  bread  wagons,  paymaster  ge- 


neral, quarter-master  general,  majors  of 
brigade,  judge  advocate,  and  provost 
marshal  guards. 

The  number  and  strength  of  the  grand 
guards  and  out-posts,  whether  of  cavalry 
or  infantry,  depend  on  the  situation  of 
the  camp,  nature  of  the  country,  and  the 
position  of  the  enemy.  The  strength 
of  general  officers  guards  is  limited. 

Camp  maxims  are,  1.  The  principal 
rule  in  forming  a  camp,  is  to  give  it  the 
same  front  the  troops  occupy  in  order 
of  battle. 

2.  The  method  of  encamping  is  by 
battalions  and  squadrons,  except  the 
royal  regiment  of  artillery,  which  is  en- 
camped on  the  right  and  left  of  the  park 
of  artillery. 

3.  Each  man  is  allowed  2  feet  in  the 
ranks  of  the  battalion,  and  3  feet  in  the 
squadron:  thence  the  front  of  a  batta- 
lion of  900  men,  formed  3  deep,  will  be 
600  feet;  and  the  front  of  a  squadron 
of  150  men,  formed  2  deep,  will  be  225 
feet. 

4.  The  depth  of  the  camp  when  the 
army  is  encamped  in  3  lines,  is  at  least 
2750  feet;  that  is,  750  feet  for  the 
depth  of  each  line,  and  250  feet  for  the 
space  between  each  of  those  lines. 

5.  The  park  of  artillery  should  always 
be  placed  on  a  dry  rising  ground,  if  any 
such  situation  offers;  either  in  the  center 
of  the  front  line,  or  in  the  rear  of  the 
second  line;  with  all  the  train  horses 
encamped  in  the  rear  of  the  park. 

6.  The  bread-wagons  should  be  sta- 
tioned in  the  rear  of  the  camp,  and  as 
near  as  possible  to  the  center,  that  the 
distribution  of  bread  may  be  rendered 
easy. 

7.  When  the  commander  in  chief 
encamps,  it  is  generally  in  the  center 
of  the  army ;  and  the  town  or  village 
chosen  for  his  residence  is  called  head- 
quarters. 

8.  That  general  is  inexcusable,  who, 
for  his  own  personal  accommodation, 
makes  choice  of  quarters  that  are  not 
properly  secured,  or  lie  at  too  great  a 
distance  to  have  an  easy  communication 
with  the  camp. 

9.  If  the  ground  permits,  the  troops 
should  be  encamped  as  near  to  good 
water  as  possible. 

10.  When  there  are  hussars,  they  are 
generally  posted  near  the  head-quarters, 
or  in  the  front  of  the  army. 

11.  The  ground  taken  up  by  the  en- 
campment of  an  army  should  be  equally 


C  A  M 


(    78    ) 


C  A  M 


distributed,  and,  if  possible,  in  a  straight 
line;  as  the  whole  will  have  more  grace; 
for  a  crooked  line,  and  an  inequality  of 
disposition,  afford  a  very  unpleasing 
view,  both  of  the  camp  and  of  the  troops 
when  they  are  under  arms. 

12.  Cleanliness  is  essentially  neces- 
sary to  the  health  of  a  camp,  especially 
when  it  is  to  remain  for  any  length  of 
time.  To  maintain  this,  the  privies 
should  be  often  filled  up,  and  others 
opened;  at  least  every  6  days.  The 
offal  of  cattle,  and  the  carcasses  of  dead 
horses,  should  be  buried  very  deep;  and 
all  kinds  of  corrupt  effluvia,  that  may 
infect  the  air  and  produce  epidemical 
disorders,  should  be  constantly  removed. 

Choice  of  Camps.  1.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  a  campaign,  when  the  enemy  is 
at  too  great  a  distance  to  occasion  any 
alarm,  all  situations  for  camps  that  are 
healthy  are  good,  provided  the  troops 
have  room,  and  are  within  reach  of  wa- 
ter, wood,  and  provisions.  More  ground 
should  be  allowed  to  the  troops  in  sta- 
tionary camps,  than  in  tempurary  ones. 

2.  Camps  should  be  situated  as  near 
as  possible  to  navigable  rivers  to  facili- 
tate the  conveyance  of  all  manner  of 
supplies;  for  convenience  and  safety 
are  the  principal  objects  for  camps. 

3.  A  camp  should  never  be  placed  too 
near  heights  from  whence  the  enemy 
may  overlook  it ;  nor  too  near  woods, 
from  whence  the  enemy  may  surprise  it. 
If  there  are  eminences,  not  commanded 
by  others,  they  should  be  taken  into  the 
camp ;  and  when  that  cannot  be  done, 
they  should  be  fortified. 

4.  The  choice  of  a  camp  depends  in 
a  great  measure  on  the  position  of  the 
enemy,  on  his  strength,  and  on  the  na- 
ture and  situation  of  the  country. 

5.  A  skilful  general  will  avail  himself 
of  all  the  advantages  for  a  camp,  which 
nature  may  present,  whether  in  plains, 
mountains,  ravines,  hollows,  woods, 
lakes,  inclosures,  rivers,  rivulets,  &c. 

6.  The  disposition  of  the  troops  in 
camp  should  depend  on  the  nature  and 
situation  of  the  ground;  as  there  are 
occasions  which  require  all  the  infantry 
to  encamp  on  the  right,  and  the  cavalry 
on  the  left;  and  there  are  others  which 
require  the  cavalry  to  form  in  the  cen- 
ter, and  the  infantry  on  the  wings. 

7.  A  camp  should  never  be  formed  on 
the  banks  of  a  river,  without  the  space 
of  at  least  2  or  3,000  feet,  for  drawing 
out  the  army  in   order  of  battle:  the 


enemy  cannot  then  easily  alarm  th« 
camp,  by  artillery  and  small  arms  from 
the  other  side. 

8.  Camps  should  never  be  situated 
near  rivers  that  are  subject  to  be  over- 
flowed, either  by  the  melting  of  the 
snow,  or  by  accidental  torrents  from  the 
mountains.  Marshy  grounds  should  also 
be  avoided,  on  account  of  the  vapours 
arising  from  stagnant  waters,  which  in- 
fect the  air. 

9.  On  the  choice  of  camps  and  posts, 
frequently  depends  the  success  of  a 
campaign,  and  even  sometimes  of  a  war. 

Camp  guards.  They  are  of  two 
sorts :  the  one  serves  to  maintain  good 
order  within  the  camp;  and  the  other, 
which  is  stationed  without  the  camp, 
serves  to  cover  and  secure  it  against  the 
enemy.  These  guards  are  formed  of 
both  infantry  and  cavalry  ;  and  in  pro- 
portion to  the  strength  of  the  army, 
situation  of  the  camp,  and  disposition  of 
the  enemy.  Sometimes  it  is  required, 
that  these  guards  should  consist  of  the 
8th  part  of  the  army  ;  at  others,  of  the 
3d  part;  and  when  an  attack  from  the 
enemy  is  apprehended,  even  of  the  half. 

Manner  of  stationing  the  Camp 
guards.  It  is  of  the  utmost  conse- 
quence to  station  the  guards  in  such 
places,  as  may  enable  them  to  discover 
easily  whatever  approaches  the  camp. 

2.  The  guards  of  the  cavalry  are  ge- 
nerally removed  farther  from  the  camp, 
than  those  of  the  infantry;  but  never 
at  so  great  a  distance,  as  to  endanger 
their  being  cut  off:  within  cannon-shot 
is  a  very  good  distance.  They  are  often 
stationed  in  highways,  in  open  places, 
and  on  small  heights;  but  they  are 
always  so  disposed  as  to  see  and  com- 
municate with  one  another. 

3.  The  vedettes  to  the  out-posts  must 
be  double;  for  should  they  make  a  dis- 
covery, one  may  be  detached  to  inform 
the  officer  commanding  the  out-post,  and 
the  other  remain  on  duty;  they  should 
not  be  at  too  great  a  distance  from  their 
detachment;  probably,  about  50  or  60 
paces  will  be  sufficient. 

4.  The  guards  of  infantry  have  dif- 
ferent objects,  and  are  differently  sta- 
tioned :  their  duty  is,  to  receive  and 
support  the  guards  of  cavalry  in  cases 
of  need;  to  protect  the  troops  sent  out 
for  wood,  forage,  or  water ;  in  short  to 
prevent  any  approaches  from  the  small 
parties  of  the  enemy.  Some  are  sta- 
tioned   in  the  churches  of  the  neigh- 


C  A  M 


(    79    ) 


C  A  M 


■ 


bouring  villages,  in  castles,  houses,  and 
in  passages  and  avenues  of  woods; 
others  are  stationed  on  the  borders  of 
rivulets,  and  in  every  place  necessary  to 
secure  the  camp.  Guards  tliat  are  sta- 
tioned in  churches,  steeples,  in  woods, 
or  among  trees,  castles,  and  houses, 
should,  if  possible,  be  seen  from  the 
armv,  or  at  least  from  some  grand  guard 
in  its  neighbourhood,  that  signals  may 
be  readily  perceived  and  repeated. 

5.  The  guards  of  infantry  are  gene- 
rally fixed  ;  that  is,  they  have  the  same 
post  both  day  and  night,  except  such  as 
are  to  support  and  protect  the  guards  of 
cavalry,  and  to  cover  the  forage  grounds. 
All  out-guards  should  have  intrenching- 
tools  with  them. 

6.  The  guards  of  cavalry  have  gene- 
rally a  day-post  and  a  night-post;  the 
latter  is  seldom  more  than  4  or  500 
paces  from  the  camp  ;  one  third  should 
be  mounted,  one  third  bridled,  and  one 
third  feeding  their  horses;  but  when 
near  the  enemy,  the  whole  guard  should 
be  kept  mounted  during  the  night. 

7.  The  security  and  tranquillity  of  a 
camp  depending  upon  the  vigilance  of 
the  guards,  the  officers  who  command 
them  cannot  be  too  active  in  preventing 
surprises  :  a  neglect  in  this  particular  is 
often  of  fatal  consequence.  Though 
an  officer  must,  at  all  times,  be  strictly 
attentive  to  every  part  of  the  service, 
yet  he  should  be  more  particularly 
watchful  in  the  night  than  in  the  day. 
The  night  is  the  time  most  favourable 
for  surprises;  as  those  who  are  not  on 
duty,  are  generally  asleep,  and  cannot 
immediately  afford  assistance;  but  in 
the  day  time,  the  attention  of  all  the 
troops  is  turned  to  the  movements  of 
the  enemy ;  they  are  sooner  under 
arms,  sooner  in  readiness  to  march,  and 
in  much  less  danger  of  being  thrown 
into  confusion.  It  ought  also  to  be 
remembered,  that  the  officer  of  the 
quarter-guard  and  the  advanced  sen- 
tries should  never  permit  any  person  in 
coloured  clothes  to  pass  the  front  line 
of  the  camp,  or  in  any  shape  enter  it, 
without  being  minutely  questioned  as  to 
his  situe-tion  in  life,  &c.  For  this  end, 
he  should  be  conducted  to  the  quarter- 
guard,  there  to  give  in  writing  the  ne- 
cessary information.  Those  who  wish 
to  be  better  acquainted  with  the  nature 
and  mode  of  encampments,  may  read 
Mr.  Lochee's  useful  Essay  on  Castrame- 
tation. 


Concerning  the  healthiness  of  the 
different  seasons  of  a  campaign,  the  in- 
genious Dr.  Pringle  has  the  following 
observations.  The  first  three  weeks  are  al- 
ways sickly;  after  which  the  sickness 
decreases,  and  the  men  enjoy  a  tole- 
rable degree  of  health  throughout  the 
summer,  unless  they  get  wet  clothes. 
The  most  sickly  part  of  the  campaign 
is  towards  the  end  of  August,  whilst  the 
days  are  still  hot,  but  the  nights  cold 
and  damp  with  fogs  and  dews;  then,  if 
not  sooner,  the  dysentery  prevails;  and 
though  its  violence  is  over  by  the  begin- 
ning oi"  October,  yet  the  remitting  fever, 
gaining  ground,  continues  throughout 
the  rest  of  the  campaign,  and  never  en- 
tirely ceases,  even  in  winter  quarters, 
till  the  frost  begins.  He  likewise  ob- 
serves, that  the  last  14  days  of  a  cam- 
paign, if  protracted  till  the  beginning  of 
November,  are  attended  with  more 
sickness  than  the  two  first  months  of 
the  encampment.  As  to  winter  expe- 
ditions, though  severe  in  appearance,  he 
tells  us  they  are  attended  with  little 
sickness,  if  the  men  have  strong  and 
good  shoes,  warm  quarters,  fuel,  and 
provisions  enough. 

CAMP-Colour-men,  men  who  carry 
the  camp-colours.  Each  regiment  has 
generally  6,  and  sometimes  1  per  com- 
pany; they  always  march  with  the 
quarter-master,  to  assist  in  making  the 
necessary  preparations  against  the  ar- 
rival of  the  regiment  in  a  new  encamp- 
ment. They  also  carry  the  triangles 
when  a  soldier  is  to  be  flogged. 

CAMP-Fight,  (combat  en  champ  chx, 
Fr.)  When  an  engagement  takes  place 
within  certain  lines  of  a  camp  or  in- 
closed position,  it  is  called  a  camp-fight. 
Camp-fight  was  also  formerly  used  to 
signify  combat. 

Fly  i7ig-C  amp,  or  army,  generally 
means  a  strong  body  of  horse  and  foot, 
commanded  for  the  most  part  by  a 
lieutenant-general,  which  is  always  in 
motion,  both  to  cover  its  own  garrisons, 
and  to  keep  the  enemy's  army  in  conti- 
nual alarm.  It  is  sometimes  used  to 
signify  the  ground  on  which  such  a  body 
of  men  encamp. 

Camp  -utensils,  hatchets,  shovels,  mat- 
tocks, blankets,  camp-kettles,  canteens, 
tents,  poles,  and  pins:  each  company 
has  10  shovels  and  5  mattocks;  each 
tent  1  hatchet,  2  blankets,  1  camp-ket- 
tle, with  its  linen  bag;  and  each  soldier 
1  canteen,  1  knapsack,  and  1  havre-sack. 


C  A  M 


(     80    ) 


CAN 


C/iMV-discases,  are  chiefly  bilious  fe- 
vers, malignant  fevers,  fluxes,  scurvy, 
rheumatism,  &c. 

Camp  is  also  used  by  the  Siamese  and 
some  other  nations  in  the  East  Indies, 
to  express  the  quarters  where  the  per- 
sons from  different  countries,  who  come 
to  trade  with  them,  usually  reside. 

CAMP  d'assemblce,  Fr.  the  first  ground 
which  is  taken  when  troops  are  encamp- 
ed on  the  opening  of  a  campaign. 

Camp  a  cheval,  Fr.  a  ground  of  en- 
campment across  which  any  river  runs, 
&c. 

Camp  d'ecousu,  Fr.  a  ground  of  en- 
campment, which  is  occupied  by  dif- 
ferent regiments,  without  any  attention 
being  paid  to  a  regular  line,  &c. 

Camp  desemparc,  Fr.  a  ground  upon 
which  the  enemy  has  been  encamped 
the  preceding  day,  or  during  the  course 
of  the  one  on  which  the  ground  is  re- 
connoitred. 

Camp  detendu,  Fr.  a  ground  of  en- 
campment upon  which  the  tents  are 
struck,  either  for  the  purpose  of  engag- 
ing the  enemy,  of  marching  from  him, 
or  of  making  any  particular  movement. 

Camp  en  echelons,  Fr.  a  ground  of 
encampment  which  is  taken  up  in  such 
a  manner,  that  the  different  regiments 
lie  obliquely  in  advance  one  to  the  other. 
By  means  of  this  disposition  the  flanks 
nearest  to  the  enemy  are  supported  by 
those  that  are  farther  from  him,  and  are 
not  exposed  to  have  their  wing  turned. 

CAMP^xe,  Fr.  a  regular,  or  stationary 
camp. 

Camp  bien  ordonn'c,  Fr.  a  well  regu- 
lated camp. 

Camp  d 'instruction,  ou  de  discipline, 
Fr.  a  ground  of  encampment  which  is 
occupied  for  the  purpose  of  training 
troops,  &c. 

Camp  momentani,  Fr.  a  ground  of  en- 
campment which  is  taken  for  a  short  in- 
terval. 

Camp  de. passage,Yr.  ground  taken  for 
the  purpose  of  passing  through  a  coun- 
try, crossing  a  river,  &c. 

Camp  de  plaisancc,  Fr.  a  camp  which 
is  taken  for  the  purposes  of  parade. 

Camp  de  position,  Fr. ground  taken  to 
enable  an  army  to  act  offensively,  or  de- 
fensively, against  any  opposing  force. 

Camp  rctrunch'c,  Fr.  an  entrenched 
camp.     See  Camp. 

Camp  tendu,  Fr.  a  ground  of  encamp- 
ment, where  tents,  &c.  are  regularly 
pitched. 


Camp  volant,  Fr.  a  flying  camp,  one 
which  is  formed  and  broken  up  from 
day  to  day. 

Camp  de  Mars,  Fr.  apiece  of  ground 
in  the  vicinity  of  Paris,  where  troops 
are  occasionally  exercised,  and  public 
festivals  kept. 

CAMPAGNE,  Fr.  campaign. 

Se  mettre  en  Campagne,  Fr.  to  take 
the  field. 

Tenir  la  Campagne,  Fr.  to  keep  the 
field,  or  remain  encamped. 

CAMPAIGN,  in  military  affairs,  the 
time  every  year  that  an  army  continues 
in  the  field,  in  war  time.  The  word  is 
also  used  for  an  open  country  before 
any  town.  &c. 

CAMPEMENT,  Fr.  an  encampment. 
This  word  is  also  used  to  denote  a  de- 
tachment sent  before  the  army  to  mark 
out  the  ground  for  a  camp. 

CAMPER,  Fr.  to  encamp. 

CAMPUS  Maii,  an  anniversary  as- 
sembly which  was  observed  by  our  an- 
cestors on  May-day,  when  they  mutually 
pledged  themselves  to  one  another  for 
the  defence  of  the  country  against 
foreign  and  domestic  foes.  Of  this  de- 
scription was  the  famous  Champ  de  Mai 
when  Bonaparte  assembled  the  troops 
and  citizens  of  Paris  in  1815. 

Campus  Martins,  a  public  place  so 
called  among  the  llomaus,  from  Mars, 
the  God  of  War. 

Champ  de  Mai,  Fr.  See  Campus 
Mail 

CANAL  de  lumilre,  Fr.  the  aperture, 
or  touch-hole,  which  leads  from  the  pan 
to  the  barrel  of  a  fire  arm. 

CANAL,  {canal,  Fr.)  that  part  of  a 
stone,  or  wooden  aqueduct,  through 
which  the  water  passes. 

CANAPSA,  Fr.  knapsack;  more 
properly  an  old  leathern  bag  or  satchel, 
which  a  beggar  or  soldier's  boy  carries. 

Canapsa  also  means  the  individual 
who  carries  the  bag. 

CANARDER,  Fr.  to  pelt,  to  shoot; 
to  fire  from  any  secret  place. 

CANEVAS,  Fr.  canvass ;  rough 
draught. 

CANIVEAUX,  Fr.  a  strong  pave- 
ment which  runs  across  a  street  where 
wagons  pass. 

CANNIPERS.     See  Callipers. 

CANNON,  or  pieces  o/Ordnance,  in 
the  military  art,  imply  machines  having 
tubes  of  brass,  or  iron.  They  are 
charged  with  powder  and  ball,  or  some- 
times cartridges,  grape  and  tin-shot,  &o. 


CAN 


C    81     ) 


CAN 


The  length  is  distinguished  by  three 
parts;  the  first  re-in  force,  the  second 
re-inforce,  and  the  chace:  the  first  re- 
inforce is  2-7 ths,  and  the  second  l-7th 
and  a  half  of  the  diameter  of  the  shor. 
The  inside  hollow,  wherein  the  powder 
and  shot  are  lodged,  is  called  the  bore, 
iS:c. 

History  o/"Cannon'  or  pieces  nfOr.D- 
nance.     They  were  originally  made  of 
iron  bars  soldered  together,  and  fortified 
with  strong  iron  hoops;  some  of  which 
are  still  to  he  seen,  viz.  one  in  the  tower 
of  London,  two  at  Woolwich,  and  one  in 
the    royal  arsenal  at  Lisbon.      Others 
were  made  of  thin  sheets  of  iron  rolled 
up  together,  and  hooped;  and  on  emer- 
gencies they  were  made  of  leather,  with 
plates  of  iron  or  copper.     These  pieces 
were  made  in  a  rude  and  imperfect  man- 
ner, like  the   first  essays  of  many  new 
inventions.      Stone   balls    were    thrown 
out  of  these  cannon,  and  a  small  quantity 
of   powder    used    on  account   of   their 
weakness.     These  pieces  have  no  orna- 
ments, are  placed  on  their  carriages  by 
rings,  and  are  of  cylindrical  form.  When 
or  by  whom   they  were  made,  is  uncer- 
tain: however,  we  read  of  cannon  being 
used  as  early  as  the  13th  century,  in  a 
sea  engagement   between    the   king   of 
Tunis  and  the  Moorish  king   of  Seville. 
The  Venetians  used   cannon  at  the  siege 
of  Claudia  Jessa,  now  called  Chioggia, 
in   1366,  which  were  brought  thither  by 
two  Germans,  with   some  powder  and 
leaden  balls;  as  likewise  in   their   wars 
with  the  Genoese  in  1379.     Our  glorious 
king  Edward  III.  made  use  of  cannon  at 
the  battle  of  Cressy  in  1346.     On   this 
occasion   the   English    had   4   pieces   of 
ordnance  planted    upon  a  height,  which 
caused  such  a  panic  in  the  French  troops, 
that  Edward  defeated   Philip  of  Valois, 
who  commanded    his   army   in    person, 
without  experiencing  much  opposition. 
Cannon  was  employed  at  the  siege  of 
Calais    in    1347.      Pieces  of  ordnance 
were  made  use  of  by  the  Turks  at  the 
siege  of  Constantinople,  then  in    pos- 
session  of  the  Christians,  in  1394,  or  in 
that    of   1452,   that    threw   a   weight  of 
10061b.  hut  they  generally  burst,  either 
the  first,  second,   or  third  shot.     Louis 
XII.  had  one  cast  at  Tours,  of  the  same 
size,  which  threw  a  ball  from  the  Bastille 
to   Charenton.     One    of   those   fatuous 
cannon   was  taken  at  the  siege  of  Dieu, 
in  1546,  bv  Don  John  de  Castro,  and  is 
in  the  castle  of  St.  Juk;d  da  Barra,  10 
miles  from  Lisbon;  its  length  is  20  feet 


7  inches,  diameter  at  the  center  6  feet  3 
inches,  and  discharges  a  ball  of  10001b. 
It  has  neither  dolphins,  rings,  nor  but- 
ton, is  of  a  curious  kind  of  metal,  and 
has  a  large  Indostan  inscription  upon  it, 
which  says  it  was  cast  in  1400. 

Ancient  am/present  names  o/'Cannon. 
Formerly  they  were  dignified  with  un- 
common names;  for  in  1503  Louis  XII. 
had  12  brass  cannon  cast,  of  an  uncom- 
mon size,  called  after  the  names  of  the 
12  peers  of  Fiance.  The  Spanish  and 
Portugueze  called  them  after  their 
saints.  The  emperor  Charles  V.  when 
he  marched  before  Tunis,  founded  the 
12  Apostles.  At  Milan  there  is  a  70- 
pounder,  called  the  1'imontelle;  and  one 
at  Bois-le-duc,  called  the  Devil.  A  60- 
pounder  at  Dover  castle,  called  Queen 
Elizabeth's  Pocket-pistol.  An  80-pounder 
in  the  tower  of  London  (formerly  in 
Edinburgh  castle)  called  Mounts-meg. 
An  80-pounder  in  the  royal  arsenal  at 
Berlin,  called  the  Thunderer.  An  80- 
pounder  at  Malaga,  called  the  Teirible. 
Two  curious  60-pounders  in  the  arsenal 
at  Bremen,  called  the  Messengers  of  bad 
news.  And  lastly  an  uncommon  70- 
pounder  in  the  castle  of  St.  Angelo  at 
Rome,  made  of  the  nails  that  fasteued 
the  copper  plates  which  covered  the  an- 
cient Pantheon,  with  this  inscription 
upon  it:  Ex  claris  trubulibus  por tints 
AgripptB, 

In  addition  to  the  above  curiosities, 
there  are  two  leather  field  pieces  in  the 
Tower,  and  one  in  the  armoury  at  Malta; 
there  is  also  a  very  singular  old  piece  of 
brass  ordnance  in  the  island  of  Rhodes, 
about  20  feet  in  length,  with  a  chamber 
5  feet  long,  to  contain  the  charge  of 
powder,  which  screws  on  at  the  breech 
ot  the  gun.  The  calibre  of  the  piece  is 
24  inches,  carrying  a  spherical  stone 
ball,  and  seems  to  have  been  used  at  a 
very  early  period.  There  is  likewise  an 
ancient  piece  of  brass  ordnance,  sup- 
posed to  be  Turkish,  in  St.  James's  Park, 
brought  home  from  one  of  the  arsenals 
in  Alexandria,  when  the  British  troops, 
under  the  command  of  Lord  Hutchinson, 
conquered  the  French  in  Egypt. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  loth  century 
the  uncommon  names  of  Terrib'e,  Devil, 
&c.  were  generally  abolished,  and  the 
following  more  universal  ones  took 
place,  viz. 

rounders.         Cwt. 


Cannon  royal,  or  1    


carthoun 

M 


J 


—  48 


about  90 


CAN 


(     82     ) 


C  A  N 


Bastard  cannon,  ) 
or  i  carthoun  j 
•*  carthoun 
Whole  culverins 
Demy  culverins 
Falcon 

Slowest  sort  ~ 
ordinary       =r 
largest  size  rz 
Basilisk  := 

Serpentine  — 

Aspik  — 

Dragon 
Syren 
Falconet 


=  3ti 

=  21 
=  18 
—     9 

=     G 


GO 
50 
30 
25 
13 
15 

la 

85 

8 

7 

13 

81 

15,10,5 


G 

8 

=  43 

=:     4 
—     2 

=     G 

=  GO 

=     8,  2,  Hi  1 

Moyens,  which  carried  a  ball  of  10  or  12 

ounces,  &c. 
Rabinet,  which   carried    a    ball   of   10 

ounces. 

These  curious  names  of  beasts  and 
birds  of  prey  were  adopted,  on  account 
of  their  swiftness  in  motion,  or  of  their 
cruelty;  as  the  falconet,  falcon,  sul.tr, 
and  culverin,  ccc.  for  their  swiftness  in 
flying;  the  basilisk,  serpentine,  aspik; 
dragon,  syren,  &c.  for  their  cruelty.  See 
the  Latin  poet  Forcastarius. 

At  present  cannon,  or  pieces  of  ord- 
nance, take  their  names  from  the  weight 
of  the  ball  they  discharge:  thus  a  piece 
that  discharges  a  ball  of  24  pounds,  is 
called  a  24-pounder;  one  that  carries  a 
ball  of  12  pounds, is  called  a  12-pouuder; 
nnd  so  of  the  rest,  divided  into  the  fol- 
lowing sorts,  viz. 

Ship-guns,  consisting  in  42,  32,24,  18, 
12,  9,  6,  and  8  pounders. 

Garrison-guns,  in  42,  32,  24,  18,  12, 
9,  and  G  pounders. 

Battermg-guns,  in  24,  18,  and  12 
pounders. 

Field-pieces,  in  18,  12,  9,  G,  3,  2,  If, 
1,  and  \  pounders. 

The  British  seldom  use  any  of  lower 
calibre  than  G  in  the  field. 

The  metal  of  which  brass  cannon  is 
made,  is  in  a  manner  kept  a  secret  by 
the  founders:  yet,  with  all  their  art  and 
6ecrecy,  they  have  not  hitherto  found 
cut  a  composition  that  will  stand  a  hot 
engagement  without  melting,  or  at  least 
being  rendered  useless.  Those  cast  at 
Woolwich  bid  fairest  towards  this 
amendment.  The  respective  quantities 
which  should  enter  into  this  composition, 
is  a  point  not  decided;  every  founder 
has  his  own  proportions,  which  are  pecu- 
liar to  himself.  The  most  common  pro- 
portions of  the  ingredients  are  the  fol- 


lowing, viz.  To  2401b.  <>f  metal  fit  for 
casting,  they  put  G8lb.  of  copper,  52lb. 
of  brass,  and  12lh.  of  tin.  To  42001b. 
(if  metal  lit  for  casting,  the  Germans  put 
3687 |j  of  copper,  204$$lb.  of  brass,  and 
S07|flb.of  tin.  Others  again  use  1001b. 
of  copper,  Gib.  of  brass,  and  9lb.  of  tin; 
and  lastly,  others,  1001b.  of  copper,  101b. 
of  brass,  and  15lb.  of  tin.  With  respect 
to  iron  guns,  their  structure  is  the  same 
as  that  of  the  others,  and  they  generally 
stand  the  most  severe  engagements,  be- 
ing frequently  used  on  ship-board.  Seve- 
ral experiments  have  taught  us  that  the 
Swedish  iron  guns  are  preferable  to  all 
others. 

Cannon  is  now  generally  cast  solid, 
and  th«  cavity  bored  afterwards  by  a 
very  curious  machine  for  that  purpose, 
where  the  gun  is  placed  in  a  perpendicu- 
lar position;  but  of  late  these  machines 
have  been  made  to  bore  horizontally, 
and  much  truer  than  those  that  bore  in 
a  vertical  form.  This  new  machine  was 
was  first  invented  at  Strasburgh,  and 
greatly  improved  by  Mr.  Verbruggen,  a 
Dutchman,  who  was  bead  founder  at 
the  royal  foundery  at  Woolwich,  where 
probably  the  best  horizontal-boring  ma- 
chine in  Europe  has  been  lately  fixed; 
it  both  bores  the  inside,  and  turns  and 
polishes  the  outside  at  once. 

Kunus  of  the  several  parts  of  a  Can- 
non. 

The  grand  divisions  exterior  are  as 
follows,  viz.  First  re-inf'oree  is  that  part 
ofa  gun  next  the  breech,  which  i'-  made 
-tronger  to  resist  the  force  of  pow- 
der. 

Second  re-inforce.  This  begins  where 
the  first  ends,  and  is  made  something 
smaller  than  the  first. 

The  chace  is  the  whole  space  from 
the  trunnions  to  the  muzzle. 

The  muzzle,  properly  so  called,  is  the 
part  from  the  muz/.le  astragal  to  the  end 
of  the  piece. 

Small  divisions  exterior. 

The.  cascable,  the  hindermost  part  of 
the  breech,  from  the  base-ring  to  the 
end  of  the  button. 

The  cascabte-uslragal  is  the  diminish- 
ing part  between  the  two  breech-mould- 
ings 

The  neck  of  the  cascable  is  the  nar- 
row space  between  the  breech-moulding 
and  the  button. 

The  breech  is  the  solid  piece  of  metal 
behind,  between  the  vent  and  the  extre- 
mity of  the  base-ring,  and  which  termi- 


CAN 


(     33     ) 


CAN 


nafes  the  hind  part  of  the  gun,  exclusive 
of  t lie  cascable. 

The  breech-mouldings  are  the  eminent 
parts,  as  squares  or  rounds,  which  serve 
only  tor  ornaments  to  the  piece,  &c. 

The  base-ring  and  ogee  are  orna- 
mental mouldings:  the  latter  is  always 
in  the  shape  of  an  S,  taken  from  civil 
architecture,  and  used  in  guns,  mortars, 
and  howitzers. 

The  vent-field  is  the  part  from  the 
vent  to  the  first  re- in  force  astragal. 

The  vent  astragal  and  fillets  are  the 
mouldings  and  fillets  at  or  near  the 
vent. 

The  charging  ci/linder  is  all  the 
space  from  the  chace-astragal  to  the 
muzzle-astragal. 

The  first  re-inforce  ring  and  ogee  are 
the  ornaments  on  the  second  re-inforce. 

The  fintt  re-inforce  astragal  is  the 
ornament  between  the  first  and  second 
re-inforce. 

The  chace  girdle  is  the  ornament 
close  to  the  trunnions. 

The  trunnions  are  two  solid  cylindri- 
cal pieces  of  metal  in  every  gun,  which 
project  from  the  piece,  and  by  which  it 
is  supported  upon  its  carriage. 

The  dolphins  are  two  handles,  placed 
on  the  second  re-inforcte  ring  of  brass 
guns,  resembling  the  fish  of  that  name: 
they  serve  for  mounting  and  dismount- 
ing the  guns. 

The  second  re-inforce  ring  and  ogee 
are  the  two  ornaments  joining  the  trun- 
nions.- 

The  second  re-inforce  astragal  is  the 
moulding  nearest  the  trunnions. 

The  chace-astragal  and  fillets,  the  two 
last-mentioned  ornaments  jointly. 

The  muzzle-astragal  and  fillets,  the 
joint  ornaments  nearest  the  muzzle. 

The  muzzle-mouldings,  the  ornaments 
at  the  very  muzzle  of  the  piece. 

The  swelling  of  the  muzzle,  the  pro- 
jected part  behind  the  muzzle-mould- 
ings. 

Interior  parts. 

The  mouth,  or  entrance  of  the  bore,  is 
that  part  where  both  powder  and  ball 
are  put  in,  or  the  hollow  part  which  re- 
ceives the  charge. 

The  vent,  in  all  kinds  of  fire-arms,  is 
commonly  called  the  touch-hole:  it  is  a 
small  hole  pierced  at  the  end,  or  near 
it,  of  the  bore  or  chamber,  to  prime  the 
piece  with  powder,  or  to  introduce  the 
tube,  in  order,  when  lighted,  to  set  fire 
to  the  charge. 


The  chamber  is  the  -place  where  the 
powder  is  lodged,  which  forms  the 
charge. 

Tools  for  loading  and  firing  Cannon 
are  rammers,  sponges,  ladles,  worms, 
handspikes,  wedges,  and  screws. 

Coins,  or  wedges,  to  lay  under  the 
breech  of  the  gun,  in  order  to  elevate  or 
depress  it. 

Handspikes  serve  to  move  and  to 
lay  the  gun. 

Ladles  serve  to  load  the  gun  with 
loose  powder. 

Rammas  are  cylinders  of  wood, 
whose  diameters  and  ares  are  equal  to 
those  of  the  shot:  they  serve  to  ram 
home  the  wads  put  upon  the  powder 
and  shot. 

Sponge  is  fixed  at  the  opposite  end  of 
the  rammer,  covered  with  lamb-skin, 
and  serves  to  clean  the  gun  when  fired. 

Screics  are  used  to  field-pieces  in- 
stead of  coins,  by  which  the  gun  is  kept 
to  the  same  elevation. 

Tools  necessiny  for  proving  Cannon 
are,  a  searcher  with  a  reliever,  and  a 
searcher  with  one  point. 

Searcher  is  an  iron,  hollow  at  one  end 
to  receive  a  wooden  handle,  and  on  the 
other  end  has  from  4  to  8  flat  springs  of 
about  8  or  10  inches  long,  pointed  and 
turned  outwards  at  the  ends. 

The  Reliever  is  an  iron  flat  ring,  with 
a  wooden  handle,  at  right  angles  to  it. 
When  a  gun  is  to  be  searched  after  it 
has  been  fired,  the  searcher  is  intro- 
duced; and  turned  every  way,  from  end 
to  end,  and  if  there  is  any  hole,  the 
point  of  one  or  other  of  the  springs  gets 
into  it,  and  remains  till  the  reliever, 
passing  round  the  handle  of  the  searcher, 
and  pressing  the  springs  together,  re- 
lieves it. 

When  there  is  any  hole  or  roughness 
in  the  gun,  the  distance  from  the  mouth 
is  marked  on  the  outside  with  chalk. 

The  other  searcher  has  also  a  wooden 
handle,  and  a  point  at  the  fore  end,  of 
about  an  inch  long,  at  right  angles  to 
the  length:  about  this  point  is  put  some 
wax  mixed  with  tallow,  which,  when  in- 
troduced into  the  hole  or  cavity,  is  press- 
ed in,  when  the  impression  upon  the 
wax  gives  the  depth,  and  the  length  is 
known  by  the  motion  of  the  searcher 
backwards  and  forwards:  if  the  fissure 
be  1-ninth  of  an  inch  deep,  the  gun  is 
rejected.     See  Instruments. 

N.  B.    The   strength   of    gunpowder 
having  been  considerably  increased  by 
M2 


CAN 


(     81    ) 


CAN 


the  late  Lieutenant  General  Sir  William 

Congreve,  of  the   Royal  Artillery,  the 

quantity  for  service  lias  heen  somewhat 

reduced;    that  for  proof   remaining  as 

heretofore. 

r,  i  Bull.     See  Balls. 

Cannon    {  .,,   ,      c„  „  c„„„. 
I  Shot,     hee  shot. 

Cannon-B«aAW.?.     See  Gabions. 

To  nail  C a  n  NON.     See  N  a  t  l. 

Cannon.  Tlie  author  of  Maxima 
Yolitiqu.es,  page  125,  says,  "  Le  canon 
est  le  dernier  moyen  des  rois,  (ultima 
ratio  region,)  comme  I' insurrection  est  le 
dernier  moyen  des  pcuples.  Les  maux 
qui  en  resultent  sont certains,  Its  remedes 
douteux ;  il  est  done  aussi  insensi  que 
coupable,  de  ne  fas  ipuiser  toutes  les  res- 
sources  de  la  moderation  et  de  la  patience 
avant  ePe'n  venira  ces-crueltes extrimites." 
This  sound  doctrine  holds  good  with  re- 
spect to  king  and  people.  Let  the  social 
compact  which  ought  to  hind  the  ruler 
and  the  ruled  he  honestly  followed,  and 
there  will  he  little  occasion  for  can- 
non. 

CANNONADF,  the  direction  of  the 
powers  of  artillery  against  some  distant 
ohject  intended  to  he  seized  or  destroy- 
ed, as  the  troops  in  battle,  battery,  for- 
tress, or  out-work. 

To  Cannonade,  (cautioner,  Fr.)  to 
fire  against  any  thing  with  cannon,  or 
pieces  of  ordnance. 

CANNONEER,  (canonnier,  Fr.)  the 
person  who  manages  the  gun.  See 
Gunner. 

CANON,  Fr.  See  Cannon.  Cannon 
also  means  in  French  the  barrel  of  any 
fire-arm,  great  or  small. 

Canon  chambr'e,  Fr.  a  piece  that  has 
not  heen  well  cast,  and  could  not  he 
used  without  danger,  on  account  of  the 
defective  cavities  which  exist  in  the 
body  of  the  metal. 

Canon  secret,  Fr.  one,  or  several 
pieces  of  ordnance  placed  on  a  battery, 
unperceived  by  the  enemy.  These  are 
used  by  the  besieged  for  the  defence  of 
breaches,  and  by  the  besiegers  to  oppose 
a  sortie. 

Canon  d  la  Sualois,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
ordnance  adopted  by  the  French,  and 
so  called  from  the  Swedish  pieces,  of 
which  it  is  an  imitation.  It  is  very  con- 
venient in  long  marches,  as  being  very 
light.  The  weight  at  most  o^olb.  the 
ball  4lb.  weight. 

Canon  double,  Fr.     See  lieveil  matin. 

Canon   Ruyi;  Fr.  a  rifle  gun.     See 

JljFLE. 


CANON  Bit,  that  part  of  the  bit 
which  is  let  into  the  horse's  mouth. 

CANONNADE,  Fr.  See  Cannon- 
ade. 

CANONNTERE,  on  Embrasure,  Fr. 
an  opening  which  is  made  in  the  parapet 
of  a  work  for  the  purpose  of  pointing 
cannon  against  any  particular  object. 

Canon  nieiie,  Fr.  a  sort  of  shed  co- 
vered over  with  canvass  for  the  accom- 
modation of  soldiers  and  sutlers. 

CANONNER,  Fr.  to  fire  against 
any  fortified  place  or  body  of  armed 
men  with  heavy  ordnance,  ixc. 

CANONS  de  goutiere,  Fr.  in  archi- 
tecture, the  extremities  or  mouths  of 
copper  or  leaden  pipe*,  which  serve  tO 
carry  off  the  water  from  aroof,&C 

Military  CANT  terms,  familiar  ex- 
pressions which  obtain  currency  among 
military  men,  when  they  are  employed 
in  garrison, or  elsewhere.  These  phrases 
are  too  numerous  to  be  recited,  especi- 
ally as  they  prevail  differently  in  differ- 
ent corps.  The  Guards,  for  instance, 
have  phrases  peculiar  to  themselves. 
Instead  of  no  parish  business,  theGuards 
say  7io  pipe  clay,  when  they  wish  to  put 
an  end  to  regimental  discussion;  and  in- 
stead of  scabbarding  a  soldier,  as  in  the 
infantry  of  the  line,  or  booting  him,  as  in 
the  cavalry,  theycallitfarrrngauaaO,  ecc. 

CANTABRES,  Fr.  soldiers  held  in 
high  lepute  at  the  time  of  the  Romans: 
and,  in  fact,  the  renown  of  the  gallant 
Cantabres  was  such,  that  a  great  number 
of  the  Spanish  provinces  reckoned  it  a 
great  honour  to  be  comprehended  w  ithin 
the  limits  of  ancient  Cantabria.  In  the 
year  1745,  Lewis  XV.  formed  a  regiment 
of  Cantabres,  which  since  were  called 
Royal  Cantabres. 

CANTABRUM,  a  standard  intro- 
duced  during  the  reign  of  the  Roman 
Emperors,  and  which  differed  from  the 
vexillum.  This  latter  was  a  large 
standard,  distinguished  by  its  particular 
colour  and  motto;  whereas  the  canta- 
bruni  was  only  a  small  flag,  with  its  par- 
ticular colour  also,  and  used  as  a  signal 
for  the  troops  to  rally. 

CANTEEN,  a  suttling-house  for  the 
convenience  of  officers  and  soldiers; 
also  a  machine  made  of  wood  or  leather 
with  compartments  for  several  utensils, 
generally  used  by  officers.  The  tin  ves- 
sels used  by  the  soldiers  on  a  march, 
&c.  to  carry  water  or  other  liquor  in, 
each  holding  about  2  quarts,  are  also 
called  canteens. 


CAP 


(     85     ) 


CAP 


To  CANTER,  (aller  au  petit-galop, 
Fr.)  to  go  a  hand-gallop,  or  three- 
quarter  speed.     See  Hand. 

CANTINE,  IV.  See  Canteen. 
Cantine  is  sometimes  used  among  the 
French  to  signify  the  meat,  &c.  that  is 
ready  drest. 

CANTiNIER,  Ft.  the  person  who 
keeps  a  canteen,  booth,  or  suttling 
house. 

To  CANTON,  (cantonner,  Fr.)  to 
disperse  troops  into  winter  or  summer 
quarters. 

CANTONMENTS  are  distinct  situ- 
ations, in  towns  and  villages,  where  the 
different  parts  of  an  army  lie  as  near  to 
each  other  as  possible,'  and  in  the  same 
manner  as  they  encamp  in  the  held. 
The  chief  reasons  for  cantoning  an  army 
are,  first,  when  the  campaign  begins 
carlv;  on  which  occasion,  in  cantoning 
your  troops,  two  objects  demand  atten- 
tion, viz.  the  military  object,  and  that  of 
subsistence:  the  second  is,  when  an  ar- 
my lias  finished  a  siege  early,  the  troops 
are  allowed  to  repose  till  the  fields  pro- 
duce forage  for  their  subsistence:  the 
third  reason  is,  when  the  autumn  proves 
rainy,  and  forage  scarce,  the  troops  are 
cantoned  to  protect  them  from  the  bad 
weather. 

CANVASS-BAGS.  See  Bags,  Sand- 
Bags,  &c. 

CAPA-AGA,  an  old  and  experienced 
officer  of  the  Seraglio,  who  has  the 
charge  of  instructing  and  superintending 
the  Ichonoglans ;  which  office  he  fulfils 
with  the  utmost  severity,  in  order  to  ac- 
custom them  to  subordination  and  dis- 
cipline, and  that  they  may  be  the  bet- 
ter qualified  to  command  in  their  turns. 

CAPARISON.  Under  this  term  is 
included  ihe  bridle,  saddle,  and  housing 
of  a  military  horse. 

CAPE  du  batardeau,  Fr.  a  roof 
sloping  on  both  sides,  which  covers  the 
upper  part  of  the  batardeau  constructed 
in  the  ditch  at  the  salient  angle  of  a 
bastion.  A  small  turret  about  six  or 
,seven  feet  high  is  erected  in  the  center 
of  the  cape,  to  prevent  desertion. 

CAPELINE,  a  kind  of  iron  helmet 
worn  by  the  cavalry,  under  John,  Duke 
of  Britauy. 

C/inEf  LETT!,  a  Venetian  militia, 
composed  of  Sclavonians,  Dalmatians, 
Albanians,  Mo'lachians,  and  formerly 
reckoned  the  best  troops  in  the  service 
of  the  state  of  Venice. 

CAPICULY,  otherwise  called  Jani- 


zaries, the  first  corps  of  the  Turkish  in- 
fantry. 

CAPITAINE  en  pied,  Fr.  an  officer 
who  is  in  actual  pay  and  does  duty. 

Capitaine  reforme,  Fr.  a  reduced 
officer. 

Capitaine  general  des  vivres,  Fr. 
the  person  who  has  the  chief  manage- 
ment and  superintendance  of  military 
stores  and  provisions. 

Capii  aixe  des  guides,  Fr.  a  person 
appointed  to  direct  the  roads  by  which 
the  armv  is  to  march:  he  must  be  well 
versed  in  topography,  is  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  quarter-master  general, 
and  is  obliged  to  provide  guides  for  all 
general  officers,  detachments,  and  con- 
voys. 

Capitaine  des  charrois,  Fr.  captain 
of  the  wagon-train. 

Capitaine  general  des  chariots  de 
munition,  Fr.  the  person  who  commands 
the  whole  of  the  ammunition  wagons, 
and  zcagon-train. 

Capitaine  des  mulets,  Fr.  His  func- 
tions are  the  same  as  those  of  the  capi- 
taine des  charrois,  with  this  difference, 
that  he  sometimes  has  a  hundred,  or  a 
hundred  and  fifty  mules  under  his  ma- 
nagement :  this  branch  of  service  is  of 
great  importance  when  the  war  is  carried 
on  in  a  mountainous  country,  where  the 
progress  of  the  caissons  is  rendered  verv 
difficult. 

Capitaine  des  ouvriers,  Fr.  one  who 
commands  the  carpenters,  wheelwrights, 
and  other  workmen  in  the  artillery;  and 
among  the  engineers,  he  superintends 
the  workmen  employed  by  those  corps. 

Capita i nes  conducteurs  d'artillerie, 
Fr.  persons  entrusted  in  the  armies  and 
fortified  towns  with  the  particular  details 
of  the  functions  of  the  Captain  General. 

Capitaine  des  portes,  Fr.  a  commis- 
sioned officer  who  resides  in  a  garrison 
town,  and  whose  sole  duty  is  to  receive 
the  keys  of  the  gates  from  the  Governor 
every  morning,  and  to  deliver  them  to 
hini  every  night,  at  appointed  hours. 

CAPITAL,  in  fortification,  is  an  ima- 
ginary line  which  divides  any  work  into 
two  equal  and  similar  parts.  It  signifies 
also,  a  line  drawn  from'  the  angle  of  a 
polygon  to  the  point  of  the  bastion,  or 
from  the  point  of  the  bastion  to  the  mid- 
dle of  the  gorge. 

CAPITAN,  Fr.  an  unconscionable 
vaunter,  who  boasts  of  incredible  acts  of 
bravery,  although  he  be  a  real  coward. 
A  capitan  also  signifies  in  harsher  Ian- 


CAP 


(     86     ) 


CAP 


guage,   a  coward;    every  military   man 
who  has  been  once  found  guilty  of  cow- 
ardice is  ruined  beyond  recovery. 
CAPITOUL,  Fr,  chief  magistrate  of 

Toulouse. 

lb  CAPITULATE,  to  surrender  any 
place,  or  body  of  troops,  to  the  enemy, 
on  certain  stipulated  conditions. 

CAPITULATION,  in  military  af- 
fairs, implies  the  conditions  on  which  the 
garrison  of  a  place  besieged  agrees  to  de- 
liver it  up,  &c. 

CAPITULATION,  Fr.  is  sometimes 
used  to  denote  an  agreement  which  is 
made  on  enlisting  upon  certain  terms 
or  conditions.  The  capitulations  of  the 
foreign  corps  that  have  been  taken  into 
the  British  service  are  of  this  descrip- 
tion. 

CAPONNIERE,  in  fortification,  is  a 
passage  made  from  one  work  to  another, 
of  10  or  12  feet  wide,  and  about  5  feet 
deep,  covered  on  each  side  by  a  parapet, 
terminating  in  a  glacis.  Capon niers  are 
sometimes  covered  with  planks  and  earth. 
See  Fortifk  atjon. 

Dt'/Hi-CAPONMEitr.,  Fr.  a  passage 
which  is  made  in  the  bottom  of  a  dry 
ditch,  and  which  is  only  defended  to- 
wards the  enemy  by  a  parapet  or  glacis. 
Its  object  is  to  protect  the  branch  or 
passage  belonging  to  the  ditch  which  is 
directly  in  front. 

CAPORAL,  Fr.  corporal. 

CAPOTE  dc  faction,  Fr.  a  large 
great  coat  with  a  hood  or  cowl,  which  is 
worn  by  sentinels  in  bad  weather. 

CAPS,  in  gunnery,  are  made  of  lea- 
ther, and  used  for  the  same  purpose 
that  tampions  were,  to  prevent  rain  or 
rubbish  from  collecting  in  the  bore  of 
the  guns  and  howitzers.  There  are  also 
canvass  caps  for  similar  purposes  used  for 
mortars. 

CkP-Sguarcs.    See  Carriages. 

Cap-a-pef.  implies  being  clothed  in 
armour  from  head  to  foot,  or  fully  ac- 
coutred. 

CAPSTAN,      )  a  strong  massy  piece 

CAPSTERN,  >  of  timber  in  the  form 
of  a  truncated  cone,  having  its  upper 
part,  called  the  drum-head,  pierced  with 
a  number  of  square  holes,  for  receiving 
the  levers.  By  turning  it  round,  several 
actions  may  be  performed  that  require 
an  extraordinary  power. 

CAPTAIN  is  a  military  officer,  who 
is  the  commander  of  a  troop  of  horse  or 
dragoons,  or  of  a  company  of  foot  or 
artillery.     The  name  of  captain  was  the 


first  term  made  use  of  to  express  the 
chief  or  head  of  a  company,  troop,  or 
body  of  men.  He  is  both  to  march  and 
fight  at  the  head  of  his  company.  Cap- 
tains of  artillery  and  engineers  ought  to 
be  more  masters  of  the  attack  and  defence 
of  fortified  places  than  either  a  captain 
of  infantry  or  cavalry;  because  they 
must  be  good  mathematicians,  and  un- 
derstand the  raising  of  all  kinds  of  bat- 
teries, to  open  the  trenches,  to  conduct 
the  sap,  to  make  mines  and  fougasses, 
and  to  calculate  their  charges.  They 
ought  farther  to  be  well  acquainted  with 
the  power  of  artillery,  the  doctrine  of 
the  military  projectile,  and  the  laws  of 
motion,  together  with  the  system  of  me- 
chanics ;  and  should  be  good  draughts- 
men. A  captain  has,  in  most  services, 
the  power  of  appointing  his  own  Ser- 
jeants and  corporals,  but  cannot  by  his 
own  authority  reduce  or  break  them; 
neither  can  he  punish  a  soldier  with 
death,  unless  he  revolts  against  him  on 
duty. 

Captain  General.  By  the  constitu- 
tion, the  King  is  Captain  General  of  all 
the  forces  of  Great  Britain.  This  term 
implies  the  first  rank,  power,  and  autho- 
rity known  in  the  British  army.  His 
Majesty  was  pleased  to  delegate  this  rank, 
and  the  powers  annexed  to  it,  to  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  in  1799. 

C  apt  Aix-Lieutenant,  formerly  the 
commanding  ofticer  of  the  colonel's  troop 
or  company  in  every  regiment,  in  case 
the  colonel  is  absent,  or  he  s;ivcs  up  the 
command  of  it  to  him.  This  rank  has 
been  abolished  in  the  British  army. 

Captain  reformed,  one  who,  upon  a 
reduction  of  the  forces  on  the  termina- 
tion of  war,  loses  his  company,  yet 
keeps  his  rank  and  pay,  whether  on  duty 
or  not. 

Captain  on  half  pay  is  one  who 
loses  his  company  on  the  reduction  of 
an  army,  and  retires  on  half-pay,  until 
seniority  puts  him  into  duty  and  full  pay 
again. 

Captain  en  second,  or  second  captain, 
is  one  whose  company  has  been  broke, 
and  who  is  joined  to  another,  to  serve 
under  the  captain  of  it. 

Captain, (Capitaine,  Fr.)  In  the  high- 
est acceptation  of  the  term,  this  word  sig- 
nifies a  man  of  great  talents,  genius,  and 
perseverance,  who  can  undertake  the  ma- 
nagement of  a  whole  army  and  conduct 
it  to  victory;  few  such  men  exist.  Hence 
Un  grand  capitaine,  a  great  captain,  as 


CAR 


(     37     ) 


CAR 


the  Duke  of  Wellington  has  been  justly 
called. 

Captains  of  halberts,  or  black-fulls, 
certain  persons  who,  during  the  reign  oi 
our  ancient  kings,  and  as  late  down  as 
the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  had  the 
charge  and  direction  of  a  body  of  men 
called  Halberts  and  Black-bills,  who  were 
always  in  the  heat  of  a  battle.  In  the 
armies  of  king  Henry  VIII.  Mary,  and 
Elizabeth,  there  were  a  great  number  of 
bill-men. 

According  to  some  writers,  the  deno- 
mination of  captain  and  lieutenant,  ap- 
plied to  officers  commanding  small  bodies 
of  men,  equivalent  to  our  troops  and 
companies,  was  scarcely  introduced  into 
our  armies  before  the  reign  of  Henry 
VII.  and  VIII.  where  we  find  them  borne 
by  the  officers  commanding  the  yeomen 
of  the  guard  and  the  band  of  gentlemen 
pensioners,  and  their  occasional  repre- 
sentatives. 

CAPTIVE,  (captif,  Fr.)  a  prisoner  of 
war. 

CAPTIVI,  the  name  given  by  the 
Romans  to  their  prisoners  of  war,  who 
were  generally  loaded  with  chains,  and 
placed  near  the  colours.  The  captive 
kings  had  their  heads  shaved,  and  were 
sent  to  Rome,  to  enhance  the  splendour 
of  the  triumph. 

CAPTURE,  Fr.  any  seizure  or  cap- 
ture which  is  made  against  the  enemy. 

CAQUE  de  poudre,  Fr.  a  term  syno- 
nimous  to  a  tun  or  barrel  of  powder. 

CAR,  in  military  antiquity,  a  kind  of 
small  carriage;  figuratively,  used  by  the 
poets  for  a  chariot:  it  is  mounted  on 
wheels,  representing  a  stately  throne, 
used  in  triumphs  and  on  other  solemn  oc- 
casions. 

CAR-taker  to  His  Majesty;  a  sine- 
cure which  is  enjoyed  by  the  entering 
clerk  at  the  Pay-office,  value  39l.  per 
annum  net. 

Car,  {char,  on  chariot  a  deux  roues, 
Fr.)  a  carriage  with  two  wheels,  fitted 
up  with  boxes  to  contain  ammunition, 
and  to  carry  artillery  men  chat  are  at- 
tached and  formed  into  brigades,  For  the 
purpose  of  accompanying  field  ordnance. 
This  car  is  considered  an  important  im- 
provement in  artillery  equipment,  and 
was  first  introduced  into  the  service  by 
the  Hon.  W.  W.  Pole,  when  clerk  of  the 
ordnance.  It  is  now  universally  used 
for  all  natures  of  field  ordnance,  instead 
ot  the  covered  ammunition  wagons  with 
low  wheels,  which  are  not  constructed 


upon  a  principle  equal  to  move  with  the 
same  rapidity  as  the  guns  themselves. 
An  improvement  has  lately  been  made 
in  the  principle  of  the  wheel-car,  by  a 
spare  gun-carriage,  of  the  nature  of  the 
guns  attached  to  the  brigade,  being  sub- 
stituted to  carry  the  spare  wheels,  &c. 
before  mentioned. 

CARABINE,  Fr.  a  carbine. 

CARABINIERS,  Fr.  One  complete 
regiment  of  carabiniers  was  formed 
during  the  monarchy  of  France,  out  of 
the  different  corps  of  cavalry.  They  were 
usually  distributed  among  other  bodies 
of  troops,  and  it  was  their  duty  to  charge 
the  advanced  posts  of  the  enemy.  See 
Carbineers. 

CARABINS,  Fr.  these  were  light 
armed  horsemen,  who  sometimes  acted 
on  foot.  They  were  generally  stationed 
in  the  outposts,  for  the  purpose  of  ha- 
rassing the  enemy,  defending  narrow 
passes,  &c.  In  action,  they  usually 
fought  in  front  of  the  dragoons,  or  upon 
the  wings  of  the  first  line.  Their  name 
is  derived  from  the  Arabian  word  Karab, 
which  signifies,  generally,  any  warlike 
instrument. 

CARACOLE,  a  semi-circular  motion 
or  half  wheel,  chiefly  applied  to  that 
used  either  by  individuals,  or  squadrons 
of  cavalry,  to  prevent  an  enemy  from 
discovering  where  they  intend  to  make 
their  attack. 

CARACOLER  autour  d'une  troupe 
ennemie,  Fr.  to  hang  upon  the  flanks  of 
an  enemy,  in  order  to  take  him  by  sur- 
prize, or  otherwise  perplex  him. 

CAPtACORE,  an  Indian  vessel  be- 
longing to  the  island  of  Borneo. 

CARAVAN,  (caravanne,  Fr.)  from  a 
Turkish  word,  which  signifies  a  troop  of 
travellers,  pilgiiin*,  or  merchants,  form- 
ed in  a  body,  and  who  journey  across  the 
deserts,  under  an  escort  commanded  by 
a  chief  who  is  called  an  Aga.  There  are 
guides  attached  to  the  caravans,  who 
direct  them  to  encamp  near  those  places 
where  water  can  be  procured.  With  re- 
gard to  other  provisions,  the  travellers 
take  care  to  provide  a  large  quantity, 
which  they  share  with  the  Arabs,  in  case 
they  should  appear  in  great  numbers; 
but  if  the  escort  are  confident  of  their 
superiority,  they  will  engage  and  some- 
times give  a  severe  drubbing  to  those  in- 
truders. The  appellation  of  caravanne 
is  also  given  to  the  first  voyages  op 
cruizes  which  the  knights  of  Malta  are 
obliged  to  undertake  before  they  become 


CAR 


(     88     ) 


CAR 


graduates,  or  can  be  promoted  to  the 
commanderies  of  tlie  order. 

CARAVELLE,  IV.  caravel;  a  small 
expeditious  Portugueze  vessel,  square 
Itemed,  and  with  lateen  sails. 

CARBINE,  a  fire-arm,  somewhat 
smaller  than  the  firelock  of  the  infantry, 
and  used  by  the  cavalry. 

CARBINEERS,  OTcarabineers,horse- 
men  armed  with  carbines,  who  occasi- 
onally act  as  infantry.  All  regiments 
of  light-armed  horse  were  Formerly  called 
carbineers;  but  since  the  establishing  of 
hussars  and  chasseurs,  they  have  iost 
that  denomination,  and  now  all  the  fo- 
reign heavy  cavalry  are  called  carbi- 
neers. 

CARCAMOUSE,  Mouton,  Marmou- 
tun,  Fr.  the  battering-ram  which  was  used 
by  the  ancients. 

CARCAN,  Jr.  an  iron  collar. 

CARCASS,  (carcasse,  Fr.)  a  composi- 
tion of  combustibles.  Carcasses  are  of 
two  sorts,  oblong  and  round:  the  uncer- 
tain flight  of  the  first  sort  has  almost  ren- 
dered them  useless.  They  are  prepared 
in  the  following  manner:  boil  12  or  1511). 
of  pitch  in  a  glazed  earthen  pot;  mix  with 
that  Sib.  of  tallow,  30lb.  of  powder, 
till>.  of  salt-petre,  and  as  many  stopins 
as  can  be  put  in.  Before  the  composi- 
tion is  cold,  the  carcass  musj  be  filled; 
to  do  which,  smear  your  hands  with 
oil  or  tallow,  and  fill  the  carcass  one  third 
full  with  the  above  composition;  then 
put  in  loaded  pieces  of  gun  or  pistol 
barrels,  loaded  grenades,  and  fill  the 
intervals  with  composition;  cover  the 
whole  over  with  coarse  cloth,  well  sewed 
together,  keeping  it  in  a  round  form. 
Then  put  it  into  the  carcass,  having  a 
hollow  top  and  bottom,  with  bars  run- 
ning between  them  to  hold  them  toge- 
ther, and  composed  of  four  slips  of  iron 
joined  at  top,  and  fixed  at  the  bottom, 
at  equal  distances,  to  a  piece  of  iron 
which,  together  with  the  hoops,  when 
filled,  form  a  complete  globular  body. 
When  quite  finished  and  cold,  the  car- 
cass must  be  steeped  in  melted  pitch, 
and  then  instantly  immerged  in  cold 
water.  Lastly,  bore  three  or  four  holes 
at  top,  and  fill  the  same  with  fuze  com- 
position, covering  the  holes  with  pitch 
until  used.  Carcasses  are  thrown  out 
of  mortars,  and  weigh  from  50  to230lbs. 
according  to  the  size  of  the  mortars  out 
of  which  they  are  to  be  thrown.  There 
are  other  carcasses  for  the  sea-service, 
which  differ  from  a  shell  only  in  the  com- 


position, and  in  the  4  holes  from  which 
it  burns  when  fired. 

Oblong  Carcasses  are  obsolete  in  the 
British  service,  and  the  round  carcasses 
are  applicable  for  howitzers  as  well  as 
mortars.  The  13-inch  round  carcass 
weighs  about  212lb.  10-inch  P6lb.  8- 
inch  -18lb.  and  5^-inch  l(3lb.  Carcasses 
are  seldom  or  ever  fired  from  guns  and 
carronades  in  the  land  service,  or  in  the 
sea  service  excepting  in  bomb  vessels, 
and  then  only  from  mortars. 

After  the  first  invention  of  bombs, 
that  of  carcasses  and  grenades  naturally 
followed.  They  are  said  to  have  been 
first  used  in  1594,  and  afterwards  by  the 
Bishop  of  Minister,  at  the  siege  of  Groll, 
in  1672,  where  the  Duke  of  Luxemburg 
commanded. 

CARELET,  Fr.    See  Semeli.e. 

C  A  RENE,  Fr.  all  the  parts  of  a  ship 
under  water. 

CARIPI,  a  kind  of  cavalry  in  the 
Turkish  army,  which  to  the  number  of 
1000  are  not  slaves,  nor  bred  up  in  the 
seraglio,  like  the  rest,  but  are  generally 
Moors,  or  renegado  Christians,  who  have 
obtained  the  rank  of  horse-guards  to  the 
Grand  Signior. 

CARMAGNOLE,  Fr.  a  name  given 
to  the  French  soldiers  who  first  engaged 
in  the  cause  of  republicanism.  It  comes 
from  a  place  in  Italy,  situate  in  Pied- 
mont, near  the  Po. 

CARMINE,  a  bright  scarlet  colour 
which  is  used  in  plans  of  fortification, 
and  serves  to  describe  those  lines  that 
have  mason  work. 

C  A  RNAG  E,  {carnage,  Fr.)  the  slaugh- 
ter which  takes  place  in  consequence  of 
a  desperate  action  between  two  bodies 
of  armed  men. 

CARNEY,  a  disease  in  horses  by 
which  their  mouths  become  so  furred  and 
clammy  that  they  cannot  feed. 

C  aRNOUSE,  the  base  ring  about  the 
breech  of  a  gun. 

CAROLUS,  a  broad  piece  of  gold  of 
King  Charles  the  First,  made  then  for 
20  shillings,  and  since  current  at  23. 

CAROUSAL,  (Carrousel,  Fr.)  in  mili- 
tary history  signifies  a  magnificent  enter- 
tainment, exhibited  by  princes  or  other 
great  personages,  on  some  public  occa- 
sion, consisting  of  cavalcades  of  gentle- 
men, richly  dressed  and  equipped,  after 
the  manner  of  the  ancient  cavaliers,  di- 
vided into  squadrons,  meeting  in  some 
public  place,  and  performing  justs,  tour- 
naments, ccc.     It  also  signifies   among 


C  A  It 


(    89    ) 


CAR 


the  French,  from  whom  the  term  is 
taken, the  place  where  tournaments,  &c. 
were  formerly  exhibited.  Thus  the 
Place  Carrousel  in  Paris,  which  is  con- 
tiguous to  the  palaces  of  the  Louvre 
and  the  Tuileries,  was  appropriated  to 
this  purpose  as  late  down  as  the  sixteenth 
century.  According  to  Madame  Genlis, 
this  place  received  its  appellation  from 
the  feasts  and  torn  nana. lis  which  were 
exhibited  by  order  of  Louis  the  XlVtli, 
to  please  iiis  mistress  Madame  de  la 
Valtiere. 

CARQUOIS,  Fr.  a  quiver. 

CARRE,  Fr.  square. 

CARREYU,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense, 
the  ground.  Voucher  sur  It  currcuu,  Fr. 
to  lay  low  ;  to  knock  down. 

Carreac,  Fr.  a  verv  ancient  sort  of 
arrow.  The  carrcuu  was  trimmed  with 
brass  instead  of  being  feathered,  and  was 
thrown  from  a  buiistu ;  whereas  the  arrow 
was  trimmed  with  feather,  and  shot  from 
a  bow. 

Careeai',  Fr.  a  square  piece  of  stone 
which  is  broader  upon  the  superficies  of 
a  wall  than  it  is  within. 

Carreau  de  plaucher,  Fr.  clay  made 
into  different  shapes  and  sizes,  for  the 
pavement  of  floors,  &c. :  as  flat  tiles,  &c. 

Carreau  de  Hollonde,  Fr.  Dutch  tile. 

CARREAUX,  FV.the  bends,  or  wales 
of  a  ship. 

CARREFOUR,  Fr.  a  cross-wav. 

CARRELaGK,  Fr.  »!]  works" which 
are  made  of  clay,  stone,  or  marble,  are 
distinguished  under  this  term. 

CARRELER,  Fr,  to  pave  or  cover 
over  with  square  tiles. 

CAlililAGYlru/astcr-gciK  ra!,  or  v.n- 
gon-master-genera!,  an  office  of  great 
trust  and  much  labour.  Amongst  the 
iloinaus  he  was  called  Impcdimentorum 
tiiapisler,  the  master  of  the  impediments 
or  hindrances  in  the  wars. 

CARRIAGES,  in  military  affairs,  are 
of  various  kinds,  viz. 

Ammunition  Limber  Care  I  ages  have 
been  constructed  of  late  with  four  wheels, 
fitted  up  with  boxes  for  the  conveyance 
of  ammunition, and  tocarryartillery  men. 
This  alteration,  or  rather  improvement, 
possesses  many  advantages  over  the  com- 
mon ammunition  wagon,  which  i=  calcu- 
lated to  carry  ammunition  only. 

Garrison  Carriages  are  those  on 
which  all  &Ofts  of  garrison  pieces  are 
mounted.  They  are  made  much  shorter 
tfa.au  field  carriages.  Those  for  land 
service  are   carried    upon  iron   trucks, 


and  those  for  sea  service  upon  wooden 
ones.  Iron  trucks  however  destroy  the 
decks  and  platforms,  which  is  the  only 
objectiim  against  them.  Travelling  car- 
riages for  the  natures  of  24  and  1% 
pounders  are  used  upon  garrison  service, 
or  more  particularly  in  the  field,  where 
platforms  cannot  be  provided. 

N.  B.  As  the  trucks  of  garrison  car- 
riages are  generally  made  of  cast-iron, 
their  axle-trees  should  havecopper  clouts 
underneath,  to  diminish  the  friction  of 
the  iron  against  the  wood. 

Traielling-CARRiACES  are  such  as 
guns  are  mounted  on  for  sieges,  and  for 
the  field;  they  are  much  longer,  and  dif- 
ferently constructed  from  garrison-car- 
riages; having  4  wheels,  2  for  the  car* 
riage,  and  2  for  the  limber,  which  last  are 
only  used  on  marches.  Travelling  car- 
riages are  in  many  respects  very  unfit  for 
garrison  service,  though  they  are  fre^ 
quentlv  used. 

FYcW-Carriages  are  both  shorter  and 
lighter  than  those  before  mentioned, 
bearing  a  proportion  to  the  pieces  mount- 
ed upon  them.  They  consist  of  the  na- 
tures of  2i-pounders  and  12-pounders, 
for  iron  guns,  mostly  used  in  the  field 
against  fortified  places.  The  proper  car- 
riages under  the  denomination  of  field 
carriages  are  of  the  natures  of  12-pound- 
ers medium  and  light,  9-pounders,  6- 
pounders  heavy  and  light,  3-pounders 
heavy  and  light,  8-inch  howitzers  and 
51-inch  heavy  and  light  with  iimbers; 
the  whole  of  which  are  now,  upon  the 
principle  introduced  into  the  service  by 
General  Lawson,  of  the  Royal  Artillery, 
constructed  with  block  trails,  and  fitted 
with  boxes  upon  the  limbers  to  carry  am- 
munition; upon  which  boxes  the  artillery 
men  are  usually  seated,  in  order  to  ac- 
company the  brigades.  Tie  quantity  of 
ammunition  carried  into  the  field  with 
each  nature  of  carriage  is  as  follows,  viz. 

,       i  medium   12  rounds. 
12-pounders  (  ^  ^  ^ 

9-pounders 

,        (  heavy       43  do. 
o-pounders  {  ,-   ,   •        10  A 
1  ( light         48  do. 

Q  ,       S  heavy 

3-pounders  j  ^ 

8-inch  howitzers  none. 
5^-inch         {  heavy       21  do. 
howitzers       (  light         24  do. 
Besides   the   proportion  of  ammuni- 
tion which  is  carried  in  the  limber  boxes 
of  the  field  carriages,  there  are  cars  or 
limber  carriages  upon  a  new  principle 
N 


CAR 


(    oo   ) 


CAR 


loaded  with  ammunition  to  accompany 
each  piece  of  ordnance.  All  the  Held 
pieces  (except  iron  84-pounders  and  Im- 
pounders) are  elevat<  I  by  means  of  a 
screw  fixed  in  thecarriagi  s, between  the 
cheeks,  and  to  the  breech  of  the  guns, 
or  how it/cis.  The  iron  24- pounder  and 
12-pounder  guns,  as  also  the  \\  hole  of  the 
guns  mounted  upon  garrison, or  ship, car- 
riages, are  elevated  by  coins  of  wood,  and 
not  hy  screws. 

Galloper-(  arimac.es  serve  for  l\ 
pounders.  These  carriages  are  made 
with  shafts,  so  as  to  he  drawn  without 
a  limber.  The  king  of  Prussia  once 
mounted  light  S-pounders  on  these  car- 
riages, which  answered  very  well.  This 
description  of  carriage  is  now  obsolete 
in  the  British  service. 

Moanfatn-CAR-RTAGE,  a  carriage  pe- 
culiarly constructed  lor  the  use  of  the 
artillery  in  mountainous  countries. 

Hoo^^-Carriages  are  made  on  the 
same  principle  as  field  carriages, which  see. 

J'umlucl-C arri age.    See  Tumbrel. 

Ji/ocA--C  arri  age,  a  carriage  which  is 
made  from  a  solid  piece  of  timber,  hol- 
lowed out  so  as  to  receive  the  gun  or 
howitzer  into  the  cap-squares;  the  lower 
part  of  the  cap-square  is  ht  into  the 
solid  wood,  and  the  gnu  or  howitzer  is 
either  elevated  or  depressed  by  a  screw, 
as  in  other  carriages.  The  limber  for 
this  carriage  carries  two  large  chests  for 
ammunition,  and  takes  four  men.  The 
pintie  of  the  limber  is  so  constructed  as 
to  receive  the  gudgeon  of  the  carriage; 
by  which  means  a  greater  relief  is  utYord- 
ed  when  the  carriage  passes  over  rou'di 
ground. 

Block-C  arri  ages  are  also  used  by  the 
horse  artillery  as  curricles.  They  are 
particularly  useful  on  service.  The  ori- 
ginal inventor  of  them  was  the  late  Gene- 
ral Sir  William  Congreve,  I\.  A.  to  whom 
the  Board  of  Ordnance  was  not  a  little 
indebted  for  many  improvements, and  of 
whose  services  the  most  unquestionable 
records  are  preserved. 

DtivV-C ARRiAcr.s  are  carriages  upon 
a  very  strong  construction,  with  four 
wheels;  the  two  hind  wheels  being  very 
high,  and  the  two  fore,  or  limber  wheels, 
being  much  smaller.  These  carriages 
are  used  for  transporting  heavy  guns, 
which  cannot  be  conveyed  upon  theii 
own  carriages.  The  garrison  carriage  of 
the  gun,  so  carried,  is  placed  upon  th< 
carriage  in  a  very  compact  maimer  for 
travelling.  I 


P/tiffarm-C arri agf.±  are  constructed 
with  four  wheels,  haying  a  platform  fitted 
up  to  carry  one  heavy  gun  or  mortar, 
with  its  carriage  or  bed,  and  is  of  a  si- 
milar u*>e  with  the  devil-carriage. 

ZVttcft-C*  p.riages  are  to  carry  tim- 
ber and  other  heavy  burthens  from  one 
place  to  another,  at  no  great  distance: 
they  serve  also  to  convey  guns  or  mor- 
tars upon  a  battery,  whither  their  own 
carriages  cannot  go,  and  are  drawn  by 
men  as  well  as  horses. 

Povtoon-CARRIAGES.  Carriagesof  this> 
kind  are  solely  for  transporting  the  pon- 
toon-,; they  had  formerly  but  two  wheels, 
but  are  generally  now  made  with  four. 
The  making  use  of  two-wheel  carriages 
for  travelling  a  great  way,  is  contrary 
to  sense  and  reason;  because  the  whole 
weight  lying  upon  the  two  wheels,  must 
make  them  sink  deeper  into  the  ground 
than  those  of  a  four-wheel  carriage. 

Spare-Gun  Carriages  have  lately 
been  introduced  into  the  field  artillery 
service,  and  independent  of  being  spare 
gun  carriages,  are  fitted  up  to  carry 
spare  wheels,  with  a  proportion  of  tools 
and  materials  for  a  collar-marker  and 
wheeler,  who  ride  upon  the  carriage. 
One  of  these  carriages  is  attached  to 
each  brigade  of  field  ordnance. 

CARRIER,  a  kind  of  pigeon,  so 
called  from  its  having  been  used  in  ar- 
mies, to  carry  orders  from  one  division 
of  an  army  to  another,  or  intelligence  to 
some  officer  commanding  a  post,  or  army, 
at  a  distance. 

CAR1UERE,  Fr.  a  large  spot  intend- 
ed for  tournaments,  races,  and  other 
exercises;  also  a  quarry. 

Prendre  Carriers,  Fr.  to  commence 
the  full  speed  at  which  cavalry  charge. 

M.  de  Folard  says,  that  the  cavalry 
is  to  start  (prendre carriire)  from  sixty 
paces  distance  to  charge  the  enemy. 

CARRONADE,  a  very  short  pieca 
of  iron  ordnance,  originally  made  at 
Canon,  a  river  in  Scotland,  from  whence 
the  Carron  company,  or  foundery,  de- 
rives its  name. 

It  is  different  from  ordnance  in  gene- 
ral, h  iving  no  trunnions,  and  being  ele- 
vated upon  a  joint  and  bolt.  The 
length  of  the  calibre  seldom  exceeds 
'hue  feet;  on  which  account  a  thin 
projection  of  metal  is  cast  upon  the 
muzzle,  to  carry  the  explosion  of  the 
charge  more  clear  of  the  sides  and  rig- 
ging of  ships.  All  carronades  have 
cha»»ujers,  and  much  less  windage  than 


CAR 


(     91     ) 


CAR 


guns,  by  which  means  they  make  a  con- 
siderable range,  and  a  recoil  that  is 
almost  ungovernable. 

To  CARRY,  to  obtain  possession  of 
by  force;  as,  To  carry  the  outworks. 

To  Carry  on,  in  a  military  sense  to 
prosecute,  to  continue,  as  to  carry  on 
the  war. 

CART,  (chariot, Fr.)  a  vehicle  mount- 
ed on  two  wheels,  and  drawn  by  one  or 
more  horses;  of  which  there  are  several 
sorts,  viz. 

Ball  Cartridge  Carts,  constructed  to 
draw  wiih  two  horses  abreast.  They 
are  common  sized  carts  with  sides, 
which  let  down  occasionally,  and  have 
wooden  tops,  covered  with  canvass,  for 
the  security  of  the  ammunition.  Each 
cart  will  contain  11,000  hall  cartridges, 
and  1000  flints  in  elevpn  half  barrels. 

Ibrge-CART*,  or  IW^p-Wagons,  are 
travelling  machines  hired  up  for  the 
purpose  of  assisting  the  artillery  in  the 
field,  and  in  repairing  or  replacing  any 
iron  work,  when  no  other  means  can  he 
obtained.  Each  cart,  or  wagon,  has  four 
wheels — the  hind  part  of  the  carriage 
has  a  body  in  which  a  pair  of  small  bel- 
lows are  fixed.  In  the  front  of  the 
body  are  a  tire  place,  and  a  trough  for 
carrying  coals  and  water.  There  is  also 
a  box  at  the  hind  part  of  the  cart  for 
carrying  the  smith's  tools.  The  two 
front  wheels  are  merely  a  limber  for  the 
support  of  the  body  of  the  cart,  which 
limber  is  generally  taken  oft*,  and  the 
body  supported  by  a  prop,  when  the 
cart  is  in  actual  use. 

Powder-CA rts,  for  carrying  powder 
with  the  army;  they  are  divided  into  4 
parts,  by  boards  of  an  inch  thick,  which 
enter  about  an  inch  into  the  shafts 
Each  of  these  caits  can  only  stow  4  bar- 
rels of  powder.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  an  oil-cloth,  to  prevent  dampness 
from  coming  to  the  powder.  These 
carts  are  not  at  present  used  in  the 
British  service. 

S/ing-CAF.rs  have  two  strong  wheels 
fitted  up  with  rollers,  pall,  handspikes, 
and  ropes,  and  are  used  to  carry  mortars 
or  heavy  guns  from  one  place  to  another 
at  a  small  distance,  hut  chiefly  to  trans- 
port guns  from  the  water-side  to  the 
proof-place, and  from  thence  back  auain; 
as  also  to  convey  artillery  to  the  batte- 
ries in  a  fortification, &c. 

Tinnbrel-CARTs  are  carts  with  two 
wheels,  and  square  bodies,  with  a  can- 
vass painted  top,  for  the  conveyance  of 


ammunition.     These  carts  are  not  much 
used  in  the  field  artillery  service. 

ifa«rf-CARTS  are  low  small  carts  with 
two  wheelsand  iron  arms. 

T/chcA-Carts  are  precisely  upon  the 
same  principle  with  hand-carts,  except- 
ing that  they  have  wooden  axles,  and  are 
calculated  to  carry  heavier  weights. 
They  are  found  to  be  useful  in  carrying 
mortars  and  their  beds,  ammunition,  &c. 

CARTE  is  a  thrust  with  a  sword  at 
the  inside  of  the  upper  part  of  the 
body,  with  the  nails  of  your  sword  hand 
upward.  Low  carte  is  a  thrust  at  the 
inside  of  the  lower  half  of  the  body;  the 
position  of  the  hand  being  the  same  as 
in  the  former. 

Carte  also  signifies  bill  of  fare,  such 
as  is  given  at  a  tavern. 

CARTL-btanchc,  Fr.  a  full  and  abso- 
lute power  which  is  lodged  in  the  hands 
of  a  general  of  an  army,  to  act  according 
to  the  best  of  his  judgment,  without 
waiting  for  superior  instructions,  or  or- 
ders. It  likewise  strictly  means  a  blank 
paper:  a  paper  to  be  tilled  up  with  such 
conditions  as  the  person  to  whom  it  is 
sent  thinks  proper. 

Carte  deiaillee  d'un  pays,  Fr.  a  cor- 
rect drawinu;  of  a  country,  so  that  all  its 
various  localities  may  be  seen  with  a 
bird's  eve  view. 

CARTF.L,  in  military  transactions,  an 
agreement  between  two  states  at  war  for 
the  mutual  exchange  of  prisoners. 

CARTEL,  Fr.  a  challenge  or  rendez- 
vous given  by  two  persons  whose  inten- 
tions are  to  tight. 

CARTOUCH,  a  case  of  wood  about' 3 
inches  thick  at  bottom,  bound  about  with 
marline,  holding  about  400  musket-balls, 
besides  8  or  10  iron  balls  of  a  pound  each, 
to  be  ti red  out  of  a  howitzer,  for  the  de- 
fence of  a  pass,  6vC  Cartouches  with 
musket-balls  are  at  present  not  much 
used  in  the  British  service.  See  Grape 
Shot. 

CARTOUCHE,  IV.  a  charge;  a  car- 
tridge. 

Cartouche,  Fr.  in  geographical,  or 
topographical,  design,  a  particular  species 
or  mode  of  sketching  out  with  a  crow's 
quil",  and  with  Indian  ink.  This  sketch 
is  made  on  the  left  of  one  of  the  lower 
angles;  and  if  there  be  two  sketches, 
the  least  of  the  two  is  always  on  the 
right. 

Cartouche  infumante,  Cartouche 
jaune,  Fr.  a  discharge  given  to  a  soldier 
in  the  French  service  in  consequence  of 
N  2 


C  A  S 


C    9*    ) 


CAS 


his  being  rendered  unworthy  to  carry'  company  wore  a  camque  of  a  particular 
arm-,  after  having  been  degraded  and  colour,  it  was  easily  known  at  once 
punched.     It  is  printedon  vellow  paper,    what  company  the  delinquent  belonged 

to.  When  the  casuqiir  was  abolished, 
scarfs  o(  different  colours  were  intro- 
duced in  lieu  of  it. 

I  ASCADE,fV.  This  literally  means 
a  «ater  fall;  a  cascade.  In  mining,  it 
nullifies  the  several  descents  or  accents 
which  are  made.  Hence  Ckemmur  par 
•  i  make  wav  by  intermediate 
descent*,  or  ascents. 

CASI  *NS,  (f«Jcon«,  Fr.)  holes  in 
the  form  of  wells,  serving  as  entrances 
to  galleries,  or  living  vent  to  the  ene- 
my's mines.     See  Fortification. 

CASEMATE, m  fortification, a  vault, 
or  arch  of  BMW  work,  in  that  part  of 
the  (lank  of  a  bastion  which  i?  next  the 
curtain,  made  to  defend  the  ditch,  and 
the  face  of  the  opposite  bastion.  See 
Fortification. 

Casemates  nouvelles,  Fr.  arched  bat- 
teries which  are  constructed  under  all 
the  openings  of  revetments,  or  ramparts. 
The  diriereut  forts  at  Cherbourg  are  de- 


CARTOUCHBS»in  artiliery,  are  made 
of  leather,  to  sling  over  the  shoulder  of 
the  gunner,  who  therein  carries  the  am- 
munition from  the  magazine  or  w  3 
for  the  service  of  the  artillery,  when  at 
exercise  or  real  service, 

CiRTOUCHFS.  on  J'ormules,  Fr.  mili- 
tary paaeea  which  were  given  to  soldiers 
g  jing  on  furlough. 

CARTOUCHIER,  m  Portc-Car- 
touche.  Fr.  a  cartouch-bo\. 

I  ARTKIDGE,  a  case  of  paper, 
parchment  or  flannel,  ritred  to  the  bore 
ot  the  piece,  and  holding  exactly  its 
proper  charge.  Musket  and  pistol  car- 
t  ges  are  always  made  of  strong  paper; 
hetween  SO  or  40  of  which  are  made 
from  1  pound  of  powder,  including  their 
priming.  The  French  musket  ball-car- 
tridges are  capped  with  flannel  or  coarse 
cotton. 

Cartridges  for  heavy  guns  are  now 
partly  made  of  cured  paper  onlv,  and 
partly  of  cured  paper  with  flannel  h>t-  fended  by  these  casemates:  the  works 
toms.  Those  for  field  ordnance  are  all  j  which  baive  been  thrown  Up  during  the 
made  of  flannel,  and  their  nature  and  '  late  war  round  Dover  Castle,  come  like* 
size  suited   to  the  bore,  or  chamber  of I  wise  under  the  description. 


pieces  fot  which  they  are  intended 
Cartridges    for   small   aims.      The 


CASERNER  une  troupe,  Fr.  to  put  a 
troop  into  barracks. 


ball  cartridges  for  wall  piece*,  muskets,  CASERNES,  in  fortification,  large 
carbines  and  pistols  are  made  of  whited  buildings  for  the  soldiers  of  the  garrison 
brown  paper,  on  former- of  wood.  One '  to  live  in;  generally  erected  between 
sheet    of  paper   will    make  6"    f>r  wall    the  houses  of   fortiied  towns,  and  the 


pieces,  12  for  muskets,  sixteen  for  car-   rampart 

bines,  and  24  for  pistols.     The  quantity        CaSEBHES,   in  a  general 

Of  powder  contained  in  the  above  car-    signify  barracks. 

tridges   is,  for  wall   pieces,    10   drams, 

musket  6.  carbine  4.  and  pistol  3  drams. 

Blank  cartridges  for  musket*,  carbines, 


acceptation, 
See  Shot,   and  Labo- 


(  ASE-SAot. 

BATOBT. 

Spheria.I C ±SL-Shot.    See  Spherical 


and  pistols  are  made  of  blue  paper,  to   or  Siirapml. 
preserve    a    distinction     between    ball        CASES  qf  wood  are  made  of  wood, 
and    blank,   and    to   prevent   the   pos-  the  exact  size  of  the  different  natai 
sibility  of  accidents  happening  from  the   cartridges  of  powder,  for  the  purpose  ot 
ball   cartridges    being   n.ixed    with   the,  carrying  the  cartridges  from  the  mugav 


blank 

Cartridge-Pot,  a  case  of  wood  car- 
ried by  a  soldier,  which  contains  his  se- 
veral rounds  of  ball,  ink,  cartridges. 
When  firelocks  v<ere  first  used,  cartridge 
boxes  were  introduced  instead  01  the 
bandelet. s;  the  imperfections  of  which 
are  fully  stated  by  Lord  Orrery.  See 
Port  h. 

CASAQUE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  coat  that 
not    sit   so   tight  as  the  common 


zine,  with  safety,  to  the  guns,  either  in 
batteries  or  on  board  of  ship.  There 
are  also  a  number  of  square  deal  cases 
used  in  packing  laboratory  stores. 

(  ASIIEERING,  or.as  now  generally 
spelt,  Cashiering,  from  the  French  Ca.%ser, 
•  to  break,  signifies  a  dishonourable  dis- 
missal of  an  officer,  or  soldier.  In  the 
ca-e  of  an  officer  this  punishment  ad- 
mits of  four  degrees. 

The  first  is  simply  a  dismission  from 


coat.     This  was  formerly  the  regimental  I  his    niiployment;    the    commauder-in- 
dress  of  the  French  troops,  and  as  each1  chief,  or  the  secretary  at  war,  (should 


CAS 


(    93     ) 


CAS 


the  former  be  out  of  office,)  signifying 
bv  a  letter  to  him  that  the  king  has  nu 
further  occasion  for  his  services;  or  by 
the  sentence  of  a  court-martial. 

The  second  mode,  which  first  occurred 
in  1800,  when  =even  o'ficers  belonging  to 
the  85th  regiment  of  foot  were  dismissed 
without  a  trial,  is  culled  displacing;  bv 
which  an  officer  is  dismissed  from  same 
particular  regiment. 

The  third  is  dismissing  an  officer 
from  the  service,  and  rendering  him  in- 
capable of  serving  for  the  future  in  any 
military  capacity. 

The  fourth  is  dismission  with  infamy, 
and  degradation  from  the  rank  of  a  sol- 
dier and  a  gentleman,  as  wus  the  c.;<-e  of 
a  member  of  parliament  wiieu  colonel 
of  a  militia  regiment. 

CASK,  or  Casqle,  the  ancient  hel- 
met or  armour  for  the  head. 

CASSETTE,  Fr.  casket;  also  privy 
purse,  as  lu  Cassette  du  Rui,  the  King's 
privy  purse. 

CASSI-^srAer,  the  provost  marshal 
in  a  Turkish  army. 

CASSINE,  Fr.  a  house  surrounded 
by  a  ditch.  Cassines  are  verv  conveni- 
ent to  post  small  parties  in,  where  they 
will  be  shelteied  from  any  sudden  at- 
tack, and  will  even  make  head  till  the 
nearest  detachments  can  come  and  re- 
lieve them. 

CASSIONS.     See  Caissons. 

CASSIS,  Fr.  casque,  or  helmet. 

CASTELLATED,  (entouri,  Fr.)  en- 
closed within  a  building. 

CASTILLE,  Fr.  a  term  formerly 
used  to  signify  the  attack  of  a  tower  or 
castie.  It  also  became  a  species  of  mili- 
tary amusement,in  which  the  combatants 
threw  snow-balls  at  one  another.  In 
1546,  a  difference  took  place  among;  the 
sham-lighters  at  Roche-Guvoii.  and  rose 
to  such  a  pitchjthat  the  DukeD'Enghien 
lost  his  life  in  the  struggle.  This  event 
put  an  end  to  the  game  of  Castilie,  as 
did  the  melancholy  fate  of  Henry  the 
Third  of  France  to  tournaments. 

CASTING,  in  founding  guns,  implies 
the  operation  of  running  an*  sort  of 
metal  into  a  mould  prepared  for  that 
purpose. 

CASTLE,  a  fortified  place,  or  strong 
hold,  to  defend  a  town  or  city  from  an 
enemy.  Castles  are  for  the  most  part 
no  higher  in  antiquity  than  the  con- 
quest; or  rather  about  the  middle  of 
king  Stephen's  reign.  Castles  were 
erected  in  almost  all  parts  of  the  king- 


dom, by  the  several  contending  parties; 
and  each  owner  of  a  castle  was  a  kind 
ot  petty  prince,  coining  his  own  moneT, 
and  exercising  Mvuusgn  jurisdiction 
over  his  people.  History  informs  us 
that  1017  castles  were  built  in  this  reign. 

The  Castle,  a  figurative  name  for  a 
clo~e  iiead-piece,  deduced  from  its  in- 
ching and  defending  the  head,  as  a 
castle  did  the  whole  bedv;  or  a  corrup- 
tion from  the  old  French  word  casquelct, 
a  small  or  light  helmet. 

CASTRAMETATJON  is  the  art  of 
measuring,  or  tracing  out,  the  form  of  a 
'camp  on  the  ground;  yet  it  sometimes 
a  more  extensive  signification,  by 
;  including  all  the  views  and  designs  of  a 
j  general;  the  one  requires  only  the  know- 
ledge of  a  mathematician,  the  other  the 
experience  of  an  old  soldier.  The  an- 
cients were  accustomed  to  fortifv  their 
camps  by  throwing  up  entrenchments 
round  tbein.  The  Turks,  and  other 
Asiatic  nations,  fortify  themselves,  when 
in  an  open  country,  with  their  wagons 
and  other  carriages.  The  practice  of 
the  Europeans  is  quite  different;  for  the 
surety  of  their  camp  consists  in  the  faci- 
lity and  convenience  of  drawing  out 
their  troops  at  the  bead  of  their  en- 
campment; for  which  reason,  whatever 
particular  order  of  battle  is  regarded  as 
the  best  disposition  for  fighting,  it  fol- 
lows of  course,  that  we  should  encamp 
in  such  a  maimer  as  to  assemble  and 
parade  cur  troops  in  that  order  and  dis- 
position as  soon  as  possible.  It  is  there- 
fore the  order  of  battle  that  should  re- 
gulate the  order  of  encampment;  that  is 
to  say,  the  post  of  each  regiment  in  the 
:ine  of  battle  should  I  e  at  the  head  of 
its  own  encampment;  from  whence  it 
follows,  that  the  extent  of  the  line  of 
battle  from  right  to  left  of  the  camp 
should  be  equal  to  rhe  front  of  the 
troops  in  Hue  of  battle,  with  the  same 
intervals  in  the  camp  as  in  the  line.  Bv 
this  means  every  battalion  covers  its 
own  tents,  and  the  soldiers  can  all  lod.e 
themselves, or  turn  out  in  case  of  neces- 
-itv.at  a  minute's  warning. 

It  the  front  of  the  camp  is  greater 
than  the  line,  the  troops  must  leave 
large  intervals,  or  expose  their  flanks: 
if  less,  the  troops  will  not  have  room  to 
form  with  the  proper  intervals. 

The  front  or  principal  line  of  the 
camp  is  commonly  directed  to  face  the 
enemy.     See  Camp. 

CASUALS,  a  term  seme  times  adopted 


CAT 


(     94     ) 


CAV 


in  the  general  and  regimental  returns  of 
the  British   army,  signifying  men  chat 

are  (fend,  (since  liist  enlisted,)  i hat  have 
been  discharged,  or  have  deserted.  The 
term  casualties  is  nunc-  generally  used, 
and  is  certainly  mine  correct. 

CAT,  CATTUS,  or  GATTUS,  also' 
CAT-HOI  SK,  a  covered  shed,  occasion- 
ally fixed  "it  wheels,  and  formerly  used 
for  covering  soldiers  employed  in  filling 
up  the  ditch,  preparing  the  way  for  the 
moveable  tower,  or  mining  the  wall.  It 
was  called  cat,  because  under  it  soldiers 
lav  in  watch,  like  a  cat  for  its  prey. 

Castellated  CATS,  cat-  that  had  cic-! 
nelles  or  loop-holes,  whe  ice  ihe  archers] 
could  discharge   their   annus.      Some- 
times under  the  cover  of  this  machine, 
the  besiegers  worked  a  small   kind  ol 
ram. 

CAT  a' nine  tails,  a  whip  with  nine 
knotted  cords,  with  winch  the  British 
soldiers  ami  sailors  are  punished.  Some- 
times it  has  uiilv  live  en  ds. 

To  Comb  I  lie  Cat,  a  term  used  among 
Bailor*  and  soidie  s,  signify ing  to  arrange 
the  different  coids  of  a  cat  o'nine  tails 
so  as  tu  make  them  more  uniform.  This 
is  done  by  untangling  them,  and  draw- 
ing the  while  through  the  fingers. 

CATACOMBS,  grottoes,  or  subter- 
raneous places  for  the  burial  of  the 
dead;  also  divisions  in  a  cellar  to  stow 
wine,  &c.  in. 

CATADROME,  an  engine  like  a 
crane,  used  by  builders  in  lifting  up  and 
letting  down  anv  tiieat  weights. 

CATAFALCO,  in  military  architec- 
ture, a  scaffold  of  timber,  decorated 
with  sculpture,  painting,  cvc.  tor  sup- 
porting the  cothn  of  a  deceased  hero, 
during  the  funeral  solemnity. 

CATAMARAN,  a  sort  of  floating 
raft,  originally  used  in  China,  and 
anions:  the  Portuguese  as  a  fishing  boat. 
The  Catamarans  in  India  consist  of  two 
loij.s  of  wood  upon  which  the  natives 
float,  and  go  through  the  heaviest  surf 
to  carry  or  bring  letters  on  shore. 
.  This  name  has  also  been  given  to 
case  tilled  with  combustibles,  and  con- 
trived to  remain  so  low  in  the  water  as 
to  be  almost  imueiceptiWe.  Thisbeing 
towed  to  the  building,  or  ship,  against 
which  the  attack  is  to  be  directed,  is 
left  to  explode  by  means  of  machhit  1  v 
within  1  self,  when  its  operation  is  some- 
times v<-  v  destructive. 

CATAPHRACT.tb'e  old  Roman  term 
for  a  horseman  in  complete  armour. 


CATAPIIRACTA,  in  the  ancient 
military  art,  a  piece  of  heavy  defensive 
armour,  formed  of  cloth  or  leather,  for- 
tified with  iron  scales  or  links,  where- 
with sometimes  only  the  bieast,  some- 
times the  whole  body,  and  sometimes 
the  horse  too  was  covered 

CATAPHRASTARII,  horsemen  in 
the  Roman  army. 

CATAPULTA,  in  military  antiquity, 
tin  engine  contrived  for  the  throwing  01 
arrows,  darts  and  stones,  upon  the  ene- 
my. Some  of  these  engines  were  so 
large  and  of  such  fort  e,that  they  would 
throw  stones  of  an  hundred  weight. 
Josephus  takes  notice  of  the  surprising 
effects  of  these  engines,  and  says,  that 
the  stones  thrown  out  of  them  beat 
down  the  battlements,  knocked  off  the 
ang  es  of  the  tower-,  aud  b  id  tone  suf- 
ficient to  level  a  very  deep  file  of  sol- 
diers. 

CATATROME.     See  Crane. 
C  VTEJA,  a   kind  of  ai  row  formerly 
in  us.'  amongst   the  Teutonians  and  the 
Gauls,  made  of  very  heavy  wood. 

CATELLA,  a  small  chain  which  the 
Romans  used  to  wear  about  their  necks: 
a  part  of  the  military  recompenses. 

CATERVA,  among  ancient  military 
writers,  a  term  used  in  speaking  of  the 
Gaulish  or  Celtiberian  armies,  denoting 
a  body  of  6000  tinned  men.  The  word 
is  also  used  to  denote  a  party  of  soldiers 
in  disarray;  in  opposition  to  cohort  or 
turma,  which  signifies  in  good  order. 

(ATI!  KITS,  in  geometry,  a  perpen- 
dicular, or  a  hue,  or  radius  falling  per- 
pendicularly on  another  line  or  surface. 

CATHOLES,  holes  above  the  gun- 
room port,  through  which  a  ship  may 
be  heaved  astern. 

CATOPTRICS,  the  science  of  refle 
vision,  or  that  branch  of  optics,  which 
treats  of,   or  gives  the  laws   of  light   re- 
flected from  mirrors,  &C. 

CAVALCADK.a  pompous  procession 
of  horsemen,  equipages,  &c.  by  way  of 
parade,  to  »race  a  triumph,  public  entry, 
or  the  like. 

CAVALIER,  l'r  a  horseman. 
Cavalier,  a   work  raised  within  the 
body  of  the  place,  10  or  12  feet. higher 
than  the  rest  of  the  works. 

Trench-C av alier,  (caru/icr  de  tran- 
elie'e,  Fr.)  in  the  attacks,  is  an  elevation 
which  the  besiegers  make  by  means  of 
earth  or  gabions,  within  half-way,  or 
two  thirds  of  the  glacis,  to  discover,  or 
to  enfilade  the  covert  way. 


C  A  U 


(     95     ) 


C  E  L 


CAVALOT,  Fr.  an  ancient  piece  of 
ordnance  about  5  French  feet  in  length, 
carrying  about  8  or  900  paces,  and  ge- 
nerally loaded  with  a  ball  of  1  pound 
weight,  and  a  pound  of  gunpowder. 

CAVALQUET,  Fr.  a  particular 
sound  of  t lie  trumpet  which  is  used 
among  the  French,  when  troops  of  horse 
come  hear,  or  pass  through,  a  town. 

CAVALRY,  that  body  of  soldiers 
which  serves  and  tights  on  horseback. 
Under  this  denomination  are  included 

Horse,  that  is,  regiments  or  troops  ot 
horse.  In  England  there  are,  the  Horse- 
guards,  commonly  called  the  first  and 
second  regiments  of  life  guards,  and  the 
Oxford  blues;  formerly  there  was  the 
rot/al  regiment  of  horse  grenadier  guards, 
which  is  now  reduced.  The  first  troop 
of  horse  was  raised  in  1660. 

Dragoons,  which  are  likewise  regi- 
ments of  horse,  but  distinguished  from 
the  former  by  being  obliged  to  fight 
both  on  foot  and  on  horseback.  In 
England  there  are  7  regiments  of  dra- 
goon-guards, 5  regiments  of  dragoons, 
and  19  regiments  of  light  dragoons.  The 
first  regiment  of  dragoons  was  raised  in 
1681. 

Light-horse,  regiments  of  cavalry, 
mounted  on  light,  swift  horses,  whose 
men  are  of  a  middling  stature,  and 
lightly  accoutred.  They  were  first  raised 
in  1757. 

Hussars,  properly  Hungarian  horse. 
Their  uniform  is  a  large  furred  cap, 
adorned  with  a  cock's  feather;  those  of 
the  officers,  either  with  an  eagle's  or  a 
heron's;  a  very  short  waistcoat,  with  a 
pair  of  breeches  and  stockings  in  one; 
short  light  boots,  generally  of  red  or 
yellow  leather;  with  a  curious  doublet, 
having  five  rows  of  buttons,  which  hang 
loosely  on  the  left  shoulder.  Their 
arms  are  a  long  crooked  sabre,  light  car- 
bines, and  pistols.  Most  of  the  Ger- 
man powers  have  troops  under  this 
name,  and  so  has  France;  into  which 
country  they  were  originally  introduced 
under  Louis  the  XIII.  and  were  calied 
Hungarian  cavalry.  There  are  also 
several  regiments  of  hussars  in  the 
British  service. 

CAUD1NE  Forks,  {Fourchettes  Cau- 
dines,  Fr.)  from  the  Latin  Caudina 
Furcte;  projecting  or  forky  hills,  near 
Caudium,  in  the  country  of  the  Sam- 
nites,  where  the  Roman  army  was  de- 
feated under  Titus  Veturius  and  Sp. 
Posthumius,  and    the    prisoners,    after 


having  been  stripped  to  the  waist,  'were 
disgracefully  passed  under  the  yoke,  and 
sent  back  to  R  nne.  Bonaparte,  in  his 
address  to  his  army,  previous  to  the  bat- 
tle of  Waterloo,  made  a  pointed  allusion 
to  this  event.  For  the  Roman  particu- 
lars see  Livy,  lib    ix.  cap.  v. 

CAVEA TING,  in  fencing,  implies  a 
motion  whereby  a  person  in  an  instant 
brings  his  sword,  which  was  presented 
to  one  side  of  his  adversary,  to  the  op- 
posite side. 

CAVESSON,  Fr.  an  iron  instrument 
fixed  to  the  nostrils  of  a  horse,  to  curb, 
or  render  him  manageable,  through  th« 
poin  it  occasions. 

CAVTN,  in  military  affairs,  implies  a 
natural  hollow,  sufficiently  capacious  to 
lodge  a  body  of  troops,  and  facilitate 
their  approach  to  a  place.  If  it  be 
within  musket-shot,  it  is  a  place  of  arms 
ready  made,  and  serves  for  opening  the 
trenches,  t\ee  from  the  enemy's  shot. 

Cavin,  Fr.  in  fortification,  a  hollow 
way  which  runs  round  the  works  of  a 
fortified  place,  and  which  answers  the 
purpose  of  a  trench. 

CAUTION,  an  explanation  given 
previous  to  the  word  of  command,  by 
which  the  soldiers  are  called  to  atten- 
tion, that  they  may  execute  any  given 
movement  with  unanimity  and  correct- 
ness. 

CAZEMATTE,  (Cazamates,)  Place 
basse  or  Flanc  bus.     See  Casemate. 

CAZEMATE.     See  Casemate. 

CAZ ERNES,  Fr.     See  Casernes. 

CEILING,  the  upper  part  or  roof  of 
a  lower  room,  or  a  lay  or  covering  ot 
plaster  over  laths  nailed  on  the  bottom 
of  the  joists,  which  bear  the  floor  of  the 
upper  room,  or  on  joists  put  up  for  that 
purpose. 

Ceiling  joists  or  beams,  joists  put  up 
for  the  purpose  of  having  laths  nailed  to 
them,  which  are  to  be  plastered  over,  for 
a  ceiling. 

CElNTRE.Fr.  wooden  arch  to  build 
vaults  upon. 

CEINTURE,  Fr.  inclosure, cincture; 
any  continuity  of  wall  which  surrounds 
a  place.  Ceinture  also  signifies  the  ring 
or  circle  which  goes  round  the  top,  or 
base  of  a  column. 

CEINTURE  mi  lit  aire,  Fr.  a  broad 
leathern  belt  which  is  worn  round  the 
waist,  and  is  ornamented  with  gold  or 
silver  plates. 

CEINTURONT,  Fr.  sword-belt. 

CELERES.  The  life-guards  which  at- 


CEN 


(    ©6    ) 


CEN 


tended  Romulus,  in  the  infancy  of 
Rome,  were  so  called.  They  were  laid 
aside  by  Numa  Pompilius.  Celeres  are 
properly  distinguished  from  other  troops, 
by  being  lightly  armed  and  acting  always 
on  foot.  The  Celeres  cannot  he  consi- 
dered under  the  same  head  as  Velites. 

CEMENT,   i  in  the  general  sense  of 

C/EMENT,  $  the  word,  signifies  any 
composition  of  a  glutinous  or  tenacious 
nature,  proper  for  binding,  uniting,  and 
keeping  things  in  a  state  of  cohesion. 

Cfmfnt,  in  architecture,  is  a  strong 
sort  of  mortar  used  to  bind  or  fix  bricks 
or  stones  together  for  some  kind  of 
mouldings;  or  in  cementing  a  block  of 
bricks  for  the  carving  of  capitals,  scrolls, 
or  the  like. 

CENDREE&  Tournai,  Fr.  In  the 
neighbourhood  of  Tournay  there  is  a 
particular  hard  stone  from  which  lime 
*of  a  most  excellent  quality  may  be  made. 
After  it  has  been  some  time  in  an  oven 
or  furnace,  it  breaks  into  small  particles 
which  drop  through  the  grate,  and  being 
mixed  with  the  ashes,  it  forms  what  is 
called  Ccndrie  de  Tounuri ;  and  is  sold 
as  soon  as  it  ran  be  collected  together. 

CENOTAPH,  a  monument  erected 
to  the  honour  of  a  person,  without  the 
body  of  the  deceased  being  interred  in 
or  near  it. 

CENSURE,  correction,  reflection,  re- 
proof.    Hence  vote  of  censure. 

CI.NTENTER,  Fr.  the  chief,  or  cap- 
tain of  a  troop  or  company  which  con- 
sists of  100  men. 

CENTER,)  in  a  general  sense,  sig- 

CENTRE,  ^  nifies  a  point  equally 
distant  from  the  extremities  of  a  line, 
surface,  or  solid.     See  Fortification. 

Center  of  attack,  (ccntic  d'atluquc, 
Fr.)  when  a  considerable  front  is  taken 
before  a  besieged  place,  and  the  lines  of 
attack  are  carried  upon  three  capitals, 
the  capital  in  the  middle,  which  usually 
leads  to  the  half-moon,  is  styled  the 
a  titer  of  attack. 

Center  qfa  battalion,  on  parade,  isi 
the  middle,  where  an  interval  is  left 
for  '.Lie  colours;  of  an  encainpniei:',  it 
is  die  main  stret  t;  and  on  a  march,  is 
an  interval  lor  the  baggage;  when  it  is 
so  placed. 

Center  of  a  bast  km  is  a  point  in  the 
middle  of  tlie  gorge  of  the  bastion,  from 
whence  the  capital  line  commences,  and 
which  is  generally  at  the  inner  polygon 
©f  the  figure. 

Cimek  of  gravity,  in  mechanics,  is 


that  point  about  which  the  several  parts 
of  a  body  exactly  balance  each  other  in 
any  situation. 

Center  of  a  conic  section  is  a  point 
where  all  the  diameters  meet. 

Center  of  an  ellipsis  is  that  point 
where  the  transverse  and  conjugate  dia- 
meters meet. 

Center  of  motion,  (centre  de  mouvt' 
iiic/i/,  Fr.)  is  that  point  which  remains 
at  rest  while  all  the  other  parts  of  the 
body  move  about  it. 

Center  of  percussion,  (centre  de 
percustion,  Fr.)  is  that  point  in  which 
the  force  of  the  stroke  is  the  greatest 
possible.  When  the  moving  body  re- 
volves round  a  fixed  point,  the  center  of 
percussion  is  the  same  with  the  center 
of  oscillation,  and  found  by  the  same 
method:  but  when  the  body  moves  in 
a  parallel  direction,  the  center  of  per- 
cussion is  the  same  with  the  center  of 
gravity. 

Center  in  geometry,  that  point  which 
is  exactly  in  the  center  of  a  regular 
figure.  For  instance,  the  center  of  the 
circle  is  a  point  from  whence  all  the 
straight  lines  that  are  equal  within  them- 
selves are  severally  drawn.  The  center 
of  a  regular  jwlugon  is  a  point,  whose 
lines  being  drawn  to  the  angles  of  the 
polygon  are  equal  within  themselves. 
The  same  holds  good  with  respect  to  the 
center  of  a  square,  or  of  a  right  angle. 
The  regular  solids,  as  the  globe  or  sphere 
and  the  poliedra,  have  also  their  several 
centers. 

CENTESIMATION,  in  ancient  mi- 
litary history,  a  mild  kind  of  military 
punishment,  in  cases  of  desertion,  mu- 
tiny, and  tlie  like,  when  only  every  100th 
man  was  executed. 

CENTINEL,  ^  is  a   private    soldier, 

GENTRY,  ]  from  the  guard,  posted 
upon  any  spot  of  ground,  to  stand  and 
watch  carefully  for  the  security  of  tlie 
said  guard,  or  of  any  body  of  troops, 
or  post,  and  to  prevent  any  surprise 
from  the  enemy.  All  centincls  are  to 
he  \ery  vigilant  on  their  posts;  they  are 
not  to  sin<r,  smoke,  or  suffer  any  noise 
to  be  made  near  them.  Neither  are 
they  to  sit  down,  lay  their  arms  out  of 
their  hand-,  or  sleep;  but  keep  moving 
about  their  poets  during  the  two  hours 
thev  stand,  if  the  weather  will  allow  of 
it.  No  centry  to  move  more  than  50 
paces  to  the  right,  and  as  many  to  the 
left  of  his  post;  and  let  the  weather  be 
ever  so  bad,  he  must  not  get  under  auy 


C  EH 


(     97     ) 


CER 


•  Other  cover,  but  that  of  the  ccntry-box. 
No  cemry  can  be  allowed  to  go  from 
bis  post  without  leave  from  liis  com- 
manding officer ;  and,  to  prevent  deser- 
tion or  marauding,  the  centries  and 
.vedettes  must  be  charged  to  let  no  sol- 
dier pass. 

C  ENTINEL perdu,  Fr.  a  soldier  posted 
near  an  enemy  in  some  very  dangerous 
post,  where  he  is  in  perpetual  danger  of 
being  shot  or  taken. 

CENTRY-6ar,a  sort  of  wooden  box, or 
but,  to  shelter  the  centinel  from  the  in- 
juries of  the  weather;  but  in  fortifica- 
tions made  of  masonry,  they  are  of  stone, 
in  a  circular  form. 

CENTURION,  a  military  officer 
among  the  ancient  Romans,  who  com- 
manded an  hundred  men.  The  term  is 
now  obsolete. 

CENTURY,in  a  military  sense,means 
an  hundred  soldiers,  who  were  employed 
in  working  the  battering-ram. 

CEPS,  IV.  stocks,  fetters.  It  also 
means  a  trap. 

Ceps  de  Cesar,  Fr.  Caesar's  trap.  A 
stratagem  which  was  used  by  Julius 
Caesar  in  one  of  his  campaigns,  and 
was  called  Ceps  de  Cesar,  from  the 
snare  into  which  the  enemy  was  led. 
Being  solicitous  to  draw  their  forces 
towards  Alexia,  he  made  an  avenue 
through  a  forest,  which  seemed  to  be 
the  only  p:iss  through  which  his  army 
could  possibly  move.  They  gave  into 
the  snare,  and  eagerly  pursued  Caesar 
into  the  forest.  The  latter,  however, 
had  had  the  precaution  to  order  a  great 
number  of  trees  on  each  side  to  be 
sawed  within  three  inches,of  the  ground, 
and  round  their  several  trunks  there  i\  ere 
various  pieces  of  wood  and  branches, 
spread  in  such  a  manner,  that  the 
soldiers  could  not  pass  without  being 
tripped  up,  and  the  road  consequently 
choaked. 

CERAMICUS,  a  place  so  called  in 
Athens,  surrounded  with  walls,  and 
where  the  tombs  and  statues  of  such  men 
as  had  died  in  fighting  for  their  country 
were  to  be  seen.  Divers  inscriptions  in 
praise  of  them  bore  testimony  of  then- 
exploits. 

CERCLE,  Grand  Cercle,  Fr.  a  form 
observed  under  the  old  government  of 
France,  by  which  it  was  directed,  that 
every  evening,  at  a  specific  hour,  the  Ser- 
jeants and  corporals  of  a  brigade  should 
assemble  to  receive  orders ;  the  former 
standing  in  front  of  the  latter.     Subse- 


quent to  the  grand  cercle,  a  smaller  one 
was  made  in  each  regiment,  when  gene- 
ral or  regimental  orders  were  again  re- 
peated to  the  Serjeants  of  each  corps, 
and  from  them  communicated  to  the 
officers  of  the  several  companies. 

Cercle  meurtrier,  Fr.  a  large  flat 
piece  of  iron,  one  inch  thick,  which  is 
made  red  hot,  and  thrown  at  the  assail- 
ants. 

C ercles  goudronnes,  {pitched  hoops.} 
Old  matches,  or  pieces  of  old  cordage, 
dipped  into  pitch  or  tar,  and  made  in 
the  shape  of  a  circle,  which  are  placed 
on  chafing  dishes  to  light  the  garrison  of 
a  besieged  town  or  post. 

C ercles  a  feux,  Fr.  two,  three,  or 
four  hoops  tied  together  witb  wire,  and 
all  around  which  are  fixed  grenades, 
loaded  pistol-barrels,  crackers,  pointed 
pieces  of  iron,  &c.  The  whole  is  coher- 
ed with  tow  and  fire-work:  these  hoops 
are  then  driven  across  the  works  of  the 
besiegers:  they  are  likewise  used  to  op1- 
pose  an  assault;  in  which  case  they  ar« 
called  couronnes  foudroyantes. 

CERNER,  Fr.  to  surround. 

Cerxer  un  ouvrage  de  fortification, 
une  troupe,  Fr.  to  surround  any  particu- 
lar part  of  a  fortification,  troop,  or"  com- 
pany. 

CERTIFICAT,  Fr.     See  Certifi- 

CAT  Ei 

CERTIFICATE,  a  testimonial  bear- 
ing witness  to  the  existence  of  some  re- 
quisite qualification,  or  to  the  perform- 
ance of  some  act  required  by  the  regula- 
tions of  the  army,  and  for  which  the 
officer  who  signs  is  responsible,  whether 
he  certifies  for  himself,  or  for  any  other 
officer. 

Military  Certiftcates  are  of  vari- 
ous denominations,  and  consist  chiefly 
of  the  following  kinds,  viz. 

Certificate  from  a  field  officer  to  the 
commander  in  chief, .affirming  the  eligi- 
bility of  a  young  man  to  hold  a  commis- 
sion in  his  Majesty's  service.  See 
printed  forms  at  the  Military  Library, 
Whitehall. 

Certificate  of  the  officer  upon  honour, 
that  he  does  not  exceed  the  regulation  in 
j  the  purchase  of  his  commission. 

Certificate  from  a  general  officer  to 
affirm  and  prove  the  losses  which  officers 
may  sustain  in  the  field. 

Certificate  from  colonels  of  regiments 
'  to  the  board  for  admission  of  proper 
'objects  to  the  Hospital  at  Chelsea. 

Certificate  from  a  magistrate  to  iden-. 
O 


C  E  S 


(     08     ) 


C  H  A 


tify  the  person  of  a  reeruit,  aud  to 
affirm,  that  he  has  enlisted  himself  vo- 
luntarily into  the  service:  likewise,  that 
the  Articlesof  War  have  heen  read  to  him. 

Certificate  from  regimental  surgeons, 
whether  men  when  they  join  are  proper 
und  fit  objects  to  be  enlisted  ;  ditto  to  be 
discharged. 

Certificate  of  commanding  officers  for 
•tores,  &c. 

Certificate  to  enable  an  officer  to  re- 
ceive his  halt-pay. 

Certificate  of  surgeons  and  assistant 
surgeons,  to  prove  their  having  passed  a 
proper  examination. 

Certificate  from  the  Medical  Board  to 
ascertain  the  nature  of  an  officer's 
wounds,  enabling  him  to  receive  a  year's 
pay  for  the  same,  or  a  pension,  as  the 
case  may  be. 

CERVELLE,  Fr.  literally  the  brain. 
See  Mine  sans  cervelle. 

Cervelle,  Fr.  This  word  i$ applied 
to  such  earth,  in  digging  a  ditch,  a  well, 
or  a  gallery  for  a  mine,  that  is  not  suf- 
ficiently firm  to  support  itself,  but  must 
be  upheld  above,  and  sustained  on  the 
sides.  Whence  tare  sans  cervelle,  which 
literally  means  earth  without  brains. 

CERVELIER,  fr.  a  kind  of  helmet 
to  protect  the  head. 

CESSATION,  or  cessation  of  arms,  in 
a  military  sense,  means  a  truce,  or  the 
total  abrogation  of  all  military  opera- 
tions for  a  limited  time.  When  a  town 
is  so  closely  besieged  that  the  governor 
must  either  surrender,  or  sacrifice  him- 
self, his  garrison  and  inhabitants  to  the 
enemy,  he  plants  a  white  flag  on  the 
breach,  or  beats  the  chamadc  to  capitu- 
late, when  both  parties  cease  firing. 

CESTUS,  a  thick  leathern  glove, 
covered  with  lead,  which  the  ancient 
pugilists  used  in  the  course  of  their  vari- 
ous exercises,  and  especially  when  they 
fought  for  the  prize  of  pugilism.  The 
Greeks  had  four  different  sorts  of  Ces- 
tuses.  The  first,  which  was  called 
imantes,  was  made  of  the  hide  of  an  ox, 
dried  but  not  dressed.  The  second, 
called  myrmecai,  was  covered  with  metal. 
The  third,  named  meliqaes,  was, made  of 
thin  leathern  thongs;  and  did  not  cover 
either  the  wrist  or  fingers.  The  fourth, 
which  was  called  sphueroe,  is  the  thick 
glove  which  we  have  mentioned. 

CESTROSPONDONUS,  a  dart,  that 
received  its  appellation  from  the  sling, 
from  which  it  was  thrown:  it  was  point- 
mcL  at  both  cuds. 


CKTRA,  a  small  and  very  light' 
shield  made  of  the  hide  of  an  elephant, 
in  use  amongst  the  Africans  and  Spa- 
niards. 

CHABLEAU,  Fr.  a  middle-sized  rope 
which  is  used  to  draw  the  craft  up  «f 
river. 

CHABLIS,  Fr.  wind-fallen  wood. 

CHACli  of  a  gun  generally  means 
the  whole  length  of  it.     See  Cannon. 

CHAFFERY,  that  part  of  the  foun- 
dry where  the  forges  are  placed  for 
hammering  iron  into  complete  bars. 

CHAIN  for  engineers  is  a  sort  of 
a  wire  chain  divided  into  links  of  an 
ecpial  length,  made  use  of  for  setting  out 
works  on  the  ground,  because  cords  are 
apt  to  shrink  and  give  way. 

There  are  several  sorts  of  chain* 
made  use  of  in  mensuration;  as  Mr. 
Rathbone's,  of  two  perches  in  length: 
others  one  perch  long;  some  of  1000 
feet  in  length;  but  that  which  is  most  in 
use  amongst  engineers  is  Mr.  Gunter's, 
which  is  4  poles  long,  and  contains  100 
links,  each  link  being  7T^  inches  ip 
length. 

CiiAiti-shot.     See  Shot. 

Chains  of'  iron  used  across  streets.  la 
times  of  war,  or  civil  dissension,  thf 
streets  of  towns  have  been  often  defend- 
ed by  iron  chains  drawn  across  them. 
These  chains  were  attached  to  portable 
machines,  by  which  the  avenues  of  towns 
and  villages  are  barricaded. 

CHAIN E,  ou  enceinte,  d'un  foarrage, 
Fr.  a  body  of  armed  men  thrown 
round  the  place  w  here  corn  and  hay  ar« 
gathering  for  the  use  of  an  army,  to  pro* 
tect  the  foragers  against  the  attacks  of 
the  enemy. 

Chain r  de  quartiers,  Fr.  a  regular 
chain  or  communication  which  is  kept 
up  between  towns,  villages,  &c.  for  tlit» 
safety  of  an  army. 

Chain e,  Fr.  in  masonry,  a  height 
or  elevation  which  contains  several  lay* 
or  courses  of  bricks  or  rubble  through- 
out the  thickness  of  walls;  also  a  corbel 
of  stone-work. 

Chain e  d'arpenteur,  Fr.  a  surveyor's 
line,  or  measure. 

CHAIN EAU,  Fr.  pipe  of  a  lead. 

CHAIN  ES  de  pierres,  Fr.  in  the  con- 
struction of  walls  made  of  rubble,  coins, 
or  basing  stones,  which  are  laid  upright 
at  given  distances,  in  order  to  support 
them. 

CHAISE,  Fr.  four  pieces  of  strong 
timber  united  and  put  together  for  the 


CHA 


(  oo  > 


CHA 


^purpose  of  supporting  any  particular 
weight,  as  the  bottom  of  a  wind-mill, 
&c. 

CHALLENGE,  a  cartel,  or  invita- 
tion to  a  duel,  or  other  combat. 

Challenge  is  also  a  term  applied 
to  an  objection  made  against  any  mem- 
ber of  a  court-martial,  on  the  seme  of 
real  or  presumed  partiality.  The  pri- 
soner, however,  in  this  case,  must  as- 
sign his  cause  of  challenge ;  of  the  re- 
levancy, or  validity  of  which  the  mem- 
bers are  themselves  the  judges;  so  that 
peremptory  challenges,  though  allowed 
in  civil  cases,  are  not  acknowledged  in 
military  law.  The  privilege  of  chal- 
lenging belongs  equally  to  the  prisoner 
and  the  prosecutor. 

CHALOUPE,  Fr.  a  small  vessel  which 
is  capable  of  accompanying  ships,  or  of 
making  short  sea  voyages. 

CHAMADE,  in  a  military  sense, 
means  a  signal  made  by  the  enemy,  ei- 
ther by  beat  of  drum,  or  sound  of  trum- 
pet, when  they  have  any  matter  to  pro- 
pose; such  as  to  bury  their  dead,  &c. 
See  Parley-. 

CHAMAILLER,  Fr.  to  fight  at 
close  quarters,  or  hand  to  hand,  in  full 
Wmour. 

CHAMBER  of  a  cannon,  mortar,  &c. 
the  space  where  the  powder  lies,  and  is 
much  narrower  than  the  rest  of  the  cy- 
linder. These  chambers  are  of  different 
forms. 

Chamber  of  a  mine,  that  place  where 
the  charge  of  powder  is  lodged,  to  blow 
up  the  works  over  it.  It  is  generally  of 
a  cubical  form.     See  Mine. 

Chamber  of  a  battery  is  a  place  sunk 
\inder-ground  for  holding  powder,  loaded 
shells,  and  fuzes,  where  they  may  be  out 
of  danger,  and  preserved  from  rain  or 
moisture. 

CHAMBRE,  Fr.  chamber,  signifies 
among  the  French  a  hollow  space  or 
chasm  which  is  sometimes  discovered  in 
pieces  of  ordnance  after  they  have  been 
cast.  Whenever  this  happens,  the  piece 
is  condemned. 

This  term  is  now  used  to  express  the 
bottom  part  of  the  bore  of  a  gun,  womb 
of  a  mortar,  or  barrel  of  a  musket, 
which  is  concave, and  either  round  or  oval. 

Chambre  de  port,  Fr.  a  French  sea- 
tenn,  signifying  that  part  of  a  harbour 
which  is  most  retired,  as  an  inward 
bason, a  back-water, and  where  ships  may 
be  repaired  and  careened,  &c.  It  is  also 
called  darsine. 


Chambre  cCtcluse,  Fr.  a  sort  of  canaj, 
or  reservoir  of  water,  which  remains  be- 
tween the  two  flood-gates  of  a  dam; 

CHAMBREE,  Fr.  a  military  phras* 
among  the  French,  to  signify  several  per- 
sons lodged  in  the  same  room,  barrack, 
or  tent. 

CHAMFRAIN,  Fr.  an  armour  used 
to  protect  the  horse:  it  was  made  either 
of  metal  or  of  boiled  leather,  and  covered 
the  front  part  of  the  animal's  head,  in 
the  shape  of  a  mask.  A  round,  sharp 
pointed  piece  of  iron  was  fixed  on  th» 
center  of  it.  The  chamfrainoi  theComte 
de  Saint  Pol,  (1449,)  at  the  siege  of 
Harjleur,  under  Charles  VII.  was  valued 
at  30,000  crowns  of  the  then  currency; 
that  of  the  Count  de  Foix,  at  the  taking 
of  Bayonne,  was  worth  15,000  gold 
crowns. 

CHAMP  CLOS,  Fr.  camp  list,  in  th« 
first  centuries  and  even  long  after,  was  a 
privileged  spot,  granted  by  royal  assent, 
under  the  authority  of  the  laws  of  the 
country,  where  such  individuals  who  had 
a  difference  or  an  affair  of  honour  to  set- 
tle, were  admitted  to  private  combat. 
The  place  allotted  for  tournaments  was 
also  called  Champ  clos. 

CHAMP  de  bataille,Fv.  field  of  battler 
the  ground  on  which  two  armies  meet. 

Champ  de  Mars,  Fr.  the  Field  of  Mars, 
an  open  place  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Paris,  where  troops  were  frequently  re- 
viewed by  the  kings  of  France,  and  in 
which  the  public  festivals  have  been  ob-. 
served  since  the  Revolution. 

CHAMPION,  he  who  undertook  to 
settle  the  difference  of  contending  ar- 
mies, by  single  combat.  A  warrior  who 
fights  in  support  of  a  cause,  whether  his 
own  or  another  person's. 

It  is  likewise  an  honorary  title  which 
descends  to  the  male  issue  of  a  particular 
family  in  England.  The  champion  of 
England  is  drunk  to  at  every  coronation, 
and  receives  a  golden  cup  from  his  new 
sovereign. 

CHAMPION,  Fr.  champion.  Among 
the  French,  this  word  signifies  a  brave 
soldier,  or  military  man. 

CHANDELIERS,  in  military  affairs, 
constituteakind  of  movable  parapet, con- 
sisting of  wooden  frames,  on  which  fas- 
cines are  laid  to  cover  the  workmen  when 
at  work  on  the  trenches.  They  are  made 
of  various  sorts  and  sizes. 

CHANFREIN,    Fr.    shafferoon;    a 
piece  of  black  cloth,  or  black  nodding 
plumes  upon  a  horse's  forehead.    It  also 
02 


C  H  A 


(    100   ) 


C  H  A 


signifies  the  forehead  itself;  also  a  set  of 
feathers  for  a  horse  on  a  solemn  day. 

Chantuein  rfc  cheoal  Harma,  Fr. 
the  front-stall,  head-piece,  or  forehead- 
piece  of  a  barbed  horse. 

CHAN  1- RON,  C  HA  MI  REIN,  or 
SHAFFRON,  armour  tor  a  horse's  head. 

CHANGE,  Fr.  a  word  given  when 
troops  are  on  a  march,  directing  the  men 
to  shift  the  firelock  from  one  shoulder  to 
the  other;  sloping  arms. 

GHANTE-p/eure,  Fr.  an  outlet  made 
in  the  wall  of  a  building  which  stands 
near  a  running  stream,  in  order  to  let 
the  water  that  overflows  pass  freely  in 
and  out  of  the  place. 

CIIANTIER,  Fr.  a  timber-yard;  it 
also  signifies  the  scalfolding  in  a  dock- 
yard upon  which  shipwrights  work. 

Chantier,  Fr.  a  square  piece  of 
wood,  which  is  used  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  any  thing.  It  serves  to  place 
barrels  of  gunpowder  in  a  proper  man- 
ner, and  frequently  to  try  pieces  of  ord- 
nance instead  of  frames. 

CHAFE,  the  metalline  part  put  on  the 
end  of  a  scabbard,  to  prevent  the  point 
of  the  sword  or  bayonet  from  piercing 
through. 

CHAPE,  Fr.  a  barrel  containing  an- 
other barrel,  which  holds  gunpowder.  It 
likewise  means  a  composition  of  earth, 
horse-dung,  and  wad,  that  covers  the 
mouth  of  a  cannon,  or  mortar. 

CHAPELET,  Fr.  a  piece  of  flat 
iron  with  three  tenons  or  ends  of  timber, 
which  is  fixed  to  the  end  of  a  cannon. 

Cuapellt  ilc  fa;  Fr.  iron  hat,  or 
chaplet. 

CHAPERON,  Fr.  a  cap  with  a  pad, 
and  a  pointed  tail  hanging  behind,  in 
use  only  a  few  centuries  back.  These 
caps  were  made  of  different  sorts  of 
stuffs,  and  of  two  different  colours.  At 
the  time  of  the  famous  League,  which 
ended  when  Henri/  of  Navarre  mounted 
the  French  throne,  the  opposite  factions 
were  distinguished  by  the  colour  of  their 
chaperons.  The  same  had  taken  place  at 
the  time  of  the  disturbances  between  the 
Dukes  of  Orleans,  or  Burgundy,  and  of 
Armagnac. 

Chaperon,  Fr.  a  pistol  holster. 

OHAPITEAUX,  Fr.  two  small  boards 
which  are  joined  together  obliquely,  and 
serve  to  cover  the  touch-hole  of  a  piece 
of  ordnance. 

CHAPLAIN,  (chapelain,  Fr.)  he  that 
perforins  divine  sen  ice  in  a  chapel;  a  cler- 
gyman that  oiliciates  in  domestic  worship. 


Chapt  ws-Gcncral,  a  situation  made 
out  by  order  of  the  Duke  of  York,  when 
commander  in  chief,  for  the  government 
of  brigade  and  regimental  chaplains. 
The  chaplain  general  is  responsible  to 
head-quarters  tor  the  recommendation 
and  good  conduct  of  all  such  persons. 

CHAPLAINSHIP,  (cAapelainie,  Fr.) 
the  office  or  business  of  a  chaplain;  also 
the  possession  or  revenue  of  a  chapel. 

CHAR,     )  a  job,  or   small    piece   of 

CHARE,)  work;  hence,  chare-wo- 
man; also  an  old  word  for  chariot,  now 
called  car. 

CHARACTER,  in  a  general  sense, 
implies  any  mark  used  for  representing 
either  ideas,  or  objects. 

Military  Characters,  )       are 

Mathematical  CHARACTERS,  )  cer- 
tain marks  invented  for  avoiding  pro- 
lixity, and  more  clearly  conveying  the 
thoughts  of  the  learned  in  those  sci- 
ences; the  chief  of  which  are  as  follow: 

+  is  the  mark  of  addition,  and  when 
placed  between  two  numbers,  shews 
that  the  latter  is  to  be  added  to  the  for- 
mer, thus  5  +  3=8  is  five,  add  three, 
make  eight. 

—  is  the  mark  of  subtraction,  thus : 
5  —  3=2  is  from  five,  take  three,  there 
remain  two. 

The  qualities  called  negative,  are 
those  which  have  the  mark  —  before 
them  without  any  preceding  number; 
but  such  a  mode  of  writing  is  asserted 
by  Mr.  Baron  Mcseres,  in  his  use  of  the 
negative  sign,  and  by  Mr.  Frend,  in  his 
excellent  Treatise  on  Algebra,  to  be 
neither  useful  nor  proper. 

-f-  in  algebra  is  the  sign  of  the  real 
existence  of  the  quality  it  stands  before, 
and  is  called  an  affirmative,  or  positive 
sign.  It  is  also  the  mark  of  addition, 
and  signifies,  that  the  numbers,  or 
quantities  on  each  side  of  it  are  added 
together. 

—  this  is  the  note  of  negation,  ne- 
gative existence,  or  non-entity.  It  is 
the  sign  of  subtraction,  and  signifies 
that  the  numbers,  or  quantities  which 
come  after  it,  are  to  be  taken  from  the 
numbers,  or  quantities  which  stand  be- 
fore it. 

N.  B.  +  signifies  a  positive  or  affirm- 
ative quantity,  or  absolute  number; 
but  —  signifies  a  fictitious  or  negative 
number  or  quantity.  Thus  —  8,  is  8 
times  less  than  nothing.  So  that  any 
number  or  quantity,  with  the  sign  x 
being  added  to  the  same   number,  or 


CHJI 


. 


( 


/ 

101   ) 


C  H  A 


■quantity  with  the  sign  — ,  their  sum  will 
be  equal  to  nothing.  Thus  8  added 
to  —  8  is  equal  to  0,  but  —  8  taken 
from  x  8,  is  equal  to  16. 

X  is  the  sign  of  multiplication.  It 
signifies  into,  or  multiplied  by. 

-f-  is  the  mark  of  division,  and  signi- 
fies, that  the  numbers,  or  quantities  be- 
fore it  are  to  be  divided  by  the  numbers 
after  it. 

~  are  the  signs  of  equality,and  signify, 
that  the  quantities  and  numbers  on  the 
one  side  of  it  are  equal  to  the  quantities 
and  numbers  on  the  other. 

»s/  is  the  sign  of  radicalitf,  and  shews 
(according  to  the  index  of  the  power 
that  is  set  over  or  after  it)  the  square, 
cube  or  other  root,  that  is  extracted,  or 
is  to  be  so,  out  of  any  quantity. 

ly  is  the  sign  of  the  cube  root,  and 
signifies  the  extraction  of  it,  as  in  the 
square  root  above. 

■ff-  is  the  sign  of  continued,  or  geome- 
trical proportion. 

:  :  is  the  mark  of  geometrical  pro- 
portion disjunct,  and  is  usually  placed 
between   two  pair  of  equal    ratios;    as 

3  :  6  : :  4  : 8,  shews,  that  3  is  to  6,  as 

4  to  8.  Ov  a  :  b: :  d:  e,  and  are  thus 
read,  as  a  is  to  b,  so  is  d  to  c,  &c. 

>  or  C_  are  signs  of  majority;  thus 
c  >  b  expresses  that  a  is  greater  than  b. 

<  or  _Z3  are  signs  of  minority;  and 
when  we  would  denote  that  a  is  less  than 
b,  we  write  a  <  b,  or  a  _3  b,  Ike. 

±  signifies  more  or  less  such  a  quantity, 
and  is  often  used  in  extraction  of  roots, 
completing  of  squares,  &c. 

Artillery-Cn  araciers,  most  generally 
used,  are  as  follow  : 

C.   qr.   lb.  which  signify  centners,  or 
hundreds  of  112  pounds,  qr.  quarters  of 
28  pounds,  lb.  pounds.     Thus  a  piece  of 
artillery  with  14  :  3  :  16,  is  14  hundred 
3  quarters,  and  16  pounds. 

Pr.  signifies  pounder.  Thus  2 1  pr.  is 
a  24  pounder. 

T.  C.  qr.  lb.  signifies  tuns,  centners, 
quarters,  pounds;  and  28  lb.  is  one 
quarter;  4  qr.  is  one  centner,  or  112 
pounds:  and  20  C.  is  one  ton. 

lb.  oz.  dr.  mean  pounds,  ounces,  and 
drams :  16  dr.  is  one  ounce,  and  16  oz. 
is  one  pound. 

lb.  oz.  dwts.  gr.  are  pounds,  ounces, 
penny-weights,  and  grains;  of  which 
24  gr.  make  one  penny-weight,  20  dwt. 
make  one  ounce,  and  12  oz.  one  pound 
of  troy-weight. 


Characters   in   fire-works,  are   the 
following. 

M  Means  meal-powder. 

3   Corned  powder. 

•0-  Saltpetre. 

Z  Brimstone. 

C  Z  Crude  Sulphur. 

C  4-  Charcoal. 

C  S  Sea-coal. 

B  R  Beech  raspings. 

S   X  Steel  or  iron  filings. 

B  X   Brass-dust, 

G  x   Glass-dust. 

T  x   Tanner's  dust, 

C  I  Cast-iron. 

C  A  Crude  antimony. 

36  Camphor. 

A  Y  Yellow  amber. 

L  S  Lapis  calaminaris. 

(Tj  Gum. 

B  L  Lamp-black. 

G  I  Ising-glass. 

W  Spirit  of  wine. 

5  T  Spirit  of  turpentine. 

PO  Oil  of  spike 

Characters  used  in  the  arithmetic 
of  infinities,  are  dots  over  letters,  denot- 
ing the  character  of  an  infinitesimal,  or 
fluxion.     Thus,  the  first  fluxions  of  x, 

y,  x,  being   marked   thus,  x,  y,  z ;  the 

second    are    x,   y,  z;    and    the    third 


x,  y,  z. 

Geographical  Characters  are  °, 
', ", '",  ike.  which  signify  degrees,  mi- 
nutes, seconds,  thirds.  Thus  40°,  35', 
18",  55'",  is  read  40  degrees,  35  minutes, 
18  seconds,  55  thirds.  It  is  also  used  in 
the  elevation  of  pieces  of  artillery. 

CHARBON,  Fr.  See  Aigremore. 
■  CHARDONS  pour  monter  a  I'assaut, 
Fr.  cramp-irons  used  by  scaling  parties. 
Previous  to  the  cramp-iron  being  known, 
the  soldiers,  to  prevent  their  slipping  in 
the  attempt  of  storming  a  rampart,  used 
to  take  off  one  shoe.  At  present  they 
use  the  cramp-iron,  or  chardon  de  fer, 
which  is  fixed  over  the  shoe  by  means  of 
a  strap  witfi  a  buckle,  or  is  screwed  in 
the  heel.  We  do  not  imagine  this  second, 
method  to  be  so  safe  as  the  other,  espe- 
cially when  the  attempt  is  extremely 
hazardous. 

i  Chardon3,  Fr.  iron  points  in  the 
shape  of  a  dart,  which  are  placed  on  the 
top  of  a  gate,  or  wall,  to  prevent  per- 
sons from  getting  over  it. 

CHARGE,  in  gunnery,  implies  the 


CHA 


(     102    ) 


C  II  A 


Quantity  of  powder,  shot,  hall,  shells, 
grenadoes,  ike.  with  which  a  gun,  mor- 
tar, or  howitzer,  is  loaded. 

Tlie  usual  charge  of  powder  for  heavy 
and  medium  guns,  is  one  third  the 
weight  of  the  shot  for  round  and  for 
case  shot;  that  for  light  field  guns  is 
only  one  fourth  the  weight  of  the  shot. 
Howitzers,  8-inch,  are  fired  with  Slbs.  of 
powder;  5|  inch,  heavy,  .with  Slbs.,  and 
5$  inch,  light,  with  111).  The  charge  for 
spherical  case-shot  is  the  same  as  for 
the  guns  and  howitzers.  Charges  for 
mortars  are  determined  by  the  range  re- 
quired. The  charge  of  powder,  for  sea 
service,  is  one  fourth  the  round  shot's 
weight  for  case,  and  one  third  for  round 
shot. 

Charge  is  also  the  attack  of  cavalry; 
and  charge  bayonet  is  a  word  of  com- 
mand given  to  infantry,  to  rush  on  the 
enemy  whom  they  are  to  charge  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet.  To  sound  a  charge 
\>  the  sound  of  the  trumpet  as  a  signal 
for  cavalry  to  begin  the  attack. 

Charge,  in  military  law,  is  the  spe- 
cification of  any  crime,  or  offence,  for 
which  a  commissioned,  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer,  or  soldier  is  tried  before 
a  court-martial.  In  all  charges  of  this 
nature,  the  time  and  place,  when  and 
where  the  crime  or  offence  was  commit- 
ted, must  he  set  forth  with  accuracy 
and  precision. 

CHARGE,  Fr.  The  French  techni- 
cally use  this  term  in  two  different 
senses,  viz.  charge  precipitin,  and  charge 
it  volonte.  Charge  precipitin  is  given 
when  the  four  times  are  expressly  mark- 
ed, as  churgcz  vos  armesy  un,  deur, 
quatre ;  and  applies  chiefly  to  the  drill. 
Charge  a  volonte  is  executed  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  charge  precipitin, 
with  this  difference,  that  the  soldiers  do 
not  wait  for  the  specific  words. 

Charge  de  mine,  Fr,  the  disposition 
of  a  certain  quantity  of  powder,  which 
is  used  for  the  explosion  of  a  mine. 

CHARGED  cylinder, in  gunnery,  im- 
plies that  part  of  the  chace  of  a  gun, 
which  contains  the  powder  and  ball. 

CHARGER  bat/onclte,  Fr.  to  charge 
bayonet. 

CHARGER,  (cheval  de  guerre,  Fr.) 
any  horse  belonging  to  an  officer  on  which 
he  rides  in  action  or  parade,  ike. 

Chargers  (chargeoirs,  Fr.)  are  either 
bandoleers,  or  little  flasks  that  contain 
powder  for  loading  or  priming. 

CHARGER,  Fr.  to  load  a  piece  of 
ordnance,  or  a  lire-arm. 


Charger  une  mine,  Fr.  to  place  the 
quantity  of  gunpowder  necessary  for  the 
explosion  of  a  mine. 

Charger  avec  Forme  blanche,  Fr.  to 
charge  with  fixed  bayonet,  or  sword  in 
hand. 

CHARGES  mihtairea,  Fr.  military 
commissions  and  appointments. 

CHA RI AGE,  Fr.  land-carriage.  The 
French  also  say  Charroi. 

CHARIER  du  canon,  Fr.  to  convey 
ordnance.  It  is  likewise  used  to  ex- 
press the  carriage  of  ammunition  and 
military  stores. 

CHARIOT,  a  car,  in  which  men  of 
arms  were  anciently  placed.  These 
were  armed  with  scythes,  hooks,  ike. 

CHARIOT,  Fr.  wagon. 

Chariot  coOT3ert,Fr.  a  covered  wagon. 

Chariot  a  porter  corps,  Fr.  a  wagon 
upon  four  wheels,  which  is  used  for  the 
carriage  of  a  piece  of  ordnance  that  i* 
not  mounted. 

Chariot  a  riddles,  Fr.  a  four-wheel -% 
ed  wagon  with  railing  round  its  sides. 
It  is  used  in  the  conveyance  of  cannon 
balls,  shells,  and  ammunition. 

Chariots  de  guerre,  Fr.  armed  cha- 
riots. 

Cii  a  riots  (Tu tie  artnee,Yr. wagon-train. 

Chariots  d'artiuerie,  Fr.  artillery- 
wagons. 

Chabiots  de$  vivres,  Fr.  provision 
wagons. 

Chariots  d\mtils,  a  pioniers  et 
tranchans,  Fr.  wagons  to  carry  pioneers 
tools,  ike.  for  the  attack,  or  defence,  of 
places. 

CHARPENTE,  Fr.  carpentry. 

ClIARPENTIER,  Fr.  a  carpenter. 

Charpentier  $oldat,  Fr.  an  enlisted 
man  who  is  employed  in  carpentry  work 
for  military  purposes. 

CHARPIE,  Fr.  lint;  such  as  is  used 
in  dressing  wounds. 

CIIARRONS,  Fr.  wheelwrights. 

CHARROYER,  Fr.  to  convey  any 
thing  in  carts  or  wagons. 

CHART,  or  sea-CnART,  is  a  hydro- 
graphical  map,  or  a  projection  of  some 
part  of  the  earth's  superficies  in  piano, 
for  the  use  of  navigators  and  geogra- 
phers. 

P/ajic-Chart  is  a  representation  of 
some  part  of  the  superficies  of  the  ter- 
raqueous globe,  in  which  themeridians 
are  supposed  parallel  to  each  other,  the 
parallels  of  latitude  at  equal  distances, 
and  consequently  the  degrees  of  latitude 
and  longitude  every  where  equal  to  each 
other. 


C  H  A 


(     105     ) 


C  H  A 


.Chart  of  reduction  is  that  where  the 
meridians  are  represented  by  right  lines, 
inclining  towards  each  other;  thence  it 
appears  by  construction,  that  these 
charts  must  correct  the  errors  of  the 
plane  ones.  But  since  these  parallels 
should  cut  the  meridians  at  right  angles, 
and  do  not,  they  are  defective,  inasmuch 
as  they  exhibit  the  parallels  inclined  to 
meridians. 

Mercators-CiiAT.i  is  that  where  the 
meridians  are  straight  lines  parallel  to 
each  other,  and  equidistant:  these  pa- 
rallels are  also  straight  lines,  and  paral- 
lel to  each  other;  but  the  distance  be- 
tween increases  from  the  equinoctial  to- 
wards each  pole,  in  the  ratio  of  the 
secant  of  the  latitude  to  the  radius. 

Globular-Cu art,  a  meridional  pro- 
jection, wherein  the  distance  of  the  eye 
from  tlie  plane  of  the  meridian,  upon 
which  the  projection  is  made,  is  supposed 
to  be  equal  to  the  sine  of  the  angle  of 
45°.  This  projection  comes  the  nearest 
of  all  to  tiie  iiature  of  the  ijobe,  because 
the  meridians  therein  are  placed  at  equal 
distances. 

Chorograp/uc-CH arts  are  descrip- 
-tions  of  particular  countries. 

Hetiographic-C harts,  descriptions  of 
the  body  of  the  snn,  and  of  the  macula? 
or  spots  observed  in  it. 

Selenographic-C harts,  particular  de- 
scriptions of  the  spots  of  the  moon,  her 
appearance  and  macula?.  Hevelius  has 
written  verv  accurately  on  Selenography. 

Te/fgrap/tic-Cn arts  are  descriptions 
of  the  telegraph  on  paper. 

Topograph  ic-C  a  arts  are  specific  de- 
lineations of  military  positions,  in  any 
given  tract  of  country.  Companies  of 
topographers  have  been  formed  among 
the  French,  for  the  purpose  of  accurately 
and  expeditiously  pointing  out  to  gene- 
rals and  commanding  officers, all  the  re- 
lative points  of  locality,  &C. 

Magna  CHART  A,  the  great  charter, 
originally  signed  by  King  John,  contain- 
ing a  number  of  laws  ordained  in  the 
ninth  year  of  Henry  III.  and  confirm- 
ed by  Edward  I.  comprehending  and  ex- 
hibiting, in  honest  English,  the  sum  of 
till  the  written  laws  of  England;  parti- 
cularly that  invaluable  and  exclusive 
privilege  which  every  Englishman,  in  a 
civil  or  military -capacity  enjoys,  of  be- 
ing tried  by  his  peers.  Even  the  dread- 
ful crime  of  high-treason,  or  an  attempt 
to  destroy  one's  lawful  sovereign,  must 
pass  through  the  ordeal  of  a  jury.  Com- 


mitment for  a  breach  of  privilege  against 
the  House  of  Commons,  is,  however, 
considered,  by  some  persons,  as  an  ex- 
ception; but  the  question  is  at  issue. 

CHARTAGNE,  Fr.  a  strong  en- 
trenchment, most  generally  concealed 
from  the  view  of  the  enemy,  and  which 
is  used  in  woods  and  forests,  for  the  de- 
fence of  important  passages. 

CHASE-g?«j,a  gun  in  the  fore-part  of 
a  ship  which  is  fired  upon  those  that  are 
pursued.  Bailey  calls  chase  guns  the 
guns  in  the  head  or  stern  of  a  ship;  the 
latter,  however,  are  generally  called 
stern  chasers. 

Chase  of  a  gun.    See  Chace. 

To  CiiASE, to  pursue. 

CHASSE,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  the  vi- 
brating motion  which  puts  a  body  in 
action. 

CiiASsz-Coquins,  Fr.  See  Baxdou- 
liere. 

Chasse,  Fr.  a  charge  of  coarse  pow- 
der which  is  thrown  into  the  hottom  of 
the  cartouche,  to  facilitate  the  explosion 
of  the  fire-work  it  contains. 

CHASSER,  Fr.  to  drive  away;  to 
force  an  enemy  to  quit  a  position,  &c. 

Chasser,  Fr.  among  workmen,  to 
lasten  together  pieces  of  joinery  by 
driving  them  home  with  a  mallet,  &c. 

CHASSEURS,  Fr.  light  infantry  men, 
forming  a  select  body  upon  the  left  of  a 
battalion,  in  the  same  manner  that  gre- 
nadiers are  posted  on  the  right.  They 
must  be  particularly  active,  courageous, 
and  enterprising. 

Chasseurs,  Fr.     See  Hunters. 

Cjiasseurs  a  cheval,  Fr.  a  species  of 
light  troops  in  the  French  service. 

CHASSIS,  Fr.  a  square  platform 
made  of  wood,  which  is  used  in  min- 
ing. 

Chasms  tie  gallerie,  Fr.  beams  of  difv 
ferent  lengths,  which  the  miners  use  to 
support  the  earth  in  proportion  as  they 
advance  into  the  gallery.  These  beams 
support  other  transversal  ones  which 
prevent  the  earth  from  falling  down;  the 
whole  is  called  chassis  du  mineur. 

Chassis  a  secret,  Fr.  a  particular 
method  of  drawing  lines  upon  a  sheet 
of  paper,  and  folding  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  when  the  words  which  are 
written  in  the  intervals  are  read,  ther 
appear  incomprehensible,  except  to  th« 
person  who  is  provided  with  a  corre- 
spondent sheet,  and  who  by  placing  it 
upon  the  one  received,  unravels  the  sig- 
nification of  its  contents.. 


C  II  A 


(      104.     ) 


CHE 


Chassis,  Fr.  sash;  frame;  case. 

Chassis  defer,  Fr.  iron  frame  work. 

Chassis  dc  mine,  Fr.  frames  which 
are  made  for  the  galleries  in  a  mine. 

CHASSOIR,  Fr.  cooper's  driver. 

CHAT,  Fr.  a  piece  of  iron  having  one, 
two,  or  three  very  sharp  prongs,  0 
claws;  arranged  in  a  triangular  shape, 
when  it  has  three  prongs.  This  piece  of 
iron  is  fixed  to  a  shaft.  It  is  used  in 
the  examination  of  a  piece  of  ordnance, 
and  by  being  introduced  into  the  bore, 
shews  whether  it  be  honey-combed,  da- 
maged, or  otherwise  defective. 

There  is  another  species  of  chat  which 
differs  a  little  from  the  one  we  have  just 
described.  It  consists  of  two  branches 
of  iron,  that  are  tixed  to  the  end  of  a 
piece  of  the  same  metal,  and  have,  each 
of  them,  two  steel  prongs  or  claws.  One 
of  these  branches  contains  a  hinge  with 
a  spring  so  fixed,  that  when  the  chat  is 
put  into  the  bore,  the  least  cavity  re- 
leases the  spring,  and  the  defect  is  in- 
stantly discovered.  Master-founders, 
who  by  DO  means  like  the  invention,  call 
the  common  chat  Ic  (liable,  the  devil; 
and  they  distinguish  the  one  with  two 
branches,  by  terming  it  la  malice  du 
diuble,  the  malice  of  the  devil. 

Chat,  Fr.  a  kind  of  turret  formerly 
in  use  amongst  the  French,  for  the  con- 
veyance of  the  troops  who  were  going  to 
besiege  a  town. 

CHATEAU,  Fr.  a  small  castle  which 
stands  by  itself",  and  is  sometimes  occu- 
pied by  a  troop  or  company  of  soldiers 
who  mean  to  hold  out. 

Chateaux  des  liuvrcs,  Fr.  small  forts, 
or  covered  batteries,  which  are  built  on 
the  shore  close  to  sea-ports,  in  order  to 
protect  the  shipping  that  may  lie  off. 

CHATELET,  Fr.  in  former  times  a 
small  castle  or  fortress.  The  officer 
who  had  the  command  of  it  was  called 
Chatelain.  At  present  a  place  of  con- 
finement, in  Pans,  is  so  called. 

CHATIMENT,  Fr.  punishment, 
chastisement. 

CHATFE,  Fr.  a  small  two  masted 
vessel. 

CHATTER  les  pieces,  Fr.  to  search, 
to  probe,  or  examine  pieces  of  ordnance 
with  a  chat,  in  order  to  discover  whe- 
ther there  ate  any  defects  within  the 
bore  of  a  cannon. 

CHAUDE-C/*asse,  Fr.  running  after 
a  prisoner. 

CHAUDEMENT,  Fr.  hotly ;  warmly. 

CHAUDIERES,  Fr.  are  vessels  made 


use  of  in  military  magazines,  to  boil 
pitch  in  for  various  purposes. 

CHAUDUON,  Fr.  a  kettle;  a 
chaldron. 

CHAUFFA6E  militairc,  Fr.  a  ration 
of  wood  or  other  fuel. 

CHAUFFE,  Fr.  a  spot  where  the 
wood  is  collected  and  burnt  in  a  foun- 
dry. The  chauffe  stands  three  feet  un- 
der the  side  of  the  furnace,  the  flames 
which  issue  from  it  spread  over  every 
part  of  the  inside  of  the  furnace,  and  by 
their  intense  heat  dissolve  the  metal. 

CHAUFFER  I'anticliambre,  Fr.  a  figu- 
rative term  used  among  the  French,  to 
Minify  in  waiting,  or  dancing  attend- 
ance. 

Chauffer  une  troupe,  une  forleresse, 
Fr.  to  keep  up  a  hot  and  continual  dis- 
charge of  ordnance  or  musketry  against 
an  armed  body  of  men,  or  fortified  place. 

Chauffer,  Fr.  to  heat;  to  warm. 

Chauffer  la  tranchee,  Fr.  to  com- 
mence an  attack  by  filing  into  an  ene- 
my's trenches. 

CHAUFFERIE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  forge. 

CHAUFFOIR,  Fr.  a  wanning   place. 

CHAUFOUR,  Fr.  a  lime-kiln. 

CHAUFOURNIER,Fr.a  lime-maker. 

CHAUSSE-^rflprs,  Fr.  are  what  we 
call  crow's  feet  or  caltrops;  they  con- 
sist of  nails  with  4  or  5  points,  of  which 
one  always  stands  upward,  above  the 
level  of  the  ground;  each  point  is 4  or 5 
inches  long.  They  are  usually  tixed  in 
different  parts  of  a  breach,  or  in  any 
place  which  is  accessible  to  cavalry,  to 
prevent  its  approach:  sometimes  they 
are  of  use  to  obstruct  the  passage  of 
cavalry  through  the  streets. 

Chaussee,  Fr.  any  paved  way  which 
is  raised  across  a  morass,  &c.  It  also 
signifies  the  broad  road. 

Chaussee,  or  Rez  de  Chaussee,  Fr. 
an  old  expression  for  the  level  of  the 
field  or  the  plain  ground. 

CHAUX,  Fr.  lime. 

CHECAYA,  the  second  officer  in 
command  among  the  Janizaries;  the 
Aga's  lieutenant. 

CIIECK-7/i«te,  a  term  used  at  the 
game  of  chess,  when  the  king  is  shut  up 
so  close  that  there  is  no  way  left  for  his 
escape.  Hence,  according  to  Spencer, 
check-mate  signifies  defeat,  overthrow. 

To  Cnr.cK-male,  to  block  up;  to  ren- 
der it  impossible  to  move  without  being 
taken. 

CHEEKS,  a  general  name  among 
mechanics,  for  those  pieces  of  timber  in 


CHE 


(    105    ) 


CHE 


their  machines,  which  are  double,  and  |  plished  manners.  His  fidelity  to  his 
perfectly  corresponding  to  each  other. j  sovereign  was  proverbial;  and  though 
In  the  construction  of  military  carriages,  I  the  reigning  powers  at  that  time  tried 
&c.  the  term  is  used  to  denote  the  strong   their  utmost  to  make  him  withdraw  his 


planks  which  form  the  sides. 

To  CHEER,  {animer,  Er.)  to  incite; 
to  encourage  ;  to  inspire;  to  huzza. 

Cheers,  (a  military  term  used  among 
the  English  in  the  same  sense  that  the 
word  acclamation*  obtains  among  the 
French,)  signs  of  joy ;  assurances  of 
Success  before,  or,  after  an  engagement; 
testimonies  of  loyalty  and  affection  on 
the  appearance  of  a  chief  magistrate, 
general,  &c.  expressed  by  huzzas. 

CHEF,  Jr..  the  chief  or  head  of  a 
party,  troop,  company,  regiment,  or 
army.  The  person  who  has  the  princi- 
pal command. 

Chef  d'escadre,  Fr.  a  general  officer, 
who  commands  any  part  of  an  army,  or 
division  of  a  fleet. 

Chefs  de  files,  Fr.  the  front  rank  of  a 
battalion,  consisting  generally  of  the 
best  and  bravest  soldiers. 

Chef  de  file,  Fr.  the  man  who  stands 
on  the  right  of  a  troop  or  company. 

CHELSEA  COLLEGE,  or 'HOS- 
PITAL, a  noble  edifice  which  stands  on 
the  northern  bank  of  the  river  Thames, 
and  was  originally  begun  by  James  the 
First,  in  the  fifth  year  of  his  reign,  for  a 
college  to  consist  of  a  number  of  learned 
divines. 

For  this  purpose  a  Provost  and  Fel- 
lows were  incorporated  by  the  title  of 
King  James's  College,  Chelsea. 

This  corporation  he  endowed,  by  his 
letters  patent,  with  the  reversion  of  cer- 
tain lands  in  Chelsea,  then  under  lease 
to  Charles  Earl  of  Nottingham. 

After  the  restoration,  King  Charles 
II.  wanting  a  convenient  hospital  for  the 
reception  of  sick,  maimed,  and  superan- 
nuated soldiers,  converted  the  unfinished 
buildings  of  this  college  to  that  use; 
whence  it  has  still  occasionally  retained 
the  title  of  The  College.  He  accord- 
ingly began  to  erect  his  royal  hospital  on 
this  spot,  but  did  not  complete  it;  it  was 
carried  on  during  the  short  reign  of 
Jams  II.  and  finished  in  the  reign  of 
King  William  and  Queen  Mary,  by  Sir 
Christopher  Wren.  One  of  the  princi- 
pal contributors  to  this  patriotic  institu- 
tion was  Sir  Stephen  Fox.  He  was 
grandfather  to  the  late  Mr.  Fox,  and 
uncestor  of  the  Earls  of  Ilchester  and 
the  Lords  Holland,  and  w^s  a  man  of 
the  greatest  abilities  and  most  accom- 


allegiance  from  his  exiled  master,  King 
Charles  II.  they  found  him  incorrupti- 
ble. But  what  will  endear  his  memory 
to  the  latest  posterity  is,  his  being  the 
first  projector  of  the  noble  design  of 
Chelsea  Hospital,  having  contributed  to 
the  expense  of  it  about  130,000/.  His 
motive  to  it  was  known  from  his  own 
words:  he  said  "  he  could  not  bear  to 
see  the  common  soldiers,  who  had  spent 
their  strength  in  our  service,  beg  at  our 
doors."  He  therefore  did  what  he  could 
to  remove  such  a  scandal  from  the  king- 
dom. He  first  purchased  some  grounds 
near  the  old  college  at  Chelsea,  which 
had  been  escheated  to  the  crown,  in  the 
reign  of  James  I.  and  on  these  grounds 
the  present  college  is  erected.  Nume- 
rous were  his  public  and  private  chan- 
ties, He  lived  to  see  his  noble  design 
take  effect,  and  died  October  28th,  17 16, 
aged  89,  universally  regretted. 

Non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vate men,  who  have  been  wounded  or 
maimed  in  the  service,  are  entitled  to  the- 
benefit  of  this  hospital.  There  are  in 
and  out-pensioners  belonging  to  the 
establishment,  and  the  provisions  of  it 
extend  to  the  militia  under  the  following 
restrictions;  Serjeants  who  have  served 
fifteen  years,  and  corporals  or  drummers 
who  have  served  twenty,  may  be  recom- 
mended to  the  bounty.  Serjeants  on 
the  establishment  may  likewise  receive 
that  allowance,  with  their  pay  in  the 
militia.  But  Serjeants  who  have  been 
appointed  subsequent  to  the  passing  of 
the  26th  of  George  III.  are  not  entitled 
to  it  under  twenty  years  service. 

CHEMIN-coarerf.  SeeCovERT-WAT. 

Chemin  den  rondes,  in  fortification,  a 
space  between  the  rampart  and  low  pa- 
rapet under  it,  for  the  rounds  to  g<< 
about  it. 

CHEMINER,  Fr.  in  fortification,  to 
carry  on  some  particular  work,  such  as 
a  trench,  &c.  towards  a  given  object. 

CHEMISE,  Fr.  an  obsolete  term  to 
signify  the  revetement  made  of  brick 
work,  which  was  formerly  constructed  to 
secure  works  made  of  earth,  especially 
those  that  were  formed  of  sandy  soil, 
and  would  necessarily  require  too  large 
a  talus  to  support  the  weight.  The  mo- 
dern term  i&  ouvra^e  revitu,  place  re- 
vcluc. 


C  H  E 


(    iot»   ) 


CHE 


( 'nr.Misr.  (i  feu,  Fr.  a  piece  of  cloth 
which  is  steeped  in  combustible  matter, 
and  is  made  use  of  against  a  scaling 
party. 

Chemise  de  feu,  Fr.  a  French  sea- 
terni,  to  signify  several  pieces  of  old 
sails  of  various  sizes,  which,  alter  they 
have  been  pitched,  and  thoroughly  soak- 
ed in  other  combustible  matter,  such  as 
oil  of  petrol,  camphor,  c%:c.  may  be  nailed 
to  an  enemy's  ship  on  boarding  her,  and 
when  set  hie  to,  will  consume  the  same. 

Chemise  dc  i/utU/r,  Fr.  a  shirt  of  mail. 

Chemise  dt  coup  deinuin,  dc  surprise, 
Fr.  a  shirt  made  of  cloth  highly  bleach- 
ed, and  of  which  a  general  provides  a 
number  when  he  premeditates  a  coup  dc 
main.  This  chemise  must  not  come  be- 
low the  waist,  in  order  that  it  may  be 
got  over  the  coat  and  cartouch  box.  The 
general  directs  these  shirts  to  be  made 
either  with  two  sleeves,  with  one,  or 
without  any  at  all.  A  coup  de  wain  Or 
this  kind  must  be  kept  secret  till  the 
moment  of  its  execution.  This  strata 
gem  is  practised  to  prevent  a  soldier 
from  attacking  his  brother  soldier. 

CHEMISTRY,  the  art  of  examining 
bodies,  and  of  extracting  from  them  any 
of  their  component  parts. 

CHENAL,  Fr.  a  channel,  or  gutter. 

CHESS.     SeePorajtwi-BiuDGE. 

Chess,  a  nice  and  abstruse  game,  sup- 
posed to  have  been  invented  during  the 
siege  of  Troy.  This  game  is  particularly 
adapted  to  military  capacities. 

CHEVAL,  Fr.  a  horse. 

Cheval  de  bois,  Fr.  a  wooden-horse, 
a  military  chastisement,  which  common 
prostitutes,  who  followed  the  French 
army,  were  subject  to  undergo,  by  expos- 
ing them,  we  presume,  on  a  machine  of 
that  description. 

Cheval  ic/opc,  Fr.  a  lame  horse. 

Cheval  encloue,  Fr.  a  horse  that  has 
been  pricked  or  cloyed  in  being  shod. 

Cheval  morvcu,  Fr.  a  horse  that  has 
the  glanders. 

Cheval  d'ordonnance,  Fr.  a  horse 
which  is  impressed  in  a  town  or  village 
for  some  military  purpose. 

.•/-Cheval,  Fr.  on  horseback.  Also, 
To  horse!  A  notice  given  by  sound  of 
trumpet  for  dragoons  to  mount. 

Cheval  de  bataille,  Fr.  a  charger. 

Cheval  defrise,  Fr.  See  Chevaux 
defrise. 

Cheval  de  bat,  Fr.  a  bat,  or  pack- 
horse.  It  also  signifies,  figuratively,  a 
drudge;  a  looby. 

Etr#  a  Cheval  sur  une  riviere,  sur' 


une  cliaussec,  Fr.  to  be  encamped  or 
drawn  up  on  each  side  of  a  river,  or 
road. 

CHEVALEMENT,  Fr.  in  architec- 
ture, a  sort  of  prop  which  is  made  of  one 
or  two  pieces  of  timber,  with  a  head, 
laid  buttress  fashion,  upon  a  rest.  It 
serves  to  support  jambs,  beams,  &c. 

CHEVALER,  Fr.  to  prop;  to  sup- 
port; also  to  run  to  and  fro. 

CHEVALER,in  the  manege,  is  said  of  a 
horse,  when,  in  passing  upon  a  walk  or 
trot,  bis  off  fore  leg  crosses  the  near  fore 
leg  every  second  motion. 

CHEVALERESQUE,  Fr. chivalrous. 

CHEVALET,  Fr.  a  sort  of  bell-tent, 
formerly  used  in  the  French  service, 
when  an  army  encamped.  It  resembles, 
in  some  degree,  the  wigwam  of  the  In- 
dian. 

Chevalet,  Fr.  a  raft  for  troops  to 
cross  rivers  upon  ;  also  a  wooden  horse, 
used  in  military  punishments. 

ChevaL£T  d'annes,  Fr.  a  covered  rack 
which  is  made  in  the  front  of  a  line  of 
encampment  for  the  regular  distribution 
and  security  of  the  fire-arms  belonging 
to  the  different  troops,  or  companies. 
This  is  sometimes  cMedfaisceau  d'annes, 
a  pile  of  arm-.. 

CHEVALIER,  iu  a  general  sense,  sig- 
nifies a  knight,  or  horseman.  Chevalier 
also  means  a  buttress. 

Chevalier  d'indvstric,  Fr.  a  sharper. 

Chevalier  d'honncur,  FY.  first  gen- 
tleman  usher. 

Chevalier  du  guet,  Fr.  captain  of  a 
watch  on  horseback. 

Chevaliers  errans,  Fr.  knights- 
errant. 

CHEVALIERE,  Fr.  a  knight's  lady. 

CHEVAU-LEGERS,  Fr.  a  corps  of 
cavalry,  which,  during  the  old  monarchy, 
was  composed  of  two  hundred  gentlemen, 
making  part  of  the  King  of  France's 
guard.  It  has  been  noticed,  to  the 
honour  of  this  corps,  that  they  never  lost 
their  kettle  drums,  nor  their  colours. 
They  were  established  by  Henry  IV. 
who  first  exclusively  confined  the  hommes 
d'annes  to  the  natives  of  Navarre. 

The  French  also  formerly  said  un 
chevuu  leger,  in  the  singular  number, 
when  they  spoke  of  any  individual  be- 
longing to  a  particular  corps  of  light 
horse,  who  were  not  heavily  armed.  See 
Dictionnaire  de  I' ' Academic 

CHEVAUCHEE,  Fr.  a  journey,  or 
round  which  is  made  on  horseback  by 
persons  employed  officially.  It  is  only 
used  iu  this  sense. 


CHE 


(     107     ) 


C  H  L 


CHEVAUCHER,  Fr.  an  old  word 
which  is  only  used  in  the  following 
phrases,  chevaucher  court,  chevaucher 
long,  to  ride  short,  to  ride  long. 

CHEVAUX-de-frise,  in  fortification, 
a  large  joist  or  piece  of  timber,  about  5 
or  6  inches  square,  and  10  or  12  feet  in 
length ;  into  the  sides  whereof  are  driven 
a  great  number  of  wooden  pins,  about  6 
feet  long,  and  1£  inch  diameter,  crossing 
one  another  at  right  angles, and  pointed 
with  iron.  They  are  used  on  number- 
less occasions;  as  to  stop  up  the  breaches, 
to  secure  the  avenues  of  a  camp  from 
the  inroads  both  of  horse  and  foot,  &c. 
They  are  sometimes  mounted  on  wheels, 
with  artificial  fires,  to  roll  down  in  an 
assault,  &c.  They  were  first  used  at 
the  siege  of  Groningen,  in  1658. 

CHEVET,  Fr.  a  quoin  or  wedge; 
likewise  that  part  of  a  wooden  draw- 
bridge to  which  the  chains  are  fastened. 

CHEVETAINE,  Fr.a  term  anciently 
used  among  the  French  to  signify  the 
leader  of  a  troop,  or  company.  The 
chevetaine  was  the  same  as  cupitaine  or 
connctab/e,  with  this  difference,  that  the 
commission  only  lasted  during  the  time 
of  hostilities. 

CHEVTLLE  d'affut,  Fr.  an  iron  bolt 
which  goes  across  the  whole  of  a  gun 
carriage. 

Cheville  a  oreilles,  Fr.  an  iron  bolt 
of  the  above  description  which  has 
rings. 

Cheville  ouvriere,  Fr.  a  large  fiat 
headed  nail,  which  confines  the  avant- 
train  to  the  gun  carriage  of  a  piece  of 
ordnance. 

Cheville  a  tourniquet,  Fr.  a  stick  or 
round  piece  of  wood,  which  serves  to 
tighten  a  rope  in  packing. 

Chevilles  de  travaux  militaircs,  Fr. 
large  nails  used  in  the  artillery.  See 
Nails. 

CHEVISANCE,  Fr.  enterprize,  feat, 
or  achievement. 

CIIEVRi:,   Fr.   a  crab   or  gin 
Chevrette.     • 

CHEYRETTE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  gin. 
Among  the  many  inventions  for  raising 
guns  or  mortals  into  their  carriage s, this 
engine  is  very  useful:  it  is  made  of  two 
pieces  of  wood  about  4  feet  long,  stand- 
ing upright  upon  a  third,  which  is 
square:  they  are  about  a  foot  asunder, 
and  parallel;  pierced  with  holes  oppo- 
site one  another,  to  hold  a  strong  bolt  of 
iron,  which  may  be  raised  higher  or 
lower  at  pleasure  :  it  may  be  used  with 


a  hand-spike,  which  takes  its  poise  over 
this  bolt,  to  raise  any  thing  by  force. 

CHEVRONS,  Fr.  rafters;  also  the 
distinguishing  marks  on  the  sleeves  of 
non-commissioned  officers. 

CHEVROTINES,  Fr.  leaden  bullets 
of  small  calibre;  there  are  generally  60 
to  it  pound  weight. 

CllIAJA-boch,  the  third  general  of- 
ficer in  command  among  the  Janizaries. 
We  may  judge  of  the  power  of  the  Aga, 
who  is  chief  commandant  of  the  Jani- 
zaries, from  the  rights  and  authority  of 
his  second  lieutenant:  he  is  captain  of 
the  richest  company,  which  he  governs 
despotically;  he  inherits  the  whole  pro- 
perty of  all  the  Janizaries  who  die  with- 
out issue,  or  leave  no  relations  behind 
them;  and  appoints  his  subaltern  officers 
to  be  governors  of  the  fortified  towns. 

CHIAUS,  the  captain  of  a  company 
of  Janizaries;  this  officer,  of  high  rank, 
has  two  captain-lieutenants  under  his 
command. 

CHICANERY,  (chicane,  Fr.)  trick; 
stratagem.  In  war  it  signifies  the  va- 
rious expedients  which  are  resorted  to. 
Hence  chicaner  le  terrein,  Stc. 

CHIEF,  or  CniEETAiu,a  leader,  or 
commander. 

CHIEN  d'une  urme  a  feu,  Fr.  that 
part  of  the  cock  of  a  musket  or  pistol 
which  holds  the  flint. 

CHIFFRES,  Fr.  ciphers,  certain  cha- 
racters, consisting  of  different  names 
and  words  which  are  used  in  military 
correspondence. 

CHILIARCH,  (chiliarque,  Fr.)  the 
name  given  in  Athens  to  a  captain  who 
commanded  1000  men. 

CHIOURME,  Fr.  the  crew  of  galley 
slaves  and  honavogliers  or  volunteers. 

CHIOUS,  an  officer  attached  to  the 
grand  signior. 
'  (  H I  RURfilE, IV.  surgery. 

CHIRURGIEN,  Fr.    surgeon,   from 

twu   Greek    words  signifying   hand  and 

See  |  a  oik  ;  and    meaning  an   operator  with 

'the  hand,    in   contradistinction  of  phy- 

sicians,  who  work  with  the  head. 

( '  ii  i  R  r  nc  i  LK-major,  Fr.  su  rgeon- 
major. 

Cuirukgien  d\in  r'egimentxEv.  a  re- 
gimental surgeon. 

CHISSEL,  an  instrument  used  in 
carpentry,  joinery,  masonry,  sculpture, 
&c. 

CIIIURTS,  certain  Turks  expert  in 
horsemanship. 

CHLAMIS,  a  short  cloak  which  com- 
P2 


C  H  U 


(     108     ) 


C  I  M 


po*ed  part  of  the  military  dress  of  tlie 
Gieeks:  it  was  worn  over  the  tunic.  The 
Roman  emperors al£o  adopted  the  chlamis 

for  their  military  dress,  and  called  it 
paludamentum. 

CHOC,  Fr.  shock;  the  percussion 
which  takes  place  in  an  engagement  be- 
tween adverse  armies;  the  running  foul 
of  one  ship  against  another. 

CHOPINE,  Fr.  a  French  half-pint; 
an  English  pint,  Winchester  measure. 

CHORD  of  an  arch  is  a  right  line 
drawn  from  one  extremity  of  an  arch  to 
the  other:  called  also  the  suhtense. 

CHOROBATTS,  Fr.  a  level  used  by 
the  ancients  with  a  double  square,  in  the 
form  of  a  T. 

CHOROGRAPHY,  in  c nginec ring,  is 
the  art  of  making  a  drawing  or  map  of  a 
country,  province,  or  district. 

Chorography,  (chorographie,)  Fr.  a 
general  description  of  a  country.  It  is 
not  limited,  as  Geography  or  Topogra- 
phy;  the  first  comprehending  the  de- 
scription of  the  earth,  and  the  second  of 
any  particular  part  of  it,  with  its  de- 
pendencies. 

CHOSE  publique,  Fr.  public  safety; 
common-weal. 

CHOU  AX,  Fr.  the  name  of  a  counter- 
revolutionary party  which  appeared  in 
France  in  November,  1793,  after  the 
Vendeans  had  crossed  the  river  Loire. 
The  original  founders  of  this  party  were 
four  brothers,  whose  real  name  was  Cot- 
tcreau.  They  were  called  Chouan  from 
a  corruption  of  the  word  chat-huant,(un 
owl,)  because  they  imitated  the  cry  of 
this  bird,  whenever  they  wished  to  be 
known  to  each  other  in  the  woods,  or 
during  the  night.  At  the  beginning, they 
seldom  ventured  beyond  the  forests  of 
Pert  re  and  Guerche.  Having  been  re- 
inforced by  the  junction  of  the  royalists 
of  Brittany,  La  Manche  and  Calvados, 
and  of  the  remnant  of  Talmont's  army 
after  the  actions  of  Mans  and  Savcnay, 
they  assumed  a  regular  form,  and  in 
the  name  of  Louis  XVIII.  made  war 
upon  a  larger  scale.  Out  of  the  four 
brothers  only  one  survived;  the  other 
three  having  fallen  in  battle. 

CHOUDREE,  hid.  troops  employed 
to  go  to  market  to  buy  forage  for  the 
troops;  also  a  monev  lender. 

CHURCHWARDENS.  The  only 
proper  sense  in  which  they  can  be  taken 
with  respect  to  military  matters,  relates 
to  the  militia.  They  are  to  pay,  when 
ordered  by  two  deputy  lieutenants,  half 
the    price    of   voluuteers,    to    persons 


chosen    by  ballot,    on 
They  aie  likewise,  with 


penalty  of  51. 
the  consent  of 
the  inhabitants,  to  provide  volunteers, 
and  make  a  rate  for  the  expense,  which 
must  not  exceed  61.  per  man.  They  arc 
liable  to  have  the  rates  on  places  where 
the  militia  has  not  been  raised,  levied 
upon  them.  One  penny  in  the  pound  is 
allowed  them  for  all  the  money  they 
collect.  In  the  counties  of  Kent  and 
Sussex,  they  possess  the  power  of  con- 
stables, for  the  purposes  specilied  in  the 
26th  of  the  King. 

CHUTE  cTeau,  Fr.  the  sloping,  or 
downward  direction  of  a  conduit  of 
water,  from  its  reservoir  to  the  upward 
shooting  of  a  water-spout. 

CICATRICE,  Fr.  a  scar;  the  mark 
which  a  wound  leaves  upon  the  surface 
of  the  human  body. 

Se  CICATRISER,  Fr.  to  heal;  to 
become  sound. 

CID,  Fr.  a  word  borrowed  from  the 
Arabic,  signifying  Chief';  Commander; 
Lord. 

CIDARIS,  Fr.  the  turban  or  cap 
worn  by  the  kings  of  Persia,  Armenia, 
Pontus,  and  Egypt. 

CTERGE  d'eau,  Fr.  several  water- 
spouts which  play  in  the  same  direction, 
into  a  long  basin  at  the  head  of  a  canal 
and  cascade. 

C1EIBO,  a  round  table  upon  which 
the  Roman  and  Greek  soldiers  used  to 
lay  down  their  shields,  when  they  re- 
turned from  an  expedition. 

CILICES,  Fr.  coarse  tissues  of 
horse  or  goat's  hair,  quilted  with  sea- 
weeds or  cow-hair  stuffed  between. 
The  ancients  used  to  hang  these  cilices 
over  the  parapets,  the  ditches  and 
breaches,  to  stop  the  darts  or  arrows 
that  were  shot  from  bulistas  or  cata- 
pult as. 

CILICIA,  or  Cilice,  a  dress  made  of 
goat's-hair,  worn  by  the  troops  in  an- 
cient times,  and  invented  by  the  Ci- 
licians.  When  properly  woven  it  is 
water-proof. 

CILINDRE,  Fr.     See  Cylinder. 

CIMENT,  Fr.     See  Cement. 

CTMETERRE,  Fr.  scimitar. 

C1METIERE,  Fr.  church-yard;  bu- 
rial-ground. 

CIMIER,  Fr.  a  heavy  ornament, 
which  the  ancient  knights  or  chevaliers, 
in  France  and  in  other  countries,  were 
accustomed  to  wear  upon  their  helmets; 
small  figures  were  afterwards  substitu- 
ted in  their  stead. 

CIMITER.    See  Scimitar. 


C  I  R 


(     109     ) 


C  I  R 


CINCTURE,  ( ceintre,  Fr.)  a  girdle. 
In  architecture,  a  ring,  list,  or  orlo,  at 
the  top  and  bottom  of  the  shaft,  at  one 
end  from  the  base,  and  at  the  ether  from 
the  capital.  That  at  the  bottom  is 
particularly  called  apophyses,  as  if  the 
pillar  took  its  height  from  it;  and  that 
at  top,  colarin  or  collar,  from  the 
French  colier,  and  sometimes  annulus, 
a  ring. 

CINCTUS,  the  appellation  given  to 
a  Roman  soldier,  who  was  bound  to 
carry  arms  and  to  fight.  He  received  at 
the  samt  time  the  cingulum,  (a  belt,)  to 
be  stript  of  which  was  reckoned  the  ut- 
most disgrace. 

CINQUAIN,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, was  an  order  of  battle,  to  draw  up 
5  battalions,  so  that  they  might  make  3 
lines ;  that  is,  a  van,  main  body,  and  re- 
serve. Supposing  the  5  battalions  to  be 
in  a  line,  the  2d  and  4th  advance  and 
form  the  van,  the  3d  falls  back  and 
forms  the  rear,  the  1st  and  5th  form 
the  main  body  upon  the  same  ground. 
Lastly,  every  battalion  ought  to  have  a 
squadron  of  horse  on  both  the  right  and 
left  wings.  Any  number  of  regiments, 
produced  by  multiplying  by  5,  may  be 
drawn  up  in  the  same  manner. 

CINQUENELLES,  Fr.  thick  ropes 
which  are  used  in  artillery  for  the  pur- 
pose of  throwing  a  bridge  of  boats,  or 
pontoons,  across  a  river. 

CINTRE,  ou  ceintre,  Fr.  This  word 
expresses  the  figure  of  an  arch,  and  of 
all  curved  timber,  which  is  used  in 
roofs,  &c. 

CINTRER,  Fr.  to  lay  the  wooden 
frame  work  or  curve  in  order  to  esta- 
blish the  bending  of  an  arch.  Cintrer 
or  Ceintrer  signifies  also  to  give  more 
or  less  circle  to  an  arch  or  vault. 

CIPHER,  )  (chiffre,  Fr.)  one  of  the 
CYPHER,  $  numeral  characters  or 
figures,  in  this  form,  0.  The  cipher  in 
itself  implies  a  privation  of  value;  but 
when  placed  with  other  characters  on 
the  left  hand  of  it,  in  common  arith- 
metic, it  serves  to  augment  each  of  their 
values  by  ten;  and  in  decimal  arith- 
metic, lessens  the  value  of  each  figure  at 
the  right  thereof  in  the  same  proportion. 
Figuratively,  a  thing  called  a  man,  with 
or  without  titles,  which  has  neither  ta- 
lents nor  industry  to  do  anything  for 
the  community  at  large,  and  is  a  splen- 
did nothing  in  society. 

CIRCITOR,  a  Roman  officer,  who, 
after  having  received   his  orders  from  a 


ascertain    whether   the   sentinels   vver* 
alert  and  steady  at  their  posts. 

CIRCLE,  in  mathematics,  is  a  plane 
figure,  comprehended  under  one  line 
only,  to  which  all  right  lines  drawn  from 
a  point  in  the  middle  of  it,  are  equal  to 
one  another. 

Circle,  (cercle,  Fr.)  a  smooth  sur- 
face which  is  terminated  by  one  curved 
line, called  a  circumference,  within  which 
there  is  a  point  called  a  center,  that  is 
equidistant  from  all  the  points  of  the 
circumference. 

Demi-CiRCLE,  (demi-cercle,  Fr.)  con- 
sists of  two  equal  parts  of  a  circle  di- 
vided by  the  diameter. 

Circle,  called  by  the  French  cercle 
generateur.     See  Cycloid. 

Concentrical  Circles,  (cercles  con- 
ccntriques,  Fr.)  circles  described  upon 
the  same  center,  with  parallel  circumfe- 
rences. Eccentric  circles  are  such  as, 
being  contained  within  one  another,  have 
not  been  described  by  the  same  center, 
and  whose  circumferences  are  not  pa- 
rallel. 

CIRCUIT,  (circuit,  Fr.)  that  space 
which  immediately  surrounds  a  town  or 
place;  it  also  signifies  the  march  of  a 
body  of  men,  who  do  not  move  in  a  di- 
rect line  towards  any  given  object. 

CIRCULAR,  any  thing  that  is  de- 
scribed or  moved  in  a  round ;  as  the 
circumference  of  a  circle,  or  the  sur- 
face of  a  circle. 

Circular  lines  are  such  straight 
lines  as  are  divided  from  the  divisions 


-i. 


made  in  the  arch  of  a  circle;  as  sines, 
tangents,  secants,  &c. 

Circular  numbers  are  such  whose 
powers  end  in  the  roots  themselves;  as 
5,  whose  square  is  25,  and  cube  125. 

Circular,  (circulaire,  Fr.)  an  official 
paper  or  document  which  is  sent  to  the 
army,  or  to  any  department  belonging 
to  the  state,  for  the  guidance  and  infor- 
mation of  individuals  thereto  belonging. 

CIRCUMCELLIONS,  a  set  of  mad 
Christians  in  St.  Augustin's  time,  who 
strolled  about  from  place  to  place;  and 
to  get  repute,  either  would  lay  violent 
hands  upon  themselves,  or  get  others  to 
kill  them. 

CTRCUM  FERENCE,  (circonference, 
Fr.)  a  compass;  a  circle;  the  periphery 
or  limit  of  a  circle. 

CIRCUMFERENTER,  an  instru- 
ment used  by  engineers  for  measuring 
angles. 

CIRCUMSPECT,   (circonspect,  Fr.) 
tribune,  began  to  visit  the  posts,  and  to  'a  person  who  observes  every  thing,  cor* 


C   I   R  (    «D 

ceals  what  lie  designs  to  put  in  execu- 


> 


C  I  T 


Hon,  and  is  cautious  with  regard  to 
every  thing  he  says,  or  does.  Such  ought 
every  commanding  officer  of  a  regiment 
and  every  general  ot  an  army  to  be. 

CIRCUMSPECTION,  (circonspec- 
tivn,  Fr.)  dignified  reserve,  great  pru- 
dence, and  marked  discretion.  These 
are  qualifications  essentially  necessary 
to  every  man  who  holds  a  public  situa- 
tion. 

CIRCUMVALLATION,  or  line  of 
circumvallation,  (circonvallation,  ou 
lignes  de  circunrallation,  Fr.)  8  fortifi- 
cation of  earth,  consisting  of  a  parapet 
and  trench,  made  round  the  town  in- 
tended to  be  besieged,  when  any  mo- 
lestation is  apprehended  from  parties  of 
the  enemy,  which  may  march  to  relieve 
the  place. 

Before  the  attack  of  a  place  is  begun, 
care  is  to  be  taken  to  have  the  most 
exact  plan  of  it  possible;  and  upon  this, 
the  line  of  circumvallation,  and  the  at- 
tack are  projected.  This  line,  being  a 
fortification  opposed  to  an  enemy  that 
may  come  from  the  open  country  to  re- 
lieve the  besieged,  ought  to  have  its 
defences  directed  against  them;  that  is, 
so  as  to  fire  from  the  town :  and  the 
besiegers  are  to  be  encamped  behind 
this  line,  and  between  it  and  the  place. 
The  camp  should  be  as  much  as  possible 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  shot  of  t lie  place: 
and  the  line  of  circumvallation,  which 
is  to  be  farther  distant  from  the  place 
than  the  camp,  ought  still  more  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  its  artillery. 

As  cannon  are  never  to  he  fired  from 
the  rear  of  the  camp,  this  line  should 
be  upwards  of  1200  fathoms  from  the 
place  ;  we  will  suppose  its  distance  fixed 
at  1100  fathoms  from  the  covert-way. 
The  depth  of  the  camp  may  be  com- 
puted at  about  30  fathoms,  and  from 
the  head  of  the  camp  to  the  line  of  cir- 
cumvallation 120  fathoms,  that  the  army 
may  have  room  to  draw  up  in  order  of 
battle  at  the  head  of  the  camp,  behind 
the  line.  This  distance,  added  to  the  30 
fathoms,  makeo  ISO  fathoms,  which 
being  added  to  the  1100,  makes  1550 
fathoms,  consituting  the  distance  of  the 
line  of  circumvallation  from  the  covert- 
way.  The  top  of  this  line  is  generally 
12  feet  broad,  and  7  feet  deep;  the  pa- 
rapet runs  quite  round  the  top  of  it, 
and  at  certain  distances  it  is  frequently 
strengthened  with  redoubts  and  small 
forts;  the  base  1R  feet  wide,  the  height 
within  6,  and  on  the  outside  5  feet,  with 


a  banquet  of  3  feet  wide,  and  If  high. 

See  CONTKAVALLATION,    Or    COUNTFR- 
VAI.LA1  ION. 

CIRCUMVOLUTIONS,  the  torus 
of  the  spiral  line  of  the  Ionic  volute. 

CIRCUS,  (cirque,  Fr.)  in  military  an- 
tiquity, a  very  capacious  building,  of  a 
round  or  oval  form,  erected  by  the  an- 
cients for  exhibiting  shews  to  the  people. 

CIRE  prcparce,  Fr.  a  composition 
which  is  made  of  yellow  wax,  tallow,  and 
pitch,  and  is  used  as  a  sort  of  mastic 
gum  to  close  up  the  heads  of  fuses,  &c. 

CISALPINE,  lying  on  this  side  the 
Alps. 

CISEAUX,  Fr.  chissels  used  by  mi- 
ners, to  loosen  earth  from  the  sides  of 
the  excavation,  without  making  a  noise; 
which  the  miner  effects  by  striking  the 
chissel  with  his  hand. 

CISELURE,  Fr.  chasing;  chased 
work ;  also  chissel  work,  such  as  is  done 
if]  dressing  stones. 

CISSOID,  (cissoide,  Fr.)  the  name  of 
a  curve  in  transcendant  geometry,  the 
properties,  &c.  of  which  may  be  found 
in  Savcrien's  Dictionvairc  Univerael  de 
Muthiniatiqitc. 

CISTERN,  (citerne,  Fr.)  a  reservoir; 
every  fortified  tow  nor  place  should  have 
one. 

CITADEL,  (citudclle,  Fr.)  a  fort 
with  4,  5,  or  6  bastions,  raised  on  the 
most  advantageous  ground  about  a  city, 
the  better  to  command  it;  and  com- 
monly divided  from  it  by  an  esplanade, 
the  more  effectually  to  hinder  the  ap- 
proach of  an  enemy;  so  that  the  citadel 
defends  the  inhabitants  if  they  continue 
in  their  duty,  and  punishes  them  if  they 
revolt.  Besiegers  always  attack  the  city 
first,  that,  being  masters  of  it,  they  may 
cover  themselves  the  better  against  the 
fire  of  the  citadel.  Having  bastions,  it 
is  thereby  distinguished  from  a  castle. 
Sometimes  the  citadel  stands  half  within, 
and  half  without  the  rampartsof  the  place. 

CITERNEAU,  Fr.  a  small  reservoir 
arched  over  for  the  purpose  of  holding 
rain  water. 

CITIZEN,  a  freeman  of  a  city  or 
town,  as  a  citizen  of  London ;  a  towns- 
man ;  a  man  of  trade;  not  a  gentleman ; 
also  an  inhabitant;  a  dweller  in  any 
place.  Shakespeare  makes  an  adjective 
of  the  word,  having  the  qualities  of  a 
citizen. 

CITOYEN,  Fr.  citizen;  the  inhabi- 
tant of  a  place. 

Cnovza-soldat,  Fr.  an  armed  citi- 
zen :  a  volunteer. 


CLA 


(   in   ) 


C  L  B 


CITY,  (cite,  Fr.)  a  town  or  place 
containing  many  houses  surrounded  by 
walls.  City  also  means,  in  Frencb  and 
English,  the  oldest  parts  of  a  town,  as 
the  City  of  London;  La  Citi  in  Paris. 

CIVIC-CROWN,  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  was  a  crown  given  to  any  sol- 
dier who  had  saved  the  life  of  a  citizen. 
It  was  composed  only  of  oaken  boughs, 
but  accounted  more  honourable  than 
any  other. 

CIVTERE,  Fr.  a  small  hand-barrow, 
which  is  carried  by  two  men,  and  is  much 
used  in  the  artillery;  also  a  large 
wooden  frame,  upon  which  loads  may 
be  carried  by  four  men. 

CIVILIAN,  a  person  who  is  in  no 
way  connected  with  the  army. 

CLAIE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  hurdle  in  the 
shape  of  a  rectangle,  made  of  twigs  well 
interwoven:  these  claies  are  used  during 
a  siege,  for  want  of  blinds,  to  cover  a 
lodgment,  a  sap,  or  the  passage  over  a 
ditch,  and  are  covered  over  with  earth  to 
protect  the  workmen  again*t  fire-works. 

Claies  poissies,  Fr.  pitched  hurdles. 
These  are  used  with  great  advantage  to 
form  causeways  in  a  marshy  soil,  when 
the  waters  have  been  drained. 

CLAION,  Fr.  a  small  hurdle. 

CLAIRE-iw/e,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  too 
wide  a  space  between  beams  or  rafters. 
Also  rails  in  a  park;  also  an  open  gate. 

CLA  IRIERE,  Fr.  a  glade  in  the  wood. 

CLAIRON,  Fr.  a  species  of  trumpet, 
which  is  shriller  in  its  sound  than  the 
ordinary  kind. 

CLAIRVOYANCE,  Fr.  sagacity; 
penetration. 

CLAIRVOYANT,  Fr.  clear-sighted. 

A  CLAMP  is  a  kind  of  kiln  built 
above  ground  (of  bricks  unburnt)  for 
the  burning  of  bricks. 

Clamp-h«»/s  are  such  nails  as  are  used 
to  fasten  on  clamps  in  the  building  or 
repairing  of  ships. 

CLAN,  a  term  used  among  the  Scotch 
for  a  number  of  families  subject  to  one 
head,  or  chief,  who  formerly  led  ihein 
to  war. 

CLARENCIEUX,  the  second  king  at 
arms,  so  called  from  the  duke  of  Cla- 
rence, third  son  to  king  Edward  III. 

CLARIGATION,  in  Roman  anti- 
quity, a  ceremony  which  always  pre- 
ceded a  formal  declaration  of  war.  It 
was  performed  in  the  following  manner : 
the  chief  of  the  heralds  went  to  the  ter- 
ritory of  the  enemy,  where,  after  some 
solemn  prefatory  indication,  he,  with  a 


loud  voice,  intimated,  that  he  declared 
war  against  them  for  certain  reasons 
specified;  such  as  injury  done  to  the 
Roman  allies  or  the  like. 

CLARINETTE,  Fr.  a  clarinette ;  a 
shrill  musical  instrument,  resembling  the 
hautboy,   which    is  used   in  regimental 
bands. 
CLATES.    }  c     „ 
CLAYFS     *         Hurdles. 

CLAYONNAGES,  Fr.  hurdles  with 
which  the  timber  work  of  a  gallery  is 
covered.  They  are  likewise  used  in  saps. 

CLEAR,  to  clear  the  trenches.  See 
Trenches. 

CLEARINGS.  See  0/-Reckon- 
ings,  Regimental  Companion. 

CLEATS,  slings  used  in  transports  to 
hang  the  accoutrements  of  soldiers  on. 

CLEF,  Fr.  the  keystone  of  an  arch. 

Clef  a"un  etat,  d'un  pays,  Fr.  lite- 
rally signifies  the  key  of  a  state  or  coun- 
try. Any  fortified  place  which  must  ne- 
cessarily be  taken  before  an  irruption 
can  with  safety  be  made  into  a  country. 
Thus  Luxemburgh  is.  called  the  key  of 
the  Austrian  dominions  towards  France. 

Clef  de  mousquet,  de  carabine,  de  pis- 
tole t,  Fr.  an  iron  instrument  with  only 
one  square  hole,  and  a  handle:  it  serves 
to  cock  the  piece. 

Clef  d'arbalete,  Fr.  gaffle  of  a  cross- 
bow. 

CLEFS,  Fr.  long  pieces  of  timber 
which  are  used  in  the  construction  of 
quays,  dykes,  and  wooden  jetties. 

CLEPSYDRE,  Fr.  an  hour-glass; 
an  instrument  measuring  time  by  the 
running  of  water  or  sand ;  originally 
used  before  the  invention  of  clocks  or 
watches. 

CLERK,  in  the  general  acceptation 
of  the  term,  a  writer  in  a  public  office, 
an  officer  of  various  kinds. 

Clerk  of  the  general  meeting  for  the 
levying,  c]c.  of  militia  men.  In  time  of 
peace  this  person  has  authority  to  ad- 
journ any  such  meeting,  when  no  lieu- 
tenant or  deputy  attends.  It  is  his 
duty  likewise  to  file  amended  lists  of 
militia-men,  to  send  notice  of  the  time 
and  place  of  exercise  to  the  chief  con- 
stables, and  to  transmit  copies  of  ac- 
counts he  receives  of  the  commitment  of 
deserted  Serjeants,  &c.  to  the  colonel 
and  adjutant  of  the  county  battalion. 

Clerk  of  the  subdivision  meeting. 
His  functions  are  to  give  notice  of  the 
meeting  to  the  deputy  lieutenants,  &c. 
and  to  transmit  lists  of  men  enrolled  te 


CLE 


(     112     ) 


C  LO 


ihe  commanding  officer  :  to  appoint  an- 
other meeting  when  there  is  not  due  at- 
tendance, and  give  notice  of  the  same; 
to  certify,  gratis,  in  what  list  any  per- 
son's name  is  inserted;  to  transmit  co- 
pies of  rolls  to  the  clerk  of  the  general 
meeting;  to  transmit  a  list  of  the  per- 
sons enrolled  to  the  commanding  officer 
and  adjutant;  to  enter  on  the  roll  the 
time  of  apprehending  substitutes  who 
desert. 

Clerk  of  the  peace  is  to  transmit  co- 
pies of  qualifications  to  the  county  lieu- 
tenant; to  enter  qualifications;  to  cause 
dates,  &C.  of  commissions  to  be  in- 
serted in  the  Gazette;  and  to  transmit 
an  annual  account  of  qualifications  to 
the  secretary  of  state;  to  transmit  an 
account  of  the  arrival  from  abroad  of 
the  colonel,  to  the  officer  commanding 
in  his  absence;  to  deliver  the  annual 
certificate  of  the  state  of  the  militia,  or 
certify  his  not  having  received  one  to 
the  quarter  sessions;  to  file  certificates 
of  officers'  service,  and  certify  their 
names  to  the  high  constable;  to  transmit 
copies  of  certificates  from  the  county 
lieutenants,  &c.  to  the  treasury,  and 
the  receiver  general  of  the  land  tax ;  to 
certify  to  the  solicitor  of  the  treasury 
the  omission  at  the  quarter  session  of 
assessing  money  on  places  where  the 
militia  had  not  been  raised.  He  is  liable 
to  penalty  for  neglecting  to  record,  &c. 
certificates. 

Clerk  of  the  battalion.  The  colonel 
or  commanding  officer  of  every  militia 
regiment,  in  time  of  peace,  may  appoint 
a  clerk  to  his  battalion,  who  is  to  act  as 
paymaster.  All  army  agents  come  under 
the  denomination  of  clerks,  acting  by 
the  authority  of  the  colonels  of  regi- 
ments, who  are  responsible  to  the  public. 

When  the  militia  is  embodied,  the 
paymaster  may  appoint  some  intelligent 
Serjeant  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  clerk. 
The  same  regulation  holds"  good  in  the 
line. 

There  is  likewise  a  regimental  clerk, 
who  acts  under  the  Serjeant  major.  See 
Regimental  Book. 

Clerk  of  the  check,  an  officer  who 
has  the  check  and  controul  of  the  yeo- 
men of  the  guard;  also  an  officer  in  the 
ordnance,  who,  conjointly  with  the  clerk 
of  survey,  is  a  check  upon,  and  must  sign 
all  the  accounts  of  the  store-keeper  be- 
fore they  are  passed  by  the  board. 

Clerk  of  survey,  an  officer  in  the 
ordnance  in  the  store-keeper's  oftice  who 


must  survey  the  stores  and  see  them 
kept  in  order.  He  also  signs  the  store* 
keeper's  accounts  before  they  pass  the 
board. 

Clerk  of  the  stores,  an  officer  under 
the  board  of  ordnance,  who  i>  responsi- 
ble to  the  commissary  tor  .ill  ordnance 
stores  under  his  charge;  keeping  an  ac- 
count of  all  issues  or  receipts. 

Clerk  of  the  ordnance.  This  officer, 
who  is  a  member  of  the  board,  makes 
up  and  delivers  the  annua!  estimates  to 
parliament;  and  the  debentures,  or 
orders  for  payment  of  the  bills  allowed 
by  the  surveyor  general,  are  made  out  in 
his  office  to  be  signed  by  the  board. 
All  balances,  both  of  money  and  stores, 
as  well  as  all  accounts  of  records,  are 
kept  in  his  office. 

Clerk  of  the  deliveries  under  the 
board  of  ordnance.  All  issues  of  stores, 
at  distant  stations,  are,  directly,  or  in- 
directly, made  from  this  office.  He  is 
also  a.  member  of  the  board. 

CLICH,  a  sabre  in  use  among  the 
Turks;  the  blade  of  which  is  crooked 
and  very  broad.  The  Turks  have  also 
another  kind  of  sabre,  which  is  sharp 
only  at  one  edge;  the  back  of  the  blade 
is  tipped  with  a  piece  of  strong  iron; 
this  they  call  gadaru  ;  it  is  not  so  much 
falcated  as  the  clich.  They  have  a  third 
kind  of  sabre,  straight,  sharp  at  both 
edges,  especially  towards  the  point, 
which  is  blunted  :  this  they  call  palas. 

CLIDE,  or  Janclide,  a  long  piece  of 
timber  withheld  by  a  counterpoise,  which, 
upon  the  latter  being  let  loose,  would 
throw  a  heavy  load  of  stones  into  a  for- 
tress :  the  elide  was  still  in  use  under 
Charlemaiu. 

CLIENTS,  Fr.  noblemen  who  for- 
merly served  in  the  French  armies  under 
the  pennant  of  a  knight,  the  banner  of  a 
banneret,  ike. 

CLIMATE,  (climat,  Fr.)  a  term  used 
in  cosmography.  It  signifies  a  portion 
of  the  world  between  north  and  south, 
containing  some  notable  difference  in 
sun-rising. 

CLINKERS,  those  bricks  which,  hav- 
ing naturally  much  nitre,  or  saltpetre, 
in  them,  and  lying  next  the  fire  in  the 
clamp,  or  kiln,  by  the  intense  heat  of 
the  fire,  are  run  and  glazed  over. 

CLIQUE,  Fr.  gang;  party;  faction. 
See  Regiment. 

CLIQUETIS,  Fr.  clashing  of  swords. 

CLOCHE,  Fr.  a  bell. 

Cloches  sujettes  d  la  taxe  militaire+ 


C  L  U 


(   115  ) 


COB 


Fr.  bells  subject  to  military  requisition. 
Tlie  moment  a  town  that  lias  been  bat- 
tered with  cannon,  surrenders,  the  in- 
habitants are  compelled  to  redeem  the 
bells  belonging  to  the  churches,  and' 
divers  utensils -made  either  of  brass  or 
some  other  metal.  This  kind  of  tribute 
is  ac  the  disposal  of  the  chief  of  the  ar- 
tillery, who,  as  he  thinks  proper,  divides 
it  between  the  officers  under  his  com- 
mand ;  such  at  least  was  the  custom 
during  the  old  French  monarchy. 

CLOTHING.  The  clothing  of  the 
British  army  is  determined  by  a  perma- 
nent board  composed  of  the  commander 
in  chief,  and  a  certain  number  of  general 
officers,  who  act  under  the  king's  imme- 
diate authority.  A  considerable  altera- 
tion has  lately  taken  place  in  almost  all 
articles  which,  under  this  head,  are  sup- 
plied to  the  soldiers.  Those  under  the 
name  of  half-mounting  have  been  wholly 
laid  aside. 

The  annual  clothing  of  the  infantry 
of  the  line,  or  fencible  infantry,  serving 
in  Europe,  in  North  America,  or  at  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope,  (Highland  corps 
excepted,)  consists  in  a  coat,  waistcoat, 
or  waistcoat  front,  a  pair  of  breeches, 
unlined,  except  the  waistband,  and  with 
one  pocket  only;  a  cap  made  of  felt 
and  leather,  with  brass  plate,  cockade, 
and  tuft.  The  felt  crown  of  the  cap, 
cockade,  and  tuft,  to  be  supplied  annu- 
ally, the  leather  part  and  brass  plate, 
every  two  years.  Two  pair  of  good 
shoes,  of  the  value  of  5s.  6d.  each  pair, 
are  to  be  supplied  annually  in  lieu  of 
the  half  mounting,  and  each  Serjeant  is 
to  be  credited  with  the  sum  of  3s.  being 
the  difference  between  the  value  of  the 
former  articles  of  half  mounting  for  a 
Serjeant  and  private  man.  Some  excep- 
tions are  made  with  respect  to  Highland 
corps,  and  regiments  serving  in  the  East 
and  West  Indies. — For  further  particu- 
lars, see  Regulations,  published  by  au- 
thority. 

CLOTURE,  mur  de  Cloture,  Fr. 
a  wall  which  surrounds  any  given  space, 
such  as  a  park,  garden,  &c. 

CLOY,  or  To  ck>i/  gum.    See  To  Nail. 

CLOUTS.     See  Axle-Tree. 

CLOUX,  Fr.     See  Nails. 

To  CLUB,  in  a  military  sense,  to  throw 
into  confusion;  to  deform  through  igno- 
rance, or  inadvertency. 

To  Club   a  battalion,    to    throw    it 
into  confusion.     This  happens  through  a 


temporary  inability  in  the  commanding 
officer  to  restore  any  given  body  of  men' 
to  their  natural  front  in  line  or  column, 
which  sometimes  occurs  after  some 
manoeuvre  has  been  performed,  and  is 
occasioned  by  false  directions  being 
given  to  the  different  component  parts. 
Ignorant  and  unexperienced  officers  may 
frequently  commit  this  error;  some- 
times, however,  the  circumstance  may 
arise  from  an  erroneous  movement  of 
a  division  or  company,  notwithstand- 
ing that  the  word  of  command  has  been 
correct.  Ad  able  officer  in  that  case  will 
instantly  know  how  to  unravel  the  se- 
veral parts.  The  le«s  informed  and  the 
less  capable  may  find  a  relief  in  sound- 
ing the  Disperse,  which  see.  It  does 
not,  however,  always  follow,  that  be- 
cause an  officer  may  occasionally  commit 
this  error  with  respect  to  the  minute 
movements  of  a  battalion;  he  must 
therefore  be  unequal  to  the  superior 
functions  of  command;  or  that  when 
a  man,  who  has  risen  from  the  ranks, 
is  perfectly  master  of  the  mechanical 
arrangement  of  inferior  movements,  he 
should  be  able  to  act  upon  the  enlarged 
scale  of  locality  and  position.  The 
military  science  which  is  required  in  each 
of  these  cases  essentially  differs  in  its  ap- 
propriate exercise,  but  both  are  neces- 
sary.   See  Strategy. 

CLY-MORE,  a  great  two-handed 
sword,  formerly  in  use  among  the  High- 
landers, two  inches  broad,  doubly  edged; 
the  length  of  the  blade,  3  feet  7  inches  ; 
the  handle,  14  inches;  of  a  plain  trans- 
verse guard,  1  foot ;  the  weight,  6 
pounds  and  a  half.  These  swords  were 
the  original  weapons  of  England,  as 
appears  by  the  figure  of  a  soldier  found 
among  the  ruins  of  London,  after  the 
great  fire  in  1666. 

COAT  of  mail,  armour  made  of  scales, 
or  iron  rings. 

COB,  a  coin  current  in  Gibraltar, 
and  the  south  of  Spain,  equal  to  4s.  6d. 
English. 

COBBING,  a  mode  of  punishment 
amongst  soldiers  for  petty  offences 
which  are  committed  in  camp,  barracks., 
or  quarters,  and  which  is  indicted  with- 
out the  form  of  a  court-martial.  These 
trespasses  consist  chiefly  in  acts  of  inde- 
cency, filth,  and  dirtiness,  which  are 
more  properly  punished  privately  than 
exposed  to  the  public.  In  this  rase, 
some  of  the  culprit's  comrades  invests 
Q 


c  o  c 


(     11*     ) 


Pate  the  matter,  and  a  strapping  with  the 
belt  or  scabbard  takes  place. 

COCARDE  mi/itaue,  Fr.  Amongst 
all  nations  the  cockade  has  succeeded 
to  the  scarf:  it  is  not  long,  however, 
since  the  Dutch  continued  to  wear  the 
scarf  crossways,  and  the  Austrians  over 
their  belts.  From  the  colour,  or  colours, 
of  the  cockade,  it  is  discovered  what 
country  a  soldier  belongs  to.  When 
first  this  mark  of  distinction  was  intro- 
duced, it  was  reckoned  a  badge  of 
honour.  With  regard  to  the  scarfs, 
they  were  attended  with  great  inconve- 
nience, since  an  othcer  or  private  might 
easily  be  seized  by  it,  pulled  from  his 
horse,  or  at  least  stopped  in  his  flight. 
From  this  very  reason  the  French,  within 
forty  years,  have  given  up  the  shoulder 
knots  and  aiguillettes  with  tassels  formerly 
worn  by  their  cavalry  and  dragoons.  We 
have  adopted  them  ! 

COCHLEA,  in  mechanics,  one  of  the 
five  mechanical  powers,  otherwise  called 
the  screw. 

COCK,  that  part  of  the  lock  of  a 
musket,  which  sustains  the  two  small 
pieces  of  iron  called  jaws,  between 
which  the  flint  is  fixed. 

To  Cock,  to  fix  the  cock  of  a  musket 
or  pistol,  so  as  to  have  it  ready  for  an 
instant  discharge. 

COCKADE,  a  ribbon  worn  in  the 
hat.  We  have  already  observed,  that 
this  military  mark  succeeded  the  scarf 
which  was  formerly  worn  by  the  officers 
and  soldiers  belonging  to  European 
nations,  and  which  are  principally  dis- 
tinguished in  the  following  manner:  in 
the  army  and  navy  of  Great  Britain, 
black  silk  ribbon  for  the  officers,  and 
hair  cockades  for  the  non-commissioned 
officers,  private  soldiers  and  marines; 
white  distinguishes  the  French;  red 
marks  the  Spaniard,  black  the  Prussian 
and  Austrian,  green  the  Russian,  &c. 
In  France,  before  the  Revolution,  officers 
were  not  permitted  to  wear  a  cockade, 
unless  they  were  regimentally  dressed; 
and,  singular  as  it  may  appear,  the 
officers  and  men  belonging  to  a  certain 
number  of  old  regiments  in  the  Prus- 
sian service  did  not  wear  any  mark  in 
their  hats.  In  England  the  cockade  is 
worn,  in  and  out  of  regimentals,  by 
every  species  of  military  character.  In- 
deed it  is  so  generally  abused,  that 
almost  every  prostitute,  who  can  afford 
to  keep  a  man  or  boy,  trims  his  hat 
with  it. 


C  O  F 

See 


COCKLE-srairs.  See  Winding' 
St  aii:-. 

COCKPIT,  a  sort  of  theatre,  where 
game  cocks  fight  their  battles.  It  is 
commonly  a  house,  or  hovel,  covered 
out.  Also  an  apartment  in  the  trea- 
sury, where  the  King's  speech  is  read 
before  the  meeting  of  parliament ;  and 
where  the  appeals  on  prize  causes  are 
made. 

Iron-COD PIECES,  appendages  at- 
tached to  ancient  armour,  to  prevent  the 
ill  consequences  of  violent  shocks  in 
charging,  and  to  contain  sponges  to  re- 
ceive the  water  of  the  riders  in  the  heat 
of  battle. 

CODE,  (code,  Fr.)  a  collection  of 
laws,  rules,  and  regulations,  by  which 
the  civilized  proportion  of  mankind  is 
governed. 

Military  Code,  (code  militaire,  Fr.) 
rules  and  regulations  for  the  good  or- 
der and  discipline  of  an  army.  Of  this 
description  are  our  Articles  of  War;  a 
revision  of  which  is  much  wanted  at  this 
time. 

COEFFER,  Fr.  to  cap,  or  put  a 
head-piece  on  any  thing. 

Coeffeb  les  fusees  a  bombes,  Fr.  to 
stop  the  vents  or  apertures  of  shells  with 
anv  sort  of  mastic  composition. 

C(ENOTAPII,  an  empty  tomb,  or 
monument,  erected  in  memory  of  some 
illustrious  deceased  person,  who,  having 
perished  by  shipwreck,  in  battle,  &c.  his 
body  could  not  be  found  to  be  interred, 
or  deposited  in  the  same. 

C(EUR,  Fr.  the  heart.  This  word 
is  frequently  used  among  the  French  to 
signify  courage,  intrepidity,  manhood, 
&c.  Hence  the  expression  in  Corneille's 
Cid:  Roderigue,  as-tu  du  cceur?  which 
may  be  thus  translated — Roderigues,  art 
thou  a  man  of  resolution  ? 

COFFER,  in  fortification,  a  hollow 
lodgment  sunk  in  the  bottom  of  a  dry 
ditch,  from  6  to  7  feet  deep,  and  from 
lo"  to  18  feet  broad  ;  and  the  length  of 
it,  the  whole  breadth  (,f  t|ie  saj(}  ditch, 
from  side  to  side.  The  besieged  gene- 
rally make  use  of  these  coffers  to  re^ 
pulse  the  besiegers,  when  they  attempt 
to  pass  the  ditch:  they  are  distinguished 
only  by  their  length  from  Caponiers ; 
the  difference  between  coffers  and  the 
traverse  and  gallery, consists  in  this, that 
the  latter  are  made  by  the  besiegers,  and 
the  former  by  the  besieged.  They  are 
covered  with  joists,  hurdles,  and  earth, 
raised  2  feet  above  the  bottom  of  the 


COL 


(     115     ) 


COL 


ditch;  which  rising,  serves  instead  of  a 
parapet,  with  loop-holes  in  it. 

COFFRE.     See  Cofih 

COFFRE,  Fr.  a  wooden  frame,  well 
calked  and  pitched,  that  is  letdown  into 
the  wuter  for  the  purpose  of  laying  the 
foundation  of  a  building,  when  the  ne- 
cessarv  draining  has  not  heen  practicable. 

Coffre  d'une  batterie,  Fr.  the  solid 
work  which  covers  the  pieces  of  ord- 
nance that  are  planted  in  a  battery,  as 
well  as  the  soldiers  who  are  attached  to 
the  guns. 

Coffre  a  feu,  Fr.  a  machine  filled 
with  combustible  materials,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  doing  mischief  to  a  scaling 
party,  or  of  blowing  up  a  ship,  &c. 

Coffres  des  galeries  de  mine,  Fr. 
when  mine  galleries  are  carried  through 
ground  which  wants  consistence,  the 
upper  part  of  the  gallery,  and  its  sides, 
are  supported  by  planks  made  into  a 
platform,  and  placed  at  equal  distances 
one  from  another,  to  prevent  the  earth 
from  falling  in. 

COGNIZANCE,  judicial  notice,  trial, 
judicial  authority;  in  a  military  sense,  it 
implies  the  investigation  to  which  any 
person  or  action  is  liable.  During  the 
suspension  of  civil  authority,  every  of- 
fence comes  under  military  cognizance, 
is  subject  to  military  law,  and  may  be 
proceeded  upon  according  to  the  sum- 
mary spirit  of  its  regulation.  Hence,  a 
drum-head  court-martial  is  the  strongest 
instance  of  military  cognizance. 

COHORT,  (colwrte,  FY.)  in  Roman 
antiquity,  a  name  given  to  part  of  the 
Roman  legion, comprehending  about  600 
men;  a  component  part  of  a  modern 
French  army,  consisting  of  1000  men. 

COIN,  in  gunnery,  {coin  d'artil/cur, 
coin  de  mire,  Fr.)  a  kind  of  wedge  to  lay 
under  the  breech  of  a  gun  in  order  to 
raise,  or  depress,  the  metal. 

Coin  de  manmuvre  militaire,  Fr.  a 
particular  manner  in  which  the  ancients 
used  to  dispose  their  troops  on  the  front 
of  the  army,  to  break  the  line  of  the 
enemy.  This  disposition  consisted  in 
giving  a  great  depth,  and  allowing  only  a 
small  front,  to  the  body  of  troops,  which 
was  called  faire  la  tete  de  pore.  This 
last  title  was  given  to  an  officer  who 
commanded  a  column.     See  Wedge. 

COLGlAT,  a  large  glove  which  the 
Turks  wear  in  the  field.  The  colgiat 
covers  the  arm  up  to  the  elhow,  and 
while  it  protects  the  head,  it  helps  them 


in  parrying  the  blows  that  are  aimed  at 
their  heads. 

Royal  Military  COLLEGE,  a  new 
institution  which  has  been  created  by 
the  immediate  sanction  of  his  Majesty, 
with  the  consent  of  parliament,  and 
under  the  direction  of  the  commanderjn 
chief,  for  the  time  being.— /This  college 
is  now  at  Sandhurst,  near  Windsor. 

COLLEGE  Royal  Militaire,  Fr.  a  ge- 
neral term  used  among  the  French  to 
express  that  place  where  military  in- 
struction was  given  during  their  mo- 
narchy. This  establishment  consisted  of 
several  colleges,  which  were  subordinate 
to  the  Royal  Military  School,  or  Ecoli 
Royale  Militaire,  of  Paris. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1776,  the 
French  King  gave  directions,  that  ten 
colleges  should  be  establ.shed,  over  the 
gates  of  each  of  which  was  written — 
College  Royal  Militaire,  Royal  Mi- 
litary College.  These  colleges  were 
under  the  immediate  care  and  instruc- 
tion of  the  Benedictine  Monks,  and 
other  religious  orders;  the  most  en- 
lightened of  which  was  that  of  the 
Jesuits. 

The  secretary  of  state  held  the  same 
jurisdiction  over  these  colleges  that  he 
possessed'  over  La  Fleche  and  the  Mili- 
tary School  in  Paris. — For  particulars 
respecting  the  old  institution,  see  the 
article  Royal  Military  School. 

COLLER,  Fr.  literally  means  to 
paste;  to  glue. 

Se  Coller,  Fr.  to  adhere  to;  to  stick 
close  to  any  thing. 

COLLET,  Fr.  that  part  of  a  cannon 
which  is  between  the  astragal  and  the 
muzzle. 

COLLIERS,  Fr.  iron  or  brass  hold- 
fasts which  are  used  in  flood-gates. 

COLOBE,  a  kind  of  short  coat,  with 
half  sleeves,  called  a  Dalmatica. 

COLOMBE,  Fr.  an  old  word,  sig- 
nifying every  sort  of  raft,  that  is  placed 
upright  in  partitions;  whence  the  term 
colombage. 

COLONEL,  the  commander  in  chief 
of  a  regiment,  whether  of  horse,  foot, 
dragoons,  or  .artillery,  in  England:  but 
in  France,  Spain,  and  some  other 
southern  nations,  colonels  of  horse  are 
called  Maltrex  de  camp.  Colonels  of 
horse  take  place,  and  command  one  an- 
other according  to  the  dates  of  their 
commissions,  and  not  in  consequence  of 
the  seniority  of  their  regiments.  Colo« 
Q  2 


COL 


(     H6     ) 


COL 


riels  of  foot  command  in  the  same  man- 
ner. A  colonel  of  a  regiment,  properly 
so  called,  is,  with  us,  the  nominal  head 
of  a  given  number  of  men;  the  cloth- 
ing, &c  of  whom  is  exclusively  entrusted 
to  him,  as  well  as  the  appointment  of 
an  agent,  who  receives  the  pav  and  sub- 
sistence of  the  corps,  hut  for  whose  sol- 
vency and  character  the  colonel  is  re- 
sponsible to  the  public, 

According  to  some  authors,  the  word 
Colonel  is  derived  from  the  Italians  or 
Spaniards. 

Skinner  supposes  it  may  come  from 
colony,  colonia,  and  that  the  heads  or 
chiefs  of  colonies  may  have  give*  the 
appellation  to  the  officers  commanding 
regiments. 

In  former  times,  officers,  although  at 
the  head  of  considerable  Corps,  were  only 
styled  captains,  hut  not  colonels.  See 
Dictionnaire  de  Trevoux,  fol.  edit. 

A  question  arises  whether  the  old 
word  Coronet  might  not  have  been  de- 
rived from  the  Latin  Cdronarius;  either 
from  some  ceremony  which  was  per- 
formed upon  the  person  receiving  the 
rank,  or  from  his  being  placed  at  the 
head,  corona,  of  a  regiment.  The 
former  certainly  appears  the  most  pro- 
bable, as  it  might  have  had  its  origin 
from  the  Roman  manner  of  rewarding  a 
general. 

The  Spaniards  have  it  Coroncl ;  the 
Italians,  Colonetlo. 

We  are  inclined  to  think,  that  it  is 
derived  from  the  Latin  Corona,  whence 
Coronarius  ;  and  that  it  came  to  us  from 
the  Spanish.  Both  the  English  and 
Scotch,  but  particularly  the  latter,  pro- 
nounce the  word  Coroncl,  and  so  do  the 
Irish. 

According  to  Grose,  some  derive  it 
from  the  French  word  colonne,  or 
column,  because  the  colonel  inarches  at 
the  head  of  the  column.  Kelly, in  1627, 
calls  this  officer  Grozmer. 

Colonel  of  horse  is  the  first  officer 
of  the  regiment;  hence  his  attention 
ougiit  to  be  given  to  keep  the  regiment 
complete,  to  have  it  composed  both  of 
men  and  horses  rit  for  service,  and  to  take 
particular  care  to  have  them  well  exercised 
and  taught  the  different  evolutions;  to  be 
able  on  all  occasions  to  form  themselves 
according  to  the  ground,  or  manner  in 
which  they  may  attack,  or  be  attacked. 

CoCdkel  of  foot,  or  infantry.  His 
/unctions  are  more  extensive  than  those 


of  the  cavalry,  as  the  infantry  are  em- 
ployed to  more  different  purposes.  A 
colonel  of  infantry  should  understand 
something  of  fortification,  and  be  well 
acquainted  with  field-engineering.  He 
cannot  be  too  careful  to  maintain  union 
and  harmony  among  his  officers;  and, 
to  succeed  in  this,  he  must  acquiie 
their  esteem  and  confideuce,and  conduct 
himself  so  as  to  be  respected.  The  (rue 
way  to  succeed  in  this,  is  to  keep  up  sub- 
ordination with  unalterable  firmness;  to 
do  justice  to  every  one,  to  employ  all 
his  credit  to  procure  favours  to  the 
corps  in  general,  and  to  the  officers  in 
particular,  without  ever  losing  sight  of 
the  health,  comfort,  and  contentment  of 
his  men. 

Colonel  of  dragoons  is  nearly  con- 
nected with  that  of  horse,  to  which  word 
we  refer  the  reader. 

Colonel  of  artillery,  the  commander 
of  a  battalion  of  artillery.  He  is  pre- 
sumed to  be  a  very  able  mathematician 
and  engineer,  to  be  thoroughly  acquaint- 
ed with  the  power  of  artillery,  to  Un- 
derstand the  attack  and  defence  of  for- 
tifications  in  all  the  different  branches; 
to  be  able,  on  all  occasions,  to  form  the 
artillery  according  to  the  ground  or 
manner  in  which  they  may  attack,  or  be 
attacked;  in  short,  he  should  be  master 
of  every  thing  belonging  to  that  import- 
ant corps. 

Colonel  of  engineers  should  be  a 
very  able  mathematician  and  mechanic; 
he  should  be  master  of  fortification,  and 
be  correctly  versed  in  the  art  of  planning) 
constructing,  attacking,  and  defending. 
See  Engineer. 

Lieutcnant-CoLOwT.L  is  the  second 
person  in  command  of  a  regiment. 
Under  his  direction  all  the  affairs  of  the 
regiment  roll.  His  military  qualifica- 
tions should  be  adequate  to  the  size  and 
the  importance  of  the  corps  he  has  the 
honour  to  serve  in. 

Colonel  general  of  the  French  in~ 
fantry,  an  appointment  formerly  of 
great  trust  and  authority.  He  was  en- 
titled to  the  nomination  of  every  com-? 
mission  and  place  of  trust  in  the  in- 
fantry. He  could  order  courts-martial, 
and  enforce  the  sentences  awarded  by 
them  without  ulterior  reference;  and  he 
had  a  company  in  every  regiment,  which 
was   called    the    colonel-general's    coni- 

Pa'V\ 
This-appointment  was  created  during 


COL 


(   iir  ) 


COL 


the  reign  of  Francis  I.  in  1544,  and  be- 
came an  immediate  gift  of  the  crown, 
under  Henry  III.  in  1584. 

There  was  likewise  a  colonel-general 
of  the  cavalry;  which  appointment  was 
entrusted  to  two  officers  under  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIII.  One  commanded 
the  French  and  the  other  the  German 
cavalry. 

The  appointment  of  colonel-general 
of  dragoons  was  created  by  Louis  XIV. 
in  1688. 

Colonel  by  brevet,  (Breve  tc  Colo- 
nel, Fr.)  one  who  has  obtained  the 
rank  of  colonel  in  the  army,  without 
having  that  rank  in  any  particular  regi- 
ment. 

Colonel  reforme,  Fr.  a  reduced  half- 
pay  officer,  who  has  the  rank  of  colonel 
hi  the  army,  without  having  any  com- 
mand or  regimental  rank,  or  who  lias 
retired  from  the  service  retaining  his 
brevet  rank. 

COLONELLE,  Fr.  is  the  first  com- 
pany in  a  French  regiment.  Madame  la 
Colonelle  is  the  colonel's  wife. 

COLQNNE,  Fr.  column.  This  word 
is  variously  used  in  military  phraseology. 

Colon ne  etroite,  Fr.  close  column. 

Colon ne  ouverte,  Fr.  open  column. 

Colon  ne  d'artillerie,  Fr.  the  march 
or  movements  of  a  corps  of  artillery  in 
regular  order,  with  the  several  pieces  of 
ordnance,  accompanied  by  stores  and 
ammunition,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking 
or  checking  an  enemy. 

Colonne  d'eouijwges,  Fr.  the  line  of 
march  which  is  observed  by  the  baggage- 
wagons,  ike.  In  advancing  against  an 
enemy  these  always  follow  the  main  army, 
and  precede  it  when  the  troops  are 
forced  to  retreat. 

Fcrnicr  uue  Colonne,  Fr.  to  be 
the  rear  rank  of  a  bodv  of  troops  that 
are  marching  rank  and  file  in  any  direc- 
tion. 

Ouvrir  itne  Colonne,  Fr.  to  be  the 
leading  or  front  rank  of  a  body  of  troops 
that  are  marching  in  regular  order. 

Ouvrir  unc  Colonne,  Fr.  to  plant 
signals  as  marks  of  direction  for  troops 
that  are  marching  in  regular  order.  To 
clear  the  way,  by  removing  all  sorts  of 
obstacles,  &c. 

Serrer  la  Colonne,  Fr.  to  close  the 
column. 

COLOXELLING,  beating  about  for 
soldiers;  a  familiar  phrase,  which  is  used 
in  various  senses. 


COLOSSE,  Fr.  Colossus,  an  image  or 
statue  of  exceeding  greatness. 

COLOURS,  in  the  military  art,  ara 
large  silk  flags  fixed  on  half  pikes,  and 
carried  by  the  ensign.  When  a  batta- 
lion is  encamped,  they  are  placed  in  its 
front;  but  in  garrison  they  are  lodged 
with  the  commanding  officer. 

The  first  standard,  guidon,  or  co- 
lours, of  a  regiment,  are  not  to  be  car- 
ried on  any  guard  but  that  of  his  Ma- 
jesty, the  Queen,  Regent  or  Prince  of 
Wales,  or  captain-general. 

The  size  of  the  colours  to  be  6  feet  6 
inches  flying,  and  6  feet  deep  on  the 
pike.  The  length  of  the  pike  (spear  and 
ferril  included)  to  be  9  feet  10  inches. 
The  cords  and  tassels  of  the  whole  to  be 
crimson  and  gold  mixed. 

CV/WjO-Colours  are  a  small  sort  of 
colours  placed  on  the  right  and  left  of 
the  parade  of  the  regiment  when  in  the 
field :  they  are  IS  inches  square,  and 
of  the  colour  of  the  facing  of  the  regi- 
ment, with  the  number  of  the  regiment 
upon  them.  The  poles  to  be  7  feet 
6  inches  long,  except  those  of  the  quar- 
ter and  rear  guards,  which  are  to  be 
9  feet. 

CoLOUR-Gi'orc/.     See  Guard. 

A  pair 'of  Colours,  a  term  used  in 
the  British  service  to  signify  an  en- 
signcy,  or  the  first  commissioned  ap- 
pointment in  the  army. 

Colours  used  in  the  drawings  of 
fortification.  It  is  necessary  to  use 
colours  in  the  drawings  of  plans  and 
profiles  of  a  fortification,  in  order  to 
distinguish  every  particular  part,  and 
separate,  as  it  were,  the  one  from  the 
other,  so  as  to  make  their  difference 
more  sensible.  The  different  sorts  of 
colours,  generally  used  in  these  kinds  of 
drawings,  are,  Indian-ink,  carmine,  ver- 
digrease,  sap-green,  gum-bouch,  Prussian 
blue,  indigo,  and  umber. 

Indian-ink  is  the  first  and  most  ne- 
cessary thing  required  in  drawing;  for 
it  serves,  in  drawing  the  lines,  to  ex- 
press hills  or  rising  grounds,  and,  in 
short,  for  all  what  is  called  shading,  in 
drawings.  The  best  sort  of  Indian-ink 
is  of  a  bluish  black,  soft,  and  easily  re- 
duced into  a  liquid,  free  from  sand  or 
gravel.  It  is  sold  in  sticks  from  six- 
pence a  stick  to  half  a  crown,  according 
to  its  goodness  and  quantity.  That 
made  in  Europe  is  good  for  nothing. 
The  manner  of  liquefying  ic  is  by 


COL 


(     H8     ) 


COM 


putting  a  little  clear  water  into  a  shell 
or  tea-cup,  and  rubbing  it  gently  till  the 
water  i->  black,  and  of  a  consistence 
much  like  common  ink  ;  when  it  is  used 
for  drawing  lines,  it  must  be  made  very 
black,  though  not  too  thick,  otherwise 
it  will  not  easily  How  out  of  the  drawing- 
pen  ;  but  when  it  is  for  shading,  it  must 
be  pale,  so  as  to  go  over  the  same  shade 
several  times,  which  adds  a  beauty  to 
the  shading . 

Carmine  is  an  impalpable  powder, 
and  the  fairest  red  we  know  of:  it 
serves  for  colouring  the  sections  of 
masonry,  the  plans  of  houses,  and  all 
kinds  of  military  buildings;  as  likewise 
their  elevation  :  but  then  it  is  made  of 
a  paler  colour.  It  is  also  used  for 
drawing  red  iines  in  plans,  to  represent 
walls.  It  is  exceedingly  dear,  being  ge- 
nerally sold  for  a  guinea  an  ounce;  but 
a  little  will  go  a  great  way.  It  niubt  be 
mixed  with  a  little  gum-water. 

Verdigrcase,  or  sea-green,  used  in 
drawings,  is  either  liquid  in  small  vials 
for  six  pence  a  piece,  or  mixed  in  little 
pots  or  shells,  &c.  it  serves  to  colour 
wet  ditches,  rivers,  seas,  and  in  general 
to  represent  all  watery  places. 

Sap-green  is  a  stone  of  a  faint  yel- 
lowish green,  when  liquefied  with  clear 
water ;  but  when  mixed  with  a  little 
sea-green,  it  makes  a  beautiful  grass- 
green;  but,  as  all  mixed  colours  are 
liable  to  fade,  if  verd'iris  can  be  had,  it 
will  be  much  better.  Sap-green  is  very 
cheap. 

Gum-bouch  is  a  fine  yellow  in  stones, 
and  very  cheap.  It  may  be  dissolved 
in  water,  but  without  gum:  it  serves  to 
colour  all  projects  of  works;  as  likewise 
to  distinguish  the  works  unfinished  from 
those  that  are  complete.  It  serves  also 
to  colour  the  trenches  of  an  attack. 

Indigo  is  in  small  cakes,  and  very 
cheap;  it  serves  to  colour  iron,  and 
roofs  of  buildings  which  are  covered 
with  slates:  it  must  be  well  ground  upon 
a  smooth  stone  or  glass,  and  mixed  with 
a  little  gum-water. 

Prussian  blue  is  a  kind  of  friable 
Stone,  of  an  exceeding  fine  blue:  it  is 
used  to  represent  the  colour  of  blue 
cloth  in  drawing  encampments,  battles, 
&c.  It  must  be  well  ground,  and  mixed 
with  a  little  gum-water. 

Smalt,  also  a  good  sprt  of  blue,  and 
may  be  used  for  the  same  purposes.  It 
is  not  dear. 


Ultramarine  is  an  impalpable  powdef, 
and  of  a  very  delicate  sky-blue.  It  is  a 
dear  colour. 

Umber  is  a  yellowish  brown  colour,  in 
powder:  when  it  is  mixed  with  gum* 
water,  it  serves  to  colour  dry  ditches, 
sand,  and  all  kinds  of  earth.  By  mix- 
ing a  little  red  'ink  with  it,  it  will  make 
a  wood  colour. 

If  some  tobacco-leaves  are  steeped  in 
clear  water  for  several  hours,  and  filter- 
ed through  a  woollen  cloth,  or  brown 
paper,  with  a  little  red  ink  mixed  with 
it,  it  will  make  the  best  earth  or  wood 
colour,  as  lying  smoother  than  any  other. 

Gum-uater  is  best  when  it  is  made 
some  time  before  it  is  used;  for  which 
reason  take  some  gum  arabic  and  steep 
it  in  clear  water  for  some  hours,  till  it 
is  dissolved :  then  strain  it  through  a 
woollen  cloth  or  brown  paper,  and  pre- 
serve it  in  phials,  well  stopped,  till  wanted. 

COLUMN,  a  body  of  troops  formed 
in  deep  files,  and  narrow  front,  the 
whole  advancing  with  the  same  degree 
of  movement,  and  having  suflicient 
space  between  the  ranks  and  files  to 
prevent  confusion.  The  name  of  column 
is  also  given  to  several  bodies  placed 
behind  each  other,  and  intended  to 
march  on  successively,  to  form  or  to 
keep  in  order  of  battle :  but  in  this 
case  they  are  not  to  be  called  files  of 
troops.  There  are  more  or  less  columns, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
but  it  is  not  necessary  that  they  should 
all  of  them  advance  the  same  way  in 
order  to  meet  at  an  appointed  spot. 
Those  officers,  who  have  been  taught 
by  experience  alone,  (which  is  far  from 
being  sufficient  if  they  are  ignorant  of 
the  theory,)  will  do  well  to  consult  L'Art 
de  la  guerre  par  regies  et  par  principes, 
by  Marcc/ialde  Puysegur, and  Les  CEuvres 
deFolard.  It  is  next  to  an  impossibility 
to  remember  all  that  is  prescribed  by 
those  skilful  authors;  but  every  officer, 
who  is  anxious  to  improve  his  know- 
ledge in  the  military  art,  may  derive 
great  advantage  from  the  perusal  of 
their  works. 

C/ose-CoLUMN,  a  compact  solid  co- 
lumn, with  very  little  space  between  the 
divisions  of  which  it  is  composed. 

Opeu-CoLVMK,  a  column  with  inter- 
vals between  the  divisions  equal  to  their 
respective  fronts. 

COMBAT,  a  battle  or  duel.  Anci- 
ently it   was  not  uncommon  for  con- 


COM 


(   us  ) 


C  O  M 


tending  powers  to  adjust  their  dispute 
by  single  combat,  when  each  party 
chose  tor  itself  a  champion,  who  con- 
tested the  point  in  presence  of  both 
armies. 

COMBATANTS,  (combat tans,  Fr.) 
troops  engaged  in  action. 

JVorc-COMBATTANS,  Fr.  persons 
about  an  army  whose  employments  are 
wholly  civil ;  such  as  commissaries,  bar- 
rack-masters, pay  masters,  surgeons,  chap- 
\'\] us  (S?c 

COMBATTRE,  Fr.  to  act  against 
an  enemy  with  offensive  weapons,  tor 
the  purpose  of  defending  one's  country 
and  its  rights,  &c.  Hence,  tout  est 
so/dat  pour  vous  combattre  :  every  thing 
is  up  in  arms  to  fight  you. 

COMBINAISON,  Fr.  a  calm  and 
dispassionate  examination  of  the  vari- 
ous projects  and  designs  which  are  sug- 
gested to  the  human  mind  by  their  mul- 
tiplied occurrences  in  warfare. 

Combinaison  also  signifies  the  art  ot 
calculating  numbers  and  quantities,  and 
comparing  them  together. 

COMBINER  ce  que  fait  Vennemi, 
Fr.  to  weigh  well  the  movements  of  an 
enemv. 

COMBLE,  Fr.  roof.  It  is  also  called 
toit.    ' 

COMBLEAU,  Fr.  a  cord  used  to 
load  and  unload  pieces  of  artillery,  also 
to  hoist  them  on  their  carriage,  the 
same  as  other  heavy  burdens,  by  means 
of  a  crane. 

COMBLEM  ENT  des fosses,  Fr.  When 
the  besiegers  have  succeeded  in  render- 
ing themselves  masters  of  the  covert- 
way,  they  contrive,  by  all  possible 
means,  to  lib  up  the  ditches,  by  estab- 
lishing galleries  which  protect  the  work- 
men, in  order  that  the  miners  may  carry 
on  their  operations  with  more  safety  : 
by  this  means  they  form  an  intrench- 
ment  which  defends  them  against  the 
sorties,  or  any  other  attempt,  that  might 
be  made  bv  the  besieged. 

COMBUSTIBLES,  Fr.  combustible 
materials;  such  as  are  used  in  offensive 
and  defensive  operations. 

COME-i«.  Soldiers  are  said  to  come 
in,  as  volunteers,  recruits,  &c.  when 
they  join  any  particular  standard. 

Cows-over.  When  men  desert  from 
an  enemy,  ami  join  the  army  that  op- 
poses liim,  they  are  said  to  come  over. 
Tins  term  is  opposed  to  go  over. 

To  Come-i'k  to,  to  join  with,  to  briny 
help.  "  They  marched  to  Wells,  where 


the  Lord  Audley,  with  whom  their  lead- 
ers had  before  secret  intelligence,  came, 
in  to  them."     Johnson. 

To  CoiiE-u/),  to  overtake.  To  come 
up  with  an  enemy,  is  a  military  phrase 
much  in  use. 

COMINGE,  Fr.  a  shell  of  extreme 
magnitude,  which  takes  its  name  from 
the  person  who  originally  invented  it, 
containing  18  inches  in  diameter,  and 
aOOlbs.  in  weight. 

COMMAND,  generally  called  the 
zcord  of  command,  is  a  term  used  by  offi- 
cers in  exercise,  or  upon  service. 

Command,  in  military  matters.  All 
commands  fall  to  the  eldest  in  the  same 
circumstances,  whether  of  horse,  dra- 
goons, artillery,  foot,or  marines.  Among 
the  officers  of  the  corps  of  the  British 
troops,  entire  or  in  parts,  in  case  two  of 
the  same  date  interfere,  a  retrospection 
of  former  commissions,  or  length  of  ser- 
vice, is  to  be  examined  and  ended  by 
the  judgment  of  the  rules  of  war. 

Commands  in  fortification,  are: 

A  command  in  front,  when  any  emi- 
nence is  directly  facing  the  work  which 
it  commands. 

A  command  in  rear,  when  any  emi- 
nence is  directly  behind  the  work  which 
it  commands. 

A  command  by  enfilade,  when  an  emi- 
nence is  situated  in  the  prolongation  of 
any  line  of  a  work,  and  a  considerable 
part  of  it  may  be  seen  from  thence. 

To  have  in  command,  an  official  term, 
signifying  to  have  authority  or  instruc- 
tion to  make  a  communication ;  as,  I 
have  it  in  command  from  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  ccc. 

COMMANDANT  is  that  person  who 
has  the  command  of  a  garrison,  fort, 
castle,  regiment,  company,  &c.  called 
also  commander. 

COMMANDE,  Fr.  a  rope  made  use 
of  in  boats  and  pontoons. 

COMMANDE,  Fr.  a  person  under 
the  orders  of  another. 

0«OTageCoMMANDE,Fr.  awork  which 
is  overlooked,1  and  consequently  com- 
manded by  some  other. 

COMMANDEMENT,  Fr.  in  a  mi- 
litary sense,  means  any  spot  which  is 
higher  than  another.  A  commande- 
luent  is  called  simple,  when  the  dif- 
ference between  two  heights  is  only 
9  feet.  It  is  called  double,  when  the 
litfere.nce  is  13  feet;  triple  when  27, 
.md  so  progressively,  taking  9  feet  in- 
variably for  the  height  of  each   com-} 


COM 


[     K8    ) 


C  O  M 


Wandcment.  A  commaiidcmeut  may 
be  considered  in  three  lights;  in  front, 
in  enfilade,  and  in  reverse.  The  coin- 
lnandeinent'  in  front,  is  when  you  see 
all  the  persons  who  are  employed  in 
protecting  a  work;  in  enfilade,  when 
you  only  see  them  from  a  flank;  and  in 
reverse,  when  you  see  them  obliquely 
from  behind. 

COMMAS  DEMENT,  Fr.  an  order;  a 
Command  ;  a  situation  of  trust  which  is 
given  to  a  military  olbcer. 

Com  man  dement  (ordre  de.)  Fr.  a 
right  of  command  which  formerly  existed 
among  the  French  between  officers  of 
cavalry  and  infantry.  In  a  fortilied 
post,  or  town,  the  officers  of  infantry 
have  the  command  orer  the  officers  of 
cavalry;  but  in  an  open  country  the  offi- 
cers of  infantry  are  commanded  by  the 
former. 
A//^///-COMMANDER.SeeKNiGiiT. 
COMMANDER,  Fr.  to  command: 
to  be  superior  in  rank,  and  to  possess 
authority  over  others. 

Commander,  Fr.  in  fortification,  to 
overlook,  to  command. 

COMMAND  FRY,  a  certain  benefice 
belonging  to  some  military  order.  A 
body  of  the  Knights  of  Malta  are  so 
called. 

COMMANDEUR,  Fr.  a  knight  of 
an  order  who  enjoys  some  lucrative  si- 
tuation in  consequence  of  his  rank,  such 
as  the  Knights  of  Malta  formerly  en- 
joyed. 

COMMANDIXG-^'nwW  implies,  in 
a  military  sense,  a  rising  ground  which 
overlooks  any  post,  or  strong  place. 
There  are,  strictly  speaking,  three  sorts 
ef  commanding  grounds;  namely, 

Front  CoMMANDiNG-groM/if/.  Every 
height  is  called  so,  that  lies  opposite  to 
the  face  of  the  post  which  plays  upon 
its  front. 

licierse  CoMMANDiNG-g/oi/m/,  an 
eminence  which  plays  upon  the  rear  of 
a  post. 

Enfilade  CmniAsmaG- ground,  or 
Curtain  Commas  Di^c-ground,  a  high 
place,  which,  with  its  shot,  scours  all  the 
length  of  a  line,  ccc. 

COMMIS,  Fr.  clerk  or  inferior  per- 
son, who  is  employed  in  any  of  the 
French  war-departmei)ts,&c. 

COMMISSAIRE,    Fr.    commissary, 

This   term  was  used  in   the  old  French 

service,  before  the  Revolution,  to  express 

a  variety  of  military  occupations.     The 

-following are  the  principal  designations:' 


CoMMiBBAlfiE-g£n£ra/  des  armies,  Fr. 
commissary-general  of  the  armies. 

Commissi]  as  general  de  la  eavu/erie 
li.gi.re,  IV.  commissary  general  of  light 
cavalry.  lie  ranked  as  the  third  general 
otlicer  of  the  cavalry. 

COMMISSAIEE  d'urti/laie,  Fr.  com- 
missary of  artillery. 

(J,uMMii>'iAiiu:*provineiai<.vd,arti//erie, 
Fr.  provincial  commissaries  attached  to 
the  ordnance. 

Commissaires  ordinuires  d'urtil/n  ie, 
Fr.  commissaries  in  ordinary  attached 
to  the  ordnance.  These  were  subordi- 
nate to  the  provincial  commissaries,  and 
were  distributed  among  the  navy,  forts, 
and  garrison  towns. 

Commissaires  extraordinaire!  cTais 
ti/.lerie,  Fr.  extraordinary  commissaries 
attached  to  the  ordnance.  These  formed 
the  third  class  of  commissaries  under 
the  former  monarchical  government  of 
France.  They  likewise  did  duty  on  board 
the  king's  ships,  or  in  garrison  towns. 

Commissaire  provincial  en  I'urscnal 
de  Faris  an  departement  dc  I'hle  de 
France,  Fr.  provincial  commissary  be- 
longing to  the  arsenal  in  Paris. 

Commissaire  gineral  des  poudres  et 
sal/Hires,  Fr.  commissary  general  of 
gun-powder  and  saltpetre.  This  place 
was  created  with  that  of  the  superin- 
tendant  general  of  gun-powder  and  salt- 
petre, in  1634,  but  was  finally  sup- 
pressed. 

Commissaire  general  des  fontes,  Fr. 
commissary  general  of  the  founderies. 

Commissaiue  ordonnateur,  Fr.  a  per- 
son entrusted  with  the  chief  management 
of  the  commissariat  department  on  ser- 
vice. The  situation  corresponds  with 
that  of  our  chief  commissary. 

Commissa IKES  de&  guerres,  Fr.  com- 
missariesof  the  war  departments, or  rnus- 
ter-masters-general. 

Commissaires  ordinuires  des  guerres, 
Fr.  commissaries  in  ordinary,  or  deputy 
muster-musters.  These  were  subordi- 
nate to  the  former,  and  were  entrusted 
with  the  superintendence  of  hospitals, 
to  see  that  proper  provisions  were  pro- 
cured for  and  distributed  among  the  sick. 
They  likewise  gave  proper  vouchers  to 
account  for  the  absence  of  soldiers,  and 
regulated  what  number  of  extraordinary 
wagons  should  be  furnished  to  the  troops 
on  marches. 

Commissaires  provinciaux  et  ordi- 
nuires des  guerres,  Fr.  provincial  or  or- 
dinary commissaries  of  war. 


C  O  M 


(     121     ) 


COM 


Commissaires  des  guerres  entretenus 
dans  C Hotel  des  Invalides,  Fr.  commissa- 
ries of  war,  specifically  attached  to  and 
resident  in  the  Hotel  des  Invalides. 

Commissaire  des  vivres,  Fr.  commis- 
sary of  stores. 

Commiss  aire  general  desfort  [fie  at  ions, 
Fr.  commissary  general  of  fortilications. 

Commiss  a  i  REsprovinciaux  tk  s  g  ucrres, 
Fr.  provincial  commissaries  of  war, 
created  in  1C35 ;  they  were  first  sup- 
pressed and  then  re-established  hy  Louis 
XIV.  in  1704. 

Commissaire  Imperial,  Fr.  judge 
advocate;  so  called  during  the  reign  of 
Napoleon  in  France. 

COMMISSARY  is  of  various  deno- 
minations, though  he  is  generally  a  civil 
officer  appointed  to  inspect  the  musters, 
stores,  and  provisions  of  the  army.  In 
war  time  the  number  of  commissaries  is 
unlimited. 

Commissary's  department,  in  the  ar- 
tillery service.     See  Artillery. 

COMMISSARIES  general,  and  Com- 
missaries  of  accounts,  are  appointed  by 
warrant  under  the  king's  sign  manual, 
directing  them  to  obey  all  instructions 
given  them  for  the  execution  of  their 
duty  by  the  lords  commissioners  of  the 
treasury.  These  instructions  are  gene- 
rally prepared  by  the  comptrollers  of 
the  army  accounts,  under  the  orders,  and 
subjected  to  the  subsequent  inspection, 
of  the  treasury. 

CoMMissARY-gCHeroZ  of  the  musters, 
or  muster-master  general.  He  takes  ac- 
. count  of  the  strength  of  every  regiment 
as  often  as  he  pleases;  reviews  them, 
sees  that  the  horses  are  well  mounted, 
and  all  the  men  well  armed  and  clothed. 
He  receives  and  inspects  the  muster- 
rolls,  and  knows  exactly  the  strength  of 
the  army.  A  new  appointment  has  been 
created  in  the  person  of  inspector  gene- 
ral of  cavalry,  which  answers  every  pur- 
pose for  which  that  of  muster-master 
general  was  intended,  as  far  as  regards 
the  cavalry, 

CoMMisSARY-gen^raZ  of  stores,  a  civil 
officer  in  the  artillery,  who  formerly  had 
the  charge  of  all  the  stores,  for  which  he 
is  accountable  to  the  office  of  ordnance. 
He  was  allowed  various  other  deputy 
commissaries,  clerks,  and  conductors, 
especially  in  war-time.  At  present 
there  is  no  such  appointment  in  the 
British  artillery  service,  although  from 
the  magnitude  and  importance  of  the 
situation,  and  the  responsibility  attached 


to  it,  such  an  appointment  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  support  the  respectability 
of  so  extensive  a  department.  The 
officers  of  this  description  are  called 
commissaries  of  stores.  Instead  of  there 
being  a  commissary  general,  deputy 
commissaries  and  assistant  commissa- 
ries are  employed  in  rank  according  to 
the  magnitude  of  the  trust  committed  to 
their  charge  both  in  cash  and  stores. 
Both  duties  generally  center  in  one  per- 
son. 

Commissary-  of  the  train  horses,  a 
civil  officer  formerly  of  the  artillery,  who 
had  the  inspection  of  all  horses  belong- 
ing to  the  train,  the  hospital  and  the 
bakery;  having  under  him  a  number  of 
conductors,  drivers,  &c.  There  is  at 
present  no  such  appointment  in  the  Bri- 
tish service. 

Commissary  of  accounts  is  a  respon* 
sible  person  who  attends-  each  army, 
where  the  numbers  are  of  sufficient  im- 
portance, with  a  proper  establishment, 
for  the  purpose  of  examining  and  con- 
trolling accounts  on  the  spot.  All 
commissaries  of  accounts  make  returns 
of  their  examinations,  and  on  these  do- 
cuments the  comptrollers  of  the  army 
accounts  found  the  best  inquiry  into  the 
public  expenditure  which  the  nature  of 
the  subject  admits  of. 

CoMMiss&RY-general  of  provisions  has 
the  charge  of  furnishing  the  army  in  the 
field  with  all  sorts  of  provisions,  forage, 
&c.  by  contract:  he  must  be  very  vigi- 
lant and  industrious,  that  the  tro  ips 
may  never  suffer  want.  He  has  under 
him  various  commissaries,  store-keepers, 
clerks,  Ike. 

COMMISSION,  any  situation  or 
place  which  an  individual  may  hold  in 
the  regular  army,  militia  or  volunteers 
of  Great  Biitain.  Alt  commissions  in 
the  line,  guards,  or  volunteer  corps  must 
have  the  royal  sign  manual.  The  for- 
mer are  issued  from  the  War-office,  sub- 
jecting the  individual  to  the  payment  of 
certain  fees,  according  to  the  rank  he 
holds;  which  fees  are  received  by  the 
several  agents,  (who  deduct  them  in  the 
first  instance,)  and  account  for  them  to 
the  War-office.  Commissions  in  the  mi- 
litia do  not  bear  the  royal  sign  manual ; 
that  of  the  adjutant  alone  excepted, 
who  is  generally  called  a  king's  officer. 
Lieutenants  or  deputy  lieutenants  of 
counties  affix  their  seals  and  signatures 
to  these  commissions  or  appointments; 
but  thev  must  previously  have  beec 
R  ' 


C  O  M 


C     122    ) 


COM 


laid  before  the  king  for  his  approbation. 
Fourteen  days  constitute  the  allotted 
time;  and  if  his  majesty  does  not  disap- 
prove of  the  person  so  recommended,  a 
notification  is  sent  by  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal secretaries  of  state  lo  the  lord 
lieutenant,  or  to  those  acting  by  com- 
mission in  his  absence,  or  during  a  va- 
cancy, stating  his  majesty's  pleasure. 

Commission  of  array.  In  the  reign 
of  Hcnrv  II.  1181,  an  assize  of  arms  was 
settled  to  the  following  effect.  That 
every  person  possessed  of  a  knight's  fee, 
was  to  have  a  coat  of  mail,  an  helmet,  a 
shield,  and  a  lance,  and  as  many  of  these 
as  he  had  fees.  Every  free  layman  that 
had  in  goods  or  rents  to  the  value  of  16 
marks,  was  to  have  the  same  arms;  and 
such  as  had  10  marks  were  to  have  a 
lesser  coat  of  mail,  an  iron  cap,  and  a 
lance;  the  two  last  of  which,  with  a 
wambois,  were  assigned  for  the  arms  of 
burgesses,  and  all  the  freemen  of  bo- 
roughs. These  arms  were  all  to  be  pro- 
vided before  the  feast  of  St.  Hilary  next 
following. 

To  enforce  these  regulations,  it  was 
customary  for  the  time,  at  certain  sea- 
sons of  the  year,  to  issue  commissions  to 
experienced  officers,  to  draw  out  and 
array  the  fittest  men  for  service  in  each 
county,  and  to  inarch  them  to  the  sea- 
coasts,  or  to  such  other  quarters  of  the 
country  as  were  judged  to  be  most  in 
danger.  Of  these  commissions  of  array, 
there  are  many  hundreds  in  the  Gascon 
and  French  rolls  in  the  Tower  of  Lon- 
don, from  the  36th  of  Heny  III.  to  the 
reign  of  Edward  IV.  The  form  of  the 
ancient  commissions  of  array  may  be 
seen  inRushworth'sHistoricalCollection 
published  in  1640.  These  commissions 
were  again  attempted  to  be  revived  by 
Charles  I.  but  they  were  voted  illegal 
and  unconstitutional  by  the  parliament 
in  those  days.  They  would  not  be  so  in 
Xhese  times. 

COMMISSION  militaire,  Fr.  a  com- 
mission in  the  army. 

Commission mi/itaire,Yr.a  temporary 
court  or  tribunal  established  to  inquire 
into  capital  offences,  and  to  pass  sen- 
tence on  the  delinquents. 

IVon-COMMISSIONEOappliestothat 
particular  class  of  men  who  act  between 
what  are  called  the  rank  and  file  of  a 
buttalion,  and  the  commissioned  or  war- 
rant officers.     See  Serjeants. 

COMMISSIONER,  ( commissaire  in- 
tendunt,  Fr.)  a  person  entrusted  by  go- 


vernment to  superintend  any  particular 
department,  or  branch  of  civil  or  mili- 
tary service. 

COMMISSIONERS,  certain  persons 
w  ho,  towards  the  latter  end  of  the  reign 
of  King  James  I.  and  in  the  beginning  of 
that  of  Charles,  his  successor,constituted 
a  kind  of  mixed  court,  composed  of 
civil  and  military  members,  whose  duty 
was  to  try  all  offences  committed  by  the 
soldiers  or  followers  of  the  army,  within 
certain  counties  and  districts.  At  what 
time  courts-martial,  according  to  their 
present  form,  were  first  held,  does  not 
appear ;  they  are,  however,  mentioned, 
with  the  distinction  of  general  and  regi- 
mental, in  the  ordonnances  of  war  of 
King  James  II.  published  bv  authority, 
A.  D.  1686. 

Military  Commissioners,  certain  per- 
sons who  are  authorized  by  parliament 
to  examine  army  accounts,  &c.  They 
are  likewise  called  commissioners  for 
the  inspection  of  army  accounts.  Also 
individuals  who  are  invested  with  a  cer- 
tain authority  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
municating with  foreign  powers,  parti- 
cularly such  as  may  be  subsidized  by 
England. 

Commissioners  of  the  royal  military 
college  consist  of  persons  who  are  mostly 
military  men,  under  the  immediate  di- 
rection of  the  commander  in  chief  of  his 
Majesty's  forces  for  the  time  being. 

COMMITTEE,  a  select  number  of 
persons  to  whom  the  more  particular 
consideration  of  some  matter  is  referred, 
and  who  are  to  report  their  opinion  to 
the  court,  &c.  of  which  they  are  mem- 
bers. 

Committee  of  artillery  officers,  a  se- 
lect committee  of  artillery  officers  es- 
tablished at  Woolwich  by  the  King's 
warrant,  to  whom  all  improvements  and 
inventions  are  submitted,  under  the 
authority  of  the  master  general  of  the 
ordnance,  to  whom  they  report  upon  all 
matters  referred  to  them. 

COMMON,  in  geometry,  is  applied 
to  an  angle,  Hue,  or  the  like,  which  be- 
longs equally  to  two  figures,  or  makes  a 
necessary  part  of  both. 

Common  divisor,  in  arithmetic,  is 
a  quantity,  or  number,  which  exactly 
divides  two  or  more  other  quantities, 
or  numbers,  without  having  any  re- 
mainder. 

COMMUNICATION,  in  fortifica- 
tion, signifies  all  sorts  of  passages  or 
ways  which  lead  from  one  work  to  aa,- 


C  O  M 


(     123    ) 


COM 


•ther.  The  best  and  indeed  the  only 
good  communications  are  those  which 
the  besieger  cannot  annoy,  or  interrupt 
by  his  fire.  The  obstinate  defence  of  a 
work  is  rendered  almost  impracticable, 
if  you  are  destitute  of  good  communica- 
tions. Subterraneous  galleries,  coffers, 
or  caponieres,  slopes  made  on  the  out- 
side of  gorges,  raav  be  termed  commu- 
nications. When  the  ditches  are  filled 
with  water,  floating  bridges,  &c.  serve 
as  communications. 

Xi«co/*Communication.    SeeLiNE. 

COMPAGNE,  Fr.  a  room  or  cabin 
belonging  to  the  chief  of  a  galley. 

COMPAGNIE,  Fr.  a  certain  number 
of  soldiers  under  the  inspection  or  ma- 
nagement of  a  chief  called  captain. 

Comp \ghi E-colunellc,  Fr.  among  the 
French  the  first  company  in  a  battalion, 
or  that  which  is  called  the  colonel's. 

Compagn  I  E-lieutenant-colonelle,  Fr. 
the  second  company  in  a  battalion,  or 
that  which  belonged  to  the  lieutenant- 
colonel. 

CoMPAGNiEs:/rancAes,  Fr.  free  corps, 
or  companies,  which,  during  the  old  mo- 
narchical government  of  France,  were 
put  upon  a  certain  establishment  in  war 
time.     See  Free-CoMiwxY. 

COMPANY,in  a  military  sense, means 
a  small  body  of  foot  or  artillery,  the 
number  of  which  is  never  fixed,  but  is 
generally  from  50  to  120,  commanded 
by  a  captain,  a  lieutenant,  and  an  en- 
sign, and  sometimes  by  a  first  and  se- 
cond lieutenant,  as  in  the  artillery,  and 
flank  companies  of  the  line.  A  com- 
pany has  usually  three  or  four  Serjeants, 
three  or  four  corporals,  and  two  drums. 
In  the  Guards,  the  companies  consist  of 
120  men  each,  as  in  the  artillery.  In 
the  Austrian  service  a  company  consists 
of  200  men. 

F/fe-CoMPAXv  is  one  of  those  corps 


commonly    called    irregular;    is    seldom   that  another  does 


to  convey  fire  to  the  furnaces  at  one  and 
the  same  time. 

Compartiment  du  7nineur,  Fr.     See 

CoMPARTTMENT  dt  feu. 

COM  PAS,  Fr.    See  Compass. 

Compas  de  proportion,  Fr.  a  mathe- 
matical instrument  which  facilitates 
the  prompt  dividing  of  the  lines  on  apian. 

COMPASS,  a  circle,  space,  limits; 
an  instrument  whereby  mariners  steer. 

Compass,  an  instrument  for  dividing, 
measuring,  or  drawing  circles.  The  ori- 
ginal invention  of  compasses  has  been 
given  to  Daedalus,  who  is  affirmed  by 
Pliny  to  have  been  the  inventor  of  all 
sorts  of  carpenters'  tools.  He  was  an 
Athenian  by  birth.  But  Ovid  gives  the 
invention  of  the  compasses  to  Perdrix, 
who  was  sister's  son  to  Daedalus. 

COMPASSEMENT defetn,  Fr.  See 
Compartiment. 

COM  PASSER  la  meche,  Fr.  to  try  the 
match. 

COMPASSION,(cow/)assi'on,Fr.)  Ac- 
cording to  a  French  author,  (see  Dic- 
tionnaire  Mi/itaire,  par  M.  Dupain  de 
Montcsson,)  a  quality  not  known  in  mi- 
litary life.  lie  describes  compassion  to 
be  a  sentiment,  or  impulse,  of  the  soul, 
which  carries  us  insensibly  towards  the 
relief  of  every  object  in  bodily  or  mental 
distress:  a  sentiment,  however,  which  in 
war  we  carefully  conceal;  repressing 
every  feeling  of  the  heart,  becoming  ob- 
durate mi  every  occasion,  and  seeking 
nothing  hut  the  destruction  of  our  ene- 
mies. Such  are  the  sentiments  of  this 
French  writer.  British  valour  is,  on  the 
contrary,  susceptible  of  much  compas- 
sion. 

COMPASSIONATE  List.     See  LrsT. 

COMPETENCE  militaire,  Fr.  mili- 
tary cognizance. 

COMPETlTOR,(conipititeur,Fr.)one 
who  sues  or   fights  for  the  same  thing 


or  never  under  tlfe  same  orders  with  the 
regular  corps  of  the  army,  but  for  the 
most  part  acts  like  a  detached  army, 
either  by  itself,  or  in  conjunction  with 
some  of  its  own  kind;  therefore  their 
operations  are  properly  considered  under 
the  title  of  the  petite  guerre. 

Indepeudenl-CoMPA.'sv,  that  which  is 
not  incorporated  in  a  regiment. 

COMPARTIMENT  de  feu,  Fr.  a 
specific  division  of  the  intermediate  spaces 
belonging  to  a  mine,  and  the  regular 
allotment  of  the  saucissons  or  train-bags 


COMPLEMENT,  (completer.)  the 
full  establishment  of.  a  regiment,  &c. 

Comim.i'.m  i  nt  of  the  curtain,  that  part 
in  the  interior  side  of  a  fortification 
which  makes  the  denii-gorge.  See  Fon- 
TirrcATiox. 

Complement  of  the  line  of  defence, 
the  remainder  of  the  line  of  defence, 
after  you  have  taken  away  the  angle  of 
the  flank.     See  Fsrtification. 

Complement  (in a  parallelogram,)  are 
the  two  lesser  parallelograms,  which  are 
made  bv  drawing  two  right  lines  parallel 
R'a  f 


COM 


(     IM    ) 


CON 


to  each  side  of  the  figure  through  a  given 
point  in  the  diagonal. 

Complement,  in  geometry,  is  what  re- 
mains of  the  quadrant  of  a  circle,  or  of 
ninety  degrees,  after  a  certain  arch  has 
been  retrenched  from  it.  Thus,  if  an 
arch  or  angle  he  25  degrees,  they  say  its 
complement  is  65  :  since  65  and  25  ~ 
to  90. 

Complement  of  an  angle,  (comple- 
ment d'uu  angle,  Fr.)  the  quantity  of  de- 
grees which  an  acute  angle  wants  to  be 
equal  to  a  right  angle. 

COMPLETE,  (complet,  Fr.)  A  batta- 
lion, troop,  or  company  is  said  to  be 
complete,  when  the  established  number 
of  men  are  present  and  lit  for  duty. 
The  French  say,  Le  complet  iVun  batail- 
lon,  u"une  compugnie,  ccc.  the  full  esta- 
blishment of  a  battalion,  company,  &c. 

To  CoMPLETE,(cow/)/<7f7',  Fr.)  to  carry 
up  to  its  full  establishment. 

COMPLIMENT  of  the  line  of  the 
army.     See  Honours. 

Compliment  from  guards.  See  Ho- 
nours. 

COMPLICITE,  Fr.  the  act  of  being 
an  accomplice. 

COMPOSER,  Fr.  to  enter  into  a 
composition ;  to  make  terms  with  an 
enemy;  as  when  a  fortress,  town,  or 
body  of  men  surrender. 

COMPOSITION,  F;-.  This  term  among 
the  French  signifies  the  component  or 
constituent  parts  of  any  establishment, 
&c.  Thus  regiments  form  divisions,  and 
the  whole  put  together  make  up  an  army. 
Hence  composition  d'une  urm'te. 

Compositions,  Ft.  terms,  conditions, 
&c.  which  are  entered  into  by  two  con- 
tending parties,  when  one  is  forced  to 
give  wav. 

Composition,  Fr.  in  artillery,  the 
different  ingredients  with  which  gun- 
powder is  made,  viz.  sulphur,  saltpetre, 
and  charcoal. 

Composition  also  signifies  a  mixture 
of  beeswax  with  pitch  and  tar,  that  is 
used  in  the  making  up  of  fuses  and  shells. 

COMPOUND  motion.  SeeGuxNERY. 

COMPRESS,  (compresse,  Fr.)  in  sur- 
gery, a  bolster  made  up  with  linen,  to  be 
laid  on  a  wound,  or  on  the  orifice  of  a 
vein. 

COMPRESSION,  the  act  or  circum- 
stance of  being  restrained  or  confined. 

Globe  of  Compression,  an  excavation 
of  a  globular  form,  which  is  made  in  the 
earth,  and  is  filled  with  gunpowder. 

COMPTROLLER,  {controlcur,  Fr.)  a 


person  who  inspects  accounts,  and  makes 
his  report  upon  them,  after  due  exami- 
nation, without  favour  or  partiality. 

Comptroller  of  the  artillery,  (con- 
trblevr  cfartiUerie,  Fr.)  a  civil  olhcer 
who  formerly  inspected  the  musters  of 
artillery,  made  the  pay  lists,  took  the 
account  and  remains  of  stores,  and  was 
subordinate  to  the  board  of  ordnance. 
No  such  appointment  exists  at  present 
in  this  department. 

Comptrollers  of  army  uccounts,  cer- 
tain persons  appointed  by  government  to 
inspect  the  general  expenditure  of  the 
army,  and  to  report  thereon  to  the 
Treasury.     The  office  is  in  Whitehall. 

COMPTE  borgne,  Fr.  odd  money. 

Compte  ronde,  Fr.  even  money. 

Argent  Comptant,  Fr.  ready  money. 

COMPTEPAS,  Fr.  (from  compter 
les  pas,  to  count  or  measure  steps  or 
paces,)  an  instrument  which  serves  to 
measure  the  ground  a  person  has  run 
over,  whether  on  foot,  on  horseback,  or 
in  a  carnage.     See  Ooometre. 

COMRADE, (camarade,  Fr.)  a  fellow- 
soldier  in  the  same  regiment,  troop,  or 
company,  from  the  Italian  camera,  a 
chamber. 

COMPTER,  Fr.  to  reckon;  to  de- 
pend upon  :  as  compter  sur  les  troupes, 
to  depend  upon  the  troops. 

To  CONCAMERATE,  to  make  an 
arched  roof,as  in  vaults, &c;  toarchover. 

CONCAVE,  (concave,  Fr.)  hollow,  as 
the  inside  of  a  shell,  ike. 

CONCAVITY,  (concavite,  Fr.)  the 
hollow  space  which  appears  in  an  exca- 
vation, &c.  Such,  for  instance,  is  the 
hollow  that  is  made  by  the  springing  of 
a  mine 

CONCQUE,  Fr.  a  piece  of  ordnance 
wider  about  the  mouth  than  at  the 
breech.  A  kind  of  shell  used  by  the  an- 
cients in  lieu  of  a  trumpet. 

CONCEIT,  (entttcment,  opinion,  Fr.) 
fondness;  over-weening  opinion  of  one- 
self. 

CONCEITED,  (entett,  affect  e,  Fr.) 
proud;  fond  of  himself;  opiniative; 
fantastical;  every  thing  in  a  word  which 
a  brave  and  intelligent  officer  is  not. 
See  Gloriole. 

To  CONCERT,  (converter,  Fr.)  in  a 
military  "ense,  to  digest,  arrange,  and 
dispose  matters  in  such  a  manner,  that 
you  may  be  able  to  act  in  conjunction 
with  other  forces,  however  much  divided, 
at  any  given  point  of  offensive,  or  de- 
fensive, operation. 


CON 


(     125     ) 


CON 


CONCERTER  une  operation  de 
guerre,Fr.to  concert  measures  for  actual 
warfare :  as  to  fix  on  some  specific  time, 
describe  some  direct  mode,  and  adopt 
the  necessary  means  to  carry  a  plan  into 
execution. 

CONCHOIDE,  Fr.  a  curve  of  the 
third  kind,  which  was  originally  invented 
by  Nicodemus. 

CONCIERGE,  Fr.keeper  of  a  palace. 
It  also  signifies  keeper  of  a  prison. 

CONCIERGERIE,  Fr.  the  situa- 
tion, or  place,  of  the  keeper  of  a  castle, 
&c.  Also  an  old  state  prison,  now  a 
common  jail,  in  Paris. 

CONCILE,  Fr.     See  Council. 

CONCITOYEN,  Fr.  fellow-citizen; 
countryman. 

CONCLAVE,  in  architecture^  closet 
or  inner  chamber,  from  the  French  con- 
clave; also  a  room  in  the  Vatican  at 
Rome,  where  the  Roman  cardinals  meet 
to  chuse  a  Pope. 

Eire  en  Conclave,  Fr.  to  be  clo- 
setted. 

Military-  CONCORD,  agreement, 
union,  good  understanding.  This  is  re- 
presented by  the  Goddess  Pallas,  having 
in  her  right  hand  a  spear,  and  in  her  left 
serpents. 

CONCORDAT,  Fr.  compact;  con- 
vention; agreement. 

CONCORDATES,  public  acts  of 
agreement  between  popes  and  princes. 

CONCOURIRaw  bieu  du  service,  Fr. 
to  do  every  thing  in  one's  power  for  the 
good  of  the  service. 

CONCUSSION,  a  shock  occasioned  by 
two  bodies  which  are  moving  in  con- 
trary directions. 

CONCUSSION,  Fr.  public  extortion, 
when  any  officer  or  magistrate  pillages 
the  people  by  threats,  or  pretence  of  au- 
thority. 

CONDITION,  quality;  state  of  being. 

Out  of  Conditjon,  a  term  used  to 
signify  that  a  horse  is  not  fit  for  work, 
either  through  want  of  nutriment,  or 
from  hard  usage,  &c. 

Conditions  of  peuce,  {conditions  de 
pair,  Fr.)  terms  upon  which  peace  is 
made. 

CONDUCT,  {conduite,  Fr.)  that  line 
which  is  observed  by  an  officer,  who  is 
entrusted  with  the  management  of  others, 
or  has  the  direction  of  any  particular  en- 
terprize. 

So/e-CoNDUCT,  a  guard  of  soldiers  who 
defend  the  common  people  from  the 
violence  of  an  enemy.     Also  a  protec- 


tion   given    to    individuals    who    pare 
through  an  enemy's  country  or  lines. 

CONDUCTEUR,  Fr.  a  person  en- 
trusted with  the  conveyance  of  military 
stores,  &c. 

Conducteur,  ou  guide,  Fr.  an  inha- 
bitant of  a  town  or  village,  who  is  well 
acquainted  with  the  different  roads,  and 
acts  as  a  guide. 

CONDUCTORS,  (conducteursd'equi- 
pages,  Fr.)  are  assistants  to  the  com- 
missary of  stores,  to  conduct  depots,  or 
magazines,  from  one  place  to  another: 
they  have  also  the  care  of  the  ammu- 
nition wagons  in  the  field :  they  report 
to  the  commissary,  and  are  under  his 
command. 

CONDUIRE,  Fr.  to  lead;  to  ma- 
nage; as  conduire  une  armee,  to  conduct 
or  head  an  artnv- 

CONDUIT,  JV.  a  conduit;  a  pipe. 

CONDUITE  d'une  troupe,  Fr.  the 
charge  or  management  of  any  body  of 
troops  on  a  march. 

Conduite  d'eau,  Fr.  a  succession 
or  train  of  pipes  made  to  convey  water 
from  one  quarter  to  another. 

CONE,  {cone,  Fr.)  a  solid  having  a 
circular  base,  and  growing  smaller  and 
smaller  until  it  ends  in  a  point,  which 
is  called  the  vertex,  and  may  be  nearly 
represented  by  a  sugar-loaf. 

CONFEDERATE  troops,  {troupes 
conftdire.es,  Fr.)  troops  of  different  na- 
tions united  together  in  one  common 
cause  against  an  enemy.  Hence  the 
league  by  which  they  are  so  engaged,  is 
called  a  confederacy. 

Confederates,  {confederes,  Fr.)  dif- 
ferent princes,  states,  or  bodies  of  peo- 
ple acting  together. 

CONFEDERATION,  {confederation, 
Fr.)  a  compact  entered  into  by  two  or 
more  powers  to  act  offensively  against  a 
common  enemy,  or  to  stand  upon  the  de- 
fensive; an  assembly  of  people. 

CONFERENCE*  Fr.  an  oral  discus- 
sion between  two  or  more  persons  to 
settle  the  conditions  of  a  peace,  &c. 

CONFIDENCE,  in  a  military  sense, 
implies  an  explicit  reliance  upon  the 
skill,  courage,  i!\;c  of  an  individual. 
Next  to  a  peil'ect  knowledge  of  military 
tactics,  the  faculty  of  securing  the  con- 
fidence of  the  soldiers  is,  perhaps,  one. 
of  the  surest  means  of  becoming  suc- 
cessful in  war.  There  are  instances, 
indeed,  which  prove  that  many  victories 
have  been  gained  by  men  who  had  the 
entire  confidence  of  their  army,  without 


CON 


(     126     ) 


CON 


t»eing  remarkable  for  much  military 
knowledge:  whilst,  on  the  other  hand, 
battles  have  been  lost  by  the  most  cele- 
brated generals,  because  they  did  not 
possess  the  good  opinion  of  their  men. 
When  confidence  and  military  science 
go  together,  an  army  must  be  unfor- 
tunate not  to  succeed  in  the  most  despe- 
rate enterprize. 

CONFLICT.     See  Com n at. 

CONFUSION,  {confusion,  Fr.)  the 
loose  and  disorderly  state  into  which  a 
regiment  or  a  whole  army  is  thrown,  by 
defeat. 

CONGli,  Fr.  leave  of  absence.  The 
old  monarchical  service  of  France  ad- 
mitted of  two  sorts.  The  Conge  limite, 
a  limited  or  specific  leave,  and  Conge  ab- 
sulu,  a  full  discharge:  in  time  of  war,  the 
latter  was  alwavs  suspended. 

CONGEDIER,  Fr.  to  dismiss. 

Congedier  une  armee,  Fr.  to  send 
an  army  into  quarters. 

CONGLOMERATE,  to  gather  toge- 
ther, to  assemble  in  a  knot. 

CONGRESS,  {congrh,  Fr.)  in  mili- 
tary and  political  affairs,  is  an  assembly 
of  commissioners,  deputies,  envoys,  &c. 
from  several  courts,  meeting  to  agree  on 
terms  for  a  general  pacification, or  to  con- 
cert matters  for  their  common  good. 

CONIC,  (conique,  Fr.)  like  a  cone. 
A  piece  of  ordnance  wider  towards  the 
mouth,  than  about  the  breech,  is  said  to 
be  conic. 

Conic  section  is  a  figure  which  is  made 
by  the  solidity  of  a  cone,  being  supposed 
to  be  cut  by  a  plane. 

CONICS,  that  part  of  the  geometry 
of  curves,  which  considers  the  cone,  and 
the  several  curve  lines  arising  from  the 
sections  thereof. 

CONJUGATE,  (coujuge,  Fr.)  an 
epithet  used  in  geometry  to  signify  the 
junction  of  two  lines. 

Conjugate  axis,  (are  covjvg'c,  Fr.) 
two  axes  that  cross  each  other. 

Conjugate  diameter,  (diametre  con- 
jug'e,  Fr.)thc  shortest  axis  or  diameter  in 
an  ellipsis  or  oval. 

Conjugate  of  the  hyperbola,  (hyper- 
bole covjugi;  l'r.)  a  line  drawn  parallel 
to  the  middle  point  of  the  transverse 
axis,  sometimes  called  the  second  axis. 

CONJURATEURS,  ou  conjures,  Fr. 
conspirators;  persons  leagued  together 
by  oath,  for  the  purpose  of  assassinating 
their  prince  or  sovereign,  or  of  overturn- 
ing the  established  government.  This 
term  applies  generally  to  any  illegal  com- 
bination of  men. 


CONJURATION,  IV.  conspiracy; 
league  entered  into  by  persons  who  are 
mutually  sworn  to  support  and  carry 
into  execution  some  projected  scheme. 

CONNETABLE  de  France,  Fr.  con- 
stable of  France.  This  appointment 
succeeded  to  that  of  Grand  Sencchal  de 
France.  It  was  not  originally  a  military 
place  of  trust,  but  merely  an  ofhee  be- 
longing to  the  kiwi's  household. 

Connetable  de  France,  Fr.  was  a 
particular  corps  under  the  immediate 
command  and  direction  of  the  Marshals 
of  France;  composed  of  forty-eight 
mounted  guards,  who  wore  a  hoqueton, 
for  the  king's  service,  of  a  provost- 
general,  four  lieutenants,  and  four 
exempts. 

CONNOISSANCE,  Fr.  knowledge  of 
any  thing. 

Connoissanck  d'un  pays,  Fr.  the 
complete  knowledge  of  a  country,  of 
its  mountains,  vallies,  rivers,  fortified 
places  and  bridges,  &c.  also  of  its  ma- 
gazines and  means  of  subsistence  for  an 
army. 

Pays  de  Connoissamce,  Fr.  This 
expression  is  used  by  the  French  to 
express  a  familiar  knowledge  of  persons 
or  things;  hence,  Etre  en  pays  de  con- 
noissance,  to  be  perfectly  acquainted  ;  to 
be  at  home. 

Avoir  des  Conxoissances,  Fr.  to 
have  much  knowledge;  much  skill. 

CONOID,  (conoide,  Fr.)  in  geometry, 
the  solid  produced  by  the  circumvolution 
or  turning  of  any  section  of  a  cone  about 
its  axis. 

Parubo/ic-CotioiD,  or  paraboloide, 
(conoide  paraboliquc,  ou  paraboloide,  Fr.) 
a  conoid  which  is  produced  by  the  whole 
circumvolution  of  a  parabola  round  its 
axis. 

Hypcrbolic-Connw,  (conoide  hypcr- 
bolique,  Fr.)  that  which  is  produced  by 
the  entire  circumvolution  of  an  hyper- 
bola round  its  axis. 

Elliptic  -Con  oi  d,  (conoide  elliptiqne, 
Fr.)  that  which  is  produced  by  the  ter- 
minated motion  of  an  ellipsis  round  one 
of  its  two  axes. 

To  CONQUER,  (conqu'erir,  Fr.)  to 
conquer,  to  obtain  possession  of  a  town, 
countrv,  &c.  by  force  of  arms. 

CONQUEROR,  (conquirant,  Fr.)  a 
warrior  who  manages  his  affairs  in  such 
a  manner,  that  he  gets  the  better  of  all 
his  enemies,  and  obtains  a  complete 
triumph. 

CONQUEST,  (conquete,  Fr.)  victory ; 
territory,&c.  obtained  by  dint  of  fighting 


CON 


Fr. 


(     127 
conquered 


) 


C  O  1ST 


i  being  en- 


or  regimental   court- 


Pays     CONQUIS, 
countries. 

CONSCRIPT,    (conscriptus,  Lat.)  a 
term  anciently  applied  to   the   senators 
of  Rome,  from  their 
tered  all  in  one  register. 

CONSCRIPTS,  men  raised  to  recruit 
the  Imperial  and  French  armies.  In 
Bohemia  and  Hungary,  all  men  capable 
of  bearing  arms  are  enregistered,  and 
must  march  whenever  there  is  occasion 
for  their  services.  The  conscripts  in 
France  were  raised,  during  the  late  wars, 
upon  similar  principles. 

CONSEIL,  Fr.  This  word  is  vari- 
ously used  by  the  French,  viz. 

Le  Consexl  d'Etat,  Fr.  council  of 
state.  It  is  also  called  Le  Conseil  d'en 
kaut,  or  the  upper  council. 

Le  Conseil  Prive,  Fr.  privy  council. 
It  is  also  styled  Le  Conseil  des  Parties, 
the  meeting  of  the  heads  of  certain  de- 
partments. 

Consei l  de  guerre,  Fr.  This  term 
not  only  signified  a  council  of  war,  at 
which  the  French  king  and  his  ministers 
•at  to  determine  upon  military  matters, 
both  by  sea  and  land,  but  it  likewise 
meant  a  general 
martial. 

Conseil  de  guerre  secret,  Fr.  a  secret 
council  held  by  the  sovereign  and  his 
ministers  to  deliberate  on  a  defensive, 
effensive,  or  federative  war. 

Arret  du  Conseil  dJEtut,  Fr.  a  state- 
warrant. 

CONSERVATEUR,  Fr.  This  word 
literally  signifies  preserver.  Politically 
applied,  it  means  guardian,  having  ob- 
jects of  state  in  trust. 

Senat  Conservateur,  Fr.  a  name 
given  to  an  assembly  in  France,  which 
was  instituted  by  Bonaparte,  when  First 
Consul,  and  was  perpiitted  to  exist  after 
he  assumed  the  title  of  Emperor  of  the 
French. 

CONSERVATIONS,  a  town-hall; 
a  place  where  commercial  objects  were 
discussed  and  settled.  Hence  La  Con- 
servation de  Lyons. 

Aller  de  CONSERVE,  Fr.  to  go  in 
company,  as  ships  do  at  sea. 

CONSERVER,  Fr.  to  keep  upon 
the  establishment :  hence,  Conserver  vn 
Regiment. 

CONSIDERATION,  Fr.  considera- 
tion; weight;  value;  estimation. 

CONSIGNE,  Fr.  the  aggregate  of 
the  orders  given  to  each  sentry. 

It  likewise  means,  when  used  in  the 
masculine  gender,  a  person  paid  by  the 


French  government  for  constantly  resi- 
ding in  a  garrison  town  in  order  to  take 
cognizance  of  all  persons  who  entered,  or 
went  out,  of  the  gates.  He  had  a  place 
allotted  to  him  in  the  half-moon,  and  de- 
livered a  regular  report  to  the  governor, 
or  commandant  of  the  place. 

Consigne,  Fr.  an  individual  who  is 
not  permitted  to  go  beyond  certain 
limits,  or  to  leave  a  house  wherein  he  is 
detained  by  superior  command. 

CONSIGNER,  Fr.  to  order  a  person 
to  be  stopped.  It  also  signifies  to  regu- 
late things  in  a  town,  or  garrison,  so  a* 
to  ensure  public  tranquillity.  Also  to 
put  down  upon  paper;  to  enrol. 

CONSOUDE,  Fr.  comfrey;  a  plant 
with  monopetalous  leaves,  which  have  a 
healing  quality,  particularly  a  styptic" 
one,  in  wounds. 

CONSPIRATION,  Fr.  conspiracy. 

CONSPIRING  powers,  in  mechanics, 
are  all  such  as  act  in  directions  not  op- 
posite to  one  another. 

CONSTABLE,  Chief,  a  person  em- 
ployed under  the  militia  establishment 
of  Great  Britain,  to  issue,  when  direct- 
ed, orders  to  the  coustables  to  return 
lists  of  men  liable  to  serve,  and  to  give 
notice  to  the  constables  of  the  number 
of  men  appointed  to  serve,  and  direct 
them  to  give  notice  to  the  men  chosen. 
To  forward  notice  of  the  time  and  place 
of  exercise  to  the  constables,  and  of  the 
orders  for  embodying  the  militia.  To- 
order  proper  persons  to  furnish  car- 
riages for  the  militia,  as  well  as  for  every 
other  part  of  the  British  army  on  its- 
march,  and  to  be  repaid  their  extra  ex- 
penses by  the  county  treasurer.  To 
transmit  to  the  petty  constables  certifi- 
cates from  the  clerk  of  the  peace  of  the 
service  of  officers.  Constables  are  al- 
lov\ed  one  penny  in  the  pound  of  the 
money  they  collect;  but  they  forfeit 
fifty  pounds  whenever  they  neglect  to 
assist  in  raising  money  to  be  assessed 
where  the  militia  has  not  been  raised. 

Constables  are  to  attend  subdivision 
meetings,  with  lists  of  men  liable  to 
serve,  and  verify  them;  likewise  to  pro- 
duce returns  on  oath  of  the  days  notice 
was  given  to  the  men  chosen  by  ballot. 
On  their  refusing  *to  return  lists,  they 
are  liable  to  be  imprisoned,  or  to  suffer 
fine.  It  is  their  duty  to  affile  notice  of 
the  time  and  place  of  exercise  on  the 
church  doors.  They  are  paid  for  their 
trouble  in  the  same  manner  as  the  chief 
constables  are,  but  are  only  subject  to 
201,  penalty,  for  neglecting  to  assist  i* 


CON 


(     128      ) 


CON 


vnising  money  directed   to  be  assessed 
where  the  militia  has  not  been  raised. 

They  may  likew  ise  apprehend  persons 
Suspected  of  being  deserted  Serjeants, 
corporals,  or  drummers,  belonging  to  the 
militia. 

Lord  High  Constable  of  England, 
an  officer  who  anciently  was  of  so  great 
power,  that  it  was  thought  too  great  for 
a  subject;  his  jurisdiction  was  the  same 
with  that  of  the  Earl  Marshal,  and  took 
place  of  him  as  chief  judge  in  the  mar- 
shal's court. 

Constable  of  the  Tower,  a  general 
officer  who  has  the  chief  superintend- 
ance  over  the  Tower,  and  is  Lord  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  Tower  Hamlets.  He  holds 
his  appointment  by  letters  patent  from 
the  King,  and  is  not  removable  at  plea- 
sure. The  Tower,  being  a  state  prison, 
is  also  considered  as  a  garrison,  of  which 
the  constable  is  governor. 

High  Con  statue  and  Marshal, 
(Grand  Connetab/e,  et  Mar'cchal  de 
France,  Fr.)  were  officers  of  consider- 
able weight  and  dignity,  not  only  in 
France,  but  throughout   all   the  feudal 


governments  of  Europe.     The   title  of  pointed  chief  consul 


To  outrun  the  Constable,  in  a  mili- 
tary sense,  to  spend  half-a-crown  out  of 
sixpence  a  day. 

CONSTANCE,  Fr.  perseverance  and 
resolution :  qualities  which  are  essentially 
necessary  in  war. 

CONSTITUTION  (fun  pays,  Fr.  the 
nature  of  a  country;  its  local  advan- 
tages, or  disadvantages,  with  respect  to 
military  operations. 

CONSTKUCTIOX,(cons<ruc*i'oH,Fr.) 
in  geometry,  the  drawing  such  lines  of  a 
figure,  as  are  necessary,  beforehand,  in 
order  to  render  the  demonstration  more 
plain  and  undeniable. 

CONSUL,  the  person  invested  with 
the  powers  of  the  consulate. 

Chief  Consul,  (Premier  Consul,  Fr.) 
the  first,  or  chief  magistrate,  of  three 
persons,  each  bearing  the  title  of  consul, 
in  France.  The  duty  of  the  chief  consul 
was  to  command,  direct,  and  superintend 
all  the  military  establishments  of  the 
country,  and,  whenever  it  was  judged  ex- 
pedient, to  lead  her  armies  into  battle. 
Bonaparte,  in  consequence  of  the  revo- 
lution which  took  place  in  1799,  was  ap- 


constable,  of  comes  stabuli,  according  to 
the  ingenious  author  of  an  essay  on  mili 
tary  law,  explains  the  original  nature  of 


Avoir  la  Goutte  CONSULAIRE,  Fr. 

a  figurative    term    to   express   the  con- 
straint which    an   individual  labours  un- 


this  office,  which  was  that  of  commander  der  who  is  afraid  of  stirring  out,  on  ac- 


of  the  cavalry ;  and  as  these  once  con- 
stituted the  principal  strength  of  the 
imperial  or  royal  armies,  this  officer 
became  naturally  the  commander  in 
chief  of  those  armies.  The  office  of 
marshal  appears  originally  to  have  been 


count  of  any  particular  sentence  of  a 
court,  or  from  the  fear  of  being  served 
with  a  writ,  &c. 

CONSULAR,  relating  or  appertain- 
ing to  the  consul. 

CONSULATE,  a  civil    and   military 


©f  a  much  inferior   nature,  the  person  power    which    was  originally  instituted 
who  exercised  it  being  the  actual  super-  by  the    Romans,  on   the   extinction    of 
intendant  of  the  stables,  or  chief  of  the  their  kings  in  Tarquin  the  Proud, 
equerries,  whose  duty  was  to  furnish  the :      CONSULSHIP,    the    office   of  con- 
provender  for  the  horses,  and  to  oversee  sul. 

their  proper  management.  But  in  pro-  CONSUMPTION,  (contamination, 
cess  of  time  this  office  grew  into  high  I  Fjc)  the  expenditure,  or  waste  of  stores, 
consideration,  and   the  marshal,    subor-  ammunition,  &c. 

dinate  only  to  the  constable,  became  the  CONTACT,  (contact,  Fr.)  the  rela- 
second  in  command  of  the  armies,  and  the  state  of  two  things  that  touch  each 
in  the  absence  of  the  latter  supplied  his  other.  Those  points  which  touch  each 
place.     See  Marshal.  other  are  called  points  of  contact. 

The  powers  of  the  constable  as  a  field  CONTAGION,  (contagion,  Fr.)  the 
officer  were  extremely  ample  and  dig-  same  with  an  infection,  the  spreading,  or 
nilied.  The  constable  was  subordinate  catching  of  a  disease;  as  when  it  is  coin- 
only  to  the  king  in  the  command  of  the  munrcated,  or  transferred,  from  one 
army;  and  even  when  the  king  was  ac- 1  body  to  another,  by  certain  effluvia,  or 
tualiy  in  the  field,  the  efficient  command  [steams,  emitted,  or  sent  forth,  from  the 
of  the  troops  seems  to  have  been  in  this,  body  of  a  diseased  person,  or  from  a 
officer,  and  all  the  general  orders  were  contaminated  atmosphere.  Contagion 
issued  jointly  in  the  sovereign's  name  J  is  also  figuratively  used,  as  the  contagioa 
and  iH  the  constable's.  '■  of  example. 


CON 


(     1*9     ) 


CON 


Grande  CONTAGION,  Fr.  the  same 
as  peste,  the  plague. 

CONTE  pas,  Fr.  an  instrument  which 
serves  to  measure  the  ground  one  goes 
over.  It  is  also  called  odometer,  odo- 
metre,  Fr. 

CONTENIR  une  arm'ee,  un  ennemi, 
Fr.  to  keep  an  army,  or  an  enemy,  in 
check.  Of  this  description  was  sup- 
posed to  be  the  confederacy  formed  at 
Pilnitz  in  1792,  to  check  the  French 
Revolution.  But  its  issue  proved,  that 
partial  views  gained  the  ascendancy  over 
the  common  cause;  and  that  instead  of 
weakening,  or  restraining,  the  French, 
its  incongruous  materials  only  served  to 
strengthen  them. 

CONTENT,  the  capacity,  or  area,  of 
a  space,  or  the  quality  of  any  matter,  or 
space  included  in  certain  bounds. 

The  content  of  a  ton  of  round  timber 
is  forty  three  solid  feet.  A  load  of  hewn 
timber  contains  fifty  cubic  feet.  In  a 
foot  of  timber  are  contained  seventeen 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  cubic,  or 
square  inches;  and  as  often  as  seventeen 
hundred  and  twenty-eight  inches  are 
contained  in  a  piece  of  timber,  be  it 
round  or  square,  so  many  feet  of  timber 
are  contained  in  the  piece. 

CONTIGUOUS,  ( coniigu,  Fr.)  Two 
or  more  things  are  said  to  be  contiguous, 
when  they  are  disposed  so  near  each 
other,  that  they  join,  or  touch. 

Contiguous  angles,  (angles  contigus, 
Fr.)  in  geometry,  such  as  have  one  lea; 
common  to  each  angle,  otherwise  called 
adjoining  angles,  in  contradistinction  to 
those  produced  by  continuing  their  legs 
through  the  point  of  contact;  which  are 
called  opposite,  or  vertical  angles. 

CONTINGENCIES,  in  army  ac- 
counts, items  of  intermediate  expendi- 
ture; payments  made  on  account  of 
casualties,  or  unforeseen  circumstances. 

Lumping  Contingencies,  monie* 
paid  and  charged  against  the  public, 
without  any  specific  declaration  being 
made  of  the  service,  or  avowal  of  the 
person,  for  which,  and  to  whom,  such 
monies  have  been  issued.  Charges  of 
this  description  are  so  open  to  the  natu- 
ral misrepresentation  of  mankind,  that. 
for  the  sake  of  every  fair  and  honest 
servant  of  the  public,  each  item  of  ex- 
penditure ought  to  be  given. 

CONTINGENT,  something  casual,  or 
uncertain,  that  may,  or  may  not  happen. 

The  Contingent  bill  of  a  regiment 
is  an  account  of  extra  charges,  which 


depend  on  the  accidental  situation  or 
circumstances,  that  may  attend  any  re- 
giment In  its  due  course  of  service.  See 
Incidents. 

Contingent,  (contingent,  Fr.)  the 
quota  of  armed  men,  or  pecuniary  sub- 
sidy, which  one  state  gives  to  another. 

CONTOUR,  Fr.  the  limits  of  a 
country,  of  a  town,  camp,  plan,  or 
drawing;  it  is  the  basis,  or  foundation, 
of  each. 

CONTOURNER,  Fr.  to  draw  the 
contours,  or  outline  of  a  picture;  to  give 
grace  and  symmetry  to  any  thing  which 
is  drawn,  or  designed,  by  the  hand. 

Mai  Contourner,  Fr.  to  draw  any 
thing  out  of  proportion. 

CONTRABAND.  This  term  is  ap- 
plicable to  various  foreign  commodities 
which  are  either  totally  prohibited  by 
the  English  laws,  or  are  subject  to  se- 
vere penalties  and  heavy  duties.  For 
the  encouragement  of  the  fair  trader, 
and  in  order  to  secure  the  revenue  from 
illicit  encroachments,  the  light  dragoons 
are  frequently  employed  upon  the  coast 
to  prevent  the  smugglers  from  carrying 
contraband  goods  into  the  country. 
Other  troops  are  sometimes  put  upon 
this  service;  but  light  horsemen  are  best 
calculated  to  do  the  duty.  Dragoons 
and  military  parties,  duly  authorised, 
employed  upon  this  service,  receive  a 
certain  proportion  of  every  thing  that  is 
taken. 

CONTRACTILE  force,  in  mechanics, 
is  that  power,  or  property,  inherent  in 
certain  bodies,  whereby,  when  extended, 
they  are  enabled  to  draw  themselves  up 
a«ain  to  their  former  dimensions. 

CONTRAINDRE,  Fr.  to  levy  con- 
tributions on  a  town,  village,  ccc.  either 
in  monev  or  provisions. 

CONTRAINTE,  Fr.  the  exaction 
which  is  made  when  a  town,  or  country, 
is  put  under  contribution. 

CONTRAMURE,  in  fortification,  is 
a  wall  built  before  another  partition- 
wall  to  strengthen  it,  so  that  it  may 
receive  no  damage  from  the  adjacent 
buildings. 

CONTRAT,  Fr.  contract;  agree- 
ment.    It  also  signifies  a  deed. 

CONTRA VAIXATPON,  (contraval- 
lation,  Fr.)  a  line  formed  in  the  same 
manner  as  the  line  of  circumvallation, 
to  defend  the  besiegers  against  the  en- 
terprises of  the  garrison:  so  that  the 
army,  forming  a  siege,  lies  between  the 
lines  of  circumvallation  and  contravalla- 


CON 


(     130     ) 


CON 


(ion.  The  trench  of  this  line  is  towards 
the  town,  at  the  foot  of  the  parapet, 
and  is  never  made  but  when  the  gar- 
rison is  numerous  enough  to  harass  and 
interrupt  the  besieger  by  sallies.  This 
line  is  constructed  in  the  rear  of  the 
camp,  and  by  the  same  rule  as  the  line 
of  circumvallation,  with  this  difference, 
that  as  it  is  only  intended  to  resist  a 
body  of  troops  much  inferior  to  a  force 
which  might  attack  the  circumvallation, 
so  its  parapet  is  not  made  so  thick,  nor 
the  ditch  so  wide  and  deep;  6  feet  are 
sufficient  for  the  first,  and  the  ditch  is  8 
feet  broad,  and  5  feet  deep. 

Among  the  ancients  this  line  was  very 
common,  but  their  garrisons  were  much 
stronger  than  ours;  for,  as  the  inhabit- 
ants of  towns  were  then  almost  the  only 
soldiers,  there  were  commonly  as  many 
troops  to  defend  a  place  as  there  were 
inhabitants  in  it.  The  lines  of  circum- 
vallation and  contravallation  are  very 
ancient;  examples  of  them  being  found 
in  histories  of  the  remotest  antiquity. 
The  author  of  the  military  history  of 
Louis  le  Grand  pretends,  however,  that 
Caesar  was  the  first  inventor  of  them ; 
but  it  appears  from  the  Chevalier  de 
Folard's  treatise  on  the  method  of  at- 
tack and  defence  of  places,  used  by  the 
ancients,  that  these  lines  are  as  old  as 
the  time  in  which  towns  were  first  sur- 
rounded with  walls. 

CONTRAVENTION  militaire,  Fr. 
responsibility;  every  commanding  offi- 
cer, whatever  his  rank  may  be,  is  re- 
sponsible for  all  the  offences  committed 
by  the  troops  under  his  command. 

Contravention  also  signifies,  both 
in  French  and  English,  a  contravening, 
an  infringement,  &c.  also  a  breach : 
hence  en  cont?,avention  (Tune  lot  mili- 
taire, in  breach  of  an  article  of  war. 

CONTREBANDE,  Fr.  See  Con- 
traband. 

Faire  la  Contrebande,  Fr.  to 
smuggle. 

CONTREBANDIER,  Fr. a  smuggler, 
or  what  is  familiarly  called  a  fair  trader. 

CONTRE-«/>/)roc/fes,  Fr,  lines  in  for- 
tification, or  trenches  which  a  besieged 
garrison,  or  invested  army,  makes  to  de- 
feat the  attempts  of  its  adversaries. 

Coar  RE-batteries,  Fr.  batteries  which 
are  erected  for  the  purpose  of  answering 
those  of  an  enemy,  who  besieges  a  place, 
or  gives  battle. 

CoNTRE-^nesse,  or  CoNTRE-rwse,  Fr. 
a   stratagem   employed  to    oppose,    or 


prevent,  the  effect  of  another :  it  is  also 
called  contrc-mine. 

Com  \uz-forts,  Fr.  brick-work  which  is 
added  to  the  revetement  of  a  rampart 
OH  the  side  of  the  terre-pleine,  and 
winch  is  equal  to  its  height.  Contre- 
forts  are  used  to  support  the  body  of 
earth  with  which  the  rampart  is  formed. 
They  are  likewise  practised  in  the  re- 
vetements  of  counterscarps,  in  gorges, 
and  deini-gorges,  &c.  The  latter  are 
constructed  upon  a  less  scale  than  the 
former.  It  has  been  suggested  by  an 
able  engineer  in  the  French  service,  to 
unite  eontre-foits,  and  consequently  to 
strengthen  them,  by  means  of  arches. 

Contre-forti  likewise  form  a  part  of 
the  construction  of  powder-magazines, 
which  are  bomb-proof. 

CoNTRE-£«?'de,  ou  conserve,  ou  couvre- 
face,  Fr.  in  fortification,  counter-guard. 
Contre-/<£MC,  Fr.  a  sort  of  tempo- 
rary fortification  which  is  thrown  up 
with  earth,  and  stands  between  a  be- 
sieged town,  or  fortress,  and  a  besieging 
army,  in  order  to  prevent  the  sorties  of 
the  former. 

CoNTRE-wjfl/r/ie,  Fr.     See  Maucu. 
CoNTRE-mine,  Fr.     See  Mine.' 
Cout  RE-mineurs,  Fr.     See  Mine. 
CoNTRE-7/«m*,Fr.  up  the  river;  up  hill. 
Contre-?«o£,  Fr.  a  second  parole,  or 
countersign,  which  is  given   in   times  oi 
alarm. 

CoNTRE-7«wr,  Fr.  an  outward  wall 
erected  round  the  principal  wall  of  a 
town. 

CoNTRE-orJ/e,  Fr.  a  counter-order. 
CoNTRE-por/c,  Fr.  an  inward  door,  or 
gate. 

CoxTRE-queue  d't/ronde,  Fr.  a  work  in 
fortification,  which  has  two  faces,  or 
sides,  making  a  rentrant  angle,  by  join- 
ing together  towards  the  inside  of  the 
wurk.  It  has  also  two  brandies,  whiclL, 
with  the  faces,  contain  a  narrower  space 
towards  the  enemy  than  on  the  other  side. 
CoxTRE-ronde,  Fr.  a  round  which  is 
made  subsequent  to  another,  to  see  if  the 
first  round  was  gone  according  to  order. 
Cont RE-sanglon,  Fr.  girth-leather. 
CoNTRE-sJi,'«e,  Fr.  the  signature,  or 
name  of  a  prince,  minister,  or  of  any 
privileged  person,  which  is  written  on 
the  outside  of  a  letter,  and  renders  it 
post  free,  &c.  This  word  is  properly 
written  Contre-seitig. 

CoNTRE-sigraer,  Fr.  to  countersign;  to 
frank. 
CoNTRE-<ew/«,  Fr.     When  two  per- 


CON 


<   1*1   ) 


CON 


sons,  fighting  with  swords,  thrust  at  the 
same  time  without  parrying;  the  thrust 
is  equally  dangerous  for  both  parties, 
and  is  called  a  contre-temps,  or  counter- 
thrust. 

ConiRE-tranchces,  Fr.  trenches  made 
against  the  besiegers  with  their  parapet; 
they  must  communicate  with  several 
parts  of  the  town,  in  order  that  the  gar- 
rison may  be  able  to  retire  into  it  hastily, 
after  having  broken  or  stopped  the  com- 
munications; otherwise  it  would  be 
losing  time  to  erect  a  work  which  you 
would  be  obliged  to  demolish,  or  to  fill 
up,  when  you  had  reached  the  third  pa- 
rallel. 

CONTREE,  Fr.  country;  region. 

CONTRESCARPE,  Fr.  counter- 
scarp. 

CONTRESCARPER,  Fr.  to  coun- 
terscarp. 

CONTRESCEL,  Fr.  counter-seal. 

CONTRESCELLER,  Fr.  to  coun- 
ter-seal. 

OONTRESPALIER,  Fr.  hedge-row 
of  trees. 

CONTRIBUTE,  (contribuer,  Fr.)  to 
furnish  from  good-will  and  patriotism, 
or  from  compulsion,  money,  stores,  ccc. 
for  the  support  of  an  army. 

CONTRIBUTION,  in  military  his- 
tory, is  an  imposition,  or  tax,  paid  by 
countries  who  bear  the  scourge  of  war, 
to  secure  themselves  from  being  plun- 
dered and  totally  destroyed  by  the  ene- 
my. When  a  belligerent  prince,  wanting 
money,  raises  it  on  the  enemy's  country, 
and  is  either  paid  in  provisions,  or  in 
money,  and  sometimes  in  both,  he  is 
said  to  do  so  by  contribution. 

Mettre  a  Contribution,  Fr.  to  put 
under  contribution. 

CONTROL,  comptrol,  (contrite,  Fr.) 
is  properly  a  double  register  kept  of  acts, 
issues  of  the  officers,  or  commissioners, 
in  the  revenues,  army,  &c.  in  order  to 
ascertain  the  true  state  thereof. 

CONTROLES,  Fr.  See  Muster- 
rolls. 

CONTROLEURS  des  guerres,  Fr. 
muster-masters.  This  term  was  like- 
wise applied  to  signify  various  other  ap- 
pointments belonging  to  the  interior 
arrangement  of  the  French  army,  viz. 
contruleurs  g'eneraux  d'artillerie,  contro- 
leurs  des  hopitaux  militaires. 

Controleur  general  des  vivres,  Fr. 
commissary-general  of  stores. 

CONTUSION,  (contusion,  Fr.)  the 
effect  of  a  ball,  or  of  any  other  hard  sub- 


stance, upon  the  human  frame,  when  it 
is  struck,  without  breaking,  or  tearing, 
the  skin. 

^  CONVALESCENT,  (convalescent,^ 
Fr.)  recovering,  returning  to  a  state  of 
health.  Hospitals  have  been  established 
during  the  present  war  in  different  dis- 
tricts, for  the  preservation  of  our  troops. 
Among  others,  there  is  in  each  district 
a  convalescent  hospital. 

List  of  Convalescents  is  a  return 
made  out  by  the  surgeon  belonging  to  a 
battalion,  hospital,  &c.  to  ascertain  the 
specific  number  of  men  who  may  shortly 
be  expected  to  do  duty. 

CONVENTION,  '(convention,  Fr.) 
an  agreement  which  is  entered  into  by 
troops  that  are  opposed  to  one  another, 
either  for  the  evacuation  of  some  parti- 
cular post,  the  suspension  of  hostilities, 
or  the  exchange  of  prisoners. 

CONVENTION,  Fr.  convention; 
contract;  agreement.  The  French  say 
de  difficile  convention,  hard  to  deal  with. 

CosvEXTios-Nationale,  Fr.  the  Na- 
tional Convention,  which  succeeded  the 
National  Assembly  at  Paris,  in  1792, 
and  at  the  tribunal  of  which  Louis  XVI. 
was  tried  and  condemned  to  death,  21st 
January,  1793. 

Conventions  entre  Souverains  pour 
restitution  des  deserteurs,  Fr.  agree- 
ments, or  stipulations,  made  between 
neighbouring  powers  to  check  deser- 
tions. In  conformity  to  these  conven- 
tions, all  deserters  whatever  are  arrested 
within  the  dominions  of  a  sovereign, 
who  has  passed  an  agreement  of  the 
kind  with  the  prince  from  whose  army 
they  have  deserted.  The  intelligence  is 
forwarded  to  the  commandant  of  the 
nearest  town,  who  sends  for  the  de- 
serter, and  forwards  him  to  his  corps, 
where  the  expenses  of  his  escort  are  re- 
paid. No  such  agreements  have  ever 
been  entered  into  by  Great  Britain. 

Conventions  secretes  entre  les  offi- 
ciers  d'un  corps,  Fr.  certain  secret  agree- 
ments which  are  entered  into  by  the 
officers  of  a  regiment,  either  for  the 
benefit  of  the  regiment,  or  in  opposition 
to  a  commanding  officer.  Of  this  de- 
scription is  the  Round  Robin. 

CONVERSION,  fr.  a  sudden  motion 
of  the  troops  whilst  manoeuvring,  or  in 
battle,  which  is  made  either  by  wheeling 
from  the  right,  or  from  the  left.  This 
word  corresponds  with  our  term  wheel. 

Conversion,  quart  de  conversion,  Fr. 
a  wheel  which  comprehends  the  quarter 
S2 


C  O  Q 


(    iss   ) 


COR 


of  a  circle,  and  turns  the  front  of  a  bat- 
talion where  the  flank  was. 

Fain  Conversion,  Fr.  See  ToVi  heel. 

CONVEX,  (ceftVMV,  Fr.)  externally 
round,  as  a  globe,  cannon  bail,  ccc. 

CONVEXITY,  (convcrite,  Fr.)  the' 
external  surface  of  any  round  body,  or 
substance, 

CONVOCATION,    Fr.    the    act    ofj 
summoning    various    persons    belonging 
to  a  state,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing 
matters  which   relate  to  civil  or  military 
matters. 

CONVOQUER,  Fr.  to  call  together. 

To  CONVOY,  (convoyrr,  Fr.)  This 
term  is  used  among  the  French, both  for 

sea,  or  laud. 

CONVOY,  (convoi,  Fr.)  a  detachment 
of  troops  employed  to  guard  any  supply 
of  men,  money,  ammunition,  provision, 
stores,  etc.  conveyed  in  time  of  war, 
by  land  or  sea,  to  a  town  or  army.  A 
body  of  men  that  marches  to  secure  any 
thing  from  falling  into  the  enemy's  hand 
is  also  called  a  eonvoy. 

To  COOPERATE,  (co-operer,  Fr.) 
to  put  a  welt-digested  plan  into  execu- 
tion, so  that  forces,  however  divided, 
may  act  upon  one  principle, and  towards 
one  end. 

COOK,  (cuisinicr,  Fr.)  each  troop  or 
company  has  cooks,  who  are  excused  from 
other  duties. 

COPEAU,  Fr.  chip;  shaving. 

l'i»  de  Coi'eau,  Fr.  wine  just  made, 
and  running  through  shavings. 

COPPER,  (cuivre,  Fr.)  no  other  metal 
is  allowed  to  the  magazines,  or  barrels  of 
gunpowder.  It  is  one  of  the  six  primi- 
tive metals. 

Coi'Vi:\\,(chaudiere,  Fr.)  a  large  boiler, 
such  as  is  used  in  regimental  kitchens 
for  the  soldiers. 

JUess-CopPEits,  a  term  used  in  In- 
dia among  the  King's  troops,  meaning 
any  surplus  that  may  remain  in  the  hands 
of  the  Serjeants  in  charge  of  the  messes, 
at  the  expiration  of  each  ten  days,  which 
money  it  has  been  customary  immediately 
to  divide  amongst  the  men. 

Hlolten-Coi'i'ER,  (rosette,  Fr.)  copper 
that  is  melted. 

CoPVER-plale,  (taille  douce,  Fr.)  a 
plate  on  which  pictures,  &c.  are  en- 
graven. 

COQUILLES  a  boulet,  Fr.  shells  or 
moulds.  They  are  made  either  of  brass, 
or  iron;  two  are  required  for  the  cast- 
ing of  a  cannon-ball ;  but  they  never 
close  so  effectually  as  to  prevent  the  li- 
quid metal,  which  has  been  poured  in, 


from  running  somewhat  out  of  the  part 
where  they  join.  This  excrescence  is 
called  the  beard,  which  is  broken  off  1 1> 
render  the  ball  perfectly  round. 

COR,  Fr.  a  French  "horn.  A  cor  et 
a  cri,  with  hue  and  cry  ;  with  might  and 
main. 

CORBE1LLES,  Fr.  large  baskets, 
which  being  filled  with  earth,  and  placed 
one  by  another  along  the  parapet,  serve 
to  cover  the  besieged  from  the  shot  of 
the  assailing  enemy.  See  Basket. 
CORBILLARD,  Fr.  a  herse. 
CORDAGES,  Fr.  all  sorts  of  ropes 
which  are  used  in  the  artillery,  &c. 

CORDE,  Fr.  cord,  in  geometry, 
and  fortification,  means  a  straight  hue 
which  cuts  the  circumference  into  two 
parts,  without  running  through  the  cen- 
ter. 

Corde-m  feu,  Fr.  a  rope-match,  com- 
posed of  combustible  materials. 

Corde  d'estrapade,  Fr.  a  rope  by  which 
men  or  women  are  hoisted  up,  by  way  of 
chastisement. 

Cord e  de  fare,  Fr.  SeeSuBTENBANT. 
CORDEAU,  Fr.  a  cord  which  is 
used  in  measuring  ground.  It  is  di- 
vided into  toises,  feet,  and  inches,  for 
the  purpose  of  ascertaining,  with  preci- 
sion, the  opening  of  angles  and  the  ex- 
tent of  lines.  In  wet  weather  a  small 
chain  made  of  wire  is  substituted,  to 
prevent  mistakes  that  would  necessarily 
occur  from  the  end  becoming  shorter 
or  longer,  according  to  the  influence 
of  the  weather.  The  technical  terms 
among  French  engineers,  are — Manier 
le  cordeau  ;  Pendre  le  cordeau ;  Tra- 
vail, er  an  cordeau. 

Cordeau  de  campement,  Fr.  a  long 
cord  divided  at  equal  distances  with  a 
piece  of  cloth  of  a  bright  colour,  that  it 
may  be  better  seen  ;  it  serves  to  mark, 
from  left  to  right,  the  alignement  of  the 
camp  of  each  battalion  in  battle  array. 

C o r d e a u  de  iiicaurc,  Fr.  See  C h a i  n  e 
d'inge'nicur. 

CORD  ERIE,  Fr.  a  rope-walk. 
CORDON,  in  fortification,  is  a  row 
of  stones  made  round  on  the  outside, 
and  placed  between  the  termination  of 
the  slope  of  the  wall,  and  the  parapet 
which  stands  perpendicular,  in  such  a 
manner,  that  this  difference  may  not  be 
offensive  to  the  eye;  whence  those  cor- 
dons serve  only  as  ornaments  in  walled 
fortifications. 

The  Cordon  of  the  revetment  of  the 
rampart  is  often  on  a  level  with  the 
tene-pleiue  of  the  rampart.     It  has  beea 


COR  (     133 

observed  in  a    French    military   publi 


) 


COR 


cation,  that  it  might  be  more  advan- 
tageously placed  some  feet  lower,  espe- 
cially when  there  is  a  wall  attached  to 
the  parapet,  to  shield  the  round*  from 
the-enemy's  fire. 

Cordon,  in  military  history, is  a  chain 
of  posts,  or  an  imaginary  line  of  separa- 
tion between  two  armies,  either  in  the 
field,  or  in  winter  quarters. 

Cordon  bleu,  Fr.  the  blue  ribbon.  See 
Order. 

Cordon  rouge, Fr.thered  ribbon.  See 
Order. 

Cordon  also  signifies  the  outermost  bor- 
der of  a  wall,  &c.  generally  made  of  stone. 

CORNAGE,  an  ancient  tenure,  which 
obliged  the  land-holder  to  give  notice  of 
an  invasion  by  blowing  a  horn. 

CORNE  a  amorcer,  Fr.  a  priming- 
horn. 

CoRNE,    OU    OUVRAGE   a   CoRNE,    Fr. 

See  Horned-work. 

CORNES  de  belier,  Fr.  low  flanks  in 
lieu  of  tenailles,  for  the  defence  of  the 
ditch.     See  Ouvrage  a  corne. 

CORNES,  Fr.  horns.  The  French 
say  figuratively,  Lever  les  comes,  to  rebel 
against  one's  superiors. 

CORNET,  in  the  military  history  of 
the  ancients,  an  instrument  much  in  the 
nature  of  a  trumpet:  when  the  cornet 
was  sounded  alone,  the  ensigns  were  to 
march  without  the  soldiers;  whereas, 
when  the  trumpet  only  sounded,  the 
soldiers  were  to  move  forward  without 
the  ensigns.  A  troop  of  horse  was  so 
called. 

Cornet,  in  the  military  history  of 
the  moderns,  the  third  commissioned  of- 
ficer in  a  troop  of  horse  or  dragoons, 
subordinate  to  the  captain  and  lieute- 
nant, equivalent  to  the  ensign  amongst 
the  foot.  His  duty  is  to  carry  the  stand- 
ard, near  the  center  of  the  front  rank  of 
the  squadron. 

Cornet  d'ouie,  Fr.  a  horn  made  of 
beaten  iron,  which  the  officers  use  in 
going  their  rounds  to  hear  from  over  the 
parapet  what  passes  in  the  ditches,  and 
even  beyond  the  covert-way. 

CORNETTE,  Fr.     See  Cornet. 

The  Cornettes  or  Cornets  of  the 
colonel-general  of  cavalry,  in  the  old 
French  service,  as  well  as  those  attached 
to  the  quarter-master-general  and  com- 
missary-general, ranked  as  lieutenants, 
and  the  Cornettes  of  la  Colouelle-gene- 
rale  des  dragons  ranked  as  youngest 
lieutenants,  and  commanded  all  other 
cornets. 


Cornette,  Fr.  was  likewise  the  term 
used  to  signify  the  standard  peculiarly 
appropriated  to  the  light  cavalry.  Hence 
cornettes  and  troops  were  synonimous 
terms  to  express  the  number  of  light- 
horse  attached  to  an  army.  The  stand- 
ard so  called  was  made  of  taffetas  or 
glazed  silk,  one  foot  and  a  half  square, 
upon  which  the  arms,  motto,  and  cy- 
pher of  the  prince  who  commanded  the 
cavalry  were  engraved.  A  sort  of  scarf, 
or  long  piece  of  white  silk,  was  tied  to 
the  cornette  whenever  the  cavalry  went 
into  action,  in  order  to  render  the  stand- 
ard conspicuous,  that  the  men  might  rally 
round  it. 

CORNETTE  (parte)  BLANCHE, 
Fr.  an  ornament  which,  in  ancient 
times,  served  to  distinguish  French  of- 
ficers who  were  high  in  command.  It 
was  worn  by  them  on  the  top  of  their 
helmets.  It  likewise  meant  a  royal 
standard,  and  was  substituted  in  the 
room  of  the  Pennon  Roial.  The  cor- 
nette-blanche  was  only  unfurled  when 
the  king  joined  the  army;  and  the  per- 
sons who  served  under  it  were  princes, 
noblemen,  marshals  of  France,  and  old 
captains,  who  received  orders  from  his 
Majesty  direct. 

CORNICE,  (corniche,  Fr.)  in  archi- 
tecture, the  uppermost  member  of  the 
entablature  of  a  column,  or  that  which 
crowns  the  order. 

The  cornice  is  the  third  grand  division 
of  the  trabeation,  commencing  with  the 
frieze,  and  ending  with  the  cymatium. 

According  toBelidor,  cornice  signifies 
every  salient  profile  that  crowns  a  work, 

CORNICON,  Fr.  a  species  of  trum- 
pet used  among  the  ancients.  Prior  to 
the  Romans  being  acquainted  with  the 
trumpet  and  kettle-drum,  a  Cornieon 
drew  sounds  from  the  horn  of  a  wild 
bullock,  lined  with  silver.  The  sound 
was  loud  and  shrill,  and  was  heard  from 
a  great  distance.  This  instrument,  which, 
perhaps  in  the  opinion  of  some,  will  not 
he  considered  as  a  very  wonderful  inven- 
tion, did  not  originally  belong  to  the  Ro- 
mans, but  was  borrowed  from  the  Phry- 
gians. A  Phrygian  named  Marsyas  was 
the  in ventor,who,  probably,  little  thought, 
that  a  horn  would  render  his  name  me- 
morable. 

CORNICULUM,  a  kind  of  iron  or 
brass  horn  added  to  the  helmet  as  a  mi- 
litary distinction,  which  was  granted  to 
the  Roman  soldier  who  had  shewn  proofs 
of  extraordinary  valour. 

CORNISH  ring,  in  gunnery,  the  next 


(     134 
See 


right 


COR 

ring  from  the  muzzle  backwards 
Cannon. 

CORN U A  Exercitus.  The  Romans 
used  to  call  by  this  name  what  we 
term  right  and  left  wing  of  an  army. 
However,  according  to  Polybius,  by 
cornua  exercitus,  they  only  meant  the 
auxiliary  troops  which  were  divided  so 
as  to  occupy  both  extremities  of  a  Hu- 
man army.  These  two  divisions  were 
.distinguished  by  the  appellation  ol'  dex- 
trum  cornu  and  sinistrum  cornu, 
and  left  wing. 

COROLLARY,  {corolluire,  Fr.)  with 
mathematicians,  an  useful  consequence 
drawn  from  something  that  has  been  ad- 
vanced before:  as,  that  a  triangle  that 
has  three  sides  equal,  has  a/so  two  angles 
equal;  and  this  consequence  should  be 
inferred,  that  a  triangle,  all  zehost  sides 
are  equal,  has  also  its  three  angles  equal. 

CORONA,         }  in  architecture,   is  a 

CORONE,        f  large  flat  member  of 

CROWN,         (  the  cornice,  so  called, 

CROWNING,  )  because  it  crowns  not 
only  the  cornice,  but  the  entablature, 
and  the  whole  order. 

CORPORAL,  (caporal,  Fr.)  a  rank 
and  file  man  with  superior  pay  to  that  of 
common  soldiers, and  with  nominal  rank 
under  a  Serjeant.  He  has  charge  of  one 
of  the  squads  of  the  company,  places 
and  relieves  sentinels,  and  keeps  good 
order  in  the  guard.  lie  receives  the 
word  of  the  inferior  rounds  that  pass  by 
his  guard.  Every  company  has  three  or 
tour  corporals. 

LaKce-CoRPORAL,  (caporal  hrcveti, 
Fr.)  one  who  acts  as  corporal,  receiving 
pay  as  a  private.  He  is  also  called  vice- 
caporal,  and  by  the  common  soldiers 
caporal  postiche. 

Corporal  «/'  a  ship,  an  officer 
whose  business  is  to  look  to  all  the  small 
shot  and  arms,  to  keep  them  clean,  with 
due  proportions  of  match,  &c 

CORPS,  with  architects,  a  term  sig- 
nifying any  part  that  projects,  or  ad- 
vances beyond  the  naked  ofa  wall,  and 
which  serves  as  a  ground  for  some  deco- 
ration. 

Corps,  any  body  of  forces.  Corps 
is  also  applied  to  specific  regiments;  as 
the  corps  of  Guards;  likewise  to  a  par- 
ticular class  of  men;  as  a  tine  corps  of 
drums  and  fifes. 

Corps  de  garde,  Fr.  in  the  French  ac- 
ceptation of  the  word,  signifies  not  only 
the  place  itself,  but  likewise  the  men 
who   are   stationed   to  nmi™»*    if      Si 

GlARD-HOlSE. 


) 


COR 


protect  it.    See 


Corps  de  garde  avancee,  Fr.  When 
a  camp  is  secured  by  intrenchments,  and 
has  one  line  of  defence,  the  corps  de 
garde,  or  advanced  post  of  the  cavalry, is 
on  the  outside  of  the  line,  and  each  part 
has  its  quarter  and  main  guard.  The 
quarter  guard,  or  petit  corps  de  garde,  is 
more  in  front,  but  still  in  sight  of  the 
main  guard,  and  the  vedette  is  still  far- 
ther in  advance,  for  the  security  of  both. 

Coups  de  reserve.     See  Reserve. 

Coups  d/armte,  Fr.  the  whole  of  an 
army,  including  detachments,  &c. 

Corps  de  bataille,  Fr.  the  whole  line 
of  an  army  which  is  drawn  out  in  order 
of  battle. 

Corps  de  casernes,  Fr.  the  range  of 
buildings  called  barracks,  erected  for  the 
convenience  of  troops. 

Corps  g'tont'etrique,  Fr.  signifies  length, 
breadth,  and  depth. 

CORRELET  or  Corslet,  an  ancient 
suit  of  armour  which  was  chiefly  worn  by 
pikemen,  who  were  thence  often  deno- 
minated Corselets.  The  same  kind  of 
armour  was  worn  by  the  harquebusiers. 

To  CORRESPOND,  to  hold  inter- 
course. An  officer  or  soldier  who  cor- 
responds with  the  enemy,  is  liable  to 
suffer  death,  by  the  Articles  of  War. 

CORRESPONDENCE,  (correspon- 
dunce,  Fr.)  a  written  intercourse  which  is 
kept  up  between  officers  at  the  head  of 
the  army,  or  between  belligerent  powers, 
who  are  embarked  in  the  same  cause, 
and  who  communicate  together  in  order 
to  secure  ultimate  success. 

Military  Correspondence,  (corre- 
spondance  de gucrre,Yv.)  See  Military 
Sec r  eta  i:t . 

Secret  Correspondence,  (correspon- 
dance  secrete,  Fr.)  secret  intelligence  or 
correspondence  which  is  maintained  be- 
tween the  general  of  an  army,  and  some 
one  or  more  confidential  agents  that  are 
employed  to  watch  the  enemy. 

CORRIDOR, (corridor,  Fr.)  the  covert- 
way  which  is  formed  between  the  fosse 
and  palisade  on  the  counterscarp.  See 
Covert-wav.  This  word  is  becoming 
obsolete  as  a  military  term,  and  is  chiefly 
used  to  designate  a  gallery,  &c. 

CORRODY,  a  defalcation  from  an 
allowance  or  salary,  for  some  other  than 
the  original  purpose.  Thus  an  officer 
who  retires  upon  the  full  pay  of  a  short 
troop  or  company,  holds  a  Corrody. 

CORROYER,  Fr.  to  mix  lime  and 
sand  with  water,  well  together,  in  order 
to  make  mortar. 

CORYPHEE,  Fr.  chief;  leader. 


COS 


(     135     ) 


COT 


CORSAGE,  Fr.  the  trunk  of  the 
body ;  either  of  a  man  or  animal. 

CORSAIR,  ( corsair e,  Fr.)  in  naval 
history,  a  name  given  to  the  piratical 
cruisers  of  Barbary,  who  frequently 
plunder  the  merchant  ships  of  countries 
with  whom  they  are  at  peace;  a  pirate. 

CORSELET,  a  little  cuirass;  or,  ac- 
cording to  others,  an  armour,  or  coat 
made  to  cover  the  whole  body,  anciently 
worn  by  the  pikemen,  who  were  .usual  ly 
placed  in  the  front  and  on  the  flanks  of 
the  battle,  for  the  better  resisting  the 
enemy's  assaults,  and  guarding  the  sol- 
diers posted  behind  them. 

CORTEGE,  Fr.  the  suite  or  retinue 
which  accompanies  a  person  of  distinc- 
tion.   We  use  the  term  in  the  same  sense. 

CORTES,  the  states,  or  the  assembly 
of  the  states,  in  Madrid. 

CORVEE,  Fr.  a  species  of  hard  la- 
bour for  the  repair  of  public  roads,  &c. 
to  which  a  certain  number  of  soldiers, 
and  sometimes  the  inhabitants  of  towns 
and  villages,  were  subjected  during  the 
old  French  monarchy.  This  personal  tax 
was  done  away  at  the  Revolution,  and 
turnpikes  have  since  been  established 
throughout  France.  Corvee  likewise 
means  a  job. 

CO-SECANT,  (co-secant,  Fr.)  the  se- 
cant of  an  arch,  which  is  the  comple- 
ment of  another  to  90°. 

CO-SINE,  (co-sinus,  Fr.)  is  the  right 
sine  of  an  arch,  which  is  the  complement 
of  another  to  90°. 

COSMOGRA  PHY, (cosmographie,  Fr.) 
a  science  which  teaches  the  structure, 
shape,  disposition,  and  connection  of 
all  the  different  parts  of  the  globe;  like- 
wise the  manner  of  delineating  them  on 
paper:  it  is  composed  of  two  parts,  viz. 
astronomy  and  geography. 

COSMOLABE,  an  ancient  mathe- 
matical instrument  for  measuring  dis- 
tances both  above  and  below. 

COSMOPOLITAN,  (cosmopolitain, 
cosmopolite,  Fr.)  a  citizen  of  the  world. 

COSSAQUES  or  COSSACKS.  Ac- 
cording to  Sir  Robert  Wilson,  in  his 
brief  remarkson  the  Character  and  Com- 
position of  the  Russian  army,  the  Cos- 
saquesare  a  description  of  troopspcculiar 
to  the  Russian  Army.  There  are  some 
writers  who  believe,  that  the  Cossaques 
have  been  a  people  900  years,  and  sup- 
pose them  to  have  come  originally  from 
the  neighbourhood  of  Mount  Caucasus, 
and  to  have  settled  on  the  Don,  anciently 
called  the  Tanais;  whence  they  sent  out 


colonies,  and  conquered  Siberia,  which 
they  ceded  to  Russia  in  1574,  and  in 
1584  they  established  themselves  on  the 
Volga.  In  1574  they  made  their  first 
appearance  in  the  Russian  armies. 

The  Cossaque  is  mounted  on  a  very 
little,  ill-conditioned, but  well-bred  horse, 
which  can  walk  at  the  rate  of  five  miles  an 
hour  with  ease,  or  vie  with  the  swiftest 
goer. 

The  Cossaque  has  only  a  snaffle  bridle 
on  his  horse,  for  the  convenience  of 
feeding  at  all  times,  and  even  in  the  pre- 
sence of  an  enemy.  He  carries  a  short 
whip  on  his  wrist,  as  he  does  not  wear 
a  spur;  and  as  he  is  constantly  armed 
with  a  lance,  a  pistol  in  his  girdle,  and 
a  sword,  he  never  fears  a  competitor  in 
single  combat.  The  Cosaques  distin- 
guished themselves  during  the  war  be- 
tween the  Russians  and  the  French  on 
several  occasions.  Though  supposed  to 
be  less  civilized  than  their  brethren  in 
arms,  the  uniform  tenour  of  their  con- 
duct, both  in  1814and  1815,  has  entitled 
them  to  general  esteem,  and  secured  them 
from  reproach,  even  in  France. 

COSSE,  Fr.  a  measure  of  distance  in 
the  East  Indies,  equal  to  2500  geometri- 
cal paces. 

COSSE,       )  as      Cossick    Numbers. 

COSSICK,  S  This  was  the  old  name 
of  the  art  of  algebra,  and  is  derived  from 
cosa,  Ital.  for  res  or  the  root;  for  the 
Italians  call  algebra,  regula  rei  ct  census, 
i.  e.  the  rule  of  the  root  and  the  square. 
Cossick  numbers,  with  some  algebraists, 
are  the  powers  of  numbers,  as  the  roots, 
the  square,  the  cube,  &c. 

COTANGENT,  the  tangent  of  an 
arch  which  is  the  complement  of  another 
to  S0°.  t 

COTE,  Fr.  side.  The  whole  extent 
or  length  of  a  branch  in  fortification; 
the  distance  or  space  between  two  given 
points,  or  the  detni-gorges  of  two  neigh- 
bouring bastions. 

Cote  ext'erieur  du  poligonr,  Fr. 
terior  side  of  the  polygon.  The 
which  is  drawn  from  the  capital  of 
bastion  to  another. 

Cote  inlaieur  du  poligone,  Fr. 
terior  side  of  the  polygon.  The 
which  is  drawn  from  the  angle  of 
gorge  to  the  angle  of  the  gorge  most 
contiguous  to  it.  See  sides  of  the  Po- 
lygon. 

Du  Cote  de  POrient,  Fr.  eastwards. 

COTE  a  Cote,  Fr.  abreast. 

COTEAU,  Fr.  a  hillock. 


ex- 
line 
one 

in- 
line 
one 


cou 


(     136     ) 


C  O  V 


COTER,  Jr.  to  mark  upon  the  plans 
and  profiles  of  works  of  fortification, 
the  exact  measurement  thereof  divided 
into  toises,  feet,  inches,  and  lines :  the 
figure  which  is  used  to  distinguish  the 
ditl'erent  parts  of  the  work  is  called  the 
coti :  so  that  when  it  is  necessary  to  re- 
pair a  bastion,  the  engineer  instantly 
Knows  the  defective  part. 

COTISER,  Fr.  to  give  one's  allotted 
proportion  of  money  or  provisions,  &c. 
for  the  use  of  an  army.  Also  to  make  a 
person  contribute  any  rate  according  to 
his  means. 

COTOYER  une  arwee,  Fr.  to  keep  a 
parallel  line  with  an  enemy,  so  as  to 
prevent  him  from  crossing  a  river,  or  to 
seize  a  convenient  opportunity  to  attack 
him. 

Cotoyer  also  signifies  to  coast  along. 
COTTE  d'armes,  Fr.  the  military 
dress  of  the  ancient  Gauls,  the  length 
of  which  frequently  varied;  sometimes 
it  hung  to  the  ground  both  before  and 
behind,  with  the  sides  sloping;  some- 
times it  came  just  above  the  knee,  and 
at  oilier  times  just  below  it.  In  sub- 
sequent years  it  was  only  worn  by  the 
Ik  routs  d'armes  and  les  gardes  de  la 
tnanche,  as  we  may  have  seen  in  our 
days  Those  Gauls  that  were  opulent 
displayed  great  magnificence  in  their 
colic  d'armes.  Since  that  period  the 
privilege  has  descended  to  the  sons  of 
grandees  and  noblemen. 

CO  111',  de  muilles,  Fr.coat  of  mail. 
COTTEREAUX,  Fr.  a  banditti  that 
formerly  infested    France,    particularly 
the  province  of  Berri.     They  were  de- 
stroyed   by    Philip    Augustus    in    11G3. 
Their  only  weapon  was  a  large  knife. 
COUARD,  Fr.     See  Coward. 
COUARDISE,  Fr.    SeeCowARDicE. 
COUCH,  (couche,   Fr.)  with  painters, 
a  lay  or  impression  of  colour,  or  varnish. 
To    COICH,     a   term   used   in   the 
exercise  of  the  lance.     Bring  the  lance 
under  the  right  arm,  and  holding  it  firm 
there  by   pressing  the  arm  to  the  body, 
direct  the  point  with  the  right  hand. 

COUCHE,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  piece 
of  timber  which  is  laid  flat  under  the 
foot  of  a  prop  or  stay. 

COL  CHER,  Fr.  in  an  active  sense 
of  the  verb,  to  lay. 

CovcHERsur/e  carreau,Yr.  to  lay  low. 
Coucher  en  joue,  Fr.  to  take  aim  with 
a  firelock  :  figuratively,  to  keep  any  per- 
son, or  thing,  in  view,  for  the  purpose  of 
gaining  some  object. 


Coucher  vnecrit,  Fr.  to  write  down, 
to  take  down  in  writing. 

COUCHES,  Fr.  courses  or  layers 
of  sand,  which  are  spread  about  one 
foot  deep,  over  the  boarding  of  a  wooden 
bridge,  in  order  to  place  the  stones 
upon  it.  Also  any  layer  of  sand  or 
gravel  which  serves  to  have  a  pavement 
laid  upon. 

COUDE,  Fr.  an  obtuse  angle  in  the 
continuity  of  a  front  or  partition  wall, 
taken  outside,  with  one  turn,  or  bent 
within.     Also  any  angle. 

Coude,  Fr.  any  turning  or  deviation 
from  a  direct  line,  that  is  made  by  a 
river,  canal,  road,  or  branch  of  a  work 
in  fortification. 

Coude  d'unc  riviere,  Fr.  a  winding  of 
the  river. 

COUDE  E,  Fr.  an  ancient  measure 
taken  from  the  elbow  to  the  end  of  the 
hand. 

COVENTRY,  a  town  in  Warwick- 
shire. 

To  be.  sent  to  Coventry,  a  military 
term  used  to  express  the  situation  of  an 
officer  who  is  not  upon  a  good  footing 
with  his  brother  officers.  This  term 
derives  its  origin  from  a  circumstance 
which  happened  to  a  regiment  that  was 
quartered  in  the  town  of  Coventry, 
where  the  officers  were  extremely  ill  re- 
ceived by  the  inhabitants,  or  rather  de- 
nied all  sort  of  intercourse  with  them. 
Hence  to  be  sent  to  Coventry  signifies 
to  be  excluded  from  all  social  communi- 
cation with  others;  or,  more  properly, 
with  those  who  before  were  intimate. 

To  COVER,  in  the  mathematical  dis- 
position of  a  battalion,  company,  or 
squad,  only  means  that  a  man  is  to 
stand  in  such  a  position  in  file,  as  that, 
when  he  looks  exactly  forward  to  the 
neck  of  the  man  who  leads  him,  he 
cannot  see  the  second  man  from  him. 
Nothing  but  great  attention  at  the  drill 
can  bring  men  to  cover  so  truly  as  never 
to  destroy  the  perpendicular  direction  of 
anv  leading  body.  The  least  deviation 
in  the  men  who  cover  upon  either  flank 
of  a  leading  column,  or  division,  will 
throw  all  that  follow  out  of  the  true 
line. 

To  Cover  ground  is  to  occupy  a 
certain  proportion  of  ground,  indivi- 
dually, or  collectively.  A  foot  soldier 
upon  an  average  covers  c22  inches  of 
ground  when  he  stands  in  the  ranks. 
The  dimensions  arc  taken  from  his 
shoulder  points. 


C  O  V 


(    137    5 


c  o  u 


A  file  on  horseback  covers  or  occupies 
in  the  ranks  about  2  feet  8  inches. 
Thus  three  file  will  occupy  8  feet; 
twelve  file  32  feet  or  10  yards  and  2  feet; 
thirteen  file,  34  feet  8  inches,  or  11 
yards,  1  foot,  8  inches;  fourteen  file,  37 
feet  4  inches,  or  12  yards  1  foot  4  inches, 
and  so  on. 

One  horse's  length  from  nose  to  croup, 
on  an  average,  3  feet  and  about  2 
inches,  or  2  yards  2  feet  2  inches.  This 
consequently  will  he  the  space  which 
about  three  file  occupy  in  front. 

Cavalry  and  infantry  officers  cannot 
pay  too  much  attention  to  the  calcula- 
tion of  distances;  by  an  accurate  know- 
ledge of  which,  ground  will  he  properly 
covered,  and  any  proportion  of  men, 
on  horseback  or  on  foot,  be  drawn  up 
so  as  to  answer  the  intentions  of  an 
able  general.  The  best  way  that  an  of- 
ficer can  form  his  eye,  is  to  exercise  it 
to  the  measurement  of  ground  by  the 
regular  pace  of  2  feet,  used  in  mili- 
tary drawings;  by  this  he  can  calculate 
his  interval  exactly,  when  he  once 
knows  how  many  feet  his  division  oc- 
cupies;  for  it  is  only  halving  the  num- 
ber of  feet,  and  the  number,  so  pro- 
duced, is  his  distance  in  paces  of  two 
feet  each.  This  instruction  has  been 
given  to  cavalry  officers,  by  a  very  able 
tactitian. 

Cover,  (u  couvert,  Fr.)  a  term  in  war 
to  express  security  or  protection  :  thus, 
to  land  under  cover  of  the  guns,  is  to  ad- 
vance ofFensi\ely  against  an  enemy  who 
dares  not  approach  on  account  of  the 
fire  from  ships,  boats,  or  batteries.  It 
likewise  signifies  whatever  renders  any 
movement  imperceptible :  as,  under 
cover  of  the  night,  under  cover  of  a 
wood,  &c.  The  gallery  or  corridor  in 
fortification  is,  however,  particularly  dis- 
tinguished by  the  term  cliemin  couvert, 
covert-way,  liecause  the  glacis  of  the 
parade  is  its  parapet. 

COVERER.  The  serjeant,  corporal, 
or  private  that  is  posted  in  the  rear  of  a 
leader  is  so  called. 

COVERT-WAY,  in  fortification,  is 
a  space  of  5  or  6  fathoms  on  the  border 
of  the  ditch  toward  the  country,  covered 
by  a  rising  ground,  which  has  a  gentle 
slope  towards  the  field.  This  slope  is 
called  the  glacis  of  the  covert-way.  See 
Fortification. 

Second  Covert-way,  or,  as  the  French 
call  it,  avant-chemin  convert,  is  the  co- 


vert-way at  the  foot  of  the  glacis.     See 

FORTIFICATION. 

COULER  vne  piece  de  canon,  Fr. 
to  liquify  the  metal  for  the  purpose  of 
casting  it  into  a  mould. 

COULET,  from  col,  Fr.  covering  for 
the  neck. 

COULEVRINE,  Fr.  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance of  great  length,  and  which  carries 
a  ball  to  a  considerable  distance. 

The  Coulevrine  of  Nanci  in  France, 
which  is  still  to  be  seen  at  Dunkirk,  is 
twenty-two  French  feet  long  from  the 
breech  to  the  mouth,  and  carries  au 
eighteen  pound  shot. 

COULIS,  Fr.  plaster  well  mixed,  for 
the  purpose  of  filling  up  the  joints  of 
stones,  and  to  keep  thein  together. 

Vent  Coulis,  Fr.  wind  issuing  out 
of  chinks. 

COULISSE,  Fr.  any  piece  of  timber 
which  has  grooves  in  it.  Also  pieces  of 
wood  which  hold  the  floodgates  in  a 
sluice. 

COULVRENIER,  Fr.  a  militia-man 
of  the  fifteenth  century.  The  Coulvre- 
nier  wore  a  habergeon  with  sleeves,  a 
gorgerin  and  salade,  a  breast  plate  of 
brass,  a  dagger,  and  a  sharp  edged  sword. 

COUNCIL  of  wa,  (conseil  de  guerre, 
Fr.)  an  assembly  of  principal  officers  of 
an  army  or  fleet,  called  by  the  general  or 
admiral  who  commands,  to  concert  mea- 
sures for  their  conduct.     See  Conseil. 

COUNTER  of  a  horse  is  that  part 
of  the  fore-hand  of  a  horse,  that  lies  be- 
tween the  shoulder  and  under  the  neck. 

COUNTER-Approaches,  lines  or 
trenches  made  by  the  besieged,  when 
they  come  out  to  attack  the  lines  of  the 
besiegers  in  form. 

Line  o/Counter-Approach,  a  trench 
which  the  besieged  make  from  their  co- 
vered-way to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
attacks,  in  order  to  scour,  or  enfilade,  the 
enemy's  works. 

Cov  mzn-battcry,  a  battery  used  to 
play  on  another  in  order  to  dismount 
the  guns.     See  Battery. 

Cov  STER-breastwork,(cont  re-parapet, 
Fr.)    See  Faussf.-braye. 

Covhizr- forts,  in  fortification,  are 
certain  pillars  and  parts  of  the  wall,  dis- 
tant from  15  to  20  feet  one  from  an- 
other, which  are  advanced  as  much  as 
may  be  in  the  ground,  and  are  joined  to 
the  height  of  the  cordon  by  vaults,  to 
sustain  the  cheinin  des  rondes,  or  that 
part  of  the  rampart  where  the  rounds 
T 


cou 


i.     138     ) 


COU 


arc  gone,  as  well  as  to  fortify  the  wall, 
and  strengthen  the  ground.  See  Bt  1- 
i  ur.ssts. 

CoUNTER-gtlOfUfe,  ill  fortification,  are 
small  ramparts,  with  parapets  anil 
ditches,  to  cover  Mime  part  of  the  body 
of  the  place.  They  are  of  several  shapes, 
and  differently  situated.  They  are  ge- 
nerally  made  he  fore  the  bastions,  in  or- 
der to  cover  the  opposite  Hanks  from 
being  seen  from  the  covert-way;  con- 
sisting then  of  2  faces,  making  a  salient 
angle,  and  parallel  to  the  faces  of  the 
bastion.  They  are  sometimes  made  lie- 
fore  the  ravelins.     See  Fortification. 

CouMTER-round.     See  Roc  Mis. 

Cou  yiEK-mincs.     See  M  i  s  ks. 

Cowst Entrenches.    See  Siege. 

Counter  working  is  the  raising  of 
works  to  oppose  those  of  the  enemy. 

CouNTi.R-s?t«//(),(''.s  tail,  (ronht-uueue 
tfkironde,  Fr.)  in  fortification,  is  a  kind 
of  an  out-work  very  much  resembling  a 
single  tenaille. 

CouHTER-parole,  or  word,  (contre- 
viot,  Fr.)  a  parole  or  word  which  is  given 
in  times  of  trouble  and  alarm,  and  is 
taken  from  the  name  of  some  instru- 
ment, such  as  cane,  hammer,  pistol,  &c. 

Cov\7ini-ti»ie,  with  horsemen,  is  the 
defence  or  resistance  of  a  horse,  that  in- 
terrupts his  cadence  and  the  measure  of 
his  manage. 

CouNTER-//g/((,uith  architects,  a  light 
opposite  to  any  thing  which  makes  it  ap- 
pear to  disadvantage. 

Counter-/«M,  with  builders,  a  lath 
that  is  laid  in  length  between  the  rafters 

Cov St ER-gugc,  in  carpentry,  a  me- 
thod used  in  measuring  the  joints,  by 
transferring  the  breadth  of  a  mortoise  to 
the  place  in  the  timber  where  the  tenon 
is  to  be,  in  order  to  make  them  lit  to- 
gether. 

To  COUNTERMAND,  (contreman- 
der,  Fr.)togive  contrary  orders  to  those 
already  issued;  to  contradict  former 
orders,  tkc. 

COUNTERMARCB,fc0**r<MwarcAe, 
Fr.)  a  change  by  wings,  companies,  sub- 
divisions, or  liles,  whereby  those  who 
were  on  the  right  take  up  the  ground 
originally  occupied  by  the  left,  and  vice 
versa.    See  March. 

To  Countermarch,  (faireune  con- 
tre->/uirc/ie,  Fr.)to  change  the  front  of  an 
army,  battalion,  ike.  by  an  inversion  of 
their  several  component  parts. 

To  COUNTERMARK  a  horse,  a 
'rick  frequently  played   by  the  knowing 


ones  for  the  purpose  of  concealing  the 
real  age  of  a  horse.  This  is  done  by 
means  of  slips  and  scratches  which  are 
made  by  the  graver  on  the  outside  of  the 
hollows  of  the  teeth. 

COUNTERMURE,  (contremur,  Fr.) 
a  wall  built  up  behind  another,  in  order 
to  increase  the  strength  ofanv  work. 

COUNTERPOISE,   with 'horsemen, 

i->  the  balance  of  the  body,  or  the  liberty 
"I  the  action  and  seat  of  a  horseman, 
acquired  by  practising  in  the  manage,  so 
that  in  all  the  motions  the  horse  makes, 
the  horseman  does  not  incline  his  body 
more  to  one  side  than  to  the  other,  but 
continues  in  the  middle  of  the  saddle, 
bearing  equally  on  the  stirrups,  in  order 
to  give  the  horse  the  seasonable  and 
proper  aids. 

COUNTERSCARP,  in  fortification, 
is  properly  the  exterior  talus,  or  slope  of 
the  ditch,  on  the  farther  side  from  the 
place,  and  lacing  it.  Sometimes  the 
covert-way  and  glacis  are  meant  by  this 
expression.     See  FORTIFICATION. 

COUNTERSIGN,  in  a  general  ac- 
ceptation of  the  term,  means  any  parti- 
cular word,  such  as  the  name  of  a  place 
or  a  person,  which,  like  the  parole,  is 
exchanged  between  guards,  entrusted  to 
persons  who  visit  military  posts,  go  the 
rounds,  or  have  any  business  to  transact 
with  soldiers  in  camp,  or  garrison.  It 
ought  always  to  be  given  in  the  language 
be  si  known  to  the  troops. 

COUNTERVALLATION,  or  Line  of 

Couii/t  initiation,  a  trench  with  a  para- 
pet, made  by  the -besiegers,  betwixt  them 
and  the  besieged,  to  scciue  them  from 
the  sallies  of  the  garrison  ;  so  that  the 
troops  which  form  the  sit ue  are  en- 
camped between  the  lines  of  cite. imval- 
lation  and  cotintervallation.  When  the 
enemy  has  no  army  in  the  field,  these 
lines  are  useless. 

i  ()\JNTY-/icutcnant.  See  Lieute- 
nant of  County. 

COVS'l'Y-lrcasinrr.  See  TilSASV- 
rer  of  Col  Nl  v. 

COUP,  Fr.  a  blow,  or  stroke. 

Coup  /forme  et feu,  Fr.  shot. 

CoOP  df  canon,  Fr.  cannon-shot. 

Coifs  decorde,  Fr.  blows  given  with 
popes-ends,  st;ch  as  are  used  in  our  ships 
of  war.  Although  the  punishment  of 
flogging  does  not  exist  in  the  French 
army,  the  navy  is  subjected  to  it.  Coups 
de  corde  is  also  used  to  signify  the  seve- 
ral jerks  given  in  the  punishment  by 
estrapade.     See  Estrapade. 


c  o  u 


(     139     ) 


c  o  u 


Un  Coup  d'ipte,  Fr.  a  thrust  with  a 
sword. 

Coup  de  main,  Fr.  a  sudden  and  un- 
foreseen attack,  (Src.  The  favourable 
side  of  the  proposed  action  must  ever 
be  viewed;  for  if  what  may  happen, 
arrive,  or  fall  out,  is  chiefly  thought  upon, 
it  will,  at  the  very  best,  not  only  greatly 
discourage,  but,  in  general,  produce  a 
failure. 

Les  Coups  de  main,  Fr.  To  use  a 
vulgar  English  phrase,  this  term  signifies 
off-hand-business,  or  a  word  and  a  blow. 
During  the  paroxysm  of  the  French  Re- 
volution, it  was  common  to  have  re- 
course to  what  the  revolutionists  called 
Les  hommes  d'exccution  pour  fuire  des 
coups  de  main.  Of  this  description  were 
the  Septembrizers  in  1792. 

Coup  de  langue,Tr.  language  or  words 
which  are  used  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
juring another.  It  literally  signifies  a 
stroke  of  the  tongue,  or  that  mean  and 
cowardly  attack  which  is  made  against  a 
man's  character  without  his  knowledge. 
The  French  say,  Les  coups  de  langue 
blesscnt  bien  plus  fort  que  les  coups  de 
sabre;  of  this  description  is  insinuative 
abuse. 

Covp-d'wil,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense, 
First  Sight,  or  that  fortunate  aptitude  of 
eye  in  a  general, or  other  officer,  by  which 
he  is  enabled,  by  one  glance  on  the  map, 
or  otherwise,  to  see  the  weak  parts  of 
an  enemy's  country,  or  to  discern  the 
strong  ones  of  bis  own.  It  also  signi- 
fies to  catch  a  ready  view,  and  thereby 
to  secure  an  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
enemy's  position  and  movements  in 
action.  Repossessing  a  ready  coup-d'ail, 
a  general  may  surmount  the  greatest 
difficulties,  particularly  in  offensive  ope- 
rations. On  a  small  scale  this  faculty 
is  of  the  greatest  utility,  especially  in 
an  aide-de-camp.  Actions  have  been 
recovered  by  a  sudden  conception  of 
different  openings  upon  the  enemy,  which 
could  only  be  ascertained  by  a  quick 
and  ready  eye,  during  the  rapid  move- 
ments of  opposing  armies.  General 
Desaix,  at  the  battle  of  Marengo,  gave  a 
striking  proof  of  the  importance  of  this 
faculty,  and  so  did  the  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington at  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 

Coup-/b«rre,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
fencing,  signifying  a  double  thrust,  or 
one  given  by  two  antagonists  at  the  same 
time.  The  French  also  say  figuratively, 
Ftrter  un  coup  fourrt  a  quelqu'vn,  to 


do  an  ill  turn  to  somebody  behind  his 
back. 

Coup  de  partance,  Fr.  the  signal  of 
departure  which  a  fleet,  or  ship  of  war, 
makes  by  firing  cannon. 

Coup  de  Jarnuc,  Fr.  an  underhand 
blow.  This  term  is  always  used  in  a  bad 
sense  by  the  French.  It  conies  from 
the  circumstance  of  a  Frenchman,  named 
Jarnuc, having  killed  his  countryman  La 
Chitaigneraie  unfairly  in  a  duel. 

COUPE,  Fr.  the  rough  draft, or  sketch, 
of  a  drawing  which  represents  the  inside 
of  a  building,  &c.  We  also  say  cut  in 
some  cases. 

(lor PL-gorge,  Fr.  a  cut-throat;  it  also 
signifies  any  dangerous  spot,  avenue,  or 
cutlet,  where  a  man  might  be  way-laid 
and  murdered.  Also  a  gambling-house, 
&c. 

COUPELLE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  tin  or 
copper  shovel,  which  is  used  in  the  ar- 
tillery to  (ill  the  cartridges  with  gun- 
powder, &c. 

COUPElt  une  conmninication,un  con- 
voi,  un  pont,  une  retraitc,  une  troupe, 
Fr.  to  cut  off  a  communication,  to  in- 
tercept a  convoy,  break  down  a  bridge, 
cut  off  a  retreat,  or  any  armed  body  of 
men. 

COUPURES,  in  fortification,  are  pas- 
sages sometimes  cut  through  the  glacis, 
of  about  12  or  13  feet  broad,  in  the  re- 
entering angle  of  the  covert-way,  to  fa- 
cilitate the  sallies  of  the  besieged.  They 
are  sometimes  made  through  the  lower 
curtain,  to  let  boats  into  a  little  haven 
built  in  the  rentrant  angle  of  the  coun- 
terscarp of  the  out-works. 

Coupure,  FY.  a  ditch  that  is  dug  to 
prevent  a  besieging  army  from  getting 
too  close  to  the  walls  of  a  fortified  town, 
or  place. 

COU R->martiale,  Fr.  See  Court- 
Martial. 

COURAGE,  derived  from  caur,  Fr. 
heart,  that  being  supposed  to  be  the 
seat  of  it :  so  we  say,  stout  at  heart  is 
synonimous  to  brave.  This  quality  of 
the  mind  is  sometimes  natural,  and  some- 
times acquired.  It  is  equally  necessary 
to  the  officer  and  soldier.  The  French 
make  a  difference  between  bravery  and 
courage.  They  say  soldiers  may  be  very 
brave,  and  yet  not  have  courage  enough 
upon  all  occasions  to  manifest  their 
bravery.  A  general  who  is  determined, 
upon  an  emergency,  to  risk  neck  or  no- 
thing, always  knows  how  to  inspire  his 
T2 


cou 


(    140    ) 


COU 


troops  with  courage,  (provided  they  be 
well  disciplined,  for  if  not,  he  can  do  no- 
thing,) and  in  that  respect  the  famous 
Turcnnc  and  Maurice  of  Nussau,  who 
were  often  opposed  hy  a  superior  force, 
were  wonderfully  skilful.  Fernond Cor- 
tex, who  had  oidy  five  hundred  men 
of  infantry,  and  twenty  horse,  to  make 
the  conquest  of  Mexico,  perceiving  that 
his  troops,  (which  he  called  an  army,) 
were  ('lightened  at  the  great  number  of 
Indians  mustering  against  them,  ordered 
his  ships  to  be  set  on  fire.  He  con- 
quered the  enemy  ;  but  we  must  con- 
fess, that  he  had  to  deal  with  barbarians, 
who  mistook  his  twenty  horsemen  for 
sea  monsters,  and  the  firing  from  the 
musketry  and  artillery,  for  the  thunder 
from  above.  All  manner  of  stratagems 
must  be  recurred  to,  in  order  to  revive, 
or  inspire,  courage.  A  general,  for  in- 
stance, who,  at  the  head  of  an  inferior 
force,  cannot  avoid  a  batlie,  causes  it  to 
be  rumoured,  that  the  enemy  will  give 
no  quarter,  and  that  he  has  heard  the 
report  from  his  spies,  &G. 

Courage  tnilitaire,  Fr.  military 
prowess,  active  fortitude.  A  peculiar 
degree  of  hardihood,  by  which  the  miud 
is  driven  to  acts  of  uncommon  boldness 
and  enterprise.  The  late  General  Sir 
Thomas  Picton,  K.  B.  was  remarkable 
for  this  species  of  courage. 

COURANTJN,  Fr.  in  artificial  fire- 
works, this  term  is  given  to  those  fu- 
sees that  carry  the  fire  from  one  quarter 
to  another  by  means  of  a  cord  which  is 
stretched  very  light  in  the  air. 

COUryBT,  a  double  evurbwe,  Fr.  a 
curved-line  which  has  two  other  curves 
within  it.  M.  Clanaut  has  written  very 
learnedly  upon  this  head  in  a  book  in- 
tiujjfd,  Kecherches  sur  Us  Courbt.s  a 
double  con r burr. 

COURBETTER,  Fr.  to  curvet. 

COURCON,  Fr,  a  strong  piece  of 
iron  which  serves  to  connect  and  secure 
the  moulds  for  cannon. 

COUREURS,  Fr.  light  armed  troops 
that  are  mounted,  and  go  upon  recon- 
noitring parties,  or  in  pursuit  of  a  flying 
enemy.  It  literally  means  runners. 
Those  who,  on  a  march,  leave  their  ranks 
to  go  marauding,  are  also  called  coureurs. 

COURGE,  Fr.  a  gourd ;  a  yoke. 
Also  a  stone  or  iron  crow  which  sustains 
the  false  mantle-tree  of  an  old  chimney. 

COURIER,  a  messenger  sent  post,  or 
express,   to  carry  dispatches  of  battles 


gained,  lost,  &c.  or  any  other  occurrences 
that  happen  in  war,  &c. 

Coukier  de  cabinet,  Fr.  a  state  mes- 
senger. 

Couriers  des  vivres,  Fr.  were  two 
active  and  expert  messengers  attached 
to  the  French  army,  whose  duty  con- 
sisted wholly  in  conveying  packets  of  im- 
portance to  and  fro,  and  taking  charge  of 
pecuniary   remittances. 

COURIR  au.v  mines,  Fr.  to  run  to 
arms. 

COURONNE  de  pieur,  Fr.  the  head 
of  a  stake,  which  is  sometimes  bound 
round  with  iron,  to  prevent  it  from  split- 
ting when  driven  down  bv  the  rammer. 

COURONNER,  F> .  to  terminate  or 
finish  any  piece  of  work. 

COURON  EM  ENT,or  Couronnement, 
Fr.  in  fortification,  implies  the  most  ex- 
terior  part  of  a  work  when  besieged. 

COURONNES  gverrilres,  Fr.  mili- 
tary crowns  or  garlands.    See  Crowns. 

COURROYES,  Fr.  stirrup-leathers. 
Dragoons  are  sometimes  punished  with 
these  articles.  The  culprit  is  obliged  to 
pass  through  two  lines  facing  inwards, 
and  receives  a  blow  from  every  soldier  as 
he  goes  by. 

COURS  de  Hues,  Fr.     See  Lisses. 

COURSE,  with  architects,  a  conti- 
nued range  of  bricks  or  stones  of  the 
same  height  throughout  the  length  of  the 
work. 

COURSER.     See  Charger. 

COURSES,  Fr.  the  incursions  which 
an  army  makes  into  an  enemv's  country. 

COU RM  FR,  Fr.  that  canal  in  a  wa- 
ter-mill, or  in  any  other  hydraulic  ma- 
chine, where  the  bottom  of  the  ladle- 
wheel  is  confined,  and  where  the  water 
issues  with  great  force  from  under  the 
flood-gate,  to  put  the  wheel  in  motion. 

COURSIER,  Fr.  a  gun  which  is  placed 
in  the  forecastle  of  a  galley  for  the  pur- 
pose of  firing  over  the  ship's  beak.  The 
weight  of  its  ball  is  from  33  to  34ll>. 

COUKSEY,  in  a  galley,  a  space,  or 
passage,  about  a  foot  and  a  half  broad, 
on  both  sides  of  which  slaves  are  placed. 

CQ\TRT-niartial,(Cour-niartialc,  Fr.) 
a  court  appointed  for  the  invent ;gation 
and  subsequent  punishment  of  ut'.ences 
in  officers,  under-officers,  soldieis,  and 
sailors:  the  powers  of  which  are  regu- 
lated by  the  Mutiny-bill,  in  the  words, 
and  to  the  effect  following.  "  His  Ma- 
jesty may,  from  time  to  time,  grant  a 
commission,  under  his  royal  sign  manual, 


c  o  u 


(     141     ) 


C  0  u 


to  any  officer,  not  under  the  degree  of  a 
field-officer,  for  holding  a  general  court- 
martial  within  this  realm;  and  also 
grant  his  warrant  to  the  lord-lieutenant 
of  Ireland,  or  other  chief  governor  or 
governors  there,  for  the  time  being,  or 
the  governor  or  governors  of  Minorca, 
Gibraltar,  and  any  of  his  Majesty's  do- 
minions beyond  (he  seas  respectively,  or 
the  person  or  persons,  their  commander 
in  chief,  from  time  to  time,  to  appoint 
courts-martial  in  the  kingdom  or  Ire- 
land, and  other  places  and  dominions 
respectively;  in  which  courts-martial, 
all  offences  mentioned  in  the  Articles  of 
War,  and  all  other  offences  hereinafter 
specified,  shall  be  tried  and  proceeded 
against  in  such  manner  as  the  act  lor 
that  purpose  directs."  The  courts  have 
power  by  their  sentence  of  judgment  to 
inflict  corporal  punishment,  not  extend- 
ing to  life  or  limb,  on  any  soldier  for  im- 
moralities, misbehaviour,  or  neglect  of 
duty.  A  general  court-martial  shall  not 
consist  of  a  less  number  than  13,  where- 
of none  are  to  be  under  the  degree  of  a 
commissioned  officer;  and  the  president 
of  such  general  court-martial  shall  nei- 
ther be  the  commander  in  chief,  or  go- 
vernor of  the  garrison  where  the  offender 
shall  be  tried,  nor  under  the  degree  of  a 
field  officer,  unless  where  a  field  officer 
cannot  be  had;  in  which  case  the  officer 
next  in  seniority,  not  being  under  the 
degree  of  a  captain,  shall  preside  at 
such  court-martial;  and  that  such  court- 
martial  shall  have  power  and  autho- 
rity to  administer  an  oath,  to  every  wit- 
ness, in  order  to  the  examination  or  trial 
of  any  of  the  offences  that  shall  come  be- 
fore them. 

That  in  all  trials  of  offenders  by  gene- 
ral courts-martial,  to  be  held  by  virtue 
of  this  act,  every  officer,  present,  at  such 
trial,  before  any  proceedings  be  had 
thereupon,  shall  take  an  oath,  upon  the 
Holy  Evangelists,  before  the  court  and 
judge  advocate,  or  his  deputy. 

A  regimental  Court-Martial  can- 
not sentence  to  the  loss  of  life  or  limb. 
The  colonel  or  commanding  officer  ap- 
proves the  sentence  of  a  regimental 
court-martial.  By  a  clause  in  the  Mu- 
tiny-bill of  1806,  all  the  members  of  a 
regimental  court-martial  must  be  sworn. 

A  garrison  Court-Martial  only 
differs  from  a  regimental  one  by  beins; 
composed  of  officers  of  different  regi- 
ments. The  governor,  or  other  com- 
manding  officer    of    the   garrison,   ap- 


proves the  sentence.  For  further  parti- 
culars respecting  courts-martial,  see 
Regimental  Companion,  vol.  ii.  5th 
edition. 

Court  of  inquiry,  a  meeting  of  of- 
ficers who  are  empowered  to  inquire  in- 
to the  conduct  of  the  commander  of  an 
expedition,  &c.  or  to  see  whether  there 
be  ground  for  a  court-martial,  &c. 
Courts  of  inquiry  cannot  award  punish- 
ment, but  must  repoit  to  the  officer  by 
whose  order  they  were  assembled. 
Courts  ot  inquiry  are  also  appointed  to 
examine  into  the  quality  and  distribu- 
tion of  military  stores,  &c. 

COURTAUD,  with  horsemen,  a  crop, 
or  cropped  horse;  a  Lob-tail. 

Courtaud,  with  gunners, a  short  kind 
of  ordnance  used  at  sea. 

COURTADER,  Fr.  to  crop  a  horse's 
tail. 

COURTIER,  Fr.  an  agent. 

Courtier  de  change,  Fr.  a  money 
broker. 

Courtier  priviUgii,  Fr.  an  agent  of 
government. 

COURT1NE,  Fr.  See  Curtain  in 
Fortification. 

COUSSIN,  Fr.  a  sort  of  wedge,  or 
small  piece  of  wood,  which  is  placed  un- 
der the  breech  of  a  cannon  in  order  to 
point  it  properly,  and  to  keep  it  steady 
in  the  proposed  direction. 

C017SSINET,  Fr.  a  wedge  of  wood 
which  is  fixed  between  the  carriage  and 
the  center  part  of  a  mortar,  and  serves 
to  keep  it  in  a  prescribed  degree  of  ele- 
vation. 

COUSSINET  a  mousquetaire,  Fr.  a 
bat;  formerly  worn  by  a  French  soldier 
on  his  left  side  beneath  the  cross-belt. 
It  hung  upon  hooks  near  the  butt  of  his 
musquet.  Its  object  was  to  resist  the 
recoil  of  a  large  fire  arm,  particularly 
during  a  siege. 

COUSTILLE,  Fr.  an  offensive  wea- 
pon which  was  occasionally  used  by  the 
troops  in  the  fifteenth  century,  in  the 
time  of  Charles  VII.;  it  was  longer  than 
the  common  sword,  sharp  edged  from 
the  hilt  to  the  point,  of  a  triangular 
shape,  and  very  slender. 

COUSTILLER,  Fr.  a  person  armed 
with  a  const  Me. 

COUTEAU,  Fr.  a  knife. 

Couteau  de  chasse,  Fr.  a  hanger. 
Couteau   de   bois,  ou  spatule,  Fr.  a 
wooden   instrument  in   the   shape  of  a 
short  blunt  blade.     It  is  used  in  press- 
ing down  earth  or  hay  between  a  shell 


C  R  A 


(   i«   ) 


C  R  A 


and   the  inside  of  a  mortar,  in  oredr  to 
keep  the  former  compact  and  steady. 

COUTELA&,  Fr.     See  Cutlass. 

COUTER,  Fr.  to  cost;  to  have  a 
price,  or  value.  This  expression  is  used 
figuratively  among  the  French  in  a  mili- 
tary sense — viz.  Ce  general  expoto  sis 
troupet  a  tout  moment;  Its  hommes  ne 
lui  content  guere. — That  general  ex- 
poses his  troops  every  moment,  he  puts 
no  price  or  value  upon  the  loss  of  men. 

A  plate  COUTURE,  Fr.  utterly;  en- 
tirely. Defaite  a  plate  couture,  an  utter 
defeat. 

COUVADE,  Fr.  the  act  of  skulking. 

Faire  U  Couvade,  Fr.  to  lurk  in  camp, 
or  quarters,  when  others  are  gallantly 
fighting  in  the  field  of  battle. 

COUVERT,  Fr.  cover. 

Pays  Couvert,  Fr.  a  woody  coun- 
try. 

COUVRE-FACE,  Fr.  a  tern.  us<  ,1  h\ 
some  engineers,  and  among  others  by 
Coehorn,  to  express  the  counter-guard : 
others,  particularly  Montaleinhert,  con- 
vey by  couvre-f ace  generate  a  second  line 
of  complete  investment. 

Le  COUVRE-FEU,  Fr.  a  signal 
made  by  the  ringing  of  a  bell,  or  heat  of 
drum,  to  give  notice  to  the  soldiers  or 
inhabitants  of  a  fortified  place,  that  the 
gates  are  shortly  to  be  shut.  It  literally 
means  the  covering,  or  extinction,  of  lire, 
or  light.    See  Curfew. 

COUVRIR,  Fr.  to  cover,  defend, 
conceal. 

Coivrir  unc  rille,  un  port,  unc 
troupe,  un  pays,  un  magasin,un  entrepot, 
une  armee  usance  ante,  Fr.  to  lie  encamp- 
ed in  front  of  a  town,  bridge,  body  of 
men,  any  particular  ground  or  post, 
magazine,  or  between  a  fortified  place 
and  the  main  besieging  army,  so  as  to 
prevent  the  approaches  of  an  enemy. 
To  this  end  temporary  works  should  he 
erected,  defended  by  chosen  troops,  who 
must  he  attacked  and  beaten,  before 
possession  can  be  obtained  of  any  of 
the  above-mentioned  objects. 

Couvrir  une  marche,  un  mouvement, 
une  communication,  Sfc.  Fr.  to  cover  the 
march  or  movement  of  an  army,  by 
means  of  detachments,  which  are  sent 
forward  for  that  purpose. 

COWARD,  according  to  Dr.  John- 
son, a  word  of  uncertain  derivation.  A 
poltroon;  a  wretch  whose  predominant 
passion  is  fear;  a  thing  unworthy  of,  and 
unfit  for,  the  navy  or  army.  It  is  some- 
times used  as  an  adjective. 


(  OY. \ UX,  Fr.  hip  rafters. 

COYER,  Fr.  a  piece  of  timber  which 
is  laid  diagonally  in  the:  groove,  or  hol- 
low of  a  roof, 

COYON,  Fr.  a  coward;  a  base  das- 
tardly fellow.' 

COYONADE,  Fr.  cowardice;  das- 
tardly conduct. 

CRAB.     See  Gin. 

CRABBAT,  Hcravatei    Fr.)     Baiby 

CRAVAT,  S  derives  this  word  from 
one  Crabbat,  a  Croatian,  who  first  wore 
a  sort  of  neckcloth.  Before  the  Revo- 
lution, there  was  a  German  regiment  in 
the  French  service, called  Royal  Cravats, 
probably  from  the  men  having  originally 
been  recruited  out  of  Croatia,  and  also 
wearing  the  neckcloth.  This  regiment 
gave  way  at  the  famous  sortie  of  Lisle, 
in  1792,  when  Colonel  Dillon  led  out  a 
body  of  troops  to  attack  an  advanced 
post  of  the  Austrians.  The  consequence 
of  their  panic  was  the  inhuman  murder 
of  that  brave  officer,  and  of  Berthier  the 
engineer,  who  was  suspended  from  a 
lamp  iron,  and  shot,  anil  cut  at  by  the 
fugitives  as  they  returned  to  the  citadel. 

CRADLE,  a  machine  made  of  stout 
sail-cloth  for  the  purpose  of  shipping 
and  unshipping  horses;  also  a  hollow 
piece  of  leather  for  a  fractured  or  bro- 
ken limb  to  rest  in. 

Cradle,  with  shipwrights,  a  frame  of 
timber  raised  along  the  outside  of  a 
ship  by  the  bulge,  serving  more  securely 
and  commodiously  to  launch  her. 

CRAIK.E.  The  constablery  of  this 
place,  a*  far  as  it  regards  the  militia,  is 
deemed  a  part  of  the  North  Riding  of 
Yorkshire,  and  is  subject  to  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Lord  Lieutenant. 

CRAMPON  dc  cuir,  Fr.  a  loop,  or 
tab  of  leather. 

CRAMPONS,  Fr.  pieces  of  iron 
hooked  at  the  end;  grappling  hooks. 
Iron  instruments  distributed  amongst 
the  troops  intended  to  storm  a  rampart, 
and  which  they  fastened  to  their  shoes 
by  means  of  a  strong  strap  of  leather, 
to  he  able  to  climb  up. 

CRAMPONNER,  Fr.  to  join  or 
fasten  together  with  cramp-irons. 

Ciiami'onner  des  fcrs  dc  cheoal,  Fr. 
to  shoe  a  horse  with  frost  nails. 

CRAMPONNET,  Fr.  a  little  cramp 
iron  ;  tack  or  hoop. 

Les  CRAMPONS  d'unfer  de  cheval, 
Fr.  the  frost  nails  of  a  horse-shoe; 
caulks;  the  caulkings. 

CRANE,  an  instrument  made  with 


CRE 


rope?,  pullies,  and  hooks,  by  which  great 
weights  are  raised. 

CRANE,  Ft.  literally  the  skull, brain 
pan, or  bone  of  the  head.  The  French 
say  of  a  stubborn  hot-headed  man,  Cest 
une  crane 

CRANEQUfN,  Fr.  the  gaffle  of  a 
cross  bow.  It  is  also  written  Crenne- 
uuin,  and  signifies  an  engine  for  battery, 
used  in  old  times. 

C  It  AN  EQU I ER,  C  It  A  S  EQUI- 
NIER,  Fr.  formerly  an  order  who 
served  both  on  foot  and  horseback;  hi? 
bow  was  very  light;  in  the  origin  it  was 
made  of  wood,  next  of  hum,  and  finally 
of  iron:  it  was  bent  by  means  of  an  iron 
bandage,  called  crunequin,  which  was 
fastened  round  the  waist.  The  Dukes 
of  Burgundy  used  to  have  six  hundred 
ot  them  in  their  suite.  This  appellation 
was  also  formerly  given  to  an  inferior 
officer  who  had  the  management  of 
warlike  machines. 

CRAPAUD,  ou  affut,  Fr.  Crapaud 
literally  means  a  toad.  It  is  a  sort  of 
gun-carriage  without  wheels,  on  .which  a 
mortar  is  carried. 

CItAPAUDINE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  sucker, 
which  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  reser- 
voirs and  basons,  in  order  to  keep  them 
dry,  or  to  draw  off  the  water.  Crapau- 
dine  also  signifies  the  cavity  in  which 
the  hinge  of  a  door,  &c.  turns. 

CRAPAUDINE,  in  a  horse,  an  ulcer 
on  the  coronet,  called  also  a  tread  upon 
the  coronet. 

CRATCH,  {r  atelier,  Fr.)  a  rack,  in 
which  hay  is  put  for  cattle. 

CRATCHES,  {crevasse,  Fr.)  a  crack; 
a  disease  in  horses. 

CRATES,  engines  of  war  used  by  the 
ancients  to  cover  the  workmen  in  pro- 
portion as  they  drew  nearer  to  the  walls 
of  a  besieged  town. 

CRAVATES.  Fr.     See  Croats. 

Rot/ales  Cravates,  Fr.  a  mounted 
militia,  or  species  of  Life  Guards,  for- 
merly so  called  in  France. 

Cravates  des  dvapeaux,  Fr.  the  cor- 
ners of  a  colour  or  Hag. 

CRECHE,  Fr.  a  manger;  a  crib. 

CREDIT,  {credit,  Fr.)  trust  reposed, 
with  regard  to  property:  correlative  to 
debt.  Johnson.  It  is  customary,  upon 
the  arrival  of  troops  that  are  to  conti- 
nue quartered  in  a  town,  village,  &c.  to 
warn  the  inhabitants  not  to  give  credit 
to  the  men. 

CREDITS.     See  Debts  and  Credits. 


(   i*3   )  CRE 

CREESE,  a  dagger  used  by  the  Ma- 


CREMAILLE,  in  field  fortification, 
is  when  the  inside  line  of  the  parapet  is 
broken  ill  such  a  manner  as  to  resemble 
the  teeth  of  a  saw;  whereby  this  advan- 
tage is  gained,  that  a  greater  fire  can  be 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  defile,  than  if 
only  a  simple  face  were  opposed  to  it; 
and  consequently  the  passage  is  render- 
ed more  difficult.  Belidor,  in  his  Dic- 
tionnaire  Porlatif  de  I'Ingenieur,  writes 
the  word,  Cremilliere. 

CREMILLIERE,  Fr.  a  pot-hanger. 

CREMILLON,  Fr.ahook. 

CRENAUX,  Fr.  small  openings,  or 
loop,  holes  which  are  made  through  the 
walls  of  a  fortified  town  or  place.  They 
are  extremely  narrow  towards  the  ene- 
my, and  wide  within;  so  that  the  balls 
from  the  besiegers  can  scarcely  ever  en- 
ter, whereas  two  or  three  soldiers  may 
fire  from  within. 

CRENELE,  Fr.  embattled;  having 
loop-holes. 

CRENELER,  Fr.  to  indent;  notch. 

CRENELLATED  Parapet,  an  em- 
battled parapet  with  loop-holes  to  fire 
through. 

CRENELURE,  Fr.  indenting. 

CREOLE,  CREOLIAN,  {Creole,  Fr.) 
A  person  born  in  the  West  Indies,  but 
of  European  Origin.  Creoliansare  very 
tenacious  of  their  birth,  and  will  not 
associate  with  blacks,  or  mulattoes. 

CREPAINE,  CREPANCE,  Fr.  an 
ulcer  seated  in  the  midst  of  the  forepart 
of  a  horse's  foot,  about  an  inch  above  the 
coronet. 

CREPUSCULE,  Fr.  twilight. 

CRESCENT.     See  Orders. 

CRESSET,  any  great  light  upon  a 
beacon,  light-house,  or  watch-tower. 

CREST  of  the  parapet,  or  <>f  the 
glacis,  is  the  superior  surface,  or  too,  of 
the  parapet  of  any  work. 

Crest,  (crcte,  Fr.)  a  tuft  of  feathers, 
a  plume,  a  tassel,  generally  worn  in  the 
helmet.  These  crests  were  originally 
made  of  horse-hair;  and,  according  to 
Herodotus,  were  invented  by  the  Ethio- 
pians. 

CiiEsr-fallen,  dispirited,  out  of  heart, 
cast  down,  cVc. 

CRETE,  in  fortification,  implies  the 
earth  thrown  out  of  the  ditch  hi  a  forti- 
fication, trench,  tkc.  The  most  elevated 
part  of  a  parapet,  or  glacis. 

Crete   d'un   chemin   couvert,    d'une 


C  R  I 


(      144      ) 


C  R  () 


piece  tlr  fortification^  d'unc  montagne, 
d'nn  rocker,  &c.  Fr.  the  peak  or  highest 
pari  of  a  covert-way,  o*-  of  any  work 
in  fortification;  the  summit  of  a  hill, 
rock,  &c. 

'J'lie  French  say  figuratwely,  Buisser 
hi  crete,  to  be  less  haughty,  to  lose  one's 
vigour  or  strength. 

CREVICE,  (  crevasse,  Fr.)  a  chasm  or 
hollow  Bpace  which  is  made  by  time,  or 
mismanagement,  in  a  piece  of  ordnance 
ike;  it  also  signifies  a  crack  in  a  wall, 
ike. 

CRT,  Fr.  the  acclamation  or  shout 
which  is  made  by  soldiers  when  the 
enemy  gives  way,  and  a  battle  is  won. 
Also  the  sound  uiven  by  the  voice  in 
challenging  a  sentry.  Cri  also  signifies 
the  motto  which  is  written  upon  colours, 
or  coats  of  anus  belonging  to  illustrious 
houses. 

Cm  des  amies,  Fr.  a  savage  custom 
which  is  still  preserved  by  the  Turks 
and  other  uncivilized  nations,  whenever 
they  go  into  action.  It  was  formerly 
practised  among  the  French,  Spaniards, 
and  the  English,  ike.  The  national 
exclamations  were  Montjoie  and  St. 
Dcnys  for  France,  St.  James  for  Spain, 
St.  George  for  England,  Farrah  formerly 
lor  Ireland,  St.  Andrew  for  Scotland,  St. 
Malo,  or  St.  Yves,  for  the  Dukes  of 
Britttany,  St.  Lambert  for  the  principa- 
lity of  Liege,  ike.  The  war-hoop  may 
likewise  be  considered  in  this  light.  It 
is  s  till  practised  among  the  savages  of 
America.    See  War  hoop. 

In  making  any  desperate  assault,  or 
in  charging  bayonet,  or  when  one  bat- 
talion is  directly  opposed  to  another,  or 
squadron  to  squadron,  French  soldiers 
frequently  use  the  cri  des  armes ;  Tuez  ! 
tiuzf  and  the  Spaniards  vociferate  "hiatal 
Silence  and  calmness  in  the  soldier,  and 
steadiness  and  observation  in  the  officer, 
are,  nevertheless,  superior  to  such  un- 
governable effusions.  The  former  must 
contribute  to  regularity,  the  latter  sel- 
dom fail  to  create  disorder. 

CRIBLB,  JV.a  riddle;  a  sieve. 
CRIBLE  de  coups,   Fr.  covered  with 
blows,  or  wounds;  pierced  through  and 
through. 

CRIBLEIt,  Fr.  to  lame;  to  cripple; 
to  render  unfit  for  service. 

CRICjCRJCQ,  Fr.a  machine  which 
is  u^ed  to  move  forwards,  or  drag  up  a 
piece  of  ordnance,  a  mortar,  tkc.  or  any 
load,  from  the  ground.  The  c  is  not  pro- 
nounced in  this  word. 


CRIC,  Fr.  a  poignard  used  by  the 
Malya  people.  The  c  is  pronounced 
in  this  word. 

CRIME  de  lezc-majestc,  Fr.  high 
treason. 

CRIMP,  (raceoleur,  Fr.)  a  person 
who  makes  it  his  business  to  entice 
others  into  a  military  life,  generally  by 
mil. or  meahs. 

CRINIERE,  Fr.  that  part  of  the  ca- 
parison which  covers  the  horse's  neck. 
The  name  of  crinicre  is  also  given  to  a 
hunch  of  culling  horse-hair  worn  upon 
the  helmets  of  the  dragoons,  which  flows 
down  on  the  sides,  like  a  garland,  or  up- 
on the  hack. 

CRINIERE,  or  manefuire,    a  defence 
for  the  neck   of   a    horse  against  a  blow 
from  a  sword.     It  consisted  of  a  number 
of  small  plates,  generally  about  twelve, 
hooked   together,  and  fastened   to    the 
chant  Von,  so  as  to  be  moveable. 
CRIQUES,  Fr.  small  ditches. 
CRISIS,  (crise,  Fr.)  the  point  of  time 
at  which  any  affair  comes  to  the  height. 
CRISTA,  a  plume.     See  C  ft  EST. 
CRIT,  Fr.  a  small  dagger. 
CROATS,  light  irregular  troops  from 
Croatia.     Their    method  of  fighting   is 
the  same  as  the  I'andours.     They  wear 
a     short     waistcoat,      and     long    v\hite 
breeches,    with    light    boots,   and  a  cap 
greatly  resembling  the  hussar  cap.  Their 
arms    are    a    long    firelock 
barrel,   and    short    bayonet, 
hanger,  and  a  brace  of  pistols.     The  late 
Empress  Queen  of  Austria  had  5000  of 
these  troops,  the  greatest  part  of  which 
had  no  pay,  but  lived  by  plunder. 

CROC,"  uic  Crochet  de  Sape,  Fr.  a 
pole  with  an  iron  hook,  used  to  place  the 
gabions  and  fascines. 

CROCHET  de  tranchie,  Fr.  the  fur- 
ther end  of  a  trench  or  boyav,  which  is 
purposely  carried  on  to  conceal  the  head 
of  the  bui/uu,  in  order  to  prevent  it  from 
being  enfiladed;  and  to  serve  as  a  small 
place-of-arms  from  whence  soldiers  may 
fire  against  sallying  parties. 
CROCS,  Fr.  whiskers. 
CROCUS,  (saf'ran  des  mitaux,  Fr.)  a 
calcined  metal  used  by  soldiers  to  clean 
their  muskets,  tkc. 

CROISADE,  CRUSADE,  (croisade, 
Fr.)  a  holy  war,  or  an  expedition  of  the 
Christians  against  the  Infidels  for  the  re- 
covery of  the  Holy  Land,  so  called  from 
those  who  engaged  in  it  wearing  a  cross 
on  their  clothes. 

CROIX   de  St.  Andre,  Fr.  St.  An- 


wilh    rifled 
a  crooked 


C  R  O 


(     145     ) 


C  R  O 


(1  rew's  cross,  so  called  from  the  saint  of 
that  name  having  been  crucified  upon  it. 
It  consists  of  two  pieces  of  wood  placed 
diagonally  across  each  other. 

Croix  'de  St.  Louis,  Fr.  the  cross 
of  St.  Louis,  a  French  order  which  is 
purely  of  a  military  nature.  It  was  in- 
stituted by  Louis,  surnamed  the  Great, 
in  1693. 

In  1719  the  number  of  grand  crosses 
to  be  distributed  in  the  French  army  was 
limited,  with  appropriate  allowances,  in 
the  following  manner: 

445  commandeurs  and  chevaliers,  12 
grand  crosses  at  6000  livres,  13  com- 
mandeurs at  4000  livres,  27  ditto  at 
3000,  35  chevaliers  at  2000,  38  ditto  at 
1500,  106  ditto  at  1000,  1  ditto  at  900, 
99  ditto  at  800,45  ditto  at  600,  25  ditto 
at  500,  35  ditto  at  400,  5  ditto  at  300, 
and  4  ditto  at  200. 

The  King  is  Sovereign  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  Order.  Land  and  sea  officers 
waer  it  promiscuously.  The  cross  con- 
sists of  an  enamelled  golden  Jieur  de  Lis, 
which  is  attached  to  the  button-hole  of 
of  the  coat  by  means  of  a  small  ribbon, 
crimson  coloured  and  watered. 

On  one  side  is  the  cross  of  St.  Louis 
■with  this  inscription :  Ludovicus  Magnus 
instituit,  1693  ;  on  the  reverse  side  a 
blazing  sword  with  the  following  words, 
Bellice  virtutis  premium. 

This  is  the  only  order  which  can  be 
properly  and  strictly  called  military. 
There  are  several  others,  which  we  judge 
superfluous  to  our  present  undertaking. 

CRONE,  Fr.  a  round  low  tower, 
covered  at  the  top  like  a  windmill, 
which  stands  upon  the  sea-side,  or  on 
the  banks  of  a  river,  and  turns  upon  a 
pivot,  with  a  hook,  serving  to  load  and 
unload  cargoes. 

CRONET,  the  iron  at  the  end  of  a 
tilling  spade. 

To  CROP,  (tondre,  Fr.)  to  cut  short. 

A  Crop,  (tite  toadue,  Fr.)  what  was 
called  among  the  followers  of  Oliver 
Cromwell,  a  roundhead.  During  the 
late  war,  the  officers  and  soldiers  were  re- 
lieved from  a  certain  regulated  length  of 
tail,  and  permitted  to  have  short  hair 
without  powder. 

CROQUANT,  Fr.  the  name  of  a 
faction  which  committed  great  depre- 
dations towards  the  end  of  the  sixteenth 
century,  in  several  provinces  on  the 
pther  side  of  the  Loire.  In  1593,  the 
peasantry  of  Perigord,  Limousin,  and 
Potto*,  assembled  i«   larje  bodies,  ap- 


pointed their  commanders,  refused  ta 
pay  the  taxes,  over-ran  the  country,  ana 
gave  no  quarter  to  any  of  the  nobility 
that  had  the  misfortune  to  fall  into  their 
hands.  They  were  named  Croquants, 
from  the  word  croquer,  to  devour,  or 
pilfer;  literally  to  crack. 
>  CROQUES,  Fr.a  rough  sketch  taker* 
of  any  thing. 

CROSS,  the  ensign,  or  grand  standard 
borne  by  the  crusaders  in  the  Holy  Land. 

Gran D-Cross,  a  superior  mark  of  dis- 
tinction belonging  to  the  military  order 
of  the  Bath,  lately  created.     See  Order. 

Cnoss-battery,  (batterie  de  travers, 
Fr.)     See  Battery. 

C'Ross-^ire  is  when  the  lines  of  fire 
of  two  or  more  adjoining  sides  of  a 
field  redoubt,  &c.  cross  one  another;  it 
is  frequently  used  to  prevent  an  enemy's 
passing  a  defile.  It  may  be  two  ways 
obtained :  first  by  constructing  the  re- 
doubt with  the  face  opposite  to  the  defile, 
tenailed;  that  is,  forming  a  re-entering 
angle.  The  other  way  is,  to  defend  the 
defile  by  two  redoubts,  whose  faces  com- 
mand the  passage;  flanking  each  other 
at  the  same  time. 

CROSS-6ar  shot,  {balle  ramie,  Fr.)  shot 
with  iron  bars  crossing  through  them, 
sometimes  standing  6  or  8  inches  out  at 
both  sides:  they  are  used  at  sea  for 
destroying  the  enemy's  rigging.  At  a 
siege  they  are  of  great  service  in  demo- 
lishing the  enemy's  palisading,  &c. 

Cfioss-/>ars,  (croistes,  Fr.)  bars  laid 
across  one  another. 

CROss-iars,  sometimes  called  the  splin- 
ter, or  master-bar,  that  part  of  the  car- 
riage which  the  shafts  are  fixed  in,  and 
from  which  the  draft  of  the  carriage  is 
produced. 

Cross-6ow,  called  by  the  Latins  arcus 
balistarius,  or  balista  manualis,  was  an 
offensive  weapon  which  consisted  of  a 
bow  fixed  to  the  top  of  a  sort  of  staff",  or 
stick  of  wood,  which  the  string  of  the 
bow,  when  unbent,  crossed  at  right 
angles.     See  Bow. 

CROSSES,  distinctions  given  to  mili- 
tary men  for  exploits  and  good  conduct 
in  war.     See  Order. 

CROUP,  (crouppe,  Fr.)  the  buttocks 
of  a  horse. 

CROUPADES,  Fr.  higher  leaps  than 
common  curvets.  The  bouncing  of  a 
horse. 

CROUPE,  Fr.  the  top  of  a  hill. 

CROUPIERE,  or  buttoek-piece,  hs>rs« 
armour. 
W 


CRO 


(    no    ) 


C  11  u 


CROW,  an  iron  bar,  used  as  a  lever 
in  moving  heavy  ordnance  or  carriages, 
&c.  The  crows  used  in  the  artillery 
service  are  4  feet  6  inches,  and  5  feet 
iu  length. 

CROWN,  (couronne,  Fr.)  ttie  orna- 
ment of  the  head  which  denotes  impe- 
rial and  regal  dignity.  It  also  signifies 
reward,  honorary  distinction,  as  ucrotni. 
of  laurels,  &c. 

'Hie  crowns,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, were  of  various  uses  and  denomi- 
nations, viz. 

Oral  Crown,  corona  ovatis,  given  to  a 
general  who,  without  effusion  of  Wood, 
had  conquered  the  enemy. 

Naval  Ckown,  corona  navalia,  dishi- 
buted  to  those  who  first  should  board  an 
enemy's  ship. 

Camp  Crown,  corona  castrensis,  the 
reward  of  those  who  first  parsed  the  pali- 
sades, and  forced  an  enemy's  camp. 

Mural  CROWN,  corona  vrura/is,  the 
recompense  and  mark  of  honour  due  to 
those  who  first  mounted  the  breach  at 
the  assault  of  a  besieged  town. 

Civic  Crown,  corot't  civica,  more 
esteemed  than  the  preceding:  it  was  the 
distinguishing  mark,  of  those  who  had 
saved  the  life  of  a  Roman  citizen  in 
battle.  It  was  given  to  Cicero  for  dis- 
sipating the  conspiracy  of  Catiline,  and 
denied  to  Cassar,  because  he  imbrued 
his  hands  in  the  blood  of  his  fellow- 
citizens. 

TriBwpAaZCROWN,  corona  triumphalis, 
the  symbol  of  victory,  and  presented  to 
a  general  who  gained  any  signal  advan- 
tage to  the  republic. 

Grass  Crown,  corona  "ranrinca,  was 
delivered  by  the  whole  Roman  people 
to  any  general  who  had  relieved  an 
army  invested,  or  besieged,  by  the  enemy. 
The  other  crowns  were  distributed  by 
the  emperors  and  generals;  this  was 
given  to  Fabius  by  the  Roman  people, 
for  obliging  Hannibal  to  decamp  from 
Rome. 

Olive  Crown,  corona  oliva,  the  sym- 
bol of  peace,  and  presented  to  the  nego- 
ciators  of  it. 

Iron  Crown,  (couronne  dc  fcr,  Fr.) 
a  crown  which  was  formerly  worn  by  the 
kings  of  Lombardy,  and  by  Charlemagne 
as  emperor  of  the  West ;  iu  imitation 
of  whom,  Napoleon  the  First  was 
crowned  with  it  by  the  Pope,  us  king  of 
Italy,  in  1806. 

Crown  of  thorny  (couronne  cfepincs, 
Fr.)  a  crown  well  known  in  holy  history, 


as  having  been  placed,  in  mockery, upon 
the  bleeding  temples  of  our  Redeem ef 
by  order  of  Pontius  Pilate  to  satisfy  the 
Jews.  It  also  signifies  any  crown  ac- 
quired by  usurpation,  or  supported  by 
tyranny,  or  imbecility. 

CROWN-.id/Vc,  in  fortification,  an 
out-uork  that  takes  up  more  ground 
(than  any  other.  It  consists  of  a  large 
gorge,  and  two  sides  terminating  to- 
wards the  country  iu  two  demi-bastions, 
each  of  which  is  joined  by  a  particular 
Cttrfain, forming  two  half  has  lions  and  one 
whole  one.  Crovvn-vvoi  ks  arc  made  before 
the  curtain,  or  the  bastion,  and  generally 
serve  to  enclose  some  buildings  which 
cannot  be  brought  within  the  body  of 
the  place',  Or  to  cover  the  town-gates,  or 
else  to  occupy  S  spot  of  ground  which 
might  lie  advantageous  to  the  enemy. 
Sec  Fob  i  iik.vi  ion. 

CKOWN  Ft)  horn-aork,  in  fortifica- 
tion, is  a  horn-work,  with  a  crown-work 
before  it. 

ClvOWS;/ir/  are  4  pointed  irons,  so 
made,  that  what  way  soever  fhev  fall,  one 
point  is  alvvavs  uppermost.  The  short 
ones  are  about  4  inches  in  length,  and 
the  long  ones  (5  or  7.  The  short  ones  are 
thrown  on  bridges^&C  and  the  long  ones 
on  the  earth;  both  serving  to  incommode 
the  cavalry,  that  they  may  not  approach 
without  great  difficulty. 

C ROWS- 1<7/,  a  surgeon's  instrument 
for  extracting  bullets,  broken  hones,  &c. 

CRUCIIES  a  feu,  Fr.  earthen  pots 
with  two  handles,  filled  with  grenades, 
having  the  intervals  between  them  filled 
with  powder:  these  jirc-pols  are  first 
stopped  with  a  sheep  skin  fastened 
round  the  neck;  a  match  is  nextfixed' 
to  each  handle;  these  are  set  fire  to, 
and  thrown  upon  the  enemy,  on  their 
approach  to  storm  the  walls;  the  mo- 
ment the  pots  break,  the  fire  from  the 
matches  communicates  to  the  powder 
and  to  the  grenades. 

CRUPELLAIRES,  Fr.  the  nobiliy 
amongst  the  ancient  Gauls,  all  of  them 
fervent  is,  that  is  to  say,  covered  with 
iron;  they  served  on  foot,,  until,  pur- 
suant to  a  regulation  of  Charles  \  TJ. 
king  of  France,  they  were  named  homines 
des  amies,  men  at  arms,  and  each  of  them 
was  obliged  to  keep  four  horses. 

CRUPPER,  a  leather  strap  which  is 
placed  under  a  horse's  tail  to  prevent 
the  saddle  from  moving  forwards.  It 
forms  a  part  of  a  horseman's  military 
furniture. 


CUB 


(     U7     ) 


C  U  I 


Cr.v  rvzn-buckles  are  large  square 
buckles  fixed  to  the  saddle-tree  behind, 
to  fasten  the  crupper,  each  buckle  hay- 
ing a  roller  or  two,  to  make  it  draw 
easily. 

CU,      I  Fr.  literally  the   bottom,  or 

CUL,  i  brainless  part  of  the  human, 
or  animal,  frame. 

Cu  de  basse  fosse,  Fr.  a  deep  dun- 
geon. 

Tirer  le  Cu  en  arriere,  Fr.  to  loiter, 
Co  hang  behind, 

Tour  faile   en   Cu   de   lampe,  Fr.  a 
.  tower  winding  downwards  like  a  wreathed 
shell. 

Cu  or  Cul  de  lampe,  according  to 
Belidor,  signifies  also  a  kind  of  pen- 
•dentive  which  hangs  from  the  mouldings 
•  in  Gothic  vaults;  also  an  assemblage  of 
sculptured  stones  which  serve  to  sup- 
port centr.f/-boxes,  or  small  turrets  at- 
tached to  the  salient  angles  of  stone  and 
brick  works. 

Cu  de  sac,  Fr.  a  blind  alley ;  an  alley, 
street,  or  place,  that  has  no  thoroughfare. 

Avoir  leCvL  sur  la  selle,  Fr.  to  be  on 
horseback. 

Tenir  conseil  de  guerre  le  Cul  sur  la 
selle,  Fr.  to  hold  a  council  of  war  on 
horseback. 

CUBATION,    )  {cubation,  Fr,)  is  the 

CUBATURE,  S  cubing  of  a  solid,  or 
the  art  of  measuring  the  solidity  of 
bodies.  This  solidity  is  usually  ascer- 
tained by  multiplying  together  their 
three  several  dimensions:  viz.  their 
length,  breadth,  and  height  or  depth. 

The  cubature  has  respect  to  the  con- 
tent of  a  solid,  as  the  quadrature  has 
to  the  superficies  of  a  figure:  so  that 
the  cubature  of  the  sphere  turns  on 
the  same  thing  as  the  quadrature  of  the 
circle. 

CUBE,  ^  solid  contained  between  six 
equal  square  sides.  The  solidity  of  any 
cube  is  found  by  multiplying  the  super- 
ficial content  of  any  one  of  the  sides  by 
the  height.  Cubes  are  to  one  another 
in  the  triplicate  ratio  of  their  diagonals. 

CvBE-root  is  the  side  of  one  of  the 
squares  constituting  the  cube. 

CUBIC-J'oot  implies  so  much  as  is 
contained  in  a  cube,  whose  side  is  1  loot 
or  12  inches. 

Cubic  hyperbola  is  a  figure  expressed 
by  the  equation  x  y  '2— a,  having  2 
asymptotes,  and  consisting  of  2  hyper- 
bolas, lying  iii  the  adjoining  angles  of 
the  asymptotes,  and  not  in  the  opposite 


angles,  like  the  Apollonian  hyperbola., 
being  otherwise  called,  by  Sir  Isaac 
Newton,  in  his  enumeral.io  linearum 
lertii  ordinis,  an  hyperbolismus  of  a 
parabola;  and  is  the  65th  species  of 
lines,  according  to  him. 

Cubic  number  is  that  which  is  pro- 
duced by  multiplying  any  number  by 
itself,  and  then  again  the  product  by  that 
number. 

Cubic  parabola,  a  curve  of  the  se- 
cond order,  having  infinite  legs,  diverging 
contrary  ways. 

CUE  or  Queue,  the  hair  tied  in  form 
of  a  tail.  All  the  British  soldiers,  ex- 
cepting the  grenadiers  and  light  infantry, 
were  formerly  ordered  to  wear  their 
hair  cue'd.  They  are  now  permitted  to 
wear  it  short, 

En  CUERPO,  en  chemise,  Fr.  from 
the  Spanish,  in  one's  shirt. — Se  battre  eri 
cuerpo,  To  tight  in  one's  shirt. 

CUILLER,  on  cuillirt  a  canon,  Fr. 
a  copper  ladle  or  scoop,  which  is  used 
to  draw  the  cartridge  out  of  the  gun. 

CUIR  bouilli,  Fr.  jacked  leather,  such 
as  jack-boots,  leathern  bottles,  pouches, 
&c.  are  made  of. 

CUIRASSE,  a  piece  of  defensive 
armour,  made  of  plate,  well  hammered, 
serving  to.coverthe  body,  from  the  neck 
to-  the  girdle,  both  before  and  behind, 
called  breast  and  back-plate. 

CUIRASSIERS,  a  sort  of  heavy  ca- 
valry armed  with  cuirasses,  as  most  of 
the  German  horse  are.  The  several 
German  powers  have  regiments  of  cui- 
rassiers, especially  the  Emperor,  and  the 
King  of  Prussia.  The  late  King  of 
France  had  also  one  regiment;  but  we 
have  had  none  in  the  English  army  since 
the  Revolution.  There  were  troops  of 
this  description  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Waterloo,  who  had, until  that  time,  been 
thought  invincible,  but  were  completely 
routed  and  destroyed  by  the  superior 
weight  and  dexterity  of  the  Life  Guards; 
notwithstanding  the  peculiar  advantages 
of  their  armour,  which  was  musket-proof 
in  most  parts. 

CUISII,  from  cuisse,  Fr.  thigh.  See 
Cuissars. 

CUISINES,  Fr.  kitchens;  ditches  dug 
by  the  soldiers,  in  rear  of  the  camp,  to 
cook  their  victuals. 

CUISSARS,  Fr.  are  plates  or  scales 
made  of  beaten  iron,  which  formerly 
served  to  cover  the  thighs. 

CUITE,    Fr.   a    technical    word    to 
U2 


C  U   N 


(     148    ) 


CUT 


express  the  preparation  of  saltpetre  for 
the  making  of  gunpowder.  See  Salt- 
l'l.I  rf. 

CUL  de  chaudron,  Fr.  the  hollow  or 
excavation  left  after  the  explosion  of  a 
mine. 

CULASSE,  Fr.  breech  of  a  gun;  butt- 
end  of  a  musket. 

CULATE,  Fr.  that  part  which  stands 
between  the  touch-hole  of  a  cannon  and 
the  button. 

CULBUTER,  Fr.  to  overthrow; 
break;  turn  upside  down. 

Cui.buter  tine  culonne,  Fr.  to  oxer- 
throw  a  column. 

CULCIT/E,  mattresses  used  from 
time  immemorial ;  at  first  they  were 
made  of  dried  herbs,  next  of  feathers, 
and  finally  of  wool.  In  proportion  as 
the  Romans  relaxed  from  their  former 
severe  discipline,  they  would  carry  mat- 
tresses with  them,  notwithstanding  they 
were  forbidden.  During  the  siege  Of 
Numantia,  Scipio,  finding  that  all  pro- 
hibitions were  superfluous,  set  the  ex- 
ample to  his  troops;  insisted  upon  hav- 
ing no  bed  made  for  himself,  but  con- 
stantly slept  on  a  bundle  of  hay.  It  is 
not  necessary,  however,  that  a  general 
should  lie  on  the  bare  ground  for  ever; 
let  it  suliice  that  he  has  done  so  once; 
he  stands  more  in  need  of  sleep  than 
any  other  man  in  his  army ;  he  is  ex- 
posed to  be  summoned  up  frequently  in 
the  course  of  the  night;  besides,  the 
fatigues  and  agitation  of  mind  which 
he  has  undergone  on  the  preceding  day, 
require  that  he  should  enjoy  some  re- 
pose to  be  able  to  resume  the  labour  of 
the  morrow.  The  Duke  of  Wellington 
has  been  remarkable  for  his  neglect  of 
bodily  comfort;  especially  during  the 
campaigns  in  the  Peninsula. 

CULEE  d'etre  boidant,  Fr.  a  massy 
pile  which  receives  and  sustains  the  de- 
clivities of  an  arch  or  a  buttress. 

CULEIRE,  Fr.  a  crupper,  which  see. 
CULLION  head,  a  sconce,  or  block- 
house, the  same  as  a  bastion. 

CULOT,  Fr.  the  thickest  part  of  a 
shell. 

CULOTTE,  Fr.  breeches.     See  Sa  n  S- 

CULOTTES. 

CULSTODE,  Fr.     See  Custode 
CULVERIN, 

Culveri  s-ordinurt/, 
Culveri  n  oft/te  largest  si 
CULVERTAIL,    in    carpentry,    the 
same  as  dove-tail. 
CUNEUS.     See  Wedge. 


f       See 
(Cannon. 


CUNETTE.     See  Cuvette. 

CURB,  a  chain  of  iron,  made  fast  to 
the  upper  part  of  the  branches  of  the 
bridle,  in  a  hole  called  the  eve,  and  run- 
ning over  the  beard  of  the  horse. 

CURBOULY,a  boot  of  jacked  leather, 
which  was  formerly  worn  by  hoiseincu. 

CURE-pit',  Fr.     See  Hoksk-imcker. 

CURFEW-fct//,  a  signal  given  in  cities 
taken  in  war,&c.  to  the  inhabitants  to  go 
to  bed.  The  most  memorable  curlew 
in  England  was  that  established  by  \\  il- 
liain  the  Conqueror,  who  ordered,  under 
severe  penalties,  that  at  the  ringing  of  a 
bell,  at  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  every 
one  should  put  out  his  lights  and  tires, 
and  go  to  bed,  &c. 

CURRIER,  a  kind  of  piece  form*  rly 
used  in  sieges.  According  to  Sir  John 
Smith,  in  his  remarks  on  the  writiugs  of 
Captain  Berwick,  a  currier  was  of  the 
same  calibre  and  strength  as  ,t  harque- 
huss,  but  had  a  longer  barrel. 

CURRYCOMB,  an  iron  instrument 
used  for  currying  horses. 

To  CURTAIL  a  horse,  to  dock  him, 
to  cut  oft'  his  tail. 

CURTAIN,    in    fortification,    is   that 

part  of  the  body  of  the  place  which  joins 

the' flank  of  one  bastion  to  that  of  the 

next.     See  Fortification. 

CURTELASSE, )  G  r  „.,  . 
,,,TUTrT  .  v  *  }  See  Cutlass. 
CURTELAX,     S 

CURTICONE,  in  geometry,  a  cone 
whose  top  is  cut  otT  by  a  plane  parallel 
to  its  basis. 

CURVATURE  of  a  line  in  its  bend- 
ing, or  flexure,  whereby  it  becomes  a 
curve  of  such  peculiar  properties. 

CURVE,  {courbe,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  a 
line,  wherein  the  several  points  it  con- 
sists of,  tend  several  ways,  or  are  placed 
in  different  directions. 

CURVILINEAL,  (curviligne,  Fr.) 
crooked  lined,  or  consisting  of  crooked 
lines. 

Curvilinear  figures,  in  geometry, 
are  spaces  bounded  by  crooked  lines;  as 
circles, ellipses,  spherical  triangles,  &c. 

CUSTODE,  Fr.  a  holster  cap. 

CUSTREL,  the  shield-bearer  of  the 
ancients  was  so  called. 

7b  CUT,  in  farriery,  to  interfere.  See 
INTERFERE. 

Cut,  the  action  of  a  sharp  or  edged 
instrument.  There  are  six  cuts  esta- 
blished for  the  use  of  the  cavalry,  to  be 
made  with  the  broad  sword,  or  sabre. 
See  Sword  Exercise. 

To  Cut  off,  to  intercept,  to  hinder  from 


CYC 


(     149     ) 


C  Z  A 


union  or  return.  In  a  military  sense, 
this  phrase  is  variously  applicable,  and 
extremely  familiar. 

To  Cut  short,  to  abridge;  as  the  sol- 
diers were  cut  short  of  their  pay. 

To  Cut  up,  to  destroy  promiscuously. 
When  the  cavalry  are  sent  in  pursuit  of 
a  flying  enemy,  the  latter  are  generally 
cut  up. 

To  Cut  through,  szvord  in  hand.  A 
small  body  of  brave  men,  headed  by  a 
good  officer,  will  frequently  extricate  it- 
self from  apparent  captivity,  or  destruc- 
tion, by  cutting  its  way  through  supe- 
rior force.  British  soldiers  have  often 
exhibited  proofs  of  this  extraordinary  ef- 
fort of  national  courage. 

Cut  and  thrust  szcord,  See  Spa  droon. 

To  Cut  the  round,  or  Cut  the  volt, 
is  to  change  the  hand  when  a  horse 
n-ork.s  upon  volts  of  one  tread,  so  that 
dividing  the  volt  in  two,  he  turns  and 
parts  upon  a  right  line  to  recommence 
another  volt. 

CUTLER,  an  artificer  whose  business 
is  to  forge,  temper,  and  mount  all  sorts 
of  sword-blades,  &c. 

CUTTTNG-o/f.  See  Retrenchment. 

CUTTS,  a  soi"-  of  flat-bottomed  boats, 
formerly  used  for  the  transportation  of 
faorses. 

CUVTE,  Fr.  This  word  literally  sig- 
nifies a  tub;  but  it  is  also  used  by  the 
French  to  express  any  thing  steep  of 
ascent,  as  fosses  a  fond  de  cuve,  steep 
ditches. 

CUVETTE,  Fr.  a  cistern  :  a  small 
ditch,  or  reservoir.  In  fortification,  it 
is  a  small  ditch  of  10  or  12  feet  broad, 
made  in  the  middle  of  a  large  dry  ditch, 
about  4  or  4|  feet  deep,  serving  as  a  re- 
trenchment to  defend  the  ditch,  or  else 
to  let  water  in,  (if  it  can  be  had  during  a 
siege,)  and  afford  an  obstacle,  should  the 
enemy  endeavour  to  cross  the  fosse. 

CYCLISCUS,  in  surgery,  an  instru- 
ment made  in  the  form  of  a  half-moon, 
for  scraping  away  corrupt  flesh,  &c. 

CYCLOID,  a  curve  formed  by  a  point 
in  a  circle  revolving  upon  aplane.    Thus 


every  point  in  the  outer  rim  of  a  car- 
riage wheel  in  motion  moves  in  a  cycloid. 
M.  Huyghens  has  applied  the  cycloid  to 
clocks,  by  which  he  renders  their  move- 
ments more  equal  and  regular. 

CYCLOIDAL  space,  the  space  con- 
tained between  the  cycloid  and  the  sub- 
tense thereof. 

CYCLOMETRY,  (cyclomitrie,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  measuring  cycles,  or  circles. 

CYCLOPAEDIA.  SeeENCYCLOPjEDiA. 

CYLINDER,  a  solid  body,  having 
two  flat  surfaces  and  one  circular. 

Cylinder,  or  concave  cylinder  of  a 
gun,  is  all  the  hollow  length  of  the  piece 
or  bore.     See  Cannon. 

Charged  Cylinder,  the  chamber,  or 
that  part  which  receives  the  powder  and 
ball. 

Vacant  Cylinder,  that  part  of  the 
hollow  or  bore  which  remains  empty  when 
the  piece  is  loaded. 

CYLINDROID  is  a  frustum  of  a 
cone,  having  its  bases  parallel  to  each 
other,  but  unlike. 

CYMAR,  a  slight  covering;  a  scarf. 

CYMBAL,  (cymbale,  Fr.)  a  warlike 
musical  instrument  in  use  among  the  an- 
cients, made  of  brass  and  silver,  not  un- 
like our  kettle-drums,  and,  as  some  think, 
in  their  form,  but  smaller.  They  are 
now  used  by  the  British  and  other  Eu- 
ropean nations,  in  their  martial  music. 

CZAR,  a  title  of  honour  assumed  by 
the  great  dukes,  or,  as  they  are  now  styled, 
emperors  of  all  the  Russias.  This  title  is 
no  doubt,  by  corruption,  taken  from 
Cesar,  emperor :  and  the  Czars  accord- 
ingly bear  an  eagle  as  the  symbol  of  their 
empire.  The  first  that  bore  this  title  was. 
Bazil,  the  son  of  Basilides,  about  the  year 
1470.  The  empress  is  called  the  Czarina 
orTzarina. 

CZARIENNE,  Fr.  a  term  applied 
only  in  the  following  manner:  Sa  Majeste 
Czarienne,  his  or  herCzarine  Majesty. 

CZARINE,  the  Czar's  wife;  or  the  fe- 
male sovereign  of  Russia. 

CZARO WITZ,  the  son  of  the  Czar  or 
Czarine  of  Russia, 


(     150    ) 


D 


DAN 


D  A  U 


TT\  BY  the  Articles  of  War  it  is  enacted, 
*-*'  that  a  court-martial  may  order  any 
non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier  who 
has  been  convicted  of  desertion,  to  he 
marked  on  the  left  side,  two  inches  be- 
low the  arm-pit,  with  the  letter  D.  Such 
letter  not  to  be  less  than  half  an  inch 
long,  and  to  be  marked  upon  the  skin 
with  some  ink,  or  gunpowder,  or  other 
preparation,  so  as  to  be  visible  and  con- 
spicuous, and  not  liable  to  be  obliterated. 

DAG,  an  obsolete  word  for  hand-gun, 
or  pistol ;  so  celled  from  serving  the  pur- 
poses of  a  dagger,  being  carried  secretly, 
and  doing  mischief  suddenly. 

DAGGER,  (dugiie,  Fr.)  in  military 
affairs,  a  short  sword  or  poignard,  about 
12  or  13  inches  long. 

DAGUE  de  prcvbl,  Fr.  a  cat  o'nine 
tails. 

DALES,  Fr.  flagstones. 

DAM.     See  Dyke. 

DAMAS,  Fr.  a  sabre  made  of  the  best 
polished  steel,  and  well  tempered  :  it  rs 
excessively  sharp,  and  is  so  called  from 
Damascus  in  Syria,  where  the  first  of  the 
kind  were  manufactured. 

To  DAMASK,  (damasquiner,  Fr.)  to 
inlay  iron  or  steel,  with  gold  or  silver, 
as  to  damask  the  hilt  or  blade  of  a  sword. 

DAMASQUINE,  Fr.  is  said  of  a 
poignard,  sabre,  sword,  musket,  pistol, 
shield,  helmet,  or  lance,  that  is  orna- 
mented with  sold  or  silver. 

DAME,  Fi .  a  bank  of  earth  ;  a  dam. 
Dame  likewise  means  a  piece  of  wood 
with  two  handles,  used  to  press  down 
turf  or  dirt  in  a  mortar. 

Dame  oh  quille,  Fr.  a  small  turret 
which  is  erected  upon  a  rampart  wall, 
or  on  the  top  of  a  building,  to  overlook 
the  country,  and  prevent  soldiers  from 
deserting. 

Dame  jeannc,  Fr.  a  large  bottle  in 
which  wine  or  other  liquors  may  be  kept. 

DAMNED,  (dumne,  Fr.)lost;  profli- 
gate. 

Z'awieDAMNliE  de quelqu'un,Tr. the 
tool,  or  unprincipled  instrument  of  any 
one. 

DANE-gefr,  an  ancient  tribute  of 
twelve  pence  laid  upon  every  hide  of  land 


by  the  Danes,  after  they  had  invaded 
England. 

DANGERS  to  which  land  forces  are 
exposed,  (dangers  pour  les  troupes  de 
terre,  Fr.)  Under  this  title  are  compre- 
hended unknown  defiles,  certain  passages 
in  a  country  that  have  not  been  recon- 
noitred ;  bridges  which,  from  the  stra- 
tagem of  the  enemy,  are  rendered  unsafe; 
rocks,  straits  of  rivers,  a  wood,  a  forest, 
an  ambuscade  ;  a  height  in  the  shape  of 
a  curtain,  behind  which  troops  are  con- 
cealed ;  marshes,  sandy  grounds;  false  in- 
formation; traitors;  weariness;  the  want 
of  pay  and  of  provisions;  hard  treatment ; 
want  of  discipline;  the  bad  example 
given  by  the  officers;  neglect;  unbound- 
ed security;  bad  morals;  plunder  allowed 
unseasonably:  all  the  above  are  things 
which  at  various  times  may  expose  an 
army ;  but  a  wise  and  prudent  general 
knows  how  to  remove  all  dangers  of  the 
kind.  Mistrust  and  want  of  confidence, 
occasioned  by  the  improvident  appoint- 
ment of  weak  commanders,  are  likewise 
great  dangers  for  an  army. 

DANSE  militaire,  Fr.  a  military  dance 
used  among  the  ancients. 

DARD.'JV.  a  dart. 

Dard  a  J'ru,  Fr.  a  javelin  trimmed 
with  lire-works,  that  is  thrown  on  ships, 
or  against  places  which  you  wish  to  set 
on  fire. 

DARDER,  Fr.  to  throw  a  dart,  or 
any  other  pointed  weapon. 

D  ARDEUR,  Fr.  a  person  who  throws 
a  dart. 

DARE,  a  challenge  or  defiance  to 
single  combat. 

DARRA  I X.     Sec  HATTLF.-aTVYn/. 

DA  USE,  Fr.  the  interior  part  of  a 
port,  which  is  shut  with  a  chain,  and 
where  gallies  and  other  small  craft  are 
sheltered. 

DART,  in  ancient  military  history,  im- 
plies a  small  kind  of  lance, thrown  by  the 
hand.  It  was  invented  by  Etholus  or 
GEtolus,  the  son  of  Mars. 

DAUPHIN,  a  title  given  to  the  eldest 
SOU  "t  France,  and  heir  presumptive  to 
the  crown,  on  account  of  the  province  of 
Dauphiny,  which,  in  1343,  was  given  to 


DEB 


(     151     ) 


DEB 


Philip  of  Valois,  on  this  condition,  by 
Humbert,  dauphin  of  the  Viennois. 

Dauphin,  Fr.  a  warlike  engine  used 
by  the  ancients  to  pierce  through  and 
sink  the  gallies  of  their  enemy.  It  threw 
a  heavy  mass  of  lead  or  of  iron  with 
such  impetuosity  as  to  do  great  execu- 
tion. This  engine  is  mentioned  in  the 
account  of  the  naval  engagement  in 
which  the  Athenians,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Nicias,  were  defeated  by  the 
Syracusans. 

Dauphins  des  canons,  Fr.  dolphins 
which  are  made  in  relief  on  the  trunnions 
of  field  pieces. 

DAY,  in  a  military  sense,  implies  any 
time  in  which  armies  may  be  engaged, 
from  the  rising  of  one  day's  sun  to  that 
of  another.  According  to  Johnson  it 
signifies  the  day  of  contest,  the  contest, 
the  battle.     Hence  a  hard-fought  day. 

DAYSMAN,  an  umpire  of  the  com- 
bat was  so  called. 

DE,  Fr.     See  Die. 

DEA.TH's-head Hussars.  SeellussARS. 

DEBACLE,  Fr.  breaking  of  a  frozen 
river. 

DEBACLEUR,  Fr.  water-bailiff. 

DEBANDADE,  Fr.  £  la  dcbandade, 
helter-skelter. 

Se  battre  a  la  Debandade,  to  fight  in 
a  loose,  dispersed  manner. 

Laisser  a  la  Debandade,  to  leave  at 
random,  or  in  disorder,  as  the  late  Em 
peror  of  the  French  left  his  army  on  the 
18th  day  of  June,  1815,  after  the  battle  of 
Waterloo. 

DEBANDEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of 
being  out  of  the  line,  or  irregularly 
formed. 

DEBARCADEUB,  Fr.  place  for  the 
landing  of  a  ship's  cargo. 

DE  BARD  EUR,  fr.  a  lighterman. 

DEBARK.     See  Disembark. 

DEBARQUEMEN T,  Fr.  disembark- 
ing. 

DEBAUCHERi,  Fr.  to  debauch,  se- 
duce, or  entice  a  .soldier  iVum  the  ser- 
vice of  his  king  and  country.  During 
the  reign  of  Louis  XV.  and  in  former 
reigns,  it  was  enacted,  that  any  person 
who  should  be  coinicted  ol  having  de- 
bauched, or  enticed,  a  soldier  from  his 
duty  should  sutler  death.  By  a  late  act 
of  parliament  it  is  made  a  capital  offence 
to  entice,  or  seduce,  a  soldier  from  any 
regiment  in  the  British  service. 

DEBENTURE  is  a  kind  of  war- 
rant, given  in  the  office  of  the  board  of 
ordnance,    whereby    the    person    whose 


name  is  therein  specified,  is  entitled  to 
receive  such  a  sum  of  money  as  by  for- 
mer contract  had  been  agreed  on,  whe- 
ther wages  or  otherwise.  Debenture,  in. 
some  of  the  acts  of  parliament,  denotes 
a  kind  of  bond  or  bill,  first  given  in  1649, 
whereby  the  government  is  charged  to 
pay  the  soldier,  creditor,  or  his  assigns, 
the  money  due  on  auditing  the  account 
of  his  arrears.  The  payments  of  the 
board  of  ordnance  for  the  larger  services 
at  home  are  always  made  by  debentures; 
and  the  usual  practice  has  been  to  make 
those  payments  which  are  said  to  be  in 
course  of  ollice,  at  a  period  which  is 
always  somewhat  more  than  three 
months  after  the  date  of  each  debenture, 
and  which  can  never  exceed  six  :  to  pay, 
for  instance,  at  once  for  the  three 
months  of  January,  February,  and 
March,  as  early  as  possible  after  the 
30th  of  June. 

Army-Debentures  are  generally  made 
up  at  the  Pay-Onice,  by  virtue  of  war- 
rants from  the  War-Orhce,  with  the 
state  of  regimental  charges  annexed, 
after  which  is  issued  the  final,  or  clearing 
warrant.     See  Warrant. 

DEBET,  Fr.  balance.  It  also  signi- 
fies the  same  as  dibit  ens,  debtor. 

DEBILLER,  Fr.  to  take  off  the 
horses  that  are  used  in  dragging  boats 
up  a  river. 

DE  BITER,  Fr.  to  saw  stones  for 
the  purpose  of  converting  the  several 
pieces  into  flag-stones,  &c.  It  also  sig- 
nifies to  saw  wood  into  thin  planks. 

DEBLAI,  Fr.  the  depth,  or  exca- 
vation, made  by  dicing. 

DEBLAYER,  Fr.  to  make  holes  or 
excavations  in  the  earth  with  spades  or 
pick-axes,  &c. 

Deiilaver  un  camp,  Fr.  to  evacuate 
a  camp  for  the  purpose  of  cleaning  and 
purifying  the  ground. 

Deblaver  les  terres  d'unjhsse,  Fr.  to 
throw  away  the  superfluous  earth  which 
is  not  used  in  constructing  a  parapet. 

ToDEBLOCADE,  from  the  French 
Dcbloquer ;  to  raise  the  sis-ge  of  a  place, 
or  to  clear  the  avenues  to  a  town  of  an 
enemy  that  prevents  ready  access  to  it. 

DEBORDEMENr,  IV.  This  word 
is  applied  to  that  excess  and  want  of 
gootl  order  among  troops,  which  induce 
them  to  overrun  a  country  that  is  friend- 
ly or  otherwise.  Debordanmt  was  the 
ancient  appellation  given  to  the  irrup- 
tion of  a  tribe  of  barbarians,  who  came 
from  afar  to  invade  a  strange  country. 


DEC 


(    *&    ) 


DEC 


DEBORDER,  Fr.  to  extend  to  the 
right  or  left  so  as  to  he  be  von  d  the  ex- 
treme points  of  a  Fortified  town  or  place. 

DEBOUCH^,  Fr.  the  outlet  of  a 
wood,  or  narrow  pass. 

Debouche  de  tranchee,  Fr.  the  open- 
ing which  is  made  at  the  extremity  of  a 
trench,  in  order  to  carry  the  work  more 
forward,  by  forming  new  boyaus,  and 
to  attack  a  place  more  closely. 

DEBOUCHEMENT,  Fr.  the  march- 
ingot'  an  army  from  a  narrow  place  into 
one  more  open. 

DEBOUCIIER,  Fr.  to  march  out 
of  a  defile  or  narrow  pass,  or  out  of  a 
wood,  village,  &c.  either  to  meet  an 
enemy  or  to  retire  from  him.  It  also 
signifies  to  begin  a  trench  or  boyau,  in 
fortification,  in  a  ziz-zag  direction  from 
a  preceding  one. 

D&boochbr  une  grosse  louche  a  feu, 
Fr.  to  take  the  wadding  out  of  a  heavy 
piece  of  ordnance. 

DEBOURRER,  Fr.  to  take  the  wad- 
dingout  of  a  cannon,  or  musket. 

DEBOURS,  Fr.  disbursements. 

DEBOUT,  Fr.  Up!  a  word  of  com- 
mand in  the  French  service,  when  troops 
kneel  upon  one  knee  in  the  presence  of 
the  consecrated  host. 

DEBRIS  it'inie  urmee,  Fr.  the  remains 
of  an  army  which  has  been  routed. 

DEBTS  and  Credits.  Every  captain 
of  a  troop  or  company  in  the  British 
service  is  directed  to  give  in  a  monthly 
statement  of  the  debts  and  credits  of  his 
men  ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  every  com- 
manding officer  to  examine  each  list,  and 
to  see  that  no  injustice  or  irregularity  has 
been  countenanced  or  overlooked,  in  so 
important  an  object  as  every  money  mat- 
ter between  officer  and  soldier  most  un- 
questionably is. 

DEBUSQUER,  Fr.  to  drive  an  ene- 
my's party  from  au  ambuscade  or  ad- 
vantageous position. 

DECAGON,  (decagonc,  Fr.)  in  for- 
tification, is  a  polygon  figure,  having  10 
sides,  and  as  many  abgles,  and  if  all  the 
sides  and  angles  be  equal,  it  is  called  a 
regular  decagon,  and  may  be  inscribed 
in  a  circle.  The  sides  of  a  regular  deca- 
gon are,  in  power  and  length,  equal  to 
the  greatest  segment  of  an  hexagon  in- 
scribed in  the  same  circle,  and  cut  in 
extreme  and  mean  proportion. 

To  DECAMP,  (dkamper,  Fr.)  to 
march  an  army  or  body  of  men  from 
the  ground  where  it  before  lay  en- 
camped.    It  also  signifies  to  quit   any 


any  place  or  position  in  an   unexpected 

manner. 

DECAMPEMENT,  Fr.  the  break- 
ing up  of  an  encampment. 

DECAMPER,  Fr.  to  leave  one  camp 
in  order  to  go  and  occupy  another. 

DECANI  S,  in  Roman  military  his- 
tory, an  officer  who  presided  over  ten 
other  officers,  and  was  head  of  the  con- 
tubernium,  or  serjeant  of  a  file  of  Ro- 
man soldiers. 

DECASQUER,  Fr.  to  take  off  one's 
helmet. 

DECEDER,  Fr.  to  die  a  natural 
death ;  hence  decease. 

DECEMPEDAL,  ( decern fede,  Fr.) 
an  ancient  measure  of  ten  feet. 

DECEMVIR,  (dicemvir,  Fr.)  In 
Roman  history  one  of  the  ten  magis- 
trates that  were  created,  on  various  occa- 
sions, under  the  republican  government. 

DECEMVIRATE,  (dicemvirat,  Fr.) 
the  station,  or  dignity,  of  a  decemvir; 
also  the  period  of  its  duration. 

DECIIARGE,  Fr.  the  act  of  firing 
off  a  musket. 

Decharge  generate,  Fr.  a  general 
discharge. 

Decharge  etarmessur  un  mort,  Fr.  a 
discharge  of  musketry  over  a  dead  body. 

Une  Decharge  de  coups  de  batbn,  Fr. 
a  bastinado;  a  volley  of  blows. 

DECIIARGEURS,  Fr.  men  appoint- 
ed to  attend  the  park  of  artillery,  and  to 
assist  the  non-commissioned  officers,&c. 
who  are  employed  on  that  service.  It  is 
the  duty  of  the  former  to  keep  a  specific 
account  of  articles  received  and  consumed^ 
in  order  to  enable  the  latter  to  furnish 
their  officers  with  accurate  statements. 

DECIIIRER  la  cartouche  avec  les 
dents,  Fr.  to  bite  cartridge. 

DECHOUER,  Fr.  a  sea  term,  sig- 
nifying to  get  a  ship  afloat,  which  has 
touched  or  been  stranded. 

To  DECIMATE  (decimer,  Fr.)  to 
chuse  one  out  of  ten,  by  lot. 

DECIMATION,  in  "Roman  military 
history,  a  punishment  inflicted  upon 
such  soldiers  as  quitted  their  post,  or 
behaved  themselves  cowardly  in  the  field. 
The  names  of  all  the  guilty  were  put 
into  an  urn  or  helmet,  and  as  many  were 
drawn  out  as  made  the  tenth  part  of  the 
whole  number;  the  latter  were  put  to 
the  sword,  and  the  others  saved. 

DECLARATION  of  tear,  (declara- 
tion de  guerre,  Fr.)  a  public  proclama- 
tion of  a  state,  declaring  it  to  be  at 
war  with  any  foreign  power,  and  forbid- 


DEC 


(     153     ) 


D  E  D 


ding  all  and  every  one  to  aid  or  assist 
the  common  enemy,  at  their  peril. 

To  Declare  rear,  (declarer  la  guerre, 
Fr.)  to  make  it  publicly  known  that  one 
power  is  upon  the  eve  of  acting  offensive- 
ly against  ahother. 

DECLICQ,  DECEIT,  Fr.  a  rammer; 
a  machine  used  to  drive  down  piles,  staves, 
&c.    It  also  signifies  a  battering  ram. 

DECLIVITY,  as  opposed  to  acclivity, 
means  a  gradual  inclination  or  obliquity 
reckoned  downwards. 

DECOIFFER,  Fr.  to  uncap. 

Decoiffer  une  fusee,  Fr.  to  take 
off  the  wax,  or  mastic  composition,  by 
which  the  inflammable  matter  is  con- 
fined. This  term  is  also  used  with  re- 
gard to  shells.  The  French  sometimes 
say,  grater  la  fusee  des  bombes,  to  scrape 
oft"  the  fuse  of  a  bomb. 

DECOLLER,  Fr.  to  behead.  For- 
merly, no  person  under  the  rank  of  a 
gentleman  could  be  beheaded  in  Fiance. 
In  Austria  it  is  an  ignominious  punish- 
ment. 

DECQMBRER,  Fr.  to  carry  away 
the  loose  stones,  &c.  which  have  been 
made  in  a  breach  by  a  besieging  enemy. 

DECOMBRES,  Fr".  the  rubbish 
which  is  the  consequence  of  a  breach 
being  made  in  a  work;  or  any  other 
loose  ruins  that  may  have  been  occa- 
sioned by  time. 

DECOMPTE,  Fr.  in  a  general  sense, 
discount,  or  deduction  made,  on  any 
given  sum  or  allowance. 

Decompte  also  signifies  a  liquidation, 
or  balance,  which  from  time  to  time  was 
made  in  the  old  French  service,  between 
the  captain  of  a  company  and  each  pri- 
vate soldier,  for  monies  advanced,  or  in 
hand. 

DECONFIRF.,  Fr.  discomfit;  route. 

DECOUCHER,  Fr.  to  sleep  out  of 
quarters. 

DECOUDRE,  ctre  en  decoudre,  Fr. 
to  be  on  bad  terms;  to  be  determined 
to  fight. 

DECOURAGER,  JV.  to  dishearten. 

DECOUSU,  Fr.  unstitched,  disorder- 
ed, from  decoudre :  thus  an  army  may 
be  partially  broken,  vet  not  discomfited. 

DECOUSURE,  Fr.  a  part  unstitch- 
ed, or  broken,  after  having  been  sewed. 
Cela  n'est  pas  dechire,  ce  n'est  qu'une 
decousure. 

A  DECOUVERT,  Fr.  exposed;  not 
covered  or  protected. 

Aller  a  Decouvert  attaquer  I'enne- 
mi,  Fr.  to  attack  an  enemy  in  open  day. 


DECOUVERTE,  allcr  a  la  dicou- 
verte,  Fr.  to  patrole;  to  reconnoitre. 

Decouverte  sur  ?ner,  ctre  a  la  decoa- 
verte,  Fr.  to  be  placed  in  the  round-top, 
6r  at  the  mast-head,  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  a  good  look-out. 

DECOY,  a  stratagem  to  carry  oft'  the 
enemy's  horses  in  a  foraging  party,  or 
from  the  pasture ;  to  execute  which,  you 
must  be  disguised,  and  mix  on  horseback 
in  the  pasture,  or  amongst  the  foragers 
on  that  side  on  which  you  propose  to 
fly:  you  must  then  begin  by  firing  a  few 
shots,  which  are  to  be  answered  by  such 
of  your  party  as  are  appointed  to  drive 
up  the  rear,  and  are  posted  at  the  oppo- 
site extremity  of  the  pasture,  or  forag- 
ing ground;  after  which  they  are  to  gal- 
lop from  their  different  stations  towards 
the  side  fixed  for  the  flight,  shouting  and 
firing  all  the  way  :  the  horses  being  thus 
alarmed,  and  provoked  by  the  example 
of  others,  will  break  loose  from  the 
pickets,  throw  down  their  riders  and  their 
trusses,  and  setting  up  a  full  gallop,  will 
naturally  direct  their  course  to  the  same 
side;  insomuch  that,  if  the  number  of 
them  was  ever  so  great,  you  might  lead 
them  in  that  manner  for  several  leagues 
together:  when  you  are  got  into  some 
road,  bordered  by  a  hedge,  or  ditch,  you 
must  stop  as  gently  as  possible;  and 
without  making  any  noise;  the  horses 
will  then  suffer  themselves  to  be  taken 
without  any  opposition.  It  is  called  in 
French  Haraux,  and  Count  Saxe  is  the 
only  author  that  mentions  it. 

to  Decoy,  to  allure,  entice,  or  draw 
in. 

DECOYED,  an  enemy  is  said  to  be 
decoyed  when  a  small  body  of  troops 
draws  him  into  action,  whilst  the  main 
body  lies  in  ambush  ready  to  act  with 
the  greatest  effect. 

DECRIRE  un  pays,  Fr.  to  give  a  de- 
scription of  a  country. 

DECUPLE,  in  arithmetic,  a  term  of 
relation  or  proportion,  implying  a  thing 
to  be  ten  times  as  much  as  another. 

DECURION,in  Roman  military  his- 
tory, a  commander  of  ten  men  in  the 
army,  or  chief  of  a  decury. 

DECURY,  (decurie,  Fr.)  ten  RomajP 
soldiers  ranged  under  one  chief,  or  leader, 
called  the  Decurion. 

DECUSSATION,  in  geometry,  op- 
tics, ecc.  the  point  at  which  two  lines, 
rays,  &c.  cross,  or  intersect,  each  other. 

DEDANS  d'une  rille  de  guerre,  Fr. 
the  inside  of  a  fortified  town,  i.  e.  all  tks 
X 


D  E  F 


(     154     ) 


J)  E  V 


works  whi<  h  are  within  the  line  of  cir-jtown   or   place    may    be   entirely  ovcr- 


CLimvallation. 


(lowed  and    become    an    inert  stagnant 


DEEP,  a  term  used  in  the  disposition  pool.  Mere  submersion  is,  in  fact,  the 
or  arrangement  of  soldiers  that  arfe  distinguishing  character  of  this  species 
placed  in  ranks  before  each  other;  of  defence,  which  does  not  afford  any 
hence  two  deep,  three  deep,  8cC.  Troops  other  movement  than  what  naturally 
are  told  off  in  ranks  of  two,  or  three  ;  arises  from  the  greater  or  lesser  elevation 
deep,  and  on  some  occasions  in  four  or 
move. 

DEFAIRE,  Fr.  to  defeat. 


of  the  waters,  without  the  means  of  urg- 
ing them  beyond  a  given  point. 

Distant  Defence  consists  in   being 
DEFAITE,  Fr.  defeat.     The  loss  of  able  to  intet  nipt  the  enemy's  movements 


a  battle.     An  army  is  vaincue  (ovcrpow 
ered)  when  the  field  of  battle  is  lost;  it 


is  dt/'uilc  when,  besides  the  loss  of  the  passing,    or    to    insulate    batteries,    ihe 


by  circuitous   inundations;  to  inundate, 
for  instance,  a  bridge,  when  a  convoy  is 


held  of  battle,  there  are  a  great  number 
killed,  wounded,  and  made  prisoners. 
The  word  defaite  is  only  applicable  to  an 
army,  but  never  to  a  detachment;  in  the 
latter  case  it -is  said  to  have  been  over- 
powered. 

DEFAULTER.     See  Deserter. 

Defaulter,  a  term  generally  used  to 
signify  any  person  whose  accounts  are 
incorrect,  particularly  with  the  public; 
as  a  public  defaulter. 

DEFEAT,  {defaite,  Fr.)  the  over- 
throw of  an  army. 

DEFECTION,  an  abandoning  of  a 
king  or  state;  a  revolt. 

DEFENCE,  in  fortification,  consists 
of  all  sorts  of  works  that  cover  and  de- 
fend the  opposite  posts;  as  flanks,  para- 
pets, caesinates,  and  fausse-brays.  It 
is  almost  impossible  to  fix  the  miner  to 
the  face  of  a  bastion,  till  the  defences  of 
the  opposite  one  are  ruined;  that  is,  till 
the  parapet  of  its  Hank  is  beaten  down, 
and  the  cannon,  in  all  parts  that  can 
fire  upon  that  face  which  is  attacked,  is 
dismounted.     See  Fortification. 

Active  Defence,  generally  consider- 
ed, means  every  spei  ies  of  offensive  ope- 
ration which  is  resorted  to  by  the  be- 
sieged, to  annoy  the  besiegers.  Such, 
for  instance,  is  the  discharge  of  heavy 
ordnance  from  the  walls,  the  emission  of 
shells,  and  the  firing  of  musketry.  A 
mass  of  water  may  likewise  be  under- 
stood to  mean  active  defence,  provided 
it  can  lie  increased  according  to  the  exi- 
gency of  the  service,  and  be  suddenly 
made  to  overflow  the  outworks,  or  en- 
trenchments of  the  besieging  enemy. 
Mines  which  ;ue  carried  beyond  the  for- 
tifications may  likewise  be  included  un- 
der this  head. 

Passive  Defence  is  chiefly  confined 
to  inundations,  and  is  effected  by  letting 
out  water  in  such  a  manner,  that  the 
level  ground  which  lies  round  a  fortified 


heads  of  saps  or  lodgments  which  have 
been  made  in  the  covert-way,  is  to  act 
upon  a  distant  defence.  By  this  species 
of  defence,  an  enemy's  communications 
may  be  perpetually  intercepted,  and  his 
approaches  so  obstructed  as  to  force 
him  to  leave  dangerous  intervals. 

See  Belidor's  treatise  on  Hydraulic 
Architecture. 

Line  of  Defence  represents  the 
flight  of  a  musket-ball  from  the  place 
where  the  musketeers  stand,  to  scour  the 
face  of  the  bastion.  It  should  never  ex- 
ceed the  reach  of  a  musket.  It  is  either 
fichant,  or  razant:  the  first  is  when  it  is 
drawn  from  the  tingle  of  the  curtain  to 
the  flanked  angle;  the  last  when  it  is 
drawn  from  a  point  in  tfie  curtain,  raz- 
ing the  face  of  the  bastion. 

Line  of  Defence  is  the  distance  be- 
tween the  salient  angle  of  the  bastion 
and  the  opposite  flank;  that  is,  it  is  th^ 
face  produced  to  the  flank.  See  Forti- 
fication. 

Defence  of  rivers,  in  military  affairs, 
is  a  vigorous  effort  to  prevent  the  ene- 
my from  passing;  to  effect  which,  a  care- 
ful and  attentive  officer  will  raise  re- 
doubts, and  if  necessary  join  curtains 
thereto:  he  will  place  them  as  near  the 
banks  as  possible,  observing  to  cut  ft 
trench  through  the  ground  at  the  wind- 
ings of  the  river,  which  may  be  favoura- 
ble to  the  enemy,  and  to  place  advanced 
redoubts  there,  to  prevent  bis  having 
any  £ rou ml  lit  to  form  on, &c.  See  Rivers. 

To  be  in  a  posture  of  Defence  is  to 
lie  prepared  to  oppose  an  enemy,  whe- 
ther in  regard  to  redoubts,  batteries,  or 
in  the  open  field. 

To  DEFEND,  to  fortify,  secure,  or 
maintain  a  place,  or  cause. 

Dlii  E\ ID  ANT,  Fr.  a  synonimous 
word  for  jlanquant. 

DEFENSE,  Fr,  prohibition.  Anorder 
issued  by  some  superior  officer  forbid- 


D  E  F 


(     155     ) 


D  E  G 


ding  the  troops  of  a  garrison,  or  camp,  to 
do  certain  things. 

Defenses  (Tune  place,  Fr.  the  works 
of  a  fortified  place.  See  Defence  in 
Fortification. 

Relative  to  the  defence  of  fortified 
places,  the  reader  may  he  gratified  by 
referring  to  the  Reveries  or  Memoires  of 
Marshal  Saxe,  and  to  a  work  entitnled 
Reflexions,  by  Baron  D'Espagnuc,  in  his 
Supplement  to  these  Reveries,  page  91. 

DEFENSIVE,  serving  to  defend;  in 
a  state,  or  posture,  of  defence. 

DEFENSivE-IFa?-.     See  War. 

DEFERLER,  Fr.  to  unfurl;  to 
spread  out.  This  term  is  only  used  by 
the  French  in  a  naval  sense,  as  Diferler 
l.cs  voiles,  To  let  go  the  sails,  or  sheets. 

DEFIANCE.     See  Challenge. 

DEFICIENT,  wanting  to  complete, 
as  when  a  regiment,  troop,  or  company 
has  not  its  prescribed  number  of  men. 

Deficient    numbers,    in   arithmetic, 

are    such   whose   parts   added    together 

.make   less  than   the  integer.     Thus   8, 

whose  quota  parts  are  1,  2,  and  4,  which 

together  make  onlv  7. 

D±FI,Fr.  a  challenge. 

Defi  (Tarmes,  Fr.  a  challenge,  or  pro- 
vocation, to  fight,  much  in  practice  some 
centuries  back. 

DEFIER,  Fr.  to  set  at  defiance. 

To  DEFILADE,  to  move,  or  pass  oft' 
by  files;  also  to  march  through  narrow 
passes. 

DEFILE,  {defile,,  Fr.)  in  military 
affairs, a  narrow  passage,  or  road,  through 
which  the  troops  cannot  inarch,  other- 
wise than  by  making  a  small  front,  and 
filing  off;  so  that  the  enemy  may  take 
an  opportunity  to  stop  or  harass  their 
march,  and  to  charge  them  with  so  much 
the  more  advantage,  because  the  rear 
cannot  come  up  to  the  relief  of  the  front. 

Defile,  among  the  French  is  also 
called  filitre. 

To  Defile,  (difiler,  Fr.)  is  to  reduce 
divisions  or  platoons  into  a  small  front, 
in  order  to  march  through  a  defile; 
which  is  most  conveniently  done  by  fac- 
ing to  either  the  right  or  left,  and  then 
wheeling  to  either  right  or  left,  and 
marching  through  by  files,  ike.  It  has 
been  mentioned  by  a  writer  on  military 
manoeuvres,  that  defiling  should  be  per- 
formed with  rapidity,  for  this  obvious 
reason,  that  a  body  of  men  which  ad- 
vances towards,  or  retires-  from  an  ap- 
proaching enemy,  may  get  into  line,  or 
into  columns,  prepared  for  action,  with- 


out loss  of  time.  There  may,  however, 
be  exceptions  to  this  general  rule.  For 
instance,  if  the  regiment  is  passing  a 
bridge,  either  retreating  or  advancing, 
and  the  bridge  is  not  firm,  the  pressure 
upon  it  must  be  as  little  as  possible; 
because  if  it  should  break  down,  the  re- 
giment is  suddenly  separated,  and  the 
remainder  may  be  cut  to  pieces.  In 
passing  a  common  defile,  the  pace  must 
be  proportioned  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground. 

DEFILEMENT,  the  art  of  disposing 
all  the  works  in  a  fortress  so  that  they 
may  be  commanded  by  the  body  of  the 
place.     See  Fortification. 

DEFILING  a  lodgment.  See  Enfi- 
lade. 

DEFORMER,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  signifies  to  break:  as d "ej or merune 
co/onne,  to  break  a  column. 

DEFY.     See  Challenge. 

DEGAGEMENT,  Fr.  the  absolute 
discharge  of  a  soldier.  - 

Degagement,  Fr.  a  small  passage,  or 
staircase,  belonging  to  a  suite  of  apart- 
ments, through  which  a  person  may  go, 
without  being  obliged  to  return  the  same 
way  he  came. 

DEGAGER  un  soldat,  Fr.  to  give  a 
soldier  his  discharge. 

DEGAINER,  Fr.  to  draw  one's 
sword. 

DEGAINEUR,  Fr.  a  hector;  a  bully. 

DEGARNIR  uneforteresse,une  ligne, 
tin  poste,  Fr.  &c.  to  dismantle  a  fortress, 
a  line  of  fortification*  a  post,  by  with- 
drawing the  troops,  and  sending  away 
the  cannon. 

DEGAST,  Fr.  the  laying  waste  an 
enemy's  country,  particularly  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  a  town  which  an  army 
attempts  to  reduce  by  famine,  or  which 
refuses  to  pay  military  exactions. 

DEGAT,  Fr.  waste;  spoil;  devasta- 
tion. 

DE GA UC HI R,  Fr.  to  plane;  to 
level ;  to  make  smooth  and  even,  as  car- 
penters i\o  wood,  and  masons  stone; 
also  to  level  a  talus  by  a  slope  of  earth. 

DEGORGEOIR,  Fr.  a  sort  of  steel 
pricker  used  in  examining  the  touch- 
hole  of  a  cannon. 

DEGORGER,  Fr.  to  clear  out  some 
obstruction. 

D  egorger  une  embrasure,  Fr.  to  lower 
the  earth  in  an  embrasure,  so  as  to  have 
a  perfect  view  of  any  object  against 
which  u  piece  of  ordnance  is  to  be  point- 
ed. 


D  E  G 


(     156     ) 


DEL 


DECOURDl,  Jr.  polished.  It  is 
baid  proverbially  of  a  soldier  who  under- 
stands liis  duty  well,  that  he  is  a  man 
degourdi;  in  the  like  manner  it  is  said 
of  a  clumsy,  awkward  recruit,  that  he 
must  be  degourdi,  that  is  to  say,  that  he 
must^be  properly  drilled. 

DEG0UTER,  Fr.  to  disgust;  to  set 
against  any  tiling. 

Chcxal  DEGOUTE,  a  horse  that  is 
off  his  feed. 

DEGRADATION,  {degradation,  Fr.) 
in  a  military  life,  the  act  of  depriving  an 
officer  for  ever  of  his  commission,  rank, 
dignity,  or  degree  of  honour;  and  tak- 
ing away,  at  the  same  time,  title,  badge, 
and  every  other  privilege  of  an  officer ; 
also  a  sentence  passed  on  non-commis- 
sioned officers  only,  who  before  they  can 
receive  any  corporal  punishment,  except 
imprisonment,  must  be  degraded  to  the 
ranks,  or  station  of  a  private  soldier.  So 
late  as  the  reign  of  Charles  I.  private 
soldiers,  for  misbehaviour  in  action,  were 
degraded  to  pioneers. 

Degradation  sue  les  Ouvrages  par 
Zercu  de  /'enntmi,  Fr.  See  Ouvrages 
degrades. 

DEGRADE,  Fr.  This  is  said  of  a 
building,  when,  from  want  of  the  neces- 
sary repairs,  it  becomes  uninhabitable. 
The  term  also  applies  to  a  wall,  when  the 
plaster  or  mortar  is  fallen  oil",  and  the 
shards, or  bricks,  are  w  ithout  any  cement, 
or  connexion. 

To  DEGRADE,  to  lessen;  to  lower 
in  the  estimation  of  others. 

DEGRADER,  Fr.  to  degrade.  In 
France,  military  criminals  were  never  de- 
livered over  to  the  charge  of  the  civil 
power,  or  sent  to  be  executed,  without 
having  been  previously  degraded;  which 
was  done  in  the  following  manner: 

As  soon  as  the  serjeant  of  the  com- 
pany to  which  the  culprit  belonged  had 
received  orders  from  the  major  of  the 
regiment,  to  degrade  and  render  him  in- 
capable of  bearing  arms,  he  accoutred 
him  cap-a-pee,  taking  care  to  place  his 
right  hand  upon  the  butt  end  of  the 
musket,  while  the  soldier  remained  tied. 
lie  then  repeated  the  following  words: 
"  Te  trouvant  indigne  de  porter 
amies,  nous  t'en  degradons." 
thee  unuort/ij/  to  bear  arms,  we  thus  de- 
grade and  remhr  tine  ineupable  of  t/ici/i. 
lie  then  drew  the  musket  from  his  arm 
backwards,  took  off  his  cross-belt,  sword, 
&c.  and  finally,  gave  him  a  kick  upon 
the  posteriors.   After  which,  the  serjeant 


les 
Finding 


retired,  and  the  executioner  seized  tho 
criminal.     Set  Drum-out. 

DEGRADER  une  muraille,  Fr.  to 
beat  down  a  wall, 

Terre  «  DEGRAISSER,  Fr.  fuller's 
earth;  the  use  and  application  of  which 
are  well  known. 

DEGRAYOYER,  Fr.  to  wash  away 
the  gravel,  &c.  in  loosen;  to  undermine. 

DEGREE,  (degre,  Fr.)  a  division  of  a 
circle,  including  a  360th  part  of  its  cir- 
cumference. Every  circle  is  supposed  to 
be  divided  into  360  ,  parts  called  degrees, 
and  each  degier  into  ti(/,  other  parts, 
called  minutes;  each  of  these  minutes 
being  divided  into  CO"  seconds,  each  se- 
cond into  thirds,  and  so  on. 

Degree  of  latitude,  (degre  de  lati- 
tude, Fr.)  a  portion  of  land  between  two 
parallels. 

Degree  of  longitude,  (degfk  de  I  »igi- 
lude,  Fr.)  a  portion  of  land  between  two 
meridians. 

DEGROSSER  on  1)  1  £G R( )SSI R,  Fr. 
to  take  oil  the  rough  or  outside  of  any 
thing;  to  chip;   to  clear  up;   to  fashion. 

DEHARNACHER,  Fr.  to  unsaddle 
a  horse,  and  tale  off  every  part  of  his 
harness  and  armour. 

DEHORS,  in  the  military  art,  are  all 
sorts  of  out-works  in  general,  placed  at. 
some  distance  from  the  walls  of  a  forti- 
fication, the  better  to  secure  the  main 
places,  and  to  protect  the  siege,  &c.  See 
Fortification. 

DE.1ETTER,  Fr.  to  open;  to  give; 
as  wood  will  when  it  has  not  been 
thoroughly  dried  before  it  is  used. 

DELAL5RER,  Fr.  to  tear  to  pieces; 
to  rend  ;   to  ruin;   to  destroy. 

DELATION,  Fr.  information,  such 
as  is  given  by  a  reporter,  tale-bearer,  or 

spy. 

DELATOR,  (de/ateur,  Fr.)  an  in- 
former. Under  the  Roman  emperors 
these  contemptible  creatures  were  veiy 
common.  Tacitus  informs  us,  that  the 
tyrants  encouraged  them  to  carry  on  that 
infamous  trade  by  granting  them  re- 
wards. Caligula  allowed  them  one- 
eighth  of  the  property  of  the  accused 
person.  As  the  informers  consulted 
only  their  own  interest,  they  invariably 
lodged  their  informations  against  the 
most  respectable  citizens,  so  that  tran- 
quillity and  personal  safety  were  entire- 
ly out  of  the  question ;  till  at  last  Titus 
and  Trajan  put  an  end  to  that  public 
nuisance,  and  had  the  informers  put  to 
death.     The  same  infamous  system  was 


D  E  M 


(     157     ) 


D  E  M 


or 


tu 


revived  in  France  in  the  espionnage 
practised  under  Robespierre,  and 
throughout  the  French  Revolution. 

DELIAISON,  Fr.     See  Liaison. 

DELINEATION,    an     outline, 
tketch.     See  Design. 

DELIVER.     See  Surrender. 

To   Deliver   up,   to   surrender; 
give  up.     Thus  Charles  I.  was  delivered 
up  to  Oliver  Cromwell's  army. 

To  Deliver  battle, {a  term  taken  from 
the  French  Livrer  batuille,)  to  attack  an 
enemy, and  come  to  blows. 

DELIVRER  une  troupe,  une  ville 
assie'g'ce,  Fr.  to  relieve  a  body  of  men,  or 
besieged  town,  by  forcing  the  enemy  to 
withdraw. 

DELLIS,  Fr.  select  men  from  Alba- 
nia, who  volunteer  their  services  for  the 
armies  of  the  Grand  Siguor,  and  receive 
no  pay:  their  undaunted  courage  is  su- 
perior to  that  of  any  other  nation.  No 
man  is  admitted  into  that  body  unless 
lie  be  of  a  proper  height,  robust,  and  of 
a  martial  countenance.  Previous  to 
their  being  embodied,  they  must  give 
proofs  of  their  valour.  The  Sanjacs 
and  Beyglerbeys  select  their  guard  from 
amongst  these  Albanians,  on  account  of 
their  courage  and  fidelity.  They  are 
armed  with  a  sabre,  a  lance,  a  battle- 
axe,   and  sometimes  with   pistols;    but 


pressibn;  for,  amongst  civilized  nations., 
to  iiive  the  lie  is  a  very  gross  insult; 
amongst  military  men  it  is  reckoned  the 
greatest  offence:  and  the  satisfaction  re- 
quired is  not  so  easily  given  as  it  was 
among  the  Romans,  when  the  offender 
had  only  to  say  to  the  affronted  person, 
Nollrm  dictum,  lam  sorry  for  zchat  I  said. 

DEMEURER,  Fr.  to  lodge;  to  re- 
main; to  stay.  This  word  is  used  figu- 
ratively among  the  French,  to  signify 
possession  of  any  thing,  as  le  champ  de 
batuille  ?n'est  demeure,  the  field  of  battle 
was  mine. 

Demeurer  sur  la  place,  Fr.  to  be  left 
dead  on  the  spot. 

DEMI-BASTION  is  a  work  with 
only  one  face  and  one  flank.  See  For- 
tification. 

DEMI-CANNON.     See  Cannon. 

DEMI  CULVERIN.    See  Cannon. 

DEMI-DIAMETRE,  Fr.  See  Se- 
mi-diameter. 

DEMLD1STANCE  des  polygones, 
Fr.  is  the  distance  between  the  exteriof 
polygons  and  the  angles. 

Demi-Distances,  Fr.  half-distances; 
as  serrez  la  colonne  a  demi-distanccs, 
close  the  column  at  half-distances. 

DEMI-FILE,  Fr.  is  that  rank  in  a 
French  battalion,  which  immediately 
succeeds  to  the  serre-demi-file,  and  is  at 


they  prefer  other  weapons  to  fire-arms,  the  head  of  the   remaining  half  of  its 


as  they  may,  in  their  opinion,  acquire 
more  glory  by  making  use  of  the  former. 

DELOGER,  Fr.  to  dislodge;  to 
march  off.  This  term  is  used  among  the 
French  both  to  signify  the  act  of  with- 
drawing one's  self,  and  that  of  forcing 
another  to  quit  a  position.  Hence,  di- 
loger  Vennemi,  to  dislodge  an  enemy. 

DELOGEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of 
suddenly  quitting  a  town  or  village  upon 
which  troops  have  been  quartered,  or  of 
breaking  up  camp.  Decamper  is  a  more 
appropriate  term. 

DELOYAL,  Fr.  disloyal;  regardless 
of  all  faith  and  honour;  perfidious. 

DEMANTELER,  Fr.  to  dismantle; 
to  destroy  the  works  of  a  fortified  place. 

D  EMARCATION,  {demarcation,Fv.) 
a  stipulated  separation,  or  division  of  ter- 
ritory, ike.  See  Line  of  Demarcation. 
DEMENTI,  Fr.  the  lie.  A  young 
soldier  must  know,  from  the  moment  he 
embraces  the  profession  of  arms,  that 
this  word  can  never  escape  with  impuni- 
ty from  the  lips  of  a  man  of  honour,  and 
especially  of  asoldier;  in  short,  upon  no 
occasion  whatever  must  he  use  the  ex-, 


depth. 

DEMI-GORGE  is  half  the  gorge,  or 
entrance  into  the  bastion,  not  taken  di- 
rectly from  angle  to  angle,  where  the 
bastion  joins  the  curtain,  but  from  the 
angle  of  the  flank  to  the  center  of  the 
bastion ;  or  the  angle  which  the  two 
curtains  would  make  by  their  prolonga- 
tion.   See  Fortification. 

DEMI-LANCE,  a  light  lance,  or 
spear. 

DEMI-LUNE,  in  fortification,  is  a 
work  placed  before  the  curtain  to  cover 
it,  and  prevent  the  flanks  from  being 
discovered  sideways.  It  is  made  of  two 
faces,  meeting  in  an  outward  angle. 
See  Fortification. 

DEMi-lunes  dctachces,Fr.  These  works 
are  constructed  like  bastions,  either 
level,  flat,  or  elevated,  according  as  cir- 
cumstances require,  and  which  depends 
upon  the  elevation,  or  depth,  of  the 
covert-way. 

Dzm-parabole,  Fr.  a  curved  line, 
but  less  so  than  that  of  the  parabola. 
Vide  Parabola. 

DEiii-parallcles,   or   Places  cCarmes, 


DEN 


(     158    ) 


D  E  P 


Fr.  parts  of  trenches  conducted  in  pa- 
rallel lines  in  front  of  the  place  between 
the  second  and  third  parallel,  with  a 
view  of  protecting  from  a  shorter  dis- 
tance, the  head  of  the  saps,  until  the 
third  parallel  be  completed.  Their  length 
and  depth  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
parallels:  they  are  from  forty  to  fifty 
toises  long. 

Dzui-pigue,  Fr.  a  long  javelin,  or 
spontoon. 

Dsm-revitement,  Fr,  a  rrvetement 
made  of  brick-work,  which  supports  the 
rampart  from  the  bottom  of  the  ditch, 
to  a  foot  above  the  level  of  the  country. 
The  demi-rev&tement  costs  less  than  the 
r&oetement  entier,  and  is  equally  as  ad- 
vantageous in  every  respect. 

Dr,Mi-/(K/r  a  droite,  rr.     See   Right 

ABOUT. 

T)EMi-four  a  gauche,  Fr.    See  Left 

ABOUT. 

DEMISSION,  Fr.  resignation;  the 
act  of  giving  up  any  place  of  trust,  &c. 

DEMOISELLE,  IV.  a  pavior's  instru- 
ment ;  a  rammer.     It  is  also  called  a  hie. 

DEMOLIR  uric  place,  Fr.  to  destroy 
the  fortifications  of  a  fort,  that  it  may 
jio  longer  be  in  a  state  of  defence. 

DEMOLITION,  the  act  of  over- 
throwing buildings. 

DEMONTER  une  piece  d'artillerie, 
Fr.  to  dismount  a  piece  of  artillery;  to 
take  it  off  its  carriage. 

Demonter  une  troupe  a  clieval,  Fr. 
to  wound  or  lame  the  horses  of  a  troop 
of  cavalry,  so  as  to  render  them  unfit 
fur  service. 

DEMUNIR,  Fr.  to  take  away  from 
a  place  the  provision  and  ammunition 
it  contained. 

DEMURER,  Fr.  to  unwall ;  also  to 
drain  a  place  of  stones. 

DENISON,  a  free  man,  or  native 
of  a  country  or  state,  as  opposed  to 
alien.     It  is  also  written  Denizen. 

DENOM BREMEN!',  Fr.  list;  sur 
vey;  the  complement  of  a  troop  or 
company  ;  also  the  number  of  battalions, 
&c.  which  compose  an  army,  or  of  in- 
habitants that  dwell  in  a  town. 

DENONCER  un  soldat,  Fr.  to  gi 
notice  to  the  captain  of  a  troop  or  com- 
pany, or  to  the  regiment,  of  a  soldier's 
intention  to  desert. 

Dexgncer  une  troupe,  Fr.  to  give 
intelligence  of  the  movement  of  an 
armed  body  of  men,  of  its  strength, 
proposed  route,  &c. 

DENONCIATEUR,   Fr.  an    iafor 


mer;  or,  to  speak  in  the  courteous  lan- 
guage of  government,  a  reporter. 

Denoxciateur  d'un  d'eserteur,  Fr. 
the  person  who  discovers  and  gives  up  a 
deserter  for  a  specific  reward. 

DENREE,  Fr.  commodity;  ware; 
provisions. 

DENSITY  of  bodies.    See  Motion. 

DEPARTMENT  (dipartement,  Fr.) 
separate  allotment;  province  or  busi- 
ness assigned  to  a  particular  person  or 
place;  hence  Civil  or  Military  Depart- 
ment; Home  or  Foreign  Department, 
signifying  the  same  as  office.  Also,  in 
French,  any  particular  district. 

J)EPASSER,  (or  Deuorder,)  Fr. 
to  over-run. 

Se  laisserTiEPASSKR,  Fr.  to  suffer  your- 
self to  be  overtaken. 

DEPECHES,  Fr.  dispatches,  letters, 
&c.  which  are  carried  by  a  special  mes- 
senger. 

DKPENSES  secretes,  Fr.  imply  secret 
service  money. 

DEPERIR,  Fr.  to  waste  away;  an 
army  is  said  to  be  in  this  state  when  it 
is  afflicted  with  a  pestilential  or  epi- 
demical disorder;  when  it  is  short  of 
provisions;  when  the  troops  do  not 
enter  into  cantonments  as  the  season 
requires  it,  or  if  they  suffer  from  any 
other  accident. 

DEPEUPLER,  Fr.  to  depopulate. 

DEPLOY,  (dcplouer,  Fr.)  to  display, 
to  spread  out ;  a  column  is  said  to  de- 
ploy, when  the  divisions  open  out,  orex- 
tend  to  form  line  on  any  given  division. 

DEPLOYMENT,  (d'eploiement,  Fr.) 
or  flank  march,  in  a  military  sense,  the 
act  of  unfolding  or  expanding  any  given 
body  of  men,  so  as  to  extend  their  front. 

Deployment  into  Une  on  a  front  di- 
vision, the  rigid  in  front,  is  effected  by 
halting  that  division  in  the  alignment, 
and  all  the  others  in  their  true  situations, 
parallel  and  well  closed  up  to  it ;  and 
then  by  taking  a  point  of  formiug  upon, 
and  dressing  by  the  prolongation  of  that 
division.  For  a  minute  explanation  of  the 
deployments  on  a  rear  and  central  divi- 
sion, sec  Rules  and  Regulations,  p.  186. 

Oblique  Deployments  differ  from 
those  movements  which  are  made  when 
a  battalion  stands  perpendicularly  to  the 
line  on  which  it  is  to  form.  These  de- 
ployments are  frequently  made  on  an 
oblique  line  advanced,  on  an  oblique 
line  retired;  and  when  the  close  column 
halted  is  to  form  in  line  in  the  prolon- 
gation of  its  Hank,  and  on  either  the 


D  E  P 


(     159     ) 


D  E  P 


front,  rear,  or  central  division.     See  In- 
fantry Regulations,  p.  192. 

DEPORTATION,!1/-,  the  act  of  trans- 
porting or  sending  away;  what  we  call 
transportation. 

DEPORTER,  Fr.  to  transport;  to 
send  away. 

DEPOSTER  un  ennemi,  on  une 
troupe,  Fr.  to  oblige  an  enemy  to  quit 
his  position;  to  drive  him  out  of  a  for- 
tified place,  &c. 

DEPOT,  {depot,  Fr.)  any  particular 
place  in  which  military  stores  are  depo- 
sited for  the  use  of  the  army.  In  a  more 
extensive  sense,  it  means  several  maga- 
zines collected  together  for  that  purpose. 
It  also  signifies  an  appropriate  fort,  or 
place  for  the  reception  of  recruits,  or 
detached  parties,  belonging  to  different 
regiment's.  The  barracks  near  Maid- 
stone are  depots  for  the  British  cavalry, 
and  the  Isle  of  Wight  is  allotted  for  the 
infantry. 

During  hostilities,  the  greatest  atten- 
tion should  be  given  to  preserve  the 
several  depots  which  belong  to  the  fight- 
ing army.  Hence  the  line  of  operation 
should  be  invariably  connected  with 
them  ;  or  rather,  no  advance  should  be 
made  upon  that  line,  without  the  strictest 
regard  being  paid  to  the  one  of  com- 
munication. 

Depot  is  also  used  to  denote  a  par- 
ticular place  at  tiie  tail  of  the  trenches, 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  cannon  of  the 
place.  It  is  here  that  the  besiegers  ge-j 
nerally  assemble,  who  are  ordered  to 
attack  the  outworks,  or  support  the 
troops  in  the  trendies,  when  there  is 
reason  to  imagine  the  besieged  intend 
making  a  vigorous  sally. 

DEPOUILLE,  Fr.  " Mcttre  endipou- 
ille  is  an  expression  made  use  of  in  the 
casting  of  cannon,  and  signifies  to  strip 
it  of  the  matting,  clay,  &c. 

Depouilles  de  V ennemi,  Fr.  See 
Spoils. 

DEPOUILLEMENT,  Fr.  the  act 
of  stripping  another.  In  the  French 
army  this  crime  is  punished  most  se- 
verely, and  is  thus  distinguished  in 
the  last  military  code. 

Depouillement  <Tun  mart;  sans  or- 
dre,  Fr.  the  stripping  of  the  dead  with- 
out any  authority  for  so  doing;  punished 
by  five  years  imprisonment  in  irons. 

Depouillement  d'un  vivant,  Fr. 
the  stripping  of  the  living;  ten  years 
imprisonment  in  irons. 

VEi'oviLLEUz^Tparunvivandier^r. 


the  robbing  or  stripping  of  any  person 
by  a  victualler  or  camp  follower;  twen- 
ty years  imprisonment  in  irons. 

Depouillement  avec  mutilation,  ou 
assassinat,  Fr.  the  stripping  of  an  indi- 
vidual, accompanied  by  blows  or  muti- 
lation, or  with  assassination,  death. 

DEPOUILLER,  IV.  to  strip.  The 
French  say  figuratively,  Juuer  an  Rot 
depouille,  to  strip  one  of  all  his  property. 

DEPRESSION,  the  placing  of  any 
piece  of  ordnance,  so  that  its  siiot  be 
thrown  under  the  point  blank  line. 

DEPRESSED  gun,  any  piece  of  ord- 
nance having  its  mouth  depressed  below 
the  horizontal  line. 

DEPTH,  a  technical  word  peculiarly 
applicable  to  bodies  of  men  drawn  up  in 
line  or  column. 

Depth  of  a  battalion  or  squadron,  the 
number  of  ranks,  or  the  quantity  of 
men.  Infantry  were  formerly  drawn  up 
6  or  8  deep,  that  is,  it  consisted  of  so 
many  ranks;  but  now  troops  are  gene- 
rally drawn  up  only  3  deep,  and  in  de- 
fence of  a  breast-work  but  2  deep;  also 
in  line  of  battle. 

Depth  of  formation.  The  funda- 
mental order  of  the  infantry  in  which 
they  should  always  form  and  act,  and 
for  which  all  their  various  operations 
and  movements  are  calculated,  is  three 
ranks.  The  formation  in  two  ranks  is  to 
he  regarded  as  an  occasional  exception 
that  may  be  made  from  it,  where  an  ex- 
tended and  covered  front  is  to  be  oc- 
cupied, or  where  an  irregular  enemy, 
who  deals  only  in  fire,  is  to  be  opposed. 
The  formation  in  two  ranks,  and  at  open 
files,  is  calculated  only  for  light  troops 
in  the  attack  and  pursuit  of  a  timid  ene- 
my, but  not  for  making  an  impression 
on  an  opposite  regular  line,  which  vigo- 
rously assails,  or  resists. 

Depth  is  also  applicable  to  an  army 
marching  towards  any  given  object,  in 
desultory  columns. 

DEPUTY,  a  person  appointed  by 
commission  to  act  instead  of  another. 

Deputy  barrack-masters. 

Dtp u tv  commissaries. 

Deputy  judge-advocate. 

Deputy  lieutenants,  civil  officers  be- 
longing to  the  militia  of  Great  Britain, 
and  appointed  by  the  several  county 
lieutenants.  His  Majesty  may  authorise 
any  three  to  grant  commissions,  and  to 
act  when  the  county-lieutenant  is  abroad, 
or  when  there  is  none.  If  twenty  quali- 
fied persons  can  be  found, -it  is  usual  to 


D  E  S 


160     ) 


D  E  S 


appoint  that  number  for  each  county. 
For  specific  qualifications,  see  the  26th  of 
George  III. 

Df.pi'ty  muster-masters. 

DERIVE,  Fr.  a  marine  term,  signify- 
ing the  driving  of  a  ship;  the  angle  of 
Ice-way,  or  drift;  also  tlie  stray  line,  or 
allowance  made  for  stray  line;  likewise 
Jee-board. 

Belle  Derive,  Fr.  a  good  offing. 

DEROBER  une  marclie,  Fr.  to  steal 
a  march. 

DEROUILLER,  Fr.  to  take  of  the 
rust;  as  derouillcr  clcs  amies,  to  clean 
and  new-furbish  arms. 

D E ROUTE,  Fr.  the  total  overthrow 
of  an  army,  battalion,  or  of  any  armed 
party,. 

DEROUTER  Vennemi,  Fr.  to  disc  in- 
sert an  enemy;  to  get  him  into  such  a 
precarious  situation,  that  he  can  form  on 
judgment  of  the  issue  of  an  engagement. 

DESACOTER,  Fr.  to  take  down  the 
props,  or  stays  by  which  any  thing  has 
been  supported. 

DESAR9ONNER,  Fr.  to  dismount 
a  horseman  :   the  same  as  Dimontcr. 

DESARMEMENT,  IV.  the  act  of 
disarming,  or  reducing  troops. 

DESARMER,  Fr.  to  reduce  any  given 
number  of  troops,  by  taking  away  their 
arms,  &c. 

Desarmer  une  piece  d'artillerie,  Fr. 
to  draw  the  charge  out  of  a  piece  of 
artillery;  it  also  signifies  to  dismount  it 
wholly. 

DESARROI,  Fr.  disorder;  confusion. 

DESASSIEGER,  Fr.  to  cause  a  siege 
to  be  raised.  (This  word  is  become 
obsolete;  it  is  not  to  be  found  in  the 
T)ictionnairc  tie  T 'Academic  Francoisc ; 
but  it  is  a  military  expression.) 

DESAVANTAO  E,  Fr.  disadvantage; 
a  state  not  prepared  for  defence. 

To  DESCEND  signifies  to  leave  any 
position  on  an  eminence  for  immediate 
action. 

To  Descend  upon,  to  invade.  When 
an  enemy  from  surrounding  heights  sud- 
denly marches  against  a  fortified  place, 
he  is  said  to  descend  upon  it.  Thejerm 
is  also  applied  to  troops  debarking  from 
'their  ships  for  the  purpose  of  invasion. 

DESCENDRE  /a  garde,  Fr.  to  come 
oft*  guard,  alter  being  regularly  relieved. 

Descendhe  la  tranc/iec,  Fr.  to  quit 
the  trench,  on  being  regularly  relieved. 

Descendue  une  riviere,  Fr.  to  follow 
the  stream  of  a  river. 

DESCENT,  (descente,  Fr.)  hostile  in- 


vasion of  any  state  or  kingdom;  the  de- 
barkation of  troops  on  any  coast,  for  the 
pui  pose  of  acting  offensively. 

DESCENTE  de  Josse,  Fr.  a  hollow 
passage  which  is  made  by  the  besiegers, 
to  get  under  the  glacis  of  a  fortress  into 
its  fosse. 

Descente  de  fosse  sou  t  era  inc.  ou  cou- 
vertc,  Fr.  a  hollow  passage  which  may 
have  been  effected  under  ground. 

Descente  de  fosse  a  del  ouverte,  Fr. 
a  passage  towards  the  ditch  or  fosse  of  a 
fortified  place,  which  has  not  been  ef- 
fected under  cover. 

I )  ESC  ENTS  into  the  ditch,  (descente* 
dans  le  fosse,  Fr.)  cuts  and  excavations 
made  by  means  of  saps  in  the  counter- 
scarp beneath  the  covert-way.  They 
are  covered  with  thick  boards  and  hur- 
dles, and  a  certain  quantity  of  earth  is 
thrown  upon  the  top,  in  order  to  obviate 
the  bad  elfects  which  might  arise  from 
shells,  &c.     See  Fortification. 

DESCLIQUER,  Fr.  This  word  is 
expressive  of  the  action  of  the  ancients 
when  throwing  stones  at  the  besiegers. 

DESCRIBENT,  in  geometry,  a  term 
expressing  some  line,  or  surface,  which 
by  its  motion  produces  a  plane  figure, 
or  a  solid. 

DESEMPARER  un  camp,  Fr.to  break 
up  camp;  to  strike  the  tents. 

DESEMFRISONNER,  Fr.  to  take 
out  of  prison. 

DESENBRAYER,  Fr.  to  unskid  a 
wheel. 

DESENCLOUER,  Fr.  to  take  the  nail 
out  of  a  cannon  that  has  been  spiked; 
it  also  signifies  to  remove  obstructions 
from  any  passage  that  has  been  incum- 
bered. 

Desencloulr  un  chcral,  Fr.  to  take 
out  the  nail  that  pricks  a  horse. 

DESENRAYER,  Fr.  to  unskid  a 
wheel ;  to  take  off  the  chain,  or  cord,  by 
which  it  is  kept  fast. 

DESENROLER,  Fr.  to  give  a  soldier 
his  discharge,  to  strike  him  off  the  mus- 
ter-roll. 

To  DESERT,  (deserter,  Fr.)  to  go 
away  by  stealth  after  having  been  regu- 
larly enlisted ;  to  abandon  any  person, 
or  cause. 

DESERTER,  in  a  military  sense,  a 
soldier  who,  by  running  away  from  his 
regiment,  troop,  or  company,  abandons 
the  service. 

Deserters  from  the  militia  may  be 
apprehended  by  any  person  in  the  same 
manner    that    deserters    are   from   the 


DES 


(    161    ) 


DES 


Regular  army.  And  every  person  who 
shall  lie  discovered  in  the  act  of  conceal- 
ing, or  assisting  a  deserter,  is  to  forfeit 
51.  Persons  apprehending  a  deserter 
are  entitled  to  20s. 

Penalty  of  Desertion.  All  officers 
and  soldiers,  who,  having  received  pay,  or 
having  been  duty  enlisted  in  our  service, 
shall  be  convicted  of  having  deserted  the 
same,  shall  suffer  death,  or  such  other 
punishment , as  by  a  court-martial  shall 
be  inflicted. 

Any  non-commissioned  officer  or  sol- 
dier, who,  shall,  without  leave  from  his 
commanding  officer, absent  himself  from 
his  troop  or  company,  or  from  any  de- 
tachment with  which  he  shall  be  com- 
manded, shall,  upon  being  convicted 
thereof,  be  punished  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  offence,  at  the  discretion 
uf  a  cotirl-marliaf. 

No  non-commissioned  officer  or  sol- 
dier shall  enlist  himself  in  any  other  regi- 
ment, troop,  or  company,  without  a  re- 
gular discharge  from  the  regiment,  troop, 
or  company,  in  which  he  last  served,  on 
the  penalty  of  being  reputed  a  deserter, 
and  suffering  accordingly:  and  in  case 
any  officer  shall  knowingly  receive  and 
entertain  such  non-commissioned  officer 
or  soldier,  or  shall  not,  after  his  being 
discovered  to  be  a  deserter,  immediately 
confine  him,  and  give  notice  thereof  to 
the  corps  in  which  he  last  served,  he,  the 
said  officer  so  offending,  shall  by  a  court- 
martial  be  cashiered. 

Whatsoever  officer  or  soldier  shall  he 
convicted  of  having  advised  any  other 
officer  or  soldier  to  desert  our  service, 
shall  suffer  such  punishment  as  shall  be 
inflicted  upon  him  by  the  sentence  of  a 
court-martial. 

Justices  may  commit  Deserters.  And 
whereas  several  soldiers  being  duly  en- 
listed, do  afterwards  desert,  and  are  often 
found  wandering,  or  otherwise  absenting 
themselves  illegally  from  his  Majesty's 
service;  it  is  further  enacted,  that  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the 
constable,  heudborough,  or  tything-tnan 
of  the  town  or  place,  where  any  person, 
who  may  be  reasonably  suspected  to  be 
such  deserter,  shall  he  found,  to  appre- 
hend, or  cause  him  to  be  apprehended, 
and  to  cause  such  person  to  be  brought 
l>eiore  any  justice  of  the  peace,  living  in 
or  near  such  town  or  place,  who  hath 
power  to  examine  such  suspected  per- 
son: and  if  by  his  confession,  or  the 
testimony  of  one  or  more  witness  or  wit- 


nesses upon  oath,  or  by  the  knowledge 
of  such  justice  of  the  peace,  it  shall  ap- 
pear, or  be  found,  that  such  suspected 
person  is  a  listed  soldier,  and  should  be 
with  the  troop  or  company  tt>  which  he 
belongs;  such  justice  of  the  peace  shall 
forthwith  cause  him  to  be  conveyed  to 
the  gaol  of  the  county  or  place  where 
he  shall  be  found,  or  to  the  house  of  cor- 
rection, or  other  public  prison,  in  such 
town  or  place  where  such  deserter  shall 
be  apprehended ;  or  to  the  Savoy,  in 
case  such  deserter  shall  be  apprehended 
within  the  citv  of  London  or  West- 
minster, or  places  adjacent ;  and  trans- 
mit an  account  thereof  to  the  secretary 
at  war  for  the  time  being,  to  the  end 
such  person  may  be  proceeded  against 
according  to  law :  and  the  keeper  of 
such  gaol,  house  of  correction,  or  prison, 
shall  receive  the  full  subsistence  of  such 
deserter  or  deserters,  during  the  time 
that  he  or  they  shall  continue  in  his 
custody,  for  the  maintenance  of  the  said 
deserter  or  deserters;  but  shall  not  be 
entitled  to  any  fee  or  reward,  on  account 
of  the  imprisonment  of  such  deserter  or 
deserters,  any  law,  usage,  or  custom  to 
the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

Reuard  for  taking  up  Deserters. 
And  for  the  better  encouragement  of 
any  person  or  persons  to  secure  or  ap- 
prehend such  deserters  as  aforesaid  ;  be 
it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  afore- 
said, that  such  justice  of  the  peace  shall 
also  issue  his  warrant  in  writing  to  the 
collector  or  collectors  of  the  land-tax 
money  of  the  parish  or  township  where 
such  deserter  shall  be  apprehended,  for 
paying,  out  of  the  land-tax  money  aris- 
ing or  to  arise  in  the  current  year,  into 
the  hands  of  such  person  who  shall  ap- 
prehend, or  cause  to  be  apprehended, 
any  deserter  from  his  majesty's  service, 
the  sum  of  20s.  for  every  deserter  that 
shall  so  he  apprehended  and  committed; 
which  sum  of  20s.  shall  he  satisfied  by  such 
collector  to  whom  such  warrant  shall  be 
directed,  and  allowed  upon  his  account. 

Penalty  for  concealing  Deserters,  or 
buying  their  arms,  clothes,  &c.  Provided 
always,  that  if  any  person  shall  harbour, 
conceal,  or  assist  any  deserter  from  his 
Majesty's  service,  knowing  him  to  be 
such,  the  person  so  offending  shall  for- 
feit, for  every  such  offence,  the  sum  of 
5l.  or  if  any  person  shall  knowingly 
detain,  buy,  or  exchange,  or  otherwise 
receive,  any  arms,  clothes,  caps,  or  other 
furniture  belonging  to  the  king,  from 
Y 


DES 


(     162     ) 


DES 


any  soldier  or   deserter,  or  aDy  other 
person,  upon  any  account  or  pretence 
whatsoever,  or  cause  the  colour  of  such 
clothes  to  be  changed ;    the  person  so 
offending   shall   forfeit    for   every    such 
offence  the  sum  of  5 1,  and  upon  convic- 
tion by  the  oath  of  one  or  more  credible 
witness  or  witnesses,  before  any  of  his 
Majesty's  justices  of  the  peace,  the  said 
respective  penalties  of  5l.  and  51.   shall 
be  levied  by  warrant  under  the  hands 
of  the  said  justice  or  justices  of  the 
peace,  by  distress  and  sale  of  the  goods 
and  chattels  of  the  offender;  one  moiety 
of  the  said   first   mentioned  penalty  of 
51.  to  be  paid  to  the  informer,  by  whose 
means   such   deserter   shall    be    appre- 
hended ;    and    one   moiety  of  the  said 
last-mentioned  penalty  of  5l.  to  be  paid 
to  the  informer;  and  the  residue  of  the 
said  respective  penalties  to  be  paid  to 
the  officer  to  whom  any  such  deserter  or 
soldier  did  belong :  and  in  case  any  such 
offender,  who  shall  be  convicted,  as  afore- 
said, of  harbouring  or  assisting  any  such 
deserter  or  deserters,  or  having  know- 
ingly  received   any  arms,  clothes,  caps, 
or  other  furniture  belonging  to  the  king, 
or    having   caused   the   colour    of   such 
clothes  to  be  changed,  contrary  to  the 
intent  of  this  act,  shall  not  have  suffi- 
cient goods  and   chattels,  whereon  dis- 
tress may  be  made,  to  the  value  of  the 
penalties  recovered  against  him  for  such 
offence,  or  shall  not  pay  such  penalties, 
within    4    days   after    such    conviction; 
then,  and   in  such  case,  such  justice  of 
the  peace  shall   and    may,    by  warrant 
under  his  hand  and  seal,  either  commit 
such  offender  to  the  common  gaol,  there 
to  remain  without  bail  or  mainprize  for 
the  space  of  three  months,  or  cause  such 
offender  to  be  publicly  whipped,  at  the 
discretion  of  such  justice. 

DESERTEUR,  Fr.     See  Deserter. 

DESIIONNEUR,  Fr. dishonour,  loss 
of  character. 

Se  DES110NORER,  Fr.  to  disgrace 
one's-self. 

DESIGN,  (dessein,  Fr.)  in  a  general 
sense,  implies  the  plan,  order,  repre- 
sentation or  construction  of  any  kind  of 
military  building,  chart,  map,  or  draw- 
ing, &c.  In  building,  the  term  Ichno- 
graphy  may  be  used,  when  by  design  is 
only  meant  the  plan  of  a  building,  or  a 
flat  figure  drawn  on  paper:  when  some 
side  or  face  of  the  building  is  raised 
from  the  ground,  we  may  use  the  term 
orthography  j  and  when  both  front  and 


sides  are  seen  in  perspective,  we  may 
call  is  xenography. 

DESIGNING,  the  art  of  delineating, 
or  drawing  the  appearance  of  natural 
objects,  by  lines  on  a  plain. 

DESIGNS,  (desseins,  Fr.)  premedi- 
tated plans,  schemes  for  execution,  &c. 

DESOBEISSANCE,  Fr.  disobedience 
of  orders.  During  the  war  in  Italy,  (as 
may  be  seen  in  the  Histoire  de  France, 
vol.  37,  by  Gamier,)  an  act  of  laudable 
disobedience  (if  it  may  be  so  called)  is 
said  to  have  been  committed  by  a  private 
soldier,  whilst  an  expedition  ot  great 
moment  was  taking  place  under  the 
command  of  Marechal  de  Brisac. 

DESOLER,  Fr.  to  ravage,  to  ruin  a 
country  by  heavy  exactions,  to  destroy 
it  by  sword  and  fire. 

DESORDRE,  Fr.  disorder;  confu- 
sion, such  as  occurs  among  troops  when 
they  are  defeated  ;  the  licentious  con- 
duct manifested  among  troops  when 
entering  a  conquered  place.  A  general 
has  it  always  in  his  power,  when  his 
troops  enter  a  conquered  town,  to  pre- 
vent their  committing  any  disorder. — 
Marshal  Saxe  having  taken  Prague  in 
1741,  previous  to  his  entering  the  town, 
^ave  the  most  positive  and  strict  orders, 
that  not  the  least  disorder  should  be 
committed.  These  orders  were  so  punc- 
tually obeyed,  that  most  of  the  inhabi- 
tants did  not  perceive,  till  the  following 
day,  that  they  had  changed  their  sove- 
reign. The  magistrates,  through  grati- 
tude, went  in  a  body  to  present  to  tha 
marshal,  a  diamond  worth  40,000  livres, 
on  a  magnificent  gold  dish :  there  had 
been  engraved  in  the  setting  an  inscrip- 
tion relative  to  the  transaction  :  they 
likewise  caused  rich  presents,  and  large 
bounties  to  be  distributed  amongst  the 
French  officers  and  soldiers.  When  war 
is  carried  on  in  this  way,  half  its  calami- 
ties are  softened  down ;  it  secures  im- 
mortality to  the  conqueror,  at  the  same 
time  that  he  acquires  the  love  and  the 
esteem  of  the  conquered.  Conquerors 
of  this  cast  experience  to  the  very  last 
a  pleasing  retrospect,  which  those  who 
only  think  of  filling  their  pockets,  are 
ever  strangers  to.  The  discipline  esta- 
blished by  Charles  XII.  was  so  severe, 
that  even  those  towns,  which  were  taken 
by  storm,  after  having  been  summoned 
three  times,  were  not  plundered  without 
a  particular  permission  proclaimed  by 
the  trumpeters  of  the  army,  and  the. 
pillage  was  carried  on  in  such  good  or- 


D  E  T 


der,  that  it  subsided  the  instant  the  se- 
cond signal  was  given. 

DESSELLER,  Fr.  to  unsaddle. 
DESSINATEUR,  Fr.  a  draftsman; 
or  the  person  who  sketches  out  and 
finishes  the  plans,  profiles  and  elevations 
of  works  intended  to  be  made  by  direc- 
tion of  a  chief  engineer. 

DESTINATION,  (destination,  Fr.) 
the  place,  or  purpose,  to  which  any  body 
of  troops  is  appointed,  in  order  to  do,  or 
attempt,  some  military  service. 

To  DETACH,  to  send  out  part  of  a 
greater  number  of  men  on  some  parti- 
cular service,  separate  from  that  of  the 
main  body. 

DETACHED  pieces,  (pieces  detachces, 
Fr.)  in  fortification,  are  such  out-works 
as  are  detached,  or  at  a  distance  from 
the  body  of  the  place;  such  as  half- 
moons,  ravelins,  bastions,  &c. 

DETACHMENT,  (detachement,  Fr.) 
an  uncertain  number  of  men  drawn  out 
from  several  regiments,  or  companies, 
equally,  to  be  marched  or  employed  as 
the  general  may  think  proper,  whether 
on  an  attack,  at  a  siege,  or  in  parties  to 
scour  the  country.  Detachments  are 
sometimes  made  of  entire  squadrons  and 
battalions.  One  general  rule,  in  all  mi- 
litary projects  which  depend  upon  us 
alone,  should  be  to  omit  nothing  that 
can  ensure  the  success  of  our  detach- 
ment and  design ;  but  in  that  which  de- 
pends upon  the  enemy,  to  trust  some- 
thing to  chance. 

DETAIL  of  duty,  a  roster  or  table 
for  the  regular  and  exact  performance 
of  duty,  either  in  the  field,  garrison  or 
in  cantonments.  The  general  detail  of 
duty  is  the  proper  care  of  the  majors  of 
brigade,  who  are  guided  by  the  roster  of 
the  officers,  and  by  the  tables  for  the 
men  to  be  occasionally  furnished.  The 
adjutant  of  a  regiment  keeps  the  detail 
of  duty  for  the  officers  of  his  regiment, 
as  does  the  serjeant-major  that  for  the 
non-commissioned,  and  the  latter  that 
for  the  privates. 

To  beat  an  enemy  in  Detail,  (battre 
Vennemi  en  detail,  Fr.)  to  destroy  one 
corps  after  another;  to  drive  an  enemy 
from  his  several  positions  by  desultory 
warfare. 

An  officer  o/Detail,  one  who  enters 
minutely  into  the  whole  interior  of  a 
corps,  troop,  or  company. 

Detail.  This  word  is  sometimes 
used  for  detachment;  hence,  lo  send  out 
small  details. 


(  i6s  )  D  E    T 

DETAIL,  Fr.   Faire  le  detail  d'unc 


armee,  d'une  compagnie,  ou  d'un  corps 
de  gens  de  guerre,  is  to  keep  a  strict 
eye  upon  every  part  of  the  service,  and 
to  issue  out  instructions  or  orders,  that 
every  individual  belonging  to  a  military 
profession  may  discharge  his  trust  with 
accuracy  and  fidelity.  Faire  le  detail 
d'une  compagnie  likewise  means  to  make 
up  a  company's  reports,  &c. 

Detail  de  fortification,  Fr.  a  private 
account  of  the  materials  and  expenses 
attending  a  work. 

DETENDRE,  Fr.  This  word  lite- 
rally means  to  stretch.  The  French  say, 
ditendre  an  camp,  to  strike  the  tents  of 
a  camp. 

DETENTE,  Fr.  a  trigger. 
DETENU,  Fr.  detained;  kept  against 
one's  will.      A  term  adopted,  and  en- 
forced beyond  its  legitimate  meaning,  by 
the  French  government,  at  the  continua- 
tion of  hostilities  between  France  and 
England  in  1803;  when,  for  reasons  best 
known  to  himself,  Bonaparte,  then  First 
Consul,  judged  it  expedient  to  detain 
and  imprison  all  British   subjects  who 
were  found  about  the  French  dominions 
after  the  departure  of  their  ambassador^ 
It  is  not  within  the  limits  of  our  under- 
taking  to    discuss    this    question;    but, 
viewing   it,  as  we   must,  in  a  military 
point  of  view,  we  do  not  hesitate  to  say, 
that  the  sudden  and  unexpected  seizure 
of  so  many  innocent  and   unoffending 
travellers  is  an  indelible   stain   in    the 
character  of  a  powerful  enemy.      The 
act  has  certainly  a  precedent;  but  where 
and  when  is  that  precedent  to  be  found? 
In  civil  discord  and  convulsion,  and  at  a 
period  when  humanity  was  a  crime,  and 
death  and  carnage  were  the  order  of  the 
day.    It  has  been  said,  that  this  measure 
was  embraced  to  reconcile  the  Irish  to 
their  probable  destiny,  if  ever  it  should 
be  found  necessary  to  make  use  of  them, 
as   enfans  perdus,   against  their  native 
country,  and  that  these  detenus  (we  are 
borne  out  by  the  public  prints  for  using 
the  term)  would  remain  as  hostages  to 
secure  to  men  in  open  rebellion  all  the 
rights  and   privileges   of  fair  warriors. 
So  much  for  the  new-fangled  law  of  na- 
tions quoad  Fiance. 

DETERMINER  une  action,  ou  un 
mouvement,  Fr.  to  put  into  motion  a 
project  or  design  which  has  been  pre- 
viously weighed  and  concerted;  it  also 
means  to  force  the  enemy  to  come  to 


action. 
V2 


D  E  V 


(     164     ) 


D  E  V 


DETONATION,  (detonation,  Fr.)  a 
sudden  and  violent  inflammation  and  ex- 
plosion, such  as  occur  iu  t lie  ignition  of 

gunpowder  and  of  nitre. 

DETRAQUER,  Fr.  a  French  ex- 
pression which  is  peculiarly  applicable 
to  bad  horsemanship.  It  literally  sig- 
nifies, to  put  out  of  order ;  to  spoil.  A 
Trench  military  writer  very  properly 
observes  on  the  subject,  that  many 
young  riders  imagine  themselves  extreme- 
ly clever  and  expert,  if  they  can  make 
their  horses  exhibit  a  fine  curved  neck, 
flee,  by  suddenly  applying  the  spurs,  and 
checking  on  the  bit;  the  consequence  of 
which  is,  that  the  poor  animal  reaches 
the  spot  of  destination  heated  and  al- 
most mired  to  death. 

DETREMFE,  Fr.  water  colours. 

1'undre  en  Detrempe,  Fr.  to  paint 
in  water  colours. 

DETRIER,  Fr.  a  led  horse. 

DETRIPLER  les  files,  Fr.  to  take 
borne  files  out  of  a  battalion,  troop,  or 
company,  when  the  men  are  drawn  up 
.three  deep. 

DETROIT,  Fr.  any  narrow  arm  of 
.the  sea;  a  canal ;  a  narrow  passage,  &c. 

Detroit,  ou  Detresse,  Fr.  the  critical 
state  into  which  an  army  may  be  brought 
by  having  its  line  of  communication  cut 
off. 

DEVANCER  une  armce,  une  troupe, 
Tr.  to  take  an  advantageous  position  in 
front  of  an  army,  or  of  any  other  armed 
body  of  men,  by  means  of  a  forced 
march,  &c. 

DEVANS,  Fr.  places  in  front  of  an 
army.  The  King  of  Prussia,  in  his  Art 
of  War,  says — "  Plucez  pour  sureti  des 
corps  sur  vos  devans."  Vide  his  Art  of'War. 

DEVANT,  Fr.  before;  hi  front.  Avoir 
le  pus  devant,  to  take  precedence. 

DEVANTURH,  Fr.  a  fore  work. 

DEVASTATEURS,  Fr.  a  term  ap- 
plied by  the  French  to  the  Spaniards, 
on  account  of  their  barbarous  and  in- 
human conduct  in  Mexico  and  Peru.  It 
now  generally  signifies  soldiers  who  are 
not  disciplined,  and  pillage  every  country 
thev  enter. 

Devastation,  the  act  of  destroy- 
ing, laying  waste,  demolishing  or  un- 
peopling towns,  cvc. 

DEYASTER,  Fr.  to  lay  waste. 

DEVELOPPEE,  Fr.  a  curve  formed 
by  the  opening,  or  unfolding  of  another 
curve, 

DEVELOPPEMENT  de  dessein,  Fr. 
the  representation  of  all  the  plans,  faces 


and  profiles  of  works  constructed  or  pro- 
jected. 

DEVELOPPER,  Fr.  to  unfold,  to 
unravel ;  as  Se  dcveloppcr  sur  la  tete 
d'une  colonne,  to  form  line  on  the  head 
of  a  column. 

DEVELOFr-Er.  une  armec,  Fr.  to  draw 
up  an  ;u  in v  in  tegular  array. 

DEYERSOIR,  Ft:  any  place  into 
which  v\titer  empties  itself;  as  from  a 
sluice,  &c. 

DEVICE,  (devise,  Fr.)  a  motto;  the 
emblems  on  a  shield  or  standard.  The 
origin  of  mottos  is  connected  with  that 
of  heraldry.  The  study  of  mottos  will 
lifclp  us  to  trace  back  the  military  expe- 
ditions of  the  remotest  antiquity.  The 
standard?,  the  banners,  the  pennons,  the 
coats  of  mail,  the  shields  of  the  ancients, 
discover  historical  facts  under  an  un- 
known cypher,  or  a  motto  composed 
only  of  a  few  words.  Parables  were  the 
mottos  of  the  Hebrews,  and  hieroglyphics 
those  of  the  Egyptians.  The  Greeks, 
Athenians,  Carthaginians,  in  short,  all 
the  European  nations  had  their  mottos 
and  emblematical  figures;  and  we  may 
venture  to  say,  that  military  institutions 
gave  rise  to  the  civil  ones. 

DEUIL  mililuire,  Fr.  military  mourn- 
ing. The  Author  of  the  Dictionnaire 
Militaire  makes  the  following  singular 
remark  respecting  military  mourning: 

"With  regard  to  the  military  mourn- 
ing which  is  worn  by  British  officers,  it 
appears,  peihaps,  singular  and  not  suf- 
ficiently dignified  in  a  Frenchman's  eye, 
because  the  French  peasants,  out  of 
economy,  adopt  the  same;  it  is,  how- 
ever, in  my  opinion,  noble  and  impres- 
sive. Whereas  the  mourning  which  our 
officers  observe,  is  too  fantastic  and 
com  tier-like,  without  a  sufficient  indi- 
cation of  martial  sentiment,  by  which 
alone  it  ought  to  be  suggested." 

DEVIS,  Fr.  estimate,  plan,  &c.  of  a 
building. 

DEVISE,  Fr.  motto.    See  Device. 

DEVOIR  Militaire,  Fr.  a  strict  and 
correct  observance  of  military  duty. 

DEV  ON.  The  tinners  belonging  to 
that  county  may  be  arrayed  by  the  war- 
den of  the  stannaries. 

DEVOTE  Dtt  ESS;  (denouement,  Fr.) 
such  as  a  good  army  manifests  towards 
able  generals. 

DEVOYER,  DESVOYER,  Fr.  to 
turn  any  thing  from  its  straightforward 
direction;  fjgu  rati  very  to  mislead. 

DEVLTDER,  Fr.  in  the  manege,  is. 


D  I  A 


(     165     ) 


D  I  A 


applied  to  a  horse  that,  upon  working 
upon  volts,  makes  his  shoulders  go  too 
fast  for  the  croupe  to  follow  easily. 

DEY,  the  chief  of  the  government 
of  Tunis,  a  vassal  to  the  Grand  Turk. 

DIA,  Fr.  a  noise  which  is  made  bv 
the  French  drivers  of  carriages  to  make 
their  horses  turn  to  Uie  left.  They  use 
the  word  hu-hau,  to  make  them  go  to 
the  right.  The  French  say,  figuratively, 
of  an  obstinate  man,  who  will  not  hear 
reason —  It  rCentend  n  i  a  Dia,  ?ii  a  hu-hau. 

DIABLE,  Fr.     See  Chat. 

DIABLESSE  de  Boix  le  Due,  Fr.  a 
piece  of  ordnance  so  called  from  having 
nist  been  used  at  Bnis  le  Due,  a  strong 
town  of  Dutch  Brabant,  in  the  Nether- 
lands. 

DIADEM,  (diudime,  Fr.)  the  mark 
of  royalty  worn  round  the  head. 

DIAGONAL,  (diagonale,  Fr.)  reach- 
ing from  one  angle  to  another;  so  as  to 
divide  a  parallelogram  into  equal  parts. 

Diagonal  movements.  See  Eche- 
lon. 

DIAMETER,  (diametre,  Fr.)  in  both 
a  military  and  geometrical  sense,  implies 
a  right  line  passing  through  the  center 
of  a  circle,  and  terminating  at  each  side 
by  the  circumference  thereof.  See 
Circle. 

The  impossibility  of  exnressing  the 
exact  proportion  of  the  diameter  of  a 
circle  to  its  circumference,  by  any  re- 
ceived way  of  notation,  and  the  absolute 
necessity  of  having  it  as  near  the  truth 
as  possible,  lias  put  some  of  the  most 
celebrated  men  in  all  ages  upon  endea- 
vouring to  approximate  it.  The  first 
who  attempted  it  with  success  was  the 
celebrated  Van  Cuelen,  a  Dutchman, 
who,  by  the  ancient  method,  though  so 
very  laborious,  carried  it  to  36  decimal 
places:  these  he  ordered  to  be  engiaven 
on  his  tomb-stone,  thinking  he  had  set 
bounds  to  improvement.  However,  the 
indefatigable  Mr.  Abraham  Sharp  carried 
to  75  places  in  decimals:  and  since  that, 
the  learned  Mr.  John  Machin  has  carried 
it  to  100  places,  which  are  as  follows: 

If  the  diameter  of  the  circle  be  1,  the 

.circumference  will  be  3.1415926535,  89 

79323846,  2643383279,  5028841971,  69 

39937510,     5820974944,     5923078164, 


0523620899,  8628034825,  3421170* 
79,  +  of  the  same  parts;  which  is  a 
degree  of  exactness  far  surpassing  all 
imagination. 

But  the  ratios  generally  used  in  the 
practice  of  military  mathematics  are 
these  following.  The  diameter  of  the 
circle  is  to  its  circumference  as  113  is 
to  355  nearly. — The  square  of  the  dia- 
meter is,  to  the  area  of  the  circle,  as 
452  to  355. — The  cube  of  the  diameter 
is,  to  the  solid  content  of  a  sphere,  as 
678  to  355. — The  cubes  of  the  axes  are, 
to  the  solid  contents  of  equi-altitude 
cylinders,  as  452  to  355. — The  solid 
content  of  a  sphere  is,  to  the  circum- 
scribed cylinder,  as  2  to  3 — . 

How  to  find  the  Diameter  of  shot  or 
shells.  For  an  iron  ball,  whose  diameter 
is  given, supposing  a  9-pounder,  which  is 
nearly  4  inches,  say,  the  cube  root  of 
2.0S  of  9  pounds  is,  to  4  inches,  as  the 
cube  root  of  the  given  weight  is  to  the 
diameter  sought.  Or,  if  4  be  divided  bv 
2. 08,  the  cube  root  of  9,  the  quotient 
1.923  will  be  the  diameter  of  a  1-pound 
shot;  which  being  continually  multiplied 
by  the  cube  root  of  the  given  weight, 
gives  the  diameter  required. 

Or  by  logarithms  much  shorter,  thus: 
If  the  logarithm  of  1.923,  which  is 
.20397  9,  be  constantly  added  to  thf 
third  part  of  the  logarithm  of  the  weight, 
the  sum  will  be  the  logarithm  of  the 
diameter.  Suppose  a  shot  to  weigh  24 
pounds:  and  the  given  logarithm  .2839 
79  to  the  third  part  of  460070  of  the 
logarithm  '  1.3802112  of  24,  the  sum 
.7440494  will  be  the  logarithm  of  the 
diameter  of  a  shot  weighing  24  pounds, 
which  is  5.5468  inches. 

If  the  weight  should  be  expressed  by 
a  fraction,  the  rule  is  still  the  same:  for 
instance,  the  diameter  of  a  1^  pound 
bail  or  j,  is  found  by  adding  the  loga- 
rithm .2839793,  found  above,  to  .0586 
97  H  of  the  logarithm  of  f,  the  sum 
.3426764  will  be  the  logarithm  of  the 
diameter  required,  i.  e.  2.2013  inches. 

As  the  diameter  of  the  bore  or  the 
caliber  of  the  piece  is  made  ^  part 
larger  than  that  of  the  shot,  according 
to  the  present  practice,  the  following 
table  is  computed. 


D  I  A 


(     166     ) 


D  I  F 


Diameters  of  the  shots  and  calibers  of  English  guns. 


lb. 

0 

1 

2 

0 

1 

a 

S 

4 

5 

6 

'     7 

8 

9 

0 

1.923 

2.4232.775 

3.053 

3.288 

3.498 

3.679 

3.846 

4.000 

Diam. 

0 

2.019 

2.5442.913 

3.204 
4.635 

S.568 

3.668 

3.861 

4.038 

4,200 

Calib. 

4.143 

4.277 

4.403 

4.522 

4.743 

4.846 

4.915 
5.192 

5.040 

5.131 

Diam. 

4.349 

1.490 

4.623 

4.748 

4.866 
5.547 

4.981 

5.088 

5.292 

5.368 

Calib. 

5.220 

5.305 

5.388 

5.409 

5.623 

5.697 

5.769 

5.339 

5.908 

Diam. 

5.480 

5.570 

5.661 

5.742 

5.824 

5.893 

5.982 

6.057 

6.129 

6.203 

Calib. 

3 

r 

4 

5.975 

6.041 

6.105 

6.168 

6.230 

6.290 

6.350 

6.408 

6.465 

6.521 

Diam. 

6.273 

6.343 

6.410 

6.475 

6.541 

6.604 

6.666 

6.707 

6.788 

6.846 

Calib. 

6.576 

6.631 

6.684 

6.737 

6.789 

6.640 

6.890 

6.940 

6.989 

7.037 

Diam. 

6.90 1 

6.962 

7.01S 

7.076 

7.128 

7.182 

7  234 

7.287|7.338 

7.383 

Calib. 

Explanation 

The  numbers  in  the  first  horizontal 
lines  are  units,  and  those  in  the  first 
vertical  column  tens  ;  the  other  numbers 
under  the  one,  and  opposite  to  the  others, 
are  the  respective  diameters  of  shot  and 
calibers.  Thus,  to  find  the  diameter  of 
the  shot,  and  the  caliber  of  a  24  poun- 


der, look  for  the  number  2  on  the  left- 
hand  side,  and  for  4  at  top ;  then  the 
number  5.547,  under  4,  and  opposite 
2,  will  be  the  diameter  of  the  shot,  in 
inches  and  decimals,  and  the  number 
5.824,  under  the  first,  the  caliber  of  a 
24  pounder,  &c. 


Diameters  of  leaden  bullets  from  1  to  39  in  the  pound. 


0 

1 
1.671 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

0 

0 

1.326 

1.158 

1.05 
.693 

.97? 

.919 

.873 

.835 

.803 

1 

.715 

.751 

.730 

.711 

.677 

.663 

.65oj  .637 

.626 

o 
3 

.615 

.605 

.596 

.587 

.579 

.571 

.564 

.557 

.550 

.544 

.538 

.536 

.526 

.521 

.517 

.541 

.506 

.501 

.497 

.493 

The  diameter  of  musket  bore9  dif- 
fers about  l-50th  part  from  that  of  the 
bullet.  The  government  allows  11  bul- 
lets in  the  pound,  for  the  proof  of  mus- 
kets, and  14  in  the  pound,  or  29  in  2 
pounds,  for  service;  17  for  the  proof 
of  carbines,  and  20  for  service;  28  in 
the  pound  for  proof  of  pistols,  and  34 
for  service. 

Diameter  of  powder  measures.  See 
Powber  measures. 


Lu  DIANE,  Fr.  the  Reveillee. 

DICTATOR,  a  magistrate  of  Rome, 
elected  in  times  of  exigence  and  public 
distress,  and  invested  with  absolute  au- 
thority. 

DIET,  (Diete,  Fr.)  an  assembly  of 
princes  or  estates;  particularly  so  calle4 
in  Germany,  Poland,  and  Sweden. 

DIFFERENCE,  the  sum  paid  by 
an  officer  in  the  British  service,  when  he 
exchanges  from  half  to  full  pay.   It  like- 


D  I  N 


(     16?     ) 


D  I  S 


wise  means  the  regulation  price  between 
an  inferior  and  a  superior  commission. 
Officers  who  retire  upon  half-pay,  and 
take  the  difference,  subject  themselves 
to  many  incidental  disadvantages,  should 
they  wish  to  return  into  active  ser- 
vice. 

DIFFERENCES  among  officers  of  a 
town,  &c.  (Differences  entre  les  officiers 
d'une  place,  Fr.)  Whenever  any  differ- 
ences, disputes,  &c.  occur  between  the 
staff  officers  of  a  town  and  those  of  a 
garrison,  in  case  they  do  not  come  under 
any  specific  military  code,  all  such  dif- 
ferences must  be  settled  by  the  governor 
or  commandant. 

DIFFERENTIEL,  Fr.  an  epithet 
given  in  geometry  to  that  species  of 
calculation,  whose  object  is  to  ascer- 
tain quantities  infinitely  smail,  and  their 
reciprocal  differences.      See  Integral. 

DIGERER  un  projet,  Fr.  to  weigh 
well  every  thing  which  may  conduce  to 
the  good  success  of  an  enterprize. 

DIGGING.    See  Mining. 

DIGLADIATION,  a  combat  with 
swords. 

DIGUE,  Fr.    See  Dyke. 

DIGUON,  Fr.  a  staff,  at  the  end  of 
which  is  suspended  a  vane  or  streamer. 
This  term  is  properly  marine. 

DIKE  or  Dyke,  a  channel  to  receive 
water,  also  a  mound  or  dam  to  prevent 
inundation. 

DILAPIDATION,  Fr.  embezzle- 
ment, misapplication  of  public  monies. 

DIMACHJE,  in  ancient  military  af- 
fairs, were  a  kin.d  of  horsemen,  answer- 
ing to  the  dragoons  of  the  moderns. 

DIMICATION.     See  Battle. 

To  DIMINISH  or  increase  the  front 
of  a  battalion,  is  to  adopt  the  column  of 
march  or  manoeuvre  according  to  the 
obstructions  and  difficulties  which  it 
meets  in  advancing.  This  is  one  of 
the  most  important  movements;  and  a 
battalion,  which  does  not  perform  this 
operation  with  the  greatest  exactness 
and  attention,  so  as  not  to  lengthen  out 
in  the  smallest  degree,  is  not  fit  to  move 
in  the  column  of  a  considerable  corps. 

DIMINUE,  Fr.  diminished.  A  term 
used  in  fortification.  See  Angle  dimi- 
nished. 

DINATOIRE,  Fr.  the  hour,  or  cir- 
cumstance of  dining,  or  going  to  mess. 
Hence  heure  dinatoire,  the  dining  hour,  or 
dinner  time.  The  French  also  say,  heure 
soupatoire,  supper  time ;  and  of  a  very 
late  breakfast  or  dinner — such  as  the 


mess  dinner    at    St.  James's,   Dijenni 
dinatoire,  smpcr  dinatoire. 

DIRECTEUR  G'tncral,  Fr.  a  mili- 
tary post  of  nominal  importance,  which 
was  originally  instituted  by  Louis  XIV. 
This  charge  was  entrusted  to  eight 
lieutenant-generals,  four  to  command 
and  superintend  the  infantry,  and  four 
the  cavalrv. 

J 

DIRECTION,  in  military  mechanics, 
signifies  the  line  or  path  of  a  body  in 
motion,  along  which  it  endeavours  to 
force  its  way,  according  to  the  propelling 
power  that  is  given  to  it. 

Angle  of  Direction,  that  formed  by 
the  lines  of  direction  of  two  conspiring 
powers. 

Quantity  of  Direction,  a  term  used 
by  military  mathematicians  for  the  pro- 
duct of  the  velocity  of  the  common  cen- 
ter of  gravity  of  a  system  of  bodies,  by 
the  sum  of  their  quantities  of  matter; 
this  is  no  ways  altered  by  any  collisions 
among  the  bodies  themselves. 

DIRECTOR  (directeur,  Fr.)  The 
chief  officer  belonging  to  the  late  corps 
of  Royal  Engineers  in  Ireland  was  so 
called. 

DIRECTLY,  in  geometry,  a  term 
used  of  two  lines  which  are  said  to  be 
directly  against  each  other,  when  they 
are  parts  of  the  same  right  line. 

In  mechanics,  a  body  is  said  to 
strike  directly  against  another,  if  it 
strike  in  a  right  line,  perpendicular  to 
the  point  of  contact. 

A  sphere  is  said  to  strike  directly 
against  another,  when  the  line  of  direc- 
tion passes  through  both   their  centers, 

DIRECTORY,  (Directoire,  Fr.)  a  go- 
vernment which  prevailed  in  France 
after  the  death  of  Robespierre ;  also  a 
civil  or  military  tribunal. 

DIRK,  a  kind  of  dagger  used  by  th© 
Highlanders  in  Scotland,  which  they  ge- 
nerally wear  stuck  in  their  belts. 

To  DISALLOW,  in  a  military  sense, 
not  to  admit  charges  which  may  be 
made  against  the  public  by  officers  and 
agents. 

DISALLOWANCES,  deductions 
made  from  military  estimates,  when  the 
charges  against  the  public  do  not  appear 
correct. 

To  DISARM,  to  deprive  a  soldier 
of  every  species  of  offensive,  or  defen- 
sive weapon. 

DISARMED,  soldiers  divested  of 
their  arms,  either  by  conquest,  or  in 
consequence  of  some  defection. 


D  I  S 


C     168     ) 


D  I  S 


DISBANDED,  the  soldiers  of  any 
regiment,  who  are  in  a  bodv  dismissed 
from  the  conditions  of  their  mitotan 
Service. 

DISBARS.    See  Disemuark. 

DISCHARGE,  remission  of  service. 
There  are  three  different  sorts  of  dis- 
charge made  use  of,  according  to  the 
merit  or  demerit  of  the  individual  to 
whom  it  may  be  granted.  See  General 
Regulations  and  Orders,  pages  47,  50, 
187  to  203;  219,  268,  203,823  to  385. 

This  term  is  also  applied  to  the  firing 
of  cannon  or  muskets;  as,  a  discharge 
of  cannon,  or  small  arms. 

DISCIPLINARIAN,  an  officer  wl„> 
pays  particular  regard  to  the  discipline 
of  the  soldiers  under  his  command. 

DISCIPLINE,  in  a  military  sense, 
signifies  the  instruction  and  government 
of  soldiers. 

Military  Discipline,)      By  military 

Military  Constitution.  )  constitution 
is  meant,  the  authoritative  declared  laws 
for  the  guidance  of  all  military  men,  and 
all  military  matters;  and  by  discipline  is 
meant,  the  obedience  to,  and  exercise,  of 
those  laws.  As  health  is  to  the  natural 
body,  so  is  a  sound  military  constitution 
to  the  military  one;  and  as  exercise  is 
to  the  first,  so  is  discipline  to  the  last. 
Bravery  will  perchance  gain  a  battle; 
but  every  one  knows  that  by  discipline 
alone  the  long-disputed  prize  of  a  war 
can  be  ultimately  obtained. 

Discipline  is  the  right  arm  of  a 
general,  and  money  is  his  shield;  with- 
out those  two  ingredients,  it  would  be 
better  to  be  a  d ruin-boy,  or  a  filer,  than 
the  general  of  an  army. 

Marine  Discipline  is  the  training 
up  soldiers  for  sea-service,  in  such  exer- 
cises and  various  positions  as  the  mus- 
ket and  body  may  require;  teaching 
them  likewise  every  manoeuvre  that  can 
be  performed  on  board  ships  of  war  at 
sea,  &c. 

DISCOBOLOS,  (discobole,  IV.)  a 
person  who  threw  the  disk;  an  athletic 
exerciser.  The  range  of  the  discus 
thrown  from  a  vigorous  arm  was  con- 
sidered as  a  measure  which  served  to 
name  a  certain  distance,  the  same  as 
we  say,  within  musket-shot,  or  cannon- 
shot. 

DISCORD,  (Discorde,  Fr.)  according 
to  heathen  mythology,  an  ill-tempered 
goddess,  whom  Jupiter  turned  out  of 
heaven,  on  account  of  her  continually 
setting   the  gods   at  variance  with   one 


another.  She  was  represented  as  having 
serpents  instead  of  hair,  holding  at 
lighted  torch  in  one  hand,  and  a  snake 
and  dart  in  the  other;  her  complexion 
was  olive  colour,  her  looks  wild,  her 
mouth  foaming  with  rage,  and  her  hands 
stained  with  gore.  Ever  since  she  was 
driven  from  the  heavens,  she  has  re- 
sided on  earth,  and  is  chiefly  visible  in 
courts  and  cabinet  councils.  She  is 
continually  travelling  from  the  one  to 
the  other,  in  order  to  excite  all  sove- 
reigns to  wage  war  against  one  another; 
and  in  the  course  of  her  excursions, 
she  often  disturbs  the  peace  of  private 
individuals.  This  description  is  figura- 
tive, and  ought  to  convince  young  mili- 
tary men,  that  the  slightest  differences 
between  the  members  of  a  corps  may 
become  epidemical,  and  ruin  the  whole 
body.  Discord  among  troops  in  a  gar- 
rison town  may  be  attended  with  fatal 
consequences;  for  the  garrison  are  in- 
terested in  obtaining  the  esteem  and 
attachment  of  the  inhabitants,  whose 
assistance  they  may  chance  to  be  in 
great  need  of,  should  a  long  siege  take 
place. 

DISCOVER  MB,  a  scout;  one  who  is 
set  to  descry  the  enemy. 

DISCRETION,  Fr.  discretion.  Se 
rendre  a  discretion,  to  surrender  at  dis- 
cretion, implies  to  throw  one's-self  upon 
the  mercy  of  a  victorious  enemy.  The 
French  likewise  say,  let  solilats  vivent  & 
discretion  dans  un  pays ;  which,  in  fami- 
liar English,  signifies,  soldiers  live  scot* 
free  in  a  country. 

DISCRETION,  (discretion,  Fr.)  Un- 
der this  term  are  comprehended  circum- 
spection, prudence,  wisdom,  and  acti- 
vity; qualities  which  essentially  contri- 
bute to  the  ultimate  success  of  an  un- 
dertaking. 

DISCUS,  a  quoit,  made  of  stone,  lead, 
or  some  other  metal,  one  foot  long,  and 
eight  inches  wide.  It  was  used  among 
the  Greeks  and  Romans  at  their  public 
games  and  festivals.  He  who  threw  it 
highest,  or  to  the  greatest  distance,  car- 
ried the  prize.  Discus  was  also  the 
name  of  a  round  shield  which  was  con- 
secrated to  the  memory  of  some  hero, 
and  was  suspended  in  a  temple.  There 
was  one  to  be  seen  at  the  Cabinet  dex 
Antiques  in  Paris,  which  had  been  found 
in  the  Rhone. 

DISEMBODIED.     See  Disbanded. 

To  DISEMBODY,  when  applied  to 
the   British   militia,  signifies   to  disarm 


D  I  S 


(     169     ) 


D  I  S 


that  body,  and  to  dispense  with  their  mi- 
litary services  for  a  stated  period. 

To  DISEMBARK,  (dibarquer,  Fr.) 
to  land  troops  from  any  vessel. 

DISEMBARKATION,  (dibarque- 
ment,  Fr.)  the  disembarking  or  landing 
of  troops. 

To  DISENGAGE,  (degager,  Fr.)  to 
clear  a  column  or  line,  which  may  have 
lost  its  proper  front  by  the  overlapping 
of  any  particular  division,  company,  or 
section,  when  ordered  to  form  up.  To 
do  this,  ground  must  be  taken  to  the 
right  or  left.  It  is,  however,  a  danger- 
ous operation  when  the  army  or  battalion 
gets  into  a  line  of  fire.  In  that  case  the 
files  that  overlap  must  remain  in  the 
rear,  and  fill  up  the  first  openings. 

To  Disengage  is  also  to  extricate 
yourself  and  the  men  you  command  from 
a  critical  situation.  A  battalion,  for  in- 
stance, which  may  have  advanced  too 
far  during  an  action,  and  got  between 
two  fires,  may,  by  an  able  manoeuvre, 
disengage  itself. 

To  Disengage  the  wings  of  a  batta- 
lion. This  is  necessary  when  the  bat- 
talion countermarches  from  its  center, 
and  on  its  center  by  files.  The  battalion 
having  received  the  word  "  by  wings, 
inward  face,"  is  next  ordered  "  by  wings, 
three  side  steps  to  the  right,  march,"  by 
which  the  wings  are  disengaged  from 
each  other.  In  countermarching,  &c 
the  leading  files  must  uniformly  disen- 
gage themselves. 

To  Disengage,  in  fencing,  to  quit 
that  side  of  your  adversary's  blade,  on 
which  you  are  opposed  by  his  guard,  in 
order  to  effect  a  cut  or  thrust  where  an 
opportunity  may  present. 

DISETTE,  Fr.  scarcity.  The  want 
of  some  article  of  the  first  necessity; 
i.  e.  some  article  of  life. 

DISGARNISH,  (degarnir,  Fr.)  to 
take  guns  from  a  fortress. 

DISHONOUR,  (deshonneur,  Fr.)  loss 
of  character  and  reputation. 

DISLOCATION,  Fr.  out  of  joint.  In 
a  military  sense  this  word  signifies  distri- 
bution. Hence  the  dislocation  of  an  army, 
or  the  distribution  of  its  component  parts 
into  cantonments,  camps,  garrisons,  &c. 

DISLODGE,  to  drive  an  enemy  from 
their  post  or  station. 

To  Dislodge  a  camp,  (dicamper,  Fr.) 
to  strike  the  tents,  &c.  and  march  away. 

DISLOYAL,  (d'doyal,  Fr.)  perfidious; 
unfaithful. 

DISMANTLE,  (dimunteler,  Fr.)  to 


strip  a  town  or  fortress  of  its  outworks. 
The  French  say  likewise,  digarnir. 

To  Dismantle  a  gun,  to  render  it 
unfit  for  use,  by  capsizing  it,  &c. 

To  DISMISS,  to  discard. 

To  Dismiss  the  service,  (congidier, 
Fr.)  to  take  an  officer's  commission,  or 
warrant  from  him. 

DISMISSED.  An  officer  in  the 
British  service  may  be  dismissed  gene- 
rally or  specifically.  When  an  officer  is 
dismissed  generally,  it  is  signified  to  him, 
th  it  his  Majesty  has  not  any  further  oc- 
casion for  his  services.  When  an  officer 
is  dismissed  specifically,  it  is  expressly 
notified,  that  he  is  rendered  incapable  of 
ever  serving  again.  Sometimes,  indeed, 
this  species  of  dismissal  is  attended  with 
public  marks  of  extreme  disgrace  and 
degradation.  In  the  Austrian  service,  a 
colonel  has  been  dismissed  at  the  head 
of  his  regiment,  and  has  had  his  sword 
hroken  before  him,&c.  During  the  war  of 
1793,  the  colonel  of  a  militia  regiment  was 
not  only  rendered  incapable  of  ever  serv- 
ing again,  but  was  also  expelled  thellouse 
of  Commons  for  military  misconduct. 
The  charges  against  him,  together  with 
the  circumstantial  proofs  of  his  guilt,  and 
the  King's  approbation  of  the  sentence, 
were  read  in  the  circle  of  every  regiment 
throughout  Great  Britain,  in  1795;  and 
nothing  hut  a  plea  of  severe  indisposi- 
tion saved  the  culprit  from  having  the 
minutes  publicly  communicated  to  him 
at  the  Horse  Guards. 

DISMOUNTING,  in  a  military  sense, 
is  the  act  of  unhorsing.  Thus,  to  dis- 
mount the  cavalry,  &c.  is  to  make  them 
alight. 

To  Dismount  cannon,  (d'emonter  un 
canon,  Fr.)  is  to  break  their  carriages, 
wheels,  axle-trees,  or  any  thing  else,  so  as 
to  render  them  unfit  for  service.  It  also 
implies  dismounting  by  the  gin,  &c. 

DISOBEDIENCE  of  orders,  (dho- 
belssance,  Fr.)  any  infraction,  by  neglect, 
or  wilful  omission,  of  general  or  regi- 
mental orders.  It  is  punishable  by  the 
5th  art.  of  the  2d  Sect,  of  the  Articles  of 
War. 

To  DISPART,  in  gunnery,  is  to  set  a 
mark  on  the  muzzle-ring,  so  that  it  may 
be  of  an  equal  height  with  the  base- 
ring:  hence  a  line  drawn  between  them, 
will  be  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  concave 
cylinder,  for  the  gunner  to  take  aim  by 
it,  to  bit  the  mark  he  is  to  fire  at;  for 
the  bore  and  this  imaginary  line  being 
parallel,  the  aim  so  taken  must  be  true. 


D  I  S 


This  exactness  cannot  be  made  use  of  in 
an  engagement,  an'i  but  very  seldom  at 
a  siege;  for  in  those  cases  practice  and 
the  eye  must  be  the  only  guides. 

To  Dispart  «  piece  of  ordnance,  (ca- 
librer  up  canon,  Fr.)  See  Dispart. 
DisPA&T-froiitlet.  Sec  From  let. 
DISPENSATION,  exclusive  privi- 
lege to  do  or  omit  something.  Hence 
a  dispensation  to  receive  half-pay,  to- 
gether with  the  emoluments  of  some 
place  or  office. 

DISPENSE  £age,  Fr.  a  dispensation 
given  on  account  of  old  age. 

To  DISPFRSF,  in  a  military  sense, 
may  be  variously  understood,  In  an  ac- 
tive one,  it  signifies  to  disperse  any  body 
of  men,  arir.ed,  or  unarmed,  who  may 
have  assembled  in  an  illegal,  or  hostile 
manner.  The  cavalry  are  generally  em- 
ployed on  these  occasions. 

To  Disperse  likewise  means  to  break 
suddenly  from  any  particular  order,  in 
line  or  column,  and   to  repair  to  some 
rallying  point.     Hence  to  sound  the  dis- 
perse is  to  give  notice  that  the  battalion, 
or  battalions,  are  to  retreat  from  their 
actual  position,  in  a  loose  and  desultory 
manner,  and  to  reassemble  according  to 
the  natural  line  of  formation;  taking  the 
colours  as  their  central  points  to  dress  by. 
To   Disperse    the  enemy,  (dispcrser 
Vcnnemi,  Fr.)  to  force  him  to  fly  in  vari- 
ous directions.      The   F  ench  also   say, 
dispcrser  des  soldats,  to  separate  soldiers 
and  distribute  them  in  different  quarters. 
DISPLACED.    Officers  in  the  British 
service  are  sometimes  displaced  from  a 
particular  regiment  in  consequence   of 
misconduct  proved  upon  the  minutes  of 
a  general  court-martial;  but  they  are  at 
liberty  to  serve  in  any  other  corps.  The 
power  of  displacing  an  officer  is  vested 
in  the  King  only. 

To  DISPLAY,  (dephnjer,  ctendrc,  Fr.) 
in  a  military  sense,  is  to  extend  the  front 
of  a  column,  and  thereby  bring  it  into 
line.    See  Deploy. 

DISPOSE.  To  dispose  cannon  is  to 
place  it  in  such  a  manner,  that  its  dis- 
charge may  do  the  greatest  mischief. 
Formstance,  to  dispose  cannon  alo/ig  the 
front  of  the  line. 

DISPOSITION,  in  a  general  sense,  is 
the  just  or  proper  placing  of  an  army,  or 
body  of  men, upon  the  most  advantageous 
ground, and  in  the  strongest  situation  for 
a  vigorous  attack,  or  defence. 

Disposiion-  de  guerre,  Fr.  warlike  ar- 
rangement, or  disposition.     Under  this 


C    iro   )  D  I  S 

head  may  be  considered  the  mode  of 
establishing,  combining,  conducting  and 
finally  terminating  a  war,  so  as  to  pro- 
duce success  and  victory. 

Wisdom  and  discretion  in  council 
point  out  the  form  necessary  for  the  first 
establishment  of  a  warlike  enterprize, 
or  disposition,  afford  the  means  of  bring- 
ing it  to  a  conclusion,  and  assimilate  all 
the  various  parts  so  as  to  unite  the  whole. 
The  following  maxims  are  in  the  Me- 
moirs of  General  Montecuculi. 

Deli  berate  leisurely,  execute  promptly. 
Let  the  safety  of  your  army  be  your 
first  object. 

Leave  something  to  chance. 
Take  advantage  of  circumstances. 
Use  all  the   means    i:i   your  power  to 
secure  a  good  reputation. 

The  disposition,  or  arrangement,  of  a 
warlike  enterprize  may  be  universal,  or 
particular. 

An  universal  disposition,  or  arrange* 
ment,  of  war  implies  every  thing  which 
relates  to  that  system  upon  an  extensive 
scale  ;  such  as  the  combination  of  many 
parts  for  the  ultimate  benefit  of  the 
whole,  &C. 

A  particular  disposition,  or  arrange- 
ment, of  war  signifies  the  detail  of  mi- 
nute objects,  and  the  appropriation  of 
various  parts,  one  with  another,  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting;  a  general  combi- 
nation. This  disposition  (without  which 
the  other  must  prove  abortive)  consists 
in  an  observance  of  the  strictest  dis- 
cipline by  every  individual  that  belongs 
to  a  troop,  or  company.  To  this  end, 
general  officers  should  be  scrupulously 
exact  in  attending  to  the  inspection  of 
particular  corps  ;  specific  instructions 
for  regimental  economy  and  discipline 
should  be  given,  and  the  strictest  regard 
paid  to  the  execution  of  orders. 

Fairedes  Dispositions,  Fr.  to  make 
the  necessary  arrangements  for  a  battle; 
or  to  adopt  such  measures,  that  every 
thing  may  be  in  a  good  state  to  meet  the 
enemy. 

To'  DISPUTE  the  ground,  (disputer 
le  terrein,  Fr.)  to  light  foot  to  foot. 

DISSIPER  une  armec,  Fr.  to  attack 
an  army  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  se- 
veral battalions  are  obliged  to  disperse, 
and  retreat  by  different  routes. 

DISTANCE,  in  military  formation, 
signifies  the  relative  space  which  is  left 
between  men  standing  under  arms  in 
rank,  or  the  interval  which  appears  be- 
tween those  ranks,  &c. 


D  I  S 


(   in   ) 


D  I  V 


Distance  of  files.  Every  soldier  when 
in  his  true  position  under  arms,  shoul- 
dered and  in  rank,  must  just  feel  with 
his  elbow  the  touch  of  his  neighbour 
with  whom  he  dresses;  nor  in  any  situa- 
tion of  movement  in  front  must  he  ever 
relinquish  such  touch,  which  becomes  in 
action  the  principal  direction  for  the 
preservation  of  his  order,  and  each  file 
as  connected  with  its  two  neighbouring 
ones,  must  consider  itself  a  complete 
body,  so  arranged  for  the  purpose  of 
attack,  or  effectual  defence.  Close  files 
must  invariably  constitute  the  formation 
of  all  corps  that  go  into  action.  The 
peculiar  exercise  of  the  light  infantry  is 
the  only  exception.  See  Infantry  Regu- 
lations, p.  75 


of  his  means  of  subsistence,  ammunition, 
Sjq  Spg  A  liOis  Ft 
^  DISTRIBUTION,  (distribution,  Fr.) 
in  a  military  sense,  generally  applies  to 
any  division,  or  allotment,  which  is  made 
for  the  purposes  of  warfare.  Thus  an 
army  may  be  distributed  about  a  coun- 
try. In  a  more  confined  sense  it  means 
the  minute  arrangements  that  are  made 
for  the  interior  economy  of  corps ;  as 
distribution  of  pay, or  subsistance,  distri- 
bution of  allowances,  ccc. 

Distribution  de  plan,  Fr.  the  distri- 
bution, or  division  of  the  several  pieces 
which  compose  the  plan  of  a  building, 
and  which  are  placed  and  proportioned 
according  to  their  different  uses. 

DISTRICT,  in  a  military  sense,  one 


Distance  of  ranks,  open  distances  of  i  of  those  parts  into  which   a  country  is 


ranks  are  two  paces  asunder;  when 
close,  they  are  one  pace:  when  the  body 
is  halted  and  to  fire,  they  are  still  closer 
locked  up.  Close  ranks,  order  or  dis- 
tance, is  the  constant  and  habitual  order 
at  which  the  troops  are  at  all  times 
formed  and  move;  open  ranks,  order, 
or  distance,  is  only  an  occasional  excep- 
tion, made  in  the  situation  of  parade,  or 
in  light  infantry  manoeuvres. 

Distance  of  files  and  ranks  relates  to 
the  trained  soldier;  but  in  the  course  of 
his  tuition,  he  must  be  much  exercised 
at  open  files  and  ranks,  and  acquire 
thereby  independence  and  the  command 
of  his  limbs  and  body. 

Distance  of  the  bastions,\n  fortifica- 
tion, is  the  side  of  the  exterior  polygon. 
See  Fortification. 

Distance  in  fencing.     See  Fencing. 

Distance,  (distance,  Fr.)  is  properly 
the  shortest  hue  between   two  points. 

Line  o/* Distance,  in  perspective,  is  a 
right  line  drawn  from  the  eye  to  the 
principal  point. 

Point  (i/'Distance,  in  perspective,  is 
a  point  in  the  horizontal  line,  at  such 
distance  from  the  principal  point  as  is 
that  of  the  eve  from  the  snme. 

To  DISTINGUISH  one's  self,  (se  dis- 
tinguer,  Fr.)  to  do  some  extraordinary 
feat  of  valour  in  the  field,  or  to  discover 
great  talents  in  the  management  and 
execution  of  an  office,  &c. 

A  DISTINGUISHED  officer,  (officier 
distingue,  Fr.)  a  person  who,  in  his  mili- 
tary capacity,  has  given  proofs  of  extra- 
ordinary skill  and  valour. 


divided,  for  the  convenience  of  com- 
mand, and  to  secure  a  ready  co-opera- 
tion between  distant  bodies  of  armed 
men.  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  are 
divided  into  districts;  each  being  under 
the  immediate  superintendence  of  gene- 
ral officers. 

DITCH.   See  Fortification,  Moat. 

Ditch  of  the  counterscarp,  a  wet  or 
dry  ditch,  which  is  made  under  the  coun- 
terscarp. 

DIVAN,  a  particular  private  council 
of  war  among  the  Turks,  held  by  the 
Capiculy  infantry,  in  the  palace  of  the 
Zunizeragazy  in  order  to  discuss  the 
military  operations  of  the  corps,  &c. 
There  is  another  Divan  held  by  the  su- 
preme council  of  the  Grand  Signor,  at 
which  all  the  generals  attend. 

This  term  is  also  applied  to  a  grand 
council,  or  court  of  judicature,  held  in 
each  province  among  the  Turks  and 
Persians. 

DIVERGENT,  >  in    geometry, 

DIVERGING  lines,  S  are  such  lines 
whose  distance  is  continually  increasing. 
Lines  which  converge  one  way,  and 
diverse  the  opposite  way. 

DIVERSION,  (diversion,  Fr.)  in  mi- 
litary history,  is  when  an  enemy  is  at- 
tacked in  one  place  where  he  is  weak 
and  unprovided,  in  order  to  draw  off  his 
forces  from  making  an  irruption  some- 
where else  ;  or  where  an  enemy  is  strong, 
and  by  an  able  manoeuvre  he  is  obliged 
to  detach  part  of  his  forces  to  resist  any 
feint,  or  menacing  attempt  of  his  op- 
ponent.     To  derive  advantage  from  a 


To  DISTRESS  an  enemy,  (mcttre  un  j  diversion,  taken  in  an  extended  accepta- 
ennemi   aux  abois,  Fr.)    to  cut   off  his  j  tion  of  the  term,  it  is  necessary  that  one 


line  of  communication : 


to  deprive  him  j  state  should  have  greater  resources  tba» 
Z  2 


D  I  V 


(     172     ) 


D  O  D 


another;  for  it  would  be  alisurd  to  at- 
tack the  territories  of  another  before 
you  had  seemed  your  own. 

It  is  likewise  requisite,  that  the  coun- 
try you  attack  by  stratagem  or  diversion 
should  be  easy  of  access,  and  the  inva- 
sion you  make  must  l»e  prompt,  vigorous 
nnd  unexpected,  directed  against  a  weak 
and  vulnerable  quarter.  A  little  good 
fortune  is  however  essentia!  to  render  a 
diversion  perfectly  successful,  as  all  the 
ways  and  means  by  which  it  ought  to  be 
made  cannot  he  reduced  to  rule. 

The  most  memorable  instance  of  a 
diversion  well  executed,  which  we  meet 
with  in  history,  was  performed  by  Scipio 
in  Africa,  whilst  Hannibal  carried  the 
warin  to  Italy.  In  1659,  a  diversion,  no 
less  remarkable,  was  practised  by  the 
imperial  and  allied  armies  against  the 
Swedes. 

Fuire  Diversion,  Fr.  to  oblige  an 
enemy  to  divide  his  forces:  it  also  signi- 
fies to  draw  off  his  attention. 

DIVIDEND,  (dividends,  Fr.)  is  the 
number  divided  into  equal  parts  l>v  an- 
other number.  In  a  fraction,  the  dividend 
is  called  the  numerator. 

DIVISION,  (division,  Fr.)  a  certain 
proportion  of  an  army  consisting  of 
horse  and  foot  together,  or  of  horse  and 
foot  separately,  which  is  under  the  order 
of  a  brigadier,  or  other  general  officer. 

Division,  (division,  Fr.)  a  certain 
proportion  (U  a  troop  or  company,  which 
is  under  the  command  of  its  respective 
officers.  It  also  means  any  given  num- 
ber which  is  detached  on  military  duty, 
from  an  established  body  of  men  :  hence 
a  division  of  artillery,  wagon-corps, 
pioneers,  &c. 

Divisions  of  a  battalion  are  the  se- 
veral platoons  into  which  a  regiment  or 
battalion  is  divided,  either  in  marching 
or  firing;  each  of  which  is  commanded 
by  an  officer. 

Divisions  of  an  army  are  the  num- 
ber of  brigades  and  squadrons  it  con- 
tains.— The  advance,  the  main  and  the 
rear  guards  are  composed  out  of  the 
several  brigades,  and  inarch  in  front,  in 
the  center,  and  in  the  rear  of  an  army. 
Each  army  has  its  right  wing,  its  center, 
and  its  left  wing.  When  armies  march, 
they  advance  in  column,  that  is,  they 
are  divided  into  several  squadrons  and 
battalions  of  a  given  depth,  successively 
formed  upon  one  another.  If  an  army 
be  drawn  out  or  displayed  in  order  of 
battle,  it  is  usually  divided  into  the  first 


line,  which  constitutes  the  front,  the 
second  line,  which  makes  the  main  body, 
and  the  third  line,  or  reserve. 

DIVINE  service,  in  the  army,  is,  or 
should  be,  performed  every  Sunday.  All 
officers  and  soldiers,  not  having  just  im- 
pediment, shall  diligently  frequent  divine 
service  and  sermons  in  the  places  ap- 
pointed for  the  assembling  of  the  regi- 
ment, troop,  or  company,  to  which  they 
belong:  such  as  wilfully  absent  them- 
selves, or,  being  present,  behave  inde- 
cently or  irreverently,  shall,  if  commis- 
sioned officers,  be  brought  before  a  court- 
martial,  there  to  be  publicly  and  severely 
reprimanded  by  the  president;  if  non- 
commissioned officers  or  soldiers,  every 
person  so  offending,  shall,  for  his  first 
offence,  forfeit  12d.  to  he  deducted  out 
of  his  next  pay;  for  the  second  offence, 
he  shall  not  only  forfeit  12d.  but  be 
laid  in  irons  for  12  hours,  ccc.  Articles 
of  War. 

DOCK.     See  Troussequeue,  Fr. 
DOCKET,  a  small  note  or  bill  con- 
taining the  substance  of  something  writ- 
ten elsewhere  more  largely. 

DOCUMENT,  (document,  Fr.)  pre- 
cept; instruction;  direction;  voucher. 

Death-bed  Document.  Officers  have 
sometimes  delayed  sending  in  their  re- 
signation, or  signing  the  same,  until  their 
lives  have  been  actually  despaired  of; 
in  this  case  even  the  original  purchase 
of  their  commissions  has  not  been  al- 
lowed. The  official  term  is,  a  death-bed 
document  ;  for  a  remarkable  case  see 
Rfgimetitat  Companion,  vol.  iv.  p.  263, 
6th  edit. 

DODECAGON,  in  geometry,  is  a  re- 
gular polygon,  consisting  of  12  equal 
sides  and  angles,  capable  of  being  re- 
gularly fortified  hy  the  same  number  ot 
bastions. 

DODECAHEDRON  is  one  of  the 
platonic  bodies,  or  five  regular  solids, 
and  is  contained  under  12  equal  and  re- 
gular pentagons. 

The  solidity  of  a  dodecahedron  is  found 
by  multiplying  the  area  of  one  of  the 
pentagonal  faces  of  it  by  12;  and  this 
latter  product  by  1-Sd  of  the  distance 
of  the  face  from  the  center  of  the  dode- 
cahedron, which  is  the  same  as  the  cen- 
ter of  the  circumscribing  sphere. 

The  side  of  a  dodecahedron  inscribed 

in  a  sphere,  is  the  greater   part  of  the 

side  of  a  cube  inscribed  in  that  sphere, 

cut  into  extreme  and  mean  proportion. 

If  the  diameter  of  the  sphere  be  1.0000, 


DON 


(    175    ) 


DOS 


the  side  of  a  dodecahedron,  inscribed  in 
it,  will  he  .35682  nearly.. 

All  dodecahedrons  are  similar,  and  are 
to  one  another  as  the  cubes  of  the  sides; 
and  their  surfaces  are  also  similar,  and 
therefore  they  are  as  the  squares  of  their 
sides;  whence  as  .509232  is  to  10.51462, 
so  is  the  square  of  the  side  of  any  dode- 
cahedron to  the  superficies  thereof:  and 
as  .3637  is  to  2.78516,  so  is  the  cube  of 
the  side  of  any  dodecahedron  to  the  soli- 
dity of  it. 

hOG-nuils.     See  Nails. 
DOLLAR,  a  foreign  coin  worth  from 
4s.  to  4s.  6d.,  according  to  the  mint  from 
which  it  is  issued. 

DOLMAN,  DOLIMAN,  a  robe  of 
Thessonica  cloth,  of  which  the  Grand 
Signor  makes  a  present  to  the  janizaries 
on  the  first  day  of  their  Rumuzun,  or 
Lent. 

DOLON,  a  long  hollow  stick,  con- 
taining a  pointed  iron,  which  is  thrown 
at  discretion. 
DOLPHINS.  See  Cannon. 
DOME,  (dome,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
a  spherical  roof,  or  a  roof  of  a  spherical 
form,  raised  over  the  middle  of  a  build- 
ing, as  a  church,  hall,  pavilion,  vestible, 
staircase,  &c.  by  way  of  crowning. 

Domes  are  what  the  Italians  call  cou- 
polas,  and  we  cupolas;  Vitruvius  calls 
them  tholi. 

DOMMAGE,  Fr.  in  a  general  accep- 
tation of  the  term,  signified,  in  the  old 
French  service,  the  compensation  which 
every  captain,  of  a  troop,  or  company, 
was  obliged  to  make  in  consequence  of 
any  damage  that  their  men  might  have 
done  in  a  town,  or  on  a  march.  If  any 
disagreement  occurred  between  the  of- 
ficers and  inhabitants,  with  respect  to 
the  indemnification,  a  statement  of 
losses  sustained  was  sworn  to  by  the 
latter  before  the  mayor,  or  magistrates 
of  the  place,  who  determined  the  same. 
But  if  the  officers  should  refuse  to  abide 
by  their  decision,  a  remonstrance  was 
drawn  up  and  transmitted  to  the  secre- 
tary at  war,  with  a  copy  of  the  same  to 
the  intendant  of  the  province.  Officers 
have  frequently  been  displaced,  or  de- 
graded, on  this  account.  Hence  the 
term  dommage  is  supposed  to  have  been 
derived  from  the  Latin  words  damnum, 
jactura,  and  signifies  the  loss,  or  priva- 
tion of  a  step. 

DONDANE,  Fr.  a  machine  which 
was  used  by  the  ancients  to  cast  round 
stones  and  pebbles  on  their  enemies. 


DONJON,  Fr.  a  turret;  a  dungeon. 
Donjon,  Fr.  in  fortification,  a  secure 
spot,  generally  bomb-proof,  in  a  place  of 
arms,  or  in  a  citadel,  to  which  the  garri- 
son sometimes  retires,  in  order  to  offer 
terms  of  capitulation. 

Donjon,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a  small 
wooden  pavilion,  which  is.  raised  above 
the  roof  of  a  house,  in  order  to  take  the 
air,  or  to  enjoy  a  fine  view  of  the  coun- 
try, or  adjacent  parts. 

DONNEE,  Fr.  given;  a  term  gene- 
rally used  in  mathematics,  with  respect 
to  any  thing  which  we  suppose  to  be 
known. 

DONNER,  Fr.  to  charge  an  enemy, 
to  fire  upon  him. 

Donner,  Fr.  is  to  charge  the  enemy 
as  soon  as  the  signal  for  battle  is  given. 
Thus  it  is  said,  les  troupes  donnerent  iete 
baissee,  the  troops  rushed  headlong. 

Donner  de  t'inquietude  a  Vennemi,  Fr. 
to  inarch  in  various  directions,  and  by 
other  manoeuvres  to  disconcert  an  enemy. 

Donner,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  in 
the  same  sense  as  marcher.  As  donner, 
ou  marchjg  contre  Vennemi. 

DOOSilES,  Ind.  palanqueens  of  a 
simple  c  Obstruction,  for  the  conveyance 
of  the  sick.  On  a  march,  each  company 
of  sepoys  is  allowed  one  dooly,  and  of 
Europeans  ten. 

GO^iSmilituires, Fr.  military  rewards. 

DORMANT,  Fr.  a  sleeper,  or  piece 
of  timber  laid  horizontally  in  wooden 
quays  and  dikes,  in  order  to  keep  fast 
the  extremities  of  the  keys  which  form 
the  assemblage. 

Dormant,  Fr.  also  a  frieze,  or  frame 
at  the  top  of  a  square,  or  arched  door. 

Dormant  de  fer,  Fr.  an  aperture 
made  of  iron  bars,  over  a  wooden  or  iron 
door,  to  give  light. 

DORYPHORI,  the  body  guards  of 
the  Roman  emperors;  they  were  armed 
with  a  pike,  and  were  forced  to  take  a 
particular  oath ;  they  were  held  in  high 
consideration,  and  were  promoted  to  tha 
first  military  ranks. 

DOS,  Fr.  back ;  rear. 

Dos  d'ane,  Fr.  This  term  is  applica- 
ble to  all  bodies  that  have  two  inclined 
surfaces  which  terminate  in  one  line; 
such,  for  instance,  as  the  head  of  a  ba- 
tardeau. 

DOSSER,  in  military  matters,  is  a 
sort  of  basket  carried  on  the  shoulders 
of  men,  used  in  carrying  the  earth  from 
one  part  of  a  fortification  to  another, 
where  it  is  wanted. 


D  O  U 


(     174     ) 


D  R  A 


DOSSES,  Jr.  planks,  flitches  of  wood. 
The  same  as  madriers,  which  are  thick 
beams  laid  to  secure  a  foundation. 

DOUBLEAU,JV. joist;  thechiefarch 
which  reaches  from  one  pile  to  another. 

DOUBLEMENT,  Fr.  the  augmenta- 
tion of  the  rank  and  file  of  a  battalion. 

DOUBLER  un  batailloti,  Fr.  to  ex- 
tend the  front  of  a  battalion,  so  that  it 
covers  twice  the  ground  it  did  in  line ; 
or  to  reduce  it  in  such  a  manner  that  it 
does  the  same  in  column. 

The  French  also  say,  doublez  les  retries, 
dedoublez  les  rungs,  and  redoublez  lea 
rangs. 

DOUBLING,  in  the  military  art,  is 
the  placing  two,  or  more,  ranks  or  hies 
into  one. 

DOUBLE  your  ranks,  is  for  the  2d, 
4th  and  6th  ranks  (when  so  drawn  up) 
to  march  into  the  1st,  3d,  and  5th;  so 
that  of  6  ranks  they  are  made  but  3; 
which  is  not  so  when  they  double  by 
half-files,  because  then  3  ranks  stand 
together,  and  the  3  other  come  up  to 
double  them;  that  is  the  1st,  2d,  &  3d 
are  doubled  by  the  4th,  5th,  &  6th,  or 
the  contrary. 

Double  your  files  is  for  every  other 
file  to  march  into  thai  which  is  next,  to 
it,  on  the  right  or  left,  ab  the  word  oi 
command  directs;  and  then  the  6  ranks 
are  doubled  into  12,  the  men  standing 
12  deep;  and  the  distance  between  the 
files  is  double  what  it  was  before.  By 
this  method,  3  liles  may  be  doubled  into 
G,  &c. 

To  Double  round,  in  military  move- 
ments, is  to  march  by  an  inversion  of  a 
second  line,  on  the  extremity  of  a  first 
line,  thereby  to  outflank  an  enemy. 

DouBLE-anwer/  man,  a  soldier  armed 
with  a  pike  and  a  bow.  During  the 
reign  of  Charles  1.,  in  the  year  1625, 
one  William  Nead  caused  a  soldier  to 
perform  this  exercise  before  the  King  in 
St.  James's  Park. 

Le  DOUBLE,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
in  French  diplomacy,  to  signify  a  species 
of  secret  intelligence  which  is  conveyed 
by  one  person  to  an  opposite  interest. 
Hence  double  espionnage. — It  is  also  fami- 
liarly said  by  the  French,  U Anglais  ne 
connaU  pas  le  double ;  that  is,  to  use  a 
vulgar  phrase,  an  Englishman  does  not 
know  how  to  hold  with  the  hare  and  run 
with  the  hounds.  And  yet  characters 
of  this  sort  are  necessary  in  state  affairs; 
but  they  ought  to  be  well  watched. 

Double  tenaille.    SeeTENAiLLE. 


To  be  DOUBLED  up.  This  term  is 
applied  to  the  circumstance  of  two  of- 
ficers being  put  into  one  barrack-room, 
or  one  tent,  as  is  the  case  with  the  sub- 
alterns, or  of  sharing  the  several  allow- 
ances. 

DOVETAIL,  (queue  d'aronde,  Fr.)  a 
form  of  joining  two  bodies  together, 
when  that  which  is  inserted  has  the  form 
of  a  wedge  reversed. 

DOUILLE,  Fr.  a  small  iron  socket 
which  is  at  the  heel  of  the  bayonet, 
and  receives  the  extreme  end  of  the 
musket,  so  as  to  be  firmly  united  to- 
gether. 

Douille  likewise  signifies  the  cavity 
which  belongs  to  the  round  piece  of  iron 
that  is  fixed  to  the  end  of  the  ramrod,  by 
means  of  two  nails  through  two  small 
holes,  called  yeux  or  eyes,  and  to  which 
the  worm  is  attached. 

DRA  HANTS,  a  company  of  two  hun- 
dred select  men,  of  which  Charles  IX. 
of  Sweden  was  captain.  They  were  a 
tine  body  of  men,  and  of  tried  courage. 
Charles  XII., with  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Drabants,  has  been  known  to  vanquish 
one  thousand  Russians. 

DRA1TSMAN,  (dessinateur,  Fr.)  a 
person  who  can  draw  sketches  of  forti- 
fications, take  the  profile  of  a  country, 
and  describe  upon  paper,  positions,  cv'c. 
Every  officer,  intended  for  the  staff" 
especially,  ought  to  be  more  or  less  a 
draftsman. 

DltAO-ro/7fs.     See  Ropes. 

DRAGON,  et  DRAGON  volant,  Fr. 
some  old  pieces  of  artillery  were  ancient- 
ly so  called.  The  Drauon  was  a  40- 
puunder;  the  Dragon  volant  a  32.  But 
neither  the  name,  nor  the  size,  of  the  ca- 
liber of  cither  piece  is  now  in  use. 

Dragon  also  signifies  a  piece,  which 
Markham,  in  his  Souldier's  Accidence, 
published  in  16)3,  thus  describes — "A 
fay  re  dragon,  fitted  with  an  iron  work, 
to  be  carried  in  a  belt  of  leather,  which 
is  buckled  over,  the  right  shoulder,  and 
under  the  left  arm  ;  having  a  turnell  of 
iron  with  a  ring  through  which  the  piece 
runneth  up  and  downe,and  these  dragons 
are  short  pieces,  of  sixteen  inches  the 
ban  ell,  and  full  musquet  bore,  with  fire- 
locks, or  snaphaunces." 

DRAGONNADE,  Fr.  a  term  given 
by  the  Calvinists  to  the  barbarous  usage 
which  was  exercised  against  them  in 
France,  in  1684. 

DRAGONNE,  Fr.  a  sword-knot,  at 
the  extremity  of  which  hangs  a  tassel. 


D  R  A 


(     Ho     ) 


D  R  A 


The  sword-knot  was  originally  worn  by 
the  Germans,  and  is  (with  them)  the 
distinction  of  a  officer  when  in  plain 
clothes;  no  other  person  being  permitted 
to  wear  a  gold  or  silver  one.  In  Austria, 
the  sword-knot  is  gold  lace,  edged  with  a 
black  stripe,  in  commemoration  of  the 
loss  of  Jerusalem;  the  British  sword- 
knot  is  made  of  crimson  and  gold. 

DRAGONNER,  Fr.  According  to 
the  French  acceptation  of  the  term,  is 
to  attack  any  person  in  a  rude  and  vio- 
lent manner;  to  take  any  thing  by  force; 
to  adopt  prompt  and  vigorous  measures; 
and  to  bring  those  people  to  reason  by 
hard  blows,  who  could  not  be  persuaded 
by  fair  words.     We  say  to  dragoon. 

DRAGOON-Wse.  This  term  was 
formerly  applied  by  the  Americans  to 
all  regiments  that  were  mounted,  from 
their  ignorance  of  the  meaning  of  the 
word  dragoon. 

To  Dragoon,  to  abandon  a  place  to 
the  rage  of  the  soldiery;  to  give  it  up  to 
rape  and  plunder. 

DRAGOONS,  (dragons,  Fr.)  in  mili- 
tary affairs,  are  a  kind  of  cavalry,  who 
serve  both  on  horseback  and  foot;  be- 
ing always  ready  on  every  emergency, 
as  being  able  to  keep  pace  with  the 
horse,  and  to  do  infantry  duty.  In 
battle,  or  on  attacks,  they  generally  fight 
sword  in  hand  after  the  first  tire.  In 
the  field  they  encamp  on  the  right  and 
left  of  the  lines.  They  are  divided  into 
brigades,  regiments,  and  squadrons. 
Their  martial  music  consists  of  drums 
and  trumpets.  The  first  regiment  of 
dragoons  in  England  was  raised  in  1681, 
and  called  the  Royal  Regiment  of  Dra- 
goons of  North  Britain.  This  name  is 
derived  from  the  Latin  word  Druconarii, 
used  among  the  Romans. 

DRAIN,  (rigole,  Fr.)  the  channel 
through  which  liquors  are  generally 
drawn;  a  water-course;  a  sink.  In  the 
military  art,  it  is  a  trench  made  to  draw 
water  out  of  a  ditch,  which  is  afterwards 
filled  with  hurdles  and  earth,  or  with 
fascines, or  bundlesfof  rushes,  and  planks, 
to  facilitate  the  passage  over  the  mud. 
See  Trench. 

DRAKE,  a  small  piece  of  artillery. 

DRAPEAU,  Fr.  flag;  colours. 

Eire  ni  au  Drapeau,  Fr.  to  be  born 
in  the  regiment. 

Battre  /psDrapeaux,  Fr.  See  Battre. 

DRAUGHT,  a  plan  or  delineation  of 
any  place;  a  body  of  troops  selected 
from  others. 


To  Draught,  to  draw  forces  from  one 
brigade  &c.  to  complete  another;  to  se- 
lect a  portion  from  brigades,  regiments, 
or  companies  for  any  particular  service. 

Draught-/ioo/cs,  in  a  gun  carriage, 
are  fixed  to  the  transom-bolts  on  the 
cheeks  of  artillery  carriages,  near  the 
trunnion  holes  and  trails:  they  are  used 
to  draw  the  guns  backwards  and  for- 
wards by  men  with  drag-ropes  fixed  to 
those  hooks. 

Draught  of 'soldier s,(ditachement, Fr.) 
any  given  number  of  armed  men,  se- 
lected from  '  the  different  component 
parts  of  a  regiment,  brigade  or  army,  for 
some  specific  service. 

Draught,  or  draft  compasses,  are 
compasses  with  several  moveable  points, 
to  draw  draughts  in  architecture. 

DRAUGHTSMEN,  a  body  of  men 
educated  at  the  Tower,  to  assist  the  en- 
gineers in  drawing  plans,  fortifications, 
and  surveying. 

Jo  DRAW,  to  delineate,  or  make  a 
sketch. 

To  Draw,  to  pull  a  sword  from  the 
sheath. 

To'Draw,  to  entice;  as  to  draw  an 
enemy  into  ambuscade. 

Draw  ramrod/  a  word  of  command 
used  in  the  drill  exercise,  on  which  the 
soldier  draws  his  ramrod  half  from  the 
pipes,  and  seizing  it  back-handed  by  the 
middle,  waits  for  the  signal  for  the  next 
motion,  when  he  turns  it  round,  and 
with  an  extended  arm  places  the  butt  of 
the  rod  about  one  inch  in  the  muzzle  of 
the  firelock;  in  which  position  he  waits 
for  the  command  ram  down  cartridge! 

Draw  swords!  a  word  of  command  in 
the  sword  exercise  of  the  cavalry. 

The  drawing  of  swords  is  performed 
in  3  motions  :  1st.  Bring  the  right  hand 
smartly  across  the  body  to  the  sword- 
knot,  which  being  placed  on  the  wrist, 
and  secured  by  giving  the  hand  a  couple 
of  turns  inwards,  seize  the  hilt  of  the 
sword.  2d.  Draw  the  sword  with  an 
extended  arm ;  sink  the  hand  till  the 
hilt  of  the  sword  is  immediately  under 
the  chin,  the  blade  of  the  sword  perpen- 
dicular and  the  back  of  the  hand  out- 
wards. 3d.  Bring  down  the  hilt  till  in  a 
line  with  the  bridle-hand,  the  blade  per- 
pendicular, the  edge  turned  towards  the 
horse's  left  ear. 

Officers  of  infantry,  when  the  men  are 
under  arms,  draw  their  swords  without 
wailing  for  any  command. 

Draw;  charge!  a  word  of  command 


DRE 


(     176     ) 


DRE 


in  the  cavalry,  when  a  body  of  that  arm 
are  ordered  to  charge  the  enemy. 

To  Draw  off,  to  retire;  also  to  ab- 
stract or  takeaway;  as  to  draw  off  your 
forces. 

To  Draw  on,  to  advance;  also  to  oc- 
casion :  as,  to  druw  an  enemy's  fire. 

To  Draw  over,  to  persuade  to  revolt; 
to  entice  from  a  party. 

2b  Draw  out,  to  call  the  soldiers  forth 
in  array  for  action. 

To  Draw  up,  to  form  in  battle  array. 

To  Draw  out  a  parly,  to  assemble 
any  particular  number  of  armed  men 
for  military  duty.  The  French  say, 
fairc  un  detachement. 

To  Draw  together,  (assembler,  Fr.) 
to  bring  any  given  number  of  persons 
or  bodies  of  men  into  one  quarter,  dis- 
trict or  country. 

To  Draw  the  guns,  to  convey  them 
from  one  situation  to  another.  The 
word  drag,  though  seemingly  applicable 
from  the  Circumstance  iff  drag-ropes,  is 
not  technically  correct,  as,  in  the  artil- 
lery, they  always  say  draw. 

TtRAW-bridge.     See  Bridge. 

DRAWING,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
the  art  of  representing  the  appearances 
of  all  kinds  of  military  objects  by  imi- 
tation, or  copying,  both  with  and  without 
the  assistance  of  mathematical  rules. 

DRAWN,  pulled  out,  as  a  drawn 
sword  ;  assembled,  collected,  as  an  urmy 
drawn  together. 

DRA.\vs-battle,  (combat  igal  de  part 
tt  d'autre,  Fr.)  a  battle  which  has  been 
fought  and  in  which  both  sides  claim  the 
victory,  or  retire  upon  equal  terms; 
either  resuming  their  original  positions, 
or  taking  fresh  ground  for  the  purpose 
of  renewing  the  contest,  or  making 
peace. 

DREGS,  any  thing  by  which  purity  is 
corrupted  :  also  persons  of  the  lowest 
class,  as  dregs  of  the  people. 

DRESS,  military.  The  clothing  of 
the  army  is  generally  called  regimentals, 
every  part  of  which  should  facilitate, 
and  not  hinder,  the  various  motions  of 
the  manual  exercise.  A  soldier,  with- 
out regard  to  fashion  or  taste  (to  use  the 
words  of  a  modern  author)  should  he 
dressed  in  the  most  comfortable  and 
least  embarrassing  manner  possible;  and 
the  keeping  h:,m  warm,  and  leaving  him 
the  entire  use  of  his  limbs,  are  objects 
always  to  be  had  in  view.     See  Stock. 

To  Dress,  in  a  military  sense,  is  to 
keep  the  body  in  such  a  relative  position, 


as  to  contribute  to,  and  make  a  part  of 
an  exact  continuity  of  line,  upon  what- 
ever front,  or  in  whatever  shade  the  bat- 
talion may  be  formed.  Soldiers  dress 
by  one  another  in  ranks,  and  the  body 
collectively  dresses  by  some  given  ob- 
ject. 

To  Dress  the  line,  (dresser  la  ligne, 
Fr.)  to  arrange  any  given  number  of 
soldiers,  so  as  to  stand  perfectly  correct 
with  regard  to  the  several  points  of  au 
alignement  that  have  been  taken  up. 
This  is  done  by  the  adjutant,  or  brigade- 
major. 

Dress,  a  word  of  command  which  is 
given  when  troops  are  arrived  at  any 
prescribed  point  of  alignement,  as  halt, 
dress. 

To  Dress  a  wound,  to  cover  a  wound 
with  medicaments. 

DRESSERS,  in  military  dispositions, 
are  those  men  who  take  up  direct,  or 
relative  points,  by  which  a  corps  is  en- 
abled to  preserve  a  regular  continuity 
of  front,  and  to  exhibit  a  straight 
alignement.  In  every  operation  of  this 
sort,  the  dresser  must  be  particularly 
alert,  especially  when  a  general  line  is 
to  be  formed  to  give  battle  to  the  enemy. 
Under  this  circumstance,  every  thing 
will  depend  upon  the  activity,  skill  and 
aptitude  of  eye  in  the  two  cenrer  dressers 
or  each  battalion.  No  line,  indeed,  can 
be  said  to  be  in  a  proper  situation  to 
meet,  or  march  up  to,  the  enemy,  whilst 
there  is  the  least  interval  from  center  to 
flanks.  Solid,  compact  and  straight 
lines  in  forward  movements  are  the 
nerves  and  sinews  of  immediate  conflict; 
whereas  unconnected  movements  pro- 
duce confusion,  are  naturally  weak,  and 
always  tend  to  give  a  superiority  to  the 
enemy. 

DRESSER,  Fr.     See  To  Dress. 

Dresser  une  batterie,  Fr.  to  dispose 
pieces  of  artillery  in  a  battery  for  the 
purpose  of  acting  against  an  enemy. 

Dresser,  Fr.  to  place  anything  up- 
right, or  in  a  perpendicular  state. 

Dresser  a  alignement,  Fr.  to  erect 
or  build  a  wall  according  to  lineal  mea- 
sure. 

Dresser  dc  niveau,  Fr.to  level. 

DRESSING  of  a  battalion  after  the 
halt,  is  to  bring  all  its  relative  parts  in 
a  line,  with  the  point,  or  object,  towards 
which  it  was  directed  to  move.  What- 
ever correction  is  necessary,  must  be 
made  by  advancing  or  retiring  the 
flanks,  and  not  by  moving  the  center; 


D  R  I 


(     177     ) 


D  R  U 


which,  having  been  the  guide  in  the 
march,  has  properly  stopped  at  the  point 
where  it  has  arrived. 

Dressing  of  a  battalion  when  it  is 
to  retire,  is  to  have  some  intelligent 
officer  placed  thirty  paces  in  the  rear,  so 
as  to  stand  perpendicular  to  the  front 
directing  Serjeant,  by  whom  the  direction 
of*  the  march  is  to  be  ascertained,  as  the 
officer  will  of  course  be  in  the  line,  or 
nearly  so,  of  the  directing  Serjeants. 

To  DRILL,  to  teach  young  recruits 
the  first  principlesof  military  movements 
and  positions,  ike. 

To  be  sent  to  Drill,  to  be  placed 
under  the  command  of  the  drill-officer, 
or  nun-commissioned  officer,  and  made 
to  join  the  recruits  in  performing  the  ma- 
nual and  platoon  exercises,  ike.  This  is 
sometimes  ordered  as  a  punishment  to 
those  who  are  perfect  in  their  exercise, 
when  a  battalion,  company,  or  individual 
has  done  something  to  merit  exposure. 
The  French  call  the  drill,  ccole  dusoldat. 

Knapsack  Drill,  a  punishment  in- 
flicted upon  soldiers  for  minor  offences. 
On  this  occasion,  they  are  inarched  round 
the  barrack-yard,  or  camp-ground,  ike. 
for  several  hours  successively,  with  a  6 
or  121b.  shot  tied  to  the  knapsack. 

DRILLE,  Fr.  signified  formerly  a  sol- 
dier ;  thence  it  is  that  an  old  soldier  who 
knows  his  duty  is  called  a  bon  drille. 

DRINKING  to  excess  in  the  army 
is  at  ail  times  highly  criminal,  but  upon 
service  it  ought  never  to  be  overlooked; 
and  the  consequence  will  be  a  trial  by  a 
court-martial.  It  has  been  productive 
of  almost  innumerable  mischiefs,  and  is 
a  most  detestable  and  horrid  practice. 
See  Drunkenness. 

Drinking  of  horses,  immediately 
after  hard  riding  or  driving,  is  extremely 
dangerous;  and  therefore  ihey  should 
not  be  suffered  to  drink,  until  they  be 
thoroughly  cooled,  and  have  eat  some 
outs. 

A  horse  after  violent  labour  will  not 
suffer  by  being  kept  half  a  day  from 
water ;  but  may  die  by  drinking  an 
hour  too  soon. 

To  DRIVE,  to  expel  by  force,  as  to 
drive  out  an  enemy. 

To  Drive,  to  guide,  or  regulate,  a 
carriage. 

To  Drive  in,  to  force  back;  as  to 
drive  in  the  enemy's  piquets,  ike. 

DRIVERS,  pieces  of  bone  or  wood 
made  in  the  shape  of  a  musket-flint  are 
£0  called. 


Drivers  of  baggage  or  artillery,  men 
who  drive  the  baggage  artillery  and  stores, 
having  no  other  duty  in  the  army. 

Royal  Artillery  Drivers.  See  Ar- 
tillery. 

Bone  Drivers,  a  nick-name  which 
was  originally  given  to  one  of  the  batta- 
lions of  Foot  Guards,  owing  to  their 
long  residence  in  London,  and  absence 
from  active  service;  alluding  to  the  little 
use  which  was  made  of  their  flints,  and 
the  substitution  of  Bone  Drivers. 

DROITE,  Fr.  the  right. 

Droite  d'  une  riviire,  Fr.  that  side 
of  a  river  which  lies  upon  your  right 
when  you  take  a  front  view  of  its 
source. 

DROITS,  a  French  term  in  peculiar 
use  amongst  us,  signifying  certain  rights 
and  advantages  which  are  exclusively  en- 
joyed by  the  crown,  when  ships,  &c.  are 
taken  from  the  enemy ;  hence  Admiralty 
Droits. 

DROWNING,  (noyade,  Fr.)  an  an- 
cient military  punishment;  also  an  in- 
famous mode  of  destruction,  which  was 
resorted  to  under  the  reign  of  Robes- 
pierre in  1793,  and  1794. 

DRUGGERMAN.alinguist;  onewho 
speaks  and  interprets  severai  languages. 

DRUM  is  a  martial  musical  instru- 
ment in  the  form  of  a  cylinder,  hollow 
within,  and  covered  at  the  two  ends 
with  vellum,  which  is  stretched,  or 
slackened,  at  pleasure,  by  means  of 
small  cords  and  sliding  leathers.  This 
instrument  is  used  both  by  foot  and 
dragoons;  which  is  done  in  several  man- 
ners, either  to  give  notice  to  the  troops 
of  what  they  are  to  do,  or  to  demand 
liberty  to  make  some  proposal  to  an 
enemy.  Every  troop  of  dragoons,  and 
every  company  of  foot  or  artillery,  has 
two  or  more  drums,  according  to  the 
effective  strength  of  the  party.  The 
drum  was  first  invented  by  Bacchus, 
who,  as  Polyenus  reports,  fighting  against 
the  Indians,  gave  the  signal  of  battle 
with  cymbals  and  drums;  and  the  Sara- 
cens, who  invaded  Christendom,  introdu- 
ced the  drum  into  the  European  armies. 

The  author  of  an  old  work  entituled 
A  Treatise  of  the  Arms  and  Engines  of 
War,  ike.  speaks  of  drums  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: 

"Though  drums  and  kettle-drums  were 
not  in  use  among  the  Romans,  yet  other 
nations,  and  especially  the  Indians,  used 
them.  Indi  tympana  suo  more  pulsantes. 
Curtius,  lib.  viii.  And  Suidas,  Tubis 
2A 


DRU 


(     178     ) 


DRU 


Indi  non  utuntur,$ed  pro  iis  sunt  flagella, 
et  tympana  horribilem  quendam  bombum 
emittentia. 

"  The  Partisans  made  use  of  them  also, 
but,  iu  all  appearance,  (according  to  the 
description  we  have  of  them  in  Suidas 
and  Plutarch,)  the  Instruments  of  these 
people  were  rather  kettle-drums  than 
drums,  because  they  were  made  of  palm- 
tree  wood,  hollow  ami  filled  with  little 
brazen  bells,  the  mouth  whereof  was 
covered  with  a  hull's  hide.  Isidorus  de- 
fines the  word  (tympanum)  in  these 
terms  :  Tympanum  est  prills  vel  corinm 
ligno  ex  una  parte  extension.  And  that 
is  the  very  shape  and  figure  of  our  ket- 
tle-drums. 

"lie  describes  also  another  instrument 
which  he  calls  symphony,  which  can  be 
nothing  else  but  our  drums.  Symphonia, 
he  observes,  vulgo  appellatur  lignum  ca- 
vum  ex  utrdtjuc  parte  pelie  extensa,  yuam 
virguUs  bine  et  inde  musici  feriunt. 
That  instrument  resembles  the  little  ta- 
bors or  drums  which  the  Turks  carry 
before  them,  and  which  they  beat  on 
both  sides  with  sticks.  However  it  be, 
there  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  invention 
of  drums  is  as  ancient  as  that  of  trum- 
pets: I  build  not  only  on  the  authority 
of  prophane  history,  but  on  the  testi- 
mony of  the  royal  prophet,  who  says  : 
Let  them  praise  his  name  with  the  flute  ; 
let  them  sing  praises  to  him  icith  the  tim- 
brel and  harp.  Psal.  14-9.  Praise  him 
timbrel  and  Jiute,  If c.  Psal.  150." 

Drums  are  made  of  a  chesnut  wood, 
hollow,  and  covered  at  both  ends  with 
skins  of  parchment,  which  are  braced 
with  cords  and  with  snares  under- 
neath. The  drums  are  sometimes  made 
©f  brass.  Those  belonging  to  the  Blues 
are  silver. 

Drums  arc  used  when  religious  cere- 
monies are  performed  in  n  camp  or  in 
the  field,  one  being  placed  on  the  other, 
and  serving  for  a  desk. 

The  various  beats  areas  follow:  viz. 

TlieGeneral  to  give  notice  to  the  troops 
that  they  are  to  march. 

The  Assembly,  \  to  order  the  troops  to 

The  Troop,  S  repair  to  the  place  of 
rendezvous,  or  to  their  colours. 

The  March,tn  command  them  to  move, 
always  with  the  left  foot  first. 

Tut-too  or  Tap-too,  to  order  all  to  re- 
tire to  their  quarters. 

To  Arms.'  for  soldiers  who  are  dis- 
persed, in  repair  to  them. 

The  Reveil/i  always  beats  at  break  of 


day,  and  is  to  warn  the  soldiers  to  rise, 
and  the  sentinels  to  forbear  challenging, 
and  to  give  leave  to  come  out  of  quarters. 

I'/ic  Retreat,  a  signal  to  draw  off  from 
the  enemy.  It  likewise  means  a  beat  in 
both  camp  and  garrison  a  little  before 
sun-set,  at  which  time  the  gates  are  shut, 
and  the  soldiers  repair  to  their  barracks, 
&c. 

The  Alarm,  to  give  notice  of  sudden 
danger,  that  all  may  be  in  readiness  for 
immediate  duty. 

The  Parley,      )  a   signal   to   demand 

The  Chamade,  $  some  conference  with 
the  enemy. 

Long  March,  a  beat  which  was  for- 
merly used  in  England;  on  the  sound  of 
which,  the  men  clubbed  their  firelocks, 
and  claimed  and  used  the  liberty  of  talk- 
ing all  kind  of  ribaldry. 

The  Church  Call,  called  also  beating 
the  bank ;  a  beat  to  summon  the  sol- 
diers of  a  regiment,  or  garrison,  to 
church. 

The  Pioneers''  Call ;  known  by  the  ap- 
pellation of  Round  Heads  and  Cuckolds ! 
come  dig;  this  is  beaten  in  camp  to 
summon  the  pioneers  to  work. 

The  Serjeants'  Call,  a  beat  for  calk- 
ing the  Serjeants  together  in  the  orderly- 
room,  or  iu  camp,  to  the  head  of  the 
colours. 

The  Drummers'  Call,  a  beat  to  as- 
semble  the  drummers  at  the  head  of 
the  colours,  or  in  quarters  at  the  plate 
where  it  is  beaten. 

The  Preparative,  a  signal  to  mak? 
ready  for  firing. 

The  Warning  Drum,  a  beat  to  give 
officers  and  soldiers  time  to  assemble, 
for  their  meals  in  camp  or  quarters. 

The  Roast-beef  of  Old  England,  a 
beat  to  call  officers  to  dinner. 

Drum,  or  Diiummer,  the  person  who 
beats  the  drum. 

Kettle-DRVMH  are  two  sorts  of  large 
basins  of  copper  or  brass,  rounded  at 
the  bottom  and  covered  with  vellum  or 
goat-skin,  which  is  kept  fast  by  a  circle 
of  iron,  and  several  holes,  fastened  to 
the  body  of  the  drum,  and  a  like  num- 
ber of  screws  to  stretch  it  at  pleasure. 
They  are  used  among  the  horse.  The 
kettlc-ih  urn  formerly  belonging  to  the 
royal  regiment  of  artillery  was  mounted 
on  a  most  superb  and  pompous  wagon, 
richly  gilt  and  ornamented,  and  drawn 
by  four  white  horses  elegantly  capari- 
soned, with  a  seat  for  the  drum-major- 
general*. 


DUE 


(     1?9     ) 


DUE 


B RUM-mq/'or,  a  person  in  the  regi- 
Ihent  who  has  the  command  over  the 
otherdrums,  and  teaches  them  their  duty. 
Every  regiment  has  a  drum-major. 

DRVM-major- genera/,  of  England. 
There  was  formerly  in  the  King's  house- 
hold an  officer  so  called,  without  whose 
licence  no  one  could,  except  the  King's 
troops,  beat  a  drum. 

T)RVM-sticks,  the  sticks  with  which 
the  drummer  beats  his  drum. 

DRUNGARIUS,  a  Roman  captain 
tvho  had  the  command  of  1000  men. 

DRUNGE,  a  body  of  Roman  troops, 
composed  of  from  1000  to  4000  men. 

DRUNGUS,  a  flying  Roman  camp, 
•which  was  composed  of  a  particular  body 
of  men  that  kept  very  close  to  one  ano- 
ther when  in  battle. 

DRUNKENNESS,  according  to  Dr. 
Johnson,  intoxication  with  strong  liquor. 
The  Articles  of  War  say  respecting  this 
vice:  Whatsoever  commissioned  officer 
«hall  be  found  drunk  on  his  guard,  party, 
or  other  duty,  under  arms,  shall  be 
cashiered  for  it;  any  non-commissioned 
officer  or  soldier  so  offending  shall  suffer 
such  corporal  punishment  as  shall  be  in- 
flicted by  the  sentence  of  a  court-mar- 
tial.    Sect.  xiv.  Art.  v. 

DUAL,  a  weapon  used  by  the  inhabit- 
ants of  New  Holland.— See  Grant's 
Voyage  of  Discovery. 

DUC  de  la  nation,  Fr.  Under  the 
second  race  of  the  French  kings,  the  ar- 
mies were  headed  by  a  duke,  who  was 
called  Due,  de  la  nation,  as  long  as  he 
retained  the  command.  Thus  it  hap- 
pened that  Robert  le  Fort  became  duke 
of  the  French. 

DUCHIS-BASCY,  the  captain  of  the 
Turkish  founders,  who  is  to  provide  all 
necessary  materials. 

DUEL,  (from  the  Italian  duello,  signi- 
fying a  rule  of  duelling,)  is  a  single  com- 
bat, at  a  time  and  place  appointed,  in 
consequence  of  a  cartel  or  challenge. 
Duelling  was  anciently  authorized  ;  but 
the  motive  of  the  duellists  was  the  good 
of  their  country,  when  one,  or  a  small 
number  of  combatants  was  chosen  to 
save  the  blood  of  a  whole  army,  and 
decide,  by  victory  or  death,  the  quarrels 
of  kings  or  nations.  Thus  it  was  with 
Goliah  and  David,  the  Horatii  and  Cu- 
ratii,  and  several  others. 

Duelling  was  so  general 'a  method 
of  determining  differences  among  the 
nobles,  that  even  ecclesiastics  were  not 
excused;   only,  to  prevent  their  being 


stained  with  blood,  they  procured  cham- 
pions to  fight  for  them.  None  were  ex- 
cepted from  combat,  but  sick  people, 
cripples,  and  such  as  were  under  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  or  above  sixty.  Justs 
and  tournaments,  doubtless,  rendered 
duels  more  frequent 

In  the  seventeenth  century,  duelling 
was  much  discountenanced,  as  will  ap- 
pear by  the  following  extract  from  the 
History  of  Gustavus  Adolphus,  King  of 
Sweden,  surnamed  the  Great. 

"  Duels  were  not  extremely  fashion- 
able in  those  days;  we  hardly  find  half 
a  dozen  in  the  space  of  thirty  years  con- 
tinued war  ;  every  hour  affording  better 
proofs  for  valour,  than  such  irrational 
appeals  to  public  opinion.  Nor  were 
superior  commanders  ill  thought  of  by 
their  adherents  and  followers,  in  case 
they  refused  to  refer  themselves  to  such 
sort  of  decisions.  Cratz,  in  the  tran- 
sports of  resentment,  challenged  Wal- 
stein  when  he  was  generalissimo  and 
absolute;  yet  nothing  resulted  from  the 
provocation;  it  was  passed  by  with 
neglect.  John  de  Wert  killed  Merode, 
but  the  affair  was  purely  a  rencounter. 
Young  Pappenheim,  it  is  true,  lost  his 
life  in  a  real  duel,  but  that  happened 
merely  because  he  had  eluded  the  vigi- 
lance of  his  general,  who  had  locked  the 
city  gates,  and  planted  spies  to  watch 
the  combatants.  Aldringer  never  for- 
gave Sirot  for  drawing  his  sword  in  his 
presence,  though  he  himself  set  the  ex- 
ample, and  insisted  upon  making  his  life 
the  forfeiture  for  the  offence.  Greater 
cautious  were  still  taken  in  the  Swedish 
service:  Count  de  Sonches  challenged 
General  Stalhaus,  but  first  resigned  his 
commission.  Duels  before  this  time  had 
been  severely  prohibited  in  France,  and 
the  French  King  declared,  with  an  oath, 
that  he  would  reward  such  military  per- 
sons as  had  spirit  enough  to  refuse  a 
challenge.  E)  Gustavus's  laws  all  pri- 
vate quarrels  were  decided  by  the  offi- 
cers of  the  regiment,  and  all  challenges 
referred  to  a  court-martial :  and  if  an 
inferior  officer  allowed  the  common  sol- 
diers to  engage  hand  to  hand,  he  was  to 
be  cashiered,  ipso  facto,  and  serve  as  a 
private  man,  being  answerable  also  for 
the  mischiefs  that  should  be  committed 
in  such  engagements.  The  best  and 
most  remarkable  swordsman  in  the 
course  of  these  wars  was  the  Count  de 
Forgatz;  yet  we  find  nothing  concerning 
him  in  the  public  fujd  of  action.  At 
3  A  «2 


DUM 


(     130     ) 


DUN 


to  the  custom  of  seconds,  I  think  it 
appeared  as  early  as  the  year  1570." — 
See  Hartc's  History  of  Gusluvus  Adol- 
plius,  page  45.  in  the  Essay  on  the  Mili- 
tary State,  ike.  &c. 

No  officer  or  soldier  shall  pretend  to 
send  a  challenge  to  any  other  otlicer  or 
soldier,  to  fight  a  duel:  if  a  couiinis- 
sioned  officer,  on  pain  of  being  cashiered  ; 
if  a  non-commissioned  officer  or  sol- 
dier, of  suffering  corporal  punishment, 
at  the  discretion  of  a  court-martial. 
Articles  of  /far. 

For  a  very  singular  deviation  from 
this  article,  as  far  as  relates  to  officers, 
see  the  first  volume  of  the  Regimental 
Companion,  5th  edition. 

Duelling  was  authorized  before  the 
Normans  came  into  England,  hut  the 
practice  was  not  so  frequent  as  after  the 
Conquest. 

DUELLIST,  (duelliste,  Fr.)  a  man 
who  makes  it  his  profession  to  fight, 
and  sometimes  to  insult,  other  persons. 
Duelling  is  not  the  true  test  of  valour; 
for  it  will  happen,  that  a  man  may  indi- 
vidually fight  well, although  he  he  a  cheat 
at  play,  and  an  arrant  coward  in  the 
hour  of  battle. 

The  fate  of  Major  Campbell  of  the 
21st  regiment  of  foot,  who  was  executed 
in  Ireland  for  the  murder  of  his  brother 
officer,  Captain  Boyd,  ought  to  be  a  so- 
lemn warning  to  those  intemperate  men 
who  act  up  to  the  first  impulse  of  anger 
and  revenge;  most  especially,.when  the 
common  forms  of  duelling  are  aban- 
doned. If  this  lex  ultima  honoris 
must  be  resorted  to,  let  usage,  at  least, 
and  the  common  decencies  of  life  be 
observed.  During  the  reign  of  Louis 
the  XlVth,  every  man  who  fought  a 
duel  and  killed  his  adversary,  without 
the  evidence  of  seconds,  (or,  as  the 
French  more  properly  say,  timoins,  wit- 
nesses,) was  condemned  to  death.  The 
Irish,  who  are  naturally  a  brave  and  ge- 
nerous people,  felt  all  the  weight  and  ef- 
ficacy of  this  wise  law,  when  they  brought 
in  their  verdict  at  Armagh. 

DUKIGI-BACIII,  the  second  officer 
of  the  Turkish  artillery. 

DULEDGE,  a  peg  of  wood  which 
joins  the  ends  of  the  felloes,  forming  the 
circle  of  the  wheel  to  a  gun-carriage; 
and  the  joint  is  strengthened  on  the  out- 
side of  the  wheel  by  a  strong  plate  of 
iron,  called  the  duledge  plate. 

DUMB-BELLS,  weights  which  are 
used  in  drilling  the  soldier,  who  holds 


one  in  each  hand,  winch  he  swings  back- 
wards and  forwards  to  open  his  chest, 
increase  muscular  strength,  throw  back 
his  shoulders,  and  accustom  him  to  that 
freedom  of  action  in  the  arms,  and  to 
that  erect  position  of  body  which  are  so 
essentially  necessary  to  a  soldier. 

The  following  method  of  exercising 
recruits  with  the  dumb-bells,  is  extracted 
from  a  work  entitled  Military  Instruc- 
tion. 

The  dumb-bells  being  placed  one  on 
each  side  of  the  recruit,  and  himself  in 
an  erect,  steady  posture — on  the  « 

Raise  bells — he  will  take  one  ii 
hand,  and  by  a  gentle  motion  raise 
as  high  as  his  arm  will  suffer  him,  a 
his  head ;  then  gradually   sinking  llieui 
with  stretched  arm,  as  much  behind  linn 
as  possible,  he  will  form  a  circle  with 
them,  making   the    circle   complete    by 
causing  the  backs  of  his  hands  to  meet 
behind  his  body;  this  will  be. repeated, 
according  to  his  strength,  5  or  b"  times. 

Extend  bells. — The  bells  being  raised 
to  the  shoulder,  they  will  be  forced  for- 
wards, keeping  the  same  height,  then 
brought  back  in  the  same  manner;  this 
will  throw  the  chest  forward,  and  force 
back  the  neck  and  shoulders: — this  must 
be  frequently  repeated. 

Suing  bells. — The  top  part  of  the  bells 
to  be  made  to  meet  together  in  front,  the 
height  of  the  breast;  then  forced  back- 
wards with  an  extended  arm,  and  be 
made  to  touch  behind;  in  doing  this,  the 
palm  of  the  hand  must  be  uppermost, 
and  the  elbows  well  down  :  this  circle 
must  be  repeated  fourteen  or  fifteen 
times:  Time,  the  circle  performed  in, 
two  seconds. 

Ground  belh. — The  recruit  will  let 
fall  the  bells  by  his  sides,  and  remain 
steady  and  firm. 

DUNES,  Fr.  sand  hills,  commonly 
called  downs.  As,  les  dunes  sur  la  cute 
de  Flandres,  the  downs,  or  sand-hills, 
along  the  coast  of  Flanders.  Hence  also, 
Dunkirk,  from  a  church  first  built  in 
the  sand-hills. 

DUNGEON,  }   in    fortification,    is 

DONJON,  S  commonly  a  large 
tower  or  redoubt  of  a  fortress,  whither 
the  garrison  may  retreat,  in  case  of  ne- 
cessity, and  capitulate  with  greater  ad- 
vantage. Also  a  place  in  which  prisoners 
were  kept. 

DUNNAGE,  as  used  in  the  ordnance, 
consists  of  fir  deals  or  other  light  tim- 
ber to  raise  the  dead  weight  in  the  hold, 


D  U  T 


(     181     ) 


DYE 


for  the  purpose  of  preventing  a  ship 
from  labouring  too  much  in  a  heavy  sea. 
In  ships  coming  from  China,  dunnage  is 
used  about  a  foot  above  the  ceiling  to 
prevent  the  water  in  a  ship's  hold  from 
damaging  teas,  or  other  dry  goods.  The 
laths,  ecc.  which  are  placed  in  trunks 
serve  also  as  dunnage  to  secure  clothes 
and  linen  fioin  rubbing  together. 

DUPLE,  dupla  ratio,  that  is,  double 
ratio,  in  architecture,  is  where  the  ante- 
cedent term  is  double  the  consequent; 
or  where  the  exponent  of  the  ratio  is  2; 
thus  6  :  3  is  in  a  double  ratio. 

Sub-Di'PLE,  or  double  sub-duple  ratio, 
is  where  the  consequent  term  is  double 
the  antecedent,  or  the  exponent  of  the 
ratio  is  f;  thus  3  :  G  is  a  sub-duple 
ratio. 

-DUPLICATION,  (duplication,  Fr.) 
the  art  or  science  of  doubling  a  thing, 
or  any  given  quantity. 

Duplication  of  the  cube,  (duplica- 
tion du  cube,  Fr.)  a  term  used  to  express 
the  invention  of  a  number  which  is  twice 
as  great  as  any  other  proposed. 

DUTY,  (devoir,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
sense,  is  the  exercise  of  those  functions 
that  belong  to  a  soldier;  yet  with  this 
nice  distinction,  that  duty  is  counted 
the  mounting  guard,  &c.  where  no 
enemy  is  directly  to  be  engaged;  for 
when  any  body  of  men  marches  to  meet 
the  enemy,  this  is  strictly  called  going 
upon  service. 

On  all  duties,  whether  with  or  with- 
out arms,  piquets,  or  courts-martial, 
the  tour  of  duty  begins  with  the  eldest 
downwards.  An  officer  who  is  upon 
duty  cannot  be  ordered  for  any  other 
before  that  duty  is  finished,  except  he 
be  on  the  inlying  piquet,  as  then  he 
shall  be  relieved,  and  go  on  the  duty 
ordered. 

Military  Duties  may  be  divided  into 
two  general, classes,  under  the  heads  of 
Brigade  and  Regimental  duties. 

Brigade  duties  are  those  which  one 
regiment  does  in  common  with  another, 
collectively  or  by  detachments,  and  of 
which  the  brigade-major  keeps  a  regular 
roster. 

Regimental  duties  are  those  which 
the  several  companies  of  a  legiment 
perform  among  themselves,  and  of  which 
the  adjutant  keeps  a  regular  roster. 

Duties  of  Honour  are,  1.  the  king's 
guard ;  2.  those  of  the  royal  family ;  3. 
the  captain-general's,  or  field-marshal's 
commanding  the  army  ;  4.  detachments 


of  the  army,  or  out-posts;  5.  genera! 
officers'  guards;  6.  the  ordinary  guards 
in  camp  or  garrison;  7.  the  piquets;  U. 
general  courts-martial,  and  duties  with- 
out arms,  or  fatigue. 

The  following  general  regulations  are 
to  be  observed,  respecting  duties  in  gene- 
ral: 

When  field  or  other  commissioned 
officers  are  given  out  at  head-quarters, 
for  one  duty,  they  cannot  be  taken  off 
to  be  put  on  any  other  duty. 

No  orlicer  is  allowed  to  exchange  his 
duty  with  another,  after  he  has  been  put 
in  orders  for  it,  without  leave  of  the 
commanding  officer  of  his  regiment. 

Guards,  or  detachments  which  have 
not  matched  oft'  from  the  parade,  are  not 
to  be  reckoned  as  for  a  duly  done; 
but,  if  they  should  have  inarched  from 
the  parade,  it  stands  for  a  duty  done, 
though  they  should  be  dismissed  imme- 
diately. 

If  any  officer's  tour  of  duty  for  the 
piquet,  general  court-martial,  or  duty  of 
fatigue,  happen  when  he  is  on  duty,  he 
shall  not  make  good  such  duty  when  he 
comes  off. 

No  regiment  can  demand  a  tour  of 
duty,  unless  it  has  inarched  off  the 
place  of  parade,  and  beyond  the  main 
guard. 

General  courts-martial  that  have  as- 
sembled, and  the  members  sworn  in, 
shall  be  reckoned  for  a  duty,  though 
thev  should  be  dismissed  without  trying 
any  person. 

Whenever  the  piquets  are  ordered  to 
inarch  to  any  parade,  it  is  not  to  be  ac- 
counted a  duty,  unless  they  march  oil 
that  parade. 

All  commands  in  the  regular  forces 
fall  to  the  eldest  officers  in  the  same 
circumstances,  whether  of  cavalry  or 
infantry,  entire,  or  in  parties.  In  case 
two  commissions  of  the  same  date  in- 
terfere, a  retrospect  is  to  be  had  to  for- 
mer commissions. 

Ollicers,  in  all  duties  under  arms,  are 
to  have  their  swords  drawn,  without 
waiting  for  any  word  of  command  for 
that  purpose. 

Duty  also  signifies, in  amoral  and  no- 
ble sense  of  the  word,  not  otily  a  reli- 
gious observance  of  orders,  but  a  zealous 
and  undaunted  execution  of  them. 
Thus  our  immortal  Nelson:  England 
expects  that    every    man    will  do 

HIS  DUTY'. 

D£E.    See  Die. 


EAR 


(     182     ) 


E  A  S 


DYKE.     See  Dike. 

DYNAMICS,  (dynamique,  Fr.)  the 
science  of  moving  forces,  or  of  move- 
able causes. 

DYNASTY,  (dynastic,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  frequently  found  in  the  History 
of  the  Monarchies  and  Empires  of  the 


East;  it  signifies  a  series  of  princes 
who  have  reigned  successively.  When 
a  new  family  succeeds  to  the  throne,  it 
is  a  new  dynasty  that  begins.  The 
house  of  Nassau  Orange  began  a  new 
dynasty  of  the  Kings  of  England  in 
1688.  ' 


E 


EAGLE.  B/acfe-Eagle,  an  order  of 
military  knighthood  in  Prussia,  in- 
stituted by  "the  elector  of  Brandenbuurg, 
in  1701,  on  his  being  crowned  king  of 
Prussia.  The  knights  of  this  order  wear 
an  orange-coloured  ribbon,  from  which 
is  suspended  a  black  eagle. 

U'/hVc-Eagi.k,  a  like  order  in  Po- 
land, instituted  in  1325,  by  Uladislaus 
V.  on  occasiow  of  the  marriage  of  his 
ton  Casimer,  to  the  daughter  of  the 
great  duke  of  Lithuania.  The  knights 
of  this  order  wear  a  chain  of  gold,  to 
which  a  silver  eagle,  crowned,  is  sus- 
pended. 

Eagle,  the  standard  of  the  ancient 
Romans.  In  a  general  sense,  it  formerly 
meant  the  standard  of  the  Roman  ar- 
mies; in  a  more  limited  acceptation  the 
sign  or  flag  of  the  several  legions. 

At  present  it  is  the  standard  of  the 
German  empire. 

The  difference  between  the  Roman 
and  the  Imperial  eagle  consists  in  this, 
that  the  first  were  eagles  of  gold  or  sil- 
ver, fixed  at  the  end  of  a  pike,  having 
their  wings  extended,  and  holding  the 
lightning  in  their  claws  ;  the  second  are 
eagles  painted  upon  the  colours  and 
standards  of  the  emperors.  The  eagle 
likewise  signifies,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
fhe  German  empire.  On  the  accession 
of  Bonaparte  to  the  imperial  throne, 
the  eagles  were  introduced  among  the 
standards  of  France,  in  imitation  of  the 
Romans. 

EARL-MARSHAL,  an  officer  who 
lias   the  care  and  direction  oi  military 


solemnities.  The  dukes  of  Norfolk  are," 
by  hereditary  right,  earls-marshal  of 
England ;  but  they  must  be  protestants 
to  exercise  the  functions  of  that  high 
office. 

EARS  of  a  horse  should  be  small, 
narrow,  straight,  and  the  whole  substance 
of  them  thin  and  delicate :  they  ought 
to  be  placed  on  the  very  top  of  the 
head,  and  their  points,  when  styled,  or 
pricked  up,  should  be  nearer  than  then- 
roots. 

When  ahorse  carries  his  ears  pointed 
forwards,  he  is  said  to  have  a  bold, 
hardy,  or  brisk  ear;  also  when  a  horse 
is  travelling  he  should  keep  them  firm, 
and  not  (like  a  hog)  mark  every  step  by 
the  flapping  of  his  ears. 

EARTH-fcags.     See  Bags. 

EASE,  in  a  military  sense,  signifies  a 
prescribed  relaxation  of  the  frame,  from 
the  erect  and  firm  position  which  every 
well  dressed  soldier  should  observe. 

To  statid  at  Ease,  in  a  technical  ac* 
ceptation  of  the  term,  is  to  draw  the 
right  foot  back  about  six  inches,  and  to 
bring  the  greatest  part  of  the  weight  of 
the  body  upon  it.  The  left  knee  must 
be  a  little  bent,  and  the  hands  brought 
together  before  the  body,  the  right  hand 
in  front.  But  the  shoulders  must  inva- 
riably be  kept  back  and  square,  the  head 
to  the  front,  and  the  whole  carriage  of 
the  person  be  unconstrained. 

In  cold  weather,  when  standing  at 
ease,  the  men  are  permitted, by  command, 
to  move  their  limbs  without  quitting 
their  ground. 


EBO 


(     183    ) 


E  C  H 


Stand  at  Ease,  (from  the  support.)  On 
this  command,  the  soldier  retires  his 
right  foot  six  inches,  hends  his  left  knee, 
and  carrying  the  right  hand  smartly 
.across  the  body,  seizes  the  firelock  by 
the  small  of  the  butt,  and  raises  it  suffi- 
ciently to  slope  it  over  his  left  shoulder, 
and  relieve  the  left  arm  from  the  pres- 
sure of  the  cock.  In  some  regiments, 
instead  of  seizing  the  small  of  the  butt 
with  the  right  hand,  they  only  place 
the  hollow  of  the  hand  below  the  left 
elbow. 

Ease  arms,  a  word  of  command  given 
immediately  after  the  order  to  handle, 
arms,  by  which  the  soldier  is  directed 
to  drop  his  right  hand  to  the  full  extent 
of  the  arm,  from  the  top  of  the  ramrod, 
on  the  front  of  the  sling,  with  his  fingers 


spread  along  it. 

EAU,  Fr.  water,  is  a  principal  object 
to  be  considered,  whenever  an  army 
advances,  retreats,  or  encamps.  It  is 
the  quarter-master-general's  business, 
through  his  subordinate  deputies,  to  se- 
cure this  indispensable  necessary  of  life. 
Small  running  rivulets  are  preferable  to 
large  rivers,  because  the  latter  cannot 
be  so  easily  turned  for  the  convenience 
of  the  army ;  whereas  the  former  may 
be  always  stopped,  or  diverted  from 
their  natural  course. 

Wells  are  never  resorted  to  but  in 
cases  of  absolute  necessity.  Stagnant 
or  pond  water  is  in  general  unwhole- 
some, and  never  limpid  or  clear. 

Buvage  <TEau,  Fr.  a  punishment 
in  the  French  service,  corresponding 
with  our  bread  and  water  system. — 
Drunken  soldiers  were  treated  in  this 
manner.  This  chastisement  is  also 
much  practised  in  our  corps  in  India, 
where  it  is  called  congee,  signifying  rice 
and  water. 

Eaux  Meres,  on  A  me  res,  Fr.  the 
water  which  remains  after  the  first  boil- 
ing of  saltpetre.  It  has  a  bitter  salt 
taste,  and  is  used  to  fill  the  tubs  a  second 
time. 

Petites  Eaux,  Fr.  the  water  which 
remains  after  the  saltpetre  has  been 
boiled  to  a  certain  degree.  See  Salt- 
petre. 

EBAUCHE,  Fr.  the  first  sketch,  or 
outline  of  a  plan. 

EBAUCHER,  Fr.  to  prepare  any 
'thing  in  the  rough  so  that  it  may  be 
shaped  or  made  smooth. 

EBOULEMRNT,  Fr.  the  crumbling 


of  a  wall  or  rampart,  which  is  occa- 
sioned either  by  violence,  or  by  waste  of 
time.  It  also  means  the  rubbish,  &c. 
that  is  caused  by  the  explosion  of  a 
mine. 

EBOULIS,  Fr.  rubbish, 

EBRANLER,  Fr.  to  shake. 

Ebranler  une  troupe  ennemie,  Fr. 
to  cause  a  hostile  body  of  men  to  give 
way,  or  become  unsteady,  by  the  fre- 
quent and  well  directed  discharge  of  can- 
non, or  musketry. 

S' ebranler,  Fr.  to  make  a  first 
movement  towards  an  enemy,  for  the 
purpose  of  bringing  him  to  battle;  to 
prepare  to  mount  an  assault.  It  also 
signifies  to  retire  in  order  to  avoid  the 
enemy. 

EBRILLADE,  Fr.z.  sudden  jerk  with 
the  bridle. 

EBUARD,  Fr.  a  wooden  wedge. 

ECARTER  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  oblige  an 


enemy  to  abandon  his  position  and  to 
give  up  some  premeditated  plan.  This 
is  done  by  intercepting  his  convoys,  by 
harassing  engagements,  and  by  keeping 
him  in  continual  alarm. 

ECHAFAUD,  Fr.  a  scaffold. 
ECHAFAUDAGE,  Fr.  the  different 
planks  and  poles,  &c.  which  are  used  to 
erect  a  scaffold. 

ECHALIER,  Fr.  a  fence. 
ECHANCRURE,  Fr.  a  slope. 
ECH ANGER,  Fr.  to    exchange,   tt» 
barter. 

ECHANSON,  Fr.  a  cup-bearer. 
ECHANSONNERIE,  Fr.  the  king's 
wine  cellar. 

ECHANTILLON,  Fr.  means  literally 
a  pattern  or  model.  In  a  military  sense, 
it  signifies  a  plank,  which  is  covered  on 
one  side  with  iron,  and  serves  to  finish 
the  mouldings,  &c.  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance. 

ECIIAPPEE  de  me,  Fr.  a  vista. 
ECHAPPER,  Fr.  toescape.  S' echap- 
per  belle,  to  escape  a  thing  narrowly, 

ECIIAPPES,  Fr.  the  breed  of  a 
stallion. 

ECIIARDE,  Fr.  a  splinter. 
ECHARPE,  Fr.  a  scarf;  a  sling  for 
the  arm ;  in  mechanics,  a  pulley.  It 
also  signifies  a  particular  mark  of  dis- 
tinction which  lias  been  worn  by  mili- 
tary men  to  denote  different  nations  or 
parties.  It  is  sometimes  thrown  across 
die  body,  and  at  others  round  the  waist. 
The  French  wear  white  silk;  the  Spa- 
niards red. 


E  C  H 


c  m  ) 


ECL 


Changer 


ange 


length  of  stones  are 


d'  Echarpe,  Fr.  to  cl 
sides;  to  be  a  turn-coat. 

En  Eciiarve,  in  the  military  art.  To 
batter  en  itharpe,  is  to  fire  obliquely,  or 
sideways.     S<  e  H.\  n  iky. 

feCHARPfi,  Fr.n  person  that  has  been 
severely  wounded  with  a  sabre  or  cut- 
lass. It  is  said  of  a  regiment  that  it 
lias  lit  i  n  <  (//((//k,  hy  which  is  meant  thai 
it  has  lost  nearly  all  its  men,  or  been 
cut  to  pieces. 

ECHARPER,  Fr.  to  cut  across  with 
a  sabre. 

iVlI A  R$,( I Yw/.<,Fr.) shifting  winds. 

KCHASSKS,  Fr.  stilts;  poles.  This 
word  also  means  wooden  rulers  by  which 
the   hreadth    am. 

measured. 

S'ECIIAUDER,  Fr.  to  burn  one's 
fingers  bv  ill  success  in  some  affair. 

ECHAUFFOURIE,  Fr.  This  word 
is  become  obsolete.  It  meant  formerly 
the  unexpected  meeting  of  two  bodies 
of  troops  that  engaged  immediately. 

ECIIAUGFTTE,  a  watch-tower,  or 
kind  of  sentry-box  built  in  the  walls  of 
fortified  places. 

ECHAUFOUREE,  Fr.  a  rash  under- 
taking; a  wild  scheme. 

ECHEC,  Fr.  a  check;  a  repulse; 
such  as  is  experienced  by  an  army,  or 
body  of  armed  men,  who  are  either 
driven  back  when  they  advance,  or  are 
prevented  from  so  doing  by  a  superior 
force,  or  by  military  skill. 

EdlELIER,  <>u  rinu/icr,  Fr.  a  long 
piece  of  timber  which  is  crossed  by  a 
number  of  steps,  and  which  is  placed 
perpendicularly  for  the  purpose  of  going 
down  into  quarries,  Ike. 

ECHELLE,  Fr.  scale,  in  a  mathe- 
matical sense,  is  a  Straight  line  drawn 
double,  which  is  divided  into  a  certain 
number  of  parts,  each  part  containing 
as  many  toises  or  yards,  etc.  as  the  size 
of  the  chart  or  paper  will  admit,  which 
are  again  reduced  into  feet. 

Ecuelle,  Fr.  ladder;  in  civil  and 
military  architecture,  means  a  machine, 
which  is  made  of  two  side  pieces  or 
arms,  that  receive  a  certain  number  of 
small  steps,  at  equal  distances  from  one 
another.  These  ■  ichelles,  or  ladders,  are 
of  two  kinds:  lai'iie  and  small.  The 
small  ladders  are  used  to  descend  into 
the  ditches  of  fortified  places,  and  the 
large  ones  for  scaling  the  walls,  txc. 
See  Scaling  Ladders. 

Echelle,  Fr.   any   spot  or  place  of 


trade  in  the  Mediterranean,  is  so  called 
by  the  French. 

'  EJCHELLES,  Fr.  President  Fauchet 
in  his  Book  11,  de  In  tnilicc  et  des  armies, 
tells  us,  that  by  this  word  were  meant 
several  troops  of  horse.  Each  ichelle 
had  a  particular  standard  with  the  motto 
and  armorials  of  its  captain. 

EUIEIJ.FTTE,  Fr.  a  small  ladder. 

ECHELON,  from  iehelon,  Fr.  the 
Step  of  a  ladder.  A  position  in  military 
tactics,  where  each  division  follows  the 
preceding  one,  like  the  steps  of  a  ladder; 
and  is  convenient  for  removing  from  a 
direct  to  an  oblique,  or  diagonal  line. 
When  troops  advance  in  echelon,  they 
almost  invariably  adopt  the  ordinary 
lime.  Hence  to  march  in  iehelon,  may 
not  improperly  be  said  to  approach  to- 
wards any  given  object  by  a  gradual 
movement. 

Echelon  movements  and  positions  are 
not  only  necessary  and  applicable  to  the 
immediate  attacks  and  retreats  of  great 
bodies,  but  also  to  the  previous  oblique 
or  direct  changes  of  situation,  which  a 
battalion,  or  a  more  considerable  corps 
already  formed  in  line,  may  be  obliged 
to  make  to  the  front  or  rear,  or  on  a 
particular  fixed  division  of  the  line. 

The  oblique  changes  are  produced  by 
the  wheel  less  than  the  quarter  circle  of 
divisions  from  line  which  places  them 
in  the  echelon  situation.  The  direct 
changes  are  produced  by  the  perpendi- 
cular and  successive  march  of  divisions 
from  line  to  front,  or  rear.  See  Infan- 
try Regulation!*,  p.  105. 
"j-J/t  KCHIQUIER,  Fr.  alternately. 

Fdire  la  retraite  en  Echiquier,  Fr. 
to  retreat  by  alternate  companies,  &c 
columns. 

ECIIOUER,  Fr.  to  fail  in  an  under- 
taking,  or  enterprize. 

ECLAIRCIlL  Fr.  to  thin.  Hence  to 
thin  the  ranks  by  cannon-shot,  or  mus- 
ketry. 

Eclaircjr  des  armeSy  Fr.  to  polish 
arms,  or  make  them  bright. 

ECLAIRCISSEMENT,  Fr.  explica- 
tion ;  explanation. 

Ofjicier  a  Eclaircissement,  Fr.  a 
quarrelsome  officer. 

ECLAIRER,  Fr.  according  to  the 
translator  of  the  French  military  tac- 
tics, signifies  to  keep  an  eye  on,  to 
natch,  to  observe.  It  literally  means  to 
enlighten. 

Eclaieee  vne  marche,  Fr.  to  detach, 


E  C  L 


(     185     ) 


ECO 


xn  front  of  an  army,  small  or  large  de- 
tachments of  troops,  who  are  preceded 
by  sharp-shooters  or  light  infantry,  for 
the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  position 
of  the  enemy,  &c. 

Eclairer  ce  que  font  des  assicges,  Fr. 
to  throw  inflammable  halls  or  pots  filled 
with  combustibles  into  the  works  of  a 
fortified  place,  for  the  purpose  of  know- 
ins;  the  strength  of  a  garrison,  &c. 

Eclairer  une  truncate,  Fr.  to  throw 
balls  of  fire,  &c.  towards  the  trenches  of 

an  enemy,  in  order  to  discover  what  the  i  let  put  of  a  sluice  or  dam. 
operations  of  the  besiegers  are  during!     ECLUSES,  Fr.     See  Sluices. 
the  night.  ECOLES   a"  artillerie,    Fr.    military 

ECLAIREUR,  Fr.  according  to  the  schools,  where  the  pupils  are  taught  every 
translator  of  the  French  military  tactics/ thing  that  relates  to  the  profession  of 
a  trooper,  a  flanker.  arms:  whether  they  be  officers,  cadets, 

ECLAIREURS,  Fr.  a  corps  of  gre-  or  private  soldiers, 
nadiers  raised  by  Bonaparte,  when  chief;       Ecoles  du  genie,  Fr.  military  schools 
consul  of  France,  for  the  immediate  pro-  for  the  education  of  engineers.     Before 
tection  of  Paris.  I  an  officer  can  be  admitted  he  must  have 

ECLAT,  IV.  shew;  gorgeous  appear- [attended  the  several  lectures,  and  have 


fosse  of  a  fortified  place  or  town;  par 
ticularly  so  when  a  river  may  happen  to 
run  close  under  the  glacis.  This  is  the 
case  at  Gravelines,  where  there  is  a  pro- 
visional sluice  in  the  covert- way,  op- 
posite to  the  royal  bastion,  by  which  any 
quantity  of  water  can  be  brought  into 
the  ditch  from  the  river  Aa. 

Ecltjse  quarree,  Fr.  a  dam,  or  sluice, 
which  has  one  floodgate,  whose  doors 
shut  squarewise. 

ECLUSEE,  Fr.  the  water  which  is 


ance. 

Eclat  de  bois,  Fr.  a  shiver  of  wood. 

Eclat  de  pierre,  Fr.  a  shard  of  stone. 

Eclat  d'annes,  Fr.  clang  of  arms. 

ECLOPPES,  a  French  military  term, 
to  express  those  soldiers  who,  though 
invalided,  are  yet  well  enough  to  follow 
the  army.  Among  these  may  be  classed 
dragoons,  or  horsemen,  whose  horses  get 
suddenly  lame,  and  cannot  keep  up  with 
the  troop  or  squadron.  They  always 
march  in  the  rear  of  a  column. 

ECLUSE  a  tambour,  Fr.  a  dam,  or 
sluice,  which  fills  and  empties  jtself  by 
means  of  two  arched  drains. 

Ecluse  d,  vannes,  Fr.  a  dam,  or  sluice, 
which  fills  and  empties  itself  by  means 
of  floodgates. 

Ecluse  en  eperons,  Fr.  a  dam,  or 
sluice,  whose  double  floodgates  join  each 
other. 

Ecluse  de  chcisse  et  de fuite,  Fr.  two 
sluices  by  means  of  which  water  is 
brought  in  and  carried  out  of  fortified 
places  from  the  sea.  When  the  water 
runs  in,  it  flows  through  what  is  called 
the  ecluse  de  chasse,  and  when  it  runs 
out,  it  does  so  from  the  ecluse  de  t'uite. 
Sluices  of  this  kind  run  under  the  town 
of  Calais,  from  the  sea-side  to  the  out- 
ward ditch. 

Ecluse  de  decharge,  Fr.  a  dam,  or 
sluice,  where  the  back-water  is  kept,  or 
let  oat,  for  the  purpose  of  filling,  or 
emptying  any  ditch  or  fosse,  &c 

Ecluse  provisionnelle,  Fr.  a  sluice 
which  serves  to  inundate,  or  fill  up,  the 


undergone  a  general  examination  upon 
mathematics,  the  art  of  drawing,  tracing 
plans  of  military  architecture,  of  defence, 
attack,  &c.  &c.     See  School. 

ECOLIER,  Fr.  a  student;  a  scholar. 
The  French  say  figuratively,  Ce  general 
a  fait  une  faute  d'  ecolier,  that  general 
has  acted  with  great  incapacity;  literally 
like  a  school-boy. 

ECONOMY,  in  a  military  sense,  im- 
plies the  minutiae,  or  interior  regulations 
of  a  regiment,  troop,  or  company.  Hence 
regimental  economy. 

ECORCER,  Fr.  to  impose  upon. 

ECORE,  Fr.  steep  shore.  Cote  en 
ecore  signifies  a  very  steep  descent. 

ECORNIFLEUR,  Fr.  a  sponger. 

ECOT,  Fr.  scot;  club;  company; 
reckoning.  The  French  say,  Vuyer  bien 
son  ecot,  to  be  a  lively  companion,  to 
make  a  society  merry. 

ECOUER,  Fr.  to  crop;  to  dock;  to 
cut  short. 

ECOUE,  Fr.  crop-tailed. 

ECOUPE,  Fr.  a  broom,  such  as  is 
used  by  pioneers.    It  is  also  called  Balui. 

ECOUTE,  Fr-  a  private  place  for 
listening;  such  as  is  generally  found  at- 
tached to  public  offices  where  persons 
are  examined. 

Etre  mix  ECOUTES,  Fr.  to  he  on 
itie  watch. 

Ecoutes,  Fr.  small  galleries  made  at 
equal  distances  in  front  of  the  glacis, 
of  the  fortifications  of  a  place,  the  whole 
of  which  correspond  with  a  gallery  pa- 
rallel to  the  covei  t-wav :  they  serve  to 
2  B 


ECU 


annoy  the  enemy's  miners  and  to  inter- 
rupt them  in  their  work. 

ECOUVETTE,  Fr.  a  brush. 

ECOUVILLON,  Fr.  a  manikin  or 
drag;  the  spungc  marie  use  of  to  clean 
and  to  cool  the  inside  of  a  cannon,  w  hen 
it  has  been  discharged. 

ECOUVJLLONER,  Fr.  to  dean,  or 

cool  a  piece  of"  ordnance. 

ECRETER,  Fr.  CO  batter  or  fire  at 
the  top  of  a  wall,  redoubt,  epaulement, 
&c.  so  as  to  dislodge  or  drive  away  the 
men  that  may  be  stationed  behind  it,  in 
order  to  render  the  approach  more  easy. 
fScriter  /cs  point  es  des  palissadeS,  to  blunt 
the  sharp  ends  of  the  palisades.  This 
ought  always  to  be  done  before  you  attack 
the  covert-way,  which  is  generally  fenced 
by  them. 

ECRIN,  Fr.  a  jewel-box. 
ECRIRE  en  chiffrcs,  Fr.  a  particular 
method  of  writing  in  certain  figures, 
marks,  &c.  upon  interesting  matters 
which  must  be  kept  secret.  The  present 
telegraph  is  a  kind  of  writing  in  figures, 
and  was  much  in  use  amongst  the  Per- 
sians, Greeks,  Egyptians,  Tyrians,  and 
Romans. 

ECROU,  Fr.  the  nut  of  a  screw.  It 
likewise  signifies  the  jailor's  book.  Hence 
the,  term  ccrouc. 

ECROUE,  (soldat,  Fr.)  a  soldier  that 
was  confined  and  reported  as  such  dur- 
ing the  old  French  monarchy.  When  this 
happened  by  the  command  of  his  officer 
he  could  not  be  removed  to  another 
place  of  confinement  in  consequence  of 
any  sentence  of  a  civil  court.  With  us 
Jill  military  regulations  are  subordinate 
to  civil  law. 

ECROULEMENT,  Fr.  the  decay  or 
Fall  of  the  earth,  or  mason-work,  belong- 
ing to  a  rampart,  which  is  occasioned 
by  the  waste  of  time,  or  by  the  force  of 
ordnance. 

ECU,  Fr.  a  large  shield  which  was 
used  by  the  ancients,  and  carried  on 
their  left  arms,  to  ward  olF  the  blows  of 
a  sword  or  sabre.  This  instrument  of 
defence  was  originally  invented  by  the 
Samnites.  The  Moors  had  ecus  or  shields, 
sufficiently  large  to  cover  the  whole  of 
their  bodies.  The  clipei  of  the  Romans, 
only  differ  from  the  ecu  in  shape;  the 
former  being  entirely  round,  and  the 
latter  oval. 

Ecu  de  campagne,  Fr.  a  certain  sum 
of  money  which  is  given  to  the  cavalry 
during  one  hundred  and  fifty  days  that 
the  troops  are  in  winter-quarters. 


(   186   )  EDU 

EDGE,  the  thin,  or  cutting  part,  of* 
sword  or  sabre. 

EDICT.  See  Proclamation. 
EDUCATION,  in  a  military  sense, 
implies  the  training  up  of  youth  to  the 
art  of  war.  The  first  object  to  be  con- 
sidered is,  whether  nature  has  given  the 
voung  man  the  talents  necessary  for  the 
profession,  or  not ;  for  here  sense,  parts, 
courage,  and  judgment,  are  required  in 
a  very  eminent  degree.  The  natural 
qualities  of  an  officer  are,  a  robust  con- 
stitution, a  noble  open  countenance,  a 
martial  genius,  fire  to  produce  activity, 
phlegm  to  moderate  his  transports,  and 
patience  to  support  the  toils  and  fatigues 
of  war,  almost  without  seeming  to  feel 
them.  Acquired  qualities  of  an  officer 
consist  in  moral  virtues  and  sciences;  by 
the  first  is  meant  a  regular  good  con- 
duct, economy,  prudence,  and  a  serious 
application  to  what  regards  the  service. 
Military  sciences  indispensably  demand 
the  reading  of  ancient  and  modern  hii- 
torians;  a  good  knowledge  of  military 
mathematics,  and  the  study  of  the  chief 
languages  of  Europe. 

It  is  in  ancient  authors  we  find  all 
that  is  excellent,  either  in  politics  or  war: 
the  make  and  form  of  arms  are  changed 
since  the  invention  of  gunpowder;  but 
the  science  of  war  is  always  the  same. 
On  one  side,  history  instructs  us  by  ex- 
amples, and  furnishes  us  with  proofs,  of 
the  beautiful  maxims  of  virtue  and  wis- 
dom, which  morality  has  taught  us:  it 
gives  us  a  kind  of  experience,  before- 
hand, of  what  we  are  to  do  in  the  world  ; 
it  teaches  us  to  regulate  our  life,  and  to 
conduct  ourselves  with  wisdom;  to  dis- 
trust mankind;  ever  to  conduct  ourselves 
with  integrity  and  probity,  never  to  do  a 
mean  action  :  and  to  measure  grandeur 
with  the  level  of  reason,  that  we  may 
despise  it,  when  it  becomes  dangerous, 
or  ridiculous. 

On  the  other  band,  history  serves  to 
give  us  a  knowledge  of  the  universe, 
and  the  different  nations  which  inhabit 
it;  their  religions,  their  governments, 
their  interests,  their  commerce,  their 
politics,  and  the  law  of  nations.  It  shews 
us  the  origin  of  the  illustrious  houses 
who  have  reigned  in  the  world,  and  given 
birth  to  those  who  still  subsist. 

The  knowledge  of  military  mathema- 
tics regards  the  operations  of  war  in 
general;  every  thing  there  consists  in 
proportion,  measure  and  motion :  it 
treats  of  marches,  encampments,  battles, 


E  F  F 


(     187     ) 


E  L  M 


-Artillery,  fortification,  lines,  sieges,  mines, 
ammunition,  provisions,  fleets,  and  every 
thing  which  relates  to  war;  but  no  just 
notion  can  be  acquired  without  geometry, 
natural  philosophy,  mechanics,  military 
architecture,  and  the  art  of  drawing. 

The  study  of  languages  is  most  useful 
to  an  officer,  and  he  feels  the  necessity 
of  it,  in  proportion  as  he  rises  to  higher 
employments.  Thus  the  Latin,  German, 
and  French  languages  are  very  necessary 
for  an  English  oflicer;  as  are  the  English, 
French,  and  Italian,  for  a  German. 

EEL-backed  hor'scs,  such  as  have  black 
lists  along  their  backs. 

EFFAUTAGE,  Fr.  refuseship-timber. 

EFFECTIONS  (in  geometry)  some- 
times signify  geometrical  constructions, 
sometimes  problems,  so  far  as  they  are 
reducible  from  general  propositions. 

EFFECTS,  the  goods  of  a  merchant, or 
tradesman.  Also  the  goods  and  property 
belonging  to  a  deceased  officer,  or  soldier. 

EFFECTIVE,  (effectif,  Fr.)  fit  for 
service;  as  an  army  of  30,000  effective 
(fighting)  men. 

Effective,  a  word  used  in  military 
returns,  signifying  the  actual  and  bond 
fide  presence  of  an  officer,  or  soldier. 

Homme  EFFECTIF,  Fr.  a  man  of  his 
word. 

EFFEMINATE,  (efimin'e,  Fr.)  ad- 
dicted to  excessive  pleasure,  sloth  and 
luxury,  all  of  which  are  detrimental  to 
military  courage.  Such  were  the  real 
causes  of  the  decay  and  fall  of  the  Ro- 
mans: the  relaxation  was  universal  among 
the  civil,  the  military  and  the  body  poli- 
tic:  discipline  had  raised  them  to  the 
highest  pitch  of  glory  and  splendour, 
whilst  riches  became  their  ruin.  The 
Roman  soldiers  with  their  eagles,  their 
bracelets,  clasps  of  solid  gold,  &c.  were 
less  great  than  the  former  adventurers, 
the  soldiers  of  Romulus,  carrying  a  bundle 
of  hay  on  their  pikes. 

EFFORT  du  canon,  Fr.  the  effect  or 
impression  made  by  a  piece  of  ordnance. 

EFFRON  ORE,  >'r.  burst  open  ;  thrust 
through,  &c. 

Chemin  ErFRONDRfe,  Fr.  a  way  full  of 
holes,  or  miry  sloughs,  ike. 

EFFRONDRER  une  parte,  Fr.  to 
burst  open  a  door. 

EFFRONTERY,  boldness,  impudence, 
malapertness,  sanciness;  the  opposite  to 
teal  digiiiried  courage  and  intrepidity, 
which  are  modest  and  unassuming,  with- 
out descending  to  meanness,  or  pusillani- 
mity. 


EGORGER,  Fr.  to  cut  the  throat; 
to  slaughter. 

EGOUT,  Fr.  a  drain  ;  a  sewer.  It 
also  signifies  the  spout  at  the  gable  end, 
from  which  the  water  runs  oft'  the  roofs 
of  houses. 

EGRFGII,  persons  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  who,  by  military  exploits,  ob- 
tained the  government  of  a  province. 

EGUILLETTES,  shoulder-knots.  See 
Nceuds  d'epaules,S)-c. 

ELANCE,  Fr.  thin;  lank. 

Cherval  Elance,  Fr.  a  horse  back- 
swayed. 

To  ELANCE,  to  throw  darts,  &c. 

S'ELANCER,  Fr.  to  dart,  to  rush 
forward;  to  go  with  violence.  S'ilancer 
parmi  lea  ennemis,  to  rush  into  the  thick- 
est of  the  enemy. 

ELDER  battalion.  A  battalion  is 
counted  elder  than  another,  by  the  time 
since  it  was  raised.     See  Seniority. 

Elder  officer,  he  whose  commission 
bears  the  oldest  date.     See  Seniority. 

ELEMKNTS,  (ilanens,  Fr.)  the  first 
rudiments  of  an  art,  or  a  science. 

ELEPHANTS,  (iliphans,  Fr.)  ani- 
mals well  known  among  Eastern  nations 
who  employ  them  in  their  armies. 

ELEVATION,  (elevation,  Fr.)  in  gun- 
nery, that  comprehended  between  the 
horizon  and  the  line  of  direction  of  either 
cannon,  or  mortar;  or  it  is  that  which 
the  chace  of  a  piece,  or  the  axis  of  its 
hollow  cylinder,  makes  with  the  plane  of 
the  horizon. 

Elkvation,  (elevation,  Fr.)  In  a  mili- 
tary sense,  with  regard  to  plans,  or  draw- 
ings, of  fortification,  elevation  signifies 
the  representation  of  a  work  when  com- 
pleted. 

ELF- allows,  flint  stones  sharpened 
and  jagged,  like  arrow  heads,  used  iu 
war  by  the  ancient  Britons. 

ELITE  de  tronpes,Er.  the  chosen  troop 
of  an  army.    We  have  adopted  the  term. 

ELLIPSIS,  an  oval  figure  made  by 
the  section  of  a  cone,  by  a  plane,  divid- 
ing both  sides  of  a  cone:  and  though 
not  parallel  to  the  base,  yet  meeting  with 
the  base  when  produced;  a  defect;  a 
chasm. 

ELM  is  of  peculiar  use  in  water 
works,  nulls,  ladles,  and  soles  of  wheel 
pipes,  aqueducts,  pales,  and  ship  planks 
beneath  the  water-line.  Some  of  this 
wood,  which  has  been  found  in  bogs,  hag 
turned  like  the  most  polished  and  the 
haidest  ebony. 

Elm  is  of  great  use  to  wheel-wrights. 
g  B2 


E  M  B 


(     188    ) 


EMB 


It  serves  to  make  handles  for  single 
saws;  the  knotty  parts  for  naves  and 
nubbs;  the  straight  and  smooth  for  axle- 
trees;  and  the  very  roots  for  curiously 
dappled  works,  kerbs  of  coppers,  feather- 
edge,  and  weather-board*,  trunks,  cof- 
fins, and  shovel  board  tables.  The 
tenor  of  the  grain  makes  it  also  fit  for 
all  kinds  of  carved  work,  and  for  most 
ornaments  belonging  to  architecture. 

Vitruvius  particularly  recommends  it 
for  tenons  ami  mortoises. 

ELOIGNEMENT  permu  «u  soldat, 
Fr.  the  bounds,  or  limits,  within  which  a 
soldier  is  allowed  to  walk  for  hi*  amuse- 
ment. 

ELOIGNER  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  oblige 
an  enemy  to  quit  his  position,  by  giving 
him  battle,  aud  thus  forcing  him  to  re- 
treat. 

EMANCIPATION,  (emancipation, 
Fr.)  the  act  of  setting  free. 

.S'EMANCIPER,  Fr.  to  emancipate 
one's- ?elf,  or  to  regain  what  has  been 
unjustly  taken  from  us ;  figuratively,  to 
take  too  much  liberty. 

EMARGEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of 
putting  any  thing  down  upon  the  margin 
of  a  paper;  the  casting  up  of  a  balance. 

EMARGER,  Fr.  to  put  down  upon 
the  margin. 

EMBARGO,  a  prohibition  for  any 
ships  to  leave  a  port:  generally  enforced 
on  the  rupture  of  any  two  or  more  na- 
tions. 

EMBARKATION,  the  act  of  putting 
troops  on  board  of  ship,  when  destined 
to  be  conveyed  on  an  expedition. 

In  arranging  and  proportioning  the 
ordnance  carriages,  with  all  their  appro- 
priate stores  and  ammunition,  great 
judgment  and  experience  are  requisite, 
not  only  for  the  purpose  of  embarking 
the  stores  systematically,  but  also  that 
the  transports  may  be  loaded  and  put  in 
proper  trim  for  sea,  aud  especially  when 
heavy  guns,  shot  and  shells  are  on  board. 
More  than  ordinary  care  is  then  neces- 
sary in  raising  the  dead  weight  by  means 
of  dunnage  to  a  height  sufficient  to  pre- 
vent the  vessel  from  being  stranded  or 
labouring  at  sea  in  bad  weather. 

EMBARRAS,  Fr.  embarrassment; 
trouble;   perplexity;  a  cheval  de  frise. 

Vent  rf'EMBAS,  Fr.  the  western  wind. 
■  EMBASEMENT,  Fr.  a  continued 
basis,  or  bottom  laid  at  the  foot  of  a 
building. 

EMBASER,  Fr.  to  give  a  basis,  or 
hottoro  to  any  thing. 


EMBATAILLONNER,  Fr.  to  form 
into  battalions,  as  is  the  case  when  the 
grenadiers,  or  light  companies,  are  taken 
from  their  respective  regiments  and  cast 
into  separate  battalions. 

I'M  HATER,  -Fr.  to  put  on  a  pack- 
saddle. 

EMBATONNE,  Fr.  armed  with 
cudgels,  as  mobs  generally  are. 

EM  BATTAG  E,  Fr.  the  covering  of 
the  streaks,  or  fellies  of  a  wheel. 

EMBATTIS,  Ft.  the  easterly  winds, 
which  generally  prevail  about  the  dog 
days. 

EMBATTLE.     See  BATihz-array. 

EMBATTRE,  Fr.  to  cover  the  fellies 
of  a  wheel  with  bars  of  iron. 

Embattrb  les  bandages  des  roues,  Fr. 
to  nail  or  fasten  the  streaks  unto  wheels* 

EMBAUCHAGE,  Fr.  the  act  of  se- 
ducing away  from  any  thing;  as  a  soldier 
from  the  regiment,  &c. 

EM  B  AUCHER,  Fr.  to  persuade  young 
men  to  enlist. 

EMBAUCIIEUR,  Fr.  a  term  which 
corresponds  w  ith  crimp ;  what  we  vul- 
garly term  a  decoy. 

EM  BEZZLIN  G,         \  the  act  of  ap- 

EMBEZZLEMENT,  S  propriating,bj 
breach  of  trust;  which,  with  respect  to 
military  stores,  is  punishable  by  the 
A  rticles  of  War,  but  not  at  the  discretion 
of  a  general  court-martial,  as  the  offender 
must  be  sentenced  to  be  casfiiered. 

EMBLEE,  Fr.  a  prompt,  sudden,  and 
vigorous  attack  made  against  the  covert- 
way  and  out-works  of  a  fortified  place. 
This  military  operation  is  executed  by 
means  of  a  rapid  march,  and  an  unex- 
pected appearance  before  a  town,  fol- 
lowed by  an  instantaneous  assault  upon 
the  out-posts  of  the  enemy;  who  is  there- 
by thrown  into  so  much  confusion,  that 
the  assailants  force  their  way  at  the  same 
time,  and  endeavour  to  get  possession  of 
the  town. 

Insulter  t/'EMBL^E,  Fr.  to  insult  a 
place  with  promptitude  and  vigour. 

EMBOITEMENT,  Fr.  the  closing  up 
of  a  number  of  men,  in  order  to  secure 
the  front  rank  from  any  injury  they  might 
sustain  by  the  firing  of  the  rear. 

EMBOITER,  Fr.  to  lock  up,  to  joint, 
to  let  in.  It  is  used  in  the  artillery  to 
signify  the  fastening  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance. 

EMBOITURE,  Fr.  an  iron  box 
scresved  over  the  nave  of  the  wheels, 
and  which  go  vers  the  axle-tree;  also  a 
joint. 


E  M  E 


(     189     ) 


E  M  P 


EMBOLON,  Fr.  a  military  disposi- 
tion of  troops,  which  was  used  among 
the  ancients,  for  the  purpose  of  present- 
ing a  narrow  front.  The  shape  was  that 
of  a  salient  angle  on  the  center. 

EMBOUCHER,  Fr.  to  bit  a  horse. 

S'Emboucher,  Fr.  to  discharge,  as  a 
river  does. 

EMBOUCHOIR,  Fr.  a  boot-tree; 
boot  last. 

EMBOUCHURE,  Fr.  the  mouth  of 
a  river;  a  horse's  bit;  mouth  piece; 
socket.  ( 

Embouchure  du  canon,  Fr.  the  muzzle 
of  a  cannon.  According  to  Belidor  this 
word  is  improperly  applied  to  the  mouth 
of  a  cannon.  It  should  be  bouche  du 
cano?i. 

EMBRANCHEMENS,  Fr.  pieces  of 
timber  belonging  to  the  roof  of  a  house. 

EMBRASER,  Fr.  to  set  fire  to. 

EMBRASSER,  Fr.  to  comprehend; 
to  embrace;  to  encompass. 

EMBRASSURE,  Fr.  a  piece  of  iron, 
which  grasps  the  trunnions  of  a  piece  of 
ordnance,  when  it  is  raised  upon  the 
boring  machine,  to  widen  its  calibre. 

EMBRASURE,  in  fortification,  an 
opening,  hole,  or  aperture  in  a  parapet, 
through  which  cannon  is  pointed  to  fire 
at  the  enemy.  Embrasures  are  gene- 
rally made  from  10  to  12  feet  distant 
from  one  another,  every  one  of  them 
being  from  6  to  9  feet  wide  without, 
and  2  or  c2\  within  :  their  height  above 
the  platform  is  1\  or  3  feet  towards  the 
town,  and  1^  foot  on  the  other  side  to- 
wards the  held,  so  that  the  muzzle  of 
the  piece  may  be  sunk  occasionally,  and 
brought  to  fire  low.     See  Battery. 

EMBRIGADER,  Fr.  to  brigade.  See 
Brigade. 

EMBROCHER,  Fr.  a  vulgar  term 
Hsed  among  French  soldiers,  to  signify 
the  act  of  running  a  man  through  the 
body — literally,  to  spit  him. 

EMBUSCADE,  Fr.  SeeAiwBuscADE. 

S'EMBUSQUER,  Fr.  to  lie  in  am- 
bush. 

EMERILLON,  Fr.  a  merlin,  or  small 
piece  of  brass,  or  cast  iron,  which  does 
not  exceed  a  pound  weight. 

EMERY,  a  ground  iron  ore :  each 
British  soldier  is  allowed  a  certain  quan- 
tity for  cleaning  his  arms. 

Emery,  oil,  and  brickdust  or  crocus, 
articles  used  by  soldiers  to  keep  their 
firelocks  in  constant  good  order;  and  for 
which  a  limited  half  yearly  allowance, 
not  exceeding  2s.  9d.  per  annum,  is  paid 


through  the  ordnance  to  the  captains  of 
troops  and  companies. 

EMEUTE,  Mr.  insurrection. 

EMIGRANTS,  EMIGRES,  persons 
who  have  quitted  their  native  country, 
either  from  cowardice,  or  from  civil  and 
religious  persecution. 

EMILLES,  Fr.  stones  and  shards 
rough  hewn  and  squared  only,  to  fill  up 
the  massy  parts  of  a  wall. 

EMINENCE,  high  or  rising  ground, 
which  overlooks  and  commands  the  low 
places  about  it.  Such  places,  within 
cannon-shot  of  any  fortified  place,  are  a 
great  disadvantage ;  for  if  the  besiegers 
become  masters  of  them,  they  can  thence 
fire  into  the  place. 

EMIR,  a  title  or  surname  which  the 
Mahometaus  give  to  all  persons  who  are 
presumed  to  be  the  immediate,  or  colla- 
teral, descendants  of  Mahomet.  This 
title  is  very  much  respected  by  the  in- 
habitants of  that  part  of  the  world,  and 
authorizes  the  bearer  to  wear  the  green 
turban.  When  emir  is  connected  with 
another  term,  it  becomes  an  official  one, 
and  signifies,  among  the  Turks,  a  com- 
mandant. 

EMIRALEM,  (gonfalonier,  Fr.)  the 
general  of  the  Turks,  or  keeper  of  all 
their  colours;  he  marches  immediately 
before  the  Grand  Signor. 

EMISSARY,  (emissaire,  Fr.)  a  person 
sent  by  any  power  that  is  at  war  with 
another,  for  the  purpose  of  creating  dis- 
affection among  the  subjects  of  the  latter, 
of  obtaining  intelligence,  &c.  in  other 
words,  a  spy. 

EMMAGASINER,  Fr.  to  store;  to 
lay  up. 

EMMANCHEUR,  Fr.  a  hafter. 

EMMORTAISER,  Fr.  to  mortoise. 

EMOUCHETTE,  Fr.  a  horse-cloth, 
or  net,  to  keep  off  flies. 

EMOLUMENTS,  (imolumens,  Fr.) 
perquisites ;  fair  profits.  Every  general, 
and  other  public  officer,  if  men  of  ho- 
nour, ought  to  be  satisfied  with  the  emolu- 
ments allowed  them.  Whatsoever  they 
get  beyond,  is  injurious  to  the  state  and 
to  the  nation. 

EMOUSSER,  IV.  to  blunt,  to  dull. 
In  a  military  sense,  it  signifies  to  take  off 
the  four  corners  of  a  battalion,  which 
has  formed  a  square,  and  to  give  it,  by 
those  means,  an  octagon  figure;  from 
the  different  obtuse  angles  of  which  it 
may  fire  in  all  directions. 

EMPAILLER,  Fr.  to  pack  up  i» 
straw. 


E  M  P 


(     190    ) 


E  N  C 


EMPALE.    See  Fortify. 

lb  Empale,  (empaler,  Fr.)  to  put  to 
death  by  spitting  on  a  stake  fixed  up- 
right. 

EMPANACHER,  Fr.  to  plume;  to 
adorn  with  feathers  ;  as  empanacher  une 
casque. 

EMPANONS,  Fr.  See  Chevrons  du 
croupe. 

S'EMPARER,  Fr.  to  take  possession. 
Semparer  d'unc  eminence,  to  take  pos- 
session of  a  height. 

EMPASTING,  in  painting,  the  act  of 
laying  on  colours  thick  and  bold ;  or  of 
applying  several  lays  of  colours,  to  the 
end  that  they  may  appear  thick. 

EMPATT  EMENT,  in  fortification. 
See  Talus. 

EMPATURE,  Fr.  joining  together. 

EMPEIGNE,  Fr.  the  upper  leather 
of  a  shoe;  the  vamp. 

EMPEROR,  (empcreur,  Fr.)  a  title 
given  to  the  Sovereigns  of  Germany.  It 
is  derived  from  the  Latin  imperator,  and 
signifies  the  chief  in  command.  The 
term  is,  however,  variously  used ;  for 
although  empire  means  a  certain  extent 


EMPLACEMENT,  Fr.  the  spot 
upon  which  a  body  of  armed  men  is 
posted. 

EMPLOIS  militaires,  Frv  military  em- 
ployments, such  as  commissions,  &c.  in 
the  armv.  jT 

EMPLOYES,  Fr.  peflbns  employed 
in  the  service,  to  supply  the  .necessary 
subsistence,  ike.  for  an  army.  Of  this 
description  are  commissaries,  purvey- 
ors, &c. 

Petty  EMPTIONARY,  a  contract 
term  used  by  the  Board  of  Ordnance, 
signifying  the  purchase  of  small  stores. 

EMPRISE.     See  Expedition. 

EMULATION, a  noble  jealousy,  with- 
out the  slightest  tincture  of  envy,  where- 
bv  gentlemen  endeavour  to  surpass  each 
other  in  the  acquisition  of  military  know- 
ledge. 

EN  AMBUSH.    See  Ambush. 

ENCAMPMENT,  the  pitching  of  a 
cam  p.     See  Camp. 

In  the  Regulations  published  by  Au- 
thority, are  particularly  enjoined  the  fol- 
lowing points: 

Attentions  relative  to  Encampments. 


of  country,  which  comprehends  several  On  the  arrival  of  a  brigade  or  a  bat 
provinces,  and  many  different  states,  and  talion,  on  the  ground  destined  for  its 
ahould  consequently  give  the  honorary 
title  of  emperor  to  its  principal  chief, 
there  are  instances  in  which  the  person 
SO  invested  is  only  called  king.  Hence 
the  British  empire  is  under  the  chief 
magistracy  of  George  the  Third,  King, 
&c.  It  is,  in  fact,  more  suitable  to  a 
military  government,  than  to  one,  whose 
vital  formation  consists  of  a  happy  mix- 
ture of  King,  Lords  and  Commons. 

EMPIETER,  Fr,  to  take  advantage  of. 

Empieter  sur  I'  enncmi,  Fr.  to  take 
advantage  of  the  enemy. 

EMPLLEMENT,  Fr.  from  emptier, 
to  pile  up;  the  act  of  disposing  balls, 
grenades,  and  shells,  in  the  most  secure 
and  convenient  manner.  This  generally 
occurs  in  arsenals  and  citadels. 

EMPIUANCE,  Fr.  deficiency  of  coin. 

EMPIRE,  (empire,Fr.)  imperial  power; 
supreme  dominion;  sovereign  command; 
also  command  over  any  thing.  The 
French  say,  avee  empire,  imperiously. 

L'Empire  des  lettres,  Fr.  the  com- 
monwealth of  the  learned,  or  the  em- 
pire which  the  only  valuable  aristocracy 
(that  of  talents)  is  supposed  to  possess 
over  mankind;  and  which  seldom  exists, 
except  in  the  posthumous  works  of  neg- 
lected worth  and  genius. 


camp,  the  quarter  and  rear  guards  of 
the  respective  regiments  will  immedi- 
ately mount;  and  when  circumstances 
require  them,  the  advanced  piquets  will 
be  posted.  The  grand  guards  of  ca- 
valry will  be  formed,  and  the  horses 
picketed.  The  men's  tents  will  then 
be  pitched,  and  till  this  duty  is  com- 
pleted, the  officers  are  on  no  account  to 
quit  their  troops,  or  companies,  or  to 
employ  any  soldier  for  their  own  accom- 
modation. 

Privies  are  to  be  made  in  the  most 
convenient  situations,  and  the  utmost 
attention  is  required  in  this,  and  every 
other  particular,  to  the  cleanliness  of  the 
camp. 

If  circumstances  will  allow  the  ground 
on  which  a  regiment  is  to  encamp  to  b« 
previously  ascertained,  the  pioneers 
should  make  these  and  other  essential 
conveniences,  before  the  corps  arrives  at 
its  encampment. 

Whenever  a  regiment  remains  more 
than  one  night  in  a  camp,  regular  kitch- 
ens are  to  be  constructed. 

No  tents,  or  huts,  are  to  be  allowed  in 
front  of,  or  between,  the  intervals  of  the 
battalions.  A  spot  of  ground  for  this 
purpose  should  be  marked  by  the  quar- 


ENC 


(    191    ) 


ENF 


ter-master,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
commanding  officer. 

On  arriving  in  a  camp  which  is  inter- 
sected by  hedges,  and  ditches,  unequal  or 
boggy  ground,  regiments  will  immedi- 
ately make  openings  of  communication, 
of  60  feet  in  width. 

The  ground  in  front  of  the  encamp- 
ment is  to  be  cleared,  and  every  obstacle 
to  the  movement  of  the  artillery  and 
troops  is  to  be  removed. 

Commanding  officers  of  regiments 
must  take  care,  that  their  communication 
with  the  nearest  grand  route  be  open, and 
free  from  any  impediments. 

ENCAST* ELE,  Fr.  hoof-bound. 

ENC  ASTELURE,  Fr.  the  being  hoof- 
bound. 

ENCASTRER,  Fr.  to  interlace  one 
stone  within  another. 

ENCEINTE,  in  fortification,  is  the 
interior  wall  or  rarnpart  which  surrounds 
a  place,  sometimes  composed  of  bastions 
or  curtains,  either  faced  or  lined  with 
brick  or  stone,  or  only  made  of  earth. 
The  enceinte  is  sometimes  only  flanked 
by  round,  or  square,  towers,  which  is 
called  a  Roman  wall. 

ENCHEVAUCHURE,  Fr.  the  junc- 
tion of  one  thing  with  another,  as  of 
tiles  or  slate  in  covering  houses. 

ENCLAVE.  Fr.  bound, or  boundary; 
limit. 

ENCLAVER,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to 
mortoise,  or  set  one  thing  within  another; 
as  the  ends  of  beams  and  rafters  are  in  a 
floor. 

Enclaver,  Fr.  also  generally  to  en- 
close. 

ENCLOS,  Fr.  any  wall  which  sur- 
rounds a  magazine,  or  garden,  is  so 
called. 

ENCLOSURE.  This  word  is  used 
in  epistolary  correspondence  and  official 
communications  to  signify  any  paper 
which  is  enclosed  in  another.  The 
French  use  the  word  sous-enveloppe,  i.  e. 
under  cover. 

ENCLOUER  k  canon,  Fr.  to  spike 
the  cannon.     See  To  Nail. 

ENCLOUEURE,  Fr.  this  term  is  used 
in  the  artillery,  to  signify  the  actual 
state  and  condition  of  any  thing  that  has 
been  spiked. 

Encloueure,  Fr.  a  prick  in  a  horse's 
foot. 

ENCLUME,  Fr.  an  anvil. 

ENCOIGNURE,  Fr.  the  gable  ends 
of  a  building. 

ENCOLURE,  Fr.  the  chest  of  a  horse. 


ENCOMBRER,  Fr.  in  fortification, 
to  fill  up  any  hollow  space,  such  as  a 
stagnant  lake,  &c.  with  rubbish. 

ENCORBEILLEMENT,    Fr.    any 
thing  built  beyond  the  wall,  as  a  buttress. 

ENCOUNTERS,  in  military  affairs, 
are  combats,  or  fight*,  between  two 
persons  only.  Battles,  or  attacks  bj 
iarge  or  small  armies  are  figuratively  so 
called.  The  Marquis  de  Feuquieres  men- 
tions four  instances  of  particular  en- 
counters brought  on  by  entire  armies, 
with  a  design  to  create  a  general  en- 
gagement. 

ENCOURAGE.     See  Animate. 

ENCOURAGEMENT,  (encourage- 
ment, Fr.)  excitement  to  action,  &c. 

ENCROACHMENT,  the  advance- 
ment of  the  troops  of  one  nation  on  the 
rights  or  limits  of  another. 

ENCYCLOPAEDIA,  (encyclopedic, 
Fr.)  the  whole  circle  of  sciences ;  also 
a  title  given  to  some  elaborate  works, 
such  as  tli*  Encycloptdie  Methodique  in 
France,  and  Encyclopaedia  in  England 
and  Scotland  ;  to  which  works  we  refer 
our  readers  for  a  fuller  detail  of  many 
scientific  articles  that  are  slightly  touched 
upon  in  this  compilation. 

ENDECAGON,  a  plain  figure  of  11 
sides  and  11  angles. 

ENDORMI,  Fr.  asleep.  Soldat  en- 
dormi,  a  soldier  asleep  on  guard.  See 
the  Articles  of  War,  which  direct  that 
any  sentinel  who  is  found  asleep  during 
the  period  of  his  duty,  shall  be  punished 
with  death. 

ENDUIT,  Fr.  a  composition  which 
is  made  of  plaster,  lime,  or  sand,  or  of 
lime  and  cement  to  cover  the  outside  of 
walls. 

ENDURCI,  Fr.  hardened  ;  enured. 

Endurci,  ou  fait  a  la  fatigue,  Fr. 
hardy;  enured  to  hardships. 

ENEMY,  (ennemi,  Fr.)  In  a  compre- 
hensive meaning,  this  term  signifies  any 
power,  or  potentate,  with  whom  we  are 
at  war,  together  with  his  subjects,  by 
sea  and  land  ;  it  also  includes  his  allies, 
all  persons  adhering  to  and  favouring 
his  cause  and  undertaking;  his  troops, 
the  inhabitants  of  his  cities  and  tillages. 
It  more  particularly  applies  to  armed 
bodies  of  men  that  are  acting  against 
each  other. 

ENFANS  perdus,  Fr.  forlorn  hope, 
which  consists  of  soldiers  detached  from 
several  regiments,  or  otherwise  appointed 
to  give  the  first  onset  in  battle,  or  in  an 
attack  upon  the  counterscarp,   or  the 


E  N   F 


(     19*    ) 


E  N  G 


breach  of  a  place  besieged;  so  called 
(by  the  French)  because  of  the  imminent 
danger  to  which  they  are  exposed. 

S'ENFERRER,  Fi .  to  run  upon  an 
adversary's  sword. 

ENFILADE,  in  fortification,  is  used 
in  speaking  of  trenches,  or  other  places, 
which  may  be  scoured  by  the  enemy's 
shot  alon<?  their  whole  length.  In  con- 
ducting  the  approaches  at  a  siege,  care 
must  be  taken  that  the  trenches  be  not 
enfiladed  from  any  work  of  the  place. 
See  Trenches. 

To  Enfilade,  is  to  sweep  the  whole 
length  of  any  work,  or  line  of  troous, 
with  the  shot  of  artillery  or  small  arms. 

ENFILER,  IV.  t»  enfilade;  to  batter 
and  sweep  with  cannon-shot,  the  whole 
extent  of  a  straight  line. 

tfENFILER,  Fr.  to  expose  yourself 
to  the  enemy's  fire  by  being  posted  with- 
in reach  of  his  point  blank  shot;  or  by 
getting  into  narrow  passes,  whence  you 
can  with  difficulty  retreat,  after  having 
sustained  a  galling  discharge  of  musketry. 

ENFORCEMENT,  Fr.  the  depth  of 
the  foundations  of  any  building  or  struc- 
ture. 

ENFONCER,  Fr.  to  break ;  to  throw 
into  disorder  by  piercing  the  ranks  ot  a 
battalion,  &c. 

Enfoncer,  Fr.  to  break  open;  to 
thrust  in  ;  to  sink  ;  to  rout. 

Enfoncer  un  butuit/on,  Fr.  to  throw 
a  battalion  into  disorder  by  forcibly 
breaking  through  its  ranks. 

Enfoncer  un  escadron,  Fr.  to  break 
through  a  squadron. 

Enfoncer  les  rungs,  Fr.  to  break  the 
line,  or  to  throw  the  ranks  of  an  armed 
bodv  into  confusion. 

■yENFONCER,  IV.  to  rush  into  ;  to  push 
forward  with  impetuosity. 

Enfoncer  une  parte  ouverte,  Fr.  a 
figurative  expression,  signifying  to  make 
much  of  nothing. 

ENFONCEUR  de  partes ouvertes,  Fr. 
a  great  talker;  a  vaunter;  a  boaster  of 
feats  which  are  inconsiderable. 

ENFONCER  les  ennemis,  Fr.  to 
plunge  into  the  thickest  of  a  body  of 
armed  men,  who  are  combating  against 
you. 

EXFOLTR,  IV.  to  hide,  or  bury  in 
the  ground;  as 

Enfouir  ses  talens,  Fr.  to  hide  one's 
talents,  not  to  exert  them. 

ENFOURCHEMENT,  Fr.  the  first 
declivities  of  the  angles  in  Gothic  vaults, 
whose  voussoirs  are  diagonalvvise. 


ENGAGEMENT,  Fr.  See  Enlist- 
mf.nt. 

ENGAGEMENT.     See  Battle. 

ENGAGER  une  affaire,  Fr.  to  bring 
the  enemy  to  a  general  engagement,  by 
having  previously  attacked  him  in  a  va- 
riety of  ways. 

Engager  le  combat,  Fr.  to  bring  to 
action ;  to  force  another  to  fight. 

Engager  un  soldat,  Fr.  to  enlist  a 
soldier. 

^'Engager,  Fr.  to  enlist  one's-self; 
also  to  promise,  to  pass  one's  word  ;  also 
to  be  security. 

^Engager  dans  un  parti,  Fr.  to  join 
or  side  with  any  particular  party,  or  fac- 
tion. 

To  ENGARRISON,  to  protect  any 
place  by  a  garrison. 

ENGERBER,  Fr.  to  place  barrels  of 
gunpowder  in  a  magazine  in  rows,  one 
over  the  other. 

ENGINE,  (engin,  Fr.)  a  machine 
which  is  used  for  lifting  up  stones  or 
beams  in  building  houses. 

Engines,  in  military  mechanics,  are 
compound  machines,  made  of  one  or 
more  mechanical  powers,  as  levers,  pul- 
lies,  screws,  &c.  in  order  to  raise,  pro- 
ject, or  sustain,  any  weight,  or  produce 
any  effect  which  could  not  be  easily  ef- 
fected otherwise. 

Engine  to  drive  fuzes  consists  of  a 
wheel  with  a  handle  to  it,  to  raise  a  cer- 
tain weight,  and  to  let  it  fall  upon  the 
driver,  by  which  the  strokes  become 
more  equal. 

Engine  to  draw  fuses  has  a  screw 
fixed  upon  a  three-legged  stand,  the  bot- 
tom of  which  has  a  ring  to  place  it  upon 
the  shell;  and  at  the  end  of  the  screw 
is  fixed  a  hand-screw,  by  means  of  a  col- 
lar, which  being  screwed  on  the  fuze,  by 
turning  the  upper  screw,  draws  out  or 
raises  the  fuze. 

Engin  a  verge,  also  called  in  ancient 
time,  engin  a  verge  et  bombardes,  a  pro- 
jectile machine  which  was  served  with 
cannon,  and  which  remained  in  use  after 
several  other  warlike  machines  had  been 
laid  aside. 

ENGINEER,  commonly  applied  to 
an  officer  who  is  appointed  to  inspect 
and  contrive  any  attacks,  defences,  ccc. 
of  a  fortified  place,  or  to  build  or  repair 
them,  6cc. 

The  art  of  fortification  is  an  art  which 
stands  in  need  of  so  many  others,  and 
whose  object  is  so  extensive,  and  its  ope- 
rations accompanied  with  so  many  vari- 


E  N  G 


(     19S    ) 


E  N  G 


<*us  circumstances,  that  it  is  almost  im- 
possible for  a  man  to  make  himself  mas- 
ter of  it  by  experience  alone;  even  sup- 
posing him  born  with  all  the  advantages 
of  genius  and  disposition  possible  for  the 
knowledge  and  practice  of  that  import- 
ant art.  We  do  not  pretend  to  deny 
that  experience  is  of  greater  efficacy 
than  all  the  precepts  in  the  world;  but 
it  has  likewise  its  inconveniences  as  well 
as  its  advantages;  its  fruits  are  of  slow 
growth;  and  whoever  is  content  with 
pursuing  only  that  method  of  instruc- 
tion, seldom  knows  how  to  act  upon 
emergencies  of  all  kinds,  because  old 
age  incapacitates  him  from  exercising 
his  employment.  Experience  teaches 
us,  through  the  means  of  the  errors  we 
commit  ourselves,  what  theory  points 
out  at  the  expense  of  others.  The  life 
of  man  being  short,  and  opportunities 
of  practice  seldom  happening,  it  is  cer- 
tain nothing  less  than  a  happy  genius,  a 
great  share  of  theory  and  intent  appli- 
cation joined  to  experience,  can  make 
an  engineer  one  day  shine  in  his  profes- 
sion. Whence  it  follows,  that  less  than 
the  three  first  of  the  four  necessary  qua- 
lities, should  not  be  a  recommendation 
for  the  reception  of  a  young  gentleman 
into  the  corps  of  engineers. 

The  fundamental  sciences,  and  those 
absolutely  necessary,  are  arithmetic,  ge- 
ometry, mechanics,  hydraulics,  and  draw- 
ing. Without  arithmetic  it  is  impossible 
to  make  a  calculation  of  the  extent,  and 
to  keep  an  account  of  the  disbursements 
made,  or  to  be  made;  nor  without  ii 
can  an  exact  computation  be  made  upon 
any  occasion  whatsoever. 

Without  geometry,  it  is  impossible  to 
lay  down  a  plan,  or  map,  with  truth  and 
exactness,  or  settle  a  draught  of  a  forti- 
fication, or  calculate  the  lines  and  angles, 
so  as  to  make  a  just  estimation,  in  or- 
der to  trace  them  on  the  ground,  and  to 
measure  the  surface  and  solidity  of  their 
parts. 

Mechanics  teach  us  the  proportions 
of  the  machines  in  use,  and  how  to  in- 
crease, or  diminish,  their  powers  as  oc- 
casion   may    require;    and    likewise    to 


ourselves  in  speaking,or  writing,  we  can 
never  give  so  perfect  an  idea  as  by  an 
exact  drawing;  and  often  in  fortification 
both  are  wanted ;  for  which  reason  the 
art  of  drawing  is  indispensably  necessary 
for  engineers. 

To  the  qualities  above  mentioned, 
must  be  added  activity  and  vigilance, 
both  which  are  absolutely  necessary  in 
all  operations  of  war,  but  especially  in 
the  attack  of  such  places  as  are  in  ex- 
pectation of  succours.  The  besieged 
must  have  no  time  allowed  them  for 
consideration;  one  hour  lost  at  such  a 
juncture  often  proves  irreparable.  It  is 
by  their  activity  and  vigilance,  that  en- 
gineers often  bring  the  besieged  to  capi- 
tulate, much  sooner  than  they  wuuld  have 
done,  if  those  engineers  had  not  pushed 
on  the  attack  with  firmness  and  resolu- 
tion. Want  of  vigilance  and  activity 
often  proceed  from  irresolution,  and  that 
from  weakness  of  capacity. 

As  the  office  of  an  engineer  requires 
great  natural  qualifications,  much  know- 
ledge, study,  and  application,  it  is  but 
reasonable,  that  the  pay  should  be  pro- 
portioned to  that  merit  which  is  to  be 
the  qualification  of  the  person  employed. 
It  ought  always  to  be  remembered  that 
he  must  be  at  an  extraordinary  expense 
in  his  education,  and  afterwards  for 
books  and  instruments  for  his  instruc- 
tion and  improvement,  as  well  as  for 
many  other  things;  and  that  he  may 
be  at  liberty  to  pursue  his  studies  with 
application,  he  must  not  be  put  to  shifts 
for  necessaries.  It  should  likewise  be 
considered,  that  if  an  engineer  do  his 
duty,  be  his  station  what  it  will,  his  fa- 
tigue must  be  very  great;  and,  to  dedi- 
cate himself  wholly  to  that  duty,  he 
should  be  divested  of  all  other  cares. 

Amongst  us  the  word  engineer  is  of 
modern  date,  and  was  first  used  about 
the  year  1650,  when  one  Capt.  Thomas 
Rudd  had  the  title  of  chief  engineer  to 
the  king.  In  1600  the  title  given  to  en- 
gineers was  trench-master;  aud  in  1622, 
Sir  William  Pelham,  and  after  him  Sir 
Francis  Vere,  acted  as  trench-masters 
in  Flanders.     In  the  year  1634,  an  engi- 


judge  whether  those  which  our  own  ima-  neer  was    called    camp-master-general, 
gination  suggests  to   us,  will  answer  in  and  sometimes  engine-master;  being  al- 


practice. 

Hydraulics  teach  us  how  to  conduct 
-waters  from  one  place  to  another,  to 
keep  them  at  a  certain  height,  or  to  raise 
them  higher. 

How  fluently  soever  we  may  express 


ways  subordinate  to  the  master-general 
of  the  ordnance. 

At  present  the  corps  of  lioyal  Engi- 
neers in  England,  consists  of  1  colonel 
in  chief,  1  colonel  en  second,  3  colonels 
commandant,  6  colonels,  12  lieutenant- 

2C 


E  N  11 


C     191     ) 


ENS 


colonel8,  30  captains,  30  second  cap- 
tains, 60  first,  lieutenants,  30  second 
lieutenants,  and  1  brigade  major. 

The  establishment  of  the  corps  of  In- 
valid Engineer*  comprises  a  colonel, 
2  lieutenant-colonels,  4  captains,  1  se- 
cond captain,  first  lieutenant  and  second 
lieutenant. 

The  corps  of  Royal  "Engineers  in  Ire- 
land consists  of  B  director,  colonel,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, major,  captain,  captain- 
lieutenant  and  captain, and  two  first  lieu- 
tenants. 

ENGINERY,  the  act  of  managing 
artillery;  also  engim  s  of  war. 

ENGORGEMENT,  Fr.  the  stop- 
page of  auv  communication. 

ENG0R6ER,  Fr.  to  fill  up  with 
combustible  materials.  This  term  is  ap- 
plied to  artificial  fire-works. 

ENGUARD.     See  Guard. 

ENHARDIR,  Fr.  to  embolden;  to 
encourage ;  as  enkardir  les  soldats,  to  en- 
courage the  soldiers. 

EN-JOUE,  Fr.  a  word  of  command 
among  the  French,  which  corresponds 
with  present  in  platoon  firings.  It  lite- 
r.illv  means  to  your  cheek, 

ENLARGEMENT,  the  act  of  going, 
of"  being  allowed  to  go,  beyond  prescribed 
limits;  as  the  extending  the  boundaries 
of  an  arrest,  when  the  officer  is  said  to 
be  enlarged,  or  under  arrest  at  large. 

ENLEV  I'Alwiconvoi,  un  detachement, 
Fr.  to  take  a  convoy  or  detachment,  by 
surprize,  and  in  spite  of  any  resistance 
which  might  be  made. 

ENLIER,  Fr.  to  fit;  to  fasten  to- 
gether. 

ENLISTMENT,  the  act  of  taking 
a  bountv  and  enlisting  for  a  soldier,  on 
limited  or  unlimited  service. 

I'NNEAGON,  (enneagone,  Fr.)  in 
geometry  or  fortification,  is  a  figure  con- 
sisting of  nine  angles,  and  as  many  sides, 
capable  of  being  fortified  with  the  same 
number  of  bastions. 

ENRANK,  to  place  in  orderly  or  re- 
gular rows. 

ENRAYER,  Fr.  to  put  the  spokes  to 
awheel;  to  trig  a  wheel;  to  make  the 
first  furrow. 

ENRAYOIR,  Fr.  a  trigger. 

ENRAYl/RE,  Fr.  the"first  furrow. 
Fbr  gun-trigger,  see  Detente. 

ENREGIMENTER,  Fr.  to  enrol;  to 
form  several  companies  into  a  regiment. 

ENROCIIEMENT,  Fr.  the  making 
marshy  eronnd  solid. 

ENROLLMENT,      Fr.     enrolment. 


This  term,  according  to  the  military  ac- 
ceptation of  it  in  the  French  service, 
differs  from  the  words  engagement,  en- 
listment, inasmuch  as  in  some  instances, 
the  officer  enrols  or  enli6ts  a  soldier 
without  His-,  consent ;  whereas  in  others 
the  soldier  is  enrolled,  -after  having  de- 
clared that  he  voluntarily  enlisted. 

Enrolement  par  urgent,  Fr.  the  act 
of  recruiting  soldiers  by  means  of  boun- 
ties. 

EN  ROLLED,     )  a      T 

ENROLMENT,  \    ee  1klisted. 

ENROULEMENT,  Fr.  This  term 
is  applied  to  every  thing  which  is  made 
H  ii  h  a  spnal  inclination. 

ENSANGLANTER,  Fr.  to  make 
bloody;     to    imbrue;     to    bedrench    in 

blood. 

ENS(  'ONCE,  to  cover  as  with  a  fort. 

ENSEIGNE,  ou  porte  enseigne,  Fr. 
the  colours,  originally  derived  from  the 
Latin  word  insignire.  The  French  de- 
signate all  warlike  symbols  under  the 
term  enseigne  ;  but  they  again  distin- 
guish that  word  by  the  appellations  of 
drapeaux,  colours,  and  ctendui'ds,  stand- 
ards. Drapeaux,  or  colours,  are  parti- 
cularly characteristic  of  the  infantry; 
itendards,  or  standards,  belong  to  the  ca- 
valry. We  make  the  same  distinctions 
in  our  service.     See  Colours. 

Porte-ENSEIGNE,  ou  Porte-drapeau, 
Fr.  This  term  is  also  used  among  the 
French,  to  signify  the  soldier  who  is  en- 
trusted with  the  standard  or  colours, 
for  the  purpose  of  relieving  the  officer 
occasionally. 

Enseigne  de  vaisseau,  Fr.  the  low- 
est commissioned  officer  in  the  French 
navy. 

ENSEMBLE,  Fr.  together;  the  exact 
execution  of  the  same  movements,  per- 
formed in  the  same  manner,  and  by  the 
same  motions;  it  is  the  union  of  all  the 
men  who  compose  a  battalion,  or  se- 
veral battalions  or  troops  of  cavalry, 
who  are  to  act  as  if  put  in  motion  by  the 
same  spring,  both  wings  as  well  as  the 
center.  Upon  the  strict  observation  of 
this  ensemble  every  success  depends,  but 
it  is  not  to  be  acquired  except  by  con- 
stant practice. 

Tout  Ensemble  fin  architecture)  of  a 
building,  the  whole  work  and  composi- 
tion considered  together,  and  not  in  parts. 

ENSHIELD,  to  cover  from  the  en- 
emy. 

ExNSIFORM,  having  the  shape  of  a 
sword. 


ENT 


(     195     ) 


ENT 


ENSIGN,  in  the  military  art,  a  ban- 
ner, under  which  the  soldiers  are  ranged 
according  to  the  different  regiments  they 
belong  to.     See  Colours. 

Ensign,  or  ensign- bearer,  is  an  officer 
who  carries  the  colours,  being  the  lowest 
commissioned  officer  in  a  company  of 
foot  subordinate  to  the  captain  and  lieu- 
tenant. The  word  ensign  is  very  an- 
cient, being  used  both  by  the  Greeks 
and  Romans,  and  amongst  both  foot 
and  horse.  Ensigns  belonging  to  the 
foot  were  either  the  common  ones  ot  the 
whole  legion,  or  the  particular  ones  of 
the  tuanipuli.  The  common  ensign  of  the 
whole  legion  was  an  eagle  of  gold  or 
silver,  fixed  on  the  top  of  a  spear,  hold- 
ing a  thunderbolt  in  his  talons,  as  ready 
to  deliver  it.  That  this  was  not  pecu- 
liar to  the  Romans,  is  evident  from  the 
testimony  of  Xenophon,  who  informs 
us,  that  the  royal  ensign  of  Cyrus  was 
a  golden  eagle  spread  over  a  shield,  and 
fastened  on  a  spear,  and  that  the  same 
was  still  used  by  the  Persian  kings.  In 
the  rustic  age  of  Rome,  the  ensign  was 
nothing  more  than  a  wisp  of  hay  carried 
on  a  pole,  as  the  word  manipulus  proper- 
ly signifies.  The  ensign  of  the  horse  was 
not  solid,  as  the  others,  but  consisted  of 
a  cloth,  somewhat  like  our  colours,  dis- 
tended on  a  staff";  on  which  the  names 
of  the  emperors  were  generally  inscribed. 
The  religious  care  the  soldiers  took  of 
their  ensigns  was  extraordinary  :  they 
worshipped  them,  swore  by  them,  (as  at 
present  severalEuropenn  powers  do,)  and 
incurred  certain  death  if  they  lost  them. 
The  Turks  and  Tartars  make  use  of 
horses  tails  for  their  ensigns,  whose  num- 
ber distinguishes  the  rank  of  their  com- 
manders :  for  the  sultan  has  7,  and  the 
grand  vizier  only  3,  &c. 

ENTABLATURE,  (entablement,  Fr.) 
a  term  used  in  civil  architecture.  It  is 
that  part  which  is  supported  by  the  co- 
lumn and  the  capital.  The  entablature 
is  composed  of  three  chief  members,  the 
architrave,  the  frize,  and  the  cornice. 

ENTAME,  Fr  This  word  is  applied 
to  a  person  who  has  suffered  any  impu- 
tation, as  Un  officier  entam'c,  an  officer 
upon  whose  character  some  imputation 
rests. 

Se  laisser  Entamer,  Fr.  to  bear  a  slur. 

ENTAMER  une  troupe,  une  armee, 
un  ouvrage,  Fr.  to  rout  a  body  of  armed 
men,  to  overthrow  an  army.  It  also 
means  to  destroy  a  work  by  blowing  it 
up,  or  by  battering  it  with  cannon. 


Entamer  des  operations  de  guerre, 
Fr.  to  commence  warlike  operations. 

Entamer  la  pair,  Fr.  to  make  propo- 
sals of  peace. 

ENTAMURE,  Fr.  the  first  cut. 

Entamures decarriercs,  Fr.  the  rough 
pieces  of  stone  which  are  taken  out  of  a 
quarry,  when  first  discovered. 

ENTASSER,  Fr.  to  heap  up.  Fa- 
tasser  les  morts  sur  le  champ  de  bataitle, 
to  collect  the  dead  on  the  field  of  bat- 
tle, previous  to  their  being  committed  to 
the  earth. 

ENTENDU,  Fr.  knowing;  well  per- 
formed ;  skilful;  ordered. 

ENTERPRISE,  in  military  history, 
an  undertaking  attended  with  some  ha- 
zard and  danger. 

ENTERPRISER,  an  officer  who  un- 
dertakes or  engages  in  any  important 
and  hazardous  design.  This  kind  of  ser- 
vice frequently  happens  to  the  light  in- 
fantry, light  horse,  and  hussars. 

To  ENTERTAIN,  to  receive  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  into  consideration; 
as  to  entertain  a  memorial. 

ENTERTAINMENT,  an  obsolete 
word  signifying  the  state  of  being  in  pay, 
as  soldiers  or  servants,  &c. 

ENTHUSIASM,  heat  of  imagination  ; 
violence  of  passion;  confidence  of  opi- 
nion. 

Military  Enthusiast,  one  of  elevated 
fancy,  or  exalted  ideas,  who  despises  all 
domestic  comfort, and  sacrifices  life  either 
for  a  reputation  in  the  breath  of  others, 
or  from  pure  devotion  to  his  king  and 
country,  as  was  the  case  of  many  of  our 
bravest  officers  at  the  battle  of  Water- 
loo. 

ENTIRE,  (entier,  Fr.)  whole ;  not 
mutilated. 

Entire,  or  7-ank  Entire,  a  line  of 
men  side  by  side.  When  behind  each 
other  they  are  said  to  be  in  file.  See  In- 
dian files. 

ENTOISER,  Fr.  to  collect  raw,  or 
coarse,  materials  together,  such  as  shards, 
rubbish,  &c.  and  to  square  them,  so  that 
they  may  be  measured  by  the  foot  and 
toise. 

ENTONNOIR,JV.  the  cavity,  or  hole, 
which  remains  alter  the  explosion  of  a 
mine.  It  likewise  means  the  tin-case,  or 
port-feu,  which  is  used  to  convey  the 
priming-powder  into  the  touch-hole  of  a 
cannon.     It  also  signifies  a  funnel. 

ENTORSE,  Fr.  a  wrench ;  a  sprain. 

ENTOURS,  Fr.  the  adjacent  parts. 

ENTOURER,  Fr.  to  surround;    as 

2  C  2 


ENT  (    106 

Entourer    Pennant,    to    surround     the 
enemy. 

STENTR'ACCUSER,    Fr.   to  accuse 
one  another;  to  recriminate. 

S'ENTR'AIDER,   Fr.  to  assist  one 
another. 

ENTRAIN  EH,  Fr.   to  drag.     The 
French  say  figuratively, 

Entrain er  let  souffruges  du  pcuple, 
Fr.  to  carry  the  votes  of  the  people. 

Entuainer  les  cirurs,  Fr.  to  gain  over 
the  hearts,  or  affections. 
ENTRAVER,  Fr.  to  shackle. 
ENTRAVES,  Fr.  shackles;  fetters; 
restraints;    also    obstacles;    difficulties 
thrown  in  the  way  of  any  thing. 

ENTREE  d'honneur  des  gouvemeurs, 
4"  lieutenans  generaux  des  provinces,  Fr. 
the  solemn  entry  of  governors,  general 
officers,  &c.  into  the  towns,  citadels, 
castles  and  forts,  within  the  district  of 
which  thev  have  the  command. 
ENTREPAS,  Fr  a  half-canter. 
ENTREPOTS,  Fr.  magazines  and 
places  appropriated  in  garrison  towns, 
for  the  reception  of  stores,  &c  In 
mercantile  sense  it  means  an  intermedi- 
ate public  ware-house,  where  goods  are 
deposited,  and  whence  they  may  be  for- 
warded to  different  quarters  within  or 
beyond  the  immediate  confines  of  a 
country. 

ENTREPRENDRE,  Fr.  to  under- 
take any  thing  from  one's  own  mind,  or 
in  consequence  of  a  superior  order. 

Entreprendre  une  guerre,  un  siege, 
line  bataille ;  to  put  the  armed  strength 
of  a  country  in  action  by  marching  dif- 
ferent bodies  of  troops  against  fortified 
places,  by  embarking  them  for  foreign 
*ervice,  or  by  rendering  them  subservient 
to  military  purposes  in  any  other  way. 

Entreprendre  sur  des  quarliers,  Fr. 
to  appear  in  force  against  an  enemy's 
quarters,  with  the  intention  of  driving 
him  from  them. 

ENTREPRENEUR,  Fr.  See  Con- 
tractor. 

ENTREPRISE,  Fr.  See  Enterprise. 
S'ENTREQUERELLER,      Fr.     to 
quarrel  together;  to  disagree. 

ENTRETENIR  une  armie,  Fr.  to 
provide  the  necessary  clothing,  pay,  and 
subsistence  of  an  army. 

Entretenir  la  pui.v,  Fr.  to  keep  up 
the  bonds  of  national  amity,  by  a  strict 
observance  of  treaties,  &c. 

Entretenir  la  guerre,  Fr.  to  make 
the  best  use  of  military  resources,  for 
the  support  of  national  glory,  &c. 


) 


E  N  V 


maintenance ; 
a  cross  quarter 


Entretenir  des  liaisons  secretes  chez 
Vennemi,  Fr.  to  keep  up,  by  means  of 
corruption  and  bribery,  a  secret  commu- 
nication with  one  or  more  persons  in  the 
service  of  an  enemy. 

ENTRETIEN,     Fr. 
keeping  in  repair. 

EN TRETOISE,  Fr. 
of  timber. 

Entretoise  de  couchc,  Fr.  the  piece 
of  wood  which  is  placed  between  the 
cheeks  of  a  gun-carriage,  and  upon  which 
its  breech  rests. 

Entretoise  de  lunette,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
wood  which  is  placed  between  the  cheeks, 
and  under  the  lower  end,  of  a  gun-car- 
riage. It  has  a  hole  in  the  middle  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  an  won  pin, 
which  is  used  in  advancing  the  cannon. 

Entretoise  de  mire,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
wood  which  is  placed  between  the  cheek* 
of  a  gun-carriage;  that  which  is  directly 
underneath  the  breech. 

Entretoise  de  voice,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
wood  which  is  placed  at  the  upper  end 
of  a  cannon,  between  the  two  cheeks  of 
its  carriage. 

ENTREVOUX,  Fr.  space  between 
two  joists,  or  two  posts. 

ENTREVUE,  Fr.  interview. 
First  ENTRY,  a  record,  or  first  writ- 
ten notice,  which  is  taken  of  a  transac- 
tion;  particularly  in  money  concerns. 
Paymasters  of  regiments,  and  other  pub- 
lic accountants,  cannot  be  too  circum- 
spect on  this  head ;  for  if  a  first  entry  be 
wrong,  all  the  accomptants  in  Christen- 
dom could  not  make  the  statement  cor- 
rect. 

ENVELOPE,  in  fortification,  a  work 
of  earth,  sometimes  in  form  of  a  single 
parapet,  and  at  others  like  a  small  ram- 
part:  it  is  raised  sometimes  in  the  ditch, 
and  sometimes  beyond  it.  Envelopes 
are  sometimes  en  zig  zag,  to  enclose  a 
weak  ground  where  that  is  practicable, 
with  single  lines,  to  save  the  great  charge 
of  horn-works,  crown-works,  and  te- 
nailles,  or  where  room  is  wanting  for  such 
large  works.  These  sort  of  works  are  to 
be  seen  at  Besancon,  Douay,  Luxem- 
burg, &c.  Envelopes  in  a  ditch  are 
sometimes  called  sillons,  contre-gardes, 
conserves,  lunettes,  &c.  which  worda 
see. 

ENVELOPPER,  Fr.  to  surround. 
Envelopper  une  armie,  Fr.  to  sur- 
round an  army. 

ENVOYE,  Fr.  The  French  use  this 
terra  to  signify  an  officer  or  trumpet  , 


E  P  E 


(     ^97     ) 


E  P  I 


fcho  is  sent  from  one  army  to  another, 
either  to  settle  an  exchange  of  prisoners, 
or  to  make  a  communication  of  any  kind. 

To  ENVIRON,  to  surround  in  a  hos- 
tile manner;  to  hem  in;  to  besiege. 

EPANCHOIR,  Fr.  a  machine  made 
of  planks  put  together,  and  enclosed 
round,  to  assist  the  draining  out  of  water 
from  a  foundation. 

EPARGNE,  Fr.  the  royal,  or  public, 
treasury. 

EPAULE,  in  fortification,  denotes  the 
shoulder  of  a  bastion,  or  the  place  where 
its  face  and  flank  meet,  and  form  the 
angle,  called  the  angle  of  the  shoulder. 
See  Fortification. 

EPAULEMENT,  in  fortification,  is  a 
kind  of  breastwork  to  cover  the  troops 
in  front,  and  sometimes  in  flank.  In  a 
siege,  the  besiegers  generally  raise  an 
epaulcment  of  8  or  10  feet  high,  near 
the  entrance  of  the  approaches  to  cover 
the  cavalry,  which  is  placed  there  to 
support  the  guard  of  the  trenches 
These  works  are  sometimes  made  of 
filled  gabions,  or  fascines  and  earth. 
This  term  is  frequently  used  for  any 
work  thrown  up  to  defend  the  flank  of  a 
post,  or  any  other  place.  It  is  sometimes 
taken  for  a  demi-bastion,  and  at  other 
times  for  a  square  orillon  to  cover  the 
cannon  of  the  casemate.  See  Fortifi- 
cation. 

EPAULER,  Fr.  to  support. 

Epauler  une  batterie,  un  travail,  une 
tranche,  une  troupe,  Fr.  to  raise  a  para- 
pet, or  any  other  high  fence  for  the  se- 
curity of  a  battery,  a  work,  trench,  or 
troop,  &c.  This  parapet,or  fence, must 
be  so  constructed,  that  the  view  of  the 
object  is  cut  off  from  the  enemy,  and 
protected  against  an  enfilade. 

EPAULETTES,  military  marks  of 
distinction,  which  are  worn  upon  the 
shoulders  of  commissioned  and  warrant 
officers.  Those  for  the  Serjeants  and  rank 
and  file  are  of  the  colour  of  the  facing, 
with  a  narrow  yellow  or  white  tape 
round  it,  and  worsted  fringe;  those  for 
the  officers  are  made  of  gold  or  silver 
lace,  with  rich  fringe  and  bullion.  They 
are  badges  of  distinction,  worn  on  one, 
or  both  shoulders.  When  a  serjeant  or 
corporal  is  publicly  reduced,  the  shoulder- 
knot  is  cut  off  by  the  drum-major  in  the 
front,  or  circle,  of  the  battalion. 

EPEE,  Fr.  a  sword. 

Mourir  d'une  belle  Epee,  Fr.  to 
lie  defeated  by  a  man  of  superior  ta- 
lents, &c. 


Traineur  <?Epee,  Fr.  a  bully  ;  also  an 
officer  of  inferior  capacity;  a  creature 
thar.  wears  a  sword,  but  does  not  know 
how  to  use  it. 

Avoir  /'Epee  trop  courte,  Fr.  a  figura- 
tive phrase,  signifying  not  to  have  suffi- 
cient interest  to  carry  a  point. 

Etre  /'Epee  de  clievet  a.  quelqu  'un,  Fr. 
to  be  at  the  command  of  another. 

Faire  tout  blanc  de  son  Epee,  Fr.  to 
boast  of  great  interest. 

Presser  un  homme  /'Epee  dans  les 
reins,  Yr.  to  press  a  man  hard ;  or  to  put 
home  questions. 

Faire  un  beau  coup  d'  Epee,  Fr.  to 
make  a  fine  job. 

Passer  aujil  de  /'Epee,  Fr.  to  put  to 
the  sword. 

EPERON,  ou  contre-fort,  Fr.  a  sort 
of  buttress,  which  is  built  agninst  a  wall 
in  order  to  support  it :  or  the  better  to 
enable  it  to  bear  a  weight  of  earth ; 
iperon  also  means  a  spur. 

EPERONNER,  Fr.  to  spur. 

EPERONNIER,  Fr.  a  spurrer. 

EPERONNIERE,  Fr.  a  spur-leather. 

EPHATIS,  a  purple  glove,  which, 
among  the  Romans,  was  always  worn  by 
their  warriors,  or  by  their  comedians  on 
the  stage,  when  they  performed  the  part 
of  a  warrior. 

EPIBATiE,  Roman  seamen,  who 
sometimes  did  soldiers'  duty. 

EPICU,  Fr.  a  weapon  in  the  shape  of 
a  halbert,  with  a  sharp  pointed  iron.  The 
shaft  was  four  or  five  feet  long. 

EPICYCLOID,  a  curve  formed  by 
the  revolution  of  the  periphery  of  a  cir- 
cle along  the  convex,  or  concave,  part  of 
another  circle. 

EPIER,  Fr.  to  watch;  to  observe. 

Epier  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  obtain  intel- 
ligence relative  to  the  movements,  &c. 
of  an  enemy.  A  French  author  very 
properly  observes,  that  able  generals  can 
always  obtain  information  concerning  the 
designs  of  their  adversaries,  without  en- 
trusting the  source,  or  sources,  of  that 
information  to  a  third  person:  he  con- 
cludes by  saying,  Happy  is  that  chief 
who  writes  more  himself,  than  he  has  oc- 
casion to  dictate  to  his  secretary  ! 

EPIGNARE,  Fr.  a  small  piece  of 
ordnance  which  does  not  exceed  one 
pound  in  caliber. 

EPIGRAPH,  (epigraphe,  Fr.)  inscrip- 
tions mentioning  when,  and  by  whom  a 
building  has  been  erected,  are  so  called. 

EPINGLETTE,  Fr.  an  iron  needle 
with  which   the  cartridge  of  any  large 


E  Q  IT 


C      103     ) 


E  Q  U 


\        of  ordnance  is  pierced  before  it  is  lation  between  two,  or  more,  tilings  of 


primed. 

EPIS,    Fr.  jetties   made   of    fascine 


the  same  magnitude,  quantity  or  quality. 
Equal  circles  are  those  whose  diame- 


work  and  stones  along  the  banks  of  a  I  ters  are  equal. 


river  to  prevent  the  current  from  weal- 
ing tliem  away.  Tliese  jetties  are  also 
thrown  out  along  the  sea-shore,  as  is  the 
case  at  Ostend  and  Calais.  Tliev  are 
sometimes  made  of  mason-work,  as  at 
Dover,  on  the  S.  E.  side. 

EPIZYGES,  two  bars  of  iron,  which 
were  used  in  the  catapulta. 

EPONGE,  Fr.  a  sponge. 

ffEPOUFFER,  Fr.  to  steal  away  ;  to 
so  ilk. 

EPOUVANTE,  Fr.  a  sudden  panic 
with  which  troops  are  seized,  and  by 
which  they  are  induced  to  retreat  with- 
out any  actual  necessity  for  so  doing. 

Doimer  /'Epouvante,  Fr.  to  force  an 
enemy  to  retreat  precipitately,  leaving 
his  baggage,  &c.  behind.  This  is  effected 
by  means  of  a  sudden  march,  by  surprize, 
and  by  some  ingenious  manoeuvre. 

Prt  ndre  /'Epouvante,  Fr.  to  be  seized 
with  a  sudden  panic ;  to  retreat  in  dis- 
order. 

EPREUVE,   Fr.   proof;    trial,      bee 

P II  OOF. 

Homme  a  toute  Epueuve,  tr.  a  man 
who  may  be  trusted  and  depended  upon. 

EPROUVETTE,  a  machine  to  prove 
the  strength  of  gunpowder.  There  are 
different  sorts  of  eprouvettes,  according 
to  the  fancy  of  different  nations  who  use 
them.  Some  raise  a  weight,  and  others 
throw  a  shot,  to  certain  heights  and  dis- 
tances. Among  the  French,  for  gunpow- 
der to  pass  proof,  it  was  required  that  it 
should  carry  a  shot  sixty  pounds  weight 
to  the  distance  of  fifty  toises. 

EPTAGON.     See  Heptagon. 

EPUISES  volantes,Yr.  milis  of  a  sim- 
ple construction,  which  serve  to  raise, or 
drain,  the  water,  so  as  to  make  a  solid 
foundation  for  such  works  as  are  to  be 
erected  on  a  marshy  soil. 

EPUL/E  militares,  military  banquets. 
It  was  customary  amongst  the  Romans, 
when  a  general  was  saluted  imperutor, 
or  when  an  officer  was  promoted  to  the 
generalship,  to  give  a  feast  to  the  sol- 
diers, in  order  to  gain  their  support. 
The  generals  would  do  the  same  before 
a  battle  to  encourage  the  men,  and  after 
the  action  to  refresh  them.  This  is  not 
the  practice  of  modern  generals. 

EPURE,  Fr.  the  large  plan  of  a  build- 
ing. 

EQUAL,  (egaf,  Fr.)  is  a  term  of  re- 


ose 
ess 
the 


Equal  angles  are  those  whose  sides 
are  inclined  alike  to  each  other,  or  that 
are  measured  by  similar  parts  of  their 
circles. 

ILqvai  figures  are  those  whose  areas 
are  equal,  whether  the  figures  be  similar, 
or  not. 

Equal  solids zre  such  as  comprehend, 
or  contain,  each  as  much  as  the  other,  or 
whose  solidities  and  capacities  are  equal. 

Equal  geometrical  ratios,  are  those 
whose  least  terms  are  similar  aliquot,  or 
aliquant  parts,  of  the  greater. 

Equal  arithmetical  ratios  are  t 
wherein  the  difference  of  the  two 
terms  is  equal  to  the  difference  of 
two  greater. 

EQUALITY,  (egu!itt;Vr.)  emblema- 
tically has  been  represented  by  a  lady 
lighting  two  torches  at  once;  and  prac- 
tically, by  a  mob  seizing  both  torches 
and  setting  fire  to  every  species  of  pro- 
perty, under  a  wild  conception,  that  all 
men  are  equal,  and  have  consequently  a 
right  to  one  another's  goods  and  chattels. 
This  was  the  case  in  France  at  the  com- 
mencement of  her  revolution. 

To  EQUALIZE,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
render  the  distribution  of  any  number  of 
men  equal  as  to  the  component  parts. 

To  EQUALIZE  a  battalion,  to  tell  off 
a  certain  number  of  companies  in  such  a 
manner, that  the  several  component  parts 
shall  consist  of  the  same  number  of  men. 
In  this  case  the  grenadier  and  light  in- 
fantry companies  are  squared  with  the 
rest  of  the  battalion. 

EQUANGULAR,  having  equal  an- 
gles. 

EQUARRER,  Fr.  to  make  a  piece  of 
stone,  or  wood,  perfectly  square. 

EQUATION,  an  expression  of  the 
same  quantity  in  two  dissimilar  terms, 
but  of  equal  value.     See  AlgehKA. 

EQUELE,  Fr,  a  word  generally  ap- 
plied to  any  piece  of  ordnance,  or  mus- 
ketry, but  chiefly  to  the  former,  when, 
by  frequt  nt  use,  its  mouth  lias  been 
widened,  and  the  direction  of  the  ball,  or 
buljet,  is  consequently  affected. 

EQUERRE,  Fr.  an  instrument  made 
of  wood,  or  metal,  which  serves  to  trace 
and  measure  right  angles,  and  to  obtain 
a  perpendicular  line  upon  an  horizontal 
one.  This  instrument  is  absolutely  ne- 
cessary to  miners. 


e  a  u 


(     199    ) 


ESC 


EQUERRY,  the  master  of  the  horse,  j  as  to  any  particular  department,  or  corn- 
It  likewise  means  any  person  who  is  ap-  ponent  part,  of  an  army,  viz.  equipages 


ointed  to  attend  the  King,  or  Prince  of 

ales,  in  that  capacity. 

EQUESTRIAN  statue,  the  inani- 
mate resemblance,  in  bronze,  stone,  or 
marble,  of  any  person  mounted  on  horse- 
back. 

Equestrian  order,  among  the  Ro- 
mans, signified  their  knights  or  equites; 
as  also  their  troopers,  or  horsemen,  in  the 
field;  the  first  of  which  orders  stood  in 
contradistinction  to  the  senators,  as  the 
last  did  to  the  foot;  each  of  these  dis- 
tinctions was  introduced  into  the  state 
by  Romulus. 

EQUIANGLE,  in  geometry,  any  two 
figures  whose  angles  are  equal.  Similar 
triangles,  for  instance,  are  equiangles, 
and  have  their  sides  proportionate  to 
each  other. 

EQUICRURAL  triangle,an  isosceles, 
or  a  triangle  having  equal  legs. 

EQUIDISTANT,  in  geometry,  is  a 
term  of  relation  between  two  things 
which  are,  every  where,  at  one  equal,  or 
the  same,  distance  from  each  other:  thus 
parallel  lines  are  said  to  be  equidista?it, 
as  they  neither  approach  nor  recede ; 
and  parallel  walls  are  equidistant  from 
each  other. 

EQUILATERAL,  (equilalre,  Fr.)  in 
geometry,  equally  sided,  or  whose  sides 
are  all  equal.  Thus  an  equilateral  trian- 
gle, is  one  whose  sides  are  all  of  an  equal 
length.  All  regular  polygons  and  regular 
bodies  are  equilateral. 

EQUILIBRIUM,  equality  of  weight, 
or  power. 

EQUINOMES, Fr.  in  geometry.  This 
term  is  applied  to  the  angles  and  sides 
of  two  figures  which  follow  each  other 
in  the  same  order. 

To  EQUIP,  (equiper,  Fr.)  to  furnish 
an  individual,  a  corps,  or  an  army,  with 
every  thing  that  is  requisite  for  military 
service;  such  as  arms,  accoutrements, 
uniforms,  &c.  &c. 

EQUIPAGE,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
all  kinds  of  furniture  made  use  of  by  the 
army;  such  as 

C«w/)-Equifage,  )  tents,  kitchen-fur- 

Field-EaviPACE.  S  niture,  saddle- 
horses,  baggage- wagons,  bat -horses, 
&c.^ 

EQUIPAGES,  ou  bagages  (Tune 
armie,  Fr.  Under  this  term  are  compre- 
hended military  stores,  camp  equipage, 
utensils,  &c.  with  which  an  army  is 
usually  furnished.     This  word   is  used 


a"  artillerie,  stores,  ammunition,  turn  hrels, 
cannon-ball,  &c.  for  the  use  of  the  artil- 
lery. 

Equipages  d'un  regiment,  aVune 
troupe,  Fr.  arms,  accoutrements,  &c. 
belonging  to  a  regiment,  or  armed  body. 

Gros  Equipages,  Fr.  four-wheeled 
wagons,  caissons,  &c. 

Menus  Equipages,  Fr.  Under  this 
term  are  comprehended  led  horses, 
mules,  and  other  beasts  of  burthen; 
carriages  with  two  wheels,  &c. 

L'EQUIPEMENT  des  soldats,  Fr.  the 
equipment  or  complete  dress,  including 
accoutrements  and  arms,  ecc.  of  soldiers. 

Petit  Equipement,  Fr.  half-mount- 
ings. 

EQU IPM  ENT,  the  act  of  getting  com- 
pletely equipped,  or  supplied  with  every 
requisite  for  military  service. 

EQUITATION,  the  art  of  manag- 
ing horses.  According  to  Diodorus  Sici- 
lianus,  the  Thessalians  were  the  first  who 
trained  horses  and  rendered  them  fit  for 
human  service.  The  Athenians  and 
Greeks,  who  paid  great  attention  to  equi- 
tation, were  indebted  to  them  for  their 
first  notions  of  that  art.  The  latter 
especially  made  great  progress  in  it,  not 
only  with  regard  to  the  training,  &c.  but 
they  also  discovered  remedies  for  their 
several  diseases. 

EQUITES,  an  order  of  equestrian 
knights  introduced  among  the  Romans 
by  Romulus. 

Equites singulares,  a  particular  corps 
of  cavalry  raised  by  order  of  Augustus, 
for  his  body  guard.  They  were  called 
equites  singulares,  on  account  of  their 
beins  selected  from  other  corps. 

EQUI  TRIUMPH  ALES,  four  white 
horses  abreast  that  drew  the  triumphal 
car,  when  a  general  made  his  entry  into 
Rome. 

ERIGER,  Fr.  to  raise;  to  build. 

S'Eriger,  Vr.  to  invest  one's-self  with 
any  particular  authority,  as  S'erigcr  en 
juge,  to  assume  the  tone  and  character 
of  a  judge. 

ESC  AD  RON,  Fr.  squadron.  This 
term  is  derived  from  the  Italian  scara  or 
scadra,  corrupted  from  the  Latin  qua- 
drum.  Froissart  was  the  first  French 
writer  that  made  use  of  the  word  esca- 
dron  to  signify  a  troop  of  horse  drawn 
out  in  order  of  battle.  The  term  esca- 
dran  is  more  ancient  than  bataillon.  See 
Squadron. 


£  s  c 


(     200     ) 


ESP 


ESCADRONNER,  Fr.  to  form  squa- 
dron. 

ES(  'A  LADE,  Fr.    See  Scalade. 

Escalade  d'un  sohiat  was  used  in  the 
old  French  service  to  express  the  act  of 
a  soldier  who  got  into  a  town,  camp,  or 
quarters,  l>v  scaling  the  ramparts,  &c. 
When  discovered  in  the  act  or  so  doing, 
the  sentinels  had  orders  to  (ire  at  him  ; 
and  if  apprehended,  lie  was  tried  and 
condemned  n.  death. 

ESCALADER,  Fr.  to  scale  a  place. 

ESC  ALE,  Fr.  a  machine  used  to  ap- 
ply the  petard. 

ESCAPADE,  Fr,  irregular  motion  of 
a  horse. 

ESCARMOIL'HE,  Fr.  See  Skir- 
mish. 

ESCARPE,  Fr.  the  outward  slope,  or 
talus,  of  the  rampart. 

ESCARPER,  Fr.  in  cutting  a  rock  or 
any  natural  soil,  to  give  as  little  slope  as 
possible. 

ESCARPMENT.     See  Declivity. 

ESCARPOLETTE,  Fr.  a  swing. 

ESCAUPILLE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  quilted 
blanket,  cut  in  the  shape  of  a  cassock, 
or  long  gown.  This  armour  was  sug- 
gested by  necessity,  when  the  Spaniards 
under  Fernaud  Cortez  invaded  Mexico. 
They  had  no  wire  to  make  coats  of  mail 
with,  to  protect  themselves  against  the 
arrows  of  the  Indians;  but  they  were 
taught,  by  experience,  that  a  wadding 
"between  two  pieces  of  cloth,  well  quilted, 
was  a  better  safeguard  than  knitted  brass 
wire. 

ESCHARPE,  (more  correct/yEciiARPE, 
Fr.)  a  scarf.  In  ancient  times,  a  military 
mark  to  distinguish  officers  and  soldiers 
from  the  rest  of  the  people.  Before  a 
regular  clothing  was  adopted  among  the 
nations  in  Europe,  officers  and  soldiers 
appeared  with  two  scarfs  of  different 
colours,  which  crossed  each  other  before 
and  behind,  in  order  to  point  out  the 
country  and  the  corps  to  which  the 
wearer  of  them  belonged.  The  scarf  was 
preserved  among  the  French,  as  late 
down  as  the  reign  of  Louis  the  XlVth.  It 
consisted  of  a  piece  of  white  silk.  Scarfs, 
however,  were  continued  much  later 
among  other  nations,  particularly  among 
the  Germans,  who  wear  them  to  this 
day  across  their  uniforms. 

ESCLISSES,  Fr.  splents  bound  about 
a  broken  leg. 

ESCOMPTE,  Fr.  discount;  deduc- 
tion made  from  a  principal  sum  of  money. 

ESCOPECHES;  Fr.  large  pieces  of 


wood,  or  rafters,  which  are  used  in  scaf- 
folding. 

ESCOPERCIIE,  Fr.  an  engine  which 
serves  to  raise  weights. 

BSCOPETTE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  pike 
three  feet  and  a  half  long,  formerly  used 
by  the  carabiniers.  There  is  also  a  tire- 
arm  called  escopette  which  resembles  a 
small  rifle  piece;  it  carries  five  hundred 
paces.  The  French  cavalry  had  esco- 
pettes  so  late  as  under  Lewis  XIII. 

ESCOPETTERIE,  Fr.  a  volley. 

ESCORE,  Fr.  a  steep  rock  or  coast. 

ESCORT,  (cscorte,  Fr.)  safe-guard. 
See  Convoy. 

Escort  of  deserters  consists  in  genera] 
of  a  corporal  and  three  rank  and  file, 
unless  the  number  exceed  four,  or  five. 
Deserters  are  conducted  by  them  a  cer- 
tain distance,  and  either  delivered  over 
to  the  next  military  station,  or  lodged 
in  some  county  gaol. 

ESCOUADE,  Fr.  in  the  old  French 
service,  generally  meant  the  third  part 
of  a  company  of  foot,  or  a  detachment. 
Companies  were  divided  in  this  manner 
for  the  purpose  of  more  conveniently 
keeping  the  tour  of  duty  among  the  men. 

ESCOUT.     See  Spy. 

ESCRIME,  Fr.  the  art  of  fencing; 
t  i  1 1  i  ii  »z. 

ESCRIMEUR,  Fr.  a  fencer;  one  who 
understands  the  sword. 

ESCUAGE,  an  ancient  feudal  tenure, 
by  which  the  tenant  was,bound  to  fol- 
low his  lord  to  war,  or  to  defend  Ins 
castle. 

ESKY-BAS,  the  Turkish  soldier  who 
carries  the  colours:  in  general  he  is  the 
senior  man  in  the  company. 

ESPACES,  Fr.  regulated  intervals 
between  the  battalions,  the  companies, 
and  the  tents  in  a  camp,  between  the 
ranks  in  a  manoeuvre,  on  a  march,  or  in 
battle. 

ESPADON,  in  old  military  books,  a 
kind  of  two-handed  sword,  having  two 
edges,  of  great  length  and  breadth ;  for- 
merly used  by  the  Dutch. 

ESPADONNER,  Fr.  to  fight  with 
the  back-sword. 

ESPEC  ES,  Fr.  coin.  Hence  payer  en 
especes  sonnantes,  to  pay  in  cash,  or 
ready  money. 

ESPION,  Fr.  a  spy. 

ESPIONNAGE,  Fr.  the  act  of  ob- 
taining and  giving  intelligence;  which  is 
as  dangerous  to  the  employer  as  it  is  to 
the  person  who  undertakes  it. 

Double  Espionnage,  Fr.  the  art  of 


ESP 


(     201     ) 


ESS 


obtaining  intelligence  from  both  sides, 
and  of  betraying  both.  A  sound  govern- 
ment has  no  occasion  for  either,  especi- 
ally under  a  free  constitution  like  that  of 
England.  It  may  suit  the  rottenness  of 
foreign  courts,  and  agree  with  Machiavt'T 
lian  duplicity.  A  wise  general  must, 
however,  sometimes  run  the  hazard  of 
being  betrayed  by  making  use  of  such 
detestable  means.  Fspiounage,  even 
among  the  French,  is  called,  Un  metier 
in  fame,  an  infamous  trade. 

ESPLAMADE,  in  fortification,  the 
sloping  of  the  parapet  of  the  covert-way 
towards  the  field,  and  is  therefore  the 
same  as  the  glacis  of  the  counterscarp; 
but  begins  to  be  antiquated  in  that  sense, 
find  is  now  only  taken  for  the  empty 
space  between  the  glacis  of  a  citadel, 
and  the  first  houses  of  the  town. 

ESPONTON,  Fr.  a  sort  of  half  pike. 

ESPRINGAL,  in  the  ancient  art  of 
war,  a  machine  for  throwing  large  darts, 
general  I  v  called  muchetta. 

ESPRINGARDE,  not  Espringale, 
Fr.  a  machine  for  throwing  stones.  In 
the  Dictionnairede  CAcad'cmie  Francaise, 
it  is  written  Espriagale,  and  by  some 
Espringolde;  but  Monstrelet, Fauchet, 
and  Froissart  have  it  as  above. 

ESPRIT,  Fr. mind;  genius;  sense,  &c. 

Esprit  de  corps,  Fr.  This  term  is  ge- 
nerally used  among  all  military  men  in 
Europe.  It  may  not  improperly  be  de- 
fined a  laudable  spirit  of  ambition  which 
produces  a  peculiar  attachment  to  any 
particular  corps,  company,  or  service. 
Officers,  without  descending  to  mean 
and  pitiful  sensations  of  selfish  envy, 
under  the  influence  of  a  true  esprit  de 
corps,  rise  into  an  emulous  thirst  after 
military  glory.  The  good  are  excited 
to  peculiar  feats  of  valour  by  the  senti- 
ments it  engenders,  and  the  bad  are  de- 
terred from  ever  hazarding  a  disgrace- 
ful action  through  a  secret  conscious- 
ness of  the  duties  it  prescribes.  Grena- 
diers and  light  infantry  men  are  pecu- 
liarly susceptible  of  this  impression. 
What  a  common  battalion  man  might 
do  with  impunity,  would  entail  disho- 
nour and  reproach  upon  either  of  the 
flanks.  The  same  observation  holds 
good  with  respect  to  regiments.  There 
are  some  corps  in  the  British  army 
whose  uniform  good  conduct  and  beha- 
viour before  the  enemy  have,  from  the 
first  ot  their  establishment,  secured  to 
them  an  enviable  reputation;  the  con- 
sequence of  which  is,  that  every  young 


man  who  gets  a  commission  in  a  corps 
of  this  cast,  naturally  feels  anxious,  not 
only  to.  support,  but  to  add,  if  possible, 
to  the  fame  it  possesses.  Such  a  senti- 
ment creates  an  esprit  de  corps.  The 
Highland  regiments,  and  the  Fusileer 
corps,  and  also  the  Guards,  possess  this 
feeling  to  a  high  degree. 

ESQUADE.    See  Squad. 

S'ESQUICHER,  Fr.  to  avoid  coming 
to  blows. 

ESQUILLE,  Fr.  splinter  of  a  broken 
bone. 

ESQUINE,  Fr.  literally,  a  horse's 
back.  Un  chevalfort  d'esquine,  a  horse 
strong  in  the  loins.  Un  cheval  foible 
d'esquine,  a  horse  weak  in  the  loins. 

ESQUIRE,  (ccuyer,  Fr.)  in  the  ge- 
neral acceptation  of  the  term,  a  gentle- 
man who  bears  arms,  a  degree  of  gentry 
next  below  a  knight.  In  the  British 
service  the  rank  of  captain,  whether  in 
the  line,  militia,  or  volunteers,  entitles 
the  person  to  be  called  esquire;  that  of 
lieutenant,  cornet,  or  ensign,  makes  the 
individual  a  gentleman,  i.  e.  the  king's 
sign  manual  or  the  signature  of  the  lord 
lieutenant  authorizes  him  to  be  so  dis- 
tinguished. 

Esquires  of  the  king's  body,  certain 
officers  belonging  to  the  court.  See 
Armiger. 

S'ESQUIVER,  Fr.  to  steal  away  :  to 
go  off"  as  a  thief  does.  It  is  not  always 
used  in  a  bad  sense. 

ESQUISSE,  Fr.  the  first  sketch  or 
outlines  of  a  drawing;  it  is  also  called 
grijfbnnement. 

ESS  A I  des  amies  a  feu,  de  la  poudre 
a  tirer,  Fr.  the  act  of  proving  fire-arms, 
and  of  ascertaining  whether  gun-powder 
be  fit  for  service. 

ILSSAY-hatch,  among  miners  a  term 
for  a  little  trench,  or  hole,  which  they  dig 
to  search  for  ore. 

ESSEDAIRES,  Fr.  a  kind  of  warriors 
in  old  times,  who  were  conveyed  in 
wagons,  but  fought  on  foot,  and  when 
pressed,  retired  again  to  their  wagons. 

ESSES,  in  the  train  of  artillery,  are 
fixed  to  draught-chains, and  made  in  the 
form  of  an  S;  one  end  of  which  is  fast- 
ened to  the  chain,  and  the  other  hooks 
to  the  horses  harness,  or  to  a  staple: 
they  serve  likewise  to  lengthen, and  piece, 
chains  together. 

ESS1EU,  Fr.   a  piece  of  solid  timber 

which   runs  across  the  carriage,  enters 

the  wheel  at  both  ends,  and  is  fastened 

by  means  of  an  S.     The  word  is  some- 

2D 


EST 


(     202     ) 


EST 


times  written  aissieu,  and  signifies  lite- 
rally an  axle-tree. 

ESSUYER  le  feu,  Fr.  to  remain  ex- 
posed to  the  fire  of  cannon,  or  mus- 
ketry. 

Essuyer  le  premier  feu,  Fr.  to  receive 
the  enemy's  fire  without  attempting  to 
fire  first. 

Essuvez  la  pierre,  Fr.  a  word  of  com- 
mand in  the  platoon  exercise,  which 
signifies  to  try  the  flint. 

ESTABLAGE,  Fr.  the  harness  which 
is  between  the  two  shafts  of  a  cart,  and 
serves  to  support  them. 

ESTItAC,  Fr.  an  old  word  used  in 
the  manage  to  signify  a  narrow  chested 
lank  horse;  at  present  the  French  say — 
Un  chcvul  'droit. 

To  ESTABLISH,  to  fix,  to  settle.  It 
is  likewise  a  technical  phrase,  to  express 
the  quartering  of  any  considerable  body 
of  troops  in  a  country.  Thus  it  is  com- 
mon to  say,  the  army  took  up  a  posi- 
tion in  the  neighbourhood  of ,  anc 

established  its  head-quarters  at . 

ESTABLISHMENT,  in  the  military 
sense,  implies  the  quota  of  oflicers  and 
men  in  an  army,  regiment,  troop,  or 
company. 

Pertce-EsTABLisiiMENT  is  the  reduc- 
tion of  corps  to  a  certain  number,  by 
which  the  aggregate  force  of  a  country 
is  diminished,  and  its  expenditure  les- 
sened. 

Winr-EsTABLisHMENT  is  the  augmen- 
tation of  regiments  to  a  certain  number, 
by  which  the  whole  army  of  a  country  is 
considerably  increased. 

ili//iVar?/-EsTABiJisiiMENT,  an  esta- 
blishment so  called  in  India,  compre- 
hending the  allowances  for  tent,  camels 
and  drivers,  which  must  always  be  kept 
in  readiness,  as  no  olficer  knows  when 
and  where  he  may  be  ordered  to  march, 
at  a  minute's  notice.  Serious  disturb- 
ances were  occasioned  in  that  part  of 
the  British  empire  by  a  retrenchment  of 
some  of  these  allowances. 

ESTABLISSEMENT,  Fr.  an  advan- 
tageous position,  in  which  a  body  of 
troops,  well  supplied  with  provisions, 
will  make  a  successful  stand. 

ESTACADE,  Fr.  a  dyke  constructed 
with  piles,  in  the  sea,a  river,  or  morass, 
to  oppose  the  entry  of  troops,  or  of  suc- 
cours. 

ESTAFETTE,  a  military  courier,  sent 
express  from  one  part  of  an  army  to 
another. 

ESTAFFE,  Fr.  contribution  money. 


ESTAFILADE,  Fr.  a  cut  across  the 
face. 

The  three  ESTATES  (of  the  realm) 
are  three  orders  of  the  kingdom  of  Eng- 
land, viz.  the  lords  spiritual,  the  lords 
temporal,  constituting  the  peers  or  Up- 
per House,  and  the  Commons  who  make 
the  Lower  House.  The  Mutiny  Bill  is  an- 
nually discussed  in  the  latter,  and,  with 
the  consent  of  the  lords,  passes  into  a 
code  of  laws  for  the  government  of  the 
army;  subject,  nevertheless, to  the  king's 
approbation. 

ESTERLING.     See  Sterling. 

ESTIMATE,  computation;  calcula- 
tion. Army  estimates  are  the  com- 
putation of  expenses  to  be  incurred 
in  the  support  of  an  army  for  a  given 
time. 

ESTOC,  Fr.  the  point  of  a  sword  or 
sabre,  or  of  any  other  weapon. 

D  Estoc  et  tie  Taille,  Fr.  to  push 
and  thrust  vigorously  at  one's  antagonist, 
in  every  direction. 

ESTOCADE,  Fr.  a  long  rapier,  (cal- 
led, in  derision,  brette,  or  Jlamberge,) 
used  by  duellists. 

ESTOILE.     See  Etoile. 

ES  IRA  I)  E,  Fr.  a  road,  or  way.  This 
word  is  derived  from  the  Italian  strada, 
which  signifies  road,  street,  or  way. 
Some  writers  take  its  etymology  from 
Estradiotes,  a  class  of  men  on  horse- 
back, who  were  employed  in  scouring 
the  roads,  and  in  procuring  intelligence 
respecting  the  movements  of  an  army. 
See  Battel- r  d'estrade. 

Estrade,  ou  retraite,  Fr.  the  retro-t 
grade  movement  which  an  armed  body 
makes  in  order  to  avoid  an  engagement, 
or  to  secure  a  retreat  after  haviug  been 
unsuccessful. 

ESTRADIOTES,  Fr.  brave  warriors, 
who,  like  the  Turks  and  Arabs,  are  very 
expert  in  managing  their  horses.  They 
formerly  made  themselves  extremely 
formidable  in  that  part  of  Italy  which  is 
called  the  Apcnnine  mountains;  for,  be- 
ing more  hardy  than  the  Turks,  they 
could  keep  the  field  the  whole  year 
round.  Their  favourite  weapon  was  the 
zugaye. 

fiSTRAMACON,  Fr.  a  kind  of  sword 
or  sabre,  formerly  in  use.  It  also  means 
the  edge  of  a  sabre. 

Estramacon,  Fr.  a  cut  over  the  head. 

ESTRAMA CONNER,  Fr.  to  play,  or 
fight  with  a  sabre. 

ESTRAN,  Fr.  a  beach ;  a  flat  sandy 
shore. 


E 


T 


(     203     ) 


E 


T 


ESTRAPADE,  Jr.  strappado.  See 
Etrapade. 

ESTRAPADER,  Jr.  to  give  the 
strappado;  to  put  to  the  rack. 

ESTRAPASSER,  Fr.  to  ride  a  horse 
beyond  his  strength. 

ESTRAPONTIN,  Fr.   a  cricket,   or 
loose  seat  for  the  tore-part  of  a  carriage. 
ESTROPlE,  Fr.  manned;  lame. 
Cervelle  ESTROPIEE,  Fr.  a  crack- 
brained  person. 

ESTUARY,  any  ditch  or  pit  where 
the  tide  comes,  or  is  overflowed  by  the 
sea,  at  high  water. 

ETA  8LIES,  Fr.  companies,squadrons, 
or  battalions  of  soldiers  :  so  called  in 
old  times,  because  they  were  appointed 
together  to  certain  places  or  stand- 
ings, which  they  were  to  hold  or  make 
good.  The  term  garrison  has  since  been 
adopted. 

ETABLIR,  Fr.  to  establish. 
ETAGE,  Fr.     See  Floor. 
Etage    soulerrain,    Fr.    the    under- 
ground floor. 

Etage  uu  rez-dc-chausse,  Fr.  the 
ground  floor. 

Etage  quarre,  Fr.  an  even  floor  which 
has  no  slope,  ccc. 

Etage  en  galetas,  Fr.  a  garret. 
ETAGES  de  batteries,  Fr.  the  different 
stages, or  small  eminences/ forming  some- 
times a  species  of  amphitheatre,)  upon 
which  batteries  are  erected,  as  at  the 
flanks  of  bastions,  ccc.  or  in  other  quar- 
ters. Their  use,  or  object,  is  to  protect 
every  thing  in  front  by  a  considerable 
range  of  artillery.  The  battery  which 
is  least  elevated  on  a  bastion  is  called 
butierie  inferieure,  oujianc  bas,  lower 
battery,  or  under  flank.  The  next  is 
termed  seconde  batterie,  second  battery, 
whether  it  consists  of  two  or  more 
pieces;  and  the  highest  is  named  batte- 
rie superieure, superior, or  upper  battery. 
Advantage  is  often  taken  of  the  ground 
upon  which  a  fortress  is  erected,  in 
order  to  dispose  artillery  in  this  man- 
ner; and  the  declivitv  of  a  mountain  is 
equally  useful  towards  covering  an  army 
in  the  day  of  battle. 

Etages  defourneuux,  ou  de  mines,  Fr. 
the  various  chambers,  or  excavations, 
which  are  made,  one  over  the  other,  for 
the  defence,  or  attack,  of  fortified  places. 
ETAIMor  ETAIN,  Fr.  tin;  a  white 
metal  of  a  consistency  less  hard  than 
silver,  but  firmer  than  lead.  It  is  used 
in  the  casting  of  cannon.  The  beat  qua- 
lity is  found  in  Cornwall. 


ETALON,  Fr.  a  stallion ;  a  horse  used 
for  covering  mares. 

Etalon,  Fr.  the  regulated  weight,  or 
measure,  of  things  that  are  sold;  as  the 
assize  of  bread,  ccc. 

ETALONNER,  Fr.  to  take  the  just 
quantity,  scantling,  pattern,  or  size  of 
things;  to  assize  measures;  to  adjust 
weights,  ccc. 

ETAMPER,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  far- 
riery to  signify  the  act  of  piercing  a 
horse  shoe  in  eight  places. 

Met  Ire  en  ETANCHE,  Fr.  to  dry  up ; 
in  sluices  to  draw  off  the  waters,  in 
order  to  examine  the  bottom. 

Etanche,  Fr.  This  word  is  also  used 
with  respect  to  flood-gates:  signifying 
that  they  do  not  let  the  water  out. 

ETANCONNER,  Fr.  In  mining,  and 
in  other  works  of  fortification,  to  put  up 
stays,  ike. 

ETAN^ONS,  Fr.  stays,  supporteri; 
large  pieces  of  wood  fixed  vertically  in 
the  cavities  of  mines,  for  the  purpose 
of  sustaining  the  weight  of  earth  that  is 
laid  upon  the  galleries. 

fiTANG,  Fr.  a  pond;  a  lake;  also  a 
reservoir  for  water;  hence  probably  our 
word  tank. 

ETANT,  Jr.  standing;  arbresen  itunt, 
standing  trees. 

ETA  PE,  Fr.  subsistence,  or  a  soldier's 
daily  allowance;  a  storehouse. 
Etape  also  signifies  halting  day. 
ETA  PIERS,  Fr.  military  purveyors, 
who  accompany  the  French  armies,  or 
are  stationed  in  particular  places  to  sup- 
ply the  troops  on  their  march. 

ET AT,  Fr.  state;  condition;  roll,  or 
list  of  names,  ccc.  such  as  a  muster-roll. 
Etat  likewise  means  the  pay  list.  It  is 
also  called,  etat  nominatif. 

ETAT-Major,  Fr.  staff'.  Etat-major 
in  the  French  service  is  a  more  compre- 
hensive term  than  staff  appears  to  be, 
in  our  acceptation  of  the  word.  As  we 
have  in  some  degree  adopted  the  term, 
it  cannot  be  superfluous  to  give  a  short 
account  of  its  origin,  ccc.  Among  the 
French,  according  to  the  author  of  the 
Recueil  Alphabclique  de  tons  les  termes 
proprts  ci  I'art  de  la  guerre,  etat-major 
signifies  a  specific  number  of  officers  who 
are  distinguished  from  others  belonging 
to  the  same  corps.  It  did  not  follow, 
that  every  regiment  was  to  have  its  staff, 
as  the  king  had  the  power  of  appointing, 
or  suppressing,  staff  officers  at  pleasure. 
The  etat-major  general  de  I'infanterie, 
or  the  general  staff  of  the  infantry,  was 
•2D  2 


ETA 


(     204     ) 


E  T  E 


created  under  Francis  I.  in  1525.  That 
of  the  light  cavalry  under  Charles  IX. 
in  1565.  That  of  the  dragoons  under 
Louis  XIV.  in  1669. 

The  etat-major  of  an  infantry  regi- 
ment was  composed  of  the  colonel,  the 
major,  the  aid-major,  quarter-master,  the 
chaplain,  the  provost-marshal,  the  sur- 
geon, and  the  attendant  commissary, 
who  was  called  le  commiasairc  a  la  con- 
duite.  To  these  were  added  the  lieute- 
nant of  the  provostsbip,  the  person  who 
kept  the  regimental  register,  or  the  gref- 
fler,  the  drum-major,  six  archers,  and 
the  executioner.  By  this  establishment 
it  is  presupposed,  that  a  provostsbip  was 
allowed  in  the  regiment,  which  was  not  a 
general  regulation,  hut  depended  upon 
the  king's  pleasure. 

The  'etat-major,  or  staff  of  an  old 
French  regiment  of  cavalry,  according 
to  the  Ortlonnancc,  or  military  regula- 
tion, which  was  issued  on  the4thbf  No- 
vember, in  1651,  consisted  of  the  mestre 
de  camp,  or  colonel  of  the  horse,  the 
major  and  the  aid-major.  It  is  therein 
particularly  stated,  that  the  etat-major 
of  a  cavalry  regiment  shall  not  have  a 
provostsbip,  a  chaplain,  a  surgeon,  nor 
any  other  subordinate  officer  under  that 
denomination. 

Every  fortified  town  or  place  had  like- 
wise its  appropriate  etat-n-iajor,  consist- 
ing of  a  certain  number  of  officers,  who 
were  subject  to  specific  and  distinct  re- 
gulations. 

By  an  order  dated  the  1st  of  August, 
1733,  the  officers  belonging  to  the  etat- 
major  of  a  garrison  town,  or  citadel, 
were  strictly  forbidden  to  absent  them- 
selves-more  than  four  days  from  their 
places  of  residence,  without  especial 
leave  from  the  kin<:,  not  even  for  four 
days,  unjess  they  obtained  permission 
from  the  governor,  or  commandant,  of 
the  town,  or  citadel.     See  Staff-corps. 

Etat  de  la  guerre,  Fr.  the  necessary 
dispositions  and  arrangements  agreed 
upon  between  a  government,  the  com- 
mander in  chief,  and  such  officers  as  the 
latter  may  think  proper  to  consult,  in 
order  to  carry  on  a  campaign  with  ad- 
vantage. Properly  speaking,  it  is  the 
plan  which  is  to  be  followed  relative  to 
the  nature  and  number  of  the  troops 
that  are  to  be  employed. 

Faire  Etat,  Fr.  to  presume;  to  think; 
suppose.  Je  fais  etat  qxiil y  a  la  vingt 
mille  hommes,  I  presume  there  may  be 
twenty  thousand  men  in  that  place.  Faire 


i  lat  a" une  chose,  to  be  certain  of  a  thing 
to  depend  upon  having  it. 

/,( x  ETA  IS,  Fr.  the  Dutch  Provinces 
were  formerly  so  called;  as  les  etats  de 
Hollande,  the  States  of  Holland. 

ETENDARD,  Fr.  standard.  This 
word  derives  its  name  from  the  circum- 
stance of  its  application;  being  constant- 
ly stretched  out,  (ctendu,)  or  displayed. 
Etendard  is  more  particularly  applied 
to  the  standards  of  cavalry.  It  signifies, 
in  a  general  sense,  any  mark  under 
which  men  rally;  also, j  figuratively,  to 
take  a  decided  part,  as  lever  t'eten- 
dard. 

ETENDRE  unc  armec,  Fr.  to  extend 
the  front,  or  advanced  posts, of  an  army, 
for  the  purpose  of  appearing  formidable 
to  the  enemy,  or  of  outflanking  him. 
This  is  a  most  ciitical  manoeuvre,  and 
requires  the  nicest  judgment.  The  battle 
of  Marengo  would  probably  never  have 
been  lost  by  the  Austrians,  had  not  their 
general,  Melas,  weakened  bis  center,  by 
the  extension  of  his  Hanks.  This  ill- 
judged  movement  gave  the  opening 
which  was  so  dexterously  seized  upon 
by  General  Uessaix ;  to  whom  the  French 
were  chiefly  indebted  for  the  victory. 

Etkndrf.  unc  tranchie,  Fr.  to  prolong 
the  parallels,  or  places  of  arnis,either  on 
one  side  only,  or  to  the  right  and  left  of 
a  trench. 

Etendre  an  homme  snr  le  carreau,  Fr. 
to  kill  a  man;  literally  to  lay  him  flat 
upon  the  ground. 

ETEN'DUE,  Fr.  in  geometry,  extent, 
space,  size,  that  is,  the  .ength,  breadth, 
and  depth,  or  thickness,  of  any  body  or 
surface  whatsoet  ei*. 

ETERCILLON,  ou  arcboutant,  Fr. 
buttress;  a  piece  of  wood  which  is 
placed  transverse,  or  horizontally  in  the 
galleries  of  a  mine,  in  order  to  sustain 
the  earth  on  both  sides;  but  most  espe- 
cially to  keep  the  chamber  well  closed, 
and  to  support  the  corners  of  the  gal- 
lery.    See  Etuesii.lux. 

ETERNITY,  (ctcrnite,  Fr.)  infinite 
duration  ;  a  gulph  that  lies  beyond  that 
bourn  from  which  (to  use  the  expression 
of  our  immortal  poet)  no  traveller  re- 
turns, but  into  which  the  soldier  plunges 
with  undaunted  mind.  I  am  aware  that 
the  insertion  of  this  article  will  be  liable 
to  the  pert  observation  of  unthinking 
coxcombs,  or  to  the  gloomy  censure  of 
unprincipled  deists.  It  is  not  addressed 
to  either  of  these  characters;  and  the 
following  anecdote  will  rescue  it  from 


E  T  O 


(     205     ) 


E  T  R 


the  imputation  of  not  being  of  a  mili- 
tary cast. 

On  the  eve  of  the  battle  of  Roucou 
near  Liege,  it  was  found  expedient  by 
the  celebrated  Marshal  Saxe  to  give  out 
in  orders,  that  a  body  of  Forlorn  Hope 
should  be  ready  to  attack  a  particular 
battery  which  had  been  erected  on  a 
neighbouring  height  by  the  Dutch.  The 
gentleman  to  whose  turn  of  duty  the 
forlorn  hope  fell,  being  sensible  of  the 
irregularities  of  his  life,  applied  to  Co- 
lonel Fenelon,  a  descendantof  the  Arch- 
bishop, and  a  person  remarkable  for 
piety  and  good  order,  to  exchange  du- 
ties; observing,  that  as  he  must  be  pre- 
pared for  eternity,  he  could  not  have  any 
objection  to  the  proposal.  The  colonel 
cheerfully  assented;  the  exchange  of  du- 
ties was  allowed,  and  in  the  morning, 
Fenelon  led  the  forlorn  hope  up  to  the 
battery,  which  was  instantly  carried  by 
bis  followers;  having  himself  been  kill- 
ed by  the  first  discharge  of  the  enemy's 
artillery.     See  Religion. 

Cheval  ETIQUE,  Fr.  a  raw  bone 
horse. 

ETIQUETER,  Fr.  to  write,  or  put  a 
note,  or  title  to;  to  ticket. 

ETIQUETTE,  a  French  term,  prima- 
rily denoting  a  ticket  or  title  affixed  to 
a  bag  or  bundle  of  papers,  expressing 
its  contents.  It  is  also  used,  when  ap- 
plied to  the  Spanish  and  some  other 
courts,  to  signify  a  particular  account  of 
what  is  to  be  done  daily  in  the  king's 
household.     See  Docket. 

Etiquette,  from  the  French,  a  rule 
of  conduct  which  is  to  be  observed 
among  the  privileged  orders  of  mankind, 
particularly  at  courts  and  at  head-quar- 
ters ;  hence  military  etiquette. 

ETOFFE  bigarree,  Fr.  plaid  ;  such  as 
is  worn  by  the  Scotch,  and  by  Highland 
soldiers. 

ETOILE,  Fr.  a  small  and  bright  arti- 
ficial (ire-work  which  is  sometimes  at- 
tached to  sky-rockets.  When  it  explode? 
it  is  called  etoile  a  pet. 

ETOILES,  Fr.  small  star  redoubts, 
which  are  constructed  by  means  of  an- 
gles rentrant  and  angles  sortant,  and  have 
from  five  to  eight  salient  points.  Each 
one  of  their  sides,  or  faces,  may  contain 
from  12  to  25  toises.  This  species  of 
fortification  has  fallen  into  disuse,  not 
only  because  etoiles  do  not  possess  the 
advantage  of  having  their  angle  rentrant 
effectually  flanked,  but  because  they 
have    been    superseded    by   square   re- 


doubts, which  are  sooner  built,  and  are 
applicable  to  the  same  purposes  of  de- 
fence. 

ETOUPE,  Fr  .in  pyrotechnv,  a  thread, 
or  match,  which  is  prepared  in  a  parti- 
cular wav,  in  order  to  light  fire-works; 
principally  such  as  are  destined  not  to 
take  fire  until  a  given  lapse  of  time. 

ETOUPILLE;  Fr.  an  inflammable 
match,  composed  of  three  threads  of 
very  fine  cotton,  which  is  well  steeped  in 
brandy  mixed  with  the  best  priming  gun- 
powder. 

ETRANGERS,  Fr.  strangers. 

Reglemens  milituires  relatifs  uux 
EritANGERs^ui  arrivent  aux porles  d'une 
ville  de  guerre,  Fr.  rules  and  regulations 
to  be  observed  in  all  garrison  towns  with 
respect  to  strangers.  It  is  customary  in 
all  garrison  towns  abroad,  not  to  suffer 
a  stranger  to  enter  the  place  without 
being  asked,  at  the  outward  gate,  his 
name,  the  place  he  comes  from,  whither 
he  is  going,  and  at  what  inn,  or  private 
house,  he  intends  to  alight.  He  next  is 
brought  to  the  officer  of  the  guard,  who 
has  him  conducted  before  the  governor 
or  commandant,  who  suffers  him  to  pro- 
ceed, if  his  papers  are  correct;  if  not, 
he  is  put  under  arrest.  The  inhabitants 
and  inn-keepers  are  obliged  to  send  in, 
within  twenty-four  hours*  the  names  of 
their  lodgers.  It  were  to  be  wished  that 
more  circumspection  could  be  observed 
in  our  own  sea-ports  on  this  head. 

ETRANGLER,  Fr.  to  strangle.  This 
word  is  used  among  artificers  in  France, 
and  signifies  to  tighten,  or  bind  fast,  the 
head,  or  orifice,  of  a  cartouch,  or  fuse. 

ETRAPADF,  Fr.  a  sort  of  crane 
with  a  pulley.  This  machine  was  for- 
merly used  among  the  French  to  pu- 
nish military  delinquents;  it  was  hence 
called  Citrapdde.  The  unfortunate 
wretch  had  his  hands  tied  behind  his 
back,  with  ropes  fastened  to  them;  he 
was  then  hauled  up,  and  suddenly  let 
down  within  one  foot  of  the  ground  ;  so 
that  by  means  of  the  jerk,  and  through 
the  weight  of  his  body,  every  limb  must 
instantly  be  dislocated.  This  barbarous 
and  inhuman  mode  of  torturing  the  hu- 
man frame  was  repeated  more  than  once, 
according  to  the  degree  of  guilt  with 
which  the  culprit  stood  accused  or  con- 
victed. This  punishment  was  formerly 
in  use  at  Rome,  for  the  purpose  of  cor- 
recting disorderly  conduct  at  the  opera, 
&c. 
"  ETRESILLONS,     Fr.     in     mining, 


E  V  E 


(     206'     ) 


E  V  O 


Piece*;  of  timber  which  are  laid  cross- 
wise, or  horizontally,  in  the  galleries  of 
mines  in  order  to  support  the  earth  on 
each  side,  particularly  to  close  up  the 
chamber  of  a  mine,  ccc. 

ETRIER,  Fr.  stirrup;  also  an  iron 
band. 

ETRILLE,  Fr.  a  curry  comb;  also  a 
spunging  house. 

ETRIYIERES,  uu  courroics,  Fr.  stir- 
rup, leathers. 

ETUI  mathimatique,  Fr.  a  case  for 
holding  mathematical  instruments. 

To  EVACUATE,  (ivacucr,  Fr.)  in 
military  history,  a  term  made  use  of  in 
the  articles  of  capitulation  granted  to 
the  besieged  at  the  time  they  surrender 
to  the  besiegers,  and  signifying  to  quit. 

EVACUATION,  (evacuation,  Fr.)  the 
evacuation  of  a  town,  or  post,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  treaty  between  the  belli- 
gerent or  neutral  powers,  in  pursuance 
of  superior  orders,  or  from  obvious  ne- 
cessity. 

To  EVADE,  to  escape;  to  shift  off. 

S'EVADER,  Fr.  to  go  off  clandes- 
tinely ;  to  retreat  in  the  night,  or  under 
anv  other  cover. 

EVAGINATION,  an  unsheathing,  or 
drawing  out,  from  a  sheath,  or  scabbard. 

EVASEMENT,  JV.  width,  extent. 
Evasement  d'une  embrasure,  Fr.  that 
part  of  an  embrasure  that  is  facing  the 
rampart. 

EVASION,  (evasion,  Fr.)  clandestine 
retreat;  an  escape;  also  a  shift  or  trick. 
A  quality  (never  of  an  amiable  sort) 
which,  like  chicanery,  is  current  among 
politicians  and  lawyers,  but  is  always  be- 
neath the  dignified  and  open  character  of 
a  soldier. 

EVASIVE,  crafty,  deceitful.  It  is 
always  spoken  in  a  bad  sense. 

EVEILLER,  Fr.  to  awake;  to  rouse. 
The  French  say  figuratively  ezcil/cr  le  lion 
qui  dort,  to  rouse,  or  to  wake,  the  sleeping 
lion, i.  e.  to  disturb,  or  provoke,  a  person 
who  has  another  in  his  power. 

EVENS,  Fr.  in  fortification,  ventila- 
tors, or  holes  that  are  made  in  the  prin- 
cipal gallery  of  a  counter-mine,  for  the 
circulation  of  air. 

EVENT,  Fr.  vent.  This  word  is  par- 
ticularly applicable  to  the  vent  or  cavity 
which  is  left  in  cannon,  or  other  fire- 
arms, after  they  have  been  proved  and 
found  defective.  The  vent  is  sometimes 
round  and  sometimes  Jong.  Vents  are 
frequently  so  exiguous,  that  they  appear 
like  lines  of  a  small  fibre,  through  which 


water  will  ooze  and  smoke  evaporate. 
Ihese  pieces,  whether  of  ordnance,  or  of 
musketry,  are  of  course  rejected. 

EVERSION,  Fr.  the  ruin,  the  over- 
throw of  a  state,  occasioned  by  a  long 
war,  or  by  continual  internal  disturb- 
ances and  seditions. 

EVIDENCE, a  declaration  made  vivi 
voce  of  what  any  person  knows  of  his 
own  knowledge  relative  to  the  matter  in 
question.  Military  men  are  obliged  to 
attend  and  give  evidence  before  courts- 
martial,  without  any  expense  to  the  pro- 
secutor or  prisoner. 

Hem  sat/  Evidence,  the  declaration  of 
what  one  has  heard  from  others.  As  in 
all  other  courts  of  British  judicature, 
this  species  of  evidence  is  not  admissible 
in  courts-martial. 

EVOCATI  were  a  class  of  soldiers 
among  the  Romans,  who,  after  having 
served  their  full  time  in  the  army,  entered 
as  volunteers  to  accompany  some  fa- 
vourite general.  Hence  they  were  like- 
wise called  emeriti  ami  bentficiarii. 

EVOCATION,  a  religious  ceremony 
which  was  always  observed  among  the 
Romans  at  the  commencement  of  a  siege, 
wherein  they  solemnly  called  upon  the 
g©ds  and  goddesses  of  the  place  to  for- 
sake it,  and  come  over  to  them.  When 
any  place  surrendered,  they  always  took 
it  for  granted  that  their  prayer  had  been 
heard,  and  that  the  Dii  Penates,  or  the 
household  gods  of  the  place,  had  come 
over  to  them. 

EVOLUTION,  from  the  Latin  evoivo, 
I  roll  out;  I  unravel.  In  the  art  of  war, 
the  motion  made  by  a  body  of  troops, 
when  they  aie  obliged  to  change  their 
form  and  disposition,  in  order  to  pre- 
serve a  post,  occupy  another,  to  attack 
an  enemy  with  moie  advantage,  or  to  be 
in  a  condition  of  defending  themselves 
the  beiter.  That  evolution  is  best,  which, 
with  a  given  number  of  men,  may  be  ex- 
ecuted in  the  least  space,  and  conse- 
quently in  the  hast  time  possible. 

Evolution  of  the.  moderns  is  a  change 
of  position,  which  has  always  for  its 
object  either  offence  or  defence.  The 
essentials  in  the  performance  of  an  evo- 
lution are,  order,  directness,  and  the 
greatest  possible  rapidity. 

Evolutions  may  be  divided  into  two 
classes,  the  simple  and  the  compound  ; 
simple  evolutions  are  those  which  consist 
in  simple  movements,  which  do  not  alter 
the  shape  or  figure  of  the  battalion,  but 
merely  afford  a  more  or  less  extended 


E  X  A 


(     207     ) 


E  X  A 


front  or  depth;  keep  it  more  or  less 
closed  to  its  flank,  or  center,  turn  its  as- 
pect to  flank  or  rear,  or  break  it  into  di- 
visions, sub-divisions,  sections  or  files,  in 
order  that  it  may  unfold  itself,  or  defile 
and  resume  its  proper  front,  or  order  of 
battle.  All  the  various  ways  of  defiling, 
forming  line,  opening  to  right  and  left, 
closing,  or  deploying,  doubling  the  ranks 
or  files,  or  changing  front  upon  either  of 
the  flanks  by  conversion,  are  called  sim- 
ple evolutions. 

Compound  evolutions  are  those  which 
change  the  shape  and  figure  of  batta- 
lions, break  them  into  divisions  or  com- 
panies, separate  the  companies  from  the 
main  body,  and  again  replace,  or  rejoin 
them ;  in  a  word,  which  afford  the 
means  of  presenting  a  front  at  every  di- 
rection. 

Compound  evolutions  are  practised 
either  by  repeating  the  same  simple  evo- 
lution several  times,  or  by  going  through 
several  simple  evolutions,  which  ulti- 
mately tend  to  the  same  object. 

The  Evolutions  of  the  ancients  were 
formed  and  executed  with  uncommon 
good  sense  and  ability.  Considering  the 
depth  and  size  of  the  Grecian  phalanx, 
it  is  astonishing  how  the  different  parts 
could  be  rendered  susceptible  of  the  most 
intricate  and  varied  evolutions.  The 
Roman  legion,  though  more  favourable 
to  such  changes  and  conversions,  from 
being  more  loose  and  detached,  did  not 
execute  them  upon  sounder,  or  better 
principles.  ' 

Evolution  (in geometry).  The  equal 
evolution  of  the  periphery  of  a  circle,  or 
any  other  curve,  is  such  a  gradual  ap- 
proach of  the  circumference  to  rectitude, 
as  that  all  its  parts  meet  together, 
and  equally  evolve,  or  unbend.:  so  that 
the  same  line  becomes  successively  a  less 
arch  of  a  reciprocally  greater  circle,  till 
at  last  they  turn  into  a  straight  line. 

Evolution  of  pozecrs  (in  algebra), 
extracting  of  roots  from  any  given  power, 
being  the  reverse  of  involution. 

EVUIDER,  Fr.  to  gutter;  to  groove; 
to  cut  in  small  hollows:  a  term  used 
among  locksmiths. 

EXAGON.  See  Hexagon. 
EXAMILIAN,  a  famous  wall  two 
leagues  long,  which  one  of  the  Grecian 
Emperors  caused  to  be  erected  on  the 
isthmus  of  Corinth.  Amu  rat  II.  ordered 
it  to  be  demolished,  but  the  Venetians 
had  it  erected  again  in  1463,  in  a  fort- 
night's time. 


EXAMINER,  one  who  scrutinizes* 
Examiner  of  the  army  accounts,  a 
person  in  office,  under  whose  inspection 
all  claims  made  by  the  regimental  agents 
fall ;  to  whose  office  they  are  transmitted 
of  course,  in  virtue  of  a  general  delega- 
tion of  that  duty  to  him  by  the  secretary 
at  war.  After  his  examination  and  re- 
port, the  secretary  at  war,  in  many  in- 
stances, orders  partial  issues  of  money 
by  letter  to  the  pay-master  general.  No 
final  payment  is  made,  except  under  the 
authority  of  a  warrant  countersigned  by 
the  secretary  at  war,  and  in  most  in- 
stances by  three  lords  of  the  treasury. 
The  regimental  agents  account  finally  to 
the  secretary  at  war. 

EXAMPLE,  (exemple,  Fr.)  any  act,  of 
word  which  disposes  to  imitation — The 
example  of  a  superior  officer  has  con- 
siderable influence  over  the  mind  of  an 
inferior;  but  in  no  one  instance  does  it 
appear  more  important  than  in  the  good, 
or  bad,  behaviour  of  a  non-commissioned 
officer  or  corporal.  These  characters, 
therefore,  should  be  particularly  correct 
in  their  duties,  tenacious  of  every  prin- 
ciple of  military  honour,  and  remarkable 
for  honesty.  Old  soldiers  should  like- 
wise direct  their  attention  to  the  strict 
observance  of  rules  and  regulations,  as 
young  recruits  always  look  up  to  them 
for  example. 

EXAMINATION,  a  scrutiny,  or  in- 
vestigation of  abilities,  conduct,  &c.  All 
officers  of  artillery  and  engineers  are  ob- 
liged to  undergo  an  examination  in  ma- 
thematiqs,  fortification,  and  gunnery, 
prior  to  their  having  commissions.  Sur- 
geons and  assistant  surgeons  are  exa- 
mined before  the  medical  board. 

EXARCH,  (exarque,  Fr.)  an  officer 
formerly  under  the  Roman  emperors  of 
Constantinople,  who  managed  the  af- 
fairs of  Italy;  a  viceroy.  The  Exarchs 
of  Ravenna  possessed  great  powers;  so 
much  so,  that  Italy  was  balanced  between 
them,  the  Lombards,  and  the  Popes. 

EXAUCTORATIO,  in  the  Roman 
military  discipline,  differed  from  the  mis- 
sio,  which  was  a  full  discharge,  and  took 
place  after  the  soldiers  had  served  in  the 
army  twenty  years;  whereas  the  e.rauc- 
toratio  was  only  a  partial  discharge : 
they  lost  their  pay  indeed,  but  still  kept 
under  their  colours  or  vexilla,  though 
not  under  the  aquila  or  eagle,  which  was 
the  standard  of  the  legion;  whence,  in- 
stead of  legionarii,  they  were  called  sub- 


E  X  C 


(     208     ) 


EXE 


tigriani,  and  were  retained  till  they  had 
either  served  their  full  time,  or  had  lands 
assigned  to  them.  The  exuuctoratio 
took  place  after  they  had  served  seven- 
teen years. 

EXCAVATION,  the  act  of  cutting, 
or  otherwise  making  hollows;  also  the 
cavity  formed.  In  military  matters,  it 
is  general  I  v  applied  to  the  place  from 
which  the  earth,  or  other  substance,  has 
been  taken  Ivy  mining. 

EXCELLENCY,  a  title  anciently 
given  to  kings  and  emperors,  but  now 
chiefly  confined  to  ambassadors,  generals, 
and  other  persons  who  are  not  entitled 
to  that  of  highness,  and  yet  are  to  be 
elevated  above  the  other  inferior  dig- 
nities. 

It  is  likewise  applicable  to  persons  in 
high  command ;  as  his  Excellency  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  &c. 

EXCHANGE,  in  a  military  sense, 
implies  the  removal  of  an  officer  from 
one  regiment  to  another,  or  from  full  to 
half-pay,  and  vice  versa.  It  is  usual  on 
these  occasions  for  individuals  belonging 
to  the  latter  class  to  receive  a  pecuniary 
consideration.     See  Difference. 

Exchange  of  prisoners,  the  act  of  giv- 
ing up  men  that  have  been  taken  in  war, 
upon  stipulated  conditions  which  are  sub- 
scribed to  by  contending  powers. 

Exchange,  in  a  general  sense,  sig- 
nifies any  contract  or  agreement  where- 
by persons,  or  things,  are  exchanged  for 
others. 

Exchange  in  money,  the  balance  of 
the  money  of  different  nations,  as  the 
exchange  between  England  and  Ireland, 
which,  notwithstanding  the  union,  is  in- 
variably against  the  latter. 

EXCHEQUER,  the  public  office 
from  which  all  monies  are  issued  for 
the  use  of  the  army.  With  respect  to 
the  militia,  it  is  enacted  that  the  money 
paid  for  that  particular  service,  shall  be 
kept  apart  from  all  other  money. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  exchequer  arc 
not  to  take  any  fees  for  receiving,  or  is- 
suing, such  money. 

To  EXCITE,"  (exciter,  Fr.)  to  urge 
one,  or  more  persons  to  do  certain  acts, 
either  by  persuasion,  or  other  means. 

EXCITATION,  (excitation,  Fr.)  the 
act  of  exciting,  &c. 

False  Excitation,  the  act  of   urg- 
ing one  or  more   persons  to  do  certain 
acts,  by  illusive  means,  or  false  reasoning. 
EXCUBLE,  in  antiquity,  the  watches 
and  guards  kept  in  the  day  by  the  Roman 


soldiers.     They  differed  from  the  vigilor, 
which  were  kept,  in  the  night. 

EXCURSION,  Fr.  irruption,  or  incur- 
sion of  one  nation  into  another,  for  hos- 
tile purposes. 

EXECUTER,  Fr.  The  French  use 
this  verb  technically.  They  say,  exicuttr 
et  servir  une  piece.  See  the  particular 
method  of  so  doing, undcrTiRER.  le  ca- 
non, to  fire  a  gun,  or  cannon. 

Executer,  Fr.  to  execute,  to  put  to 
death. 

EXECUTION.  Military  Execution, 
(execution  militaire  sur  pays  ennemi,  Fr.) 
the  plunder  and  waste  of  a  country, 
whose  inhabitants  refuse  to  submit  to 
the  terms  imposed  upon  them. 

Military  Execution  also  means  every 
kind  of  punishment  inflicted  on  the  army 
by  the  sentence  of  a  court-martial ; 
which  is  of  various  kinds,  such  as  tying 
up  to  three  halberts,  and  receiving  a 
number  of  lashes  with  a  whip,  composed 
of  nine  whip-cord  lashes,  and  each  lash 
of  nine  knots,  from  the  drummer:  or 
running  the  gantlope  through  the  par 
rade  at  guard-mounting,  drawn  up  in 
two  lines  for  that  purpose;  when  the 
provost  marches  through  with  twigs  or 
switches,  and  every  soldier  takes  as 
many  as  there  are  prisoners  to  be  pu- 
nished :  the  prisoner  then  marches 
through  the  two  lines,  and  each  soldier 
gives  him  a  hard  stroke,  the  major  ri- 
ding up  and  down  to  see  that  the  men 
lay  on  properly.  When  a  soldier  is  to 
be  punished  with  death,  a  detachment 
of  about  200  men  from  the  regiment  to 
which  he  belongs,  form  the  parade,  when 
a  file  of  grenadiers  shoots  the  prisoner 
to  death. 

Everv  nation  has  different  modes  of 
punishment.  The  cat  with  nine  tails  is 
to  punish  foot  soldiers;  dragoons  and 
cavalry  men  are  generally  picketed. 

EXECUTORS,  persons  authorized  by 
w  ill  to  manage  theafl'airs  of  one  deceased. 
Paymasters,  agents,  or  clerks,  not  ac- 
counting with  the  executors  of  officers 
or  soldiers,  forfeit  their  employment  and 
100/.     See  Mutiny  Act,  sect.  Tl. 

EXEMPT,  not  subject;  not  liable  to. 
Men  of  45  years  of  age  are  exempt  from 
serving  in  the  miiitia.  An  aide-de-camp 
and  brigade-major  are  exempt  from  all 
regimental  duties  while  serving  in  these 
capacities.  Officers  on  courts-martial 
are  sometimes  exempt  from  all  other  du- 
ties until  the  court  is  dissolved. 
EXEMPTION,  the  privilege  to  be  free 


EXE 


<     209    ) 


EXE 


from  some  service,  or  appearance 
Thus  officers  and  principals  in  the  militia 
who  have  served  during  the  war  accord- 
ing to  prescribed  regulations,  are  ex- 
empted from  being  balloted  for.  Men 
who  have  enlisted  for  a  limited  period, 
on  the  expiration  of  the  term  may  claim 
exemption  from  service. 

EXEMTS,  Fr.  so  called,  originally, 
from  being  exempted  from  certain  ser- 
vices, or  entitled  to  peculiar  privileges. 
The  exons  of  St.  James's  derive  their 
appellation  from  exemts.  In  France 
they  consisted  of  three  classes,  viz. 

Exemts  du  ban  et  arriere  ban,  persons 
exempted  from  being  enrolled  for  that 
particular  service  were  so  called.  They 
consisted  of  the  domestic  attendants  be- 
longing to  the  palace,  those  attached  to 
the  princes  and  princesses  of  the  blood, 
all  persons  actually  serving  his  majestv, 
together  with  the  sons  of  officers  who 
were  in  the  army. 

Exemts  des  garden  du  corps,  exons 
belonging  to  the  body  guards.  They 
were  twelve  in  number,  and  held  the 
rank  of  captains  of  cavalry,  taking  pre- 
cedence of  all  captains  whose  commis- 
missions  were  of  a  younger  date  to  the 
brevet  of  the  exempts. 

These  brevet  commissions  were  given 
away  under  the  old  government  of 
Fiance.  The  exons  purciiase  their  places 
at  St.  James's,  but  they  do  not  rank  with 
the  army. 

Exemts  des  ATarcchaussies,  certain 
persons  employed  to  keep  the  public 
peace.  Afareckaussie  means,  in  a  literal 
sense,  marshalsey.  But  the  functions 
of  the  exempts  were  of  a  nature  peculiar 
to  France.  They  held  their  situations 
under  commissions  bearing  the  great 
seal,  which  were  forwarded  to  them  bv 
the  secretary  at  war.  The  privilege:, 
they  enjoyed  were,  to  be  exempted  from 
all  taxes,  &c.  but  they  could  not  insii- 
tute  any  species  of  criminal  information 
without  the  concurrence  of  the  greffier, 
or  sheriff. 

EXERCISE,  in  military  affairs,  is  the 
practice  of  all  those  motions  and  actions, 
together  with  the  whole  management  of 
arms,  which  a  soldier  is  to  be  perfect  in, 
to  render  him  fit  for  service,  and  make 
him  understand  how  to  attack  and  de- 
fend. Exercise  is  the  fir»t  part  of  the 
military  art;  and  the  more  it  is  consi- 
dered, the  more  essential  it  will  appear. 
It  disengages  the  human  frame  from  the 


stiff  rusticity  of  simple  nature,  and 
forms  men  and  horses  to  all  the  evolu- 
tions of  war.  The  honour,  merit,  ap- 
pearance, strength,  and  success  of  a 
corps  depend  wholly  upon  the  attention 
which  has  been  paid  to  the  drill  and  ex- 
ercise of  it,  according  to  prescribed  rules 
and  regulations;  while,  on  the  other 
hand,  we  see  the  greatest  armies,  for 
want  of  being  exercised,  instantly  disor- 
dered, and  that  disorder  increasing  in 
spite  of  command  :  the  confusion  over- 
sets the  art  of  skilful  masters,  and  the 
valour  of  the  men  Onlv  serves  to  preci- 
pitate the  defeat:  for  which  reason  it  is 
the  duty  of  every  officer  tc  take  care, 
that  the  recruits  be  drilled  as  soon  as 
they  join  the 'corps. 

The  greatest  advantage  derived  from 
this  species  of  exercise,  is  the  expertness 
with  which  men  become  capable  of  load- 
ing and  firing,  and  their  learning  an  at- 
tention to  act  in  conformity  with  those 
around  them.  It  has  always  been  la- 
mented, that  men  have  been  brought  on 
service,  without  being  informed  of  the 
uses  of  the  different  manoeuvres  they 
have  been  practising  ;  and  that  having  no 
ideas  of  any  thing  but  the  uniformity 
of  the  parade,  they  instantly  fall  into 
disorder  and  confusion  when  they  lose 
the  step,  or  see  a  deviation  from  the 
straight  lines  they  have  been  accus- 
tomed to  at  exercise.  It  is  a  pity  to 
see  so  much  attention  confined  to  show, 
and  so  little  given  to  instruct  the  troops 
in  what  may  be  of  use  to  them  on  ser- 
vice. Though  the  parade  is  the  place 
to  form  the  characters  of  soldiers,  and 
to  teach  them  uniformity,  jet  when  cou- 
fined  to  that  alone,  it  is  too  limited  and 
mechanical  for  a  true  military  genius. 

The  great  loss  which  our  troops  sus- 
tained in  Germany,  America,  and  the 
West  Indies,  daring  a  former  war,  from 
sickness,  and  not  from  the  enemy,  was 
chieflv  owing  to  a  neglect  of  exercise. 
An  array  whose  numbers  vanish  after 
the  first  four  months  of  a  campaign, 
muv  be  very  ready  to  give  battle  in  their 
existing  period;  but  the  fact  is,  that  al- 
though fighting  is  one  part  of  a  soldier's 
business,  vet  bearing  fatigue,  and  being 
in  health,  is  another,  and  full  as  essen- 
tial as  the  first.  A  campaign  may  pass 
without  a  battle;  but  no  part  of  a  canto 
paign  can  be  gone  through  without  fa- 
tigue, without  marches,  without  an  expor 
sure  to  bad  weather;  all  of  which  have 
2E 


EXE 


(     '210     ) 


EXE 


exercise  for  their  foundation:  and  if 
soldiers  are  not  trained  and  inured  to 
these  casualties,  but  sink  under  them, 
they  become  inadequate  to  bodily  fatigue, 
and  eventually  turn  out  a  burthen  to 
their  country. 

It  is  not  from  numbers,  or  from  in- 
considerate valour,  that  we  are  to  ex- 
pect victorv;  in  battle  she  commonly 
follows  capacity,  and  a  knowledge  of 
arms.  We  do  not  see  that  the  Romans 
made  use  of  any  other  means  to  con- 
quer the  world,  than  a  continual  practice 
of  military  exercises,  an  exact  discipline 
in  their  camps,  and  a  constant  attention 
to  cultivate  the  art  of  war. — Hence,  both 
ancients  and  moderns  agree,  that  there 
is  no  other  way  to  form  good  soldiers, 
but  by  exercise  and  discipline;  and  it  is 
by  a  continual  practice  and  attention  to 
this,  that  the  Prussians  once  arrived  at 
that  point  of  perfection  which  has  been 
so  much  admired  in  their  evolutions,  and 
manual  exercise. 

Formerly,  in  the  British  service,  every 
commander  in  chief,  or  officer  command- 
ing a  corps,  adopted  or  invented  such 
manoeuvres  as  he  judged  proper,  except- 
ing in  the  instance  of  a  few  regulations 
for  review:  neither  the  manual  exercise, 
nor  quick  and  slow  marching  were  pre- 
cisely defined  by  authority. — Conse- 
quently, when  regiments  from  different 
parts  of  the  kingdom  were  brigaded, 
they  were  unable  to  act  in  line  till  the 
general  officer  commanding  had  estab- 
lished some  temporary  system  to  be  oh- 
served  by  all  under  his  command. 

These  inconveniences  were,  in  some 
degree,  obviated  by  the  Rules  and 
Regulations  compiled  by  General  Dun- 
das,  on  the  system  of  the  Prussian  dis- 
cipline, as  established  by  Frederick  the 
Great. 

By  his  Majesty's  orders  first  issued  in 
1792,  this  system  is  directed  to  be 
"  strictly  followed  and  adhered  to  with- 
out any  deviation  whatsoever ;  and  such 
orders  before  given,  as  are  found  to  in- 
terfere with,  or  counteract  their  eflect 
and  operation,  are  to  be  considered  as 
cancelled  and  annulled." 

Infantry  Exercise  includes  the  use  of 
the  firelock  and  practice  of  the  manoeu- 
vres for  regiments  of  foot,  according  to 
the  Regulations  issued  by  authority. 

When  a  regiment  of  foot  is  drawn  up, 
or  paraded  for  exercise,  the  men  are 
placed  two,  and  sometimes  three,  deep, 


which  latter  is  the  natural  formation  of 
a  battalion.  The  grenadiers  are  on  the 
right,  and  the  light  infantry  on  the  left. 
In  order  to  have  the  manual  exercise 
well  performed,  it  is  in  a  particular  man- 
ner requisite,  that  the  ranks  and  files  be 
even,  well  dressed,  and  the  file-leaders 
well  covered:  this  must  be  very  strictly 
attended  to  both  by  the  major  and  his 
adjutant:  all  officers  also  on  service  in 
general,  where  men  are  drawn  up  under 
arms  or  without,  must  be  careful,  that 
the  ranks  and  files  are  exactly  even; 
and  the  soldiers  must  learn  to  dress 
themselves  at  once,  without  the  neces- 
sity of  being,, directed  to  do  it.  The 
beauty  of  all  exercise  and  marching  con- 
sists in  seeing  a  soldier  carry  his  arms 
well,  keep  his  firelock  steady  and  even 
in  the  hollow  of  his  shoulder,  the  right 
hand  banging  down,  and  the  whole  body 
without  constraint.  The  muskets,  when 
shouldered,  should  be  exactly  dressed  in 
rank  and  file;  the  men  must  keep  their 
bodies  upright  and  in  full  front,  not  hav- 
ing one  shoulder  too  forward,  or  the 
other  too  backward.  The  distances  be- 
tween the  files  must  be  equal,  and  not 
greater  than  from  arm  to  arm,  which 
gives  the  requisite  room  for  the  motions. 
The  ranks  are  to  be  two  paces  distant 
from  each  other.  Every  motion  must 
be  done  with  lite;  and  all  facings,  wheel- 
ings, and  marchings,  performed  with  the 
greatest  exactness.  Hence,  a  regiment 
should  never  be  under  arms  longer  than 
two  hours.  See  Firings,  Manual  and 
Manoeuvres. 

Cavalry  Exercise  is  of  two  sorts,  on 
horseback,  and  on  foot.  The  squadrons 
for  exercise  are  sometimes  drawn  up 
three  deep,  though  frequently  two  deep; 
the  tallest  men  and  horses  in  the  front, 
and  so  on.  When  a  regiment  is  formed 
in  squadrons,  the  distance  of  21  feet,  as 
a  common  interval,  is  always  to  be  left 
between  the  ranks;  and  the  files  must 
keep  boot-top  to  boot-top.  The  officers 
commanding  squadrons  must,  above  all 
things,  be  careful  to  form  with  great  ce- 
lerity, and,  during  the  whole  time  of  ex- 
ercise, to  preserve  their  several  distances. 
In  all  wheelings,  the  flank  which  wheels 
must  come  about  in  full  gallop.  The 
men  must  keep  a  steady  seat  upon  their 
horses,  and  have  their  stirrups  at  a  fit 
length. 

Cavalry  Sword  Exercise.  See  Sword 
Exercise. 


EXH 


(  211  ) 


EXP 


Artillery  Exercise  is  the  method  of 
teaching  the  regiments  of  artillery  the 
use  and  practice  of  all  the  various  ma- 
chines of  war,  viz. 

Exercise  of  the  light  field  pieces 
teaches  the  men  to  load,  ram,  and  sponge 
the  guns  well ;  to  elevate  them  accord- 
ing to  the  distance,  by  the  quadrant  and 
screw;  to  judge  of  distances  and  eleva- 
tions without  the  quadrant;  how  to  use 
the  port-fire,  match,  and  tubes  for  quick 
firing;  how  to  fix  the  drag-ropes,  and 
use  them  in  advancing,  retreating,  and 
wheeling  with  the  field-pieces;  how  to 
fix  and  unfix  the  trail  of  the  carriage  on 
the  limbers,  and  how  to  fix  and  unfix  the 
boxes  containing  the  ammunition  upon 
the  limbers  of  the  carriages. 

Exercise  of  the  garrison  and  batter- 
ing artillery  is  to  teach  the  men  how  to 
load,  ram,  and  sponge;  how  to  handle 
the  hand-spikes  in  elevating  and  depress- 
ing the  metal  to  given  distances,  and 
for  ricochet;  how  to  adjust  the  coins, 
and  work  the  gun  to  its  proper  place; 
and  how  to  point  and  fire  with  exact- 
ness, ike. 

Mortar  Exercise  is  of  two  different 
sorts,  viz.  with  powder  and  shells  un- 
loaded, and  with  powder  and  shells 
loaded  ;  each  of  which  is  to  teach  the 
men  their  duty,  and  to  make  them  handy 
in  using  the  implements  for  loading, 
pointing,  traversing,  and  firing,  &c.  See 
Practice. 

Howitzer  Exercise  differs  but  little 
from  the  mortar,  except  that  it  is  liable  to 
various  elevations;  whereas  that  of  the 
mortar  is  fixed  to  an  angle  of  45°;  but 
the  men  should  be  taught  the  method 
of  ricochet-firing,  and  how  to  practise 
with  grape  shot;  each  method  requiring 
a  particular  degree  of  elevation.  See 
Practice. 

Exercises  are  also  understood  of 
what  young  gentlemen,  or  cadets,  learn  in 
the  military  academies  and  riding  schools, 
such  as  fencing,  dancing,  riding,  the  ma- 
nual exercise,  &c.  The  late  establish- 
ments at  Sandhurst  and  Farnham  are  cal- 
culated to  render  young  officers  perfectly 
competent  to  all  the  duties  of  military 
service,  provided  they  have  been  pre- 
viously instructed  in  the  first  rudiments. 
Officers  are  there  taught  and  exercised 
in  the  higher  branches  of  tactics  and  ma- 
noeuvres. 

To  EXHIBIT,  to  bring  forward;  to 
publish;  to  lay  before  others;  as  to  ex- 
hibit charges  against  an  officer. 


EXHORT-    See  Animate. 

EXHUMER,  Fr.  to  dig  out  of  the 
earth.  This  term  is  chiefly  applicable  to 
the  taking  of  a  dead  body  out  of  the 
earth,  as  Exhumer  un  corps  mort. 

EXPATRIE,  Fr.  a  person  who  has 
been  forced  to  leave  his  native  country. 

EXPATRIER,  Fr.  to  force  one  to 
leave  his  country. 

S'Expatrier,  Fr.  to  quit  one's  coun- 
try voluntarily.  To  become  an  emi- 
grant either  from  fear,  or  for  political 
purposes. 

EXPEDIER,  Fr.  to  dispatch;  to  for- 
ward ;  as  expedier  un  courier,  to  dis- 
patch a  messenger.  Expedier  un  acte, 
to  draw  up  a  deed. 

EXPEDITION,  (expedition,  Fr.)  in  a 
general  sense,  signifies  haste,  speed,  rapi- 
dity. In  a  military  sense,  it  is  chiefly 
used  to  denote  a  voyage  or  march  against 
an  enemy,  the  success  of  which  depends 
on  rapid  and  unexpected  movements.  It 
is  out  of  the  nature  of  the  thing  itself  to 
lay  down  fixed  rules  for  the  minute  con- 
ducting of  small  expeditions;  their  first 
principles  only  can  be  with  certainty 
fixed,  and  men  will  often  disagree  about 
preparations,  and  differ  in  their  conduct, 
though  they  acknowledge  the  same  prin- 
ciples. 

One  of  the  principles  of  many  small 
expeditions  is  surprize;  and  six  battalions, 
without  much  accompaniment,  may 
sometimes  do  that  which  twenty-four, 
and  a  great  fleet,  would  not  succeed  in. 

There  is  no  part  of  war  so  interesting 
to  an  insular  soldier  as  an  expedition  ; 
nor  can  there  be  any  part  more  worthy 
of  attention. 

Expeditions  hitherto  have  had  no 
rules  laid  down  for  their  conduct,  and 
that  part  of  war  has  never  been  reduced 
to  a  system.  The  slow  rules  of  a  great 
war  will  not  do  in  expeditions;  the  blow 
must  be  struck  with  surprize,  and  inti- 
midation be  produced  in  the  invaded 
enemy,  before  succours  can  arrive.  De- 
bate is  out  of  season,  and  all  slow  pro- 
ceedings are  ruin.  Not  to  advance,  is  to 
recede ;  and  not  to  be  on  the  road  to 
conquest,  is  to  be  already  conquered. 
There  must  be  that  glance,  which  sees 
certainly,  though  instantly;  that  rapidity, 
which  executes  on  the  surest  rules,  when 
it  seems  least  to  act  on  any. 

In  all  small  expeditions,  such  as  ex- 
peditions of  surprize,  or  coups-de-main, 
the  favourable  sideof  theproposed  action 
must  ever  be  viewed ;  for  if  what  may 
2E2 


EXP 


(     212     ) 


EXT 


happen,  what  nuty  arrive,  what  may  fall 
out,  is  chiefly  thought  upon,  it  will,  at 
the  very  best,  greatly  discourage,  but,  in 
general,  end  in  total  failure.  Hence  the 
very  name  of  an  expedition  implies  risk, 
hazard,  precarious  warfare,  and  a  critical 
operation. 

An  expedition  is  governed  by  live  prin- 
cipal maxims. 

1st,  A  secrecy,  if  possible,  of  prepa- 
ration, and  a  concealment  of  design,  ckc. 

2dly,  That  the  means  bear  proportion 
to  the  end. 

Sdly,  A  knowledge  of  the  state  and 
situation  of  the  country,  where  the  scene 
of  action  is,  or  the  place,  or  object,  that 
is  to  be  attacked. 

4thly,  A  commander  who  has  the 
particular  turn  of  mind,  which  is  most 
adapted  to  such  particular  sort  of  war- 
fare. 

Lastly,  The  plan  of  an  expedition, 
great  or  small,  is  ever  to  be  arranged  as 
much  as  possible  before  setting  out,  and 
then  any  appearances  that  may  vary  a 
little  from  what  might  have  been  expect- 
ed, will  not  perplex. 

ExPEDiTioN-wmnf_y.     See  Money. 

EXPEDITION,  Fr.  See  Expedi- 
tion. The  French  likewise  use  this  word, 
to  express  any  particular  military  quality 
which  an  officer,  or  soldier,  may  possess. 
As,  cet  officier  est  un  homme  a" 'expedition  ; 
this  officer  is  a  man  of  enterprise,  is 
courageous  and  daring. 

Expeditions,  Fr.  dispatches. 

EXPEDITIONS  AIRE,  Jh  an  officer 
formerly  at  the  Pope's  court,  whose  duty 
was  to  attend  to  the  dispatches.  The 
French  also  use  this  term  as  an  adjective, 
viz.  Arm'ee  expcditioiinuire,  an  army  col- 
lected together  for  an  expedition. 

EXPERIMENTS,  in  a  military  sense, 
are  the  trials,  or  applications,  of  any 
kind  of  military  machines,  in  order  to 
ascertain  their  practical  qualities  and 
uses. 

EXPERT,  Fr.  a  surveyor,  or  person 
skilled  in  the  art  of  building,  who  va- 
lues the  quality  of  materials  belonging 
to  a  work,  and  fixes  their  prices,  when 
no  previous  written  agreement  has  taken 
place  between  the  contracting  parties. 
We  also  use  the  word  expert  in  several 
cases;  as,  an  expert  in  ascertaining  the 
similitude  of  hand-writing,  ckc.  such  as 
i6  employed  at  the  Bank  of  England; 
an  expert  in  deciphering  diplomatic  dis- 
patcfaes;  secret  correspondence,  &c. 


EXPLOIT,  (exploiter.)  See  Achieve- 
ment. 

EXPLOIT  d'assignntion,  Fr.  a  sum- 
mons;  a  subpoena;  such  as  is  served  for 
courts-martial,  &cc. 

To  EXPLODE,  to  burst,  or  blow  up. 

EXPLORATURE,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  a  person  sent  out  to  reconnoitre. 
In  plain  English,  an  authorized  or  rather 
pensioned  spy.  According  to  Mr.  Sheri- 
dan, a  genteel  reporter.  It  was  usual 
among  the  French,  (and  is  probably  so 
at  this  moment,)  to  give  a  certain  rank 
with  adequate  allowances,  to  divers  in- 
genious men,  in  order  to  afford  them  an 
introduction  at  the  several  courts,  for 
the  specific  purpose  of  observing  what 
passed,  <5vc.  The  French  are  great  adept* 
m  this  art. 

EXPLOSION,  the  discharge  of  a  gun,, 
the  blowing  up  of  a  mine,  or  the  burst- 
ing of  a  shell. 

EXPONENT,  in  arithmetic,  or,  ex- 
ponent of  a  power,  the  number  which 
expresses  the  degree  of  the  power;  or- 
which  shews  how  often  a  given  power  is 
to  be  divided  by  its  root,  before  it  be 
brought  down  to  unity. 

E  X  PON  EN  T I A  L,  ( exponent  ief,  Fr.) 
expounding  ;  laying  open  to  view. 

EXPOSAN'T,  Fr.  the  number,  or 
quantity,  which  expresses  the  power  to 
which  a  quantity  is  raised. 

EXPOSE,  Fr.  preamble;  suggestion 
of  a  petition. 

Faux  Expose,  Fr.  a  false  pretence. 

.S'EXPOSER,  Fr,  to  expose  one's-self 
to  the  tire  of  the  enemy,  and  to  all  man- 
ner of  danger. 

EXPOSITION  de  batiment,  Fr.  the 
particular  manner  in  which  a  building  is 
placed  with  respect  to  wind  or  sun;  com- 
monly called  aspect. 

EXPRESS,  a  messenger  sent  with  di- 
rect and  specific  instructions. 

To  send  by  Expkess,  to  send  any  thing, 
by  extraordinary  conveyance. 

To  Express,  (exprimer,  Fr.)  to  shew, 
or  make  known  in  any  manner.  As  to 
express  by  numbers,  or  figures. 

EXPRESSION,  a  technical  term  used 
in  mathematics,  signifying  the  solution, 
or  manifestation,  of  any  rule,  &c. 

EXPUGN,  )  the   taking  any 

EXPUGNATION,  J  place  by  assault. 

EXPUNCTUS,  a  Roman  soldier  who 
had  been  discharged,  or  degraded,  and 
consequently  struck  off  the  muster-roll. 

EXTEND.  Whenthenlesofaline.or1 


EXT 


(    213     > 


EXT 


the  divisions  of  a  column  are  to  occupy 
a  greater  space  of  ground,  they  are  said 
to  extend  their  front,  or  line.  Ex- 
tended order  is  applicable  to  the  light 
infantry. 

EXTENT,  execution  ;  seizure.  Hence 
to  issue  an  extent.  Officers,  civil  and 
military,  who  are  public  accountants, 
should  never  lose  sight  of  the  formi- 
dable powers  with  which  government  is 
invested.  An  extent  goes  to  every  spe- 
cies of  property,  and  has  precedence  of 
ail  other  claims.  It  visits,  in  fact,  not 
only  the  accountant  himself,  but  his  heirs 
and  executors,  and  all  succeeding  genera- 
tions, until  the  quietus  be  obtained.  See 
Accountant. 

Extent  in  aid,  a  seizure  made  by 
the  crown  when  a  public  accountant  be- 
comes a  defaulter,  and  prays  for  relief 
against  his  debtors. 

To  EXTENUATE,  (extenuer,  Fr.)  to 
lessen;  to  degrade;  to  diminish  in  ho- 
nour.    Also  to  palliate. 

EXTENUATION,  (extenuation,  Fr.) 
the  act  of  representing  things  less  ill 
than  they  are.  Thus,  partial  excesses,  or 
crimes,  in  a  disturbed  country,  may  admit 
of  extenuation,  but  not  of  vindication. 

EXTERMINATION,  Fr.  a  term 
used  in  transcendant  geometry,  signify- 
ing the  art  of  extinguishing  in  an  equa- 
tion an  unknown  quantity. 

EXTORTION,  the  act  of  obtaining 
money  or  property  by  violence,  or  unjust 
means;  taking  advantage  of  the  igno- 
rance, or  peculiar  circumstances,  of  a 
purchaser,  to  demand  more  than  a  fair 
price  for  an  article.  All  sutlers,  or  camp 
followers,  who  are  guilty  of  extortion 
in  the  sale  of  necessaries,  are  punish- 
able by  a  general,  or  regimental,  court- 
martial. 

EXTRACTION  of  the  root  (extrac- 
tion de  racine,  Fr.)  the  art  of  finding  the 
root  of  any  number,  or  quantity,  what- 
soever. 

EXTRADOS,  Fr.  the  exterior  surface 
of  a  regular  arch. 

EXTRADOSSE,  Fr.  an  arch  is  said 
to  be  so,  when  the  exterior  surface  is 
smooth,  and  the  ends  of  the  stones  are 
cut  even,  so  that  the  outside  finishing  is 
as  smooth  as  the  inside. 

EXTRAORDINAIRE  des  guerres, 
Fr.  a  fund  which  is  collected  for  the  ex- 
traordinary expenses  of  a  war. 

Trisorier  de  /'Extraordinaire,  Fr. 
the  paymaster-general  of  an  army. 


Procedure  Extraordinaire,  Fr.  err- 
minal  process. 

Proceder  EXTRAORDINAIRE- 
MENT,  Fr.  to  prosecute  criminally. 

EXTRAORDINAR1ES  of  the  army. 
The  allowances  to  the  troops  beyond  the 
gross  pay  in  the  pay-office  come  under 
the  head  of  extraordinaries  to  the  army  ; 
such  as  the  expenses  for  barracks,  mar- 
ches, encampments,  stalf,  &c. 

EXTRAORDINARI1,  among  the 
Romans,  were  a  body  of  men  consisting 
of  a  third  part  of  the  foreign  horse,  and 
a  fifth  of  the  foot,  which  body  was  se- 
parated from  the  rest  of  the  forces  bor- 
rowed from  the  confederate  states,  with 
great  caution  and  policy,  to  prevent  any 
design  that  they  might  possibly  enter- 
tain against  the  natural  forces.  A  more 
choice  body  of  men  was  drawn  from 
amongst  the  extraordinarily  under  the 
name  of  ablecti.     See  Ablectt. 

EXTRAORDINARY,  something  out 
of  the  common  course. 

Extraordinary  couriers,  persons  sent 
with  some  information  or  order  of  great 
importance. 

Extraordinary  guards,  guards  out 
of  the  common  routine  of  duty.  They 
are  frequently  given  as  a  punishment 
for  military  offences. 

EXTREME -UNCTION,  (extreme 
onction,  Fr.)  the  holy  oils  which  are  ap- 
plied to  the  five  senses  of  persons  dying 
according  to  the  forms  of  the  Roman  Ca- 
tholic religion.  The  chaplains  of  foreign 
corps  attend  dying  officers  and  soldiers 
for  this  purpose. 

EXTREMES,  (extremes,  Fr.)  in  geo- 
metry, is  when  a  line  is  divided  so,  that 
the  whole  line  is  to  the  greater  segment, 
as  that  segment  is  to  the  less.  It  is  de- 
monstrated that  in  every  proportion,  the 
product  of  the  extremes  is  equal  to  the 
product  of  the  mean. 

Conjoint  Extremes,  (extremes  con- 
joints, Fr.)  in  a  spherical  rectangled  tri- 
angle, two  circular  portions  which  touch 
each  other,  or  which  immediately  follow 
the  mean. 

Disjunctive  Extremes,  (extremes  dis- 
joints, Fr.)two  circular  portions  or  parts, 
which,  on  the  contrary,  are  distant  from 
that  taken  as  the  mean. 

EXTREMITY, (extremit'e,  Fr.)  strait; 
utmost  distress.  When  a  besieged  town 
is  entirely  destitute  of  provisions  and  of 
means  of  defence,  it  is  said  to  be  reduced 
to  the  last  extremity. 


F  A  C  (  214 

EYES  center  !  a  word  of  command 
given  when  die  battalion  is  advancing  in 


) 


f  A  C 


line, denoting,  that  the  men  are  to  look 
to  the  center,  in  which  the  colours  are 
placed,  and  dress  t>y  them. 

Eyes  right  !  }  Words  of  command  de- 

EYEs/e/'r/    S    noting    the    flank    to 

which  the  soldier  is  to  dress.    In  casting 

his  eyes  to  either  flank,  care  must   he 


taken  that  the  shoulders  are  kept  square 
to  the  front. 

T^yes front !  a  word  of  command  given 
after  the  dressing  in  line  is  completed, 
on  which  the  soldier  is  to  look  directly 
forward,  which  is  the  habitual  position 
of  the  soldier. 

Ey E-bolts.     See  Bolts. 


T^A  BRICK,  the  structure,  orconstruc- 
•*-  tion,  of  any  thing,  particularly  a 
building,  as  a  house,  hall,  church,  &c. 
This  word  is  also  applied  to  imaginary 
things,  as  the  fabrick  of  a  constitution, 
Ac. 

FACADE,  in  military  fortification. 
See  Face. 

FACE,  in  fortification,  is  an  appella- 
tion given  to  several  parts  of  a  fortress; 
as  the 

Face  of  a  bastion,  the  two  sides,  reach- 
ing from  the  flanks  to  the  salient  angle. 
These  in  a  siege  are  commonly  the  first 
undermined,  because  they  extend  most 
outwards,  and  are  the  least  flanked  ;  con- 
sequently the  weakest. 

Face  prolonged,  )  that  part  of  the  line 

Face  extended,  $  of  defence  razanr, 
which  is  terminated  by  the  curtain  and 
the  angle  of  the  shoulder.  Strictly 
taken,  it  is  the  line  of  defence  razant, 
diminished  by  the  face  of  the  bastion. 

Face  of  a  place,  (face  d'  utie  place,  ou 
dtun  ouvrage,  Fr.)  is  the  front  compre- 
hended between  the  flanked  angles  or  the 
two  neighbouring  bastions,  composed  of 
a  curtain,  two  flanks,  and  two  faces;  and 
is  sometimes  called  the  tcnaille  of  the. 
place. 

Face  of  a  gun  is  the  superficies  of  the 
metal  at  the  extremities  of  the  muzzle 
of  the  piece. 

Face!  (to  the  right,  left,  4'C.)a  word 
of  command  ou  Which  the  soldiers  indi- 
vidually turn  to  the  side  directed ;  in 
performing  which,  the  left  heel  should 
never  quit  the  ground,  the  knees  must 
be  kept  straight,  and  the  body  turned 
smoothly  and  gracefully. 

To  the  right,  Face  !  2  motions. — 1st. 
Place  the  hollow  of  the  right  foot  smart- 
ly against  the  left  heel ;  2d.  Raise  the 


toes,  and  turn  a  quarter  of  the  circle  to 
the  light  on  both  heels. 

To  the  right  about,  Face  !  3  motions, 
—  1st,  Place  the  ball  of  the  right  toe 
against  the  left  heel;  3d,  Raise  the  toes 
and  turn  half  of  a  circle  to  the  right 
about  on  both  heels;  3d,  Bring  the  right 
foot  smartly  back  in  a  line  with  the  left. 

To  the  left,  Face  !  2  motions. — 1st, 
Place  the  right  heel  against  the  hollow 
of  the  left  foot;  2r),  Turn  a  quarter  of 
the  circle  to  the  left  on  both  heels. 

To  the  left  about,  Face  !  3  motions. — 
1st.  Place  the  right  heel  against  the  ball 
of  the  left  foot;  2d,  Raise  the  toes  and 
turn  half  of  a  circle  to  the  left  about 
on  both  heels;  3d,  Bring  up  the  right 
foot  smartly  in  a  line  with  the  left. 

Great  precision  must  be  observed  in 
these  facings ;  otherwise  the  dressing 
will  be  lost  in  every  movement. 

Face  to  face,  (face  en  face,  Fr.)  when 
both  parties  are  present. 

To  Face  the  enemy,  to  meet  him  in 
front;  to  oppose  him  with  confidence. 

In  Face  of  the  enemy,  (en  face  de 
U ennemi,  Fr.)  within  the  limits  of  his 
offensive  operations,  under  his  line  of  fire. 

Faces  of  a  square.  The  different  sides 
of  a  battalion,  ike.  when  formed  into  a 
square,  are  all  denominated  faces,  viz. 
the  front  face,  the  right  face,  the  left 
face,  and  the  rear  face.     See  Square. 

Face  du  bataitlon,  Fr.  See  Front 
d'  une  armic. 

Face,  ou  pan  de  bastion,  Fr.  See 
Face  of  a  bastion. 

FACINGS  are  the  different  move- 
ments of  a  battalion,  or  of  any  other 
body  of  men,  to  the  right,  to  the  left,  or 
right  and  left  about.  All  facings  must 
be  executed  with  a  straight  knee:  and 
the  body  must  be  kept  firm,  and  turn 


FAG 


(     215     ) 


F  A  I 


steadily,  without  dropping  forward  or 
jerking.  The  plant  of  the  foot,  after 
facing  about,  must  be  sharp. 

Facings  likewise  signify  the  lappels, 
cuffs,  and  collar  of  a  military  uniform, 
and  are  generally  different  from  the  co- 
lour of  the  coat,  or  jacket. 

FACT,  (fa't,  Fr.)  a  thing  done;  an 
effect  produced  :  reality,  not  supposition; 
action  ;  deed.  The  French  use  the  word 
fait  variously,  viz.  tout  a  fait,  entirely, 
wholly;  fait  a  fait,  in  proportion,  or 
according  to  given  dimensions;  de  fait, 
in  reality;  au  fait,  to  the  point. 

Guerre  FACTICE,  Fr.  an  imaginary 
contest. 

Batuille  Factice,  Fr.  a  sham  fight. 
It  is  also  called  guerre  simulee,  guerre  de 
conveuance. 

FACTION,  Fr.  the  duty  done  by  a 
private  soldier  when  he  patroles,  goes 
the  rounds,  &c.  but  most  especially 
when  he  stands  sentry.  The  French 
usually  say,  entrer  en  faction,  to  come 
upon  duty  ;  Ure  en  faction,  to  be  upon 
duty:  sortir  de  faction,  to  come  off 
duty. 

FACTIONNAIRE,  Fr.  Soldat  fac- 
tionnaire,  a  soldier  that  does  every  spe- 
cies of  detail  duty. 

The  term  fuctionnaire  was  likewise 
applicable  to  the  duty  done  by  officers, 
in  the  old  French  service.  Premier  fuc- 
tionnaire du  regiment  implied,  that  the 
officer  so  called  was  the  fourth  captain 
of  a  battalion;  as  the  colonel,  lieutenant- 
colonel,  major,  and  the  captain  of  gre- 
nadiers did  not  mount  the  ordinary 
guards. 

FAGOTS,  in  military  history,  are 
men  hired  to  muster  by  officers  whose 
companies  are  not  complete;  by  which 
means  they  cheat  the  sovereign  of  so 
many  men's  pay,  and  deprive  the  coun- 
try of  its  regular  establishment.  See 
False  return. 

Fagots.  See  Fascines. 
FAG  OT  ardent, Fr.  a  species  of  fasci ne 
which  is  made  of  dry  sticks  steeped  in 
pitch.  The  fagot  ardent,  or  burning 
fascine,  is  used  in  the  defence  of  forti- 
fied places,  and  serves  to  annoy  the  be- 
siegers. 

Fagots  de  sappc,  Fr.  fascines  instead 
of  bags  to  fill  up  the  spaces  between  Uie 
gabions;  they  are  at  most  three  feet 
long  and  eighteen  inches  in  diameter. 

Fagots  goudronncs,  Fr.  pitched  sticks 
of  wood,  or  branches,  tied  together, 
which  are  first  set  on  fire,   and  then 


thrown  into  the  ditches  in  order  to  sec 
what  is  going  on. 

FAILLON,  a  kind  of  standard  which 
was  formerly  made  use  of  in  the  army 
for  assembling  the  baggage.  An  old 
author  observes:  "Every  regiment  ought 
to  have  one  of  its  colour,  which  conducts 
the  baggage  to  the  failton  general."  We 
presume  the  camp  colours  have  been 
adopted  in  its  stead. 

FAILURE,  (irrcussite,  Fr.)  an  unsuc- 
cessful attempt;  as  the  failure  of  an  ex- 
pedition. 

Cardinal  de  Retz  maintained  as  a 
maxim,  that  every  man  ought  to  con- 
trive his  projects  and  undertakings  so  as 
to  derive  some  advantage,  even  from 
their  failure. 

FAIRE,  Fr.  literally  to  make;  to  do; 
to  frame;  to  fit.  This  word  is  used  by 
the  French  in  a  variety  of  significations. 
We  shall  briefly  state  those  that  may  be 
applicable  to  military  intercourse. 

Fa i  re  son  cours,  Fr.  to  finish  one's 
course. 

Faire  parr,  Fr.  to  communicate;  to 
make  known. 

Fa i re  des  homines,  Fr.  to  raise  men 
for  military  service. 

Fa i  re  un  regiment,  Fr.  to  raise  a  re- 
giment. 

Faire  des  recrues,   Fr.   to   raise   re- 
cruits; we  sometimes  say  to  make  recruits. 
Fa i re  de  beaux  homines,  Fr.  to  raise  a 
fine  body  of  men. 

Faire  son  equipage,¥r.  to  equip  one's- 
self. 

Faire  tite  h  quelqu'un,  Fr.  to  make 
head  against  a  person;  to  oppose  him 
with  firmness. 

Faire  gloire,  Fr.  to  glory  in  any  thing. 
Faire  honneur,  Fr.  to  do  honour  to 
any  body,  or  thing.  In  the  latter  sense  it 
signifies  to  act  up  to  one's  engagements, 
especially  in  pecuniary  matters;  as  faire 
honneur  a  sa  traite,  to  discharge  one's 
note  of  hand,  or  bill. 

Faire  unc  grace,  Fr.  to  do  a  favour, 
or  kindness. 

Faire  accueil,Vv.  to  receive  politely. 
Faire  des  reprimandes,  Fr.   to  repri- 
mand. 

Faire  parade,  Fr.  to  parade. 
Faire  la  loi,  Fr.   to  give  the  law;  to 
act  with  one's  own  will. 

Faire  quartier,  Fr.  to  give  quarters. 
Faire  diligence,  Fr.  to  act  with  dis- 
patch. 

Faire  beaucoup  de  chemin,  Fr.  to  go 
a  great  way ;  to  get  on  at  a  great  rate. 


FA  I 


(     '-'16     ) 


F  A  L 


Fa i re  aiguade,  Fr.  to  take  in  fresh 
water.  Applied  only  in  tbe  Mediter- 
ranean. 

Faire  une faille  militaircment,  Fr.  to 
act  contrary  to  a  tine  military  system. 

Faire  semblimt  de  sc  battrc,  Fr.  to 
be  engaged  in  sham  fighting;  to  pretend 
to  go  to  blows. 

Faire  la  quaruntaine,  Fr.  to  perform 
quarantine. 

Faire  le  c/iicn  couchant  a  son  colonel, 
Fr.  to  cringe,  in  an  unmanly  way,  to 
one's  colonel. 

TxiRtJicche  de  tout  bois,  Fr.  to  make 
any  shift;  to  live,  as  soldiers  frequently 
must,  upon  any  thing. 

Faire  F office,  Fr.  to  perform  divine 
service. 

Faire  unechose,  tambour  battant,  Fr. 
to  art  openly. 

Faire  la  garde,  Fr.  to  be  upon  guard. 

Faire  son  coup,  Fr.  to  succeed  in  an 
undertaking. 

Faire  le  fendant,  Fr.  to  bully;  to 
hector. 

Faire  le  fin,  Fr.  to  act  cunningly. 

Faire  le  mulude,  Fr.   to  sham  illness. 

Faire  des  amies,  Fr.  to  fence. 

Faire  un  metier,  Fr.  to  carry  on  a 
trade.  The  French  say,  faire  le  metier 
des  armes,  to  belong  to  the  army.  We 
call  metier,  in  this  sense,  profession,  as 
the  profession  of  arms.  Perhaps  the 
French  may  be  more  correct ;  for  al- 
though the  real  knowledge  of  this  pro- 
fession embraces  a  great  deal  of  learn- 
ing, it  is  nevertheless  more  mechanical 
than  physic,  divinity,  or  law.  It  com- 
prehends, in  fact,  like  surgery,  the  exer- 
cise of  the  hand,  as  well  as  that  of  the 
mind.     See  Metier. 

Faire  mine  de,  Fr.  to  feign;  to  affect 
to  do  something. 

V  aire  fonds  sur,  Fr.  to  depend  upon. 

Faire  des  vivres,  de  Ceau  el  du  bois, 
Fr.  to  take  in  fresh  provisions,  water, 
and  wood. 

Fairl  main  basse,  Fr.  to  fall  upon 
with  violence. 

Fure  sentinelle,  Fr.   to  stand  sentry. 

Faire  feu,  Fr.  to  lire. 

FaIEE  raison,  Fr.  to  give  satisfaction. 

Faire  cent  mil les  par  jour,  Fr.  to  go 
*>ne  hundred  miles  every  clay. 

Faire foi  et  hommage,  Fr.  to  do  fealty. 

Fa  ike  caremr,  Fr.  to  keep  Jjcnt. 

FAinr  fortune,  Fr.  to  make  one's  for- 
tnne. 

Se  Faire  un  devoir,  Fr.  to  make  a 
point ;  to  jnsist  upon; 


S'en  Faire  un  devoir,  Fr.  to  make  a 
point  that  something  specific  shall  be 
done. 

Se  Faire  un  Hat,  Fr.  to  embrace,  to 
chnse  any  particular  line  of  life. 

.Se  Faire  soldat,  Fr.  to  become  a  sol- 
dier ;  to  enlist. 

Se  Faire  valoir,  Fr.     See  Vaeoir. 

Fai  re  ses  etudes,  Fr.  to  be  educated ;  to 
he  taught  the  first  rudiments  of  learning. 

Faire,  Fr.  to  spread  a  report;  to 
publish.  On  fait  monter  la  pcrte  des  cn- 
nemis  a  taut ;  they  make  the  loss  of  the 
enemy  amount  to  so  many. 

Faire  grand  bruit,  Fr.  to  make  a 
great  noise;  excite  much  conversation, 
&c.  La  convention  en  Portugal,  en 
180S,  a  fait  un  grand  bruit,  the  conven- 
tion in  Portugal,  in  1808,  made  a  great 
noise. 

Faire.  faux  feu,  Fr.  to  miss  fire;  to 
flash  in  the  pan. 

Faire  la  ronde,  Fr.  to  go  the  rounds. 

FAISCEAU  cTarmes,  Fr.  a  pile  of 
arms;  a  sort  of  wooden  rack,  or  machine, 
which  is  used  for  the  different  stands  of 
arms  belonging  to  a  troop,  or  company. 
The  stakes  which  support  the  colours 
are  also  called  faisceaux. 

FAISEURS  de  plans,  Fr.  plan-ma- 
kers; schemers;  speculators.  It  also 
signifies  persons  who  are  continually 
harassing  ministers  and  official  persons 
with  plans  of  campaigns  and  civil  insur- 
rections, txc. 

Au  fait  et  au  prendre,  Fr.  a  figura- 
tive expression,  signifying  the  being  puts 
to  the  proof. 

FAITAGE,  Fr.  the  covering  of  a 
building;  roof-timber;  ridge-lead. 

FAITE,  Fr.  top;  rid^e  ;  pinnacle. 

FA IT1ERE,  Fr.  a  gutter  tile. 

FA  ITS  guerriers,  Fr.  warlike  dced-s; 
feats  of  personal  valour  and  discretion. 

FALACQUE,  a  bastinade  given  to 
the  janizaries  and  other  Turkish  soldiers 
on  the  sole  of  the  foot. 

FALAISE,  Fr.  any  part  of  the  sea- 
coast  is  so  called  by  the  French,  when 
it  is  extremely  steep,  and  broken  into 
precipices. 

FALA1SER,  Fr.  to  break  upon.  La 
mcr  falaise,  the  sea  breaks  upon  the  shore. 

FA  LAPSES,  Fr.  those  borders  of  the 
sea  which  are  formed  of  high  steep  rocks, 
mountains,  or  sand-hills. 

FALCADE,  a  term  in  the  manege. 
A  horse  is  said  to  make  falcades  when  he 
throws  himself  upon  his  haunches  two 
or  three  times,  as  in  very  quick  cur*ets. 


F  A  L 


(     217     ) 


F  A  L 


FALCHION,  a  short  crooked  sword. 

FALCON,  or  Faucon,  an  ancient 
name  given  to  a  piece  of  ordnance.  See 
Cannon. 

FALCONET,  an  ancient  name  given 
to  a  If  pounder.     See  Cannon. 

FALDSTOOL,  a  kind  of  stool  placed 
at  the  south  side  of  the  altar  at  which 
the  kings  of  England  kneel  at  their  co- 
ronation. 

FALERIQUE,  Fr.  a  kind  of  dare 
composed  of  tire-works,  which  the  an- 
cients shot  against  the  towers  of  the 
besieged,  in  order  to  set  thein  on  fire; 
the  real  faleriquc,  however,  was  a  beam 
loaded  with  fire-work,  contained  within 
iron,  pointed  on  all  sides,  and  which 
was  thrown  against  the  towers  of  the 
enemy,  by  means  of  the  catapult  a  or 
balista. 

FALL,  (chute,  Fr.)  death  ;  destruc- 
tion. A  brave  man  always  feels  for  the 
fall  of  a  great  man;  even  if  he  had  been 
his  enemy. 

Fall,  the  fall  of  a  place  after  it  has 
been  besieged.     See  Surrender. 

To  Fall.  A  town,  or  fortified  place,  is 
said  to  fall  when  it  is  so  completely  in- 
vested, that  the  garrison  can  no  longer 
be  subsisted,  and  must  surrender. 

To  Fall  back,  to  recede  from  any 
situation  in  which  you  are  placed.  This 
phrase  is  frequently,  mdeed  always, 
made  use  of  in  the  drill,  or  exercise  of 
soldiers;  particularly  during  the  forma- 
tion of  a  line,  when  individuals,  or  whole 
divisions,  are  apt  to  overstep  their 
ground  aud  get  beyond  their  dressing 
point. 

Fall  in!  a  word  of  command  for 
men  to  form  in  ranks,  as  in  parade,  line, 
or  division,  &c. 

'.  Wo  fall  in  likewise  means  the  minute 
arrangement  of  a  battalion,  company, 
guard  or  squad,  by  which  every  man  is 
ordered  to  take  his  proper  post.  The 
long  roll,  a  peculiar  beat  of  the  drum,  is 
the  usual  signal  for  soldiers  to  assemble 
and  fall  in. 

To  Fall  into,  to  become  the  property 
of  another,  as,  we  fell  in  with  a  large 
convoy  of  the  enemy,  which,  after  a 
short  resistance  made  by  the  escort,  fell 
into  our  hands. 

To  Fall  into,  to  be  within  the  power 
of  a  person;  as  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
an  enemy.  The  French  use  the  verb 
toniber  in  the  same  sense,  viz.  tomber 
entre  tea  mains  de  Vennemi.  It  also  sig- 
nifies to  get  into  a  dangerous  situation, 


as  to  fall  into  an  ambush  laid  by  the 
enemy. 

'To  Fall  in  with,  a  military  technical 
phrase,  signifying  any  sudden  or  un- 
Iooked  for  rencounter  of  an  enemy.  As, 
our  light  cavalry  pat  roles fell  in  zoith  a 
party  of  foragers  belonging  to  the  ene- 
my's army. 

'To  Fall  off]  to  desert;  to  fail;  to  re- 
lax in  exertion. 

To  Fa  el  out,  to  quit  the  rank,  or  file, 
in  which  you  were  first  posted.  Dirty 
soldiers  on  a  parade  are  frequently  or- 
dered to  fall  out,  and  remain  in  the  rear 
of  their  companies.  The  phrase  is  ap- 
plicable in  a  variety  of  other  instances. 

To  Fall  vpon,  to  attack  abruptly. 
According  to  the  celebrated  General 
.Monk,  it  is  very  fit,  that  a  general  should 
often  command  his  horse  and  dragoons 
to  fall  upon,  an  enemy's  outermost  horse 
quarters ;  which  mode,  he  says,  is  one 
of  the  easiest,  readiest,  and  securest 
wavs  to  break  an  enemy's  army. 

FA  LOTS,  Fr.  small  lanterns  fixed 
upon  the  end  of  a  stick  or  pole.  Small 
lamps  are  likewise  used,  attached  in  the 
same  manner,  for  the  purpose  of  carry- 
ing them  readily  about  to  light  a  camp, 
or  besieged  town,  as  occasion  may  re- 
quire. 

FALSE  alarm,  ffausse  ularme,  Fr.)  an 
alarm,  or  apprehension,  which  is  either 
designedly  or  unintentionally  created  by 
noise,  report,  or  signals,  without  being 
dangerous. 

False  attach,  (fausse  attaque,  Fr.)  an 
approach  which  is  made  as  a  feint  for 
the  purpose  of  diverting  your  enemy 
from  the  real  object  of  attack. 

False  fires,  any  fire,  or  light,  which  is 
made  use  of  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving 
an  enemy.  False  fires,  or  lights,  are  fre- 
quently resorted  to  when  an  army  finds 
it  necessary  to  retreat  from  an  advanced 
position.  On  this  occasion,  large  fires 
are  lighted  in  different  parts  of  the  camp, 
and  round  the  lines,  previous  to  the  de- 
parture of  the  troops,  which  generally 
happens  in  the  night. 

False  intelligence.  This  consists  prin- 
cioally  of  statements  which  are  not 
founded  in  facts,  or  deduced  from  a 
positive  concurrence  of  circumstances, 
whereby  the  general  of  an  army  may  be 
enabled  to  act  against  an  enemy  with 
confidence;  or  in  erroneous  communica- 
tions given,  by  design,  through  the  me- 
dium of  a  spy,  or  foolishly  furnished  by 
over-heated  zeal  and  credulity. 

2  F 


F  A  N 


(     218     ) 


FAR 


False  lights,  in  debarkations  under 
cover  of  the  night,  may  likewise  he  used 
as  signals  of  deception,  when  it  is  found 
expedient  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
invaded  country  towards  one  part  ol  the 
coast,  or  territory,  whilst  a  real  attack  is 
meditated  against  another. 

Fai.sk  muster,  an  incorrect  statement 
of  the  effective  number  of  men,  or  hoists, 
by  which  government  is  defrauded.  By 
the  Articles  of  War  every  officer,  pay- 
master, or  commissary,  found  guilty 
of  false  mustering,  is  ordered  to  be 
cashiered. 

Fai.se  report.  A  false  report  in  mili- 
tary matters  may  be  truly  said  to  be 
the  groundwork  of  a  false  return  and 
a  false  muster,  and  consequently  the 
primary  cause  of  imposition  upon  the 
public.  The  strictest  attention  should, 
therefore,  be  paid  to  the  most  trilling 
report  which  is  made  in  a  troop  or  com- 
pany respecting  the  presence  or  absence 
of  men  or  horses,  the  slate  of  clothing, 
accoutrements  or  necessaries.  This  can 
onlv  he  done  by  the  commanding  officer 
of  such  troop  or  company  having  con- 
stantly the  general  good  ol  the  service 
at  heart,  in  preference  to  his  own  con- 
renience,  or  to  that  of  others.  Every 
Serjeant  or  corporal  of  a  squad  should 
be  severely  punished  when  detected  in 
making  a  false  report. 

False  return,  a  wilful  report  ;of  the 
actual  state  of  a  brigade,  regiment,  troop, 
or  company,  by  which  the  commander 
in  chief,  or  the  War-office,  is  deceived,  as 
to  the  effective  force  of  such  regiment, 
troop,  or  company. 

FAMINE,  (famine,  Fr.)  scarcity  of 
food ;  dearth.  The  French  say,  prendre 
une  ville  par  famine,  to  take  a  town  by 
famine.  They  also  say  figuratively, 
prendre  quelqu'un  par  famine,  to  take  a 
person  by  famine;  meaning  thereby,  to 
deprive  him  of  the  necessaries  or  grati- 
fications of  life,  in  order  to  reduce  him 
to  a  prescribed  line  of  conduct. 

FAMOUS,  (fameux,  Fr.)  renowned; 
celebrated. 

FANAL,  Fr.  a  ship's  lantern  ;  a  light- 
bouse;  any  thing  illuminated  along  the 
coast  for  the  use  of  ships  at  sea. 

FANAM,  a  small  Indian  coin. 

FANAUX,  Fr.  lights  at  the  top  of  a 
high  tower,  at  the  entrance  of  a  sea- 
port. The  appellation  of  fcu.v  is  given 
to  those  that  light  a  camp  in  certain 
cases;  either  to  deceive  the  enemy,  or 
to  discover  his  movements  by  night. 


FANFARE,  Fr.  a  particular  military 
tune.  It  in  general  is  short,  but  very 
expressive,  and  executed  on  the  trumpet. 

FANFARON,  Fr.  a  bully;  a  man 
who  affects  a  courage  he  is  not  possessed 
of,  and  who  is  inwardly  conscious  of 
being  a  coward. 

FANFARONNADE,    )  Fr.  the  act 

F  A  NF  A  RON  N  ERIE,  >  of  bullying. 

FAN  ION,  Fr.  corrupted  from  the 
Italian  word  gonfarwtu,  a  particular 
standard  which  was  carried  in  the  front 
of  the  ordinary  baggage  belonging  to  a 
brigade  in  the  old  French  service.  It 
was  made  of  serge,  and  resembled  in 
colour  the  uniform,  or  livery,  of  the  bri- 
gadier, or  of  the  commandant  of  any 
particular  corps. 

FANON,  Fr.  the  diminutive  of  gon- 
fanone.  A  banner  of  less  width  than 
that  worn  by  a  baron.  Also  a  horse's 
fetlock. 

FANONS,  Fr.  the  dressings  of  broken 
limbs. 

FANTASSIN,  Fr,  a  foot  soldier. 
The  word  is  derived  from  the  Italian 
finite.     See  Infantry. 

FARA1LLON,  Fr.  alight-house. 

FARCY,  (farcin,  Fr.)  a  disease  in 
horses;  a  leprosy. 

FA  RIAL,  Fr.  a  light-house,  also  a 
watch  light. 

FARINE,  Fr.  meal;  flour. 

Folle  Fauine,  Fr.  mill  dust. 

FARINIERE,  Fr.  meal  or  flour  ware- 
house." 

FAROUCHE,  Fr.  stern;wild;  savage- 
looking. 

FARRIER,  in  a  general  acceptation 
of  the  term,  any  person  who  shoes 
horses,  or  professes  to  cure  their  diseases. 
In  a  practical  military  sense,  a  man  ap- 
pointed to  do  the  duty  of  farriery  in  a 
troop  of  dragoons.  Troop  farriers  are 
under  the  immediate  superintendance 
and  controul  of  a  veterinary  surgeon,  to 
whom  they  must  apply  whenever  a  horse 
is  ill  or  lame,  that  he  may  report  the 
same  to  the  officer  commanding  the 
troop.  No  farrier  is  to  presume  to  do 
any  thing  without  having  first  received 
directions  from  his  superior. 

When  the  farrier  goes  round,  after 
riding  out,  or  exercise  on  horseback,  he 
must  carry  his  hammer,  pincers,  and 
some  nails,  to  fasten  any  shoe  that  may 
be  loose. 

When. horses  at  out-quarters  fall  par- 
ticularly ill,  or  contract  an  obstinate 
lameness,  the  case  must  be  reported  to 


FAR 


(     219     ) 


F  A  U 


the  head-quarters  of  the  regiment ;  and 
if  the  veterinary  surgeon  cannot  pre- 
scribe for  him  at  a  distance,  he  must,  if 
time  and  distance  will  permit,  be  per- 
sonally sent  to  examine  the  horse. 

No  farrier  must  presume  to  make  up 
any  medicine,  or  any  external  application, 
contrary  to  the  receipt  given  him  by  the 
veterinary  surgeon. 

If  any  farrier,  through  carelessness  or 
inattention,  lames  a  horse  belonging  to 
another  troop,  he  ought  to  be  at  all  the 
expense  in  curing  the  horse  so  lamed. 
In  some  well-regulated  dragoon  corps 
this  forms  one  of  the  standing  regimental 
orders. 

Farriers  are  in  every  respect  liable  to 
be  tried  according  to  the  Articles  of  War. 
They  may  be  ordered  to  inflict  punish- 
ments; and  they  must  constantly  recol- 
lect, that  the  circumstance  of  being  a 
farrier  is  no  extenuation  for  dirty  ap- 
pearance, or  excuse  for  drunkenness. 
The  guilt  of  the  latter  vice,  indeed,  is 
aggravated  by  the  responsibility  of  their 
situation. 

Farrier- Mo/or,  a  person  who  was 
formerly  appointed  by  the  colonel  of  a 
dragoon  regiment,  to  superintend  the 
farriers  of  troops,  who  are  named  by  the 
several  officers  commanding  them.  He 
has  since  been  superseded  or  replaced 
by  a  veterinary  surgeon,  who  (as  the 
farrier-major  was  formerly  directed)  is 
to  have  free  access  to  every  stable  of  the 
regiment  whenever  he  chuses.  It  is  his 
duty  to  go  frequently  into  the  canton- 
ments of  the  different  troops,  and  exa- 
mine the  horses'  feet;  and  if  he  find  a 
shoe  contrary  to  the  regimental  pattern, 
or  discover  any  thing  amiss  in  the  ma- 
nagement of  the  troop  horses,  he  is  to 
report  it  immediately  to  the  officer  com- 
manding the  regiment.  In  the  exercise 
of  his  duty  he  is  to  receive  the  utmost 
support  from  every  officer  and  quarter- 
master; and  any  farrier  that  dares  to 
act  contrary  to  his  instructions,  should 
be  punished.  There  ought,  in  fact,  to 
be  a  chain  of  mutual  support  and  co- 
operation from  the  veterinary  surgeon 
up  to  the  commanding  officer  of  every 
cavalry  regiment;  each  farrier  looking 
to  the  veterinary  surgeon  for  correct  in- 
structions relative  to  the  preservation  of 
every  horse's  health 


horse,  are  exercised  by  the  veterinary 
surgeon. 

FARRIERY,  formerly  the  practice 
of  physic,  or  surgery,  on  horses ;  but  the 
term  is  now  applied  to  shoeing,  &c.  the 
scientific  branch  being  called  veterinary 
art. 

FA RS ANNE,  Fr.  horseman;  knight. 

FASCINAGE,  Fr.  any  bed,  or  floor, 
which  is  made  of  fascines. 

FASCINES,  in  fortification,  are  a 
kind  of  fagots,  made  of  small  branches 
of  trees  or  brushwood,  tied  in  3,  4,  5, 
or  6  places,  and  are  of  various  dimen- 
sions, according  to  the  purposes  intended. 
Those  that  are  to  be  pitched  over,  for 
burning  lodgements,  galleries,  or  any 
other  works  of  the  enemy,  should  be  1 -t 
or  two  feet  long.  Those  that  are  for 
making  epaulements  or  chandeliers,  or 
for  raising  works,  or  filling  up  ditches, 
are  10  feet  long,  and  1  or  1|  feet  in 
diameter.  They  are  made  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner;  6  small  pickets  are  stuck 
into  the  ground,  2  and  2,  forming  little 
crosses,  well  fastened  in  the  middle  with 
willow  bindings.  On  these  trestles  the 
branches  are  laid,  and  are  bound  round 
with  withes  at  the  distance  of  every  two 
feet.  Six  men  are  employed  in  making 
a  fascine:  2  cut  the  beughs,  2  gather 
them,  and  the  remaining  2  bind  them. 
These  six  men  can  make  12  fascines 
every  hour.  Each  fascine  requires  five 
pickets  to  fasten  it. 

FASTES,  Fr.  records;  calendars; 
annals. 

FASTNESSES,  strong  places  not  ea- 
sily forced. 

FATHOM,  in  fortification,  originally 
denoted  that  space  which  a  man  could 
reach  when  Loth  his  arms  were  extended; 
but  now  it  means  a  measure  of  6  feet 
or  2  yards,  equivalent  to  the  French 
word  toise. 

Lettres  de  Faveur,  Fr.  letters  of  re- 
commendation. 

Jours  ds  Faveur,  Fr.  days  of  grace. 

FAUCHER,  a  scythe,  a  sword. 

FAUCH10N.     See  Falchion. 

FAUCON.     See  Falcon. 

Falcon  on  Falconneau,  Fr.  a  small 
piece  of  ordnance. 

FAUCONET.     See  Falcoset. 

FAULUES,  Fr.  the  places  where 
charcoal  is  made. 


To  Farrier,  an  old  word  signifying  FAULX,  Fr.  an  instrument  nearly 
to  practise  physic,  or  chirurgy,  on  resembling  a  scythe.  It  is  often  used  to 
horses.  At  present,  the  functions  of  a  defend  a  breach,  or  to  prevent  an  enemy 
farrier,  as  far  as  regards  the  cure  of  a  from   scaling   the   walls   of  a   fortified 

'      2  F  2 


F  E  A 


(    2*0    ) 


FEL 


place.  This  weapon  was  first  resorted 
to  with  some  success,  when  Louis  the 
XlVth  besieged  Mons.  On  the  sur- 
render of  that  town,  the  besiegers  found 
large  quantities  of  scythes  in  the  gar- 
rison. 

FAUSSES  attaques,  Fr.  false  attacks. 
See  Attack. 

FAUSSE-RRAYE,  (fausse-braie,  Fr.) 
in  fortification,  is  a  low  rampart,  en- 
circiing  the  body  of  the  place;  its 
height  is  about  3  feet  above  the  level 
ground,  and  its  parapet  about  three 
or  four  toises  from  that  of  the  body 
of  the  place.  These  works  have  been 
entirely  rejected  by  modern  engineers, 
excepting  M.  Vauban,  who  makes  them 
only  before  the  curtains;  and  then  they 
are  called  mine  properly  tenailles. 

Fausse  equerre,  Fr.  an  instrument  in 
the  shape  of  a  square,  or  a  rule,  with  two 
branches,  which  move  round  one  point 
and  describe  two  angles  that  are  not 
straight.  The  stone-mason's  rule  is  also 
so  named. 

FAC5SE-/rt;jce,   Fr.    a    wooden   piece) 
of  ordnance;  what  is  vulgarly  called  a 
sham  gun. 

TwasE-marche,  Fr.   a  feigned  march, 

FAUTEAU,  Fr.  a  sort  of  battering 
ram,  which  was  used  in  ancient  times. 

FAUTEUR,  Fr.  a  person  who  con- 
nives at  seditious  practices. 

FAUX,  Ft.     See  Faulx. 

Fau X-6ourg,  Fr.  suburb. 

h"\vx-j'ui/ant,  Fr.  a  shift;   an  evasion. 

TAXJ\-fou?Tfau,  Fr.  a  pistol  case. 

Dater  Faux,  Fr.  to  put  a  wrong 
date. 

Porter  a  Faux,  Jr.  to  argue  upon 
false  grounds;  to  be  ill  supported. 

Faux  brave,  Fr.     See  Fanfauon. 

Faux  feu,  Fr.  a  Hash  in  the  pan; 
signal  made  with  scintillations  of  gun- 
powder. 

Faux  soldats,  Fr.    See  Fagot,  or  Pas- 

SEVOLANT. 

FEATHERS  are  ornamental  marks 
worn  by  officers  and  soldiers  in  their 
caps  or  hats.  The  following  distinctions 
•are  made,  and  directed  by  authority  to 
be  observed,  in  the  British  service.  In 
the  royal  artillery,  both  officers  and  men 
have  white  feathers.  The  cavalry  and 
battalion  corps  scarlet  and  white;  the 
grenadiers  all  white,  and  the  light  in- 
fantry all  green. 

i/«cA7e- feather,  a  round  feather 
taken  from  a  cock  or  hen,  in  its  natural 
State. — Hackle,  according  to  Dr.  John- 


son, signifies  raw  silk;  any  flimsy  un- 
spuu  Stuff.  This  feather  may  be  properly 
called  the  regulation  feather.  It  is  worn 
by  the  subalterns  of  the  army,  and  must 
be  eight  inches  long.  The  orhcers  of  the 
foot  guards  wear  it  in  their  caps.  It  is 
sometimes  imitated  by  being  made  of 
horse-hair. 

Fttish-  feather,  a  straight  smooth 
feather,  ten  inches  long,  which  is  worn 
by  officers  on  the  staff,  flanging  over  their 
hats. 

Oslric/urr.MiiEV.,  a  soft  valuable  fea- 
ther, well  known  in  fashionable  life. — 
In  the  year  1812,  the  Regent  directed, 
that  all  general  officers  should  wear, 
round  the  rims  of  their  cocked  hats,  an 
ostrich  feather,  one  yard  thirty-fpjus 
inches  long.  This  order  has  since  been 
cancelled. 

II7tt7e-FEATHER,  a  term  usually  ap- 
plied to  a  coward;  signifying  that  he 
turns  his  back,  and  has  a  white  feather 
in  his  tail. 

FEDERATE.     See  Confederate. 
FEED,  a  certain  proportion  of  corn 
and  hay  which  is  given  to  the  cavalry. 

A  Short  Feed,  a  portion  of  hay  or 
corn  under  the  regulated  quantity. 

Heavy  horse  Feed,  a  larger  proportion 
of  hay  and  corn  which  is  given  to  the 
heavy  dragoons  than  to  the  light  horse. 

Light  horse  Feed,  a  smaller  propor- 
tion of  hay  and  corn  which  is  given  to 
the  hussars  and  light  cavalry  than  to  the 
heavy  dragoons. 

FEES  are  specific  sums  of  money, 
which  are  occasionally  claimed  by  per- 
sons in  othce,  and  to  the  payment  of 
which  every  British  officer  is  subject. 
Fees  are  paid  at  the  War-Office,  for 
different  commissions,  and  are  charged 
against  their  respective  owners  by  the 
army  agents.     See  Office-fund. 

FEINT,  (fcintc,  Fr.)  a  mock  attack, 
or  assault,  generally  made  to  conceal  the 
true  one. 

FELLOES,  in  artillery,  are  the  parts 
of  a  wheel  which  form  its  circumfe- 
rence, whose  dimensions  are  as  follow: 
for  a  21-pounder,  5  inches  thick,  and  6.5 
inches  broad;  for  a  12-pounder,  4.5 
inches  thick,  and  (i  inches  broad;  for  a 
o-pounder  4  inches  thick,  and  5.5  inches 
broad,  CvC  made  of  dry  elm.  There 
are  generally  6  in  each  wheel.  See 
Wheel. 

FELLOW  soldier,  one  who  fights 
under  the  same  commander;  a  comrade. 
Dr.  Johnson  very  properly  calls  this  term 


FEN 


(    321     ) 


FEN 


an  endearing  appellation  used  by  officers 
to  their  soldiers.  The  toils  and  perils, 
in  fact,  of  a  real  military  life,  are  so 
many,  that  an  army  fighting  under  the 
same  banners  may  be  truly  called  one 
family ;  and  every  officer  should  look 
upon  himself  as  the  father,  the  guardian, 
and  the  protector  of  his  men. 

FELTRE,  a  piece  of  defensive  ar- 
mour. It  was  a  kind  of  cuirass  made 
of  wool,  well  pressed,  and  dipped  in 
vinegar,  to  impede  the  effect  of  cutting 
weapons.  It  was  in  use  among  the  Ro- 
mans. 

FENCE,  a  guard,  security,  outwork, 
ike. 

To  Fence,  to  practise  with  foils;  to 
fight  with  swords;  to  secure  any  place 
by  palisades,  &c. 

FENCIBLE,  any  thing  capable  of 
defence.  Such  regiments  as  are  raised 
for  limited  service,  and  for  a  limited 
time,  are  called  fencible  regiments.  They 
rank  junior  to  the  line.      « 

FENCING  is  the  art  or  science  of 
making  a  proper  use  of  the  sword,  as 
well  for  attacking  an  enemy,  as  for  de- 
fending one's  self.  Fencing  is  a  genteel 
exercise,  of  which  no  military  gentle- 
man should  be  ignorant. 

Fencing  is  either  simple,  or  compound. 
Simple  is  that  which  is  performed  nim- 
bly, and  off-hand,  on  the  same  line.  In 
this  the  principal  intention,  in  respect 
to  the  offensive  part,  should  be  to  at- 
tack the  enemy  in  the  most  unguarded 
quarter;  and  in  the  defensive,  to  parry  or 
ward  off  the  enemy's  thrusts,  or  blows. 

Attitude,  in  Fencing,  the  head  up- 
right, though  the  body  hath  a  forward 
inclination  on  a  longe;  and  all  the  weight 
resting  on  the  left  haunch  when  on 
guard.  The  feet,  hand,  body,  aim  and 
sword,  must  be  to  the  line. 

Appel,  in  Fencing,  is  a  sudden  beat 
of  your  blade,  on  the  contrary  side  to 
that  you  join  your  adversary  on,  and  a 
quick  disengagement  to  that  side  again. 

Beating,  in  Fencing,  is  when  you 
parry  with  a  sudden  shrut  beat,  to  get  a 
quick  risposte ;  or  when  you  beat  with 
your  foot,  to  try  if  you  are  firm  on  it,  or 
on  both  feet. 

Battering,  in  Fencing,  is  to  strike 
the  feeble  of  your  adversary's  blade  on  I  tion  of  dropping  the  point  of  your  sword 


quarte  side,  also  the  thrust  of  a  prime,, 
or  a  seconde,  at  the  low  quarte  side. 

Darting,  in  Fencing,  to  defend  a 
blow  with  some  contraction  of  your 
arm,  and  to  dart  a  thrust  right  forward. 

Feint  forward,  in  Fencing,  made  by 
advancing  your  point  a  little  from  its 
line,  and  coming  to  it  again. 

Guard,  in  Fencing,  is  any  of  the  pa- 
rades you  stand  on. 

On  Guard  is  being  placed  properly  on 
your  feet,  and  well  covered  with  your 
weapon. 

Lurching,  in  Fencing,  to  make  an 
opening,  to  invite  your  adversary  to 
thrust  at  you,  when  you,  being  ready, 
may  find  a  favourable  risposte  at  him. 

Locking,  inF  encing,  is  to  seize  your 

adversary's  sword-arm,  by  twining  your 

left  arm  round  it,  after  you  close  your 

parade,  shell  to  shell,  in  order  to  disarm 

him. 

/-i        ,  •     i  carte,  1  implies  the   put- 
Guardm  \  ..         >  '•  "     c  .l    i     i 
f  tierce,  )  ting  01  the  body 

and  sword  in  such  a  state  of  defence,  as 
to  prevent  the  antagonist  from  wounding 
you,  by  either  of  the  thrusts  so  denomi- 
nated. These  are  the  principal  posi- 
tions on  which  to  engage.  The  others, 
viz.  prime,  seconde,  quinte,  half-circle, 
&c.  are  termed  parades,  when  used  with 
the  small  sword. 

Hanging-guard,  one  of  the  broad- 
sword guards.     See  Broadsword. 

Thrusts  are  of  various  denominations, 
according  to  the  direction  of  the  point, 
and  position  of  the  wrist. 

The  thrusts  directed  at  the  inside  of 
the  body  are  called  prime,  carte,  and 
low-carte  :  those  at  the  outside,  are  se- 
conde, tierce,  carte  over  the  arm,  quinte 
and  flanconade. 

In  teaching,  the  thrusts  are  not  ar- 
ranged according  to  the  above  order; 
it  is  usual  to  begin  with  carte  (or  quarte) 
and  tierce,  the  names  of  which  prove 
them  to  have  been  originally  the  4th  and 
3d  positions  in  the  art;  but  which  are 
now  justly  considered  as  the  chief  and 
most  elegant. 

Parrying,  iii  Fencing,  the  action  of 
warding  off  the  blows  aimed  at  each 
other. 

Flanconade,  in   Fencing,  is   the  ac- 


the  side  opposite  to  that  you  join,  ccc 

Back-guarte,  is  a  parade  of  late  in- 
vention, and  is  a  round  quarte  over  the 
arm. 

Wave,  in  Fencing,  is  a  tierce  on  a 


under  your  adversary's  hilt,  in  seizing 
with  force  the  feeble  of  his  blade;  which 
binding,  without  quitting  it,  form  the 
parade  in  octave,  and  then  throw  in 
your  thrust. 


F  E  R 


(     22?     ) 


FEU 


Glissade,  in  Fencing,  is  performed 
by  dexterously  making  your  sword  slip 
along  your  adversary's  blade,  and  form- 
ing at  the  same  time  your  extension,&c. 

FENDU,  Fr.  a  word  used  among  the 
French  to  signify  long-legged,  or  well 
formed  to  sit  on  a  horse.  Homme  bien 
fendu. 

FER,  Fr.  iron.  Figuratively,  this 
■word  is  used  for  a  sword,  or  dagger  ;  as 
■manier  lefer,  to  wear  the  sword,  to  follow 
the  profession  of  arms.  Battre  le  fer, 
to  fence.  For  the  various  kinds  of  iron, 
as  specified  under  Fer,  see  Belidor'sDif- 
tionnaire  Portatif.    See  also  Iron. 

Fer  a  glace  pour  les  chevaux.  See 
Frostnail. 

Fer  a  cheval,  Fr.  a  horse-shoe.  It 
further  means,  according  to  the  Preach 
acceptation  of  the  term,  a  work  con- 
structed for  the  purpose  of  covering  a 
gate,  by  having  a  guard-house  within  it, 
to  prevent  the  town  from  being  sur- 
prized. 

FEItDWIT,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, a  term  used  to  denote  an  exemp- 
tion from  serving  upon  any  military  ex- 
pedition ;  or,  according  to  some,  the 
being  quit  of  manslaughter  committed 
in  the  army. 

FERIR,  sans  coup,  Fr.  to  obtain  any 
thing  without  striking  a  blow. 

FERME,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  an  as- 
semblage of  timber  which  is  put  toge- 
ther to  support  the  roof  of  a  house. 

Maltresse  Ferme,  Fr.  that  assem- 
blage which  bears  upon  the  beams. 

Faire  Ferme,  Fr.  to  stand  your 
ground  ;  not  to  give  way. 

FERMER,  Fr.  to  shut. ;  to  close. 

Fermer  une  ville  de  muraillcs,  Fr.  to 
wall  a  town. 

FERMEZ  le  bassinet  !  Fr.  Shut  pans! 
a  word  of  command  in  the  platoon  ex- 
ercise. 

FERRAILLER,  Fr.  to  fence  ;  to 
tilt. 

FERRAILLEUR,  Fr.  a  person  who, 
without  any  provocation  whatever,  de- 
lights in  lighting,  and  is  always  in  quest 
of  provocation. 

FERRANT  marshal,  Fr.  a  farrier. 

Chemin  FERRE,  Fr.  firm  stony  way. 

FERRER  tin  cheval,  Fr.  to  shoe  a 
horse. 

Ferrer  u  glace,  Fr.  See  Frost- 
nail.  The  French  also  say,  figuratively, 
litre  ferr'c  u  glace,  to  be  master  of  a 
subject. 

Ferrer  un  cheval  a  cuir,  Fr.  to  shoe 


a  horse  with  leather,  in  order  to  prevent 
all  noise.  ^ 

FERRETE,  Fr.  the  original  term  to 
express  a  sword. 

FERRIES,  water  conveyances,  made 
use  of  to  cross  rivers,  or  branches  of  the 
sea.  At  the  regular  ones  in  Scotland,  offi- 
cers may,  at  their  option,  hire  the  boat 
for  themselves  and  parties  only,  or  pass 
as  passengers ;  in  either  case  paying  no 
more  than  half  the  ordinary  rate.  See 
Mutiny  Act,  sect.  53. 

FERRURE,  Fr.  the  shoeing  of  a  horse. 

FERRY,  (passage,  Fr.  )  the  place 
where  men,  horses,  carriages,  are  carried 
over  a  river,  or  branch  of  the  sea.  See 
Ferries. 

YilLRt'boat,  (bac,  Fr.)  an  open  boat, 
or  water  conveyance,  in  which  things  are 
carried  over  a  river,  &c. 

FERRf-nftm,  (pusseur,  battelier,  Fr.) 
the  person  who  ferries  over. 

To  Ferry  over,  (passer  dans  tin  bac, 
Fr.)  to  carry  across  in  a  ferry-boat. 

FERS,  Fr.  irons  for  culprits. 

Punition  de  Eras,  Fr.  the  punishment 
of  being  put  in  irons. 

FERTE,  Fr.  which  has  the  same 
meaning  as  fcniiet'e,  was  the  original  ap- 
pellation of  a  fortified  place,  and  signi- 
fied a  fortress. 

FERTI1  or  FORTH.     See  Army. 

FETLOCK,  (fanon,  Fr.)  a  tuft  of 
hair  that  grows  behind  the  pastern  joint 
of  a  horse. 

FEU,  Fr.  fire.  Faire  feu,  to  dis- 
charge any  sort  of  fire-arms. 

Feu,  Fr.  fire,  is  also  understood  to 
mean  any  lighted  combustible,  which  is 
kept  up  in  the  front  of  a  camp,  and  at 
each  post  dining  the  night,  to  keep  the 
soldiers  alert,  and  to  prevent  them  from, 
being  surprized. 

Lights  are  likewise  resorted  to  on  va- 
rious other  occasions.     See  Lights. 

Feu  de  joie,  Fr.  a  bonfire.  See  Ruk- 
NING-FlRE. 

Feu  de  biilcbaudc,  Fr.  a  fire  of  mus- 
ketry which  was  practised  by  order  of 
Frederick  the  Great,  King  of  Prussia. 
On  recovering  their  firelocks,  the  men 
of  the  center  rank  turning  round,  deli- 
vered their  pieces  to  those  of  the  rear, 
and  received  their  muskets  in  exchange; 
thus  saving  the  time  of  loading. 

Feu  rasant,  Fr.  a  grazing  fire,  or  a 
discharge  of  ordnance  or  musketry,  so 
directed,  that  the  shot  shall  run  parallel 
with  the  ground  they  pass  over,  within 
3  or  4  feet  of  the  surface. 


FEU 


(     223     ) 


F  E  V 


That  is  likewise  cailedifeu  rasant,  or 
grazing  fire,  which  is  sent  in  parallel  di- 
rections with  the  faces  of  the  different 
works  belonging  to  a  fortification. 

Feu  de  canon,  Fr.  the  discharge  of 
heavy  ordnance,  or  artillery. 

Feu  de  chemin  convert,  Fr.  the  mus- 
ketry shots  which  are  fired  by  armed 
men  that  are  posted  in  various  parts  of 
the  covert-way. 

Feu  par  compagnie,  Fr.  the  discharge 
of  musketry  by  companies. 

Feu  direct,  Fr.  a  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry, or  ordnance,  against  the  face  of  a 
work,  trench,  or  company. 

Feu  Jichant,  ou  oblique,  Fr.  oblique 
firing. 

Feu  dc  mousqueterie,  Fr.  musket- 
firing. 

Feu  de  pe/oton,  Fr.    platoon-firing. 

Feu  de  rampart,  Fr.  a  discharge  of 
musketry,  or  ordnance,  from  the  ram- 
parts of  a  fortified  town,  or  place. 

Feu  roulant,  Fr.  the  continued  alter- 
nate filing  of  a  battalion  from  flanks  to 
center,  or  from  center  to  flanks. 

Feu  de  tranch'te,  Fr.  any  discharge  of 
cannon,  or  musketry,  which  takes  place 
from  the  trench  of  a  fortified  town,  or 
place,  or  from  the  besieging  army's  works 
against  a  fortified  town,  or  place. 

Faire  Feu  violet,  Fr.  to  make  much 
ado  about  nothing. 

Feu  de  courtine,  ou  second  flanc,  Fr. 
a  firing  from  that  part  of  the  curtain 
which  is  contained  between  the  prolon- 
gation of  the  face  of  the  bastion,  and  the 
angle  of  the  flank.  It  is  only  applicable 
in  fortifications  where  the  line  of  defence 
is  fichant. 

Feu  if  artifice,  Fr.  a  fire-work. 

Faire  long  Feu,  Fr.  to  hang  fire, 
to  £0  off  slowly 

Coup  de  Feu,  Fr.  gunshot  wound 

S'cxposer  an  Feu  des  ennemis,   Fr. 
expose  one's  self  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

Etre  sous  le  Feu  de  Cennemi,  Fr.  to 
be  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy. 

Soutenir  le  Feu  d'une pJace  assiegie, 
Fr.  to  support  the  tire  of  a  besieged 
place. 

Essui/er  le  Feu  da  canon,  Fr.  to  en- 
dure,   to  undergo,   the  fire  of  ordnance. 

Entre  deux  Feux,  IV.  between  two 
fires. 

Feu  St.  Elme,  Fr.  wild-fire  ;  i <z n i s 
1  atuus.  Such  as  is  sometimes  seen  round 
the  masts,  &c.  of  ships  at  sea. 

Feux  follcts,  Fr.  exhalations  of  light 


grounds,  and  which  we  vulgarly  call 
Jack-a-lanthern,  and  Will-o-the  whisp. 
Night  patroles,  in  time  of  service,  should 
be  cautioned  respecting  these  lights. 

Donner  le  Feu  a  un  cheval,  Fr.  )     to 

Mettre  le  Feu  d  un  cheval,  Fr.  j>  fire  a 
horse. 

Feu  d'enfer,Fr.  hell  fire.  The  French 
say,  Cette  attaque  on  fit  unfeu  (fenfer, 
a  most  tremendous  fire  was  kept  up  at 
that  attack. 

Feu  is  also  used,  as  fire,  flame,  or  blaze 
with  us,  to  signify  the  agitated  state  of 
the  public  mind.  Toute  la  ville  est  en 
feu,  the  whole  town  is  in  a  flame. 

FEUILLE,  Fr.  exfoliation  of  a  dis- 
eased bone. 

Feuille  d'une  epee,  Fr.  the  blade  of 
a  sword. 

Feuille  volante,  Fr.  a  loose  or  fly 
sheet;  an  open  cover. 

Feuille  de  route,  Fr.  a  pass  given  to 
a  soldier  for  the  purpose  of  joining  his 
corps,  going  on  furlough,  or  of  reaching 
any  particular  spot. 

Feuille  de  signalement,  Fr.  descrip- 
tion-roll, or  pass. 

FEUKTRE,  Fr.  straw,  such  as  grows 
with  every  sort  of  grain. 

FEUTRE,  Fr.  the  stuffing  of  a  saddle. 

FEUTRER  une  selle,  Fr.  to  stuff  a 
saddle. 

FEVER,  (fitvre,  Fr.)  from  the  Latin 
febris.  A  disease,  according  to  Dr. 
Johnson,  as  quoted  from  Locke,  ia 
which  the  body  is  violently  heated,  and 
the  pulse  quickened,  or  in  which  heat 
and  cold  prevail  by  turns.  It  is  some- 
times continual,  sometimes  intermittent. 
The  following  just  observations  have 
been  furnished  by  a  friend  of  the  au- 
thor's, upon  this  important  article.  Phy- 
sicians put  together  in  their  synoptical 
tables  of  classification,  so  many  diseases, 
diametrically  different  in  their  nature, 
and  in  the  plan  of  cure  they  require, 
under  the  class/erers,  that  no  general 
definition  can  be  given  which  will  apply 
to  every  particular  species  of  fever. 
Many  of  the  methodical  arrangements 
are,  without  doubt,  productions  of  great 
ingenuity  ;  but  more  of  art  than  of  na- 
ture appears  in  their  composition.  They 
are  crowded  with  synonyms  ;  and  with 
frivolous  distinctions,  tending  to  embar- 
rass and  not  to  promote  the  progress  of 
science,  or  of  practice.  The  plan  of 
the  justly  celebrated  Dr.  Brown  of  Edin- 
burgh  may  be  mentioned  as  the  most 
which  are  sometimes  seen  over  marshy  simple,  comprehensive,  and  useful,  in 


or 


to 


F  I  C 


(     «2*     ) 


F  I  E 


dividing  all  diseases  into  sthenic  and 
asthenic.  Dr.  Frank,  of  Vienna,  is  ex- 
cellent on  fevers,  in  his  work  "  De  Cu- 
randis  Hominum  Aforbis,"  and  indeed 
all  the  minor  distinctions,  in  the  cata- 
logue of  fevers,  may  be  referred  to  the 
three  general  heads  of  inflammatory, 
nervous,  or  putrid,  as  they  assume  either 
the  continued,  remittent,  or  intermittent 
form.  The  enumerations  and  descrip- 
tions alone,  of  the  particular  species, 
would  Lie  sufficient  to  fill  a  moderate 
volume. 

The  dreadful  devastation  of  human 
beings  from  fevers  in  camps  and  in  ar- 
mies is  seldom  to  be  entirely  prevented, 
though  it  may  be  sometimes  mitigated 
by  the  salutary  regulations  of  a  judicious 
and  humane  general,  in  co-operation 
with  a  skilful  physician.  How  is  a 
soldier  landing  in  North  Holland,  in  St. 
Domingo,  or  on  the  pestilential  shores 
of  Syria  and  Egypt,  continually  exposed 
to  the  causes  of  fevers,  to  be  screened 
from  the  action  of  those  causes  on  his 
body  ?  Infections,  contagions,  marsh 
miasmata,  rising  under  extremes  of  heat 
or  cold,  whether  in  Zealand,  the  Cam- 
pania di  Roma,  in  the  tropical  climes,  or 
other  parts,  bathe  human  skill,  and  in  a 
few  hours  pull  down  the  strongest  men. 
The  ague,  the  yellow  fever,  and  the 
plague  will  appear;  and  all  that  human 
ingenuity  has  hitherto  suggested  in  pre- 
vention, or  in  mitigation,  of  these  dread- 
ful maladies  amounts  but  to  very  little. 
This  consideration  should  not,  however, 
be  offered,  or  admitted,  in  exculpation 
of  any  criminal  ignorance  or  neglect  on 
the  part  of  a  commander,  naval,  military, 
or  medical. 

FEUX,  Fr.  fires  which  are  frequently 
lighted  up  along  the  front  of  an  encamp- 
ment, in  order  to  impress  the  enemy 
with  an  idea  that  every  thing  is  on  the 
alert,  and  in  a  state  of  activity. 

Fetjx  Greg£oss,Fr.SeeGnECTAN  Fire. 
Fr.rx,  ou  Btgnaux,  Fr.  fires  which  serve 
as   signal    lights  in    various  parts  of  a 
country. 

FIACRE,  Fr.   a  hackney   coach;  so 
called  because  vehicles  of  this  descrip- 
tion first  put  up  at  the  sign,  St.  Fiacre. 
FICIIANT.    See  Line  of  Defence, 
Fortification. 

FICIIER,  Fr.  to  stick  in.  This  word 
is  used  in  masonry,  when  mortar  or  any 
other  cement  is  put  between  bricks  or 
stones. 


FICIIES,  Fr.  small  sticks,  or  pieces 
of  iron  which  serve  to  mark  out  the 
height  of  angles,  and  the  direction  of  an 
alignement;  by  means  of  which  a  for- 
tress or  a  trench  may  be  traced,  and  the 
relative  position  of  each  troop  or  com- 
pany ascertained. 

FICHEUR,  Fr.  According  to  Beli- 
dor,  the  workman  who  puts  mortar,  or 
cement,  in  crevices,  (Sec. 

ITDD,  in  gunnery,  a  little  oakum 
put  in  the  touch-hole  of  a  gun,  and 
covered  with  a  piece  of  lead  to  keep 
the  powder  dry. 

FIEF  de  hauler t,  Fr.  a  certain  estate 
in  France,  the  possession  of  which  en- 
titled persons  to  wear  a  hauberk,  which 
was  the  armour  of  a  knight.  Esquires 
could  only  wear  a  simple  coat  of  mail, 
without  the  hood  or  hose. 

FIELD,  the  ground  of  battle.  A 
battle,  campaign,  or  the  action  of  an 
army  while  it  keeps  the  field. 

FiELD-irrf,  a  folding-bed  used  by  offi- 
cers in  their  tents. 

FiELD-s<«/f,  a  weapon  carried  by  the 
gunners,  about  the  length  of  a  halberr, 
with  a  spear  at  the  end,  having  on  each 
side  ears  screwed  on  like  the  lock  of  a 
matchlock  ;  where  the  gunners  screw  in 
lighted  matches  when  they  are  upon 
command  ;  and  then  the  field-staffs  are 
said  to  be  armed. 

r  Colours,^ 


( Officers, 
FlE  LB— I  Pieces, 

Staff, 
Works, 


>  See 


rCamp    co- 
lours. 
Officers. 
-.  Cannon. 
I  Lin/stock. 
|  Field-for~ 
[^tijication. 
YiEi.vi-fort.    See  Fort. 
YiELD-marshal,    a     modern    military 
rank    in    England,    but    superior   to    all 
others,    (except    the    captain    general,) 
having  the  chief  command  of  the  whole 
army  in  i he  field. 

FIENTE,  Fr.  dung,  or  excrement 
from  an  animal  of  the  brute  creation. 
This  word  is  pronounced  fiante. 

ITER,  Fr.  to  trust.  1-icr  s>on  honncur, 
to  trust  one's  honour. 

Fier,  Fr.  proud;  haughty;  fierce. 
The  French  say  :  fair  le  fier,  to  affect 
much  importance;  to  be  very  lofty. 

Fier  de  sa  personnc,  Fr.  proud  of  his 
person,  or  outward  appearance.  C'est 
un  militaire  sans  talens,  ynais  il  est  Ires 
fier  de  sa  personne,  he  is  an  officer  void 
of  talents,  but  extremely  proud  or  vain 


F  I  F 


(     225     ) 


F  I  L 


of  his  person  ;  in  plain  English,  an  empty 
coxcomb. 

HERE  alerte,  Fr.  a  smart  or  warm 
alert. 

Courage  Fiek,  Fr.  high  courage. 

Demarche  Fiere,  Fr.  high,  exalted 
deportment. 

Fier  is  sometimes  used  as  a  substan- 
tive, and  signifies  the  same  asfierte,  viz. 
se  tenir  stir  son  fier,  to  be  very  positive 
and  obstinate. 

Fier  a  bras.     See  FanpARON. 

line  noble  FIERTE,  Fr.  a  dignified 
pride;  a  nobleness  of  mind,  such  as 
every  real  soldier  possesses,  who  is  above 
all  the  low  tricks  and  mean  cabals  of 
mankind  in  general. 
-  Fierte,  Fr.  a  shrine  where  relics 
are  deposited  in  Roman  Catholic  coun- 
tries. This  word  is  particularly  applica- 
ble to  the  shrine  of  St.  Romain,  arch- 
bishop of  Rouen,  out  of  respsct  to  whose 
memory,  a  free  pardon  is  given,  once  a 
year,  (on  the  day  of  the  Lord's  Ascen- 
sion,) to  some  criminal  who  has  been 
sentenced  to  die,  and  who  is  ordered  to 
lift  up  the  shrine  of  St.  Romain.  Hence 
the  figurative  phrase,  of  a  man  who  has 
heen  condemned,  but  pardoned :  //  a 
lev't  la  fiertt,  he  has  lifted  up  or  raised 
the  shrine. 

FIFE,  a  military  instrument  of  the 
wind  kind,  generally  used  as  an  accom- 
paniment to  the  drum.  This  instrument 
is  of  high  antiquity,  as  appears  from 
pictures  and  from  sculpture,  from  the 
poets  and  historians;  and  chiefly  (as  in 
the  Argonautic  expedition,  memorutrix 
pugna)  for  martial  use. 

On  our  own  authorities,  the  Fife  ap- 
pears in  the  English  army,  till  the  time 
of  James  I.  After  that, it  was  disused; 
and  so  continued  till  the  year  1747; 
when  it  was  resumed,  in  the  foot-guards, 
bv  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  at  the  siege 
of  Maestricht.  He  took  it  probably  from 
a  corps  of  German  Swiss,  with  whom 
the  fife  is  a  favourite  instrument. 

In  the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  the  fife  is 
supposed  by  some  to  have  been  curved; 
from  her  great  poet  having  the  expres- 
sion, "  the  wry-necked  fife".  But  this 
perhaps  might  aliude  to  the  man  who 
plays  the  fife.  Yet,  shrill  and  dis- 
sonant as  the  fife  in  common  bands 
may  be,  it  is  not  so  with  Handel.  With 
Handel,  (whose  inspiration  reached 
almost  over  every  thing,)  it  inspires(as  in 
the  Dead  March  of  Saul)  to  tenderness 
and  woe  :  so  as  to  respond  to  the  "  que- 


rula  tibia"  of  the  poet.     Yet  that,  pro- 
bably, was  more  like  our  German  flute. 

FIFER,  (fifre,  Fr.)  In  French  this 
word  likewise  means  fife. 

FTG,  (fie,  Fr.)  a  disease  in  horses; 
a  tumour  which  is  sometimes  soft,  and 
sometimes  hard  and  callous. 

To  Fig,  to  excite ;  also  to  play  a  com- 
mon trick  with  a  horse  in  order  to  shew 
him  off;  this  is  done  by  applying  ginger 
under  the  tail. 

FIGHT.     See  Battle. 

Running-YiGUT,  that  in  which  the 
enemy  is  continually  chased. 

To  Fight  it  out,  to  continue  a  contest 
until  the  object  in  dispute  be  finally 
determined,  one  way  or  other.  The 
French  say,  se  battre  a  outrance;  also 
vuider  une  querelle. 

l'TGHTIN G-men,  such  as  are  effec- 
tive, and  able  to  bear  arms. 

FIGURE,  in  fortification,  the  plan  of 
any  fortified  place,or  the  interior  polygon. 
Of  these  there  are  two  sorts,  regular, 
and  irregular  :  a  regular  figure  is  that 
where  the  sides  and  angles  are  equal ;  an 
irregular  one,  where  they  are  unequal. 

FIL,  -Fr.  thread  ;    wire. 

Fil  also  signifies  edge;  hence  passer 
au  fil  de  I'epee,  to  put  to  the  sword. 

Fil,  the  stream  or  current  of  a  river. 
siller  contre  le  Jilde  Veau,  to  go  against 
the  stream. 

FILADIERE,  Fr.  a  flat  bottomed 
boat  which  is  used  on  small  rivers,  par- 
ticularly the  Garonne  in  France. 

TILANDRES,  Fr.  streaks  like  white 
thread  in  the  wounds  of  horses. 

FILE,  in  the  art  of  war,  is  an  unli- 
mited term,  comprehending  any  number 
of  men  drawn  up  in  a  direct  line  behind 
each  other;  as  a  rank  on  the  other  hand 
includes  any  number  drawn  up  beside 
each  other;  whether,  in  either  respect, 
they  be  in  close  or  in  open  order.  Or  ra- 
ther, by  file  is  meant  the  line  of  soldiers 
standing  one  behind  another,  which 
makes  the  depth  of  the  battalion;  and 
is  thus  distinguished  from  the  rank, 
which  is  a  line  of  soldiers  drawn  up  side 
by  side,  forming  the  length  of  the  bat- 
talion. A  file  is  2  or  3  deep;  hence  a 
battalion  01  regiment  drawn  up,  consists 
of  2  or  3  ranks,  and  of  as  many  files  as 
there  are  men  in  a  rank. 

The  files  of  a  battalion  of  foot  were 
formerly  12  and  (J  deep;  but  now  only 
2  and  sometimes  Li,  which  latter  is  its 
natural  formation.  Those  of  the  cavalry 
are  generally  but  2  deep. 
2G 


F  I  L 


(     226     ) 


F  I  L 


A  File  on  horseback  occupies  in  the 
ranks  about  9  feet  8  inches;  thus  3  file 
8  feet.  A  file  on  foot  occupies  in  the 
ranks  '22  inches. 

Close  Files  in  cavalry  are  at  the  dis- 
tance which  was  taken  before dismount- 
ing, when  each  man's  boot-top  touches, 
but  does  not  press,  thatof  his  neighbour. 

LboK  Files,  in  cavalry  movements, 
nre  C  inches  distant  from  boot-top  to 
boot-top,  being  calculated  for  the  gallop 
as  well  as  the  walk  of  a  squadron. 

Open  Files  in  cavalry  are  the  full 
breadth  of  a  horse  from  boot-top  to  boot- 
top.  They  contain  the  distance  which 
is  left,  when  from  close  files,  the  left 
files  rein  back  todismount.  Recruitsand 
horses  must  be  frequently  exercised  at 
this  distance. 

Flank  File,  the  extreme  file  on  the 
right  or  left  of  a  squadron  or  troop,  bat- 
talion or  company,  &c. 

Forming  from  File  in  cavalry  move- 
ments, is  when  the  front  file  halts, 
and  the  rest  ride  up  at  a  very  smart 
gallop,  taking  care  to  halt  in  time,  and 
not  to  over-run  the  ground.  If  the 
formation  is  by  doubling  round  the  front 
file  (for  instance,  when  a  formation  is 
made  to  the  rear  of  the  march,  or  to  the 
right,  when  marched  from  the  right)  the 
files  must  double  round  as  close  and  as 
expeditiously  as  possible. 

In  all  formings  from  file,  the  leaders 
of  ranks  instantly  cover  each  other,  take 
the  ordered  front,  and  halt. 

In  the  covering  of  files  on  horseback, 
the  same  directions  hold  good  as  on 
loot.  In  addition,  it  must  be  scrupu- 
lously observed,  that  every  man's  horse 
stands  exactly  straight  to  the  same  front 
as  that  of  a  man  before  him.  Both 
in  the  horse  and  foot  drill,  the  men 
should  be  often  practised  in  covering. 
The  former  are  thereby  taught  to  place 
their  horses  straight  under  them. 

Close  Files  of  infantry  are  soldiers 
Standing  in  rank,  contiguous  to  one  ano- 
ther, upon  any  given  depth  of  line  or 
column.  Whenever  a  regiment  marches 
in  front,  every  man  should  feel  his  next 
man  which  ever  way  he  dresses;  but 
he  must  not  lean  on  him,  nor  must  he 
move  his  arm  from  the  body  to  feel  him. 
So  that  close  files  mean  nothing  more 
than  that  soldiers  in  the  ranks  should 
touch  lightly  each  other,  without  crowd- 
ing or  pressing. 

Open  Files  are  soldiers  standing  in 
Tank  at  given  distances  without  touch- 


ing one  another.  The  formation  at  opei) 
files  is  only  practised  as  a  preparatory 
drill  for  forming  at  close  files,  (which 
is  the  order  for  action,)  in  order  that, 
every  man  may  be  taught  to  stand  and 
move  in  a  proper  position,  without  get- 
ting a  habit  of  leaning  upon  his  neigh- 
bour. On  this  account  every  intelligent 
officer,  who  has  the  management  of  re- 
cruits, will  form  them  sometimes  at  open 
files,  and  march  in  that  order.  Soldiers 
that  have  been  regularly  drilled,  should 
likewise  be  occasionally  practised  in  ad- 
vancing by  open  files. 

Double  Files  are  formed  by  the  left 
files  in  each  rank  stepping  to  the  rear  of 
the  right  files. 

Indian  Files,  a  line  of  men  advanc- 
ing or  retreating  from  either  of  the 
flanks,  from  the  center,  or  from  any 
proportion  of  a  line  in  succession  to  one 
another.  They  are  sometimes  called 
goose  files;  but  the  term  is  only  fami- 
liarly, or  rather  vulgarly  used  among 
soldiers, and  derives  its  appellation  from 
a  flock  of  geese  generally  following  a 
leader,  one  by  one.  A  foreign  military 
writer,  the  Prince  de  Ligne,  says,  that 
men  march  forward  in  file,  or  en  ordre 
mince,  par  un  instinct  moutonnier,  mean- 
ing, that  they  follow  each  other  like  so 
many  sheep,  who  move  by  instinct.  The 
blood  thirsty  Murat  used  to  say,  tout 
peuple  est  moutonnier,  the  mass  of  peo- 
ple is  gregarious. 

FiLt-leader  is  the  soldier  placed  in 
the  front  of  any  file,  or  the  man  who  is 
to  cover  all  those  that  stand  directly  in 
the  rear  of  him,  and  by  whom  they  are 
to  be  guided  in  all  their  movements. 

File  leaders  must  be  particularly  care- 
ful to  preserve  their  proper  distances 
from  which  ever  hand  they  are  to  dress 
to,  and  the  followers  of  each  file  must 
only  be  attentive  to  cover,  and  be  regu- 
lated by  their  proper  file  leaders.  In  file 
the  rear  rank  invariably  dresses  by,  and 
is  regulated  by  the  front  rank. 

To  double  the  Files,  is  to  put  2  files 
into  1,  making  the  depth  of  the  hutta- 
lion  double  to  what  it  was,  in  number 
of  men.   Thus  four  deep  are  double  files. 

File  marching  on  foot.  According  to 
the  printed  regulations,  all  recruits  must 
first  face,  and  then  be  instructed  to 
cover  each  other  exactly  in  file,  so  that 
the  head  of  the  man  immediately  before, 
may  conceal  the  heads  of  all  the  others 
in  front.  The  principal  points  to  be 
attended   to    arc,  that  the   men   move 


F  I  L 


(     927     ) 


F  I  L 


with  the  lock  step,  that  the  front  rank 
men  cover  exactly,  and  that  the  rear 
rank  men  keep  closer!  and  dressed  to  the 
front  rank. 

File  marching  may  be  practised  to  the 
front,  to  the  rear,  and  to  either  flank ; 
in  all  which  cases  the  men  must  be 
taught  to  cover  well.  When  recruits 
are  at  drill,  on  the  word  march,  the 
whole  are  to  step  oft'  together,  gaining 
at  the  very  first  step  30  inches,  and  so 
continuing  each  step  without  increasing 
the  distance  betwixt  each  recruit,  every 
man  locking  or  placing  his  advanced 
foot  on  the  ground,  before  the  spot 
from  which  the  preceding  man  had 
taken  up  his. 

Marching  by  ranks  in  front,  open 
files,  is  when  any  body  of  men  advances 
by  rank  at  open  order,  and  dresses  to 
some  given  object  without  touching  one 
another.  The  flank  man  of  the  flank  the 
soldiers  dress  to,  must  be  a  non-commis- 
sioned olficer,  and  he  must  take  especial 
care  not  to  incline  to  one  hand  or  the 
other.  His  head  must  be  kept  quite 
straight  to  the  front,  his  body  must  be 
erect,  and  he  must  advance  without  de- 
viating in  the  most  trifling  manner  to 
the  right  or  left.  In  order  to  execute 
this  essential  part  of  the  drill  with  any 
degree  of  accuracy,  two  persons  should 
be  present,  one  in  the  front,  and  the 
other  on  the  flank,  to  observe  the  dress- 
ing. Young  officers  should  be  ordered 
to  attend,  and  sometimes  should  be 
exercised  themselves  in  the  presence  of 
a  superior  officer;  for  upon  them  here- 
after will  greatly  depend  the  movement 
of  the  battalion  in  line  or  column. 

Marching  by  ranks  in  front,  close 
files,  is  when  any  number  of  men  ad- 
vances by  ranks  at  close  order,  and 
dresses  to  some  given  object,  each  man 
lightly  touching  his  next  man,  without 
crowding  or  pressing.  The  march  in 
front  at  close  files  is  much  easier  than 
that  at  open  files,  because  every  man 
feels  his  next  man,  which  ever  way  the 
rank  dresses,  and  into  whatever  direc- 
tion the  line  or  columnjnoves. 

File  a  file,  Fr.  file  after  file,  or  in 
succession. 

File  de  pieux,  Fr.  a  row  of  square 
piles  or  rails,  which  are  placed  on  the 
sides  of  a  river,  &c.  in  order  to  keep  up 
the  banks,  and  to  preserve  the  road. 

To  FILE,  is  to  advance  to,  or  from, 
any  given  point  by  files;  as  to  file  to 
the  fiont,  to  file  to  the  rear,  to  file  from 


the  right  or  left  flank,  or  to  file  from 
any  given  company.  In  some  of  which 
cases,  the  leading  files  must  disengage 
themselves  according  to  the  directions 
given. 

To  File  off,  ^  (dcfiler,  Fr.)  to    wheel 

To  defile,  $  off  by  files  from  mov- 
ing in  a  spacious  front,  and  march  in 
length.  When  a  regiment  is  marching  in 
full  front,  or  by  divisions  or  platoons, 
and  comes  to  a  defile  or  narrow  pass,  it 
may  file  from  the  right  or  left  as  the 
ground  requires,  &c. 

To  File  papers,  to  string  them  on  a 
thread  or  wire.  The  French  say  enfiler 
des  papiers. 

FILER,  Fr.  to  file,  or  march  in  suc- 
cession. 

Filer  derriere,  Fr.  to  follow  the  last 
file  of  a  division. 

Faire  Filer,  Fr.  to  make  troops,  &c. 
file  off,  or  march  in  regular  order. 

Filer  la  corde,  Fr.  a  figurative  phrase 
among  the  French,  signifying  to  go  the 
way  to  the  gallows. 

Filer  doux,  Fr.  to  give  fair  words; 
to  be  submissive;  to  concede. 

FILET,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  architec- 
ture, signifying  fillet,  listel,  or  a  small 
line  which  runs  alonga  larger  moulding. 

Filet,  Fr.  a  snaffle-bridle. 

Filet  de  couverture,  Fr.  a  small 
ridge  of  plaster  which  runs  along  the 
top  of  a  roof,  and  keeps  the  tiles  or 
slates  together. 

FILEY,  (in  Yorkshire,)  is  deemed 
part  of  the  East  Riding,  and  is  subject 
to  the  county  lieutenant  with  respect  to 
the  raising  of  the  militia. 

FILIERE,  Fr.  a  narrow  pass. 

Filiere,  Fr.  a  wire-drawing  iron. 

Fi  lie  re  de  grade,  Fr.  succession  or 
rotation  of  rank. 

FILIERES,  Fr.  small  veins  or  cre- 
vices through  which  the  water  runs  and 
divides  the  solid  masses  of  stone  that  are 
in  quarries. 

FILINGS  are  movements  to  the 
front,  rear,  or  flank  by  files.  These  move- 
ments must  be  executed  with  great  quick- 
ness. The  files  in  cavalry  must  go  off,  at 
a  smart  gallop,  and  continue  so  till  all 
are  in  file,  the  rear  rank  men  dressing 
well  to  their  front  rank;  the  front  rank 
covering  well,  and  keeping  close  to  the 
croup.  If  the  filings  are  to  be  made 
from  a  flank  to  the  front  or  rear,  th# 
whole  must  keep  passaging  up  to  the 
ground  from  which  the  first  file  went, 
before  they  go  off;  if  to  a  flank,  the 
2  G  2 

I 


F  I  N 


(     228     ) 


F  I  R 


horses  must  be  turned  as  soon  as  there 
is  room.  If  the  tilings  are  from  a  Hank 
to  inarch  along  the  limit  or  rear,  past 
the  other  flank,  every  file  must  come  off 
from  its  own  ground  as  the  next  gets 
into  file. 

General  ami  necessary  Filings,  ac- 
cording to  the  system  published  by  au- 
thority, for  the  British  cavalry,  are: 
filings  from  either, or  both  thinks  of  the 
Squadron  to  front,  flank  or  rear;  filing 
from  the  center  of  the  squadron  to  the 
front,  or  to  the  flank.  Filing  single 
men  by  ranks,  or  by  front  or  rear  rank 
men  alternately,  from  either  flank  of 
the  squadron. 

In  the  filings  of  the  squadron,  the 
serre-files  take  their  places  in  the  rear 
of  the  files,  unless  the  ground  will  allow 
them  to  remain  on  the  flanks  of  the  rear 
flank;  but  their  general  and  proper 
position  is  in  the  rear  of  the  files. 

In  cavalry  filing,  the  greatest  attention 
must  be  paid  to  keep  the  squad  or  troop 
as  compact  together  as  the  nature  of  the 
movement  will  permit.  It  is  a  situation 
in  which  horses  move  free,  and  without 
Confinement,  but  in  which  the  parts  of  a 
Squadron  are  apt  to  lengthen  out,  and 
take  up  much  more  ground  than  what 
they  stand  upon  in  line,  and  is  therefore 
to  l>r  adopted  only  from  necessity,  in 
broken  or  embarrassed  ground.  When 
the  word  file  has  been  given,  and  the 
heads  of  the  horses  have  been  turned 
ready  to  move  off  without  loss  of  dis- 
tance, the  leaders  of  files  must  go  off 
short  and  quick  in  their  ordered  direc- 
tion. They  are  followed  close  by  cadi 
nnan  as  it  comes  to  his  turn,  so  as  to 
leave  no  unnecessary  interval  from  one 
to  another,  and  instantly  to  get  off  the 
ground.  After  being  once  in  file,  a  dis- 
tance of  a  yard  from  head  to  tail  may 
be  taken,  so  as  to  trot  or  gallop  the 
easier  if  required.  Every  alteration  of 
pace  ought  to  be  made  as  much  as  pos- 
sible by  the  whole  file  at  once;  if  this 
is  not  observed,  a  crowding  and  stop 
in  the  rear  will  always  attend  such  al- 
teration. 

I  IX,  /V.  cunning;  sly;  subtle. 

Fix  mot,  Fr.  the  real  state  of  the 
case;  the  main  point;   the  mind's  view. 

TIN  AGE,  Fr.  extent  of  a  jurisdiction. 

FINANCE,  Fr.  duty  ;  tax.  The 
1  k  nch  say  figuratively  : 

Court  de  Finance,  Fr.  low  in  pocket, 
which  is  generally  the  case  with  military 
men. 


FINANCES,  (finances,  Fr.)  coin  in 
general,  which  constitutes  the  metallic 
currency  of  countries. 

Finances  of  an  army,  (finance* 
d'une  armcc,)  Fr.  the  pay  and  allowances 
which  every  army  requires  in  offensive 
or  defensive  operations. 

To  FIND,  to  supply  ;  to  furnish  ;  as, 
parliament  finds  the  army  in  money  and 
victuals,  by  means  of  taxes  levied  on  the 
people. 

To  Find,  (inner;  declarer;  decider 
en  justice,  Fr.)  to  determine  by  judicial 
verdict. 

To  Find  guilty,  (condamner,  Fr.)  to 
pronounce  an  accused  person  guilty  ot 
the  crimes  alleged. 

To  Find  a  hill,  (recevoir  V accusation, 
Fr.)  a  law  term  signifying  to  establish 
grounds  of  accusation  ;  which  is  done 
bv  a  grand  jurv  in  this  country.  In  mi- 
litary matters  a  court  of  inquiry  embra- 
ces the  same  object. 

T/(tTTNDING,a  term  used  in  Courts- 
Martial,  signifying  the  proofs  being 
l)i ought  home  to  a  culprit,  so  that  sen- 
tence may  be  pronounced. 

FINISHED,  completed ;  brought  to 
the  ultimate  point  of  the  original  inten- 
tion. 

11  HE  !  in  the  art  of  war,  a  word  of 
command  to  soldiers  of  all  denomina- 
tions to  discharge  their  fire-arms,  gre- 
nades,  cannon,  <S:c. 

Fire  is  also  used  to  denote  the  dis- 
charge of  all  sorts  of  fire-arms  against 
the  enemy.  The  fire  of  the  infantry  is 
by  a  regular  discharge  of  their  firelocks, 
by  platoons,  divisions,  &c.  that  of  the 
cavalry,  with  their  carbines  and  pistols; 
and  that  of  a  place  beseiged,  from  their 
artillery. 

Fire  of  the  curtain,  ox  second [flank,  is 
from  that  part  of  the  curtain  compre- 
hended between  the  face  of  the  bastion 
prolonged  and  the  angle  of  the  flank  : 
frequently  called  the  line  of  defence 
lichant. 

FiiiE  razant  is  produced  by  firing  the 
artillery  and  small  arms  in  a  line  paral- 
lel with  the  horizon,  or  parallel  with 
those  parts  of  the  works  you  are  defend- 
ing. 

FlEB-arws  are  all  kinds  of  arms  charg- 
ed with  powder  and  ball,  every  one  of 
which  is  mentioned  under  its  respective 
head. 

Running-F irs  is  when  a  rank  or 
ranks  of  men,  drawn  up,  fire  one  after 
another  ;  or  when  the  lines  of  an  army 


F  I  R 


(     229     ) 


F  I  R 


are  drawn  out  to  fire  on  account  of  a 
victory  ;  when  each  squadron  or  batta- 
lion takes  it  from  that  on  its  right,  from 
the  right  of  the  first  line  to  the  left,  and 
from  the  left  to  the  right  of  the  second 
line,  &c. 

FiRE-balU.     See  Balls. 

Fire-c/oss,  an  ancient  token  in  Scot- 
land for  the  nation  to  take  up  arms. 

FiRE-sliip,  a  ship  tilled  with  combus- 
tibles, to  set  fire  to  the  vessels  of  the 
enemy. 

FIRE-MASTER.  The  fire-master  of 
the  Royal  Laboratory  at  Woolwich  is 
employed  under  the  direction  of  the 
comptroller, and  his  business  is  to  attend 
to  the  making  up  of  all  kinds  of  ammu- 
nition, whether  for  practice  or  service,at 
home  or  abroad,  and  account  to  the 
Board  of  Ordnance  for  all  the  tools  and 
materials  used  in  the  laboratory.  The 
person  occupying  this  situation  is  usual- 
ly an  othcer  in  the  artillery  selected  for 
the  express  purpose  of  performing  the 
important  duties  attached  to  the  em- 
ployment, and  ought  to  be  a  person  of 
great  abilities.  The  whole  of  the  artifi- 
cers and  labourers  in  the  different  work- 
shops and  store-houses  in  the  laboratory 
are  under  the  direction  of  the  fire- 
master. 

Fire-master's  mate,  now  styled  as- 
sistant fire-master,  is  an  officer  subordi- 
nate to  the  fire-master,  and  appointed  to 
assist  him  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
above  described.  There  are  two  assist- 
ant fire-masters  at  Woolwich,  one  at 
Portsmouth,  and  one  at  Plymouth. 

FiRz-pan  of  a  gun  is  the  receptacle 
for  the  priming  powder. 

FiRE-pot,  in  the  military  art,  a  small 
earthen  pot,  into  which  is  put  a  charged 
grenade,  and  over  that,  powder  enough 
to  cover  the  grenade;  the  whole  covered 
with  a  piece  of  parchment,  and  two 
pieces  of  quick  match  across  lighted  ; 
it  breaks,  and  fires  the  powder,  as  also 
the  powder  in  the' grenade,  which  has 
no  fuze,  that  its  operations  may  be 
quicker. 

FiRE-zcorks  are  particular  composi- 
tions of  different  sorts,  made  with  sul- 
phur, salt-petre,  and  charcoal.  They  are 
used  in  war,  and  on  rejoicing  days. 

FiRE-zcorkc7-s  were  formerly  subordi- 
nate to  the  fire-master  and  his  mate; 
had  afterwards  the  rank  of  youngest 
lieutenant  to  the  royal  regiment  of  ar- 
tillery ;  but  now  that  rank  is  abolished, 
and    they   are   all    second   lieutenants. 


They  were  supposed  to  be  well  skilled 
in  every  kind  of  laboratory  work;  which 
knowledge  is  an  essential  qualification 
in  every  office?  of  that  regiment. 

FIREBRAND,  a  piece  of  wood  kin- 
dled. It  signifies  figuratively  any  per- 
son who  excites  others  to  sedition.  The 
French  say  in  the  first  instance  tison,\a 
the  second  boute-feu. 

FIR  FLOCK,  (fusil,  arquebuse,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  of  modern  warfare,  so 
called  from  producing  fire  of  itself,  by 
the  action  of  the  flint  and  steel  ;  the 
arms  carried  by  a  foot  soldier.  The 
private  soldier  familiarly  calls  his  fire- 
lock brown  bess ;  although  the  term  is 
little  applicable  to  the  weapon,  consider- 
ing that  it  is  absurdly  polished  in  almost 
every  regiment  of  the  British  army. 
I  his  practice  not  only  gives  unnecessary 
trouble  to  the  soldier,  but  ultimately 
injures  the  piece  ;  especially  when  the 
ramrod  is  used  to  give  a  high  polish. 
Firelocks  were  formerly  3  feet  8  inches 
in  the  barrel,  and  weighed  1  Alb.  at  pre- 
sent the  length  of  the  barrel  is  from  3 
feet  3  inches  t<#  3  feet  6  inches,  and  the 
weight  of  the  piece  only  121b.  They 
carry  a  leaden  bullet,  of  which  29  make 
2lb.  its  diameter  is  .550  of  an  inch,  and 
that  of  the  barrel  l-50th  part  of  the 
shot.  Firelocks  were  first  made  use  of 
in  1G90,  when  match-locks  were  univer- 
sally disused ;  but  when  invented  we 
cannot  ascertain.  A  firelock  is  called, 
by  writers  of  about  the  middle  of  the 
last  century,  usnaphan,  which,  being  a 
low  Dutch  word,  seems  to  indicate  its 
being  of  Dutch  invention.  Formerly, 
both  in  the  manual  and  platoon  exer- 
cises, the  term  firelock  was  always 
adopted — as,  Shoulder  your  firelock, 
Present  your  firelock. — At  present  a 
more  simple  and  brief  mode  of  expres- 
sion prevails  throughout  the  army — as, 
Shoulder  arms,  Present  arms,  ike.  Sec. 
except  in  the  funeral  parties,  when  the 
term  firelock  is  directed  to  be  used  in- 
stead of  arms,  until  after  firing  over 
the  grave,  bayonets  are  ordered  to  be 
fixed,  and  then  the  term  arms  is  adopted. 

FIRELOCKS,  in  the  plural,  signify 
men  or  soldiers  equipped  and  actually 
under  arms ;  as,  there  were  10,000  ef- 
fective firelocks  in  the  field. 

Firing  in  line.  According  to  the  Re- 
gulations, the  following  principal  heads 
constitute  firing  in  line. 

The  object  of  fire  against  cavalry  is 
to  keep  them  at  a  distance,  and  to  deter 


F  I  R 


(     230      ) 


F  I  R 


them  from  the  attack:  as  their  move-! 
ments  arc  rapid,  a  reserve  is  always  kept 
up.  But  when  the  lire  commences 
against  infantry,  it  cannot  he  too  heavy 
or  too  quick  while  it  lasts,  and  should 
be  continued  till  the  enemy  is  beat*  n  01 
repulsed.  This  may  not  improperly  be 
called  offensive  lire. 

Defensive  fire  belongs  principally  to 
infantry,  when  posted  on  heights  which 
are  to  be  defended  by  musketry.  As 
soldiers  generally  present  too  high,  and 
a-  fire  is  of  the  greatest  consequence  to 
troops  that  ate  on  the  defensive,  the 
habitual  mode  (.'fining  should  therefore 
be  rather  at  a  low  level  than  a  high  one. 

On  these  occasions  the  men  are  gene- 
rally drawn  up 3  deep;  in  which  case  the 
front  rank  kneeling,  being  the  most  effi- 
cacious, as  being  the  most  razing,  should 
not  be  dispensed  with  when  it  can  be 
safely,  and  usefully,  employed. 

Firing  by  half  battalions,  the  line 
advancing.  The  left  wings  halt,  and  the 
right  ones  continue  to  march  15  paces, 
at  which  instant  the  word  march  being 
given  to  the  left  wings,  the  right  at  the 
same  time  are  ordered  to  halt,  fire,  and 
load,  during  which  the  left  march  on 
and  pass  them,  till  the  right  wings,  be- 
ing loaded  and  shouldered,  receive  the 
word  march,  on  which  the  left  ones  halt, 
fire,  &c.  and  thus  they  alternately  pro- 
ceed. 

F I R  i  N  r,  by  half  battalions,  the  line  re- 
tiring. The  i iu,ht  wings  are  ordered  to 
halt,  front,  and  when  the  left  wings 
have  gained  15  paces  and  have  received 
the  ward  hall,  front,  the  right  wings  are 
instantly  ordered  to  fire,  load, face  about, 
and  march  15  paces  beyond  the  left  ones, 
where  they  receive  the  word,  halt, front, 
On  which  the  left  wings  far.  cvc.  and 
thus  alternately  proceed. 

It  is  observed  in  the  official  Rules  and 
Regulations,  that  in  addition  to  the  bat- 
talion directions,  there  must  be  a  regu- 
lating battalion  named,  by  the  half  bat- 
talions of  which  each  line  will  more,  halt, 
and  fire  ;  the  commander  of  each  line 
will  be  with  such  half  battalion,  and  in 
giving  his  several  commands  must  have 
an  attention  to  the  general  readiness  of 
the  line,  especially  after  loading,  that 
the  whole  are  prepared  to  step  olf  toge- 
ther at  the  word,  march.  The  firing  of 
the  advanced  wing  succeeds  the  march, 
or  the  halt,  front,  of  the  retired  wing, 
instantly;  and  each  half  battalion  fires 
indepentli.it  and  quick,  so  that  no  unne- 


cessary pauses  being  made  betwixt  the 
firing  words,  the  tire  of  the  line  should 
be  that  of  a  volley  as  much  as  possible  ; 
and  the  whole  being  consequently  load- 
ed together,  will  lie  ready  for  the  next 
command  of  movement.  In  these  firings 
of  the  line,  advancing  or  retiring,  the 
two  first  ranks  will  fire  standing,  and  the 
rear  rank  support  their  arms. 

In  this  manner  also  may  the  alternate 
battalions  of  a  line  advance  or  retire, 
and  when  the  whole  are  to  form,  and 
that  thela^t  line  moves  up  to  the  first, 
every  previous  help  of  advanced  per- 
sons will  be  given  to  ensure  its  correct- 
ness. 

Fire  in  line  advancing  is  when  the 
infantry  marches  in  line  to  attack  the 
enemy,  and  in  advancing  makes  use  of 
its  fire.  On  these  occasions  it  is  better 
to  fire  the  two  first  ranks  only,  standing, 
reserving  the  third,  than  to  make  the 
front  rank  kneel  and  to  lire  the  whole; 
but  when  it  is  necessary  to  fire  at  a  con- 
siderable distance,  or  on  a  retiring  ene- 
my, vollies  may  be  given  by  the  three 
ranks,  the  front  one  kneeling. 

Fin i kg  by  platoons  is  practised  when 
a  line  is  posted,  or  arrives  at  a  fixed  si- 
tuation. In  this  position,  battalions  fire 
independent  of  one  another, and  the  fire 
generally  commences  from  the  center  of 
each.  The  first  fire  of  each  battalion 
must  be  regular,  and  at  established 
pauses  and  intervals;  after  which  each 
platoon  may  continue  to  lire  as  soon  as  it 
is  loaded,  independent  and  as  quick  as 
possible. 

Firing  by  files  is  generally  used  be- 
hind a  parapet,  hedge,  or  abattis.  In 
this  situation  the  two  first  ranks  only 
can  tire,  and  that  must  be  by  the  2  men 
of  the  same  tile  always  tiring  together, 
with  coolness  and  deliberation.  When 
however,  the  parapet,  hedge,  or  abattis 
is  but  a  little  raised,  platoon  firing  may- 
be resorted  to. 

Oblique  FiBINC  by  battalions, or  other- 
wise, according  to  the  ground, is  extreme- 
ly advantageous  when  it  is  found  expe- 
dient to  give  an  oblique  direction  to  part 
of  a  line,  or  when  it  is  discovered  that 
their  fire  can,  in  this  manner,  be  thrown 
against  the  opening  of  a  defile,  the 
flanks  of  a  column,  or  against  cavalry  or 
infantry  that  direct  their  attack  on 
some  particular  battalion  or  portion  of 
the  line. 

Oblique  firing  is  either  to  the  right 
and  left,   or  from  the  right  and  left  to 


F  I  R 


i    231     ) 


FIT 


the  center,  depending  entirely  on  the 
situation  of  the  object  to  be  fired  against. 
The  Prussians  have  a  particular  contri- 
vance for  this  purpose  :  if  they  are  to 
level  to  the  right,  the  rear  ranks  of  every 
platoon  are  to  make  two  quick  but  small 
paces  to  the  left,  and  the  body  of  each 
6oldier  to  turn  l-3th  of  a  circle ;  and  are 
to  take  the  same  distance  to  the  right,  if 
they  are  to  level  to  the  left. 

When  a  line  halts  at  its  points  of  fir- 
ing, no  time  is  to  be  lost  in  scrupulous 
dressing,  and  the  firing  is  instantly  to 
commence.  But  when  a  line  halts,  and 
is  not  to  fire,  the  usual  dressings  must 
be  attended  to  ;  and  every  thing  will 
depend  upon  the  coolness  and  attention 
of  the  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers. 

It  should  be  observed,  with  respect  to 
firings  in  general,  that  after  the  march 
in  front,  and  halt  of  the  battalion,  com- 
pany or  platoon  firing  ought  invariably 
to  begin  from  the  center,  and  not  from 
the  flank.  In  other  cases,  and  in  suc- 
cessive formations,  it  may  begin  from 
whatever  division  first  arrives  and  halts 
on  its  own  ground. 

Square  Firing  is  that  method  of  fir- 
ing where  either  a  regiment  or  any  body 
of  men  is  drawn  up  in  a  square,  each 
front  of  which  is  generally  divided  into 
4  divisions  of  firings;  and  the  flanks  of 
the  square,  as  being  the  weakest  part, 
are  sometimes  covered  by  4  platoons  of 
grenadiers  who  flank  the  angles.  The 
first  fire  is  from  the  right  division  of  each 
face ;  the  second  fire  from  the  left  divi- 
sion of  each  face,  and  so  on  ;  the  gre- 
nadiers making  the  last  fire. 

Street  Firing  is  the  method  of  firing 
adapted  to  defend  or  scour  a  street,  lane, 
or  narrow  pass  of  any  kind;  in  the  exe- 
cution of  which  the  platoon  must  be 
formed  according  to  the  width  of  the 
place;  leaving  sufficient  room  on  the 
flanks  for  the  platoons,  which  have  fired, 
successively  to  file  round  to  the  rear  of 
the  others. 

Street  Firing  advancing.  When  the 
column  has  arrived  at  the  spot  where 
the  firing  is  to  commence,  the  command- 
ing officer  from  the  rear  gives  the  word 
halt  !  and  the  officer  commanding  the 
platoon  orders  it  to  make  ready,  p'sent, 
Jire,  recover  arms,  outwards  face,  (by 
half  platoons,)  quick  march. 

At  the  instant  the  men  in  the  first 
platoon  recover  their  arms,  after  firing, 
the  second   platoon   makes   ready,  and 


waits  in  that  position  till  the  front  is 
cleared  by  the  first  platoon  having  filed 
round  the  flanks  toward  the  rear,  when 
the  second  advances,  with  recovered 
arms,  until  it  receives  the  words  halt, 
p'sent,  fire. 

As  soon  as  the  platoon  which  has 
fired,  has  got  down  the  flanks,  it  must 
form  in  front  of  the  colours,  and  prime 
and  load. 

Street  Firing  retiring  is  conducted 
on  the  same  principles,  except  that  the 
platoons  fire  without  advancing,  on  the 
front  being  cleared  by  the  former  pla- 
toon filing  round  the  flank. 

Another  method  of  street  fi ring  ad- 
vancing, generally  esteemed  more  eli- 
gible, is,  after  firing,  to  wheel  out  by 
subdivisions,  (the  pivots  having  taken  a 
side  step  to  right  and  left  outwards,) 
prime  and  load,  and  as  soon  as  the  last 
platoon  has  passed,  file  inwards  and 
form. 

FIRMNESS,  (fermete,  Fr.)  steadi- 
ness; constancy  ;  resolution.  There  are 
not  any  situations  in  life,  where  the  ex- 
ercise of  this  enviable  quality  is  found 
so  essentially  necessary  as  in  those  of  a 
military  nature.  Brutal  courage  is  so 
often  mistaken  for  dignified  manliness, 
that  a  bully  sometimes  gains  a  reputa- 
tion which  a  brave  man  seldom  has.  It 
has  been  reported  of  an  officer,  that  be- 
ing once  insulted  by  a  person  of  the 
above  description,  who  said,  Then,  sir, 
you  are  a  coward  ;  he  replied  with  a 
firm,  but  disdainful  look,  No,  sir !  I 
am  not  a  coward,  for  I  have  resolution 
enough  not  to  feel  myself  insulted  by  a 
fool,  or  a  coxcomb. 

FISSURE,  a  narrow  chasm  where  a 
small  breach  has  been  made. 

FIT,  qualified,  proper ;  adapted  to  any 
purpose  of  underutking. 

Fit  for  service,  capable  of  undergo- 
ing fatigue.  Strong  healthy  men,  from 
18  to  45  years  of  age,  of  a  certain 
height,  and  not  subject  to  fits,  are  con- 
sidered fit  objects  for  service,  and  may 
be  enlisted  into  any  of  his  Majesty's  re- 
giments. The  principal  heads  under 
which  every  recruit  should  be  rejected, 
or  made  soldier  be  discharged,  consist  of 
rupture,  venereal  lues  or  incurable  pox, 
habitual  ulcers,  sore  legs,  scurvy,  scald 
head,  and  fits. 

Fit,  a  paroxysm  ;  any  violent  affec- 
tion of  the  body,  by  which  a  man  is 
suddenly  rendered  incapable  of  going 
through  the  necessary  functions  of  life. 


FLA 


(     232     ) 


FLA 


Tits,  habitual  affections  of  the  body, 
to  which   men  and  women  are  subject, 

ami  by  wind)  they  may  lie  frequently 
attacked  without  any  other  immediate 
consequences  than  a  temporary  suspen- 
sion ol  the  mental  powers,  accompanied 

by  a  disordered  and  painful  action  of  the 
frame.  When  recruits  are  examined, 
particular  inquiry  should  be  made  with 
respect  to  this  complaint. 

Fix  bayonets!  a  word  of  command  in 
the  manual  exercise.     See  Manual. 

FLACHE,  Fr.  a  hole  made  in  the 
pavement. 

Flache,  Fr.  a  species  of  stone  used 
for  smooth  pavement;  and  round  the 
platforms  cf  ordnance. 

1  LAG  of  truce,  (pavilion  parlemen- 
taire,  Fr.)    See  Truce. 

FLAG,  the  colours  or  ensign  of  a 
ship,  or  land  force.  See  Colours, 
Standards,  &c. 

Flags,  in  the  British  navy,  arc  either 
red,  white,  or  blue,  and  they  are  hoisted 
either  at  the  heads  of  the  main-mast, 
fore-mast,  or  mizeu-mast. 

Flags  when  displayed  from  the  top 
of  the  main-mast  are  the  distinguishing 
marks  of  admirals;  when  from  the  fore- 
mast, of  vice-admirals,  and  when  from 
the  mizen-mast,  of  rear-admirals. 

The  highest  flag  in  the  British  navy, 
is  the  anchor  and  cable,  which  is  only 
displayed  when  the  lord  lii^h  admiral, 
or  lords  commissioners  of  the  Admiralty 
are  on  board;  the  next  is  the  union,  the 
distinction  peculiar  to  the  second  officer, 
called  admiral  of  the  fleet;  and  the 
lowest  .flag  is  the  Mae  at  the  mizen-mast. 
i  i..\G-oljicer,  a  naval  officer  com- 
manding a  squadron.  For  the  compli- 
ments paid  him,  see  Honours. 

YhAG-sltip,  the  ship  in  which  the  com- 
mander of  a  fleet  is. 

Flag,  commonly  called  flag-stone. 
See  Flache. 

FLAGSTAFF,  the  staff  on  which  the 
flag  is  lixed. 

i  L  VM,  a  word  formerly  made  use  of 
in  the  British  service,  signifying  a  par- 
ticular tap  or  beat  upon  the  drum,  ac- 
cording to  which  each  battalion  went 
through  its  firings,  or  evolutions.  The 
practice  is  laid  aside,  a«  it  is  particularly 
ordered  by  the  last  Regulations,  that 
every  battalion,  troop,  or  company  shall 
■  be  exercised  by  specilic  words  of  com- 
mand, delivered  in  a  distinct  and  audihle 
tone  of  voice. 

Flam  is  also  used  as  a  signal  to  pitch 


tents;  after  a  i  utile  the  flam  is  heat,  and 
the  men  instantly  erect  their  poles. 

I  LAMBE,  Fr.  desperate;  lost.  Af- 
faire  Flambxe,   Fr.  a  desperate  case. 

FLAMBEAU,  Fr.  a  wax  torch. 

FLAMBER  tin  canon,  un  >nortier7 
Fr.  to  burn  powder  in  a  cannon  or  mor- 
tar, for  the  purpose  of  cleansing  it,  or 
of  destroying  dampness  ;  also  to  scale  a 
gun. 

FLAM  BERG  E,  Fr.  a  word  used,  by 
way  of  ridicule,  to  signify  the  useless 
drawing,  or  flourishing,  of  a  sword,  viz. 
J'eus  I' assurance  dr.  met t re  flamberge  au 
vent,  1  had  the  boldness  to  unsbeath 
my  sword. 

FLAMME,  Fr.  in  the  old  French 
marine  establishment,  was  a  mark  of 
distinction  which  exclusively  belonged 
to  the  king's  ships,  consisting  of  a  long 
streamer. 

Fla.mme,  ou  pendant,  Fr.  bolting 
cloth,  or  ticking.  It  is  a  long  streamer 
which  generally  hangs  either  from  the 
yards  or  scuttle  of  a  mast,  and  serves 
for  ornament  or  to  give  signals. 

I  LAMME,  Fr.   in  farriery,  a  fleam. 

FLAMMECHE,  IV.  a  spark  of  fire; 
a  particle  of  kindled  matter. 

FLANC,  Fr.  a  flank. 

'      ,   f      See  Retired 
l  lanc  <  convert,  >  t-, 

I  LANK. 


,    ±  i .    a  n. iii  h 

I  bus,  } 
<  convert,  > 
(  retire.     } 


Flanc  de  bastion,  Fr.  See  Flank  of 
Lite  bastion. 

Prendre  en  Flanc,  Fr.  to  take  in 
Hank. 

Pi  iter  le  Flanc,  Fr.  to  expose  the 
flanks  of  a  regiment,  or  wings  of  an 
army,  &C. 

Eire  pris  en  Flanc,  Fr.  to  be  at- 
tacked by  an  enemy  in  llank. 

FLANDRIN,  Fr.  a  large  slim  lath- 
back  fellow,  unlit  to  be  a  soldier. 

FLANKS,  in  the  art  of  war  and  in 
fortification,  are  of  several  denomina- 
tions, according  to  their  uses,  viz. 

Flam  ks  of  an  army,  (lea  Jlancs  d'u-ne 
armee,  Fr.)  certain  proportions  of  offen- 
sive, or  defensive,  forces  which  are  ex- 
tended to  the  right  and  left  of  a  main 
body,  and  ought  to  be  posted  in  such  a 
manner,  that  it  would  be  certain  ruin  to 
the  enemy  were  he  to  attempt  any  im- 
pression between  them : — in  a  more  con- 
fined sense,  the  troops  which  are  sta- 
tioned on  the  right  and  left  of  each  line 
of  encampments.     See  Wings. 

Fla\k-JHcs  are  the  two  first  men  on 
the  right  and  the  two  last  men  on  tlte 


FLA 


(     233     ) 


FLA 


left,  telling  downwards  from  the  right, 
of  a  line,  battalion,  company,  division, 
subdivision,  or  section.  When  a  batta- 
lion is  drawn  up  three  deep,  its  flank 
files  consist  of  three  men,  or.  as  the 
French  call  it,  rile  and  demi-fiie.  When 
four  deep,  the  flank,  files  are  termed 
double  riles;  so  that  a  column  formed 
from  any  of  these  alignements  will  have 
all  its  relative  flank  riles,  be  the  depth 
of  formation  what  it  will. 

Inicard  Flank  in  manoeuvring,  the 
first  rile  on  the  left  of  a  division,  subdi- 
vision, or  section,  when  ihe  battalion 
stands  at  close,  or  open  column,  with  the 
right  in  front. 

Outward  Flank  of  a  line  or  batta- 
lion, the  extreme  file  on  the  right  or 
left  of  a  division,  subdivision,  or  section, 
according  to  the  given  front,  when  the 
battalion  is  at  close,  or  open,  column, 
and  which  is  the  farthest  wheeling  point 
from  line  into  column,  or  from  column 
into  line.  It  is  likewise  called  the  re- 
verse flank. 

TL\NK-company,  a  certain  number  of 
men  drawn  up  on  the  right,  or  left,  of  a 
battalion.  Thus  the  grenadiers  compose 
the  right,  and  the  light  infantry,  the  left 
flank  company.  When  these  are  de- 
tached, the  two  extreme  battalion  com- 
panies become  such. 

The  grenadiers  and  light  infantry  are 
generally  called  flank  companies,  whe- 
ther actached,  or  not,  to  their  several 
battalions. 

Flank  iNG-/>ar/y,  a  select  body  of 
men  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  whose  ob- 
ject is  to  harass  and  perplex  the  enemy, 
to  get  upon  his  wings,  or  by  any  ma- 
aiceuvre  to  hang  upon  the  flank  of  an 
opposing  force. 

Flank  en  potence  is  any  part  of  the 
right  or  left  wing  formed  at  a  right  an- 
gle with  the  line.     See  Potence. 

Leading  Flank.  When  the  line  breaks 
into  column  in  order  to  attack  an  enemy, 
it  is  the  flank  which  must  almost  always 
preserve  the  line  of  appui  in  all  move- 
ments in  front.  The  first  battalion,  di- 
yision,  or  company,  of  every  column 
which  conducts,  is  called  the  head  or 
leading  flank  of  that  column.  All  the 
writhings  and  turnings  to  which  it  must 
unavoidably  be  subject,  are  followed  by 
every  other  part  of  the  body,  and  such 
bead  becomes  a  flank,  right  or  left,  when 
formed  into  line.  The  commander  must 
therefore  be  on  which  ever  flank  directs 
the  operations  of  the  line,  and  by  which 


he  proposes  to  attack,  or  to  counteract 
the  attempts  of  the  enemy. 

Passing  Flank,  the  flank  of  a  squa- 
dron, troop,  battalion,  or  company, 
which  is  next  to  the  general  when  troops 
march  bv.  Both  in  cavalrv  and  in  fan- 
try  movements,  at  open  order,  a  non- 
commissioned officer  invariably  steps  up 
to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned,  on  the 
passing  flank,  by  the  otticer  going  to  the 
front  of  his  squadron,  troop  or  company, 
in  order  to  salute  the  reviewing  general. 
At  closed  ranks,  when  troops  march, 
past,  the  passing  flank  must  always  have 
an  officer. 

Flank  in  fortification,  in  general,  is 
any  part  of  a  work  that  defends  another 
work,  along  the  outside  of  its  parapet. 

Flank  of  a  bastion,  (Jianc  d'une  bas- 
tion, Fr.)  in  fortification,  that  part 
which  joins  the  face  to  the  curtain, 
comprehended  between  the  angle  of  the 
curtain  and  that  of  the  shoulder.  It  is 
the  principal  defence  of  the  place.  Its 
use  is,  to  defend  the  curtain,  the  flank, 
and  face  of  the  opposite  bastion,  as  well 
as  the  passage  of  the  ditch;  and  to* 
batter  the  salient  angles  of  the  counter- 
scarp and  glacis,  whence  the  besieged 
generally  ruin  the  flanks  with  their  ar- 
tillery; for  the  flanks  of  a  fortification 
are  those  parts  which  the  besiegers  en- 
deavour most  to  destroy,  in  order  to 
take  away  the  defence  of  the  face  of  the 
opposite  bastion. 

Oblique,  )    t,  <  that  part  of  the 

o      J  ,  'I-    Ilank,    I  K  •     e 

second,  )  (      curtain    from 

which  the  face  of  the  opposite  bastion 
may  be  discovered,  and  is  the  distance 
between  the  lines  razant  and  fichant, 
which  are  rejected  by'  most  engineers, 
as  being  liable  to  be  ruined  at  the  be- 
ginning of  a  siege,  especially  when  made 
of  sandy  earth.  The  second  parapet, 
which  may  be  raised  behind  the  former, 
is  of  no  use;  for  it  neither  discovers 
nor  defends  the  face  of  the  opposite 
bastion  :  besides,  it  shortens  the  flank, 
which  is  the  true  defence;  and  the  con- 
tinual fire  of  the  besiegers'  cannon  will 
never  suffer  the  garrison  to  raise  a  second 
parapet.  This  second  ilank  defends  very 
obliquely  the  opposite  face,  and  is  to  be 
used  only  in  a  place  attacked  by  an  army 
without  artillery. 

Retired  Flank,  (jianc  retire,  Fr.)*, 
Low  flank,  (Jianc  bus,  Fr.)  Covered 
Flank,  (Jianc  orillon,  ou  couvert,  Fr.) 
the  platform  of  the  casemate,  which  lies 
hid  in  the  bastion.  These  retired  flanks 
2  H 


FLA 


(     231     ) 


FLA 


are  a  great  defence  to  the  opposite  has- 1  flanks,)  tlie  French  with  redoubled  ac- 


tion and  passage  of  the  ditch,,  because 
the  besiegers  cannot  see,  nor  easily  dis- 
mount, their  guns. 

Flank  prolonged,  (jlunc  prolongi, 
Fr.)  in  fortilication,  is  the  extending  of 
the.  Hank  from  the  angle  of  the  epaule- 
nient  to  the  exterior  side,  when  the  an- 
gle of  the  flank  is  a  right  one. 

Concave  Flank,  (Jlanc  concave,  Fr.) 
is  that  which  is  made  in  the  arc  of  a 
semi-circle  bending  outwards. 

Flanks  of  a  frontier  are  the  different 
salient  points  of  a  large  extent  of  ter- 
ritory, between  each  of  which  it  would 
be  impolitic  fur  any  invading  army  to 
ha/aid  an  advanced  position.  The  iate 
celebrated  General  Lloyd  (whose  accu- 
racy of  observation  and  solidity  of  con- 
clusion with  respect  to  the  old  iron  fron- 
tier of  France  have  heen  universally  ac- 
knowledged) lias  furnished  military  men 
with  a  full  and  succinct  account  of  the 
relative  positions  upon  it.  He  divides 
this  long  line  (which  begins  at  Basil  in 
Switzerland,  and  runs  in  various  di- 
rections from  thence  to  Dunkirk  in 
French  Flanders)  into  three  parts,  and 
considers  each  of  them  separately.  The 
first  part  goes  from  Basil  to  Landau, 
and  covers  Alsatia;  it  is  near  130  miles 
in  length.  The  second  part  goes  from 
Landau  to  Sedan  on  the  Moselle,  covers 
Lorraine  on  the  side  of  the  Electorate  of 
Treves,  the  Duchies  of  Deux-Ponts, 
Luxemburgh,  and  Liniburg;  it  is  190 
miles  in  length.  From  Sedan  down  the 
Meuse  to  Charleniont  in  French  Flan- 
ders, and  thence  to  Dunkirk,  goes  the 
third  part,  and  is  about  150  mites  ;  so 
that  the  whole  natural  frontier  of  France 
is  470  miles.  The  greatest  part,  if  not 
the  whole,  of  which  is  in  the  shape  of  a 
horse  shoe,  and  presents  impregnable 
llauks.  An  anonymous  writer,  (See  Better 
late  than  never,published  in  1793,)  after 
referring  the  reader  to  General  Lloyd  for 
a  specilic  account  o\  the  first  and  second 
linens  o.f  the  French  frontier,  has  made  the 
following  observations  relative  to  the 
third  and  last,  which  runs  from  Sedan 
down  the  Meuse  to  Charleniont,  from 
thence  to  Dunkirk,  and  is  150  miles  in 
length.  His  words  are — While  the  duke 
of  Brunswick  and  the  king  of  Prussia 
were  ruining  the  most  formidable  armies 
in  Europe  by  endeavouring  to  penetrate 
a  few  uiilesintoLorraineandChampaune 
through  the  first  and  second  line,  (with- 
out having  previously  secured  the  two 


tivity  operated  upon  the  third,  ano 
finally  subdued  all  Flanders.  Those  very 

difficulties,  in  fact,  which  presented 
themselves  to  oppose  the  progress  hi  the 
allied  army  into  France,  facilitated 
every  excursion  on  her  part,  as  the  di- 
rection of  the  lineuliicli  goes  from  Sedan 
to  Landau  is  concavl  loicurds  that  part 
of  Germany. 

The  remainder  of  this  line  (within 
which  so  many  faults  were  committed, 
or  rather  could  not  be  avoided,  because 
the  impression  itself  was  founded  in 
error)  runs  to  Dunkirk.  "  Tt  has  been 
the  scene  of  successive  wars  for  nearly  two 
centuries,  the  most  expensive,  bloody, 
and  durable,  of  any  recorded  in  the  an- 
nals of  mankind."  This  line,  continues 
General  Lloyd,  is  stronger  by  art  than 
nature,  having  a  prodigious  number  ol 
Strong  fortresses  and  posts  upon  it;  more- 
over it  projects  in  many  places,  so  that 
an  enemy  can  enter  no  where,  without 
having  some  of  them  in  front  and  on  his 
Hanks. 

Hence  the  impolicy  of  taking  Valen- 
ciennes, or  marching  towards  Quesnoy, 
without,  having  previously  secured  Dun- 
kirk,  Lisle,  eye. 

Flanks,  in  farriery,  a  wrench,  or  any 
other  grief  in  the  back  of  a  horse. 

To  Flank,  in  fortification,  is  to  erect 
a  battery  which  may  play  upon  an  ene- 
my's works  on  the  right  or  left  without 
being  exposed  to  his  line  of  fire.  Any 
fortification,  which  has  no  defence  buC 
right  forward,  is  faulty  ;  and  to  make  it 
complete,  one  part  ought  to  flank  the 
other. 

To  Flank,  in  evolutions,  to  take  such 
a  position  in  action  as  either  to  assist 
your  own  troops,  or  to  annoy  those  of 
your  enemy,  by  attacking  either  of  his 
thinks,  without  exposing  yourself  to  all 
his  fire. 

To  Out-flank,  a  manoeuvre  by 
which  an  army,  battalion,  troop,  or  com-, 
puny,  outstretches  another,  and  gets 
upon  both,  or  either,  of  its  flanks. 

To  Out-flank,  in  an  extensive  ac- 
ceptation of  the  term,  when  applied  to 
locality,  means  to  possess  any  range  of 
opposite  parts,  or  territory,  whence  you 
might  invade  your  neighbour. 

FLANKER,  a  fortification  jutting  out 
so  as  to  command  the  side,  or  flank,  of 
an  enemy  marching  to  the  assault,  or 
attack. 

Flankers,  in  cavalry  manoeuvres,  the 


FLA 


(     235     ) 


FL  E 


most  active  men  and  horses  who  are  se- 
lected to  do  the  duty  of  flankers.  The 
men,  of  course,  must  be  perfect  masters 
of  their  horses.  One  complete  file  of 
each  four  must  be  a  file  of 'flankers;  it 
does  not  signify  which  file,  but  if  it  can 
conveniently  be  done,  the  center  file 
should  be  taken,  as  in  that  case  neither 
the  flank  men,  nor  the  telling  off  of  the 
squadron  or  division  will  be  affected. 

W  hen  you  manoeuvre  by  whole  squa- 
drons, six  or  eight  flankers  arc  sufficient 
in  general  for  the  whole  squadron. 

The  word  of  command,  when  the 
flankers  come  out  to  the  front,  is,  flank- 
ers forward  ! 

Inflariking,  a  great  deal  depends  upon 
the  officer  or  serjeant;  he  muct  be  ex- 
tremely active,  and  not  only  attend  to 
the  movements  of  the  division  from 
which  he  is  detached,  but  likewise  to 
his  flankers. 

As  horses  frequently  refuse  to  quit  the 
ranks  and  hang  back  obstinately,  the 
men  indiscriminately  should  be  often 
called  out  of  the  ranks  one  by  one,  and 
practised  as  flankers. — Grenadiers  and 
light  infantry  are  also  called  flankers. 

To  Flanker,  (in  French  flanquer,) 
to  fortify  the  walls  of  a  city  with  bul- 
warks or  countermines. 

FLANKING  is  the  same  in  fortifica- 
tion as  defending. 

Flanking  party,  any  body  of  men 
detached  from  the  main  army  to  get 
upon  the  flanks  of  an  enemy,  so  as  to 
secure  a  line  of  march.    See  Flankers. 

Flanking  angle,  in  fortification,  that 
composed  of  the  two  lines  of  defence, 
and  pointing  towards  the  curtain.  See 
Tenaille. 

Flanking  line  of  defence.  See  line 
of  defence. 

Flanking-point.     See  Point. 

FLANNEL,  (. #ane//e,Fr.)  a  soft  nappy 
stuff  or  wool.  It  is  also  called  molleton 
by  the  French.  Whenever  the  govern- 
ment of  a  country  can  afford  any  extra 
clothing  for  soldiers  on  service,  particu- 
larly in  cold  countries,  or  even  in  lot 
climates,  it  is  sound  policy  to  make  an 
allowance  for  flannel;  indeed,  it  ought 
to  form  a  principal  part  of  the  neces- 
saries of  a  soldier. 

FLANQUE,  Fr.  to  be  defended  in 
such  a  manner  that  no  attack  can  be 
successfully  made  against  a  work. 

1  ANQUER,  Fr.  to  flank. 

1  1  AP,  a  disease  in  horses,  by  which 


the  lips  are  swoln  on  both  sides  of  the 
mouth. 

FLAQUIERE,  Fr.  part  of  a  mule's 
harness. 

FLASH,  the  flame  which  issues  from 
any  piece  of  ordnance,  or  fire-arm,  on  its 
being  fired. 

Flash  in  the  pan,  an  explosion  of 
gunpowder  without  any  communication 
beyond  the  touch-hole.  When  a  piece 
is  loaded,  and  upon  the  trigger  being 
drawn,  nothing  but  the  priming  takes 
fire,  that  piece  is  said  to  flash  in  the  pan. 

FLASK,  a  measure  made  of  horn, 
used  to  carry  powder  in,  with  the  mea- 
sure of  the  charge  of  the  piece  on  the 
top  of  it. 

FLASQUES,  Fr.  in  the  artillery,  are 
two  cheeks  of  the  carriage  of  a  great 
gun.     See  Affut. 

Flasque,  Fr.  likewise  means  a  gun- 
powder flask. 

FLAT,  a  level;  an  extended  plane. 

YLAT-bottomed  boats,  in  military  af- 
fairs, are  made  to  swim  in  shallow  wa- 
ter, and  to  carry  a  great  number  of 
troops,  artillery, ammunition,  &c.  They 
are  constructed  in  the  following  man- 
ner :  a  12-pounder,  bow  chace,  an  18 
ditto,  stern  chace ;  90  to  100  feet  keel  ; 
12  to  24  ditto  beam ;  1  mast,  a  large 
square  main-sail;  a  jib-sail :  they  are 
rowed  by  18  or  20  oars,  and  can  each 
carry  400  men.  The  gun  takes  up  one 
bow,  and  a  bridge  the  other,  over  which 
the  troops  are  to  march.  Those  that 
carry  horses  have  the  fore  parts  of  the 
boats  made  open. 

Y'LAT-bottomed,  (fait  a  fond  de  cuve, 
Fr.)  not  having  any  keel;  as  flat-bottom- 
ed boats  are  built.  The  French  call 
these  boats  prames. 

FLATTOIR,  Fr.  a  flatting  hammer. 

FLAW,  (fente,  Fr.)  any  crack  or 
small  opening  in  a  gun,  or  its  carriage,  is 
so  called. 

FLEAU,  Fr.  the  beam,  or  balance,  of 
a  pair  of  scales. 

Fl£au  de  Porte,  Fr.  an  iron,  or  a 
strong  wooden  bar,  which  falls  across 
the  inside  of  the  gates  of  a  town,  when 
shut,  so  as  to  prevent  their  being  broken 
open. 

Fleau,  Fr.  a  scourge.  The  French 
use  this  word  figuratively  in  most  cases, 
as  wc  do,  viz  La  guerre,  la  pestc,  et  la 
famine  sont  trois  fleaux  de  Dieu,  war, 
pestilence  and  famine,  are  three  scourges 
of  God.  They  also  say,  La  calomnie  est 
2H3 


F  L  E 


(    236    ) 


FLO 


le  llcau  de  la  vert u,  calumny  is  the 
scourge  of  virtue. 

FLECHE,    Yr.  an  arrow. 

Fleche,  IV.  in  geometry,  B  perpen- 
dicular line  raised  upon  the  center  Oi  th« 


chord  of  an  arc  or  segment  of  a  circle,  ins:  to  fence. 


also  to  mark  with  a  hot  iron,  as  is  prac- 
ticed upon  criminals. 

La  FLEUR  de$  troupes,  Fr.  choice  or 
picked  nun  :  the  dower  of  an  army. 

FLEURET,  Fr.  a  foil  used  in  learn- 


and  terminated  by  the  circumference. 

Fleciie,  in  field  fortification,  a  work 
of  two  face*,  usually  raised  in  the  field, 
to  cover  the  quarter  guards  of  a  camp 
or  advanced  post. 

Fleciie  urdcnle,  Fr.  a  particular 
kind  of  artificial  firework,  which  is  throw  n 
into  the  works  OI  the  enemy;  literally  a 
blazing  arrow. 

Fleche  quarr'ce,  Fr.  a  quarrel  of  a 
cross-bow. 

Fleches  de  pont-levis,  Fr.  pieces  of 
timber  collected  at  the  counterpoise  oi 
a  draw-bridge,  to  which  are  fixed  two 
chains,  that  raise  the  apron  of  the  bridge. 
Fleches  d'urpenteur,  Fr.  piquets, 
or  long  equal  poles  which  land-surveyors 
use  to  measure  land. 

Fleciies  pour  le  petard,  Fr.  sticks  of 
iron  iixed  together  by  means  of  iron 
rings,  the  last  of  which  is  armed  with 
strong  iron  points ;  to  this  is  iixed  the 
petard,  which  is  to  burst  upon  the  gates: 
these  engines  go  upon  wheels,  and  art 
pushed  forward  like  flying  bridges. 

FLECHIR,  Fr.  to  submit;  to  truckle 
under,  to  buckle  to. 

FLEECE,  (taison,  Fr.)  Golden  fleece, 
(toison  d'ur,  Fr.)    See  Orders. 

FLEET,  (fiolte,  Fr.)  The  French 
also  use  the  word  armee,  to  signify  fleet 
or  armament  at  sea,  viz.  le  Vaisseau 
ainiral  porte  tous  ses  fanaux  allumes  la 
milt,  pour  niarquer  la  route  uit  restc  de 
V armee,  the  admiral's  ship  has  all  its 
lights  out,  during  the  night,  in  order  to 
mark,  or  shew,  the  course  to  the  rest  of 
the  fleet.  They  also  say,  armcc  nuvnlc, 
naval  army.     See  Naval,  1  r. 

To  FLESH,  according  to  Dr.  John- 
son, to  initiate;  from  the  sportsman's 
practice  of  feeding  his  hawks  and  dogs 
with  the  first  game  that  they  take;  or 
training  them  to  pursuit  by  giving  them 
the  flesh  of  animals. 

To  Flesh  a  szcord,  to  draw  blood  by 
means  of  a  sword.  It  is  also  used  figu- 
ratively— Thus  Junius,  under  the  signa- 
ture of  Atticus,  says  of  the  Duke  of 
Grafton  —  His  Grace  had  honourably 
Jleshcd  his  maiden  szeord  in  the  field  oj 
opposition. 

FLETCHER.     See  Bowyer. 
FLETRIR,  Fr.  to  brand;  to  disgrace; 


FL1  BUSTIERS,  Fr.  pirates  in  the 
\Y<  st  Indies:  they  cruise  in  bottoms 
called  Jlibots.  Hence  Jlibudcr  is  to  go 
out  to  plunder. 

FLIBOT,  Fr.  a  fly  boat;  a  pirate's 
boat. 

FLIGHT,  used  figuratively  for  the 
swift  retreat  of  an  army,  or  any  party, 
from  a  victorious  enemy. 

To  put  to  Flight,  to  force  your 
enemy  to  quit  the  field  of  battle. 

Flight  is  likewise  applicable  to  mis- 
sile weapons,  or  shot,  as  a  flight  ot  ar- 
rows, a  flight  of  bombs,  &c. 

ThK.m-slwt,    (coup   de   fleche,    Fr.) 
the  motion  of  an  arrow  shot  from  a  bow. 
FLINT,  (euillou,  Fr.)   a   hard  semi- 
pellucid  stone  of  the  chrystal  kind,  well 
known  to  strike  fire  with  steel.     As  va- 
rious accidents  happen  from  the  want  of 
proper  attention  to  the  method  of  fixing 
and  enclosing  flints  in  firelocks,  particu- 
larly among  volunteers  and  raw  troops, 
we  think  it  right  to  warn  every  soldier 
against  the  use  of  paper  for  this  purpose. 
Paper,  being  naturally  absorbent,  must 
necessarily  receive,  in  the  course  of  one 
or  two  discharges  of  the  musket,  several 
particles  of  gunpowder,  and  become  in- 
flammable.   To  soldiers,  (such  as  light 
troops  and  rifle-men  who  prime  from  a 
powder-horn,)    this   mode    is  peculiarly 
iiazardous.     Instances,  indeed,  have  oc- 
curred, in  w  hich  the  hand  has  been  blown 
olT.     We  would  recommend  sheet  lead, 
or  leather.    But  sheet  lead",  such  as  may 
be  got  from  every  tea-dealer,  is  prefer- 
able to  leather.     Leather  is  clastic,  and 
does  not  wrap  round  the  flint  so  welt  as 
lead,  which  collapses  at  every  pressure; 
and  in  process  of  time  leather  will  be- 
come dry,  and  of  course  susceptible  of 
ignition.     Captains  of  companies  might 
easily  afford  their  men  a  sullicient  quan- 
tity of  sheet  lead,  out  of  the  allowance 
for  emery,  oil,  and  brickdusl. 

To  FLOAT.  A  column  is  said  to  float 
when  it  loses  its  perpendicular  line  in 
march,  and  becomes  unsteady  in  its 
movements. 

ThOAT-boal,  (rade.au,  Fr.)  a  raft  upon 
which  persons,   or  things,  may  be  con- 
veyed by  water. 
FLOATING-taHcnes,  (batteries fiot- 


FLU 


(     2S7     ) 


F  O  A 


iantes,  Fr.)  vessels  used  as  batteries,  to 
cover  troops  in  landing  on  an  enemj's 
coast. 

FLOGGING,  the  punishment  in  ge- 
neral use  among  the  British  foot  soldiers. 
It  is  inflicted  with  a  whip  having  several 
lashes ;  generally  nine. 

FLOODGATE,  in  fortified  towns,  is 
composed  of  2  or  4  gates,  so  that  the 
besieged  by  opening  the  gates  may  inun- 
date the  environs,  and  keep  the  enemy 
out  of  gun-shot. 

FLOOR.     See  Platform. 

FLOTSON,  goods  that  swim  without 
any  owner  on  the  sea. 

FLOTTEMENT,  Fr.  an  undulation 
or  floating  in  the  movements  of  a  bat- 
talion whilst  marching.     See  to  Float. 

To  FLOURISH,  in  a  general  musical 
acceptation  of  the  term,  is  to  play  some 
prelude,  or  preparatory  air,  without  any 
settled  rule. 

A  Flourish,  (fanfare,  Fr.)  any 
vibration  of  sound  that  issues  from  a 
musical  instrument. 

The  trumpet  Flour rsn,  in  drawing 
swords,  is  used  regimen  tally  by  corps  of 
cavalry  on  their  own  ground,  and  is  the 


sounding    u.-ed    in    receiving 


a    major- 


general.  It  is  repeated  twice  for  a  lieu- 
tenant-general. Whenever  his  Majesty, 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  any  of  the 
royal  family  appear  before  a  body  of 
cavalry,  the  trumpet  flourish  is  always 
used. 

FLOWER,  (elite,  Fr.)  a  word  in 
common  military  phraseology  to  signify 
the  choicest  troops  of  an  army.  The 
French  say  also  lafteur  des  troupes. 

Flower  de  luce,   >  the  original  arms 

Fleur  de  lis,  ]  of  France.  They 
consist  in  three  flowers  fie  lis  or,  in  a 
field  of  azure.  These  arms  were  super- 
seded in  1789,  by  the  cap  of  liberty, 
and  the  three-coloured  flag,  when  the 
Bastile  was  taken  and  destroyed  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Paris.  They  were 
restored  in  1815,  through  the  unite*) 
efforts  of  the  allied  armies,  against  the 
Emperor  Napoleon. 

FLUGEL-w«»,  a  well  drilled  intelli- 
gent soldier  advanced  in  front  of  the 
line,  to  give  the  time  in  the  manual  and 
platoon  exercises.  The  word  fiugel  is 
derived  from  the  German,  and  signifies 
a  wing;  the  man  having  been  originally 
posted  in  front  of  the  right  wing. 

FLUSHED,  a  term  frequently  applied 
when  men  have  been  successful,  as, 
flushed  with  victory,  &c. 


FLUTE,  a  wind  instrument  which  is 
sometimes  used  in  military  bands. 

FLUTE,  Fr.  a  rank  :  a  flute. 

FLUX,  (fur,  Fr.)  an  extraordinary 
evacuation  of  the  body,  to  which  soldiers 
are  frequently  subject  on  service.  To- 
wards the  fall  of  the  year  this  disorder 
is  particularly  prevalent,  especially  in 
camps.  It  is  of  a  contagious  nature, 
and  the  greatest  care  should  be  taken 
to  prevent  the  healthy  men  in  a  regi- 
ment from  frequenting  the  privies  to 
which  those  infected  by  this  cruel  dis- 
order are  permitted  to  resort.  A  sentry 
should  always  be  posted  in  the  vicinitv 
of  every  hospital  for  that  specific  purpose. 

FLY,  the  upper  part  of  a  tent  or 
marquee,  that  from  which  the  shell  and 
walls  may  be  detached. 

To  FLY  ( fuir  ;  s'enfuir ;  se  saaver, 
Fr.)  to  make  a  precipitate  retreat;  to 
run  away. 

To  Fly  in  a  battle,  (iourner  le  dos, 
Fr.)  to  turn  tail  and  run  away.  To 
abandon  the  standard,  or  colours,  of  a 
regiment. 

To  Fly  one's  country,  (quitter  sa 
patrie ;  imigrer,  Fr.)  to  abandon  the 
country  in  which  one  was  born,  and  to 
go  into  some  other;  to  emigrate.  This 
can  seldom  happen  without  the  party 
incurring  the  imputation  of  cowardice, 
dishonour,  or  guilt. 

To  Fly  for  refuge,  (se  refugier,  Fr.) 
to  seek  some  particular  country,  quarter, 
or  place,  where  one  may  be  out  of  the 
reach  of  persecution,  or  justice. 

To  Fly  the  kingdom,  (vuider,  Fr.)  to 
escape  out  of  the  limits  of  a  regulated 
dominion. 

To  Fly  lack,  as  a  horse  does,  (ruer, 
Fr.)  to  fall  suddenly  into  a  retrograde 
movement ;  to  discover  manifest  symp- 
toms of  fear. 

To  Fly-  from  one's  colours,  to  aban- 
don the  regiment  with  which  one  is  act- 
ing, or  a  cause  which  one  has  espoused. 

FLYING-carop,  (camp  volant,  Fr.) 
See  Camp. 

Flying    -     S  arm2/-    See  army. 

£  bridge.     See  Bridge. 

FLYiNG-r^pori,  (bruit  qui  court,  Fr.) 
a  vague  and  uncertain  communication, 
which  is  made  by  one,  or  more,  persons. 

TLYixG-colours,  (emeignes  deployies, 
Fr.)  colours  unfurled,  and  left  to  waver 
in  the  air.  Hence  to  return,  orcomeoff, 
with  flying  colours;  to  be  victorious, 
to  get  the  better. 

FOAL,  (poulain,  pontine,  Fr.)    the 


B  O  N 


(     238     ) 


FOO 


offspring  of  a  mare,  or  other  beast  of 

lllll  lllt'l). 

FOCUS,  in  nuning.    See  Mink. 

J'UDDKlt,  (t  four-rage)  i>ninrc,  Fr.) 
hay,  <!\x.  given  to  horses  and  other 
animals  for  loud. 

Green  Foddeu,  ( '  fourragercrt ',pdlure 
role,  Fr.)  grass  proving  in  the  meadows, 
<yc.  or  brought  thence,  for  the  food 
of  borstti  Tares,  vetches,  &C  may  also 
be  so  called. 

Dry  Fodder,  (  fourragc  sec,  Fr.) 
food  of  horses,  consisting  of  corn,  oats, 
barley,  and  beans. 

I  <  >E.     See  Enemy. 

IOI,  Fr.  faith;  credit;  belief.  The 
French  say,  nuvoir  ni  J'oi  ni  loi,  to 
have  neither  religion  nor  probity. 

For  alsosignifies  testimony;  evidence: 
Enfoi  de  auoi,  in  testimony  whereof. 

FOIBLE  d'une  place,  Fr.  the  weak 
side  of  a  fortified  place. 

iOIBLKsSE,  Fr.  See  Weakness, 

Foiblesse  d'une  pluce  de,  guerre,  Fr. 
those  parts  of  a  fortified  town,  or  place, 
where  they  are  most  vulnerable. 

FOIL,  in  fencing,  a  long  piece  of 
steel  of  an  elastic  temper, mounted  some- 
what like  a  sword,  which  is  used  in 
Fencing  for  exercise.  It  is  without  a 
point,  or  any  sharpness,  having  a  button 
at  the  extremity  covered  with  leather. 

To  Foil,  to  defeat. 

FOIN,  Fr.  hay.  Foin  d'arriere  saison, 
Fr.  after-math,  or  tatter-math. 

FOLLES  (pieces)  d\h  tillerir,  Fr. 
those  pieces  of  ordnance,  the  bore  of 
which  is  not  exactly  straight. 

To  FOLLOW,  (suivrc,  Fr.)  to  go 
after  any  thing;  to  pursue;  as  to  follow 
the  enemy. 

To  Follow  vp,  (poursnivre,  FY.)  to 
pursue  with  additional  vigour  sooae  ad- 
vantage which  has  already  been  gained. 
As  to  follow  up  a  victory,  poursnivre.  line 
victoire.  There  is  not,  perhaps,  in  mili- 
tary strategy,  or  in  military  tactics,  a 
more  difficult  part  to  act  than  that  of 
following  up  a  victory.  Every  quality 
which  constitutes  a  good  general  must 
be  exerted  on  this  occasion. 

FOLLOWEIIS  of  a  camp,  officers' 
servants,  sutlers,  &c.  All  followers  of  a 
camp  aresubject  to  the  Articles  of  War 
equally  with  the  soldiery. 

FONCIEREMENT,  JV.  thoroughly; 
to  the  bottom.  The  French  say  rl  est 
Jbnciercmcnt  bun  officier,  he  is  a  thorough 
good  officer. 


FONCTIONS  niilituircs,  Fr.  the  re- 
lative duties  and  occupations  to  which 
military  men  are  subject. 

Fom>  (futjut,  Fr.  the  sole  or  bottom 
of  a  gun-carriage. 

Dc  FYjnd  en  comblc,  Fr.  utterly  ;  en- 
tirely. IJurince  est  ruinee  de  fond  en 
comble,  the  army  is  ruined,  or  undone, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes. 

FOND  de  cule,  Fr.  hold  of  a  ship. 

FONDELFE,  Fr.  an  instrument  used 
id  the  same  manner  as  a  sling  to  throw 
stones;  it  was  likewise  called  hricoile, 
owing  to  the  stones  when  round  taking 
an  oblique  direction. 

FONDEMENS,  Fr.  foundation. 

FOND  ERIE,  Fr.  forge;  furnace; 
casting-house.     See  Foundry. 

FOND  EUR  cfartiUerie,  Fr.  the  per- 
son who  casts  the  pieces  of  ordnance. 

FONDUE,  Fr.  to  fall  upon;  to  rush 
upon.  La  cavaleric  alia  J'ondre  sur 
Voile  gauche  dc  I'ennemi,  the  cavalry,  or 
horse,  fell  upon  the  left  wing  of  the 
enemy. 

Foxdre.  Fr.  to  draft;  as,  fondre  lea 
regimens  de  Bul/cr  et  de  Fielding  duns 
ceu.v  dc  Montcassel,  Obrien  et  Dillon, 
to  draft  the  regiments  of  Butler  and 
Fielding  into  those  of  Moutcassel, Obrien 
and  Dillon. 

FONDRIERE,  Fr.  an  opening  in 
the  surface  of  the  earth  occasioned  by 
earthquakes,  fire,  rain ;  or  a  marshy 
ground,  the  waters  of  which  growing 
stagnant  are  dried  up  in  summer  time, 
and  freeze  in  cold  weather — A  bog. 

ION  OS  destines  pour  le  paicment  da 
troupes,  Fr.  monies  issued  for  the  ser- 
vice of  the  army. 

FONTE  des  pieces  d'artillerie,  Fr. 
the  metal  used  in  the  casting  of  cannon, 
which  consists  of  three  sorts  well  mixed 
together,  viz.  copper,  tin,  and  brass. 

FOOLIIARD1NESS,  courage  without 
discretion  ;  inconsiderate  rashness. 

FOOLHARDY,  daring  without  judg- 
ment; inconsiderately  bold;  foolishly 
adventurous. 

FOOT,  the  lower  part;  the  base.  As 
the  foot  of  the  alps,  le  pied  des  Alpes. 

The  Foot,  the  marching  army  of  the 


e  that  goes  on  fool;    the  infantr 


■y  m 
:n   is 


contradistinction    to   cavalry,    whic 
called  the  Horse. 

YooT-boy,  a  low  menial ;  an  attendant 
in  livery.  It  is  contrary  to  the  Articles 
of  War  to  put  any  soldier,  or  enlisted 
person,  in  livery  ;    the  duty  of  a  soldier 


F  O  O 


(     '239     ) 


F  O  R 


being  always  considered  as  superior  to 
every  badge  of  degradation. 

¥ooT-soldier,ai\  armed  man  who  serves 
on  foot. 

Foot  is  also  a  longmeasure,consisting 
of  12  inches.  Geometricians  divide  the 
foot  into  10  digits,  and  the  digits  into  10 
lines;  but  we  divide  the  foot  into  12 
inches,  and  an  inch  into  12  lines,  and  a 
line  into  12  points. 

A  square  Foot  is  the  same  measure, 
both  in  length  and  breadth,  containing 
12  X  12  — 144  squareor  superficial  inches. 

A  cubic  Foot  is  the  same  measure  in 
all  the  three  dimensions,  length,  breadth, 
and  thickness;  containing  12  x  12~ 144 
X  12—1728  cubic  inches.  The  foot  is 
of  different  lengths  in  different  countries. 
The  Paiis  royal  foot  exceeds  the  English 
by  9  lines;  the  ancient  Roman  foot  of 
the  Capitol  consisted  of  4  palmsiz  11-^- 
English  inches;  and  the  Rhineland  or 
Leyden  foot,  by  which  the  northern 
nations  go,  is  to  the  Roman  foot  as 
950  to  1000.  The  proportions  of  the 
principal  feet  of  several  nations  are  as 
follow.  The  English  foot  divided  into 
1000  parts,  or  into  12  inches,  the  other 
feet  will  be  as  follow  : 


lO    "> 

. 

• 

CO 

Places. 

100 
pari 

"5 
12 

- 

London  foot 

1000 

— 

Amsterdam 

942 

_ 

11 

3 

Antwerp  - 

946 



11 

2 

Bologna    - 

1204 

1 

2 

4 

Berlin       - 

1010 

1 

— 

2 

Bremen    - 

964 

— 

11 

6 

Cologne    - 

954 

— 

11 

4 

Copenhagen 

965 

— 

11 

6 

Dantzig    - 

914 

— 

11 

O 

Dort         ... 

1184 

1 

2 

2 

Frankfort  on  the  Main 

948 

— 

11 

4 

The  Greek 

100? 

1 

— 

1 

Mantua    - 

1569 

1 

6 

8 

Mechlin    - 

999 

— 

11 

— 

Middlebourg 

991 

— 

11 

9 

Paris  Royal 

1068 

1 

— 

9 

Prague      - 

1026 

1 

— 

3 

Rhineland 

1033 

1 

— 

4 

Riga          - 

1831 

1 

9 

9 

Roman     ... 

967 

— 

11 

6 

Old  Roman 

970 

— 

11 

8 

Scotch      - 

1005 

1 

— 

5 

Strasbourg 

920 

— 

11 

— 

Madrid     - 

899 

— 

10 

7 

Lisbon      ... 

1060 

1 

— 

6 

Turin        - 

1062 

1 

— 

7 

Venice      - 

116'J 

1 

1 

9 

On  Foot.  \\  hen  any  given  number 
of  armed  men  are  called  out  for  actual 
service,  the  aggregate  body  is  said  to  be 
ok  foot . 

To  be  on  the  same  footing  with 
another,  is  to  be  under  the  same  cir- 
cumstances in  point  of  service  ;  to  have 
the  same  number  of  men,  and  the  same 
pay,  &c. 

To  gain  or  lose  ground  foot  by  foot, 
is  to  do  it  regularly  and  resolutely  ;  de- 
fending every  thing  to  the  utmost 
extremity,  or  forcing  it  by  dint  of  art 
or  labour. 

Fool-bank,  in  fortification.  See  Ban- 
quette. 

FORAGE,  (  /barrage,  Fr.)  in  the  art 
of  war,  implies  hay,  straw,  and  oats,  for 
the  subsistence  of  the  army  horses.  This 
forage  is  dis  ided  into  rations,  one  of  which 
is  a  day's  allowance  for  a  horse,  and 
contains  14lb.  of  hay,  101b.  of  oats,  and 
6  or  8lb.  of  straw. 

Dry  Forage,  (fourrage  sec,  Fr.) 
See  Fodder. 

Green  Forage,  (fourrage  vert,  Fr.) 
See  Green  Fodder. 

When  cavalry  are  stationed  in  barracks 
in  Great  Britain,  the  number  of  rations 
of  forage  to  be  issued  to  the  horses  of 
the  officers,  non-commissioned-officers, 
and  soldiers,  is  not  to  exceed  the  Regu- 
lations, and  is  to  be  confined  to  those 
which  are  actuallyeffective  in  the  barracks. 

YonAGZ-Master-GcneruI,  in  former 
times,  an  officer  who  was  a  principal 
dependant  upon  the  Lord  Marshal;  to 
his  charge  was  delivered  the  disposing  of 
all  manner  of  horse  provisions.  This 
situation  has  merged  into  that  of  quarter 
master-general. 

To  Forage,  (  fourrager,  Fr.)  to 
scour  a  country  in  order  to  get  pro- 
vender and  provisions  for  an  army.  It 
also  signifies  to  pillage,  pi//er,¥r. 

FORAGER,  ( four 7-ageur,\h.) owe  who 
forages. 

FORBAN,  Fr.  a  pirate;  a  lawless 
wretch  that  plunders  indiscriminatelv  at 
sea.     He  is  also  called  Ecumeur  de  mer. 

FORCAT,  Fr.  a  galley  slave. 

FORCE,  an  armament  or  warlike 
preparation. 

Forcc,  in  a  military  sense,  any- 
body of  troops  collected  together  for 
warlike  enterprize. 

In   Force,  (enforce,  Fr.)  to  be  col-  ' 
lectcd  together  and  prepared  for  combat. 
As  the  enemy  were  in  force  behind  the 
mountains. 


FOR 


(     240     ) 


FOR 


Effective  Forces.  All  the  efficient 
parts  of  an  army  that  may  he  brought 
into  action  are  called  effective,  and 
generally  consist  of  artillery,  cavalry,  and 
infantry,  with  their  necessary  appen- 
dages, such  as  hospital  stuff,  wagon- 
train,  ariihcers  and  pioneers:  the  latter, 
though  thev  cannot  he  considered  as 
effective  fighting  men,  constitute  so  fai 
a  part  of  effective  forces,  that  no  army 
could  maintain  the  field  without  them. 

Effective  Forces  of  a  country,  all  the 
disposahle  strength,  vigour  and  activity  of 
any  armed  proportion  of  native  or  terri- 
torial population.  The  navy  of  Great 
Britain  must  he  looked  upon  as  the 
effective  bulwark  of  Old  England:  to 
which  the  body  of  marines  adds  no  in- 
considerable weight  and  importance, 
from  tried  courage  and  unquestionable 
fidelity.  The  superiority  of  our  navy 
sufficiently  proves  its  effective  value. 

Distribution  of  the  effective  Forces 
of  a  country.  Under  this  head  may  be 
considered,  not  only  the  effective  forces 
which  might  engage  an  enemy,  but  like- 
vise  those  included  in  the  several  returns 
that  are  made  from  home  or  foreign 
stations  to  the  War  office,  and  out  of 
which  a  grand  total  is  formed  to  corre- 
spond with  the  estimates  that  are  annually 
laid  before  the  House  of  Commons,  bv 
the  Secretary  at  War. 

To  Force  is  to  take  by  storm;  also  to 
man  the  works  of  a  garrison. 

To  Force  an  enemy  to  give  battle, 
to  render  the  situation  of  an  enemy  so 
hazardous,  that  whether  he  attempt  to 
quit  his  position,  or  endeavour  to  keep 
it,  his  capture  or  destruction  must  be 
equally  inevitable.  In  either  of  which 
desperate  cases,  a  bold  and  determined 
general  will  not  wait  to  be  attacked,  but 
resolutely  advance  and  give  battle,  espe- 
cially if  circumstances  should  combine 
to  deprive  him  of  the  means  of  an 
honourable  capitulation.  This  can  only 
be  safely  effected,  by  having  previously 
disposed  your  own  forces  so  as  to  defy 
any  impression  on  his  part,  and  by  sub- 
sequent able  manoeuvres  to  have  it  in 
your  power  to  foil  his  attack. 

To  Force  a  passage,  to  oblige  your 
enemy  to  retire  from  his  fastnesses,  and 
thus  open  a  way  into  the  country  which 
he  had  occupied.  This  may  be  done 
either  by  a  coup  cle  main,  or  renewal  of 
assaults.  In  either  case,  the  advancing 
body  should  be  well  supported,  and  its 


flanks  he  secured  with  the  most  jealous 
.,it'  ntion. 

FORCE  d'une  armic,  Fr.  the  sinew* 
of  an  army.  According  to  the  French, 
and  indeed  according  to  the  experience 
of  all  ages,  argent,  or  money,  constitutes 
the  strength  of  every  army.  Hence 
point  d'argent,  point  dc  Suisse,  no  pay  no 
soldier. 

Prendre  une  place  de  Force,  a  force 
ouverlc,  Fr.  to  storm  a  fortified  place. 

FORCER,  Fr.  to  take  by  main  force; 
to  carry  a  fortified  town  or  place,  &c. 

Forcer,  Fr.  to  take  advantage  of 
superior  strength;  to  levy  contributions, 
&C. 

Forcer  une  ligne,  Fr.  to  act  offen- 
sively against  any  line  of  defence;  to 
break  through  it. 

Forcer  une  troupe,  Fr.  to  act  vigo- 
rously against  armed  troops;  and  by 
means  of  repeated  attacks  to  get  the 
better  of  them. 

FORCING  an  adversary's  guard  or 
blade,  a  term  used  in  the  science  of 
broad-sword. 

"  If  at  any  time  your  antagonist  ap- 
pears languid  and  weak  on  his  guard, 
and  barely  covers  his  body  on  the  side 
he  is  opposed  ;  by  stepping  well  forward 
and  striking  the  fort  of  your  sword 
smartly  on  his  blade,  you  may  be  enabled 
to  deliver  a  cut  without  risk  even  at  the 
part  he  intends  to  secure  ;  taking  care  to 
direct  your  blade  in  such  a  manner,  that 
the  plate  or  cross  bar  of  your  hilt  shall 
prevent  bis  sword  from  coming  forward." 
See  Art  of  Defence  on  Foot. 

FORCEPS,  an  instrument  used  in 
chirurgery,  to  extract  any  thing  out  of 
wounds,  or  take  hold  of  dead  or  corrupt 
flesh,  for  the  purpose  of  amputation. 
It  is  made  somewhat  in  the  shape  of  a 
pair  of  tongs  or  pincers,  with  grappling 
ends.  Every  regimental  surgeon,  or 
assistant  surgeon,  is  directed  to  have  a 
pair  among  his  set  of  instruments. 

FORD,  the  shallow  part  of  a  river 
where  soldiers  may  pass  over  without? 
injuring  their  arms. 

FORE-HAND  of  a  horse,  (bout  d9 
devant  d'un  cheval,  Fr.)  That  part  of  a 
horse  which  is  before  a  rider. 

FORE-RANK,  first  rank;  front. 

FOREIGN,  not  domestic;  alien;  ex*» 
traneous. 

Foreign  service,  in  a  general  sensej 
means  every  service  but  our  own.  In 
a  more  confined  acceptation  of  the  term. 


F  O  R 


(     $41     ) 


FOR 


it  signifies  any  service  done  out  of  the 
limits  of  Great  Britain,  Ireland,  the 
islands  of  Guernsey,  Jersey,  &c. 

Foreign  troops,  in  an  English  accep- 
tation, regiments  or  companies  which  J 
are  composed  of  aliens.  Before  the  late 
war,  no  foreigner  could  bear  a  commis- 
sion in  the  British  service,  or  be  enlisted 
as  a  soldier. 

Foreign  corps.  In  the  month  of 
August,  1794,  a  department  of  foreign 
corps  was  instituted,  intended  to  consist 
of  10  regiments,  each  of  two  battalions, 
which,  if  completed,  would  have  amount- 
ed to  15,000  men.  All  the  foreign  corps 
attached  to  the  British  army,  together 
with  the  German  Legion,  were  disbanded 
in  1815  ;  the  officers  being  placed  upon 
half-pay. 

Foreigners  in  the  East  India  service, 
bounty  to.  When  foreigners  enlist,  or 
are  entertained,  in  the  service  of  the 
East  India  Company,  it  is  ordered,  that 
they  shall  serve  one  year  without  boun- 
ty ;  at  the  expiration  of  which  time,  if 
thev  have  behaved  well,  they  may  be 
enlisted  for  3  or  5  years,  and  receive 
bounty  accordingly. 

FORELAND,  in  fortification,  called 
by  the  French,  pas  de  sonris,  relak,  re- 
traite,  berme  or  lisicrc,  a  confined  space 
of  ground  between  the  rampart  of  a 
town  or  fortified  place,  and  the  moat. 
Whenever  a  fortification  can  be  com- 
pleted without  having  recourse  to  this 
substitute  for  stone,  (with  which  the 
rampart  ought  to  be  faced,)  it  certainly 
is  advisable  to  go  to  the  expense.  For  a 
bold  enemy,  who  lias  once  made  his 
way  over  the  moat,  will  derive  consider- 
able advantage  from  having  this  path  to 
stand  on.  It  is  generally  from  3  to  8  or 
10  feet  wide.  This  space  serves  to  re- 
ceive the  demolished  parts  of  the  ram- 
part, and  prevents  the  ditch  from  being 
filled  up.  In  Holland  the  foreland  is 
planted  with  thickset,  but  it  is  generally 
faced  with  palisades. 

Foreland,  "^  any  point  of  land 
or  Foreness,  S  which  juts  out  into 
the  sea,  so  called  from  nez,  nose. 

North  Foreland,  a  head-land,  or 
promontory  which  juts  out  into  the  sea 
from  the  isle  of  Thanet. 

South  Foreland,  a  head-land,  or  pro- 
montory, which  juts  out  into  the  sea  to- 
wards the  south  at  Waliuer  Castle,  and 
forms  a  part  of  that  extent  of  coast 
which  outflanks  Dover.  The  North  aud 
South  Foreland  are'  two  flanking  points 


to  the  Downs,  having  a  convex  surface 
of  water,  between  Ramsgate  and  Wal- 
mer,  towards  the  coast. 

FORET,  Fr,  a  steel  instrument  used 
to  bore  the  touch-hole  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance. The  same  name  is  given  to  a 
very  large  instrument  used  by  the  miners 
when  they  want  to  establish  furnaces,  or 
chambers,  &c.  in  a  rock,  or  any  stony 
substance. 

FORFANTE  &  FORFANTERIE, 
Fr.     See  Fanfaron. 

FORGE,  in  the  train  of  artillery,  is 
generally  styled  a  travelling  forge,  and 
may  not  be  improperly  called  a  portable 
smith's  shop  :  at  this  forge  all  manner  of 
smith's  work  is  made,  and  it  can  be  used 
upon  a  march,  as  well  as  in  camp.  For- 
merly these  forges  were  very  ill-contriv- 
ed, with  two  wheels  only,  and  wooden 
supporters  to  prop  the  forge  for  working 
when  in  the  park.  Of  late  years  they 
are  made  with  4  wheels,  which  answers 
the  purpose  much  better. 

The  cavalry  have  portable  forges  as 
well  as  the  artillery.     See  Cart. 

Forge  for  red  hot  balls  is  a  place 
where  the  balls  are  made  red-hot  before 
they  are  fired  off:  it  is  built  about  5  or 
6  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
of  strong  brick  work,  and  an  iron  grate, 
upon  which  the  balls  are  laid,  with  a 
very  large  fire  under  them.  See  Red- 
hot  halls. 

Forge  de  campagne,  Fr.  a  moveable 
forge  which  accompanies  the  artillery, 
or  cavalry. 

FORKHEAD.    See  Barb. 

FORLORN-/to/;e,  in  the  military  art, 
signifies  men  detached  from  several  re- 
giments, or  otherwise  appointed  to  make 
the  first  attack  in  the  day  of  battle;  or 
at  a  siege,  to  storm  the  counterscarp, 
mount  the  breach,  &c.  They  are  so 
called  from  the  great  danger  they  are 
unavoidably  exposed  to. 

To  FORM,  in  a  general  acceptation 
of  the  term,  is  to  assume,  or  produce,  any 
shape  or  figure,  extent  or  depth  of  line 
or  column,  by  means  of  prescribed  rules 
in  military  movements,  or  dispositions. 

To  Form  from  file  among  cavalry. 
The  front  file  halts  at  a  given  point;  the 
rest,  or  remaining  fi  e5  successively  ride 
up  at  a  very  smart  gallop, taking  care  to 
halt  in  time,  and  not  to  over-run  the 
ground.  If  the  formation  is  by  doubling 
round  the  front  file,  (in  a  formation,  for 
instance,  to  the  rear  of  the  march,  or  to 
the  right  whifti  marched  from  the  right,) 
1  I' 


F  O  11 


(     2V>     ) 


FOR 


tlie  files  must  double  as  close  round  as 
possible,  and  with  the  utmost  expedition. 
In  forming  from  lile,  particular  attention 
should  be  given,  to  make  the  men  put 
their  horses  quite  straight  as  they  come 
in.  They  must  keep  their  bodies  square, 
dress  by  a  slight  cast  of  the  eye  towards 
the  point  of  formation,  and  close  and 
diess  in  an  instant. 

To  Form  to  the  front,  to  move  nim- 
blv  up  from  file  into  ranks,  and  close 
to  the  leader,  whether  on  foot  or  horse- 
back. 

To  Form  to  the  rear, to  double  round 
the  leaders,  who  have  themselves  turned 
and  faced. 

ZuFofiM  to  a  proper  flank,  to  turn 
Rnd  close  in  to  the  leader. 

To  Form  to  a  reverse  flank,  to  pass, 
turn,  and  successively  close  to  the 
leaders. 

In  all  formations  from  file,  the  whole, 
till  otherwise  directed,  dress  to  the  hand 
to  which  the  squadron  or  division  forms. 
To  Form  by  moving  in  front,  and  suc- 
cessively arriving  in  tine,  is  by  divisions, 
or  distinct  bodies,  to  advance  forward 
by  word  of  command  towards  any  given 
point  of  alignement. 

To  Form  line  is  to  wheel  to  the  right 
or  left  from  open  column  of  divisions, 
subdivisions,  or  sections,  according  to 
prescribed  rules,  so  as  to  present  one 
continued  front  or  straight  line;  or  to 
deploy  from  close  column  for  the  same 
end,  or  to  file  to  the  front. 

To  Form  rank  entire  is  to  extend 
the  front  of  a  battalion,  or  company,  by 
reducing  it  to  the  least  possible  depth, 
from  any  existing  number  of  ranks. 

To  Form  two  deep  is,  from  rank  en- 
tire or  from  three  deep,  to  produce  a  re- 
gular line  of  files. 

To  Form  three  deep  is  to  add  the 
depth  of  one  half  file  to  two  deep,  and 
to  produce  the  natural  formation  of  a 
battalion  in  line. 

To  Form  Jour  deep  is  to  diminish 
the  natural  extent  of  a  battalion  formed 
in  line,  by  adding  one  half-file  tj  its 
depth. 

To  Form  echelon  is,  from  line,  or 
open  column,  to  wheel  a  given  number 
ot  paces  forward  or  backward,  so  as  to 
produce  a  diagonal  or  oblique  direction 
m  the  different  proportions  of  a  line  ; 
the  outward  Hank  of  each  succeeding 
division,  company  or  section,  constantly 
preserving  a  perpendicular  direction,  at 
a  regidated   distance,  from  the  inward 


flank  of  its  leader,  until  it  arrive  at  its. 
point  of  junction. 

To  Form  line  by  echelon  is  to  advance 
in  column  towards  an)  given  object  by  a 
diagonal  movement,  so  as  eventually  to 
produce  a  regular  continuity  of  front. 
her  F(  nil  o.n,  or  DlAGON  vi.  movement. 

To  Form  close  column  is  to  march  by 
files  iii  detached  proportions  of  a  line, 
till  each  proportion  shall  arrive  in  front,. 
or  in  rear  ol  any  given  bodv. 

To  FORM  open  column  is  to  wheel 
backwards  or  forwards,  or  to  inarch  out 
by  tiles,  so  that  the  several  proportions 
Of  a  line  may  stand  in  a  perpendicular 
direction  to  one  another,  with  intervals 
between  them  equal  to  the  extent  of  their 
front. 

To  Form  circle  is  to  march  a  batta- 
lion or  company,  standing  in  line,  from 
its  two  Hanks  ;  the  leading  tiles  bringing 
their  right  and  left  shoulders  forward, 
so  as  to  unite  the  whole  in  a  circular 
continuity  of  tiles. 

To  Form  on  is  to  advance  forward, 
so  as  to  connect  yourself  with  any  given 
object  of  formation,  and  to  lengthen  the. 
line. 

To  Form  on  a  front  division  is  from 
close,  or  open  column,  or  by  the  march 
in  echelon,  to  arrive  by  a  parallel  move- 
ment at  the  right  or  left  of  any  given  di- 
vision, by  which  means  a  prolongation  of 
the  line  is  produced. 

To  Form  on  a  rear  divisio?%  is  to  face 
all  the  preceding  divisions  which  are  in 
column  to  the  right,  (the  point  of  form- 
ing having  been  previously  taken  in  that 
direction,  as  far  as  the  prolongation  of 
the  head  division  will  extend,  and  just 
beyond  where  the  right  of  the  battalion 
is  to  come,)  and  to  uncover  the  rear  one, 
so  as  to  (liable  it  to  advance  forward  to 
a  given  point  on  the  left,  and  take  up  its 
place  in  the  alignement . 

To  Form  on  a  central  division.  To 
execute  this  manoeuvre,  the  front  and  rear 
divisions  must  deploy,  or  open,  so  as  to 
uncover  the  named  division,  and  enable 
it  to  move  up  to  a  given  point  of  aligne- 
ment. A  forming  point  must  be  given  to 
both  tlanks  in  the  prolongation  of  the 
head  division. 

To  FORM  tine  on  a  rear  company  of  the 
open  column  standing  in  echelon,  thaf 
company  remains  placed  ;  the  others 
face  about,  wheel  back  on  the  pivot 
flanks  of  the  column,  as  being  those 
which  afterwards  first  come  into  line. 
On  the  word  march)  they  move  forward, 


FOR 


(     243     ) 


FOR 


And  then  halt,  front,  successively  in  the 
line  of  the  rear  company. 

To  Form  line  on  the  rear  company  fa- 
ting to  the  rear  of  the  open  column  stand- 
ing in  echelon,  the  whole  column  must 
first  countermarch,  each  company  by 
files,  and  then  proceed  as  in  forming  on 
<i  front  company; 

To  Form  line  on  a  central  company  of 
the  open  column,  that  company  stands 
fast,  or  is  wheeled  on  its  own  center 
into  a  new  required  direction.  Those  in 
front  must  be  ordered  to  face  about. 
The  whole,  except  the  central  company, 
must  wheei  back  the  named  number  of 
paces.  Those  in  front,  on  the  proper 
pivot  flanks  of  the  column,  and  those  in 
its  rear  on  the  reverse  flanks,  such  being 
the  flanks  that  first  arrive  in  line.  The 
whole  then  marches  in  line  with  the  cen- 
tral company. 

To  Form  line  from  close  column  on  a 
rear  company  facing  to  the  rear,  the 
whole  of  the  column  changes  front  by 
countermarching  each  company  by  files. 
The  rear  company  stands  fast,  and  the 
remaining  companies  face  to  the  right, 
deploy,  successively  halt,  front,  and  move 
up  into  the  alignement. 

To  Form  line  from  close  column  on  a 
central  company  facing  to  the  rear,  the 
central  company  countermarches  and 
stands  fast ;  the  other  companies  face 
outwards,  countermarch,  deploy,  and 
successively  march  up  to  the  alignement. 

Whenever  the  column  is  a  retiring  one, 
and  the  line  is  to  front  to  the  rear,  the 
divisions  must  each  countermarch  before 
the  formation  begins.  In  which  case 
the  head  would  be  thrown  back,  and  the 
rear  forward. 

To  Form  en  potence,  to  wheel  the 
right  or  left  flank  of  a  body  of  men,  or 
to  march  them  forward  by  iiles,  so  a^  to 
make  that  proportion  of  a  line  face  in- 
wards, and  resemble  a  potence  or  gibbet. 
A  double  potence  may  be  formed  by 
running  out  both  flanks,  so  that  they 
stand  in  a  perpendicular  direction  facing 
towards  each  other.  This  formation  is 
not  only  extremely  useful  on  actual  ser- 
vice, but  it  conduces  greatly  to  the  ac- 
commodation of  any  body  of  men  which 
may  be  marched  into  a  place  that  has 
not  sufficient  extent  of  ground  to  receive 
it  in  line. 

FORMATION,  in  a  military  sense. 
the  methodical  arrangement,  or  drawing 
up,  of  any  given  body  of  men  mounted, 


or  on  foot,  according  to  prescribed  rule8 
and  regulations. 

Cavalry  Formation,  in  conformity  to 
His  Majesty's  orders,  consists  of  the  fol- 
lowing proportions,  viz. 

Squadrons  of  cavalry  are  composed 
each  of  two  troops  ;  regiments  are  com- 
posed each  of  two,  three,  or  more  squa- 
drons ;  and  a  line  is  composed  of  two, 
or  more  regiments.  The  squadron  is 
formed  two  deep. 

Formation  of  a  troop  is  the  drawing 
out  of  a  certain  number  of  men  on  horse- 
back on  their  troop  parade,  in  a  rank 
entire,  sized  according  to  the  size-roll. 

Formation  of  the  squadron  is  the  mi- 
litary disposition  of  two  troops  that  com- 
pose it  closed  into  each  other,  from  then- 
several  troop  parades. 

Formation,  considered  as  to  general 
circumstances,  admits  of  a  tew  deviations 
from  the  strict  letter  of  the  term.  It  is 
observed  in  the  official  Regulations,  that 
in  order  to  preserve  each  troop  entire,  it 
is  not  material,  if  one  division  be  a  file 
stronger  than  another.  The  flank  divi- 
sions indeed,  both  in  cavalry  and  infan- 
try regiments,  will  be  strongest  from  the 
addition  of  officers.  Officers,  in  the 
formation  of  squadrons,  are  recommend- 
ed to  be  posted  with  their  troops.  Cor- 
porals not  wanted  to  mark  the  divisions, 
or  to  cover  officers  or  Serjeants,  will  be 
in  the  ranks  according  to  their  size,  or 
be  placed  in  the  outward  flank  file  of 
their  troops.  Farriers  are  considered  as 
detached  in  all  situations  of  manoeuvre. 

All  these  general  circumstances  of 
formation  apply  and  take  place,  whether 
the  squadron  be  composed  of  two,  or 
more  troops,  and  whether  the  troops  be 
more  or  less  strong. 

General  modes  of  Formation  are 
when  a  regiment  broken  into  and  march- 
ing in  open  column,  must  arrive  at  and 
enter  on  the  ground  on  which  it  is  to 
form  in  line,  either  in  the  direction  of 
that  line,  perpendicular  to  that  line,  or 
in  a  direction  more  or  less  oblique  betwixt 
the  other  two. 

Infantry  Formation  is  the  arrange- 
ment or  disposition  of  any  given  number 
of  men  on  foot  according  to  prescribed 
rules  and  regulations. 

Formation  at  close  order  is  the  ar- 
rangement of  any  given  number  of  men 
in  ranks  at  the  distance  of  one  pace, 
except  v\  here  there  is  a  fourth,  or  super- 
numerary rank,  which  has  three  paces. 
2  L  2 


FOR  (   2^   ) 

In  firing  order  the  ranks  are  more  closely 
locked  in. 

Formation  at  open  order  is  any  open 
disposition  or  arrangement  of  men  by 
ranks  at  straight  lines  parallel  to  each 
other. 

FORME,JV.  SeeSpAViN.  Acom- 
plaint  among  horses. 

FORMER,    Fr.  to  Conn,  to  put  in 

order. 


F  O  R 


Former  une  troupe. 


Fr.   to  drill  and 


discipline  any  number  of  men,  so  a  to 
enable  them  to  act  in  troop,  or  compa- 
nies. 

Former  une  siege,  Fr.  to  lay  a  formal 
sie!*e. 

FORMERS,  round  pieces  of  wood 
that  are  fitted  to  the  diameter  of  the 
bore  of  a  gun,  round  which  the  cartridge 
paper,  parchment,  or  cotton  is  rolled 
before  it  is  sewed. 

Formers  were  likewise  used  among 
officers  and  soldiers  to  reduce  their  chilis 
to  an  uniform  shape,  before  the  general 
introduction  of  tails.  Both  are  now 
rendered  iwle.-s  by  the  hair  of  the  offi- 
cers ami  soldiers  being  cropped;  except 
in  one  or  two  regiments  of  heavy  horse. 

FORMATION     of    Guards.         See 

Guards. 

FO 15  MID  ABLE,  (formidable,  Fr.)  to 

be  dreaded. 

FORS,  Fr.  except.  Tons  les  sohtuts 
furent  tucs  for&  deux  on  trois,  Fr.  the 
spjejiers  were  all  killed,  except  two  or 
three.  It  also  signifies,  in  old  French, 
outside;  hence  I'ourbourg,  outside  the 
town. 

FORT,  (fort,  Fr.)  a  small  fortified 
place,  environed  on  all  sides  with  a 
ditch,  rampart,  and  parapet.  Its  use  (g 
to  secure  some  high  ground,  or  the  pas- 
sage of  a  river,  or  to  make  gopd  ap  ad- 
vantageous post,  to  defend  the  lines  and 
quarters  of  a  siegi ,  &c. 

Forts  are  made  of  different  figures  and 
extents,  according  to  the  exigency  of  the 
or  the  peculiar  nature  of  the 
Some  are  fortified  with  bastions, 
others  with  demi-bastions.  Sonic  are  in 
form  of  a  square,  others  of  a  pentagon. 
Some,  again  are  made  in  the  form  ot  a 
star,  haying  5  or  7  angles.  A  fort  differs 
from  a  citadel,  the  lu^t  being  built  to 
tnand  some  town.  See  Citadel. 
Hoi/id  lour,  one  whose  line  of  defence 
is  at  least  26  toises  long. 

Ti  iun<ridnr  FORTS  are  frequently  made 
with  liall-ba.-lions ;  but  they  are  very 
imperfect,  because  the  faces  are  not  seen 


se  '\  ice, 
grpunid. 


or  defended  from  any  other  part.  If, 
instead  of  l><  ing  terminated  at  the  angle. 
they  were  directed  to  a  point  about  20 
toises  from  it,  they  would  be  much  bet- 
ter, as  then  they  might  be  defended  by 
that  length  of  the  rampart,  thougjl  but 
very  obliquely.  The  ditch  ought  to  be 
from  8  to  LO  toises.  Sometime.-,  instead 
of  half  bastions  at  the  angles,  whole 
ones  are  replaced  in  the  middle  of  the 
sides.  The  gorges  of  these  bastions  may 
be  from  20  to  24  toises,  when  the  sides 
are  from  100  to  120  ;  the  thinks  are 
perpendicular  to  the  sides,  from  10  to  12 
toises  lone  ;  and  the  capitals  from  20  to 
'.'  I.  If  the  sides  happen  to  be  more  or 
less,  the  parts  of  the  bastions  ace  like- 
wise made  more  or  less  in  proportion. 
The  ditch  round  this  tort  may  be  10  or 
12  toises  wide. 

The  ramparts  and  parallels  of  these 
wojks  are  commonly  made  of  turf,  and 
the  outside  of  the  parapet  is  fraised  : 
that  is,  a  row  of  palisades  is  placed 
about  the  middle  of  the  slope,  in  an 
horizontal  manner,  the  points  declining 
rather  a  little  downwards,  that  the  gre- 
nades or  fire-works  thrown  upon  them 
mav  roll  down  into  the  ditch;  and  if  the 
ditch  be  drv,  a  row  of  palisades  should 
be  placed  in  the  middle,  to  pre  <  <e- 
the  enemy  from  pacing  over  it  unper- 
ceived,  and  to  secure  the  fort  from  any 
surprize. 

Four  dc  cam  public,  Fr.  a  field  fortifi- 
cation.     See   Lol. ■'  11  KATIOX. 

FORTH  [CATION  is  the  art  of  for- 
tifying a  town  or  other  place;  or  of  put- 
ting ii  in  such  a  posture  of  defence,  that 
eyery  one  of  its  parts  defends,  and  is 
defended  by  some  other  parts,  by  means 
of  ramparts,  parapets,  ditches,  and  other 
out-works;  to  the  end  that  a  small  num- 
ber of  men  within  may  be  able  to  defend 
themselves  for  a  considerable  time 
against  the  assault.-,  of  a'numcrous  army 
without;  so  that  the  enemy,  in  attacking 
them,  must,  of  necessity,  suffer  great 
loss. 

The  term  fortification,  which  comes 
from  the  Latin  word  Jorlijiculio,  a  deri- 
vative of  foviifaco,  that  is  compounded 
oi'jo/iis  ami  J'ucio,  and  signifies  to  fortify 
or  strengthen,  is  made  use  of  to  denote, 
not  only  the  science  or  art  of  fortifying, 
as  in  the  phrases,  he  /his  studied  Jbr/iji- 
culion,  he  understands  j'oiifccliou  ncll, 
but  also  a  place  fortified  ai.d  the  works, 
themselves. 

Fortification  may  be  divided  into  an* 


FOR 


(     245     ) 


FOR 


dent  and  modern ;  offensive  and  defen- 
sive; regular  and  irregular;  natural  and 
artificial,  &c. 

Ancient  Fortification  at  first  con- 
sisted of  walls  or  defences  made  of  the 
trunks  and  branches  of  trees,  mixed  with 
earth,  for  security  against  the  attacks  of 
an  enemy. 

Whoever  has  been  in  North  Amwica 
may  have  suen  fortification  in  its  infancy. 

There  are  abundance  of  Indian  \  illages 
fenced  round  by  long  stakes  driven  into 
the  ground,  with  moss  or  earth  to  rill 
the  intervals ;  and  this  is  their  security 
(together  with  their  own  vigilance)  against 
the  cruelty  of  the-  savage  neighbouring 
nations. 

Nor  is  fortification  much  less  ancient 
than  mankind ;  for  Cain,  the  son  of 
Adam,  built  a  city  with  a  wall  round  it 
upon  Mount  Liban,  and  called  it  after 
the  name  of  his  son  Enoch,  the  ruins  of 
which,  it  is  said,  are  to  be  seen  to  this 
day ;  and  the  Babylonians,  soon  after 
the  deluge,  built  cities,  and  encompassed 
them  with  strong  walk;. 

At  first  people  thought  themselves  safe 
enough  with  a  single  wall,  behind  which 
they  made  use  of  their  darts  and  arrows 
with  safety  :  but  as  other  warlike  instru- 
ments were  continually  invented  to  de- 
stroy these  feeble  structures,  so  on  the 
other  hand  persons  acting  on  the  defen- 
sive were  obliged  to  build  stronger  and 
stronger,  to  resist  the  new  contrived 
forces  of  the  desperate  assailants. 

What  improvements  they  made  in 
strengthening  their  wails  many  years  ago, 
appear  from  history.  The  first  walls  we 
ever  read  of,  and  which  were  built  by 
Cain,  were  of  brick ;  and  the  ancient 
Grecians,  long  before  Rome  was  ever 
thought  of,  used  brick  and  rubble  stone, 
with  which  they  built  a  vast  wall,  joining 
Mount  Hymetlus  to  the  city  of  Athens. 
The  Babylonian  walls,  built  by  i?<inira- 
mis,  or,  as  others  will  have  it,  by  Bel  us, 
were  32  feet  thick,  and  10O  feet  high, 
with  towers  10  feet  higher,  built  upon 
them,  cemented  with  bitumen  or  asphal- 
tu,s.  Those  of  Jerusalem  seem  to  have 
come  but  little  short  of  them,  since,  in 
the  siege  by  Titus,  all  the  Roman  bat- 
tering-rams, joined  with  Roman  art  and 
courage,  could  remove  but  4  stones  ou* 
of  the  tower  of  Antonia  in  a  whole  night'  j 
assault. 

After  fortification  had  arrived  at  this 
height,  it  stopped  for  many  ages,  until 
^©  iliscovery  of  gunpowder,  the  inven- 


tion of  guns,  and  the  application  of  both 
to  military  purposes ;  and  then  the  round 
and  square  towers,  which  were  very 
good  flanks  against  bows  and  arrows, 
became  but  indifferent  ones  against  the 
violence  of  cannon  ;  nor  did  the  battle- 
ments any  longer  oiler  a  hiding  place, 
when  the  force  of  one  shot  both  overset 
the  battlement,  and  destroyed  those  who 
sought  security  from  it. 

Modern  Fortification  is  the  way 
of  defence  now  used,  turning  the  walls 
into  ramparts,  and  square  and  round 
towers  into  bastions,  defended  by  nu- 
merous outworks;  all  which  are  made 
so  solid  that  they  cannot  be  beat  down, 
but  by  the  continual  tire  of  several  bat- 
teries of  cannon.  These  bastions  at  first 
were  but  small,  their  gorges  narrow, 
their  flanks  and  faces  short,  and  at  a 
great  distance  from  each  other,  as  are 
those  now  to  be  seen  in  the  city  of  An- 
twerp, built  iq  1545,  by  Charles  V. 
emperor  of  Germany ;  for  the  invariable 
practice  then,  and  for  some  time  after 
the  introduction  of  them,  was  to  attack 
the  curtains  and  not  the  faces  of  the 
bastions.  But  since  that  time  they  have 
been  greatly  improved  and  enlarged, 
and  are  now  arrived  to  that  degree  of 
strength,  that  it  is  almost  a  received 
opinion,  that  the  art  of  fortification  is 
at  its  height,  and  incapable  of  being 
carried  to  a  much  greater  perfection. 
According  to  Mr.  Gk-nie,  p.  9.  Military 
Construction,  this  opinion  does  not  seem 
founded  in  truth. 

Offensive  Fortification  shews  how- 
to  besiege  and  take  fortified  plaees,;  it 
further  teaches  a  general  how  to  take 
all  advantages  for  his  troops  ;  the  man-* 
ner  of  encamping,  and  method  of  carry- 
ing on  either  a  regular,  or  irregular,  siege, 
according  as  circumstances  may  direct, 
Offensive  fortification  may  be  properly 
called  the  war  of  sieges. 

Defensim  Iohtificawn  shew*  a 
governor  how  to  make  the  most  of  a 
garrison  committed  to  his  care,  and  to 
provide  all  things  necessary  for  its  de-» 
fence,  against  a  besieging  army ;  in  this 
latter  sense  it  may  also  be  called  offensfr&u 

Regular  Fortification  is  thai  which 
is  erected  according  to  the  rules  of  art. 
on  a  construction  made  from  *  figure  or 
polygon,  that  is  regular  or  has  all  its 
sides  and  angles  equal.  The  flanked  or 
salient  angles  in  such  a  fortification  ar<? 
equal  to.  Ojiie  another,  equally  dis£aut 
from  one  another,  and  are  each  of  them 


FOR 


(     2*6    ) 


FOR 


at  the  distance  of  about  that  of  serious 
nmskit  shot  from  the  Hunk'-,  which  de- 
fend it.  For  an  irregular  fortification 
hn\  i iilz;  the  Banked  angles,  as  also  the 
Hanks  and  lines  of  defence,  unequal,  may 
be  constructed  from  the  sides  of  a  n  gu- 
lar  polygon  as  well  as  from  those  of  an 
irregular  polygon,  by  drawing  the  per- 
pendiculars to  the  regular  polygon  from 
points  different  from  those  or  their  In- 
sertions. See  Glenie's  Con  ml  Rule  for 
Irregular  ( 'oast  ruction. 

Irregular  Fortification,  on  the  con- 
trary, is  that  where  the  sides  and  angles 
are  not  uniform,  equi-distant,  or  equal; 
which  is  owing  to  the  irregularity  of  the 
ground,  vallies,  riv<  rs,  hills,  and  the  like. 

Natural  Forth  ication  is  the  strength 
and  security,  which  nature  herself  lias 
afforded  to  places  by  the  advantages  of 
their  situations  and  the  difficulties  in  ap- 
proaching them.  Of  this  description  are 
the  summits  of  mountains,  steep  rocks, 
marshes,  &c. 

Artificial  Fortification  consists  in 
works  contrived  and  erected  to  increase 
the  advantages  of  a  natural  situation, 
and  to  remedy  its  defi  cts. 

Elementary  Forth  ication,  by  some 
likewise  called  ih<  theon  of  fortification, 
consists  in  tracing  the  plans  and  profiles 
of  a  fortification  ou  paper,  with  scales 
and  compasses  ;  and  examining  the  sys- 
tems proposed  by  different  authors, .in 
order  to  discover  their  advantages  and 
disadvantages.  The  elementary  part  is 
likewise  divided  into  Regular  and  Irre- 
gular Fortification,  which  see. 

A  troiitni'a  fortification  is  composed 
of  those  parts  that  are  constructed  from 
one  side  of  a  figure  or  polygon,  which 
in  regular  construction  consists  of  a  cur- 
tain, two  flanks  and  two  faces,  or  of  a 
curtain  and  two  demi-bastions. 

Practical  Forth  -ication  consists  in 
forming  a  project  of  a  fortification,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
and  other  necessary  circumstana  s,  to 
trace  it  on  the  ground,  and  to  execute 
the  project,  together  with  all  the  mili- 
tary buildings,  such  as  magazines,  store- 
houses, barracks,  bridges,  Sec. 

Permanent,  or  Datable  Fortifica- 
riON,  (fortification  durable,  Fr.)  that 
which  belongs  to  a  strong  town,  or  place. 

Temporary,  or  casual  Fortification, 
(fortification  passagere,  Fr.)  works  thrown 
up  for  .he  defence  of  a  camp,  or  tem- 
porary positions;  it  is  also  called  field 
fortification. 


The  following  arc   the   names  of  even; 

part  of  a  Fortification  ;  and  first  of 

lines,    which    are  divided    into    right 

hues,  and  curve  lines. 

Line  of  defence  is  the  distance  be- 
tween the  salient  angle  of  the  bastion, 
and  the  opposite  Hank  ;  that  is,  it  is  the 
face  produced  to  the  Hank.  Common 
experience,  together  with  some  of  the 
greatest  artists  in  fortification,  unani- 
mously agree,  that  the  lines  of  defence 
may  extend  (though  not  exceed)  150 
fathom.  Some  indeed  will  affirm,  that, 
as  a  musket  does  not  carry  more  than 
130  fathom  point  blank,  the  angle  of  the 
bastion  should  he  no  farther  removed 
from  its  opposite  flank.      We   agree  that 

a  musket  carries  no  farther  point-blank  ; 
but  we  are  sure  it  will  do  execution,  and 
kill,  at  180  fathom.  The  enemy  gene- 
rally makes  his  breaches  near  the  middle 
of  the  face ;  which,  if  granted,  the  line 
of  fire  from  the  ilank  to  the  breach, 
scarcely  exceeds  130  fathom;  besides, 
the  cannon  of  the  Hank  does  less  execu- 
tion upon  a  short  line  of  defence  than  on 
a  long  one. 

/  ■,"  of  defence  fichant — when  a  right 
hue  drawn  from  the  angle  of  the  Hank 
and  curtain  to  the  salient  angle  of  the 
opposite  bastion  makes  an  angle  with 
the  face  instead  of  running  along  the 
same,  or  coinciding  with  it,  the  defence 
is  said  to  he  jkhante,  and  that  line  is 
called  la  ligne  de  defense fichante,  or  linea 
defensionisfgens. 

Line  of  defence  rasante — but  when  a 
right  line  drawn  from  the  salient  angle 
along  a  face  of  a  bastion  meets,  when 
produced,  the  angle  formed  by  the  oppo- 
site  Hank  and  curtain,  the  defence  is  said 
to  be  rasante,  and  that  line  is  called,  In 
ligne  de  difensc  rasante,  oufanquante,  or, 
linea  defensionis  stringens. 

Line  of  circumvallation.  See  Sum. 
See.  Circumv  illation. 

Line  of  contravallation.  See  Contt,  a- 
vallation. 

Lint  of  counter-approach.  See  Ap- 
proaches. 

Capital-line  is  an  imaginary  right  line, 
which  divides  anj  work  into  two  equal 
and  similar  parts,  and  of  a  bastion  is  the 
right  line  supposed  to  he  drawn  from  the 
salient  angle  to  its  center  or  the  angle  of 
the  gorge. 

Line  of  defence  prolonged,  or  length- 
ened line  ot  defence,  is  the  line  of  de- 
fence, together  with  the  enforcement  or 
depth  of  the  casemate,  or  of  the  retired 


FOR 


.(     2-17     ) 


F  O  11 


flank  or  flanks.  In  the  square,  and  most 
potygons  of  the  lesser  fortification,  you,, 
prolong  the  line  of  defence;  but  in  the 
polygons  of  the  greater  and  meaner, 
vou  draw  a  line  from  the  angle  of  the 
opposite  shoulder  to  the  angle  of  the 
curtain,  upon  which  you  raise  a  perpen- 
dicular, which  serves  for  the  first  line  of 
the  flank. 

For  the  names  of  the  angles  in  a  For- 
tification, see  Angle. 

Jfatnes  of'  the  solid  works  of'  a  For- 
tification. 

Advanced foss,  )  or  ditch,  made  at  the 

Avant  fosse,  y  foot  of  the  glacis  ;  it 
is  but  very  seldom  made,  because  it  is 
easily  taken,  and  serves  for  a  trench  to 
the  besiegers. 

Appureille  is  that  slope  or  easy  ascent 
which  leads  to  the  platform  of  the  bas- 
tion, or  to  any  other  work,  where  the 
artillery,  &c.  are  brought  up,  and  carried 
down. 

Approaches  are  roads  or  passages  sunk 
in  the  ground  by  the  besiegers,  whereby 
they  approach  the  place  ;  being  covered 
from  the  fire  of  the  garrison  by  the  ex- 
cavated earth  thrown  towards  the  place 
besieged. 

Area,  the  superficial  content  of  a  ram- 
part, or  other  work. 

Arrow  is  a  work  placed  at  the  salient 
angle  of  the  glacis,  and  consists  of  two 
parapets,  each  above  40  fathoms  long ; 
this  work  has  a  communication  with  the 
covert-way,  of  about  24  or  28  feet 
broad,  called  caponniere,  with  a  ditch 
before  it  of  about  5  or  G  fathom,  and  a 
traverse  at  the  entrance, of  3  fathom  thick, 
and  a  passage  of  6  or  8  feet  round  it. 

Banquette,  whether  single  or  double, 
is  a  kind  of  step,  made  on  the  rampart  oi 
a  work  near  the  parapet,  for  the  troops 
to  stand  upon,  in  order  to  lire  over  the 
parapet;  it  is  generally  3  feet  high  when 
double,  and  l|when  single,  and  about  3 
feet  broad,  and  4|  feet  lower  than  the 
parapet. 

Barriers  are  pointed  stakes  to  stop 
the  horse  or  foot  from  rushing  in  upon 
the  besieged  with  violence.  in  the 
middle  of  this  kind  of  defence  there  is  a 
moveable  bar  of  wood,  which  opens  or 
shuts  at  pleasure. 

Bastion  is  a  part  of  the  inner  inclo- 
sure  of  a  fortification,  making  an  angle 
towards  the  field,  and  consists  of  two 
faces,  two  flanks,  and  an  opening  towards 
the  center  of  the  place  called  the  gorge  ; 
or  it  is  .rather  u  lanre  mass  of  earth. 


usually  faced  with  sods,  sometimes  with 
brick,  but  rarely  with  stone;  having  the 
figure  described. 

\V  ith  regard  to  the  fust  invention  of 
bastions,  there  are  many  opinionsamongst 
authors.  Some  have  attributed  this  in- 
vention to  Zisca,  the  Bohemian  ;  others 
to  Acinnet  Bashaw,  who,  having  taken 
Otranto  in  the  year  1480,  fortified  it  in  a 
particular  manner,  which  is  supposed  to 
be  tiie  first  instance  of  the  use  of  bastions. 
Those  who  wrote  on  the  subject  of  forti- 
fication 200  years  ago,  seem  to  suppose, 
that  bastions  were  a  gradual  improve- 
ment in  the  ancient  method  of  building, 
rather  than  a  new  invention  that  any  one 
person  could  claim  the  honour  of.  It  is 
certain,  however,  that  they  were  well 
known  soon  after  the  year  1500 ;  for  in 
15  Id,  Tartalea  published  Quesiti  Sf  Inven- 
zioni  diverse,  in  the  6th  book  of  which 
he  mentions,  that  whilst  he  resided  at 
Verona  (which  must  have  been  many 
years  before)  he  saw  bastions  of  a  pro- 
digious size ;  some  finished,  and  others 
building.  There  is  besides,  in  the  same 
book,  a  plan  of  Turin,  which  was  then 
fortified  with  4  bastions,  and  seems  to 
have  been  completed  some  time  before. 

The  great  rule  in  constructing  a  bastion 
is,  that  every  part  of  it  may  be  seen  and 
defended  from  some  other  part.  Mere 
angles  are  therefore  not  suificient,  but 
ilanks  and  faces  are  likewise  necessary. 
Neither  face  of  a  bastion  ought  to  exceed 
a  fourth  part  of  the  exterior  side  unless 
some  peculiar  circumstances  of  ground 
render  the  making  of  it  longer,  .^ee 
(ilenie  on  Military  Construction,  p.  116. 
The  longer  the  flanks  are  the  greater  is 
the  advantage  which  can  be  derived  from 
them.  They  must  therefore  stand  at  right 
angles  with  the  line  of  defence.  At  the 
same  time,  the  disposition  of  the  flanks 
makes  the  principal  part  of  a  fortification, 
as  .on  them  the  defence  chiefly  depends; 
and  it  is  this  that  has  introduced  the 
various  kinds  of  fortifying. 

The  angle  of  the  b  istion  must  exceed 
iiu°;  otherwise  it  will  be  too  small  to 
gi\erooin  for  the  guns,  and  will  either 
render  the  line  of  defence  too  long,  or 
the  flanks  too  short.  It  must  therefore 
be  either  a  right  angle,  or  some  inter- 
mediate one  between  tint  mid  CO  de- 
grees. 

Full  Bastions  are  best  calculated  for 
intrenchmenls,  which  are  thrown  up  at 
the  gorge,  or  by  means  of  a  cavalier, 
whose  faces,  are  made  pardlel  to  those  of 


f  o  it        (  «* 

the  bastion  at  the  distance  of  I  ">  tois<  s ; 


) 


FOR 


having    it-  Hanks   at   the   distance  01.  12 
toises,  and  a  tlitch  measuring  5. 
Large  bastions  have  the  advantage  oi 

small  ones,  lor  this  palpable  reason  ;  the 
bastion  being  ronsulered  the  weakest 
part  of  the  body  of  a  place,  is  always 
attacked  ;  when  there  is  room  for  troops, 
cannon  and  mortars,  its  natural  weak- 
ness is  greatly  remedied. 

Gorge  of  a  bastion  is  the  interval  be- 
tween the  extremity  of  one  flank  and 
that  of  tin-  next. 

Flat  bastion.  When  a  bastion  upon 
a  right  line  is  so  constructed,  that  its 
demi-gorges  do  not  form  an  angle,  it  is 
culled  a  Hat  bastion. 

Gorge  of  a  flat  bastion  is  a  right  line, 
which  terminates  the  distance  between 
two  tlank*. 

Solid  bastion,  }  a  bastion  is  said  to  be 

Full  bastion,  )  solid  or  full,  when  the 
level  grOund  within  is  even  with  the 
rampart;  that  i^,  when  the  inside  is 
quite  level,  the  parapet  being  only  more 
elevated  than  the  rest.  Solid  bastions 
have  this  advantage  over  others,  that 
they  afford  earth  enough  to  make  a  re- 
trenchment, in  case  tlic  enemy  lodge 
themselves  on  the  top  of  the  bastion,  and 
the  besieged  are  resolved  to  dispute  ev<  ry 
inch  of  ground. 

Hollow  bastion,)    is    that    where    the 

Empty  bastion,  5  level  ground  within 
is  much  lower  than  the  rampart,  or 
that  part  next  to  the  parapet  where 
the  troops  an-  placed  to  defend  tin  bas- 
tion, 'i  he  disadvantage  of  these  kinds 
ot'  bastions  i--  the  earth  being  so  low, 
that  when  an  enemy  is  once  lodged  on 
the.  rampart,  there  is  no  making  a  re- 
trenchment _  towards  the  center,  but 
what  will  be  under  the  lire  of  the  be- 
siegers. 

Detached  bastion  is  that  which  is  se- 
parated, or  cut  off,  from  the  body  of  the 
place,  and  diit'ers  from  a  half  moon, 
whose  rampari  and  parapet  are  lower, 
and  not  so  thick  as  those  of  the  place, 
having   trie    same    proportion    with  the 

.  of  tin;  place.   Coin;!  r-guards      ' 
flanks   a;:;    sometimes   called   detached 
bastions.  . 

(  bastion  is  that  whose  salient  angle 
or  point  is  cut  o.'f,  i  i  ad  of  which  if 
has  a  re-entei  ...  angle,  or  an  angle  in- 
wards, it  is  nsed,  either  when  the 
angle  would,  witl  I  ■■:■.  a  contrivance, 
be  t(,.i  ,  .  i     . ;,  ..    ..:■. ,.r,  or  some 


Other  impediment,  prevents  the  bastion 
from  being  carried  to  its  full  extent. 

Composed  bastion  is  when  two  sides  of 
the  interior  polygon  are  very  unequal: 
which  also  renders  the  gorges  unequal : 
it  may  not  improperly  be  called  a  forced 
bastion,  being,  as  it  were,  forced  into  that 
form. 

Deformed  bastion  is  when  the  irre- 
gularity of  the  lines  and  angles  causes 
the  bastion  to  appear  deformed,  or  out 
of  shape. 

Demi-bastion  is  composed  of  one  face 
only,   has  but  one   flank,   and  a  demi- 

g°ie-  ,  ,    .   .  .    .    .   , 

Double  bastion  is  that  which  is  raised 
on  the  plane  of  another  bastion,  but 
much  higher;  leaving  12  or  18  feet  be- 
tween the  parapet  of  the  lower,  and  the 
foot  of  the  higher;  and  is  sometimes  in 
the  nature  of  a  cavalier. 

Regular  bastion  is  that  which  has  its 
true  proportion  of  faces,  flanks,  and 
gorges. 

Irregular  bastion  is  that  wherein  the 
above    equality    of  just    proportion    is 
ted. 

Bcrm  is  a  little  space,  or  path,  of  0 
or  3  feet  broad,  between  the  ditch  and 
the  talus  of  the  parapet;  it  is  to  prevent 
the  earth  from  rolling  into  the  ditch,  and 
serves  likewise  to  pass  and  repass.  As 
it  is  in  some  degree  advanl  igeous  to  the 
em  my,  in  getting  footing,  most  of  the 
o    ■  ■     .i  ngm<  ers  reject  il . 

i7i  is  a  work  plac<  d  before  the 
•  angle  of  the  ravelin  to  cover  it : 
it  consists  of  '2  faces,  parallel  to  the 
rav«  tin,  •  |  pendicular  to  those  of  the 
lunette.  They  are  generally  made  IfJ 
fathom  broad  at  the  ends,  with  a  ditch 
of  the  same  breadth,  the  covert-way  <>, 
and  the  glacis  20  fathom. 

Breadh  is  an  opening  or  gap  made  in 
a  wall  or  rarripart,  with  either  cannon  or 
mines,  suffi<  iently  wide  for  a  body  of 
troops  to  enter  the  works,  and  drive  the 
besi(  g  d  out  of  it. 

Practical  breach  is  that  where  men 
may  mount,  and  make  a  lodgment,  and 
should  be  15  or  20  f<  et  wide. 

( 'apital  of  a  work  is  an  imaginary 
line  which  divides  that  work  into  two 
equal  parts. 

Capital  of  a  bastion,  a  line  draw  n  from 
the  angll  of  the  polygon  to  the  point  of 
the  bastion,  or  from  the  point  of  the 
bastion  to  the  center  of  the  gorge.  These 
capitals  are.  from    35  to  40    toises   in 


FOR 


(     249     ) 


FOR 


length,  from  the  point  of  the  bastion  to 
the  place  where  the  two  demi-gorges 
meet ;  being  the  difference  between  the 
exterior  and  the  interior  radii. 

Caponnihe  is  a  passage  made  in  a  dry 
ditch  from  one  work  to  another :  when 
it  is  made  from  the  curtain  of  the  body 
of  the  place  to  the  opposite  ravelin,  or 
from  the  front  of  a  horn  or  crown-work, 
it  has  a  parapet  on  each  side,  of  6  or  7 
feet  high,  sloping  in  a  glacis  of  10  or  12 
toises  on  the  outside  to  the  bottom  of 
the  ditch  :  the  width  within  is  from  20 
to  2j  feet,  with  a  banquette  on  each 
side.  There  is  a  brick  wall  to  support  the 
earth  within,  which  only  reaches  within 
If  foot  of  th:-  top,  to  prevent  grazing 
shot  from  driving  the  splinters  amongst 
the  defendants. 

Caponnieres  with  two  parapets  may 
properly  be  called  double  ;  as  there  are 
some  made  with  one  parapet  only,  in  dry 
ditches  of  the  ravelin,  and  in  that  of  its 
redoubt,  towards  the  salient  angles, 
and  to  open  towards  the  body  of  the 
place. 

Caponnieres,  made  from  the  body  of 
the  place  to  the  outworks,  are  sometimes 
arched  over,  with  loop-holes  to  fire  into 
the  ditch.  The  single  ones  in  the  ditch 
of  the  ravelin  and  redoubt  are  likewise 
made  with  arches  open  towards  the 
place ;  for,  by  making  them  in  this 
manner,  the  guns  which  defend  the  ditch 
before  them,  can  no  other  way  be  dis- 
mounted than  by  mines. 

Cascanes,  in  fortification,  a  kind  of 
cellars  made  under  the  capital  of  a  for- 
tification ;  also  subterraneous  passages 
or  galleries  to  discover  the  enemy's 
mines. 

Casemate,  in  fortification,  is  a  work 
made  under  the  rampart,  like  a  cellar  or 
cave,  with  loop-holes  to  place  guns  in  it. 
Cavaliers  are  works  raised  generally 
within  the  body  of  the  place,  10  or  12 
feet  higher  than  the  rest  of  the  works. 
Their  most  common  situation  is  within 
the  bastion,  and  they  are  made  much  in 
the  same  form.  They  are  sometimes 
placed  in  their  gorges,  or  on  the  middle 
of  the  curtain,  and  then  are  in  the  form 
of  a  horse-shoe,   only  flatter. 

The  use  of  cavaliers  is,  to  command 
all  the  adjacent  works  and  country  round 
them :  they  are  seldom  or  never  made 
but  when  there  is  a  hill  or  rising  ground 
whicli  overlooks  some  of  the  works. 

Center,  the  middle  point  of  any  work. 
From  the  center  of  a  plage  are  drawm 


the  first  lines  to  lay  down  the  form  of  a 
fortification. 

Center  of  the  bastion  is  that  point 
where  the  two  adjacent  curtains  pro- 
duced intersect  each  other. 

Citadel  is  a  kind  of  fort,  or  small 
fortification,  of  4,  5,  or  6  sides ;  some- 
times joined  to  towns,  &c.  Citadels  are 
always  built  on  the  most  advantageous 
ground.  They  are  fortified  towards  the 
city,  and  towards  the  country;  being 
divided  from  the  former  by  an  esplanade, 
or  open  place ;  and  serving  in  one  case 
to  overawe  the  inhabitants ;  and  in  the 
other,  not  only  to  hinder  the  approach 
of  an  enemy,  but  to  become  a  retreat 
to  the  garrison,  should  the  town  be 
taken. 

Coffers.     See  Coffer. 

Command  is  when  a  hill  or  rising 
ground  overlooks  any  of  the  works  of  a 
fortification,  and  is  within  reach  of  can- 
non shot;  such  a  hill  is  said  to  command 
that  work.     See  Command. 

Complement  of  the  curtain  is  that 
part  of  the  interior  side  which  forms  the 
demi-gorge. 

Complement  of  the  line  of  defence  is 
that  part  of  it  which  remains  after  the 
tenaille  is  taken  away  from  it. 

Cordon  is  a  round  projection  made 
of  stone,  in  a  semi-circular  form,  whose 
diameter  is  about  1  foot,  and  goes  quite 
round  the  wall,  and  within  4-  feet  from 
the  upper  part. 

The  cordon  being  placed  on  the  top 
of  the  revetement  of  the  escarp,  is  a. 
considerable  obstacle  to  the  besiegers, 
when  they  attempt  to  storm  a  place  by 
applying  scaling  ladders  to  the  escarp. 

Covert-nay  is  a  space  of  five  or  six 
toises  broad,  extending  round  the  coun- 
terscarp of  the  ditch,  and  covered  by  a 
parapet  from  six  to  seven  feet  and  a  half 
high,  having  a  banquette.  The  superior 
part  of  this  parapet  forms  a  gentle  slope, 
towards  the  country,  which  terminates 
at  the  distance  of  twenty  to  twenty - 
five  toises ;  this  slope  is  called  the 
glacis. 

Sometimes  the  covert-way  is  sunk  2 
or  3  feet  below  the  horizon  of  the  field  ; 
for,  as  such  works  are  never  made  to 
discover  the  enemy  in  their  trenches,  m> 
this  method  of  lowering  the  covert- way 
will  give  room  for  the  lire  of  the  lower 
curtain  (in  works  that  have  one)  to  scour 
the  esplanade ;  and  the  expense  of  it 
should  be  the  most  material  objection 
arainst  it. 
"      2K 


F  ()  R 


i     950     ) 


F  O  It 


<  nter-forU  arc,  by  some,  railed 
buttresses.  They  arc  solids  of  masonry, 
built  behind  walls,  and  joined  to  them  at 
18  foci  distance  from  center  to  center, 
in  order  to  strengthen  them,  especially 
when  the\  sustain  a  rampart  or  terrace. 

CQunterguard  is  a  wort  placed  before 
the  bastions  to  coyer  the  opposite  Hanks 
from  being  seen  from  the  covert-way1.  It 
is  likewise  made  before  the  ravelins. 

Win  p.  counterguards  are  placed  before 
pie  collateral  bastions,  they  are  esteemed 
pf  very  greal  use,  as  the  enemy  cannot 
batter  them  without  having  first  secured 
the  possession  of  the  counter-guards. 
They  were  first  invented  by  Pasino,  in 
157  {>,  and  greatly  improved  bv  Speckle, 
in  L589. 

Counterscarp  is  properly  the  exterior 
talus  of  the  ditch,  or  that  slope  which 
terminates  its  breadth,  and  is  the  fur- 
ther side  from  the  body  of  the  place.  It 
is  so  called  from  being  opposite  to  the 
escarp. 

Cuown-zcork  is  a  work  not  unlike  a 
crown. ;  it  has  2  fronts  and  2  branches. 
The  fronts  are  composed  of  9  half  bas- 
tions, and  1  whole  on<  :  thej  are  made 
before  the  curtain  or  the  bastion,  and 
generally  serve  to  inclosi  -ume  buddings 
which  cannot  be  brought  within  the 
body  of  the  place',  or  to  cover  the  town- 
gates,     or     else    tO     OCCUpy    a     Spot     of 

ground  which  might  be  advantageous  to 
an  enemy.  They  are  so  expensive,  that 
they  are  rarely  adopted.  The  best  use 
this  work  can  possibly  be  put  to,  is  to 
cover  2  joining  curtains,  when  the  sides 
of  it  will  be  parallel  to  the  sides  of  the 
place,  and  it  should  be  fortified  with 
the  same  strength  and  in  the  same 
manner. 

The  authors  who  have  written  on  the 
subject,  have  never  thought  of  this  use- 
ful part;  and  we  often  see  '.'  horn-works 
put  in  practice  to  cover  2  curtains,  where 
one  en  i  un-w  oik  would  do  it  much  cheaper, 
and  much  better.  The  crown-work  is 
adopted  for  the  same  purposes  as  the 
horn-woik. 

Crowned  Jtorn-taork  is  a  horn-work 
with  a  croon-wot  I;  before  it. 

Curtain  is  that  part  of  the  body  of 
the  place,  which  joins  the  Hank  of 
one  bastion  to  that  of  another.  The 
straight  curtains  have  always  been  pre- 
ferred to  the  different  designs  which 
have  been  proposed,  of  which  some 
have  diminished    the  expense,   and,  at 


the    same   time,    the 


strength 


of  the 


place  ;  others  have  somewhat  augmented 
the  strength,  but  greatly  diminished  its 
area. 

Cuvette,}  is  a  small  ditch  from  15 
Cunette,  S  to  20  feet  broad,  (more  or 
less,)  made  in  the  middle  of  a  large  dry 
ditch,  serving  as  a  retrenchment  to  de- 
fend the  same,  or  otherwise  to  let  water 
into  it,    when   it  can    be  had   during   a 

siege. 

When  there  is  a  cunette,  there  should 
be  a  caponniere  to  flank  it. 

Defilement  is  the  art  of  disposing  all 
the  works  of  a  fortress  in  such  a  manner, 
that  tiny  may  be  commanded  by  the 
body  of  the  place.  It  also  includes  the 
relative  disposition  of  the  works,  and 
the  ground  within  caniu.n  shot,  so  thai 
the  one  may  be  discovered,  and  the 
Other  not  observed. 

Demi-gorge  is  the  rectilinear  distance 
On  the  curtain,  produced  from  the  angle 
of  the  flank,  to  the  angle  of  the  gorge, 
or  the  center  of  the  bastion. 

I  hun-liaie.     See  Uavkun. 

Descents,'m  fortification, are  the  holes, 
vaults,  and  hollow  places  made  by  under- 
mining the  ground. 

"Descents  into  the  ditch,  or  foss,  are 
boyaux  or  trenches  effected  by  the  means 
of  saps  in  the  ground  of  the  counterscarp, 
under  the  covert-way.  They  are  covered 
with  madriers,  or  hurdles,  well  loaded 
with  earth,  to  secure  them  against  lire. 
In  ditches  that  are  full  of  water,  the 
descent  is  made  even  with  the  surface 
of  the  water;  and  then  the  ditch  is 
lined  with  fagots,  fast  bound,  and  covered 
with  earth.  In  dry  ditches  the  descent 
is  carried  down  to  the  bottom ;  after 
which,  traverses  are  ma.de  either  as  lodg- 
ments for  the  troops,  or  to  cover  the 
miner.  When  the  ditch  is  full  of  water, 
the  descent  must  be  made  over  its  sur- 
face; which  is  done  by  securing  it  with 
blinds  or  chandeliers,  from  being 
riladed,  or  by  directing  die  course  of  the 
descent  from  the  point  of  enfilade  in  the 
1),  st  way  you  can. 

Detached  bastion.    See  Bastion. 

Detached  redoubt.     See  Redoubt. 

Ditch  is  a  large  deep  trench  made 
round  each  work,  generally  from  12  to 
'22  fathom  broad,  and  from  15  to  16  feet 
deep.  The  earth  dug  out  of  it  serves  to 
raise  the  rampart  and  parapet.  Almost 
every  engineer  has  a  particular  depth 
and  breadth  for  ditches;  some  are  for 
narrow  ones  and  deep,  others  for  broad 
ones  and  shallow ;  and  it  is  most  certain 


P  OR 


(     251     > 


FOR 


tli at  ditches  should  be  regulated  accord- 
ing to  the  situation.  In  regard  to  wet 
and  drv  ditches,  almost  all  authors  have 
given  it  in  favour  of  the  latter;  and  we 
shall  only  add,  that  the  best  of  all  are 
those  which  can  either  be  filled,  or  kept 
dry  at  pleasure. 

Wet  ditches,  which  have  stagnant  wa- 
ters, are  liable  to  great  inconveniences. 
They  are  said  to  be  well  calculated  to 
prevent  sudden  surprizes  and  assaults; 
but  we  are  convinced  of  the  contrary  ; 
especially  during  a  hard  frost.  Some 
again  assert,  that  they  stop  all  com- 
munication between  ill-disposed  persons 
in  the  garrison  and  the  besiegers.  Every 
man  with  the  least  experience  must  be 
of  a  different  opinion. 

Wet  ditches  might  certainly  be  so 
constructed,  as  to  let  the  surface  of  the 
water  remain  12  or  15  feet  above  the  level 
of  the  adjacent  country ;  in  which  case 
they  would  serve  as  large  reservoirs,  and 
not  only  contribute  to  the  defence  of  a 
fortified  place,  but  enrich  the  grounds 
by  being  occasionally  let  out.  The  ad- 
ditional value  which  the  neighbouring 
meadows  would  bear  from  these  season- 
able overflowings,  might  in  some  degree 
compensate  for  the  expense  of  the  for- 
tification. During  a  siege,  these  waters, 
with  proper  management,  must  give  con- 
siderable uneasiness  to  the  enemy  that 
invests  the  place. 

To  answer  this  double  purpose,  the 
ditch  must  be  separated  into  several 
large  basons,  which  might  be  filled  or 
emptied,  as  often  as  circumstances 
would  require. 

Dry  ditches,  ditches  that  have  no 
water  in  them.  There  are  also  some 
ditches  which  may  be  filled  at  will ;  and 
others  which  cannot,  except  by  extra- 
ordinary means.  If  they  should  be  in- 
tended to  answer  the  purpose  of  agricul- 
ture, aqueducts  might  be  constructed,  or 
the  waters  poured  in  through  artificial 
channels.  In  which  case  the  ditches 
would  not  require  much  depth.  The 
glacis  might  be  raised  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  serve  to  dam  the  body  of  water, 
and  to  afford  a  second  glacis  whence 
the  besiegers  might  be  considerably  em- 
barrassed. 

Ditches  that  are  lined,  ditches  whose 
counterscarp  is  supported  and  kept  up 
by  a  stone  or  brick  wall. 

Ditches  that  are  not  lined,  ditches 
wfaoste    counterscarp    is     supported    In- 


earth covered  with  sods.  These  ditches 
are  not  so  secure  as  the  former,  on  ac- 
count of  the  breadth  which  must  be 
given  to  the  talus,  and  by  which  an 
enemy  might  easily  surprize  a  place., 

So  that  ditches  in  fortification  may  be 
briefly  distinguished  under  three  separate 
heads,  viz. 

D>  i/  ditches,  which,  from  the  facility 
with  which  they  may  be  repaired,  and 
their  capability  of  containing  other  works 
proper  for  their  security,  are,  in  most 
instances,  preferable  to  any  others. 

Wet  ditches,  that  are  always  full  of 
water,  and  consequently  must  have 
bridges  of  communication  which  are 
liable  to  be  destroyed  very  frequently 
during  a  siege. 

Wet  ditches  are  subject  to  many  in- 
conveniences, are  ill  calculated  to  favour 
sallies,  and  have  only  the  solitary  ad- 
vantage of  preventing  a  surprize. 

The  third  sort  of  ditch  has  all  the 
advantages  of  the  other  two  kinds ;  if, 
as  we  have  just  observed,  it  can  be  so 
contrived,  as  to  admit  occasionally  water 
into  the  different  basons  by  means  of 
aqueducts,  and  be  drained,  as  circum- 
stances may  require. 

Draw-bridge.     See  Bridge. 

Embrasures.     See  Embrasure. 

Envelope  is  any  work  that  covers, 
surrounds,  or  envelopes  either  another 
work  or  a  spot  of  ground,  and  therefore 
may  be  of  any  form  or  figure.  The 
term  is  frequently  applied  to  a  counter- 
guard,  though  by  this  word,  called  also 
si/Ion,  be  most  commonly  meant  an  ele- 
vation of  earth  made  in  the  ditch  for 
defending  it  when  it  is  rather  too  broad. 

Epaidement.     See  Epaulement. 

Epau/e,  or  the  shoulder  of  the  bastion, 
is  the  angle  made  by  the  union  of  the 
face  and  flank. 

Escarp  is,  properly  speaking,  any 
thing  high  and  steep,  and  is  used  in 
fortification  to  express  the  outside  of 
the  rampart  of  any  work  next  to  the 
ditch. 

Exterior  side  of  a  fortification  is  the 
distance,  or  imaginary  line  drawn  from 
one  point  of  the  bastion  to  that  of  the 
next. 

Faces  of  the  bastion.     See  Bastion. 

Faces  of  any  work,  in  fortification, 
are  those  parts  where  the  rampart  is 
made,  which  produce  an  angle  pointing 
outwards. 

Face  prolonged,  that  part  of  the  line 
2  K  2 


FOR 


(     252     ) 


FOR 


of  defence  lazant,  which  is  terminated 
by  the  curtain,  and  the  angle  of  the 
shoulder. 

Fascine.     See  Fascines. 

Fausse-brau  is  a  low  rampart  going 
quite  round  the  body  of  the  place  :  its 
height  is  about  3  feet  above  the  level 
ground,  and  its  parapet  is  about  3  or  4 
fathom  distant  from  that  of  the  body  of 
the  place.  These  works  are  made  at  a 
very  great  expense  :  their  faces  are  very 
easily  enfiladed,  and  their  flank  of  course 
is  seen  in  reverse:  the  enemy  is  under 
cover  the  minute  he  becomes  master  of 
them  ;  and  a  great  quantity  of  shells 
which  may  be  thrown  into  them,  and 
must  of  necessity  lodge  there,  will  go 
near  to  make  a  breach,  or  at  worst  to 
drive  every  one  out.  Hence,  they  are 
liable  to  do  more  harm  than  good,  and 
contribute  no  way  to  the  defence  of  the 
place.  Mr.  Vauban  only  makes  them 
before  the  curtains,  and,  as  such,  calls 
them  tenailles. 

Flanks  are,  generally  speaking,  any 
parts  of  a  work,  which  def<  nd  another 
work  along  the  outsides  of  its  parapets. 

Flank's  of  the  bastion  are  the  parts 
between  the  faces  and  the  curtain.  The 
flank  of  one  bastion  serves  to  defend  the 
ditch  before  the  curtain  and  face  of  the 
opposite  bastion. 

Flanking  is  the  same  thing  in  fortifi- 
cation as  defending. 

Retitrd  Jlanks  are  those  made  behind 
the  line  which  joins  the  extremity  of  the 
face  and  the  curtain,  towards  the  capital 
of  the  bastion. 

Concave  ftanlts  are  those  which  are 
made  in  the  arc  of  a  circle. 

Direct,  or  grazing  flank,  is  that  which 
is  perpendicular  to  the  opposite  face  pro- 
duced, and  oblique  or  tichant,  when  it 
makes  an  acute  angle  with  that  face. 

Second  flank,  \\hen  the  face  of  a 
bastion  produced  does  not  meet  the  cur- 
tain at  its  extremity,  but  in  some  other 
point,  I  lien  the  part  of  the  curtain  be- 
tween that  point  and  the  flank,  is  called 
the  second  flank.  Modern  engineers 
have  rejected  this  method  of  fortifying. 
See  Flank. 

Fliche,  a  work  of  two  faces,  which  is 
often  constructed  before  the  glacis  of  a 
fortified  place,  when  threatened  with  a 
siege,  in  order  to  keep  the  enemy  as 
long  at  a  distance  as  possible. 

Gallery   is    a    passage    made  under 
ground,  leading  to  the  mines:    galleries 


are  from  4J  to  5  feet  high,  and  about 
3|  or  4  feet  broad  ;  supported  at  top  by 
wooden  frames,  with  boards  over  them. 
Galleries,  in  the  counterscarp  of  the 
ditches,  or  under  the  covert-way,  are 
generally  arched  with  brickwork  or 
masonry,  with  loopholes  in  them  for 
musketry  to  fire  through  into  the  ditches. 
There  are  some  of  this  description  in  the 
new  works  round  the  dock-yard  and 
common  at  Portsmouth. 

Genouilliers,  the  undermost  part  of  a 
battery,  or  that  part  from  the  platform 
to  the  embrasures. 

Glacis  is  the  part  beyond  the  covert- 
way,  to  which  it  serves  as  a  parapet, 
and  terminates  towards  the  field  in  an 
easy  slope  at  about  20  fathoms  distance. 
Sometimes  double  glacis  are  made  paral- 
lel to  the  esplanade,  and  at  the  distance 
of  10  or  20  fathoms. 

Some  authors  think  these  works  never 
answer  the  expense  :  however,  M.  Vau- 
ban was  so  sensible  of  their  goodness, 
that  he  never  failed  to  make  them  when 
tin  ground  suited  ;  because,  when  such 
works  are  defended  by  a  skilful  governor, 
they  will  afford  the  means  of  being 
valiantly  supported. 

Gorge  of  a  bastion  is  the  interval 
between  the  extremity  of  one  flank  and 
that  of  the  other. 

Gorge  of  any  work,  is  that  part  next 
to  the  body  of  the  place,  where  there  is 
no  rampart  or  parapet :  that  is,  at  the 
counterscarp  of  the  ditch. 

Half-moon,  (demi-lune,  Fr.)  is  an  out- 
work that  has  two  faces  which  form 
a  salient  angle,  the  gorge  of  which  re- 
sembles a  crescent.  It  owes  its  original 
invention  to  the  Dutch,  who  use  it  to 
cover  the  points  of  their  bastions.  This 
kind  of  fortification  is,  however,  defec- 
tive, because  it  is  weak  on  its  flanks. 
Halt-moons  are  now  called  ravelins : 
which  species  of  work  is  constructed  in 
front  of  the  curtain.     See  Kavelixs. 

Gorge  of  a  half-moon  is  the  part  of  it 
at  the  counterscarp,  or  the  widest  part 
of  it,  or  the  space  contained  between 
the  two  extremities  of  its  faces,  that  are 
next  to  the  body  of  the  place. 

Head  of  a  ?eork,  its  front  next  the 
enemy,  and  farthest  from  the  place. 

Hurnuork  is  composed  of  a  front  and 
2  branches :  the  front  is  made  into  2 
half  bastions  and  a  curtain:  this  work 
is  of  the  nature  of  a  crown-work,  only 
smaller,  and  serves   for  the  same  pur- 


FOR 


(     253     ) 


FOR 


poses.  The  use  of  horn-works  in  gene- 
ral is  to  take  possession  of  some  rising 
ground,  advanced  from  the  fortifica- 
tion ;  the  distance  of  which  determines 
that  of  the  horn-work;  and  they  are 
placed  either  before  the  curtain,  or 
before  the  bastions,  according  to  cir- 
cumstances. 

Horse-shoe  is  a  small  round  or  oval 
work,  with  a  parapet,  generally  made  in 
a  ditch,  or  in  a  marsh. 

Interior  side  of  a  fortification,  an  ima- 
ginary line  drawn  from  the  center  of 
one  bastion  to  that  of  the  next,  or  rather 
the  curtains  produced  till  they  meet. 

Loop-holes  are  either  square,  or  oblong 
holes,  made  in  the  walls,  to  fire  through 
with  muskets.  They  are  generally  8  or 
or  9  inches  long,  6  or  7  inches  wide 
within,  and  2  or  3  without ;  so  that  every 
man  may  fire  from  them  direct  in  front, 
or  oblique  to  right  or  left,  according  to 
circumstances. 

Lunettes  are  works  made  on  both 
sides  of  a  ravelin  :  one  face  of  each  is 
perpendicular,  when  produced  to  a  face 
of  the  ravelin,  at  the  distance  of  one 
half,  or  of  one  third  part  of  the  length  of 
the  same  from  the  salient  angle,  and  the 
other  nearly  so  to  a  face  of  the  adjacent 
bastion. 

There  are  likewise  lunettes,  whose 
faces  are  drawn  perpendicular  to  those 
of  the  ravelin,  within  l-3d  part  from  the 
salient  angle;  whose  semi-gorges  are  only 
20  fathoms. 

These  kinds  of  works  make  a  good  de- 
fence, and  are  not  very  expensive :  for 
as  they  are  so  near  the  ravelin,  the  com- 
munication with  it  is  easy,  and  one  can- 
not well  be  maintained  till  they  are  all 
three  taken. 

Lunettes  are  also  works  made  beyond 
the  second  ditch,  opposite  to  the  places 
of  amis.  They  differ  from  the  ravelins 
only  in  their  situation. 

Lunettons  are  small  lunettes. 

Merlon  is  that  part  of  the  breast- 
work of  a  battery,  which  is  between  the 
embrasures. 

Orillon  is  a  part  of  the  bastion  near 
the  shoulder,  which  serves  to  cover  the 
retired  flank  from  being  seen  obliquely. 
It  is  sometimes  faced  with  stone,  on  the 
shoulder  of  a  casemated  bastion,  to  cover 
the  cannon  of  the  retired  flank,  and  hin- 
der them  from  being  dismounted  by  the 
enemy's  cannon. 

Of  all  the  works  in  a  fortification, 
there  is  none  more  capable  or*  defending 


the  passage  of  the  ditch,  and  of  destroy- 
ing the  miner,  wheresoever  he  may  en- 
ter, than  the  orillon.  Experience  has 
shewn  us  of  what  vast  advantage  it  is 
to  have  2  or  3  reserve  pieces  of  cannon, 
which  command  the  ditch,  and  the  face 
of  the  opposite  bastion,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  destroy  the  attempts  of  the 
miners,  and  see  the  breach  in  reverse. 
Hence  the  great  advantages  of  a  double 
flank,  thus  concealed,  weigh  so  very  much 
with  us,  and  convince  us  so  entirely  of 
their  usefulness,  that  we  affirm  no  place 
to  be  well  fortified  without  the  orillon, 
and  that  the  straight  flank  is  fit  for  no- 
thing but  field-works. 

The  orillon  is  as  old  as  the  bastion,  and 
was  first  made  use  of  about  the  year 
1480.  We  find  it  frequently  mentioned 
in  the  works  of  Pasino  and  Speckle,  first 
published  in  1579. 

In  the  appendix,  containing  a  true  and 
short  account  of  M.  Vauban's  manner 
of  fortifying,  taken  from  a  French  book, 
published  by  Abbe  du  Fay,  with  M. 
Vauban's  approbation,  with  his  new  sys- 
tem of  towers,  is  the  following  observa- 
tion relative  to  orillons. 

"  We  must  take  notice,  that  his  oril- 
lon is  square  on  the  inside,  for  the  con- 
veniency  of  the  musketeers  ;  and  that  of 
his  four  flanks,  (viz.  that  of  the  place, 
that  of  the  orillon,  that  of  the  tenaille, 
and  that  of  the  caponniere,)  the  two  last 
are  the  best,  because  they  command 
without  being  commanded." — Treatise 
on  Fortification,  written  originally  in 
French,  by  Monsieur  Ozanam,  professor 
of  mathematics  at  Paris,  p.  193. 

Out-works.     See  Works. 

Palisades  are  stakes  made  of  strong 
split  wood  about  9  feet  long,  fixed  3  deep 
in  the  ground,  in  rows  about  6  inches 
asunder.  They  are  placed  in  the  covert- 
way,  at  3  feet  from,  and  parallel  to  the 
parapet  of  the  glacis,  to  secure  it  from 
being  surprized. 

Parapet  is  a  part  of  the  rampart  of  a 
work,  18  or  20  feet  abroad,  and  raised  6 
or  7  feet  above  the  rest  of  the  rampart. 
It  serves  to  cover  the  troops  placed  there 
to  defend  the  work  against  the  fire  of 
the  enemy. 

Parallels.     See  Siege. 

Port-cullice  is  a  falling  gate  or  door, 
like  a  harrow,  hung  over  the  gates  of 
fortified  places,  and  let  down  to  keep  out 
the  enemy. 

Place  is  commonly  used  in  fortifica- 
tion instead  of  a  fortified  town. 


FOR 


(     254     ) 


FOR 


Reptilar  place,  one  whoso  angles,  sides, 
bastions,  and  other  parts  nre  equal,  Sec. 

Irregular  place,  one  whose  sides,  an- 
cles, 8cc.  are  unequal,  8cc 

Place  of  arms  is  a  part  of  the  covert- 
way,  opposite  to  the  re-entering  angle  of 
the  counterscarp,  projecting  outward  in 
an  angle.  It  is  generally  20  fathoms 
from  the  re-entering  angle  of  the  ditch  on 
both  sides,  and  the  faces  are  found  by 
describing  a  radius  of  25  fathoms. 

Place*  of  arms.     See  Sir.or. 

Pits;  OP  ponds,  are  little  holes  dug  be- 
tween the  higher  and  lower  curtains,  to 
liii'id  water,  in  order  to  prevent  the  pass- 
ing from  the  tenailles  to  the  Hanks. 

Profiles  are  representations  of  the  ver- 
tical sections  of  a  work,  and  serve  to 
shew  those  dimensions  which  cannot  be 
described  in  plans,  and  are  yet  ni  eessary 
in  the  building  of  a  fortification  ;  they 
may  be  very  Well  executed  and  construct- 
ed upon  a  scale  of  30  feet  to  an  Inch. 
By  a  profile  are  expressed  the  several 
heights,  widths,  and  thicknesses,  such  as 
they  would  appear  were  the  works  cut 
down  perpendicularly  from  the  top  to  the 
bottom. 

Rampart  is  an  elevation  of  earth 
raised  along  the  faces  of  any  work,  10  or 
15  feet  high,  to  cover  the  inner  part  of 
that  Work  against  the  fire  of  an  enemy  : 
its  breadth  differs  according  to  the  se- 
veral systems  upon  which  it  may  be 
constructed  :  for  De  Ville  makes  them 
12^ fathoms,  M.  Vauban  6,  and  others 
10  fathoms. 

Rams-horns  are  low  works  made  in 
the  ditch,  of  a  circular  arc.  They  were 
first  invented  by  M'.  BelidorJ  and  serve 
instead  of  tenailles. 

Rare/in  is  a  work  placed  before  the 
curtain  to  cover  it,  and  prevent  the  flanks 
from  b(  inn  discovered  side-ways  :  it 
consists  of  2  faces  meeting  in  an  outward 
angle:  Some  ravelins  are  couitterguard- 
ed,  which  renders  them  as  serviceable  as 
either  thecunettes,  or  tenaillons. 

(iorpe  of  a  ravelin  is  the  distance  1'  - 
tween  the  two  sides  or  faces  towards  the 
place. 

Gorge*,  of  all  other  out-works,  are  the 
intervals  or  spaces  which  lie  between 
their  several  wings,  or  sines,  towards  the 
main  ditch. 

Redans,  in  fortification,  are  indented 
works,  consisting  of  lines  or  facings  that 
form  sallying,  or  re-entering  angli  s,  Hank- 
ing one  another,  and  are  generally  used 
©nth'  la  river  running  through   a 


garrisoned  town.     They  are  used  before 
bastions.    Sometimes  the  parapet  of  the 

COveit-Way  is  carried  on  in  this  manner. 

Redoubt  is  a  work  placed  beyond  the 
glacis,  and  is  of  various  forms.  Its  pa- 
rapet, not  being  intended  to  resist  can- 
non, is  only  8  or  <>  feet  thick,  with  ','  or 
:;  banquettes.  The  length  of  the  sides 
may  be  from  10  to  90  fathoms. 

Redoubt  is  also  the  name  of  a  small 
work,  made  sometimes  in  a  bastion, 
and  sometimes  in  a  ravelin,  of  the  same 
form. 

Redoubt  is  likewise  a  square  work 
without  any  bastions,  placed  at  some 
distance  from  a  fortification,  to  guard  a 
pass,  or  to  prevent  an  enemy  bom  ap- 
proaching that  way. 

Detached  redoubt  is  a  kind  of  work 
much  like  a  ravelin,  with  Hanks  placed 
beyond  the  glacis.  Jt  is  made  to  occupy 
some  spot  of  ground  which  might  be 
advantageous  to  the  besiegers;  likewise 
to  oblige  the  enemy  to  open  their  tren- 
ches farther  oil'  than  they  would  other- 
wise do.  The  distance  of  a  redoubt 
from  the  covert-way  should  not  exceed 
120  toises,  that  the  latter  may  thence 
be  defended  by  musket-shot. 

J'ednuies  e>i  acmai/fcre,  so  called  from 
tin  ir  similitude  to  a  pot-hook  ;  the  in- 
side line  of  the  parapet  being  broken  in 
such  a  manner,  as  to  n  -emble  the  teeth 
of  a  saw  ;  whereby  this  advantage  is 
gained,  that  a  great!  r  tire  may  be  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  defile,  than  if  only  a 
simple  face  was  opposed  to  it,  and  con- 
sequently the  passage  is  rendered  more 
difficult." 

Retrenchment  is  any  work  raised  to 
cover  a  post,  and  fortify  it.  against  an 
enemy  ;  such  as  fascines  loaded  with 
earth,  gabions,  sand-bags,  &c. 

Pesetement  is  a  strong  wall  built  on 
the  outside  of  the  rampart  and  parapet, 
to  support  the  earth,  and  prevent  its 
rolling  into  the  ditch.  When  the  re- 
veterhent  of  a  rampart  goes  quite  up  to 
the  top,  I  i'ei  t  of  the  upper  part  is  a  ver- 
tical wail  of  :>  feet  thick,  with  a  square 
stone  at  the  top  of  it,  projecting  about  5 
or  (i  inch;  s,  and  a  circular  one  below,  or 
win  re  the  slope  begin-,  of  8  or  10  inches 
diameter.  '1  hey  go  quite  round  the  ram- 
part, and  the  circular  projection  is  called 
the  cordon, 

Rideau  is  a  small  elevation  of  earth, 
extending  lengthways  on  a  plain,  and 
jerving  to 'cover  a  camp,  or  to  give  an 
advantage  to  a  post.     It  is  also  come- 


FOR 


(     255     ) 


FOR 


nient  for  the  besiegers  of  a  place,  as  it 
serves  to  secure  the  workmen  in  their 
approaches  to  the  foot  of  the  fortress. 

Rideau  is  also  used  sometimes  for  a 
trench,  the  earth  of  which  is  thrown  up 
on  its  sides,  to  serve  as  a  parapet  for 
covering  the  men. 

Sap.     See  Siege. 

Si/Ion,  a  work  raised  in  the  middle  of 
a  ditch  to  defend  it  when  too  broad. 
This  work  has  no  particular  construc- 
tion; but,  as  it  runs,  forms  little  bastions, 
half-moons,  and  redans,  which  are  lower 
than  the  rampart  of  the  place,  but 
higher  than  the  covert-way.  It  is  not 
much  used  at  present.  Sillon  means  li- 
terally a  furrow. 

Swallow' s-tail,  an  out-work,  only  dif- 
fering from  a  single  tenaille,  in  that  its 
sides  are  not  parallel  as  those  of  the 
tenaille,  but  narrower  towards  the  town 
than  towards  the  country. 

Talus  signifies  a  slope  made  either  on 
the  outside  or  inside  of  any  work,  to 
prevent  the  earth  from  rolling  down. 
It  is  of  various  denominations,  viz. 

Talus  of  the  banquette  is>  that  gentle 
slope  from  the  top  of  the  banquette  to 
the  horizontal  line. 

Interior  talus  of  the  parapet,  the  slope 
from  the  top  of  the  parapet  to  the  ban- 
quette. 

Talus  of  the  top  of  the  parapet,  that 
slope  which  lessens  the  height,  of  the  pa- 
rapet towards  the  berm  ;  by  which  means 
the  troops  firing  from  the  banquette  can 
defend  the  covert-way. 

Exterior  talus  of  the  parapet,  the 
slope  of  the  parapet  from  the  top  to 
tlie    berm. 

Interior  talus  of  tlie  ditch,  the  slope 
from  the  top  of  the  ditch  to  the  bottom, 
within. 

Exterior  talus  of  the  ditch,  the  slope 
from  the  top  of  the  ditch  to  the  bottom, 
without. 

Tenuities  are  low  works  made  in  the 
ditch  before  the  curtains  ;  of  which  there 
are  three  sorts.  The  first  are  the  facts 
of  the  bastion  produced  till  they  meet, 
but  much  lower ;  the  second  have  faces, 
flanks,  and  a  curtain  :  and  the  third  have 
only  faces  and  flanks.  Their  height  is 
about  2  or  3  feet  higher  than  the  level 
ground  of  the  ravelin.  Their  use  is  to 
defend  the  bottom  of  the  ditch  by  a 
grazing  fire,  as  likewise  the  level  ground 
of  the  ravelin,  and  especially  the  ditch 
before  the  redoubt  within  the   ravelin, 


any 


which   cannot    be    defended   from 
other  quarter  so  well  as  from  them. 

Tenaillons  are  works  made  on  each 
side  of  the  ravelin,  much  like  the  lu- 
nettes ;  with  this  difference,  that  one  of 
the  faces  in  a  tenaillon  is  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  ravelin  ;  whereas  that  of  the 
lunette  is  perpendicular  to  it. 

Teri'e-plcine,  in  fortification,  the  hori- 
zontal superficies  of  the  rampart,  be- 
tween tlie  interior  talus  and  the  ban- 
quette. It  is  on  the  terre-pleinc  that  the 
garrison  pass  and  repass  ;  it  is  also  the 
passage  of  the  rounds. 

Tower-bastions  are  small  towers  made 
in  the  form  of  bastions ;  first  invented 
by  M.  Vauban,  and  used  in  his  second 
and  third  methods  ;  with  rooms  or  cel- 
lars underneath,  to  place  men  and  artil- 
lery in  them.  As  these  towers  are  al- 
most a  solid  piece  of  masonry,  they  must 
be  attended  with  much  expense,  though 
their  resistance  cannot  be  great ;  for  it 
has  been  found  by  experience,  that  the 
casemates  are  but  of  little  use,  because 
as  soon  as  they  have  fired  once  or  twice, 
the  smoke  will  oblige  the  defenders  to 
leave  them,  notwithstanding  the  smoke- 
holes.  It  may,  therefore,  be  concluded, 
that  the  strength  of  these  tower-bastions 
does  by  no  means  answer  their  expense ; 
and  that,  if  small  bastions  were  made 
instead  of  them,  without  casemates, 
they  would  be  much  better,  and  less 
expensive. 

Traditore  signifies  the  concealed  or 
hidden  guns  in  a  fortification,  behind  the 
reverse  of  the  orillon. 

Traverses  are  parapets  made  across 
the  covert-way,  opposite  to  the  salient 
angles  of  the  works,  and  near  the  places 
of  anas,  to  prevent  enfilades ;  they  are 
18  or  20  feet  thick,  and  as  high  as  the 
ridge  of  the  glacis.  There  are  also  tra- 
verses made  in  the  caponnieres,  but  then 
they  are  called  tambours. 

Traverses-  are  likewise  made  within 
other  works,  when  there  are  any  hills  or 
rising  grounds  from  which  the  interior 
parts  of  these  works  may  be  observed. 
Traverses  that  are  made  to  cover  the  en- 
trances of  redoubts  in  the  field,  need  not 
be  above  S  or  10  feet  thick. 

Trous-dc-loup,  or  wolf-holes,  round 
holes  made  about  5  or  G  feet  deep,  with 
a  stake  in  the  middle  :  they  are  general- 
ly dag  round  a  field  redoubt,  to  obstruct 
the  enemy's  approach ;  circular  at  top, 
and  about  -If  feet  diameter  :   pointed  at 


E  O  It 


(     ::><5    ) 


FOR 


»he  bottom  like  an  inverted  rone.  Two 
or  three  rows  of  them  are  dug  chequer- 
wise, about  6  paces  from  the  edge  of  the 
ditch,  viz.  two  rows  of  holes  exactly  op- 
posite to  each  other,  and  a  third  row  m 
the  middle,  co\  ering  the  intervals.  Wolf- 
holes  are  very  useful  ill  preventing  the 
approach  of  cavalry 

Wicket,  a  Miiall  door  in  the  gate  of  a 
fortified  place  at  which  a  man  on  foot 
may  go  in,  and  which  may  be  opened, 
though  the  gate  itself  be  kept  shut. 

Works.  All  the  fortifications  about 
a  place  are  called  the  works  of  a  place. 

Out-uorks.  All  detached  works  in  a 
fortification  are  so  called.       See  Dehors. 

Enceinte.  By  the  enceinte  of  a  place 
is  meant  not  only  the  curtains,  Hanks, 
and  faces  of  the  bastions,  with  the  ram- 
part and  its  parapet,  but  also  all  the 
other  works  round  it,  as  ditches,  rave- 
lins, counterguards,  horn-works,  crown- 
works,  Sec. 

There  are  three  kinds  of  enceinte.  The 
first,  or  simple  enceinte,  consists  of  a  ram- 
part, a  ditch,  and  an  esplanade  or  glacis  ; 
the  second  enceinte  has,  independently  of 
these,  a  wall,  which,  when  it  is  not  very 
thick,  is  called  eternise, with  a  chemin  ctes 
rondes,  covered  by  a  small  parapet  for 
the  watch  or  rounds  to  go  about  in  at 
night  ;  and  the  third,  or  basse  enceinte,  is 
what  was  called  fansse-braie.  This  last 
was  much  used  by  the  Dutch ;  but  Vau- 
ban  retained  only  so  much  of  it  as  form- 
ed a  tenaille  with  flanks  opposite  to  the 
curtain. 

Zig-Zag.     See  Siegt. 

The  principal  maxims  of  fortification 
are  these,  viz.  1.  That  every  part  of  the 
works  be  seen  and  defended  by  other 
parts,  so  that  the  enemy  cannot  lodge 
any  where  without  being  exposed  to  the 
fire  of  the  place. 

2.  A  fortress  should  command  all 
places  round  it ;  and  therefore  all  the 
outworks  should  be  lower  than  the  body 
of  the  place. 

3.  The  works  farthest  from  the  center 
should  always  be  open  to  those  that  are 
nearer. 

4.  The  defence  of  every  part  should 
always  be  within  the  reach  of  musket- 
shot,  that  is,  from  120  to  150  fathoms, 
so  as  to  be  defended  both  by  ordnance 
and  small  fire-arms  :  for  if  it  be  only 
defended  by  cannon,  the  enemy  may  dis- 
mount them  by  the  superiority  of  their 
own,  and  then  the  defence  will  be  de- 


bt roved  at  once  ;  whereas,  when  a  work 
is  likewise  defended  by  small-arms,  if 
the  one  be  destroyed,  the  other  will  still 
subsist. 

5.  All  the  defences  should  be  as  nearly 
direct  as  possible  ;  for  it  has  been  found 
by  experience,  that  the  soldiers  are  too 
apt  to  fire  directly  before  them,  without 
troubling  themselves  whether  they  do 
execution  or  not. 

6.  A  fortification  should  be  equally 
strong  on  all  sides  ;  otherwise  the  enemy 
will  attack  it  in  the  weakest  part,  where- 
by its  strength  will  become  useless. 

7.  The  more  acute  the  angle  at  the 
center  is,  the  stronger  will  be  the  place. 

8.  In  great  places,  dry  ditches  are 
preferable  to  those  filled  with  water, 
because  sallies,  retreats,  succours,  &C. 
are  necessary  ;  but,  in  small  fortresses, 
wet  ditches  that  can  be  drained  are  the 
best,  as  standing  in  need  of  no  sallies. 

The  following  maxims,  in  addition  to 
those  usually  delivered  by  the  writers 
on  fortification,  are  extracted  from  a  re- 
cent publication  by  James  Glenie,  Esq. 

1.  The  flanked  or  salient  angle  of  the 
bastion  ought  never  to  be  less  than  about 
71  degrees  and  a  half,  or  greater  than 
120°.  But  in  both  Count  Pagan's  and 
Marshal  \  auban's  mean  fortification, 
when  the  angle  of  the  polygon  approaches 
towards  180°,  the  flanked  angle  ap- 
proaches towards  113°  T  48'',  which  is 
upwards  of  23°  greater  than  it  ever 
ought  to  be. 

2.  In  regular  construction  the  face  of 
the  bastion  ought  not  to  exceed  a  fourth 
part  of  the  exterior  side,  unless  the 
circumstances  of  the  ground,  or  situation, 
render  it  necessary  to  give  it  a  greater 
length  in  some  particular  front,  or  fronts. 

3.  The  perpendicular  to  the  exterior 
side  of  a  polygon  of  a  given  number  of 
sides,  ought  to  be  of  a  different  length 
from  the  perpendicular  to  the  exterior  side 
of  any  other  figure  or  polygon  of  either  a 
greater  or  smaller  number  of  sides.  For 
every  figure  or  polygon  has,  in  reality,  a 
perpendicular  of  its  own  in  proportion 
to  its  capability  of  resistance,  and  the 
difficulty  of  embracing  it. 

4.  Consequently  the  magnitudes  of 
the  angle  diminiie,  the  flanked  angle,  the 
angle  of  the  epaule,  the  outward  flank- 
ing angle,  &c.  in  any  figure  or  polygon 
of  a  given  number  of  sides  ought  to  be 
different  from  the  magnitudes,  of  the 
angles  of  the  same  denominations  in  any 


FOR 


(     257     ) 


FOR 


other  figure  or  polygon  of  either  a  greater 
or  smaller  number  of  sides, 

5.  Neither  the  flanked  angle  ought  to 
continue  invariable  whilst  the  angle  di- 
minui  varies,  nor  the  angle  diminue  to 
continue  invariable  whilst  the  flanked 
angle  varies,  as  in  all  polygons  in  Pa- 
gan's mean  fortification,  and  in  all  above 
the  pentagon  in  Vauban's. 

6.  The  magnitude  of  the  angle  of  the 
epaule,  or  shoulder,  ought  to  vary  with 
the  number  of  the  sides  of  the  polygon, 
and  not  to  remain  constant  or  invariable, 
as  Count  Pagan  makes  it  in  every  poly- 
gon, and  Vauban  in  the  hexagon,  and 
all  higher  polygons.  The  magnitude  of 
the  flank  ought  also  to  vary  with  that  of 
the  angle  of  the  polygon,  and  the  number 
of  its  sides,  and  not  to  continue  invaria- 
ble as  it  does  by  Count  Pagan's  construc- 
tion in  all  polygons,  and  by  Delichius's 
and  Vauban's  in  the  hexagon,  and  all 
higher  polygons. 

Lastly.  The  flanks  ought  not  to  be 
perpendicular  to  the  faces  of  the  bas- 
tions, or  to  the  curtains,  or  to  be  on  right 
lines  drawn  from  the  center  of  the  poly- 
gon through  the  extremities  of  the  demi- 
gorges.  For  not  only  the  defences  of 
the  body  of  the  place  ought  to  be  direct, 
but  also  the  mutual  or  reciprocal  de- 
fences of  the  outworks,  as  well  as  those 
they  receive  from  the  body  of  the  place 
should  be  so. 

Field  Fortification  is  the  art  of 
constructing  all  kinds  of  temporary  works 
in  the  field,  such  as  redoubts,  field-forts, 
star-forts,  triangular  and  square-forts, 
heads  of  bridges,  and  various  sorts  of 
lines,  &c.  An  army  intrenched,  or  for- 
tified in  the  field,  produces  in  many  re- 
spects, the  same  effect  as  a  fortress  ;  for 
it  covers  a  country,  supplies  the  want 
of  numbers,  stops  a  superior  enemy,  or 
at  least  obliges  him  to  engage  at  a  disad- 
vantage. 

The  knowledge  of  a  field-engineer 
being  founded  on  the  principles  of  for- 
tification, it  must  be  allowed,  that  the  art 
of  fortifying  is  as  necessary  to  an  army 
in  the  field,  as  in  fortified  places ;  and 
though  the  maxims  are  nearlv  the  same 
in  both,  yet  the  manner  of  applying  and 
executing  them  with  judgment,  is  very 
different. 

A  project  of  fortification  is  commonly 
the  result  of  much  reflexion ;  but  in 
the  field  it  is  quite  otherwise  :  no  re- 
gard is  to  be  had  to  the  solidity  of  the 
works ;  every  thing  must  be  determined 


on  the  spot ;  the  works  are  to  be  traced 
out  directly,  and  regulated  by  the  time 
and  number  of  workmen,  depending  on 
no  other  materials  than  what  are  at 
hand,  and  having  no  other  tools  than  the 
spade,  shovel,  pick-axe,  and  hatchet. 
It  is  therefore  in  the  field,  more  than 
any  where  else,  that  an  engineer  should 
be  ready,  and  know  how  to  seize  all 
advantages  at  first  sight,  to  be  fertile  in 
expedients,  inexhaustible  in  inventions, 
and  indefatigably  active. 
Quantity   and    quality   of  the   materials 

which  are  required  in  the  construction 

of  Jield fortification. 

1.  Every  common  fascine  made  use 
of  in  the  construction  of  field  works  or 
fortification,  should  be  10  feet  long  and 
1  foot  thick.  A  fascine  is  raised  by 
means  of  b  pickets,  which  are  driven 
obliquely  into  the  earth,  so  that  2  toge- 
ther form  the  shape  of  a  cross.  These 
pickets  are  tied  with  willows,  or  birch 
twigs.  It  is  upon  supporters  or  tressels 
of  this  kind,  that  fascines  are  made, 
which  are  properly  faggots  bound  toge- 
ther with  rods,  at  intervals  of  1  foot  each 
in  breadth.  Six  men  are  required  to 
complete  each  fascine ;  viz.  2  to  cut  the 
branches,  2  to  gather  them  up,  and  2  to 
bind  the  fascines.  Six  men  may,  with 
great  ease,  make  12  fascines  in  an  hour. 
The  smaller  sort  of  willows,  or  birch 
twigs,  are  bust  calculated  for  this  work. 
The  fascines  are  fastened  to  the  parapet, 
which  would  otherwise  crumble  and  fall 
down.  A  redoubt  constructed  en  cr't- 
maillcre  must,  have  fascines  8  feet  long. 

2.  There  must  be  five  pickets  for  each 
fascine,  and  each  picket  must  be  3  or  4 
feet  long,  an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and 
sharp  at  one  end ;  they  serve  to  fasten 
the  fascines  to  the  parapet. 

3.  When  wood  cannot  be  procured  for 
the  fascines,  the  parapet  must  be  covered 
or  clothed  with  pieces  of  turf,  4  inches 
thick,  and  a  foot  and  a  half  square ; 
these  are  fastened  to  the  parapet  with  4 
small  pickets  3  inches  long. 

4.  The  liaises,  or  pointed  stakes,  must 
be  8  feet  long,  i  inches  thick,  and  be 
sharp  at  the  top.  The  beams  upon 
which  they  are  laid  must  be  12  feet 
long  and  o'  inches  thick.  These  beams 
are  spread  horizontally  along  the  parapet, 
and  (raises  are  fixed  to  them,  with  nails 
7  inches  long ;  after  which  the  beams  are 
covered  with  earth.  Two  men  will  make 
12  fraises  in  an  hour. 

5.  The  palisades,  by  which  the  ditch 
2  L 


FOR 


(     258     ) 


FOR 


©r  fosse"  of  a  work  is  fortified,  must  be 
9  or  10  feet  Ions:,  and  0  inches  thick  ; 
they  must,  likewise,  be  sharpened  at  the 
end.  If  they  cannot  be  procured  of 
these  dimensions,  smaller  ones  must  be 
used  ;  in  which  case  a  few  large  stakes 
must  be  mixed. 

6.  The  pickets,  which  are  fixed  in 
wolf-holes,  must  be  6  feet  long,  -1  inches 
thick,  and  sharp  at  the  top. 

7.  The  beams  belonging  to  a  chcvaux 
de-frize,  must  be  12  feet  long,  and  6 
inches  broad.  The  spokes  which  are 
laid  across,  must  be  7  feet  long,  4  inches 
thick,  ami  placed  at  the  distance  of  6 
inches  from  eacli  other.  These  chevaux- 
dc-frize  are  made  use  of  to  block  up  the 
entrances  into  redoubts,  to  close  passages 
or  gates,  and  sometimes  they  serve  to 
obstruct  the  fosse. 

8.  (Jabions  are  constructed  of  various 
sizes.  Those  which  are  intended  for  field- 
works  must  be  3  or  1  feet  high,  and  con- 
tain 2  or  3  feet  in  diameter.  These 
gabions  are  made  by  means  of  long 
stakes,  3  or  4  feet  long,  which  are  placed 
so  as  to  form  a  circle,  which  is  2  or  3 
feet  in  diameter.  The  pickets  must  be 
covered  and  bound  in  the  same  manner 
as  hurdles  are.  Gabions  are  chiefly  of 
use  in  embrasures.  They  are  fixed  close 
to  each  other,  and  are  afterwards  filled 
with  earth.  There  are  also  gabions  of 
one  foot,  with  12  inches  diameter  at  the 
top,  and  9  at  the  bottom.  The  bank  of 
the  parapet  is  lined  with  gabions  of  this 
construction,  behind  which  troops  may 


diagonal  is  the  riverside;  and  where  the 
river  is  from  3  to  500  toises  broad,  a 
horn,  or  crown-work  should  be  made'. 
All  the  different  sorts  of  heads  of  bridge* 
are  to  be  esteemed  as  good  works  against 
a  sudden  onset  only,  and  their  use  is 
almost  momentary,  as  they  sometimes 
serve  but  for  a  tew  days  only,  and  at 
most  during  a  campaign. 

J)<ims  arc  generally  made  of  earth,  but 
sometimes  of  other  materials,  as  occa- 
sion may  require :  their  use  is  to  confine 
water. 

Fl'cclw,  in  field  fortification,  a  work 
consisting  of  two  faces,  terminating  in  a 
salient  and"  of  90°  ;  the  faces  are  gene- 
rally 75,  or  80  feet  long,  the  parapet  9 
feet  thick,  and  the  ditch  7  feet  broad. 

Forts,  in  field  fortification,  are  of  va- 
rious sorts,  viz. 

Field  forts  may  be  divided  into  two 
kinds;  the  one  defending  itself  on  all  sides, 
as  being  entirely  closed  ;  the  other,  bor- 
dering on  a  river,  Sec. -remains  open  at 
the  gorge.  They  have  the  advantage  of 
redoubts,  in  being  flanked,  and  the  dis- 
advantage in  containing  less  within,  in 
proportion  to  their  extent. 

Star  forts  are  so  called,  because  they 
resemble  that  figure.  They  were  com- 
monly made  of  4  angles,  sometimes  of  5, 
and  very  rarely  of  0;  but  we  find  them 
now  made  of  7  and  8  angles.  Let  their 
figure,  however,  be  what  it  will,  their 
angles  should  be  equal;  if  formed  of 
equilateral  triangles,  so  much  the  better  ; 
for  then  the  Banking  angle  being  120°, 


be  stationed,  so  as  to  fire  under  cover' the  fires  cross  better  and  nearer;  and  as 


through  the  intervals.  A  quantity  of 
large  wooden  mallets,  rammers,  hatchets, 
axes,  and  grappling-irons,  is  required  for 
this  work. 

Names  of  all  works  nsed  in  Field  For- 
tification. 
Bridge  heads,  or  tctes  de  pont,  are 
made  of  various  figures  and  sizes,  some- 
times like  a  redan  or  ravelin,  with  or 
without  flanks,  sometimes  like  a  horn  or 
crown-work,  according  to  the  situation 
of  the  ground,  or  to  the  importance  of 
its  defence.  Their  construction  depends 
on  various  circumstances;  for,  should 
the  river  be  so  narrow,  that  the  work 
may  be  flanked  from  the  other  side,  a 
single  redan  is  sufficient ;  but  when  the 
river  is  so  broad,  that  the  salient  angle 
cannot  be  well  defended  across  the  river, 
flanks  must  be  added  to  the  redan ;  but 
should  a  river  be  100  toises,  or  more 
across,  half  a  square  may  be  made,  whose 


the  two  flanks  are  on  the  same  line,  the 
space  not  defended  before  the  salient 
angle  is  reduced  to  a  parallelogram, 
whose  smallest  side  is  equal  to  the  gorge. 

Bast  ioned  forts  differ  in  nothing  from 
that  of  places,  except  that  the  figure  is 
less,  and  the  attack  supposed  of  another 
kind.  It  is  reckoned  sufficient  to  flank 
them  with  hall' bastions. 

Triangular  forts,  forts  that  have  only 
three  sides.  As  these  kinds  of  forts  con- 
tain less  in  proportion  than  any  other, 
they  are  consequently  used  as  seldom  as 
possible. 

Square  forts  are  in  many  respects  pre- 
ferable to  the  triangular  ones.    See  Fort. 

Lines,  in  field  fortification,  are  of 
several  sorts,  viz.  the  front  of  a  fortifica- 
tion, or  any  other  field-work,  which,  with 
regard  to  the  defence,  is  a  collection  of 
lines,  contrived  so  as  reciprocally  to 
flank  each  other. 


FOR 


(     259     ) 


FOR 


Lines  of  intrenchment  are  made  to 
ewer  an  army ;  or  a  place  indifferently 
fortified,  and  which  sometimes  contains 
the  principal  magazine  of  an  army  ;  or 
to  cover  a  considerable  extend  of  ground, 
to  prevent  au  enemy  from  entering  into 
the  country  to  raise  contributions,  &c. 

Lines,  of  whatever  form  or  shape, 
should  be  every  where  equally  strong, 
and  alike  guarded. 

Maxims.  1st.  To  inclose  with  the 
work  as  much  ground  as  possible,  having 
regard  to  circumstances.  This  atten- 
tion chiefly  concerns  redoubts  and  small 
works. 

2d.  If  there  are  several  works  near 
each  other,  their  lines  of  defence  should 
be  so  directed,  as  to  defend  each  other 
without  being  annoyed  by  their  own  fire. 

3d.  Not  to  depend  on  the  defence  of 
small  arms,  but  where  they  can  fire  at 
right  angles ;  as  they  generally  fire  with- 
out aim,  and  directly  before  them. 

4th.  Not  to  have  recourse  to  the  second 
flank  or  fire  of  the  curtain,  but  when 
there  is  an  absolute  necessity. 

5th.  That  the  flanking  angle  be  always 
a  right  one,  or  more  obtuse,  but  never 
to  exceed  100°,  if  possible ;  there  being 
no  fear  here,  as  in  a  fortification,  of  the 
flank  being  too  much  exposed.  Besides, 
it  is  not  necessary  to  graze  the  faces,  or 
even  to  fire  obliquely  on  them  ;  since 
there  is  no  danger  of  being  exposed  to 
the  defence  of  a  breach,  or  lodgement  of 
the  miners.  The  only  thing  to  be  appre- 
hended, is  a  sudden  attack. 

6th.  That  the  flanking  parts  be  suffi- 
ciently extended,  so  that  the  interior  of 
their  parapets  at  least  may  rake  the 
whole  breadth  of  the  opposite  ditch. 

7th.  Never  to  make  an  advanced  ditcli 
in  dry  ground,  unless  it  can  be  enfiladed 
throughout,  and  under  a  proper  angle 
be  defended  by  the  work  winch  it  covers, 
or  surrounds. 

8th.  Not  to  allow  more  than  from  60 
to  80  toises  tor  the  lines  of  defence, 
when  they  proceed  from  two  flanks  se- 
parated by  two  branches,  forming  a  sa- 
lient angle,  or  when  they  are  not  made 
to  cross,  though  produced. 

Oth.  That  the  parts  most  extended, 
and  consequently  the  weakest  in  them- 
selves, be  as  much  defended  as  possible, 
and  have  at  least  the  fire  of  two  flanks, 
besides  their  own  direct  fire. 

Redans  are  a  sort  of  indented  works, 
consisting  of  lines  and  faces,  that  form 
salient  and  re-entering  angles,  flanking 


one  another.  Lines  are  often  constructed 
with  redans :  their  salient  angles  .are  ge- 
nerally from  50  to  70°. 

Indented  redans  are  when  the  two  faces 
are  indented;  in  that  case  the  face  of 
each  indented  angle  is  8£  feet  only. 

Tambour,  a  kind  of  work  formed  of 
palisades,  10  feet  long,  and  0  inches 
thick,  planted  close  together,  and  driven 
2  or  3  feet  into  the  ground ;  so  that 
when  finished  it  has  the  appearance  of  a 
square  redoubt  cut  in  two.  Loop-holes 
are  made  6  feet  from  the  ground,  and  3 
feet  asunder,  for  the  soldiers  to  fire 
through,  who  are  placed  on  scaffolds 
2  feet  high.  They  have  often  been  used 
by  the  French  with  great  advantage. 

Tetes-de-pont.     See  Bridge-heads. 

Subterraneous  Fortifications. 

These  consist  of  the  different  galleries 
and  branches  which  lead  to  mines,  to 
the  chambers  belonging  to  them,  or  to 
fougasses,  and  which  are  required  when- 
ever it  is  found  necessary  to  explode  for 
the  purposes  of  attack  or  defence.  A 
subterraneous  fortification  may  be  of  a 
permanent  or  temporary  construction, 
offensive  or  defensive  nature.  Whenever 
this  sort  of  work  is  a.  (opted  to  strengthen 
and  secure  a  fortified  place,  it  is  gene- 
rally built  of  stone  or  brick,  and  made 
surficientlv  solid  to  last  a  long  time;  it 
is  then  called  permanent  and  defensive. 
Any  place  which  is  put  in  a  state  to 
withstand  the  subterraneous  attacks  of 
a  besieging  enemy,  is  said  to  be  counter- 
mined. 

When  the  besieger  wishes  to  make  an 
impression  on  a  fortification  of  this  sort, 
he  must  first  construct  galleries  which 
he  covers  with  wood,  &c.  He  then 
practises  otfensive  and  temporary  forti- 
fications of  the  subterraneous  sort.  These 
works  are  well  calculated  to  aid  him  in 
securing  a  lodgment  for  his  subterraneous 
artillery,  and  in  establishing  chambers, 
tbugasses,  &c. 

With  respect  to  fortification  in  general, 
different  authors  recommend  different 
methods ;  but  the  principal  are  those 
of  Pagan,  Blnndel,  Yauban,  Coehorn, 
Belidor,  Scheiler,  and  Muller. 

It  must,  however,  be  constantly  re- 
collected by  every  engineer,  that  his 
views  are  not  to  be  confined  to  the  mere 
art  of  fortification.  He  ought  further  to 
know  the  use  which  different  generals, 
in  different  periods,  have  made  of  natu- 
ral strength  and  position ;  without  an 
attention  of  this  sort,  he  will  fall  very 
2L2 


FOR 


(     260     ) 


FOR 


?hnrt  of  that  extensive  knowledge,  which 
every  military  man,  who  aims  at  military 
fame,  must  be  ambitious  of  acquiring. 
Chains fof  mountains,  and  volumes  of 
water,  together  with  the  influence  which 
different  climates  have  upon  the  latter 
element,  should  always  constitute  a  part 
of  the  natural  system  that  ought  to  form 
an  essential  portion  of  his  application. 
Hydrography  will  likewise  assist  him  in 
this  pursuit.  To  enlarge  upon  this  im- 
portant branch  of  geography,  and  to 
point  out  the  great  means  which  it  af- 
fords of  natural  defence  and  offence  in 
fortification,  would  exceed  the  limits 
of  our  present  undertaking.  We  shall, 
therefore,  refer  our  military  readers  to 
Belair's    Element  de  fortification,    and 


Content  ourselves  with  submitting  a  short 
account  of  the  different  authors  who  have 
either  given  original  systems,  or  have 
greatly  improved  those  that  were  already 
known,  independent  of  whom,  maybe 
named  the  following  writers,  who  have 
likewise  contributed  to  tin  general  know- 
ledge of  fortification,  viz.  Muller,  Kobins, 
Befidor,  Cormoritagne,  Folard,  Clairac, 
I.e  Blond,  Dedier,  Marshal  Saxe, Cugnot, 
Tielke,  Landsbergen,  Trincano,  l'allios, 
Rosard,  Bel  air,  8cc. 

PORTIFK  ATION,  according  to  the  me- 
thod of  Pagan,  consists  in  three  different 
sorts,  viz.  the  great,  the  mean,  and  the 
little,  whose  principal  dimensions  are 
contained  in  the  following 


Table. 


The  great  Fohtii  ication. 

The  mean. 

The  little. 

. 

V 

E 

CS 

3 

cr 

ys 

fa 

& 

1 

Bug 

"3  & 

fa 
<2 

S 

CS 

3 

t/i 
fa 

v2 

for  all  poly- 
gons 

for  squares 

for  all  poly- 
gons 

Exterior  side 

200 

200 

180 

180 

160 

160 

The  perpendicular 

27 

30 

21 

30 

21 

30 

The  face  . 

(50 

GO            .55 

5.5 

4.5 

50 

The  flank      .     . 

22 

84   2 

19    1 

24 

18    3 

23    2 

The  curtain  .     . 

73   a 

70    5 

G3    4 

60    4 

63    5 

50    4 

The  line  of  defence 

Ml     4 

141    2 

126    1 

126    5 

115    5 

112    3 

For  other  dimensions  in  his  different 
methods,  such  as  the  magnitudes  of  the 
diminished  angles,  the  flanked  or  salient 
angles,  the  angles  of  the  tenailles  or 
outward  flanking  angles,  and  the  exact 
lengths  expressed  in  toises  of  the  lines 
of  defence,  of  the  complements  of  these 
lines,  of  the  tenailles,  of  the  flanks  of  the 
curtains,  the  perpendicular  distances 
from  the  intersections  of  the  lines  of  de- 
fence to  the  curtains,  and  the  perpendi- 
cular distances  from  the  exterior  sides  to 
the  curtains,  see  Glenie's  Military  Con- 
struction. 

Blonde)  fortifies  within  the  given  po- 
lygon :  he  establishes  two  sorts  of  for- 
tification ;  the  great  one,  whose  exterior 


side  is  200  toises,  and  the  lesser  one  170 ; 
because  he  will  not  have  the  line  of  de- 
fence exceed  140  toises,  which  is  the 
greatest  musket-shot,  nor  less  than  120 
toises,  not  to  increase  the  number  of. 
bastions,  lie  begins  by  the  diminishing 
angle,  which  may  be  found  by  taking 
00  degrees  from  the  angle  of  the  poly- 
gon, and  by  adding  15  degrees  to  the 
third  of  the  remainder.  For  exact  ge- 
neral expressions  of  the  magnitudes  of 
the  angles  dummies,  the  flanked  angles, 
the  outward  flanking  angles,  and  the 
angles  of  the  epaules  or  shoulders,  in 
these  methods,  &c.  see  Glenie's  Military 
Construction. 
Vauban's  method  is  divided  into  little, 


FOR 


(     261    ) 


FOR 


mean,    and  great ;  the    little  is  chiefly  I  mean,  in  that  of  all  sorts  of  towns  ;  and 
used  in  the  construction  of  citadels  ;  the  I  the  great,  in  particular  cases  only. 


Table. 


Forts. 

Little. 

Mean. 

Great. 

Side  of  polygon 

SO 

90 
11 
25 

100 
12| 

2S 

no 

14 

120 
15 

130 

140 

150 

160 

170 

180 

190 

200 

260 

22 

Perpendicular 

10 

16 

20 

21 

23 

25 

30 

31 

25 

Faces  bastion 

22 

30 

33 

35 

40 

42 

45 

47 

50 

53 
55 

55 

60 

60 
50 

Cap.  of  Ravel. 

25 

28 

30 

35 

38 

40 

45 

50 

50 

52 

55 

In  the  first  vertical  column  are  the 
numbers  expressing  the  lengths  of  the 
exterior  sides  from  80  to  260. 

In  the  second,  the  perpendiculars  an- 
swering to  these  sides. 

In  the  third,  the  lengths  of  the  faces  of 
the  bastions  ;  and  in  the  fourth,  the 
lengths  of  the  capitals  of  the  ravelins. 

For  the  exact  magnitudes  generally  ex- 
pressed of  the  angles  diminues,  the  flank- 
ed angles,  the  outward  flanking  angles, 
the  angles  of  the  epaules  or  shoulders, 
the  angles  of  the  flanks  or  curtain,  and 
the  precise  lengths  of  the  lines  of  defence 
and  their  complements,  the  tenailles,  the 
distances  between  the  opposite  epaules, 
the  curtains,  the  flanks,  &c.  &c.  see 
Glenie's  Military  Construction.  Vauban 
borrowed  his  perpendicular  from  Pagan 
and  the  length  of  the  face  of  his  bastion 
from  Delichius. 

Belidor's  method  is  divided  also  into 


little,  mean,  and  great :  and  in  all  three 
the  exterior  side  is  200  toises ;  the  per- 
pendicular of  the  little  is  50,  that  of  the 
mean  55,  and  the  great  40 :  the  faces 
of  the  first  70,  the  second  70,  and  the 
third  55  toises.  For  the  magnitudes  of 
the  different  angles  in  these  methods,  see 
also  Glenie's  Military  Construction. 

Scheiter's  method  is  divided  into  the 
great,  mean,  and  small  sort.  The  exte- 
rior side  of  the  polygon  for  the  great  sort 
is  200  toises,  the  mean  sort  180,  and  the 
small  160.  The  line  of  defence  in  the 
first  is  140  toises,  the  second  130,  and  the 
third  120.  This  line  is  always  razant. 
All  the  other  lines  are  fixed  at  the  same 
length  for  all  polygons,  whose  structure 
chiefly  depends  upon  the  knowledge  of 
the  exterior  side  of  the  capital  or  of  the 
flanked  angle,  the  rest  being  easily  fi- 
nished.— See  the  Table. 


Table  of  Capitals  and  flanked  Angles. 

Polygons. 

IV 

V 

VI 

VII 

VIII 
95 

IX 

X 

XI 

101 

XII 

103 

The  flanked  angles  in  the 
3  sorts  of  fortification. 

deg. 
64 

76 

84 

90 

52 

97 

99 

Capital  for  the  great  sort. 

toises 
46 

49 

51 

53 

54| 

66i 

58 

59 

Capital  for  the  mean  sort. 

42 

44* 

*6h 
42  h 

48£ 

50 

51 

52£ 

54 

- 
54 

Capital  for  the  small  sort. 

39 

41$ 

45 

46 

47| 

48£ 

50 

50£ 

F  O  R 


(     262     ) 


I    ()    11 


Errard,  of  Bois-le-Duc,  who  was  em- 
ployed by  Henry  IV.  and  was  the  first 
thai  laid  down  rules  in  Franc.'  resp<  ct- 
ing  tlie  best  method  of  fortifying  a  place 
so  as  to  covet  its  Rank,  constructs  that 
flank  pen*  ridicular  to  the  face  of  the 
hastion;  but  by  endeavouring  to  cover 
it  effectually,  he  makes  the  gorges  too 
exiguous,  the  embrasures  too  oblique, 
and  leaves  the  ditch  almost  defenceless. 

Errard  fortified  inwards;  and  in  the 
square,  pentagon,  hexagon,  heptagon, 
and  octagon  he  makes  the  flank  perpen- 
dicular to  the  face  of  the  bastion  ;  but 
in  the  enneagon  and  in  all  polygons  ot 
a  greater  number  ot'  sides  he  makes  it 
perpendicular  to  the  curtain. 

The  Chevalier  de  Ville,  who  succeeded 
Errard,  draws  the  Ihmk.  perpendicular  to 
the  curtain ;  but  here  again  the  embra- 
zures  are  too  oblique,  especially  in  the 
polygons,  and  the  ditch  is  necessarily 
ill  guarded.  This  engineer's  method  ot 
fortifying  is  styled  by  most  authors,  the 
French  method ;  by  others  the  composed 
draught,  from  its  being  composed  ot"  the 
Italian  and  Spanish  methods,  the  latter 
of  which  differs  from  it  only  in  having 
no  second  flanks  and  fichant  lines  of  de- 
fence, and  in  not  confining  the  magni- 
tude of  the  flanked  or  salient  angle  of 
the  bastion  to  90°.  His  favourite  max- 
ims are,  to  place  his  flanks  perpendicu- 
lar to  the  curtain,  to  make  them  equal 
to  the  demi-gorges  anil  each  of  them 
equal  to  a  sixth  part  of  the  side  of  the 
interior  polygon,  and  to  confine  the 
flanked  angle  in  the  hexagon  and  all 
higher  polygons  to  90°.  For  the  magni- 
tudes of  the  different  angles  in  this  and 
in  Errard's  method,  see  Glenie's  Mili- 
tary Construction.  His  favourite  maxim 
is  to  make  the  Hank  angle  right,  and  the 
flank  equal  to  the  demi-gorge. 

Count  Pagan  makes  the  llank  perpen- 
dicular to  the  line  of  defence,  by  winch 
means  the  llank  so  raised  covers  as  much 
*s  possible  tiie  face  of  the  opposite  bas- 
tion;  but  notwithstanding  tins  apparent 
advantage,  the  flank  becomes  too  small, 
and  is  too  much  exposed  to  the  <  in  my's 
batteries.  This  engineer  acquired  gnat 
reputation  during  the  several  sieges  which 
he  assisted  in  conducting  under  Louis 
Mil.  His  system  has  been  improved 
upon,  as  some  conceive,  by  Allmu  Mu- 
nqupn  Mullet,  whose  construction  in  for- 
tification is  to  this  day  esteemed  the 
most  perfect.     It  differs  very  little  from 


Marshal  Vauban's  first  system.  Count 
Pagan  has  pointed  out  the  method  of 
bunding  casemates  in  a  manner  pecu- 
liar to  himself.  \  aub  in  borrowed  from 
Pagan  the  length  of  his  perpendicular. 

The  following  is  the  construction  of 
Allain  Mants.^m  Mullet. 

He   constructs    outward-,    making    in 
every  figure  or  polygon  the  demi-gorge 
equal  to  a  fifth  part  of  the  side  of  the 
interior    polygon   or    figure,    the   capital 
of  the  bastion  equal  to  a   third   part  of 
if,    the   curtain   equal  to   three-fifths   of 
it,  or  to  thrice  the  demi-gorge,  and  the 
angle  of  the  flank  always  equal  t;>  9V,°. 
The  faces  of  the  bastions  and  the  flanks 
are  determined  by  the  lines  of  defence, 
which  are  razant.     From  these  data  all 
the   other    lines    and    angles    are    easily 
found.     This  construction,  for  instance 
on  a  hexagon,  of  which  the  interior  side 
is  equal  to  120  toises,  gives  the  line  of 
defence  equal  to  about  120]  toises,  the 
llank  to  about  '2 1\  toises,  and  the  face 
of  the  bastion  to  about  24£  toises.     It 
gives  the  angle:  diminue,  or  interior  flank- 
ing  angle,  equal   to  about   lo°  37',  the 
outward  flanking  angle  to  about  146°  -tti', 
the  Hanked  angle  to  about  80°  4(i',  and 
the  angle  of  the  epaule  to  about  114'  37'. 
It  cannot  be  disputed  but  that  large 
and  extensive  Hanks  and  demi-gorges  are 
superior  to  short  and  Confined  ones.    The 
more  extensive  the  Hank  is,  the  better 
calculated  will  it  prove  for  the  disposition 
of  a  formidable  train  of  artillery.     From 
this  conviction   many   writers,    in  their 
proposed  systems  of  fortification,    have 
added  a  second  Hank,  in  order  to  aug- 
ment the  line  of  defence ;  but  they  did 
not  foresee,  that  this  second  flank  is  not 
only  incapable   of  covering  the  face  of 
the  opposed  bastion,    except  in  a  very 
oblique  and  insecure  direction,  but  that 
the  right  Hank,  or  the  flank  of  the  bastion, 
is  thereby  more  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
batteries";    which,    it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged on  all  sides,  is  a  great  fault. 

The  prevailing  system  of  the  present 
day  is  to  make  the  Hanks  of  the  bastion 
as  long  as  possible,  without  having  re- 
course to  a  second  Hank,  unless  it  be 
absolutely  necessary.  Those  gorges  are 
likewise  best  which  are  most  capacious, 
because  they  afford  space  and  ground  in 
the  bastion  for  the  construction  of  en- 
trenchments within,  should  the  enemy 
have  effected  a  practicable  breach. 
All  parts  of  a  fortification  which  stand 


FOR 


(     263     ) 


FOR 


exposed  to  the  immediate  attacks  of  a 
besieging  enemy  must  be  strong  enough 
to  bear  the  boldest  attempts,  and  the 
most  vigorous  impressions.  This  is  a 
self-evident  maxim,  because  it  must  be 
manifest  to  the  most  common  under- 
standing, that  works  are  erected  round 
a  place  for  the  specific  purpose  of  pre- 
venting an  enemy  from  getting  posses- 
sion of  it.  It  consequently  follows,  that 
flanked  angles  are  extremely  defective 
when  they  are  too  acute,  since  their 
points  may  be  easily  flanked  and  de- 
stroyed by  the  besieger's  cannon. 

The  Dutch  construct  at  sixty  degrees  ; 
but  according  to  ■Vauban's  method,  no 
work  should  be  under  seventy-five  de- 
grees, unless  circumstances  and  situa- 
tion should  particularly  require  it.  The 
flanked  angle  even  in  a  square  is  not  less 
than  61°  55'. 

A  place  to  be  in  a  state  of  defence, 
should  be  equally  strong  in  all  its  rela- 
tive directions ;  for  the  enemy  would  of 
course  make  the  weak  part  his  object 
of  attack,  and  finally  succeed  in  getting 
possession  of  the  town.  The  body  of  the 
place  must  have  a  command  towards 
the  country,  and  no  quarter  in  the  out- 
ward vicinity  of  it  must  overlook,  or 
command  either  the  place  itself,  or  its 
outworks,  as  has  been  the  case  for  se- 
veral years  (and  during  the  whole  of  the 
last  war),  on  the  North-East  side  of 
Dover  Castle.  Those  works  which  are 
nearest  to  the  center  of  the  place  must 
have  a  greater  elevation  than  the  more 
distant  ones. 

The  first  regular  system  of  fortifica- 
tion which  appeared  and  was  adopted  in 
Fiance,  owed  its  origin  to  Errard  of  Bois- 
le-duc,  whom  we  have  just  mentioned. 
His  method,  however,  has  been  uni- 
formly rejected  by  able  engineers ;  and 
if  we  may  give  credit  to  the  report  of 
Ozanam,  Errard  himself  never  put  his 
own  system  in  practice. 

Next  to  Errard  of  Bois-le-Duc,  came 
the  Chevalier  Antoine  de  Ville,  who  was 
engineer  under  Louis  XIII.  and  pub- 
lished an  excellent  treatise  upon  fortifi- 
cation. His  method  is  styled  by  most 
authors,  the  French  method.  Others  call 
it  the  Compound  Si/stem,  or  Sj/steme  ti 
trait  compose,  because  it  united  the  Italian 
and  Spanish  methods.  He  was,  indeed, 
by  no  means  an  advocate  for  new  sys- 
tems ;  for  he  generally  observed,  that 
any  new  method,  or  invention,  was  ex- 
tremely easy,  so  long  as  it  was  confined 


to  the  mere  alteration  of  something  in 
the  measure,  or  in  the  disposition  of 
those  parts  of  fortification  which  havw 
been  discussed  by  other  authors. 

The  Count  de  Pagan  followed  after, 
and  had  the  good  fortune  to  propose  a 
system  which  entirely  superseded  the 
other  two.  We  have  already  mentioned 
the  principal  features  in  his  method. 

Marshal  Vaubah,  whose  extensive  ex- 
perience procured  him  a  high  reputation, 
and  gave  him  a  decided  superiority  over 
the  general  run  of  those  who  had  written 
on  fortification,  likewise  employed  three 
methods,  viz.  the  great,  the  mean,  and 
the  little. 

The  great  method,  according  to  Vau- 
ban,  contains  on  its  exterior  side  from 
200  to  230,  or  240  toises.  This  extent 
is  not  uniformly  the  same  throughout  all 
the  sides  of  a  place,  but  is  confined  to 
that  side  which  lies  along  the  banks  of  a 
river,  where  he  uniformly  erects  con- 
siderable outworks. 

Vauban  made  use  of  his  second  me- 
thod in  fortifying  Befort  and  Landau. 
( )n  account  of  the  bad  local  situation  of 
Befort,  and  the  impossibility  of  fortify- 
ing it  with  common  bastions  that  would 
not  be  exposed  to  an  enfilade  in  almost 
every  direction,  in  spite  of  the  traverses 
or  rec/iutes  which  might  be  made,  he  in- 
vented arched  bastions  that  were  bomb 
proof,  which  he  called  tours  bastionces, 
or  towers  zvilh  bastions.  These  arched 
bastions  are  covered  by  counter-guards, 
the  height  of  whose  parapet  almost 
equals  the  elevation  of  the  towers  them- 
selves. Although  strictly  speaking,  both 
these  places  are  irregularly  fortified, 
nevertheless  a  method  of  regular  de- 
fence may  be  established  from  the  con- 
struction of  their  works. 

Vauban's  third  system  grows  out  of 
the  second ;  and  for  that  reason  it  is 
called  ordre  renforce,  the  reinforced  or- 
der, or  method.  It  was  adopted  in  the 
fortifications  of  Neuf-Brisach.  Vauban 
left  nothing  untried  to  bring  this  system 
to  perfection,  and  he  had  the  ingenuity 
to  execute  his  plan  at  a  less  expense  than 
it  would  otherwise  have  been  effected, 
by  means  of  half  revetements  which  he 
threw  up  in  the  outward  works  called  the 
dehors. 

The  reinforced  order  was  first  proposed 
by  La  Treille. 

Vauban's  constructions  have  not  es- 
caped the  censure  of  some  writers, 
who,  however,  were  not  sensible  of  their 


FOR 


(     264     ) 


FOR 


greatest  defect,  which  consists  in  his 
giving  the  same  length  of  perpendicular 
to  everv  polygon  above  the  pentagon. 

Among  many  other  subordinate  errors 
or  mistakes,  which  a  writer  of  the  pre- 
sent day  has  committed  in  delivering  the 
constructions  of  Vauban's  methods,  the 
following  inconsistent  and  demonstrably 
impossible  things,  which  the  gentlemen 
cadets  are  officially  directed  to  perforin 
in  constructing  them,  may  not  be  useless 
to  the  profession,  or  uninteresting  to  the 
army  at  large. 

In  page  16,  for  instance,  this  writer 
takes  the  exterior  side  equal  to  180 
toises,  and  supposes  it  to  be  bisected  by 
a  perpendicular  equal  to  30  toises  or  a 
sixth  part  thereof,  through  the  inner 
extremity  of  which  he  draws  the  lines  of 


and  at  the  same  time  directs  them  to 

make  the  flanked  angles  of  any  suitable 

number  of  degrees,  as,  for  instance,  of 

98  degrees ;  as  if  the  lines  of  defence  did 

not  in  every  polygon  determine  positively 

the  magnitude  of  each  of  the  flanked 

angles.     Now  if  95°  be  equated  to  the 

360° 
general  expression  113°  7'  48'' we 

n 

360°  360° 

shall  get  45°  7'48"  — — ~  or  nrr.^yj  j'  w 

and  consequently  ?i  not  equal  to  an  inte- 
ger or  whole  number,  it  is  supposed  to 
be  and  must  be. 

To  construct  therefore  with  a  perpen- 
dicular equal  to  a  sixth  part  of  the  exte- 
rior side,  and  at  the  same  time  to  make, 
as  this  writer  directs,    the  flanked   an- 


defence,  taking  on  them  the  faces  oflgles  equal  to  98*  is  altogether  impossi- 
the  bastions  equal  respectively  to  two  ble.  In  other  places  he  falls  into  similar 
sevenths  of  the  exterior  side.     This  is  blunders. 


all  very  well.  But  in  the  very  next  sen- 
tence he  directs  them  to  make  the  flanked 
angles  equal  each  to  110°.  Now  the 
truth  is  this,  that  there  is  no  polygon  in 
existence,  that  by  Vauban's  first  method 
will  give  the  flanked  or  salient  angle  of 
the  bastion  equal  to  110°,  which  is  de- 
monstrable in  the  following  manner. 

Let  n  denote  the  number  of  the  sides 
of  any  polygon  whatsoever  from  the 
hexagon  inclusive  upwards,  then  the 
magnitude  of  the  flanked  or  salient  an 


The  construction  of  Vauban's  method 
is  by  means  of  right  lines,  not  by  angles, 
and  the  very  attempt  to  introduce  an 
angle  into  it,  is  an  immediate  and  abso- 
lute departure  from  it. 

Vauban's  system,  however,  (ingenious 
and  unrivalled,  as  it  certainly  is),  has  not 
escaped  the  censure  of  some  writers.  It 
must  nevertheless  be  acknowledged,  that 
their  remarks  are  either  generally  found- 
ed in  envy,  or  that  they  proceed  from 
ignorance. 

There  are  other  systems  of  fortifica- 


within  a  second  by  143°  7'  48  — 

u 

which  expression  cannot  in  any  case 
whatever  be  equal  to  110°.  For  if  thev 
be  equated  we  shall  get  143°  7'  18"  — 

^  =    110°   or   33°   7<  48"  -   2£> 


which  give  n  —  £-5 


evident,    that 


00-  ,'  4b" 

360° 


-       But      it 


IS 


gle  of  the  bastion  will  by  that  method 

be    generally    and    truly    expressed    to  j  tion  which   have  been  proposed  by  the 
,L.  ,  u     ,,„„,,  10»     360°,)  writers  of  other  countries  besides  France. 

We  shall  give  a  brief  detail  of  them, 
and  leave  the  inquisitive  to  go  more  at 
length  into  the  nature  of  their  methods, 
by  referring  them  to  the  different  treatises. 
The  Italians  have  furnished  several 
authors  who  have  written  variously  on 
the  subject  of  fortification.  The  method 
proposed  by  Sardis  has  been  generally 
esteemed  the  best. 

The  Spaniards,  in  their  methods  of  for- 
tifying, never  adopt  that  which  adds  a 
second  flank.  The  obtuse  flanked  angle 
is  not  looked  upon  by  their  best  engineers 
as  a  defective  system  in  fortification. 

Both  the  Italians  and  the  Spaniards 
speak  frequently  of  the  reinforced  order, 
which  was  originally  invented  to  lessen 
the  number  of  bastions  in  a  great  town 
or  fortified  place,  and  to  render  conse- 
quently the  line  of  defence  equal  to  the 
range  of  musketry. 

The  reinforced  order  was  invented  by 
La  Treille,  an  Italian  writer. 


is  not  equal  to 


33°  T  18 
any  integer  or  whole  number  whatsoever, 
and  that  of  course  there  does  not  exist 
a  polygon,  which  by  Vauban's  first  me- 
thod can  give  the  flanked  angle  equal  to 
110°.  To  construct  then  with  a  per- 
pendicular equal  to  a  sixth  part  of  the 
exterior  side,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
make  the.  flanked  angles,  as  he  directs, 
equal  to  110°,  is  utterly  impossible. 

In  page  34,  he  in  like  manner  con- 
structs from  an  exterior  side  of  180 
tioses  with  a  perpendicular  of  30  toises. 


FOR 


(     205     ) 


FOR 


The  Chevalier  St.  Julien,  a  very  able 
engineer,  has  published  a  method,  by 
trhich,  he  asserts,  that  works  may  be 
constructed  not  only  at  a  less  expense 
than  others  require,  but  in  a  manner 
that  must  render  his  defence  or  attack 
more  formidable.  He  has  likewise  in- 
vented a  new  method  for  the  defence  of 
small  places,  which  is  preferable  to  the 
first,  although  it  is  not  without  faults. 
According  to  his  system,  the  reach  of 
the  musket  is  taken  from  the  center  of 
the  curtain.  To  this  end  he  directs, 
that  a  covert  lodgment,  7  feet  high,  and 
10  toises  wide,  be  constructed  from  that 
spot  to  the  gorge  of  the  half-moon,  or 
ravelin.  Cannon  is  disposed  along  the 
faces,  and  a  gallery  is  erected  for  the 
musketry,  which  likewise  serves  as  a 
passage  to  the  ravelin. 

Francis  Marchi,  a  gentleman  of  Bo- 
logna, in  his  folio  edition,  has  furnished 
us  with  upwards  of  160  different  methods 
of  constructing  fortifications. 

The  Dutch  uniformly  pursue  the  system 
published  by  Marollois. 

Bombelle  has  likewise  established 
three  sorts  of  fortification,  the  great 
royal,  grand  royal ;  the  mean,  moyen 
royal;  and  the  little  royal,  petit  royal. 

Blondel  has  published  a  system  of  for- 
tification, which  he  divides  into  two 
principal  heads  ;  the  great,  whose  exte- 
rior side  contains  "200  toises ;  and  the 
little,  where  the  side  does  not  exceed 
170  toises.  His  reason  is,  because  he 
objects  to  the  line  of  defence  having 
more  that  140  toises,  which  is  the  fur- 
thest reach  of  musketry,  or  less  than 
1'20  toises,  to  prevent  an  unnecessary 
increase  of  bastions.  The  invention  has 
certainly  great  merit,  but  its  adoption 
must  prove  expensive  in  all  its  practical 
branches.  It  must,  moreover,  be  mani- 
fest, that  the  four  long  batteries  which 
are  supported  by  flanks  of  his  construction, 
must  serve  as  so  many  scaling  ladders, 
or 'Steps,  to  the  besiegers,  the  instant  they 
have  effected  a  breach  by  cannon  shot, 
or  by  shells. 

In  1689  a  work  was  published,  enti- 
tuled  : 

Nouvelle  maniere  de  fortifier  les  places, 
tir'ee  des  m'tthodes  du  Chevalier  de  Ville, 
du  Comte  de  Pagan,  et  de  M.  Vauban, 
avec  des  remarques  sur  Vordre  renforcc, 
sur  les  desseins  du  Capituine  Marchy, 
et  sur  ceux  de  M.  Blondel,  suivies  de  deux 
nouveaux  desseins,  which  are  described 
by  James  Glenie,  Esq.  page  79,  in  his 


Succinct  Account.  This  work  is  full  of 
strong  reasoning,  from  the  result  of 
which  the  author  has  formed  a  new 
method,  containing,  indeed,  nothing  ori- 
ginal, but  giving  references  to  what  has 
already  appeared,  and  disposing  the  dif- 
ferent parts  in  so  judicious  a  manner,  as 
to  shew  how  a  place  may  be  rendered 
stronger,  and  be  subject  at  the  same  time 
to  a  less  expense.  This  writer  divides 
fortification  into  three  parts,  the  great, 
the  mean,  and  the  little. 

There  is  a  second  and  third  method 
proposed  anonymously,  and  containing 
mere  simple  designs.  That  method  to 
which  a  modern  author  gives  the  pre- 
ference over  the  system  of  Neuf  Bri- 
sach,  contains  kittle  useful  information, 
and  contributes  less  to  the  real  art  of 
fortifying  places. 

Donato  Rosetti,  a  Canon  belonging  to 
Livournia,  professor  of  mathematics  in 
the  academy  at  Piedmont,  and  mathe- 
matician to  the  Duke  of  Savoy,  has 
written  upon  a  method  of  constructing 
works  in  what  he  calls  fortification  a  re- 
bows,  or  fortification  in  reverse ;  so 
called  not  only  because  the  re-entering 
angle  of  the  counterscarp  is  opposite  to 
the  flanked  angle ;  but  because,  in  his 
idea,  it  will  be  necessary  to  attack  it 
from  the  reverse  side  of  other  works. 
His  system  is  very  simple,  and  does  not 
require  a  sacrifice  of  much  money,  or 
stand  in  need  of  many  men  to  defend 
the  works  :  although  he  can,  on  his  side, 
pour  as  much  fire  upon  the  enemy,  as 
could  be  furnished  by  more  complicated 
methods. 

Antonio  de  Herbart,  major  of  artillery 
in  the  Duke  of  Wurtemburgh's  service, 
in  1735,  published  a  treatise  on  fortifi- 
cations with  square  angles,  which  he 
calls  angular  polygons. 

Monsieur  de  Alontalembert  has  lately 
endeavoured  to  bring  arches,  which  are 
so  much  condemned  by  the  Chevalier  de 
Ville,  into  repute.  He  treats  the  sub- 
ject in  a  manner,  and  upon  principles  so 
similar  to  those  proposed  by  Antonio  de 
Herbart,  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
separate  the  two  systems.  M.  de  Mon- 
talembert  asserts,  that  the  science  of 
fortification,  as  it  is  established  and 
taught  at  present,  can  only  be  valued  by 
the  public  on  account  of  its  illusion.  He 
looks  upon  the  use  of  bastions  as  the 
effect  of  prejudice;  he  rejects  them 
wholly,  and  substitutes  in  their  room  a. 
front  of  angular  tenailles,  polygons  with 
2  M  " 


FOR 


(     260     ) 


FOR 


small  i»ings,  and  angular  polygons.  The 
engineers  of  the  present  day  assert  with 
( unfidence,  that  the  chief  security  to  be 
derived  in  works  that  are  supported  by 
bastions,  must  depend  upon  cross  and 
reverse  firing  directed  against  the  enemy's 
lodgments  on  the  glacis.  Lame  half- 
moons  are  made,  not  only  for  the  pur- 
Sose  of  covering  the  curtains  and  the 
anks  of  bastions,  but  principally  to 
obtain  a  reverse  firing,  which  effectually 
prevents  the  enemy  from  maintaining 
his  ground  on  the  glacis  of  a  bastion, 
before  he  has  taken  the  two  collateral 
half-moons.  See  a  particular  exami- 
nation of  this  method,  and  a  comparison 
of  it  with  Yauban's,  or  the  customary 
one,  by  Mr.  Glenie. 

M.  Minno,  Baron  of  Coehorn,  who 
was  general  of  artillery    in  the  Dutch 
service,    lieutenant-general  of  infantry, 
director-general  of  all  the  fortified  places 
belonging  to  the  United  Provinces,  and 
governor  Of   Flanders  and  all    the  for- 
tresses that  lay   along  the  Scheldt,   has 
been  justly  esteemed   for  his  extensive 
knowledge  in  the  art  of  fortifying  places. 
He  was  contemporary  with  Vauban.  This 
intelligent   and    sagacious    officer  being 
thoroughly  convinced,  that,  however  ex- 
pensively the  rampart  of  a  town  may  be 
constructed,    it  could    not  long  sustain 
the  shock  of  heavy  ordnance,  invented 
three    different    systems,   by  which    he 
throws  sc  many  obstacles  in  the  way  of  a 
besieging  enemy,  that  although  the  place 
be  not  in  reality  rendered  impregnable, 
it  is  nevertheless    so  far  secured  as  to 
make  its  conquest  a  business  of  consi- 
derable hazard  and  expense.    We  must 
however    acknowledge,    that    the   three 
methods  which  have  been  pointed  out 
bj  this  Dutch  general,   can    only   suit 
places  and  grounds  that  are  nearly  on  a 
level  with  the  surface  of  the  water;  that 
i^  to  say  of  3,  4,  or  5  feet ;  which  cir- 
cumstance   plainly    indicates,    that    his 
attention  has  been    chiefly  directed  to 
the    soil    and    ground    of    the    United 
Provinces  ;    so  that  his  instructions  are 
peculiarly  applicable  to  low  and  aquatic 
situations.      There    is    much    skill  dis- 
covered in  his   manner  of  treating  the 
subject,    and  considerable  ingenuity  in 
the    treatise    he    has  published,  which 
certainly  contains  several  improvements 
that  are  exclusively  his  own.     It  would 
be  impossible  to  force  a  passage,  or  to 
penetrate  into  any  of  his  works,  without 
■being  exposed  on  all  sides  to  the  fire  of 


the  besieged,  who  are  under  cover,  and 
from  whose  discharge  of  ordnance  and 
musketry  it  is  scarcely  possible  for  an 
assailing  enemy  to  secure  himself.  He 
published  his  work  before  he  had  much 
experience,  and  did  not  follow  it  iiv 
fortifying  Bergen-op-zoom. 

Scheiter,  a  German  writer,  describe* 
two  kinds  of  fortification,  the  great  or 
the  superior,  and  the  small  or  the  infe- 
rior species.  It  has  been  erroneously 
and  unjustly  stated,  that  the  celebrated 
Vauban  only  copied  after  Scheiter,  at 
Neuf  Brisach. 

Every  man  of  the  least  knowledge  or 
penetration  must  see,  that  the  whole 
system  of  that  illustrious  engineer  dif- 
fers essentially  from  the  author  we  have 
quoted. 

Mr.  Belidor  has  also  delivered  three 
methods,  all  of  which  he  applies  to  an 
octagon  of '200  toises. 

In  his  first  method  the  perpendicular 
to  the  exterior  side  is  equal  to  50  toises, 
the  angle  formed  by  the  line  of  defence 
and  exterior  side  is  very  nearly  equal  to 
26°  33'  .VI",  the  flanked  angle  to  81°  52' 
12",  and  the  outward  flanking  angle  to 
126°  52'  12". 

Tn  this  second  method  the  perpendi- 
cular is  equal  to  55  toises,  the  angle 
formed  by  the  line  of  defence,  and 
exterior  side  is  very  nearly  equal  to  28° 
48'  39",  the  flanked*  angle  to  77°  22'  42", 
and  the  outward  flanking  angle  to  122° 
22'  42". 

In  his  third  method  the  perpendicular 
is  equal  to  40  toises,  the  angle  formed 
by  the  line  of  defence,  and  exterior  side 
is  very  nearly  equal  to  21°  48'  5",  the 
flanked  angle  to  91°  93'  50",  and  the 
outward  flanking  angle  to  136°  23'  50". 

The  face  of  the  bastion  in  the  first  and 
second  of  these  methods  is  equal  to  70 
toises,  and  in  the  third  to  55  toises. 

Scheiter  also  delivers  three  methods, 
which  he  distinguishes  into  great,  mean 
and  little,  andin  imitation  ofCount  Pagan, 
he  makes  the  exterior  side  of  the  polygon 
in  the  great  equal  to  200  toises,  in  the 
mean  to  180,  and  the  little  to  160. 

Simon  Stevin,  a  Fleming,  wrote  a  book 
on  fortification  ;  in  the  second  chapter 
of  which  he  exemplifies  his  method  of 
construction  on  a  hexagon.  He  con- 
structs outwards,  and  supposes  each 
side  of  the  hexagon,  from  which  he 
makes  his  construction,  to  be  equal  to 
1000  feet.  On  each  side  and  from  each 
extremity  thereof  he  sets  off   130  feet. 


FOR 


(     267     ) 


FOR 


At  the  points  on  each  side,  which  these 
lengths  of  180  feet  reach  to,  he  draws 
two  right  lines  perpendicularly  to  it,  and 
each  of  them  equal  to  140  feet  for  the 
lengths  of  the  two  flanks.  From  each 
of  these  flanks  he  takes  on  the  side  and 
towards  each  of  its  extremities  20  feet, 
which  distances  he  bisects,  and  from  the 
points  of  bisection  draws  the  lines  of 
defence  through  the  outer  extremities 
of  the  flanks,  which  produced  form  the 
faces  of  the  bastions  and  the  flanked 
angles.  His  lines  of  defence  are  rasant, 
and  the  angle  diminue,  or  the  angle 
which  each  of  them  makes  with  the  in- 
terior side,  is  about  12°  9'  18". 

The  following  are  the  methods  of  Adam 
Tritach,  a  Polander.  In  both  he  makes 
the  curtain  equal  to  36  rods  or  two  toises 
each,  or  to  72  toises,  and  a  face  of  the 
bastion  equal  to  24  such  rods,or  48  toises. 
He  constructs  outwards,  and  places  his 
flanks  perpendicularly  to  the  curtain. 
In  his  first  method  he  makes  the  flank 
equal  to  as  many  rods  of  two  toises  each 
as  the  figure  has  sides,  and  two  more  up 
to  the  decagon  inclusive,  which  by  this 
rule  will  have  its  flank  equal  to  12  rods 
or  24  toises,  which  he  makes  the  length 
of  the  flank  also  in  every  polygon  of  a 
greater  number  of  sides  than  ten.  By 
this  method  then  the  length  of  the  flank 
in  the  square  is  equal  to  6  rods  or  12 
toises ;  in  the  pentagon  to  7  rods  or  14 
toises  ;  in  the  hexagon  to  8  rods  or  16 
toises  ;  in  the  heptagon  to  9  rods  or  18 
toises  ;  in  the  octagon  to  10  rods  or  20 
toises ;  in  the  enneagon  to  11  rods  or  22 
toises  ;  and  in  the  decagon,  and  all 
higher  polygons,  to  12  rods  or  24  toises. 

In  his  second  method  he  supposes  the 
flank  in  the  square  to  be  equal  to  8  rods 
or  16  toises  ;  in  the  pentagon  to  be  equal 
to  9  rods  or  18  toises  ;  in  the  hexagon  to 

10  rods  or  20  toises ;  in  the  heptagon  to 

11  rods  or  22  toises;  and  in  the  octagon, 
and  all  higher  polygons,  to  12  rods  or  24 
toises. 

Matthias  Dogen,  a  Hollander,  pub- 
lished a  large  volume  on  fortification. 

After  enumerating  various  modes  em- 
ployed by  different  writers  for  determin- 
ing the  flanked  or  salient  angle  of  the 
bastion,  he  selects  three  as  the  most  ap- 
proved, at  the  time  lie  wrote  on  the 
subject,  and  delivers  three  methods  of 
construction. 

In  the  first,  he  adds  15°  to  half  the  an- 
gle ot  the  figure  or  polygon  for  the  flank- 
ed or  salient  angle  of  the  bastion  till  it 


becomes  equal  to  90°,  which  it  does  in  the 
dodecagon,  and  keeps  it  at  90°  in  ajl 
higher  polygons.  It  is  therefore  ex- 
pressed in  all  regular  figures  up  to  the 

1 80° 

dodecagon  inclusive  by  105° and 

ii 
in  all  higher  polygons  by  90°.     The  an- 
gle therefore  formed  with  the  rasant  line 
of  defence  and  either  the  curtain  or  the 
exterior  side  of  the  polygon  is  equal  to, 

37?  30' up  to  the  dodecagon  in- 

n 
elusive,  and   in  all   higher  polygons  is 

,'     90°     360°       ._„      180° 

equal  to z:45° 

2        2  n  u 

In  his  second  method  he  takes  two- 
thirds  of  the  angle  of  the  polygon  for 
the  flanked  angle,  or  salient  angle  of  the 
bastion,  which  in  the  octagon  is  equal  to 
90°,  the  angle  that  he  assigns  to  all 
higher  polygons.  The  angle  therefore 
formed  by  his  rasant  line  of  defence  with 
either  the  curtain,  or  the  side  of  the  ex- 
terior polygon,  is  in  all  regular  figures  up 
to  the  octagon  inclusive  equal  to  30° — 

60° 

,— _,  and  in  all  higher  polygons  equal  to 


45c 


180° 


In  his  third  method,  he  adds  (like 
Fritach)  20°  to  half  the  angle  of  the  po- 
lygon for  the  flanked,  or  salient  angle  of 
the  bastion,  in  all  regular  figures  up  to 
the  enneagon  inclusive,  in  which  it  is 
equal  to  90°,  the  magnitude  he  retains 
it  at  in  all  higher  polygons.  In  this  me- 
thod the  angle  formed  by  his  rasant  line 
of  defence  with  either  the  curtain  or  the 
side  of  the  exterior  polygon,  and  the  an- 
gle of  the  epaule,  &c.  are  the  same  as  in 
Fritach's.  Like  him  he  makes  the  cur- 
tain equal  to  36  rods  of  two  toises  each, 
or  72  toises,  and  always  places  the  flanks 
perpendicularly  to  it.  He  also  makes, 
like  Fritach,  the  face  of  the  bastion  equal 
to  two  thirds  of  the  curtain,  or  to  24  rods 
of  two  toises  each  or  equal  to  48  toises. 
In  the  square  he  also,  like  him,  makes 
each  flank  equal  to  6  rods  or  12  toises  ; 
in  the  pentagon  to  7  rods  or  14  toises;  in 
the  hexagon  to  8  rods  or  16  toises ;  in 
the  heptagon  to  9  rods  or  18  toises;  in 
the  octagon  to  10  rods  or  20  toises ;  in 
the  enneagon  to  11  rods  or  22  toises ;  and 
in  the  decagon  and  all  higher  polygons  to 
12  rods  or  24  toises. 

Pierre  Sardi,  the  Italian's  method  of 
construction  on  a  hexagon,  is  this  : — He 
supposes  the  side  of  the  interior  polygon 
2M  2 


F  O  \l 


(     '.'68     ) 


F  O  11 


to  l>e  equal  to  800  geometrical  feet. 
From  the  angles  of  this  polygon  or  the 
central  points  of  the  bastions  he  sets  off 
for  each  of  the  demi-gorges  on  the  sides 
150  of  these  feet  ;  and  at  the  points, 
which  the  demi-gorges  reach  to  on  the 
sides,  he  erects  the  flanks  perpendicu- 
larly to  them,  and  each  also  equal  to 
150*  such  feet.  From  each  Hank  he  sets 
olf  on  the  curtain,  which  is  equal  to  500 
such  feet,  an  eighth  part  thereof,  or  62* 
such  feet ;  and  from  the  points,  which 
these  lengths  reach  t.o,  he  draws  right 
Ifnes  through  the  outer  extremities  of  the 
Hanks,  to  meet  right  lines  drawn  from  the 
center  through  the  angles  of  the  polygon, 
and  thereby  determines  the  flanked  angles 
and  faces  of  the  bastions. 

By  this  construction  we  have  437| 
feet  "to  150  feet  as  radius  to  the  tangent 
of  the  angle  dimintte,  or  the  angle  which 
his  rasant  line  of  defence  makes  either 
with  the  curtain  or  the  side  of  theexte 
lior  polygon.  Hence  the  complement  ot 
this  angle  to  00°  is  known,  as  well  as 
the  angle  of  the  epaule,  the  flanked  an- 
gles, <kc. 

Le  Sieur  de  la  Fontaine  finds  the 
flanked  angle  or  salient  angle  of  the  bas- 
tion, by  adding  15°  to  hail*  the  angle  of 
the  figure  from  the  square  up  to  the  do- 
decagon inclusive,  in  which  it  becomes 
equal  to  90°,  at  which  he  continues  it  in 
all  higher  polygons. 

He  constructs  outwards,  and  in  every 
regular  figure  makes  the  curtain  equal  to 
72  toises,  the  face  of  the  bastion  equal  to 
48  toises,  and  the  flank,  which  he  places 
perpendicularly  to  the  curtain,  to  18 
toises,  or  a  fourth  part  of  the  curtain. 
Each  demi-gorge  is  equal  to  half  the  ex- 
cess of  the  side,  from  which  he  constructs 
outwards,  above  the  curtain. 

The  ingenious  Mr.  Ozanam  has  deli- 
vered four  different  methods  of  construc- 
tion, in  all  of  which  he  places  the  flanks 
on  right  lines  drawn  from  the  center  of 
the  figure  or  polygon  through  the  extre- 
mities of  the  demi-gorges,  and  constructs 
outwards. 

In  the  first  he  makes  the  demi-gorge 
equal  to  24  toises  in  the  square,  25  in 
the  pentagon,  26  in  the  hexagon,  27  in 
the  heptagon,  28  in  the  octagon,  29  in  the 
rnneagon,  and  30  in  the  decagon,  and  all 
higher  polygons.  Hence,  as  he  alwn\  s 
supposes  the  inward  side  to  be  equal  to 
120  toises,  the  curtain  and  lengthened 
curtain  are  both  known.  He  aUows  as 
many  toises  for  the  Hank  as  are  equal  to 


I  n,  a  multiple  by  4  of  m  the  number  of 
the  sides  of  the  figure  or  polygon  up  to 
the  decagon  inclusive,  when  it  become* 
equal  to  10  toises,  which  length  he  retains 
it  at  in  all  higher  polygons.  The  points 
of  the  bastions  are  by  this  method  always 
determined  by  the  intersections  of  rasant 
lines  of  defence  with  the  lengthened  radii 
drawn  from  the  center  of  the  figure  or 
polygon  through  its  angles,  till  the  flanked 
angle  becomes  equal  to  a  right  angle,  at 
which  magnitude  he  afterwards  keeps  it, 
by  describing  a  semicircle  on  the  right 
line  joining  the  outer  extremities  of  the 
two  flanks  of  the  bastion.  From  these 
data  all  the  lines  and  angles  belonging  to 
this  method  of  construction  are  easily 
found  or  ascertained. 

In  his  second  method  he  allows  the 
same  length  for  his  interior  side  and 
demi-gorge  as  in  his  first.  But  calling 
n  the  number  of  the  sides  of  the  figure, 


he  makes  his  flank  equal  to  'in  + 10  toises, 
up  to  the  decagon  inclusive,  when 
jn-j-10  becomes  equal  to  30,  equal  to 
which  number  of  toises  he  continues  the 
flank  in  all  higher  polygons.  And  when 
the  flanked  angle  becomes  equal  to  a 
ii>:ht  one.  he  keeps  it  so  by  describing  ;. 
semi-circle  on  a  right  line  joining  the 
epaules  of  the  bastion,  thereby  occa- 
sioning a  second  flank  on  the  curtain, 
and  two  lines  of  defence,  one  rasant, 
and  the  other  fichant,  instead  of  a  ra- 
sant defence  only  by  allowing  that  angle 
to  become  obtuse.  His  flanks  are  on 
right  lines,  drawn  from  the  center  of  the 
figure  through  the  extremities  of  the  demi- 
gorges. 

In  his  third  method  he  allows  the  same 
lengths  to  the  flanks  and  demi-gorges 
that  he  does  in  his  second.  But  in  order 
to  have  a  greater  second  flank  on  the 
curtain,  and  to  keep  the  flanked  angle 
in  every  polygon  under  90°,  he  makes 
the  capital  of  the  bastion  equal  to  the 
gorge-line,  or  the  line  joining  the  inner 
extremities  of  its  two  flanks.  The  in- 
ward side,  as  in  his  first  and  second  me- 
thods, is  equal  to  120  toises,  and  the 
flanks  are  on  right  lines,  drawn  from  the 
center  of  the  figure  through  the  extremi- 
ties of  the  demi-gorges.  Thus  the  demi- 
gorge,  flank,  capital,  curtain,  and  length- 
ened curtain  are  given,  by  means  of 
which  all  the  other  lines,  and  the  angles 
are  easily  determined. 

In  his  fourth  method,  which  is  cer- 
tainly the  best,  he  also  makes  the 
inward    or   interior    side  equal  to  120 


FOR 


(     269     ) 


FOR 


toises,  from  the  center  of  the  figure  to 
the  middle  of  which  he  supposes  a  per- 
pendicular   to     be   drawn,    and    to   be 

divided  into  n+ 1  parts  (n  being  the 
number  of  the  sides),  two  of  which  he 
allows  for  each  of  the  deini-gorges,  and 
three  for  each  of  the  capitals,  from  the 
outer  extremities  of  which  last,  rasant 
lines  of  defence,  drawn  to  the  extre- 
mities of  the  demi-gorges  or  curtain, 
determine  the  lengths  of  the  flanks, 
which  are  on  right  lines,  drawn  from 
the  center  of  the  figure,  and  the  posi- 
tions and  lengths  of  the  faces  of  the 
bastions. 

Mr.  MuIIer  has  also  delivered  four 
methods  of  construction.  In  the  first 
he  constructs  inwards  from  an  exterior 
side  of  180  toises,  and  as  the  perpen- 
dicular is  altogether  undetermined,  he 
says,  it  may  be  taken  of  any  length,  as 
the  6th,  5th,  or  4th  part  of  the  side, 
according  to  the  expense  or  importance 
of  the  place;  but  supposes  it  to  be 
equal  to  a  sixth,  or  to  31  toises,  as  in 
Vauban's  mean  fortification,  in  his  first 
method.  He  makes  the  face  of  the 
bastion  equal  to  *  of  the  exterior  side. 

From  Vauban's, indeed,  it  differs  in  but 
lew  particulars  as  to  the  body  of  the 
place. 

In  1751,  Charles  Bisset,  who  was  an 
engineer  extraordinary  in  the  brigade  of 
engineers  that  served  with  the  Duke  of 
Cumberland  in  the  Netherlands,  and 
was  present  durin«:  the  siege  of  Bergen- 
op-zoom  by  Marshal  Lowendal,  published 
a  Treatise  on  the  Theory  and  Construc- 
tion of  Fortification,  in  which  there  are 
many  sensible  and  judicious  remarks. 
In  it  he  delivers  not  less  than  nine 
methods,  without  describing  particularly 
the  lineal  constructions  of  their  different 
parts.  The  principal  circumstances  of 
construction,  however,  common  to  all, 
or  most  of  them,  arc  the  following. 

1st.  He  makes  the  straight  flank  of  the 
bastion,  in  each  of  them,  perpendicular 
to  the  line  of  defence,  in  imitation  of 
Count  Pagan. 

2dly.  In  each  flank  he  makes  both  the 
convex  and  concave  portion  thereof  an 
arch  of  60',  having  for  its  chord  half  the 
straight  flank. 

3dly.  He  allows  15  toises  only  for  the 
breadth  of  the  great  ditch  at  the  salient 
angles,  whether  it  be  wet  or  dry. 

4thly.  He  places  the  interior  lines  of 
the  demi-gorges  of  the  redoubts  in  the 


ravelins  on  right  lines,  joining  the  epaules 
of  the  bastion  and  "  the  salient  angles 
of  the  counterscarp  of  the  great  ditch  ;* 
or,  to  speak  perhaps  more  correctly,  on 
right  lines  drawn  from  the  epaules 
through  the  extremities  of  the  rounding 
or  circular  parts  of  the  great  ditch  in 
front  of  the  flanked  angles. 

Sthly.  He  makes  the  face  of  the 
ravelin  produced  meet  the  face  of  the 
bastion  3  or  4  toises  from  the  epaule  or 
shoulder,  except  in  the  eighth  method, 
in  which  he  makes  it  meet  the  face  at  the 
distance  of  10  toises  from  the  shoulder. 

Lastly.  In  all  these  methods  he  pro- 
poses to  give  the  wall  of  the  rampart 
a  slope  equal  to  one  third  part  of  its 
perpendicular  height,  in  order  to  save 
masonry  and  expense. 

In  1755  an  anonymous  writer  pub- 
lished an  essay  or  dissertation  entituled 
"  Essai  sur  la  Fortification,  ou  Examen 
des  Causes  de  la  grande  Sup'triorite  de 
CAttaque  sur  lu  Defense  ; 

Des  Moyens  de  determiner  la  Dis- 
position et  la  Construction  des  Ouvrages 
par  les  Operations  de  CAttaque  ; 

Des  C/iangemens  que  cctte  Observation 
produiroit  dans  la  Methode  de  fortifier  ; 

Des  Avantages  qui  en  risulteroient 
pour  la  Defense." 

After  observing,  that  all  the  operations 
to  which  the  efforts  of  the  besieged  on 
one  side,  and  the  labours  of  the  besiegers 
on  the  other,  may  be  reduced,  are,  in  the 
first  place,  to  defend  the  country  to  a 
certain  distance  round  the  place,  and  to 
hinder  the  besiegers  from  approaching 
it,  and  constructing  their  batteries  :  se- 
condly, to  defend  the  border  of  the  ditch, 
and  to  prevent  the  besiegers  from  esta- 
blishing themselves  there,  or  extending 
themselves  along  it;  thirdly,  to  defend 
the  passage  of  the  same  ditch,  and  to 
hinder  the  besiegers  from  attacking  the 
body  of  the  place;  and,  lastly,  to  defend 
the  breach,  and  to  prevent  the  besiegers 
from  making  a  lodgement  in  it  and  ren- 
dering themselves  masters  of  the  town, 
he  considers  the  attack  of  a  place  forti- 
fied according  to  the  method  of  Marshal 
de  Vauban,  and  proposes  some  improve- 
ments. 

An  anonymous  writer  in  the  Sardinian 
service  proposes  two  new  methods  of 
fortification,  in  a  work  entituled  Science 
de  la  Guerre,  which  was  published  at 
Turin  in  17 14.  He  discusses,  a  consi- 
derable length,  the  art  of  fortification  in 
general,  its  utility,  the  different  sciences 


F  O  R 


(    270   ) 


FOR 


which  must  be  acquired  towards  obtain- 
ing any  degeee  of  perfection  in  that 
art,  the  various  systems  in  it,  regular 
and  irregular,  and  the  construction  of 
palisades,  gates,  mines,  casemates,  ma- 
gazines, &c.  &c.  he  concludes  with  this 
extraordinary  sentence:  "  It  is  not  my 
intention  to  propose  any  alteration  in 
the  general  system,  but  merely  to  suggest, 
that  the  style  be  rendered  more  intelli- 
gible." It  must  be  noticed,  that  this 
Italian  writer  in  his  preface  frankly 
confesses  his  deficiency  in  the  French 
language.  We  shall  pass  over  what  he 
says  relative  to  the  approbation  which 
bis  proposed  systems,  or  rather  his  ex- 
planation of  methods  already  known,  has 
met  with  from  scientific  men. 

The  construction  which  is  proposed 
in  this  new  method,  is  simple,  and  easily 
understood.  The  principal  objects  to 
be  attended  to  are  these ;  that  there  be 
mines  under  all  the  works,  and  that  a 
regular  communication  be  kept  up  with 
the  chambers,  by  means  of  subterraneous 
galleries,  which  must  be  resorted  to  in 
proportion  as  the  enemy  approaches. 

The  above  writer  has  added  to  Vau- 
ban's  and  Coehom's  systems.  We  refer 
the  reader  to  the  publication  itself, 
leaving  the  subject  to  the  consideration 
of  those  professional  men  who  have  made 
the  art  of  fortification  their  peculiar 
study;  they  must  determine  whether 
the  theory  of  the  proposed  method  be 
susceptible  of  practice,  aad  if  so, 
whether  it  can  be  rendered  so  generally 
useful,  as  the  author  seems  to  promise 
it  would. 

On  a  general  view  of  the  subject  it 
must,  however,  be  acknowledged,  that 
a  situation  is  not  always  found  which 
will  admit  of  the  improvements  and 
additions  that  might  otherwise  be  made. 
There  are  some  old  places  in  which  the 
figure  of  the  fortifications  erected  for 
their  defence  is  so  strange  and  whim- 
sical, that  the  least  correction  of  its 
errors  must  be  attended  with  an  enor- 
mous expense. 

A  town  may  be  irregularly  fortified, 
and  owe  that  irregularity  either  to  the 
figure  of  the  works  only,  by  the  angles 
not  being  equally  distant  from  the  center, 
(although  every  one  may  admit  of  a 
good  bastion,  and  the  lines  be  tolerably 
extensive ;)  or  by  the  figure  and  the 
angles  differing,  from  some  being  too 
acute,  and  the  others  being  rentrant ;  or 
by  the  inequality  of  the  figure  and  its 


sides;  some  being  too  long  and  others 
too  short;  or  finally,  by  a  disparity  all 
together  in  the  figure,  in  its  sides  and 
angles. 

If  the  three  first  kinds  of  irregularity 
are  judiciously  corrected,  the  correction 
of  the  fourth  follows  of  course,  as  it  is 
only  the  natural  consequence  of  the 
others.  Those  irregularities  may  be 
occasioned  by  a  neighbouring  river,  by 
the  entrance  into  a  creek  or  harbour,  or 
by  steep  rocks  beyond  which  it  is  im- 
possible to  cany  the  works. 

It  is  a  sound  and  general  maxim  in 
the  art  of  fortifying,  to  reduce  the  irre- 
gular proportions  of  its  lines,  tkc.  of 
defence,  to  as  much  regularity  as  the 
ground  and  situation  will  permit;  for, 
by  so  doing,  their  strength  becomes 
equally  great  throughout.  If  you  should 
not  be  able  to  surmount  the  natural 
obstacles  which  may  be  thrown  in  your 
way,  you  must  never  deviate  from  the 
general  rules  that  are  laid  down  in  re- 
gular fortification.  These  are,  that  all 
the  parts  be  well  flanked, that  theangles 
of  the  bastions  do  not  fall  under  70°, 
that  the  line  of  defence  be  within 
musket-shot,  or  that  outworks  be  estab- 
lished to  bring  it  within  that  range; 
and,  finally,  that  the  means  of  resistance 
be  distributed  in  as  many  equal  propor- 
tions as  the  irregularity  of  the  works  will 
suffer. 

You  must,  however,  be  careful  to 
avoid  an  error  into  which  many  have 
fallen.  You  must  not  weaken  the  col- 
lective means  of  defence,  in  order  to 
strengthen  any  particular  vulnerable 
quarter ;  since  you  are  sacrificing  a 
great  line  of  defence,  to  the  security 
of  a  small  part  which  might  be  strength- 
ened by  outworks. 

The  author  of  CEuvres  Milit aires,  in 
his  3d  volume,  page  45,  has  given  ob- 
servations and  maxims  relative  to  irre- 
gular fortification. 

Baron  d'Espagnac,  in  consequence  of 
the  remarks  which  are  made  by  Marshal 
Saxe,  in  his  Reveries,  has,  in  his  supple- 
ment to  that  work,  amply  discussed  the 
subject  of  fortification,  and  descril>ed  the 
different  means  of  attack  and  defence. 
We  refer  the  inquisitive  officer  to  those 
works.  Before  we  conclude  these  in- 
teresting remarks  upon  an  art,  which  is 
certainly  equal  to  any  invention  that  has 
employed  the  skill  and  ingenuity  of  man, 
we  must  observe  that  in  all  periods, 
productions  oq  that  head  have  been  as 


FOR 


(    «i    ) 


FOR 


numerous  as  the  subject  lias  hitherto 
proved  inexhaustible.  It  must,  however 
be  acknowledged,  with  some  regret,  that 
the  tendency  of  the  greater  part,  it"  not 
of  all,  seems  to  be  an  indiscriminate  and 
bold  attack  upon  the  works  of  the  im- 
mortal Vauban,  without  any  advertence 
to  their  real  defects.  That  able,  suc- 
cessful, and  celebrated  engineer  had  a 
great  deal  of  practice,  without  possessing 
a  sufficiency  of  science  for  improving 
radically  the  commonly  received  prin- 
ciples of  the  art  he  professed.  These 
writers  censure  the  methods  of  that 
great  engineer  by  proposing  something 
of  their  own,  which  only  differs  in 
appearance,  and  which  they  think  proper 
to  call  a  superior  system.  Assertions, 
and  promises  to  afford  new  lights  upon 
the  science  of  fortification,  have  always, 
in  fact,  been  profusely  given  by  authors 
of  this  description.  Their  labours,  how- 
ever, are  only  so  far  to  be  regarded  and 
esteemed,  in  as  much  as  their  different 
systems  tend  to  point  out  the  necessary 
calculations  which  are  required  to  shew 
the  expense  attending  theirconstruction, 
and  to  prove  the  effects  they  might 
produce.  The  memoirs  upon  perpen- 
dicular fortification,  written  by  M.  M. 
engineer,  will  throw  considerable  light 
upon  these  observations. 

With  respect  to  the  knowledge  of 
fortification,  it  must  be  manifest  to  every 
thinking  man,  that  from  a  sovereign 
prince,  or  head  of  a  country,  down  to 
the  lowest  infantry  officer,  the  acquire- 
ment of  it  is  more  or  less  indispensably 
necessary. 

A  prince,  or  chief  magistrate  of  a 
country,  should  be  well  versed  in  the 
science  of  fortification,  in  order  to 
examine  the  plans  that  are  laid  before 
hiin,  and  to  determine  upon  the  execu- 
tion of  proposed  projects. 

A  minister  should  know  it,  in  order 
to  explain  the  nature  of  the  plans  when 
questioned  by  a  superior  power,  to  cal- 
culate the  expenses  which  will  attend 
the  construction  of  works,  and  to  dis- 
tinguish good  ones  from  those  which 
Hiight  be  useless  and  expensive. 

Every  governor  of  a  town,  or  fortified 
place,  should  be  well  acquainted  with 
the  subject,  because  it  may  fall  to  his 
peculiar  share  to  construct  works  in 
cases  of  emergency,  or  to  add  to  those 
already  erected  for  the  defence  of  the 
place  entrusted  to  his  care.  He  likewise 
ought,  at  all  times,  to  be  able  to  ascer- 


tain how  far  such  a  place  is  capable  of 
holding  out. 

Every  director  of  fortification  should 
be  master  of  it,  in  order  to  discriminate 
between  what  is  proper,  or  what  is 
defective,  and  make  his  report  accord- 
ingly. 

Every  infantry  officer,  in  a  word, 
should  be  conversant  in  field  fortifica- 
tion at  least,  if  not  acquainted  with  the 
general  system.  For  without  some 
knowledge  of  its  branches,  how  will  he, 
in  cases  of  emergency,  be  capable  of 
throwing  up  a  temporary  redoubt,  of 
fortifying~a  spot  of  ground  which  he  is 
ordered  to  maintain,  or  of  securing  a 
common  out-post  ? 

For  the  dimensions  of  the  principal 
angles  and  lines  in  the  methods  delivered 
by  the  above  authors,  see  Glenie's 
Military  Construction. 

Field  Fortifications,  (fortifications 
de  campagne,  Fr.)  consist  in  the  art  of 
fortifying,  constructing,  attacking,  and 
defending  all  sorts  of  temporary  field 
works  during  a  campaign. 

Although   an    engineer   may  be  per- 
fectly master  of  the  different  methods 
by  which  a  town  can  be  strengthened 
and  secured    by  permanent    works,   he 
should  not    remain    satisfied  with    that 
acquisition,  but  carefully  direct  his  atten- 
tion to   the  distribution  of  ground,  for 
field   fortification.     He  should   be  able 
to  ascertain,  with  geometrical  precision, 
all  the  relative  divisions  and  correspond- 
ing points  of  any  situation   in  which  it 
might  be  judged  expedient  to  construct 
that  species  of  fortification  which  con- 
sists in  entrenched  lines,  fortins  or  small 
forts,  and  in   redoubts  of  various  deno- 
minations.   The  shape  or  figure  of  these 
works  is  exactly  similar  to  those  of  the 
permanent    kind.      Ditches,    ramparts, 
and  parapets,  must  be  dug  and  thrown 
up,  to  secure  the   former,  in  the  same 
manner  as   they  are  practised   for  the 
protection    of    the   latter.     They   only 
differ  in  their  measurement  and  propor- 
tions.    Entrenched  lines  are  made  for 
the  purpose  of  covering  a  camp  from 
any  sudden  insult  of  the  enemy,  which 
should  always,on  this  account,  be  pitched 
in  the  most  advantageous  manner.    Con- 
tiguous to  and  facing  that  quarter  where 
it  is  probable  the  attack  will  be  made, 
a  ditch  must  be  dug,  having  three  toises 
at  least  in  width  and  two  in  depth.  This 
must  be  defended  by  a  parapet  en  redans, 
or  be  occasionally  flanked   with   small 


F  O  It 


(     2"     ) 


F  o  n 


bastions,  two  toises  thick,  consisting  of 
solid  good  earth  well  pressed  together, 
co\  creel  and  supported  with  fascines, 
having  likewise  banquettes  behind  them 
Sufficiently  high  to  conceal  the  soldiers' 
tents.  II  water  could  he  conveyed,  or 
drawn  into  the  ditch  from  any  adjacent 
rivulet,  or  river,  the  security  would  be 
preater.  When  the  lines  of  entrench- 
ment are  thrown  up  with  an  intention 
to  maintain  the  ground  any  length  of 
time,  a  covert-way  must  he  made,  which 
should  be  regularly  fenced  with  palisades. 

There  is  another  species  of  field  for- 
tification, which  is  resorted  to  in  order 
to  keep  up  a  communication  between 
two  places;  in  which  case  great  care 
must  be  taken  to  prevent  the  lines  from 
being  enfiladed  in  any  quarter;  and  if 
they  should  be  exposed  in  that  manner, 
no  time  ought  to  be  lost  in  strengthening 
the  weak  points  by  constructing  re- 
doubts, or  small  forts.  The  defence  of 
these  redoubts  and  forts  must  be  en- 
trusted to  small  arms  and  musketry, 
but  not  to  cannon;  as  the  range  of  the 
latter  is  always  too  extensive  to  prevent 
an  enemy's  close  approaches  to  the  lines 
of  communication  from  their  field  works, 
or  forts.  Necessary  drains  must  be 
made  to  let  out  the  water  that  collects, 
as  it  would  otherwise  destroy  the  works, 
drown  the  sentries,  and  cut  off  all  com- 
munication with  the  main  body. 

When  a  position  is  taken  upon  a  steep 
rock,  or  eminence  extremely  difficult  of 
access,  the  lines  which  surround  it  do 
not  absolutely  require  ditches  for  their 
safety,  as  the  parapet  and  banquette 
may  probably  be  sufficient;  but  if  any 
vulnerable  or  weak  part  be  observed, 
every  effort  should  be  used  to  get  at  a 
spring,  and  to  fill  up  an  excavation  in 
front  of  it,  to  prevent  surprizes.  An  able 
engineer  will  be  particularly  careful,  in 
drawing  his  plan  of  communication,  to 
ascertain  the  exact  points  whereby  they 
may  be  protected  by  an  enfilade  from 
one  fort  to  another;  so  that  if  the  enemy 
should  make  a  lodgment  any  where,  he 
will  not  be  able  to  maintain  his  position, 
on  account  of  his  being  flanked  by 
other  works. 

Field  works,  or  small  forts,  are  gene- 
rally constructed  in  places,  the  preser- 
vation of  which  is  judged  to  be  indis- 
pensably necessary.  Such,  for  instance, 
are  necks  of  land  that  stretch  into  a 
marsh,  and  are  surrounded  by  it ;  the 
passage   of  a  road,   (Ctcs  dc  pouts,  or 


heads  of  bridges,  and  other  objects  of 
similar  importance  in  offensive  or  de- 
fensive Operations.  On  these  occasions 
the  shape  and  size  of  the  construction 
must  depend  upon  the  nature  of  the 
ground,  the  importance  of  the  under- 
taking, and  on  the  number  of  men  by 
which  the  works  are  to  be  garrisoned. 

Many  foils  in  field  fortification  are 
built  in  triangular  forms;  some  are 
square,  some  starred,  or  en  ttoile,  some 
as  redoubts,  in  the  shape  of  demi-luncs. 
others  in  crown,  or  horn-work,  and 
others  again  in  the  figures  of  tenailles, 
or  queues  d'hirondelle. 

When  the  object  of  defence  is  a  wind- 
mill, a  castle,  or  a  small  dwelling-house, 
the  first  step  to  be  taken  is  to  select  a 
spot  of  ground  upon  which  you  are  to 
build  the  field-work,  so  as  to  check  and 
prevent  the  enemy's  approaches.  In 
order  to  do  this  elfectually,  the  shape 
and  adjacent  parts  of  the  building  must 
be  closely  attended  to,  and  the  work  be 
thrown  up  without  exposing  it  to  a  rear 
attack;  but  if  the  place  to  be  defended, 
stand  alone,  and  be  not  supported  by  any 
ditch  or  eminence  on  its  flanks,  or  in  its 
rear,  you  must  then  fortify  it  all  round. 
The  earth  which  is  dug  out  of  the  ditch 
will  serve  to  raise  the  rampart,  or  para- 
pet. Salient  angles,  distributed  at  equal 
distances  in  the  shape  of  bastions,  must 
be  erected  with  good  flanks  to  protect 
and  cover  the  intienchment.  If,  on  ac- 
count of  the  ground,  the  work  should 
not  be  much  raised,  the  parapet  must  be 
fraised,  in  order  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  attempting  an  easy  assault. 

An  engineer  from  Piedmont, who  has 
proposed  some  new  methods  in  field 
fortification,  is  decidedly  against  stone 
and  masonry,  in  the  construction  of 
parapets  and  field  works.  His  reason  is 
self-evident;  for,  as  he  justly  observes, 
the  scattered  pieces  which  must  natu- 
rally be  thrown  about  in  all  directions 
by  the  demolishing  of  the  walls  in  the 
discharge  of  heavy  cannon,  would  do 
more  mischief  than  the  cannon  itself. 

It  is  frequently  found  necessary  to 
fortify  a  bridge;  the  means  adopted  for 
this  purpose  must  depend  entirely  upon 
the  size  and  current  of  the  river.  If  the 
stream  should  be  broad  and  navigable, 
and  so  far  from  the  fortress,  that  it  can- 
not fie  defended  by  the  ordnance  of  the 
town  or  fortified  place,  in  that  case,  a 
large  retrenchment,  resembling  a  place 
of  arms,  must  be  constructed,  with  strong 


FOR 


(     273     ) 


FOR 


bastions  to  support  and  cover  it,  curtains 
and  half-moons,  a  broad  and  deep  ditch, 
and  covert-way  that  must  be  well  se- 
cured by  palisades.  This  retrenchment, 
or  place  of  arms,  must  be  made  suffi- 
ciently capacious  to  hold  a  garrison  that 
would  be  capable  of  opposing  the  attack 
of  a  large  detachment  from  the  main 
army  of  the  enemy.  A  half-moon  must 
be  constructed  within  the  lines,  with  a 
ditch  in  front,  to  serve  as  a  work  behind 
which  the  garrison  might  retreat  with  its 
artillery,  disputing  every  inch  of  ground, 
and  by  that  means  affording  sufficient 
time  to  cut  down  the  bridge. 

If  the  river  should  be  narrow,  yet 
wide  enough  to  prevent  any  sudden  ir- 
ruption into  the  country  behind  it,  the 
bridges,  that  are  across,  must  be  fortified 
by  works  made  of  earth,  which  are  to  be 
covered  by  ditches  dug  in  front.  Half- 
moons,  tenailles,  crown  and  horn-works, 
and  similar  constructions,  provided  they 
be  well  fenced  with  palisades,  will  an- 
swer all  the  purposes  required  in  such 
cases.  The  engineer,  by  the  first  glance 
of  his  6ye,  will  be  able  to  ascertain  the 
situation  of  the  country,  and  to  fit  his 
plans  accordingly.  Small  lodgments,  or 
wooden  recesses,  must  be  made  as  guard- 
houses, in  which  detached  parties  of 
men  should  be  stationed  to  meet  the  first 
attacks  of  the  enemy,  and  to  keep  him 
in  check  while  the  whole  army  passes 
over  the  river,  or  is  drawn  up  in  order  of 
battle  to  dispute  the  passage.  These 
intrenchments  must  invariably  be  well 
furnished  with  light  artillery,  for  the 
purpose  of  annoying  the  approaching 
enemy.  But  the  disposition  and  arrange- 
ment of  these  pieces  must  always  he 
such  as  to  admit  of  their  being  instantly 
removed,  when  the  intrenchments  are 
carried,  under  the  cover  of  heavier 
ordnance,  which  is  kept  playing  upon 
the  enemy  from  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river. 

Much  depends  on  the  knowledge, 
contrivance,  and  judgment  of  an  engi- 
neer, who  acts  with  an  army  in  the  field. 
For,  after  all  that  has  been  said,  it  may 
v\ih  truth  be  asserted,  that  there  is 
really  no  good  treatise  on  field  fortifica- 
tion in  existence.  Almost  every  field 
work  of  consequence  to  suit  the  ground 
it  occupies,  must  be  more  or  less  irre- 
gular. But  no  general  rule  for  irregular 
constructions  seems  hitherto  to  have  been 
given.  Mr.  Glenie  has  delivered  one  in 
his  concise  observations  on  military  con- 


struction, which  is  exceedingly  simple, 
and  applicable  also  to  regular  construc- 
tions. 

To  FORTIFY,  (fortifier,  Fr.)  to  put 
a  town,  or  post,  &c.  in  a  state  of  de- 
fence, so  as  to  bid  defiance  to  any  me- 
ditated attack,  or  insult. 

To  Fortify  inwards,  (fortifier  en 
dedans,  Fr.)  is  to  represent  the  bastion 
within  the  polygon  proposed  to  be  for- 
tified, and  then  that  polygon  is  called 
the  exterior  polygon,  and  each  of  its 
sides  the  exterior  side,  terminating  at 
the  points  of  the  two  nearest  bastions. 

To  Fortify  outwards,  (fortifier  en 
dehors,  Fr.)  is  to  represent  the  bastion 
without  the  polygon  proposed  to  be  for- 
tified, and  then  the  polygon  is  called  the 
interior  polygon,  and  each  of  its  sides 
the  interior  side,  terminating  in  the 
centers  of  the  two  nearest  bastions. 

FORTIN,  FORTLETT,  or  FOR- 
TILAGE.     See  Field-Fort. 

Fortin,  Fr.  a  species  of  field  fortifi- 
cation, which  is  made  of  fascines  and 
saucissons,  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
a  post,  &c. 

FORTRESS,  (fortercsse,  Fr.)  any 
strong  place  rendered  so  by  art,  or  ori- 
ginally so  by  local  advantages,  or  by 
means  of  both  nature  and  art.  Places 
which  are  strong  by  nature  generally 
stand  upon  mountains,  precipices,  in  the 
middle  of  a  marsh,  on  the  sea-coast,  in 
a  lake,  or  on  the  banks  of  some  large 
river.  Places  which  are  strong  by  art 
owe  their  strength  to  the  labour  of  man, 
whose  ingenuity  and  perseverance  sub- 
stitute ditches  and  rampartswhere  moun- 
tains and  rivers  are  wanting. 

FORTUNE,  ( Fortune,  Fr.)  chance; 

luck  ;  good  or  bad  contingencies  in  life. 

The  French  say,  chacun  est  artisan  desa 

fortune,  every  man  is  the  carver  of  his 

own  fortune. 

The  Fortune  of  zvar,  (fortune  de  la 
guerre,  Fr.)  the  chances  and  vicissi- 
tudes of  human  contests. 

A  soldier  of  Fortune,  (soldal  de  for- 
tune, Fr.)  a  military  man  who  has  risen 
from  the  ranks  by  his  own  merit. 

FORVETU,  Fr.  literally  an  outside 
fellow  ;  a  paltry  mean  creature  finely 
dressed  ;  a  character  sometimes  found 
among  military  pretenders. 

FORURE,  Fr.  a  key-bole. 

FORWARD  !   a  word  of  command, 

which   is  given  when  a  regiment,  troop, 

or  company  has  been  interrupted  in  its 

regular   muvement,    and   the  match  is 

2N 


F  O  U 


(     274     ) 


F  O  V 


Continued.  On  this  occasion  every  suc- 
ceeding division  must  preserve  its  proper 
distance,  and  mark  time  until  the  word 
Forward  is  given.  This  frequently  oc- 
curs in  the  passage  of  obstacles,  and  in 
the  windings  of  roads,  streets,  &c.  The 
Trench  say,  En  avani  !  A  droitc,  A 
gauche,  En  avunt  ! 

Right  "I  shoulders  Forward,  a  word 
or  >  of  command,  by  which  sol- 
Left  }  diers  are  directed  to  wheel  to 
the  right  or  left,  without  halting,  when 
a  corps  is  on  its  march.  Whole  regi- 
ments in  open  column  may  move  round 
the  different  windings  of  a  town  or 
country  without  losing  their  relative  dis- 
tances, provided  each  leading  officer  and 
Iiis  covering  serjeant  pay  the  requisite 
attention  to  his  preceding  division,  and 
at  the  wheeling  point  give  the  words, 
right  (or  left)  shoulders  fonourd  .r  with 
accuracy  and  firmness. 

FOSSE,  Fr.  any  deep  excavation  in 
the  earth,  made  so  by  art,  or  left  by 
nature.  A  gulph  or  particularly  deep  part 
in  a  river.  It  also  signifies  a  den.  Da- 
niel a  ite  jet'c  dans  la  fosse  au.v  lions, 
Daniel  was  cast  into  the  den  to  be  de- 
voured by  lions.  This  word  is  always  of 
the  feminine  gender. 

FOSSE,  Fr.  a  ditch.  This  word  is 
always  of  the  masculine  gender.  See 
Fortification. 

Fosse  sec,  Fr.  dry  ditch.  )  g 

Fosse  plein  d'eau,  Fr.  wet  ditch.  $ 
Fortification. 

Fosse  de  la  contresiurpc,  Fr.  See 
Ditch  of  the  counterscarp. 

Fosses  revctus,  Fr.  ditches  that  are 
lined. 

Fosses  non  revctus,  Fr.  ditches  that 
are  not  lined. 

FOSSEWAY,  one  of  the  great  Ro- 
man roads  in  England,  so  called  from 
the  ditches  on  both  sides. 

FOUCADE,  FOUGADE,  a  small 
j  nine. 

FOUDRE  de  guerre,  Fr.  this  term 
is  used  among  the  French  to  signify  a 
general  who  has  gained  many  victories, 
and  who  has  given  repeated  proofs  of 
uncommon  valour. 

FOUDROYElt,  Fr.  to  play  inces- 
santly against  a  fortified  town  or  place, 
troop  or  company,  with  heavy  ordnance 
or  musketry. 

FOUET,  Fr.  This  word  is  pronounced 
foil,  and  signifies  a  whip,  such  as  drivers 
use  in  the  exercise  or  guidance  of  their 
Worses,  and  hangmen  for  punishment. 


FOUETTER,  Fr.  to  whip;  to  beitfr 
violently  against  any  thing.  La  grele 
wov  f.tte  dans  le  camp,  the  hail  beats 
violently  in  the  camp.  The  French  say,, 
figuratively,  in  a  neutral  sense,  Le  canon 
FO0ETTE  tout  le  long  de  la  court ine,  the 
cannon  plays  all  along  the  curtain. 

FOUGASS,  in  mining,  a  small  mine,, 
from  6  to  8  feet  under  ground  :  it  is 
generally  placed  under  the  glacis,  or  dry 
ditches. 

FOUGETTE,  or  Baguette  a  feu,  Fr. 
Indian  sky-rocket;  a  species  of  fire-work 
which  is  frequently  used  by  the  Indians 
who  inhabit  the  western  peninsula  of 
the  Ganges.  The  author  of  a  late  mili- 
tary production  in  Fiance  makes  the 
following  observations  relative  to  advan- 
tages which  might  be  derived  from  this 
weapon  against  cavalry,  and  for  the  de- 
fence of  fortified  places  or  intrench- 
ments.  He  observes,  that  the  fougette, 
in  shape,  resembles  a  sky-rocket,  whose 
flight  is  gradually  brought  to  run  along 
an  horizontal  direction.  By  throwing 
several  fougettes  into  parks  of  artillery, 
and  upon  the  caissons,  &c.  considerable 
damage  might  be  occasioned  from  the 
fire  which  would  inevitably  be  commu- 
nicated to  some  part.  A  fougette  forces 
itself  immediately  forward,  cuts  as  it 
penetrates,  by  the  formation  of  its  sides, 
which  are  rilled  with  small  spikes,  be- 
comes combustible  and  on  fire  at  all  its 
points,  and  possesses  within  itself  a 
thousand  different  means  by  which  it  can 
adhere  to  whatever  object  it  is  destined 
to  set  on  fire  or  to  destroy.  This  weapon 
would  be  more  effectual,  because  it 
might  be  more  variously  applied,  to  de- 
fend the  mouth  of  a  harbour  against  an 
enemy's  shipping,  than  red-hot  balls  can 
ever  prove.  Fougettes  might  be  used 
on  board  ships  of  war,  but  there  would 
certainly  be  some  danger  in  the  experi- 
ment;  although,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
a  little  experience  might  effectually  re- 
move that  difficulty ;  in  which  case, 
ships  might  run  along  a  coast,  and  easily 
destroy  the  wooden  forts  that  are  some* 
times  erected  upon  it.  They  would  in 
the  first  place  occasion  more  havoc  than 
red-hot  balls;  and  in  the  next,  they 
might  be  used  whilst  the  vessel  was  in 
full  sail,  which  cannot  be  done  in  the 
first  instance.  By  means  of  their  na» 
tural  velocity,  they  would  do  more  exe- 
cution, in  a  less  space  of  time,  than  the 
most  active  piece  of  ordnance  could  ef- 
fect;   and   they    would-    require  fewer 


F  O  U 


(     275     ) 


F  O  U 


hands,  as  the  only  necessary  operation 
would  be  to  light  and  dart  them  for- 
ward. As  a  defensible  weapon,  it  must 
naturally  be  allowed,  that,  where  a  small 
body  of  men  is  attacked,  the  fougette 
might  be  adopted  with  considerable  ad- 
vantage.— The  writer  of  this  article, 
who,  we  find,  is  likewise  the  inventor  of 
a  fougette  which  has  been  submitted  to 
the  French  government,  continues  to  ar- 
gue much  in  favour  of  its  adoption.  If, 
adds  he,  our  enemies  should  imitate  the 
invention,  we  must  then  have  recourse, 
especially  in  sea-fights,  to  those  pieces 
of  ordnance  that  are  calculated  to  do 
more  execution  at  a  distance;  and  it 
will  then  be  our  business  to  contrive 
fougettes  that  shall  reach  their  shipping, 
by  means  of  a  greater  degree  of  force 
and  velocity  which  might  be  given  to 
them,  than  they  would  be  capable  of  at- 
taining.    See  Rockets. 

FOUGON,  Fr.  the  cook-room  in  a 
ship. 

FOUGUE,  Fr.  heat;  impetuosity. 

FOUGUEUX,  Fr.  fiery;  unruly. 

FOUILLE,  Fr.   trenching. 

Fouille  de  terre,  Fr.  any  excavation 
that  is  made  in  the  earth  for  the  foun- 
dation of  a  building,  or  for  a  canal. 

Fouille  couverte,  Fr.  the  opening 
which  is  made  through  a  solid  piece  of 
earth,  in  order  to  effect  the  passage  of 
an  aqueduct. 

FOUILLER,  Fr.  to  search.  In  mili- 
tary movements,  it  signifies  to  detach 
small  bodies  of  infantry  round  the  flanks 
of  a  column  that  is  marching  through  a 
wood,  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  an 
ambuscade,  and  of  giving  timely  notice, 
that  it  may  be  avoided.  The  same  pre- 
caution is  necessary  when  a  bodv  of  men 
advances  towards,  or  enters,  a  village. 

Fouiller  tin  cheval,  Fr.  to  over-ride 
a  horse. 

Fouiller  un  bois,  Fr.  to  scour  a 
wood,  &c. 

FOULE,  Fr.  commonalty  of  man- 
kind. Se  tirer  de  la  eoule,  to  distin- 
guish one's- self  from  the  vulgar. 

Jambes  FOULEES,  Fr.  in  farriery,  bad 
feet,  made  so  from  hard  usage. 

FOULOIR,  Fr.  an  instrument  used 
by  gunners  to  cleanse  the  inside  of  a 
piece  as  soon  as  it  has  been  fired.  The 
fouloir  has  a  button  at  the  other  extre- 
mity of  its  shaft;  it  is  used  to  ram  down 
the  powder. 

FOULURE,  Fr.  the  s.urbating  of  a 
horse. 


FOUNDATION,  that  part  of  a  build- 
ing which  is  under  ground,  or  the  mass 
of  stone,  brick,  &c.  which  supports  a. 
building,  or  upon  which  the  walls  of  a> 
superstructure  are  raised  :  or  it  is  the 
coffer,  or  bed,  dug  below  the  level  of  the 
ground,  to  raise  a  building  upon  ;  in 
which  sense,  the  foundation  either  goes 
to  the  whole  area  or  extent  of  the 
building,  as  when  there  are  to  be  vaults, 
galleries,  casemates,  or  the  like;  or  is 
drawn  in  cuts  or  trenches,  as  when  only 
walls  are  to  be  raised.  Sometimes  the 
foundation  is  massive,  and  continued 
under  the  whole  building,  as  in  the 
antique  arches  and  aqueducts;  but  it  is 
more  usually  in  spaces,  or  intervals; 
in  which  latter  case,  insulated  pillars, 
bound  together  by  arches,  should  be 
used. 

There  are  several  things  to  be  well 
considered  in  laying  the  foundation  of  a 
military  building.  We  must  first  examine 
the  bed  of  the  earth  upon  which  we  are 
to  build,  and  then  the  under-fillings  or 
substruction.  We  are  not  to  rest  upon 
any  seeming  solidity,  unless  the  whole 
mould  through  which  we  cut  has  like- 
wise been  solid;  and  in  such  cases,  allow 
l-6th  part  of  the  height  of  the  building 
for  the  hollowing  or  under-digging,  un- 
less there  be  cellars  under-ground,  in 
which  case  it  may  be  something  less. 
There  are  many  ways  to  try  the  firmness 
of  the  ground  ;  but  the  following,  in  our 
opinion,  is  the  best.  Take  an  iron  crow, 
or  such  a  borer  as  well-diggers  use, 
which,  at  once  will  point  out  the  good- 
ness and  tenacity  of  the  ground. 

Engineers  should  use  the  utmost  dili- 
gence in  this  point ;  for,  of  all  the  errors 
that  may  happen  in  building,  those  are 
the  most  pernicious  which  are  committed 
in  the  foundation,  because  they  bring 
with  them  the  ruin  of  the  whole  build- 
ing; nor  can  they  be  amended  without 
very  great  difficulty. 

Foundatpoks  are  either  natural,  or 
artificial :  natural,  as  when  we  build  on 
a  rock,  or  very  solid  earth  ;  in  which 
case  we  need  not  seek  for  any  other 
strengthening;  for  these,  without  dig- 
ging, or  other  artificial  helps,  are  of  them- 
selves excellent  foundations,  and  most  fit 
to  uphold  the  greatest  buildings.  But 
if  the  ground  be  sandy  or  marshy,  or 
have  lately  been  dug,  in  such  case  re- 
course must  be  had  to  art.  In  the  for- 
mer case,  the  engineer  must  adjust  the 
depth  of  the  foundation  bv  the  heigrK, 

aN.2 


F  O  U 


(     276     ) 


FOU 


weight,  &c.  of  the  building :  1-Otli  part  I 
of  the  whole  height  is  looked  upon  us  a 
medium  ;  and  as  to  the  thickness,  double 
that  of  the  width  of  a  wall  i»  a  good  rule. 
If  you  build  upon  mossy  and  loose  earth, 
then  you  must  dig  until  you  find  sound 
ground.  This  sound  ground,  fit  to  sup- 
port a  building,  is  of  divers  kinds  :  in 
some  places  so  hard,  as  scarcely  to  be 
cut  with  Iron;  in  other  places  very  stiff; 
in  others  places  blackish,  which  is  ac- 
counted the  weakest;  in  others  like 
chalk,  and  in  others  sandy  :  but  of  all 
these,  that  is  the  best  which  requires 
most  labour  in  cutting  or  digging,  and 
when  wet,  does  not  dissolve  into  dirt. 

If  the  earth  to  be  built  upon  is  very 
soft,  as  in  marshy  grounds,  or  such  that 
the  aaturd)  foundation  cannot  be  trusted, 
then  you  must  get  good  pieces  of  oak, 
■whose  length  must  be  the  breadth  of  the 
trench,  or  about  2  feet  longer  than  the 
vail;  these  must  be  laid  across  the  foun- 
dation about  2  feet  asunder,  and  being 
well  rammed  down,  lay  long  planks 
upon  them  ;  which  planks  need  not  lie 
so  broad  as  the  pieces  are  long,  but  only 
about  four  inches  on  a  side  wider  than 
the  basis  or  foot  of  the  wall  is  to  be. 
But  if  the  ground  be  so  very  bad,  that 
this  will  not  do,  then  you  must  provide 
good  piles  of  oak,  of  such  a  length  as 
wiil  reach  the  good  ground,  and  whose 
diameter  must  be  about  l-12th  part  of 
their  length.  These  piles  must  be  driven 
down  by  an  engine  for  that  purpose,  and 
must  be  placed  as  close  as  one  can  stand 
by  another;  then  lay  planks  upon  them, 
and  pin  them  fast.  But  if  the  ground 
be  faulty  in  some  parts,  and  firm  in 
others,  you  mav  turn  arches  over  thos£ 
loose  places,  which  will  discharge  them 
of  their  weight.  You  must  not  forget 
to  place  the  piles  under  the  inner,  as 
well  as  the  outer  walls;  for  if  these 
should  sink,  it  would  be  a  means  to  make 
the  outer  walls  crack,  and  so  ruin  the 
whole  building. 

Having  thus  far  considered  the  bed  of 
the  earth  on  which  the  building  is  to  be 
erected,  we  shall  next  consider  the  sub- 
struction, as  it  was  called  by  the  an- 
cients; hut  our  modern  engineers  call  it 
the  fou  ml  at  inn.  This  is  the  ground- 
work of  the  whole  edifice,  which  must 
sustain  the  walls,  and  may  be  termed 
artificial,  as  the  other  was  natural;  with 
regard  to  which,  the  following  things  are 
most  necessary  to  be  observed  :  1.  That 
the  bottom  be  exactly  level ;  therefore 


lay  a  platform  of  good  boards.  2.  That 
the  lowest  ledge  or  row  be  all  of  stone, 
the  broader  the  better,  laid  closely  with- 
out mortar;  which  is  a  general  caution 
for  all  parts  of  a  building  that  are  con- 
tinuous to  board  or  timber,  because  lime 
and  wood  are  utter  enemies  to  one  ano- 
ther, and,  if  unfit  conliners  any  where, 
they  arc  more  especially  so  in  the  foun- 
dation.  Sr.  That  the  breadth  of  the 
foundation  lie  at  least  double  the  breadth 
of  the  wall  which  is  to  be  raised  upon 
it :  but  even  in  this  case,  art  should  give 
way  to  discretion  :  and  the  foundation 
may  be  made  either  broader,  or  nar- 
rower, according  as  the  ground  and  the 
ponderosity  of  the  edifice  require.  4. 
That  the  foundation  be  made  to  diminish 
as  it  rises,  but  yet  so  that  there  may  be 
as  much  left  on  the  one  side  as  on  the 
other;  so  that  the  middle  of  that  above 
may  be  perpendicularly  over  the  middle 
of  that  below,  which  should,  in  like 
manner,  be  observed  in  diminishing  the 
walls  above  ground ;  for  by  this  means 
the  building  will  become  much  stronger 
than  it  would  be  if  the  diminution  were 
made  by  any  other  way.  5.  That  you 
should  never  build  on  the  ruins  of  an 
old  foundation,  unless  you  are  well 
assured  of  its  depth,  and  that  its  strength 
is  sufficient  to  bear  the  building. 

The  stones  in  the  foundation  should 
be  laid  as  they  naturally  lie  in  the 
quarry,  for  they  have  the  most  strength 
in  their  natural  position.  This  should 
he  observed  in  all  parts  of  a  building, 
because  all  stones  have  a  cleaving  grain; 
consequently,  if  the  horizontal  position 
of  the  stones  in  the  quarry  should  be 
placed  vertically  in  the  building,  the 
super-incumbent  weight  would  be  apt  to 
cleave  them,  and  so  render  the  building 
ruinous. 

FOUNDER,  a  person  who  casts  can- 
non, CCC 

l'(  )UNDERING,  a  disorder  in  horses, 
which  may  be  considered  under  two 
heads,  viz. 

FouNDERfNG  in  the  feet,  which  is  an 
universal  rheumatism,  or  defluxion  of 
humours  upon  the  sinews  of  a  horse's 
feet ;  so  that  in  the  course  of  time  the 
hoofs  become  stiff  and  callous,  and  the 
horse  has  no  sense  or  feeling  of  them. 
This  disorder  is  generally  brought  on  by 
hard  riding.  Sometimes  it  proceeds  from 
sudden  heats  and  colds;  and  frequently 
from  the  horse  being  watered  when  he 
is  very  hot.    Too  tight  a  shoe,  or  fie- 


F  O  U 


(     277     ) 


FOU 


quent  travelling  upon  hard  flinty  ground, 
will  likewise  produce  this  disorder. 

Foundering  in  the  chest,  a  disorder 
which  ruay  be  occasioned  by  crudities 
collected  in  the  stomach,  or  by  other  in- 
firmities which  obstruct  the  free  action 
of  the  lungs.  It  is  discovered  by  the 
horse  not  being  able  to  bend  his  joints, 
and,  when  once  laid,  by  not  being  able 
to  rise  again.  A  swelling  in  the  legs  is 
likewise  symptomatic  of  it. 

FOUNDERY,  }  in   military  matters, 

FOUNDRY,  i  the  art  of  casting  ail 
kinds  of  ordnance,  such  as  cannon,  mor- 
tars, howitzers,  ike.  It  likewise  siguibes 
the  place  or  work-house  wherein  these 
operations  are  performed.  At  present, 
all  pieces  of  artillery  are  cast  solid,  and 
bored  afterwards.  Formerly  guns  were 
bored  perpendicularly,  but  at  present  in 
a  horizontal  position:  the  boring  instru- 
ment is  fixed  immovably,  and  forced 
into  the  gun  or  mortar  by  a  mechanical 
power.  The  piece  of  artillery  is  turned 
round  by  a  large  wheel  and  horses;  and 
at  the  same  time  the  gun  is  bored,  the 
outside  is  turned  and  polished,  by  ano- 
ther very  curious  machine  for  that  pur- 
pose, invented  by  the  very  ingenious 
Messrs.  Verbruggen,  founders  at  Wool- 
wich. Guns  were  first  founded  in  Eng- 
land in  1587.  The  iron  ordnance  are 
supplied  principally  by  contract  by  the 
Carron  Company,  and  other  founders  in 
the  north  of  England  and  Scotland. 
The  cannon  for  merchant-ships  are  sup- 
plied in   the  same  way. 

FOUR,  IV.  literally,  an  oven  ;  a  place 
of  confinement  in  Paris,  to  which  vaga- 
bonds and  persons  who  could  not  give  a 
satisfactory  account  of  themselves,  were 
committed;  and  when  once  shut  up,  had 
their  names  enregistered,  and  were  en- 
listed for  the  service  of  the  French 
government.  A  four,  in  this  acceptation 
of  the  term,  means  a  room  arched  over 
without  having  the  least  aperture  to  re- 
ceive day-light.  There  were  several  such 
places  of  confinement  in  Paris.  They 
owed  their  invention  to  a  Monsieur 
D'Argenson,  and  were  supposed  to  add 
annually  two  thousand  men  at  least  to 
the  king's  regular  army ;  by  which  means 
the  capital  was  relieved  from  a  multitude 
of  thieves,  pick-pockets,  &c. 

Four  de  campagne,  Fr.  a  field  oven. 

FOURBISSEUR,  Fr.  a  sword-cutler. 
The  French  familiarly  say  of  two  per- 
sons who  are  extremely  intimate,  Ces 


gens  sont  tete  a  tete  comme  des  four- 
bisseurs,  meaning,  that,  like  sword- 
cutlers,  (who,  when  they  work,  sit  closely 
opposite  to  each  other,)  they  are  putting 
their  heads  together. 

FOURBU,  Fr.  foundered;  a  term 
used  in  farriery. 

FOURBURE,  Fr.  the  foundering  of 
a  horse. 

Les  FOURCHES  Caudines,  the  Cau- 
dine  Forks,  or  passes,  from  the  Latin, 
Furcae  Caudinae,  situated  about  four 
miles  from  Calatia  (now  Cajazza)  and 
ten  from  Beneventum,  memorable  in 
history  for  the  ignominious  surrender  of 
the  Roman  army  under  the  two  consuls 
T.  Veturius  and  Sp.  Postumius.  The 
terms  of  the  convention  were,  that  the 
Romans  should  evacuate  the  Samnite 
territory,  should  recal  their  colonies, 
and  that  the  army,  in  proof  of  their 
subjugation  and  submission,  should  pass 
under  the  yoke.  The  senate  and  the 
Roman  people  determined  that  the  state 
was  not  bound  by  the  capitulation,  and 
directed  that  the  two  consuls  and  the 
principal  officers  of  the  army  should  be 
surrendered  into  the  hands  of  the  Sam- 
nites,  to  be  treated  as  they  should  judge 
most  expedient.  The  Samnites  refused 
to  receive  them,  and  the  war  was  re- 
newed. 

The  phrase,  Les  Fourches  Caudines, 
has,  in  the  French  language,  passed  into 
a  proverb  :  it  is  used  whenever  a  general, 
by  the  superior  skill  of  his  adversary,  is 
decoyed  into  such  a  sicuation,  that  he 
cannot  extricate  himself,  but  with  the 
loss  of  his  military  reputation  and  the 
destruction  of  the  greater  part  of  his 
army.  It  is  even  sometimes  applied  in 
common  life,  whenever  an  honest  sim- 
pleton is  the  dupe  of  the  treachery  and 
art  of  a  skilful  and  cunning  knave.  See 
Caudine   Forks. 

FOURCHETTE  du  pied  d'un  cheval, 
Fr.  the  frush  of  a  horse's  foot. 

Fourchette  a  mousquet,  Fr.  a  rest 
for  a  musket.  Rests  are  sometimes  used 
to  relieve  men  who  do  duty  on  the  ram- 
part of  a  town. 

FOURCIIIER,  Fr.  a  cord  untwisted 
in  the  middle,  and  (a  stone  being  put 
thereinto)  used  as  a  sling. 

Chemin  FOURCHU,  Fr.  a  cross  way. 

FOURGON,  Fr.  a  sort  of  wagon. 
It  likewise  signifies  a  poker. 

FOURMILLER,  Fr.  to  be  full  of; 
to  swarm  with.      La   France  fourmille 


F  O  IT 


(     273     ) 


foy 


m     so/tints  ;  —  France    swarms     with 
soldiers. 

FOURMILUERE  de  soldats,  Fr. 
a  throng  or  moh  of  soldiers. 

FOURNEAU.Fr.  furnace;  kiln;  stove. 

FolrxeaI',  Fr.  This  word  generally 
signifies  the  chamber  of  a  mine,  but  it 
also  means  a  small  mine;  such  as  is  prac- 
tised under  a  work  that  is  not  tenable. 

FOURNIMENT,  Fr.  a  horn  which 
holds  about  one  pound  of  gunpowder  to 
prime  cannon.  It  is  likewise  used  by 
cavalry  and  infantry  soldiers,  who  hang 
it  across  their  shoulder.  The  cannoneers 
keep  it  in  a  belt. 

FOURNTR,   FV.  to  supply. 

FOURNH  URE  (tunc  armie,  ..yc.  Fr. 
the  necessary  stores  and  provisions  for 
an  army. 

Fournitures  des  vivrcs,  Fr.  See 
Stores,  ccc. 

FOURRAGE,  Fr.  forage.  In  the 
artillery,  it  is  used  generally  to  signify 
hay,  straw,  or  any  thing  else  of  vegetable 
growth,  which  is  used  to  ram  into  the 
bore  of  a  cannon  for  the  purpose  of 
cleansing  it. 

A/ler  au  Fourrage,  Fr.  to  go  a  fo- 
raging. 

FOURRAGER,  Fr.  to  forage,  or  look 
about  for  provender  and  provision. 

Fourrager  likewise  means,  among  the 
French,  to  ravage,  desolate,  pillage,  and 
waste  a  country,  for  the  purpose  of 
throwing  the  inhabitants  into  disorder. 
The  word  is  derived  from  foras  agere,  to 
seek  for  forage  in  the  fields. 

Fourrager  au  sec,  Fr.  to  seize  upon 
the  granaries,  hay-stacks,  ccc. 

Fourrager  au  vert,  Fr.  to  mow  the 
fields,  ccc.  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
stores  and  provisions. 

FOURRAGEURS,  Fr.  The  French 
say  also  Fauchciirs,  foragers,  or  men 
employed  to  procure  forage,  &c.  for  an 
arm  v. 

FOURREAU  depistolet,  Fr.  a  holster. 

Faux  Foi/rreau  de  pistoltt,  Fr.  a 
pistol  bag. 

Fourreau  d\plt,  Fr.  the  scabbard  of 
a  sword. 

Pays  FOURRE,  Fr.  a  country  thick 
Bet  with  hedges,  &c.  properly  called  a 
close  country. 

Pais  Fot  rree,  Fr.  a  peace  suddenly 
patched  up. 

Coups  Focrres,  Fr.  blows  given 
and  received  at  the  same  time  by  two 
antag'oi.i. 


FOURRIER,  Fr.  a  quarter-master 
belonging  to  a  cavalry  or  infantry  regi- 
ment. In  France  there  were  fourriers- 
majors  of  cavalry,  who  composed  a  part 
of  the  cavalry  stalf. 

Fourrier  d'urmee,  Fr.  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  who  is  attached  to  the 
quarter-master  general  of  an  army. 

Fourrier  do  campement,  Fr.  a  quar- 
ter-master-serjeant,  who  is  assisted  by 
a  private,  and  fixes  the  different  racks 
for  the  stands  of  arms  in  the  front  of  an 
encampment. 

FOURRIERE,  Fr.  a  wood  yard;  also 
a  pound. 

FOUTEAU,  Fr.  the  beech  tree. 

FOUTOIR,  Fr.  a  battering  ram; 
also,  a  rammer;  or,  a  rammer-head  for 
a  piece  of  ordnance. 

FOUTOUER,  Fr.  an  old  word  for 
Fouteur.  The  quick  motion  which  was 
given  to  the  ram,  that  battered  the  walls 
of  a  besieged  town. 

FOYER,  Fr.  in  geometry,  a  point  in 
the  axis  of  the  parabola. 

Foyer,  Fr.  focus,  or  center  of  the 
chamber.     See  Mine. 

Foyer,  Fr.  hearth.  This  word  is  used 
figuratively  to  signify  our  houses,  places 
of  habitation,  CvC.  Hence  combat tre 
pour  scs  propres  foyers,  to  fight  for 
one's  own  dwelling,  for  one's  property, 
children,  &c. 

Le  Foyer  d'une  arquebuse,  Fr.  the 
fire-pan,  or  touch-hole,  of  an  harquebuse. 

YOY-mc7ilie,  Fr.  a  breach  of  trust,  a 
base  surrender  of  any  thing.  In  ancient 
times,  when  a  governor  in  trust,  a  ge- 
neral, or  a  commandant,  surrendered 
shamefully,  he  was  degraded  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner:  The  delinquent  was 
armed  cap-a-pee;  he  next  mounted  on 
a  scaffold  ;  and  as  soon  as  his  sentence 
had  been  read  to  him,  by  which  he  was 
declared  guilty  of  a  breach  of  trust, 
traiterous,  and  disloyal,  twelve  priests 
began  to  sing  the  psalms  of  All  Souls 
day.  At  the  conclusion  of  each  psalm, 
the  priests  paused,  when  the  herald  at 
arms  stripped  the  criminal  of  one  part  of 
his  armour,  crying  aloud,  "  This  is  the 
helmet,  this  is  the  shield  of  the  traitor, 
Cv'c."  When  the  last  psalm  was  over,  a 
basin  of  warm  water  was  poured  over 
his  head,  a  rope  tied  under  his  arms,  and 
he  was  let  down  from  the  scaffold.  He 
next  was  laid  on  a  hurdle,  covered  with 
a  shroud,  and  carried  to  the  church, 
where  the  priests  concluded  the  cere- 


F  R  A 


(     279    ) 


FRE 


rnony  of  the  degradation,  by  singing  the 
psalm,  Deus  laudem  meant  ne  tacueris, 
which  contains  imprecations  against 
traitors.  When  he  had  undergone  this 
humiliating  ceremony,  he  was  dismissed 
the  service. 

FRAGMENT  de  bombe,  dc  grenade, 
Fr.  any  piece  of  a  shell  or  grenade  that 
has  burst. 

FRAIS,  Fr.  expenses. 

Frais  de  guerre,  Fr.  the  general  ex- 
penses to  which  a  country  is  subjected 
for  the  support  of  an  army  in  time  of  war. 

FRAISE,  Fr.  a  drill. 

FRAISE,  in  fortification,  a  kind  of 
stakes  or  palisades  placed  horizontally 
on  the  outward  slope  of  a  rampart  made 
of  earth,  to  prevent  the  work  being 
taken  by  surprize.  They  are  generally 
7  or  8  feet  long,  and  about  five  inches 
thick.  When  an  army  entrenches  itself, 
the  parapets  of  the  retrenchments  are 
often  fraised  in  the  parts  exposed  to  an 
attack. 

To  Fraise  a  battalion  (/raiser  un 
lataillon,¥r.)  is  to  line  or  cover  it  every 
way  with  pikes,  or  bayonets,  that  it 
may  withstand  the  shock  of  a  body  of 
horse. 

FRAISER,  Fr.  to  plait,  knead,  or 
drill ;  in  a  military  sense  to  fraise,  or 
fence. 

Fraiser  un  retranchcmcnt,  Fr.  to 
fraise  an  entrenchment  by  placing  pali- 
sades horizontally  towards  the  enemy. 

FRAISI,  Fr.  cinders. 

FRAMEA,  a  kind  of  javelin  formerly 
used  by  the  Germans. 

FRANC,  Fr.  open  ;  plain  ;  downright. 
The  French  say  of  a  person  who  is  al- 
ways easy  with  mankind,  il  est  franc  du 
collier.  It  also  signifies  brave,  free,  as 
a  free  horse,  chevul franc  du  collier. 

Franc,  Fr.  a  nominal  French  money 
of  account,  value  lOrf.  English  ;  24 francs, 
*»r  livres,  are  equal  to  20s.  English. 

Franc  is  also  used  as  an  adverb,  and 
signifies  freely,  plainly,  flatly. 

FRANC-a/7ew,  Fr.  in  a  general  sense, 
free-hold  ;  free  tenure  ;  allodial  lands. 

Franc-sI/cu,  Fr.  free  allegiance,  a 
custom  in  force  under  the  first  kings  of 
France.  Every  individual  who  was  free, 
and  had  no  chieftati  over  him,  was  at 
liberty  to  choose  the  prince  and  chief- 
tain under  whom  he  wished  to  live.  In- 
stances of  the  kind  are  recorded  under 
the  reign  of  Louis  I.  in  817. 

Une  Franche  dtfaite}  Fr.  a  downright 
crasion. 


FRANCTIES,  Fr.  unattached :  inde- 
pendent. Les  compagnies  franch.es,  free 
companies,  were  bodies  of  men  detached 
and  separated  from  the  rest  of  the 
French  army,  having  each  a  chief  or 
commandant 

FRANCHIR,  Fr.  to  cross  hardily. 

Fra nch i r  un  fosse,  une  palisade,  un 
ravin,  Fr.  to  get  over  a  fosse,  palisade, 
or  ravine. 

Franchir  des  obstacles,  Fr.  to  over- 
come difficulties  with  prudence  and  re- 
solution. 

FRANCISQUE,  Fr.  an  offensive 
weapon  used  by  foot-soldiers  under  the 
reign  of  Cotaire,  besides  the  bow,  lance, 
and  javelin.  It  was  made  in  the  shape 
of  a  double  hatchet,  with  a  short  han- 
dle. 

FRANC-taupin,  Fr.  A  soldier  who 
was  employed  in  excavating  the  earth, 
in  workiug  at  the  trenches  and  mines, 
&c.  &c.  was  so  called.  It  comes  from 
taupe,  a  mole. 

FRANQUE  (la  Langue),  Fr.  a  lan- 
guage used  in  the  Levant,  commonly 
called  Lingua  Franca. 

FRATElt,  an  old  term  applied  to 
military  surgeons'  mates,  in  the  French 
army,  from  the  Latin  signifying  brother. 

FRAY,  a  bsittle,  combat,  or  duel. 

FRAYER  le  chemin  a  line  breche,  Fr. 
to  be  foremost  in  an  assault;  to  be  first 
in  entering  a  breach. 

FREEBOOTER,  (fiibnstier,  Fr.)  a 
robber;  a  plunderer;  a  marauder  ;  one 
who  takes  what  he  can  get,  by  force  or 
artifice. 

FREEDOM,  liberty ;  exemption  from- 
servitude  ;  independence  ;  privileges  ;: 
franchises  ;  immunities.  England  is, 
perhaps,  the  only  country  in  which  the 
soldier  may  be  said  to  enjoy  these  envi- 
able   blessings,  more  or  less. 

FREIN,  Fr,  bit;  horse-bit.  The 
French  say,  Prendre  lefrcin  uux  dens  ; 
to  run  away,  as  a  horse  may. 

Frein,  Fr.  an  iron  hoop  which  is 
placed  round  a  windmill,  for  the  purpose 
of  stopping  it  by  means  of  a  swipe. 

FRELUQUET,  Fr.  an  inconsiderate 
light  character  ;   a   puppy. 

FRJiRE,  Fr.  brother.  The  French 
say  Freres  d'urmes,  brethren  in  arms. 

Faux  Frere,  Fr.  a  false  brother,  one 
who  betrays  a  society  with  which  he  is 
connected. 

FIIESTELEU,  Fr.  to  play  on  the 
flagelet. 

!/•   l'HET,  to  be  in  commotion  :  t» 


F  R  I 


(     230     ) 


f  r  r 


be  agitated.     A  horse  is  said  to  fret  m hen  ,  ways  be  in  proportion  to  its  weight  only, 
be   clnmips    angrily   upon    the    liit,   and    and  not  to    the  quantity  of  the  surface, 


works  himself  into  uncomfortable  mo- 
tion. This  frequently  happens  through 
the  ignorance  of  the  rider. 

FRETE,  /•'/•.  iron  hoop  or  hand. 

FRETILLEK,  Fr.  to  be  impatient  to 
proceed  ;  to  keep  the  feet  in  perpetual 
motion,  as  a  lively  horse  is  apt  to  do, 
before  he  starts. 

FRETTES,  Fr.  iron  ferrils  fastened 
to  the  ends  of  sticks,  beams,  ckc.  to  se- 
cure them  from  impression. 

FRICTION,  in  mechanics,  the  rub- 
bing of  the  parts  of  engines  and  ma- 
chines against  each  other,  by  which  a 
considerable  part  of  their  eftect  is  de- 
stroyed. 

It  is  hardly  possible  to  lay  down  ge- 
neral rules  for  computing  the  quantity 
of  friction,  because  it  depends  upon  a 
multiplicity  of  circumstances,  as  the 
structure,  firmness,  elasticity,  &c.  of 
bodies  rubbing  against  each  other.  Some 
authors  make  the  friction  upon  a  hori- 
zontal plane,  equal  to  1-Ud  of  the  weight 
to  be  moved  ;  while  others  have  found  it 
to  be  considerably  less.  But  however 
this  may  he,  the  doctrine  of  friction,  as 
ascertained  by  the  latest  experiments, 
may  be  summed  up  in  the  following 
manner. 

1.  When  one  body  rests  on  another 
upon  a  horizontal  plane,  it  presses  it  with 
its  whole  weight,  which  being  equally 
reacted  upon,  and  consequently  the 
whole  effect  of  its  gravity  destroyed  by 
the  plane,  it  will  be  absolutely  free  to 
move  in  any  horizontal  direction  by  any 
the  least  power  applied  thereto,  pro- 
vided both  the  touching  surfaces  be 
smooth. 

a.  Hut  since  we  find  no  such  thing  as 
perfect  smoothness  in  the  surfaces  of 
bodies,  arising  from  their  porosity  and 
peculiar  texture,  it  is  easy  to  under- 
stand, that  when  two  such  surfaces  come 
together,  the  prominent  parts  of  the  one 
will,  in  some  measure,  fall  into  the  con- 
cave parts  of  the  other  ;  and  therefore, 
when  an  horizontal  motion  is  attempted 
in  one,  the  fixed  prominent  parts  of  the 
other  will  give  in  me  or  less  resistance  to 
tin  moving  surface,  by  holding  and  re- 
taining its  part-" ;  and  this  is  what  we 
call  friction. 

'3.  Now  since  any  body  will  require  a 
force  equal  to  its  weight,  to  draw  ic  over 
a  given  obstacle,  il  follows  that  the  fric- 
tion arising  to  the  moving  body  will  al- 


by  which  it  bears  upon  the  resisting 
plane  or  surface.  Thus  if  a  piece  of 
wood  4  inches  wide,  and  1  thick,  be  laid 
upon  another  fixed  piece  of  the  same 
wood  it  will  require  the  same  weight  to 
draw  it  along,  whether  it  be  laid  on  its 
broad  or  narrow  side. 

4.  For,  though  there  be  4  times  the 
number  of  touching  particles  ou  the 
broadside,  (ceteris  puribw,)  vet  each 
particle  is  pressed  with  only  l-4th  of  the 
weight  that  those  are  on  die  narrow  side, 
and  since  1  times  the  number  are  mul- 
tiplied by  one-fourth  of  the  weight,  it  is 
plain  the  resistance  is  equal  in  both 
places,  and  so  requires  the  same  force  to 
overcome  it. 

5.  The  reason  why  friction  is  in  pro- 
portion to  the  weight  of  the  moving  body, 
is,  because  the  power  applied  to  move 
the  body  must  raise  it  over  the  promi- 
nent parts  of  the  surface  on  which  it  is 
drawn  ;  and  this  motion  of  the  body,  as 
it  is  not  upright,  will  not  require  a  pow- 
er equal  to  its  whole  weight;  but  being 
in  the  nature  of  the  motion  on  an  in- 
clined plane,  it  will  only  require  a  part 
of  its  own  weight,  which  will  vary  with 
the  various  degrees  of  smoothness  and 
asperity. 

0.  It  is  found  by  experiment,  that  a 
body  will  be  drawn  along  by  nearly  1-Sd 
of  its  weight ;  and  if  the  surfaces  be  hard 
and  well  polished,  by  less  than  1-od  part ; 
whereas,  if  the  parts  be  soft  or  rugged, 
it  will  require  a  much  greater  weight. 

The  ingenious  Mr.  Emerson,  in  his 
principles  of  Mechanics,  has  given  us 
the  following  rules  deduced  from  expe- 
riments; hut  they  require  some  variation 
under  different  circumstances,  which 
must  be  left  to  the  judgment  of  the 
artist. 

J.  Wood  and  all  metals,  when  greased, 
have  nearlv  the  same  friction  ;  and  the 
smoother  they  are,  the  less  friction  they 
have;  yet  metals  may  be  so  far  polished 
as  to  increase  friction  by  the  cohesion  of 
their  parts. 

Wood  slides  easier  upon  the  ground 
in  wet  weather -than  in  dry,  and  easier 
than  iron  in  dry  weather  ;  but  iron 
slides  ea=ier  than  wood,  in  wet  weather. 
Lead  makes  a  great  deal  of  resistance. 
Iron,  or  steel,  running  in  brass,  makes 
the  least  friction  of  any.  In  wood  act- 
ing against  woud,  grease  makes  the  mo- 
tion twice  as  easy,  or  rather  2-3ds  easier. 


F  R  I 


(     331    ) 


F  It  I 


V*  heel-naves,   greased  or  tarred,   go   4 
times  easier  than  when  wet. 

Metals  oiled  make  the  friction  less 
than  when  polished,  and  twice  as  little 
as  when  unpolished. 

In  general,  the  softer  or  rougher  the 
bodies,  the  less  or  greater  their  friction. 

2.  As  to  particular  cases  :  a  cubic 
piece  of  soft  wood  of  8  pounds  weight, 
moving  upon  a  smooth  plane  of  soft 
»  wood,  at  the  rate  of  3  feet  per  second, — 
its  friction  is  about  l-3d  of  the  weight 
of  it ;  but  if  it  be  rough,  the  friction  is 
little  less  than  l-half  of  the  weight. 

Upon  the  same  supposition,  other  soft 
wood  upon  soft  wood  very  smooth,  the 
friction  is  about  l-4th    of  the  weight. 

Soft  wood  upon  hard,  or  hard  wood 
upon  soft,  l-5th  or  l-half  of  the  weight. 
Hard  wood  upon  hard  wood,  l-?th  or 
1-8 th  of  the  weight. 

Polished  steel  moving  upon  steel  or 
pewter,  1-4 th  of  the  weight ;  moving  on 
copper  or  lead,  l-5th  of  the  weight ;  on 
brass,  l-5th  of  the  weight.  Metals  of 
the  same  sort  have  more  friction  than 
different  sorts. 

The  friction,  catcris  paribus,  increases 
with  the  weight  almost  in  the  same  pro- 
portion. The  friction  is  also  greater 
with  a  greater  velocity,  but  not  in  pro- 
portion to  it,  except  in  very  few  cases. 
A  greater  surface  also  causes  somewhat 
more  friction,  with  the  same  weight  and 
velocity;  yet  friction  may  sometimes  be 
increased  by  having  too  little  surface  to 
move  on  ;  as  upon  clay,  &c.  where  the 
body  sinks. 

3.  The  friction  arising  from  the  bend- 
ing of  ropes  about  machines,  differs  ac- 
cording to  their  stiffness,  the  temper  of 
the  weather,  degree  of  flexibility,  ccc. 
but,  cateris  paribus,  the  force  or  diffi- 
culty of  bending  a  rope  is  as  the  square 
of  the  diameter  of  the  rope,  and  its  ten- 
sion, directly  ;  and  the  diameter  of  the 
cylinder  or  pulley  it  goes  about,  recipro- 
cally. 

A  rope  of  1  inch  diameter,  whose  ten- 
sion, or  weight  drawing  it,  is  5  pounds, 
going  over  a  pulley  3  inches  diameter, 
requires  a  force  of  1  pound  to  bend  it. 

4.  The  resistance  of  a  plane  moving 
through  a  fluid  is  as  the  square  of  the 
velocity;  and  putting  vzz  velocity  in 
feet  in  a  second,  it  is  equal  to  the  weight 
of  a  column  of  the  fluid,  whose  base  is 

the  plane,  and  height—.  And  in  a  globe 

b-i 
it  is  but  half  so  much. 


5.  As  to  the  mechanic  powers,  the 
single  lever  makes  no  resisrancc  b\  fric- 
tion ;  but  if,  by  the  motion  of  the  lever 
in  lifting,  the  fulcrum,  or  place  of  sup- 
port, be  changed  further  from  the 
weight,  the  power  will  be  increased 
thereby. 

6.  In  any  wheel  of  any  machine,  run- 
ning upon  an  axis,  the  friction  on  the 
axis  is  as  the  weight  upon  it,  the  di- 
ameter of  the  axis,  and  the  angular 
velocity.  This  sort  of  friction  is  but 
small. 

7.  In  the  pulley,  if />,  q,  be  2  weights, 

and  q  the  greater;  and  a;——-,    then  a> 

is  the  weight  upon  the  axis  of  the  single 
pulley;  and  it  is  not  increased  by  the 
acceleration  of  the  weight  q,  but  remains 
always  the  same. 

The  friction  of  the  pullies  is  very  con- 
siderable when  the  sheaves  rub  against 
the  blocks  :  and  by  the  wearing  of  the 
holes  and  axles. 

The  friction  of  the  axis  of  the  pulley 
is  as  the  weight  w,  its  angular  velocity, 
the  diameter  of  the  axis  directly,  and 
the  diameter  of  the  pulley  inversely.  A 
power  of  100  pounds,  with  the  addition 
of  50  pounds,  will  only  draw  up  500 
with  a  tackle  of  5  ;  and  15  pounds  over 
a  single  pulley  will  diaw  up  only  14 
pounds. 

8.  In  the  screw,  there  is  a  great  deal 
of  friction  :  those  with  sharp  threads 
have  more  friction  than  those  with 
square  threads ;  and  endless  screws  have 
more  than  either.  Screws  with  a  square 
thread,  raise  a  weight  with  more  ease 
than  those  with  a  sharp  thread. 

In  the  common  screw  the  friction  is  so 
great,  that  it  will  sustain  the  weight  in 
any  position  given,  when  the  power  is 
taken  off;  and  therefore  the  friction  is 
at  least  equal  to  the  power.  From 
whence  it  will  follow,  that  in  the  screw, 
the  power  must  be  to  the  weight  or  re- 
sistance, at  least  as  twice  the  perpendi- 
cular height  of  a  thread  to  the  circum- 
ference described  by  one  revolution  of 
the  power  ;  if  it  be  able  to  raise  the 
weight,  or  only  to  sustain  it.  This  fric- 
tion of  the  screw  is  of  great  use,  as  it 
serves  to  keep  the  weight  in  any  given 
position. 

9.  In  the  wedge,  the  friction  is  at 
least  equal  to  the  power,  as  it  retains  any 
position  it  is  driven  into  ;  therefore  in 
the  wedge,  the  power  must  be  to  the 

20 


FRO 


(     282     ) 


FRO 


weight  at  least  as  twice  the  base  to  the 
height,  to  overcome  any  resistance. 

10.  To  find  the  friction  of  any  engine, 
begin  at  the  power,  and  consider  the  ve- 
locity and  the  weight  at  the  first  rubbing 
part;  and  estimate  its  quantity  of  fric- 
tion by  some  of  the  foregoing  articles  ; 
then  proceed  to  the  next  rubbing  part, 
and  there  do  the  same,  and  soon  through 
the  whole. 

And  note,  that  something  more  is  to 
be  allowed  for  increase  of  friction  by 
every  new  addition  to  the  power. 
FRIMAS,  JV.  rime;  hoarfrost. 
FRILL,  an  ornamental  appendage  to 
the  shirt,  which  all  officers  and  soldiers 
belonging  to  the  British  army  generally 
exhibit  whenever  they  appear  in  regi- 
mentals. A  small  aperture  is  usually 
made  at  the  top  to  admit  the  hook  and 
eye  of  the  regimental  coat.  Detached 
frills  for  the  privates  are  certainly  pre- 
ferable to  those  which  are  fixed  to  the 
shirts,  as  two  per  week,  at  the  regular 
times  allotted  for  a  change  of  linen, 
•would  answer  every  purpose  of  cleanli- 
ness. 

FRISE,  Fr.     See  Cheval  de  Frise. 
FRISER  la  corde,  Fr.  to  be  within  a 
hair's  breadth  of  the  gallows. 

FRISRUTTER,  an  instrument  made 
of  iron,  and  used  for  the  purpose  of 
blocking  up  an  haven,  or  a  river.  The 
following  description  of  it  is  among  Ge- 
neral Monk's  observations  on  political 
and  military  affairs. 

The  beams  through  which  the  upright 
bars  pass  must  be  twelve  feet  in  length, 
and  the  upright  bars  that  go  through  the 
beam  must  be  of  that  length,  so  that 
\»hen  one  of  these  iron  fiisrutters  is  let 
down  into  an  haven,  or  river,  the  per- 
pendicular bars  of  this  iron  instrument 
shall  be  deep  enough  to  reach,  at  high 
water,  within  five  feet  of  the  surface. 

FRITH,  a  strait  of  the  sea,  where 
the  water,  being  confined,  is  rough  ;  as 
the  Frith  of  Forth  in  Scotland. 

FROCK,  the  undress  regimental  coat 
is  generally  so  called. 

FROG,  the  hollow  part  of  a  horse's 
hoof.  When  horses  are  shod,  very  par- 
ticular attention  should  be  paid  to  their 
frogs,  as  lameness  may  be  the  conse- 
quence of  too  much  pressure,  or  unskil- 
ful paring. 

FRONDE,  Jr.  a  sling.  This  weapon 
was  used  in  France  by  the  Huguenots  at 
Sancerre,  as  late  as  the  year  1572,  in 
•rder  to  suve  their  powder.    There  were 


two  sorts,  one  which  was  used  in  throw- 
ing a  stone  from  the  arm,  and  the  other 
that  was  fixed  to  a  lever,  and  was  so  con- 
trived that  a  large  quantity  of  stones 
might  be  thrown  out  of  a  machine, either 
from  a  camp  into  a  besieged  town,  or 
from  a  town  into  the  enemy's  camp. 
This  machine  has  been  used  since  the 
invention  of  cannon. 

The  fronde  or  sling  was  used  by  the 
Romans  on  three  different  occasions,  viz. 
when  they  sent  their  light-armed  men, 
called  reliles,  forward  to  skirmish  before 
a  general  engagement;  when  they  wished 
to  drive  the  enemy  from  under  the  walls 
of  a  town  which  they  were  preparing  to 
storm,  and  finally  to  harass  and  wound 
the  men  in  the  enemy's  works.  This 
weapon,  in  fact,  together  with  the  bow 
and  arrow,  may  be  numbered  among  the 
primitive  arms  of  mankind. 

FRONDER,  Fr.  to  blame,  to  find 
fault  with. 

Fronder,  Fr.  to  throw  stones  out  of 
a  sling. 

Fronder  une  enlreprise,  une  niei- 
nauvre,  nu  projet,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression, which  signifies,  to  render  any 
project  or  plan  abortive,  and  by  such 
conduct  to  deprive  the  author  of  the 
merit  which  might  be  attached  to  its 
execution. 

FRONDEURS,  Fr.  slingers.  These 
composed  a  part  of  the  Roman  militia. 
There  were  some  in  the  French  service 
under  the  reign  of  Philip  I. 

FRONDEUR,  Fr.  an  oppositionist;  a 
real  or  affected  patriot,  who  finds  fault 
with  the  government  of  a  country.  Du- 
ring the  minority  of  Louis  the  XVih, 
there  \\  as  a  party  in  France  distinguished 
by  the  name  of  Fronde,  or  opposition  t© 
the  court. 

FRONT,  a  word  of  command,  signi- 
fying, that  the  men  are  to  turn  to  their 
proper  front;  this  movement  is  perform- 
ed at  once  by  revolving  on  the  left  heel, 
without  first  planting  the  right  foot,  as 
in  'he  facings. 

Front,  (front,  Fr.)  the  face  as  oppo- 
sed to  the  enemy ;  also  an  extent  of 
ground,  &c.  which  faces  something  op- 
posite: as  the  front  of  a  camp,  the  front 
of  a  line  of  action,  the  space  in  a  forti- 
fication which  is  comprehended  between 
the  capitals  of  two  bastions. 

Front  of  a  regiment,  the  foremost 
rank  of  a  battalion,  squadron,  or  any 
other  body  of  men.  To  front  every  way, 
is  when  the,  men  are  facejJ.  to  a||  siijgs. 


FRO 


(    283    ) 


FUE 


Front  of  a  fortification.     See  Face. 

TROxr-give-point,  a  movement  of  the 
sword  used  by  the  cavalry.  See  Sword 
Exercise. 

iiear-FRONT  is  the  disposition  of  a 
body  of  men  in  line,  or  column,  so  that 
the  natural  formation  of  the  battalion 
is  changed  with  regard  to  aspect,  but  not 
to  shape.  Those  files,  which  in  the  first 
telling  off  were  leaders, becomefollowers. 
It  sometimes  happens,  that  to  save  time 
a  column  is  ordered  suddenly  to  face 
about  and  retire;  in  this  case  the  dif- 
ferent companies  march  rear  front.  In 
the  conversion  of  a  regiment,  and  during 
the  various  manoeuvres,  the  divisions, 
&c.  frequently  appear  rear  front.  They 
are  restored  to  their  natural  order  by 
the  countermarch.  Thus  a  battalion 
standing  in  open  column,  the  right  in 
front,  when  faced  about,  stands  rear 
front;  when  countermarched,  it  resumes 
its  original  or  natural  formation,  and 
stands  left  in  front  with  its  proper  lead- 
ing files.  When  a  battalion  retiring  in 
line,  fires  by  wings  or  alternate  compa- 
nies, every  retrograde  movement  is  made 
rear  front. 

Quatre  homines  de  FRONT,  Fr.  four 
men  i»  front. 

Faire  Front,  Fr.  to  face. 

Front  a  Front,  Fr.  face-to-face. 

Front  a"un  bataillon,  Fr.  the  front  of 
a  battalion,  consisting  of  the  leading  man 
of  each  file.  This  term  is  variously  used 
in  the  French  service,  as  un  bataillon  qui 
fait  front  de  tous  cotes,  et  presente  les 
amies  par  tout,  a  battalion  which  is 
fronted  towards  every  quarter,  and  pre- 
sents arms  in  every  direction.  Un  ba- 
taillon est  sur  son  front,  signifies,  that  a 
battalion  is  drawn  up  so  that  it  presents 
its  natural  front  in  line. 

De  Front,  Fr.  in  front.  The  French 
say,  attaquer  Vennemi  de  front,  to  attack 
the  enemy  in  front,  or  along  his  line  of 
fire. 

Tie  Front,  Fr.  a  defile  where  only 
two  persons  can  pass  a-breast. 

Front  d'une  armee,  Fr.  the  front  of 
an  army.  Its  extent  from  the  right  to 
left.  It  also  signifies  the  whole  line  of 
communication  which  an  army  occupies, 
whether  by  divided  camps,  cantonments, 
&c.  or  by  columns  of  troops  posted  in  a 
country. 

Front  d'attaque,  Fr.  that  part  against 
which  an  enemy  directs  his  immediate 
operations. 


Front  d\dtaque,  Fr.  in  artillery,  that 
part  of  a  fortress  against  which  an 
enemy  opens  his  works,  &c. 

Front  de  bandiere,  Fr.  the  front 
rank  of  a  battalion;  the  advanced  line 
upon  which  a  camp,  &c.  may  be  formed. 

Front  convert,  Fr.  any  space  which, 
serves  to  cover  a  town  or  army  against 
the  immediate  approaches  of  an  enemy. 

Front  decouvcrt,  Fr.  any  space  of 
ground  in  front  of  a  fortified  place  or 
army,  which  is  exposed  to  the  immediate 
approaches  of  an  enemy. 

Front  h'eriss'e,  Fr.  any  space  of  ground 
in  front  of  a  fortified  place  or  army, 
which  is  defended  by  a  rangeof  ordnance, 
line  of  troops,  &c.  so  as  to  render  it  in- 
accessible. 

FRONTAL,  Fr.  a  frontlet.  We 
also  say  frontal ;  any  thing  tied  round 
the  head. 

Frontal,  Fr.  a  rope  with  several 
knots :  a  kind  of  rack  tied  round  a 
man's  forehead,  to  make  him  confess 
something. 

FRONTEAU,  Fr.  a  head-stall  of  a 
bridle. 

Fronteau  de  mire,  Fr.  a  wedge  of 
wood  which  is  placed  under  a  piece  of 
ordnance  to  raise  it  to  a  proper  point 
of  elevation. 

FRONTIER,  (frontitre,  Fr.)  the 
limit,  confine  or  boundary  of  any  king- 
dom. The  frontier  towns  are  generally 
guarded  by  troops  of  two  or  more  nations. 
See  Barrier  Torons. 

FRONTISPIECE,  ( frontispice,  Fr.) 
the  chief  side  of  a  building. 

FRONTON,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a 
pediment. 

FROSTNAIL,  a  nail  with  a  promi- 
nent head,  driven  into  the  horse's  shoes, 
that  it  may  pierce  the  ice. 

FROSTN  AILED,  shod  to  be  able  to 
stand  and  move  upon  the  ice. 

FROTTEMENT,  Fr.  friction  ;  rub- 
bing ;  the  collision  of  two  objects  com- 
ing in  contact. 

FRUSII,  a  sort  of  tender  horn  which 
grows  in  the  middle  of  the  sole  of  a  horse* 

FPtUSTUM,  in  mathematics,  a  piece 
cut  off,  and  separated  from  a  body. 
Thus  the  frustum  of  a  pyramid,  or  cone, 
is  a  part,  or  piece  of  it  cut  off,  usually 
by  a  plane  parallel  to  the  base. 

FUEL,  the  matter  or  aliment  of  fire; 
any  thing  capable  of  ignition. 

There  is  a  certain  and  regulated  al- 
lowance of  coal*  made  by  government', 
20  2 


F  U  N 


(     23-1     ) 


FUR 


through  the  Barrack  Ollice,  to  regiments   tribution  of  individuals,  in  the  shape  of 


of  cavalry  and  infantry  stationed  in 
Great  Britain,  At  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,    and    in   our  other   colonics,   the 

allowance  of  fuel  is  generally  regulated 
by  the  general  officer  commanding  in 
those  quarters. 

FUGEL-mafi)  an  incorrect  method  of 

Sronouuciog  fiugel-man.     See  Flugel 
Ian. 
FUGITIVE,  one  who  runs  from  his 
post,  station,  or  duty. 

Legion  FULMINANTE,  Fn.  The 
Romans  had  a  legion  of  tins  name,  com- 
posed ot  Christian  solders,  who  rendered 
essential  services  to  the  Emperor  Marcius 

Aureliua,  in  his  expedition  against  the 
Sarmatii,  the  Quades,  and  the  Marco- 
man  i. 

To  FUMIGATE,  in  a  general  accep- 
tation of  the  term,  to  medicate  or  heal 
by  vapours;  to  correct  any  infected 
building,  or  limited  circumference  of 
atmosphere,  by  smoke  impregnated  with 
antiputrescent  particles  of  heat.  Hos- 
pitals are  strictly  ordered  to  he  attended 
to  on  this  head;  especially  when  any 
contagious  disorder  has  prevailed.  Rut 
in  no  instance  ought  this  important  pre- 
caution to  be  so  scrupulously  observed 
as  when  troops  are  embarked  for  any 
space  of  time.  The  subsequent  regula- 
tions have  been  published  by  authority, 
under  the  following  word  : 

FUMIGATION,  the  act  of  fumi- 
gating or  conveying  smoke  into  any 
conlined  place. 

'Fhe  frequent  fumigation  of  every  ship 
on  which  troops,  or  prisoners  of  war  are 
embarked,  is  deemed  highly  material,  in 
order  to  prevent  mischief  from  confined 
air.  The  materials  for  fumigation  may 
be  brimstone  with  saw-dust,  or  the 
brimstone  may  be  thrown  over  hot  coaL; 
nitre,  to  which  a  little  vitriolic  acid  i> 
added  ;  or  common  salt,  with  the  same 
addition  of  vitriolic  acid;  gunpowder 
wetted ;  or  the  heated  loggerhead  in  the 
pitch  pot. 

This  operation  should  always  be  per- 
formed under  the  immediate  eye  of  the 
medical  officer  on  board,  to  prevent  im- 
proper quantities  of  the  articles  beinji 
USfl 

FUND.     See  Stock  Purse. 

Office  Ft.M),  a  particular  fund  which 
is  established  at  the  War-Office  for  the 
purpose  of  supporting  a  certain  number 
of  clerks;  that  are  paid  out  of  the  con- 


fees. 

FUNERALS.    SccBurtals. 

FUNIN,  Fr.  the  rigging  of  a  ship. 

FUNNEL,  any  pipe,  or  passage  of 
communication  from  one  place  to  ano- 
ther. 

To  FURBISH,  (fourbir,  Fr.)  to  polish; 
to  burnish. 

FURBISHER,  (fourbisscur,  Fr.)  one 
who  burnishes,  or  polishes. 

To  FURL,  in  regard  to  military  flags, 
or  colours,  is  opposed  to  their  exposure; 
and  is  used  to  express  the  act  of  folding 
them,  so  as  to  be  cased. 

FURLOUGH,  a  leave  of  absence. 
Every  non-com  missioned  officer  and 
soldier,  who  obtains  leave  of  absence 
from  his  regiment,  must  be  provided 
with  a  proper  voucher  to  satisfy  the  com- 
manding officer  of  any  place  or  party, 
that  be  has  the  sanction  of  his  superiors 
to  pass  and  repass  within  a  given  period. 

All  soldiers  found  half  a  league  from 
a  camp  or  garrison,  going  towards  an 
enemy's  country,  or  quarters,  without  a 
pass,  are  deemed  and  treated  as  de- 
serters. 

FURNACE,  in  a  general  accepta- 
tion of  the  term,  any  vessel  or  utensil 
for  maintaining  a  strong  and  ^searching 
lire,  either  of  coal  or  wood. 

Furnace  is  sometimes,  applied,  but 
improperly  so,  to  that  used  in  the  melt- 
ing of  iron,  and  by  some  authors  it  is 
confounded  with  iron  forges;  although 
there  is  a  considerable  difference  be- 
tween them.     See  Foundry. 

Furnace,  in  mining, signifies  a  hollow, 
or  excavation  which  is  made  in  the  earth, 
and  is  charged  with  gunpowder,  for  the 
purpose  of  blowing  up  a  rock,  wall,  or 
any  part  of  a  fortification. 

Mine  Furnaces  must  be  made  under 
that  part  of  the  glacis  belonging  to  the 
covert-way,  which  faces  the  quarter 
whence  the  besiegers  will  make  their 
principal  attacks,  the  instant  they  can 
be  ascertained  by  the  opening  of  the 
trenches.  Several  small  ones  must  like- 
wise be  sunk  under  the  glacis  of  the 
outworks,  in  order  to  blow  up  the  lodg- 
ments which  the  enemy  may  have  made 
when  he  has  carried  the  advanced  posts. 
Mine  furnaces  are  moreover  extremely 
useful  in  the  defence  of  the  covert-way, 
especially  to  overthrow  the  saps  and 
lodgments,  together  with  the  batteries 
that  may  have  been  erected  by  the  be- 


FUR 


(    285     ) 


FUR 


sieging  army.  For  a  scientific  expla- 
nation of  tliis  article,  see  Foissac's  late 
edition  of  Truiti,  de  la  defense  des  places 
par  le  Marcchal  Vauban,  tom.'ii.  pages 
202,  224,  240. 

Heverberatory  Furnaces,  (  four- 
neaux  a  reverbere,  Fr.)  These  furnaces 
were  originally  invented  by  the  cele- 
brated Meunier,  an  engineer  in  the  old 
French  service.  They  are  made  wholly 
of  iron,  and  can  render  24  pounder 
balls  red  hot  in  fifteen  minutes. 

In  1798,  these  furnaces  were  success- 


by   the   successive    application   of    the 
additional  pieces. 

The  following  circumstance  is  well 
worthy  of  attention : — Meunier,  a  dis- 
tinguished officer  of  French  engineers 
charged  with  the  construction  of  the 
forts  which  defend  the  roadsted  of 
Cherbourg,  not  having  fresh  water  at 
command,  endeavoured  to  deprive  the 
sea  water  of  its  salts,  and  thereby  to 
render  ir  fit  for  the  purposes  of  masonry; 
he  effected  the  decomposition  of  water, 
at  the  very  time  that  Monge  succeeded 


fully  used,  on  board  a  gun-boat,  for  the  in  its  composition,  and  though  they  did 
defence  of  the  Tagus,  by  Chevalier  de  j  not  enter  into  any  correspondence  upon 
Montpezat,  an  artillery  officer  in  the ',  this  subject,  each  of  these  gentlemen 
Portugueze  service. 

They  are  constructed  in  a  peculiar 
manner,  to  accelerate  combustion.  Jt 
is  well  known,  that  ignition  becomes 
vivid,  in  proportion  as  the  current  of 
air  is  rendered  rapid ;  and  the  way  of 
obtaining  such  a  current  of  air  is,  to 
keep  the  diameter  of  the  air-pipe  in 
accurate  proportion  with  the  mouth,  or 
focus,  of  the  furnace,  and  to  take  care 
that  the  pipe  enters  the  furnace  at  a 
proper  height :  the  works  of  modern 
chemists  ought  to  be  consulted  upon 
these  points, and  particularly  the  writings 
of  Lavoisier.  One  circumstance,  how- 
ever, must  be  remembered,  viz.  that 
the  current  of  air  increases  only  as  it 
passes  up  to  a  certain  part  of  the  pipe, 
beyond  which  it  decreases,  so  that 
ignition  may  be  forced  to  a  degree,  to 
make  the  cannon  balls  pass  into  fusion. 
This  maximum  is  obtained  from  about 
sixteen  feet  pipes;  by  dividing  the  pipe 
into  pieces  of  twelve  or  eighteen  inches 
each,  and  by  adding  or  removing  these 
pieces,  successively,  the  degree  of  heat 
may  be  somewhat  regulated. 

It  will  require  an  hour  to  heat  the 
first  balls  to  redness,  but  when  the  fur- 
nace is  once  warm,  if  the  fire  be  well 
kept  up,  as  much  heat  will  be  imparted 
to  the  ball  on  the  second  heating  in 
one  quarter  of  an  hour,  as  will  enable 
it  to  set  fire  to  any  combustible  body 
on  which  it  may  fall.  The  air-pipe  is 
connected  with  the  furnace  almost  im- 
mediately over  the  aperture  by  which 
the  balls  are  introduced,  and  opposite 
to  the  focus;  the  furnace  is  composed 
of  two  oblong  chambers  which  meet  at 
nearly  a  right  angle.  Six  or  nine  feet 
of  air-pipe  may  be  allowed  on  the  first 
trial;  it  may  be  lengthened  at  discretion 


found  the  exact  proportion  of  the  diffe- 
rent gases  of  which  water  is  composed  : 
it  may  be  well  to  notice  that  Meunier 
had,  as  a  part  of  his  apparatus,  or  re- 
cipient, the  cylinder  of  an  old  cannon, 
in  which  he  submitted  the  sea  water  to 
the  heat  of  a  reverberating  furnace. 
After  his  experiment,  he  examined  the 
cylinder  and  found  it  covered  with  what 
appeared  as  a  layer  or  coating  of  varnish ; 
but  of  a  nature  which  set  all  instru- 
ments at  defiance,  for  none  could  make 
any  impression  upon  it.  He  intended 
to  have  instituted  further  researches 
concerning  this,  and  persuaded  himself 
he  should  find  a  mode  of  covering,  par- 
ticularly, the  inner  surfaces  of  all  cannon 
whether  made  or  making,  with  this 
species  of  varnish ;  from  which,  con- 
siderable advantages  would  result,  by 
artillery's  being  rendered  both  capable 
of  longer  duration,  and  considerably 
lighter  than  before;  whereby  ordnance 
of  large  calibre  might  easily  be  added  to 
the  field  train, or  considerable  reduction 
might  take  place  in  the  numbers  of 
draft  horses,  and  in  the  forage.  Pre- 
mature death  prevented  this  learned 
officer  from  following  up  his  first  expe- 
riments ;  but  it  is  beyond  doubt,  that 
since  his  discovery  of  this  new  pheno- 
menon, the  touchholes  or  vents  of  pieces 
of  ordnance  might  have  been  choaked 
so  as  to  have  been  rendered  wholly 
unserviceable;  which  is  not  the  case  in 
spiking  or  nailing. 

The  terms  of  the  original  papers  from 
which  we  have  made  this  extract,  do 
not  convey  any  accurate  idea  of  the 
principles  upon  which  reverberating 
furnaces  are  constructed.  In  these, 
when  the  fuel  is  kindled,  and  the  furnace 
well   heated,    a  current   of   air   flows 


FUS 


(     256     ) 


FUS 


Strongly  through  the  fuel;  the  rare- 
faction  of  t lie  air  in  the  fire  place  will 
solicit  a  considerable  draught  of  air, 
which  «ill  keep  the  fuel  inflamed  to  a 
great  degree.  But  these  furnaces  owe 
their  powers  to  another  cause,  not  even 
hinted  at  in  the  preceding  paper,  viz. 

"  T/ir  heat  being  reflected  from  even/ 
fart  of  the  furnaci  upon  the  body  sub- 
milted  to  it,  becomes  very  intense. 

While  we  are  ready  to  allow  all  the 
credit,  that  is  due  for  the  original  ob- 
servations of  the  new  metallic  varnish, 
and  for  the  suggestion  of  the  uses  to 
which  it  11  iiu;l) L  he  applied  in  the  im- 
provement of  pieces  of  ordnance,  and 
a  means  too  of  rendering  them  unser- 
viceable when  required,  we  cannot 
pass  over  this  article  without  paying 
a  just  tribute  of  respect  to  our  distin- 
guished countryman  Dr.  Black,  whose 
ingenuity  lias  been  particularly  dis- 
played in  the  construction  of  the  fur- 
naces, and  whose  doctrine  of  heat  re- 
mains to  this  day  the  subject  of  general 
admiration. 

FURNITURE,  in  a  general  sense, 
means  all  sorts  of  moveables  made  use 
of  for  the  comfort  or  decoration  of  a 
house.  In  a  military  sense,  it  applies 
t©  certain  articles  which  are  allowed  in 
barracks,  to  which  are  added  household 
utensils,  according  to  the  number  of 
rooms. 

i/orse-FiRNiTURE,  ornaments  and 
embellishments  which  arc  adopted  by 
military  men  when  they  are  mounted  for 
service  or  parade,  consisting  chiefly  of 
housings,  saddle-cloth,  <N:c. 

FURTHER,  something  beyond  the 
present.  This  word  is  frequently  at- 
tached to  instructions  and  orders  which 
may  be  altered,  as:  until  further  orders 
The  French  sav,  jusqttd  nouvel  ordrr. 

FUSE,  a  tube  generally  made  of  very 
dry  beech  wood,  and  sometimes  of  horn- 
beam, taken  near  the  root.  Fuses  are 
turned  rough  and  bored  at  first,  and  then 
kept  for  several  years  in  a  dry  place. 
The  diameter  of  the  hole  is  about  a  of 
an  inch ;  the  hole  does  not  go  (mite 
through,  having  about  \  of  an  inch  at 
the  bottom;  and  the  head  is  made  hol- 
low iu  the  form  of  a  bowl. 

The  composition  for  fuses  is,  salt- 
petre 3,  sulphur  1,  and  mealed  powder 
3,  4,  and  sometimes  5.  This  composi- 
tion is  driven  in  with  an  iron  driver, 
whose  ends  are  capped  with  copper,  to 
prevent   the  composition   from    taking 


fire,  and  to  keep  it  equally  hard;  the 
last  shovel-full  being  all  mealed  powder, 
and  2  strands  of  quick  match  laid  across 
each  other,  being  driven  in  with  it,  the 
ends  of  which  are  folded  up  into  the 
hollow  top,  and  a  cap  of  parchment 
tied  over  it  until  it  be  used. 

When  these  fuses  are  driven  into  the 
loaded  shell,  the  lower  end  is  cut  off  in 
a  slope,  so  that  the  composition  may  in- 
flame  the  powder  in  the  shell.  The  fuze 
must  be  of  such  length  as  to  continue 
burning  all  the  time  the  shell  is  in  its 
range,  and  to  set  fire  to  the  powder  as 
soon  as  it  touches  the  ground,  which 
occasions  the  shell  instantly  to  burst  into 
many  pieces. 

When  the  distance  of  the  battery  from 
tlie  object  is  known,  the  time  of  the 
shell's  ilight  may  be  computed  to  asecond 
or  two;  which  being  ascertained,  the 
fuze  may  be  cut  accordingly,  by  burning 
two  or  three,  and  making  use  of  a 
watch,  or  of  a  string,  by  way  of  pen- 
dulum, to  vibrate  seconds. 

FUSEE,  Fr.  according  to  the  French 
acceptation  of  the  word,  is  applied  to 
various  purposes,  and  belongs  to  various 
instruments  of  destruction  which  are 
used  in  war.  The  fusee  is  differently 
made  by  different  artificers.  Some 
make  it  consist  of  one  pound  of  gun- 
powder, and  two  or  three  ounces  of 
charcoal  well  mixed  together;  others  of 
four  pounds  of  gun-powder,  two  of  salt- 
petre, and  one  of  sulphur.  It  must  be 
generally  remarked,  that  the  time  a 
bomb,  or  grenade,  will  take  to  burst 
after  it  has  been  thrown  out  of  the 
mortar,  must  depend  entirely  upon  the 
length  and  quality  of  the  fusee. 

Fusees  «  bombes,  Fr.  bomb  fuses. 
The  intent  and  object  of  these  fuses 
are  to  communicate  fire  to  the  gun- 
powder, with  which  the  bomb  is  filled,  in 
order  to  force  it  to  burst  and  separate 
in  broken  pieces  on  any  given  spot. 
These  fuses  are  usually  made  in  the 
shape  of  a  wooden  pipe,  or  tap,  out  of 
the  linden  tree,  the  alder,  or  any  other 
dry  and  solid  wood,  and  are  afterwards 
filled  with  a  slow  combustible  composi- 
tion. The  materials  are  increased,  or 
diminished,  according  to  the  nature  of 
their  application.  Fuses  are  sometimes 
made  of  copper;  and  they  must  not 
have  the  least  aperture  or  fissure. 

There  are  fuses  for  bombs  of  12, 
of  10,  and  of  8  inches  diameter.  Fuses, 
for  bombs  of  12  inches  diameter,  are  8 


F  IT  S 


(     «7     ) 


rus 


inches  4  lines  long,  being  1  inch  8  lines 
broad  at  the  thick,  and  1  inch  2  lines 
broad  at  the  thin  end ;  the  breadth,  or 
diameter  of  the  light,  or  aperture,  is  5 
lines.  Fuses  decrease  nearly  1  inch  in 
length  and  two  lines  in  diameter,  accord- 
ing  to  the  caliber  of  the  bomb.  The 
diameter  of  the  lights,  or  apertures,  only 
diminish  one  half  line. 

The  composition  for  bomb  fuses  con- 
sists of  seven  parts  of  priming  powder 
to  four  of  salt-petre,  and  three  of  sul- 
phur. These  different  materials  are 
(each  separately)  first  passed  through  a 
silk  sieve;  and  after  they  have  been  well 
mixed  together,  the  whole  mass  is  thrown 
into  a  moderate  sized  hair  sieve,  and 
again  passed  through. 

The  fuse  is  gradually  filled  with  this 
composition,  each  proportion  being  well 
pressed  in,  without  violence  ;  iron  ram- 
rods, fitted  to  the  bore  of  the  fuse,  are 
used  for  this  purpose.  Every  time  the 
materials  are  poured  in,  the  ramrod  is 
inserted,  and  by  means  of  a  small  mallet, 
with  which  it  is  struck  14  or  15  times, 
the  composition  is  pressed  into  a  hard 
consistency. 

When  fuses  have  been  well  loaded, 
and  the  materials  have  previously  been 
properly  mixed,  they  will  naturally  burn 
with  an  equal  steady  fire,  preserving  in 
general  an  even  length  of  ilame,  without 
spitting,  or  irregularly  shaking. 

In  order  to  preserve  fuses  for  a  length 
of  time,  the  composition,  when  tho- 
roughly prepared,  must  be  covered  with 
a  mastick,  or  cement,  made  of  2-3ds 
bees-wax  and  l-3d  rosin,  well  mixed  to- 
gether. Bomb-fuses  prepared  in  this 
manner  will  burn  either  in  water,  or  in 
earth,  nearly  70  seconds,  without  being 
extinguished. 

The  usual  method  of  priming  fuses,  is 
to  grate  about  one-third  of  a  French  inch 
of  composition.  Two  small  matches 
about  5  or  6  inches  long,  with  the  ends 
bent  inwards,  are  then  well  fixed  with 
pounded  composition  to  the  eye  of  the 
fuse,  by  which  last  operation  it  is  com- 
pletely filled  and  closed.  This  part  is 
finally  covered  over  with  cartridge  paper, 
which  is  tied,  and  remains  so  till  there 
is  occasion  to  use  it.  Before  the  fuse  is 
driven  into  the  bomb,  the  thin  or  small 
end  must  be  cut  off,  in  order  that  the  fire 
maybe  easilv  communicated  to  the  mass 
«f  gunpowder  which  is  lodged  in  the  bomb. 
In  Colonel  Shrapnel's  invention  of  the 
spherical  case-shot,  the  seasonable  use  of 


the  fuse  constitutes  one  of  its  principal 
virtues. 

Fusees  a  bombes  afeu-mort,  Fr.  bomb- 
fuses  with  dead  light.  There  is  a  spe- 
cies of  bomb-fuse,  which  is  distinguish- 
ed by  the  term  feu~mort,  or  dead-light. 
The  difference  between  these  fuses  and 
the  ordinary  ones  consists  in  this,  that 
the  eye,  instead  of  being  pierced  and 
hollow,  is  full,  and  of  a  half-spherical 
shape.  In  both  cases,  however,  the 
composition  is  introduced  through  the 
small  end. 

The  composition  for  fuses  a  fea-mort 
consists  of  Jti  parts  of  pounded  gun- 
powder, and  94  parts  of  ashes.  The 
ashes  must  be  baked  over  again,  and 
run  through  a  silk  sieve.  Potter's  earth, 
or  clay,  will  produce  the  same  effect  as 
ashes. 

In  proceeding  to  charge  a  bomb-fuse 
that  is  made  of  ordinary  wood,  the  eye, 
or  aperture,  is  first  closed  with  pipe-clay, 
which  is  well  beaten  and  pressed  against 
the  fuse  in  a  small  platter ;  the  thin  end 
of  the  fuse  being  held  upwards.  Three 
lines  (or  3-12ths  of  a  French  inch)  of 
this  earth,  will  be  sufficient  to  stop  the 
communication  of  any  fire.  A  tube,  or 
trundle,  filled  with  pounded  gunpowder 
for  the  purpose  of  setting  fire  to  the 
composition  called  J'eu-mort,  is  thrust 
into  the  fuse,  by  which  it  is  finally 
charged.  If  this  charge  of  pounded  gun- 
powder were  to  be  omitted,  the  fuse 
might  not  be  susceptible  of  ignition  ; 
but  the  quantity  never  ought  to  exceed 
three  lines,  as  the  fuse  would  split  by 
the  explosion. 

When  the  grains  of  gunpowder  have 
been  well  pounded,  a  trundle,  or  tube, 
filled  with  the  aforementioned  compo- 
sition, must  be  applied,  and  it  is  finally 
loaded  like  the  rest. 

It  must  be  recollected,  that  2  inches 
of  this  composition  will  last  as  long  as 
one  of  the  quality  with  which  common 
fuses  are  charged.  Before  the  fuse  is 
driven  into  the  bomb,  it  must  be  pierced 
through  with  a  gimlet  of  one  line  dia- 
meter, taking  care,  that  the  hole  is  made 
precisely  through  the  charge  of  pounded 
gunpowder.  One  end  of  a  priming 
match  must  be  forced  in,  end  three 
others  be  tied  to  it,  which  three  are  to 
full  upon  the  bomb  when  it  lies  in  the 
mortar. 

The  particular  object  to  be  obtained 
from  this  sort  of  fuse,  is  to  prevent  the 
least  trace  of  fire  or  light  being  visible  in 


F  U  S 


(     483     ) 


FUS 


its  projection  ;  so  that  the  enemy  may 
remain  ignorant  of  the  range,  or  direc- 
tion of  the  bomb,  and  not  be  able,  of 
course,  to  get  out  of  the  way  when  it 
falls,  or  to  avoid  the  effects  of  its  ex- 
plosion. 

These  fuses  were  made  use  of  at  the 
siege  of  Ham  in  1 761.  The  experiments 
which  were  made  in  1792,  with  this 
composition,  by  an  artificer  belopgiug  to 
the  ordnance  board,  at  Douay,  hair 
proved,  that  it  answers  every  purpose 
for  which  it  was  invented. 

The  author  of  the  Manuel  de  CArtil- 
leur,  from  whose  treatise  these  observa- 
tions are  taken,  concludes  this  article 
by  statins;,  that  the  advantages  to  be  de- 
rived from  this  invention  are  not  so 
great  as  they  at  first  appear. 

He  remarks,  that  with  respect  to  the 
real  utility  of  the  fuse  a  feu-mort,  if  it 
be  considered  as  tending  materially  to 
the  defence  of  any  besieged  place,  the 
argument  cannot  be  very  forcible,  when 
we  reflect,  that  to  gain  time  constitutes 
oue  of  the  principal  means  of  defence, 
and  that  the  only  way  to  obtain  it,  is 
by  retarding  the  besieger's  operations. 
These  ends  are  gained  by  various  expe- 
dients. Among  others,  the  common 
lighted  fuse  conduces  not  a  little  :  since 
during  the  whole  direction  of  the  bomb 
against  the  works  of  the  assailants,  the 
attention  of  the  workmen  is  diverted 
from  their  immediate  labour;  and  as 
long  as  it  continues  in  its  range,  much 
uneasiness  is  created,  because  its  ulti- 
mate explosion  and  concomitant  de- 
struction are  unknown. 

Add  to  this,  that  independent  of  the 
confusion  which  is  occasioned  among 
the  assailants  by  repeated  projectiles, 
the  bombardier,  by  means  of  the  lighted 
fuses,  is  enabled  to  correct  his  aim  dur- 
ing the  darkest  night.  The  same  prin- 
ciples must  certainly  hold  good  in  at- 
tacks ;  and  from  a  conviction  of  their 
solid  utility  in  both  instances,  the  com- 
mon fuses  have  been  hitherto  adopted, 
although  the  kind  in  question  has  boon 
known  for  several  years. 

Chain  Fuf'EE,  iV.  slaked  lime. 
Fi  see,  Jr.  a  composition  of  glue  and 
saw-dust  which  is  used  by  carpenter-  to 
fill  up  the  chinks  of  defective  wood,  cvC. 
Fusees  a  grenades,  Fr.  fuses  for  gre- 
nades. These  fuses  are  made  of  the 
same  quality  of  wood  as  those  adopted 
for  bombs.  Their  length  is  2  inches  6 
lines  j  their  diameter  at  the  head  is  10 


lines ;  7  lines  in  diameter  1  inch  from 
the  head,  and  2  lines  in  diameter  to  the 
sight,  or  aperture.  The  composition  of 
these  fuses  consists  of  5  parts  of  prim- 
ing gunpowder,  3  parts  of  sulphur,  and 
2  of  saltpetre;  or  3  parts  of  priming 
powder,  2  of  saltpetre,  and  1  of  sulphur. 
These  fuses  must  be  loaded  with  the 
same  care  and  precision  as  are  required 
in  bomb-charges;  that  is,  the  thick  end 
of  the  fuse  must  be  placed  downwards, 
so  that  it  stands  upright  ;  the  composi- 
tion must  then  be  introduced  by  means 
of  a  trundle,  which  the  French  call  lan- 
ternc,  made  for  that  specific  purpose; 
the  composition  must, after  that,  be  well 
pressed  in  with  an  iron  ramrod,  fitted  to 
the  bore  of  the  fuse,  and  gradually 
forced  in  by  gentle  taps  with  a  mallet. 
Great  precaution  must  be  observed  dur- 
ing this  operation,  as  too  much  violence 
might  split  the  fuse.  When  the  fuse 
has  been  half  filled,  a  shorter  ramrod 
must  be  used,  with  which  the  charge  is 
completed.  In  making  bomb-fuses,  great 
care  must  be  taken  to  strike  equal  blows 
with  the  mallet,  until  you  get  to  the 
three  last,  when  the  strength  of  each 
blow  must  be  increased. 

Fusees  d'obus,  Fr.  howitzer  fuses. 
These  are  generally  made  of  the  same 
composition  and  wood  as  serve  for 
bombs, and  are  loaded  in  a  similar  man- 
ner. They  have  the  same  dimensions 
when  applied  to  calibres  of  8  or  6  inches 
diameter;  that  is,  they  contain  5  inches 
4  lines  in  length ;  15  lines  diameter  at 
the  small  end,  3  lines  diameter  at  the, 
thick  end  ;  13  lines  diameter  1  inch  from 
the  iiead  ;  the  eye,  or  vent,  is  10  lines. 
These  fuses  do  not  exceed  the  vent  of 
an  howitzer,  so  much  as  bomb  fuses  do 
the  vent  of  bombs.  They  are,  in  fact, 
shorter. 

Flsees  -volanles,  Fr.  sky-rockets. 
These  loses  are  made  of  various  dimen- 
sions, and  serve  foi  signals  in  time  ot 
war.  They  are  sometimes  2  inches  and 
more  in  diameter.  The  cartridges  with 
which  they  are  loaded,  contain  in  thick- 
ne->  the  sixteenth  part,  or  more,  of  the 
diameter. 

The  composition  which  is  used  for 
fuses  of  this  description,  consists  of  16 
parts  of  saltpetre,  1\  of  charcoal,  and 
4  of  sulphur ;  or  of  16  parts  of  saltpetre, 
6  of  charcoal,  4  of  sulphur,  and  2  of 
priming  gunpowder.  The  materials 
must  be  carefully  pounded  and  well 
mixed  together.     Hollow  rods  of  various 


FUS 


(     489     ) 


FUS' 


lengths  are  used  to  charge  these  fuses. 
They  must  have  cavity  enough  to  admit 
the  stick. 

Fuses  are  tied  to  long  sticks,  or  rods, 
made  of  very  light  wood,  such  as  hazel- 
tree,  which  must  have  been  cut  some 
time,  and  be  perfectly  dry.  They  must 
likewise  be  straight,  and  contain  from 
7  to  8  feet  in  length  ;  the  thick  end  of 
the  rod,  in  which  two  notches  are  made 
to  fix  it  to  the  fuse,  must  be  7  or  8  lines 
in  diameter,  and  at  the  small  end  8  or 4 
lines  diameter.  When  the  rod  is  rather 
heavy,  it  takes  a  more  upright  direc- 
tion than  when  it  is  light;  but  it  does 
not  require  so  many  degrees  of  eleva- 
tion. 

It  must  be  generally  remarked,  that 
as  soon  as  a  fuse  is  fixed  to  a  grenade 
which  is  not  intended  for  immediate 
use,  you  must  melt  some  pitch  and  im- 
merse the  head  of  the  fuse,  instantly 
dipping  it  into  cold  water,  by  which  pre- 
caution the  composition  will  remain  un- 
altered ;  unless  the  wood  be  rotten. 
FUSIL,  Fr.  a  light  musket. 
Fusil,  Fr.  steel  which  strikes  fire 
out  of  a  flint. 

Pierre  a  Fusil,  Fr.  a  flint. 
Fusil,  Fr.  a  tinder-box. 
Fusil,  Fr.  the   piece  of  steel  which 
covers  the  pan  of  a  fire-arm. 

Fusil  sur  epuule  !  Fr.  a  word  of  com- 
mand in  the  French  manual  exercise, 
Shoulder  arms  ! 

FUSILLER  quelquun,  Fr.  to  shoot 
some  body. 

FUSILS  a  I'epee,  Fr.  fusils  with  long 
bayonets,  shaped  like  a  cut  and  thrust 
sword.  These  weapons  have  been  pro- 
posed by  the  writer  of  Melanges  Mili- 
taires.  as  being  extremely  useful  in  the 
rear  rank  of  a  battalion,  or  in  detached 
bodies  that  are  stationed  for  the  defence 
ot  baggage,  &c. 

Something  similar  to  this  invention 
has  been  adopted  by  the  dismounted 
light  horse  volunteers  in  London,  who 
have  temporary  sword-hilts  made  to  fit 
the  sockets  of  their  bayonets. 

FesiL  mousquet,  Fr.  a  sort  of  fusil 
which  was  invented  by  Marshal  Vauhan, 
and  which  was  so  contrived,  that  in 
case  the  flint  did  not  strike  fire,  the 
powder  might  be  inflamed  by  means  of 
a  small  match  which  was  fixed  to  the 
breech. 

Fusils  d,  chevalets,  Fr.  fusils  upon 
rests,  which  are  recommended  by  Mar- 
shal Vauban    to  be  used    at  the  com- 


mencement of  a  siege,  about  50  or  100 
toises  in  front  of  the  glacis,  at  the  en- 
trances of  narrow  passes,  &rc. 

FUSILEERS,  in  the  British  service, 
are  soldiers  armed  like  the  rest  of  the 
infant rv,  with  this  difference  only,  that 
their  muskets  are  shorter  and  lighter 
than  those  of  the  battalion  and  the  gre- 
nadiers. They  wear  caps  which  are 
somewhat  less  in  point  of  height  than 
common  grenadier  caps.  There  are 
three  regiments  in  the  English  service  ; 
the  7th  regiment  of  foot,  (or  Royal  Fu- 
sileers,) raised  in  1685  ;  the  21st  regi- 
ment of  foot,  (or  Royal  N.  British  Fu- 
sileers,)  raised  in  1678;  and  the  23d,  (or 
Royal  Welch  Fusileers,)  raised  in  1688. 

It  is  always  presumed,  that  these 
corps,  like  the  Guards,  possess  an  esprit 
de corps,  which  is  peculiar  to  themselves. 

As  the  fusileer  regiments  upon  the 
British  establishment  are  distinguished 
from  other  corps  by  some  peculiarities, 
we  shall  briefly  state  what  has  occurred 
to  us  on  the  subject.  In  former  times 
the  officers  of  these  regiments  did  not 
carry  spontoons,  but  had  fusils  like  the 
officers  of  flank  companies  throughout 
the  line.  At  present  they  wear  swords. 
It  is  necessary  to  remark,  that  there  are 
not  any  ensigns  in  fusileer  regiments  ; 
their  junior  officers  rank  as  second-lieu- 
tenants, taking  precedence  of  all  en- 
signs, and  those  of  the  7th,  or  Royal 
Fusileers,  have  no  second  lieutenants  ; 
so  that  they  rank  with  the  rest  of  the 
army  according  to  the  dates  of  their  se- 
veral commissions,  as  lieutenants.  On 
account  of  this  difference,  the  first  com- 
mission \n  the  fusileers  was,  by  a  regu- 
lation issued  from  the  War-Office,  in 
17-73,  rated  50/.  higher  than  that  of  an 
ensign  ;  whilst  the  first  commission  in 
the  7th,  having  the  pay  of  lieutenant  at- 
tached to  it,  was  rated  at  550/.  that  of 
the  other  two,  having  only  the  pay  of 
ensign  annexed,  was  450/. 

When  the  estimates  of  the  British 
army  were  made  out  for  the  year  1755, 
the  extra  sum  of  164/.  5s.  per  annum 
was  charged  against  the  7th  regiment. 
This  surplus  however  was  easily  ex- 
plained when  it  came  to  be  understood, 
that  that  regiment  being  a  fusileer  corps, 
had  20  lieutenants,  instead  of  1  1  lieu- 
tenants and  9  ensigns.  The  difference 
between  these  commissions  amounted  to 
9s  per  diem, and  the  sum  total  to  164/.  5s. 
per  annum.  The  23d, or  royal  regiment 
i)!'  Welch  fusileers,  wear  helmets ;  and 
1  P 


GAB 


(     290     ) 


GAG 


all  officers  belonging  to  fusileer  corps 
have  two  epaulets. 

FUSILIERS,  Fr.  are  men  armed  with 

fusils,  or  light  muskets. — When  pikes 
were  in  use  among  the  French,  each  re- 
giment had  only  (our  fusileers,  exclusive 
of  ten  grenadiers  who  carried  the  fusil  or 
musket.  At  present  fusils,  or  muskets, 
are  universally  adopted  in  the  European 
armies.  Among  the  French,  there  was  a 
distinct  regiment  of  fusi leers,  under  the 
immediate  command  of  the  grand  master 
of  the  ordnance.  The  length  of  a  French 
fusil  was  directed  to  consist  of  three 
French  feet  eight  inches  from  the  touch- 
hole  to  the  muzzle,  and  the  caliber  to 
have  the  diameter  of  a  ball  taking  twenty 
to  the  pound. 

FUSKIBALAS,  a   machine    used  by 


the  ancients  in  the  defence  of  their  walls, 
to  throw  stones  and  darts  at  the  enemy. 

FUST1GATION,  Fr.  the  act  of  whip- 
ping at  a  cart's  tail,  for  theft. 

1  -'US  TIGIER,  Fr.  to  punish,  or  chas- 
tise, with  a  whip.  This  is  the  sense  given 
in  the  Dictionnaire  de  I'Acadcmie ;  but 
we  conceive  that  the  word,  coming  from 
the  Latin  Fustis  and  Fustigo,  strictly 
taken,  means  to  beat  with  a  staff,  slick 
or  cudgel. 

FUT,  Fr.  the  stock  of  a  musket;  any 
piece  of  wood  upon  which  portable  tire- 
arms  are  mounted. 

FUYARD,  Fr.  a  person  that  is  apt  to 
run  away,  a  coward. 

Un  corps  Fuyard, Fr.  a  regiment  that 
has  been  in  the  habit  of  running  away. 

FUZE.    See  Fuse. 


G 


/"^ABION,  in  fortification,  is  a  kind  of 
^-^  basket  made  of  ozier  twigs,  of  a  cy- 
lindrical form,  having  different  dimen- 
sions, according  to  the  purpose  for  which 
it  is  userl.  Some  gabions  are  5  or  6  feet 
high,  and  3  feet  in  diameter  ;  these  serve 
in  sieges  to  carry  on  the  approaches  un- 
der cover,  when  they  come  pretty  near 
the  fortification.  Those  used  in  field- 
works  are  3  or  4  feet  high,  and  lZ\  or  3 
feet  diameter.  There  are  also  gabions 
about  1  foot  high,  12  inches  in  diameter 
at  top,  and  from  !>  to  10  at  bottom,  which 
are  placed  along  the  top  of  the  parapet, 
to  cover  the  troops  in  firing  over  it. 
They  are  filled  with  earth. 

In  order  to  make  them,  some  pickets, 
3  or  4  feet  long,  are  stuck  into  the 
ground,  in  form  of  a  circle,  and  of  a 
proper  diameter,  wattled  together  with 
small  branches,  in  the  manner  of  com- 
mon fences.  Batteries  are  often  made 
of  gabions.     See  Battf.ry. 

Stii(f'cd-G\hiotiS,  in  fortification,  are 
made  in  the  same  manner  as  the  former  : 
they  are  only  filled  with  ail  sorts  of 
branches  and  small  wood,  and  are  4  or  6 
feet  long:  they  serve  to  roll  before  the 
workmen  in  the  trenches,  to  cover  them 
in  front  against  musket-shot. 

Gabion  farci,  Fr.  a  stuffed  gabion. 
GABIONNADE,   Fr.  a  term  made 
use  of  when  a  retrenchment  is  suddenly 
thrown  up  and  formed  of  gabions,  for 


the  purpose  of  covering  the  retreat  of 
troops,  who  may  be  obliged  to  abandon  a 
work,  after  having  defended  it  to  the  last 
extremity.  Every  parapet  that  is  made 
of  gabions  is  generally  called  gabionnade. 

GABIONNER, Fr.  to  cover  or  secure 
with  gabions. 

GADARA,  a  Turkish  sabre,  with  a 
large  blade,  somewhat  curved. 

GAFFLES,  the  steel  lever  with  which 
the  ancients  bent  their  cross-bows. 

GAGE,  Fr.  the  gauntlet.  The  glove 
that  was  thrown  in  defiance  at  the  per- 
son one  intended  to  fight,  was  formerly 
called  gage  de  combat,  or  gage  de  ba- 
taille. 

GAGES,  Fr.  wages.  Among  the 
French  this  phrase  signifies  the  fruits  or 
compensations  which  were  derived  by 
individuals  from  appointments  given  by 
the  crown,  whether  of  a  military,  civil, 
or  judicial  nature,  or  for  service  done  at 
sea  or  l>y  land. 

GAGEURE,  Fr.  a  bet;  a  wager. 
The  French  say  figuratively— soulenir  la 
gageure,  to  persist  in  an  undertaking. 

Un  GAGISTE,  Ft.  a  person  who 
receives  wages,  or  is  in  the  pay  of  ano- 
ther ;    the  same  as  stipendiaire. 

GAGNER,  Fr.  to  come  at;  to  reach. 

Gagner  du  terrein,  )     Fr.    to    gain 

Gagner  pays,  S      ground. 

Gagner  le  desaus,  Fr.  to  get  the 
better  of. 


GAL 


(    291     ) 


GAL 


Gagner  bataille,  Fr.  to  overcome  an 
enemy,  or  gain  a  battle. 

Gagner  une  marche,  Fr.  to  reach 
some  particular  point  or  position  before 
the  enemy,  by  means  of  a  more  active 
and  skilful  movement. 

GAIBON,  Fr.     See  Gabion. 
To  GAIN,   to  conquer;    to  get   the 
better  :  as,  They  gained  the  duy,  ccc. 

To  Gain  ground.     See  Ground. 

GAIN  d'une  bataille,  Fr.  the  success- 
ful issue  of  an  engagement;  the  act  of 
conquering  an  enemy. 

GAINE,  Fr.  a  sheath. 

Gaine  de  flam  me,,  Fr.  a  sort  of  linen 
sheath  or  cover,  into  which  the  staff  of 
a  flag  or  pendant  is  put. 

Gaine  de  pavilion,  Fr.  a  cloth,  oi- 
lmen band,  which  is  sewed  across  the 
flag,  and  through  which  the  different 
ribbons  are  interlaced. 

Gaines  de  girouettes,  Fr.  bands  or 
pieces  of  linen,  with  which  the  vanes  are 
tied  to  the  staff. 

GAIT  is  the  going,  or  pace  of  a  horse. 
Hence  horsemen  say,  this  horse  has  a 
good  gait,  but  the  other  has  a  broken 
gait;  that  is,  one  goes  well,  but  the 
other  does  not. 

GAITERS,  a  sort  of  spatter-dashes, 
usually  made  of  cloth,  and  are  either 
long,  as  reaching  to  the  knee,  or  short, 
as  only  reaching  above  the  ancle;  the 
latter  are  termed  half-gaiters. 

GALElUIiN,  Fr.  a  galley  slave.  In 
order  to  carry  as  many  men  as  possible 
into  the  field,  Bonaparte,  in  the  year 
1815,  armed  all  the  galley  slaves,  and 
threw  them  into  such  towns  as  were  re- 
markable for  their  attachment  to  the 
cause  -of  the  Boii'hons.  Thus  Calais 
was  garrisoned  by  these  miscreants. 

GALERIES  capitales,  Fr.  are  those 
galleries  which  lie  under  the  capitals  in 
works  of  fortification. 

Galerie  de  pour  tour,  Fr.  a  corridor, 
or  gallery,  which  is  constructed  in  the  in- 
side or  outside  of  a  building. 

Galerie  ti-ansvcrsale,  Fr.  is  a  gailery 
in  fortification  which  cuts  the  capital  in 
a  perpendicular  direction. 

Galerte  meurtriere,  ou  de  premiere 
enveloppe,  Fr.  a  gallery  which  runs  under 
the  whole  extent  of  the  covert-way,  and 
is  frequently  carried  close  to  the  coun- 
terscarp, in  order  to  afford  a  circulation 
of  air. 

Galerie  d'enveloppc,  Fr.  a  gallery 
which  is  constructed  at  the  extremity 
of  the  glacis,   and  is  commonly  made 


parallel  to  the  magistral  or  principal  line 
of  fortification.  The  enveloppe  is  the 
chief  gallery  in  a  fortress,  or  garrison 
town,  and  serves  as  a  path  of  communi- 
cation or  covered  way  to  all  the  rest.  It 
is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  the  be- 
sieged to  secure  this  gallery  from  every 
approach  of  the  enemy;  and  if  any  im- 
pression should  be  made,  to  repair  the 
injury  without  delay.  From  this  gallery 
the  garrison  always  direct  their  attacks, 
whenever  it  is  necessary  to  keep  the  as- 
sailants out  of  the  covert-way. 

Galerie  d'tcoute,  Fr.  a  gallery  in 
front  of  the  enveloppe.  Ecouter,  which 
signifies  to  listen,  sufficiently  explains 
the  purpose  for  which  these  galleries 
weve  erected. 

Petites  Galeries,  ou  rameaux,  Fr. 
small  galleries,  branches,  or  arraignees, 
in  fortification,  which  issue  from  the 
countermine,  and  at  the  extremities  of 
which  the  furnace  or  chamber  for  the 
lodgment  of  gunpowder  is  constructed. 
There  is  not  any  established  or  fixed 
rule  to  direct  the  height  to  which  small 
galleries,  branches,  or  arraignees  ought 
to  be  carried;  in  general  they  should 
have  the  least  possible  elevation. 

When  galleries  are  built  of  mason- 
work,  their  height  is  from  five  to  six  feet, 
their  breadth  from  three  to  four,  and 
sometimes  only  three. 

Galeries  de  mines,  Fr.  Galleries  in 
mining  differ  from  countermines,  in  as 
much  as  they  are  supported  by  coffers 
resting  upon  frames,  which  are  covered 
with  earth  three  feet  in  depth  ;  that  is, 
two  feet  and  a  half  from  one  frame  to 
another.  These  galleries  are  usually 
built  three  feet  and  a  half  high,  and  two 
and  a  half  broad;  and  whenever  there  is 
a  necessity  to  work  in  the  rameau  or  ar- 
raignee,  the  galleries  in  that  case  are 
reduced  to  smaller  proportions. 

Galerie  magistrate,  Fr.  in  mining, 
signifies  any  covered  avenue  or  gallery, 
which  is  parallel  to  the  magistral  or  prin- 
cipal line  of  the  place,  and  exists  under 
the  whole  or  part  of  the  front  of  the  for- 
tifications. This  gallery  is  usually  as 
thick  as  the  enemy's  mason  work  against 
which  the  countermine  is  directed.  By 
means  of  this  work  the  besieged  gene- 
rally endeavour  to  interrupt  every  at- 
tempt which  the  besiegers  may  make  in 
the  passage  of  the  fosse  or  ditch. 

Galerie  a  passer  unfosse,  Fr.  a  gal- 
lery   constructed    for    the    purpose   of 
crossing  a  ditch.     It  is  a  small  passage 
2JP2 


GAL 


(     292     ) 


G  A  L 


made  of  timber-work,  having  its  beams 
or  supports  driven  into  the  bottom  of 
the  ditch,  and  being  covered  at  the  top 
with  boards  that  are  again  covered  with 
earth,  sufficiently  strong  to  bear  the 
miner,  and  to  withstand  the  effects  of 
artificial  fire,  or  the  weight  of  stones 
which  the  enemy  might  direct  against 
them.  This  sort  of  gallery  is  sometimes 
called  the  traverse  or  cross-way. 

These  naileries  have  been  out  of  use 
for  some  years.  The  miner  gets  at  the 
bodv  of  the  place  which  is  attacked, 
either  through  a  subterraneous  gallery 
that  is  practised  under  the  ditch,  when 
the  nature  of  the  ground  will  permit  the 
attempt,  or  under  cover  of  the  epaule- 
ment,  which  covers  the  passage  of  the 
ditch.  When  the  ditch  is  full  of  water, 
And  the  miner  has  made  considerable 
progress  in  it,  he  instantly  makes  the 
best  of  his  way  to  the  breach,  either  hy 
swimming,  or  by  supporting  his  body  on 
a  raft  of  timber;  as  soon  as  he  lias 
reached  the  spot,  he  works  into  the 
earth  among  the  ruins  of  the  wall,  and 
completes  the  object  of  the  enteiprize. 

Galeries  de  communication,  Fr.  are 
subterraneous  galleries,  by  means  of 
which  the  garrison  of  a  besieged  town 
or  place  may,  without  being  perceived 
by  the  enemy,  communicate  from  the 
body  of  the  place,  or  from  the  counter- 
scarp, with  the  different  outworks. 

Galeries  souterrainm  des  ancient, 
Fr.  subterraneous  galleries  as  originally 
invented  by  the  ancients.  The  author 
of  the  Diction naire  Militaire,  in  his  last 
edition  of  that  work,  enters  upon  the  ex- 

[ilanation  of  these  galleries,  by  the  fol- 
owing  curious  assertion. 

"  I  must,"  he  observes,  "  in  this  place, 
assert  with  the  Chevalier  Folard,  that 
it  would  be  absurd  to  deny  the  superi- 
ority which  the  ancients  possessed  over 
us  in  the  essential  knowledge  and  requi- 
sites of  war,  and  that  they  pushed  the 
different  branches  of  that  science  to  as 
high  a  pitch  of  perfection  as  it  was  pos- 
sible to  raise  it. 

"  The  only  inventions  which  the  mo- 
derns can  boast  of,  are  those  of  fire- 
arms, mines  and  furnaces.  Hut  then  on 
the  other  hand,  we  stand  indebted  to 
them  for  our  lines  of  circuinvallation 
and  of  coutravallation,  our  approaches 
or  trenches,  which  are  effected  from  a 
camp  to  its  different  batteries,  together 
with  the  construction  of  those  batteries; 
•ur  parallel  entrenchments  or  places  of 


arms,  the  descent  into  or  the  filling  up 
of  the  ditch,  our  covered  saps  in  mining, 
and  our  open  galleries ;  we  owe  to  them, 
in  fact,  the  original  art  of  throwing  up 
works,  and  of  creating  obstacles,  by 
which  we  are  enabled  to  secure  our- 
selves, or  by  various  stratagems  to  an- 
noy our  enemies.  The  ancients  were 
indeed  superior  to  us  in  the  means  of 
defence. 

"  The  origin  of  subterraneous  galleries 
or  passages  in  mining,  is  totally  unknown 
to  us;  a  circumstance  which  proves 
their  antiquity.  Wc  read  in  the  History 
of  Josephus,  that  the  Jews  frequently 
made  use  of  them;  so  that  neither  the 
Greeks  nor  the  Romans,  who  in  many 
instances  arrogate  to  themselves  the  ex- 
clusive glory  of  invention,  were  the 
authors  of  this  discovery. 

u  The  method  which  was  pursued  by 
the  ancients  in  their  passages  of  mines, 
resembled  the  one  that  is  invariably  fol- 
lowed by  the  moderns.  But  the  latter 
possess  a  considerable  advantage  over 
the  former  in  this  sort  of  attack  and  de- 
fence, which  advantage  consists  wholly 
in  the  invention  of  gunpowder. 

"  The  ancients,  it  is  well  known, 
could  only  undermine  in  one  way  ; 
namely,  under  the  terraces  or  cavaliers, 
or  under  the  towers  and  battering  tes- 
tudo-machines,  (tortues  bilihes,)  and  in 
order  to  do  any  execution,  they  were 
obliged,  in  the  first  place,  to  construct  a 
spacious  high  subterraneous  chamber  to 
carry  away  and  raise  the  earth,  to  sup- 
port the  remainder  by  powerful  props, 
and  afterwards  to  fill  the  several  cham- 
bers with  dry  wood  and  other  com- 
bustible materials,  which  were  set  (ire 
to,  in  order  to  reduce  them,  together 
with  the  towers  and  various  machines 
that  were  placed  above,  into  one  com- 
mon heap  of  ruins.  But  this  attempt 
did  not  always  succeed;  for,  owing  to 
the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  and 
the  time  it  required,  the  enemy  might 
either  trace  the  miners,  cut  off  their 
communication  with  the  main  body  of 
the  place,  or  get  into  the  chambers 
before  they  could  be  finished,  or  be  pro- 
perly prepared  for  inflammation. 

"  The  ancients  constructed  their  gal- 
leries on  a  larger  scale  than  we  adopt. 
They  were  wider,  but  less  elevated ; 
whereas  those  that  we  use  require  less 
trouble;  our  chamber  mines  being  more 
contracted,  and  having  an  advantage  of 
access  by  means  of  the  different  branches. 


GAL 


(     893     ) 


GAM 


One  or  two  small  chambers  are  sufficient 
with  us  to  blow  up  the  whole  face  of  a 
bastion.  But  the  ancients  only  sapped 
in  proportion  to  the  extent  of  wall  which 
they  were  determined  to  demolish.  This 
was  a  tedious  operation ;  for  when  the 
besieger  had  reached  the  foot  of  the 
wall,  it  became  necessary  to  run  a  gal- 
lery along  the  whole  extent  of  what  he 
proposed  to  demolish.  Subsequent  to 
this,  he  had  to  operate  upon  the  entire 
front,  during  which  the  besieged  found 
time  and  opportunities  to  open  subter- 
raneous passages,  and  to  discover  those 
which  the  assailants  were  practising 
against  them.  In  the  latter,  indeed, 
they  seldom  failed. 

"  The  Romans  were  extremely  partial 
to  subterraneous  galleries.  By  means  of 
these  secret  passages  they  took  Fidenae 
and  Veiie;  and  Darius,  king  of  Persia, 
by  the  same  method,  took  Calcedon. 
That  species  of  gallery  which  is  run  out 
under  the  soil  of  an  encampment,  and 
pushed  forward  into  the  very  body  of  a 
town,  has  been  known  from  time  imme- 
morial. The  Gauls  were  likewise  very 
expert  in  their  management  of  subter- 
raneous galleries.  Caesar  mentions  the 
use  of  them  in  five  or  six  places  of  his 
Commentaries." 

Galerie  de  pourtour,  Fr.  in  architec- 
ture, a  sort  of  gallery  which  is  raised 
either  in  the  inside,  or  on  the  outside, 
and  surrounds  the  whole  or  part  of  a 
building. 

GALEA,    )  a  low  built  vessel  for  the 

GALIOT,  S  conveyance  of  troops  and 
stores,  having  both  sails  and  oars. 

GALION,  Fr.  a  name  which  was  for- 
merly given  to  French  ships  of  war,  that 
had  three  or  four  decks.  The  term, 
however,  is  in  disuse,  except  among  the 
Spaniards,  who  call  vessels  gallons,  that 
sail  to  South  America,  for  bullion,  Santa 
Marguerita,  Terra  Firms,  Carthagena, 
Porto-Bello,  &c. 

GALIOTE  a  bombes,  Fr.  a  bomb- 
ketch;  a  vessel  built  of  very  strong 
timber,  with  flat  ribs  and  half  decks.  It 
is  used  for  the  carriage  of  mortars,  that 
are  placed  upon  a  false  deck  which  is 
made  in  the  hold. 

To  GALL,  to  harass;  to  keep  in  a 
state  of  uneasiness. 

A  GALLING  fire,  an  uninterrupted 
and  destructive  discharge  of  cannon  or 
musketry  which  is  kept  up  against  an 
enemy. 

GALLERY,  a  passage  of  communi- 


cation to  that  part  of  a  mine  where  the 
powder  is  lodged.     See  Galerie. 

GALLET,  Fr.     See  Jalet. 

GALL1VATS  are  large  row-boats, 
used  in  India.  They  are  built  like  the 
grab,  but  of  smaller  dimensions,  the 
largest  rarely  exceeding  70  tons;  they 
have  two  masts,  of  which  the  tnizen  is 
very  slight;  the  main-mast  bears  only 
one  sail,  which  is  triangular,  and  very 
large,  the  peak  of  it,  when  hoisted,  being 
much  higher  than  the  mast  itself.  In 
general  the  gallivats  are  covered  with  a 
spar  deck,  made,  for  lightness,  of  bam- 
boos split,  and  these  carry  only  pettera- 
roes,  which  are  fixed  on  swivels  in  the 
gunnel  of  the  vessel ;  but  those  of  the 
largest  size  have  a  fixed  deck,  on  which 
they  mount  six  or  eight  pieces  of  can- 
non, from  two  to  four  pounders;  they 
have  forty  or  fifty  stout  oars,  and  may 
be  rowed  four  miles  an  hour.  See  His- 
tory of  Hindostan,  vol.  i.  p.  408,  409. 

GALLOGLASSES,  Fr.  a  corps  of 
Irish  cavalry  so  called  under  the  French 
monarchy. 

GALLOPER,  a  piece  of  ordnance  of 
small  caliber. 

GALLOSHES,  (galoches,  Fr.)  large 
shoes  without  straps  or  buckles,  into 
which  the  common  wearingshoesorboots 
may  go,  to  preserve  the  feet  from  wet. 

Gallows.  See  Potence,  Fr. 

GALLOWAY,  (bidet,  Fr.)  a  horse 
not  more  than  fourteen  hands  high, 
called  so,  according  to  Dr.  Johnson,  be- 
cause it  is  much  used  in  the  north  ;  as 
coming  originally  from  Galloway,  a  shire 
in  Scotland. 

GALLOWGLASSES,  shirts  formerly 
worn  by  footmen  under  their  coats  of 
mail ;  soldiers  among  the  wild  Irish, 
who  serve  on  horseback.     See  Johnson. 

GALLOWSES,  (britelles,  Fr.) braces; 
straps  used  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up 
the  breeches  or  pantaloons  of  men,  and 
the  petticoats  of  Highlanders  and  women. 

GALON,  Fr.  galloon;  gold  and  silver 
lace. 

GAM  A  CHE,  Fr.  spatterdash. 

GAMBADOES,  (gamaehes,  guetres, 
Fr.)  a  sort  of  covering  of  leather  or 
cloth,  for  the  legs;  spatterdashes. 

GAMBESON,  Fr.  a  term  which  the 
French  formerly  applied  to  a  coat  of 
mail  worn  under  the  cuirass.  It  was 
likewise  called  cotte  gambois'ce.  It  con- 
sisted of  worsted,  quilted  between  two 
pieces  of  stout  linen. 

G  A  MBLING,  every  species  of  chance 


G  A  N 


(     294     ) 


GAR 


play,  such  as  hazard,  &c.  It  is  strictly 
forbidden  in  the  British  army.  The 
Don-commissioned  officers  and  private 
soldiers  are  severely  punished  when 
found  guilty  of  this  mischievous  prac- 
tice; and  in  some  services  the  officers 
are  treated  with  equal  severity.  See 
Jeu  de  kasurd. 

GAM  BO  I  SEE,  Fr.     See  Gambhon. 

GAME.  Officers  or  soldiers  killing 
game  without  leave  of  the  lord  of  the 
manor,  are  punishable  by  lines  according 
to  the  54th  section  of  the  Mutiny  Act. 

GAMELLE,  Fr.  a  wooden  or  earthen 
bowl  used  among  the  French  soldiers  for 
their  messes.  It  generally  contained  the 
quantity  of  food  which  was  allotted  foi 
three,  five,  or  seven  men  belonging  to  the 
same  room.  The  porridge-pots  for  the 
navy  were  made  of  wood,  and  held  a 
certain  allowance.  During  the  monarchy 
of  France,  subaltern  officers  and  volun- 
teers were  fiequently  pum>hcd  for  slight 
offences  by  being  sent  to  the  gametic, 
and  excluded  their  regular  mess,  and 
put  upon  short  allowance,  according  to 
the  nature  of  their  transgression. 

GANGES,  a  considerable  river  of  In- 
dia in  Asia.  It  rises  in  the  mountains 
which  border  on  Little  Thibet,  in  82  de- 
grees of  east  longitude,  and  32  degrees, 
45  minutes,  of  north  latitude.  According 
to  the  ingenious  author  of  the  History  of 
Indostan,  it  disembogues  itself  into  that 
country,  through  a  pass  called  the 
straits  of  Kupele,  which  are  distant 
from  Delhi  about  30  leagues,  in  the 
longitude  of  96,  and  in  the  latitude  of 
30°  2'.  These  straits  are  believed  by 
the  Indians,  who  look  very  little  abroad, 
to  be  the  sources  of  the  Ganges;  and  a 
rock  15  miles  distant  from  them,  bear- 
ing some  resemblance  to  the  head  of  a 
cow,  has  joined,  in  the  same  part  of  the 
kingdom,  two  very  important  objects  of 
their  religion;  the  grand  image  of  the 
animal  which  they  almost  venerate  as  a 
divinity,  and  the  first  appearance  of  that 
immense  body  of  holv  water,  which  is  to 
wash  away  all  their  sins. 

Jeter  le  GANT,  Fr.  to  challenge. 
Hence 

GANTLET,      )  in    ancient    military 

GAUNTLET,  \  history,  a  large  kind 

GANTELET,  S  uf  g'ove,  made  of 
iron,  and  the  ringers  covered  with  small 
I  lates;  it  was  formerly  worn  by  cavaliers, 
or  single  knights  of  war,  when  armed  at 
all  points,  but  is  now  in  disuse. 

Gantlet,  or ganlelope,  denotes  a  kind 


of  military  punishment,  in  which  the 
criminal  running  between  the  ranks  re- 
ceives a  lash  from  each  man.  See  Kun 
the  gantlet. 

GAOLER,  or  JAILER,  (geolier,  Fr.) 
the  keeper  of  a  prison. 

Gaolers  are  obliged  by  act  of  par- 
liament to  receive  the  subsistence  of 
deserters  while  in  custody,  but  they  are 
not  entitled  to  any  fees.  They  are  like- 
wise directed  to  receive  into  their  cus- 
tody deserters  on  t heir  route  to  their 
regiments;  in  default  whereof  they  are 
subject  to  a  penalty  of  20  shillings. 

GAP,    See  Breach. 

GAR,  the  general  term  used  by  the 
Saxons,  for  a  weapon  of  war. 

Se  rendre  GARANT,  Fr.  to  become 
responsible. 

GARANTIR,  Fr.    See  Warrant. 

GARCON-ilirtjo/-,  Fr.  an  officer  so 
called  in  the  old  French  service.  He 
was  selected  from  among  the  lieutenants 
of  a  regiment,  to  assist  the  aid-majors 
in  the  general  detail  of  duty. 

GARDE,  Fr.  watch;  guard;  pro- 
tection. 

Garde  d'nne  place,  Fr.  the  garrison 
of  a  place.    See  Garrison. 

-De  Garde,  Fr.  on  guard.  It  also 
signifies  in  waiting. 

(Jarde  de  I'armee,  Fr.  the  grand 
guard  of  an  army.  Guards  in  the  old 
French  service  were  usually  divided  into 
three  sorts  :  Guard  of  Honour,  Fatigue 
Guard,  anil  the  General's  Guard.  That 
was  called  a  guard  of  honour  in  which 
the  officers  and  men  were  most  exposed 
to  danger;  for  the  quintessence  of  mili- 
tary honour  is  to  be  often  in  peril,  and 
either  to  fall  courageously  in  the  dis- 
charge of  duty,  or  to  return  from  the 
field  after  having  exhibited  proofs  of 
valour,  prudence,  and  perseverance.  A 
fatigue  guard  belonged  to  a  garrison  or 
to  a  camp.  A  general's  guard  was 
mounted  before  the  door  or  gate  of  the 
house  in  which  the  commanding  officer 
resided.  For  a  more  specific  account  of 
guards  in  general,  see  Guard. 

Gardes  if »  corps,  Fr.  the  body  guards. 
Under  the  old  government  of  France 
they  consisted  of  a  certain  number  of 
gentlemen  or  cavaliers  whose  immediate 
duty  was  to  attend  the  King's  person. 
They  were  divided  into  four  companies, 
under  as  many  captains,  whose  tour  of 
duty  came  every  quarter.  They  took 
rank  above  the  gensdarmes  and  the 
King's  light  cavalry. 


GAR 


(    295     ) 


GAR 


The  first  and  most  ancient  of  the 
four  companies  was  called  the  Scotch 
company. 

In  1423,  Charles  VII.  established  this 
body  of  gentlemen,  or  cavaliers,  for  the 
purpose  of  shewing  the  great  confidence 
which  he  placed  in  the  Scots;  who  were 
not  a  little  indebted  for  this  mark  of 
distinction  to  the  service  which  their 
countryman,  Lord  Buchan,  eldest  son  of 
the  Duke  of  Albany,  rendered  the  French 
in  1421  at  the  battle  of  Banje  in  Anjou, 
where  the  English  army  was  completely 
routed.  In  order  to  preserve  the  re- 
membrance of  their  behaviour,  and  in 
token  of  their  gratitude  to  the  Scotch 
nation,  the  French  king  gave  orders  that 
whenever  the  roll-call  took  place  in  the 
Scotch  company,  each  individual,  instead 
of  answering  Me  voila  !  should  say  I  am 
here  !  or  Here! 

During  the  French  monarchy,  there 
was  a  distinction  made  between  the  de- 
signation of  the  four  troops  or  compa- 
nies of  the  horse  guards,  and  those  of 
the  foot  guards.  In  the  former  it  was 
said  compagnies  de.s  gardes  and  capitaine 
des  gardes,  whereas,  in  speaking  of  some 


titled  to  the  baton  de  commandement  in 
common  with  the  four  captains  of  the 
body  guards.  Peculiar  privileges  were 
attached  to  every  officer  belonging  to 
this  body.  No  stranger,  not  even  a  na- 
tive of  Strasburg,  Savoy,  Alsace,  or 
Piedmont,  could  hold  a  commission  in 
the  French  guards.  The  age  at  which 
men  were  enlisted  was  above  18  anci 
under  50  years.  The  height  5  French 
feet  4  inches  and  upwards.  The  Serjeants 
were  strictly  forbidden  to  exercise  any 
trade  or  business,  and  many  of  them  got 
the  Croix  de  St.  Louis. 

Gardes  Nationales,  Fr.  National 
Guards.  They  were  originally  formed 
out  of  the  inhabitants  of  Paris,  during 
the  existence  of  the  National  Assembly 
in  1790.  The  command  of  them  was 
given  to  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette.  At 
present,  they  constitute  one  of  the 
strongest  props  of  the  Bourbon  dynasty, 
and  are  extended  over  Fiance. 

Garde  Bourgeoise,  or  Garde  Urbane, 
Fr.  a  guard  composed  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  town  or  place.  A  guard  of 
this  description  was  formed  in  France, 
upon  the  expulsion  of  Bonaparte,  and 


of  the  companies  which  composed  the; during  the  dissolution   of   his  army  of 


corps  of  French  guards,  it  was  said 
CoMPAGNiErti/.r  Gardes,  Capitaine  aux 
Gardes,  Lieutenant  aux  Gardes. 


the  line. 

Gardes  provinciaux,  Fr.   Provincial 
guards  were  persons  appointed  to  super- 


Garde  du  consulat,  Fr.  the  consular  I  intend,  take  charge  of,  and  be  respon- 
guard.    The  only  guard  of  honour  which  J  sible  for  the  artillery  belonging  to  Paris, 


existed  in  France,  in  1802,  before  the 
assumption  of  the  empire  by  Bonaparte. 

Garde  du  general,  Fr.  a  general's 
guard. 

(jARDz-gaieral  d'ur tiller ie,  Fr.  A 
king's  officer  uas  so  called  under  the  old 
government  of  France,  who  had  charge 
of  all  the  ordnance  and  stores  belonging 
to  his  majesty  for  the  land  service.  He 
gave  receipts  for  all  ammunition,  &c. 
and  his  bills  were  paid  by  the  treasurer 
general  of  the  artillery. 

Garde  magasin  d'uue  arsenal  de  mu- 
rine, Fr.  an  officer  in  France  appointed 
to  take  charge  and  to  keep  a  register  of 


Metz,  Chalons,  Lyons,  Amiens,  Nar- 
bonne,  and  Calais. 

GARDES-magasins,  Fr.  In  the  old 
French  service  there  were  two  sorts  of 
magazine  guards  : — one  for  the  military 
stores,  and  the  other  for  the  artillery. 
The  first  was  subject  to  the  grand  mas- 
ter, and  the  second  was  appointed  by  the 
secretary  at  war. 

Gardes  particuliers  des  ?nagasins 
d'artillerie,  Fr.  officers  appointed  by 
the  grand  master  of  the  ordnance  for  the 
specific  purpose  of  attending  to  the  am- 
munition, &C.  Their  pay  was  in  pro- 
portion to  the  quantity  of  stores   with 


all  warlike  stores,  tkc.  tor  the  service  of  ■  which  they   were  entrusted.     They  en 


the  navy 

Gardes-Jcux,  Fr.  wooden  cases  or 
boxes  used  to  hold  cartridges. 

Gardes-J'ous,  Fr.  the  rails  of  a  bridge. 

Gardes  Francoises,  Fr.  the  French 
Guards.  In  1563,  Charles  IX.  King  of 
the  French,  raised  a  regiment  for  the 
immediate  protection  of  the  palace.  The 
colonel  of  the  Gardes  Franchises  was  on 
duty  throughout  the  year,  and  was  en- 


joyed some  particular  privileges,  and 
were  lodged  at  the  expense  of  govern- 
ment. 

Gardes  de  la  porte,  Fr.  a  company 
so  called  during  the  monarchy  of  France, 
and  of  so  ancient  a  date,  indeed,  with 
respect  to  original  institution,  that  it  ap- 
pears to  have  been  coeval  with  it.  Men- 
tion is  made  of  the  Gardes  de  la  porte 
in  the  oldest  archives  or  records  belong- 


GAR 


(     296     ) 


GAR 


ing  to  the  king's  household,  in  which 
service  they  were  employed,  without 
being  responsible  to  any  particolar  trea- 
surer, as  other  companies  were. 

This  company  consisted  of  one  cap- 
tain, four  lieutenants,  and  fifty  guards. 
The  captain  and  officers  received  their 
commissions  from  the  king.  The  first 
took  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  king  in 
person,  and  received  the  b&ton  from  his 
hands.  The  duty  he  did  was  purely  dis- 
cretionary, and  depended  upon  his  own 
will.  The  lieutenants  served  hy  detach- 
ment, and  took  their  tour  of  duty  every 
quarter.  Their  specific  service  consisted 
in  guarding  the  principal  gate  belonging 
to  the  king's  apartments.  Their  guard- 
house was  within  the  palace,  which  they 
occupied  from  six  o'clock  in  the  morning 
until  six  in  the  evening;  when  they  were 
relieved  by  the  body  guards.  They  de- 
livered the  keys  to  a  brigadier  belonging 
to  the  Scotch  garrison. 

Gardes  Suisses,  Fr.  the  Swiss  guards. 
This  body  originally  consisted  of  a  cer- 
tain number  of  companies  which  were 
taken  into  the  French  service  in  con- 
sequence of  the  close  alliance  that  sub- 
sisted between  the  Swiss  Cantons  and 
France;  but  they  were  not  distinguished 
from  other  troops  by  the  appellation  of 
guards,  until  a  considerable  period  had 
elapsed  from  their  first  establishment. 
The  zeal,  fidelity,  and  attachment,  which 
they  uniformly  evinced  whenever  they 
were  entrusted  with  this  distinguished 
part  of  the  service,  induced  the  crown 
in  1616  to  liestow  upon  them  this  ad- 
ditional name. 

The  regiment  was  composed  of  twelve 
companies  of  two  hundred  effectives 
each.  Some  consisted  of  half  companies 
complete  in  men.  They  were  com- 
manded by  the  three  following  officers, 
subordinate  to  each  other,  and  created 
in  1689,  viz.  One  colonel  general  of  the 
nation,  one  particular  colonel  of  the  re- 
giment, and  one  lieutenant-colonel.  The 
Swiss  guards  received  double  the  pay 
which  was  given  to  the  French  guards. 
It  is  somewhat  remarkable,  that  one 
hundred  and  three  years  after  the  regu- 
lar establishment  of  the  regiment  under 
the  three  mentioned  field  officers,  this 
brave  body  of  men  should  have  fallen 
victims  to  their  attachment  to  the  mo- 
narchy of  France.  On  the  10th  of  Au- 
gust, 1792,  they  withstood  the  Parisian 
populace,  aided  by  a  desperate  set  of 
men  from  Marseilles,  and  defended  the 


palace  in  the  Louvre  until  almost  every 
man  was  killed.  During  the  resistance 
which  the  Swiss  guards  made,  Louis  the 
With  with  his  family  escaped,  and 
took  shelter  in  the  National  Assembly. 

Gardes  (cent)  Suisses  du  corps  du 
Hoi,  Fr.  one  hundred  Swiss  guards  im- 
mediately attached  to  the  king's  person. 
They  were  a  select  body  of  men  who 
took  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  the  king,  and 
were  formed  into  a  regular  troop.  Louis 
XIV.  during  several  sieges  which  he  per- 
sonally attended,  gave  directions,  that 
the  head  of  the  trench  should  be  guarded 
by  a  detachment  of  this  troop;  so  that 
the  hundred  Swiss  guards  might  properly 
be  ranked  a>  military  men,  although 
their  officers  did  not  wear  any  uniform, 
and  in  the  last  periods  of  the  monarchy 
of  France,  the  principal  duties  of  the 
hundred  Swiss  guards  consisted  in  do- 
mestic and  menial  attendance. 

Garde  qui  monte,  Fr.  the  new  guard 

(  i-arde  qui  descend,  Fr.  die  old  guard. 

Gardes  ordinaires,  Fr.    See  Ordinary 

GUARDS. 

Garde  de  la  tranche,  Fr.  guard  for 
the  trenches.  Among  the  French,  this 
guard  usually  consisted  of  four  or  six 
battalions.  It  was  entrusted  to  three 
g<  neral  officers,  viz.  one  lieutenant-ge- 
neral on  the  right,  one  major  general  on 
the  left,  and  one  brigadier  general  in 
the  center.  All  general  officers,  whin 
on  duty  for  the  day  in  the  trenches,  re- 
mained the  succeeding  night,  and  never 
left  them  until  they  were  regularly  re- 
lieved by  others  of  their  own  rank. 

When  it  came  to  the  tour  of  any  par- 
ticular battalion  to  mount  the  trench 
guard,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  major  of 
that  battalion  to  examine  the  ground  on 
which  it  was  to  be  drawn  up,  to  look 
at  the  piquets,  and  to  see  where  the 
grenadiers  were  posted,  in  order  to  go 
through  the  relief  with  ace  uracy  and  ex- 
pedition. 

The  battalion  was  drawn  up  in  front 
of  the  camp  ;  the  grenadiers  being  sta- 
tioned on  the  right,  next  to  them  the 
piquet,  and  on  its  left  flank  the  body  of' 
the  battalion.  The  latter  was  divided 
into  different  piquets,  and  formed  in 
order  of  battle.  So  that  instead  of  the 
several  companies  being  posted  together, 
the  men  were  drafted  out,  and  distri- 
buted in  such  a  manner,  that  the  whole 
battalion  was  separated  into  troops  or 
companies,  each  consisting  of  forty-eight 
men,  promiscuously  thrown  together. 


G  A  R 


(     297     ) 


GAR 


The  advantage  which  was  derived  from 
this  disposition  of  the  battalion,  and 
from  its  having  been  previously  told  oft" 
according  to  each  company's  roster,  is 
manifest;  for  when  a  second  or  third 
battalion  piquet  was  wanted  in  the 
trenches,  the  different  detachments  were 
already  formed  without  going  into  the 
small  detail  of  companies.  The  officers 
in  conformity  to  their  roster  were  or- 
dered to  march,  and  the  piquet  moved 
out  without  a  moment's  delay. 

Add  to  this,  that  whenever  it  was 
found  necessary  to  make  a  sortie,  the 
loss  of  men  did  not  fall  upon  one  com- 
pany, but  was  divided  among  the  whole 
battalion. 

A  general  rendezvous  or  parade  was 
fixed  tor  all  the  regiments  who  were  to 
do  duty  in  the  trenches;  thev  assembled 
in  that  quarter,  and  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  with  all  the  grenadiers  on  the  right, 
and  the  whole  of  the  piquets  upon  the 
iarae  alignment.  At  the  hour  appointed 
the  latter  began  to  file  oft',  and  each  re- 
giment followed  according  to  its  seniority. 
The  lieutenant-general,  whose  tour  of 
command  was  in  the  trenches,  placed 
himself  at  the  head  of  those  troops  who 
were  to  attack  from  the  right;  the  major- 
-general at  the  head  of  those  belonging 
to  the  left,  and  the  brigadier-general  took 
the  center ;  the  oldest  regiment  headed 
thr  light,  the  next  in  seniority  stood  in 
front  of  the  left,  and  the  third  preceded 
the  center. 

As  soon  as  the  troops  reached  the  tail 
of  the  trench,  the  men  marched  by  Indian 
files,  or  rank  entire,  and  each  one  took 
his  post.  Sentries  were  stationed,  and 
the  necessary  detachments  were  made. 
The  colours  jvere  planted  upon  the  pa- 
rapet of  the  trench.  At  night  the  ad- 
jutants of  corps  went  to  head  quarters, 
to  receive  instructions  relative  to  tin- 
projected  attack,  and  got  the  parole  and 
countersign  irom  the  general.  The  senior 
adjutant  communicated  his  orders  to  the 
rest,  who  conveyed  the  same,  first  to 
their  several  colonels,  and  afterwards  to 
the  Serjeants  of  each  regiment. 

When  on  duty  in  the  trenches,  soldiers 
must  not,  on  any  account,  quit  their 
fire-arms;  and  the  instant  the  least  noise 
is  heard,  it  is  their  duty  to  throw  them- 
^elves  upon  the  back  of  the  trench,  and 
there  remain  till  the  order  is  given  to 
march.  When  an  attack  is  directed  to 
be  made,  the  execution  of  it  is  always 
entrusted  to  the  grenadiers.     These  are 


supported  by  the  different  piquet*,  and 
the  main  body  of  the  corps  follow  with 
the  colours. 

When  the  chamade  was  beat  by  the 
besieged,  with  a  view  to  capitulate,  it; 
was  a  rule  among  the  French,  that  the 
battalions  which  were  posted  in  the 
trenches,  might  refuse  to  be  relieved, 
and  could  remain  at  their  station  until 
the  garrison  marched  out.  When  the 
capitulation  was  signed,  it  fell  to  the 
oldest  regiment  belonging  to  the  besieging 
army  to  take  possession  of  the  gate  that 
was  delivered  up,  and  that  corps  re- 
mained in  the  town  until  a  governor  was 
named,  and  a  regular  garrison  appointed. 

Garde  du  cump,  Fr.  See  Quarter^ 
Guard. 

Garde  arancte,  on  Garde  Folk,  Fr. 
a  small  body  of  cavalry,  consisting  of 
15  or  20  horsemen,  under  the  command 
pf  a  lieutenant,  whose  station  is  beyond, 
but  still  in  sight  of  the  main  guard. 
The  particular  duty  of  those  men  is  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  for  the 
greater  security  of  the  camp. 

During  the  famous  crusade  to  the 
Holy  Land,  the  Christians  having  taken 
the  town  of  Damietta,  and  finding  it 
impossible  to  make  further  progress,  on 
account  of  the  overflowings  of  the  river 
Nile,  effected  a  passage  over,  but  neg- 
lected to  retrench  themselves  according 
to  the  custom  of  those  days.  The  con- 
sequence was,  that  the  Arabs  insulted 
them  in  their  camp,  and  frequently  mur- 
dered their  sentries  at  their  very  tents. 
In  order  to  prevent  these  incursions,  ad- 
vanced guards  of  the  description  just 
mentioned  were  resorted  to.  Vedettes 
were  posted  round  the  camp,  and  from 
hence  most  probably  was  derived  their 
origin. 

Many  methods  have  been  proposed  by 
the  military  writers  of  all  ages  to  secure 
advanced  guards  from  surprize.  Fro- 
chetta  advises  fires  to  be  lighted  during 
the  night  in  one  quarter,  while  the  ren- 
dezvous and  station  of  the  guard  are  in 
another.  His  reason  is  thi3  :  if  the  enemy 
should  approach  the  quarter  which  is 
lighted  up,  the  soldiers  belonging  to  the 
advanced  guard  may  readily  discover 
him,  without  being  themselves  exposed 
to  a  direct  attack.  Onosander  is  of 
the  same  way  of  thinking.  Silence  on 
these  occasions  is  indispensably  requi- 
site. Xenophon,  on  the  other  hand,  has 
proposed,  that  the  station  should  be  often 
changed,  and  th'sii  the  guard  should  con- 


GAR 


(    208    ) 


GAR 


M~t  ol  different  numbers.     His  object  is 

to  form  a  considerable  ambuscade  in 
trout  of  the  spot  where  the  guard  lias 
dec  n  usually  posted,  so  that  when  the 
enemy  approaches  towards  it,  he  may 
lie  suddenly  surprized  by  a  larger  hot  I  v  of 
men  then  he  expected,  and  instead  of 
carrying  off  the  ordinary  guard,  be  him- 
self eaten  prisoner. 

GrARDE  du  pmif,  Fi\  guard  for  the 
security  of  a  bridge.  The  same  author 
(Fiochctta)  proposes,  that  one  or  two 
sentries  be  posted  at  each  end  of  the 
bridge,  it'  it  be  of  any  length.  His  mo- 
tive is  to  prevent  too  heavy  loads  from 
being  conveyed  upon  it,  and  to  check 
bodies  of  cavalry  who  might  be  disposed 
to  gallop  or  trot  across  it.  If  the  bridge 
be  constructed  upon  barges  or  boats, 
there  must  always  be  a  certain  number 
of  wooden  scoops  to  drain  off  the  water 
as  it  rises,  or  gets  through  small  aper- 
tures upon  the  surface.  The  command- 
ing officer  of  the  guard  must  order  fre- 
quent rounds  to  be  made,  both  night  and 
clay,  lest  the  enemy  should  send  divers 
to  get  under  the  boats  and  pierce  their 
bottoms- 

Foresti,  the  historian,  relates,  that  the 
V.mperor  Henry  III.  having  ordered  se- 
veral barges  to  be  constructed  and  sta- 
tioned in  the  Danube  for  the  purpose  of 
storming  Posonio,  his  project  was  de- 
feated by  tin-  bold  and  desperate  act  of 
an  individual*  One  Zormonde,  a  Hun- 
garian, basing  provided  himself  with  a 
wimbret,  swam  under  the  surface  of  the 
water,  and  got  beneath  the  boats,  which 
he  bored  in  several  plates,  without  the 
least  suspicion  or  knowledge  of  the  ma- 
riners. The  lioats  gradually  tilled,  and 
were  finally  sunk,  which  circumstance 
obliged  the  emperor  to  raise  the  siege. 

Garde  des  travailleurs,  Fr.  a  parti- 
cular guard  which  is  kept  among  the 
workmen  and  artificers  during  a  siege. 
In  France  they  had  a  particular  roster 
among  themselves;  beginning  from  the 
eldest  downwards,  as  well  among  the 
officers  as  among  the  men. 

Garde  rekvie,  Fr.  the  guard  that  is 
relieved,  commonly  called  the  old  guard. 
<  Iardes  (lr  la  marine,  Ft.  Daring  the 
existence  of  the  old  French  government 
several  young  gentlemen  received  brevet 
commissions  from  the  king,  and  wire 
permitted  to  serve  on  board  ships  of  war. 
They  were  distributed  among  the  fleet, 
and  when  they  had  acquired  a  knowledge 
o£  their  profession,  were  promoted  to  the 


rank  of  officers.  Their  duty  was  nea* 
the  admiral,  when  he  commanded  in 
persOn,  and  during  his  absence  they  were 
placed  on  board  the  different  vessels,  in 
older  to  assist  the  Several  officers,  parti- 
cularly in  the  discharge  of  their  functions, 
at  the  batteries. 

GaRdes  cites,  Fr.  frorp  the  Spanish 
gutirda  tosta,  signifying  ships  of  war  that 
Cruize  along  the  coast  to  protect  mer- 
chantmen, and  to  prevent  the  depreda- 
tions of  pirates. 

Gardes  c6tes  (capitainerks),  Fr.  The 
maritime  divisions,  into  which  France 
w;is  formerly  divided,  were  so  called. 

Each  division  was  under  the  immedi- 
ate superintendence  of  a  captain,  named 
tdpitame  gardes-ctrtes,  who  was  assisted 
by  a  lieutenant  and  an  ensign.  Their 
duty  was  to  watch  the  coast,  and  te» 
attend  minutely  to  every  thing  that  might 
a  licet  the  safety  of  the  division  they  had 
in  charge. 

There  were  thirty-seven  capitaineries- 
gardeS-C&tes  in  Normandy,  four  in  Poi- 
tou,  two  in  Guyenne,  two  in  Languedoc, 
and  six  in  French  Flanders,  Picardy, 
Boulogne,  Calais,  Sec. 

The  establishment  of  sea-fencibles  in 
Great  Britain,  which  took  place  during 
the  late  war,  most  probably  owes  its 
origin  to  the  gardeSrCotes. 

Garde  Cgraride),  according  to  the 
French,  corps  of  cavalry,  consisting  of 
several  troops  that  are  detached  in  front 
of  a  camp,  in  order  to  keep  the  enemy 
in  check  while  the  army  is  preparing  for 
battle. 

Garde  dc  piquet,  Fr.  piquet-guard. 
It  is  a  guard  of  fatigue,  like  all  others 
that  are  mounted  in  rotation. 

Garde  (Thonneur,  Fr.  a  guard  given  in 
time  of  war,  to  general  officers  and  com- 
manders in  chief. 

GaRDES  de  (a  manche,  Fr.  two  men 
belonging  to  the  first  company  of  the 
King  of  France's  body  guards,  who  upon 
certain  occasions,  stood  on  each  side  of 
his  Majesty,  dressed  in  a  hdqtietck,  and 
armul  with  a  pcrtuisane. 

Garde  dc  paurtour,  Fr.  a  guard  or 
detachment  which  goes  the  rounds.  Ik 
is  nunc  properly  called  Garde  des  rondes. 

GARDES-Wattcs,  Fr.  a  militia  composed 

of  the  tallest  and  best  made  men  that; 
could  bu  selected  from  the  legions,  during 
the  time  of  the  Roman  emperors. 

Gardes  du  corps,  Fr.  horsemen  who 
composed  the  body-guard  of  the  French 
kings,    and  who  took  rank   of  all   the 


GAR 


(     299     ) 


GAR 


in  the  sea-ports, 
person  of  the  hi 


gendarmes  or  light-horse  of  his  Majesty's 
household.  They  were  first  created  in 
1425,  under  Charles  VII.  At  lirst  there 
was  but  one  company,  which  was  entirely 
composed  of  Scotchmen.  The  gardes  du 
corps  were  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  the  king  and  of  their  own  offi- 
cers. The  life-guards  in  England  are  of 
the  same  description. 

Garde  du  pavilion  amiral,  Fr.  a  com- 
pany of  gentlemen  who,  both  at  sea  and 
were  attached  to  the 
&h  admiral  of  France. 
These  are  not  to  be  confounded  with  the 
gardes  de  la  murine,  who  are  also  a  com- 
pany of  gentlemen. 

Gardes  de  la  private  de  V hotel  du 
Roi,  Fr.  troops  which  formerly  belonged 
to  the  king's  household.  This  company 
was  created  under  Philip  III.  in  1271, 
and  Charles  VI.  was  pleased  to  distin- 
guish it  by  thetitle  of  rreobt  de  Vh'otel  du 
Roi,  m  14<21. 

Gakdes  de  fatigue,  Fr.  See  Ditacfie- 
mens  non  amies. 

Garde  d'epie,  Fr.  sword-hilt  or  guard. 

Garde  des  reins,  Fr.  see  Cclette. 

Corps  de  Garde  du  guet,  Fr.  watch- 
house,  or  rendezvous  for  the  street  pa- 
troles. 

Garde  bois,  Fr.  a  forest-keeper. 

Garde  du  co?ps,  Fr.  life-guard. 

Garde  chasse,  Fr.  a  game-keeper. 

Garde  pluie,  Fr.  literally  means  a 
fence,  or  cover  against  rain.  This  ma- 
chine was  originally  invented  by  a 
Frenchman,  who  left  his  native  country 
to  avoid  persecution  or  unmerited  neglect, 
and  submitted  it  to  the  Prussians,  who 
adopted  it  for  the  use  of  their  infantry. 
Other  armies,  however,  either  seem  igno- 
rant of  the  invention,  or  do  not  think  it 
worthy  of  imitation.  Belair,  the  author 
of  Elemens  de  Fortification,  in  his  mili- 
tary dictionary,  (which  forms  a  small 
part  of  that  interesting  work,)  observes, 


ployed  exposes  their  arms  to  every 
change  of  weather ;  and  by  means  of 
this  cover,  both  themselves  and  their 
ritles,  or  muskets,  would  be  secured 
against  rain." 

Attaquer  la  Garde,  Fr.  to  make  an 
attempt  on  the  guard. 

Une  forte  Garde,  Fr.  a  strong  guard. 

Un  piquet  de  Garde,  Fr.  a  piquet 
guard. 

La  Garde  «  pied,  Fr.  the  foot  guards. 

La  Garde  a  cheval,  Fr.  the  horse 
guards. 

La  Garde  Ecossaise,  Fr.  the  Scotch 
guards. 

La  Garde  Irelandaise,  Fr.  the  Irish 
guards. 

Faire  montcr  la  Garde,  Jr.  to  set 
the  guard. 

Etre  de  Garde,  Fr.  to  be  upon  guard. 

Monter  la  G a\wf.,  Fr.  to  mount  guard. 

Desccndie  la  Garde,  Fr.  to  come  oft" 
guard. 

Relever,  ou  changer  la  Garde,  Fr.  to 
relieve  guard. 

La  Garde  montante,  Fr.  the  guard] 
that  mounts,  or  the  new  guard. 

La  Garde  descendante,  Fr.  the  guard 
that  comes  off,  or  the  old  guard. 

GARDENS,  in  our  ancient  military 
history,  were  of  two  different  kinds,  viz. 

Artillcry-G arvf.x,  about  the  year 
16.50,  was  a  place  of  resort  in  London, 
where  vast  numbers  of  young  people 
practised  every  kind  of  artillery  exercise, 
insomuch,  that  it  was  famous  through 
the  whole  world,  and  universally  styled 
the  great  nursery,  or  academy  of  mili- 
tary discipline.  See  Artillery  Com- 
pany. 

Military- Garden  was  likewise  fa- 
mous, about  the  year  1650,  in  the  city 
of  London,  for  the  great  improvement  of 
numbers  of  our  nobility  and  other  gen- 
tlemen  of  fashion,  in  every  kind  of  mili- 
tarv  exercise.  The  captains  in  chief  of 
that   "  these   machines   might  be    ren-  j  those  academies  or  gardens  were  Major- 


dered  extremely  useful  in  the  defence  ol 
fortresses,  outposts,  redoubts,  or  re- 
trenchments. Under  the  cover  of  them, 
the  besieged,  or  the  troops  stationed  in 


general  Skippou,  and  Major  Tillyer. 

GARDIENNERIE,  Fr.  the  gunner's 
rooms. 

GARE  a  vous,  Fr.    (from   Garer,  to 


the  posts  attacked,  would  be  able  to  |  have  a  care,)  a  cautionary  phrase  used 
keep  up  a  brisk  and  eftectual  discharge 
of  musketry  during  the  heaviest  fall  of 
rain,  and  thereby  silence,  or  consider- 
ably damp  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  The 
garde  plain  is  capable  of  being  much  im- 
proved. Light  corps  ought  to  be  parti- 
cularly anxious  for  its  adoption,  as  the 
service  on  which  they  are  generally  em- 


m  the  French  service.  We  formerly 
adopted  the  term  take  care,  or  have  a 
care — at  present  we  use  the  word  atten- 
tion, which  is  usually  pronounced  'tentiott. 

GARES,  Fr.  creeks  made  in  narrow 
rivers,  to  facilitate  the  passage  of  boats. 

GARGOU1LLIS,    Fr.    the   powder 
with  which  caiiuon  is-  chargetk 
3Q2 


GAR 


(     300     ) 


GAR 


GARGOUSSF,    Br.    a  CBrtouch,    a 
cartridge.     It  is  also  written  Ga  gouge. 
(.  fc&QOUSSlERE,  *>.  a  poach  for 

cart  rid.es. 

GARLAND,  a  sort  of  chnplet  made 
of  Bowers,  feathers,  and  sometimes  of 
precious  stones,  worn  on  the  head  in  the 
manner  of  a  crown.  The  word  is  formed 
of  the  French  goiriande,  and  that  ot 
the  barbarous  Latin  garlanda,  or  Italian 
ghirlanda.  Both  in  ancient  and  modern 
rimes  it  has  been  customary  to  present 
garlands  of  (lowers  to  warriors  who  have 

distinguished  themselves.  Among  the 
French  the  practice  is  still  familiar.  A 
beautiful  young  woman  is  generally  se- 
lected for  the  purpose. 

GARNI,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  masonry. 
See  B  mplissage. 

GAKIS1R  d'artillerie,  Fr.  to  line  with 
artillery.  I  a  rempart  garni  dr.  grouse 
arti/lcric,  a  rampart  covered,  or  lined, 
v  'tii  heavy  ordnance. 

&  Garni r,    Fr.  to  seize. 

GARNISH  -nails,  diamond- headed 
nails,  formerly  used  as  ornaments  to  ar- 
tillery   larriagi  s. 

GARNISON,  Fr.     See  Garuisox. 

Garnisom  (hs  Janissaires,  Fr.  The 
elite,  or  flower,  of  the  Janissaries  of  Con- 
stantinople is  frequently  sent  into  garri- 
son on  the  frontiers  of  Turkey,  or  to 
places  win  re  the  loyalty  of  the  inhabi- 
tants is  doubted.  The  Janissaries  do 
llOt  indeed  assist  in  the  immediate  de- 
fence of  a  besieged  town  or  fortress,  but 
they  watch  the  motions  of  all  suspected 
persons,  and  are  subject  to  the  orders  of 
their  officers,  who  usually  command  the 
garrison. 

GARNITURE.     Sec  Equipage,  8cc. 

G.  u  mitre  de  comble,  Fr.  Under 
this  term  are  comprehended  not  only  the 
laths,  tiles,  oi-  slates,  Ike.  belonging  to  a 
roof,  but  alio  the  leads,  Sec. 

GAROUS!  Fr.  a  syncope  of  the 
word  (iurt-a-Tous,  take  heed;  turn  aside: 
look  to  youcsely.es. 

GARRISON,  a  body  of  forces,  dis- 
posed in  a  fortress  or  fortified  town,  to 
defend  it  against  the  enemy,  or  to  beep 
tin-  inhabitants  in  subjection;  or  even  to 
be  subsisted  during  the  S\ inter  season: 
hence  garrison  and  winterrqUsrters  are 
sometimes  used  indiscriminately  for  the 
Same  thing;  while  at  others  they  denote 
different  things,  in  the  latter  case,  a 
fcarrison  is  a  place  wherein  forces  are 
maintained  to  secure  it,  and  where  they 
Iceep  regular  guards,  as  a  frontier  town. 


a  citadel,  castle,  tower,  &c.  The  gar- 
rison should  always  be  stronger  than  the 
townsmen. 

II  inter-quarters,  places  where  a  num- 
ber of  forces  are  laid  up  in  the  winter 
season,  without  keeping  the  regular 
guards^ 

Garrison  -  town,  a  strong  place  in, 
which  troops  are  quartered,  and  do  duty, 
for  the  security  thereof,  keeping  strong 
guards  at  each  post,  and  a  main-guard 
in,  or  near  the  market-place. 

GARROT,  Fr.  an  old  word  which 
signified  the  shooting  of  an  arrow. 

Garrot  also  signified  a  boult  for  a 
i  ross-bow. 

Garroi,  Fr.  withers  of  a  horse ; 
aiso  a  wring  or  pinch  in  his  withers. 
The  French  say  figuratively  of  a  man 
whose  reputation  is  blemished,  II  est 
blessi,  star  le  Garrot,  he  is  hurt  in  the 
withers. 

Order  of  the  GARTER,  a  military 
order  of  knighthood,  the  most  noble  and 
ancient  of  any  lay-order  in  the  world, 
instituted  by  King  Edward  111.  This 
famous  order  consists  of  2(3  knights  com-' 
panioos,  generally  princes  and  peers, 
whereof  the  King  of  England  is  the 
sovereign,  or  chief.  They  are  a  college 
or  corporation,  having  a  great  and  little 
seal. 

Their  officers  are  a  prelate,  chancellor, 
register,  king  at  arms,  and  usher  of  the 
black  rod.  They  have  also  a  dean  and 
12  canons,  and  petty  canons,  vergers, 
and  2o'  pensioners,  or  poor  knights.  The 
prelate  is  the  bead.  This  office  is  vested 
in  the  bishop  of  Winchester,  and  has  ever 
been  so.  Next  to  the  prelate  is  the 
chancellor  ;  which  office  is  vested  in  the 
bishop  of  Salisbury,  who  keeps  the  seals, 
&c.  The  next  is  the  register,  who  by  his 
oath  is  to  enter  upon  the  registry,  the 
scrutinies,  elections,  penalties,  and  other 
acts  of  the  order,  with  fidelity.  The 
fourth  officer  is  Garter,  and  king  at 
arms,  being  two  distinct  offices  united 
in  one  person.  Garti  r  carries  the  rod 
and  sceptre  at  the  feast  of  St.  George, 
the  protector  of  this  order,  when  the 
sovereign  is  present.  He  notifies  the 
election  of  new  knights,  attends  the  so- 
lemnity of  their  installation,  carries  the 
garter  to  the  foreign  princes,  &c.  He  is 
the  principal  officer  within  the  college  of 
arms,  and  chief  of  the  heralds. 

All  these  officers,  except,  the  prelate, 
have  \\-c--  and  pensions.  The  college  of 
the  order  is  in  the  castle  of  Windsor, 


GAR 


(     301     ) 


GAR 


v*ith  the  chapel  of  St.  George,  and  the 
chapter-house,  erected  by  the  founder 
for  that  purpose.  The  habit  and  ensign 
of  the  order  are,  a  garter,  mantle,  cap, 
George  and  collar.  The  3  first  were  as- 
signed the  knights  companions  by  the 
founders  ;  and  the  George  and  collar  by 
king  Henry  VIII.  The  garter  challenges 
pre-eminence  over  all  other  parts  of  the 
dress,  because  from  it  the  noble  order  is 
denominated  ;  that  it  is  the  first  part  of 
the  habit  presented  to  foreign  princes, 
and  absent  knights,  who,  together  with 
all  other  knights  elect,  are  therewith  first 
adorned  ;  and  it  is  of  such  honour  and 
grandeur,  that  by  the  bare  investiture 
with  this  noble  ensign,  the  knights  are 
esteemed  companions  of  the  greatest 
military  order  in  the  world.  It  is  worn 
on  the  left  leg,  between  the  knee  and 
Calf,  and  is  enamelled  with  this  motto, 
Honi  soit  qui  mal y pense  ;  that  is,  "Evil 
"  be  to  him  who  evil  thinks."  The 
meaning  of  which  is,  that  king  Edward 


is,  at  the  time  of  installation,  buckled 
upon  the  left  leg,  by  two  of  the  senior 
companions,  who  receive  it  from  the 
sovereign,  to  whom  it  is  presented  upon 
a  velvet  cushion  by  Garter  king  alarms, 
with  the  usual  reverence,  whilst  the 
chancellor  reads  the  following  admoni- 
tion, enjoined  by  the  statutes. — "To  the 
honour  of  God  omnipotent,  and  in  me- 
morial of  the  blessed  martyr  St.  George, 
tie  about  thy  leg,  for  thy  renown,  this 
noble  garter  ;  wear  it  as  the  symbol  of 
the  most  illustrious  order,  never  to  be 
forgotten  or  laid  aside  ;  that  there  by 
tin  in  mayst  be  admonished  to  be  coura- 
geous, and  having  undertaken  a  just  war, 
in  which  thou  shalt  be  engaged,  thou 
mayest  stand  firm,  valiantly  fight,  and 
successfully  conquer." 

The  princely  garter  being  thus  buck- 
led on,  and  the  words  of  its  signification 
pronounced,  the  knight  elect  is  brought 
before  the   sovereign,   who   puts   about 


his  neck,  kneeling,   a  sky-coloured  rib 
having  laid    claim    to   the   kingdom   of  boa,  whereon  is  appendant,  wrought  in 
France,    retorted    shame    and    defiance 'gold  within  the  garter,  the  image  of  St. 

George  on  horseback,  with  his  sword 
drawn,  encountering  the  dragon.  In  the 
mean  time  the  chancellor  reads  the  fol- 
lowing admonition  :  "  Wear  this  ribbon 
about  thy  neck,  adorned  with  the  image 
of  the  blessed  martyr  and  soldier  of 
Christ,  St.  George,  by  whose  imitation 
provoked,  thou  mayest  so  overpass  both 
prosperous  and  adverse  adventures,  that 
having  stoutly  vanquished  thy  enemies 
both  of  body  and  soul,  thou  mayest  not 
only  receive  the  praise  of  this  transient 
combat,  but  be  crowned  with  the  palm 
of  eternal  victory." 

Then  the  knight  elect  kisses  his  so- 
vereign's hand,  thanks  his  majesty  for 
the  great  honour  done  him,  rises  up,  and 
salutes  all  his  companions  severally,  who 
return  their  congratulations. 

Since  the  institution  of  this  order, 
there  have  been  several  emperors  and 
kings,  besides  numerous  sovereign  princes, 
en  rolled  as  companions  thereof.  Its 
origin  is  somewhat  differently  related. 
The  common  account  is,  that  it  was 
erected  in  honour  of  a  garter  of  the 
countess  of  Salisbury  which  she  dropped 
dancing  with  king  Edward,  and  which 
that  prince  picked  up;  but  our  best  an- 
tiquarians think  it  was  instituted  on  ac- 
count of  the  victory  over  the  French  at 
Cressy,  where  the  king  ordered  his  gar- 


upon  him  that  should  dare  to  think  amiss 
of  the  just  enterprise  he  had  undertaken, 
for  recovering  his  lawful  right  to  that 
crown  ;  and  that  the  bravery  of  those 
knights  whom  he  had  elected  into  this 
order,  was  such  as  would  enable  him  to 
maintain  the  quarrel  against  those  that 
thought  ill  of  it. 

The  mantle  is  the  chief  of  those  vest- 
ments that  are  used  upon  all  solemn  oc- 
casions. The  colour  of  the  mantle  is  by 
the  statutes  directed  to  be  blue.  The 
length  of  the  train  of  the  mantle,  only, 
distinguishes  the  sovereign  from  the 
knights  companions.  To  the.  collar  of 
the  mantle  is  fixed  a  pair  of  long  strings, 
anciently  wove  with  blue  silk  only,  but 
now  twisted  round,  and  made  of  Venice 
.gold  and  silk,  of  the  colour  of  the  robe, 
with  buttons  and  tassels  at  the  end. 
The  left  shoulder  of  the  mantle  is  adorn- 
ed with  a  large  garter  and  device  Honi 
soit,  &c.  Within  this  is  the  cross  of 
the  order,  which  was  ordained,  by  king 
Charles  I.  to  be  worn  at  all  limes.  At 
length  the  star  was  introduced,  being  a 
sort  of  cross,  irradiated  with  beams  of 
silver. 

The  collar  is  composed  of  pieces  of 
gold  in  the  shape  of  garters,  the  ground 
enamelled  blue,  and  the  motto  gold. 

-The  garter  is  of  blue  velvet  bordered 
with  fine  gold  wire,  having  commonly 
the  letters  of  the  motto  of  the  same  :  it 


ter  to  be  displayed  as   a  signal  of  the 
battle. 


G  A  U 


(     30'J     ) 


G  A  Z 


r.ARUCIIE,  Fr.  a  torturing  wheel, 
upon  which  tin  accused,  having  heavy 
belts  or  irons  on  his  legs,  is  hoisted  up, 
until  lie  confess. 

GASCON.  Fr.  a   braggex, 

GASCONNADE,  /•>•.  a  boast  or  vaunt 
of  something  very  improbable.  The 
term  is  originally  derived  i'rom  the 
Gascons,  ok  people  of  Gascony  in 
France,  w  lie i,  it  seems,  have  heeii  par- 
ticularly distinguished  lor  extravagant 
Stories. 

( .  \sc  oNXAur,  Fr.  a  lie,  a  rhodomon- 
tadc,  an  imposition. 

GASCON  NER,  Fr.  to  gasconade,  to 
repeat  extravagant  wild  stories. — Thus 
one  of  the  French  generals  may  he  said 
to  have  gasconaded,  when  he  officially 
announced  to  the  Convention  of  France, 
that  alter  a  severe  and  bloody  eng&ge- 
uii nt  with  the  Au.strians,  the  whole 
amount  of  the  loss  in  the  French  army, 
was  a  grenadier's  little  finger! 

G  ANT  A  DOERS,  IV.  pioneers  ;  foot 
soldiers  so  called,  because  they  dug  up, 
destroyed,  and  cut  down  all  that  opposed 
the  progress  of  an  army. 

GASTKAl'llF'l  FN,  a  machine  used 
in  ancient  archery,  which  was  so  called 
because  the  bow  was  bent  by  the  action 
of  pushing  with  the  belly.  The  iat;t- 
pulta  served  for  the  same  purpose,  hut  it 
acted  with  greater  force. 

GATE,  in  a  military  sense,  is  made 
of  strong  planks  with  iron  bars  to  oppose 
an  enemy.  Gates  are  generally  fixed  in 
the  middle  of  the  curtain,  trom  which 
they  are  seen  and  defended  by  the  two 
Hanks  of  the  bastions.  They  should  be. 
eovered  with  a  good  rauTui,  that  they 
may  not  he  seen  or  enfiladed  by  the 
enemy.     The  palisades  and  barriers  be- 


A  Gat thf,  Fr.  to  the  left. 

Galchi,  il'iotc  riviere,  d'un  ruisseurr, 
Fr.  The  left  of  a  riven-  is  ascertained  by 
looking  at  its  stream,  or  standing  with 
your  back  to  its  source,  and  facing  the 
quarter  whence  it  disembogues  itself. 
The  bank  on  your  left  hand  is  called  the 
left  hank. 

G.uciir.,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
among  the  French  to  signif\  the  second 
I H  '-t  of  honour  in  an  army,  or  in  regi- 
ments. 

GAUCIIIR,  Fr.  to  turn  aside;  to 
shrink  from. 

G a ecu in  duns  une  affaire,  Fr.  to  use 
shifts,  to  play  fast  and  loose. 

Galciur  le  amp,  Fr.  to  aim  at  one 
place  and  strike  another. 

GAUGE.     See  Sta:.  dahd. 

GAUGES,  iii  gunnery,  are  brass  rings 
with  handles,  to  rind  the  diameter  of  all 
kinds  of  shot  with  expedition. 

GAUEE,  Fr.  a  switch  ;  it  also  signi- 
fies a  pole. 

GALES,  the  name  given  by  the  Ro- 
mans to  the  inhabitants  of  the  country 
that  now  forms  the  kingdom  of  France. 
The  original  inhabitants  were  descended 
from  the  Celtes  or  Gomerians,  by  whom 
the  greatest  part  of  Europe  was  peo- 
pled ;  filename  of  Galli,  or  Gauls,  being 
probably  given  them  long  alter  their  set- 
tlement in  that  country. 

GAUNTELOPE.  >  c      n 

GAUNTLET.       \  See  Gavk"  et- 

GAZETTE,  or  newspaper,  a  printed 
account  of  the  transactions  of  almost  all 
the  countries  in  the  known  world.  This 
name,  w  ith  us,  is  confined  to  that  paper 
of  news  which  is  published  by  authority. 

The  word  is  derived  from  gazetta,  a 
Venetian  coin,  which  was  the  usual  price 


fore  the  gates  within  the  town  are  often  of  the  first  newspaper  printed  there,  and 
of  great  use.  The  fewer  ports  there  are  !  which  name  was  afterwards  gives  to  the 
in  a  fortress,  the  more  you  are  secured   paper  itself. 

against  the  enemy.  At  the  opening  of  a  j  The  first  gazette  in  England  was  pub- 
gate,  a  party  of  horse  is  sent  out  to   pa- I  fished  at  Oxford,  the  court  being  there. 


irole  in  the  country  round  the  place,  to 
discover  ambuscades,  or  lurking  parties 
of  the  enemy,  and  to  see  if  the  country 
be  clear. 

OAVACIIE,  JV.  a  word  derived  from 
the  Spanish,  signifying  a  pitiful  fellow,  a 
wretch,  a  scoiuidrel. 

GAVJTEAVj  $T'  a  piece  of  wood 
that  is  made,  to  float  in  the  water.  This 
word  is  used  in  Pnnence,  instead  of 
Home,  a  buoy,  which  prevails  iu  every 
other  part  of  the  French  coast-. 

GAUCHE,  Fr.  the  left. 


iii  a  folio  half  sheet,  November  the  7th, 
ltit  j.  Un  the  removal  of  the  court  to 
London,  the  title  was  changed  to  the 
JsondoH  Gazette.  The  Oxford  Gazette 
was  published  on  Tuesdays,  the  Eondou 
on  Saturdays.  And  these  bays  conti- 
nued to  be  the  days  of  publication  ever 
since  that  paper  has  beon  confined  to> 
London. 

All  commissions  in  the  regular  army, 
militia,  fencible  and  volunteer  corps 
must  be  gazetted.  The  dates  specified  in 
the  Gazette  usually  agree  in  evcry-poinc 


GEN 


(    SOS 


GEN 


GENDARME,  Fr.  in  the  original 
signification  of  the  term,  a  man  in  com6- 
plete  armour.  Iiis  horse  was  also  shield- 
ed by  a  breast-plate,  head-piece,  and 
covers  for  his  sides.  The  Gendarmes 
were  at  first  called  Homines  d'armes,  (mea 
at  arms,)  and  were  esquires. 

Gendarme,  Fr.  a  word  frequently 
used  by  the  French  to  signify  a  virago,  a 
vixen,  a  termagant.  Military  men  ar# 
sometimes  tormented  by  animals  of  this 
description,  under  the  sacred  character 
of  a  wife,  or  assumed  importance  of  a 
mistress,  or  female  attendant. 

&  GENDARMER,  Fr.  to  bluster. 
GENDARMERIE,  Fr.  The  gendaiw 
merie  was  a  select  body  of  cavalry  that 
took  precedence  of  every  regiment  of 
horse  in  the  French  service,  and  ranked 
immediately  after  the  king's  household. 
The  reputation  of  the  gendarmerie  was 
so  great,  and  its  services  so  well  esti- 
mated by  the  king  of  France,  that  when 
the  Emperor  Charles  V.  in  1552,  sent  a 
formal  embassy  to  the  court  of  Versailles 
to  request  a  loan  of  money,  and  the  as- 
sistance of  the  gendarmerie  to  enable 
him  to  repulse  the  Turks  ;  Francis  I. 
returned  the  following  answer:  "With 
respect  to  the  first  object  of  your  mis- 
sion, (addressing  himself  to  the  ambas- 
sador,) I  am  not  a  banker  ;  and  with 
regard  to  the  other,  as  my  gendarmerie 
is  the  arm  which  supports  my  sceptre,  I 
never  expose  it  to  danger,  without  per- 
sonally sharing  its  fatigue  and  glory. ' 
take  a  certain  number  of  horsemen,  who  The  uniform  of  the  gendarmerie,  as 
are  called  gebelus,  and  to  support  them  well  as  of  the  light  cavalry,  under  the 
at  his  own  expense.  He  is  directed  to  old  French  government,  was  scarlet  with 
take  as  many  with  him  as  would  annu-  facings  of  the  same  colour.  The  coat 
ally  cost  three  thousand  aspres  (each  was  formerly  more  or  less  laced  with 
«spre  being  equal  to  two-pence  farthing  silver,  according  to  the  king's  pleasure. 
.English)  for  subsistence.  A  short  period  before  the  revolution,  it 

GELD,  in  the  English  old  customs,  a  was  only  laced  on  the  cutf.  The  waist- 
ijaxon  word  signifying  money,  or  tribute,  coat  of  butf  leather,  and  the  bandoalier 
It  also  denoted  fine,  or  a  compensation  of  .the  same,  silver  laced;  the  hat  was 
for  some  crime  committed.  Hence  wer-  edged  with  broad  silver  lace.  Thehorse- 
geld,  in  the  old  Saxon  laws,  was  used  tor  cloths  and  holster-caps  were  red,  and 
the  value  of  a  man  slain ;  and  oi'J'-gcld  the  arms  of  the  captain  embroidered  on 
for  that  of  a  beast.  the  corners  of  the  saddle  cloths,  and  on 

GELDING,  any  animal  castrated,  the  front  of  the  holsters.  In  17(32,  a 
fntrticularlv  a  horse.  considerable  body  of    men    was  raised 

GELEE,  IV.  frost.  by   order  of  Louis  XIV.     The  soldiers 

Gelef.  blanche,  Fr.  hoar  frost.  who  cuniposed  it  were  called  gendarmes. 

GELIBACH,asortofsuperintendanr,  And  in  1792  the  number  was  consider- 
or  chief,  of  the  gebigis,  or  armourers,  ably  augmented,  consisting  of  horse  and 
among  the  Turks.  He  is  only  subordi-  foor,  and  being  indiscriminately  called 
nate  to  the  toppi  bachi,  or  the  graud  gendarmes  ;  but  their  clothing  was  al- 
master  of  the  Turkish  urtillerv.  ftered   to  deep   blue.       Their  pay   was 


with  those  of  the  original  commissions. 
So  that  by  referring  to  the  Gazette,  an 
officer  may  generally  know  the  precise 
day  on  which  he  is  entitled  to  receive 
subsistence  from  the  agent,  and  to  assume 
rank  in  the  British  army.  Should  an 
erroneous  statement,  however,  get  into 
the  Gazette,  or  a  commission  be  wrong- 
dated  therein,  a  reference  to  the  latter 
(i.  e.  commission)  will  always  supersede 
any  notification  in  the  former. 

GAZONNER,  Fr.  to  revete  or  cover 
with  sods. 

GAZONS,  in  fortification,  pieces  of 
fresh  earth  or  sods,  covered  with  grass, 
and  cut  in  the  form  of  a  wedge,  about  a 
foot  long,  and  a  half  foot  thick,  to  line 
the  outsides  of  a  work  made  of  earth  ; 
as  ramparts,  parapets,  banquettes,  Sec. 
The  first  bed  of  gazons  is  fixed  with  pegs 
of  wood  ;  and  the  second  bed  is  so  laid 
as  to  bind  the  former,  by  being  placed 
■over  its  joints  ;  and  so  continued  till  the 
works  are  finished.  Between  those  it 
is  usual  to  sow  all  sorts  of  binding  weeds 
or  herbs,  in  order  to  strengthen  the  ram- 
part. 

GEAR,  furniture,  equipage,  or  capa- 
risons. 

GEAT,  the  hole  through  which  the 
metal  is  conveyed  to  the  mould  in  cast- 
ing ordnance. 

GEBEGIS,  armourers  among  the 
Turks  are  so  called. 

GEBELUS.  Every  Timariot  in  Tur- 
key,  during  a   campaign,  is  obliged  to 


GEN 


C     30 1     ) 


GEN 


greater  than  what  the  rest  of  the  army 
enjoyed  ;  and  while  others  were  paid  in 
paper  currency]  they  received  their  sub- 
BBtance    in   hard   rash  (en   argent   son- 


■nuut.)  They  possessed  these  j>ri\  1 1 « ■_ •  - 
on  account  of  the  proofs  they  were 
obliged  to  bring  of  superior  claims  to 
military  honour,  before  they  could  be 
enlisted  as  gendarmes.  It  was  neces- 
sary, in  fact,  that  every  individual 
amongst  them  should  produce  a  certifi- 
cate of  six  or  eight  years  service. 

GENDARMES  de  la  garde,  Fr.  a 
select  body  of  men  so  called  during  tlie 
old  government  of  Franc*,  and  still  pre- 
served in  that  country  ;  but  their  ser- 
vices are  applied  to  different  purposes. 
They  consisted  originally  of  a  single 
company  which  was  formed  by  Henry  IV. 
when  he  ascended  the  throne.  He  dis- 
tinguished them  from  his  other  troops, 
by  styling  them  homines  (formes  de  ses 
urdonnances,  men  at  amis  under  his  own 
immediate  orders.  They  were  persons 
best  qualified  for  every  species  of  mili- 
tary duty,  and  were  to  constitute  a  royal 
•quadron,  at  whose  head  the  king  him- 
self might  personally  engage  the  »-i."iuy, 
as  necessity  should  require.  He  gave 
this  squadron  to  his  son  the  Dauphin, 
who  wn  afterwards  king  of  France,  un- 
der the  name  aud  title  of  Louis  XIII. 
According  to  Dupain  de  Moutesson,  the 
gendarmes  de  la  garde  were  a  body  of 
horse,  which  formed  part  of  the  house- 
hold guard  during  the  French  monarchy. 
Tin-,  body  consisted  of  tv  a  hundred  men, 
and  was  divided  into  two  squadrons. 

Gendarmes  Anglah,  Fr.  [n  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  old  French  army,  ihe 

English  gendarmes  formed   the  second  |  the  characters  of  the  officers  of  his  army, 

that  he  may  employ  them  according  to 
their  talents.  His  conduct  appears  in 
establishing  his  magazines  in  the  most 
convenient  places  ;  in  examining  the 
country,  that  he  may  not  engage  his 
troops  too  far,  while  he  is  ignorant  of 
the  means  of  bringing  them  off;  in  sub- 
sisting them,  and  in  knowing  how  to 
take  the  most  advantageous  posts,  either 
for  fighting,  retreating  or  shunning  a 
battle.  His  experience  inspires  his  army 
first 'with  confidence,  and  an  assurance  of 
victory  \  and  his  quality,  by  creating  r<- 


<  >  ENERAL,  in  a  military  sense,  is  an 
officer  in  chief, to  whom  the  prince  orgo- 
cernment  of  a  country  have  judged  proper 
to  enstnist  the  command  of  their  troops. 
II.  holds  tins  important  trust  under  va- 
rious titles,  as  captain-grin  ial  in  England 
and  Spain  ;  felat  mareschulin  Germany, 
or  merichal  in  France. 

In  the  British  service  the  king  is  con- 
stitutionally, and  in  his  own  proper  right, 
captain-general.  He  has  ten  aides-de- 
camp  ;  each  enjoying  the  brevet  rank  of 
full  colonel  in  tlie  army.  Next  to  his 
majesty  is  the  commander  in  chief,  whom 
he  sometimes  honours  with  tlie  title  of 
captain-general.  During  the  expedition 
to  Holland,  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke 
of  York  was  entrusted  with  this  impor- 
tant charge. 

lite  natural  qualities  of  a  General. 
These  should  be  a  martial  genius,  a  so- 
lid judgment,  a  healthy  robust  constitu- 
tion, intrepidity  and  presence  of  mind 
on  critical  occasions,  indefatigability  in 
business,  goodness  of  heart,  liberality, 
and  a  reasonable  age ;  for  if  too  young 
he  may  want  experience  and  prudence  ; 
and  if  too  old,  he  may  not  have  vivacity 
enough.  His  conduct  must  be  uniform, 
his  temper  affable,  but  inflexible  in 
maintaining  the  police  and  discipline  of 
an  army. 

Acquired  qualities  of  a  General. 
These  should  be  secrecy,  justice,  sobrie- 
ty, tempi  ranee,  knowledge  of  the  art  of 
war  from  theory  and  practice,  the  art  of 
commanding,  and  speaking  with  preci- 
sion and  exactness ;  great  attention  to 
preserve  the  lives  and  supply  the  wants 
of  the  soldiery,  and  a  constant  study  of 


troop  or  company  of  the  corps 

GeNDA&MES  d' Anion,  Fr.  the  eleventh 
troop. 

Gendarmes  de  Berry,  Fr.  the  thir- 
teenth troop. 

Gendarmes   BourgttigRoru,  Fr. .  the 
third  troop. 

Gendarmes  dc  BixtagncA:r.  the  ninth 
troop. 

Gendarmes  Dauphin,  &.  the  seventh 
troop. 

Gendarmes    Ecosuris,  Fr.    the 
troop. 

Gendarmes  de  Flandre,  Fr.  the  fourth 
troop. 


spect,  augments  his  authority.     By  his 

liberality    he    gets    intelligence    of    the 

Gendarmes  t/'Or/raMs,Fr.  the  fifteenth  'strength  and  designs  of  the  enemy,  and 


troop. 

Gendarmes  dc  la  Heine,  Fr.  the  fifth 
troop. 


by  this  means  is  enabled  to  take  the 
most  successful  measures.  He  ought  tu 
be  fond  of  glory,  to  have  an  aversion  t» 


G  E  N 


(     305     ) 


GEN 


flattery,  to  render  himself  beloved,  and 
to  keep  a  strict  discipline  and  regular 
subordination. 

■  By  the  last  General  Regulations,  it  is 
particularly  directed,  that  all  general 
officers  commanding  brigades  shall  very 
minutely  inspect  the  internal  economy 
and  discipline  of  the  several  regiments 
under  their  order.  They  are  frequently 
to  visit  the  hospitals  and  guards.  On 
arriving  in  camp  they  are  never  to  leave 
their  brigades  till  the  tents  are  pitched, 
and  the  guards  posted;  they  must  always 
encamp  with  their  brigades,  unless  quar- 
ters can  be  procured  for  them  immedi- 
ately in  the  vicinity  of  their  camp.  Ge- 
neral officers  must  not  at  any  time  change 
the  quarter  assigned  them,  without  leave 
from  head  quarters. 

All  general  officers  should  make  them- 
selves acquainted,  as  soon  as  possible, 
with  the  situation  of  the  country  near 
the  camp,  with  the  roads,  passes,  bridges, 
&c.  leading  to  it  ;  and  likewise  with  the 
out-posts,  that  in  case  they  should  be 
ordered  suddenly  to  sustain,  or  defend 
any  post,  they  may  be  able  to  inarch 
without  waiting  for  guides,  and  be  com- 
petent, from  a  topographical  knowledge 
of  the  country,  to  form  the  best  dispo- 
sition for  the  service.  They  should  in- 
struct their  aides-de-camp  in  these  parti- 
culars, and  always  require  their  attend- 
ance when  they  visit  the  out-posts. 

All  general  officers,  and  others  in  con- 
siderable command,  must  make  them- 
selves thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
nature  of  the  country,  the  quality  of  the 
roads,  every  circuitous  access  through 
vallies  or  openings,  the  relative  height 
of  the  neighbouring  hills,  and  the  course 
of  rivers  which  are  to  be  found  within 
the  space  entrusted  to  their  care.  These 
important  objects  may  be  attained  by 
maps,  by  acquired  local  information,  and 
by  unremitting  activity  and  observation. 
And  if  it  should  ever  be  the  fate  of  a 
country,  intersected  as  Great  Britain  is, 
to  act  upon  the  defensive,  a  full  and  ac- 
curate possession  of  all  its  fastnesses,  &c. 
must  give  each  general  officer  a  decided 
advantage  over  the  commanding  officer 
of  an  enemy,  who  cannot  have  examined 
the  ground  upon  which  he  may  be  re- 
duced to  tight,  and  must  be  embarrassed 
in  every  forward  movement  that  he 
makes.  Although  guides  may  serve,  and 
ought  always  to  be  used,  in  the  common 
operations  of  marches,  there  are  occa 


the  principal  officers  must  determine  the 
movements  of  troops,  and  enable  them 
to  seize  and  improve  every  advantage 
that  occurs  as  the  enemy  approaches. 

General  officers  on  service  abroad,  or 
commanding  districts  at  home,  may  ap- 
point their  own  aides-de-camp  and  bri- 
gade majors.  The  latter,  however,  are 
to  be  considered  as  officers  attached  to 
their  several  brigades,  not  personally  to 
the  officers  commanding  them.  The 
former  are  their  habitual  attendants  and 
domestic  inmates.  In  the  selection  of 
aides-de-camp  and  brigade-majors,  tco 
much  attention  cannot  be  given  to  their 
requisite  qualifications  ;  and  that  general 
would  not  only  commit  an  act  of  injus- 
tice against  the  interests  of  his  country, 
but  deserve  the  severest  censure,  and 
displeasure  of  his  sovereign,  who,  through 
motives  of  private  convenience,  family 
connexion,  or  convivial  recommendation, 
could  so  far  forget  his  duty,  as  to  prefer 
an  unexperienced  stripling  to  a  charac- 
ter marked  by  a  knowledge  of  the  pro- 
fession, a  zeal  for  the  service,  and  an  ir- 
reproachable conduct. 

In  the  day  of  battle  the  station  of  a 
general  is  with  the  Reserve,  where  he 
remains  so  situated,  that  he  can  see 
every  thing  which  is  going  forward  ;  and 
by  means  of  his  own  observation,  or 
through  the  communication  of  his  aides- 
de-camp,  is  enabled  to  send  reinforce- 
ments, as  the  exigencies  of  the  conilicl 
may  require. 

The  celebrated  Marshal  Saxe  has  made 
the  following  remarks  on  the  necessary 
qualifications  to  form  a  good  general. 
The  most  indispensable  one,  according 
to  his  idea,  is  valour,  without  which  all 
the  rest  will  prove  nugatory.  The  next 
is  a  sound  understanding,  with  some 
genius  :  for  he  must  not  only  be  coura- 
geous, but  be  extremely  fertile  in  expe- 
dients ;  the  third  is  health,  and  a  robust 
constitution. 

"  His  mind  must  be  capable  of  prompt 
and  vigorous  resources  ;  he  must  have 
an  aptitude,  and  a  talent  at  discovering 
the  designs  of  others,  without  betraying 
the  slightest  trace  of  his  own  intentions, 
lie  must  be  seemingly  communicative,  in 
order  to  encourage  others  to  unbosom, 
but  remain  tenaciously  reserved  in  mat- 
ters that  concern  his  own  army ;  he 
must,  in  a  word,  possess  activity  with 
judgment,  be  able  to  make  a  proper 
choice  of  his  officers,  and  never  deviate 


sions  where  the  eye  and  intelligence  of  i  from  the  strictest  line  of  military  justice. 

2  R 


GEN 


(     306     > 


GEN 


Old  soldiers  must  not  be  rendered  wretch- 1  mate  success  depends.  These  requisites 
id  and  unhappy,  by  unwarrantable  po-  are  unquesti6nably  manifold,  and  grow 
motions,  nor  must  extraordinary  talents  lout  of  the  diversity  of  situations,  and 
lie   kept  back  to  the   detriment  of  the j the  chance  medley  of  events  that  pro-" 

duce  their  necessity. 

"  A  general,  to  be  in  perfect  posses- 
sion of  them  must,  on  the  day  of  battle, 
be  divested  of  every  thought,  and  be  in- 
accessible to  every  feeling,  but  what 
immediately  regards  the  business  of  tli« 
dav  ;    he    must    reconnoitre    with    the 


service,  on  account  ol  mere  rules  and 
i emulations.  Great  abilities  will  justify 
exceptions;  but  ignorance  and  inactivity 

will  not  make  up  for  years  spent  in  the 
profession. 

u  In  his  deportment,  he  must  be  af- 
fable, and  always  superior  to  peevish- 
ness, or  ill-humour;  he  must  not  know,!  promptitude  of  a  skilful  geographer, 
or  at  least  seem  to  know,  what  a  spirit  j  whose  eye  collects  instantaneously  all 
of  resentment  is ;  and  when  lie  is  under  i  the  relative  portions  of  locality,  and  feels 


the  necessity  of  inflicting  military  chas- 
tisement, he  must  see  the  guilty  punished 
without  compromise  or  foolish  huma- 
nity ;  and  if  the  delinquent  be  among  the 
n umber  of  his  most  intimate  friends,  he 
must  be  doubly  severe  towards  the  un- 
fortunate man.  For  it  is  better,  in  in- 
stances of  correction,  that  one  individual 
should  be  treated  with  rigour,  (by  order 
of  the  person  over  whom  he  may  be  sup- 
posed to  hold  some  influence,)  than  that 
KD  idea  should  go  forth  in  the  army,  of 
public  justice  being  sacrificed  to  private 
sentiments. 

"  A  modern  general  should  always 
have  before  him  the  example  of  Mian- 
fins;  he  must  divest  himself  of  personal 
sensations,  and  not  only  be  convinced 
himself,  but  convince  Others,  that  he  is 
the  organ  of  military  justice,  and  that 
what  he  does  is  irrevocably  prescribed. 
With  these  qualifications,  and  by  this 
line  of  conduct,  he  will  secure  the  af- 
fections of  his  followers,  instil  into  their 
minds  all  the  impulses  of  deference  and 
respect,  lie  will  be  feared,  and  conse- 
quently obeyed. 

"  The  resources  of  a  general's  mind 
are  as  various  as  the  occasions  for  the 
exercise,  of  them  are  multiplied  and  che- 
quered ;  he  must  be  perfectly  master  of 
the  art  of  knowing  how  to  support  an 
army  under  all  circumstances  and  in  all 


his  ground  as  it  were  by  instinct ;  and 
in  the  disposition  of  his  troops,  he  musC 
disco\er  a  perfect  knowledge  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  make  all  his  arrangements 
with  accuracy  and  dispatch,  liis  order 
of  battle  must  bo  simple  and  uncoufused, 
and  the  execution  of  his  plan  as  quick 
as  if  it  merely  consisted  in  uttering 
some  few  words  of  command,  as  ;  the, 
first  lute,  will  attack !  the  second  will 
support  it !  or  such  a  battalion  will  ad- 
Vance  and  support  the  line. 

"  The  general  officers  that  act  under 
such  a  chief,  must  be  ignorant  of  their 
business  indeed,  if,  upon  the  receipt  ot 
these  orders,  they  should  be  deficient  in 
the  immediate  means  of  answering  them, 
by  a  prompt  and  reads  co-operation.  So 
that  the  general  has  only  to  issue  out 
directions  according  to  the  growth  of 
circumstances,  and  to  rest  satisfied,  that 
every  division  will  act  in  conformity  to 
his  intentions  ;  but  if,  on  the  contrary, 
he  should  so  far  forget  his  situation  as  to 
become  a  drill  Serjeant  in  the  heat  of 
action,  he  must  find  himself  in  the  case 
of  the  fly  in  the  fable,  which  perched 
upon  a  wheel,  and  foolishly  imagined, 
that  the  motion  of  the  carriage  was  in- 
fluenced by  its  situation.  A  general, 
therefore,  ought  on  the  day  of  battle  to 
be  thoroughly  master  of  himself,  and  to 
have  both  his  mind  and  his  eye  rivetted 


situations;  how  to  apply  its  strength,  on  to  the  immediate  scene  of  action.  He 
be  sparing  of  its  energy  and  confidence  ;  I  will  by  these  means  be  enabled  to  see 
how  to  post  all  its  different  component  every  thing;  his  judgment  will  be  un- 
parts,  so  as  not  to  be  forced  to  give,  or  embarrassed,  and  he  will  instantly  dis- 
receive  battle  in  opposition  to  settled  |  cover  all  the  vulnerable  points  ot  tha» 
plans.  When  once  engaged,  he  must  have  enemy.  The  moment  a  favourable  open- 
presence  of  mind  enough  to  grasp  all  ing  offers,  by  which  the  contest  may  be 
the  relative  points  of  disposition  and  ar-  decided,  it  becomes  his  duty  to  head  the 
rangement,  to  seize  favourable  moments !  nearest  body  of  troops,  and,  without 
for  impression,  and  to  be  thoroughly  any  regard  to  personal  safety,  to  advance 
conversant  in  the  infinite  vicissitudes '  against  his  enemy's  line. — [By  a  ready 
that  occur  during  the  heat  of  a  battle ;  I  conception  of  this  sort,  joined  to  great 
on  a  ready  possession  of  which  its  ulti-  courage,  General  Desaix  determined  the 


GEN 


(    so?    ) 


GEN 


issue  of  the  battle  of  Marengo*]     It  is, 

however,  impossible  for  any  man  to  lay 
down  rules,  or  to  specify,  with  accuracy, 
all  the  different  ways  by  which  a  victory 
may  be  obtained.  Every  thing  depends 
upon  variety  of  situations,  casualty  of 
events,  and  intermediate  occurrences 
which  no  human  foresight  can  positively 
ascertain,  but  which  may  be  converted 
to  good  purposes  by  a  quick  eye,  a  ready 
conception  and  a  prompt  execution. 

"  Prince  Eugene  was  singularly  gifted 
■with  these  qualifications,  particularly 
with  that  sublime  possession  of  the 
mind  which  constitatfes  the  essence  of  a 
military  character. 

"  Many  commanders  in  chief  have 
been  so  limited  in  their  ideas  of  warfare, 
that  when  events  have  brought  the  con- 
test to  issue,  and  two  rival  armies  have 
been  drawn  out  for  action,  their  whole 
attention  has  devolved  upon  a  straight 
alignment,  an  equality  of  step,  or  a  re- 
gular distance  in  intervals  of  columns. 
They  have  considered  it  sufficient  to  give 
answers  to  questions  proposed  by  their 
aides-de-camp,  to  send  orders  in  various 
directions,  and  to  gallop  themselves  from 
one  quarter  to  another,  without  steadily 
adhering  to  the  fluctuations  of  the  day, 
or  calmly  watching  for  an  opportunity 
to  strike  a  decisive  blow.  They  endea- 
vour, in  fact,  to  do  every  thing,  and 
thereby  do  nothing.  They  appear  like 
men,  whose  presence  of  mind  deserts 
them  the  instant  they  are  taken  out  of 
the  beaten  track,  or  are  reduced  to  sup- 
ply unexpected  calls  by  uncommon  ex- 
ertions. And  whence,  (continues  the 
same  sensible  writer,)  do  these  contra- 
dictions arise  ?  from  an  ignorance  of 
those  high  qualifications  without  which 
the  mere  routine  of  duty,  methodical  ar- 
rangement, and  studied  discipline,  must 
fall  to  the  ground,  and  defeat  them- 
selves. Many  officers  spend  their  whole 
lives  in  putting  a  few  regiments  through 
a  regular  set  of  manoeuvres ;  and  having 
done  so,  they  vainly  imagine,  that  all 
the  science  of  a  real  military  man  con- 
gists  in  that  acquirement.  When,  in 
process  of  time,  the  command  of  a  large 
army  falls  to  their  lot,  they  are  mani- 
festly lost  in  the  magnitude  of  the  un- 
dertaking; and  from  not  knowing  how 
to  act  as  they  ought,  they  remain  satis- 
fied with  doing  what  they  have  partially 
learned. 

"  Military  knowledge,  as  far  as  it  re- 
gards a  general,  or  commander  in  chief, 


may  be  divided  into  two  parts,  one 
comprehending  mere  discipline  and  set- 
tled systems  for  putting  a  certain  nuiu- 
bei  of  rules  into  practice;  and  the  other 
originating  in  a  sublimity  of  conception, 
which  method  may  assist,  but  cannot 
give. 

"  If  a  man  be  not  born  with  faculties 
that  are  naturally  adapted  to  the  situa 
tion  of  a  general,  and  if  his  talents  do 
not  fit  the   extraordinary   casualties   of 
war,  he  will  never  rise  above  mediocrity. 

"  It  is,  in  fact,  in  war  as  it  is  in  paint- 
ing, or  in  music.  Perfection  in  either 
art  grows  out  of  innate  talents,  but  it 
never  can  be  acquired  without  them. 
Study  and  perseverance  may  correct 
ideas,  but  no  application,  no  assiduity, 
will  give  the  life  and  energy  of  action ; 
those  are  the  works  of  nature. 

"  It  has  been  my  fate  (observes  the 
Marshal)  to  see  several  very  excellent 
colonels  become  indifferent  generals.  I 
have  known  others,  who  have  distin- 
guished themselves  at  sieges,  and  in  the 
different  evolutions  of  an  army,  lose 
their  presence  of  mind,  and  appear  igno- 
rant of  their  profession,  the  instant  they 
were  taken  from  that  particular  line, 
and  be  incapable  of  commanding  a  few 
squadrons  of  horse.  Should  a  man  of 
this  cast  be  placed  at  the  head  of  an 
army,  he  will  confine  himself  to  mere 
dispositions  and  manoeuvres ;  to  them 
he  will  look  for  safety;  and  if  once 
thwarted,  his  defeat  will  be  inevitable, 
because  his  mind  is  not  capable  of  other 
resources. 

"  In  order  to  obviate,  in  the  best  pos- 
sible manner,  the  innumerable  disasters 
which  must  arise  from  the  uncertainty 
of  war,  and  the  greater  uncertainty  of 
the  means  that  are  adopted  to  cany  it. 
on,  some  general  rules  ought  to  be  laid 
down,  not  only  for  the  government  of 
the  troops,  but  for  th«  instruction  of 
those  who  have  the  command  of  them. 
The  principles  to  be  observed,  are:  that 
when  the  line  or  the  columns  advance, 
their  distances  should  be  scrupulously 
observed;  that  whenever  a  body  of 
troops  is  ordered  to  charge,  every  pro- 
portion of  the  line  should  rush  forward 
with  intrepidity  and  vigour;  that  if  open- 
ings are  made  in  the  first  line,  it  becomes 
the  duty  of  the  second  instantly  to  fill 
up  the  chasms. 

"  These  instructions  issue   from   the 
dictates  of  plain  nature,  and  do  not  re- 
quire  the  least  elucidation  in  writing. 
2R2 


GEN 


(     308    ) 


G  E  K 


They  constitute  the  A,  B,  C,  of  soldier.-. 

Nothing  can  be  more  simple,  or  more 
intelligible ;  so  macfa  so,  that  it  would 
be   ridiculous  in  a  general  to  sacrifice 

essential  objects  in  order  to  attend  to 
such  lnimiti.e.  IJis  functions  in  the  (lav 
of  battle  arc  confined  to  those  occupa- 
tions of  the  mind,  by  which  he  is  enabled 
to  watch  the  countenance  of  the  enemy, 
to  observe  his  movements,  and  to  see, 
with  an  eagle's,  or  a  king  of  Prussia's 
eve,  all  the  relative  directions  that  his 
opponents  take.  It  must  be  his  business 
to  create  alarms  and  suspicions  among 
the  enemy's  line  in  one  quarter,  whilst 
his  real  intention  is  to  act  against  ano- 
ther; to  puzzle  and  disconcert  him  in  his 
plans ;  to  take  advantage  of  the  manifold 
openings,  which  his  feints  have  produced, 
and  when  the  contest  is  brought  to  issue, 
to  be  capable  of  plunging,  with  effect, 
upon  the  weakest  part,  and  of  carrying 
the  sword  of  death  when'  its  blow  is 
sure  to  be  mortal  But  to  accomplish 
these  important  and  indispensable  points, 
his  judgment  must  be  clear,  his  mind 
collected,  his  heart  firm,  and  his  eyes 
incapable  of  bein^  diverted,  even  for  a 
moment,  by  the  trilling  occurrences  ot 
the  day. 

"  I  am  not,  however,  an  advocate  for 
pitched  battles,  especially  at  the  com- 
mencement of  a  war.  A  skilful  general 
might,  I  am  persuaded,  carry  on  a  con- 
test between  two  rival  nations  during 
the  whole  of  his  life,  without  being  once 
obliged  to  come  to  a  decisive  action. 
Nothing  harasses,  and  eventually  dis- 
tresses an  enemy  so  much  as  this  species 
of  warfare.  He  must,  in  fact,  be  fre- 
quently attacked,  and,  by  degrees,  be 
broken  and  unnerved  :  so  that  in  a 
short  time  he  will  not  be  able  to  shew 
himself. 

"  It  must  not  generally  be  inferred 
from  this  opinion,  that  when  an  oppor- 
tunity presents  itself,  whereby  an  enemy 
may  be  crushed  at  onco,  the  attack 
should  not  be  made,  or  that  advantage 
should  not  be  taken  of  the  errors  he 
may  commit ;  all  I  mean  to  prove  is, 
that  war  can  be  carried  on  without 
leaving  any  thing  to  chance;  and  in  this 
consist  the  perfection  and  highest  point 
of  ability  brJon<;ing  to  a  ceneral.  But 
when  a  battle  is  risked,  the  triumphant 
party  ought  well  to  know  all  the  advan- 
fa>_-'  -  which  may  be  derived  from  his 
victory.  A  wise  general,  indeed,  will 
not  remain  satisfied  with  having  made 
himself  master  of  the  mere  field  of  battle.   nes»  of  the  ground. 


This,  I  am  sorry  to  observe,  is  too  often 
the  custom;  and,  strange  to  say,  that 
Custom  is  not  without  its  advocates. 

"  It  is  too  much  the  practice  of  some 
governments,  and  as  often  the  custom 
of  generals,  to  follow  the  old  proverb, 
which  says,  thai  in  order  to  gain  your 
ends,  i/on  must  make  nome  sacrifices,  and 
i  ■  en  facilitate  the  retreat  of  your  enemy.  • 
Nothing  can  he  more  impolitic,  or  nun.-. 
absurd.  An  able  surgeon  might  as  well 
tamper  with  a  mortification,  and  by  en- 
deavouring to  save  an  useless  limb,  run 
the  hazard  of  destroying  all  the  vital 
parts. 

"  An  enemy,  on  the  contrary,  ought  to 
be  vigorously  pushed,  harassed  night  and 
day,  and  pursued  through  every  winding 
he  can  make.  By  a  conduct  of  tins 
sort,  the  advancing  army  will  drive  him 
from  all  his  holds  and  fastnesses,  anil 
the  conclusion  of  his  brilliant  retreat 
will  ultimately  turn  out  a  complete  and 
total  overthrow.  Ten  thousand  well 
trained  and  disciplined  troops,  that  are 
sent  forward  from  the  main  army,  to 
hang  upon  tin;  rear  ot'  a  retiring  enemy, 
will  be  able  to  destroy  an  army  of  an 
hundred  thousand  men,  when  that  army 
has  once  been  forced  to  make  retrograde 
movements.  A  want  of  confidence  in 
their  generals,  add<  d  to  many  other  dis- 
heartening circumstances,  will  naturally 
possess  the  minds  of  the  latter,  while 
implicit  faith  and  warm  affection  must 
influence  the  former.  A  first  defeat  well 
followed  up,  almost  always  terminates 
in  a  total  rout,  and  finishes  the  contest. 
But  some  generals  do  not  wish  to  brino; 
war  to  a  speedy  issue.  Public  misfor- 
tunes too  frequently  produce  private 
emoluments,  and  the  accumulation  of 
the  latter  is  too  endearing  to  suffer  itself 
to  be  superseded  by  the  former." 

In  order  to  substantiate  what  he  thus 
advances  with  much  good  sense,  the 
.Marshal  cites  the  following  particular 
instance,  from  among  an  infinity  of 
others. 

"  When  the  French  army,  at  the  bat- 
th  of  Ramillies,  was  retiring  in  good 
order  over  an  eminence  that  was  rather 
confined,  and  on  both  sides  of  which 
I  here  were  deep  ravines,  the  cavalry  be- 
longing  to  the  allies  followed  its  track 
leisurely,  without  even  appearing  to  wish 
to  harass  or  attack  its  rear.  The  French 
continued  their  march  with  the  same 
composure  ;  retreating  upon  more  than 
twenty  lines,  on  account  of  the  narrow-* 


GEN 


(     309     ) 


GEN 


"  On  this  occasion,  a  squadron  of 
English  horse  got  close  to  two  French 
battalions,  and  began  to  fire  upon  them. 
The  two  battalions,  naturally  presuming 
that  they  were  going  to  be  attacked, 
came  to  the  right  about,  and  fired  a 
volley  at  the  squadron.  What  was  the 
consequence  ?  the  whole  of  the  French 
army  took  to  its  heels ;  the  cavalry  went 
off  full  gallop,  and  all  the  infantry,  in- 
stead of  patiently  retiring  over  the 
heights,  threw  itself  into  the  ravines  in 
such  dreadful  disorder,  that  the  ground 
above  was  almost  instantly  abandoned, 
and  not  a  French  soldier  was  seen  upon  it. 

"  Let.  any  military  man  consider  this 
notorious  event,  and  then  praise,  if  he 
can,  the  regularity  of  a  retreat,  and  the 
prudent  foresight  of  those  who,  after  an 
enemy  has  been  vanquished  in  the  field, 
relax  in  their  exertions,  and  give  him 
time  to  breathe.  I  do  not,  however,, 
pretend  to  maintain,  that  all  the  forces 
of  a  victorious  army  should  be  employed 
to  follow  up  the  pursuit;  but  I  am  de- 
cidedly of  opinion,  that  large  bodies 
should  be  detached  for  that  pm-pose,  and 
that  the  Hying  enemy  should  be  annoyed 
as  long  as  the  day  lasts.  This  must  be 
done  in  good  order:  and  let  it  be  re- 
membered, that  when  an  enemy  has  once 
taken  to  his  heels  in  real  earnest,  you 
may  drive  him  before  you  by  the  mere 
noise  of  empty  bladders. 

"  If  the  officer  who  is  detached  in 
pursuit  of  an  enemy,  begins  to  manoeuvre 
according  to  prescribed  rules  and  regula- 
tions, and  to  operate  with  slowness  and 
precaution,  he  had  better  be  recalled ; 
tor  the  sole  purpose  of  his  employment 
is  to  push  on  vigorously,  to  harass  and 
distress  the  foe.  Every  species  of  evolu- 
tion will  do  on  this  occasion  :  if  any  can 
be  defective  the  regular  system  might 
prove  so. 

"  I  shall  conclude  these  observations 
by  saying,  that  all  retreats  depend  wholly 
upon  the  talents  and  abilities  of  generals, 
who  must  themselves  be  governed  by 
circumstances  and  situations ;  but  I  will 
venture  to  assert,  that  no  retreat  can 
eventually  succeed,  unless  it  be  made 
before  an  enemy  who  acts  with  extreme 
caution;  for  if  the  latter  follow  up  his 
first  blow,  the  vanquished  army  must 
soon  be  thrown  into  utter  confusion." 

These  are  the  sentiments  of  Marshal 
""Saxe,  as  far  as  they  relate  to  the  quali- 
fications, which  the  general  of  an  army 
should  indispensably  possess.  And  no 
ttian  we  are  persuaded  was  better  en- 


abled to  form  an  opinion  upon  so  impor- 
tant a  subject :  for  as  Baron  Espagnac 
has  justly  observed  in  his  Supplement  aux 
Reveries  de  ce  Mars,  p.  166,  he  possessed 
uncommon  courage,  was  fertile  in  ex- 
pedients and  resources  ;  he  knew  how  to 
distinguish  and  how  to  make  use  of  the 
abilities  of  individuals ;  was  unshaken 
in  his  determinations ;  and  when  the 
good  of  the  service  required  chastise- 
ment or  severity,  was  not  iniluenced  by 
private  feelings,  or  hurried  away  by  a 
sanguinary  temper;  he  was  uncommonly 
attentive  to  his  men,  watchful  of  their 
health,  and  provident  to  supply  their 
wants  ;  sparing  of  their  blood  in  the  day 
of  battle,  and  always  inspiring  them,  by 
the  liveliness  of  his  mind,  tempered  by 
experience,  with  confidence  and  attach- 
ment to  his  measures.  He  knew  the 
cast  of  each  man's  character,  particu- 
larly so  of  his  officers ;  and  whilst  he 
directed  the  former  with  consummate 
knowledge  and  consequent  success,  he 
never  lost  sight  of  the  merits  of  the 
latter  when  they  co-operated  with  his 
designs.  If  the  natural  vivacity  of  his 
mind  sometimes  led  him  into  temporary 
neglect — good  sense,  and  a  marked 
anxiety  to  be  just,  soon  made  amends 
for  unintentional  slights,  by  rendering 
the  most  important  services  to  those 
whom  he  had  apparently  neglected.  He 
was  ingenious  and  subtle  in  all  his  ma- 
noeuvres before  an  enemy,  skilful  in  his 
choice  of  camps,  and  equally  intelligent 
in  that  of  posts  ;  he  was  plain  in  his  in- 
structions previous  to  an  engagement, 
simple  in  his  disposition  of  the  order  of 
battle ;  and  he  was  never  known  to  lose 
an  opportunity,  through  the  want  of 
prompt  decision,  whereby  a  contest 
might  be  ended  by  a  bold  and  daring 
evolution.  When  it  appeared  necessary 
to  give  weight  to  his  orders,  and  to  turn 
the  balance  of  fortune  by  personal  ex- 
posure, no  man  became  less  fearful  of 
his  own  destiny  than  Marshal  Saxe.  On 
these  occasions  he  was  daring  to  an  ex- 
treme, heedless  of  danger,  but  full  of 
judgment,  and  a  calm  presence  of  mind. 
Such,  in  our  humble  opinion,  are  the 
outlines  of  a  real  general :  how  well  they 
were  exemplified  and  filled  up  by  the 
subject  of  this  article,  time  and  the  con- 
current testimony  of  events  have  proved  ; 
nor  will  it  be  considered  superfluous,  or 
too  national,  to  add,  that  his  Grace  the 
Duke  of  Wellington  is  acknowledged  to 
have  possessed  these  rare  qualities,  parti- 
cularly at  the  battle  of  Waterloo. 


GEN 


(     »10     ) 


GEN 


The  Office  of  a  Genlral  is  to  regu- 
late the  march  and  encampment  of  the 
army  ;  in  the  day  of  battle  to  chusc  out 
the  most  advantageous  ground  ;  to  make 
the  disposition  of  the  army,  to  post  the 
artillery,  and,  where  there  is  occasion, 
to  send  his  orders  by  his  aides-de-camp. 
At  a  BUBge,  he  is  to  cause  the  place  to  be 
invested,  to  regulate  the  approaches  and 
attacks,  to  visit  the  works,  and  to  send 
out  detachments  to  secure  the  convoys, 
and  foraging  parties. 

General  of  (trt>!lfnj.  See  Ord- 
NAK<  E. 

Genebals  of  horse  are  officers  next 
under  the  general  of  the  army.  They 
have  an  absolute  command  over  the  horse 
belonging  to  an  army,  above  the  lieute- 
nant-generals. 

Generals  of  foot  are  officers  next 
under  the  general  of  the  army,  having 
an  absolute  command  oyer  the  foot  ot 
the  army. 

General  officers.  All  officers  above 
the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  line 
are  so  called.  The  Board  which  (sub- 
ject to  his  majesty  and  the  commander 
in  chief)  determines  every  regulation  re- 
specting the  clothing  of  the  army,  is 
composed  of  general  officers. 

All  general  officers  belonging  to  the 
British  army  now  receive  an  allowance, 
upon  a  mere  certificate  of  existence,  over 
and  above  whatever  they  may  hold  beside, 
(regiments  executed,)  viz.  major-g(  nerai, 
11.  5s. — 1  eutenant-general,  ll.  12s.  Oil. — 
and  full  general  11.  ltfs.  per  day. 

General.  In  the  German  armies, 
and  among  the  sovereigns  of  the  North, 
there  are  certain  generals  of  cavalry,  and 
others  of  infantry,  who  take  rank  of  all 
lieutenant-generals.  Those  belonging  to 
the  infantry  in  the  imperial  service,  and 
who  are  of  this  description,  are  called 
general  field  zcvgmeistcrs.  In  Russia 
they  bear  the  titles  of  generals  in  chief; 
of  which  class  there  are  four  belonging 
to  the  armies  of  that  empire,  two  for  the 
infantry,  and  two  for  the  cavalry.  They 
are  only  subordinate  to  field-marshals; 
which  title,  or  dignity,  is  the  same  in 
Russia  as  yvas  formerly  that  of  marshal 
of  France. 

In  the  two  imperial  armies  just  men- 
tioned, it  is  usual  for  generals,  lieutenant 
generals,  and  major  generals,  to  take 
their  routine  of  duty,  and  rise  progres- 
sively in  the  infantry  or  cavalry  corps, 
to  which  they  were  originally  appointed, 
until  they  arrive  at  a  chief  command  ; 
whereas  in  Trance  (according  to  the  old 


military  system  of  that  country-,  and  ac- 
cording to  our  own  in  England)  a  major 
general  might  be  employed  t«>  take  charge 
pf  either  infantry  or  cavalry,  without 
any  regard  being  paid  to  the  particular 
line  of  Service  lb  whioh  he  yvas  bred. 

General  cfiez  les  Tyres,  Fr.  Turkish 
generals.  Whutever  opinion  we  may 
be  disposed  to  entertain  of  the  troops 
of  the  Ottoman  Empire,  (and  we  have 
had  some  experience  of  their  manner  of 
fighting,  especially  at  St.  Jean  d'Acre 
which  was  preserved  by  a  handful  of 
British  seamen  and  marines,)  yve  shall 
wave  our  own  private  sentiments  on  the 
subject,  and  givu  the  following  curious 
account  of  their  generals,  as  faithfully 
extracted  out  of  a  French  work. 

The  Turks,  observes  that  author,  have 
likewise  good  generals.  They  possess 
experience,  because  from  their  earliest 
infancy  they  become  inured  to  arms ; 
because  through  the  diiferent  stages  of 
acknowledged  service,,  they  rise  by  de- 
grees; and  because  their  empire  being 
very  extensive,  it  is  necessary  that  they 
should  over-run  several  provinces  for 
its  protection,  and  be  almost  constantly 
engaged  in  skirmishes  or  battles.  These, 
at  least,  were  the  original  principles, 
upon  which  the  military  code  of  that 
country  was  established.  But  abuses, 
the  natural  consequences  of  corruption, 
have  since  crept  in  amongst  them ;  for 
there  have  been  persons  suddenly  raised 
from  subordinate  employments  under  the 
Porte,  to  the  supreme  command  of 
armies.  The  primary  cause  of  this  abuse 
is  to  be  found  in  the  luxury  and  effemi- 
nacy of  the  grand  signors ;  who  are 
become  heedless  to  the  Mahometan  laws, 
and  never  go  to  war  in  person. 

The  acknoyvledged  valour  of  the 
Turkish  generals  may  be  attributed  to 
the  following  causes :  to  a  constitution 
which  is  naturally  robust,  to  a  practical 
knowledge  o£  war,  and  to  habitual  mili- 
tary exercises.  To  these  may  be  added 
the  confidence  with  which  they  are  in- 
spired by  the  recollection  of  former  vic- 
tories; but  they  are  influenced,  above  all, 
by  the  secret  dictates  of  religion,  yyhich 
holds  out  eternal  happiness  to  those  who- 
shall  die  in  battle,  and  which  teaches 
them  to  believe,  that  every  Turk  bears 
yvritten  on  his  forehead,  not  only  the 
hour  of  his  departure  from  this  earth, 
but  the  manner  of  his  removal. 

A  Turkish  general  possesses  a  power 
as  absolute  and  uncontrouled  as  that, 
which  was  entrusted  to  the  dictators  of 


GEN  I  & 

the  Roman  republic.  He  has  no  com- 
petitor, or  equal,  in  the  charge  he  holds, 
no  assistants  or  colleagues  with  whom 
Re  is  directed  to  consult,  and  to  whose 
assent  or  dissent,  in  matters  of*  consul- 
tation, he  is  to  pay  the  least  regard. 
Not  only  the  army  under  his  command, 
but  the  whole  country  into  which  he 
marches,  is  subject  to  his  orders,  and 
bound  implicitly  to  obey  them.  Punish- 
ments and  rewards  are  equally  within 
his  distribution.  If  an  authority  so  ab- 
solute as  this  be  considered  in  the  light 
of  executive  effect,  nothing  most  un- 
questionably can  so  readily  produce  it ; 
for  the  tardiness  of  deliberation  is  su- 
perseded at  once  by  a  prompt  decision : 
before  which  all  sorts  of  objections,  and 
every  species  of  jealousy,  subside.  When 
a  project  is  to  be  fulfilled,  secrecy  is  the 
jaatural  consequence  of  this  arbitrary 
svstem,  and  rational  plans  are  not  inter- 
rupted by  a  difference  of  opinion,  by 
prejudice  or  cabal. 

General  de  bataille,  or  ^  a  particu- 

Genehal  major,  \  lar  rank  or 

appointment,  whose  functions  correspond 
with  those  of  a  ci-devant  marshal  of 
Trance.  This  situation  is  entrusted  to 
a  general  officer,  and  is  only  known 
among  the  armies  of  Russia,  and  some 
other  northern  powers.  He  takes  pre- 
cedence, in  the  same  manner  that  our 
major  generals  do,  of  all  brigadier-gene- 
rals and  colonels,  and  is  subordinate  to 
lieutenant  generals.  The  rank  of  briga- 
dier general  is  only  known  in  Russia, 
England,  and  Holland.  It  does  not 
exist  in  Austria  or  Sweden. 

General  des  galeres,  Fr.  superin- 
tendant  olhcer  or  general  of  the  gallies. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  important  ap- 
pointments belonging  to  the  old  govern- 
ment of  France.  The  officer  to  whom  it 
was  entrusted  commanded  all  the  gallies 
and  vessels  which  bore  what  the  French 
call  voiles  latines  (triangle  rectangular 
sails)  in  the  Mediterranean.  He  had  a 
jurisdiction,  a  marine  police,  and  an  ar- 
senal for  constructing  ships  under  his 
own  immediate  command,  without  being 
in  the  least  subordinate  to  the  French 
admiralty  board.  When  he  went  on 
board  he  was  only  inferior  in  rank  to  the 
admiral. 

The  privileges  which  were  attached  to 
his  situation,  and  the  authority  he  pos- 
sessed with  regard  to  every  other  marine 
or  sea  officer,  were  specifically  mentioned 
in  the  king's  regulations,  and  were  dis- 
tinguished by  the  respect  and  compli- 


1    ) 


GEN 


ments  that  were  paid  to  the  royal  stan- 
dard, which  this  general  bore,  not  only 
on  board  his  own  galley,  but  whenever 
he  chose  to  hoist  it  in  another. 

During  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.  in 
1669,  the  Duke  de  Vivonne,  marshal  of 
France,  raised  the  reputation  of  the 
galley  service  to  a  considerable  degree  of 
eminence,  by  gaining  several  hard  fought 
engagements.  His  son,  the  Duke  de 
Mortomart,  succeeded  him  in  the  ap- 
pointment ;  and  the  chevalier  d'Orleans, 
grand  prior  of  France,  was  general  of 
the  gallies  at  his  decease. 

General  des  vivres,  Fr.  a  chief  com- 
missary, or  superinteiidant  general  of 
stores,  whose  particular  functions  were 
to  provide  ammunition,  bread,  and  bis- 
cuit for  the  army.  There  were  several 
subordinate  commissaries  who  watched 
the  distribution  of  these  stores,  and  saw 
that  the  bakers  gave  bread  of  the  quality 
they  contracted  for.  It  was  likewise 
within  the  department  of  the  superin- 
teiidant general  to  attend  to  the  collec- 
tion of  grain  and  flour,  and  to  see  that 
proper  carriages  and  horses  were  always 
at  hand  to  convey  them  to  the  several 
depots  or  magazines.  The  different 
camps  were  also  supplied  from  the  same 
source.     See  Mumtion.naire. 

General  and  staff  officers  are  all 
officers  as  above  described,  whose  au- 
thority extends  beyond  the  immediate 
command  of  a  particular  regiment  or 
company,  and  who  have  either  separate 
districts  at  home,  or  commands  on  fo- 
reign service. 

Lieutenant  General.  This  office  is 
the  first  military  dignity  after  that  of  a 
general.  One  part  of  the  functions  be- 
longing to  lieutenant  generals,  is  to  as- 
sist the  general  with  counsel :  they  ought 
therefore,  if  possible,  to  possess  the  same 
qualities  with  the  general  himself;  and 
the  more,  as  they  often  command  armies 
in  chief,  or  succeed  thereto,  on  the  death 
of  the  general. 

The  number  of  lieutenant  generals 
have  been  multiplied  of  late  in  Europe, 
in  proportion  as  the  armies  have  become 
numerous.  They  serve  either  in  the 
field,  or  in  sieges,  according  to  the  dates 
of  their  commissions.  In  battle  the 
oldest  commands  the  right  wing  of  the 
army,  the  second  the  left  wing,  the  third 
the  center,  the  fourth  the  riglit  wing  of 
the  second  line,  the  fifth  the  left  wing, 
the  sixth  the  center,  and  so  on.  In 
sieges  the  lieutenant  generals  always 
command   the   right    of   the    principal 


GEN 


(     BIS    ) 


c;  e  N 


attack,  and  direct  what  tins  judge 
proper  for  the  advancement  <>t'  the  siege, 

during  the  24  limns  tiny  are  in  the 
trenches,  except  the  attacks,  which  they 

are  not  tn  make  without  an  order  from 
the  general  in  chief.  Lieutenant  generals 
are  entitled  to  two  aides-de-camp. 

/,i(,«((;/ii/i/-(!i.M:i!AL  of  the  ordnance. 
See  Ohdnanci:. 

Lieutenant  -  General  of  artillery 
ought  to  be  a  very  great  mathematician, 
and  an  able  engineer,  to  know  all  the 
powers  of  artillery,  to  understand  the 
attack  and  defence  of  fortified  places,  in 
all  its  different  branches;  how  to  dispose 
bf  the  artillery,  in  the  day  of  battle,  to 
the  best  advantage  ;  to  conduct  its 
march  and  retreat ;  as  also  to  be  well 
acquainted  with  all  the  numerous  ap- 
paratus belonging  to  the  train,  labora- 
tory, &c. 

Mo/ot-General,  the  next  officer  to 
the  lieutenant-general.  His  chief  busi- 
ness is  to  receive  orders  from  the  general, 
or  in  his  absence  from  the  lieutenant- 
general  of  the  day ;  which  he  is  to  dis- 
tribute to  the  brigade-majors,  with  whom 
he  is  to  regulate  the  guards,  convoys, 
detachments,  &.c.  On  him  the  whole 
fatigue  and  detail  of  duty  of  the  army 
roll.  It  is  the  major-general  of  the  day 
who  is  charged  with  the  encampment  ol 
the  army,  who  places  himself  at  the 
head  of  it  when  it  marches ;  who  marks 
out  the  ground  of  the  camp  to  the 
quarter-master-general,  and  who  places 
the  new  guards  for  the  safety  of  the 
camp. 

The  day  the  army  is  to  march,  he  dic- 
tates to  the  field-officers  the  order  of  the 
inarch,  which  he  has  received  from  the 
general,  and  on  other  days  gives  them 
the  parole. 

In  a  fixed  camp  he  is  charged  w  ith  the 
foraging,  with  reconnoitring  the  ground 
for  it,  posting  the  escorts,  &c. 

In  sieges,  if  there  are  two  separate 
attacks,  the  second  belongs  to  him  ;  but 
if  there  be  only  one,  he  takes  either 
from  the  right  or  the  left  of  the  attack, 
that  which  the  lieutenant-general  has  not 
chosen. 

When  the  army  is  under  arms,  he  as- 
sists the  lieutenant-general,  whose  orders 
he  executes. 

If  the  army  marches  to  an  engagement, 
his  post  is  at  the  head  of  the  guards  oi 
the  army,  until  they  are  near  enough  to 
the  enemy  to  rejoin  their  different  corps; 
after  which  he  retires  to  his  own  proper 
post ;  for  the  major-generals  are  disposed 


in  tin-  older  of  battle  as  the  lieutenants 
generals  are,  to  whom,  however  they  are 
subordinate,  for  the  command  of  their 
divisions.  The  major-general  has  one 
aide-de-camp  and  one  brigade-major. 

Brigadier  General,  in  the  British  ser- 
vice, IS  the  next  in  rank  to  a  major- 
general,  being  superior  to  all  colonels, 
and  having  frequently  a  separate  com- 
mand. Brigadier  generals  are  not  en- 
titled to  aides-de-camp,  but  they  have 
each  one  brigade-major. — Several  briga- 
dier-generals have  been  made  during  the 
present  war,  in  order  to  render  the  dis- 
tribution of  line-officers  more  effectually 
beneficial  to  the  common  cause,  by  in- 
vesting them  with  commands  superior  to 
the  militia  and  volunteer  establishments. 
For  further  particulars  on  this  head, 
see  (Jtli  edition  of  the  Regimental  Com- 
panion. 

General  of  a  district,  a  general  offi- 
cer who  has  the  charge  and  superintend 
dance  of  a  certain  extent  of  country,  in 
which  troops  are  encamped,  quartered, 
or  cantoned. 

lie  receives  reports,  &c.  from  the 
major-general,  respecting  the  troops  in 
his  district;  reviews  and  inspects  them, 
likewise  orders  field  days  of  the  whole 
brigaded,  or  by  separate  corps,  when 
and  in  what  part  he  pleases;  making  the 
necessary  reports  to  the  War-office,  com- 
mander in  chief,  Sec. 

Colonel  General,  an  honorary  title, 
or  military  rank,  which  is  bestowed  in 
foreign  services.  Thus  the  prince  of 
peace  in  Spain  was  colonel-general  of 
the  Swiss  guards. 

Brigade-major  General.  When  Eng- 
land and  Scotland  were  di\ided  into  dif- 
ferent districts,  each  district  under  the 
immediate  command  of  a  general  officer, 
it  was  foHiid  necessary,  for  the  dispatch 
of  business,  to  establish  an  office,  which 
should  be  solely  confined  to  brigade 
duties.  The  first  brigade-major-general 
was  appointed  in  1797.  At  that  period 
all  orders  relative  to  corps  of  officers, 
which  were  transmitted  from  the  com- 
mander in  chief  to  the  generals  of  dis- 
tricts, passed  through  this  channel  of 
intermediate  communication.  No  such 
appointment  now  exists. 

General's  Guard.  It  was  customary 
among  the  French,  and  we  believe  the 
practice  still  prevails,  for  the  oldest  re- 
giment to  give  one  captain,  one  lieutenant, 
one  ensign,  two  Serjeants,  and  fifty  pri- 
vates, as  a  general's  guard.  Whenever 
the  marshals  of  France  were  on  service 


GEN 


(    313    ) 


GEN 


under  the  immediate  orders  of  the  king, 
or  of  the  princes  belonging  to  the  royal 
household,  they  always  retained  the  rank 
of  general. 

GkTskuAL  d'armee,  Fr.  the  commander 
in  chief  of  an  army. 

Battre  la  Gene  rale,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
general.     See  Drum. 

General  court-martial.  See  Courts- 
martial. 

Genera!  formations  of  the  battalion 
are  from  line  into  column,  and  from 
column  into  line  ;  to  either  flank,  to  the 
front  of  the  march,  to  the  rear  of  the 
march. 

General  is  also  jused  for  a  particular 
beat  of  the  drum.     See  Drum. 

GENERALAT,  Fr.  the  rank  of  a 
general  officer. 

GENERALISSIMO,  (g'e.niralissime, 
Fr.)  the  chief  officer  in  command ;  a 
supreme  and  absolute  commander  in  the 
field.  This  word  is  generally  used  in 
most  foreign  languages.  It  was  first  in- 
vented by  the  absolute  authority  of  Car- 
dinal Richelieu,  when  he  went  to  com- 
mand the  French  army  in  Italy. 

GENERALSHIP,"  a  term  which  is 
applied  to  the  good  or  bad  conduct  of  a 
general  in  warfare  : — hence  good  or  bad 
generalship. 

GENESIS,  in  geometry,  the  forma- 
tion of  any  plan,-  or  solid  figure,  by  the 
motion  of  some  line,  or  surface ;  which 
line  or  surface  is  always  called  the  de- 
scribed ;  and  that  line  according  to 
which  the  motion  is  made,  is  called  the 
dirigent. 

GENETTE,  Fr.  a  particular  sort  of 
snaffle,  which  is  used  among  the  Turks ; 
it  resembles  a  large  ring,  and  serves  to 
confine  the  horse's  tongue. 

A  /oGenette,  Fr.  with  short  stirrups. 

GENIE,  Fr.  the  art  of  engineering. 
It  consists  in  a  knowledge  of  lines,  so 
as  to  be  able  to  trace  out  all  that  is  re- 
quisite for  the  attack  or  defence  of 
places,  according  to  established  rules  in 
fortification.  Marshal  Vauban  and  the 
Marquis  of  Louvois  have  particularly 
distinguished  themselves  in  this  art. 

GENIUS,  in  a  military  sense,  a  na- 
tural talent  or  disposition  to  every  kind 
of  warlike  employment,  more  than  any 
other ;  or  the  aptitude  a  man  has  re- 
ceived from  nature  to  pcriorm  well,  and 
easily,  that  which  others  can  do  but 
indifferently,  and  with  a  great  deal  of 
pains. 

From  the  diversity  of  genius,  the  dif- 


ference of  inclination  arises  in  men, 
whom  nature  has  had  the  precaution  of 
leading  to  the  employment  for  which 
she  designs  them,  with  more  or  less  im- 
petuosity, in  proportion  to  the  greater 
or  lesser  number  of  obstacles  they  have 
to  surmount,  that  they  may  render  them- 
selves capable  of  answering  this  occasion. 
Thus  the  inclinations  of  men  are  so  very 
different,  because  each  follows  the  same 
mover,  that  is,  the  impulse  of  his  ge- 
nius. This  rs  what  renders  one  officer 
more  pleasing,  even  though  he  trespasses 
against  the  rules  of  war ;  while  others 
are  disagreeable  notwithstanding  their 
strict  regularity. 

Vauvernagues,  the  French  writer,  who 
had  himself  been  an  officer,  gives  the 
following  article  relative  to  military  ge- 
nius. 

"  Ainsi  la  prevoyance,  la  fecondite, 
la  celerite  de  l'esprit  sur  les  objets  mili- 
taires  formeraient  pas  un  grand  capitaine, 
si  la  securite  dans  le  peril,  la  vigueur  du 
corps  dans  les  opirutions  laborieuses  du 
metier,  et  enfin  une  activite  infatigable 
n'accompagnaient  les  autres  talens." — 
Page  26.  Vol.  I.  For  a  more  impressive 
description  of  genius — particularly  with 
regard  to  music — see  Dictionnaire  Mu- 
sique  par  J.  J.  Rousseau. 

GENOUILLIERE,  Fr.  in  fortifica- 
tion, that  part  of  the  parapet  of  a  bat- 
tery which  lies  under  the  embrazure,  and 
is  within  the  battery.  The  genouilliere 
is  about  21  or  3  French  feet  high  from 
the  platform  to  the  opening  of  the  em- 
brazure. It  lies  immediately  under  the 
arch  of  the  fortification.  Its  thickness, 
which  usually  consists  of  fascines  well 
put  together,  is  of  the  same  dimensions 
that  merlons  bear ;  namely  from  18  to 
22  feet.  The  term  genouilliere  is  de- 
rived from  genou,  signifying  the  knee, 
to  the  height  of  which  it  is  generally 
raised. 

GENS,  Fr.  a  word  in  much  desultory 
use  among  the  French,  signifying,  in  a 
general  acceptation  of  it,  folks,  people, 
servants,  soldiers,  &c.  When  followed 
by  the  preposition  de,  and  i>v  a  substan- 
tive, which  points  out  any  particular  pro- 
fession, trade,  &c.  it  signifies  ail  those 
persons  that  belong  to  one  na'.ion,  one 
town,  &c.  or  who  are  of  one  specific  pro- 
fession or  calling,  as 

Gens  d'aiincs.     See  Gendarmes. 

Gens  d'urniaie,  Fr.  the  establishment 
or  corps  of  gendarmes  is  so  called  in 
France. 

2S 


GEN 


(     314     ) 


GEO 


on 


Gens  dc  guerre,  Fr.  military  men. 
Gens  de  rner,  Fr.  sea-faring  men. 
Gens  dc  terre,  Fr.  landmen. 
Gens  de  cheval,  Fr.  men  serving 
horseback. 

Gens  de  pied,  Fr.  men  serving  on  foot. 
Gfns  de  sac  et  de  cordc,  Fr.  an  op- 
probrious term  which  the  French  apply 
to  men  that  deserve  chastisement.  In 
former  times,  the  cord  or  rope,  and  the 
sack,  were  the  common  instruments  and 
means  of  punishment.  The  rope  served 
to  hang  up  malefactors ;  and  the  sack 
was  used  to  contain  their  bodies  when  it 
was  ordained  that  they  should  be  thrown 
into  a  river. 

Gens  de  Viquipage,  Fr.  men  belonging 
to  the  train  of  artillery. 

Gens  d'epee,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
among  the  French  to  distinguish  officers, 
gentlemen,  &c.  who  wear  swords,  from 
those  that  do  not,  particularly  so  in  op- 
position to  gens  de  la  robe,  or  lawyers. 
Les  Gens  d'eglise,  Fr.  churchmen. 
Les  Gens  de  robe,  Fr.  lawyers,  or 
gentlemen  of  the  long  robe. 

Mcs  Gins,  Fr.  an  affected  phrase, 
which  is  used  among  the  French,  to 
signify  their  servants  or  attendants.  It 
seems  to  have  been  an  arrogant  and 
foolish  imitation  of  man  peuple,  my 
people.  During  the  old  monarchy  of 
France,  this  term  was  much  in  vogue  at 
Paris,  and  was  afterwards  adopted  by 
almost  all  the  petits-maUies,  or  coxcombs 
belonging  to  the  church,  state,  and 
army. 

GENT,  Fr.  nation.  It  is  only  used 
in  poetry,  viz.  La  gent  qui  parte  le  Tur- 
ban, the  Turkish  Nation. 

Le  droit  des  Gens,  Fr.  the  rights  of 
nations. 

GENTILSHOMMES  de  la  garde, 
(commonly  called  Au  bee  de  corbin,  or 
the  battle  axe,)  Fr.  This  company  went 
through  many  alterations  under  the  old 
monarchy  of  France.  During  the  last 
years  of  that  government,  it  consisted  oi 
200  guards  under  the  command  of  a 
captain,  a  lieutenant,  and  an  ensign. 
The  captain  had  the  power  of  giving  away 
the  subaltern  commissions,and  had  more- 
over the  entire  management  of  the  rest ; 
every  vacancy  being  in  his  gitt.  They 
marched  in  file,  each  holding  his  battle- 
axe  before  the  king  on  days  of  public 
ceremony.  These  were  chiefly  at  the 
coronation,  and  the  marriage  of  the  king, 


When  the  company  was  first  raised, 
its  particular  duty  was  to  attend  the 
king's  person,  and  to  be  constantly  near 
him  in  the  day  of  battle. 

Gentilhomme  a  drupcau,  Habh  dans 
chaque  compagnie  det  gardes  Franftuesy 
Fr.  Under  the  old  French  government, 
this  person  ranked  as  qffkier  en  second. 
He  did  duty  in  common  with  t i  1* -  ensigns 
of  the  French  guards,  and  took  prece- 
de nee  immediately  under  them.  His 
name  always  stood  upon  the  muster  roll, 
but  his  appointment  was  merely  hono- 
rary, as  he  did  not  receive  any  pay  ;  his 
tour  of  duty  in  mounting  guards  went 
with  that  of  the  ensigns  ;  he  was  obliged 
to  be  present  at  all  iield  days,  and  could 
not  absent  himself  without  leave. 

Gentilsiiommes  pensionnaires,  Fr. 
gentlemen  pensioners.  See  Pension- 
ers. 

GENTLEMAN,  a  man  raised  above 
the  vulgar  by  his  character  and  good 
conduct  ;  also  one  who  obtains  the  ap- 
pellation from  his  post  or  situation  in 
life.  Thus  all  subalterns  in  the  army 
are   called  gentlemen. 

Gr.vj  i.Y.Mw-dttnxlant,  (gentilhomme 
a  la  suite,  Fr.)  a  situation  about  the 
person  of  the  heir  apparent  to  the  crown 
of  Great  Britain,  which  corresponds  with 
that  of  a  lord  in  waiting. 

GEOCENTKIC.  This  term  is  ap- 
plied to  any  thing  which  has  the  earth 
tor  its  surface. 

GEOD(ESIA,  (giodesie,  Fr.)  that  part 
of  practical  geometry,  which  contains 
the  doctrine  or  art  of  measuring  surfaces, 
anil  finding  the  contents  of  all  plain  fi- 
gures. Among  the  French  giodesie  means 
likewise  the  di\isions  of  lands.  See 
Survey  inc. 

GEOGRAPHY  is  the  doctrine  or 
knowledge  of  the  terrestrial  globe;  or 
the  science  that  teaches  and  explains  the 
state  of  the  earth,  and  parts  thereof  that 
depend  upon  quantity  ;  or  it  is  rather 
that  part  of  mixed  mathematics,  which 
explains  the  state  of  the  earth,  and  of 
its  parts  depending  on  quantity,  viz.  its 
figure,  magnitude,  place,  and  motion, 
with  the  celestial  appearances,  &.c.  In 
consequence  of  this  definition,  geogra- 
phy should  be  divided  into  general  and 
special,  or  universal  and  particular. 

By  universal  Geography  is  under- 
stood that  part  of  the  science  which  con- 
siders  the  whole  earth  in  general,  and 


or 


at  the  reception  of  the  knights  of  the  explains  its  properties  without  regard  to 


Holy  Ghost 


particular   countries.     This   division   is 


GEO 


(     315 


GEO 


again  distinguished  into  three  parts,  ab- 
solute, relative,  and  comparative.  The 
absolute  part  respects  the  body  of  the 
earth  itself,  its  parts  and  peculiar  pro- 
perties ;  as  its  figure,  magnitude,  and 
motion  ;  its  lands,  seas,  and  rivers,  &c. 
The  relative  part  accounts  for  the  ap- 
pearances and  accidents  that  happen  to 
it  from  celestial  causes  ;  and  lastly,  the 
comparative  contains  an  explanation 
of  those  properties  which  arise  from 
comparing  different  parts  of  the  earth 
together. 

Special  or  particular  Geography  is 
that  division  of  the  science  which  de- 
scribes the  constitution  and  situation  ot 
each  single  country  by  itself;  and  is 
two-fold,  viz.  chorographical,  which  de- 
scribes countries  of  a  considerable  ex- 
tent ;  or  topographical,  which  gives  a 
view  of  some  place,  or  small  tract  of 
land.  Hence  the  object  or  subject  of 
geography  is  the  earth,  especially  its  su 
perficies  and  exterior  parts. 

The  properties  of  Geography  are  of 
three  kinds,  viz.  celestial,  terrestrial,  and 
human.  The  celestial  properties  are 
such  as  affect  us  by  reason  of  the  appa- 
rent motion  of  the  sun  and  stars.  These 
are  8  in  number. 

1.  The  elevation  of  the  pole,  or  the 
distance  of  a  place  from  the  equator. 

2.  The  obliquity  of  the  diurnal  mo- 
tion of  the  stars  above  the  horizon  of 
the  place. 

3.  The  time  of  the  longest  and  short- 
est day. 

4.  The  climate  and  zone. 

5.  Heat,  cold,  and  the  seasons  of  the 
year;  with  rain,  snow,  wind,  and  other 
meteors. 

6.  The  rising,  appearance,  and  conti- 
nuance of  stars  aoove  the  horizon. 

7.  The  stars  that  pass  though  the 
zenith  of  a  place. 

8.  The  celerity  of  the  motion  with 
which,  according  to  the  Copernican 
hypothesis,  every  place  constantly  re- 
volves. 

The  terrestrial  properties  are  those  ob- 
served in  the  face  of  the  country,  and  are 
10  in  number. 

1.  The  limits  and  bounds  of  each 
country. 

/  figure  ; 
%  magnitude; 
t     /mountains ; 

^waters,  viz.    springs,  rivers, 

lakes  and  bays  ; 
.  woods  and  deserts ; 


/r 

': 


8. 

9. 

10. 


of 
be 


6. 
7. 


f 

0  >Their< 

i  < 


7.  The  fruitfulness  and  barrenness  of 
the  country,  with  its  various  kinds  of 
fruits. 

>.  1  (  minerals  and  fossils ; 

).  >The  -Hiving  creatures  there  ; 

)■  3  (  longitude   and   latitude 

the  place. 
The  third  kind  of  observations  to 
made  in  every  country  is  called  human, 
because  it  chiefly  regards  the  inhabitants 
of  the  place.  It  consists  of  10  specific 
branches. 

1.  Their  stature,  shape,  colour,  and 
the  length  of  their  lives ;  their  origin, 
meat,  and  drink. 

2.  Their  arts,  and  the  profits  which 
arise  from  them,  with  the  merchandize 
they  barter  one  with  another. 

3.  Their  virtues  and  vices,  learning, 
capacities,  and  schools. 

4.  Their  ceremonies  at  births,  mar- 
riages, and  funerals. 

5.  The  language  which  the  inhabitants 
use. 

political  government, 
religion    and    church    go- 
vernment, 
cities  and  famous  places, 
remarkable   histories    and 
antiquities. 
10.  Their  famous  men,  artificers,  and 
inventions  of  the  natives. 

These  are  the  three  kinds  of  occur- 
rences to  be  explained  in  special  geo- 
graphy. 

The  principles  o/"Geography,  or  those 
from  which  arguments  are  drawn  for  the 
proving  of  propositions  in  that  science, 
are,  according  to  the  best  authors,  of 
three  sorts  : 

1.  Geometrical,  arithmetical,  and  tri- 
gonometrical propositions. 

2.  Astronomical  precepts  and  theo- 
rems. 

3.  Experience,  being  that  upon  which 
the  greatest  part  of  geography,  and 
chiefly  the  special,  is  founded. 

In  proving  geographical  propositions, 
we  are  to  observe,  that  several  proper- 
ties, and  chiefly  the  celestial,  are  con- 
finned  by  proper  demonstrations  ;  being 
either  grounded  on  experience  and  ob- 
ervation,  or  on  the  testimony  of  our 
senses  :  nor  can  they  be  proved  by  any 
other  means.  There  are  also  several 
propositions  proved,  or  rather  exposed 
to  view,  by  the  terrestrial  globe,  or  by 
geographical  maps. 

Other  propositions  cannot  be  so  well 
proved,    yet  are   received   as  apparent 
2S2 


GEO 


(     316     ) 


GEO 


truths     Thus,  though    we   suppose  all 

f laces  on  the  globe,  and  in  maps,  to  be 
aid  down  in  the  same  order  as  they  are 
really  on  the  earth  ;  nevertheless,  in 
these  matters,  we  rather  follow  the  de- 
scriptions that  are  given  by  geographi- 
cal writers. 

Geography  is  very  ancient,  at  least 
the  special  part  thereof;  for  the  ancients 
scarcely  went  beyond  the  description  of 
countries.  It  was  a  constant  custom 
among  the  Romans,  after  they  had  con- 
quered or  subdued  any  province,  to  have 
a  map  or  printed  representation  thereof 
carried  in  triumph,  and  exposed  to  the 
view  of  the  spectators.  Ilistori;*ns  re- 
late, that  the  Roman  senate,  about  100 
years  before  Christ,  sent  geographers 
into  divers  parts  to  make  an  exact  survey 
and  mensuration  of  the  whole  globe  ; 
but  they  scarcely  ever  saw  the  twentieth 
part  of  it.  When  Bonaparte  went  to 
Egypt,  he  had  this  system  in  view. 

Before  them,  Necho,  king  of  Egypt, 
ordered  the  Phoenicians  to  make  a  sur- 
vey of  the  whole  coast  of  Africa,  which 
they  accomplished  in  3  years.  Darius 
caused  the  Ethiopic  sea,  and  the  mouth 
of  the  Indus,  to  be  surveyed  ;  and  Pliny 
relates,  that  Alexander,  in  his  expedi- 
tion into  Asia,  took  two  geographers  to 
measure  and  describe  the  roads  ;  and 
that  from  their  itineraries,  the  writers  of 
the  following  ages  took  many  particu- 
lars. Indeed  this  may  be  observed,  that 
whereas  most  other  arts  and  sciences 
are  sufferers  by  war,  geography,  artillery, 
mining,  and  fortification,  alone  have  been 
improved  thereby.  Geography,  how- 
ever, must  have  been  exceedingly  de- 
fective, as  a  great  part  of  the  globe  was 
then  unknown,  particularly  all  America, 
the  northern  parts  of  Europe  and  Asia, 
with  the  Terra  Australis,  and  Magella- 
nica  ;  and  they  were  also  ignorant  of 
the  earth's  being  capable  to  be  sailed 
round,  and  of  the  ton  id  zone  being  ha- 
bitable, £\c. 

The  honour  of  reducing  geography  to 
art  and  system  was  reserved  for  Pto- 
lemy ;  who,  by  adding  mathematical  ad- 
vantages to  the  historical  method  in 
which  it  had  been  treated  of  before,  has 
d<  scribed  the  world  in  a  much  more  in- 
telligible manner ;  he  lias  delineated  it 
under  more  certain  pules,  and  by  fixing 
the  bounds  of  places  from  the  longitude 
and  latitude,  has  discovered  other  miSf 
takes,  and  has  left  us  a  method  oi  disco- 
vering his  own. 


GEOLAGE,  Fr.  belonging  to  a  gaol 
or  prison. 

F?ais  de  Geoi  age,  Fr.  prison  fees  or 
expi'iiM  s. 

I  Jl.OLE,  Fr.  a  gaol  ;  a  prison. 

GEOLIER  des  prisons  mtli/aires,  Fr. 
the  superintendant  or  head  jailer  of  mi- 
litary prisons.  Under  the  old  lrench 
government,  this  person  had  a  right  to 
visit  all  prisoners  that  were  not  confined 
in  dungeons.  He  could  order  provision^, 
wood  and  coal  to  be  conveyed  to  them  ; 
but  he  had  not  the  power  of  permitting 
women  to  visit,  or  to  have  any  intt  r- 
cmirse  with  the  soldiers  ;  and  when  their 
period  of  imprisonment  expired,  he  could 
not  detain  them  on  account  of  debts 
contracted  for  food,  lodgings,  orfees,  &.e. 
Half  of  the  prisoner's  subsistence  for  one 
day,  accordYflg  to  his  rank,  was  given  on 
his  release.  | 

GEOMETRICAL  elevations,  just  di- 
mensions of  ascent  proportionate  to  a 
given  scale, &c.     See  Outhography. 

GEOMETHE,  Fr.  a  geometer. 

GEOMETRIE,  Fr.  geometry. 

GEOMETnir,  composee,  Fr.  compound 
geometry,  which  consists  in  the  know- 
ledge of  curved  lines,  and  of  the  different 
bodies  produced  by  them.  The  imme- 
diate object  or  intent  of  compound  geo- 
metry is  confined  to  conic  sections  and 
to  lines  of  that  species. 

Geometuie  sublime  el  transcendante, 
Fr  These  terms  have  been  applied  by  the 
French  to  the  new  system  of  geometry, 
which  was  produced  by  Leibnitz,  and 
In  ev.  ton,  when  they  found  out  the  method 
of  calculating  ad  infinitum, 

GEOMETRY,  (geometric,  Fr.)  is  the 
only  branch  of  abstract  science  that 
considers  different  sorts  of  dimensions,  or 
treats  of  magnitudes,  that  are  heteroge- 
neous, or  of  different  kinds.  The  diver- 
sities, however,  of  dimension  and  magni- 
tude even  in  it  are,  in  respect  of  kind, 
only  three,  which  we  derive  our  ideas  of 
from  body,  and  the  exercise  of  our  exter- 
nal senses.  And  as  every  object  with 
which  we  are  surrounded  in  lifi  partakes 
of  all  the  (luce,  it  has  perhaps  very  fitly 

been  called  ymifxtrfta.,  or  geometry,  al- 
though one  et  the  most  extensive  parts 
of  it,  viz.  the  doctrine  of  proportion  or 
ratios  knows  no  diversity  of  dimension 
or  magnitude,  in  respect  of  kind.  For 
all  ratios  are  homogeneous  magnitudes, 
and  differ  not  in  kind,  but  in  degree. 
How  would  it  otherwise  be  possible  for 
the  ratios  of  hues  to  be  the  same  with  or 


GEO 


(     31T     ) 


GEO 


■equal  to  the  ratios  of  surfaces  and  solids, 
as  Euclid  and  almost  all  other  v\  liters  on 
geometry  frequently  demonstrate,  since 
no  equality  or  similitude,  in  point  of 
magnitude,  can  exist  between  things  of 
different  kinds  ?  They  never  could  other- 
wise stand  to  one  another  in  the  relations 
of  greater,  equal,  or  less.  Neither  could 
they  ever  be  brought  together  by  analogy 
without  similitude  and  homogeneity. 
The  similarity  of  nature  and  homogeneity 
indeed  of  ratios  must  always  be  the 
primary,  fundamental,  and  leading  idea 
in  the  doctrine  of  their  measures.  Were 
ratios,  expressing  the  relations  of  lines, 
surfaces,  and  solids,  to  be  heterogeneous 
like  the  magnitudes  themselves,  we  never 
could  reason  from  the  relations  of  lines 
to  those  of  surfaces,  or  from  the  relations 
of  surfaces  to  those  of  solids.  And  "as 
magnitudes  cannot  possibly  exist  in  any 
other  relations  to  one  another,  in  respect 
of  quantity,  than  those  of  greater,  equal, 
and  less,  Euclid,  after  calling  such  rela- 
tions ratios,  founds  his  definition  of  pro- 
portionality amongst  magnitudes  on  the 
application  of  this  idea  to  their  multi- 
ples ;  and  after  defining  ratios  in  these 
three  ditferent  relations  defines  analogy 
to  be  the  similitude  of  ratios.  And  here 
it  may  not  be  improper  to  observe,  that 
magnitude,  taken  in  its  general,  abstract- 
ed, and  metaphysical  acceptation,  may, 
with  strict  propriety,  be  defined  to  be 
whatever*  admits  of  more  or  less,  of  increase 
or  decrease,  and  quantity  to  be  the  degree 
of  magnitude.  In  algebra  and  arith- 
metic all  magnitudes  are  humogeneous, 
or  of  the  same  kind.  Thus  0%  o3,  04, 
65,  &c.  are  all  of  them  magnitudes  of 
the  same  kind  with  6  and  with  each 
other  ;  and  xz,  x,3  x*,  x5,  &c.  are  mag- 
nitudes of  the  same  kind  with  x,  and 
with  each  other.  For  otherwise  they 
could  no  more  be  connected  together  by 
the  signs  of  addition  and  subtraction, 
than  a  line  with  a  surface,  or  a  surface 
with  a  solid.  And  such  equations  as 
</5  +  3y*=.4y3  +  8y,  were  not  y5,  y%  y*, 
and  y  magnitudes  with  each  other,  and 
with  8,  4,  and  3,  would  imply  the 
same  absurdity  as  the  supposition  of  a 
relation  of  equality  between  a  right  line 
and  a  surface,  or  between  a  surface  and 
a  solid. 

Geometry,  then,  is  the  only  branch  of 
abstract  science  that  treats  of  heteroge- 
neous magnitudes,  or  of  different  sorts  of 
dimensions,  which  are  three,  viz.  linear, 
superficial,  and  solid.      Qur  ideas,   in- 


deed, of  extension  cannot  furnish  us  with 
any  other.  And  geometry  is  nothing 
else  than  the  application  of* metaphysics 
to  extension.  Our  reasonings,  however, 
with  regard  to  the  different  degrees  of 
quantity  in  each  of  these  three  kinds  of 
geometrical  magnitudes,  and  particularly 
with  respect  to  their  properties  and  rela- 
tions, are  by  no  means  confined  to  three 
finks  in  the  endless  chain  of  universal 
comparison,  or  to  the  simple,  duplicate, 
and  triplicate  ratios,  as  seems  to  have 
been  the  case  both  with  the  ancient  and 
modern  geometers,  but  maybe  extended 
indefinitely.  And  as  the  relations  with 
geometrical  as  well  as  of  all  other  magni- 
tudes, are  magnitudes  of  the  same  kind 
with  each  other,  and  partake  not  in  the 
least  of  the  dimensions,  which  go  to  the 
formation  of  the  different  sorts  of  exten- 
sion and  solidity,  the  general  laws,  that 
govern  our  reasonings  respecting  them, 
must  form  the  basis,  the  principles,  and 
ground-work  of"  universal  metricks,  ap- 
plicable to  magnitudes  of  every  kind,  or 
whatever  admits  of  more  or  less,  of  in- 
crease, or  decrease.  But  geometry,  when 
properly  applied,  furnishes  the  investiga- 
tion of  these  laws  or  principles  in  the 
most  unexceptionable  manner,  and  re- 
gulates their  endlessly  extensive  appli- 
cations :  thereby  rendering  ail  our  rea- 
sonings, by  means  of  chert;  strictly  and 
perfectly  geometrical.  See  Glenie's 
Universal  Comparison. 

Even  algebra,  or  general  arithmetic,  is 
indebted  to  geometry  for  the  proof  and 
elucidations  of  its  principles.  Most 
writers  on  that  branch  of  science  give  the 
constructions  of  quadratic  equations  by 
means  of  the  circle  and  right  lines.  But 
this  gentleman  has  shewn  us,  how  all 
quadratic  equations  may  easily  be  con- 
structed, by  the  second  book  of  Euclid, 
without  the  circle.  And  we  understand 
lie  has  a  very  easy  method  of  constructing 
all  cubic  and  biquadratic  equations,  of 
finding  two  mean  proportionals  between 
any  two  given  right  lines,  and  of  trisect- 
ing any  given  angles  by  means  of  plain 
geometry,  strictly  so  called,  or  by  the 
circle  and  right  lines  alone,  to  within 
any  assignable  limit. 

Geometry  is  an  inexhaustible  science, 
and  knows  no  bounds,  as  there  is  always 
room  left  in  it  for  the  discovery  of  new 
theorems.  It  is  moreover  an  excellent 
species  of  logic,  teaches  men  how  to 
reason  truly,  and  accustoms  the  mind  to 
a   habit  of  close  and  correct  thinking 


GEO 


(     318     ) 


GEO 


To  it  we  are  entirely  indebted  for  trigo- 
nometry, which  is  of  the  greatest  use  in 
navigation,  astronomy,  and  in  mam- 
things  inseparably  connected  with  mili- 
tary operations.  It  furnishes  the  rule 
for  working  by  in  the  ordinary  affairs  of 
life.  The  distances  of  places,  or  remote 
objects,  and  their  situations,  in  respect  of 
one  another,  can  only  be  ascertained  by 
measuring,  and  by  the  rides  which  geo- 
metry supplies.  The  drawing  of  maps  or 
charts,  as  well  as  the  measurement  and 
division  of  lands,  depend  on  it.  Houses 
and  towns  cannot  be  built  without  a 
knowledge  of  their  figures  and  dimen- 
sions. Masons,  joiners,  &c.  have  fre- 
quent occasion  for  parallel  and  perpen- 
dicular lines,  and  often  have  to  deal  with 
triangles,  squares,  parallelograms,  circles, 
pyramids,  cones,  cubes,  prisms,  &c.  An 
acquaintance  with  it  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary for  castrametation,  for  all  military 
erections,  for  the  proper  conducting  of 
sieges,  for  determining  the  heights  of 
walls  and  revetements,  and  the  respective 
distances  of  an  enemy's  works,  for  tactics 
and  the  marshalling  of  troops.  It  is  only 
by  a  judicious  use  of  geometry  that  the 
true  principles  of  military  construction, 
both  regular  and  irregular,  can  either  he 
investigated  or  applied  to  practice.  And 
the  proper  application  of  those  princi- 
ples to  the  whole  diversity  of  ground, 
which  nature  (that  delights  in  variety) 
presents,  and  instruction  with  regard  to 
the  prompt  or  expeditious  combination 
of  them  with  both  natural  and  artificial 
objects,  as  hills,  rivers,  ravines,  buildings, 
enclosures,  ditches,  &c.  &c.  form,  un- 
questionably, the  most  essential  and  pro- 
fitable branches  of  military  tuition.  So 
necessary  is  a  knowledge  of  geometry, 
for  warlike  operations,  that  ignorance  of 
it  ought  to  exclude  a  person  from  the 
situation  of  a  commissioned  officer  in  the 
army,  as  it  did  from  entrance  into  Plato's 
school.  Polybius,  in  speaking  of  the 
knowledge  necessary  for  a  general,  makes 
use  of  the  following  words,  which  deserve 
to  be  read  with  attention  and  respect  by 
every  officer. 

"  It  will  nor,  I  think,  be  objected  to 
me  by  any  reasonable  man,  that  I  require 
too  much,  in  making  astronomy  and 
geometry  necessary  parts  of  study  for 
the  general  of  an  army.  To  join  indeed 
to  any  profession  those  foreign  and  super- 
fluous acquisitions,  which  only  serve  to 
furnish  matter  of  ostentation  and  idle 
talk,  is  a  labour,  which  I  entirely  disap- 


prove. But  as  much  as  I  condemn  such 
superfluous  diligence,  so  much  on  the 
Other  hand  must  I  contend  for  the  neces- 
sity of  drawing,  even  from  a  distant 
source,  some  knowledge  of  those  things 
which  are  of  constant  and  notorious  use. 
For  is  it  not  absurd,  that  persons,  who 
profess  the  arts  of  dancing  and  of  music, 
should  submit  to  be  instructed  in  the 
theory  of  measure  and  of  harmony,  and 
even  to  be  trained  in  the  gymnastic  exer- 
cises, because  these  are  all  considered  as 
the  necessary  means  of  obtaining  per- 
fection in  their  respective  arts,  and  that 
those,  who  aspire  to  the  command  of 
armies,  should  be  displeased  to  iind,  that 
an  acquaintance,  in  some  degree,  with 
other  sciences,  is  necessary  in  their  pro- 
fession ?  Shall  the  men,  that  exercise 
illiberal  arts,  exert  greater  pains,  and 
shew  a  stronger  emulation  to  excel,  than 
those  who  are  ambitious  to  obtain  dis- 
tinction in  the  noblest  and  most  splendid 
of  all  employments  ?  There  is  no  man 
of  sense  that  will  avow  such  senti- 
ments." 

Plato  thought  the  word  geometry  an 
improper  name  for  this  science,  and  ac- 
cordingly substituted  in  its  place  the 
more  extensive  one  of  mensuration  ;  and 
after  him,  others  gave  it.  the  name  of 
pantometry,  as  demonstrating  not  only 
the  quantities  of  all  manner  of  magni- 
tudes, but  also  their  qualities,  ratios, 
positions,  transformations,  relations,  &c. 
and  Produs  calls  it  the  knowledge  of 
magnitudes  and  figures,  and  their  limita- 
tions ;  also  of  their  motions  and  affec- 
tions of  every  kind. 

Origin  and  progress  of  Geometry. 
This  science  had  its  rise  among  the 
Egyptians,  who  were  in  a  manner  com- 
pelled to  invent  it,  to  remedy  the  confu- 
sion that  generally  happened  in  their 
lands,  from  the  inundations  of  the  river 
Nile,  which  carried" away  all  their  boun- 
daries, and  effaced  all  the  limits  of  their 
possessions.  Thus,  this  invention,  which 
at  first  consisted  only  in  measuring  the 
lands,  that  every  person  might  have 
what  belonged  to  him,  was  called  geome- 
try, or  the  art  of  measuring  land  ;  and 
it  is  probable,  that  the  drafts  and 
schemes,  which  they  were  annually  com- 
pelled to  make,  enabled  them  to  discover 
many  excellent  properties  of  these  figures; 
which  speculation  has  continued  gradu- 
ally to  this  day. 

From   Egypt   geometry   passed    into 
Greece,  where  it  continued   to    receive 


GER 


(     319     ) 


G  E  S 


improvements  from  Thales,  Pythagoras, 
Archimedes,  Euclid,  &c.  The  elements 
of  geometry,  written  by  Euclid  in  15 
books,  are  a  most  convincing  proof  to 
what  perfection  this  science  was  carried 
among  the  ancients.  However,  it  must 
be  acknowledged,  that  it  fell  short  of 
modern  geometry,  the  bounds  of  which, 
by  the  invention  of  fluxions,  and  the 
discovery  of  the  almost  infinite  order  of 
curves,  are  greatly  enlarged. 

Division  o/*Geometry.  This  science 
is  usually  distinguished  into  elementary, 
and  higher  or  sublime  geometry.  The 
first,  or  elementary  geometry,  treats  of 
the  properties  of  right  lines,  and  of  the 
circle,  together  with  the  figures  and  so- 
lids formed  by  them.  The  doctrine  of 
lines  comes  first,  then  that  of  surfaces, 
and  lastly  that  of  solids.  The  higher 
geometry  comprehends  the  doctrine  of 
conic  sections,  and  numerous  other 
curves. 

Speculative  and  practical  Geometry. 
The  former  treats  of  the  properties  of 
lines  and  figures,  as  Euclid's  Elements, 
Apollonius's  Conic  Sections,  &c,  and 
the  latter  shews  how  to  apply  these  spe- 
culations to  the  use  of  mensuration,  na- 
vigation, surveying,  taking  heights  and 
distances,  gauging,  fortification,  gun- 
nery, &c. 

We  may  distinguish  the  progress  of 
geometry  into  three  ages  ;  the  first  of 
which  was  in  its  meridian  glory  at  the 
time  when  Euclid's  Elements  appeared  : 
the  second  beginning  with  Archimedes, 
reaches  to  the  time  of  Descartes  ;  who, 
by  applying  algebra  to  the  elements  of 
geometry,  gave  a  new  turn  to  this  science, 
which  has  been  carried  to  its  utmost 
perfection  by  our  learned  countryman 
Sir  Isaac  Newton,  and  by  the  German 
philosopher  Leibnitz. 

GEORGE,  or  Knight  of  St.  George, 
has  been  the  denomination  of  several 
military  orders,  whereof  that  of  the  gar- 
ter is  one  of  the  most  illustrious.  See 
Garter. 

The  figure  of  St.  George  on  horse- 
back, worn  by  the  kings  of  England  and 
knights  companions  of  the  garter,  is  so 
called. 

St.  GEORGE  !  the  English  war  cry. 
GERBE,  Fr.  means  literally  a  sheaf, 
but  here  it  signifies  a  sort  of  artificial 
firework,  which  is  placed  in  a  perpen- 
dicular manner,  and  resembles  a  sheaf. 
See  Jets  de  feu. 

GERME,  Fr.  an  open  boat  or  bark 


without  hatches,  used  in  the  Levant  seas 
for  the  transportation  of  goods  and  pas- 
sengers. 

GERIT,  a  dart  which  is  used  by  the 
Turks  when  they  go  into  action.  It  is 
about  three  feet  in  length. 

GERSURE,  Fr.  in  masonry,  a  chap, 
a  fla\v  ;  a  cleft,  a  crevice.  This  word  is 
sometimes  written  Gercure. 

GESE,  Fr.  a  weapon  used  in  former 
times,  resembling  a  javelin. 

Geses  and  Materes  were  adopted  by 
the  Allobroges,  (a  body  of  ancient  Gauls 
so  called,)  independently  of  the  broad 
cut  and  thrust  sword,  which  the  Swiss 
still  wear.  These  instruments  were  only 
one  cubit  long  ;  half  the  blade  was 
nearly  square,  but  it  terminated  in  a 
round  point  that  was  exceedingly  keen. 
Virgil  in  his  iEneid  calls  this  species  of 
blade,  a/pin,  meaning,  no  doubt,  to  con- 
vey, that  it  was  in  general  use  among  the 
neighbouring  inhabitants  of  the  Alps. 
Not  only  the  Romans,  but  the  Greeks 
received  it  into  their  armies.  The  former 
retained  the  full  appellation  and  called 
it  gese,  but  the  latter  corrupted  it  into 
ysse.  This  is  the  only  weapon  which 
those  soldiers  wore  that  escorted  male- 
factors, who  were  condemned  to  death, 
to  the  place  of  execution.  The  term 
gese  was  also  applied  to  a  sort  of  ja- 
velin. 

GESSATES,  a  people  of  whom  Poly- 
bius  speaks  in  his  history  of  the  ancient 
Gauls,  and  who  inhabited  the  countries 
lying  adjacent  to  the  Alps,  and  to  the 
river  Rhone.  According  to  some  writers, 
they  were  so  called,  because  they  con- 
stantly wore  geses.  The  gese  is  said  to 
have  been  a  dart  which  the  ancient 
Gauls  exclusively  used,  and  which  some 
authors  have  since  confounded  with  the 
pertuisane  or  partisan,  a  sort  of  halbert, 
called  by  others  a  javelin.  This  word 
was  used  in  Provence,  as  late  as  the  year 
1300;  for  in  the  inventory  which  was 
taken  of  the  goods,  furniture,  &c.  ap- 
pertaining to  the  Templars,  we  find  gessus 
or  gesus  particularly  specified  in  the  list 
of  weapons  and  iron  instruments,  which 
was  understood  to  mean  gese,  and  under 
that  appellation  was  deposited  in  the 
king's  archives  at  Aix.  See  Boucher, 
Hist.  Prov.  Liv.  ii.  c.  4.  p.  82.  This 
same  author  further  asserts,  that  the 
Gessi,  and  the  Gessates  took  their  names 
from  that  weapon.  He  quotes  Julius 
Caesar's  account  of  the  word  gesi  in  con- 
firmation of  his   own   opinion.      Many 


GHE 


(     M20     ) 


G  I  B 


authors  have  mentioned  the  same  term  : 
among  others,  Justus,  Lipsus,  Hugo, 
Chev<  -,  \  ossius,  &c. 

(Ii.ssati:,  on  GssiTE,  Fr.  a  knight 
among  the  ancient  Gauls,  who  took  de- 
light in  war,  and  frequently  volunteered 
i  9  services  beyond  the  boundaries  of 
his  native  country.  Whenever;)  neigh- 
bouring country  made  ft  levy  of  im  n, 
it  was  Dsoal  Tor  Che  gessates  to  accom- 
pany the  troops,  from  a  conviction  that 
u  would  be  dishonourable  in  them  to 
remain  inactive  at  home.  These  ad- 
venturers, or  knights-errant,  were  called 
gessates,  either  on  account  of  thegessus 
or  large  dart,  which  thev  carried,  <>r,  as 
Polybius  imagines,  on  account  of  the 
subsistence  which  was  paid  them,  and 
was  called  by  that  name. 

GESTES,  Fr.  (from  the  Latin  ges- 
tuni.  or  res  gestaj)  brilliant  actions,  me- 
morable deeds  and  exploits  performed  by 
great  generals. 

GESTION,  Fr.  administration. 

Rendre  compte  de  sa  GeptiOn,  Fr.  to 
give  an  account  of  one's  charge,  or  trust. 

GESTURE,  a  motion  of  the  body 
intended  to  signify  some  idea,  or  passion 
of  the  mind.  All  officers  and  soldiers 
who  make  use  of  any  menacing  gesture 
before  a  commanding  or  superior  officer, 
or  before  a  court-martial,  are  liable  to  be 
punished  by  the  Articles  of  War. 

GEZE,  Fr.  a  rentrant  angle,  which  is 
made  with  slate  or  lead,  and  forms  a 
irutter  between  two  roots.  It  is  like- 
wise called  none,  or  pantile. 

GHERIAH,  the  capital  and  strongest 
part  of  Angria's  dominions,  which  con- 
sisted of  an  extent  of  coast,  from  whence 
this  piratical  state  was  a  perpetual  source 
of  uneasiness  to  the  trading  ships  of  all 
the  European  nations  in  India.  It  cost 
the  English  East  India  company  50,000/. 
annually  to  protect  their  own  ships. 
Eight  or  ten  grabs,  and  forty  or  fifty 
gallivats,  crowded  with  men,  generally 
composed  Angria's  principal  fleet,  des- 
tined to  attack  ships  of  force  or  burthen. 
The  vessel  no  sooner  came  in  sight  of 
the  port  or  bay  where  the  fleet  was  ly- 
ing, than  they  slipped  their  cables  and 
put  to  sea.  If  the  wind  blew,  their  con- 
struction enabled  them  to  sail  almost 
a  -  fast  as  the  wind  ;  and  if  it  was  calm, 
the  gallivats  rowing  towed  the  grabs: 
win  n  within  cannon  shot  of  the  chace, 
tin  \  generally  assembled  in  her  stern, 
and  the  grabs  attacked  her  at  a  distance 
with  their  prow  guns,  firing  first  only  at 


the  masts,  and  taking  aim  when  the 
three  masts  of  (he  vessel  just  opened  all 
together  to  their  view  ;  by  which  means 
the  shot  would  probably  strike  one  or 
Other  of  the  thiee.  As  soon  as  the  chace 
was  dismasted,  they  came  nearer,  and 
battered  heron  all  sides  until  she  struck  : 
and  if  the  defence  was  obstinate,  they 
sent  a  number  of  galli  vats,  with  two  or 
three  hundred  men  in  each,  who  boarded 
sword  in  hand  from  all  quarters  in  the 
same  instant . 

The  English,  trusting  to  the  report  of 
the  natives,  had,  until  the  year  1756, 
believed  Gheriah  to  be  at  least  as  strong 
as  Gibraltar,  and  like  that  situated  on  a 
mountain,  which  was  inaccessible  from 
the  sea.  For  this  reason  it  was  resolved 
to  send  vessels  to  reconnoitre  it ;  which 
service  commodore  James,  (grandfather 
to  the  present  Lord  Radclitfe,)  in  the 
Protector,  with  two  other  ships,  per- 
formed. He  found  the  enemy's  fleet 'at 
anchor  in  the  harbour,  notwithstanding 
which,  he  approached  within  cannon  shot 
of  the  fort,  and  having  attentively  con- 
sidered it,  returned  at  the  end  of  De- 
cemher  to  Bombay,  and  described  the 
place,  such  as  it  truly  was,  very  strong 
indeed,  but  far  from  being  inaccessible, 
or  impregnable.  This  place  was  taken 
by  the  English  troops,  under  the  com- 
mand of  colonel  Olive.  There  were 
found  in  it  200  pieces  of  cannon,  six 
brass  mortars,  and  a  great  quantity  of 
ammunition, and  militaryand  naval  stores 
of  all  kinds;  the  money  and  effects  of 
other  kinds  amounted  to  120,000/.  ster- 
ling. All  this  booty  was  divided  amongst 
the  captors,  without,  any  reserve  either 
for  the  nation,  or  the  Company.  In  less 
than  a  month  the  English,  with  their 
allies  the  Morattoes,  got  possession  of 
all  the  territories  wrested  from  the  latter 
by  Angria's  predecessors,  and  which 
they  had  for  seventy  years  despaired  of 
ever  being  ahle  to  recover.  See  History 
of  Indostan,  Book  v,  p.  408  to  A  1 7. 

GIBECIERE,  Fr.  pouch;  bag. 

GIBE  LI  N ,  Fr.  The  name  of  a  pow- 
erful faction  in  Italy,  which  opposed  it- 
self to  that  of  the  Gue/phs,  the  ances- 
tors of  our  present  reigning  family. — 
i  his  faction  began  about  the  middle  of 
the  13th  century,  and  was  occasioned 
by  a  difference  which  existed  between 
the  Emperor  Frederick  II,  and  Pope 
Gregory  IX. 

Do/ii-Gl  BERN  E,  Fr.  a  common  car- 
touch-box. 


G  I  N 


(     321     ) 


G  I  R 


GIBRALTAR,  a  strong  town  of  An- 
dalusia, in  Spain.  Gibraltar  was  form- 
erly thought  to  be  impregnable  ;  but  it 
Was  taken  by  Sir  George  Rooke  in  1704, 
and  has  remained  in  the  hands  of  the 
English  ever  since.  It  has  been  several 
times  attacked  by  the  Spaniards,  who 
have  always  been  unsuccessful.  Their 
last  effort  to  recover  it  was  made  Sep- 
tember 13th,  1782,  with  floating  batteries, 
in  which  were  mounted  212  brass  can- 
nons and  mortars.  The  French  united 
with  the  Spaniards  on  this  memorable 
occasion ;  and  the  brother  to  the  present 
king  of  the  French,  (then  Count  d'Ar- 
to;s,  and  now  Monsieur,)  commanded 
the  camp  at  St.  Roche,  whence  the  offen- 
sive operations  were  directed.  General 
Elliott  (whom  the  soldiers  humorously 
called  the  Cock  of  the  Rock,  and  who 
was  afterwards  created  Lord  Heathfield) 
had  prepared  a  great  number  of  red  hot 
balls  against  the  attack;  and  those  so 
effectually  destroyed  the  floating  bat- 
teries, that  the  Spaniards  were  greatly 
annoyed,  and  relinquished  the  enter- 
prize.  For  particulars  see  Drinkwater's 
Siege  of  Gibraltar. 

GIN,  in  military  mechanics,  is  a  ma- 
chine for  raising  great  weights;  it  is 
composed  of  3  long  legs,  2  of  which  are 
kept  at  a  proper  distance  by  means  of 
2  iron  bars  fixed  on  one  of  the  legs  by 
a  staple  passing  through  a  hole  at  one 
end :  the  other  end  has  a  hook  which 
enters  into  a  staple  fixed  into  the  other 
leg,  so  as  to  be  taken  off,  or  put  on  at 
pleasure. 

At  3  feet  from  the  bottom  is  a  collar, 
upon  which  the  cable  is  wound;  and 
the  3  legs  are  joined  together  with  an 
iron  bolt,  about  which  they  move :  to 
this  bolt  is  also  fixed  an  iron  half-ring 
to  hook  on  a  windlass:  when  the  gin 
is  upright,  so  that  the  legs  stand  at  a 
proper  distance,  one  end  of  the  cable 
is  fastened  to  a  gun,  mortar,  or  other 
weight:  and  the  other  passes  through 
the  pullies  and  about  the  roller,  which 
is  turned  round  by  means  of  hand- 
spikes passing  through  the  holes  in  the 
ends  of  the  roller;  whilst  a  man  holds 
the  cable  tight,  the  gun  is  raised  to  the 
height  required,  and  the  carriage  is  thus 
easily  placed  under  it. 

GINCE,  a  place  in  India,  situated 
35  m.  N.W.  of  Pondicherry. 

GINDI,  expert  horsemen  among  the 
Turks,  who  can  ride,  full  gallop,  stand- 
ing upright  upon  their  saddles ;  suddenly 


throw  themselves  off  in  order  to  surprize 
a  pursuing  enemy,  and  perform  various 
other  feats. 

GINJAULS,  or  GINGAULS,  an  In- 
dian name,  signifying  large  muskets  used 
with  a  rest,  somewhat  similar  to  those 
invented  by  Marshal  Vauban,  for  the 
defence  of  forts. 

GIONULIS,  a  volunteer  corps  of 
cavalry  among  the  Turks,  who  are  com- 
manded by  a  colonel,  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  called  Gionuli  Agasi.  They  are 
under  the  immediate  orders  of  the  visirs, 
and  are  generally  distinguished  from  the 
rest  of  the  Turkish  army,  by  their  daring 
and  intrepidity. 

GIRANDE,  Fr.  the  chief  cluster,  or 
assemblage  of  an  artificial  firework,  with 
which  a  shew  or  illumination  is  gene- 
rally concluded. 

The  fire-works  on  St.  Peter's  day  at 
Rome  were  terminated  by  a  girande,  or 
chest,  containing  no  less  a  number  than 
from  8  to  10,000  fusees,  from  which 
circumstance  the  name  was  adopted. 

The  effect,  however,  is  not  more  bril- 
liant than  what  has  been  produced  in 
France  by  a  smaller  quantity  of  fusees 
containing  larger  proportions  of  compo- 
sition. 

A  girande  may  be  made  by  uniting 
several  chests  or  clusters  together,  and 
securing,  with  a  match  of  communica- 
tion, a  regular  inflammation. 

GIRANDOLE,  Fr.  literally  a  chan- 
delier ;  a  cluster  of  diamonds. 

Girandoles,  Fr.  circles  ornamented 
with  fusees.  They  are  used  in  fire- 
works.    See  Soleils  tournans. 

GIROUETTE,  Fr.  This  word  has 
been  used  by  the  French  to  signify  a 
soft  of  ornament  which  was  exclusively 
placed  upon  the  houses  of  the  ancient 
nobility.  The  author  of  the  Nouve.au 
Dictionnaire  Militaire  makes  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  upon  the  subject.  "  It 
is  well  known,  that  in  ancient  times, 
and  even  until  the  last  century,  noble- 
men only  could  adorn  the  tops  of  their 
dwellings  and  dove-houses  with  weather- 
cocks; but  it  is  not  generally  known, 
that  in  order  to  be  entitled  to  this  pri- 
vilege, each  nobleman  must  have  been 
the  foremost  man  in  entering  at  the 
breach  of  a  besieged  place,  and  have 
planted  his  banner  on  the  rampart." 

GIROUETTES,    Fr.    weathercocks, 
vanes.     They  are  seldom  or  ever  used 
on  shore,  except  as  weathercocks  on  the 
tops  of  church-steeples,  &c. 
8.'T 


G  L  A 


(     322     ) 


G  L  I 


Girouette,  in  the  singular  number, 
also  means,  figuratively,  light,  incon- 
stant, not  to  be  depended  upon.  As,  ce 
jeunc  officier  est  aussi  girouette  que  de 
coulume,  this  young  officer  is  as  giddy 
as  ever. 

GIRTH,  a  kind  of  saddle,  buckled 
on  under  a  horse's  belly ;  also  a  saddle 
that  is  buckled  and  complete  for  use. 

GIRTH-a;e6,  that  stuff'  of  which  the 
girths  of  a  saddle  are  made. 

GISARME,  called  also  Gisaring,  and 
by  Fleta,  Sisarmes;  an  ancient  weapon 
of  the  staff  kind.  According  to  an 
old  statute  of  William,  king  of  Scot- 
land, it  was  a  hand-bill,  appropriated  to 
the  use  of  the  lower  order  of  people. 
Some  deiive  it  from  Guisarme,  a  kind 
of  offensive  long-handled  and  long- 
headed weapon;  or,  as  the  Spanish  vis- 
arma,  a  staff"  that  has  within  it  two  long 
pikes.  La  Combe,  Bailey,  and  Strutt 
differ  in  opinion ;  and  Grosse  conceives 
it  to  be  the  same  as  black  or  brown  bill. 
GISTES,  Fr.  pieces  of  wood  which 
are  used  in  the  construction  of  plat- 
forms to  batteries,  and  upon  which  the 
madriers  or  broad  planks  are  placed. 

To  GIVE  a  blow,  to  strike  with  the 

hand :    it  also  signifies,  in  a  figurative 

sense,  to  counteract  or  defeat  an  enemy. 

To   Give   in,    to    yield    to    superior 

strength  or  dexterity. 

GIVEN  is  a  word  often  used  in  ma- 
thematics, and  signifies  something  which 
is  supposed  to  be  known. 

GIVES,  an  old  word  signifying  fetters, 
shackles. 

GLACIS,  Terrein,  ou  Esplanade, 
Fr.  a  slope  made  of  earth,  and  gene- 
rally covered  with  sod  or  grass,  which 
runs  from  the  covert  way  of  a  fortified 
place,  towards  the  country.  See  Forti- 
fication. 

Glacis  d'une  corniche,  Fr.  an  insen- 
sible slope  which  is  made  upon  the 
cynwtium,  (a  member  of  architecture,) 
whereof  one  half  is  convex,  and  the 
other  concave,  of  a  cornish. 

GLADIATOR,  (gladiatcur,  Fr.J  a 
sword-player,  or  prize-fighter.  The  old 
Romans  were  accustomed  to  make  their 
slaves  fight  with  one  another  at  their 
public  festivals,  and  the  only  weapon 
they  used  was  a  gladius  or  sword. — 
This  barbarous  practice  was  abolished 
by  the  emperor  Theodoric  in  the  year  of 
Christ  500;  Itut  it  prevailed  among  the 
ancient  Britons,  and  in  England,  to  a 
much  later  date. 


GLAIRE,  a  kind  of  halbert,  so  called 
by  the  Saxons. 

GLAIS  ?iiilitaire,  Fr.  a  military  com- 
pliment which  was  paid  to  the  remains 
of  a  deceased  general.  It  consisted  in 
a  discharge  of  ordnance.  In  a  civil 
sense,  gluts  means  the  chiming  of  bells 
at  the  death  of  a  parish  priest. 

GLAISE,  Fr.  clay,  or  potter's  earth. 

GLhISKR,  Fr.  to  do  over  with  pot- 
ter's earth  or  clay. 

GLAIVE,  Fr.  a  broad  sword  or  fal- 
chion, anciently  so  called  from  the  Latin 
word  gladius.  The  word  is  seldom  used, 
except  figuratively,  as,  le  glaive  de  la 
justice,  the  sword  of  justice. 

GLANDERS,  a  distemper  in  horses, 
proceeding,  according  to  some  French 
writers  on  veterinary  subjects,  from  cor- 
rupt humours  about  the  lungs  and  heart, 
arising  neither  from  the  blood  nor 
phlegm,  but  from  the  one  and  the  other, 
bile  ;  and  therefore  it  is  called  dry. 

It  is  discovered  by  the  horse  growing 
lean  on  a  sudden ;  so  that  when  you 
touch  his  Hanks  with  your  hand,  they 
will  sound  hollow,  or  like  a  drum.  A 
horse  afflicted  with  the  glanders  can 
neither  eat  nor  cough,  although  he  fre- 
quently tries,  and  feels  excruciating  pains 
inwardly,  as  if  he  had  swallowed  a 
bone ;  and  if  all  these  signs  appear  at 
once,  they  are  symptoms  of  approaching 
dissolution,  and  the  animal  ought  to  be 
instantly  shot. 

E  iglish  farriers  and  horse  doctors, 
or  rather  veterinary  surgeons,  describe 
the  glanders  to  be  such  a  loathsome, 
filthy  disease,  and  so  catching,  that 
other  horses,  who  may  stand  near  a 
diseased  one,  are  sure  to  be  infected. 
They  say  it  proceeds  first  from  heats 
and  colds,  which  begins  with  a  thin 
rheum,  and  ascends  up  to  the  head, 
settles  near  the  brain,  and  vents  itself 
at  the  nose. 

This  humour  in  time  grows  thicker 
and  thicker,  till  it  becomes  of  a  yellowish 
colour  like  butter,  and  then  the  disease 
becomes  very  obstinate. 

GLANDERED,  having  the  glanders. 
All  glandeied  horses  in  the  army  arc 
ordered  to  be  shot. 

GLIB  act,  a  very  ancient  act  of  par- 
liament, which  directed,  that  the  IrisW 
nobility  and  gentry  who  were  of  English 
or  Norman  extraction,  should  forfeit  the 
privileges  of  their  original  country,  if 
they  did  not  shave  the  upper  lip.  This 
act  took  place  when  Ireland  was  first 


G  L  O 


(     323     ) 


GOG 


conquered,  and  its  object  was  to  distin- 
guish the  descendants  of  the  invaders 
from  the  old  Irish  nobility  that  traced 
its  origin  to  Milesius,  who  wore  a  long 
beard. 

GLOBE.    See  Geography. 

Globe  of  compression,  (globe  de  com- 
pression, Fr.)  a  globe  used  in  the  attack 
and  defence  of  places.  When  the  cham- 
ber of  a  mine  has  been  established  and 
completed  in  earth  of  an  homogeneous 
nature,  the  powder  which  is  deposited 
in  it,  acts,  on  taking  fire,  throughout 
the  circumference  of  the  said  chamber, 
and  by  so  doing,  dislodges  a  large  quan- 
tity of  earth,  and  throws  it  up  to  a 
given  distance.  A  globe  of  this  sort 
was  used  at  the  siege  of  Valenciennes, 
when  that  place  surrendered  to  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  York. 

Globes,  ou  ballons  d'urlifces,  Fr. 
globes  or  balloons  which  are  rilled  with 
artificial  fire.  They  are  used  to  set  fire 
to  an  enemy's  town  or  works,  &c. 

Globes  de  feu,  Fr.  a  cartouch  made 
of  mashed  paper,  which  is  laid  upon  a 
wooden  bowl,  and  made  perfectly  round. 
It  is  afterwards  perforated  in  several 
places,  and  filled  with  inflammable  com- 
position that  is  used  in  the  making  up 
of  lances  a  feu.  The  instant  it  catches, 
a  very  bright  and  lively  fire  issues  out 
of  the  several  holes. 

GLOIRE,  Fr.  an  artificial  fire-work, 
which  resembles  a  large  sun,  hence  also 
called  Soleil.  It  is  made  by  means  of 
an  iron  wheel  containing  four  circles, 
each  circle  diminishing  towards  the  cen- 
ter, and  kept  at  equal  distances  from 
one  another.  Forty-eight  jets  de  feu, 
or  fire  spouts,  are  tied  to  these  circles; 
each  jet  is  twenty  French  inches  long, 
and  there  are  twelve  of  ihem  fixed  to 
each  of  the  four  circles.  The  gloire  or 
soleil  is  piaced  in  the  middle  of  the 
principal  fire-work. 

GLORIOLE,  Fr.  a  species  of  vanity; 
which  is  always  in  pursuit  of  trifling 
objects. 

GLORIOSETTE,  Fr.  false  glory, 
vanity,  ostentation. 

Military  GLORY,  honour,  reputa- 
tion, and  fame,  acquired  by  military 
achievements; — that  precarious  splendor 
which  plays  round  the  brows  of  a  war- 
rior, and  has  been  collected  by  hard  ser- 
vice, extraordinary  genius,  and  unble- 
mished integrity  ;  but  which  may  desert 
the  greatest  hero  through  one  unfortu- 


nate failure,  occasioned  by  the  fatality 
of  human  imperfection. 

GO.  The  verb  to  go  is  variously  used 
in  a  mi! nary  sense,  as  to  march  in  a 
hostile  rtr  warlike  manner. 

To  Go  off  implies  to  depart  from  any 
post ;  also  to  discharge  itself  as  a  fire- 
arm does. 

To  Go  on,  to  make  an  attack. 

To  Go  over,  to  revolt. 

To  Go  out,  to  go  upon  any  expedi- 
tion, &c. 

To  Go  out  is  likewise  frequently  used 
to  signify  the  act  of  fighting  a  duel,  as 
he  went  out  with  a  brother  officer,  and 
teas  slightly  uounded. 

GOA,  a  strong  town  on  the  Malabar 
coast,  belonging  to  the  Portugueze.  The 
chief  trade  is  in  arrack.  This  fort  was 
taken  by  the  English  April  2d,  1756. 

GOBERGE,  Fr.  the  boarded  bottom 
of  a  bedstead. 

GOBETER,  Fr.  to  throw  mortar 
with  a  trowel,  and  then  spread  it  with 
the  hand,  in  order  to  fill  up  the  chasms 
of  walls  made  with  plaster  and  rubble. 

GOD,  (Dieu,  Fr.)  the  first  and  su- 
preme Being,  through  whom  all  other 
beings  exist,  and  by  whom  they  are  go- 
verned. The  name  of  God  is  variously 
used  by  the  French,  viz. 

Le  bon  Dieu,  the  consecrated  host  or 
sacrament  which  is  administered  to  per- 
sons dangerously  ill.  This  ceremony  is 
observed  in  all  Roman  Catholic  countries 
with  great  solemnity.  Whilst  it  is  passing 
persons  remain  uncovered,  and  the  mi- 
litary with  one  knee  bent  rest  upon  their 
arms.  Protestants  cannot  be  too  cir- 
cumspect on  these  occasions,  particularly 
in  Italy,  Spain,  and  Portugal;  as  the 
slightest  indication  of  disrespect  or  levity 
is  seldom  forgiven,  or  forgotten,  by  the 
adherents  to  this  mode  of  faith. 

Dieu  donni,  a  title  which  the  French 
have  attached  to  the  name  of  a  good 
king;  intimating  thereby,  that  the  great- 
est blessing  on  earth  is  a  virtuous  first 
magistrate.  The  gift,  however,  is  so 
rare,  that,  to  use  a  familiar  English 
phrase,  we  may  not  improperly  call  it  a 
God-send. 

GODET,  Fr.  a  bucket,  such  as  is 
used  for  the  purpose  of  emptying  dams 
or  sluices,  &c. 

GOGGLES,  glasses  usually  worn  in 

warm    countries,    to    defend   the   eyes 

from  the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  the  dust 

of  the  soil.    In  order  to  derive  real  be*- 

2T2 


G  O  N 


(    *H     ) 


G  O  R 


nefit  from  these  glasses,  there  should  be 
apertures  round  the  edges  to,  let  in  the 
nir.  The  term  is  rather  vulgar,  but  in 
general  acceptation,  and  comes  from  To 
goggle — To  look  asquint ;  a  derivation 
not  thoroughly  appropriate. 

GOITRE,  Fr.  hernia  gutturis,  great 
swelling  under  the  throat.  This  disease 
is  common  in  Switzerland,  and  in  the 
Alps,  owing  to  the  snow  water  which  is 
drunk  in  those  quarters. 

GOLADAR  or  GOLDAR,  an  Indian 
term,  signifying  a  store-keeper,  or  a 
store-house-keeper. 

GOLANDAUSE,  Lid.  an  artillery- 
man belonging  to  the  native  artillery  in 
India.  It  is  sometimes  written  Golandaz 
and  Golandaazee. 

GOLCONDAH,  a  province  in  India, 
comprehending  the  nabohships  of  Ar- 
cot,  Canotil,  Cudapa,  Rajamandri,  and 
Chicacole,  &c.  See  History  of  Indostan, 
pages  158.  162. 

Golcondah,  formerly  a  city,  and  the 
capital  of  the  province.  It  stood  at  the 
foot  of  the  rock  and  fortress  of  the  same 
name-;  but  the  city  has  long  since  been 
deserted,  and  its  inhabitants  removed 
to  Hyderabad ;  nevertheless  its  name 
is  still  frequently  used  in  Indostan, 
when  in  reality  the  city  of  Hyderabad 
is  meant. 

GOLDEN  Rock,  a  spot  near  Trit- 
chinopoly  in  India,  which  has  been  ren- 
dered immortal  by  the  victory  that  was 
gained  by  the  British  tropps  over  the 
French  and  their  allies  in  17o3.  Several 
passages  in  the  first  volume  of  the  His- 
tory of  Indostan  cannot  fail  to  be  in- 
teresting and  gratifying  to  every  English 
reader.  We  shall  refer  him  to  pages 
289,  290, 29 1,  &c.  for  a  detailed  account. 

GOND,  Fr.  a  hinge. 

GONDECAMA,  Gondegama,  a  ri- 
ver in  India,  which  makes  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  province  of  Arcot ; 
Condavir  extends  between  thus  and  the 
river  Kristna. 

GONDOLA,  (gondole,¥v.)  This  word 
may  be  taken  in  two  senses,  viz.  to  sig- 
nify a  cup;  or  a  small  barge  which  is 
flat  and  long  in  its  construction,  and  is 
only  moved  or  worked  by  oars.  Gon- 
dolas are  much  used  upon  the  canals  in 
Venice  ;  they  are  very  remarkable  for 
their  shape,  and  the  great  swiftness  with 
which  they  glide  through  the  water. 
The  middle  sized  ones  are  about  thirty 
feet  long,  and  are  only  four  feet  broad 


across  the  middle,  gradually  tapering 
towards  each  end,  and  rising  in  two 
sharp  and  narrow  points  to  the  ordinary 
height  of  a  man.  Upon  the  prow  is 
fixed  an  iron  of  an  uncommon  length, 
which  does  not  exceed  half  a  finger's 
breadth  in  thickness;  but  which  is  four 
fingers  broad,  and  is  so  disposed  as  to 
cut  the  air.  The  upper  part  of  this 
iron,  which  is  flatter  than  the  rest, 
stretches  out  in  the  shape  of  a  large 
hatchet,  a  full  foot  in  length  :  so  that 
when  the  gondola  is  on  her  way,  it 
seems  to  menace  every  thing  before  it, 
and  to  force  its  passage. 

GONDOLEERS,  (gondoliers,Tr.)the 
men  who  have  the  management  of  the 
gondolas  at  Venice.  The  equipment  of 
a  gondola  seldom  exceeds  two  persons, 
even  on  board  of  those  barges  that  be- 
long to  foreign  ambassadors.  It  some- 
times happens  that  there  are  four,  when 
persons  of  distinction  go  to  their  country 
houses.  The  gondoleers  never  sit  down, 
but  row  the  barge  standing  upright,  and 
push  forward.  One  man  a.lways  plies  in 
the  forepart  of  the  gondola,  and  the 
other  is  at  the  poop. 

GONFALON,  J  an  ensign  or  stand- 
GONFANON,  }  ard. 
GONG,  the  Persian  word  for  a  village. 
GONG  WALLAS,  militia  in  India  so 
called;  from  gong  a  village,  and  wallas, 
a  man. 

Gong,  an  instrument  of  martial  mu- 
sic used  among  the  Indians. 

GONORRHOEA,  (gonorrhce,  Fr.) 
a  morbid  running  from  venereal  hurts. 
GORGE,  (gorge,  Fr.)  the  entrance 
into  any  piece  of  a  fortification  which 
consists  of  the  distance  or  space  be- 
tween the  extremities  of  the  two  faces; 
as  between  the  faces  of  a  half  moon, 
redoubt,  or  bastion. 

Gorge  de  montagne,  Fr.  a  narrow 
pass,  or  passage,  between  hills,  defiles, 
straits. 

Gorge  de  colonne,  Fr.  the  gorge  or 
gule  of  a  column;  a  concave  moulding 
in  architecture. 

Coupe-GoRGF.,  Fr.  literally  a  cut- 
throat. It  is  used  in  a  military  sense  to 
signify  any  spot  or  position  which  affords 
an  enemy  so  many  advantages,  that  the 
troops  who  occupy  it  must  either  sur- 
render, or  be  cut  to  pieces. 

Dewi-GoRGE,  Fr.  half  the  distance 
between  the  two  extreme  points  of  the 
faces  of  a  piece  of  fortification  inwards. 


GOT 


(     825     ) 


GOV 


Gorge  a"un  bastion,  Fr.  the  space  or 
distance  between  the  extreme  points  of 
two  flanks. 

Prendre  un  ouvrage  par  la  Gorge, 
Fr.  to  get  round  a  work  and  take  it  in 
reverse,  without  having  made  any  direct 
approaches  in  front. 

Jambes  GORGEES,  Fr.  swoln  legs; 
as  the  legs  of  horses  sometimes  are. 

GORGERIN,  Fr.  in  ancient  times, 
that  part  of  the  armour  which  covered 
the  neck  of  a  man.  Hence  our  word 
gorget. 

Gorgerin,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a 
small  round  member,  accompanied  with 
a  square  one,  in  the  foot  or  bottom  of 
the  Doric  chapter  of  a  pillar,  &c. ;  a 
small  boutell  (with  a  fillet  under  it)  in 
the  chapter  of  a  pillar,  &c.  It  has  been 
called  Collar  in. 

GORGET,  a  piece  of  ancient  armour 
which  defended  the  neck. — It  was  also 
called  hallerce.  The  gorget,  as  now 
worn,  is  merely  ornamental  and  hangs 
upon  the  breast  of  an  officer. 

GORGONS,  in  military  antiquity,  a 
warlike  female  nation  of  Lybia,  in 
Africa,  who  had  frequent  quarrels  with 
another  nation  of  the  same  sex,  called 
Amazons. 

GOTHS,  an  ancient  people  of  Gothia, 
an  island  in  the  Baltic  sea,  eighteen 
miles  in  length,  situated  by  Denmark, 
and  not  far  from  Norway,  subject  to 
the  crown  of  Sweden.  They  originally 
came  out  of  Scythia,  in  the  northern 
part  of  Europe.  From  Gothia,  or  Goth- 
land, they  rambled  into  Germany,  where 
an  immense  multitude  of  them,  some 
say  one  hundred  thousand,  were  slain 
before  the  year  of  Christ  314.  But  not 
long  after,  they  brought  into  subjection 
and  barbarism  a  great  part  of  the 
christian  world,  and  possessed  them- 
selves of  a  part  of  Italy,  now  called 
Lombardy,  whence  they  were  called 
Lombards.  The  term  Goths  and  Van- 
dals is  now  generally  applied  to  all 
bodies  of  armed  men,  who,  like  the 
barbarians  of  old,  overleap  the  bounda- 
ries of  civilization,  and  give  themselves 
up  to  blood,  plunder,  and  devastation. 
Thus,  during  the  paroxysm  of  the  French 
Revolution,  particularly  under  the  iron 
reign  of  Robespierre,  the  French  were 
called  the  Goths  and  Vandals  of  modern 
Europe,  on  account  of  their  excesses. 

GOTHIC,  (Gothique,  Fr.)  any  thing 
built  after  the  manner  of  the  Goths. 
Various  works  and   buildings   that  ap- 


pear to  have  been  constructed  without 
any  particular  regard  to  the  rules  of  art 
are  so  called.  AH  the  old  cathedrals 
are  in  the  Gothic  taste. 

Monsieur  de  Fenelon  has  said,  that 
Gothic  architecture  can  support  an  im- 
mense vault  upon  the  slightest  pillars. 
The  elevation  of  it  is  so  wonderful,  that 
although  it  seems  ready  to  tumble,  is 
perforated  and  full  of  windows  in  every 
part,  and  stands,  as  it  were,  suspended  in 
air,  it  nevertheless  lasts  out  centuries, 
and  almost  always  proves  more  durable 
than  the  most  regular  buildings. 

Fronton  GOTHIQUE,  Fr.  a  gothic 
pediment.  In  modern  architecture,  all 
circular  or  triangular  gable  ends  are  so 
called,  when  they  are  sculptured,  or 
three-leaved. 

GOUDRON,  ou  GOUDRAN,  Fr. 
pitch  and  tar. 

GOUDRONS,  Fr.  small  fascines  or 
faggots  which  are  well  steeped  in  wax, 
pitch,  and  glue,  and  then  are  lighted  for 
the  purpose  of  setting  fire  to  beams, 
planks,  traverses,  galleries,  pontoons, 
&c.  They  are  likewise  used  in  various 
shapes  and  ways,  to  convey  light  into 
the  ditches  or  upon  the  ramparts. 

GOVERNOR  of  a  fortification  is, 
or  should  Vie,  a  person  of  great  military 
knowledge;  and  is  a  very  considerable 
officer,  representing  the  king,  whose  au- 
thority extends  not  only  over  the  inha- 
bitants and  garrison,  but  over  all  troops 
that  may  be  therein  winter  quarters,  can- 
tonments, or  quarters  of  refreshment. 

Duty  of  a  Governor  in  time  of  peace. 
He  is  to  order  the  guards,  the  rounds, 
and  the  patroles ;  to  give  the  parole  and 
countersign  every  night  after  the  gates 
are  shut;  to  visit  the  posts,  to  see  that 
both  officers  and  soldiers  do  their  duty, 
and  that  every  thing  goes  on  regularly, 
and  in  good  order. 

Duty  of  a  Governor  in  lime  of  war. 
He  should  consider  the  place  in  such  a 
manner  as  if  the  enemy  were  on  the 
eve  of  besieging  him,  not  omitting  the 
least  thing  that  may  contribute  to  a  long 
and  obstinate  defence:  he  should  there- 
fore take  particular  care  to  keep  the 
fortifications  in  good  condition  ;  clearing 
the  country  round  of  all  hedges,  ditches, 
trees,  hollow  roads,  caverns,  and  rising 
grounds,  within  the  reach  of  cannon 
shot;  not  suffering  any  houses  to  be 
built  within  that  distance,  nor  in  general 
any  thing  to  be  done  that  may  favour 
the  approach  of  an  enemy. 


GOV 


(     326     ) 


G  O  U 


Tie  should  consider  well  with  himself 
every  minute  circumstance  that  may  be 
of  advantage  to  him  during  the  siege: 
he  should  thoroughly  examine  the  seve- 
ral works,  and  canvass  all  the  different 
stratagems  that  may  be  used,  either  to 
defend  them,  or  to  give  way  when 
overpowered,  with  an  intent  to  return 
and  dislodge  the  enemy,  after  he  has 
got  possession  of  them;  in  short,  how 
to  defend  the  place  entrusted  to  Ins 
care,  inch  by  inch,  with  the  best  ad- 
vantage. He  should  consider  how,  and 
in  what  manner,  the  works  defend  each 
other;  whether  their  communications 
are  safe,  or  liable  to  be  interrupted  by 
the   bfsiegcrs;   how  to  incommode   the 


enemy  when  he  is  at  a  distance,  or  to 
dislodge  him  when  near;  whether  the 
ground  be  proper  for  mines,  and  when 
they  should  be  made;  whether  any  part 
of  the  country  may  not  be  laid  under 
water,  by  means  of  dikes  or  sluices;  if 
there  are  any  already  made,  how  to 
keep  them  in  constant  repair,  or  to 
make  new  ones  if  they  should  be  wanted; 
taking  care  to  construct  them  so  that 
the  enemy  may  not  have  it  in  his  power 
to  destroy  them  either  with  his  cannon 
or  mortars. 

If  the  governor  be  not  sufficiently 
skilled  in  the  systems  of  attack  and  de- 
fence, he  should  frequently  converse 
with  the  officers  of  engineers  and  artil- 
lery who  understand  them;  examine  the 
works  together,  see  what  may  be  done 
to  render  the  defence  of  the  place  as 
long  as  the  circumstances  and  nature 
of  the  works  will  admit  of;  and  to 
make  it  familiar  to  himself,  he  should 
set  down  a  project  of  defence  on  paper, 
and  have  it  examined  by  the  most  skilful 
officers  of  artillery  and  engineers  about 
him.  This  must  be  done  in  private, 
that  spies  or  deserters  may  not  discover 
the  weak  parts  to  the  enemy.  In  short, 
nothing  should  be  negiected  on  the  part 
of  the  governor. 

He  should  see  that  the  place  be  well 
supplied  with  ammunition,  and  whole- 
some provisions;  that  the  hospitals  are 
in  good  order,  and  provided  with  able 
physicians  and  surgeons,  as  likewise 
with  every  thing  wholesome  and  neces- 
sary, that  the  sick  and  wounded  may  be 
well  taken  care  of. 

The  powder  magazines,  above  all 
things,  require  his  most  special  care : 
tor  though  they  are  built  bomb-proof, 


yet  when  a  great  number  of  shells  fall 
upon  them,  they  seldom  resist  their 
shock  ;  for  which  reason  they  should  be 
covered  8  or  10  feet  thick  with  earth, 
and  a  layer  of  fascines,  dung,  and  stroug 
planks  laid  over  them. 

GOUGE,  an  instrument  employed 
by  divers  artificers,  being  a  sort  of  round 
hollow  chissel,  used  in  cutting  holes, 
channels,  grooves,&c.  in  wood,  stone, &c. 
GOUJAT,  Fr.  a  soldier's  boy.  It 
likewise  signifies  an  ignorant  good-for- 
nothing  fellow. 

GOUJERES,  according  to  Hantner, 
the  French  disease.  From  Gouje,  Fr. 
a  camp  trull. 

GOUJON,  Fr.  gudgeon  ;  the  pin 
which  the  truckles  of  a  pulley  run  on. 

GOULET,  Fr.  the  narrow  entrance 
of  an  harbour. 

GOURDIN,  Fr.  a  flat  stick  two  fin- 
gers in  breadth,  which  was  used  by  the 
French  to  punish  galley  slaves.  Also  a 
cudgel. 

GOURGANDINE,  Fr.  a  strumpet 
of  the  lowest  species;  a  soldier's  trull. 

GOURME,  Fr.  the  strangles  ;  a  dis- 
ease very  common  in  young  horses. 

GOUSSET,  Fr.  a  gusset ;  the  piece 
of  armour,  or  of  a  shirt,  whereby  the 
arm-pit  was  formerly  covered;  also  a 
bracket  in  joiner's  work. 

GOUTIERE,  Ft.  a  gutter ;  also  a 
pipe  from  which  water  runs  from  the 
roofs  of  houses. 

Bonnets  a  quatre  Goutieres,  Fr. 
square  or  four-cornered  caps, 

GOUTTES,  Fr.  small  round  orna- 
ments resembling  drops  of  water,  or 
beads,  in  architecture. 
GOUVERNA1L,  Fr.  a  rudder. 
GOUVERNEMENT,  Fr,  anciently 
meant  a  certain  specific  allotment  of 
provinces,  towns,  &c.  under  the  super- 
intendance  and  government  of  one  per- 
son who  received  his  powers  from  the 
king,  and  had  subordinate  officers  under 
him.  There  were  twelve  governments 
in  France  at  the  first  institution  of 
monarchy,  called  grands  gouvernemens 
gtneraux,  which  were  specifically  noticed 
in  all  the  general  sittings  of  the  king- 
dom. They  were  first  formed  by  Hugues 
Capet,  in  987.  Previous  to  the  revo- 
lution in  1789,  they  were  subdivided 
into  39  general  provincial  governments 
with  inferior  officers,  subject  to  their 
jurisdiction ;  such  as  governors  of  towns, 
and   commandants  of  fortified   places. 


G  R  A 


(     327     ) 


G  11  A 


Each  governor-general  was  entitled  to  a 
guard  of  cavalry,  a  certain  number  of 
halbardiers  and  armed  men  on  foot. 

GoUVERNEMENT     d'lCTl    VaisSCUU,      Fr. 

the  steerage  of  a  vessel. 

GOUVERNEUR  d'une  place  de 
guerre,  Fr.  the  governor  of  a  fortified 
town  or  place.  See  Governor  of  a 
fortification. 

GOUVIONS,  Fr.  iron  bolts.  They 
are  much  the  same  as  goujons. 

GOWA,  Indian  term  for  a  witness. 

GRABAT,  Fr.  a  truckle  bed 

GRABS,  vessels  peculiar  to  the  Ma- 
labar coast.  They  have  rarely  more 
than  two  masts,  although  some  have 
three;  those  of  three  are  about  300 
tons  burthens;  but  the  others  are  not 
more  than  150  tons;  they  are  built  to 
draw  very  little  water,  being  very  broad 
in  proportion  to  their  length,  narrowing 
from  the  middle  to  the  end,  where  in- 
stead of  bows  they  have  a  prow,  pro- 
jecting like  that  of  a  Mediterranean  gal- 
ley, and  covered  with  a  strong  deck  level 
with  the  main  deck  of  the  vessel,  from 
which  however,  it  is  separated  by  a  bulk 
head  that  terminates  the  forecastle.  As 
this  construction  subjects  the  giab  to 
pitch  violently  when  sailing  against  a 
head  sea,  the  deck  of  the  prow  is  not 
inclosed  with  sides  as  the  rest  of  the 
vessel  is,  but  remains  bare,  that  the 
water  which  dashes  upon  it  may  pass  off 
without  interruption.  On  the  main  deck, 
under  the  forecastle,  are  mounted  two 
pieces  of  cannon,  of  nine  or  twelve 
pounders,  which  point  forwards  through 
the  portholes,  cut  in  the  bulk  head,  and 
fire  over  the  prow;  the  cannon  of  the 
broadside  are  from  six  to  nine  pounders. 

GRACE,  Fr.  pardon,  forgiveness. 

Uan  de  Grace,  Fr.  the  year  of  our 
Lord. 

FaireGu.ACE,  Fr.  to  pardon,  to  forgive. 

Demander  Grace,  Fr.  to  ask  for- 
giveness. 

Grace  honoraire,  Fr.  any  mark  of 
distinction  which  is  conferred  upon  mi- 
litary men  by  their  sovereign. 

Grace  pec uniaire,  Fr.  pecuniary  re- 
compenses given  to  a  military  man  for 
long  service,  or  good  conduct. 

GRADE,  Fr.  this  word  is  applicable 
to  the  different  ranks  among  officers,  be- 
ginning from  an  ensign  to  the  com- 
mander in  chief  of  an  army. 

Grades  militaires,  Fr.  the  different 
degrees  by  which  military  men  rise  in 
their  profession. 


GRADINS,  Fr.  the  various  small  as- 
cents, such  as  banquettes,  &c.  by  which 
troops  march  from  the  bottom  to  the 
top  of  a  fortified  place,  in  order  to  line 
the  parapet. 

Carte  GRADUEE,  Fr.  a  map  on 
which  the  degrees  of  longitude  and  lati- 
tude are  marked. 

GRAFT.     See  Ditch  or  Moat. 

GRAIN,  Fr.  a  word  used  in  the  re- 
pairing of  damaged  cannon. 

Mettre  un  Grain  a  une  piece,  Fr.  to 
till  up  the  touch-hole  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance;  the  heating  it  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  the  metal  which  is  poured  in 
may  assimilate  and  mix.  When  it  be- 
comes cold,  a  fresh  aperture  is  made  or 
bored. 

Grain  de  vent,  Fr.  a  squall  of  wind. 

Cathoiique  a  gros  Grains,  Fr.  a  re- 
laxed Roman  Catholic,  one  that  does 
not  stick  at  trifles.  This  phrase  is  ap- 
plicable til  every  other  sect  or  opinion, 
as  well  as  to  every  profession,  particu- 
larly the  military. 

GRAINOIR,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  artillery,  to  signify  a  sort  of 
sieve,  in  which  there  are  small  round  holes 
for  moist  powder  to  be  passed  through, 
in  order  to  make  the  grains  perfectly 
round. 

GRAIS,  Fr.  large  stones  resembling 
our  Scotch  pebbles.  They  are  used  in 
France  to  pave  the  high  roads,  and  the 
corners  of  streets. 

GRAISSE,  Fr.  fat;  grease.  The 
French  say  figuratively  a  Graisse  d'ar- 
gent,  by  dint  of  money. 

GRAM,  Ind.  vetches  ;  a  sort  of  pea, 
with  which  the  horses  are  fed  in  India. 

GRAMEN,  grass,  in  botany. 

Couronne  GR  AMINE,  Fr.  a  grass, 
or  gramineous  crown,  which  was  made 
among  the  Romans.     See  Obsidional. 

GRAN  AD  E.     See  Grenade. 

GRANADIER.     See  Grenadier. 

GRAND.  This  word  is  frequently 
used  both  in  French  and  English  as  a 
word  of  title  or  distinction.  Les  grands, 
the  great. 

Grand  division.  The  battalion  being 
told  off  by  2  companies  to  each  division, 
is  said  to  be  told  off  in  grand  divisions; 
hence  grand  division  firing  is,  when  the 
battalion  fires  by  2  companies  at  the 
same  time,  and  is  commanded  by  one 
officer  only. 

Grand  motive  d'arliileiic,  Fr.  grand 
master  of  the  ordnance,  &c.  &c.  &c. 

Grand  soleit  brillant,  Fr.  a  sun  ex- 


G    R    A  (323 

artificial    fire-works.      See 


) 


G  R  A 


hibited    in 
Gloire. 

Grand  Visir.     See  Vizir. 

GRANITE,  (granite,  Fr.)  a  sort  of 
haul  marble,  which  is  variegated  by  spots 
anil  streaks,  and  is  rather  encrusted. 
It  is  very  common  in  Egypt.  There  is 
a  species  of  granite,  that  is  of  a  white 
and  violet  colour;  and  another  which  is 
green  mixed  with  white.  The  most  or- 
dinary kind  has  grey  and  green  spots 
scattered  over  a  greyish  white. 

Columns  40  feet  high  have  been  seen 
in  Egypt,  which  consisted  wholly  of  one 
piece  of  granite.  The  Egyptian  pyra- 
mids are  made  out  of  that  marble;  such 
indeed  is  the  quantity  said  to  exist  about 
the  country,  that  some  authors  imagine 
the  whole  extent  of  its  foundation  to 
be  a  solid  rock  of  granite.  The  French 
distinguish  this  sort  of  marble  by  calling 
it  marbre  granite  and  marbrc  granitelle. 
In  natural  history  it  is  generally  called 
granita,  being  a  distinct  genus  of  stones 
composed  of  separate  and  very  large 
concretions  rudely  compacted  together, 
of  great  hardness,  and  capable  of  re- 
ceiving a  very  fine  and  beautiful  polish. 

GRAPE  shot.     See  Shot. 

Git  ape  de  raisin,  Fr.  a  piece  of  wood 
in  which  are  placed  musket  balls;  each 
bullet  bein^  enclosed  in  a  small  case, 
and  the  whole  together  forming  a  ma- 
chine resembling  a  grape.  This  species 
of  shot  is  discharged  from  ordnance. 

GRAPHOMETER,  ( grap/iometre, 
Fr.)  among  surveyors,  an  instrument  for 
taking  angles,  and  generally  called  a 
semi-circle.  In  mathematics  it  serves 
to  measure  heights  and  elevations,  to 
raise  plans,  &c. 

GUAPP1N,  1"V.  grappling  iron;  small 
anchor. 

GRAPPLING.  The  French  call  it 
grapin,  hcrisson,  risson,  or  hurpeau  ;  it 
is  a  sort  of  small  anchor,  with  4  or  5 
flukes  or  arms,  commonly  used  to  ride 
a  boat. 

GRAPPLiNG-irons,  in  the  art  of  war, 
are  composed  of  4,  5,  or  6"  branches, 
Lent  round  and  pointed,  with  a  ring  at 
the  root,  to  which  is  fastened  a  rope  to 
hold  by,  when  the  grapple  is  thrown  at 
any  thing,  in  order  to  bring  it  near,  so 
as  to  lay  hold  of  it. 

Fire  Grappling,  an  instrument 
which  nearly  resembles  the  above,  only 
that  it  is  fitted  with  strong  barbs  instead 
of  flukes,  and  is  fixed  at  the  yard  arms 
of  a  fire-ship,  to  grapple  her  adversary, 


and  set  her  on  fire.     The  French  call 
this  instrument  grapin  dc  brulbt. 

GRATICULER,  Fr.  to  divide  with 
a  pencil  on  a  sheet  of  paper,  any  design 
or  drawing  into  small  eijual  squares, in 
order  to  reduce  the  original  sketch  or 
picture,  or  to  enlarge  it  by  the  same 
process.  This  word  is  derived  from  the 
Italian,  graticola,  a  gridiron. 

GRATIFICATION,  Fr.  In  a  gene- 
ral acceptation  of  the  term  this  word 
meant,  among  the  French,  certain  re- 
wards which  generals  gave  to  the  troops, 
alter  a  severe  engagement,  in  testimony 
ol  their  valour  and  good  conduct.  These 
rewards  were  distributed  according  to 
rank,  and  were  presented  in  the  king's 
name.  This  custom  was  prevalent  in 
the  most  ancient  times.  According  to 
Vegetius,  all  monies  distributed  by  the 
Romans,  as  military  gratifications  or 
rewards,  were  deposited  in  the  ensign  or 
standard-bearer's  hands,  to  be  occasion- 
ally given  to  the  soldiers.  Sometimes 
the  generals  gave  directions  that  a  cer- 
tain proportion  should  be  sequestered  or 
put  apart.  By  degrees  a  fund  was  col- 
lected; and  the  temptations  to  desert 
lost  their  influence  in  the  superior  at- 
tachment which  every  soldier  felt  to  his 
standard,  whose  bearer  was  the  trustee 
ot  his  little  property,  and  to  whom  he 
was  consequently  bound  by  one  of  the 
most  powerful  ties  of  the  human  heart— 
self-interest. 

By  gratification  was  likewise  meant 
the  accumulation  of  a  certain  sum, 
which  was  deposited  for  the  specific 
purpose  of  burying  a  deceased  soldier. 
We  have,  indeed,  several  instances  in 
our  own  service  to  prove  the  wisdom 
and  expediency  of  a  regimental  sub- 
scription. In  the  Royal  Artillery,  gra- 
tifications, or  voluntary  subscriptions, 
for  the  relief  and  support  of  the  wives 
of  deceased  officers,  are  conducted  upon 
the  most  liberal  plan;  and  in  some  other 
corps  the  serjeants  and  corporals  pro- 
vide against  the  accidents  of  human  na- 
ture in  the  same  manner. 

Gratification  signified,  among  the 
French,  in  a  more  extended  sense  of 
the  word,  a  public  reward  given  to  a 
body  of  soldiers,  on  the  recommenda- 
tion of  a  general,  for  some  signal  act 
of  bravery  in  the  day  of  battle.  When 
this  happened  the  soldiers  had  a  cer- 
tain sum  of  money  distributed  amongst 
them,  and  the  officers  received  annual 
pensions. 


G  R  E 


(     359     ) 


G  R  E 


Gratification    likewise    means    a  i  itself  beyond  the  surface  of  the  sea,  and 


having   behaved  gal- 


eertain   allowance  in  money,   which  is 
made  to  prisoners  of  war. 

Gratification  annuelle,  Fr.  a  cer- 
tain pecuniary  allowance  which  was  an- 
nually given  during  the  French  mo- 
narchy, to  some  deserving  officer,  in 
order  to  increase  his  pay,  until  an  open- 
ing occurred  hy  which  he  might  be  ad- 
vanced. No  such  provision  exists  in 
the  British  service.  On  the  contrary, 
every  officer,  rich  or  poor,  has  10  per 
cent,  taken  from  his  pay,  when  the  sub- 
sistence is  first  issued  ! 

Gratification  de  campagne,  Fr. 
field  allowances. 

GRAT1FIER,  Fr.   to  reward  an  offi- 
cer or  soldier  for 
lantlv. 

GRATOIR,  Fr.  an  iron  instrument 
which  is  used  to  clear  out  a  shell  before 
it  is  charged. 

GRATTER  une  fusee,  Fr.  to  uncap 
or  clear  a  fuse  or  shell  for  the  purpose 
of  explosion. 

GRAVEURS,  Fr.  persons  employed 
and  paid  by  the  founders  of  cannon  for 
repairing  damaged  pieces  of  artillery : 
some  individual,  however,  was  distin- 
guished by  the  name  i»f  graveur  de  I'ar- 
tillerie,  engraver  to  the  artillery,  and 
was  permitted  by  the  Grand  Master  of 
the  Ordnance  to  exhibit  over  his  shop- 
door  the  arms  of  the  Royal  Artillery. 

GRAVIR,  Fr.  to  get  up  a  steep 
place  ;  to  scale  a  wall,  ccc. 

GREAT,  (grand,  Fr.)  having  any 
quality  in  a  high  degree,  as  a  great  offi- 
cer, a  great  man. 

The  Great,  (les  Grands,  Fr.)  per- 
sons of  elevated  rank  and  situation. 

Great,  (grand,  Fr.)  an  epithet  fre- 
quently used  to  signify  large  in  bulk,  or 
number,  as  a  great  army,  &c.  Import- 
ant, weighty,  as  a  great  victory,  ccc.  It 
also  signifies  extent,  duration. 

Great,  fortification,  one  of  the  di- 
visions of  the  first  system  of  M.  de 
Vauban. — It  consists  in  a  fortification 
whose  exterior  side  is  from  185  to  260 
toises,  or  from  370  to  520  yards,  and  is 
seldom  adopted  but  towards  a  river  or 
a  marsh. 

Great  radius,  the  whole  oblique 
radius.     See  Fortification. 

GREAVES,  iron  boots  which  were 
worn  with  ancient  armour;  also  armour 
for  the  legs. 

GRECIAN  fire,  (feu  Grcgeois,  Fr.) 


a  sort  of  artificial  fire,  which  insinuates  I  seasoned 

1  2U 


which  burns  with  increased  violence, 
when  it  mixes  with  that  element.  Its 
directions  are  contrary  to  the  course  of 
natural  fire  :  for  the  flames  will  spread 
themselves  downwards,  to  the  right  or 
left,  agreeably  to  the  movement  that  is 
given.  It  is  composed  or  made  up  of 
napluha,sulphur,bitumen,gum  and  pitch; 
and  it  can  only  be  extinguished  by  vine- 
gar mixed  with  urine  and  sand,  or  with 
undressed  leather  or  green  hides.  Some 
writers  assert,  that  it  was  invented  by 
an  engineer,  (belonging  to  Heliopolis,  a 
town  in  Syria,)  whose  name  was  Cal- 
linicus,  and  who  used  it  with  so  much 
skill  and  effect  during  a  naval  engage- 
ment, that  he  destroyed  a  whole  fleet 
belonging  to  the  enemy,  upon  which 
were  embarked  30,000  men.  This  com- 
bustible matter  has  retained  the  name 
of  Grecian  fire,  because  the  Greeks  first 
practised  the  invention.  It  is  asserted, 
indeed,  that  the  secret  of  making  Grecian 
fire,  which  should  be  unextinguishable, 
has  been  long  since  lost ;  we  say  unex- 
tinguishable, because  the  ancients  did 
not  know,  as  we  do,  how  to  repress  or 
put  out  the  flame.  According  to  the 
author  of  (Euvres  Militaires,a  powerful 
composition,  which  could  only  be  ex- 
tinguished by  strong  vinegar  (a  secret 
unknown  to  the  ancients)  might  be 
made  of  the  following  combustible  ma- 
terials; viz.  pitch,  rosin,  tallow,  cain- 
phire,  turpentine,  salt  of  nitre,  liquid 
varnish,  oil  of  sulphur,  linseed,  rock  oil, 
flux,  charcoal  finely  pulverized  ;  the 
whole  of  which  being  boiled  together, 
and  before  it  grows  cold,  mixed  with 
quick  lime,  a  consistence  is  formed  that 
will  be  susceptible  of  the  most  subtile 
and  destructive  fire. 

GREFFE,  Fr.  a  register-office. 

GREFFIER,  Fr.  clerk ;  a  person  who 
registers  the  minutes  of  a  court-martial. 

GRELE,  Fr.  hail.  It  is  used  figura- 
tively to  signify  a  quantity  of  missile 
weapons,  balls,  &c;  as,  Grele  de 
Flcches,  shower  of  arrows. 

GRELUCHON,  Fr.  a  little  rash  fel- 
low ;  an  inconsiderate  puppy. 

GRENADES,      ")  in  the  art  of  war, 

GRAN  \DES,or  J- are  hollow  halls  or 

GRFNADOES,  )  shells,  of  iron  or 
other  metal,  about  2{  inches  diameter, 
which  being  filled  with  fine  powder,  are 
set  on  fire  by  means  of  a  small  fuse, 
driven  into  the  fuse-hole,  made  of  well 
beech    wood,    and    formerly 


GRE 


(     330     ) 


GRE 


thrown  by  the  grenadiers  into  places 
where  men  stood  thick,  and  particularly 
into  the  trenches  and  other  lodgments 
made  by  the  enemy.  As  soon  as  the 
composition  within  the  fuse  gets  to  the 
powder  in  the  grenade,  it  bursts  into 
many  pieces,  greatly  to  the  injury  of  all 
who  happen  to  In*  in  its  way.  Grenades 
were  first  made  about  the  time  shells 
were  invented,  (sceSn  ell,)  and  first  used 
in  1594.  Grenades  have  unaccountably 
sunk  into  disuse  ;  but  we  are  persuaded 
there  is  nothing  more  proper  than  to 
have  grenades  to  throw  into  the  midst 
of  the  enemy,  who  have  jumped  into  the 
ditch.  During  the  siege  of  Cassel,  un- 
der the  Count  de  la  Lippe,  in  the  cam- 
paign of  1762,  a  young  engineer  under- 
took to  carry  one  of  the  outworks,  with 
a  much  smaller  detachment  than  had 
before  attempted  it  without  success. 
lie  gained  his  object  with  ease,  from  the 
use  of  grenades;  which  is  a  proof,  that 
they  should  not  be  neglected,  either  in 
the  attack  or  defence  of  posts. 

Grenade,  (grenade,  Fr.)  There  is  a 
sort  of  grenade  which  is  thrown  out  of 
a  mortar. 

It  is  sometimes  used  for  the  purpose 
of  annoying  the  besieging  enemy;  in 
which  case  quantities  are  rolled  down  the 
rampart  into  the  fosse,  or  ditch,  upon 
the  workmen  or  miners. 

A  grenade  resembles  a  bomb  or  shell, 
with  this  only  difference, that  the  grenade 
has  not  any  handles  to  it. 

There  are  some  grenades,  called  gre- 
nades u  main,  hand-grenades,  whose  ca- 
liber is  equal  to  that  of  a  four-pounder. 
The  charge  is  from  five  or  six  ounces  of 
gunpowder,  or  thereabouts.  They  are 
extremely  serviceable  on  many  occa- 
sions; but  particularly  so  to  throw  among 
the  men  that  are  working  in  the  trenches; 
numbers  of  whom  they  must  inevitably 
wound.  The  vent  of  a  hand-grenade 
contains  about  six  lines,  or  half  a  French 
inch. 

The  following  proportions  belong  to 
grenades,  according  to  their  several  dia- 
meters. 

Grenades  whose  caliber  is  equal  to 
that  of  a  33  pounder  contain  about  6 
French  inches  or  more  diameter,  8 
lines  in  thickness,  and  16  pounds  in 
weight. 

Grenades  whose  caliber  is  equal  to 
that  of  a  21  pounder  contain  5  French 
inches  5  lines  diameter,  6  lines  in  thick- 
ness, and  12  pounds  in  weight. 


Grenades  whose  caliber  is  equal  t* 
that  Of  a  l(j  pounder  contain  1  French 
inches  9  lines  diameter,  5  lines  in  thick- 
ness, and  8  pounds  in  weight. 

Those  that  weigh  6  pounds  have  3 
French  inches  5  lines  diameter,  and  are 
5  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  5  pounds  have  3 
French  inches  2-J  lines  diameter,  and 
are  5  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  3  pounds  have  2 
French  inches  8  lines  diameter,  and  are 
4\  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  2  pounds  have  2 
French  inches  1  lines  diameter,  and  are 
4  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  1  pound  have  1 
French  inch  10  lints  diameter,  and  an 
3  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  three  quart*  is  of  a 
pound  have  1  French  inch  8  lines  dia- 
meter, and  are  3  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  half  a  pound  have 
1  French  inch  8  lines  diameter,  and  ate 
3  lines  thick. 

Those  that  weigh  a  quarter  of  a  pound 
have  1  French  inch  0  lines  diameter, 
and  are  2|  lines  thick. 

These  proportions  were  formerly  at- 
tended to  in  the  old  French  service,  with 
occasional  deviations  from  the  strict 
measurement  of  the  lines  ;  as  it  was 
supposed  to  be  of  little  consequence 
whether  the  grenades  fitted  the  mortars 
exactly.  It  was,  indeed,  generally 
thought  advisable  to  adapt  their  sizes 
so  that  they  might  lie  thrown  out  with- 
out the  least  resistance  or  compression. 

Grenades  were  directed  to  be  thicker 
at  the  breech  than  elsewhere,  in  propor- 
tion to  their  several  diameters. 

Theodore  D'Urtubie,  in  his  Mgttliel 
de  VArtilleur,  gives  the  following  suc- 
cinct account  of  grenades.  That  writer 
observes,  "that  besides  bombs  or  shells, 
and  howitzers,  hollow  vessels  made  of 
iron  in  globular  shapes,  which  are  called 
grenades,  are  frequently  used  ;  gun- 
powder is  poured  in  through  the  cavity, 
or  vent,  called  in  French  lumiire,  into 
which  a  fuse  loaded  with  a  composi- 
tion of  combustible  materials  is  intro- 
duced." 

There  are  two  sorts  of  grenades. 
Those  distinguished  by  the  name  of  gre- 
nades de  rernpart  are  rolled  from  the 
top  of  the  parapet  into  the  ditch  ;  they 
are  equal  in  caliber  to  that  of  a  33  and 
a  16  pounder. 

The  other  species  is  called  grenades  a 


G  R  E 


(     331     ) 


GRE 


main,  These  are  thrown  into  the  covert 
way,  and  the  trenches,  ike.  their  caliber 
is  that  of  a  4-pounder,  and  they  weigh 
2  pounds.  The  ordinary  thickness  of 
grenades  is  4  lines  throughout. 

It  will  occur  to  our  military  readers, 
that  by  this  account  a  considerable  alter- 
ation has  taken  place  in  the  casiing  of 
grenades,  as  the  intermediate  differences 
have  been  consolidated;  hand-grenades, 
instead  of  being  thicker  at  the  breech, 
■are  uniformly  of  the  same  consistency. 
It  cannot,  however  be  thought  super- 
fluous to  preserve  the  original  dimen- 
sions. 

Gren Avz-roiihtntc,  Fr.  a  species  of 
hand-grenade  from  16  to  20  pounds 
weight,  which  is  thrown  into  fosses,  ike. 

Grenades  Tunjues,  Fr.  Turkish  gre- 
nades; a  sort  of  grenade  which  is 
made  by  the  Turks.  Their  grenades 
are  extremely  defective,  and  do  little 
execution. 

GRENADIER,     }     a   foot    soldier, 

GRANAD1ER,  J  armed  with  fire- 
lock, bayonet,  and  in  some  services  with 
a  hanger :  grenadiers  carry,  besides  their 
arms,  a  cartridge  box  that  will  hold  36 
rounds.  They  are  clothed  differently 
from  the  rest  of  the  battalion  they  belong 
to,  by  wearing  a  high  cap,  fronted  with  a 
plate,  ©f  brass,  on  which  the  king's  arms 
is  generally  represented,  ike.  and  a  piece 
of  fringed  or  tufted  cloth  upon  their 
shoulders,  called  a  wing :  in  some  armies 
they  have  more  pay  than  a  common 
soldier.  They  are  always  the  tallest 
and  stoutest  men,  consequently  the 
first  upon  all  attacks.  Every  battalion 
of  foot  has  generally  a  company  of  gre- 
nadiers belonging  to  it,  which  takes  the 
right  of  the  battalion.  Grenadiers  were 
first  instituted  in  France  in  1G67,  by 
having  4  or  5  to  each  company  ;  but  in 
the  year  1670,  they  were  formed  into 
companies,  and  in  1685,  were  first 
known  in  the  British  service. 

Horse-G rek adieus,  called  by  the 
French,  grenadiers  volans,  or  flying  gie- 
nadiers,  are  such  as  are  mounted  on 
horseback,  but  fight  both  on  foot  and 
horseback.  They  were  first  established 
in  France  by  Louis  XIV.  in  1676,  and 
formed  into  squadrons.  We  had  in  Eng- 
land two  troops  of  horse-grenadier 
guards,  the  first  raised  in  the  year  1693, 
the  command  of  which  was  given  to 
lieutenant-general  Cholmondeley  ;  the 
second  in  1701,  which  was  commanded 
in  Lord  Forbes. 


Grenadier  March,  a  beat  on  the 
drum  which  is  practised  with  the  grena- 
diers, or  when  the  whole  line  advances 
to  charge  an  enemy. 

Grenadiers  auxifiaires,  Fr.  auxiliary 

grenadiers.     During  a  siege,  and  when 

a  place  was  closely  invested,  a  certain 

number  of  grenadiers  were  chosen  out  of 

the  battalions  belonging  to  the  trenches, 

for  the  purpose  of  making  head  against 

the  besieged,  whenever  they  might  risk 

a  sally,  or   insult  the   works.     It  is   the 

peculiar  duty  of    these  men    to   stand 

'  forward  on  every  occasion,  to  set  fire  to 

i  the  gabions  attached   to  the   batteries, 

j  and  to  crush  every  attempt  which  might 

be  made  by  the  garrison   to  annoy  the 

men  that  were  posted  in  the  trenches, &c. 

It  was  customary  among  the  French 

:  to  increase  the  number  of  those  grena- 

j  diets  who  went  first  into  danger  and  did 

the  duty  of  the  trenches.     These  were 

called  grenadiers postiches,  or  extra  gre- 

nadierg,    ■ 

GRENADIERS  postiches,  Fr.  a  body 
of  men  composed  of  several  battalions 
of  militia,  which,  during  the  old  French 
monarchy,  were  trained  and  exercised 
for  the  purpose  of  augmenting  the  corps 
of  royal  grenadiers — a  sort  of  supple- 
mentary corps. 

Grenadiers  royaiix,  Fr.  royal  gre- 
nadiers. A  body  of  troops  under  the 
old  French  government,  which  consisted 
of  several  battalions  or  regiments  of 
militia,  drawn  out  of  the  supplementary 
grenadiers,  and  all  composed  of  grena- 
dier companies. 

Grenadiers,  ou  Gibernes,  Fr.  the 
bags  or  haversacks  which  hold  the  gre- 
nades. They  are  worn  like  powder- 
flasks. 

GRENAILLE,  Fr.  small  shot. 

GRENIER,  Fr.  a  granary  ;  a  store- 
house. 

Grenier,  Fr.  Mettre  en  grenier,  to 
stow  any  thing  loosely. 

GRENOIR,  Fr.  a  sieve  through  which 
gun-powder  is  passed,  and  formed  into 
grains  of  different  sizes.  SeeGRANOiR. 

GRLVE,  Fr.  armour,  or  covers  for 
the  legs.     See  Greaves. 

Greve,  Fr.  sandy  strand  or  shore 
also  a  paved  side  of  a  river. — Hence  La 
Place  de  Greve  in  Paris,  situated  upon 
the  banks  of  the  Seine.  During  the  old 
government  of  France,  criminals  were 
generally  executed  on  this  spot.  It  was 
here  that  the  celebrated  Madame  de  la 
Motte  was  exposed  and  marked  upon  the 
2U2 


GRU 


(     332     ) 


G  U  A 


shoulder,  for  being  an  accomplice  in  the 
fraud  practised  by  certain  persons  of 
high  rank  with  a  diamond  necklace. 

GRIFFE,  Fr.  literally  a  claw,  but  in 
a  military  sense,  as  accepted  by  the 
French,  an  iron  instrument  made  like 
a  hook,  and  used  by  miners  to  pick  out 
the  small  stones  that  are  incorporated 
with  cement,  &c. 

GRILLAGE,  ou  GRILLE,  Fr.  a  sort 
of  wooden  grating  which  is  used  in  dykes 
to  render  the  foundation  more  secure. 
This  is  done  by  placing  pieces  of  timber 
over  one  another,  called  langrines  and 
travertines,  which  see. 

GRISONS,  a  people  in  alliance  with 
Switzerland.  They  inhabit  the  moun- 
tainous parts  of  the  Alps  in  Italy,  and 
at  one  time  supported  a  well  organized 
army,  called  the  army  of  the  Grisons, 
under  General  Macdonald. 

GROS,  Fr.  a  body  of  soldiers.    The 
French  frequently  say — Ungros  decava- 
lerie,  a  body  of  cavalry;    un  gros  d'in- 
funterie,  a  body  of  infantry. 

Le  Gros  d'une  arm'ee,  Fr.  the  main 
body  of  an  army ;  that  part  which  re- 
mains after  any  detachments,  tkc.  have 
been  marched  away. 

GROs-Corps,  Fr.  a  large  body  of 
armed  men,  consisting  of  horse,  foot, 
and  artillery,  which  are  encamped,  can- 
toned or  in  garrison  together. 

Gros  equipages  d'une  arm'ee,  Fr.  the 
heavy  baggage,  consisting  of  the  train 
of  artillery, &c.  which  belongs  to  an  army. 
GROSS,  (gros,  Fr.)  the  whole,  before 
any  allowances  or  deductions  are  made: 
hence  gross  off-reckonings. 

GROUND,  the  field  or  place  of 
action. 

GROWD-zoork,  in  military  architec- 
ture.    See  Foundation. 

Ground  arms!  a  word  of  command 
on  which  the  soldiers  lay  down  their 
arms  upon  the  ground. 

This  word  of  command  has  been  ex- 
ploded since  the  introduction  of  the  new- 
exercise.  Soldiers  are  now  ordered  to 
■pile  arms. 

To  take  Ground.  A  battalion  or 
company  is  said  to  take  ground  when  it 
extends  in  any  given  direction.  This 
term  is  likewise  used  in  duelling,  as — 
They  took  their  ground  at  eight  or  ten 
paces  from  each  other. 

GRUE,  Fr.  a  crane;  a  fool.  This 
word  is  used  figuratively,  among  the 
French,  to  signify  the  attendance  of  a 
poor  dependent,  or  of  an  idle  parasite, 


on  a  great   man,  viz.  Faire  le  pied  de 
Grue,  to  dance  attendance. 

Grue,  Fr.  a  crane.  It  is  frequently 
used  in  the  embarkation  and  debark- 
ation of  cannon,  &c.  It  is  also  called 
gruau. 

GUARANTEE,  any  person  or  power 
who  undertakes  for  the  performance  of 
any  stipulations  agreed  on  between  two 
other  powers  or  parties. 

GUARD,  in  the  military  art,  is  a 
duty  performed  by  a  body  of  men  to 
secure  an  army  or  place  from  being 
surprized  by  an  enemy.  In  garrison  the 
guards  are  relieved  every  day  ;  hence  it 
comes  that  every  soldier  mounts  guard 
once  every  3  or  4  days  in  time  of  peace, 
and  much  oftencr  in  time  of  war.  See 
Honours. 

Guards  also  imply  the  troops  kept 
to  guard  the  king's  person,  and  consist 
of  both  horse  and  foot.  This  term  is 
now.  applied  to  distinguish  different  corps 
in  the  British  service,  namely:— 

jLi/e-GuARDS, 

Hwse-GuARDS,  and 

2"W-Guards,  which  collectively  are 
called  Household  troops.  There  are 
also  Dragoon  Guards,  a  sort  of  heavy 
cavalry ;  and  formerly  there  were  the 
horse-grenadier  guards. 

There  is  likewise  a  public  building, 
called  Horse  Guards,  close  to  Whitehall, 
in  which  are  the  several  offices  belong- 
ing to  the  military  department,  viz. 

The  Commander  in  Chief's. 

The  Secretary  at  War. 

The  Quarter-Master-General,  and 

The  Adjutant-General. 

This  edifice  is  so  called  from  the 
guard  being  constantly  composed  of 
light  or  heavy  horse. 

Horse-grenadier  Guards  were  di- 
vided into  two  troops,  called  the  1st  and 
2d  troops  of  horse-grenadier  guards. 
The  first  troop  was  raised  in  the  year 
1693,  and  the  command  given  to  lieute- 
nant-general Cholmondeley;  the  second 
in  1702,  and  the  command  given  to 
Lord  Forbes.  This  corps  was  reduced  in 
1788,  and  the  officers,  &c.  were  allowed 
to  retire  upon  full  pay. 

Life  Guards.  In  consequence  of 
the  reduction  of  the  horse  grenadier 
guards,  two  regiments  have  been  raised 
for  the  specific  purpose  of  guarding  the 
metropolis,  and  of  escorting  his  Majesty. 
They  are  called  the  First  and  Second 
Life  Guards. 

Although  the  Life  Guards  generally 


G  U  A 


(     333     ) 


G  U  A 


do  duty  about  the  metropolis,  it  must 
be  recollected,  that  they  were  not  raised 
for  that  specific  purpose  only.  They 
are  enlisted  for  general  service,  like  the 
men  of  the  line  or  Foot  Guards,  and 
no  stipulation  of  any  sort  is  made  with 
them.  During  the  late  war,  both  regi- 
ments were,  by  general  orders,  in  con- 
stant readiness  to  match  at  a  moment's 
notice;  having  their  tents,  caiup-equi- 
page,  and  every  article  fit  for  service. 

With  respeet  to  rank,  in  addition  to 
what  has  already  been  said  on  that  sub- 
ject, it  is  necessary  to  state,  that  the 
majors  in  the  Life  Guards  rank  as  lieu— 
tenant-coionels,  and  by  his  Majesty's 
order,  they  can  only  exchange  with  lieu- 
tenant-colonels. The  lieutenant-colonels 
rank  as  full  colonels,  and  cannot  ex- 
change with  any  one  under  that  rank. 
For  the  like  reason  that  rank  would 
not  be  obtained  by  an  exchange ;  a  major 
of  the  Life-Guards  cannot  exchange 
with  a  major  in  the  line,  nor  a  lieute- 
nant-colonel with  one  of  the  same  rank. 
This  corps  distinguished  itself  at  the 
memorable  battle  of  Waterloo  in  1815. 
See  Rank. 

Royal  Regiment  of  Horse  Guards. 
See  Blues. 

Yeomen  of  the  Guards,  first  raised  by 
Henry  VII.  in  the  year  1485  :  they  are 
a  kind  of  foot  guards  to  the  king's  per- 
son, and  are  generally  called  by  a  nick- 
name— the  beef-eaters,  a  term  derived 
from  Buffet,Tr.  a  sideboard.  They  were 
anciently  250  men  of  the  first  rank  under 
gentry,  and  of  a  larger  stature  than 
ordinary,  each  being  required  to  be  6 
feet  high.  At  present  there  are  but  100 
on  constant  duty,  and  70  more  not  on 
duty ;  and  when  any  one  of  the  100  dies, 
his  place  is  supplied  out  of  the  70.  They 
go  dressed  after  the  manner  of  King 
Henry  VHIth's  time.  Their  first  com- 
mander, or  captain,  was  the  Earl  of 
Oxford. 

Foot  Guards  are  regiments  of  foot 
appointed  for  the  guard  of  his  majesty, 
and  his  palace,  and  for  general  service. 
They  were  raised  in  the  year  1660, 
when  the  command  of  the  first  was 
given  to  Thomas,  Lord  Wentworth ; 
that  of  the  second  to  George  Duke  of 
Albemarle;  and  the  third  to  George, 
Earl  of  Linlithgow.  The  second  is  always 
called  the  Coldstream,  from  a  place 
named  Coldstream,  a  small  market  town 
in  Berwickshire,  where  the  men  were 
first  raised.     This  regiment  in  point  of 


standing  is  older  than  the  first,  having 
been  raised  sooner,  and  commanded  by 
General  Monk,  from  whom  it  originally 
took  its  name,  viz.  Monk's  regiment  or 
corps;  and  in  compliment  to  whom,  it 
was  made  one  of  the  three  Royal  regi- 
ments hy  Charles  the  second.  The  first 
regiment  of  French  guards  was  raised 
in  the  reign  of  Charles  IX.  in  the  year 
1563. 

Trench  Guard  only  mounts  in  the 
time  of  a  siege,  and  consists  sometimes 
of  3,  4,  or  6  battalions,  according  to 
the  importance  of  the  siege.  This  guard 
must  oppose  the  besieged  when  they  sally 
out,  protect  the  workmen,  &c. 

Prvvost  Guard  is  always  an  officer's 
guard  that  attends  the  provost  in  his 
rounds,  to  prevent  desertion,  maraud- 
ing, rioting,  &c.    See  Provost. 

Magazine  -  Guard.  See  Store- 
Keeper. 

Advanced  Guard,  a  party  of  either 
horse  or  foot,  or  both,  that  marches 
before  a  more  considerable  body,  to 
give  notice  of  any  approaching  danger. 
These  guards  are  either  made  stronger 
or  weaker,  according  to  the  situation 
or  danger  that  may  be  apprehended 
from  the  enemy,  or  the  country  through 
which  an  army  is  to  be  marched. 

Van  Guard.  See  Advanced  Guard. 

Artillery  Guard  is  a  detachment 
from  the  army  to  secure  the  artillery 
when  in  the  field.  Their  corps  de  garde 
is  in  the  front  of  the  park  of  artillery, 
and  their  sentries  are  dispersed  round 
the  same.  This  is  generally  a  48-hours 
guard;  and  upon  a  march  this  guard 
marches  in  the  front  and  rear  of  the 
artillery,  and  must  be  sure  to  leave 
nothing  behind.  If  a  gun  or  wagon 
breaks  down,  the  officer  that  commands 
the  guard  is  to  leave  a  sufficient  number 
of  men  to  assist  the  gunners  and  ma- 
trasses in  raising  it. 

Artillery  quarter  -Guard  is  fre- 
quently a  non-commissioned  officer's 
guard  from  the  royal  regiment  of  artil- 
lery, whose  corps  de  garde  is  always  in 
the  front  of  their  encampment. 

Artillery  rear-Gv  &.RD  consists  of  a 
corporal  and  6  men,  posted  in  the  rear 
of  the  park. 

Advanced  or  Quarte?--Gv  xrd,  &c. 
(commonly  called  by  the  French  Corps 
de  Garde,  which  also  means  a  guard  or 
detachment,  from  which  sentries  are 
posted  in  different  directions,)  are  sol- 
diers entrusted  with  the  guard  of  a  post, 


G  U  A 


(     S34     ) 


G  U  A 


tinder  the  command  of  one  or  more 
officers.  This  word  also  Minifies  the 
place  where  the  guard  mounts. 

Couitter-Gv  mkt>.  See  Four)  iicatjon. 

Grand  Guaud.  A  guard  composed 
of  three  or  four  squadrons  of  horse, 
commanded  by  a  held  officer,  posted 
about  a  mile,  or  a  mile  and  a  half  from 
the  camp  An  the  right  and  left  wings, 
towards  the  enemy,  for  the  better  secu- 
rity of  the  camp. 

Forage GvjkRQf  a  detachment  sent  out 
to  secure  the  foragers,  who  are  posted  at 
all  places,  where  either  the  enemy's  party 
may  come  to  disturb  the  foragers,  or 
where  they  may  he  spread  too  near  the 
enemy,  so  as  to  be  in  danger  of  being 
taken.  This  guard  consists  both  of 
horse  and  foot,  who  must  remain  on 
their  posts  till  the  foragers  are  all  come 
off  the  ground, 

Main  Guard  is  that  from  which 
all  other  guard*  are  detached.  Those 
who  are  to  mount  guard  assemble  at 
their  respective  private  parades,  and 
march  thence  to  the  general  parade  in 
good  order,  where,  after  the  whole 
guard  is  drawn  up,  the  small  guards 
are  detached  to  their  respective  posts : 
then  the  subalterns  cast  lots  for  their 
guards,  who  are  all  under  the  command 
of  the  captain  of  the  main  guard.  This 
guard  mounts  in  garrison  at  different 
hours,  according  to  the  pleasure  of  the 
governor.  * 

Piquet  Guard,  a  given  number  of 
horse  and  foot  always  in  readiness  in 
case  of  an  alarm;  the  horses  are  gene- 
rally saddled  all  the  time,  and  the  riders 
booted. 

The  foot  draw  up  at  the  head  of  the 
battalion,  frequently  at  the  beating  of 
the  tat-too;  but  afterwards  return  to 
their  tents,  where  they  hold  themselves 
in  readiness  to  march  upon  any  sudden 
alarm.  This  guard  is  to  make  resist- 
ance, in  case  of  an  attack,  until  the 
army  can  get  ready. 

Baggage  Guard  is  always  an  officer's 
guard,  who  has  the  care  of  the  baggage 
on  a  march.  The  wagons  should  be 
numbered  by  companies,  and  follow  one 
another  regularly;  vigilance  and  atten- 
tion in  the  passage  of  hollow-ways, 
woods,  and  thickets,  must  be  strictly 
observed  by  this  guard,  and  flankers 
should  be  thrown  out. 

Ordinary  Guards,  such  as  are  fixed 
during  the  campaign,  or  in  garrison 
towns,  and  which  are  relieved  daily. 


Extraordinary  Guards,  or  detach- 
ments, such  as  are  only  commanded  on 
particular  occasions;  either  for  the  fur- 
ther security  of  the  camp,  to  cover  the 
foragers,  or  for  convoys,  escorts,  or  ex- 
peditions, 

Soldiers  are  sometimes  ordered  to 
take  extraordinary  guards,  as  a  punish- 
ment for  slight  misconduct. 

Quarter  Guard  is  a  small  guard, 
commanded  by  a  subaltern  othcer,  post- 
ed in  the  front  of  each  battalion,  at  2<i2 
feet  before  the  front  of  the  regiment. 

Rear  Guard,  that  part  of  the  army 
which  brings  up  the  rear  on  a  march, 
generally  composed  of  all  the  old  grand 
guards  of  the  camp. 

The  rear  guard  of  a  party  is  fre- 
quently 8  or  10  horse,  about  oOO  paces 
behind  the  party.  Hence  the  advanced 
guard  going  out  upon  service,  forms 
the  rear  guard  in  a  retreat. 

Rear  Guard  is  also  a  corporal's 
guard  placed  in  the  rear  of  a  regiment, 
to  keep  good  order  in  that  part  of  the 
camp. 

Standard Gv .\nr>, a  smallguard  under 
a  corporal,  which  is  taken  out  of  each 
regiment  of  horse,  and  mounts  on  foot 
in  front  of  each  regiment,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  20  feet  from  the  streets  oppo- 
site to  the  main  street. 

To  be  upon  Guard.  See  Mounting 
Guard. 

To  relieve  Guard.    See  Relieve. 

Turn  out  the  Guard  !  A  phrase  used 
when  it  is  necessary  for  the  guard  to 
form  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  a 
general  or  commanding  officer;  on  the 
approach  of  an  armed  party ;  on  the 
beat  of  drum,  or  sound  of  trumpet,  or 
any  alarm. 

Port  Guard,  a  guard  detached  from 
the  main  guard.  All  officers  on  port  or 
detached  guards  are  to  send  a  report, 
night  and  morning,  to  the  captain  of 
the  main  guard,  and  at  all  other  times 
when  any  thing  extraordinary  occurs. 
Those  who  command  at  the  ports  arc 
to  draw  up  the  biidges,  or  shut  the 
barriers,  on  the  approach  of  any  body 
of  armed  men,  of  which  they  are  to  give 
notice  to  the  officer  of  the  main  guard, 
and  not  to  suffer  any  of  them  to  come 
into  the  garrison  without  leave  from  the 
governor  or  commander. 

OuI-Gvards.  Under  this  head  may 
not  improperly  be  considered  out-posts, 
advanced  piquets,  and  detachments.  In 
the  last  priuted  Regulations  it  is  oh- 


G  U  A 


(     335     ) 


G  U  A 


served  that  the  duties  of  outposts  are 
so  various  as  usually  to  require  detailed 
instructions  according  to  circumstances. 
The  following  directions  are  therein 
stated  to  be  generally  applicable,  and 
must  be  strictly  attended  to  by  the 
British  army,  especially  if  there  should 
be  any  occasion  for  it  to  act  upon  home 
service.  The  duty  of  out-posts,  &c.  is 
chiefly  confined  to  light  troops,  who  are 
occasionally  assisted  and  relieved  by  the 
line.  They  are  always,  in  that  case, 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  some 
general.  But  when  circumstances  ren- 
der it  necessary,  that  this  duty  should 
be  done  from  the  line,  the  out-posts  fall 
under  the  command  of  the  general 
officers  of  the  day,  unless  some  parti- 
cular oflicer  be  put  in  orders  for  that 
specific  command. 

All  out-guards  march  oft"  without 
trumpets  sounding,  or  drums  beating. 
They  pay  no  compliments  of  any  kind] 
neither  do  their  sentries  take  any  com- 
plimentary notice  of  officers  passing 
near  their  posts.  No  guards  are  to  pre- 
sume to  stop  any  persons  coming  to 
camp  with  provisions,  (unless  they  be 
particularly  ordered  so  to  do),  and  are 
on  no  account  to  exact  or  receive  any 
thing  for  their  free  passage. 

Any  officer,  trumpeter,  or  other  per- 
son, who  comes  from  the  enemy's  camp, 
is  to  be  secured  by  the  first  guard  he 
arrives  at,  till  the  commander  in  chief's 
or  the  general's  pleasure  is  known. 
When  a  deserter  comes  in  from  the 
enemy,  the  officer  commanding  the  post, 
or  guard,  at  which  he  arrives,  is  imme- 
diately to  send  him,  under  a  proper 
escort,  (without  permitting  him  to  be 
delayed  or  examined,  or  any  questions 
asked  him,)  to  the  officer  commanding 
the  outposts,  w ho, after  inquiring  whether 
he  brings  any  intelligence  immediately 
relating  to  his  own  post,  will  forward 
him  to  head-quarters. 

The  sentries  on  the  outposts  are  al- 
ways to  be  double.  No  officers,  soldiers, 
or  followers  of  the  camp,  are,  on  any 
account,  to  be  suffered  to  pass  the  out- 
posts, without  they  are  on  duty,  or  pre- 
sent a  regular  pass  from  head  quarters. 

The  men  on  advanced  piquets  are  to 
carry  their  provisions  with  them,  ready 
cooked,  when  circumstances  will  per- 
mit. The  cavalry  to  carry  sufficient 
forage  for  the  time  they  are  to  be  out. 

It  is  the  duty  of  officers  on  all  guards 
to  inspect  every  relief  of  sentries,  both 


when  they  go  on  and  come  off  their 
posts;  to  call  the  rolls  frequently,  and 
by  every  means  in  their  power  to  keep 
the  men  under  their  command  in  the 
most  perfect  state  of  vigilance  and  pre- 
paration. 

Officers  commanding  outposts  are  to 
send  guides,  or  orderly  men,  to  the 
major  of  brigade  of  the  day,  or  to  the 
brigade-major  of  their  own  brigades,  as 
circumstances  require,  in  order  to  con- 
duct the  new  guards,  and  to  carry  such 
orders  as  may  be  necessary. 

When  the  army  is  on  a  march,  the 
officers  must  apprize  the  brigade-majors 
of  the  situation  of  their  posts,  as  soon 
as  they  arrive  at  them.  All  detach- 
ments of  brigades,  which  are  ordered  to 
march  immediately,  are  to  be  taken  from 
the  piquets,  and  replaced  direct iy  from 
the  line. 

Whenever  detachments  consist  of  200 
men,  or  upwards,  a  surgeon  or  assistant- 
surgeon  is  to  be  sent  from  the  corps  of 
the  officer  who  commands.  On  parti- 
cular duties,  the  attendance  of  a  surgeon 
or  assistant-surgeon  may  be  requisite 
with  smaller  detachments.  Detach- 
ments of  cavalry,  of  50  or  upwards,  will 
be  attended  by  a  farrier. 

As  soon  as  an  officer  commanding  an 
outpost,  or  advanced  piquet,  (whether 
of  cavalry  or  infantry,)  arrives  on  his 
ground,  he  must  endeavour  to  make 
himself  master  of  his  situation,  by  care- 
fully examining,  not  »nly  the  space  he 
actually  occupies,  but  the  heights  within 
musket-shot;  the  roads  and  paths  lead- 
ing to  or  near  his  post,  ascertaining  their 
breadth  and  practicability  for  cavalry 
and  cannon.  He  should  examine  the 
hollow  ways  that  cover  the  approach  of 
an  enemy  :  and,  in  short,  consider  all 
the  points  from  which  he  is  most  likely 
to  be  attacked,  either  by  cavalry  or  in- 
fantry. He  will,  by  these  means,  be 
enabled  to  take  measures  to  prevent 
the  possibility  of  being  surprized  ;  and 
should  he  be  attacked  during  the  night, 
from  the  previous  knowledge  he  has 
obtained  of  the  ground,  he  will  at  once 
forma  just  estimate  of  the  nature  of  the 
attack,  and  make  his  arrangements  for 
defence  with  promptitude  and  decision. 
In  order  to  convey  the  same  alacrity  to 
his  men,  and  to  prepare  the  most  unex- 
perienced for  sudden  and  unexpected 
attacks,  an  officer  upon  an  outpost  will 
do  well  to  put  them  upon  the  alert,  by 
skilfully  occasioning  false  alarms.     But 


GUA 


these  must  not  be  often  repeated,  nor 
when  practised  be  made  known  to  his 
men  as  having  proceeded  from  himself; 
since  supineness  and  inactivity  might 
by  degrees  be  the  consequence  of  such 
a  discovery. 

An  intelligent  officer  upon  an  outpost, 
even  unprovided  with  entrenching  tools, 
will  materially  strengthen  his  post,  when 
the  unobserver  would  remain  inactive. 
A  tree  felled  with  judgment;  brushwood 
cut  to  a  certain  distance;  pointed  stakes, 
about  breast  high,  placed  on  the  points 
most  assailable  by  an  enemy,  may  be 
attended  with  the  greatest  advantages, 
and  can  be  effected  with  the  common 
hatchets  which  the  men  carry  to  cut 
fire-wood.  In  short,  every  impediment 
which  an  officer,  acting  on  the  defensive, 
can  thrown  in  an  enemy's  way,  ought 
to  be  scrupulously  attended  to.  Inde- 
pendently, therefore,  of  the  means  which 
he  adopts  for  the  immediate  protection 
of  his  posts,  he  must  look  beyond  that 
point;  and  as  nothing  checks  the  ardour 
of  troops  more  than  an  unexpected  ob- 
stacle, within  an  hundred  yards,  more 
or  less,  of  the  place  attacked,  he  must, 
on  his  arrival  at  the  outpost,  throw  up 
some  temporary  impediment  at  that  dis- 
tance. 

Mounting  Guards.  It  is  indispen- 
sably necessary  that  every  officer  should 
know  how  to  mount  and  come  off  guard. 
The  following  is  the  regulation  to  be 
observed  on  that  head  in  the  British 
service. 

All  guards  are  to  parade  with  shoul- 
dered arms,  and  unfixed  bayonets,  with- 
out any  intervals  between  them,  the 
ranks  open,  and  the  Serjeants  with  pikes 
carried.  The  officers  with  their  swords 
drawn,  and  non-commissioned  officers 
commanding  guards,  to  be  formed  about 
forty  paces  in  front  of  the  center,  in  two 
ranks,  facing  the  line,  where  they  are  to 
receive  the  old  parole  and  such  orders  as 
may  be  given  to  them. 

The  major  or  commanding  officer  will 
give  the  word  of  command— 

"  Officers  and  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers, outward  face  ! — Take  post  in  front 
of  your  respective  guards !  —  Quick, 
March  !" 

As  soon  as  they  have  taken  post, 
fronting  their  respective  guards,  the  word 
of  command  will  be  given — 

"  Officers  and  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers— to  vour  guards — March  ! — Halt ! 
—Front !'' 


(     336     )  GUA 

"  Officers  and  non-cemmissioned  oftv* 


cers,  inspect  your  guards  !" 

The  several  officers  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers  will  then  inspect  their 
guards  as  quick  as  possible.  When 
there  is  a  captain's  guard,  each  officer 
is  to  take  a  rank,  followed  by  a  serjeant. 
As  soon  as  the  inspection  is  over,  the 
adjutant  will  go  down  the  line,  and  re- 
ceive the  report  of  each  guard;  the  offi- 
cers return  to  their  posts;  and  the  major 
or  commanding  officer  will  then — 

"  Order  arms  ! — Fix  bayonets  !■ — and 
Shoulder  !" 

When  the  colours  are  brought  on  the 
parade,  the  troop  is  beat;  and  the  drum- 
mers call  on  the  right. 

The  captain  will  face  inwards,  and  the 
lieutenant  and  ensign   will  face  to   the 
right,  and  inarch,  quick  time,  to  the  head 
of  the  grenadiers.     The  captain  goes  to 
the  head  of  the  right  of  his  remaining 
men.     The  field  officer  than  orders  the 
grenadiers  to  close  their  ranks,  and  to 
march  oft*  in  quick  time,  the  lieutenant 
being  three  paces  advanced   in   front  of 
his  men,  and  the  ensign  one.     The  co- 
lours will  be  received  as  usual;  and  the 
grenadiers,  on  their  arrival   on  the  let r. 
flank  of  the  guards,  will  file  at  ordinary 
time,  through  the  ranks  ;  the  lieutenant, 
and    the  colours,  in   front  of  the   front 
rank.     The  guards  are  to  march  off  at 
ordinary  time,  and  by  divisions,  taking 
care,  that  when   they  open  their  ranks, 
the  front  rank  of  each  keeps  its  exact 
distance  from  the  front  rank  preceding 
it.     When  there  are  more  officers  than 
one  belonging  to   the  same  guard,  the 
second  in  rank  is   to   take  post  and   to 
march  past  the  commanding  officer  on 
the  parade,  at  the  head  of  the  last  divi- 
sion, instead  of  being  in  the  rear  of  it. 
When  there  is  an  officer  senior  to  the 
field  officer  of  the  day,  on   the  parade, 
the  guards  are  to  inarch   by  and  salute 
him  ;  the  field  otiicer  of  the  day,  in  that 
case,  inarching  at  their  head. 

GuARn-nwms,  (corps  de  garde,  Fr.) 
places  where  guards  are  stationed  for  a 
jjiven  time.  Although  the  following  ar- 
ticles should  properly  come  under  the 
heads  of  furniture  and  utensils,  we  do 
not  think  them  entirely  out  of  place 
under  a  more  ostensible  point  of  obser- 
vation. 

Cavalry  and  infantry  GvARD-rooms 
are  allowed  a  water-bucket,  candlestick, 
tin  can  for  beer,  and  drinking-horns; 
they  are  also  allowed  fire-irons  and  coal 


G  U  A 


(     337     ) 


G  U  E 


tray,  from  the  1st  of  September  to  the 
1st  of  May,  when  they  are  to  be  taken 
into  store. 

N.  B.  The  rooms  of  the  quarter-mas- 
ters and  Serjeants  of  cavalry,  and  the 
serjeant-major  and  quarter-master  Ser- 
jeant of  infantry,  to  be  furnished  with 
the  necessary  bedding  and  utensils  in 
the  same  manner  as  is  allowed  to  the 
soldier's  rooms.  For  a  more  specific 
account,  see  the  General  Regulations. 

GvARD-house,  (corps  de  garde,  Fr.) 
a  place  covered  in,  and  generally  built 
at  the  gate  of  a  fortified  town,  or  close 
to  the  entrance  of  a  barrack,  for  the 
convenience  of  soldiers  who  mount 
guard.  This  sort  of  building  is  also 
found  in  the  principal  squares  of  forti- 
fied towns. 

Guard  in  fencing  implies  a  posture 
proper  to  defend  the  body  from  the 
sword  of  the  antagonist. 

The  word  guard  is  seldom  applied 
among  small  swordsmen  to  any  position 
but  those  of  carte  and  tierce;  the  other 
motions  of  defence  are  styled  parades. 
See  Fencing. 

Guards  of  the  broad  stcord.  The 
positions  of  defence  adopted  with  that 
weapon  are  generally  termed  guards,  and 
may  be  comprized  under  the  inside- 
guard,  half-circle  guard,  hanging  guard, 
half-hanging  guard,  medium  guard,  out- 
side guard,  St.  George's  guard,  and  spa- 
droon  guard.     See  Broad-sword. 

Prepare  to  Guard,  in  the  cavalry 
sword  exercise,  is  performed  by  bringing 
the  extremity  of  the  sword-hilt  up  to  the 
pit  of  the  stomach,  with  the  back  of  the 
hand  outwards;  the  blade  of  the  sword 
to  be  carried  perpendicularly,  with  the 
flat  towards  the  face.  From  this  posi- 
tion the  guard  is  taken  by  darting  the 
sword  hand  smartly  forwards  towards 
the  left  ear  of  the  antagonist. 

Guard,  in  the  cavalry  sword  exercise, 
is  used  to  denote  one  particular  position, 
which  consists  in  holding  the  sabre  nearly 
horizontal  across  the  face,  the  point 
rather  higher  than  the  hilt,  the  sword- 
hand  directed  towards  the  left  ear  of 
the  antagonist.  Although  this  be  pe- 
culiarly denominated  guard,  yet  it  is  not 
to  be  considered  as  a  position  calculated 
to  meet  every  sort  of  attack,  or  an  eligi- 
ble position  to  charge  an  enemy  ;  but  as 
the  central  point  from  which  the  requi- 
site change  for  attack  or  defence  may  be 
effected.    The  other  position***-  defence 


in  the  cavalry  exercise  are  styled  Pro- 
tects; which  see. 

GUARDSHIP,  a  King's  ship  to  guard 
the  coast. 

GUASTADOURS,  Turkish  pioneers. 
Armenians  and  Greeks  are  generally 
employed  in  the  Turkish  armies,  to  do 
the  fatigue-work  that  is  necessary  for 
the  formation  of  a  camp,  or  for  con- 
ducting a  siege. 

GUDDA,  an  Indian  term  for  a  small 
fort  erected  upon  a  hill  or  eminence. 

GUDGE,  an  Indian  measure  24  inches 
lonsr. 

GUELPHIC  Order.  The  royal  Hano- 
verian Guelphic  Order  was  created  in 
December,  1815,  as  a  reward  for  mili- 
tary services.  Major-Gen.  Sir  Benjamin 
Blomtielcl,  of  the  Royal  Artillery,  was 
the  first  Englishman  who  received  this 
honorary  distinction.     See  Order. 

GUERDON,  (guerdon,  Fr.)  a  re- 
ward; a  recompence. 

GUEIUTE,  Fr.  This  is  also  called 
Echauguette,  sentry  box,  small  turret. 
In  fortified  towns  there  are  several 
small  turrets  of  this  denomination,  which 
are  sometimes  made  of  wood,  and  some- 
times built  with  stone.  They  are  gene- 
rally fixed  on  the  acute  points  of  bas- 
tions, and  sentinels  are  posted  within 
them  for  the  purpose  of  watching  the 
ditch,  and  of  preventing  any  surprize  in 
that  quarter. 

Those  used  upon  the  continent,  par- 
ticularly in  France,  contain  from  3  to  4 
French  feet  diameter  within,  and  are  7 
or  8  feet  high.  Their  general  shape,  or 
figure,  is  round,  pentagonal,  hexagonal, 
&c. 

There  are  apertures  made  on  every 
side,  through  which  the  sentinel  can  ob- 
serve every  thing  that  passes  in  the  ditch. 
A  path  about  2  or  3  feet  broad  is  cut 
through  the  parapet  and  the  banquette, 
up  to  the  entrance  of  the  guerite. 
Wooden  gucriles  are  generally  used 
where  the  rampart  is  lined  with  turf 
only. 

The  spots  best  adapted  for  gucrites 
are  at  the  flanked  angles  of  bastions, 
and  at  the  angles  of  epaulements.  Some- 
times, indeed,  they  are  placed  in  the 
centre  of  the  curtains.  They  must  jut 
out  at  the  point  of  the  angle,  and  the 
ground  floor  should  be  upon  a  line  with 
the  cordon,  which  is  a  sort  of  fillet  or 
trace  that  marks  the  separation  of  the 
rampart  from  the  parapet.  They  mu»t 
2X 


G  U  E 


(     338     ) 


G  U  E 


likewise  project  far  enough  to  afford  the 
sentinel  who  is  within,  a  full  view  ot  the 
faces,  the  flanks  and  the  curtains,  and, 
if  possible,  a  thorough  command  of  all 
the  ditches. 

Gagner  la  Guerite,  Jr.  a  familiar 
phrase  to  express  the  escape  of  a  person. 

Enftler  la  GufeitiTE,  Jr.  to  avoid  the 
pursuit  of  another. 

GUERRE,  Fr.  war;  which  see. 

The  word  guerre  is  indeed  so  fre- 
quently u»td  among  the  French,  that  we 
shall  not  be  thought  too  minute  in  spe- 
cifying some  general  terms  under  that 
head.     The  principal  ones  are: 

Guerre  civile,  Fr.     See  Civil  War. 

Homme  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  military 
man. 

Nom  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  borrowed 
name :  an  alias. 

Petite  Guerre,  Fr.  a  harassing  spe- 
cies of  warfare  ;  a  contest  for  plunder. 

Place  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  fortified 
town  or  place. 

Faire  la  Guerre  a  Vail,  Fr.  in  a 
figurative  sense,  signifies  to  watch  sted- 
fastly,  and  without  taking  the  eye  from 
a  particular  object. 

A  la  guerre  comtnc  a  la  Guerre,  a 
familiar  expression  among  the  French, 
which  implies  that  things  must  be  taken 
as  they  come. 

La  guerre  nourrit  la  Guerre,  Fr. 
figuratively  means,  that  an  army  always 
subsists  at  the  expense  of  the  country 
in  which  it  lies. 

GUERRE  de  secours,  Fr.  war  of  alli- 
ance or  confederacy.  This  term  is  more 
especially  applicable  to  that  species  of 
contest  in  which  neighbouring  princes 
or  countries  embark  to  defend  those, 
with  whom  they  are  in  alliance,  against 
the  aggression  or  exorbitant  demands  of 
a  conqueror. 

If  such  a  contest  or  war  be  entered 
into  upon  the  faith  of  settled  treaties, 
the  parties  are  bound  not  only  to  supply 
the  stipulated  number  of  soldiers,  but 
even  to  augment  their  quota,  if  necessity 
should  require,  and  sometimes  to  march 
in  person  against  the  common  enemy. 

If  the  object  be  to  prevent  any  ad- 
jacent country  from  falling  into  the 
hands  of  a  conqueror,  who  might  after- 
wards molest  the  contracting  party,  the 
latter  should  observe  many  precautions 
before  he  withdraws  from  the  contest; 
the  principal  one  is  to  demand  the  pos- 
session of  some  strong  places  upon  the 
frontiers,  to  prevent  the  inhabitants  of 


the  country  that  is  attacked  from  making 
a  separate  peace. 

The  general  selected  to  command  an 
auxiliary  army  must  be  endued  with 
wisddm  and  foresight.  He  must  be 
wise  and  intelligent  in  order  to  preserve 
discipline  and  good  order  among  his- 
troops  :  and  have  foresight  to  provide 
for  the  wants  of  his  army  in  a  strange 
country,  and  to  see  that  the  men  are  not 
sent  more  into  action  than  they  ought, 
and  that  nothing  is  done  in  the  prince's 
cabinet  contrary  to  the  interest  of  his 
employer. 

Guerre  de  montagne,  Fr.  a  war 
which  is  chiefly  carried  ou  in  a  moun- 
tainous part  of  the  country.  This  spe- 
cies of  warfare  is  extremely  hazardousl 
as  it  cannot  be  pursued  without  a  tho- 
rough knowledge  of  the  country,  and 
by  means  of  able  stratagems.  Marshal 
Saxe,  in  his  Reveries,  lays  it  down  as  a 
rule,  that  no  army  or  detachment  must 
venture  into  passes  or  narrow  ways, 
without  having  first  secured  the  emi- 
nences round  them  :  and  if  the  enemy 
should  defend  the  gorges  or  outlets, 
false  attacks  must  be  resorted  to,  in 
order  to  divert  his  attention  from  a  real 
one  which  is  made  against  a  weak  quar- 
ter. It  frequently  happens  that  bye- 
ways  are  found  out,  which  have  escaped 
the  enemy's  observation,  and  through 
which  detached  bodies  may  penetrate 
for  the  purpose  of  turning  his  flanks.  In 
a  guerre  de  montagnc,  or  mountain-con- 
test, it  is  essentially  necessary,  that  the 
advancing  body  should  keep  a  regular 
and  safe  communication  with  its  rear, 
as  well  to  secure  a  retreat  if  necessary, 
as  to  have  a  free  intercourse  with  its 
convoys. 

Guerre  de  chicane,  Fr.     See  War. 

Guerre  Sainte,  Fr.  a  romantic  ex- 
pedition which  was  made  by  the  Chris- 
tians against  the  infidels  in  Palestine, 
for  the  purpose  of  reconquering  the 
Holy  Land;  whence  it  was  called  holy 
war,  or  guerre  sainte.     See  Crusade. 

Foudre  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  figurative 
expression  among  the  French,  to  mark 
the  character  of  a  man  who  has  distin- 
guished himself  in  battle,  and  is  acknow- 
ledged to  possess  a  superior  degree  of 
valour. 

Flambeau  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the  torch 
of  war.  Any  person  who  causes  war  to 
be  carried  on  with  violence  and  animo- 
sity is  sojcjjilled. 

Aller  d.  la  petite  Guerre,  Fr.  to  go 


G  U  E 


(     539    ) 


out  in  detached  parties  for  the  direct 
purpose  of  plundering  an  enemy's  coun- 
try. 

Faire  bonne  Guerre,  Fr.  to  carry  on 
hostilities  with  as  much  humanity  as  the 
laws  of  war  will  permit. 

Faire  bonne  Guerre  a  quelqu'un,  Fr. 
to  treat  with  a  man  decently,  but  vigo- 
rously, on  matters  that  require  explana- 
tion and  final  arrangement. 

Guerre  et  pitie  ne  s'accordent  pas 
ensemble,  a  French  proverb,  signifying 
that  war  and  commiseration  seldom  go 
hand  in  hand. 

Guerre  juste,  Fr.  a  just  and  neces- 
sary war,  generally  caused  by  the  ag- 
gression of  a  rival  nation.  Hence  the 
contest  with  France  has  been  uniformly 
called  by  the  British  ministers  une 
guerre  juste,  a  just  and  necessary  war 
on  the  part  of  England,  because  they 
maintain,  that  the  French  revolutionists 
in  1792  were  the  first  aggressors;  the 
French,  on  the  other  hand,  assert  the 
reverse.  With  respect  to  the  late  con- 
test, we  can  only  say,  that  both  countries 
•must  severely  feel  the  effects  of  national 
animosity  and  competition,  before  the 
full  blessings  of  peace  can  be  mutually 
enjoyed. 

Guerre  injuste,  Fr.  an  unjust  war. 

Longue  Guerre,  Fr.  a  long  war. 

Guerre  itrangere,  Fr.  a  foreign  war. 

Guerre  d'outr'e  mer,  Fr.  a  war  be- 
yond the  seas. 

Gens  de  Guerre,  Fr.     See  Gens. 

Le  metier  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the  pro- 
fession of  arms.  Hence  it  is  figuratively 
said,  les  Francais  sont  uu  fait  du  metier 
de  la  guerre  de  terre,  et  les  Anglais  sont 
au  fait  du  metier  de  la  guerre  de  mer. 
Frenchmen  are  at  the  top  of  the  profes- 
sion of  arms  on  land,  and  Englishmen 
are  unrivalled  at  sea.  The  fate  contest, 
particularly  at  Waterloo,  has  proved, 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  British  empire 
are  as  unrivalled  on  shore,  as  their  sea- 
faring brethren  are  upon  the  ocean. 

Les  lois  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the  laws 
of  war. 

Les  droits  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the 
rights  of  war. 

Ruse  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  warlike  stra- 
tagem. 

En  temps  de  Guerre,  Fr.  in  time  of 
war. 

Munitions  de  Guerre  et  de  bouche, 
Fr.  warlike  stores  and  provisions. 

Priparatifs  de  Guerre,  Fr.  warlike 
preparations. 


G 

u 

E 

Guerre, 

Fr. 

a   fortified 

le  Guerre,  Fr 

a  warlike 

Place  de 
place. 
Machine 

instrument  or  machine. 

Cornell  de  Guerre,  Fr.  a  council  of 
war.    It  likewise  means  a  court-martial. 

Cest  un  grand  homme  de  Guerre, 
Fr.  he  is  a  warlike  character. 

Les  inalheurs  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the 
evils,  or  misfortunes,  of  war. 

Avoir  Guerre,  Fr.  to  commence 
hostilities. 

Avoir  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  be  in  a 
state  of  warfare. 

Les  fruits  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  the 
fruits  or  consequences  of  war. 

Entreprendre  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  en- 
ter into  a  war. 

Declarer  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  declare 
war. 

Soutenir  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  maintain 
the  war. 

Entrelenir  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  sup- 
port the  war. 

Ces  deux  princes  sont  en  Guerre,  Fr. 
these  two  potentates  are  at  war. 

Etre  en  Guerre  ouverte,  Fr.  to  be 
at  open  war. 

Faire  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  go  upon  ac- 
tive service.  The  French  say,  by  way  of 
interrogation,  Monsieur  a  fait  la  guerre  ? 
You  have  been  upon  service,  sir? 

Se faire  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  make  war 
with  one  another. 

Aller  a  la  Guerre,  Fr.  to  go  to  war. 

Allumer  la  Guerre  dans  un  it  at,  Fr. 
to  light  up  a  war,  or  excite  troubles  in 
any  state  or  country. 

Porter  la]  Guerre  dans  le  caur  d'un 
pays,  Fr.  to  carry  war  into  the  heart  of 
a  country. 

Guerre  entre  les  puissances  igales, 
Fr.  war  between  two  powers  which  are 
nearly  equal  in  point  of  strength,  and 
do  not  act  with  auxiliary  troops. 

Qui  terre  a,  Guerre  a,  a  French 
proverb,  signifying,  every  man  who  has 
landed  property  is  exposed  to  feuds  and 
litigation. 

GUERR.ES  du  Roi,  Fr.  wars  entered 
into  by  the  old  kings  of  France  against 
their  powerful  vassals.  Before  the  con- 
solidation of  the  French  monarchy,  as 
it  remained  until  the  revolution  in  1789, 
&c.  a  distinction  was  made  between  what 
were  called  the  King's  forces,  and  those 
belonging  to  the  state ;  so  that  when- 
ever a  difference  occurred  between  the 
sovereign,  and  the  powerful  Seigneurs  or 
Lords  in  the  provinces,  the  contest  was 
2X2 


G  U  E 


(     510     ) 


G  U  E 


called  guerre  du  Roi,  or  the  King's  war. 
On  these  occasions  the  latter  could  only 
force  his  immediate  dependants  to  ac- 
company him ;  so  that  frequently  the 
forces  of  the  insurgents  were  more  nu- 
merous than  those  of  the  King.  Louis, 
su  rimmed  Tjt  Grot,  was  more  than  t!m  i 
years  in  continual  warfare,  before  he 
could  subdue  Bouchard  de Montmorenci, 
whom  three  other  great  lords  had  joined. 
The  war  with  the  barons,  amongst  us, 
was  of  this  description. 

GUERRIER,   Fr.  warrior. 
Un  grand   Guerkier,    Fr.    a  great 
warrior. 

Lcs  plusfamettx Guerriers,  the  most 
celebrated  warriors. 

It  is  also  osed  as  a  substantive  in  the 
feminine  gender,  when  speaking  of  an 
Amazon,  as,  la  vaillante  guerriere. 

Guerrier,  Fr;  as  an  adjective,  is  va- 
riously used,  viz.  warlike,  any  thing  ap- 
pertaining to  war. 

Actions Guerrieres,  Fr.  warlike  ac- 
tions. 

Travaux  Guerriers,  Fr.  works  of  a 
military  or  warlike  nature. 

Exploits  Guerriers,  Fr,  warlike  ex- 
ploits. 

Courage  Guerrier,  Fr.  a  warlike 
disposition. 

Humeur  Guerriere,  Fr.  a  warlike 
spirit  or  temper. 

Nation  Guerriere,  Fr.  a  warlike 
nation. 

11  a  Pair  Guerrier,  Fr.  he  has  a 
warlike  look  or  appearance. 

11  a  la  mine  Guerriere,  Fr.  he  has 
a  warlike  aspect. 

GUERRILLAS,  Spanish  buccaneers; 
also  armed  bodies  of  men  who  were  very 
active  against  the  French  during  the  in- 
vasion of  the  peninsula. 

GUERROYER,  Fr.  to  make  war. 
GUERRQYEUR,  Fr.  a  warrior. 
(HJET,  Fr.     This  term  was  particu- 
larly attached  to  those  persons  belonging 
to  the  French  body  guards,  that  did  duty 
over  the  king's  person  during  the  night. 
GtTET,  JV.  in  a  general  military  sense, 
signifies  rounds,  or  those  duties  of  a  sol- 
dier, or  patroling  party,  which  are  pre- 
scribed for  the  security  of  a  town,  &c. 
and  to  prevent  surprizes. 

Guet  de  la  mcr,  Fr.  the  watch  which 
the  inhabitants  belonging  to  parishes, 
towns,  or  fortified  places,  situated  on 
the  sea  coast,  were  bound  to  keep  for 
their  security.  On  occasions  of  this  sort, 
the  signal  of  alarm  was  made  during  the 


day  by  smoke,  and  during  the  night  by 

lighted  combustibles. 

Fuire  le  Guet  an  /taut  (lit  beffroi,  Fr. 
to  be  put  u;  on  dutv,  or  stand  watch  at 
tin   top  of  a  church  belfry. 

Asseoir  le  (jilt,  Fr.  to  set  the  watch. 

Poser  leGvzT,  Fr.  to  pose  the  watch. 

Eire  au  Guet,  Fr.  to  be  upon  the 
watch. 

Guet  a  pied,  Fr.  foot  patrole. 

Guet  a  cheval,  Fr.  horse  patrole. 

Cr  sont  lcs  bourgeois  qui  font  /<  Guet, 
Fr.  the  inhabitants  of  the  place  go  the 
rounds. 

Cri  an  ( rUET,   Fr.  the  hue  and  cry. 

Lei  iv  j. i  ricnt  de  passu ,  Fi .  the  patrole 
has  just  passed. 

Avoir  I'ail  au  Guet,  Fr.  to  be  mi- 
nutely watchful  and  observing.  It  also 
signifies  to  he  listening  for  the  direct 
purpose  of  acquiring  information. 

Maison  de  Guet,  Fr.  round-house. 

Mot  dn  Guet,  Fr.  watch-word. 

Donncr  le  mot  o'cGult,  Fr.  to  give 
the  watch-word. 

Se.  donner  le  mot  de  Guet,  Fr.  to 
understand  one  another.  In  familiar 
intercourse  it  means  likewise  to  play 
booty  together. 

GvMi-u-pens,  Fr.  ambush;  any  pre- 
meditated design  to  injure  another  in 
a  clandestine  manner.  The  French  fre- 
quently use  this  expression  ;  as, 

Ce  n'est  point  une  rencontre  ni  un  duel, 
e'est  un  GvET-a-peus,  Fr.  it  is  neither  an 
accidental  meeting  nor  a  duel,  it  is  a 
downright  plot  to  murder  him. 

Droit  du  Guet  et  garde,  Fr.  a  right 
which  was  formerly  enjoyed  in  Fiance, 
by  some  lords  of  the  manor,  and  by 
which  they  were  authorized  to  call  upon 
their  vassals  to  watch  -and  patrole  for 
the  security  of  their  castles. 

GUETRE,  Fr.     See  Gaiter. 

Tires  vos  Guetres,  Fr.  Go  about 
your  business  ;  a  familiar  phrase  which 
is  used  among  the  French  when  a  per- 
son is  discarded,  or  turned  away  in  a 
summary  manner.  It  in  some  degree 
corresponds  with  our  expression,  To  t he- 
rig  fit  about. 

11  y  a  laissi  ses  Guetres,  Fr.  a  figu- 
rative expression  among  French  soldiers, 
signifying,  that  a  person  died  in  such  a 
place. 

GUETRER,F;-.  to  put  on  gaiters. 

GUETTE,  Fr.  a  name  given  by  the 
French  carpenters  to  a  stake  that  is 
fixed  sideways,  and  which  serves  for  va- 
rious purposes. 


GUI 


(     S41     ) 


G  U  I 


GUETTER,  Fr.   a   familiar  phrase,  gence,  active,  and  attentive  to  the  dili- 


signifying  to  watch  the  motions  of  any 
body,  for  the  purpose  of  circumvention 
or  surprize. 

Guetter  likewise  means  to  watch 
for  a  fit  opportunity  to  get  access  to  any 
person. 

II  y  a  des  sergens  qui  le  Guettent, 
Fr.  there  are  serjeants  who  watch  him 
closely. 

Le  soldat  Guettoit  son  colonel  pour 
lui  presenter  un  placet,  Fr,  the  soldier 
watched  his  colonel,  in  order  to  lay  his 
petition  before  him. 

GUETTEUR  de  chemin,  Fr.  a  foot- 
pad ;   a  fellow  that  lies  lurking. 

Fort  en  GUEULE,  Fr.  hard-mouthed. 
The  French  use  the  term  figuratively, 
as  un  hmnme  fort  en  gueule,  a  hard- 
mouthed  fellow,  a  noisy,  vociferous  man. 

N'avoir  que  de  la  Gueule,  Fr.  to 
be  all  talk. 

GUEUSE,  Fr.  a  rough  piece  of  iron, 
which  has  been  melted,  and  has  not 
gone  through  any  further  process,  or  pu- 
rification. 

GUICHET,  Fr.  the  inside  shutter  of 
a  window  ;  a  wicket,  a  small  door  or  out- 
let, which  is  made  in  the  gates  of  forti- 
fied towns.  It  is  generally  four  feet  high 
and  two  broad ;  so  that  a  man  must 
stoop  to  get  through.  In  1669,  the  high 
town  of  the  city  of  Albuquerque  in  Spain 
escaped  being  surprized  by  means  of  one 
of  these  outlets.  In  garrison  towns,  the 
guichet  is  left  open  for  the  space  of 
one  quarter  of  an  hour  after  the  retreat, 
in  order  to  give  the  inhabitants  time  to 
enter. 

Guichet  d'une  parte  d'icluse,  Fr.  an 
opening  which  is  made  in  the  gate  of  a 
sluice,  and  which  closes  by  means  of  a 
flood-gate.  It  serves  to  let  in  water 
when  wanted. 

GUICHETIER,  Fr.  a  turn-key. 

GUIDE,  Fr.  a  rein. 

GUIDES,  (guides,  Fr.)  are  generally 
the  country  people  in  the  neighbourhood 
where  an  army  encamps;  they  are  to 
give  intelligence  concerning  the  country, 
the  roads  by  which  to  march,  and  the 
route  by  which  the  enemy  may  approach. 
Guides  should  be  faithful,  because  in 
giving  false  intelligence,  or  guiding  the 
troops  wrong,  they  may  greatly  endanger 
the  army.  Several  guides  are  requisite, 
as  every  corps  that  marches  by  night 
should  have  one  at  least.  There  is 
sometimes  a  captain  or  chief  of  the 
guides,   who  should  be  a  man  of  intelli- 


gence and  fidelity  of  his  people.  He 
should  always  have  a  sufficient  number 
with  him,  and  who  are  well  acquainted 
with  the  country. 

In  time  of  war,  particularly  in  the 
seat  of  it,  the  guides  invariably  accom- 
pany head-quarters,  and  a  certain  num- 
ber is  allotted  not  only  to  general  offi- 
cers, but  to  all  detachments  made  from 
the  main  body,  either  for  the  purpose  of 
combating  the  advanced  posts  of  an 
enemy,  of  protecting  escorts,  or  secur- 
ing convoys.  Guides,  in  an  army,  may 
be  justly  called  its  principal  outsets. 
They  are  to  a  body  of  men  what  the 
eyes  are  to  the  human  frame.  They 
cannot,  however,  be  too  jealously 
watched. 

Corps  des  Guides,  Fr.  the  corps  of 
guides.  This  body  was  originally  formed 
in  France  in  the  year  1756,  and  consisted 
of  one  captain,  one  1st  lieutenant,  one 
2d  lieutenant,  2  Serjeants,  2  corporals, 
one  anspessade,  and  20  privates,  called 
fusiliers-guides. — Twelve  out  of  the 
twenty-five  (which  was  the  effective  num- 
ber) were  mounted.  These  consisted  of 
one  serjeant,  one  corporal,  and  ten  fusi- 
liers. Their  particular  duty  was  to  carry 
orders  that  required  dispatch  ;  and  on 
this  account  they  were  always  attached 
to  head-quarters.  The  twelve  fusileers 
were  mounted  on  small  active  horses, 
about  four  French  feet, five  or  six  inches 
high.  They  were  supplied  with  a  saddle, 
blue  saddle  cloth  trimmed  with  white, 
holster-caps  the  same ;  and  they  were 
armed  with  a  fusil  and  cut-and-thrust 
bayonet,  a  pistol,  sabre,  with  a  cartouch- 
box,  containing  20  rounds.  They  wore 
half-boots,  or  bottines.  Each  man  car- 
ried, moreover,  one  field  utensil  out  of 
the  twelve  belonging  to  the  company. 
These  utensils  consisted  of  four  hatchets, 
four  shovels,  and  four  pick-axes.  The 
thirteen  fusiliers  guides  on  foot  were 
armed  with  a  fusil  six  inches  shorter  than 
the  regular  musket,  with  a  blade  bayonet, 
and  a  cartouch  box  holding  twenty 
rounds  of  ball-cartridges.  Their  uni- 
form was  a  blue  cc.  t,  waistcoat,  and 
breeches,  with  flat  white  metal  buttons. 
The  hat  was  bordered  with  common 
white  lace  for  the  soldiers,  and  of  a  su- 
perior quality  for  the  serjeants  ;  which 
latter  had  three  silver  brandenbourgs 
hanging  from  each  shoulder.  The  cor- 
porals had  three  made  of  white  worsted, 
and  the  anspessade  two  ditto.    In  1802 


G  U  I 


(   «*    ) 


GUN 


a  very  fine  body  of  highly  dressed  sol- 
diers, of  a  middle  stature,  was  kept  up 
by  Bonaparte.  They  were  called  Corps 
dcs  Guides. 

GUIDON,  Fr.     See  Sight. 

Guidon,  in  ancient  military  history, 
the  name  of  a  sort  of  standard  carried 
by  the  king's  life-guards;  it  is  broad  at 
one  extreme  and  almost  pointed  at  the 
other,  and  slit  or  divided  into  two. 

Guidon  also  implies  the  officer  who 
carries  the  standard. 

Guidons,  in  the  French  service,  were 
exclusively  attached  to  the  Gendarme- 
rie ;  and  among  them  the  word  meant, 
as  with  us,  not  only  the  standard  but 
likewise  the  officer  who  carried  it. 

GUILLAUME,  Fr.  a  tool  somewhat 
like  a  plane,  which  is  used  by  carpenters, 
and  of  which  there  are  several  sorts,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  work. 

GUILLEDIN,  Fr.  a  gelding,  an  am- 
bler, a  nag. 

GUILLOTINE,  Fr.  a  decapitating 
machine,  which  was  supposed  to  have 
been  invented  by  one  Dr.  Guillotine, 
during  the  paroxysm  of  the  French  re- 
volution in  1792, 1793,  &c.  and  who  was 
himself  beheaded  under  it;  but  which  is 
only  an  improvement  on  the  maiden  of 
Halifax  in  Yorkshire.  The  dilFerence 
consisted  in  the  blade  of  the  latter  being 
parallel  with  the  neck,  and  the  former 
falling  upon  it  in  a  diagonal  direction  ; 
that  is,  one  literally  chopped  off,  and 
the  other  cut  or  sliced  away  the  head. 
Louis  XVI.  King  of  France,  together 
with  his  Queen  and  sister  were  exe- 
cuted under  the  guillotine  in  1793.  It 
ceased  to  be  used  under  the  reign  of 
Napoleon  I. 

Guillotine  ambulantc,  Fr.  a  portable 
guillotine  ;  a  term  given  to  the  use  which 
was  made  of  this  formidable  machine 
during  the  reign  of  Robespierre,  when 
the  French  army  was  constantly  fol- 
lowed by  commissioners  who  had  the 
power  of  life  and  death. 

GUILTY,  justly  chargeable  with  a 
crime  ;  not  innocent. 

GUINDAS,  Fr.  All  machines  which 
by  measure  of  a  wheel  and  its  axis  serve 
to  raise  heavy  loads  are  so  called  by  the 
French. 

GUINDER,  Fr.  to  draw  up  any 
weight.  Hence  the  term  guindage, 
which  is  applied  to  the  movement  of 
loads  that  are  raised  and  let  down. 

GUINEA,  (guince,  Fr.)  a  gold  coin 
valued  at  21   shillings,  well  known   in 


Europe,  and  particularly  so  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland;  once  in  plentiful 
circulation,  but  of  late  years  a  very 
scarce  commodity.  It  came  first  into 
circulation  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II. 
and  was  called  a  Guinea  because  it  was 
coined  out  of  gold  brought  from  the 
coast  of  Guinea. 

Marching  Guinea,  a  sum  of  money 
which  is  given  to  every  soldier  in  the 
British  militia  when  he  first  marches 
out  of  the  county.  This  money  is  paid 
to  the  captains  of  companies  by  the 
agent  of  the  regiment,  who  receives  the 
same,  upon  their  signatures,  from  the 
receiver  general  of  the  county  or  riding. 

Expiration  Guinea,  the  sum  of  mo- 
ney which  is  paid  to  a  militia-man  when 
the  period  for  which  he  was  enlisted 
expires.  This  money  ought  more  pro- 
perly to  be  called  the  renewal,  as  it  is 
literally  given  for  duties  to  be  perform- 
ed; or  rather  for  a  continuation,  instead 
of  expiration  of  service.  This  is  also 
paid  by  the  captains  of  companies,  who 
receive  it  from  the  several  counties. 

GUINGUETTE,  Fr.  a  public-house, 
such  as  is  generally  found  in  the  skirts 
of  towns. 

GUISARMIERS,  Fr.  a  body  of  free 
archers,  or  bowmen,  who  took  their 
name  from  an  olVensive  weapon  called 
guisarme  or  jusarme,  somewhat  similar 
to  the  voulgoue,  a  sort  of  javelin  which 
was  used  in  hunting  the  wild  boar.  Its 
length  was  equal  to  that  of  the  halbert, 
and  it  had  a  broad  piece  of  sharp  iron 
fixed  to  one  end. 

GULLY,  any  hollow  which  has  been 
made  by  running  water.  Ambuscades 
are  frequently  laid  in  such  places. 

GULLYHOLE,  the  hole  where  the 
gutters  empty  themselves  into  the  sub- 
terraneous sewer. 

GUN,  a  fire-arm,or  weapon  of  offence, 
which  forcibly  discharges  a  bullet  through 
a  cylindrical  barrel  by  means  of  gun- 
powder. The  term  is  chiefly  applied  to 
cannon. 

Somnerus  derives  gun  from  mangon,a 
warlike  machine  which  was  used  before 
the  invention  of  guns.  He  establishes 
his  derivation  by  taking  away  the  first 
syllable. 

Curricle  Guns  are  small  pieces  of 
ordnance,  mounted  upon  carriages  of 
two  wheels,  and  drawn  by  two  horses. 
The  artillery*man  is  mounted  on  a  box, 
and  the  whole  can  be  moved  forward 
into  action  with  astonishing  rapidity.— 


GUN 


(   s-is   ) 


GUN 


The  tumbrils  belonging  to  curricle  guns 
carry  60  rounds  of  ball  cartridges. 
Great  expectations  were  at  one  time 
formed  of  this  piece  of  ordnance,  but 
it  is  not  used  at  present  in  the  British 
service. 

Great  Gun.     See  Cannon. 

Evening  Gun    )  is  generally  a  6  or 

Morning  Gun  S  12  pounder,  which 
is  fired  every  night  about  sun-set,  and 
every  morning  at  sun-rise,  to  give  notice 
to  the  drums  and  trumpets  of  the  army 
to  beat  and  sound  the  retreat  and  the 
reveille. 

GvN-Jire,  the  time  at  which  the  morn- 
ing or  evening  gun  is  fired. 

Gun-boat,  a  boat  which  is  generally 
made  with  a  flat  bottom,  and  used  to 
form  a  kind  of  floating  battery,  to  cover 
the  landing  of  troops. 

GUNNEL,  or}  the  lower  part  of  any 

GUNWALE,  y  part  where  ordnance 
in  planted.  It  likewise  means  that  beam 
in  a  pontoon  which  supports  the  main 
waste. 

GUNNER,  in  the  artillery,  is  the 
lowest  rank  of  private  men  in  the  royal 
regiment  of  artillery. 

Master  Gunnek,  a  person  selected 
from  the  non-commissioned  officers  of 
artillery  from  length  of  service  and  good 
character.  In  most  of  the  forts  and 
garrisons  of  Great  Britain  master-gun- 
ners are  stationed.  Their  duties  are  to 
take  charge  of  the  ordnance,  ammuni- 
tion, and  stores,  and  account  regularly 
to  the  Board  of  Ordnance  for  all  ex- 
penditures. The  duties  of  the  gunners 
on  board  His  Majesty's  ships  are  of  a 
similar  nature.  Gunners  in  the  navv 
are  usually  made  from  quarter-masters 
or  foremast  men. 

GUNNER-DRIVERS.  See  Dri- 
vers. 

Gunners.  All  gunners  under  the  ord- 
nance are  within  the  meaning  of  the 
Mutiny  Act.     See  Section  72. 

GUNNERY,  the  art  of  determining 
the  motions  of  bodies  shot  from  cannon, 
mortars,  howitzers,  &c.  See  the  article 
Projectile. 

The  late  ingenious  Mr.  Robins,  hav- 
ing concluded  from  experiments  that 
the  force  of  fired  gunpowder,  at  the  in- 
stant of  its  explosion,  is  the  same  with 
that  of  an  elastic  fluid  of  a  thousand 
times  the  density  of  common  air,  and 
that  the  elasticity  of  this  fluid,  like  that 
of  the  air,  is  proportional  to  its  density, 
proposes  the  following  problem : 


The  dimensions  of  any  piece  of  ar- 
tillery, the  weight  of  its  ball,  and  the 
quantity  of  its  charge  being  given ;  to 
determine  the  velocity  which  the  shot 
will  acquire  from  the  explosion,  suppo- 
sing the  elasticity  or  force  of  the  pow- 
der, at  the  first  instant  of  its  firing,  to  be 
given. 

In  the  solution  of  this  important 
problem,  he  assumes  the  two  following 
principles:  J.  That  the  action  of  the 
powder  on  the  shot  ceases  as  soon  as  it  is 
forced  out  of  the  piece.  2.  That  all  the 
powder  of  the  charge  is  fired,  and  con- 
verted into  an  elastic  fluid,  before  the 
shot  is  sensibly  moved  from  its  place. 

These  assumptions,  and  the  conclu- 
sions ahov.e-mentioned,  make  the  action 
of  fired  gunpowder  to  be  entirely  similar 
to  that  of  air  condensed  a  thousand 
times  :  and  thence  it  will  not  be  diffi- 
cult to  determine  the  velocity  of  the 
shot  arising  from  the  explosion  :  for  the 
force  of  the  fired  powder  diminishing  in 
proportion  to  its  expansion,  and  ceasing 
when  it  is  forced  out  of  the  piece;  the 
total  action  of  the  powder  may  be  re- 
presented by  the  area  of  a  curve,  the 
base  of  which  represents  the  space 
through  which  the  ball  is  accelerated, 
while  the  ordinates  represent  the  force 
of  the  powder  at  every  point  of  that 
space ;  and  these  ordinates  being  in  re- 
ciprocal proportion  to  their  distance 
from  the  breech  of  the  gun,  because 
when  the  spaces  occupied  by  the  fired 
powder,  are  as  1,  2,  3,  4,  &c.  the  ordi- 
nates representing  it  will  be  as  1,  1-half, 
1-third,  1-fourth,  &c.  it  appears  that  the 
curve  will  be  a  common  parabola,  and 
that  the  area  intercepted  between  is  an 
asymptote  ;  and  that  the  two  ordinates 
representing  the  force  of  the  powder  at 
the  first  explosion,  and  at  the  muzzle  of 
the  piece,  will  represent  the  total  action 
of  the  powder  on  the  shot ;  but  if  the 
shot  were  urged  through  the  same  space 
by  an  uniform  force  equal  to  its  gravity, 
the  total  action  of  this  force  would  be 
represented  by  a  rectangle,  the  base  of 
which  would  be  the  base  of  the  curve  or 
intercepted  portion  of  the  asymptote 
•above-mentioned,  and  the  height  of 
which  would  represent  the  uniform  force 
of  gravity.  Hence  the  square  of  the 
velocity  of  the  shot  resulting  from  gravity 
is  given,  being  the  velocity  it  would  ac- 
quire from  a  height  equal  to  the  space 
through  which  the  powder  accelerates  it; 
and  the  proportion  between  the  hyper- 


G  U  N 


(     311     ) 


GUN 


boia  urn!  the  rectangle  i    given  from  the 
analogy   between   the   hyperbolic  pa 
and  logarithms;  therefore  the  velocity  of 
the  ball  arising  from  tin:  action  of  the 
fired  gunpowder  will  be  given. 

Mr.  Robins  has  alsogiven  us  an  inge- 
nious way  of  determining,  by  experi- 
ments, the  velocity  with  which  any  shot 
moves  at  any  distance  of  the  piece  from 
which  it  is  discharged. 

This  may  be  effected  by  means  of  a 
pendulum  made  of  iron,  having  a  broad 
part  at  bottom,  covered  with  a  thick 
piece  of  wood,  which  is  fastened  to  the 
iron  by  screws  ;  then  having  a  machine 
like  a  common  artihV  ry  gin,  on  two  of 
its  poles  towards  their  tops  are  screwed 
sockets,  on  which  the  pendulum  is  hung 
by  means  of  a  cross  piece,  winch  be- 
comes its  axis  of  suspension,  and  on 
which  it  should  vibrate  with  great  free- 
dom. Somewhat  lower  than  the  bottom 
of  the  pendulum  there  should  be  a 
brace,  joining  to  which  the  pendulum 
is  suspended;  and  to  this  brace  there  is 
fastened  a  contrivance  made  with  two 
edges  of  steel,  something  in  the  manner 
of  a  drawing  pen;  the  strength  with 
which  these  edges  press  on  each  oilier, 
being  diminished  or  increased  at  pleasure 
by  means  of  a  screw.  To  the  bottom 
of  the  pendulum  should  be  fastened  a 
narrow  ribbon,  which,  passing  between 
the  steel  edges,  may  hang  loosely  down 
by  means  of  an  opening  cut  in  the  lower 
piece  of  steel. 

The  instrument  being  thus  fitted,  if 
the  weight  of  the  pendulum,  the  re- 
spective distances  of  its  center  of  gra- 
vity, and  of  its  center  of  oscillation 
from  the  axis  of  suspension,  be  ascer- 
tained, it  may  thence  be  found  what 
motion  will  be  communicated  to  this 
pendulum  by  the  percussion  of  a  body 
of  a  known  weight,  moving  with  a 
known  degree  of  velocity,  and  striking 
it  into  a  given  point;  that  is,  if  the  pen- 
dulum be  supposed  to  rest  before  the 
percussion,  it  will  be  known  what  vi- 
bration it  should  make  inconsequence 
of  such  a  blow;  and  if  the  pendulum, 
being  at  rest,  is  struck  by  a  body  of  a 
known  weight,  and  the  vibration  which 
the  pendulum  makes  after  the  stroke 
is  known,  the  velocity  of  the  striking 
body  may  thence  be  determined. 

Now  the  extent  of  the  vibration  made 
by  the  pendulum  may  be  increased  by 
the  ribbon  :  for  if  the  pressure  of  the 
steel   edges    on  the  ribbon  be  regulated 


by  the  screw,  so  as  to  be  free  and  easy, 
though  with  some  minute  resistance  to 
hinder  it  fi  m  slipping  itself;  then  set- 
ting  the  pendulum  at  restj  let  the  part 
6f  the  ribbon  between  the  pendulum 
and  the  steel  edges  be  drawn  Straight* 
but  not  strained,  and  fixing  a  pin  in  the 
part  of  the  ribbon  contiguous  to  the 
edges,  the  pendulum,  swinging  back  by 
means  of  the  impulse  of  the  ball,  will 
draw  out  the  ribbon  to  the  just  extent 
Of  its  vibration,  which  will  be  deter- 
mined by  the  interval  on  the  ribbon 
between  the  edges  and  the  space  of  the 
pin. 

The  computation  by  which  the  velo- 
city of  the  shot  is  determined  from  the 
vibration  of  the  pendulum,  alter  the 
stroke,  is  founded  on  this  principle  of 
mechanics  :  that  if  a  body  in  motion 
strikes  another  at  rest,  and  they  are  not 
separated  after  the  stroke,  but  move 
on  with  one  common  motion,  then  that 
common  motion  is  equal  to  the  motion 
with  which  the  first  body  moved  before 
the  stroke ;  whence,  if  that  common 
motion  and  the  masses  of  the  two  bodies 
are  known,  the  motion  of  the  first  body 
before  the  stroke  is  thence  determined. 
On  this  principle  it  follows,  that  the 
velocity  of  a  shot  may  be  diminished  in 
any  given  ratio,  by  its  being  made  to  im- 
pinge on  a  body  of  weight  properly  pro- 
portioned to  it. 

It  is  to  be  observed,  that  the  length 
to  which  the  ribbon  is  drawn,  is  always 
near  the  chord  of  the  arc  described  by 
the  ascent;  it  being  so  placed  as  to  differ 
insensibly  from  those  chords  which  must 
frequently  occur  :  and  these  chords  are 
known  to  be  in  the  proportion  of  the  ve- 
locities of  the  pendulum  acquired  from 
the  stroke.  Hence  it  follows,  that  the 
proportion  between  the  length  of  the 
ribbon,  drawn  out  at  different  times,  will 
be  the  same  with  that  of  the  velocities  of 
the  impinging  shots. 

Now  from  the  computations  delivered 
by  Mr.  Robins,  it  appears,  that  if  the. 
velocity  of  the  bullet  was  1041  feet  in 
one  second  of  time,  when  the  chord  of 
the  arc  described  by  the  assent  of  the 
pendulum,  in  consequence  of  the  blow, 
was  17 i  inches,  the  proportion  of  the 
velocity  with  which  the  bullets  impinge, 
to  the  known  velocity  of  1041  feet  in  one 
second,  will  be  determined. 

Mr.  Robins  is  (till  of  late)  the  only 
author  who  has  attempted  to  ascertain 
the  velocity  of  a  military  projectile  by 


G  UN 


experiment ;  yet  his  conclusions  seem  to 
be  unsatisfactory.  Perhaps  he  was  too 
much  attached  to  the  forming  of  a  system, 
and  warped  his  experiments  a  little  in 
favour  of  it.  The  resisting  power  he  as- 
signs to  the  air  is  probably  too  great ; 
and  4is  notion  of  the  tripling  of  this 
power  when  the  velocity  of  the  projectile 
exceeds  that  of  sound,  seems  to  be  rather 
an  ingenious  conceit  than  a  well-ground- 
ed fact.  However,  experiment  alone 
must  decide  these  points. 

The  great  importance  of  the  art  of 
gunnery  is  the  reason  that  we  distin- 
guish it  from  the  doctrine  of  projectiles 
in  general ;  for  in  truth  it  is  no  more 
than  an  application  of  those  laws  which 
all  bodies  observe  when  cast  into  the 
air,  to  such  as  are  put  in  motion  by  the 
explosion  of  guns,  or  other  engines  of 
that  sort :  and  it  matters  not  whether  we 
talk  of  projectiles  in  general,  or  of  such 
only  as  belong  to  gunnery  ;  for,  from  the 
moment  the  force  is  impressed,  all  dis- 
tinction, with  regard  to  the  power  which 
put  the  body  first  in  motion  is  lost,  and 
it  can  only  be  considered  as  a  simple' 
projectile. 

Every  body  cast  into  the  air  moves 
under  the  influence  of  two  distinct 
forces.  By  the  one  it  is  earned  forward 
with  an  equal  motion,  and  describes 
equal  spaces  in  equal  times,  in  the  di- 
rection in  which  it  was  projected  ;  and 
by  the  other,  which  we  call  gravity,  is 
drawn  downwards  in  lines  perpendicular 
to  the  surface  of  the  earth,  with  a  mo- 
tion continually  accelerated,  or  whose 
velocity  is  always  increasing.  If  either 
of  these  forces  were  destroyed,  the  body 
would  move  according  to  the  direction 
of  the  other  alone,  so  far  as  its  motion 
was  not  hindered  by  the  interposition  of 
other  bodies ;  but  as  both  continue  to 
act,  the  course  of  the  projectile  must  be 
determined  by  a  power  compounded  of 
those  two  forces. 

Definitions  of  Gunnery.  1.  The 
impetus  at  any  point  of  the  curve  is 
the  perpendicular  height  to  which  a  pro- 
jectile could  ascend,  by  the  force,  it  has 
at  that  point ;  or  the  perpendicular 
height  from  which  a  body  must  fall 
to  acquire  the  velocity  it  has  at  that 
point. 

2.  The  diameter  to  any  point  of  the 
curve  is  a  line  drawn  through  that  point 
perpendicularly  to  the  horizon. 

3.  The  points  where  the  diameters  cut 


GUN 

are  called  veitexes  to  these 


the  curve 

diameters. 

4.  The  axis  is  that  diameter  which 
cuts  the  curve  in  its  highest  or  principal 
vertex,  and  is  perpendicular  to  the  tan- 
gent to  that  point  or  vertex. 

5.  The  ordinates  to  any  diameter  are 
lines  drawn  parallel  to  the  tangent  at  the 
point  where  that  diameter  cuts  the  curve, 
and  intercepted  between  the  diameter 
and  curve. 

6.  The  absciss  is  that  part  of  the  di- 
ameter which  is  intercepted  between  the 
ordinate  and  the  curve. 

7.  The  altitude  of  the  curve  is  the  per- 
pendicular height  of  the  principal  vertex 
above  the  horizon. 

8.  The  amplitude,  random,  or  range, 
is  the  distance  between  the  point  of  pro- 
jection and  the  object  aimed  at. 

[).  The  elevation  of  the  piece  is  the 
angle  its  axis  (produced)  makes  with  the 
horizon,  and  the  axis  itself  is  called  the 
direction. 

10.  The  horizontal  distance  to  which 
a  mortar,  elevated  to  a  given  angle,  and 
loaded  with  a  given  quantity  of  powder, 
throws  a  shell  of  a  given  weight,  is  called 
the  range  of  that  mortar,  with  that 
charge  and  elevation. 

11.  The  inclination  of  a  plane  is  the 
angle  it  makes  with  the  horizon  either 
above  or  below. 

12.  The  directrix  is  the  line  of  mo- 
tion, along  which  the  describing  line  or 
surface  is  carried  in  the  genesis  of  any 
plane  or  solid  figure. 

Laws  of  motion  in  Gunnery. 

1.  Spaces  equally  run  through  with 
equal  velocities,  are  to  one  another  as 
the  times  in  which  they  are  run  through, 
and  conversely. 

2.  Spaces  equally  run  through  in  th« 
same  or  equal  times,  are  to  one  another 
as  the  velocities  with  which  they  are  run 
through,  and  conversely. 

3.  Spaces  run  through  are  in  the  sainu 
proportion  to  one  another,  as  their  times 
multiplied  into  their  velocities,  and  con- 
versel s . 

4.  A  body  urged  by  two  distant  forces 
in  two  different  directions,  will  in  any 
given  time  be  found  at  the  point  where 
two  lines  meet  that  are  drawn  parallel 
to  these  directions,  and  through  the 
points  in  which  the  body  could  have 
moved  to  the  same  time,  had  these  forces 
acted  separately. 

5.  The  velocities  of  bodies,  which  by 
2Y 


GUN 


(     3-1G    ) 


GUN 


the  action  of  gravity  began  to  fall  from 
the  rest,  arc  in  the  same  proportion  as  tin 
times  from  the  beginning  of  their  falling 

o.  The  spaces  run  through  by  the  de- 
scent of  a  body  \y1ik  li  began  to  fall  from 
rest,  are  as  the  squares  of  the  times  from 
the  beginning  of  the  fall. 

7.  The  motion  of  a  military  projectile 
is  in  a  cunc. 

GUN-POWDER,  (poudre  a  canon, 
Fr.)  a  composition  of  saltpetre,  sulphur, 
and  charcoal,  well  mixed  together,  and 
granulated,  which  easily  takes  fire,  and 
expands  with  amazing  force,  being  one 
of  the  strongest  propellants  know  n. 

Invention  of  Gin-powder  is  usually 
ascribed  to  one  Bartholdus  Schwartz,  a 
German  monk,  who  discovered  it  about 
the  year  1320  ;  it  is  said  to  have  been 
first  used  in  war  by  the  Venetians  against 
the  Genoese  in  the  year  1380.  '1  heveJ 
says  its  inventor  was  one  Constantine 
Anelzen,  a  monk  of  Friburg.  Peter  Mexia 
says  it  was  first  used  by  Alphonsus  XI. 
king  of  Castile,  in  the  year  12  12.  Du- 
cange  adds,  that  there  is  mention  made 
of  this  powder  in  the  registers  of  the 
chambers  of  accounts  of  France,  so  early 
as  the  year  1338;  and  our  countryman, 
friar  Bacon,  expressly  mentions  the  com- 
position in  his  treatise  I)e  Nul/itate  Ma- 
gitf,  published  at  Oxford  in  the  year  1210. 
Some  indeed  are  of  opinion,  that  the 
Arabians  or  the  latter  Greeks  were  the 
first  inventors  of  gun-powder  about  the 
middle  ages  of  our  era  ;  because  its 
Arabic  name  is  said  to  be  expressive  ot 
its  explosive  quality.  Considerable  im- 
provements have  lately  been  made  in 
the  composition  of  gun-powder  by  the 
Chinese. 

Method  of  making  Gin-powder. 
Take  saltpetre,  sulphur,  and  charcoal  ; 
reduce  these  to  a  tine  powder,  and  con- 
tinue to  beat  them  for  some  time  in  a 
stone  mortar  with  a  wooden  pestle,  wet- 
ting the  mixture  occasionally  with  water, 
so  as  to  form  the  whole  into  an  uniform 
paste,  which  is  afterwards  reduced  to 
grains,  by  passing  it  through  a  sieve; 
and  in  this  form,  being  carefully  dried, 
it  becomes  the  common  gun-powder. 
For  greater  quantities  mills  are  used,  by 
means  of  which  more  work  may  be  per- 
formed in  one  day  than  a  man  can  do  in 
a  hundred.     See  Mill. 

'Ibis  destructive  ponder  is  composed 
of  75  parts  nitre,  9  sulphur,  and  Id  of 
charcoal  in  the  100. 


How  to  refine  Saltpetre.  Put  into  a 
copper',  or  any  other  vessel,  100  weight 
of  rough  nitre,  with  about  1-1  gallons  of 
dean  water,  and  let  it  boil  gently  for 
half  an  hour,  and  as  it  boils  take  oil' the 
scum  ;  then  stir  it  about  hi  the  copper, 
and  before  it  settles,  put  it  into  your 
filtering  bags,  which  must  lie  hung  on 
a  rack,  with  glazed  earthen  pans  under 
them,  in  which  sticks  must  be  laid 
across  for  the  crystals  to  adhere  to  :  it 
□oust  stand  in  the  pans  for  2  or  3  days 
to  shoot :  then  take  out  the  crystals  and 
let  them  dry.  The  water  that  remains 
in  the  pans  must  be  boiled  again  for  an 
Hid  strained  into  the  pans  as  be- 
and  the  saltpetre  will  be  quite  clear 
and  transparent  :  if  not,  it  wants  more 
refining;  to  effect  which,  proceed  as  usual, 
till  it  is  well  cleansed  of  all  its  earthy 
parts. 

Hoxc  to  pulverize  Saltpetre.  Take  a 
copper  kettle  whose  bottom  must  be 
spherical,  and  put  into  it  14lb.  of  re- 
fined saltpetre,  with  2  quarts  or  5  pints 
of  clean  water  ;  then  put  the  kettle  on 
a  slow  fire  :  and  when  the  saltpetre  is 
dissolved,  if  any  impurities  arise,  skim 
them  off;  and  keep  constantly  stirring 
it  with  2  large  spattles  till  all  the  water 
exhales  ;  and  when  done  enough  it  will 
appear  like  white  sand,  and  as  fine  as 
Hour  ;  but  if  it  should  boil  ton  fast,  take 
the  kettle  oft"  the  fire,  and  set  it  on  some 
wet  sand,  by  which  means  the  nitre  will 
be  prevented  from  sticking  to  the  kettle. 
When  you  have  pulverised  a  quantity  of 
saltpetre,  be  careful  to  keep  it  in  a  dry- 
place. 

Different  kinds  of  Gun-powder.  It 
being  proper  that  every  one  who  makes 
use  of  gun-powder  should  know  of  what 
it  is  composed,  we  shall  give  a  brief  ac- 
count of  its  origin  and  use.  Gun-pow- 
di  r,  for  some  tune  after  the  invention  of 
artillery,  was  of  a  composition  much 
weaker  than  what  we  now  use,  or  than 
that  ancient  one  mentioned  by  Marcus 
Graecns:  but  this,  it  is  presumed,  was 
owing  to  the  weakness  of  their  first 
pieces,  rather  than  to  their  ignorance  of 
a  better  mixture;  for  the  first  pieces 
ot  artillery  were  of  a  very  clumsy,  in- 
convenient make,  being  usually  framed 
of  several  pieces  of  iron  bars,  fitted  to- 
gether lengthways,  and  then  hooped  to- 
gether with  iron  rings  ;  and  as  they  were 
first  employed  in  throwing  stone  shot  of l 
a  prodigious  weight,  in  imitation  of  the 


GUN 


(     8«?     ) 


GUN 


ancient  machines,  to  which   they  sue- 1  equations,  which  is  usually  ascribed  to 
ceeded,  they  were  of  an  enormous  bore.    Cardan,    about    43    years     after     this 


When  Mahomet  II.  besieged  Constanti 
nople  in  the  year  1433,  he  battered  the 
walls  with  stone  bullets,  and  his  pieces 
were  some  of.  them  of  the  caliber  of 
12001b.  but  they  could  not  be  tired 
more  than  4  times  in  the  24  hours,  and 
sometimes  they  burst  by  the  first  dis- 
charge. And  Guicciardin,  in  the  first 
book  of  Ids  history,  informs  us,  that  so 
large  a  portion  of  time  intervened  be- 
tween the  different  chargings  and  dis- 
rhaigings  of  one  of  those  pieces,  that 
the  besieged  had  sufficient  time  to 
at  their  leisure  the  breaches  ma< 
their  walls  by  the  shock  of  such  enor- 
mous stones. 

But  as  mathematical  knowledge  in- 
creased in  Europe,  that  of  mechanics 
gradually  advanced,  and  enabled  artists, 
by  making  brass  cannon  of  a  much 
smaller  bore  for  iron  bullets,  and  a 
much  greater  charge  of  strong  powder 
in  proportion  to  their  calibres,  to  pro- 
duce a  very  material  and  important 
change  in  the  construction  and  fabric 
of  those  original  pieces.  Accordingly, 
this  historian,  in  the  same  book  of  his 
history,  informs  us,  that  about  114 
years  after  the  first  use  made  of  those 
unwieldly  pieces  by  the  Venetians,  in 
the  war  which  they  carried  on  against 
the  Genoese  in  the  year  1380,  the 
French  were  able  to  procure  for  the  in- 
vasion of  Italy  a  great  number  of  brass 
cannon  mounted  on  carriages  drawn  bv 
"horses ;  and  that  these  pieces  could 
always  keep  pace  with  the  army. 

In  enumerating  the  advantages,  which 
arose  from  this  alteration,  he  observes, 
that  they  were  pointed  with  incredible 
quickness  and  expedition  in  comparison 
of  those  formerly  made  use  of  in  Italy, 
were  fired  at  very  small  intervals  of  time, 
and  could  produce  in  a  few  hours  an 
effect,  which  those  others  could  not  have 
produced  in  the  space  of  many  days.  His 
■words  are,  "  Condotte  alle  muraglie 
erano  piantate  con  prestezza  incredibile, 
et  interponandosi  dalP  un  colpo  all'  altro 
piccolissimo  intervallo  di  tempo,  si 
spesso  et  con  inipeto  si  gagliardo  per- 
cuotevano,  che  quello  che  prima  in 
Italia  fare  in  molti  giorni  si  soleva,  da 
loro  in  pocchissime  hore  si  faceva." 
And  mathematical  studies  must  have 
made  considerable  progress  on  the  Con- 
tinent by  that  time,  since  Tartalea,  the 
inventor  of  the  method  of  solving  cubic 


change  took  place,  commenced  author 
at  Venice. 

This  change  in  the  formation  of  artil- 
lery has  as  yet  undergone  no  material 
alteration,  if  we  except  the  introduc- 
tion of  carronades,  which  were  first 
suggested  by  that  very  old  and  intelli- 
gent officer  General  Melville.  Lighter 
pieces,  indeed,  are  now  employed,  than 
those  which  were  made  use  of  at  first. 
But  they  have  suffered  greater  variations 
in  respect  of  size  than  proportion. 

Mr.  Glenie  was  the  first  person  who 
gave  the  theory  of  projectiles  in  vacuo  by 
plain  geometry,  or  by  means  of  the 
square  and  rhombus,  with  a  method  of 
reducing  projections  on  inclined  planes 
whether  elevated  or  depressed  below 
the  horizontal  plane,  to  those  which  are 
made  on  the  horizon.  See  Glenie's 
History  of  Gunnery  published  in  1776. 

This  author,  in  his  said  treatise,  after 
stating  in  page  48  of  it,  the  two  follow- 
ing positions  of  Mr.  Robins,  namely, 
"  that  till  the  velocity  of  the  projectile 
surpasses  that  of  118  feet  in  a  second  ; 
the  resistance  of  the  air  may  be  esteem- 
ed to  be  in  the  duplicate  of  the  velo- 
city ;"  that  "  if  the  velocity  be  greater 
than  that  of  11  or  1200  feet  in  a  second, 
the  absolute  quantity  of  the  resistance 
will  be  nearly  three  times  as  great  as 
it  should  be  by  a  comparison  with  the 
smaller  velocities;"  says  thathe  is  certain 
from  some  experiments,  which  he  and 
two  other  gentlemen  tried  with  a  rifled 
piece  properly  fitted  for  experimental 
purposes,  that  the  resistance  of  the  air 
to  a  velocity  somewhat  less  than  that 
mentioned  in  the  first  of  these  proposi- 
tions is  considerably  greater  than  in  the 
duplicate  ratio  of  the  velocity ;  and  that 
to  a  celerity  somewhat  greater  than 
that  stated  in  the  second,  the  resist- 
ance is  a  good  deal  less  than  that  which 
is  treble  the  resistance  in  the  said  ratio. 
He  observes,  that  some  of  Mr.  Iiobins's 
own  experiments  seem  necessary  to  make 
it  so,  since  to  a  velocity  no  quicker  than 
200  feet  in  a  second,  he  found  the  re- 
sistance to  be  somewhat  greater  than  in 
that  ratio,  and  expresses  himself  in  the 
following  words.  "  After  -ascertaining 
the  first,  velocities  of  the  bullets  with  as 
much  accuracy  as  possible,  I  instituted 
a  calculus  from  principles  which  had 
been  lying  by  me  for  some  time  before, 
and  found  the  resistance  to  approach 
2  Y2 


GUN 


(     348     ) 


GUN 


nearer  to  that,  which  exceeds  the  resist- 
ance in  the  duplicate  ratio  of  the  ri  lo- 
citv,  hy  that  which  is  the  ratio  of  the 
velocity  than  tn  that,  which  is  only  in 
the  duplicate  ratio." 

In  the  years  178:3,  1784,  1785,  a  very 
extensive  course  ot'  experiments  was 
carried  on  at  VVoolwich,  by  Dr.  Button, 
in  conjunction  with  several  able  officers 
"of  the  artillery  and  other  gentlemen,  at 
the  expense  of  government,  by  direction 
of  the  late  Duke  of  Richmond,  then 
ina>ter  general  of  the  ordnance. 

The  principal  inferences  derived  from 
those  experiments  were  the  following  : 

That  the  velociiycontinually  incfeas*  s 
as  the  gun  is  longer,  though  the  increase 
in  velocity  he  but  very  small  in  respect 
of  the  increase  in  length,  the  velocities 
being  in  a  ratio  somewhat  less  than  that 
of  the  square  roots  of  the  length  of  the 
bores,  but  somewhat  greater  than  of  the 
cube  roots  of  the  same,  and  nearly  in- 
deed in  the  middle  ratio  between  the 
two. 

That  the  charge  being  the  same,  very 
little  is  gained  in  the  range  of  a  gun  by 
a  great  increase  of  Its  length,  sinc(  thi 
range  or  amplitude  is  nearly  as  t!, 
root  df  the  length  of  the  bore,  and  givfcs 
only  about  a  seventh  part  more  range 
with  a  gun  of  double  length. 

That  with  the  same  gun  and  elevation, 
the  time  of  the  ball's  Might  is  nearly  as 
the  range. 

That,  no  sensible  difference  is  pro- 
duced in  the  range  or  velocity  by  vary- 
ing the  weight  of  the  gun,  by  the  use  of 
wads,  by  different  degrees  of  ramming, 
or  by  firing  the  charge  of  powder  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  it. 

That  a  great  difference,  however,  in 
the  velocity  i-^  occasioned  by  a  small 
variation  in  the  windage;  so  much  so, 
indeed,  that  vtith  the  usual  windage  of 
one  twentieth  of  the  caliber,  no  less  than 
between  one  third  and  one  fourth  of  the 
whole  charge  of  the  powder  escapes  and 
is  entirely  lost;  and  that  as  the  windage 
is  often  greater,  one  half  the  powder  is 
unnecessarily  lost. 

That  the  resisting  force  of  wood  to 
balls  fired  into  it  is  not  constant,  and 
that  the  depths  penetrated  by  different 
velocities,  or  charges,  are  nearly  as  the 
logarithms  of  the  charges,  and  not  as 
the  charges  themselves,  or,  which  comes 
to  the  same  thing,  as  the  squares  of  the 
velocities. 

That  balls  are  greatly  deflected  from 


the  directions  they  are  projected  in, 
sometimes  indeed  so  much  as  300  or 
100  yards  in  a  range  of  a  mile,  or  almost 
a  fourth  part  of  the  whole  range,  which 
is  nearly  a  deflection  of  an  angle  of  15 
degrees. 

Powder  itself  was  not  grained,  but 
in  the  form  of  line  meal,  such  as  it  was 
reduced  to  by  grinding  the  materials  to- 
gether: and  it  is  doubtful,  whether  the 
nrsi  graining  of  it  was  intended  to  in- 


•rease  its  strength,   or  only  to  render  it 
more  convenient  for  the  filling  it  into 
small  charges,  and  the   loading  of  small 
arms,  to  which  alone  it  was  applied  for 
many    years,  whilst    meal    powder  was 
still   made   use  of  in  cannon.     But  at 
last  the  additional  strength,  which  th» 
grained   powder  was  found   to  acquire 
from  the   free  passage  of    the  fire   be- 
tween the  grains,  occasioned  the  meal- 
powder  to  be  entirely  laid  aside.     The 
coal   for  making   gun-powder   is   either 
that  of  willow  or  hazle  ;   but  the  lightest 
kind  of  willow  is  found  to  be  the  best, 
well  charred  in  the  usual  manner,  and 
reduced   to   powder.      Corned   powder 
was  in  use  in  Germany  as  early  as  thft 
year  1568;  but  it  was  first  generally  used 
in  England  in  the  reign  of  Charles  I. 
(j  over  n  men /-pozeder,  )    powder  which, 
Ordnance-powder,     y    having  under- 
gone   the   CUSO >mary  proof  established 
by  the  Board  of  Ordnance,  is  so  called, 
aiid  received  into  the  king's  magazines. 

It  has  been  recommended  by  a  French 
writer  to  preserve  gun-powder  at  sea  by 
means  of  boxes  which  should  be  lined 
with  sheets  of  lead.  M.  De  Gentien,  a 
naval  officer,  tried  the  experiment  by 
lodging  a  quantity  of  gun-powder,  and 
parchment  cartridges,  in  a  quarter  of 
the  ship  which  was  sheathed  in  this 
manner.  After  they  had  been  stowed 
for  a  considerable  time  the  gun-powder 
and  cartridges  were  found  to  have  suf- 
fered little  from  the  moisture ;  whilst  the 
same  quantity,  when  lodged  in  wooden 
cases,  became  nearly  half  rotted. 

Proof  of  Gun-powder,  us  practised  by 
the  board  of'  ordnance.  They  first  take 
out  of  the  several  barrels  of  gun-powder 
a  measure  full,  of  about  the  size  of  a 
thimble,  which  is  spread  upon  a  sheet 
of  line  writing  paper,  and  then  fired  :  if 
the  inflammation  be  very  rapid,  the 
smoke  rise  perpendicular,  and  if  the 
paper  be  neither  burnt  nor  spotted,  it  is 
then  judged  to  be  good  powder. 

Then  2  drams  of  the  same  powder  are 


H  A  B 


(     349 


HAB 


exactly  weighed,  and  put  into  an  eprou- 
vette;"  which,  if  it  raises  a  weight  of 
24  pounds  to  the  height  of  3|  inches,  it 
is  received  into  the  king's  magazine  as 
proof. 

Gun-powder  prover.  See  Eprou- 
vette. 

GUN-ROOM,  (Samte  Barbe,  ~  Fr.) 
the  place  where  arms,  &c.  are  deposited 
on  board  a  ship. 

GUNSHOT,  (portie  de  fusil,  Fr.) 
the  reach  or  range  of  a  gun.  The  space 
through  which  a  shot  can  be  thrown. 

GussHOT-zoound,  any  wound  received 
from  the  discharge  of  cannon  or  fire- 
arms. 

GUNSMITH,  (armurier,  Fr.)  a  man 
who  makes  fire-arms. 

GUNSTICK,  (baguette,  Fr.)  the  ram- 
mer or  stick  with  which  the  charge  is 
driven  into  the  gun. 

GUNSTOCK,  the  wood  to  which  the 
barrel  of  the  gun  is  fixed. 

GUNSTONE,  such  materials,  chiefly 
stone,  as  were  formerly  discharged  from 
artillery. 

GUR,  a  house,  or  dwelling,  in  India. 

GURRATY,  cantonments,  seven  coss 
(or  English  miles)  and  a  half  from  Cal- 
cutta. 

GURRIES.  Mud  forts  made  in  India 
are  so  called.  These  forts  are  some- 
times surrounded  with  ditches. 

GURRY;  an  Indian  term  to  express 


a  certain  division  of  time,  comprehend- 
ing 24  minutes;  but  the  word  among 
the  Europeans  is  generally  understood  to 
mean  an  hour. 

GWALLER,  a  fort  in  India,  south  of 
Jumma,  28  coss,  or  English  miles,  from 
Agra. 

GYMNASIUM,  a  place  in  ancient 
Rome  where  athletic  exercises  were  per- 
formed. 

GYMNASTIC,  (gymnastiqut,  Fr.) 
appertaining  to  athletic  exercises,  such 
as  leaping,  wrestling,  drawing  the  cross- 
bow, fencing,  &c.  The  Greeks,  among 
whom  the  art  originated,  were  accus- 
tomed to  strip  whenever  they  performed 
any  part  of  it. 

GYMNASTIQUE  Militaire,  Fr.  the 
art  or  method  of  exercising  the  body  so 
as  to  render  it  supple  and  capable  of 
much  fatigue. 

GYN7ECOCRACY,  ( gynicocratie, 
Fr.)  a  species  of  government  over  which 
a  female  may  preside  ;  of  this  descrip- 
tion is  the  British  government.  Under 
the  old  French  monarchy,  women  were 
totally  excluded  by  the  Salique  Law. 
But  meretricious  influence  made  ample 
amends  to  the  sex,  during  several  reigns, 
and  ultimately  overturned  the  govern- 
ment. 

GYVE,  to  fetter ;  to  shackle. 

GYVES,  fetters ;  chains  for  the  legs. 


H 


TTABEAS-CORPUS.  Although  this 
■*■■*■  term  is  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  mili- 
tary one,  yet  as  every  British  soldier 
unites  in  that  character  all  the  qualifica- 
tions of  a  British  citizen,  and  is  conse- 
quently entitled  to  all  the  benefits  of  our 
constitution,  it  cannot  be  deemed  super- 
fluous to  state,  that  habeas  corpus,  i.  e. 
you  may  have  or  take  the  body,  is  a  writ 
which  a  man  indicted  of  some  trespass, 
being  laid  in  pnson  for  the' same,  may 
have  out  of  the  King's  Bench,  thereby 
to  remove  himself  tluther  at  his  own 
costs. 

HABERGEON,  a  small  coat  of  mail, 
or  only  slee\es  and  gorget  of  mail, 
formed  of  little  iron  rings   or  meshes 


linked  together,  to  cover  the  neck  and 
breast. 

HABILIMENTS  of  war,  in  our  an- 
cient statutes,  signify  armour,  harness, 
utensils,  or  other  provisions,  without 
which  it  is  supposed  there  can  be  no 
ability  to  maintain  a  war. 

HABILLEMENT  des  trouj)€s,Fr.  pro- 
perly means  the  regimental  clothing,  or 
the  uniform  of  soldiers.  The  clothing  of 
the  French  army  was  not  reduced  to 
any  regular  system  before  the  reign  of 
Louis  XIV.  The  following  observations 
relative  to  this  important  object  are  too 
appropriate,  and  suit  all  countries  too 
\\t  II,  to  be  lert  unnoticed. 

1  he  dress  oi  a  soldiei  should  be  plain, 


HAC 


(     3nO     ) 


iial 


nnd  made  up  so  ns  to  facilitate  every 
■novement  of  his  person,  to  guard  him 
against  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
and  to  he  remarkable  for  its  collective 

uniformity  of  appearance.  Next  to  these 
genera]  requisites,  the  ease  of  each  in- 
dividual should  he  consulted  ;  particu- 
larly with  regard  to  the  breeches,  trow- 
serSj  or  pantaloons.  Regimental  surgeons 
will  certainly  agree  with  us,  when  we 
SAY,  that  in  some  instances  men  have 
suffered  as  much  from  an  inattention  to 
this  pare  of  their  dress,  as  from  the 
most  harassing  service  in  the  face  of  an 
enemy.  The  loins  should  invariably  he 
covered,  the  stride  he  made  easy,  and 
the  bend  of  the  knee  be  left  unem- 
"barrassed.  Under  the  old  French  govern- 
ment, the  whole  infantry  was  clothed 
in  white,  with  facings  of  various  colours; 
but  both  the  officers  and  the  men  were 
extremely  plain  in  every  part  of  their 
dress.  At  the  Revolution,  the  national 
colour,white,  was  changed  to  blue.  Not 
only  the  soldiers,  but  the  wagon  drivers, 
&c.  had  a  particular  dress  to  distinguish 
them  from  other  people. 

HABIT,  state  of  any  thing;  dress, 
accoutrement ;  also  the  power  in  man 
of  doing  any  thing  acquired  by  frequent 
doing. 

Military  Habtt.  a  certain  rule  of 
conduct  by  which  military  men  are 
generally  influenced ;  also  manners  pecu- 
liar to  soldiers.  The  French  say  Maters 
iu/datesques,  military  habits. 

UnHABlT  d'ordunnance,  )  regimental 

l/n  Habit  d'uniforme, Fr.  J  coat,  or 
clothing. 

HACHE,  Fr.  a  hatchet. 

Hache  d'urmes,  Fr.  a  hatchet  or  bat- 
tle-axe. 

In  ancient  times  this  weapon  was  fre- 
quently resorted  to  by  whole  armies 
when  they  engaged.  At  present  it  is 
only  used  on  particular  occasions,  in 
sorties,  &c. 

HACHEE,  Fr.  a  term  which  was  for- 
merly used  among  the  French  to  express 
a  certain  punishment  that  military  de- 
linquents were  obliged  to  undergo.  It 
consists  of  being  loaded  with  a  pack  or 
saddle,  which  the  guilty  person  was  un- 
der the  necessity  of  carrying  a  specified 
distance,  and  which  entailed  disgrace 
upon  the  bearer. 

HACHER,  Fr.  to  cut  to  pieces. 
This  word  is  very  frequently  used  among 
the  French  in  a  military  sense,  viz. 


/  'n  bataillon,  ou  un  escadron  scat  fait 
HaCHER  en  puces,  a  battalion,  or  :i 
squadron  has  suffered  itself  to  be  cut  to 
pieces'. 

Hacht.r  «  la  plume,  Fr.  a  drawing,  or 
etching,  to  make  lines  that  are  perfectly 
equal  and  parallel  to  each  other. 

Conlre-W  veil  i  u,  Fr.  to  draw  lines  in 
a  diagonal  direction  for  the  purpose  of 
making  the  shades  deeper. 

I1AC1IEREAU,  Fr.  a  small  hatchet. 

1IAC1IOIR,  Fr.  a  chopping  board,  a 
knife,  &c. 

IIaciioir  dc  cavalier,  Fr.  a  chopping 
hoard  or  block;  a  knife.  In  the  French 
service  every  troop  of  horse  is  furnished 
with  this  machine,  in  order  to  prepare 
or  cut  the  straw  for  food.  These  chop- 
ping blocks  or  boards,  &c.  are  always 
carried  in  separate  carts,  and  follow  the 
baggage. 

HACKERY,  an  Indian  two-wheeled 
car,  drawn  by  bullocks. 

1IACQUETON.  See  Hatchet. 
IIACQUET  -  WAGEN,  a  four- 
wheeled  wagon,  which  is  used  in  the 
Prussian  service  to  convey  pontoons. 
The  under-frame  of  this  carriage  is 
built  like  that  of  a  chariot,  by  which 
means  it  can  turn  without  difficulty. 

HA I  DAM  ACS.     See  Cossacks. 

HAIE,  Fr.  the  disposition  or  distri- 
bution of  troops  in  a  straight  line,  either 
in  one  or  more  ranks. 

Haif  mortc,  Fr.  a  hedge,  or  boundary, 
made  of  dead  branches  of  trees,  &c. 

Haie  vive,  Fr.  quickset.  Any  hedgfr 
which  consists  of  trees  or  branches,  that 
interweave  with  each  other  as  they 
grow,  and  thereby  form  a  very  strong 
defence.  This  sort  of  hedge  is  prefer- 
able to  palisades. 

HAIL-SHOT.     See  Grape-Suot. 

HAIR-CLOTH,  a  stuff  made  of  hair. 
It  is  laid  on  the  floor  of  powder-maga- 
zines and  laboratories  to  prevent  accidents 
of  fire  from  the  shoes  of  the  men  treading 
or  rubbing  upon  nails,  sand,  or  gravel. 

HAKEM,  or  HAKIM,  a  term  used 
in  India  to  signify  the  governor  of  a 
city,  a  judge,  or  a  king.  It  sometimes 
means  the  government. 

HAKIN,  an  Indian  word  signifying 
power. 

HALBERD,  f    a    weapon    formerly 

HALBERT,  \  carried  by  the  Ser- 
jeants of  foot  and  artillery.  It  is  a  sort 
of  spear,  the  shaft  of  which  is  about  5 
feet  long,  generally  made    of  ash.     Its 


HAL 


(     551     ) 


HAL 


head  is  armed  with  a  steel  point,  edged 
on  both  sides.  Besides  this  point,  which 
is  in  a  line  with  the  shaft,  there  is  a 
cross  piece  of  iron,  flat  and  turned  down 
at  one  end,  but  not  very  sharp,  so  that 
it  serves  equally  to  cut  down  or  thrust 
with.  This  weapon  has  of  late  been 
exchanged  for  the  half-pike.  The  halbert 
was  first  used  by  the  Danes,  afterwards 
by  the  Scotch,  English,  and  Swiss, 
and,  last  of  all,  by  the  French. 

Old  Halberd,  a  familiar  term  used 
in  the  British  army  to  signify  a  person 
that  has  gone  through  the  different  gra- 
dations, and  risen  to  the  rank  of  a  com- 
missioned officer.  This  character  is,  in 
many  instances,  a  most  estimable  acqui- 
sition to  the  service ;  but  it  can  only 
be  so,  when  the  individual  conducts  him- 
self with  decent  respect  towards  his  su- 
periors, and  with  humanity  towards 
those  who  were  once  his  equals.  It  too 
frequently  happens,  however,  that  men 
who  have  obtained  promotion  from  the 
ranks,  forget  their  original  situation,  and 
mistake  tyranny  and  contempt  for  good 
order  and  discipline. 

HALEBARDE,  ou  arme  Danoise, 
Fr.  halbert.  This  weapon,  as  well  as  the 
pike,  was  first  adopted  by  the  French,  in 
imitation  of  a  similar  one  which  was 
carried  by  the  Swiss  troops  It  was  not 
known  in  that  country  before  the  reign 
of  Louis  XI.  and  when  it  fell  into  disuse 
among  the  rank  and  file,  it  was  confined 
to  the  Serjeants  of  infantry.  The  length 
of  a  French  halbert  was  six  of  their  feet 
from  one  extremity  to  the  other.  The 
handle  or  shaft  was  a  long  stick,  with  a 
strong,  sharp,  iron  ferrel  at  the  end,  and 
the  upper  part  had  a  sharp  flat  blade, 
with  a  cross  bar  attached  to  it. 

HALECRET,  a  kind  of  corcelet  of 
two  pieces,  one  before  and  one  behind  ; 
it  was  lighter  than  the  cuirass. — See 
Hallecret. 

HALER,  Fr.  to  tow  y  to  haul ;  to 
drag  along. 

HALF  is  frequently  used  in  military 
terms.     Thus, 

Half-Brigade,  (demi-brigade,  Fr.) 
half  the  number  of  men  of  which  a 
whole  brigade  is  composed. 

Half-Companies.  The  same  as  sub- 
divisions, and  equal  to  two  sections. 

Half-Distance  signifies  half  the 
regular  interval  or  space  between  troops 
drawn  up  in  ranks,  or  standing  in  column. 

Half-Faced.  Men  are  frequently 
half-faced  to  the  right  or  left,  in  order  to 


give  an  oblique  direction  to  the  line.     In 
forming  echelon,  the  Serjeant  who  stepg . 
out  is  half-faced. 

Half-Files,  half  the  given  number 
of  any  body  of  men  drawn  up  two  deep, 

Half-files  are  so  called  in  cavalry, 
when  the  men  rank  off  singly. 

Half-File  leader,  (chef  de  demi-file, 
Fr.)  the  foremost  man  of  a  rank  entire. 

Half-Batta,  an  extra  allowance 
which  has  been  granted  to  the  whole  of 
the  officers  belonging  to  the  Indian 
army,  except  in  Bengal,  when  out  of  the 
Company's  district  in  the  province  of 
Oude.  In  the  upper  provinces  double, 
batta  is  allowed.  All  above  full  is  paid 
by  the  Vizir,  as  the  troops  stationed  in 
that  quarter  are  considered  as  auxiliaries. 
The  foil  batta  is  an  allowance  granted  to 
both  officers  and  men  whenever  they  are 
under  canvass.     See  Batta. 

Half-Circle  guard,  one  of  the 
guards  used  with  the  broad-sword  to 
parry  an  inside  cut  below  the  wrist, 
formed  by  dropping  the  point  of  the 
sword  outward  in  a  semicircular  direc- 
tion, with  the  edge  turned  to  the  left,  and 
raising  the  hand  to  the  height  of  the  face. 

Half-Circle  parade,  a  parade  of  the 
small  sword  used  against  the  thrust  in 
low  carte. 

Half-Hanger,  or  Half-Hanging- 
Guard,  a  position  of  defence  in  the  art 
of  the  broad-sword ;  differing  from  the 
hanging-guard,  in  the  sword-hand  not 
being  raised  so  high,  but  held  low  enough 
to  see  your  opponent  over  the  hilt.  See 
Broad-Sword. 

Half-Moon,  or  demi-lune,  Fr.  See 
Fortification. 

Half-Pay,  a  certain  allowance  which 
is  made  to  officers  who  have  been  re- 
duced, in  consequence  of  some  general 
order  that  affects  whole  corps,  supernu- 
merary companies  or  individuals. 

Half-Pay  officers  are,  to  all  intents 
and  purposes,  out  of  the  reach  of  mili- 
tary cognizance.  They  cannot  be  tried 
by  martial  law ;  nor  are  they  liable  to 
be  called  upon  either  as  members  of  a 
court-martial,  or  for  the  purposes  of  ac- 
tual service.  Surgeons  and  assistant- 
surgeons,  however,  who  have  received 
their  appointments  subsequent  to  1793, 
are  exceptions  to  this  rule. 

Half-Pike,  (demi-pique,  Fr.)  a  small 
pike,  which  was  formerly  carried  by 
officers. 

Half-Sword,  close  fight,  within  half 
the  length  of  a  sword. 


HAL 


(    45*    ) 


HAM 


HALLEBARDIERS,  Fr.  men  that 
ranicd  balberts.  In  former  times  they 
were  attached  to  the  several  regiments; 
hence  Compagnies  tThaBebardiers. 

HALLECKET,  Fr.  armour  made  of 
flat  pieces  of  iron,  which  was  worn  by 
the  French  infantry  under  Francis  the 
First,  and  as  [ate  as  the  year  1641. 
This  was  originally  made  of  leather.  It 
was  also  called  corcelet,  and  afterwords 
cuirasse. 

HALT,  (hulle,Tr.)  is  a  discontinuance 
of  the  march  of  any  body  of  men, 
armed  or  unarmed,  under  military  direc- 
tions. It  is  frequently  practise!1,  for  the 
purpose  of  easing  troops  during  their 
progress  through  a  count ry,  or  to  render 
them  fresh  and  active  previous  to  any 
■warlike  undertaking. 

Frequent  halts  are  made  during  the 
passage  of  obstacles,  and  in  an  inter- 
sected country,  in  order  to  obviate  the 
inconvenience  and  danger  which  must 
attend  a  column,  whose  head  is  advanced 
too  far  to  preserve  the  regular  succession 
of  all  its  component  parts.  Nothing, 
indeed,  can  be  more  pregnant  with  mis- 
chief than  such  a  chasm ;  for,  if  the 
enemy  be  in  the  neighbourhood,  both 
front  and  rear  are  exposed.  The  best 
way  in  the  passage  of  denies,  Sec.  is  to 
proceed  to  a  distance  beyond  it,  which 
shall  be  sufficiently  extensive  to  admit  of 
the  whole  number;  there  to  halt,  and 
not  to  march  forward  until  the  rear  has 
completely  cleared  the  obstacle. 

Hat.t  is  likewise  a  word  of  command, 
in  familiar  use,  when  a  regiment  is  on 
its  march  from  one  quarter  to  another. 
The  men  are  permitted  to  refresh  them- 1 
selves  half-way.  It  should  be  generally 
observed,  that  to  prevent  soldiers  from  | 
Straggling  about,  or  getting  among  per- 
sons who  might  entice  them  to  be  dis- 
order! -  a  strict  order  ought  to  be  given 
by  the  commanding  officer  of  every  bat- 
talion not  to  allow  any  division  or  de- 
tachment to  halt  in  or  near  a  town  or 
village.  A  convenient  midway  spot 
should  be  chosen  for  the  purpose,  and 
when  the  men  have  piled  their  anus, 
(which  may  be  done  in  line,  or  in  co- 
lumn,) a  few  steady  soldiers  should  be 
del  ached  to  guard  the  ground,  and  to 
prevent  others  from  straggling  beyond 
certain  limits.  Among  the  French  it 
was  usual  for  the  commanding  officer 
of  a  battalion,  division,  or  detachment, 
in  hot  weather,  to  send  a  Serjeant  and  a 
ft"  Steadj   grenadier*  forward,  in  order 


to  secure  good  water  for  the  troops. 
This  practice,  in  our  opinion,  ought  to 
be  avoided  as  much  as  possible ;  for 
men  are  more  exposed  to  sutler  from 
drinking  when  overheated,  than  they 
would  he  by  patiently  enduring  the. 
thirst  until  they  reach  the  spot  where 
the  day's  march  is  to  terminate.  For 
the  different  modes  of  halting  in  military 
mail'  ;  ;,!  i.'i  ■    .lations. 

II  \j;i T.,   Fr.    See  Hali 

Faire  Halt,e,    Fr.  to  halt ;  to  repose.: 

IIALTElt-CAS T,  in  farriery,  an  ex- 
coriation or  hurt  in  the  pastern,  which  is 
occasioned  bj  the  horse  endeavouring  to 
scrub  the  itching  part  of  his  body  near 
die  he,ad  and  neck,  and  thus  entangling 
one  of  his  hinder  feet  in  the  halter.  The. 
consequence  of  which  is,  that  he  natu- 
rally struggles  to  get  free,  and  sometimes 
receives  very  dangerous  hurts  in  the 
hollow  of  his  pastern. 

HALTING,  in  farriery,  a  limping,  or 
going  lame;  an  irregularity  in  the  mo- 
tion of  a  horse,  arising  from  a  lameness 
in  the  shoulder,  leg,  or  foot,  which 
obliges  him  to  tread  tenderly. 

II  alti  HG-days.  When  troops  are  upon 
the  march,  and  there  is  not  any  particular 
necessity  for  exertion  or  dispatch,  two 
days  in  the  week  have  been  usually  al- 
lotted for  repose.  These  are  Thursday 
and  Sunday.  Well  regulated  corps  un- 
dergo an  inspection  of  necessaries,  6>.c. 
on  the  former  of  these  days,  and  art 
sometimes  put  through  four  or  five  of 
the  prescribed  manoeuvres.  During  the 
late  war,  troops  were  seldom  allowed 
any   halting  days. 

HAMLET,  a  small  village. 

Towkr-H  a  m  LETS,  a  particular  district 
in  the  county  of  Middlesex,  which  is 
under  die  command  of  the  constable  of 
the  Tower,  or  lieutenant  of  the  Tower- 
hamlets,  for  the  service  and  preservation 
of  that  royal  fort. 

In  the  13th  and  14th  years  of  Charles 
the  Second  an  act  of  parliament  passed, 
by  which  the  constable  of  the  Tower,  or. 
his  lieutenant,  had  authority,  from  time 
to  time,  to  appoint  his  deputy  lieute- 
nants, and  to  give  commissions  to  a 
proper  number  of  officers  to  train  and 
discipline  the  militia  to  be  raised  within 
and  for  the  said  division  or  hamlets,  and 
to  form  the  same  into  two  regiments  of 
eight  companies  each ;  and  in  the  26th 
of  his  present  Majesty,  the  above  act, 
intituled  An  Act  for  ordering  the  forces  in- 
the  several  eounties  of  (his  kingdom,  was 


HAM 


(     353     ) 


HAN 


revived ;  and  the  said  constable  or  lieute- 
nant, in  order  to  defray  the  necessary 
charges  of  trophies,  and  other  incidental 
expenses  of  the  militia  of  the  same  divi- 
sion or  hamlets,  were  further  authorized 
to  continue  to  raise,  in  every  year,  the 
proportion  of  a  fourth  part  of  one  month's 
assessment  of  trophy-money  within  the 
said  division  or  hamlets,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  he  hath  been  used  to  do,  by  virtue 
and  in  pursuance  of  the  said  act  of  the 
13th  and  14th  years  of  the  reign  of 
Charles  the  Second. 

Whenever  the  lieutenant  of  the  Tower 
Hamlets  shall  happen  to  be  out  of  the 
kingdom,  deputy  lieutenants  may  be  ap- 
pointed to  act  in  his  room ;  and  no  com- 
missions are  to  be  vacated  by  the  death 
or  removal  of  the  lieutenant. 

The  constable  has  the  power  of  ap- 
pointing a  treasurer  of  the  trophy-money, 
who  is  to  account  for  the  same  yearly ; 
and  no  trophy-money  for  a  succeeding 
year  is  to  be  levied  till  the  account  of 
the  former  year  has  been  allowed. 

Royal  Tower  Hamlets.  The  militia 
raised  in  the  district  of  the  Tower  is  so 
called,  and  is  divided  into  two  battalions, 
viz.  first  and  second,  officered  in  the 
same  manner  that  other  corps  are  be- 
longing to  that  establishment,  and  sub- 
ject to  the  same  rules  and  regulations. 

HAMMER,  a  well-known  instrument 
with  an  iron  head,  for  driving  nails,  &c. 
Each  artilleryman  carries  one  in  his 
belt,  in  order  to  clear  the  vent  from  any 
stoppage. 

Hammer,  a  piece  of  iron  which  stands 
in  a  perpendicular  direction  above  the 
cover  of  the  pan,  being  a  part  of  the 
same,  and-serviug  to  produce  those  sparks 
of  tire  that  ultimately  occasion  the  ex- 
plosion of  the  gunpowder.  The  Ger- 
mans call  it,  pfannen  decke,  the  cover 
of  the  pan ;  but  this  expression  does  not 
convey  a  distinct  and  clear  idea  of  the 
use  that  is  made  of  it.  Nothing,  how- 
ever, can  be  less  appropriate  than  the 
term  as  used  amongst  us.  We  call  the 
part  which  is  struck  against  to  produce 
sparks  of  fire  the  hammer;  and  the  part 
which  strikes,  the  cock ;  whereas  that 
part  of  the  cack  which  holds  the  flint  is, 
in  fact,  the  hammer,  and  the  other  is 
without  a  proper  name.  The  Germans 
call  the  cock  hahn.  It  is  not  within  our 
province  to  propose  new  terms ;  we  are 
therefore  satisfied  in  having  pointed  out 
the  contradiction. 

Hammer-Spuing,  the  spring  on  which 


the  hammer  of  a  gun-lock  works.     It  is 
also  called  feather-spring. 

Hammer-C«/j,  a  piece  of  leather  which 
serves  to  cover  the  hammer  of  the  fire- 
lock, and  to  keep  it  dry. 

HAMMOCK,  (hamuc,  Fr.)  a  sort  of 
bed  made  of  cotton  or  canvass.  Those 
used  in  America  consist  of  a  broad 
piece  of  canvass,  which  is  suspended  be- 
tween two  branches  of  a  tree,  or  between 
two  stakes,  and  in  which  the  savages  are 
accustomed  to  sleep. 

Among  sailors  the  hammock  is  about 
six  feet  long  and  three  feet  broad,  drawn 
together  at  the  two  ends,  and  hung 
horizontally  under  the  deck  for  the  sailors 
to  repose  in.  In  time  of  battle,  the 
hammocks  are  strongly  fastened  and  laid 
above  fhe  rails  on  the  quarter-deck  and 
forecastle,  to  barricade,  and  to  prevent 
the  execution  of  small  shot. 

HAMPE,  Fr.  a  shaft ;  a  long  staff'  to 
which  any  thing  else  is  attached ;  as  a 
sharp  blade  to  form  a  halbert  or  pike. 

HANCES,  the  ends  of  elliptical  arches; 
also  falls  of  the  fife-rails  placed  on 
bannisters  on  the  poop  and  quarter-deck 
down  to  the  gangway. 

HAND,  a  member  of  the  body ;  part 
of  the  arm,  &c. 

Hand.  Among  the  Mysoreans  the 
print  of  a  hand  is  reckoned  a  form  equi- 
valent to  an  oath.  See  History  of  the 
Carnatic,  Book  V.  p.  348. 

Hand,  a  measure  of  four  inches,  by 
which  the  height  of  a  horse  is  computed. 
Thus  horses  are  said  to  be  so  many  hands 
high.  The  Trench  say  pied,  foot,  by 
which  they  measure  horses. 

Hand  is  also  used  for  the  division  of 
a  horse  into  the  fore  and  hind  parts, 
The  parts  of  the  fore-hand  are  the  head, 
neck,  and  fore-quarters ;  and  those  of 
the  hind-hand  include  all  the  other  parts 
of  his  body. 

Hand  is  likewise  used  for  the  horse- 
man's hand.  Thus  spear-hand,  or  sword- 
hand,  is  the  horseman's  right  hand,  and 
bridle-hand  is  his  left  hand. 

Hand-Barrow,  a  machine  made  of 
light  wood,  of  great  use  in  fortification 
for  carrying  earth  from  one  place  to  ano- 
ther ;  or  in  a  siege,  for  carrying  shells  or  ■ 
shot  along  the  trenches. 

Hanu-Breadth,  a  measure  of  three 
inches,  or  a  space  equal  to  the  breadth 
of  the  hand,  the  palm. 

Hand-Canter,    or  gallop,  (petit  ga- 
lop, Fr.)    a  term  generally   used  to  ex- 
press the  shortening  or  contracting  of  the 
2Z 


II  A  N 


(     »S4    ) 


HAN 


pace  of  B  horse  in  the  gallop.      How   fir 

this  term  is  appropriate  must  be  left  u> 
others  to  determine.  Fashion  seems  to 
have  gives  it  a  currency,  which  cannot 
strictly  be  borne  out,  as  the  only  three 
natural  paces  are  a  walk,  a  trot,  and  a 
gallop. 

To  Hakp-Cuff,  to  bind  the  hands 
ol  a  person  together  by  means  of  iron- 
locks,  l;o  as  to  prevent  aim  from  using 
them.     This  is  the  case  with  deserters. 

Hand-Gallop,  a  slow  and  easy  gal- 
lop, in  which  the  hand  presses  the  bridle 
to  hinder  increase  of  speed. 

Haxd-Grv.nadf.s,  small  iron  shells, 
from  2  to  S  inches  diameter,  tilled  with 
powder*  which  being  lighted  by  means 
ol  a  t'use,  are  thrown  by  the  grenadiers 
amongst  the  enemy ;  now  out  of  use. 
See  Grenades. 

Hand-Gun,  a  gun  held  in  the  hand. 

Hand-Mallet,  a  wooden  hammer 
vvith  a  handle,  to  drive  fuses,  or  pickets, 
&c.  in  making  fascine  or  gabion  batteries. 

Hand-Screw  is  composed  of  a 
toothed  iron  bar,  which  lias  a  claw  at 
the  lower  end  and  a  fork  at  the  u;>|><  r : 
the  bar  is  fixed  in  a  stock  of  wood  about 
2|  feet  high,  and  b  inches  thick,  moved 
bv  a  rack-work,  so  that  this  claw  or  fork 
being  placed  under  a  weight  raises  it  as 
far  as  the  bar  can  go. 

II  \  mi-Speck,  )  a  sort  of  wooden  le- 

Hand-Spike,  S  yer  fab  moving  heavy 
things. 

Hand-Spike,  in  gunnery,  a  wooden 
lever  o  or  o  feet  long,  flattened  at  the 
lower  end,  and  tapering  towards  the 
other,  useful  in  moving  gnns  to  their 
places  after  being  fired  and  loaded  again, 
or  for  moving  other  heavy  weights. 

Hamd-to-Hand,  close  fight;  the  situa- 
tion of  two  persons  closelv  opposed  to 
each  other. 

Brtdfe-HAND,  the  hand  which  holds 
the  bridle  in  riding-;   the  left  hand. 

Light  iii  IIami.  A  horse  is  said  to  be 
light  in  hand  when  he  presses  lightly  upon 
the  bit.     We  also  say,  easy  in  hand. 

Heavy  in  Hand.  A  horse  is  heavy  in 
hand,  when  he  bears  much  upon  the  bit, 
so  much  so,  as  to  occasion  considerable 
uneasiness  in  the  wrist  and  hand. 

Steady  in  Hand.  A  horse  is  said  to 
be  steady  in  hand  when  he  is  perfectly 
quiet  and  obedient  to  the  rein,  or  an- 
swers to  the  pressure  of  the  leg,  both 
on  the  road  and  in  the  field,  and  during 
th«  firing  or'  cannon  and  musketry  :  in 
a  word,   who  is  not  discomposed,  or  ren- 


dered unruly  by  any  noise  or  bustle,  or 
by  the  appearance  of  any  object  what- 
soever. 

Tight  in  Hand,  a  term  used  in  the 
management  of  a  horse,  particularly  of 
one  who  may  stumble,  m  which  case  th« 
rider  keeps  a  tight  rein. 

\l  /iip-ll  and,  advantage  over. 

/  /yxr-ll.vM),  the  better  of. 

HANDFUL,   used  figuratively,   in  a 

military  sense,  to  denote  a  small  quan- 
tity or  number,  as  a  handful  of  men. 

To  HANDLE,  to  manage,  to  wield. 

II  kNDLE  anus.'  a  word  of  command 
(when  the  men  are  at  ordered  arms)  by 
which  the  soldier  is  directed  to  bring  his 
light  hand  briskly  up  to  the  muzzle  of 
his  firelock,  with  his  fingers  hi  nt  in- 
wards. This  word  of  command  is  fre- 
quently used  at  the  private  inspection  of 
companies,  and  always  precedes — Eate 
arms. 

'Ibis  term  was  formerly  used  in  the 
manual  from  the  support  to  the  earn/. 
It  is,  however,  totally  exploded,  and 
contrary  to  the  Regulations,  except  in 
the  instance  just  mentioned. 

To  HANG-FIRE.  Fire-arms  are  said 
to  hang-tire  when  the  flame  is  not  speedy 
in  communicating  from  the  pan  to  the 
charge.  This  (fleet  may  arise  from  the 
powder  being  damp  or  the  touch-holt 
foul.    '1  he  French  say,  fak  e  long  fete. 

To  Hang  upon,  to  hover,  to  impend. 

To  Hang  upon  the  rear  of  a  retreating 
aic/jn/,  to  follow  the  movements  of  any 
body  of  men  so  closely  as  to  be  a  per- 
petual annoyance  to  them. 

It  requires  both  judgment  and  acti- 
vity in  the  commanding  officer  of  a  pur- 
suing army,  to  execute  tins  business 
without  endangering  his  troops.  For  it 
might  happen,  that  the  retreating  enemy 
seeing  an  opportunity  to  make  a  man* 

grade  ilank  movement  from  its  front, 
would  practise  a  feint  in  its  rear,  and 
suddenly  appear  upon  the  right  or  left 
of  his  pursuers,  especially  with  cavalry. 
To  prevent  a  surprise  of  this  sort,  con- 
stant vedettes  and  side  pat  roles  must  be 
detached,  and  the  pursues  must  never 
attempt  to  follow  through  any  consider- 
able length  of  defile,  or  to  cross  rivers,, 
without  having  secured  the  neighbouring 
eminences,  and  been  well  informed  as 
to  the  nature  of  the  stream,  for  some  ex- 
tent, on  his  right  and  left.  Without 
these  precautions  he  might  himself  be 
taken  in  think  and  rear. 

To  Ha  NO  upon  thcjlanki  of  an  enemy, 


HAN 


(    555     ) 


H  A  R 


to  harass  and  perplex  him  in  a  more  de- 
sultory manner  than  what  is  generally 
practised  when  you  press  upon  his  rear. 

Hussars,  light  dragoons,  mounted  ri- 
flemen, and  light  infantry  detachments 
are  well  calculated  for  this  service. 
Light  pieces  of  artillery  are  likewise  ex- 
tremely useful ;  but  they  should  be  cau- 
tiously resorted  to,  as  ambuscades  might 
be  laid,  and  their  removal  would  require 
too  much  time.  A  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  country  in  which  you  fight,  aided  by 
intelligent  guides  and  faithful  scouts,  will 
be  one  of  the  best  safeguards  in  all  ope- 
rations of  this  kind. 

HANGAR,  Fr.  a  coach-house ;  a 
shed  for  a  wagon,  or  cart,  to  stand  under. 
HANGER,  a  short  curved  sword. 
HANGIAR,  Fr.  This  sword  lias  been 
sometimes  written  liuniare,  which  is  in- 
correct. It  signifies  a  Turkish  poniard, 
which  is  worn  by  the  Janissaries  in  their 
cross  belts  or  scarfs. 

HANGING- GUARD,  a  defensive 
portion  in  the  art  of  broad-sword  :  it  is 
formed  by  raising  the  sword-hand  high 
enough  to  view  your  antagonist  under 
your  wrist,  and  directing  your  point  to- 
wards his  ribs.     See  Broadsword. 

HANOVERIANS,  troops  belonging 
to  the  electorate  of  Hanover. 

HANSE,  or  HANS,  (Hans  Teuto- 
niques,  Fr.)  a  body  or  company  of  mer- 
chants united  together  for  the  promotion 
of  trade. 

Haxs  towns,  (villes  Hanseatiques,  Fr.) 
certain  towns  and  places  in  Germany 
and  the  north  of  Europe,  in  which  a 
commercial  compact,  or  agreement,  for 
the  benefit  of  commerce  was  entered 
into  by  merchants  of  respectability.  The 
four  towns  that  first  united  for  this  pur- 
pose were  Lubec,  Brunswick,  Dantzic, 
and  Cologne,  and  on  that  account  they 
bore  the  distinguishing  title  of  mother- 
towns.  After  the  original  establishment 
of  this  company  had  taken  place,  several 
towns  became  anxious  to  belong  to  so 
respectable  and  useful  a  company.  They 
were  accordingly  adopted,  and  obtained 
the  denomination  of  god-daughters.  The 
number  of  these  associated  places 
amounted  to  81,  and  they  were  generally 
called  the  Hanseatic  or  Anseatic  towns. 
In  the  year  1372,  a  treaty  of  alliance 
was  entered  into  between  Denmark  and 
the  Hans  towns.  Amsterdam  and  other 
Dutch  cities  were  included,  as  may  be 
seen  in  a  copy  of  that  treaty  which  has 
been  preserved  by  Boxhoom. 


IIANTE,  and  not  Hampe,  Fr.  a  well 
finished  pike,  which  was  formerly  used, 
with  a  banner  at  the  end. 

HAQUE,  a  hand-siun. 

HAQUEBUT,  orHAG-BUT,  a  short 
hand-gun  which  was  formerly  used  both 
in  France  and  England  According  to 
a  statute  of  the  33d  of  Henry  the  Ylflth, 
it  might  not  be  under  three  quarters  of  a 
yard  long,  gun  and  stock  included.  This 
piece  is  supposed  to  have  been  so  called 
from  its  butt  end  being  hooked  or  bent 
like  those  now  used;  the  stock  of  the 
hand-gun  being  nearly  straight.  Presi- 
dent Fauchet  says,  the  haquebut  was  in 
his  time  called  a  harquehuss. 

De/ni-UAQUES,  or  Ha/f-llAG,  guns 
formerly  so  called  from  their  being  less 
in  size  than  the  haquebut,  or  from  having 
their  butts  less  curved. 

HAQUELIN,  a  piece  of  armour. 

HAQUET,  Fr.  a  dray;  a  species  of 
wagon  used  in  the  artillery  for  the  con- 
veyance of  pontoons,  &c.  These  wagons 
differ  in  their  sizes  and  dimensions  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  service. 

HAQUETON,  a  piece  of  armour. 

HABANES,  Fr.  a  militia  in  Hun- 
gary, part  of  which  served  on  foot,  and 
the  other  on  horseback. 

Military  HARANGUES,  (luirangvrs 
militaires,  Fr.)  It  was  usual  among  the 
ancients  for  generals,  &c.  to  harangue 
their  soldiers  previous  to  an  engagement. 
This  custom,  however,  is  too  old  to  be 
traced  to  its  origin.  Short  harangues, 
if  any  are  adopted,  will  always  prove 
the  best ;  for  that  natural  impulse  by 
which  the  aggregate  of  mankind  are 
driven  into  acts  of  peril  and  possible  de- 
struction is  of  too  subtile  and  too  vola- 
tile a  nature  to  bear  suspense. 

HARASS,  (harceler,  Fr.)  in  a  mili- 
tary sense,  signifies  to  annoy,  to  perplex, 
and  incessantly  turmoil  any  body  of  men; 
to  hang  upon  the  rear  and  flanks  of  a 
retreating  army,  or  to  interrupt  its  ope- 
rations at  a  siege  by  repeated  attacks. 
The  troops  best  calculated  for  this  duty 
are  hussars,  mounted  riflemen,  and  light 
dragoons.  The  general  most  celebrated 
among  ths  ancients  for  this  kind  of  war- 
fare was  Sertorius.  By  means  of  the 
most  subtile  and  ingenious  manoeuvres, 
aided  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of  mili- 
tary tactics,  he  disconcerted  all  the 
plans,  and  finally  defeated  all  the  at- 
tempts which  were  made  by  Pompey  and 
Metellus  to  subdue  him.  It  has  been 
shrewdly  remarked  by  the  commentator 
2Z2 


H  A  R 


(     So6     ) 


H  A  R 


on  Polybius,  dial  bad  there  beer,  one. 
Sertorins  w  ithin  the  walls  of  [isle,  when 
that  city  was  besieged  in  1708,  the  whole 
combined  force  of  the  allies  that  was 
brought  before  it  would  have  been  ren- 
dered ineffectual.  Thiswise  and  saga- 
cious officer  was  constantly  upon  the 
watch;  no  movement  of  the  enemy 
escaped  his  notice  ;  and  by  being  master 
of  his  designs,  every  measure  which  was 
attempted  to  be  put  into  execution,  was 
thwarted  in  its  infancy. 

When  he  received  intelligence,  thai  a 
convoy  was  on  its  way  to  the  enemy, 
such  was  his  activity,  that  no  precau- 
tions could  save  it  from  his  attack  ;  and 
however  seemingly  advantageous  a  tem- 
porary position  might  appear,  every  pos- 
sible peril  or  surprize  crouded  upon  his 
mind,  and  the  instant  he  judged  it  ne- 
cessary to  decamp, such  were  his  sagacity 
and  shrewdness,  that  no  foresight  or  in- 
formation of  the  enemy  could  circum- 
vent him  on  his  march,  lie  was  full  of 
expedients,  master  of  military  feints, 
and  indefatigable  active.  When  pur- 
sued in  his  retreats,  he  had  always  the 
ingenuity  to  avoid  his  enemy  by  getting 
into  inaccessible  places,  or  by  disposing 
of  his  troops  in  such  a  manner,  as  to 
render  it  extremely  hazardous  to  those 
who  might  attempt  to  harass  or  perplex 
him. 

1IARAUX.  Danner  k  haraux,  Fr.  the 
art  of  carrying  off  troop-horses  when 
they  are  at  grass,  or  out  foraging. 

HARBOUR,  a  port  or  haven  for  ship- 
ping. 

A  dry  Harbour,  a  port  on  the  sea 
from  which  the  tide  regularly  recedes, 
during  stated  periods,  so  as  to  leave  it 
inaccessible  to  ships  of  burthen  ;  of  this 
description  are  Dover,  Calais,  Ostend, 
&c. 

IIARCARRAHS,  in  India,  messen- 
gers employed  to  carry  letters,  and 
otherwise  entrusted  with  matters  of  con- 
sequence that  require  secrecy  and  punc- 
tuality. They  are  commonly  Bramins, 
well  acquainted  with  the  neighbouring 
countries  ;  they  are  sent  to  gain  intelli- 
gence, and  are  used  as  guides  in  the 
field. 

HARCELE  en  fiunc  et  en  queue,  Fr. 
harassed  in  flank,  and  rear. 

HARDACIUM.     See  Hourdeys. 

HARDES,  Fr.     See  Necessaries. 

1IARDI,  Fr.  in  French  architecture, 
an  epithet  which  is  frequently  attached 
to  those  sorts  of  work*  that,  notwith- 


standing their  apparent  delicacy  of  con- 
struction, their  great  i  Ktent  and  won- 
derful height,  remain  uninjured  for  a 
succession  of  rears.  Gothic  churches 
are  of  this  description. 

HARRIDELLE,  Fr.  a  jade,  a  sorry 

horse. 

1 1 A  K  K,  an  old  Saxon  term  for  an  army. 

HARMONY,  (hurmonie,  Fr.)  a  term 
used  in  architecture,  as  in  music,  to 
signify  the  union  and  concord  of  the 
different  parts  of  a  building. 

HARNACHER,  Fr.  to  harness. 

HARNESS,  (harnois,  Fr.)  armour,  or 
defensive  furniture  of  war,  also  the  traces 
for  horses  of  draught.  The  horse  harness 
has  of  late  been  much  improved  in  the 
field  artillery  service:  it  is  now  of  a  light 
description,  with  rope  traces,  and  every 
double-draught  carriage  can  be  drawn 
by  horses  with  the  same  harness,  which 
was  not  the  case  formerly,  as  every  na- 
ture of  carriage  for  field  ordnance  had 
a  different  pattern  harness,  and  caused 
great  confusion  in  the  movements  of 
artillery  upon  foreign  service.  There  is 
another  description  of  harness  used  for 
carriages  of  battering  ordnance  upon  a 
stronger  principle,  with  chain  traces, 
and  these  two  patterns  of  harness  are 
all  that  are  in  use  in  the  artillery  ser- 
vice. 

Men's  Harness  are  made  of  rope 
with  straps  of  leather  to  put  over  mens' 
shoulders,  for  the  purpose  of  drawing 
carriages  when  horses  cannot  be  pro- 
cured, or  in  situations  where  horses 
cannot  conveniently  be  taken.  The  har- 
ness is  made  in  sets  for  twelve  men  to 
each,  and  any  number  of  sets  can  be 
added  together,  to  attach  as  many  men 
as  the  draught  of  the  carriage  requires. 
Men's  harness  is  extremely  useful  upon 
expeditions,  when  landing  artillery  in  an 
enemy's  country,  where  horses  ibr  the 
carriages  cannot  be  had. 

HARNOIS,  Fr.    See  harness. 

Harnois  duchevul,  Fr.  military  equip- 
ment for  a  horse. 

Endosser  Ic  IIarxois,  Fr.  to  turn  sol- 
dier ;  to  go  into  the  army. 

1IARO,  Fr.  hue  and  cry. 

IIAROL,  an  Indian  term,  signifying 
the  officer  who  commands  the  van  of  an 
army.  It  sometimes  means  the  van- 
guard   itself. 

HARPE,  Fr.  a  species  of  draw- 
bridge, which  was  used  among  the  an- 
cients, and  which  obtained  the  name  of 
harp  from  its  resemblance  to  that  in- 


HAS 


(     S57     ) 


HAT 


strument.  This  bridge,  which  consisted 
of  a  wooden  frame,  and  hung  in  a  per- 
pendicular direction  against  the  turrets 
that  were  used  in  those  times  to  carry 
on  the  siege  of  a  place,  had,  like  the 
harp,  a  variety  of  ropes  attached  to  it, 
and  was  let  down  upon  the  wall  of  a 
town  by  means  of  pullies.  The  instant 
it  fell,  the  soldiers  left  the  turret,  and 
rushed  across  the  temporary  platform 
upon  the  rampart. 

HARQUEBUSS,  a  kind  of  fire-arm, 
of  the  length  of  a  musket.  It  carried  a 
ball  of  about  3  ounces.  Not  used  at 
present. 

HARQUEBUSSIER,  a  soldier  carry- 
ing a  harquebuss. 

HARROW,  to  lay  waste,  to  ravage, 
or  destroy. 

HART,  Fr.  the  band  of  a  faggot;  a 
halter. 

HART,  or  Stag-evil,  is  a  sort  of  rheum, 
or  defiuxion,  that  falls  upon  the  jaws, 
and  other  parts  of  the  fore-head  of  a 
horse,  which  hinders  him  from  eating. 

HARVEST.  This  word  is  used,  figu- 
ratively, to- signify  the  battles  which  are 
fought  by  contending  armies.  Thus 
Pope,  in  his  Essay  on  Man,  Ep.  IV. 
p.  127. 

'Tvvin'd  with  the  wreath  Parnassian  lau- 
rels yield, 
Or  rtap'd  in  iron  harvests  of  the  field. 

HASARD  de  la  guerre,  Fr.  the  chance 
of  war.  It  also  means  the  danger  to 
which  every  military  man  is  exposed  in 
the  exercise  of  his  profession.  Thus  the 
French  say,  II  a  essiti/e  de  grands  hasards 
— he  has  undergone  great  risk  or  danger. 
— 11  a  etc  nourri  parmi  les  hasards — he 
was  brought  up  from  his  cradle  amidst 
dangers. 

HASP,  a  flat  staple  to  catch  the  bolt 
of  a  lock. 

HASTAIRES,  jFV\  soldiers  armed  with 
spears.     See  Hastati. 

H  ASTATI,  from  the  Latin  word  hasta, 
a  spear ;  so  that  they  may  literally  be 
called  spearmen.  A  body  of  Roman 
soldiers  who  were  more  advanced  in  age, 
and  had  acquired  a  greater  reputation 
in  arms  than  the  Velites  possessed,  were 
distinguished  by  this  appellation.  They 
wore  a  complete  suit  of  armour,  and 
always  carried  a  buckler,  made  convex, 
measuring  two  feet  and  a  half  in  breadth 
and  four  in  length.  The  longest  con- 
tained about  four  feet  nine  inches,  or  a 
Roman  palm.    The  buckler  was  made 


of  two  boards  glued  together.  Thes* 
were  covered,  in  the  first  instance,  with 
a  broad  piece  of  linen,  which  was  again 
covered  over  with  sheep's  skin.  The 
edges  both  at  top  and  bottom  were  fenced 
with  iron,  to  enable  ehem  to  meet  the 
broad  sword  and  sabre,  and  to  prevent 
them  from  rotting  when  planted  ou  the 
ground.  The  convex  part  was  further 
covered  over  with  iron  plates  to  resist 
the  impression  of  hard  blows,  and  to 
withstand  the  violent  concussion  of 
stones,  &c. 

The  hastati  likewise  wore  a  sword, 
which  they  carried  girted  to  their  right 
thigh,  and  which  was  called  the  Spanish 
sword.  This  weapon  was  calculated 
both  to  cut  and  thrust,  the  blade  being 
very  broad,  thick,  and  pointed.  They 
had  each,  moreover,  two  pikes,  a  brass 
helmet,  and  half  boots.  One  of  the 
pikes  was  thick,  and  the  other  of  a  mid- 
dling size. 

The  pole  or  staff"  of  these  pikes,  whe- 
ther large  or  small,  was  nearly  five  cu- 
bits long.  The  iron,  which  was  made 
something  in.  the  shape  of  a  fish-hook, 
and  was  fixed  to  the  pole,  contained  the 
same  length.  It  reached  beyond  the 
middle,  and  was  so  well  nailed  that  no- 
thing could  loosen  it,  without  at  the 
same  time  breaking  the  pole.  This  iron 
was  one  finger  and  a  half  thick,  both  at 
the  bottom,  and  at  the  part,  where  it 
was  joined  to  the  wood. 

The  hastati,  or  spearmen,  wore  upon 
their  heads  a  red  or  black  plume,  con- 
sisting of  three  straight  feathers,  each 
measuring  one  cubit  in  height.  These, 
added  to  their  other  accoutrements, 
made  them  appear  uncommonly  tall,  and 
gave  them  a  bold  and  formidable  look. 
The  lowest  class  of  hastati,  or  spearmen, 
had  their  chests  protected  by  a  piece  of 
brass,  containing  twelve  fingers  breadth 
every  way.  This  plate  was  called  a 
breast  plate.  All  that  were  worth  1 0,000 
drachms  wore  a  coat  of  mail,  instead  of 
a  breast-plate. 

Rennet,  in  his  R.  Ant.  p.  190,  gives  a 
similar  account  of  the  hastati ;  and  adds, 
that  the  spears  were  afterwards  laid 
aside  as  incommodious. 

Armcs  cTHAST,  Fr.  long-hafted 
weapons. 

Haste,  Fr.  The  piece  of  wood,  or 
long  pole,  to  which  the  standard  is  fixed 
in  the  royal  gallery,  was  formerly  so 
called  in  France. 

HATCHET,  an  instrument   carried 


H  A  V 


(     368    ) 


HAU 


bf  pioneers;  also  ;i  small  light  axe,  with 
a  bairil  edge  mi  the  left  sid< ,  and  a  short 
handle,  used  by  the  men  for  cutting  wood 
tu  make  fascines,  gabions, pickets,  8cc. 

To  take  up  the  Hatchet,  among  the 
Indians,  to  declare  war,  to  commence 
hostilities,  iscc. 

HAUBANS,  Fr.  the  shrouds  of  a  ship. 

HAUBANER,  Fr.  ro  make  fast. 

HAUBERGEON,  Jr.  See  HABER- 
GEON. 

HAUBERGIER,    Fr.    an   individual 

who  held  a  tenure  by  knight's  service, 
and  was  subject  to  the  feudal  system 
which  formerly  existed  in  France,  and 
by  which  he  was  obliged  to  accompany 
the  lord  of  the  manor  in  that  capacity 
whenever  the  latter  went  to  war.  lie 
was  called  fief  de  haubert,  and  had  the 
privilege  of  carrying  a  halbert.  All  vas- 
sals in  ancient  times  served  their  lords- 
paramount  as  squires,  haubergieis,  lance- 
men,  bow-men,  8cc. 

HAUBERK,  a  texture  of  steel  ring- 
lets, or  riii<is  interwoven,  forming  a 
coat  of  mail  that  sat  close  to  the  body, 
and  yielded  to  every  motion.  Bonaparte 
wore  one  in  Egypt. 

HAUBERT.     See  IlAUTBF.nT. 

HAUBIT/,  Fr.  the  same  as  obus, 
howitzer. 

HAUNCH,  or  hip  of  a  horse,  is  that 
part  of  the  hind  quarters  that  extends 
from  the  reins,  or  back,  to  the  hough,  or 
ham. 

HAVERSACK,  (huvre-sac,  Fr.)  a 
kind  of  hag  made  of  strong  coarse  linen, 
to  carry  bread  and  provisions  on  a 
march.  It  is  only  used  in  the  field  and 
in  cantonments,  each  soldier  having  one. 

IIAYILDAR,  or  J  anon-coinmission- 

IIAVILDAUR,  S  ed  officer  or  Ser- 
jeant among  the  Sepoys.  He  ranks  next 
to  the  Jemadar ■ 

HAVILAND,  a  brass  machine  made 
for  the  purpose  of  fixing  a  military  roster. 
It  is  so  called  from  General  llaviland, 
w  ho  was  the  inventor. 

HAVOCK,  carnage,  slaughter. 

HAVRE,  IV.  a  harbour  which  is  en- 
closed by  means  of  jetties,  and  can  be 
barred  by  a  chain. 

Havre  de  burre,  Fr.  a  harbour  which 
is  dry  at  times,  and  has  a  bar,  over  which 
no  vessel  can  pass  except  at  high  water. 
Of  this  description  are  Calais,  Ostend  and 
Dover  harbours. 

Havre  d'entree,  Fr.  a  harbour  into 
which  vessels  may  sail  independent  of 
the  tides. 


HAUSSE-Co/,  Fr.  an  ornamental  plate 
similar  to  our  gorget.  It  is  worn  by  in- 
fantry officers  only. 

I'ii  11  At 's-.r.-co/,  Fr.  a  neck-piece. 

11  JlUT  «  la  maiii,  Fr.  with  a  high 
hand;    arrogantly. 

Un  general  haul  a  la  Main,  Fr.  an  im- 
perious and  haughty  general. 

HAUTBERT,  i'r.  a  coat  of  mail, 
which  covered  the  neck  and  arms;  for- 
merly worn  by  the  seigneurs  de  lumbal,  or 
lord.-,  paramount,  in  France,  in  lieu  of 
the  haitsse-col,  brassarts,  and  cuissarts. 

II  A I  TBOY,  (hautboy,  Fr.)  a  wind- 
instrument,  now  almost  universally 
adopted  by  the  European  armies,  ami 
which  invariably  forms  a  part  of  the 
regimental  bands  belonging  to  the  corps 
in  the  British  service. 

Hautboys,  a  term  given  to  the  non- 
effective men  of  a  regiment  of  dragoons, 
constituting  a  part  of  the  emolument  en- 
joyed by  a  colonel  in  the  British  service. 

lIAUTE-MK/nv,   I'r.  high-water. 

HAUTES-ywj/c.s,  Fr.  were  soldiers  se- 
lected by  the  captains  of  companies  to 
attend  thera  personally,  for  winch  ser- 
vice they  received  something  more  than 
the  common  pay.  Under  the  reign  of 
Louis  XIV.  this  custom  was  abolished. 
It  was,  however  suffered  to  exist  in  the, 
royal  regiment  of  artillery  and  in  the 
companies  of  miners  and  artificers,  pro- 
vided the  officers  received  a  specific 
order  for  the  purpose.  Huutc-paije  be- 
came afterwards  a  term  to  signify  the 
subsistence  which  any  body  of  men,  su- 
perior to,  or  distinguished  from,  the  pri- 
vate soldiers,  were  allow  ed  to  receive. 

Thus  the  grenadiers  and  voltigeurs  in 
the  French  service  had  what  was  called, 
amongst  them,  Haalc-jxu/c  ;  or,  extra- 
ordinary pay. 

HAUTEUR,  Fr.  in  geometry,  signi- 
fies elevation. 

Hautf.uk,  fr.  in  architecture,  the 
extreme  height  of  any  building. 

Hauteur  d'appui,  Fr.  breast-height. 

Hauteur  de  marche,  Fr.  the  usual 
height  which  a  man  takes  in  stepping, 
being  about  6  or  7  inches  above  ground. 

Hauteur  d'un  escadron,  ou  d'un  ba- 
laillon,  Fr.  the  depth  of  a  squadron  of 
horse,  or  battalion  of  foot.  This  term  is 
applicable  to  an  army,  collectively  or  se- 
parately considered, from  several  columns 
to  a  mere  rank  and  file. 

HAUTEURS,  Fr.  heights,  or  com- 
manding eminences  round  a  fortified 
place. 


H  E  A 


(     359     > 


H  E  A 


HAUT-LE-PIED,  Jr.  a  term  used  to 
distinguish  such  persons  as  were  formerly 
employed  in  the  French  armies,  without 
having  any  permanent  appointment. 
Commhsaires  hauts-le-picd  were  known 
in  the  artillery  during  the  old  monarchy 
of  France.  They  were  usually  under  the 
quarter-master  general. 

Le  Halt  Rhin,  Fr.  the  Upper  Rhine. 

Lu  Haute  Sure,  Fr.  Upper  Saxony. 

HAUTS-officiers,  Fr.  superior  officers. 
With  respect  to  an  army  composed  of 
several  regiments,  the  following  fall  un- 
der the  description  of  hauts-ojfkiers, 
according  to  the  old  French  system  :  ge- 
nerals, lieutenant-generals,  colonels,  and 
lieutenant-colonels.  The  hauts-officiers, 
or  superior  oihcers,in  distinct  corps,  were 
majors,  aid  majors,  captains,  lieutenants, 
sub-lieutenants,  and  ensigns;  or  what 
we  call  commissioned  officers. 

HAW  KIM,  an  Indiana  term,  signify- 
ing a  chief. 

HAYE,  Fr.  a  military  disposition  in 
which  soldiers  stand  aside  one  another 
on  a  straight  line.  Se  mettre  en  haie  is 
to  stand  rank  entire.  Faire  uue  double 
haie,  to  stand  two  deep.  Border  la  haie 
is  a  disposition  to  which  infantry  has 
recourse  when  attacked  by  cavalry. 

HAZAREE,  an  Indian  term  signify- 
ing the  commander  of  gun-men.  Hazar, 
in  its  literal  interpretation,  signifies  a 
thousand. 

HEAD,  in  gunnery,  the  fore  part  of 
the  cheeks  of  a  gun  or  howitz  carriage. 

To  Head,  to  lead  on. 

Heau  of  a  work,  in  fortification,  is 
the  front  next  to  the  enemy,  and  far- 
thest from  the  place  ;  as  the  front  of  a 
horn-work  is  the  distance  between  the 
Hanked  angles  of  the  demi-bastions: 
the  head  of  a  double  tenaille  is  the 
salient  angle  in  the  center,  and  the  two 
other  sides  which  form  the  re-entering 
angle.     See  Fort. 

Head  of  an  uniu/,  the  person  who 
holds  the  chief  command.  The  King  is 
called  the  head  of  the  army  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  and  has  an  un- 
bounded exercise  of  prerogative  with 
regard  to  its  internal  arrangements. 

Heau  of  an  army  or  body  of  men  is 
the  front,  whether  drawn  up  in  lines  or 
on  a  march,  in  column,  &c. 

Head  of  a  double  tenaille,  the  salient 
angle  in  the  center,  and  the  two  other 
sides  which  form  the  re-entering  angle. 

TT  •  • 

tlEftJJ-piece,  armour  tor  the  head  :  an 
helmet,  such  as  the  light  dragoons  wear. 


Head  of  a  camp,  the  ground  before 
which  an  army  is  drawn  up. 

Head-quarters,  the  place  where  the 
officer  commanding  any  army  or  inde- 
pendent body  of  troops  takes  up  his  re- 
sidence. 

To  make  Head,  to  oppose;  to  resist; 
to  endeavour  to  thwart  another  by  per- 
sonal exertions. 

HEADBOROUGH,  a  civil  officer, 
whose  functions  are  the  same  with  re- 
spect to  the  militia,  as  those  prescribed 
to  constables  and  subordinate  constables. 

HEADS,  tiles  which  are  laid  at  the 
eaves  of  an  house. 

HEADSTALL,  that  part  of  the  bridle 
which  goes  over  the  horse's  head. 

HEAVE,  a  word  of  command  which 
is  used  in  the  exercise  of  great  guns, 
when  they  are  to  be  run  up. 

HEAUME,  Fr.  a  word  derived  from 
the  German,  which  formerly  signified 
casque,  or  helmet.  The  heaume  has  been 
sometimes  called  among  the  French  sa- 
lade,  armet,  and  celate  from  the  Latin 
word  which  means  engraved,  on  account 
of  the  different  figures  which  were  re- 
presented upon  it.  The  heaume  covered 
the  whole  of  the  face,  except  the  eyes, 
which  were  protected  by  small  iron  bars 
laid  cross-ways. 

The  heaume  was  not  only  worn  by  the 
chevaliers  or  knights  when  they  went  to 
war,  but  also  at  tilts  and  tournaments. 
It  serves  as  an  ornament  or  helmet  in 
coats  of  arms  and  armorial  bearings. 
Various  appellations  have  been  given  to 
this  piece  of  armour,  such  as  habdle- 
ment  de  tite,  covering  for  the  head, 
casque,  helmet ;  and  under  Francis  I. 
it  was  distinguished  by  the  name  of  air- 
met.  It  does  not  resemble  the  morion, 
the  salade  or  head-piece,  the  pot,  or 
bourguignotte,bwganet, which  were  worn 
only  in  the  infantry.  The  heaume,  as 
we  have  observed  above,  covered  the 
face.  There  was  an  opening  opposite  to 
the  eyes  which  was  guarded  by  small 
iron  bars,  or  lattice-work,  and  was  a 
kind  of  visor.  The  heaume,  or  helmet, 
is  still  preserved  in  heraldry,  and  is  a 
distinguishing  mark  of  nobility,  la  tour- 
naments the  helmet  was  presented  as  a 
prize  of  honour  to  the  most  active  cham- 
pion, because  it  was  the  principal  piece 
of  defensive  armour;  but  a  sword  was 
given  to  the  assailants,  as  that  was  an 
offensive  weapon. 

Au  Heaume  !    Fr.  a  term  formerly 


used 


the    French,  in  the  same 


II  E  L 


(     SCO    ) 


II  E  M 


manner  that  they  now  use  the  expres 
i  -a  /!>;  s  /  to  arms  ! 

!i :  \  V1IER,  Fr.  an  armourer,  or 
1  i.i  tier. 

HEBDOMADIER,  Fr.  the  person 
whose  week  11  is  to  be  on  duty. 

HEGOMENE,  Fr.  a  chief  leader. 

HEIDI  Ql  1..  Fr.an  Hungaitea foot 
soldier.     See  Heyduc. 

St.  HELEN  \,  an  island  in  the  At- 
lantic ocean,  belonging  to  tin-  English 
East  India  Company,  to  whom  it  was 
given  by  King  Charles  the  Second,  soon 
after  it  had  been  taken  from  the  Dutch 
bj  Admiral  Munden  in  1672.  This^rock 
been  selected  as  a  place  of  security 
and  detention  for  Bonaparte,  who  sur- 
rendered himself  to  the  British  in  181f>. 

HELEN,  (  Hc/lnc,  Ft.)  a  woman  ce- 
lebrated in  history  for  the  fated  influ- 
l  of  her  charms  over  Paris,  the   son 

of  Priam,  Kinj  oy  ;  and-the  corfse^ 

quenl  cause  of  its  destruction.  A  French 
writer  very  justly  remarks,  that  many  a 
young  officer  is  exposed  in  has  outset  in 
military  life,  to  the  fascinations  of  the 
Sex,  and  is  liable  to  fall  into   the  snares 

of  women,  whose  sole  object  is  to  creati 

his  and  rivalry  among  gallant  men, 

without    feeling    one    spark    of    honest 

tion  themselves — hence   the   rnanj 

lends  and  quarrels  that  so  often  deprive 
the  country  of  brave  and  meritorious 
men. 

HELEPOUS,  (heUpok,  Fr.)  in  tin 
ancient  art  of  war,  a  machine  for  bat- 
tering down  the  walls  of  a  place  be- 
sieged.  The  invention  of  it  is  ascribed 
to  Demetrius  the  Poliorcete.  Diodorus 
Siculus  says,  that  each  side  of  the  hele- 
polis  was  450  cubits  broad,  and  90  in 
height ;  that  it  had  9  stages  or  floors, 
and  was  carried  on  4  Strong  solid  wheels, 
8  cubits  in  diameter;  that  it  was  armed 
with  hutre  battering  rams,  and  had  '2 
roofs  capable  of  supporting  them  ;  that 
in  the  lower  stages  there  were  different 
sorts  of  engines  for  casting  stones ;  and 
in  the  middle,  they  had  large  catapultas 
for  lancing  arrows. 

HELICOMETRY,  an  art  which 
teaches  how  to  draw  or  measure  spiral 
lines  upon  a  plane,  and  shew  their  re- 
spective properties. 

HEElOiD  parabola,  a  curve  arising 
from  the  supposition  of  the  axis  of  the 
Apollonian  parabola  being  bent  into 
the  periphery  of  a  circle,  and  is  then  a 
line  passing  through  die  extremities  of 


the  ordinnles,  which  converge  toward* 
the  center  of  the  circle. 

HELIOSCOPE,  a  prospect-glass  to 
view  the  sun.  The  glass  is  coloured  in 
order  to  weaken  the  radiance  of  light. 

HELIX,  (helix,  IV.)  a  terra  used  in 
geometry.  See  Spiral.  In  mechanics, 
u  signifies  the  motion  of  a  screw. 

Helix,  also  a  machine  invented  by 
\  rcbimedes,  by  means  of  which  a  loaded 
vessel  could  be  easily  put  to  s<  a. 

HELLANODlCES,a<  torditigtoPi*- 
ticus,  judges  who  presided  al   ihet.n- 
cian  games;  they  were  also  called 
notfietes. 

HELM,  oi    )  an  ancient  defensive  ar- 

HELM  ET,  S  nioiir,  worn  both  in  war 
and  at  tournaments,  li  covered  both  the 
head  and  face,  only  leaving  an  aperture 
in  the  front,  secured  by  bars,  which  was 
called  the  visor.  The  Carians  first  in- 
vented  the  hos>  of  shields,  and  the  crest 
(.1'  helmets.  In  remembrance  of  this,  a 
small  shield  and  a  crest  were  always 
buried  with  them. 

HELMET-CAP,  >  a  cap,  or-hat,  the 

HELM  BT-HAT,  S  crown  of  which  is 
shaped  like  the  dragoon  helmet. 

HELOTS,  slave-.;  men  in  bondage; 
not  having  any  constitution  to  secure. 

HE1.VE,  or  )  the   wooden   handle  of 

HAFT,  3  a  hatchet,  hammer,  or 
pick-axe. 

To  II  I'M  in,  to  surround. 

HEMAGUM,  an  emperor  of  India. 
The  word  means  August. 

HEMERESCOPI,  in  ancient  history, 
men  detached  and  posted  upon  different, 
heights,  &c.  to  watch  the  movements  of 
an  army.  According  to  Herodotus,  they 
were  first  formed  among  the  Persians. 
They,  in  some  degree,  correspond  with 
our  vedettes. 

HEMERODROMES,  a  French  term 
taken  from  the  Greeks,  signifying  sen- 
tries or  guards,  which  were  employed 
among  the  ancients  to  protect  and  watch 
ever  fortified  towns  and  places.  As 
soon  as  the  gates  were  opened  they  went 
out,  and  continued  to  patrole  round  the 
skirts  of  the  town  during  the  whole  of 
tbe  day.  Frequently,  indeed,  they  ad- 
vanced considerably  into  the  country;  in 
order  to  discover  whether  any  hostile 
body  of  men  was  approaching  in  order 
to  surprize  the  garrison. 

HEMICYCLE,  (hemicyele,  Fr.)  half 
round,  demi-circle. 
HEMISPHERE,    (hemisphere,    Fr.) 


H  E  R 


(    361    ) 


HER 


the  half  of  the  globe,  when  it  is  sup- 
'posed  to  be  cut  through  its  center  in  the 
plane  of  one  of  its  greatest  circles. 

HENDECAGON,  a  figure  that  has 
11  sides  and  as  many  angles,  each  capa- 
ble of  a  regular  bastion. 

HENDOO,  the  name  by  which  the 
natives  of  India  distinguish  themselves 
from  the  inhabitants  of  other  countries. 

HENNIR,  IV.    See  Neigh. 

HENNISSEMENT, Fr.  See  Neigh- 
ixc. 

HEPTAGON,  a  figure  consisting  of 
7  sides  and  as  many  angles.  If  the 
sides  be  all  equal,  it  is  called  a  regular 
heptagon. 

HEPTAGON  AL  numbers  are  a  sort 
of  polygonal  numbers,  wherein  the  dif- 
ference of  the  firms  of  the  corresponding 
arithmetical  progression  is  rz  .5.  One 
of  the  properties  of  these  numbers  is, 
that  if  they  be  multiplied  by  40,  and  9 
be  added  to  the  product,  the  sum  is  a 
square  number. 

HEPTARCHY,  a  government  which 
consists  of  seven  kings  or  sovereign 
princes.  Such  was  the  government  under 
which  England  was  ruled  by  the  Saxon 
kings. 

HERALD,  an  officer  at  arms,  whose 
duty  is  to  declare  war,  to  proclaim 
peace,  or  to  be  employed  by  the  king  in 
martial  messages.  The  heralds  in  Eng- 
land are  judges  and  examiners  of  gen- 
tlemen's coats  of  arms.  They  marshal 
all  solemnities  at  the  coronation  of 
kings,  funerals  of  princes,'  &c.  The 
origin  of  heralds  is  extremely  ancient. 
It  is  reported  that  the  Greek  herald, 
Stentor,  possessed  such  a  powerful  voice 
that  it  exceeded  the  united  clamour  of 
fifty  men. 

There  are  three  kings  at  arms  in  Eng- 
land, each  bearing  a  name  peculiar  to 
himself,  and  six  heralds.  The  first  king 
at  arms  is  that  of  Garter,  created  by 
Henry  V. ;  next  that  of  Clarencieux, 
created  by  Edward  IV.  and  that  of 
Norroy,  so  called,  from  the  exercis..-  of 
his  function  North  of  the  river  Trent. 

The  heralds  extraordinary  are  those, 
of  Windsor  and  Chester,  created  by 
Edward  HI.  those  of  Somerset  by  Henry 
VIII.  and  those  of  York  and  Lan- 
caster, created  by  the  children  of  Ed- 
ward HI. 

Thomas  Tonge  was  the  first  Rich- 
mond herald,  in  the  time  of  Henry  VI. 

HERALDS'  College,  a  corporation  in 
England  which  consists  of  kin^s  at  arms, 


heralds  and  pursuivants.  The  college,  or 
office,  is  on  Bennett-hill,  St.  Paul's. 

HERAUT,  Fr.  herald.  During  the 
old  monarchy  of  France  there  were 
thirty  heralds,  each  distinguished  by  the 
name  of  some  particular  province.  The 
first  of  these,  who  was  king  at  arms, 
bore  the  title  of  Monfjoj/  St.  Denis;  he 
had  the  privilege  of  wearing  a  royal 
coronet  over  the  fleur-de-luce.  On  so- 
lemn occasions,  the  king  and  the  heralds 
at  arms  appeared  in  their  coats  of  arms 
made  of  violet-coloured  crimson  velvet, 
with  three  golden  fieurs-de-luces  before 
and  behind,  and  as  many  on  each 
sleeve  where  the  name  of  the  province 
stood,  to  which  the  herald  belonged. 
They  wore  a  black  velvet  cap  orna- 
mented with  golden  strings,  and  half 
boots,  when  they  appeared  on  peaceable 
occasion?,  and  with  whole  boots  on  war- 
like or  martial  ones.  In  solemn  funerals 
they  had  a  long  robe  of  black  velvet. 
The  only  difference  between  the  king  at 
arms  and  the  heralds,  with  respect  to 
dress,  consisted  in  the  richness  of  the 
embroidery ;  that  of  the  former  being 
very  expensive.  The  coats  of  arms  which 
were  peculiar  to  the  heralds  were  called 
Plaques,  those  of  the  king's  at  arms  were 
distinguished  by  the  name  of  Tunics. 
They  carried  a  stick  called  Cadaceus 
(such  as  Mercury  is  represented  to  have 
borne  in  ancient  history.)  But  this  stick 
was  not  ornamented  by  a  crown  with 
rleurs-de-luces,  it  was  only  covered  with 
crimson  velvet,  having  a  lew  fleurs-de- 
luces  interspersed. 

There  was  likewise  a  herald,  who?e 
particular  functions  were  to  carry  the 
king's  orders.  He  was  entitled  to  a  coat 
of  arms  upon  violet-coloured  velvet  in- 
terspersed with  fleurs-de-luces  and  gold 
embroidered  llammes,  or  pendants,  to- 
gether with  the  arms  and  collars  both 
before  and  behind.  He  likewise  wore 
the  cross  belonging  to  the  order,  which 
was  attached  to  a  black  silk  cord  worn 
cross-ways. 

The  author  of  the  Dictiounaire  Mili- 
taire  derives  the  French  term  Hermit 
from  the  German  Hirald,  which  signi- 
fies a  man  at  arms,  un  Gendarme.  Ver- 
stegan  derives  it  from  the  Saxon.  Other 
French  writers  derive  it  from  an  old 
Gallic  word  harou,  or  hara,  which  was 
used  as  a  challenge,  a  notification  of 
fresh  hostilities,  a  ban  or  general  assem- 
bling of  the  people,  a  loud  and  public 
proclamation  of  battles  fought,  and  vic- 
3  A 


HER 


(     362     ) 


II  E  T 


mnrs  obtained  ;  on  which  account  he- 
ralds, according  to  Ducange,  were  for- 
merly called  Clarigarvis  as  well  as  He- 
raldus. 

HERCOTECTONIQl  E,  Fr.  a  term 
in  fortification  signifying  that  branch  (A' 
military  architecture  which  specifically 
points  out  the  best  means  of  defence, 
and  the  surest  method  of  providing 
stores.  This  word  is  derived  from  the 
Greek. 

HERE,  a  word  used  in  regimental 
details  of  duty,  when  soldiers  answer  to 
their  names  at  a  roll-call.  The  French 
say  Ici. 

HEItEFARE,  an  old  term  from  the 
Saxon,  signifying  the  same  as  warfare. 

HEREGELD,  a  term  derived  from 
the  Saxon,  signifying  a  tax  which  was 
formerly  levied  for  maintaining  an  army. 

HERESILIA,  )  a  term  derived  from 

HERESLITA,  $  the  Saxon,  signifying 
a  soldier  w  ho  abandons  his  colours,  or 
quits  the  army  without  leave. 

HERETEG, )  a    term   derived  from 

IIERETOG,  5  the  Saxon,  signifying 
the  leader  of  an  army,  a  duke,  the  same 
as  dux  in  the  Latin. 

HERETUM,  a  court  in  which  the 
guards  or  military  retinue  that  usually 
attended  the  old  British  nobility  and 
bishops  were  accustomed  to  parade  or 
draw  up. 

HERGATE,  a  term  derived  from  the 
Saxon,  signifying  a  tribute  which  was 
paid  in  ancient  times  to  the  lord  of  the 
soil,  to  enable  him  to  carry  on  a  war. 

HERISSON,  Fr.  a  turnpike  which  is 
made  of  one  stout  beam  that  is  fenced 
by  a  quantity  of  iron  spikes,  and  which 
is  fixed  upon  a  pivot,  in  the  manner  that 
our  turnstiles  are,  so  that  it  can  turn  in 
every  direction. 

Herisson  foudroyant,  Fr.  a  sort  of 
artificial  firework  which  has  several 
sharp  points  attached  to  it  on  the  out- 
side, and  is  filled  with  inflammable  com- 
position within.  It  is  frequently  used  in 
breaches  and  intrenchments. 

HERM-HARPOCRATES,  a  demi- 
god, in  the  heathen  mythology,  that  is 
represented,  like  Mercury,  with  wings 
at  his  feet,  and  with  his  linger  on  his 
mouth.  This  allegorical  figure  indicates 
to  young  officers,  tliat  they  must  in  all 
things,  and  on  all  occasions,  execute 
the  orders  of  their  superiors  in  com- 
mand with  dispatch,  zeal,  and  secrecy, 
and    without   betraying  the   least  symp- 


toms of  disgust  or  backwardness,  be  the 
orders  ever  so  arduous  or  unpleasant. 

HERO,  (hcroSyYr.)  This  name  was 
given  by  the  ancients  to  those  men  who 
became  illustrious  in  war,  and  who  were 
styled  demi-gods,  from  a  general  notion 
that  their  actions  entitled  them  to  a 
place  in  heaven  immediately  after  their 
decease.  The  heroes  of  antiquity  were 
divided  into  two  classes,  the  one  of  mor- 
tal genealogy,  the  other  of  heavenly  de- 
scent ;  being  the  offspring  of  some  god 
or  goddess  who  had  had  connexion  with 
the  human  species. 

Modern  authors  make  a  distinction 
between  a  hero  and  a  great  man  ;  the 
former  appellation  being  given  to  one 
who  distinguishes  himself  by  feats  of 
hardihood  in  military  enterprize,  and 
the  latter  to  a  person  eminent  for  his 
virtues  and  extraordinary  talents  in  civil 
life. 

HEROINE,  a  term  generally  applied 
to  a  woman  who  has  given  exemplary 
proofs  of  courage  and  virtue. 

HERRISON.     See  HfeuissoN. 

HERSE,  in  fortification,  a  grated 
door,  formed  by  strong  pieces  of  wood, 
joined  cross-ways  like  a  lattice  or  har- 
row, and  struck  full  of  iron  spikes.  It 
is  usually  hung  by  a  rope  and  fastened 
to  a  moulinet,  which  is  cut  in  case  of 
a  surprize,  or  when  the  first  gate  is 
suddenly  forced  with  a  petard,  to  the 
end  that  it  may  fall  and  stop  the  pas- 
sage of  a  gate  or  other  entrance  of  a 
fortress. 

These  heises  are  also  often  laid  in  the 
roads,  with  the  points  upwards,  instead 
of  the  chevaux-de-frize,  to  incommode 
the  march  of  both  horse  and  foot 
Common  harrows  are  sometimes  made 
use  of  in  cases  of  emergency,  with  their 
points  upwards. 

HERSILLOX,  a  strong  beam,  whose 
sides  are  struck  full  of  spikes,  which  is 
thrown  across  the  breach  made  by  an 
enemv,  to  render  it  impassible. 

HESSIANS,  troops  belonging  to  tha 
Prince  of  Hesse-Cassel  in  Germany. 
They  have  been  frequently  hired  by 
Great  Britain,  and  are  never  known  to 
serve  except  as  auxiliaries  to  other 
pou  ers,  who  pay  a  stipulated  price  for 
each  man  to  the  Landgrave  of  that  part 
of  Germany. 

HETERIENNES,   Fr.    See    Meg- 

CHiltRIARQUE. 

HETMAN,    Fr.   sometimes  called 


H  I  E 


(     363     ) 


H  I  N 


Attaman,  a  word  derived  from  the 
German,  which  signifies  the  chief  of  a 
troop.  The  chief  general  or  grand 
general  in  Poland  is  called  Hetman 
Wielki,  and  the  second  general  Hetman 
Polny. 

The  chief  or  general  of  the  Cossacks 
is  likewise  invested  with  this  title  by  the 
sovereigns  of  Russia. 

HEURTEQUINS,  Fr.  two  pieces  of 
iron  resembling  a  knocker,  which  are 
placed  upon  the  axis  of  the  frame  of  a 
cannon. 

HEURTOIR    de  soutien,    Fr.      See 

HURTER. 

HEXAEDRON,  (hexaedre,  Fr.)  a 
solid  geometrical  figure,  consisting  of  six 
equal  sides. 

HEXAGON,  a  figure  of  6  sides  and 
as  many  angles,  capable  of  being  forti- 
fied with  6  bastions.  If  the  sides  and 
angles  be  equal,  it  is  called  a  regular 
hexagon.  The  side  of  a  regular  hexagon 
inscribed  in  a  circle  is  equal  to  the  radius 
of  that  circle ;  hence  a  regular  hexagon 
is  inscribed  in  a  circle,  by  setting  the 
radius  of  C  times  upon  the  periphery:  as 
1  to  1.672,  so  is  the  square  of  the  side 
of  any  regular  hexagon  to  the  area 
thereof,  nearly. 

HEYDUC,  originally  a  Hungarian 
soldier,  who  was  armed  with  a  long 
sabre  and  small  hatchet.  The  French 
kings  were  accustomed  to  have  men, 
who  were  dressed  in  their  livery,  placed 
at  the  gates  of  their  palaces.  These 
were  called  heyducs.  At  Vienna  and 
Berlin,  as  well  as  at  the  subordinate 
courts  in  Germany,  the  princes  and  no- 
blemen have  persons  of  this  description, 
who  are  richly  clothed,  and  constantly 
attend  their  carriages. 

HIDES  (tanned)  are  always  carried 
.along  with  an  army,  especially  in  the 
laboratory's  stores,  to  protect  powder  or 
Shells  from  rain ;  they  are  also  used  in 
batteries  and  in  laboratories. 

HIE,  Fr.  a  paving  beetle,  or  rammer, 
called  also  Demoiseli  r,  Mot  ton. 

HIEMENT,  Fr.  the  noise  which  is 
made  by  pieces  of  wood  that  are  agitated 
by  the  wind ;  also  that  which  proceeds 
from  the  exercise  of  the  rammer,  or 
from  large  weights  which  are  lifted  up. 

HIERARCHY, church  government. 

"HIERNHUTT.  Three  missionaries 
are  so  called  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
They  have  considerable  influence  over 
a  large  body  of  the  Hottentots,  whom 
they  have  in  some  degree  civilized,  and 


over  whose  minds  they  possess  great 
power.  The  Hiernhutt  missionaries  are 
considered  by  the  English  as  weil-mean- 
ing  men,  rendering  the  situation  of  some 
hundreds  of  that  degraded  race  much 
more  tolerable  than  it  Can  possibly  be 
to  the  aggregate  of  their  oppressed  coun- 
trymen, who  are  under  the  lash  and 
tyranny  of  the  Dutch  boors.  Should  a 
military  corps  be  established  in  the 
colony  to  consist  chiefly  of  Hottentots, 
the  Hiernhutt  missionaries  may  be  made 
the  means  of  attaching  those  people  to 
the  British  government. 

HI  E  ROGLY  PH ICS,  (  hieroghjphes, 
Fr.)  certain  mysterious  characters  of 
creatures  or  letters  used  among  the 
.Egyptians,  by  which  they  explained  to 
one  another  the  principles  of  their  reli- 
gion and  their  maxims  of  philosophy, 
without  divulging  them  to  strangers. 

HIERONIC/E,  a  name  given  among 
the  Romans  to  those  who  conquered  in 
holy  contests. 

HlEROGRAMMATES.  See  Hie- 
roglyphics. 

HIGHLANDER,  according  to  John- 
son, any  person  from  a  mountainous 
country. 

Highlanders,  a  robust,  warlike  body 
of  men  from  the  north  of  Scotland. 

They  wear  a  dress  peculiar  to  them- 
selves, which  is  too  generally  known  to 
require  a  minute  description  here.  It 
may  not,  however,  be  superfluous  to 
give  the  following  regulation  respecting 
their  clothing  when  they  serve  abroad. 
Each  serjeant,  corporal,  drummer,  and 
private  man,  is,  in  that  case,  to  have 
annually,  a  scarlet  coat,  a  waistcoat  of 
white  serge,  a  bonnet,  and  four  pair  of 
hose  ;  six.  yards  of  plaid  once  in  two 
years,  and  a  purse  ever)'  seven  years. 

HIGHWAYS  of  the  kingdom.  As 
in  every  country  where  a  military  force 
has  been  kept  on  foot,  the  soldiers 
have  constantly  been  employed  upon 
public  works,  it  has  appeared  singular, 
that  the  roads  of  Great  Britain  should 
not  have  experienced  the  same  speedy 
and  useful  aid. 

HILT,  the  handle  of  a  sword. 

HINDOOSTANEE,  the  prevailing 
language  in  India,  a  knowledge  of  which, 
together  with  that  of  the  Persian  and 
thi  \rabic,  is  indispensably  necessary, 
to  every  officer  who  serves  in  that 
country . 

HINGES  are  two  iron  bands,  with  ;* 
joint,  nailed   to  the  doors  or  lockers  ol 
3  A  2 


H  O  L 


(     364    ) 


II  O  M 


gun-carriages  to  fasten  or  to  move  them 
backwards  ami  forwards. 

HiNGUET,  Fr.   See  Gik<j,uet. 

HIPPODROME,  a  French  trim 
derived  from  tlie  Greek,  signifying  a 
spot  where  horses  used  to  run,  property 
speaking  a  nice-ground.  The  Hippo- 
drome, or  course,  at  Constantinople  was 
much  celebrated  in  ancient  days.  The 
spot  still  exists  under  that  mum-. 

H1PPORCHA,  an  officer  of  high  rank 
ajnqng  die  Athenians,  who  had  the  com- 
mand of  all  their  cavalry. 

H1RCARRAH,  orrflRCARRA,  an 
Indian  term  for  a  messenger,  guide, 
footman,  or  spy. 

HISTORY,  a  narration  or  description 
of  the  several  transactions  or  events  of 
a  state,  king,  or  private  person,  in  the 
order  in  which  they  happened. 

Ui/itan/  History,  a  narrative  of 
military  transactions,  campaigns,  battles, 
sieges,  marches,  &c.  of  an  arm)  ;  like- 
wise a  relation  of  the  heroic  actions  ol 
great  generals,  8tc. 

HIVER  (qua/tier  d'J,  Fr.  winter 
quarters. 

HIVERNER,  Fr.  to  winter. 

HOBITS.     See  Howitz. 

HOCHE,  Fr.  a  notch  or  cut  made  in 
a  piece  of  timber. 

IKXKEBOS,  and  not  HOCHEBl  >S, 
Fr.  pikeman,  formerly  so  called.  It 
also  signifies  the  pike  itself,  particularly 
among   the    inhabitants   of  Picardy   in 

* 

France.  The  Flemish  people  call  it 
godenhoi. 

HOG-MANE.  When  the  mane  of  a 
horse  is  cut  short,  it,  is  said  to  be  bog- 
inaned,  from  its  resemblance  to  the 
upper  part  of  the  neck  of  a  pig  or  hog, 
whose  bristles  are  short  and  upright. 

HOGSHEAD,  a  vessel  capable  of 
containing  03  gallons..  Hogsheads  filled 
with  earth,  sand,  &.c.  are  sometimes 
used  in  lieu  of  gabions  to  cover  men. 

HOLD.    See  F  IS1  >  ESSES. 

lb  Hold  out,  to  maintain  any  place, 
ground,  is:c.  resolutely  against  an  enemy. 

HOLLOW  square,  the  form  in  which 
a  body  of  foot  is  drawn  up,  with  an  empty 
space  in  the  middle  for  the  colours, 
drums,  baggage,  Sec.     See  Square. 

Hollow  tower,  a  rounding  made  of 
the  remainder  of  two  brisures,  to  join 
the  curtain  to  the  orillon,  where  the 
small  shot  are  played,  that  they  may 
■  not  be  so  much  exposed  to  the  view  of 
the  enemy. 


Hollow  way,  any  pass  or  road, 
both  sides  of  which  are  commanded  by 
heights. 

HOLSTERS,  cases  for  a  horseman's 
pistols,  affixed  to  the  pommel  of  the 
saddle. 

Order  of  llu  HOLY  GHOST,  the 
principal  military  order  in  France,  insti- 
tuted by  Henry  HI.  in  1569.  Ir  con- 
sisted of  loo  knights,  who  wen  t(.  make 
proof  of  their  nobilit)  for  three  descents. 
The  king  was  the  grandmaster,  or  sove- 
reign, and  as  such,  took  an  oath  on  his 
coronation-day,  to  maintain  the  dignity 
of  the  order.  The  knights  wear  a  golden 
cross  bung  about  their  necks  by  a  blue 
silk  ribband,  or  collar:  but  before  they 
received  this  order  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
that  of  St.  Michael  was  <  onferred,  as  a 
neci  5sary  degree;  and  for  this  reason 
their  arms  are  surrounded  with  a  double 
collar. 

IJOBIE-SERVICE  consists  in  mili- 
tary operations  and  arrangements  for  the 
immediate'  defence  of  our  native  country, 
should  it  be  thre  atened  by  invasion,  or 
by  domestic  broils,  or  insurrections. 

[Ioue- Department,  a  place  at  White- 
hall, where  every  thing  relating  to  the 
interior  regulations  of  the  country  is  trans- 
ailed.  It  is  often  called  the  Home  Office. 
The  Secretary  of  State  for  the  Home 
Department  has  his  signature  affixed  to 
commissions  in  the  army,  for  which  he 
receives  a  certain  portion  of  the  fees. 

HOMME  d'anms,  a  military  phrase 
among  the  French,  signifying  a  gentle- 
man or  cavalii  r  who  belonged  to  one  of 
the  old  companies,  was  armed  cap-a- 
pee,  and  always  fought  on  horseback. 
In  ancient  times,  every  man  of  this  de- 
scription was  accompanied  by  two  horse- 
men independent  of  his  servants.  One 
of  the  mounted  attendants  was  armed 
with  a  cross-bow,  and  the  other  with  a 
common  bow  or  battle-axe  :  so  that  one 
hundred  homines  d' mints  composed  a 
body  of  three  hundred  horse.  It  was  a 
species  of  cavalry,  which  existed  from 
the  reign  of  Louis  XI.  until  the  reign  of 
Henry  11.  Charles  VII.  had  begun  to 
form  the  French  nobility  into  regular 
corps  of  cavalry,  dividing  them  into  dif- 
ferent troops.  Out  of  these  he  esta- 
blished a  body  of  fifteen  hundred  homines 
d'armts,  or  armed  bowmen,  and  he  gave 
the  troops  or  companies,  according  to 
their  sizes,  to  the  princes,  and  most 
experienced   captains  in   his  kingdom. 


H  O  N 


(     305     ) 


HON 


For  particulars  we  refer  the  curious  to 
Le  Geriure  and  Gaia,  Trait'e  des  Asrm.es, 
L.  14,  and  to  Fau.het,  L.  2.  C.  1.  de  son 
Traiti  de  la  Milice  tt  des  Amies. 

Hommes  de  ckeval,  Fr.  In  all  military 
descriptions  which  relate  to  cavalry,  the 
French  usually  say,  cinquante,  cent,  deux 
cents,  deiuc  mille,  Sfc.  homines  de  ckeval, 
fifty,  one  hundred,  two  hundred,  two 
thousand  horse,  or  cavalry. 

Etre  Homme  de  chevul,  a  term  in 
French  equitation,  signifying,  that  a  man 
is  completely  master  of  his  horse,  or 
knows  how  to  manage  him  thoroughly, 
and  according  to  prescribed  rules  and 
regulations.  Thus,  II  est  suffisammeat 
homme  de  ckeval  pour  netre  point  em- 
varrassi  de  celui  qu'il  mohte,  en  comman- 
dant sa  troupe.  He  is  sufficiently  master 
of  his  horse,  or  he  is  horseman  enough, 
to  be  perfectly  at  ease  on  the  one  he  rides 
in  exercising  his  troop. 

Homme  de  corps,  Fr.     See  Serf. 

Homme  Jidtle,  Fr.  an  individual  who, 
according  to  the  old  feudal  system,  was 
attached  to  some  lord,  to  whom  his 
goods  and  chattels  devolved,  in  case  he 
died  without  heirs  in  the  line  direct. 
Homme  feudal 'aire  signifies  the  same. 

Hommes  de  pied,  Fr,  in  all  accounts 
of  infantry,  the  French  say  cinquante 
homines  de  pied,  See.  fiftv  foot  or  infantry. 

HOMOGRAPH,  invented  by  Lieute- 
nant Spratt  of  the  royal  navy. 

This  new,  easy,  and  useful  code  of 
signals  is  to  be  performed  with  a  white 
pocket  handkerchief,  to  be  held  in  dif- 
ferent positions  of  the  body.  For  parti- 
culars see  page  165,  vol.  11,  of  Trans- 
actions of  the  Society  for  the  Encourage- 
ment of  Arts,  Manufactures,  and  Com- 
merce, 1809. 

HONDEAAX  or  HI  \ T)  V  YEAN  N , 
an  Indian  term  signifying  commission  oh 
bills  of  exchange. 

HONEY-COMB,  (rayon  de  micl,  Fr.) 
in  a  general  acceptation  of  the  term,  cells 
of  wax,  in  which  the  bee  stores  her  honey. 
Hence  Honey-comb,  (fente,  Fr.)  in  gun- 
nery, which  is  a  cavity  or  lia\v  resembling 
one  of  those  cells. 

HONEY-COMBED,  having  a  flaw. 

HONEY-Cwwfo  in  cannon,  flaws  in 
the  metal,  a  fault  in  casting,  which  ren- 
ders it  extremely  dangerous  in  firing. 
The  Board  of  Ordnance  rejects  all  guns 
(on  proof)  having  an  honey-comb  of 
l-9th  of  an  inch  deep,  as  being  unfit 
for  service. 

HONGRELINE,    a  kind  of   short 


waistcoat  stiffened  like  jumps  or  stays, 
worn  by  the  Hungarian  ladies;  its  com- 
position to  us  is  unknown.  It  was  sup- 
posed to  resist  a  pistol  ball,  or  the  point 
of. a  sword.  Marshal  Saxe  always  wore 
one.  There  was  another  sort,  of  small 
chain-work.  See  Index  to  the  Life  of 
Gustavus  Adolphus. 

HON  I  soit  qui  mal  y  pensc,  Fr.  Evil 
be  to  him  who  evil  thinks.  The  motto 
of  the  most  noble  order  of  the  Knights 
of  the  Garter.  It  appears  in  all  the  royal 
arms  of  Great  Britain.     See  Order. 

HONNEUR,  Fr.  honour. 

Honneurs  Militaires,  Fr.  military 
honours.  It  was  directed  by  a  general 
instruction  in  the  French  service,  that 
whenever  an  officer  saluted  or  paid  a 
military  honour  to  a  general  officer,  he 
should  make  his  troop  or  company  in- 
variably face  towards  the  enemy.  The 
same  practice  prevails  in  our  service. 

Honneurs  funtbres,  Fr.  funeral  ho- 
nours.    See  Burials, 

HONOUR,  in  a  military  sense,  is  an 
expression  to  which  custom  has  given 
different  meanings.  Real  Honour  consists 
in  the  constant  practice  of  virtue.  Aris- 
totle calls  it  the  recompense  of  virtue  : 
the  testimony  of  the  excellence  of  a 
man  who  distinguishes  himself  by  virtue. 
An  Italian  writer  calls  it  a  state  of  in- 
violable dignity,  above  all  calumny  and 
all  suspicion.  Honour  gives  many  ad- 
vantages; it  procures  us  the  considera- 
tion of  the  public ;  it  advances  our 
fortunes.  The  best  recompense  of  an 
action  is,  undoubtedly,  the  satisfaction 
of  having  done  it ;  but  nevertheless,  the 
honour  resulting  to  us  from  it  is  a  real 
good,  which  should  be  dear  to  us. 

Honour,  in  a  general  acceptation, 
may  be  properly  called  susceptibility. 
As  a  term  it  is  variously  used  in  military 
life,  and  frequently  misunderstood  by 
young  and  inexperienced  officers  in  their 
iirst  outset.  As  a  quality  of  the  mind, 
it  cannot  be  too  much  encouraged,  or 
too  much  cultivated  among  officers  of  all 
ranks  and  descriptions.  The  possession 
of  it  is  a  guarantee  for  good  conduct,  a 
bond  of  fidelity,  and  a  certain  barrier 
against  military  corruption.  Most  men 
are  excited  to  deeds  of  valour  and  enter- 
prize  by  a  sense  of  honour,  who  would 
otherwise  remain  inactive,"  or  only  per- 
form the  mere  drudgery  of  service.  This 
species  of  Honour  is,  in  fact,  the  root 
of  that  Esprit  de  Corps  which  makes  a 
whole  body  of  officers  tenacious  of  repu- 


II  O  N 


(     360     ) 


H  O  N 


tntion,  and  solicitous  to  preserve  it  un- 
sullied, from  the  colonel  down  to  the 
lowest  drum  boy. 

This  term  may  likewise  be  considered 
as  esteem,  reputation,  the  glory  which 
is  attached  by  mankind  to  talents  and 
virtues. 

No  term,  perhaps,  has  ever  been  so 
much  misunderstood  or  misapplied  as 
the  word  honour,  especially  among  per- 
sons who  assume  importance  from  the 
adventitious  circumstances  of  birth,  or 
situation.  It  frequently  happens  that 
an  individual  having  occasion  to  enter 
into  pecuniary  engagements,  will  not 
only  give  his  honour,  but  sign  his  name 
to  deeds  for  the  punctual  discharge  of 
them,  yet  on  the  day  of  liquidation  this 
phantom  of  honour  not  only  forfeits  his 
word,  but  cavils  and  disputes  about  his 
signature.  We  could  exemplify  our  ob- 
servation by  a  variety  of  instance's  in 
private  and  public  life,  were  not  the  ex- 
istence of  the  fact  too  notorious  to  stand 
in  need  of  exemplification,  even,  among 
military  men ;  who  ought  to  be  not  only 
honourable,  but  honest  men. 

Affair  of  Hosoi'R.  We  have  already 
given  a  general  outline  of  this  term  un- 
der Duelling.  The  propriety  or  im- 
propriety, as  well  as  the  legality  or  ille- 
gality of  which  mode  of  terminating  hu- 
man differences  is  too  well  explained  by 
the  celebrated  English  lawyer  John 
Selden  to  be  omitted  here.  His  words 
are  under  the  head  Duel ;  we  shall  quote 
them  under  that  of  Affair  of  Honour. 

"  A  duel  may  still  he  granted  in  some 
cases  by  the  law  of  England,  arid  only 
there.  That  the  church  allowed  it  an- 
ciently appears  by  this:  In  their  public 
liturgies  there  were  prayers  appointed  for 
the  duellists  to  say,  the  judge  used  to 
bid  them  go  to  such  a  church  and  pray, 
&c.  But  whether  this  is  lawful  ?  If 
yoa  make  any  war  lawful,  I  make  no 
doubt  but  to  convince  you  of  it.  War 
is  lawful,  because  God  is  the  only  judge 
liet ween  two  that  are  supreme.  Now  if 
,1  difference  happen  between  two  subjects, 
and  it  cannot  be  decided  bv  human  tes- 
timony, why  may  they  not  put  it  to 
<ind  to  judge  between  them,  by  the  per- 
mission of  the  prince?  Nay,  what  if  we 
should  bring  it  down.,  for  argument's 
sake,  to  the  sword-men;  one  gives  me 
the  lie  ;  it  is  a  great  disgrace  to  take  it ; 
the  law  has  made  no  provision  to  give 
remedy  for  the  injury,  (if  you  can  sup- 
po«*  an\  thing  an  injury  for  which  the 


law  gives  no  remedy,)  why  am  not  I,  io 
this  case  supreme,  and  may  therefore 
right  myself? 

"  A  Duke  ought  to  fight  with  a  gen- 
tle/nan ;  the  reason  is  /his  :  the  gentleman 
will  toy  to  the  duke,  it  is  true,  you  hold 
a  higher  place  in  the  state  than  1 ;  there 
is  a  great  difference  between  you  and  me, 
but  your  dignity  does  not  jrrivilege  you 
to  do  me  an  injury  ;  as  soon  as  ever  you 
do  me  an  injury,  you  make  yourself  my 
equal ;  and  as  you  are  my  equal,  I  chal- 
lenge, you ;  and,  in  sense,  the  duke  is 
bound  to  answer  him." 

In  addition  to  what  our  learned 
countryman  has  said  upon  duelling,  we 
shall  quote  a  passage  from  Dr.  Robert- 
son's History  of  the  Reign  of  Charles 
the  Yth,  which  will  shew,  that  this 
mode  of  terminating  private  disputes  is. 
extremely  ancient. 

"  It  is  evident,"  observes  that  author, 
"  from  Yelleius  Paterculus,  lib.  ii.  c.  118, 
that  all  questions  which  were  decided 
among  the  Romans  by  legal  trial,  were 
terminated  among  the  Germans  by  arms. 
The  same  thing  appears  in  the  ancient 
laws  and  customs  of  the  Swedes,  quoted 
by  Jo.  O.  Stiernhook  de  Jure  Suenum  et 
Gothorum  vetusto,  4to.  Holmiae,  1082, 
lib.  i.  c.  7.  It  is  probable,  that  when 
the  various  tribes  which  invaded  the 
empire  were  converted  to  Christianity, 
their  ancient  custom  of  allowing  judicial 
combats  appeared  so  glaringly  repugnant 
to  the  precepts  of  religion,  that  for  some 
time,  it  was  abolished,  and  by  degrees, 
sei  eral  circumstances  which  I  have  men- 
tioned hd  them  to  resume  it. 

"  It  seems  likewise  to  be  probahle, 
from  a  law  quoted  by  Stiernhook  in  the 
treatise  which  I  have  mentioned,  that 
the  judicial  combat  was  originally  per- 
mitted in  order  to  determine  points  re- 
specting the  personal  character,  or  repu- 
tation, of  individuals,  and  was  afterwards 
extended  not  only  to  criminal  cases  but 
to  questions  concerning  property.  The 
words  of  the  law  are,  '  If  any  man  shall 
say  to  another  these  reproachful  words, 
'  You  are  not  a  man  equal  to  other 
men,'  or  '  You  have  not  the  heart  of  a 
man,'  and  the  other  shall  reply ;  '  I  am 
a  man  as  good  as  you,'  let  them  nnfet 
on  the  highway.  If  he  who  first  gave 
offence  appear,  and  the  person  offended 
absent  himself,  let  the  latter  be  deemed 
a  worse  man  even  than  he  was  called  : 
let  him  not  be  admitted  to  give  evidence 
in  judgment  either  for  man  or  woman. 


HON 


;(     367     ) 


II  O  N 


and  let  him  not  have  the  privilege  of 
making  a  testament.  If  he  who  gave 
the  offence  be  absent,  and  only  the  per- 
son offended  appear,  let  him  call  upon 
the  other  thrice  with  a  loud  voice,  and 
make  a  mark  upon  the  earth,  and  then 
let  him,  who  absented  himself,  be  deemed 
infamous,  because  he  uttered  words  which 
he  durst  not  support.  If  both  shall  ap- 
pear properly  armed,  and  the  person  of- 
fended shall  fall  in  the  combat,  let  a  half 
compensation  be  paid  for  his  death.  But 
if  the  person  who  gave  the  offence  shall 
fall,  let  it  be  imputed  to  his  own  rash- 
ness. The  petulance  of  his  tongue  hath 
been  fatal  to  him.  Let  him  lie  in  the 
field,  without  any  compensation  being 
demanded  for  his  death.'  Lex  Uplandica 
ap.  Stiern.  p.  76.  Martial  people  were 
extremely  delicate  with  respect  to  every 
thing  that  affected  their  reputation  as 
soldiers.  By  the  laws  of  the  Salians,  if 
any  man  called  another  a  hare,  i.  e.  a 
runaway,  or  accused  him  of  having  left 
his  shield  in  the  field  of  battle,  he  was 
ordained  to  pay  a  large  fine.  Leg.  Sal. 
tit.  xxxii.  §  4.  6.  By  the  law  of  the 
Lombards,  if  any  one  called  another 
arga,  i.e.  a  good-for-nothing  fellow,  he 
might  immediately  challenge  him  to  com- 
bat.— Leg.  Longob.  lib.  i.  tit.  v.  §  i.  By 
the  law  of  the  Salians,  if  one  called  ano- 
ther cenitu^  a  term  of  reproach  equiva- 
lent to  arga,  he  was  bound  to  pay  a 
very  high  fine,  tit.  xxxii.  §  i.  Paulus 
Diaconus  relates  the  violent  impression 
which  this  reproachful  expression  made 
upon  one  of  his  countrymen,  and  the 
fatal  effects  with  which  it  was  attended. 
De  Gestis  Longobard.  lib.  vi.  c.  24. — 
Thus  the  ideas  concerning  the  point  of 
honour,  which  we  are  apt  to  consider 
as  a  modern  refinement,  as  well  as  the 
practice  of  duelling,  to  which  it  gave 
rise,  are  derived  from  the  notion  of  our 
ancestors,  while  in  a  state  of  society 
very  little  improved.''  See  Robertson's 
History  of  Charles  V.  pages  271,  272. 

We  shall  not  take  leave  of  our  learned 
author,  without  giving  two  or  three  in- 
stances, out  of  his  proofs  and  illustra- 
tions, relative  to  the  termination  of  pri- 
vate, feuds  by  judicial,  or  private  combat. 

This  mode  of  trial  was  so  acceptable, 
that  ecclesiastics,  notwithstanding  the 
prohibitions  of  the  church,  were  con- 
strained not  only  to  connive  at  the  prac- 
tice, but  to  authorize  it.  A  remarkable 
instance  of  this  is  produced  by  Pasquier, 
Recherches,  lib.  iv.  chap.  i.  p.  250.  The 


abbot  Wittikindus  considered  the  deter- 
mination of  a  point  of  law  by  combat  as 
the  best  and  most  honourable  mode  of 
decision. 

In  the  year  978,  a  judicial  combat  was 
fought  in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor. 
The  Archbishop  Aldebert  advised  him 
to  terminate  a  contest  which  had  arisen 
between  two  noblemen  of  his  court,  by 
this  mode  of  decision.  The  vanquished 
combatant,  though  a  person  of  high  rank, 
was  beheaded  on  the  spot.  Chronic. 
Ditmari.  Episc.  Mersb.  chez  Bouquet, 
Recueil  des  Hist,  torn  x,  p.  121.  Ques- 
tions concerning  the  property  of  churches 
and  monasteries  were  decided  by  combat. 
In  the  year  961,  a  controversy  concern- 
ing the  church  of  St.  Medard,  whether 
it  belonged  to  the  abbey  of  Beaulieu  or 
not,  was  terminated  by  judicial  combat. 
Bouquet,  Recueil  des  Hist.  torn.  iv.  p. 
729,  ibid.  p.  612,  &c.  The  Emperor 
Henry  I.  declares,  that  this  law,  authori- 
zing the  practice  of  judicial  combats,  was 
enacted  with  the  consent  and  applause 
of  many  faithful  bishops.  Ibid.  p.  231. 
So  remarkably  did  the  martial  ideas  of 
those  ages  prevail  over  the  genius  and 
maxims  of  the  canon  law,  which  in  other 
instances  was  in  the  highest  credit  and 
authority  with  ecclesiastics.  A  judicial 
combat  was  appointed  in  Spain  by 
Charles  V.  A.D.  1522.  The  combatants 
fought  in  the  presence  of  the  Emperor, 
and  the  battle  was  conducted  with  all 
the  rites  prescribed  by  the  ancient  laws 
of  chivalry.  The  whole  transaction  is 
described  at  great  length  by  Pontus 
Heuterus,  Rer.  Austriac.  lib.  viii.  c.  17 
p.  205. 

The  last  instance  which  occurs  in  the 
history  of  France,  of  a  judicial  combat 
authorized  by  the  magistrate,  was  the. 
famous  one  between  M.  Jarnac  and  M. 
de  la  Chaistaignerie,  A.D.  1547.  A 
trial  by  combat  was  appointed  in  Eng- 
land, A.D.  1571,  under  the  inspection 
of  the  judges  in  the  court  of  Common 
Pleas ;  and  though  it  was  not  carried  to 
the  same  extremity  with  the  former, 
(Queen  Elizabeth  having  interposed  her 
authority,  and  enjoined  the  parties  to 
compound  the  matter,)  yet  in  order  to 
preserve  their  honour,  the  lists  were 
marked  out,  and  all  the  forms,  previous 
to  the  combat,  were  observed  with  much 
ceremony.  Spelm.  Gloss.  Voc.  Gitiatpus, 
p.  103.  In  the  year  1631,  a  judicial 
combat  was  appointed  between  Donald 
Lord  Rea.  and  David  Kamsay,  Esq.  by 


HON 


(    hob   ) 


HON 


the  authority  of  the  Lord  High  Con- 
stable and  Earl  Marshal  ot' England ;  but 
that  quarrel  likewise  terminated  without 
bloodshed,  being  accommodated  by 
Charles  I.  Another  instance  occurs 
seven  years  later.  Rushworth  in  obser- 
vation on  the  Statutes,  &c.  p.  266. 

It  manifestly  appears  from  these  ex- 
tracts, that,  in  former  times,  not  only 
the  property  of  individuals  was  consi- 
dered, but  their  feelings,  as  men  of 
honour,  were  consulted.  Law,  however, 
soon  obtained  the  entire  ascendancy,  and 
judicial,  or  private  combats,  were  not 
only  laid  aside,  but  were  moreover 
strictly  forbidden.  The  military  charac- 
ter alone  seems  to  have  retained  a  sort 
of  innate  privilege  to  make  appeals  to 
the  sword,  in  cases  where  the  nice  sen- 
sibility of  the  heart  breaks  through  the 
trammels  of  legal  disquisition,  and  •  sta- 
blishes  points  of  honour  which  can  only  be 
determined  by  personal  exposure.  1  bus 
we  find  that  although  premeditated  duels 
were  severely  punished  in  France,  Ren- 
contres, or  accidental  quarrels,  were  al- 
ways overlooked,  whatever  their  issue 
might  be.  Frederick  the  Great  of  l'rus- 
tia  seems  to  have  set  his  face  against 
duelling  altogether.  Yet  it  is  singular, 
that  notwithstanding  his  severe  prohibi- 
tion, a  Prussian  officer  was  under  the  ne- 
cessity either  of  vindicating  his  wounded 
honour  by  an  appeal  to  the  sword  or 
pistol,  or  was  disgraced  for  having  suf- 
fered a  personal  affront.  This  happened 
in  1782.  With  us  the  same  hardship 
exists.  Lord  Kenyon  once  declared  from 
the  bench,  that  he  would  personally  in- 
terfere as  expounder  of  the  British  laws, 
should  any  minister  recommend  mercy 
to  his  Majesty  on  the  conviction  of  an 
individual  who  had  murdered  his  fellow 
creature  in  a  duel :  and  we  have  lately 
had  a  most  convincing  proof,  that  the 
practice  is  not  only  discountenanced  by 
the  King  and  Commander  in  I  hief,  but 
that  every  transgression  must  entail  dis- 
pleasure on  the  othcer. 

Word  of  Honour,  (parole  d'honneur, 
Fr.)  a  promise  or  engagement  that  is 
made  or  entered  into  by  word  of  mouth, 
the  breach  of  which  entails  disgrace 
upon  the  violator. 

Point  of  Honour,  (point  d'honneur, 
Fr.)  a  delicacy  of  feeling,  which  is  ge- 
nerally acquired  by  education,  and 
Strengthened  by  an  intercourse  with  men 
of  strict  integrity  and  good  conduct.  It 
is  likewise  very  frequently  the  offspring 


of  peculiar  habits,  received  notions,  and 
established  etiquettes.  The  French  fa- 
miliarly say,  lis  sc  sunt  battm  pour  nn 
point  d'honneur,  they  fought  for  a  point 
of  honour;  they  likewise  say,  II y  VQ  de 
son \  honneur,  his  honour  is  at  stake.  As 
young  \or\al  emphatically  exclaims  in 
Douglas, 
Honour!  sole  judge  and  umpire  of  itself! 

To  die  upon  the  bedqfHoxovR,  (mou- 

rir  tin  tit  <l  honneur,  Ir.)  is  a  term  par- 
ticularly applied  to  military  men,  who 
die  in  battle  fighting  in  their  country's 
cause 

A  Court  of  Honour.  Although  a 
court  of  honour  may  be  said,  in  some 
degree,  to  resemble  a  board  of  inquiry, 
nevertheless  it  cannot  be  strictly  so ; 
tor  a  court  of  honour  has  not  only  the 
power  of  ascertaining  the  degree  ol  guilt 
which  may  be  attached  to  misconduct, 
but  it  can  entail  ignominy  upon  the 
guilty  persons;  whereas  a  court  of  in- 
quiry only  investigates  the  matter  and 
circumstances,  and  determines  whether 
there  be  sufficient  ground  to  try  the  ac- 
cused before  a  general  court-martial  ; 
which  is  the  last  resort  of  military  juris- 
diction, and  unites  within  itself  all  the 
qualities  and  powers  of  the  other  two 
courts. 

A  debt  of  Honour,  an  obligation 
which,  among  honourable  men, especially 
officers,  is  more  binding  than  those  en- 
gagements or  contracts  that  are  gua- 
ranteed by  law.    The  reason  is  manifest. 

Honours  by  Guards,  as  a  compliment 
to  general  officers,  fyc.  with  the  detail  of 
officers  and  men  theij  arc  entitled  to  in 
the  English  mini/. 

The  commander  in  chief,  if  a  field- 
marshal  or  captain  general,  has  1  cap- 
tain, 1  lieutenant,  1  ensign,  2  Serjeants, 
2  drummers,  2  filers,  and  50  privates, 
with  colours. 

A  general  of  horse  and  foot  has  1  cap- 
tain, 1  subaltern,  2  seijeants,  2  drum- 
mers, 2  fifeis,  and  50  privates. 

A  lieutenant-general  of  horse  and  foot 
has  1  lieutenant,  1  Serjeant,  1  drummer, 
1  filer,  and  30  privates. 

A  major-general  of  horse  and  foot  has 
1  ensign,  1  Serjeant,  1  drummer,  1  filer, 
and  20  privates. 

A  quarter-master  general  has  1  Ser- 
jeant and  12  privates. 

A  brigadier  has  1  serjeant  and  12  pri- 
vates. 

Majors  of  brigade,  encamped  toge- 
ther, have  1  serjeant  and  2  privates. 


HON 


(     369     ) 


H  O  N 


A  judge  advocate  has  1  Serjeant  and  7 

privates. 

A  provost-marshal  has  1  serjeant  and 
18  privates. 

A  provost-marshal,  when  he  has  pri- 
soners, has  1  lieutenant,  2  Serjeants,  1 
drummer,  1  filer,  and  48  privates. 

Military  Honours.  AH  armies  salute 
crowned  heads  in  the  most  respectful 
manner,  colours  and  standards  dropping 
and  officers  saluting.  Their  guards  pay 
no  compliment  except  to  princes  of  the 
blood,  and  that  by  courtesy  in  the  ab- 
sence of  crowned  heads. 

A  field'tnarshal  is  to  be  saluted  with 
the  colours  and  standards  of  all  the 
forces,  except  the  horse  and  foot-guards, 
and  excepting  when  any  of  the  royal 
family  shall  be  present;  but  in  case  a 
field-marshal  is  colonel  of  any  regiment, 
or  troop  of  horse  or  foot-guards,  he  is 
to  be  saluted  hy  the  colours  or  standards 
of  the  regiment  or  troop  he  commands. 

Generals  of  cavalry  and  infantry, 
upon  all  occasions,  are  to  have  the  march 
beat  to  them,  and  to  be  saluted  by  all 
officers;  those  bearing  the  colours  ex- 
cepted. 

Lieutenant-generals  of  cavalry  and  in- 
fantry are,  upon  all  occasions,  to  be  sa- 
luted by  all  officers.  They  are  to  have  3 
ruffles  given  them,  with  presented  arms. 

Major-generals  are  to  have  two  ruffles 
•with  presented  arms. 

Brigadier-generals  are  to  have  one 
ruffle  with  presented  arms. 

To  colonels  their  own  quarter-guards 
in  camp  turn  out,  and  present  their 
arms,  once  a  day,  after  which  they  only 
turn  out  with  ordered  arms. 

To  majors  their  own  guards  turn  out 
with  ordered  arms  once  a  day ;  at  other 
times  they  stand  by  their  arms. 

When  a  lieutenant-colonel  or  major 
commands  a  regiment,  their  own  quar- 
ter-guards pay  them  the  same  compli- 
ment as  is  ordered  for  the  colonel. 

The  master-general  of  the  ordnance 
is  to  have  the  same  respect  and  honours 
paid  to  him  as  the  generals  of  horse  and 
foot. 

Honours  to  be  paid  by  the  cavalry. — 
A  general  of  cavalry  or  infantry  is  to 
be  received  with  swords  drawn,  kettle- 
<hums  beating,  trumpets  sounding  the 
march,  and  all  the  officers  to  salute,  ex- 
cept the  cornet  bearing  the  standard. 

A  lieutenant-general  is  to  be  received 
with  swords  drawn,  trumpets  sounding 
twice  the  trumpet  flourish,  as  in  draw- 


ing swords,  and  all  the  officers  to  salute 
except  the  cornet  bearing  the  standard  ; 
but  the  kettle-drums  are  not  to  b^flt 

A  major-general  is  to  be  received  with 
swords  drawn.)  one  trumpet  of  each 
squadron  sounding  once  the  trumpet 
flourish,  as  in  drawing  swords;  no  officer 
to  salute,  nor  kettle-drum  to  beat. 

A  brigadier-general  is  to  be  received 
with  swords  drawn ;  no  trumpet  to 
sound.'  nor  any  officer  to  salute,  nor 
kettle-drum  to  beat. 

All  officers  in  the  command  of  forts  or 
garrisons,  have  a  right  to  the  compli- 
mentary honours  from  the  troops  under 
their  command,  which  are  due  to  the 
rank  one  degree  higher  than  the  one 
they  actually  possess. 

Manner  of  paying  honours. — The 
king's  standard  or  colour  in  the  guards 
is  never  to  be  carried  by  any  guard,  ex- 
cept that  which  mounts  on  his  Majesty's 
person. 

The  first  standard,  guidon,  or  colour 
of  regiments,  which  is  the  union  colour, 
is  not  carried  by  any  guard,  but  that  on 
the  King,  Queen,  Prince  of  Wales,  or 
commander  in  chief  being  of  the  royal 
family ;  and,  except  in  those  cases,  it 
shall  always  remain  with  the  regiment. 

When  general  officers,  or  persons  en- 
titled to  a  salute,  pass  in  the  rear  of  a 
guard,  the  officer  is  only  to  make  his 
men  stand  shouldered,  and  not  to  fact 
his  guard  to  the  right  about,  or  beat  his 
drum. 

All  sentries  are  to  pay  a  due  respecft 
to  every  officer  who  passes  by  their  posts, 
but  are  to  keep  their  proper  front  while 
paying  the  compliment. 

All  governors,  whose  commissions  in 
the  army  are  under  the  degree  of  general 
officers,  shall  have,  in  their  own  garri- 
sons, all  the  guards  turn  out  with  rested 
arms:  the  drummers  to  beat  one  ruffle; 
and  though  the  main  guard  turns  out 
with  rested  arms  every  time  he  passes, 
yet  they  give  him  the  compliment  of  the 
drum  but  once  a  day;  but  all  the  other 
guards  beat  as  often  as  he  appears  near 
them. 

If  they  are  general  officers  likewise, 
they  are  then  to  have  the  further  com- 
pliments paid -them,  by  the  several  beat- 
ings of  the  drum,  as  practised  in  the 
army. 

Regulations  of  honours  to  be  paid  to 

admirals.  —  Admirals,    with    their   flags 

on  the  maintop,  are  to  have  the  samo 

respect  from  the  troops  as  generals  of 

3B 


I!  O  N 


(     370     ) 


II  O  N 


cavalry  and  infantry;  that  is,  upon  all 
occasions  to  have  a  march  heat  to  them, 
and  to  be  saluted  by  all  the  ollicers,  those 
bearing  the  colours  excepted. 

Vice-admirals  are  to  have  the  same 
respect  as  lieutenant-generals  of  cavalry 
and  infantry;  that  is,  upon  all  occasions 
be  saluted  by  all  the  officers  in  the  gar- 
rison, the  drummers  beating  3  ruffles. 

The  rear-admirals  are  to  hare  the 
same  respect  as  major-generals,  who 
have  two  ruffles,  and  not  to  be  saluted 
by  any  officer > 

Commodores  with  broad  pendants 
have  the  same  respect  as  brigadier-ge- 
nerals ;  which  is,  to  have  one  ruffle. 

Rank  and  precedence  between  sea  and 
land  officers. — The  admiral,  or  comman- 
der in  chief,  of  his  Majesty's  fleet,  is  to 
rank  with  a  field-marshal  of  the  army. 

The  admirals  with  their  fla^s  on  the 
main-top- mast-head  are  to  have  rank 
with  generals. 

Vice-admiral*  are  to  have  rank  as 
lieutenant-generals. 

Rear-admirals  are  to  have  rank  as 
major-generals. 

Commodores  with  broad  pendants  are 
to  have  rank  as  brigadier-generals. 

Captains  commanding  post  ships,  after 
three  years  from  the  date  of  their  first 
commission  for  a  post  ship,  are  to  have 
rank  as  colonels. 

All  other  captains  commanding  post 
ships,  are  to  have  rank  as  lieutenant- 
colonels. 

Captains  of  his  Majesty's  ships  or 
vessels,  not  taking  post,  are  to  have 
rank  as  majors. 

Lieutenants  of  his  Majesty's  ships  are 
to  have  rank  as  captains. 

The  rank  and  precedence  of  sea  offi- 
cers, in  the  classes  above-mentioned,  are 
10  take  place  according  to  the  seniority 
of  their  respective  commissions. 

Post  captains  commanding  ships  or 
vessels  that  do  not  give  post,  rank  only 
as  majors  during  their  commanding  such 
vessels. 

No  land  officer  is  to  command  any  of 
his  Majesty's  squadrons  or  ships,  nor 
any  sea  officer  to  command  at  land : 
nor  shall  either  have  a  right  to  demand 
military  honours  due  to  their  respective 
ranks,  unless  they  are  upon  actual  ser- 
vice. 

All  guards  and  sentinels  are  to  pay 
the  same  compliments  to  the  officers  of 
the  royal   navy,  as  are  directed  to  be 


paid  to  the  officers  of  the  army,  accord- 
ing to  their  relative  ranks. 

The  compliments  above  directed  are 
to  be  paid  by  the  troops  to  officers  in 
the  service  of  any  power  in  alliance  with 
his  Majesty  according  to  their  respective 
ranks. 

Turning  out  of  the  line.  The  line 
turns  out  without  arms,  whenever  any 
part  of  the  royal  family,  or  the  general 
commanding  in  chief,  comes  along  the 
front  of  the  camp. 

When  the  line  turns  out,  the  private 
men  are  to  be  drawn  up  in  a  line  with 
the  colours  and  standards;  the  corporals 
on  the  right  and  left  of  their  respective 
companies,  the  piquet  forms  behind  the 
colours,  accoutred,  but  without  arms. 

The  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers  are  to  be  drawn  up  with  their 
respective  companies.  The  field  officers 
in  their  proper  posts  in  battalion,  two 
ensigns  taking  hold  of  the  colours. 

When  the  commander  in  chief  comes 
along  the  line,  the  camp  colours  on  the 
flanks  of  the  parade  are  to  be  struck, 
and  planted  opposite  to  the  bells  of  arms, 
and  the  drums  piled  up  behind  the  co- 
lours; the  halberts  are  to  be  planted 
between,  and  on  each  side  of  the  bells  of 
arms,  the  hatches  turned  from  thecolours. 

Honours  of  zear,  in  one  sense,  are 
stipulated  terms  which  are  granted  to  a 
vanquished  enemy,  and  by  which  he  is 
permitted  to  march  out  of  a  town,  from 
a  camp  or  line  of  entrenchments,  with 
all  the  insignia  of  military  etiquette.  In 
another  sense  they  signify  the  compli- 
ments which  are  paid  to  great  person- 
ages, military  characters,  &c  when 
they  appear  before  any  armed  body  of 
men ;  or  such  as  are  given  to  the  re- 
mains of  a  deceased  officer.  The  parti* 
cular  circumstances  attending  the  latter 
are  well  known,  and  depend  greatly 
upon  the  usages  of  different  countries; 
those  which  regard  our  own  service  may 
be  seen  under  Burials.  With  respect  to 
the  former,  we  think  it  necessary  to  ob- 
serve, that  it  is  extremely  difficult,  and 
much  beyond  the  limits  of  our  under- 
taking, to  describe  them  specifically;  as 
much,  indeed  almost  every  thing,  de- 
dends  upon  the  disposition  of  the  general 
who  grants  the  capitulation.  In  some 
instances,  the  troops  of  a  besieged  gar- 
rison are  permitted  to  march  out  with 
drums  beating,  colours  flying,  &c.  others 
are  only  allowed  to  advance  silently  in 


HON 


(    S71     ) 


H  O  O 


front  of  their  works,  ground  or  pile 
their  arms,  face  to  the  right  and  return 
within  their  line  of  entrenchments. 
Others  again  (as  was  the  case  with  lord 
Oomwaliis,  at  York  town,  in  Virginia) 
are  permitted  to  march  out,  with  drums 
beating,  to  a  given  spot,  there  pile  their 
arms/  face  to  the  right  ahout,  and  march 
back  to  their  works.  In  the  instance 
quoted,  the  officers  retained  their  side 
arms  and  baggage,  with  such  horses  as 
they  had  lawfully  obtained  by  purchase, 
&c.  A  sloop  of  war  was  ailowed  to 
proceed  to  New  York  with  dispatches 
from  the  British  general  to  Sir  Henry 
Clinton,  who  was  commander  in  chief 
of  the  forces  acting  against  America; 
which  vessel  passed  and  repassed  with- 
out being  searched.  This  indulgence 
proved  extremely  fortunate  to  a  small 
number  of  American  loyalists,  who  were 
peaceably  transported  into  the  British 
lines,  instead  of  being  sacrificed  to  the 
fury  of  their  countrymen  in  arms. 

When  the  town  of  Valenciennes  sur- 
rendered to  the  commander  in  chief, 
Field  Marshal  his  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  York,  the  garrison  under  the 
orders  of  General  Ferrand  was  per- 
mitted to  march  out  by  the  gate  of 
Cambray  with  the  honours  of  war.  It 
was  however,  specifically  stated,  that  the 
troops  should  lay  down  their  arms  at  a 
named  spot,  viz.  at  a  house  called  le 
Briquet,  where  they  were  to  leave  their 
colours  and  field-pieces  without  da- 
maging them  in  the  least.  They  were 
likewise  directed  to  leave  their  troop- 
horses,  artillery,  provisions,  and  other 
military  effects.  Those  belonging  to  the 
officers  were  restored  to  them,  with 
their  swords.  It  was  further  agreed, 
that  the  garrison  should  march  out  on 
the  1st  of  August,  in  the  manner  men- 
tioned ;  and  as  the  troops  were  prisoners 
of  war,  their  route  to  return  into  France 
was  to  be  communicated  to  them  24 
hours  previous  to  their  departure,  in 
order  to  receive  their  parole  of  honour. 
The  officers  and  soldiers  engaged  not 
to  serve  during  the  whole  course  of 
the  war  against  the  armies  of  his  Ma- 
jesty  the  emperor,  and  of  his  allies, 
without  having  been  exchanged  con- 
formably to  the  cartels,  under  pain  of 
military  punishment. 

General  Ferrand  had  demanded,  that 
the  garrison  should  mnrch  out  from  the 
place  on  the  6th  day  after  the  signature 
pf  the  Qapitujation,  to   repair  to  such 


part  of  the  French  republic  as  he  should 
judge  proper,  with  arms  and  baggage, 
horses,  drums  beating,  matches  lighted 
at  both  ends,  colours  flying,  and  with 
all  the  cannon  they  could  carry  away. 
These  articles  were  refused  by  the  Duke 
of  York;  and  on  the  28th  of  July,  1793, 
Valenciennes  surrendered  to  the  British 
arms,  in  trust  for  the  Emperor  of  Ger- 
many. 

As  soon  as  the  capitulation  was  sign- 
ed, hostages  were  sent  into  the  town, 
namely,  a  colonel,  a  major,  and  a  cap- 
tain, who  were  exchanged  against  offi- 
cers of  an  equal  rank  of  the  garrison; 
which  hostages  were  restored  imme- 
diately after  the  execution  of  the  articles 
of  capitulation. 

When  Mantua  surrendered  to  Bona- 
parte, the  veteran  general  Wurmsur,  in 
consideration  of  his  brave  defence  of 
the  town,  was  allowed  to  leave  the  place 
with  all  the  honours  of  war. 

Several  emigrants,  on  this  occasion, 
escaped  in  the  covered  wagons. 

Signatures  upon  Honou  ft,  instruments, 
such  as  declarations  of  officers,  respect- 
ing the  sale,  purchase,  or  exchange  of 
commissions;  vouchers  for  allowances^ 
&c.  that  are  guaranteed  by  the  names  of 
individuals,  without  oath. 

HONOURABLY  acquitted,  a  term 
used  in  naval  and  military  courts-martial. 
See  observations  respecting  this  usage, 
vol.  i.  Regimental  Companion. 

HOOF,  part  of  a  horse's  foot. 

HooF-boney,  a  round  boney  swelling 
growing  on  a  horse's  foot. 

Hoov-bound,  a  shrinking  of  the  top  of 
a  horse's  hoof. 

Hoov-cast,  when  the  coffin  or  horn 
falls  clear  away  from  the  hoof. 

Hoof  -  loosened,  a  loosening  of  the 
coffin  (or  hollow  part  of  a  horse's  hoof) 
from  the  flesh. 

HOOK,  (crochet,  croc,  Fr.)  a  bended 
iron  to  hang  things  upon. 

HOOKS,  pieces  of  bent  iron  fixed  to 
the  transom  plates  of  a  fieid-carriage 
are  so  called.  They  serve  to  fix  the 
drag-ropes  for  drawing  it  occasionRlly 
backward  or  forward. 

Hooks  and  Eyes,  (agraffe,  Fr.)  small 
pieces  of  bent  wire,  by  which  garments 
are  fastened  together. 

Armour  Hooks,  small  utensils,  gene- 
rally made  of  brass,  which  serve  to  have 
arms  laid  upon. 

HOOKUM,  an  Indian  word,  signify* 
ing  order  or  command. 
3B2 


II  O  R 


(     8f<    ) 


II  O  R 


HOOKUMNAUMAH,  in  India,  sig- 
nifies instruction. 
liooi*  of  iron,  a  circular  iron  band. 

Several  ports  of  hoops  are  used  in  the 
construction  of  artillery  carriages,  ;i> 
nave  and  axle-tree  hoops  fee. 

HOP1TAL,  FV. hospital.  Duringthe 
old  French  government,  there  existed  80 
military  hospitals  under  the  immediate 
sanction  of  the  king.  These  hospitals 
were  subject  to  the  war-minister.  There 
were  likewise  other  hospitals,  which  were 
under,  the  care  of  the  mtendant  of  each 
province.  They  chiefly  consisted  in 
those  erected  on  the  frontiers  and  of  gar- 
son  towns. 

lloiMT.w.  stir  mcr,  Fr.  hospital-ship. 
A  particular  vessel  which  is  always  at- 
tached to  a  naval  armament,  and  is  pro- 
vided with  the  necessary  accommodations 
for  the  sick  and  wounded  belonging  to 
tin:  ships  of  war. 

HOPLTTAI,  foot  soldiers  among  the 
Greeks,  who  bore  heavy  armour,  and 
engaged  with  broad  shields  and  long 
spears.  These  took  precedence  of  all 
other  foot  soldiers. — Potter's  Greek  Ant. 
vol.  ii.  c.  3. 

HOQUETON,  Fr.  a  sort  of  garment, 
which  was  worn  during  (he  old  govern- 
ment of  France  by  gentlemen  belonging 
to  the  king's  body  guard,  who  were 
called  gardes  de  la  manche.  It  some- 
times signifies  a  Serjeant  ;  but  the  term 
is  obsolete. 

HOQQQ.U,  an  instrument  much  used 
in  India  for  smoking.  The  several  parts 
of  a  hooqqu  are,  the  chilum,  or  ash  pit, 
for  the  lire  and  tobacco  ;  its  sur  posh,  or 
cover;  the  ab  nue  or  water  tube,  which 
supports  the  chilum,  and  connects  it  with 
the  water  in  the  hooqqu ;  the  moonhal, 
or  mouth-piece  ;  the  nue  or  flexible  tube, 
which  penetra-ting  with  the  abnue,  opens 
short  above  the  water,  whence  the  smoke 
is  extracted  and  conveyed  to  the  mouth  ; 
the  nue  and  ab  nue,  together  form  the 
nuechu,  or  snake;  nothing  remains  now 
but  the  zen-undar,  or  cloth,  placed  under 
die  hooqqu  bottom,  more  for  ornament 
than  use,  unless  we  may  add  the  tuwa, 
Or  plate,  used  for  separating  the  gool  (a 
ball  of  charcoal,  prepared  with  rice  and 
sugar,  &c.)  from  the  tobacco  below. 
The  man  who  has  charge  of  the  hooqqu 
is  called  the  hooqqu  burdar. 

HORD.  (horde,  Fr.)  a  crowd  or  as- 
semblage of  people,  who  have  not  any 
fixed  or  certain  habitation.  The  term 
wasori-'nuliy  applied  to  u  body  of  Tar- 


tars, who  followed  a  ro\  ing  life,  encamped 
In  different  countries,  and  chiefly  lived 
with  their  flocks. 

HORDEARIUM,  the  money  which 
the  Romans  gave  their  cavalry  for  the 
sustenance  qf  their  horses. 

HORDEUM,  barley.  In  ancient 
Rome  the  horses  were  fed  with  barley  ; 
and  the  soldiers  were  sometimes  punished 
h\  being  confined  to  that  allowance. 
'  HORION,  Fr.  a  term  which  for- 
merly signified  a  helmet,  and  which  in 
the  vulgar  acceptation  of  it  now,  among 
tlie  French,  means  a  blow  upon  the 
head. 

HORIZON,  (horizon,  Fr.)  a  circle 
which  divides  the  invisible  from  the  vi- 
sible part  of  the  globe. 

HORIZONTAL,  parallel  to  the  ho- 
rizon ;   on  a  level. 

Houizom  \i.  superficies,  the  plain  field 
lying  upon  a  level,  without  any  rising  or 
falling. 

Houizontat.  plane,  that  which  is  pa- 
rallel to  the  horizon  of  the  place. 

In  levelling,  the  chief  object  to  be 
considered  is,  whether  two  points  be  in 
the  horizontal  plane;  or  whether  they 
deviate  ;  and  in  what  degree. 

Horizontal  range,  or  level  range  of 
a  piece  qf  ordnance,  is  the  line  it  de- 
scribes, when  directed  parallel  to  the 
horizon. 

The  following  useful  theorems  come 
from  the  pen  of  the  ingenious  Dr. 
Halley  :— 

1.  A  shot  being  made  on  an  inclined 
plane,  having  the  horizontal  distance  of 
the  object  it  strikes  with  the  elevation, 
of  the  piece,  and  the  angle  at  the  gun 
between    the    object  and  the  perpendi- 
cular,   to    find    the   greatest    horizontal 
range  of  that  piece  loaded  with  the  same 
charge  of  powder,  that  is,  half  the  latus 
rectum  of  all  the  parabolas  made  with 
the  same  impetus. — Take  half  the  angle 
contained  between  the  object  and  the 
nadir,  and  the  difference    of  the  given 
angle  of  elevation  from  that  half;  sub- 
tract the  versed  sine  of  that  difference. 
from  the  versed  sine   of  the  angle  made 
by  the  object  and  zenith.      The   difl'e- 
rence of  those  versed  sines  will  be  to 
the  sine    of  the  angle  last   mentioned, 
as  the  horizontal  distance  of  the  object 
struck  to  the  greatest  range  at  1">°. 

Q.  Having  the  horizontal  range  of  a 
gun,  the  horizontal  distance  and  anglq 
of  inclination  of  an  object  to  the  per- 
pendicular, to  tiud   the  two   elevations 


H  O  R 


(     373     ) 


HOR 


necessary  to  strike  that  object. — Take 
half  the  angle  contained  between  the 
object  and  nadir;  this  half  is  equal  to 
half  the  sum  of  the  two  angles  of  ele- 
vation sought.  Then  say,  as  the  hori- 
zontal range  is  to  the  horizontal  distance 
of  the  object,  so  is  the  sine  of  the  angle 
of  inclination  to  a  fourth  proportional ; 
which  fourth,  being  subtracted  from 
the  versed  sine  of  the  angle  formed  by 
the  object  and  zenith,  leaves  the  versed 
sine  of  half  the  difference  of  the  angles 
of  elevation,  whose  half  sum  was  before 
obtained ;  therefore,  by  adding  and  sub- 
tracting half  the  difference  of  the  angles 
of  elevation  to  and  from  the  said  half 
sum,  the  elevations  themselves  will  be 
found. 

HORN,  (come,  cor,  cornet,  Fr.)  See 
Bugle  horn. 

IloEN-wor/r,  ( ouvrage  a  come,  Fr. ) 
See  Fortification. 

IIORS  de  combat,  a  French  military 
phrase,  signifying  that  an  individual  or 
body  of  men  are  so  completely  beat  by 
superior  skill,  &c.  as  not  to  be  able  to 
maintain  the  held  of  battle. 

Mettre  Hoits  de  combat,  Fr.  to  drive 
your  opponent  before  you  ;  to  press  him 
ho  closely,  that  he  cannot  make  a  stand 
against  you — To  put  him  out  of  the  lists 
©f  contest. 

Hobs  de  port'ee,  Fr.  (in  fencing)  out 
of  distance. 

Hors  de  mesure,  Fr.  (in  fencing)  out 
of  measure. 

lions  de  la  loi,  Fr.     See  Outlawed. 

HORSE,  in  a  military  sense,  a  body 
of  horse.     See  Cavalry. 

Field  Officer's  and  Adjutant's  Horse. 
Every  field  officer  in  the  British  army  is 
directed  to  have  one  horse,  at  least,  for 
the  purpose  of  doing  military  duty.  No 
allowance  whatever  is  made  for  the  pur- 
chase ;  and  should  the  animal  die  of  any 
disorder,  except  the  glanders,  or  be  killed 
any  where,  or  any  how,  except  in  action, 
no  compensation  whatever  is  allowed. 
We  consider  this  case  extremely  ha'M 
indeed,  particularly  with  regard  to  ad- 
jutants, who  are  not  always  blessed  with 
riches.  It  ought  to  be  considered  that 
this  purchase  is  not  optional,  but  en- 
joined ;  and  an  oificer  might  as  well  be 
ordered  to  return  the  bounty  money,  be- 
cause his  recruit  had  died  of  some  parti- 
cular disorder,  as  the  horse  not  be  allowed 
tor,  except  in  the  cases  just  specified. 
See  War  Office  Regulations. 

llowsz-doctor,  a  person  who  under- 
stands the  disorder  of  horses,  and  un- 


dertakes to  cure  them.  The  word  is 
obsolete,  having  yielded  to  the  more 
modern  appellation  of  veterinary  sur- 
geon. 

HoRSE-jt»V/cer,  a  small  piece  of  iron 
which  is  used  to  extract  pebbles,  &c. 
that  get  between  the  horse's  shoe  and 
hoof. 

HoRSE-s/zoe.     See  Fortification. 

HonSE-s//»f,  a  circular  or  semi-circu- 
lar piece  of  iron,  which,  is  fitted  and 
nailed  to  the  hoof  of  a  horse. 

Horse-sAoc  The  frontiers  of  Spain 
towards  France  are  so  called,  from  their 
resemblance  to  one  ;  Gallicia  and  Arra- 
gon  forming  the  two  extremities. 

Associated-HonSE,  a  body  of  cavalry 
so  called  in  the  days  of  Cromwell.  At 
the  famous  battle  of  Naseby,  (fought  on 
the  25th  of  June,  1045,)  which  decided 
the  fate  of  Charles  I.  the  associated  horse 
were  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  right  wing 
of  the  republican  army,  and  formed  a 
part  of  the  reserve. — There  were  troops  of 
the  association  stationed  in  the  rear  of 
the  left.  Oliver  Cromwell  commanded 
the  cavalry  on  the  right  of  the  whole, 
and  the  associated  horse  were  under  his 
immediate  orders. 

Horse  near-side  protect,  a  guard  used 
in  the  cavalry  sword  exercise.  See 
Sword  Exercise. 

Horse  off-side  protect.  See  Sword 
Exercise. 

Horse,  a  wooden  machine,  which  sol- 
diers ride  by  way  of  punishment.  See 
Ciieval  de  bois. 

Horse.     See  Portcullis. 

HORSE-GUARDS,  a  public  build- 
ing situated  in  Parliament-street,  West- 
minster, which  is  so  called  from  a  guard 
having  been  originally  mounted  there  by 
the  Horse-Guards,  whose  duty  is  now 
performed  by  the  Life-Guards . 

The  Commander  in  Chief's  office, 
that  of  the  Secretary  at  War,  Adjutant 
General,  Muster  Master  General,  &c. 
are  at  the  Horse-Guards  ;  to  which  place 
all  official  communications  relating  to 
the  British  army  are  transmitted.  All 
applications,  personal  or  otherwise,  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  are  likewise 
made  there. 

Horse-Guards.     See  Blues. 

HoRSE-GuARDS-genm//,  a  term  ap- 
plied to  those  officers  who  have  obtained 
rank  by  an  assiduous  and  persevering  at- 
tention to  the  etiquette  at  the  commander 
in  chief's  office,  and  who  have  never  seen 
service. 

HORSE-LEECH,  a  great  leech  that 


H  O  S 


(     3M    ) 


H  O  S 


bites  horses ;  a  farrier ;  one  who  bleeds 
horses. 

HORSEMAN.     See  Cavalry. 

HORSEMANSHIP,  (equitation,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  riding  ;  the  art  of  managing  a 
horse. 

HORSEHAM-sfowc  is  a  kind  of  thin 
broad  slate,  of  a  greyish  colour,  for- 
merly much  used,  especially  in  Sussex, 
to  cover  churches  and  great  houses,  &c. 

HORSING.  A  mare  is  said  to  be 
horsing  when  she  discovers  an  inclination 
to  be  covered. 

HOSE,  hreeches,  or  stockings.  It  is 
generally  taken  in  the  latter  sense  when 
mentioned  as  part  of  a  soldier's  neces- 
saries. 

Oiw-Hose,  men's  breeches  and  stock- 
ings together,  or  leggings.  Dragoons 
generally  wear  them  when  they  appear 
in  their -watering  dress. 

HOSPITAL,  a  place  appointed  for 
the  sick  and  wounded  men, provided  with 
physicians,  surgeons,  nurses,  servants, 
medicines,  beds,  &c. 

HOSPITALS  zcith  military  superin- 
tendents.—  There  are  four  general  hospi- 
tals of  this  description,  viz.  at  Plymouth, 
Deal,  Oosport,  and  Portsmouth,  and 
York  Hospital  at  Chelsea. 

The  Surgeons  at  Portsmouth  and  Deal 
have  not  any  rank  attached  to  the  situa- 
tion, but  they  receive  five  shillings  per 
day  extra  allowance  in  addition  to  their 
nett  pay  of  ten  shillings.  At  Plymouth 
a  physician  has  charge  of  the  hospital ; 
he  receives  twenty  shillings  per  day,  but 
has  no  extra  allowance.  York  Hospital 
at  Chelsea  is  attended  by  an  assistant 
surgeon,  being  under  the  immediate  di- 
rection of  the  surgeon  general. 

The  military  superintendants  have  five 
shillings  over  and  above  their  nett  pay, 
according  to  the  rank  they  hold  in  the 
army. 

At  Gosport  the  military  superintend- 
ant  has  one  guinea  allowed  per  week  for 
lodging  money,  together  with  coals,  can- 
dles, &c. 

A  fifth  military  superintendant  was 
appointed  in  1800  to  take  charge  of  the 
temporary  hospital  at  Colchester.  See 
James's  Regimental  Companion. 

These  are  the  principal  permanent 
Hospitals  in  England,  for  a  specific  de- 
scription of  whose  regulations,  &c.  as 
well  as  for  instructions  relative  to  mili- 
tary hospitals  in  general,  see  the  last 
directions  which  have  been  published 
by  authority.  We  cannot,  however, 
dismiss  the  subject  entirely  without  ob- 


serving, that  the  cause  of  humanity,  in 
the  course  of  the  late  war,  was  espoused 
by  the  belligerent  powers  abroad,  in  a 
manner  which  reflects  credit  on  the  en- 
lightened age  we  live  in.  The  follow- 
iii;  two  articles,  were  agreed  upon  by  the 
Austrians  and  French. 

Hospitals  ought  to  be  considered  as 
inviolable. 

Art.  1.  The  military  hospitals  shall 
be  considered  as  so  many  inviolable 
azyla,  where  valour  shall  be  respected, 
shall  be  assisted,  and  shall  be  free, 
whatever  the  army  may  be  to  which 
these  hospitals  belong,  and  upon  what- 
ever ground  they  may  be  established. 

Art.  2.  These  hospitals  shall  be  mark- 
ed out  by  writings  placed  on  the  adjacent 
roads,  in  order  that  the  troops  may  not 
approach,  and  that  in  passing  they  may 
observe  silence,  and  cease  beating  the 
drums,  or  sounding  the  trumpets. 

Camp  HosprTALs  are  either  general  or 
regimental.  The  general  hospitals  are 
of  two  kinds,  viz. 

F/'/Jng-HospiTALS,  )    The     first 

Stationary-Hoap  jtals.  \  attends  the 
camp  at  some  convenient  distance,  and 
the  latter  is  fixed  at  one  place.  In  the 
choice  of  both  Dr.  Pringle  thinks  it  bet- 
ter to  have  them  in  towns  than  villages, 
as  the  former  will  afford  larger  wards, 
besides  more  of  other  conveniencies. 
These  wards  should  be  as  airy  as  pos- 
sible. 

Regimenlal-llospnALS  are  frequently 
in  barns,  stables,  granaries,  and  other 
out-houses;  but  above  all,  churches 
make  the  best  hospitals  from  the  be- 
ginning of  June  to  October  ;  these  hos- 
pitals are  solely  for  the  use  of  the  regi- 
ments they  belong  to. 

Regimental  surgeons  are  enjoined  to 
take  under  their  care  any  non-commis- 
sioned officers  or  soldiers  of  other  regi- 
ments, (upon  the  commanding  officer's 
authority  for  so  doing  being  obtained,) 
who,  from  the  absence  of  the  corps  to 
vvYiich  they  belong,  from  there  being  no 
general  hospital  in  the  neighbourhood, 
or  from  othei  unavoidable  circumstances, 
are  under  the  necessity  of  applying  to 
them  for  relief  and  assistance. 

It  cannot  be  superfluous  to  remark 
in  this  place,  that  in  the  French  service 
there  was,  and  we  believe  there  still  is, 
a  specific  regulation,  which  directs,  that 
all  soldiers  who  have  contracted  a  vene- 
real disorder  should  be  received  into 
one  of  the  Royal  or  Public  Hospitals, 
without  exception  or  distinction.    They 


HOS 


(     375     ) 


II  o  s 


are  attended  to  in  a  particular  quarter 
or  ward,  without  expense  to  themselves 
or  to  their  corps.  Particular  care  is 
taken  not  to  mix  their  linen  or  clothes 
with  others,  and  they  are  always  cashed 
apart.  No  soldier,  whose  disorder  has 
been  pronounced  incurable,  was  or  is 
received  into  anv  of  the  public  hospi- 
tals. The  physician,  or  surgeon  only, 
gives  the  incurables  a  certificate  of  their 
state  and  condition. 

It  is  very  desirable,  that  in  every  re- 
gimental hospital,  there  should  be  an 
apartment  appropriated  to  convales- 
cents, whose  diet  and  mode  of  living 
must  remain  under  the  direction  of  the 
surgeon,  and  who  must  themselves  be,  in 
every  respect,  subject  to  the  hospital  re- 
gulations. A  trusty  non-commissioned 
officer  must  be  appointed  to  the  super- 
intendance  of  the  messing  and  conduct 
of  this  particular  ward. 

Convalescents,  oncoming  out  of  the 
hospital,  are  not  to  be  put  on  duty  till 
the  surgeon  certifies  to  the  adjutant, 
that  they  are  perfectly  recovered ;  for 
which  purpose  the  surgeon,  or  assistant 
surgeon,  must  make  a  particular  inspec- 
tion of  these  men,  at  morning  parade, 
to  prevent  any  remaining  longer  ex- 
empted from  duty,  than  the  state  of 
their  health  renders  absolutely  neces- 
sary. On  a  march,  when  circumstances 
will  permit,  the  packs  of  such  conva- 
lescents, as  have  not  yet  received  certi- 
ficates of  their  being  tit  for  duty,  should 
be  carried  for  them. 

Convalescents,  when  discharged  from 
the  hospital,  should  not  be  put  imme- 
diately on  public  duties,  but  should  be 
employed  for  a  certain  time,  on  regi- 
mental guards  only,  where  they  are  not 
liable  to  be  so  much  exposed  to  the 
weather,  or  to  fatigue. 

ft  is  most  positively  ordered,  that  the 
surgeon,  or  assistant-surgeon,  shall  at- 
tend all  parades  and  field  days.  No 
punishment  is  to  be  inflicted,  but  in  the 
presence  of  the  surgeon  or  assistant- 
surgeon. 

In  cantonments  and  barracks,  the 
quarters  of  the  surgeon  must  be  near 
the  hospital;  and  the  assistant  surgeon's 
tent  must  be  pitched  in  its  vicinity  when 
a  regiment  is  in  camp. 

The  instructions  for  the  economy 
and  management  of  regimental  hospi- 
tals, framed  by  the  army  medical  board, 
having  received  the  approbation  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  are  to  be  consi- 
dered as  proceeding  immediately  from 


that  quarter ;  and  all  generals  com- 
manding brigades  and  regiments  are  en- 
joined to  give  them  full  effect,  and  bv 
their  authority  to  enforce  the  strictest 
observance  of  them,  within  their  respec- 
tive commands. 

Chelsea  Hospital.    See  Chelsea. 

Greenwich  Hospital,  a  magnificent 
building,  originally  instituted  by  King 
Charles  II.  for  decayed  seamen  and 
mariners.  It  stands  upon  the  banks  of 
the  river  Thames,  has  a  delightful  park 
annexed  to  it,  with  an  astronomical  ob- 
servatory. It  is  situate  5  miles  East  of 
London,  in  the  county  of  Kent. 

Hospital  at  Hereford.  Besides  the 
national  provisions  for  officers  and  sol- 
diers, there  is,  in  the  city  of  Hereford, 
an  hospital  of  private  endowment  fop 
superannuated  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  private  soldiers,  and  ancient 
servants  of  good  character.  It  was 
founded  about  the  year  1614,  by  Sir 
Thomas  Coningsby,  of  Hampton-court,  . 
in  the  county  of  Hereford,  on  the  site 
and  out  of  the  ruins  of  the  convent  of 
Black  friars. 

Kilmainham    Hospital.      See    Kil- 

MAINHAM. 

HosPiTAL-wa£e,in  recruiting  districts. 
According  to  the  last  printed  regulations, 
it  is  directed  that  an  hospital  mate  should 
be  placed  under  the  orders  of  each  field 
officer,  to  examine  the  recruits  when 
brought  for  inspection,  and  to  give  such 
medical  assistance  as  may  be  in  his 
power,  to  the  several  recruiting  parties 
in  the  district  he  belongs  to. 

HosPiTAL^erw,  a  name  given  to  the 
malignant  catarrhal  fever,  as  being  the 
most  frequent  in  hospitals. 

HOSPODAR,  a  dignitary  title,  which 
is  given  to  the  Prince  of  Walachia,  who 
is  tributary  to  the  Grand  Signor,  and 
from  whom  he  receives  the  investiture. 

HOST,  (arm'te,  Fr.)  an  army  ;  any 
large  body  of  men  assembled  together 
in  arms. 

To  Host,  to  encounter  in  battle.  It 
also  signifies  to  review  a  body  of  men  j 
to  muster. 

HOSTAGE,  (otage,  Fr.)  in  the  art  of 
war,  a  person  given  up  to  an  enemy,  as 
a  security  for  the  performance  of  the 
articles  of  a  treaty. 

HOSTILE,  inimical ;  suitable  to  an 
enemv. 

HOSTILITIES,  (hostility,  Fr.)  in  a 
military  sense,  may  imply  a  rupture 
between  the  inhabitants  of  the  same 
country,  town?  or  place ;  and  the  fir«t< 


II  o  u 


(     K6     ) 


H  O  U 


outrage  tliat  is  committed  by  either 
party,  as  in  general  matters  of  warfare, 
is  considered  to  be  the  lirst  commence- 
ment of  hostilities.  Between  nations, 
the  first  act  of  hostility  presupposes  a 
declaration  of  war.  There  are,  how- 
ever, certain  established  laws  and  regu- 
lations by  which  acts  of  hostility  are 
governed.  Without  the  intervention  of 
these  restrictions,  war  would  be  con- 
ducted upon  the  most  brutal  and  fero- 
cious principles. 

HOSTILITY  denotes  a  state  of  war 
or  enmity  between  two  nations.  During 
a  truce  all  acts  of  hostility  are  to  cease 
on  both  sides. 

HOSTING,  an  obsolete  term,  for- 
merly signifying  the  mustering  of  men 
in  arms. 

HOTEL  des  Invalides,  Fr.  a  spacious 
building  which  was  erected  by  Louis 
XIV.  in  Paris,  at  the  extremity  of  the 
Fauxbourg  St.  Germain,  upon  the  river 
Seine,  as  a  public  monument  of  his 
charity  and  munificence.  All  disabled, 
infirm,  and  wounded  officers  and  soldiers 
were  received,  lodged,  and  subsisted 
during  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
within  its  walls. 

IIOTTE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  hand-basket, 
which  is  often  made  use  of  in  the  con- 
struction of  batteries  and  other  works, 
and  serves  to  carry  earth  from  one  part 
to  another.  It  is  carried  on  theshoulders. 

HOTTENTOTS,  the  aborigines,  or 
native  inhabitants  of  a  settlement  which 
took  place  in  1300,  at  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope.  They  possessed  the  whole  of 
the  colony,  containing  a  large  tract  of 
country  to  the  eastward  and  northward 
of  Cape  Town,  until  they  were  subdued 
and  reduced  to  a  wretched  state  of  sub- 
jection by  the  Dutch  boors. 

HOUCKIEN,  or  Hackicn,  Fr.  the 
name  given  to  a  faction  which  rose  in 
the  Low  Countries,  and  was  opposed  to 
that  of  Kabeljauzc.  The  latter  term  sig- 
nifies a  fish  which  devours  others,  and 
Houckien  means  a  hook,  whence  the 
faction  in  question  used  to  say,  that 
they  could  catch  their  enemies  with  the 
same  ease  that  fish  are  caught. 

To  HOUGH,  to  hamstring;  to  dis- 
able, by  cutting  the  sinews  of  the  ham. 
This  has  frequently  been  practised  upon 
horses;  particularly  in  Ireland. 

IIOUCLE,  Fr.  a  surgeon's  instru- 
ment wherewith  the  mouth  of  a  wound 
is  drawn  and  stitched  together. 

JIOUGUINES,  Fr.  flat  pieces  of  iron 


with  which  the  ancient  warriors  covered 
their  thighs,  legs,  and  arms. 

IIOUILLE,  I'V.  sedge,  or  fen-grass; 
also  a  kind  of  mineral  in  the  principality 
of  Liege,  which  makes  very  good  fires. 

HOULLIER,  Fr.  an  obsolete  French 
term,  which  meant  what  is  now  ex- 
pressed by  Picoreur  des  armies,  or  a 
free-booter. 

HOUN,  a  gold  coin  of  the  Mysore 
country,  value  about  four  rupees. 

Blood  HOUND,  a  particular  species 
of  the  canine  kind,  which  has  been  em- 
ployed to  hunt  down  men,  women,  and 
children;  particularly  in  the  West-Indies. 

IIOU1TE,  Fr.  a  small  tuft  or  bunch 
of  worsted,  worn  in  the  corners  of  three- 
cocked  regimental  hats. 

I10URDEYS,  Fr.  an  old  French 
term  which  signified,  first,  hurdles  with 
which  the  tops  of  the  walls  belonging  to 
a  fortified  town  were  covered,  in  order 
to  shield  them  against  the  concussion  of 
warlike  machines;  and  secondly  a  ma- 
chine formerly  used,  which  was  called 
in  Latin  hordacivm. 

HOUSARDER,  Fr.  to  fight  with 
hussars,  or  after  their  method. 

HOUSE.     See  Housing. 

The  House,  a  general  term  used  in 
England  to  signify  both  Houses  of  Par- 
liament,  from  whose  annual  vote  the 
army  derives  its  existence,  and  by  which 
it  is  paid. 

Lock-vp-llovst,  (commonly  called  a 
sponging  house,  from  the  exorbitar.ee 
of  its  charges,)  a  place  to  which  unfor- 
tunate debtors  are  taken  before  they  are 
committed  to  prison. 

HOUSEHOLD  troops.  The  Life- 
(■uards,  Royal  Regiment  of  Horse- 
Guards,  and  the  three  regiments  of  Foot- 
Guards  are  so  styled.  It  is  a  peculiar 
privilege  of  these  regiments,  that  no 
officer  of  the  line,  fencibles,  or  militia, 
can  sit  upon  a  court-martial  which  may 
be  assembled  for  the  trial  of  any  person 
belonging  to  them.  They  have  also  a 
brevet  rank,  which  gives  them  a  step 
over  the  marching  army. 

King's  Household,  in  England,  the 
domestic  establishment  of  the  King. — 
The  French  say,  Afaison  du  lioi. 

HOUSING,  or  saddle-  HOUSING, 
cloth,  skin,  or  other  ornaments  added 
to  saddles,  by  way  of  distinction;  fre- 
quently embroidered  with  gold  or  silver, 
or  edoe.d  with  gold  or  silver  lace. 

HOUSSE,  HOUSSEAUX,  Fr.  See 
Horse-c/o/A. 


H  U  I 


(     377     ) 


H  U  R 


HOWITZ,  a  kind  of  mortar  mounted 
•upon  a  field-carriage  like  a  gun  :  the 
difference  between  a  mortar  and  a  howitz 
is,  that  the  trunnions  of  the  first  are  at 
the  end,  and  of  the  other  in  the  middle. 
The  invention  of  howitzers  is  of  much 
later  date  than  mortars,  as  from  them 
they  had  their  origin. 

The  construction  of  howitzers  are  as 
various  and  uncertain  as  those  of  mor- 
tars, excepting  the  chambers,  which  are 
all  cylindric.  They  are  distinguished  by 
the  diameter  of  the  bore;  for  instance, 
a  ten  inch  howitz  is  that,  the  diameter 
of  which  is  ten  inches;  and  so  of  the 
larger  or  smaller  ones. 

Howitzers,  in  the  British  service,  are 
of  the  nature  of  10,  8,  and  5±  inch, 
heavy  and  light,  also  4  two-fifth  inch. 
The  calibres  of  howitzers  differ  in  most 
foreign  countries.  Carronades  are  general 
in  the  service,  both  for  land  and  sea, 
of  the  natures  of  68,  42,  32,  24, 18,  and 
12  pounders.  The  charge  of  powder 
for  a  carronade  is  one-twelfth  part  of  the 
weight  of  the  round  shot. 

Howitz- battery  is  made  the  same  as 
a  gun-battery,  only  the  embrazures  are 
at  least  a  foot  wider  on  account  of  the 
shortness  of  the  howitz.    See  Battery. 

Field  Howitzer.  The  modern  French 
use  6-inch  howitzers  in  the  field,  which 
can  throw  a  grenade  at  6  degrees  eleva- 
tion, to  a  distance  of  600  toises.  The 
6  inch  howitzer  can  likewise  throw,  to  a 
smaller  distance,  a  cartridge  with  61 
balls  of  seventeen  lines  diameter.  In 
both  instances  the  effects  are  extremely 
fatal.  The  cavalry,  in  particular,  can 
be  annoyed  by  the  former  in  so  galling 
a  manner,  as  to  be  rendered  almost 
useless. 

HUE  AND  CRY,  an  official  gazette 
so  called,  which  is  published  at  the  ex- 
piration of  every  third  week  in  the  year, 
and  serves  to  advertise  deserters  from 
His  Majesty's  service.  That  part  which 
immediately  relates  to  deserters,  is  di- 
vided into  several  columns,  viz.  names, 
corps,  age,  size,  coat,  waistcoat,  breeches, 
hair,  complexion,  eyes,  marks  and  re- 
marks, trade,  &c.  parish  born,  county 
born,  time,  from  what  place,  agent's 
names,  agent's  abode. 

HUGHLY  WACCA,  Ind.  a  news- 
paper or  chronicle  which  is  kept  by  the 
officers  of  the  Moors'  government. 

HUISSIER  d'armes,  Fr.  tipstaff;  an 
officer  formerly  so  called  in  France,  who 
was  attached   to  the  royal  household. 


They  were  at  first  distinguished  by  th^ 
name  of  se?-gens  d'armes,  or  Serjeants 
at  arms.  Some  were  directed  to  bear 
the  mace  before  the  king  during  the 
day,  and  obtained  on  that  account  the 
appellation  ox  huissiers  d'armes ;  in  later 
times  while  the  old  monarchy  subsisted, 
they  were  called  huissiers  de  la  cham- 
bre,  or  tipstaffs  of  the  king's  chamber. 
Others  were  kept  within  the  king's  bed- 
chamber during  the  night,  and  were 
sworn  to  expose  their  lives  for  the  safety 
of  his  person,  whence  they  obtained  the 
name  of  archers  de  garde,  which  term 
was  changed  into  gardes  du  corps, or  body 
guards. 

Death  HUNTERS,  followers  of  an 
army,  who,  after  the  engagement,  look 
for  dead  bodies,  in  order  to  strip  them. 
They  chiefly  consist  of  soldiers'  wives, 
&c.  who,  in  general,  have  less  feeling 
than  their  husbands. 

HUNGARIAN  battalion,  a  body  of 
men  belonging  to  the  Austrian  army, 
whose  dress  consists  in  a  white  jacket, 
the  buttons  straight  down  to  the  waist, 
with  blue  coloured  collar,  cuffs  and 
skirts,  before  and  behind,  like  the  rest 
of  the  Austrian  infantry;  with  this  dif- 
ference, that  the  latter  have  white 
breeches  and  long  black  gaiters,  and  the 
former  wear  light  blue  pantaloons  and 
half-boots. 

HUNS,  GOTHS,  and  VANDALS, 
barbarous  tribes  that  inhabited  the 
various  provinces  of  Germany  which  had 
never  been  subdued  by  the  Romans,  or 
were  scattered  over  those  vast  countries 
in  the  North  of  Europe,and  North  West 
of  Asia,  which  are  now  occupied  by  the 
Danes,  the  Swedes,  the  Poles,  the  sub- 
jects of  the  Russian  empire,  and  the 
Tartars. 

HURDLES,  in  fortification,  are  made 
of  twigs  of  willow,  or  osiers,  interwoven 
close  together,  sustained  by  long  stakes. 
They  are  made  in  the  figure  of  a  long 
square;  the  length  being  8  or  5  feet, 
and  breadth  3  or  3|.  The  closer  they 
are  wattled  together,  the  better.  They 
serve  to  render  batteries  firm,  or  to  con- 
solidate the  passage  over  muddy  ditches; 
or  to  cover  traverses  and  lodgments  for 
the  defence  of  the  workmen  against  the 
fire-works,  or  the  stones  that  may  be 
cast  at  them. 

Hurdle    batteries.     These   are   the 
invention  of  the  late  General  Sir  Wil- 
liam Congreve  of  the  Royal  Artillery, 
and  are  admirably  adapted  for  tempo- 
3C 


II  u  s 


(     378     ) 


II  Y  D 


rary  fortifications.  They  consist  of  hur- 
dles fixed  in  the  ground  in  a  triangular 
form,  the  intermediate  space  being  filled 
with  sand  or  earth,  &c.  and  are  con- 
structed in  a  few  minutes,  and  in  any 


figure. 

HURKARU,  Lid.  a  gazette;  as  the 
Bengal  Hurkaru. 

I1URTER,  a  (latted  iron  fixed  against 
the  body  of  an  axle-tree,  with  straps  to 
take  oft"  the  friction  of  the  naves  of  the 
wheels  against  the  body. 

11URTOIR,  Fr.  a  piece  of  timber, 
about  C  inches  square,  placed  before  the 
wheels  of  a  carriage,  against  the  parapet 
of  a  battery,  to  prevent  the  wheels  from 
doint;  damage  to  the  parapets. 
HURTLE.  See,  Skirmish. 
To  Hurtle,  (heurter,  Fr.)  to  skir- 
mish; to  jostle;  also  to  move  with 
violence  or  impetuosity ;  as  spears  hurtle 
in  the  air. 

KUSB  ul  hookum,  or  HASSAB  ul 
hookum,  Iiul.  a  patent  or  order,  under 
the  seal  of  the  vizier,  with  these  initial 
WOrd$,  which  signify  always  to  command. 
HUSH.  Sec  Money. 
Ill  SSAR  Dragoons,  a  term  applied 
to  such  regiments  of  light  dragoons  in 
the  British  sen  ice,  as  have  been  order- 
ed by  their  respective  colonels  to  wear 
mustachios,  furred  cloaks  and  caps,  &c. 
The  four  corps  are  tht:  7th,  10th,  loth, 
and  18th. 

HUSSARDS,  Fr.  hussars.   They  were 


unless  the  enemy  is  accustomed  to  ttair 
method  of  engaging,  it  is  very  difficult 
for  troops  to  preserve  their  order.  When 
a  retreat  is  necessary,  their  horses  have 
so  much  lire,  and  are  so  indefatigable, 
their  equipage  so  light,  and  themselves 
such  excellent  horsemen,  that  no  other 
cavalry  can  come  up  with  them;  they 
leap  over  ditches,  and  swim  over  rivers 
with  surprizing  facility.  They  never 
encamp,  consequently  are  not  burlhened 
with  any  kind  of  camp  equipage, saving 
a  kettle  and  a  hatchet  to  every  G  men. 
They  always  lie  in  the  woods,  out-houses, 
or  villages,  in  the  front  of  the  army. 
The  Empress  Queen  of  Hungary  and 
the  King  of  Prussia  exceeded  every 
country  in  this  description  of  troops. 

Broun  Hussars,  a  corps  of  cavalry  in 
the  Prussian  service,  so  called  from 
being  clothed  in  brown  uniforms. 

Death's  Head  Hussars,  a  regiment  of 
cavalry  in  the  Prussian  service,  so  called 
from  "the  emblems  of  death  exhibited 
on  their  caps.  This  regiment  first  dis- 
tinguished itself  in  the  Seven  Years  war 
under  the  late  General  Ziethcn,  ar+1 
continued  to  do  so  during  the  memo- 
rable campaigns  against  the  French  in 
1793,  1800,  1813,  and  1815  under  Field 
Marshal  Prince  Bluchcr.  They  are  also 
called  Biack  Hussars,  the  uniform  being 
of  that  colour.  Marshal  Prince  Blucher 
served  many  years  in  this  regiment. 
HUT,  (liutte,  Fr.)   The  ancient  mode 


first  introduced  into  the  French  service   of  encamping  was  in  little  huts.     In  the 


in  1692,  and  owed  their  origin  to  Hie 
Hungarian  cavalry  whieh  was  subsi- 
dized by  France  before  the  reign  of 
Louis  XIII. 

Hussars  are  the  national  cavalry  of 
Hungary  and  Croatia.  Their  regimentals 
consist  in  a  rough  furred  cap,  adorned 
with  a  cock's  feather, (the  officers  either 
an  eagle's  or  a  heron's,)  a  doublet,  with 
a  pair  of  breeches,  to  which  the  stockings 
are  fastened,  and  yellow  or  red  boots ; 
besides,  they  occasionally  wear  a  short 
upper  waistcoat  edged  with  fur,  and 
5  rows  of  round  metal  buttons,  and  in 
bad  weather  a  cloak.  Their  arms  are  a 
sabre,  carbine,  and  pistols.  They  are 
irregular  troops:  before  the  beginning 
of  an  attack,  they  lay  themselves  so  Hat 
on  the  necks  of  their  horses,  that  it  is 
hardly  possible  to  discover  their  force; 
but  being  come  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
enemy,  they  raise  themselves  with  such 
surprizing  quickness,  and  begin  to  light 
with  such  vivacity  on  every  side,  that 


American  war,  hutted  camps  were  not 
uncommon.  Huts  may  be  made  of  earth, 
or  branches  of  trees,  straw,  &c. 

Se  HUTTER,  Fr.  to  make  a  hut. 

HURZOOR  NOVETZ, Lid.  a  secre- 
tary who  resides  at  an  Indian  court,  and 
keeps  copies  of  all  firmauns,  records,  or 
letters. 

HYDER,  the  Arabic  term  for  lion. 
This  title  is  often  given  to  men  of  rank 
in  India. 

Hyder  Alli,  the  usurper  of  the 
kingdom  of  Mysore  ;  he  is  known  under 
the  name  of  Hyder  Naik:  hissonTippoo 
succeeded  him,  and  was  killed  at  the 
storming  of  Seringapatam  by  the  British 
forces  under  the  command  of  Lieute- 
nant General,  now  Lord,  Harris. 

Hyder  Cooly,  a  term  of  subjection 
used  in  India,  meaning  literally  the 
slave. 

HYDERABAD,  HYDRABAD,  a 
city  in  Asia,  which  arose  from  the  de-: 
section  of   Golcondah.    This  term  is 


■ 

J  A  C 


(     379     ) 


J  A  D 


often  used  in  Indostan  when  Hyderabad 
is  meant.  Hyderabad  became  the  prin- 
cipalspot  of  rendezvousto  theMahrattas, 
whose  country  lies  between  Bombay 
and  Golcondah.  Its  limits  (to  quote 
the  words  of  the  author  of  the  History 
of  the  Carnatic)  are  not  known  with 
any  decree  of  certainty  to  Europeans, 
and  we  are  equally  ignorant  of  the 
origin  and  history  of  the  people.  See 
AJahratta. 

HYDRAULICS,  (hydrauliquc,  Fr.) 
the  science  of  that  philosophy  which 
treats  of  the  motion  of  fluids,  and  the 
art  of  conveying  water. 

H Y  D  ROGRA  PHY,  (hydrograph  ie, 
Fr.)  an  art  teaching  how  to  make  sea- 
charts,  giving  an  account  of  its  tides, 
bays,  gulphs,  creeks,  rocks,  sands,  shoals, 
promontories,  harbours, &c. 

HYDROMETER,  (hydromltre,  Fr.) 


an  instrument  to  measure  the  extent  or 
depth  of  water. 

Hydrometry,  (hydromctrie,  Fr.)  the 
act  of  measuring  the  extent  or  depth  of 
water. 

HYDROSTATICS,  the  science  of  the 
gravitation  of  fluids;  weighing  fluids. 

HYGROMETER,  (hy'grometre,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  to  measure  the  degrees  of 
moisture. 

HYGROSCOPE,  (hygroscope,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  to  shew  the  moisture  and 
dryness  of  the  air,  and  to  measuie  and. 
estimate  the  quantity  of  either  extreme. 

HYPERBOLA,  the  section  of  a  cone 
made  by  a  plane,  so  that  the  axis  of  the 
section  shall  incline  to  the  opposite  leg 
of  the  cone. 

HYPOTHENUSE,  that  line  which 
subtends  the  right  angle  of  a  right 
angled  triangle. 


I 


TACK.  See  Gin. 
■**  jACK-boots,  boots  formerly  worn 
by  cavalry,  made  of  thick  firm  leather, 
hardened  in  a  peculiar  manner.  They 
were  sometimes  lined  with  plates  of 
iron.  The  only  regiments  in  the  British 
service  who  wear  jack-boots  at  present 
are  the  Life-guards. 

Jack  wambasium,  a  sort  of  coat  ar- 
mour, formerly  worn  by  horsemen,  not 
of  solid  iron,  but  of  many  plates  fast- 
ened together,  which  some  persons,  by 
tenure,  were  bound  to  find  upon  any  in- 
vasion. 

JACKET,  a  short  coat.  See  Cloth- 
ing. 

JACOB's  stuff,  a  mathematical  in- 
strument for  taking  heights  and  dis- 
tances; called  also  a  cross  staff. 

JACOBIN,  (jacobin,  Fr.)  a  white 
friar;  a  Dominican.  A  name  given  to 
those  persons  who,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  French  revolution,  formed 
themselves  into  a  club,  (called  the  Jaco- 
bin Club,)  which  met  at  the  church  of 
St.  Jacob  in  Paris. 

JACOBINISM,  (jacobinisme,  Fr.)  the 
principles  of  a  revolutionary  system. 

JACOBITES,  a  name  given  to  such 
persons  as  were  attached  to  the  ruined 
fortunes  of  James  II.     Hence  als«  the 


terms  Pittites,  Foxites,  Burdettites,  all 
signifying  persons  attached  to  and  fol- 
lowing the  principles  of  the  leading 
denomination,  name,  or  head  of  some 
particular  party,  or  faction. 

JACOBITISM,  attachment  to  the* 
Stuart  family,  or  rather  to  King  James. 

JACQUE,  or  JAQUE,  a  sort  of 
close  jacket,  which  was  formerly  worn 
by  the  francs-archers,  or  free  archers 
and  reached  down  to  the  knee.  These 
jackets  were  stuffed  underneath  the 
linen  or  cloth  with  which  they  were 
made.  They  sometimes  consisted  of 
leather,  lined  with  20  or  30  pieces  of  old 
cloth,  rather  loosely  put  together.  The 
ancient  horsemen  wore  these  jackets 
under  their  coats  of  mail,  and  they  were 
called  gobison. 

JACQUERIE,  Fr.  the  name  of  a 
faction  which  formerly  existed  in  France, 
while  king  John  was  a  prisoner  in  Eng- 
land. 

JADE,  Fr.  a  very  hard  stone  of  an 
olive  colour,  with  which  the  handles  of 
swords  and  sabres  were  made  in  Poland 
and  Turkey.  This  ston«  is  said  to  pos- 
sess wonderful  virtues  for  the  removal 
bf  the  gravel,  or  nephritic  cholic;  in 
these  cases  it  is  simply  applied  to  the 
loins. 

3C  2 


J  A  M 


(     380     ) 


JAN 


JAFFNAPATAM,  the  town  of  Cey- 
lon is  so  called  by  the  Indians.  The 
port  of  Jaflier. 

JAGGENIIAUT,  Ind.  a  Gentoo 
pagoda. 

JAGGIIIRDAR,  Ind.  the  person  in 
possession  of  ajaghire. 

JAGHIRE,  an  Indian  term,  signify- 
ing the  assignment  of  the  revenues  of  a 
district  to  a  servant,  or  dependant  of 
government,  who  is  hence  called  a  jagg- 
hirdar.  Jaghires  are  either  mushroot, 
which  means  conditional,  or  belashurt, 
which  signifies  unconditional.  Jaghires 
are  frequently  given  in  India  to  persons 
as  a  reward  and  compensation  for  their 
military  services. 

J  ag  HI  BE  Asham,  Ind.  land  granted 
for  the  support  of  the  troops. 

Jagiiire  Zat,  Ind.  lands  granted  for 
private  maintenance. 

JALET,  Fr.  a  name  given  to  certain 
round  stones  which  are  cast  out  of  a 
bow  called  arbalite  a  jalet,  or  cross-bow. 
These  stones  are  more  generally  called 
get  let. 

JALONS,  Fr.  long  poles  with  a  wis)) 
of  straw  at  the  top.  They  are  fixed  at 
different  places  and  in  different  roads  to 
serve  as  signals  of  observation  to  ad- 
vancing columns,  when  the  country  is 
inclosed,  &c.  They  are  likewise  used  as 
camp-colours,  to  mark  out  the  ground 
on  days  of  exercise. 

JALONNEMENT  eCune  colonne,  Fr. 
is  the  designation  of  certain  points  by 
which  a  column  is  governed  on  its 
march. 

JALONNEURS,  Fr.  are  the  men 
selected  from  a  battalion  to  mark  out 
the  ground,  or  to  take  up  relative  points 
towards  which  the  column  may  march. 

JALOUSER,  Fr.  an  old  term,  sig- 
nifying to  be  jealous  of  another.  The 
French  say,  un  ojjicier  de  vrui  vicrite 
me  jalouse  pas  un  autre ;  an  officer  of 
Yeal  merit  is  never  jealous,  or  envious 
'of  another. 

JAM,  Fr.  which  is  sometimes  written 
jamb,  is  a  thick  bed  of  stone  by  which 
the  operations  of  the  miners  are  sud- 
denly interrupted  when  they  are  pursu- 
ing the  veins  of  ore. 

JAMB  AGE,  IV.  door-posts;  jambs. 

JAMBE,  Fr.  in  masonry,  a  sort  of 
hold  or  buttress,  by  which  the  wall  of  an 
edifice  is  supported  and  kept  up. 

Jambk  d'encoignure,  Fr.  a  corner 
stone  or  beam,  upon  which  two  archi- 
traves rest,  from  two  sides  of  an  edifice. 


Jambe  sous  ]X)ittrr,  Fr.  basing  stone, 
upon  which  one  or  more  beams  may 
stand. 

Guerre  des  Jamhes,  a  figurative  ex- 
pression among  the  modern  FVench, 
signifying  rapid  operations,  or  a  war 
carried  on  by  rapid  movements  in  the 
field,  instead  of  sieges. 

JAMBS,  sometimes  written  jauntbi, 
the  side-posts  of  a  door. 

St.  JAMES,  Knig/tts  of,  a  military 
order  in  Spain,  first  instituted  in  the 
year  1170,  by  Ferdinand  II.  king  of 
Leon  and  Galicia.  The  greatest  dignity 
belonging  to  this  order  is  that  of  grand 
master,  which  has  been  united  to  the 
crown  of  Spain.  The  knights  are  obliged 
to  make  proof  of  their  descent,  from 
families  that  have  been  noble  for  four 
generations  on  both  sides;  they  must 
also  make  it  appear,  that  their  said 
ancestors  have  neither  been  Jews,  Sara- 
cens, nor  heretics,  nor  have  ever  been 
called  in  question  by  the  Inquisition. 
The  novices  are  obliged  to  serve  sis 
months  in  the  gallies,  and  to  live  a 
month  in  a  monastery.  They  observe 
the  rules  of  St.  Austin,  making  no  vows 
but  of  poverty,  obedience,  and  conjugal 
fidelity. 

JANIBAR,  Ind.  an  advocate;  a  de- 
fender; it  likewise  signifies  a  partial 
person. 

J  AN  IZ  A  RIES,  (Janissaires,  Fr.)  Th  i§ 
word  signifies  new  militia.  The  firsO 
establishment  of  this  body  of  armed  men> 
took  place  when  the  Sultan  Amurat  ob- 
tained such  wonderful  success  in  the  in- 
roads that  were  made  into  Thrace,  and- 
a  part  of  Macedonia,  by  the  Bachas 
Lala,  Saim,  and  Auranos.  Nor  was  the 
Sultan  satisfied  with  this  good  fortune; 
lie  pushed  his  successes  into  Europe,  and 
took  an  immense  number  of  prisoners 
of  all  ages,  but  principally  children, 
Tliese  were  put  under  military  tuition, 
with  the  view  of  hereafter  converting 
them  to  some  useful  purpose  for  the. 
Ottoman  state. 

JANIZAR  AcASi,a  name,  or  military 
title,  which  is  attached  to  the  person 
who  has  the  chief  command  of  the  jani- 
zaries. It  corresponds,  in  some  degree, 
with  the  rank  of  colonel  general  of  in- 
fantry in  old  France,  when  that  body 
was  under  the  command  of  the  Duke 
of  Epernon,  and  afterwards  under  the 
Duke  of  Orleans  in  1720.  This  Aga 
takes  precedence  of  all  the  infantry  offi- 
cers belonging  to  the  Ottoman  empire. 


J  A  V 


(     331     ) 


I  c  o 


The  name  is  derived  from  Aga,  which, 
in  the  Turkish  language,  signifies  a  stick. 
On  public  occasions  the  Aga  always 
bears  a  stick  in  his  hand  ;  so  indeed  do 
all  the  janizaries  when  they  appear  in 
any  large  town  or  place,  as  an  emblem 
of  service. 

This  general  was  originally  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  Aga  out  of  the  corps  of 
janizaries.  But  as  this  was  the  occasion 
of  much  jealousy,  and  gave  rise  to  va- 
rious cabals,  which  frequently  rendered 
the  Aga  contemptible  in  the  eyes  of  his 
followers,  the  Grand  Signor  at  present 
appoints  him  from  the  Icoglans  belong- 
ing to  the  seraglio. 

JAQUE  de  mailles,  Fr.  coat  of  mail. 

JARET,  Ft:  that  deviation,  in  a 
straight  line  or  curve,  by  which  the 
equality  of  a  circumference  is  broken,  as 
in  arches,  &c. 

JARETTER,  Fr.  to  deviate  from 
njiy  triven  circle. 

"  JASERANT  or  JAZERANT,  a  sort 
of  ancient  military  vestment.  The 
jazerant  of  double  mail  is  often  men- 
tioned in  many  old  romances.  But 
what  was  the  specific  distinction  of  a 
jazerant  seems  at  present  uncertain. 

JAVART,  Fr.  a  swelling  of  a  horse's 
pastern. 

JAVELIN,  a  spear  of  5\  feet  long, 
the  haft  of  which  was  of  wood,  with  a 
steel  point.  Every  soldier  in  the  Roman 
armies  had  seven  of  these,  which  were 
very  light  and  slender. 

The  Velites,  or  light  armed  troops, 
among  the  Romans,  were  armed  with  ja- 
velins. They  were  two  cubits  long  and 
one  inch  thick. 

There  were  several  sorts  of  javelins 
or  darts  used  among  the  ancients;  some 
of  which  were  projected  by  the  help  of 
a  short  strap  girt  round  their  middle. 

There  was  likewise  another  species  of 
javelin,  the  bottom  of  which  was  orna- 
mented with  three  feathers,  in  the  same 
manner  that  arrows  and  darts  are. 
These  javelins  have  been  used  by  the 
Poles  and  other  nations,  but  principally 
by  the  Moors,  who  call  them  zagais.  In 
the  early  days  of  France,  the  javelin 
was  likewise  adopted  in  imitation  of  the 
Gauls;  but  it  disappeared  with  many 
other  missile  weapons,  on  the  invention 
of  fire-arms. 

JAVELINE,  Fr.     See  Javelin. 

JAVELOT,  Fr.  javelin  ;  a  term  used 
amynu   tue   ancients   to   express   every 


thing  that  was  missile;  it  is  derived  from, 
the  Latin,  jaculum,  a  jaculundo. 

JAZERAN,  Fr.  an  obsolete  term 
which  was  formerly  applied  to  an  able 
veteran. 

IBRAHIM  CA  WN,  hid.  of  the  Gar- 
dee  tribe,  commander  of  the  artillery 
in  the  Mahratta  army. 

ICH  DIEN,  I  serve.  A  motto  be- 
longing to  the  badge  of  the  arms  of  the 
Prince  of  Wales,  which  was  first  as- 
sumed by  Edward  surnamed  the  Black 
Prince,  after  the  battle  of  Cressy,  in 
1346.  Dieu  et  Mon  Droit,  in  the  badge 
of  the  King's  arms,  was  used  by  Richard 
the  First  on  a  victory  over  the  French 
in  1194. 

ICHNOGRAPIIY,  ( ichnographie,  Fr.) 
denotes  the  plan  or  representation  of* 
the  length  and  breadth  of  a  fortification, 
the  distinct  parts  of  which  are  marked 
out,  either  on  the  ground  itself,  or  on 
paper.  By  this  we  are  at  once  ac- 
quainted with  the  value  of  the  different) 
lines  and  angles  which  determine  the 
exact  breadth  of  fosses,  the  depth  of 
ramparts  and  of  parapets.  So  that,  in 
fact,  a  plan  upon  the  correct  principles 
pf  ichnography,  represents  a  work  as  it 
would  appear  if  it  were  levelled  to  its 
foundations,  and  shewed  only  the  ex- 
panse of  ground  upon  which  it  had  been 
erected.  But  the  science  of  ichnography 
does  not  represent  either  the  elevation, 
or  the  different  parts  belonging  to  a  for- 
tification. This  properly  comes  under 
profile,  which  does  not,  however,  in- 
clude length.     See  Plan. 

ICOGLAN,  a  page  in  the  Grand 
Signor's  service.  These  pages  are  al- 
ways chosen  out  of  the  best  formed 
and  best  educated  children  among  the 
Christian  slaves.  It  has  been  a  singular 
maxim  of  policy  among  the  Turks  to 
prefer  Christian  slaves,  as  confidential 
servants,  to  their  own  countrymen. 
Their  motive  originates  in  an  idea,  that 
the  former,  having  lost  all  recollection 
of  their  native  spot,  and  of  the  tender- 
ness which  is  innate  between  child  and 
parent,  would  have  no  other  interest  aE 
heart  but  that  of  their  employers; 
whereas  freemen,  in  general,  measure 
their  attachment  to  their  masters  by  the 
rule  of  self-accommodation  and  personal 
emolument.  From  these  principles  the 
Grand  Signor  has  established  a  body  of 
Icoglans,  in  order  that  they  may  b$ 
devoted  to  his  service;  and  as  a  security 


J  E  S 


(     382     ) 


JET 


for  their  affection  he  frequently  raises 
individuals  amongst  them  to  the  highest 
posts  of  trust  and  dignity  in  the  empire. 
The  rank  of  Spahilcr  Agasi,  or  General 
of  Cavalry,  has  been  conferred  upon 
them  ;  which  appointment,  next  to  that 
of  Grand  Vizier,  of  Mufti  or  of  Bos- 
tangi,  is  the  most  considerable  belonging 
to  the  Ottoman  empire. 

JEANATES,  soldiers  posted  round 
the  outside  tates  of  the  palaces  belong- 
ing to  the  Greek  Emperors. 

JEE,  Ind.  a  title  of  respect  which  is 
used  in  India,  and  signifies  sir,  master, 
worship. 

Jee  Porr,  Ind.  a  statement  and  de- 
cree. 

JEHAUNDER,  Ind.  a  term  used  in 
India,  signifying  the  possessor  of  the 
world. 

JEIIAUN  GEER,  Ind.  a  term  used 
in  India,  signifying  the  conqueror  of  the 
world. 

Jehaun  Shaw,  Ind.  king  of  the 
world. 

JEIIOULDAR,  Ind.  treasurer. 

JELOUDAR,  Ind.  belonging  to  the 
train  or  equipage. 

JEMADE,  Ind.  the  Indian  word  for 
month. 

JEMIDAR  or  J  EMM  AD  AR,  Ind, 
a  black  officer  who  has  the  same  rank  as 
a  lieutenant  in  the  Company's  service. 
The  author  of  the  History  of  the  Car- 
natic  calls  Jemidars  or  Jemmadars  cap- 
tains either  of  horse  or  foot. 

JENIZER-EFFENDI,  an  appoint- 
ment among  the  Turks,  which  in  some 
degree  resembles  that  of  provost-mar- 
shal in  European  armies.  The  only 
functions  which  this  officer  is  permitted 
to  exercise  are  those  of  judge  to  the 
company.  He  sits  on  particular  days 
for  the  purpose  of  hearing  the  complaints 
of  the  soldiers,  and  of  settling  their  dif- 
ferences. If  a  case  of  peculiar  difficulty 
should  occur,  he  reports  the  same  to  the 
Aga,  whose  opinion  and  determination 
are  final. 

JERSEY,  an  island  on  the  coast  of 
Normandy  in  France,  which  has  belong- 
ed to  the  English  ever  since  the  Norman 
conquest.  Although  this  island,  as  well 
as  that  of  Guernsey,  is  still  governed 
by  the  ancient  Norman  laws,  it  is  never- 
theless subject  to  the  Mutiny  Act  in 
liiaiiv  particulars. 

JKRUMONA,  Ind.  mulct,  fine,  or 
penalty. 

JESUIT,  (Jcsuite,  Fr.)  a  learned  or- 


der, of  which  Ignatius  of  Loyola,  a 
Spanish  officer,  was  the  original  founder. 
It  was  confirmed  by  Pope  Paul  III.  A.  D. 
1510.  Loyola  was  severely  wounded  at 
the  siege  of  Pampeluna. 

The  leading  feature  among  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  the  Jesuits,  is  im- 
plicit obedience  to  the  orders  of  their 
superiors.  The  word  Jesuit  is  a  com- 
pound of  Jesu  itc,  follow  Jesus.  This 
order  was  abolished  by  Pope  Ganganelli 
in  1772,  and  was  restored  in  1816. 

JET,  Fr.  a  term  signifying  the  mo- 
tion of  any  body  that  is  urged  forward 
by  main  force;  it  likewise  means  the 
space  which  is  gone  over  by  any  pro- 
pelled body  ;  and  sometimes  the  instru- 
ment from  which  any  thing  is  thrown  or 
shot,  as  the  cross-bow,  &c. 

Jet  des  bombes,  Fr.  This  word  has 
been  adopted  instead  of  tir,  which  for- 
merly expressed  the  course  that  a  shell 
took  when  it  was  thrown  out  of  a  mor- 
tar by  the  power  of  gunpowder. 

We  sometimes  use  the  word  flight,  to 
express  the  same  action  and  progress. 

Jet,  among  the  French,  is  likewise 
applied  to  the  range  taken  by  a  fusee, 
as  jet  de  la  fusee,  the  flight  of  the  fusee. 

In  cannon  founderies  it  is  further 
used  to  express  the  different  pipes  or 
hollows  through  which  the  liquid  metals 
are  conveyed  into  their  moulds. 

Un  beau  Jet,  Fr.  a  fine  cast. 

Jet,  jai/ct,  Fr.  a  sort  of  black,  light, 
and  brittle  stone. 

JETH,  Ind.  the  name  of  a  month 
which,  in  some  degree,  coincides  with 
our  month  of  May. 

JETTEE,  Fr.  a  pier.  It  usually  con- 
sists of  a  projection,  made  with  stone, 
brick,  or  wood,  at  the  extreme  ends  of 
a  harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  resisting 
the  impetuosity  of  the  waves. 

JETTER,  Fr.  to  pour  metal  into  a 
mould,  to  cast  ordnance;  to  throw;  to 
impel,  &c.  The  French  say,  figuratively, 
Un  dictionnaire  ne  se  jette  pas  en  moule, 
a  dictionary  cannot  be  made  all  at  one 
cast. 

Jetter  des  bombes,  Fr.  to  throw 
bombs,  or  shells,  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
stroying the  walls,  &c.  of  a  fortified 
town  ur  place. 

Jetter  du  seconrs  dans  une  forteressr, 
4'C.  Fr.  to  throw  succours  into  a  fort, 
cVc. 

Jetter,  Fr.  in  surgery,  to  suppurate, 
to  matter.  Sa  plate  commence  a  jetter, 
his  wound  begins  to  run,  or  suppurate. 


J  E  U 


(     383 


) 


1MB 


JEU  de  hasard,  Fr.  game  of  chance,  i  livres  were  imprisoned  four  months,  and 
It  was  our  intention  to  have  entered  fully 'those  who  incurred   the   fine   of  6000 


into  this  subject,  as  far  as  it  concerns 
the  military  system,  under  the  head 
Hasard;  but  as  the  matter  has  been 
more  particularly  adverted  to  in  a  French 
author,  we  judge  it  best  to  quote  from 
that  authority,  and  to  shew,  that,  cor- 
rupt as  the  old  government  of  France 
most  unquestionably  was,  the  character 
of  its  army  was  not  neglected.  Every 
species  of  chance-play  was  strictly  for- 
bidden in  the  French  camps  and  garri- 
sons, and  throughout  their  armies.  The 
prohibitions  on  this  head  bear  the  most 
ancient  dates.  On  the  24th  of  July, 
1534,  Francis  I.  issued  an  order,  which 
was  again  confirmed  by  Henry  II.  on 
the  22d  of  May,  1557,  that  no  comrade 
should,  under  any  pretext  whatever, 
obtain  money  from  a  brother-soldier  by 
play.  It  was  further  ordained,  that  in 
case  of  foul  play,  the  persons  who 
should  be  discovered  were,  for  the  first 
offence,  to  be  publicly  flogged  ;  and  for 
the  second,  to  be  punished  in  the  like 
manner,  to  have  their  ears  cut  off,  and 
to  be  banished  for  ten  years.  The  de- 
linquents were  committed  to  the  charge 
and  custody  of  the  provost,  who  was 
authorized  to  confiscate  every  farthing 
that  was  played  for.  Dice  and  cards 
were  rigorously  forbidden  under  the 
same  penalties,  as  well  as  all  sorts  of 
games  which  might  create  animosities 
and  dissensions  among  individuals. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1691,  Louis 
XIV.  issued  an  order  from  the  privy 
council,  by  which  he  expressly  forbade 
not  only  the  officers  belonging  to  his 
army,  but  likewise  all  other  persons  of 
whatever  sex  or  denomination,  to  play  at 
Hoca,  Pharaoh,  Barbacole,  Basset,  and 
Pour  et  Contre.  The  penalties  for  every 
infraction  or  breach  of  this  order  were 
as  follow :  those  persons  who  played 
were  fined  1000  livres,  or  40/.  and  the 
master  or  mistress  of  the  house  where 
games  of  the  above  description  were  al- 
lowed, stood  fined  in  6000  livres  or  240/. 
for  each  offence.  One  third  of  these 
penalties  was  applied  to  his  Majesty's 
use,  one  third  to  the  relief  of  the  poor  of 
the  place  where  the  offence  was  com- 
mitted, and  the  other  third  was  paid  to 
the  informer.  It  was  further  ordained, 
that  in  case  the  persons  so  discovered 
were  unable  to  pay  the  fines,  their  per- 
sons should  be  taken  into  custody. 
Those  subjected  to  the  penalty  of  1000 


livres,  without  having  the  means  to  pay 
it,  were  imprisoned  one  year.  The  In- 
tendans,  or  Lords-Lieutenant  of  the 
Provinces  and  Armies,  the  Police  Ma- 
gistrates, -and  the  Military  Provosts, 
were  all  and  severally  directed  to  see 
this  edict  put  into  execution;  and  by  a 
circular  letter,  which,  in  1712,  was 
written  in  the  king's  name,  by  M.  Voison, 
to  the  different  governors  and  lords- 
lieutenant  of  provinces,  the  prohibitions 
were  extended  to  the  lansquenet,  or 
private  soldier. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  1698,  Louis 
XIV.  issued  out  an  order,  by  which  he 
rigorously  forbade,  under  pain  of  death, 
every  individual  belonging  to  the  French 
cavalry  or  infantry,  (suttler  and  private 
soldier  included,)  to  keep  auy  gaming 
table  in  camp  or  quarters.  In  conse- 
quence of  these  regulations,  and  with 
the  view  of  introducing  the  strictest 
principles  of  honour  and  regularity  in  a 
profession  which  must  he  tarnished  even 
by  the  breath  of  suspicion,  on  the  1st 
of  July,  1727,  Louis  theXVth  ordained, 
by  the  43d  article  of  war,  that  every 
soldier,  horse  or  foot,  who  was  convicted 
of  cheating  at  play,  should  be  punished 
with  death.  He  further  directed,  that, 
in  case  any  hazard  table  should  be  set 
up  in  a  camp,  or  garrison,  the  com- 
manding officer  or  governor  was  to  order 
the  same  to  be  broken  forthwith,  and  to 
commit  all  persons  concerned  therein  to 
prison. 

Jeu,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  the  facility 
with  which  any  thing  moves  in  opening 
or  closing.  Thus,  Cette  porte  a  du  jeu, 
this  door  opens  or  shuts  easily. 

Jeux  de  main,  Fr.  manual  play,  or 
what  are  vulgarly  called  handicuffs.  The 
French  have  always  looked  upon  the 
exercise  of  mere  manual  strength  to 
be  so  derogatory  from  the  character  of 
every  well-bred  gentleman,  that  they 
say,  figuratively,  Jeux  de  main,  Jeux 
de  vilain. 

JEVVAER  KHANNA,  Ind.  the  jewel 
office. 

IHTIMAMDAR,  Ind.  a  person  ap- 
pointed by  the  Hindoo  magistrate,  who 
has  the  superintending  agency  over  se- 
veral towns. 

IJELAS,  Ind.  The  general  assembly 
of  the  court  of  justice  in  Bengal  is  so 
called.  .     . 

To  IMBODY,   in  a  military  sense, 


I  M  P 


C     384     ) 


INC 


implies  to  assemble  under  arms,  either 
for  defence  or  offence.  This  term  is 
particularly  applied  to  the  meeting  of 
the  British  and  Irish  militia. 

To  IMBRUE,  to  steep.  Hence  the 
figurative  expression  to  imbrue  one's 
bands  in  blood. 

S7MMISCER,  Fr.  to  take  a  part  in 
any  particular  affair.  Littrally  to  mix 
in  or  with. 

The  IMMORTALS,  a  name  of  re- 
proach which  is  given  to  such  troops  as 
never  see  an  enemy,  or  go  into  real 
danger.  The  French  affixed  this  term 
to  their  cavalry;  calling  them,  by  way  of 
derision,  Lcs  lmmortels.  This  originated 
in  the  preference  which  was  always  given 
to  the  infantry;  and  which  indeed  be- 
longs to  that  arm  considered  as  an  effec- 
tive force.  Marshal  Saxe,  in  his  Reve- 
ries, says,  IJ 'infant crie  Va  pour  fair e  fa 
guerre,  la  cavalerie  pour  la  voir. 

IMPERIAL,  belonging  to  an  empe- 
ror, or  empire. 

Imperial,  a  leathern  packing-case 
made  to  fit  the  top  of  a  carriage  for  the 
purpose  of  holding  wearing  apparel,  &c. 
it  is  sometimes  used  in  armies. 

IMPERIALISTS,  (Impiriaux,  Fr.) 
This  word  is  chiefly  applied  to  the  sub- 
jects of,  or  forces  employed  by,  the 
bouse  of  Austria,  when  the  king  of  Hun- 
gary was  called  Emperor  of  Germany. 

IMPERITIE,  Fr.  incapability;  want 
of  influence  from  want  of  capacity. 

IMPETUS,  in  mechanics,  the  force 
with  which  one  body  impels  or  strikes 
another.  See  Gunnery.  Momentum. 
IMPOST,  (impaste,  Fr.)  that  part 
of  a  pillar  in  vaults  or  arches,  on  which 
the  weight  of  the  whole  rests. 

IMPREGNABLE.  Any  fortress  or 
work  which  resists  the  efforts  of  attack 
is  said  to  he  impregnable. 

To  IMPRESS,  to  compel  any  body 
to  serve. 

IMPRESS-Scrrice,  a  particular  duty 
which  is  performed  by  persons  belong- 
ing to  the  navy.  Soldiers  that  behave 
ill,  and  from  repeated  misconduct  are 
deemed  incorrigible  on  shore,  get  fre- 
quently turned  over  to  a  press-gang. 
This  does  not,  however,  occur  without 
some  sort  of  concurrence  on  the  part  of 
the  soldier,  who  is  left  to  choose  be- 
tween the  execution  or  continuance  of  a 
severe  military  punishment,  or  to  enter 
on  board  one  of  his  Majesty's  ships. 
LMrKEss-illcrtfy.    All  sums  which  are 


paid  to  men  who  have  been  compelled 
to  serve  are  so  called. 

IMPRESSION,  the  effect  of  an  attack 
upon  any  place,  or  body  of  soldiers. 

IMPREST  of  Money,  a  term  not 
strictly  grammatical,  but  rendered  fami- 
liar by  its  official  adoption,  signifying 
sums  of  money  received  from  time  to 
time,  by  persons  in  public  employment, 
for  the  current  services  of  the  year.  Of 
this  nature  are  the  imprests  which  the 
Barrack-Master  General  receives  upon 
estimates  signed  by  him,  and  delivered 
into  the  office  of  the  Secretary  at  War. 

To  IMPUGN,  to  attack,  or  assault. 

IMPRIMER.  Fr.  to  paint  any  part 
of  a  building,  more  than  once,  with  oil 
colours,  for  the  purpose  of  ornament  or 
preservation. 

IMPULSE,  hostile  impression. 

INACCESSIBLE,  not  to  be  approach- 
ed, in  contradistinction  to  accessible. 

(NATTAQUABLE,  Fr.  not  to  be 
attacked.  Monsieur  A.  T.  Gaigne,  in 
his  Nouvcau  Dictionnaire  Milituire, 
gives  the  following  explanation  of  this 
term  : — An  inherent  right  and  title  can- 
not be  attacked  or  disputed;  but  a  mili- 
lary  post  may  always  be  assailed  when 
there  are  some  physical  defects. 

INCAPABLE,  a  term  of  disgrace, 
which  is  frequently  annexed  to  a  military 
sentence;  as,  such  an  officer  has  been 
cashiered  by  the  sentence  of  a  general 
court-martial,  and  rendered  incapable  of 
ever  serving  his  Majesty  in  either  a  civil 
or  military  capacity. 

INCH,  a  well  known  measure  in 
length,  being  the  12th  part  of  a  foot, 
and  equal  to  three  barley-corns  in  length. 
Sec  Measure. 

INCIDENCE  (in  geometry),  the  di- 
rection by  which  one  body  strikes  upon 
another. 

Incidence  (angle  of),  in  projec- 
tiles, is  the  angle  which  the  line  of  di- 
rection of  the  projectile  makes  with  the 
surface  of  the  obstacle  on  which  it  im- 
pinges. 

INCIDENTS,  charges  which  are 
made  by  Army  Agents  in  their  accounts 
with  the  public.  These  consist  of  all 
expenses  of  a  local  nature.  Under  the 
Ordnance,  they  include  travelling  char- 
ges, postage  and  stationery,  extra  pay 
while  travelling  by  order,  pay  of  artifi- 
cers and  labourers,  allowance  for  a  horse 
to  a  Commissary  or  Assistant-Commis- 
sary, when  claiming  no  travelling  charges, 


I  N  C 


( 


) 


I  N    D 


nsalso  the  poundage  to  the  individuals  in 
the  field-train. — In  the  army  at  large,  all 
expenses  incurred  by  local,  or  temporary 
circumstances,  are  generally  called  con- 
tingencies. 

INCLINATION,  (inclinaison,  Fr.) 
in  geometry,  is  the  mutual  leaning  or 
tendency  of  two  lines  or  planes  towards 
each  other,  so  as  to  make  an  angle. 

Inclination  of'  a  right  line  to  a 
plane,  is  an  acute  angle  which  that  line 
makes  with  any  line  of  the  plane  towards 
which  it  bears. 

To  INCLINE,  in  a  military  sense, 
means  to  gain  ground  to  the  flank,  as 
well  as  to  the  front.  According  to  the 
last  printed  Regulations  for  the  Cavalry, 
page  27,  S.  10,  inclining  is  of  great  use 
Hi  the  marching  of  the  line  in  front,  to 
correct  any  irregularities  that  may  hap- 
pen. It  is  equivalent  to  the  oblique 
marching  of  the  infantry.  It  enables 
you  to  gain  the  enemy's  flank  without 
exposing  your  own,  or  without  wheeling 
or  altering  the  parallel  front  of  the  squa- 
dron. 

Right  (or  left)  Incline,  a  word  of 
command  in  cavalry  movements,  when 
each  man  makes  a  half-face  on  his 
horse's  fore  feet,  by  which  means  each 
will  appear  to  be  half  a  head  behind  his 
flank  leader  ;  and  the  whole  will  look- 
to  the  hand  to  which  they  are  to  in- 
cline. It  must  be  generally  observed, 
that  the  leading  officer  on  the  flank, 
with  a  glance  of  his  eye  ascertaining  his 
points,  marches  steadily  upon  them,  at, 
whatever  pace  is  ordered  :  every  other 
man  in  the  squadron  moves  in  so  many 
parallel  lines,  with  respect  to  him,  and 
preserves  the  same  uniformity  of  front 
and  files,  as  when  he  first  turned  his 
horse's  head. 

At  no  time  'of  the  incline  ought  the 
former  front  of  the  squadron,  or  dis- 
tance of  files  to  be  altered. 

In  the  incline,  the  rear  rank  moves  in 
the  same  manner,  and  is  of  course  re- 
gulated by  the  front  rank,  which  it  takes 
care  to  conform  to. 

Whenever  a  squadron  inclines  it  must 
not  pass  an  angle  of  34°  with  respect  to 
its  former  direction,  unless  it  should  be 
required  to  gain  as  much  or  more  ground 
to  the  flank  as  to  the  front.  The  dis- 
tance of  files  at  six  inches  allows  the 
squadron  to  incline  in  perfect  order, 
while  its  new  direction  does  not  go  be- 
yond the  angle  specified.  When  more 
is  required  to  be  taken,   the   squadron 


must  either  wheel  up,  and  march  upon 
the  flank  point,  or  it  will  fall  more  or 
less  into  file,  according  to  the  degree  of 
obliquity  required,  by  moving  each  horse 
retired,  half  neck,  or  head  to  boot. 

INCLINED  Plane.     See  Gunnery. 

INCLUSIVE,  comprehended  in  the 
sum  or  number;  thus  when  the  abstracts 
were  made  out  for  60  and  Gl  days,  they 
generally  ran  from  the  24th  of  one  month 
to  the  24th  of  the  second  month,  inclu- 
ding the  last  24th  only.  Since  the  new 
regulation,  the  muster,  as  also  the  ab- 
stract, is  taken  from  the  25th  of  one 
month  to  the  24th  of  the  following 
month,  both  days  inclusive. 

INCOG,  1     .    ',  .         , 

INCOGNITO,  \  Pnvatel.v>  unknown. 

INCOMBUSTIBLE-c/o//*,  a  sort  of 
linen  cloth  made  from  a  stone  in  the 
form  of  calk.     See  Lapis. 

INCOMMENSURABLE,  that  can- 
not be  measured,  or  be  reduced  to  any 
proportion  or  equal  measure  with  an- 
other. 

Incommensurables,  ( incommensu- 
rable^, Fr.)  a  term  used  in  arithmetic,  to 
signify  those  numbers  that  have  no  com- 
mon divisor,  as  3  and  5. 
.  INCOMMODER  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  get 
possession  of  a  fort,  eminence,  &c.  from 
which  the  enemy  may  be  harassed,  or 
which  is  necessary  to  his  security: 

INCOMPETENT,  incapable,  unfit, 
unequal. 

INCOMPLETE,  opposed  to  com- 
plete, which  see. 

INCOMPOSITE-?*»?n6ers,  (in  arith- 
metic,) are  those  numbers  made  only  by 
addition,  or  the  collection  of  units,  and. 
not  hy  multiplication  ;  so  an  unit  only 
can  measure  it,  as  2,  3,4,  5,  ccc.  called 
also  prime  numbers. 

To  INCORPORATE,  in  a  military 
sense,  is  to  add  a  smaller  body  of  forces 
to  a  larger,  and  to  mix  them  together. 
Independent  companies  are  said  to  be 
incorporated,  when  they  are  distributed 
among  different  regiments,  regiments 
among  brigades,  ccc.  &c.  So  that  any 
lesser  body  may  be  incorporated  in  a 
greater. 

To  INCRUST,      )  (  incruster,   Fr.  ) 

INCRUSTATE,  S  to  cover  with  an 
additional  coat,  adhering  to  the  original 
matter.  To  replace  a  defective  stone  in 
a  wall  or  building,  by  a  good  one. 

INCURSION,  invasion  without  con- 
quest ;  inroad  ;  ravage. 

INDEMNIFICATION,   any    rein>. 
3D 


I  N  D 


(     SG6*     ) 


I  N  D 


bursement    or   compensation    which   is 
given  for  loss  or  penalty. 

Military  Indemnification,  a  regu- 
lated allowance  which  is  made  by  the 
king  for  losses  sustained  by  officers  or 
soldiers  on  actual  service. 

Certificates,  stating  the  particular  cir- 
cumstances and  causes  of  the  losses  to  be 
indemnified  are  to  be  signed  by  the  offi- 
cers  themselves,  and  by  the  commanding 
othcers  of  their  regiments.  And  the  ge- 
neral officers  commanding  in  chief  on 
the  different;  foreign  stations,  are  to  de- 
cide on  the  claims  preferred  in  their 
respective  districts  of  command  upon  the 
ground  of  this  regulation,  and  to  grant 
payment  accordingly. 

INDEMNITY,  a  security  or  exemp- 
tion from  penalty,  loss,  or  punishment. 
It  is  sometimes  connected  with  annesty. 
Thus  Charles  II.  on  his  restoration,  en- 
deavoured to  conciliate  the  minds  of  his 
subjects,  by  promising  amnesty  and  in- 
demnity to  the  different  parties  that  had 
been  directly  active,  indirectly  instru- 
mental, or  passively  the  means  of  his 
father's  death. 

To  INDENT,  a  word  particularly 
made  use  of  in  India  for  the  dispatch  of 
military  business.  It  is  of  the  same  im- 
port and  meaning  as  to  draw  or  value 
upon.  It  likewise  means  an  order  for 
military  stores,  arms,  ccc.  As  an  indent 
fur  new  supp'.es,  &c. 

Indented  line,  in  fortification,  is  a 
line  running  out  and  in,  like  the  teeth 
of  a  saw,  forming  several  angles,  so  that 
one  side  defends  another.  They  are 
used  on  the  banks  of  rivers,  where  they 
enter  a  town  ;  the  parapet  of  the  covert- 
way  is  also  often  indented.  This  is 
by  the  French  engineers  called  redans. 
Small  places  are  sometimes  fortified 
with  such  a  line,  but  the  fault  of  such 
fortification  is,  that  the  besiegers  from 
one  battery  may  ruin  both  sides  of  the 
tcnaille  of  the  front  of  a  place,  and 
make  an  assault  without  fear  of  being 
enfiladed,  since  the  defences  are  ruined. 

Independent,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
a  term  which  distinguishes  from  the  rest 
of  the  army,  those  companies  that  have 
been  raised  by  individuals  for  rank, 
and  are  afterwards  drafted  into  corps 
that  may  be  short  of  their  complement 
of  men. 

Independent  company,  \  is  one  that 

Independent  troop,  $  is  not  in- 
corporated into  any  regiment. 

In dependent ( among  metaphysicians) 


is  when  one  thing  does  not  depend  upon 
another  as  its  cause. 

IN  DETER M 1 N  ATE,  (ind'etermini, 
Fr.)  a  term  used  among  geometricians, 
to  express  any  problem  which  is  suscep- 
tible of  an  infinity  of  solutions  that  are 
different  from  each  other. 

INDIAN  camp.  An  Indian  camp 
may  be  considered  as  one  of  the  loosest 
assemblages  of  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, that  can  perhaps  be  imagined. 

Every  common  soldier  in  the  army 
is  accompanied  by  a  wife,  or  concubine; 
the  officers  have  several,  and  the  gene- 
rals whole  seraglios  ;  besides  these,  the 
army  is  encumbered  by  a  number  of  at- 
tendants and  servants,  exceeding  that  of 
the  fighting  men  ;  and  to  supply  the 
various  wants  of  this  enervated  multi- 
tude, dealers,  pedlars,  and  retailers  of 
all  sorts,  follow  the  camp,  to  whom  a 
separate  quarter  is  allotted,  in  which 
they  daily  exhibit  their  different  com- 
modities, in  greater  quantities,  and  with 
more  regularity,  than  in  any  fair  in 
Europe ;  all  of  them  sitting  on  the 
ground  in  a  line,  with  their  merchan- 
dises exposed  before  them,  and  shelter- 
ed from  the  sun  by  a  mat  supported  by 
sticks. 

Indian  Engineers,  Mr.  Orme,  in 
his  history  of  the  Carnatic,  affords  an 
instance  of  the  art  of  engineering  being 
known,  and  cultivated  by  the  native 
Indians.  In  page  2G5,  he  gives  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  a  place  called  Ching- 
lapet,  which  had  been  fortified  by  an 
Indian  engineer.  Chinglapet  is  situated 
about  30  miles  west  of  Cobelong,  40 
south-west  of  Madras,  and  within  half 
a  mile  of  the  northen  bank  of  the  river 
Palier.  It  was,  and  not  without  rea- 
son, esteemed  by  the  natives,  a  very 
strong  hold.  Its  outline,  exclusive  of 
some  irregular  projections  at  the  gate- 
ways, is  nearly  a  parallelogram,  extend- 
ing 400  yards  from  north  to  south,  and 
320  from  east  to  west.  The  eastern 
and  half  the  northern  side,  is  covered 
by  a  continued  swamp  of  rice-fields,  and 
the  other  half  of  the  north,  together 
with  the  whole  of  the  west-side,  is  de- 
fended by  a  large  lake.  Inaccessible  in 
these  parts,  it  would  have  been  impreg- 
nable, if  the  south  side  had  been  equally 
secure  ;  but  there  the  ground  is  high, 
and  gives  advantages  to  an  enemy. — 
The  Indian  engineer,  whoever  he  was 
that  erected  the  fort,  seems  to  have  ex- 
ceeded the  common  reach  of  his  coun- 


I  N  D 


(     387     ) 


I  N  D 


.try  men  in  the  knowledge  of  his  art,  not 
only  by  the  choice  of  the  spot,  but  also 
by  proportioning  the  strength  of  the 
defences  to  the  advantages  and  disad- 
vantages of  the  situation  :  for  the  for- 
tifications to  the  south  are  much  the 
strongest,  those  opposite  the  rice-fields, 
something  weaker  ;  and  the  part  that  is 
skirted  by  the  lake  is  defended  only  by 
a  slender  wall  :  a  deep  ditch  60  feet 
wide,  and  faced  with  stone  ;  a  fausse 
braye,  and  a  stone  wall  13  feet  high, 
with  round  towers,  on  and  between  the 
angles,  form  the  defences  to  the  land  : 
nor  are  these  all,  for  parallel  to  the 
south,  east,  and  north  sides  of  these 
outward  works  are  others  of  the  same 
kind,  repeated  within  them,  and  these 
joining  to  the  slender  wall  which  runs  to 
the  west  along  the  lake,  form  a  second 
enclosure  of  fortification. 

Indian  Fortification.  The  entrance 
into  an  Indian  fortification  is  through  a 
large  and  complicated  pile  of  buildings, 
projecting  in  the  form  of  a  parallelo- 
gram from  the  main  rampart;  and  if  the 
city  has  two  walls,  it  projects  beyond 
them  both:  this  building  consists  of 
several  continued  terraces,  which  are  of 
the  same  height  as  the  main  rampart, 
and  communicate  with  it:  the  inward 
walls  of  these  terraces  form  the  sides 
of  an  intricate  passage,  about  twenty 
feet  broad,  which  leads  by  various  short 
turnings  at  right  angles,  through  the 
whole  pile,  to  the  principal  gate,  that 
stands  in  the  main  rampart.  We  have 
extracted  this  passage  from  the  history 
of  the  Carnatic,  as  affording  a  general 
outline  of  Indian  fortification.  In  the 
same  place  may  be  seen,  (page  320), 
the  following  description  of  a  battery, 
which  was  built  by  the  English  in  1753, 
and  contributed  to  the  preservation  of 
Tritchinopoly,  when  the  French  attempt- 
ed to  storm  that  place. 

This  battery  was  called  Dalton's  bat- 
tery, from  an  officer  of  that  name,  who, 
when   intrusted  with  the  command   of 


without  descending  into  the  interjacent 
area,  and  then  mounting  the  Wall  of  the 
terrace  with  scaling  ladders :  the  battery, 
however,  communicated  with  the  ram- 
part of  the  outward  wall  of  the  city,  but 
being,  as  that  was,  only  eighteen  feet 
high,  it  was  commanded  by  the  terraces 
behind  it,  as  well  as  by  the  rampart  of 
the  inner  wall,  hot!)  of  which  were  thirty 
feet  high  ;  upon  one  of  the  inward  cava- 
liers, south  of  the  gateway,  were  planted, 
two  pieces  of  cannon,  to  plunge  into  the 
battery,  and  scour  the  interval  between 
the  two  walls,  as  far  as  the  terraces  of 
the  gateway  ;  and  two  other  pieces, 
mounted  on  the  north-west  angle  of  the 
inward  rampart,  commanded,  in  like 
manner,  both  the  battery  and  the  inter- 
val to  the  north  of  the  terraces. 

Indian  Guides.  According  to  the 
ingenious  author  of  the  history  of  the 
Carnatic,  these  men  are  not  to  be  de- 
pended upon.  In  page  217  he  relates, 
that  on  the  1st  of  April,  1752,  at  night, 
Captain  Dalton  was  ordered  with  400 
men  to  march,  and,  by  taking  a  large 
circuit,  to  come  in  at  the  eastern  extre- 
mity of  the  enemy's  camp,  which  he 
was  to  enter,  beat  up,  and  set  fire  to. 
The  English  troops,  from  their  long  in- 
activity, knew  so  little  of  the  ground 
about  Tritchinopoly,  that  they  were 
.obliged  to  trust  to  Indian  guides  :  and 
these  being  ordered  to  conduct  them 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy's  ad- 
vanced posts,  fell  into  the  other  extreme 
and  led  them  several  miles  out  of  their 
way,  and  through  such  had  roads,  that 
when  the  morning  star  appeared,  they* 
found  themselves  between  Elimiscram 
and  the  French  rock,  two  miles  from 
Chamdasheb's  camp,  and  in  the  center 
of  all  their  posts. 

Indian  Princes  and  their  Troops. 
Their  military  character  may  be  col- 
lected from  the  following  curious  ac- 
count, which  is  given  of  a  circumstance 
that  occurred  in  the  Tanjore  country, 
when  the  English  obtained  a  signal  vic- 


the  garrison  had  converted  that  part  of  tory  over  the  French  and  Mysoreans,  in 
the  gate-way  which  projected  beyond  1753.  The  presence  of  the  nabob  being 
the  outward  wall,  into  a  solid  battery,  thought  necessary  to  facilitate  a  ne^ocia- 
with  embrasures;  leaving  the  part  be-|tion  that  was  then  judged  expedient  to 
tween  the  two  walls  as  it  stood,  with  I  undertake,  he  prepared  to  march  witlt 
its  windings  and  terraces:  an  interval  the  English  army;  but  on  the  evening 
was  likewise  left  between  the  backside  he  intended  to  quit  the  city,  his  discon- 


of  the  battery  and  the  terrace  nearest 
to  it,  which  lay  parallel  to  each  other  ; 
so  that  an  enemy  who  had  gained  the 
battery,  could   not  get  to  the  terrace, 


tented  troops  assembled  in  the  outer 
court  of  the  palace,  and  clamouring, 
declared  that  they  would  not  suffer  him 
to  move,  before  he  had  paid  their  ar- 

3D  a 


I  N  D 


(     388     ) 


I  N  D 


rears;  in  vain  were  arguments  used  to 
Convince  this  rabble,  (more  insolent  be- 
cause   they    had     never    rendered    any 
effectual  service,)  that  his  going  to  Tan- 
jore  was  the  only  measure  from  which 
they  could  hope  tor  a  chance  of  receiv- 
ing their  pay  :  they  remained  inflexible, 
nnd   threatened  violence;    upon    which 
Captain  Dalton,  whom  we  have  already 
mentioned,    sent   a    messenger    to    the 
camp,  from  whence  the  grenadier  com- 
pany immediately  marched  into  the  city, 
where   they  were  joined   by  100  of  the 
garrison  of  Tritchinopoly,  and  all  together 
forcing  their  way  into  the  palace,  they 
got  the   nabob  into   his  palanquin,  and 
escorted   him   to  the  camp,  surrounded 
by  200  Europeans  with  fixed  bayonets; 
the  malcontents  not  daring  to  offer  him 
any  outrage  as  he  was  passing,  nor  on 
the  other  hand,  was  any  injury  offered 
to  them:  for  notwithstanding  such  pro- 
ceedings in  more  civilized  nations  rarely 
happen,  and  are  justly  esteemed  mutiny 
nnd  treason;  yet  in  Indostan  they  are 
common  accidents,  and  arise  from  such 
causes  as  render  il  difficult  to  ascertain 
whether  the  Prince  or  his  army  be  most 
in  fault.     The  nabob  had  certainly  no 
money  to  pay  his  troops;  so  far  from  it, 
that    the    English    had    for   two    years 
furnished  all  the  expenses  of  their  own 
troops  in  the  field  ;  but  it  is   a  maxim 
with  every  prince  in  India,  let  his  wealth 
be  ever  so  great,  to  keep  his  army  in 
long  arrears,  for  fear  they  should  desert. 
This  apprehension   is  perhaps  not  un- 
justly entertained  of  hirelings  collected 
from  every  part  of  a  despotic  empire, 
and  insensible  of  notions  of  attachment 
to  the  prince  or  cause  they  serve ;  but 
from  hence  the  soldiery,  accustomed  to 
excuses  when  dictated   by  no  necessity, 
give  no  credit  to  those  which  are  made 
to  them,  when  there  is  a   real  impossi- 
bility of  satisfying  their  demands  ;  and 
a  practice,  common  to  most  of  the  prin- 
ces of  Indostan,  concurs  not  a  little  to 
increase  this  mistrust  in  all  who  serve 
them;  for,  on   the   one   hand,   the  vain 
notions   in  which  they  have  been  edu- 
cated, inspire  them  with  such  a  love  of 
outward  shew,  and   the  enervating  cli- 
jnate  in    which  they   are  born  renders 
them  so  incapable  of  resisting  the  im- 
pulses of  fancy:  and  on  the  other  hand, 
the  frequent  reverses  of  fortune  in   tlus 
empire,  dictate  so  strongly  the  necessity 
■of  hoarding  resources  against  the  hour  of 
calamity,  that  nothing  is. more  common 


than  to  sec  a  nabob  purchasing  a  jewel 
or  ornament  of  great  price,  at  the  very 
time  that  he  is  in  the  greatest  distress 
for  money  to  answer  the  necessities  of 
the  government.  Hence,  instead  of 
being  shocked  at  the  clamours  of  their 
soldiery,  they  are  accustomed  to  live  in 
expectation  of  them,  and  it  is  a  maxim 
in  their  conduct  to  hear  them  with  pa- 
tience, unless  the  crowd  proceed  to  vio- 
lence; but  in  order  to  prevent  this,  they 
take  care  to  attach  to  their  interest 
some  principal  officers,  with  such  a 
number  of  the  best  troops,  as  may  serve, 
on  emergency,  to  cheek  the  tumult, 
which  is  rarely  headed  by  a  man  of  dis- 
tinction. But  when  his  affairs  grow 
desperate  by  the  success  of  a  superior 
enemy,  the  prince  atones  severely  for 
his  evasions,  by  a  total  defection  of  his 
army,  or  by  suffering  such  outrages  as 
the  Nabob  Mahomed-Ally  would  in  all 
probability  have  been  ex-posed  to,  had 
he  not  been  rescued  in  the  manner  we 
have  described. 

Indian  Arrow-root,  a  plant;  a  sove- 
reign remedy  for  curing  the  bite  of 
wasps,  and  expelling  the  poison  of  the 
manchtneel  tree.  The  Indians  apply 
this  root  to  extract  the  venom  of  their 
arrows. 

Indian  Reed,  a  kind  of  mineral  earth. 

Military  INDICATIONS,  (indices 
militaires,  Fr.)  Marshal  Saxe  very  judi- 
ciously observes,  that  there  are  indica- 
tions in  war  which  every  officer  should 
attend  to,  and  from  which  deductions 
and  conclusions  may  be  drawn  with 
some  degree  of  certainty.  A  previous 
knowledge  of  your  enemy's  national 
character  and  customs  will  contribute 
not  a  little  towards  the  attainment  of 
this  object.  Every  country,  indeed,  has 
customs  and  usages  which  arc  peculiar 
to  itself.  Among  various  indications 
that  we  might  adduce,  let  us  suppose 
tfiose  leading  ones,  by  which  the  inten- 
tions of  an  enemy  may  be  discovered  by 
the  garrison  of  a  besieged  town.  If, 
for  example,  towards  the  close  of  day, 
groups  or  loose  parties  of  armed  men 
should  be  discovered  upon  the  neigh- 
bouring heights  which  overlook  and 
command  the  town,  you  may  remain 
assured,  that  some  considerable  attack 
is  in  agitation.  Small  detachments  from 
the  different  corps  arc  sent  forward  for 
this  purpose,  and  the  besieging  army  is 
thereby  apprised  of  the  business,  as  tire 
heights  are  occupied  in  the  evening  by 


I  N  D 


(     389     ) 


I  N  F 


ll'.e  parties  in  question,  io  order  that 
they  may  be  thoroughly  acquainted  with 
the  leading  avenues,  &c. 

When  much  firing  is  heard  from  an 
enemy's  camp,  and  another  army  Hes 
encamped  near,  the  latter  may  conclude, 
that  an  engagement  will  take  place  the 
following  day;  for  it  must  he  evident, 
that  the  soldiers  are  cleaning  and  trying 
their  muskets. 

Marshal  Saxe  further  remarks,  that  a 
considerable  movement  in  an  enemy's 
army  may  he  discovered  by  any  large 
quantity  of  dust,  which  is  a  sure  indica- 
tion of  it.  The  reflection  of  the  sun 
upon  the  h'relocks  of  an  army  will  like- 
wise lead  to  some  knowledge  of  its  po- 
sition. If  the  rays  are  collected  and 
perpendicular,  it  is  a  certain  indication, 
that  the  enemy  is  advancing  towards 
you ;  if  they  disappear  at  times  and  cast 
a  broken  radiance,  you  may  conclude, 
that  he  is  retreating.  If  the  troops 
move  from  right  to  left,  their  line  of 
march  is  towards  the  left:  if  from  left 
to  right,  the  line  of  march  is  towards 
the  right.  Should  considerable  clouds 
of  dust  be  seen  to  rise  from  an  enemy's 
camp,  and  it  be  ascertained  that  he  is  in 
want  of  forage,  it  may  be  fairly  inferred, 
that  the  train  of  wagoners  and  purvey- 
ors, &c.  are  moving,  and  that  the  whole 
will  follow  shortly. 

If  the  enemy,  observes  the  same  wri- 
ter, has  his  camp-ovens  on  the  right  or 
left,  and  you  are  covered  by  a  small 
rivulet,  you  may  make  a  flank  disposi- 
tion, and  by  that  manoeuvre,  suddenly 
return  and  detach  ten  or  twelve  thou- 
sand men  to  demolish  his  ovens;  and 
whilst  you  are  protected  by  the  main 
body  of  the  army  which  is  ordered  to 
suppqrt  the  first  detachment,  you  may 
seize  upon  all  Ins  Sour,  &c.  There  are 
innumerable  stratagems  of  this  sort 
which  may  be  practised  in  war,  and  by 
means  of  which,  a  victory  may  be  ob- 
tained without  much  bloodshed  on  your 
part,  and  at  all  events  with  considerable 
disadvantage  to  the  enemy. 

£flsMNDIES,  HV.sMNDIES.  The 
French  make  use  of  two  terms  to 
describe  these  parts  of  the  globe.  They 
say  links  orient ales,  or  g> uncles  hides; 
East-Indies;  and  hides  occidentals,  or, 
petites  hides;  West-Indies. 

Indies  (East).  These  are  divided 
into  India  within  the  river  Ganges,  and 
India    beyond  the    river  Ganges.     The 


various  provinces  and  kingdoms  of  both 
the  divisions  of  India  are  described 
under  their  respective  names. 

India  within  the  river  Ganges. — 
This  division  consists  of  a  country, 
which  is  situated  between  the  latitudes 
of  6  and  34  degrees  north,  and  between 
53  and  91  degrees  of  east  longitude. 
A  great  part  of  this  space  is  covered 
with  the  sea.  India  within  the  Ganges 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Ushec  Tar- 
tary,  and  part  of  Thibet;  by  the  Indian 
ocean  on  the  south;  by  Great  Thibet, 
India  beyond  the  Ganges,  and  the  bay 
of  Bengal  on  the  east;  and  by  Persia 
and  the  Indian  ocean  on  the  west.  The 
chief  mountains  are  those  of  Caucasus, 
Naugracut,  and  ITilagate,  which  run 
almost  the  whole  length  of  India  from 
north  to  south. 

India  bei/ond  the  Ganges.  This  di- 
vision consists  of  a  country,  which  is 
situated  between  the  latitudes  of  one 
and  30  degrees  north,  and  between  the 
longitudes  of  89  and  109  degrees  east. 
Great  part  of  these  limits  is  covered  by 
the  sea.  It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Thibet  and  China,  by  China  and  the 
Chinesian  sea  on  the  east;  by  the  same 
sea  and  the  straights  of  Malacca  on  the 
south,  and  by  the  bay  of  Bengal  and 
part  of  India  on  the  west. 

For  the  different  establishments  that 
constitute  the  Indian  army,  properly  so 
called,  we  refer  our  readers  to  the  Ori- 
ental Register,  which  is  published  an- 
nually. 

Indies  (West),  a  number  of  large 
and  small  islands  in  the  Atlantic  ocean, 
near  the  continent  of  America.  They 
were  so  called  when  they  were  first  dis- 
covered by  Christopher  Columbus  ia 
1492,  under  the  supposition  that  they 
were  a  part  of  the  East-Indies. 

INDOSTAN.  According  to  Mr. 
Orme,  this  word  ought  properly  to  mean 
India.  See  Hist,  of  the  Carnatic,  b.  i. 
p.  1. 

INFAMOUS  Behaviour,  (infamie, 
conduit e  infame,  Fr.)  a  term  peculiarly 
applicable  to  military  life  when  it  is  af- 
fected by  dishonourable  conduct.  Hence 
the  expression  which  is  used  in  our 
Articles  of  War,  relative  to  scandalous, 
infamous  behaviour ;  on  conviction  of 
which,  an  officer  is  ordered  to  be  cash- 
iered. Infamy  may  be  attached  to  an 
officer  or  soldier  in  a  variety  of  wavs; 
and  some  countries  are  more  teuacious 


INF 


(    390     ) 


INF 


than  others  on  this  head.  Among  Eu- 
ropean nations  it  has  always  been 
deemed  infamous  and  disgraceful  to 
abandon  the  field  of  action,  or  to  desert 
the  colours,  except  in  cases  of  the  great- 
est emergency. 

INFANTRY,  (infanterie,  Fr.)  sol- 
iliers  serving  on  foot,  and  composing 
the  main  strength  and  body  of  an  army. 

Infanterie  aventuriirc,  Fr.  a  spe- 
cies of  French  infantry,  which  succeed- 
ed to  the  legions  that  were  established 
under  Francis  I.  in  imitation  of  the 
Roman  legions.  This  infantry  was 
kept  up  as  late  as  during  the  reign  of 
Henry  IV.  when  the  whole  of  the  foot 
establishments  was  reduced  into  regi- 
ments. 

Heavy  armed  Infantry,  among  the 
ancients,  were  such  as  wore  a  complete 
suit  of  armour,  and  engaged  with  broad 
shields  and  long  spears.  They  were  the 
flower  and  strength  of  the  Grecian  armies, 
and  had  the  highest  rank  of  military 
honour. 

Light-armed  Infantry,  amongst  the 
ancients,  were  designed  for  skirmishes, 
and  for  fighting  at  a  distance.  Their 
weapons  were  arrows,  darts  or  slings. 

Light  Infantry  have  only  been  in 
use  since  the  year  1656.  They  have  no 
camp-equipage  to  carry,  and  their  arms 
and  accoutrements  are  much  lighter  than 
those  of  the  common  infantry,  or  bat- 
talion men.  Wherever  there  is  light 
cavalry,  there  should  be  light  infantry  to 
act  in  conjunction. 

Foreign  Infantry  (infanterie  etran- 
gcre,  Fr.)  Foreign  troops  were  taken 
into  pay,  in  France,  at  a  very  early 
period.  In  the  reign  of  Philip,  sur- 
naraed  le  Bel,  or  handsome,  treaties 
and  agreements  were  severally  entered 
into,  for  this  purpose,  with  John  Bail- 
ed, king  of  Scotland,  Eric,  king  of 
Norway,  Albert  duke  of  Austria,  and 
many  other  German  princes,  and  with 
Humbert,  duke  of  Viennois. 

Philip  of  Valois  likewise  made  use 
of  foreign  troops;  and  under  Louis  XI. 
the  Swiss  were  taken  into  French  pay; 
since  that  period,  and  until  the  revolu- 
tion, which  was  accomplished  on  the 
10th  of  August,  1792,  several  regiments 
were  maintained  under  the  different  de- 
nominations of  Swiss,  German,  Italian, 
Catalnnian,  Scotch,  and  Irish  corps,  or 
brigades.  After  the  French  revolution 
the    same    system  was    more    or    less 


adopted  hy  the  British  government. 
Independent  of  foreign  subsidies,  it  was 
judged  expedient  to  admit  foreigners  of 
rank  within  those  native  limits,  from 
which  every  stranger  had  been  hitherto 
jealously  excluded. 

With  respect  to  our  foreign  corps, 
they  proved  themselves,  during  the  late 
war,  worthy  of  the  confidence  placed 
in  them. 

The  Turkish  Infantry,  (infanterie 
Turque,  Fr.)  is  generally  composed  of 
regiments  that  are  chosen  or  select. — 
This  body  is  first  divided  into  two  parts 
called  Capiculy  and  Scrratculy.  Th« 
militia,  which  is  named  Capiculy,  it 
subdivided  into  Janizaries,  ylgemolans, 
Topeys,  Gehcgys,  and  Sakkas.  The  Age- 
molans  constitute  the  military  school,  in 
which  young  men,  destined  for  the  corps 
of  Janizaries,  are  educated  ;  the  Topeys 
are  Turkish  cannoniers,  the  Gebegys 
are  armourers,  and  the  Sakkas  are 
water-carriers. 

The  Serratculy  infantry  is  composed 
of  Azapes,  Izarelys,  Seimenys,  Lag' 
umgys  and  Musellims.  Count  de  Mas- 
silly,  in  his  Etat  militaire  de  P  Empire 
Ottoman,  gives  the  following  account  of 
these  corps. 

The  Porte  being  convinced,  that  the 
body  of  Janizaries  was  not  sufficiently 
strong  to  garrison  all  the  frontier  places 
belonging  to  the  Turkish  empire,  esta- 
blished in  the  different  provinces  new 
corps  of  infantry,  whose  duty  was  simi- 
lar to  that  of  the  janizaries,  in  camp  and 
garrison.  These  corps  were  maintained 
at  the  expense  of  each  Beglierbat  or 
principality.  Some  writers  have  incon- 
siderately confounded  this  corps  with 
that  of  the  janizaries,  meraly  distin- 
guishing it  by  the  name  of  Capiculy.  It 
differs,  however,  very  materially  from 
them,  being  superior  in  the  formation 
of  its  divisions,  more  celebrated  for  the 
valour  of  its  troops,  and  in  every  re- 
spect better  disciplined. 

This  corps  is  not  upon  the  same  foot- 
ing as  the  militia  called  Capiculy.  It 
is,  in  general,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Bachas  of  the  different  provinces,  the 
command  of  which  is  given  to  those 
persons  who  are  either  the  particular 
friends  of  the  Bachas,  or  have  the 
means  of  bribing  handsomely  for  the 
appointments.  This  militia  does  not; 
receive  any  pay,  unless  it  be  actively 
employed,  and   its  subsistence  in  that 


INF 


(     391     ) 


INF 


case  is  drawn  from  the  provinces,  much 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  British 
militia  is  from  the  different  counties,  at 
the  monthly  meetings.  With  regard  to 
its  institution,  the  principal  object  of  it 
is  to  support  the  janizaries,  and  to  re- 
place them,  when  vacancies  occur. 

The  number  of  the  Azapes  is  not  par- 
ticularly fixed.  They  consist  chiefly  of 
independent  companies,  which  are  dis- 
tributed among  the  different  depart- 
ments of  the  Turkish  empire.  They 
are  distinguished  among  their  own  peo- 
ple by  the  different  names  of  the  week, 
and  they  are  divided  into  as  many  odas 
or  companies.  > 

These  odas  or  companies  are  indis- 
criminately subject  to  the  orders  of  two 
general  officers,  viz.  the  Azape-Agasi, 
who  is  commander  in  chief  of  theAzapes, 
and  the  Azape-Kiatiby,  their  commis- 
sary general,  who  keeps  a  register  of 
their  names  and  countries. 

They  obey  subordinate  officers  called 
Derys,  Oda-Bascys  and  Baitactars. 
There  are  ten  Derys  attached  to  each 
company,  who  may  be  properly  consi- 
dered as  corporals,  entrusted  with  the 
discipline  of  the  soldiers.  The  Baitac- 
tars are  the  standard-bearers.  Each 
standard  belonging  to  an  oda  or  com- 
pany consists  of  a  horse's  tail,  which 
hangs  from  the  end  of  a  lance  that  is 
capped  with  a  gilt  ball.  The  officers 
are  moreover  directed  to  superintend 
the  messes  belonging  to  the  different 
companies. 

It  is  usual  for  each  azape  to  be  a 
native  of  the  province  in  which  he 
serves,  and  he  is  generally  clothed  after 
the  fashion  of  the  country.  At  Buda 
the  azapes  were  ordered  to  be  dressed 
in  the  Hungarian  manner,  which  con- 
sisted in  a  cloth  cap  bordered  with  skin, 
a  sabre,  an  arquebuse  or  fusil ;  which 
similarity  of  dress  and  accoutrement 
has  frequently  confounded  the  azapes 
with  Hungarian  Christians. 

The  izarelys  are  chiefly  employed  in 
the  frontier  towtis,  and  have  charge  of 
the  artillery  in  the  room  of  the  topeys 
or  cannoniers.  They  are  under  the 
direction  and  command  of  an  artillery 
officer,  who  is  sent  from  Constantinople 
and  is  called  Topey-Agasi. 

Their  number  is  uncertain,  and  they 
are  not  subdivided,  as  their  employment 
depends  wholly  upon  the  quality  and 
quantity  of  artillery  that  are  used.  One 
man  is  attached  to  small  field  pieces, 


and  two  to  those  of  larger  caliber ;  so 
that  instead  of  being  distributed  by 
companies,  they  are  ordered  upon  duty 
according  to  the  nature  and  number  of 
the  ordnance. 

They  have  no  other  officer,  besides 
the  one  already  mentioned,  attached  to 
them,  which  officer  is  subordinate  to 
the  Bacha  of  the  province,  as  their  ser- 
vice does  not  require  subaltern  officers. 
The  Bolukys-Bascys  are  officers  merelv 
employed  to  bring  orders  from  the  ge- 
neral officers,  but  they  cannot  interfere 
in  the  direction  or  management  of  the 
artillery. 

The  Seimenys  are  the  least  respectable 
body  belonging  to  this  national  militia, 
being  composed  wholly  of  peasants, 
that  are  called  out  and  enrolled,  like  the 
supplementary  militia  of  Great  Britain, 
in  cases  of  extreme  necessity.  They 
are  only,  in  fact,  considered  as  a  mass  of 
people  serving  to  increase  the  number 
of  better  disciplined  troops,  without 
having  any  credit  for  military  skill  or 
valour.  They  consist  of  Turks,  Greeks, 
and  even  of  Roman  Catholics  who  enrol 
themselves  in  order  to  be  exempted  from 
the  annual  tax. 

Their  only  chief,  or  commanding 
officer,  is  the  bacha  of  the  province. 
The  Seimenys  belonging  to  Natolia  are 
all  Mahomedans.  They  are  called  Jajas, 
or  Men  on  foot,  and  although  they  do 
nst  receive  any  pay  except  whem  em- 
bodied, they  are  nevertheless  divided 
into  Baitucs  or  Standards,  which  are 
similar  to  the  Odas,  and  they  obey  their 
Seimeny-Boluk-Bascy,  who  commands 
sixty  men  that  are  attached  to  his  stand- 
ard, and  to  the  Baitactar,  who  escorts 
the  standard,  which  is  generally  red, 
and  of  a  moderate  size. 

The  Seimenys  usually  do  duty  in 
camp  and  garrison.  For  although  the 
Turks  place  little  confidence  in  Chris- 
tians, yet  there  have  been  instances 
wherein  their  services  have  been  re- 
quired on  very  important  occasions.  At 
the  Siege  of  Vienna  they  employed 
Christian  troops,  and  increased  their 
infantry  by  those  means  very  consider- 
ably ;  they  even  formed  a  reserve  from 
troops  of  that  description ;  and  their 
conduct  was  such,  that  they  acquired  a 
marked  reputation  by  the  obstinate  re- 
sistance which  they  made  at  Colem- 
bergh. 

These  troops,  however,  are  in  general 
ill-armed,    having  only  rough  polished 


I  N   I" 


(   300   ) 


I  N  F 


sabres,  and  very  indifferent  arquebuses 

with  locks,  or  bar)  fusils  of  diligent 
sizes,  and  consequently  of  little  use  in 
tbe  bands  of  such  men. 

The  Lagumgys  are  "hat  we  call 
miners.  This  body  is  chiefly  composed 
of  Armenians  and  Christians  out  of 
Greece  or  Bosnia,  who  being  in  the 
habit  of  mining,  are  extremely  service- 
able in  that  line,  and  act  under  the  im- 
mediate direction  of  some  old  oilicers 
called  lagumgys-bascys,  or  chiefs  of  the 
miners.  Some  particular  privileges  are 
annexed  to  these  appointments. 

The  I\]usclli»is  are  Christian  tributa- 
ries, whose  duty  is  to  march  before  the 
advanced  guard  of  the  army,  to  clear 
the  roads  and  to  construct  bridges  for 
the  passage  of  the  troops.  On  this  ac- 
count they  are  called  pioneers. 

The  bachas  of  the  different  Turkish 
towns  pay  great  attention  to  these  mu- 
tellims  or  pioneers.  They  not  only  ex- 
empt them  from  all  taxes,  but  even  give 
them  lands  and  freeholds.  By  a  parti- 
cular privilege  which  is  attached  to  this 


work  in  tbe  best  manner  they  can  ;  and 
when  a  town  is  besieged  by  the  Turks, 
the  musellims  are  employed  in  the 
trenches,  from  which  duty  they  derive 
considerable  profit;  so  much  so,  that 
the  janizaries  are  extremely  jealous  of 
them  on  these  occasions.  They  are,  in 
a  word,  the  most  formidable  body  of 
infantry  which  the  Turks  possess;  for 
the  ground  work  of  every  species  of 
attack  or  defence,  and  the  management 
of  all  warlike  machines,  rest  upon  their 
exertions. 

The  INFERNAL.  Strada  gives  a 
very  curious  and  interesting  account  of 
this  machine,  in  his  History  of  the 
Belgic  War. 

The  Infernal  was  tried  by  the  Eng- 
lish at  Dunkirk  and  St.  Maloes,  and 
by  the  Dutch  and  English  under  King 
William.  It  is  likewise  mentioned  by 
Grose  in  his  History  of  the  English 
army. 

The  powers  of  this  dreadful  machine 
were  tried  in  the  month  of  December, 
1S00,  when   a  conspiracy   was   formed 


corps, only  live  out  of  thirty  are  obliged    to  destroy  Bonaparte,  then  first  Consul 
to  do  duty  or  a  march,  and   they  are' of  France.    It  failed  as  to  its  immediate 


then  joined  to   the  carpenters,    which 
renders  the  service  less  fatiguing.   Their 


tbject,     but    proved    by    its    collateral 
ell'ects,  that  the  invention  is  as  destruc- 


number  is  not  fixed.  It  depends  indeed,  itive  as  the  most  sanguine  butcher  of  the 
more  or  less,   upon   the  population  of  j  human  race  could  wish.  See  Machines 


the  different  provinces,  and  on  the  ex 
tent  of  land  which  may  be  disposed  of 
in  their  favour. 

They  are  commanded  by  a  bas-musel- 
lim,  or  principal  person  belonging  to 
the  exempts,  whose  only  duty  is  to 
superintend  the  regular  discharge  of 
their  functions. 

Those,  however,  belonging  to  Natolia 
are  subject  to  the  Beg  or  Sangiah,  who 
superintends  the  distribution  of  their 
subsistence,  ike.  in  the  same  manner 
that  be  does  that  of  the  cavalry  which 
is  attached  to  his  department. 

The  only  weapon  they  carry  is  a 
hatchet;  but  the  neighbouring  villages, 
or  the  public  magazines  belonging  to 
the  artillery, are  obliged  to  supply  them 
with  pick-axes  and  other  tools  that  may 
be  wanted  in  their  profession.  They 
are  strictly  forbidden  the  use  of  a  sabre 
or  fusil. 

Whenever  the  Turkish  army  is  on  its 
march,  the  musellims  are  obliged  to  go 
torward  everv  preceding  day,  in  order 
to  prepare  the  way  for  its  progress. 

During  a  siege  they  are  frequently  at- 
tached to  the  garrison  guns,  which  they 


Infernales. 

'To  INFEST,  ( infest er,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  more  strictly  applicable  to 
places  than  to  things. 

To  Iniest  a  place,  (in fester  ua  lieu, 
Fr.)  signifies  to  frequent  any  parti- 
cular spot  for  the  evident  purpose  of 
doing  damage,  creating  uneasiness,  or 
committing  depredations.  Thus  free- 
booters or  thieves  are  said  to  infest 
places. 

1NFINIMENT    PETITS,    Fr.    in- 
finitely small.     Modern  calculators  call. 

J  .... 

by  this  name,  every  thing  which  is  so 
exiguous  that  it  cannot  be  compared  to 
any  other  quantity,  or  which  is  smaller 
than  any  other  assignable  quantity.  The 
new  calculation  which  has  been  adopted 
among  geometricians  respecting  quan- 
tities that  are  infinitely  small,  is  called 
the  calculation  of  infinitesimals. 

Infinitely  INFINITE  fractions  (in 
arithmetic)  are  those  whose  numerator 
being  one,  are  together  equal  to  unit ; 
whence  it  is  deduced  that  there  are 
progressions  infinitely  farther  than  one 
kind  of  infmitv. 

INFIRMARY.    See  Hosfjtai.. 


1  N  G 


(     393     ) 


I  N  G 


INFLEXIBLE,   (inflexible,  inzbran-'  appear   defective,   or  stand  in  need  of 


lable,  Fr.)  not  to  be  prevailed  on,  im 
movable.  Every  chief  of  an  army,  that 
is  solicitous  to  preserve  good  order  and 
discipline,  must  not  suffer  the  least  de- 
viations from  established  rules  and  re- 
gulations. He  must  he  inflexible  in  what 
is  just,  and  resolute  in  what  is  right. 

INFLEXION  point  of  uny  curve, 
(geometry,)  is  that  point  or  place  where 
the  curve  begins  to  bend  back  again  a 
contrary  wav. 

INFLUENCE,  ( influence,? r.)  ascen- 
dant power;  power  of  directing  or  modi- 
fying. 

Influence  of  example.  In  a  mili- 
tary sense,  the  influence  of  example  is 
of  the  greatest  consequence.  We  have 
already  spoken  generally  on  the  neces- 
sity of  good  example,  (see  Example); 
we  think  it  proper  further  to  observe, 
that  the  influence  which  every  action  of 
a  commanding  officer  bears,  is  of  so 
much  importance  to  the  service,  as  to 
render  it  incumbent  upon  every  superior 
person  to  consider  its  effects  upon  the 
mind  and  conduct  of  an  inferior. 

INFORMERS,  (denonciateurs,  Fr.) 
persons  who  inform  in  a  court  of  judica- 
ture, before  a  magistrate,  or  command- 
ing officer,  &c.  against  such  as  trans- 
gress the  law,  &c.     Soldiers   who  give 


repair. 

Ingenieur  en  chef,  Fr.  chief  engi- 
neer. It  was  the  business  of  this  officer 
to  superintend  the  construction  of  all 
sorts  of  military  works,  having  several 
subordinate  engineers  under  him  to  as- 
sist, and  put  his  plans  into  execution. 
In  order  to  make  some  distinction  be- 
tween the  man  of  skill  and  genius,  and 
the  mere  pretender  to  knowledge  in  this 
great  branch  of  military  acquirements,  it 
was  usual  to  call  all  engineers  that  were 
acknowledged  by  govei nment, ingtnieurs 
ordinuh es  du  Hoi,  engineers  in  ordinary 
to  the  king. 

The  usual  pay  of  the  French  engineers 
was,  from  vingt  icus,  or  two  pounds  ten 
shillings,  up  to  one  hundred  tews,  or  four 
pounds  ten  shillings  per  month,  accord- 
ing to  each  individual's  length  of  service, 
peculiar  talents,  or  appointment.  Per- 
sons were  received  as  engineers  by  the 
superintendant  of  the  board  of  ordnance, 
after  having  passed  a  mathematical  ex- 
amination ;  and  the  situation  was  the 
more  eagerly  sought  after,  inasmuch  as 
it  led  to  the  highest  military  post ;  as 
that  of  marshal  of  France,  to  which  the 
celebrated  Vauban  was  promoted. 

In  1755,  the  French  engineers  were 
formed  into  one  corps,  under  the  name 
information  of  false  musters,  or  of  pay  I  of  the  royal  corps  of  artillery  and  en- 
illegally  detained,  are  entitled  to  their  i  gineers  ;  the  principal  officers  of  which 
discharge.  See  Mutiny  Act,  sections  I  communicated  with  the  secretary  of  war, 
27  and  69.  and    received    through   him    the   king's 

INGENIER,    (ingenieur,   Fr. )     an 'orders 


obsolete^word.     See  Engineer. 

INGENIEUR  par  rapport  a  I'archi- 
tecture  civile,  Fr.  an  engineer,  who  may 
be  properly  called  an  adept  in  civil  ar- 
chitecture. A  person  of  this  description 
was  always  employed  among  the  French. 
He  was  a  skilful  and  intelligent  man, 
perfectly  master  of  mechanics;  by  which 
means  he  could  invent  machines  for  the 
purpose  of  increasing  propellents,  so  as 
either  to  draw  or  to  raise  heavy  loads 
with  facility,  or  to  elevate  or  direct  the 
course  of  waters. 

Ingenieur  en  architecture  militaire, 
Fr.  an  engineer  who  is  perfectly  master 
of  military  architecture. 

Ingenieur  Directeur,Tr.  a  respon- 
sible person  in  the  old  French  service, 
whose  duty  was  to  superintend  and  take 
charge  of  a  certain  number  of  fortified 
towns  or  places,  and  to  transmit  a  regu- 
lar account  of  the  actual  state  of  the 
works,  and  to  represent  whatever  might 


No  country  has  ever  paid  so  much  at- 
tention to  the  art  of  engineering,  as 
France  has  under  all  her  vicissitudes  ; 
and  this  has  arisen,  not  so  much  from 
a  natural  predilection  to  that  peculiar 
study,  as  from  a  conviction  of  its  utility, 
in  all  warlike  operations  ;  but  most  es- 
pecially in  sieges.  This  class  of  mili- 
tary men  was,  however,  extremely  neg- 
lected, until  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV. 
Few  ever  saw,  or  were  present  at,  above 
five  or  six  sieges  :  being  either  wounded 
at  the  beginning,  or  during  the  opera- 
tions of  a  siege.  They  seldom  indeed, 
witnessed  the  termination  of  it ;  and 
from  the  want  of  engineers,  the  invest- 
ment of  a  town  or  fortified  place  became 
tedious,  and  many  lives  were  unneces* 
sarily  lost.  Louis  XIV.  by  his  personal 
appearance  and  attention,  gave  fresh 
life  to  his  army,  and  instilled  into  every 
part  of  it  a  spirit  of  subordination, 
which  had  been  hitherto  unknown.  H« 
3E 


I  N  G 


(  8*  ) 


I  N  N 


was  actuated  by  a  thorough  conviction, 
that  in  every  species  of  offensive  and 
defensive  operation,  the  use  of  artillery, 
under  the  guidance  of  scientific  men, 
was  essentially  requisite.  In  no  instance, 
however,  does  the  skill  of  an  able  engi- 
neer appear  so  much  to  advantage  as  in 
the  attack  of  a  fortified  place.  This  the 
kins  witnessed  himself,  and  on  that  ac- 
count,  he  considerably  increased  the 
number  of  engineers.  Persons  of  the 
first  birth  and  distinction  became  candi- 
dates for  situations  in  that  honourable 
body. 

Whenever  there  was  a  deficiency,  du^ 
ring  a  siege,  of  subordinate  engineers, 
or  inge.nieurs  en  second,  it  was  usual 
among  the  French  to  select  lieutenants, 
Or  sub-lieutenants  from  the  different  in- 
fantry corps  to  superintend  the  works, 
and  to  see  that  the  workmen  did  then- 
duty.  They  received  an  additional  pay 
of  ten  ecus,  or  one  pound  five  shillings 
per  month,  in  consideration  of  this  ex- 
tra service  ;  and  their  being  selected  in 
this  manner  was  a  sure  step  to  the  rank 
and  emoluments  of  an  engineer.  It 
has  been  very  justly  observed  by  a 
French  writer,  that  every  infantry  of- 
ficer should  be  acquainted  with  field 
fortification  at  least;  for  a  thousand 
instances  occur,  in  which  the  imme- 
diate assistance  of  an  engineer  is  re- 
quired, and  to  which,  in  actual  service, 
it  is  impossible  for  the  regularly  bred 
officer  of  that  establishment  to  pay  per- 
sonal attention.  We  allude,  among 
other  cases,  to  the  temporary  defence  of 
out-posts,  to  the  laying  and  springing  of 
fougasses,  &c. 

Before  the  revolution,  the  frontier 
towns  and  other  fortified  places  belong- 
ing to  France,  were  under  the  direction 
of  850  engineers,  called  ingenieurs  du 
Roi,  who  were  subordinate  to  one  di- 
Tector-general. 

Ail  instructions  relative  to  the  fortifi- 
cations passed  through  the  latter  officer 
to  the  king. 

All  engineers  were  subject  to  the  or- 
ders that  the  commissary  general  thought 
proper  to  issue,  with  respect  to  the  at- 
tack or  defence  of  places,  the  construc- 
tion of  works,  &c.  and  they  were  fur- 
ther directed  to  see,  that  all  the  neces- 
sary implements  for  a  siege  were  duly 
provided.  They  gave  in  a  weekly  re- 
port to  the  director  general  of  the  pro- 
gress and  state  of  the  works,  and  had 
authority  to  draw  upon  the  treasurer  for 


whatever  sums  were  wanted  to  pay  the 
contractors.  Every  engineer  was  parti- 
cularly enjoined  to  see,  that  the  contrac- 
tors furnished  good  materials. 

lNcfeMF.ru  giogruphe,  Fr.  an  indi- 
vidual attached  to  a  general  officer,  for 
the  purpose  of  drawing  out  plans,  geo- 
graphical charts,  &c. 

hcF.MF.iiR  ordinaire  du  Roi,  Fr. 
engineer  in  ordinary  to  the  king.  This 
term  was  used  in  the  old  French  govern- 
ment, to  distinguish  such  men  as  were 
employed  by  authority,  from  common 
civil  architects. 

INGREZ,  bid.  The  English  are  so 
called  by  the  natives  of  Bengal :  they 
are  frequently  called    Wttllaget,   which 

signifies  the  country. 

INHIBITION.     See  Embargo. 

INHUMAN,  (inhumain,  Fr.)  insen- 
sible to  the  common  dictates  of  huma- 
nity. We  have  already  said,  that  the, 
chief  of  an  army  must  be  inflexible  and 
immovable  with  respect  to  good  order 
and  discipline  ;  but  on  this  very  ground, 
neither  he  nor  his  followers  can  be  in- 
human. 

INIMICAL,  hostile. 

INJURE,  Fr.  a  particular  phrase 
used  by  the  French  to  signify  contume- 
lious, or  offensive  language  In  many 
instances, especially  among  military  men, 
words  have  occasioned  the  most  serious 
quarrels.  On  this  account  young  offi- 
cers should  be  particularly  circumspect 
in  their  behaviour  to  one  another. 

IN  LISTING,  the  act  of  engaging  sol- 
diers to  serve  either  in  the  cavalry,  in- 
fantry, or  artillery.  For  the  regulations 
respecting    the    inlisting    soldiers,    see 

Rl(  RUITING. 

INMATES  (in  law)  are  such  as  for 
money  dwell  jointly  in  the  same  housu 
with  another  man,  but  in  different 
rooms,  passing  in  and  out  at  the  same 
door,  and  being  able  to  maintain  them- 

'  INN-HOLDERS,  or  INN-KEEP- 
ERS, persons  who  have  a  licence  to 
enable  them  to  sell  spirituous  liquors, 
beer,  &c.  and  who  are  obliged,  by  the 
conditions  specified  in  that  licence,  to 
provide  victuals  and  beer  for  military 
men,  under  certain  restrictions.  See 
39th  and  40th  Geo.  III.  Cap.  27.  Art. 
XLI.  XLIL  XLIII. 

INNISKILLING,  a  town  of  Ulster, 
in  Ireland.  Its  inhabitants  distinguished 
themselves  in  favour  of  King  William, 
against  King  James's  party. 


I  N  S 


(     395     ) 


INS 


INNISKILLINERS.  The  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  27th  are  so  called 
from  the  regiment  having  been  originally 
raised  at  Inniskilling.  This  gallant  regi- 
ment has  uniformly  distinguished  itself, 
particularly  at  the  battle  of  Maida.  Its 
present  colonel  is  the  Earl  of  Moira. 

INONDER,  Fr.     See  Inundate. 

INORDINATE  proportion  (in  num- 
bers) is  as  follows ;  suppose  3  magni- 
tudes in  one  rank,  and  3  others  propor- 
tionate to  them  in  another,  then  com- 
pare them  in  a  different  order ;  as  these 
three  numbers  2  3  9  being  in  one  rank, 
and  these  three  other  8  2-4  36  in  ano- 
ther rank  proportional  to  the  precedent 
in  a  different  order,  so  that  2  shall  be 
to  3  as  24  to  36,  and  3  to  9  as  8  to  24 ; 
then  cast  away  the  mean  terms  in  each 
rank,  conclude  the  first  2  in  the  hrst 
rank  is  to  the  last  9,  as  8  the  first  of 
the  other  rank  to  the  last  36. 

INQUEST,  (enqucte,  Fr.)  judicial 
inquiry  or  examination.  In  law,  the 
inquest  of  jurors,  or  by  jury,  which  is 
the  most  usual  trial  of  all  cases,  both 
civil  and  criminal,  in  our  realm ;  in  civil 
causes,  after  proof  made  on  either  side, 
so  much  as  each  party  think  good,  if 
the  doubt  be  in  the  fact,  it  is  referred 
to  the  direction  of  twelve  indifferent 
men,  (or,  at  least,  who  are  sworn  to  be 
so) ;  and  as  they  bring  in  their  verdict, 
so  judgment  passes:  for  the  judge  saith, 
the  jury  find  the  fact  thus;  then  is  the 
law  thus,  and  so  we  judge. 

INQUIRY,  interrogation  ;  search  by 
question.  Examination,  search.  See 
Inquest. 

Board  of  Inquiry,  a  term  used,  in 
contradistinction  to  court-martial,  to 
signify  the  meeting  of  a  certain  number 
of  officers,  (who  are  not  sworn,)  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  facts  that  may 
hereafter  become  matter  of  investigation 
on  oath.  Of  this  description  was  the 
Board  of  Inquiry,  1808,  on  the  conven- 
tion of  Cintra. 

INROAD,  incursion,  sudden  and  de- 
sultory invasion. 

INSCONSED,  in  the  military  art. 
When  any  part  of  an  army  has  fortified 
itself  with  a  sconce,  or  small  work,  in 
order  to  defend  some  pass,  &c.  it  is  said 
to  be  insconsed. 

INSCRIBED,  (in  geometry).  A  figure 
is  said  to  be  inscribed  in  another,  when 
all  the  angles  of  the  figure  inscribed 
touch  either  the  angles,  sides,  or  planes 
of  the  other  figure.     , 


INSIDE  guard,  a  guard  with  tha 
broad  sword,  to  secure  the  face  and 
front  of  the  body,  from  a  cut  made  at 
the  inside  of  the  position  above  the  wrist. 
See  Broadsword. 

INSIGNIA,  ensigns  nr  arms. 

INSPECTEUR,  Fr.  inspector.  Mi- 
litary inspectors  were  originally  insti- 
tuted among  the  French,  after  the  peace 
of  Aix  la  Chapelle,  in  1663.  Two  per- 
sons at  that  epoch  occupied  this  im- 
portant situation ;  one  being  called  in- 
spector-general of  cavalry,  and  the  other 
inspector-general  of  infantry.  Louis 
XIV.  under  whom  France  assumed  over 
the  rest  of  Europe  a  preponderance  of 
military  character,  increased  the  number 
of  inspectors,  and  ordered  them  to  be 
distributed  in  the  different  departments 
for  the  purpose  of  reviewing  the  troops 
every  month,  and  of  transmitting  to 
him  a  regular  statement  of  their  effective 
force,  &c. 

INSPECTING  field  officer  of  a  dis- 
trict, a  responsible  character,  selected 
from  the  line,  who  is  nominated  by  the 
war -office,  to  superintend  and  to  vouch 
for  the  faithful  distribution  of  monies 
which  are  issued  to  officers  acting  on 
detachment,  or  on  recruiting  parties, 
within  the  limits  of  his  station. 

INSPECTION,  a  strict  examination, 
a  close  survey.  It  likewise  signifies  su- 
perintendance.  In  a  military  sense  it 
admits  of  both  interpretations,  and  may 
be  considered  under  two  specific  heads, 
each  of  which  branches  out  into  a  va- 
riety of  general,  regimental,  and  troop 
or  company  duties. 

A  general  Inspection  is  made  annu- 
ally by  the  reviewing  generals  of  dis- 
tricts. Every  regiment,  on  this  occa- 
sion, is  minutely  looked  into,  and  a 
faithful  account  must  be  delivered  by 
each  commanding  officer  of  the  actual 
state  of  his  regiment,  together  with  all 
the  casualties  that  have  occurred  during 
the  current  year.  The  interior  economy 
of  the  corps  is  not  only  investigated  to 
the  bottom,  but  the  discipline  of  the 
men  is  likewise  examined.  For  a  more 
particular  explanation  of  the  latter,  see 
Review. 

Regimental  Inspection  is  made  once 
a  month  by  the  commanding  officer.— 
The  clothing,  the  necessaries,  arms,  and 
accoutrements  belonging  to  the  different 
companies  are  examined  by  the  lieute- 
nant colonel  or  major  of  the  corps.— 
Specific  returns  are  made  by  the  officers 
1  3E  2 


I  N  S 


(     396     ) 


I  N  S 


commanding  troops  or  companies,  by 
whom  the  debts  or  credits  01  the  men, 
which  have  been  made  up  and  accounted 
for  on  the  24th  day  in  each  month  in 
infantry  regiments,  and  on  the  24th  day 
in  each  second  month  in  cavalry  corps, 
are  exhibited  for  examination  at  head 
quarters.  This  forms  the  groundwork 
or  basis  of  the  general  inspection,  at 
which  the  troop  or  company  book,  should 
always  be  produced  The  royal  artillery 
are  inspected  on  the  1st  day  in  each 
month. 

Private  Inspection  of  companies  is 
the  first  step  towards  the  other  two,  and 
ought  to  be  made  every  Monday  morn- 
ing, by  each  officer  commanding  a  troop 
or  company,  or  by  his  subaltern. 

Inspection  of  necessaries  is  an  exa- 
mination of  the  different  articles  which 
every  soldier  is  directed  to  have  in  good 
repair. 

Private  Inspection  of  arms.  Twenty 
minutes  or  more  before  the  general  pa- 
rade, every  troop  or  company  should  be 
drawn  up  on  its  troop  or  private  parade, 
and  each  man  be  narrowly  inspected  by 
an  officer. 

INSPECTOR-gencral  of  cavalry,  a 
general  officer,  whose  particular  duty  is 
to  inspect  all  cavalry  regiments,  to  re- 
port the  state  of  the  horses,  and  to  re- 
ceive specific  accounts  from  the  different 
corps  of  their  actual  state;  he  commu- 
nicates with  the  commander  in  chief, 
and  whenever  a  cavalry  regiment  is  or- 
dered to  be  disbanded,  it  must  be  looked 
at  by  the  inspector  general,  before  it  is 
finally  broken. 

iNSPECTOP.-geTimz/  of  the  recruiting 
service,  an  officer  of  rank  through  whom 
the  field  officers  of  districts,  and  colo- 
nels of  regiments  (when  they  personally 
manage  the  recruiting  service  of  their 
own  corps)  transmit  their  several  returns 
to  the  adjutant  general's  office.  All 
recruiting  parties  which  are  sent  to  the 
great  manufacturing  towns  in  England 
and  Wales,  as  also  to  Scotland  and 
Ireland,  must  be  previously  authorised 
so  to  do  by  the  inspector  general.  This 
department  is^novv  managed  by  a  board, 
the  situation  of  inspector  general  having 
been  abolished  when  General  White- 
locke  was  entrusted  with  the  command 
of  an  army  to  South  America  in  1806. 

Inspector  of  clothing.  Two  field 
officers  have  lately  been  appointed  as 
permanent  inspectors  of  clothing.  These 
inspectors,  or  the  inspectors  for  the 
time  being,    are  directed   to  view  and  I 


compare  with  the  sealed  patterns,  the 
clothing  of  the  several  regiments  of  ca- 
valry and  infantry,  as  soon  as  the  same 
shall  have  been  prepared  by  the  respec- 
tive clothiers ;  and  if  the  said  clothing 
appear  to  be  conformable  to  the  sealed 
patterns,  they  are  authorized  to  grant 
two  certificates  of  their  view  and  ap- 
proval thereof;  one  of  which  certificates 
is  to  be  delivered  to  the  clothier,  to  be 
sent  with  the  clothing  to  the  head  quar- 
ters of  the  corps,  and  the  other  to  be 
lodged  with  the  general  clothing  board, 
as  the  necessary  voucher  for  passing  the 
assignment  of  the  allowance  for  the  said 
clothing. 

All  clothing  must  be  viewed,  and  cer- 
tificates be  signed  by  both  inspectors, 
except  in  cases  where  the  absence  ot 
one  of  them  shall  be  unavoidable  ;  in 
all  which  cases,  the  cause  of  such 
absence  is  to  be  stated  by  the  other  in- 
spector, in  his  certificate  of  the  view  ot 
the  clothing. 

Inspectors  of  clothing  are  to  follow  all 
instructions  which  may  be  transmitted  to 
them  from  the  commander  in  chief,  the 
secretary  at  war,  or  the  clothing  board. 

Inspector  of  health,  a  civil  officer 
of  professional  knowledge  and  abilities, 
who  is  appointed  by  the  Medical  Board 
to  visit  the  hospitals,  military  places  of 
confinement,  and  ships  allotted  for  the 
sick  in  the  service.  He  likewise  exa- 
mines into  the  state  of  transports  be- 
fore troops  are  embarked. 

Inspectors  of  ordnance.  There  are 
in  the  ordnance  service,  several  inspec- 
tors, viz.  inspector  of  artillery,  whose 
duty  it  is  to  approve  and  examine  all 
guns  and  other  pieces  of  ordnance  for 
the  artillery  as  well  as  the  navy ;  he 
likewise  superintends  the  proving  of  ord- 
nance, and,  in  the  event  of  any  inven- 
tions being  suggested,  they  are  referred 
to  him. 

The  inspector  of  the  Royal  carriage 
department  at  Woolwich  has  a  deputy 
inspector  under  him,  with  assistants, 
and  constructs  all  carriages  for  the  ar- 
tillery service  as  well  as  for  the  navy. 
This  department  has  undergone  many 
changes. 

The  inspector  of  small  arms  at  the 
Tower  has  the  general  superintendance 
of  the  manufacturing  of  muskets,  car- 
bines, pistols,  &c.  for  the  British  army; 
he  is  assisted  by  a  deputy  and  others ; 
and  the  department  is  a  very  extensive 
and  important  establishment. 

There  is  also  an  inspector  of  gun- 


I  N  S 


(     S97") 


I  N  S 


powder,  who  has  the  superintendance  of 
the  manufacturing  of  it  at  the  king's  mills. 
All  these  officers  are  selected  from  the 
officers  of  the  royal  artillery,  who,  from 
their  abilities,  are  considered  best  capa- 
ble of  undertaking  the  employments. 

Inspector  of  hospitals,  the  next  on 
the  staft'to  the  surgeon  general. 

Inspector  of  Regimental  Colours.  In 
the  custody  of  this  officer  are  deposited 
books  containing  drawings  of  the  colours 
and  appointments  of  all  the  regiments  in 
his  Majesty's  service,  together  with 
royal  warrants  for  bearing  additional 
badges  thereon ;  together  with  books 
containing  a  national  military  record  of 
all  the  battles  and  actions  of  the  British 
army  from  1803  to  the  present  time, 
with  paintings  of  the  colours  and  trophies 
taken,  the  names  of  the  officers  killed 
and  wounded,  of  those  who  receive 
medals  for  their  gallantry,  and  of  all 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  pri- 
vates who  may  specially  distinguish  them- 
selves. 

The  present  inspector  is  Sir  George 
Nayler,  York  herald  and  genealogist  of 
the  Bath.  The  office  is  at  the  College  of 
Anns,  London. 

Inspector  of  Telegraphs,  a  person 
acting  under  the  authority  of  the  admi- 
ralty, sanctioned  by  an  act  of  parliament, 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  that  the  several 
telegraphs  about  the  island  are  kept  in 
condition.     His  pay  is  tiOOl.  per  annum. 

To  INSTALL,  (invester,  Fr.)  to  ad- 
vance to  any  rank  or  office,  by  placing  in 
the  seat  or  stall  proper  for  that  con- 
dition. 

INSTALLATION,  the  act  of  in- 
vesting any  one  with  a  military  order. 

INSTINCT  moutonnier,  Fr.  that  sort 
of  impulse  in  the  human  mind  which 
leads  it  to  follow  a  leader,  as  sheep, 
or  geese,  do  each  other.  See  Indian 
Files. 

INSTRUCTION  des  prods  criminels, 
Fr.  a  military  form,  or  process,  in  cri- 
minal matters. 

Those  officers  who  may  be  disposed 
to  enter  more  largely  into  the  subject  of 
French  military  process,  as  conducted 
before  the  Revolution,  may  be  satisfied 
by  perusing  Le  Code  MUitaire,  ou  deux- 
ieme  volume  du  Service  de  V  Infantcrie, 
page  123  ;  and  we  refer  all  British  offi- 
cers in  general  to  Mr.  Tytler's  publica- 
tion on  English  military  law. 

Field  Instruction,  (Instruction  de 
campagne,  Fr.)  a  most  nesessary  course 


of  practical  knowledge  through  which 
the  cadets  at  Woolwich,  and  the  stu- 
dents of  Marlow  and  Iligh-W ycomb  are 
constantly  put,  in  order  to  make  them 
perfectly  acquainted  with  the  nature  of 
ground,  and  the  diversity  of  position. 
They  are  also  taught  temporary  fortifi- 
cation by  throwing  up  small  redoubts, 
&c. 

Letter  of  Instruction,  see  letter. 

Military  INSTRUMENTS  (instru- 
mens  militaires,  Fr.)  By  the  sound  of 
military  instruments,  the  troops  belong- 
ing to  the  several  armies  in  Europe,  &c. 
are  directed  in  their  various  movements. 

The  instruments  which  are  peculiar 
to  the  cavalry  of  most  nations  are  the 
trumpet  and  the  cymbal.  In  France 
dragoon  regiments  in  general  adopted 
the  drum  in  common  with  the  infantry. 
A  certain  number  of  fifers  are  likewise 
allowed  in  foot  regiments.  Hautbovs 
and  clarinets  do  not  form  any  part  of 
the  music  which  is  sanctioned  and  paid 
for  by  the  public.  Colonels  of  corps, 
however,  frequently  entertain  a  band 
either  at  their  own  expense,  by  a  con- 
tribution of  the  captains  of  troops  or 
companies,  or  out  of  what  is  calied  the 
stock-purse. 

The  principal  military  instruments 
which  were  used  among  the  ancients, 
whether  for  cavalry  or  infantry,  consisted 
of  the  trumpet,  the  cornet,  and  the  buc- 
cina  or  French  horn. 

Warlike  Instruments  used  by  the 
Turks.  The  Turks  make  use  of  wind 
and  clashing  instruments  of  different 
shapes  and  siSes ;  all,  except  one  wind- 
instrument,  are  better  calculated  for 
pomp  and  ceremony,  than  adapted  to 
military  service. 

The  clashing  instruments,  which  the 
French  call  instrumens  a  choc,  consist 
of  two  sorts  of  drums,  and  an  instru- 
ment which  is  made  of  two  plates  of 
metal. 

Their  wind-instruments  consist  of  a 
winding  or  crooked  trumpet,  and  of  a 
wooden  fife. 

The  big-drum,  which  they  call  daul, 
stands  three  feet  high.  It  is  carried  by 
a  mounted  drummer,  who  makes  use  of 
a  thick  stick,  with  which  he  strikes  the 
upper  part,  and  a  small  one,  with  which 
he  plays  upon  the  under  one ;  these  he 
applies  alternately,  with  much  ingenuity 
of  hand,  and  great  gravity  of  counte- 
nance. This  is  the  only  instrument 
which  the  Turks  use  in  military  exercise 


INS 


(     398     ) 


I  N  S 


or  manrruvres.  The  big  drums  are  con- 
stant l\  beat  when  die  enemy  is  near, 
and  round  all  the  nut-posts,  in  order  to 
keep  the  sentinels  upon  the  alert.  On 
thi  h  occasions  the  dranam  exclaim 
with  a  loud  voice:  Jegdar  Allah!  that 
is,  God  is  good !  or  as  the  French  in- 
terpret it — Dieu  Hon. 

The  two  small  drums,  or  the  kettle 
drums,  serve  ;is  marks  of  distinction  for 
the  bacha's  faroilj,  and  likewise  as  sig- 
nals when  the  troops  are  to  march. 
Thev  contribute  greatly  to  the  g<  ueral 
harmony  of  a  concert.  The  Turkish 
name  for  thein  is  Sadar  Niagara.  Tin' 
bachas,  or  bashaws,  with  three  tads  are 
entitled  to  three  kettle  drums,  which  are 
fixed  on  each  side  of  the  saddle,  and  are 
beat  in  the  same  manner  that  those  in 
other  services  are. 

There  is  likewise  another  sort  of 
Turkish  instrument  called  till,  which 
consists  of  two  hollow  brass  plates,  on 
whose  convex  side  is  fixed  a  ring,  suffi- 
ciently large  to  contain  the  grasp  ol 
three  fingers.  By  clashing  them  season- 
ably together,  an  agreeable  silvery  sound 
is  extracted.  The  bashaws  with  three 
tails  are  each  entitled  to  two  sets  of 
these  instruments. 

There  are  two  sorts  of  wind-instru- 
ments used  among  the  Turks  ;  thev  differ 
very  much  both  with  regard  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  they  are  played,  and  to 
the  materials  with  which  thev  are  made. 
The  first  is  the  trumpet,  which  is  made 
of  the  same  metal  that  ours  are,  bui  are 
somewhat  longer;  thev  are  called  fori, 
The  man  who  blows  this  trumpet  is  al- 
ways mounted  on  horseback,  and  every 
bashaw  with  three  tails  is  intitled  to 
have  seven. 

The  second  instrument  is  made  of 
wood;  it  is  a  sort  of  pips  or  llule  with 
five  holes;  the  Turks  call  it  tamular. 
The  person  who  plays  this  instrument  i^ 
on  horseback,  and  every  bashaw  with 
three  tails  is  intitled  to  five. 

The  sounds  which  issue  from  these  dif- 
ferent instruments  would  be  extremely 
harsh  to  the  ear,  were  they  not  in  some 
decree  harmonized  by  the  great  drum  ; 
when  the  whole  is  played  together,  the 
effect  is  botli  martial  and  pleasant. 

Surgical  Instiumkms  directed  to  be 
providt (I  for  the  we  of  regimental  hospi- 
tals. An  amputating  6aw,  with  spare 
blade,  1  metacarpal  saw,  with  ditto,  24 
carved  needles,  2  amputating  knives,  1 
catlin,   2  tenaculums,  1  bullet  forceps,  J 


pair  of  bone  nippers,  2  screw  tourni- 
quets, 4  field  tourniquets  with  handle, 
2  calico  compresses,  2  trephines,  with 
sliding  keys,  1  trephine  forceps,  1  ele- 
vator, 1  lanticular,  a  brush,  key  instru- 
ments for  teeth,  to  fit  trephine  handle, 
8  scalpels,  2  silver  catheters,  1  trocar 
with  spring  and  introductory  canula,  1 
ditto  ditto,  and  eat'.ula  for  hydrocele,  1 
piohang,  1  long  silver  probe,  1  large 
bougie. 

Swgieal  [jJSTBUMEMTS  directed  to   be 

provided  for  the  field.     An  amputating 

saw,  1  metacarpal  saw,  12  curved  nee- 
dles, 1  amputating  knife,  1  catlin,  1 
screw  tourniquet,  1  silver  catheter,  1 
elastic  ditto,  2  trephines  to  fit  one  han- 
dle, 1  trephine  forceps,  1  elevator,  2 
scalpels,  1  bullet  forceps,  1  trocar  with 
spring  and  introductory  canula,  1  trocar 
with  spring  canula  for  hydrocele,  a 
brush,  a  tenaculum,  thread  lor  ligatures. 

To  INSULT,  ( insult er,  r'r.)  in  a  mi- 
litary signification,  is  to  attack  boldly 
and  in  open  day,  without  going  through 
the  slow  operations  of  opening  trenches, 
working  by  mines  and  saps,  or  having 
any  recourse  to  those  usual  forms  of 
war,  by  advancing  gradually  towards 
the  object  in  view.  An  enemy  is  said 
to  insult  a  coast,  when  he  suddenly  ap- 
pears upon  it,  and  debarks  with  an  im- 
mediate purpose  to  attack.  The  British 
lories  under  the  command  of  .Sir  Ralph 
Abercrombie,  insulted  the  Dutch  coast 
when  they  took  possession  of  the  llelder, 
in  consequence  of  a  hold  descent.  In 
attacking  fortified  places  it  is  usual  to 
insult  the  counterscarp,  in  order  to  avoid 
the  destruction  which  would  naturally 
follow,  if  the  besieged  had  time  enough 
allowed  them  to  give  effect  to  the  dif- 
ferent mines  that  must  necessarily  have 
been  prepared  beneath  it.  The  grena- 
diers are  always  employed  on  these  oc- 
casions, accompanied  by  workmen  and 
artificers  to  secure  the  post,  after  it  has 
been  taken  by  assault. 

Mcthe  hors  d7  [NSULTE,  Fr.  to  take 
such  measures  and  precautions,  either 
in  a  fortified  town  or  camp,  as  to  be 
able  to  resist  an  enemy's  attack. 

INSURANCE  of  Jim,  a  mode  of 
providing  for  a  sum  which  might  be  lost 
on  the  death  of  a  person,  or  of  securing 
to  a  person's  heirs  a  sum  to  be  paid  at 
his  decease.  Thus  if  a  debt  be  due 
from  A.  to  B.  which  A.  will  be  able  to 
discharge  at  a  certain  time  if  he  should 
live  so  long :  B.,  by  paying  a  certain  sum, 


I  N  T 


<     309     ) 


I  N  T 


may  have  the  amount  of  the  debt  secured 
to  him  in  case  A.  dies  within  that  time. 
Also  a  person  wishing  to  provide  a  cer- 
tain sum  for  his  family  at  his  decease, 
may  secure  that  sum  by  insuring  his  life ; 
that  is,  by  paying  during  his  life  small 
annual  sums  to  the  assurers.  This  busi- 
ness is  carried  on  by  companies,  as  in- 
dividuals cannot  easily  be  found  to  give 
the  security  which  such  a  contract  re- 
quires. 

INSURANCE  Company  for  Lives,  a 
Company  which,  on  due  testimonials  of 
the  health  of  a  person,  secure  to  him  the 
sum  he  requires  to  be  paid  at  his  death 
to  his  assigns. 

INSURGENTS,  (insurgent,  Fr.)  all 
vassals  in  Hungary  when  assembled  to- 
gether in  consequence  of  the  general 
proclamation  by  Ban  and  Arriere  Ban, 
are  so  called.  This,  however,  does  not- 
happen  except  in  cases  of  great  emer- 
gency, when '  they  are  headed  by  the 
Prince  Palatine  of  Hungary,  and  march 
to  the  defence  of  their  frontiers.  The 
Hungarians  have  sometimes  indeed  gone 
beyond  them,  in  order  to  support  their 
sovereign's  right,  and  have  acted  offen- 
sively in  the  neighbouring  countries. 

This  term  is  also  generally  applied  to 
any  body  of  men  that  rise  in  open  re- 
bellion against  an  established  authority. 
Thus  the  Americans,  when  they  first  op- 
posed the  British  troops,  were  insur- 
gents, as  they  had  formerly  acknow- 
ledged the  power  that  sent  them  over. 
The  Spanish  patriots,  in  1808,  were 
marked  as  insurgents  by  the  French  em- 
peror Napoleon  ;  but  the  nation  had  not 
acknowledged  his  authority. 

INTEGER,  a  term  used  in  arithme- 
tic, signifying  a  whole  number,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  a  fraction- 

Integral,  (integral,  Fr.)  belonging 
to  integer.  As  an  integral  penny,  or 
penny  freed  from  fractions. 

Ca/cul  Integral,  Fr.  a  calculation 
in  arithmetic,  so  called  by  Leibnitz,  and 
answering  to  the  Inverse  method  of 
fluxions  invented  by  Newton.  Of  this 
description  are  multiplication  and  divi- 
sion which  reciprocally  destroy  each 
other,  and  are  mutually  proved. 

INTEGRITY  of  an  army,  the  un- 
broken state  of  the  several  portions  of 
armed  men,  which  constitute  an  army. 

Integrity  of  an  empire,  the  as- 
semblage of  all  its  parts,  without  the 
slightest  encroachment  upon  them. 

INTELLIGENCE,     in    a    military 


sense,  may  be  variously  applied,  and  of 
course  has  different  significations.  No 
general  can  be  said  to  be  in  any  degree 
qualified  for  the  important  situation 
which  he  holds,  unless,  like  an  able 
minister  of  state,  he  be  constantly  pre- 
pared with  the  requisite  means  to  obtain 
the  best  intelligence  respecting  the  move- 
ments and  the  designs  of  the  enemy  he 
is  to  oppose.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is 
not  possible  to  conceive  a  greater  crime 
than  that  of  affording  intelligence  to  an 
enemy,  and  thereby  bringing  about  the 
overthrow  and  destruction  of  a  whole 
army.  A  French  military  writer  (to 
whose  work  we  have  the  satisfaction  of 
being  frequently  indebted  for  much  gene- 
ral and  useful  knowledge)  makes  the 
following  observations  respecting  the 
latter  species  of  intelligence  which  he 
classes  under  two  specific  heads. 

He  justly  remarks  that  to  hold  cor- 
respondence, or  to  be  in  intelligence 
with  an  enemy,  (etre  a" intelligence  avec 
I'ennemi)  is  not  only  to  betray  your 
king,  but  likewise  your  country.  Annies 
and  fortified  places  are  almost  always 
surprized  and  taken  by  means  of  a  secret 
intelligence,  which  the  enemy  keeps  up 
with  domestic  traitors,  acting  in  con- 
junction with  commissioned  spies  and 
delegated  hirelings. 

A  garrison  town  may  be  taken  by 
surprize,  under  the  influence  of  secret 
intelligence,  in  two  different  ways. — 
The  one  is  when  the  assailant,  to  whom 
the  place  has  been  surrendered,  is  not 
bound  to  join  his  forces  to  those  troops 
by  whom  he  has  been  admitted;  the 
other,  when  it  is  necessary  that  an  as- 
sault should  be  made  by  openly  storming, 
by  throwing  shells,  and  by  petards,  or  by 
stratagem. 

The  first  species  of  intelligence  may 
be  held  with  a  governor  who  has  in- 
fluence enough  to  direct  the  will  and  ac- 
tions of  the  garrison ;  with  a  garrison 
\\  hich  is  indisposed  towards  the  governor 
and  the  officers  that  command  the  troops ; 
with  the  inhabitants  who  have  under- 
taken to  defend  a  place  where  no  gar- 
rison is  stationed ;  and,  lastly,  with  the 
prevailing  faction  where  there  are  two 
parties  that  govern  in  a  free  town. 

The  other  species  of  intelligence  may 
be  practised  with  a  governor  who  either 
wants  power  or  is  afraid  to  tamper  with 
the  fidelity  of  the  garrison ;  with  some 
particular  oflicer,  Serjeants,  or  soldiers ; 
with  the  bodv  of  inhabitants  who  think 


I  N  T 


(      400     ) 


I  N  T 


differently  from  the  armed  force  that 
overawes  them,  or  with  active  and 
shrewd  individuals,  who  have  access  to 
the  ruling  party  and  can  skilfully  corn- 
bine  affected  loyalty  with  secret  dis- 
ail't  ction. 

There  is  not,  however,  in  human 
nature  perhaps  a  more  insidious,  or  a 
more  dangerous  ground  to  tread  on  than 
that  of  secret  intelligence;  nor  are  the 
faculties  of  the  mind  ever  so  much  put 
to  the  test,  as  when  it  is  neccssarv  to 
listen  to  the  report  of  an  individual, 
who,  whilst  he  is  betraying  one  side, 
may  he  equally  disposed  to  dupe  the 
other.  A  wise  general  will  consequently 
hear  everything  and  say  nothing;  and 
a  wise  man,  let  his  secret  wishes  be 
what  they  may,  will  warily  consider, 
whether  the  person  who  insinuates  to 
him  even  the  possibility  of  a  plot,  does 
not  at  that  instant  endeavour  to  get  into 
his  confidence,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
acting  contrary  to  his  supposed  views, 
and  of  betraying  the  man  who  has  un- 
folded other  schemes.  It  is  certainly 
justifiable  policy,  either  in  the  governor 
of  a  town,  or  in  a  general,  to  alfect  to 
give  into  the  views  of  any  man  or  party 
of  men  whom  he  has  cause  to  suspect, 
and  whose  ultimate  object  he  is  deter- 
mined to  defeat.  But  he  should  be 
equally  cautious,  how  he  listens  to  the 
communications  of  spies,  or  informers. 
The  veil  of  honesty  is  often  assumed 
to  cover  a  deep-laid  scheme  of  villainy  ; 
and  apparent  candour  is  the  surest  path 
to  unguarded  confidence,  When  villains 
voluntarily  unfold  themselves  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  convince  an  able  and 
penetrating  oificerj  that  their  treachery 
can  be  depended  upon,  much  blood  may 
be  spared  by  making  a  proper  use  of 
their  intelligence.  This  axiom  has  pre- 
vailed in  every  civilized  country,  and 
should  be  well  attended  to  by  thinking 
men.  For  when  a  battle  has  been 
gained,  it  avails  little  to  ask,  whether 


be  exposed  to  all  the  melancholy  casual  - 
ties  of  retaliation. 

False  I  m t.i. uc,  ENCE.  There  is  another 
kind  of  intelligence  which  may  secure 
the  greatest  advantages  to  a  general;  it 
is  that  false  intelligence  which  he  finds 
means  to  convey,  through  subtle  agents, 
to  his  antagonist,  principally  through 
such  channels  as  are  not  likely  to  be 
suspected.  The  campaign  in  Spain  in 
1808  h:is  afforded  many  melancholy 
proofs  that  our  army  was,  in  general, 
as  scantily  supplied  with  timely  and 
authentic  information  as  it  was  pro- 
fusely accommodated  with  false  intelli- 
gence, can  fully  fabricated  at  the  French 
head  quarters,  made  plausible  by  details 
which  gave  them  every  appearance  of 
truth,  and  propagated  under  the  cloak 
of  open-heartedness,  or  even  of  loqua- 
city, among  the  very  persons  best  known 
to  be  most  averse  to  the  Emperor,  and 
most  likely  to  possess  the  will  and  the 
means  of  conveying  it  expeditiously  to 
our  camp  : — For  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing themselves  the  first  kind  of  intelli- 
gence, and  of  propagating  the  second,  the 
i-YeDch  have  formed  a  corps  of  Guides 
composed  of  intelligent  and  shrewd 
offic<  rs,  well  acquainted  with  every  lan- 
guage in  Europe  ;  who  by  good  training 
and  constant  practice  have  acquired  a 
wonderful  skill  for  gulling  their  less 
crafty  neighbours,  that  content  them- 
selves with  the  old  method  of  bribing 
ruffians,  or  of  sending,  on  particular 
occasions,  an  officer  of  the  general  staff, 
seldom  qualified  for  that  sort  of  service. 
Eight  days  after  Madrid  had  surren- 
dered, no  authentic  intelligence  of  the 
event  had  been  received  at  Salamanca ; 
and  when  our  retreat  began  on  the  25th 
of  December,  it  was  believed,  upon  seem- 
ingly goid  authority,  that  a  French  corps 
had  since  the  eleventh  began  its  march 
from  Madrid  towards  Portugal,  and  that 
another  corps  was  rapidly  proceeding 
towards  Oviedo  in  Asturia  to  cut  us  off 
the  enemy  owed  lus  success  to  force  or   from  the  sea.    All  of  which  proved  false. 


treachery?  No  treachery,  however,  is 
admissable,  or  should  be  sanctioned 
by  belligerent  powers,  which  militates 
against  those  laws  of  nations  that  are 
founded  upon  the  wise  basis  of  humanity. 
Private  assassinations,  the  use  of  poison, 
or  the  disregard  of  paroles  of  honour, 
must  be  generally  reprobated;  and  what- 
ever general  obtains  his  ends  by  any  of 
these  dark  means,  his  name  should  be 
stamped  with  infamy,  and  he   himself 


So  much  for  our  want  of  good  intelli- 
gence, and  the  probable  use  which  the 
enemy  made  of  the  false  information  that 
was  conveyed  to  us. 

Intelligence  communicated  by  Bal- 
loons. A  very  ingenious  method  has 
been  proposed  to  Government  whereby 
every  species  of  information  might  be 
given  by  means  of  small  balloons. 

These  balloons  are  so  constructed, 
that,  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes* 


I  N  T 


(     401     ) 


INT 


various  slips  of  paper,  containing  true 
or  false  intelligence,  can  be  distributed 
over  any  extent  of  country.  Information 
can  also  be  given  to  persons  immured  in 
fortified  towns,  or  islands,  in  the  most 
expeditious  manner.  The  experiment 
was  made  at  Woolwich  in  180(J,  and 
approved  by  the  committee  of  field 
officers. 

INTENDANT  d'armee,  Fr.  under 
the  old  government  of  France,  the  in- 
tendants d'armee,  or  superintendents 
of  the  army,  were  principal  inspectors 
of  all  sorts  of  stores,  &c.  that  were  ne- 
cessary   for   the    troops.     The    French 


INTERMEDIATE,  (intermedium, 
Fr.)  any  tiling  that  is,  or  lies  between. 
See  Intermediate  Posts. 

INTERSECTION,  the  point  where 
two  lines  cross  each  other. 

INTERVAL,  (intervalle,  Fr.)  any 
space  between ;  a  word  variously  ap- 
plied in  military  dispositions  and  ma- 
noeuvres, to  denote  any  given  distance 
or  space. 

Interval  between  two  battalions,  the 
space  which  separates  them  when  they 
are  drawn  up  for  action,  or  when  they 
are  encamped.  This  space  is  generally 
wide   enough   to   admit   the    march    ot 


general  officers  and  governors  of  forti-  another  battalion,   that  is  to  say,  it  is 
fied  towns,  held    continual    intercourse 
with  the  intendants  or  supervisors,  who 
directed   every  banch   of   the  commis- 
sariat. 

When  the  intendant  d'armee  was  not 
likewise  intendant  de  province,  he  was 
directed  to  accompany  the  troops,  to 
visit  their  line  of  encampment  or  can- 
tonment, and  to  require  of  all  the  sub- 
ordinate intendants,  the  regular  propor- 
tion of  stores  and  provisions,  and  to  see 
that  they  were  supplied  according  to 
contract  and  with  punctuality. 

INTEREST,  (intcrit,  Fr.)  power, 
credit,  of  promoting  oneself,  or  others  ; 
money  paid  for  use. 

To  make  Interest,  to  endeavour  to 
obtain  any  thing  through  the  power 
or  credit  of  others.  The  French  say 
briguer;  hence,  cette place  est  fort  briguec, 
there  is  great  interest  made  for  that 
place. 

To  Interfere,  to  intermeddle ;  to 
clash. 

To  Interfere  (sentre-tailler,  Fr.)  In 
farriery  a  horse  is  said  to  interfere 
wihen  the  side  of  one  of  his  shoes  strikes 
against  one  of  his  fetlocks,  or  one  leg 
hits  another,  and  strikes  oft"  the  skin. 

INTERIOR,  (intirkur,  Fr.)  inward  ; 
internal. 

Interior  flanking  angle  is  formed 
by  the  curtain  and  line  of  defence. 

Interior  radius,  the  part  of  an 
oblique  radius  extending  from  the  cen- 
ter of  the  polygon  to  the  center  of  the 
bastion. 

Interior  side,  the  line  of  the 
curtain  produced  to  the  two  oblique 
radii  of  the  front;  or  a  line  drawn  from 
the  center  of  one  bastion  to  that  of  the 
next. 

Lxtebiok  slope.   See  Talus. 


equal  to  the  extent  of  its  front  when  in 
line.  When  troops  are  encamped  for 
the  pun^ose  of  investing  a  town  or  forti- 
fied place,  the  interval  is  much  greater, 
and  seldom  or  ever  less. 

Interval  between  the  line  and  the 
camp.  This  comprehends  the  space 
which  lies  between  the  camp  and  the 
line  of  entrenchments.  It  is  generally 
from  one  hundred  and  eighty  to  two 
hundred  toises  in  breadth :  so  that  the 
different  battalions  and  squadrons  which 
are  necessary  for  the  security  of  the 
camp  may  have  room  to  move  in,  while 
sufficient  ground  is  left  in  the  rear  for 
troops  to  pass  and  repass  as  occasion 
may  require.  The  same  observation- 
holds  good  with  respect  to  contraval- 
lation. 

INTERVALLE  du  camp  a  la  ligne, 
Fr.  See  Interval  between  tlie  line 
and  the  camp. 

INTERVERTISSER,  Fr.  to  over- 
turn ;  to  cancel ;  to  render  void. 

Intervertisser  Vordre  da  jour,  Fr.  to 
cancel  the  order  of  the  day. 

INTESTINE,  (intestin,  Fr.)  in- 
ward, within,  belonging  to  the  inward 
parts. 

Intestine  war,  (guerre  intestine,  Fr.) 
a  civil  war,  as  it  were,  within  the  bowels 
of  a  state  or  kingdom. 

To  INTRENCH,  to  secure  against 
the  attack  of  an  enemy,  by  digging  a 
ditch  or  trench,  Sec. 

To  Intrench  upon,  to  invade,  to 
make  incroachments  upon  the  property 
or  territories  of  another. 

INTRENCHMENT,  any  work  that 
fortifies  a  post  against  the  attack  of  an 
enemy.  The  word  is  generally  used 
to  denote  a  ditch  or  trench  with  a  pa- 
rapet. Iatrenchments  are  sometimes 
3F 


I  N  T 


(     402     ) 


INT 


made  of  fascines,  with  eartli  thrown  over 
them,  of  gabions,  hogsheads  or  bags 
filled  with'  earth*  to  cover  the  nun  from 
the  enemy's  fire.  See  Kktrknciiment. 
INTREPIDITY,  (inlrepiditc,YY.)  ;\\\ 
unqualified  contempt  of  death,  and  in- 

-  difference  to  fortune,  as  far  as  it  regards 
personal  safety;  a  fearlessness  of  heart, 
and  a  daring  enterprize  of  mind.  Ac- 
cording to  Elochefoucault,  intrepidity, 
especially  with  regard  to  military  daring, 
implies  firmness  of  character, great  cora- 

Ji/lenit  of  mi  nil,  and  extraordinary  St1  m^/A 
of  soul.  Buoyed  up  and  supported  by 
these  qualities,  (which  are  som<  times 
natural  and  sometimes  acquired,)  men 
become  superior  to  every  emotion  of 
alarm  and  are  insensible  to  those  per- 
turbations of  the  heart  which  the  prospect 
of  imminent  danger  almost  always  en- 
genders. Chevalier  Folard  defines  it  to 
be  a  settled  contempt  of  death,  a  species 
of  courage  which  so  intoxicates  the 
mind,  as  to  make  it  leap  ov<  r  the  sober 
bounds  of  judgment  and  discretion:  an 
enthusiastic  impulse,  which  urges  us 
forward,  and  renders  danger  impercep- 
tible ;  or,  if  discovered,  raises  our  sensa- 
tions beyond  the  least  impression  of  it  ar. 
This  definition  appears  extremely  just. 
Were  we  disposed  to  enter  into  in- 
stances of  illustration,  it  would  not  be 
difhcult  to  find  them  among  our  own 
countrymen,  especially  among  the  illus- 
trious characters  that  have  raised  the 
British  Navy  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of 
human  glory  The  mention  of  the  battle 
of  the  Nile  will,  however,  be  sufficient 
for  our  purpose-  The  late  Lord  Nelson, 
whether  on  his  own  element,  or  destined 
to  act  on  shore,  seemed  to  possess  this 
quality  to  the  full  extent  of  its  de- 
finition. 

A  general  may  be  said  to  act  with 
intrepidity,  when,  with  forces  inferior 
to  those  of  his  enemy,  and  under  ail  the 
disadvantages  of  ground,  &.c.  he  hazards 
a  general  action,  attacks  his  whole  front, 
and  finally  defeats  him.  This  hardiness 
and  enterprize  of  character  not  only 
surprize  an  enemy,  but  likewise  create 
emotions  of  wonder.  If,  on  the  con- 
trary, a  general  at  the  head  of  a  small 
army  should  be  known  to  act  against 
another  that  is  superior  to  him  in  every 
point,  except  talent  and  military  skill, 
and  if  by  means  of  these  qualities, 
the  former  should,  by  able  manoeuvres 

■«and  well  concerted  measures,  render  all 


the  designs  and  attempts  of  the  latter 
fruitless  and  abortive,  (at  a  time  and 
under  circumstances,  which  might  dis- 
hearten almost  any  other  general,)  it  is 
then  fair  to  conclude,  that  the  conduct 
of  such  a  general  is  the  consequence  of 
great  military  knowledge ;  but  it  cannot, 
with  propriety,  be  said  to  be  the  result 
oi  intrepidity ;  for  it  must  be  evident, 
that  before  any  very  dangerous  step  has- 
been  takes,  most  of  the  obstacles  have 
been  previously  removed,  or  rendered 
practicable. 

An  officer  who  is  not  under  the  in- 
fluence of  that  species  of  intrepidity 
which  we  have  described,  when  be  has 
once  got  upon  equal  ground,  or  finds  it 
iiee(  ssary  to  risk  an  action,  w  ill,  without 
hesitation,  advance  against  his  enemy, 
depending  wholly  upon  military  skill 
and  the  superior  disposition  of  his  line 
of  battle.  Full  of  resources,  and  with 
great  presence  of  mind,  he  will  march 
forward  and  obtain  a  victory,  not  by 
dint  of  courage,  or  by  the  mere  favour 
of  fortune,  but  through  judgment,  military 
ingenuity,  and  great  tactical  knowledge. 
And  yet  it  would  be  an  injustice  done 
to  the  character  of  such  an  officer,  were 
it  imagined,  that  he  could  act  in  this 
manner  without  possessing  great  intre- 
pidity. We  are  rather  of  opinion,  that 
such  a  man  must  have  the  most  un- 
daunted courage,  with  the  additional 
advantage  of  consummate  prudence, 
founded  upon  military  knowledge.  The 
intrepidity  of  his  soul  is  calmed  by  the 
cooler  judgment  of  his  head;  he  is 
aware  of  difficulties,  but  is  not  dis- 
heartened by  their  appearance ;  he  is, 
on  the  contrary,  encouraged  to  surmount 
them  by  that  self-possession,  and  by  that 
unshaken  presence  of  mind,  which  enable 
him  to  execute  what  might  seem  im- 
practicable to  others. 

Mere  intrepidity  is  of  a  lively,  impe- 
tuous nature,  restless  and  impatient  of 
restraint,  which,  though  it  may  not  de- 
generate into  downright  animal  bruta- 
lity, is  nevertheless  very  far  from  being 
strictly  rational,  or  enlightened.  If  the 
person  who  acts  under  its  immediate  in- 
fluence be  quick  in  his  perceptions,  his 
conduct  is  generally  marked  by  some 
imprudent  measure,  some  enterprize 
that  bids  defiance  to  reflection,  and  by 
some  attempt  that  is  as  hastily  executed 
as  it  has  been  inconsiderately  planned. 
An  intrepidity  of  this  species  is  seldom 


I  N  V 


(     40S     ) 


I  N  V 


found  in  the  first  class  of  military  cha- 
racters; sometimes  indeed,  but  rarely, 
it  has  been  accompanied  by  great  pru- 
dence and  foresight. 

In  this  number  may  be  considered 
some  ancient  and  modern  heroes,  such 
as  Alexander  the  Great,  Charies,  King 
of  Sweden,  Henry  IV.  of  France,  and 
though  last,  not  least,  the  brave  and 
short-lived  hero  of  Quebec — immortal 
Wolfe !  If  instances  be  found  in  their 
histories  where  prudence  and  discretion 
have  been  overleaped  by  an  intrepidity 
of  soul  that  was  too  actively  disposed  on 
certain  occasions,  the  effect  was  tempo- 
rary, and  easy  to  be  traced  to  a  cause 
which  was  too  powerfully  engrafted  upon 
their  nature,  to  be  always  subject  to 
controul. 

INTRIGUANT,  Fr.  a  person  who 
puts  himself  forward  ;  an  intriguer  in 
politics,&c.  a  confined  politician.  Hence 
the  French  say,  ce  n'est  quun  intriguant, 
he  is  a  mere  schemer. 

INTRIGUER,  Fr.  to  embroil;  to 
plot;  to  puzzle;  as,  intriguer  son  ennemi, 
to  puzzle  one's  enemy. 

^'INTRIGUER,  Fr.  to  bustle  about; 
to  put  one's  self  forward,  &c. 

To  INVADE,  (envahir,  Fr.)  to  make 
a  forcible,  or  clandestine,  entry  into 
any  thing  belonging  to  another.  In  a 
military  sense,  to  pass  the  regular  line 
of  frontier  of  any  country,  in  order  to 
take  possession  of  the  interior. 

INVADER,  (envuhisseur,  Fr.)  the 
person  who  invades;  the  chief  of  any 
body  of  armed  men  that  enter  a  foreign 
country. 

INVALID,  (involute,  Fr.)  properly 
includes  every  soldier  that  has  been 
wounded,  or  has  suffered  materially  in 
his  health,  and,  in  consequence  of  his 
good  conduct,  has  been  recommended 
to  a  certain  provision  for  life.  Chelsea 
Hospital  is  the  place  allotted  for  the  re- 
ception of  such  objects  of  public  grati- 
tude and  benevolence  in  this  country. 
Before  the  building  of  the  Hotel  des  In- 
valides  at  Paris,  all  soldiers  of  the  above 
description,  who  belonged  to  the  French 
army,  were  distributed  among  the  fron- 
tier towns,  and  enjoyed  a  certain  allow- 
ance for  life. 

In  England,  those  invalid  soldiers 
who  are  reported  not  wholly  incapable 
of  bearing  arms,  are  occasionally  sent 
into  garrison  places,  and  do  duty  with 
the  regular  army.     The  motto  over  the 


Invalid  House  at  Berlin,  is  remarkable 
for  its  fine  sentiment;  viz.  Militi  laso 
sed  inviclo. 

Invalid- Battalion.    See  Veteran. 

INVASION,  (invasion,  Fr.)  in  war, 
the  entrance  or  attack  of  an  enemy  on 
the  dominions  of  another. 

INVENTORY  of  deceased  officers'  ef- 
fects, Sfc.  In  the  British  army  when  any 
commissioned  officer  happens  to  die,  or 
is  killed  on  service,  it  is  directed  by  the 
Articles  of  War,  that  the  major  of  the 
regiment,  or  the  officer  doing  the  major's 
duty  in  his  absence,  shall  immediately 
secure  all  his  effects  or  equipage  then  in 
camp  or  quarters ;  and  shall,  before  the 
next  regimental  court-martial,  make  an 
inventory  thereof,  and  forthwith  transmit 
the  same  to  the  office  of  the  secretary 
at  war,  to  the  end  that  the  executors  of 
such  officer  may,  after  payment  of 
his  regimental  debts  and  quarters,  and 
the  expenses  attending  his  interment, 
receive  the  overplus,  if  any  be,  to  his  or 
their  use. 

When  any  non-commissioned  officer 
or  private  soldier  happens  to  die,  or  is 
killed  on  service,  the  then  commanding 
officer  of  the  troop  or  company  shall, 
in  the  presence  of  two  other  commis- 
sioned officers,  take  an  account  of  what- 
ever effects  he  dies  possessed  of,  above 
his  regimental  clothing,  arms  and  accou- 
trements, and  transmit  the  same  to  the 
office  of  the  secretary  at  war.  These 
effects  are  to  be  accounted  for  and  paid 
to  the  representative  of  such  deceased 
non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier;  and 
in  case  any  of  the  officers,  so  authorized 
to  take  care  of  the  effects  of  deceased 
officers  and  soldiers,  should,  before  they 
have  accounted  to  their  representatives 
for  the  same,  have  occasion  to  leave  the 
regiment  by  preferment,  or  otherwise, 
they  are  ordered,  before  they  be  per-* 
mitted  to  quit  the  same,  to  deposit  in 
the  hands  of  the  commanding  officer,  or 
of  the  agent  of  the  regiment,  all  the 
effects  of  such  deceased  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  soldiers,  in  order  that 
the  same  may  be  secured  for,  and  paid 
to,  their  respective  representatives.  See 
Articles  of  War,  Section  XIX. 

To  INVEST  a  place,  ( invest ir  une 
place,  Fr.)  A  fortified  town  or  place  is 
said  to  be  invested,  when  all  the  avenues 
leading  to  it  have  been  seized  upon  by 
hostile  troops,  which  are  distributed  and 
posted  on  the  principal  commands,  to 
2F2 


I  N  U 


(     404     ) 


J  0  I 


prevent  any  succour  from  being  received 
by  the  garrison,  and  to  keep  the  ground 
until  the  rest  of  the  army,  with  the  artil- 
]t  rv,  can  arrive  to  form  a  regular  siege. 
To  invest  a  place  is,  in  fact,  to  take  pre- 
paratory measures  for  a  blockade,  or  a 
close  siege. 

For  further  particulars  on  this  article, 
see  Traite  de  I'Attaque  ties  Places,  par  Is 
Marie lud  Vmiban,  rivu,  fyc.  pur  P. 
Foissae,  chef  dc  brigade  au  Corps  da 
Genie  de  la  Rcpublique  Francaise,  vol.  i. 
page  69 

To  Invest  with  authority,  to  empower. 

INVESTISSEMENT,  (a  French 
word,  which  is  strictly  military.  The 
celebrated  Vauban  has  erroneously  used 
investiture,  to  signify  the  same  thing  ;) 
the  act  of  investing  any  town  or  place 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the  gar- 
rison or  inhabitants  from  receiving  suc- 
cours or  provisions. 

INVESTITURE,  Fr.    See  Investis- 

SEMENT,  Fr. 

INVINCIBLE,  not  to  be  overcome, 
or  conquered. 

Les  INVINCIBLES,  a  French  re- 
giment which  accompanied  Bonaparte 
when  he  invaded  Egypt,  and  which  had 
distinguished  itself  in  several  battles, 
during  that  general's  campaigns  in  Italy. 
It  was  completely  routed  (leaving  its 
famous  standard  in  the  field)  on  the 
21st  of  March,  1801,  and  at  last  sur- 
rendered, with  the  rest  of  the  army,  to 
General,  now  Lord  Hutchinson,  who  had 
succeeded  Sir  Ralph  Abercrombie  in  the 
command  of  the  British  troops. 

To  INUNDATE,  in  a  military  sense, 
is  to  overflow  any  part  of  a  country,  in 
order  to  prevent  an  enemy  from  advan- 
cing. Holland  is  particularly  calculated 
for  this  species  of  defence. 

INUNDATION,  the  act  of  letting 
water  into  a  country,  so  that  it  shall  be 
overflowed,  to  prevent  the  approach  of 
an  enemy. 

In  the  Instruction  addressee  aur  Or- 
ders d'infantcrie  pour  tracer  et  con- 
struire  toutes  sortes  d'ouvrages  de  cam- 
pagne,  SfC.  par  A.  P.  I.  Belair,  chef  de 
brigade,  may  be  found  some  very  sen- 
sible observations  on  the  means  of  making 
inundations  to  answer  military  purposes, 
see  page  119,  &c.  chapitre  huitieme, 
Mot/ens  de  faire  des  lnondations.  We 
likewise  refer  our  military  readers  to  the 
Element  de  Fortification,  published  by 
the  same   author,    pages    75,  82,   83, 


and  84.  In  page  294  of  his  Dicticmnaire 
Mi/tioirc,  some  excellent  observations 
upon  the  same  subject  may  be  seen  under 
the  article  Architecture  hydraulique. 

INVULNEKABLES.  During  the 
American  war,  certain  corps  of  loyalists 
were  so  called  by  the  British. 

INVULNERABLES  aux  urmces.  See 

MoNT-PAGNOTE. 

JOAR,  hid.  a  general  massacre  of 
the  v. omen  and  children,  which  is  some- 
times performed  by  the  Hindoos,  when 
they  find  they  cannot  prevent  the  enemy 
from  taking  the  town.  When  this 
dreadful  and  unnatural  ceremony  is  to 
take  place,  a  spot  is  selected,  which  is 
filled  with  wood,  straw,  oil,  &c.  the  vic- 
tims are  enclosed  and  the  whole  is  set 
on  fire. 

JOB,  (corvee ;  petite  affaire,  Fr. ) 
In  a  general  acceptation  of  the  term, 
any  thing  done  within  a  limited  period, 
for  a  given  price.  Something  effected 
for  the  benefit  of  an  individual  at  the 
expense  of  the  public  ;  a  matter  of 
traffic. 

Riilitary  Job,  Civil  and  Ecclesiastical 
Jobb,  <$-c.  For  a  clear  definition  of  these 
terms  to  their  full  extent  and  meaning, 
see  the  Debates  in  Parliament,  Anno 
Domini  1808,  anno  quoque  1809. 

JOBBER,  (agiotcur,  faisear  de  place*, 
Fr.)  a  person  who  deals  in  commissions 
and  places,  or  jobs  in  the  funds,  &c. 

JOBENT  nails,  a  small  sort  of  nails, 
commonly  used  to  nail  thin  plates  of 
iron  to  wood. 

To  JOIN,  a  technical  word  used  in 
the  British  service,  generally  signifying 
to  effect  the  junction  of  one  military 
body  with  another.  In  a  more  limited 
sense,  it  means  the  accession  of  an  in- 
dividual voluntarily,  or  otherwise,  to  a 
corps  or  army.  If  an  officer,  on  being 
ordered  to  join,  omits  to  do  so  wilfully, 
he  is  liable  to  be  tried  by  a  general 
court-martial,  or  to  be  peremptorily  sus- 
pended or  dismissed  by  his  Majesty,  for 
being  absent  without  leave. 

JOINT  bolts.    See  Bolts. 

Joint,  (joint,  Fr.)  with  architects,  the 
separation  between  die  stones,  which  is 
filled  with  mortar,  plaster,  or  cement. 

Joint,  (in  carpentry,)  the  several  man- 
ners of  assembling  or  fitting  pieces  of 
wood  together. 

JOINTIVES,  (lattesjointives,  Fr.)  a 
term  used  in  masonry,  signifying  laths, 
which  are  joined  together,  or  placed  so 


J  o  u 


(     405     ) 


IRE 


close,  that  the  plaster  may  be  conve- 
niently spread  over. 

JOINTOYER,  Fr.  to  finish  a  build- 
ing, by  filling  up  all  the  chasms  and 
crevices,  between  bricks  or  stones,  with 
mortar  or  cement  of  a  corresponding 
colour. 

JOTST,  the  secondary  beam  of  a  floor. 

To  Joist,  to  fit  in  the  smaller  beams 
of  a  flooring. 

JOLS,  Fr.  Barges  so  called,  are 
used  in  Denmark,  and  sometimes  by  the 
Russians. 

JONCTION  de  corps  militaires,  Fr. 
the  junction  or  assemblage  of  several 
military  corps,  so  as  to  form  one  bodj, 
and  thereby  constitute  an  army. 

JOODAY  PERRAPUT,  Lid.  A 
term  used  in  India  to  signify  a  slave 
taken  in  war. 

JOOMAN,  Ind.  Friday  so  called  in 
India. 

JOUE!  a  word  of  command  in  the 
French  service,  answering  to  present  ! 

Coucher  en  Joue,  Fr.  To  aim  with  a 
musket,  or  other  fire-arm,  which  is  used 
as  such — as,  je  I 'avals  deja  couch  e  en  joue, 
I  had  already  taken  my  aim  at  him. 

JOUER,  Fr.  In  a  military  sense,  to 
put  into  motion  or  state  of  action. — 
Hence  faire  jouer  la  mine — To  spring  a 
mine.  The  French  also  say  familiarly, 
jouer  des  couteau:c — To  fight  sword  in 
hand.  It  literally  signifies  to  fighc  with 
knives. 

JOUES  d'une  embrasure,  Fr.  the  two 
sides  of  the  epaulement  in  fortification, 
which  form  the  opening  of  the  embrasure 
from  its  utmost  point  of  elevation  to  the 
gcnouiliere. 

JOVES,  Fr.  The  two  sides  in  the 
epaulement  of  a  battery  which  form  the 
embrazure,  are  so  called. 

JOUR,  Fr.  the  tour  of  duty  which 
is  done  in  the  course  of  a  day  and  night. 

Etre  de  Jour,  Fr.  to  be  officer  of  the 
day,  or  to  command  a  body  of  troops  at 
a  siege,  or  otherwise,  in  the  capacity  of 
a  general  officer,  &c.  The  usual  time 
was  24  hours,  at  the  expiration  of  which 
another  officer  undertook  the  duty,  and 
was  relieved  by  one  of  his  own  rank.— 
See  Officer  of  the  day. 

Ordre  du  Jouk,  Fr.  Orders.  See 
General  Orders. 

Jour  de  revue,  Fr.  field  day. 

De  Jour  en  Jour,  Fr.  day  after 
day. 

JOURNAL  Militaire,  Fr.  a  public 
record  or  general  orderly  book,  which 


was  formerly  kept  in  the  French  service, 
and  in  which  every  transaction  that  oc- 
curred during  a  siege  was  entered  by 
the  governor  of  the  town,  for  the  future 
inspection  of  a  superior  authority.  Th« 
general  officer  who  carried  on  the  siegq 
of  a  place  likewise  kept  a  document  of 
the  sort,  and  minuted  down  every  thing 
that  happened  under  his  command.  So 
that  the  journal,  which  was  kept  in  this 
manner,  was  a  circumstantial  detail  of 
what  occurred,  day  after  day,  during 
the  attack  and  defence  of  a  town. 

Journal,  Fr.  a  sea  term  answering 
to  our  log  book. 

Journal  de  I'armee,  Fr.  See  Re- 
turns. 

JOURNALIZED,  done  according  to 
daily  practice,  &c.  Hence,  journalized 
report,  or  an  account  of  what  has  been 
tried,  or  effected,  day  after  day. 

JOURNEE,  a  term  used  among 
the  French,  to  express  any  particular 
engagement  or  battle,  as  la  journie  de 
Marengo,  the  battle  of  Marengo.  We 
frequently  adopt  the  word  Day  in  the 
same  sense  :  thus  a  hard  fought  Day  sig- 
nifies a  hard  fought  battle. 

JOUTE,  Fr.  a  close  fight  between 
two  individuals.  It  likewise  means  an 
engagement  at  sea. 

JOUTER,  faire  des  joutes,  Fr.  to  run 
atilt  at  one  another  with  lances. 

JOUST.    See  Just. 

JOYEUSE,  Fr.  The  sword  of  Char, 
lemagne  was  so  called  by  the  French : 
in  which  sense  joyeuse  probably  meant 
lucky,  fortunate. 

IRAN,  Ind.     Persia. 

IRELAND,  (Irlande,  Fr.)  one  of  the 
British  isles,  situated  between  51  and 
56  degrees  of  N.  latitude,  and  between  5 
and  11  degrees  of  W.  longitude 

IRENARCH,  (irenarquc,  Fr. )  an 
officer  so  called  in  the  old  Grecian  em- 
pire, irenarcha,  prefect  us  pads.  His 
principal  duty  was  to  preserve  public 
tranquillity,  and  his  functions  were  nearly 
similar  to  those  of  the  French  prevott 
de  inarechausses,  or  police  magistrates. 
We  read  in  the  Justinian  code  of  laws, 
that  the  irenarchs  were  sent  into  the 
different  provinces,  for  the  purpose  of 
preserving  peace  and  good  order.  They 
were  therefore  invested  with  authority  to 
take  cognizance  of  all  crimes  and  misde- 
meanours, and  to  punish  the  delinquents. 
There  was  likewise  aniVewa/'cAestablished 
in  every  town,  to  settle  the  disputes  and 
differences  which  might  arise  between 


I  S  L 


(     406     ) 


I  s  s 


the  inhabitants,  and  to  secure  public 
tranquillity.  This  person  was  anciently 
railed  pnefecttu  nrlus.  The  office  of 
irenarch  was  abolished  under  the  Empe- 
rors Theoelosiua  and  Honorius,  it  having 
latterly  been  found  more  productive  of 
evil  than  good.  The  word  itself  is  de- 
rived from  the  Greek,  and  signifies  Prince 
of  Peace. 

IRISH,  (Irlandois,  Fr.)  a  people  well 
known  for  their  sufferings]  and  generally 
distinguished  for  their  bravery,  even  in 
defence  of  the  Bister  kingdom  to  which 
they  are  subordinate,  from  having  been 
conquered. 

Irish  brigade,  (In  brigade  Irlandaise, 
Fr.)  a  body  of  men  who  followed  the 
fortunes  of  James  II.  and  were  formed 
into  regiments  under  the  monarchy  of 
France,  in  whose  service  they  uniformly 
distinguished  themselves,  particularly  at 
the  battle  of  Fontenoy,  when  the  Bri- 
tish, having  originally  gained  the  day, 
were  finally  defeated  by  their  intre- 
pidity. 

IRON  Gun*     See  Giro* 

Iron  hat,  (chapelle  de  fer,  Fr.)  alight 
helmet  which  was  formerly  worn,  with- 
out visor  or  gorget,  like  those  since  called 
bassinets, — probably  a  sort  of  iron  cap 
attached  to,  and  worn  over  a  hood  of 
mail.  This  iron  hat  is  also  called  in 
French  annrf,  and  was  occasionally  put 
on  by  knights,  when  they  retired  from 
the  heat  or  melee  of  the  battle,  to  rest 
themselves  and  take  breath.  The  iron 
hat  is  mentioned  by  Froissart  and  Father 
Daniel. 

IRONS.     See  Priming  Ikons. 

Irons,  (J'ers,  Fr.)  fetters  or  instruments 
made  of  iron,  with  which  a  prisoner  is 
shackled. 

To  be  put  in  Irons,  (itre  misaux  fers, 
Fr.)  to  be  handcuffed  and  confined  in 
fetters. 

IRREGULAR  Fortification.  See 
Fortification. 

ISLANDER,  (msulaires,  Fr.)  an  in- 
habitant of  an  island.  The  French  usu- 
ally called  the  British  Fieri  insulaires, 
haughty  islanders ;  from  having  been  so 
repeatedly  beaten  by  them,  especially  at 
sea.  The  Count  d'Artok  (now  Mon- 
sieur) first  made  use  of  the  expression 
during  the  siege  ot'  Gibraltar. 

I R  KIT  A  RLE,  soon  excited  to  anger. 

[SLAUD,  Jnd.  a  term  to  express 
slow  music  among  the  Indians. 

I M. I'.  OF  WIGHT.  This  place,  as 
subject  to  the  militia  laws,  differ-   from 


the  other  counties  in  England  in  one 
material  instance,  viz.  that  the  governor 
has  the  power  of  appointing  the  officers 
and  deputy  lieutenants,  without  trans- 
mitting their  names  to  the  secretary  of 
State  for  hie  Majesty's  pleasure.  Their 
qualifications, &c.  are  the  same  as  those 
in  Wales.  The  militia,  however,  when 
embodied,  or  assembled  for  annual  ex- 
.  is  to  be  ill  emed  a  part  of  the 
militia  of  the  county  of  Southampton, 
and  is  to  be  raist  il  in  the  same  manner* 
It  is  to  continue  in  the  island,  unless  it 
be  otherwise  ordered  bj  his  Majesty. 

ISOCELE,  (isocele,  Fr.)  in  geometry, 
is  a  triangle  that  has  two  legs  equal. 

1SOLE,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  among 
the  French,  to  express  any  body  or  thing 
which  is  detached  from  another.  It  is 
variously  applied  in  fortification.  Thus 
a  pavilion  or  barrack  which  is  not  joined 
to  any  other  wall  or  building  is  called 
isole,  because  it  stands  alone,  and  a 
person  may  walk  entirely  round  it.  A 
parapet  is  also  said  to  be  isolb,  when 
there  is  an  interval  of  four  or  five  feet 
between  the  rampart  and  its  wall ;  which 
interval  serves  as  a  path  for  the  rounds. 
We  have  adopted  the  word,  and  say 
isolated. 

ISOPERIMETRICAL  .figures,  — 
(figures  isaperimctriques,  Fr. )  a  term 
den\ed  from  the  Greek  to  express  ail 
figures  that  have  equal  circumferences, 
or  perimeters. 

[SSUE,  event;  consequence;  the  ul- 
timate result  of  any  undertaking ;  the 
termination  of  any  contest. 

General  Issue.  In  matters  of  litiga- 
tion with  respect,  to  the  militia,  it  is 
enacted  by  the  36th  of  the  King,  that 
1  if  any  action  shall  be  brought  against 
I  any  person  or  persons,  for  any  thing 
done  in  pursuance  of  that  act,  such  ac- 
tion or  suit  shall  be  commenced  within 
six  months  next  after  the  fact  com- 
mitted, and  not  afterwards,  and  shall  be 
Laid  in  the  county  or  place  where  the 
cause  or  complaint  did  arise,  and  not 
elsewhere ;  and  the  defendant,  or  de- 
fendants, in  every  such  action  or  suit, 
may  plead  the  general  issue,  and  give 
this  act  and  the  special  matter  in  evi- 
dence at  any  trial  to  bo  had  thereupon  : 
and  if  the  jury  shall  find  for  the  defen- 
dant, or  defendants,  in  any  such  action 
or  suit,  or  if  the  plaintiff  or  plaintiffs 
shall  be  non-suited,  or  discontinue  his 
or  their  action  or  suit  after  the  defen- 
dant or  defendants  shaAl  have  appeared ; 


I  T  I 


(     407     ) 


JUM 


'or  if  upon  demurrer  judgment  shall  be 
given  against  the  plaintiff  or  plaintiffs, 
the  defendant  or  defendants  shall  have 
treble  costs,  and  have  the  like  remedy 
for  the  same,  as  any  defendant  hath  in 
other  cases  to  recover  costs  by  law. 

ISSUES,  in  army  accompts,  certain 
sums  of  money  which  are  imprested  into 
the  hands  of  agents,  &c.  for  the  payment 
of  the  army. 

Owr-IssuES,  more  than  the  expendi- 
ture. 

[/Wit-Issues,  less  than  the  expendi- 
ture. 

Issues,  in  military  finance,  certain 
sums  of  money  which  are,  at  stated  pe- 
riods, given  to  public  accountants  for 
public  service ;  and  for  the  honest  dis- 
tribution of  which,  every  individual,  so 
entrusted,  is  responsible  to  parliament. 

Regimental  Issues,  monies  paid  by 
regimental  agents,  acting  under  the  au- 
thority of  their  respective  colonels,  for 
regimental  purposes  :  the  latter  being 
accountable  to  the  public  for  the  proper 
distribution  of  all  such  monies,  and  the 
former  being  subject  to  specific  rules  and 
regulations  which  come  from  the  secre- 
tary at  war. 

ISSUES,  Fr.  outlets  or  passages  from 
n  fortified  town,  place,  or  camp. 

ISTHMUS,  (isthme,  Fr.)  a  neck  of 
land  which  joins  the  peninsula  to  the 
Continent,  and  which  separates  two 
seas. 

ITCH,  a  cutaneous  disease,  extremely 
contagious,  which  overspreads  the  body 
with  small  pustules  tilled  with  thin 
serum,  and  raised  by  a  small  animal. 
It  is  cured  by  sulphur.  When  troops 
are  marched  into  different  quarters, 
particularly  about  Scotland,  the  great- 
est attention  should  be  paid  to  cleanli- 
ness ;  as  it  is  well  known,  that  whole 
regiments  have  become  infected  by 
sleeping  in  places  where  itchy  subjects 
have  lain.  This  disorder  is,  however, 
easily  cured. . 

ITINERARY,  in  a  general  sense,  is 
the  description  which  a  traveller  gives  of 
the  course  of  his  journey.  In  military 
matters,  it  is  an  account  of  such  obser- 
vations as  relate  to  the  movements,  &c. 
of  an  army  in  the  field . 

ITINERAIRES,  Fr.  itinerary  move- 
ments or  days  of  march  ;  a  technical 
phrase  among  the  French  to  denote  the 
order  and  disposition  which  a  body  of 
men,  or  an  army,  is  directed  to  observe 


in  its  march  from  one  camp  to  another, 
or  to  any  particular  quarter  of  destina- 
tion. 

ITMAMDAR,  Ind.  a  superintendant 
or  lieutenant-governor  in  India. 

JUDGES  are  authorized  to  take  ju- 
dicial notice  of  the  Articles  of  War. 
Mutiny  Act,  Sect.  18. 

JUDGE-MARTIAL,  or  Advocate- 
General,  the  supreme  judge  in  martial 
laws  as  to  the  jurisdiction  and  powers  of 
military  courts.  It  is  incumbent  upon 
this  person,  as  well  as  upon  his  depu- 
ties, to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  laws 
of  the  land,  that  they  may  admonish 
the  court  or  president  when  their  pro- 
ceedings are  tending  to  infringe  the  civil 
law.  He  is  register  of  courts-martial 
and  should  take  down  the  evidence  in 
the  very  words  of  the  witness.  He 
is  neither  a  judge  nor  a  juror  as  to  the 
charge. 

JuDGE-Advocate.  See  Judge-Mar- 
tial. 

Deputy-JvDGE-Advocate,  a  person 
acting  under  the  judge-advocate  with  a 
fixed  salary.  There  are  also  subordinate 
deputies. 

JUGE,  Fr.  a  judge  or  provost 
marshal.  This  term  was  particularly 
applicable  to  the  interior  government  of 
the  Swiss  guards  that  were  in  the  service 
of  France.  Each  regiment  of  that  de- 
scriptionhad  one  judge  or  provost  marshal 
per  company,  and  one  superior  to  the 
rest,  who  presided  over  the  regiment. 
The  inferior  judge  was  called  richter,  and 
the  grand  or  superior  judge  obster  richter. 
The  inferior  judges  had  the  examination 
of  petty  crimes  and  offences  which  they 
reported  to  the  captain  of  the  company. 
If  the  crimes  were  of  a  serious  or  heinous 
nature,  the  inferior  judges  drew  up  a 
specific  statement  of  them,  and  laid  the 
whole  before  the  obster  richter,  who  com- 
municated the  circumstance  to  the  colo- 
nel. Grounds  for  a  general  court-martial 
were  generally  established  out  of  the 
latter  report. 

JUGEMENS  Militaires,  Fr.  the  cog- 
nizance which  is  taken,  and  the  senten- 
ces that  are  passed,  for  military  offences. 

JUGES  Militaires,  Fr.     See  Juge. 

JUGG,  bid.  an  Indian  sacrifice. 

JUGGUT  GROW,  Ind.  an  Indian 
term  which  signifies  guui'dian  of  man- 
kind. 

JUMBAUN,  Ind.  in  Indian  music, 
means  shake. 


JUS 


(     408     ) 


JUS 


jrMBOO  DEEP,  Lid.  a  word  par- 
ticular! v"  used  to  signify  India;  it  is  de- 
rived mom  jumboo  or  jnmbook,  a  jackal, 
and  deep,  any  Largs  portion  at  land 
which  is  surrounded  by  the  sea.  The 
inhabitants  of  India  were  so  called  be- 
fore the  introduction  of  the  Tartar  go- 
vernments. 

JUMMA  KERCH,  Ind.  an  account, 
stating;  the  receipt  and  expenditure  of  the 
revenue. 

J  UN" CAN,  Ind.  a  toll  or  duty  on 
every  thing  that  passes. 

JUNGLE,  an  Indian  term  for  a 
wood,  or  woody  country.  It  likewise 
means  high  grass,  reeds,  or  thicket. 

JUNTA,  a  council  consisting  of  the 
principal  statesmen  in  Spain  ;  from 
which  public  orders,  &c.  have  been  is- 
sued ;  as  the  Junta  of  Seville,  under 
whose  instructions  the  patriots  acted  in 
1808. 

JURISDICTION,  legal  authority,  ex- 
tent of  power.  Officers  not  being  liable 
to  be  tried  by  garrison  or  regimental 
courts-martial,  may  appeal  from  the  ju- 
risdiction of  such  courts ;  as  may  non- 
commissioned officers  and  soldiers  in 
cases  where  their  pay  is  concerned. 

Ji  ST,  a  sportive  combat  on  horse- 
back, man  against  man,  armed  with 
lances  ;  called  also  Joust,  Tilt,  'L'ourna- 
ment,  c\-c 

JUSTICES.  Military  men  are,  in 
many  instances,  under  the  necessity  of 
applying  to  justices  in  order  to  execute 
their  several  orders  and  instructions 
without  infringing  upon  the  civil  autho- 
rities ;  and  justices  on  their  sides  are 
bound  to  aid  and  assist  the  military  in 
conformity  to  established  laws  and  re- 
gulations. As  the  functions  of  these 
gentlemen  seem  specifically  pointed  out 
in  militia  acts,  and  every  thing  relating 
to  the  army  is  comprised  under  the  dif- 
ferent heads,  we  shall  give  the  following 
brief  abstract  for  the  information  of  mili- 
tary men  in  general. 

Justices  are  directed  to  grant  warrants 
for  impressing  carriages  for  the   use  of 


the  regular  arm v  and  militia,  when  any 
part  of  either  of  those  establishments  is 
on  its  march.  Hey  may  grant  warrants 
for  the  apprehending  of  deserters,  and 
must  pay  jibs,  to  the  person  who  brings 
a  desert  r,  and  has  him  sworn  in  before 
than. 

They  may  Lillet  officers  ami  men  upoa 
the  diifereut  public-houses,  and  when 
the  militia  is  disembodied,  they  provide 
in  the  same  maimer  for  that  establish- 
ment, during  the  annual  exercise.  With 
regard  to  the  militia,  it  is  the  peculiar 
province  of  each  justice  to  order  costs 
1br  making  distress  on  qiuikers  for  rates 
for  raising  volunteers,  and  to  grant  war- 
rants in  general  for  levying  by  distress 
the  regulated  rates  under  that  head. 
They  may  likewise  determine  disputes 
respecting  wages  under  '20\.  bet  w  em 
masters  and  their  servants  who  have 
been  enrolled  as  militia-men,  and  may- 
order  the  same  to  be  levied  by  distress. 
They  may  likewise  order  relief  to  be 
given  to  disabled  militia-men,  &c.  and 
may  commit  militia-men  for  not  paving 
the  penalty  they  might  have  incurred 
for  selling  their  arm?,  and  either  com- 
mit the  purchasers  of  them,  or  cause 
them  to  be  vvliipped  at  the  cart's  tail,  &c. 

At  the  quarter  session  after  Christmas 
in  evwry  year,  justices  are  to  assess  51. 
per  man  on  every  place  that  does  not 
return  an  annual  state  of  its  militia 
when  disembodied  ;  and  at  Midsummer 
quarter  session  they  are  to  order  the 
overseers  of  the  poor  to  certify  the  quota 
paid  to  the  land  tax  by  places  not  rated 
to  the  county  rate,  and  which  have  not 
paid  their  assessments  for  not  having 
raised  their  militia. 

Justices  of  the.  peace,  being  military 
officers,  cannot  give  warrants  for  quar- 
tering their  own  soldiers  in  England. 
See  37,  40,  of  the  King,  chap.  '27. 
art.  xxx. 

Military  Justice,  (Justice  Militaire, 
Fr.)  the  summary  trial  and  punishment; 
of  offenders  under  martial  law. 


(     409     ) 


K 


K  A  L 

KABBADE  or  CABADE,  Fr.  a  mi- 
litary dress  which  is  worn  by  the 
modern  Greeks.  According  to  Tzetzes 
it  derives  its  name  from  Cabades,  a 
Persian  king.  Codinus,  on  the  other 
hand,  asserts,  that  theGreeks  in  Constan- 
tinople adopted  it  in  imitation  of  the 
Assyrians.  Others  again  maintain,  that 
it  owes  its  appellation  to  the  resemblance 
which  it  bears  to  a  Greek  letter.  Father 
Goar,  the  author,  very  justly  ridicules 
this  etymology.  We  are,  however,  au- 
thorized to  say,  that  be  the  derivation  of 
the  word  what  it  may,  the  dress  itself 
consists  of  a  short  garment  which  was 
worn  underneath  another.  It  had  not 
any  folds,  but  sat  close  to  the  body, 
being  buttoned  with  large  buttons,  and 
reaching  down' to  the  calves  of  the  legs. 
It  was  fringed  round  the  edges,  and  was 
usually  worn  with  a  girdle;  such  is  the 
description  which  Father  Goar  has  given 
of  the  kabbade  in  his  notes  upon  Codinus. 
He  concludes  by  observing,  that,  in  his 
opinion,  it  is  what  the  Romans  called 
sagian,  and  the  modern  Greeks  after- 
wards corrupted  into  kabbade. 

KABEL  JAUVV,  a  name  formerly 
given  to  a  faction  in  the  low  countries, 
which  constantly  opposed  the  Houckiens. 

KAJANA,  Ltd.  a  collection  of  trea- 
sure under  the  immediate  controul  of  a 
Jaghirdar,  or  military  chief,  in  the  Indian 
empire.  This  treasure,  to  use  the  words 
of  the  editor  of  the  Asiatic  Register, 
consists  of  specie  and  jewels,  which  are 
lodged  in  a  secret  depository  within  the 
walls  of  a  strong  fortress,  often  erected 
for  the  purpose,  on  one  of  the  most  in- 
accessible mountains  in  the  dominions  ol 
a  Mahratta  prince. 

KAK  TOVVDA,  Ind.  fine  mould  beat 
strongly  in  between  two  walls,  for  the 
purpose  of  shooting  arrows  into,  when 
the  walls  are  taken  away. 

KALAI,  a  term  used  among  the 
Turks  to  signify  fort  or  fortress;  a  species 
of  defence  which  they  particularly  adopt 
when  they  construct  their  Palanchus. 

KALEE,  Ind.  an  Hindoo  deity,  to 
whom  human  beings  are  sacrificed. 


KEC 

KALLAAT  or  KELAUT,  Ind.  a 
dress  which  is  given  to  any  person  in- 
vested with  a  new  office. 

KALMUCKS  (Kalmouques,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  generally  written  Calmucs.  They 
are  wandering  tribes  of  Tartars,  who 
inhabit  the  parts  north  of  the  Caspian 
sea.  These  hordes  frequently  put  them- 
selves under  the  protection  of  the  court 
of  Russia.  A  French  writer  describes  the 
Kalmucs  to  be  a  sort  of  militia,  which 
is  established  between  Siberia  and  the 
Caspian  sea.  There  are  generally  some 
regiments  of  them  attached  to  the  Rus- 
sian armies  in  common  with  the  Cos- 
sacks. They  are  armed  with  a  lance 
iron  pointed,  about  six  feet  long,  and 
carry  a  bow  with  a  quiver  upon  their 
backs,  containing  ten  arrows.  They  never 
serve  on  foot,  and  are  only  formidable 
by  name. 

KALSA,  Ind.  the  king,  the  head. 

KALSA  CUTCHERRY,  Ind.  the 
room  of  business,  where  the  king  sits  in 
person. 

RAM,  (Earn,  Fr.)  an  elective  prince 
belonging  to  one  family,  who  has  full 
power  over  the  small  states  of  Tartary  ; 
subject  only  to  the  Grand  Signor. 

KAN,  an  officer  in  Persia,  who  is  in- 
vested with  the  same  powers  that  are 
entrusted  to  an  European  governor. 

KANAUTS,  Ind.  a  term  used  in 
India,  to  express  the  walls  of  a  canvass 
tent. 

KARRI-MESRAC,  a  sort  of  lance 
or  javelin  used  by  the  Turks  in  Asia,  and 
by  the  cavalry  corps  capiculy,  seratculy. 

KATA,  the  Indian  name  for  China. 

KATIK,  an  Indian  month,  which,  in 
some  measure,  coincides  with  our  month 
of  October. 

KAULAUBHAIJE,  the  Indian  term 
for  message. 

KAYMETAN.  See Seymeny-Bassy. 

KECHERKLECHI,  guards  attached 
to  the  person  of  the  king  of  Persia; 
they  are  armed  with  a  musket  of  an 
extraordinary  size  and  caliber.  They 
were  raised  and  formed  into  a  regular 
corps  about  the  middle  of  the  lastcentury. 
3G 


KEN 


(     410     ) 


KEY 


KEELS,  the  long  boats  in  which  the 
Saxons  successfully  invaded  England. 
KEEP,  support;  maintenance. 

Keep,  in  ancient  military  history,  B 
kind  of  strong  tower  which  was  built  in 
the  center  of  a  castle  or  fort,  to  which 
the  besieged  retreated  and  made  their 
last  efforts  of  defence.  Of  this  descrip- 
tion is  the  keep  of  Windsor  Castle. 

King's  Keep,  a  fort  built  l>\  King 
Ilenry  II.  in  the  interior  part  of  Dover 
Castle. 

To  Keep  off]  in  a  military  sense,  is 
either  to  deter  your  enemy  from  ap- 
proaching close  to  the  lines  or  fortifica- 
tions by  inducing  him  to  suspect  a  superior 
force,  an  ambuscade,  pr  a  mine,  or  by 
openly  galling  his  advanced  posts  in  such 
a  manner  as  to  beat  him  in  detail.  In- 
fantry may  keep  oil' cavalry  by  hot  firing, 
or  by  a  compact,  intrepid  direction  of  the 
bayonet. 

To  Keep  tip,  in  military  movements, 
is  to  preserve  that  regular  pace,  by 
which  a  line  or  column,  on  a  march,  or 
in  manoeuvring,  advances  towards  any 
given  point  without  any  chasms  or  fluc- 
tuations. When  a  regiment  marches  by 
files,  it  is  almost  impossible  for  the  rear 
to  keep  up.  On  this  account,  divisions, 
subdivisions,  and  even  sections,  are  best 
calculated  to  preserve  a  regular  depth 
and  continuity  of  march. 

To  Keep  up  likewise  signifies  to  at- 
tend to  the  interior  management  and 
discipline  of  a  corps,  so  as  to  prevent 
the.  least  deviation  from  established  rules 
and  regulations.  Thus  commanding  offi- 
cers are  said  to  keep  up  good  order  and 
discipline,  who  (whether  absent  or  pre- 
sent) provide  against  the  least  insubor- 
dination, &c. 

To  Keep  up  a  heavy  fire  is  to  play 
with  heavy  ordnance  against  a  fortified 
place  or  body  of  men,  by  a  calm  and 
well-directed  succession  of  shot.  In 
musketry  firing,  officers  commanding 
battalion's,  divisions,  or  platoons,  should 
be  very  exact  in  giving  the  word  in  order 
to  keep  up  the  different  firings. 

KEERAYj  bid.  expenses,  charges. 

KENT.  It  is  the  peculiar  duty  of 
the  county  lieutenant,  or  of  three  deputy 
lieutenants  belonging  to  this  county,  to 
issue  orders  to  the  chief  constables  of 
the  several  hundreds  to  send  out  pre- 
cepts to  the  churchwardens  or  overseers 
to  return  a  list  of  men  liable  to  serve. 
The  churchwardens  and  overseers  of  the 
county  of  Kent  are,  by  act  of  parliament, 


invested  with  the  powers  of  constables, 

to  put  in  force  the  militia  acts. 

KENTASSI,  a  range  of  mountains  in 
Thibet,  in  which  are  the  sources  of  the 
Qanges.  This  river,  formed  from  seve- 
ral sources,  passes  successively  two 
great  lakes,  and  flows  to  the  west,  until 
the  opposition  of  a  part  of  the  Indian 
Caucasus  turns  it  to  the  south,  and 
having  completed,  in  these  various  di- 
rections, acourse  of  two  hundred  leagues, 
it  enters  India  by  forcing  its  passage 
through  the  mountains  of  the  frontier. 

KERANA,  a  long  trumpet,  similar 
in  shape  and  size  to  the  speaking  trum- 
pet. The  Persians  use  it  whenever  they 
wish  to  make  any  extraordinary  noise, 
and  they  frequently  blow  it  with  haut- 
boys, kettle  drums,  and  other  instru- 
ments at  sunset,  and  two  hours  after 
midnight. 

KEIIEEF,  Lid.  one  of  the  two  sea- 
sons into  which  the  year  is  divided  in 
India. 

KERIMCHARRY,  Ind.  an  inferior 
officer  under  the  zemindar,  who  col- 
lects from  the  villages,  and  keeps  the 
accounts. 

K  ERN.  The  Irish  infantry  were  for- 
merly distinguished  by  this  appellation. 
Each  man  was  armed  with  a  sword, 
and  a  dart  or  javelin  which  was  tied  to 
a  small  cord,  so  that,  after  he  had 
thrown  it  at  the  enemy,  he  could  in- 
stantly recover  it,  and  use  it  in  any  way 
he  thought  proper.  The  javelin  was 
called  skene. 

Kr'RUI,  Ind.  a  village  or  parish. 

KETTLE,  a  vessel  used  to  boil  com- 
position for  fire-works. 

Kettxe-Dtuots.     See  DraTMS. 

Kv.JThr.-dru  in  cart,  a  four  wheel  car- 
riage which  is  drawn  by  lour  horses,  and 
is  used  exclusively  by  the  royal  artillery. 

The  ordnance  Hag  is  planted  on  the 
fore  part,  and  the  drummer  with  two 
kettle  drums  is  seated,  as  in  a  chair  of 
state,  on  the  back  part.  This  cart  is 
finely  engraven  and  richly  gilt.  It  has 
not  been  in  the  field  since  the  year  1743, 
when  the  king  was  present,  it  is  kept. 
in  the  tower. 

K  EY,  (cli,  clef,  Fr  )in  a  general  sense, 
is  an  instrument  with  winch  locks  are 
opened  and  shut. 

Kets,  in  artillery  carriages,  may  ba 
considered  under  three  specific  heads,  viz. 

Tore-loch  Keys,  which  serve  to  pass 
through  the  lower  end  of  bolts,  in  order 
to  fasten  them. 


KHO 


(     411     ) 


K  I  N 


Spring  Keys  may  be  used  in  the  same 
manner,  but  are  differently  made,  for 
instead  of  being  of  one  single  piece,  they 
are  of  two,  like  two  springs  laid  one 
over  the  other.  When  they  are  put  into 
eye-bolts,  they  are  pinched  together  at 
the  ends,  and  when  they  are  in,  they 
open  again ;  so  that  the  motion  of  the 
carriage  cannot  disturb  or  shake  them 
out.  Spring  keys  are  peculiarly  useful 
in  travelling  carriages. 

Keys  with  chains  and  staples  fixed  on 
the  side  pieces  of  a  carriage  or  mortar 
bed.  They  serve  to  fasten  the  cap 
square  by  passing  through  the  eyes  of  the 
eye-bolts. 

Key  stone,  in  architecture,  is  the 
middle  stone  of  an  arch,  by  which  the 
sweep  of  an  arch  is  bound  together. 

Key  is  also  used  in  a  figurative  sense, 
to  signify  any  important  outlet  of  a  king- 
dom. Thus  Luxemburgh  is  called  the 
key  of  the  German  empire  towards 
France ;  Pampeluna  and  Barcelona  are 
the  ,  keys  of  Spain,  with  respect  to 
France  on  the  side  of  the  Pyrenees. 
The  French  use  the  word  in  the  same 
sense,  Calais  est  une  des  clefs  de  la  France, 
Calais  is  one  of  the  keys  of  France. 
Dover  may  also  be  so  called,  with  re- 
spect to  England.  Key  also  means  a 
haven  for  ships  to  ride  in.     See  Quay. 

Gold  Key,  (clefd'or,  Fr.)  a  key  which 
is  worn  by  the  lords  of  the  bed-chamber 
in  England,  and  in  most  European  courts. 
Figuratively,  a  bribe  or  douceur  in  money, 
by  which  the  avenues  to  some  employ- 
ments under  government  have  been  se- 
cretly opened. 

KEYSERLICKS,  or  Imperialists.  The 
Austrian  troops  are  frequently  called  so. 
The  term  was  indeed  common  among 
the  British  soldiers,  when  they  did  duty 
together,  and  invaded  France  in  1794. 
It  is  derived  from  kei/ser,  which,  in  Ger- 
man, signifies  emperor. 

KHAN,  hid.  signifies  lord  or  chief- 
tain. This  title  is  given  by  the  king  of 
Delhi,  for  which  it  is  supposed,  the  per- 
son maintains  '250  horse  soldiers,  which 
he  commands  and  disciplines  for  the 
king's  service. 

KHEET,  Ind.  a  fortified  city,  which 
is  four  coss  or  English  miles  in  length 
and  breadth,  and  not  so  much  as  eight. 

KHODA,  Ind.     God. 

KHODADAUD  SIRCAR,  Ind.  Tip- 
po  Sultaun,  the  sovereign  of  the  king- 
dom of  Mysore,  who  fell  in  defence  of 
his  capital,   Serungputtan,    or  Seringa- 


patam,  when  it  was  stormed,  May  the 
-1th,  1799,  by  the  British  forces  under  the 
command  of  lieutenant  general,  now 
Lord,  Harris. 

KID.  This  appellation  was  formerly 
given  to  any  person  that  was  trepanned 
by  kidnappers. 

*  KIDNAPPER,  a  man  who  by  im- 
proper means  decoys  the  unwary  into 
the  king's  service. 

KIEU,  the  Indian  term  for  any  bridge 
under  which  water  flows. 

To  KILL,  (titer,  Fr.)  to  deprive  of 
life.  A  power  arrogated  by  the  strong 
Over  the  weak,  without  any  other  princi- 
ple to  justify  it  than  the  usage  of  man- 
kind ;  for  who  that  cannot  give  life  ought 
to  have  the  power  of  taking  it  away  ? 

To  Kill  according  to  laze,  to  take 
away  life  in  consequence  of  judicial  in- 
vestigation, and  for  a  breach  of  some 
known  rule.  Under  these  circumstances 
the  execution  of  the  culprit  usually  takes 
place  in  open  day-light. 

To  Kill  privately,  and  with  malice 
prepense,  to  murder  in  the  dark,  or  by 
secret  means.  Hence,  to  assassinate, 
which  is  derived  from  the  word  assassin ; 
a  modern  term,  taken  from  a  set  of 
miscreants  who  formerly  inhabited  a 
part  of  Asia,  and  were  under  a  petty 
prince  called  the  Old  Man  of  the  Moun- 
tain. This  man,  according  to  Hume, 
had  acquired  such  an  ascendant  over 
his  fanatical  subjects,  that  they  paid  the 
most  implicit  deference  to  his  com- 
mands; esteemed  assassination  merito- 
rious when  sanctioned  by  his  mandate  ; 
courted  danger,  and  even  certain  death, 
in  the  execution  of  his  order;  and  fan- 
cied, that  when  they  sacrificed  their  lives 
for  his  sake,  the  highest  joys  of  Paradise 
were  the  infallible  reward  of  their  de- 
voted obedience. 

The  greatest  monarchs  stood  in  awe 
of  this  prince  of  the  Assassins,  (for  that 
was  the  name  of  his  people,)  whence  the 
word  has  passed  into  most  European 
languages. — Vol.  ii.  Hume's  History  of 
England,  p.  18. 

KILLA,  Ind.  a  castle,  fort,  or  fortress^ 
KILLADAR,  Ind.   the  governor,  or 
commandant  of  a  fort. 

KILMAINHAM-flos/«7«/,  a  recep- 
tacle for  invalid  soldiers  in  Ireland, 
originally  founded  by  Charles  II.  and 
governed  by  the  same  regulations  that 
are  in  force  at  Chelsea. 

KIND,   (genre,   sortc,    Fr.)    natural 
state  of  any  thing. 
3G2 


K  I  N 


(     412    •) 


K  N  A 


In  Kind,  (en  espece,  en  nature,  Fr.) 
ns  tlif  tiling  is.  Thus  in  military  distri- 
butions, rations  are  ordered  to  be  sup- 
plied in  kind,  (en  nature)  and  not 
paid  for  or  compounded  in  money. 

KINDALAHS,  a  vagabond  outcast 
set  of  people  in  India,  originally  be- 
longing to  the  Hindoo  tribe.  By  such 
proscription  and  disgrace  are  these  mi- 
serable creatures  marked,  tlnvt  the  people 
of  other  casts  not  only  will  not  visit 
them,    but  if  any  one  of  them   should 

? resume  to  approach  a  person  of  the 
Jayr  tribe,  it  is  lawful  for  the  latter  lo 
put  him  to  instant  death. 

To  KINDLE,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
to  excite  mankind  to  arms.  To  kindle 
the  flames  of  war  is  a  familiar  expression. 

The  KING,  a  person  in  whom  supreme 
or  qualified  authority  is  vested  by  the 
consent  of  a  nation ;  the  chief  magis- 
trate, and  one  of  the  three  integral  parts 
of  the  British  constitution. 

In  a  military  acceptation  of  the  term, 
the  King  of  Great  Britain  is,  constitu- 
tionally, and  in  his  own  proper  ri<j;ht, 
captain-general  of  the  British  army,  the 
primary  source  from  which  all  appoint- 
ments in  it  are  derived,  and  the  last  re- 
sort of  naval  and  military  jurisdiction. 
With  him,  as  principal  magistrate  in  the 
state,  and  head  of  the  executive  power, 
all  the  arrangements  of  the  British  army 
finally  rest,  as  from  him  they  primarily 
issued.  From  him  all  the  effective 
forces  derive  energy  and  effect,  and 
when  war  has  been  declared,  to  him 
only  does  the  army  look  for  the  imme- 
diate application  and  general  exercise  of 
its  powers,  through  the  medium  of  the 
ministers  he  appoints ;  who  are  respon- 
sible to  parliament  for  the  manner  in 
which  the  authority  they  have  received 
has  been  executed.  English  kings  have 
sometimes  fought  at  the  head  of  their 
armies ;  and  the  next  heir  to  the  crown 
has  often  exposed  himself,  in  common 
with  the  rest  of  his  father's  subjects,  to 
all  the  casualties  of  war. 

The  King  is  supreme  head  of  the 
militia,  and  has  the  power  of  appointing 
or  dismissing  lieutenants  of  counties. 
His  Majesty  may  likewise  order  three 
deputy  lieutenants  to  act,  when  the 
lieutenant  is  abroad,  or  when  there  is  a 
vacancy.  He  may  join  independent  com- 
panies into  a  battalion,  or  incorporate 
thein  with  any  other  regiment ;  and  by 
him  only  can  adjutants  be  appointed  to 
act  in  the  militia.  If  they  are  selected 
from   the   regidar   army,    they   preserve 


their  rank,    and   their  new  commission 
bears  the  sign  manual. 

■  ill* 

In  case  of  an  invasion  or  rebellion, 
the  King  has  the  power  to  order  the 
county  lieutenants  to  embody  the  militia 
and  to  put  it  under  general  officers  from 
the  regular  army.  ( )n  these  occasions  he 
may  issue  a  proclamation  lor  the  meeting 
of  parliament  in  fourteen  days. 

King  ut  Amu.    See  Herald. 

KIOSQUE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  garden  pavi- 
lion which  is  open  on  all  sides.  It  is 
used  in  the  Levant,  particularly  in  Tur- 
key, and  at  Constantinople. 

KISSELBACHES,  Ind.  soldiers  are 
so  called  in  India. 

KIST,  Ind.  the  amount  of  a  stated 
payment. 

KISTYBUNDY,  the  Indian  term  for 
a  monthly  payment. 

KIT,  in  laboratory  works,  a  composi- 
tion made  of  rosin  9lb.  pitch  (jib.  bees- 
wax (jib.  and  tallow  lib.  used  for  the 
last  covering  of  carcasses.  In  order  to 
apply  it  properly,  it  must  first  be  broken 
into  small  pieces,  and  put  into  an  iron 
pot  over  the  fire,  where  it  must  be  kept 
in  agitation  until  it  be  thoroughly  dis- 
solved. When  rendered  very  hot,  and 
completely  liquid,  it  may  be  used. 

Kit  is  likewise  used  among  dragoons, 
to  signify  their  lot  of  necessaries,  which 
are  packed  up  in  very  small  compass. 
The  term  has  found  its  way  in  the  in- 
fantry, and  frequently  means  the  con- 
tents of  a  soldier's  knapsack. 

KITSBUNDY,  a  contract  or  agree- 
ment for  the  discharge  of  any  debt  or 
obligation  by  stated  payments. 

KLINKETS,  in  fortification,  are 
small  gates  made  through  palisades,  for 
the  purpose  of  sallying. 

KNAPSACK,  si  rough  leather  or  can- 
vass bag,  which  is  strapped  to  an  infantry 
soldier's  back  when  he  marches,  and 
which  contains  his  necessaries.  Square 
knapsacks  are  supposed  to  be  most  con- 
venient. They  should  be  made  with  a 
division  to  hold  the  shoes,  blacking-balls 
and  brushes,  separate  from  the  linen. 
White  goat-skins  are  sometimes  used, 
but  we  do  not  conceive  them  to  be  equal 
to  the  painted  canvass  ones.  Soldiers  in 
the  British  service  are  put  under  stop- 
pages for  the  payment  of  their  knapsacks, 
which,  after  six  years,  become  their 
property.  See  list  of  necessaries,  accor- 
ding to  the  last  regulations,  under  the 
article  Necessaries. 

Knapsack  is  said  to  have  been  ori- 
ginally so  called  from  the  circumstance 


K  O  L 


(     413    ) 


K  O  U 


of  a  soldier  making  use  of  a  sack, 
which  had  been  full  of  corn,  &c.  Such 
is  the  account  given  to  us  by  a  very 
worthy  and  respectable  friend  ;  but  we 
are  inclined  to  think,  that  knapsack 
comes  from  the  Saxon  word  Snapsack, 
a  bag  to  carry  food. 

KNAVE.  For  its  military  acceptation, 
see  Infantry. 

KNIGHT,  a  person  who,  on  account 
of  some  eminent  service,  civil  or  military, 
or  no  service  at  all,  is  singled  out  from 
the  common  class  of  gentlemen,  &c. 
and  is  personally  invested  with  a  title. 
This  word,  which  was  originally  derived 
from  the  German  and  Dutch  knecht  or 
kneht,  signifies  a  servant,  in  which  sense 
it  is  applied  when  we  speak  of  a  knight 
of  a  shire ;  it  likewise  means  a  military 
man,  or  rather  a  horseman,  from  the 
Latin  eque-s,  a  soldier,  or  horseman ; 
knights  of  this  description  having  been 
either  the  king's  domestic  servants,  or  of 
his  life-guards. 

In  common  law  they  are  called  milites, 
usually  holding  lands  by  knight's  service, 
to  serve  the  king  in  his  wars. 

Knight  of  the  Post,  a  hireling  evi- 
dence; a  wretch  that  has  stood  in  the 
pillory,  or  been  whipped  at  the  cart's 
tail,  for  false  swearing. 

KmiGm-e7Tant,  a  foolish  egotist  that 
runs  about  in  quest  of  adventures,  and 
who,  if  he  should  do  an  act  of  kindness 
or  humanity,  cannot  keep  his  own  secret. 

Cify-K sight,  a  person  from  the  city 
who  has  been  knighted  for  presenting  an 
address. 

KNOT,  the  wing  or  epaulette,  which 
is  commonly  made  of  worsted,  of  a  non- 
commissioned officer  or  corporal.  When 
Serjeants  and  corporals  are  sentenced  to 
be  reduced  to  the  ranks,  the  knot  is  ge- 
nerally cut  oft*  by  the  drum-major  in  the 
presence  of  the  battalion,  as  a  mark  of 
infamy. 

Knights  of  the  Knot,  an  order  of  sixty 
knights,  instituted  by  Jane  the  First, 
Queen  of  Naples,  on  occasion  of  the 
peace  established  by  her  and  the  King  of 
Hunga?-!/,  by  means  of  her  marriage  with 
Lewis,  prince  of  Tarentum, 

Knots,  the  division  of  the  log-line. 
Each  knot  is  equal  to  an  English  mile. 

KNOUT,  a  Russian  punishment. 

KOHISTAN,  Ind.  properly  means  a 
province.  It  likewise  signifies  a  rocky 
or  mountainous  country. 

KOLLEE  Jogue,  Ind.  is  the  fourth 
of  the  four  aeras  or  periods  of  Indian 


chronology.  It  is  the  present  aera,  in 
which  all  mankind  are  corrupted,  or  ra- 
ther lessened;  it  is  supposed  to  be  or- 
dained to  subsist  four  hundred  thousand 
years,  of  which  nearly  five  thousand  are 
already  expired,  and  the  life  of  man  in 
that  period  is  limited  to  one  hundred 
years.  Colonel  Doio  says  this  age  is  to  last 
thirty-six  thousand  years  :  the  age  which 
preceded  it,  is  called  the  devapaar  jogue. 

KOOLOO,  Ind.  the  cocoa  tree. 

KOONAR,  an  Indian  month,  which 
partly  coincides  with  our  month  of  Sep- 
tember. 

KOONCIIY,  bid.  a  measure  of  about 
eight  handfuls. 

KOONWUR,  Ind.  prince,  highness. 

KOREISH,  Ind.  an  Arabian  tribe. 

KORTCIII-BACHI,  the  chief  or 
commanding  officer  of  the  Kortchis.  In 
former  times  he  was  the  first  military 
character  in  Persia,  at  present  he  is  only 
the  second  in  command.  He  never  leaves 
the  court  except  upon  extraordinary  oc- 
casions, when  his  presence  is  required  at 
the  army.  This,  however,  rarely  hap-, 
pens,  as  the  king  is  obliged  to  furnish 
him  with  an  household  service  of  plate, 
and  to  detach  a  part  of  his  own  guards 
for  the  protection  of  his  person.  The 
Kortchi  Bachi  is  generally  entrusted  with 
one  of  the  chief  governments  belonging 
to  Persia. 

KORTCHIS,  a  body  of  Persian  ca- 
valry, which  is  stationed  along  the  fron- 
tiers of  the  country.  Every  individual 
belonging  to  tins  corps,  receives  fifty 
crowns  tor  his  annual  pay.  The  children 
of  the  Kortchis  succeed  their  fathers, 
with  the  consent  and  approbation  of  the 
general.  The  Kortchis  are  descended 
from  a  race  of  foreigners,  who  used  to 
live  under  tents,  and  were  always  dis- 
tinguished for  their  courage. 

KOSSACKS,  (Kosuquts,  Fr.)  See 
Cossacks. 

KOTE,  Ind.  a  warehouse. 

KOULIE,  Ind.  a  courier,  a  porter. 

KOULS,  a  corps  of  Persian  soldiers 
who  rank  as  a  third  body  among  the  five 
that  constitute  the  king's  household 
troops  ;  they  mount  guard  under  the  por- 
tico which  stands  between  the  first  and 
second  gate  leading  to  the  palace.  The 
Kouls  are  men  of  birth  and  rank ;  no 
person  can  arrive  at  any  considerable 
post  or  situation,  who  has  not  served 
among  the  Kouls.  Their  number  is  com- 
puted at  4000  men. 

KOULS-AGASI,  a  distinguished  mi- 


LAB 


(     414     ) 


LAB 


litary  character  in  Persia,  who  lias  the 
command  ofa  body  of  men  called  Kou/s. 
He  is  usually  governor  of  a  considerable 
province. 

KOURIE,  Ind.  a  sea  shell  used  as 
money  in  many  parts  of  India. 

KOYAL,  Ind.  a  weighman. 

KOYALLE,  Ind.  fees  tor  weighing. 

KB.  AM  A,  Ind.  wooden  sandals  which 
are  worn  by  the  natives  of  India  during 
the  wet  season. 

KUFFEET,  Ind.  an  Indian  term  for 
security. 

KUL,  the  Turkish  word  for  slave  to 
the  prince.  The  grand  vizier,  the  bachas, 
the  beiglerbeys,  and  all  persons  who  re- 
ceive pay  or  subsistence  from  situations 
dependent  upon  the  crown,  are  so  called. 
This  title  is  in  high  estimation  among 
the  Turkish  military,  as  it  authorizes  ali 
who  are  invested  with  it,  to  insult, 
strike,  and  otherways  ill-use  the  common 
people,  without  being  responsible  for  the 
most  flagrant  breaches  of  humanity. 
Horrid  pre-eminence,  and  fitted  only  to 
Mahometan  civilization ! 

KULLER,  the  governor  of  a  fortified 
town  in  Turkev  is  so  called. 

KULU  MAM'S,   Ltd.  christians. 

KUNDXEE,  Lid.  a  sum  of  money 
which  is  annually  paid  by  an  inferior 
governor  to  his  superior. 

KUPELE,  straits  so  called  in  India, 
through  which  the  Ganges  disembogues 
itself  into  Indostan.  They  are  distant 
from  Delhi  about  30  leagues,  in  the  lon- 
gitude of  96,  and  in  the  latitude  of  '60.  2. 

KURROL,  Ind.  the  advanced  guard 
ofa  main  army. 

KURTCHI,  a  militia  so  called  in 
Persia.  It  consists  of  one  body  of  ca- 
valry, which  is  composed  of  the  first 
nobility  belonging  to  the  kingdom,  and 
of  the  lineal  descendants  of  the  Turkish 


conquerors,  who  placed  Ismael  Sophi 
on  the  throne.  They  wear  a  red  turban, 
made  of  particular  Stuff  into  twelve  folds. 
This  turban  was  originally  given  them 

IT  1         '  J       O 

by  Ismael,  m  consideration  of  their  at- 
tachment to  the  religion  and  family  of 
Ali.  The  twelve  folds  are  in  remem- 
brance of  the  twelve  1  mans  or  .Mahometan 
preachers  who  descended  in  a  direct  line 
from  Ali,  and  distinguished  themselves 
so  much  in  that  sect.  The  turban  is 
red,  for  the  purpose  of  provoking  those 
who  wear  it  to  avenge  upon  the  Otto- 
mans, the  deaths  of  Ali  and  Hussein, 
who  ware  murdered  by  the  chief  of 
Sunms,  to  whose  sect  the  Turks  belong. 
In  consequence  of  their  wearing  this 
turban,  the  Persians  are  always  railed 
by  the  Turks  KitUSaschi  or  Red-heads. 
The  noblemen  in  Persia  base  adopted 
the  term,  with  a  slight  alteration,  and 
call  themselves  Kesil  Baschu  or  Colden- 
Heads.  The  Kurtchi  form  a  body  of 
nearly  eighteen  thousand  men.  The 
chief  or  commanding  officer  is  called 
Kurtchi-Bascbj.  This  was  formerly  the 
most  distinguished  situation  in  the  king- 
dom, and  the  authority  annexed  to  it 
was  equal  to  what  the  constable  of 
France  originally  possessed.  At  present 
his  power  does  not  extend  beyond  the 
Kurtchis. 

KUSH-B ASCII,  Ind.  persons  who 
enjoy  lands  rent  free,  upon  condition  of 
serving  government  in  a  military  capacity 
when  called  upon.  The  term  also  signi- 
fies people  of  middling  circumstances, 
who  do  not  cultivate  their  lands  them- 
selves, but  hire  servants  to  do  it  whilst 
they  hold  other  employments. 

Kl'TTY,  Lid.  closets. 

KUVVAUS,  Ind.  servants  attending 
on  the  King's  person. 

KUZAN  A,  Lid.  a  treasury. 


T  A,  Fr.  there,  yonder,  thither.  This 
J-i  word  is  used  by  the  French  on  guard, 
and  answers  to  our  challenge,  Who  comes 
there?  Hence  Qui  va  la?  who  goes  there  ? 

LAAK,  Ind.  one  hundred  thousand. 

LABARUM,  a  celebrated  standard 
which  was  used  among  the  Roman  em- 
perors, and  frequently  means  any  im- 
perial or  royal  standard.     The  original 


one,  so  called,  consisted  of  a  long  lance, 
at  the  top  of  which  was  fixed  a  stick 
that  crossed  it  at  right  angles,  and  from 
which  hung  a  piece  of  rich  scarlet  cloth 
that  was  sometimes  ornamented  with 
precious  stones.  Until  the  days  of  Con- 
stantine  the  Great,  the  figure  of  an  eagle 
was  placed  upon  the  top  of  the  labarum  ; 
but  that  prince  substituted  in  its  room 


LAB 


(     415     ) 


LAB 


r  Balls.    See  Balls. 


a  cross,    with  a  cypher  expressing  the 
name  of  Jesus. 

LABORATORY,  (laboratoire,  Fr.) 
signifies  that  place  where  all  sorts  of 
fireworks  are  prepared,  both  for  actual 
service,  and  for  pleasure,  viz.  quick- 
matches,  fuses,  portfires,  grape-shot, 
case-shot,  carcasses,  hand-grenades,  car- 
tridges, shells  tilled,  and  fuses  fixed, 
wads,  &c.  &c. 

Labor  atory-^m^,  a  large  tent,  carried 
along  with  the  artillery  into  the  field, 
furnished  with  all  sorts  of  tools  and 
metals  for  the  fire-workers  or  bombar- 
diers to  prepare  their  stores. 

Aigrettes.    See  Mortars. 

Balk  are  of  various  sorts,  shapes  and 
forms ;  as, 

Chain- 

Light- 

Smoke- 

Stink- 

Poisoned- 

Red-hot- 

Stang- 

Anc/ior- 

Message- Balls.     See  Shells. 

Fire-barrels.     See  Barrels. 

Grape-shot,  in  artillery,  is  a  combi- 
nation of  small  shot,  put  into  a  thick 
canvass  bag,  and  corded  strongly  toge- 
ther, so  as  to  form  a  kind  of  cylinder, 
whose  diameter  is  equal  to  that  of  the 
ball  which  is  adapted  to  the  cannon. 

To  make  grape  shot,  a  bag  of  coarse 
cloth  is  made  just  to  hold  the  bottom 
which  is  put  into  it;  as  many  shot  are 
then  thrown  in  as  the  grape  is  to  con- 
tain ;  and  with  a  strong  packthread  the 
whole  is  quilted  to  keep  the  shot  from 
moving.  The  bags,  when  finished,  are 
put  into  boxes  for  the  purpose  of  being 
conveniently  carried. 

The  number  of  shot  in  a  grape  varies 
according  to  the  service  or  size  of  the 
guns ;  in  sea  service  9  is  always  the 
number;  but  by  land  it  is  increased  to 
any  number  or  size,  from  an  ounce  and 
a  quarter  in  weight,  to  four  pounds.  It 
has  not  yet  been  determined,  with  any 
degree  of  accuracy,  what  number  and 
size  answer  best  in  practice ;  for  it  is 
well  known  that  they  often  scatter  so 
much,  that  only  a  small  number  take 
effect. 

Proper  churges  for  grape-shot  have 
never  yet  been  effectually  determined ; 
we  can  only  give  our  advice  from  some 
experiments ;    that  for  heavy  6-pounders 


l-3d  of  the  weight  of  the  shot  appears 
to  be  the  best  charge  of  powder ;  for  the 
light  0- pounders,  l-4th  of  the  weight  of 
the  shot ;  and  for  howitzers,  l-8th  or 
l-10th  answers  very  well. 

This  kind  of  fire  seems  not  yet  to 
have  been  enough  respected,  nor  de- 
pended on.  However,  if  cannon  and 
howitzers  can  be  made  to  throw  l-3d  or 
l-4th,  and  sometimes  half  their  charge 
of  grape  shot  into  a  space  of  39  x  12  feet, 
at  200  and  300  yards  distance,  and  those 
fired  10  or  12  times  in  a  minute;  it 
surely  forms  the  thickest  fire  that  can 
be  produced  from  the  same  space. 

Case  shot  formerly  consisted  of  all 
kinds  of  old  iron,  stones,  musket  balls, 
nails,  Sec. 

Tin  Case  Shot  is  formed  by  putting  a 
quantity  of  small  iron  shot  into  a  cylin- 
drical tin  box  called  a  canister,  that 
just  fits  the  bore  of  the  piece,  which, 
when  filled  for  the  nature  of  12  pounders, 
9  pounders,  6  pounders,  and  3  pounders 
for  field  service,  weigh  half  as  much 
again  as  the  weight  of  the  round  shot. 
The  following  table  of  case  shot  for 
field  ordnance  has  lately  been  fixed  upon, 
viz. 

CASE  SHOT. 


12  Pounders. 
9  ditto. 
6  ditto. 


Number 
of  Halts. 

(Heavy  Case  41 
(Light    do.   12(3 
j  Heavy  do. 
I  Light    do. 
i  Heavy  do. 
(  Light    do. 


Weigh!  of 
each  Ball. 
Qz.    Grs. 


41 

126 
41 
85 
41 
258 
100 
55 


b 
2 
5 
1 
3 
1 
1 
2 
2 
9. 


'  a 

0 

0 

8 

8 
8 
O 
O 
0 


3  ditto      -       -      -     do. 

8  Inch  Howitzers  -      do. 
5f  Inch         do.  do. 

4|-  Inch         do.  do. 

Case  shot  is  used  generally  for  all 
natures  of  ordnance.  For  spherical  case 
shot,  see  Spherical. 

Tubes,  in  artillery,  are  used  in  quick 
filing.  They  are  made  of  tin  :  the  dia- 
meter is  2-l0ths  of  an  inch,  being  just 
sufficient  to  enter  into  the  vent  of  the 
piece;  they  are  about  6  inches  long. 
Through  this  tube  is  drawn  a  quick- 
match,  the  cap  being  fitted  with  mealed 
powder,  moistened  with  spirits  of  wine. 
To  prevent  the  mealed  powder  from 
falling  out  by  carriage  a  cap  of  paper  or 
flannel,  steeped  in  spirits  of  wine,  is  tied 
over  it. 

Tin  tubes  are  liable  to  corrode  and 
break,  especially  when  exposed  to  the 
sea  air.    Paper  and  quill  tubes  are  used ; 


LAB 


(     416     ) 


LAB 


thr  latter  particularly  for  sea  service. 
L u  ui  -Colonel  Harding  of  the  nival 
artillery  has  invented  a  pewter  tube, 
which  lias  been  approved,  and  will  no 
doubt  be  used  in  lieu  of  the  tin  tubes. 

Flambeau,  a  kind  of  lighted  torch, 
used  in  the  artillery  upon  a  march,  or 
in  the  park,  &c. 

Former8,  are  cylinders  of  wood,  of 
different  sizes  and  dimensions,  used  in 
the  laboratory,  to  drive  the  composition 
of  fuzes  and  rockets. 

Formers  of  wood  are  used  for  making 
cartridges  for  small  arms,  &c. 

Funnels  are  of  various  sorts,  used  to 
pour  the  powder  into  shells,  and  the 
composition  into  fuzes,  and  rocket- 
cases. 

Fire  ship,  a  vessel  filled  with  combus- 
tible materials,  and  fitted  with  grappling 
irons,  to  hook,  and  set  fire  to  the  enemy's 
■hips  in  battle,  &c. 

From  the  bulk  head  at  the  forecastle 
to  a  bulk  head  to  be  raised  behind  the 
main  chains,  on  each  side  and  across  the 
ship  at  the  bulk  heads,  is  fixed  close  to 
the  ship's  sides,  a  double  row  of  troughs, 
2  feet  distance  from  each  other,  with 
cross  troughs  quite  round,  at  about  2| 
distance;  which  are  mortised  into  the 
others.  The  cross  troughs  lead  to  the 
sides  of  the  ship,  to  the  barrels,  and  to 
the  port-holes,  to  give  fire  both  to  the 
barrels  and  to  the  chambers,  to  blow 
open  the  ports;  and  the  side  troughs 
serve  to  communicate  the  fire  all  along 
the  ship  and  the  cross  troughs. 

The  timbers  of  which  the  troughs  are 
made,  are  about  5  inches  square  ;  the 
depth  of  the  troughs,  half  their  thick- 
ness; and  they  are  supported  by  cross 
pieces  at  every  2  or  3  yards,  nailed  to 
the  timbers  of  the  ship,  and  to  the  wood 
work  which  incloses  the  tore  and  main- 
masts. The  decks  and  troughs  are  all 
well  paved  with  melted  rosin. 

On  each  side  of  the  ship  6"  small  port 
holes  are  cut,  from  15  to  18  inches  huge, 
(the  ports  opening  downwards,)  and  are 
close  caulked  up.  Against  each  port  is 
fixed  an  iron  chamber,  which,  at  the 
time  of  firing  the  ship,  blows  open  the 
ports,  and  lets  out  the  fire.  At  the 
main  and  fore  chains,  on  each  side,  a 
wooden  funnel  is  fixed  over  a  fire  barrel, 
and  comes  through  a  scuttle  in  the  deck, 
up  to  the  shrouds,  to  set  them  on  fire. 
Both  funnels  and  scuttles  must  be 
stopped  with  plugs,  and  have  sail-cloth  or 
canvass  nailed  close  over  them,  to  prevent 


any  accident  happening  that  way,  by  fire, 
to  the  combustibles  below. 

The  port-holes,  tunnels,  and  scuttles, 
not  only  serve  to  give  the  fire  a  free  pas- 
sage to  the  outside  and  upper  parts  of 
the  ship  and  her  rigging,  but  also  for  the 
inward  air  (otherwiseconfined)to  expand 
itself  and  push  through  those  holes  at 
the  time  of  the  combustibles  bein»  <in 
fire,  and  prevent  the  blowing  up  of  the 
decks,  which  otherwise  mu*t  of  course 
happen,  from  the  sudden  and  violent 
rarefaction  of  the  air  as  will  then  be 
produced. 

In  the  bulk  head  behind,  on  each  side, 
is  cut  a  small  hole,  large  enough  to  re- 
ceive a  trough  of  the  same  size  of  the 
others ;  from  which,  to  each  side  of  the 
ship,  lies  a  leading  trough,  one  end 
coining  through  a  sally  port  cut  through 
the  ship's  side,  and  the  other  fixing  into 
a  communicating  trough  that  lies  along 
the  bulk-head,  from  one  side  of  the  ship 
to  the  other;  and  being  laid  with  quick 
match,  at  the  time  of  firing  either  of 
the  leading  troughs,  communicates  the 
fire  in  an  instant  to  the  contrary  side  of 
the  ship,  and  both  sides  burn  together. 

Fire  barrels,  for  a  fire  ship,  are  cylin- 
dric,  on  account  of  that  shape  answering 
better  both  for  filling  them  with  reeds, 
and  for  stowing  them  between  the 
troughs :  their  inside  diameters  are 
about  21  inches,  and  their  length  33. 
The  bottom  parts  are  first  filled  with 
double-dipt  reeds  set  on  end,  and  the 
remainder  with  fire-barrel  composition, 
which  is,  corned  powder  30lb.  Swedish 
pitch  12,  saltpetre  (3,  and  tallow  3,  well 
mixed  and  melted,  and  then  poured  over 
them. 

There  are  5  holes  of  3-quarters  of  an 
inch  diameter,  and  3  inches  deep,  made 
with  a  drift  of  that  size  in  the  top  of 
the  composition  while  it  is  warm :  one 
in  the  center,  and  the  other  four  at 
equal  distances  round  the  sides  of  the 
barrel.  When  the  composition  is  cold 
and  hard,  the  barrel  is  primed  by  well 
driving  those  holes  full  of  fuse  compo- 
sition, to  within  an  inch  of  the  top; 
then  fixing  in  each  hole  a  strand  of 
quick-match  twice  doubled,  and  in  the 
center-hole  two  strands  the  whole  length ; 
all  which  must  be  well  driven  in  with 
mealed  powder;  then  lay  the  quick- 
match  all  within  the  barrel,  and  cover 
the  top  of  it  with  a  dipped  curtain,  fas- 
tened on  with  a  hoop  to  slip  over  the 
head,  and  nailed  on. 


LAB 


(     417     ) 


LAD 


Bavins,  for  a  fire-ship,  are  made  of 
birch,  heath,  or  other  sort  of  brush- 
wood, that  is  both  tough  and  quickly 
fired :  in  length  2.5,  or  3  feet ;  the 
bush-ends  all  laid  one  way,  and  the  other 
ends  tied  with  two  bands  each.  They 
are  dipped  and  sprinkled  with  sulphur, 
the  same  as  reeds,  with  this  difference, 
that  the  bush  ends  only  are  dipped,  and 
should  be  a  little  closed  together  by  the 
hand  as  soon  as  done,  to  keep  them 
more  compact,  in  order  to  give  a  stronger 
fire,  and  to  preserve  the  branches  from 
breaking  in  shifting  and  handling  them. 
Their  composition  is,  rosin  120lb.  coarse 
sulphur  90,  pitch  60,  tallow  6,  and 
mealed  powder  12,  with  some  fine  sul- 
phur for  salting. 

Iron-chambers,  for  a  fire-ship,  are  10 
inches  long,  and  '3.5.  in  diameter; 
breeched  against  a  piece  of  wood  fixed 
across  the  holes.  AVhen  loaded  they  are 
almost  filled  full  of  corned  powder,  with 
a  wooden  tompion  well  driven  into  their 
muzzles.  They  are  primed  with  a  small 
piece  of  quick-match  thrust  through 
their  vents  into  the  powder,  with  a  part 
of  it  hanging  out ;  and  when  the  ship  is 
fired  they  blow  open  the  ports,  which 
either  fall  downwards,  or  are  carried 
.  away,  and  so  give  vent  to  the  fire  out  of 
the  sides  of  the  ship. 

Curtains,  for  a  fire-ship,  are  made  of 
barras,  about  3-quarters  of  a  yard  wide, 
and  1  yard  in  length :  when  they  are 
dipped,  2  men,  with  each  a  fork,  must 
run  the  prongs  through  the  corner  of 
the  curtain  at  the  same  end  :  then  dip 
them  into  a  large  kettle  of  composition 
(which  is  the  same  as  the  composition 
for  bavins)  well  melted;  and  when  well 
dipped,  and  the  curtain  extended  to  its 
full  breadth,  whip  it  between  2  sticks 
of  about  5.5  feet  long,  and  1.5  inches 
square,  held  close  by  2  other  men  to 
take  off  the  superfluous  composition 
hanging  to  it;  then  immediately  sprinkle 
sawdust  on  both  sides,  to  prevent  it  from 
sticking,  and  the  curtain  is  finished. 

Reeds,  for  a  fire-ship,  are  made  up 
in  small  bundles  of  about  12  inches  in 
circumference,  cut  even  at  both  ends, 
andtied  with  two  bands  each:  the  longest 
sort  are  4  feet,  and  the  shortest  2.5 ; 
which  are  all  the  lengths  that  are  used. 
One  part  of  them  are  single  dipped, 
only  at  one  end;  the  rest  are  double 
dipped,  i.  e.  at  both  ends.  In  dipping, 
they  must  be  put  about  7  or  8  inches 
deep  into  a  copper  kettle  of  melted  com- 


position (the  same  as  that  for  bavins ;) 
and  when  they  have  drained  a  little  over 
it,  to  carry  off  the  superfluous  compo- 
sition, sprinkle  them  over  a  tanned  hide 
with  pulverized  sulphur,  at  some  dis- 
tance from  the  copper. 

Stores  for  a  Fire-Ship  of  150  tons. 


No. 

Fire  barrels    - 

8 

Iron  chambers         - 

12 

Priming  composition  barrels     - 

H 

Quick-match  barrels 

1 

Curtains  dipped       -...-..- 

30 

Long  reeds  single  dipped 

150 

,.,               ,      ( double  dipped 
hhort  reeds   <    •     ,     r        i 
(  single  dipped 

75 
75 

Bavins  single  dipped 

209 

Quantity  of  Composition;  for  preparing 
the  Stores  of  a  Fire-Ship. 

For  8  barrels,    corned   powder    960lb. 

pitch  4801b.  tallow  80lb. 
For  3  barrels  of  priming  composition, 
salt-petre  175lb.  sulphur  140lb.  corn- 
ed powder  350lb.  rosin  2  lib.  oil-pots 
11. 
For  curtains,  bavins,  reeds,  and  sulphur 
to  salt  them,  sulphur  240lb.  pitch 
3501b.  rosin  175lb.  tallow  501b.  tar 
25lb. 

Total  weight  of  the  composition  3017 
pounds,  equal  to  C.  26  :  3  :  21. 

Composition  allowed  for  the  reeds  and 
barrels,  1-fifth  of  the  whole  of  the  last 
article,  which  is  equal  to  160lb.  making 
in  the  whole  3177  pounds,  or  C.  28:  1: 
13. 

Port-fires,  in  artillery,  may  be  made 
any  length:  however,  they  are  seldom 
made  more  than  21  inches.  The  inte- 
rior diameter  of  port-fire  moulds  should 
be  ift  of  an  inch,  and  the  diameter  of 
the  whole  port-fire  about  \  an  inch. 
The  paper  cases  must  be  rolled  wet 
with  paste,  and  one  end  folded  down. 
They  are  used  instead  of  matches  to 
tire  artillery.  The  composition  of  wet 
port  lire  is,  saltpetre  6,  sulphur  2,  and 
mealed  powder  1;  when  it  is  well  mixed 
and  sieved,  it  is  to  be  moistened  with  a 
little  linseed  oil :  the  composition  for 
dry  port  fire  is,  saltpetre  4,  sulphur  1, 
mealed  powder  2,  and  antimony  1. 

Rocket,  in  pyrotechny,  an  artificial 
firework,  consisting  of  a  cylindrical  case 
of  paper,  filled  with  a  composition  of 
certain  combustible  ingredients  ;  which 
being  tied  to  a  stick,  mounts  into  th* 
3  11 


LAB 


(     418     ) 


LAC 


ir  to  a  considerable  height,  and  there  I  commanded  by  officers  of  the  corps  of 


bursts.     Rockets  are  frequently  used  as 
signals  in  war  time. 

Composition  for  sky-rockets  in  general 
is,  saltpetre  4lb.  brimstone  lib.  and 
charcoal  1ill>:  but  for  large  sky-rockets, 
saltpetre  lib.  mealed  powder  lib.  and 
brimstone  lib. ;  for  rockets  of  a  middling 
size,  saltpetre  3lb.  sulphur  2lb.  mealed 
powder  lib.  and  charcoal  lib. 

Colonel  Congreve,  of  the  royal  artil- 
lery, has  improved  upon  the  rockets 
which  have  hitherto  been  used  in  India 
and  elsewhere ;  and  has  been  remune- 
rated by  the  British  government  for  his 
exertions. 

Quick-match,  in  artillery,  is  of  2  sorts, 
cotton  and  worsted:  the  first  is  gene- 
rally made  of  such  cotton  as  is  put  in 
candles,  of  several  sizes,  from  1  to  (3 
threads  thick,  according  to  the  pipes  it 
is  designed  for.  The  ingredients  are, 
cotton  lib.  12oz.  saltpetre  lib.  Soz.  spi- 
rits of  wine  2  quarts,  water  2  quarts, 
isinglass  3  gills,  and  mealed  powder 
101b.  It  is  then  taken  out.  hot,  and 
laid  in  a  trough,  where  some  mealed 
powder,  moistened  with  spirits  of  wine, 
is  thoroughly  wrought  into  the  cotton. 
This  done,  they  are  taken  out  sepa- 
rately, and  drawn  through  mealed  pow- 
der, and  hung  upon  a  line  to  dry.  The 
composition  for  the  second  is,  worsted 
lOoz.  mealed  powder  lolb.  spirits  of 
•wine  3  pints,  and  white  wine  vinegar  3 
pints. 

LABOURER,  Fr.  literally  to  remove 
earth  with  a  plough,  spade,  &c.  Figu- 
ratively, to  belabour,  which,  according 
to  Johnson,  is  to  beat,  thump,  &c.  The 
French  use  it  in  a  military  sense,  to  ex- 
press any  direct  and  concentrated  effort 
which  is  made  to  destroy  a  fortifica- 
tion. 

Labourer  un  rempart,  Fr.  to  bring 
several  pieces  of  ordnance,  discharged 
from  two  oblique  directions,  to  bear  upon 
one  center.  Shells  and  hollow  balls  are 
generally  used  on  these  occasions,  and 
the  chief  design  is  to  second  the  opera- 
tions of  the  miner  in  some  particular 
part  whence  the  explosion  is  to  take 
place. 

Labourer  likewise  applies  to  the  work- 
ing of  a  bomb  or  shell,  which  excavates, 
ploughs  up,  and  scatters  the  earth  about 
wherever  it  bursts. 

Royal  Military  LABOURERS  and 
Artificers.  This  corps  consists  of  12 
companies,  for  general  service,  and  are 


royal  engineers.     Its   distribution  is  as 
follows : 

Staff'.    1  Adjutant  and  quarter  master, 

1  serjeant  major. 
Establishment  of  our  company.  1  Sub- 
lieutenant, l  serjeant  major,  5  Serjeants, 
5  corporals,  30  carpenters,  including 
4  sawyers  (top  men),  20  masons,  18 
bricklayers,  including  slaters,  tilers  and 
plasterers,  10  smiths,  10  miners,  4 
wheelers,    4  collar  makers,    9    ;OOper6, 

2  painters,  i  drummers.  This  corps 
originally  consisted  of  10  companies, 
but  was  augmented  on  the  oth  of  Sep- 
tember,  130<>,  on  the  representation  of 
the  Earl  of  Moira,  then  master  general 
of  the  ordnance. 

LAC  AY  or  LAQUET,  Fr.  an  old 
French  militia,  formerly  so  called. 
The  name  is  found  among  the  public 
documents  which  were  kept  by  the 
treasurers  belonging  to  the  Dukts  of 
Britanny  in  the  fifteenth  century. 

LACE,  (passement,  galon,  fr.)  a  line 
of  silk,  or  thread,  intermixed  with  gold 
or  silver;  also  a  border  or  edging.  The 
uniform  of  many  regiments,  in  the  old 
French  service,  was  distinguishable  only 
by  the  lace  and  buttons. 

LACERNA,  a  garment  which  was 
used  by  the  ancients.  It  was  made 
of  woollen  stuff,  and  was  only  worn  by 
men;  originally  indeed  by  those  alone 
that  were  of  a  military  profession.  It 
was  usually  thrown  over  the  toga,  and 
sometimes  indeed  over  the  tunica.  It 
may  not  improperly  be  considered  as 
the  surtout  or  great  coat  of  the  ancients, 
with  this  difference,  that  there  was  a 
winter  lacerna  and  a  summer  one. 

The  lacerna  was  adopted  by  the  Ro- 
mans towards  the  close  of  their  republic. 
Even  so  late  down  as  the  days  of  Cicero, 
it  was  unknown  amongst  them,  or  if 
known,  censured  as  a  mark  of  dis- 
graceful effeminacy.  During  the  civil 
wars  that  occurred  in  the  triumvirate  of 
Augustus,  Lepidus,  and  Anthony,  the 
lacerna  became  familiar  to  the  people, 
and  by  degrees  was  adopted,  as  common 
apparel,  by  the  senators  and  knights  of 
Rome,  until  the  reigns  of  Oratian,  Va- 
lentinian,  and  Theodosius,  who  enjoined 
the  senators  not  to  wear  it. 

The  lacerna  is  the  same  as  the  chla- 
nn/s.  and  the  k/rrhus. 

Un  LAC  HE,  Fr.  a  familiar  phrase 
among  the  French  to  signify  a  coward, 
Sec. 


LAC 


(     419     ) 


LAC 


LACHER,  Fr.  to  go  off.   Son  pistolet,  \ 
ou  son  fusil,  vint  a  Metier;    his  pistol  or 
his  musket   went  off  of  itself. 

Lacher  also  signifies  to  say  more 
than  discretion  or  policy  suggests. 

Lacher  pied,  Fr.  to  run  away. 

Lacher  uji  prisonnier,  Fr.  to  let  a  pri- 
soner escape,  or  go  away  unmolested. 

Lacher  un  coup,  Fr.  in  speaking  of  fire 
amis,  signifies  to  discharge  a  pistol  or 
musket.  II  lui  India  un  coup  de  pisto- 
let  dans  la  tete,  he  lodged  a  bullet  in 
his  head.  Le  vaissvau  lacha  toute  sa 
bordte  a  luportie  de  mousquet,  the  ship 
fired  a  whole  broadside  within  musket 
shot. 

LACHETFj,  Fr.  an  opprobrious 
term  which  is  frequently  used  among 
the  French,  and  is  applied  in  all  in- 
stances of  cowardice,  want  of  spirit,  or 
dishonourable  conduct.  One  of  their 
writers  emphatically  observes,  that  in  a 
military  sense  of  the  word  it  cannot  be 
misunderstood,  as  the  least  imputation 
of  cowardice  or  want  of  spirit,  is  suffi- 
cient to  destroy  the  entire  character  and 
fame  of  every  officer  and  soldier  whom 
it  may  affect.  As  it  is  the  direct  oppo- 
site to  courage,  the  person  who  enters 
the  profession  of  arms,  should  weigh 
well  within  himself,  whether  he  possess 
that  indispensible  quality,  which  is  above 
all  the  temptations  of  pleasure  or  the 
effeminacy  of  life,  and  is  only  alive  to 
the  glorious  impulse  of  military  anima- 
tion. He  only,  in  fact,  is  fit  for  arms, 
whose  spirit  is  superior  to  every  sordid 
view;  who  knows  no  personal  fear,  and 
who  can  encounter  the  greatest  diffi- 
culties and  dangers  with  an  inward  placi- 
dity of  soul,  and  an  outward  indifference 
to  life.  In  order  to  illustrate  this  article, 
we  shall  quote  some  instances  of  that 
species  of  cowardice,  or  ldcltt.it,  which 
affects  the  military  character. 

Euripidas,  chief  of  the  Eleans,  hav- 
ing imprudently  advanced  too  far  into  a 
long  and  narrow  defile,  and  learning  that 
Philip  of  Macedon  was  on  his  march  to 
block  up  the  passage  through  which  he 
had  entered,  instead  of  manmliy  waiting 
the  issue  of  an  engagement,  abandoned 
his  army  in  the  most  cowardly  manner. 
It  does  not  appear,  says  the  Chevalier 
Folard,  that  Euripidas  possessed  those 
talents  which  are  necessary  to  form  a 
great  general ;  for  instead  of  meanly 
stealing  off  by  a  bye  road,  and  leaving 
his  army  to  its  fate,  he  would  have  re- 
gained at  its  head,  and   either  have 


fought  his  way  through,  honourablj 
have  capitulated,  or  have  died  com- 
bating with  his  men.  Had  Bonaparte 
fallen  in  this  glorious  manner  at  the 
battle  of  Waterloo,  or  have  remained 
self-devoted  surrounded  by  his  troops  as 
the  Duke  of  Wellington  did  at  the  cri- 
tical moment,  his  former  achievements 
would  not  have  been  eclipsed  by  flight 
and  self-preservation. 

Base  and  inglorious  as  the  conduct 
of  Euripidas  most  unquestionably  was, 
the  behaviour  of  Perseus,  king;  of  the 
Macedonians,  exceeded  it  in  cowardice 
and  degradation.  This  infamous  prince 
did  not  wait  to  be  visited  by  misfortune, 
or  to  lose  a  battle  ;  he  had,  on  the  con- 
trary, obtained  a  signal  victory  over 
the  Romans,  and  when  Paulus  iEmilius 
marched  against  him,  the  army  he  com- 
manded was  not  inferior  to  that  of  his 
opponent  in  discipline  and  valour,  and 
had  the  advantage  in  point  of  numbers. 
Yet,  strange  to  relate  !  the  engagement 
was  no  sooner  begun,  than  he  rode  off 
full  gallop,  and  repaired  to  the  town  of 
Pydnus,  under  the  flimsy  pretext  of  sa- 
crificing to  the  God  Hercules ;  as  if 
Hercules,  to  use  Plutarch's  expression, 
was  the  Deity  to  whom  the  prayers  and 
offerings  of  cowards  were  to  be  pre- 
ferred ! 

Mark  Antony,  on  the  other  hand, 
after  having  acquired  the  reputation  of 
a  brave  and  distinguished  general,  sub- 
mitted to  the  allurements  of  sensual 
gratification,  and  buried  all  history  in 
the  meretricious  embraces  of  an  /Egyp- 
tian strumpet.  We hadastrikinginstance, 
in  the  case  of  General  Hoche,  during 
the  late  war,  of  the  superiority  which 
a  real  military  thirst  for  glory  will  always 
have  over  private  indulgence. 

We  might  enumerate  a  variety  of 
cases,  in  which  the  greatest  heroes  have 
fallen  victims  to  human  weakness  ;  and 
few,  alas  !  in  which  a  sense  of  public 
duty,  and  a  regard  for  the  opinion  of 
posterity  have  got  the  ascendancy. — 
History,  however,  saves  us  that  trouble  ; 
and  we  shall  remain  satisfied  with  hav- 
ing explained  under  the  word  Ldc/iete, 
what  we  conceive  disgraceful  in  an  officer 
or  soldier,  who  sutlers  personal  fear, 
passion  or  interest,  to  get  the  better  of 
public  character. 

The  French  also  say,  la  trahison  est 
une  lachetc,  treason  is  infamous  in  its 
nature. 

The  French  make  a  distinction  be- 
3H2 


LAD 


(     420     ) 


LAI 


like  a  parallel 
carrying  them  : 


fween  l>'tchete  and  poltronnerie.  \'\\- 
flcr  the  influence  of  the  latter  a  man  \\  ill 
go  into  danger,  whereas  if  subject  to  the 
former,  he  will  not  dare  to.  face  it.  So 
that  polt ro» in i  it-  may  be  called  a  weak- 
ness, and  Imlicli  a  vice.  '  >ne  renders 
the  individual  infamous,  and  the  other 
only  makes  him  contemptible  and  unfit 
for  actions  which  require  courage  and 
perseverance. 

LACUNKTTE,  Fr.  a  term  in  forti- 
fication ;  a  small  fosse  or  ditch  was 
formerly  so  called.  The  word  Cunetfe 
has  since  been  adopted. 

LAI)  A\  EE,  hid.  a  release  or  ac- 
quittance from  any  demand. 

&a/ing-LADl)ERS,  (echelUs  de  sitge, 
Fr.)  are  used  in  scaling,  when  a  place  is 
to  be  taken  by  surprize.  They  are  made 
several  ways  ;  sometimes  of  flat  stai  es, 
mi  as  to  move  about  their  pins  and  shut 
ruler,  for  conveniently 
the  French  make  them 
of  several  pieces,  so  as  to  be  joined  to- 
gether, and  to  be  capable  of  any  neces- 
sary length:  sometimes  they  are  made 
of  single  ropes  knotted  at  proper  dis- 
tances with  iron  hooks  at  each  end,  one 
to  fasten  them  upon  the  wall  above,  and 
the  other  in  the  ground  ;  and  sometimes 
they  are  made  with  two  ropes  and  staves 
between  them,  to  keep  the  ropes  at  a 
proper  distance,  and  to  tread  upon. 
When  they  are  used  in  the  action  of 
scaling  walls,  they  ought  to  be  rather 
too  long  than  too  short,  and  to  be  given 
in  charge  only  to  the  stoutest  of  the  de- 
tachment The  soldiers  should  carry 
these  ladders  with  the  left  arm  passed 
through,  the  second  step,  taking  care  to 
hold  them  upright  close  to  their  sides, 
and  very  short  below,  to  prevent  any 
accident  in  leaping  into  the  ditch. 

The  first  rank  of  each  division,  pro- 
Aided  with  ladders,  should  set  out  with 
the  rest  at  the  signal,  inarching  reso- 
lutely with  their  firelocks  slung,  to 
jump  into  the  ditch  :  when  they  are  ar- 
rived, they  should  apply  their  ladders 
against  the  parapet,  observing  to  place 
them  towards  the  salient  angles  rather 
than  the  middle  of  the  curtain,  because 
the  enemy  has  less  force  there.  (  are 
must  be  taken  to  place  the  ladders  with- 
in a  foot  of  each  other,  ami  not  to  give 
them  too  much  nor  too  little  slope, 
so  that  they  may  not  be  overturned,  or 
broken  with  the  weight  of  the  soldiers 
mounting  upon  them. 

The  ladders  being  applied,  they  who 


have  carried  them,  and  they  who  come 
after  should  mount  up,  and  rush  upon 
the  enemy  sword  in  hand ;  if  he  who 
goes  first,  happens  to  be  overturned, 
tin-  next  should  take  care  not  to  be 
thrown  down  by  bis  comrade;  but  on 
the  contrary,  immediately  mount  hini- 
self,  so  as  not  to  give  the  enemy  time  to 
load  his  piece. 

As  the  soldiers  who  mount  first,  may 
be  easily  tumbled  over,  and  their  tall 
may  cause  the  attack  to  fail,  it  would 
pe;  haos  he  light  to  protect  their  breast-, 
with  the  lore  paits  ot  <  uirasscs  ;  because 
if  they  can  penetrate,  the  rest  may  easily 
follow. 

The  success  of  an  attack  by  scaling 
is  infallible,  if  they  mount  the  4  sides 
at  once,  and  take  care  to  shower  a 
number  of  grenades  among  the  enemy, 
especially  when  supported  by  some  gre- 
nadiers and  piquets,  who  divide  tin; 
attention  and  share  the  fire  of  the 
enemy. 

The  late  ingenious  General  Sir  Wm. 
Congreve,  of  the  royal  artillery,  very 
much  improved  upon  the  construction  of 
these  ladders.  As  the  heights  of  dif- 
ferent works  vary,  and  the  ladders  when 
too  long,  afford  purchase  to  the  be- 
gged, he  contrived  a  set  of  laddi  rs 
having  an  iron  staple  at  the  lower  part  of 
each  stem,  so  that  if  1,  2,  or  3,  should 
be  found  insufficient  to  reach  the  top  of 
the  work,  another  may  with  facility  be 
joined  to  the  lowest,  and  that  be  pushed 
up  until  a  sufficient  length  can  be  ob- 
tained. 

LADLES,  in  gunnery,  are  made  of 
copper,  to  hold  the  powder  for  loading 
guns,  with  long  handles  of  wood,  when 
cartridges  are  not  used. 

Ladles,  in  laboratory  business,  are 
very  small,  made  of  copper,  with  short 
handles  of  wood,  used  in  supplying  the 
fuses  of  shells,  or  any  other  composi- 
tion, to  fill  the  cases  of  sky-rockets, 
&.c.  There  is  another  kind  of  ladle, 
which  is  used  to  carry  red  hot  shot.  It 
is  made  of  iron,  having  a  ring  in  the 
middle  to  hold  the  shot,  from  which  2 
handles  proceed  from  opposite  sides  of 
the  ring. 

LAI  Frtre,  Fr.  lay-brother.  This 
term  was  originally  given  to  an  invalid 
soldier,  whom  the  heads  of  religious 
houses  and  monasteries  in  France  were 
obliged  to  receive  and  support  during 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  The 
monks   generally  agreed  to  take  one ; 


LAN 


(    421     ) 


LAN 


hut  the  number  seldom  exceeded  two. 
To  use  a  French  writer's  expression, 
these  living  remains  of  military  glory 
led  a  melancholy  life  in  the  midst  ot 
their  fat  and  pampered  masters.  The)' 
were  obliged  to  clean  the  courts  in  front 
of  the  monasteries,  and  to  do  all  the 
drudgery  within  doors.  Louis XIV.  res- 
cued them  from  these  disgraceful  oc- 
cupations, by  establishing  the  Hotel  des 
Invalides,  in  Paris. 

LAIT  dc  chaux,  Fr.  lime  mixed  with 
water,  making  what  we  generally  call 
white-wash.  The  French  also  say  Lai- 
tance. 

LAITON,  sometimes  zcritten  LET- 
TON,  Fr,  a  metallic  composition  which 
is  made  of  copper  and  the  lapis  cala- 
minaris.     See  Letton. 

LALA,    Ind.    lord  ;    sir  ;    master  ; 
worship. 

LAMA,  Ind.  a  chief  priest,  whose 
followers  suppose  him  immortal.  They 
imagine,  that  on  the  dissolution  of  his 
mortal  frame,  his  spirit  enters  the  body 
of.  a  new  born-child.  He  is  also  mo- 
narch of  Thibet. 

LAMBOURDE,  Fr.  a  joist. 
LAMBREQUINS,  Fr.  small  mantles 
or  ribbons  which  were  twisted  round 
the  hood  or  top  of  an  helmet  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  crest,  and  kept  the  whole 
together.  These  ornaments  fell  into  dis- 
use when  the  helmet  was  laid  aside.  In 
former  times,  when  the  cavaliers,  or 
persons  who  wore  them,  wished  to  take 
breath,  and  to  be  relieved  from  the 
weight  of  the  helmet,  they  untied  the 
mantles,  and  let  them  float  about  their 
shoulders  suspended  from  the  hood  only. 
Hence  the  appellation  of  valets  as  bang- 
ing behind. 

LAM  PASS,  (lampas,  Fr.)  a  lump  of 
flesh,  about  the  bigness  of  a  nut,  in 
the  roof  of  a  horse's  mouth. 

LAMPION  a  parapet,  Fr.  a  lamp 
generally  used  on  the  parapet,  or  else- 
where, in  a  besieged  place.  It  is  a  small 
iron  vessel  tilled  with  pitch  and  tar 
which  the  garrison  light  as  necessity 
may  require.  The  lampion  is  sometimes 
confounded  with  the  ricliuud  de  rem- 
partv  or  chaffing  dish,  which  is  used 
upon  the  rampart  on  similar  occasions. 
LANCE,  (lance,  Fr.)  This  offensive 
weapon  was  much  used  by  the  French 
in  former  times,  particularly  by  that 
class  of  military  gentlemen  called  che- 
valiers, and  by  the  gendarmes.  It  has 
also  been  used  by  the  English  and  other 


nations.  Lances  were  made  of  ash,  be- 
ing a  wood  of  tough  quality,  and  not  so 
liable  to  break  as  other  species.  Be- 
fore the  reign  of  Philip  de  Valois,  the 
chevaliers  and  gendarmes  fought  on  foot, 
armed  with  lances  only,  botb  in  battles 
and  at  sieges.  On  these  occasions,  they 
shortened  their  lances,  which  were  then. 
said  to  be  retuilltes,  or  cut  again.  A  sort 
of  banderole  or  streamer  hung  from 
each  lance,  and  was  attached  to  the 
bottom  of  the  sharp  iron  or  blade  which 
was  fixed  to  the  pole.  Lances  were  used 
in  this  mannner  as  far  back  as  during 
the  crusades. 

L.\KCE-serjeant.     See  Serjeant. 

Po/wA-LANCERS,  a  body  of  men 
armed  with  long  lances,  and  mounted  on 
swift  horses.  They  were  originally 
formed  in  Poland,  and  brought  into 
constant  practice  by  Bonaparte,  parti- 
cularly at  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  when 
they  were  annihilated  by  the  superior 
physical  strength  and  courage  of  the 
British  Life-Guards. 

LANCE,  Fr.  This  word  formerly 
signified,  among  the  French,  a  gendarme, 
who  carried  a  pike  or  lance.  Hence, 
une  compagnie  de  cent  lances,  a  com- 
pany consisting  of  one  hundred  gen- 
darmes. 

Lance  fournie,  Fr.  an  old  expression 
signifying  a  knight  or  squire  who  was 
completely  equipped,  and  had  his  com-; 
plement  of  archers,  &c. 

Rompre  la  Lance,  Fr.  to  break  a 
lance.  This  was  a  phrase  peculiar  to 
any  assaults  which  were  given  at  tilts  or 
tournaments,  and  signified  to  engage  or 
come  to  close  combat.  The  French  say : 
rompre  des  lances  pour  quelqu'un,  to  de- 
fend another : — rompre  line  lance  avec 
quelqu'un,  to  enter  into  any  warm  dis- 
pute, or  controversy,  with  another. 

Mai  de  la  Lance,  Fr.  a  figurative, 
expression,  to  signify  the  right  hand  of  a 
cavalier  or  horseman. 

Lance  de  drupe.au,  Fr.  the  staff 
to  which  regimental  colours  are  at- 
tached. 

Lancls  levees,  Fr.  uplifted  lances, 
indicated  that  the  enemy  was  beaten, 
and  that  the  chevaliers  or  gendarmes 
should  close  the  day  by  giving  a  final 
blow  to  the  disordered  ranks.  The  use 
of  the  lance  was  discontinued  in  France 
souie  time  before  the  com pugnies  d'ordon- 
nance,  or  independent  companies,  were 
reduced  and  formed  into  the  gendarme- 
rie.   Little  or  no  use  indeed  was  made 


LAN 


(     422     ) 


LAN 


of  them  during  the  reign  of  Henry  IV. 
But  the  Spaniards  still  retained  that 
weapon  as  low  down  as  the  days  of 
Louis  XIII. 

Lance  means  likewise  a  rod  which  is 
fixed  across  the  earthen  mould  of  a 
shell,  and  which  keeps  it  suspended  in 
the  air  when  it  is  cast.  As  soon  as  the 
bomb  or  shell  is  formed,  this  rod  must 
be  broken,  and  carefully  taken  out  with 
instruments  made  for  that  purpose. 
Shells  ought  to  be  scrupulously  examin- 
ed with  respect  to  this  article,  as  they 
could  not  he  charged,  were  the  lance 
or  any  part  of  it  to  remain  within. 
Lance  is  also  an  instrument  which  con- 
veys the  charge  of  a  piece  of  ordnance 
and  forces  it  home  into  the  bore.  See 
Rammer  of  a  Gun. 

Lance  dfeu,  Fr.  a  squib.  A  species 
of  artificial  fire-work  which  is  made  in 
the  shape  of  a  fuse,  and  is  used  for  va- 
rious purposes.  According  to  the  au- 
thor of  (Euvres  Militaires,  torn.  xi.  p. 
208,  the  composition  of  the  lance  a  feu 
consists  of  three  parts  of  the  best  re- 
fined saltpetre,  two  parts  of  flour  of  sul- 
Ehur,  and  two  of  antimony  ;  the  whole 
eing  pounded  and  mixed  together. 

The  chief  use  which  is  made  of  the 
lance  d  feu  is  to  throw  occasional  light 
across  the  platform,  whilst  artificial  fire- 
works are  preparing.  They  likewise 
serve  to  set  fire  to  fuses,  as  they  can  be 
taken  hold  of  without  danger. 

Lance  a  feu  puant,  Fr.  stink-fire 
lances  prepared  in  the  same  manner  that 
stink-pots  are,  and  particularly  useful  to 
miners.  When  a  miner  or  sapper  has 
so  far  penetrated  towards  the  enemy  as 
to  hear  the  voices  of  persons  in  any  place 
contiguous  to  his  own  excavation,  he 
first  of  all  bores  a  hole  with  his  probe, 
then  fires  off  several  pistols  through  the 
aperture,  and  lastly  forces  in  a  lance  a 
feu  puant ;  taking  care  to  close  up  the 
hole,  on  his  side,  to  prevent  the  smoke 
from  returning  towards  himself.  The 
exhalation  and  stinking  hot  vapour  which 
issue  from  the  lance,  and  remain  on  the 
side  of  the  enemy,  infect  the  air  so 
much,  that  it  is  impossible  to  approach 
the  quarter  for  three  or  four  days. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  they  have  had  such 
an  instantaneous  effect,  that  in  order  to 
save  their  lives,  miners  who  would  per- 
severe, have  been  dragged  out  by  the 
legs  in  an  apparent  state  of  suffoca- 
tion. 

Lance  defeu,  Fr.  a  species  of  squib 


which  is  used  by  the  garrison   of  a  be- 
sieged town  against  a  scaling  party. 

Lxscz-gaie,  l'r.  an  offensive  weapon 
formerly  so  called  in  France. 

LANCE  PES  ATA,  ANSPESADE,  or 
Lance-Corporal,  was  originally  a  man  at 
arms,  or  trooper,  who,  having  broken  his 
lance  on  the  enemy,  and  lost  his  horse 
in  fight,  was  entertained  as  a  volunteer 
assistant  to  a  captain  of  foot,  receiving 
his  pay  as  a  trooper,  until  he  could  re- 
mount himself.  At  present  he  is  only 
the  assistant  of  the  corporal,  and  receives 
the  pay  of  a  private  soldier.  Lancespc- 
sata  is  derived  from  the  Italian,  Lancia 
spezzata,  a  broken  or  spent  lance. 

Lxxctl  spezzate,  Fr.  a  reduced  officer. 
In  former  times  it  signified  a  dismount- 
ed gendarme  who  was  appointed  to  an 
infantry  corps,  with  some  emolument 
attached  to  his  situation. 

To  Lance  upon  the  enemy,  to  dart, 
or  rush,  precipitately  upon  any  opposing 
force,  by  charging  it  in  front,  flank  or 
rear. 

FANCIER  and  DEMI-LANCIER, 
anciently  written  Launcier,  a  horse- 
man in  ancient  times  who  was  armed  at 
all  points  from  the  head  to  the  knee,  like 
the  gentlemen  at  arms.  His  offensive 
weapons  were  a  lance,  a  case  of  short 
pistols,  a  battle  axe,  and  a  dagger.  His 
horse  was  armed  with  a  breast  plate. 

LANCIERE,  Fr.  a  mill  sluice;  or 
sluice. 

LANCIR,  Fr.  a  mill  dam. 

LANDE,  Fr-  a  heath.  It  also  signi- 
fies, figuratively,  any  long  tedious  pas- 
sages in  a  work. 

LAND  FORCES,  troops  whose  sys- 
tem is  calculated  for  land  service  only, 
in  contradistinction  to  seamen  and  ma- 
rines. All  the  land  forces  of  Great  Britain 
are  liable  to  serve  on  board  the  king's 
ships. 

LANDING  troops.  See  Debarka- 
tion. 

LANDRETUN,  Fr.  a  sort  of  brown 
stone,  with  streaks,  or  veins,  of  red  in- 
termixed. It  is  as  hard  as  marble,  but 
not  so  fine.  It  is  so  named  from  being 
found  in  a  quarry  about  nine  miles 
from  Boulogne  in  Picardy,  at  a  place 
called  Landrctun,  and  is  much  used  in 
buildings  and  fortifications. 

LANE,  in  a  military  sense,  is  where 
men  are  drawn  up  in   two  ranks  facing 
one  another,  as  in  a  street,  for  any  great 
personage  to  pass  through,  or  sometime*' 
for  a  soldier  to  run  the  gantelope. 


LAN 


(     423     ) 


LAS 


LANGUAGE,  (langage,  Fr.)  the 
tongue  of  one  nation  as  distinct  from 
others. 

Foreign  LANGUAGES,  (Ungues 
itrangtres,  Fr.)  languages  different  from 
our  own. 

The  knowledge  of  languages  is  per- 
haps one  of  the  most  important  branches 
of  military  education.  Its  necessity  was 
never  felt  so  strongly  as  during  the 
French  revolution,  and  in  the  Spanish 
insurrection.  Among  the  qualifications 
which  an  aide-de-camp  should  possess, 
a  knowledge  of  some  foreign  language, 
particularly  of  the  French,  must  appear 
indispensable. 

LANGUARD,  Fr.  a  blab;  one  who 
cannot  keep  his  own  secret,  nor  that  of 
another.  A  man  unfit  to  be  employed 
confidentially. 

LANGUE,  Fr.  a  term  peculiarly 
connected  with  the  order  of  Malta.  The 
eight  nations  of  which  this  celebrated 
order  consisted  were  distinguished  by 
the  appellation  of  Langne.  There  were 
three  of  this  description  in  France,  viz. 
la  langue  de  France,  la  langue  de  Pro- 
vence, et  la  langue  d'Auvergne  ;  two 
in  Spain,  viz.  la  langue  d'  Arragon,  et 
la  langue  de  Cast  die ;  and  three  indis- 
criminate ones,  viz.  la  langue  d'lta/ie, 
la  langue  d'Allemagne,  et  la  langue 
d,Angleterre.  The  head  of  each  langue 
was  called  Grand  Prieur,  or  Grand 
Prior. 

Langue  de  terre,  Fr.  tongue  of  land. 

Coups  de  Langue,  Fr.     See  Coups. 

Prendre  Langue,  Fr.  to  get  intelli- 
gence. 

LANGUETTE,  Fr.  tongue  of  seve- 
ral things.  Lingel  or  little  tongue  or 
thong  of  leather;  also  a  slip  of  wood  ; 
a  small  piece  of  metal  which  opens  or 
shuts  the  vent  of  a  hautboy  or  flute. 

LANSQUENETS,  Fr.  The  German 
mercenaries  which  Charles  VII.  of 
France  first  added  to  his  infantry,  were 
so  called.  They  continued  in  the  French 
service  until  the  reiy,n  of  Francis  I.  who 
consolidated  all  the  foot  establishments 
into  a  certain  number  of  legions. 

LANS-PESATE,  i  a  soldier  thai 

LANCE-PESADE,  \  does  duty  as 
a  corpora],  especially  on  guards  and 
detachments ;  a  lance  corporal  ;  the 
same  as  Lancepesata. 

LANTERN,        )   Muscovy  lanterns 

LANTHORN.  5  are  used  in  maga- 
zines, as  being  much  safer  than  others. 


The  common  dark  lanterns  are  more  ap- 
plicable to  field  service. 

LAN  TERN  E,  Fr.  a  word  used  in  the 
French  navy  to  signify  a  wooden  case 
or  box  in  which  cartridges  are  brought 
out  of  the  powder-magazine  for  the  pur- 
pose of  serving  the  guns  ;  also  a  spoon 
or  ladle,  made  of  copper,  and  fixed  to  a 
long  pole,  which  serves  to  convey  gun- 
powder into  a  piece  of  ordnance. 

Lanterne  a  mitrailles,  Fr.  a  round 
piece  of  concave  wood,  something  like 
a  box,  which  is  filled  with  case  shot,  and 
is  fired  from  a  piece  of  ordnance  when 
the  enemy  is  near. 

Lanterne  de  moulin,  Fr.  trundle 
head  of  a  mill. 

LAPIS  amiunthus,  a  kind  of  stone, 
like  alum,  tozy  like  wool,  which  will 
not  burn  or  consume  ;  called  earth-flax, 
or  Salamander's  hair. 

To  LAPSE,  to  fall  in,  or  belong  to. 
This  expression  is  used  in  military  mat- 
ters, to  signify  the  reversion  of  any  mi- 
litary property.  Thus  upon  the  sale  or 
purchase  of  one  commission  at  the  re- 
gulated difference,  another  (where  there 
are  two)  is  said  to  lapse  to  government. 
Commissions  lapse,  or  fall  into  the  pa- 
tronage of  government  when  vacancies 
happen  by  death,  by  officers  being  su- 
perseded, or  where  officers  apply  to  sell 
who  have  only  purchased  a  part  of  their 
commissions,  and  have  not  served  long 
enough  to  be  entitled  to  sell  the  whole; 
in  which  case  they  are  only  permitted 
to  sell  what  they  actually  purchased, 
and  the  remainder  is  in  the  gift  of  go- 
vernment. 

LARDER  de  coups  d'epce,  Fr.  to  run 
through  the  body  with  a  sword,  in  more 
places  than  one. 

LARDOIR,  Fr.  a  piece  of  iron  with 
which  the  end  of  a  pile  is  shod.  It  is 
also  called  sabot. 

LARES,  household  gods,  called  also 
penates,  among  the  ancient  Romans. 

LARMIER,  Fr.  the  brow  or  coping 
of  a  wall  ;  the  eave  or  drip  of  a 
house. 

LARMIERS,  Fr.  the  eye  veins  of  a 
horse. 

LASCARS,  or  Laskars,  the  native 
seamen  of  India;  the  native  gunners  are 
sometimes  so  called.  They  are  often 
employed  to  tend  and  serve  the  artillery 
on  shore,  and  are  attached  to  corps  as 
pioneers,  or  tent-pitchers. 

Gun  Lascars,  men  of  colour,  or  se- 


L  A  T 


(     424     ) 


LAV 


I 


oys  who  are  attached  to   the  guns  in 
ndia,  chiefly  as  drag-rope  men. 
LASH,  a  blow  given  with  a  whip,  or 

pliant, 
i  thousand 


cat-o'-mne    tails,   Or   any   thing 
Hence  to  he  sentenced   to 
lashes. 

To  LASH  ffic  guns  very  taught,  (air 
guilletcr  les  cunons,  Fr.)  to  brace  the 
carriages  of  the  guns,ccc.  so  as  to  prevent 
them  from  recoiling. 

LASHING, a  term  chiefly  used  among 
sailors,  signifying  to  make  last,  or  to 
tie  any  thing  to  the  ship's  sides,  masts, 
&c.  as  pikes,  muskets,  boards,  casks, 
&c. 

LASING  RINGS,        )   in  artillery, 

LASHING  RINGS,  \  with  hoops, 
fixed  on  the  side-pieces  of  travelling  car- 
riages, to  lash  the  tarpaulin,  as  also  to 
tie  the  spunge,  rammer,  and  ladle.  See 
Carriage. 

The  LASO,  a  very  long  thong  which 
the  pion  uses  in  South  America. 

LATE,  last  in  any  place,  character, 
or  office  :  as,  late  master-general  of  the 
ordnance  ;  late  of  the  2?th  foot. 

LATCH,  an  old  English  cross-bow. 

LATH,  in  building,  a  long,  thin,  and 
narrow  slip  of  wood,  nailed  to  the  rafters 
of  a  roof  or  cieling,  in  order  to  fasten 
the  covering.  Laths  are  distinguished 
into  three  kinds,  according  to  the  dif- 
ferent sorts  of  wood  of  which  they  arc 
made,  viz.  heart  of  oak,  sap-laths,  deal 
laths,  etc. 

LATHE,  a  division  of  some  extent  in 
a  county,  which  generally  contains  three, 
four,  or  five  hundreds. 

Lathe  reeve,  an  officer  during  the 
Saxon  government,  who  held  a  cci  tain 
jurisdiction  over  that  part  of  the  coumy 
which  was  called  a  tithing. 

Lathe,  the  tool  of  a  turner,  by  which 
he  turns  about  his  wood,  ivory,  &c.  so 
as  to  shape  it  by  the  chissel. 

LATTIE,  an  Indian  term  for  ware- 
house. 

LATITUDE,  in  geography,  the  dis- 
tance of  any  place  from  the  equator, 
measured  in  degrees,  minutes,  seconds, 
&c.  upon  the  meridian  of  that  place  ; 
and  is  either  north  or  south,  according 
as  the  place  is  situated  either  on  the 
north  or  south  side  of  the  equator. 

LATRINES,  Fr.  privies  or  holes 
which  are  dug  at  the  back  of  a  camp  for 
the  convenience  of  soidiers.  The  pio- 
neers are  generally  employed  to  make 
them.    The  French  say  also  ret  raits. 


LATRO.  This  word,  which  in  Latin 
signifies  a  thief,  was  also  used  among 
the  Romans  to  mark  out  a  soldier  who 
served  for  pay. 

LATROCINARI,  among  the  Ro- 
mans, to  bear  arms  for  pay  or  money. 

LAV  Ell,  LAVIS,  J,-,  a  wash  or  su- 
perficial stain  or  colour;  used  in  sketches, 
plans,  and  drawings ;  the  different  inter- 
vals or  spaces  of  which  are  slightly 
shaded  or  coloured. 

LAUGHINGSTOCK,  a  butt;  an  ob- 
ject of  ridicule.  Military  affectation, 
without  real  science,  frequently  begets 
an  animal  of  ibis  kind. 

liAUNCEGAYS,  according  to  Bai- 
ley, offensive  weapons  prohibited  and 
disused. 

LAUREA,  Lat.  the  bay-tree  or  laurel. 

LAUREATED,  crowned  with  laurel. 
The  ancient  conquerors  used  to  wear 
crowns  of  laurel,  in  token  of  victory. 

LAUREL,  (laurier,  Fr.)  a  shrub 
which  is  green,  and  never  fades;  on 
which  account  it  is  selected  for  the  brows 
of  heroes  and  conquerors,  being  emble- 
matic of  their  unfading  reputation. 

lb  de  crowned  with  Laurel,  a  figura- 
tive expression,  signifying  that  a  man 
has  achieved  glorious  actions,  and  is 
entitled  to  marks  of  public  distinction. 
In  ancient  times,  heroes  and  conquerors 
had  their  heads  encircled  with  a  wreath 
of  laurel.  The  heads  of  kings  and  princes 
are  generally  so  decorated  upon  coins, 
whether  they  have  conquered  or  not. 

Laurel,  (hieroglyphically)  represents 
favour  and  preservation,  because  light- 
ning never  blasts  it  as  it  does  other 
trees;  and  upon  that  account  it  is  dedi- 
cated to  Jupiter  and  Apollo. 

LAUREOLA,  the  spurge  or  laurel 
wreath. 

LAURES,  gold  coins  which  were  is- 
sued from  the  mint  in  1619,  representing 
the  head  of  King  James  I.  encircled 
with  laurel. 

LAURETS,  certain  pieces  of  gold 
coined  A.  D.  1619,  with  the  head  of 
James  I.  laureated.  The  20  shilling 
piece  was  marked  with  XX.  the  10  shil- 
ling piece  with  X.  the  5  shilling  piece 
with  V. 

LAURIGEROUS,  wearing  a  garland 
of  bays,  as  conquerors  and  poets  are  re- 
presented to  have  done. 

LAVURE,  Fr.  the  grains,  dust,  or 
detached  pieces  of  metal  which  fall  in 
casting  cannon. 


LAW 


(     *g«     ) 


LEA 


LAW,  in  its  general  acceptation,  a  i      Law  of  marque,  or  letters  of  marque, 
certain  rule,   directing  and  obliging   a  that  by  which  persons  take  the  goods  or 
rational  creature  in  moral  actions ;    for- 
bidding   some    things,     and     enjoining 
others. 

Common    Law,    a   judicial   process, 
against  which  every  olhcer  and  man  of 
honour  should  be  particularly  guarded 
as  it  is  mora 


shipping  of  the  party  that  has  wronged 
them,  as  in  time  of  war,  whenever 
they  can  take  them  within  their  pre- 
cincts. 

LAWSUIT,  a  process  in  law;  a  liti- 
;ation;  to  succeed  in  which  eight  things 


iv  impossible  for  a  liberal  are  required: — A  good  cause;  a  good 
and  high  spirited  character  to  cope  with  counsel;  a  good  attorney;  a  good  judge; 
the  quirks  and  quibbles  of  a  set  of  men,  I  a  good  jury;    good  witnesses;    a  good 


whose  livelihood  depends  upon  the  feuds 
and  quarrels  of  their  fellow  creatures. 
On  this  account  oliicers  should  be  scru- 
pulously correct  in  all  money  trans- 
actions, for  from  them  originate  actions 
at  common  law,  costs  of  suit,  and 
generally  imprisonment,  &c.  &c. 

Law,  (loi,  Fr.)  The  genuine  and  fun- 
damental principles  upon  which  the  go- 
vernment of  an  empire,  a  kingdom,  or  a 
republic,  is  founded,  are  comprehended 
under  this  term.  Its  subordinate  branches 
consist  of  rules  and  regulations  made  for 
the  maintenance  of  good  order  in  a  state, 
for  an  observance  of  mutual  compacts 
between  nations  at  war  with  each  other, 
and  for  the  due  preservation  of  the  ties 
of  amity,  that  keep  peace  among  man- 
kind. 

Laws  of  arms,  certain  acknowledged 
rules,  regulations  and  precepts,  which 
relate  to  war,  and  are  observed  by  all 
civilized  nations. 

Laws  of  arms  are  likewise  certain  pre- 
cepts shewing  how  to  proclaim  war,  to 
attack  the  enemy,  and  to  punish  offenders 
in  the  camp;  also  restricting  the  con- 
tending parties  from  certain  cruelties, 
&c. 

Military  Law,  a  prompt  and  decisive 
rule  of  action  by  which  justice  is  done 
to  the  public  or  to  individuals,  without 
passing  through  the  tedious  and  equivo- 
cal channels  of  legal  investigation.  The 
persons  who  are  subject  to  military  law, 
and  are  amenable  to  trial  by  court- 
martial,  are,  in  the  terms  of  the  mutiny 
act,  all  persons  commissioned  or  in  pay, 
as  officers,  non-commissioned  officers, 
private  soldiers,  and  all  followers  of  an 
army.  Half-pay  officers  are  not  subject 
to  military  law,  whilst  civil  justice  can 
be  resorted  to. 

Laws  of  Nations,  such  general  rules 
as  regard  embassies  ;  the  reception  and 
entertainment  of  strangers,  intercourse 
of  merchants,  exchange  of  prisoners, 
suspension  of  anus,  &c. 


purse ;  and  above  them  all,  good-luck. 
We  sincerely  hope,  that  military  men,  in 
order  to  escape  from  the  fangs  of  these 
good  things,  will  have  the  good  sense 
never  to  enter  into  a  law-suit. 

LAY.  To  Lay  down  implies  to  resign, 
as,  the  enemy  laid  down  their  arms  ;  he 
means  to  lay  down  his  commission. —  To 
Lay  for  is  to  attempt  something  by 
ambuscade. 

To  Lay  before,  to  submit  for  perusal 
and  consideration ;  as,  to  lay  a  memorial 
before  the  commander  in  chief. 

LAYE,  Fr.  a  riding  or  lane  through 
a  forest. 

LAZARET,  Fr.  Those  large  houses 
are  so  called,  which  are  built  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  some  sea-ports  belong- 
ing to  the  Levant,  for  the  purpose  of 
lodging  the  people  that  are  ordered  to 
perform  quarantine. 

LAZARETTO,  a  pest  house. 

LAZARUS,    ^  a  military  order  insti- 

LAZARO,  $  tuted  at  Jerusalem  by 
the  Christians  of  the  west,  when  they 
were  masters  of.  the  Holy  Land,  who 
received  pilgrims  under  their  care,  and 
guarded  them  on  the  roads  from  the 
insults  of  the  Mahometans.  This  order 
was  instituted  in  the  year  1119,  arid 
confirmed  by  a  bull  of  Pope  Mexai 
IV.  in  1255,  who  gave  it  the  rule  of  St. 
Augustine. 

LEAD,  a  metal  well  known.  It  is 
employed  for  various  mechanic  uses ;  as 
in  thin  sheets  for  covering  buildings,  for 
pipes,  pumps,  shot  bullets,  windows,  for 
securing  iron  bars  in  hard  stones,  for 
sundry  kinds  of  large  vessels  for  evapo- 
ration, and  many  other  purposes. 

LEADER.     See  Commander. 
File    Leader,   the   front  man  of  u 
battalion    or    company,    standing   two 
deep. 

LEADING  Column,    the    first    co- 
lumn that  advances  from  the  right,  left, 
or  center,  of  any  army  or  battalion. 
Leading    File,  the  first  two  men  of 
:3  I 


LEA 


(     -136     ) 


LEG 


a  battalion  or  company  that  marches 
from  main,  left,  or  center,  by  dies. 

Flank  Leading  File,  the  first  man 
on  the  right,  and  the  last  man  on  the 
left  of  a  battalion,  company,  or  sec- 
tion. 

Center  Leading  Fife,  the  last  man 
of  the  right  center  company,  division^  or 
section;  and  the  first  man  of  the  lefl 
center  company,  division,  or  si  ction, 
are  so  called,  when  the  line  files  from 
the  center  to  the  front  or  rear.  At 
close  order,  the  colours  stand  between 
rlicni. 

LEAGUE,  in  military  history,  a  mea- 
sure of  length,  containing  more  or  less 
geometrical  paces,  according  to  the  dif- 
ferent usages  and  customs  of  countries. 
A  league  at  sea,  where  it  is  ch icily  used 
-,  being  a  land-measure  mostly  pe- 
culiar to  the  French  and  Germans,  con- 
tains 3000  geometrical  paces,  or  three 
English  miles. 

The  French  league  sometimes  con- 
tains the  same  measure,  and,  in  some 
parts  of  France,  it  consists  of  3500 
paces:    the  mean   or  common    league 

consists  of  '2  100  paces,  and  the  little 
league  of  '2000.  The  Spanish  leagues 
are  larger  than  the  Freneh,  17  Spanish 
leagues  making  a  degree,  or  90  French 
I.  allies,  or  09  and  \  English  statute 
miles.  The  German  and  Dutch  leagues 
contain  each  four  geographical  mdes. 
The  Persian  leagues  are  pretty  near  ot 
the  same  extent  with  the  Spanish;  that 
is,  they  are  equal  to  four  Italian  miles, 
which  is  pretty  near  to  what  Hi  rodotus 
tails  the  length  of  the  Persian  parasang, 
which  contained  30  stadia,  8  whereof, 
according  to  Strabo,make  a  mile. 

Leaci  also  d  otes  an  alliance  or 
confederacy  between  princes  and  states 
for  their  mutual  aid,  either  in  attacking 
some  common  enemy,  or  in  defending 
tin  msi  lv<  s. 

To  LEA  a  .  ■  '  •■/  ■//(•?•, Fr.)  in  a  military 

,   to  be  drawn    up,  or  to  have  a 

I  isition,  close  to  some  tenable  object, 

i  as  an  arm  of  the  sea,  a  river,  a 

strong  town,  a  village,  hilr,  &c.     Hence 

point  d'appui — any  thing  which  is  leaned 

n. 

LEAVE,  indulgence,  license,  liberty. 

Leave  of  absence,  a  permission  which 
nted  to  officers',  non-commissioned 
officers,  and  soldiers,  to  be  absent  from 
p  or  quarters    for  any  specific  pe- 
riod. 

/  Leave,  an  indulgence  which 


is  annually  granted  on  borne  service,  by 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  to  a  certain 
proportion  of  the  army,  to  be  absent 
from  military  duty.  This  generally  oc- 
curs in  the  winter  months,  and  ends  on 
the  10th  of  March. 

Regimental  Leave,  (conge  rigimen- 
taire,  Fr.)  a  permission  which  is  granted 
bv  the  Colonel  or  Officer  commanding  a 
regiment,  and  is  more  limited  than  a 
<  M-neral  Leave. 

Long  Leave,  a  term  peculiar  to  the 
British  service,  signifying  that  leave  of 
absence  which  is  granted  during  the 
winter  mouths,  when  troops  are  in 
garrison,  cantonments,  or  quarters. 

Short  Leave,  a  leave  of  absence 
which  is  granted  after  the  10th  day  of 
March,  at  which  period  all  officers  are 
ordered  to  join  their  respective  corps ; 
in  order  to  prepare  for  the  necessary 
field  days,  8cc. 

LECtCRE,  Fr.     See  Reading. 

LECTURES.  Lectures  are  read  at 
Woolwich  to  the  officers  of  artillery,  and 
engineers,  and  cadets,  on  chemist  r\  : 
lectures  upon  topography  and  upon  other 
essential  parts  of  military  science  are- 
given  at  High  Wycombe. 

LEEKUK,  hid.  secretary  or  writer. 

LEFT  give  point.  See  Swoud  Exer- 
cise. 

Left  protect.     See  Sword  Exercise. 

To  put  on  the  LEG,  among  cavalry, 
is  to  press  the  inside  of  the  foot  and  leg 
against  the  horse's  think.  It  is  always 
used  in  passaging  to  direct  the  horse 
which  way  to  passage,  and  again  on  the 
opposite  Hank  to  stop  him  after  he  has 
passaged  to  his  place. 

( \avalerie  LEGERE,  Fr.  light  horse. 

In  cheval  leger  a  lu  main,  Fr.  Se« 
Hand. 

Troupes  eegeres,  Fr.  light  troops,  or 
such  as  act  in  desultory  warfare. 

Anne  a  la  LEGERE,  Fr.  light  armed. 

LEGION,in  Roman  antiquity,  a  body 
of  foot,  which  consisted  of  ten  cohorts, 
or  5000  men. 

The  exact  cumber  contained  in  a 
legion  was  fixed  by  Romulus  at  3000; 
though  Plutarch  assures  us,  that,  after 
the  reception  of  the  Sabines  into  Home, 
he  increased  it  to  6000.  The  common 
number  afterwards,  in  the  Iirst  times  of 
the  free  stale,  was  M500;  but  in  the  war 
with  Hannibal,  it  rose  to  5000;  and 
alter  that,  it  is  probable  that  it  sunk 
again  to  4200,  which  was  the  number 
in  the  time  of  Polybius. 


LEG 


(   w   ) 


LET 


In  the  age  of  Julius  Cfesar  we  do  not 
-find  any  legions  exceeding  the  Polybian 
number  of  men ;  and  he  himself  ex- 
pressly speaks  of  two  legions,  that  did 
jiot  make  above  7000  between  them 
(Commeiitar.  lib.  5.) 

The  number  of  legions,  kept  in  pay 
together,  was  rii  "erent,  according  to  the 
various  times  and  occasions.  During 
the  free  states,  four  legions  were  com- 
monly ritted  up  every  year,  and  divided 
between  the  consuls  :  yet  in  cases  of  ne- 
cessity, we  sometimes  meet  with  no  less 
than  16  or  18  in  Livy. 

Augustus  maintained  a  standing  army 
of  23  or  (as  some  will  have  it)  of  25 
legions ;  but  in  aftertimes  we  seldom 
find  so  many. 

They  borrowed  their  names  from  the 
orders  in  which  they  were  raised,  as 
prima,  secunda,  tertiu,  &c.  but  because 
it  usually  happened,  that  there  were 
several  prima;  secunda,  &c.  in  several 
places,  upon  that  account  they  took  a 
sort  of  surname  besides,  either  firooa  the 
emperors  who  first  constituted  them,  as 
Augusta,  Claudiana,  Gaibiana,  Flavin, 
Ulpia,  Trajana,  Antoniana,  or  from  the 
provinces  which  had  been  conquered 
chiefly  by  their  valour,  as  Parthica, 
Scythica,  Gallica,  Arabica,  &c.  or  from 
the  names  of  the  particular  deities  for 
whom  their  commanders  had  an  espe- 
cial honour,  as  Minerva  and  Appolli- 
naris;  or  from  the  region  where  they 
had  their  quarters,  as  Cretensis,  Cyre- 
naica,  Britannica,  &c.  or  sometimes 
upon  account  of  the  lesser  accidents,  as 
Adjutrix,  Martia,  Fulmiuatrix,  Rapax, 
&c. 

The  whole  Roman  infantry,  which  was 
divided  into  four  sorts,  Yelites,  Hastati, 
Principes  and  Triarii,  consisted  of  Ma- 
nipuli,  Cohorts  and  Legions.  So  that 
legion  was  considered  as  the  largest  estab- 
lishment for  foot  soldiers.  See  Rennet's 
Antiquities  of  Rome,  pages  190,  191. 

Legion,  in  a  general  acceptation  of 
the  term,  signifies  anv  large  body  of  men. 
In  a  more  confined  one,  among  the  mo- 
derns, it  applies  to  a  specific  number  of 
horse  or  foot,  who  are  distinguished  by 
that  name,  and  do  duty  with  the  rest  ot 
the  army.  Such,  for  instance,  was  the 
British  legion  which  served  in  America  ; 
and  of  this  description  were  the  Polish 
and  Belgic  legions,  that  formed  part  ot 
the  French  annv. 

Legion  of  Honour,  a  French  order 
created  by  Buonaparte,  and  still  con- 


tinued by  Louis  XVIII.  for  the  reward 
of  meritorious  and  gallant  individuals. 

LEGIONARY,  any  thing  appertain- 
ing to  a  legion,  or  containing  an  inde- 
finite number. 

LEGUMES,  Fr.  vegetables,  roots, 
grain,  &c.  Every  species  of  subsistence, 
which,  under  the  old  government  of 
France,  w  „.-.  not  provided  for  the  troops 
by  direct  instructions  from  the  war- 
olfice,  and  at  the  expense  of  the  public, 
was  called  legumes.  Subsistence  of  this 
sort,  however,  may  more  properly  be 
called  that  diet  which  soldiers  got  for 
themselves  in  foreign  countries  during 
actual  hostilities. 

LEMBARII,  among  the  Romans, 
soldiers  that  did  duty  on  board  of  ships, 
or  in  barges,  either  at  sea,  or  on  rivers. 

LEMMA,  (lemme,  Fr.)  an  assump- 
tion or  preparatory  proposition  laid  down 
by  geometricians  to  clear  the  way  for 
some  following  demonstration ;  often 
prefixed  to  theorems,  to  render  their  de- 
monstration less  .  perplexed  and  intri- 
cate ;  and  to  problems,  in  order  to  make 
their  resolution  more  easy  and  short. 

LENGTH,  (in  horsemanship,)  as,  to 
passage  a  horse  upon  Ids  own  Length,  is 
to  make  him  go  round  in  two  treads, 
as  a  walk  or  trot,  upon  a  spot  of  ground 
so  narrow,  that  the  haunches  of  the 
horse  being  in  the  center  of  the  volt, 
his  own  length  is  much  about  the  semi- 
dianieter  of  the  volt,  the  horse  still 
working  between  the  two  heels,  yvithout 
putting  out  ins  croup,  or  going  at  last 
faster  or  slower  than  at  first. 

To  LENGTHEN  out,  in  a  military 
sense,  to  extend,  by  increasing  the  dis- 
tances between  the  files,  Sec. 

To  Lengthen  the  step.    See  Step  out. 

LESE  Majeste,  Fr.  high  treason. 

Li'.se  Nation,  Fr.  treason  against  the 
nation  or  country. 

LESKAR,  the  camp  of  the  Great 
Mogul. 

To  LET  in,  to  admit;  as  he  let  some 
of  the  enemy's  advanced  parties  in,  or 
into  the  cacnp,  &c. 

To  Let  off,  to  discharge. 

To  Let  off  a  pistol  or  musket,  to  fire 
either  of  those  fire  arms. 

LETTER,  in  its  general  acceptation,  a 
character  such  as  forms  the  alphabet ;  or 
anything  written,  such  as  an  epistle,  &c. 

Lett  eh  of  mark,      }  a  letter  granted 

Letter  of  marque,   S  to   one  of   the 
king's  subjects  under  the  privy  seal,  em- 
powering him  to  make  reprisals  for  what 
3  12 


L  E  T 


(     428     ) 


L  E  T 


u,,>  formerly  taken  from  him  by  the 
subjects  of  another  state,  contrary  to  the 
law  of  mart.     See  M  \:;«.u  i 

Letter  of  mark,  a  commission  grant- 
ed by  the  lords  of  the  admiralty,  or  bj 
the  vice-admiral  ofanj  distant  province, 
t<>  the  commander  of  a  merchant  ship. 
or  privateer,  to  cruize  against,  and  make 
prizes  of  the  enemy's  ships  .  ad  vessels, 
either  at  sea,  or  in  their  harbours. 

Letter  of  service,  a  written  order 
or  authority  issued  In  the  secretary  at 
war,  empowering  any  officer  or  indivi- 
dual to  raise  a  certain  body  of  men  to 
serve  as  soldiers,  within  a  given  time, 
and  on  special  conditions. 

Letter  of  attorney,  an  instrument  in 
writing,  authorizing  an  attorney,  or  any 
confidential  person,  to  take  the  affairs  of 
another  in  trust.  A  letter  or  power  of 
attorney  is  necessary  to  empower  a  per- 
son to  receive  the  half-pay  of  an  officer. 
'i  Ins  paper  did  cost  six  shillings,  hut  now 
fifteen,  and  must  be  accompanied  bj  a 
certificate  sworn  to  by  the  halt-pay  offi- 
cer before  some  magistrate  or  justice  of 
the  peace. 

Letter  of  credit,  a  letter  which  is 
given  from  one  merchant  or  banker  to 
another,  in  favour  of  a  third  person, 
enabling  the  latter  to  take  up  money  to 
a  certain  amount.  Sometimes  a  letter 
oi'  credit  is  given  without  any  specific 
limitation. . 

Letter  of  licence,  a  deed  signed  and 
i!  by  the  creditors  of  a  man,  by 
which  he  is  allowed  a  given  period  to 
enable  him  to  discharge  his  debts  by  in- 
stalments or  by  a  certain  proportion  in 
the  pound. 

Military  Letter  or  dispatch.  A  let- 
ter of  this  description  should  be  clear, 
and  as  brief  as  possible;  containing  in 
a  few  words  all  that  is  necessary  to  he 
known,  without  endangering  the  object 
of  its  communication,  through  a  want  of 
sufficient  explanation.  We  have  a  re- 
markable instance  in  history  of  this  spe- 
cies of  writing.  When  Spinola,  who  was 
originally  a  Genoese  merchant,  appear- 
ed unwilling  to  undertake  the  siege  of 
Breda,  the  king  of  Spain's  laconic  letter 
determined  him. 
Marquis, 

Take  Breda. 

I  the  King. 

Spinola  did  so:  and,  in  recompense 
for  that,  and  other  brilliant  services,  he 
was  afterwards  abandoned  by  his  mas- 
ter, and  died  of  a  broken  heart. 


We  also  find,  in  the  history  of  Cus- 
tavus  Adolphus,  two  other  instance  -  "i 
the  same  laconic  style. 

General  Kniphausen,  being  anxious- to 
preserve  the  pass  and  fortress  of  Schei- 
felbein,  wrote  to  lieutenant  -  colonel 
Monro,  who  commanded  the  garrison, 
a  short  billet  to  this  effect  :  Maintain 
the  town  as  long  as  you  can,  but  give  not 
up  the  castle  whilst  a  single  man  continues 
with  you. 

This  place,  observes  the  historian, 
was  not  defensible  for  a  longer  time 
than  twenty-four  hours  ;  yet  Monro, 
having  the  possession  of  it  three  days 
before  MonteCUCttli's  arrival,  made  B 
good  appearance  of  resistance  ;  and 
when  the  imperial  general  had  ranged 
his  army  round  the  walls,  in  order  to 
give  one  united  assault,  and  sent  a  trum- 
peter to  propose  a  treaty,  the  brave  Scot 
replied,  with  great  plainness,  thai  the 
word  treaty,  by  some  chance,  had  hap- 
pened to  be  omitted  in  his  instructions,  and 
that  he  had  only  ponder  and  ball  at  the 
count  de  Montecuculi's  service.  Upon 
this,  orders  were  given  to  commence  a 
general  storm  ;  but  the  Scottish  troops 
behaved  to  admiration;  and  having  laid 
the  town  in  ashes,  retired  with  great  re- 
gularity into  the  castle.  The  Impe- 
rialists, perceiving  the  governor  to  be  a 
man  of  resolution,  broke  up  their  en- 
campment, and  quitted  the  siege.  II. 
G.  Ad.  page  217. 

Letter  of  instruction,  (depiche,  Fr.) 
this  is  sometimes  called  a  Military  It  tl>  r 
or  dispatch.  Commanders  in  the  British 
service  labour  under  peculiar  difficulties 
with  respect  to  this  article.  So  little 
discretionary  power  is  vested  in  them 
when  they  are  on  foreign  stations,  that 
the  most  important  objects  are  some- 
times neglected,  or  lost,  from  the  dread 
of  personal,  or  direct,  responsibility. 

Circular  Letters,  (Icttres  circulairet, 
Fr.)  documents  (which,  in  official  lan- 
guage, and  for  the  sake  of  abbreviation, 
are  generally  called  circulars)  that  are 
sent  to  several  persons  upon  the  same 
subject. 

Letter-w/ch,  certain  pensioners  be- 
longing to  Chelsea  1  tospital  are  so  called. 

LETTON,  Fr.  a  metal  composed  of 

molten  copper,  called  rosette,  and  of 
lapis  ca/aniiii'iris,  a  yellow  mineral,  of 
which  quantities  may  be  found  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Liege. 

Lettoh  is  used  in  cannon-foundries. 
The  best  practical  mode  of  digesting  and  # 


LEV 

mixing  the  materials,  is  to  put  11  or 
12,000  weight  of  metal,  10,000  weight  of 
rosette,  or  molten  copper,  900  pounds  of 
tin,  and  600  pounds  of  letton.  There 
are  various  opinions  respecting  the  mix- 
ture of  these  several  ingredients. 

LETTRE  de  cachef,  Fr.  an  infamous 
state  paper,  which  existed  before  the 
French  revolution,  differing  in  this  es- 
sential point  from  an  order  of  our  privy 
council,  that  the  former  was  sealed,  and 
the  person  upon  whom  it  was  served, 
carried  into  confinement,  without  even 
seeing  the  authority  by  which  he  was 
hurried  off  in  so  peremptory  a  manner, 
or  being  tried  afterwards  for  any  spe- 
cific offence ;  whereas  the  latter  is  an 
open  warrant,  which  (except  when  pe- 
culiar circumstances  occasion  a  suspen- 
sion of  the  Habeas  Corpus  act)  has  its 
object  closely  investigated  before  an 
English  jurv.  The  French  iettre  de  cachet 
was  written  by  the  king,  countersigned 
by  one  of  his  principal  secretaries  of 
state,  and  sealed  with  the  royal  signet, 

Lettre  de  service,  Fr.  See  Letter 
of'  service. 

Lettre  de  passe,  Fr.  a  paper  signed 
by  the  kings  of  France,  authorizing  an 
officer  to  exchange  from  one  regiment 
into  another. 

Lettre  de  criancc,  ou  qui  porte  creance, 
Fr.  a  letter  of  credit.  It  likewise  signi- 
fies the  credentials  which  an  ambassador 
presents  from  his  sovereign  to  a  foreign 
court. 

Letth.es  en chifre,T?r.  cyphers.  Baron 
Espagnac  in  the  continuation  of  his 
Essai  sur  V Operation  de  la  Guerre,tom.  i, 
page  2(39,  gives  the  several  instructions 
relative  to  this  acquirement. 

Lettres  de  represailles,  Fr.  reprisals. 
See  Letter  of  marque. 

Lettres  de  sante, patentes  de  sante,  Fr. 
letters  of  health. 

Lettres  de  recision,  Fr.  a  writ,  or  pa- 
per, to  render  a  contract  void. 

LEVANT,  the  countries  bordering 
upon  the  Mediterranean  are  so  called. 

LEVANTIN,  Fr.  a  word  generally 
used  among  the  French  to  distinguish 
any  person  from  the  Levant. 

LEVANTINE  nations,  (nations  Le- 
vantines, Fr.)  nations  belonging  to  the 
East,  or  to  those  countries  which  border 
on  the  Mediterranean.  The  French  like- 
wise say,  peuples  Levuutins. 

LEVANTIS,  Fr.  the  soldiers  be- 
longing to  the  Turkish  gallies  are  so 
called. 


(     429     )  LEV 

LEVE,  Fr.  hollow  mallet. 

LEVEE,  Fr.  bank,  causey  or  cause- 
way, mole. 

Levee  des  troupes,  Fr.     See  Levy. 

Levee  en  masse,  Fr.  a  general  rising 
of  the  people  of  any  country,  either  for 
the  purposes  of  self-defence,  or  to  answer 
the  intentions  of  its  governing  powers. 

Levee  (Tune  siege,  Fr.  the  raising  of 
a  siege.     See  Siege. 

Levee,  Fr.  the  concourse  of  those 
who  crowd  round  a- man  of  power  in  a 
morning,  or  at  noon.  Hence  Military 
Levee. 

LEVEL,  an  instrument  to  draw  a  line 
parallel  to  the  horizon,  whereby  the  dif- 
ference of  ascent-or  descent  between  se- 
veral places  may  be  found,  for  convey- 
ing water,  draining  fens,  &c. 

^V-Level,  that  which  shews  the  line 
of  level  by  means  of  a  bubble  of  air,  in- 
closed with  some  liquor  in  a  glass  tube 
of  an  indeterminate  length  and  thickness, 
whose  two  ends  are  hermetically  sealed. 
When  the  bubble  fixes  itself  at  a  certain 
mark,  made  exactly  in  the  center  of  the 
tube,  the  plane  or  ruler  wherein  it  is 
fixed  is  level :  when  it  is  not  level,  the 
bubble  will  rise  to  one  end.  This  glass 
tube  may  be  set  in  another  of  brass, 
having  an  aperture  in  the  middle,  whence 
the  bubble  of  air  may  be  observed. 
There  is  one  of  these  instruments  with 
sights,  being  an  improvement  upon  the 
last-described,  which,  by  the  addition  of 
more  apparatus,  becomes  more  commo- 
dious and  exact :  it  consists  of  an  air- 
level  about  8  inches  long,  and  7  or  3 
lines  in  diameter,  set  in  a  brass  tube, 
with  an  aperture  in  the  middle :  the 
tubes  are  carried  in  a  strong  straight, 
ruler,  a  foot  long,  at  whose  ends  are 
fixed  two  sights,  exactly  perpendicular 
to  the  tubes,  and  of  an  equal  height, 
having  a  square  hole,  formed  by  two  fil- 
let%of  brass,  crossing  each  other  at  right 
angles,  in  the  middle  whereof  is  drilled 
a  very  little  hole,  through  which  a  point, 
on  a  level  with  the  instrument,  is  de- 
scribed :  the  brass  tube  is  fastened  on 
the  ruler  by  means  of  two  screws,  one 
whereof  serves  to  raise  or  depress  the 
tube  at  pleasure,  for  bringing  it  towards 
a  level,  The  top  of  the  ball  and  socket 
is  riveted  to  a  little  ruler  that  springs, 
one  end  whereof  is  fastened  with  screws 
to  the  great  ruler,  and  at  the  other  end 
is  a  screw,  serving  to  raise  and  depress 
the  instrument  when  nearly  level. 

Artillery  jbol-Lv:VT.L  is  in  form  of  a 


LEV 


(     480     ) 


L  E  V 


square,  having  its  two  branched  Of  legs 
oi  ui  equal  Length,  at  the  angle  of  which 
is  a  small  hole,  whence  hang  a  line  and 
plummet,  playing  on  a  perpendicular  line 

in  the  middle  of  a  quadrant :  it  is  divided 
into  twice  45  degrees  from  the  middle. 
Gtmjwr'a-LEVEL,  for  levelling  pieces 

of  artillery,  consists  of  a  triangular  brass 
plate,  about  -1  inches,  at  the  bottom  of 
which  is  a  portion  of  a  circle  divided  into 
4i>  degrees  ;  which  angle  is  sufficient  for 
the  highest  elevations  of  cannons,  mor- 
tars, and  howitzers,  and  for  giving  shot 
and  shells  the  greatest  range  :  on  the 
center  of  this  segment  of  a  circle  is 
screwed  a  piece  of  brass,  by  means  of 
which  it  may  be  fixed  or  screwed  at 
pleasure  ;  the  end  of  this  piece  of  brass 
is  made  so  as  to  serve  for  a  plummet 
and  index,  in  order  to  shew  the  different 
degrees  of  elevation  of  pieces  of  artille- 
ry. This  Instrument  has  also  a  brass 
foot,  to  set  upon  cannon  or  mortars,  so 
that  when  these  pieces  are  horizontal,  the 
instrument  will  be  perpendicular.  The 
foot  of  this  instrument  is  to  be  placed 
on  the  piece  to  be  elevated,  in  such  a 
manner,  as  that  the  point  of  the  plum- 
met may  fall  on  the  proper  degree, &c. 

The  most  curious  instrument,  for  the 
use  of  the  artillerist,  has  been  invented 
by  the  late  General  Sir  William  Con- 
greve,  of  the  royal  artillery  ;  having  the 
following  qualifications,  viz.  1.  It  will 
find  the  inclination  of  any  plane,  whether 
above  or  below  the  horizon.  2.  Bv  ap- 
plying it  either  to  the  cylinder,  or  out- 
side of  any  piece  of  ordnance,  angles  of 
elevation  or  depression  may  be  given  to 
the  60th  part,  of  a  degree,  with  less 
trouble  than  the  common  gunner's  qua- 
drant, which  only  gives  to  the  1th  part 
of  a  degree.  3.  It  will  give  the  line  of 
direction  for  laying  either  guns  or  mor- 
tars to  an  object  above  or  below  the 
horizon.  4.  It  will  find  the  center  of 
metals  of  any  piece  of  ordnance.  5. 
W  ith  it,  a  point  may  be  found  in  the 
rear  of  a  mortar-bed,  in  the  vertical 
plane  of  the  mortar's  axis;  consequently 
a  longer  line  of  sight  is  given  for  direct- 
ing them  to  the  object  than  the  usual 
way.  6.  It  answers  all  the  purposes  of 
a  pair  of  calipers,  with  the  advantage  of 
knowing  (to  the  100th  part  of  an  inch) 
diameters,  whether  concave  or  con- 
vex, without  the  trouble  of  laying  the 
claws  upon  a  diagonal  scale.  7.  On  the 
sides  of  the  instrument  are  the  following 


lines,    via    equal    parts,    solids,    pi; 
and  polygons,  logarithms,  tangents,  ver- 
sed sines,  sines  and   numbers,  plotting 
scales,  and  diagonal  scabs  of  inches  for 

cutting  fuses  by.  8.  In  the  lid  of  the 
instrument-case  is  a  pendulum  to  vibrate 
half  seconds.  It  is  likewise  of  singular 
use  in  surveying:  as,  1.  It  takes  hori- 
zontal angles  to  the  60th  part  of  a  de- 
gree. 2.  Vertical  angles.  ;>.  Levels. 
l.  Solves  right-angled  plane  triangles. 
.").  Oblique-angled  plane  triangles.  6. 
.Answers  all  the  purposes  of  a  protractor, 
with  the  advantage  of  laying  down  angles 
exactly  as  taken  in  the  held.  iV .  13. 
Captain  Jordane's  ingenious  instrument 
answers  nearly  the  same  purposes. 

S/mViV-Level.     See  ^>-Level. 

By  the  term  level  is  also  to  be  under- 
stood the  line  of  direction  in  which  any 
missive  weapon  is  aimed. 

Level,  an  instrument  whereby  ma- 
sons adjust   their  Work. 

LE\  ELLER,  (niveleur^  Ft.)  a  term 
not  known  in  military  phraseology,  as 
far  as  it  relates  to  rank  and  situation. 
In  a  general  acceptation,  one  who  de- 
stroys superiority  ;  one  who  endeavours 
to  bring  all  to  the  same  state  of  equality; 
a  fool  or  a  madman.     See  Levelling 

Si  51  EM. 

LEVELLING,  the  finding  a  line  pa- 
rallel to  the  horizon  at  one  or  more  sta- 
tions, and  so  to  determine  the  height  of 
one  place  in  regard  to  another. 

Levelling  starts,  instruments  used 
in  levelling,  that  cany  the  marks  to  be 
observed,  and  at  the  same  time  measure 
the  heights  of  those  marks  from  the 
ground.  These  usually  consist  of  two 
wooden  square  rulers  that  slide  over  one 
another,  and  are  divided  into  feet, inches, 
&c. 

Levelling  has  two  distinct  applica- 
tions in  the  art  of  war  ;  in  tin  one  case, 
it  implies  the  reduction  of  an  uneven 
surface  to  that  of  a  plane,  so  that  the 
works  of  a  fortification  may  be  oi  a  cor- 
respondent height  or  figure  throughout. 
The  other  is  the  art  of  conveying  water 
from  one  place  to  another  ;  in  this  pro- 
cess, it  is  found  necessary  to  make  an 
allowance  between  the  true  and  appa- 
rent level,  or  in  other  words,  for  the 
figure  of  the  earth,  for  the  true  level  is 
not  a  straight  line,  but  a  curve  which 
falls  below  the  straight  line  about  8 
inches  in  a  mile,  4  times  8  in  two  miles, 
9  time  8  in  5  miles,  16  times  8  in  4 


LEV 


(     431     ) 


L  I  A 


miles,  always  increasing  with  the  square 
of  the  distance. 

Levelling  system,  (systtme  des  nive- 
leurs,  Fr.)  a  term  which  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  French  revolution  has 
been  grossly  misinterpreted,  and  cannot 
be  found  in  any  civilized  country  to 
answer  any  other  purpose  than  that  of 
delusion ;  such  was  the  proposed  agra- 
rian system  of  the  Romans ;  and  sucli 
the  absurd  suggestion  of  the  sanguinary 
Marat  in  the  height  of  the  French 
mania. 

LEVER,  a  balance  which  rests  upon 
a  certain  determinate  point,  called  a  ful- 
crum. 

Levek,  in  mechanics,  a  line,  rod, 
or  beam,  moveable  about,  or  upon,  a 
hxed  point  called  the  prop  or  fulcrum, 
upon  one  end  of  which  is  the  weight  to 
be  raised,  at  the  other  end  is  the  power, 
applied  to  raise  it ;  as  the  hand,  &c. 

Since  the  momentum  of  the  weight 
and  power  are  as  the  quantities  of  mat- 
ter in  each,  multiplied  by  their  respec- 
tive celerities ;  and  the  celerities  are  as 
the  distances  from  the  center  of  motion, 
and  also  as  the  spaces  passed  through 
in  a  perpendicular  direction  in  the  same 
time,  it  must  follow  that  there  will  be 
airequilibrium  between  the  weight  and 
power,  when  they  are  to  each  other  re- 
ciprocally as  the  distances  from  the  cen- 
ter,—or  as  the  celerities  of  the  motions, 
or  as  the  perpendicular  ascent  or  descent 
in  the  same  time  ;  and  this  universally 
in  all  mechanical  powers  whatsoever, 
and  which  is  therefore  the  fundamental 
principle  of  all  mechanics.  According 
to  N.  Bailey,  vol.  II.,  the  lever  is  one  of 
the  six  powers  ;  the  lever,  differs  from  the 
common  balance  in  this,  that  the  center 
of  motion  is  in  the  middle  of  a  common 
balance  ;  but  may  be  any  where  in  the 
lever.  Dr.  Johnson  calls  it  the  second 
mechanical  power,  used  to  elevate  or 
raise  a  great  weight.  Belidor  in  his 
Dictionnaire  de  I'Tagaiieur  distinguishes 
the  word  levier  by  saying — Levier  de  la 
premiere  esp'ece,  Levier  de  la  seconde  es- 
pece,  and  Levier  de  la  troisieme  espe.ce. 
See  Levier  and  Mechanical  Powers. 

LEVET,  a  lesson  on  the  trumpet. 

LEVEL  R,  Fr.  a  tax-gatherer. 

LEVIER,  Fr.  lever.  As  the  French 
writers  have  been  more  explicit  on  this 
head  than  any  of  our  lexicographers,  we 
shall  extract  the  following  passages  as 
conducive  to  general  information. — The 
levier  or  lever  is  an  instrument  made  of 


wood  or  iron,  by  means  of  which  the 
heaviest  weights  may  be  raised  with  few 
hands.  When  the  lever  is  made  of  iron, 
it  is  called  pince  or  crow.  The  lever 
may  be  considered  as  the  first  of  all  ma- 
chines. Wheels,  pullies,  capstans,  &c. 
act  only  by  the  power  it  possesses.  The 
lever  must  be  looked  upon  as  a  straight 
line,  which  has  three  principal  points; 
namely,  the  one  on  which  the  load  is 
placed,  and  which  is  to  be  raised;  the 
appui,  or  rest,  which  is  the  center  round 
which  it  turns,  and  which  the  French 
mechanics  call  orgueil;  and  lastly,  the 
human  arm,  which  is  the  power  that  puts 
the  lever  into  motion.  The  different 
arrangements  or  dispositions  which  are 
given  to  these  three  points,  or  rather 
the  unequal  distances  at  which  they  are 
placed,  occasion  the  force  that  is  col- 
lectively displayed. 

Levier,  Fr.  in  artillery,  a  wedge. 

Levier  de  pointage,  Fr.  a  wedge  to 
assist  in  pointing  pieces  of  ordnance. 

Levier  de  support,  Fr.  a  wedge  bv 
which  cannon  is  raised  to  a  certain  line 
of  direction. 

To  LEVY,  has  three  distinct  military 
acceptations,  as  to  levy  or  raise  an  army; 
to  levy  or  make  war;  and,  to  levy  con- 
tributions. 

LEVY.  The  levying  or  raising  troops, 
by  enregistering  the  names  of  men  capa- 
ble of  bearing  arms  for  the  common  de- 
fence and  safety  of  a  country,  has  from 
time  immemorial  been  a  leading  princi- 
ple among  men. 

There  are  indeed  some  people  still  ex- 
isting, who  indiscriminately  go  to  war; 
leaving  for  the  immediate  security  of 
their  huts,  or  habitations,  only  their  old 
men,  their  wives  and  children. 

Among  the  Romans,  however,  and  in 
some  other  civilized  countries,  it  was  a 
prevailing  maxim  never  to  employ  ahove 
a  certain  proportion  of  matured  popu- 
lation, and  that  proportion  consisted 
uniformly  of  men  who  were  expert  at 
arms.  National  assemblies  were  called 
together,  whenever  the  situation  of  the 
country  required  that  the  senate's  de- 
cree should  be  published  and  put  into 
effect. 

Levy  likewise  means  inlisting  money, 
as  levy-monev. 

LEZARDES,  Fr.  chinks  or  crevices 
in  walls ;  occasioned  generally  by  the 
foundation  giving  way. 

LIAIS,  Fr.  very  hard  free-stone. 

LIAISON,  Fr.'m  building,   the  bind- 


L  I  B 


(     432     ) 


L  I  C 


ing  or  connecting  stones  or  bricks  to- 
gether so  as  to  keep  them  firm  and 
solid. 

Liaison  a  sec,  Fr.  stones,  generally 
of  a  large  size,  placed  upon  one  another 
without  cement  or  mortar,  as  in  ancient 
buildings,  &c. 

Liaison  de  joint,  Fr.  the  cement,  or 
adhesion  which  is  made  with  mortar, 
for  the  purpose  of  binding  stones  or 
bricks  together. 

LIA1S0NNER,FV.  to  bind  or  fasten 
stones  together. 

A  LIAR,  the  most  mischievous  and, 
when  known,  the  most  contemptible 
reptile  that  crawls  upon  the  earth.  A 
creature  that  will  say  and  unsay  ;  that 
will  impugn  the  truth  ;  and  assert  any 
thing  which  his  interest  may  direct,  or 
his  policy  suggest.  A  thing,  in  short, 
with  which  no  military  character  can 
accord,  and  to  which  may  be  applied 
the  following  adage  : — You  may  shut 
your  door  against  a  thief,  but  you  cannot 
u.gainst  a  liar. 

Liar,  (on  ship  board,)  he  who  is  first 
caught  in  a  lie  on  a  Monday  morning, 
who  is  proclaimed  at  the  main-mast, 
liar,  liar,  liar  ;  whose  punishment  is  to 
serve  the  under-swabber  for  a  week,  to 
keep  clean  the  beak-heads  and  chains. 
Something  of  this  sort  should  be  adopted 
in  the  army;  for  it  is  well  known,  that 
deviations  from  the  truth,  too  frequently 
disgrace  the  high  character  of  a  sol- 
dier. 

LIASSE,   Fr.    bundle    of    papers ; 
bundle  string;   such  as  returns,  ike. 

LIBAGE,  Fr.  rough  stones;  shards. 

LIBERTY.     See  Freedom. 

LIBRARY,  regimental,  a  collection  of 
military  books,  charts,  and  plans,  ne- 
cessary to  be  studied  by  every  oliicer 
who  wishes  to  be  acquainted  with  his 
profession.  They  are  placed  in  Ijoncs, 
which  being  set  one  upon  the  other,  in 
a  room  or  tent,  and  having  their  upper 
lid  taken  off,  present  the  appearance  of 
a  book-case,  and  in  a  few  minutes  each 
box  can  be  separated  from  the  other, 
and  the  whole  may  be  stowed  away  with 
the  rest  of  the  baggage.  A  day's  pay 
from  every  oliicer  yearly,  and  a  small 
present  on  every  promotion  is  sufficient 
for  the  establishment,  and  the  junior 
oliicer  in  quarters  might  be  librarian. 
None  but  military  books  should  be  ad- 
mitted, and  the  selection  of  them  should 
be  left  to  those  above  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant. 


A  library  has  been  established  in 
Gibraltar  by  subscription,  and  one  at 
Woolwich  in  J80ti,  when  the  Earl  of 
Moira  was  master-general  of  the  ord- 
nance. 

General  Wolfe,  having  shewn  some 
general  orhcers  how  expert  his  men  wen: 
at  a  new  mode  of  attacking  and  retreat- 
ing upon  hills,  stepped  up  to  one  of  them, 
and  asked  him  what  he  thought  of  it?  I 
think,  said  he,  I  see  something  here  of 
the  history  of  the  Carduchi,  who  ha- 
rassed Xenophon,  and  hung  upon  his 
rear  in  his  retreat  over  the  mountains. 
You  are  right,  said  Wolfe,  I  hud  it 
thence  :  but  our  friends  here  art  sur- 
prized at  what  I  have  shewn  them,  be- 
cause they  have  read  nothing. 

LICE,  Fr.  lists  for  combats. 

LICENCE,  a  grant  of  permission  ; 
liberty;   permission. 

Wine  Licence,  a  licence  granted  to 
publicans  in  Gibraltar,  the  emoluments 
of  which  were  formerly  given  to  the  go- 
vernor; but  are  now  carried  to  the  cre- 
dit of  government. 

LICENCIEMENT  des  troupes,  Fr. 
an  order  to  go  into  winter  quarters.  At 
the  end  of  a  campaign  this  generally  hap- 
pened in  France,  when  troops  could  not 
any  longer  keep  the  field  owing  to  the 
severity  of  the  weather.  In  former  times 
it  was  usual,  during  the  continuance  of 
a  war,  for  the  French  army  to  retire 
into  winter  quarters,  about  the  latter 
end  of  October.  But  since  the  revolu- 
tion, hostilities  have  been  carried  on  at 
all  seasons,  and  under  the  most  dis- 
heartening pressure  of  the  atmosphere. 

Licenciement  des  equipages  desvivrrs, 
Fr.  It  was  usual  in  the  old  French 
army,  for  an  order  to  be  issued  by  which 
the  contractors  and  commissaries  for 
the  time  l\eing  were  discharged  at  the 
close  of  a  campaign.  The  director  ge- 
neral of  the  stores  always  preserved  this 
order, as  it  formed  the  only  final  voucher, 
upon  which  the  contractors  could  re- 
ceive any  demand  against  government. 
The  greatest  attention  was  paid  to  this 
important  branch  of  military  economv  ; 
and  if,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  campaign, 
it  was  found  necessary  to  retain  any  part 
of  the  establishment  for  the  immediate 
subsistence  of  the  troops  in  u  inter  quar- 
ters, that  part  was  minutely  noticed  in 
the  order. 

LICENCIER,  Fr.  to  discharge. 

LICOC,  Fr.  a  halter,  with  which 
horses  and  other  animals  are  fastened  to 


L  I  E 


(     438     ) 


LIE 


-any  thing;  and  by  which  men  are  hanged 
according  to  law. 

LIDE,  Fr.  a  warlike  machine,  which 
was  formerly  used  to  throw  large  stones 
against  a  fortified  place,  or  upon  an 
enemy. 

LIE,  La  Lie  du  peuple,  Fr.  See 
Dregs. 

To  LIE,  in  a  military  acceptation  of 
the  term,  to  be  in  quarters,  in  canton- 
ments, or  to  be  in  camp :  the  29th  re- 
giment of  foot,  for  instance,  lies  en- 
camped between  Richmond  and  Wind- 
sor ;  or  it  lies  at  Windsor.  The  light 
dragoons  lie  along  the  coast. 

To  Lie  in  ambush,  to  be  posted  in 
6uch  a  manner  as  to  be  able  to  surprize 
your  enemy,  should  he  presume  to  ad- 
vance, without  having  previously  cleared 
the  woods,  hedges,  &c. 

To  Lie  under  cover,  to  be  under  the 
protection  of  a  battery,  or  to  be  shel- 
tered by  a  wood,  &c. 

To  Lie  in  wait,  to  take  a  position  un- 
observed by  the  enemy,  and  to  remain 
under  arms,  in  expectation  of  suddenly 
falling  upon  his  flanks  or  rear. 

To  Lie  on  their  arms,  (coucher  sous 
urmes,  Fr.)  a  term  used  to  express  the 
situation  of  a  body  of  armed  men,  who 
remain  prepared  for  action  at  all  sea- 
sons. 

To  give  the  Lie.     See  Dementi,  Fr. 

LIEGE,  Fr.  cork. 

Liege,  bound  by  some  feudal  tenure; 
whence  Liege-man,  or  subject;  it  also 
signifies  Sovereign,  in  which  sense  it  is 
called  Liege  Lord. 

LIEN,  Fr.  a  piece  of  wood  which  is 
used  in  the  timber-work  of  a  roof. 

Lien  defer,  Fr.  a  bar  of  iron, curved 
or  otherwise,  by  which  pieces  of  wood 
are  bound  together. 

LI  ERNES  de  palee,  Fr.  flat  pieces  of 
wood  which  are  fastened  to  the  piles  of 
a  wooden  bridge  with  iron  pins. 

Liernes,  Fr.  slits,  interlaces,  or  in- 
tertoises  of  timber. 

In  LIEU,  in  the  room,  place,  or 
stead  of. 

Lieu  has  various  significations  in  the 
French  language,  viz. 

Lieu,  Fr.  place ;  quarter.  It  also 
signifies  matter  of  immediate  considera- 
tion ;  as,  prendre  une  chose  en  premier 
lieu. 

LIEUE,  Fr.     See  League. 

LIEUTENANCY,  (lieutenance,Yr.) 
the  post,  station,  &c.  of  a  lieutenant. 

LIEUTENANT.    This  word  is  ori- 


ginally derived  from  the  Latin  legatus, 
locum  tenens,  and  comes  immediately 
to  us  from  the  French  lieu-tenant,  sup- 
plying or  holding  the  place  of  another. 
In  a  military  sense  it  means  the  second 
person  or  officer  in  command :  as  lord 
lieutenant,  one  who  represents  the  per- 
son of  the  prince,  or  others  in  autho- 
rity ;  lieutenant-general,  the  next  in 
command  to  a  general;  lieutenant-colo- 
nel, the  next  to  a  colonel ;  captain-lieu- 
tenant, an  intermediate  rank ;  and  lieu- 
tenant the  next  to  a  captain,  in  every 
company  of  both  foot  and  horse,  and 
who  rakes  the  command  upon  the  death 
or  absence  of  the  superior  officer.  Fu- 
zileer  corps,  grenadiers,  and  light  infan- 
try, have  second  lieutenants  and  no  en- 
signs. 

Lieutenant,  (Lieutenant,  Fr.)  a  de- 
puty, one  who  acts  under  the  authority 
of  another. 

Lieutenant  of'  Engineers.  See  En- 
gineers. 

LiEUTENANT-Co/oneZ.    See  Colonel. 

LiEUTENANT-Genmi/.  See  Gene- 
ral. 

Lieutenant  du  Hoi,  Fr.  During 
the  old  monarchy  in  France  there  was  a 
deputy  governor  in  every  fortified  place, 
or  strong  town,  who  commanded  in  the 
absence  of  the  governor,  and  was  a 
check  upon  his  conduct  when  present. 
This  person  was  called  Lieutenant  du 
Roi. 

Lieutenant  reduced,  (Lieutenant 
reformi,  Fr. )  he  whose  company  or 
troop  is  broke  or  disbanded,  but  who 
continues  on  full  or  half  pay,  and  still 
preserves  the  right  of  seniority  and  rank 
in  the  army. 

Lieutenant  de  la  colonelle,  Fr.  the 
second  officer  (or  what  we  formerly  styled 
the  captain  lieutenant  of  the  colonel's 
company)  of  every  infantry  regiment 
was  so  called  in  France. 

Lieutenans  des  Gardes  Francoises  et 
Suisses,  Fr.  lieutenants  belonging  to  the 
French  and  Swiss  guards.  During  the 
old  monarchy  in  France  they  bore  the 
rank'  of  lieutenant-colonel,  and  took 
precedence  of  all  captains. 

Lieutenans  provinciaux  d'artillerie^ 
Fr.  were  certain  officers  belonging  to 
the  old  French  service,  and  immediately 
attached  to  the  artillery,  who  bore  the 
title  or  name  of  the  particular  province 
in  which  they  were  stationed. 

Lieutenant  General,  Fr.     The  title 
and  rank  of  lieutenant  general  were  of  a 
3K 


L  I  G 


(     484     ) 


L  I  0 


less  con  finer!  nature  in  Franco  under  the 
old  government  of  that  country  than  it 
is  with  ns.  High  officers  of  justice  were 
distinguished  by  the  name  ;  and  all  go- 
vernors of  provinces,  as  far  as  their  ju- 
risdiction extended,  together  with  the 
persons  who  acted  under  them,  were  cal- 
led Heutenans-giniraux.  There  were 
likewise  persons  who  bore  the  titlt  of 
lieutenant-general  of  the  kingdom  at 
large. 

hizvTEXAWT-Giniral  d'artillerie,  Fr. 
Lieutenant-general  of  the  Ordnana  . 

LlEUTENANT-Gt'Hl /'«/   (l(S    aimers  7111- 

vales  du  Roi,  Fr.  an  officer  in  the  old  j 
French  service,  belonging  to  the  naval 
department.     He  took  rank  of  all  chefs 
d'escadre,  or  commodores,   and   issued 
orders  through  them  to  inferior  officers. 

Lieutenants  of  counties.  See  Lord- 
Lieutenants. 

LIFE-GUARDS.— See  Guards. 

LIGK  hommc,  Fr.  a  person  on  whom 
the  lord  of  the  manor  had  more  ascen- 
dancy than  over  a  common  vassal.  See 
Liege. 

LIGHT-BELLIED,  (spoken  of  a 
horse,)  is  one  that  has  flat,  narrow,  and 
contracted  sides,  which  make  his  Hank 
turn  up,  like  that  of  a  grey-hound. 

LIGHT  BOBS,  a  familiar  term  used 
.    for  the  light  infantry. 

LIGHT  HORSE.  All  mounted  sol- 
diers, that  are  lightly  armed  and  ac- 
coutred for  active  and  desultory  service, 
may  be  considered  under  this  term. 
Thus  light  dragoons,  fencible  cavalry, 
mounted  yeomanry,  &c.  are,  strictly 
speaking,  light-horse. 

The  Gity  Light-horse  is  a  particular 
body  of  men,  consisting  chiefly  of  rich 
merchants  belonging  to  the  city,  who 
first  formed  themselves  into  a  corps  in 
1770.  Great  attention  was  paid,  during 
the  late  wrar,  to  the  discipline  of  these 
gentlemen.  They  were  frequently  ho- 
noured with  his  Majesty's  presence;  and 
if  their  capability  of  service  be  viewed 
through  the  influence  they  possess  from 
immense  wealth  and  credit,  aided  by  an 
esprit  de  corps,  which  makes  them  sacri- 
fice private  convenience  for  public  duty, 
the  city  light-horse  must  be  allowed  no 
inconsiderable  weifebt  in  the  scale  of  me- 
tropoiitan  defence.  Thev  are  now  called 
the  Light-horse  Volunteers.  Colonel 
lien  ies,  who  has  commanded  them  many 
years,  has  received  a  pension  for  his  assi- 
duitv  and  zeal. 

LIGHT    INFANTRY,    a    body    of 


active,  strong  men,  selected  from  the 
aggregate  of  battalion  companies,  and 
made  up  of  the:  most  promising  recruits 
that  arc  occasionally  enlisted.  Too 
much  attention  cannot,  be  given  to  the 
organization  of  light  troops  on  foot. 
They  are  very  properly  called  the  eyes 
of  an  army,  and  ought  always  to  be  Con- 
sidered as  indispensably  necessary.    See 

\  oil  M.I.URS. 

LIGHT  TROOPS,  (troupe*  ligtres, 

Fr.)  By  light  troops  are  generally  meant 
all  horse  and  foot  which  are  accoutred 
for  detached  service. 

To  LIGHTEN  a  ship,  (alliger  un 
Tiiisscan,  Fr.)  to  take  out  any  part  of  its 
cargo,  or  to  diminish  its  ballast.  This  is 
frequently  done,  when  ordnance,  troops, 
or  horses  are  embarked. 

To  Lighten  a  horse,  in  horseman- 
ship, is  to  make  a  horse  light  in  the  fore 
hand,  i.e.  to  make  him  freer  and  lighter 
in  the  fore  band  than  behind.  This  is 
usually  done  by  throwing  him  on  his 
haunches,  and  by  a  proper  management 
of  the  bit. 

EIGNE,  Fr.  See  Line,  also  Forti- 
fication. 

Eigne  d'eau,  Fr..  a  term  used  in 
aquatics.  It  is  the  hundred  and  for- 
tieth portion  of  an  inch  of  water,  and 
furnishes  or  supplies  one  hundred  and 
four  pints  of  water,  Paris  measure,  in 
twenty-four  hours. 

Ligne  de  chanvre,  Fr.  the  piece  of 
packthread  which  is  used  by  masons  and 
by  carpenters,  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining the  depth  and  elevation' of  walls, 
and  of  measuring  wood. 

Ligne  de  plomb,  Fr.  a  mason's,  or 
carpenter's  plummet. 

Ligne  de  sonde,  Fr.  the  packthread, 
or  cord  to  which  the  sounding  lead  is 
attached. 

Lignes  en  forme  de  cremaillere,  Fr. 
indented  lines,  or  lines  resembling  the 
teeth  of  a  sate,  or  pot-hook  :  they  are 
connected  with  one  another  like  crotch- 
ets ;  or  united  by  small  flanks  com- 
prising fourteen  or  fifteen  toises  each. 
M.  de  Clairac  has  given  a  particular  ac- 
count of  their  construction  in  his  Jngt- 
nieur  de  Campagne.  The  effect,  ob- 
serves that  writer,  which  is  produced  by 
the  concentrated  lire  that  may  be  poured 
from  these  lines,  is  perhaps  unexampled. 
One  advantage  is  certain,  that  of  being 
able  to  increase  your  efforts  of  defence, 
in  proportion  as  the  enemy  advances; 
since  it  must  be  evideut,  that,  construct- 


L  1  M 


( 


) 


L  I  M 


ed  as  the  flanks  are,  and  enchasing  one 
another,  the  execution  becomes  multi- 
plied in  every  quarter.  It  may  more- 
over be  stated,  among  other  advantages, 
that  as  the  salient  points  are  double  in 
number,  and  are  flanked  within  half  a 
distance  of  musket-shot,  without  stretch- 
ing far  into  the  country,  they  must,  of 
course,  be  less  exposed  to  the  enemy's 
approaches.  From  the  figure  of  these 
lines  the  troops  are  enabled  to  keep  up 
an  uninterrupted  and  regular  direct  fire; 
and  it  is  the  only  construction  from 
which  an  equal  discharge  of  ordnance,  or 
musketry,  may  be  served  in  every  quar- 
ter at  once. 

LIGNEUL,  Fr.  shoe-maker's  thread. 

LILY-/irererf,wliite-livered ;  cowardly. 
Boisterous  and  overbearing  characters 
are  almost  always  of  this  description. 
True  courage,  which  generally  shews 
itself  by  an  open  and  manly  suffusion  of 
the  face,  is  here  replaced  by  sudden 
bursts  of  passion,  that  terminate  in  pale 
quivering  lips,  white  countenance  and 
trembling  limbs  ;  all  symptoms  of  a 
dastardly  mind.  Weoffer  these  remarks 
to  military  men,  because  it  must  be 
obvious,  that  a  complete  ascendancy  over 
the  inward  workings  of  the  mind,  is  the 
only  sure  way  of  succeeding.  The  great- 
est military  characters  have  at  times 
risked  their  reputation  and  station,  by 
intemperate  heat. 

Order  of  the  Lily.     See  Order. 

Faire  le  LIMACON,  Fr.  to  wind, 
twirl,  or  turn  round  about;  this  term  is 
used  to  answer  to  our  forming  the  ring, 
as  the  soldiers  do  when  they  cast  them- 
selves into  a  ring. 

Limacon,  Fr.  a  winding  staircase. 

Limacon,  Fr.     See  Vis  d'Archimede. 

LIMACONNER,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  to  form  into  a  ring,  as  soldiers  do 
when  they  form  circle. 

LIMANDE,  Fr.  in  the  literal  sense 
of  the  word,  signifies  a  hurt  or  bret,  a 
species  of  flat  fish.  Belidor  applies  the 
term  to  any  piece  of  flat  wood. 

LIMBER,  a  two  wheel  carriage  fitted 
up  with  boxes,  to  contain  the  ammuni- 
tion applicable  to  each  nature  of  ord- 
nance, to  accompany  them  in  the  fieid. 
These  limbers  have  a  strong  iron  hook 
in  the  rear,  to  which  the  carriages,  con- 
veying the  guns  or  howitzers,  are  affixed 
when  travelling,  by  means  of  an  eye- 
bolt  at  the  end  of  the  trail  of  the  car- 
riages. The  hooking  or  unhooking  the 
gun,  or  howitzer  carriages,  from  the  lim- 


bers is  called  in  the  artillery  service, 
limbering  up  to  retreat,  or  unlimbering 
for  action. 

To  Limber  up,  to  make  every  thing 
ready  in  a  gun-carriage,  either  for  the 
purpose  of  retreating  or  advancing.  For 
the  manner  in  whioh  this  is  done,  in  the 
exercise  of  a  light  6  pounder  without 
drag-rope-men,  see  Regimental  Com- 
panion, 6th  edition. 

LIMBO,  any  place  of  misery  or  re- 
straint. Thus,  officers  who  undertake 
the  profession  of  arms  from  mere  inte- 
rest or  ostentation,  may  be  said  to  he 
in  limbo,  when  their  services  are  re- 
quired. According  to  the  doctrine  of 
Rome,  limbo  signifies  a  place  between 
heaven  and  purgatory,  to  which  human 
beings  that  have  not  been  baptized  are 
consigned  for  ever. 

LIME,  (chaux,  Fr.)  in  military  ar- 
chitecture, is  made  of  all  kinds  of  stones, 
that  will  calcine  ;  that  which  is  made  of 
the  hardest  stone  is  the  best,  and  the 
worst  of  all  is  that  which  is  made  of 
chalk. 

Different  counties  in  England  pro- 
duce different  kinds  of  lime-stones.  In 
Kent,  abounding  with  chalk  pits,  the 
lime  is  very  bad.  There  are  some  rocks 
near  Portsmouth,  that  make  exceeding 
good  lime.  The  best  lime  in  England 
is  that  made  of  the  marble  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Plymouth.  Before  the 
stones  are  thrown  into  the  kiln,  they 
are  to  be  broken  into  small  pieces  ; 
otherwise  the  air  contained  in  their  ca- 
vities, being  too  much  expanded  by 
heat,  makes  them  fly  with  so  much  vio- 
lence as  to  damage  the  kilns.  Lime  will 
not  be  sufficiently  burnt  in  less  than  60 
hours.  The  signs  of  well  burnt  lime 
are,  that  its  weight  is  to  that  of  the 
stone  in  a  sequialterate  proportion  ;  that 
it  be  white,  light,  and  sonorous ;  that 
when  slaked,  it  sticks  to  the  sides  of 
the  vessel,  sending  forth  a  copious  thick 
smoke,  and  requires  a  great  deal  of  wa- 
ter to  slake  it. 

In  some  foreign  countries  they  make 
<iood  lime  of  shells  of  fish,  which  dries 
and  hardens  in  a  very  short  time  ;  and 
when  it  is  mixed  with  Dutch  terras,  is 
fit  for  all  kind  of  aquatic  works. 

Lime  should  always  be  burnt  with 
coals,  and  never  with  wood;  the  coals 
being  strongly  impregnated  with  sul- 
phurous particles,  which,  mixed  with 
the  lime,  make  it  more  glutinous,  bee 
Mortar. 
3K2 


L  I  N 


(     436     ) 


L  I  N 


Lime  should  be  frequently  used  in 
barracks,  and  in  prisons,  to  preserve 
cleanliness,  and  to  destroy  vermin. 

Li  ii  e- Water,  a  medicine  made  by 
pouring  water  upon  quick  lime  ;  sup- 
posed to  be  very  efficacious  in  some 
complaints  of  the  stomach. 

LIMIER,  Fr.  a  blood-hound  ;  such  as 
was  used  in  Jamaica  and  St.  Domingo 
to  hunt  the  negroes. 

LIMINARQUE,  Fr.  an  office  of  dis- 
tinction, which  existed  in  the  Roman 
empire.  The  persons  invested  with  it 
were  directed  to  watch  the  frontiers  of 
the  empire,  and  they  commanded  the 
troops  that  were  employed  upon  that 
service. 

LIMITARY,  a  guard  or  superinten- 
dant,  placed  at  the  confines  or  bounda- 
ries of  any  kingdom  or  state. 

LIMITED,  confined  to  time  or 
place. 

Lr mited  Service.    See  Service. 

LIMITROPHE,  Fr.  on  the  borders ; 
adjoining  to. 

LIMITS,  in  a  military  sense,  is  that 
distance  which  a  sentry  is  allowed  on 
his  post,  namely,  50  paces  to  the  right, 
and  as  many  to  the  left;  also  the  space 
which  is  allowed  to  a  prisoner  of  war 
who  is  on  parole. 

LIMON,  Fr.  a  shaft. 

Limon,  Fr.  the  stringboard  of  a  stair- 
oase. 

LIMOSINAGE,  Fr.  rough  walling. 
It  is  also  called  Limosinerie.  Hence 
Limosiner,  to  rough  wall. 

LIMOSINS,  Fr.  plasterers;  also 
masons. 

LINCH-/jm,  in  artillery,  that  which 
passes  through  the  ends  of  the  arms  of 
an  axle-tree,  to  keep  the  wheels  of  trucks 
from  slipping  off  in  travelling. 

Linch-c/om<,  in  artillery,  the  flat 
iron  under  the  end  of  the  arms  of  an 
axle-tree,  to  strengthen  them,  and  to 
diminish  the  friction  of  the  wheels. 

LINCOIR,  Fr.  a  hold-fast,  or  prop, 
used  in  chimnies,  garret  windows,  and 
in  the  roofs  of  houses. 

LlNDEN-T/rf,  the  wood  used  in 
artificial  fireworks,  Sec. 

LINE,  in  geometry,  signifies  length, 
without  any  supposed  breadth  or  depth, 
A  straight  or  right  line  is  the  shortest 
way  from  one  point  to  another.  A 
curved  or  crooked  line  is  that  which  de- 
viates from  the  shot  test  way,  and  em- 
braces a  greater  space  between  one 
point   aud   another.      A  perpendicular 


line  is  a  straight  line,  which  falling  upon 
another  line,  does  not  incline  either  to 
one  side  or  the  other.  Parallel  lines 
are  lines  which  are  at  equal  distances 
from  one  another,  in  such  a  manner, 
that  although  they  may  be  prolonged  ad 
infinitum  they  never  can  meet. 

Euclid's  second  book  treats  mostly  of 
lines,  and  of  the  effects  of  their  being 
divided,  and  again  multiplied  into  one 
another. 

Horizontal  Line,  (ligne  horizontal, 
Fr.)  is  that  which  is  spread  upon  the 
plane  of  the  horizon  ;  such,  for  instance, 
are  those  lines  that  may  be  supposed  to 
form  the  level  surface  of  a  plain. 

Inclined  Line,  (ligne  inclinee,  Fr.)  ii 
that  line  which  leans  or  is  raised  ob- 
liquely upon  the  plane  of  the  horizon, 
and  which  might  resemble  the  sloping  or 
declivity  of  a  hillock. 

Oblique  Line,  (ligne  oblique,  Fr.)  a 
straight  line  which  leans  more  to  one 
side  than  another,  the  instant  it  is 
brought  into  contact  with  any  other 
line. 

Line  tangent,  (ligne  tangente,  Fr.)  a 
straight  line,  which,  without  intersecting 
it,  meets  a  curve  at  one  point,  and  does 
not  enter  it,  but  barelv  touches  it. 

Vertical  Line,  (ligne  verticale,  Fr.)  a 
line  which  is  raised  perpendicularly 
above  or  below  the  horizon.  Of  this 
description  are  all  lines  that  express 
height  or  depth. 

The  Line,  (la  ligne,¥r.)  This  term  is 
frequently  used  to  distinguish  the  regular 
army  of  Great  Britain  from  other  esta- 
blishments of  a  less  military  nature.  All 
numbered  or  marching  regiments  are 
called  the  line.  The  Guards  are  an  excep- 
tion to  this  rule  ;  neither  do  the  marines, 
fencible, militia, volunteer, and  yeomanry 
corps, together  with  the  Life-guards,come 
under  the  term.  It  is,  however,  a  cor- 
ruption and  misapprehension  of  the 
word  amongst  us,  since  the  true  import 
of  line,  in  military  matters,  means  that 
solid  part  of  an  army  which  is  called  the 
main  body,  and  has  a  regular  formation 
from  right  to  left.  Thus  in  the  seven 
year's  war,  when  Prince  Ferdinand  com- 
manded the  allied  army,  the  British 
troop's  under  the  Marquis  of  Gran  by  did 
not  belong  to  the  line,  because  they  were 
always  detached  and  acted  in  front  of 
the  main  body.  Grenadiers  and  light 
infantry,  when  from  their  several  corps, 
cannot  be  called  the  line,  but  the  instant 
they  are  incorporated  they  become  so. 


L  I  N 


(   «t   ) 


LIN 


According  to  this  explanation,  (and  we 
think  it  a  correct  one,)  the  word  is  gene- 
rally misapplied  amongst  us,  as  it  cannot 
strictly  be  used  to  distinguish  any  parti- 
cular establishment  from  another.  The 
French  say,  troupes  de  ligne,  which  term 
corresponds  with  our  expression,  Army 
of  the  Line,  or  Regulars. 

Vaisseau  de  Ligne,  Fr.  line  of  battle 
ship. 

Line,  or  Line  of  battle,  (ligne,  ou  or- 
dre  de  bataille,  Fr.)  is  the  arrangement 
or  disposition  of  an  army  for  battle  :  its 
front  being  extended  along  a  straight 
line  as  far  as  the  ground  will  permit,  in 
order  that  the  several  corps  of  cavalry 
and  infantry  which  compose  it,  may  not 
be  cut  oft*  or  flanked  by  the  enemy. 

The  Ottoman  troops  are  generally 
drawn  up  on  a  curve  line,  or  half-moon, 
for  the  purpose  of  surrounding  their 
enemies  by  superior  numbers.  Euro- 
pean armies  are  generally  drawn  up  in 
three  lines;  the  first  being  named  the 
van,  (avant-garde,  Fr.)  the  second,  main 
body,  (corps  de  batuille,  Fr.)  and  the 
third,  which  is  always  the  weakest,  is 
called  the  reserve,  or  rear-guard,  (corps 
de  reserve  ou  arriere- garde,  Fr.)  Each 
of  these  lines  is  so  drawn  up,  that  the 
wings  or  extremities  are  always  com- 
posed of  some  squadrons  of  horse,  whose 
intervals  are  likewise  supported  by  in- 
fantry platoons.  The  battalions  are 
posted  in  the  center  of  each  line  ;  some- 
times they  are  intermixed  with  squadrons 
of  horse,  when  there  is  a  considerable 
body  of  cavalry  attached  to  the  army. — 
The  space  of  ground,  which  in  each  line 
separates  the  different  corps  from  one 
another,  is  always  equal  in  extent  to  the 
front  that  is  occupied  by  them.  These 
intervals  are  left  in  order  to  facilitate 
their  several  movements,  and  to  enable 
them  to  charge  the  enemy  without  being 
exposed  to  confusion  and  disorder.  It 
must  be  observed,  as  a  general  rule,  that 
the  intervals  or  spaces  which  are  be- 
tween each  battalion  and  squadron  be- 
longing to  the  second  line,  should  inva- 
riably correspond  with  the  ground  that 
is  occupied  by  the  battalions  and  squa- 
drons, which  constitute  the  first  line;  in 
order  that  the  first  line,  on  being  forced 
to  fall  back,  may  find  sufficient  ground 
to  rally  upon,  and  not  endanger  the  dis- 
position of  the  second  line,  by  precipi- 
tately crowding  on  it. 

All  great  bodies  of  troops  are  formed 
in  one  or  more  lines.     Each  line  is  di- 


vided into  right  and  left  wings.  Each 
wing  is  composed  of  one  or  more  divi- 
sions. Each  division  is  composed  of 
one  or  more  brigades.  Each  brigade 
is  formed  of  two,  three,  or  four  batta- 
lions. 

Battalions  are  formed  in  line  at  a  dis- 
tance of  twelve  paces  from  each  other, 
and  this  interval  is  occupied  by  two  can- 
non,which  are  attached  to  each  battalion. 
There  is  no  increased  distance  betwixt 
brigades,  unless  particular  circumstances 
attend  it.  In  exercise,  should  there  be 
no  cannon  betwixt  the  battalions,  the 
interval  may  be  reduced  to  six  paces. 

Line,  how  regulated.  Its  regulating 
body  in  movement  is,  in  general,  the 
battalion  of  that  flank  which  is  nearest 
to,  and  is  to  preserve  the  appui,  or 
which  is  to  make  the  attack.  There 
are  very  few  cases  in  which  the  center 
ought  to  regulate,  although  the  direct 
inarch  of  the  line  in  front  appears  to  be 
the  easiest  conducted  by  a  battalion  of 
the  center.  It  is  the  flank,  however, 
that  must  preserve  the  line  of  appui  in 
all  movements  in  front.  If  the.  line  is 
thrown  backward  or  forward,  it  is  ge- 
nerally on  a  flank  point. 

It  may  not  be  superfluous  to  remark, 
that  the  term  line,  as  expressing  a  mili- 
tary disposition  for  battle,  was  not 
known  until  the  sixteenth  century. — 
Before  that  period,  when  armies  were 
ranged  in  order  of  battle  upon  three 
lines,  the  first  line  was  called  advanced 
guard,  (avant-garde,)  the  second,  main 
body  only,  (corps  de  bataille,)  and  the 
third,  rear  guard,  (  arriere-garde.)— 
These  terms  are  never  used  in  modern 
times,  except  when  an  army  is  on  its 
march.  When  drawn  up  for  action,  or 
in  the  field  of  review,  lines  are  substi- 
tuted. 

Lines  of  support,  are  lines  of  attack, 
which  are  formed  to  support  one  another. 
Where  there  are  several,  the  second 
should  outflank  the  first,  the  third  the 
second ;  t.he  advanced  one  being  thereby 
strengthened  and  supported  on  its  out- 
ward wing. 

Line  of  march,  the  regular  and  tac- 
tical succession  of  the  component  parts 
of  an  army  that  is  put  in  motion. 

Lines  of  march,  are  bodies  of  armed 
men  marching  on  given  points  to  arrive 
at  any  straight  ahgnement  on  which  they 
are  to  form.  The  general  direction  of 
such  alignement  is  always  determined 
before  the  troops  enter  it,  and  the  .paint 


L  I  N 


(     4315     ) 


L  I  N 


in  that  line  at  which  their  head  is  to  ar- 
rive, must  next  he  ascertained. 

The  line  is  said  to  he  well-dressed, 
when  no  part  is  out  of  the  St  might  aligne- 
nient.  That  this  may  he  effected,  at 
the  word  dress,  which  is  given  by  the 
commander,  it  is  immediately  to  com- 
mence from  the  center  of  each  battalion, 
the  men  looking  to  t heir  own  colours, 
and  the  correcting  officers  lining  them 
upon  the  colours  ot"  their  next  adjoining 
battalion. 

Lust-firings  are  executed  separately 
and  independently  by  each  battalion. 

Inversion  of  the  Line,  in  formation. 


ubout ;  during  which  operation  the  whole 
army  may  he  endangered. 

\\  hen  lines  arc  marching  forward  they 
must  be  occasionally  halted:  in  which 
cases  the  center  halts  first,  and  when 
the  line  is  ordered  to  advance  again, 
the  center  steps  off,  though  in  an  almost 
imperceptible  manner,  before  the  right. 
and  left. 

Each  commanding  officer  must  place 
himself  in  the  center  of  that  proportion 
of  the  line  u  Inch  he  has  under  his  imme- 
diate orders,  unless  lie  should  be  other- 
wise (Intend.  The  center  is  always  the 
most  convenient    point,    from    whence 


This  is  a  manoeuvre  which  ought  only  to  'every  tiling  that  passes  on  the  right  and 
be  resorted  to  on  the  most  urgent,  occa-  left  may    be    observed.     When  the  line 


sions,  as  it  is  prudent  to  avoid  the  inver- 
sion of  all  bodies  in  line.    The  inversion 


advances    in    charging    order,    he   must 
march  at  the  head    of   his    battalion   or 


is  effected  by  facing  a  battalion  or  line  to  squadron;  the  captains  of  troops  or  com- 
the  right  about,  instead  of  changing  its  j  panies  taking  caie  that  he  is  followed 
position  by  a  countermarch  ;  sometimes,  |  with  an  equal  cadenced  step,  and  regu- 
mdeed,  it  may  be  necessary  to  form  to  a  lacing  their  own  movements  by  that  ot 
flank  with  its  rear  in  front.      The  co-   the  divisions,  which  are  formed  on  their 


lunm  with  its  right  in  front  may  arrive  on 
the  left  of  its  ground,  and  he  obliged  im- 
mediately to  form  up  and  support  that 
point,  so  that  the  right  of  the  line  will 
become  the  left.  Part  of  a  second  line 
may  double  round  on  the  extremity  of  a 
first  line,  thereby  to  outflank  an  enemy. 
These,  and  various  other  movements, 
may  be  found  necessary,  and  they  can 
only  be  practised  with  safety  and  expe- 
dition by  the  inversion  of  the  line. 

Lines  advancing  to  engage  an  enemy, 
(lignes  marchant  a  Pennant,  Fr.)  Ac- 
cording to  Marshal  Puysegur,  all  lines 
should  take  the  center  for  the  regulating 
point  of  movement,  and  not  the  right,  as 
many  have  maintained.  He  grounds  his 
opinion  upon  a  known  fact,  that  the 
more  extended  a  line  is,  the  more  difficult 
it  must  prove  to  inarch  by  the  right.  By 
making  the  center  the  directing  portion 
of  the  line,  more  than  half  the  difficulty 
is  removed.  To  which  it  may  be  added, 
that  the  center  is  more  easily  discernible 
from  the  right  and  left,  than  the  right  is 
within  the  just  observation  of  the  left, 
ox  the  left  within  that  of  the  right. 

When  the  line,  advances  it  must  uni- 
formly preserve  a  convexity  from  the 
center,  so  that  when  it  halts,  the  right 
and  left  may  have  to  dress  up  ;  but  this 
convexity  must  be  scarcely  perceptible. 
W  ere  the  line  to  be  concave  on  approach- 
ing the  enemy,  a  necessity  would  occur 
ot  throwing  the  wings  back,  perhaps 
even  of  putting  several  corps  to  the  right 


right  and  left. 

The  greater  the  extent  of  line  proves, 
which  is  composed  of  several  battalions 
and  squadrons  that  advance  forward  with 
the  same  front,  the  more  difficult  will  be 
the  movement  of  the  several  bodies  ;  but 
as  we  have  already  observed,  a  great 
part  of  this  difficulty  is  overcome  when 
the  center  is  made  the  directing  body. 
The  right  and  left  must  be  invariably 
governed  by  it. 

Retiring  Line,  a  body  of  armed  men 
that  has  advanced  against  an  opposing 
enemy  in  order  of  battle,  withdrawing 
itself  with  regularity  from  the  immedi- 
ate scene  of  action.  On  this  occasion  it 
is  of  the  greatest  importance,  that  the 
line  should  be  correctly  dressed  before 
it  faces  to  the  right  about;  and  the  bat- 
talions will  prepare  for  the  retreat  in  the 
manner  prescribed  for  the  single  one  by 
receiving  the  caution,  that  the  line  will 
retire. 

To  form  the  Line,  is  to  arrange  the 
troops  in  order  of  battle,  or  battle  ar- 
ray. 

To  break  the  Line,  to  change  the  di- 
rection from  that  of  a  straight  line,  in 
order  ro  obtain  across  fire. 

To  break  the  Like,  (percer,  ou  enf on- 
cer la  ligne,  Fr.)  to  attack  an  opposing 
front,  so  as  to  throw  it  into  confusion. 
See  Rom  pre  la  Lie.  i . 

Turning  out  of  the  Line,  in  a  mili- 
tary sense.  The  line  turns  out  without 
arms  wlienever  the  general  commanding 


L  I  N 


(     439     ) 


L  I  N 


in  chief  comes   along  the  front  of  the 
camp. 

When  the  line  turns  out,  the  private 
men  are  drawn  up  in  a  line  with  the 
bells-of-arms;  the  corporals  on  the  right 
and  left  of  their  respective  companies: 
the  piquet  forms  behind  the  colours, 
with  their  accoutrements  on, hut  without 
arms. 

The  Serjeants  draw  up  one  pace  in  the 
front  of  the  men,  dividing  themselves 
equally. 

The  officers  draw  up  in  ranks,  accord- 
ing to  their  commissions,  in  the  front  of 
the  colours  ;  two  ensigns  taking  hold  of 
the  colours. 

The  field  officers  advance  before  the 
captains. 

The  camp  colours  on  the  flanks  of  the 
parade  are  to  he  struck  and  planted  op- 
posite to  the  bells-of-arms.  Formerly 
the  officers'  spontoons  were  planted  be- 
tween the  colours,  the  Serjeants  pikes 
are  now  placed  in  their  stead,  and  the 
drums  piled  up  behind  them  ;  the  hal- 
berts  are  to  be  planted  between,  and  on 
each  side  the  bells-of-arms,  and  the 
hatchets  turned  from  the  colours. 

Line,  or  Camp  Courts  Martial. 
These  courts-martial  are  not  frequently 
resorted  to,  and  differ  from  regimental 
ones,  inasmuch  as  they  are  composed  of 
the  officers  belonging  to  different  corps, 
and  the  ratification  of  the  sentence  is 
vested  in  the  general  or  commanding 
officer  of  the  camp.  So  that  no  time 
is  lost  in  waiting  for  the  kind's  pleasure, 
or  for  the  commander  in  chief's  appro- 
bation, when  he  is  delegated  by  him  ; 
nor  has  the  colonel  or  commanding  of- 
fice* of  the  regiment  to  which  the  offen- 
der may  belong,  any  power  to  interfere. 
The  sentences  of  line  or  camp,  field  and 
garrison  courts-martial,  are  confined  to 
corporal  punishments,  but  they  can  nei- 
ther affect  life,  nor  occasion  the  loss  of  a 
limb.  The  proceedings  are  read  bv  the 
adjutant  of  the  day  ;  the  surgeon  is  from 
the  regiment  to  which  the  prisoner  he- 
longs, and  the  punishment  is  inflicted  in 
front  of  the  piquet  by  the  drummers  of 
the  different  corps  under  the  direction  of 
the  drum-major,  who  is  from  the  regi- 
ment to  which  the  adjutant  of  the  day 
belongs.  Field  and  drum  head  courts- 
martial  may  be  considered  in  the  same 
light,  when  an  army  is  on  its  march; 
with  this  difference,  that  the  prisoner  is 
tried  either  by  officers  belonging  to  his 
own  corps,  or  by  a  mixed  roster.  A  cir- 
cle is   formed  at  a  short  distance  from 


the  men  under  arms,  and  the  sentence 
is  written  upon  a  drum  head  ;  whence 
the  appellation  of  drum-head  courts-mar- 
tial is  derived.  When  there  are  several 
regiments  present,  the  same  forms  are 
attended  to  in  punishing  prisoners  as  are 
observed  in  line,  or  camp  courts-martial ; 
and  when  there  is  only  one  regiment,  the 
examination  and  the  punishment  of  the 
prisoner,  or  prisoners,  takes  place  within 
itself. 

Line  of  communication,  in  military 
strategy,  that  line  which  corresponds 
with  the  line  of  operation  and  proceeds 
from  the  base-point.     See  Base. 

Line  of  communication,  (/igne  de 
communication,  Fr.)  that  space  of  ground 
in  a  fortified  place  which  joins  the  cita- 
del to  tiie  town. 

Capital  Line  of  the  half-moon,  (ligne 
capitale  de  la  demie-lune,  Fr.)  that  which 
is  drawn  from  the  flanked  angle  of  a  half 
moon,  to  the  rentrant  angle  of  the  coun- 
terscarp on  which  it  is  constructed. 

Line  of  counter-approach,  (ligne  de 
contre-approche,  Fr.)     See  Approaches. 
Line  of  defence,   (ligne  de  defense, 
Fr.)    See  Fortification. 

Ligne  ?»agislrale,  Fr.  See  Capital 
lint1  in  Fortification. 

Line  of  circumvallation,  (ligne  de 
circonvallution,  Fr.)  See  Fortifica- 
tion. 

Ljxe  of  direction,  in  gunnery,  is  a  line 
formerly  marked  upon  guns,  by  a  short 
point  upon  the  muzzle,  and  a  cavity  on 
the  base  ring,  to  direct  the  eye  in  point- 
ing the  gun. 

Line  of  distance,  the  interval  between 
two  things,  either  in  regard  to  time, 
place,  or  quantity. 

Lin  f.  of  operation,  in  military  strategy, 
that  line  which  corresponds  with  the  line 
of  communication  and  proceeds  from 
the  base-point.     See  Base. 

Line  of gravitation,  of  any  heavy  body, 
is  a  line  drawn  through  its  center  of  gra- 
vity, and  according  to  which  it  tends 
downwards. 

Line  of szoif "test  descent,  of  a  heavv 
body,  is  the  cycloid.     See  Cycloid. 

Line  of  projectile.  See  Projec- 
tiles. 

Line  of  the  least  resistance,  ( ligne  de 
moindre  resistance,  Fr.)  that  line  which, 
being  drawn  from  the  center  of  the  fur- 
nace, or  the  chamber  of  a  mine,  takes  a 
perpendicular  direction  towards  the 
nearest  superficial  exterior. 

Line  of  fire,  the  space  between  con- 
tending armies  in  the  field,  or  any  space 


L  I  N 


(     440     ) 


L  I  X 


from  which  objects  may  be  hit  by  cannon 
or  musketry. 

Li  n  i  (>f  fire,  (Hgne  (lc  feu,  Fr.)  in  for- 
tification. This  term  admits  of  two  dis- 
tinct acceptations  ;  first,  when  it  is  found 
necessary  to  give  an  idea   of  the  manner 

in  which  a  rampart,  or  an  entrenchment 

overwhelms  and  crosses  any  space  of 
ground  by  the  disohArge  of  ordnance  or 
musketry,  lines  must  be  drawn  to  ex- 
press the  distances  which  have  been  tra- 
versed by  the  lhot,&C.  These  lines  are 
called  lines  of  fire,  being  an  abbrevia- 
tion of  those  lines  of  direction  which 
have  been  given  to  tin-  shot. 

In  order  to  convey  a  more  just  and 
accurate  conception  of  this  species  of 
line  ot  lire,  it  is  recommended  to  give  a 
profile,  which  shall  not  only  shew  the 
Curves  of  the  trajectories,  bat  likewise 
point  out  the  intersections  and  impres- 
sions which  nave  been  made  by  such  fire 
upon  a  rampart,  entrenchment,  ground, 
or  fortification  of  am  description. 

In  the  second  place  all  that  extent  of 
a  rampart  or  entrenchment,  whence 
the  shot  of  ordnance  or  musketry  is 
discharged,  is  understood  to  be  a  line  ot' 
fire. 

If,  for  instance,  it  were  to  be  said  that 
a  reverse  or  oblique  direction  was  taken 
against  a  long  extent  of  rampart  or  en- 
trenchment, by  means  of  a  jc ti e  or  any 
great  work  thrown  up,  so  as  to  outflank 


Jiasf-LiNE.    See  Base. 

To  Line  one-self,  to  place  one's  per- 
son in  such  a  position  and  attitude  as 
perfectly  to  accord  with  any  given  points 
of  alignment;  as,  to  line  with  the  pivot 
files. 

Line  in  fencing,  that  direction  oppo- 
site to  the  enemy,  wherein  the  shoulder, 
the  right  arm,  and  the  sword,  should 
always  be  found;  and  wherein  are  also 
to  be  placed  the  two  feet  at  the  dis- 
tance of  18  inches  from  each  other. 
In  which  sense,  a  man  is  said  to  be  in 
bis  line,  or  to  go  out  of  his  line,  &c. 

Line  of  demur  cat  ion,  a  line  which  is 
drawn  by  the  consent  of  parties  to  as- 
certain the  limits  and  boundaries  of 
certain  lands  and  territories  belonging 
to  different  powers.  Dr.  Johnson  does 
not  mention  the  term. 

LlK£  also  denotes  a  French  measure, 
containing  1-12  part  of  an  inch.  It  is 
of  late  frequently  made  use  of  in  cal- 
culations. 

To  Line,  from  the  French  aligner,  is 
to  dress  any  given  body  of  men,  so  that 
every  individual  part  shall  be  so  dis- 
posed as  to  form  collectively  a  straight 
continuity  of  points  from  center  to 
flanks. 

To  Line  men.  Officers  and  non-com- 
missioned officers  are  said  to  line  the 
men  belonging  to  their  several  batta- 
lions, divisions,  or  companies,  when  they 
or  take  it  in  the  rear,  it  might  be  con-  arrive  at  their  dressing  points,  and  re- 
cluded,  that  those  points  would  be  sup- iceive   the    word    dress   from    the   com- 


plied with  a  long  line  of  fire. 

Line  qf  penetration,  any  given  extent 
of  groun.l  upon  which  an  invading  army 
advances  into  an  enemy's  country.  The 
best  system  of  defence  on  this  occasion 
is  that  of  skirmishing,  ecc. 

Line  of  direction,(  ligne  de  direction, 
Fr.)  in  mechanics,  any  straight  line  down 
which  a  heavy  bodv  descends.  There 
are  likewise  lines  of  direction  which  re- 
late to  powers;  they  are  then  straight 
lines  by  means  of  which  a  power  draws 
or  urges  on  a  weight  for  the  purpose  of 
supporting  or  moving  it. 

Line  of  march,  any  distance  of  ground 
over  which  armed  bodies  of  men  are 
directed  to  move  in  succession  towards 
some  ^nen  object. 

Capital  Line  of  the  host  ion,  f/igne 
capitate  du  bastion,  Fr.)  a  line  which  is 
drawn  from  the  center  anule  of  a 
bastion  to  its  flanked  angle.  In  regular 
fortification  this  line  cuts  the  bastion  in 
two  equal  parts.  . 


mander  of  the  whole. 

W  hen  a  single  battalion  halts,  it  is 
dressed  or  lined  on  its  right  center  com- 
pany and  must,  of  course,  be  in  a 
straight  line.  When  several  battalions 
dress  from  the  center  of  each  on  its 
next  colour,  the  general  line  will  be 
straight,  provided  all  the  colours  have 
halted  regularly  in  a  line.  On  these 
occasions  every  thing  will  depend  upon 
the  two  center  dressers  of  each  bat- 
talion. 

To  Line  a  coast.  To  line  a  coast 
well  under  the  immediate  pressure  of 
invasion,  requires  not  only  great  ability 
and  exertion  in  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  particular  district  against  which 
an  insult  may  be  offered,  but  it  is  more- 
over necessary,  that  every  individual 
officer  in  the  different  corps  should 
minutely  attend  to  the  particular  spot 
on  which  he  may  be  stationed.  The 
English  coast,  especially  where  there 
are  bays,  is  almost  always  iutersect<"d 


L  I  N 


(  441  ) 


LIN 


by  narrow  passes  through  the  rocks  or 
sand-hills.  On  this  account,  when  any 
body  of  men  receive  orders  to  line  a 
specified  extent  of  ground,  the  officers 
who  are  entrusted  with  the  several  parts 
of  a  battalion  or  brigade,  should  take 
care  to  make  the  most  of  their  men, 
and  to  extend  their  files  in  such  a 
manner,  as  not  only  to  present  an  im- 
posing front  from  the  crown  of  the 
hill,  hut  to  be  able,  at  a  moment's 
warning,  to  carry  their  whole  strength 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  upon 
the  flanks  by  suddenly  rushing  up 
the  gap. .  Much  coolness  is  required 
on  these  occasions.  The  French  say 
Fraiser. 

To  Line  hedges,  &c.  to  plant  troops, 
artillery  or  small  arms,  along  them 
under  their  cover,  to  fire  upon  an  enemy 
that  advances  openly,or  to  defend  them 
from  the  horse,  &c. 

To  LtNE  a  street  or  road  is  to  draw 
up  any  number  of  men  on  each  side  of 
the  street  or  road,  and  to  face  them  in- 
wards. This  is  frequently  practised  on 
days  of  ceremony,  when  some  distin- 
guished person  is  received  with  military 
honours  on  his  way  through  places 
where  troops  are  stationed. 

To  Line,  in  fortification,  is  nothing 
more  than  to.  environ  a  rampart,  para- 
pet, or  ditch,  &c.  with  a  wall  of  masonry 
or  earth. 

.  Lines,  in  fortification,  bear  several 
names  and  significations;  such  as, 
"  defence  fichant 
i  defence  rasunt 
Line  of\  countervallation 
counter-approach 
defence  prolonged 
Line  Capital  -  -  -  - 
Full  or  close  Lines,  (lignes  pleines, 
Fr.)  Marshal  Puysegur  in  his  Art  de  la 
Guerre  is  a  strong  advocate  for  full  or 
close  lines,  in  his  disposition  of  the  order 
of  battle,  provided  the  ground  will  ad- 
mit it.  He  proposes,  in  fact,  that  the 
battalions  of  infantry  and  the  squadrons 
of  horse  should  form  one  continuity  of 
line,  without  leaving  the  least  interval 
between  them.  Warnery,  in  his  treatise 
on  cavalry,  differs  materially  from  the 
French  tactician.  See  page  38  on  this 
subject. 

Lines  that  are  close  and  open,  (lignes 
tunt  pleines  que  vuides,  Fr.)  When 
troops  are  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle 
with  intervals  between   the  battalions 


and  squadrons,  the  line3  are  said  to  be 
close  and  open. 

Lines  of  communication  are  trenches 
that  unite  one  work  to  another,  so  that 
men  may  pass  between  them  without 
being  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire : 
thence  the  whole  intrenchment  round 
any  place  is  sometimes  called  a  line  of 
communication,  because  it  leads  to  all 
the  works. 

Inside  Lines  are  a  kind  of  ditches 
towards  the  place,  to  prevent  sallies, 
&c. 

Outside  Lines  are  a  kind  of  ditches 
towards  the  field,  to  hinder  relief,  &c. 

Lines  of  intrenchment,  (lignes  re- 
tranchces,Yr.)  All  lines  which  are  drawn 
in  front  of  a  camp,  &c.  to  secure  it  from 
insult  or  surprize  are  so  called.  When- 
ever an  army  is  not  sufficiently  strong 
to  run  the  hazard  of  being  attacked,  the 
general  who  commands  it  must  have  the 
precaution  to  dig  a  ditch  in  front  mea- 
suring three  toi^es  at  lenst  in  breadth, 
and  two  in  depth.  He  must  likewise 
throw  up  a  parapet  with  redans,  or  have 
it  flanked  at  intermediate  distances  by 
small  bastions  two  toises  thick,  made  of 
strong  close  earth,  and  get  it  covered 
and  supported  by  fascines,  with  a  ban- 
quette  behind,  sufficiently  high  to  cover 
the  soldiers'  tents.  If  water  can  be  got 
into  the  ditch  from  a  neighbouring  stream 
or  rivulet,  an  additional  advantage  will 
be  derived  from  that  accession.  WThen 
the  lines  are  constructed  for  any  space 
of  time,  it  will  then  be  proper  to  make 
a  covert-way  in  the  usual  manner. 

Other  lines  are  likewise  constructed 
for  the  purpose  of  communicating  with 
different  quarters;  great  care  must  be 
taken  lest  any  of  them  be  exposed  to 
the  enemy's  enfilade.  To  prevent  this, 
they  must  be  supported  by  redoubts,  or 
by  works  belonging  to  the  neighbouring 
forts;  for  the  enemy  might  otherwise 
make  good  his  ground  within  them,  and 
use  them  as  a  trench. 

If  an  army  is  so  weak  as  to  be  within 
lines,  you  must  take  care  to  have  com- 
munications between  the  villages,  and 
small  parties  of  light  horse  patroling 
towards  the  enemy,  and  to  have  videttes 
and  sentries  posted  so  near  one  another, 
that  you  may  have  intelligence  of  all 
their  transactions. 

LINGE  et  chaussure  du  soldat,  Fr. 
necessaries  belonging  to  a  soldier.  Dur- 
ing the  monarchy  of  France,  a  sor,  or 
SL 


LIN 


(     442     ) 


L  I  S 


about  oneEnglish  halfpenny  per  day,  was 
added  to  the  pay  of  each  serjeant,  and 
about  six  deniers,  or  three  English  far- 
things to  that  of  each  corporal,  anspe- 
sade  or  lance-corporal,  grenadier,  private 
soldier,  and  drummer,  to  enable  them 
to  keep  up  a  certain  list  of  necessaries. 
On  any  deficiency  being  discovered,  it 
was  in  the  power  of  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  regiment  to  reduce  the 
Soldier's  subsistence  to  four  sols,  or  two 
pence  English  per  day,  until  the  full 
complement  was  made  up. 

LINGERER,  (Imigis,  Fr.)  one  who 
pretends  to  he  indisposed,  in  order  to 
to  avoid  his  tour  of  duty — a  skulker. 
Hence  the  term  malingerer,  or  a  soldier 
who  avoids  duty  in  a  disreputable 
manner. 

LINGOT,  Fr.  a  slug;  an  oblong 
piece  of  lead;  also  an  ingot.  This 
species  of  shot  is  not  considered  as  fair 
ammunition  in  war.  It  is  generally 
used  to  shoot  game  and  wild  beasts. 
Count  Lagarde  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  shoulder  with  a  shot  of  this  de- 
scription, whilst  he  was  gallantly  exert- 
ing himself  at  Nismes,  in  1815,  to  pro- 
tect the  French  Protestants  against  the 
fury  of  some  bigoted  Roman  Catholics. 

To  LINK  together,  to  tie  together. 
Cavalry  horses  are  frequently  linked  to- 
gether when  it  is  found  necessary  for 
the  men  to  dismount. 

LINKS,  are  distinct  reins,  or  thongs 
of  leather,  used  by  the  cavalry  to  link 
their  horses  together,  when  they  dis- 
count, that  they  may  not  disperse. 
Every  tenth  man  is  generally  left  to 
take  care  of  them. 

LINS-Dins.  See  Li  nth-pins. 
LINSTOCK,  (houit-feu,  Fr.)  in 
gunnery,  a  short  staff  of  wood,  about 
three  feet  long,  having  at  one  end  a  piece 
of  iron  divided  into  two  branches,  each 
of  which  has  a  notch  to  hold  a  lighted 
match,  and  a  screw  to  fasten  it  there; 
the  other  end  being  shod  with  iron  to 
stick  in  the  ground. 

LINTEAU  on  LITTEAU,  Fr.  a  long 
piece  of  timber,  of  a  triangular  profile, 
or  made  in  the  shape  of  a  trapeze.  It 
serves  to  fasten  together  the  palisades 
which  are  fixed  in  the  covert-way,  and  is 
placed  upon  the  berms  of  works  in  for- 
tification that  are  not  lined. 

LiNTF.Af  de  J'er,  Fr.  a  bar  of  iron 
which  supports  the  haunses  of  a  plat- 
band, and  is  proportioned  to  the  weight 
it  bears. 


LINTEL,  (Hnte'au,  Fr.)  that  part  of 
the  door  frame  that  lies  across  the  door 
posts  over  head. 

LIS,  Fr.  Lily  ;  the  emblem  of 
France,  which  was  discarded  at  the  Re- 
volution in  1789,  and  afterwards  replaced 
by  the  bee  and  the  eagle  when  Bona- 
parte assumed  the  sovereign  power.— 
These  were  destroyed  in  1814  on  the 
lirst  restoration  of  Louis  the  XVTIIth, 
and  again  resumed  when  Bonaparte 
took  possession  of  the  crown  in  1815. 
The  lily  now  prevails  in  consequence  of 
the  second  restoration  of  Louis  the 
XVIIlth,  effected  through  the  victory 
gained  at  Waterloo  on  the  18th  day  of 
June,  1815,  by  the  British  and  Prussian 
armies,  under  the  Duke  of  Wellington, 
and  Prince  Blue  her. 

Lis,  Fr.  A  warlike  machine  was  for- 
merly so  called  :  it  consisted  of  a  piece 
of  wood,  or  stake,  about  the  size  of  the 
human  body,  which  was  made  smaller 
at  the  top  than  at  the  bottonij  and  re- 
sembled a  lily  not  yet  blown.  Several 
of  these  were  tied  together  with  ozier  or 
willow  twigs,  and  were  used  for  the  se- 
curity of  a  camp.  They  were  not  unlike 
the  palisades  of  the  present  day. 

Fteur  de  Lis,  Fr.  a  flower  borne 
in  the  ancient  arms  of  France,  and 
adopted  by  our  kings  until  the  late  union 
with  Ireland.  The  Electoral  Cap,  as 
emblematic  of  Hanover,  and  the  sham- 
rock for  Ireland,  have  been  substituted 
in  their  stead. 

Fleur  de  Lis,  during  the  French  mo- 
narchy, signified  also  a  mark  of  infamy, 
which  was  made  with  a  hot  iron,  upon 
the  back  of  a  malefactor. 

LISSE,  Fr.  any  smooth  and  unorna- 
mented  piece  in  architecture. 

Lisse  ou  chapiteau,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
timber  which  surmounts  any  pile-work. 

Lisse,  Fr.  the  railing  of  a  bridge  to 
prevent  passengers  from  falling  over. 
There  are  generally  two  rows  of  railing  ; 
the  first  of  which  is  called  by  the  French 
Lisse  d'appni,  or  railing  to  lean  upon. 

LISS(  >IRE,  Fr.  from  lisser,  to  smooth. 
This  word  was  particularly  applied  in 
France,  toan  operation  whichgunpowder 
went  through,  in  order  to  make  coarse 
grains  smooth  and  round.  This  was 
effected  by  tying  several  barrels  together, 
and  by  means  of  a  mill  turning  them 
round,  so  as  to  occasion  considerable 
friction  within. 

LIST,  (liste,  Fr.)  a  roll ;  a  catalogue. 

Annual  Army  List,  an  official  roll  or 


L  I  T 


(     443     ) 


L  O  A 


catalogue  which  is  published  every  year, 
containing  the  names  and  rank,  &,c.  ot 
all  individuals  holding  military  commis- 
sions or  warrants  under  the  king.  The 
French  call  it  Etat  Militaire  de  l' Empire. 

Monthly  Army  List,  an  official  roll 
which  is  published  monthly,  at  a  reduced 
price,  containing  the  names  of  all  the 
officers  belonging  to  the  artillery,  guards, 
marching  regiments,  &c. 

Compassionate  List,  a  roll  upon  which 
the  names  of  widows  and  children  of 
deceased  officers  are  inscribed. 

To  List  soldiers,  )  to  retain  and  enrol 

To  Inlist,  5  soldiers,    either   as 

volunteers,  or  by  a  kind  of  compulsion. 

LISTEL  ou  LISTEAU,  Fr.  a  listel ; 
fillet. 

LISTING.  Persons  listed  are  to  be 
carried  within  four  days,  but  not  sooner 
than  twenty-four  hours,  after  they  have 
unlisted,  before  the  next  justice  of  peace 
of  any  county,  riding,  city,  or  place,  or 
chief  magistrate  of  any  city  or  town 
corporate  (not  being  an  officer  in  the 
army);  and  if,  before  such  justice  or 
magistrate,  they  dissent  from  such  listing, 
and  return  the  listing  money,  and  also 
20  shillings  in  lieu  of  all  charges  ex- 
pended on  them,  they  are  to  be  dis- 
charged.    See  Attestation. 

LISTS,  in  a  military  sense,  a  place 
inclosed,  in  which  combats  are  fought. 

To  enter  in  the  Lists,  is  to  contend 
with  a  person. 

LIT  de  camp,  Fr.  a  camp-bed,  which 
takes  to  pieces,  and  is  portable.  The 
French  frequently  call  it  lit  brise,  or  a 
bed  taken  to  pieces.  The  Turks  never 
use  these  beds  :  they  always  carry  mat- 
tresses, which  they  spread  upon  sofas 
when  they  halt  at  night. 

Lit,  Fr.  a  bed;  lay;  the  natural  posi- 
tion of  a  stone  in  the  quarry.  The  part 
which  is  uppermost  is  called  lit  tendre, 
that  at  the  bottom,  lit  dur. 

Lit  de  voussoir  et  de  claveau,  Fr.  the 
bed  or  seat  of  the  bending  of  a  vault. 

Lit  de  pont  de  bois,  Fr.  the  floor  of  a 
wooden  bridge. 

Lit  de  canal,  ou  de  reservoir,  Fr.  the 
bed  or  bottom  of  a  canal  or  reservoir  ; 
which  is  usually  made  of  sand,  clay, 
pavement,  or  of  any  cement  and  pebbles. 

LITERARY,  (littiraire,  Fr.)  See  Li- 
terary Regiment. 

LITTER,  (litiere,  Fr.)  a  sort  of  hur- 
dle bed,  on  which  wounded  officers  or 
men  are  carried  off  the  field.  A  kind 
of  vehicular  bed. 


LITTLE,  (petit,  Fr  )  small ;  mean  ; 
self-interested ;  having  feelings  unbe- 
coming an  officer,  or  a  gentleman. 

Little  fortification.  Thefirstdi  vision 
of  the  first  system  of  M.  de  Vauban  is 
so  called  when  the  exterior  side  of  a 
fortification  does  not  exceed  175  toises, 
or  350  yards.  It  is  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  citadels,  small  forts,  horn 
and  crown  works. 

LI  VER-  Co mplaint,  a  disease  to  which 
British  officers  and  soldiers  are  pecu- 
liarly exposed,  especially  in  the  East 
Indies,  It  is  frequently  brought  on  bjf 
an  immoderate  use  of  spirituous  liquors, 
particularly  in  Europe. 

LIVERY.  This  word  is  only  known 
in  military  matters  by  its  prohibition. 
It  is  particularly  specified  in  the  Articlea 
of  War,  that  if  any  officer  shall  presume 
to  muster  any  person  as  a  soldier,  who  is 
at  other  times  accustomed  to  wear  a 
livery,  or  who  does  not  actually  do  his 
duty  as  a  soldier,  he  shall  be  deemed 
guilty  of  having  made  a  false  muster, 
and  shall  suffer  accordingly.  See  Sec- 
tion IV.  Art.  V. 

Livery,  the  state  of  being  kept  at  a 
certain  rate,  as  horses  are  in  livery 
stables.    Hence  to  be  at  livery. 

LIVRE,  a  French  money  of  account 
consisting  of  20  sols,  about  lOrf.  Eng- 
lish; each  sol  containing  12  deniers. 
The  livre  is  of  two  kinds,  Tournois  and 
Parasis. 

Livre  Tournois  contains  20  sols 
Tournois,  and  each  sol  12  deniers  Tour- 
nois. 

Livre  Parisis,  is  12  sols  Parisis,  being 
worth  12  deniers  Parisis,  or  15  deniers 
Tournois;  so  that  a  livre  Parisis  is 
worth  25  sols  Tournois.  The  word  Pa- 
risis is  used  in  opposition  to  Tournois, 
because  of  the  rate  of  money,  which  was 
one  fourth  higher  at  Paris  than  at  Tours. 

LIVREE,  Fr.  board-wages. 

LIVRER  butaille,  Fr.  to  deliver,  give 
or  join  battle. 

Livrer  assuut,  Fr.  to  storm. 

Livrer  une  ville  au  pillage,  Fr.  to 
give  a  town  up  to  plunder. 

LIVRET,  Fr.  literally  means  a  lit'le 
book ;  any  thing  containing  a  series  of 
words. 

Livret  de  commandemens,  Fr.  printed 
or  written  words  of  command,  accord- 
ing to  prescribed  rules  and  regulations. 

LOAD,  a  word  of  command  given, 
when  men  are  to  charge  their  guns,  or 

!  muskets. 
3L2 


LOG 


(     444     ) 


LOG 


LOAM,  (ardille,  Fr.)  a  sort  of  clay  ; 
unctuous,  tenacious  earth  ;  marl. 

LOCAL,  appertaining  lu  some  par- 
titular  spot,  quarter  Ot  district  j  being 
in  a  particular  place. 

Local  Militia,  a  temporary  armed 
lone  which  is  embodied  lor  the  internal 
defence  of  a  country,  and  exercised 
within  certain  limits. 

LOCHABEH-AXEj  a  tremendous 
Scotch  weapon,  now  used  by  none  Iml 
the  town  gawd  of  Edinburgh ;  one  ot 
which  is  to  be  seen  among  the  small 
armoury  in  the  Tower  of  London. 

LOCKS,  in  gunnery,  are  of  \arious 
sorts;  common  for  lockers  in  travelling 
carriages  or  for  boxes  containing  shut, 

powder  "or  cartridges.  Also  locks  for 
tire  arms,  lu  big  that  part  of  the  EQltsket, 
by  which  lire  is  struck  and  the  powder 
inflamed. 

LOCK-COYER,  a  piece  of  leather, 
or  oil-cloth,  which  is  used  to  secure  the 
lock  of  a  musket,  or  pistol,  from  rain 
and  moisture. 

LOCK-STEP.'  Tliis  step  was  first  hv- 
troduced  into  the  British  service  by  the 
late  Lord  Heathneld,  when  he  com- 
manded the  garrison  at  Gibraltar  ;  ami 
is  the  same  that  General  Saldem  (from 
whose  works  all  our  regulations  have 
been  almost  literally  selected)  calls  the 
deploy  step.  This  step  consists  in  the 
heel  of  one  man  behig  brought  nearly  in 
contact  with  the  joint  of  the  great  toe 
of  another,  so  that  when  men  step  on 
together,-  they  constantly  preserve  the 
same  distance.  The  lock  or  deploy  step 
is  always  practised  when  a  battalion 
marches  in  file,  or  close  column  ;  and 
the  great  advantage  to  be  derived  from 
it  is,  that  the  last  file  gains  ground  at 
the  sanie  time  that  the  front  advances. 
It  is  ludicrously  called  goose-step. 

To  Lock,  to  fasten  one  or  more 
of  the  wheels  ot'  a  carriage  to  prevent 
their  going  rouinl,  in  going  down  a  hill, 
&c. 

To  Lock  up,  to  take  the  closest  pos- 
sible order  in  line,  or  in  file.  The  ex- 
pression is  derived  from  the  lock-step. 

Lock  up!  a  word  of  command  which 
is  frequently  used  in  the  British  service, 
to  direct  soldiers  to  take  or  preserve  the 
closest  possible  order,  especially  in  ji/e- 


thin  flat  pieces  of  iron,  nailed  on  the 
sides  of  a  field  carriage,  where  the 
wheels  touch  it  in  turning,  to  prevent 
the  wearing  of  the  -wood  in  those  places. 
Sec  Carriaoi  . 

LOCKSITT,  in  field  foitilication,  a 
small  cut  or  trench  made  with  a  Spade, 
about  a  foot  wide,  to  mart  out  the  first 
ines  of  a  work. 

To   LODGE    ARMS,    a  word     of 


Command  which  is  used  on  guards  and 

picket-.      W 


men 

hen 


a  guard  has  closed  its 
ranks,  and  the  men  are  to  place  their 
arms  in  front  of  the  guard-house  or 
quarter-gliard,  according  to  circum- 
stances, the  commanding  officer  gives  the 

right, 


Lodge" 


marching. 

LOCKER  hbtges  serve  to  fasten  the 
co\er  of  the  lockers  in  travelling  car- 
stages. 


words  poi-t  arms,  to  the  right,  or 
about,  (as  the  case  may  be)  face. 
Arms. 

LODGING-MOM. V.  When  a  re- 
giment is  quartered  in  a  town,  and  there 
are  not  sufficient  accommodations  to 
answer  the.  required  number  of  billets, 
an  allowance  is  made  to  the  officers  ac- 
cording to  rank.  The  gross  amount  is 
changed  in  the  paymaster's  abstract.  For 
particulars,  see  Military  Finance. 

LODGINGS.  Officers  billeted  in 
the  suburbs  of  Edinburgh,  pay  for  their 
lodging,  hut  no  where  else  in  Scotland. 

LjODGMENT,  in  military  business. 
a  work  made  by  the  besiegers  in  some 
part  of  a  fortification,  after  the  besieged 
nave  been  driven  out,  for  the  purpose  of 
maintaining  it,  and  to  be  covered  from 
the  enemy's  fire.  It  also  means  posses- 
sion of  an  enemy's  work. 

When  a  lodgment  is  to  be  effected  on 
the  glacis,  covert-way,  or  in  a  breach, 
there  must  be  a  great  provision  made  of 
fascines,  sand  bags,  gabions,  wool  packs, 
&c.  in  the  trenches ;  and  during  the 
action,  the  pioneers  (under  the  direction 
of  an  engineer)  with  fascines,  sand  bags, 
&c.  should  be  making  the  lodgment,  in 
order  to  form  a  covering,  while  the 
grenadiers  are  storming  the  covert-way, 
ivc. 

LOF,  Fr.  loof  of  a  ship. 
Au  Lof,  Fr.  loof  up,  commonly  pro- 
nounced luff  up. 

Etrt  au  Lor,  fr.  to  have  the  weather 
gage,  or  the  advantage  of  the  wind. 

LOG,  a  round  piece  of  wood  which 
is  attached  to  the  watering  bridle,  or 
halter,  of  a  horse  when  he  is  tied  up  in 
a  stall. 

To  Log,  to  fasten  something  cumber- 
some  upon  any  thing;    a    punishment 


LOCKING  plates,   in  artillery,  are]  which  is  inflicted  in  some  dragoon  Or 


LON 


(     445     ) 


LON 


hussar  regiments,  Tor  indisciplined  and 
disorderly  conduct.  It  consists  of  a 
heavy  piece  of  wood  which  is  fixed  to 
the  leg  of  a  soldier,  and  which  he  is 
obliged  to  -wear  under  confinement  in 
the  barrack  yard. 

LOGARITHMS,  the  indexes  of  the 
ratios  of  numbers  one  to  another. 

LOGEMEXT,  Fr.  means  generally 
any  place  occupied  by  military  men,  for 
the  time  being,  whether  they  be  quar- 
tered upon  the  inhabitants  of  a  town,  or 
be  distributed  in  barracks.  When  applied 
to  soldiers  that  have  taken  the  field,  it 
is  comprehended  under  the  several  heads 
of  huts,  tents,  &c. 

Logemfnt  d'une  attaque,  Fr.  See 
Lodgment  in  Fortifictiox. 

Se  LOGER,  Fr.  to  take  up  one's 
quarters.  It  likewise  signifies  to  take 
a  position  in  the  neighbourhood  of  an 
enemy's  camp ;  or  to  make  a  lodgment 
in  the  outworks  of  a  besieged  place. 

LOGIS,  Fr.  quarters. 

Marquer  les  Log  is,  Fr.  to  mark  the 
officers'  rooms  according  to  their  respec- 
tive ranks. 

LONDON,  (Londres,  Fr.)  the  capital 
of  the  British  empire,  and  the  emporium 
of  the  world. 

London,  City  of,  is  exempt  from  the 
billeting  of  soldiers  by  the  31st  section 
of  the  Mutiny  Act. 

London  Military  District.  The 
bounds  or  extent  of  a  military  command 
in  and  about  the  capital  of  Great  Bri- 
tain. It  is  commanded  at  present  by 
one  general-,  one  lieutenant  general,  six 
major  generals,  three  brigadier  generals, 
with  a  proportionate  staff:  the  whole 
being  subject  to  the  commander  in  chief. 

London  Militia.  Two  regiments  cal- 
led the  East  and  West  London  Militia, 
were  raised  during  the  late  war  for  the 
immediate  security  of  the  city  and  its 
environs.  The  officers  are  appointed  by 
the  lieutenants  commissioned  for  the 
militia  of  the  city. 

LONG-BOAT,  the  largest  boat  be- 
longing to  a  ship :  it  serves  to  bring 
goods,  provisions,  &c.  to  or  from  the 
ship,  to  land  men,  to  weigh  the  anchor, 
&c. 

LONG-BOW.     See  Bow. 

LONG,  Fr.  long;  great. 

Tout  du  Long  de  Vanhte,  Fr.  all  the 
year  round. 

Long  a  la  guerre,  Fr.  an  expression 
used  in  the  French  service,  to  express  a 
circuitous  march.     It  also  signifies-  to 


leave  a  considerable  opening  between 
the  ranks,  and  is  the  same  as  /aire  long 
bois. 

Prendre,  le  plus  Long,  Fr.  to  go  the 
farthest  way  about,  as  I'annee  Jut  ob- 
ligee de  prendre  le  plus >Lo kg  pour  eviter 
les  defiles;  the  army  was  under  the  ne- 
cessity of  going  the  furthest  way  about 
in  order  to  avoid  the  defiles. 

Le  Long  de   la  cote,  Fr.  along    the 

LONGANIMITY,  (longanimiii,  Fr.) 
forbearance ;  patience  of  orfences.  The 
word  longanimit'e  is  particularly  used 
among  the  French,  to  signify  that  noble 
forbearance  which  distinguishes  the  high- 
minded  conduct  of  a  truly  great  man, 
from  the  petulant  and  vindictive  cha- 
racter of  a  little  being.  Officers,  in  high 
command,  should  constantly  keep  in  view 
this  heavenly  quality. 

LONGE,  Fr.  a  strap  or  thong  of 
leather. 

LONGER,  Fr.  to  skirt,  to  move  by 
the  side  of  any  thing. 

Longer  la  riviere,  Fr.  to  move  up  or 
down  the  river.  It  is  frequently  found 
necessary  to  attack  an  enemy's  post  in 
order  to  have  a  free  passage  on  the 
river,  pour  Longer  la  riviere. 

Longer  le  bois,  Fr.  to  march  by  the 
side  of  a  wood. 

Longer  Vennemi,  Fr.  to  follow  the 
movements  of  an  enemy,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent his  crossing  a  river ;  or  to  march 
upon  his  flank,  in  front  or  rear,  that  yon 
may  defeat  his  plans,  or  attack  him  with 
advantage. 

LONGIMETRY,  (longimetrie,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  measuring  lands  and  distances, 
whether  the  extent  or  space  be  acces- 
sible as  in  a  road,  or  inaccessible,  as  in 
a  river  or  bratich  of  the  sea. 

LONGIS,  Fr.  a  lingerer;  a  drowzy, 
slow-winded  mortal,  totally  unfit  for 
military  affairs ;  hence,  perhaps,  a 
lounger. 

LONGITUDE  of  the  earth  denotes 
its  extent  from  west  to  east,  according 
to  the  direction  of  the  equator. 

Longitude  of  a  place,  in  geography, 
its  distance  from  some  first  meridian,  or 
an  arch  of  the  equator  intercepted  be- 
tween the  meridian  of  the  place,  and  the 
first  meridian.     See  Geography. 

Longitude  of  motion,  according  to 
some  philosophers,  is  the  distance  which 
the  center  of  any  moving  body  runs 
through  as  it  moves  on  in  a  right  line. 
See  Motion. 


L  O  O 


(    **6    ) 


LOR 


LONGPAN,  Fr.  the  longest  Bide  pf  I      Loose  files,  (filet  diliees,  tparscs,Tr.) 
the  timber-work  of  a  roof.  i  fihjs  are  so  called  when  the  men  d<>  not 

LONGRINES,   Fr.  pieces  of  wood  lightly  touch  one  another    as  in  dos& 
or  branches,  which  are  laid  along  (Ik-  order. 

»\ii  ni  of  a  sluice,  and  make  pait  of  its       Loose  order.    See  Order. 
grating.  Loose  rein,  (rate   flottante,  Fr.)  not 

LONG-cd/es,  Fr.  those  sides  are  so  tight;  it  is  also  called  flowing  rein. 
called,  which  belong  to  places  that  are        To  Loom:,  to  set  sail,  to  depart  by 


irregularly  fortified,  and  contain,  indis- 
criminately, eighty  toiaes  and  upwards. 

In  which  cases  they  are  usually  strength- 
ened by  a  Hat  bastion  in  the  center,  or 
by  several  Hat  bastions,  which  are  con- 
structed, according  to  tlie  extent  of  the 
sides,  at  intermediate  distances. 

LONGUEUR,  fr,  length;  extension 
or  duration  of  what  is  long. 

Epie  de  Longueur,  Fr.  a  sword  of 
a  proper  length  to  serve  -as  a  weapon  of 
defence.  This  term  is  used  to  distin- 
guish it  from  the  short  swords,  which  are 
worn  for  mere  dress  or  parade. 

To  LOOK,  a  word  frequently  used  in 
i he  British  service,  to  express  the  good 
or  bad  appearance  of  a  corps,  &c.  viz. 
such  a  regiment  looks  well,  or  ill,  under 
arms. 

To  Look  at,  to  go  down  the  front  of 
a  regiment,  8cc.  without  requiring  that 
the  troops  should  be  put  through  the 
different  evolutions.  A  general  officer 
frequently  looks  at  a  regiment  in  this 
manner.  Sometimes,  indeed,  the  expres- 
sion bears  a  more  extensive  meaning:  it 
is  usual,  for  instance,  to  say — It  would 
be  ridiculous  to  think  of  looking  at  a 
strong  place  for  the  purpose  of  attacking 
it,  without  having  sufficient  force  to 
carry  it-,  works. 

LOOP,  it)  a.  ship-carriage,  a  ring  made 
of  iron,  fastened  one  on  the  front  of  a 
fore  axle-tree,  and  two  on  each  side, 
through  which  the  ropes  or  tackle  pass, 
whereby  the  guns  are  moved  backwards 
and  forwards  on  board  of  ships. 
.  Loop,  a  small  iron  ring  or  staple,  by 
whirl)  the  barrel  of  a  gun  is  affixed  to 
the  stock  ;  also,  an  ornamental  part  of  a 
regimental  hat. 

Loot-  hole  for  ordnance  (canonnicre, 
Fr.)  an  opening  in  the  wall  or  battle- 
ment of  a  fortified  place,  through  which 
cannon  may  he  run. 

LooiW/o/e.*,  (crcnaux,  Fr.)  in  fortifi- 
cation, are  small  holes  in  the  walls  of  a 
castle  or  fort,  through  which  the  garrison 
may  lire.  In  field  fortification  loop- 
hole^  are  frequently  resorted  to. 

LOOSE,  (dtgage,  Fr.)  unconnected, 
not  dose.  « 


loosing  the  anchor. 

To  LOOSEN,  to  separate,  to  detach, 
to  make  louse;  as  to  loosen  your  tiles. 
In  a  military  sense  it  implies  to  open 
ranks  or  files  from  (lose  order. 

LOOT,  Indian  term  for  plunder,  or 
pillage. 

LOOTICKS,  Ind.  a  term  in  India  to 
express  a  body  of  irregular  horsemen, 
who  plunder  and  lay  waste  the  country, 
and  harass  the  enemy  on  their  march. 
They  may  be  compared  to  the  Hulans  of 
Europe,  and  other  liee-booters. 

LOOTYWALLOW  ,  Ind.  a  term  of 
the  same  import  as  Looticks. 

LOQUET,  Fr.  a  latch. 

LOQUETAU,  Fr.  a  little  latch. 

LORD,  (lord,  Fr.)  a  nobleman ;  a 
general  name  for  a  peer  of  the  realm ;  a 
baron.  When  persons  of  this  class,  or 
indeed  of  any  other  above  that  of 
esquire,  hold  commissions  in  the  army, 
the  rank  is  always  specified  before  the 
title;  as,  Field  Marshal  his  Royal  High- 
ness the  Duke  of  York,  commander  in 
chief,  &c.  Colonel  the  Earl  of  Euston. 

Lord  lieutenants  of  counties,  persons 
of  weight  and  consequence  who  have  the 
management  of  the  militia,  &c.  They 
were  first  appointed  in  England,  in  the 
reign  of  Edward  VI.  1549,  in  conse- 
quence of  insurrections  occasioned  ill 
various  parts  of  the  country,  by  the 
suppression  of  monasteries  and  other 
proceedings  of  the  reformation  then 
vigorously  carried  on  by  the  Protector 
Somerset. 

LORDANT,     >  according  to  Bailey, 

LOB  DANE,  5  some  derive  this  of 
Lord  and  Dane,  because  the  Danes, 
when  they  held  the  government  in  Eng- 
land, enjoined  the  better  sort  of  people 
to  maintain  a  Dane  in  their  houses,  as 
a  spy,  and  a  curb  upon  them ;  it  is  full 
as  likely  derived  from  Lourdaut,  signi- 
fying a  lazy  lubber. 

House  of  LORDS,  one  of  the  three 
estates  of  the  kingdom. 

LORICA  squammosa  of  the  ancients 
— chain  and  plate  coat  of  mail ;  it  was 
also  called  Lorica  hammata  from  the 
rings  being  hooked  together. 


LOU 


LORMERIE,  FV.bridle  cutter's  work. 

LORMIER,  Fr.  lorimer,  bit  maker. 

LORIMERS,     }    (larmiers,    Fr.)   a 

LORINERS,  )  company  of  artifi- 
cers in  London,  who  make  bits  for  bri- 
dles, spurs,  and  such  like  iron  ware 
belonging  to  horse  furniture. 

LOSS  of  a  river,  that  particular  spot 
where  a  river  disembogues  itself  and 
ceases  to  be  called  by  its  original  name. 
A  river  is  also  said  to  lose  itself  when 
it  runs  under  ground  and  disappears,  as 
is  the  case  of  the  Loire  in  Switzerland. 

LOT,  a  die,  or  any  thing  used  in  de- 
termining chances.     As,  to  cast  lots. 

To  Lot  for  men,  a  phrase  peculiar  to 
military  arrangements.  When  recruits 
join,  they  should  be  lotted  for  with  the 
strictest  impartiality.  If  some  troops  or 
companies  should  be  less  effective  than 
others,  they  must  be  first  completed  to 
the  strength  of  other  troops  or  compa- 
nies, and  then  the  whole  must  lot  equally. 

LOUAGE,  Fr.  letting  out;  hiring; 
hire. 

Cheval  tfeLouAGE,  Fr.  See  Hackney. 

LOU  ANGER,  Fr.  to  praise  or  flatter 
for  the  direct  purpose  of  turning  the  ob- 
ject into  ridicule. 

LOUANGEUR,  Fr.  a  person  who 
praises  or  flatters  in  contempt. 

LOUCHET,  Fr.  a  spade,  or  spade- 
like instrument  half  headed  with  iron ; 
such  as  i?>  used  in  digging  in  fortifica- 
tions, &c. 

LOUIS,  or  Knights  of  St.  Louis,  the 
name  of  a  military  order  in  France,  in- 
stituted by  Louis  XIV.  in  1693.  Their 
collars  are  of  a  flame-colour,  and  pass 
from  left  to  right :  the  king  is  always 
grand  master. 

LOUIS  d'OR,  a  French  coin  first 
struck  in  the  reign  of  Louis  XIII.  in 
1640;  but  laid  aside  at  the  revolution. 
Its  original  value  was  24  francs,  20  shil- 
lings English.  A  new  Louis  d'or  of  20 
francs  is  now  current,  and  its  value,  at 
par,  is  16s.  8d.  English. 

To  LOUNGE,  to  live  idly ;  to  be  in 
possession  of  more  time  than  wit,  or 
knowledge  to  employ  it  to  advantage. 

A  LOUNGER,  an  idler. 

LOUP,  Fr.  literally  signifies  a  wolf. 

Trou  de  Loup,  Fr.  See  Wolf-hole. 

Loup  des  anciens  was  an  iron  instru- 
ment, made  in  the  shape  of  a  tenaille,  by 
means  of  which  they  grappled  the  batter- 
ing rams,  and  broke  them  in  the  middle. 

Voir  le  Loup,  Fr.  to  see;  or  to  experi- 
ence vicissitudes. 


(      447     )  L    U    M 

LOUVE,  Fr.  slings  of  a  crane ;  also 
:h  is  put  into  a  stoi 
to  make  a  hole  in  a 


an  iron  wedge  which  is  put  into  a  stone . 

LOUVER,  Fr. 
stone. 

LOUVETAUX,  Fr.  iron  wedges. 

LOUVOYER,  Fr.  to  tack. 

LOW- WORM,  a  disease  in  horses  like 
the  shingles. 

LOXODROMY,  (loxodromie,  Fr.) 
the  course  of  a  ship,  or  the  point  it 
describes  in  sailing  from  any  point 
towards  another,  excepting  a  cardinal 
point,  making  equal  angles  with  every 
meridian. 

LOYAL,  true  to  the  king,  or  state. 

LOYALISTS.  During  the  war  with 
America  several  American  loyalists 
served  in  the  British  army ;  and  at  the 
conclusion  of  it  many  came  over  to  this 
country,  and  received  compensations  for 
the  losses  they  had  sustained.  The  al- 
lowances made  on  this  occasion  were 
not,  however,  confined  to  those  that  had 
served :  several  families  had  their  cases 
taken  into  consideration,  and  were  pro- 
vided for  by  the  British  government. 
These  compensations  did  not  give  any 
right  to  a  military  man  to  avail  himself  of 
the  allowance  on  the  score  of  half-pay. 

LOZENGE,  (losange,  Fr.)  in  geo- 
metry, a  figure,  the  two  opposite  angles 
of  which  are  acute,  and  the  other  two 
obtuse. 

LUCARNE,  Fr.  a  dormer  window. 

Lucarne  bombte,  Fr.  a  window  made 
in  a  circular  form. 

LUDDITES,  a  band  of  depredators 
about  Nottingham,  Chester,  and  York. 
The  word  Lluyd,  in  Welsh,  signifies  an 
army  or  camp ;  Lluydda,  in  the  same 
language,  is  to  make  war,  and  Ltui/dder 
is  a  soldier.  As  Cheshire  borders  upon 
Wales,  it  is  not  impossible  but  some 
Welchman  may  have  given  the  name. 
On  the  other  hand,  we  learn  from  history, 
that  there  was  a  daring  and  active  cha- 
racter in  Cromwell's  army  whose  name 
was  Ludd ;  and  we  find  by  the  trials  at 
Chester,  that  one  Walker  had  assumed 
the  title  of  General  Ludd. 

To  LUFF,  or  to  spring,  to  keep  to 
the  wind :  the  French  say,  faire  vne 
aulofee. 

LUMBAGO,  (douleur  de  reins,  Fr.) 
an  acute  pain  about  the  loins  and  small 
of  the  back,  such  as  precede  ague  fits. 
Soldiers,  particularly  of  the  infantry, 
are  much  exposed  to  this  complaint. 

LUMIERE,  Fr.  vent;  touch-hole; 
aperture. 


L  U  N 


(     443     > 


LYE 


To  LUMP,  (prendre  i  n  gra»,  ™  />/or, 
Fr.)  to  take  in  the  gross.  ,We  also  say, 
to  lump  an  account,  that,  is,  to  forego 
th«   several  items  ot" expenditure. 

IAMPERS,  (taitoiifiirs,  on  gabariqri, 
Fr.)  men  employed  to  load  and  unload 
slup-cnigors  :  quay-porters. 

Clara!  sujet  a  la  LUN  E,  Fr.  a  moon- 
eyed  horse. 
"  LUNETTE,  Fr.  See  Fortification. 

Lunette  de  tod,  Fr.  a  little  dormer 
window. 

Lunette,  Fr.  the  seat  of  a  close  stool. 
See  Belidok. 

Lunette,  Fr.  any  wall  which  is  raised 
so  as  to  interrupt  the  view  t'rom  a  neigh- 
bouring building;  generally  within  six 
or  seven  feet. 

Lunette,  a  sky-light,  or  any  aperture 
from  the  top  of  a  building. 

Lunette  d'approche,  Fr.  a  telescope. 
The  French  sometimes  call  them  Lu- 
nettes de  Galilee,  from  the  perspective 
glass  or  telescope  having  been  invented 
by  Galileo. 

Lunette  a  facetted,  Fr.  a  multiplying 
glass. 

Lunette  polyedre,  Fr.  a  magnifying 
glass. 

Lunette  a  puce,  Fr.  a  microscope. 

Lunettes,  in  fortification,,  are  works 
made  on  both  sides  of  the  ravelin  :  one 
of  their  faces  is  perpendicular  to  half  or 
two  thirds  of  the  faces  of  the  ravelin  ; 
and  the  other  nearly  so  to  those  of  the 
bastions. 

Lunettes  are  also  works  made  be- 
yond the  second  ditch,  opposite  to  the 
places  of  arms ;  they  differ  from  the  ra- 
velins only  in  their  situation.     See  For- 

TIFICATION. 

LUNETTONS  are  a  smaller  sort  of 
lunettes. 

LUNGER-CONN  A,  a  poor-house  or 
hospital  is  so  called  in  India. 

LUNT,  the  matchcord  with  which 
cannon,  &c.  are  fired. 

LUMI.T.,  (lunules,  Fr.)  in  geome- 
try, a  half  moon  or  crescent,  which  lsmade 
by  the  arcs  of  two  intersecting  circles. 
If  you  inscribe  a  triangle  -rectangle  within 
a  half  circle,  the  diameter  of  which  be- 
comes the  hypothenuse;  and  if  upon 
each  side  that  compresses  the  eight  angle, 
as  its  diameter,  you  describe  a  half  cir- 
cle, the  space  in  shape  of  a  half  moon, 
closed  in  by  the  circumference  of  each 
of  these  two  circles,  and  by  a  part  of  the 
circumference  of  the  great  half  circle, 
will  form  the  figure  called  the  Lunula. 


LUTTE,  Fr.  struggle;  an  exereise 
of  the  body,  which  consists  in  a  full  ex- 
ertion of  all  its  muscular  powers,  to 
overcome  another  body,  that  resists 
with  equal  force  and  pertinacity 

Metier  tes  choses  de  haute  LuTTE,  Fr. 
(o  carry  things  by  force,  or  with  a  high 
hand. 

LUTTER,  Fr.  to  struggle  with  or 
against. 

LUXHEBAR,  the  Indian  name  for 
Thursday. 

LUZERNE,  Fr.  Spanish  trefoil,  called 
likewise  in  English  lucern ;  a  species 
of  hay,  which  is  cultivated  for  the  subsis- 
tence, of  horses.  It  bears  a  violet  coloured 
flower. 

LYCANIANS,  (Lycuniens,  Fr.)  a 
militia  that  was  formerly  raised  in  Sela 
vonia,  the  troops  of  which  resemble,  the 
Pandours  and  Warasdins.  It  derives  its 
name  from  being  quartered  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  the  lordship  of  Lyka. 

LYING,  to  be  actually  stationed  or 
quartered  in  a  given  place. 

J«-Ly inc.  This  term  is  peculiarly  ap- 
plicable to  pickets.  A  picket  is  said  to 
be  an  In-lying  picket  when  it  is  confined 
within  the  immediate  lines  of  entrench- 
ments belonging  to  a  camp,  or  within 
the  walls  of  a  garrisoned  town. 

(W-Lying  picket,  is  that  which  does 
duty  without  the  limits  of  the  camp  or 
garrisoned  town ;  that  is,  beyond  the 
immediate  sentries  belonging  to  either. 
Those  pickets  are  likewise  called  In-line 
and  Out-line  pickets.  .     , 

0«/-l.YEUS,  the  same  as  faggots. 
The  term  ( )ut-l\  ers  was,  however,  pe- 
culiarly understood  among  the  Guards.; 
and  consisted  of  a  certain  number  of 
men  from  each  company,  who  were  per- 
mitted to  work  on  condition  that  the 
whole  of  their  pay  was  left  in  the  hands 
of  the  captain,  for  the  time  they  were 
so  employed.  This  sum  the  ollicer  ap- 
propriated to  his  own  use,  and  was  there- 
by enabled  not  only  to  increase  his  pay, 
but  to  keep  a  handsome  table  whenever 
he  mounted  guard.  During  the  winter 
months,  the  money  arising  from  Out- 
lyers  amounted  to  a  considerable  sum. 
This  was  allowed  as  a  sort  of  compen- 
sation for  the  expense  the  captain  in- 
curred by  the  dinner  he  gave  to  his  sub- 
alterns ;  and  for  his  contribution  to  the 
support  of  a  regimental  hospital.  The 
custom  is  now  abolished,  as  a  table  is 
kept  by  the  king,  and  copiously  paid  for 
out  of  the  civil  list. 


<     449    ) 


M. 


MAC 

A/T  hi  astronomical  tables,  signifies 
•>-»J- j  meridional  or  southern. 

M,  in  law,  was  formerly  a  brand  or 
mark,  with  which  a  criminal  convicted 
of  murder,  and  having  the  benefit  of 
clergy,  was  stigmatized,  it  being  burnt 
on  the  brawn  of  the  thumb.  It  has 
been  proposed  to  stigmatize  deserters 
by  burning  the  letter  D  on  their  shoulder 
blades,  and  impressing  the  name  of  the 
regiments  from  which  they  deserted. 
This  could  be  done  in  the  usual  way  with 
gunpowder. 

M,  in  Latin  numbers,  stands  for  a  1000. 

M,  with  a  clash  above,  (with  the  an- 
cients,) signifies  a  thousand  thousand. 

MALEK,  Ind.  a  certificate  which  is 
attested  by  the  principal  inhabitants  of  a 
town  or  village. 

MACE,  a  heavy  blunt  weapon,  having 
a  metal  head ;  a  club.  The  mace  was 
formerly  much  used  by  the  cavalry  of  all 
nations,  and  likewise  by  ecclesiastics, 
who,  4n  consequence  of  their  tenures, 
frequently  took  the  field,  but  were,  by  a 
canon  of  the  church,  forbidden  to  wield 
the  sword. 

MACHEFER,  Fr.  dross  of  iron. 

MACHEMOURE,  Fr.  the  crumbs 
of  sea-biscuit. 

MACHER,  fr.  to  chew ;  to  claw  it 
off.  Un  cheval  qui  Mache  sonfrein,  Fr. 
a  horse  that  champs  his  bit. 

MACHIAVILI  AM  ISM,  (of  Nicholas 


MAC 

the  several  machicoulises.  Through  th» 
intervals  of  the  corbels,  or  supporting 
brackets,  they  may  easily  observe  every 
thing  that  passes  at  the  foot  of  the  wall ; 
and  if  the  besiegers  should  be  hardy 
enough  to  penetrate  as  far,  they  may 
easily  overwhelm  them  by  throwing 
down  large  stones,  melted  lead,  combus- 
tible materials,  hand-gienades,  or  bombs. 
The  besieged  likewise  let  down  large 
weights  fastened  to  ropes  or  chains,  by 
which  they  were  retracted  after  they 
had  taken  effect.  These  brackets  or 
supporters,  which  in  ancient  fortifica- 
tion were  of  a  slight  construction,  might 
be  made  of  solid  materials.  The  mai» 
chicoulis,  in  fact,  is  susceptible  of  great 
improvement,  and  in  many  instances 
might  be  adopted  in  order  to  defend 
the  lower  parts  of  angular  forts  or 
turrets. 

MACHINALEMENT,  Fr.  See  Me- 
chanically. 

Machines  used  in  tear  by  the  ancients, 
or  zoarlike  Machines,  (Machines  mili- 
taires  des  anciens,  Fr.)  Every  species 
of  instrument  or  machine,  which  was 
employed  before  tire  invention  of  fire- 
arms, for  the  purpose  of  demolishing  the 
fortifications  of  an  enemy,  or  of  ren- 
dering them  accessible  to  the  besieger, 
came  under  the  denomination  of  machine. 
For  a  full  and  elaborate  explanation  of 
the  different  machines  that  were  adopted 


Machiaval,  a  politician  of  Florence,  in  by  the  ancients,  we  refer  our  military 
Italy,)  a  political  principle,  not  to  stick  at  I  •' 
any  thing  to  compass  a  design ;  to  break 


through  the  most  solemn  obligations;  to 
commit  the  greatest  villanies,  in  order 
to  remove  any  obstructions  to  great  and 
ambitious  designs;  especially  in  rela- 
tion to  government.  So  writes  honest 
N.  Bailey. 

MACHICOLATIONS,  MACHI- 
COULIS, or  Masse-coulis,  Fr.  in  ancient, 
and  sometimes  in  modern  fortification, 
that  upper  part  of  the  wall  which  is 
sustained  by  brackets  or  corbels,  juts 
out,  and  overlooks  the  gate  or  ditch. 

When  a  place  is  besieged,  detached 
garties  of  the  garrison  may  be  posted  in 


Recueil  A/phabttique,  page  7.3. 

Infernal  Machines,  (Mac/tines  In- 
fern'ales,  Fr.)  Although  the  first  idea  of 
these  machines  has  been  attributed  to 
France,  the  invention,  nevertheless,  is 
by  no  means  new.  Frederic  Jambelli, 
an  Italian  engineer,  was  the  first  that 
used  them,  when  Alexander  of  Pa  una 
besieged  Antwerp.  The  Prince  of  Orange 
likewise  had  recourse  to  the  destructive 
effects  of  an  infernal  machine,  in  order 
to  bombard  Havre-de-Grace,  and  to  set 
it  on  fire.  The  Dutch  and  English,  ia 
conjunction,  attempted  to  destroy  St. 
Malo  by  the  same  means.     The  first  in- 

3  31 


M  A  C 


(     450     ) 


M  A  C 


Stance,  however,  upon  record,  in  which 
llu  French  made  use  or'  this  machine, 
was  when  Louis  the  XI\th  ordered  a 
Vessel  carrying  an  enormous  shell,  lull 
of  every  species  of  combustible  matter, 
to  be  dispatched  to  Algiers,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  demolishing  its  harbour.  This 
probably  suggested  to  other  nations  the 
adoption,  of  fire-ships,  and  other  de- 
strucli\  e  machines,  \\  hichhave  frequently 
been  used  against  maritime  places. 

The  author  ofCEuvres  Milt/aircs,  torn. 
xxii.  page  932.  speaking  of  the  infernal 
machines,  observes  that  if  he  were  to 
be  in  a  situation  which  required  the  use 
of  so  dreadful  an  explosion,  especially 
to  destroy  a  bridge,  he  would  prefer 
having  the  machine  made  simply  with 
different  strong  pieces  of  wood  joined 
together,  so  as  to  be  in  the  shape  of  an 
egg,  or  of  a  cone  reversed.  The  whole 
must  then  be  made  compact  with  cords 
twisted  round.  This  method,  in  his 
opinion,  is  not  only  the  best,  but  can  be 
executed  in  the  most  easyand  expeditious 
manner.  He  tin  tin  r  adds,  that  in  order 
to  burn  and  blow  up  wooden  bridges, 
and  even  to  destroy  such  as  are  con- 
structed upon  arches,  several  sorts  of 
barges  or  boats  might  be  used,  which 
should  be  filled  with  fire-works,  bombs, 
petards,  &c.  It  would  likewise  be  ex- 
tremely easy  to  construct,  these  machines 
upon  fioating  rafters,  carrying  several 
thousand  pounds  weight  of  gunpowder, 
which  might  be  confined  within  strong 
pieces  of  wood,  put  together  in  the  man- 
ner already  described. 

These  machines  should  be  piled  one 
above  the  other,  and  long  iron  bars  must 
be  thrown  across  the  iloats,  or  be  fixed 
like  masts,  so  that  when  the  whole  of 
the  combustible  materials  is  beneath  the 
center  of  the  bridge,  the  rafters  may  be 
stopped.  Great  care  must  be  taken  to 
dispose  the  matches  in  such  a  manner, 
that  no  fire  may  be  communicated  to  the 
gunpowder  befiire  the  machine  reaches 
the  exact  spot  which  is  to  be  destroyed. 

The  infernal  machine  which  was  used 
at  Boulogne  in  1004,  is  described  as 
follows  : 

This  machine  appears  to  be  as  simple 
in  its  construction  as  it  is  calculated  to 
be  effectual  in  its  operations.  It  is  com- 
posed of  two  stout  planks  seventeen  feet 
long,  which  form  its  sides,  and  are  dis- 
tant from  each  other  about  seven  feet. 
These  planks  are  connected  by  trans- 
terse  timbers,  screwed  to  the  planks,  so 


as  to  keep  the  whole  firm  and  compact 
and  to  prevent  the  danger  of  their  being 
separated  at  sea.  Of  these  transverse 
timbers  two  are  at  the  fore  extremity, 
and  three  behind.  This  may  be  called 
the  frame  or  hull  of  the  machine;  the 
remainder  of  the  work  being  either  for 
the  stowage  of  the  combustible  matter, 
or  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sea* 
men,  who  row  the  machine.  Along  the 
transverse  timbers,  at  both  extremities, 
are  laid  parallel  to  the  sides  live  longi- 
tudinal bars  of  nearly  the  same  strength 
as  the  transverse  timbers,  which  form  a 
kind  of  grate,  on  which  the  coffers, 
containing  the  combustible  matter,  are 
placed.  The  urate  behind  is  double  the 
size  of  the  one  before,  on  the  principle 
of  giving  facility  to  the  motion  of  the 
whole  by  making  the  machine  lighter  at 
the  head.  In  the  center,  between  the 
planks  forming  the  sides  from  the  inner 
extremity  of  the  grate  behind,  to  the 
outer  extremity  of  the  grate  before,  there 
is  fixed  a  plank  somewhat  broader  than 
the  side  planks,  which  is  W'ell  secured 
to  them  by  three  stout  transverse  tim- 
bers, which  pass  under  this  center  plank 
to  prevent  its  giving  way  to  pressure. 
In  this  plank  two  triangular  apertures 
ate  cut  tor  the  men  who  row,  to  dispose 
of  the  lower  extremities  whilst  they  ply 
the  machine.  Their  seats,  however,  are 
so  contrived,  that  each  man's  pTessttre 
is  directly  over  that  part  of  the  plank 
which  is  supported  by  the  transverse 
timbers.  The  seats  lie  nearer  to  the 
head  than  to  the  hind  part  of  the  machine, 
perhaps  to  be  some  counterpoise  for  the 
greater  weight  of  the  combustible  matter 
behind.  Near  each  seat  are  fastened  by 
rings  to  the  sides  two  oars,  one  on  each 
side,  and  each  man  plies  a  pair.  When 
the  machine  is  worked  to  its  destination, 
the  men  set  die  combustibles  in  a  train 
for  explosion,  and  abandon  their  posts. 
The  whole  is  so  regulated  as  to  weight  of 
the  materials,  that  the  machine  tloats, 
or  more  probably  moves  under  the  sur- 
face of  the  water,  so  that  little  more 
than  the  heads  of  the  men  are  seen. 
This  secures  the  men  and  the  machine 
from  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  as  the 
oars  must  consequently  be  plied  under 
water,  there  is  less  danger  of  their  being 
discovered  by  their  noise  on  their  ap- 
proach.   See  Turtle. 

Machine,  in  general,  whatever  hath 
force  sufficient  to  raise  or  stop  the  mo- 
tion of  a  heavy  body. 


M  A  C 


(     a-ol     ) 


MAG 


Machines  are  either  simple  or  com- 
pound. 

.Simple  Machines,  (muchines  sbtiples, 
Fr.;  are  the  balance,  the  lever,  pally, 
wheel,  wedge,  and  screw.  See  Me- 
chanical powejis. 

Compound  Machines,  (machines  com- 
poses, Fr.)  are  formed  by  various  com- 
binations, and  serve  for  different  pur- 
poses ;  in  all  which  the  same  general 
law  takes  place,  viz.  that  the  power  and 
weight  sustain  each  other,  when  they 
are  in  the  inverse  proportion  of  the 
velocities  they  would  have  in  the  direc- 
tions wherein  they  act,  if  they  were  put 
in  motion. 

l?w/j/g-MAC.HiNE,  an  instrument  used 
lor  the  purpose  of  boring  cannon.  There 
was  a  celebrated  machine  of  this  descrip- 
tion in  the  iron  foundry  in  Hanover, 
valued  at  2,000,000  crowns,  which  was 
carried  away  by  the  French  in  January, 
1804.  We  presume  it  has  been  reclaimed 
by  the  representatives  of  the  electorate 
of  Hanover. 

Hydraulic  Machine,  (?mchine  hy- 
filraulitjue,  Fr.)  a  machine  by  means  of 
which  water  is  conveyed  or  raised. 

Machine  for  submarine  navigation. 
See  American  Turtle. 

Machine  pneumatique,  Fr.  pneuma- 
tic engine.  It  also  signifies  an  air-pump. 
This  useful  instrument  was  invented  in 
the  17th  century,  by  Otho  Guerick,  a 
magistrate  of  the  city  of  Magdeburgh, 
in  the  circle  of  Saxony. 

MACHIXER,  Fr.  to  plot;  to  con- 
spire ;  to  enter  into  secret  cabals.  We 
also  say  to  Machinate, 

MACIIIN  LSTE,Fr.  an  engine-maker; 
one  who  assists  the  natural  strength  of 
man  bv  the  inventions  of  art. 

MA  CHR(  )IS  TICOS,  an  extensive  wall, 
such  as  was  built  round  Athens,  &c. 
There  were  two  large  piers  erected  at 
each  end,  with  arched  galleries  under, 
for  a  garrison  of  soldiers. 

MACON,  Fr.  mason  ;  it  also  signifies 
bricklayer. 

MACON NAGE,  Fr.  mason's  work. 

MACON  N  ER,  Fr.  to  build;  to  make; 
to  construct  any  building  with  stone  or 
brick.  The  French  say,  figuratively, 
viaconner,to  perform  in  a  bungling  man- 
ner. 

MACONNERIE,  Fr.  masonry ;  ma- 
son's work  ;  bricklayer's  work.  This 
wo^'d  is  applied  not  only  to  the  work  it- 
self, but  also  to  the  art  with  which  it  is 
done. 


Maconnerie  de  blocage,  Fr.  mason's, 
or  bricklayer's,  work  which  is  done  with 
mortar,  mixed  with  small  stones  or 
gravel. 

Maconnerie  en  liaison,  Fr.  mason's, 
or  bricklayer's,  work  which  is  done,  with 
square  stones,  or  stones  laid  across,  one 
covering  the  other. 

Maconnerie  en  limssinage,  Fr.  ma- 
son's, or  bricklayer's,  work  done  with 
rough  stones,  or  shards. 

Maconnerie  de  moilon,  Fr.  mason's, 
or  bricklayer's,  work  which  is  done  with 
stones  that  are  squared,  placed  upon  a 
level  one  with  the  other,  and  pointed  at 
the  outside. 

MADRAS,  Fort  St.  George.  A 
town  and  fort  on  the  Coromandel  coast, 
in  the  East  Indies,  belonging  to  th§ 
English.  The  town  is  called  Madras 
by  the  inhabitants,  but  by  the  natives 
Chilipatam.  It  is  divided  into  two 
towns,  the  one  called  the  White,  and 
the  other  the  Black  Town  ;  the  former 
being  inhabited  by  Europeans,  and  the 
latter  by  Gentoos.  The  diamond  mines 
are  only  a  week's  journey  from  this  place. 
The  town  is  governed  by  a  mayor  and 
aldermen,  with  other  officers.  It  is  C3 
miles  north  of  Pondicherry,  lat.  13°  5'  N, 
long.  80°  3-4'  E.  It  may  not  be  irrele- 
vant to  state,  that  the  establishments  be.r 
longing  to  Great  Britain,  in  the  kings- 
dom of  Indostan,  are  divided  into  three 
governments,  independent  of  each  other, 
Bombay  commands  the  factories  on  the 
western  side  of  the  peninsula,  commonly 
called  the  Malabar  coast;  together  with 
those  in  Persia  :  the  establishments  and 
possessions  on  the  eastern  or  Coroman- 
del coast,  are  under  the  government  of 
Madras ;  and  those  in  Bengal  depend 
on  Calcutta. 

MADRJERS,  planks  of  wood,  used 
for  supporting  the  earth  in  mining,  carry- 
ing on  a  sap,  making  coffers,  caponiers, 
galleries,  and  various  other  purposes. 

MAGAS1N,  Fr.  a  magazine. 

Pc^Y-Magasin,  Fr.  This  was  a  sort 
of  intermediate  building,  called  entrepot, 
where  stores,  provisions,  &c.  to  answer 
daily  consumption  were  deposited. 

Magasin  d'appr:)vision>if'?nenf,  Fr.  mar 
gazine  of  stores. 

M  v.  as in  d'crfille?-ie,  Fr.  ^  a  powder-- 

MagaSIN  «  pov.dre,  Fr.     \  magazine. 

Magasin  d'a/tc/ier,Yv.  a  store-house, 
or  magazine  of  stores,  such  as  contrac- 
tors and  commissaries  build  or  hire  for 
3  M  2 


MAG 


(     45?     ) 


M  A  G 


the  purpose  of  keeping  all  the  necessary 
materials. 

MagaSJNS  geniraux  de  guerre,  I'r. 
all  sorts  of  buildings  in  which  military 
stores  are  placed. 

MAGAZINE,  a  place  in  which  stores 
are  kept,  or  arms,  ammunition,  provi- 
sions, &c.  Also  a  small  rin  box  covered 
with  black  bather,  which  is  fastened  to 
the  soldier's  belt,  for  the  purpose  of  car- 
rying an  additional  quantity  of  ammuni- 
tion. 

Powder-M  acazixt,  is  that  plac< 
■where  the  powder  is  kept  raver}  largi 
quantities.  Authors  differ  greatly  both 
in  regard  to  situation  and  construction  : 
but  all  agree,  that  they  ought  to  be 
arched  and  bomb-proof.  In  fortifica- 
tions they  are  frequently  placed  in  tin 
rampart ;  but  of  late  they  ha\  e  been  built 
in  different  parts  of  the  town.  The  first 
powder  magazines  were  made  with  Go- 
thic arches  ;  but  M.  Vauban,  finding 
them  too  weak,  constructed  them  in  a 
semicircular  form,  whose  dimensions  an  . 
GO  feet  long,  within  ;  25  broad  ;  the 
foundations  are  eight  or  nine  feet  thick, 
ami  eight  feel  high  from  the  foundation 
to  the  spriiiL  of  the  arch  ;  the  lioor  is  3 
feet  from  the  ground,  which  keeps  it  from 
dampness. 

One  of  our  engineers  of  great  expe- 
rience some  time  since,  had  observed, 
that  after  the  centers  of  semicircular 
arches  are  struck,  they  settle  at  the 
crown  and  rise  up  at  the  hances,  even 
with  a  straight  horizontal  extrados,  and 
still  much  more  so  in  powder  magazines, 
whose  outside  at  top  is  formed  like  the 
roof  of  a  house,  by  two  inclined  planes 
joining  in  an  angle  over  the  top  of  the 
arch,  to  Live  a  proper  descent  to  the 
rain  ;  which  effects  are  exactly  what 
might  be  expected  agreeable  to  the  true 
theory  of  arches.  Now,  as  this  shrink- 
ing of  the  arches  must  be  attended  with 
very  ill  consequences,  by  breaking  the 
texture  of  the  cement,  after  it  has  been 
in  some  degree  dried,  and  also  by  open- 
ing the  joints  of  the  voussoirs,  at  one 
end,  so  a  remedy  is  provided  for  this  in- 
convenience, with  regard  to  bridges,  by 
the  arch  of  equilibration  in  Mr.  Hutton's 
book  on  bridges  ;  but,  as  the  ill  effect  is 
much  greater  in  powder  magazines,  the 
us  gentleman  proposed  to 
find  an  arch  of  equilibration  for  them 
also,  and  to  construct  it  when  the  span 
is.  20  iect,  the  pitch  or  height  10,  (which 


are  the  same  dimensions  as  the  semi- 
circle) the  inclined  exterior  walls  at  top 
forming  an  angle  of  113  degrees,  and 
the  height  of  their  angular  point  above 
the  top  of  the  arch,  equal  to  seven  feet  : 
this  very  curious  question  was  answered 
in  1775*  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wildbore,  to 
be  found  in  Mr.  Hutton's  Miscellanea 
Matht  matka. 

Artillery-M. ag AZI19T,,  in  a  siege.  The 
magazine  is  made  about  2.j  or  LiO  yards 
behind  the  battery,  towards  the  parallels, 
and  at  least  13  feet  under  ground,  to  bold 
the  powder,  loaded  shells,  portfires,  &C. 
Its  sides  and  roof  must  be  well  secured 
with  boards,  to  prevent  the  earth  fro  in- 
falling  in  ;  a  door  is  made  to  it,  and  a 
double  trench  or  passage  is  sunk  from 
the  magazine  to  the  battery,  one  to  go 
in  and  the  other  to  come  out  at  to  pre- 
vent confusion.  Sometimes  traverses 
are  made  in  the  passages  to  prevent 
ricochet  shot  from  plunging  into  them. 

Magazines  in  general,  including  pro- 
visions for  the  army,  &c.  (  Magasins  des7 
mores,  Sec.  Fr.)  Under  this  article  may 
be  included  all  the  necessaries  required 
for  the  subsistence  and  support  of  an  ar* 
ray.  Common  sense  dictates,  that  if  an 
individual  sent  upon  active  business 
must  be  provided  with  all  the  means  to 
support  him  during  his  journey,  &:c.  an 
assemblage  of  many  individuals  ought 
more  especially  to  be  well  taken  rare  of. 
An  able  commissary  general  can  alone  be 
equal  to  the  supply  of  these  necessaries  ; 
but  he  must,  at  the  same  time,  be  se- 
cohded  by  a  wise  administration.  The 
French  have  been  peculiarly  marked  for 
their  foresight  in  this  important  branch 
of  military  economy.  Before  they  enter 
a  country,  the  necessary  arrangements 
are  always  made  for  the  certain  supply 
of  all  the  essential  means  by  which  an 
army  is  enabled  to  keep  the  field.  For 
this  purpose,  a  regular  communication  is 
kept  up  between  the  advanced  posts  and 
the  reserve ;  and  provisions  are  not  only 
secured  in  the  front,  but  also  in  the  rear 
of  every  effective  force.  During  active 
hostilities,  the  French — who  certainly 
surpass  all  other  nations  in  their  ways 
and  means  with  respect  to  a  commis- 
sariat— have  recourse  to  requisitions  ; 
so  that  before  any  army  advances  into  a 
country, provisions, forage, &.c.  are  always 
in  readiness.  We  wish  the  same  precau- 
tions would  be  attended  to,  when  British 
tioops  are  landed  upon  the  continent. 


M  A  H 


(     453     ) 


M  A  H 


.MAGNA  CHARTA,  the  great  char- 
ter of  liberties  granted  to  the  people,  of 
England  in  the"9th  year  of  Henry  the 
Thud,  and  continued  by  Edward  the 
First.  It  is  so  called  on  account  of  the 
excellence  of  the  laws  therein  contained; 
or,  according  to  some  writers,  because 
another  lesser  Charter,  called  Charter 
de  Foresta,  was  established  with  it;  or 
because  it  contained  more  than  any 
other  charter,  &c.  or  in  regard  of  the 
remarkable  solemnity  in  the  denouncing 
excommunications  against  the  infringers 
of  it. 

MAGNANIMITY,  ( magnanimiti, 
Fr.)  greatness  of  mind ;  bravery  ;  ele- 
vation of  soul ;  disinterestedness ;  every 
thing  opposite  to  meanness  and  selfish- 
ness. Vauvenargues  has  the  following 
maxim  on  this  head  : — la  magnanimiti 
ne  doit  comnte  ci  la  prudence  de  scs  mo- 
tifs, magnanimity  or  elevation  of  soul 
is  not  accountable  to  prudence  for  its 
motives. 

MAGNANIMOUS,  (magnanime,  Vr.) 
great  in  sentiment ;  elevated  in  mind  ; 
brave. 

MAGNITUDE,  or  quantity,  any 
thing  locally  continued,  or  that  has  se- 
veral dimensions.  Its  origin  is  a  point 
which  though  void  of  parts,  yet  its  flux 
forms  a  line,  the  flux  of  that  a  surface, 
and  of  that,  a  body,  &c. 

MAHEUTRE,  an  old  French  term 
signifying  soldat  de  la  ligne,  a  regular 
soldier,  or  soldier  belonging  to  the  army 
of  the  line, 

MAHOGANY,  (acajou,  Fr.)  a  wood 
that  comes  from  the  West-Indies ;  the 
tree  of  which  grows  most  abundantly  in 
the  Antilla  Islands.  In  Nugent's  Pocket 
Dictionary,  it  is  called  bois  de  la  Chine. 
The  mahogany  wood  is  never  worm-eat- 
en, and  is  applicable  to  many  useful 
purposes  in  the  artillery.  The  best  ma- 
hogany comes  from  Honduras. 

MAHONNE,  Fr.  a  species  of  galeas 
or  double  galley  which  the  Turks  use. 
The  Venetian  galeasses  are  larger  and 
stronger  built. 

MAHRATTAS,  bid.  descendants  of 
a  pastoral  people  who  formerly  inhabited 
one  of  the  grand  divisions  of  ancient 
Hindustan,  described  by  the  Hindu  geo- 
graphers, and  called  in  thePuranas,  Ma- 
hurastra  ;  by  which  name  its  inhabitants 
are  likewise  designated.  The  ancient 
Maharastras,  like  the  Tartar  hordes, 
united  the  business  of  war  and  plunder 
with  the  occupation  of  shepherds  ;  and 


the  modern  Mahrattas,  though  in  some 
respects  more  civilized,  still  inherit  the 
warlike  and  predatory  spirit  of  their  an- 
cestors. This  spirit,  (we  quote  from  the 
editor  of  the  Asiatic  Register,)  directed 
by  the  talents  of  some  distinguished 
chieftains,  has,  in  the  course  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  years,  raised  them 
from  the  obscurity  of  free-booters  to  be 
one  of  the  most  powerful  nations  of 
Asia. 

Were  it  not  for  a  manifest  disunion 
among  the  Mahratta  princes,  their  col- 
lective military  strength  and  resources 
would  be  extremely  formidable. 

The  efficient  force  of  their  combined 
armies  amounts  to  210,000  cavalry  and 
96,000  infantry  ;  of  this  force  the  whole 
of  the  infantry,  and  about  three  fourths 
of  the  cavalry,  are  kept  in  a  constant 
state  of  readiness  to  march  against  the 
enemy.  The  infantry  is  chiefly  officered 
by  European  adventurers;  and  in  the 
service  of  Scindiah,  the  battalions  are 
accoutred,  formed  and  brigaded,  nearly 
in  the  same  maimer  as  the  native  regi- 
ments in  the  British  Indian  army.  To 
the  different  bodies  of  infantry  there  are 
attached  very  large  trains  of  artillery, 
well  appointed  and  served  ;  and  at  the 
commencement  of  the  late  war,  the 
pieces  of  ordnance  attached  to  Scin- 
diah's  brigades  amounted  to  464. 

The  cavalry  is  divided  into  four  dis- 
tinct classes,  namely,  the  body  guards- 
of  the  princes ;  the  troops  furnished  by 
the  Silladars ;  the  volunteers,  who  rind 
their  own  horses,  arms,  and  accoutre- 
ments ;  and  the  Pindarees  or  marau- 
ders, who  serve  without  pay,  and  subsist 
entirely  by  plunder.  This  last  class, 
however,  is  composed  of  so  licentious 
and  ungovernable  a  rabble,  that  it  is  not^ 
now  employed  in  the  armies  of  the  prin- 
cipal chieftains.  The  Mahrattas  are 
accustomed,  from  their  infancy,  to  the 
use  and  management  of  horses ;  and 
hence  arises  that  extraordinary  dexterity 
in  horsemanship,  which  their  troopers 
often  display. 

The  Mahratta  tribes  were  first  formed 
into  a  nation  between  the  years  1660 
and  1670,  by  Levajee,  a  man  of  an  en- 
terprizing  and  aspiring  mind,  who  was  a 
descendant  of  the  Rajahs  of  Chittore, 
the  most  ancient  of  the  Hindu  princes 
in  the  Deccan.  The  father  of  this  ce- 
lebrated chief  was  a  general  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Mussulman  prince  Ibrahim 
Adil  Shah,  sovereign  of  ijeejapur,  from 


M  A  H 


(     4.54     ) 


M  A  I 


whom  be  had  obtained,  in  perpetual  so- ; 
verciimtv,    the  principality  of  Satta.- in, 
{(.miIis  a   valuable  jaghire  in  the  Car- 
natic. 

The  Empire  of  the  Mahrattas  com- 
prehends all  the  western  provinces  of 
the  Derr;m  whi<-h  lie  between  the  rivers 
Naitudda  and  Krisna;  the  province  of 
Bum.  in  the  interior;  that  of  Cuttack 
on  the  eastern  coast  of  the  peninsula; 
;uid  the  whole  of  the  western  Hindost;m, 
excepting  Moultan,  the  Punjab,  and 
Sirhind.  These  extensive  territories  are 
hounded  on  the  north  by  the  mountains 
of  Lewalic,  which  separate  them  from 
Sirnaytr  and  Cashmir;  on  the  north-east 
by  Rohilcund  and  Oude  ;  on  the  east  by 
the  British  provinces  of  Benares,  Behar, 
Bengal,  partofOrissa,  the  bay  of  Bengal, 
xnd  the  northern  Sircars  ;  on  the  south 
by  the  dominions  of  the  Subahdarof the 
Deccan,  the  rivers  Krisna  and  Tumbu- 
<lra  ;  on  the  west  by  that  part  of  the  In- 
dian Ocean  which  divides  India  from 
Africa ;  and  on  the  north-west  by  the 
sandy  deserts  of  Moultan,  the  river 
Sursootee,  and  the  province  of  Sirhind. 
The  greatest  length  of  the  Mahrafta  do- 
minions, from  Delhi  in  the  Northern,  to 
Tumbudra  in  the  Southern  extremity,  is 
970  British  miles  ;  and  the  extreme 
breadth,  from  east  to  west,  where  they 
stretch  across  the  peninsula,  from  the 
bay  of  Bengal  to  the  Gulph  of  Cambey, 
is  900  British  miles.  This  immense  tract 
of  country  contains  the  provinces  of 
Delhi,  Agra,  Ajinere,  iUalwa,  Gujerat, 
Condeis,  Baglana,  Visiapur,  the  Kon- 
kar,  Berar,  Cuttack,  and  part  of  Dow- 
latabad.  Of  these  provinces  Delhi, 
Agra,  part  of  Malwa,  Gujerat,  Baglana, 
and  Visiapur,  are  highly  fertile  and  popu- 
lous ;  yielding  abundance  of  the  finest 
grain,  thronged  with  towns  and  villages, 
and  enriched  by  a  busy  internal  com- 
merce. The  other  provinces  of  the 
empire  are  not  less  productive,  but  much 
less  disposed,  by  nature,  for  cultivation 
and  improvement.  Lofty  ridges  of  moun- 
tains and  vast  sterile  vales,  sometimes 
covered  with  wood,  form  the  most  pro- 
minent features  of  their  local  scenery. 
They  are  consequently  thinly  inhabited ; 
but  the  inhabitants,  partaking  of  the 
nature  of  the  soil,  are  hardy,  robust,  and 
intrepid.  The  whole  population  of  the 
Mahratta  empire  may  be  computed  at 
about  forty  millions.  The  population  is 
<.omposfcd  of  dili'erent   nations  awl  of 


various  trib-s,  of  whom  nine-tenths  are 
Hindus,  and  the  rest  Mussulmans.  The 
nation  from  which  the  empire  derived 
its  origin  and  tak'  s  its  name,  occupies, 
the  province  of  Baglana,  the  northern 
part  of  \  isiapur,  and  the  mountainous 
districts  of  '  -owlatabad  and  Berar. 

We.  refer  our  readers  to  an  interest- 
ing paper  on  the  military  institutions  of 
the  Mahrattas  in  the  Asiatic  Annual 
Register,  vol.  I.  Miscellaneous  Tracts, 
p.  HJJ,  and  for  further  particulars  re- 
specting the  Mahrattas  in  general,  to  the, 
introduction  of  the  last  volume  pub- 
lished in  lBOt, 

MAIDEN,  an  edged  instrument  used 
at  Edinburgh,  in  former  times,  for  the 
decapitation  of  criminals.  The  original 
invention  is  by  some  attributed  to  an  in- 
habitant of  Halifax,  in  Yorkshire  The 
guillotine,  so  called  from  a  French  phy- 
sician whose  name  was  Guillotirt,  and  by 
which  Louis  the  Sixteenth  wras  executed, 
January  21st,  1793,  owes  its  origin  to 
the  maiden. 

MAJESTAS,  a  Latin  word,  from 
which  are  derived  Majestc,  Fr.  and 
Majesty,  It  was  originally  used  among 
the  Romans  to  signify  the  power  which 
was  vested  in  the  Roman  people,  when 
they  had  the  exclusive  privilege  of 
making  laws,  creating  their  chief  ma- 
gistrates, and  of  determining  upon 
peace  or  war.  Hence  also  our  term 
majesty  or  sovereignty  of  the  people, 
signifying  that  right  of  electing  their 
representatives  which  Englishmen  pos- 
sess. 

MAIL,  primarily  denotes  the  holes  or 
meshes  in  a  net :  it  likewise  signifies  a 
round  iron  ring.     Hence 

Coat  of  Mail,  a  coat  of  armour,  or 
steel  net-work,  anciently  worn  for  de- 
fence. 

MAILLET,  Fr.  a  mallet.  The  French 
formerly  made  use  of  this  instrument  as 
an  offensive  weapon  in  their  engage- 
ments. 

In  1351  the  mallet  was  used  at  the 
famous  battle  des  '1  rente  (of  thirty)  which 
derived  its  name  from  the  number  of 
combatants  that  fought  on  each  side. 

This  extraordinary  combat  holds  a  dis- 
tinguished place  in  the  history  of  Brit^ 
tannv,  and  was  entered  into  by  the  parti- 
zans  of  Charles  of  Bois,  and  the  King  of 
France  on  one  side,  and  by  the  Count 
Montfort  and  the  King  of  England  on 
the  other. 


MAI  (     455     ) 

f  nder  the  reign  of  Charles  VI.  a  Pa-- 
risian  mob  forced  the  arsenal,  took  but 
a  large  quantity  of  mallets,  with  which 
they  armed  themselves  for  the  'purpose 
of  murdering  the  custom-house  officers. 
The  persons  who  assembled  on  this  oc- 
casion were  afterwards  called  Maillotins. 

In  the  days  of  Louis  XII.  the  English 
archers  carried  mallets  as  offensive 
weapons. 

MAII.LOTIN,  Fr.  an  old  French 
term,  which  signified  an  ancient  weapon 
that  was  used  to  attack  men  who  wore 
helmets  and  cuirasses. 

MAILS  ou  MaUlets,Tr.  See  Maillet. 

MAL\-BAl'TLE.    See  Battle-Ar- 

RAY. 

MAI  M  -BODY  of  the  amy,  the  body 
of  troops  that  march  between  the  ad- 
vanced and  rear  guards.  In  a  camp,  that 
part  of  the  army  encamped  between  the 
right  and  lett  wings. 

MA1N-G*  AiiD,  or  grand-guard,  a 
body  of  horse  posted  before  a  camp  for 
the  security  of  an  army.  In  garrison, 
it  is  a  guard  generally  mounted  by  a 
subaltern  officer  and  abdut  24  men.  See 
Guard. 

MAIN,  Fr.  hand. 

Main  armee,  Fr.  armed  force. — En- 
irer  a  main  armee  dans  un  pays,  to  enter 
into  a  country  with  armed  men. 

Un  coup  de  Main,  Fr.  a  bold  action  ; 
the  sudden  execution  of  any  military  en- 
terprize. 

En  venir  aux  Mains,  Fr.  to  come  to 
blows,  to  come  to  close  action. 

Avoir  les  urmes  bien  belles  a  la  Main, 
Fr.  an  expression  used  in  fencing,  signi- 
fying, that  the  person  who  handles  the 
sword  or  foil  does  it  gracefully. 

Mettre  Vipce  a  la  Main,  Fr.  to  draw- 
one's  sword,  either  for  the  purpose  of 
falling  in,  giving  a  word  of  command, 
(when  troops  are  tinder  arms),  or  of 
fighting  a  duel. 

" Faire  Main  basse,  Fr.  to  put  to  the 
'sword ;  to  give  no  quarter. 

Leger  en  Main,  Fr  light  in  hand. 

Dur,  oupesant  en  Main,  Fr.  heavy  in 
hand. 

Sure'n  Main,  Fr.  steady  in  hand. 

Main  de  la  hide,  Fr.  the  left  hand. 

Main  de  la  lance,  Fr.  the  right  hand. 

Un  hoinme  de  Main,  Fr.  an  active, 
stirring  man.  We  familiarly  say,  an  ori- 
hand  man. 

En  iire  aux  Mains',  Fr.  to  be  actually 
engaged. 


M  A  J 


Sabre  a  la  Main,  Fr.  sword  in  hand. 

Aller  bride  en  Main,  Fr.  to  act  with 
deliberation. 

To  MAINTAIN,  to  support. 

MAJOR,  a  superior  officer  in  the 
army,  whose  functions  vary  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  service  on  which  he  is 
employed. 

Major  of  a  regiment  of' foot,  the  next 
officer  to  the  lieutenant-colonel,  generally 
promoted  from  the  eldest  captain :  he 
is  to  take  care  that  the  regiment  be  welt 
exercised,  to  see  it  march  in  good  order, 
and  to  rally  it  in  case  of  being  broken  in 
action  :  he  and  the  adjutant  are  the  only 
officers  among  the  infantry  that  are  al- 
lowed to  be  on  horseback  in  the  time  of 
action,  that  they  may  the  more  readily 
execute  the  colonel's  orders. 

The  Major  of  a  regiment  of  horse,  as 
well  as  foot,  ought  to  be  a  man  of  ho- 
nour, integrity,  understanding,  courage, 
activity,  experience,  and  address :  he 
should  be  master  of  arithmetic,  and  keep 
a  detail  of  the  regiment  in  every  parti'- 
cular :  he  should  be  skilled  in  horseman- 
ship, and  ever  attentive  to  his  business  : 
one  of  his  principal  functions  is,  to  keep 
an  exact  roster  of  the  officers  for  duty ; 
he  should  have  a  perfect  knowledge  in 
all  the  military  evolutions,  as  he  is 
obliged  by  his  post  to  instruct  others^ 
&c. 

IW/z-Major,  the  third  officer  in 
order  in  a  garrison,  and  next  to  the 
deputy-governor.  He  should  understand 
fortification ;  and  has  a  peculiar  charge 
of  the  guards,  rounds,  patroles,  and 
sentinels. 

Br/^acfe-MAJOR  is  a  particular  officer 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  only  in 
camp,  quarters,  or  barracks:  he  repairs 
every  day  to  head-quarters  to  receive 
orders  from  the  adjutant-general :  thence 
he  goes  and  gives  the  orders,  at  the 
place  appointed  for  that  purpose,  to 
the  different  majors  or  adjutants  of  the 
regiments  which  compose  his  brigade, 
and  regulates  with  them  the  number  of 
officers  and  men  which  each  are  to  fur- 
nish for  the  duty  of  the  army ;  taking 
care  to  keep  an  exact  roster,  that  one 
may  not  give  more  than  another,  and 
that  each  march  in  their  tour:  in  short, 
the  major  of  brigade  is  charged  with  the 
particular  detail  in  his  own  brigade,  in 
much  the  same  way  as  the  adjutant- 
general  is  charged  with  the  general  detail 
of  the  duty  of  the  army,    lie  sends  every 


M  A  J 


(     *36     ) 


M  A  J 


morning  tq  the  adjutant-general  an  ex-i. well  skilled  in  military  architecture,- lor 


act  return,  by  battalion  and  company, 
of  the  men  of  his  brigade  missing  at  the 
retreat,  or  a  report  expressing  that  none 
are  absent :  he  also  mentions  the  officers 
absent,  with  or  without  leave. 

As  all  orders  pass  through  the  hands 
of  the  majors  of  brigade,  they  have 
many. Bccasions  of  making  known  their 
talents  and  exactness. 

Major  of  artillery  is  also  the  next 
officer  to  a  lieulenant-colonel ;  but  his 
duty  differs  very  materially  from  oi 
of  that  rank  in  the  army  :  for  he  is 
usually  in  command  of  a  detachment  ol 
artillery  at  some  particular  post,  or  in 
the  field,  and  has  not  immediately  tin 
charge  of  drilling  and  disciplining  the 
men  of  the  regiment;  but  i-  more  gene- 
rally employed  in  executing  the  various 
duties  attached  to  the  profession  ;  which 
comprehend  many  Aery  important  ob- 
jects. He  should  be  well  skilled  m  for- 
tification, and  the  construction  of  field 
works;  as  in  some  instances  he  may 
be  thrown  into  situations  where  no 
engineer  is  upon  the  spot  to  perform  such 
duties. 

Major  of  Royal  Artillery  Drivt  /  s 
[formerly  called  Gunner  Drivers.]  (  Major 
des  Conducteurs  d'Artillerie.  1  r.)  A  par- 
ticular otiicer  whose  appointment  was. 
first  created  in  180ti,  (as  appears  by  the 
King's  warrant,  dated  1st  day  of  January 
in  that  year,)  on  the  recommendation 
of  the  late  Mr. Pitt,  the  present  Lord 
Liverpool,  and  the  Earl  of  Chatham, 
then  master  general  of  the  ordnance. 
Two  troops  were  to  have  been  added  to 
the  old  establishment,  under  an  tmpres- 
sion  that  our  co-operation  with  Russia, 
Prussia,  &c.  would  have  required  a  huge 
disposable  force,  especially  of  artillery. 
In  which  case,  it  was  thought  that  a 
chief  commissary  of  the  drivers,  acting 
confidentially  with  the  master  general  in 
regard  to  intelligence,  &:c.  ai.d  (although 
subordinate  to  the  artillery  <  n  service) 
still  liable  to  be  called  upon  tor  the  in- 
terior economy  of  the  corps,  might  be 
very  useful  during  the  course  of  a  cam- 
paign; most  especially  if  the  individual, 
so  entrusted,  should  possess  a  certain 
knowledge  of  the  country,  and  be  ac- 
quainted with  the  manners  and  language 
of  the  inhabitants.  This  situation  was 
abolished  in  1312. 

Major  of  engineers,  commonly  with 
'fte  called  sub-director,  should  be  very 


titication,  gunnery,  :md  mining.  He 
should  know  how  to  fortify  in  the  field, 
to  attack  and  defend  all  sons  of  posts, 
and  to  conduct  the  works  in  a  siege,  &c. 
See  Engineer. 

.(/'(/-.Major  is  on  sundry  occasions 
appointed  to  act  as  major,  who  has  a 
pre-eminence  abo  >  others  of  thi  same 
denomination.  Our  horse  and  foot- 
guards  have  tin  r guidons,  or  second  and 
third  majoi  >. 

Serj  is  a    non-commis- 

sioned officer,  of  gr.  at.  merit  and  capa- 
city, subordinate  to  the  adjutant,  as  the 
iattrr  is  to  the  major.  Among  the  pri- 
vates the  Serjeant  major  is  generally 
called  major,  iji  Prance,  the  first  Bi  r- 
jeanl  of  each  company  was  called  Ser- 
,i  ani-Majpr. 

DruntrMAJOR  is  not  only  the  first 
drummer  in  the  regiment,  but  has  the 
>ame  authority  over  his  drummers  as 
the  i  orporal  has  over  his  squad.  He  in- 
structs them  in  their  different  beats  :  is 
daily  at  orders  with  the  Serjeants,  to 
know  the  number  of  drummers  tor  duty. 
He  marches  at  their  head  when  they 
beat  in  a  body.  In  the  day  of  battle,  or 
at  exercise,  he  must  be  very  attentive  to 
the  orders  given  him,  that  he  may  re- 
gulate his  beats  according  to  the  move- 
incuts  ordered. 

///(-Major  is  he  that  plays  the  best 
on  that  instrument,  and  has  the  same 
authority  over  the  titers  as  the  druin- 
major  has  over  the  drummers.  He 
teaches  them  their  duty,  and  appoints 
them  for  guards,  i\x. 

M.\juu-General.    See  General. 

MAJOR,  Fr.  The  French  considered 
tiiis  term,  in  a  military  sense,  under  the 
following  heads : — 

Major  -general  d'une  armie,  Fr. 
major-general  generally  so  called,  which 
see. 

M  \jon-general  de  VInf anient  Fran- 
coisc,  Fr.  major-general  of  the  French 
infantry.  TniE  appointment  was  made 
under  Francis  I.  in  1515. 

M.\joK-gaicrat  des  Dragons,  Fr.  a 
major-general  of  dragoons.  His  func- 
tions were  similar  to  those  exercised  by 
the  Marichal  general  des  logis  de  la  cava- 
lerie,  and  nearly  the  same;  as  those  of 
major-general  of  infantry. 

Major  de  brigade,  Fr.  brigade-major. 

Major  d'un  regiment  de  eavuleric<, 
Fr.  major  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry, 


MAI 

Major  d'un  regiment  d' infanterie, 
Fr.  major  of  a  regiment  of  infautry. 
Under  the  old  government  of  France  all 
majors  of  infantry  regiments  were  styled 
sergent-majors,  or  serjeant-majors,  in 
their  commissions.  They  were  not  per- 
mitted to  have  any  company  of  their 
own;  because  it  was  reasonably  judged, 
that  their  own  interest  might  render 
them  more  partial  to  that  company, 
and  the  service  be  thereby  injured. 

Major  d'une  place  de  guerre,  Fr. 
town-major. 

Major  des  quatres  compagnies  des 
Gardes  du  Corps,  Fr.  a  rank  which  was 
exclusively  given  to  an  officer  belonging 
to  the  old  French  guards.  This  was  an 
appointment  of  considerable  trust  under 
the  old  government  of  France.  He  was 
lieutenant  in  each  of  the  companies,  and 
had  the  right  of  seniority  over  all  lieu- 
tenants younger  than  himself  in  date  of 
commission. 

Major  sur  uu  vaisseau  de  guerre,  Fr. 
an  officer  on  board  a  king's  ship,  whose 
duty  is  to  see  the  guard  regularly 
mounted,  and  the  sentries  posted. 

Etat-M.AJOR,  Fr.  a  comprehensive 
French  term  in  which  is  included  every 
thing  that  can  be  conveyed  under  the 
word  Staff,  as  applicable  to  the  British 
•service.  In  the  Manuel  des  Adjudans- 
Gineraux  et  leurs  Adjoints,  the  particular 
duties  of  the  etat-major  are  accurately 
explained. 

E<a*-MAJOR,  Fr.  the  staff  officers  of 
a  regiment. 

Grand  Etat-MAJOR,  Fr.  the  staff 
officers  of  an  army,  who  are  detached 
from  their  several  corps  for  the  purpose 
of  attending  a  commander  in  chief,  or 
other  general  officer. 

Major- Dome,  Fr.  an  officer  belonging 
to  the  gallies,  who  has  the  chief  super- 
intendance  of  provisions. 

MAJORITY,  (mqiorite,  Fr.)  the 
rank  or  situation  of  the  junior  field  officer 
or 'major  of  a  regiment. 

MAIRE,  Fr.  Under  the  ancient  mo- 
narchy of  France  the  person  socalledwas 
invested  with  the  first  dignity  of  the  king- 
dom. Charles  Martel,  of  whom  so  much 
is  said  in  the  history  of  the  French  kings, 
•was  Mayor  of  the  palace.  He  was,  in 
fact,  grandmaster  of  the  king's  house- 
hold, and  had  an  entire  controul  over 
the  officers  belonging  to  that  establish- 
ment. The  appellation  of  Muire  du 
Palais,  mayor  of"  the  palace,  was  given 
in   lieu    of   MaUre    du   Palais,  Master 


(    45f    )  m   A   I 

of  the  palace.  This  name  was  borrowed 
from  the  Roman  Emperors,  who  had 
each  a  grand  master  of  the  palace.  Du 
Tillet,  a  French  author,  in  page  12  of 
his  book,  pretends  that  the  word  is  de- 
rived from  Mer,  which  signifies  Prufect. 

MAISON-rfK-it<M,Fr.  the  king's  house- 
hold. Certain  select  bodies  of  troops 
were  so  called  during  the  monarchy  of 
France,  and  consisted  of  the  gardes  du 
corps,  or  body  guards;  the  gendarmes, 
chevaux  legers,  or  light  horse ;  mousque- 
taires,  or  musketeers;  la  gendarmerie, 
grenadiers  a  cheval,  or  horse  grenadiers  ; 
the  regiments  belonging  to  the  French 
and  Swiss  guards,  and  the  cent  Suisses, 
or  hundred  Swiss  guards.  The  Ma-ison- 
du-Roi,  or  king's  household,  was  not 
considered  as  a  separate  establishment 
from  the  rest  of  the  army,  until  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIV.  This  establish- 
ment was  successively  formed  by  dif- 
ferent kings  out  of  militia  companies, 
which  they  took  into  their  body-guard. 

Maison  Meurtritre,  Fr.  This  term 
was  formerly  given  to  casemates. 

MAITRE,  Fr.  This  word  (which  signi- 
fies, in  a  literal  sense,  master  or  superior) 
was  formerly  attached  to  every  trooper 
belonging  to  the  heavy  French  cavalry. 
Among  the  Romans,  the  term  magistcr 
(master)  was  used  to  mark  out  different 
officers  who  held  situations  of  trust. 
Hence  the  Dictator  was  called  Mugis- 
ter  Populi,  the  master  or  leader  of  the 
people.  The  Romans  likewise  applied 
the  word  to  the  leading  officers  of  their 
infantry. 

Maitre  des  amies,  Fr.  master  at 
arms.  An  officer,  during  the  existence 
of  the  Grecian  empire,  who  took  pre- 
cedence of  the  Maitre  de  la  milice,  or 
master  of  the  militia. 

Maitre  (Formes,  Fr.  a  term  in  general 
use  among  the  French,  signifying  a 
fencing-master.  Every  regiment  has  a 
maitre  d'armes  attached  to  it. 

Maitre  homme,  Fr.  an  individual 
possessing  great  talents  and  much  firm- 
ness. 

Maitre  fripon,  Fr.  an  arrant  knave. 

Maitrl  aliboron,  Fr.  a  busy-body. 

MAITRESSE  J'emme,  Fr.  a  woman 
of  superior  capacity  ;  in  a  familiar  sense, 
one  who  wears  the  breeches. 

MAITR1SE,  Fr.  a  place  of  rank  and 
dignity;  as  la  (J? ancle  Maiirise  de 
Malte,  the  situation  of  Grand  Master  of 
Malta. 

MAITIUSER,  Fr.  to  subdue  :  to  do- 
3  N 


M  A  L 

to  overcome 


(     4.58 
to  get  the 


) 


MAL 


mincer  over ; 
better. 

MAITftrtEB  fes  ive'nemens,  Fr.  to  get 
the  better  of  apparent  obstacles,  by  an- 
ticipating events,  or  overcoming  them  by 
judgment  and  intrepidity. 

M  AIZE,  Ind.  Indian  corn. 

M  \KE  Ready i  a  word  <it'  command 
in  the  firing,  on  which  the  soldier  brings 
his  piece  to  the  Recover,  at  the  same 
time  cocking  it  ready  for  firing. 

To  Make  land,  to  discover  land 
when  at  sea.  The  French  say,  decouvrir 
la  lure. 

To  Make  war,  (faire  la  gun-re,  Fr.) 
to  commence  hostile  operations  against 
another. 

MAL  d\irmce,  Fr.  a  sort  of  conta- 
gions disorder  which  sometimes  rages  in 
an  army,  and  is  occasioned  by  too  much 
fatigue,  or  by  bad  food. 

Mu.-(/c-wi'c,  Fr.  sea-sickness. 

~S\\\.-de-l(rre,  Fr.  the  scurvy  is  so 
railed  by  the  French. 

M.A.'L-de-corne,  Fr.     See  Sit-fast. 

MALABAR-GUNS,  heavy  pieces  of 
ordnance,  which  are  made  in  the  Ma- 
labar country,  and  are  formed  by  means 
of  iron  bars  joined  together.  They  are 
very  lone,  and  extremely  unwieldy. 

MALADE,  Fr.  sick. 

Soldats  Malades,  Fr.  soldiers  on  the 
sick  list. 

MALAI  language,  (Le  Malai,  Yr.) 
this  was  anciently  the  learned  Language 
of  the  East ;  but  is  now  that  of  trade 
and  commerce. 

MALAIS,  (Malais,  Fr.)  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  Peninsula,  called  Malacca  or 
Malaya,  joining  to  Siam  on  the  north  ; 
but  surrounded  on  the  other  parts  by 
the  sea.  It  is  about  600  miles  long, 
and  lies  in  the  direction  of  S.  S.  E.  and 
N.N.W. 

MALANDRE,  Fr.  melanders;  a 
disorder  among  horses  which  affects  the 
knees,  when  the  skin  is  chapped,  and 
a  fietid  humour  rims  from  it. 

Malandres,  Fr.  wood  that  is  worm- 
eaten,  or  otherwise  defective  from  knots, 
Sec.    The  French  say  bois  malandrieux. 

MALANDRINS,  Fr.  a  set  of  free- 
booters, who  under  the  reign  of  Charles 
V.  infested  France.  During  the  Inst 
century  these  plunderers  made  their 
appearance  twice  in  considerable  bodies. 
They  consisted  chiefly  of  discharged 
soldiers,  who  formed  themselves  into 
marauding  parties,  and  pillaged,  v  it h 
impunity,  all   the   travellers    they  met. 


Abbe,  de  Clioisi  relates,  that  it  was,  ex- 
tremely hazardous  to  oppose  them  in 
their  tirst  onset.  These  pillagers,  whom 
the  inhabitants  balled  Maluiidrins,  as- 
sembled indifferent  cantons,  chose  their 
own  leadi  is,  and  observed  a  sort  of  dis- 
cipline in  their  depredations. 

'I  he\  usually  contrived  to  station  them- 
selves in  such  a  manner,  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  attack  them. 

They  plundered,  or  destroyed,  many 
places  and  buildings  through  which  they 
passed,  and  paid  no  regard  to  church  or 
state.  Their  principal  and  most  noto- 
rious leaders  were,  the  Chevalier  de 
Vert,  brother  to  the  Count  D'Auxerre, 
Ungues  de  Caurelee,  Mathieu  de  Gour- 
nar,  Hugues  de  Varennes,  Gauthier 
Huet,  and  Robert  Lescot,  who  all  be- 
longed to  some  order  of  knighthood. 
Bertrand  du  Guesclin  cleared  the  coun- 
try of  these  dangerous  and  unprincipled 
men  by  leading  them  into  Spain  under 
a  pretence  of  fighting  the  Moors,  when 
in  reality  his  object  was  to  attack  Peter 
the  Cruel.  See  French  Hist,  de  Charles 
V.  liv.  i.  page  86. 

MALE,  in  composition,  signifies  bad. 
M. v  I.  r-  A  (I '/iii  in si rat ton,    (malversation, 
Fr.)  bad  management  of  affairs. 

MALECGNTENT,  (m&content,  Fr.) 
dissatisfied ;  discontented. 

MALEFACTOR,  (malfailcur,  Fr.) 
an  offender  against  law  ;  a  criminal. 

M  ALE  PR  ACTIC  F,,  practice  contrary 
to  rules;  as  the  embezzlement  of  the 
king's  stores,  &c. 

MALFACGN,  Fr.  defect.  This  word 
is  applied  to  any  thing  which  is  not  per- 
ti  ctlv  finished. 

MALINGERER,  (from  the  French,) 
one  who  feigns  illness  to  avoid  his  duty. 
MALIJNGRE,  Fr.  peaking,  sickly! 
M  \LL.     See  Maul. 
MALLET,  a  wooden  hammer. 
MALLEABLE,  a  property  of  metals, 
whereby  they  are  capable  of  being  ex- 
tended under  the  hammer. 

MALLETIER,  Fr.  a  trunk-maker. 
MALLETTE,    Fr.   a  small  portable 
trunk. 

MALLIER,  Fr.  shaft  horse;  also  a 
pack-horse. 

MALTA,  the  strongest  place  in  the 
Mediterranean,  taken  by  the  French 
troops  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  from 
the  Knights  of  that  order,  and  afterwards 
retaken  by  the  British.  The  island  of 
Malta  may  be  considered  as  a  key  to 
the  Levant.     The  fortifications  of  this 


MAN 


(     459     ) 


MAN 


place  have  been  carried  to  a  great  extent,  I 
owing  perhaps  to  the  facility  with  which 
the  stone  can  be  worked,  from  its  pecu- 
liar softness;  the  whole  island  being  a 
rock  of  the  same  stone,  and  having  a 
surface  of  earth  of  depth  merely  sufficient 
to  produce  grain  or  cotton.  See  Mili- 
tary Orders. 

MALTOTE,  Fr.  an  oppressive  tax. 

MALVOISliX,  (from  Mat,  evil,  and 
Voisin,  a  neighbour,)  an  ancient  warlike 
engine  for  casting  stones,  battering  walls, 
&c. 

MAMALUKES,  (Mammclus,  Fr.) 
Some  writers  assert,  that  they  were 
Turkish  and  Circassian  slaves,  originally 
purchased  from  the  wandering  Tartars 
by  Meliesaheh,  and  amounting  in  num- 
ber, to  one  thousand  men.  They  were 
trained  and  disciplined  to  war,  and  some 
were  raised  to  the  rirst  places  of  trust 
and  empire.  Other  writers  say,  that 
the  Mainaiukes  were  generally  chosen 
out  of  Christian  slaves,  and  may  be  con- 
sidered in  the  same  light  as  the  Turkish 
Janizaries  are  :  others  again  assert,  that 
they  originally  came  from  Circassia,  and 
attracted  public  notice  by  their  valour, 
&c.  in  8(39.  See  D'Herbelot,  page  545. 
The  Mamalukes  made  a  considerable 
figure  during  the  war  of  1800,  especially 
in  their  contest  against  Bonaparte,  for 
the  defence  of  Egypt.  They  afterwards 
joined  the  French,  and  formed  a  consi- 
derable part  of  their  cavalry. 

MAMMELON,  Fr.  literally  a  nipple. 
The  word  is  applied  to  the  end  of  any 
piece  of  iron  or  wood  which  is  made 
round  for  the  purpose  of  being  moveable 
in  a  hole  or  cavity. 

Mam  melon  signifies  also  the  extre- 
mity of  an  upright  which  is  made  round, 
and  used  in  dams  and  sluices. 

Mammelons,  Fr.  round  hillocks  of 
easy  ascent,  rising  upon  the  surface  of 
level  ground. 

MAMMILLTARIA,  (Mammeltere, 
Fr.)  a  word  corrupted  from  the  Latin, 
signifying  a  sort  of  armour,  or  that  part 
of  armour  which  formerly  covered  the 
chest  and  nipples.  Ftienne  de  la  Fon- 
taine, who  was  silver-smith  to  the  French 
court,  mentions,  among  other  articles, 
two  sets  of  Mammelieres,  in  an  account 
which  was  delivered  in  the  year  1352. 

MAjS.  To  man  the  works  is  to  post 
the  soldiers  on  the  lines  so  as  to  be  ready 
for  their  defence,  ike.  In  the  plural 
number  it  means  soldiers,  as  an  army 
consisting  of  12,000  men. 


Flank-front-rank-M.AN .  Each  soldier 
upon  the  right  and  left  extremity  of  the 
first  line  or  rank  of  any  given  body  of 
troops  is  so  called. 

Flaiik-rear-rank-M 'an .  Each  soldier 
upon  the  right  and  left  extremity  of  the 
last  line  or  rank  of  any  given  body  of 
troops. 

When  a  company  or  battalion  is  drawn 
up  three  deep,  the  two  men  who  stand 
at  the  extremities  of  the  center  line  may 
be  called  Jlank-cente.r-rank-mcn. 

Great  Man,  (Grand  Homme,  Fr.) 
See  Great. 

Little  Man,  (Homme  de  Petitesses, 
Fr.     See  Little. 

Man,  Isle  of,  anciently  Mona,  is  si- 
tuated in  St.  George's  channel,  between 
4  and  5  degrees  of  western  longitude  ; 
and  between  54  and  55  degrees  of  north 
latitude;  it  is  about  30  miles  long  and 
15  broad.  The  three  united  kingdoms, 
England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland  may  be 
seen  from  it.  The  Manx  fencibles,  under 
the  command  of  Lord  James  Murray, 
were  raised  for  the  defence  of  this 
island.  The  Mutiny  Act  extends  thither 
in  many  instances.     See  Sect.  78. 

MANACLES,  MANICLE,  (me- 
notte,¥r.)  chain  for  the  hands;  shackles-. 

To  MANAGE,  to  train  a  horse  to 
graceful  action.  The  French  say  :  dresser 
un  c/ieval. 

MANCELLE,    Fr.    a    small    chain 

which  is  fixed  to  the  collars  of  carriage 

or  dray  horses,  and  which  terminates  in 

a  large  iron  ring,  chat  is  attached  to  the 

halt.     It  likewise  means  the  ring  itself. 

MANCHE  d'ttn  bat  ail  Ion,  Fr.  lite- 
rally means  the  sleeve  of  a  battalion. 
This  word  originally  signified  any  small 
body  consisting  of  40  or  60  men,  which 
were  drawn  out  of  the  main-body  of  a 
battalion,  and  were  posted  by  tiles  upon 
the  corners  or  angles  of  the  same  bat- 
talion. 

At  present  the  word  munches  means 
the  wings  of  a  battalion,  the  center  of 
which  was  composed  of  pikemen,  whilst 
pikes  were  in  use.  Thus  there  were 
right  and  left  wings,  which  were  again 
divided  into  halt-wings,  quarter  wings, 
and  half-quarter  wings. 

Gardes  de  la  Manche,  Fr.  men  be- 
longing to  the  old  French  body  guards, 
who  on  particular  occasions,  as  at  the 
Royal  Chapel,  &c.  stood  on  each  side 
of  the  king,  dressed  in  hoquetons,  and 
armed  with  pertuisanes  or  lances. 
La  Manche,  Fr.  the  channel. 
3N2 


M  A  N 


(     too 


M  A  N 


/.//  Mam  in  Britamtiqoe]  Pr.  the  Bri- 
tish channel. 

/^/  M  a  Him  i  (/<  Bristol)  Pr,  St.  George's 
channel. 

Manchf.  rl'outil,  IV.  the.  handle  of 
any  utensil,  tool  or  instrument. 

MAM  II  I'.S  it  real,  Fr.  windsails. 
MAM) AKIN,  a  name  which  the 
Portuguese  originally  gave  to  the  ( Ihinese 
nobility.  According  to  a  Prench  author, 
the  Mandarins  are  divided  into  nine 
orders,  each  hating  a  peculiar  mark  ol 
distinction  to  ascertain  its  rank. 

Civil  Mandarins,  (Mandarins  /li- 
tres, Fr.)  These  were  able  and  scientific 
men  who  had  the  management  of  the 
different  branches  belonging  to  civil  go- 
\  eminent. 

Military  Mandarins,  (Mandarins 
milituires,  Ft.)  A  certain  proportion  of 
the  body  of  mandarins  is  selected  by  the 
Emperor  of  China,  to  superintend  and 
command  the  militia  of  the  country, — 
these  are  called  military  mandarins. 

The  mandarins  are  considered  as  no- 
blemen, but  their  rank  is  not  hereditary. 
Every  mandarin  undergoes  a  severe  and 
close  examination  respecting  his  natural 
and  acquired  talents,  before  he  recenes 
a  civil  or  military  appointment;  and 
there  are  public  schools  or  seminaries  to 
which  the  natives  of  the  empire  may 
repair  to  obtain  the  requisite  qualifica- 
tions for  such  important  and  honourable 
stations. 

MANDER,  Fr.  to  acquaint;  to  in- 
form. 

MANDILION,  (Mandilk,  Fr.)  the 
soldier's  coat  is  so  called  by  the  Italians. 
It  does  not,  however,  bear  that  meaning 
either  among  us  or  among  the  French: 
Mandi/ion  and  Mandilte  signifving  a 
footman's  great  coat.  Hence,  Uaporti 
la  Mandilte,  he  has  been  a  footman. 

MAXDKF:L.  Mandrels  are  made 
with  a  long  wooden  shank,  to  sit  stiff  into 
a  round  hole  which  is  made  in  the  work 
that  is  to  be  turned. 

MANDRIN,  Fr.  a  small  bowl  or 
wooden  cylinder  which  is  used  in  making 
up  cartridges.     See  Mandrel. 

MANEGE,  in  horsemanship,  the  ex- 
ercise of  riding  the  great  horse,  or  the 
ground  set  apart  tor  that  purpose  ;  which 
is  sometimes  covered,  for  continuing  the 
exercise  in  bad  weather;  and  sometimes 
Open,  in  order  to  give  more  liberty  and 
freedom  both  to  the  horseman  and  horse. 

MANGAN,  Fr.  This  word  is  some- 
times written  MANGON,  (see  Gun),  a 


warlike  machine  which  was  formerly 
used.  The  term  itself,  indeed,  was  gene- 
rally adopted  to  signify  any  speeies  of 
warlike  machine.  Rut  it.  more  particu- 
larly meant  the  largest  and  most  power- 
ful machine  that  could  be  used  for  war- 
like-purposes;  whether  it  was  practised 
to  throw  enormous  stones  against  be- 
sieged places,  or  to  cast  ja\elins,  &.C.  It 
was  likewise  called  balista,  from  the 
I  rreek,  tormerttwm  from  the  Latin  a  tur~ 
quendo;  and  sometime.-  ptlraria,  because 
stones  weighing  upwards  of  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty  pounds  were  thrown  from 
it.  This  machine  answered  the  double 
purpose  of  defending  or  attacking  for- 
tified places,  and  it  was  sometimes  used 
at  sea.  According  to  a  French  writer, 
one  of  these  machines  may  be  still  seen 
at  Basle. 

MANGANELLE,    Fr.    See   Man- 

GONNEAU. 

MANGE,  (mangeaison,  Fr.)  the  itch 
or  scab  in  cattle. 

MANGEATLLE,  Fr.  food ;  victuals. 

MANGFR,  (mangeoire,  Fr.)  the 
place  or  vessel,  in  which  animals  are  fed 
with  corn. 

To  MANGLE,  (c/iarcuter,  Fr.)  to 
cut  or  tear  peacemeal  ;  to  butcher ;  BE 
the  jacobins  did  at  the  commencement 
of  the  French  revolution. 

MANGONNEAU,  Fr.  a  word  ori- 
ginally derived  from  the  Greek  which, 
according  to  Rotter,  seems  to  signify  any 
engine  designed  to  cast  missile  weapons. 
With  respect  to  that  particular  engine, 
which  the  French  have  called  mangtui, 
manganelle  and  manganneau,  our  inge- 
nious countryman  observes,  there  is-  not 
any  proper  term,  he  knows  of,  for  that 
famous  engine,  out  of  which  stones,  of  a 
size  not  less  than  mill-stones,  were 
thrown  with  such  violence,  as  to  dash 
whole  houses  in  pieces  at  a  blow.  It 
w  as  called  indeed  by  the  Romans  ba/istu  ,- 
but  this  name,  though  of  Grecian  ori- 
ginal, appears  not  to  have  been  used  in 
Greece;  this  engine',  however,  was  known 
there,  and  was  the  same  with  that  used 
by  the  Romans,  the  force  of  which  is 
expressed  by  Lucan  : — 

At  saium  quotics  ingenti  verberis  ictu 
Excutitur,  qiudis  rupes,  quam  vertice  montis 
Absc'ulit  impulsu  ventorum  adjuta  vetustas  ; 
transit  cuncta  ruens,ntc  tnntum  corpora  prcssa 
Exanimat,  totos  cum  sanguine  dissipat  artus. 

MANIE,    Fr.    madness;    excessive 
fondness.     This  word  has  been  used  by 


MAN 


(     461     ) 


M  A  N 


the  French,  to  express  an  attachment 
to  national  manners,  &x.  Hence,  An- 
glo-manie,  Fr.  a  predilection  for,  or  at- 
tachment, to  English  principles,  &c. — 
They  also  say,  gallo-manie  or  Franco- 
manie,  a  similar  likeness  to  French  man- 
ners. 

MAN  IEMENT  des  amies,  Fr.  manual 
exercise.     Although  it  might  be  thought 
superHuous  to  enter  into  a  minute  expla- 
nation of  the  manual  as  practised  by  the 
French,  it  will  not  be  deemed  entirely 
useless  to  the  British  officer,  to  make 
him  master  of  the  different  terms.    With 
this  view,    we  shall    likewise  give   the 
words  of  command  used  in  the  platoon 
exercise,  &c.     The  advantage  proposed 
to  be  derived  from  a  technical  knowledge 
of  them,  must  be  considerably  felt  when- 
ever the  two  countries  come  into  close 
warfare.     Under  such  circumstances,   a 
distinct  possession  of  the  several  words 
of  command,  especially  in  outpost  and 
detached  services,  may  lead  the  British 
officer  to  a  discovery    of  the    enemy's 
movements,  without  any  ulterior  know- 
ledge of  the  French  language.     The  first 
word  of  command  is, 
Present ez  vos  armes. — Present  arms. 
Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 
Reposez  sur  vos  armes. — Order  arms. 
Posez  vos  armes  a  terre. — Ground  arms. 
Relevez  vos  armes. — Take  up  arms. 
Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 
L'arme  au  bras. — Support  arms. 
Portez  vos  armes. — Carry  arms. 
Presentez  la  buionnette. 
Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 

The  other  words  of  command  which 
do  not  belong  to  the  manual,  but  are 
occasionally  practised,  consist  of 
Buionnette  au  canon. — Fix  bayonet. 
Tirez  la  baguette. — Draw  ramrod. 
Baguette  dans  le  canon. — Spring  ramrod. 
L'arme  a  volonte. — Slope  arms. 
L'arme  au  bras  gauche. — Secure  arms. 
Armes  aufaisceau. — Pile  arms. 
Repos. — Stand  at  ease. 
Portez   les  armes   comme  sergent. — Ad- 
vance arms. 
Remettez  la  baguette. — Return  ramrod. 
Remettez  la  buionnette. — Return  or  un- 
fix bayonet. 
Ouvrez  le  bassinet. — Open  pan. 
Fermez  le  bassinet. — Shut  pan. 

Port  arms  is  not  practised  among  the 
French.  When  a  guard  is  dismissed,  in- 
stead of  Porting  arms,  the  soldier  receives 
the  following  word  of  command,  Haut 


Charge  bayonet. 


les  armes  !  which  is  sometimes  similar  ta 
Recover  arms. 

Maniement  des  armes,  Fr.  The 
platoon  exercise  is  also  so  called  in  the 
French  service,  and  is  distinguished  from 
their  manual  by  the  additional  caution  of 
charge  en  douze  terns,  or  prime  and  load 
in  twelve  motions. 

Chargez  vos  armes. — Prime  and  load. 
Ouvrez  le  bassinet. — Open  pan. 
Prenez  la  curtouche. — Handle  cartridge. 
Amorcez. — Prime. 
Fermez  le  bassinet. — Shut  pan. 
L'arme  a  gauche. — Cast  about. 
Cartouche  dans  le  canon. —  Load. 
Tirez  la  baguette. — Draw  ramrod. 
Bourree. — Ram  down  cartridge. 
Remettez  la  baguette.— -Return  ramrod. 
Portez  vos  armes.— Shoulder  arms. 

Firing  after  the  Manual. 

Appritez  vos  armes. — Make  ready. 

Joue.— Present. 

Feu, — Fire. 

Chargez. — Prime  and  load. 

Le  chien  au  repos. — Half-cock  firelock. 

Portez  vos  armes. — Carry  arms. 

Presentez  vos  armes. — Present  arms. 

Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 

Reposez-vous  sur  vos  armes. — Order  arms. 

Repos. — Stand  at  ease. 

Inspection  d'armes. — Inspection    of 
arms. 


Buionnette  au  canon?*- -Fix  bayonet. 

Baguette  dans  le  canon. — Spring  ramrod. 
In  the  British  service  the  ramrod  i» 

rammed  down  the  barrel  without  any 

further  word  of  command. 

Vos  armes  a  terre. — Ground  arms. 

Relevez  vos  armes. — Take  up  arms. 

Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 

L'arme  au  bras. — Support  arms. 

L'arme  a  volonte. — Slope  arms. 

L'arme  au  bras. — Support  arms. 

Portez  vos  amies. — Carry  arms. 

L'arme  sous  le  bras  gauche. — Secure  arms. 

Portez  vos  armes. — Shoulder  arms. 

Croisez  la  buionnette. — Charge  bayonet. 

Croiscr  la  buionnette  likewise  signifies  to 
cross  bayonets  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
form  a  sort  of  cheval  de  frise  to  resist 
the  attack  of  cavalry  from  either  Hank. 
This  has  been  adopted  since  the  re- 
volution. 

Portez  vos  armes. — Carry  arms. 

Charge  precipitee. — Prime  and  load  in 
four  motions. 


M  A  N 


(      463      ) 


MAN 


Chargez  vox  armes. — Load. 
Deux. — ( !o. 

Trois. — Go. 
Quaire. — ( to. 

Charge  a  volontc. — Independent  or  run- 
ning tire. 
Charge  a  volatile. — Independent  firing. 
Chargez  vos  amies. — Prime  and  loud. 

Platoon  Firing. 

Peloton. — 'Toon. 

Annts. — Ready. 

Joue. — '  Psent. 

Feu. — Fire. 

Chargez. — Prime  and  load. 

Routt  meat. — Roll. 

Finde  Ilou/ewent. — Cease  to  roll. 

Feu  a  volontc. — Independent  tiring. 

Peloton. — 'Toon. 

Armes. — Ready. 

Commences  le  jeu.— Commence  firing. 

Roule/nent. —  tfcoll. 

It  is  here  necessary  to  explain  to  the 
English  reader,  that  the  words  of  com- 
mand Roulement  and  Finde  Roulement, 
are  only  used  in  the  drill,  or  when  there 
is  not  any  drum  to  heat  the  prescribed 
roll. 

MANIER,  Fr.  to  handle.  This  word 
is  generally  used  among  the  French  in  a 
military  sense,  whenever  they  speak  of 
portable  fire-arms,  ike. 

Manier  les  armes,  Fr.  to  handle  the 
.fire-lock,  or  handle  arms. 

M  A  N I FESTO,  (Maufestejv.)  a  pub- 
lic declaration  which  is  made  by  a  prince 
or  state,  containing  its  reasons  tor  en- 
tering into  a  war.  The  formality  of  a 
manifesto  has  been  considerably  reduced 
in  modern  times.  Among  the  ancients, 
on  the  contrary,  it  was  particularly  at- 
tended to.  Potter,  in  Ins  Grecian  An- 
tiquities, observes,  that  invasions  with- 
out notice,  were  looked  upon  rather  as 
robberies  than  lawful  war-,,  as  designed 
rather  to  spoil  and  make  a  prey  of  per- 
sons innocent  and  unprovided,  than  to 
repair  any  losses  or  damages  sustained, 
which,  for  aught  the  invaders  knew, 
might  have  been  satisfied  for  an  easier 
way.  It  is  therefore  no  wonder,  what 
Pol  \  bins  (lib.  iv.)  relates  of  the  /Etolians, 
that  they  were  held  for  the  common  out- 
laws and  robbers  of  Greece,  it  being 
their  manner  to  strike,  without  warning, 
and  to  make  war  without  any  previous 
and  public  declaration,  whenever  they 
hail  an  opportunity  of  enriching  them- 
selves with  the  spoil  and  booty  of  their 


neighbours.  Vet  there  want  not  in- 
stances of  wars  begun  without  previous 
notice,  even  by  nations  of  better  repute 
for  justice  and  humanity  ;  but  this  was 
only  done  upon  provocations  so  great 
and  exasperating,  that  no  recompense 
was  thought  sufficient  to  atone  for  them: 
whence  it  came  to  pais,  that  Mich  wars 
were  of  all  others  the  most  bloody  and 
pernicious,  and  fought  with  excess  of 
rage  and  fury;  the  contesting  parties 
being  resolved  to  extirpate  each  other, 
if  possible. 

Before  the  Grecians  engaged  them- 
selves in  war,  it  was  usual  to  publish  a 
declaration  of  the  injuries  they  had  re- 
ceived, and  to  demand  satisfaction  by 
ambassadors;  for  however  prepared,  or 
excellently  skilled  they  were  in  the  affairs 
of  war,  yet  peace,  if  to  be  procured 
upon  honourable  terms,  was  thought 
more  eligible:  which  custom  was  ob- 
served even  in  the  most  early  ages,  as 
appears  from  the  story  of  Tydeus,  whom 
Polynices  sent  to  compose  matters  with 
his  brother  Eteocles,  King  of  Thebes, 
before  he  proceeded  to  inn  st  that  city, 
as  we  are  informed  bv  Statins,  (Thebaid. 
Ill),  ii.  \.  368.)  and  several  others.  See 
Potter,  p.  6  1  and  65. 

1  he  Etonians,  on  the  other  hand,  used 
abundance  of  superstition  in  entering 
upon  any  hostility,  or  closing  in  any 
league  or  confederacy;  the  public  mi- 
nisters who  performed  the  ceremonial 
part  of  both  these,  were  the  leciales,  or 
heralds.  The  ceremonies  were  of  this 
nature:  when  any  neighbouring  state 
had  given  sufficient  reason  tor  the  senate 
to  suspect  a  design  of  breaking  with 
them;  or  had  offered  any  violence  or 
injustice  to  the  subjects  of  Rome,  which 
was  enough  to  give  them  the  repute  i>[ 
enemies ;  one  of  the  feciales,  chosen 
out  of  the  college  upon  this  occasion, 
and  habited  in  the  vest  belonging  to  his 
order,  together  with  his  other  ensigns 
and  habiliments,  set  forward  for  the 
enemy's  country.  As  soon  as  he  reached 
the  confines,  he  pronounced  a  formal 
declaration  of  the  cause  of  his  arrival, 
calling  all  the  gods  to  witness,  and  im- 
precating the  divine  vengeauee  on  him- 
self and  his  country,  if  his  reasons  were 
not  just.  When  he  came  to  the  chief 
city  of  the  enemy,  he  again  repeated  the 
same  declaration,  with  some  addition, 
and  withall  desired  satisfaction.  If  they 
delivered  into  his  power  the  authors  of 


M  A  N 


(     463     ) 


M  A  N 


the  injury,  or  gave  hostages  for  security, 
he  returned  satisfied  to  Koine;  it' other- 
wise, they  desired  time  to  consider;  he 
went  away  for  ten  days,  and  then  came 
again  to  hear  their  resolution;  and  this 
he  did,  in  some  cases,  three  times  :  but, 
it*  nothing  was  done  towards  an  accom- 
modation in  about  thirty  days,  he  de- 
clared that  the  Romans  would  endeavour 
to  assert  their  right  by  their  arms.  After 
this,  the  herald  was  obliged  to  return, 
and  to  make  a  true  report  of  his  em- 
bassy before  the  senate,  assuring  them 
of  the  legality  of  the  war,  which  they 
were  noyv  consulting  to  undertake;  and 
was  then  again  dispatched  to  perform  the 
last  part  of  the  ceremony,  which  was  to 
throw  a  spear  into,  or  towards  the  ene- 
my's country,  in  token  of  defiance,  and 
as  a  summons  to  war,  pronouncing  at 
the  same  time  a  set  form  of  w  ords  to  the 
like  purpose.  Kennett's  Roman  Anti- 
quities, book  iv.  p.  229. 

MANIGIIOJMSj  the  two  handles  on 
the  back  of  a  piece  of  ordnance.  See 
Cannon. 

MANIPLE.     See  Manipulus. 

MANIPULARIS,  (mampulmre,  Fr.) 
from  Maniple,  a  handful  or  bottle  of 
straw.  The  chief  officer  in  a  part  of  the 
Roman  infantry  called  Manipulus,  was 
so  called. 

MANIPULE,  Fr.    See  Manipulus. 

Manipule  pyrotechnique,  Fr.  a  cer- 
tain quantity  of  iron  or  brass  petards, 
which  may  be  thrown  by  the  hand  upon 
an  enemy.  These  petards,  and  the  me- 
thod of  making  them,  are  particularly 
described  by  Casimi  in  his  work  on  ar- 
tillery.    -See  Petards. 

MANIPUlrUS,C»waBipafe,Fr.)^ small 
body  of  infantry,  originally  so  called 
among  the  Romans  during  the  reign  ot 
Romulus. 

MANIVELLE,  Fr.  a  handle;  as  the 
handle  of  a  pump. 

Manivelles  a  tiers  points,  Fr.  pump 
handles  which  set  three  suckers  in  mo- 
tion at  the  same  time ;  as  is  the  case 
with  the  pumps  on  the  Ponfc-Notre- 
Dame,  at  Paris. 

MANCEU  V  RE,  (manauvre,¥r.)  Ma- 
noeuvres of  war  consist  chiefly  in  ha- 
bituating the  soldier  to  a  variety  of 
evolutions,  to  accustom  him  to  different 
movements,  and  to  render  his  mind  fa- 
miliar with  the  nature  of  every  principle 
oi  offensive  or  defensive  operation.  The 
regular  manoeuvres  which  are  ordered 
to  be  practised  throughout  the  British 


army,  at  review,  are  nineteen :  they 
are  detailed  in  the  Rules  and  Regula- 
tions for  the  Formations,  Field  Exer- 
cise, and  Movements  of  his  Majesty's 
Forces,  with  appropriate  references  to 
the  several  sections  of  that  work,  which 
elucidate  the  mode  of  performing  them. 

The  word  manoeuvre  is  frequently 
used  in  the  French  artillery  to  express 
the  method  with  which  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance or  mortar  is  raised  and  placed 
upon  its  carriage  by  several  hands,  as- 
sisted by  the  crab  or  any  other  machine. 
In  a  general  acceptation  of  the  term, 
munauvre  means  that  mechanical  process 
by  which  any  weight  is  lifted. 

To  Manoeuvre  is  to  manage  ajiy 
body  or  armed  force  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  derive  sudden  and  unexpected  ad- 
vantages before  the  enemy,  from  a  su- 
perior talent  in  military  movements.  It 
consists  in  distributing  equal  motion  to 
every  part  of  a  body  of  troops,  to  enable 
the  whole  to  form,  or  change  their  posi- 
tion, in  the  most  expeditious  and  ap- 
propriate method,  to  answer  the  pur- 
poses required  of  a  battalion,  brigade  or 
line  of  cavalry,  infantry,  or  artillery.  It 
has  always  been  lamented,  that  men  have 
been  brought  on  service  without  being 
acquainted  with  the  uses  of  the  different 
manoeuvres  they  have  been  practising; 
for,  having  no  ideas  of  arry  thing  but  tin: 
uniformity  of  the  parade,  they  instantly 
fall  into  disorder  and  confusion  when 
they  lose  the  step,  or  see  a  deviation 
from  the  straight  lines  they  have  been 
accustomed  to  at  exercise.  It  is  a  pity 
to  see  so  much  attention  confined  to 
show,  and  so  little  given  to  instruct  the 
troops  in  what  may  be  of  use  to  them 
on  real  sen  ice. 

No  manoeuvre  should  be  executed  in 
the  presence  of  an  enemy,  unless  pro- 
tected by  some  division  of  the  troops. 

Manuel  vui:,  Fr.  a  labourer;  an  able 
seaman. 

Grande  Manoeuvre,  de  guerre,,  Fr. 
this  expression  is  peculiarly  I  reach,  and 
may  be  said  to  signify  the  dispositions 
of  war  upon  a  large  scale.  According 
to  Marshal  Saxe  these  dispositions  con- 
sist chieffy  in  drawing  troops  up  in  such 
a  manner,  that  the  cavalry  and  infantry 
may  support  each  other;  but  he  objects 
to  that  arrangement  by  which  companies 
or  platoons  of  infantry  are  intermixed 
with  squadrons  of  horse;  tor,  as  he 
justly  observes,  if  the  latter  should  be 
beaten,  the  foot  soldiers  m ust  unavoidabl  v 


MAN 


(    464     ) 


MAN 


he  thrown  into  confusion  by  the  enemy's 
cavalry,  Mid  I'O  cut  to  pieces.  For  fur- 
ther particulars  ran  this  important  article, 
see  Saxe's  Riverics,  where  lie  treats  of  La 
Grande  Manmuvrt  de  Guerre,  and  the 
Supplement  to  them  by  Baron  d'Espa- 
gnac,  page  69. 

Warlike  Manoeuvres,  (manoeuvres 
de  guerre,  Fr.)  warlike  maiir  vies,  or 
the  different  exercises,  &c.  \J  which 
men  are  taught  the  military  profession  : 
these  exercises,  from  the  earliest  periods 
of  history,  have  been  infinitely  diver- 
sified. Vegetius,  an  ancient  writer,  re- 
marks, that  the  Romans,  in  order  to 
enure  their  raw  troops  to  the  fatigues 
of  war,  had  specific  regulations  drawn 
up,  by  which  every  recruit  was  regularly 
practised  in  martial  exercises.  These 
regulations  were  originally  formed  du- 
ring the  existence  of  their  republic,  and 
were  afterwards  confirmed  by  the  em- 
perors Augustus  and  Adrian. 

MANOEUVRES,  Fr.  to  manoeuvre. 
This  verb,  in  the  French  language,  may 
be  applied  two  ways;  as,  manauvrer 
lex  voiles,  to  manage  the  sails  and  tackle 
of  a  vessel  ;  manauvrer  des  troupes,  to 
make  soldiers  go  through  their  different 
manoeuvres.  Ces  troupes  ont  bien  ma- 
noeuvre, those  soldiers  have  ably  ma- 
noeuvred. 

MANCKUVRIER,  Fr.  any  officer 
who  is  perfectly  acquainted  with  the  art 
of  manoeuvring. 

Manceuvrier  is  also  applied  to  a 
troop  or  company,  and  even  to  a  whole 
army,  whose  evolutions  are  done  with 
correctness. 

MANQUEMENT  de  parole,  Fr.  the 
breach  of  one's  word. 

MANQUER,  Fr.  to  miss;  to  be  de- 
ficient in  any  thing  ;  as  manquer  d  sa 
parole,  to  break  one's  parole. 

Une  arme  a  feu  Manque,  Fr.  a  mus- 
ket misses  fire,  or  mis-serves. 

Manquer  de  munitions,  Fr.  to  be  in 
want  of  stores  and  ammunition. 

Manquer  de  foi,  Fr.  to  be  guilty  of 
a  breach  of  faith. 

MANSARDE,  Fr.  the  roof  of  a 
house,  thf  top  of  which  is  almost  Hat  and 
the  sides  nearly  perpendicular;  so  called 
from  Mansard  the  architect  who  invent- 
ed them." 

MANTEAU,  Fr.  This  word,  which 
literally  signifies  a  cloak,  is  frequently 
used  among  the  French  to  express  the 
covering  that  hussars  or  light  infantry 
troops  carry   for   the  double  purpose  ot 


shielding  their  bodies  from  the  incle- 
mencies of  the  weather  in  out-posts,  &c. 
and  for  spreading  over  their  heads,  by 
means  of  poles,  when  they  occasionally 
halt,  and  take  a  position. 

Manteau  d'armes,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
ticking  made  in  the  form  of  a  cone,  with 
which  a  stand  of  arms  is  secured  against 
the  rain.  This  case  is  sometime 
made  with  straw,  or  the  branches  ot 
trees. 

Manteau  d'honneur,Fr.  In  the  days 
of  chivalry  the  manteau  d'honneur,  or 
robe  of  honour,  was  the  greatest  orna- 
ment that  could  l>e  worn  by  a  kmght, 
when  he  was  not  armed.  It  was  ot  a 
bright  scarlet  dye,  very  long,  and  lined 
with  ermine.  When  any  gentleman  was 
knighted  he  received  this  robe  of  ho- 
nour from  the  king  himself. 

Manteau  de  chemince,  Fr.  mantle 
tree;  chimney-piece. 


Manteau  de  j'er,  Fr.  an  iron  tie, 
commonly  called  a  tassel,  which  binds 
the  arch  and  pier  of  a  chimney  together. 

Carder  les  Manteaux,  Fr.  a  figura- 
tive expression  used  among  the  French 
to  signify  a  bye-Stand er. — It  is  more  im- 
mediately applicable  to  seconds  in  a  duel. 
Among  boxers  the  bottle  holders  may 
be  said  to  do  so. 

MANTELETS,  in  a  military  sense, 
are  either  single  or  double,  composed  ot 
great  planks  of  wood,  about  5  feet  high, 
and  3  inches  thick.  The  single  ones 
are  sometimes  covered  with  tin,  made 
musket-proof,  which  the  pioneers  gene- 
rally roll  before  them  fixed  upon  wheels, 
to  cover  them  from  the  enemy's  fire  in 
opening  the  trenches,  or  carrying  on  the 
sap,  &c.  The  double  ones  form  an  an- 
gle, and  stand  square,  making  two  fronts, 
which  cover  both  the  front  and  flank  ot 
the  sappers,  (Sec.  when  at  work :  these 
have  double  planks,  with  earth  rammed 
in  between  them:  they  are  5  feet  high 
and  3  in  breadth,  and  are  sometimes 
covered  with  plates  of  iron.  They  may, 
with  propriety,  be  called  a  moving  para- 
pet, having  a  shaft  to  guide  them  by. 

MANTONET,  Fr.  a  small  piece  of 
wood  or  iron,  which  is  notched,  for  the 
purpose  of  hanging  any  thing  upon  it. 
The  pegs  in  soidiers'  rooms  are  some- 
times so  called. 

MANUAL,  in  a  general  accepta- 
tion of  the  word,  means  any  thing  done 
by  the  hand. 

Manual  exercise, a  regulated  method 
which  officers  and   soldiers  aie  taught, 


MAR 


(    465     ) 


MAR 


for  the  purpose  of  rendering  them  fa- 
miliar with  the  musket,  and  of  adapt- 
ing their  persons  to  military  movements 
under  arms. 

MANUBALISTE,  Fr.  from  the  La- 
tin  manubalista,  a  cross  bow. 

MANUBIAL,  belonging  to  spoil ; 
taken  in  war. 

MANUFACTURES  d'armes,  Fr. 
places  appropriated  for  the  manufac- 
turing of  arms. 

MANUTENTION,  Fr.  the  act  of 
keeping  back,  or  holding  in  hand,  by 
connivance  or  otherwise. 

MAP,  in  a  military  and  geographical 
sense,  is  a  plane  figure,  representing  the 
surface  of  the  earth,  or  a  part  thereof, 
according  to  the  laws  of  perspective  ; 
distinguishing  the  situation  of  cities, 
mountains,  rivers,  roads,  &c.  The  French 
use  the  word  carte  for  any  particular 
map;  and  mappemonde  for  a  general 
one. 

MARAIS,  Fr  a  marsh.  This  species 
of  soil  affords  great  defence  and  security 
to  any  strong  fort,  which  is  surrounded 
by  it. 

To  MARAUD,  to  plunder.  This 
word  is,  by  respectable  authority,  sug- 
gested to  have  been  derived  from  a  pro- 
per name.  We  read,  in  Gustavus  Adol- 
phus,  that  one  Merode,  a  bold  and  en- 
terprizing  Spanish  partizan  of  some  dis- 
tinction, was  in  the  habit  of  making  de- 
predations and  incursions  at  the  head  of 
a  party,  which  disregarded  the  common 
laws  and  regulations  of  war.  He  after- 
wards fell  a  victim  to  his  own  rashness. 
In  confirmation  of  this  opinion,  Ilarte, 
in  his  History  of  the  Life  of  Gustavus 
Adolphus,  makes  the  following  observa- 
tions: vide  page  70,  vol.  ii. 

"  According  to  strict  orthography,  we 
ought  to  write  merodeurs,  and  not  ma- 
rauders. The  truth  is,  these  partizans 
took  their  name  from  a  Count  de  Me- 


hode,  a  brutal  and  licentious  officer  in 
these  wars,  who  was  killed  in  a  drunken 
quarrel  by  John  de  Wert.  From  this 
man's  practice,  a  plunderer  and  a  ra- 
visher  was  surnamed  merodista,  by  the 
Spanish  and  Italian  soldiers,  who  served 
then  under  the  emperor  :  whence 
came  the  French  word  Marauder, 
which  the  Marechal  de  Luxembourg  al- 
ways spelt  Marodeur.  Reflexions  Mi- 
litaires  et  Politiques  de  Santa  Cruz. 
torn.  iii. 
This  word  is,  however,  to  be  found  in 


Gombauld,  a  French  writer  of  high 
fashion  in  his  time;  who  was  near  30 
years  old  before  Gustavus  ztas  born  ; 
whose  chief  patrons,  (except  Madame  de 
Rambouillet,)  Henry  the  Fourth,  and 
Marie  de'  Medici,  died  before  Gustavus 
zvas  king ;  and  who  was  near  sixty  be- 
fore Gustavus  went  to  war  ! 

The  word  in  Gombauld  (as  it  is  also 
in  Moliere)  is  maraud  (now  more  usu- 
ally maraudeur)  to  express  the  perpe- 
trator of  the  act;  the  man  who  goes  u 
la  maraude,  viz. 

Voyant  lu  splendcur,  non  commune, 
Dont  ce  Maraud  est  revetu, 
Qui  ne  diroit  que  la  Fortune 
Yeutfaire  enrager  la  Vertu  ! 
Hearing    what    wealth,    wealth    hardly 

heard ! 
This  vile  Marauder  dares  to  steal, 
One  almost  thinks  Chance  thus  has  err'd, 
That  Virtue's  temper  she  might  feel ! 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  asserted  by 
a  correspondent,  that  the  word  has  been 
long  since  traced  to  Maroud,  which  in 
Hebrew  also  expresses  a  man  guilty 
of  fraud  and  rapine.  Thence  it  has 
passed,  with  deflections,  not  very  violent 
in  language,  through  the  Greek  and 
Latin. 

The  word  is  not  in  Johnson,  though  it 
might  have  indulged  him  in  his  fine 
manner,  as  a  moralist,  and  as  an  anti- 
gallican  too,  on  the  horrible  enormity 
of  a  marauder ;  for  which  we  have  no 
word  but  what  we  must  borrow  from  the 
Frenchman,  or  the  Jew  ! 

MARAUDE,  Fr.  the  act  of  maraud- 
ing. This  word  specifically  means  the 
theft  or  depredation  which  a  soldier 
commits  against  ttie  peasantry  of  the 
country,  and  for  which  offence  he  is 
punished  with  death  in  all  foreign  ser- 
\>ces. 

MARAUDING.  This  crime  is  provi- 
ded against  by  Sect.  xiv.  Article  xviii.  of 
the  Articles  of  War. 

MARC,  J«'r.  a  weight  equal  to  eight 
ounces.  In  France,  it  is  usual  for  sil- 
ver-smiths and  jewellers,  to  take  a  marc 
at  that  standard  ;  but  when  articles  nf 
greater  bulk  and  grosser  quality  than 
those  they  deal  in,  are  brought  to  the 
scale,  the  marc  contains  16  ounces  to 
the  pound.  All  stores  and  ammunition 
were  appreciated  by  this  measure. 

A   MARCH  (line  ?narche,Yv.)  is  the 
moving  of  a  body   of  men   from  one 
SO 


M  A  R 


(     466     ) 


M  A  R 


place  to  another.  Care  must  be  taken 
jii  marching  troops,  that  they  are  not 
liable  to  he  flanked  or  intercepted  ;  for 
of  all  operations  none  is  more  difficult, 
because  they  must  not  only  he  directed 
to  the  ohjects  they  have  in  view,  but  ac- 
cording to  the  movements  the  enemy 
may  have  made. 

March!  ( marche,  Fr.)  as  a  word  of 
command,  whenever  it  is  given  singly, 
invariably  denotes  that  ordinary  time  is 
to  be  taken ;  when  the  quick  inarch  is 
meant,  that  word  will  precede  the  other. 
The  word  march,  marks  the  beginning  of 
movements  from  the  halt  ;  but  it  is 
not  given  when  the  body  is  in  previous 
motion.  It  should  be  sharp,  clear  and 
distinct. 

In  marching,  every  soldier  must  be 
well  balanced  on  his  limbs  :  his  arms 
and  hands,  without  stiffness,  must  be 
kept  steady  by  his  sides,  and  not  suffered 
to  vibrate,  lie  must  not  be  allowed  to 
stoop  forward,  still  less  to  lean  back. 
His  body  must  be  kept  square  to  the 
front,  and  thrown  rather  more  forward 
ia  marching  than  when  halted,  that  ii 
may  accompany  the  movement  of  the 
leg  and  thigh:  the  ham  must  he  stretch- 
ed, but  without  stiffening  the  knee  :  the 
toe  a  little  pointed,  and  kept  near  the 
ground,  so  that  the  shoe-soles  may  not 
be  visible  to  a  person  in  front;  the  head 
to  be  kept  well  up,  straight  to  the  front, 
and  the  eyes  not  suffered  to  be  cast 
down :  the  foot,  without  being  drawn 
back,  must  he  placed  flat  on  the  ground. 

Qw/c^-March,  a  movement  by  which 
troops  advance  at  the  rate  of  108  steps 
in  the  minute,  each  of  30  inches,  making 
270  feet  in  a  minute. 

Quick-M.KRCH,  as  a  word  of  command, 
signifies,  that  the  troops  should  move  in 
quick  time. 

SIow~March,  a  movement  by  which 
troops  advance  at  the  rate  of  75  steps  in 
the  minute. 

In  order  to  teach  a  recruit  the  just 
length  of  pace,  accurate  distances  must 
be  marked  out  on  the  ground,  alung 
which  he  should  be  practised. 

]\'hee!ing-M arch,  or  quickest  time,  is 
120  steps  of  SO  inches  each,  or  300  feet 
in  the  minute. 

This  is  the  most  rapid  movement  by 
which  men  under  arms,  or  otherwise 
when  formed,  go  from  line  into  column, 
or  come  from  column  into  line.  The 
regulation  prescribes  120  steps  of  30 
inches  each,  or  300  feet  in  the  minute. 


This  is  applied  chiefly  to  the  purpose  of 
wheeling,  and  is  the  rate  at  which  all 
bodies  accomplish  their  wheels,  the  out- 
ward tile  stepping  33  inches,  whether 
the  wheel  be  from  line  into  column, 
during  the  ma'rch  in  column,  or  from 
column  into  line.  In  this  time  also 
should  divisions  double  and  move  up, 
when  passing  obstacles  in  line;  or  when 
in  the  column  of  march,  the  front  of  di- 
visions  is  increased  or  diminished.  A 
quicker  pace,  called  Double  Quick  Time, 
has  lately  been  introduced  ;  which,  we 
presume,  is  the  Pas  de  charge  among 
the  French. 

A  March,  (la  marche,  Fr.)  a  certain 
tune  or  concoid  of  notes,  which  is  adapt- 
ed to  the  movement  of  any  particular 
body  of  troops,  as  the  grenadiers  march, 
the  march  of  the  Marsellois,  la  marche 
des  Jani-ssuires,  the  march  of  the  Jani- 
zaries. 

Marching  to  the  front  or  rear.  As 
this  is  confessedly  one  of  the  most  diffi- 
cult operations  in  military  movements, 
we  shall  extract  from  the  Rules  and 
Regulations,  as  published  by  authority, 
the  first  principles  by  which  men  are 
taught,  to  march  together. 

"  The  person  instructing  a  platoon 
will,  before  he  puts  it  in  motion  to  front 
or  rear,  indicate  which  flank  is  to  direct, 
by  giving  the  word  Eyes  Right  !  or 
Eyes  Left !  and  then  ^SLarch.  Should 
the  right  be  the  directing  flank,  the 
commander  of  the  platoon  himself  will 
fix  on  objects  to  march  upon,  iu  a  line 
truly  perpendicular  to  the  front  of  the 
platoon  ;  and  when  the  left  flank  is  or- 
dered to  direct,  he  and  his  covering  Ser- 
jeant will  shift  to  the  left  of  the  front 
rank,  and  take  such  objects  to  march 
upon. 

"  The  conductor  of  the  platoon,  before 
the  word  march  is  given,  will  endeavour 
to  remark  some  distant  object  on  the 
ground,  in  his  own  front,  and  perpendi- 
cular to  the  directing  flank,  he  will  then 
observe  some  nearer  and  intermediate 
point  in  the  same  line,  such  as  a  stone, 
tuft,  ckc.  these  he  will  move  upon  with 
accuracy,  and  as  he  approaches  the 
nearest  of  these  points,  he  must,  from 
time  to  time,  chusc  fresh  ones,  in  the  ori- 
ginal direction,  which  he  will  by  these 
means  preserve,  never  having  fewer  than 
two  such  points  to  move  upon.  If  no 
object  in  the  true  line  can  be  ascertained, 
his  own  squareness  of  person  must  deter- 
mine the  direction  of  the  march. 


M  A  R 


(     467     ) 


M  A  R 


"  The  same  observations  hold  good  in 
all  movements  to  front  or  rear,  or  from 
either  flank ;  and  the  only  way  to  exe- 
cute them  with  accuracy,  is  tor  the 
leader  to  look  out  for  small  interme- 
diate points  of  inarch." 

March  of  a  battalion  in  file,  is  to  ad- 
vance from  the  right,  left,  or  center  of 
any  given  number  of  men,  for  the  purposes 
of  countermarching,  or  of  closing,  or 
opening  an  interval  in  line. 

Points  of  March,  are  two  objects 
which  ought  always  to  be  prepared  for 
the  direction  of  any  considerable  body, 
every  leader  of  which  who  moves  direct- 
ly forward  in  front,  must  take  care  to 
conduct  it  in  a  line  perpendicular  to  that 
front.  But  should  a  leader  either  in  file 
or  front,  have  only  one  marked  point  of 
march  ascertained  to  him,  he  will  him- 
self instantly  look  out  for  his  small  in- 
termediate points. 

March  in  line,  (marche  en  bataille, 
Fr.)  According  to  the  last  printed  Re- 
gulations, the  march  in  line  must  be  uni- 
formly steady,  without  floating,  opening, 
wr  closing. 

March  in  file,  (marche  par  files,  Fr.) 
Hlttst  be  close,  firm,  and  without  length- 
ening out. 

To  March  past,  (marcher  en  revue, 
Fr.)  is  to  advance  in  open  or  close  co- 
lumn, in  ordinary  or  quick  time,  with,  a 
firm  and  steady  step,  erect  person,  the 
eye  glanced  towards  the  reviewing  gene- 
ral. 

The  ordered  or  cadenced  March — 
(marche  cadene'ee,  Fr.)  the  prescribed 
movement  in  military  tactics.  It  is  ob- 
served in  the  Regulations  printed  by  au- 
thority, (see  page  78,)  that  all  military 
movements  are  intended  to  be  made  with 
the  greatest  quickness  consistent  with  or- 
dh  r,  regularity,  and  without  hurry  or  fa- 
tigue to  the  troops.  The  uniformity  of 
position,  and  I  he  cadence  and  length  of 
step,  produce  that  equality  and  freedom 
of  march,  on  which  every  thing  de- 
pends, and  to  which  the  soldier  must  be 
ran  fully  trained,  nor  suffered  to  join  the 
battalion,  until  he  be  thoroughly  perfect- 
ed in  this  most  essential  duty.  Many 
different  times  of  march  must  not  be 
required  of  the  soldier.— These  three 
must  suffice : 

Ordinary  time,  75  steps  in  the  mi- 
nute— Quick  time,  108  in  the  minute — 
Wheeling  or  quickest  time,  120  in  the 
minute. 

In  order  to  accustom  soldiers  to  ac- 


curate movements,  plummets,  which  vi- 
brate the  required  times  of  inarch  in  a 
minute,  have  been  recommended  :  mus- 
ket-balls suspended  by  a  string  which  is* 
not  subject  to  stretch,  and  on  which  are 
marked  the  different  required  lengths, 
will  answer  the  above  purpose.  The 
length  of  the  plummet  is  to  be  measured 
from  the  point  of  suspension,  to  the  cen- 
ter of  the  ball. 

The  several  lengths  are  : — 

steps  in.hun. 
Ordinary  time  in  a  minute  75  24  96 
Quick  time-  -  -  -  -  108  12  3 
Quickest  or  wheeling  time  120      9    80 

Double  quick  time,  an  increased  pace, 
(beyond  the  wheeling  one)  with  which 
soldiers  advance  in  charging  order,  &c. 

Marching  by  files,  is  to  march  with 
the  narrowest  trout,  except  that  of  rank 
entire  or  Indian  file,  which  bodies  of 
men  are  susceptible  of. 

The  strictest  observance  of  all  the 
rules  for  marching  is  particularly  neces- 
sary in  marching  by  files,  which  is  first 
to  be  taught  at  the  ordinary  time,  or  75 
steps  in  the  minute,  and  afterwards  in 
quick  time  or  108  steps  in  the  minute. 

In  file-marching,  particularly  at  the 
drill,  the  whole  of  a  company  or  squad, 
having  been  previously  faced,  are  imme- 
diately to  step  off  together,  gaining  at 
the  very  first  step  30  inches. 

The  first  adoption  of  file-marching  has 
been  attributed  to  the  Prussians,  and 
the  advocates  for  what  is  called  the  or- 
dre mince  des  Prussiens,  the  thin  or  nar- 
row order,  have  in  contradistinction 
named  the  ordre  profond,  the  deep  order, 
or  column,  the  French  order.  Accord- 
ing to  a  very  ingenious  and  lively  writer, 
who  has  had  frequent  occasions  to  see 
the  practice  of  both  orders,  the  ordre 
mince,  or  file-marching,  may  be  very 
useful  during  a  march,  but  the  deep  or- 
der or  column  ought  only  to  be  de- 
pended upon  in  manoeuvring  before  an 
enemy. 

To  March  according  to  time  and  mea- 
sure, (marcher  en  cadence,  Fr.)  Marshal 
Saxe,  in  page  23,  art.  6,  of  the  folio  edi- 
tion of  his  Riveries,  or  Mbnoiies  sur 
I 'Art  de  la  Guerre,  is  of  opinion,  that 
marching  to  time  and  measure  consti- 
tutes one  of  the  essential  requisites  in 
war ;  he  calls  it  indeed  the  principal  one 
to  be  observed  by  troops  who  are  going 
into  action.  By  marching  according  to 
time  and  measure,  we  understand  that 
regular  movement  of  a  large  body  of 
3  0  2 


M  A  R 


(     468     ) 


M  A  R 


men  whose  steps  are  cadenced  and  uni- 
formly the  same,  and  which  are  kept  so 
bv  the  artificial  aid  of  music. 

The  Marshal  observes,  that  although 
military  men  will  enter  into  much  de- 
sultory conversation  respecting  the  lac- 
tic (la  tactique)  of  the  ancii  pits,  they 
seldom  or  ever  understand  the  real  defi- 
nition of  the  word.  It  is,  in  fact,  so 
much  corrupted  in  modern  times,  that' 
what  really  conveyed  no  more  than  a  re- 
gular principle  in  marching,  has  since 
been  made  to  signify  the  exercise  and 
evolutions  of  troops.  All  the  world 
know  how  to  beat  a  march,  without 
comprehending  the  real  object,  and  half 
the  world  imagine,  thai  the  noise  of  a 
drum  or  fife  is  nothing  more  than  mili- 
tary parade. 

It  is  ridiculous  to  suppose,  that  mar- 
tial sounds  and  military  music  were  first 
invented  for  the  sole  purpose  of  con* 
founding  each  other  on  the  day  of  battle. 
Let  us  indulge  a  better  opinion  of  the 
good  understanding  of  the  ancients, 
particularly  of  the  Romans,  and  endea- 
vour to  prove,  that  regularity  in  march- 
ing (which  depends  wholly  upon  the 
cadenced  step)  is  the  ground  work  of 
military  operations,  and  that  nothing  is 
more  simple,  because  it  corresponds  with 
nature.  This  was,  in  fact,  the  military 
step  which  the  Romans  brought  to  so 
great  a  perfection,  and  which  has  since 
been  so  closely  followed  by  the  Prus- 
sians. It  was  upon  this  principle  that 
marches  were  first  devised,  and  that  the 
drum  was  adopted  to  second  the  pur- 
pose. This  is  literally  nothing  more 
than  a  certain  beat  or  tact,  as  the  Marshal 
expresses  it,  and  which  is  evidently  de- 
rived  from  the  Ivoman  word  factum, 
touch,  and  by  means  of  which  men  may 
be  taught  to  move  in  quick  or  slow  time. 
As  long  as  this  principle  can  be  followed 
up,  the  rear  will  never  lag  behind,  soldiers 
will  preserve  the  same  step,  and  march 
with  tli.'  same  loot;  the.  wheelings  will 
be  made  uniformly  together,  without 
confusion,  or  delay  :  and  the  men  will 
be  les*  fatigued  than  if  they  were  suf-| 
fered  to  march  or  wheel  at  random. 
Every  person  of  the  least  reflexion  or 
observation,  will  be  convinced  of  the 
truth  of  this  last  remark.  Let  one  man, 
for  instance,  be  ordered  to  dance  two 
hours,  w  ithout  the  assistance  of  any  sort 
of  musical  instrument,  and  let  another, 
with  the  same  bodily  powers  and  activity, 
go  through  the  same  operation,  during 


double  the  time,  accompanied  by  music, 
and  let  it  then  be  determined  which  of 
the  two  has  been  most  fatigued.  It  will 
evidently  appear,  that  the  former  has : 
for  it  is  an  unquestionable  fact,  that 
sounds  of  concord  and  harmony  have  a 
wonderful  secret  influence  over  the  hu- 
man frame,  and  that  they  render  the 
exercises  and  functions  of  the  body  ex- 
tn  mely  easy.  It  is  well  known,  that 
when  the  camel  drivers  wish  to  make 
their  camels  get  on,  they  never  flog  or 
strike  them  with  sticks,  hut  sing,  whistle, 
or  repeat  some  humorous  song. 

Should  it  be  asked,  what  sort  of  music 
is  best  adapted  to  the  human  organs  in 
military  movements,  it  may  safely  be 
replied,  all  those  simple  tunes  which  can 
be  played  by  the  fife  and  drum.  I  shall 
perhaps  be  told,  (observes  the  Marshal) 
that  many  men  have  no  ear  for  music  ; 
this  I  deny,  as  far  as  the  observation  re- 
gards marching,  which  is  a  movement 
so  easy  to  the  human  frame,  that  it 
comes,  as  it  were,  naturally  to  man.  1 
have  often  remarked,  that  when  the  long 
roll  has  beat,  the  men  in  repairing  to 
their  several  parades,  have  insensibly 
preserved  the  regular  step,  without  know- 
ing that,  they  did  so:  nature,  in  fact,  and 
instinct  go  together.  If  marching  ac- 
cording to  time  and  measure  be  consi- 
dered in  a  mere  superficial  manner,  the 
cadence  step  will  undoubtedly  appear  of 
little  importance ;  but  if  it  be  considered 
as  an  essential  requisite  to  quicken,  or 
slacken,  the  movement  of  troops  who 
are  going  into  action,  it  must  be  found 
an  important  object.  No  evolution,  in 
fact,  can  be  well  done  at  close  order 
without  its  assistance.  The  military  step 
of  the  Romans  was  the  cadenced  or 
a  ieasured  movement,  and  they  were  there- 
by enabled  to  march  with  ease  upwards 
of  '2  1  milts  in  5  hours.  This,  however, 
would  be  looked  upon  as  great  exertion, 
if  not  fatigue,  among  modern  troops, 
although  it  constituted  a  principal  part 
of  the  Roman  exercise.  Ileuce  some 
opinion  may  be  formed  of  the  attention 
which  they  paid  to  that  species  of  train- 
ing, by  which  men  were  habituated  to 
long  marches;  and  this  they  accom- 
plished by  means  of  the  tact,  or  ca- 
denced movement. 

In  order  to  prove  the  validity  of  our 
observations,  let  us,  for  a  moment,  ima- 
gine a  thing  that  is  scarcely  possible  to 
be  accomplished  by  troops  that  do  not 
march  according  to  time  and  measure. 


M  A  R 


(     469     ) 


M  A  R 


Let  us,  suppose,  that  two  battalions,  ad- 1  chief  it  does  in  pitched  battles  is  mora 


vaacing  to  attack  one  another,  should 
inarch  up  without  floating,  overlapping 
or  breaking  in  the  least ;  under  these  cir- 
cumstances, which  would  obtain  the 
superiority  r  the  one  that  should  impru- 
dently have  commenced  firing,  or  that 
which  should  have  reserved  its  fire  ? 
Every  intelligent  and  able  officer  will 
instantly  determine  in  favour  of  the 
latter;  and  his  decision  would  unques- 
tionably be  correct ;  for  the  former, 
besides  being  disheartened  by  seeing 
men  advance  against  them  with  a  re- 
served fire,  would  necessarily  be  retarded 
in  their  inarch  in  order  to  prime  and 
load ;  and  it  must  be  evident  to  every 
man,  that  their  antagonists  would  com- 
pletely overthrow  them  by  advancing 
with  a  rapid  and  cadenced  step. 

This  was  the  plain  and  effectual  me- 
thod of  the  Romans.  It  may,  perhaps, 
be  said,  that  their  ignorance  of  the  use 
of  gunpowder  alters  the  case  with  re- 
spect to  our  maimer  of  fighting.  Let  it, 
however,  be  recollected,  that  they  fought 
with  missile  weapons,  which  did  full  as 
much  mischief  as  our  lire-arms  can  pro- 
duce. Gunpowder,  in  fact,  is  not  so 
destructive  as  most  people  are  apt  to 
imagine.  Few  men  are  killed  in  regular 
fought  actions,  by  the  two  armies  enga- 
ging with  musketry  only.  Marshal  Saxe 
does  not  scruple  to  assert,  that  it  is  im- 
possible for  a  battalion  of  armed  men 
to  charge  its  enemy  with  vigour  and 
effect,  unless  it  preserve  the  cadenced 
step.  For  the  ranks  must  unavoidably 
open  during  the  march  in  line;  and 
when  the  troops  get  within  50  or  60 
paces  of  their  opponents,  the  command- 
ing officers  see  chasms,  cry  out  Serre  !  or 
close  in  to  the  center;  and  in  the  hurry 
of  so  doing,  one  rank  overlaps  another, 
and  the  center  itself  becomes  insensibly 
broken,  standing  eight  and  ten  deep, 
while  the  wings  are  two,  three,  or  four. 
To  remedy  this  defect,  the  whole  line  is 
halted,  and  if  the  enemy  be  wise  enough 
to  advance  in  regular  order  during  this 
operation,  it  is  ten  to  one  that  he  turns 
the  flank  of  his  opponent,  and  completely 
routs  him.  This  was  the  case  at  the 
battle  of  Marengo,  when  the  Austrian 
general  most  imprudently  extended  his 
wings,  and  left  an  opening  in  the  center, 
through  which  the  French  general  De- 
saix  charged  with  his  cavalry.  With  re- 
gard to  the  musketry-firing,  it  may  be 
laid  down  as  a  certain  fact,  that  the  mis- 


imaginary  than  real.  It  has  been  ac- 
knowledged by  the  most  experienced 
officers ;  it  is,  indeed,  positively  asserted 
by  Marshal  Saxe,  (page  19  of  the  folio 
edition)  that  the  closest  vollies  have  pro- 
duced little  or  no  effect  against  a  line  of 
determined  steady  troops.  I  have  seen, 
observes  the  Marshal,  a  whole  volley  of 
cool  directed  musketry,  occasion  the  loss 
of  no  more  than  four  men ;  while  the 
troops  against  which  it  has  been  poured, 
have  calmly  marched  up,  reserved  their 
fire  till  they  got  in  contact  with  the 
enemy,  and  then  amply  revenged  the 
deaths  of  their  comrades  by  discharging 
their  pieces,  and  following  up  with  the 
bayonet.  It  is  at  this  stage  of  the  battle, 
that  a  real  carnage  commences,  and  its 
execution  rests  wholly  with  the  victorious 
party;  and  we  need  scarcely  add,  that 
its  success  must  be  attributed  to  that 
composed,  steady  movement,  or  cadenced 
step,  which  enabled  the  troops  to  act 
together,  when  they  came  to  close  action. 
— The  military  reader  will  be  gratified  by 
a  perusal  of  two  or  three  interesting 
anecdotes  in  pages  29,  30,  31,  of  the 
Reveries,  fol.  edit. 

MgM-MARCHES;  Whenever  marches 
are  undertaken  in  the  night,  great  pre- 
caution should  be  observed  on  the  part 
of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  troops, 
to  attach  two  or  three  faithful  and  in- 
telligent guides  to  each  column  or  de- 
tachment; for  it  will  very  easily  happen, 
that  in  moving  a  considerable  detach- 
ment during  the  night,  some  troops  or 
squadrons  may  lose  themselves,  espe- 
cially where  there  are  cross  roads,  and 
difficult  passes. 

The  commanding  officer  at  the  head 
of  the  detachment  must  march  slowly, 
provided  the  nature  of  his  expedition 
will  admit  of  it :  and  wherever  he  rinds 
any  bye-roads  on  the  inarch,  he  must 
post  a  few  men  there,  to  direct  the  suc- 
ceeding squadron;  which  squadron  is 
to  repeat  the  same  caution,  and  so  on 
throughout  the  whole. 

As  it  is  almost  impossible  for  squad- 
rons to  keep  constantly  close  together ; 
and  as  it  almost  always  happens,  that, 
in  order  to  conceal  a  march  from  the 
enemy,  no  trumpet  must  be  sounded, 
(which  would  otherwise  serve  for  a  di- 
rection in  the  night  time)  a  good  non- 
commissioned otiicer,  with  four  or  six 
men,  must  be  appointed  to  the  rear  of 
every  squadron,  who  are  to  divide  them- 


M  A  It 


(    -iro   ) 


M  A  R 


s,  aftd  form  n  chain  LA  the  intTval, 
between  it  and  the  one  suc< 
order  to   prevent    any  mistake   of  the 
mL 

Before  the  detachment  marches  off, 
the  officer  commanding  mssl  bt   c 
to  exhort  the  officer*  leading  troops  01 

squadrons,  strictly  to  observe  all  the 
above  directions:  he  must  also  have 
several  orderly  nun  to  attend  him  ;  and, 

it'  possible,  two  Oi'  three  guides  iii 
trout. 

The  advanced  guard  must  be  r  in- 
forced  in  the  night  time,  mid  march  at 
a  small  distance  from  the  main  body, 
and  whenever  it  shall  happen  unexpect- 
edly to  meet  the  enemy,  it  must  in- 
stantly charge  with  all  possible  vigour ; 
on  which  account-,  and  in  order  to  be  in 
continual  readiness,  it  must  always 
inarch  with  advanced  arms.  Page  39, 
Military  Guide. 

Stcret  Marches  are  made  with  a 
design  to  reconnoitre  an  enemy,  sur- 
prize his  camp,  secure  a  post,  or  seize  a 
place.  rl  hey  are  likewise  undertaken  to 
succour  troops  that  may  lie  precariously 
situated,  to  relieve  a  besieged  '.own,  &c. 
It  is  in  this  service  that  a  commander 
has  occasion  tor  his  utmost  sagacity  and 
penetration,  to  prevent,  his  being  dis- 
covered, or  betrayed,  in  Dvdcy  to  ensure 
success,  the  person  who  conducts  the 
inarch,  should  have  previously  obtained 
good  information  relative  to  the  different 
roads  through  which  he  is  to  pa^s,  the 
disposition  of  the  inhabitants,  &c.  He 
should  also  obtain  correct  intelligence 
respecting  the  situation  of  the  enemy's 
outposts,  JS.C. — Military  Guide. 

To  March  for  the  direct  purpose  of 
Jigltting  an  em  my.  In  order  to  effect 
this  important  operation  with  confi- 
dence and  safety,  every  army  that 
marches  from  a  distant  point  towards 
the  ground  which  is  occupied  by  an 
enemy,  endeavours,  as  much  as  possible, 
to  preserve  its  regular  front,  and  to  ad- 
vance in  order  of  battle.  Whenever 
obstacles  occur  and  the  ground  be- 
comes so  confined,  that  the  march  in 
line  cannot  be  preserved,  the  different 
squadrons  and  battalions  must  approach 
the  enemy  in  such  a  disposition  of 
columns  as  to  be  able  to  torni  line  in 
the  quickest  manner,  and  before  the 
enemy  could  possibly  attempt  to  make 
an  impression  on  the  advancing  columns, 
by  charging  with  his  cavalry. 

Tha   general    officers  who  command 


'.oral  Columns,  in  lending  fhein 
forward,  must  attentively  observe  each 
other's  movements,  so  that  their  heads, 
at  least,  be  upon  a  line <  and  that  when 
they  r  uh  the  ground  where  the  whole 
are  to  deploy,  this  manoeuvre  may  be 
accomplished  with  dispatch  and  safety, 
and  the  order  of  battle  be  fully  made, 
our  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy's  horse. 

The  general,  or  commander  in  chief, 
with  his  aides-de-camp,  &.c.  takes  his 
ground  m  such  a  manner  as  to  be  able  to 
see  thi'  effect  of  the  first,  tire,  l'rom 
being  thus  conveniently  situated,  he  will 
know  what  orders  to  send,  whether  to 
support  that  part  of  the  line  which  has 
gained  ground,  or  to  replace  any  parti- 
cular one  that  may  have  given  way.  In 
order  to  accomplish  this  double  pur- 
pose, he  either  makes  use  of  the  troops 
which  ha-  e  been  drawn  up  between  the 
two  lines,  as  circumstances  may  require, 
or  detaches  from  the  reserve,  as  he 
jtidgi  s  In  m  lor  the  service. 

The  instant  the  line  is  formed,  and 
the  enemy  appears  in  sight,  every  gene- 
ral officer  must  be  found  at  the  head  of 
his  division,  actively  employed  either  in 
leading  on  the  troops  entrusted  to  his 
skill  and  valour,  or  in  speedily  remedy- 
ing every  symptom  of  disorder  which 
may  occur  throughout  the  whole  extent 
of  his  command. 

The  disposition  of  an  army  (to  quote 
the  words  of  Mons.  tie  Fenquieres) 
which  comes  to  close  action,  differs  es- 
sentially {'rc\t\  that  it  assumes  in  a 
march,  or  previous  movement.  Were 
troops,  indeed,  to  advance  over  a  wide 
space  of  open  and  unembarrassed  ground, 
the  formation  of  them  might  be  the 
same.  But  this  is  seldom  or  ever  the  case. 
The  intervention  of  hills,  woods, rivers, 
villages,  and  narrow  passes  or  defiles, 
gives  rise  to  so  many  obstacles,  that  a 
Large  body  of  men,  such  as  constitute^  an 
army,  must  necessarily  be  divided  into 
many  different  corps,  in  order  that  the 
collective  force  may  arrive,  at  a  given 
time,  within  the  lines  of  a  new  camp,  or 
within  sight  of  an  enemy. 

t  hi  these  occasions,  the  movements  of 
an  army  are  attended  with  considerable 
risk,  especially  if  the  enemy  has  himself 
taken  the  field;  for  by  ably  manoeuvring 
he  may  take  advantage  of  the  divided 
state  of  your  army,  and  attack  it  piece- 
meal. The  greatest  precautions,  how- 
ever, are  observed  in  modern  warfare, 
which  were  either  unknown  to,  or  neg- 


M  A  R 


(     47  X     ) 


MAR 


leeted,  by  our  ancestors.  Most  of  these 
have  already  been  discussed,  as  tar  as 
the  limits  of  our  undertaking  would 
admit.  The  following  additional  obser- 
vations may  not,  perhaps,  be  thought 
wholly  superfluous. 

In  the  first  instance,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary for  the  quarter-master  general,  and 
tor  the  different  oiticers  who  compose 
the  staff,  or  etat-major,  of  the  army,  to 
render  themselves  perfectly  masters  ot 
the  country  through  which  the  troops 
are  to  march.  The  corps  of  guides, 
especially  if  the  march  should  be  con- 
tinued during  the  night,  must  be  well 
chosen  on  these  occasions;  and  the  dif- 
ferent captains  that  have  the  charge  of 
them,  are  frequently  to  communicate 
with  the  principal  othcers  on  the  staff, 
to  facilitate  the  several  movements.  Ah 
the  general  othcers  must  be  in  posstjs- 
sion  of  correct  topographical  sketcjits 
of  the  country;  and  their  aides-de-camp, 
&c.  must  not  only  know  how  to  deliver 
orders,  but  they  must  themselves  be  able 
to  calculate  (from  a  cursory  view  of  the 
chart)  time  and  distance.  The  science 
of  locality  has,  indeed,  become  so  mani- 
festly useful  in  all  military  operations, 
that  the  trench  have  tormed  regular 
companies  of  topographers,  who  accom- 
pany their  armies ;  and  it  reflects  credit 
upon  the  new  institution,  at  Iligh-Wy- 
eombe,  to  see  so  much  attention  paid  to 
this  branch  of  necessary  knowledge. 

Artificers  and  workmen,  with  appro- 
priate escorts,  precede  the  several  co- 
lumns, in  order  to  clear  the  roads,  and 
to  remove  obstacles  that  occur.  Light 
troops  and  I  arte  detachments  of  cavalry, 
are  pushed  forward  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  the  enemy  in  awe,  and  to  send 
the  earliest  intelligence  respecting  his 
movements.  Bridges  are  thrown  across 
rivers  with  astonishing  activity  and  dis- 
patch; every  thing  in  a  word,  which 
relates  to  the  movement  of  the  army, 
is  so  well  digested  before-hand,  and 
subsequently  so  well  executed,  that  all 
the  different  corps  co-operate, and  readily 
succour  each  other,  should  the  entim 
attack.  The  natural  formation  of  the 
battalion  is  preserved,  whether  the  gre- 
nadiers are  disposed  in  front,  or  the 
light  companies  lead;  and  the  several 
piquets  come  regularly  up  with  the 
rear  during  the  march,  and  are  as  rea- 
dily stationed  in  the  front  when  their 
corps  halt. 

When  a  forced  march  is  undertaken 


for  the  specific  purpose  of  rendering 
some  design  of  an  enemy  abortive,  it  is 
the  duty  of  the  commissariat  to  have 
provisions  ready  at  hand,  during  the 
transient  halts  which  are  made  in  this 
harassing  and  fatiguing  euterprize. 

It  is  usual  for  great  armies  to  march 
in  three  columns,  lu  conformity  to  the 
order  of  battle,  which  has  been  laid 
down  by  the  general,  or  commander  in 
chief,  at  the  beginning  of  the  campaign. 
Those  battalions  and  squadrons  which 
compose  the  right,  take  their  line  of 
march  through  that  direction  of  the 
country  :  those  which  compose  the  left, 
preserve  their  relative  time  and  distance 
in  that  quarter.  The  artillery  and  heavy 
baggage  are  generally  disposed  of  in 
the  center  column. 

When  an  army  marches  directly  for- 
ward to  attack,  or  meet,  an  enetnv,  the 
artillery  is  almost  always  distributed  in 
the  center  :  sometimes  a  brigade  of  that 
corps,  with  a  body  of  select  troops  in 
front,  precedes  each  column;  but  the 
heavy  baggage  invariably  moves  in  the 
rear,  under  cover  of  the  reserve. 

When  an  army  marches  through  a 
woody  or  close  country,  the  heads  of 
the  different  columns  are  usually  cover- 
ed by  a  strong  detachment  of  grena- 
diers, preceded  by  squadrons  of  horse. 
Should  the  enemy  be  in  your  rear,  when 
it  is  found  expedient  to  make  a  move- 
ment, the  hospital  stores,  ammunition, 
baggage,  and  artillery,  escorted  by  some 
-quadrons  of  horse,  must  be  sent  for- 
AHrd,  and  the  best  disciplined  troops, 
with  a  certain  quautity  of  artillery,  are 
ia  that  case  to  make  up  the  rear-guard. 
If  the  enemy  should  hang  upon  your 
dank,  (the  right  for  instance,)  the  artil- 
lery, stores,  and  baggage,  must  lie  con- 
ducted by  the  left ;  should  the  enemy 
direct  his  operations  from  the  left,  the 
same  movements  must  take  place  on  the 
light. 

A  small  army  may  march  in  one 
column,  having  its  artillery  and  baggage 
between  the  advanced  and  re.ir-guaids. 
Should  it  be  brought  to  action,  the  dra- 
goons ami  light  cavalry  belonging  to  the 
advanced  guard  will  compose  one  wing, 
md  the  troops  that  are  disposed  of  in 
rhe  rear,  will  form  the  other:  the  in- 
fantry will  be  distributed  in  the  center 
with  the  artillery  in  its  front. 

The  French  seem  to  have  paid  the 
greatest  attention  to  the  various  details 
and  incidental  circumstances  which  at- 


M  A  R 


(     472     ) 


U  A  H 


lend  the  march  of  any  considerable  body 
of  troops.  It  was  not,  however,  until 
the  reign  of  Louis  XIII.  that  any  sort 
of  regular  system  began  to  prevail. — 
There  was  certainly  less  necessity  for 
such  an  arrangement,  because  the  bug- 
gage  was  by  no  means  so  great,  nor  was 
the  train  of  artillery  half  so  extensive. — 
The  only  dangers,  indeed,  which  were 
to  be  guarded  against,  when  the  enemy 
was  near,  seemed  confined  to  the  loss  of 
baggage  and  artillery.  These  were,  of 
course,  provided  against  by  every  able 
general,  who  naturally  observed  the 
greatest  secrecy  with  respect  to  his  en- 
campment, and  practised  various  stra- 
tagems to  conceal  his  march  from  the 
enemy. 

Some  very  sensible  observations,  re- 
lative to  the  manner  in  which  troops 
should  be  managed,  previous  to  an  en- 
gagement, may  be  found  in  the  Reveries 
de,  M.  Martvhul  de  Saxe ;  and  con- 
siderable information  may  be  derived 
from  Les  Reflexions  de  M.  le  Baron 
d'Espugnuc,  on  the  best  method  of  form- 
ing the  infantry  for  battle.  See  Sup- 
{element  mix  Reveries,  page  19.  See 
ikewise  (Euvres  Militaires,  torn.  i. 
p.  1*24. 

General  Observations  on  the  March  of 
Troops. —  As  the  Regulations  on  this  bead", 
as  far  as  they  relate  to  the  British  home 
service,  must  be  known  to  every  officer, 
we  shall  extract  some  desultory  obser- 
vations from  a  French  work,  that,  may 
be  applicable  to  general  service.  When 
troops  are  ordered  to  march,  four  prin- 
cipal objects  should  be  well  considered, 
viz.  locality,  tune,  possible  ambuscades, 
and  the  ultimate  end  for  which  the  march 
is  undertaken.  In  order  to  secure  these 
important  points,  some  topographers 
(without  whom  no  army  can  be  said  to 
be  well  constituted,  or  its  staff"  ably 
appointed)  should  be  directed  to  give, 
in  plans  of  the  country,  to  shew  where 
it  is  intersected,  where  hills  with  their j 
different  incurvations  appear,  where  the 
roads  are  narrow,  where  the  ground  is 
soft  or  marshy,  and  unfavourable  to 
the  passage  of  artillery,  where  intricate 
passes  occur,  where  there  are  woods, 
hedges,  rivers,  or  marshes,  and  finally, 
where  the  country  becomes  totally  im- 
pervious. 

When  these  different  objects  have 
been  well  ascertained,  and  thoroughly 
digested  at  head  quarters,  the  compo- 
nent parts  of    the   army   must  be   so 


distributed  with  respect  to  the  batta- 
lions of  infantry,  squadrons  of  horse, 
artillery,  and  baggage,  that  the  front  of 
the  leading  column  shall  invariably  cor- 
respond with  the  extent  of  the  road,  or 
defile,  which  is  to  be  marched  over. 

When  troops  are  ordered  to  march 
through  an  inclosed  country,  the  whole 
army  is  divided  into  a  given  number  of 
columns,  which  successively  follow  each 
other,  and  are  encamped,  cantoned,  or 
quartered  separately.  Sometimes  the 
country  is  cleared,  as  much  as  circum- 
stances will  admit,  in  order  that  the 
several  columns  may  advance,  while  the 
artillery,  under  an  escort  of  infantry  on 
each  side,  and  with  cavalry  distributed, 
upon  both  wings  of  the  army,  makes  the 
best  of  its  way  through  the  main  road. 
Small  detachments, consisting  of  active, 
spirited  young  men,  headed  by  intelli- 
gent and  enterprizing  officers,  are  sent 
forward  to  take  possession  of  the  diffe- 
rent defiles,  woods,  passes,  and  to  post 
themselves  close  to  an  enemy's  post, 
for  the  purpose  of  blocking  it  up  until 
the  whole  of  the  army  has  marched 
by. 

The  leading  columns  should  always  be 
composed  of  tried  and  steady  soldiers; 
and  tiie  front  of  each  should  invariably 
consist  of  the  best  men  in  the  army. 

The  advanced  and  rear  guards  must 
be  well  supported  by  infantry,  with  the 
addition  of  some  light  field  pieces.  The 
order  of  battle  is  so  arranged,  that  the 
heavy  ordnance,  the  baggage,  and  the 
greatest  part  of  the  cavalry,  which  can 
be  of  little  use  on  the  wings,  may  be 
distributed  in  the  center. 

When  it  is  necessary  to  cross  a  river, 
the  artillery  must  be  planted  directly  op- 
posite to  the  post  which  the  army  in- 
tends to  occupy.  Considerable  advan- 
tage will  accrue  should  the  river  wind  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  form  a  rentrant  an- 
gle in  that  particular  spot,  which  advan- 
tage would  be  greatly  increased  by  having 
a  ford  near. 

In  proportion  as  the  construction  of 
the  bridge  advances,  some  steady  troops 
must  be  marched  forward,  and  a  regular 
discharge  of  musketry  must  be  kept  up 
against  the  enemy  on  the  opposite  bank. 
The  instant  the  bridge  is  finished,  a 
corps  of  infantry,  with  some  cavalry, 
some  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  certain 
number  of  pioneers,  to  fortify  the  head 
of  the  bridge,  must  be  ordered  over. — 
Should   there    be  the  least  ground  te 


M  A  R 


(     473     ) 


MAR 


suspect  an  attack  upon  the  rear  guard, 
the  inside  tete  de  pont  must  also  be 
fortified. 

Proper  precautions  will  have  been 
taken  to  prevent  any  surprize  during  the 
construction  of  the  bridge,  and  while 
the  troops  are  crossing.  Each  side  of  the 
river,  above  and  below  the  bridge,  will 
on  this  account  have  been  well  recon- 
noitred, to  ascertain  that  there  are  not 
any  armed  barges  or  floating  rafts,  with 
internals  upon  them,  kept  ready  to  blow 
up  the  bridge,  when  a  considerable  part 
of  the  army  shall  have  passed  the  river. 
If  the  preservation  of  the  bridge  be  con- 
sidered as  an  object,  both  ends  must  be 
fortified,  and  adequate  guards  stationed 
to  defend  them. 

Each  corps  that  marches  separately, 
such  as  the  advanced  and  rear  guards, 
and  the  main  body,  must  be  provided 
with  shovels,  pick-axes,  and  a  sufficient 
number  of  pioneers  and  guides,  to  clear 
the  roads,  and  to  direct  it  on  its  march. 
For  additional  observations  on  the  pas- 
sage of  rivers,  &c.  see  Natation. 

The  following  general  rules  in  route 
marching  have  been  laid  down  by  the 
celebrated  Montecuculli : — 

No  officer  or  soldier  is  on  any  account 
to  quit  his  post  or  rank.  The  battalion 
companies  must  never  intermix  with  the 
squadrons,  or  troops,  of  cavalry.  Squa- 
drons, or  troops,  of  cavalry  must  always 
take  care  not  to  leave  such  wide  inter- 
vals between  them,  as  will  expose  them 
to  be  suddenly  cut  oft",  or  such  contracted 
ones  as  might  enable  the  enemy  to  throw 
them  into  confusion. 

In  summer,  troops  should  quit  their 
ground,  or  quarters,  at  day-break. 

In  winter,  great  care  should  be  taken 
by  the  commissariat,  to  see  that  the 
troops  are  well  supplied  with  fuel  w  hen- 
ever  they  halt.  During  very  inclement 
weather,  the  march  of  troops  should  be 
greatly  contracted. 

Some  steady  old  soldiers  must  be 
stationed  at  the  difterent  cross  roads,  to 

{irevent  the  rear  men  from  mistaking  the 
ine  of  march. 

The  leading  columns,  or  those  troops 
that  precede  them,  must  instantly  fall 
upon  any  body  of  the  enemy  that  may 
attempt  to  oppose  their  progress. 

Three  things  are  always  to  be  consi- 
dered, and  well  weighed,  viz.  whether 
there  be  much  ground  to  apprehend  a 
serious  attack  from  the  enemy;  whether 


there  be  little  ground  to  fear  him ;  or 
whether  there  be  no  ground  at  all  ? 

In  the  latter  case  each  corps  of  cavalry 
and  infantry  marches  separately,  and 
with  its  own  baggage. 

All  convoys,  containing  stores  and 
ammunition,  move  with  the  artillery, 
accompanied  by  an  officer  from  the  ad- 
jutant, or  quarter-master-general's  de- 
partment, who  has  the  direction  of  the 
march,  as  far  as  regards  the  convoy  it- 
self; but  cannot  interfere  with  the  artil- 
lery :  the  commanding  officer  of  the  lat- 
ter being  presumed  to  know  best,  when 
and  where  his  park  should  halt,  &c.  A 
very  sensible  observation  on  this  head 
may  be  found  in  the  Manuel  des  Adjudam 
Geniraux,  by  Paul  Thiebault.  On  the 
evening  preceding  a  march,  each  corps 
is  specifically  furnished  with  the  neces- 
sary orders  in  writing. 

At  the  hour  which  is  named  in  general 
orders  tor  the  troops  to  commence  their 
march,  the  quarter-master-general,  and 
the  captain  of  guides,  repair  to  the  ad- 
vanced guard. 

If  the  army  has  been  encamped,  the 
lines  of  intrenchment  are  levelled,  or 
cleared  in  such  a  manner,  that  the  troops 
may  move  with  an  extended  front.  As 
soon  as  the  troops  have  marched  off,  the 
difterent  guards  belonging  to  the  camp 
will  be  withdrawn. 

Pioneers  must  be  sent  forward  to  clear 
the  roads,  preceded  by  small  detach- 
ments of  light  and  select  troops,  together 
with  estafettes,  or  mounted  messengers, 
and  vedettes,  who  are  to  reconnoitre  in 
front,  rear,  and  round  the  wings  of  the 
army.  To  these  must  be  added  appro- 
priate guards  and  escorts  to  accompany 
the  artillery,  and  to  protect  the  baggage. 
It  will  belong  to  this  latter  description 
of  troops,  to  take  possession  of  advan- 
tageous heights,  to  discover  ambuscades, 
and  to  send  a  faithful  detail  of  all  they 
observe  to  head  quarters.  These  com- 
munications will  be  made  by  the  chief  of 
the  etat  major  who  accompanies  them. 

The  advanced  guard  of  the  army  will 
be  composed  of  one  half  of  the  cavalry, 
the  main  body  will  consist  of  the  infantry, 
attended  by  pioneers  and  detached  corps 
of  light  artillery,  which  will  be  preceded 
by  an  iron  instrument  made  in  the  shape 
Of  a  plough-share,  for  the  purpose  of 
tracing  out  the  paths,  which  must  be 
kept  by  the  wagon  train.  In  the  rear 
of  the  main  body  must  follow  the  heavv 
3P 


MAR 


(     474     ) 


M  A  R 


ordnance,  the  baggage-wagons  belonging 
to  the  several  regiments,  and  the  train 
of  artillery.  The  other  half  of  the  cavalry 
Will  be  disposed  of  in  the  rear-guard,  in 
which  the  army  stores  and  ammunition 
are  to  be  escorted  by  a  regiment  of 
horse. 

If  the  army  should  be  divided,  and 
march  in  ditVeient  columns  by  indirect 
roads,  a  rendezvous,  or  place  of  arms, 
must  he  marked  out  in  writing,  where 
the  whole  may  conveniently  meet  on  the 
line  of  march.  The  utmost  attention 
must  be  paid  to  the  selection  of  this  spot, 
by  the  adjutant  and  quarter-master-ge- 
neral, lest  it  should  be  exposed  to  a  sur- 
prize from  the  enemy ;  on  which  ac- 
count, it  is  kept  as  secret  as  possible, 
lebt  any  intelligence  should  be  given  to 
him  by  deserters,  or  spies.  The  hour 
and  the  manner  in  which  the  several 
columns  are  to  arrive,  are  specifically 
stated  to  the  different  leaders;  and  scouts, 
&.c.  are  sent  round  the  country  to  dis- 
cover the  enemy's  movements. 

If  there  should  be  any  reason  to  ap- 
prehend an  attack,  the  various  precau- 
tions must  be  increased  in  proportion  to 
the  alarm. 

An  army  must  always  march,  if  it 
possibly  can,  in  that  order  from  which  it 
may  easily  and  expeditiously  deploy  into 
line ;  that  is,  it  should  invariably  pre- 
serve the  order  of  battle  ;  every  column 
bearing  a  natural  front  towards  the  ene- 
my. Montecuculli  further  adds,  that  an 
army  must  invariably  march  the  right  or 
left  in  front,  and  not  from  its  centre. 

Field  pieces,  with  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  ammunition,  shovels,  spades,  and 
pick-axes  always  at  hand,  must  be  dis- 
posed along  the  most  vulnerable  part  of 
the  rendezvous ;  these  must  be  guarded 
by  a  body  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  who 
are  to  be  selected  for  that  specific  duty. 

Care  is  likewise  taken  to  lodge  the 
baggage-wagons,  &c.  in  the  most  secure, 
and  best  defended  spot. 

The  first  two  lines  of  the  army  will 
consist  of  the  mounted  artillery  in  front, 
next  to  which  will  stand  the  different 
squadrons  of  horse  that  are  posted  in  in- 
tervals between  the  infantry  battalions  : 
after  these  will  follow  the  train  of  cais- 
sons, &c.  in  as  many  files  as  the  road 
will  admit;  then  the  stores  and  baggage, 
and  finally  the  reserve. 

W  henever  the  leading  columns  have 
passed  a»  obstacle,  the  front  men  must 
be  halttu  till  the  rear  have  completely 


cleared  it  likewise;  and  when  the  whole 
enters  on  open  country,  the  line  must  be 
formed,  and  the  inarch  be  continued  iu 
order  of  battle  until  a  fresh  obstacle  oc- 
curs, when  the  troops  must  be  prepared 
to  pass  the  defile,  the  advanced  guard 
leading,  the  main  body  following  next, 
and  the  reserve  bringing  up  the  rear. 

When  an  army  is  thus  advancing,  the 
right  or  left  flank  (according  tu  circum- 
stances) of  its  line  of  march,  must  be 
covered  by  rivers,  and  banks,  rising 
grounds,  or  eminences;  and  if  these  na- 
tural advantages  do  not  present  them- 
selves, artificial  ones  must  he  resorted  to. 
These  may  consist  of  wagons,  chevaux 
de  Prize,  or  other  temporary  means  of 
defence;  the  quantity,  ike.  must  depend 
upon  the  nature  of  the  country,  and  the 
number  of  troops  that  compose  the  co- 
lumns. 

It  is,  however,  impossible  to  set  down 
general  rules  for  all  cases;  these  must 
vary  with  the  manifold  circumstances 
that  occur,  and  the  different  designs  which 
are  to  be  accomplished,  or  pursued. 

•When  the  movements  of  an  army  are 
to  be  concealed,  the  march  must  be  un- 
dertaken at  night,  through  woods,  val- 
lies,  and  concealed  ways;  all  frequented 
and  inhabited  places  must  be  carefully 
avoided;  no  loud  instruments  must,  on 
any  account,  be  played  ;  and  if  fires  are 
made,  they  must  only  be  lighted  on 
the  eve  of  breaking  up  camp;  in  which 
case  they  must  be  left  burning,  for  the 
purpose  of  deluding  the  enemy  into  a 
supposition,  that  the  troops  have  not 
moved. 

Small  parties  of  cavalry  are  sent  for- 
ward to  seize  all  stragglers  or  scouts  from 
the  enemy,  or  to  take  possession  of  the 
different  passes.  In  order  to  avoid  being 
discovered  in  the  object  of  the  march, 
a  ditYerent  road  must  be  taken  from  the 
one  which  you  really  propose  to  march 
through;  and  a  fit  opportunity  must  af- 
terwards be  embraced  to  get  into  the  real 
track.  Before  you  march  out  of  a  town, 
or  fortified  place,  the  utmost  care  must 
be  observed  to  prevent  your  intended 
route  from  being  conveyed  to  the  enemy. 
On  this  account,  the  troops  must  be  first 
marched  out,  and  the  gates  immediately 
shut  upon  the  rear,  so  that  no  stranger, 
Ike.  may  be  able  to  slip  out  with  the 
men. 

During  a  march  of  this  nature,  the 
troops  must  be  provided  with  subsist- 
ence,   stores  and  ammunition,   to  last 


M  A  R 


(     475     ) 


M  A  R 


out  until   the  object  is  attained.     No  exertion  is  made  to  reach  a  given  point 

scout,  or  vedette,  is  sent  forward,  when 

an  army,  or  any  part  of  it,  advances  to 

take  possession  of  a  post   or  place,  to 

succour  a  town,  to  surprize  an  enemy, 

in  a  close  or  woody  country,  by  favour 

of  the  night,  or  in  hazy  weather,  or  on 

any  occasion  when   orders   have    been 

given  to  oppose  and  fight  every  thing  it 

meets. 

When  an  army  marches  for  the  direct 
purpose  of  forcing  a  passage,  which  is 
guarded  by  an  enemy,  a  feint  must  be 
made  in  one  quarter,  whilst  the  real  ob- 
ject is  vigorously  pursued  in  another. 
Sometimes  you  must  appear  suddenly 
disposed  to  make  a  retrograde  move- 
ment, and  then  again  as  suddenly  re- 
sume your  progress;  sometimes  march 
beyond  the  spot  you  wish  to  occupy,  in- 
sensibly drawing  off  the  enemy's  atten- 
tion; and  whilst  the  whole  army  is  thus 
pushing  forward,  and  is  closely  watched 
by  its  opponents,  (who  hang  upon  the 
flanks,  and  hug  its  line  of  march,)  let 
detached  parties  of  cavalry  and  foot, 
that  have  lain  in  ambush,  suddenly  sur- 
prize the  passage,  and  post  themselves 
upon  it. 

When  it  is  found  expedient  to  advance 
rapidly  into  a  country  for  the  purpose 
of  surprizing  an  enemy,  getting  posses- 
sion of  a  town,  or  place,  or  avoiding  su- 
perior forces,  every  species  of  baggage 
must  be  left  behind ;  even  the  common 
necessaries  of  the  men,  if  circumstances 
require.  The  cavalry  must  be  sent  for- 
ward, and  the  infantry  put  in  carts,  car- 
riages, and  chaises,  or  mounted  behind 
the  dragoons.  If  there  be  spare  horses 
enough  in  the  different  troops,  or  any 
can  be  procured  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  country,  they  must  be  led  in  order 
to  relieve  those  that  are  doubly  mounted, 
in  the  manner  practised  by  theTartars. — 
Marches  of  this  description  and  urgency 
must  be  kept  up  night  and  day  ;  and  it 
is  on  such  occasions,  that  the  value  of 
a  good  staff,  or  etat-major,  will  have  all 
its  weight. 

It  must  be  observed,  as  a  general 
maxim,  that  whenever  troops  are  retir- 
ing from  a  weak  position,  or  to  avoid  the 
approach  of  a  superior  force,  the  retreat 
must  be  so  managed,  as  not  to  bear  the 
least  resemblance  of  a  flight. 

A  forced  March,  (marche  acceleree, 
Fr.)  a  movement  of  troops  in  which  little 
or  no  relaxation  is  allowed,  and  every 


It  is  also  called  marche  forcee. 

Rogue's  March,  a  tune  which  is 
played  by  the  trumpeters  or  fifers  of  a 
regiment  (as  the  case  may  be)  for  the 
purpose  of  drumming  out  any  person 
who  has  behaved  disorderly,  &c.  in  a 
camp  or  garrison.  Thieves,  strumpets, 
&c.  are  frequently  marked  in  this 
manner ;  being  inarched  down  the  front 
of  a  battalion,  from  right  to  left,  and 
along  the  rear :  after  which  they  are 
conducted  to  the  gate  of  the  garrison,  or 
entrance  of  the  camp,  where  they  re- 
ceive a  kick  in  the  posteriors  from  the 
youngest  drummer,  and  are  warned 
never  to  appear  within  the  limits  of 
either  place,  under  pain  of  being  severely 
punished. 

MARCHANDS,  Fr.  slop-sellers, 
pettv-sutlers.  Men  of  this  description 
always  flock  round  and  follow  an  army 
on  its  march.  As  they  generally  deal 
in  articles  which  are  wanted  by  the  offi- 
cers and  soldiers,  it  is  the  business  of 
every  general  to  see  them  properly 
treated,  to  ensure  their  safety,  and  to 
permit  them,  under  certain  regulations, 
to  have  access  to  the  camp.  They  should, 
however,  be  warily  watched  in  some 
instances,  especially  upon  the  eve  of  a 
retreat,  or  before  any  advanced  opera- 
tion takes  place.  Spies  frequently  dis- 
guise themselves  as  pedlars,  and  under 
the  mask  of  selling  trifling  articles,  pry 
into  the  state  of  a  camp,  put  indirect) 
questions  to  the  soldiers,  and  tamper 
with  those  who  may  seem  disposed  to 
act  in  a  traitorous  manner.  Yet  as  ar- 
mies cannot  do  without  such  men,  they 
must  be  sanctioned;  and  it  is  the  parti- 
cular duty  of  the  provost-marshal,  and 
of  the  wagon-master  general,  to  watch 
and  superintend  their  motions. 

MARCHE,  Fr.  a  step. 

MARCHE-pa/ier,  Fr.  the  stair-head; 
the  broad-step  of  a  stair-case. 

Marche  acceleree,  ou  pas  accitere,  Fr. 
quick  time. 

Marche  ordinaire,  ou  pas  ordinaire, 
Fr.  ordinary  time. 

Marche  precipitee,  ou  pas  precipiti, 
Fr.  quickest  time. 

Marche  cadencee,  ou  pas  cadence,  Fr. 
march  or  step  according  to  time  and 
measure.  It  is  likewise  called  the  ca- 
dence step. 

Marche  non-cadencee,    Ou  pas  non- 
cadence,  Fr.   This  step  is  likewise  called 
SP2 


M  A  R 


(     47G     ) 


a  a  r 


pas  de  route,  and  signifies  that  uncon- 
s trained  movement  which  soldiers  are 
permitted  to  adopt  in  marching  over 
difficult  ground,  and  in  columns  of 
route. 

Makche  de  fane,  Fr.  flank  move- 
ment or  march. 

Marche  forcce,  Fr.  a  forced  march. 

Battre,  sonner  la  Marche,  Fr.  to  put 
troops  into  motion  by  the  beat  of  drum 
or  sound  of  trumpet,  6ic. 

Gagnerune  Marche  sur  I'cnnemi,  Fr. 
to  gain  ground,  or  time,  upon  an  enemy  ; 
which  signifies  to  get  in  his  front  or  upon 
his  flanks,  so  as  to  harass  or  perplex 
him,  or  by  any  able  manoeuvre  to  get  the 
start  of  him. 

Dirobcr  sa  Marchk,  Fr.  to  steal  a 
march. 

Couvrir  unc  Marche,  Fr.  to  conceal 
a  march. 

Marche,  Fr.  this  word  is  likewise 
used  among  the  French,  to  express  the 
course  or  progress  of  a  ship,  or  as  we 
say  technically,  the  icay  she  makes : 
hence  marche  d'un  vaisseau. 

MARCHER  par  lejlauc,  Fr.  to  march 
from  any  given  dank. 

Marcher  en  colonne  avec  distance 
entiere,  Fr.  to  march  in  open  column  at 
open  distance. 

Marcher  en  colonne  a  distance  de 
section,  ou  en  masse,  Fr.  to  inarch  in 
column,  quarter  distance,  or  in  mass. 

Marcher  en  baluille,  ou  en  colonne 
dtattaque,  Fr.  to  advance  in  column,  for 
the  purpose  of  attacking  an  enemy, 

Marcher enbatui/le,  en  ordre  dcployi, 
Fr.  to  advance  in  line  or  in  deployed 
order. 

Marcher  en  retraite,  Fr.  to  retreat. 

Marcher  en  batuille  par  le  dernier 
rang,  Fr.  to  march  in  line,  rear  front. 

Marcher  au  pas  accclire,  Fr.  to 
march  in  quick  time. 

Marcher  le  pas  en  arricre,  Fr.  to 
take  the  back-step. 

Marcher  an  pas  ordinaire,  Fr.  to 
march  in  ordinary  time. 

Marcher  au  pas  precipite,  Fr.  to 
march  in  quickest  time. 

Marcher  per  le  Jlanc  droit,  ou 
gauche,  Fr.  to  march  by  the  right  or  left 
flank. 

Marcher  en  colonne,  la  droite,  ou  la 
gauche,  en  tite,  Fr.  to  inarch  in  column, 
the  right,  or  left  in  front. 

Marcher  en  colonne  serr'ee,  Fr.  to 
march  in  close  column. 


Marcher  era  colonne  outerte,  Fr.  to 
march  in  open  column. 

Marcher  en  terme  devolutions,  Fr. 
to  march  in  line,  ike.  which  see. 

Marcher  en  colonne  reuvcrsee,  Fr.  to 
match  by  inverted  column;  that  is,  to 
make  the  army  move  left  in  front;  the 
left  being  the  leading  flank. 

Lords  MARCHERS,  noblemen  who 
anciently  inhabited  and  secured  the 
inarches  of  Wales  and  Scotland. 

MARCHES.  The  limits  or  bounds 
between  England,  Wales,  and  Scotland, 
have  been  so  called.  Marches  also  sig- 
nify any  limits  or  boundaries.  The 
French  use  the  same  word. 

MARCHES,  Fr.  the  various  modes  of 
inarching  which  are  adopted  by  a  body 
of  armed  men  in  offensive,  or  defensive 
movements. 

Marches  dHarmies,  et  ce  que  les  sol- 
dats  ont  a  /aire  quand  la  generate  est 
battue,  Fr.  column  of  route,  or  general 
order  of  march,  which  an  army  observes 
when  it  takes  the  field.     See  Camp. 

MARCHING  licgiments,  a  term 
given  to  those  corps  who  had  not  any  per- 
manent quarters,  but  were  liable  to  be 
sent  not  only  from  one  end  of  Great  Bri- 
tain to  another,  but  to  the  most  distant 
of  her  possessions  abroad.  Although  the 
word  marching  is  insensibly  confounded 
with  those  of  line  and  regulars,  it  was 
originally  meant  to  convey  something 
more  than  a  mere  liability  to  be  ordered 
upon  any  service;  for  by  inarching  the 
regular  troops  from  one  town  to  another, 
the  inhabitants,  who  from  time  imme- 
morial have  been  jealous  of  a  standing 
army,  lost  their  antipathy  to  real  sol- 
diers, by  the  occasional  absence  of  re- 
gular troops.  At  present,  the  guards, 
militia,  and  fencibles,  may  be  consi- 
dered, more  or  less,  as  inarching  regi- 
ments. The  marines  and  volunteer 
corps  'nave  stationary  quarters. 

St.  MARCOU,  two  rocks  upon  the 
coast  of  Normandy,  lying  in  a  bite  or 
bay  between  Cape  Darfleur  and  Point 
Perce,  bearing  south-east  from  La 
Hogue  nine  miles,  from  the  mouth  of 
the  river  Isigny,  north,  eight  miles,  and 
distant  from  the  body  of  the  French 
shore  about  four  miles.  The  surface  of 
each  island,  which  is  18  or  20  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea  at  high  water,  com- 
prises about  an  acre,  and  bear  from  each 
other  W.  by  N.  and  E.  by  S.  distant 
200  yards. 


M  A  R 


(  4rr   ) 


M  A  R 


MARDIKERS  or  Topasscs,  a  mixed 
breed  of  Dutch,  Portugueze,  Indians, 
and  other  nations,  incorporated  with  the 
Dutch  at  Batavia,  in  the  East  Indies. 
Mardikers,  in  all  probability,  derive 
their  name  from  some  original  adven- 
turers, who  left  a  place  called  Mar  dike, 
about  four  miles  from  Dunkirk,  and  for- 
merly subject  to,  or  forming  part,  of  the 
Seventeen  United  Provinces.  When  the 
Dutch  took  possession  of  that  territory 
which  is  named  Batavia,  these  adven- 
turers were,  perhaps,  the  leading  party, 
and  from  their  being  called  Mardikers, 
the  natives  in  those  quarters  insensibly 
attached  the  term  to  all  persons  of 
European  descent,  or  connection.  All, 
in  fact,  who  wear  hats  are  distinguished 
among  turbaned  nations  by  the  appella- 
tion of  Topasses  and  Mardikers,  and 
from  that  circumstance  are  confounded 
in  the  term,  with  respect  to  Batavia. 

MARECHAL,  Fr.  a  dignity  of  the 
second  class,  in  the  order  of  Malta.  It 
was  formerly  attached  to  the  Tongue  or 
Langue  of  Auvergne. 

Marechal  de  camp,  Fr.  a  military 
rank  which  existed  during  the  French 
monarchy,  and  was  revived  by  Bona- 
parte. The  person  invested  with  it  was 
a  general  officer,  and  ranked  next  to  a 
lieutenant-general.  It  was  his  duty  to 
see  the  army  properly  disposed  of  in 
camp,  or  quarters;  to  be  present  at  all 
the  movements  that  were  made ;  to  be 
the  first  to  mount  bis  charger,  and  the 
last  to  quit  him.  He  commanded  the 
left  in  all  attacks.  The  appointment, 
under  this  distinction,  was  first  created 
by  Henry  IV.  in  1598. 

Marechal  du  camp,  Fr.  During 
the  reign  of  the  first  kings  of  France, 
when  duelling  was  permitted,  an  officer 
was  appointed  to  superintend  thecor.test. 

M arech a l- general  des  camps  ct  ar- 
mies du  Roi,  Fr.  a  post  of  high  dignity 
and  trust,  which,  during  the  French 
monarchy,  was  annexed  to  the  rank  of 
Marechal  de  France.  Military  writers 
differ  with  respect  to  the  privileges,  &c. 
which  belonged  to  this  appointment;  it 
is,  however,  acknowledged,  that  the 
general  officer  who  held  it,  was  en- 
trusted with  the  whole  management  of 
a  siege,  being  subordinate  only  to  the 
constable,  or  to  any  other  Marechal  de 
France,  who  was  his  senior  in  appoint- 
ment. 

MARECHAL-giniral  des  logis  de  Var- 
mce,  Fr.     This  appointment,  which  ex- 


isted during  the  old  French  government, 
and  has  since  been  replaced  by  the  Chef 
de  l'Etat-Major,  corresponds  with  that 
of  Quarter-Master-General  in  the  British 
service. 

Marechal  de.  bataille,  Fr.  a  military 
rank,  which  once  existed  in  France,  but 
was  suppressed  before  the  Revolution, 
or  rather  confined  to  the  body  guards. 
An  officer  belonging  to  that  corps  re- 
ceived it  as  an  honorary  title.  Its  ori- 
ginal functions,  &c.  with  respect  to 
general  service,  sunk  in  theappointmente 
of  Marechal  de  camp,  and  Major-ge- 
neral. It  was  first  created  by  Louis  XIII. 

Marech \L-general  des  logis  de  la  ca- 
valerie,  Fr.  This  appointment  took 
place  under  Charles  IX.  in  1594.  He 
had  the  chief  direction  of  every  thing 
which  related  to  the  French  cavalry. 

Marechal  des  logis  dans  la  cavalerie, 
Fr.  the  quarter-master  of  a  troop  of 
horse  was  so  called  in  the  French  ser- 
vice. In  the  old  system  every  infantry 
regiment  had  one  Marechal  des  logis; 
two  were  attached  to  each  company  of 
the  gendarmes :  each  troop  of  light 
horse  had  likewise  two;  and  every  com- 
pany of  musketeers  had  eight. 

Marechal  des  logis  de  Vartillerie, 
Fr.  an  appointment  which  existed  in 
France  before  the  Revolution,  and  which 
was  in  the  gift  of  the  Grand  Master  of 
the  Ordnance.  This  officer  always  ac- 
companied the  army  on  service,  and  was 
under  the  immediate  orders  of  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  artillery. 

Marechal  des  logis  pour  les  vivres, 
Fr.  a  person  attached  to  the  quarter- 
master-general's department,  to  whom 
the  purveyors  belonging  to  an  army  are 
subordinate. 

MARECHALAT,  Fr.  marshalship. 

Marechal  ferrant,  Fr.  a  farrier. 

Za  Marechale,  Fr.  a  marshal's  lady, 
i.  e.  wife,  was  so  called  in  France.  We 
have  already  mentioned  la  Colonelle, 
&c.  This  practice  has,  indeed,  of  late, 
obtained  in  England,  but  not  in  the  un- 
limited manner  which  prevailed  among 
the  French.  We  use  it  merely  to  dis- 
tinguish two  ladies  of  the  same  name 
and  family,  or  neighbourhood,  viz.  Mrs. 
Johnson,  and  Mrs.  Colonel  Johnson ; 
meaning  thereby  that  the  latter  is  the 
wife,  or  widow,  &c.  of  Colonel  Johnson. 

MARECHAUSSEES  de  France,  Fr. 
a  species  of  military  police,  which  has 
long  existed  in  France. 

MARENGO,  a  plain  and  village  in 


M  A  R 


(     478     ) 


M  A  R 


Italy,  about  one  league  distant  from 
Tortona.  These  spots  have  been  ren- 
dered memorable  in  military  history  by 
the  obstinate  and  decisive  engagement 
which  took  place  on  the  14th  of  June, 
1800,  between  the  Imperialists  Com- 
manded by  General  Field  Marshal 
Melas,  and  the  Republican  French  army 
under  the  direction  and  personal  guid- 
ance of  Bonaparte,  then  First  consul. 
General  DJsaix  was  killed  on  this  oc- 
casion. 

MAUEE,  Fr.  tide. 

HauU-MxREE,  Fr.  high-water. 

Basse-M a  h t f.,  Fr.  low-water. 

Morte-Mi.K&E,  Fr.  neap-tide. 

ConLrc  rent  et  Makee,  Ft.  against 
wind  and  tide;  figuratively,  against  all 
opposition. 

Chasse-mAK&E,  Fr.  this  term  means 
literally  a  ripier,  or  man  who  brings 
fish  from  the  sea  coast  to  sell  in  the 
inland  parts;  but  it  has  frequently  been 
used  to  signify  the  cart  or  carriage  itself 
on  which  he  sits.  According  to  the 
French  construction  of  it,  it  may  serve 
for  several  purposes,  particularly  for  the 
speedy  conveyance  Of  small  bodies  of 
troops.  It  consists  of  a  four-wheel  car- 
riage, of  equal  height  with  a  common 
axletree,  having  a  platform  sufficiently 
elevated  to  suffer  the  fore-wheels  to  pass 
under  it  when  on  the  lock,  hi  the 
center  of  this  platform  is  an  upright 
back,  with  a  seat  on  each  side,  resem- 
bling the  seat  of  an  Irish  car;  so  that 
about  six  soldiers  might  sit  on  each 
side,  back  to  back.  On  the  platform, 
and  attached  to  the  axle-tree,  nearly  at 
each  corner,  are  four  stout  stumps  or 
knee-hinges,  that  allow  them  to  turn 
down  flat  on  the  platform,  or  to  be  fixed 
upright;  when  they  serve,  by  a  crutch 
which  fits  into  a  hole  as  a  rest  for  rifles, 
or  for  a  piece  of  horse  light  artillery; 
on  the  crutch  being  taken  out  it  fits  into 
the  hole,  after  the  manner  of  a  swivel 
on  board  ship. 

MAIIGA  SEERSIIA,  Ltd.  a  month 
which  partly  agrees  with  October. 

MARGELLE,  Fr.  the  brim  of  a  well. 
Belidor  calls  it  mardelle,  but  allows  the 
propriety  of  using  the  word  margelle. 

MARIN,  Fr.  a  seaman;  any  thing 
appertaining  to  the  sea.  Maria  is  like- 
wise used  to  distinguish  a  sea- faring  man, 
(hbntme  de  met)  from  Marinier,  which 
literally  means  a  sailor. 

La  MARINE,  Ft.  The  French  navy 
is  so  called. 


Marine,  Fr.  this  word  signifies  ge- 
nerally navy ;  navigation;  marine;  sea- 
affairs;  beach;  sea-piece;  te\mes  de  ma- 
rine, sea-terms. 

Marine  implies,  in  general,  the 
whole  navy  of  a  kingdom  or  state,  com- 
prehending all  the  royal  dock  yards,  and 
the  officers,  artificers,  seamen,  soldiers, 
&c.  employed  therein;  as  well  as  the 
shipping  employed  by  the  merchants,  for 
military  or  commercial  purposes;  toge- 
ther with  whatever  relates  to  navigation, 
ship-building,  sailors,  and  marines. 

The  history  of  the  marine  affairs  of 
any  one  state  is  a  very  comprehensive 
subject;  much  more  that  of  all  nations. 
Not  only  the  preservation  of  that  share 
of  commerce  we  at  present  possess,  but 
its  future  advancement,  and  even  the 
very  being  of  Britain,  as  an  independent 
empire,  and  a  free  people,  depend  no 
less  on  the  good  condition  and  wise  re- 
gulation of  our  affairs  of  the  marine, 
than  on  the  superiority  of  its  naval 
power.  The  Delphic  oracle  being  con- 
sulted by  the  Athenians,  on  the  formi- 
dable armament  and  innumerable  forces 
of  Xerxes,  returned  for  answer,  "  that 
"  they  must  seek  their  safety  in  wooden 
"  walls."  To  which  we  may  affirm,  that 
whenever  this  nation,  in  particular,  has 
recourse  to  her  floating  bulwarks,  for 
her  security  and  defence,  she  will  find 
wealth,  strength,  and  glory,  to  be  the 
happy  infallible  consequences. 

Gtns  de  Marine,  Fr.  seamen. 

Carte  Marine,  Fr.  sea-chart. 

MARINGOUIN,  Fr.  a  rauskito ;  a 
gnat  which  is  very  troublesome  in  hot 
countries. 

MARINES,  or  MARINE  FORCES, 
a  body  of  soldiers  raised  for  the  sea- 
service,  and  trained  to  fight  either  in  a 
naval  engagement,  or  in  an  action  on 
shore.  Officers  of  the  marines  may  sit 
on  courts-martial  with  officers  of  the 
land  forces.    See  Mutiny  Act,  Sect.  13. 

The  great  service  which  this  useful 
corps  has  frequently  rendered,  entitles 
it  to  a  fair  record  in  every  publication 
that  treats  on  military  matters.  In  the 
course  of  former  wars,  the  marines  have 
distinguished  themselves  by  great  perse- 
verance, strict  attention  to  duty,  and 
unquestionable  valour.  The  facings  of 
the  marines  are  now  royal  blue,  with 
lace;  they  were  formerly  white. 

MARK,  a  note,  character,  &c.  set 
upon  a  thing.  Hence  the  soldier's  mark 
X  which  he  makes  in  his  captain's  or 


MAR 


(     479     ) 


MAR 


pay-serjeant's  book,  &c.    when  he   can- 
not write. 

Mark  also  denotes  money  of  account. 
The  English  mark  is  13s.  4d.;  among  the 
Saxons  it  was  equivalent  to  7s.  6d.ofour 
money.  It  is  also  a  money  of  account 
in  Scotland,  and  formerly  a  silver  coin, 
being  equal  to  13d.  and  one-third  Eng- 
lish. 

To  Mark  time,  to  cease  marching 
towards  any  particular  point,  direct,  ob- 
lique, sideways,  or  retrograde ;  yet  still 
to  keep  the  regular  motion,  so  as  not  to 
lose  the  step.  This  is  frequently  prac- 
tised when  a  front  file,  or  column,  is 
opened  too  much,  in  order  to  afford  the 
rear  an  opportunity  of  getting  up  ;  and 
sometimes  to  let  the  head  of  a  column 
disengage  itself,  or  a  body  of  troops  file 
by,&c.   The  French  say,  marquer  le  pas. 

Gunpowder  Marks.  The  different 
sorts  of  gunpowder  are  distinguished  by 
the  following  marks  on  the  heads  of  the 
barrels.  All  gunpowder  for  service  is 
mixed  in  proportions  according  to  its 
strength,  so  as  to  bring  it  as  much  as 
possible  to  a  mean  and  uniform  force. 
This  sort  of  powder  is  marked  with  a 
blue  L.  G.  and  the  figure  \,  or  with 
F.  G.  and  the  figure  3,  whose  mean  force 
is  from  150  to  160  of  the  eprouvette. 
This  is  the  powder  used  for  practice, 
for  experiments,  and  for  service.  The 
white  L.  G.  or  F.  G.  is  a  second  sort  of 
powder  of  this  quality.  It  is  sometimes 
stronger  but  not  so  uniform  as  the  blue 
E.G.  It  is  therefore  generally  used  in 
filling  shells,  or  such  other  things  as  do 
not  require  accuracy.  The  red  L.  G. 
F.  G.  denotes  powder  entirely  made  at 
the  king's  mills,  with  the  coal  burnt  in 
cylinders,  and  is  used  at  present  only  in 
particular  cases,  and  in  comparisons, 
and  to  mix  with  other  sorts  to  bring 
them  to  a  mean  force.  The  figures  1, 
2,  or  3,  denote  that  the  powder  is  made 
lrom  saltpetre  obtained  from  damaged 
gunpowder;  4,  5,  or  6,  from  saltpetre 
obtained  from  the  grouph.  See  pages 
123,  124,  of  the  Little  Bombardier. 

Mark  to  shoot  at,  a  round  or  square 
piece  of  wood  which  is  generally  painted 
in  red  and  white  circles,  and  has  a  black 
spot  in  the  center  called  the  bull's  eye. 
Soldiers  should  be  frequently  practised 
in  shooting  at  a  mark. 

Knights  of  St.  Mark,  an  order  of 
knighthood  which  formerly  existed  in 
the  republic  of  Venice,  under  the  pro- 
tection of  St.  Mark  the  Evangelist. 


To  be  Marked.  Marshal  Saxe,  in 
his  Reveries,  proposes  that  every  soldier 
should  be  marked  in  his  right  hand  to 
prevent  desertion.  He  recommends  the 
composition  which  is  used  by  the  In- 
dians; and  grounds  the  propriety  of  his 
plan  upon  the  custom  which  prevailed 
among  the  Romans,  who  marked  their 
soldiers  with  a  hot  iron.  We  mention 
this  as  a  suggestion  grounded  upon  good 
authority  :  but  we  by  no  means  recom- 
mend it  as  an  adoption  which  would  be 
palatable  to  Englishmen.  Tastes  and 
palates,  however,  are  seldom  to  be  at- 
tended to  in  military  matters. 

Mark  in  a  horse,  ( marque  noire, germe 
dej'eve,  Fr.)  the  evidence  of  a  horse's  age. 

MARKSMEN,  men  expert  at  hitting 
a  mark. 

Light-armed  Marksmen,  men  that 
are  armed  and  accoutred  for  very  active 
and  desultory  service.     See  Riflemen. 

Austrian  Volunteer  Marksmen,  a 
corps  formed  in  the  hereditary  dominions 
of  the  Emperor  of  Germany,  and  in- 
creased by  recruits  and  volunteers  from 
the  Tyrol,  &c.  The  success  which  uni- 
formly attended  the  French  tirailleurs  in 
all  their  actions,  induced  other  nations 
to  pay  great  attention  to  the  formation 
of  similar  corps. 

MARKET,  (marche,  Fr.)  a  public 
time,  and  appointed  place,  ut  buying  and 
selling. 

MARKET-p/ace,  (le  marche,  Fr.)  the 
place  where  the  market  is  held. 

MARKET-^rice,  (courant  du  marche, 
Fr.)  the  price  at  which  any  thing  is 
currently  sold. 

MARLINS,  in  artillery,  are  tarred 
white  skains,  or  long  wreaths,  or  lines  of 
untwisted  hemp,  dipped  in  pitch  or  tar, 
with  which  cables  and  other  ropes  are 
wrapped  round,  to  prevent  their  fretting 
and  rubbing  in  the  blocks,  cr  pullies, 
through  which  they  pass.  The  Vame 
serves  in  artillery  upon  ropes  used  for 
rigging  gins,  usually  put  up  in  small 
parcels  called  skains. 

MARLINSPIKE,  a  small  piece  of 
iron  for  fastening  ropes  together. 

MARMITE,  Fr.  porridge-pot,  kettle; 
an  utensil  in  which  soldiers  boil  their 
victuals. 

MARNOIS,  Fr.  a  barge  of  large  di- 
mensions used  upon  the  rivers  Marue 
and  Seine,  from  Brie  and  Champagne  to 
Paris. 

MARON,  Fr.  a  piece  of  brass  or 
copper,  about  the  size  of  a  crown,  on 


M  A  R 


(      180     ) 


M  A  R 


which   t lio   hours  for   <;<>ing  die  rounds 
wore  marked,  in  the  old  French  service. 

Maron  £  artifice,  Fr.  a  species  of 
fiie-woik,  which  is  made  with  a  piece  of 
pasteboard  in  the  shape  of  a  parallelo- 
gram, one  side  of  which  is  as  rive  to 
three ;  so  that  fifteen  squares,  equal 
among  themselves,  may  be  made,  three 
on  one  side,  and  rive  on  the  other; 
these  are  folded  into  the  form  of  a  die 
or  cuho,  and  filled  with  gunpowder. 
The  effect  produced  by  this  firework  is 
extiemelv  beautiful. 

MARQUE,  or  Letters  of  Marque,  in 
naval  affairs,  are  letters  of  reprisal, 
granting  the  subjects  of  one  prince  or 
state  liberty  to  make  reprisals  on  those 
of  another.  ^See  Letters  of  Marque. 

MARQUEE,  a  word  corrupted  from 
the  French  Marquise,  signifying  a  tent 
or  cover  made  of  strong  canvass  or  Rus- 
sia-duck, which  is  thrown  over  another 
tent,  and  serves  to  keep  out  rain.  Its 
•  primitive  etymology  may  be  traced  to 
Marquis,  or  Marchio,  whence  March- 
ers, and  Marches. 

The  complete  weight  of  a  marquee  is 
1  cwt.  17lbs.  ridge  pole  7  feet :  stand- 
ard 8  feet. 

M A  RQUER  le  pas,Yv.  See  Mar k  time. 

Marquer  un  camp,  Fr.  to  prick  out 
the  lines  of  an  encampment. 

MARQUIS,  Marquess,  Marchio,  title 
of  honour  given  by  letters  patent  to  a 
person  who  holds  a  middle  rank  between 
the  dignity  of  a  Duke  and  that  of  an 
Earl.  This,  word,  like  Margrave,  is 
derived  from  the  high  Dutch,  or  from 
the  French  marche,  a  limit,  as  the  guard 
of  the  frontiers  was  entrusted  to  a  Mar- 
quis. The  title  itself  is  originally 
French,  and  was  first  known  under 
Charlemagne.  King  Richard  the  Se- 
cond first  introduced  the  dignity  of 
Marquis  among  us,  by  creating  Robert 
de  Vere,  Earl  of  Oxford,  Marquis  of 
Dublin;  but  it  was  a  title  without  any 
office  annexed  to  it. 

MARQUISE,  Fr.     See  Marquee. 

Tendre  une  Marquise,  Fr.  to  pitch 
a  marquee. 

Marquise,  Fr.  This  word  likewise 
means  a  species  of  sky-rocket.  See 
Fusee  volante. 

MARRIAGE,  It  is  generally  under- 
stood in  the  British  service,  that  no  sol- 
dier can  marry  without  the  previous 
knowledge  and  consent  of  his  captain, 
or  commanding  officer.  There  is  not, 
however,  any  specific  regulation  on  this 
bead. 


MARS,  in  the  heathen  mythology  the 
God  of  War.  The  French  frequently  use 
the  word  in  a  figurative  sense,  viz.  leg  tra- 
vuux  de  Mars,  the  labours  or  exploits  of 
Mars;  le  metier  de  Mars,  the  military 
profession. 

The  MARSELLOIS,  or  Marseilles 
lli/uni,  a  national  march  adopted  by  the 
French  during  the  course  of  their  revo- 
lution, and  regularly  played  in  their  ar- 
mies, when  they  went  to  battle.  It  was 
frequently  accompanied,  or  rather  suc- 
ceeded, by  the  "  Ca  Ira,"  a  liftly  tune  ; 
the  former  being  calculated  for  slow  or 
ordinary  lime,  and  the  latter  for  quick 
movements.  Both  airs  are  now  pro- 
scribed. 

MARSH,  (mara'is,  Fr.)  u  fen  ;  a  bog; 
a  swamp. 

Salt-M,\RSU,  (marais-salunt,  Fr. )  a 
marsh  impregnated  with  saline  particles 
from  the  sea. 

MARSHAL,         >  in  its  primitive  sig- 

FVe/rf-MARSHAL,  S  nilication,  means 
an  officer  who  has  the  care  and  charge  of 
horses;  but  it  is  now  applied  to  officers 
who  have  very  different  employments. — 
In  a  military  sense,  it  means  the  com- 
mander in  chief  of  all  the  forces.  It 
is  likewise  given  as  an  honorary  rank  to 
general  officers  who  have  no  immediate 
command.     See  General. 

Marshal  of  France,  an  officer  of 
the  greatest  dignity  in  the  French  army. 
It  was  first  established  by  Philip-August, 
in  the  year  1185. 

I-Voi^-Marshal,  an  executive  offi- 
cer, whose  duty  is  to  see  punishments 
put  in  force,  when  soldiers  are  condem- 
ned to  death,  or  are  to  be  otherwise 
chastised.  Every  army  is  provided  with 
a  provost-marshal-general,  who  has  se- 
veral deputies  under  him.  By  the  last 
General  Regulations  it  has  been  or- 
dained, that  in  case  the  army  should 
take  the  field  in  Great  Britain,  a  deputy 
provost-marshal  will  be  appointed  to 
each  district.  The  provost,  under  those 
circumstances,  will  frequently  make  the 
tour  of  the  camp,  and  its  environs,  and 
will  have  instructions  to  seize  such  per- 
sons as  are  committing  disorders. 

Jtfc/ge-MARSHAL.     See  Judge-Ao\o- 

CATE. 

MARSHY  ground,  (hs  tnarais,  ou 
terrc  maricageusc,  Fr.)  As  it  may  be 
frequently  necessary  to  convey  heavy 
ordnance,  &c.  over  marshy  ground,  and 
sometimes  indeed  to  erect  batteries 
upon  it,  the  following  method  has  been 
recommended :— 


M  A  R 


(     431     ) 


MAR 


In  the  first  place,  a  firm  and  solid  road 
iiiust  be  made,  in  order  to  convey,  with 
safety,  the  different  materials  which  may 
be  wanted  for  the  construction  of  the 
battery,  and  along  which  the  men  may 
securely  drag  the  various  pieces  of  ord- 
nance. This  road  must  he  ten  feet  high 
at  least. 

If  the  marsh  or  bog  should  not  be 
very  deep,  let  a  Led  or  platform,  consist- 
ing of  fasciites,  and  disposed  according 
to  the  direction  of  the  road,  he  con- 
structed between  two  rows  of  thick  sau- 
cissons,  that  are  secured  and  fixed  in  the 
earth  with  strong  stakes.  This  platform 
must  he  two  thirds  as  thick  as  the  bog 
is  deep,  and  contain  12  feet  in  breadth. 
Spread  hurdles  over  the  level  surface  of 
this  platform,  and  then  make  another 
bed  or  covering  with  fascines,  ten  feet 
long,  and  disposed  according  to  the 
breadth  of  the  road,  taking  care  to  bind 
their  ends,  &c.  well  together  by  means 
ot  stakes,  which  must  be  driven  through 
the  hurdles  and  the  lower  bed.  Let  this 
second  surface  be  sufficiently  covered 
with  earth  and  straw,  to  secure  the  fas- 
cines, and  to  render  the  road  solid  and 
compact. 

If  the  road  shouid  appear  unsafe  after 
these  precautions,  it  must  be  made  wider 
and  deeper. 

If  the  marsh  or  bog  be  very  deep,  you 
must  construct  several  beds  or  surfaces 
of  fascines,  in  the  manner  already  men- 
tioned, taking  care  to  make  the  top 
equal  to  the  breadth  of  the  road,  and 
capable  of  supporting  the  weight  of  a 
wagon,  or  carriage.  The  ground  for  the 
epaulement  belonging  to  the  platforms, 
their  recoil  backwards,  and  the  path  to 
the  magazines,  must  be  rendered  firm 
and  solid  after  the  same  manner.  On 
each  side  of  this  epaulement  you  must 
throw  up  a  herm  or  path,  measuring 
three  feet  in  front,  and  as  much  on  the 
sides. 

You  will  collect  the  earth,  ccc.  in  the 
usual  way,  tor  the  construction  of  bat- 
teries on  rocks,  and  mask  your  artificers 
in  like  manner. 

MARSILIANE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  ship 
or  vessel  which  is  used  by  the  Venetians 
in  the  gulph  of  Venice,  and  along  the 
coast  of  jjalmatia.  It  has  a  square 
poop,  is  »ery  broad  on  the  forecastle, 
carries  four  masts,  and  is  equal  to  seven 
hundred  tons. 

MARTEAU  d'tnwes,  Fr.  an  offensive 
weapon,  so  called  from  its  resemblance 
to  a  hammer. 


MARTEL,  Fr.  uneasiness,  inquie- 
tude. 

MARTELLO-/oa>er,  erroneously  sup- 
posed to  he  derived  from  martel.     See 

Mo  RT  EL  LA; 

MARTIALIST,  a  warrior,  a  man  at 
arms. 

MAHTlAL-law  is  the  law  of  war, 
which  entirely  depends  on  the  arbitrary 
power  of  the  Prince,  or  of  those  to 
whom  he  has  delegated  it;  for,  though 
the  king  can  make  no  laws  in  time  of 
peace,  without  the  consent  of  parliament, 
yet  in  time  of  war  he,  has  an  absolute 
power  over  the  army  ;  he  can  place  and 
promote,  or  displace  and  degrade  officers 
at  will,  without  being  responsible  to  any 
constituted  authority  whatsoever. 

MARTINET,  a  word  frequently  mis- 
applied to  signify  a  strict  disciplinarian, 
who  sometimes  gives  officers  and  soldiers 
unnecessary  trouble.  It  is  supposed  to 
have  taken  its  origin  from  an  adjutant 
of  that  name,  who  was  in  high  repute, 
as  a  drill  officer,  during  the  reign  of 
Louis  the  XlVth. 

In  a  book,  published  some  years  back 
for  the  use  of  the  militia  of  England, 
there  is  the  following  note  on  this  head. 

Lewis  the  XIVth,"in  1662,  employed 
Monsieur  Martinet  to  regulate  and  dis- 
cipline his  infantry,  after  the  Dutch 
manner.  He  was  first  Lieutenant-Co- 
lonel, and  afterwards  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment  du  Hoi,  or  what  we  call  the 
King's  own  regiment,  which  was  then 
the  pal  ten).  He  was  killed  at  the  siege 
of  Doesberg,  in  ,1672. — His  name  is 
become,  among  our  military  gentlemen, 
(or  rather  mould  be  military  gentlemen,) 
a  term  of  sneer  and  reproach,  too  often 
applied  to  such  officers  as  shame  the 
rest  of  their  corps,  by  being  more  assi- 
duous and  exact  in  the  performance  of 
their  duties,  than  suits  the  levity  of  the 
young,  or  the  indolence  of  the  old. 

Martinet,  Fr.  a  small  discipline, 
or  cat-o'-nine-tails,  fixed  to  the  end  of  a 
wooden  handle,  which  schoolmasters  use 
to  punish  refractory,  or  idle  bovs.  This 
affords  us  another  path,  and  perhaps  a 
surer  one,  than  the  surname  already 
quoted,  to  find  out  the  real  origin  of 
Martinet  in  a  military  sense,  more  es- 
pecially, as  it  is  particularly  indicative 
of  the  severity  that  is  sometimes  prac- 
tised by  what  is  (ridiculously  enough) 
called  a  tip-top  adjutant. 

Martinet,  Fr.  according  to  the  last 
published  Military  Dictionary  in  France 
3Q 


M  A  S 


(     482     ) 


MAS 


a  huge  hammer,  which  was  used  by  the 
ancients  to  force  open  the  gates  of  he- 
sieged  towns.  Vegetius  mentions  it  in 
his  writings. 

MARTINGAL,  (martingale,  Fr.)  a 
thong  of  leather,  fastened  to  one  end 
of  the  girth  under  the  belly  of  a  horse, 
and  at  the  other  end  to  the  mussroll, 
to  keep  him  from  rearing. 

MARTIOBARBULUS,  a  weapon 
used  among  the  Romans.  There  was 
also  a  militia  amongst  them  so  called, 
consisting  of  twelve  thousand  men,  who 
were  singularly  expert  in  throwing  their 
arrows. 

MASH,  a  mixture  for  a  horse,  con- 
sisting generally  of  ground  malt  put  into 
a  pail  with  scalding  water,  and  weli 
stirred  about. 

Cold  Mash,  the  same  mixture  given 
cold. 

MASHKAWAR,  hid.  monthly  ac- 
counts. 

A  MASK,  in  field  fortification,  (line 
masque,  Fr.)  It  sometimes  happens, 
that  a  ditch  or  fosse  must  be  dug  in  an 
exposed  situation;  in  this  case  it  will  be 
absolutely  necessary  for  the  artificers 
and  workmen  to  get  under  cover,  and 
to  mask  themselves  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  answer  the  double  purpose  of  exe- 
cuting their  immediate  object,  and  of 
deceiving  the  enemy  with  respect  to 
the  real  spot  they  occupy.  For  further 
particulars  on  this  head,  see  pages  828, 
829,  830,  Vol.  II.  of  the  Aide-M'tmoire 
a  Cusdge  des  Officiers  (PArtillerie,  &c. 

To  Mask,  (masquer,  Fr.)  to  cover 
any  particular  post  or  situation,  for  the 
purpose  of  attack  or  defence.  In  am- 
buscade, a  battery  is  said  to  be  masked, 
when  its  outward  appearance  is  such  as 
not  to  create  any  suspicion,  or  mistrust, 
in  a  reconnoitring,  or  approaching  ene- 
my. A  town,  or  fortress,  a  battery,  or 
the  head  of  a  bridge,  may  likewise  be 
said  to  be  masked,  when  a  superior  force 
sits  down  before  it,  and  keeps  the  gar- 
rison in  awe.  This  is  frequently  done, 
in  order  to  render  the  advantages  of  such 
a  place,  or  hold,  ineffectual,  while  an 
army  acts  in  its  neighbourhood,  or 
marches  by. 

MASOLES,  a  militia  belonging  to 
Croatia,  which  is  bound  to  match  to 
the  frontiers,  whenever  there  appears 
the  least  sympton  of  hostile  disposition 
on  the  part  of  the  Turks.  The  private 
soldiers  have  lands  allotted  to  them, 
which  they  cultivate  for  their  own  use, 


but  they  do  not  receive  any  pay  from 
the  public.     The  officers  are  paid. 

MASQUER  un  passage,  Fr.  to  block 
up  any  road,  or  avenue,  through  which 
an  army  might  attempt  to  march. 

MASSALGIES,  Ind.  persons  em- 
ployed in  India  as  porters,  or  messengers. 
Massalgies,  Coolies,  and  Palankeen  bear- 
ers, are  allowed  a  certain  batta  when 
they  travel. 

MASS,  (in  mathematics,)  the  matter 
of  any  body  cohering  with  ir,  i.e.  mov- 
ing and  gravitating  along  with  it  ;  and  is 
distinguished  from  its  bulk,  or  volume, 
which  is  its  expansion  in  length,  breadth 
and  thickness. 

Levy  in  Mass,  (levee  en  masse,  Fr.) 
the  act  of  raising  men  by  general  re- 
quisition, or,  in  Great  Britain,  by  Posse 
Comitatus,  that  is,  calling  out  the  effec- 
tive population  of  each  county. 

MASSE,  Fr.  a  species  of  stockpurse, 
which,  during  the  French  monarchy,  was 
lodged  in  the  hands  of  the  regimental 
paymaster,  for  every  serjeant,  corporal, 
anspessade,  drummer,  and  private  sol- 
dier. 

Masse  d'armes,  Fr.  a  warlike  wea- 
pon, which  was  formerly  used.  It  con- 
sisted of  a  long  pole  with  a  large  iron 
head. 

Masse,  Jr.  in  architecture,  the  whole, 
or  collective  parts  of  a  building. 

Masse  de  bois,  Fr.  a  large  wooden 
hammer,  or  mallet  which  is  used  in  dri- 
ving down  stakes,  &c. 

Masse  de  carriere,  Fr.  the  several 
beds  or  pieces  of  stone  which  lie  one 
upon  another  in  a  quarry. 

MASSES,  the  great  lights  and  sha- 
dows of  a  picture. 

MASSELOTE,  a  French  term  which 
is  used  in  foundry,  signifying  that  super- 
fluous metal  which  remains  after  a 
caimon  or  mortar  has  been  cast,  and 
which  is  sawed  or  filed  off,  to  give  the 
piece  its  proper  form. 

MASSIF,  Fr.  a  short  stick  or  rod, 
used  by  artificers  in  making  cartridges. 

MASSIVE,  (massif,  Fr.)  heavy  ;  un- 
wieldly.  This  term  is  applied  to  any 
work  whose  dimensions  are  not  well 
proportioned  ;  or  where  the  walls  are 
very  thick,  and  the  outlets  small,  &c. 

MASSOOLAS,  Ind.  the  common 
boats  of  a  very  slight  construction, 
which  are  used  on  the  Coromandel  coast. 

MASSUE,  Fr.  a  club. 

MASTER  at  arms,  in  the  marine,  an 
officer  appointed   to   teach    the  officer* 


MAS 


(     483     ) 


MAT 


and  crew  of  a  ship  of  war  the  exercise  of 
small  arms;  to  confine  prisoners,  and 
plant  sentinels  over  them,  and  to  super- 
intend whatever  relates  to  them  during 
their  confinement. 

Master  gunner,  in  a  ship  of  roar,  an 
officer  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the 
artillery  and  ammunition  aboard,  and  to 
teach  the  men  the  exercise  of  the  great 
guns. 

Master  of  the  horse,  a  great  officer  of 
the  crown,  who  orders  all  matters  relat- 
ing to  the  king's  stables,  races,  breed  of 
horses,  &c.  and  commands  the  equerries, 
and  all  the  other  officers  and  men  in  the 
king's  stables.  His  coaches,  horses,  and 
attendants,  are  the  king's,  and  bear  the 
king's  arms  and  livery. 

Master  of  the  Ordnance.'  This  offi- 
cer formerly  ranked  next  to  the  Earl 
Marshal,  when  he  was  considered  as  an 
officer.  The  first  master  of  the  ord- 
nance was  Rauf  Bigod  appointed  in  the 
first  year  of  the  reign  of  Richard  III. 
during  life.  The  clerk  of  the  ordnance 
is  mentioned  in  Rymer,  as  early  as  the 
5th  of  Henry  V.  It  does  not  appear 
that  the  English  had  any  particular  offi- 
cer presiding  over  their  projectile  ma- 
chines or  artillery,  before  the  invention 
of  gunpowder  and  cannon. 

In  France,  they  were  under  the  direc- 
tion of  an  officer  called  the  Grand  muster 
of  the  cross  botes.  This  office  is  of  great 
antiquity  in  that  kingdom,  for  we  find  it 
mentioned  in  the  reign  of  St.  Louis,  who 
died  in  1270.     See  Ordnance. 

M.A.siZR-general  of  the  ordnance.  See 
Ordnance. 

Baggage-MASXER  and  Inspector  of 
roads,  formerly  an  appointment  in  the 
British  service,  but  now  discontinued. 

Barrack-MASTER-General,  an  officer 
with  the  rank  of  a  major-general  in  the 
British  army,  who  was  vested  with  con- 
siderable powers  during  the  late  war. 
These  powers  were  formerly  exercised 
by  the  board  of  ordnance,  but  they  were 
transferred  to  the  barrack-master-gene- 
ral by  a  warrant  under  the  sign  manual, 
and  countersigned  by  the  secretary  at 
war  on  the  30th  day  of  May,  1794.  In 
1795  the  two  warrants,  whereby  all  mat- 
ters relative  to  the  government  of  bar- 
racks had  been  partially  entrusted  to  the 
board  of  ordnance  and  a  barrack-master- 
general,  were  revoked,  and  the  follow- 
ing rules,  orders,  powers,  and  directions 
were  established  in  lieu  thereof,  in  as 
much  as  regards  the  duties  of  the  de- 


partment entrusted  to  the  barrack-mas- 
ter-general to  the  British  forces. 

Quarter-M ast En-General.  See  Quar- 
ter-Mas^/--Genera/,  in  letter  Q. 

Qw«r7er-M  aster  of  the  victuals.  The 
person  who  had  the  chief  care  and  ma- 
nagement of  the  provisions  belonging  to 
an  army,  was  formerly  so  called.  See 
Purveyor. 

Scout-MASTEti-General.  A  person 
formerly  so  called,  under  whose  direction 
all  the  scouts  and  army  messengers  were 
placed.  The  appointment  does  not  exist 
at  present. 

MASTICH,  (mastic,  Fr.)  a  kind  of 
mortar,  or  cement. 

MASTIGADOUR,  (with  horsemen,) 
a  slabbering  bit,  a  snaffle  of  iron,  quite 
smooth,  and  of  a  piece,  guarded  with 
pater-nosters,  and  composed  of  three 
halfs  of  great  made  into  demi-ovals  of 
unequal  bigness,  the  lesser  being  en- 
closed within  the  greater,  which  ought  to 
be  about  half  a  foot  high.  A  mastiga- 
dour  is  mounted  with  a  head  and  two 
reins. 

MASULIT,  a  boat  used  in  the  East 
Indies,  which  is  caulked  with  moss. 

Echec  et  MAT,  Fr.  check-mate.  A 
certain  point  at  the  game  of  chess,  when 
your  adversary  cannot  make  another 
move.  Hence  to  be  check-mated,  to  be  so 
entirely  out-manceuvred  as  not  to  have  a 
single  postion  tenable,orainovementleft. 

MATADORS,  Fr.  a  banditti,  who 
formed  themselves  into  armed  bodies 
about  the  year  1714,  in  Catalonia. — 
Their  object  was  to  destroy  every  fellow 
citizen  that  would  not  acknowledge  the 
claim  of  the  Archduke  of  Austria  to  the 
crown  of  Spain. 

MATAFUNDA,  an  ancient  machine 
out  of  which  stones  were  cast  by  means 
of  a  sling.  Some  derive  its  name  from 
funda  and  mactare,  otherwise  tnatare,  i.e. 
a  murdering  sling. 

MATAMORE,  Fr.  a  drawcansir  ;  a 
bully ;  a  wretch  that  has  more  impu- 
dence than  courage.  The  French  say 
figuratively,  faire  des  pas  de  matamore, 
to  step  forward  like  a  bully. 

MATCH,  <n  artillery,  a  kind  of  rope 
slightly  twisted,  and  prepared  to  retain 
fire  for  the  uses  of  the  artillery,  mines, 
fire-works,  &c.  Slow  match  is  made  of 
hemp  or  tow,  spun  on  the  wheel  like 
cord,  but  very  slack;  and  is  composed 
of  three  twists,  which  are  afterwards 
again  covered  with  tow,  so  that  the  twists 
do  not  appear :  lastly,  it  is  boiled  in  th* 
3  Q3 


M  A  T 


(     484     ) 


M  A  T 


lees  of  old  wine.  This,  when  once 
lighted  at  the  end,  burns  gradually, 
without  going  out,  nil  the  whole  be 
consumed.     It  is  mounted  on  a  linstock. 

Quick  Match,  used  in  artillery,  is 
made  of  three  cotton  strands  drawn  into 
li  ng ilis,  and  put  into  a  kettle  just  co- 
vered with  white  wine  vinegar,  and  then 
a  quantity  of  saltpetre  and  mealed  pow- 
der is  put  in  it,  and  boiled  till  well  mix- 
ed. <  )thers  put  only  saltpetre  into  water, 
and  after  that  take  it  out  hot,  and  lay  it 
into  a  trough  with  some  mealed  powder, 
moistened  with  spirits  of  wine  thoroughly 
wrought  into  the  cotton  by  rolling  it 
backwards  and  forwards  with  the  hands; 
and  when  this  is  done,  they  are  taken 
out  separately;  drawn  through  mealed 
powder,  and  dried  upon  a  line.  See 
Laboratory. 

MATCHBOX,  a  little  wooden,  tin  or 
leathern  cylindric  box,  containing  one 
charge  for  a  musket  fired  with  a  match- 
lock. 

MATCHLOCK,  a  sort  of  harque- 
buss,  originally  of  no  particular  length 
or  bore.  The  matchlock,  or  harque- 
baM,  as  well  as  the  hand-gun,  hack- 
but!, and  dag,  were  at  first  fired  with 
a  match,  and  afterwards  some  of  them 
with  the  wheel-lock.  The  former,  by 
a  spring,  let  down  a  burning  match 
upon  the  priming  in  the  pan,  and  the 
latter  was  a  contrivance  for  exciting 
i  o  irks  of  fire,  by  the  friction  of  a  notched 
wheel  of  steel,  which  grated  against  a 
flint;  These  wheels  were  wound  up  with 
an  instrument  called  a  spanner.  The 
caliver  is  also  a  light  matchlock  piece. 

MATEGRIFFON,  or  MATEGWF- 
FIN,  an  ancient  machine  which  threw 
both  darts  and  arrows. 

MATELAS,  Fr.  mattress;   wad. 

MATELOT,  Fr.  sailor.  Hence  a  la 
matelote,  seaman-like. 

MATER,  Fr.  to  mast. 

MATERIEL,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense, 
every  thing  belonging  to  an  army,  save 
and  except  the  officers  and  men,  such  as 
horses,  cannon,  gunpowder,  stores  and 
provisions.     See  Personnel. 

MATHEMATICS,  ( mathhnatiqves, 
Fr.)  the  name  of  a  science,  which  from 
its  importance  was  styled  by  the  Greeks 
(j.a.Bt>iJ.aia.,  learning,  what  ought  to  be 
learned  by  every  one.  It  contains  the 
knowledge  of  quantity,  either  continued 
or  discrete;  the  former  science  being 
called  geometry,  the  latter  arithmetic. 
The  one  treats  of  magnitude  capable  of 


mensuration,  the  other  of  numbers  in 
particulars,  or  numbers  unlimited.  The 
former  is  treated  of  in  the  common 
books  of  arithmetic,  the  latter  is  known 
by  the  name  of  algebra,  or  arithmetic 
universal.  Under  the  latter  head  comes 
the  doctrine  of  fluxions,  by  which  alge- 
bra has  been  carried,  in  modern  times,  to 
the  solution  of  a  variety  of  problems 
inaccessible  to  the  ancients.  Geometry, 
being  the  science  of  measurement  in 
general,  treats  of  the  measurement  of 
plane  and  spherical  surfaces,  the  lines 
of  angles  on  each,  as  also  the  contents 
of  solids.  Both  sciences  are  of  unli- 
mited extent,  and  are  the  foundation  of 
many  other  sciences,  such  as  astronomy, 
navigation,  castramctation,  gunnery,  for- 
tification, Ike.  To  a  soldier  both 
sciences  are  necessary,  if  he  wishes  to 
excel  in  his  profession  ;  and  it  may  not 
be  useless  to  inform  him,  that  some  of 
the  most  dillicult  problems  in  both 
sciences  were  performed  in  a  camp. 
Descartes,  who  excelled  in  both,  was  a 
soldier. 

Mathematics  are  commonly  distin- 
guished \nlo  pure  and  speculative,  which 
consider  quantity  abstractedly;  and  mix-, 
ed,  which  treat  of  magnitude  as  subsist- 
ing in  material  bodies,  and  consequently 
are  interwoven  every  where  with  physical 
considerations. 

Mixed  mathematics  are  very  com- 
prehensive, since  to  them  may  be  rcfered 
astronomy,  optics,  geography,  hydrogra- 
phy, hydrostatics,  mechanics,  fortifica- 
tion, gunnery,  projectiles,  mining,  engi- 
neering, and  navigation. 

Fare  mathematics  have  one  peculiar 
advantage,  that  they  occasion  no  differ- 
ence of  opinion  among  wrangling  dispu- 
tants, as  in  other  branches  of  knowledge; 
and  the  reason  is,  because  the  definitions 
of  the  terms  are  premised,  and  every  one 
that  reads  a  proposition  has  the  same  idea 
of  every  part  of  it.  Hence  it  is  easy  to 
put  an  end  to  all  mathematical  contro- 
versies, by  shewing,  that  our  adversary 
has  not  stuck  to  bis  definitions,  or  has 
not  laid  down  true  premises,  or  else 
that  he  has  drawn  false  conclusions 
from  true  principles  ;  and,  in  case  we 
are  able  to  do  neither  of  these,  we 
must  acknowledge  the  truth  of  what  he 
has  proved. 

It  is  true,  that  in  mixed  mathematics, 
where  we  reason  mathematically  upon 
physical  subjects,  we  cannot  give  such 
just  definitions  as  the  geometricians  :  we 


MAT 


(     485     ) 


M  A  T 


must  therefore  rest  content  with  de- 
scriptions; and  they  will  be  of  the  same 
use  as  definitions,  provided  we  are  con- 
sistent with  ourselves,  and  always  mean 
the  same  thing  by  those  terms  we  have 
once  explained. 

Dr.  Barrow  gives  a  most  elegant  de- 
scription of  the  excellence  and  usefulness 
of  mathematical  knowledge,  in  his  in- 
augural oration,  upon  being  appointed 
professor  of  mathematics  at  Cambridge. 

The  mathematics,  he  observes,  effec- 
tually exercise,  not  vainly  delude,  nor 
vexatiously  torment  studious  minds  with 
obscure  subtleties;  but  plainly  demon- 
strate every  tiling  within  their  reach, 
draw  certain  conclusions,  instruct  by 
profitable  rule?,  and  unfold  pleasant 
questions.  These  disciplines,  likewise, 
enure  and  corroborate  the  mind  to  con- 
stant diligence  in  smdy ;  they  wholly 
deliver  us  from  a  credulous  simplicity, 
most  strongly  fortify  us  against  the 
vanity  of  scepticism,  effectually  restrain 
us  from  a  rash  presumption,  most  easily 
incline  us  to  a  due  assent,  and  perfectly 
subject  us  to  the  government  of  right 
reason.  While  the  mind  is  abstracted 
and  elevated  from  sensible  matter,  it 
distinctly  views  pure  forms,  conceives 
8he  beauty  of  ideas,  and  investigates 
the  harmony  of  proportions;  the  man- 
ners themselves  are  insensibly  corrected 
and  improved,  the  affections  composed 
and  rectified,  the  fancy  calmed  and 
settled,  and  the  understanding  raised 
and  excited  to  nobler  contemplations. 

MATIN AL,  J'V.  that  rises  by  times; 
which  every  officer  ought  to  do. 

MATINEE,  Fr.  forenoon;  morning. 

Etoile  MATINTERE,  Fr.  the  morn- 
ing star. 

MATRAS,  Fr.  a  dart  anciently  used, 
but  not  sufficiently  pointed  to  occasion 
more  than  a  bruise. 

MATRICE,  Fr.  the  womb  of  a 
woman;  it  also  signifies  the  mould  in 
which  anything  is  cast;  also  the  die, 
as  the  die  of  a  medal. 

Langue  Matrice,  Fr.  mother-tongue. 

MATRON,  a  woman,  (generally  the 
wife  of  some  well  behaved  and  good 
soldier,)  who  is  employed  to  assist  ill  the 
regimental  hospital.  She  is  under  the 
direction  of  the  surgeon,  by  whom  she 
is  originally  appointed  to  the  situation. 
— See  Nurse. 

MATROSaESare  properly  assistants, 
being  soldiers    in    the   royal    regiment 


of  artillery,  and  next  to  the  gunner; 
they  assist  in  loading,  firing,  and  spung- 
ing  the  great  guns.  They  carry  fire- 
locks, and  march  along  with  the  guns 
and  store  wagons,  both  as  a  guard  and 
to  give  their  assistance  on. every  emer- 
gency. These  men  are  now  called  gun- 
ners ;  the  term  matross  being  obsolete 
in  the  service. 

MATTADOR.  This  word  is  taken 
from  the  Spanish,  and  signifies  a  great 
destroyer.  It  is  sometimes  written  with 
one  T. 

MATTE,  Fr.  was  heretofore  (in  Paris) 
a  rascally  place,  whereat  common  game- 
sters, cheaters,  conycatchers,  and  cut- 
purses  usually  met:  Enfans,ou  svppots, 
dt  la  Matte,  such  well  given  youths. 
The  Cercle,  in  the  Rue  de  la  Loi  at 
Paris,  was  of  this  description,  in  1802; 
to  which  many  of  our  unguarded  country- 
men had  reason  to  lament  their  intro- 
duction. 

MATTER  of  Deed  (in  law)  denotes 
something  to  be  proved  by  witnesses,  in 
contradistinction  from  Matter  of  Re- 
cord, which  may  be  proved  from  some 
process,  ike.  appearing  in  any  court  of 
record. 

Matter  of  fact,  not  founded  upon 
mere  conjecture,  or  growing  out  of  as- 
sumed premises;  proof  positive  ;  hence 
a  mutter  of  fact-man  (such  as  every  sol- 
dier ought  to  be)  is  one  who  comes 
directly  to  the  point,  and  never  attempts 
to  deviate  from  the  truth. 

Matter  of  opinion,  business  or  thing 
established  upon  assumed  principles  of 
theory. 

Matter  qf  regulation,  business  or 
thing  whose  basis  is  some  established 
rule  or  regulation,  as  a  clause  in  the 
Articles  of  War. 

Matter,  in  a  military  sense,  espe- 
cially with  regard  to  courts-martial,  con- 
sists of  the  specific  charges  which  are 
brought  against  a  prisoner,  and  to  which 
the  president  and  members  must  strictly 
confine  themselves.  It  has  been  very 
properly  observed,  in  a  small  pamphlet 
upon  martial  law,  that  unacquainted 
with  the  serious  consequences  of  a  strict 
attention  to  the  minutiae  of  form  in  cri- 
minal proceedings, general  courts-martial 
have  looked  upon  the  first  swearing  in 
of  the  court,  as  a  sufficient  authority 
to  warrant  their  proceeding  on  the  trial 
of  a  variety  of  offences ;  whereas,  in 
propriety,  the  court  should   be   sworn 


M  A  T 


(     406     ) 


M  E  A 


afresh  at  the  comniencement  of  every 
new  prosecution:  for  though,  as  judges, 
(in  the  manner  of  a  court  of  common 
law,)  once  swearing  woukl  he  sufficient  ; 

yet,  as  jurors,  who  are  sworn  on  every 
different  trial,  though  identically  the 
same  men,  so  are  the  members  of 
general  courts-martial  to  he  considered 
when  a  new  criminal  and  fresh  Matter 
are  brought  before  them.  Lest,  how- 
ever, an  established,  and  therefore  an 
undisputed  practice  should  have  acquired 
a  force  still  difficult  to  be  eradicated, 
we  shall  endeavour  to  point  out  those 
reasons  which  induce  us  to  maintain  this 
opinion.  In  the  oath  which  is  taken  by 
each  of  the  several  members  of  a  general 
court-martial,  the  words  matter  (see 
Sect.  16th,  Art.  6th,  Articles  of  War) 
and  prisoner,  are  cautiously  inserted. — 
These  words,  therefore,  being  absolutely 
confined  to  a  single  matter,  and  a  single 
prisoner,  and  mutters  and  prisoners  not 
being  subjected  to  their  jurisdiction, 
how  is  it  possible  that  men,  with  pro- 
priety, can  proceed  upon  a  trial  which 
they  are  not  warranted  by  law  to  decide 
upon  ?  Were  the  obligation  in  the  Arti- 
cles of  War  decisive  as  to  the  trial  of 
all  matters,  and  all  persons,  and  in  all 
cases;  or  were  the  court  possessed  of 
the  authority  of  extending  the  meaning 
of  the  oath,  once  swearing  would  un- 
doubtedly be  sufficient;  but,  as  in  every 
respect,  the  contrary  is  evident,  as  the 
very  words  of  the  oath  express,  (words 
which  cannot  be  altered,  but  by  the 
legislature,)  that  "  they  shall  uell  and 
"  truly  try  and  determine  according  to 
u  their  evidence,  in  the  matter  before 
*  them,  between  their  sovereign  lord  the. 
"  king's  majesty,  and  the  prisoner  to  be 
"  tried,"  how  can  it  be  otherwise  than 
an  unwarrantable  irregularity  in  them, 
to  proceed  upon  the  trial  of  offenders, 
who,  in  the  eye  of  the  law,  are  not 
amenable  to  their  authority  ?  For,  if  the 
first  prisoner  to  be  tried  has  a  right  to 
challenge  an  officer,  who  may  be  ap- 
pointed to  sit  on  an  investigation  of  his 
offence,  as  a  member  of  a  court  of 
inquiry,  or  who  may  be  liable  to  any 
exceptions,  why  shall  not  the  second  and 
third  prisoner  be  entitled  to  the  same 
merciful  indulgence  ?  See  Thoughts  on 
Martial  Law,  pages  25,  26,  11,  28. 

New   or   fresh    Matter,    any  thing 
which  does  not  strictly  and   bona  fide 
appertain  to  original  charges,  &c. 
Combustible  Matter,   and   Matter 


of  Composition.  All  solids  and  fluids  are 
so  called  which  are  of  an  inflammable 
nature  themselves,  and  can  communicate 
fire  to  other  substances. 

MATTOCK,  an  instrument  some- 
what resembling  a  pick-axe,  but  having 
two  broad  sharp  edges  instead  of  points. 

MAI  TRESS,  a  sort  of  quilted  bed  of 
horse-hair  or  of  straw,  used  by  ollicers  on 
service,  instead  of  the  feather  bed.  The 
straw  mattress  differs  from  the  paillasse 
in  one  particular  only;  the  straw  in  the 
latter  being  loose,  whereas  that  of  the 
mattress  is  quilted  in. 

MATTUCASHLASII,  an  ancient 
Scotch  weapon,  sometimes  called  arm- 
pit dagger,  which  was  worn  there  ready 
to  be  used  on  coming  to  close  quarters. 
This,  with  a  broad  sword  and  shield, 
completely  armed  the  Highlander. — 
Since  the  use  of  fire-arms,  this  weapon 
has  been  laid  aside. 

MAUG,  Ind.  the  name  of  a  month 
which  partly  agrees  with  our  January 
and  February. 

MAUL,  a  heavy  beater  or  hammer, 
generally  shod  with  iron,  used  in  driving 
piles,  cVc. 

MAURI,  the  ancient  inhabitants  of 
Mauritania.  They  were  famous  for 
their  skill  in  throwing  lances,  and  con- 
stituted a  part  of  the  Roman  cavalry. 

MAWANY,  hid.    See  Kitsbundy. 

MAXIMS,  in  fortification.  See  For- 
tification. 

MAXIMUM  and  MINIMUM,  in 
higher  geometry,  the  art  of  finding  out 
the  greatest  and  the  smallest  quantity ; 
that  is,  the  greatest  and  the  smallest 
proportion  of  a  curve,  which  can  repre- 
sent  whatever  quantity  is  required. 

MEAL,  hot,  ten  pence  is  the  present 
price  to  be  paid  by  each  soldier  to  the 
innkeeper. 

MEALED,  pulverized,  or  reduced  to 
powder. 

MEAN,  contemptible;  low  in  worth; 
ungenerous;  spiritless.  Every  thing 
that  an  officer,  or  soldier  ought  not  to 
be.  The  French  use  the  word  bas> 
crapuleux. 

Mean  Fortification.  See  Fortifi- 
cation. 

MEANA,  Ind.  a  machine  or  vehicle, 
resembling  a  palankeen,  but  only  used 
for  carrying  one  person.  It  is  borne,  by 
four  men,  and  supported  by  means  of  a 
bamboo  extended  from  the  ends ;  being 
generally  seven  feet  long,  and  three  wide, 
with  Venetian  blinds,  which  slide  -and 


M  E  A 


(     4»7     ) 


M  E  A 


act  as  doors.  Persons  in  India  some- 
times travel  to  a  considerable  distance 
in  these  vehicles;  the  number  of"  bearers 
being  increased,  and  successively  re- 
lieved. It  is  computed  that  they  will 
easily  go  at  the  rate  of  four  miles  in 
the  hour. 

MEANNESS,  (basscsse,  Fr.)  lovvness 
of  mind;  sordidness;  niggardness;  bad 
qualities  which  ought  to  be  incompatible 
with  rank  and  high  birth,  but  are  not 
always  so;  notwithstanding  the  certain 
punishment  they  entail  by  loss  of  cha- 
racter or  substance. 

MEANING,  the  sense;  the  thing 
understood ;  as  the  meaning  of  a  sweep- 
ing clause  in  the  Articles  of  War. 

To  MEASURE,  (mesurer,I?r.)tQ  take 
the  dimensions  of  any  substance  or 
thing. 

To  Measure  a  man,  (figuratively,)  to 
calculate  the  extent  of  his  abilities  ;  to 
form  a  correct  judgment  of  his  under- 
standing. It  may  truly  be  said,  that 
few  persons  know  how  to  measure  them- 
selves; especially  when  the  brilliancy  of 
command  comes  in  dazzling  contact 
with  sober  reason. 

To  Measure  one's  self  with  another. 
See  Mesurer,  Fr. 

MEASURE,  in  geometry,  any  quan- 
tity assumed  as  one,  to  which  the  ratio 
of  other  homogeneous  or  similar  quan- 
tities is  expressed. 

Measure  of  an  angle,  the  length  of 
an  arch  described  from  the  vertex  to  any 
place  between  its  legs :  hence  angles  are 
distinguished  by  the  ratio  of  the  arches 
between  the  legs  to  the  peripheries.  See 
Angle. 

Measure  of  a  figure,  a  square, 
whose  side  is  an  inch,  foot,  yard,  or  other 
determinate  measure.  Hence  square 
measures. 

Among  geometricians  it  is  usually  a 
square  rod,  called  deccmpeda,  divided 
into  10  square  feet,  and  those  into 
square  digits,  and  those  again  into  10 
lines,  &c. 

Measure  of  a  line,  any  right  line 
taken  at  pleasure,  and  considered  as 
unity. 

Measure  of  a  mass  or  quantity  of 
matter,  in  mechanics,  is  its  weight :  it 
being  apparent  that  all  the  matter  which 
coheres  with  a  body,  gravitates  with  it; 
and  it  being  found  by  experiment,  that 
the  gravities  of  homogeneous  bodies  are 
in  proportion  to  their  bulks:  hence,  while 
the  mass  continues  the  same,  the  abso- 
lute weight  will.be  the  same,  whatever 


figure  it  puts  on;  for,  as  to  its  specific 
weight,  it  varies  as  the  quantity  of  its 
surface  does. 

Measure  of  a  number,  in  arithmetic, 
such  a  number  as  divides  another  with- 
out leaving  a  fraction:  thus  nine  is  a 
measure  of  '27. 

Measure  of  a  solid  is  a  cube,  whose 
side  is  an  inch,  foot,  yard,  or  other  de- 
terminate length  :  in  geometry,  it  is  a 
cubic  perch,  divided  into  cubic  feet, 
digits,  &c.  Hence  cubic  measure,  or 
measure  of  capacity. 

Measure  of  velocity,  in  projectiles, 
and  mechanics,  the  space  passed  over 
by  a  moving  body  in  any  given  time. — 
The  space  therefore  must  be  divided 
into  as  many  equal  parts,  as  the  time  is 
conceived  to  be  divided  into  :  the  quan- 
tity of  space  answering  to  such  portion 
of  time,  is  the  measure  of  the  velocity. 

Measures  then  are  various,  according 
to  the  different  kinds  and  dimensions  of 
things  measured.  Hence  arise  lineal 
and  longitudinal  measures  for  lines  or 
lengths;  for  square  areas;  and  solid  or 
cubic,  for  bodies  and  their  capacities*, 
all  which  again  are  very  different  in 
different  countries  and  ages,  and  even 
many  of  them  for  different  commodi- 
ties. Hence  also  arise  other  divisions, 
of  domestic  and  foreign,  ancient  and 
modern,  dry  and  wet  (or  liquid)  mea- 
sures, ccc. 

Long  Measure.  The  English  standard 
long  measure,  or  that  whereby  the  quan- 
tities of  things  are  ordinarily  estimated, 
is  the  yard,  containing  three  English 
feet,  equal  to  three  Paris  feet  one  inch 
and  3-12ths  of  an  inch,  or  7-9ths  of  a 
Paris  ell.  Its  subdivisions  are  the  foot, 
span,  palm,  inch,  and  barleycorn:  its 
multipliers  are  the  pace,  fathom,  pole, 
furlong,  and  mile. 

The  English  foot  to  the  French  royal, 
is  as  107  to  114:  and  the  French  toise 
is  equal  to  six  feet  English,  nearly. 

Proportions  of  the  long  Measures  of 
several  nations  to  the  English  foot. 

The  English  standard  foot  being  divided 
into  1000  equal  parts,  the  other  mea- 
sures wili  have  the  proportions  to  it, 
which  follow  : 
The  English   foot    from    the 

standard  at  Guildhall  -  1000 
Paris  royal  foot  in  theChatelet  1063 
Rhinland  foot  of  Snellius  -  1033 
Greek  foot       -  1007  * 9 

Roman  foot  on  the  monument 
of  Cossutius    -  967 


M  K  A  (   &«   ) 


M  E  A 


995f 


Roman  foot  of  Villnlpandus, 
taken  from  tlie  congius  of 
Vespasian  -  986 

Venetian  foot  ...  1163 
EU  of  Amsterdam  -        -      2268 

Amsterdam  foot  -  -  -  942 
Ell  of  Antwerp  -  -  -  2283 
Foot  of  Antwerp  -  -  -  946 
Ell  of  Leyden,  in  Holland  -  2260 
Canna  of  Naples  -        -      6880 

Vara  of  Almeria,  and  Gibral- 
tar, in  Spain       ...       2760 
Spanish  foot  -  1001 

Toledo  foot  ...         809 

Braccio  of  Florence  -  -  1913 
Palm  of  Genoa       -  815 

Common  Braccio  of  Sienna  1242 

Braccio  of  Sienna  for  linen  1974 

Palm  of  the  architects  at  Rome, 
whereof  10  make  the  canna 
of  the  same  architects     -  732 

Palm  of  the  braccio  for  the  mer- 
chants and  weavers  at  Rome, 
from  a  marble  in  the  Capitol, 
with     this     inscription,     Co- 

RANTE    LV    POETO 

Large    Pique    of    the   Turks    at 

Constantinople  -  2200 

Small    Pique  of    the   Turks    at 

Constantinople,  is  to  the  larger 

as  31  to  32. 

Arish  of  Persia      -         -         -       3197 

Derah  or  cubit  of  the  Egyptians     182  1 

Dort  foot,  in  Holland    -        -      1184 

Middleburg  foot    -        -        -        991 

Strasbourg  foot      -  920 

Bremen  foot  -  964 

Foot  of  Cologne    -        -        -        9.54 

Foot  of  Frankfort  on  the  Main        943 

Dantzick  foot        -  944 

Foot  of  Copenhagen      -        -        965 

Foot  of  Prague      -  1526 

Riga  foot      -         -         -  1831 

(  Mantua  -         -        1585 

\  Bononia  -        -       J  204 

Foot  oil  Mechlin  -         -         919 

J  Stockholm        -         -         963* 

(Lisbon     -  1005 

Trench  standard  Measure  is  the 
aune  or  ell,  containing  three  Paris  feet, 
seven  inches,  tight  lines,  or  one  yard 
2-7ths  English:  the  Paris  foot  royal 
exceeding  the  English  by  68-1000  parts: 
this  ell  is  divided  two  ways;  namely, 
into  halves,  thirds,  sixths,  and  twelfths: 
f>nd  into  quarters,  half  quarters,  and 
sixteenths.  This  ell  obtains  in  the 
greatest  part  of  F'rance,  excepting  at 
Troves,  Ares,  and  some  parts  of  Picardy, 
•nd  Burgundy,  where  the  ell  is  no  more 


than  two  feet,  live  inches,  one  line; 
and  at  St.  Genoux,  where  it  exceeds  the 
Paris  ell  by  eight  lines:  but  at  Marseilles, 
Montpellier,  TllOlllouse  in  Provence  and 
Guinne,  it  contains  five  Paris  feet  five 
inches,  and  six  lines,  or  a  Paris  ell  and 
an  half:  at  Montpellier  and  the  lower 
Languedoc,  in  Provence,  Avignon,  and 
even  Dauphinc,  ic  is  a  Paris  ell  and  two 
thirds. 

Standard  Measure,  in  Holland, 
Flanders,  Sweden,  a  good  part  of  Ger- 
many, many  of  the  Hans-Towns,  Dant- 
zig,  and  Hamhourg,  and  at  Geneva, 
Frankfort,  iv'c.  is  likewise  the  ell,  being 
different  in  all  these  parts  :  in  Holland  it 
contains  one  Paris  foot,  eleven  lines  and 
4-7ths  of  the  Paris  ell :  the  Flanders  ell 
contains  7-12ths  of  the  Paris  ell:  the 
ell  of  Germany  and  Brabant,  &c.  is 
equal  to  that  of  Flanders. 

Italian  Measure  is  the  braccio,  or 
fathom;  which  obtains  in  the  states  of 
Modena,  Venice,  Florence,  Lucca, Milan, 
Mantua,  Bologna,  &c.  At  Venice  it 
contains  one  Paris  foot,  eleven  inches, 
three  lines,  or  8-loths  of  the  Paris  ell : 
at  Bologna,  Modena,  and  Mantua,  the 
»ame  as  at  Venice;  at  Lucca  it  contains 
half  a  Paris  ell;  at  Florence,  40-100 
of  a  Paris  ell :  at  Milan  the  brace  for 
silks  is  4-9ihs  of  a  Paris  ell,  and  that 
for  woollen  cloths,  the  same  as  in  Hol- 
land; at  Bergama  the  brace  is  5-9ths  of  a 
Paris  ell.  The  usual  measure  tit  Naples 
is  the  canna,  containing  one  Paris  ell 
15-17ths. 

Spanish  Measure  is  the  vara,  con- 
taining 17-24  of  the  Paris  ell;  but  in 
Castile  and  Valentia,  the  measure  is  the 
pan,  span,  or  palm  ;  which  is  used,  with 
the  canna,  at  Genoa.  In  Arragon,  the 
vara  is  equal  to  a  Paris  ell  and  a  half. 

Portugueze  Measure  is  the  covedw, 
containing  4-7ths  of  the  Paris  ell ;  and 
the  vara,  of  which  106  make  100  Paris 
ells. 

Piedmontcse  Measure  is  the  cove- 
do,  containing  4-7ths  of  the  Paris  ell. 
In  Sicily  the  measure  is  the  canna,  the 
same  with  that  of  Naples. 

Muscovite.  Measures  are  the  cubit, 
equal  to  one  Paris  foot,  four  inches,  two 
lines;  and  the  arcin,  two  whereof  are 
equal  to  three  cubits. 

Turkish  and  Levant  Measures  are 
the  pique,  containing  3-5ths  of  the  Paris 
ell.  The  Chinese  measure  is  the  cobre, 
ten  of  which  are  equal  to  three  Paris 
ells.     In  Persia,  and  gome  parts  of  the 


M  E  A 


(     489     ) 


M  E  A 


Indies,  the  gueze,  of  which  there  are  two 
kinds;  the  royal  gueze,  or  gueze  mon- 
kelser,  containing  4-5ths  of  the  Paris 
ell;  and  the  shorter  gueze,  only  2-3rls 
or*  the  former.  At  Goa  and  Ormus,  the 
measure  is  the  Portugueze  vara.  In 
Pegu,  and  other  parts  of  the  Indies,  the 
cando,  equal  to  the  Venice  ell.  At  Goa, 
and  other  parts,  they  use  a  larger  cando, 
equal  to  17  Dutch  ells.  In  Siam  they 
use  the  ken,  short  of  three  Paris  feet  by 
an  inch;  the  ken  contains  two  socks, 
the  sock  two  keubs,  the  keub  twelve 
nions  or  inches;  the  nion  is  equal  to 
eight  grains  of  rice,  that  is,  about  nine 
lines.  At  Camboia;  the  Piaster;  in  Japan 
the  tatain;  and  the  span  on  some  of  the 
coasts  of  Guinea. 

English  square  or  superficial  'Mea- 
sures are  raised  from  the  yard  of  36 
inches  multiplied  into  itself;  and  this 
producing  1296  square  inches  in  the 
square  yard,  the  divisions  of  this  are 
square  feet  and  inches,  and  the  multi- 
pliers, poles,  roods,  and  acres. 

Cubical  Measures,  or  measures  of 
capacity  for  liquors.  English  liquid 
measures  were  originally  raised  from 
troy  weight,  it  being  ordained  that  eight 
pounds  troy  of  wheat,  gathered  from 
the  middle  of  the  ear,  and  well  dried, 
should  weigh  a  gallon  of  wine  measure ; 
yet  a  new  weight,  viz.  the  avoirdupois 
weight,  has  been  introduced,  to  which  a 
second  standard  gallon  is  adjusted,  ex- 
ceeding the  former  in  the  proportion  of 
the  avoirdupois  weight  to  the  troy 
weight.  From  this  latter  standard  are 
raised  two  measures,  the  one  for  ale, 
the  other  for  beer. 

The  sealed  gallon  at  Guildhall,  which 
is  the  standard  for  wine,  spirits,  oil,  tkc. 
is  supposed  to  contain  231  cubic  inches; 
yet,  by  actual  experiment  made  in  1688, 
before  the  lord  mayor  and  commis- 
sioners of  excise,  it  only  contains  224 
cubic  inches.  It  was  however  agreed  to 
continue  the  common  supposed  contents 
of  231:    hence,    as    12  :  231::  14X§: 


inches  throughout, and  eight  inches  deep, 
is  to  be  accounted  a  legal  Winchester 
bushel,  according  to  the  standard  in  his 
Majesty's  Exchequer;  consequently  a 
corn  gallon  will  contain  268.8  inches, 
as  in  the  following  table. 

inches 


2688  gallons 

pecks 


5376 


21504      8 


172032    61 


4|  bushels 


32 


quarters 


Measure  of  zoood  for  fring  is  the 
cord,  being  four  feet  high,  as  many 
broad,  and  eight  long;  it  is  divided  into 
two  half  cords. 

Measure  for  horses  is  the  hand, 
which,  by  statute,  contains  tour  inches. 
French  square  Measures  are  regu- 
lated by  12  square  lines  in  the  inch 
square,  12  inches  in  the  foot,  22  feet  in 
the  perch,  and  100  perches  in  thearpent 
Quaere. 

French  liquid  Measures.  At  Paris, 
and  in  a  great  part  of  the  kingdom,  the 
smallest  measure  is  the  possu,  which 
contains  6  cubic  inches:  2  possus  make 
the  demiseptier ;  2  demiseptiers  the  cho- 
pine;  2  chopines  a  pint ;  2  pints  a  quart 
or  pot ;  4  quarts  the  gallon,  or  septier 
of  estimation ;  36  septiers  the  muid; 
which  is  subdivided  into  2  demimuids, 
4  quarter  rnuids,  and  8  half  quarter 
muids.  The  queue  in  Orleans,  Biois, 
&c.  contains  a  Paris  muid  and  a  half. 
The  tun  used  at  Bayonne  and  Bour- 
deaux  consists  of  4  bariqnes,  and  is 
equal  to  3  Paris  muids;  at  Orleans  to  2: 
so  that  the  first  run  contains  86i  pints, 
and  the  second  576.  The  demicjueue  in 
Champagne,  96  quarts;  the  pipe  in 
Anjou  and  Poictou,  2  bussards,  equal  to 
2  demi-queues  of  Orleans,  &c  or  a  muid 
and    a    half   of    Paris.     The    millerolle 


28U  thecubicinchesinanalegallon;  but,!  used  in  Provence  contains  66  Paris 
in  effect,  the  ale  quart  contains  70±  cubit  I  pints;  and  the  poincon  at  Nanrv,  in 
inches;  on  which  principles  the  ale  and  Touraine,  and  the  Blessois,  equal  to 
beer  gallon  will  be  282  cubic  inches. 

Dry  Measure  is  different  from  both 
the  ale  and  wine  measure,  being  nearly 
a  mean  between  both. 

According  to  an  Act  of  Parliament, 
passed  in  1697,  every  round  bushel  with 
a   plain   and    even    bottom,    being  18| 


laif  the  Orleans  tun.  The  poincon 
at  Pans  is  the  same  with  the  demi- 
qutue. 

The    French    have    lately   formed  an 
entire  new  system  of  weights  and  mea- 
sure-, as  in  the    following    table,  from 
Nicholsons  Philosophy. 
3  It 


MEA 


(     490     ) 


M  E  A 


d) 

'>4—      **- 

3     E 

-6 

H»g 

z 

£ 

t 

u 

*    m 

i) 

s 

'3 

r— 

CO 

3 

o 

^•o 

U 

F     r  ■   <5> 

f  ■ 

owe 

o 

|  «•  = 

(/I 

- 

—    w 

3} 

73  <«> 

C    - 

4)     Q 

p 

cd 

5 

6 

g 

1) 

3 

3"   r, 
'i.  < — | 

H 

Ex 

< 

< 

u 
3 

5  x 

3     3 

c"  6 

cc   - 

is 

O 

H-3 

1-H 

o 

O 

T-l 

1      1 

•2.2 

S*3 

-3  2 

t/1 

CO 

V  . 

a 

CO 

< 

4-> 

WD 

>!► 

I 

6 

y  "3  .. 

cS    i>   a> 

—,5-3 

5  « 

.2  o 

«  o 

t-  o 

as. 

1 

O 
O 

•tfjl 

03  •& 
t-   CO 



^s* 

,4 

3 

5     3 

j:  «   3 

u-3     C3 

■  -    -^ 

1— 1 

>-> 

4—1 

"5 

o 

£3 

CC    u:    C 
-  J=    <V*    3 

h-l 

«3 

© 

"=    "2 

(in 

06 

o 

P 

a 

'o 

O 

13     3 

3       3 

'£.    £ 
s 

•9  £  1  a 

n  o  a  i 
co  P  2  — 

O    "    3    O 

y- 1         ^3 

'O 

f    o    — 

3fi 

3 

CO 

_£ 

o 

SǤ1 

4>     >-. 

53 

4-> 

©      .    <u 

8jJ 

•-H  3 

CO 

C 

.   i 

s 

©~'-;  2 

©  -  *■' 

"o 

CX    0) 

0) 

r^ 

dVSS 

<£. 

>—< 

ti  oOh 

0^ 

( 

.A 

t/)     t—« 

,-^A^^ 

ri^r^y 

^ 

of 

h    in 
prop 
e    pv 
ure 

3  SP 
8  J 

t/1 

o 

O         .3!    2    >-• 

3 

QU,  *   ■»■>.  Q    S    3 

rt          C 

%  5 

m 

4-> 

■r*     —    *-• 

rt 

f-     "— - ' 

3     </> 

u 

u    4)     tfi          _, 

E  Q   o 

O 

o  c  =: 

D-  ^ 

5! 

u 

B      S      O      J     « 

■-"  ?  *  .2 -S* 

Q 

»5s 

'2  ^ 

.a  t 

•—    Hi 

a-  > 
<u  15   3 

i    u 

is 
'§•8 

3 

03 

a 

_S  "u     3     O 

r* 

o  o  o  o  c 

th  o  O 

>  ©  ©  c 

oil 

2      4^ 

rtions 
res   o 

9   tb   i 

meas 

unity 

o  c  o 
o  c  ^ 

CTtH 

— < 

— ( 

-  1j    o 

o  eg 
•_    a   aj 

—    3 

o'l 

H 

Propo 
measu 
specie 

cipal 

o.r  ~ 

0)     C3 

Q 

_3 

"3 

M  E  C 


(    491     ) 


MEC 


Powder  Measures,  made  of  copper, 
holding  from  an  ounce  to  12  pounds, 
are  very  convenient  in  a  siege,  when 
guns  or  mcrtars  are  to  be  loaded  with 
loose  powder,  especially  in  ricochet 
firing,  &c. 

The    French    recommend    measures 


that  are  made  of  block  tin,  such  as  are 
used  for  measuring  out  salt,  viz.  1 
ounce,  2,  3,  4,  8,  which  make  the  half 
pound;  and  lastly,  of  16,  which  make 
the  pound.  These  quantities  answer 
every  sort  of  ordnance. 


Diameters  and  Heights  of '  Cylindric  Powder  Measures, 
holding  from  1  to  15  Ounces. 


Ounces 

0 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5  ! 

0 
1 

0 

1-256 

1583 

1-811 

1-994 

2-148 

2760 

2-793 

2-876  1   2-953 

3-027 

3-098 

Diameters  and  Heights  of  Cylindric  Powder  Measures, 
holding  from  1  to  15  Pounds. 


Pounds'       0 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

0 

0 

3-165 

3988 

4-565 

5024 

5-412 

1 

6890 

7-039 

7245 

7  442 

7-628 

7*805 

MzASVRE-angle,  a  brass  instrument 
to  measure  angles,  either  salient  or  ren- 
trant,  in  order  to  ascertain,  with  preci- 
sion, the  number  of  degreesand  minutes 
for  the  purpose  of  delineating  them  on 
paper. 

Measure  of  an  angle,  (mesure  d'un 
angle,  Fr.)    See  Angle. 

MEASURING,        }  in  military  ma- 

MENSUHATION,  \  thematics,  the 
assuming  any  certain  quantity,  and  ex- 
pressing the  proportion  of  other  similar 
quantities  to  the  same;  or  the  determi- 
ning, by  a  certain  known  measure,  the 
precise  extent,  quantity,  or  capacity  of 
any  thing. 

Measuring,  in  general,  constitutes 
the  practical  part  of  geometry;  and  from 
the  various  subjects  which  it  embraces, 
it  acquires  various  names, and  constitutes 
various  arts,  viz.  Longimetry,  Alti- 
meiry,  Levelling,  Geodesia,  or  Sur- 
veying, Steriometry,  Superficies, 
and  Solids,  Ike.  which  see. 

Measuring.    See  Chain. 

MECENE,  Fr.  Maecenas.  The  pro- 
per name  of  a  Roman,  who  owes  the 
remembrance  of  his  worth  to  the  genius 
ot  a  poet.  It  now  signifies,  generally, 
any  patron  of  arts  and  sciences,  civil  as 
well  as  military  ;  but  God  only  knows 
where  such  a  being  e\:i*ts ! 


MECHANICS,  a  mixed  mathemati- 
cal science,  which  considers  motion  and 
moving  powers,  their  nature  and  laws, 
with  the  effects  thereof,  in  machines, 
&c.  The  word  is  derived  from  the 
Greek.  That  part  which  considers  mo- 
tion arising  from  gravity,  is  sometimes 
called  statics,  in  contradistinction  from 
that  part  which  considers  the  mecha- 
nical powers,  and  their  application,  pro- 
perly called  mechanics :  it  is,  in  fine,  the 
geometry  of  motion. 

MECHANICAL,    >  constructed    by 

MECHANIC,  l  the  laws  of  me- 
chanics;  skilled  in  mechanics. 

Mechanical  philosophy,  that  which 
explains  the  phenomena  of  nature,  and 
the  operations  of  corporeal  things,  on 
the  principles  of  mechanics;  namely, 
the  motion,  gravity,  figure,  arrangement, 
&c.  of  the  parts  which  compose  natural 
bodies. 

Mechanical  powers.  When  two 
heavy  bodies  or  weights  are  made  by 
any  contrivance  to  act  in  opposition, 
so  as  mutually  to  prevent  each  other 
from  being  put  into  motion  by  gravity, 
they  are  said  to  be  in  equilibrium.  The 
same  expression  is  used  with  respect  to 
other  forces,  which  mutually  prevent 
each  other  from  producing  motion. 

The  most  simple  of  those  instruments, 
3  R2 


MEE 


(     492     ) 


M  E  M 


by  means  of  which  weights  or  forces  are 
made  to  act  in  opposition  to  each  other, 
are  usually  termed  mechanical  powers.' 
Their  names  are,  the  Lever,  the  Axis, 
or  Axle,  and  Wheel,  the  Pulley Ot  Tackle, 
the  inclined  Plane,  the  Wedge,  and  the 
Screw. 

Mechanical,  in  mathematics,  de- 
notes a  construction  of  some  problem, 
by  the  assistance  of  instruments,  as  the 
duplicature  of  the  cube,  and  quadrature 
of  the  circle,  in  contradistinction  to  that 
which  is  done  in  an  accurate  and  geome- 
trical manner. 

MECHANICALLY,  ( machinale- 
ment,  Fr.)  according  to  the  laws  of 
mechanics. 

To  act  Mechanically,  (agir  machi- 
nalcment,  Fr.)  to  be  extremely  minute 
and  methodical  in  all  our  actions. 

M  EC  I  IAN  I  QUE,  Fr.  a  science  whose 
immediate  object  is  the  increase  or  ac- 
cumulation of  force  and  motion,  by 
means  of  machines  and  instruments. 
See  Mechanics.  . 

MECHE,  Fr.     See  Match. 
Eventer  la  Meche,  Fr.  to  discover  a 
plot. 

MECHER,  Fr.  to  vapour  a  cask  with 
burning  brimstone. 

MECOMPTE,  Fr.  inisreckoning. 
MEDECIN,  Fr.  physician. 
MEDIATOR.  Any  state  or  potentate, 
that  interferes  to  adjust  the  quarrel  be- 
tween any  two  or  more  powers,  is  called 
a  mediator. 

MEDICINE-CHEST  is  composed 
of  all  sorts  of  medicines  necessary  for 
a  campaign,  together  with  such  chirurgical 
instruments  as  are  useful,  fitted  up  in 
chests,  and  portable.  The  whole  army 
is  supplied  with  these  at  t lie  expense 
of  govei  nment. 

Specific  regulations  have  been  issued 
by  the  Medical  Board,  respecting  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  the  different 
medicines. 

MEDIUM-C«//r</,  a  preparatory 
guard,  of  the  broad  sword  or  sabre, 
which  consists  in  presenting  the  sword 
ill  a  perpendicular  line  with  the  center 
of  the  opposed  object,  having  the  point 
upwards,  the  ward  iron  and  the  cutting 
edge  next  to  the  object. 

MEER  BUKSIIY,  hid.  chief  pay- 
master. 

MEERTOZUK,  Ind.  a  marshal  whose 
business  is  to  preserve  order  in  a  pro- 
cession or  line  of  march,  and  to  report 
absentees.  i 

General  MEETINGS.    The  general 


meetings  of  the  lieutenancy  of  evei\ 
county,  riding,  or  place,  must  be  holdeu, 
according  to  Act  of  Parliament,  in  some 
principal  town  in  every  such  county, 
riding,  and  place;  and  such  general 
meetings  must  consist  of  the  lieutenant, 
together  with  two  deputy  lieutenants  at 
the  least,  or,  on  the  death  or  removal, 
or  in  the  absence  of  the  lieutenant,  then 
of  three  deputy  lieutenants  at  the  least, 
of  every  county,  riding,  and  place  re- 
spectively. Notice  is  to  be  given  in  the 
London  Gazette,  and  also  in  any  weekly 
newspaper  usually  circulated  in  such 
county,  riding,  or  place,  fourteen  days 
at  the  least  before  the  days  appointed 
for  holding  such  meetings  respectively. 

Subdivision  Meetings.  These  are  ap- 
pointed, in  the  first  instance,  by  the 
lieutenant  and  deputy  lieutenant,  or  the 
deputy  lieutenants,  at  every  annual 
meeting;  and  regular  notice  is  to  be 
given  by  the  clerk  to  the  several  deputy 
lieutenants. 

MEGG,  a  weapon  made  use  of  by 
the  Turkish  horse,  when  in  pursuit  of  an 
enemy.  It  resembles  a  long  iron  spit, 
and  has  a  scabbard  like  a  sword. 

MEGGHETERIARQUE,  Fr.  the 
commanding  officer  of  a  body  of  men, 
who  formerly  did  duty  at  Constantinople, 
and  were  called  Heltricnncs,  being  com- 
posed of  soldiers  that  were  enlisted  in 
the  allied  nations. 

MEL  ANDRES,  Fr.  those  spaces  of 
ground  which  are  made  level,  in  order 
to  lay  pieces  of  turf  upon,  as  in  a  glacis, 
&c. 

MELEE,  Fr.  a  military  term,  which 
is  used  among  the  French  to  express  the 
hurry  and  confusion  of  a  battle;  thus, 
Un  general  habile  conserve  sa  tranquil- 
lite  au  milieu  da  combat,  et  dans  I'horreur 
ile  la  melee  : — an  able  general  preserves 
his  presence  of  mind,  in  the  thickest  of 
the  battle,  and  remains  calm  during  all 
the  horror  of  mutual  carnage.  Melee 
corresponds  with  the  English  expression 
Thick  of  the  Fight. 

MEMARCHURE,  Fr.  a  sprain  in  a 
horse's  leg. 

MEMBERS,  (membres,  Fr.)  In  civil 
architecture,  all  the  lesser  parts  and 
ornaments  belonging  to  the  different 
orders  are  so  called. 

MEMBRURE,  Fr.  pannel  square; 
also  a  cord  for  measuring  wood. 

MEMOIRS  are,  strictly  speaking,  a 
SDecies  of  history  written  by  personswho 
have  had  some  share  in  the  transactions 
they  relate,  answering,  in  some  measure, 


M  E  N 


(     493     ) 


M  E  N 


to  what  the  Romans  call  commeniarii, 

\.  e. commentaries.  Hence  Caesar's  Com- 
mentaries, or  the  Memoirs  of  bis  Cam- 
paigns. 

MEMORABLE,  (memorable,  Fr.) 
worthy  of  remembrance;  a  term  applied 
to  some  extraordinary  feat  in  war. 

MEMORIAL,  an  address  to  the  king, 
or  other  chief  commander,  praying  for 
reward  of  services,  or  redress  of  griev- 
ances. 

Battalion-MEN.  All  the  soldiers  be- 
longing to  the  different  companies  of  an 
infantry  regiment  are  so  called,  except 
those  of  the  two  flank  companies. 

Camp-Colour-Mfs,  soldiers  under  the 
immediate  command  and  direction  of 
the  quarter-master  of  a  regiment.  Their 
business  is  to  assist  in  marking  out  the 
lines  of  an  encampment,  &c.  to  carry 
the  camp-colours  to  the  held  on  days  ot 
exercise,  and  fix  them  occasionally  for 
the  purpose  of  enabling  the  troops  to 
take  up  correct  points  in  marching,  &c. 
So  that  in  this  respect  they  frequently, 
indeed  almost  always,  act  as  markers,  or 
what  the  French  call  jalonn^ars.  They 
are  likewise  employed  in  the  trenches, 
and  in  all  fatigue  duties. 

Contingent-^lES,  soldiers  borne  upon 
the  establishment  of  a  regiment  for  the 
benefit  of  the  colonel,  but  never  effective. 
Drcg-rupe-Mr.y,  in  artillery,  the  men 
attached  to  light  or  heavy  pieces  of 
ordnance,  for  the  purpose  of  advancing 
or  retreating  in  action.  The  French  ser- 
vant a  la  prolongenre  of  this  description. 
Eight  and  nine  months-M. eth,  persons 
enlisted  in  America,  for  a  specific  period 
of  service,  duiing  her  contest  with  the 
mother  country. 

Minute-MEU,  persons  whose  names 
were  enrolled  at  the  beginning  of  the 
revolution  in  America,  and  who  were 
liable  to  be  called  upon  at  a  minute's 
warning. 

Warrunt-^lEy ,  non-effective  soldiers 
that  are  borne  upon  the  establishment  of 
a  regiment  for  the  benefit  of  an  agent. 

MENACE,  an  hostile  threat.  Any 
officer  or  soldier  using  menacing  words 
or  gestures  in  piesence  of  a  court-mar- 
tial, or  to  a  superior  officer,  i«  punishable 
for  the  same. — See  the  Articles  of  Wur. 
MENACE,  palissader  en,  Fr.  See 
Fraiser. 

MEN  ACER,  Fr.  to  husband,  to 
take  care  of,  as,  menager  se.s  troupes,  to 
he  careful  of  one's  soldiers;  not  to  over- 
march  or  over-drill,  or  wantonly  fight 
them. 


MENEAUX,  Fr.  the  transoms,  or 
cross-bars  of  windows. 

MENEE,  Fr.  underhand  dealing; 
secret  practices. 

MENER,  Fr.  to  draw.  As  mener 
une  ligne  droite  paralle/e  a  une  ligne 
droite  donnce,  to  draw  a  straight  line 
parallel  to  any  niven  straight  line. 

Se  Mener,  Fr.  to  run;  to  be  drawn. 
Le  parapet  de  la  fausse-broye  se  menu  a 
parulltle  (i  la  ligne  J'ondumentalt  de.  la 
forteresse,  the  parapet  of  the  fausse- 
braye  must  run,  or  be  drawn  parallel 
to  the  fundamental  line  of  the  fortress. 
Jean  Brioyes,  inginievr,  et  gcograp/w 
du  roi,  sur  la  Nouvelle  Manitre  de  Forti- 
fication, p.  38. 

MENSURATION,  (mesurage,  Fr.) 
in  general,  denotes  the  act  or  art  ot 
measuring  lines,  superficies  and  solids. 

Mensuration,  in  military  mathema- 
tics, is  the  art,  or  science,  which  treats 
of  the  measure  of  extension,  or  the  mag- 
nitude of  figures;  and  it  is,  next  to 
arithmetic,  a  subject  of  the  greatest 
use  and  importance,  both  in  affairs  that 
are  absolutely  necessary  in  human  life, 
and  in  every  branch  of  mathematics:  a 
subject  bv  which  sciences  are  established, 
and  commerce  is  conducted;  by  whose 
aid  we  manage  our  business,  and  inform 
ourselves  of  the  wonderful  operations  in 
nature;  by  which  we  measure  the  hea- 
vens and  the  earth,  estimate  the  capa- 
cities of  all  vessels,  and  bulks  of  all 
bodies,  guage  our  liquors,  build  edifices, 
measure  our  lands,  and  the  works  of 
artificers,  buy  and  -ell  an  infinite  variety 
of  things  necessary  in  life,  and  are  sup- 
plied with  the  means  of  making  the  cal- 
culations which  are  necessary  for  the 
construction  rif  almost  .ill  machines. 
MENTEUR,  Fr.  See  Liar. 
MENTIR.  Fr.  to  lie.  The  French  say- 
figuratively  Le  bon  sang  ne  peut  merit  ii  ; 
a  noble  nature  cannot  utter  an  untruth, 
nr  yield  to  base  conditions. 

MENTONNETS,  Fr.  embossments, 
or  pieces  of  jagged  timber  about  three 
feet  long,  which  are  left  at  the  ends  of  a 
pilework,  in  order  to  secure  platforms 
or  boards  which  are  afterwards  nailed 
together. 

MEN TONNIERE,  Fr.  that  part  of 
an  ancient  warrior's  head-piece  or  hel- 
met which  protected  the  chin. 

MENU,  Fr.  bill  of  fare;  bill  of 
parcels:  any  specific,  or  particular  ac- 
count. 

MEW-bois,  Fr.  brush-wood;  bavin. 
Men tfs-p/cusirs,  Fr.  privy  purse. 


M  E  s 


(     494      ) 


M  E  S 


"Mzvv-peuple,  Fr.  the  vulgar  or  com- 
mon people. 

Wi:M'v^(ii«i  Fr.  outs,  bailey,  pease, 
vetch,  (Sic. 

M en u-monnuic,  Fr.  copper-money, 
such  as  pennv  and  halfpenny  pieces,  ccc. 

MENUISE,    l>      small  shut. 

MENl'lSi.RIE,  Fr.  joinery;  the 
putting    together     different     pieces    of 

W.IO'I. 

!\1  r  n  r  hi  B I  B  d'assemh/'age,  Fr.  till  sort 
of  carpentry  work  which  is  put  together; 
such  as  wainscot,  ceiling,  doors,  eve. 

MEl'I.AT,  Fr.  a  term  applied  parr 
ticularlv  ri  ;inv  piece  of  wood  which 
has  more  breadth  than  depth,  as  a  pan- 
iiel-square,  a  platform,  &C 

MER,   Fr.   the  sea. 

Haute  Mbb,  Fr.  the  main;  the  deep. 

Fa  ,'li'inc  Mr.n,  Fr.  out  at  sea. 

Bras  de  Men,  Fr.  a  hay;  gulph;  arm 
of  the  sea. 

MERCY,  (mcrci,  Fr.)  willingness  to 
save;  clemency;  power  of  acting  at 
pleasure.  The  French  say  itre  a  la 
uierci  ile  I'cnnenu,  to  he  at  the  mercy  of 
the  enemy. 

MEROE  defer,  Fr.  the  dross  of  iron. 
Made  means,  literally,  excrement.  The 
French  say  familiarly,  hitler  eontrc  la 
merde,  to  struggle  against  uu  excrement; 
i.  e.  to  engage  with  a  low  fellow. 

MFR11AU,  Iud.  a  deduction  or 
abatement  is  so  called  in  India. 

MERIT,  desert,  excellence,  deserving 
honour  or  reward- 

Mep.ii-,  Order  of,  a  military  distinc- 
tion given  to  o.,  ■  i  $  or  soldiers,  foi 
some  signed  service  :  the  badge  of  which 
is  generally  expressive  of  the  service. — 
Such  was  the  men  .1,  01  order  of  merit, 
presented  by  the  Emp<  ror  of  Germany 
to  the  officers  of  the  15th  light  dragoons, 
for  their  unexampled  bravery  in  the  af- 
fair of  Filters  en  CmcM,  in  1794.    See 

OllDE&S. 

MERKIN,  a  mop  to  dean  cannon  ; 
;m  v"  thing  rough  or  !n//.ied. 

MEKLE1",  Fr.   a  battlement. 

MERi.l.A,  handspike. 

M  Fill. UN,  Fr.  the  space  of  the  pa- 
rapi  ii)  two  embrasures. 

MFRODEURS.    See  Maiiaud. 

Ml'.lUvAIN.    /V.  ship  timber. 

ML>AULE,  Fr.  an  entry;  a  lol  by  ; 
a  passage. 

MESIXTELLIGF.NCK,  Fr.  naisun- 
dersianding;  also  false  information. 

MESIRE,  Fr.  disease  of  the  liver. 
See  Liv. 


MESSAGERIE,  Fr.  post-house;  it 
also  signifies  a  public  coach,  or  land  con- 
vex ancc,  so  called  in  France.  During  the 
old  monarchy  it  was  termed  Metaagerif 
Roy  ale ;  during  the  revolution,  Measa- 
gerie  National? ;  and  during  the  reign 
of  Bonaparte,  Messaaerie  Impiriale.  It 
n  sumed  its  old  name  of  Massageric 
Roya/eni  the  restoration  of  Louis  XVIII. 

MESS,  (met,  Fr.)  a  sort  of  ordinary 
where  officers  eat  and  drink  together, 
at  a  regulated  price. 

/;///. -Miss.  The  mess  of  the  royal 
horse  guards  is  so  called. 

Guard-Mr.^s.  The  table  which  was 
kept  by  hifsMajesty  for  the  officers  of 
the  life  auo  foot  guards  in  St.  James's 
palace.     It  is  now  abolished. 

To  Mi tss,  to  feed,  to  cat.  The  French 
say  :  itre  de  plat.  The  principal  mili- 
tary mess  in  Great  Britain  was  an  excep- 
tion to  this  rule,  being  kept  and  provi- 
ded for  in  the  extraordinaries  of  the 
army,  at  the  Horse  Guards.  This  mess 
consisted  of  the  field  officers  in  wait- 
ing of  the  life  and  foot  guards,  officers 
on  the  king's  life  and  king's  foot  guards; 
officer  of  the  queen's  guard,  and  tilt 
picket,  and  adjutant  of  the  battalion  of 
foot  guards  that  mounts.  The  colonel 
of  the  foot  guards  was  allowed  to  invite 
three  visitors.  There  were  likewise  two 
breakfasts  provided  every  morning,  one 
for  the  guard  coming  on,  and  one  for 
the  guard  going  otf,  together  with  a 
supper  every  night.  The  expense  was 
about  nine  thousand  pounds  sterling  per 
annum.  Among  other  reductions,  the 
abolition  of  this  extravagant  and  un- 
meaning tahle,  is  not  the  least  worthy 
of  the  plans  of  economy  which  have 
been  adopted  by  government  in  1816. 

MESSrJIifate,  one  who  eats  at  the  same 
tahle.     The  French  sayi  commensal. 

MES6ENGER,  (messager,  Fr.)  one 
who  carries  an  errand  ;  one  who  brings 
an  account,  or  foretoken  of  any  thing. 

MESSENGERS  (of  state)  are  officers 
under  the  direction  of  the  secretaries  of 
state,  of  whom  there  are  20  always  in 
waiting,  who  are  relieved  monthly,  and 
distributed  in  the  following  manner: 
four  at  court,  five  at  each  secretary's 
office,  two  at  the  third  office  for  North 
Britain,  three  at  the  council  office,  and 
one  at  the  lord  chamberlain*  office; 
who  attend,  and  are  always  in  readi- 
to  be  sent  with  dispatches,  either 
domestic  or  foreign  ;  to  apprehend  per- 
sons accused  or  suspected  of  high  trea- 


MET 


(     495     ) 


M  E  T 


son,  or  other  offences  against  the  state, 
being  empowered  by  warrant  from  the 
secretaries :  for  the  sale  keeping  of 
which,  their  houses  are  made  a  sort  of 
confinement  or  prison ;  and  for  the 
maintenance  of  the  prisoners  they  have 
a  certain  allowance  from  government, 
over  and  above  what  is  required  from 
the  prisoner  himself.  The  number  has 
been  increased  since  1795. 

Military  Messengers,  a  class  supe- 
rior to  orderly  men,  consisting  of  confi- 
dential persons  that  are  sent  to  and 
from  head  quarters,  &c. 

MESTRAL,  Fr.  from  the  Italian 
Ma'estrale,  the  north  west  wind. 

MESTKE  de  camp,  Fr.  the  com- 
manding officer  of  a  regiment  of  cavalry 
was  so  called  in  the  old  French  service. 
He  was  distinguished  by  this  appellation 
on  account  of  there  being  a  cuionel-ge- 
neral  in  the  cavalrv.  The  duty  of  a 
Mestre  de  camp  was  principally  confined 
to  the  following  heads: — To  see  that  the 
troops  or  companies  were  kept  complete, 
that  the  arms  were  in  good  state  and 
condition,  the  horses  of  a  proper  size, 
sound  and  well  trained.  He  had  like- 
wise the  direction  of  the  different 
guards,  &c. 

Mestre   de   camp   general,    Fr.    the 
next  officer  in  rank,  in  the  old  French 
cavalry  service,  to  the  colonel-general 
This    appointment    was   created    under 
Henry  it.  in  1552. 

Mestre  de  camp  general  des  dragons, 
Fr.  an  appointment  which  first  took 
place  under  Louis  XIV.  in  1684. 

MESURER  son  ep'te  uvec  quelqiiun, 
Fr.   to  fight  a  duel,  or  single  combat. 

Se  Mesurer  aver  quelquun,  Fr.  to 
compare  one-self,  or  to  enter  into  com- 
petition with  another;  to  struggle  against 
him.  This  figurative  phrase  is  taken  in 
two  senses,  viz.  to  vie  with  a  superior, 
or  to  contend  against  an  inferior.  In 
either  case,  the  motive  and  the  action 
must  constitute  the  praise  or  blame. 
Thus  an  individual  of  unimpeached  in- 
tegrity, &c.  would  be  disgraced  were  he 
to  measure  himself  with  a  common 
swindler,  a  low  money  scrivener,  calling 
himself  a  solicitor,  or  a  trafficking  lam- 
pooner. 

MESURES  d  poudre,  Fr.  tin  cases 
or  vessels  used  in  the  artillery  to  mea- 
sure out  gunpowder,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  caliber  of  each  piece  of  ord- 
nance.    See  Powder  Measures. 

0»er-METAL,  (in  gunnery.)— When 


the  mouth  of  a  piece  of  ordnance,  in 
disparting  it,  lies  higher  than  the  breech, 
it  is  then  said  to  be  laid  over  metal. 

Under-M.EiAL,  (in  gunnery)  is  when 
the  mouth  of  a  piece  of  ordnance  lies 
lower  than  her  breech. 

Right  with  Metal,  (in  gunnery.) 
When  a  piece  of  ordnance  lies  truly  level, 
point  biank,  or  right  with  the  mark,  she 
is  said  to  lie  right  with  her  metal. 

Superficies  of  Metals,  (in  gunnery,) 
the  surface,  or  outside  of  a  gun. 

METATORES,  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  were  officers  whose  duties  cor- 
responded with  those  of  the  quarter- 
master-general's department  in  modern 
armies. 

METIER,  Fr.  means,  literally,  any 
calling  or  business.  In  a  military  sense, 
it  is  peculiarly  applicable  to  those  na- 
tions which  keep  up  large  standing  ar- 
mies, and  make  war  their  principal  ob- 
ject and  pursuit.  In  speaking  of  military 
matters,  it  is  common  among  the  French 
to  say — Guerre  sur  terre  est  notre 
metier ;  Guerre  sur  mer  est  le  metier 
des  Anglais, — The  land  service  is  our 
peculiar  business  or  calling.  Late  events, 
particularly  in  the  Peninsula  and  at 
Waterloo,  have  proved  that  Englishmen, 
properly  commanded,  are  as  invincible 
by  land,  as  they  are  known  to.be  by  sea. 

Chevalier  Folard  gives  the  following 
definition  relative  to  the  question  which 
is  often  discussed  on  the  subject  of  war, 
namely,  whether  war  be  a  trade  or  a 
science?  (The  English  call  it  a  pro- 
fession.) Folard,  however,  distinguishes 
it  in  this  manner : — La  Guerre  est  un 
metier  pour  les  igaorans,  et  une  science 
pour  les  habiles  gens.  War,  in  the  ap- 
prehension, and  under  the  management 
of  ignorant  persons,  is  certainly  a  mere 
trade  or  business;  but  among  able  men,  it 
becomes  an  important  branch  of  science. 

Faire  Metier  de  sa  loi/aute,  Fr.  to 
make  a  trade  of  one's  loyalty. 

Metier  de  Marcchul  /errant,  Fr. 
See  Farriery. 

MET1VES,  Fr.  harvest  time. 

METIVIER,  Fr.  a  reaper. 

METOPE,  (metope,  Fr.)  N.  Bai re- 
writes this  word  melopa,  from  theGreek 
fxiTonra,,  a  space  or  interval  bet\  n  every 
triglyph  in  the  frize  of  the  Done  order, 
which,  among  the  ancients  used  to  be 
adorned  with  the  heads  of  beasts,  ba- 
sins, vases,  and  other  instruments  used 
in  sacrificing;  also  the  space  between 
the  mortice  holes  of  rafters  and  planks. 


M  I  L 


(     496     ) 


M  I  L 


METTLE,  (bravoure,  fnugve,  Fr.) 
courage,  spirit,  vivacity  ■•  licnce  a  man 
of  mettle,  or  one  who  has  blood  to  his 
linger  ends. 

METTLESOME,  full  of  vivacity; 
full  of  spirit. 

METTRE  a  lu  main,  Fr.  to  grasp  or 
take  hold  of  any  thing. 

At i.i  ii;i  f'epie  a  la  main,  Fr.  to  draw 
swords.  lis  mirent  I'epee  a  la  main,  u 
figurative  expression,  signifying,  they 
took  their  ground,  and  stood  prepared 
to  fight. 

Mettee  les  armes  a  la  main  de  quel- 
qu'un,  Fr.  to  teach  a  person  the  first 
rudiments  of  war,  or  lead  him  for  the 
first  time  into  action.  Cent  lui  qui  in  a 
mis  les  amies  a  la  main,  lie  first  taught 
me  how  to  light,  or  I  fought  the  lirst 
campaign  under  his  orders. 

M litre  aux  arrets,  Fr.  to  put  under 
arrest. 

Mettke  sur  pied,  Fr.  to  arm,  to 
equip,  to  put  troops  upon  an  established 
footing. 

MKURTRIERES,  Fr.  small  loop 
holes,  sulliciently  large  to  admit  the 
barrel  of  a  rifle  gun  or  musket,  through 
which  soldiers  may  fire,  under  cover, 
against  an  enemy.  They  likewise  mean 
the  cavities  that  are  made  in  the  walls 
of  a  fortified  town  or  place.  See  Mur- 
dr esses. 

MIC  HE.     See  Malingerer. 

La  Saint  MICHEL,  Fr.  Michaelmas. 

MICROMETER,  (micrometre,  Fr.) 

an    instrument    contrived    to    measure 

small  spaces,  as  in  the  divisions  of  the 

worm  of  a  screw. 

MIDI,  Fr.  the  south;  one  of  the 
four  cardinal  points.  It  is  always 
looked  for  at  the  bottom  of  a  map,  and 
is  opposite  to  the  north. 

MILE,  (millc,  Fr.)  the  usual  measure 
•f  roads  in  England,  1?60  yards. 

Mile,  in  geography,  is  of  different 
extent  in  different  countries.  The  geo- 
metrical mile  contains  1000  geometrical 
paces,  or  mille  passus,  from  which  miles 
are  denominated. 

We  shall  here  give  a  tabic  of  the  miles 
in  use  among  the  principal  nations  ot 
Europe,  in  geometrical  paces,  60,000  of 
which  make  a  degree  of  the  equator. 

Geometrical  paces. 
Mile  of  Russia  -         -         '760 

Italy  -         -  1000 

England  -         -  1200 

Scotland  and  Ireland        1500 

The  old  league  of  France    -         1500 


The  small  league  of  France 
The  great  ditto 
Mile  of  Poland 

Spain  and  Portugal 

Oermuny 

Sweden 

Denmark 

Hungary 

Holland' 


2000 
3000 
3000 
3428 
4000 
5000 
5010 

OIK  Ml 

3500 


M  I  LEST<  ).\  E, (colonne miUiuire, Fr.) 
a  stone  set  to  mark  the  miles. 

MILICE,  Fr.  soldiery,  but  more  par- 
ticularly the  militia  or  trained  bands. 

Mil ices  garde:;  coles,  Fr.  a  militia, 
somewhat  similar  to  our  sea-fenciblcs, 
which  existed  during  the  old  French  go- 
vernment, and  whose  services  were  con- 
fined to  the  coast.  Every  province, 
contiguous  to  the  sea,  was  obliged  to 
furnish  a  certain  proportion  of  its  male 
inhabitants,  from  16  to  60  years  old. 
This  militia  was  exempted  from  the  re- 
gulations which  governed  the  laud  mili- 
tia.    It  was  under  the  admiralty. 

MILITAIRE,  Fr.  a  term  used  among 
the  French,  to  signify  any  individual 
who  bears  arms  for  his  country,  or  be- 
longs to  the  profession  :  hence  un  lion 
militaire,  a  good  and  experienced  officer 
or  soldier. 

MILITANT,  the  state  of  warfare,  or 
business  of  war. 

MILITAR,      )  something   belonging 
MILITARY,   S  to  the  soldiery  or  mi- 
litia, &c. 

MiLiTARY;/CTer,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
anoverweening  fondness  for  the  outward 
appendages  of  a  soldier,  familiarly  called 
in  England,  the  scarlet  fever. 

MlLlTARY-/e»er,  a  kind  of  malignant 
fever,  frequent  in  armies,  by  reason  ot 
the  had  food,  &c.  of  the  soldiery.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Pringle,  this  fever  is 
most  prevalent  at  the  latter  end  of  Au- 
gust, when  the  days  are  hot,  and  the 
nights  cold;  especially  in  low  countries. 
Military  architecture,  the  same 
with  fortification.     See  fortification. 

Military  uat/s,  the  large  Roman 
roads  which  Agrippa  procured  to  be 
made  through  the  empire  in  the  reign  of 
Augustus  tor  the  marching  of  troops 
and  conveying  of  carriages.  They  were 
paved  from  the  gates  of  Rome  to  the 
utmost  limits  of  the  empire:  most  of 
the  roads  in  Prance  are  of  this  descrip- 
tion. 

Military  discipline.  Next  to  the 
forming  of  troops,  military  discipline  is 
the  first  object  that  presents  itself  to 


MIL 


(     497     ) 


M  I  L 


our  notice :  it  is  the  soul  of  all  armies; 
and  unless  it  be  established  amongst 
them  with  great  prudence,  and  sup- 
ported with  unshaken  resolution,  sol- 
diers become  a  contemptible  rabble, 
and  are  more  dangerous  to  the  very 
state  that  maintains  them,  than  even  its 
declared  enemies.     See  Discipline. 

Military  execution,  the  ravaging  or 
destroying  of  a  country  or  town  that 
refuses  to  pay  the  contribution  laid  upon 
the  inhabitants.  Also  the  punishment 
inflicted  by  the  sentence  of  a  court- 
martial. 

Military  first  principles  consist  in 
the  bodily  training  of  a  soldier,  to  make 
him  hardy,  robust,  and  capable  of  pre- 
serving health,  amidst  fatigue,  bad  wea- 
ther, aud  change  of  climate;  to  inarch 
at  such  a  pace,  and  for  such  a  length  of 
time,  and  with  such  a  burden,  as  without 
training  he  would  not  be  able  to  do. 

MILITARY  REGULATIONS,  the 
rules  and  regulations  by  which  the  dis- 
cipline, formations,  field  exercise,  and 
movements  of  the  whole  army  are  di- 
rected to  be  observed  in  one  uniform 
system. 

MILITES  adscriptitii,  supernumerary 
men  that  followed  the  Roman  armies, 
for  the  purpose  of  filling  up  any  vacan- 
cies which  might  occur  through  death 
or  sickness.  No  particular  duties  were 
exacted  from  them,  except  that  of 
marching  in  front  of  the  troops,  in  order 
to  annoy  theenemy  with  their  cross-bows. 

Milites  causurii,  among  the  Ro- 
mans, soldiers  who  were  discharged  on 
account  of  sickness  and  inability  to 
serve,  or  from  some  other  cause. 

Milites  consummuti,  soldiers  among 
the  Romans,  who  had  served  their  pre- 
scribed period.  They  were  also  called 
Emeriti. 

Milites  mercenarii,  auxiliary  troops, 
or  soldiers,  who  were  hired  by  the  Ro- 
mans in  time  of  war.  Hence  men  hired 
to  fight  are  called  mercenaries. 

Milites  provinciates,  troops  which 
composed  the  Roman  legions,  and  con- 
sisted wholly  of  Roman  citizens.  The 
auxiliary  troops  were  originally  drawn 
out  of  the  Italian  provinces,  that  were 
in  alliance  with  Rome;  and  when  they 
afterwards  became  Roman  citizens,  sol- 
diers were  enlisted  and  paid  from  other 
countries.  Thus,  before  Barbary  fell 
under  the  Roman  yoke,  large  levies  were 
obtained  from  that  quarter  of  the  globe. 

Milites  stationarii,  bodies  of  armed 


men,  among  the  Romans,  who  were 
distributed  through  the  empire,  in  order 
to  check  disorders,  prevent  plunder/and 
to  escort  the  guilty  to  the  tribunals  of 
justice. 

Milites  subitarii,  troops  raised  upon 
emergency,  especially  on  the  breaking 
out  of  unexpected  hostilities.  On  these 
occasions,  men  of  all  ages  were  obliged 
to  enrol  themselves. 

Milites  urbani,  a  class  of  Roman 
soldiers,  or  rather  an  armed  portion  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Rome,  which  re- 
mained in  the  capital,  without  any  par- 
ticular mark  of  distinction  among  them- 
selves, in  order  to  protect  it  during  the 
absence  of  the  regular  troops,  on  the 
sudden  commencement  of  hostilities. 
During  the  reign  of  the  emperors,  these 
men  became  the  janissaries  of  Rome; 
for  they  insensibly  grew  into  so  much 
importance,  that  they  yielded  in  rank 
and  consideration,  as  a  body,  to  the 
Prastorian  bands  only.  They  had  re- 
gular camps  in  the  city,  which  were 
called  castra  urbuna.  They  were  in 
high  favour  with  the  Emperors,  and  ge- 
nerally shared  a  large  proportion  of  the 
legacies  which  were  left  by  the  former 
in  their  wills.  The  privates  received 
half  the  pay  and  subsistence  which  were 
allowed  the  praetorian  bands ;  enjoyed 
exclusive  privileges,  and  could  only  be 
commanded  by  the  Prefect  of  Rome. 

The  French,  in  imitation  of  the  Ro- 
mans, have  called  the  different  bodies 
of  armed  men  belonging  to  the  several 
towns  and  districts,  Troupes  urbanes, 
urban  troops. 

MILITIA,  a  force  whose  services,  in 
general,  do  not  exceed  the  boundaries  of 
its  native  land,  but  which  may  volunteer 
beyond  them.  In  this  case,  as  far  at 
least  as  regards  the  British  militia,  the 
extension  of  service  must  have  the  sanc- 
tion of  parliament.  The  militia,  among 
the  Romans,  was  frequently  called  Agra- 
rian soldiers.  With  respect  to  the  native 
spirit  and  perseverance  of  the  national 
troops  of  this  country,  (by  national 
troops  we  mean  the  militia  as  established 
by  law,)  it  will  not  be  thought  superfluous 
to  give  the  following  account  of  their 
behaviour  at  the  Norman  conquest: — 
In  page  74  of  Entick's  History  and  Sur- 
vey of  London,  Westminster,  &c.  it  is 
recorded,  that  in  1066  the  Danes,  who 
had  entered  the  Humber,  and  laid  siege 
to  York,  were  entirely  routed  by  King 
Harold,  and  forced  to  return  with  great 
SS 


M  I  L 


(      198     ) 


M  I  N 


loss  to  Denmark.  It  was  otherwise  with 
the  Dake  of  Normandy ;  for  Harold;  in 
opposing  him,  fell  amongst  the  slain  in 
the  field  of  battle,  and  in  the  midst  of 
the  London  and  Middlesex  militia,  whi(  b 
had  the  honour  of  being  commanded  bj 
himself  in  person,  and  his  brother,  anil 
received  the  Normans  with  such  resolu- 
tion and  courage*  that  they  were  at  the 
point  of  retreating,  had  not  William, 
whose  crown  now  lay  at  stake,  both 
performed  the  part  of  a  leader  bravely, 
ami  restrained  them  with  his  presence 
and  authority  ;  and,  at  last,  an  unfor- 
tunate dart  was  shot  through  1  larold's  left 
eye  into  his  brain,  by  which  he  fell  off 
his  horse,  and  was  slain  under  his  own 
standard,  with  67,97  l  English  soldiers, 
upon  a  Saturday,  on  the  1  ith  of  October, 
about  seven  miles  from  Hastings,  in 
•Sussex. 

For  the  direction  and  command  of 
the  militia,  the  kins;  constitutes  lords- 
lieutenant  of  each  county.  The  militia, 
when  called  out  in  time  of  war,  are 
subject  to  the  same  regulations  as  to 
discipline  and  pay,  that  govern  the  in- 
fantry of  the  line,  and  are  under  the 
orders  of  the  commander  in  chief. 

In  the  time  of  Charles  the  Second, 
the  militia  were  exercised  four  times  a 
year,  in  their  respective  districts,  and 
once  a  year  in  battalion.  Some  time 
after,  the  appointed  time  for  their  exer- 
cise and  discipline  was  eight  days  in  the 
♦ourse  of  the  vear,  in  companies,  and 
four  in  camp.  It  was  afterwards  or- 
dered by  Act  of  Parliament,  that  the 
militia  should  he  exercised  twice  a  year 
for  the  space  of  fourteen  days  each 
time.  After  the  American  war,  no  pro- 
vision was  made  for  the  training  and 
disciplining  the  militia,  for  a  consider- 
able time;  and  when  government  began 
to  turn  its  attention  to  this  important 
national  concern,  it  was  considered,  on 
account  of  the  effects  produced  by  a 
long  and  expensive  war,  as  proper  to 
attend  to  the  strictest  economy.  Ac- 
cording to  this  principle,  only  two-thirds 
of  the  militia  were  called  out,  for  the 
purpose  of  discipline,  in  the  course  of 
the  year.  The  militia  having  been  in- 
creased from  i>0  to  40,000  men,  it  ap- 
peared proper  to  government,  that  the 
whole  should  be  exercised  once  a  year, 
for  twenty-tine  days  instead  of  twenty- 
eight  ;  by  which  regulation,  a  saving  w  a> 
made  of  seven  days'  pay  of  othcers  and 
men.  It  was  subsequently  thought  that 
it  was  not  very  advisable  to  attend  par- 


ticularly to  economy,  in  a  matter  of 
such  importance  to  the  nation,  and  it 
was  on  that  account,  that  Mr.  York, 
the  secretary  at  war,  on  the  12th  of 
February,  1603,  made  a  motion  to  have 
the  militia  drawn  out  for  twenty-cisrht 
days  instead  of  twenty-one.  The  whole 
expense  of  training  the  militia  was,  at 
that  period,  200,0001.  and  the  additional 
charges  would  not  exceed  the  sum  of 
18,0001. 

Supplementally  Militia,  an  auxiliary 
body  of  men,  which  was  raised  in  1798, 
for  the  defence  of  Great  Britain.  See 
Act  of  the  20th  of  February,  to  enable 
the  King  to  order  out  a  certain  propor- 
tion of  the  supplementary  militia,  and 
topnnide  for  the  augmentation  of  the 
militia,  by  incorporating  the  supplemen- 
tary militia  therewith. 

LoluI  Militia,  another  species  of 
auxiliary  troops,  established  in  1809, 
for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  male 
population  of  the  several  counties  more 
effective  than  the  volunteer  system  had 
proved  to  be.  The  county  of  Middle- 
sex, for  reasons  best  known  to  the  go- 
vernment, has  been  exempted  from  this 
requisition;  Lord  Castlereagh's  bill  is 
referred  to  for  further  explanation. — 
During  the  late  war  the  militia  proved  a 
nursery  to  the  line. 

MILL,  (moulin,  Fr.)  properly  denotes 
a  machine  for  grinding  coin,  8tc.  but 
more  generally  all  such  machines  whose 
action  depends  upon  a  circular  motion. 
There  are  various  kinds,  though  foreign 
to  this  work. 

G un-powder  Mill,  (moulin  a  poudrc, 
Fr.)  is  that  used  for  pounding  and  beat- 
ing together  the  ingredients  of  which 
gunpowder  is  composed. 

These  ingredients  being  duly  propor- 
tioned, and  put.  into  the  mortars  of  the 
mills,  which  are  hollow  pieces  of  wood, 
each  capable  of  holding  20  pounds  of 
paste,  are  incorporated  by  means  of  the 
pestle  and  spindle.  There  are  24  mor- 
tars in  each  mill,  where  are  made  each 
day  480  pounds  of  gunpowder,  cart 
being  taken  to  sprinkle  the  ingredients 
in  the  mortars  with  water,  from  time  to 
ti!ii  :,  lest  they  should  take  tire.  The 
pestle  is  a  piece  oi  wood  10  feet  high, 
and  \\  inches  broad,  armed  at  bottom 
with  a  round  piece  of  metal.  It  weighs 
about  60  pounds. 

MIM  BASH.Y,  hid.  a  commander  of 
one  thousand  horse. 

MIND,  (esprit,  a?ne,  Fr.)  the  reason, 
or  rational  part  of  the  soul. 


M  I  N 


(     499     ) 


M  I  N 


Military  MIND,  (esprit,  ginie  mili- 
taire,  Fr.)  By  this  phrase  we  mean 
that  uncommon  constitution  of  mind, 
which  is  peculiar  to  great  generals 
alone,  which  once  animated  the  breasts 
of  CAESAR  and  of  Hannibal  in  ancient, 
and  of  Turenne,  Montecoculi,  Wel- 
lington, Blucher,  and  Bonaparte, 
in  modern  times.  Great  occasions  may 
call  it  into  action,  experience  may  im- 
prove it;  but,  like  the  poet's  fire,  it  is 
the  boon  of  nature,  the  chosen  gift  of 


of  the  higher  branches  of  his  profession, 
an  anxious  imitation  of  the  great  models 
which  antiquity  and  modern  times  afford, 
and,  above  all,  the  possession  of  that 
military  imagination,  of  which  the  king 
of  Prussia  speaks  in  his  instructions  to 
his  generals,  and  without  which  there 
can  be  no  real  excellence,  or  superiority, 
^ou,  who  are  conscious  that  you  are 
thus  endowed,  may,  with  firm  and  as- 
sured step,  approach  the  sanctuary ; 
view,  with  the  eye  of  anticipated  hope, 


God  to  the  elect.  An  attention  to  mi-  your  niche  in  the  Temple  of  Fame,  say- 
nute  details,  when  confined  within  just  ing,  with  Correggio — Anche  io  son pittore. 
limits,  may  not  only  be  laudable,  but  MINE,  Fr.  countenance,  appearance, 
necessary.     However,   the  verse  of  the  |  or  look,  disposition,  &c.  The  French  use 


Henriade,  Tel  brille  au  second  rang  qui 
s'eclipse  an  premier,  applies  with  more 
force  to  the  army  than  to  any  other  pro- 
fession, or  to  any  other  human  pursuit. 
He  that  is  great  on  the  parade,  may  be 
little  in  the  field ;  he  that  can  draw  on 
the  sources  of  his  memory,  and  cause  to 
be  performed  with  exactness,  manoeu- 
vres which  he  has  gotten  bv  heart  like 
a  school  boy,  may  be  entirely  deficient 
in  that  quickness  of  intellect,  and  that 
vigour  of  mind,  which  can  alone  enable 
an  officer  to  execute  military  movements, 
in  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  and  under 
all  the  varying  circumstances  of  actual 
warfare.  The  mere  drill  never  formed  a 
general.  To  be  such,  God,  in  the 
bounty  of  his  providence,  must  have 
caused  him  to  have  been  born  a  great 
man.  On  the  contrary,  the  pursuits  of 
little  objects  must  narrow  and  shackle 
the  mind. — Those  habits  which  ensure 
mediocrity  will,  almost  always,  preclude 
excellence.  The  boy  who  can  form  a 
Latin  verse  is  not  therefore  a  poet.  A 
special  pleader  is  not  a  Somers,  or  a 
Clarendon  ;  nor  is  a  good  adjutant  a 
great  general.  There  is  hardly  any  man 
so  humbly  gifted,  that  with  sufficient 
application  cannot  become  the  former. 
To  constitute  the  latter,  requires  the 
assemblage  of  some  of- the  noblest  at- 
tributes of  our  nature  :  that  power  of 
mind,  that  grasp  of  thought,  which  seizes 
almost  every  thing,  as  if  by  intuition ; 
which  thinks,  decides  and  acts,  in  the 
same  moment;  which  forms  the  best 
possible  judgment  in  the  shortest  pos- 
sible time;  which  is  not  only  cool  and 
collected;,  but  is  roused  and  excited  by 
danger ;  jmust  all  be  united  to  adorn  the 
character  of  a  great  general.  Add  to 
these  qualities,  great  powers  of  discrimi- 
nation, a  constant  attention  to  the  study 


tins  term  in  a  variety  of  ways. 

Bonne.  Mine,  Fr.  a  good  countenance, 
well  looking. — Avoir  bonne  mine,  to  have 
seeming  good  dispositions. 

Mauvaise  Mine,  Fr.  a  bad  counte- 
nance, or  ill-looking. — Avoir  mauvaise 
mine,  to  have  seeming  bad  dispositions. 

Fa  ire  bonne,  on  mauvaise  Mine,  Fr. 
to  look  pleasantly,  or  unpleasantly  at 
another. 

La  Mine  guerrivre,  Fr.  a  warlike  look. 

La  Mine  d'homme  de  guerre,  Fr.  the 
look  of  a  military  man. 

MINE,  (mine,  Fr.)  a  subterraneous 
passage  dug  under  the  wall,  or  rampart, 
of  a  fortification,  for  the  purpose  of 
blowing  it  up  by  gunpowder. 

Counter-Mi  se$  are  those  made  by 
the  besieged,  whereas  mines  are  gene- 
rally made  by  the  besiegers.  Both  mines 
and  counter-mines  are  made  in  the  same 
manner,  and  for  the  like  purposes,  viz.  to 
blow  up  their  enemies  and  their  works  ; 
only  the  principal  galleries  and  mines  of 
the  besieged  are  usually  made  before 
the  town  is  besieged,  and  frequently  at 
the  same  time  the  fortification  is  built, 
to  save  expense. 

Definitions  of  Mints.  A  mine  is  a 
subterraneous  cavity  made  according  to 
the  rules  of  art,  in  which  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  powder  is  lodged,  which  by  its 
explosion  blows  up  the  earth  above  it. 

It  has  been  found  by  experiments, 
that  the  figure  produced  by  the  explosion 
is  a  paraboloid,  and  that  the  center  of  the 
powder,  or  charge,  occupies  phe  focus. 

The  place  where  the  powder  is  lodged 
is  called  the  chamber  of  the  mine,  or 
f'oui  iieau. 

The  passage  leading  to  the  powder  is 
called  the  ga/ieij/. 

The  line  (Lawn  from  the  center  of  the. 
chamber,  perpendicular  to  the  nearest 
3S2 


M  I  N 


(     500     ) 


M  1  N 


surface  of  the  ground,  is  called  the  line 
of  least  resistance. 

The  pit,  or  hole,  made  by  springing 
the  mine,  is  called  the  excavation. 

The  fire  is  communicated  to  the  mine 
bv  a  pipe,  or  hose,  made  of  coarse  cloth, 
whose  diameter  is  about  \\  inch,  called 
a  saucisson,  (for  the  filling  of  which  near 
half  a  pound  of  powder  is  allowed  to 
every  foot,)  extending  from  the  chamber 
to  the  entrance  of  the  gallery,  to  the 
end  of  which  is  fixed  a  match,  that  the 
miner  who  sets  fire  to  it  may  have  time 
to  retire  before  it  reaches  the  chamber. 

To  prevent  the  powder  from  con- 
tracting any  dampness,  the  saucisson  is 
laid  in  a  small  trough,  called  an  {turn .■', 
made  of  boards,  three  inches  and  a  half 
broad,  joined  together  lengthwise,  with 
straw  in  it,  and  round  the  saucisson, 
with  a  wooden  cover  nailed  upon  it. 

Foyer,  Fr.  Focus,  or  center  of  the 
chamber.  Some  authors  call  the  end  of 
the  saucisson  that  conies  w  ithin  the  work, 
and  which  is  to  be  set  fire  to,  the  foyer, 
or  focus ;  but  by  most  people,  this  is 
generally  understood  to  be  the  center  of 
the  chamber. 

Galleries  and  chambers  of  Mines. 
Galleries  made  within  the  fortification, 
before  the  place  is  attacked,  and  from 
which  several  branches  are  carried  to 
different  places,  are  generally  4  or  4^ 
feet  wide,  and  5  or  5f  feet  high.  The 
earth  is  supported  from  falling  in  by 
arches  and  walls,  as  they  are  to  remain 
for  a  considerable  time ;  but  when  mines 


are  made  to  be  used  in  a  short  time, 
then  the  galleries  are  but  3  or  3\  feet 
wide,  and  five  feet  high,  and  the  earth 
is  supported  by  wooden  frames,  or  props. 

The  gallery  being  carried  on  to  the 
place  where  the  powder  is  to  be  lodged, 
the  miners  make  the  chamber.  This  is 
generally  of  a  cubical  form,  large  enough 
to  hold  the  wooden  box,  which  contain* 
the  powder  necessary  for  the  charge  : 
the  box  is  lined  with  straw  and  sand- 
bags, to  prevent  the  powder  from  con- 
tracting dampness. 

The  chamber  is  sunk  something  lower 
than  the  gallery,  if  the  soil  permits ;  but 
where  water  is  to  be  apprehended,  it 
must  be  made  higher  than  the  gallery; 
otherwise  the  besieged  will  let  in  the 
water,  and  spoil  the  mine. 

Quantities  of  powder  to  charge  Mines. 
Before  any  calculation  can  be  made  of 
the  proper  charge  for  a  mine,  the  den- 
sity and  tenacity  of  the  soil  in  which  it 
is  to  be  made  must  be  ascertained,  either 
by  experiment,  or  otherwise,  for,  in 
soils  or  the  same  density,  that  which  has 
the  greatest  tenacity,  will  require  the 
greatest  force  to  separate  its  parts. 
The  density  is  determined  by  weighing 
a  cubic  foot  (or  any  certain  quantity)  of 
the  soil ;  but  the  tenacity  can  only  be 
determined  by  making  a  mine.  The 
following  table  contains  experiments  in 
six  different  soils,  which  may  be  of  some 
assistance  to  form  a  judgment  of  the 
nature  of  the  sojl,  when  an  actual  expe- 
riment cannot  be  had. 


Nature  of  the  Soil. 

Density. 

Tenacity. 

Weight  of  1 
cubic  foot. 

Quantity  of 
powder  to 
raise  lcub. 
fathom. 

1.  Loose  earth  or  sand. 

95  pds. 

8  pds. 

2.  Common  light  soil 

124 

10 

3.  Loam  or  strong  soil 

i2r 

m 

4.  Potter's  clay,  or  stiff  soil 

135 

13* 

5.  Clay,  mixed  with  stones 

160 

16 

6.  Masonry 

205 

211 

M  I  N 


All  the  requisites  in  mining  may  be 
determined  by  the  following  problems, 
which  admit  of  four  cases  ;  for  any  three 
of  the  articles  below  being  given,  the 
fourth  may  thence  be  found. 

1.  The  nature  of  the  soil. 

2.  The  diameter  of  the  excavation. 

3.  The  line  of  least  resistance. 

4.  The  charge. 

Problem  I. 
Given  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  diame- 
ter of  the  excavation,  and  the  line  of 
least  resistance,  to  find  the  charge. 

RULES. 

1.  To  the  square  of  the  diameter  of 
the  excavation,  add  the  square  of  double 
the  line  of  least  resistance,  and  reserve 
the  said  sum. 

2.  Multiply  the  square  root  of  the  re- 
served sum  by  double  the  line  of  least 
resistance,  and  subtract  the  product  from 
the  same  sum. 

3.  Multiply  half  the  remainder  by  the 
line  of  least  resistance,  and  1.57  times 
the  product,  will  give  the  solidity  of  the 
excavation. 

4.  The  charge  will  then  be  determined 
from  the  nature  of  the  soil,  as  in  the  fol- 
lowing example. 

Example  I. 

It  is  required  to  make  a  mine  in  the 
second  sort  of  soil,  mentioned  in  the 
foregoing  experiments,  which  shall  have 
a  line  of  least  resistance  of  10  feet,  and 
the  diameter  of  its  exeavation  20  feet ; 
what  will  be  the  proper  charge  ? 

The  nature  of  this  soil,  by  the  table, 
requires  ten  pounds  of  powder  to  216 
cubic  feet. 

Calculation. 
1.  The  diameter  of  the  excavation 

is  20,  and  its  square  -  400 

Double  the  line  of  least  resistance 

is  20,  and  its  square  -  400 


(   501  )  M  I  N 

feet.      lb.        feet.        lb. 
If  216  :  10  :  :  1836.9  :  85  which 
is  the  charge  required. 


Therefore  the  sum  to  be  reserved  is 
2.  The  square  root  of  800  is  28.3 
Double  the  line  of  least  resist- 
ance is  20      - 

Which  leaves  the  remainder 


IS 

1 


800 


566 


234 


3.  Half  the  remainder  is 
Which   multiplied  by  the  line   of 
least  resistance 


117 


10 


Gives  the  product 

1170 

Which  multiplied  by 

1.57 

Gives  the  solidity  of  the 

excava- 

tion          w         .         . 

feet  1836.9 

By  Logarithms. 

1.  Diam.  of  excavation 

is  =  20  1.301030 

Diameter  squared  is  2.602060  400 

Double  the  line  of  least 

resistance  is  n  20  and  its  square  400 


The  sum  to  be  reserved  is  2.903090 
2.  Square  root  of  sum  is 

28.3  -  1.451545 

Double  the  line  of  least 

resistance  is=20  1.301030 


800 


Product  to  be  subtracted 


is 


2.752575     566 


Remainder  is  -         2.369216 

Line  of  least  resist. =10  1.000000 
10  pounds  of  powder  1.000000 
To  216  cubic  feet,  compl. 

arith.  -        -         7.665546 

To  which  add.  the  const. 

9.894870 


234 


log. 


And  the  sum  is  the 
garithm     charge 
quired 


lo- 
re- 

1.929632=85lb. 


'ROBLEM 


II. 


Given  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  line  of 
least  resistance,  and  the  charge,  to 
find  the  diameter  of  the  excavation. 

Rules. 

1.  Find  the  solidity  of  the  earth  to  be 
raised,  by  a  proportion  from  the  nature 
of  the  soil,  and  multiply  it  by  1.97. — 
Divide  the  product  by  the  line  of  least 
resistance,  and  to  the  quotient  add  the 
square  of  the  line  of  least  resistance : 
reserve  the  sum. 

2.  Multiply  the  same  root  of  the  sum 
reserved  by  twice  the  line  of  least  resist- 
ance, and  add  the  product  to  the  said 
sum,  and  from  the  result  subtract  three 
times  the  square  of  the  hue  of  least  re- 
sistance :  so  will  the  square  root  of  the 
remainder  be  the  diameter  of  the  re- 
quired excavation. 

Example  I. 

Let  a  mine  be  charged  with  100 
pounds  of  powder,  in  a  soil  which  re- 
quires eleven  pounds  of  powder  to  raise 


M  I  N 


(     502     ) 


216  cubic  fret,  and  let  its  line  of  least 
resistance  be  ted  fe<  t :  what  will  he  the 
diameter  of  the  excavation? 

B*  the  nature  of  the  soil  1  lib. :    216 
feet::  1001b. :   1964   feet,   which  is   the 
solidity  of  the  earth  to  be  raised. 
1.  Therefore  multiply     -         -         1691 
By        -         -         -  *      -         -  1.27 


The  product  is 


2491.38 


the  line 
sistance 


M 

of  least 


I  N 


re- 


300.0 


And  there  remains 
Half  of  which  logar 


2.626346     423.2 
is  1.313273     20.57 
feet,  the  diameter  of  the  excavation 
required. 


line 


Which    divided   by   the 

least  resistance,  10,  is  -     219.428 

To  which  add  the  square  of  the 

line  of  least  resistance  -     100.000 


And  the  sum  to  be  reserved  is    349.423 
2.  The  square  root  of  319.428 
is    18.7,  which    multiplied  by 
twice  the  line  of  least  resist- 
ance, 20,  gives        -         -         374. 


This  added  to  the  sum  reserved 
gives     -         -         -         - 

From  which  subtract  8  times  the 
square  of  least  resistance 


723.428 


300. 


And  there  will  remain         -         423.428 
The  square  root  of  which  is,  20.5  feet, 

being  the  required  diameter   of   the 

excavation. 

Jjy  Logarithms. 


Numb. 
Cubic  feet  =  216 
Powder  1  lib.  co.  ar. 
Charge      =:      100 
Line  of  least  resist.  10, 

co.  ar. 
Constant  logarithm 


Logar.     Numb. 
2.334454 
8.958607 
2.000U00 

9.000000 
0.103804 


2.396865    349.4 


To  which  add  the  square 
of  line  of  least  resist- 
ance      - 


100.0 


Sum  to  be  reserved  is  2.543323     349.4 


Half  of  which  logar. 
Twice    line  of  least 
sistance,  20, 


1.271661 


re- 


1,301030 


Product  to  be  added  is  2.572691    373.8 


The  result  is 
from    which    subtract 
thrice  the  square  of 


723.2 


Loading  and  slopping  of  Minks. — 
The  gallery  and  chamber  being  ready  to 
be  loaded,  a  strong  box  of  wood  is  made 
of  the  size  and  tigure  of  the  chamber, 
being  about  l-3d,  or  l-4th  bigger  than  is 
required  for  containing  the  necessary 
quantity  of  powder :  against  the  sides 
and  bottom  of  the  box  is  put  some  straw, 
and  this  straw  is  covered  over  with 
empty  sand  bags,  to  prevent  the  powder 
from  contracting  any  dampness  :  a  hole 
is  made  in  the  side  next  the  gallery,  near 
the  bottom,  for  the  saucisson  to  pass 
through,  which  is  fixed  to  the  middle  of 
the  bottom,  by  means  of  a  wooden  peg, 
to  prevent  its  loosening  from  the  powder: 
or  to  hinder  the  enemy  (if  he  should 
reach  the  entrance)  from  being  able  to 
tear  it  out.  This  clone,  the  powder  is 
brought  in  sand  bags, and  thrown  loosely 
in  the  box,  and  covered  also  with  straw 
and  sand  bags;  upon  this  is- put  the  cover 
(if  the  box,  pressed  down  very  tight  with 
strong  props;  and,  to  render  them  more 
secure,  planks  are  also  put  above  them, 
against  the  earth,  and  wedged  in  as  fast 
as  possible. 

This  done,  the  vacant  spaces  between 
the  props  are  filled  up  with  stones  and 
dung,  and  rammed  in  the  strongest 
manner:  the  least  neglect  in  this  work 
will  considerably  alter  the  effect  of  the 
mine. 

Then  the  aoget  is  laid  from  the  cham- 
ber to  the  entrance  of  the  gallery,  with 
some  straw  at  the  bottom ;  and  the  sau- 
cisson laid  in  it,  with  straw  over  it : 
lastly,  it  must  be  shut  with  a  wooden 
cover  nailed  upon  it.  Great  care  must, 
be  taken,  in  stopping  up  the  gallery,  not 
to  press  too  hard  upon  the  auget,  for 
fear  of  spoiling  the  saucisson,  which  may 
hinder  the  powder  from  taking  fire,  and 
so  prevent  the  mine  from  springing. 
The  gallery  is  stopped  up  with  stones, 
earth,  and  dung,  well  rammed,  six  or 
seven  feet  further  from  the  chamber 
than  the  length  of  the  line  of  least  re- 
sistance. 

Globe  of  compression  in  Mines,  jrom 
Belidor.    If  you  imagine  a  large  globe 


M  I  N 


(     503     ) 


M  I  N 


of  earth  homogeneous  in  all  its  parts, 
and  a  certain  quantity  of  powder  lodged 
in  its  center,  so  as  to  produce  a  proper 
effect  without  bursting  the  globe ;  by 
setting  fire  to  the  powder,  it  is  evident 
that  the  explosion  will  act  all  round,  to 
overcome  the  obstacles  which  oppose  its 
motion :  and  as  the  particles  ol"  the  earth 
are  porous,  thev  will  compress  each 
other  in  proportion  as  the  flame  increases? 
anci  the  capacity  of  the  chamber  increases 
likewise  :  but  the  particles  of  earth  next 
to  the  chamber  wiil  communicate  a  part 
of  their  motion  to  those  next  to  them, 
and  those  to  their  neighbours ;  and  this 
communication  will  thus  continue  in  a 
decreasing  proportion,  till  the  whole 
force  of  explosion  is  entirely  spent ; 
and  the  particles  of  earth  beyond  this 
term  will  remain  in  the  same  state  as 
they  were  at  hist.  The  particles  ot 
earth  that  have  been  acted  upon  by  the 
force  of  explosion  will  compose  a  globe, 
which  Mr.  Belidorcalls  the  globe  of  com- 
pression. 

Fougasses  are  a  sort  of  small  mines, 
frequently  made  before  the  weakest 
parts  of  a  fortification,  as  the  salient 
angles  and  faces,  not  defended  by  a  cross 
lire. 

Treffie  Mines  are  mines  with  two 
chambers  only. 

T-Mines,  so  called  from  their  great 
resemblance  to  that  letter.  They  are 
double  mines,  having  four  lodgments. 

Double  I-Mineb  have  eight  lodg- 
ments, and  four  doors. 

Triple  T-Mines  have  twelve  lodg- 
ments, and  six  doors. 

Double  Treffie  Mines  have  four  lodg- 
ments, and  eight  doors. 

'Triple  Treffie  Mines  have  six  lodg- 
ments, and  twelve  doors. 

Faire  jouer  line  Mine,  Fr.  to  spring 
a  mine. 

Mine  sans  cervelle,  Fr,  literally  signi- 
fies a  mine  without  brains.  Ibis  ex- 
pression is  used  among  miners  to  de- 
scribe any  unthankful  piece  of  ground, 
which  has  no  consistency  within  itself, 
either  at  the  top  of  the  gallery,  or  on  its 
•sides,  and  is  rendered  firm  by  various 
expedients. 

Eventtr  fa  Mine,  Fr.  to  spring  a  mine. 
When  used  figuratively,  tins  expression 
signifies  to  discover  a  plot,  or  make  it 
known.  It  likewise  serves  to  express 
the  failure  of  any  expedition  or  under- 
taking. 

MIXER,  Fr.  to  undermine. 


MINERS,  (mineurs,  Fr.)  are  gene- 
rally  soldiers :  most  of  the  foreign  regi- 
ments of  artillery  have  each  a  company 
of  miners,  commanded  by  a  captain  and 
two  lieutenaAts.  When  the  miners  are 
at  work  in  the  mines,  they  wear  a  kind 
of  hood  to  keep  the  earth  that  falls, 
out  of  their  eyes.  In  the  English  service 
the  artilicers  are  ordered  for  that  purpose. 
MINERVA,  (Minerve,  Fr.)  accord- 
ing to  the  heathen  mythology,  the  god- 
dess of  wisdom,  of  war,  and  of  the  arts; 
she  was  also  looked  upon  as  the  goddess 
of  peace.  She  is  generally  represented 
with  a  helmet  on  her  head,  a  shield  on 
her  arm,  and  a  lance  and  an  olive 
branch  in  her  hand;  several  mathema- 
tical instruments,  and  the  figure  of  an 
owl  near  her,  as  the  emblem  of  wisdom. 
MINING,  in  military  affairs,  is  the 
art  of  blowing  up  any  part  of  a  fortifi- 
cation, building,  Sec.  by  gunpowder. — 
The  art  of  mining  requires  a  perfect 
knowledge  both  ot  fortification  and  geo- 
metry ;  and  by  these  previous  helps,  the 
engineer  may  be  qualified  to  ascertain 
correctly  the  nature  of  all  manner  of 
heights,  depths,  breadths,  and  thick- 
nesses; to  judge  perfectly  of  slopes  and 
perpendiculars,  whether  they  be  such  as 
are  parallel  to  the  horizon,  or  such  as 
are  visual ;  together  with  the  true  levels 
of  all  kinds  of  earth.  To  which  must 
be  added,  a  consummate  skill  in  the 
quality  of  rocks,  earths,  masonry,  and 
sands  ;  the  whole  accompanied  with  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  strength  of 
all  sorts  of  gunpowder. 

Mining  is  become  one  of  the  most  es- 
sential parts  of  the  attack  and  defence 
of  places:  so  much  artillery  is  used,  that 
nothing  above  ground  can  withstand  its 
effects ;  the  most  substantial  ramparts 
and  parapets  can  resist  but  a  short  time; 
the  outworks,  though  numerous,  serve 
only  to  retard,  for  a  time,  the  surrender 
of  the  place. 

We  are  told  in  history,  that  mines  wer* 
made  long  before  the  invention  of  gun- 
powder ;  for  the  ancients  made  galleries 
or  under-ground  passages,  much  in  the 
same  way  as  the  moderns,  from  without, 
under  the  walls  of  the  places,  which  they 
cut  off  from  the  foundation,  and  sup- 
ported them  with  strong  props:  then  they 
filled  the  intervals  with  all  manner  of 
combustibles,  which  being  set  on  fire 
burnt  their  props,  and  the  wall  being  no 
longer  supported,  fell,  whereby  a  breach 
was  made. 


M  I  N 


(     504     ) 


M  I  N 


The  besieged  also  made  under-ground 
passages,  from  the  town,  under  the  be- 
sieger's machines,  by  which  they  bat- 
tered the  walls,  to  destroy  them;  which 
proves  that  necessity  has  been  the  in- 
ventress  of  mines,  as  well  as  of  other 
useful  arts. 

The  first  mines,  since  the  invention 
of  gunpowder,  were  made  in  1487,  by 
the  Genoese,  at  the  attack  of  Sereza- 
nella,  a  town  in  Florence ;  but  these 
failing  they  were  for  some  time  neg- 
lected, till  Peter  Navarro,  being  then 
engineer  to  the  Genoese,  and  afterwards 
to  the  Spaniards  in  15013,  against  the 
French,  at  the  siege  of  the  castle  del 
Ovo,  at  Naples,  made  a  mine  under  the 
wall,  and  blew  it  up;  in  consequence 
of  which,  the  castle  was  taken  by 
storm. 

Mr.  Valliers  relates  the  same  story, 
but  differs  in  the  name  of  the  engineer : 
he  says  it  was  Francis  George,  an  Ita- 
lian, who  serving  at  Naples  in  quality  of 
architect,  proposed  to  Peter  Navarro, 
the  Spanish  governor,  to  take  this  castle 
by  mining. 

Names  of  Articles  used  in  Mixing. 

Augct,  a  kind  of  small  trough,  made 
of  strong  inch  boards,  about  4  inches 
square,  in  which  the  sauoisson  is  laid  in 
straw,  to  prevent  the  powder  from  con- 
tracting any  dampness. 

Chamber,  the  place  where  the  powder 
is  lodged,  being  first  put  in  cubical  boxes 
made  for  that  purpose.  {■ 

Excavation,  )  the  pit  or  hole  made  by 

Entonnoir,  $  a  mine  when  sprung. 

Focus,  the  center  of  the  chamber  where 
the  powder  is  lodged. 

Fougasse,  a  kind  of  small  mine. 

Fourneau.     See  Chamber. 

Miners  Tools  are  augers  of  several 
sorts,  levers  of  different  sorts,  needles 
for  working  in  rocks,  rakes,  spades, 
shovels,  wheel-barrows,  sledge-hammers, 
masons'  hammers,  pick-axes,  picks,  mat- 
tocks, chissels,  plummets,  rules,  a  miner's 
dial,  &c. 

Line  of  least  resistance  is  a  line  drawn 
from  the  center  of  the  space  containing 
the  powder,  perpendicular  to  the  nearest 
surface. 

Gallery,  the  passage  leading  to  the 
powder. 

Saucisson,  a  pipe  or  hose  made  of 
coarse  cloth,  whose  diameter  is  about  an 
inch,  and  rilled  with  gunpowder;  then 
laid  ia  the  trough  or  auget,  which  ex- 
tends from  the  chamber  to  the  entrance 
of  the  gallery,  that  the  miner  who  sets 


lire  to  it,  may  have  time  to  retire  before 
it  reaches  to  the  chamber. 

M1N1ERE,  Fr.  amine. 

MINION,  a  piece  of  ordnance,  of 
which  there  arc  two  kinds,  the  large  and 
ordinary  ;  the  large  minion  has  its  bore 
53-J  inches  diameter,  and  is  1000  pounds 
weight;  its  load  is  31  pounds  of  powder ; 
its  shot  three  inches  in  diameter,  and  3£ 
pounds  weight ;  its  length  is  eight  feet, 
and  its  level  range  1'25  paces.  The  or- 
dinary minion  is  three  inches  diameter 
in  the  bore,  and  weighs  about  800 
pounds  weight :  it  is  seven  feet  long,  its 
load  li\  pounds  of  powder,  its  shot  near 
three  inches  in  diameter,  and  weighs 
three  pounds  four  ounces,  and  shoots 
point  blank  120  paces.  There  is  not  at 
present  any  piece  of  ordnance  thus 
termed  in  the  British  service. 

MINISCULE,  Fr.  a  small  letter. 

MINISTER,  according  to  Johnson, 
is  one  who  acts  not  by  any  inherent  au- 
thority of  his  own,  but  under  another. 
Thus  in  England,  all  ministers  act  under 
a  supreme  authority,  which  is  vested  in 
the  King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  to 
whom  they  are  responsible.  In  military 
matters,  there  is  not  only  a  war  minister, 
but  a  secretary  at  war,  who  likewise 
acts  conjointly  with  the  secretary  of 
state.  All  dispatches  and  papers  of  con- 
sequence, relating  to  the  army,  must 
hist  pass  through  the  secretary  of  state, 
and  the  war  minister,  before  they  are 
laid  before  Parliament,  or  otherwise 
acted  upon  by  the  secretary  at  war. — 
The  common  arrangements  of  corps, 
directions  with  respect  to  marching,  &c. 
are  transmitted  to  the  secretary  at  war, 
and  to  the  quarter-master-general's  office, 
without  previously  passing  through  the 
secretary  of  state,  or  war  minister. 

Minister  of  War,  or  war  minister, 
a  department  created  during  the  revolu- 
tionary war  in  France,  and  filled  by  one 
of  the  principal  secretaries  of  state. 

MINISTKE  de  la  Guerre,  Fr.  minis- 
ter of  the  war  department.  The  ap- 
pointment of  minister  and  secretary  at 
war,  among  the  French,  first  took  place 
in  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Second  in 
1549. 

MINUTE,  a  hasty  sketch  taken  of 
any  thing  in  writing.  Hence  minutes  of 
a  general,  or  regimental  court-martial. 

Minutes  of  council  in  the  military 
department,  the  notification  of  orders 
and  regulations,  which  are  directed  to 
be  observed  by  the  army  in  India,  is 
so  called.     These  minutes  receive  the 


M  I  S 


(     505     ) 


M  I  S 


■sanction  of  the  governor-general  in  coun- 
gil,  and  are  the  result  of  previous  com- 
munications from  the  Hon.  Court  of  Di- 
rectors in  Europe.  They  answer  to  the 
French  word  resultat,  which  was  pre- 
fixed to  all  orders  and  regulations  that 
were  occasionally  issued  by  the  military 
boards,  or  conseils  de  guerre,  for  the 
government  of  the  army.  The  term 
jugement  d'un  conseil  de  guerre,  corre- 
sponded with  our  minutes  of  a  general, 
or  regimental  court-martial,  and  ex- 
pressed not  only  the  minutes,  but  the 
sentence  of  the  court. 

Minute,  the  60th  part  of  each  de- 
gree of  a  circle  ;  and  in  computation  of 
time,  the  tiOth  part  of  an  hour. 

Minute,  in  architecture,  the  GOth 
part  of  a  measure,  called  a  module.  In 
the  Doric  order,  where  the  module  is 
half  the  diameter  of  the  body  of  the 
column  below,  it  is  the  30th  part  of  that 
measure. 

La  MINUTE,  Fr.  the  original  of  a 
sentence,  or  decree. 

MINUTER,  Fr.  to  make  a  rough 
draught ;  to  propose ;  to  put  down  in 
small  writing. 

MIOPE,  Fr.  short-sighted  ;  purblind. 

MIQUELETS,  Fr.  a  banditti  that 
infest  the  Pyrenean  mountains,  and  arc- 
extremely  obnoxious  to  travellers. 

The  Miquelets  are  armed  with  pis- 
tols in  their  waist-belts,  and  an  arquebuss, 
and  a  dagger  at  their  side.  These  men 
are  frequently  employed  by  the  Spa- 
niards in  time  of  war ;  but  their  service 
is  confined  to  the  mountains,  which  they 
climb  with  wonderful  agility. 

MIQUELETTI,  a  small  body  of 
mountain  fusileers,  belonging  to  the  Ne- 
apolitan army. 

MIRE,  Fr.  in  the  French  artillery,  a 
piece  of  wood,  about  four  inches  thick, 
one  foot  high,  and  two  feet  and  a  hall 
long,  which  is  used  in  pointing  cannon. 

Coins  de  Mire,  Fr.  wedges  made  of 
wood,  which  serve  to  raise,  or  depress, 
any  piece  of  ordnance.  They  are  like- 
wise used  for  the  same  purpose  in  mor- 
tars. 

MIRLITON,  Fr.  an  old  French 
Louis  d'or. 

MIRZA,  Ind  Sir,  Lord,  Master. 

MIRZAS,  princes  of  the  blood  royal 
in  Mogul. 

MISAPPLICATION,  application  to 
a  wrong  purpose.  By  the  Articles  of 
War,  every  army  agent  who  shall  retain 
one  shilling  from  an  officer's  pay  or  sub- 


sistence, or  shall  misapply  the  same,  is 
liable  to  a  fine  of  1001.  for  every  offence, 
and  to  be  rendered  incapable  of  acting 
in  that  capacity. 

To  MISBEHAVE,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  act  in  any  manner  unbecoming  the 
character  of  an  officer,  or  soldier. 

MISBEHAVIOUR  before  the  enemy, 
want  of  proper  conduct,  or  personal  re- 
solution, when  on  duty,  and  in  actual 
service.  Every  officer,  who  shall  be  con- 
victed of  either,  is,  by  the  Articles  of 
War,  liable  to  be  cashiered  or  punished 
with  death.     See  Mutiny  Act. 

MISCELLANEOUS,  an  item  or 
charge  in  the  estimates  of  the  British 
army,  so  distinguished ;  as  Miscellaneous 
services;  consisting  of  several  heads  of 
expenditure. 

MISCONDUCT,  ill-behaviour,  &c. 

MISCONSTRUCTION,  wrong  in- 
trepretation  of  words,  or  things. 

MISCREANT,  ( mecreant,  Fr.  )  a 
wretch  not  to  be  trusted ;  one  who  holds 
a  false  faith  with  respect  to  God  and  man. 

MISDEMEANOUR,  offence  •  ill-be- 
haviour, liable  to  any  punishment  short 
of  death. 

MISE,  Fr.  disbursement ;  current. 

Mise  en  campagne,  Fr.  sums  advanced 
at  the  beginning  of  a  campaign  for  the 
outfit  of  an  army. 

MISERICORDE,  Fr.  a  short  dagger, 
which  the  cavalry  formerly  used,  for  the 
purpose  of  dispatching  an  enemy  who 
would  not  ask  quarter,  or  mercy. 

MISINFORMATION,  false  intelli- 
gence, false  accounts. 

To  MISQUOTE,  (citer  afaux,¥r.)to 
quote  falsely.  Next  to  the  treachery, 
the  meanness  and  the  wickedness  of  be- 
traying private  conversation,  the  act  of 
misquoting  what  a  person  may  have 
said,  (perhaps  unthinkingly,)  is  most 
scandalous,  and  unbecoming  the  charac- 
ter of  an  officer  and  a  gentleman.  See 
Reporter. 

MISRAK,  a  Turkish  sabre.  See 
Spahis. 

MISSIDOMINTCI,  afterwards  railed 
among  the  French  Juges  des  exempts, 
certain  persons,  or  commissioners,  who, 
under  the  reign  of  Louis-le-gros,  king 
of  France,  watched  the  conduct  and  be- 
haviour of  the  dukes  and  counts,  and 
reported  accordingly. 

MISSILE,  >  any  weapon  which  is  ei- 

MISSI VE,  I  ther  thrown  by  the  hand, 
or  which  strikes  at  a  distance  from  the 
moving  power. 
3T 


M  I  S 


(     50G     ) 


M  I  T 


VflSSlLB  weapons,  (amies  de  trait, 
fLc/ics,  Fr.)  Although  the  invention  of 
gunpowder  has  rendered  these  instru- 
ments unnecessary  in  our  days,  it  may 
not  be  uninteresting  to  ffn  a  short  ac- 
count of  those  that  wen-  DSed  by  the  an- 
cients,  particularly  by  the  Romans.  W  e 
shall  extract  it  from  an  old  book,  called 
a  Treatise  on  the  Arms  and  Engines  of 
War,  published  in  1<>78,  and  addressed 
to  the  Right  Worshipful  Sir  Jonas 
Moore,  Knight,  surveyor  general  of  the 
ordnance  and  armories  of  Great  Britain. 
The  dart,  or  pilum,  was  the  weapon 
which  the  Romans  gave  to  their  rcltlcs, 
or  skirmishers ;  it  was  in  length  two 
cubits,  and  a  finger's  breadth  in  thick- 
ness :  the  head  of  it  was  of  iron,  a  foot 
long ;  but  so  thin  and  sharp  pointed, 
that  being  once  thrown,  it  bowed  and 
became  crooked;  so  that  the  enemy  could 
not  use  it  any  more. 

They  had  likewise  other  javelots  or 
ilarts,  (jacn/um,  a  jaciendo)  with  three 
feathers  at  the  lower  end  ;  such  as  are 
used  by  the  Poles,  and  many  others, 
especially  the  Moors,  who  call  them 
'.a guilts. 

ikticlis  was  the  most  ancient  of  darts, 
a  cubit  and  a  half  long,  with  a  double 
point,  which  was  tied  to  the  wrist  with  a 
leathern  strap,  or  cord,  to  pull  it  back 
when  the  blow  was  given. 

jFganca  was  a  veiy  light  javelot,  or 
dart. 

Ancyle  was  a  dart  which  gave  the 
name  of  Ancilista,  to  those  that  used  it. 

Ansalce  were  darts  thrown  by  han- 
dles. 

Dolones  were  javelots,  which  had  their 
name  from  the  Greek  word  dolos,  which 
signifies  hurt. 

Geum  was  a  javelot  wholly  of  iron. 
Manobarbulus  was  a  javelot,  or  dart, 
like  the  leaden  pile,   and    the    soldiers 
that  used  them  were  called   Manobar- 
buli. 

Materis  was  a  javelot  not  quite  so 
long  as  a  lance. 

The  pile  or  pilum,  was  a  kind  of  half 
pike,  about  five  feet  long.  The  Roman 
pile  was  but  three  feet  long,  with  a  head 
barbed,  like  a  serpent's  tongue,  winch 
wi  isdied  nine  ounces. 

Rompheu  was  the  Thracian  javelot. 
Hunu  was  a  javelot  with  a  very  large 
broad  head. 

Spuru  was  a  very  little  dart,  called  so, 
a  spurgendo,  scattering  ;  being  thrown  in 
large  quantities. 


Tragula  was  a  javelot,  or  screw, 
with  which  they  drew  towards  them  the. 
enemy's  buckler. 

Triphorum  was  a  shaft  three  cubits 
long,  which  the  French  call  mutcrus  ;  in 
English  a  quarrel,  and  was  shot  out  by 
a  cross-bow.  The  ancients  had  also 
other  javelots  or  darts,  which  they  vari- 
ously named  according  to  their  different 
figures,  as  sibinu,  gtsa,  sigimitum,  urbinu, 
verbina,  vtrutum,  and  zenabulum ;  the 
latter  was  used  by  huntsmen,  and  gesa 
by  the  Gauls. 

'  MISSING,  an  expression  used  in  mi- 
litary returns,  especially  in  field  reports, 
after  an  engagement,  to  account  for  the 
general  loss  of  men. 

MISSION,  (mission,  Fr.)  the  state 
of  being  sent  by  authority. 

Military  Mission,  the  state  of  being 
sent,  with  private  instructions,  to  com- 
municate on  military  matters.  This  word 
(both  in  the  French  and  English  accepta- 
tion of  it)  was  formerly  confined  to  such 
persons  as  were  sent  to  propagate  reli- 
gious opinions  (particularly  those  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  faith )  under  a 
licence  given  by  the  Pope  :  whence 
Church- Militant.  It  is  now  generally 
used  to  express  any  commission  of  trust. 
MISSIVE,  Fr.  "  This  word,  as  an  ad- 
jective, is  seldom  used  except  with  the 
word  lettre.  Hence  lettre  missive,  a 
letter  written  for  the  express  purpose 
of  being  sent  to  somebody.  It  is  used 
as  a  substantive,  in  familiar  language  : 
it  jnu  icrit  une  longue  missive. 

Missive  is  also  used  by  us  in  the 
same  manner;  as  the  king's  letters  mis- 
sive, and  missives  for  letters.  Shake- 
speare calls  messengers  ?nissives. 

MISTRESS,  (maltresse,  Fr.)  a  kept 
woman,  or  concubine ;  a  creature,  who. 
if  permitted  to  dabble  in  civil,  or  mili- 
tary matters,  will  not  fail  to  pollute  all 
the  sources  of  honour  and  integrity. 
See  Scabbard. 

To  MISTRUST,  to  have  suspicions 
of:  thus  every  wise  statesman  and  ge- 
neral mistrusts  the  information  which 
is  given  by  foreigners,  or  persons  em- 
ployed to  procure  intelligence;  taking 
care  to  guard  against  treachery  through 
other  sources. 

MISUNDERSTANDING,  quarrel, 
disagreement. 

MITCHELS,  (in  masonry,)  Purbeck 
stones  for  paving,  picked  all  of  a  size 
from  15  inches  square,  to  2  feet;  being 
squared  and  hewn  ready  for  paving. 


M  I  T 


(   sor    ) 


MOB 


MITHRIDATES,  (mithridate,  Fr.) 
the  name  of  an  ancient  king  of"  Pontus, 
who  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Romans, 
and  poisoned  himself. 

Mithridate,  (mithridate,  Fr.)  one  of 
the  capital  medicines  of  the  shops,  con- 
sisting of  a  great  number  of  ingredients, 
and  has  its  name  from  Mithridates,  being 
an  antidote  to  poison.  Several  of  the 
ingredients  of  which  are  viper's-flesh, 
gaarick,  opium,  squills,  &c.  The  French 
say,  figuratively,  Vendeur  de  Mithridate, 
any  person  who  deals  in  quack  medi- 
cines ;  they  also  apply  the  same  term 
to  any  man  who  makes  an  ostentatious 
display  of  words,  promises  much,  and 
does  nothing. 

MITIGATION,  (mitigation,  Fr.  ) 
abatement  of  any  thing  penal,  harsh, 
or  painful.  Hence,  mitigation  of  pu- 
nishment. 

MITON,  Fr.  a  mitten  or  glove  with- 
out fingers. 

MITONNER,    Fr.    to   manage   any 
person  or  thing,  in  order  to  derive  advan- 
tages hereafter. 
MITOYEN,  Fr.  middle. 
Mar  Mitoyen,    Fr.   partition    wall. 
See  Wall. 

L'espace  Mitoyen,  Fr.  any  given 
space  which  separates  one  body  from 
another. 

MITRAILLE,  Fr.  small  pieces  of  old 
iron,  such  as  heads  of  nails,  &c.  with 
which  pieces  of  ordnance  are  loaded ; 
commonly  called  grape-shot. 

Tirer  a  Mitraille,  Fr.  to  fire  with 
grape-shot.  The  term  is  frequently  used 
by  the  French,  to  express  the  bribery 
which  is  practised  in  time  of  war  by  one 
nation  upon  another,  for  the  purpose  of 
fomenting  civil  insurrections.  Hence, 
Tirer  a  mitraille  d'or. 

MITRAILLADES,  Fr.  a  discharge  of 
grape  shot  from  pieces  of  ordnance.— 
This  was  a  new  mode  of  punishment 
devised  under  the  revolutionary  govern- 
ment of  France,  and  was  principally 
practised  during  the  reign  of  Robespierre, 
in  the  Commune  of  Lyons.  Cannon, 
loaded  with  grape  shot,  w-ere  fired  on 
citizens,  bound  hand  and  foot ;  and  such 
as  were  only  wounded  by  the  shot,  were 
afterwards  put  to  death  by  the  sword 
or  sabre. 

MITER,    ^    a  mode   of  joining  two 
MITRE,    $    boards,  or  other  pieces 
of  wood  together  at  right  angles. 

MITRE,  Fr.  tiles  which  are  placed 
over  the   tops   of  chimnies  to   prevent 


them  from  smoking.  They  are  called 
mitre  from  their  resemblance  to  that 
ornament. 

Mitre,  (with  artificers,)  an  angle  that 
is  just  45  degrees. 

MITTENS,  coarse  gloves  for  the  win- 
ter ;  such  as  are  worn  by  soldiers. 

MITTIMUS,  a  warrant  by  which  a 
justice  commits  an  offender  to  prison. 

MIXTILIGNE,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
geometry  to  express  such  figures  as  are 
terminated  partly  by  straight,  and  partly 
by  curved  lines. 

To  be  Mixed  up  with  any  thing,  or 
any  body.  To  be  implicated  with,  or 
made  a  party  to,  any  particular  thing,  or 
person.  This  term  is  generally  used  in  a 
bad  sense.  Good  and  unsuspecting 
characters  are  frequently  mixed  up  with 
bad  ones,  by  an  indiscreet  association 
with  them.     See  6'Tmmiscer. 

MIXT  mathematics  are  those  arts  and 
sciences  which  treat  of  the  properties  of 
quantity,  applied  to  material  beings,  or 
sensible  objects,  i\s  astronomy ,  geography , 
dialling,  navigation,  gauging,  surveying, 
Sfc. 

MOAT,  a  wet,  or  dry  ditch,  dug  round 
the  walls  of  a  town,  or  fortified  place. 
When  an  enemy  attacks  a  town,  which 
has  dry  moats  round  it,  the  rampart 
must  be  approached  by  galleries  under 
ground,  which  galleries  are  run  beneath 
the  moat ;  when  the  place  is  attempted 
through  wet  moats,  your  approaches 
must  be  made  by  galleries  above  ground, 
that  is  to  say,  by  galleries  raised  above 
the  surface  of  the  water.  The  brink 
of  the  moat  next  the  rampart  is  called 
the  scarp,  and  the  opposite  one  the  coun- 
terscarp. 

Dry- Moat,  that  which  has  no  water. 
It  should  invariably  be  deeper  than  the 
one  that  is  full  of  water. 

Flat-bottomed  Moat,  that  which  hath 
no  sloping,  its  corners  being  somewhat 
rounded. 

Lined  Moat,  that  whose  scarp  and 
counterscarp  are  cased  with  a  wall  of 
mason-work  made  sloping. 

To  Moat,  (motter,  Fr.)  to  surround 
with  canals  by  way  of  defence. 

MOB,  the  croud  ;  the  mass  of  popu- 
lation, collected  together  in  a  tumultuous 
manner.  The  French  say  la  populace, 
also  la  tourbe.  Bailey  calls  a  mob  a 
giddy  multitude,  a  tumultuous  rabble. 
The  Romans  were  accustomed  to  com- 
pare a  mob  to  a  wild  beast,  belluapopulus. 
A  mob  is,  in  fact,  an  enraeed  bull,  that 
3T2 


M  O  D 


(      508    ) 


M  O  I 


runs  headlong  at  every  tiling  and  every 
body,  without  distinguishing  between 
friend  or  foe;  and  would  as  soon  toss 
into  the  air  the  man  who  has  fed  him,  as 
he  would  mangle  the  savage  butcher 
that  has  unmercifully  goaded  him  into 
frenzy. 

Mob-/a?c,  a  peremptory  decision,  with- 
out sense  or  justice. 

Mr.  Gibbon  has  somewhere  said,  that, 
tinder  a  democratical  government,  the 
citizens  exercise  the,  powers  of  sovereign- 
ty ;  and  those  powers  will  be  first  abused 
and  afterwards  lost,  if  they  are  committed 
to  an  unwieldy  multitude. 

MOBILE,  Fr.  inducement;  instiga- 
tion. This  word  is  variously  used  by 
the  French  ;  viz. 

Le  Mobile,  Fr.  (in  mechanics)  the 
body  that  moves  another,  or  is  moved.  " 
Le  premier  Mobile,  Fr.  What  we 
call  primum  mobile,  (in  ancient  astro- 
nomy,) a  ninth  heaven  or  sphere  ima- 
gined to  be  above  those  of  the  planets 
;ind  fixed  stars.  We  also  mil  primum 
mobile  the  chief  incentive,  the  principal 
motive.  Thus  the  primum  mobile  of  a 
real  soldier  is  a  laudable  ambition  to 
serve  his  country  ;  and  the  primum  mobile 
of  war  is  money. 

Premier  Mobile,  Fr.  the  principal 
agent  in  any  affair ;  the  head  of  a  con- 
spiracy. The  French  say :  Vinteri  t  est 
le  premier  jnobile  de  la  plupart  des  homines : 
interest  is  the  ruling  motive  of  the  great- 
est part  of  mankind  ;  also  Vargent  est 
le  7Dobilc  unirersel :  money  is  the  uni- 
versal passion,  or  excitement,  in  human 
affairs. 

MOMLIAIRE,or MOBILIERE,  Fr. 
household  goods,  furniture,  or  chattels. 
MODEL,  (modele,  Fr.)  n  mould : 
also  a  diminutive  representation  of  any 
thing.  Thus  models  of  warlike  instru- 
ments, fortifications,  &c.  &.c.  are  pre- 
served in  the  Royal  Laboratory  at  Wool- 
wich, and  in  the  Tower. 

Model,  (with  architects,)  a  kind  of 
measure,  which  is  the  diameter  of  the 
bottom  of  a  pillar  in  each  order,  by 
which  the  length  &c.  of  it  is  measured, 
and  which  is  commonly  divided  into  GO 
equal  parts,  called  minutes  ;  except  in 
those  of  the  Doric  and  Tuscan  orders, 
where  the  model  is  but  half  the  diame- 
ter. In  the  Composite,  Corinthian,  and 
Ionic  orders,  it  is  divided  into  18  parts, 
the  same  as  module. 
•  L<s  MODERBS,  Fr.  a  class  of  per- 
sons so  called   in    France,    during  the 


revolution,  from  professing  moderate* 
principles,  and  thus  endeavouring  to 
steer  between  the  extremes  of  unlimited 
monarchy,  and  unrestrained  democracy. 
They  were  of  course  mistrusted  by  both 
parties,  and  fell  victims  to  the  savage 
temper  of  the  latter. 

MODERN,  something  of  our  own 
times,  in  opposition  to  what  is  antique 
or  ancient.     Hence  the  >noderns. 

Modern  Tactics,  and  Modern  Art 
of  War,  that  system  of  manoeuvre  and 
evolution,  which  has  been  adopted  since 
the  invention  of  gunpowder  and  (ire- 
arms,  in  contradistinction  to  the  ancient 
tactics  and  ancient  art  of  war,  the  system 
which  was  pursued  by  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  &t\  before  the  invention  ot 
gunpowder  and  hre-arms. 

MODI  LIONS,  (wodil/ons,  Fr.)  (in 
architecture,)  are  little  inverted  consoles, 
under  the  sotfit,  or  bottom  of  the  drip,  in 
the  Ionic,  Composite,  and  Corinthian, 
cornices,  and  ought  to  correspond  with 
the  middle  of  the  columns.  In  the  Co- 
rinthian, they  are  always  moulded  with 
carved  work.  In  the  Ionic,  and  Com- 
posite, they  are  more  simple,  having 
seldom  any  ornament,  except  one  single 
leaf  underneath. 

MODULE,  (module,  Fr.)  (in  architec- 
ture,) a  certain  measure  ofbigness,  taken 
at  pleasure,  lor  regulating  the  proportions 
of  columns,  ami  the  symmetry,  or  distri- 
bution of  the  whole  building 

MO(  JN  tONS,  from  the  French  magnort, 
signifying  the  stump  of  a  limb,  a  sort  ol 
armour  for  the  shoulders. 

MOOO,  a  name  given  to  a  hatchet  or 
tomahawk,  by  the  natives  of  New  Hol- 
land. 

MOGUL,  the  Emperor  of  India,  from 
whom  the  nabobs  originally  receive  then- 
appointments,  as  governors  and  super- 
intendents of  provinces. 

Moo ll  Tartars,  a  nation  so  called, 
that  made  considerable  conquests  in  In- 
dia. 

MOHOCK,  the  name  of  a  cruel  na- 
tion of  America,  given  to  ruffians  for- 
merly imagined  to  infest  the  streets  of 
London. 

MOHUR,  Ind.  a  gold  coin,  which 
sometimes  varies  in  its  value,  but  gene- 
rally goes  for  fifteen  or  sixteen  rupees. 

MOIDORE,  a  Portuguese  gold  coin, 
in  value  27  shillings  sterling. 

MOIENNE,  Fr.  an  old  piece  of  ord- 
nance which  is  now  called  a  four-poun- 
der, and  which  is  ten  feet  long. 


M  O  I 


(     509     ) 


MOM 


MOILON,  Fr.  the  smallest  rough 
stones,  or  shards,  that  are  found  in  quar- 
ries. Those  which  consist  of  broken 
pieces  of  rock,  are  called  meulieres  or 
molieres. 

Moilon  en  coupe,  Fr.  unhewn  stones 
which  are  used  in  the  construction  of 
arches. 

Moilon  pique,  Fr.  stone  out  of  the 
quarry,  from  which  the  crust  is  taken 
oft",  and  closely  pointed  with  the  ham- 
mer. 

Moilon  d'appareil,  Fr.  a  square  piece 
of  stone,  which  is  dressed  for  the  purpose 
of  lining  the  outside  of  a  wall.  Ac- 
cording to  Randle  Cotgrave,  moilon  also 
signifies  a  kind  of  soft,  or  tender  stone, 
that  lies  10  or  12  feet  thick  above  the 
hardest  free-stone,  in  the  quarries  about 
Paris. 

MOINE,  Fr.  a  half-sheet  of  paper, 
folded  into  two  or  four  parts,  with  which 
is  covered  the  train  of  gunpowder  that 
serves  to  set  fire  to  the  saucisson. 

Moine  de  mine,  Fr.  See  Soignee  de 
Saucisson. 

MOINEAU,  a  French  term  for  a  lit- 
tle flat  bastion,  raised  upon  a  re-enter- 
ing angle,  before  a  curtain  which  is  too 
long,  between  two  other  bastions.  It 
is  commonly  joined  to  the  curtain,  but 
is  sometimes  separated  by  a  fosse,  and 
then  called  a  detached  bastion.  It  is 
not  raised  so  high  as  the  works  of  the 
place. 

Le  MOIS  Romain,  or  Roman  month, 
considered  as  a  tax,  or  contribution, 
which  is  collected  from  all  the  circles, 
amounts  to  eighty-three  thousand,  nine 
hundred  and  sixty-four  German  florins, 
when  it  is  paid  in  specie,  and  to  2681 
cavalry,  and  12,795  foot  soldiers,  when 
the  quota  is  given  in  effective  forces. 

This  tax  grows  out  of  an  old  custom, 
which  originally  prevailed  when  the  Em- 
perors went  to  Rome  to  be  crowned, and 
which  served  to  defray  their  expenses 
thither. 

MOISES,  Fr.  (in  carpentry,)  half 
beams  of  timber  which  are  used  to  fas- 
ten other  pieces  together. 

Moisks  circulaires,  Fr.  half  beams  of 
timber  which  are  used  in  the  construc- 
tion of  water-mills. 

MOISSON,  Fr.  harvest.  This  word 
is  used  in  various  senses  by  the  French, 
particularly  in  two,  of  a  poetical  and 
figurative  kind,  viz.  II  a  vu  cinquante 
Moissons  :  he  has  lived  fifty  years;  lite- 
rally, has  seen  fifty  harvests. 

Moisson  de  lauriers,  Fr.  a  succession 


of  victories,  &c.  literally,  a  harvest  of 
laurels. 

Moisson  de gloire,~Fr.  is  taken  in  the 
same  sense. 

MOISSONNER  des  lauriers,  Fr.  to 
reap  laurels. 

Moissonner  les  homines,  Fr.  to  kill 
off,  &c.     To  mow  down  men. 

MOLE,  Fr.  a  pier;  a  bank  or  causey, 
on  the  sea-side,  or  near  a  haven. 

MOLETTE,  Fr.  a  rowel,  or  that  ro- 
tary part  of  a  spur  which  resembles  a 
star,  and  has  sharp  points  to  it. 

MOLIERE,  IV.  a  bog,  or  quagmire. 

Pierre  de  Moliere,  Fr.  a  grindstone. 

MOLLESSE,  Fr.  in  a  figurative  sense, 
signifies  want  of  firmness,  or  resolution. 
Je  crams  la  mol/esse  de  vos  conseils,  I 
mistrust  the  pliant  tendency  of  your  ad- 
vice, or  counsel. 

MOLLETON,  Fr.     See  Flannel. 

MOLLETTE,  Vr.  windgall. 

MOLLIR,  Fr.  literally  means  to  wax 
soft.  It  is  used  figuratively  among  the 
French,  to  signify,  in  a  military  sense, 
the  yielding,  or  giving  way  of  armed  men, 
viz.  les  troupes  mollii  nit,  the  troops  give 
way. 

MOLTEN-Grease,  (in  horses,)  a  dis- 
temper which  is  a  fermentation,  or  ebul- 
lition of  pituitous  and  impure  humours, 
that  precipitate  and  disembogue  into  the 
tiuts,  and  sometimes  kill  horses. 
"  MOMENT,  or  INSTANT,  (moment 
ou  instant,  Fr.)  (in  mathematics,)  an 
indivisible  particle  of  time.  A  moment 
is  to  time,  or  duration,  what  a  mathe- 
matical point  is  to  space  or  measure- 
ment. For  as  a  line  may  be  traced  by 
continual  motion,  so  the  continued  lapse 
of  many  moments  constitutes  time. 

MOMENTUM,  (in  mechanics,)  the 
same  with  impetus,  o?-quaneity  of  motion 
in  any  moving  body. 

Momentum,  (in  projectiles,)  that 
power,  or  force  incident  to  moving  bo- 
dies, whereby  they  continually  tend  from 
their  present  places.  The  momentum 
of  a  moving  body  is  equal  to  its  weight 
multiplied  by  its  velocity  ;  hence  the 
momenta  of  different  projectiles  are  to 
each  other  in  the  compound  ratio  of 
their  weights  and  velocities. 

MONDE,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense, 
means  men  or  soldiers,  viz. 

Ce  capitaine  navoit  que  la  moitie  dc 
son  MONDE,  that  captain  had  only  half 
his  complement  of  men. 

On  a  perdu  beaucoup  de  Monde,  Fr. 
they  have  lost  a  considerable  number  of 
men. 


M  O  N 


(     510     ) 


M  O  N 


11  a  un  Monde  d'ennemis  sur  les  bras, 
Fr.  lie  is  assailed  by  a  multiplicity  of  foes. 

Ije  nouveau  Monde,  Fr.  This  term  is 
frequently  used  to  denote  America. — 
Hence  I'ancien  et  le  nouveau  mondc 
means  the  two  continents. 

MONEY -matters,  a  term  in  familiar 
use  to  express  all  pecuniary  concerns. 
It  cannot  be  too  strongly  recommended 
to  every  responsible  military  man  to  be 
scrupulously  correct  on  this  head.  More 
than  half  the  breaches  of  friendship  and 
common  acquaintance  that  occur  in  life, 
may  be  traced  to  irregularity  in  money 
matters  :  but  in  no  intance  are  its  effects 
so  fatal,  as  when  the  soldier  is  wronged, 
or  is  induced  to  think  so,  by  the  omis- 
sions, &c.  of  officers  or  Serjeants. 

ikd-MONEY.  All  officers  serving  in 
Ireland,  have  an  allowance  of  this  de- 
scription. It  amounts  to  15s.  6d.  per 
annum.  For  broken  periods  it  is  calcu- 
lated at  three  half-pence  per  diem. 

JBfer-MoNEY,  an  allowance  of  one 
penny  per  diem,  given  to  private  sol- 
diers in  lieu  of  small  beer. 

_BoM«(y-Mo.\EY.     See  Recruiting. 

Emery,  Oil,  and  Brick-dusl-Moxv.\,  a 
certain  allowance  which  is  made  to  sol- 
diers in  the  British  service  to  enable 
them  to  keep  their  arms  in  good  condi- 
tion ;  in  which  are  included  brashes, 
pickers,  turnscrews,  and  worms.  The 
actual  expenditure  for  these  articles, 
certified  upon  honour  by  the  colonel,  or 
commanding  officer,  is  allowed  by  go- 
vernment ;  provided  the  amount  does 
not,  in  any  half  year,  exceed  t  lie  rate  ol 
Is.  4|d.  per  man  for  each  effective  rank 
and  file. 

Gr«ss-MoNEV,a  certain  sum,  so  called, 
which  was  formerly  stopped  from  the 
dragoons,  for  answering  the  expenses 
customarily  borne  by  the  regiments. 

Levy-MoxEY,  the  money  which  is  paid 
for  recruiting  the  army  is  so  called. 

Lodging-Moy ey ,  a  sum  allowed  to 
officers  to  provide  lodgings,  when  they 
cannot  be  accommodated  in  barracks,  or 
government  houses. 

Marching-Moxi.Y,  commonly  called 
marching  guinea,  a  specific  sum,  which 
is  issued  by  the  receiver-general  of  each 
county,  when  the  militia  is  first  embo- 
died for  service;  and  which  is  accounted 
for,  by  the  several  captains  of  companies, 
to  the  individuals  who  compose  them. 
It  is  called  marching  guinea,  from  that 
sum  being  paid  to  every  man  before  he 
quits  his  county,  and  marches  on  general 
service. 


Marching  or  Bi/let-MonzY.  According 
to  an  act  of  Parliament  which  was  passed 
in  1793,  on  the  motion  of  the  late  Mr. 
Windham,  then  Secretary  at  War,  the 
publicans  and  other  persons  obliged  to 
furnish  quarters,  have  been  relieved  by  a 
further  allowance  of  4d.  each  man  per 
diem  for  the  cavalry,  and  (id.  each  man 
do.  for  the  infantry ;  which  makes  the 
whole  sum  for  each  man's  diet  and  small 
beer  per  diem  lod.  They  are  also,  by  a 
subsequent  act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the 
relief  of  Innkeepers,  See.  allowed  i  jd.  for 
each  horse's  hay  and  straw,  in  addition 
to  the  former  sixpence.  By  a  Circular, 
dated  War-Office,  21th  May,  1816,  to 
general  officers  commanding  districts, 
in  conformity  with  "An  Acl  for  fixing 
the  rates  of  subsistence  to  be  paid  to 
innkeepers  and  others  on  quartering  sol- 
diers," the  rate  of  i-'lowance  for  the  Hot 
Meal,  provided  for  non-commissioned 
officers  or  private  soldiers  on  a  march  in 
South  Britain,  is  fixed  at  the  sum  of  one 
shilling  per  diem,  until  tiie  24th  ultimo 
inclusive,  and  from  and  after  that  day  at 
the  sum  of  tenpence  per  diem  ;  and  that 
the  sum  to  be  paid  to  innholdera  and 
others,  on  whom  any  of  the  horses  be- 
longing to  His  Majesty's  forces  shall  be 
quartered,  is  fixed  at  one  shilling  and 
twopence  per  diem,  until  the  24th  ultimo 
inclusive,  and  at  tenpence  per  diem  from 
and  alter  that  date. 

PfiWSflge-MoNEY,  an  allowance  which 
is  made  to  officers  in  the  British  service, 
to  enable  them  to  pay  the  expenses  of 
voyages  to  and  from  the  East  and  West 
Indies. 

Regimental  Monies,  all  sums  issued 
to  paymasters  for  the  subsistence,  &c.  of 
the  men  belonging  to  a  regiment,  are  so 
called  ;  for  the  regular  distribution  of 
which,  colonels,  or  captains  of  compa- 
nies, are  responsible.  La  comptabuite, 
among  the  French,  corresponds  with  this 
explanation. 

Revenue-May  r.r,  an  allowance  which 
was  formerly  made  to  field  officers  in 
India.     It  was  discontinued  in  1797. 

Smart-MoNEY,  the  money  which  is 
paid  by  the  person  who  has  taken  the 
king's  shilling,  in  order  to  get  released 
from  an  engagement  entered  into  previ- 
ous to  a  regular  enlistment.  The  sum  is 
generally  twenty  shillings,  which  must  be 
given  before  the  oath  is  administered ; 
otherwise  both  parties  would  be  crimi- 
nally implicated  :  one  for  deserting,  and 
the  other  for  conniving,  aiding,  and  abet- 
ting.   The  custom  of  taking  smart  money 


M  O  N 


(     511     ) 


M  O  N 


is  certainly  founded  upon  a  just  princi- 
ple, but  that  principle  has  been  often 
perverted,  and  the  most  dishonest  ad- 
vantages taken  of  ignorant  young  men. 
In  the  regulations  for  carrying  on  the 
recruiting  service,  the  following  order  has 
been  issued  : 

"Art.  XX.  It  being  contrary  to  law, 
and  highly  injurious  to  the  recruiting- 
service,  to  permit  money  to  be  taken  by 
any  non-commissioned  olfirer  or  soldier, 
under  the  name  of  smart  money,  and  in 
consequence  thereof  to  discharge  any 
man  who  has  received  enlisting-money, 
except  such  man  shall  ha\  e  been  carried 
before  a  magistrate  within  the  four  days 
prescribed  by  the  Mutiny  Act,  and  in 
his  presence  shall  have  declared  his  dis- 
sent to  such  enlisting ;  recruiting  offi- 
cers are  therefore  to  report  any  non- 
commissioned oificer  or  private  soldier 
guilty  of  this  otfence,  to  the  inspecting 
field  officer  of  the  district,  who  will 
forthwith  cause  such  non-commissioned 
officer  or  soldier  to  be  brought  to  trial 
for  the  same,  by  a  detachment  court- 
martial. 

Utensil-MoxEY,  an  annual  allowance 
given  to  non-commissioned  officers  and 
privates,  in  Ireland,  amounting  to  about 
lOd.  each. 

Feather-Mowr ,  an  item  of  disburse- 
ment which  is  charged  by  army  clo- 
thiers, in  their  account  of  oft-reckonings 
against  the  colonels  in  the  line,  for  the 
supply  of  feathers  to  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  the  band  belonging 
to  their  respective  regiments  and  batta- 
lions ;  and  for  which  no  allowance  is 
granted  by  government. 

Money  for  the  repair  of  arms,  a  spe- 
cific allowance  which  is  made  by  govern- 
ment to  every  captain  of  a  company,  for 
the  charge  and  repair  of  arms. 

Moiaited-Moy  i:y ,  a  term  used  to  ex- 
press an  additional  allowance,  which  is 
made  to  the  non-commissioned  officers 
of  the  brigade  of  horse  artillery  ;  it 
amounts  to  two  pence  per  man,  per  diem. 
See  Artillery  Table  in  the  Regimental 
Companion. 

MoNEY-fercrfer,  or  usurer,  ( usurier, 
Fr.)  a  person  who  under  the  specious 
character  of  scrivener  and  attorney,  lets 
out  his  own  money,  or  that  entrusted  to 
him  by  others,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
more  interest  than  the  law  allows.  This 
creature,  (for  no  spider  can  spin  a  web 
so  artfully  to  ensnare  its  prey,)  has  all 
the  outward  appearance  of  a  frank,  in- 


dustrious, and  intelligent  man ;  but  is 
generally  at  bottom,  a  downright  swind- 
ler, and  always  a  self-interested  creature. 

Mox £.x-chunger,    -\  ^     ■  ,         ^   ■. 

Money-^V     (Cwoteur ^  Fr.)    a 

M.  , ,  >  person  who  deals 

ONEY-/oooer,  or  l  l    ,11     e 
.,-/,'        1  in  bills,  etc. 
stock-broker.       ■> 

M on  ey-  scrivener,  one  who  raises 
money  for  others,  and  by  whom  many 
a  gallant  orhcer  has  been  reduced  to 
beggary.  Dr.  Johnson  in  an  excellent 
quotation  says  :  Suppose  a  young  unex- 
perienced man  in  the  hands  of  money- 
scriveners  ;  such  fellows  are  like  your 
wire-drawing  mills  ;  if  they  get  hold  of 
a  man's  finger,  they  will  pull  in  his  whole 
body  at  last. 

Money -order~office,  an  office  esta- 
blished in  the  General  Post  Olfice,  Lom- 
bard street,  for  the  benefit  of  such  per- 
sons as  may  have  occasion  to  remit  mo- 
ney. 

A  clerk  regularly  attends  from  nine 
in  the  morning  till  six  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  and  guaranties  the  safe  convey- 
ance of  any  sum,  payable  at  sight,  by 
the  deputy  post-masters  in  the  country, 
Edinburgh  or  Dublin ;  who  will  also 
receive  any  money,  and  give  an  order 
at  sight  on  the  money-order  office  in 
London. 

MONGER,  a  dealer ;  a  seller.  This 
word  is  seldom  used  alone,  being  gene- 
rally coupled  with  something  in  which 
the  person  deals  or  tratficks. 

Commission-lSloKGER,  one  who  traf- 
ficks  in  the  sale,  exchange,  and  purchase 
of  commissions,  and  thereby  makes  a 
livelihood.  By  a  clause  in  the  Articles  of 
War,  and  by  an  act  of  Parliament  passed 
in  1800,  no  such  person  is  now  allowed  to 
act  in  any  way  whatsoever.  SeeBROKER. 

MONIES,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
such  sums  as  are  issued  for  public  ser- 
vice, and  are  more  specifically  distin- 
guished by  the  appellation  of  army  esti- 
mates. It  is  usual  for  the  secretary  at 
war  to  move  for  the  estimates  of  the 
army. 

MONKEY,  a  machine  which  is  used 
to  drive  large  piles  of  wood  into  the 
earth. 

MONNAIE  obsidionale,  Fr.  a  sort 
of  base  metal,  made  into  current  coin 
during  a  long  siege.  Of  all  expedients, 
this  is  perhaps  the  worst,  as  it  usually 
creates  feuds  and  quarrels  between  the 
garrison  and  the  inhabitants.  See 
Desordre. 

Monnaie,  Fr.   money  ;  any  metallic 


MON 


(     512     ) 


M  O  N 


currency,   or  representati\e  coin.     This 
word  ^as  formerly  written  tnonnoie. 

.MoNN.wr.  <lts  medaitles,  Fr.  medals 
struck  at  the  mint  in  commemoration  of 
certain  events,  &c.  Hence  JMonnaie  des 
maladies  da  rigne  fife  Napoleon.  This 
consists  of  a  collection  of  medals  on 
which  the  memorable  events  that  oc- 
curred daring  the  reign  of  Bonaparte,  and 
at  his  tir^r  entrance  into  public  life,  are 
represented.  The  dies  have  been  de- 
stroyed in  Paris  by  order  of  the  French 
kin». 

Monnaif.,  Fr    the  mint. 

Monnaie  also  signifies  change  ;    as 
Monnate pour  un  Louis  (Tor,  change  for  a 
Louis  d'or. 

MONOMACHY,  (rtionomaclue,  Fr.)  a 
single  combat,  or  the  fighting  of  two, 
hand  to  hand:  it  is  derived  horn  the 
Oreek.  A  duel  may  properly  be  called 
monomachy. 

MONOPOLIST,  (monopoleur,  Fr. ) 
in  a  confined  sense,  one  who,  by  en- 
grossing, or  patent,  obtains  the  sole  power 
or  privilege  ot  vending  any  commodity. 
In  a  more  general  acceptation,  any  per- 
son who,  by  influence,  or  money,  gets  an 
overgrown  share  of  profitable  agencies  or 
employments. 

MONSEIGNEUR,  Fr.  a  title  given 
among  the  French  to  persons  of  exalted 
rank. 

MONSIEUR^  Fr.  a  title  used  among 
the  French,  when  they  speak  to  their 
equals.  Also  the  title  of  the  French 
kind's  elder  brother. 

MONSON  ou  MOUSON,  Fr.  a  word 
derived  from  the  Arabic,  signifying  the 
wind  of  any  particular  season,  or  one 
that  blows  regularly. 

MONSOONS,  (monson,  Fr.)  Tn  Tndia, 
the  year  is  divided  into  two  seasons.  From 
the  month  of  October  to  March,  the w  inds 
blow  from  the  north,  and  during  the  rest 
of  the  year  from  the  southern  points  of 
the  compass  :  these  seasons  are  by  mari- 
ners called  monsoons  ;  the  change  from 
the  one  to  the  other  is  generally  preceded 
by  an  interval  of  about  twenty  days,  in 
which  calms,  or  light  and  uncertain 
winds,  prevail :  the  setting  in  of  the 
northern  monsoon  generally  falls  out 
some  time  in  the  month  of  October,  as 
that  of  the  southern  in  the  month  of 
April.  On  the  coast  of  Coromandel,  the 
northern  monsoon  sometimes  begins  with 
a  violent  tempest,  or  hurricane ;  and  if 
the  monsoon  sets  in  with  moderation,  it 
is  often  productive  of  tempestuous  wea- 
ther,   at   different   intervals,    until    the 


middle  of  December,  and  sometimes 
later;  so  that  it  is  held  dangerous  for 
any  vessels  to  remain  on  the  coast  after 
the  15th  of  October,  or  to  return  to  it 
before  the  '20th  of  December. 

MONT,  Fr.  mountain;  hill;  mount; 
rising  ground.  This  word  is  seldom  used 
in  prose,  except  with  a  proper  name,  as 
Jx  Mont  F.hiti,  Mount  Etna;  Les  Monts 
Pyrenees,  the  Pyrenean  mountains. 

Mom -/(>/r  Saint  Denis,  Fr.  a  sort  of 
war-hoop,  which  was  practised  during 
the  reigns  of  the  fust  kings  of  France. 
A  French  writer  observes,  that  so  many 
traditions  and  accounts  have  been  given 
of  its  origin,  and  those  so  contradictory 
among  themselves,  that  the  least  said  is 
the  best.  This  cry  or  war-hoop  was 
adopted  under  Louis-/e-g?os,  and  was 
wholly  laid  aside  under  Henry  IV. 
See   Cm  des  Amies. 

MoNT-joif,  according  to  Bailey,  a 
name  by  which  Frenchmen  call  heaps 
of  stones  laid  together  by  pilgrims,  in 
which  they  stick  crosses  when  they  are 
come  within  view  of  the  end  of  their 
journey,  and  so  those  betwixt  St.  Denis 
•<\<u\  Paris  are  called  St.  Denis's  Mont- 
joies.  A  ht>ap  of  stones  piled  up  by  a 
French  army,  in  token  of  a  victory 
gained  near  the  spot,  was  also  formerly 
called  Mont-joie. 

MONTAGNAED,  Fr.  ahighlander; 
a  mountaineer. 

MONT-Pognote,  ou  Poste  des  Invul- 
nerable*, Fr.  an  expression  which  is  de- 
rived from  Pagnote,  a  coward,  a  pol- 
troon. It  signifies  any  eminence,  or  place, 
whence  the  operations  of  a  siege,  or  the 
actual  conflict  of  two  armies,  may  be 
seen  without  personal  danger  to  the 
curious  observer.  It  is  also  a  term  of  re- 
proach :  C'est  un  general  (juivoit  le  com- 
bat du  Mont-Pagnote;  he  is  one  of  those 
generals  that  look  on  whilst  others  right. 
— During  the  American  war  a  particular 
body  of  men,  who  seemed  to  side  with 
the  British,  were  called  Invulncrables. 

MONTAGNES,  Fr.  hills,  mountains, 
&c.  In  a  military  sense  the  term  is  pe- 
culiarly applicable  to  that  species  of 
warfare  which  is  canned  on  in  a  moun- 
tainous and  intersected  country.  We 
have  already  given  a  general  outline  of 
this  species  of  warfare  under  the  head 
GuEiutn  de  montagne  :  nevertheless,  the 
following  observations  may  not  appear 
superfluous,  or  irrelevant,  in  this  place. 
The  chevalier  Folard  has  written  largely, 
and  with  no  inconsiderable  degree  of 
method,  on  that  part  of  a  war  among 


M  O  N 


(     513     ) 


M  O  N 


hilis,  &c.  where  an  army  might  run  the 
risk  of  being  surrounded,  or  shut  up.' 
He  observes,  that  a  body  of  men  may  be 
drawn  into  snares  by  the  well-concerted 
movements  of  an  able  and  active  enemy, 
most  especially  in  a  country  which  is  in- 
tersected by  rivers,  and  occasionally 
broken  with  hills  and  eminences.  Al- 
though disasters  of  this  sort  are  manifest 
proofs  of  a  want  of  ability  in  the  person 
who  holds  the  chief  command,  they  be- 
come infinitely  more  disgraceful  when  a 
feneral  runs  headlong  into  a  snare,  as 
luripidas  did,  without  having  sufficient 
courage  to  attempt  a  daring  enterprize ; 
for  it  certainly  remains  with  ourselves  to 
determine,  whether  we  chuse  to  move 
into  an  impracticable  country ;  and  it 
equally  rests  with  us  to  avoid  stratagems 
and  snares. 

All  this,  however,  depends  upon  a 
knowledge  of  the  country  into  which  the 
war  is  carried ;  and  as  it  is  impossible  to 
be  in  possession  of  the  requisite  informa- 
tion without  some  extraneous  means, 
every  general  ought  to  lay  it  down  as  a 
maxim,  not  to  advance  into  a  moun- 
tainous country,  without  having  a  good 
number  of  intelligent  and  faithful  guides. 
These,  in  addition  to  some  able  topo- 
graphers, will  prevent  the  possibility  of 
being  surprized,  andmakehim thoroughly 
master  of  all  the  passes,  Sec. 

It  is  not,  however,  sufficient  to  be  in 
possession  of  the  heights  that  imme- 
diately command  a  valley  into  which  an 
army  has  moved;  in  proportion  as  you 
advance,  you  must  be  certain,  that  the 
enemy  who  retreats  before,  is  not  in- 
sensibly winding  round  a  second  range 
of  hills,  to  get  upon  your  flanks,  or  ulti- 
mately fall  upon  your  rear. 

It  moreover  frequently  happens,  that 
some  vallies  have  not  any  outlets,  and, 
that  others  become  so  narrow,  that  an 
army  is  under  the  necessity  of  marching 
by  single  files,  in  order  to  reach  a  more 
open  piece  of  ground,  or  to  get  at  some 
important  pass  for  the  purpose  of  inter- 
cepting, or  obstructing  the  march  of  an 
enemy. 

When  it  is  found  necessaiy  to  retreat, 
or  to  march  over  a  country  as  Hannibal 
did  over  the  Alps,  it  is  of  little  conse- 
quence what  steps  or  measures  you  take, 
with  regard  to  those  parts  which  you  are 
abandoning ;  but  when  you  advance 
against  an  enemy,  and  are  determined  to 
dispute  his  march  through  a  valley  or 


hollow  way,  you  must  adopt  every  pre- 
caution to  secure  your  rear  and  flanks, 
lest,  as  we  have  already  observed,  your 
antagonist  should  take  advantage  of  th« 
various  passes  and  intricate  bye-ways, 
which  are  found  in  a  mountainous 
country  ;  and  it  must  always  be  remem- 
bered, that  many  coups  de  main,  and 
daring  enterprizes,  may  be  undertaken 
by  four  or  five  hundred  active  partizans, 
which  an  army  would  find  impracticable. 

An  able  general  cannot  have  a  better, 
or  more  favourable  field  to  exercise  his 
military  genius  in,  than  that  which  is  af- 
forded by  a  mountainous  country.  All  the 
chicanery  and  stratagem  of  war  may  be 
resorted  to ;  and  however  weak  an  army 
might  be,  yet  such  are  the  manifold  re-? 
sources  of  this  peculiar  kind  of  contest, 
that  there  is  scarcely  any  thing  which 
may  not  be  attempted,  provided  the  offi- 
cer, who  commands,  has  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  country,  is  fertile  in 
expedients,  and  has  a  calm  determined 
mind.  Many  instances  might  be  ad- 
duced to  illustrate  these  observations ; 
we  shall  be  satisfied  with  stating,  that 
the  Prince  of  Conti,  in  the  campaign  of 
1744,  which  he  so  ably  conducted,  owes 
a  considerable  part  of  his  reputation  to 
the  scope  afforded  to  his  talents,  by  the 
locality  of  Piedmont  This  country,  in- 
deed, as  well  as  Switzerland,  seems  to 
have  been  cut  out  as  the  peculiar  theatre 
of  great  military  talents.  But  neither 
the  Prince  of  Conti,  nor  Bonaparte, 
when  First  Consul  of  France,  would 
have  succeeded  in  the  brilliant  manner 
they  most  unquestionably  have  done, 
had  not  the  science  of  topography  se- 
conded the  natural  advantages  of  that 
mountainous  part  of  Europe. 

MONTAMT,  Fr.  an  upright  post, 
beam,  stone  or  bar,  (in  building.) 

Jottt^-MoNTANT,  Fr.  the  mounting 
joint  of  a  stone. 

Montant,  Fr.  the  sum  total  of  any 
account,  or  broken  numbers. 

Montant,  Fr.  next  for  promotion. 
The  French  say  :  ce  lieutenant  est  le  pre- 
mier montant,  that  lieutenant  is  next  for 
promotion. 

Montant,  Ft.  a  motion  in  fencing, 
whereby  the  sword  is  lifted  up,  before  a 
thrust  is  made. 

MONT£,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  by 

the   French   to   express   the   equipment 

which  a  person  has  in  horses,  or  the  act 

of  being  well  mounted  on  a  particular 

3U 


M  O  N 


C     514     ) 


M  O  Q 


hr-rse.  Hence,  il  est  bien  Monte,  ho 
i  very  good  stable,  or  set  of  horses. 
Movie  commit  un  St.  George,  literally 
mounted  like  St.  George,  or  riding  a 
\<iv  tine  horse.  It  also  signifies  the 
number  of  guns  a  ship  carries,  I  'n 
MUMBfl  Movie  de  50  pieces  cle  canon; 
a  ship  carrying  50  guns. 

MONTE  F,  Fr.  a  familiar  term  for 
staircase,  particularly  in  a  small  building. 

Movies  de  pont,  Fr.  the  height  or 
alev&tioa  of  a  bridge,  taken  from  its  but- 
ment  up  to  tiie  crown-work  of  die  vault 
of  its  main  arch. 

Movifcr.  de  route,  Fr.  the  height  or 
elevation  of  an  arch  taken  from  its  first 
declivity  up  to  the  bottom  of  its  closing, 
or  key-stone.  It  is  also  called  voussure, 
Or  b<  tiding  of  an  arch. 

MONTER,  Fr.  to  mount;  to  ascend. 

MONT  EH  un  cavalier,  Fr.  to  equip  a 
cavalry  officer;  to  rise  from  one  rank  to 
another,  in  the  way  to  promotion. 

MoMr.it  «  iassaut,  Fr.  See  Mount 
the  breach. 

Monter  lu garde,  Fr.  See  To  Mount 
guard. 

Monter  la  tranchie,  Tr.  See  To 
Mot' nt  the  trenches. 

Monter  un  vaisseau,  Fr.  to  embark 
on  board  a  ship. 

MONTE RO,  a  Spanish  horse-cap, 
bonnet  de  chasseur,  Fr. 

MONTH,  considered  as  a  military 
period,  in  the  British  service,  consists 
alternately  of  30  and  31  days,  com- 
mencing on  the  24th,  and  ending  on  the 
25th  day  (inclusive)  of  each  month  pro- 
perly so  called ;  except  in  the  royal  ar- 
tillery, where  each  military  month  com- 
mences on  the  1st  and  ends  on  the  30th, 
or  31st  inclusive. 

Monthly  Abstract.     See  Pay. 

Monthly  Return.     See  Return. 

Monthly  Report.     See  Report. 

Monthly  Inspection.  See  Regimen- 
tal Inspection. 

MONTOIR,  Fr,  a  mounting  or  joss- 
ing-block.  According  to  Bailey,  a  stom- 
as high  as  -the  stirrups,  which  Italian 
riding  masters  mount  their  horses  from 
without  putting  their  foot  in  the  stirrup. 

Le  elite  du  Montoir,  Fr.  the  near  foot 
or  Mcle  of  a  horse. 

Le  cute  hors  du  Montoir,  Fr.  the  off 
foot  or  far  side  of  a  horse.  The  French 
say,  chevul  facile  au  montoir,  a  horse 
easily  mounted. 

Montoir  also  signifies  the  poise  or 
rest  of  the  foot  on  the  left  stirrup. 


MONTRE,  Fr.  the  review,  or  muster 
of  the  men. 

Montre  likewise  signified,  in  the  old 
French  service,  the  money  which  was 
paid  to  soldiers  every  month,  when  they 
passed  muster.  II  a  recu  sa  montre,  he 
has  received  his  monthly  pay. 

MONTRER  les  talons,  Fr.  literally 
to  shew  one's  heels,  to  run  away. 

Paster  tes  MONTS,  Fr.  am  expression 
which  is  generally  used  to  .-ignity  the 
passing  over  bhe  Alps. 

MONTUB.E  de  scie,  Fr.  the  wooden 
w  me  of  a  saw. 

Monture,  Fr.  the  complement  of 
men  and  number  of  cannon,  on  board 
a  French  ship  of  war. 

Monture  d'un  fusil,  d'un  pistolet,  Fr. 
the  stock  of  a  gun  or  pistol. 

MoNTURE  d'eperon,  Fr.  the  spur- 
leather. 

MONUMENT,  (monument,  Fr.)  in  a 
military  sense,  any  public  edifice,  pillar, 
or  mark  of  distinction,  which  is  exhibited 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  some  illus- 
trious character. 

MOONSHINE,  a  figurative  expres- 
sion, signifying  not  real,  not  solid,  not 
productive  of  any  thing  general:  so 
called  from  the  moon  giving  light,  but 
not  emitting  heat,  as  the  sun  does.  Thus 
an  otficer  offering  to  sell  his  half-pay, 
which  is  not  alienable,  is  said  to  offer 
moonshine. 

MOOTIANA,  lad.  soldiers  employed 
to  collect  the  revenue. 

MOQUA,  MUCK,  a  frenzied  riot  of 
some  Mahometans,  who  have  returned 
from  Mecca,  against  those  who  have  not 
professed  Mahometanism.  This  horrid 
custom  was  practissd  during  the  late  war, 
by  the  Malays,  both  at  the  island  of 
Ceylon,  and  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
In  the  latter  place  indeed,  the  fanaticism 
of  one  of  these  blind  enthusiasts  went  so 
far,  that  he  stabbed  a  soldier  who  stood 
sentinel  at  the  governor's  gate.  His 
intention  was  to  have  destroyed  the  go- 
vernor. He  that  runs  the  moqua,  or  muck, 
gets  intoxicated  with  bang,  or  opium, 
loosens  his  hair,  (which  is  generally 
bound  up  under  a  handkerchief,)  then 
takes  a  dagger  (called  a  crease)  in  his 
hand,  whose  blade  is  usually  half 
poisoned,  and  in  the  handle  of  which 
there  is  some  of  his  mother's  or  father's 
hair  preserved,  and  running  about  the 
streets  kills  all  those  he  meets,  who  are 
not  Mahometans,  till  he  is  killed  him- 
self; pretending  to  believe,  that  he  serves 


M  O  R 


(     515     ) 


M  O  R 


pod  and  Mahomet,  by  destroying  their 
enemies.  When  one  of  these  madmen 
is  slain,  all  the  Mahometan  rabble  run 
to  him,  and  bury  him  like  a  saint,  every- 
one contributing  his  mite  towards  making 
a  noble  burial. 

MORAILLE,  Fr.  barnacles.  An  in- 
strument, made  commonly  of  iron,  for 
the  use  of  farriers,  to  hold  a  horse  by 
the  nose,  to  hinder  him  from  struggling 
when  an  incision  is  made. 

Le  MORAL,  Fr.  this  word  is  fre- 
quently used  among  the  French,  as  a 
substantive  of  the  masculine  gender,  to 
express  the  moral  condition  of  man.  It 
likewise  means  the  prepossession  or  as- 
surance which  we  feel  in  conscious  su- 
periority ;  viz.  Quaud  les  Anglais  se  bat- 
tent  sur  mer,  Us  out  le  moral  pour  eux, 
les  Francois  I'ont  sur  terrc.  At  present 
the  English  have  it  on  both  elements. 

MORASS,  in  military  drawings,  de- 
notes moor,murshy, orfenny low  grounds, 
on  which  waters  are  lodged. 

MORATTOES.     See  Ma/irattcs. 

MORDRE  la  poussihe,  Fr.  literally 
means  to  bite  the  dust ;  a  figurative  ex- 
pression, to  express  the  act  of  being 
killed  in  battle. 

MOB.EAU,  Fr.  a  species  of  bag 
which  the  drivers  of  mules  use  to  carry 
their  hay.  It  is  likewise  the  name  of  a 
French  general,  highly  celebrated  for  his 
able  retreat  out  of  Germany,  during  the 
most  disastrous  period  of  the  French 
republic. 

Ckeval  Moreait,  Fr.  a  horse  of  a 
shining  black  colour. 

MORESQU  E,  Fr.  moresk  work ;  a 
rude  or  antique  painting  or  carving. 

Se  MORTON  DRE,  Fr.  to  dance  at- 
tendance; to  wait  in  vain  :  a  torture  to 
which  the  most  brave  and  most  intel- 
ligent officers  are  frequently  exposed, 
through  the  insolence  of  assumed  autho- 
rity in  some  public  offices. 

MORGLAY,  (from  the  French  morte 
and  glaive,)  a  deadly  weapon . 

MORGUE,  Fr.  a  certain  chair 
wherein  a  new-come  prisoner  was  placed, 
in  the  Chastelet  of  Paris,  where  he  con- 
tinued some  hours,  without  stirring  either 
head  or  hand,  that  the  keeper's  ordinary 
Servants  might  the  better  take  notice  of 
his  face  and  features. 

MORI  A,  a  sort  of  steel  cap,  or  head- 
piece formerly  in  use. 

MORIOINi,  Fr.  ahead-piece;  an  iron 
or  steel  hat,  without  visor  or  newer. 

Donner  sur  le  Morion,  Fr.   This  was 


a  species  of  punishment  which  was  for- 
merly inflicted  upon  French  soldiers  for 
crimes  that  were  not  capital.  They 
were  shut  up  in  a  guard-house,  and  re- 
ceived a  certain  number  of  strokes  with 
a  halbert.  The  gantelope  was  substi- 
tuted in  its  stead ;  but  neither  the  one 
nor  the  other  is  practised  in  the  present 
French  army. 

MORIONNE,  Fr.  armed,  or  covered 
with  a  head-piece. 

Liivres  Morionn&s,  Fr.  an  old 
French  term  literally  signifying  hares 
covered  with  head-pieces,  but  figura- 
tively meaning,  according  to  Richeiet, 
silly  artificers,  cowardly  tradesmen 
turned  watchmen  for  the  safety  of  a 
town. 

So/dats  Morion ne-,  Fr.  armed  men 
serving  on  foot.  So  called  from  their 
wearing  a  helmet,  or  head-piece. 

MORISON.    See  Helmet,  Casque,  §c. 

MORiSQUE,  Fr.  inizzen  sail  of  a 
ship. 

MORNE,  Fr.  court-yard ;  also  a 
place  in  Paris  close  to  the  Seine,  where 
dead  bodies  are  left  to  be  owned. 

Lance  Morne,  Fr.  a  lance  with  a 
blunt  head. 

Eperons  Mornes,  Fr.  spurs  with 
blunt  rowels. 

MORNING-Ster.    See  Star. 

MOERAIL  de  Mulct,  Fr.  a  kind  of 
muzzle  tied  about  the  nose  of  a  mule 
with  a  bag  hanging  from  it  full  of  hay 
or  oats  for  him  to  feed  uoon  as  he  goes. 

MORRIS  or  MOORISH  Pike.  See 
Pike. 

MORT  d'euu,  Fr.  low  water. 

MORTARS,  short  cannon,  of  a  large 
bore,  with  chambers  :  made  of  stone, 
brass,  or  iron. — Their  use  is  to  throw 
hollow  shells,  tilled  with  powder;  which, 
felling  on  any  building,  or  into  the  works 
of  a  fortification,  burst,  and  their  frag- 
ments destroy  every  thing  within  reach. 
Carcasses  are  also  thrown  out  of  them. 
These  are  a  sort  of  shells  with  o  holes, 
tilled  with  pitch,  and  other  combustibles, 
in  order  to  set  buildings  on  fire :  and 
sometimes  baskets  full  of  stones  the  size 
of  a  man's  fist,  are  thrown  out  of  them 
upon  an  enemy  placed  in  the  covert- 
way  during  a  siege.  The  very  ingenious 
general  Vesaguliers  contrived  to  throw- 
bags  filled  with  grape-shot,  containing, 
in  each  bag,  from  400  to  GOO  shot  of 
different  dimensions,  out  of  mortars;, 
the  effect  of  which  is  extremely  awful 
and  tremendous  to  troops  forming  the  hue 
3U2 


MOR 


(     516     ) 


MOR 


of  battle,  passing  a  defile,  or  landing,  &c. 
pouring  down  shot,  not  unlike  a  shower  of 
hail,  on  a  circumference  of  above  300  feet. 
Mortars  are  distinguished  chiefly  by  the 
diameter  of  the  bore.  For  example,  a 
13-inch  mortar  is  that,  the  diameter  of 
whose  bore  is  13  inches.  There  are 
gome  of  10  and  8  inch  diameters;  and 
some  of  a  smaller  sort,  as  coehorns  of 
4G  inches,  and  royals  of  58  inches. 

English  mortars  are  fixed  to  an  angle 
of  45  degrees,  and  it  is  customary  to 
lash  them  strongly  with  ropes  to  that 
elevation.  In  a  siege,  shells  should 
never  be  thrown  with  an  angle  of  45 
degrees,  excepting  when  the  battery  is 
so  far  oft*  that  they  cannot  otherwise 
reach  the  works  :  for  when  shells  are 
thrown  out  of  the  trenches  into  the  works 
of  a  fortification,  or  from  the  town  into 
the  trenches,  they  should  have  as  little 
elevation  as  possible,  in  order  to  roll 
along,  and  not  bury  themselves;  whereby 
the  damage  they  do,  and  the  terror  they 
cause  to  the  troops,  is  much  greater 
than  if  they  sink  into  the  ground.  On 
the  contrary,  when  shells  are  thrown 
upon  magazines,  or  any  other  buildings, 
with  an  intention  to  destroy  them,  the 
mortars  should  be  elevated  as  high  as 
possible,  that  the  shells  may  acquire  a 
greater  force  in  their  fall,  and  conse- 
quently do  more  execution. 

The  use  of  mortars  is  thought  to  be 
older  than  that  of  cannon ;  for  they  were 
employed  in  the  wars  of  Italy  to  throw 
balls  of  red-hot  iron,  and  stones,  long 
before  the  invention  of  shells.  It  is  ge- 
nerally believed,  that  the  Germans  were 
the  first  inventors,  and  that  they  were 
actually  used  at  the  siege  of  "Naples,  in 
the  reign  of  Charles  VIII.  in  1435. 
History  informs  us,  with  more  certainty, 
•that  shells  were  thrown  out  of  mortars 
at  the  siege  of  Watchendonk,  in  Guelder- 
land,  in  1588,  by  the  Earl  of  Mans- 
field. Shells  were  first  invented  by  a 
citizen  of  Yenlo,  who,  on  a  festival, 
given  in  honour  of  the  Duke  of  Cleves, 
threw  a  certain  number,  one  of  which 
fell  on  a  house,  and  set  fire  to  it ;  by 
%vhich  misfortune  the  greatest  part  of  the 
city  was  reduced  to  ashes.  Mr.  Malter, 
an  English  engineer,  first  taught  the 
Trench  tbe  art  of  throwing  shells,  which 
they  practised  at  the  •siege  of  Motte,  in 
1634.  The  method  of  throwing  red-hot 
balls  out  of  mortars  was  first  put  in 
practice,  with  certainty,  at  the  siege  of 
Stralsund,   in   1675,   by  the  elector  of 


Brandenburg ;  though  some  say  in  1653, 
at  the  siege  of  Bremen. 

hand  Mortars  are  those  used  in 
sieges,  and  of  late  in  battles,  mounted 
on  beds ;  and  both  mortar  and  bed  are 
transported  on  block-carriages.  There 
is  also  a  kind  of  land-mortars,  mounted 
on  travelling  carriages,  invented  by 
Count  Buckeburg,  which  may  be  elevated 
to  any  degree. 

Partridge  Mortar  is  a  common  mor- 
tar surrounded  by  13  other  little  mortars, 
bored  round  its  circumference  in  the 
body  of  its  metal.  The  center  one  is 
loaded  with  a  shell,  and  the  others  with 
grenades.  The  vent  of  the  large  mortar 
being  fired,  communicates  its  fire  to  the 
small  ones ;  so  that  both  shells  and  gre- 
nades go  oft"  at  once.  The.  French  used 
them  in  the  war  of  1701,  and  more 
especially  at  the  siege  of  Lisle,  in  1708, 
and  at  the  defence  of  Bouchain,  in  1702. 

Hand  Mortars  were  frequently  used 
before  the  invention  of  coehorns.  They 
were  fixed  at  the  end  of  a  staft'  4\  feet 
long,  the  other  end  being  shod  with  iron 
to  stick  in  the  ground  ;  while  the  bom- 
bardier, with  one  hand,  elevated  it  at 
pleasure,  he  with  the  other  hand  fired. 

Firelock  Mortars,  (bombards,)  are, 
small  mortars,  fixed  at  the  end  of  a  fire- 
lock :  they  are  loaded  as  all  common 
firelocks  are ;  and  the  grenade,  placed  in 
the  mortar  at  the  end  of  the  barrel,  is 
discharged  by  a  flint-lock  ;  and,  to  pre- 
vent the  recoil  hurting  the  bombardier, 
the  bombard  rests  on  a  kind  of  halberd, 
made  for  that  purpose.  They  were  first 
invented  by  major-general  Siebach,  a 
German,  about  the  year  1710. 
Names  of'  the  several  parts  of  a  Mor- 
tar, 

Grand  divisions  exterior,  viz. — Th« 
whole  length  of  the  mortar,  muzzle, 
chace,  reinforce,  breech,  trunnions. 

Small  divisions  exterior — The  vent, 
dolphins,  vent  astragal  and  fillets,  breech 
ring  and  ogee,  reinforce  ring  and  ogee, 
reinforce  astragal  and  fillets,  muzzle  as- 
tragal and  fillets,  muzzle  ring  and  ogee, 
muzzle  mouldings,  shoulders. 

Interior  parts.  Chamber,  bore,  mouth, 
vent. 

&fl-MoRTARS  are  those  which  ard 
fixed  in  the  bomb-vessels,  for  bombard- 
ing places  by  sea :  they  are  made  some- 
what longer,  and  much  heavier  than  the 
land  mortars. 

Sea- Mortar- Beds  are  maue  of  very 
solid    timber,    and  placed    upon    very 


M  O  R 


(     517     ) 


M  O  R 


strong  timber  frames,  fixed  in  the  bomb 
ketch ;  to  which  a  pintle  is  attached  in 
such  a  manner,  that  the  bed  may  turn 
round.  The  lore  part  of  these  beds  is 
an  arc  of  a  circle,  described  from  the 
same  center  as  the  pintle-hole. 

Land-MoRT\n-Beds.  Beds  for  iron 
mortars  are  usually  of  iron ;  those  for 
brass  mortars  of  wood. 

Stone-MoRT ars  serve  to  throw  stones 
into  the  enemy's  works,  when  near  at 
hand :  such  as  from  the  town  into  the 
trenches  in  the  covert-way,  or  upon  the 
glacis  ;  and  from  these  trenches  into  the 
town.  The  bore  is  terminated  by  two 
quadrants  of  a  circle,  terminated  by  the 
reinforce  and  lines  drawn  from  the  ends 
of  the  cylinder,  made  to  lodge  the  tom- 
pions  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  mortar. 
The  bottom  of  the  conic  chamber  is  ter- 
minated by  an  arc  of  60  degrees,  and 
the  round  part  of  the  outside  is  a  semi- 
circle. 

Mortars ^/br  projecting  stones.  There 
is  a  description  of  mortars  excavated 
from  the  solid  rock,  for  throwing  an  im 
mense  shower  of  stones,  and  are  meant 
for  the  protection  of  any  particular 
place   where   the  coast  is  assailable  by 


which  they  fell  was  between  5  and  700 
yards  from  the  mortar;  by  which  it  .was 
proved,  that  if  an  enemy  had  assembled 
in  the  bay,  with  an  intention  to  land, 
scarce  a  single  boat  would  have  escaped 
receiving  considerable  injury.  It  cannot 
be  supposed,  that  the  mortar  could  be 
loaded  more  than  once  during  the  time 
that  an  enemy  is  making  a  landing,  and 
therefore  the  greatest  nicety  must  be  ob- 
served in  firing  the  mortar,  in  order  that 
the  effect  may  be  produced  at  the  most 
eligible  moment,  when  the  boats  are  as- 
sembled. 

Chamber  in  Mortars,  the  place  where 
the  powder  is  lodged.  The  chambers 
are  of  different  sorts  and  dimensions. 
M.  Belidor  mentions  four;  namely,  the 
cylindric,  the  spheric,  the  conic,  and  the 
concave  or  bottled ;  to  which  a  fifth  may 
be  added,  the  parabolic,  invented  by 
Count  de  Mippe  Buckeburg. 

Cylindric  chambers.  Ihis  kind  of 
chamber  is,  in  our  opinion,  for  all  sort* 
of  mortars  under  a  13-inch  diameter,  the 
best.  They  are  the  only  kind  of  cham- 
bers that  may  be  conveniently  "loaded 
with  cartridges.  Though  experience  de- 
monstrates, that  concave  chambers  will 


boats  for  the  landing  of  troops.     There  throw  the  shell  farthest  of  any  with  the 
is  one  of  these  mortars  in  Gibraltar,  and  I  same  charge,  yet,  in   this  case,    where 


several  in  the  island  of  Malta ;  at  which 
latter  place  an   experiment  was    made 
upon  one  in  a  bay  at  that  island,    by 
brigadier  general  Lawson,  on  his  return 
from  Egypt  in  the  year  1802,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  General  Fox,  and  a  number  of 
other  officers.     The  manner  of  loading 
it  was  thus :  the  chamber  was  filled  with 
180   lbs.    of  powder,    over  which   was 
placed   a  bottom   of  wood ;    then   the 
stones  were  brought  in  baskets  from  the 
weight  of  forty  to  one  pound  each,  the 
large  stones  next  the  powder,  containing 
in  the  whole  about  two  tons  weight  ot 
dtones;  down  the  whole  interior  of  the 
mortar  was  a  groove  in  which  the  quick- 
match  to  communicate  with  the  powder 
was  placed,    to  the  end  of  the  quick- 
match;  at  the  mouth  of  the  mortar  was 
a  portfire  of  a  length  sufficient  to  enable 
the  man  who  lighted  it  to  get  to  a  place 
of  safety  before  it  was  burnt  out.    When 
the  explosion  took  place,  the  effect  of 
the  stones,  in  the  air,  and  falling  into 
the  water,    produced  the  utmost  asto- 
nishment to  every  person  present.    There 
was  not  a  space  of  more  than  a  yard  on 
the  surface  of  the  water  where  the  stones 
did   not  strike;   although  the  distance 


but  little  powder  is  required,  their  en- 
trance would  become  too  narrow,  and 
consequently  inconvenient  to  clean ; 
whereas,  when  they  are  cylindric,  the 
difference  between  the  advantages  of  the 
one  and  the  other  will  be  but  little,  and 
not  attended  with  any  inconveniences. 

Conic  chambers  are  generally  made  in 
a  circular  form  at  the  bottom,  so  that 
the  sides  produced  meet  the  extremities 
of  the  diameter  at  the  mouth  ;  it  being 
imagined,  we  suppose,  that  the  powder 
acts  in  right  lines  parallel  to  the  sides  of 
the  chamber ;  but,  as  that  is  not  the  case, 
we  conclude,  contrary  to  the  opinion  of 
Belidor  and  others,  that  the  conic  cham- 
bers are  the  worst  of  all. 

Spheric  chambers  are  much  inferior  to 
the  cylindric  or  concave;  for  it  is  well 
known  by  the  properties  of  geometry, 
that  when  a  cylinder  and  a  frustum  of  a 
cone  occupy  equal  spaces,  the  surface  of 
the  cone  is  always  greater  than  that  of 
the  cylinder.  Hence,  if  the  entrance  of 
these  chambers  be  not  made  very  narrow, 
contrary  to  practice,  as  demonstrated 
by  Mr.  Muller,  in  his  second  edition  of 
artillery,  page  38  of  the  introduction, 
and  the  examples  that  follow,  we  con- 


M  O  R 


(     518  .) 


M  O  R 


chide  that  these  and  the  conic  chambers 
are  the  worst. 

Concave  chambers.  The  advantage  of 
these  kinds  of  chambers  consists  in  this, 
that  their  entrance  may  be  made  nar- 
rower than  that  of  any  other  form  ;  and 
practice  has  sufficiently  proved  it.  Yet, 
when  the  entrance  is  so  small  as  not  to 
admit  a  man's  hand,  they  are  not  easily 
cleaned:  for  which  reason  all  13  and 
10-inch  mortars  should  have  concave 
chambers,  and  the  others  cylindric  ones. 

Parabolic  chambers.  These  chambers, 
being  the  widest  of  any,  may  therefore 
be  included  amongst  the  worst ;  as  it  is 
not  the  inward  figure  of  the  chamber, 
but  its  entrance,  which  produces  the 
effect,  because  the  smaller  it  is,  the 
nearer  it  reduces  the  effect  into  the  di- 
rection of  the  shell.  It  has,  however, 
one  advantage,  namelv,  that  the  shells 
will  have  no  windage. 

MoiiTAn-6«//m/.  The  floating  mortar 
battery,  for  the  bombardment  of  the 
enemy's  ports,  which  was  invented  by 
Mr.  Congreve,  son  of  General  Congreve, 
of  the  artillery,  is  said  to  be  proof  both 
against  shells  and  red-hot  balls,  and  so 
contrived,  that  though  provided  both 
with  masts  and  sails  tor  any  voyage,  yet 
it  can  be  securely  disposed  of  in  less 
than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  so  that  the 
battery  then  presents  nothing  but  a  mere 
hull,  with  sloping  sides,  upon  the  water, 
which  is  rowed  by  forty  men  under  cover 
of  the  bomb-proofs,  and  may,  by  the 
peculiar  construction  of  the  masts  and 
rigging,  be  brought  under  sail  again  as 
expeditiously  as  when  dismantled.  The 
rudder  and  moorings  are  entirely  under 
water,  and  protected  by  the  bomb-proof, 
so  that  no  disappointment  as  to  them  can 
possibly  arise.  The  battery  is  armed 
with  four  large  mortars  for  bombardment, 
and  four  42-pounder  carronades  for  self- 
defence  ;  although  from  being  covered 
with  plates  and  bars  of  iron,  she  can 
neither  be  set  fire  to,  nor  carried  by 
boarding.  Four  such  vessels,  though 
they  are  not  more  than  250  tons  burthen 
each,  and  draw  less  than  1*2  fe<  I  wati  r, 
would  throw  upwards  of  500  shells  into 
any  place  in  one  tide,  and  with  the 
greatest  effect  and  precision,  both  be- 
cause from  their  construction  they  have 
nothing  to  apprehend  from  approaching 
the  enemy's  batteries,  and  because,  from 
the  peculiar  contrivance  of  the  mortar- 
beds,  the  elevation  of  the  mortars  is  not 
affected  by  the  rolling  or  pitching  of  the 


vessel.  The  rockets,  however,  seem  to 
have  superseded  this  invention,  at  least 
for  the  pr<  sent. 

Mortar,  (mortier,  Fr.)  a  composi- 
tion of  lime,  sand,  &c.  mixed  up  with 
water,  thai  serves  as  a  ceuueol  to  bind 
the  stones,  &a:.  of  anv  building.  Mine 
sand  makes  weak  mortar,  and  the 
rounder  the  sand,  the  stronger  the  mor- 
tar; and  if  the  sand  is  washed  before  it 
is  mixed,  so  much  the  better. 

The  proportion  of  lime  and  sand  for 
making  mortar  is  extremely  variable. 
Some  use  three  part-  o!'  pit  sand,  and 
two  of  river-sand,  to  one  of  lime  ;  others 
a  proportion  of  sand  to  quick-lime,  as 
36  to  35.  It  should  be  well  mixed,  and 
beat  every  9  I  hours  for  a  wet  k  together, 
letting  it  then  lie  for  a  week  more;  and 
when  it  is  used,  must  be  beat  and  mixed 
again.  By  this  means  it  will  make  good 
mortar,  though  the  lime  is  but  indif- 
ferent. 

Mortar  for  water-courses, cisterns, &c. 
is  made  of  lime  and  hog's  lard;  some- 
times mixed  with  the  juice  of  figs,  and 
sometimes  with  liquid  pitch,  which  is 
first  slaked  with  wine;  and,  after  appli- 
cation, it  is  washed  over  with  linseed  oil. 

Moktar  for  furnaces,  &c.  is  made 
with  red  clay  wrought  in  water,  wherein 
horse-dung  and  chimney-soot  have  been 
steeped  ;  by  which  a  salt  is  communi- 
cated to  the  water,  th.tt  binds  the  clay, 
and  makes  it  lit  to  endure  the  fire.  The 
clay  must  not  be  too  fat,  lest  it  should 
be  subject  to  chinks  ;  nor  too  lean  or 
sandy,  lest  it  should  not  bind  enough. 

Mortar,  made  of  tan-as,  pozzuolana, 
tile-dust,  or  cinders,  is  mixed  and  pre- 
pared in  the  same  manner  as  common 
mortar;  only  these  ingredients  are  mixed 
with  lime  instead  of  sand  in  a  due  pro- 
portion, which  is  to  be  in  equal  quan- 
tities. As  this  mortar  is  to  be  used  in 
aquatic  buildings,  the  lime  should  be  the 
very  best. 

In  fortifications,  docks,  or  piers  of 
harbours,  you  should  lay  all  the  works 
under  water  with  tarns-mortar,  and  the 
rest  of  the  lacings,  both  within  and  with- 
out, with  cinder  or  tile-dust  mortar,  for 
about  two  feet  deep. 

MORTELLA,  MORTELLO,  or 
MOKTH.LA  TOWER,  a  small  castle 
en  cted  for  the  defence  of  a  coast.  Ac- 
cording to  Captain  Grose,'  the  word 
is  derived  from  morta,  whence  mote, 
or  moat,  which  anciently  signified  a 
castle.     Thus  morla  de   Windsor  is  used 


M  O  R 


(     519     ) 


M  O  R 


tor  Windsor"  Castle,  in  the  agreement 
between  King  Stephen  and  Henry  Duke 
of  Normandy.  So  that  Mortella  may 
readily  be  considered  as  the  diminutive 
01'  Morta. 

There  are,  however,  some  very  re- 
spectable authorities  which  differ  from 
tne  above  etymology,  from  which  we 
have  selected  the  following: 

Mortella,  Mertol,  or  much  more 
probably  Mautello  Towers,  horn  the 
Italian  "  Sonare  la  Campana  a  MartpUo" 
to  sound  the  alarm  bell ;  which,  in  parts 
of  Italy,  (as  the  Carillons  are  in  Flanders, 
&c.)  is  struck  by  hammers.  Thus  also, 
Beacon-points  in  Corsica  and  Greece  are 
called  Mortello  Capes.  In  old  French 
also,  the  word,  for  the  same  thing  (now 
mortem,)  was  Murtel;  and  "  Martel  en 
tete,"  the  old  adage  for  a  rumour  ot 
annoyance  and  alarm.  Though  this 
might  derive  too  from  the  popular  ab- 
horrence of  Charles  Martel's  adminis- 
tration !  that  daemon  of  taxation ;  the 
proverbial  curse  of  his  country,  for 
oppressions  and  impositions  the  most 
abominably  vile  !  Mortello  has  no  dis- 
coverable affinity  to  any  place,  language, 
or  known  man.  For  Mertol  a,  there  is, 
only,  the  name  of  a  place  in  the  West 
of  Spain.  In  opposition  to  this  autho- 
ritv,  we  must  not  only  refer  to  the 
following  description  of  the  towers  in 
the  Island  of  Jersey,  but  also  to  an 
extract  of  a  letter  from  Lord  Hood, 
dated  Victory,  St.Fiorenzo,  February  22, 
1794 ;  and  to  the  notorious  fact,  that 
the  Tower  of  Mortella  in  Corsica  takes 
its  name  from  Mortellu,  a  Myrtle ;  the 
Bay  which  it  commands  being  called 
Mortella,  or  Myrtle  Bay. 

"  On  the  7th,  Commodore  Linzee 
anchored  in  a  bay  to  the  westward  of 
Mortella  Point,  with  the  several  ships 
and  transports  under  his  command. — 
The  troops  were  mostly  landed  that 
evening,  and  possession  taken  of  a  height 
which  overlooks  the  tower  of  Mortella. 
The  next  day,  the  General  (Dundas) 
and  Commodore  being  of  opinion,  that 
it  was  advisable  to  attack  the  tower  from 
the  bay,  the  Fortitude  and  Juno  were 
ordered  against  it,  without  making  the 
least  impression,  by  a  cannonade  conti- 
nued for  two  hours  and  a  half;  and  the 
former  ship  being  very  much  damaged 
by  red  hot  shot,  both  hauled  off.  The 
walls  of  the  tower  were  of  a  prodigious 
thickness,  and  the  parapet,  where  there 
were  two  eighteen-pounders,  was  lined 


with  bass  junk,  five  feet  from  the  walls, 
and  filled  up  with  sand  ;  and  although 
it  was  cannonaded  from  the  height  for 
two  days,  within  150  yards,  and  appeared 
in  a  very  shattered  state,  the  enemy  still 
held  out;  but  a  few  hot  shot  setting  fire 
to  the  bass,  made  them  call  for  quarter. 
The  number  of  men  in  the  tower  was, 
33  :  only  two  were  wounded,  and  those 
mortally." 

Mortella  Tower,  as  adapted  to  the 
defence  of  the  Island  of  Jersey.  This 
tower  is  quite  round,  of  a  conical  form, 
being  something  broader  at  the  base  than 
the  top,  and  about  40  feet  high.  It  is 
built  of  the  hard  grit  stone  of  the  coun- 
try, (which  in  general  are  very  large,) 
closely  cemented  together,  and  the  sur- 
faces rendered  quite  smooth  by  the 
hammer;  the  mason-work  is  admirable. 
The  only  entrance  is  by  a  door  7\  feet 
from  the  ground ;  you  ascend  to  this 
by  a  ladder,  which  is  pulled  up  into  the 
tower  every  night.  The  door  is  arched, 
and  is  b\  feet  high,  and  wide  in  pro- 
portion ;  the  wall  in  this  part  is  o|  feet 
thick.  Having  quitted  the  ladder,  you 
mount  a  step  two  feet  high,  and  then, 
you  are  on  the  first  floor  of  the  tower. 
This  room  is  round,  and  13  feet  diame- 
ter in  the  clear.  Underneath  it  is  the 
magazine,  to  which  there  is  no  way  of 
getting,  except  through  a  trap-door  that 
is  in  the  middle  of  the  floor.  Round 
this  room  are  eleven  loop-holes,  for  the 
men  to  fire  through,  and  benches  to 
stand  on  during  this  operation.  On 
these  benches  their  beds  are  placed  at 
night;  this  is,  in  fact,  their  guard-room, 
for  here  is  the  fire-place,  &c.  &c. 

To  the  next  floor  you  ascend  by  a 
ladder  also,  through  a  trap-door,  the 
ladder  then  may  be  pulled  up,  the  trap 
closed,  and  all  communication  between 
the  two  stories  completely  cut  oft".  In 
this  room  are  four  small  windows ; 
there  are  the  same  number  of  loop- 
holes, benches,  &c.  for  the  same  pur- 
poses as  the  room  below,  but  no  fire- 
place. The  loop-holes  are  not  placed 
exactly  over  each  other,  but  in  quin- 
cunx order.  This  room  is  covered  with 
a  strong  arch,  in  the  center  of  which  is 
a  round  hole  30  inches  diameter.  When 
you  get  through  this  hole,  which  you 
do  by  means  of  a  ladder,  you  are  then 
on  the  top  of  the  tower. 

At  the  sides  of  this  hole  are  firmly 
fixed  three  very  strong  iron  hoops  or 
bars,  which  form  an  arch  over  it,  on 


U  O  It 


I      5S0     ) 


M  O  S 


the  top  of  which  is  a  massy  iron  pin. 
On  this  pin,  or  pivot,  rests  the  center 
of  a  large  beam  of  wood,  on  one  end 

of  which  is  placed  an  iron  18-pound 
carronade,  on  a  sort  of  frame,  con- 
structed like  those  used  on  board  ships, 
where  the  gun  slides  hack  in  the  recoil. 
This  end  of  the  beam  is  supported  by 
two  pieces  of  timber,  each  Resting  on  a 
small  block  wheel;  the  other  end  of 
the  beam  is  supported  by  a  lesser  beam, 
resting  on  a  large  block  wheel.  All 
these  wheels  run  in  a  wooden  groove, 
that  goes  round  the  inside  of  the  para- 
pet. The  whole  is  so  well  contrived 
and  balanced,  that  the  beam  is  easily 
turned  round,  so  that  the  gun  may  be 
iired  over  any  part  of  the  parapet. 

The  parapet  is  built  of  brick,  and  is 
4 £-  feet  high,  with  a  slope  of  four  feet, 
forming  an  angle  of  about  22±  degrees, 
with  the  top  of  the  parapet.-  When 
the  men  proceed  to  load,  they  stand  on 
a  bench,  and  when  loaded,  step  down, 
and  are  sheltered  from  the  enemy's 
shot  by  the  parapet ;  there  are  places 
also  on  the  top,  for  three  wall-pieces. 
The  ordinary  guard  consists  of  a  Ser- 
jeant or  corporal,  and  from  6  to  12 
men.  Some  of  the  Towers  were  guarded 
by  the  veteran  battalion,  and  others  by 
the  militia  of  the  island,  who  mounted 
in  their  common  working  clothes. 

The  towers  were  built  about  20  years 
ago,  and  were  thought,  until  the  middle 
of  the  year  1800,  to  be  perfectly  com- 
plete for  what  they  were  designed,  as 
well  as  the  square  towers  in  the  forts ; 
when  machicoulis  were  added  to  all, 
and  a  carronade  mounted,  en  barbette, 
on  the  top  of  each.  Shot  fired  from  so 
high  an  elevation  is,  in  the  opinion  of 
engineers,  of  little  use.  The  men  in- 
side the  towers  are  quite  safe  from 
musketry,  but  those  who  are  to  load 
and  fire  the  carronade,  must  be  ex- 
posed, as  on  a  barbette  battery.  In  case 
of  attack,  the  guns  on  all  these  towers 
are  manned  by  the  militia  of  the  island; 
they  are  exercised  at  them  every  Sunday 
morning,  but  never  fire  powder. 

The  Mortella  Towers  which  have 
been  erected  at  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia, 
are,  in  the  opinion  of  a  very  intelligent 
engineer,  preferable  to  those  in  Romney 
Marsh,  which  are  twenty-seven  in  num- 
ber, and  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant 
from  one  another.  Each  of  them  was 
originally  intended  to  carry  a  large  gun 


against  shipping,  and  a  howitzer  for  ar 
reciprocal,  or  mutual,  flanking  defence. 
But  after  several  of  them  had  been 
erected,  it  was  found  they  would  not 
answer  the  intended  purpose,  and  could 
carry  only  one  gun  each. 

MORTES-payes,  Fr.  soldiers  that 
were  paid  for  the  constant  duty  of  a 
town  or  fortified  place,  both  in  time  of 
peace  and  war. 

Mortes  auvres,  Fr.  the  sides,  or  in- 
side of  a  ship,  from  the  wales  upwards. 

MoRTES-eaitr,  Fr.  ebb-tides. 

MORTIERS  Pierriers,  Fr.  See 
Stone  Mo  in  a  us. 

MOETIER  Perdreau  on  a  Pcrdreaux, 
Fr.     See  Partridge  Mortar. 

Mortier  a  la  Coehdm,  Fr.  a  small 
mortar  which  is  used  only  to  throw  gre- 
nades. It  is  so  called  from  that  cele- 
brated engineer,  who  first  adopted  it. 

Mortier  a  la  Gomer,  Fr.  from  the 
name  of  the  supposed  inventor.  This 
mortar  is  esteemed  by  the  French,  be- 
cause the  shell  is  reckoned  to  go  truer 
from  its  chamber,  which  is  a  sort  of  half 
cone,  than  from  the  cylindrical  one.  For 
particulars  see  Elimens  de  Portification, 
page  378. 

For  Mortier  in  its  general  import, 
see  Bombardier  Francais,  by  Belidor; 
also  Mcmoires  d 'Ar ■tiller ie  de  Surirey  de 
Saint-Reniy,  last  edit,  in  3  vol.  4to.  La 
Ttieorie  de  I'Artillene  par  Mr.  Du/acq, 
in  4to.  and  Le  Trait'e  d'Artillerie,  by 
Mr.  Le  Blond,  in  8vo. 

MORTISE,  a  hole  cut  in  wood,  so 
that  another  piece  may  be  fitted  into  it. 

Mortise,  (mortaise,  Fr.)  This  word 
is  sometimes  written  mortoise,  and  signi- 
fies (among  joiners  and  carpenters)  one 
piece  of  timber  which  is  fastened  into 
another. 

To  Mortise,  to  fix  the  tenon  of  one 
piece  of  wood  into  a  hole  or  mortise 
of  another ;  as  in  bed-posts,  &c. 

Les  MORTS,  Fr.  the  dead  on  a  field 
of  battle  are  so  called. 

MORVE,  Fr.  glanders,  a  complaint 
in  horses. 

MOSIAC-Uor/c,   )   (mosdique,)  Fr. 
MOSAIC,  5  According  to  N. 

Bailey,  this  word  should  be  written 
Musaic,  being  called,  as  some  say,  from 
the  Mnsea,  of  the  Greeks,  which  were 
adorned  both  out  and  inside  with  it, 
and  from  whom,  Pliny  says,  they  were 
derived.  Mosaic  work  is  curiously 
wrought  with  stones  of  divers  coloHr>> 


MOT 


(     5<21     ) 


MOT 


and  divers  metals,  into  the  shape  of  knots, 
flowers,  and  other  things,  with  that 
nicety  of  art,  that  they  seem  to  be  all 
but  one  stone,  or  rather  the  work  of 
nature. 

MOT,  Fr.  parole,  watchword. — This 
word  bears  the  same  import  in  French 
that  it  does  in  English.     See  Parole. 

Dormer  le  Mot,  Fr.  to  give  the  parole, 
or  watchword. 

Alter  prendre  le  Mot,  Fr.  to  go  for 
the  parole,  or  watchword. 

On  V  envoy  a  porter  le  Mot,  Fr.  he  was 
sent  with  the  parole  or  watchword. 

In  the  French  service  parole  and  coun- 
tersign are  frequently  comprehended 
under  the  word  mot,  viz.  Le  mot  qiion 
avoit  donni  le  jour  du  combat,  etoit 
Saint  Louis  et  Fans ;  which,  according 
to  the  English  method  of  giving  out 
orders,  would  have  stood  thus  : — Parole 
St.  Louis,  countersign  Paris.    See  Mots. 

Mot  de  guet,  Fr.    See  Gvet. 

Mot  de  Kalliemtnt,  Fr.  a  word  given 
to  any  armed  body  of  men,  who  either 
attack  or  are  attacked,  and  which  serves 
as  a  rallying  point  among  them. 

MOTHiR  at  Moo/uc,  in  Indian  for- 
tification, barricadoes,  intrenchments,  or 
breastworks,  are  so  called. 

MOTION  is  defined  to  be  the  conti- 
nued and  successive  change  of  place. 
There  are  three  general  laws  of  motion : 
1.  That  a  body  always  perseveres  in  its 
state  of  rest,  or  of  uniform  motion  in  a 
right  line,  till  by  some  external  force  it 
be  made  to  change  its  place  :  for  as  a 
body  is  passive  in  receiving  its  motion, 
and  the  direction  of  its  motion,  so  it  re- 
tains them  without  any  change,  till  it  be 
acted  on  by  something  external. — 2. 
The  second  general  law  of  motion  is, 
that  the  change  of  motion  is  propor- 
tional to  the  force  impressed,  and  is  pro- 
duced in  the  right  line  in  which  that 
force  acts.  3.  The  third  general  law 
of  motion  is,  that  action  and  re-action 
are  equal,  with  opposite  directions,  and 
are  to  be  estimated  always  in  the  same 
right  line. 

Motion,  a  word  bearing  the  same 
signification  in  the  British  service,  as 
terns  does  in  the  French.  It  is  peculiarly 
applicable  to  the  manual  and  platoon 
exercise ;  as  draw  ramrod,  which  is  done 
in  two  motions — Tirez  la  baguette  en 
deux  tems.  Motion,  in  a  military  sense, 
is  distinguished  from  movement,  inas- 
much as  the  former  applies  specifically 
to   something  done   by  an    individual, 


with  an  instrument  of  war,  as  handling 
the  musket ;  whereas  the  latter  is  gene- 
rally understood  to  mean  the  different 
changes,  &c.  which  are  made  in  evo- 
lutions, &c.  Motion  is  the  particulai 
adjunct  of  the  manual,  and  movement 
that  of  evolution.  The  French  make 
the  same  distinction  with  respect  to 
Maniement. 

Motion,  (mouvement,  Fr.)  generally 
so.  called,  a  continual  and  successive 
change  of  place. 

Motions  of  an  army,  (mouvemens  d'une 
arm'ce,  Fr.)  are  the  various  changes  which 
it  undergoes  in  marching  from  one  place 
to  another ;  these  are  more  generally 
understood  by  the  term  movement. 

Motions  of  the  firelock  during  the 
manual  and  platoon  exercise.  We  have 
already  said,  that  motion  in  this  sense  is 
expressed  by  tems  among  the  French. 
These  consist  of  those  prescribed  me- 
thods which  have  been  explained  under 
Manual. 

Motion  compound  (mouvement  com- 
pose, Fr.)  is  the  motion  of  one  body  im- 
pelled bv  two  different  powers. 

Motion  of  projection,  (mouvement  de 
projection,  Fr.)  that  by  which  bodies 
are  impelled  through  the  air,  or  through 
any  other  fluid.  A  shell  which  is  forced 
out  of  a  mortar  by  means  of  inflam- 
mable gunpowder  has  a  motion  of  pro- 
jection. 

Motion  of  vibration,  or  vibrating  mo- 
tion, (mouvement  de  vibration,  Fr.)  is  the 
circular  motion  of  a  body,  which  is  gene- 
rally round,  or  spherical. 

Motions  of  an  enemy,  (mouvemens 
d'un  ennemi,  Fr.)  the  different  inarches, 
positions,  &c.  which  an  enemy  takes,  are 
so  called. 

To  watch  the  Motions  of  an  enemy, 
(guetter  un  enncmi,  Fr.)  to  keep  a  good 
look  out  by  means  of  a  regular  commu- 
nication between  head  quarters,  and  the 
outposts  of  your  army.  On  a  large  scale 
tht  business  of  an  army  of  observation 
is  chiefly  confined  to  this  species  of  ser- 
vice. On  a  more  limited  one,  the  duty 
is  frequently  entrusted  to  partisans  and 
light  troops. 

Motion  of  a  bomb  or  ball.  The  pro- 
gress which  a  bomb,  or  ball,  makes 
through  the  air  may  be  said  to  consist 
of  three  sorts  of  motion,  after  it  has  beek 
delivered  out  of  the  mortar,  or  emitted 
from  a  gun  or  musket.    These  are  : — 

The  violent.  Motion,    or  first  explo- 
sion, when  the  powder  has   worked  its 
3  X 


M  O  T 


(     52-2     ) 


MOT 


effect  upon  the  hall,  so  far  as  tlie  borub, 
or  ball,  may  be  supposed  to  move  in 
a  right  line. 

The  mixed  Motion,  or  yielding  im- 
pulse, when  the  natural  weight  of  the 
bomb,  or  ball,  begins  to  overcome  the 
force  which  was  given  by  the  gun- 
powder. 

The  nutinul  Motion,  or  exhaustion 
of  the  firsl  impulse.  This  occurs  when 
the  bomb,  or  ball,  is  falling  to  the 
ground. 

To  Motion  a  thing,  to  propose  it  in 
a  military  or  civil  meeting. 

MOTION,  Fr.  This  word  has  been 
adopted  by  the  French,  to  convey  the 
same  meaning  that  it  does  in  English, 
namely,  a  proposition ;  hence  appyyer 
la  motion  dans  nne  assemblte;  to  support 
a  motion  in  a  public  assembly  or  meeting. 
Deliverer  sur  la  motion,  to  deliberate 
upon  the  motion.  Retircr  sa  motion,  to 
withdraw  one's  motion.  Rcjetter  la 
motion,  to  throw  out  the  motion. 

Motions  militaires,  Fr.  This  term 
was  formerly  used  among  the  French  to 
signify  the  various  evolutions  which  an 
army,  or  regiment  might  be  put  through. 
It  has  been  succeeded  by  evolutions 
mi/itaires,  which  seems  a  more  compre- 
hensive expression. 

MOTIVE,  (motif,  Fr.)  that  which 
determines  the  choice;  that  which  in- 
cites the  action. 

MOTIYER,  Fr.  to  give  reasons  for 
any  tiling;  to  state  particulars.  The 
French  say  :  II  ne  motive  jamais  son 
avis,  he  never  explains  his  motive  when 
he  gives  advice. 

MOTOS,  a  piece  of  old  linen,  tozyed 
like  wood,  which  is  put  into  ulcers,  and 
stops  the  flux  of  blood. 

ftl<  )TS  d'ordre  et  de  ralliement,  Fr. 
In  a  publication  by  Paul  Thiebault,  ad- 
jutant general  on  the  French  star!',  the 
following  explanation  is  given  of  paroles 
and  countersigns,  which  may  be  consi- 
dered as  the  free  translation  of  Mots, 
with  this  exception,  that  the  mot  de  rallie- 
ment seems  peculiarly  used  in  the  French 
sen  ice. — Among  us  the  parole  and 
countersign  only  are  practised,  and  their 
distinct  import  seems  so  little  under- 
stood, that  we  shall  not  hesitate  to  give 
the  whole  article  from  the  French. 

The  Mors  d'ordre  et  de  ralliement 
consist  of  three  distinct  and  separate 
words,  which  are  chosen  for  the  specific 
purpose  of  enabling  the  soldiers  belong- 
ing to  the  same  army,  to  be  in  perfect 


intelligence  with  one  another,  especially 
during  the  night. 

These  three  words  are  composed  in 
the  following  manner,  viz.  Ix  Mot  d'or- 
dre, or  what  we  call  the  parole,  must  be 
taken  from  the  name  of  some  deceased 
person,  to  which  must  be  added  that  of 
some  town  or  coimtry,  for  the  counter- 
sign. 

The  Mot  de  ralliement  must  consist 
of  a  substantive,  which  does  not  relate 
either  to  the  name  of  a  man,  the 
name  of  a  town,  or  the  name  of  a 
country. 

These  three  words  are  given  out 
every  morning  from  head  quarters,  and 
are  delivered,  sealed  up,  to  the  officers 
of  the  dim-rent  guards,  and  to  tho.-e 
persons  who  are  entrusted  with  the  com- 
mand of  an  outpost,  or  have  the  charge 
of  a  patrole. 

The  Mot  d'ordre,  or  parole,  must 
never  be  confided  beyond  officers  and 
non-commissioned  officers ;  the  mot  de 
ralliement  may  in  some  cases  be  given 
to  sentinels  that  are  stationed  at  certain 
distances  from  the  out-posts ;  but  those 
should  invariably  consist  of  old  soldiers, 
whose  fidelity  and  courage  can  be  de- 
pended upon. 

The  Mot  d'ordre,  or  parole,  as  well  as 
the  mot  de  ralliement,  is  always  given  out 
from  head  quarters;  nor  ought  any  ge- 
neral or  commanding  officer  to  take  upon 
himself  to  alter  either,  except  under 
circumstances  so  peculiarly  urgent,  that 
the  good  of  the  service  would  justify  the 
change.  Among  these  circumstances 
may  be  considered,  the  desertion  of  a 
sentinel  from  the  out-post,  and  the 
strong  presumption,  that  the  enemy  has 
been  made  acquainted  with  the  words, 
&c.  Whenever  this  necessity  occurs,  all 
the  commanding  officers  who  have  any 
communication  with  that  quarter  whence 
the  parole  was  issued,  should  instantly 
be  made  acquainted  with  the  alteration. 

With  respect  to  the  manner  in  which 
these  words  are  to  be  delivered  out,  and 
the  frequency  of  their  circulation,  the 
whole  must  depend  upon  circumstance*. 
When  an  army  or  body  of  troops  lies  at 
some  distance  from  the  enemy,  they  are 
usually  forwarded  at  the  different  quar- 
ters, camps,  or  cantonments,  for  five,  ten, 
or  fifteen  days  together.  When  close  to 
an  enemy,  they  are  given  out,  as  we 
have  already  observed,  every  day.  When 
there  is  no  ground  to  apprehend  a  sur- 
prize or  attack,  one  word  will  be  sulfi* 


M  O  U 


(     523    ) 


M  O  V 


cient  for  each  day  :  but,  in  critical  cases, 
the  parole  must  be  changed  two  or  three 
times  daring  the  night.  If  several  corps 
are  cantoned  together,  the  mot'd'ordre, 
or  parole,  must  be  sent  to  the  officer 
commanding  in  the  cantonment.  When 
the  troops  are  encamped,  it  is  generally 
sent  to  the  commanding  officer  of  each 
regiment,  and  seldom  to  the  commandant 
of  each  brigade. 

•  The  Mot,  or  parole,  must  always  be 
given  out  during  the  day,  except  in  cases' 
of  emergency;  and  it  must  never  be  de- 
livered to  any  person  unless  the  indivi- 
dual, who  is  entrusted  with  it,  be  fully 
convinced,  that  he  is  authorized  to  re- 
ceive it.  It  ought  indeed  to  be  given  per- 
sonally to  him  only  to  whom  it  is  ad- 
dressed by  name, 

MOTTE,.Fr.aclod;  a  lump  of  earth; 
turf.  Any  small  eminence  covered  with 
moss,  or  grass  :  also  a  hillock  :  among 
tanners,  peet. 

MOTTO,  a  sentence,  either  with,  or 
without  a  badge,  by  which  any  regiment 
is  particularly  distinguished ;  as,  for  ex- 
ample, the  3d  regiment  of  foot,  or  Buffs, 
have  a  griffin  embossed  as  their  badge, 
and  the  motto,  Veteri  frondescit  honore. 
The  motto  of  the  grenadiers  is :  Nee  aspera 
ierrent.  The  various  military  orders  have 
also  different  mottos.  See  Gakter, 
Bath,  Thistle,  &c.  also  Devise,  Fr. 

MOU,  Fr.  soft;  effeminate;  inactive; 
not  resolute. 

Un  esprit  Mou,  Fr.  a  weak  man. 

Cheval  Mou,  Fr.  a  washy  horse.  See 
Wash. 

MOUGHARD,  Fr.  a  domestic  spy, 
an  informer.  Among  the  French  it  more 
particularly  means  a  person  who  is  em- 
ployed to  watch  the  motions  of  any 
marked  man.  Creatures  of  this  infa- 
mous, although  perhaps  necessary,  class, 
were  constantly  attached  to  the  police 
of  France. 

MOUCHE,  Fr.  a  spy;  an  informer. 

Prendre  la  Mouche,  Fr.  to  be  easily 
nettled,  or  put  out  of  humour. 

MOUCHES  et  MOUTONS,  Fr.  per- 
sons who  act  in  the  double  capacity  of 
a  spy,  or  informer,  by  affecting  to  be  of 
some  particular  party  in  order  to  betray 
it,  and  for  that  purpose  are  seemingly 
persecuted  by  their  employers. 

Cheval  MOUCHETE,"  JV.  a  flea-bit- 
ten horse. 

MOUCHQIR,  Fr.  a  handkerchief. 

Montrer  le  Mouchoir  bland,  Fr. 
literally  to  hang  out  a  white  handker- 


chief;   to    make  an    offer  of  submis- 
sion. 

MOVEABLE  Pivot.  When  the  pivot 
flunk  of  any  body  of  men  describes  in  the 
wheel  a  smaller  circle  than  the  wheeling 
flank,  the  wheel  is  said  to  be  made  on  a 
moveable  pivot. 

Moveable  Towers  or  Belfreys,  ma- 
chines used  by  the  ancients  in  the  attack 
of  towns  and  fortified  places.  They  con- 
sisted of  several  stories ;  the  archers  or 
cross-bow  men  being  placed  in  the  upper, 
and  a  large  ram,  with  which  a  breach 
was  attempted,  in  the  bottom  one's. 

MOVEMENT,  (mouvement,  Fr.)— 
Under  this  term  are  comprehended  all 
the  different  evolutions,  marches,  coun- 
termarches and  manoeuvres  which  are 
made  in  tactics  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
treating from,  or  of  approaching,  to- 
wards an  enemy.  It  also  includes  the 
various  dispositions  which  take  place  in 
pitching  a  camp,  or  arranging  a  line  of 
battle.  The  science  of  military  move- 
ments forms  one  of  the  principal  fea- 
tures in  the  character  of  a  great  com- 
mander. If  he  be  full  of  resources  in 
this  important  branch,  he  may  often- 
times defeat  an  enemy  without  even 
coming  to  blows ;  for  to  conceal  one's 
movements  requires  great  art  and  much 
ingenuity.    See  Stratagems  in  War. 

Movement.  According  to  the  Re- 
gulations, printed  by  authority,  every 
inspecting  general  is  directed  to  report 
minutely  and  comparatively  on  the  per- 
formance of  each  battalion  of  the  great 
leading  points  of  movement. 

Counter  Movements  of  defence  are 
movements  calculated  to  defeat  any  pre- 
meditated attack.  According  to  the 
Regulations  they  may  be  briefly  ex- 
plained, by  observing,  that  if  the  flank 
of  one  body  is  thrown  forward,  that  o.t 
the  other  may,  by  similar  means,  be 
thrown  back.  If  one  body  prolongs  its 
line  to  outflank,  the  other  may  by  the 
same  movement  maintain  its  relative 
situation.  Whatever  change  of  position 
is'  made  by  one  body,  the  other  may 
counteract  it'  by  a  similar  change.  If 
the  wing  of  one  body  is  refused,  the 
wing  of  the  other  may  be  advanced  to 
scire  an  advantage. 

Movements  of  previous  formation 
are  military  dispositions  which  every 
general  must  have  carefully  digested,  be- 
fore he  advances  upon  a  direct  line  of 
othnsive  operations.  A  body  of  troops, 
which  has  a  considerable  march  to  make 
3X2 


M  O  V 


(     524     ) 


MOV 


previous  to  the  attack,  must  always  ap- 
proach an  enemy  in  one,  or  more  co- 
lumns, at  open  or  other  distances,  ac- 
cording to  circumstances. — Some  gene- 
ral knowledge  of  an  enemy's  situation, 
determines  the  manner  in  which  he  is 
to  be  approached,  the  composition  of 
the  columns,  the  Hank  ot"  each  which 
leads,  and  their  combination  in  forming. 
A  nearer  view  determines  a  perseve- 
rance in  the  first  direction,  or  a  change 
in  the  Leading  flanks,  and  direction  of  the 
columns,  in  order  to  form  in  the  most 
speedy  and  advantageous  maimer. 

Movements  of  attack  are  made  by 
bodies  of  men  advancing  in  line  or  co- 
lumn to  attack  an  opposing  enemy. — 
When  a  considerable  body  of  troops  is 
to  act  offensively,  it  must  form  in  line, 
at  latest,  within  1200  or  1600  paces  of  a 
po>trd  enemy,  unless  the  ground  parti- 
cularly favour,  and  cover  from  the  lire 
of  the  artillery,  the  enfilade  of  which  is 
what  chiefly  prevents  bodies  in  column 
from  approaching  nearer;  and  that 
space,  under  the  unceasing  tire  of  their 
own  artillery,  troops  in  line  will  march 
ever  in  18  minutes. 

Movements  of  attack,  when  they  are 
made  from  a  parallel  position,  must  he 
either  in  line,  or  by  tlank  of  the  line 
in  echelon,  that  flank  being  reinforced, 
and  the  other  refused  ;  or  from  a  new 
and  advantageous  position  tahen  up, 
and  not  provided  against  by  the  enemy. 
From  an  oblique  position,  the  attackis 
directed  against  a  comparatively  weak 
point  of  the  enemy.  Attacks  from  the 
center  are  more  liable  to  be  enfiladed, 
and  are  sooner  guarded  against  than 
from  the  flank. 

Movements  of  retreat  are  combina- 
tions of  columns  of  inarch,  covered  by 
positions,  and  a  strong  rear  guard. 
Troops  are  occasionally  taken  out  of  the 
retiring  columns  of  march,  to  occupy 
positions  and  heights ;  they  remain  till 
the  rear  has  passed,  and  then  become 
the  rear  guard  ;  this  they  continue  to  be, 
till  they  find  other  troops  in  like  manner 
posted;  these  last,  m  their  turn,  become 


not  only  to  disconcert  an  enemy,  but 
likewise  to  enable  the  army,  which  adopts 
them,  either  to  make  a  partial  attack, 
or  a  gradual  retreat.  The  attack  may 
be  formed  from  the  center,  or  from 
either  of  the  wings  reinforced. — If  suc- 
cess! ul,  the  divisions  move  up  into  line 
to  improve  the  advantage:  if  repulsed, 
they  are  in  a  good  situation  to  protect 
the  retreat.  In  advancing,  the  several 
bodies  move  independent,  act  freely,  and 
are  ready  to  assist;  in  retiring,  they  fall 
gradually  back  on  each  other,  and  there- 
by <;ive  mutual  aid  and  support.  Eche- 
lon movements,  in  fact,  comprize  within 
themselves  all  the  essential  principles 
of  extension  and  compression,  which 
Af<-  found  in  close  or  open  column,  with 
the  additional  advantage  of  being  better 
adapted  to  throw  a  considerable  line  into 
an  oblique  position,  of  presenting  a 
narrow  front,  with  the  means  of  increas- 
ing it  at  pleasure,  unexposed  to  the 
enemy's  fire,  and  of  diminishing  it  with 
the  same  facility  and  safety. 

Echelon  Movements  on  an  oblique 
line,  are  best  calculated  to  outwing  an 
enemy,  or  to  preserve  the  points  of 
appui  of  a  wing;  possessing  this  advan- 
tage, thai  such  movements  may  not  be 
perceptible  to  the  enemy,  as  it  consists 
of  short  and  independent  lines,  which. 
when  seen  at  a  distance,  appear  as  if  a 
full  line. 

Echelon  movements  by  half  batta- 
lions or  less,  are  made  by  their  directing 
Hank,  which  is  always  the  one  advanced 
from,  or  wheeled  to.  Echelon  move- 
ments by  whole  battalions,  are  governed 
by  their  advanced  Serjeants. — Echelon 
movements  by  several  battalions,  are 
made  in  line,  each  by  its  own  center, 
and  the  whole  by  the  battalion  next  the 
directing  flank. 

Movements  that  are  wade  in  face  of 
an  enemy,  (Mouvcmcns  devant  Cen- 
nemi,  Fr )  There  is  no  operation  in 
war  which  requires  so  much  nicety,  pre- 
cision, and  judgment  as  that  of  retreat- 
ing in  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  Every 
movement  from  the  direct  line  of  battle 
also  the  rear  guard,  and  in  this  way  are  is  more  or  less  critical ;  but  when  a  re- 
the  troops  of  columns  in  such  situations  giment  is  obliged  to  retire  under  the 
relieved.  A  rear  guard  will  fall  back  by  'eye,  and  perhaps  the  fire,  of  a  pursuing 
the  retreat  in  line — the  chtquered  re-] foe,  the  utmost  presence  of  mind  is  re- 
treat — the  passage  of  lines — die  echelon  Iq wired  in  the  officers  who  command,  and 


changes  of  position 

Movements  in  echelon  of  the  line. — 
Echelon,  or  diagonal  movements,  espe- 
cially of  a  great  corps,  are  calculated 


the  greatest  steadiness  in  the  men.  In 
a  situation  of  this  sort,  it  becomes  the 
peculiar  duty  of  the  major,  to  see  that 
every  change  of  manoeuvre,  and  every 


M  O  V 


(     525     ) 


M  O  U 


movement,  be  made  with  promptitude 
and  accuracy.  For  although  he  is  sub- 
ordinate to  others,  and  must,  of  course, 
follow  superior  directions,  yet  so  much 
of  the  executive  duty  rests  with  him, 
that  his  character  and  abilities,  as  an 
officer,  will  be  more  conspicuous  on 
these  occasions  than  in  any  other.  The 
movements  of  a  corps  which  retreats, 
consist  in  retrograde  inarches,  in  line, 
by  alternate  companies,  in  column,  by 
wings,  or  in  square. 

Eventuil,  or  fan  Movement.  This 
movement  is  performed  on  the  march, 
and  must  be  begun  at  a  distance  behind 
the  line,  proportionate  to  the  body  which 
is  to  oblique  and  form.  It  may  be  ap- 
plied to  one  battalion,  but  hardly  to  a 
more  considerable  body,  which  would 
find  great  difficulty  in  the  execution.  It 
gives  a  gradual  increase  of  front  during 
a  progressive  movement.  With  justness 
it  can  be  made  on  a  front  division  only, 
not  on  a  central,  or  rear  one:  in  propor- 
tion as  the  leading  platoon  shortens  its 
step,  will  the  one  behind  it,  and  succes- 
sively each  other,  come  up  into  line  with 
it.  As  soon  as  the  colours  of  the  bat- 
talion arrive,  they  become  the  leading 
point.  Although  it  is  an  operation  of 
more  difficulty,  yet  if  the  leading  divi- 
sion continues  the  ordinary,  and  the 
obliquing  ones  take  the  quick  step,  till 
they  successively  are  up  with  it,  a  bat- 
talion column  which  is  placed  behind 
the  flank  of  a  line,  may  in  this  manner, 
during  the  march,  aud  when  near  to 
the  enemy,  gradually  lengthen  out  that 
line. 

Vourff  or  Quick  Movement.  This 
movement  is  frequently  resorted  to  when 
the  head  of  a  considerable  open  column 
in  march  arrives  at,  or  near  the  point 
from  which  it  is  to  take  an  oblique  po- 
sition, facing  to  its  then  rear,  and  at 
which  points  its  third,  fourth,  or  any 
other  napied  battalion,  is  to  be  placed. 

The  justness  of  the  movement  depends 
on  the  points  in  the  new  direction  being 
taken   up  quickly,  and   with    precision  : 
on    the  previous  determination  that  a 
certain  battalion,  or  division  of  a  batta 
lion,  shall  pass,  or  halt  at  the  point  of  in 
tersection ;  and  that  every  part  of  the 
column  which  is  behind   that  battalion 
shall  throw  itself  into  open  column  on 


in  the  change  of  position  of  a  second 
line,  and  is  performed  by  all  those  that 
are  behind  the  division,  which  is  to  stop 
at  the  point  where  the  old  and  new  lines 
intersect.  And  at  all  times  when  the 
open  column  changes  into  a  direction  on 
which  it  is  to  form,  and  that  the  divi- 
sion which  is  to  be  placed  at  the  point  of 
entry  can  be  determined,  it  much  facili- 
tates the  operation  to  make  every  thing 
behind  that  division  gain,  the  new  line 
as  quick  as  possible,  without  waiting  till 
the  head  of  the  column  halts. 

Movement  of  troops  in  general.  With 
regard  to  the  geometrical  precision  re- 
quired in  the  movements  of  troops,  on 
which  so  much  stress  has  been  laid  by 
some  confined  writers,  we  submit  the 
following  extract  of  a  letter  which  was 
written  by  Baron  de  Besenval,  in  the 
year  1786,  in  a  communication  to  the 
Marechal  de  Segur,  the  French  minister 
at  war. 

"  I  have  heard  you  say,  that  it  ap- 
peared absolutely  necessary  to  insist 
upon  the  greatest  degree  of  precision  in 
time  of  peace,  in  order  to  secure  some 
portion  of  it  in  time  of  war.  I  cannot 
he  of  your  opinion  on  this  head.  The 
effect  of  such  a  principle  will  be  to 
tease  and  discourage  the  troops;  and 
when,  after  a  few  campaigns,  the  loss 
of  old  soldiers  replaced  by  raw  recruits, 
has  unavoidably  made  it  necessary  to 
relinquish  the  usual  precision,  and  to 
manoeuvre  without  it,  such  a  step  will 
at  first  lessen  them  in  their  own  opinion, 
which  is  a  great  evil;  at  last  they  will 
sink  into  a  state  of  relaxation,  and  na- 
turally conclude,  that  they  were  ori- 
ginally tormented  to  no  purpose.  This 
impression  must,  of  course,  be  highly 
injurious  to  the  service;  and  in  order 
to  prevent  its  effects,  it  is  well  known, 
that  the  Great  Frederick  preferred  the 
existence  of  an  acknowledged  evil,  sooner 
than  run  the  risk  of  a  greater  by  innova- 
tion. When  his  brother,  Prince  Henry  of 
Prussia,  saw  the  gendarmerie  manoeuvre 
before  him,  he  only  said:  C'est  tropf  this 
is  too  much,  or  this  is  overdoing  the 
thing." 

MOUFFETTES,  Fr.  foul  air  in  mines. 

MOUFLE,  Fr.  several  pullies  which 
act  together  in  raising  burthens,  or 
weights.     The   adjective  moiiji't,   ce,   is 


the  new  line  behind  the  point  of  inter- ? never  used   except  in  conjunction  with 


section,  ready  to  prolong,  or  to  form  the 
line  whenever  it  comes  to  its  turn. 
This  movement  will  often  take  place 


Poulie,  which  see. 

Moufle  also  signifies  the  truckles  for 
a  pulley. 


MOU 


(     556     ) 


M  O  U 


Moufle,  Fr.  a  sort  of  stuffed  glove. 
It  is  common  among  the  French  to  say, 
It  nefaut  pas  y  uller  sans  moujles ;  figu- 
ratively meaning,  that  no  dangerous  en- 
terprise ought  to  be  undertaken  without 
sufficient  force  to  carry  it  into  execution. 

MOUILLAGE,  Fr.  anchorage. 

MOUILLE,  Fr.  the  lower  floodgate 
of  a  sluice. 

MOUILLER,  Fr.  to  anchor;  to  let 
go  the  anchor. 

MOULDS,  vessels  used  in  casting  shot 
for  guns,  muskets,  carbines,  and  pistols  ; 
the  first  are  of  iron,  used  by  the  found- 
ers, and  the  others  by  the  artillery  in 
the  field,  and  in  garrison. 

Laboratory  Moulds  are  made  of 
wood,  for  tilling  and  driving  all  sorts  of 
rockets,  and  cartridges,  &c. 

Moulds  of  founders  of  large  wo?-ks, 
such  as  statues,  bells,  guns,  &c.  are  of 
wax,  supported  within  side  by  what  is 
called  a  core,  and  covered  on  the  outside 
with  a  cap,  or  case. 

The  liquid  metal  runs  in  the  space 
which  the  wax  occupied  before  it  melted 
away,  and  ran  off  through  a  great  num- 
ber of  little  canals,  which  cover  the 
whole  mould. 

Moulds  of  founders  of  tmti.ll  works 
are  frames  filled  with  sand ;  it  is  in  these 
frames,  which  are  likewise  filled  with  sand, 
that  their  several  works  are  fashioned, 
into  which,  when  the  two  frames  whereof 
the  mould  is  composed  are  rejoined,  the 
melted  brass  is  run. 

MOULDINGS  of  a  gun  or  mortar 
are  all  the  eminent  parts,  as  squares  or 
rounds,  which  serve  for  ornaments :  such 
ajs  the  breech-mouldings.  The  rings,  &c. 
are  also  called  mouldings. 

MOULE,  Fr.    See  Mould. 

Moule  de  fusee  vo/anfe,  Fr.  apiece 
of  round  wood  used  in  (ire-works. 

MOULIN,  Fr.  a  mill. 

Moulin  d.  bras  portutif  Fr.  a  species 
of  hand-mill,  which  was  invented  in 
France  by  Le  Sieur  de  Lavault,  and 
which  has  been  found  extremely  useful 
to  troops  on  service.  Ten  of  these  mills 
may  be  conveniently  placed  on  one 
wagon. 

MOULINET,  Fr.  a  capstan,  turn- 
stile, &c. 

Mouhnet  a  bras,  Fr.  a  rack  for  a 
cross-bow. 

MOUND,  in  old  military  books,  is 
a  term  used  for  a  bank  or  rampart,  or 
other  defence,  particularly  that  which  is 
Hjade  of  earth. 


To  MOUNT  is  a  word  variously  made 
use  of  in  military  matters,  as, 

To  Mount  cannon,  to  place  any  piece 
of  ordnance  on  its  frame,  for  the  more 
easy  carriage  and  management  of  it  in 
firing.  Hence  to  dismount  is  to  take 
cannon  from  any  serviceable  positron. 

To  Mount  a  breach,  to  run  up  in  a 
quick  and  determined  manner  to  any 
breach  made  in  a  wall,  &c. 

To  Mount  guard,  to  do  duty  in  a 
town  or  garrison,  in  a  camp,  or  at  out 
quarters. 

To  Mount,  to  place  on  horseback,  to 
furnish  with  horses;  as,  twelve  thousand 
men  have  been  well  mounted,  without 
any  considerable  expense  to  the  country. 
A  cavalry  regiment  may  be  said  to  be 
well  or  ill  mounted ;  in  either  of  which 
cases,  the  commanding  officer  is  gene- 
rally blameable  or  praise-worthy. 

To  mount  likewise  signifies  the  act  of 
getting  on  horseback,  according  to  pre- 
scribed military  rules  ;  as,  to  prepare  to 
mount,  is  when  the  left  hand  files  move 
their  horses  forward  in  the  manner  de- 
scribed under  Unlink  your  horses.  The 
whole  then  put  their  firelocks  into  the 
buckets,  and  buckle  them  on,  doubling 
the  strap  twice  round  the  barrel,  come 
to  the  front  of  the  horses,  fasten  the 
links,  throw  them  over  the  horses'  heads 
with  the  left  hand  round  the  horses' 
heads,  take  their  swords,  and  buckle 
them  tight  into  the  belt,  take  the  bit 
reins  up,  then  take  a  lock  of  the  mane, 
and  put  it  into  the  left  hand,  the  left 
foot  into  the  stirrup,  and  the  right  hand 
on  the  cantle  of  the  saddle,  waiting  for 
the  word  Mount:  when  they  spring 
smartly  up,  and  look  to  the  right  of  the 
rear.  At  the  next  signal,  they  must 
throw  the  leg  well  over  the  cloak,  and 
place  themselves  well  in  the  saddle,  with 
the  right  hand  leaning  on  the  off  holster. 
The  men  must  be  careful  not  to  check 
the  horses  with  the  bits  in  mounting. 
In  mounting  and  dismounting,  the  files 
that  move  forward  must  take  care  to 
keep  their  horses  straight,  and  at  the 
prescribed  distances  from  each  other ; 
and  when  mounting,  as  soon  as  the 
gloves  are  on,  belts  right,  &c.  the  left 
files  must  dress  well  to  the  right,  putting 
the  horses  straight,  and  leaving  distance 
enough  for  the  right  files  to  come  in. 

To  Mount  a  gun  is  either  to  put  the 
gun  into  its  carriage,  or  else,  when  in 
the  carriage,  to  raise  the  mouth  higher. 

MOUNTAINS,    called    Great 'and 


MOU 


(     527     ) 


MOU 


Little  St.  Bernard,  a  part  of  the  Alps, 
situated  in  the  Glacieres  of  Switzerland, 
which  has  been  rendered  famous  in 
modern  history  by  the  passage  of  the 
French  army  under  Bonaparte,  then 
First  Consul.  The  Simplon,  of  which 
there  exists  a  medal,  as  of  the  former,  is 
also  remarkable  in  the  same  way. 

MOVNTED-money.     See  Money. 

MOUNTEE,  an  alarm  to  mount,  or 
go  upon  some  warlike  expedition. 

Half  or  small  MOUNTINGS,  the 
shirt,  sjaoes,  stock  and  hose,  or  stock- 
ings, which  were  formerly  furnished  by 
the  colonels  or  commandants  of  corps 
every7  year.  This  mode  of  distribution 
which  engendered  a  multiplicity  of 
abuses,  has  been  abolished  by  his  Royal 
Highness  the  Duke  of  York :  in  lieu  of 
which  a  regulation  has  taken  place,  that 
(if  honestly  attended  to)  must  be  highly 
beneficial  to  the  soldier. 

MOUNTING  and  Dismounting, 
when  the  horses  are  to  be  led  away.  It 
frequently  happens,  especially  in  re- 
treating or  advancing,  that  it  may  be 
necessary  to  cover  the  defiling  of  a  re- 
giment by  dismounting  a  squadron  or 
part  of  one,  to  flank  the  mo'uth  of  a 
defile. — This  is  generally  effected  by 
lining  the  hedges,  &c.  and  keeping  up  a 
hot  fire  upon  the  enemy.  It  follows, 
of  course,  that  the  horses  cannot  be 
linked  together,  but  they  must  be  led 
away  (in  a  retreat)  to  the  most  conve- 
nient spot  in  the  defile  for  the  men  to 
mount  again.  In  advancing  they  must 
be  led  to  a  spot  where  they  will  not 
impede  the  defiling  of  the  regiment,  but 
where  they  will  be  at  hand  for  the  dis- 
mounted parties  to  mount. 

Guard  MOUNTING,  (a  la  garde 
montante,  Fr.)  the  hour  at  which  any 
guard  is  mounted  obtains  this  appella- 
tion, viz.  The  officers  will  assemble  at 
guard  mounting. 

MOUKGON,  Fr.  a  man  belonging 
to  the  gallies,  who  plunges  into  the  sea 


Cfo'e/MouRNER.  The  chief  mourner 
comes  last :  every  thing  in  military  fu- 
nerals being  reversed. 

MOURNING  is  expressed  among 
military  men,  in  the  British  service,  by 
a  piece  of  black  crape  round  the  arm, 
and  handle  of  the  sword  ;  and  in  some 
instances  by  a  cockade  of  the  same.  See 
Deuil,  Fr. 

Mourning  of  the  chine,  (in  horses)  a 
disease  which  causes  ulcers  in  the  liver. 

iMOURRAILLES,  Fr.  barnacles  for 
a  horse's  nose. 

MOURRE,  Fr.  the  muzzle  or  chuff  of 
beasts. 

MOUSER,  an  ironical  term,  which 
is  sometimes  used  in  the  British  militia 
to  distinguish  battalion  men  from  the 
flank  companies.  It  is  indeed  generally 
applied  to  them  by  the  grenadiers  and 
light  bobs,  meaning,  that  while  the  lat- 
ter are  detached,  the  former  remain  in 
quarters,  like  cats,  to  watch  the  mice,  &c. 
In  the  line,  and  among  the  guards,  they 
are  called  buffers. 

MOUSQUET,  Fr.  musket.  This  word, 
which  signifies  an  old  weapon  of  offence 
that  was  formerly  fired  by  means  of  a 
lighted  match,  has  been  variously  used 
among  the  French,  viz.  gros  mousquet, 
a  heavy  musket;  un  petit  mousquet,  a. 
short  musket;  un  mousquet  I'tger,  a  light 
musket.  Muskets  were  first  used  by 
the  French  in  the  15th  century, 

Mousquet  a  fourchette,  Fr.  a  mus- 
ket with  a  rest  attached  to  it. 

Coup  de  Mousquet,  Fr.  See  Coup 
d'urme  a  feu. 

Recevoir  un  coup  de  Mousquet,  Fr. 
to  receive  a  musket  shot. 

Porter  le  Mousquet  dans  une  com- 
pagnic  d'infanterie,  Fr.  to  stand  in  the 
ranks  as  a  foot  soldier. 

Mousquet  Biscayen,  Fr.  a  long  heavy 
musket  which  is  used  in  fortified  places 
to  annoy  reconnoitring  parties. 

MOUSQUETADE,  Fr.  a  musketshot. 

This  term  is  generally  used  to  express  a 

to  pick  up  any  thing  that  may  have  fallen]  smart  discharge  of  musketry  :  on  a  en- 


overboard 

MOURIR,  Fr.  to  die. 

Mourir  dHune  belle  ep'ce,  a  French 
phrase,  which  signifies  to  fall  under  the 
hands  of  an  enemy  of  great  skill  and 
reputation. 

MOURNE,  (mourne,  Fr.)  the  round 
end  of  a  staff;  the  part  of  a  lance  to 
which  the  steel  is  fixed,  or  where  it  is 
taken  off. 

MOURNER,  a  person  attending  the 
funeral  or  interment  of  a  fellovf  creature. 


tendu  une  vive  Mousquetade  :  they 
have  heard  a  brisk  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry. 

Essuyer  une  Mousquetade,  Fr.  to 
stand,  or  support  a  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry. 

MOUSQUETAIRES,  Fr.  Mus- 
keteers, under  the  old  government,  ori- 
ginally raised  by  Louis  XIII.  in  1622, 
out  of  the  Carabineers.  This  corps  con- 
sisted of  two  companies  selected  from 
the  young  men  of  noble  extraction,  each 


M  O  U 


(    si*    ) 


M  O  U 


of  844  officers  and  privates.  The  first 
company's  uniform  was  a  scarlet  coat, 
heed  with  the  same,  ami  a  scarlet  waist- 
coat, gold  buttons  and  button-holes,  the 
coat  edged  with  goH  ;  a  hat  laced  with 
gold,  with  a  white  leather  in  it.  The 
second  company's  was  the  same,  with 
the  exception  of  silver  in  the  place  of 
gold.  The  cloaks  and  great  routs  were 
blue,  laced  with  silver,  with  white 
crosses  sewed  before  and  behind,  and  red 
streaks  running  into  the  corners,  or  ren- 
trant  angles; — the  streaks  in  the  second 
company  were  yellow.  The  horsesof the 
first  company,  or  Mousquetaires  grig,  were 
white  or  dapple-grey  ;  of  tire  second,  or 
Mousquetaires  noirs,  black.  The  arms 
were,  instead  of  the  musket,  a  carbine, 
two  pistols  in  the  saddle-bow,  and  a 
sword,  calculated  for  infantry  and  ca- 
valry duty. — The  standard  of  the  first 
company  was  a  bomb  falling  upon  a  be- 
sieged town,  with  the  motto,  Quo  ruit 
ad  lethum  :  that  of  the  second  company 
was  a  bunch  of  arrows,  with  these  words 
underneath,  Alterius  Jovis  altera  tela. 
The  Mousquetaires  never  served  on  horse- 
back except  when  the  king  travelled. 
Several  princes  and  almost  all  the  general 
officers  and  marshals  of  France  were  in- 
debted to  this  establishment  for  the  first 
elements  of  military  science.  The  corps 
was  indeed  considered  as  a  military 
school  tor  the  French  nobility.  The 
English  Roman  catholic  noblemen  who 
wished  to  enter  the  Mousquetaires  were 
obliged  to  prove  certain  degrees  of  nobi- 
lity before  they  were  admitted  :  this  was 
not  the  case  in  the  Irish  brigade. 

MOUSQUETON,  Fr.  a  fire-arm 
lighter  and  shorter  than  the  common 
firelock ;  usually  carried  by  dragoons. 
TheFrench  guards, during  the  monarchy, 
had  their  mousquetons  highly  polished 
and  ornamented  with  gold,  &c. 

MOUSQUETERIE,  Fr.  musketry. 

Feu  de  Mousqueterie,  Fr.  musket- 
firing. 

MOUSSE,  Fr.  moss.  This  is  used  in 
flood-gates  to  prevent  the  water  from 
oozing  through. 

MOUSTACHE,  Fr.  This  word  was 
originally  derived  from  the  Greek, adopt- 
ed by  the  Italians,  subsequently  by  the 
French,  and  then  used  by  us  It  lite- 
rally means  the  hair  which  is  allowed  to 
grow  upon  the  upper  lip  of  a  man  ;  and 
which  is  better  known  Smongst  us  by 
the  familiar  term  whiskers.  The  French 
use  it  in  a  figuratire  sense,  viz. 


En/ever  sur  la  moustache  ;  jusque  sur 
la  moustache  dc  quelqu'un,  Fr.  to  seize 
or  take  possession  of  any  tiling  under 
the  very  nose,  or  in  the  presence  of  a 
person.  Les  ehnemis  sont  venus  pour 
defendre  cette  place,  on  la  leur  a  enlevie 
sur  la  moustache,  the  enemy  drew  near 
to  defend  the  town,  but  it  was  taken 
under  their  very  noses. 

MOUTH, (in  geography)  a  placewhere 
a  river  disembogues  or  empties  itself 
into  the  sea. 

Mouth  of  a  cannon,  (bouche  d'un 
canon,  Fr.)  See  Cannon;  also  touches 
a  feu. 

Mouth  of  a  river,  (embouchure,  Fr.) 

Mouth  of  a  haven,  (entree,  Fr.)  the 
entrance  into  a  harbour. 

A  fine  Mouth,  (in  horsemanship.)  A 
horse  is  said  to  have  a  fine  vwuth  that 
stops  if  the  horseman  does  but  bend  his 
body  backwards,  and  raise  his  hand 
without  waiting  for  the  check  of  the 
bridle  :  Such  a  mouth,  according  to 
Bailey,  is  also  called  sensible,  light,  and 
loyal. 

A  fixed  Mouth,      }  is  when  a  horse 

A  certain  Mouth,  S  does  not  hack,  or 
beat  upon  the  hand. 

A  false  Mouth  is  when,  though  the 
parts  of  a  horse's  mouth  look  well,  and 
are  well  formed,  it  is  not  at  all  sensible. 

A  Mouth  of  a  full  appui,  i.  e.  a 
mouth  of  a  full  rest  upon  the  hand,  is 
the  mouth  of  a  horse  that  has  not  the 
tender  nice  sense  of  some  fine  mouths  ; 
but  nevertheless  lias  a  fixed  and  certain 
rest,  suffers  a  hand  that  is  a  little  hard, 
without  hacking  or  beating  upon  the 
hand. 

Mouth  qf  fire.  The  entrance  into 
the  garrison  of  Gibraltar,  by  the  grand 
battery  and  the  old  mole,  is  so  called  by 
the  Spaniards,  on  account  of  the  formi- 
dable appearance  of  the  ordnance  from 
the  lines. 

MOUTHED.  This  word  in  horse- 
manship is  applied  in  two  senses,  viz. 

Hard-MovrHtD.  See  Hard  in  Hand. 

iSo/if-MouTHED.  See  Easy  in  Hand. 

F'o«/-Mouthed.     See  Langue,  Fr. 

MOUTON,  Fr.  a  rammer  used  to 
drive  large  piles  into  the  earth,  &c.  It 
is  also  called  hie. 

Mouton,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  a  person 
who  is  placed  with  another  confined 
under  suspicious  circumstances,  for  the 
purpose  of  discovering  his  reul  senti- 
ments 


MOY 


(     529     ) 


M  U  F 


MOUTONNERIE,  Fr.  the  act  of 
watching  or  decoying  another.  This 
art  is  practised  in  France  to  great  per- 
fection, particularly  by  persons  attached 
to  the  police.  It  is  aukwardly  imitated 
in  England,  for  it  is  seldom  in  the  cha- 
racter of  an  Englishman  to  descend  to 
treachery. 

MOUTONNIER,  Fr.  sheep-like  ; 
gregarious.  The  notorious  Marat  used 
to  say,  during  the  effervescence  of.  the 
French  revolution,  Tout  peuple.  est  mou- 
tonnier,  the  nation  or  people  at  large 
are  always  gregarious,  and  ready  to  fol- 
low a  leader. 

Nation  MOUTONNIERE,  Fr.  a  na- 
tion which  suffers  itself  to  be  gulled  and 
led  like  sheep  by  designing    men. 

Sable  MOU  V ANT,  Fr.  quicksand. 

MOUVhMENS  de  tete,  Fr.  motions 
of  the  head.  For  the  English  explana- 
tion of  these  motions,  see  Eyes.  The 
French  express  them  in  the  following 
manner  :  Tete  a  droite,  eyes  right. — 
Tete  a  gauche,  eyes  left. — Fixe!  eyes 
front. 

Mouvemens,  Fr.  movements,  com- 
motions, broils. 

Mouvemens  des  troupes  sous  les  armes, 
Fr.  By  these  are  understood  the  dif- 
ferent changes  of  position,  and  the  va- 
rious facings  which  soldiers  go  through 
under  arms. 

Mouvemens  de  pied  ferme,  Fr.  that 
exercise,  consisting  of  the  manual  and 
facings,  which  a  soldier  performs,  with- 
out quitting  his  original  ground.  The 
left  foot  on  this  occasion  becomes  a 
standing  pivot. 

Mouvemens  ouverts,  Fr.  movements, 
or  evolutions,  which  are  made  at  open 
order. 

Mouvemens serres,Yv.  movements,  or 
evolutions,  which  are  made  at  close  order. 

Mouvemens  opposes,  Fr.  opposite 
movements,  or  evolutions. 

MOUVEMENT,  Fr.  See  Move- 
ment. 

Mouvement,  Fr.  See  motion  for  its 
general  acceptation. 

MOYE,  Fr.  a  crack  in  free-stone,  &c. 

MOYLN,  Fr.  means  ;  power  ;  help. 

Moyen,  Fr.  the  bastions  which  are 
constructed  on  the  angles  are  called 
Royal  Bastions  Some  engineers  have 
distinguished  those  bastions  by  the  name 
of  Moyens  Royaux,  or  medium  royals, 
whose  flanks  contain  from  ninety  to  one 
hundred  toises. 

MOYEN EAU,  (in  fortification,)  a  lit- 


tle flat  bastion  raised  upon  a  re-entering 
angle  before  a  courtin,  which  is  too 
long,  between  two  other  bastions. 

MOYENNE,  Fr.  a  piece  of  ordnance 
formerly  so  called.     See  Minion. 

Moyenne  ville,  Fr.  a  term  given  by 
the  French  to  any  town  in  which  the 
garrison  is  equal  to  a  third  of  the  inha- 
bitants, and  which  is  not  deemed  suffi- 
ciently important  to  bear  the  expense 
of  a  citadel;  more  especially  so,  be- 
cause it  is  not  in  the  power  of  the  inha- 
bitants to  form  seditious  meeting';  with- 
out the  knowledge  of  the  soldiers  who 
are  quartered  on  them. 

MOYENS  cotes,  Fr.  in  fortification, 
are  those  sides  which  contain  from,  eighty 
to  one  hundred  and  eighty  toises  in  ex- 
tent: these  are  always  fortified  with 
bastions  on  their  angles.  The  moyens 
cotes  are  generally  found  along  the  ex- 
tent of  irregular  places;  and  each  one 
of  these  is  individually  subdivided  into 
small,  mean,  and  great  sides. 

Moyens  sourds,  Fr.  underhand  me- 
thods. 

MOYER,  Fr.  to  saw  free-stones. 

MOYEU,  Fr.  the  stock  of  a  wheel ; 
the  nave. 

MOYLE,  a  mule. 

MUD-WALLS.  The  ancient  fortifi- 
cations consisted  chiefly  of  mud  or  clay, 
thrown  up  in  any  convenient  form  for 
defence  against  sudden  inroads. 

MUET,  Fr.     See  Mute. 

MUFFETEERS,  a  name  given  to  such 
regiments  of  dragoons  as  have  been  or- 
dered to  wear  furred  caps,  particularly 
the  7th  and  15th  light  dragoons.  The 
name  is  so  far  appropriate,  because  the 
caps  of  these  corps  resemble  the  common 
muffs  worn  by  the  females  in  Great 
Britain,  and  by  the  effeminate  males 
upon  the  continent. 

To  MUFFLE,  to  wrap  any  thing  up 
so  as  to  deaden  the  sound,  which  might 
otherwise  issue  from  the  contact  of  two 
hard  substances.  When  the  French  ef- 
fected their  passage  over  the  march  Al- 
baredo,  on  their  route  to  the  plain  of 
Marengo,  they  were  so  much  exposed 
to  the  Austrians,  that  in  order  to  get 
their  artillery  and  ammunition  over, 
without  bein^  betrayed  by  the  noise  of 
the  carriage  wheels,  and  the  clattering 
of  the  horses'  shoes,  both  were  muffled 
with  bands  of  hay  and  straw,  and  dung 
was  spread  over  the  ground.  In  this 
manner  they  crossed  that  stupendous 
rock.  Thirty  men  were  put  to  the  drag 
3Y 


M  U  L 


( 


) 


M  U  N 


I    ->  of  each  piece,  and  as  many  were  so  much  so,  that  on  the  dangerous  symp- 


employed  to  draw  up  the  caissons. 


toma    of    insurrection,  which   appeared 


MUl'FLED.  Drums  are  muffled  at I among  the  blacks  after  the  success  of 
military  funerals  or  burials,  and  at  mili-  Toussaint  in  St.  Domingo,  a  proposal 
tary  executions,  particularly  when  a  sol-  was  made  to  government  hy  a  rich  plan- 
dier  is  shot  for  some  capital  crime,  ter,  to  raise  a  mulatto  corps,  as  an  in- 

Mufiled  spurs,  spurs  whose  points  termediate  check  upon  the  blacks — 
are  blunted  or  covered.  We  say,  figu-  After  six  months  suspense,  the  memorial 
ratively,  to  ride  a  free  horse,  or  a  gene-  was  rejected  by  the  war  minister,  Henry 
ions  person,   with  muffled. spurs,  that  is, iDuodas,   afterwards   Viscount  Melville. 


not  to   push  either  beyond  his  strength 
or  means. 

MUFLE,  Fr.  (in  architecture)  apiece 
of  ornamental  sculpture,    which  repre- 


Buta  corps  of  men  of  colour  was  after- 
wards raised  and  sent  to  Ceylon,  on 
very  different  principles. 

MULCT.     A    soldier   is    said    to  l>e 


sents  the  head  of  some  animal,  as  that  j  mulct  of  his  pay  when  put  under  fine  or 


of  a  lion,  &c.    and  serves  as  a  water 
spout  to  a  ledge  or  wave. 

MUFTI,  (moufli,  Fr.)  the  high  priest 
of  the  Mahometans. 

MUGIIt,  fr.    to   roar  ;    to  make   a 


stoppages    for    necessaries,  or  to  make 
good  some  dilapidations  committed  hy 

him    on   the   property   of  the  people  or 
government. 

MULE,    (mulct,  Fr.)  an    animal  tie- 


great  noise.  Les  soldats  ne  font  que  j  aerated  between  a  he-ass  and  a  mare, 
mugtr  dans  les  champs.  The  soldiers  or  between  a  she-ass  and  a  horse;  a 
do  nothing  but  roar  and   bellow  in  the  I  sure-footed  beast  that  is  very  serviceable 


fields 


in    mountainous    countries,    and   much 


MUGS,  a  banditti  of  plunderers  from   used   in    Spain;    but  like   many   useful 


an  Indian  nation 

MUGUETER  une  ville,  Fr.    to  en- 


inen  and  women,  extremely  obstinate. 
MULETEER,  (nmletier,  Fr.)  a  mule 


deavour  by  all  possible  means  and  Btra-  driver.     A  corps  of  these  was  attempted 


tagetus  to  surprize  a  fortified  town  or 
place. 

MUJD,  Fr.  a  hogshead. 

Muid  de  bli,  Fr.  comb  and  a  bushel 
of  corn. 


to  be  raised,  or  rather  got  together, 
during  the  Spanish  insurrection  in  1808. 

MULIN,  Fr.  a  narrow  heel,  and  high 
coffin;  such  as  all  mules  have. 

MULON    de   join,   Fr.    a   hay-rick; 


MULAGIS,  Turkish  cavalry,  consist- 1  hay-stack  ;    or  great  hay-cock. 


ing  of  a  small  number  of  chosen  men, 
who  are  personally  attached  to  the  Bcg- 
lerbeg,  or  viceroy,  in  Turkey.  The  beg- 
lerbeg  is  head  or  chief  of  a  militia,  which 
is  called  after  him,  and  is  commanded 
by  subordinate  beglers.     There  are  24 


MULTANGULAR  is  said  of  a  figure, 
or  body,  which  has  many  angles. 

MULTILATERAL,  having  many 
sides. 

MULTINOMIAL  quantities,  (multi- 
nonie,   Fr.)   (in   algebra)   are    quantities 


beglers,  or  viceroys,  under  the   Grand  |  composed  of  several   names  or  mommies, 


Signor,  who  are  extremely  rich. 


joigned  by  the  signs  4-  or — ;  thus  m  +  n 


MULATTO,  (mu/dlre,Yr.)  in  the  In-' — n+p,   and   b — a — c  +  d—f,  are  mul- 


dies,  denotes  one  begotten  by  a  negro 
man  on  an  Indian  woman,  or  by  an 
Indian  man  on  a  negro-woman.  Those 
begotten  of  a  Spanish  woman  and  Indian 
man  are  called  metis, and  those  begotten 
of  a  savage  by  a  metis,  are  called  jamlns. 
They  also  differ  very  much  in  colour,  and 
in  their  hair. 

Generally  speaking,  especially  in 
Europe,  and  in  the  West  Indies,  a  mu- 
latto is  one  begotten  by  a  white  man  ou 
a  negro  woman,  fir  by  u  negro  man  on  a 
white  woman.  The  word  is  Spanish, 
mulata.  and  formed  of  mula,  a  mule,  be- 
ing begotten,  as  it  were,  of  two  different 
species. 

.    Mulattoes  abound  in  the  West  Indies; 


tinomials. 

MULTIPLE,  one  number  containing 
another  several  times;  as  9  is  the  mul- 
tiple of  3,  16  that  of  4,  and  so  on. 

MUNDICK,  a  kind  of  marcasite,  or 
semi-metal,  found  in  tin  mines. 

MUNI,  Fr.  in  possession  of;  as  etant 
muni  de  scs  passeports,  being  in  posses- 
sion of  his  passports. 

MUMMELL,  a  strong  hold,  fortifi- 
cation, &c. 

MUNTONS,  (in  architecture)  the 
short  upright  posts  or  bars  which  divide 
the  several  lights  in  a  window-frame. 

MUNIR  une  place,  Fr.  to  throw 
stores,  ammunition,  and  provisions,  into 
a  place  which  is  likely  to  be  besieged. 


M  U  N 


(     531    ) 


M  U  S 


MUNITION,  an  old  word  signifying 
a  fortification  or  bulwark. 

MuMTio!f-$4i/)s,  vessels  employed  to 
carry  ammunition,  to  attend  upon  a  fleet 
or"  ships  of  war. 

MUNITION,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
among  the  French  to  express  not  only 
victuals  and  provisions,  but  also  military 
stores  and  ammunition. 

Munitions  de  bouche,  Fr.  \ictuals  or 
provision:-,  (such  as  bread,  salt,  meat, 
vegetables,  butter,  wine,  beer,  brandy, 
&c.  which  may  be  procured  for  soldiers) 
are  so  called  by  the  French.  Corn, 
oats,  hay,  straw,  and  green  forage,  for 
cavalry,  bear  the  same  appellation.  See 
Subsistence. 

Munitions  de  guerre,  Fr.  military 
stores,  such  as  gunpowder,  shot,  balls, 
bullets,  matches,  6ic.     See  Stores. 

M  UN  ITION  N  AIRE  ou  entrepreneur 
des  vivres,  Fr.  military  purveyor,  or 
commissary  of  stores.  Amaury  Bour- 
guignon,  from  Niort,  a  town  of  Poitou, 
was  the  first  Munitionnaire,  and  entre- 
preneur general,  or  purveyor-general, 
among  the  French.  He  was  appointed 
in  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  in  1574.  See 
Purveyor. 

Munitionnaire  pour  la  marine,  Fr. 
the  head  of  the  victualling  office  was  so 
called  among  the  French.  There  was 
a  person  ou  board  everv  ship  of  war, 
called  commis  or  clerk,  who  acted  under 
his  orders.  The  appointment  of  the 
latter  was  somewhat  similar  to  that  of 
a  purser  in  the  British  navy. 

MUNSUB,  hid.  a  title  which  gives 
the  person  invested  with  it,  a  right  to 
have  the  command  of  seven  thousand 
horse,  with  the  permission  of  bearing 
amongst  his  ensigns  that,  of  a  Fish  ; 
neither  of  which  distinctions  is  ever 
granted,  excepting  to  persons  of  the 
first  note  in  the  empire. 

MUNUS,  a  gift ;  an  offering.  It  was 
customary  among  the  Romans,  when  a 
military  funeral  took  place,  for  the 
friends  of  the  deceased  to  throw  his 
clothes  and  arms  into  the  pile  the  instant 
the  body  was  consigned  to  the  flames ; 
this  was  looked  upon  as  the  last  offering 
to  his  memory.  Sometimes  they  threw 
gold  and  silver  with  the  arms  and  ac- 
coutrements. When  the  remains  of 
Julius  Caesar  were  burned,  all  the  sol- 
diers who  attended  threw  their  helmets, 
&c.  into  the  burning  pile.  We,  in  some 
degree,  follow  this  custom,  by  placing 
upon  the  pall  the  hat  or  cap,  side-arms, 


&c.  of  the  deceased ;  but  we  are  too 
wise  to  destroy  the  articles,  although 
not  sufficiently  prudent  (especially  in 
populous  towns)  to  burn  the  body. 

MUR,  Fr.  a  wall.  For  its  various 
significations,  see  Belidor. 

MURAGE,  money  appropriated  to 
the  repair  of  military  works  was  an- 
ciently so  called. 

MURAILLE,  Fr.  a  wall ;  a  close  and 
compact  continuity  of  brick  or  stone. 

The  charge  en  muraille,  was  always 
practised  by  the  old  king  of  Prussia. 
Major-general  Warnery  not  only  objects 
to  a  phalanx,  except  it  be  formed  by 
battalions  in  circle  upon  Puysegur's  prin- 
ciple, but  also  differs  with  Frederick, 
because  he  conceives  that  cavalry  in 
phalanx  without  any  interval,  loses  all 
the  principles  of  velocity. 

Muraille  de  revetement,  Fr.  the  wall 
which  surrounds  a  fortified  place  is  so 
called. 

Charger  en  Muraille,  Fr.  to  charge 
or  attack  an  enemy,  in  a  firm,  compact, 
and  steady  line.  This  is  generally  done 
on  the  wings  of  infantry,  or  by  close 
squadrons  of  cavalry. 

Muraille  de  la  C/tine,Tr.  See  Wall. 

MURAL-croz»7i,  (couronne  murale, 
Fr.)     See  Crown. 

MURATORES,  individuals,  among 
the  Romans,  who  were  employed  during 
the  games  that  were  performed  in  the 
Circus.  It  was  their  business  to  see 
that  the  chariots  started  at  given  times, 
that  they  preserved  their  order  or  ranks, 
and  kept  their  allotted  distances. 

MURDRESSES,  in  ancient  fortifica- 
tion, a  sort  of  battlement  with  inter- 
stices, raised  on  the  tops  of  towers  to 
fire  through. 

Vi/le  MUREE,  Fr.  a  walled  town. 

MURRION.     See  Morion. 

MURTHERERS,  or  murthering 
pieces,  small  pieces  of  ordnance,  having 
chambers,  and  made  to  load  at  the 
breech.  They  are  mostly  used  at  sea, 
in  order  to  clear  the  decks  when  an 
enemy  has  boarded  a  vessel. 

MUSCULUS.  Kennett,  in  his  Ro- 
man Antiquities,  page  237,  says,  "  the 
Musculus  is  conceived  to  have  been 
much  of  the  same  nature  as  the  Testu- 
do  ;  but  it  seems  to  have  been  of  a 
smaller  size,  and  composed  of  stronger 
materials,  being  exposed  a  much  longer 
time  to  the  force  of  the  enemy  ;  for  in 
these  Musculi,  the  pioneers  were  sent 
to  the  very  walls,  where  they  were  t* 
3  Y2 


MUS 


(     532     ) 


MUS 


continue,  while  with  their  dolabra?  or 
pick-axes,  and  other  instruments,  they 
endeavoured  to  undermine  the  founda- 
tions. Caesar  has  described  the  Mus- 
cu/us  at  large  in  his  second  book  of  the 
civil  wars. 

MUSELIERE,  Fr.  a  barnacle  for  an 
utiruly  horse's  nose. 

MUSEUM,  a  study  or  library ;  also 
a  college  or  public  place  for  the  resort 
of  learned  men.  The  Museum  in  Paris, 
together  with  the  adjacent  gallery  of 
pictures,  is  open  to  all  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town,  or  strangers  that  may  be  in 
it.     The  Museum  in  London  is  not  so. 

The  Museum,  a  magnificent  building 
in  the  city  of  Oxford,  founded  by  Elias 
Ashmole,  Esq. 

MUSIC,  a  general  term  for  the  mu- 
sicians of  a  regimental  band. 

MUSICIANS.  It  has  been  often 
asked,  why  the  dress  of  musicians,  drum- 
mers, and  fifers,  should  be  of  so  varied 
and  motley  a  composition,  making  them 
appear  more  like  harlequins  and  moun- 
tebanks, than  military  appendages  ? — 
The  following  anecdote  will  explain  the 
reason,  as  far  at  least  as  it  regards  the 
British  service: — the  musicians  belong- 
ing to  the  guards  formerly  wore  plain 
blue  coats,  so  that  the  instant  they  came 
oft' duty,  and  frequently  in  the  intervals 
between,  they  visited  alehouses,  &c. 
without  changing  their  uniform,  and 
thus  added  considerably  to  its  wear  and 
tear.  It  will  be  here  remarked,  that  the 
clothing  of  the  musicians  falls  wholly 
upon  the  colonels  of  regiments;  no  al- 
lowance being  specifically  made  for  that 
article  by  the  public.  It  is  probable, 
that  some  general  ollicer  undertook  to 
prevent  this  abuse,  by  obtaining  permis- 
sion from  the  king  to  clothe  the  musi- 
cians, &c.  in  so  fantastical  a  maimer, 
that  they  would  be  ashamed  to  exhibit 
themselves  at  public-houses,  &c. 

Phrygian  Music.     See  Mood. 

Modes  of  Music.     See  Mood. 

La  MUSIQUE,  Fr.  the  regimental 
band. 

Directeur  de  la  Musique,  Fr.  the 
leader  of  the  band. 

MUSKET,      )  the   most   serviceable 

MUSQUET,  S  and  commodious  fire- 
arm used  by  an  army.  It  carries  a  ball 
of  09  t.,)  2  pounds.  Its  length  is  3  feet 
6  inches  from  the  muzzle  to  the  pan. 
The  Spaniards  were  the  tirst  who  armed 
part  of  their  foot  with  muskets.  At 
first  they  were  made   very  heavy,  and 


could  not  be  fired  without  a  rest :  they 
had  matchlocks,  and  did  execution  at 
a  great  distance.  These  kinds  of  mus- 
kets and  rests  were  used  in  England  so 
late  as  the  beginning  of  the  civil  wars. 

Muskets  were  first  used  at  the  siege 
of  Rhege,  in  the  year  1521. 

Musket  baskets.  These  are  about 
a  foot,  or  a  foot  and  an  half  high,  eight 
or  ten  inches  diameter  at  bottom,  and  a 
foot  at  the  top;  so  that,  being  filled  with 
earth,  there  is  room  to  lay  a  musket  be- 
tween them  at  bottom,  being  set  on  low 
breast-works,  or  parapets,  or  upon  such 
as  are  beaten  down. 

Musket-sAo£,  (coup  de  vwusquet,  Fr.) 

MvsKEi-jiroiif',  (qui  est  aTipreuxe  du 
mousquet,  Fr.)  that  which  resists  the  force 
of  a  musket  ball. 

MUSKETEERS,  soldiers  armed  with 
muskets  ;  who,  on  a  march,  carried  only 
their  rests  and  ammunition,  and  had 
boys  to  bear  their  muskets  after  them.— 
They  were  very  slow  in  loading,  not 
only  by  reason  of  the  unwieldiness  of  the 
pieces,  and  because  they  carried  the  pow- 
der and  ball  separate,  but  from  the  time 
required  to  prepare  and  adjust  the  match; 
so  that  their  fire  was  not  so  brisk  as  ours 
is  now.  Afterwards  a  lighter  kind  of 
matchlock  musket  came  in  use  ;  and 
they  carried  their  ammunition  in  ban- 
deliers,  to  which  were  hung  several  lit- 
tle cases  of  wood,  covered  with  leather, 
each  containing  a  charge  of  powder  ; 
the  balls  they  carried  loose  in  a  pouch, 
and  a  priming  horn,  hanging  by  their 
side.  These  arms  were,  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  last  century,  universally 
laid  aside  in  Europe,  and  the  troops 
were  armed  with  firelocks. 

MUSKETOONS, short  thick  muskets, 
whose  bore  is  the  'o'olb  part  of  their 
length  :  they  carry  five  ounces  of  iron, 
or  7|  of  lead,  with  an  equal  quantity  of 
powder.  The  term  musketoon  is  also 
applied  to  a  fire-arm  resembling  a  horse 
pistol,  of  a  very  wide  bore,  and  sometimes 
bell-mouthed. 

MUSOIR,  Fr.  the  foremost  or  salient 
part  of  a  sluice  or  dam. 

MUSROL,  (muserole,  Fr.)  the  nose- 
band of  a  horse's  bridle. 

MUSSUCK,  hid.  a  skin  in  which  water 
is  carried. 

MUSSULMAN,  from  the  Arabic, 
signifying  faithful  in  religion.  A  title 
which  the  Mahometans  take  to  them- 
selves. 

MUSTACHES,  whiskers,  worn  by  the 


M  U  T 


(     533     ) 


MUZ 


Germans,  Russians,  and  other  foreign 
troops;  also  by  some  regiments  of  light 
dragoons  in  the  British  service. 

MUSTER,  from  the  Italian mostrare, 
or  French  montrer,  to  shew,  to  put  forth, 
to  display.  In  a  military  sense,  a  review 
of  troops  under  arms,  to  see  if  they  be 
complete,  and  in  good  order;  to  take  an 
account  of  their  numbers,  the  condition 
they  are  in,  viewing  their  arms  and 
accoutrements,  &c.  At  a  muster,  every 
man  must  be  properly  clothed  and  ac- 
coutred, &c.  and  answer  to  his  name. 
The  French  call  it  appel  nominatif. 

To  pass  Muster,  to  be  borne  upon 
the  establishment  of  a  regiment,  &c. 
We  also  say,  figuratively,  such  a  thing 
will  not  pass  master,  or  will  not  be  al- 
lowed. 

M  uster  -  Master-  General,  Commis- 
sary General  of  the  Musters,  one  who 
takes  account  of  everv  regiment,  their 
number,  horses,  arms,  &c.  reviews  them, 
sees  that  the  horses  are  well  mounted, 
and  all  the  men  well  armed  and  ac- 
coutred, &c. 

MUSTER-ROLL,  (  etat  nominatif, 
Fr.)  a  specific  list  of  the  officers  and  men 
in  every  regiment,  troop  or  company, 
which  is  delivered  to  the  inspecting  field 
officer,  muster  master,  regimental  or 
district  paymaster,  (as  the  case  may  be,) 
whereby  they  are  paid,  and  their  condi- 
tion is  known.  The  names  of  the  officers 
are  inscribed  according  to  their  rank, 
those  of  the  men  in  alphabetical  suc- 
cession. Adjutants  of  regiments  make 
out  the  muster-rolls,  and  when  the  list 
is  called  over  every  individual  must  an- 
swer to  his  name.  Every  muster-roll 
must  be  signed  by  the  colonel,  or  com- 
manding officer,  the  paymaster  and  ad- 
jutant of  each  regiment,  troop,  or  com- 
pany :  it  must  likewise  be  sworn  to  by 
the  muster-master  or  paymaster,  (as  the 
case  may  be,)  before  a  justice  of  the 
peace  previous  to  its  being  transmitted 
to  government. 

MUSTI,  one  born  of  a  mulatto  father 
or  mother,  and  a  white  father  or  mother. 

MUTA,  Lat.  Mews,  Eng.  Mue,  Fr. 
an  enclosure  for  birds;  whence  the  royal 
stables  at  Charing  Cross  took  that  name, 
having  been  anciently  full  of  Mews, 
where  the  King's  hawks  were  kept. 

MUTILATED,  in  a  military  sense, 
signifies  wounded  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  lose  the  use  of  a  limb.  A  battalion 
is  said  to  be  mutilated,  when  its  divi- 
sions, &c.  stand  unequal. 


MUTINE,  or  MUTINEER,  a  sol- 
dier guilty  of  mutiny. 

Se  MUTINER,  Fr.  to  mutiny;  a 
term  which  is  particularly  applicable  to 
soldiers  who  cabal  together  to  the  ul- 
timate subversion  of  good  order  and 
discipline.  It  is  wisely  observed  by  the 
French  writer  of  this  article,  that  how- 
ever just  the  ground  of  discontent  may 
be,  no  time  must  be  lost  in  instantly 
quelling  the  first  symptoms  of  disobe- 
dience. The  leaders,  or  primary  in- 
stigators, must  be  summarily  proceeded 
against,  and  not  allowed  to  mix  with 
their  fellow  soldiers  until  the  cause  has 
been  thoroughly  examined,  and  effectual 
measures  have  been  adopted  to  obviate 
any  mischievous  consequence.  In  order 
to  prevent  soldiers  from  mutinying,  their 
commanding  and  subordinate  officers 
must,  under  all  circumstances,  be  scru- 
pulously correct  towards  them  ;  and  if 
the  condition  of  things  should  be  such, 
as  to  render  it  impossible  to  grant  re- 
dress in  the  first  instance,  solemn  pro- 
mises must  be  made,  and  those  promises 
religiously  attended  to.  It  ought  al- 
ways to  be  remembered,  that  the  dread- 
ful example  of  a  barrack  or  garrison 
being  jn  a  state  of  mutiny,  may  be  ex- 
tended to  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
and  adjacent  villages.  On  this  account 
no  troops  should  be  placed  in  barracks, 
or  stationed  in  citadels,  without  the 
strictest  attention  having  previously 
been  given  to  the  character  of  each  in- 
dividual officer  belonging  to  them  :  the 
latter  must  be  resolutely  just,  without 
unnecessary  harshness  or  severity. 

MUTINERIE,  Fr.  mutiny  ;  the  act 
of  mutinying. 

To  MUTINY,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
rise  against  authority. 

MunNY-y/c<,  an  act  which  passes 
every  year  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
to  answer  some  specific  military  pur- 
poses; and  by  which  the  army  is  conti- 
nued on  a  peace  or  war  establishment. 
For  amendments  in  the  Mutiny  Act, 
passed  in  the  45  Geo.  3,  see  Regimental 
Companion. 

MUTOX,  a  spear  or  fish-gig  used  by 
the  natives  of  new  Holland.  See  Grant's 
Voyage. 

MUTULES,  Fr.  brackets,  corbells, 
or  shouldering  pieces,  or  more  properly 
compartments  (in  building):  also  a 
kind  of  square  modilions  in  the  Doric 
cornice. 

MUZZLE  of  a  beast,  (museau,  mufle,  Fr.) 


NAB 


(     531     ) 


NAB 


Mvy7.lt.  of  a  gun  or  mortar,  (bouche 
d'ttn  (iinon,  ou  d'un  tnorticr,  Fr.)  the 
extremity  at  which  the  powder  and  ball 
are  put  in. 

Mrzzj.r.  mouldings,  the  ornaments 
round  the  muzzle. 

MUZZLE-RING  of  a  gun,  that 
which  encompasses  and  strengthens  the 
muzzle  or  mouth  of  a  cannon. 

MYRIAD  denotes  the  number  ten 
thousand. 

MYRIARCII,  the  captain  or  com- 
mander or'  ten  thousand  men. 

MYRMIDONS,  in  antiquity,  a  peo- 
ple of  Thessaly,  of  whom  it  is  said  in 
fabulous  history,  that  they  arose  from 
pismires,  upon  a  prayer  put  up  to 
Jupiter,  by  iEacus,  after  his  kingdom 
had  been  depopulated  by  a  pestilence. 
In  Homer,  and  in  Virgil,  the  Myrmidons 
are  Achilles's  soldiers.  When  Achilles 
pretended  to  dictate  to  others,  he  was 
bid  by  Agamemnon  to  go  and  tyrannise 
over  his  own  immediate  dependants,  his 
Myrmidons,  and  hence  the  word  became 
a  sort  of  reproach,  and  meant  a   slave 


under  the  absolute  command  of  any 
tyrant.     . 

MYRMILLONES,  a  sort  of  com- 
batants among  the  Romans,  who  had  on 
the  top  of  their  casque  or  helmet,  the 
representation  of  a  rish  ;  and  in  their 
engagements  with  the  Retiarii,  if  they 
were  caught  and  wrapped  in  the  net,  it 
was  not  possible  for  them  to  escape. 

MYRTLE  Bay,  (in  Corsica,)  so  called 
from  the  Italian  Mortellu,  a  myrtle; 
whence  Mortella  towers;  for  a  descrip- 
tion of  which,  see  Mortella. 

MYSORE,  an  extensive  country  in 
the  East  indies,  which  borders  on  the 
Carnatic  to  the  S.  W.  bounded  on  the 
east  l>y  the  south  part  of  the  Carnatic, 
and  the  kingdom  of  Tritchinopoly.  It 
extends  west  within  thirty  miles  of  the 
sea  coast  of  Malabar.  Seringapatam  is 
the  capital. 

MYSTIFICATION,  Fr.  the  act  of 
abusing  the  credulity  of  another  with  a 
view  to  render  him  ridiculous. 

MYSTTFIER,  Fr.  to  trick,  cajole  or 
mislead,  by  specious  words  or  actions. 


N. 


TVTABOB,  Ind.  a  corruption  from  Na- 
■*-'  waub,  the  plural  of  Naib.  Th< 
title  means  Deputed,  but  it  is  often  as- 
sumed in  India  without  a  right  to  it. 
As  the  real  signification  and  import  of 
this  word  are  not  generally  known,  we 
shall  extract  a  passage  out  of  Mr.OnneV 
History  of  the  Carnatic,  that  will  place 
them  in  the  clearest  point  of  view: 

"  Most  of  the  countries  which  have 
been  conquered  by  the  Great  Mogul  in 
the  Peninsula  of  India,  are  comprized 
under  one  vicerojalty  called  from  its 
situation  Decan,  or  South.  From  the 
word  Soubah,  signifying  a  province,  the 
viceroy  of  this  vast  territory  is  called 
Souhadar,  and  by  the  Europeans  impro- 
perly Soubah.  Of  the  countries  under 
his  jurisdiction,  some  are  entirely  sub- 
jected to  the  throne  of  Delhi,  and  go- 
verned by  Mahomedans,  whom  Euro- 
peans improperly  call  Moors;  whilst 
others  remain  under  the  government 
ot  their  original  Indian  princes  or  ra- 
jahs, and  are  suffered  to  follow  their 
ancient  modes,  on  condition  of  paying 


tribute  to  the  Great  Mogul.  The 
Moorish  governors  depending  on  the 
Soubah,  assume,  when  treating  with 
their  inferiors,  the  title  of  Nabob,  which 
(as  we  have  already  observed)  signifies 
deputy:  but  this  in  the  registers  of  the 
throne  (of  Delhi)  is  synonimous  to  Sou- 
hadar, and  the  greatest  part  of  those 
who  style  themselves  nabobs  are  ranked 
at  Delhi  under  the  title  of  Phous-dar, 
which  is  much  inferior  to  that  which 
they  assume.  The  Europeans  esta- 
blished in  the  territories  of  these 
pseudo-nabobs  (if  we  may  be  allowed 
the  expression)  following  the  example  of 
the  natives  with  whom  they  have  most 
intercourse,  have  agreed  in  giving  them 
the  title  they  so  much  affect. 

"  A  nabob  ought  to  hold  his  commis- 
sion from  Delhi ;  and  if  at  his  death  a 
successor  has  not  been  previously  ap- 
pointed by  the  Great  Mogul,  the  Sou- 
bah has  the  right  of  naming  a  person  to 
administer  the  nabobship  until  the  will 
of  the  sovereign  is  known  ;  but  a  nabob 
thus   appointed    by   a  Soubah  is  not 


N  A  S 


(     535     ) 


NAG 


deemed  authentically  established  until 
he  is  confirmed  from  Delhi.  The  Sou- 
bah  receives  t'rom  the  several  nabobs 
the  annual  revenues  of  the  crown,  and 
remits  tliem  to  the  treasury  of  the  em- 
pire. The  nabobs  are  obliged  to  ac- 
company him  in  all  military  expeditions 
within  the  extent  of  his  vieeroyalty, 
but  not  in  any  without  that  extent. 
These  regulations  were  intended  to 
place  them  in  such  a  state  of  depend- 
ance  on  the  Soubah,  as  should  render 
them  subservient  to  the  interests  of  the 
empire, and  at  the  same  lime  leave  them 
in  a  state  of  independence,  which  would 
render  it  difficult  for  the  Soubah  to 
make  use  of  their  assistance  to  brave 
the  throne. 

"  Nabobs,  however,  have  kept  posses- 
sion of  their  governments  in  opposition 
both  to  the  Soubah  and  the  throne;  and 
what  is  more  extraordinary  in  the  offices 
of  a  despotic  state,  both  Soubahs  and 
Nabobs  have  named  their  successors, 
who  have  often  succeeded  with  as  little 
opposition  as  if  they  had  been  the  heirs 
apparent  of  an  hereditary  dominion." 
History  of  the  Carnalic,  Book  I.  p.  35, 
36,  37. 

NABOBSHIP,  the  office  of  nabob. 
The  Carnatic  is  one  of  the  most  con- 
siderable nabobships  dependant  on  the 
Soubah  of  Decan.  From  its  capital  it 
is  likewise  named  the  province  of  Arcot; 
but  its  present  limits  are  greatly  infe- 
rior to  those  which  bounded  the  ancient 
Carnatic  bpfore  it  was  conquered  by 
the  Great  Mogul ;  for  we  do  not  find, 
that  the  nabobs  of  Arcot  have  ever 
expended  their  authority  beyond  the 
river  Gondegama  to  the  north,  the  great 
chain  of  mountains  to  the  west,  and  the 
borders  of  the  kingdoms  of  Tritchi- 
nopoly,  Tanjore,  and  Mysore,  to  the 
south.  The  sea  bounds  it  to  the  east. 
For  further  particulars  respecting  nabobs, 
see  pages  27  and  28  in  the  Disser- 
tation prefixed  to  the  History  of  the 
Carnatic. 

NaCCAIRE,  a  kind  of  kettle  drum, 
which  was  introduced  from  the  east  bv 
the  crusaders.  It  is  mentioned  by  Join- 
ville  in  the  life  of  St.  Louis,  as  having 
been  used  by  the  Saracens. 

NACELLE,  Fr.  a  small  boat  that  has 
neither  mast  nor  sail.     It 
called  a  ferry  boat. 

NASCELLES,  Fr.  (in  architecture) 
round  rings  in   the  juttings  of  pillars; 


is  properly 


all  the  semi-oval  members  in  profiles  are 
so  called. 

NADIR,  in  astronomy,  is  that  point 
in  the  heavens  which  is  directly  under 
our  feet,  and  is  diametrically  opposite 
to  the  zenith,  or  point  over  our  heads. 
The  word  is  pure  Arabic,  signifying  the 
same  thing.  The  zenith  and  the  nadir 
are  the  two  poles  of  the  horizon,  each 
90°  distant  from  it,  and  consequently 
each  in  the  meridian. 

NAGARA,  Ind.  the  drum  made 
from  a  hollow  cylinder  of  teek  wood, 
and  the  ends  covered  with  goatskin;  it 
is  suspended  from  the  left  shoulder  to 
the  right  side,  and  beat  with  a  stick 
made  of  teek  wood. 

NAGER,  Fr.  to  swim. 

Se  snuver  a  la  Nage,  Fr.  To  save 
oneself  by  swimming. 

J] Art  de  Nager,  Fr.  the  art  of 
swimming.  As  this  important  branch 
of  military  and  naval  education  has  been 
little  attended  to  in  our  island,  we 
think  it  our  duty,  under  this  general 
head,  to  give  the  following  extract  out. 
of  a  French  publication,  referring  the 
reader  to  a  very  interesting  article, 
under  the  word  Swimming,  with  which 
we  have  been  furnished  by  a  corre- 
spondent, who,  to  our  personal  know- 
ledge, has  practically  proved  the  validity 
of  his  arguments. 

The  Greeks  and  the  Romans,  al- 
though they  held  military  discipline  and 
evolutions  on  shore  in  higher  estima- 
tion than  naval  tactics,  nevertheless 
taught  their  children,  in  their  infancy, 
to  swim.  This  art  constituted  one 
of  the  principal  exercises  among  the 
latter  in  the  field  of  Mars,  or  Campus 
Martius.  No  person,  in  fact,  was  said 
to  be  educated,  or  fit  for  any  situation, 
unless  he  could  swim. 

It  were  to  be  wished  ("continues  our 
French  author),  that  modern  specula- 
tists  in  natural  philosophy,  instead  of 
devoting  the  whole  of  their  time  and 
attention  to  the  idle  and  fantastic  idea 
of  governing  the  regions  of  the  air, 
would  enter  seriously  into  the  study  of 
this  important  and  necessary  art.  I 
do  not,  however,  wish  to  be  understood 
to  mean  by  this  reflection,  that  indis- 
criminate and  hazardous  bathing  should 
be  adopted  by  our  youths.  I  am  well 
aware  of  the  dangers  of  such  a  sugges- 
tion. My  object  is  to  induce  the  go- 
vernment   of  the   country    to  make   a 


N  A  I 


(     536     ) 


N  A  M 


suitable  establishment  for  the  instruc-!  a  piece  of  artillery,  to  render  it  unser 


tion    of    young    men,   and    to   provide 
able  adepts  in  the  art  for  that  purpose. 
Innumerable  instances  might  be  brought 
forward  to  prove  the  utility  of  this  art. 
When  the  island  of   Re  was  besieged 
and  blockaded  by  the  English  in  1G27, 
Thoiras,  who  was  governor  of  the  place, 
dispatched  three  swimmers  to  make  the 
Duke   of   Angouleme  acquainted  with 
the  critical  situation  in   which  he  stood. 
The  distance  across  was  upwards  of  six 
miles,  or  two  French  leagues.     One  of 
the  swimmers  was  taken  by  the  English; 
the  second  was  drowned  on  his  return ; 
but  the  third  reached  the  Duke,  com- 
municated  the  object   of   his    mission, 
and  brought  back  his   answer.     When 
Cyzicum  (the   ancient   Dindymis,   for- 
merly  a   large   and  strong   place)  was 
closely   besieged     by   Mithridates,  Lu- 
cullus  (the  Roman  general)  sent  instruc- 
tions to  the  inhabitants  by  a  swimmer, 
who   faithfully   executed    his    mission. 
See  To  Swim. 

NAGEUR,  Fr.  a  swimmer. 
Nageurs  deVArm'ce,  Fr.  swimmers 
attached  to  an  army. 

Compagnies  de  Nageurs,  Fr.  troops 
or  companies  consisting  of  swimmers. 

NAGGUR,  Ind.  the  principal  drum 
in  Asiatic  armies,  commonly  allowed  to 
persons  of  high  dignity. 

NAIB,  Ind.  a  deputy.  The  governor 
of  a  town  under  a  nawaub  or  nabob  is 
so  called  in  India. 

NAIC,  or  NA1CK,  Ind.  a  subaltern 
officer  in  the  Sepoys. 

Drill  Naic,  or  Naick,  Ind.  a  subal- 
tern officer  belonging  to  the  native  in- 
fantry in  India,  answering  to  our  drili 
corporal.  Every  battalion  of  native  in- 
fantry has  two  drill  havildars  or  Ser- 
jeants, and  two  drill  naicks,  called  non- 
effective, attached  to  it. 

NAIL,  (clou,  Fr.)  an  iron  pin. 
Nails  of  various  sorts  are  used  in 
artillery.     See  Carriage. 

To  Nail,  spike,  or  cloy  cannon,  (en- 
clouer  le  canon,  Fr.)  to  drive  an  iron 
spike  into  the  touch-hole,  by  which 
means  the  cannon  is  rendered  unservice- 
able for  the  present.  When  circum- 
stances make  it  necessary  to  abandon 
cannon,  or  when  the  enemy's  artillery 
are  seized,  and  it  is  not  however  possi 


viceable.  There  are  various  contri- 
vances to  force  the  nail  out,  as  also 
sundry  machines  invented  for  that  pur- 
pose, but  they  have  never  been  found  of 
general  use;  so  that  the  best  method  is 
to  drill  a  new  vent,  or  touch  hole. 

One  Gasper  Yimeicalus  was  the  first 
who  invented  the  nailing  of  cannon. 
He  was  a  native  of  Bremen,  and  made 
use  of  his  invention  first  in  nailing  up 
the  artillery  of  Sigisniund  Malatesta. 

Bc'lidor,  in  his  Dictionnaire  Portatif, 
observes,  that  there  is  another  method 
by  which  cannon  may  be  rendered  use- 
less, which  is  by  forcing  in  a  ball  of  a 
larger  caliber  than  that  of  the  piece  of 
ordnance. 

NAIRES,  Ind.  the  military  tribe  of 
the  Malabar  coast.  Many  affirm  that 
they  are  the  oldest  nobility  in  the  world. 
Their  pride,  on  this  supposition,  is  greater 
than  that  of  the  Rajpoots.  In  1755,  the 
king  of  Travancore,  with  the  assistance 
of  a  French  officer,  called  Launoy,  dis- 
ciplined 10,000  Naiies  in  the  method  of 
European  infantry.    . 

Pays  de  ma  NA1SSANCE,  Fr.  my 
native  country. 

De  haute  Naissance,  Fr.  of  what  is 
called  high  birth;  as  Plantagenet,  &c. 

De  basse  Naissance,  Fr.  of  what  is 
called  low  birth. 

Naissance  de  voute,  Fr.  those  stones 
that  are  laid  in  the  curve  of  an  arch, 
which  have  no  immediate  dependance 
upon  the  center,  or  key  stone. 

Naissance  d'enduits,  Fr.  certain 
borders  which  are  made  round  in  case- 
ments, and  which  are  only  distinguished 
from  the  common  plaster-work,  by 
plaster  of  Paris. 

NAKARCONNA,  hid.  the  place 
where  all  the  drums  and  war  music  are 
kept. 

NAKOUDA,  captain  or  pilot  so 
called  in  India. 

NAME,  (nom,  Fr.)  the  discrimina- 
tive appellation  of  a  thing  or  person; 
also  character,  reputation,  as  a  good,  a 
bad  name. 

Christen-SAMF.,  (nom  de  bapteme, 
Fr.)  the  name  given  to  a  child  in  bap- 
tism of  which  a  register  is  taken,  and 
kept  in  the  parish  church. 

Su/vName,  (nom  de  famil/e,  Fr.)  the 
name  of  the  family ;  the  name  which 
an  individual  bears  over  and  above  the 


ble  to  take  them  away,  it  is  proper  to 

nail  them  up,  in  order  to  render  them 

useless;    which    is    done    by  driving  a j Christen   name. 

large  nail  or  iron  spike  into  the  vent  of  j      False  Name.    See  Guerre 


NAT 


(     537     ) 


NAT 


NANA,  Ind.  the  title  which  is  given 
to  the  king  of  the  Morattoes.  It  more 
properly  signifies  the  acting  head  of  the 
government,  and  general  of  the  forces. 

NAPE  of  the  neck,  (nuque,  Fr.) 
the  hinder  part  of  the  neck,  so  called 
from  soft  short  hair  growing  there  like 
the  nap  of  cloth.  Previous  to  the  exe- 
cution of  a  criminal  by  the  guillo- 
tine, the  nape  of  the  necl:  was  always 
cleared,  as  the  blade  first  falls  on  that 
part.  This  was  also  done  when  a  person 
fell  under  the  axe,  as  was  the  case  with 
Charles  I. 

Nape,  )  a  wooden  instrument  or  de- 

Neap,  ji  vice  to  bear  up  the  fore-part 
of  a  laden  wain,  or  wagon. 

NAPIER'S  Bones,  certain  number- 
ing rods  for  performing  speedily  several 
arithmetical  operations,  as  multiplication 
by  addition,  and  division  by  subtraction, 
invented  by  the  Lord  Napier,  (Nepier,  or 
Neper,)  baron  of  Merchiston,  in  Scot- 
land. The  Chinese  have  an  invention 
of  a  similar  tendency,  consisting  of  balls, 
whence  is  derived  the  term  tangible 
arithmetic. 

NAPPE  defcu,  Fr.    See  Jets  de  Feu. 

Nappe  dUeau,  Fr.  a  sheet  of  water, 
or  level  surface  of  that  element. 

Nappe  juune,  Fr.  figuratively,  a  field 
of  corn  when  quite  ripe. 

NARROW,  of  small  breadth. 

Narrow  Front.  A  battalion,  &c.  is 
said  to  assume  a  narrow  front,  when 
it  goes  from  line  into  column,  upon  the 
principles  of  compression. 

To  go  Narrow  (with  horsemen.)  A 
horse  is  said  to  go  narrow,  when  he 
does  not  take  ground  enough,  or  that 
does  not  bear  fair  enough  to  one  hand 
or  the  other. 

The  Narrow,  a  channel  which  runs 
between  the  Margate  sands  and  the 
Main. 

NASR-JUNG,  Ind.  victorious,  or 
triumphant,  in  war. 

NATATION,  (natation,  Fr.)  See 
Swimming. 

NATION,  a  people;  also  a  country. 
As  the  English  nation,  the  French  na- 
tion. It  is  more  generally  used  in  the 
first  sense;  as,  The  nation  at  large 
seemed  disposed  to  resist  every  attempt 
that  the  French  might  make  to  imadc 
the  country. 

NATIONAL,  (national,  Fr.)  that 
which  belongs  to  a  whole  nation;  as 
national  character,  national  honour,  &c. 

National  guard,  a  body  of  men  who 


first  armed  themselves  in  Paris,  when 
the  Revolution  began  to  gain  an  ascen- 
dancy over  the  old  established  govern- 
ment. 

National,  preference  given  to  some 
particular  country. 

National  spirit,  (esprit  national, 
Fr.)  under  this  term  may  be  compre- 
hended all  that  is  meant  by  the  amor 
patritE  of  the  ancients.  Indeed,  we 
scarcely  conceive  it  possible,  that  any 
man  can  be  so  far  weaned  from  his  na- 
tive country,  even  by  persecution  and 
ill-usage,  as  not  to  feel  a  secret  pleasure 
whenever  the  national  character  is  raised 
by  some  extraordinary  feats  of  valour 
and  good  sense. 

National  troops,  (troupes  nationalcs, 
Fr.)  are  those  born  in  our  own  domi- 
nions, in  contradistinction  to  foreigners. 

NATIVE,  in  general,  denotes  a  per- 
son born  in  a  certain  place,  hut  it  refers 
more  particularly  to  the  proper  resi- 
dence of  the  parents,  and  where  the 
person  has  his  education. 

Native  Cavalry,  a  body  of  troops  so 
called  in  fndia,  in  contradistinction  to 
the  king's  regiments. 

Native  Infantry,  a  body  of  troops 
under  the  immediate  direction  of  the 
Presidency  of  Bengal,  composed  of  the 
natives  of  India. 

NATURAL  Fortification  consists  in 
those  natural  obstacles  which  are  found 
in  some  countries,  and  which  impede  or 
prevent  the  approach  of  an  enemy. 
Thus  a  place,  the  avenues  to  which  are 
easily  closed,  or  which  is  surrounded 
by  impassable  rivers  or  marshes,  is  de- 
fended by  natural  fortification. 

Natural  day,  space  of  24  hours. 

Natural  vf7"*  one  entire  revolution 
of  the  sun,  comprehending  the  space  of 
365  days,  and  almost  6  hours. 

Lett  res  de  NATURALITE,  Fr.  a 
grant  of  naturalization. 

NATURALIZATION,  (naturalisa- 
tion, Fr.)  in  Great  Britain,  is  the  admis- 
sion of  an  alien  to  the  privilege  of  a  na- 
tural subject  by  an  act  of  parliament,  or 
consent  of  the  three  estates. 

To  NATURALIZE,  (naturaliser, 
Fr.)  to  admit  into  the  number  of  natural 
subjects.  Also  to  receive  a  foreign  ex- 
pression, or  word,  into  the  original 
stock  of  a  language,  as  has  been  the  case 
with  most  of  our  military  terms,  parti- 
cularly in  artillery  and  fortification,  &c. 
from  the  French. 

NATURE,  Fr.  in  kind.  Donner  un 
3Z 


N  A  V 


(     538      ) 


N  A  V 


officter  ses  allouances  en  nature  :  to  give 
an  officer  his  allowances  in  kind. 

Nature,  a  term  used  in  the  British 
artillery  to  express  the  different  calibers 
of  gun;  as  the  nature  of  12,  or  24 
pounders.  The  French  say,  generally, 
calibre. 

NAVAB,  Ind,    See  Nabob. 

NAVAL,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  to 
convey  the  same  meaning  among  the 
French  that  it  does  with  us,  viz.  armie 
navale,  naval  armament;  combat  naval, 
sea  fight,  or  naval  combat ;  forces  no- 
vates, naval  forces.  It  is  remarked  in  the 
Diction naire  de  I'Academie  Francnise, 
that  naval,  when  used  in  the  masculine 
gender,  is  not  susceptible  of  the  plural 
number. 

A  Naval.  According  to  Shakespeare, 
this  term  signifies  the  same  as  fleet,  or 
navy. 

Naval  armament,  the  fitting  out  a 
fleet,  with  all  kinds  of  provisions  and 
military  stores,  for  actual  service. 

Naval  camp,  in  military  antiquities, 
a  fortification,  consisting  of  a  ditch  and 
parapet  on  the  land  side,  or  a  wall  built 
in  the  form  of  a  semi-circle,  and  ex- 
tended from  one  point  of  the  sea  to  the 
other.  This  was  beautified  with  gates, 
and  sometimes  defended  with  towers, 
through  which  they  issued  forth  to  at- 
tack their  enemies.  Towards  the  sea, 
or  within  it,  they  fixed  great  pales  of 
wood,  like  those  in  their  artificial  har- 
bours; before  these  the  vessels  of  bur- 
then were  placed  in  such  order,  that  they 
might  serve  instead  of  a  wall,  and  give 
protection  to  those  without;  in  which 
manner  Nicias  is  reported  by  Thucy- 
dides  to  have  encamped  himself.  When 
their  fortifications  were  thought  strong 
enough  to  defend  them  from  the  assaults 
of  enemies,  the  ancients  frequently 
dragged  their  ships  on  shore.  Around 
these  ships  the  soldiers  disposed  their 
tents,  as  appears  every  where  in  Homer : 
but  this  seems  only  to  have  been  prac- 
tised in  winter,  when  their  enemy's 
fleet  was  laid  up,  and  could  not  assault 
them;  or  in  long  sieges,  and  when  they 
lay  in  no  danger  from  their  enemies 
by  sea,  as  in  the  Trojan  war,  where  the 
defenders  of  Troy  never  once  attempted 
to  encounter  the  Grecians  in  a  sea  fight. 

Naval  crown,  in  Roman  antiquities,  a 
crown  conferred,  among  the  Romans,  on 
persons  who  distinguished  themselves  in 
sea  engagements.  A.  Gellius  says,  in 
general,  the  naval  crown  was  adorned 


with  prows  of  ships.  Lipsiu9  distin- 
guishes two  kinds;  the  first  he  supposes 
plain,  and  given  to  the  common  soldiers; 
the  other  rostrated,  a«d  only  given  to 
geierals,  or  admirals,  who  had  gained 
some  important  victory  at  sea. 

Naval  officers  are  admirals,  captains, 
lieutenants,  masters,  boatswains,  mid- 
shipmen, gunners,  &c. 

Naval  engagement  implies  in  ge- 
neral, either  a  sea-fight  between  single 
ships,  or  whole  fleets  of  men  of  war,  or 
galiies,  Ike. 

NAVE,  in  gun  carriages,  that  part  of 
a  wheel  in  which  the  arms  of  the  axle- 
tree  move,  and  in  which  the  spokes  are 
driven  and  supported.     See  Wheel. 

NAVF.-hoops  are  flat  iron  rings  to  bind 
the  nave:  there  are  generally  three  on 
each  nave. 

N.\\i.-boxes  were  formerly  made  of 
brass;  but  experience  has  shewn  that 
those  of  cast  iron  cause  less  friction,  and 
are  much  cheaper:  there  are  two,  one 
at  each  end,  to  diminish  the  friction  of 
the  axle-tree  against  the  nave. 

N  AVER,  jf'V.  a  barge  full;  a  ship  load. 

NAVEL  gall,  a  bruise  on  the  back  of 
a  horse,  or  pinch  of  the  saddle  behind. 

NAVES  plicatiles,  pontoons,  which 
were  anciently  used  by  the  Romans, 
and  which  were  made  of  skins  and  hoops 
that  took  to  pieces. 

NAUFRAGE,  Fr.  shipwreck. 

NAVIGATION,  the  theory  and  art 
of  conducting  a  ship  by  sea,  from  one 
port  to  another,  or  of  disposing  and  in- 
fluencing her  machinery,  by  the  force  of 
the  wind,  so  as  to  begin,  and  continue 
her  motion  at  sea.  This  art  may  be 
considered  under  three  heads.  The  first 
is  that  of  piloting,  which  shews  how  the 
vessel  is  to  be  steered.  The  second  is 
that  of  working,  which  prescribes  cer- 
tain fixed  laws  by  which  the  motions  of 
a  ship  may  be  managed  in  the  most  ad- 
vantageous way.  The  third  is  that  of 
masting,  which  furnishes  rules  and  me- 
thods bv  which  the  bulk,  or  body,  of  the 
ship  may  be  constantly  kept  in  a  just 
equilibrium.  These  three  arts  united, 
constitute  what  is  called  the  art  of  navi- 
gation. The  Phoenician*,  from  whom 
the  Carthaginians  descended,  are  sup- 
posed to  be  the  inventors  of  navigation. 
In  modern  times  the  British  navy  bears 
the  palm  of  superiority,  as  to  general 
use  (especially  for  warlike  purposes); 
but  the  French  claim  the  merit  of  con- 
struction.   Their  method  of  masting  is 


N  A  U 


(     539    ) 


NEC 


singularly  correct.  P.  Fournier,  P. 
Deschalles,  and  Messrs.  Bouguer,  (father 
and  son,)  are  the  best  French  writers  on 
navigation. 

Mr.  Clarke,  of  Edinburgh,  is  equally 
eminent  in  our  country;  he  first  sug- 
gested the  breaking  of  the  line,  as  a 
mode  of  attack ;  which  was  so  gloriously 
executed  by  Lord  Nelson,  &C. 

NAVIRE  de  guerre,  Fr.  a  man  of 
war. 

Navire  marckand,  Fr.  a  merchant- 
man. It  is  likewise  called  zaisseau 
marchand.  - 

NAULAGE,  NAULIS,  Fr.  passage 
money  or  freight  given  for  goods  or 
persons  carried  by  sea,  or  passage  over 
a  river. 

NAULISER,  Fr.  to  freight  or  hire  a 
vessel. 

NAUMACHLE.sea  fights,  owe  their 
origin  to  the  time  of  the  first  Punic 
war,  when  the  Romans  initiated  their 
men  in  the  knowledge  of  sea  affairs. 
After  the  improvement  of  many  years, 
they  were  designed  as  well  for  the 
gratifying  the  sight  as  for  increasing 
their  naval  experience  and  discipline; 
and  therefore  composed  one  of  the 
solemn  shows,  by  which  the  magistrates 
or  emperors,  or  any  affectors  of  popu- 
larity, so  often  made  their  court  to  the 
people.  It  will  be  observed  from  this 
passage  out  of  Kennett's  Roman  Anti- 
quities, page  269,  that  the  necessity 
which  Rome  was  under  of  fighting  Car- 
thage upon  her  own  element,  first  gave 
rise  to  naval  manoeuvres.  But  the  over- 
grown empire  of  the  former,  and  the 
subsequent  corruption  of  her  people, 
soon  converted  these  powerful  auxilia- 
ries to  the  legions,  by  whom  she  had 
conquered  the  universe,  into  instruments 
of  pleasure  and  debauchery.  Lampri- 
dius,  in  the  life  of  the  Emperor  Helioga- 
balus,  relates  that,  in  a  representation 
of  a  naval  fight,  he  filled  the  channel, 
where  the  vessels  were  to  ride,  with  wine 
instead  of  water :  a  story  scarcely  cre- 
dible, though  we  have  the  highest  con- 
ceptions of  that  wretch's  prodigious 
luxury  and  extravagance.  The  frequent 
threats  which  a  powerful  neighbour  of 
these  islands  has  put  forth,  and  the 
similitude  which  she  affects  to  draw  be- 
tween herself  and  Great  Britain,  to 
Rome  and  Carthage,  may  probably  lead 
to  great  naval  exertions.  But  if  Eng- 
land be  only  true  to  herself,  the  nau- 
machiae  of  France  will  have  little  effect 


upon  the  natural  bulwarks  of  the  country. 
The  events  of  1815  have  fully  proved 
the  correctness  of  this  sentence. 

NAVRER,  IV.  to  wound,  to  distress 
another  most  sorely.  Avoir  le  caur 
navri,  to  be  broken-hearted. 

NAVRURE,  Fr.  a  severe  wound ; 
a  gnawing  pain. 

NAUTICAL  planisphere,  a  descrip- 
tion of  the  terrestrial  globe  upon  a  plane, 
for  the  use  of  mariners :  but  more 
usually  called  chart. 

NAVY  implies,  in  general,  any  fleet, 
or  assembly  of  ships.  It  is,  however, 
more  particularly  understood  of  the 
vessels  of  war  that  belong  to  a  kingdom 
or  state.  The  term  is  also  used  to 
denote  a  collective  body  of  officers  and 
seamen.   They  are  called  the  royal  navy. 

Navy-board,  together  with  its  civil 
and  military  departments,  consists  of  a 
lord  high  admiral,  or  lords  commissioners 
for  executing  this  office  ;  one  first  lord 
commissioner,  and  six  other  lords  com- 
missioners, with  a  number  of  inferior 
officers,  and  clerks. 

Surveyor  of  the  Navy,  an  officer  who 
inquires  into  the  state  of  all  stores,  and 
sees  that  the  king's  ships  are  regularly 
supplied  with  them. 

Treasurer  or  Paymaster  of  i'Ae  Navy, 
an  officer  who  receives  money  out  of  the 
exchequer  to  pay  all  charges  of  the  royal 
navy,  by  order  from  the  principal  officers 
of  it.  It  is  particularly  directed,  by 
statute,  that  all  monies  received  on  this 
head  shall  be  lodged  in  the  Bank  of 
England,  and  be  drawn  out  for  the  im- 
mediate and  open  purposes  of  the  navy 
only. 

NAWAUB,  Ind.    See  Nabob. 

NEABUT,  Ind  a  deputyship,  or  lieu- 
tenancy :  from  naib,  a  deputy. 

NEAP,scanty,  deficient;  as  neap  tidet. 
See  Neep. 

NECESSARIES,  in  a  military  sense, 
are  such  articles  as  are  ordered  to  be 
given  to  every  soldier  in  the  British 
service,  at  regulated  prices. 

NECK  of  LAND.  This  term  is 
probably  meant  to  signify  what  Bailey 
describes  under  Land-Cape,  which  he 
calls  a  narrow  point  of  land,  that  runs 
farther  into  the  sea  than  the  rest 
of  the  continent.  The  French  call  it 
langue  de  terre,  which,  literally  taken, 
is  a  tongue  of  land,  or  narrow  slip  that 
runs  to  the  extremest  point  of  a  pro- 
montory or  isthmus.  The  French  also 
use  langue  de  terre  to  express  any  slip 
3Z2 


NEE 


(     540     ) 


N  E  L 


of  ground  which  runs  through  a  wirier 
space.  Hence,  une  lungue  de  t.trre  la- 
bourable  qui  traverse  la  prairie,  an  ara- 
ble tongue  or  slip  of  land,  which  runs 
through  1 1  ie  meadow.  Whereas  gorge, 
which  is  the  literal  translation  of  neck, 
is  only  used  among  the  French  to  ex- 
press a  narrow  space  or  hollow,  as 
gorge  de  montagne.  See  also  gorge, 
in  Fortification. 

Neck  of  a  gun,  that  part  which  lies 
between  the  muzzle  mouldings  and  the 
cornish  ring. 

Neck  of  the  cascable,  that  part  which 
lies  between  the  breech  mouldings  and 
the  cascable. 

NscK-line,  an  old  term  in  fortifica- 
tion, signifying  the  gorge. 

NECK-/;iPCf,  (gorgcrin,Yr.)  what  was 
formerly  used  to  cover  the  breast  of  an 
officer  or  soldier.  It  is  now  represented 
by  a  gorget,  which  is  purely  ornamental. 
XFXK-slia/).  See  Strap. 
Neck  and  Heels,  a  disgraceful  and 
inhuman  punishment,  which,  like  that 
of  the  wooden  horse,  was  formerly  used 
in  the  British  seivice:  it  was  thus  per- 
formed. The  criminal  sat  down  on  the 
ground,  when  a  firelock  was  put  under 
his  hams,  and  another  over  his  neck, 
which  were  forcihlv  brought  almost  to- 
gether by  means  of  a  couple  of  cartouch 
box  straps.  In  this  situation,  with  his 
chin  between  his  knees,  many  a  man 
has  been  kept  till  the  blond  has  gushed 
out  at  his  nose,  mouth  and  ears;  and 
ruptures  have  too  often  been  the  fatal 
consequences,  and  a  worthy  subject  lost 
to  the  service,  or  rendered  incapable  of 
maintaining  himself,  when  the  exigencies 
of  the  state  no  lunger  require  his  duty. 
This  punishment,  as  well  as  those  of 
pickettin^  and  riding  the  Wooden  horse, 
were  indicted  without  even  the  forma- 
lity of  a  trial,  or  the  sentence  of  a 
court  martial. —  Prah  pudor  ! 

Horizontal  NEEDLE,  that  which  re- 
gularly points  out  the  North  and  South 
in  the  mariner's  compass. 

Magnctical  Needle  (in  navigation), 
a  needle  touched  with  a  loadstone,  and 
suspended  on  a  pivot  or  center,  on 
which,  playing  at  liberty,  it  directs  itself 
to  certain  points  in  and  under  the 
horizon. 

NEEP-tides  are  those  tides,  which 
fall  out  when  the  moon  is  in  the  middle 
of  the  sec.nd  and  last  quarter,  which 
are  tour  days  before  the  full  or  change, 
and  are  called  dead  neep. 


NEESHUNGPAT,  Ind.  a  violent  as- 
sault without  bloodshed. 

NEF,  Fr.  a  ship. 

NEGATIVE,  (ncgatif,  Fr.)  This 
term  is  sometimes  used  to  express  the 
result  of  measures  or  enterprizes,  which, 
though  not  entirely  successful,  are  not 
productive  of  serious  or  mischievous 
consequences.  Hence  Negative  Success. 

Negative  penalties,  certain  laws, 
whereby  persons  are  excluded  from  ho- 
nours, dignities,  ccc.  without  incurring 
any  positive  pains;  as  the  laws  against 
papists  and  nonjurors. 

Negative  pregnant,  (nigatif  qui 
comprend  un  affu iiuilif,  Fr.)  a  negative 
which  implies  an  affirmative. 

Negative  quantities  (see  Algebra), 
are  quantities  having  the  negative  sign 
minus  prefixed,  as  —  a  b  is  a  negative 
quantity. 

Negative  sign,  (nigatif,  Fr.)  In 
algebra  it  is  thus  marked  — ,  and  is 
directly  contrary  to  an  affirmative  one. 

NEGLECT,  (negligence,  Fr.)  omis- 
sion, disregard,  want  of  care. 

NEGLECT  of  DUTY.  Total  omis- 
sion or  disregard  of  any  prescribed  ser- 
vice, or  unofficer-like  execution  of  it 
which  is  punishable  at  the  discretion  of 
a  court-martial. 

To  be  NEGLECTED,  to  be  over- 
looked in  promotion,  eS:c. 

To  NEGOTIATE,  (negocier,¥r.)  to 
treat,  whether  of  public  affairs,  or  private 
matters. 

NEGOTIATOR,  (negnciateur,  Fr.) 
the  person  who  treats.  No  officer  can 
be  properly  called  a  consummate  or 
perfect  general,  unless  he  possess  those 
qualifications  of  the  mind  which  will 
enable  him  to  meet  the  subtlety  of  his 
foe  in  the  cabinet,  with  as  much  success 
as  he  faced  him  in  the  field. 

NEGRE,   NEGRESS E,   Fr.     See 
Negro. 

NEGRILLON,  Fr.  a  little  negro. 

NEGRO,  (negre,  Fr.)  one  born  in 
Nigritia,  in  Africa;  a  black,  a  niger,  a 
slave. 

NEIGES  d'anian,  Fr.  last  year's  snow. 
The  French  say,  figuratively,  S'ensouciet 
cumme  des  neiges  d'antan,  to  be  perfectly 
indifferent  about  a  thing. 

NELLI-COTA II,  a  fort  situated  about 
forty  miles  to  the  south  of  Tinivelly,  in 
the  East  Indies.  This  fort  has  been 
rendered  memorable  by  the  intrepid 
manner  in  which  it  was  carried  by  the 
English  in  1755. 


NET 


(     541     ) 


NET 


NERF,  Fr.  sinew. 

Nerf  de  bauf,  Fr.  a  bull's  pizzle, 
which,  when  dried,  is  used  in  chastising 
men.  Donner  des  coups  de  nerf  de  bauf. 
to  strike  or  lash  with  a  hull's  pizzle. 

NtRT-ferrure,  Fr.  in  farriery,  a  blow 
or  attaint  which  a  horse  has  received 
spoil  the  back  sinew  of  the  fore  or  aft 
leg. 

Plein  de  Nerfs,  Fr.  full  of  nerves, 
i.  e.  very  vigorous;  not  easily  disheart- 
ened; firm,  as  a  soldier  ought  to  he. 

NERVER  une  selle,  Fr.  to  make  the 
tree  of  a  saddle  firm  and  compact,  by 
putting  pieces  of  wood,  &c.  under  the 
bow. 

NERVES  (in  architecture)  are  the 
moulding  of  the  projecting  arches  of 
vaults ;  or  such  as  arise  from  the 
branches  of  the  ogives,  and  cross  each 
other  diagonally  in  Gothic  vaults. 

NERVOUS,  (nervcvx,  Fr.)  well- 
strung;  strong;  vigorous  both  in  body 
and  mind. 

Nervous,  (affecti  des  nerves,  Fr.) 
according  to  Dr.  Johnson,  (in  medical 
cant,)  having  weak,  diseased  nerves. 
Many  persons  in  a  nervous  state  may 
put  on  an  appearance  of  courage,  but 
it  soon  subsides,  and  ends  in  pusilla- 
nimity. Passionate  men  are  almost 
always  nervous  in  this  sense. 

NERVURES,  Fr.  carved  work ;  such 
as  ornamental  foliage,  &c.  also  mould- 
ings. In  the  singular,  nervure  signifies 
tzcist,  round  edging. 

NESHAUNBURDAR,  Ind.  an  en- 
sign. 

NESS,  a  point  of  land  which  runs 
into  the  sea,  as  Inverness,  Sheerness, 
&c. 

NESTOR,  a  king  of  Pylos,  famous 
for  eloquence  and  prudence.  He  is  said 
to  have  lived  300  years.  Nestor  and 
Hector  are  of  direct  opposite  meanings. 
One  signifies  a  man  who  weighs  well 
every  thing  he  is  about  to  undertake, 
and  the  other  an  individual  who  never 
thinks  at  all.  A  perfect  geueral  ought 
to  unite  both  characters. 

NET,  Fr.  Neat  in  English  is  what 
remains  after  all  allowances  are  made. 
— Hence  Net  or  Neat  off-reckonings. 
See  Off-Reckonings. 

fiET-produce,  a  term  used  to  denote 
what  any  commodity  has  yielded,  all 
tare  and  charges  deducted. 

NETHERLANDS,  that  part  of 
Lower  Germany  which  lies  next  to  the 
jea,  and  so  called  from  being  situated 


between  France,  Lorrain,  Germany,  and 
the  Ocean. 

They  were  formerly  divided  into  17, 
provinces,  four  of  which  were  dukedoms 
viz.  Brabant,  Limberg,  Luxemburg,  and 
Guelderland ;  seven  were  earldoms, 
viz.  Flanders,  Artois,  Hainault,  Hol- 
land, Zealand,  Namur,  and  Zutphen ; 
and  five  baronies,  viz.  West  Friezland, 
Mechlin,  Utrecht,  Overysell,  and  Gro- 
ningen. 

These  were  originally  governed  by 
distinct  lords  or  princes,  but  were  all 
united  under  Philip  the  Good,  duke  of 
Burgundy,  who  left  them  to  his  son 
Charles,  sui  named  the  Hardy  ;  who  be- 
ing killed  at  Nancy,  in  1747,  the  17 
provinces  fell  to  his  only  daughter, 
Mary  of  Burgundy,  who  by  marrying 
with  Maximilian  the  First,  carried  them 
into  the  house  of  Austria. 

The  kings  of  France  pretended  a  right 
to  Artois,  Flanders,  &c.  In  the  reign 
of  king  Philip  II.  of  Spain,  William  of 
Nassau,  prince  of  Orange,  and  several 
other  discontented  noblemen,  gave  be- 
ginning to  those  disturbances  which 
terminated  in  the  loss  of  Holland,  and 
the  other  countries  known  by  the  name 
of  the  United  Provinces,  occasioned  by 
the  dread  of  the  Inquisition,  the  in- 
supportable rigour  of  the  government 
of  the  duke  of  Alva,  and  the  violent 
encroachments  of  the  Spaniards  upon 
the  liberties  and  privileges  of  the  coun- 
tries. 

The  Netherlands, comprehending  Hol- 
land, underwent  material  alterations 
during  the  progress  of  the  French  revo- 
lution. Brabant  and  Flanders,  which 
belonged  to  the  house  of  Austria,  were 
annexed  to  the  French  Republic,  and 
formed  one  of  its  departments.  Hol- 
land, upon  the  expulsion  of  the  Stadt- 
holder,  was  allowed  to  call  itself  an 
independent  country  in  alliance  with 
France,  and  was  then  distinguished  by 
the  name  of  the  Batavian  Republic ; 
but  the  constitution  of  either  country 
was  not  long  permitted  to  remain,  and 
the  whole  Batavian  republic  was  united 
under  one  kingdom;  on  the  throne  of 
which  Louis  Bonaparte  was  placed  by 
his  brother  Napoleon.  In  consequence 
of  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  and  the  re- 
establishment  of  Louis  XVIII.  on  the 
throne  of  his  ancestors,  these  extensive 
provinces,  together  with  the  parts  which 
belonged  to  Austria,  were  thrown  into 
one  kingdom,  and  the  Prince  of  Orange 


N  E  U 


(     542     ) 


N  E  U 


or  Stockholder  assumed  the  character, 
and  was  invested  with  the  powers  of  a 
Sovereign  Prince.  He  is  now  called  the 
King  of  the  Netherlands. 

NETTOYER,  Fr.  to  clean  ;  clear; 
scour,  &c. 

Nettoyer  les  magasins,  Fr.  in  ar- 
tillery, signifies  to  remove  the  different 
pieces  of  ordnance,  for  the  purpose  of 
having  them  carefully  examined,  &c. 
and  to  have  the  stores  and  ammunition 
so  arranged  as  not  to  receive  damage. 
This  duty  is  generally  performed  by 
small  parties  of  soldiers,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Serjeants,  who  are  detached 
from  the  different  guards  of  a  garrison 
town.  In  the  old  French  service,  the 
commissaire  d'artillcrie  superintended 
the  execution  of  this  necessary  duty, 
and  the  soldiers  who  were  employed, 
got  relieved  from  any  further  attendance 
as  part  of  the  guard,  the  instant  their 
work  was  done. 

Nettoyer,  ou  enfder,  Fr.  to  scour,  or 
en  fi  lade. 

Nettoyer  la  courtine,  Fr.  to  scour, 
or  fire  through,  the  whole  extent  of  the 
curtain. 

Nettoyer  le  rempart,  Fr.  to  scour 
the  rampart. 

Nettover  la  tranchec,  Fr.  to  scour 
or  clean  the  trenches.  This  is  effected 
by  means  of  a  vigorous  sally  which  the 
garrison  of  a  besieged  place  make  upon 
the  besiegers,  when  they  beat  in  the 
guard,  drive  off  the  artificers  and  work- 
men, level  the  parapet,  break  up  and 
choak  the  line  of  circumvallation,  and 
spike  or  nail  the  cannon. 

NEUTRAL,  (neutrc,  Fr.)  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other. 

NEUTRALITY,  (neutrality,  Fr.) 
the  state  or  condition  of  one  who  is 
neuter,  a  middle  condition  between  a 
friend  and  an  enemy.  In  a  military 
sense,  remaining  strictly  indifferent, 
whilst  other  powers  are  at  war,  with- 
out assisting  any  party,  with  arms,  am- 
munition, or  men.  When  a  country, 
calling  itself  neutral,  furnishes  a  quota 
or  contingent  to  any  nation  that  is 
at  war  with  another,  it  cannot  be 
said  to  observe  the  strict  laws  of  neu- 
trality.—  Of  all  precarious  and  diffi- 
cult situations  that  perhaps  is  the  most 
so,  in  which  a  weak  nation  is  placed, 
when  two  powerful  nations  wage  war 
on  each  side,  and  the  exact  laws  of 
neutrality  are  expected  to  be  observed 
by  the  intermediate  country.     History 


does  not  furnish  a  single  instance  of 
inviolable  adherence  to  them  under 
such  critical  circumstances.  Bayle, 
speaking  of  neutrality,  exclaims,  Heureux 
les  pacifiques  quant  ci  I'autre  monde, 
mais  dans  celui-ci  ils  sont  miserables  ! 
happy  are  the  peaceable  with  respect  to 
the  next  world,  but  they  are  miserable 
in  this  !  In  trying  to  derive  advantages 
from  the  dissensions  and  broils  of  others, 
they  insensibly  become  the  victims  of 
both  parties.  The  French  writer  hu- 
morously says,  lis  vcuUnt  etre.  mur- 
leaux,  cela  fait  que.  continnel/ement  ih 
sont  cnclumes  a  droit e  et  a  gauche  :  they 
would  lain  be  hammers,  instead  of  which 
they  become  anvils,  and  get  beaten  both 
right  and  left.  This  happened  to  the 
Venetians  in  1701,  who  endeavoured  to 
remain  neutral  during  the  campaigns 
that  took  place  between  the  French  and 
the  Imperialists.  The  observance  of  a 
strict  neutrality  is  unquestionably  a 
matter  of  extreme  difficulty,  and  re- 
quires uncommon  ability.  Few  princes 
possess  those  qualities  of  the  head  and 
heart  that  distinguished  Hieron,  king  of 
Syracuse,  who  so  dexterously  managed 
his  neutrality  in  the  war  between  Rome 
and  Carthage.  His  subjects  were  con- 
siderably benefited  bv  the  conduct  he 
observed,  whilst  his  own  reputation  was 
not  a  little  encreased  by  the  sound  po- 
licy which  dictated  it. 

There  is  not  perhaps  in  human  poli- 
tics, a  rule  of  conduct  which  is  so  intri- 
cate, and  of  course  so  difficult  to  be  ob- 
served, as  that  of  neutrality.  La  loi  des 
plus  forts,  or  the  law  of  the  strongest,  so 
often  tramples  down  natural  rights,  that 
necessity  drives  those  to  the  adoption  of 
questionable  measures,  who  would  other- 
wise remain  strictly  neutral  ;  whilst 
others  again,  from  being  contiguous  to 
contending  armies,  resort  to  various  pre- 
tences, in  order  to  remain  in  an  armed 
condition  for  the  purpose  of  taking  ad- 
vantage at  a  critical  moment.  Of  this 
description  was  the  system  of  armed 
neutrality  which  Pope  Leon  X.  is  re- 
corded to  have  pursued.  When  Fran- 
cis I.  king  of  France,  was  engaged  in  a 
war  with  the  Swiss  Cantons,  respecting 
the  Milanese,  His  Holiness  resolved  to 
remain  neuter,  or  at  least  affected  to  be 
so,  although  he  was  strongly  invited  by 
both  parties  to  take  an  active  and 
open  part.  He  drew  his  troops  towards 
the  frontiers  of  the  Milanese,  under  a 
pretext   of   covering   the   ecclesiastical 


N  I  C 


(     543     ) 


N  I  V 


states,  but  in  reality  for  the  purpose  of 
being;  at  hand,  when  the  two  armies 
should  come  to  a  decisive  engagement, 
of  unexpectedly  falling  upon  the  victo- 
rious army,  at  the  close  of  an  obstinate 
and  bloody  battle,  of  driving  it  out  of 
Italy,  becoming  master  of  Lombardy, 
and  finally  establishing  himself  as  the 
arbiter  of  the  country.  But  ail  these 
imaginary  triumphs  of  the  Pope  soon 
disappeared.  His  troops,  which  had 
already  reached  the  frontiers  of  the  Mi- 
lanese, no  sooner  learned,  that  the  Swiss 
had  been  totally  routed  by  the  French, 
than  they  were  panic-struck,  and  dis- 
persed in  the  greatest  disorder;  as  if 
they  were  conscious  of  being  engaged  in 
a  crooked  and  illegal  cause. 

Ancient  history  affords  us  several  ex- 
amples of  this  species  of  neutrality. — 
During  the  civil  wars  between  the  ad- 
herents of  Vespasian  and  those  of  Otho 
and  Vitellius,  various  means  of  dupli- 
city were  resorted  to.  We  likewise  read 
of  the  same  sort  of  conduct  having  been 
observed  by  the  inhabitants  of  Corcyrus 
when  they  went  to  war  with  the  Corin- 
thians; and  modern  history  is  full  of 
similar  instances  of  specious  neutrality. 
For  further  particulars  on  this  interest- 
ing subject,  especially  on  the  conduct  to 
be  observed  by  neuters  in  war,  see  from 
page  531  to  533,  of  the  English  trans- 
lation of  Hugo  Grotius,  by  William 
Evats,  B.  D. 

NEW,  (neuf,  nouveau,  Fr.)  as  New 
Guard:  Old  Guard.  See  Guard.  The 
French  say,  garde  montante ;  garde  des- 
cendante.     See  Garde. 

2$EW-rcckoning,  >  an  account  or  com- 

Aftcr-reckoning,  y  putation  which  is 
jnade  subsequent  to  one  already  furnished. 

NEWEL,  in  architecture,  is  the  up- 
right post  or  compass  round  which  the 
winding  stairs  turn. 

NEXT,  as  next  for  duty,  the  person 
who  stands  upon  the  roster  in  .imme- 
diate succession  to  another  who  is  on 
duty.  The  French  say  le  premier  a 
prendre,  or  the  next  to  take. 

NICHE,  (niche,  Fr.)  a  hollow  space 
which  is  made  in  a  wall  for  the  purpose 
of  placing  any  figure,  or  statue,  in  it. 
Thus  to  have  a  niche  in  the  Temple  of 
Fame,  signifies,  figuratively,  to  be  re- 
corded for  some  glorious,  or  meritorious 
action. 

NICK-NAME,  (sobriquet,  Fr. )  a 
surname,  which  is  used  in  ridicule  or 
good  humour,  to  distinguish  an  indivi- 


dual ;  Dr.  Johnson  calls  this  nom  de 
nique,  from  the  French. 

Nick-names,  among  military  men, 
are  familiarly  used  in  a  collective  sense. 
Thus  the  light-infantry  are  called  Light 
Bobs,  the  grenadiers  Tow  Rows,  and  the 
battalion  men  Flat-Foots ;  and  in  many 
instances  whole  corps  have  been  parti- 
cularized in  this  manner.  The  28th  of 
Foot  were  familiarly  called  the  Slashers; 
and  a  very  respectable  general  officer  in 
the  British  service  used  to  be  nick-nam- 
ed General  No-Flint,  from  a  circum- 
stance which  occurred  during  the  Ameri- 
can war,  when  he  commanded  a  species 
of  forlorn  hope.  During  the  campaigns 
of  1793  and  1794,  in  Flanders,  &c.  the 
15th  regiment  of  lijjht  dragoons  were 
called  Young  Eyes  by  the  Guards,  who 
received,  or  rather  gave  themselves  the 
nick-name  of  Old  Eyes. 

NIGHER,  Ind.  any  fortified  city, 
measuring  at  least  eight  coss,  or  eight 
English  miles,  in  length  and  breadth. 

NlLOMETRE,  an  instrument  used 
among  the  ancients  to  measure  the 
height  of  the  water  in  the  overflowings 
of  the  Nile. 

NIQLTBS,  Ind.  men  whose  military 
functions  among  the  Sepoys  correspond 
with  those  of  corporals  in  the  king's 
service. 

NITHING,  a  coward,  or  poltroon. 

NITRE.     See  Saltpetre. 

NIVEAU,  Fr.  a  level. 

Niveau  de  la  campagne,  Fr.  the  level 
surface  of  a  country  is  so  called,  in  con- 
tradistinction to  the  talus  or  slope  of 
any  rising  ground. 

De  Niveau,  Fr.  level;  even. 

Niveau  d'eau,  Fr.  a  water  level. — 
This  instrument  is  extremely  simple,  and 
of  great  use  to  engineers  in  the  construc- 
tion of  works. 

Niveau  de  charpentier,  Fr.  a  car- 
penter's rule,  or  level. 

Niveau  depaveur,¥r.  a  pavior's  level. 

Niveau  a  lunettes,  Fr.  an  instrument 
which  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining precisely  any  level  point  that  is 
at  a  great  distance. 

Niveau  a  pendule,  Fr.  that  which 
marks  the  horizontal  line  by  means  of 
another  line  that  is  perpendicular  to  its 
plummet. 

Niveau  d  pinules,  Fr.  a  level  with 
two  sights  placed  at  parallel  distances 
from  the  two  extremities  of  its  base, 
through  which  any  point,  that  is  even 
with  the  in »c:  ui«cii r,  may  be  surveyed. 


NOH 


(     5-14     ) 


NOB 


Niveau  d'air,  Fr.  that  which  marks 

the  level  line  by  means  of  a  small  bub- 
ble of  water  contained,  with  some  spirit 
or  liquid,  in  a  glass  cylinder,  hermeti- 
cally sealed  at  both  ends. 

Niveau  de  reflexion,  Fr.  that  level 
which  is  made  by  means  of  a  moderately 
expanded  surface  of  watery  shewing  the 
downward  representation  of  the  same 
object  that  we  see  with  our  own  eyes; 
6o  that  the  point,  at  which  these  two 
objects  appear  to  meet,  is  upon  a  level 
with  the  surface  of  the  water. 
NIVELER,  Fr.  to  level. 
Niveler  les  eaux,  Fr.  to  find  the  true 
level  for  conveying  water. 

Niveler  le  lerrein,  Fr.  to  find  the 
true  level  of  ground,  and  to  ascertain 
the  relative  elevations  of  places. 

NIVELEUR,  Fr.  a  leveller:  it  is 
likewise  sometimes  used  to  express  a 
trifler;  but  it  does  not  signify  a  leveller 
in  the  political  sense  in  which  we  apply 
the  English  word  in  these  days  ;  nor 
does  it  mean  a  Leveller  belonging  to  a 
set  of  people  in  Oliver  Cromwell's  army, 
who  were  for  having  an  equal  share  in 
the  administration  of  the  government 
between  the  nobility  and  the  common- 
alty. 

NIVELLEMENT,  Fr.  the  art  of 
levelling. 

NIZAM,  Ind.  a  title  which  is  be- 
stowed by  the  Great  Mogul  on  one  of 
his  principal  viziers,  on  his  bein^  ap- 
pointed to  the  command  and  adminis- 
tration of  certain  provinces.  The 
word  means,  an  adjuster,  a  regulator, 
an  arranger,  or  manager,  &c. 

Nizam  ul  Mouluc,  Ind.  the  protector 
of  the  country. 

NIZAMUt,  the  office  of  Nizam. 
NOBILITY,  (noblesse,  Fr.)  from  the 
Latin,  Nobilitas.  This  word  has  been 
variously  defined.  It  is,  however,  gene- 
rally understood  to  signify  Illustrious 
Descent,  and  Conspicuousness  of  Ances- 
tors, with  a  succession  of  arms  conferred 
on  some  one  (and  from  him  to  his  family) 
by  the  Prince,  by  law,  or  by  custom,  as 
a  reward  for  the  good  and  virtuous  ac- 
tions of  him  that  performed  them.  The 
only  true  purchase  of  nobility  must, 
therefore,  consist  of  great  and  »ood  ac- 
tions; which,  in  proportion  as  they  dig- 
nified and  ennobled  the  original  owner, 
become  objects  of  important  trust  with 
every  descendant;  who  either  reflects 
tbe*  back  by  a  laudable  imitation,  or 


shamefully  abuses  the  tenure  by  disho- 
nourable practices. 

To  be  inertly  descended  from  a  noble 
family,  is  of  little  consequence  in  the 
eyes  of  true  thinking  men  ;  and  still  less 
so,  when  the  heir  discovers  no  other 
proofs  of  his  nobility,  than  show  and 
ostentation. 

Nobility  likewise  means  a  quality 
that  dignifies,  or  renders  a  person  noble  : 
particularly  that  raises  a  person  possess- 
ed of  it  above  a  peasant  or  a  common- 
er.— The  quality  or  decree  of  a  noble- 
man :  also  the  whole  body  of  noblemen 
separated  from  the  commonalty. 

NoiiiniY  also  means  Name,  Reputa- 
tion, Renown. 

NOBLES,  1  are  the  grandees  of 

NOBLEMEN,  ]  any  kingdom  or  na- 
tion, by  whatsoever  title  they  are  dis- 
tinguished. Honorary  distinctions  have 
been  very  ancient.  The  Greeks  distin- 
guished their  people  into  three  ranks, 
viz.  Noblemen,  Land-holders,  or  Farmers 
and  Tradesmen.  The  first  were  indulged 
with  great  privileges,  and  wore  the  figure 
of  a  tirasshopper,  as  a  badge  of  honour, 
in  their  hair.  The  Romans  wore  a  half- 
moon  upon  their  shoes. 

Among  the  Romans,  those  persons 
were  called  Nobles  who  preserved  the 
statues  of  their  ancestors  in  theii  courts 
or  cabinets.  The  faces  of  these  statues 
were  painted  to  resemble  life.  Bui  it 
was  necessary  to  be  descended  from  the 
ancient  magistrates,  called  Curules,  to 
be  entitled  to  have  these  statues.  They 
were  exhibited  to  the  public  on  festival 
days;  and  when  any  of  the  family  died, 
they  were  carried  in  solemn  procession 
before  the  corps ;  so  that  under  these 
circumstances,  an  individual  might  be  a 
Patrician  without  being  actually  of  noble 
blood  or  extraction. 

That  person  was  called  Noble  in 
France,  who  first  received  a  letter  pa- 
tent constituting  him  such,  and  who 
thus  gave  rise  to  the  nobility  of  his  de- 
scendants.— Those  born  of  him  bore 
the  title  of  gentilhomme,  or  gentleman. 
Un  ancien  gentilhomme,  or  gentleman  of 
some  standing,  was  styled  homme.  de  con- 
dition, or  person  of  condition.  Those 
gentlemen  who  were  descended  from 
illustrious  houses  were  called,  Men  of 
quality,  Gens  de  qualiti. 

In  England  those  only  are  called 
Nobles  or  Noblemen,  who  have  the 
title  of  Duke,  Marquis,  Earl,  Viscount, 


NON 


(    5*5    ) 


N  O  U 


Lord,  or  Baron;  which  titles  either  de- 
scend to  individuals  from  family-right, 
are  gratuitously  conferred  upon  them  by 
the  Prince  (who  is  called  the  fountain 
of  honour),  or  are  obtained  at  the  price 
of  gold.  The  hereditary  tenure  becomes 
equally  solid  in  all  these  instances, 
though  not  equally  estimable,  unless  the 
title  be  itself  ennobled  by  some  great 
and  good  actions  of  the  possessor.  By 
those,  and  those  only,  can  a  purchased 
or  indeed  any  title  be  converted  into 
sterling  gold  out  of  base  metal. 

NOBLESSE  Miliiairc,  Fr.  military 
nobility.  Although  most  of  our  orders 
may  be  considered  as  appendages  which 
confer  a  sort  of  military  nobility,  espe- 
cially that  of  the  garter,  which  was  in- 
stituted by  king  Edward  III.  on  the  19th 
of  January,  1344,  yet  we  cannot  be 
strictly  said  to  have  amongst  us,  that 
species  of  military  nobility, or  distinction, 
that  was  peculiarly  known  in  France, 
&c.  under  the  immediate  title  of  No- 
blesse Milit  aire.  In  order  to  reward  mi- 
litary merit,  an  edict  was  issued  by  the 
French  court,  at  Fontainebleau,  in  No- 
vember, 1750,  and  ea  registered  on  the 
25th  of  the  same  month  by  the  parlia- 
ment of  Paris,  whereby  a  Noblesse  Mili- 
iaire,  or  Military  Nobility,  was  created  ; 
the  acquisition  of  which  depended  wholly 
upon  martial  character,  but  did  not  re- 
quire any  letter  patent  for  the  purpose 
of  ennobling  the  individual. 

NCEUD  de  I'artificier,  Fr.  a  particu- 
lar knot  which  artificers,  or  fireworkers, 
make  use  of  to  bind  fusees  together. 

Nceud  de  eharrue,  Fr.  a  particular 
knot  or  stress,  which  is  used  in  the  ar- 
tillery when  ropes  are  passed  under  car- 
riages, for  the  purpose  of  raising  any 
piece  of  ordnance  that  has  been  over- 
turned. 

Ncetjd  d'epaule,  Fr.  shoulder-knot :  it 
signifies  also  the  same  as  aiguillette,  a 
tagged   point. 

NOM  de  guerre,  Fr.     See  Guerre. 

NOMADES,  a  tribe  of  wandering 
Arabs  belonging  to  Mesopotamia,  (the 
ancient  name  of  Diabekr,)  a  province  in 
Asiatic  Turkey  :  they  live  on   plunder. 

NOMINAL,  by  name.     Hence 

Nominal  c«//,  which  corresponds  with 
the  French  appel  nominatif ;  and,  in  a 
military  sense,  with  our  roll  cull. 

NON-ACTIVITE,  Fr.  state  of  not 
being  employed,  or  on  service. 

NON-EFFECTIVE.      This   expres- 


sion is  used  as  the  privative  or  negatfve 
of  effective.  Hence  non-effective  state 
of  a  regiment ;  non-effectives,  &c. 

NOTAMMENT,  Fr.  for  instance; 
that  is,  an  exemplification  of  any  thing 
asserted,  as  notummentmoi:  for  instance 
myself. 

NOTiE,  a  peculiar  method  among  the 
Romans  of  writing  expeditiously.  The 
invention  is  given  to  Tyro,  who  was  Ci- 
cero's bondman.  This  art  consists  in 
being  able  to  take  down  correctly,  every 
sentence  that  is  spoken,  let  the  enun- 
ciation be  ever  so  rapid. 

We  call  it  tuchygraphy,  from  the 
Greek  compound,  signifying  szvij't  and 
write. 

NOTIFICATION,  the  making  any 
thing  known.  Hence,  a  war-office  noti- 
fication, respecting  the  appointment  of 
an  officer,  &c. 

Notification-Boo^,  among  army 
agents,  a  book  in  which  a  regular  entry 
is  made  of  officers  recommended  for 
commissions  in  the  army;  also  of  such 
as  are  appointed  by  a  notification  from 
the  war-office. 

NOTORIETY,  (notorize,  Fr.)  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Johnson,  public  know- 
ledge; public  exposure.  Tins  word,  like 
notorious,  is  commonly  used  of  things 
and  persons  known  to  their  disadvantage. 
Thus  a  notorious  thief;  a  notorious  cow- 
ard. Notoriety,  in  the  sense  we  take  it, 
signifies  an  overweening  desire  to  be 
talked  of,  without  any  regard  to  truth, 
or  solid  reputation.  A  thing  wrapped 
up  in  itself,  which  is  always  running 
after  notoriety.  It  is  like  a  soap-ball 
blown  out  of  a  tobacco  pipe  at  mid-day, 
reflecting  from  the  sun  a  variety  of 
splendid  colours,  and  then  bursting  into 
nothingness  from  its  want  of  inward 
consistency. 

NOUE,  Fr.  in  building,  that  part 
where  two  roofs  join  together  and  form 
a  rentrant  angle. 

Noue  corniire,  Fr.  that  part  where 
the  sloping  drains,  at  the  tops  of  two 
houses,  join  together. 

NOURRICE,  Fr.  a  nurse  ;  a  female 
who  attends  the  sick.  This  word  is 
likewise  used  by  the  French  to  express 
the  means  of  subsistence,  cvc.  which  are 
supplied  by  the  agricultural  part  of  a 
kingdom.  Hence,  Une  province  est  la 
nourrice  d'une  villc  ;  a  town  or  city  is 
fed  by  the  country  round  it.  La  Sici/e 
est  la  nourrice  dc  Rome,  Sicily  is  the 
4  A 


N  U  M 


(     546     ) 


NUT 


nurse  if  Rome;  meaning  thereby,  that 
the  latter  was  supplied  with  cum,  &c. 
bv  the  former. 

NOURRIR,  Fr.  to  feed.  The  French 
say  familiarly,  la  soupe  nourrit  lesoldat; 
broth  feeds  the  soldier. 

NOWARRA,  Ind.  an  establishment 
of  boats,  which  is  kept  at  Dacca,  for  a 
defence  against  the  Mugs  and  other 
plunderei  s. 

NOYAU,  Fr.  a  long  piece  of  iron, 
which  is  placed  in  the  middle  of  a  can- 
non mould,  in  order  that  tiie  liquid 
metal  may  he  poured  round  it,  and  the 
piece  obtain  an  equal  thickness  on  all 
sides. 

Noyau,  Fr.  likewise  means  the  whole 
of  the  vacant  space  or  bore  of  a  cannon, 
under  which  are  comprehended  the  dia- 
meter of  the  mouth,  the  vacant  cylinder, 
the  breech,  and  the  vent. - 

With  respect  to  bombs,  grenades,  and 
hollow  balls,  that  which  is  called  noyau 
consists  of  a  globular  piece  of  earth, 
upon  which  the  cox  or  of  bombs,  gre- 
nades, and  hollow  balls  is  cast.  The 
metal  is  poured  in  between  this  cover 
and  the  noyau,  after  which  the  noyau, 
or  core  is  broken,  and  the  earth  taken 
out. 

NOZLE,  the  nose  ;  the  snout ;  the 
end  of  any  thing,  as  the  no/le  of  a  can- 
dlestick. 

NUCLEUS,  (in  architecture,)  the 
cement  which  is  put  between  a  lay  or 
bed  of  pebbles,  &c. 

NUD  de  mur,  Fr.  the  outside  surface 
of  a  wall  that  covers  those  parts  which 
project,  or  jut  out. 

NUDDEE,  Ind.  the  name  of  a  ri- 
vulet. 

NULLA,  Ind.  This  term  likewise 
signifies  a  rivulet,  and  means  the  place 
which  was  once  the  bed  of  a  river. 

NUMBER,  (nombre,  Fr.)  in  arith- 
metic, the  assemblage,  or  collection  of 
any  quantities  whatever. 

NUMERAIRE,  Fr.  specie;  ready- 
money;  coined  gold,  silver  or  copper 
which  is  in  circulation  at  a  certain  stand- 
ard.    A  commodity  once  very  plentiful 


in  these  kingdoms,   but  now   extremely 
scarce. 

NUMEROS,  Fr.  round  pieces  made 
of  brass,  or  other  metal,  which  were 
numbered,  and  used  in  the  old  French 
service  in  the  detail    of   guards.      See 

M.VRON. 

NURSE,  (nourrice,  Fr. )  a  person, 
generally  a  female,  whose  whole  busi- 
ness is  to  attend  the  sick  in  the  general 
or  regimental  hospital.  She  is  under 
the  immediate  direction  of  the  surgeon. 
According  to  the  Regulations  published 
by  authority  in  17°9,  there  is  to  be  one 
decent,  sober,  woman  nurse,  who  shall 
receive  at  the  rate  of  one  shilling  per 
diem,  whose  duty  will  be  to  prepare  the 
slops  and  comforts  for  the  sick,  and  oc- 
casionally to  assist  in  administering  me- 
dicines, cooking  the  victuals,  washing 
&c.  and  for  every  ten  men  confined  to 
bed  by  fever,  an  additional  nurse  and 
orderly-man  should  be  allowed.  All  the 
patients,  who  are  able,  are  every  morn- 
ing and  evening  to  assist  in  cleaning 
and  airing  the  hospital,  carrying  away 
dirt,  &c.  and  by  every  means  to  assist 
the  helpless. 

The  additional  allowance  to  the  Ser- 
jeants, orderly-men,  and  nurse,  in  regi- 
ments of  the  line,  to  be  made  by  the 
paymaster;  and  in  regiments  of  militia 
and  fencibles,  the  surgeons  are  to  pay 
them  out  of  their  allowances. 

Nurse  is  also  used,  in  a  figurative 
sense,  to  signify  one  of  those  humble 
dependants  upon  a  wealthy  person,  who 
contrives  to  get  into  his  confidence,  and 
acts  in  the  double  capacity  of  adviser 
and  follower.  Old  generals  have  some- 
times their  dry-nurses. 

NUT,  one  of  the  chief  component 
parts  of  a  screw,  which  is  perforated  to 
the  dimensions  of  the  cylinder  of  a  rifie- 
barrel,  in  the  internal  cavity  of  which 
a  groove  is  cut  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ceiving the  thread. 

Nut,  the  worm  of  a  screw  ;  also  part 
of  an  anchor,  cross-bow,  &c.  Also  a 
small  body  with  teeth  which  corresponds 
with  the  teeth  of  wheels. 


(    *47    ) 


o. 


OAT 

r^  This  letter  is  generally  used  in  the 
British  service  to  signify  Orders, viz. 

B.  O.     Brigade  orders. 

C.  O.     Corps  orders. 

D.  O.     District  orders. 
Gl.  O.  General  orders. 
A.G.O.  After  General  orders. 
Gx.O.  Garrison  orders. 

R.  O.     Regimental  orders. 

S.  O.      Station  orders. 

OAK,  (bois  de  chine,  Fr.)  The  timher 
of  this  tree,  which  in  its  perfection  is 
peculiar  to  Great  Britain,  is  serviceable, 
and  adapted  to  every  purpose  of  rural, 
domestic,  naval  and  military  economy  ; 
particularly  for  staves,  laths,  spokes  of 
wheels,  gun-carriages,  &c.  It  is  hard, 
tough,  telerably  flexible,  and  not  very 
liable  to  splinter. 

Heart  of  Oak,  a  figurative  term  used 
by  the  British,  particularly  with  respect 
to  the  firm  and  daring  intrepidity  of  a 
seaman. 

OARS,  a  boat  for  the  conveyance  of 
passengers,  having  two  men  to  row  it ; 
hence  the  familiar  phrase,  a  pair  of  oars, 
meaning  a  boat  of  the  above  description. 
Oars  also  signify  the  instruments  where- 
with boats  are  rowed. 

OATH,  a  solemn  asseveration  made 
in  the  presence  of  a  magistrate,  and 
taken  on  the  Evangelists,  in  Great  Britain 
and  its  dependencies,  whereby  an  indi- 
vidual binds  himself  to  observe  certain 
conditions,  or  swear  to  specific  facts 
which  he  knows  of  his  own  knowledge. 
Soldiers  from  time  immemorial  have 
been  accustomed  to  take  oaths  of  fide- 
lity. These  oaths  were,  however,  ob- 
served with  greater  solemnity  among 
the  ancients  than  they  are  administered 
in  modern  armies,  except  upon  very 
particular  occasions.  In  the  latter,  in- 
deed, it  seldom  or  ever  happens,  that 
oaths  are  taken  by  bodies  of  soldiers 
assembled  for  the  purpose. — Oaths  are 
taken  by  men  newly  enlisted,  but  those 
oaths  are  individually  administered,  and 
separately  taken.  The  military  oath, 
on  the  contrary,  among  the  Romans, 
was  of  a  more  general  and  impressive 


O  B  E 

nature.  Kennett  in  his  Roman  Anti- 
quities, page  188,  gives  the  following 
account  of  it  : — "  The  levies  being 
finished,  the  tribunes  of  every  legion 
chose  out  one  whom  they  thought  the 
fittest  person,  and  gave  him  a  solemn 
oath  at  large,  the  substance  of  which 
was,  that  he  should  oblige  himself  to 
obey  the  commander  in  all  things  to 
the  utmost  of  his  power,  be  ready  to 
attend  whenever  they  ordered  his  ap- 
pearance, and  never  to  leave  the  army 
but  by  their  consent.  After  he  had 
ended,  the  whole  legion,- passing  one  by 
one,  every  man,  in  short,  swore  to  the 
same  effect,  crying,  as  he  went  bvr 
Idem  in  me.     The  stime  by  me." 

OATH  of  Allegiance.  See  Alle- 
giance. 

Oaths  on  general  and  regimental 
courts-martial.  According  to  the  amend- 
ments introduced  into  the  last  Mutiny 
Act,  passed  in  45  Geo.III.it  is  enacted, 
"  That  in  all  courts-martial  (  other 
than  general  courts-martial),  which  shall 
be  held  by  virtue  of  this  act,  or  of  any 
articles  of  war,  established  by  his  Ma- 
jesty, in  pursuance  thereof,  every  mem- 
ber assisting  at  such  trial,  before  any 
proceedings  be  had  thereupon,  shall  take 
the  prescribed  oaths  upon  the  Holy 
Evangelists." 

N.B.  Although  the  oath  of  supremacy, 
or  any  other  oath,  is  not  administered, 
on  a  religious  principle,  in  the  army,  no 
officer  in  the  navy  can  be  made  post 
without  first  having  taken  the  former. 

OATS,  a  grain  which  constitutes  a 
principal  portion  in  the  feed  of  horses: 
The  distribution  of  this  article  ought 
to  be  narrowly  watched  by  every  officer 
commanding  a  troop;  since  it  is  noto- 
rious, that  government  is  frequently 
charged  for  quantities  which  are  not 
delivered,  by  which  means  the  horse 
suffers,  and  the  public  are  imposed 
upon. 

OBEDIENCE,  (obiissance,  Fr.)  sub- 
mission  to  the  orders  of  a  superior.  The 
first  principle  which  ought  to  be  incul- 
cated and  impressed  upon  the  mind  uf 
4A  2 


o  b  i; 


('648     ) 


OBL 


every  officer  and  soldier  is  obedience 
to  ail  lawful  commands.  It  is  the  main 
spring,  the  soul  and  essence,  of  military 
duty. 

Obedience  of  orders,  an  unequivo- 
cal performance  of  the  several  duties 
which  are  directed  to  he  discharged  by 
military  men.  Blucher  in  one  of 
bis  addresses  to  the  Silesian  army  ad- 
vancing into  France,  justly  says,  bravery 
confers  honour  on  the  soldier;  but  obe- 
dience and  discipline  form  his  brightest 
Ornaments. — October  $Q,   1814. 

OBEDIENCE,  IV.  This  word  is  only 
used  in  French  when  speaking  of  reli- 
gious houses,  or  matters  relating  to  the 
pope  and  his  dominions,  whence  ainbus- 
sadeur  d'obtdience  ;  pays  d 'obedience. 

Fitter  OBEISSANCE,  Fr.  to  swear 
allegiance,  fidelity,  &c. 

Remettre  dans  /'Obeissance,  Fr.  to 
recal  to  duty. 

OBELISK,  (obiUsque,  Fr.)  a  lmge> 
solid  piece  of  marble,  or  fine  stone,  four 
square,  and  all  of  one  piece,  growing 
smaller  from  the  bottom,  and  ending 
in  a  point  at  the  top,  like  a  pyramid, 
set  up  for  a  monument,  &c.  Obelisks 
are  sometimes  made  of  different  pieces 
of  stone,  &c.  The  French  call  ir  also 
niguiile,  or  needle. 

To  OBEY,  (obeir,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
sense,  is,  without  question  or  hesitation, 
to  conform  zealously  to  all  orders  and 
instructions  which  are  legally  issued. 
It  sometimes  happens,  that  individuals 
are  called  upon  (by  mistake,  or  from  the 
exigency  of  the  service)  out  of  what  is 
called  the  regular  roster.  In  either  case 
they  must  cheerfully  obey,  and  after 
they  have  performed  their  duty,  they 
may  remonstrate. 

OBJECT,  (objet,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
sense,  signifies  the  same  as  point,  with 
respect  to  mere  movements  and  evolu- 
tions. Thus  in  marching  forward  in 
line,  &c.  the  leader  of  a  squad,  com- 
pany, or  battalion,  must  take  two  ob- 
jects at  least,  upon  which  be  forms  his 
perpendicular  movement,  and  by  which 
the  whole  body  is  regulated.  In  pro- 
portion as  he  advances,  he  takes  care  to 
select  intermediate  and  distant  objects 
or  points,  by  which  his  march  is  governed. 
See  Marching  in.  Line. 

Object,  the  matter  of  an  art  or  sci- 
ence, or  the  thing  about  which  it  is  em- 
ployed; the  same  as  subject. 

OBLAT.  Fr.  a  disabled  soldier.  In 
cathohc  countries  he  had  the  benefit  of. 


a  monk's  place  given  him  in  the  abbey  J 
also  the  maintenance  itself. 

OBLATE,  any  rotund  figure  flatted 
at  the  poles.  Hence  the  term  oblate 
spheroid. 

OBLIQUATION,  )  a  deviation  from 

OBLIQUITY,  S  the    parallel    or 

perpendicular  line. 

OBLIQUE,  or  second  Jlank.  The 
face  of  a  bastion  discovered  from  a  part 
of  the  curtain  is  so  called. 

Oblique  projection  is  that  wherein 
the  direction  of  the  striking  body  is  not 
perpendicular  to  the  body  struck,  which 
makes  an  oblique  angle  with  tl»e  hori- 
zontal line. 

Oblique  deployment.  When  the 
component  parts  of  a  column  that  is 
extending  into  line,  deviate  to  the  right 
or  left,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  up  an 
oblique  position,  its  movements  are  called 
oblique  deployments. 

Oblique  fire  or  defence,  that  which 
is  under  too  great  an  angle,  as  is  ge- 
nerally the  defence  of  the  second  flank, 
which  can  never  be  so  good  as  a  defence 
in  front. 

Oblique  percussion  is  that  wl»erein 
the  direction  of  the  6trikiug  body  is  not 
perpendicular  to  the  body  struck,  or  is 
not  in  line  with  its  center  of  gravity. 

Oblique  position,  a  position  taken 
in  an  oblique  direction  from  the  original 
line  of  formation. 

Oblique  radius,  a  line  extending; 
from  the  centre  to  the  exterior  side  of  • 
polygon. 

Oblique  step,  to  the  left,  is  made  in 
ordinary  time,  and  consists  in  carrying 
the  left  foot  19  inches  in  the  diagonal 
line  to  the  left,  bringing  the  right  foot 
30  inches  forward,  so  that  the  heel  may 
be  13  inches  before  the  left  foot ;  thus 
obtaining  a  general  obliquity  of  about 
an  angle  of  25°.  In  obliquing  to  the 
right,  the  same  is  precisely  done  by  the 
reverse  feet;  (be original  squareness  of 
the  body  to  its  proper  front  being  pre- 
served iu  both  cases  throughout. 

To  Oblique,  in  a  military  sense,  is 
to  move  forward  to  the  right  or  left, 
by  stepping  sideways  in  either  of  those 
directions,  according  to  the  following 
words  of  command  : — 

Right  Oblique!  When  the  squad  is 
marching  in  front,  and  receives  the  word 
to  the  right  oblique,  each  man,  the  first 
time  he  raises  the  right  foot,  will,  in- 
stead of  throwing  it  straight  forward, 
carry  it  19  inches  in  the  diagonal  direo- 


OBS 


(     549    ) 


DBS 


tion,  to  the  right,  gaining  thereby  about 
13  inches  to  the  side,  and  about  13  inches 
to  the  front,  without  altering  his  personal 
squareness  of  position.  The  greatest 
attention  is  to  be  paid  to  the  shoulders 
of  every  man  in  the  squad,  that  all  may 
remain  parallel  to  the  line  on  which 
they  first  were  placed,  and  that  the  right 
shoulders  do  not  fall  to  the  rear,  which 
they  are  very  apt  to  do  in  obliquing  to 
the  i  ight,and  which  immediately  changes 
the  direction  of  the  front. — On  the  word 
forward,  the  incline  ceases,  and  the 
whole  march  forward. 

In  obliquing  to  the  left,  the  same 
rules  are  to  be  observed,  with  the  dif- 
ference of  the  left  going  to  the  left,  and 
tire  left  shoulder  being  carefully  kept  up. 

Obliquing  to  the  right  is  to  be  prac- 
tised sometimes  with  the  eyes  to  the 
left ;  and  obliquing  to  the  left,  with  the 
eyes  to  the  right;  as  being  absolutely 
necessary  on  many  occasions;  for  if  one 
of  the  battalions  of  a  line  in  advancing 
be  ordered  to  oblique  to  the  right,  or  to 
the  left,  the  eyes  must  still  continue 
turned  towards  its  center. 

Oblique  movements,  though  they  may 
be  made  hy  a  squad,  or  division,  in  quick 
time,  must  be  executed  by  a  larger  body 
in  ordinary  time. 

To  Oblique  in  file.  When  any  body 
of  men  is  ordered  to  oblique  to  the  right 
or  left  by  files,  the  center  and  rear  rank 
men  (supposing  the  line  to  stand  three 
oeep)  will  continue  looking  to  their 
leaders  of  the  front  rank.  Each  file  is 
to  consider  itself  as  an  entire  rank,  and 
to  preserve  the  same  front  and  position 
of  the  shoulders,  during  the  oblique,  as 
before  it  began.  The  Regulations, 
from  which  these  passages  are  extracted, 
observe,  that,  as  this  is  a  very  useful 
movement,  recruits  should  be  often 
practised  in  it. 

Pas  Oblique,  Fr.  oblique  step. 

Oblique  a  droite,  Fr.  right  oblique. 

Oblique  a  gauche,  Fr.  left  oblique. 

Feux  Obliques  d  droite  et  at  gauche, 
Fr.  oblique  firings  to  the  right  and  left. 

Marcher  OBLIQUEMENT,  Fr.  to 
oblique,  or  march  in  an  oblique  direction. 

OBLIVION.     See  Amnesty. 

OBLONG,  (oblong,  Fr.)  any  figure 
which  contains  more  in  length  than  in 
breadth. 

Oblong  Square.     See  Square. 

OBSEDER,  Fr.  to  besiege,  to  beset, 
to  get  possession  of :  also  to  tease  by 
vexatious  applications. 


OBSEQUIES,  (obseques,  Fr.)  funeral 
rites ;  funeral  solemnities. 

OBSERVATION.  See  Armt  of 
Observation. 

To  be  under  Observation,  to  be 
carefully  watched  and  looked  after — 
etre  vu  de  pris ;  etre  s-uivi  de  prcs. 

OBSERVATORY,  (observatoire,  Ffc.) 
a  building,  public  or  private,  winch  is 
erected  and  provided  with  all  sorts  of 
instruments  proper  for  astronomical  ob- 
servations, fee.  The  most  noted  obser- 
vatories in  Europe  are: — 

1.  That  of  Tycho  Brahe,  a  nobleman 
of  Denmark,  at  Uraineberg,  in  the  island 
of  Wern,  between  the  coasts  of  Schoneu 
and  Zealand,  in  the  Baltic. 

c2.  The  observatory  at.  Paris,  which 
was  erected  by  Louis  XIV.  This  building 
stands  in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Germain, 
and  is  so  constructed  as  to  answer  the 
four  cardinal  points  of  the  world,  east, 
west,  north,  and  south. — The  founda- 
tion is  laid  30  feet  below  the  ground, 
and  the  edifice  carried  as  much  above  it. 
[t  contains  three  stories  in  height,  and 
lias  a  terrace  at  top,  from  which  the 
whole  horizon  appears  flat.  The  stair- 
case of  this  observatory  deserves  notice, 
from  the  singularity  of  its  construction, 
being  in  the  form  of  a  screw,  and  so 
contrived,  that  from  the  bottom  there  is 
a  full  sight  of  the  stars  that  pass  the 
zenith  of  this  place. 

3.  The  royal  observatory  at  Green- 
wich, which  was  founded  by  Charles 
the  Second. 

4.  The  observatory  at  Pekin,  in 
China,  which  was  erected  by  the  late 
Emperor,  at  the  intercession  of  the  Je- 
suits. 

To  OBSERVE,  to  watch  closely,  fee. 
Hence  to  observe  the  motions  of  an  enemy, 
is  to  keep  a  good  look  out  by  means  of 
intelligent  and  steady  spies  or  scouts, 
and  to  be  constantly  in  possession  of 
his  ditferent  movements.  No  man  can 
be  said  to  have  the  talents  of  an  able 
general,  who  neglects  to  observe  his 
enemy  in  all  directions;  for  if  it  be  his 
intention  to  attack,  you  may  thwart  him 
by  previous  manoeuvres;  and  if  you  are 
liable  to  be  attacked  yourself,  you  may 
assume  the  best  possible  position,  and 
prevent  surprize,  &c. 

OBSESSION,  the  act  of  besieging. 

OBSIDIONAL,  belonging  to  a  siege 

Obsidional  Croun,  (couronne  ob:;i- 
dionale,  Fr.)  a  crown  so  called  among 
the  ancient  Romans,  which  was  bestowed 


O  B  S 


(     550     ) 


OBS 


upon  a  governor  or  general,  who,  bv 
liis  skill  and  exertions,  either  held  out, 
or  caused  the  siege  to  he  raised  of  any 
town  belonging  to  the  republic.  It  was 
made  trout  the  grass  which  grew  upon 
the  spot,  and  was  therefore  called  era- 
mincus,  from  the  Latin  word  gramen, 
grass. 

Monnaie  Obsidjonale,  Ft.  any  sub- 
stitute for  coin,  which  lias  a  value  put 
upon  it  that  is  greater  than  its  intrinsic 
worth;  and  a  currency  given,  to  answer 
the  convenience  of  the  inhabitants  of  a 
besieged  place.  On  a  employe  le  cuir  a 
J  aire  des  monnaie*  obsidionales  :  the  in- 
habitants made  use  of  leather  as  a  sub- 
stitute for  coin. 

OBSTACLES,  (obstacles,  Fr.)  in  a 
military  sense,  are  narrow  passes,  woods, 
bridges,  or  any  other  impediments, 
which  present  themselves  when  a  bat- 
talion is  inarching  to  front  or  rear. 
These  are  passed,  bv  the  formation, 
march,  and  deployment,  of  the  close 
column.  Such  parts  as  are  not  inter- 
rupted still  move  on  in  front;  such 
parts  as  are  interrupted,  double  by  di- 
visions as  ordered,  behind  an  adjoining 
flank  or  Hanks,  and  in  this  manner  bil- 
low in  close  column  in  their  natural 
order.  As  the  ground  opens,  they  suc- 
cessively deploy,  and  again  perfect  the 
line.  The  columns  are  always  behind 
the  line,  and  march  closed  up.  The 
formed  part  of  the  battalion,  whether 
advancing  or  retiring,  continues  to  move 
on  at  the  ordinary  pace,  and  in  propor- 
tion as  the  obstacles  increase  or  dimi- 
nish, will  the  formed  or  column  parts  of 
the  line  increase  or  diminish. 

The  general  attentions  directed  to  be 
observed  on  these  occasions  are,  that  the 
columns  formed  shall  be  of  sub-divisions, 
if  the  ground  will  admit.  The  first  sub- 
division that  is  obliged  to  double,  will 
be  directed  to  which  hand  by  the  com- 
mander of  the  battalion;  the  others,  as 
they  successively  double,  will,  in  conse- 
quence, place  themselves  behind  it,  and 
behind  each  other,  and  the  hand  first 
doubled  to,  will  be  that  which  presents 
the  opening  most  favourable  to  the  sub- 
sequent march,  and  formation,  and  which 
the  commanding  officer  will  always  hold 
in  view,  and  order  accordingly.  The 
interrupted  body  will  double  to  one  or 
both  flanks,  according  to' circumstances, 
and  the  order  it  receives.  Obstacles 
that  impede  a  flank  will  occasion  a  single 
column  to  be  formed  from  the  flank  to- 


wards the  center.  Obstacles  that  im- 
pede the  center,  or  a  central  part  of  a 
wing,  will,  if  considerable,  occasion  two 
columns  to  be  formed,  from  the  center 
towards  the  llanks.  The  columns  will 
follow  a  flank  of  such  part  of  the  line  as 
is  not  impeded  ;  and  either  in  doubling 
into  column,  or  extending  into  line,  the 
rear  divisions  will  conform  to  the  move- 
ments of  their  then  leading  one.  No 
put  less  than  the  front  of  the  column 
doubles  or  moves  up,  and  when  half  or 
more  of  a  battalion  must  be  thrown 
into  one  column,  it  will  be  ordered  by 
companies. 

Oustacles  nhose  fronts  are  parallel 
to  the  line.  When  such  occur,  the  divi- 
sions impeded  must  all  at  once  double 
behind  such  one,  or  two  other  divisioni 
as  clear  them  of  the  obstacle. 

Obstacles  whose  first  points  continue 
to  increase  us  the  line  alliances.  In  these 
cases  the  doubling  is  successive,  begin- 
ing  with  that  division  which  is  first  in- 
terrupted, and  continuing  as  it  becomes 
necessary,  till  the  column  can  advance 
in  clear  ground. 

Obstacles  passed,  or  diminished. — 
When  obstacles  are  of  such  :i  nature  as 
to  allow  the  complete  extension  at 
once  into  line  :  the  whole  column  per- 
forms it  by  the  commands  and  deploy- 
ments of  the  close  column  on  the  front 
division,  which  then  makes  part  of  the 
line.  But  when  obstacles  diminish  by 
degrees  only,  then  the  divisions  of  the 
column  must  come  up  into  line  succes- 
sively as  the  ground  opens,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  column  must,  in  dimi- 
nishing, shift  towards  the  obstacle,  in 
the  same  manner  as  it  before  shifted 
Iron)  it  in  increasing. 

Obstacles  that  are  passed  in  presence 
of  an  enema.  Under  these  circum- 
stances, if  the  battalion,  in  advancing, 
should  be  obliged  to  fire,  it  halts  in  the 
situation  it  is  then  in,  executes  such 
firings  as  are  ordered,  and  again  advances. 

If  the  battalion,  in  retiring,  is  pressed 
by  the  enemy,  the  part  in  line  will  hult ! 
front .'  the  part  in  column  will  move  on 
till  the  last  division  arrives  in  line,  and 
will  then  halt,  front.  The  firing  that 
is  ordered,  will  be  executed;  and  when 
it  is  again  proper  to  retire,  the  whole 
will  face  about,  the  part  in  line  will 
march,  and  the  columns  will  also  be  put 
in  march  when  the  line  arrives  at  their 
head.  ■    : 

Obstacles  whose  points  of  opening 


O  B  T 


(     551     ) 


o  c  c 


are  narrow,  and  continue  so,  more  or  less. 
In  sucli  cases,  the  interrupted  division 
will  be  ordered  to  face  either  to  one  or 
both  flanks,  and  closely  to  follow  in  file 
such  parts  of  the  battalion  as  are  not 
broken  :  the  filing  will  increase  as  the 
obstacles  increase,  but  as  they  diminish, 
file  after  file  will  successively  and  quickly 
move  up  to  their  place,  till  the  whole 
are  again  formed ;  and  during  this  ope- 
ration, the  leading  file  will  always  re- 
main attached  to  the  flank  of  the  part 
in  line.  The  same  rules  that  direct  the 
doubling  in  column,  direct  the  doubling 
by  files;  when  a  subdivision  files  it  will 
be  from  the  flank  only ;  when  a  com- 
pany files,  it  may  be  from  both  flanks; 
and  if  a  larger  front  than  two  companies 
is  interrupted,  it  then  doubles  into 
column.  Where  the  obstacles  are  of 
small  extent,  but  frequently  occurring, 
this  mode  is  the  readiest  that  can  be 
applied  in  advancing,  but  in  retiring  it 
cannot  be  of  use,  rf  the  enemy  be  at 
hand  to  press  upon  the  battalion;  and 
therefore  the  passing  by  column  is  to  be 
looked  upon  as  the  general  method. — 
For  further  explanations  on  the  impor- 
tant operations  of  passing  obstacles,  we 
refer  our  military  readers  to  the  Rules 
and  Regulations,  as  published  by  au- 
thority. 

OBSTINACY,  (opinidtretc,  Fr.)  in  a 
moral  sense,  that  state  of  mind  which 
is  sometimes  erroneously  called  firmness. 
The  obstinacy  of  a  fool  is  frequently  mis- 
taken for  the  perseverance  of  a  wise  man. 
The  difference,  however,  is  soon  disco- 
vered by  the  contrary  effects  which  they 
produce. 

OBSTINATE,  in  a  military  sense, 
determined,  fixed  in  resolution.  Hence, 
obstinate  resistance. 

OBSTINATELY,  perse veringly.  The 
two  armies  fought  so  obstinately,  that 
night  only  could  separate  the  combatants. 

OBSTINEMENT,  Fr.  obstinately, 
stubbornly,  inflexibly,  with  unshaken 
determination. 

S'OBSTINER,  Fr.  to  persist  in  any 
thing. 

OBSTRUCTION,  any  difficulty  or 
impediment,  opposing  the  operations  of 
an  army,  &c. 

OBTUSE,  (obtus,  Fr.)  an  angle  which 
is  greater  than  a  right  angle,  or  contains 
more  than  90°. 

Obtuse  angle,  (angle  obtus,  Fr.)  Any 
angle  which  contains  more  than  90°  is 


so  called,  and  is  therefore  named  irre- 
gular. 

OBTUSANGULAR,  having  angles 
larger  than  right  angles. 

OBUS,  (huubilz,  ou  obusier,  Fr.)  ho- 
bits.  A  species  of  small  mortar,  re- 
sembling a  mortar  in  every  thing  but 
the  carriage,  which  is  made  in  the  form 
of  that  of  a  gun,  only  shorter.  It  has 
been  frequently  used  at  sieges;  and  is 
well  calculated  to  sweep  the  covert-way, 
and  to  fire  ricochet  shots.  They  are 
usually  loaded  with  cartouches.  Beli- 
dor  writes  upon  the  subject  at  some 
length,  in  his  Bombardier  Francais, 
page  39. 

OC,  an  arrow  which  is  used  among 
the  Turks. 

OCCASIO,  L.  among  the  Romans, 
an  allegorical  divinity;  the  goddess  of 
time,  who  presides  over  the  most  fa- 
vourable moment  for  success  in  any 
enterprize.  She  is  represented  as  stark 
naked,  with  a  long  lock  of  hair  upon  her 
forehead,  and  bald  behind ;  and  also 
standing  on  a  wheel,  with  wings  on  her 
feet,  and  is  said  to  turn  herself  very 
swiftly  round;  by  which  is  intimated, 
that  we  should  lay  hold  of  the  present 
opportunity.  Among  modern  nations, 
no  people  pay  greater  attention  to  the 
instruction  which  is  conveyed  by  this 
allegory  than  the  French  do.  It  is  com- 
mon amongst  them  to  say  : — L' Occasion 
est  chauve.  Occasion  or  opportunity  is 
bald — alluding  to  the  Roman  allegory  : 
and  in  the  same  figure,  il  faut  prendre 
C  Occasion  par  les  cheveux.  You  must 
seize  Time  (by  which  is  meant  occasion 
or  opportunity)  by  the  forelock. 

OCCASION,  Fr.  has  the  same  signi- 
fication, in  military  matters,  that  affair 
bears  among  the  English. 

Une  occasion  bien  chaude,  Fr.  a 
warm  contest,  battle,  or  engagement. — 
It  further  means,  as  with  us,  the  source 
from  which  consequences  ensue. 

Se  servir  de  /'occasion,  Fr.  to  take 
advantage,  or  make  a  proper  use  of  time 
and  opportunity.  A  French  writer  has 
judiciously  observed,  that  to  seize  with 
dexterity  occasions  as  they  occur,  is  a 
certain  proof  of  courage  and  ability,  es- 
pecially in  the  general  of  an  army. — 
Opportunity  or  occasion,  according  to 
Tacitus,  is  the  mother  of  events.  Oppor- 
tunos  magnis  conatibus  transitus  rerum. 
One  complete  and  decisive  victory  leads 
us  to  a  multiplicity  of  enterprizes  and 


o  c  c 


(  ^  ) 


o  c  c 


I  i  .11   designs,  all  of  which  grow  out  of 
the  first  triumph. 

A  full  and  decisive  victory,  by  which 
the  country  is  left  entirely  at  the  mercv 
of  the  conqueror,  must  necessarily  throw 
the  inhabitants  into  confusion,  and  open 
fresh  avenues  to  conquest;  for  one  op- 
portunity or  occasion,  well  embraced 
and  acted  upon,  becomes  the  source  of 
mam  others.  There  is  not,  perhaps, 
in  human  contingencies  any  thing  which 
spreads  itself  so  rapidly,  or  ought  to  be 
so  little  neglected.  An  enterprise  which 
grows  out  of  another,  though  it  be  in 
reality  more  arduous  to  get  through 
than  the  one  which  produced  it,  becomes 
more  easy  in  its  execution :  and  yet, 
how  many  brave  and  skilful  generals 
have  existed,  who  could  not  make  a 
proper  use  of  opportunity  !  In  reading 
over  their  gallant  exploits,  one  would  be 
led  to  believe,  that  all  their  knowledge 
consisted  in  merely  knowing  how  to 
light.  We  have  seen  them  with  unex- 
ampled intrepidity,  doing  every  thing 
that  man  dares  to  do,  in  the  held  of 
battle  :  we  have  seen  them  make  a  de- 
cisive blow,  and  place  victory  within 
their  grasp;  and  when  they  were  in  the 
actual  possession  of  all  they  fought  for, 
we  have  seen  them  suddenly  relax,  give 
their  enemies  time  to  breathe,  and  finally 
lose  all  the  fruits  of  their  victory.  The 
courage  and  promptitude  which  they 
manifested  in  a  decisive  battle,  were  the 
effects  of  a  transitory  impulse,  which 
was  soon  wasted  and  extinguished. 

Hannibal,  so  much  celebrated  for  his 
bold  enterprize  against  the  Romans, 
was  guilty  of  this  error.  After  the  bat- 
tle of  Cannae  it  rested  entirely  with  him- 
self to  march  to  Home.  He  had  only 
to  follow  up  his  first  blow,  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  consternation  of  the 
Ptomans,  and  t  >  pursue  them  to  their 
capital.  By  so  doing  he  would  have 
made  use  of  the  glorious  occasion  which 
fortune  had  thrown  into  his  hands  by 
the  first  victory,  and  would  net  have 
been  driven  to  the  necessity  of  endea- 
vouring to  obtain  the  original  object  of 
his  enterprize,  by  fighting  several  battles 
that  proved  abortive  of  it.  Adherbal, 
on  this  account,  after  having  failed  in 
his  attempt  to  persuade  Hannibal  to 
pursue  his  first  good  fortune,  and  march 
to  the  gates  of  Rome,  is  recorded  to 
have  used  the  following  expression : — 
Vinccrc  scis,  Hannibal;  scd  victoria  uti 


ncscis.  Hannibal,  thou  knowest  how  t» 
conquer;  but  thou  dost  not  know  how 
to  make  ui-e  of  a  victory. 

Gustavus  Adolphus  made  the  same 
mistake.  Had  he,  after  having  won  the 
battle  of  Leipsick,  hung  upon  the  rear  of 
the  discoinliu  d  Imperialists,  and  pushed 
and  hwaesed  them  to  the  gates  of 
Vienna,  there  is  little  doubt  of  the  con- 
sequences which  must  have  ensued. 

The  Emperor  Ferdinand  was  as  weak 
in  effective  forces  at  his  capital,  as  the 
Romans  were  at  Rome,  and  tiie  same 
consternation  prevailed  among  the  inha- 
bitants. Had  Gustavus  profited  by  his 
first  success,  and  converted  the  means, 
which  so  glorious  an  occasion  offered, 
into  prompt  and  vigorous  pursuit,  he 
would  not  indeed  have  reaped  additional 
laurels  in  the  plains  of  Outzen,  where 
he  fell  at  the  head  of  his  victorious 
Swedes,  but  he  must  have  reached 
Vienna,  and  there  have  dictated  his  own 
terms. 

Carthalon,  among  the  ancients,  was, 
on  the  contrary,  an  instance  of  how 
much  may  be  done  by  acting  up  to  cir- 
cumstances, and  by  judiciously  making 
use  of  fortune  as  occasion  offers.  He 
was  not  satisfied  with  having  surprized 
the  Roman  fleet,  taken  off  a  consider- 
able number  of  ships,  and  burned  others, 
but  he  instantly  availed  himself  of  his 
first  good  fortune,  attempted  another 
enterprise,  and  succeeded. 

We  could  enumerate  various  instances 
of  both  kinds,  which  have  occurred  dur- 
ing the  late  contest  with  the  French,  but 
it  is  not  within  our  province.  Future 
historians  will  undertake  the  task,  and 
what  might  appear  injudicious  in  us, 
will  be  esteemed  in  them  as  the  dictates 
of  impartial  truth.  That  favourable 
opportunities  and  occasions  have  pre- 
sented themselves  during  the  progress 
of  the  French  revolution,  whereby  a 
happy  issue  might  have  been  brought 
about,  even  by  vigorous  and  well  di- 
rected measures,  no  man  in  his  senses 
will  affect  to  controvert.  Sed  heu  spes 
intines  et  irritus  hominum  labor  ! 

OCCASIONAL,  elle,  Fr.  This  adjec- 
tive is  used  in  a  different  sense  among 
the  French,  to  what  it  is  with  us,  viz. 
cause  occasionel/e ;  any  thing  that  occa- 
sions an  event. 

OCCIDENT,  Fr.  the  west. 

OCCUPE,  Fr.  to  be  taken  possession 
of.     Lcs  environs  furcnt  occupis  par  deb 


OEC 


(     553    ) 


OFF 


troupes  ligires;  the  neighbouring  places 
were  taken  possession  of  by  the  light 
troops. 

To  OCCUPY  is  to  take  possession 
of  any  work  or  post,  or  to  remain  sta- 
tioned at  any  place. 

OCQUE,  a  Turkish  weight  equal  to 
21b.  lloz. 

OCTAEDRE,  Fr.  one  of  the  five 
regular  bodies  which  is  terminated  by 
eight  equilateral  equal  triangles. 

OCTAGON,  (octogone,  Fr.)  a  figure 
or  polygon  that  has  eight  equal  sides, 
which  likewise  form  eight  equal  angles. 
The  octagon,  in  fortification,  is  well 
calculated,  in  its  ground,  for  the  con- 
struction of  large  towns,  or  for  such  as 
have  the  advantage  of  neighbouring 
rivers,  especially  if  the  engineer  can  so 
place  the  bastions,  that  the  entrance 
and  outlet  of  the  rivers  may  be  in  some 
of  the  curtains.  By  means  of  this  dis- 
position, no  person  could  come  in,  or 
go  out  of,  the  garrison  without  the 
governor's  or  commandant's  permission, 
as  the  sentinels  must  have  a  full  view 
from  the  flanks  of  the  neighbouring 
bastions. 

OCTAVON,  one,  Fr.  any  male  or 
female  that  is  born  of  a  quarteron  and 
a  white  woman,  or  of  a  white  man  and 
a  quarterone. 
OCTOEDRTCAL,  having  eight  sides. 
OCTONS,  Fr.  a  mathematical  in- 
strument, which  is  used  to  take  the 
measure  of  an  angle,  and  contains  45°, 
or  the  eighth  part  of  a  circle. 

OCTOSTYLE,  the  face  of  a  building 
containing  eight  columns. 

ODA.  The  different  corps  or  compa- 
nies, into  which  the  janizaries  are  di- 
vided, bear  this  appellation.  The  word 
itself  means  a  room,  and  the  companies 
are  so  calicd  from  messing  separately. 

ODDS,  inequality;  excess  of  either 
compared  with  the  other;  as  the  enemy 
overpowered  us  by  his  numbers,  and 
from  many  other  circumstances,  had 
the  odds  in  his  favour. 

ODEN,  or  ODIN,  a  deity  so  called 
in  ancient  times  among  the  Swedes  and 
Goths.  He  was  their  god  of  war,  in  the 
same  manner  that  they  acknowledged 
Thor  to  be  their  Jupiter,  and  Frigga 
their  Venus. 

ODOMETER,  (odomttre,  Fr.)  an  in- 
strument by  which  you  may  ascertain 
how  much  ground  you  go  over  on  foot, 
or  in  conveyance. 

(ECONOMY,  good  order;    method; 


disposition;  constitution;  harmony; 
Hence  Military  (Economy,  which  signi- 
fies the  inteiior  management  uf  all  that 
relates  to  an  armed  body  of  men,  in 
contradistinction  to  the  exterior  duties 
of  the  field. 

OZconomy,  (with  architects,)  that  me- 
thod which  has  regard  to  the  expenses 
and  quality  of  the  materials. 

OElL,  Fr.  in  architecture,  any  round 
aperture,  which  is  made  in  a  building. 

Oeil  de  dome,  Fr.  an  opening  made 
at  the  top  of  an  edifice. 

Oeil  de  beuf,  Fr.  a  round  window 
or  aperture,  which  is  made  in  a  wall  or 
roof.  The  black  spot  in  the  center  of 
a  target  is  likewise  called  ceil  de  bauj\ 
or  bull's  eye. 

Oeil  de  pont,  Fr.  the  opening,  or 
vacant  soace,  under  the  arch  of  a 
bridge. 

Oeil  de  volute,  Fr.  the  small  circle 
in  the  middle  of  the  Ionic  aid),  which 
the  architects  call  cathete,  Fr. 

Coup  d 'Oeil,  Fr.     See  Coup. 

OEILLERE,  Fr.  a  horse's  eye-flap. 

OEUF5,(in  architecture,)  the  ovals  or 
ornaments  of  pillars;  from  the  French 
ocuf,  an  egg. 

OEUVRE,  Fr.  in  architecture.  This 
word  admits  of  various  significations  in 
the  French  language,  and  may  be  con- 
nected with  different  prepositions,  all 
of  which  determine  the  signification, 
viz. 

Dans  Oeuvre,  Fr.  within.  Trcnte 
toises  de  long  duns  auvre,  thirty  toises 
in  length  within  doors. 

Hors  a'OEUVRE,  Fr.  without.  Un 
escalier  hois  d'auvre,  a  stair-case,  with- 
out doors. 

Sous  Oeuvre,  Fr.  from  the  bottom. 
Reprcndre  un  mar  sous  auvre,  to  build 
up  a  wall  from  the  foot  or  bottom. 

OIN,  orOJNG,  Fr.  cart-grease,  such 
as  is  used  to  the  wheels  of  ordnance- 
carriages,  &c. 

OFF,  an  adverb  which  is  frequently 
conjoined  with  verbs;  and,  in  a  military 
sense,  is  used  as  follows: 

To  kill  Oft,  a  term  well  known  in 
this  country  by  its  curious  application 
during  the  French  war,  but  rendered 
obsolete  by  the  ridicule  it  engendered. 

To  march  Off,  to  quit  the  ground  on 
which  you  are  regularly  drawn  up,  for 
the  purpose  of  going  upon  detachment, 
relieving  a  guard,  or  doing  any  other 
military  duty. 

To  tell  Off,  to  count  the  men  com* 
4B 


OFF 


(     554     ) 


OFF 


posing  a  battalion  or  company,  so  as  to 
have  them  readily  and  distinctly  thrown 
into  such  proportions,  as  suit  military 
movements  or  evolutions. 

On  duty,  although  on  service,  not 
immediate!  employed  upon  any  of  the 
active  duties  it  requires. 

OiF-servire,  not  employed. 

Off  the  staff.  This  term  applies  to 
general  jfficcrs,  who,  having  been  en- 
trusted with  certain  commands,  art 
taken  from  ihem  and  put  upon  the 
shelf — or  to  o'hcers  who  have  been  em- 
ployed upon  general  service,  and  are 
ordered  to  return  to  regimental  duty. 

OFFENCES.  All  acts  that  are  con- 
trary to  good  order  and  discipline,  omis- 
sions of  duty,  &c.  may  he  called  mili- 
tary offences.  The  principal  ones  art 
specified  in  the  Articles  of  War.  No 
officer  or  soldier  can  be  tried  twice  for 
the  same  offence;  unless  in  case  of  an 
appeal  from  a  regimental  to  a  general 
court  martial ;  and  the  appeal  must 
then  be  grounded  upon  some  pecuniary 
wrong;  nor  can  any  officer  or  soldier 
be  tried  for  any  offence  committed  more 
than  three  years  before  the  date  of  the 
warrant  for  trial;  except  in  rases  when, 
the  offenders  were  not  amenable  to  jus- 
tice in  that  period,  when  they  may  be 
brought  to  trial  any  time  within  two 
years  after  the  impediment  ceased.  All 
cases  of  high  treason  are  exceptions  to 
these  limitations;  Nullum  tempus occur- 
rit  Rcsi. 

OFFENSIVE  War.  Military  acts  of 
aggression  constitute  what  is  called  an 
offensive  war.  Those  who  assail  an  op- 
posite or  adverse  army,  or  invade  the 
dominions  of  another  power,  are  said  to 
wage  an  offensive  war. 

Offensive  Weapons  are  such  as  are 
fit  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  of- 
fensive war,  as  cannon,  mortars,  swords, 
pistols,  muskets,  &c. 

Offensive  Fortification.  See  Ap- 
proaches, Sieges,  cxc. 

OFFICE,  a  place  or  apartment  for 
officers  to  attend  in,  for  the  discharge 
of  their  respective  employments,  civil, 
ecclesiastical,  naval  or  military.  The 
French  general! v  use  the  word  bureau. 

Office  and  Board  are  sometimes 
synonimous  terms;  as, Transport  Hoard 
or  Office — Barrack  Board  or  Office — 
Ordnance  Board  or  Ofrice.  Sometimes 
the  term  office  is  inapplicable  to  places 
where  military  business  is  transacted, 
viz. — Clothing  Board— Board  of  Gene- 


ral Officers,  &c.  The  word  Comal  is 
used  by  the  French  in  the  latter  sense, 
the  term  Bureau,  in  almost  all  others. 

Alien  Office,  created  by  Mr.  Pitt 
for  the  government  and  superintend- 
ance  of  foreigners  in  Great  Britain. 
Ir.  is  a  branch  of  the  home  depart- 
ment. For  the  rules,  &c.  to  he  ob- 
served by  foreigners  in  Great  Britain, 
civ ii,  and  military,  see  the  Alien's  Guide 
published  by  II.  W.Brooke,  Est),  of  the 
Alien  office.  The  functions  of  this 
office  are  now  absorbed  into  those  of 
the  under  secietary  of  state  for  the 
home  department. 

Auditor's  Office,  Somerset  House. 
This  department  acts  as  a  check  be- 
tweeu  all  public  accomptants  and  the 
treasury.  All  accounts  are  consequently 
forwarded  from  the  respective  public 
departments  under  which  the  expen- 
diture immediately  takes  place,  to  this 
office,  for  final  examination  and  ap- 
proval. Powers  of  attorney,  enabling 
agents  to  receive  monies  from  public 
departments  whose'  expenditure  passes 
the  audit,  must  be  first  entered  at  this 
office,  before  any  sums  can  be  issued  to 
ndividuals  so  authorized. 

Barrack-Ovvu  z.  The  barrack  de- 
partment is  at  present  upon  a  very  large 
and  extensive  footing.  It  was  originally 
formed  in  May,  1793,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  late  war,  and  gradually  in- 
creased until  it  was  erected  into  an 
establishment  completely  distinct  from 
all  others,  by  a  warrant  from  his  Ma- 
jesty, dated  the  24th  of  March,  1794. 
Since  that  period  it  has  also  been  further 
enlarged,  owing  to  the  additional  num- 
ber of  temporary  barracks  and  prisons, 
which  were  ordered  in  the  autumn  of 
1796. 

The  business  of  this  office  is  con- 
ducted at  No.  21,  New  Street,  Spring 
Gardens.  There  was  formerly  a  bar* 
rack-mastei -general  at  the  head  of  this 
department,  but  the  situation  was  abo- 
lished upon  General  Hewitt  being  ap- 
pointed Commander  in  Chief  in  India, 
when  a  Board  was  established. 

We  cannot  forbear  mentioning  in  this 
place,  that  although  most  of  the  public 
accomptants  are  sworn,  barrack  masters 
sign  and  give  in  their  returns,  &c.  on 
honour,  only. 

Commander  in  Chiefs  Office,  Horse 
Guards.  Commander  in  chief,  1  mili- 
tary and  1  private  secretary,  3  assist- 
ants, 16  clerks^l  officer  keeper,  1  house- 


OFF 


(     555     ) 


OFF 


keeper.  From  this  office  all  instruc- 
tions for  the  military  regulations  of  the 
army  are  issued,  and  all  military  ap- 
pointments are  to  pass  through  the  me- 
dium of  this  department  ;  the  business 
extends  to  every  office  in  any  manner 
connected  with  military  concerns,  all  of 
which  -are  of  course  subordinate  to  it. 
The  commander  in  chief  is  applied  to  in 
every  material  case,  upon  which  there  is 
no  specific  instruction,  and  decides 
thereupon. 

Adjutant  General's  Offtce.  This 
office  is  an  appendage,  and  consequently 
subordinate,  to  that  of  the  commander 
in  chief;  it  consists  of  two  separate  de- 
partments; one  for  the  recruiting  ser- 
vice, the  business  of  which  is  transacted 
at  No.  16,  Great  George  Street,  West- 
minster; the  other  branch  is  at  the 
Horse  Guards,  where  all  descriptions  of 
army  returns,  both  home  and  foreign, 
arc  invariably  addressed  and  examined; 
applications  for  leave  of  absence  are 
made  to  this  office;  the  sentences  of 
courts-martial  are  reported  to,  and  cir- 
culated from,  this  department.  The 
establishment  of  the  office  in  time  of 
war  is  as  follows: 

Horse  Guards  Department. 

1  Adjutant  general,  1  deputy  adjutant 
general,    1    assistant    adjutant    general, 
1  first  clerk,  1  second  clerk,  11  cierks. 
Recruiting  Department. 

1  Assistant  adjutant  generals,  1  chief 
clerk,  5  clerks. 

Office  of  Inspectors  of  Army  Clothing. 
This  is  a  branch  of  the  board  of  general 
officers,  and  is  kept  at  No.  19,  King 
Street,  Westminster,  under  the  imme- 
diate superintendancc  of  two  officers  of 
rank  anrl  experieiice,  whose  business  is 
to  see  that  the  clothing  corresponds  in 
price  and  quality  with  the  sealed  pat- 
terns. 

Commissary  General's,  or  Commissary 
in  Chiefs  Office,  No.  35,  Great  George 
Street,  Westminster,  receives  contracts 
for  supplying  the  army  with  provi...  . n s, 
forage,  and  barrack  accommodations, 
(such  as  beds,  paillasses,  &c.)  and  every 
description  of  stores.  The  persons,  with 
whom  this  office  corresponds,  are  the 
contractors,  paymasters  of  cavalry  regi- 
ments, and  barrack  masters,  through 
whom  the  business  is  principally  trans- 
acted. The  office  consists  of  1  com- 
missary general  of  stores,  now  called 
chief  commissary,  principal  deputy  com- 


missary, assistant  commissaries,  chief 
commissary  of  musters,  deputy  ditto,  2 
messengers. 

Comptroller  of  Army  AccountsOrFiCZ. 
The  duties  of  this  office  are  so  multifa- 
rious, that  they  cannot  be  classed  under 
any  particular  denomination.  The  offi- 
cers at  the  head  of  this  department  are, 
however,  considered  in  the  nature  of 
counsel  to  the  treasury  upon  all  impor- 
tant matters  relating  to  army  expendi- 
ture, which  are  at  all  times  referred  to 
them.  The  "  general  disbursements," 
for  military  service,  are  under  the  im- 
mediate controul  of  this  office,  from 
which  the  assignments  of  off-reckon- 
ings are  invariably  regulated  and  issued. 
The  business  extends  generally  to  the 
barrack  department,  commissariat,  cloth- 
ing of  the  army,  military  extra'ordina- 
ries,  &c.  &c. 

Inspector  General's  Office.  The  bu- 
siness of  this  office  was  conducted  at 
No.  16,  Great  George  Street,  Westmin- 
ster, of  which  General  Whitelocke  was  at. 
the  head.  Upon  his  appointment  as 
commander  in  chief  to  the  memorable  ex- 
pedition to  South  America, early  in  1807, 
the  office  was  attached  to  the  adjutant 
general's  department. 

Judge  Marshal,  and  'Advocate  Gene- 
ral's Office. — The  functions  of  this 
office  are  to  receive  detailed  reports  of 
all  the  courts-martial  held  at  home,  or 
on  foreign  stations,  and  are  by  this  offi- 
cer occasionally  laid  before  his  Ma- 
jesty for  his  confirmation  of  the  sen- 
tences. When  courts-martial  are  held 
in  London,  the  duty  of  this  officer  is  to 
prosecute  on  the  part  of  the  crown. — 
The  establishment  is  1  judge  marshal,  1 
deputy  ditto. 

Army  iledical  Board  Office,  No.  4, 
Berkely  Street,  Piccadilly.  Under  the 
superintendance  of  this  board,  the  ap- 
pointments to  the  medical  situations  of 
the  army  take  place  after  a  previous 
examination  of  individual  competency, 
and  formal  recommendation  to  the  com- 
mander in  chief.  Instructions  relating 
to  particular  duties,  and  the  general 
economy  of  the  establishment,  are  issued 
from  the  uffice  ;  which,  however,  is  uih 
der  the  immediate  controul  of  the  com- 
mander in  chief. 

1  physician  general,  1  surgeon  general, 

1  inspector  general  of  army  hospitals, 

2  inspectors,  at  York  hospital,  Chelsea, 
1  physician,  and  1  surgeon. 

4B2 


O  F  F 


(     550     ) 


OFF 


Ofhtf.  of  Commissioners  of  Military 
Inquiry. — This  office  was  at  No.  17, 
Buckingham  street,  Adelplii,  and  was 
instituted  during  the  administration  of 
tlie  late  Mr.  Pitt,  in  1805,  for  the  purpose 
of  investigating  the  army  expenditure. 
Several  reports  have  been  published  by 
this  board,  relating  chiefly  to  the  parti- 
cular duties  of  individuals  belonging  to 
the  war-office  and  ordnance  department, 
and  the  manner  of  conducting  the  ac- 
counts, &c.  of  those  departments,  me- 
dical board,  ccc. 

Office  of  Ordnance,  or  Board  of 
Ordnance. — This  important  and  exten- 
sive branch  of  service  comprises  several 
departments,  and  may  be  properly  called 
a  mixed  otlice,  being  conducted  at  the 
Tower,  and  in  Pall  Mall.  The  whole, 
together  with  the  departments  at  Wool- 
wich and  elsewhere,  are  subservient  to 
the  master-general  and  the  board,  with 
regard  to  civil  and  military  matters. 

The  accoiupts  for  the  expenditure  of 
this  service  are  made  up  and  forwarded 
by  the  respective  individuals,  to  the 
surveyor  general  at  the  Tower,  at  whose 
office  the -y  are  examined  and  passed. 

It  belongs  to  the  office  of  ordnance 
to  supply  all  military  stores  for  the 
army  and  navy,  to  defray  the  expense 
of  the  corps  or  artillery,  corps  of  engi- 
neers, and  other  military  corps  attached 
to  the  ordnance  service;  and  also  the 
charge  of  repairing  and  building  forti- 
fications, at  home  and  abroad  ;  except- 
ing field  works  abroad,  and  excepting 
also  those  fortifications  which  com- 
manders in  chief  may  deem  it  expedient 
to  erect  without  previous  instructions 
from  home;  in  which  two  cases,  the  bills 
are  paid  by  the  Treasury,  and  placed  to 
account  in  the  extraordinaries  of  the 
army.  All  contingent  expenses,  attend- 
ing ordnance  stores,  as  well  as  camp 
equipage  for  the  artillery,  and  the  arti- 
cle of  tents  for  the  privates  of  the  whole 
army,  are  included  in  the  payments  of 
the  ordnance. 

The  hire  of  vessels  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  ordnance  for  foreign  service,  has, 
since  the  establishment  of  the  transport 
board,  been  transferred  to  that  office  ; 
and  the  building  of  barracks  belongs 
now  to  the  barrack  department,  except 
when  barracks  are  ordered  to  be  built 
within  a  fortification. 


his  civil  capacity,  the  entire  controul  over 
the  whole  ordnance  department;  he  can 
alone  do  any  act,  which  can  otherwise, 
if  he  does  not  interpose,  be  done  by 
the  board.  He  can  order  the  issue  of 
money,  hut  that  order  must  be  exe- 
cuted in  the  usual  mode,  by  three  board 
officers. 

The  lieutenant-general,  who  is  second 
in  command  over  the  artillery  and  engi- 
neers, is,  in  bis  civil  capacity,  the  first 
in  rank  among  the  members  of  the 
Board,  which  consist  of  the  master-ge^ 
neral,  lieutenant-general,  surveyor-gene- 
ral, clerk  of  the  ordnance,  principal 
storekeeper,  and  clerk  of  the  deliveries. 
There  is  also  one  civil  secretary,  with 
subordinate  clerks,  who  has  his  office  in 
Pail-Mall.  During  the  absence  of  the 
master-general,  or  the  vacancy  of  the 
office,  the  whole  executive  power  de- 
volves on  the  board.  It  belongs  to  them, 
though  they  are  subject  to  the  interposi- 
tion of  the  master-general,  to  make  con- 
tracts for  stores,  and  for  performance  of 
services,  and  to  direct  the  issue  of  stores 
and  of  money.  The  signatures  of  three 
members  of  the  hoard,  of  whom  the 
clerk  of  the  ordnance  must  be  one,  are 
necessary  for  the  payment  of  money. 

The  principal  store-keeper  at  the 
Tower,  is  also  a  board  officer,  and  has 
the  custody  of  the  stores  delivered  in 
there:  and  the  store-keepers  at  the  out- 
ports  and  garrisons  have,  in  like  man- 
ner, the  charge  of  the  stores  issued  to 
tliem.  In  general,  a  store-keeper  and 
his  securities  are  considered  as  per- 
sonally liable  to  pay  for  any  deficiency 
in  their  stores.  At  the  appointment  of 
every  new  store-keeper  at  the  out-port 
it  is  the  practice  of  office  to  take  an  ac- 
count (or  a  remain,  as  it  is  termed)  of 
the  stores  left  by  the  predecessor.  The 
quantity,  reported  by  the  officer  employ- 
ed in  taking  the  remain,  to  be  actually 
delivered  over,  is  compared,  by  the  led- 
ger-keeper, with  the  quantity  which  it 
appears,  by  ledgers  or  articles  formed 
from  the  journals  of  receipts  and  issues, 
that  the  predecessor  ought  to  have  had 
in  his  possession  :  and  in  case  a  de- 
ficiency arises,  which  cannot  be  satis- 
factorily accounted  for,  it  is  ordered  by 
the  Board  to  be  made  good  by  the  pre- 
decessor, or  his  representatives.  Re- 
mains of  stores  are  ordered  to  be  taken, 


The  master  general,  who,  in  his  mill-  in  like  manner,  at  all  places  at  home, 


tary    character,  is  commander  in  chief 
•ver  the  artillery  and  engineers,  ha?,  in 


■i 


once  in  seven  years,  as  also  at  the  ex- 
piration of  a  war.     In  foreign  parts,  a 


OFF 


(     557     ) 


OFF 


remain  is  taken  only  on  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  new  store-keeper. — The  store- 
keepers abroad  send  home  annual  ac- 
counts of  their  receipts  and  issues. 
When  an  expedition  takes  place,  a  com- 
missary is  specially  appointed  to  take 
the  charge  of  ordnance  stores,  who  is 
liable  himself,  or  by  his  securities,  to 
make  good  any  deficiency  in  the  same 
manner  as  a  store-keeper.  In  the  event 
of  the  capture  of  ordnance  stores  by  the 
enemy,  the  commanding  ollicer's  certi- 
ficate of  the  quantity  captured  is  the 
voucher,  on  the  faith  of  which  alone  the 
board  of  ordnance  are  accustomed  to 
give  credit  to  the  commissary. 

Whenever  any  business,  either  of  re- 
ceipt or  issue,  is  going  forward,  the 
clerk  is  ordered  personally  to  attend, 
and  he  must  be  present  at  the  opening 
of  the  store  early  in  the  morning. 

Fortifications  are  erected  by  the  com- 
manding engineer,  pursuant  to  an  order 
from  the  master-general,  for  carrying  a 
project  into  execution,  according  to  an 
approved  plan  and  estimate.  The  esti- 
mate is  usually  formed  in  the  first  place 
by  the  engineer,  who  is  afterwards  to 
execute  the  work ;  and  its  accuracy  is 
examined  into  by  a  committee  of  en- 
gineers at  home,  the  expediency  of  the 
measure  being  submitted  to  the  master- 
general.  All  fortifications,  works,  and 
repairs  are  carried  on  by  measurement, 
and  by  contract,  except  where  the  sol- 
diers of  the  corps  of  royal  military  arti- 
ficers have  been  employed ;  and  even  in 
such  cases,  the  materials  worked  up  by 
the  soldiers  are  usually  supplied  by  con- 
tract. It  belongs  to  the  store-keeper  at 
the  place  where  the  fortifications  are  car- 
ried on,  to  make  the  payments.  Money 
is  imprested  to  him  for  this  purpose  on 
account,  in  consequence  of  a  letter  from 
the  engineer  to  the  board,  in  which  he 
mentions  the  particular  service.  The 
store-keeper  having  been  made  debtor 
for  the  sums  imprested,  is  afterwards 
discharged  by  producing  vouchers  for 
his  disbursements,  which  consist  of  the 
receipt  of  the  person  receiving  the 
money,  together  with  the  signature  of 
either  one,  or  two  witnesses,  who  are 
usually  persons  in  the  ordnance  service. 
The  store-keeper's  own  affidavit  of  the 
payment  is  also  required.  In  respect 
to  the  payment  of  those  services,  which 
are  not  under  the  direction  of  the  engi- 
neer,   but   under    that    of    the    store- 


keeper, the  clerk  of  the  survey,  and 
the  clerk  of  the  cheque  of  the  place, 
who  "  are  called  the  respective  officers," 
a  joint  application  is  made  by  them  to 
the  board. 

In  the  case  of  the  works,  or  services 
abroad,  the  payment  is  made  by  the 
means  of  bills  drawn  on  the  board  of 
ordnance,  by  the  storekeepers  of  the 
regular  establishments,  and  by  the  com- 
missary and  paymaster  (who  are  usually 
the  same  person)  attending  the  detach- 
ment of  artillery,  which  is  with  his  ma- 
jesty's forces.  Those  who  draw  are- 
made  debtors  for  their  drafts,  and  ac- 
count afterwards  in  the  same  manner, 
and  are  subject  to  the  same  checks  as  a 
storekeeper  at  home.  It  is  further  re- 
quired of  every  accountant  abroad,  who 
draws  bills,  that  he  should  take  an  oath 
that  he  has  made  public  advertisement* 
of  his  intention  to  draw  the  sum  which 
he  had  in  contemplation ;  and  that  he 
has  accepted  the  lowest  proposal  offered 
to  him,  and  that  he  has  not,  either  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  received  any  fee,  or 
gratuity,  for  drawing  the  bills.  When 
any  bill,  drawn  from  abroad,  is  evidently 
improper,  the  acceptance  is  not  refused  ; 
but  the  bill  is  accepted  on  the  credit  of 
the  drawer,  in  order,  as  it  is  obvious, 
to  save  the  charges  attending  ics  return. 
The  drawer,  on  entering  his  office,  having 
given  security  for  the  faithful  discharge 
of  it,  it  is  assumed,  that  if  a  bill,  ac- 
cepted on  his  credit,  should  be  after- 
wards disallowed  on  account  of  the  ser- 
vice being,  on  investigation,  deemed  im- 
proper, the  money  is  to  be  recovered 
from  him,  or  his  securities. 

The  sums  voted  for  the  ordnance  con- 
sist of  the  three  following  heads  : — 1st. 
The  ordinary,  which  comprehends  the 
provision  for  the  ordinary  establishment;, 
chil  and  military,  for  the  year  ensuing. 
2dly.  The  extraordinary,  which  compre- 
hends every  service  known  before-hand, 
of  a  temporary  and  contingent  nature, 
being  a  provision  for  the  ensuing  year 
also ;  and  3dly,  the  services  unprovided 
for,  consisting  of  services  which  either 
have  been  actually  paid  in  the  past  year, 
as  is  generally  the  case,  or  which  are 
supposed  to  have  been  paid,  but  which 
were  not  foreseen  when  the  estimate  for 
the  past  year  was  made  up.  Among 
these  unforeseen  expenses  are  included 
various  exceedings,  which  have  happened 
in  the  individual  services  voted  in  the 


O  F  F 


(     558     ) 


O  F  F 


^n-t  year's  ordnance  estimates:  to  which 
arc  .aided,  such  sums  as  may  l)c  neces- 
sary t>>  make  up  the  deficiency  of  the 
sum,  directed  to  the  ordmuice  use  for 
the  naval  service. 

The  board  meets  three  times  a  week 
at  the  office  of  Ordnance,  in  Pali-Mall, 
viz.  on  Monday,  Wednesday,  and  Fri- 
day, all  the  year  round,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  Christmas,  (Jood  Friday,  and 
the  two  principal  royal  birthdays.     Three 


the   ordnance    service    who   hold    other 
others  under  government. 

There  is  no  regular  fond  for  super- 
annuated officers  under  this  establish- 
ment; but  the  expense  of  that  head  of 
service  is  annually  provided  for  by  par- 
liament in  the  ordinary  of  the  ordnance, 
under  the  heads  of  superannuated  and 
disabled  men,  half  pay  of  reduced  offi- 
cers, widows'  pensions,  and  allowances 
to  officers  for  good  services;  the  whole 


officers  constitute  a  board:  so  that  two  of  which  amounted,  in  1797,  to  19,6101 
out  of  the  five  principal  officers  (as  the  1 13s.  Sd.  The  greatest  rate  of  allowance, 
members  of  the  board  are  termed)  may  lately  given  to  the  civil  servants,  for  the 
be  absent,  but  there  is  not  any  monthly  greatest  length  of  service,  has  been  two 
arrangement  of  duty,  in  rotation.  Each  thirds  of  the  amount  of  the  salary;  a 
member  attends  as  his  particular  duties  rate  which  appears  to  be  very  generally 


seem  to  require,  or  arrangements  for 
convenience  permit.  The  master  gene- 
ral or  lieutenant-general  seldom  fails  to 


adopted  in  other  departments. 

The  whole  amount  of  the  establish- 
ment of  the  otlice  of  ordnance,  as  it  stood 


attend,  except  when  absent  on  military !  at  Christinas,  179b,  was  51,6161.  10s.  2d. 
duty. — Some  of  the  other  officers  take  i  besides  certain  allowances  for  house- 
alternate  months  of  attendance;  and  rent,  coals,  and  candles ;  besides  also  a 
there  is  no  one  of  them  who  is  not  fre-  per  centage  on  the  remittance  of  money 
quent  in  his  attendance' at  the  board,  j  to  storekeepers  of  25s.  per  cent,  in  some 
The  board  officers  have  no  regular  hours  cases,  20s.  and  10s.  in  others,  but.  in 
and  places  of  attendance  on  the  duties 
of  their  own  individual  office,  but  in- 
terfere at  their  option,  and  as  far  as  each 


of  them  may  judge  necessary,  in  the 
regulations  of  their  respective  depart- 
ments of  the  Tower,  where  their  chief 
clerks  reside. 

The  general  hours  of  attendance  of 
the  clerks  in  the  ordnance  offices,  are 
from  ten  to  four,  besides  other  hours,  if 
necessary.  They  are  promoted  usually 
by  rotation,  entering,  for  the  most  part, 
as  junior  clerks,  at  7()1.  per  annum. — 
All  salaries  of  clerks  in  the  ordnance 
of  above  lool.  per  annum,  are  subject 
to  a  deduction  of  Is.  fid.  in  the  pound. 
The  land  tax  duty,  to  which  the  salaries 
of  the  clerks  would  otherwise  be  liable, 
is  defrayed,  by  a  particular  order,  at.  the 
expense  of  the  public  :  which  order  is 
said  to  have  been  made  many  years  ago, 
in  consideration  of  the  lowness  of  the 
salaries. 

All  fees  are  expressly  prohibited,  ex- 
cept those  taken  by  the  clerk  of  the 
ordnance,  the  principal  storekeeper,  and 
the  clerk  of  deliveries  already  mentioned. 
Officers  ef  the  ordnance  are  prohibited 
from  holding  a  share  in  ordnance  con- 
tracts  or  agencies,  with  the  exception  of 
agencies  to  any  officer  of  artillery,  or 
engineers.  There  are  no  sinecure  places 
under  the  board  of  ordnance ;  nor  is  it 
conceived,  that  there  are  any  persons  in 


general  of  2d.  in  the  pound. 

The  additions  consist,  1st.  of  new  offi- 
cers in  London,  and  also  at  Guernsey, 
Jersey,  New  Brunswick,  and  the  West- 
India  islands,  and  some  other  places. 
A  sum  exceeding  7001.  appears  to  be 
on  account  of  a  new  appointment  of 
officers  at  the  powder  mills. — 2dlv,  of 
an  increase  of  the  existing  salaries,  and 
of  allowances,  amounting  to  5,5311.  lis. 
'2d.  making  together  18,4981.  Is.  2d. 
from  which,  however,  is  to  be  deducted, 
on  account  of  diminutions  in  the  esta- 
blishment since  1782,  the  sum  of  4/2931. 
2s.  6d.  making  the  actual  increase,  on  a 
comparison  of  the  two  establishments, 
to  be  1 1,2011.  lbs.  8d. 

The  committee  of  the  house  of  Com- 
mons, from  whose  report  we  have  made 
these  copious  extracts,  conclude  by  ob- 
serving, that  the  estimates  for  works 
abroad  have  been  much  oftener  exceeded 
than  those  at  home  ;  that  the  frauds  are 
more  numerous ;  that  the  difficulties  of 
prosecuting,  there,  are  considered  as 
greater ;  that  additional  precautions  to 
prevent  impositions  in  the  drawing  of 
bills  are  necessary  ;  and  that  the  taking 
of  a  periodical  remain,  as  is  done  at 
home,  is  there  omitted.  The  enormous 
frauds  practised  by  so  many  servants, 
in  various  West-India  islands,  while  the 
vouchers  sent  home  continued  to  be 
fair   and    regular,    create    a   reasonable 


OFF 


(     559     ) 


OFF 


jealousy  and  suspicion,  in  respect  to  the 
"manner  or"  conducting  this  branch  of  the 
public  service,  in  those  possessions  in 
general  which  are  distant;  and  the 
money,  asked  for  extraordinary  services 
in  those  parts,  should  obviously,  there- 
fore, be  voted  only  after  having  given 
due  consideration  to  the  case  in  ques- 
tion, and  after  full  explanation  of  the 
extent  of  the  projected  service. 

With  respect  to  the  establishment  of 
the  office  of  ordnance,  and  of  the  sala- 
ries and  duties  of  its  servants,  it  appears 
obvious,  that  from  many  tilings  which 
have  been  stated,  it  is  not  so  much  on 
any  general  regulations,  or  instructions, 
however  strict  and  prudently  framed,  that 
parliament  must  depend  for  the  proper 
application  of  the  money  voted  for  ord- 
nance service,  as  on  the  disposition 
strictly  to  execute  those  orders  ;  on  the 
proper  choice  of  the  inferior  servants, 
and  the  careful  superintendance  of  them; 
on  the  integrity,  vigilance,  and  know- 
ledge of  business  of  the  principal  officers 
of  the  board  of  ordnance;  and  more 
particularly  of  the  master-general,  in 
whose  hands  almost  all  the  patronage, 
and  ultimately  all  the  power,  are  placed. 

A  board,  consisting  of  the  master  ge- 
neral, or,  in  his  absence,  of  the  lieute- 
nant-general and  seven  officers,  regularly 
sit  for  the  transaction  of  public  busi- 
ness on  Mondays,  Wednesdays,  and  Fri- 
days, at  the  office  in  Pall  Mall,  where 
the  correspondence  and  arrangement  of 
the  general  service  of  this  branch  take 
place.  Applications,  upon  every  de- 
scription of  business  connected  with  this 
department,  are  addressed  to  the  civil 
secretary ;  through  whose  medium  the 
regimental  requisitions  for  military  ap- 
pointments are  issued  from  the  stores, 
and  forwarded  to  the  several  stations. 

The  office  consists,  at  present,  of  the 
master-general,  1  lieutenant-general,  1 
surveyor-general,  1  clerk  of  the  ordnance, 
1  principal  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the 
deliveries,  1  treasurer,  1  secretary  to  the 
master-general,  1  secretary  to  the  board, 

1  under  secretary  to  the  master-general, 

2  clerks  under  ditto,  2  clerks  under  the 
lieutenant-general.  1  chief  clerk  under 
the  surveyor-general,  13  senior  clerks  on 
the  establishment,  12  junior  clerks  on 
ditto,  15  assistant  clerks.  1  chief  clerk 
under  the  clerk  of  the  ordnance,  10  se- 
nior clerks  on  the  establishment,  10 
junior  clerks  on  ditto,  6  assistant  clerks, 

1  chief  clerk  under  the  storekeeper,   8 


senior  clerks  on  the  establishment,  10 
junior  clerks  on  ditto,  3  assistant  clerks. 
1  chief  clerk  under  the  clerk  of  the 
deliveries,  6  senior  clerks  on  the  esta- 
blishment, 6  junior  clerks  on  ditto,  7 
assistant  clerks.  1  chief  clerk  under 
the  treasurer,  7  senior  clerks  on  the  es- 
tablishment, 7  junior  clerks  on  ditto,  G 
assistant  clerks.  1  chief  clerk  under  the 
civil  secretary  to  the  board,  belonging  to 
the  minuting  branch,  o'  senior  clerks  on 
tiie  establishment,  6  junior  clerks  on 
ditto.  1  chief  clerk  belonging  to  tin* 
corresponding  branch,  6  senior  clerks  on 
the  establishment,  7  junior  clerks  on 
ditto.  1  master-general's  messenger, 
with  several  other  porters,  doorkeepers 
and  messengers,  1  messenger  from  Wool- 
wich to  Westminster,  1  solicitor,  1 
architect,  1  assistant  ditto,  1  principal 
clerk  of  the  works  at  the  Tower,  1  as- 
sistant, 1  overseer  under  ditto,  1  super- 
intendant  of  shipping,  1  clerk  to  ditto, 
1  assistant  to  ditto,  1  armourer  at  the 
Tower,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque  at  ditto, 
1  enginekeeper,  1  housekeeper  at  ditto. 
1  housekeeper  at  the  office  in  Pali-Mall. 
1  clockmaker,  1  bargemaster,  1  super- 
intendant  of  ordnance  tradesmen,  1  in- 
spector of  small  amis  belonging  to  the 
small-gun  department,  1  assistant,  1 
superintendant,  1  master  furbisher,  2 
clerks  to  the  inspector,  1  furbisher  for 
Hampton-Court  and  St.  James's,  2  ditto 
for  Windsor. 

Subordinate  and  responsible  to  the 
office  of  ordnance  : 

OFFrcERS  belonging  to  the  Royal  Mi- 
litary Academy  at  Woolwich— One  go- 
vernor, who  is  invariably  the  master-ge- 
neral, 1  lieutenant-governor,  1  inspector, 
1  assistant  inspector,  1  professor  of  for- 
tification, 1  professor  of  mathematics 
and  first  master,  1  second  mathematical 
master,  1  third  ditto,  1  French  master, 
1  first  assistant  for  fortification,  1  fourth 
mathematical  master,  1  fifth  ditto,  1. 
second  assistant  for  fortification,  1  sixth 
mathematical  master,  1  first  mathema- 
tical assistant,  1  second  ditto,  1  third 
ditto,  1  drawing-master  for  ground,  1 
ditto  for  figures,  1  ditto  for  landscapes, 
1  dancing-master,  1  second  French  mas- 
ter, 1  fencing-master,  1  assistant  draw- 
ing-master for  ground,  1  ditto  for  figures, 
1  first  clerk,  1  second  ditto,  1  first  mo- 
deller, 1  second  ditto.  1  inspector  of  ar- 
tillery, 1  assistant  to  ditto,  1  second  as- 
sistant and  draftsman,  1  first  clerk,  1 
second  clerk,  1  assistant  clerk,   1  proof- 


O  F  F 


(     560     ) 


OFF 


Master,  t  searcher  of  ordnance,  1  instru- 
ment-keeper, 1  modeller,  1  inspector  of 
the  royal  brass  foundry,  1  master  foun- 
der, 1  assistant  ditto,  I  foreman  to  ditto, 
l  clerk. 

OFFICERS  h  longing  to  the  Roi/al  La- 
boratory at  Woolwich — One  comptroller, 
1  chief  fire-master,  9  assistant  fire-mas- 
ters, 1  chemist,  1  inspector  of  gunpow- 
der, 1  chief  clerk,  5  clerks,  3  extra 
clerks,  1  surgeon,  1  assistant  fire-master 
at  Portsmouth,  1  clerk  to  ditto,  1  assis- 
tant fire-master  at  Plymouth,  1  clerk  to 
ditto. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Carriage. 
Department  at.  Woolwich — One  inspec- 
tor, 1  first  assistant,  1  second  assistant, 
1  constructor  of  carriages,  1  first  senior 
constructor,  1  second  ditto,  4  junior 
constructors,  3  ditto  for  the  out-ports,  1 
clerk  of  the  cheque.  1  senior  clerk  be- 
longing to  the  inspector's  otfice,  2  junior 
ditto,  2  senior  clerks  belonging  to  the 
clerk  of  the  cheque's  office,  2  junior 
ditto,  1  clerk  ditto,  0  master  artificers, 
1  superintendant  of  the  royal  military 
repository,  1  modeller,  1  clerk,  1  drafts- 
man to  ditto. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Royal  Mi- 
litary Repository  at  II  oohoich  : 

1  superintendant,  1  modeller,  1  clerk, 
1  draftsman,  1  astronomical  observer  at 
Greenwich. 

Officers  at  Out  ports  and  Stations  be- 
longing to  the  Ordnance. 

Woolwich — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk 
of  survey,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque,  4  clerks, 
1  clerk  of  the  works,  I  barrack-master, 
in  the  new  barracks,  1  paymaster.  Pur- 
jleet — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  sur- 
vey, 1  clerk  of  the  cheque,  1  clerk  of 
the  works.  Gravesend  and  Tilbury  Fort 
— One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque. 
Chatham — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of 
survey,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque,  1  barrack- 
master.  Upnpr  Castle  —  One  store- 
keeper, 1  clerk  of  the  cheque.  Shcer-- 
vess — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  survey, 
1  ditto  of  the  cheque.  Dover — One 
storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque. 
Feversham — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of 
the  cheque,  1  master  worker.  Waltham 
Abbey — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the 
cheque,  1  master-worker,  1  keeper  of 
the  magazines  at  Barking  Creek.  Ports- 
mouth— One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  sur- 
vey, i  clerk  of  the  cheque,  1  barrack 
master,  1  surgeon. 


On!  assistant  fire-master,  1  clerk.  Prid- 
dy's  Hard — One  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of 
the  cheque.  Tipner  Point — One  store- 
keeper, 1  clerk.  Plymouth — One  clerk 
of  survey,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque.  Key- 
liam  Point — One  storekeeper,  \  clerk  of 
the  cheque.  Picquet  Fold — One  store- 
keeper at  Hungerford,  1  Peudennis,  I 
Scilly  [stand,  1  Chester  Castle  and  Liver- 
pool, 1  the  Isle  of  .Man,  1  Carlisle,  1 
Berwick,  1  Tinmouth  Castle,  1  Hull, 
1  Yarmouth,  1  Languara  Fort  and  Har- 
wich, I  Edinburgh  Castle,  1  Stirling 
Castle,  !  Fort  William,  1  Fort  George, 
1  Scarborough  Castle.  Guernsey — One 
storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the  cheque.  Jer- 
sey, one  ditto,  1  ditto.  Alderney — One 
storekeeper. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Depots  for 
small  Arms.  Shrewsbury  1  storekeeper. 
Chelmsford  1  ditto.  Bury  St.  Edmund's 
1  ditto.  Horsham  1  ditto.  Derby  1 
ditto.     Lincoln  1  ditto.     Bristol  1  ditto. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Inland  De- 
pots—  Uar/cy,  1  barrack-master.  Can- 
terbury, 1  ditto.  Weedcn  Beck,  in  North- 
amptonshire, 1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of 
the  cheque. 

Offn  ERS  belonging  to  the  Royal  Ma- 
nufactory of  small  Arms — Lcwishum,  1 
storekeeper,  1  superintendant. 

Officers  on  Foreign  Stations — Gib- 
raltar,  1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the  sur- 
vey, I  ditto  cheque,  ,1  of  works.  Malta, 
1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  survey,  4  clerks. 
Jamaica,  1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the 
cheque.  Antigua,  1  storekeeper,  1  clerk 
of  the  cheque.  St.  Christophers,  1  ditto, 
1  ditto.  Dominica,  1  ditto,  1  ditto.  St. 
Vincent's,  1  ditto,  1  ditto.  Barbadoes, 
1  ditto,  1  ditto,  1  clerk.  Grenada,  1 
ditto,  1  ditto.  Tobago,  1  ditto,  1  ditto. 
.SV.  Lucia,  1  ditto,  1  ditto.  Trinidad, 
1  ditto,  1  ditto.  Demururu,  1  ditto,  1 
ditto.  Surinam,  1  ditto,  1  ditto.  Ba- 
hama Islands,  1  ditto,  1  ditto.  Bermuda, 
1  storekeeper.  Quebec,  1  storekeeper, 
1  clerk  of  the  survey,  1  clerk  of  the 
cheque.  Halifax,  1  storekeeper,  1  clerk 
of  the  cheque.  New  Brunswick,  1  ditto, 
1  ditto.  St.  John's,  Newfoundland,  1 
ditto,  ditto.  Placental,  1  storekeeper. 
Curncoa,  1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the 
cheque.     Martinique — unknown. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Ordnance 
in  Ireland — One  commanding  officer  of 
artillery,  1  ditto  of  royal  engineers,  1 
storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  survey,  1  clerk 


On  hers  of  the   Royal  Laboratory  of  the  cheque,  1  first  clerh  in  the  store- 


#■»'/  restorme   Howes   at   Portsmouth — 


keepers  department,   7   clerks  ^    1  first 


OFF 


(    561     ) 


OFF 


clerk  of  the  survey's  department,  11 
clerks ;  1  first  clerk  in  the  clerk  of  the 
cheaue's  office,  6  clerks;  1  treasurer,  1 
first  clerk  in  the  treasurer's  office,  3 
clerks. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Laboratory 
and  small  Gun  Department — One  deputy 
fire-master  of  the  royal  laboratory,  1 
superintendant  of  the  small  gun  depart- 
ment, 1  master  furbisher,  1  first  clerk 
in  the  laboratory  and  armoury,  9  clerks  ; 
1  second  assistant  in  the  gun-carriage 
department,  1  clerk  of  works,  1  first 
clerk  in  the  carriage-yard  department,  2 
clerks ;  1  clerk  of  works  belonging  to  the 
engineer  department,  1  first  under  ditto, 
3  clerks  ditto ;  1  storekeeper. 

Ballincolig  Powder  Mills — One  super- 
intendant, 1  storekeeper,  1  clerk  of  the 
cheque,  2  clerks,  1  clerk  of  works. — 
Storekeepers,  at  Athlone  1,  Bantry  1, 
Carrkkfergus  1,  Churkmont  1,  Charles 
Fort  1,  Cork  1,  Cove  of  Cork  1,  Clon- 
mel  t,  Duncannon  Fort  1,  Enniskillen  1, 
Kinsale  1,  Limerick  1,  Londonderry  1. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Military 
Branch  of  the  Ordnance. — One  colonel 
in  chief,  1  colonel  en  second,  3  colonels 
commandant,  6  colonels,  12  lieutenant 
colonels,  27  captains,  28  second  cap- 
tains, 55  first  lieutenants,  1  inspector 
general  of  fortifications,  1  deputy  ditto, 
1  brigade-major,  1  adjutant  and  quarter- 
master. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Corps  oj 
Royal  Military  Surveyors,  and  Drafts- 
men in  the  Toioer. — One  chief  surveyor 
and  draftsman,  1  assistant,  1  second  as- 
sistant, 10  belonging  to  the  first  class  of 
draftsmen,  21  of  the  second  class,  10  of 
the  third  ditto,  8  cadets. 

Officers  belonging  to  the  Commis- 
sary's Department  to  the  Field  Train  of 
Artillery  in  Great  Britain. — One  com- 
mandant, 3  commissaries,  8  assistant 
ditto,  1  paymaster. 

Office  of  Ordnance  Inspector  of  Bar- 
racks. The  inspector  of  ordnance  bar- 
racks is  charged  with  the  general  super- 
intendance  and  control  of  all  barracks 
attached  to  that  department  in  Great 
Britain,  Ireland,  and  at  the  foreign  sta 


are  also  examined,  and  certified,  by  the 
inspector  of  ordnance  barracks,  prior  to 
their  being  submitted  to  the  board. 
This  office  was  created  in  1806,  and 
consists  of  1  inspector,  2  assistants 
ditto,  with  subordinate  clerks,  1  mes- 
senger. 

Ot  fice  of  the  Secretary  to  the  Board- 
of  Ordnance.  This  office  is  kept  in  Pail- 
Mall,  and  consists  of  1  principal  secre- 
tary, in  whose  name  all  advertisements 
for  ordnance  contracts,  &c.  are  issued, 
and  through  whom  all  sealed  proposals 
for  furnishing  stores,  forage,  &c.  or  ap- 
plications for  arms,  8cc.  must  be  trans- 
mitted, addressed,  not  nominally,  but 
by  official  superscription,  To  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Honourable  the  Board  of 
Ordnance,  Pail-Mall;  as  is  the  case  in 
other  departments.  This  important  situ- 
ation, and  place  of  trust,  is  generally 
filled  by  a  person  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  all  the  details  of  office,  and  who 
has  gradually  risen  from  the  most  sub- 
ordinate appointment.  He  must,  in 
fact,  be  a  complete  man  of  business, 
attached  to  no  party,  and  swayed  by  no 
political  bias  whatsoever;  principles, 
we  humbly  conceive,  by  which  every 
honest  and  industrious  servant  of  the 
public  ought  invariably  to  be  governed. 
The  secretary  is  .*i  civil  officer,  as  are 
likewise  the  subordinate  clerks,  and  is 
supposed  to  be  well  acquainted  with 
foreign  languages,  and  foreign  details,  in 
order  to  prepare  the  necessary  documents 
for  the  board,  which  are  occasionally 
transmitted  from  foreign  stations,  and 
from  the  foreign  artillery  belonging  to 
the  establishment.  His  salary  and  allow- 
ances are,  we  presume,  (as  they  ought  to 
be,)  worthy  of  so  extensive*  a  depart- 
ment, and  adequate  to  so  much  trust 
and  labour.  He  is  assisted  by  1  chief 
clerk  belonging  to  the  minuting  branch, 
7  senior  clerks,  7  junior  ditto,  1  chief 
clerk  belonging  to  the  corresponding 
branch,  7  senior  clerks,  7  junior  ditto, 
and  1  messenger. 

OiiK  t  of  Surveyor  General  of  Ord- 
nance.   See  Surveyor. 

Army  Pay-Oivicr..     From  this  office 


tions.     He  is  the  immediate  channel  of  j  the  issues  for  the  payment  of  every  de 
communication  between  the  master  ge-  scription  of  military  service  are  made 


neral  and  board,  and  the  several  barrack 
masters.  The  various  weekly,  monthly, 
quarterly,  and  half  yearly  barrack  re- 
turns are  inspected  in  this  office  ;  and 
the  accounts  of  the  expenditure  of  mo- 
ney, coals,    candles,  and  other  stores, 


Officers  on  hall-pay  forward  their  affi- 
da\itsto  this  department,  either  them- 
selves, or    through    their   agents;    the 
office  is  situated  between  the  Admiralr 
and  Horse  Guards. 

In  consequence  of  the  pay-office  act, 
4C 


O  F  F 


(     $62    ) 


OFF 


the  paymaster-general  has  been  deprived 
of  anj  profit  that  might  accrue  from  the 
custody  oi  the  public  money. 

The  paymaster-general  has  not  any 
active  controul  over  the  public  expendi- 
ture; it  being  bis  duty  to  make  pay- 
ments (ministerially  and  without  dis- 
cretion) in  pursuance  of"  the  warrants 
directed  to  him  by  the  secretary  at  war, 
or  the  treasury,  or  by  both,  as  the  case 
ma}  be,  or  in  payment  of  the  drafts  oi* 
the  deputy  paymasters  abroad,  tor  the 
ordinan  services  of  the  army?  The  pay- 
office  must  therefore  be  looked  upon 
as  an  oiuce  of  mere  account ;  and  as 
affecting  the  public  expenditure  only, 
SO  far  as  it  performs  its  duty,  as  an 
office  of  account,  with  expedition  and 
regularity. 

The  materials  and  documents,  which 
compose  a  considerable  part  of  the  ac- 
count of  the  paymaster-general,  origi- 
nate from  persons  over  whose  conduct 
he  has  no  controul.  There  is  a  regular 
succession  in  preparing  them  from  the 
regimental  paymaster  to  the  agent,  and 
from  the  agent  to  the  secretary  at  war, 
who  finally  delivers  them  at  the  pay- 
office.  For  further  particulars  see  Pay- 
Office  Act. 

Muster  Muster  General's  Office. 
In  this  office  are  collected  nominative 
lists  of  all  corps  within  the  cognizance  of 
the  "army  department."  The  particular 
services  of  each  individual  are  here  en- 
rolled, together  with  any  circumstances 
of  discharge,  or  transfer  from  one  regi- 
ment to  another.  The  office  is  in 
Whiti  ball  Yard,  opposite  the  Admiralty, 
(!iaiing  Cross. 

Money  Order  Office.  See  Money 
Order. 

Quarter  Master  GeneraTs  Office  at 
tin  tiofse  Guards.  The  duties  attached 
to  this  office,  are,  the  regulating  the 
quarters  of  the  army;  attending  to  the 
various  movements  of  troops,  issuing 
routes,  affixing  stations  to  corps  of  all 
descriptions.  Thequarter-master-general 
is  presumed  to  be  well  acquainted  with 
all  the  interior  economy  of  an  army, 
from  the  management  of  a  company  up 
to  its  several  component  parts:  he  goes 
hand  in  hand  with  the  adjutant  and 
commissary-general,  and  is  very  properly 
called  the  right  arm  of  a  commander  in 
chief  on  service;  for  he  should  not  only 
be  well  acquainted  with  strategy  and 
tactics,  hut  also  be  fertile  in  expedients, 
and  well   versed  in  all    the  chicanery 


of  war.     The  establishment  consists  of 
l  quarter-master-general,  1  deputy  ditto, 

6   assistant    ditto,    11  clerks,     1  office- 
keeper,  1  house-keeper,  ;i  messengers. 

Royal  Marine  Office,  an  office  es- 
tablished for  the  convenience  of  the  pay 
master  of  the  Royal  Marines.  The 
person  who  is  entrusted  with  the  manage- 
ment of  this  office  is  called  paymaster, 
and  he  acts  in  that  capacity  as  agent  to 
the  whole  corps  of  marines.  The  dis- 
tribution  of  public  monies,  for  the  use 
of  the  Royal  Artillery,  is  governed  nearly 
upon  the  same  principles. 

Ship-Letter  Offh  E.  During  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  British  army  in  Holland, 
in  1708,  a  mail  was  made  up,  every 
Tuesday  and  Friday  night,  and  for- 
warded to  Yarmouth,  where  two  packets 
taken  from  the  (uxhaven  station,  were 
appointed  to  convey  them  to  the  llelder. 
\  gentleman  (the  deputy  comptroller  of 
the  foreign  office)  was  sent  to  the  head 
quarters  as  army  postmaster,  and  in  like 
manner  made  up  two  mails  per  week, 
but  they  were  sometimes  detained  for 
dispatches. 

On  application  from  the  Duke  of  York, 
the  letters  of  soldiers  (having  the  signa- 
ture of  the  commanding  officer  upon  the 
superscription)  were  suffered  to  pass  at 
the  reduced  charge  of  one  penny  :  al- 
though that  sum  was  not  paid  at  the  time 
of  the  letter  being  put  into  the  post-office 
as  the  Act  of  Parliament  on  the  subject 
requires. 

Storekeeper  General's  Office,  Duke 
Street,  Westminster.  All  stores,  sup- 
plied under  contracts  with  the  chief 
commissary,  are  deposited  iu  this  office, 
from  which  they  are  issued  by  the 
authority  of  the  secretary  at  war  to  the 
troops;  they  consist  of  camp  equipage, 
hospital  stores,  bedding,  great  coats, 
medicines,  &c.  &c. 

Transport  Office.  The  transport 
office  is  a  newly  created  board,  and  was 
instituted  in  July,  1794,  at  first  for  the 
superintendance  of  the  transport  sen  ice 
only;  but  to  that  employment  has  since 
been  added  the  management  of  the  pri- 
soners of  war  in  health,  at  home  and 
abroad. 

The  immediate  duty  of  this  office,  so 
far  as  related  to  the  transport  service, 
used  to  be  performed  by  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  navy  ;  except  in  some  in- 
stances, where  the  ordnance,  or  other 
departments  hired  the  transports  wanted 
for  their  immediate  service.     U  is  sub- 


OFF 

Ordinate  to  the  secretary  of  state  for  the 
home  department,  and  has  6  commis- 
si oners,  and  1  secretary,  whose  office  is 
in  Dorset  Court,  Cannon  Row,  West- 
minster, and  consists  of  1  chief  clerk, 
1  assistant  ditto,  3  extra  ditto,  1  clerk 
of  the  minutes,  1  clerk  for  keeping  ac- 
coupt  of  the  appropriation  and  service 
of  transports,  1  assistant  ditto,  1  extra 
clerk.  It  is  also  subdivided  into  several 
departments. 

Volunteer  and  Local  Militia  Office  is 
at  No.  34,  Great  George  Street,  West- 
minster. The  accompts,  acceptance  of 
bills,  and  correspondence  relative  to 
these  branches  of  service,  are  here  con- 
ducted under  the  immediate  controul  of 
the  War-office. 

]('«?•- Office,  Horse  Guards.  The 
establishment  of  the  war-office,  at  Christ- 
mas, 179(3,  according  to  the  last  public 
document  on  that  head,  consisted  of 
the  secretary  and  deputy  secretary  at 
Mir,  a  first  clerk,  and  three  principal 
clerks,  and  eight  persons  or  their  assist- 
ants, placed  at  the  head  of  different 
■departments  of  the  office.  The  following 
is  the  present  establishment :  1  secre- 
tary at  war,  1  deputy  ditto,  1  chief  exa- 
miner of  army  accounts,  1  first  clerk, 
34  senior  clerks,  1  private  secretary  to 
the  secretary  at  war,  1  first  clerk  for  the 
department  of  accounts,  1  second  ditto, 
J  third  ditto,  53  junior  clerks,  I  first 
clerk  for  the  depart  inent  of  the  volun- 
teers and  local  militia,  5  clerks,  10  ditto 
belonging  to  Mr.  Stuart's  department, 
7  clerks  of  the  foreign  branch,  1  pay- 
master of  wfdows'  pensions,  1  deputy 
ditto,  1  office-keeper,  4  messengers,  18 
assistant  messengers,  1  librarian,  1  store- 
keeper. The  duties  of  this  office  are 
the  examination  of  army  accounts,  and 
corresponding  thereupon.  The  secretary 
at  war  decides  upon  the  propriety  of 
admitting  charges  against  the  public, 
which  have  been  incurred  under  peculiar 
circumstances  not  justifying  their  admis- 
sion without  his  authority.  In  other 
respects  he  acts  ministerially.  To  this 
office  is  attached 

A  Foreign  Department,  where  the  bu- 
siness of  the  foreign  regiments,  or  mer- 
cenaries, in  the  service  of  England,  is 
transacted.  This  office  is  in  Duke  Street, 
-^Vestminster;  its  establishment  consists 
of  7  clerks,  including  1  chief,  3  mes- 
sengers. 

^rV  ith  respect  to  the  nature  of  the  ac- 
counts which  come  into  the  War-office, 


(    56S    )  OFF 

and  the  form  of  the  examination  which 
they  undergo  there,  it  has  been  stated 
to  the  House  of  Commons,  that  the 
first  head  consists  of  the  annual  ac- 
counts of  the  ordinary  and  accidental 
charges  of  established  regiments ;  the 
second  may  not  inaccurately  be  defined 
regimental  extraordinaries,  or  incidental 
expenses  more  properly  belonging  to 
established  corps  than  to  the  army  in 
general,  which  latter  are  known  by  the 
term,  "  Extraordinaries  of  the  Army." 
All  claims,  made  by  the  regimental 
agents,  come  under  the  inspection  of  the 
"  Examiner  of  Army  Accounts,"  to 
whose  office  they  are  transmitted  of 
course,  in  virtue  of  a  general  delegation 
of  that  duty  to  him  by  the  secretary  at 
war  :  after  his  examination  and  report, 
the  secretary  at  war,  in  many  instances, 
orders  partial  issues  of  money  by  letter, 
to  the  paymaster  general.  Xo  final 
payment  is  made,  except  under  the  au- 
thority of  a  warrant  countersigned  by 
the  secretary  at  war,  and,  in  most  in- 
stances, by  three  lords  of  the  treasury. 
The  regimental  agents  account  finally 
to  the  secretary  at  war.  They  are  like- 
wise accountable  to  him,  and  to  the 
commander  in  chief,  for  every  species 
of  mismanagement  and  misconduct  with 
respect  to  the  officers  and  soldiers,  &c. 

The  forms  under  which  all  payments, 
derived  from  the  establishment,  are  con- 
ducted, consist  of  the  following  pa- 
pers : — 

1.  The  establishment  of  a  regiment. 

<2.  The  warrant  from  the  War-office  to 
make  out  debentures,  with  the  state  of 
charges  annexed. 

3.  The  debenture  made  up  at  the  pay- 
office. 

4.  The  final  or  clearing  warrant. 

5.  The  pay-office  state. 
The    War-office    department   has   no 

concern  in  framing  or  executing  the  in- 
terior and  local  regulations  of  the  militia 
forces.  These  are  made,  altered  and 
amended  by  the  lord-lieutenants  of 
counties,  after  having  been  submitted  to 
Parliament. 

Foreign  Office.  This  office  is  in 
Downing-Street,  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  one  of  the  principal  Secre- 
taries of  State,  who  has  the  conduct 
and  management  of  our  affiiirs  with 
foreign  powers. 

Home  Office,  or  Home  Department, 
an  office  which  is  under  the  direction  ot 
one  of  the  three  priucipal  Secretaries  of 
4C52 


OFF 


(    564    ) 


OFF 


State  All  military  commissions  are 
made  nut  in  the  Home  Department,  and 
are  countersigned  by  the  Secretary  of" 
State  who  is  the  head  thereof. 

In  cases  where  the  public  tranquillity 
is  disturbed,  the  Secretary  of  State  for 
the  Home  Department  is  in  the  habit  of 
signifying;  the  King's  pleasure  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  for  sending  troops  to 
act  in  support  of  the  civil  power.  The 
office  is  at  Whitehall. 

Office  /b;-  the  Entry  and  Distribution 
nf  Commissions  in  the  Line,  signed  by 
His  Majesty,  and  far  the  Receipt  of 
Fees  thereon.  This  office  is  at  the 
Horse  Guards,  and  holds  a  communi- 
cation with  the  War-office,  and  the 
Commander  in  Chief's  office,  in  all  mat- 
ters relating  to  commissions  and  warrants 
signed  bv  the  King.  An  Annual  Official 
Army  List,  containing  the  names  of  all 
officers  belonging  to  the  British  army, 
marines,  and  militia,  is  also  issued  from 
this  office  and  published  by  authority. 
For  the  convenience  of  the  army,  a 
Monthly  List  is  likewise  given  under  the 
same  sanction. 

Office  of  Secretary  of  State,  Colony 
and  War  Department. — The  office  of 
secretary  of  state  for  the  war  department 
was  first  established  on  the  11th  of  July, 
1794,  the  whole  business  of  the  war  de- 
partment having,  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war  in  1793,  down  to  that 
period,  been  transacted  by  the  late  Lord 
Melville,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  busi- 
ness of  the  home  department. 

The  accumulation  of  affairs,  occa- 
sioned by  the  war,  had,  however,  as  it 
is  stated,  rendered  it  necessary  to  add 
four  clerks  to  the  ordinary  establishment, 
and  to  employ  two  others,  belonging  to 
particular  branches,  almost  constantly 
and  exclusively,  and  had  in  such  manner 
overloaded  every  individual  then  existing 
in  the  office,  that  the  necessity  of  a  sepa- 
rate establishment,  for  managing  the  af- 
fairs of  war  exclusively,  was  soon  felt, 
and  produced  the  additional  office  ot 
secretary  of  state  for  the  colony  and  war 
d<  partment.  The  office,  is  in  Downing- 
Street. 

Delays  of  Office.  The  disappoint- 
ments and  embarrassments  to  which 
many  individuals,  but  most  especially 
military  men,  are  exposed,  through  the 
tardy  progress  of  official  business,  and 
which  have  obtained  a  sort  of  proverbial 
curse  under  this  term,  shew  the  necessity 
wf  regulations   being    made   out   in    the 


clearest  manner ;  and  when  made  out, 
of  their  being  speedily  and  faithfully 
complied  with.  If  procrastination  b« 
the  thief  of  time,  delays  of  office  are 
secret  abettors  of  ii. 

Insolence  of  OFFICE,  a  self-assumed 
importance,  against  which  little  minds 
are  never  proof,  and  rf which  peal  mindfc 
are  almost  always  the  unfortunate  vic- 
tims. 

('usual  OFFICES  are  such  as  are  given 
for  life  by  patent,  commission,  &c.  and 
which  become  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
incumbent:  as  that  of  the  constable  of 
the  Tower,  &c. 

The  names  of  the  persons  belonging  to 
the  several  appointments  are  annually 
printed  in  the  Royal  Calendar,  com- 
monly called  the  Red  Book. 

OFFiCES(with  architects.)  All  thelodges 
and  apartments  which  serve  for  the  ne- 
cessary occasions  of  a  palace  or  great 
house  are  generally  so  called. 

Offices,  in  a  figurative  sense,  kind 
acts,  services  rendered,  and  voluntarily 
offered  ;  also  unkind  acts,  and  disservices 
done  in  the  same  manner. 

OFFICER,  (officier,  Fr.)  This  word 
has  a  double  signification  :  it  is  applied 
to  a  person  acting  in  a  civil  or  military 
situation  under  government. 

Board  Ol  i  icer,  a  person  belonging  to 
a  Board,  either  in  a  civil  or  military  ca- 
pacity, as  in  the  Ordnance,  &c. 

Officer.  Amongst  the  ancients,  the 
profession  of  arms  was  not  a  distinct  and 
separate  avocation,  to  which  men  devo- 
ted the  whole  of  their  application  and 
their  lives  :  the  great  generals  of  the 
Greeks  and  Romans  were  the  ministers 
of  the  state,  and  the  leaders  of  popular 
assemblies.  Pericles  was  the  most  dis- 
tinguished orator  of  his  time:  Xenophon 
wag  excellent  as  an  historian,  and  in 
every  branch  of  prose  composition.  All 
the  great  generals  of  the  different  Grecian 
states  appear  to  have  been  men  highly 
endowed ;  strangers  to  no  branch  of  lite- 
rature or  learning  then  known.  The 
first  Scipio  was  the  protector  of  genius, 
the  patron  of  the  arts,  the  friend  of 
talents.  Pompey  was  distinguished  as 
a  public  speaker;  Quintilian  says  of 
Ca'sar,  that  he  was  the  only  man  who 
could  have  rivalled  Cicero  in  eloquence, 
and  that  Tanta  in  eo  vis  est,  id  acumen, 
ea  concitutio,ut  uppareat  ilium  eodcrn  animo- 
dixisse  quo  belluvit.  It,  therefore,  does 
not  appear  to  have  been  the  opinion  of 
those  two,  the  greatest  nations  that  have 


OFF 


(     565     ) 


OFF 


«ver  trodden  the  earth,  that  military  pur- 
suits ought  only  to  he  followed  by  lesser 
and  more  ignoble  minds ;  that  a  man 
might  be  little  in  the  other  avocations  of 
human  life,  and  great  in  the  field  of  bat- 
tle. The  happy  discovery  had  not  yet 
been  made,  that  an  army  was  the  sink 
of  the  state,  a  drain  for  the  trash  and 
refuse  of  its  population  of  every  descrip- 
tion ;  the  asylum  of  the  idle,  the  ignorant 
and  the  profligate  ;  the  temple  of  block- 
heads, where  the  chief  priest  might  be 
the  most  contemptible  of  the  human 
kind. 

Officer  commanding  a  battalion.  The 
duties  imposed  upon  this  officer,  and  the 
consequent  responsibility  which  must 
result  from  them,  induces  us  to  give  the 
following  observations  : 

However  vigilant  the  commanding 
officer  of  a  regiment  may  be,  it  too  fre- 
quently happens,  that  the  grossest  irre- 
gularities prevail,  which  are  out  of  Iris 
power  to  discover  and,  of  course,  to 
correct. 

It  is,  for  instance,  essentially  necessary, 
that  all  the  spare  arms,  appointments, 
&c.  should  be  in  a  constant  state  of  rea- 
diness, and  that  all  the  men  should  be 
completely  armed  and  equipped,  and,  in 
every  respect,  fit  for  service. 

In  regiments  where  the  commanding 
officers  do  not  frequently  and  strictly 
inspect  the  several  companies,  gross  de- 
viations from  the  rules  of  real  economy 
are  too  apparent.  Yet,  notwithstanding 
the  inspection  of  a  commanding  officer, 
officers,  having  the  charge  of  troops  or 
companies,  are  enabled  to  conceal  many 
deficiencies  by  causing,  on  the  day  ap- 
pointed for  inspection,  such  men  as  are 
not  fit  to  fall  in,  to  be  put  on  some  duty, 
and  the  faulty  arms  and  accoutrements 
to  be  exchanged,  and  to  be  given  to  these 
men  during  the  night.  To  avoid  the  pos- 
sibility of  this,  and  of  similar  practices, 
it  would  be  advisable  to  make  a  rule 
throughout  the  British  army,  that  one 
troop  or  company  should,  every  day,  be 
excused  all  species  of  duty.  During 
this  period,  the  books,  spare  arms,  ac- 
coutrements, &c.  should  be  brought  into 
the  barrack  yard  or  front  of  the  bell- 
tents  in  camp,  the  troop  or  company  be 
turned  out,  and  put  through  certain 
evolutions  or  manoeuvres  by  the  senior 
officer,  in  the  presence  of  the  command- 
ing officer.  By  an  arrangement  of  this 
jort,  it  would  be  in  the  power  of  every 


colonel  or  officer  commanding,  to  see 
the  whole  of  his  regiment,  in  the  most 
minute  way  on  a  given  day,  according 
to  the  number  of  troops  or  companies,  to 
judge  of  the  degree  of  attention  which 
every  captain,  having  the  charge  of  a 
troop  or  company,  had  paid,  either  to  its 
drill  or  interior  economy,  and  thus  as- 
certain the  fitness  of  the  whole  for  imme- 
diate service. 

Inspecting  field  Officer,  an  officer 
appointed  by  the  commander  in  chief 
for  the  express  purpose  of  attending  to 
the  exercise  and  discipline  of  the  volun- 
teer associations.  The  allowance  and 
pay  of  this  officer  are  very  ample  in- 
deed. 

Inspecting  field  Officer  of  a  district, 
an  officer  appointed  by  the  commander 
in  chief,  and  subordinate  to  the  adjur 
taut  general,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
examining  all  recruits  that  appear  within 
his  district.  He  is  allowed  an  adjutant 
and  surgeon ;  but  his  pay  and  allowances 
are  not  equal  to  those  of  the  volunteer 
inspector. 

Recruiting  Officer,  (officier  recru- 
teur,  Fr.)  an  officer  sent,  with  a  party, 
into  some  town  or  village,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  enlisting  men.  He  must  com- 
municate with  the  inspecting  field  officers 
of  recruits. 

Officers,  in  a  military  sense,  are  of 
several  denominations  and  ranks,  viz. 

Commissioned  Officers  in  our  service 
are  those  appointed  by  the  king's  com- 
mission ;  such  are  all  from  the  general  to 
the  cornet  and  ensign,  both  inclusive; 
and  in  the  Blues,  or  Royal  Horse  Guards, 
the  quarter-master  bears  the  king's  com- 
mission. Those  persons  are  also  called 
commissioned  officers,  that  act  under  the 
signature  of  the  lord-lieutenants  of 
counties,  or  under  that  of  the  colonel  or 
commandant  of  a  regiment,  as  in  the 
militia,  volunteer  and  yeomanry  corps. 

Warrant  Officers,  those  who  have  no 
commissions,  but  only  warrants  from 
such  boards,  or  persons,  who  are  au- 
thorized by  the  king  to  grant  them. 

Non-commissioned  Officers  are  ser- 
jeant-majors,  quarter-master  Serjeants, 
Serjeants,  drum  and  fife  majors,  who  are 
appointed  by  the  commanding  officers 
of  regiments,  and  by  them  may  be  re- 
duced without  a  court  martial.  But  it 
is  not  in  the  power  of  any  captain  of  a 
troop  or  company,  or  other  subordinate 
officer,  to  reduce  a  serjeant  without  the 


OFF 


(     566     ) 


OFF 


sentence  of  a  general  or  regimental  court 
martial. 

General  Officers  are  those  whose 
command  is  not  limited  to  a  single  com- 
pany, troop,  or  regiment ;  but  extends 
to  a  body  of  forces,  composed  of  several 
regiments  :  such  are  the  general,  lieute- 
nant  general,  major  general,  and,  in  some 
armies,  brigadier  general. 

General  officers,  having  regiments, 
may  be  summoned  to  attend  the  board 
at  the  Horse  Guards,  either  for  the 
purpose  of  inspecting  the  patterns  tor 
clothing,  or  of  deciding  upon  any  other 
point  which  concerns  the  interior  eco- 
nomy of  the  service.  They  are  sum- 
moned from  the  judge  advocate's  othce, 
to  whom  they  must  apply  for  leave  ol 
absence  in  case  of  sickness.  Their  letter 
of  excuse  is  transmitted  by  him  to  the 
adjutant  general,  who  lays  it  before  the 
board. 

Field  Officers  are  such  as  command 
a  whole  regiment ;  as  the  colonel,  lieu- 
tenant-colonel, and  major. 

Stuff'  Officers  are  the  quarter-mas- 
ter-general, and  the  adjutant-general, 
brigade  officers  and  aides-de-camp,  also 
the  quarter-masters,  adjutants,  the  phy- 
sicians, surgeons,  and  chaplains. 

Subaltern  Officers  are  lieutenants, 
cornets,  and  ensigns  ;  and  with  n  spect 
to  the  ijrand  total  of  an  army,  all  officers 
under  the  rank  of  major. 

Flag  OFFICERS  arc  admirals  who  hoist 
flags  at  the  mast  heads. 

Sea  Officers  are,  in  general,  all 
those  who  have  any  command  in  the 
navy. 

The  following  observations,  which 
more  specifically  relate  to  guards,  are  so 
generally  applicable  to  every  other  mi- 
litary situation  on  service,  that  we  re- 
commend them  to  the  serious  attention 
of  every  officer  : — 

It  is  the  duty  of  all  officers,  to  take 
notice  of  any  negligence,  or  improp 
of  conduct,  in  the  men,  whetht  r  on  duty 
or  off  duty,  although  the  person  or  per- 
sons offending  should  not  belong  to  their 
particular  regiments.  They  are  imme- 
diately to  report  all  neglects  of  duty  to 
the  officer  commanding  the  guard  ;  and 
they  are  enjoined  to  confine,  and  to  re- 
port to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
regiment  to  which  they  belong,  any  non- 
commissioned officers  or  soldiers,  they 
may  detect -in  disorderly  practices,  or 
who  appear  out  of  their  quarters,  con- 


ducting themselves,  either  in  point  of 
behaviour  or  appearance,  in  a  manner 
unbecoming  soldiers. — Regulations  and 
Orders. 

Brevet  OFFICER,  one  who,   in  doing 
duty  with  other  corps,    takes  rank   ac- 
cording   to   the    commission    which    he 
holds  from  the  king,  and  which  is  supe- 
rior to  the  one  for  which  he  actually  re- 
ceives pay,  or  by  which  he  can  do  duty 
in  his  own.     A  captain  for  instance,  in 
the  sixty-second   regiment  of  toot,  who 
has  the  rank  of  brevet-major  in  the  army, 
may,  whin  that  corps  does  brigade  duty, 
command  every  captain  on  service  with 
him.     The   word    brevet  is  taken  from 
the  French,  and  in  the  instance  before 
us  means  rank    without   pay.      During 
the  old   French  monarchy,   there  wen 
various  instances   in   which   individuals 
held  posts  of  honour  during  the  long '-. 
pleasure,  or  during  their    own    natural 
lives.     Hence  dues  ft  brevet,  dukes   by 
brevet ;  or,  to  use  an  expression  more  fa- 
miliar to  us,  persons  who  received  the 
patent  letter  of  a  dukedom  during  their 
natural  lives.     Brevet  likewise  signified 
a  sum  attached  by  order  of  the  king  to 
the  sale  of  a  commission,  or  place,  for 
the  benefit  of  a  deceased  person's  wife, 
heirs,  or  creditors  :  this  was  called  brevet 
de  retemie.      So  that   the  word  brevet, 
though  limited  to  one  sense  amongst  us, 
was  applicable  to  rank  and  emolument 
among    the    French.     Hence,    breveter 
signified  to  give  a  person  a  commission, 
place,  or  employment;  to  invest  him  with 
honorary  rank  ;  or  to  authorize  him  to 
receive  a  pension.     Brevet  de  eapitaine 
signifies  the   commission,  or  rank  of  a 
captain. 

Officers    and    Commissioners  of  t/ir 
Royal  Hospital  at  Chelsea : 

The  cwil  department  consists  of — The 
president  of  the  council.  First  lord  of 
the  treasury-  The  two  secretaries  of 
state.  The  paymaster  general  of  land 
forces.  The  secretary  at  war.  The 
two  comptrollers  of  army  accounts. 
The  governor  and  lieutenant  governor. 
Salaries  unknown. 

The  mili/an/  department  consists  of 
governor,  lieutenant  governor,  major, 
adjutant,  treasurer,  (who  is  the  paymas- 
ter general  for  the  time  being,)  deputy 
treasurer,  1  clerk,  2  chaplains,  1  secre- 
tary and  registrar,  2  senior  clerks,  2 
junior  ditto,  1  agent  and  paymaster  to 
the  out-pensioners,  1  magistrate  to  at- 


OFF 


(     567     ) 


OFF 


test  the  invalids  and  out-pensioners,  1 
physician,  1  comptroller,  1  steward,  1 
surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates,  1  apothe- 
cary, 1  truss  maker,  1  whitster,  1  ward- 
robe keeper,  1  compter  of  coal  yard,  1 
organist,  1  clerk  of  the  works,  1  mastei 
lamp-lighter,  1  master  butler,  1  mastei 
cook,  1  second  cook,  2  under  cooks, 
1  scullery-man,  1  gardener,  1  master 
barber,  1  engine  keeper,  1  clock  keeper, 
1  canal  keeper  and  turncock,   1  sexton, 

1  usherof  the  hall,  1  porter,  1  cellarman, 

2  sweepers,  1  matron,  1  master  mason,  1 
master  smith,  1  master  painter,  and  1 
plumber. 

The  names  and  appointments  may  be 
seen  in  the  Royal  Calendar,  commonly 
called  the  Red  Book. 

Field  Officers  belonging  to  the  seve- 
ral regiments  of  militia  in  Ireland: — 

By  an  act  passed   on   the   24th    of 
March,  1801,  the  number  of  field  offi- 
cers of  this  description    has    been    in- 
creased by  adding  one  additional  lieu- 
tenant colonel,  and  one  additional  ma- 
jor, to  such  of  the  Irish  regiments   as 
consist  of  eight  companies,  or  upwards, 
and  one  additional  major  to  such  of  the 
said  regiments  as  consist  of  seven  com- 
panies, or  under.     The  following  coun- 
ties consist  of  eight  companies  and  up- 
wards : — Antrim,  Armagh,  North  Cork, 
South    Cork,    City    of   Cork,    Donegal, 
City    of  Dublin,   Gulway,  Kerry,    Kil- 
kenny, King's  County,  County  of  Lime- 
rick, Londonderry,  Louth,  Meath,  Mo- 
naghan,    'Roscommon,  Tipperary,  Tyrone, 
Waterford  and   Wexford.     The   Carlow, 
Cavan,    Clare,   North  Dozcnshire,  South 
Downshire,    County    of  Dublin,  Ferma- 
nagh, Kildure,  Leitrim,  City  of  Limerick, 
Longford,     North  Mayo,    South  Mayo, 
Queen's  County,  S/igo,    Westmeath,  and 
IVicklow    regiments,    consist    of   seven 
companies,   or  are    under    seven  com- 
panies. 

All  such  additional  field  officers,  if 
qualified,  in  manner  as  field  officers  of 
the  same  rank  in  the  militia  of  Ireland 
are  now  by  law  required  to  be,  and  not 
disapproved  of  by  the  lord  lieutenant, 
or  other  chief  governor  or  governors  of 
Ireland,  within  fourteen  days  after  such 
certificate  shall  have  been  laid  before 
him  or  them,  shall,  to  all  intents  and 
purposes,  be  deemed  and  taken  as  field 
officers  of  the  respective  regiments  in 
the  respective  ranks  to  which  their  com- 
missions shall respe€tively  appoint  them; 


and  shall  have  the  same  powers  accord- 
ing to  such  commissions  respectively, 
that  other  field  officers  in  the  militia 
now  have,  and  shall  have  rank,  and  re- 
ceive pay  according  to  such  rank  from 
the  dates  of  their  respective  commis- 
sions, in  manner  and  form  as  the  field 
officers  of  the  militia  regiments  of  Ire- 
land are  now  entitled  thereto. 

Officer  in  waiting.  The  officer 
next  for  duty  is  so  called.  He  is  always 
mentioned  in  orders,  and  ought  to  be 
ready  for  the  service  specified,  at  a  mi- 
nute's warning.  He  must  not,  on  this 
account,  quit  the  camp,  garrison,  or 
cantonments. 

Officer  of  the  day,  an  officer  whose 
immediate  duty  is  to  attend  to  the  inte- 
rior economy  and  good  order  of  the 
corps  to  which  he  belongs,  or  of  those 
with  which  he  does  mixed  duty.  The 
following  regulations  will  explain  the 
nature  of  that  duty  when  troops  are  en- 
camped : 

The  officers  for  daily  duty  in  camp, 
independent  of  guards,  will  be  a  general 
or  generals  of  the  day,  according  to  the 
circumstances  and  strength  of  the  camp. 
In  large  camps,  there  will  be  a  lieute- 
nant-general of  the  day,  and  a  major- 
general  of  each  wing,  or  one  major-ge- 
neral of  cavalry,  and  one  of  infantry  ; 
and  majors  of  brigade  in  the  same  pro- 
portion :  a  field  officer  per  brigade,  and 
a  captain  and  subaltern  of  the  day  per 
regiment,  and  an  adjutant  and  quarter- 
master of  the  day  per  brigade. 

The  general  of  the  day  is  to  superin- 
tend the  regularity  and  discipline  of  the 
camp,  in  every  particular  :  he  is  to  visit 
the  guards  of  the  camp  and  the  outposts 
(unless  the  latter  are  put  under  the 
command  of  some  particular  officer)  : 
he  is  to  call  out  and  inspect  the  inlying 
piquets,  as  often,  and  at  such  times, 
as  he  thinks  proper :  he  is  to  receive 
all  reports  in  camp,  and  make  imme- 
diate communication  of  any  extraordi- 
nary occurrences  to  the  commander  in 
chief. 

The  captain  of  the  day  of  each  regi- 
ment superintends  the  cleanliness  and 
regularity  of  the  camp  of  the  regiment : 
he  attends  the  parading  of  all  regimental 
guards,  orders  the  roll  to  be  called  fre- 
quently, and  at  uncertain  hours,  and 
reports  every  thing  extraordinary  to  the 
commanding  officer. 

The  subaltern  of  the  day  assists  th$ 


O  F  J«' 


(     568     ) 


O  F  F 


captain  in  his  various  duties, and  reports 

to  him  any  irregularity,  which  may  come 
tn  liis  knowledge. 

The  captain  and  subaltern  of  the  rlav 
are  each  to  visit  the  hospital  at  unci  p- 
tain  boars,  the  captain  is  to  make  au 
report  of  the  state  of  the  hospital  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  regiment. 

The  regularity  of  the  men's  messing 
is  an  object  or  primary  importance. — 
The  captain  or  subaltern  of  the  day 
must  visit,  and  inspect  the  kettles,  at 
the  hour  appointed  for  booking,  and  no 
kettle  is  to  be  taken  from  the  kitchens 
till  this  inspection  is  made,  and  the  sig- 
nal is  given  by  the  drum  for  the  men 
to  dine,  which  should  be  at.  the  same 
hour,  throughout  the  camp.  Indepen- 
dent of  this  regimental  arrangement, 
the  officers  of  companies  must  daily  and 
hourly  attend  to  the  messing  and  every 
circumstance  of  the  economy  of  their 
companies,  in  camp  more  particularly 
than  in  quarters. 

The  adjutant  of  the  day  of  the  brigade 
is  to  assist  the  brigade-major  in  the  va- 
rious details  of  it,  and  in  the  absence  of 
the  brigade-major  is  to  receive  and  exe- 
cute all  orders :  it  may  frequently  be 
.lecessary  for  him  likewise  to  attend  for 
orders,  at  head-quarters.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  quarter  master  of  the  day  of  the 
brigade,  to  attend  to  the  cleanliness  of 
the  camp;  to  take  care  that  all  broken 
glass  and  tilth  of  all  kinds  be  removed, 
for  which  the  quarter  master  of  each  re- 
giment is  responsible,  as  far  as  the  camp 
of  his  regiment  is  concerned. 

The  officers  on  duty,  and  those  in 
waiting  as  next  for  duty,  who  an  al- 
ways to  be  mentioned  in  the  orders  of 
the  day,  are  constantly  to  remain  in 
camp,  or  within  the  cantonments. — 
No  officer  is,  on  any  account,  to  sleep 
out  of  camp,  or  cantonments,  without 
leave. 

Officers  making  written  reports  are  to 
sign  them,  specifying  their  rank  and  the 
regiments  to  which  they  belong. 

All  orders  relating  to  the  men  are  to 
be  read  to  them  by  an  officer  per  com- 
pany, at  the  next  parade  after  such  orders 
are  given  out. 

When  there  is  a  field  officer  of  the 
day,  it  is  his  duty  to  visit  all  guards  fre- 
quently during  the  day  and  night.  In 
the  morning,  on  the  dismounting  of  the 
guards,  he  will  collect  the  reports,  and 
carry  them  to  the  coventor  or  comman- 


dant, together  with  any  observations  be 
may  himself  ha\  e  made,  in  the  com 
Ins  duty    in    die  preceding  day.     When 
there  is  no  held  officer   of  the"  day,    the 

reports  will  be  collected,  and  deuverad 

io  the  governor,  by  ih<  captain  of  the 
main  guard  Each  regiment  must  have 
an  alarm  post  assigned  in  it,  to  which  if 
will  repair  in  case  of  tire,  or  any  other 
extraordinary  alarm,  either  by  "day  or 
night. 

The  officer  of  the  day  (and  indeed  the 
officer  in  waiting)  formerly  wore  his 
sash,  to  distinguish  him  from  the  officers 
on  guard,  &c.  At  present  no  such  dis- 
tinction can  exist,  as  every  military  man, 
in  commission,  and  regkneatally  dressed, 
must  invariably  wear  his  sash.  This  re- 
gulation has  been  necessarily  resulted  to 
on  account  of  the  volunteer  corps  ;  the 
privates  of  which,  in  several  battalions  or 
companies,  are  dressed  like thetT officers. 
We  still  lament,  that  a  rule  should  be 
wanting  to  render  all  armed  establish- 
ments subject  to  one  system,  as  far  as 
relates  to  dress  and  discipline;  we  mean 
a  rule  of  ostensible  gradation,  as  in  other 
sen  ices. 

Murine  Officfrs,  all  those  who  com- 
mand in  that  body  of  troops  employed 
in  the  sea  service,  under  the  direction  of 
the  lords  of  the  admiralty. 

WeU OFFICERED.  'A  regiment  is 
said  to  be  well  officered,  when  it  has 
not  only  its  full  complement  of  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers,  but  the 
several  individuals  entrusted  with  the 
management  of  it,  are  remarkable  for 
good  order  and  discipline.  The  French 
say  bun  commands. 

Civil-  7.™ -OFFICERS.  Officers  so 
called  from  acting  in  civil  causes,  under 
peculiar  regulations  of  their  own,  un- 
connected with  the  common  courts  of 
justice.     They  are  as  follow  : 

The  Advocate  is  admitted  into  the 
Commons,  after  having  regularly  taken 
his  degree  of  LL.D.  He  remains  one 
year  silent,attending  the  courts,  and  then 
is  allowed  to  plead  in  all  the  different 
courts  of  Doctor's  Commons.  As  soon 
as  admitted,  he  must  be  appointed  surro- 
gate to  the  judges  ecclesiastical,  and  of 
the  Admiralty  Courts.  This  is  a  re- 
presentative of  the  judge  in  all  legal 
acts ;  and  sometimes  he  sits  for  him 
in  his  absence.  He  ranks  after  king's 
Serjeants. 

The  kings  Advocate  is  a  civil  law  ofti- 


OFF 


(     569     ) 


OFF 


cer,  appointed  by  the  crown.  He  takes 
all  causes  when  the  crown  is  concerned, 
both  in  prisage  and  otherwise. 

Martial  is  an  officer  belonging  to,  acd 
attending  the  Admiralty  Court,  and  ought 
always  to  be  present.  He  receives  all 
reports  of  sales,  &c.  he  has  all  prisoners 
under  his  care,  and  has  a  considerable 
allowance  out  of  all  prizes  condemned  to 
the  crown.  This  is  a  very  lucrative 
place.  In  all  naval  courts-martial,  he 
officially  attends  as  the  person  who  su- 
perintends the  prisoner. 

Proctors  are  officers  established  to 
represent  in  judgment  the  parties  who 
empower  them,  by  a  warrant  under  then- 
hands,  called  a  proxy,  to  appear  for  them, 
to  explain  their  lights,  to  manage  and  in- 
struct their  cause,  and  to  demand  judg- 
ment. The  proctor  in  civil  is  nearly 
the  same  as  the  attorney  in  the  com- 
mon law.  There  are  at  present  about 
65,  with  the  king's  proctor.  All  causes 
in  the  Admiralty  Courts,  Doctor's  Com- 
mons, are  carried  on  by  proctors.  The 
officers  or"  the  navy  are  all  obliged  to 
refer  their  causes  to  the  king's  proctor. 
The  proctors  are  not  more  concerned 
for  the  army, .  than  the  rest  of  their 
fellow  citizens,  excepting  in  joint  cap- 
ture cases,  disputes  of  division  of  prizes 
between  che  army  and  mivy /which  some- 
times occur,  and  are  determined  after 
hearing  by  the  judge  of  the  Admiralty. 
All  wills  go  through  the  hands  of  the 
proctors,  before  they  pass  the  seal ;  as 
also  marriage  licences  are  procured  by 
them. 

RcgirfjYir  is  an  officer  attached  to 
every  court  in  Doctor's  Commons.  It 
is  necessary  to  observe  there  are  several 
courts  held  in  the  Commons,  the  prin- 
cipal, however,  are  the  Court  of  Arches, 
the  Admiralty,  and  Prerogative  for  wills, 
alone.  The  principal  Registrar  is  in  the 
Admiralty  Court,  and  is  generally  a  no- 
bleman of  rank ;  the  emoluments  and 
salary  are  considerable.  The  Registrar 
has  under  him  two  deputies,  who  also 
share  a  very  great  income  arising  from 
the  sales  of  prizes,  Sec. 

Surrogate.     See  Advocate. 

\\  e  have  given  this  article,  (although 
not  strictly  a  military  one,)  because  the 
navy  and  army,  especially  in  matters  of 
prisage,  may  have  occasion  to  know  the 
several  officers  through  whom  their 
claims  must  pass. 

OFFICIAL.  (Officiel,  elk,  Fr.)  All 
-orders,  reports,  applications,  memorials, 


&c.  which  pass  through  the  regular 
channels  of  communication,  are  called 
official. 

iVon-OFFiciAi.,  matter  which  does  not 
come  within  the  routine  of  official  duty 
or  business. 

£x?r«-OFrrciAL,  any  thing  done  be- 
yond the  limits  of  official  duty. 

OFFICIER,  Fr.  officer;  also  a  ser- 
vant and  attendant  in  a  house  or  pa- 
lace. 

Officier  du  genie,  Fr.  an  engineer. 

Officier  sur  terre,  Fr.  a  land  officer, 
or  any  commissioned  person  in  the  land 
service. 

Officier  de  marine,  Fr.  a  sea  officer . 

Officier  de  la  marine  Anglaise,  Fr.  an 
officer  belonging  to  the  British  navy. 

Officier  de  la  marine  Fruncaise,  Fr. 
an  officer  belonging  to  the  French  navy. 

Officier  sur  met;  Fr.  a  sea  officer,  or 
any  commissioned  person  in  the  sea  ser- 
vice. The  term,  however,  is  not  confined 
to  this  class  only,  it  likewise  signifies  the 
master,  boatswain,  pilot,  &c.  of  a  ship,  in 
which  case  the  latter  are  called  officiers 
muriniers,  in  contradistinction  to  the 
former,  who  are  styled  ojjiciers  de  la  ma- 
rine, or  persons  vvho  have  naval  rank, 
and  whose  immediate  business  is  to  fight 
their  ships.  These  consisted,  in  the  old 
French  service,  of  admirals,  vice-admi- 
rals, lieutenant-generals,  commodores, 
captains  of  ships, or  post  captains,  maj(  irs, 
captains  of  light  frigates,  captains  of  tire 
ships,  captains  of  stores  or  ordnance  ves- 
sels, port  captains,  to  which  may  be 
added,  capitames  en  second,  together  with 
the  lieutenants  and  enseignes  de  vaissekn, 
vhether  actually  employed,  and  bearing 
rank,  or  being  only  en  seamd.  There 
were,  besides,  various  employments  and 
situations  under  the  old  French  govern- 
ment, which  entitled  individuals  to  the 
appellation  of  officier.  Those  of  a  mi- 
litary or  naval  nature  were  generally,  or 
specifically,  as  follows  :— 

Officier  de  guerre,  Fr.  a  commis- 
sioned officer. 

Officier  duns   les  troupes,   Fr.    any 
person    holding  a  military  situation   in 
the  army. 
-  Officier  general,  Fr.  a  general  officer. 

Officier  subaltane,  Fr.  a  subaltern 
officer. 

Les  hauts  Officiers,  Fr.  commis- 
sioned officers. 

Les  bus  Officiers,  Fr.  non-commis- 
sioned officers. 

Officier  de  la  gamison,  Fr.  an  of- 
4D 


OFF 


(     570     ) 


OLD 


ficer  belonging  to  the  garrison  of  a  town, 
or  fortified  place. 

Offu  i er  en  garnison,  Fr.  any  officer 
in  garrison. 

Officiur  au  regiment  des  gardes,  Fr. 
an  officer  belonging  to  the  guards,  fa- 
miliarly styled  with  us  a  Guardsman. 

Officief  dans  la  marine,  Fr.  an  officer 
in  the  marine  service. 

Officii  R  marinier,  Fr.  See  Of  fi- 
lter sur  nter. 

Officiers  a  la  suite,  Fr.  During  the 
existence  of  the  old  French  monarchy  a 
certain  number  of  individuals  were  per- 
mitted to  wear  the  uniform  of  a  regi- 
ment, without  being  otherwise  connected 
■with  it.  These  were  divided  into  two 
classes,  viz. 

Officiers  a  la  suite  d'un  regiment,] 
Fr.  officers  nominally  attached  to  a  re- 
giment. Of  this  description  were  the 
gentlemen  appointed  by  the  German 
princes  who  were  in  alliance  with  France. 
Jt  is  mentioned,  as  a  fact,  that  before 
the  French  Revolution  took  place,  there 
were  42  lieutenant  colonels  a  la  suite  du 
regiment  Deux  Fonts ;  the  prince  of 
that  name  having  been  permitted  to  ex- 
tend this  strange  brevet  to  any  number, 
provided  the  officers  so  distinguished, 
never  went  into  the  town  where  the  re- 
giment lav,  or  interfered  with  regard  to 
quarters,  kc. 

The  other  class  consisted  of  noblemen 
and  gentlemen,  who  were  appointed  by 
the  Court  of  Versailles,  and  received 
their  brevets  from  the  war  minister, 
these  were  called  officiers  a  la  suite  de 
toute  Vartnee;  or  officers  bearing  brevet 
rank  without  being  attached,  even  nomi- 
nally, to  any  specific  corps. 

Sohs-Officif.r,  Fr.  a  subaltern. 
OFF-RECKONINGS,  (dicompte,Yr.) 
v.  specific  account  so  called,  which  exists 
between  government  and  the  colonels  of 
British  regiments,  for  the  clothing  of  the 
men.  This  account  is  divided  into  two 
parts,  viz.  gross  oil-reckonings,  and  net 
otf-reckonings. 

Gross  Off-reckonings  consist  of  all 
the  pay  of  the  non-commissioned  officers 
and  private  men,  above  the  subsistence. 
Net  Off-reckonings  are  the  produce 
of  the  gross  off-reckonings,  reserved  for 
the  clothing  of  the  men,  after  the  war- 
rant deductions  of  one  shilling  in  the 
pound,  and  one  day's  pay  of  the  whole 
regiment  for  Chelsea  hospital,  and  also 
the  deduction  of  two-pence  in  the  pound 
fpr  -the  agent,  have  been  made  at  the 


pay-office.  The  balance  of  the  pay  of 
the  officers,  over  and  above  their  sub- 
sistence, after  the  warrant  deductions 
are  made,  and  the  respited  pay,  if  there 
is  any,  is  charged  to  the  officer,  is  called, 
clearings;  which  are  paid  by  the  pay- 
master to  the  agent,  who  pays  them  to 
the  officers,  and  there  finds  his  two- 
pences. 

OFFING,  (sea  phrase,)  a  space  in 
which  a  ship  may  ride,  or  sail,  having 
the  shore  near  her,  and  having  another 
a  good  way  without  her,  towards  the  sea. 

OFFltlR  ton  cpee  a  auelquun,  Fr.  to 
be  ready  to  tight  for  another,  or  to  engage 
in  his  quarrels. 

OFFUSQUER,  Fr.  literally  means  to 
darken,    or   conceal.      Ce   batiment    est 


off'ustjue  par  les  maisons  voisincs,  this 
building  is  darkened,  or  concealed  from 
the  eye,  by  the  neighbouring  houses.  It 
likewise  signifies,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
to  be  out-done,  or  out-matched.  II  $e 
sent  offusquc,  he  feels  himself  outdone. 
OGEE,  ]  in  pieces  of  ordnance,  an 
OGIVE,  \  ornamental  moulding,  in 
the  shape  of  an  S,  taken  from  architec- 
ture, and  used  in  guns,  mortars,  and 
howitzers.     See  Cannon'. 

Ogive,  (ogive,  Fr.)  In  gothic  vaults, 
those  arches  are  styled  ogives,  or  ogees, 
which  cross  one  another  diagonally. 
The  French  likewise  call  them  croisies 
d'ogives. 

OGNON,  Fr.  literally  means  an  onion. 
The  word  is  sometimes  used  in  a  fami- 
liar manner  by  the  French  to  express 
persons  standing  in  a  row.  Us  itaieni 
tons  en  rang  d'ognon,  they  all  stood 
like  onions  in  a  row. 

OIL.  Every  soldier  is  supplied  with 
a  given  quantity  of  oil  and  emery,  for 
the  purpose  of  cleaning  his  arms,  ac- 
coutrements, &c.  This  is  paid  for  by 
the  captains  of  companies,  who  charge 
the  actual  expenditure  every  half  year, 
under  the  head,  "  Emery,  oil,  crocus, 

&c." 

OISEAU,  Fr.  (in  masonry,)  a  hod, 
or  machine  with  two  handles,  which  is 
used  to  carry  mortar.  See  Volet.  Also 
a  sort  of  pallet,  or  flat  board  which  is 
used  by  masons-;  especially  in  stucco 
work. 

Plan  a  vue  J'Oiseau,  Fr.  any  repre- 
sentation which  is  given  from  a  bird's 
eye  view  of  the  object. 

A  Vol  d'OiSEAV,  Fr.  in  a  direct  line. 

OLD,  a  term  used  to  distinguish  any 
thing  not  new,  or  of  any  specific  dur^- 


O  L  Y 


(    571    ) 


O  N  A 


tion.     As  an  old  regiment,   or  one  of 
long  standing,  and  out  of  the  break. 

Old  English  March,  a  march  of  the 
foot  which  was  formerly  in  high  estima- 
tion, as  well  abroad  as  with  us ;  its  cha- 
racteristic is  dignity  and  gravity,  in 
which  respect  it  differs  much  from  the 
French,  which,  according  to  Mersennus, 
is  brisk  and  alert.  Sir  Roger  Williams, 
a  gallant  low  country  soldier  of  Queen 
Elizabeth's  time,  had  once  a  conversa- 
tion on  this  subject  with  Marshal  Biron, 
a  French  general.  The  marshal  observed 
that  the  English  march,  being  beaten  by 
the  drum,  was  slow,  heavy,  and  sluggish. 
"  That  may  be  true,"  answered  Sir 
Roger ;  "  but  slow  as  it  is,  it  has  tra- 
versed your  master's  country  from  one 
end  to  the  other.''  The  truth  of  this 
observation  has  been  amply  corroborated 
by  the  progress  of  the  British  arms  in 
1815. 

Old  Guard,  a  guard  which  has  done 
its  specified  tour  of  duty,  and  is  to  be 
relieved  by  another,  called  the  New 
Guard. 

Old  Guard,    i  words  of  preparative, 

New  Guard,  S  or  notice  which  are 
used  in  mounting  and  relieving  military 
guards.  The  French  call  these  guards, 
garde  descendante  and  garde  montante, 
or  garde  qui  descende,  and  garde  qui 
tnonte. 

OLIGARCHY,  (oligarchie,  Fr.)  a 
government  composed  of  a  few  indivi- 
duals, who  have  generally  an  interest 
distinct  from  that  of  the  public  at  large  : 
a  mixed  power  more  detestable  than 
thafof  despotism,  or  agrarian  tyranny. 

OLISANT,  a  small  horn  which  was 
formerly  used  by  the  paladins  and 
knights-errant,  when  they  challenged 
their  enemies  to  fight,  and  set  them  at 
defiance. 

OLIVER  and  ROLAND,  two  famous 
heroes  of  romance,  who  are  said  to  have 
lived  in  the  time  of  Charlemagne.  The 
maces  which  they  carried  have  been  thus 
described  by  Father  Daniel : — One  is  a 
large  ball  of  iron,  fastened  with  three 
chains  to  a  strong  truncheon  or  staff,  of 
about  two  feet  long;  the  other  is  of 
mixed  metal,  in  the  form  of  a  channelled 
melon,  fastened  also  to  a  staff  by  a  triple 
chain;  these  balls  weighed  eight  pounds. 
At  rhe  end  of  both  the  staves  are  rings 
for  holding  cords  or  leathers  to  fasten 
them  to  the  hand.  Our  familiar  saying, 
"  I'll  give  you  a  Roland  fur  an  Oliver^'' 
eomts  probably  from  these  heroes. 


OLYMPIAD,  (in  chronology,')  thfj 
space  of  four  years ;  for  on  the  5th  the 
Olympic  games  were  celebrated  in  honour 
of  Jupiter  Olympius,  near  Olympia.  The 
Greeks  began  to  use  this  epoch  a  little 
before  the  building  of  Rome. 

OLYMPIC  Games  were  instituted  by 
Hercules,  A.  M.  2856,  in  honour  of 
Jupiter  Olympius,  at  Olvmpia,  a  city  of 
Elis,  in  Peloponnesus.  They  were  cele- 
brated every  four  years,  about  the  sum- 
mer solstice.  The  design  of  them  was 
to  accustom  the  young  military  men  to 
running,  leaping,  and  every  other  mili- 
tary exercise. 

OMBRE,  scchera  lombre,  Fr.  This 
term  is  in  use  among  the  French  founders 
of  artillery,  when  they  put  the  clay  or 
putty,  which  serves  to  form  the  cannon 
moulds,  out  to  dry,  without  making  any 
tire  for  the  purpose. 

OMRA,  or  OMHRA,  Ind.  plural  of 
ameer,  a  lord  :  they  are  persons  of  con- 
siderable consequence  in  the  dominions 
of  the  Great  Mogul.  Some  of  them  are 
commanders  of  1000  horse,  others  2000, 
and  so  on  to  12,000:  their  pay  being 
regulated  according  to  the  number  of 
their  horses.  The  governors  and  great 
officers  of  state  are  chosen  out  of  this 
body. 

ON,  (en,  sur,  de,  Fr.)  a  word  vari- 
ously used  in  the  English  language,  and 
applicable  to  many  circumstances  of 
military  arrangement.  It  precedes  those 
words  of  command  which  direct  the 
change,  or  formation  of  bodies  of  men 
upon  points  that  are  fixed. 

On  duty,  (en  faction,  Fr.)  posted  at 
some  particular  spot,  and  responsible 
for  some  military  charge  entrusted  to  one. 

On  service,  doing  duty  abroad,  or 
being  subject  to  the  different  movements 
of  an  army  in  the  field,  actually  em- 
ployed.    The  French  say  en  activite. 

On  guard,  (de  gai-de,  Fr.)  subject  to 
some  particular  distribution  of  armed 
men,  for  the  defence,  or  security,  of 
any  place,  person,  or  thing. 

On,  a  word  of  command  in  the  corps 
of  drivers,  signifying  the  same  as  for~ 
ward,  or  move  on. 

O.  H.  M.  S.  Initials  (frequently  writ- 
ten without  any  effect)  upon  the  super- 
scriptions of  letter,  signifying  On  his 
Majesty's  Service. 

ONAGER,  ONAGRA,  (onagre,  Fr.) 
a  warlike  machine,  which  was  used  by 
the  ancients  to  throw  stones.    It  is  men 
tioned  by  Yegetius, 
4D2 


OPE 


(     37 


ONDECAGON,  a  figure  of  eleven 
Bides  and  angles. 

ONGLET,  Fr.  a  sharp -graver. 

Onglet,  Fr.  in  geometry,  that  por- 
tion of  cyHndrical,  pyramidical,  or  uni- 
form body,  which  is  cut  so  as  to  tra- 
verse it.-  base  obliquely. 

Assemblage  en  Onglet,  Fr.  more  pro- 
perly  en  Anglet.  The  joining  two  pieces 
of  board  together,  whose  extremities 
are  so  sloped  as  to  make  a  right  angle. 
Also  a  part  of  the  dam  or  turret  of  a 
sluice. 

ONSET,  assault,  storm,  attack. 

OPEN.  In  military  movements  and 
dispositions  this  word  is  frequently  used, 
but  is  seldom  applicable  to  any  operations 
in  face  of  an  enemy  ;  the  ranks,  Sec.  on 
such  occasions  being  generally  compact 
and  close.  In  formation,  the  word  open 
is  opposed  to  close,  viz.  open  column, 
open  distance,  open  order.  It  also  con- 
stitutes part  of  a  word  of  command  ;  as 
rear  ranks  lake  open  order ;  in  opposi- 
tion to  rear  ranks,  take  close  order. 
•  Open  distance  in  column,  (distances 
entieres  en  co/onne,  Fr.)  The  intervals 
in  these  cases  are  always  equal  in  depth 
to  the  extent  in  front  of  the  different 
component  parts  of  the  column. 

Open  funk  in  fortification,  that  part 
of  the   flank,    which  is  covered  by  the 

Oi'llloil.       See  FoKTIMCATION. 

<  HPE  N 1 NG  of  trenches,  the  first  break- 
nig  of  ground  by  the  besiegers,  in  order 
to  carry  on  their  approaches  towards  the 
place. 

OPERATION,  (operation,  Fr.)  the 
act  of  exerting,  or  exercising  some  power 
or  faculty,  upon  which  some  effect  fol- 
lows.    Hence  Military  Operation. 

Line  "/'Operation.  All  the  forward 
movements  of  an  army  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  an  enemy,  penetrating  into 
a  country,  &c.  may  be  properly  called  a 
line  of  operation.  There  is  so  intimate 
and  so  necessary  a  connection  between 
tin-  line  and  the  line  of  communication, 
that  no  army  can  be  in  security,  let  its 
temporary  successes  be  what  they  may. 
unless  a  strict  and  unremitting  attention 
b  given  to  their  relative  points  of  con- 
tinuity and  correspondence.  The  line 
of  operation  in  a  siege  is  partial  and  ex- 
tremely limited,  so  is  that  of  cominuni- 
1  atioh  ;  but  upon  the  large  scale  of  war, 
th<  se  two  lines  are  of  considerable  extent 
and  importance.  No  man,  in  fact,  can 
be  called  a  good  general,  or  even  an 
officer,  who  carries  his  views  so  far  for- 


2   )  O  P  H 

ward  as  to  venture  upon  a  long  line  of 
operation,  without,  having  previously 
secured  his  line  of  communication,  by 
a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  countries 
through  which  he  is  to  move,  and  having 
his  flank?  so  thorough!;,  covered,  that  he 
may  tail  back,  or  retreat,  according  to 
circumstances. 

Military  I  >PERATIONS,  (operations 
de  guerre,  Fr.)  consist  in  the  resolute  ap- 
plication of  pre-concerted  measures,  in 
secrecy,  dispatch, regular  movements,  oc- 
casional encampments,  and  desultory 
combats,  or  pitched  battles. 

OPHTHALMIA,  (ophthalmic,  Fr.) 
called  Egyptian,  from  its  having  been 
first  imported  into  this  country  by  the 
British  troops  in  1801.  In  consequence 
of  its  general  prevalence  over  all  the  con- 
tinent of  Asia,  it  might  with  more  pro- 
priety be  called  the  Asiatic  inflammation 
of  the  eyes.  The  wandering  tribes  Of 
Arabs,  who  inhabit  the  deserts  between 
Egypt  and  Persia,  and  the  natives  of 
the  latter  country  as  well  as  those  of 
India,  are  severely  afflicted  by  it.  In 
India  it  is  called  the  native  soi-e  eyes, 
whi  r*  the  inhabitants  almost  uniformly 
suffer  from  it  at  certain  periods  of  the 
year. 

Its  appearance  and  character  are  so 
peculiar  that  it  can  scarcely  be  con- 
founded with  any  but  with  one  species 
of  ophthalmia.  The  most  distinguished 
peculiarities  are  a  copious  discharge  of  a 
thick  matter  from  the  membrane  which 
lines  the  inner  surface  of  the  eye-lids, 
and  afterwards  covers  the  ball  called 
the  membrana  conjunctiva,  together  with 
a  great  swelling  of  the  parts  situated  ex- 
ternally to  it.  The  conjunctiva  is  the 
original  seat  of  disease,  and  when  other 
parts  become  affected,  as  happens  in 
most  instances,  it  is  in  consequence  of 
the  inflammation  being  permitted  to  ex- 
tend itself  from  the  want  of  proper  treat- 
ment in  the  first  instance,  'ihe  species 
of  inflammation  to  which  the  Egyptian, 
or  Asiatic,  bears  so  strong  a  resemblance, 
is  the  Gonorrhoea],  but  it  nevertheless 
differs  most  materially  from  it,  inasmuch 
as  it  is  in  the  highest  degree  infectious, 
whereas  the  gonorrhoeal  ophthalmia  is 
not  so.  This  difference  then  will  Vie 
sufficient  to  enable  any  medical,  or  mi- 
•litary,  officer  to  distinguish  between  the 
two  diseases. 

Various  causes  have  been  assigned  for 
the  production  of  this  dreadfully  painful 
and  destructive  disease.     Some  have  at- 


O  P  II 


(     573     ) 


O  P  I 


tributed  it  to  the  effects  of  the  strong 
glare  of  light  reflected  into  the  eyes  from 
the  sands  in  Egypt.  Others  believe  it  to 
have  been  produced  by  the  nitrous  parti- 
cles with  which  the  air  in  Egypt  is  highly- 
impregnated.  -The  exposure  to  the  heavy 
nightly  dews  too  in  Egypt  has  been  men- 
tionedj  as  well  as  the  state  of  the  atmos- 
phere in  that  country,  to  account  for  its 
prevalence.  The  extensive  manner  in 
which  the  disease  in  question  has  propa- 
gated itself  among  all  classes  of  society 
in  this  country,  since  the  return  of  the 
Egyptian  army,  where  no  such  causes  us 
those  enumerated  exist,  is  sufficient  to 
prove  incontrovertibly  that  it  is  a  disease 
sui  generis,  and  consequently  not  to  be 
produced,  or  propagated,  except  by  the 
immediate  application  of  the  contagious 
principle  One  fact  mentioned  by  Sir 
J.  M'Gregor  in  his  Medical  Sketches,  is 
of  itself  sufficient,  without  any  other  evi- 
dence, to  establish  this  position,  namely, 
that  no  individual  of  the  Indian  army, 
under  Sir  David  Baird,  ever  suffered 
from  ophthalmia  during  several  weeks 
march  from  the  Red  Sea  to  cross  the 
sandy  deserts  to  join  the  British  army  in 
Egypt,  until  some  of  the  sick  were  put 
into  a  military  hospital,  where  there 
were  ophthalmia  patients,  after  which 
this  part  of  the  army  suffered  as  much 
as  the  European.  Hence  then,  if  the 
action  of  the  supposed  causes  of  the 
Asiatic  ophthalmia  could  have  produced 
it,  this  army  during  its  march  ought  to 
have  suffered  from  it,  but  this  did  not 
happen  until  the  men  had  been  exposed 
to  the  operation  of  the  contagious  prin- 
ciple. 

A  considerable  difference  of  opinion 
prevails  also  among  the  faculty,  as  to  the 
precise  mode  in  which  the  disease  propa- 
gates itself,  some  being  of  opinion  that 
the  absolute  conveyance  of  the  discharge 
from  an  infected  eye  to  one  which  is 
sound  is  necessary  -to  produce  the 
ophthalmia  in  question ;  while  others 
argue  that  this  is  not  necessary,  as,  in 
common  with  other  contagious  disorders, 
the  infectious  principle  is  capable  ot 
being  communicated  throusrh  the  me- 
dium of  the  atmosphere.  The  writer  of 
this  article  is  in  the  possession  of  facts 
to  prove  that  the  contact  of  the  infec- 
tious matter  is  not  necessary  for  the  pro- 
pagation of  the  disease,  and  he  has  even 
known  it  communicated  to  persons  who 
occupied  a  room  previously  appropriated 


to  the  use  of  infected  persons,  although 
the  necessary  precautions  of  washing 
the  bedding,  &c.  had  been  taken.  This 
fact  then  will  in  part  explain  the  diffi- 
culty experienced  in  eradicating  the  dis- 
ease when  it  has  been  introduced  into  a 
regiment;  and  may,  perhaps,  in  some 
measure  also  account  for  its  dissemina- 
tion when  it  has  been  supposed  that 
the  men  have  infected  each  other  tor  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  their  discharge.  As 
the  precautions  usually  adopted  in  the 
army  to  prevent  the  spreading  of  the 
ophthalmia  in  question,  are  directed 
under  the  impression  that  it  is  commu- 
nicable solely  by  contact,  it  is  not  sur- 
prizing that  it  should  continue  to  spread 
in  a  regiment,  when  the  other  mode  of 
its  propagation  has  been  entirely  over- 
looked, together  with  the  measures  ne- 
cessary for  its  prevention.  These  state- 
ments evidently  shew  the  necessity  of 
legislative  interference  to  prevent  this 
disease  from  eventually  becoming  as  pre- 
valent among  the  general  population  as 
any  of  the  most  frequent  disorders  met 
with  in  this  country. 

OPINIATRE,  Fr.  a  term  among  the 
French,  signifying  obstinate;  fool-hardy. 
They  apply  it  to  a  governor  of  a  town 
which  is  besieged  by  superior  forces,  and 
which  cannot  hold  out. 

OPEN  ION.  In  military  proceedings 
which  regard  the  interior  government  of 
an  army,  this  word  signifies  decision, 
determination,  judgment  formed  upon 
matters  that  have  been  laid  before  a 
court-martial,  or  court  of  inquiry. — 
Hence,  the  court-martial  having  duly 
weighed  the  whole  matter  before  them, 

are  of  opinion  that is  not  guilty 

of    any   part    of  the   charge    preferred 
against  him. 

The  phrase  opinion  of  a  court-martial, 
or  board  of  inquiry,  corresponds,  in  sub- 
stance and  signification,  with  the  term 
verdict  in  civil  cases. 

Opinion.  Officers  on  courts-martial 
give  their  opinion  in  rotation,  beginning 
with  the  youngest  in  rank. 

Opinion,  abstractly  considered,  may 
be  defined  an  assent  of  the  understanding. 

A  war  of  Opinion,  (guerre  d'opinion, 
Fr.)  This  expression  has  grown  into  fa- 
miliar use,  since  the  commencement  of 
the  French  Revolution,  and  was  never, 
perhaps,  so  strongly  illustrated  as  by  the 
perseverance  or  infatuation,  call  it  which 
we  please,  of  the  French  people.     Th^y 


O  P  P 


(    574    ) 


()  11  13 


have  shewn,  that  the  influence  of  opinion 
is  paramount  to  every  consideration  in 
life.  Friend,  parent,  and  relation,  have 
given  way  to  the  superior  calls  of  public 
duty,  growing  out  of,  and  sanctioned  by, 
public  opinion. 

OPIUM,  a  juice,  partly  of  the  resi- 
nous, partly  of  the  gummy  kind.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Johnson's  extract  from 
Hill,  it  is  brought  from  Natolia,  Egypt, 
and  the  East  Indies,  produced  from  the 
white  garden  poppy,  with  which  the 
fields  of  Asia  Minor  are  in  many  places 
sown.  The  first  effect  of  opium  is 
making  the  person  who  takes  it  cheerful ; 
it  removes  melancholy,  and  dissipates 
the  dread  of  danger.  The  Turks  always 
take  it  when  they  are  going  to  battle  :  it 
afterwards  quiets  the  spirits,  eases  pain, 
and  disposes  to  sleep.  A  remarkable 
instance,  of  the  powerful  influence  of 
opium  over  the  natives  of  the  East  is 
related  by  Mr.  Orme,  in  his  History  of 
the  Carnatic,  page  270. 

OPPORTUNITY.  In  addition  to 
what  has  been  said  respecting  Occasion, 
which  is  nearly  similar  to  opportunity  in 
its  import,  we  shall  extract  the  follow- 
ing account  of  the  latter,  which  was 
also  honoured  as  a  goddess  among  the 
pagans.  Opportunity  was  represented 
by  them  as  a  naked  woman,  with  a  long 
lock  of  hair,  but  bald  behind,  to  inti- 
mate, that  opportunity,  if  not  laid  hold 
on  when  it  offers,  soon  slips  away ;  also 
standing  with  one  foot  on  a  wheel,  and 
the  other  in  the  air,  holding  a  sail  in  one 
band,  and  a  razor  in  the  other  :  her  feet 
likewise  being  winged,  and  the  wheel  in 
continual  motion,  to  shew  that  oppor- 
tunity is  always  inconstant  and  in  mo- 
tion. 

To  OPPOSE,  to  act  as  an  adversary 
against  another,  to  resist,  Sec.  It  like- 
wise signifies  to  place  as  an  obstacle. 

OPPOSITION,  (in  geometry,)  the 
relations  of  two  things,  between  which 
a  line  may  be  drawn  perpendicular  to 
both. 

Opposition,  (in  England,)  a  certain 
set  of  parliamentary  men,  among  whom 
there  are,  at  times,  military  characters, 
whose  almost  uniform  system  is  to  op- 
pose the  measures  of  government.  These 
persons  are  also  familiarly  called  the 
Outs,  in  contradistinction  to  the  Ins,  i.  e. 
out  of  place,  or  in  place.  The  French 
say,  Le  Parti  del Opposition,  or  simply, 
V Opposition. 
Opposition,  hostile  resistance;  as,  the 


army  did  not  experience  any  opposition 
in  that  quarter. 

To  OPPRESS,  (opprimer,  Fr.)  to 
overburthen,  to  crush  by  authority  and 
violence. 

OPPRESSOR,  (opprc.sseur,  Fr.)  Al- 
though the  terms  oppressor  and  tyrant 
may  appear  svnonhnous,  there  is,  never- 
theless, a  shade  of  difference  between 
them.  Oppressor  means  more  immedi- 
ately that  prince,  general,  or  governing 
power,  which  levies  contributions,  and 
imposes  taxes  beyond  the  means  of  the 
wretched  and  degraded  victims  to  supe- 
rior force;  a  tyrant  takes  life  as  well  as 
property. 

OPPUGN.  To  oppugn,  is  to  attack 
by  force  of  arms.  The  term  is  not 
used.  It  also  signifies  to  reject  or  con- 
fute an  opinion ;  and,  in  a  bad  sense,  to 
resist  conviction;  as,  to  oppugn  the  known 
truth. 

OPTER,  Fr.  from  the  Latin  opto,  I 
chuse,  I  select  in  preference ;  to  de- 
termine upon,  to  express  a  particular 
wish.  Thus,  in  the  conference  which 
Bonaparte  had  with  Ferdinand  VII. 
of  Spain,  in  1801,  he  concluded  his 
conversation  by  saying :  Prince  !  Ilfaut 
opter  entre  la  cession  et  la  mort — Prince, 
you  must  chuse  between  the  surrender  of 
your  dominions,  or  death. 

ORANGE,  a  term  applied  to  those 
persons  who  adhered  to  the  stadtholder. 
Hence,  Orange  party  ;  also  a  set  of  men 
in  Ireland  who  are  strongly  attached  to 
government. 

ORB,  a  hollow  sphere. 
Orb,  in  tactics,  is  the  disposing  of  a 
number  of  soldiers  in  a  circular  form  of 
defence.  The  orb  has  been  thought  of 
consequence  enough  to  employ  the  at- 
tention of  the  famous  Marshal  de  Puy- 
sf  grr,  in  his  Art  oj  War,  who  prefers 
this  position,  to  throw  a  body  of  infantry 
in  a.i  open  country,  to  resist  cavalry,  or 
even  a  superior  force  of  infantry ;  be- 
cause it  is  regular,  and  equally  strong, 
and  gives  an  enemy  no  reason  to  expect 
better  success  by  attacking  one  place,  in 
preference  to  another.  Caesar  drew  up 
his  army  in  this  form,  when  he  fought 
against  Labienus.  The  whole  army  of 
the  Gauls  was  formed  into  an  orb,  under 
the  command  of  Sabinus  and  Cotta, 
when  fighting  against  the  Romans.  The 
orb  was  generally  formed  6  deep.' 

ORBE,  Fr.  (in  geometry,)  a  sphe- 
rical body  which  is  terminated  by  two 
spherical  superficies,  one  concave,  and 


ORD 


(     575     ) 


ORD 


or  Judgment 


the  other  convex.  Thus  when  a  small 
9phere  is  circumscribed  by  a  larger  one, 
and  has  the  same  center,  the  difference 
is  an  orbc. 

ORDEAL,  (ordalie,  Fr.)  a  method 
practised  about  the  time  of  Edward  the 
Confessor,  of  trying  criminal  persons, 
by  fire  or  water.  This  mode  of  trial 
also  prevailed  in  France.  It  was  there 
called  Jugement  de  Dieu, 
of  God. 

Simple  Ordeal  was  when  the  person 
accused  carried  in  his  hand  a  red  hot 
iron  of  a  pound  weight. 

Double  Ordeal  was  when  he  cairied 
a  hot  iron  of  two  pounds  weight. 

Triple  Ordeal  was  when  he  carried 
a  hot  iron  of  three  pounds  weight.  If 
the  person  accused  pleaded  not  guilty, 
he  might  either  put  himself  upon  God 
and  his  country,  as  at  this  day,  or  upon 
God  only,  presuming  that  he  would  free 
the  innocent.  In  which  case  he  was 
obliged  to  go  through  one  of  the  above 
trials.  Ordeal  was  by  fire,  if  the  person 
were  of  free  estate ;  by  water,  if  he  were 
of  servile  condition. 

ORDER,  the  arrangement,  or  dispo- 
sition of  things  in  their  proper  place ; 
custom,  or  manner,  rule,  or  discipline  ; 
as  order  of  march,  &c. 

Order  of  battle,  the  arrangement  or 
disposition  of  the  different  component 
parts  of  an  army,  in  one  or  more  lines, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
for  the  purpose  of  engaging  an  enemy, 
by  giving  or  receiving  an  attack,  or  in 
order  to  be  reviewed,  &c.  When  the 
line  is  drawn  out  for  battle,  each  man, 
in  the  infantry,  is  supposed  to  cover  22 
inches  of  ground  in  breadth,  and  one 
pace  in  depth. 

Parade  Order.     When  a  regiment  of 
horse  or  foot,  a  troop,  or  company,  is 
drawn  up  with  the  ranks  open  and 
officers  in  front,  it  is  said  to  be  in 
■Tade  order. 

Close  Order.  When  a  battalion  or 
company  is  commanded  to  take  close 
order,  at  the  word  march,  the  ranks 
(supposing  the  men  to  stand  three  deep) 
close  within  one  pace,  marching  one  and 
two  paces,  and  then  halting.  So  that 
close  order,  in  ranks,  comprehends  an  in- 
terval of  one  pace  between  each. 

Open  Order.  When  a  battalion,  or 
company,  is  commanded  to  take  open 
order,  on  the  word  march,  the  dressers 
front,  and  the  center  and  rear  ranks  fall 


the 
pa- 


back  one  and  two  paces,  each  dressing 
by  the  right  the  instant  it  arrives  on  the 
ground.  So  that  open  order  compre- 
hends an  interval  of  two  paces  between 
each  rank. 

Extended  Order  is  preparatory  to 
rank  entire,  and  is  frequently  practised 
in  light  infantry  manoeuvres.  In  order 
to  execute  this  movement,  the  files  of  a 
battalion,  or  company,  standing  two 
deep,  open  from  a  given  point,  leaving 
just  space  enough  for  one  man.  Some- 
times, (and  indeed  almost  always,  when 
the  ground  will  permit,)  extended  order 
is  taken  by  facing  the  battalion,  or  com- 
pany, to  the  right,  or  left,  and  by  march- 
ing to  either  flank,  until  the  whole  has 
gradually  doubled  its  original  front. — 
This  mode  is  extremely  simple,  and  con- 
sists in  nothing  more  than  open  order  of 
files  from  the  right  or  left.  The  batta- 
lion or  company,  after  it  has  obtained  all 
its  relative  distances,  and  been  halted,  is 
fronted,  and  each  rear  rank  man  springs 
into  the  vacancy  on  the  word  of  com- 
mand— Form  rank  entire.  • 

Entire,  when  applied  to  rank,  means 
a  straight  line  composed  of  half  files. — 
See  Rank  Entire. 

Extended  Order  may  likewise  be 
taken  without  facing  to  the  right  or  left. 
This  is  effected  by  every  file  moving 
sideways  to  a  given  distance  ;  say  one 
pace,  or  twenty-two  inches,  (which  ex- 
tent of  ground  a  man  generally  covers,) 
from  the  center  file.  The  word  of  com- 
mand in  this  case  would  be,  battalion, 
or  company,  side  step  to  the  right  and 
left,  march — halt.  The  center  file  stands 
fast. 

Loose  Order,  a  certain  extension  of 
the  files,  in  line,  or  column,  in  contra- 
distinction to  close  order ;  which  see. 

Watering  Order.  In}  cavalry  ar- 
rangements, the  men  are  in  their  stable 
dresses ;  horse-cloths  on  the  horses,  and 
snaffle  bridles ;  the  horses  are  watered, 
walked  and  trotted  for  exercise. 

Order  Arms!  a  word  of  command, 
on  which  the  soldier  brings  the  butt  of 
his  musket  to  the  ground,  the  barrel 
being  held  perpendicular  in  a  line  with 
the  right  side. 

ORDERS,  in  a  military  sense,  com- 
prehend all  that  is  lawfully  commanded 
by  superior  officers.  Orders  are  issued 
out  every  day,  whether  in  camp,  garri- 
son, or  on  a  march,  by  the  cpminanding 
officer;    which    orders    are   afterwards 


ORD 


(     57G     ) 


ORD 


riven  to  every  officer  in  writing  by  their 
respective  Serjeants. 

y</?tv-ORDF.RS,  instructions  which  are 
given,  subsequent  to  the  regular  com- 
munication of  orders,  through  the  bri- 
gade-majors, &.c.  All  orders,  whether 
general,  garrison,  or  regimental,  that  are 
issued  after  the  first  distribution  of  mi- 
litary directions,  are  so  called. 

Beating  ORDERS,  an  authority  given  to 
an  individual,  empowering  him  to  raise 
men,  by  beat  of  drum,  for  any  particular 
regiment,  or  for  general  service.  It  con- 
sists of  a  warrant  which  is  originally 
signed  by  the  king,  and  from  which  co- 
pies are  taken  and  signed  by  the  secre- 
tary at  war,  and  countersigned  by  the 
under-secretary. 

Brigade  Orders,  orders  which  are 
issued  by  the  generals  commanding, 
through  the  brigade-majors,  to  the  se- 
veral adjutants  of  regiments,  for  ihe  go- 
vernment of  corps  that  do  duty  together, 
or  are  brigaded. 

Commander  in  Chief's  Orders.  Such 
orders  as  issue  directly  from  the  com- 
mander in  chief's  office  for  the  govern- 
ment, of  the  army  at  large,  or  for  any 
specific  purpose.  These  orders  are  sanc- 
tioned by  the  king,  and  are  irrevocable 
elsewhere. 

District  Orders,  orders  which  are 
issued  by  the  general  commanding  a 
district. 

Garrison  Orders,  such  orders  and 
instructions  as  are  given  by  the  gover- 
nor, or  commanding  officer,  of  a  town  or 
fortified  place. 

General  Orders,  are  such  as  are  is- 
sued out  bv  the  general  who  commands, 
who  gives  them  in  writing  to  the  adju- 
tant-general, who  first  sends  exact  co- 
pies to  the  general  officers  of  the  day, 
and  distributes  them  at  hi*  own  quarters 
to  all  the  brigade-majors,  who  daily  go 
to  head-quarters  for  that  purpose;  where 
they  write  down  every  thing  that  is 
dictated  to  them  :  thence  they  go  and 
give  the  orders,  at  the  place  appointed 
tor  that  purpose,  to  the  different  majors 
or  adjutants  of  the  regiments  which 
compose  that  brigade,  who  first  read 
them  to  their  colonels  and  lieutenant- 
colonels,  or  majors,  and  then  dictate 
them  to  the  Serjeants  of  companies.  This 
is  more  frequently  done  by  the  serjeant- 
major.  The  different  Serjeants  write 
them  correctly  down  in  their  respective 
orderly-books,  and  bring  them  to  all  the 


officers  belonging  to  the  troop  or  com- 
pany. 

Bass  Orders,  written  directions  to 
the  sentries,  txe.  belonging  to  outposts, 
&c.  to  sutler  the  bearer  to  go  through 
the  tamp,  or  garrison,  unmolested. 

Regimental  Orders,  such  orders  and 
instruction-  as  grow  out  of  general  or 
garrison  orders,  or  proceed  immediately 
from  the  commanding  officer  of  a  regi- 
ment. 

Sailing  Orders,  final  instructions 
which  are  given  to  ships  of  war. 

Standing  Orders,  certain  general  rules 
and  instructions  which  are  to  be  inva- 
riably followed,  and  are  not  subject  to 
the  temporary  intervention  of  rank.  Of 
this  description  are  those  orders  which 
the  colonel  of  a  regiment  may  judge  fit  to 
have  inserted  in  the  orderly  books,  and 
which  cannot  be  altered  by  the  next  in 
command,  without  the  colonel's  concur- 
rence. 

Station  Orders,  orders  issued  by  the 
commanding  officer  of  some  particular 
station  or  military  post,  for  its  interior 
government. 

Military  ORDERS,  companies  of 
knights,  instituted  by  kings  and  princes: 
either  tor  defence  of  the  faith,  or  to 
confer  marks  of  honour  on  their  military 
subjects.     They  are  chiefly  as  follow  : 

Ordlk  of  the  Bear,  a  military  order 
in  Switzerland,  erected  by  the  Emperor 
Frederick  II.  in  1213,  by  way  of  acknow- 
ledgment for  the  service  the  Swiss  had 
done  him,  and  in  favour  of  the  Abbey 
of  St.  Gall.  To  the  collar  of  the  order 
hung  a  medallion,  on  which  was  repre- 
sented a  bear,  raised  on  an  eminence  of 
earth. 

Order  of  the  Amaranth,  instituted  in 
the  year  1045,  by  Christina  queen  of 
Sweden,  in  honour  of  a  lady  of  the  name 
of  Amaranta,  equally  celebrated  for 
beauty  and  virtue.  It  did  not  survive 
the  founders  of  it.  The  ensign  of  the 
order  was  a  jewel  of  gold,  composed  of 
two  great  A's,  one  erect,  the  other  inver- 
ted, and  interwoven  together,  enriched 
on  both  sides  with  diamonds,  and  set 
within  a  wreath  of  laurel  leaves,  banded 
about  with  white,  wherein  was  this  moto, 
Duke  nellu  memoria. 

Argonauts  of  St.  Aico/as  was  the  name 
of  a  military  order  instituted  by  Charles 
III.  king  of  .Naples,  in  the  year  1382, 
for  the  advancement  of  navigation,  or, 
as  some  authors  say,  merely  for  preserv- 


ORD 


(   $rr   ) 


ORD 


ing  amity  among  the  nobles.  They  wore 
a  collar  of  shells,  inclosed  in  a  silver 
crescent,  whence  hung  a  ship  with  this 
device,  Non  credo  tempori. 

Order  of  Calatrava,  a  Spanish  mili- 
tary order.  It  was  instituted  in  1158, 
bv  Don  Sancho,  of  Toledo.  The  habit 
of  these  knights  is  a  black  garment,  with 
a  red  cross  upon  the  breast. 

Oruer  of'  Alcantara,  a  Spanish  mili- 
tary order.  It  was  established  by  Fer- 
dinand II.  king  of  Leon  and  Castile,  in 
1170.  The  badge  of  the  order  is  a  gold 
cross,  enamelled  green,  and  worn  pen- 
dent to  a  broad  ribbon  on  the  breast. 

Order  of  St.  James,  instituted  by 
Ferdinand  II.  in  1175.  These  knights 
had  the  privilege  of  vyearing  their  hats 
in  the  chapter,  in  the  presence  of  their 
sovereign. 

Order  of  St.  Michael,  (Ordre  de  St. 
Michel,  Fr.)  instituted  at  Amboise,  in 
14G9,  by  Lewis  XL  in  the  ninth  year  of 
his  reign,  in  honour  of  the  important 
services  done  to  France  by  that  archan- 
gel at  the  siege  of  Orleans,  where  he  is 
supposed  to  have  appeared  at  the  head 
of  the  French  troops,  disputing  the  pas- 
sage of  a  bridge,  and  to  have  repulsed 
the  attack  of  the  English,  whose  affairs 
ever  afterwards  declined  in  that  king- 
dom. The  order  is  a  rich  collar,  with 
the  image  of  that  saint  pendent  thereto  ; 
with  this  inscription,  Immensi  tremor 
Kami. 

Order  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  instituted 
by  Henry  III.  of  France,  in  1579.  The 
number  of  knights  is  100,  besides  the 
sovereign,  who  is  always  grand  master. 

Order  of  St.  Louis,  instituted  by 
Louis  XIV.  in  the  year  1693.  Until  the 
revolution  of  France,  this  order  remain- 
ed entirely  in  the  possession  of  military 
men,  ever  since  its  institution,  and  was 
of  singular  use  in  keeping  up  the  spirit, 
and  rewarding  the  services,  of  those  who 
had  distinguished  themselves.  The  num- 
ber of  knights  was  unlimited,  being  given 
to  every  man  of  merit.  The  order  was 
a  golden  cross,  with  eight  points,  which 
hung  pendent  to  a  broad  crimson  rib- 
band. The  motto  BeUkce  virtulis  pre- 
mium. It  was  worn  by  the  exiled  emi- 
grants, and  was  occasionally  bestowed 
by  Louis  XVIII.  before  his  restoration. 

Order  of  Mount  Carmel.  The  time 
of  its  institution  is  uncertain  ;  but  it  was 
revived  by  Henry  IV.  in  1007. 

Order  of  St.   Lazarus  is  of  a  very 


early  institution,  but  has  been  often 
neglected,  and  as  often  revived,  till 
Louis  XV.  united  the  order  of  Mount 
Carmel  and  St.  Lazarus  in  April,  1722. 
'  Order  of'  the  hiights  of  Malta.  See 
Malta. 

Order  of  the  knights  of  the  Garter. 
See  Garter. 

Order  if  the  Bath.  This  order  was 
instituted  in  England,  at  the  coronation 
of  king  Henry  IV.  1399,  and  made  a  sta- 
tutable order  by  king  George  I.  in  1725, 
to  consist  of  the  Sovereign,  a  Prince  of 
the  blood  royal,  and  thirty-five  Compa- 
nions, making  38  stalls. 

In  consequence  of  our  recent  signal 
successes  by  sea  and  land,  it  was  found 
expedient  to  increase  this  number  by  the 
appointment  of  extra  or  supernumerary 
knights  ;  and  at  length  H.  It.  H.  the 
Prince  Regent  was  pleased  on  the  2d 
January,  1815,  to  decree  that  the  order 
should  thenceforward  consist  of  three 
classes,  viz.  1st.  Knights  Gi'aud  Crosses, 
— 2d.  Knights  CommanderSy  and  3d. 
Companions. 

The  number  of  the  Knights  Grand 
Crosses  was  limited  to  72,  (exclusive  of 
the  Sovereign  and  of  the  Princes  of  the 
blood  royal,  and  Honorary  Members,) 
and  of  these,  12  were  to  be  for  civil  or 
diplomatic  services.  No  officer  can  be 
made  a  Grand  Cross  who  has  not  pre- 
viously been  a  Knight  Commander.  The 
Knights  Commanders  are  not  to  exceed 
180,  exclusive  of  Honorary  Commanders. 
The  Companions  are  not  limited  in  num- 
ber, and  must  all  be  nominated  for  mili- 
tary or  naval  services. 

The  1st  class,  or  Grand  Crosses,  wear 
a  Star  of  silver  rays,  having  in  the  center 
a  cross  of  eight  points,  and  thereon  within 
the  circle,  motto  and  wreath  of  the  order, 
three  imperial  crowns,  and  a  broad  crim- 
son ribband  from  the  right  shoulder  to 
the  left  side,  and  pendent  therefrom  the 
Badge  of  the  Order,  viz.  a  cross  of  eight 
points,  enamelled  argent,  edged  gold, 
having  in  each  of  the  four  angles,  a 
Lion  passant  guardant  crow  ned  or,  and 
in  the  center  of  the  said  cross,  three 
crowns  gold  within  the  circle  and  motto 
of  the  order,  surrounded  by  two  branches 
of  laurel  issuing  from  an  escrol  azure, 
thereon  inscribed,  Ich  dien. 

The  Civil  Knights  Grand  Crosses  wear 
the  former  insignia  of  the  order. 

The  Commanders  wear  a  similar  rib- 
band round  the  neck,  and  pendent  there- 
4E 


O  R  D 


(     570     ) 


O  R  D 


from,  the  Badge  smaller  in  size,  and  on 
the  breast  a  star  itt  the  turin  of  a  cross 
patte,  in  the  center  thereof  three  crowns 
within  the  circle  and  motto  of  the  order, 
surrounded  by  two  branches  of  laurel 
issuing  as  before  described. 

The    Companions  wear  a  Badge   as 


above  described,  but  smaller,  pendent 
from  the  button  hole  by  a  narrow  red 
ribband. — Ribband  of  the  Order  Red. 
Motto  Tria juncta  in  l'm<. 

N.B.  No  officer  under  the  rank  of 
major-general  or  rear-admiral  can  in  fu- 
ture lie  nominated  a  knight  commander. 


INSIGNIA  OF  THE  MOST  HONOURABLE  MILITARY 
ORDER   OF  THE  BATH. 

STAR  OF  A  MILITARY  KNIGHT  GRAND  CROSS. 


BADGE  OF  THE  ORDER. 


ORD  (   579   )  ORD 

STAR  OF  A  MILITARY  KNIGHT  COMMANDER. 


Royal  Hanoverian  Gvelphic  Order. 
This  order  was  instituted  12th  August, 
1815,  by  H.  R.  H.  the  Prince  Regent,  to 
commemorate  the  fidelity  and  bravery 
of  his  Hanoverian  subjects. — It  consists 
of  three  classes,  Knights  Grand  Crosses, 
Knights  Commanders,  and  Knights. — 
Each  class  is  divided  into  military  and 
civil  members. — The  Star  of  the  Grand 
Crosses  is  of  silver  rays,  having  in  the 
center  on  a  red  field  a  horse  courant, 
argent,  within  a  light  blue  circle  thereon 
the  motto  Nee  aspera  terrent,  surrounded 
by  a  wreath. 

The  Military  Grand  Crosses  have  the 
wreath  of  Laurel,  and  over  the  rays  two 
swords  in  saltire  gold. 

The  Civil  Grand  Crosses  have  a 
wreath  of  Oak,  but  no  swords. 

The  Badge  is  worn  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  Badge  of  the  Garter,  pendent  from 
a  light  blue  watered  ribband,  and  is  a 
cross  of  eight  points  of  gold,having  in  the 
four  angles  a  Lion  passant,  and  enamelled 
in  the  center,  on  one  side  the  horse  with- 
in the  circle,  motto  and  wreath  as  above 
described,  and  on  the  reverse  within  the 
said  circle,  motto  and  wreath,  the  royal 
cipher  and  crown.  The  whole  Badge  is 
surmounted  by  the  Royal  Crown  of  Ha- 
nover. 

The  Commanders  wear  the  same  Badge 
pendent  from  a  narrow  light  blue  rib- 
band round  the  neck,  and  on  the  breast 
a  star  of  eight  points  having  the  same 


center  as  that  of  the  Grand  Crosses ;  and 
the  military  Commanders,  in  addition, 
bear  the  swords  in  saltire. 

The  Knights  wear  the  Badge  pendent 
from  a  narrow  ribband  of  the  same  co- 
lour, from  the  button  hole. 

Order  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  institu- 
ted bv  Philip  duke  of  Burgundy,  sur- 
named  the  Good,  in  1429.     See  Fleece. 

Order  of  the  Annunciation,  (Ordr'e  de 
V  Anonciade,  Fr.)  instituted  by  Amadeo, 
Count  of  Savoy,  surnamed  the  Green, 
in  memory  of  Amadeo,  the  first  carl,  who 
had  valorously  defended  the  island  of 
Rhodes  against  the  Turks.  The  collar 
of  the  order  is  composed  of  golden 
roses,  enamelled  red  and  white,  with 
lover's  knots  of  the  same,  but  not  ena- 
melled :  between  the  knots  are  inter- 
laced the  letters,  F.  E.  R.  T.  alluding  to 
the  defence  of  Rhodes  by  Amadeo,  and 
signify  Fortitudo  ejus  Rliodum  tenuit: 
To  the  end  of  the  middle  rose  of  the 
collar  is  pendent  the  badge,  which  con- 
sists of  three  chains  of  gold,  encircling 
an  oval,  and  disposed  in  knots  ;  on  the 
oval  is  represented  the  Salutation,  as 
related  by  St.  Luke. 

Order  of  the  Knights  Templars,  insti- 
tuted at  Jerusalem  about  the  year  1119. 
At  first  there  were  but  nine  of  the  or- 
der, and  the  two  principal  persons  were 
Hugo  de  Paganis,  and  Jeolfroy  of  St. 
Omer's.  The  knights  of  this  order,  after 
having  performed  many  great  exploits 
4E2 


O  II  D 


(     580     ) 


O  It  D 


against  the  infidels,  became  rich  and 
powerful ovef  all  Europe;  when,  on  the 
'.".'(1  of  May,  131  I,  the  pope,  Clement  V. 

by  liis  bull,  pronounced  tlu*  extinction 
of  tlic  order,  and  united  their  estates 
tn  the  order  of  St.  John  of  Jerusalem. 
They  took,  the  name  of  Templars,  be- 
cause  their  first  habitation  stood  near 
the  temple,  dedicated  to  our  Saviour,  at 
Jerusalem.  The  first  settling  of  this 
order  in  England  (according  to  Dugdale) 
Mas  in  Uolhorn,  in  London;  but  their 
chief  residence  in  the  reign  of  King 
Henry  II.  was  the  Temple,  in  Fleet- 
street,  which  was  erected  by  them,  and 
the  church  (built  alter  the  form  of  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem)  dedicated  to  God 
and  our  blessed  Lady,  by  Herarlius, 
patriarch  of  Jerusalem,  in  the  year  118.3. 

Order  of  the  knighh  of  St..  Jaso,  in- 
stituted by  king  Ramico,  of  Spain,  in 
commemoration  of  a  victory  obtained 
against  the  Moors,  .A.  1).  1030.  Their 
ensign  is  a  red  cross  in  form  of  a  sword. 

Order  of  the  knights  of  Hie  band,, 
erected  by  Alphonso  XI.  king  of  Spain, 
in  the  year  1S3Q.  Their  name  pro- 
ceeded from  the  knights  wearing  a  red 
scarf,  or  lace  of  silk,  the  breadth  of 
three  inches,  which  hung  on  their  left 
shoulder. 

Order  of  the  knights  of  the  Redemp- 
tion, erected  in  the  kingdom  of  Arragon, 
by  king  James,. who  conquered  the  island 
Of  Majorca  in  the  year  1212.  Their 
garments  are  white,  with  a  black  cross 
thereon. 

Order  of  the  Teutonic  knights,  esta- 
blished towards  the  close  of  the  12th 
century,  and  thus  called,  as  chiefly  con- 
sisting of  Germans,  anciently  called 
Teutons. 

Order  of  the  knights  of  St.  Stephen, 
instituted  in  the  year  1561,  by  Cosmo, 
duke  of  Florence.  They  wear  a  red 
cross  with  a  border  of  gold. 

ORDER  of  merit,  instituted  by  Fre- 
deric III.  king  of  Prussia,  in  1?  10,  as 
a  reward  to  those  officers  whose  beha- 
viour deserved  some  marks  of  distinction. 
The  ensign  of  this  order  is  a  cross  of 
eight  points,  enamelled  blue,  and  edged 
with  gold,  having  in  the  center  a  cypher 
oi  the  letters  F.  It.  and  in  each  angle 
an  eagle  displayed  black,  on  the  two 
upper  points  the  regal  crow  n  of  Prussia. 
rI  his  badge  is  worn  by  the  knights  pen- 
dent to  a  black  ribband,  edged  with  sil- 
ver, round  the  neck:  the  motto,  Pour 
te  tnZrite% 


Order  of  (he  white  eagle,  instituted 
in  the  year  1325,  by  Ulatlislaus  V.  re- 
vived by  Augustus,  elector  of  Saxony 
and  king  of  Poland,  in  170."),  after  hav- 
ing a  long  time  lain  in  oblivion.  The 
badge  is  a  gold  cross  of  eight  points, 
charged  on  one  side  with  an  eagle  white 
displayed,  having  over  its  head  an  im- 
perial crown,  and  on  the  other  the  king's 
cipher,  with  this  motto,  Vro  fide,  regef 
lege. 

Order  of  St.  Alexander  Neuski,  or 
the  red  ribband,  which  was  instituted  by 
Peter  I.  emperor  of  Russia  ;  but  the 
czarina  Catharine  I.  conferred  it  in  the 
year  172.3.  Ford  Duncan  received  this 
order  from  the  Emperor  Paul. 

Order  of  the  stole,  an  order  of  knights 
instituted  by  the  kings  of  Arragon. 

Order  of  the  golden  stole,  a  Venetian 
military  order,  so  called  from  a  golden 
stole,  which  those  knights  wore  over 
their  shoulder,  reaching  to  the  knee, 
both  before  and  behind,  a  palm  and  a 
half  broad.  None  are  raised  to  this 
order  but  patricians,  or  noble  Venetians. 
It  is  uncertain  when  this  order  was  in- 
stituted. 

Order  of  Stanislaus,  instituted  by 
the  king  of  Poland,  in  170.5.  The  badge 
is  a  gold  cross  enamelled  red,  with  the 
image  of  St.  Stanislaus  in  a  medallion 
on  the  center  of  it.  1'he  star  of  the 
order  is  silver,  and  in  the  center  is  thu 
cipher  of  the  letters,  S.  A»  R.  Stanislaus 
Augustus  Rex,  encircled  by  the  motto, 
i'nemiando  incitat. 

ORDER  of  Maria  Theresa.  This  or- 
der was  instituted  in  June,  1757,  by  the 
Empress  Queen  of  Hungary.  In  i7<>.>, 
an  intermediate  class,  styled  knights 
commanders,  was  added  to  the  two 
classes  that  originally  composed  the  or- 
der.    See  Theresa. 

Order  of  the  crescent,  (Ordre  du 
croissant,  Fi .)  This  order  was  first  insti- 
tuted by  Mahomet  II.  emperor  of  the 
Turks,  who  declared  himself  chief  and 
head  of  it.  It  is  given  by  the  emperors 
to  those  only  who  have  rilled  important 
places  of  trust,  or  who  have  distinguish- 
ed themselves  in  battle.  The  insignia  or 
marks  consist  of  a  gold  crescent,  with 
sinople  or  green  enamel,  encircled  by 
precious  stones  or  diamonds.  The  motto 
is  Donee  totum  impleat  orbem,  Until  it 
shall  till  the  whole  universe.  The  motto 
which  is  attached  to  the  order  of  Malta, 
exhibits  a  modest  and  ingenious  contrast 
to  this  ostentatious  senteuce.     The  cross 


O  R  D 


(      581     ) 


O  R  D 


is  placed  between  the  two  horns  of  the 
crescent,  with  these  words,  Ne  totum 
impleat  orbem,  Lest  it  should  till  the  whole 
universe.  Admiral  Lord  Nelson,  Lord 
Hutchinson,  Lord  Keith,  &c.  received 
this  order  from  the  Grand  Signor,  in 
consequence  of  their  naval  and  military 
exploits  in  Egypt. — There  was  also  an 
order  of  this  description  in  the  early  pe- 
riods of  France.  It  was  called  I'ordre 
militaire  du  croissant  et  de  Vitoile  de  Si- 
dle, the  military  order  of  the  crescent 
and  star  of  Sicily.  Two  princes  be- 
longing to  the  House  of  Anjou,  viz. 
Charles,  brother  to  Louis,  the  ninth  king 
of  France,  and  Rene,  duke  of  Anjou, 
count  of  Provence,  and  king  of  Sicily, 
each  separately  created  an  order  of  this 
description.  The  insignia  or  marks  con- 
sisted of  a  gold  chain,  in  which  were  in- 
terwoven stars  and  fleurs  de  luces,  and 
from  which  was  suspended  a  gold  crescent, 
%vith  this  motto,  Donee  totum  impleat, 
until  it  shall  fill  the  whole. 

Order  of  the  iron  c?-oum,  (Ordre  de 
la  couronne  de  fer,  Fr.)  This  order  of 
knishthood  was  instituted  by  the  late 
French  emperor  Napoleon,  on  his  coro- 
nation at  Milan,  as  king  of  Italy.  It 
consisted  of  five  hundred  knights,  one 
hundred  commanders,  and  sixty  great 
officers.  The  honorary  degrees  were  as 
follow :  two  hundred  of  the  order  of 
knighthood,  and  twenty-five  places  of 
commanders  conferred  upon  an  equal 
number  of  those  French  officers  and 
soldiers,  by  whose  courage  and  perse- 
verance, in  a  succession  of  battles,  the 
kingdom  of  Italy  was  said  to  have  been 
established. 

The  motto  was,  Dieu  me  Va  donni,  gare 
a  qui  la  touchera,  God  has  given  it  unto 
me  ;  woe  to  him  who  shall  touch  it. 

This  crown,  which  belonged  to  the  an- 
cient kings  of  Lombardy,  had  been  care- 
fully preserved  in  a  small  town  called 
Monzaon  the  Lambro,  ever  since  the  dis- 
solution of  the  old  kingdom  of  Lombardy, 
and  during  the  different  revolutions  which 
occurred  in  Italy.  According  to  Bus- 
ching,  the  ancient  kings  of  Lombardy, 
and  after  them,  the  emperors  of  Ger- 
many, were  usually  crowned  in  this 
place.  The  iron  crown  was  merely  put 
over  the  head  of  the  sovereign,  as  it  was 
too  small  to  be  worn.  The  lower  circle 
or  hoop,  inside,  was  iron,  and  was  said 
to  have  been  originally  made  out  of  one 
of  the  large  nails  taken  from  the  cross, 


on  which  Jesus  Christ  was  crucified. — 
The  rest  is  solid  gold,  ornamented  with 
diamonds  and  precious  stones.  Theo- 
delinde,  one  of  the  queens  of  Lombardy, 
built  a  church,  dedicated  to  St.  John, 
where  this  crown  was  deposited,  toge- 
ther with  her  majesty's  fan  and  hair- 
comb. 

The  republican  armies  of  France  uni- 
formly spared  this  remnant  of  ancient 
royalty.  To  those  readers  who  would 
wish  to  go  more  minutely  into  the  his- 
tory of  this  article,  we  recommend  the 
perusal  of  the  several  works  which  treat 
of  Lombardy.  Among  the  different  au- 
thors may  be  found  the  following  :  Jor- 
nandes  de  Getarum  s'rve  Gothorum  Ori- 
gine ;  Paulas  JVamej/ed,  de  Gestis  La- 
nobardorum ;  Hugo  Grotius,fyc. 

Order  of  the  genet,  (Ordre  de  la  ge- 
nette,  Fr.)  instituted  in  728,  by  Charles 
Martel,  grandfather  of  Charlemagne,  to 
commemorate  a  glorious  victory  which 
he  gained  at  Tours  over  a  numerous 
army  of  Saracens  that  had  made  an  ir- 
ruption into  Spain.  Genet  is  the  name 
of  a  little  animal,  with  fur  superior  to 
ermine,  with  which  the  Saracens  lined 
their  cloaks.  The  order  is  now  out  of 
date. 

Order  of  the  holy  phial,  (Ordre  de  la 
saint e  ampouille,  Fr.)  instituted  in  590, 
in  consequence  of  a  miracle  which  took 
place  at  the  baptism  of  Clovis,  the  first 
Christian  king. 

Order  of  St.  Matilda,  instituted  by 
Christian  VII.  of  Denmark,  in  honour 
of  the  Princess  Caroline  Matilda,  (sister 
to  his  Majesty  George  III.  of  Great 
Britain,)  whom  he  married  in  1766.— 
The  ill-fated  Count  Struensee  was  one 
of  the  first  persons  invested  with  this 
order !  The  circumstance  of  his  subse- 
quent catastrophe  is  a  melancholy  in- 
stance of  the  difficulty  of  ascertaining 
what  gradations  of  courtly  promotion 
ought  to  be  most  rejoiced  in. 

Architectural  ORDERS  are  rules  for 
the  proportion  that  is  to  be  observed  in 
the  erecting  of  pillars  or  columns,  and 
for  the  form  of  certain  parts  belonging 
to  them.  And  thence  buildings  are  said 
to  be  of  several  Orders,  when  the  pro- 
portion between  the  thickness  of  the 
columns  and  their  height,  and  all  things 
requisite  thereto,  are  different.  The  prin- 
cipal Orders  are  five :  the  Doi'ic,  Ionic, 
Corinthian,  Tuscan,  and  Composite. 
Vitruvius,    Barbaro,    and    Scammozzi 


O  It  D 


(     582     ) 


ORD 


have  given  various  definitions  of  orders 
in  architecture,;  but  they  are  too  ob- 
scure  to  be  inserted  here. 

The  Doric  Order   (Ordre  Doriqae, 
Fr.)  has  its  columns  eight  diameters  in 


ing  a  cornice  raised  after  the  manner  of 
an  architrave  for  its  entablature ;  as  is 
the  case  at  the  castle  of  Versailles  over 
the  Ionic,  on  the  side  of  the  garden. 
Rustic  Order,  (Ordre  rustujuc,  Fr.) 


height  and  should  not  have  any  orna-j  is  one  adorned  with  rustic  quoins,' bos- 
ment,  either  in  its  capital  or  base  :    the  cage,  &c. 

astragal  and  listel  below  the  capital  French  Order,  an  order  that  is  of  new 
^instituting  part  of  the  shank  or  hody  I  invention,  the  capitals  of  wlucli  consist 
ot  the-  pillar.  of  attributes  agreeing  to  the  people,  as 

The  Ionic  Order,  (Ckdre  Ionkjue,\jlcurs  de  lis,  cocks'  heads,  Sec.  The 
Tr.)  at  its  first  invention,  had  its  co- J  proportions  of  this  order  are  Corinthian. 
luinns  only  eight  models  in  height ;  but!  Such  is  that  of  M.  Le  Brttn,  in  the 
afterwards  the  ancients  augmented  the  grand  gallery  of  Versailles,  and   that  of 


height  of  its  pillars  in  order  to  make  it 
more  beautiful,  and  also  added  to  it  a 
base  that  was  not  used  before  ;  so  that 
then,  with  its  capital  and  base,  it  con- 
tained nine  diameters  of  its  thickness 
taken  below  :  the  pedestal  of  it  is  two 
diameters  and  about  two  thirds  in  height, 
and  the  capital  is  chiefly  composed  of 
volutas  or  scrolls,  and  they  are  commonly 
channelled  with  '..'4  flutes*. 

Michml  Angela,  contrary  to  all  other 
authors,  gives  the  Tonic  a  single  row  of 
leaves  at  the  bottom  of  the  capital. 

The  Corinthian  Order  (  Ordre 
Coriulhien,  Fr.  )  is  the  finest  and 
richest  of  all.  The  length  of  its  co- 
lumns, with  its  bases  and  capitals,  is 
usually  about  nine  and  a  half  or  ten 
diameters,  and  the  capitals  are  adorned 
with  two  rows  of  leaves,  and  eight  volutas 
or  scrolls,  which  support  the  abacus.  This 
order  was  .  invented  by  Culimachus  of 
Corinth. 

The  Tuscan  Order  (Ordre  Toscan, 
Fr.)  is  the  most  simple  and  most  desti 
tute  of  ornaments,  so  that  it  is  seldom 
made  use  of  except  in  vaults,  in  some 
rustic  edifices,  vast  piles  of  building,  as 
amphitheatres,  &.c. 

The  Composite  Order,  or  Roman  Or 
der,  (Ordre  Romuin,  Fr.)  is  one,  the 
capitals  of  whose  pillars  are  composed 
of  two  rows  of  leaves,  like  those  of  the 
Corinthian  Order,  and  of  the  volutas  or 
scrolls  of  the  Ionic.  These  columns  are 
commonly  ten  diameters  in  height,  and 
wholly  lii.e  the  Corinthian  in  all  their 
dimensions  and  numbers,  except  the 
capitals,  which  have  only  four  volutas 
that  take  up  the  whole  space  which  is 
filled  both  by  the  volutas  and  stems  of 
Stalks  of  the  Corinthian  Order. — To  these 
some  add  the  Attic  and  Gothic. 

The  Attic  Order  is  a  small  order  of 
pilasters  of  the  shortest  proportion,  hav 


M.  lx  Clerc. 

M.  Le  Clerc  defines  an  order  to  be  a 
column  charged  with  an  entablature,  and 
supported  on  a  pedestal. 

Gothic  Order,  (Ordre  Gothhjnc,  Fr.) 
This  order  deviates  from  the  ornament* 
and  proportions  of  the  antique,  the  co- 
lumns of  which  are  either  too  massive 
in  manner  of  pillars,  or  too  slender  like 
poles  ;  its  capitals  out  of  all  measure, 
and  adorned  with  leaves  of  wild  acan- 
thus, thistles,  &,c. 

Caruatic  Order  (Ordre  Carudujuc. 
Fr.)  is  that  whose  entablature  is  sup- 
ported with  figures  of  women  instead  of 
columns. 

Persian  Order  (Ordre  de  Perse,  Fr.) 
is  that  which  has  figures  of  Persian  slaves 
to  support  the  entablature,  instead  of 
columns. 

ORDERLY  officer.  See  Officer  of 
the  day. 

Orderly  serjeant,  )  are  appointed  to 
Orderly  men,        \  attend  general  or 
other  officers  that  are  entitled  to  have 
them. 

Orderlies,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers and  private  men  who  do  orderly 
duty. 

Orderly  Serjeants  when  they  go  for 
orders  are  sashed. 

Orderly  corporals  and  orderly  men 
wear  their  side  arms,  and  carry  a  small 
osier  switch  or  cane  in  their  hands. 

In  the  dragoons,  orderly  men,  on  foot, 
have  their  sword-belts  and  bayonets; 
and  on  horseback,  are  dressed  the  same, 
only  with  gloves  and  boots,  and  (spurs, 
of  course,)  with  the  sword-belt  and  sword. 
They  likewise  have  their  pistols.  When 
an  orderly  dragoon  or  foot  soldier  is  sent 
from  one  quarter  to  another,  the  time  of 
his  setting  out  must  be  specified  on  the 
back  of  the  letter  which  he  carries ;  the 
dragoon  must  take  care  to  bring  his  horse 


ORD 


(     583     ) 


ORD 


in  cool,  unless  he  has  been  sent  on  any 
pressing  occasion. 

Orderlies  m  general.  It  is  the  duty 
of  the  serjeant-majors  to  see  that  the 
orderlies  are  properly  dressed  and  ac- 
coutred, before  they  are  inspected  by 
the  adjutant,  who  parades  them  every 
morning  in  front  of  the  main  guard,  &c. 
When  private  soldiers  are  chosen  for 
orderlies  in  mixed  duty,  the  credit  of 
the  corps  from  which  they  are  taken, 
requires  that  they  should  be  the  best 
set  up,  and  the  best  behaved  men  be- 
longing to  it.  All  orderlies,  whether 
horse  or  foot,  must  return  to  quarters 
perfectly  sober. 

Orderly  non-commissioned  officers, 
are  those  who  are  orderly,  or  on  duty 
tor  the  week;  who,  on  hearing  the  drum 
beat  for  orders,  are  to  repair  to  the  place 
appointed  to  receive  them,  and  to  take 
down  in  writing,  in  the  orderly  book, 
what  is  dictated  by  the  adjutant  or  ser- 
jeant-major;  they  are  then  immediately 
to  shew  those  orders  to  the  officers  of 
the  company,  and  afterwards  warn  the 
men  for  duty. 

Orderly  book.  Every  company  has 
such  a  book  in  which  the  Serjeants  write 
down  both  general  and  regimental  or- 
ders, for  the  specific  information  ef  the 
officers  and  men.  This  book  is  pro- 
vided and  paid  for  by  the  captains  of 
companies. 

Orderly  drum.  The  drummer  that 
beats  orders,  and  gives  notice  of  the 
hour  for  messing,  &c.  is  so  called. 

ORDINAIRE,  Fr.  The  soldiers 
messing  together  is  so  called  among  the 
French.  Hence  our  term  Ordinary,  when 
several  persons  dine  at  the  same  table, 
and  each  pays  his  bill  or  quota. 

Ordinaire  du  soldat,  Fr.  the  two 
daily  meals  which  soldiers  are  obliged 
to  take  at  established  hours,  and  at 
messes. 

L 'Ordinaire  des  guerres,  Fr.  the 
fund  established  for  the  payment  of 
troops. 

Tr'tsorier  de  /'Ordinaire,  Fr.  the 
paymaster. 

ORDINAIRE,  Fr.  courier,  post, 
mail.  II  y  a  trois  ordinaires  de  dus, 
there  are  three  mails  due. 

Gentilhomme  Ordinaire  de  chcz  le 
Roi,  Fr.  a  gentleman  of  the  king's  bed- 
chamber in  ordinary. 

ORDINARY,  what  is  usually  done. 

Ordinary  guards,   the   usual    com- 


plement of  men.  doing  duty  at  certain 
prescribed  spots.     See  Guards. 

ORDNANCE,  (Ordonnance,  Fr.)  a 
name  given  to  all  that  concerns  artillery, 
or  engineering ;  thus,  the  commander  in 
chief  was  originally  called  master-general 
of  the  ordnance;  and  the  next  officer, 
lieutenant-general  of  the  ordnance,  in- 
stead of  artillery.  This  post  is  of  much 
greater  antiquity  in  France  than  with 
us;  for  history  informs  us,  that  the  first 
masters  in  chief  of  all  the  artillery  were 
appointed  in  1477,  under  Louis  the 
Xlth;  those  appointed  before  that  epoch 
were — 

Guillaume  de  Dourdan,  master  of  the 
ordnance  in  the  Louvre,  under  Philip  IV. 
who  was  appointed  in  1291. 

Guillaume  Chatelain,  master  of  the 
ordnance  in  Montagris,  in  1291. 

Guillebert,  master  of  the  ordnance  in 
the.  Louvre,  in  1294. 

Etienne  Amigard,  in  1297 ;  Jean  Ami- 
gard,  in  1298,  at  the  Louvre;  Jean  Gau- 
tier,  in  1299;  Etienne  de  la  Chambre, 
in  1295;  Pierre  la  Vache,  in  1296;  Be- 
noit  Fabry,  in  1307;  Adam,  in  1314; 
Lambert  Amigard,  in  1322 ;  Jean  du 
Lion,  in  1394,  who  was,  in  1358,  called 
sovereign  master  of  the  artillery  under 
king  John,  surnamed  the  Good. 

In  1397,  John  de  Soisy  was  appointed 
master-general  of  artillery;  and  in  1599, 
Maximilian  de  Bethune,  marquis  de 
Rosny,  duke  de  Sully,  and  marshal  of 
France,  was  nominated  first  grand-master 
and  captain  general  of  artillery.  In 
1755,  the  functions  of  the  grand-master 
of  the  artillery  were  united  to  those  of 
the  war-minister,  and  fell  under  the  im- 
mediate authority  of  the  king.  The  war- 
minister  undertook  the  civil  department 
of  the  ordnance,  and  M.  De  Valiere  was 
the  last  general  director. 

Board  of  Ordnance  is  of  a  very 
early,  but  uncertain  date ;  however,  in 
the  year  1548,  we  find  Sir  Philip  Hoby 
styled  master  of  the  ordnance ;  and  in 
1588,  Ambrose  Dudley,  earl  of  War- 
wick, was  master  of  the  ordnance.  In 
1683,  the  care  of  the  board  of  ordnance 
was  committed  to  five  principal  officers, 
besides  the  master-general,  then  George 
lord  Dartmouth,  viz.  a  lieutenant-gene- 
ral,  surveyor-general,  clerk  of  the  ord- 
nance, storekeeper,  and  a  clerk  of  deli- 
veries. At  present  the  board  of  ordnance 
consists  of  the  same.  This  board  re- 
gulates and  orders  every  thing  relating 


O  R  D 


(     584     ) 


O  R  D 


to  the  artillery  and  garrisons.  Monies 
are  paid  from  the  Ordnance  by  bill  and 
debenture)  and  the  payment  is  ordered 
three  months  after  the  commencement 
of  the  quarter  in  which  the  bill  was 
issued. 

Master-General  of  the  Ordnance  is 
an  officer  of  the  greatest  trust,  honour, 
and  dignity  :  his  employment  is  one  of 
the  most  laborious  in  war,  and  requires 
the  greatest  ability,  application  and  ex- 
perience. This  officer  has  the  sole  com- 
mand of  the  royal  regiment  of  artillery, 
assisted  by  a  lieutenant-general.  By 
the  great  power  invested  in  the  master- 
general  by  the  king,  he  alone  constitutes 
a  board.  The  master-general  is  also  a 
component  part  of  the  administration, 
and  belongs  to  the  privy  council,  but 
is  removable  at  the  pleasure  of  the 
king. 

Honours  due  to  the  master-general  of 
the  Ordnance.  The  same  respect  shall 
be  paid  to  him  from  the  troops,  as  is 
paid  to  generals  of  horse  and  foot.  He 
is,  on  all  occasions,  to  have,  the  march 
beat  to  him  ;  and  to  be  saluted  by  all 
officers,  the  colours  excepted. 

Lieutenant-general  of  the  Ordnance 
is  an  office  of  great  trust,  honour,  and 
dignity;  is  the  next  in  command  under 
the  master-general,  and  always  an  officer 
of  the  greatest  abilities.  This  office  is 
not  of  such  early  date  as  that  of  the 
master-general ;  for  in  1597,  it  was  first 
established. 

Surveyor  general  of  the  Ordnance, 
(Intendant  d'Artillene,  Fr.)  a  situation 
of  great  trust  and  much  labour,  requiring 
the  soundest  judgment,  the  keenest  cal- 
culation, and  the  most  unimpeachable 
integrity.  This  situation,  like  that  of 
the  master-general,  was  formerly  given 
to  persons  in  civil  capacities ;  but  it  is 
now  generally  filled  by  a  military  man. 
See  Surveyor. 

Clerk  oj'  the  Ordnance,  an  officer 
whose  business  it  is  to  record  the  names 
of  all  officers,  and  all  orders  and  in- 
structions issued  for  the  government  of 
the  department. 

Civil  Secretary  to  the  Ordnance.  See 
Office  of  Ordnance. 
*  ORDONNANCE,  Fr.  ordinance; 
order;  prescription.  Our  word  Ord- 
nance is  taken  from  this,  and  signifies 
generally  the  whole  department  of  the 
royal  artillery.  It  also  signifies  cannon; 
^reat    guns.      Ordinance    was  formerly 


used  to  express  the  same,  but  the  word 
is  now  obsolete. 

Ordonnance,  Fr.  a  warrant. — This 
word  is  variously  used  among  the  French, 
vi/. 

Ordonnance,  Fr.  the  disposition,  or 
arrangement,  of  troops  for.  battle. 

Coiiipagnics  </'Ordonn  w<  i  ,  Fr.  par- 
ticular troops,  or  companies  which  were 
independent  of  any  regiment,  and  which 
existed  under  the  old  French  monarchy. 
The  goidanncs  du  roi  formed  the  first 
troop  or  company  of  this  description. 
The  chcrau  c-lcgcrs  de  la  garde,  or  tho 
light  horse  of  the  body  guard,  were  also 
of  the  same  class. 

Hornnie  ^/'Ordonnance,  Fr.  an  or- 
derly man. 

Ordonnance  d'une  armce  pour  hi  dis- 
poser au  combat,  Fr.  See  Order  of 
Battle. 

Habit  t/'Ordonnance,  Fr.  the  regi- 
mental dress,  or  uniform  of  an  officer, 
soldier,  &c. 

Ordonnance,  Fr.  (in  architecture,) tho 
giving  to  all  the  parts  of  a  building  the 
just  quantity  and  dimensions,  which  they 
ought  to  have  according  to  the  model. 
This  terra  is  also  applicable  to  the  shades, 
masses,  Sec.  in  painting. 

Ordonnanci.,  Fr.  size,  bulk,  or  bore; 
as,  engin  de  telle  Ordonnance,  an  engine 
or  piece  of  ordnance  of  such  a  size,  or 
bore. 

Epie  ^'Ordonnance,  Fr.  regulation 
sword. 

ORDONNANCES,  Fr.  orderly  men, 
whether  on  foot,  or  horseback. 

Ordonnances,    Fr.      See  Military 
Regulations. 

ORDONNEE,  (in  geometry,)  a  term 
used  by  the  French,  to  express  straight 
lines  which  are  drawn  parallel  to  the 
tangent  of  a  curve,  and  which  are  ter- 
minated on  one  side  by  the  axis,  or  dia- 
meter of  this  curve,  which  corresponds 
with  the  tangent,  and  on  the  other  by 
the  curve  itself.  Ordonnee  also  signifies 
any  perpendicular  raised  upon  the  dia- 
meter of  a  semi-circle,  and  terminated 
by  the  circumference. 

ORDONNER,  Fr.  This  word  not 
onlv  signifies  to  ordain,  direct,  &c.  but 
it  also  means  to  range  troops  in  order  of 
battle.  Hence  Ordonnance  d'mic  armie. 
ORDRE,  Fr.  parole  and  counter- 
sign so  called. 

Aller  a  /'Ordre,  Fr.    to  go  for  the 
parole,  or  countersign. 


ORE 


(     585     ) 


ORI 


Recevoir  /'Ordre,  Fr.  to  receive,  or 
get  the  parole,  or  countersign. 

Ordre  que  Con  donne  a  la  tranchte, 
Fr.  parole  and  countersign  together  with 
specific  orders,  which  are  given  out  every 
uight  in  the  trenches. 

Donner  /"Ordre,  Fr.  to  give  out  the 
parole,  or  countersign. 

Prendre  /"Ordre,  Fr.  to  receive  the 
parole,  or  countersign. 

Envoyer  /'Ordre,  Fr.  to  send  or 
transmit  the  parole,  or  countersign. 

Porter  /Ordre,  Fr.  to  carry  the  pa- 
role, or  countersign. 

Sur prendre  /'Ordre,  Fr.  to  surprize 
or  way-lay  the  person  who  is  entrusted 
with  the  parole  or  countersign. 

Livrer  /Ordre,  Fr.  to  give  the  pa- 
role, or  countersign. 

Ordre  de  bataille,  Fr.  See  Order 
of  Battle. 

Ordre  mince,  Fr.  a  disposition,  or 
order  of  battle,  in  which  troops  make  an 
extended  line  with  little  depth. 

Ordre  profond,  Fr.  a  disposition,  or 
order  of  battle  in  which  troops  take  up 
a  short  space  in  extent,  and  occupy  great 
depth ;  as  in  column,  &c. 

Ordre  oblique,  Fr.  a  disposition  in 
which  troops  are  so  ranged  that  they  can 
give  or  receive  battle  from  one  of  the 
wings,  by  refusing,  or  throwing  back,  the 
other.  This  is  most  readily  obtained  by 
a  movement  in  echelon. 

Ordre  des  lignes  curves,  Fr.  (in  geo- 
metry,) the  distribution,  or  arrange- 
ment of  curved  lines  into  appropriate 
classes,  according  to  the  number  of 
points,  into  which  they  may  be  cut  by 
a  straight  line.  Thus  every  straight 
line  is  a  line  of  the  first  order.  The 
circle  and  the  conic  sections  are  the 
second  order.  The  cubical  parabolas, 
the  cissoide  of  the  ancients,  &c.  are  of 
the  third  order. 

Ordre  de  chevalerie,  Fr.  order  of 
knighthood. 

ORDRES  Militaires,  Fr.  military 
orders. 

Ordres  de  Ghicrul,  Fr.  general  or- 
ders. 

Nouveuux  Ordres,  Fr.  fresh  orders. 

Ordre  de  mouvement,  Fr.  marching 
orders. 

ORDURE,  Fr.  tilth;  dirt.  The 
French  say  figuratively,  C'est  V ordure  de 
Varmie  Fruncuise,  they  are  the  very  off- 
scourings of  th»  French  army. 

OREE,  Fr.  the  side  of  a  river,  the 
skirt,  edge  of  any  place. 


OREILLE,  Fr.  ear. 
I/Oreille    d'un    Soulier,   Fr.     the 
latchet,  or  strap  of  a  shoe. 

Mouth  ORGAN,  (orgue,  Fr.)  an  in- 
strument corresponding  in  shape  and 
form  with  Pan's  pipes,  and  consisting  of 
several  pipes  which  are  played  upon 
with  the  mouth.  This  instrument  has 
been  introduced  into  regimental  bands. 

ORGANICAL  description  of  curves 
is  the  method  of  describing  them  on  a 
plane,  by  the  regular  motion  of  a  point. 

ORGANIZATION  of  troops,  the  act 
of  putting  troops  into  such  uniform  state 
of  discipline,  as  may  fit  them  to  co-ope- 
rate on  any  service. 

ORGUES,  (argues,  Fr.)  thick  long 
pieces  of  wood,  pointed  and  shod  with 
iron,  clear  one  of  another,  hanging  per- 
pendicularly each  by  a  rope,  over  the 
gate  of  a  strong  place,  to  be  dropped  in 
case  of  an  emergency. 

Their  disposition  is  such,  that  they 
stop  the  passage  of  the  gate,  and  are 
preferable  to  herses  or  portcullises ;  be- 
cause these  may  be  either  broken  by  a 
petard,  or  stopped,  by  different  contri- 
vances, in  their  falling  down.  But  a 
petard  is  useless  against  orgues ;  if  it 
break  one  or  two  of  the  pieces,  others 
immediately  fall  down,  and  fill  up  the 
vacancy. 

Orgue,  (un  orgue,  Fr.)  a  term  used 
to  express  that  arrangement,  or  disposi- 
tion of  a  certain  quantity  of  musket 
barrels  in  a  row,  which,  by  means  of  a 
priming  train  of  gunpowder,  may  be 
subjected  to  one  general  explosion. — 
This  machine  has  been  found  extremely 
serviceable  in  the  defence  of  a  low  flank, 
a  tenaille,  or  to  prevent  an  enemy  from 
crossing  the  ditch  of  a  fortified  place. 

ORGUEIL,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  the 
appui,  or  rest,  round  which  a  lever 
turns. 

Orgueil,  Fr.  a  roller,  or  a  round 
truncheon  laid  under  a  great  stone,  or 
piece  of  timber,  for  the  more  easy  re- 
movine  thereof. 

OIUENT,  Fr.  the  East. 

ORIENTS,  Fr.  that  faces  the  East. 

Carte  bien  Okient£e,  Fr.  a  map  cor- 
rectly drawn. 

ORIENTER,  Fr.  in  fortification,  to 
mark  with  the  compass,  either  on  paper, 
or  on  the  ground,  the  relative  situation 
of  any  place,  or  map,  with  regard  to 
the  four  cardinal  points  of  the  globe. 

S'Ori enter,  Fr.  to  examine  the  si- 
tuation of  any  particular  spot,  in  order 
4F 


O  R  M 


(      .580     ) 


()  V  A 


to  draw  a  plan  ot"  the  same.  Figura- 
tively, to  consider  maturely  one's  own 
po-uion. 

ORIFLAMME,  Fr.  the  ancient  ban- 
ner belonging  to  the  abbey  of  St.  Denis, 
which  the  Counts  du  Vexin,  who  pos- 
sessed the  perpetual  advowson  of  the 
abbey,  always  bore  in  the  different  wars, 
or  contests,  that  formerly  prevailed  be- 
tween the  abbot  and  some  neighbouring 
lords.  When  the  Vexin  country  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  French  kings,  they 
made  the  oriAamme  the  principal  banner 
of  their  armies,  in  honour  of  St.  Denis; 
whom  they  chose  for  the  patron  and  tu- 
telary saint  of  France,  as  St.  George  is 
of  England. 

ORILLON.     See  Fortification. 

ORKNEY-ISLANDS,  (  Les  Orcadei, 
Fr.)  a  cluster  of  small  islands  in  the 
north  of  Scotland. 

(MILE,  ou  ourlet,  Fr.  (in  architecture,) 
a  fillet,  or  hemming  under  the  round 
moulding  of  a  capital.  When  it  is  above 
or  below  the  shaft  of  a  pillar,  it  is  called 
ccinture. 

ORLO,  (in  architecture,)  the  plinth 
or  square  of  a  column,  or  under  the 
base  of  its  pedestal. 

ORLOP- Deck,  that  part  of  a  trans- 
port or  man  of  war,  in  which  the 
bedding  of  soldiers  is  hung. 

ORME,  Fr.  elm.  This  wood  was 
considered  of  so  much  consequence  by 
the  old  French  government,  that  a 
specific  order  was  made  out  in  17 16, 
enjoining  all  persons,  letting  or  holding 
land  in  French  Flanders,  Artois,  and 
llainault,  to  plant  e!;n  trees,  in  order 
that  there  might  be  a  constant  supply 
in  future  of  carriages  and  wainage  for 
the  artillery. 

Orme  blanc,  Fr.  the  white  elm,  oak 
elm,  horn  beam,  hard  beam  tree. 

Orme  champelre,  Fr.  the  ordinary 
elm. 

Orme  de  montagne,  Fr.  the  moun- 
tain elm,  or  the  great  broad  leaved  elm. 
It  is  also  called  Orme  sauvage,  or  wild 
elm. 

Un  avocat  dessous  /'Orme,  Fr.  a  figu- 
rative phrase  among  the  French,  signify- 
ing an  obscure  lawyer;  a  prattling  attor- 
ney, or  paltry  petty  logger ;  one  who,  in 
this  country,  acts  in  several  capacities  as 
scrivener,  conveyancer,  money-lender, 
and  pretends  to  dabble  in  politics,  by 
writing  bad  pamphlets,  in  order  to  de- 
lude the  unwary,  and  to  get  into  notice 
without  one  honest   principle   to  steer 


by-  Officers  cannot  be  too  much  guarded 
against  a  reptile  of  this  sort;  who  is 
always  an  usurer  of  the  worst  descrip- 
tion, and,  where  he  can,  a  mean  and 
pitiful  extortioner. 

OENAMENTSf/mi/ifaryj,thase  parti 
of  the  dress  of  a  soldier  which  are  more 
for  appearance  or  distinction  than  for 
absolute  use;  as  gorgets,  plates  for  cross 
belts,  pouch  ornaments,  &c. 

Ornaments,  (in  architecture,)  are 
the  arc  hit  raves,  frizes,  and  cornices  of  the 
several  orders;  also  leaves,  channelliugs, 

&C. 

ORTEIL.  See  Berm  in  Fortifica- 
tion. 

ORTHOGON,  anv  rectangular  figure. 

ORTHOGRAPHY,      (orthographic, 

Fr.)  the  art  of  drawing,   or    sketching 

out   a  work  according   to    its    breadth, 

thickness,  elevation  and  depth. 

Orthography,  (in  architecture,)  is 
the  elevation  of  a  building,  and  is  either 
external,  or  internal. 

OSCILLATION,  (in  mechanics,)  is 
the  swing,  or  reciprocal  ascent  or  de- 
scent of  a  pendulum. 

Oscillation,  in  military  movements, 
a  wavering  of  the  line,  an  unsteady 
direction  of  a  battalion,  &c. 

OSIER,  a  young  willow  twig,  with 
which  hurdles  are  made. 

OSSELET,  Fr.  a  splcnt,  a  little  hard 
substance  arising  on  the  inside  of  a 
horse's  knee,  among  the  small  bones. 

OSTAGE,  Fr.    See  Hostage. 

OSTRACISM,  (ostracisnie,  Fr.)  a  ba- 
nishment which  the  Athenians  inflicted 
on  such  persons  whose  over  great  power 
was  suspected  by  the  people,  fearing  that 
they  should  degenerate  into  tyrants,  so 
railed  of  arptov,  an  oyster;  because  they 
wrote  the  name  of  him  they  intended 
to  banish  upon  shells.  In  this  manner 
the  virtuous  Aristides  was  driven  out  of 
Athens. 

OTTOMAN,  a  name  generally  given 
to  the  Turks,  and  to  the  Turkish  empire, 
from  Othman,  who  was  one  of  their 
most  celebrated  emperors. 

OVAL,  (ove,  Fr.)a  member  so  called 
in  architecture,  from  its  figure  resem- 
bling an  egg.     See  Ovolo. 

Oval,  (ovale,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  a 
sort  of  ellipsis,  being  round  and  rather 
long.  It  resembles  an  egg,  from  which 
the  name  is  derived. 

OVATION,  the  offering  of  a  sheep  in 
sacrifice,  instead  of  a  bull,  for  some 
victory   obtained.     It   was   an   inferior 


O  V  E 


557     ) 


O   V  E 


sort  of  triumph  allowed  by  the  Romans 
to  the  generals  of  their  armies  for  lesser 
victories,  as  over  slaves,  &c.  or  when 
the  war  had  not  been  declared  pursuant 
to  military  usage.  According  toKennett, 
in  his  Roman  Antiquities,  page  224,  the 
word  ovation  is  said  to  have  derived  its 
name  from  shouting  Evion!  to  Bacchus; 
but  the  true  original' is  ovis.  The  show 
generally  began  at  the  Albanian  moun- 
tain, whence  the  general,  with  his  re- 
tinue, made  his  entry  into  the  city;  he 
went  on  foot  with  many  flutes,  or  pipes, 
sounding  in  conceit  as  he  passed  along, 


To  OVERDRIVE,  to  drive  too  hard, 
or  beyond  strength.  Too  much  atten- 
tion cannot  be  given  to  this  object,  as  far 
as  it  regards  the  conveyance  and  draught 
of  heavy  ordnance. 

OVERFLOW.     See  Inundation. 

To  OVERLAP,  to  overspread  any 
preceding  object.  In  marching  by  eche- 
lon, for  the  purpose  of  forming  upon  any 
given  point,  but  particularly  in  wheeling 
from  column  into  line,  troops  may  lose 
their  relative  distances  by  not  taking 
ground  enough;  when  this  occurs,  the 
rear  division,  company,  or  section,  una- 


wearing  a  garment  of  myrtle  as  a  token  j  voidably  crouds  upon  its  preceding  one, 
of  peace,  with  an  aspect  which  excited   and   it  is  then  said  to  overlap.     When 


love  and  respect  rather  than  fear. 

Gellius  has  observed,  that  this  honour 


the  war  had  not  been  proclaimed  in  due 


this  happens  on  service,  the  troops,  so 
shut  out,  must    remain  as  serrefiles,  or 


was  conferred  on  the  victor,  when  either '  reserve,  to  fill  up  the  intervals  that  will 


necessarily  present  themselves  in  action. 


method,  or  not    undertaken    against    a  i  But  whether  so   or  not,   the  line   must 
lawful  enemy,  and  on  a  just  account;  on  no  account,  be  deranged  by  moving 
or  when  the  enemy  was  but  mean  and   it  to  ri^ht  or  left. 


inconsiderable.  But  Plutarch  has  deli- 
vered his  judgment  in  a  dilFereut  man- 
ner :  he  believes,  that,  heretofore,  the 
difference  betwixt  the  ovation  and  the 
triumph  was  not  taken  from  the  great- 
ness of  the  achievements,  but  from  the 
manner  of  performing  them  ;  for  they 
who,  having  fought  a  set  battle,  and 
slain  a  great  number  of  the  enemy,  re- 
turned victors,  led  that  martial,  and,  as 
it  were,  cruel  procession  of  the  triumph; 
but  to  those  commanders  who,  with- 
out force,  by  benevolence  and  civil  be- 
haviour, had  done  the  business,  without 
shedding  human  blood,  custom  gave  the 
honour  of  this  peaceable  ovation.  For 
a  pipe  is  the  ensign,  or  badge  of  peace; 
and  myrtle,  the  tree  of  Venus,  who, 
beyond  all  other  deities,  has  an  ex- 
treme aversion  to  violence  and  war. 
Vide  Plut.  in  Marccll. 

OVE,  CEuf,  quart  dc  rond,  ou  ecltine, 
Fr.  in  civil  architecture,  a  round  mould- 
ing, the  profile  of  which  is  commonly 
one  quarter  of  a  circle. 

To  OVERCOME,  to  subdue;  to 
conquer;  to  vanquish.  It  also  signifies, 
according  to  Shakspeare,  to  invade  sud- 
denly;   bl't  this  term  is  not  in  use. 

To  OVERDRESS,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  load  an  officer,  or  soldier,  with  super- 
fluous and  tawdry  apparel,  at  the  ex- 
pense of  comfort  and  real  economy. 


OVERLANDRES,  Fr.  small  barges 
that  ply  upon  the  Rhine  and  the  Meuse. 

To  OVER-RUN,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  ravage,  to  lay  waste.  A  country 
which  is  harassed  by  incursions  is  said 
to  lie  over-run. 

OVERSEER,  an  officer  in  the  ord- 
nance department,  who  superintends 
the  artificers  in  the  construction  of 
works,  &c. 

Serjeant  Overseer,  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer  belonging  to  the  royal 
staff  corps,  whose  duty  is  to  superintend, 
as  in  the  ordnance  department,  any 
particular  work,  or  subordinate  branch 
of  service. 

Overseer,  an  officer  who  has  the 
care  of  the  parochial  provision  of  the 
poor.  The  overseers  of  the  poor  of 
every  parish  or  place,  are  directed  by 
Act  of  Parliament,  to  certify  and  return 
to  the  justices  of  the  peace,  at  the  next 
Michaelmas  quarter  session,  the  several 
quotas  that  every  parish  or  division 
within  a  city,  town,  or  place,  pavs  to 
the  land  tax  for  that  year.  From  these 
several  quotas,  a  fund  is  annually  esta- 
blished to  defray  part  of  the  expenses 
for  raising  the  militia. 

OVERSLAGH,  as  a  military  phrase, 
which  is  derived  from  the  Dutch,  to 
skip  over,  will  be  best  explained  by  the 
following  table. 


4  F2 


OUT 

Table  of  Explanation. 


(     588     ) 


OUT 


Regiments. 


R 


oval 


Queen's  Royal 


Old  Buffs 


King's  Own 


Total     - 


Heads  of  each  Column. 


32 


10 


7  11 


15 


6!  7 
1923 


16,20,24 

172125 

1822 

I 


8 

26 
'27 
28 
29 


N.B.  The  three  blanks  shew  where 
the  overslaghs  take  place. 

OVERT-acf,  (in  the  sense  of  the 
law,)  an  open  aid,  an  advance  or  step 
made  towards  compassing  an  enterprise  ; 
an  act  capable  of  being  manifested 
or  proved;  and  is  distinguished  from  an 
intentional  act.  Thus  writing  to,  or 
talking  with,  officers  or  soldiers,  for  the 
manifest  purpose  of  indisposing  them 
against  the  king  and  the  government  of 


plotting 


some    direct 


the  country,  and 

measures  of  insurrection,  constitutes  ai 
overt-act,  and  becomes  high  treason 
under  the  Seduction  Bill. 

OVERTHROW,  total  defeat,  discom- 
fiture, rout. 

OUEST,  ou  Occident,  Fr.  the  West, 
one  of  the  four  cardinal  points  of  the 
world. 

OVOLO,  (in  architecture,)  so  called 
from  its  likeness  to  an  egg,  usually 
placed  for  ornaments  in  the  mouldings 
of  cornices,  and  in  a  pillar  next  the 
abacus,  or  the  uppermost  member  or 
capital  of  a  column,  which  serves  as  a 
sort  of  crowning  both  to  the  capital  and 
column,  though  some  erroneously  make 
it  to  be  the  capital  itself. 

OUR  AG  AN,  Fr.  a  violent  tempest. 

OURDAGE,  Fr.  (in  hydraulic  archi- 
tecture) pile-work  suddenly  constructed 
with  a  talus  in  front.  It  is  used  to  sup- 
port piles,  &c.  and  to  afford  them  the 
necessary  slope  when  they  are  to  be 
driven  down  for  the  purposa  of  making 
quavs  and  wooden  jettees. 

to  OUTBAR,  to  shut  out  by  fortifi- 
cation. 

To  OUTBRAVE,  to  silence,  dash,  or 
outdo  any  person  by  vaunting,  &c. 

OUTCRY,    a    noise,    a   tumultuous 


sound.  It  is  also  used  to  express  gene- 
ral disapprobation;  as  an  outcry  against 
ministers,  &c. 

OUT-FIT,  the  necessaries,  uniform, 
&c.  which  an  officer  provides  when  he  is 
appointed  to  any  commission. 

OUT-GUARD.     See  Out-posts. 

OUTILS,  I*V.  tools  of  every  descrip- 
tion that  are  used  by  the  artificers 
and  workmen  belonging  to  the  artillery, 
&c. 

Outils  a  mineur,  Fr.  miners'  tools. _ 

Out  ils  cl  pionnier,  Fr.  pioneers' tools. 

OUTLINE,  the  line  by  which  any 
figure  is  defined  ;  also  a  rough  sketch  of 
anv  thing. 

To  OUTNUMBER,  to  bring  more 
effective,  or  fighting  men  into  the  field 
than  your  rival. 

OUTPART,  at  a  distance  from  the 
main  body.     See  Out-posts. 

OUT-POSTS,  a  body  of  men  posted 
beyond  the  grand  guard,  called  out- 
posts, as  being  without  the  rounds  or 
limits  of  the  camp.     See  Posts. 

OUTRANCE,  a  outrance,  Fr.  to  the 
utmost,  to  the  last  extremity.  Hence 
combat  a  outrance,  a  contest,  or  fight, 
which  is  maintained  to  the  utmost  point 
of  exertion.  The  French  still  say,  Sc 
battre  a  outrance,  to  fight  to  the  last 
extremity. 

D'OUTRE  en  outre,  Fr.  through  and 
through. 

OUTRE,  Fr.  exhausted,  spent,  over- 
done. 

Cheval  outre,  Fr.  a  horse  that  is 
spent  or  knocked  up. 

OUTSIDE,  in  fencing,  that  part 
which  is  to  the  right  of  the  line  of  de- 
fence. 

OUTSIDE  GUARD,  a  guard  used 
with  the  broad  sword  and  sabre,  to  de- 
fend the  outside  of  the  position.  See 
Broadsword. 

OUTWALL.   See  Revetement. 

OUTWARD  FACE!  a  word  of  com- 
mand for  troops  to  face  to  the  right  and 
left  from  their  center. 

To  OUTWING,  to  extend  the  flanks 
of  an  army,  or  line,  in  action,  so  as  to 
gain  an  advantageous  position  against 
the  right,  or  left,  wing  of  an  enemy. 
This  manoeuvre,  or  evolution,  is  effected 
by  the  movement  on  an  oblique  line.  See 
Movement. 

OUT-WORKS,  in  fortification,  are 
works  of  several  kinds,  which  cover  the 
body  of  the  place,  as  ravelins,  half- 
moons,    tenailles,    horn-works,    crown- 


O  U  V 


(     589     ) 


O  W  L 


works,  counter-guards,  envelopes,  swal- 
low tails,  lunettes,  covert-ways,  &c. 

These  outworks  not  on!y  cover  the 
place,  but  likewise  keep  an  enemy  at  a 
distance,  and  hinder  his  gaining  any  ad- 
vantage of  hollow  or  rising  grounds;  as 
such  cavities  and  eminences  may  serve 
for  lodgments  to  the  besiegers,  facilitate 
the  carrying  on  approaches,  and  enable 
them  to  raise  their  batteries  against  the 
town.  When  out-works  are  placed  one 
before  another,  you  will  find  a  ravelin 
before  the  curtain,  a  horn-work  before 
the  ravelin,  and  a  small  ravelin  before 
the  curtain  of  the  horn-work;  those 
works  which  are  nearest  to  the  body  of 
the  place  must  be  the  highest,  though 
lower  than  the  body  of  the  place,  that 
they  may  gradually  command  those 
without  them,  and  oblige  the  enemy  to 
dislodge,  if  in  possession  of  them. 

OUVERT,  Fr.  open. 

Pays  Ouvert,  Fr.  A  country  is  so 
called  when  there  are  neither  rivers, 
mountains,  nor  forts,  &c.  to  defend  it. 

Ville  OUVERTE,  Fr.  a  town  which 
has  no  gates  or  fortifications,  or  which 
has  had  them  demolished. 

Force  Ouverte,  Fr.  main  strength, 
or  open  arms. 

Guerre  Ouverte,  Fr.  open  war. 

OUVERTURE,  Fr.  an  opening  in  a 
wall,  which  is  made  for  persons  to  go 
through,  or  to  give  light;  also  a  flaw  oc- 
casioned by  bad  workmanship,  or  decay. 
It  likewise  signifies  the  first  digging  for  a 
foundation,  trench,  &c. 

Ouverture  des  partes,  Fr.  the  open- 
ing of  the  gates  in  a  fortified  town  or 
place,  according  to  specific  military  rules. 
This  method,  in  all  regular  governments, 
is  too  well  known,  to  require  any  parti- 
cular explanation. 

Ouverture  el  fermeture  des  portes 
chez  les  Turcs,  Fr.  There  are  certain 
laws  and  regulations  among  the  Turks, 
by  which  the  janizaries  are  entrusted 
with  the  keys  belonging  to  the  gates  of 
every  fortified  town,  or  place,  in  which 
they  do  garrison  duty.  The  gates  are 
always  opened  at  day-break  by  two  or 
four  janizaries.  There  is  a  capigy  or 
porter  stationed  at  each  gate.  When- 
ever he  opens  the  gates,  he  repeats,  in  an 
audible  tone  of  voice,  certain  words  in 
the  praise  of  God  and  the  sultan,  after 
which  he  returns  the  key  or  keys  to  the 
janizaries,  who  carry  them  to  the  go- 
vernor, or  commandant,  of  the  place. — 


The  closing  of  the  gates  is  done  with  the 
same  solemnity. 

Ouverture  de  la  tranchee,  Fr.  the 
opening  of  the  trench,  or  trenches. 

OUVRAGE,  Fr.  This  word  is  appli- 
cable, as  work  is  with  us,  to  all  that  is 
done  in  the  construction  of  bouses,  &c. 
as  mason's  work,  carpenter's  work, 
joiner's  work,  \c. 

Gros  Ouvrages,  Fr.  (in  masonry)  the 
foundation  and  partition-walls,  &c.  to- 
gether with  the  arches,  <Sx. 

Lcgers  et  menus  Ouvrages,  Fr.  (in 
masonry)  all  sort  of  plaster-work,  chim- 
ney-pieces, ceilings,  &c. 

Ouvrages  de  sujetion,  Fr.  works  of  a 
particular  form  or  elevation,  and  more 
or  less  expensive  according  to  the  ma- 
terials used,  and  the  difficulty  of  exe- 
cution. 

Ouvrage  a  come,  Fr.  hornwork. — 
See  Fortification. 

Ouvrage  a  couronne,  Fr.  crowned 
work.     See  Fortification. 

Ouvrages  avances,  detaches,  pieces 
detachees,  Fr.     See  Dehors. 

Ouvrages  de  campagne,  Fr,  field- 
works. 

Ouvrages  detaches  et  de  cir Constances, 
Fr.  outworks  which  are  suddenly  erected 
by  way  of  parapets,  &c.  over  practi- 
cable breaches,  and  which  are  continued 
inwards  when  the  garrison  of  a  besieged 
place  is  resolved  to  hold  out. 

Ouvrages  degrades,  Fr.  works  be- 
longing to  the  besiegers,  or  to  the  be- 
sieged, which  have  suffered,  or  been  de- 
molished, by  the  artillery. 

OUVRIR,  Fr.  to  open. 

Ouvrir  les  rangs,  Fr.  to  take  open 
order. 

En  arriere  Ouvrez  vos  rangs!  Fr. 
rear  ranks  take  open  order. 

S'aligner  a  rangs  Ouverts,  Fr.  to 
aligne,  or  dress  in  line,  at  open  order. 

A  jour  OUVRANT,  Fr.  at  break  of 
day. 

A  portes  Ouvrantes,  Fr.  at  the 
opening  of  the  gates. 

OUVRIERS,  Fr.  all  sorts  of  artificers 
and  workmen  employed  in  fortification, 
&c. 

OWLERS,  persons  who  convey  wool, 
our  staple  commodity,  to  the  sea-side,  in 
order  to  export  it.  This  is  a  capital  of- 
fence, particularly  if  they  neglect  to 
surrender,  after  proclamation  has  been 
made  for  that  purpose.  These  men  are 
liable,  at  all  times,  to  be  taken  up  by 


P  A  C 


(     590     ) 


P  A  I 


the  |>nrt  irs  of  light  dragoons  who  watch 
the  coast. 

OWftl!  OWRl!  a  war-cry  among 
the  Russians,  signifying  Kill !  kill  ! 

OXFORD     BLUES.      See     Horse 

(  il    \I!DS. 

OXYCRAT,  Fr.  a  certain  portion  of 


OXYGENE,  the  chemical  base  ol 
vital  air,  with  which  nitre  is  found  to 
abound,  and  to  which  gunpowder  owes 
its  rapid  and  perfect  combustion; 

King's  or  Queen's  OWN,  a  term 
which  has  been  attached  to  some  parti- 
cular regiments  ever  since  the  Revolu- 


vinegar  to  five  or  six  times  its  quantity  I  Hon  in  168P.  Thus  the  Fourth,  which 
of  water.  This  mixture  is  frequently  landed  with  William  ITT.  is  always  called 
used  'in  service,  and  in  hot  weather,  to  the  Fourth  or  King's  Own,  and  the 
allay  the  burning  heat  of  any  inflamed  Second  Regiment  of  Foot,  the  Queen's 
part.  It  is  likew  se  employed  to  cool  Own. 
cannon,  during  an  engagement,  in  very 
hot  flrin-r. 


T)AAT,  bid.  a  promissory  note. 

■*-    PACE,  a  term   used  to  signify  the 

relative  distance  in  the  formation   of  a 

battalion  at  close  or  open  order.     See 

Regulations. 

To  Pace,  as  a  horse  does,  (alter  au 
pas,  Fr.)  There  are  four  kinds  of  paces 
in  the  manege,  the  walk,  trot,  gallop, 
and  amble,  or  canter.  The  last,  more 
particularly,  is  called  a  pace,  or  easy 
motion,  wherein  the  horse  raises  the  two 
feet  of  the  same  side  together. 

PACHA.  The  captain  pacha,  among 
the  Turks,  is  the  chief  admiral  and  su- 
perintendant  general  of  the  marine. — 
lie  generally  commands  in  person.  The 
sailors  and  soldiers  of  the  military  ma- 
rine were  formerly  called  Lavuns  or 
Lavantis;  the  soldiers  are  now  called 
Galiondjis.  The  sailors  are  Turks  from 
the  maritime  towns,  or  Greeks  from  the 
Archipelago:  they  are  in  constant  pay. 
The  soldiers,  or  Galiondjis,  are  all  Mus- 
sulmans, and  only  receive  pay  when  they 
are  in  actual  service.  We  recommend 
to  our  military  readers  an  important 
work,  from  which  thev  will  derive 
considerable  information  respecting  the 
Turks,  entituled,  Travels  in  the  Ottoman 
Empire,  Egypt,  and  Persia,  by  Citizen 
<  Hivier,  member  of  the  French  National 
Institute. 

P  UIIOLECK.     See  Ulan. 

PACK,  necessaries  which  are  carried 
by  a  foot-soldier.  The  dragoons  call  it 
l;ilt.     1  he  French  say  harresac. 

PACKET-BOATS,  small  vessels  that 


sail  from  the  different  sea-ports  in  Eng- 
land", and  carry  passengers,  mails,  ike. 
to  and  from  our  foreign  possessions; 
and  keep  up  a  regular  intercourse  with 
foreign  powers  that  are  at  peace  with 
Great  Britain. 

FADDY,  hid.  rice  in  the  husk,  whe- 
ther dry  or  green.  Also  a  familiar  term 
or  nick-name,  which  is  given  to  a  native 
of  Ireland  ;  as  John  Bull  is  applied  to 
an  Englishman,  and  Sawney  to  a  Scotch- 
man. 

PADSIIA,  Jnd.  a  king. 

PAGEANT,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, a  triumphal  car,  chariot,  arch,  or 
other  like  pompous  decoration,  variously 
adorned  with  colours,  flags,  &c.  carried 
about  in  public  shows,  processions,  &C. 

PAGES,  (mousses,  on  gareons,  Fr.) 
Young  lads  of  the  description  of  English 
cabin  boys,  who  learn  navigation,  and 
do  the  menial  offices,  on  board  a  French 
ship. 

PAGOD,  Ind.  a  general  name  given 
by  the  Portugueze  to  the  temples  in 
the  cast.     It  also  denotes  a  coin. 

PAGODA,  Ind.  the  place  of  worship 
among  the  Hindoos.  It  is  likewise  an 
Indian  coin  equal  to  20  shillings  English. 
The  English  and  Dutch  coin  pagodas. 
There  are  also  silver  pagodas  struck  at 
Marsingua,  &c.  with  the  figure  of  some 
monstrous  idol. 

PAILS,  made  of  wood,  with  iron 
hoops  and  handles,  holding  generally  four 
gallons,  and  serving  in  the  field  to  fetch 
water  for  the  use  of  artillery  works,  &c. 


P  A  I 


(     591     ) 


PAL 


PAILLASSES,  Fr.  straw  beds,  com- 
monly called  potasses.  These  are  fur- 
nished by  the  barrack  department  for 
the  accommodation  of  British  soldiers 
in  barracks. 

PAILLASSON,  Fr.  a  layer  of  straw 
quilted  between  two  pieces  of  canvass, 
to  keep  off  the  sun,  or  noise  from  a 
chamber;  also  a  rug,  or  mat  to  wipe 
the  feet  on. 

PAILLE,  Fr.  straw. 

Paille  de  couchage,  Fr.  long  straw 
such  as  is  used  in  paillasses,  and  is  given 
out  for  the  litter  of  horses,  and  the  bed- 
ding of  soldiers. 

Les  soldats  vo?it  a  la  Paille,  Fr. 
the  soldiers  are  going  to  the  forage  yard 
or  depot.  This  term  is  likewise  used 
to  signify  the  indulgence  which  is  oc- 
casionally granted  to  soldiers  for  ex- 
ercise or  necessary  evacuations.  Thus 
when  a  battalion  has  gone  through  its 
manual,  &c.  the  commanding  officer 
gives  the  word  A  la  paille  !  We  use  the 
term  Pile  arms  ! 

Rompre  la  Paille  avee  quelqu'un,  Fr. 
a  figurative  term,  signifying  to  quarrel 
or  fail  out  with  any  body,  in  an  open 
and  unreserved  manner. 

Paille,  Fr.  likewise  signifies  any 
flaw  in  metals.  Cette  lame  est  fine,  mais 
il  y  en  a  quelques  pailles ,  this  blade  is 
finely  tempered,  but  there  are  some 
flaws  in  it.  La  lame  deson  ipee  se  cassa 
a  Vendroit  oil  il  y  aruit  une  paille.  the 
blade  of  his  sword  broke  where  there 
was  a  flaw. 

PAILLER,  Fr.  (Falearius,)  an  an- 
cient body  of  French  militia.  The  sol- 
diers belonging  to  it  were  probably  so 
called,  either  from  the  circumstance  of 
their  wearing  straw  in  their  helmets,  in 
order  to  know  one  another  in  action,  or 
because  they  were  accustomed  to  self 
fire  to  their  enemy's  habitations,  &c. 
with  bundles  of  straw,  which  they  al- 
ways carried  with  them  for  that  purpose. 
The  inquisitive  may  be  more  fully  satis- 
fied on  this  subject  by  referring  to  Du- 
cange"s  Glossary. 

PAIN  de  munition,  Fr.  ammunition 
bread.  This  means,  literally,  bread  that 
is  furnished  by  government.  Hence 
ammunition  bread,  or  bread  given  to 
the  soldiers,  as  gunpowder  is,  free  of  all 
expense  to  the  individual.  In  the  folio 
edition  of  Marshal  Saxe's  Reveries,  page 
Id,  we  find  the  following  important  ob- 
servations on  the  subject  of  ammunition 


bread.  He  states  that  bread  never 
should  be  given  to  soldiers  on  active 
service,  but  that  they  should  be  accus- 
tomed to  eat  biscuits,  for  the  following 
reasons: — Biscuits  will  keep  a  consi- 
derable number  of  years,  and  every 
soldier  can  conveniently  carry  with  him 
in  his  haversack  a  sufficient  quantity 
for  seven  or  eight  days.  Those  officers 
who  have  served  among  the  Venetians, 
will  readily  prove  the  justness  of  this 
remark.  But  there  is  a  species  of  bis- 
cuit, or  hard-baked  bread,  that  never 
crumbles,  (called  soukari  by  the  Rus- 
sians,) which  is  preferable  to  any  thins 
of  the  kind.  It  is  square,  and  about 
the  thickness  of  a  nut,  and  takes  up 
less  room  than  either    bread  or  biscuic. 

Purveyors,  who  are  interested  in  the 
business,  maintain  a  different  opinion. 
They  tell  you  that  bread  is  best  for 
.troops.  Every  man  of  experience  knows 
the  contrary;  for  it  is  notorious,  that 
^contract,  or  ammunition  bread,  is  not 
only  made  of  unwholesome  ingredients, 
but  that  it  is  seldom  more  than  half 
baked;  which,  together  with  the  water  it 
contains,  increases  the  weight,  and  con-, 
sequently  enhances  the  value. 

PAINTING  in  oil,  (peinture  en 
liui/e,  Fr.)  The  art  of  painting  in  oil 
was  not  known  to  the  ancients,  and  was 
first  discovered  and  put  in  practice,  in 
the  beginning  of  the  14th  century,  by  a 
Flemish  painter  named  Jo/in  Van  Eyck, 
or  John  de  Bruges.  Painting,  before 
his  time,  was  all  performed  in  fresco,  or 
water  colours. 

PAINTING  of  Timber.  The  manner 
of  colouring  all  sorts  of  timber-work, 
particularly  of  gun-carriages,  wagons, 
&c.  as  well  as  wainscot,  doors,  windows, 
posts,  rails,  pales,  gates,  border  boards 
for  gardens,  &C.  which  require  cither 
beauty  or  preservation  from  the  violence 
of  rain,  or  injury  of  seasons,  is  so  well 
known,  that  we  shall  not  enter  into  any 
particulars  on  that  head.  The  curious, 
however,  may  be  gratified  by  referring 
to  the  Builder's  Dictionary,  published 
in  1733-4:  a  work  which  is  still  in  uood 
repute. 

PAIR,  'Nomine  Pair,  Fr.  equal.  An 
epithet  which  is  given  to  any  number 
that  can  be  divided  into  two  equal  parts, 
as  numbers  2,  4,  6,  8,  &c. 

PAIX,  Fr.     See  Peace. 

PAL,  Fr.    See  Quintaine. 

PALACE,  (palais,  Fr.)  a  royal  house, 


PAL 


(     591     ) 


PAL 


a  house  eminently  splendid.  Among 
other  popular  sentiments,  which  were 
used  at  the  commencement  of  the  French 
revolution  to  excite  the  lower  orders 
against  the  nobility,  &c. 

l.a  guerre  aux  pulais,  et  la  paix  aux 
hameaux  ! 

War  against  palaces,  and  peace  to 
cottages ! 
was  peculiarly  happy,  and  became  a  sort 
of  war-whoop  in  1792,  1793,  &c.  It  was 
suggested,  and  promulgated,  by  General 
Dumourier,  when  he  commanded  the  re- 
volutionary army,  and  by  his  victory  at 
.Temmappes,  gave  a  fatal  blow  to  the 
House  of  Bourbon. 

Un  PALADIN,  Tr.  a  knight-errant. 
The  followers  of  Charlemagne  were  first 
so  called;  and  we  have  since  applied  it 
to  the  generals  who  serve  under  Bona- 
parte. 

PALALALAN,  Fr.  the  sound  of  the 
French  march. 

PALANQUEEN,  Ind.  a  kind  of 
oblong  covered  couch,  with  a  rattan- 
bottom,  having  a  mattress  covered  with 
chintz,  and  a  sort  of  bed  chair  to  recline 
upon,  with  a  pole  in  front  and  in  rear, 
to  be  carried  by  eight  Hindoo  bearers; 
four  of  whom  support  it,  (two  behind 
and  two  before,)  and  are  relieved  by  the 
other  four,  alternately,  who  run  behind. 
Each  of  these  bearers  requires  four 
rupees  per  month.  A  palanqueen  costs 
about  200  rupees.  Every  officer  in  In- 
dia should  have  this  article.  Dr.  John- 
son writes  the  word  Palanquin. 

PALEAGAS,  Ind.     See  Polygars. 

PALANQUE,  IV.  a  kind  of  fortifi- 
cation so  called  in  Hungary.  It  is  made 
of  stakes  driven  into  the  ground,  inter- 
laced with  twigs,  and  covered  with  earth, 
and  serves  to  stop  the  progress  of  an 
advancing  enemy. 

PAL/ESTRA,  in  Grecian  antiquity, 
a  puhlic  building,  where  the  youth  ex- 
ercised themselves  in  the  military  art, 
wrestling,  running,  playing  at  quoits,  &c. 

PALAS.     See  Click. 

PALATINATE,  (palalinat,  Fr.)  the 
county  or  seat  of  a  count  palatine,  or 
chief  olKcer  in  the  palace,  or  court  of 
an  emperor,  or  sovereign  prince. 

PALATINE,  (palaiin,¥r.)  This  post 
or  dignity  has  various  significations — In 
Germany,  electors,  princes,  and  counts 
are  sometimes  so  called.  Hence  an 
elector  palatine.  In  Hungary  the  vice- 
roy is  termed  palatine;  and  in  Poland  it 


is  usual  to  distinguish  the  governor  of  a 
town  by  this  title.  Several  great  noble- 
men and  lords  were  likewise  called  pala- 
tines under  the  first  kings  of  France. 
Some  counties  in  England  are  also  dis- 
tinguished by  this  word,  as  county  pa- 
latine of  Cheshire,  &c.  &c. 

PALE,  in  carpentry,  a  little  pointed 
stake  of  wood,  used  in  making  inciosures, 
separations,  &c. 

PA  LEE,  Fr.  the  row  of  piles  upon 
which  a  wooden  bridge  is  constructed,  is 
so  called. 

PALESTRE,  Fr.  a  wrestling-place, 
or  exercising  ground.  It  comes  from 
the  Latin,  and  was  originally  derived 
from  the  Greek. 

PALFRY,  (pahfroi,  Fr.)  Before  car- 
riages were  invented,  the  horses  on 
which  ladies  rode  for  pleasure  were  called 
palfries.  The  French  also  say,  palcfrot, 
cheval  de  parade. 

PALIER,  ou  repos,  Fr.  the  landing 
in  a  staircase. 

Demi  Palier,  Fr.  a  landing  in  a 
staircase,  whose  breadth  is  equal  to  the 
length  of  the  step. 

Palier  de  communication,  Fr.  the 
space  upon  the  top  of  a  staircase  which 
separates  two  apartments,  and  has  a 
communication  with  each. 

PALIS,  Fr.  the  rows  of  small  pointed 
stakes,  which  serve  for  any  species  of 
inclosure,  are  so  called.  The  term  pa- 
lisade is  derived  from  it. 

PALISSADER,  Fr.  to  surround  any 
spot  with  stakes,  or  palisades. 

PALISSADES  de  camp,  Fr.  several 
pieccsof  wood,  soarrangedand  tied  toge- 
ther, that  they  may  with  great  dispatch  be 
fixed  in  the  ground  which  is  marked  out 
for  the  encampment  of  an  army. 

pALisSADES^/errees,  Fr.  palisades  that 
are  shod  with  iron.  They  are  used  in 
shallow  streams  and  marshes,  to  prevent 
small  craft  from  plying,  or  persons  from 
crossing  them  on  foot. 

PALKEE,  Ind.    See  Palanqueen. 

PALL,  (drap  mortuaire,  Fr.)  a  cover- 
ing thrown  over  the  dead.  It  is  always 
used  in  military  burials;  and  is  hired  at 
the  expense  of  the  captains  of  troops,  or 
companies,  in  the  British  service. 

PALLAS,  a  name,  in  heathen  my- 
thology, given  to  Minerva,  who  was 
looked  upon  as  the  goddess  of  war. 

PALLIER,     ^  in  building,    is  some- 

PAILLIER,  S  times  used  for  a  land- 
ing  place,   in  a  stair-case;    or  a  step, 


P  A  M 


(     593     ) 


PAN 


«  hich  being  broader  than  the  rest,  serves 
to  rest  upon. 

PALLIFICATION,  in  architecture, 
is  the  piling  of  the  ground  work ;  or 
strengthening  it  with  piles,  or  timber 
driven  into  the  ground  ;  which  is  prac- 
tised when  they  build  upon  a  moist  or 
marshy  s v i I . 

PALONNIER,  (palonneau,  Fr.)  the 
spring-tree  bar  of  a  coach. 

PALPLANCHES,  Fr.  planks,  or 
boards  made  out  of  all  kinds  of  wood, 
and  sometimes  out  of  red  fir,  particu- 
larly in  those  places  where  that  tree  is 
common.  They  are  usually  six  inches 
thick,  one  foot,  broad,  and  of  a  length 
that  corresponds  with  the  nature  of  the 
soil  into  which  they  are  to  be  driven. 
They  are  cut  sharp  at  the  bottom,  in 
order  to  make  them  go  into  the  ground 
with  greater  ease. 

PALTRY.  Dr.  Johnson  brings  this 
word  from  the  French  pottron,  a  cow- 
ard, a  scoundrel,  and  paltrocco  the  Ita- 
lian for  a  low  whore  ;  worthless,  con- 
temptible, mean. 

A  Paltry  undertaking,  any  thing 
unworthy  of  the  means  employed  against 
it,  as  a  paltry  expedition,  a  paltry  at- 
tack, a  paltry  siege,  paltry  foes.  We 
also  say  a  paltry  fellow,  a  low-minded 
drudge,  that  will  say  and  unsay  any 
thing  for  hire. 

P  A  LU  D  A  M  ENTUM,  Ch  lamys, 
among  the  ancients,  a  garment  worn  in 
time  of  war,  by  the  principal  men  of 
Rome,  especially  the  generals,  who  were 
called  for  that  reason  paludali.  The  sol- 
diers, having  only  short  coats,  called  a 
sugum,  were  denominated  sagati. 

The  paludamentum  was  open  on  the 
sides,  coming  down  no  lower  than  the 
navel,  and  had  short  sleeves.  It  was 
either  of  a  white,  purple,  or  red  colour, 
and  sometimes  black.  Kennett,  in  his 
Roman  Antiquities,  page  313,  says,  the 
old  paludamentum  of the  generals  was  all 
scarlet,  only  bordered  with  purple;  and 
the  chlamydes  of  the  emperors  were  all 
purple,  commonly  beautified  with  a  gol- 
den, or  embroidered  border.  Some 
writers  have  erroneously  confounded 
this  word  with  the  lorica  hamata,  which 
was  a  long  cloak. 

PALVFSATE,  Fr.  a  target  fence, 
under  which  soldiers  are  screened  when 
they  make  approaches,  or  enter  'a 
breach. 

PAMPHLET,  a   small   book  ;    pro- 


perly a  book  sold  unbound,  and  only 
stitched.  Dr.  Johnson  derives  it  from 
the  French  par  un  filet,  i.  e.  kept  toge- 
ther by  a  thread. 

Military  Pamphlet,  a  pamphlet  writ- 
ten upon  military  subjects. 

PAMPHLETEER,  a  scribbler  of  small 
books;  almost  always  a  venal  and  con- 
temptible wretch.  Swift  says — with 
great  injustice,  I  have  been  pelted  by 
pamphleteers.  Indeed  there  are  few  per- 
sons exempt  from  this  mode  of  paltry 
attack,  especially  if  they  should  have 
firmness  enough  to  pursue  solid  learning 
and  useful  knowledge,  without  being  di- 
verted  from  their  task,  by  petty  malevo- 
lence, and  mean  jealousy. 

PAN,  (pan,  Fr.)  the  side  of  a  rect- 
angle, or  irregular  figure;  also  the  flat 
front,  or  face  of  any  building;  a  pane, 
piece,  or  pannel  of  a  wall,  of  wainscot, 
of  a  window,  ckc. 

Pan  likewise  means  the  distance 
which  is  comprized  between  the  angle  of 
the  epaule  and  the  flanked  angle  in  for- 
tification.    See  Face  of  a  Bastion. 

Pan  de  devant,  Fr.  the  foreside. 

Pan  de  mur,  Fr.  the  pannel  of  a 
wall ;  also  any  proportion  of  a  decayed 
wall    which  is   to  be  replaced,  or  built 

UP-  .,- 

Pan  de  bois,  Fr.  in  building,  the  piece 

of  timber  which  sustains  a  gutter 
between  the  roofs  of  two  fronts,  or 
houses. 

Pan,  a  name  well  known  among  the 
shepherds  of  antiquity,  and  frequently 
used  by  modern  writers  in  their  rural 
fictions.  In  military  history,  it  signifies 
a  man  who  was  lieutenant-general  to 
Bacchus  in  his  Indian  expedition.  He 
is  recorded  to  have  been  the  first  author 
of  a  general  shout,  which  the  Grecians 
practised  in  the  beginning  of  their  onset 
in  battle.     See  Panic 

Pan,  that  part  of  the  lock  of  a  mus- 
ket, pistol,  &c.  which  holds  the  priming 
powder. 

PAX-tiles.     See  Tiles. 

PANACHE,        1   Fr.    a    plume,  or 

PANNACHE,     \  bunch  of  feathers. 

Panaches  Jlottuns,  Fr.  nodding 
plumes. 

Panache  likewise  signifies,  in  archi- 
tecture, the  triangular  part  of  an  arch 
that  contributes  towards  the  support  of 
a  turret,  or  elevation,  which  is  raised 
above  the  dome  of  any  particular  edi- 
fice. 

4  0 


P  A  N 


(     594     ) 


PAN 


So  called  from  being 


PA  NC  ARTE,  Fr.  an  ancient  exer- 
cise, or  tournament,  which  was  perform- 
ed   in  the  Human  amphitheatre,  when 

strong  athletic  men  were  opposed  to  all 
sorts  of  enraged  animals. 

Pancakil,   Fr.    a    paper   containing 
the  particular  rates  of  tolls,  or  customs, 
due  to  the  king, 
publicly  stuck  up. 

PANCERNES,  a  body  of  Polish  ca- 
valry, which  is  divided  into  hussars  and 
panccmes.  These  troops  constitute, 
almost  wholly  within  themselves,  the 
strength  of  that  country. 

PANDEMONIUM",  according  to 
Bailey,  with  the  authority  of  Milton, 
the  great  hall  or  council  chamber  of 
devils.  Figuratively,  any  place  where 
men  meet  to  do  evil. 

PANDOURS,  Sclavonians  who  inha- 
bit the  banks  of  the  Drave,  a  consider- 
able river  of  Germany,  which  rises  in 
the  Tyrol,  and  empties  itself  into  the 
Danube,  near  Eft'eck,  in  Hungary  5  and 
those  of  the  Save,  a  river  of  Germany, 
which  rises  in  Carniola,  and  falls  into 
the  Danube  at  Belgrade.  They  wear  a 
long  coat,  have  four  or  live  pistols  placed 
in  a  belt  round  their  waists,  and  they 
are  armed  with  a  sabre  and  a  poniard. 
They  always  act  as  irregulars,  when  em- 
ployed on  service.  They  derive  their 
name  from  a  village  called  Paudut,  in 
Lower  Hungary.  The  Pandours  were 
originally  a  corps  of  infantry  named 
Ruitza;  and  their  chief  occupation,  or 
duty,  was  to  clear  the  high  roads  of 
thieves,  &C.  They  first  made  their  ap- 
pearance in  Germany,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Baron  Trenck,  in  1711. 

PANICK,  Panick  fear,  ( terrcur 
panique,  Fr.)  sudden  consternation  which 
seizes  upon  men's  fancies  without  any 
visible  cause;  a  needless,  or  ill  grounded 
fright.  The  reason  why  these  terrors 
are  attributed  to  Pan,  was,  as  some  say, 
because  when  Osiris  was  bound  by  Ty- 
pho,  trie  appearance  of  Pan  and  the  sa- 
tyrs threw  him  into  a  fright ;  or  because 
he  frightened  all  the  giants  that  waged 
war  against  Jupiter;  or  as  others  say, 
because  when  Pan  was  Bacchus's  lieu- 
tenant-general, in  his  Indian  expedition, 
and  was  on  the  point  of  being  encompass- 
ed in  a  valley,  with  an  army  of  enemies, 
far  superior  to  them  in  number,  he  ad- 
vised the  god  to  order  his  men  to  give  a 
general  shout,  which  so  surprized  the 
opposite  army,  that   they  immediately 


fled  from  their  camp.  And  hence  it 
came  to  pass,  that  all  sudden  fears  im- 
pressed upon  men's  spirits  without  any 
just  reason,  were,  by  the  Greeks  and  Ro- 
mans, called  panic  iejrors.  (See  Polva:- 
nus  Stratag.  book  1.)  The  custom  of 
shouting  seems  to  have  been  used  by 
almost  ail  nations,  barbarous  as  well  as 
civilized  ;  and  is  mentioned  by  all  writers 
who  treat  of  martial  affairs.  Homer  has 
several  elegant  descriptions  of  ir,  parti- 
cularly one  in  the  fourth  Iliad,  where  he 
likens  the  military  noise  to  torrents 
rolling  with  impetuous  force  from  moun- 
tains into  the  adjacent  vallies.  We  have 
likewise  had  our  war-whoops,  and  still 
have  our  shouts. 

PAN1ER  a  mine,  Fr.     See  Bouriu- 

QUET. 

PANTERS,  Fr.  baskets.  Figurativar 
ly,  un  punier  perce,  a  leaky  vessel,  or 
one  who  cannot  keep  a  secret.  A  dan- 
gerous man  in  society  ;  and  in  military 
concerns,  one  who  ought  to  be  particu- 
larly guarded  against,  where  discretion 
and  confidence  are  necessary. 

PANNADER,  Fr.  to  prance,  curvet, 
or  bound  as  a  horse  does. 

PANNADES,  Fr.  the  prancings,  cur- 
vettings,  and  bouudings  of  a  lusty  horse. 

PANNE,  Fr.  literally  means  shag, 
plush,  lYc.  and  is  properly  a  sea  term, 
signifying  to  lie  to,  mettre  en  panne.  It 
is  likewise  used  in  a  military  sense,  to 
express  the  steady  posture  of  troops 
who  are  drawn  up  for  battle,  and  wait 
an  enemy's  attack.  La  troupe  est  restee 
en  panne,  the  squadron  remained  im- 
movable. 

Panne,  Fr.  the  beam  that  supports 
the  rafters  of  the  roof. 

PANNEAU,  Fr.  trap,  snare. 

Donncr  dans  le  Panneau,  Fr.  to  be 
ensnared,  entrapped,  or  outwitted. 

Panneau  de  selle,  Fr.  the  pannel  of 
a  saddle. 

Panneau  likewise  signifies  any  plank 
of  oak. 

PANNELS,  in  artillery,  are  the  car- 
riages which  carry  mortars  and  their  beds 
upon  a  march. 

PANNEL,  (in  joinery,)  is  a  tympa- 
num, or  square  piece  of  thin  wood,  some- 
times carved,  framed,  or  grooved  in  a 
larger  piece  between  two  montants,  or 
upright  pieces,  and  two  traverses,  or 
cross  pieces. 

Pannel,  (in  masonry,)  is  one  of  the 
faces  of  a  hewn  stone. 


PAN 


(     595     ) 


PAR 


Pannels,  or  panes,  of  glass  are  com- 
partments, or  pieces  of  glass. 

PANNIER,  (in  architecture,)  a  piece 
of  carved  work,  in  the  form  of  a  basket, 
full  of  flowers  or  fruit,  serving  in  archi- 
tecture to  finish  some  ornament. 

PANNERESSE,  Fr.  a  flat  stone,  or 
square  piece  of  wood,  which  has  more 
breadth  than  depth  in  its  superficies. 

PANNONCEAU,  Fr.  an  ancient 
term,  which  was  used  to  signify  ensign, 
or  banner. 

PANOPLY,  complete  armour,  or  har- 
ness. 

PANSEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of  dress- 
ing a  wound,  or  rubbing  and  dressing  a 
horse. 

PANSER,  Fr.    See  to  Dress. 

Panser,  Fr.  in  farriery,  signifies  to 
rub  down,  and  otherwise  to  take  care  of 
a  horse. 

PANTHEON,  (in  architecture,)  a 
temple  of  a  circular  form,  dedicated  to 
all  the  gods.  The  name  has  been  adopt- 
ed among  modern  nations  from  the  pan- 
theon of  ancient  Rome,  built  by  Agrippa 
in  his  third  consulate,  and  dedicated  to 
Jupiter  Ultro,  or  Jupiter  the  Avenger. 
There  is  a  chapel  in  the  Escurial  in 
Spain, called  the  pantheon,  of  marble  and 
jasper  inlaid  :  the  whole  inside  is  of 
black  marble,  excepting  theluthern,  and 
some  ornaments  of  jasper  and  red  mar- 
ble. The  pantheon  at  Paris,  during 
the  progress  of  the  French  revolution, 
was  appropriated  to  national  purposes; 
the  names  and  busts  of  the  most  distin- 
guished statesmen  and  generals  being 
preserved  therein  as  marks  of  public  gra- 
titude, and  objects  of  public  emulation. 
There  is  a  building  in  London  that  bears 
the  name  of  pantheon,  but  that  is  all. 
It  is  private  property,  and  the  only  pub- 
lic use  to  which  it  has  been  appropriated, 
has  been  that  of  operatical  speculation, 
masquerades,  or  frivolous  entertain- 
ments. 

PANTINS,  Fr.  men  on  foot. 

PANTOGRAPH  E,  Fr.  a  mathema- 
tical instrument,  which  serves  to  copy  all 
sorts  of  drawings.  The  French  have  paid 
great  attention  to  the  improvement  of 
this  instrument,  of  which  a  minute  de- 
scription may  be  found  in  Cours  de  Ma- 
thcumtiques,  by  Pere  Deschalles.  But 
the  Sieur  Panglois  brought  it  to  such 
perfection  in  1750,  that  it  is  become 
universally  used. 
PANTOMETER,   (pantomilrc,  Fr.) 


an  instrument  used  to  take  all  sorts  of 
angles,  distances,  and  elevations.  It  was 
invented  by  the  ancients,  but  has  been 
greatly  improved  since. 

Se  PAONNER,  Fr.  to  make  an  out- 
ward display  of  one's  self;  to  be  vain- 
glorious ;  to  be  more  attentive  to  the 
body  than  the  mind.     See  Gloriole. 

PANTON,  (in  farriery,)  a  shoe  con- 
trived to  cover  a  narrow  and  hoof- 
bound  heel. 

PAPER-money,  (papier-monnaie,  Fr.) 
a  substitute  for  coin,  represented  by 
legal  notes  of  hand  which  are  issued 
from  the  Bank  of  England. 

PAPIER  de  cartouche,  Fr.  paper  used 
for  cartridges. 

Papier  gris,  on  Papier  brouillard, 
Fr.  whited-brown  paper. 

Papiers  et  emeignemens,  Fr.  All  the 
papers  and  manuscripts  which  are  found 
on  board  a  ship  are  so  called. 

PAQUEBOT,  Fr.  a  modern  French 
term,  derived  from  packet-boat,  which 
see. 

PARABOLA,  (parabole,  Fr.)  in  geo- 
metry, a  figure  arising  from  the  section 
of  the  cone,  when  cut  by  a  plane  paral- 
lel to  one  of  its  sides. 

From  the  same  points  of  a  cone,  there- 
fore, only  one  parabola  can  be  drawn  ; 
all  the  other  sections,  within  these  paral- 
lels, being  ellipses,  and  all  without,  hy- 
perbolas. 

Properties  of  the  Parabola.  The 
square  of  an  ordinate  is  equal  to  the 
rectangle  of  the  abscissa,  and  four  times 
the  distance  of  the  focus  from  the  ver- 
tex. 

The  perpendicular  on  the  tangent, 
from  the  focus,  is  a  mean  proportional 
between  the  distance  from  the  vertex  to 
the  focus,  and  the  distance  of  the  focus 
from  the  point  of  contact. 

All  lines  within  the  parabola,  which 
are  drawn  parallel  to  the  axis,  are  called 
diameters. 

The  parameter  of  any  diameter  is  a 
right  line,  of  such  a  nature,  that  the  pro- 
duct under  the  same,  and  the  abscista, 
are  equal  to  the  square  of  the  semi-or- 
dinate. 

The  squares  of  all  ordinates  to  the 
same  diameter,  are  to  one  another  as 
their  abscissas. 

Cartesian  Parabola  is  a  curve  of 
the  second  order,  expressed  by  the  equa- 
tion xy  —  ax  3  -\-  bx  1  +  ex  +  d.   con- 
taining four  infinite  legs,  being  the  66th 
4  G  2 


P  A  R 


(     596     ) 


PAR 


order,  ac- 
and 


species  of  lines  of  the  third 
cording  to  Sir  Isaac  Newton  ;  and  is 
marie  use  of  by  Descartes,  in  the  third 
bouk  of  his  geometry,  for  finding  the 
roots  of  equations  of  six  dimensions  by 
its  intersections  with  a  circle. 

Diverging  Parabola,  a  name  given 
by  Sir  Isaac  Newton  to  five  different 
lines  of  the  third  order,  expressed  by  the 
equation  y\f  —  ax3  4-  bxz  -f  ex  +  d. 

PARABOLA  IN,  Fr.  a  name  for- 
merly given  to  the  boldest  gladiator.  It 
is  now  applied  to  every  person  who  runs 
the  hazard  of  his  own  life,  particularly 
in  visiting  hospitals,  for  the  relief  of 
another. 

PARABOLIC  pyramidoid  is  a  solid 
figure  generated  by  supposing  all  the 
squares  of  theordinates  applicates  in  the 
parabola,  so  placed  as  that  the  axis  shall 
pass  through  all  their  centers  at  right 
angles,  in  which  case  the  aggregate  of 
the  planes  will  be  arithmetically  propor- 
tional ;  whose  solidity  is  gained  by  mul- 
tiplying the  base  by  half  the  altitude. 

PARABOLIC  spindle  is  a  solid  made 
by  the  revolution  of  a  semi-parabola  about 
one  of  its  ordinates,  and  is  equal  to  JL. 
of  its  circumscribing  cylinder. 

Parabolic  space  is  the  avea  contained 
between  the  curve  of  the  parabola  and  a 
whole  ordinate. 

Parabolic  enneus,  a  solid  mentioned 
by  Dr.  VVallis,  which  is  thus  formed; 
multiply  all  the  D  B's  into  DCs,  or, 
■which  is  all  one,  upon  the  base  AFB 
erect  a  prism,  whose  altitude  shall  be 
A  S,  and  this  shall  be  the  parabolic  cu- 
neus,  which  is  equal  in  solidity  to  the 
parabolical  pyrumidoid. 

PARADE  originally  consisted  of  a 
square  court  before  cathedrals,  sur- 
rounded by  piazzas  or  porticoes  for  per- 
sons to  walk  under,  being  supported  with 
pillars.  It  is  now  used,  in  a  military 
sense,  to  signify  any  place  where  troops 
assemble,  in  corps,  troops  or  compa- 
nies. 

To  Par  a  nr..  This  word  is  frequently 
used  as  an  active  verb,  with  respect  to 
military  matters,viz.  To  parade  the  guard, 
&c.  It  has  likewise  been  adopted  in  the 
united  kingdom  to  express  the  act  of 
calling  out  a  person  in  an  affair  of  honour, 
lhe  Irish  familiarly  say — I  shall  parade 
the  gentleman,  to-morrow  morning,  in  the 
t ka nix  Park. 

A  Parade  officer,  (officier  de  parade, 
Fr.)an  officer  who  attends  to  the  minu- 


tiaj  of  regimental  duty,  but  who  is  not 
remarkable  for  military  science.  See 
Officer. 

Parade,  IV.  The  French  make  use 
of  this  term  in  various  ways. 

Parade,  Fr.  show,  ostentation. 

Lit  de  Parade,  Ft.  bed  of  state. 

Cheval  de  Parade,  Fr.  a  horse  finely 
caparisoned,  and  kept  for  show. 

Parade,  Fr.  in  fencing,  the  act  of 
parrying  a  thrust,  or  blow. 

Parade,  Jr.  the  place  or  ground 
where  soldiers  parade. 

Se  mettre  en  Parade,  Fr.  to  take 
one's  ground. 

Fan c  la  Parade,  Fr.  to  do  parade 
duty. 

Monter  la  Parade,  Fr.  to  take  part 
in  the  regular  line  of  parade. 

Manquer  sa  Parade,  Fr.  in  fencing, 
to  miss  one's  parry. 

Etre  liors  de  Parade,  Fr.  to  parry 
wide,  or  stand  exposed. 

PARADIS,  Fr.  that  part  of  a  har- 
bour in  which  vessels  may  ride  with  the 
greatest  safety. 

PARADOS,  an  elevation  of  earth 
which  is  effected  behind  fortified  places, 
to  secure  them  from  any  sudden  attack 
that  may  be  made  in  reverse.  Parapet 
and  parados  come  from  terms  signifying, 
in  the  front,  or  in  the  rear,  of  any 
tiling. 

FAR  A  LLELEPIPED,  (parallelepi- 
pe.de,  Fr.)  one  of  the  regular  bodies  of 
solids,  comprehended  under  six  rectan- 
gular and  parallel  surfaces,  the  opposite 
ones  whereof  are  equal. 

PARALLELISM,  (parallelisme,  Fr.) 
the  situation  or  quality  by  which  any 
thing  is  denominated  parallel  ;  that, 
whereby  two  things,  viz.  lines,  or  rays, 
become  equi-distaut  from  one  another. 

Parallelism  of  a  march.  In  order 
to  preserve  the  parallelism  of  a  march 
in  the  movement  of  troops,  each  batta- 
lion must  be  kept  perpendicular  to  the 
direction  it  marches  upon,  the  whole  of 
the  several  battalions  in  one  straight  line, 
and  their  several  marching  directions 
parallel  to  each  other. 

Parallelism  and  distance  to  be  ob- 
served in  the  formation  and  movement  of 
any  considerable  body  of  troops.  In  the 
Rules  and  Regulations,  it  is  laid  down 
as  a  general  maxim,  that  no  considerable 
body  should  ever  be  formed  without  a 
proportion  of  it  being  placed  in  reserve, 
or  in  second  line,  and  more  or  less  ac- 


PAR 


(     597-    ) 


PAR 


cording  to  circumstances.  The  move- 
ments of  such  second  line  will  always 
correspond  with  those  of  the  first,  and 
it  will  always  preserve  its  parallelism 
and  distance. 

Movements  Parallel  with  a  line  oj 
fire.  Movements  are  said  to  he  parallel 
with  a  line  of  fire,  when  one  or  more 
lines  march,  either  in  the  rear  of  troops 
engaged  with  an  enemy,  or  in  face  of 
an  enemy,  who  is  advancing  to  attack. 
The  greatest  accuracy  and  order  are  re- 
quired on  both  occasions,  particularly 
on  the  latter  ;  for  if  the  second  line, 
which  is  the  line  of  support,  does  not 
preserve  its  perpendicular  direction  with 
respect  to  every  leading  point,  and  its 
relative  parallelism  and  distance  with 
the  line  engaged,  according  to  circum- 
stances, it  will  not  only  run  the  risk  of 
becoming  useless  itself,  but  will,  in  all 
probability,  endanger  the  line  it  covers, 
should  any  sudden  necessity  occur  for  a 
change  of  position.  •» 

PA  R  A  LLELOG  R  A  M,  (  parallelo- 
gramme,  Fr.)  a  plain  figure  bounded  by 
Four  right  lines,  whereof  the  opposite 
are  parallel  one  to  the  other.  It  like- 
wise means  an  instrument  composed  of 
five  rulers  of  brass  or  wood,  with  sliding 
sockets,  to  be  set  to  any  proportion,  for 
the  enlarging,  or  diminishing  any  map  or 
draught,  in  huilding,  surveying,  &c. 

PARALLELOGRAMMIC  protrac- 
tor, a  semi-circle  of  brass  with  four  ru- 
lers, in  the  shape  of  a  parallelogram 
made  to  move  to  any  angle  ;  one  of 
which  rulers  is  an  index,  which  shews  on 
a  semi-circle,  the  quantity  of  any  inward, 
or  outward  angie. 

PARALLELS,  (paralliles,  Fr.)  at  a 
siege,  the  trenches,  or  lines  made  parallel 
to  the  defence  of  the  place  besieged. 
There  are  usually  three  in  an  attack ;  the 
first,  about  300  toises,  or  600  yards, 
from  the  covert-way;  the  2d  and  3d, 
nearer  to  the  glacis.  The  deep  trenches, 
15  or  18  feet  wide,  that  join  the  several 
attacks  together,  are  also  called  parallels, 
or  places  of  arms.  They  serve  to  place 
the  guard  of  the  trenches  in  readi- 
ness to  support  the  workmen  when  at- 
tacked. See  Boyau,  or  Line  of  commu- 
nication. 

Tirer  une  PARALLELE,  Fr.  verba- 
tim, to  draw  a  parallel.  To  make  a  di- 
rect communication  between  one  trench 
and  another. 

PARALLELET    planes   are    those 


planes  which  have  all  the  perpendiculars 
drawn  betwixt  them  equal  to  each 
other ;  that  is,  when  they  are  equally 
distant  every  where. 

Parallelet  ruler,  an  instrument 
of  wood,  brass,  &c.  consisting  of  two 
parallel  rules  which  open  and  shut  pa- 
rallel to  one  another.  This  instrument 
is  particularly  useful  in  mathematics. 

PARALYSER,  Fr.  to  paralyse;  a 
term  frequently  used  by  the  French 
since  the  revolution,  to  express  the  bad 
effects  of  a  factious  spirit,  Ike.  Vn  seul 
factieux  quelquefois  parali/se  tout  une 
administration  ;  one  factious  man  will 
sometimes  render  the  designs  of  a  whole 
administration  abortive. 

PARAMETER,  (paramitre,  Fr.)  See 
Gunnehy  and  Projectiles. 

PARAPET,  in  fortification,  an  ele- 
vation of  earth,  designed  for  covering 
the  soldiers  from  the  enemy's  cannon,  or 
small  shot :  its  thickness  is  from  18  to 
20  feet ;  its  height  6  on  the  inside,  and 
4  or  5  on  that  side  next  the  country  ;  it 
is  raised  on  the  rampart,  and  has  a  slope 
called  the  superior  talus,  or  glacis  of  the 
parapet,  on  which  the  troops  lay  their 
arms  to  fire  over.  The  slope  renders  it 
easy  for  the  soldiers  to  fire  into  the  ditch. 
It  has  a  banquette  or  two  on  the  inside 
for  the  troops  who  defend  it,  to  mount 
upon,  in  order  to  discover  the  country, 
the  ditch,  and  counterscarp,  and  to  fire 
as  they  find  occasion. 

Parapet  'of  the  covert-way  is  what 
covers  that  way  from  the  sight  of  the 
enemy;  which  renders  it  the  most  dan- 
gerous place  for  the  besiegers,  because 
of  the  neighbourhood  of  the  faces,  flanks, 
and  curtains  of  the  place. 

Parapet  comes  from  the  double  Ita- 
lian word  para — petto. 

PARAPETS  en  forme  de  cremaillere, 
Fr.  parapets  which  are  so  constructed 
within,  in  the  form  of  a  saw,  that  one  of 
the  faces  of  the  redans,  or  teeth,  is  per- 
pendicular, and  the  other  parallel,  to  the 
capital.  The  Chevalier  Clairac,  in  his 
Ingcnieur  de  Campagne,  has  given  a  par- 
ticular account  of  these  parapets :  but 
the  merit  of  invention  does  not  entirely 
rest  with  him,  since  the  Marquis  de  la 
Fond,  director  of  the  fortified  places 
upon  the  coast  of  French  Flanders,  and 
M.  de  Verville,  chief  engineer  at  Rocroi, 
have  likewise  mentioned  them. 

PARASANG,  (parasange,  Fr.)  an 
ancient  Persian  measure,  containing  usu- 


PAR 


(     598     ) 


PAR 


ally  thirty,  sometimes  forty,  and  some-  j  outside  of  a  stone,    or  wall;   also   the 
times  fifty  stadia,  or  furlongs.  !  facings  of  an  uniform  co;t. 

PARASITE,  (parasite,  Fr.)  one  that  Parement  di  minuiscrie,  Fr.  all  that 
frequents  rich  tables,  and  earns  In-,  wel-  appears  on  the  outside  of  a  piece  of  car- 
come    by    flattery.       A  creature  some-    pentry,  or  joiner's  work,  &C. 


times  found  in  military  life,  but  always 
considered  as  unworthy  of  the  character 
of  an  officer. 

PARASTATA,   (parastatts,  Fr.)    in 

architecture,  an  impost,  or  kind  of  cent  a, 
or  pilaster,  built  for  the  support  of  an 
arch.  According  to  some  writers,  pilas- 
ters which  stand  alone,  not  adjoining  to 
the  wall.  M.  D'Azi/cr  makes  parastata 
the  same  as  impost ;  but  Evelyn  the 
same  as  pi/aster. 

PARC,  Fr.     See  Park. 
Parc  d'artillerie,  Fr.     See   Park  of 
artillery. 

Le  commissaire  du  Parc,  Fr.  the  com- 
missary belonging  to  the  park. 

Le  Parc  des  munitions  et  des  vivres, 
Fr.  the  park  of  stores  and  provisions. 
Parc  de  t'hSpital,  Fr.     See  Hospital. 
Parc  des  vivres,  on  quartier  dts  vivres, 
Fr.  park  of  provisions. 

PARCOURIR,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  to  run  over  the  ground  during  an 
action.  This  word  is  particularly  appli- 
cable to  those  movements  which  are 
made  by  general  officers,  officers  com- 
manding brigades,  tkc.  for  the  purpose 
of  encouraging  their  soldiers  in  the  heat 
of  an  engagement. 

Parcourir  de  rang  en  rang,  Fr.  to 
run  up  and  down  the  ranks,  or  from  rank 
to  rank. 

PARDON,  forgiveness,  remission.  In 
military  matters  this  word  must  be  un- 
derstood in  two  senses,  viz.  in  a  limited 
one,  when  it  affects  a  culprit  who  has 
been  sentenced  by  a  general  court-mar- 
tial, to  receive  bodily  punishment;  and 
in  a  more  extensive  one,  when  the  pu- 
nishment is  the  consequence  of  a  regi- 
mental decision.  In  the  former  case, 
the  king  only,  through  the  commander 
in  chief,  can  pardon,  or  remit  the  pu- 
nishment;  in  the  latter,  the  colonel,  or 
commanding  officer,  has  a  discretionary 
power. 

Pardon  des  injures,  Fr.  See  For- 
giveness. 

PAREMENS,  Fr.  ranges  of  broad 
freestone  in  a  building ;  the  large  stones 
that  border  the  sides  of  a  road,  or  street; 
also  the  large  sticks  of  a  faggot. 

PAREMENT,  Fr.  the  front,  or  facing 
of  any  thing,   all    that  appears  on  the 


Parement  de  pare,  Fr.     See  Pare- 

MENS. 

Chawbrc  de  Parement,  Fr.  the  pre- 
sence-chamber. 

Lit  de    Parement,  JV.    a    bed  of 

state. 

Murailte  a  deux  Paremens  dc  pierrc 
de  tuillc,  Fr.  a  wall  having  two  courses 
of,  or  being  covered  on  both  sides  with 
freestone. 

RARER,  Fr.  to  keep  off;  to  parry; 
to  ward  off.  The  French  say  as  we  do, 
II  est  impossible  de  se  purer  d'un  ennemi 
convert,  it  is  impossible  to  be  upon 
one's  guard  against  a  secret  enemy. 

Parer  a  toutes  feintes,  Fr.  to  parry 
to  all  feints. 

Parer  un  coup,  Fr.  to  ward  oft  a 
blow  ;  also  to  parry  in  fencing,  as  purer 
une  botte,  parer  tine  estocade,  to  parry  a 
thrust;  parer  et  porter  en  mime  temps, 
to  parry  and  thrust  at  the  same  time:  it 
also  means  to  weather  ;  as  parer  le  cap, 
to  weather  or  double  the  cape. 

Parer,  Fr.  in  riding,  to  stop.  Che- 
ral  qui  pare  bien,  a  horse  that  stops 
well. 

Parer  le  pied  d'un  cheval,  Fr.  to 
parc  the  hoof  of  a  horse  before  he  is 
shod. 

Parer  sur  ses  hunches,  Fr.  to  be  well 
upon  his  haunches.  This  term  is  appli- 
cable to  the  movements  of  a  horse. 

PARESSE,  Fr.  laziness;  sluggish- 
ness. 

PARESSEUX,  Fr.  lazy;  idle;  unfit 
to  have  the  charge  of  any  military  ope- 
ration. 

PARGETTING,  (in  building,)  is  used 
for  the  plastering  of  walls ;  sometimes 
it  signifies  the  plaster  itself.  It  is  a 
corruption  of  the  Latin  word  spurgcre, 
to  spread,  to  sprinkle,  &c. 

PARING,  that  which  is  pared  off  any 
thing. 

Cheese  Parings,  a  phrase  adopted  by 
a  late  secretary  at  war,  to  express  paltry 
savings.     See  Prodigality. 

PARIS,  (Puris,  Fr.)  the  capital  of 
France. 

PARISH,  according  to  Johnson,  the 
particular  charge  of  a  secular  priest. 
Our  realm  was  first  divided  into  parishes 
by  Honorius,  Archbishop  of  Canterbury, 


PAR 


(     599     ) 


PAR 


in  636.  The  several  parishes  are  obliged 
to  furnish  a  certain  number  of  men  for 
the  militia,  &c. 

PARiSH-6«xine.M.  Although  this  phrase 
is  generally  understood  to  mean  every 
species  of  conversation  which  may  re- 
late to  military  matters,  and  is  conse- 
quently discountenanced  at  regimental 
messes,  we  are  nevertheless  of  opinion, 
that,  in  strictness,  it  ought  only  to  com- 
prehend the  details  of  any  particular  re- 
giment. It  must  be  obvious  to  every 
thinking  man,  that  however  ill-placed  a 
discussion  of  the  private  concerns  of  a 
regiment  at  table  may  be,  especially  in 
the  presence  of  strangers,  a  total  exclu- 
sion of  military  subjects  is  equally  to  he 
condemned  ;  for  on  what  topics  can  offi- 
cers converse  with  more  satisfaction  at 
a  military  mess,  than  on  those  which 
relate  to  the  higher  branches  of  their 
profession  ? 

PARK  of  Artillery  should  always  be 
placed,  if  possible,  within  a  short  dis- 
tance of  water  carriage;  and  have  the 
most  ready  communication  with  every 
part  of  the  line  of  the  army.  Its  form 
must  depend  on  its  situation.  Ten  feet 
are  usually  allowed  in  front  for  one  car- 
riage and  its  interval,  and  near  50  feet 
from  the  hind  wheels  of  the  front  row 
to  the  fore  wheels  of  the  second  ;  this 
interval  should  allow  sufficient  room  for 
putting  the  horses  to  the  carriages,  and 
for  a  free  passage  along  the  line.  In 
parks  not  on  immediate  service,  it  is 
customary  to  range  the  guns  with  their 
muzzles  to  the  front ;  hut  where  the 
guns  are  likely  to  be  wanted  at  a  short 
notice,  appearances  must  not  be  studied, 
and  the  gun-carriages  must  be  parked 
with  their  shafts  to  the  front,  ready  to 
receive  horses  to  them.  A  quarter 
guard  is  placed  in  front  of  the  park,  and 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  gun- 
ners' tents  on  the  flanks,  at  about  20 
paces  distance;  and  40  paces  to  the 
rear,  the  subaltern  officers;  at  10  more 
to  the  rear,  the  captains,  and  10  more 
the  commanding  officer.  The  mess  tent 
is  15  in  the  rear  of  the  officers.  At  a 
convenient  distance,  in  the  rear  of  the 
whole,  are  the  horses  picketed  in  one  or 
more  lines,  with  the  drivers  on  their 
flanks.  The  horses  are  sometimes  pick- 
eted in  lines  perpendicular  to  the  front, 
and  on  the  flanks  of  the  carriages,  be- 
tween the  men  and  the  carriages. — Bom- 
bardier. 


Pake  of  provisions,  a  place  in  a  camp, 
in  the  rear  of  every  regiment,  which  is 
taken  up  by  the  sutlers  who  follow  the 
army  with  all  sorts  of  provisions,  and 
sell  them  to  the  soldiers. 

PARLEMENTER,  Fr.  to  parley. 
The  French  familiarly  say,  Ville  qui  par- 
Lemente  est  a  demi  rendue  ;  a  town  whose 
governor  parleys  may  he  said  to  be  halt 
given  up. 

PARLER,  Fr.  to  speak,  to  talk. 

Parler  a  chcial,  Fr.  to  talk  arro- 
gantly. 

Pa  n  ler  a  volte,  Fr.  to  talk  at  random. 

PARLEY,  oral  treaty;  talk;  confer- 
ence; discussion  by  word  of  mouth. 

To  Parley,  in  military  matters,  to 
enter  into  conference  with  your  enemy. 
This  is  done  by  means  of  a  flag  of  truce. 
See  Truce. 

To  beat  a  Parley  is  to  give  a  signal 
for  holding  such  a  conference,  by  beat 
of  drum,  or  sound  of  trumpet.  See 
Chamade. 

PARLIAMENT,  (parlemeut,  Fr.)  the 
assembly  of  the  king,  and  tiie  three 
estates  of  the  realm;  namely,  the  lords 
spiritual,  the  lords  temporal,  and  com- 
mons; which  assembly,  or  court  is,  of 
all  others,  the  highest,  and  of  greatest 
authority.  This  authority  was,  in  fact, 
so  great,  that  when  Charles  I.  was  sup- 
posed to  have  infringed  upon  the  rights  of 
Englishmen,  parliament  rose  in  opposi- 
tion to  him,  asserted  that  power,  raised 
its  own  army,  and,  after  having  met 
him  in  the  field,  brought  him  hefore  the 
tribunal  of  the  country,  and  sentenced 
him  to  death. 

PAROL  Fr.  a  machine  made  in  the 
shape  of  a  table,  which  is  nailed  upon 
planks  four  inches  thick  and  ten  feet 
long,  to  six  feet  in  breadth,  with  its 
side,  or  edge,  six  inches  thick,  toward* 
the  country,  into  which  are  driven,  ho- 
rizontally, long  stakes  with  sharp  points. 
This  machine  is  used  in  sieges,  being 
placed  upon  rollers  so  as  to  have  it  run 
up  and  fixed  upon  the  parapet,  for  the 
purpose  of  resisting  a  scaling  party. 

Paroi,  Fr.  a  farrier's  buttress. 

Paroi,  Fr.  a  wall;  a  partition. 

Paroi  blanchie,  Fr.  a  whited  wall. 

PAROLE,  in  a  military  sense,  the 
promise  made  by  a  prisoner  of  war, 
when  he  has  leave  to  go  any  where,  of 
returning  at  a  time  appointed,  or  not  to 
take  up  arms,  if  not  exchanged. 

Parole.    An  apology  almost  appear* 


P  A  R 


(     600     ) 


P  A  R 


to  be  necessary  for  giving  an  article  un- 
der this  head  in  an  English  dictionary, 
addressed  to  English  olticers ;  for  it  i> 
impossible  that  any  individual  of  so  re- 
spectable u  profession; could  throw  such 
a  stain  upou  himself,  his  country,  and 
his  service,  as  to  forfeit  his  parole,  or 
word  of  honour,  after  it  has  once  been 
given.  Surely  it  must  be  inscribed  on 
all  their  hearts,  that  the  word  and 
honour  of  an  officer  are  sacred,  and  that 
once  pledged,  they  cannot  be  recalled. 
Governments  are  concerned  in  incul- 
cating these  principles,  because  they 
tend  to  soften  the  honors  of  war,  and 
to  fortify  that  sense  of  rectitude  and 
truth,  which,  though  it  is  the  duty  of 
the  man,  is  still  the  fringe  and  orna- 
ment of  the  real  soldier's  character.  A 
breach  of  parole  in  European  armies, 
amongst  civilized  nations,  has  always 
been  held  to  be  infamous.  A  person 
who  has  once  been  guilty  of  it,  has  no 
right  to  be  treated  as  an  officer,  or  to 
expect  quarter,  should  he  again  fall  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

Parole  means  also  a  word  given 
out  every  day  in  orders  by  the  com- 
manding orhcer,  both  in  camp  and  gar- 
rison, for  the  purpose  of  knowing  friends 
from  enemies. 

To  Pa  hole  an  office?-,  (mcttre  un 
ojjicier  SUV  sa  parole,  Fr.)  to  take  the 
word  and  honour  of  an  officer,  who  has 
been  taken  prisoner,  or  may  otherwise 
be  in  a  state  of  arrest,  that  he  will  not 
exceed  certain  limits,  and  be  always 
forth-coming  when  called  for. 

Pakole  d'ordre,  Fr.  a  pass-word  given 
in  camp  or  garrison. 

Pauole  sur  parole,  Fr.  a  military 
phrase  among  the  French,  meaning  the 
mutual  word  which  is  given  by  two  per- 
sons who  come  to  a  parley,  though  op- 
posed to  one  another  in  the  war,  where- 
by they  promise  not  to  attack,  or  take 
any  advantage  during  the  intercourse. 

JFair^PAROLT,  Fr.  to  equal. 

PARPAIN,  IV.  a  pillar,  buttress,  or 
supporter,  of  stone-work,  serving  to 
bear  up  a  beam,  or  summero  in  a  wall. 

ParpaIN  fFechtffre,  Fr.  the  winding 
wall  of  a  building,  into  which  the  stone, 
wooden,  or  iron  steps  of  a  staircase  run. 
Tt  is  called  icfuffre,  or  chi/pered,  because 
the  different  steps  arc  first  measured, 
and  marked  along  this  wall. 

PARQUER,  Fr.  this  word,  which 
signifies  to  lodge  and  place  any  thing  in 


a  convenient  and  safe  manner,  is  fre- 
quently used  by  the  French,  both  in  an 
active  and  passive  sense.  Perhaps  it 
may  not  be  improper,  at  least  in  mili- 
tary matters,  to  adopt  it  with  the  same 
latitude  amongst  us,  viz. 

On  Parqua  VartilUrie,  ou  Vurtillc- 
riej'ut  parquet  en  tel  endroit,  Fr.  They 
parked  the  artillery  in  such  a  quarter, 
or  the  artillery  was  parked  in  such  a 
quarter. 

Les  gens  d'artilleric  se  parquerent,  ou 

furcni  parquis,  du  cole  de  la  riviere,  Vr. 

the  tram   of  artillery    parked   itself  on 

the   banks   of  the  river,  or  was  parked 

upon  the  banks  of  the  river. 

Uar tiller ie  parquuit  en  tel  lieu,  Fr. 
the  artillery  parked  on  such  ground. 

PARQUET,  Fr.  the  bar  of  a  court  of 
judicature;  the  inclosure  within  which 
the  members  of  a  court-martial  fit. 

Parquet,   Fr.  an  inlaid  floor. 

Parquet  viilituire,  Fr.  an  inclosure 
in  the  theatres  abroad,  between  the  or- 
chestra and  the  pit,  to  which  the  orlicers 
of  a  garrison  town  have  access,  for  a 
moderate  price  of  admission. 

PARQUETER,  Fr.  to  inlay  a  room 
or  place. 

PARRAJN,  Fr.  means,  literally,  a 
godfather.  In  a  military  sense,  it  for- 
merly signified  a  second,  or  witness,  who 
attended  at  single  combats  to  see  fair 
play.  Les  combattuns  se  trouvlrenl  dans 
le.  lieu  du  combat,  c/iacun  avec  son  par- 
ruin  ;  the  combatants  met  upon  the 
ground,  each  attended  by  bis  second  or 
witness. 

Parrain,  Fr.  in  military  orders,  the 
person  who  introduces,  or  presents  a 
newly  elected  knight.  The  term  is  also 
used  to  signify  the  comrade  who  is  se- 
lected by  a  soldier,  condemned  to  be 
shot,  to  bind  the  handkerchief  over  his 
eyes. 

"  PARRYING,  the  action  of  warding 
off  the  push,  or  blow,  aimed  at  one  by 
another. 

PART,  Fr.  a  part;  share;  concern. 

Ftre  a  la  Pari,  Fr.  a  marine  term 
among  the  French,  signifying,  to  share 
in  the  prizes  which  are  made  against  an 
enemy. 

PARTAGE,  Point  de  PARTAGE, 
Fr.  in  hydraulics,  the  highest  pitch  to 
which  water  can  rise,  and  from  which 
it  may  be  made  to  run  one  way,  or  the 
other. 

Eire  en  Pautace,  Fr.  to  be  dividing; 


PAR 


(     601     ) 


PAR 


a  term  in  law,  and  of  courts-martial,  &c. 
Les  juges,  ou  les  membres,  sont  en  partage, 
the  judges,  or  the  members,  are  dividing. 

Faire  Partage  du  butin,  Fr.  to  divide 
the  plunder,  or  to  take  one's  share  of  it. 

PARTEM ENT,  Fr.  in  navigation, 
the  course  which  a  ship  holds  towards 
the  east,  or  west,  with  respect  to  the 
meridian  whence  it  sailed ;  or  the  dif- 
ference of  longitude  between  the  meri- 
dian under  which  a  vessel  actually  is, 
and  the  one  it  was  under,  when  the  last 
observation  was  taken. 

PARTHENLE,  a  word  derived  from 
the  Greek,  signifying  virginity.  In  mi- 
litary history,  it  refers  to  a  particular 
circumstance  which  occurred  among  the 
ancients.  The  Spartans,  having  been  at 
war  with  the  Messenians  for  twenty 
years,  and  having  by  those  means  very 
much  depopulated  their  country,  and 
apprehending  that  if  this  war  continued, 
it  might  eventually  strip  Sparta  of  all 
its  male  inhabitants,  they  sent  some  of 
their  young  men  from  the  army  into 
the  city,  with  licence  to  be  familiar  with 
«s  many  unmarried  women  as  they 
would ;  and  the  children  begotten  by 
them  in  this  manner  were  called  Par- 
theniae,  on  account  of  the  uncertainty 
who  were  their  fathers.  At  the  end  of 
the  war  these  children  were  deemed 
bastards,  and  were  denied  the  bearing 
of  any  office  in  the  government,  &c. 
This  unjust  exclusion  enraged  them  so 
much,  that  they  conspired  with  the  slaves 
to  destroy  all  the  nobility ;  but  on  the 
discovery  of  their  plot,  they  were  driven 
out  of  the  city.  After  which,  being 
beaded  by  Phalantus,  a  bold  and  enter- 
prizing  son  of  chance,  they  travelled 
into  Magna  Graecia,  in  Italy,  and  built 
Tarentum. — Bailey. 

PARTI,  Fr.  a  particular  detachment 
or  body  of  troops,  horse  or  foot,  which 
is  destined  for  some  specific  expedition. 
Hence  partisan.     See  Party. 

P.\RJi-bleu,  Fr.  any  party  of  armed 
men  who  infest  a  country,  and  have  no 
regular  permission  to  act  offensively. 

Prendre  le  Parti,  Fr.  to  take  a  part. 

Prendre  son  Parti,  Fr.  to  come  to  a 
determination. 

Prendre  son  Parti  dans  les  troupes, 
Fr.  to  enlist;  or,  to  use  a  familiar  phrase, 
to  go  for  a  soldier. 

Tirer  Parti,  Fr.  to  take  advantage. 

Ne  point  prendre  de  Parti,  Fr.  to 
remain  neuter,  or  not  to  take  any  part. 

Esprit  de  Parti,  Fr,  party  spirit. 


Se  declarer  d'un  Parti,  Fr.  openly 
to  avow  some  particular  party.  The 
French  say,  figuratively,  II  faut  Stre, 
toujours  du  parti  de  la  v'eriti. ;  we  should 
always  side  with  truth. 

Parti  likewise  signifies  profession  or 
employment,  viz.  Le  parti  de  I'epee,  le 
parti  des  amies ;  the  military  profession. 

Prendre  Parti  dans  I'epee,  Fr.  to 
embrace  a  military  life. 

Tirer  Parti,  Fr.  to  reap  or  derive 
advantage  from  any  thing. 

Tirer  Parti  de  ses  talens,  Fr.  to  make 
the  most  of  one's  natural,  or  acquired 
abilities. 

Parti,  Fr.  expedient;  means. 

Parti,  Fr.  contracting;  farming  the 
public  revenues.  11  s'est  enricfd  dans 
les  partis ;  he  has  grown  rich  by  con- 
tracts. 

Quel  Parti  prendre?  A  phrase  ex- 
pressive of  indecision,  signifying,  how 
am  I  to  act,  or  which  side  shall  I  take? 
This  term  having  been  used  by  an  officer 
in  command  during  the  French  revolu- 
tion, a  blunt  soldier  exclaimed,  Decides, 
ou  allez  vous  pendre  !    See  Undecided. 

PARTIALITY,  unequal  state  of  the 
judgment,  and  favour  of  one  above  the 
other,  without  just  reason.  If  any  mem- 
ber of  a  general  court-martial  expresses 
a  previous  judgment,  in  partiality  either 
to  the  prisoner  or  prosecutor,  before  he 
is  sworn,  it  is  to  be  deemed  a  good 
cause  of  challenge;  and  he  should  not 
be  allowed  to  sit  in  judgment  on  the 
case. 

PARTIE  Secrette,  Fr.  a  secret  and 
confidential  service  which  is  entrusted 
to  one,  or  more  individuals. 

Partie  secrete  de  I'armie,  Fr.  that 
important  branch  of  military  service, 
which  is  entrusted  to  able  and  active 
officers,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
intelligence. 

Partie  civile,  Fr.  in  criminal  matters, 
the  person  who  accuses  is  so  called  ;  the 
prosecutor. 

Partie  publique,  Fr.  the  attorney- 
general,  or  those  acting  in  bis  room. 

Prendre  son  juge  a  Partie,  Fr.  to 
accuse  a  judge  of  prevarication. 

Four  jiii  de  toutes  Parties,  Fr.  in 
full  of  all  demands. 

PARTIR,  Fr.  to  come  out,  to  go  out. 
La  bombe  part  du  mortier  ;  the  bomb  is 
shot  from  the  mortar. 

Le  Parti r  d'un  cheval,  Fr.  the  mo- 
tion of  a  horse  when  lie  is  pushed  for- 
ward . 
4H 


PAR 


(     602     ) 


PARTIES  Off-reckonings.  It  is  con- 
ceived that  this  was  a  compensation  to 
discharged  men,  in  lieu  of  clothing; 
f>s.  8d.  per  month  for  a  serjeant,  and 
2s.  9d.  ditto  for  a  rank  and  file. 

PARTISAN,  Fr,  partisan,  adherent, 
or  favourer  of  a  party;  a  stickler. 

Partisan,  Fr.  any  person  who  con- 
tracts with  government. 

Partisan  has  been  applied  to  a  hal- 
berd or  pike,  and  to  a  marshal's  staff. 
See  Baton. 

Partisan,  in  the  art  of  war,  a  per- 
son dexterous  in  commanding  a  party  ; 
who,  knowing  the  country  well,  is  em- 
ployed in  getting  intelligence,  or  sur- 
prizing the  enemy's  convoys,  &c.  The 
word  also  means  an  officer  sent  out 
upon  a  parry,  with  the  command  of  a 
body  of  light  troops,  generally  under  the 
appellation  of  the  partisan's  corps.  It 
is  necessary  that  this  corps  should  be 
composed  of  infantry,  light  horse,  and 
hussars,  and  occasionally  with  light,  or 
portable  artillery. 

PARTISAN-party,  a  small  body  of  in- 
fantry, commanded  by  a  partisan,  to 
make  an  incursion  upon  an  enemy,  to 
lurk  about  his  camp,  to  disturb  his 
fora<;eis,  and  to  intercept  his  convoys. 

PARTRIDGES,  very  large  bombards 
which  were  formerly  used.  Froissart 
descrihes  a  very  singular  one  which  was 
used  at  the  siege  of  Oudenarde,  and  was 
in;trle  by  the  people  of  Ghent,  under  the 
direction  of  D'Arteville.  Bomb  and 
bombard  come  from  the  Greek  bombos, 
expressing  the  noise!  made  by  them  in 
firing.  Some  of  the  large  bombards  were 
jocularly  called  bourgeois  from  their 
constant  residence  in  one  place,  their 
weight  rendering  them  inconvenient  to 
move. 

PARTY,  in  a  military  sense,  a  small 
number  or  detachment  of  men,  horse 
or  footj  sent  upon  any  kind  of  duty;  as 
into  an  enemy's  country,  to  pillage,  to 
take  prisoners,  and  oblige  the  country 
to  come  under  contribution.  Parties 
are  often  sent  out  to  view  the  roads  and 
ways,  get  intelligence,  seek  forage,  re- 
connoitre, or  amuse  the  enemy  upon  a 
march  ;  they  are  also  frequently  sent 
upon  fhe  flanks  of  an  army,  or  regiment, 
to  discover  the  enemy,  if  near,  and  pre- 
vent surprize  or  ambuscade. 

Recruiting  Parties,  a  certain  num- 
ber of  men,  under  an  officer  or  non- 
commissioned officer,  detached-from  their 
respective  battalions,  for  the  purpose  of 


PAS 

See    Recruiting   Dis- 


cnlisting   men. 

I'RICT. 

Watering  Party.     See  Watering. 

Firing  Party,  those  who  are  selected 
to  fire  over  the  grave  of  any  one  interred 
with  military  honours.  For  the  specific 
number  of  which  the  party  is  to  consist, 
&c.  see  Burials. 

Working  Parties.  These  consist  of 
small  detachments  of  men,  under  the 
immediate  command  and  superintend* 
ance  of  officers,  who  are  employed  on 
fatigues  which  are  not  purely  of  a  mi- 
litary nature.  They  are  generally  called 
fatigue  duties,  being  different  from  those 
of  parade,  or  of  exercise  in  the  field. 
They  principally  consist  in  digging  canals, 
repairing  roads,  working  on  fortifications, 
except  such  as  may  be  constructed  in 
the  field,  or  upon  actual  service.  An 
addition  is  made  to  their  pay,  as  a  re- 
ward for  their  labour,  and  a  compensa- 
tion for  their  extraordinary  wear  of  ne- 
cessaries; half  of  which  should  always 
be  paid  into  the  hands  of  the  captains, 
and  commanding  oilicers  of  companies, 
for  this  latter  purpose.  It  has  been  ju- 
diciously observed,  in  a  note  to  the 
treatise  on  Military  Finance,  that  British 
troops  might  in  time  of  peace  be  em- 
ployed much  oftener  than  they  are  on 
works  of  this  nature,  with  equal  advan- 
tage to  the  public  and  to  themselves. 
This  remark  becomes  more  forcibly 
apposite  since  the  adoption  of  canals 
through  the  country. 

Vakty -spirit,  (esprit  de  parti,  Fr.) 
a  blind  devotion  which  an  individual 
pays  to  some  particular  set  of  men; 
almost  always  losing  sight  of  the  general 
good.  Party-spirit  may  be  truly  called 
the  curse  of  the  British  army,  and  if  it 
could  hurt  the  navy,  the  curse  of  that 
also.  Lord  Bolinghroke  has  said,  that 
party-spirit  would,  some  time  or  other, 
prove  fatal  to  Great  Britain  ! 

Party-/w7-j/,  (juris  miparlis,  Fr.)  a 
jury  consisting  of  half  foreigners  and 
half  natives. 

La  PARURVjdupiedd'un  cheval,  Fr. 
the  horny  substance  which  has  been  cut 
from  the  hoof  of  a  horse  in  order  to  shoe 
him;  also  paring  in  general. 

PAS,  Fr.  pace;  a  measure  in  forti- 
fication. The  French  divide  their  pas, 
or  pace,  into  two  kinds — pas  comniun, 
or  ordinary  pace,  and  pas  geo»ictriuu€, 
or  geometrical  pace.  The  ordinary  pace 
consists  of  two  feet  and  a  half;  and  the 
geometrical  pace  contains  double  that 


PAS 


(     003     ) 


PAS 


extent,  being  five  royal  feet,  or  five  pieds  I      Avoir  le  Pas,   Fr.  to  have  the  pre- 
de  roi.     The  itinerary  distance    which,' cedency. 

Pas  de  souris,  Fr.  degrees  or  steps 
which  are  made  in  different  parts  of  the 
circumference  of  the  counterscarp. — 
They  serve  to  keep  up  a  communication 
between  works  when  the  ditch  is  dry, 
and  are  generally  made  in  the  rentrant 
angles  of  the  counterscarp,  and  in  the 
rentrant  angles  of  the  outworks.  There 
are  likewise  steps  or  degrees  of  this 
sort  at  some  distance  from  the  glacis. 

Pas,  Fr.  any  strait  or  channel  of 
water  between  two  separate  lands. 

Pas  de  Calais,  Fr.  the  straits  between 
Calais  and  Dover. 

Pas  likewise  signifies  any  narrow  pass. 
Le  pas  des  Tliermopylcs ;  the  straits  of 
Thermopylae. 

Defendre  le  Pas,  Fr  to  defend  the 
pass  or  strait. 

Franchir  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  determine 
upon  a  thing  after  some  hesitation. 

Pas,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  a  stay  in  the 
vice  or  spindle  of  a  press,  or  of  other 
instruments  of  the  kind,  by  means  of 
which  large  weights  may  be  gradually 
raised  up,  or  be  kept  close  together. 

Pas  geomctrique,  Fr.  in  French  mea- 
surement, a  length  of  five  feet. 

Pas  commun,  Fr.  two  French  feet  and 
a  half. 

Pas,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  small  no'ches 
or  jags  in  the  timber-work  of  a  roof 
which  are  made  to  receive  the  ends  of 
the  rafters. 

Pas  de  porte,  ou  seuil,  Fr.  the  outside 
step  of  a  door,  iii  contradistinction  to 
seuil,  or  threshold. 

Aller  a  Pas  mesures,  Fr.  to  proceed 
with  caution. 

PASHA,  (Pacha,  Fr.)  This  word 
ought  to  be  written  and  pronounced 
Bashaw  (Pacha,  Fr.)  It  is  a  title  or 
mark  of  distinction  which  is  annexed 
to  the  situation  of  grand-vizier  in  the 
Ottoman  empire.  There  are  bashaws  of 
a  subordinate  class,  who  are  governors  of 
provinces,  and  who  formerly  assumed  the 
title  of  king;  being  nevertheless  tribu- 
tary to  the  grand  sultan.  There  are  like- 
wise degrees  of  distinction  among  these 
subordinate  bashaws. 

PASS,  (passage  chemin,  Fr.)  in  a 
military  sense,  a  strait  and  narrow  pas- 
sage, which  renders  the  entrance  into  a 
country  extremely  difficult. 

Pass,  a  voucher  for  the  absence  of  a 
non-commissioned  officer  or  soldier. 
4  112 


the  Italians  call  a  mile,  consists  of  one 
thousand  geometrical  paces;  and  three 
miles  make  a  French  league. 

Un  Pas  de  clerc,Tr.  literally,  a  clerk's 
pace;  figuratively,  any  error  or  mistake 
which  is  made  through  ignorance,  or  im- 
prudence. 

Plaindre  ses  Pas,  Fr.  to  be  lazy  or 
indolent;  to  make  much  ado  about  no- 
thing. 

Passer  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  die;  also  to 
do  something  which  it  is  impossible  to 
forego. 

Pas  de  cole,  Fr.  side-step.  This  step 
is  not  to  be  found  in  the  exercise  esta- 
blished by  authority  in  1755.  Monsieur 
de  Bombelles  mentions  the  pas  de  cbt'e 
in  his  Evolutions  Militaires.  We  do  not 
agree  with  the  author  of  a  Plan  of  Dis- 
cipline composed  for  the  use  of  the  Mi- 
litia of  the  county  of  Norfolk,  when  he 
says  that  Mons.  de  Bombelles  meant 
the  oblique  step. 

Pas  d'dne,  Fr.  a  sharp  hit,  or  upset 
in  the  mouth  of  a  bit ;  also  a  sword- 
guard  which  covers  the  whole  hand,  or 
basket  hilt;  hence  une  garde  d  pas  d'ane. 

Pas  oblique,  Fr.  oblique  step. 

Pas  ordinaire,  Fr.  ordinary  time. 

Pas  ordinaire  direct,  Fr.  front  step, 
in  ordinary  time. 

Pas  precipiti,  Fr.  double  quick  time. 

Pas  de  charge,  Fr.  charging  time. 

Pas  cadence,  Fr.  cadenced  step. 

Pas  de  course,  Fr.  the  quickest  step 
that  is  taken  in  military  movements; 
as  in  charging  bayonets,  &c. 

Pas  intermediai?'e,Fv.  in  cavalry  move- 
ments, an  easy  trot;  corresponding  with 
the  ordinary  step  in  infantry  manoeuvres. 

Pas  de  salut,  Fr.  the  step  used  in 
marching  by,  or  saluting. 

Doubter  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  double  a  step, 
or  pace ;  to  go  faster. 

Forcer  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  make  a  forced 
march. 

Pas  alonge,  Fr.  a  lengthened  step. 

Alouger  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  step  out. 

Diminuer  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  step  short. 

H&ter  le  Pas,  Fr.  to  step  out;  to 
quicken  one's  pace. 

Marcher  a  grands  Pas,  Fr.  to  move 
rapidly. 

Marcher  H  petits  Pas,  Fr.  to  step 
short,  or  move  leisurely. 

Retourner  sur  scs  Pas,  Fr.  to  go 
Lack. 


PAS 


C    604     ) 


PAS 


Pass,  Passado,  in  fencing,  a  push  or  I  the  act  of  soliciting  charity  out  of  the 
our  adversary.  '  usual   way  of  persons  begging,  or  who 


thrust  upon  y 

Pass,  (passade,  Fr.)  in  fencing,  a  leap 
or  advance  upon  the  enemy. 

To  Pass,  to  march  by  open  order  of 
columns,  for  the  purpose  of  saluting  a 
reviewing  general. 

To  Pass  a  defile,  a  bridge,  fyc.  to 
advance  with  a  narrow  front  for  the 
purpose  of  crossing  a  river,  or  getting 
through  narrow  ground. 

Pass  of  arms,  in  ancient  chivalry,  a 
bridge,  road,  &c.  which  the  knights  un- 
dertook to  defend,  and  which  was  not 
to  be  passed  without  fighting  the  person 
who  kept  it.  He,  who  was  disposed  to 
dispute  the  pass,  touched  one  of  the 
armories  of  the  other  knight  who  held 
the  pass,  that  were  hung  on  pales,  co- 
lumns, &c.  erected  for  the  purpose;  and 
this  was  a  challenge  which  the  other  was 
obliged  to  accept.  The  vanquished  gave 
the  conqueror  such  a  prize  as  was  agreed 
on. 

A  PASs-billet,  a  written  or  printed 
paper  which  is  signed  by  an  individual, 
who  has  the  authority  to  do  so,  for  the 
purpose  of  enabling  the  bearer  to  pass 
and  repass  unmolested. 

¥\ss-parole,  a  command,  or  word 
which  is  given  out  at  the  head  of  an 
army,  and  thence  passed  from  mouth, 
to  i.'iouth,  till  it  reaches  the  rear. 

Pass-/>o/£,  a  letter  of  licence  which  is 
given  by  a  prince  or  governor,  granting 
safe  conduct  to  travel,  enter,  and  go 
out  of  his  territories  without  molesta- 
tion :  this  is  properly  given  to  friends 
and  neutral  persons;  and  the  safe  cou- 
duct  to  enemies. 

VkSS-word,  a  secret  parole  or  counter- 
sign which  is  given  out  to  enable  persons 
to  go  through  military  stations,  &c. 

Pass,  All's  Well,  a  term  used  by  a 
British  sentry  after  he  has  challenged  a 
person  that  comes  near  his  post,  and 
has  received  from  him  the  proper  pa- 
role, watchword,  or  countersign.  See 
Pounds. 

PASSADE,  Fr.  See  Pass. 
Passade,  in  the  manege,  is  a  horse's 
walking,  or  trotting  in  such  a  manner, 
that  he  raises  the  outward  hind  leg  and 
the  inward  fore  leg  together;  and,  set- 
ting these  two  on  the  ground,  raises  the 
•ther  two  alternately,  never  gaining 
above  a  foot  of  ground  at  a  time. 

Demandcr  la  Passade,  Fr.  This  term 
jj.  used   among  the  French  to  express 


per 
have  not  been  accustomed  to  ask  alms. 
Donner  la  passade  a  un  pauvre  soldat ; 
to  give  alms  to  a  poor  soldier.  11  y 
avoit  sur  le  chemin  beaucoup  de  soldats 
qui  demandoient  la  passade  ;  there  were 
many  soldiers  on  the  road  who  asked 
charity. 

PASSAGE,  (passage,Tr.)  This  word, 
as  to  its  general  import,  does  not  require 
explanation.  It  is  familiar  to  every 
body.  In  a  military  sense  it  may  be  va- 
riously understood  for  passages  made 
over  rivers,  or  through  defiles,  which 
should  always  be  secured  when  an  army 
is  on  its  march.  Dragoons,  or  light  ca- 
valry, are  generally  employed  upon  this 
service;  being,  by  the  celerity  of  their 
motions,  better  calculated  to  get  the 
start  of  an  enemy.  Passes  through 
mountainous  countries,  and  passages 
over  rivers,  may  likewise  be  secured  by 
means  of  light  field  pieces  and  flying 
artillery.  The  latter  are  particularly 
calculated  for  defiles.  Entrenching  tools, 
&c.  must  be  carried  with  them. 

Passage,  Fr.  a  term  which  relates  to 
the  reception  of  a  knight,  in  the  Order 
of  Malta. 

Passage  of  bridges  or  defiles  when 
a  battalion  or  line  stands  on  narrow 
ground. 

A  battalion,  standing  in  narrow 
ground,  may  sometimes  be  ordered  to 
march  in  file  for  the  purpose  of  forming 
open  column,  and  passing  a  defile  either 
before,  or  behind  that  flank,  before,  or 
behind  the  other  flank,  or  before,  or  be- 
hind any  central  point  of  that  line. 

Passage  of  the  traverse,  an  opening 
out  in  the  parapet  of  the  covert-way, 
close  to  the  traverses,  that  there  may  be 
a  ready  communication  with  all  parts  of 
the  covert-way. 

Passage,  in  the  manege,  an  action 
wherein  the  horse  raises  a  hind  and  a 
fore  leg  together;  then  setting  these  two 
on  the  ground,  he  raises  the  other  two; 
and  thus  alternately,  never  gaining  above 
a  foot  of  ground  at  a  time. 

PASSAGEll,  Fr.  to  passage.  See 
Passage  in  the  manege. 

Passager  un  cheval,  Fr.  to  make  a 
horse  passage.  It  is  likewise  used  as  a 
neutral  verb,  viz.  tin  cheval  passage,  a 
horse  passages. 

PASSANDEAU,  Fr.  on  ancienb 
piece  of  ordnance,  which  carried  an  eight 


PAS 


<     605     ) 


PAS 


vpound  ball,  and  weighed  three  thousand 
five  hundred  pounds. 

Chemiri  PASSANT,  Jr.  a  thorough- 
fare. 

PASSAVANT,  Fr.  a  pass.  This  term 
is  not  used  in  a  military  sense,  hut  re- 
lates chiefly  to  commercial  matters. 

PASSE,  Fr.    See  Pass. 

Un  Passe  droit,  Fr.  the  act  of  getting 
over  another  by  undue  promotion.  Thus 
a  person  who  steps  over  another  without 
having  gone  through  the  regular  routine 
of  service,  is  said  to  have  had  un  passe 
droit. 

PASSE-iliur,  Fr.  This  is  the  same  as 
coulevrine,  and  signifies  a  piece  of  ar- 
tillery which  is  longer  than  common 
ordnance.  There  was  a  remarkable  one 
at  Nancy,  which  was  upwards  of  22 
French  feet  iii  length,  and  carried  an 
18-pound  shot.  The  passe-mur,  or  cou- 
levrine,  has  been  laid  aside  some  time, 
because  it  was  found  not  to  carry  so 
far  as  ordinary  cannon.  The  one  above- 
mentioned  is  still  to  be  seen  at  Dunkirk. 

Passe- Vogue,  Fr.  Any  extraordinary 
effort  that  is  made  in  rowing,  is  so 
called. 

PAsSE-par-tout,  Fr.  a  large  saw,  the 
teeth  of  which  are  irregularly  made  for 
the  purpose  of  cutting  forest  trees  asun- 
der. 

P\ssv-par-tout,  Fr.  a  master  key. 
The  French  say  figuratively,  I'argent 
est  un  bon  passe-par-tout,  money  gets 
admission  any  where. 

PASSE-Paro/e,  Fr.  This  expression  is 
used  among  the  French  in  an  absolute 
sense,  and  signifies  to  give  the  parole, 
order,  or  countersign.  When  troops  are 
on  service,  or  upon  duty,  they  have  fre- 
quent occasion  to  adopt  it,  especially 
during  the  rounds.  Avance,  passe-parole. 
Advance,  and  give  the  parole,  or  coun- 
tersign. 

Passe-  Volant,  Fr.  any  man  that  is  not 
really  in  the  service,  and  who  stands  to 
be  mustered  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
pleting the  supposed  number  of  effec- 
tives in  a  regiment,  or  on  board  a  ship 
of  war.  Thev  are  likewise  called  soldats 
pretes,  borrowed  soldiers. 

Passe- Fb/an^  is  also  called  faux  soldat. 

PASSE-Fb/ans  likewise  mean  those 
wooden  pieces  of  ordnance  which  are 
made  to  resemble  real  artillery,  and  fill 
up  the  vacant  places  in  a  ship.  These 
were  first  adopted  by  the  French,  in 
consequence  of  a  regulation  which  was 
made  by  M.  de  FontcUartrain,  when  he 


became  minister  of  the  marine  depart- 
ment. He  gave  orders  that  no  vessels, 
except  such  as  carried  16  guns,  should 
sail  to  and  from  America.  In  order  to 
comply,  at  least  in  outward  appearance, 
with  this  regulation,  the  merchants  had 
recourse  to  passe-volam,  or  wooden  sub- 
stitutes. More  advantages  than  one  are 
indeed  derived  from  this  invention, 
which  has  been  adopted  in  every  civi- 
lised country. 

PASsz-chevauT)  Fr.  ferry  for  horses,  or 
horse  boat. 

To  be  PASSED  over,  to  lose  the  ad- 
vantage of  any  particular  standing  in 
the  army,  and  to  have  a  person  junior 
in  rank  put  over  one. 

PASSER,  Fr.  to  pass.  This  word 
has  various  significations  both  in  French 
and  English,  but  chiefly  in  the  former 
language. 

Passer  en  revue,  Fr.  to  muster. 

Passer  a  compte,  Fr.  to  allow  in 
reckoning. 

Passer  au  jil  de  Vipee,  Fr.  to  put  to 
the  sword;  to  kill  man,  woman,  and 
child. 

Passer  par  les  baguettes,  Fr.  to  run 
the  gauntlet. 

Passer  a  la  revue,  Fr.  to  pass  mus- 
ter; or  to  be  eligible  as  a  recruit,  or 
soldier. 

Passer  par  les  armes,  Fr.  to  be  shot 
at  the  head,  or  in  front  of  a  regiment 
drawn  up  in  battle  array. 

Passer  par  les  courroies,  Fr.  to  be 
belted,  or  to  be  punished  by  running  the 
gauntlet  when  every  soldier  strikes  with 
his  cross-belt,  canteen  or  stirrup  strap; 
also  to  be  strapped  or  leathered. 

Passer  par  les  verges,  ou  par  les  ba- 
guettes, Fr.  to  be  flogged,  or  whipped 
up  and  down  two  ranks  of  soldiers 
faced  inwards;  each  soldier  having  his 
musket  grounded,  and  giving  the  cul- 
prit a  lash  upon  his  naked  shoulders  as 
he  passes. 

Passer  a  la  montre,  Fr.  to  pass  mus- 
ter. 

Passer  par  la  main  du  bourreau,  Fr. 
to  be  flogged,  or  otherwise  punished,  by 
the  public  hangman. 

Passer  la  riviere,  passer  la  ligne,  Fr. 
to  cross  the  river,  to  cross  the  line. 

Passer  un  homme  a  un  officier,  Fr.  to 
allow  an  officer  the  pay  and  subsistence 
of  a  private  soldier  for  the  maintenance 
of  a  servant.  The  terra  is  also  used  to 
express  the  receipt  of  any  public  allow- 
ance for  sinecure  places. 


P  A  T 


Pas>ER  Mr  It  ventre  a  une  arm'ce,Yv. 
to  defeat  an  army;  to  overthrow  it. 

Passer,  Fr.   to  go;    as,  patter,  dans 
rinde,  to  go  to  the  Indies. 

The  PASSES,  particular  pass: 
or  roads,  by  which  persons,  especially. 
armed  bodies  of  men,  may  go  from  one 
country  into  another.  Of  this  descrip- 
tion are  the  passes  through  the  Pyre- 
nees, which  separate  Spain  from  France. 
They  are  live  in  number,  viz.  First  pass 
at  Bayonne,  an  episcopal  city  of  Gas- 
cony,  in  France,  which  is  always  passa- 
ble, leading  to  Fontarabia,  in  the  Bay  of 
Biscay.  Second  passatPerpignan,a  town 
of  Roussillon,  in  France,  which  is  also 
passable  at  all  times,  leading  through 
Bellegarde  to  Figueras,  in  Catalonia. 
Third  pass,  passable  from  May  to  Octo- 
ber, leading  to  Pampeluna,  the  capital  of 
Navarre  in  Spain.  Fourth  pass,  passa- 
ble for  muleteers  only,  leading  through 
Verdun,  a  strong  town  of  Armagnac,  in 
France,  to  Jacca,  or  Xacca,  and  Saia- 
gossa,  in  Arragon.  Fifth  pass,  very 
difficult  and  little  used,  leading  through 
Venasque,  into  Catalonia.  It  may,  how- 
ever, be  said,  that  there  are  only  two 
military  passes  of  material  consequence 
to  both  countries,  viz.  Perpignan  in 
France,  on  the  side  of  the  Mediterra- 
nean sea,  leading  to  Figueras,  Rosas  and 
Barcelona,  and  Pampei.uxa,  which  is 
covered  by  Fontarabia,  from  Bayonne, 
on  the  Atlantic. 

PASSES-6a//es,  Fr.  boards,  or  ma- 
chines made  of  iron,  or  brass,  used  in 
disparting  cannon,  and  fitted  to  every 
species  of  calibre. 

PASSEUR,  Fr.  a  ferryman. 

PASSION,  (passion,  Fr.)  a  quality 
that  affects  the  senses;  any  effect  caused 
by  external  agency. 

PASTERN  of  a  horse,  (paturon  de 
cheval,  rale  de  chela/,  Fr.)  the  hollow 
of  a  beast's  heel;  that  part  of  a  horse's 
foot,  under  the  fetlock,  to  the  heel ;  also, 
a  shackle  for  a  horse. 

PAT  ACHE,  Fr.  This  word  some- 
times means  an  advice  boat ;  but  it  more 
generally  signifies  an  armed  tender,  or  a 
revenue  cutter. 

A  PATACOON,  a  Spanish  coin,  in 
value  4s.  8d.  English. 

PATATES,  Fr.  potatoes.  They  are 
also  called  pommes  de  terre,  or  earth  ap- 
ples ;  which  term  is  used  in  Germany, 
Holland  and  Flanders. 

PATAUGER,  Fr.  This  word  lite- 
rally means  to   walk   in  muddy  water. 


(     <30<5     )  PAT 

An  army  is  said  to  do  so  when  its  route 
is  through  hollow  swamps  and  marshy 
grounds. 

PATCH,  a  small  piece  of  greased 
leather,  &C  which  is  put  round  the  ball 
of  a  rille  before  it  is  driven  down,  in 
order  to  (ill  up  the  interstices  of  the 
grooves,  which,  without  this  piecaution, 
would  occasion  too  great  a  windage. 

PATE,  Fr.  in  fortification,  a  sort  of 
horse-shoe,  that  is,  a  platform,  or  terre- 
pleine,  irregularly  built,  vet  generally 
constructed  in  an  oval  form.  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  parapet,  without  any  thing 
to  Hank  it,  and  having  no  other  defence 
than  what  is  front  or  fore  right.  Fates 
are  usually  erected  in  marshy  grounds  to 
cover  the  gate  of  a  fortified  town,  or 
place. 

Pate,  Fr.  in  mining,  the  end  of  a 
board  which  is  nailed  to  the  timber  work 
that  forms  a  sort  of  floor  in  excavations, 
and  by  which  one  floor  is  attached  to 
another. 

Pate  de  grenades,  Fr.  an  earthen  pot 
filled  with  gun-powder  and  grenades, 
with  iron  spikes  upon  them. 

PATERERO,  a  small  cannon  ma- 
naged by  a  swivel. 

PATH,  way  ;   road  ;  track. 

Toamg  Path,  a  path  which  is  made 
on  the  side  of  a  river,  and  which  is  car- 
ried under  the  arch  or  side  arches  of  a 
bridge,  for  the  convenience  of  dragging 
barges  or  vessels  along. 

Mine  PATIBULAIRE,  Fr.  a  hang- 
ing downcast  look,  unlike  that  of  a 
soldier. 

PATIENCE,  the  power  or  faculty  of 
suffering:  indurance;  the  power  of  ex- 
pecting long,  without  rage  or  discontent; 
the  power  of  supporting  faults  or  in- 
juries without  revenge;  long  suffering. 
In  military  life,  patience  is  an  essential 
requisite.  Without  patience  half  the 
toils  of  war  would  be  insupportable; 
with  patience  there  are  scarcely  any 
hardships  but  what  coolness,  courage, 
and  ability  may  overcome.  It  is  one  of 
the  greatest  virtues,  indeed,  in  an  officer 
or  soldier  patiently  to  support,  not  only 
the  rigour  of  discipline,  but  the  keen 
and  vexatious  circumstances  of  disap- 
pointment. Rousseau  says,  la  patience 
est  amere,  mais  son  fruit  est  doux. 

PATIN,  Fr.  in  hydraulic  architecture, 
flat  pieces  of  wood  which  are  laid  upon 
pile-work,  and  on  which  platforms  ar« 
made,  in  order  to  establish  a  foundation 
in  the  water. 


PAT 


(     607     ) 


P  A  T 


PATOMAT,  Ind.  a  two  mast  vessel : 
each  mast  carries  one  sail  of  four  un- 
equal sides.  It  likewise  means  a  mes- 
senger. 

PATRICIAN,  from  the  Latin  Patri- 
cius,  one  descended  from  a  noble  family, 
The  term  was  used  among,  the  Romans, 
to  distinguish  the  higher  class  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Rome  from  the  lower,  who 
were  called  plebeians.  See  Kennett's 
Roman  Antiquities,  pages  97,  98,  &c. 

Order  of  St.  PATRICK,  instituted  by 
King  George  III.  Feb.  5,  1733.  The 
installation  of  the  first  knights  was  in 
the  cathedral  of  St.  Patrick,  Dublin,  on 
the  17th  of  March  following,  being  the 
festival  of  that  saint.  It  consists  of 
the  sovereign  and  fifteen  other  knights 
companions.  The  lord-lieutenant  ot 
Ireland  for  the  time  being  officiates  as 
grand  master  of  the  order.  The  arch- 
bishop of  Armagh  is  the  prelate,  the 
archbishop  of  Dublin,  the  chaiicellor,and 
the  dean  of  St.  Patrick,  the  register  of 
the  order.  The  knights  of  the  order  are 
always  installed  in  the  above-mentioned 
cathedral.  Their  robes  are  splendid,  and 
the  badge  is  three  crowns  united  to- 
gether on  a  cross,  with  the  motto  round, 
Quis  separabit,  1783,  fastened  by  an 
Irish  harp  to  the  crown  imperial;  a  star 
of  eight  points  fastens  it  on  the  coat. 
This  is  the  only  order  belonging  to  lie- 
land,  and  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
in  all  Europe. 

PATRIOT,  a  sincere  lover  of  his 
country;  a  term  generally  used,  little 
understood,  and  seldom  practised. 

PATRIOTISM,  (patriotism,  Fr.)  A 
French  writer  observes,  that  patriotism 
is  a  virtue  which  many  men  affect  to  pos- 
sess, without  having  one  single  attribute 
that  forms  its  character.  Real  patriotism 
confines  the  whole  of  its  views  through 
life,  whether  civil  or  military,  to  glorious 
and  good  actions,  but  it  never  descends 
to  cruelty  or  injustice. 

Macchiatelian,  or  modern  Patriotism, 
that  sort  of  patriotism,  which,  under  the 
mask  of  public  spirit,  frequently  conceals 
the  most  selfish  private  views,  and  sticks 
at  nothing,  spiritual  or  temporal,  to  at- 
tain its  object. 

PATROL,  any  party  or  round  of 
soldiers,  to  the  number  of  five  or  six, 
with  a  serjeant  to  command  them. — 
These  men  are  detached  from  the  main 
guard,  piquet,  or  quarter-guard,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances,  to  walk  round  the 
streets  of  a  garrison  town,  &c.  for  the 


purpose  of  taking  up  disorderly  persons, 
or  such  as  cannot  give  an  account  of 
themselves.  It  is  their  duty  to  see,  that 
the  soldiers  and  inhabitants  of  the  place 
repair  to  their  quarters  and  dwelling- 
houses,  (in  conformity  to  specific  direc- 
tions which  are  given  out  to  that  effect) 
and  that  ale-houses  and  sutlers'  booths 
are  shut  up  at  a  seasonable  hour.  They 
are  likewise  to  take  up  every  person 
they  meet  without  a  light,  and  that  can- 
not give  the  watchword  or  countersign 
when  he  is  challenged.  All  such  per- 
sons must  be  conducted  to  the  guard- 
house, and  a  report  be  made  of  them  to 
the  commandant  or  governor  of  the 
place,  by  the  town-major. 

Patroles  are  formed  out  of  the  in- 
fantry as  well  as  the  cavalry.  When  a 
weak  place  is  besieged,  and  there  is  rea- 
son to  apprehend  an  assault,  strong  pa- 
troles are  ordered  to  do  duty;  those  on 
foot  keep  agood  lookout  from  the  ram- 
parts, and  those  that  are  mounted  take 
care  of  the  outworks. 

PATRON,  one  who  countenances, 
supports,  or  protects. 

Kennett,  in  his  Roman  Antiquities, 
page  97,  has  the  following  passage,  on 
the  origin  of  the  word  : — 

Romulus,  as  soon  as  his  city  was  to- 
lerably well  filled  with  inhabitants,  made 
a  distinction  of  the  people  according  to 
honour  and  quality ;  giving  the  better 
sort  the  name  of  patres  or  patricii,  and 
the  rest  the  common  title  of  plebeii. — 
To  bind  the  two  degrees  more  firmly 
together,  he  recommended  to  the  patri- 
cians some  of  the  plebeians  to  protect 
and  countenance ;  the  former  being 
styled  patroni,  and  the  latter  clientes.— 
(Vide  Diom/s.  lib.  2.  Liv.  lib.  1,  Plu- 
tarch in  Romulo.) 

PATRON  de  la  barque,  Fr.  a  familiar 
phrase  among  the  French,  signifying  the 
person  who  has  the  lead  in  any  parti- 
cular society,  club,  or  company. 

Patron,  Fr.  This  word  also  means 
any  person  of  inferior  condition  ;  hence 
Gare  a  vous,  patron;  Rangez  vouz,  pa- 
tron. Take  care,  fellow ;  Make  way, 
fellow. 

Patron,  Fr.  among  the  French,  the 
captain  of  a  trading  vessel  is  so  named. 
There  were  likewise  sea-faring  men 
called  officiers  mariniers,  who  served  on 
board  the  French  ships  of  war,  and 
who  were  entrusted  with  the  manage- 
ment of  sloops  and  barges.  These  were 
generally  called  patrons. 


P  A  U 


(     608     ) 


P  A  V 


PATRONNE,  gulerc  patronne,   Fr.  |  seems  at  a  loss   to  determine  whether 


The  galley  which  was  second  in  rank  at 
Marseilles  was  so  called. 

PATROUILLK,  Fr.    See  Patron. 

PATROUILLEURS  des  deux  cotes, 
Fr.  flankers,  or  patroles  detached  on 
each  side  of  a  column,  battalion,  &c.  to 
prevent  surprizes. 

PATTE|  Fr.  a  term  used  in  mining. 
■\Vljen  a  well  or  excavation  is  made  in 
loose  or  crumbling  earth,  ana1  it  becomes 
necessary  to  frame  it  in,  the  rafters  must 
be  laid  horizontally  to  support  the  boards 
in  proportion  as  the  workmen  gain 
depth.  The  ends  of  the  rafters  that  are 
first  laid,  run  ten  or  twelve  inches  be- 
yond the  borders  of  the  well,  for  the 
purpose  of  sustaining  the  platform. — 
These  supports  are  called  orcilles;  con- 
sequently, that  every  subsequent  frame 
may  be  supported,  the  second  is  attach- 
ed or  made  firm  to  the  first,  by  means 
of  the  ends  of  boards  which  are  nailed 
together.  In  this  manner  the  third  is 
joined  to  the  second,  and  the  fourth  to 
the  third.  These  ends  are  called  pattes, 
or  handles. 

Patte  d'oie,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
mining  to  describe  three  small  branches 
which  are  practised,  or  run  out,  at  the 
extremity  of  a  gallery.  They  are  so 
called  from  their  resemblance  to  the 
foot  of  a  goose. 

Patte  d'oie  de  pave,  Fr.  a  curb  stone, 
or  any  extremity  of  pavement  which 
runs  sloping  towards  the  gutter. 

PATTERN,  (echantilhm.  Fr.)  a  part 
shewn  as  a  sample  for  the  rest. 

A  Pattkrn  regiment,  a  phrase  of 
distinction,  which  is  applied  to  a  corps 
of  officers  and  soldiers,  who  are  remark- 
able for  their  observance  of  good  order, 
and  discipline. 

PATURE,  Fr.     See  Forage. 

PATUREUR,  Fr.  forager,  one  who 
goes  on  a  foraging  party. 

PATUREURS,  Fr.  men  who  take 
their  horses  to  grass,  or  go  for  green 
forage. 

PAU,  Fr.  When  the  Mogul-Tartars 
conquered  the  northern  part  of  China, 
in  the  year  1232,  they  are  said  to  have 
invariably  used  at  the  several  sieges,  a 
battering  or  propellant  machine  of  this 
name.  There  were  two  sons:  one 
served  to  throw  large  stones,  and  was 
called  chc-pau,  or  stone-puu;  and  the 
other  ho-pau,  or  fire-pau,  Father  Gaubil, 
the  Jesuit  and   missionary    in   China, 


these  pans  were  real  pieces  of  ordnance, 
similar  to  those  used  in  Europe,  or 
merely  stone  mortars :  yet  he  appears 
satisfied,  that  the  Chinese  knew  the  use 
of  gunpowder  1300  years  before  it  was 
discovered  in  Europe.  They  had  at 
first  pieces  of  hollow  wood  in  the  shape 
of  cannon,  out  of  which  they  shot 
stones.  Father  Gaubil  says,  "  I  have 
read  in  several  authors,  that  the  Chinese 
made  use  of  gunpowder  from  time  im- 
memorial ;  and  as  the  faculty  of  inven- 
tion has  never  been  called  in  question 
with  respect  to  the  Chinese,  it  is  not 
improbable,  that  the  Europeans  should 
have  taken  advantage  of  their  discovery, 
and  acted  upon  it." 

PAVAIS,  or  pavueke,  or  tallevas,  a 
large  shield,  or  rather  a  portable  mantlet 
capable  of  covering  a  man  from  head  to 
foot;  and  probably  of  sufficient  thick- 
ness to  resist  the  missive  weapons  of 
old  times. 

PAV ACHE, coverings  or  large  shields 
supported  by  props;  they  were  also 
used  at  sea  to  defend  the  sides  of  the 
vessels,  like  the  present  netting  of  our 
ships  of  war.  This  defence  was  called  a 
pavisade.  The  pavais  were  rectangular 
at  the  top,  the  sides  consequently  parallel, 
hut  the  angles  were  rounded  off  at  the 
bottom. 

PA  VISORS,  men  who  carried  the 
Pavais  as  a  weapon  of  defence.  In  the 
list  of  the  army  that  accompanied  king 
Edward  III.  to  Calais,  we  find  many 
Pavisors ;  these  were  probably  men 
trained  to  the  use  of  the  pavais,  which 
must  have  required  dexterity  as  well  as 
courage. 

PAVALUNGE,  Ind.  the  name  of  a 
year. 

PAUDSHAU,  Ind.  king. 

PAVE,  Fr.  Under  this  word  are 
comprehended  not  only  the  pavement 
and  road  upon  which  we  tread,  but  also 
the  materials  which  compose  and 
strengthen  it,  such  as  flint,  gravel, 
pounded  stone,  &c. 

Etre  sur  le  Pave,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression, signifying,  to  be  out  of  em- 
ployment. 

Pave  de  gris,  Fr.  a  pavement  which 
is  made  of  large  free-stones  of  a  given 
dimension,  with  which  the  high  roads, 
lie.  are  paved  in  France,  and  in  other 
countries  upon  the  continent. 

Pave  fendu,  Fr.  a  pavement  made 


P  A  V 


(     609     ) 


P  A  V 


rf  free-stone,  of  half  the  given  dimen- 
sion, for  high-ways,  and  such  as  is  used 
in  small  courts  and  stables. 

Pav£  d'ichantillon,  Fr.  a  pavement 
made  in  the  ordinary  way,  without  re- 
gard being  had  to  the  size  or  dimension 
of  the  stones. 

Pave  de  pierre,  Fr.  a  pavement  made 
of  stone  cut  into  square  even  pieces,  or 
of  a  losange  figure,  which  are  cemented 
by  mortar,  or  kept  together  by  iron 
cramps. 

PAVECHEUR,  or  PAVESIER,  Fr. 
an  old  militia  which  was  formerly  so 
called,  from  the  men  who  composed 
it  being  armed  with  pavois,  or  large 
shields. 

PAVEMENT,  a  lay  of  stone  or  other 
matter,  serving  to  cover  and  strengthen 
the  ground  of  divers  places. 

Pavement  of  a  terrace  is  that  which 
serves  for  the  covering  of  a  platform, 
whether  it  be  over  a  vault  or  on  a 
wooden  floor.  Pavements  over  vaults, 
are  usually  made  of  stones  squared  and 
bedded  in  lead.  Those  on  wood,  are 
either  stones  with  beds  for  bridges,  tiles 
for  ceilings  in  rooms,  or  lays  of  mortar 
made  of  cement  and  lime  with  flints  or 
bricks,  laid  flat,  as  is  still  practised  by 
the  eastern  and  southern  people,  on 
the  tops  of  their  houses. 

Random  Pavement,  pavement  made 
of  all  sorts  of  materials  taken  out  of  a 
quarry. 

PAVESADE,   )  Fr.  a  sort  of  sail- 

PAVOISADE,  \  cloth  or  tarpauliug, 

PAVTSADE,  j  which  is  hung  round 
a  galley  during  action,  to  cover  the 
slaves  that  row  on  the  benches. 

PAVESADES,  Fr.  large  portable 
hurdles,  hehind  which  the  archers  and 
bowmen  were  formerly  posted.  Accord- 
ing to  Froissart,  these  hurdles  were  used 
long  before  the  reign  of  Philip  Augustus, 
king  of  France.  Father  Daniel,  the 
Jesuit,  in  his  Histoire  de  la  Milice  Fran- 
caise,  describes  them  as  hearing  the  ligure 
of  a  shield  ;  but  the  chevalier  Folard, 
in  his  Comment  aire  sur  Po/j/be,  informs 
us,  that  they  were  mantlets  which  were 
disposed  in  parallel  or  oblique  lines, 
from  the  camp  to  the  nearest  works 
belonging  to  the  corps  de  place  ;  behind 
which  the  soldiers  and  artificers,  &c. 
could,  in  safety,  make  a  small  fosse  or 
ditch  that  was  sufficiently  deep  to  pre- 
serve them  straight  and  firm.  Hurdles 
constructed  in  this  manner  were  used 
during  the  operations  of  a  regular  siege; 


but  when  it  was  found  expedient  to  in- 
sult a  place,  those  of  less  dimension 
were  adopted.  Father  Daniel  describes 
the  relranchement  portatif,  which  was 
used  many  centuries  before  the  days 
of  Philip  Augustus,  under  the  latter 
head. 

PAVILION,  in  military  affairs.  See 
Tent. 

Pavilion,  in  architecture,  a  building 
which  generally  stands  alone,  and  is  of 
a  square  figure  under  one  roof.  It  is 
also  an  advanced  part  in  the  middle  of  a 
facade;  and  when  it  flanks  the  corner  of 
a  building,  it  is  called  an  angular  pavi- 
lion, pavilion  angulaire ;  also  the  main 
part  of  a  building. 

Pavillon,  (among  sailors)  the  flag  of 
a  general  officer  in  the  fleet.  It  also 
signifies  the  national  flag  which  is  dis- 
played at  the  mast  head  of  a  vessel, 
shewing  the  rank  of  the  person  who 
commands  on  board. 

PAVILLON,  Fr.  pavilion,  tent,  &c. 
It  also  signifies  that  particular  quarter 
in  a  barrack  which  is  occupied  by  the 
officers. 

Pavilion,  Fr.  flag,  standard,  or  co- 
lours. 

Pavillon,  Fr.  the  flag  ship. 

Baisser  le  Pavillon,  Fr.  to  strike, 
to  yield;  to  lower  the  colours,  as  the 
ships  of  all  nations  are  accustomed  to 
do  when  they  meet  a  British  man  of 
war. 

Vaisseau  Pavillon,  Fr.  flag  ship. 

Pavillon,  Fr.  This  word  likewise 
signifies  the  sweil  or  broad  part  of  a 
speaking  trumpet. 

Pavillon  d'amiral,  Fr.  an  admiral's 
flag. 

Pavillon  marchand,  Fr.  the  flag 
carried  by  a  merchantman. 

Pavillon  Anatais,  Fr.  the  British 
flag. 

Pavillon  Francois,  Fr.  the  French 
flag. 

PAVING,  the  laying  a  floor  with 
stones,  bricks,  or  tiles. 

Paving  with  Riegate  stones.  This 
kind  of  pavement  is  good  for  chimney 
fire  hearths,  ovens,  stoves,  (Sec.  See 
Fire  Stone. 

Paving  with  nun-hie  is  of  all  other 
the  most  beautiful.  There  are  several 
sorts,  as  white,  black,  and  grey. 

Paving  with  rough  or  rag  stone  This 
is  the  cheapest  of  all  pavements.  See 
Ston  e. 

Paving  with  statute  bricks.     Pave- 
4  I 


PAY 


(     610     ) 


P  A  Y 


r3(j  n  r  6"\    Inches 

\\\( Tiles)   ?f    T8re 
K  16  >      e    \    0    •  will  pav( 


mcnts  made  of  bricks  whose  dimensions 
of  the  mould,  according  to  the  statute, 
ought  to  be  9  inches  in  length,  \\  in 
breadth,  and  \\  in  thickness. 

Paving  with  square  tiles.  These 
tiles  are  of  several  sizes,  viz.  6,  8,  10, 
and  12  inches  square.  In  order  to  know 
bow  many  of  these  sort  of  tiles  will 
jiave  an)'  floor 

Inches 
re 
Note,  that<[  16  \  l  "*8  •      9  ]>  will  pave 

a  square 
yard. 
PAVIOR,  (puveur,  Fr.)  the  person 
who   cuts   or  lays  stones    for   a   pave- 
ment. 

PAULETTE,  Fr.  a  certain  tax  or 
pecuniary  consideration,  which  all  per- 
sons, who  held  public  situations  under 
the  old  government  of  France,  were  ob- 
liged to  pay  at  the  commencement  of 
every  year  to  the  king.  This  enabled 
them  to  sell  or  dispose  of  their  appoint- 
ments, and  to  leave  the  amount  to  their 
heirs,  if  they  happened  to  die  in  the 
course  of  the  year.  It  is  so  called  from 
Paulet,  the  name  of  the  person  who 
hist  suggested  the  measure. 
PAULS,  Ind.  tents. 
Sepoy-P  avls,  lnd.  the  tents  of  the 
sepoys  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
native  officers. 

PA  VOIS,  Fr.  a  large  shield,  similar  to 
the  clypeus,  or  broad  shield  of  the  Greeks 
and  Romans. 

PAUSE,  a  stop,  cessation,  or  inter- 
mission. It  is  essentially  necessary  for 
all  officers  to  accustom  themselves  to  a 
most  minute  observance  of  the  several 
pauses  which  are  prescribed  during  the 
firings. 

PAY,  or  pay  of  the  army,  (solde,  Fr.) 
is  the  stipend  or  salary  allowed  for 
each  individual  serving  in  the  army: 
(irst  established  by  government  in  the 
year  1660. 

Full  Pay,  the  pecuniary  allowance 
which  is  made  to  officers  and  non-com- 
missioned officers,  without  any  deduc- 
tion whatsoever.    Since  the  abolition  of 


arrears,  which  took  place  in  1797,  com- 
missioned and  warrant  officers,  &c. 
(those  belonging  to  the  guards  excepted) 
receive  their  full  pay,  or  daily  subsist- 
ence. The  private  soldiers  arc  subject 
to  temporary  deductions,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  appropriating  part  of  their  pay 
and  allowances  to  the  expense  of  their 
messes,  including  vegetables,  &c.  and 


to  a  stoppage,  not  exceeding  Is.  6d.  per 
week,  for  necessaries;  which  stoppage 
is  to  be  accounted  for  monthly,  as  stated 
in  the  Regulations  of  1st  September, 
1795,  and  the  remainder  being  Is.  6d. 
must  be  paid  weekly  to  each  soldier, 
subject  to  the  accustomed  deduction  for 
washing,  and  for  articles  to  clean  his 
clothing  and  appointments. 

The   full   pay  of  the  British  army  is 
given    in  advance  on  the  25th  of  every 
month  (in  the  artillery  on  the  1st),  and 
accounted   for    to    government   by    the 
several    district    and     regimental    pay- 
masters  through  army  agents  appointed 
for    that  purpose. — Non-commissioned 
officers  and   private  soldiers,  serving  as 
marines,  are  not  liable  to  any  deduction 
whatsoever  from   their  full  pay,  on  ac- 
count of  provisions. — SeeW'ar  rant, dated 
6th  of  February,  1799.     It  will  be  fur- 
ther observed,  that  although  the  army 
is  now  paid  its  full  pay,  in  consequence 
of  the  abolition  of  the  distinction  be- 
tween subsistence  and  arrears,  that  pay 
is  nevertheless  subject  to  the  usual  de- 
ductions on  account  of  poundage,  hos- 
pital, and  agency. — See  Warrant,  dated 
25th  of  January,  1798.    This  will  ex- 
plain the  mutilated   appearance  of  the 
different  rates  of  pay.     Thus,  a  captain 
of  infantry,  who  is  nominally  supposed 
to   receive    10s.    per   diem,  gets   only 
9s.  5d.  the  7d.  going  for  the  above  de- 
ductions.    The    full    pay    of    the    sub- 
altern officers  has  been  very  judiciously 
increased,  but  that  of  the  captains,  &c. 
remains  as  it  was  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Anne. — For   the  several   rates   of   full 
pay,  &c.    See  Military  Finance. 

Pay  of  the  army  in  India.  The  pay- 
ments are  made  at  Bengal,  in  Sonaut 
rupees  at  2s.  6d.  Madras,  in  pagodas 
at  8s.     Bombay  rupees  at  2s.  6d. 

[N.  B.  80  cash  —  1  fanam  ;  40  fa- 
namsrzl  pagoda.]  For  further  par- 
ticulars see  Arrangement  of  the  Army 
in  India,  published  by  Stockdale  in 
1796. 

Half-P  ay,  (demi-solde,  demi-paye,  Fr.) 
a  compensation  or  retaining  fee  which 
is  given  to  officers  who  have  retired 
from  the  service  through  age,  inability, 
&c.  or  who  have  been  placed  upon  that 
list  in  consequence  of  a  general  reduc- 
tion of  the  forces,  or  a  partial  drafting, 
&c.  of  the  particular  corps  to  which 
they  belong.  The  half-pay  becomes  due 
on  the  25th  of  June,  and  on  the  25th  of 
December,  in  each  year,  but  it  is  seldom 


PAY 


C    6H     ) 


PAY 


issued  until- three  months  after  the  ex- 
piration of*  "each  of  those  periods.  The 
only  public  deduction  from  the  half-pay 
is  the  poundage,  two  and  a  half  per 
cent. 

Irish  Half-Pa  y.  This  half-pay,  when 
paid  in  Irish  currency,  is  less  than  the 
British.  Every  officer  upon  the  Irish 
establishment,  when  reduced  to  half- 
pay,  must  swear  to,  and  sign  the  follow- 
ing certificate : — ■ 

County  of  > of  foot,  came 

$  this  day  before  me,  and 
made  oath,  that  he  is  no  otherwise  pro- 
vided for  by  any  commission  or  employ- 
ment, civil  or  military,  in  his  majesty's 
service,  than  by  half-pay  on  the  esta- 
blishment of  Ireland,  and  is  on  no  other 
establishment  of  half-pay. 
Officer's  )  Sworn  before  me  this 
Name.   S  Day  of 

N.B.  To  be  sworn  in  January,  April, 
July,  and  October,  in  every  year. 

It  is  at  present  equalized ;  but  if 
officers  receive  it  in  Ireland,  they  will 
be  subject  to  the  course  of  exchange. 
By  special  commission  from  the  secre- 
tary at  war,  they  may  receive  it  in 
England. 

Vacant-P  ay.  When  an  officer  sells 
out  of  the  British  army,  and  takes  what 
are  called  commissions  in  succession  as 
part  of  the  purchase-monev,  he  becomes 
entitled  to  pay  and  interest  on  the  same 
for  six  months,  or  until  thev  have  been 
disposed  of,  within  that,  period.  This 
pay  or  allowance  is  called  Vacant  pay  ; 
and  it  is  necessary  for  the  person  who 
holds  such  commissions,  to  write  a  letter 
to  the  agent  of  the  regiment,  directing 
him  to  apply  to  the  secretary  at  war 
for  the  same.  The  form  of  this  letter 
may  be  seen  iu  the  Regimental  Com- 
panion. 

N.B.  The  increase  of  the  subaltern's 
subsistence  by  warrant,  does  not  affect 
the  vacant  pay. 

Staff^-P  ay,  (solde,  ou  alhuance  de  Vital 
major,  Fr.)  the  pay  and  allowances  which 
are  made  to  officers  serving  on  the  staff 
of  an  army,  or  in  any  particular  dis- 
trict. 

Colonial-P ay ,  a  certain  allowance 
which  is  made  to  troops  serving  in  the 
colonies,  particularly  in  Jamaica. 

A  Command  Pay,  a  term  used  in  the 
ordnance  department,  to  express  a  pecu- 
niary allowance  which  is  frequently  made 
to  engineers,  who  are  ordered  abroad 
with  expeditions,  or  to  command  on  fo- 


reign stations.  This  is  over  and  above 
their  subsistence,  or  extra  pay.  A  com- 
mand pay  is  10s.  per  diem. 

Extra  Pay,  an  allowance  which  is 
given  to  an  officer  over  and  above  his 
regular  rate. 

Field-duty-P ay,  an  allowance  which 
is  given  to  the  artillery,  over  and  above 
the  common  pay. 

Army  PAY-qffice.    See  Office. 

Navy  Pay -office.    See  Office. 

Pay-BMs.  These  bills  are  distin- 
guished according  to  the  nature  of  the 
service  for  which  they  are  given.  Every 
captain  of  a  troop  or  company  receives 
a  regular  weekly  account  from  his  Ser- 
jeant, of  money  to  be  advanced  for  the 
effectives  of  such  troop  or  company ; 
and  on  the  24th  day  in  each  month  he 
makes  out  a  monthly  one  for  the  pay- 
master, who  makes  out  a  general  ab- 
stract for  the  agent.  The  paymaster- 
general's  estimate  is  likewise  called  the 
pay-bill. 

PAY-Lists.  The  monthly  account', 
which  are  transmitted  by  the  several  re- 
gimental and  district  paymasters  to  their 
agents  on  the  25th  of  each  month,  are 
so  termed. 

Pay-RoIIs,  the  same  as  Pay-  Lists. 

Pay -Serjeant.     See  Serjeant. 

PAY-MASTER,  (gu  artier -malt  re, 
tresorier,  Fr.)  is  he  who  is  intrusted  with 
the  money,  and  has  the  charge  of  paying 
the  regiment.  He  has  no  other  commis- 
sion in  the  line.  His  pay  is  15s.  per 
day,  half-pay  7s.  6d. 

When  a  person  is  recommended  by 
the  colonel  of  a  regiment  to  be  pay- 
master, the  following  form  is  neces- 
sary : — 

A.  B.  situation  in  life, 

2  sureties,  and  4  referees. 

District  Paymaster,  an  officer  ap- 
pointed for  the  better  management  of 
the  interior  concerns  of  the  army,  when 
the  regiments,  ike.  are  on  home  service. 

Paymaster-  Genera  I  of  the  forces. 
See  Office. 

Paymaster  of  Marines.  We  have 
already  mentioned,  under  the  article 
Marine,  that  there  is  one  paymaster 
appointed  to  superintend  the  distribu- 
tion of  all  monies  which  are  issued  for 
the  corp  «  of  marines. 

Deputy  Paymaster  of  Marines.  The 
deputy  paymaster,  at  each  division,  is  to 
pass  his  accounts  with  the  paymaster  at 
the  end  of  everv  month,  and  to  deliver  a 
general  account  of  all  monies  received 
4l2 


PEA 


(     012     ) 


PEA 


mid  paid  within  that  time,  accompanied 
bv  vouchers,  except  in  such  instances 
where  the  nature  of  the  disbursements 
will  only  allow  of  quarterly  vouchers. 

Commissary  and  Paymaster,  a  situa- 
tion of  trust  under  the  hoard  of  ord- 
nance, for  the  regular  distribution  ol 
stores,  money,  &a  to  the  artillery  on 
service. 

PAYE,  Fr.  the  pay  of  the  troops; 
the  money  which  every  captain  ol  ;i 
troop  or  company  receives,  at  the  close 
of  the  month,  tor  the  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates  under  his  command ; 
— we  call  it  monthly  distribution. 

PAYER-Grj«£,  Ind.  the  lower  pass. 
Gaut  is  the  general  term  for  pass. 

PAY  EUR,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  armies  to  signify  paymaster. 

r.\\v.\:R-gcrie.ral,  Fr.  paymaster-ge- 
neral. 

PAYS,  Fr.  country,  locality,  ground. 

Pays,  Fr.  This  word  is  variously 
applied  by  the  French  in  a  figurative 
sense :  purler,  on  juger,  a  vue  de  pays, 
to  speak,  or  decide  at  random. 

Gagner  Pays,  vuider  le  pays,  Fr.  to 
leave  a  country  ;  to  go  voluntarily  into 
exile.  Gagner  jwys  likewise  means  to 
gain  ground.  Avancer  pays  may  be 
used  in  the  same  sense. 

Baltre  Pays,  Fr.  to  speak  wide  of 
the  subject. 

Tirer  Pays,  Fr.  a  familiar  phrase 
among  the  French,  signifying  to  escape. 

Pays  conrjuis,  Fr.  This  term  was  ap- 
plied by  the  French  to  those  countries 
and  tracts  of  territory  which  had  been 
ceded  to  France  by  treaty;  as  Lorraine: 
or  had  been  conquered  by  force  of  arms; 
as  Ypres,  Tournay,  Gaud,  Bruges,  Os- 
tend,  and  several  other  towns,  from  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIII. 

Pays  coupes,  Fr.  confined,  inclosed,  or 
intersected  countries. 

Pays  reeonquis,  Fr.  Those  provinces 
which  were  formerly  in  the  possession  of 
the  English,  such  as  Britanny,  Nor- 
mandy, Calais,  eve.  eve.  and  were  after- 
wards retaken  by  the  French,  have  been 
so  called. 

Pays  somme,  Fr.  a  low  piece  of  land 
or  ground  ;  but  which  has,  nevertheless, 
no  water. 

PAYSANS,  Fr.  peasants.  . 

PEACE  has  been  represented  allego- 
rica'Jy  ;i,  ;I  beautiful  female,  holding  in 
her  hand  a  wand  or  rod  towards  the 
earth,  over  a  hideous  serpent,  and  keep- 
ing her  other  hand  over  her  face,  as  un- 


willing to  behold  strife  or  war.  By  some 
painters  she  has  been  represented  hold- 
ing in  one  hand  an  olive  branch,  and 
leading  a  lamb  and  a  wolf  yoked  by 
their  necks,  in  the  other;  others  again 
have  delineated  her  with  an  olive  branch 
in  her  right  hand,  and  a  cornucopia,  or 
horn  of  plenty,  in  her  left. 

A  very  celebrated  temple  was  erected 
for  the  goddess  of  peace  at  Rome,  which 
was  furnished  with  most  of  the  lich  vases 
and  curiosities  taken  out  of  the  temple 
of  the  Jews  at  Jerusalem.  In  this  tem- 
ple she  was  represented  as  a  fine  lady, 
endowed  with  a  great  deal  of  sweetness 
and  good-nature,  crowned  with  laurel 
interwoven,  holding  a  caduceus,  or 
Mercury's  snaky  start",  in  one  hand,  and 
a  nosegay  of  roses  and  ears  of  corn,  in 
the  other. 

The  temple  of  Peace,  built  by  Ves- 
pasian, was  oOO  feet  long,  and  ^00 
broad.  Josephus  savs,  that  all  the  rari- 
ties which  men  travel  through  the  world 
to  see,  were  deposited  in  this  temple. 

Peace,  (pair,  trunquillitc,  Fr.)  rest, 
silence,  quietness;  the  direct  opposite 
to  war;  and  when  the  latter  prevails, 
the  ultimate  object  of  every  contest. 

Peace  establishment  signifies  the  re- 
duced number  of  effective  men  in  the 
British  army,  according  to  tlie  various 
formations  of  corps.  Thus  one  regi- 
ment may  be  1200  strong  in  time  of 
war,  and  only  oOO  in  time  of  peace  ; 
whence  arises  the  distinction  between 
war  and  peace  establishments.  The 
standing  army  of  Great  Britain,  accord- 
ing to  law,  consists  of  that  force  only 
which  is  kept  up  in  time  of  peace,  and 
which  is  confined  to  a  specific  number 
of  regiments.  Every  regiment,  beyond 
the  regulated  number,  during  a  war,  is 
liable  to  be  reduced ;  and  all  within  it 
are  said  to  be  out  of  the  break. 

PEACE,  Fr.  atoll;  a  turnpike. 

PEAGER,  Fr.  a  turnpike-man  ;  also 
a  publican. 

P  EASANTS,  persons  who  till  the 
ground,  and  are  otherwise  employed  in 
agricultural  occupations.  Many  advan- 
tages may  be  derived  to  an  army  by  a 
proper  attention  being  given  to  this  class 
of  men.  They  can,  in  general,  afford 
excellent  information  respecting  the  si- 
tuation, soil,  and  resources  of  a  country  ; 
and  they  make  excellent  guides,  pro- 
vided you  can  secure  their  fidelity  by 
paying  them  well,  and  by  taking  proper 
hostages.     Peasants  are  very  useful  in 


PEC 


(    613    ) 


P  E  D 


apprehending  deserters,  especially  when 
an  army  is  in  the  neighbourhood  from 
which  recruits  may  have  been  drawn. — 
They  are  likewise  of  the  greatest  utility 
in  fatigue  duties;  in  the  formation  of 
lines,  Sec. 

PECTORAL,  (pectoral,  Fr.)  a  breast 
plate.  This  word  is  derived  from  the 
Latin,  pectorale.  Among  the  Romans 
the  poorer  soldiers,  who  were  rated  un- 
der a  thousand  drachms,  instead  of  the 
lorica,  or  brigantine,  (a  leather  coat  of 
mail,)  wore  a  pectorale,  or  breast  plate 
of  thin  brass,  about  12  fingers  square. 
Some  modern  troops,  such  as  the  cui- 
rassiers, &c.  wear  pectorals  for  the  di- 
rect purposes  of  defence  and  bodily  pro- 
tection ;  but,  in  general,  small  ornamen- 
tal piates  with  clasps  have  been  sub- 
stituted. 

To  PECULATE,  to  rob  the  public. 

PECULATION,  (ptculut,  Fr.)  the 
crime  of  pilferingany  thing, either  sacred, 
or  public,  particularly  public  money,  by 
a  person  who  has  the  management,  or 
custody  thereof.  This  crime  is  punish- 
able in  the  heirs  of  the  original  delin- 
quent. Under  peculation  may  be  con- 
sidered not  only  the  monies  which  are 
embezzled,  or  misapplied,  by  commis- 
sioned, non-commissioned,  and  warrant 
officers,  but  the  public  stores,  provisions, 
arms,  and  ammunition,  &c.  which  may 
be  sold  for  private  emolument.  The 
articles  of  war  are  very  specific  on  this 
head,  (see  Sect.  XIII.)  and  the  occasional 
examples  which  have  been  made  by  go- 
vernment, of  a  crime  that  cannot  be  too 
scrupulously  watched,  or  too  heavily 
punished,  ought  to  deter  individuals 
from  sacrificing  public  integrity  to  pri- 
vate views.  They  ought  to  remember, 
.that,  like  the  sword  of  Damocles,  an 
exchequer  writ  hangs  over  the  head  of 
every  man  whose  accounts  have  not 
been  finally  audited  and  passed,  and  that 
it  may  fall  on  the  next  generation,  al- 
though he  may  escape  himself,  unless 
he  or  his  descendants  get  their  quietus. 

PECUNIA,  money;  a  deity  in  the 
heathen  mythology;  and  (though  not  a 
goddess  personified  among  them)  the 
most  powerful  ascendant  the  moderns 
know.  The  Romans  held  that  she  pre- 
sided over  riches,  and  that  she  had  a  son 
named  Argcntiaus,  whom  they  adored 
in  the  hopes  of  growing  rich. 

Pecukia.  The  Roman  officers  and 
soldiers  were  accustomed  to  leave  their 
pecuniary  savings  where  the  eagles  were 


lodged,  conceiving  that  spot  to  be  the 
most  secure,  because  it  was  held  to  be 
the  most  sacred  among  soldiers.  From 
this  conception,  Vegetius  has  drawn  the 
following  conclusion: — Miles  deinde  qui 
sumptus  suos  scit  apudsigna  depositos,  de 
deserendo  nil  cogitat,  viagis  ditigit  signa, 
pro  Mis  in  acie  fortius  dimicat.  The 
soldier,  of  course,  who  has  lodged  his 
property,  or  savings,  with  the  standards, 
never  thinks  of  deserting  :  but  is,  on  the 
contrary,  more  attached  to  those  stand- 
ards, and  fights  for  them  in  battle  with 
increased  strength  and  intrepidity.  The 
standard  bearer  had  always  the  charge 
of  these  pecuniary  deposits;  but  as  this 
standard-bearer,  to  use  the  words  of  a 
French  author,  was  not  always  proof 
against  corruption,  these  sacred  deposit* 
sometimes  shared  the  fate  of  other 
pledges  which  were  equally  sacred,  or 
ought,  at  least,  to  be  so.  Modern  agents 
and  paymasters  may  learn,  from  this 
article,  that  if  a  soldier  is  honestly  done 
by,  his  courage  and  fidelity  will  always 
equal,  nay,  frequently  exceed,  the  duties 
of  his  profession.  We  cannot  help  ad- 
verting, in  this  place,  to  a  practice 
which,  however  governed  by  principles 
of  light  snd  honesty,  has  always  proved 
injurious  to  the  British  soldier  : — we 
mean  the  practice  of  giving  men,  who 
are  going  upon  service,  a  regulated  sum 
in  lieu  of  necessaries,  &c.  which  may 
be  due.  The  consequence  has  invaria- 
bly proved  to  be  this,  the  soldier  has 
laid  out  his  money  in  liquor,  (as  was  the 
case  before  the  Walcheren  expedition,) 
and  if  he  escaped,  he  has  returned  pen- 
nyless  and  shirtless,  and  of  course  com- 
menced his  home  duties  by  being  in 
debt.  This  money  should  have  been 
placed  to  account. 

PECUNIUS,  a  deity  of  the  ancient 
Prussians  in  honour  of  whom  they  kept 
a  fire  lighted  with  oak  perpetually  burn- 
ing. A  priest  constantly  attended,  and 
if  the  fire  happened  to  go  out  by  his 
neglect,  he  was  instantly  put  to  death. 
When  it  thundered,  they  imagined  that 
their  grand  priest  conversed  with  their 
god,  and  for  that  reason  they  fell  pro- 
strate on  the  earth,  praying  for  season- 
able weather. 

PEOEA,  Ind.  a  foot  soldier. 

PEDEKERO,  PATTARERO,  a  Por- 
tugueze  term,  signifying  a  small  sort  of 
cannon,  which  is  particularly  used  on 
the  quarter  deck  of  ships,  to  fire,  or 
throw  forth  stones,  or  broken  iron,  upoa 


P  E  D 


(     014     ) 


PEL 


boaming  parties.  This  word  lias  been  I  Continued  Pedestal  is  one  which 
adopted  both  by  the  French  and  Eng-  j  supports  a  row  of  columns  without  any 
lish. 

PEDIMENT,  (in  architecture,)  a 
kind  of  low  pinnacle,  serving  to  crown 
an  ordnance,  or  finish  a  frontispiece, 
and  is  placed  as  an  ornament  over  gates, 
doors,  windows,  niches,  altars,  &c.  It 
is  generally  of  a  triangular  form  ;  but 
sometimes  makes  an  arch  of  a  circle. 
The  French  use  the  word  fronton. 

The  parts  of  a  pediment  are  the  tym- 
panum and  the  cornice. 

The  most  beautiful  form  of  pediment, 
according  to  D'Aviler,  is  where  its  height 
is  ahout  l-5th  of  the  length  of  its  base. 

It  has  been  observed  by  Salmasius,  on 
Solin,  that  Cdsar  was  the  first  who  ob- 
tained leave  to  roof  his  house  with  a 
ridge,  or  descent,  after  the  manner  used 
in  those  times  to  cover  temples. 

A  pointed  pediment  may  crown  three 
arches;  but  a  circular  pediment  can  only 
crown  agreeably. 


break,  or  interruption. 

Pedestals   of  statues   are   such   as 
serve  to  support  statues,  or  figures. 

PEDOMETER,  (pidometrc,  Fr.)  a 
mathematical  instrument,  composed  of 
various  wheels  with  teeth,  which  by 
means  of  a  chain  fastened  to  a  man's 
foot,  or  to  the  wheel  of  a  chariot, advance 
a  notch  each  step,  or  each  revolution  of 
the  wheel,  and  the  number  being  marked 
at  the  edge  of  each  wheel,  the  paces 
may  be  numbered,  and  the  distance  from 
one  place  to  another  be  exactly  mea- 
sured. 

PEER,  Tnd.  Monday. 

Peer,  in  building.     See  Pier. 

PEliRS,  (pairs,  Fr.)  equals;  persons 
of  the  same  rank  and  condition  as  our- 
selves. When  this  word  is  applied  to 
the  privileged  Orders,  it  signilies  some- 
thing more  than  mere  equals.  Hence, 
in   French,  pairs  is  a  word  that  is  used 


It  has  been  remarked,  that  the  placing  |  with  more  propriety  than  egaux 
of  two  pediments  over  one  another,  as  is  To  be  tried  by  our  Peers,  (etre  juge 
the  case  in  the  old  Louvre,  at  Paris,  islpar  nos  egaux,  Fr.)  to  have  a  jury  com- 
perfectly  absurd  and  ridiculous,  though1  posed  of  persons  of  our  own  rank  and 
done  by  an  architect  of  reputation.  I  condition.    This  principle  is  partly  ad- 

PEDESTAL,  (pitdestal,  Fr.)  in  ar-j  hered  to  in  our  military  courts  of  inquiry, 
chitecture,  the  lowest  part  of  an  order  i  with   respect   to   officers;    but   not   so 


of  columns;  being  that  which  sustains 
the  column,  and  serves  it  as  a  foot,  or 
stand. 

The  pedestal  which  the  Greeks  call 
stylobates  and  stereobulcs,  consists  of 
three  principal  parts,  viz.  a  square  trunk, 
or  die,  which  makes  the  body ;  a  cornice, 
the  head  ;  and  a  base,  the  foot  of  the 
pedestal. 

The  pedestal  is  properly  an  appen- 
dage to  a  column,  not  an  essential  part 
of  it ;  though  M.  Le  Clerc  thinks  it  is 
essential  to  a  complete  order. 

There  are  as  many  kinds  of  pedestals, 
as  there  are  orders  of  columns,  viz.  five. 
The  Tuscan,  Doric,  Ionic,  Corinthian, 
and  Composite.  The  persons  who  have 
chiefly  written  upon  this  branch  of  archi- 
tecture, are  our  own  countryman,  Sir 
Henry  Wootton,  Jacobo  Baroccis,  the  Ita- 
lian, Vignola,  M.  Perrault,  Vitruvius, 
Palladia,  Sca)»o:?i,  Serlis,  Le  Clerc, 
D'Aviier,  Philander,  &c. 

Square  Pedestal  is  one  whose  height 
and  width  are  equal. 

Double  Pedestal  is  that  which  sup- 
ports two  columns,  and  has  more  breadth 
than  height. 


in  regard  to  privates.  During  the  old 
Prussian  government,  it  was  strictly 
observed  in  the  latter  instance.  Our 
troop  and  company  courts-martial  are 
also  comformable  to  it. 

PEGS,  (chcvilles,  Fr.)  pointed  pieces 
of  wood,  used  to  fasten  the  cords  of  a 
tent. 

PEIADAK,  Lid.  a  guard  to  accom- 
pany a  prisoner  at  large. 

PEISA,  Lid.  cash. 

PEISHWAH,  a  minister,  or  supreme 
magistrate  in  the  Mahratta  empire,  to 
whom  the  civil  authorities  of  the  state 
are  delegated. 

PELE-MELE,  Fr.  a  French  adverb, 
from  which  is  derived  the  English  term 
Pellmell,  signifying,  confusedly,  in  dis- 
order, in  heaps,  &c. 

PELICAN,  Fr.  an  ancient  piece  of 
artillery  which  carried  a  six  pound  weight 
of  ball,  and  weighed  two  thousand  four 
hundred   pounds.  •*' 

PELLE  de  bois  simple,  Fr.  a  wooden 
shovel. 

La  Pelle  au  eul,  Fr.  literally,  the 
spade,  or  pick-axe  at  the  posteriors.  A 
figurative  expression  used  by  the  French 


PEN 


(     615     ) 


PEN 


e  whic 


when  an  army  runs  away.  L'armee  esl 
revenue  la  pelle  au  cul,  the  army  re- 
turned in  complete  disgiace. 

PELLETS,  small  globular  substances 
madt  of  paste  or  bread  ;  mock  duels 
have  sometimes  been  fought  with  these 
harmless  instruments  of  fraud. 

PELLICOIDES,  (in  geometry,)  a  fi- 
resembles  a  hatchet. 

PELOTE  a  feu,  Fr.  Pelote  literally 
means  the  bottom  of  a  pincushion,  a 
ball,  &c.  It  is  here  used  to  signify  a 
species  of  combustible  ball,  which  serves 
to  throw  light  in  a  fosse,  or  elsewhere. 
The  composition  is  pitch  one  part,  sul- 
phur three  parts,  to  one  pound  of  salt- 
petre. The  whole  is  well  mixed  toge- 
ther, and  incorporated  with  tow,  from 
which  the  pelotesare  made.  The  words 
peloton  and  platoon,  are  formed  from 
pelote,  signifying  any  thing  collected,  or 
put  together,  as  a  worsted  ball,  &c. 
may  be. 

PELOTON,  Fr.  platoon. 

Rompre  le  Peloton,  Fr.  A  platoon 
being  genet  ally  considered  as  a  subdivi- 
sion, rompre  le  peloton  signifies  to  break 
into  sections. 

Former  le  Peloton,  Fr.  to  double  up 
or  form  subdivision. 

Peloton  de  modele,  Fr.  a  platoon,  or 
company  set  up  as  a  model  to  others. 

PELOTONNE,  Fr.  formed  into  a 
platoon. 

PELOTONNER,  Fr.  to  gather  to- 
gether, to  get  into  groups. 

Se  Pelotonner,  Fr.  to  form  into  a 
platoon. 

PELTA,  in  antiquity,  a  kind  of  buck- 
ler, small,  light,  and  more  manageable 
than  the  Parma  which  was  used  by  the 
Amazons,  according  to  Virgil ;  and  re- 
sembled the  moon  in  its  first  quarter, 
according  to  Servius. 

Pelta.  This  small  shield,  or  buckler, 
was  also  used  by  the  Macedonians,  Cre- 
tans, Africans,  and  ancient  Spaniards. 
Those  who  carried  shields  of  this  de- 
cription  were  called  Peltati. 

PEN,  (plume,  Fr.)  an  instrument 
well  known  for  writing;  The  strongest 
and  most  effective  weapon  in  the  hands 
of  a  man  of  sense,  and  the  weakest  and 
most  impotent  in  those  of  a  fool. 

Pen  and  ink  men,  a  phrase  used  in 
the  army,  to  mark  those  persons  who 
are  employed  in  civil  capacities  ;  such  as 
military  secretaries,  commissaries,  &c. 
The  French  say,  gens  de  plume. 

To  Pen,  to  write  down  what  is  deli- 


vered by  word  of  mouth.  Thus  Frede- 
rick of  Prussia  had  several  secretaries 
who  penned  out  what  he  said,  or  spoke, 

To  Pen,  to  coop;  to  shut  up.  As, 
the  garrison,  in  Flushing,  was  penned 
up  by  the  navy  on  one  side,  and  by  the 
army  on  the  other. 

PENAL,  (penal,  Fr.)  any  decree,  or 
law  which  subjects  individuals,  &c.  to 
penalties.  Hence  code  penal;  les  lois 
■pennies:  the  penal  code;  the  penal  laws. 
Of  late  years  the  British  service  has 
been  considerably  relieved  from  the  in- 
conveniencies  and  injuries  which  it  suf- 
fered in  consequence  of  an  unnatural 
exclusion  of  a  great  proportion  of  the 
native  strength  of  the  country,  on  ac- 
count of  religious  notions,  and  we  trust 
that  a  general  emancipation  will,  sooner 
or  later,  put  these  islands  upon  a  footing 
with  other  enlightened  nations. 

PENALTY,  in  a  military  sense,  sig- 
nifies forfeiture  for  non-performance, 
likewise  punishment  for  embezzlement, 
&c.  An  officer  found  guilty  of  em- 
bezzling his  Majesty's  stores  is  cashiered, 
and  forfeits  one  hundred  pounds  :  any 
person  who  harbours,  conceals,  or  assists 
a  deserter  from  his  Majesty's  service, 
forfeits  five  pounds  for  each  offence. 

La  PENDAISON,  Fr.  the  punish- 
ment which  is  inflicted  on  an  individual 
for  some  atrocious  crime,  by  keeping 
his  body  suspended  from  a  rope  tightened 
round  his  neck  until  he  expires.  In 
plain  English,  the  act  of  hanging. 

PENDENTIVE,  (pendentif,  Fr.)  in 
architecture,  the  whole  body  of  a  vault 
suspended  out  of  the  perpendicular  of 
the  walls  and  bearing  against  the  arc- 
boutant. D'dviler  and  Belidor  describe 
it  as  a  portion  of  a  vault  between  the 
arches  of  a  dome,  usually  inscribed  with 
sculpture;  and  Felibien  takes  it  for  the 
plain  of  a  vault,  contained  between 
the  double  arches,  the  forming  arches 
and  the  ogives.  The  pendtntives  are 
usually  of  brick,  or  soft  stone,  but  care 
is  to  be  taken  that  the  couches,  or  beds 
of  masonry,  be  always  laid  level,  and  in 
right  line,  proceeding  from  the  sweep, 
whence  the  rise  was  taken ;  the  joints, 
too,  must  be  made  as  small  as  possible, 
to  save  the  necessity  of  rilling  them  up 
with  wood,  or  of  using  much  mortar. 

PENDULUM,  in  mechanics,  any 
heavy  body  suspended  in  such  a  manner 
that  it  may  vibrate  backwards  and  for- 
wards, about  some  fixed  point,  by  the 
force  of  gravity. 


PEN 


(     <3t6     ) 


P  E  N 


A  pendulum  is  any  body  suspended 
upon,  and  moving  about,  a  point  as  a 
center.  The  nature  of  a  pendulum  con- 
sists in  the  following  particulars  :  I. 
The  times  of  the  vibrations  of  a  pendu- 
lum, in  very  small  arches,  are  all  equal. 
2.  The  velocity  of  the  bob  in  the  lowest 
point,  will  be  nearly  as  the  length  of 
the  cord  of  the  arch  which  it  describes 
in  the  descent.  3.  The  limes  of  vibra- 
tions in  different  pendulums  are  the 
square  roots  of  the  times  of  their  vibra- 
tions. 4.  The  time  of  one  vibration  is 
to  the  time  of  descent,  through  halt  the 
length  of  the  pendulum,  as  the  circum- 
ference of  a   circle  is  to  its  diameter. 

5.  Whence  the  length  of  a  pendulum, 
vibrating  seconds  in  this  latitude,  will  be 
found  to  be  39  inches  and  2-10ths  ;  and 
of  one  half  second  pendulum  9.8  inches. 

6.  An  uniform  homogeneous  body,  as 
a  rod,  staff,  ike.  which  is  l-3d  part 
longer  than  a  pendulum,  will  vibrate  in 
the  same  time  with  it. 

From  these  properties  of  the  pendu- 
lum we  may  discern  its  use  as  an  uni- 
versal chronometer,  or  regulator  of  time. 
By  this  instrument,  also,  we  can  mea- 
sure the  distance  of  a  ship,  of  a  battery, 
&c.  by  measuring  the  interval  of  time 
between  the  fire  and  report  of  the  gun  ; 
also  the  distance  of  a  cloud,  by  counting 
the  seconds  or  half  seconds,  between  the 
lightning  and  the  thunder.     Thus,  sup- 


pose between  the  lightning  and  thunder 
we  count  ten  seconds;  then,  because 
sound  passes  through  1142  feet  in  one 
second,  we  get  the  distance  of  the 
cloud  =  H420  feet.  Again,  the  height 
of  any  room  or  other  object,  may  be 
measured  by  a  pendulum  vibrating  from 
the  top  thereof.  Thus,  suppose  a  pen- 
dulum from  the  height  of  R  room,  or 
other  object,  vibrates  once  in  three  se- 
conds; then  say,  as  1  is  to  the  square  of 
3,  viz.  9,  so  is  39.2  to  352.8  feet,  the 
height  required.  Lastly,  by  the  pendu- 
lum we  discover  the  different  force  of 
gravity  on  divers  parts  of  the  earth's 
surface,  and  thence  the  true  figure  of 
the  earth. 

Pendulum.  Pendulums  for  military 
purposes  are  best  made  with  a  musket 
ball,  and  a  piece  of  silk,  or  other  small 
line.  Their  length  must  be  measured 
from  the  center  of  the  ball  to  the  end 
of  the  loop  on  which  they  are  to  swing. 
In  a  cylinder,  or  other  uniform  prism 
or  rod,  the  center  of  oscillation,  whence 
they  must  be  measured,  is  at  the  dis- 
tance of  one-third  from  the  bottom,  or 
two  thirds  below  the  center  of  motion. 

Pendulums  length  in  latitude  of  Lou- 
don, to  swing 

Seconds     —     —     391-8th 
i  Seconds     —     —       98 

246 


I  Seconds     — 


Length  of  Pendulum  to  vibrate  Seconds  at  every  Fifth  Degree  of  Latitudt 


Degrees  of 
Latitude. 

Length 

of 

Pendulum. 

Degrees  of 
Latitude. 

Length  of 
Pendulum. 

o  aj 

a;   3 

SI 

Length  of 
Pendulum. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

0 

390'27 

35 

39  084 

65 

39168 

5 

39029 

40 

39097 

70 

39177 

10 

39032 

45 

39- 1 1 1 

75 

39-185 

15 

39036 

50 

39126 

80 

39191 

20 

39044 

55 

39*142 

85 

39  195 

25 

39057 

CO 

39158 

90 

39-197 

30 

39070 

Rule — To  find  the  length  of  a  pendu- 
lum to  make  any  number  of  vibrations, 
and,  vice  versa.  Call  the  pendulum, 
making  sixty  vibrations,  the  standard 
length  :  then  say,  as  the  square  of  the 
given   number   of   vibrations  is    to  the 


square  of  60;  so  is  the  length  of  the 
standard  lo  the  length  sought.  If  the 
length  of  the  pendulum  be  given,  and 
the  number  of  vibrations  it  makes  in  a 
minute  be  required;  say,  as  the  given 
length  is  to  the  standard  length,  so  is 


PEN  (6 

the  square  of  60,  its  vibrations  in  a  mi- 
nute, to  the  square  of  the  number  re- 
quired; the  square  root  of  which  will 
be  the  number  of  vibrations  made  in  a 
minute. 

PENE,  Fr.  the  bolt  of  a  lock. 

PENETRATION,  line  of  penetra- 
tion. When  an  army  advances  against 
another,  or  into  a  country,  its  first 
movements  constitute  a  line  of'  pene- 
tration. 

PENINSULA,  (Peninsuk,  Tresqttile, 
Fr.  )  any  space  of  ground,  which  has 
water  on  all  sides,  except  one  ;  and 
which  is  joined  to  the  continent  by  a 
slip  of  land  called  an  isthmus.  Thus 
Spain,  from  its  situation,  is  generally 
called,  by  way  of  distinction,  the  Pe- 
ninsula. 

PENNANT,  PENNON,  a  small  fia^ 
or  colour. 

PENNETON,  Fr.  the  bit  or  nil)  of 
a  kev. 

Gentlemen  PENSIONERS,  (gentih- 
homnres  pensionnaires,  Ff.)  a  band  of 
gentlemen,  who  guard  the  king's  person 
in  his  own  house,  and  for  that  end  wait 
in  the  presence  chamber.  They  were 
first  instituted  by  Henry  VII.  They  are 
usually  forty  in  number.  Their  officers 
are,  a  captain,  lieutenants,  standard 
bearer  and  clerk  of  the  cheque.  Their 
ordinary -arms  are  gilt  pole  axes.  Their 
pension  is  100/.  per  annum. 

PENSION,  (pension,  Fr.)  a  salary.— 
An  allowance  given  for  present  or  past 
services,  revocable  at  the  will  of  the 
donor,  in  some  instances,  and,  in  others, 
extended  to  families. 

Military  Pension's,  (pensions  ?nili- 
taires,  Fr.)  annual  allowances  or  pen- 
sions which  are  given  to  officers  for  mili- 
tary services,. and  which  are  frequently 
continued  to  their  widows  and  children. 
With  us,  these  pensions  are  sometimes 
accompanied  by  other  mail.s  of  public 
gratitude  :  in  which  cases  they  are  voted 
by  parliament,  or  given  by  h  "lies  cor- 
porate. 

Pensions  for  Officers  Widows. — Regi- 
mental, not  Hrevet : 

Widow  of  a  general  officer,  perann.  120 
Colonel  of  a  regiment  not  a  general 

officer    . 90 

Lieutenant  colonel 80 

Major 70 

Captain 50 

First  lieutenant 40 

Second  do.  cornet  and  ensign    .      .     3(3 


w  )  PEN 

Paymaster,  previous  to  the  21th  Au- 
gust loll 40 

Ditto,  subsequent  to  ditto     ...  50 

Adjutant  and  surgeon      ....  40 

Quarter-roaster  and  assist,  surgeon  .  36 

XT' 

\  etennary  surgeon 30 

STAFF. 
Widow  of  a  commissary  general     .  120 
Deputy  commissary  general  ...     60 
Do.  alter  having  been  3  years  upon 

full-pay 70 

Assistant  commissary  general     .     .     50 

Deputy  ditto, 40 

Director  and  inspector  of  hospitals  .  70 
Deputy  inspector- of  .hospitals  .  .  50 
Physician     ( after    having    served 

abroad  as  such) 50 

Do.  (not  having  served  abroad)  .  40 
Purveyor,   district  paymaster,  and 

surgeon 40 

Deputy  purveyor 30 

Apothecary 36 

Hospital  assistant  (after  having  serv- 
ed abroad  as  such) 30 

Chaplain    general    -. 90 

Chaplain  to  the  forces  ....  50 
N  .  B. — The  above  pensions  are  pay- 
able every  four  months,  viz.  April,  Au- 
gust, and  December,  at  the  Pay  Office, 
Whitehall,  except  those  that  relate  to 
the  Commissariat  Department,  which 
are  payable  every  three  months,  at  the 
office  of  the  Commissary  in  Chief,  No. 
35,  Great  George  Street,  Westminster. 

The  widows  of  all  commissioned  offi- 
cers belonging  to  the  British  service,  are. 
entitled  to  receive  a  certain  annual  al- 
lowance, according  to  the  several  ranks 
of  their  husbands.  Instructions  to  this 
end  are  signed  by  the  king,  and  lodged 
with  the  paymaster  general.  The  widows 
of  warrant-officers  are  not  included  in 
the  regulation.  It  has  sometimes,  how- 
ever, happened,  that  the  king  has  granted 
a  pension  of  16/.  a  year  to  the  widow  of 
a  quarter-master  of  dragoons,  who  is  a 
warrant  officer,  when  His  Majesty  has 
;;t  Mich  widow  a  proper  object  of 
his  bounM . 

Pensions  to  Officc?-s  having  lost  (or 
having  sustained  an  injury  equal  to  losing) 
an  tj/i  or  a  limb  on  service. 
L  ield  Marshal ;  General,  or ')  To  be  spe- 
Ltw-General,  commanding  '•  ciaily  con- 
in  chief  at  the  time     .      )  sidered. 

Lieutenant  General 400 

Major  general;  or  Brigadier  general  \ 
commanding   a   brigade  ;    and  f    _ 
commissary  general  at  the  head  i 
of  department.  J 

4  k 


PEN 

Colonel 

Lieutenant  colonel       .... 

•  adjutant   general      .... 

♦Quarter-master  general  . 

•Deputy  adjutant  general  if  chief 
of  the  department    .... 

♦Deputy  quarter  master  general, 
if  ditto 

Commissary  general  not  at  the 
head  of  a  department  .     .     . 

Deputy  do.  at  the  head  of  a  de- 
partment   

Inspector  of  hospitals     .     .     . 

Major  commanding     .... 

Major 

"Deputy  adjutant  general     .     . 

"Deputy  quartermaster  general 

Deputy  inspector  of  hospitals    . 

Deputy  commissary  general  not 
at  the  head  of  a  department  . 

Captain 

"Assistant  adjutant  general  . 

•Assist,  quarter  master  general 

*Deputy  ditto 

"Secretary  to  coinm.  of  forces  . 

*Aide>de-camp 

"Major  of  brigade 

Assistant  commissary  general    . 

•Judge  advocate    

Chaplain        

Paymaster 

Physician 

Staff  surgeon 

Regimental  surgeon     .... 

Purveyor       _ 

Lieutenant 

Adjutant 

Deputy  assist,  comnnss.  gene 

Cornet 

Ensign 


(     618     ) 


PEN 


V300 


s 


•100 


anciently  in  use  among  the  Greeks, 
being  three  feet  nine  inches  long  and 
one  foot  broad,  with  which  they  built 
their  public  buildings. 

PENTAEDROUS,  having  five  sides. 

PENTAGON,  in  fortification,  a  fi- 
gure bounded  by  five  sides,  or  polygons, 
which  form  so  many  angles,  capable  of 
being  fortified  with  an  equal  number  of 
bastions.  It  also  denotes  a  fort  with 
five  bastions. 

l'ENTAGRAPII,  (peniagraphe,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  whereby  designs,  &c.  may 
be  copied  in  any  proportion,  without 
the  person  who  uses  it  being  skilled  in 


2ial      ) 


70 


Second  lieutenant  .... 
Regimental  quarter  master  .  . 
Assistant  surgeon        .... 

Apothecary 

Hospital  assistant  .... 
Veterinary  surgeon  .... 
Deputy  purveyor 

The  officers  marked  thus  *  to  have  the 
allowance  according  t<*  their  army  rank, 
if  they  prefer  it. 

Xole — From  the  date  of  the  battle  of 
Waterloo,  18th  June,  1815,  the  above 
pensions  increase  with  the  rank. 

The  payments  are  made  half  yearly,  at 
the  Pay  Office,  Whitehall. 

PENST1  )('K,  a  flood-gate,  placed  in 
the  water  of  a  mill-pond. 

PEN T  AC  APSULAK,  having  five  ca- 
vities. 

i  LNTADORON,  a  kind  of  bricks 


draw  ni2. 


PENTANGLE,  a  figure 


having  five 


PENTANGULAR.    See  Pentagon 
PENTAPOL1S,     in    geography,     a 

country  consisting  of  five  cities.  This 
name  was  given,  particularly,  to  the 
valley  wherein  stood  the  five  infamous 
cities  destroyed  by  fire  and  brimstone 
in  Abraham's  time.  The  most  cele- 
brated Pentapolis  was  the  Pentapolis 
Cyrenaica  in  Egypt,  whose  cities  were 
Berenice,  Arsinoe,  Ptolemais,  Cyrene, 
and  Apollonia. 

PENT  AH' AST,  (pentapaste,  Fr.)  an 
engine  that  has  five  pullies. 

PENTATHLON,  the  five  exercises 
performed  in  the  Grecian  games,  viz. 
leaping,  running,  quoiting,  darting,  and 
icre&tling. 

PENTE,  Fr.  slope;  declivity. 

PENTHOUSE,  a  shed  hanging  for- 
ward, in  a  sloping  direction,  from  the 
main  wall  of  a  place. 

PEN  TILE,  a  tile  formed  to  cover 
the  sloping  part  of  the  roof;  they  are 
often  called,  collectively,  pantiles;  are 
thirteen  inches  long,  with  a  button  to 
hang  on  the  laths  ;  they  are  hollow  and 
circular. 

Pentile  likewise  signifies  any  shed 
or  covering  upon  which  tiles  are  laid. 

PENTURE,  Fr.  the  hinge  of  a  door. 

PEN  CLE,  Fr.  a  long  cloak  for  rainy 
weather. 

PEONS,  Ind.  foot  soldiers.  People 
of  colour,  so  called  in  the  Spanish  is- 
lands;  a  set  of  vagabonds  who  casually 
visit  the  islands  from  the  continent,  and 
who  are  ready  to  join  in  any  disorder 
that  affords  a  prospect  of  plunder.  "The 
majority  of  the  slaves  in  Trinidad,  &c. 
consist  of  these  people.  These  men  are 
chiefly  employed  to  assist  in  collecting 
the  revenues.     Most  persons  in   India 


PER 


(     619     ) 


PER 


keep  servants,  who  wear  a  belt  with  the 
master's  name  :  these  are  likewise  called 
Peons,  o»Puns. 

Peon  also  means  an  allowance  which 
is  paid  in  money  to  the  troops  at  Ma- 
dras only.  It  is  called  Peon  and  Oil 
Money. 

PEOPLE  of  Colour,  blacks,  and  mu- 
lattoes,  &c.  so  called.  They  form  part 
of  the  British  territorial  army,  and  are 
distributed,  in  corps,  among  our  West 
India  islands. 

PEPINIERE,  Fr.  nursery.  Thus 
the  collieries  in  Northumberland  and 
Durham  are  called  the  nurseries  lor  Bri- 
tish seamen. 

PEPLEGMENOX,  an  order  of  bat- 
tle which  was  used  among  the  Greeks, 
and  consisted  in  a  centre  being  so  formed 
by  the  two  wings  of  an  army,  as  to 
stand  advanced  against  an  opposing 
enemy. 

PEQUIN,  a  sort  of  half-military, 
half-civil  character. 

PERAMBULATOR.  See  Pedome- 
ter. 

PERCER,  Fr.  to  pierce.  This  word 
has  various  significations  in  the  French 
language.  It  also  means  to  make  one's 
way,  or  to  rise  from  the  lowest,  to  the 
highest  station.  Hence,  II  a  perci  tout 
le  regiment;  toute  I'armee:  he  rose  or 
made  his  way  through  the  whole  regi- 
ment, the  whole  army. 

Percer  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  cut  through 
the  enemy.     See  To  Cut. 

PERCH,  a  measure  of  five  yards  and 
a  half;  a  pole. 

PERCUSSION,  the  impression  which 
a  body  makes  in  falling  or  striking  upon 
another,  or  the  shock  of  two  moving 
•  bodies.     It  is  either  direct,  or  oblique. 

Direct  Percussion  is  where  the  im- 
pulse is  given  in  the  direction  of  a  right 
line  perpendicular  to  the  point  of  con- 
tact. 

Oblique  Percussion,  when  it  is  given 
in  the  direction  of  a  line  oblique  to  the 
point  of  contact. 

Center  of  Percussion,  that  point 
wherein  the,  shock  of  the  percutient 
bodies  is  the  greatest. 

PERCUTIENT,  striking  against  or 
upon. 

PERDREAUX,  Fr.  a  quantity  of  gre- 
nades, which  are  cast  out  of  a  mortar 
with  one  shell. 

PERDU,  a  word  adopted  from  the 
French,  signifying  to  lie  flat  and  closely 


in  wait.  It  likewise  means  the  forlorn 
hope. 

A  corps  Perdu,  Fr.  desperately. 

A  coup  Perdu,  Fr.  at  random. 

Coup  Perdu,  Fr.  random  shot. 

Clour  a  tcte  Perdue,  Fr.  nails  driven 
into  wood,  so  as  not  to  shew  the  head, 
commonly  called  sunk  nails. 

PEREMPTORY,  whatever  is  abso- 
lute and  final,  not  to  be  altered,  renewed 
or  restrained.  Peremptory  execution, 
that  which  takes  place  immediately. 

PERE,  Ind.     See  Peer. 

PERFIDIOUS,  (perfide,Tr.)  treacher- 
ous, false  to  trust,  guilty  of  violated  faith. 
PERFIDIOUSLY,treacherously,faise- 
ly,  without  faith. 

PERFIDY,  want  of  faith,  treacherv. 

PERFORATED  6^eW,ashieldhav"ir.g 
a  pistol  projecting  from  its  center,  and  » 
small  grated  aperture  above  for  taking 
aim. 

PERGUNNA,  Ind.  a  district. 

PRRILr-eminent  ou  imminent,  Fr.  emi- 
nent or  imminent  danger.  The  French 
sometimes  use  the  \\'(W»  eminent  and 
imminent  in  the  same  sense,  viz.  to  sig- 
nify great  or  ready  to  come  upon  us, 
hanging  over  us. 

PERIMETER,  (pirimttre,  Fr.)  in 
geometry,  the  extent  that  bounds  any 
figure  or  body.  The  perimeters  of  figares 
or  surfaces,  are  lines ;  those  of  bodies 
are  surfaces.  In  circular  figures,  &c.  we 
use  circumference  or.  periphery  instead 
of  perimeter. 

PERIOD.  This  word  is  frequently 
used  in  military  accounts,  to  express  the 
intermediate  time  for  which  money  has 
been  issued  to  oificers  or  soldiers. 

Broken  Period,  a  term  used  in  the 
returns  and  financial  statements  of  the 
British  army,  when  the  regular  distribu- 
tion of  pay  is  interrupted,  or  the  effec- 
tive force  is  lessened  by  the  absence  of 
one  or  more  individuals,  or  by  any  other 
cause.  A  correct  and  faithful  statement 
of  broken  periods  is  essentially'  necessary 
in  every  well  regulated  regiment,  as  not 
only  the  service,  but  the  public  purse 
may  be  materially  injured  by  the  neglect, 
or  embezzlement,  of  individuals. 

Intermediate  Period,  any  space  of 
time  allowed  between  the  departure  of 
a  person  from  one  place  or  commission, 
and  his  entrance  into  another. 

PERIPHERY,  the  circumference,  as 
of  a  circle. 

PERIR,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  t.« 
4K2 


P  E  R 


(     620     ) 


PER 


express  the  calamitous  situation  of  an 
army,  which  has  been  frequently  de- 
feated, or  otht -rways  injured  and  broken 
down.  Hence  les  combats  on!  /oil  pair 
une  portie  </e  I'anrtee,  part  of  the  army 
perished,  or  was  destroyed  in  action. 

PERISTYLE,  a  circular  rant:"  of 
pillars  for  the  support  or  ornament  of 
any  building,  &c.  used  in  the  ancient 
ainphitheatn  s. 

PERKERNUCKA,  Tnd.  petty  offi- 
cers are  so  called  in  India. 

PERJURY,  (parjure,  Fr.)  forswear- 
\\\<i\  taking  a  false  oath.  If  the  slightest 
deviation  from  the  truth  prove  a  stain 
upon  the  character  of  a  soldier,  what 
must  perjury  or  prevarication  be  ?  The 
Romans  respected  as  the  firmest  bond  of 
society,  the  useful  persuasion,  that, 
either  in  this  or  in  a  future  life,  the 
crime  of  perjury  is  most  assuredly  pu- 
nished by  the  avenging  loos. 

PERMANENT  Fortification,  is  de- 
fined to  be  the  art  of  fortifying  towns, 
&c.  so  as  to  resist  the  attacks  <  f  an 
enemy  that  makes  regular  approach;  s. 

I'uiMAMNT  Rank,  a  rank  in  the 
army,  which  does  not  cease  with  any 
particular  service,  or  locality  of  circum- 
stances ;  in  opposition  to  local  or  tempo- 
rary rank. 

PERMISSION,  Fr.   leave 

Etre  en  Permission,  Fr,  to  be  on 
leave  of  absence. 

PERPENDER,  (perpigne,  Fr.)  a 
coping  stone. 

PERPENDICULAR,  in  fortification. 
(ptrpendiculaire,  Fr.)  according  to  Vati- 
can's system,  it  is  a  line  raised  in  a  per- 
pendicular direction  on  the  center  ot 
the  exterior  side  of  any  given  polygon. 
In  mean  fortification,  which  prevails 
more  than  any  other  system,  the  perpen- 
dicular contains  30  toises  in  the  hexagon, 
and  in  polygons  that  have  a  greater  num- 
ber of  sides;  but  it  contains  fewer  when 
the  polygons  have  a  less  number.  The 
perpendicular  is  used  by  this  engineer 
to  determine  the  other  lines  and  angles 
belonging  to  a  fortification.  In  pro* 
portion  as  the  perpendicular  is  in- 
creased, the  extent  of  the  flanks  is  aug- 
mented. 

Perpendicular   Fortified! km   is  that 
'ii  which  all  the  component  parts  flank 
each   other  at  straight  angles.     P 
and  other  engineers,    made    the   Hanks 
perpendicular  to  the  lines  of  defence. 

Vmi-LsmcvLAR, (perpeM!iculairc,Fr.) 


When  any  star  is  vertical,  it  is  said,  in 
astronomy,  to  be  p<  rpendicular,  because 
its  beams  fall  directly  upon  us. 

t'i  iiPr.NDici'LAR,  in  geometry  ;  when 
any  right  line  is  perpendicular  to  all  the 
lines  it  meets  with  in  n  plane,  it  is  said 
to  be  perpendicular  to  that  plane. 

l'i  ki'I.ndicular  direction,  in  march- 
ing, is  the  regular  and  straight  progress 
of  one  or  more  men  over  given  points. 
When  several  columns,  divisions,  or 
companies,  advance,  the  different  pivots 
must  be  strictly  perpendicular  and  pa- 
rallel to  each  other,  otherwise  the  dis- 
tances will  be  lost,  and  the  ultimate 
object  of  forming  a  correct  line  must  be 
defeated. 

PERPENDKTEE,  Fr.  a  plummet. 

PERPETUAL  screw,  a  screw  which 
is  acted  upon  by  the  teeth  of  a  wheel, 
and  which  continues  its  action  for  an 
indi  finite  length  of  time;  or  so  long  as 
the  teeth  of  the  wheel  continue  to  act 
upon  it. 

PERPLEXE,  Fr.  perplexed;  at  a 
loss  what  to  do. 

PERQUISITES,  all  manner  of  pro- 
fits arising  from  an  office  or  place,  inde- 
pendent of  the  actual  salary  or  revenue. 

PERRIERE,  Fr.  an  iron  bar,  which 
is  sharp  at  one  end,  and  which  is  used 
in  casting  ordnance. 

PERRIERES,   Fr,     See  Glide. 

PERRON,  (perron,  Fr.)  is  a  flight  of 
stairs  lying  open,  or  on  the  outside  of  a 
building. 

PERRUQUE,  Fr.  wig. 

drosses  Peruuquf.s,  Fr.  big  wigs. 
An  expression  of  contempt,  which  was 
used  by  Bonaparte  in  1306,  when  he 
spoke  of  the  Prussian  generals. 

PERSEVERANCE,  (perseverance, 
Fr.)  persi stance  in  any  design  or  at- 
tempt ;  steadiness  in  pursuits ;  con- 
stancy in  progress  ;  not  to  be  diverted 
from  its  object  by  good  or  bad  fortune. 
It  is  applied  alike  to  good  and  ill.  In 
the  life  of  Q.  Sertorius,  as  told  by  P!u- 
tarch,  we  find  the  following  illustration 
of  this  inestimable  quality. 

"  But  to  give  them  the  strongest  les- 
son of  patience  and  perseverance,  he  (i.  e. 
Sertorius)  one  day  assembled  the  whole 
annv,  and  then  caused  two  horses  to  be 
brought  before  them,  the  one  old,  feeble, 
and  lean,  the  other  large,  sleek,  and 
vigorous.  Near  to  the  lean  horse  he 
placed  a  strong,  tall  man,  and  near  to 
the  strong  horse,  a  little  man,  of  poor 


PER 


despicable  figure;  he  then  gave  orders 
that  each  should  pull  off  the  horse's  tail 
next  him  ;  the  strong  man  took  hold  ot 
the  weak  horse's  tail  with  both  his  hands, 
as  if  willing  to  pull  it  off  by  force  at 
once  ;  the  little  man,  in  the  mean  time, 
began  to  pluck  off  the  great  horse's  tail, 
hair  by  hair.  When  the  strong  man  had, 
for  some  time,  fruitlessly  endeavoured 
to  effect  his  purpose,  to  the  amusement 
of  the  spectators,  he  desisted ;  the  little 
man,  however,  in  a  short  time,  with 
great  ease,  pulled  off  every  hair  from 
the  great  horse's  tail.  My  fellow  soldiers, 
then  cried  Sertorius,  Perseverance  is 
■more  efficacious  than  force ;  let  us  use 
judgment  and  wait  fur  opportunity,  and 
the  greatest  pozcers  must  yield  to  us.  He 
thus  restrained  the  temerity  of  the  bar- 
barians, and  joined  prudence  to  their 
natural  ferocity." 

Perseverance.  Tn  addition  to  what 
we  have  already  said  relative  to  this  in- 
estimable quality,  we  feel  no  common 
pleasure  in  being  able  to  mention  the 
opinion  of  our  immortal  Nelson,  upon 
the  same  subject.  In  page  4,  vol.  2, 
of  his  life,  we  find  the  following  sen- 
tences. 

"  Thus  may  be  exemplified  by  my  life, 
that  perseverance,  in  any  profession,  will 
most  probably  meet  its  reward.  With- 
out having  any  inheritance,  or  having 
been  fortunate  in  prize  money,  I  have 
received  all  the  honours  of  my  profession, 
been  created  a  peer  of  Great  Britain, 
&c."  and  I  may  say  to  the  reader,  go 
thou  and  do  likewise. 

PERSIAN  Language,  Ind.  There  are 
two  sorts  ;  the  ancient,  called  Zeban-e- 
Pehlawy  ;  the  modem,  called  Zebaun-e- 
dery.  Our  countryman  the  late  Sir  Wil- 
liam Jones  has  written  largely  upon  the 
subject. 

Persian  Order,  Persic  Order,  (Per- 
sique,  Fr.)  In  architecture,  an  order  ol 
columns  which  has  the  figures  of  Persian 
slaves  to  support  the  entablement  in- 
stead of  columns,  as  curyutic  order  has 
the  figures  of  women  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. This  order  was  first  u^ed  by  the 
Athenians  in  token  of  a  victory  which 
their  general  Pausanias  gained  over  the 
Persians.  M.  Le  Clerc  says,  that  Per- 
sian columns  are  not  always  made  with 
the  marks  of  slavery,  but  are  frequently 
used  as  symbols  of  virtues  and  vices,  of 
jov,  strength,  valour,  &c. 

'PERSPECTIVE,  is  the  art  of  draw- 


(    621    )  PER 

ing  the  resemblances  or  pictures  of  ob- 
jects on  a  plain  surface,  as  the  objects 
themselves  appear  to  the  eye,  &c. 
Perspective  Elevation.    See  Sceno- 

GRAPHY. 

Military  Perspective,  (perspective 
milituire,  Fr.)  or  the  art  of  drawing  ob- 
jects for  military  purposes,  by  sketching 
them  on  paper  from  any  point,  taken  at 
will,  from  the  distance  of  the  perspec- 
tive, with  which  all  the  lines  that  are 
drawn  on  the  horizontal  or  inferior  part 
of  the  plane  must  correspond  at  equal 
distances.  In  a  figurative  sense,  mili- 
tary perspective  may  be  considered  as 
containing  those  remote  but  enticing 
points  of  human  emulation,  towards 
which  every  military  man  directs  his 
views  and  talents,  in  order  to  secure, 
by  good  conduct  and  brilliant  actions, 
high  rank  and  unblemished  reputation  in 
arms. 

PERSONAL,  relating  to  one's  private 
actions  or  character.  It  ought  inva- 
riably to  be  impressed  upon  the  minds 
of  officers,  that  nothing  tends  so  much 
to  disunion,  »kc.  as  personal  remarks,  or 
applications. 

Personal  insult,  (injure  personnels, 
Fr.)  a  direct  affront  which  is  given  to 
a  person  in  such  a  manner,  that  it  is 
impossible  to  misconstrue  the  inten- 
tion. Insults  of  this  description  sel- 
dom occur  in  the  army,  as  their  conse- 
quences are  generally  fatal. 

Personal  couruge,  an  innate  valour, 
or  contempt  of  danger,  growing  out  of 
one's  natural  disposition. 

2b  be  Personal,  to  say,  or  write, 
anything  which  affects  the  private  ac- 
tions or  character  of  an  individual. 

PERSONNALITE,  Fr.  The  French 
use  this  word  to  express  the  character 
and  quality  of  what  may  be  personal — 
Juger  sans  personnalite,  to  judge  without, 
personal  prejudice.  It  also  signifies  self- 
conceit,  self-occupation,  egotism  :  cet 
qflicier  est  d'a/w  personnalite  odicuse,  that 
officer  is  full  of  himself  even  to  disgust. 

PERSONNEL,  Fr.  The  French  use 
this  word  variously,  viz.  merit?  personnel, 
personal  merit:  qualities personnellcs,  per- 
sonal qualities ;  injure  personnelle,  per- 
sonal injury  :  personnel,  selfish,  or  self- 
occupied  ;  as  cet  officer  est  Iris  personnel, 
that  officer  is  extremely  selfish,  or  full 
of  himself.  They  also  say,  les fautes  sont 
personnelles,  every  one  is  answerable  for 
his  own  defects. 


PER 


(     622     ) 


PER 


Personnel,  Fr.  that  part  of  an  army 
which  consists  or'  men  only,  opposed  to 
malcriellc,  which  includes  hoists,  can- 
non, wagons,  Sec.     See  Materielle. 

Personnel,  Fr.  a  substantive  used  to 
express  the  good  or  had  appearance  of  a 
person  ;  as  son  personnel  est  tret  odieux, 
his  appearance  is  very  disgusting  or 
odious. 

PERSUASION,  (persuasion,  Fr.)  the 
faculty  of  influencing;  the  act  of  gain- 
ing, or  attempting  the  passions. 

We  find  a  remarkable  instance  of  this 
faculty  in  the  conduct  of  Julius  Caesar, 
when  he  not  only  quelled  the  mutiny  of 
one  of  his  best  legions,  but  also  made 
the  deepest  impression  on  their  minds. 

When  the  mutineers  appeared  in  his 
presence,  they  were  so  struck  with  the 
awe  and  respect  which  his  victories  in- 
spired, that  even  the  boldest  among  them 
could  not  utter  a  single  word.  Then 
Caesar,  mounting  his  tribunal,  exhorted 
them  to  speak,  and  lay  their  complaints 
before  him.  Hereupon  they  took  courage, 
and  begged  him  to  discharge  them,  al- 
ledging  their  age,  their  wounds,  and 
their  long  service.  As  Ca?sar  was  enter- 
ing on  a  new  war,  they  expected  he 
would  have  courted  them,  and,  with 
large  presents,  enticed  them  to  follow 
him.  They  were  therefore  thunderstruck, 
when  he  answered,  without  shewing  th.' 
least  surprise  or  concern,  "  Your  dt  mood- 
is  just;  I  do  discharge  you,  and  you  may 
be  gone."  Caesar,  perceiving  the  con- 
sternation and  surprise  these  words  oc- 
casioned among  them,  after  having  kept 
silence  for  some  time,  added — 1  do  not, 
however,  design  to  rob  you  of  your  re- 
wards ;  these  I  will  give  you,  wfu  n  1  shall 
have  triumphal  over  the  rest  of  my  enemies. 
At  these  words,  they  crouded  round  his 
tribunal,  begging  that  since  he  intended 
to  reward  them,  lie  would  suffer  tin  m  to 
deserve  the  promised  recompense  with 
further  services.  But  Caesar,  without 
seeming  to  fake  notice  of  their  demand 
— Go,  fellow  citizens,  said  he,  return 
to  your  houses  and  families.  '1  he  wind, 
fellow  citizens,  instead  oi  fellow -soldiers, 
was  like  a  clap  of  thunder  in  their  ears. 
They  all  cried  out  that  they  wire  sol- 
diers; that  they  had  not  accepted  of 
their  discharge;  and  that  thev  would 
follow  him  into  Africa.  But  Caesar,  pre- 
t>  inline  to  despise  both  their  offers  and 
their  submissions,  turned  his  back  upon 
them,  and  came  down  from  his  tribunal; 
then  the  legionaries,  throwing  themselves 


at  his  feet,  conjured  him  rather  to  inflict 
such  punishments  upon  them  as  their 
insolence  deserved,  than  to  disband  them 
in  so  shameful  a  manner.  He  continued, 
however,  indexible  for  a  considerable 
time;  but  at  length,  pretending  to  be 
overcome  by  the  importunities  of  his 
friends,  he  ascended  the  tribunal  once 
more,  and,  addressing  himself  to  them, 
told  them,  that  the  revolt  surprised  him 
tlie  more,  because  it  came  from  a  legion, 
which  he  had  always  distinguished  above 
thi  .est;  that,  nevertheless,  he  could 
not  prevail  upon  himself  to  punish  those 
whom  he  had  once  so  tenderly  loved  ; 
that,  on  his  return  from  Africa,  he 
would  give  them  the  rewards  lie  had 
promised,  and  lands  too  for  their  sub- 
sistence :  but  that  he  would  not  by  any 
means  suffer  them  to  attend  him  in  the 
expedition  he  was  now  undertaking,  in 
order  to  convince  them,  that  he  could 
conquer  without  them.  This  speech 
made  so  deep  an  impression  on  their 
minds,  that,  with  tears  in  their  eyes, 
they  begged  he  would  rather  decimate 
them,  than  debar  them  from  sharing 
with  him  the  glory  of  his  victories.  We 
will  follow  you  as  volunteers,  they  all 
cried  out  with  one  voice,  if  you  refuse 
to  admit  us  in  (he  number  of  your  legions. 
These  words,  which  were  manifestly 
spoken  from  a  true  sense  of  their  crime, 
and  a  sincere  repentance,  touched 
Caesar:  he  could  no  longer  dissemble; 
but  stiling  them  again  fellow  soldiers,  he 
not  only  freely  forgave  them,  but  de- 
clared, that  they  should  share  with  him 
both  the  glory  and  advantages  of  all 
his  victories.  See  Appian,  liert.  Liv. 
Dio. 

PERTE,  Fr.  loss. 

1m  Perte  dune  bataille,  Fr.  the  loss 
of  a  battle. 

Pure  Perte,  Fr.  pure  loss,  i.e.  down- 
right loss 

.1  Pkrtf.  de  vue,  Fr.  almost  out  ol 
sighl  ;  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach.  A 
Perte  d'haleine,  Fr.  out  of  breath. 

PEltTLTS,  Fr.  a  narrow  pass.  Sec 
Detroit. 

Pertuis,  Fr.  a  narrow  passage  which 
is  made  in  the  shallow  parts  of  a  river, 
for  the  facility  of  navigation.  This  pas- 
sage is  sometimes  confined  with  flood- 
gates, in  order  to  raise  or  lower  the  waters 
according  to  circumstances. 

PF.HTUTSANE,  Fr.  a  halbert  which 
has  a  longer  and  broader  iron  at  the 
end  than  the  common  halberts  have.— 


PET 


(     C13     ) 


PET 


Pertuisanes  were  formerly  given,  in  the 
French  service,  to  the  infantry,  in  order 
to  enable  them  to  withstand  the  shock 
of  cavalry.  They  were  laid  aside  in 
1670,  and  confined  to  the  invalids,  who 
continued,  and,  perhaps,  still  continue, 
to  use  them  in  France,  during  the  mo- 
narchy. 

PERUST,  Ind.  a  small  weight,  or 
measure,  equal  to  four  koodups  or  puis. 

PERWANNA,  Ind.  an  order,  war- 
rant, or  letter,  signed  by  a  nawaub  or 
nabob. 

PESANTEUR,  Fr.  gravity.  The 
French  also  use  the  word  gruvii'c. 

Pesanteur  absolve  d'un  co?-ps,  Fr. 
absolute  gravity. 

Pesanteur  relative  (Fun  corps,  Fr. 
relative  gravity. 

Pesanteur  specijique,  Fr.  specific  gra- 
vity. 

PESATE,  or  Pesado,  or  Posade,  Fr. 
in  horsemanship,  is  when  a  horse  in 
lifting  or  raising  his  fore-quarters,  keeps 
his  hind-legs  upon  the  ground  without 
stirring,  so  that  he  marks  no  time  with 
his  haunches,  till  his  fore-legs  reach  the 
ground.  This  motion  affords  the  true 
means  of  fixing  his  head  and  hi.-diatmches, 
to  make  him  ply  and  bend  his  fore-thighs, 
and  to  hinder  him  from  stamping  and 
clattering  with  his  feet. 

PESER,,  Fr.  to  weigh  ;  to  consider. 

Tout  PESE,  Fr.  all  things  consi- 
dered. 

PESHWA,arPAISHWA,  Ind.  prime 
minister,  the  acting  head  of  the  Morat- 
toe  states. 

PESON,  Fr.     See  Steelyard. 

PESSAIRES  pour  les  Hcmies,  Fr. 
trusses ;  such  as  are  worn  for  ruptures. 
See  Truss. 

PESSIERE,  Fr.  a  dam  that  is  raised 
for  the  purpose  of  confining  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  water  in  a  reservoir,  by 
which  any  machine  may  be  worked,  or 
kept  in  motion.  The  overflowing  of  the 
river  may  run  over  this  dam,  without 
doing  any  injury  to  it. 

PESTLE,  an  instrument  used  in  the 
fabrication  of  gunpowder.  See  Gun- 
powder Mill. 

PETARD,  or  PETARDO,  a  machine 
in  the  shape  of  a  cone  cut  in  two,  made 
of  cast  or  wrought  iron  ;  its  depth  and 
breadth  must  be  in  proportion  to  its 
thickness.  There  are  four  handles  to 
this  machine,  with  which  it  is  firmly 
fixed  to  a  plank,  by  means  of  iron  hoops 
or  bands;    there  is  also  a  strong,  iron 


hook  in  the  plank,  for  the  purpose  of 
fixing  it  to  the  spot  against  which  the 
petard  is  to  act.  The  business  of  the 
petard  is  to  burst  open  gates,  barriers, 
and  even  walls,  by  being  loaded  with 
ball  and  gunpowder,  and  after  it  has 
been  fixed  to  a  plank,  by  lighting  the 
tonchhole.  Its  invention  is  ascribed  to 
the  French  Huguenots  in  1  .">?!),  who,  by 
means  of  petards,  took  Cahors,  in  the 
same  year. 

Petards  are  of  four  different  sizes  :  the 
first  contains  l'2lbs.  13ozs.  second  lOibs. 
llozs.  third  lib.  lOozs.  fourth  lib.  The 
blind  fuse  composition  for  them  is  of 
mealed  powder,  Fib.  wood  ashes  3ozs. 

PETARDE,  Fr.  a  word  chiefly  ap- 
plicable to  war-horses,  when  they  kick, 
wince,  aiuHa^L^. 

PEIAHDEAUX,  Fr.  pieces  of  wood 
covered  with  wool  and  pitch,  which  are 
used  to  stop  the  holes  that  are  made  in 
the  sides  of  a  ship  by  cannon-balls,  dur- 
ing an  engagement. 

PETARDER,  Fr.  to  fire  petards. 

PETARD  I ER,  Fr.  the  man  who 
loads,  fixes,  and  fires  the  petard.  It 
iikewise  signifies,  among  the  French,  the 
man  who  makes  or  throws  a  petard. 

Petardier,  Fr.  also  means  an  artil- 
lery officer,  who  is  ordered  to  blow  up 
the  gates  of  a  fortified  place. 

PETAUX,  Bibaux,  Tuffes,¥r.  accord- 
ing to  Montrelet  and  Froissard,  two 
French  writers,  these  were  foot  soldiers 
armed  with  large  pikes,  who  lived  on  plun- 
der. A.  T.  Gaigne,  author  of  the  Nou- 
vcau  Dictionnaire  Militaire,  published 
in  1801,  says,  that  the  name  of  pctuux 
was  formerly  given  to  those  peasants 
who  were  enlisted  by  force. 

PETEL,  Ind.  the  head  of  a  village. 

PETER,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense,  to 
explode,  to  make  a  loud  noise. 

PETEROLLES,  Fr.  squibs,  such  as 
children  make  and  use  in  the  streets  for 
their  diversion. 

PET1LLER,  Fr.  to  sparkle:  to  shine 
with  a  vivid  light.  Hence,  petiller  d'es- 
prit,  to  be  full  of  wit. 

VETlTE-guerre,  Fr.  See  Guerre, 
for  its  definition. 

I'ETiTL-guerre,  or  a  war  of  posts,  is 
carried  on  by  a  light,  party,  commanded 
by  an  expert  partisan,  and  which  should 
consist  of  10U0  or  '2000  men,  separated 
from  the  army,  to  secure  the  camp,  or  to 
cover  a  inarch  ;  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy 
or  the  country  ;  to  seize  their  posts,  con- 
voys, and  escorts;  to  plant  ambuscades, 


PET 


(     624     ) 


P  £  T 


nml  to  put  in  practice  every  stratagem 
for  surprising  or  disturbing  the  enemy  ; 
which  is  called  carrying  on  the  petite- 
guerre.     The  genius  of  these  days;  and 

the  operations  of  tiie  last  war,  have 
placed  the  service  of  such  a  corps  in  a 
most  respectable  light,  as  it  is  more  fa- 
tiguing, more  dangerous,  and  more  de- 
sultory than  any  other. 

To  form  a  corps  capable  of  carrying  on 
the petite-guerre  to  advantage,  prudence 
requires]  that  it  should  consist  of  1000 
men  at  least,  without  which  a  partizan 
cannot  expect  to  support  the  fatigues  of 
a  campaign,  and  seize  the  most  important 
occasions  that  every  where  offer,  and 
■which  a  too  great  inferiority  must  make 
him  fotego. 

It  is  no  less  important,  that  this  corps 
should  be  composed  of  infantry  and  ca- 
valry ;  and  as  it  is  incontestible  that  the 
cavalry  would  be  the  most  active  in  car- 
rying on  the  petite-guefre,  it  were  to  be 
wished,  that  they  were  likewise  the 
strongest,  so  as  to  have  600  cavalry  and 
■M><>  infantry  in  a  corps  of  1000  men, 
making  four  companies  of  infantry,  and 
twelve  troops  of  cavalry.  Each  com- 
pany of  infantry  to  consist  of  1  captain, 
1  first  and  °  second  lieutenants,  1  Ser- 
jeants,and  (ki  men,  including 4  corporals, 
4  lance-corporals,  and  '1  drummers. 
Each  troop  of  cavalry  to  consist  of  one 
captain^  1  first  and  l  second  lieutenant, 
a  quarter-master,  two  Serjeants,  and  48 
horsemen  ;  including  4  corporals,  a  trum- 
peter, and  farrier. 

The  commanding  officer  should  have 
the  naming  of  the  officers  of  this  corps, 
or  at  least  the  liberty  to  reject  such  as 
he  is  convinced  are  not  qualified  for 
the  service.  To  support  the  honour  of 
this  corps,  upon  a  solid  and  respectable 
footing,  the  strictest  subordination  must 
extend  from  the  chief  to  all  the  offi< 
and  the  most  rigid  discipline,  vigilance, 
patience,  bravery,  and  love  of  glory , 
ought  to  pervade  the  whole  corps.  Of 
this  description,  we  presume,  was  the 
Portuguese  legion,  which  acted  so  much 
to  tin'  credit  of  it-;  leader,  Sir  Robert 
W  il:  on,  in  the  Peninst  '   . 

PETITION.     See  Memorial. 
1  RARIA.     k  u        ■■  gok. 

PE1  RE.     See  Nitre,  Saltpetre. 

PETRI  (i'ani  froide,  Fr.  eflfemii 
cowardly  ;  literally,  petrified  or  rendered 
callous  by  the  mere  touch  of  cold  wa- 
ter ;  incapable  of  bearing  the  least  hard- 
ship. 


PETRINAL,  PETRONKJ.,  or  POl- 
TRINAL,  JV.  a  species  of  fire-arm  be- 
tween the  arquebuse  and  the  pistol, 
which  was  us., , i  among  the  French, dup- 
ing the  reign  of  Francis  I.  There  is 
mention  made  of  it  in  an  account  of  the 
siege  of  Rouen,  which  was  undertakes 
by  Henry  IV.  in  1599.  It  was  shorter 
than  the  musket  but  of  a  heavier  calibre, 
and  not  unlike  our  blunderbuss;  being 
slung  in  a  cross  belt,  so  as  to  rest  upon 
the  i  best  of  the  person  who  discharged 
it.  From  this  circumstance  it  obtained 
the  name  of"  Poitrinal. 

PETRONEL.     See  Pistol. 

PETTAH,  Inil.  a  town  adjoining  to 
a  fort,  which  is  in  general  surrounded 
by  a  fence  of  bamboos,  a  wall,  and  a 
ditch. 

I'KTTK'OAT,  the  loose  piece  of  gar- 
ment, which  hangs  from  the  waist  of  a 
Highlander;  also  a  material  part  of  fe- 
male drapery. 

Pi  wit  o  a  i-interest,  a  figurative  ex- 
pression, in  common  usage  among  the 
civil,  as  well  as  the  military,  servants  of 
government.  The  influence  of  woman, 
(if  tradition  be  correct,)  is  coeval  with 
the  first  origin  of  man,  and  the  primary 
cause  of  his  fust  fall.  From  that  pe- 
riod down  to  the  present  day,  female 
ascendancy  has  never  ceased  to  prevail. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  it  has  been  the  me- 
dium of  much  good  ;  at  others,  of  incal- 
culable mischief  to  mankind  :  but  at  no 
time  has  it  ever  been  wholly  inactive. 
Ei  en  in  those  countries,  and  under  those 
laws,  particularly  under  the  salique  law, 
where,  one  would  imagine,  the  interpo- 
sition of  woman  could  have  little  or  no 
weight,  the  secret  spring  of  the  most 
important  movements  may  be  traced  to 
this  mistress  of  the  human  heart  ;  nor 
is  even  the  seraglio  a  stranger  to  its  in- 
fluence. How  many  brave  men,  because 
they  have  either  not  been  known,  or  if 
known,  have  not  proved  agreeable  to  the 
mistress  of  a  king,  or  of  a  minister,  or 
to  the  dirty  pander  of  them  both,  have 
been  doomed  in  obscurity  ;  whilst  an 
unfledged  stripling,  perhaps,  has  stepped 
into  the  situation  which  nature  and  ta- 
lents had  destined  for  the  former.  This 
is,  indeed,  a  melancholy  perversion  of 
the  uiiouwl  influence  which  the  fairest 
part  of  creation  ought  to  hu\e  in  human 
affairs;  but  it  must  be  acknowledged} 
on  the  other  hand,  that  there  have  been 
women,  and  probably  there  may  still  bo 
some,  who  have  employed  their  powers 


P  H  A 

for  purposes  the  most  refined,  and  the 
most  honourahle.  With  such  women, 
petticoat-interest  becomes  a  blessing  to 
community. 

PEUPLER,  Fr.  literally  means  to 
people.  This  expression  is  used  in  a 
military  sense  by  Belair,  author  of  Ele- 
ment de  Fortification,  in  the  following 
manner  : — It  faut  peupler  la  surface 
d'un  glacis  de  pierriers,  the  surface 
of  a  glacis  ought  to  be  well  covered  with 
pedereros. 

Peupler,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to  fill  up 
vacant  spaces  with  pieces  of  wood,  which 
are  placed  at  equal  distances  from  one 
another. 

PETITION,  request,  entreaty,  sup- 
plication, prayer. 

Every  subject,  civil  or  military,  be- 
longing to  the  British  empire  and  its 
dependencies,  has  an  inherent  and  un- 
alienable right  to  state  his  grievances  by 
way  of  petition.  This  is  done  in  various 
modes.  Sometimes  by  a  personal  tender 
of  the  petition  to  his  Majesty  at  a  levee ; 
sometimes  through  a  third  person ;  and  at 


others,  through  the  medium  of  Parlia- 
ment. Any  member  of  the  Commons 
may  move  to  have  the  special  case  of  an 
individual  taken  into  consideration ;  and 
every  officer,  non-commissioned  officer, 
and  private  soldier  may  have  recourse  to 
Parliament ;  but  this  is  seldom  or  ever 
done,  until  the  commander  in  chief,  for 
reasons  best  known  to  himself,  has  re- 
fused to  lay  a  memorial  before  the  king. 
A  petition  to  the  king,  in  military  mat- 
ters, is  however  an  extreme  case  ;  and 
should  be  well  weighed  before  it  is  sub- 
mitted. 

PHALANX,  a  word  taken  from  the 
Greek.  In  antiquity,  a  square,  compact 
battalion,  formed  of  infantry,  set  close 
with  their  shields  joined,  and  pikes 
turned  across.  It  consisted  of  8000 
men,  and  Livy  savs,  it  was  invented  by 
the  Macedonians ;  and  hence  called  the 
Macedonian  phalanx. 

Phalanx,  (phalange,  Fr.)  According 
to  Mauvillon,  in  his  Essai  snr  I'injluence 
de  la  poudre  a  canon  dans  /'art  dc  la  guerre 
modeme,  the  phalanx,  among  the  Greeks, 
consisted  of  heavy  armed  troops,  called 
the  Hoplites,  who  stood  in  the  center. 
A  complete  phalanx  consisted  of  16,^0 1 
men  drawn  up  in  sixteen  ranks,  and  each 
rank  containing  1024  files..  This  phalanx, 
in  order  of  battle,  occupied  S072  fe>  t  in 
front,  and  48  in  depth,  consisting  ol 
10,000  odd  hundred    men.     Mauvillon 


(     625     )  p    ft    A 

describes  the  ancient  phalanx  as  having 
been  executed  in  three  different  ways  : 
the  Macedonian  phalanx,  by  the  leading 
file  coining  to  the  right  about,  and  re- 
maining stationary.  The  other  files 
moved  behind  him  by  the  right,  and  as 
soon  as  they  had  marched  a  given  num- 
ber of  paces,  in  order  to  arrive  at  a 
proper  distance,  they  stood  in  their  ori- 
ginal order,  after  having  faced  about. 

The  second  kind  of  phalanx  was  called 
the  Lacedaemonian,  and  was  thought 
preferable  to  the  first ;  because  the  pha- 
lanx, instead  of  tiling  to  the  rear,  marched 
forwards  to  the  direction  where  it  was  to 
face.  The  leading  file  in  facing,  marched 
by  those  that  were  in  his  rear;  and  they, 
as  their  turn  came,  also  faced  and  fol- 
lowed their  leading  files.  When  the 
head  file  had  thus  gone  over  twice  the 
depth  of  ground  that  was  occupied  by 
the  phalanx,  it  halted.  The  serre-file 
came  to  the  right  about,  and  the  whole 
stood  in  their  proper  direction. 

The  third  evolution,  which  was  called 
the  Cretan,  Persian,  or  Choreus,  was 
performed  in  this  manner :  the  leading 
tile  faced  to  the  right  and  counter- 
marched :  each  succeeding  file  did  the 
same,  turning  upon  their  own  ground ; 
and  when  they  had  marched  over  the 
depth  of  ground  which  was  occupied  by 
the  phalanx,  and  stood  where  the  serre- 
files  had  been  stationed,  the  whole  halted, 
and  the  evolution  was  thus  completed. 
This  was  reckoned  the  best  mode,  be- 
cause, in  addition  to  ail  the  advantages 
of  the  Lacedaemonian,  it  was  executed 
in  half  the  time  that  was  necessary  to 
the  other  two. 

PHALAUICA,  a  javelin,  or  long 
dart,  of  a  particular  construction,  which 
was  formerly  used  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Saguntum,  when  they  so  valiantly  stood 
the  siege  of  it.  Saguntum  was  the  an- 
cient site  of  Murviedro,  an  old  town  of 
Valencia,  in  Spain,  which  was  taken  by 
Lord  Peterborough  in  1700.  TLe  pha- 
larica  was  very  thick,  and  had  a  sharp, 
piece  of  iron,  four  feet  long,  attached  to 
it.  It  was  used  either  as  a  weapon  of 
close  attack  and  defence,  or  as  a  fire- 
arm ;  being,  in  th<j  latter  case,  wrapped 
up  in  tow  and  pitch,  and  when  set  fire  to, 
cast  out  of  the  balista  against  the 
enemy's  wooden  towers  and  other  ma- 
chines,  for  the  purpose  of  consuming 
them.  They  were  sent  with  so  much 
force,  that  they  pierced  through  armed! 
bodies  of  men,  and  rendered  all  attempts 
4L 


P  H  I 


(      626    ) 


P  I  c 


to  extinguish  the  flames  useless  and  im- 
a  ailing.  It  is  -also  mentioned  by  Vir- 
Si  a>  a  pike  or  dart  to  be  thrown  by  the 
hand. 

i  HALERA,  a  collar  which  was  worn 
by  the  Romans  as  a  mark  of  distinction. 
It  was  different  from  the  torques ;  the 
latter  being  round,  and  close  to  the  neck, 
and  of  massive  gold  ;  whereas,  the  tor- 
mer  was  flat,  hung  upon  the  breast,  and 
was  merely  adorned  with  a  lew  gold 
nobs.  The  phaleia  was  indiscriminately 
given  to  all  officers  w  ho  had  distinguished 
themselves  in  action.  According  to 
Persius,  phalera  also  signified  the  trap- 
pings and  ornaments  of  a  horse. 

PHAF/1  ON,  (phaeton,  Fr  )  The  alle- 
gorical history  of  this  young  god  con- 
tains one  of  those  instructive  lessons, 
which  ought  always  to  be  present  to  the 
mind  of  every  man,  who  either  aspires  to 


I  y  day,  about  his  person.  This  was  the 
case  in  ancient  times,  when  the  breachcan 
answered  both  purposes.  The  philebeg 
is  a  modern  invention,  and  is  the  garment 
v\  Inch  some,  who  have  endeavoured  to 
establish  the  antiquity  of  Truis, confound 
with  the  Breachcan  Filleadh. 

PHIRMAUND,  Ind.  This  word  is 
sometimes  written  Firmaun,  and  signi- 
fies a  royal  commission,  mandate,  or  al- 
lowain  »'. 

PHOUSDAR,  Ind.  the  same  as 
Foimdar,  the  superintendant  of  a  large 
district.  It  more  immediately  signifies 
the  commander  of  a  large  body  of  forces. 

PIACHE,  fr.  piazza,  covered  arched 
walks,  such  as  in  Covent-garden,  the 
Royal-Exchange,  &c. ;  a  portico. 

PIAFFED  R,  (from  Fiaffcr,  Fr.  to 
carry  it  proudly,  to  strut  it,)  a  proud 
stately  horse  full  of  fire,  that  is  trained 


rule  a  country,  or  is  ambitious  to  com-  to  passage  upon  a  straight  line,  and  is 
mand  an  army  :  nor  is  the  fable  without 


an  army 

a  moral  applicable  to  most  public  cha- 
racters. 

PHAROS,  (pha>e,Yr.)  a  light-house 
or  pile  raised  near  a  port,  where  a  lire 
is  kept  burning  in  the  night  to  direct 
vessels  near  at  hand.  The  Pharos  of 
Alexandria,  built  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Nile,  was  anciently  very  famous;  whence 
the  name  was  derived  to  all  the  rest. — 
Ozanam  says,  Pharos  anciently  denoted 
a  streight,  as  the  Pharos  or  Pharo  of 
Messina. 

PIIARSALLA,  so  called  from  Phar- 
salus,  anciently  a  townln  Thessalv,  now 
Turkey  in  Europe,  which  lies  a  little  to 
the  south  of  Laiissa.  This  spot  was 
rend  .red  memorable  in  history  by  the 
battle  that  was  fought  between  Pompey 
and  Ca'sar,  when  they  contended  for  the 
empire  of  the  world. 

PHATUK,  bid.  a  gaol  or  prison.  It 
likewise  means  a  gate. 

FIIAGUN,  Ind.  a  month  which  in 
some  dugree  agrees  with  February  and 
March. 

PHILEBEG,  or  Kilt,  from  the  Gae- 
lic, Filleadh  beg,  which  signifk  s  a  little 
plaid.  This  part  of  the  Highland  dress 
corresponds  with  the  lower  part  of  a 
belted  plaid,  and  is  frequently  worn  as 
an  undress  by  Highland  officers  and  sol- 
diers. The  philebeg,  or  kilt,  may  be 
considered  a*  a  very  good  substitute  for 
the  belted  plaid,  as  it  is  not,  at  present, 
thought  necessary  for  the  Highlander  to 
carry  his  clothing  for  the  night,  as  well  as 


very  snowy. 

PIARA,  a  Spanish  term,  signifying  a 
drove  of  10  mules  led  by  2  men. 

A  PIC,  Fr.  perpendicularly. 

PIC-houau,  Fr.  a  mattock,  pickaxe, 
an  instrument  used  by  pioneers,  artifi- 
cers, Sue. 

PICE,  Ind.  a  copper  coin,  used  in 
most  parts  of  India,  but  differing  greatly 
in  value. 

PICAROON,  a  pillager,  one  who 
plunders. 

To  PICK,  to  select;  to  chuse. 

To  Pick  a  hole  in  one's  coat,  a  prover- 
bial phrase,  signifying  to  find  fault  with 
another. 

PICK, PICK-AXE,  PICKER,  a  sharp  . 
pointed  iron  tool,  used  in  trenching,  &c. 
to  loosen  the  ground. 

To  Pick  oft',  or  Pick  out,  to  aim  at 
some  particular  individual  in  a  body  of 
troops;  thus  riflemen  and  tirailleurs  are 
selected  for  the  purpose  of  picking  off 
officers  at  the  commencement  of  an  en- 
gagement, or  during  a  reconnoissance, 

&c. 

PICKER,  horse-Ficx.ER,  an  iron  in- 
strument used  by  farriers  and  grooms  to 
clear  a  horse's  foot  of  any  adhesion. 

Picker  likewise  means  a  small  pointed 
piece  of  brass  or  iron  wire,  which  every 
soldier  carries  to  clear  the  touch-hole  of 
his  musket.  The  brass  pickers  are  the 
best,  because  they  are  not  liable  to  snap 
or  break  off. 

PICKET,  (piquet,  Fr.)  an  out-guard 
posted  before  an  army,    to  give  notice 


P  I  c 


(     607     ) 


P  I  E 


of  an  enemy  approaching.  In  parks  of 
artillery,  there  is  always  a  certain  num- 
ber of  artillery  and  driver  horses  read) 
harnessed  and  equipped  for  the  shortest 
notice ;  these  are  called  picket  horses, 
les  chevaux  de  piquet.     See  Guard. 

Picket,  a  kind  of  punishment  so 
called,  where  a  soldier  stands  with  one 
foot  upon  a  sharp  pointed  stake :  the 
rime  of  his  standing  is  limited  according 
to  the  offence.  This  has  been  for  some 
time  discontinued. 

Pickets,  in  fortification,  stakes  sharp 
at  one  end,  and  sometimes  shod  with 
iron,  used  in  laying  out  the  ground  about 
three  feet  long ;  but,  when  used  for 
pinning  the  fascines  of  a  battery,  the) 
are  from  3  to  5  feet  long. 

Pickets,  in  artillery,  are  about  5  or 
6  feet  long,  shod  with  iron,  to  pin  the 
park  lines,  and  to  lay  out  the  boundaries 
of  the  park. 

Pickets,  in  the  camp,  are  also  stakes 
of  about  6  or  8  inches  long,  to  fasten 
the  tent  cords,  in  pitching  the  tents; 
also,  of  about  4  or  5  feet  long,  driven 
into  the  ground  near  the  tents  of  the 
horsemen,  to  tie  their  horses  to. 

Picket  ropes,  commonly  called  breast 
lines  :  these  are  ropes  which  are  twisted 
at  given  intervals  round  the  several 
picket  stakes,  and  serve  to  confine  the 
horses  within  a  proper  space  of  ground. 
They  are  called  breast  lines,  because  the 
pickets  or  stakes  should  always  be  long 
enough  to  adhere  firmly  to  the  soil,  when 
driven  in,  and  to  stand  breast  high. 
When  the  pickets  are  too  short,  unruly 
horses,  or  any  horses  indeed  not  ac- 
customed to  stand  at  picket,  will  either 
drag  them  up,  or  throw  their  legs  over 
the  breast  lines,  and  get  entangled. 
Heavy  cavalry  ought  to  have  pickets  of 
6  feet;  the  common  stakes  are  from  4 
to  5  feet. 

PICOR£E,  Fr*  an  obsolete  French 
term,  signifying  a  party  of  soldiers  who 
go  out  in  search  of  plunder. 

PICGRER,  Fr.  to  go  out  in  search 
of  plunder. 

PICOREUR,  Fr.  a  marauder. 

PICQUEERING,  PICKERING, 
PICKERQONING,  a  little  flying  skir- 
mish, which  soldiers  make,  when  de- 
tached for  pillage,  or  before  a  main  bat- 
tle begins. 

PICTS,  a  people  which  in  ancient 
times  inhabited  a  part  of  Scotland,  and, 
together  with  the  Scots,  made  frequent 


incursions  into  England.  Their  depre- 
dations were  checked  by  the  Romans, 
when  the  emperor  Severus  landed  an 
army  in  Britain,  and  delivered  the  poor 
natives  from  their  mise.able  tyranny. 
An  excellent  historian  calls  this  act  of 
the  Roman  emperor,  the  greatest  ho- 
nour of  his  reign.  See  Rise  and  Pro- 
gress of  the  Roman  Empire,  in  Kennett's 
Antiquities,  p.  1Q. 

Picts  Wall,  in  antiquity,  a  celebrated 
piece  of  Roman  work,  begun  by  the 
emperor  Adrian,  on  the  northern  bounds 
of  England,  to  prevent  the  incursions  of 
the  Picts  and  Scots.  At  first  it  was 
only  made  of  turf,  strengthened  with 
pallisadoes,  till  the  emperor  Severus, 
coming  in  person,  into  Britain,  built  it 
with  solid  stone,  reaching  eighty  miles 
from  the  Irish  to  the  German  sea,  or 
from  Carlisle  to  Newcastle  upon  Tyne, 
with  watch  towers  garrisoned  at  the 
distance  of  one  mile  from  each  other. 
It  was  ruined  several  times  by  the  Picts, 
and  as  often  repaired  by  the  Romans. 
At  last,  Oetins,  a  Roman  general,  re- 
built it  of  brick  ;  and  the  Picts  ruining  it 
in  the  year  following,  it  was  no  longer 
regarded  but  as  a  boundary  betwixt  the 
two  nations.  It  was  eight  feet  thick,  and 
twelve  high  from  the  ground;  it  ran  on 
the  north  side  of  the  rivers  Tyne  and 
Irrhing  up  and  clown  several  hills.  The 
remains  of  it  are,  to  this  day,  to  be 
seen  in  Cumberland  and  Northumber- 
land. 

PIE,  hid.  the  smallest  current  coin  in 
India. 

IW-PTECE.     See  Time. 

Piece,  (piece,  Fr.)  This  word  is  va- 
riously used,  in  a  military  sense,  by  the 
French  and  English. 

PIECES  of  ordnance  are  all  sorts  of 
great  guns  and  mortars. 

Battering  Pieces  are  the  large  guns 
which  serve  at  sieves  to  make  breaches, 
such  as  the  24-pounder,  and  the  culve- 
rin,  which  carries  an  18lb.  ball. 

Gar /7io«-PiECE.  are  mostly  heavy 
12,  18,  21,  36,  and  42-pounders,  be- 
sides \\  all  guns. 

JYeM-PiECES  are  twelve  pounders,  de 
mi-culverins,  six-pounders,  sakers,  mi- 
nions, and  three-pounders,  which  move 
with  an  army,  and  are  parked  behind 
the  second  line  when  it  encamps,  but 
are  advanced  in  front,  in  the  intervals  of 
battalions,  &c.  and  on  the  flanks  in  the 
dav  of  battle. 
4L2 


P  I  E 


(     G28     ) 


P  I  E 


Regimental  Pieces  are  light  six-poun- 
ders; each  regiment  has  generally  two 
of  these  pieces. 

Pircr.  is  likewise  used  to  express  a 
soldier's  musket. 

PlECE,  Fr.  a  word  generally  used  in 
architecture  to  express  all  the  different 
apartments  belonging  to  a  building,  such 
ns  the  saloon,  hall,  parlour,  chamber, 
cabinet. 

Piece  de  churpente,  Fr.  any  piece  of 
shaped  wood  which  belongs  t<>  a  frame 
of  timber. 

Muiti-esses  Pieces,  Fr.  literally  the 
master  pieces,  those  of  the  largest  di- 
mensions, as  beams,  rafters. 

Piece  de  bois,  Fr.  a  piece  of  wood 
which  is  cut  and  shaped  according  to 
the  Parisian  measure,  \\/.  six  feet  long, 
11  inches  broad,  and  (3  thick. 

Piece  a  pommette,  Fr.  a  small  plea- 
sant rowel  in  the  mouth  of  a  bit. 

La  grande  Piece,  Fr.  a  broad  piece 
of  armour  which  is  placed  between  the 
bottom  of  the  helmet  and  the  pouldron. 

La  hunte  Piece,  Fr.  the  pouldron, 
or  upper  part  of 'the  helmet. 

Gens  de  toutcs  Pieces,  Fr.  men  of  all 
descriptions,  tag-rag,  &c. 

Un  homme  arm'c  de  toutes  Pieces,  Fr. 
a  man  armed  at  all  points,  or  cap-a-pie. 

Pieces  d'honneur,  Fr.  the  insignia  or 
marks  of  honour;  these  consist  of  the 
crown,  sceptre,  and  sword. 

Une  Piece  d'artilkrie,  tine  Piece 
de  canon,  Fr.  These  terms  are  used 
by  the  French  to  signify  cannon  in  ge- 
neral. 

Pieces  de  batterie,  Fr  See  Batter- 
ing Pieces. 

Pieces  de  campagne.  Fr.  Sue  Field 
Pieces. 

Pieces  de  xingt-quutrc,  Fr.  twenty- 
four  pounders. 

Pieces  de  trente-six,  Fr.  thirty-six 
pounders.  When  pieces  are  not  speci- 
fically named,  the  term  is  used  in  the 
same  general  sense  by  the  English,  as, 
one  hundred  pieces  of  cannon,  or  artil- 
lery, (•< ut  pieces  d'artillerie;  but  when 
the  calibre  is  mentioned,  vie  substitute 
the  word  pounder  for  piece  :  as,  une 
piece  de  vingt-quutre,  a  lour  and  twenty 
pounder. 

Di/nonter  les  Pieces,  Fr.  to  dismount 
cannon. 

.'oner   les    Pieces,    Fr.    to  bpike 
ion. 
frakhir  les  Pieces,  Fr.  tospunge, 
or  clean  out  cannon. 


Pi  fce  de  canon  brisc,  Fr.  The  French 
formerly  made  use  of  cannon  that  could 
be  taken  to  pieces,  and  so  rendered 
more  portable.  This  species  of  ordnance 
was  distinguished  as  above. 

Piece  vcrsee  en  punier,  ou  en  cage,  Fr. 
A  piece  of  ordnance  is  said  to  be  in  this 
situation,  when  it  is  so  completely  over- 
turned, as  to  have  the  win-els  of  its  car- 
riage  in  the  air.  Various  methods  have; 
been  proposed  by  able  engineers  to 
raise  cannon  that  have  been  overturned. 
See  Sain/  Re  mi,  Manuel  de  VArtilleur; 
and  a  late  publication,  intituled,  Aide 
Mimoire  a  V usage  tics  Officiers  d'ArtiL- 
/eric  </c  France. 

Pieces,  ligbes,  Fr.  light  pieces.  Sew 
Field  Pieces. 

1'm.i  is  it  la  Suedoise,  Fr.  field  pieces 
originally  invented,  and  since  usedamong 
the  Swedes. 

Pieces  netfes,  Fr.  ordnance  pieces  or 
fire-arms,  which  have  been  proved,  and 
are  found  perfectly  sound. 

Pieces  de  c/iassc,  Fr.  a  marine  term, 
signifying  the  cannon  that  is  placed  on 
the  stern  ami  forecastle  of  a  ship.  We 
call  them  chase  guns. 

Pieces  detachees,  Travau.r  ui-ances  en 
dehors,  Fr.  those  works  which  cover  the 
body  of  a  fortified  place,  towards  the 
country;  of  this  description  are  rave- 
lins, (leiui-luiics,  horn-works,  tenailles, 
crown-works,  queues  d'hironde,  enver 
loppes,  ^c. 

Pieces  de  rechange,  Fr.  arms  kept  in 
store  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  the 
number  of  effective  pieces. 

To  be  cut  to  Pieces,  (c/re  /utile  en 
pitccs,  l'r.)  The  French  also  say,  Un  /el 
rigimt  ul  n  i •/«'  cc/ntrpi  ;  such  a  regiment 
lias  been  cut  to  pieces. 

Stde-PiECE,  a  brass  plate  let  into  the 
opposite  side  of  the  lock,  in  order  to  re- 
ceive the  side-nails  which  hold  on  the 
lock. 

Thumb-V  ievi.,  a  piece  of  circular 
brass  let  into  the  hand  or  grasp  of  the 
srock,  having  a  pin  which  goes  through 
the  wood  to  the  back  part  of  the  guard 
to  secure  it.  This  is  intended  for  en- 
graving numbers  or  letters  on. 

A  PIED,  Fr.on  foot. 

Pi ed  a  pint,  Fr.  foot  by  foot;  gra- 
dually.  Fane  un  logement  pied  &  pied ; 
to  establish  a  lodgment  foot  by  foot. 
Forcer  les  ouvrages  jik  d  a  pied ;  to  make 
regular  approaches,  or  to  besiege  a  town 
by  opening  trenches,  &c.  instead  of  in- 
sulting it  by  a  direct  attack. 


P  I  E 


(     (329     ) 


P  I  E 


Troupes  retenues  sur  Pied,  Jr.  troops 
kept  upon  full  pay,  or  on  foot. 

Etre  en  Pied,  Fr.  to  be  kept  upon 
full  pay,  in  contradistinction  to  r'ejbrmi, 
or  being  reduced. 

Pied,  Fr.  foot.  As  there  is  a  foot  ot 
iriven  dimension,  or  length,  which  is  uni- 
versally used  throughout  France,  and 
which  formerly  was  prescribed  by  Royal 
Authority,  and  therefore  called, 

Pied  de  Roi,  or  Royal  Foot,  we  shall 
only  describe  that  sort  of  foot,  under  its 
French  word,  which  is  particularly  ap- 
plicable to  the  use  that  is  made  of  it 
by  mathematicians,  engineers,  and  archi- 
tects throughout  France.  This  foot,  as 
with  us,  is  divided  into  12  inches,  and 
the  inch  into  12  lines,  and  each  line  into 
12  equal  parts  called  points. 

Le  Pied  quarri,  Fr.  The  foot  square 
is  the  same  measure  both  in  length  and 
breadth,  containing  144  square,  or  super- 
ficial inches. 

Le  Pied  cubique,  Fr.  cubic  or  solid 
foot,  which  is  the  same  measure  in  all 
the  three  dimensions,  containing  1728 
cubic  inches.  This  measure  is  used  for 
measuring  solids. 

Le  Pied  de  toise  quarrie,  Fr.  This  is 
the  sixth  part  of  the  square  toise  ;  and 
as  this  toise  contains  36  square  feet,  the 
toise  foot  square  contains  six,  and  must 
be  considered  a  rectangle,  which  has  one 
foot  base  on  one  toise  of  elevation. 

Pied  de  toise  cube,  Fr.  This  is  the 
sixth  part  of  the  cubic  toise ;  and  as  this 
toise  contains  2 lb'  cubic  feet,  French 
measure,  the  cubic  toise  foot  compre- 
hends, of  course,  Uti,  and  must  be  con- 
sidered as  a  parallelepiped,  which  has 
one  square  toise  of  base  upon  one  foot 
of  elevation. 

Le  Pied  de  solive,  Fr.  which  is  the 
sixth  part  of  the  rafter  or  girder, is  a  pa- 
rallelepiped, whose  base  is  a  rectangle 
twelve  inches  long,  one  inch  broad,  and 
one  toise  high. 

Le  Pied  cube  d'eau,  Fr.  cubic  foot  of 
water,  that  is,  of  common  water,  weighs 
seventy  pounds,  and  contains  35  pints, 
Paris  measure  ;  the  Paris  pint  weighing 
two  pounds,  it  is  necessary  to  have  eight 
cubic  feet  to  make  up  one  hogshead  ol 
water,  or  280  pints.  Salt  or  sea-water  is 
heavier  than  fresh  or  river  water ;  its 
cubic  foot  weighs  72  pounds.  Belidor 
observes,  that  a  ship  full-laden  coming 
from  the  sea  into  a  river  or  stream, 
would  sink  the  instant  it  got  into  soft 
water,   because  the   specific  gravity  of 


soft  water  is  one  thirty-sixth  less  than 
that  of  salt  water. 

Pied  de  biche,  Fr.  the  game  of  a  cross- 
bow, or  the  end  of  it ;  also  an  iron 
bar,  one  end  of  which  is  fastened  by  a 
cramp  to  the  wall,  and  the  other  is  so 
contrived  as  to  cover  the  wicket  of  a 
gate,  to  prevent  it  from  being  forced. 

Pied  lVienan  or  Rhinlandique,  Fr. 
the  Gennan  foot.     See  Measure. 

Pied  caurant,  Fr.  the  extent  of  a 
foot  considered  as  to  length  only. 

Pied  marin,  Fr.  literally,  sea  leg. — 
See  Marin. 

Pied  de  mur,  ou  de  muraille,  Fr.  that 
lower  part  of  a  wall  which  is  otherwise- 
called  Escarpe,  and  is  contained  be- 
tween its  base  and  top. 

Pousser,  ou  mettre  quelquun  au  Pied 
du  mur,  Fr.  to  drive  another  to  the  wall. 

Pied  de  rcmpurt,  Fr.  that  extent  of 
ground  which  lies  between  the  fosse 
and  the  houses,  in  a  fortified  town  or 
place. 

Pied  droit,  Fr.  a  side  post  or  stay- 
made  of  stone  or  wood,  which  is  used  by 
miners,  in  order  to  keep  up  or  support 
any  thing  with  effect. 

Pied  ferine,  Fr.  This  word  literally 
signifies  firm  foot.  Attendre  Vennemi  de 
pkd  Jerme  ;  to  expect  the  enemy,  or 
wait  his  attack  with  steadiness  and 
composure.  They  also  say,  figuratively, 
Combattre  de  pied  fame;  to  tight  steadily 
without  quitting  ground,  or  giving  way  ; 
to  keep  firm  to  any  thing. 

Lacker  le  Pied,  Fr.  to  give  way. 

Gagucr  au  Pied,  Fr.  to  take  to  one's 
heel*,  or  to  run  away. 

Pi  id  poudreux,  Fr.  literally  a  dusty 
foot,  an  expression  of  ridicule  among 
the  French,  which  is  applied  to  any 
soldier  that  deserts  from  one  regiment 
to  another. 

Au  Pied  de  lu  le.ltre,  Fr.  literally. 

Pied  de  chtvre,  Fr.  the  end  of  a 
gaffle  of  a  cross-bow  ;  also  the  stay  or 
prop  of  a  ladder,  whereby  it  is  both 
held  steady,  and  kept  from  bearing  too 
much  on  what  it  is  set  against;  also  a 
lever,  pointed  like  the  foot  of  a  goat, 
from  which  it  takes  its  name. 

Sur  Pied,  JV.     See  On  Foot. 

Le  coup  de  Pied,  Fr.  the  instep. 

Gens  de  Pied,  Fr.  foot  soldiers. 

Pied,  Fr.  the  foot  or  bottom  of  any 
thing.    See  Foot. 

Pied  cornier,  Fr.  the  main  pillar  of  a 
coach. 

Prendre  qudqu'un  au  Pied  levc,  Fr, 


P  I  E 


(     630     ) 


P  I  E 


to  take  advantage  of  every  word  a  per- 
son drops. 

Pitv-p/at,  Fr.  a  contemptible  fellow. 

Pied  tcmtb, or  VizD-sante,  Fr.  a  nar- 
row path ;  foot-path. 

Pied  de  chut,  Fr.  the  port  or  upset 
of  some  bits,  made  like  the  foot  of  a 
cat. 

P1EDESTAL,  Jr.     See  Pedestal. 

VlE-droit,  Fr.  a  kind  of  square  pillar, 
part  of  which  is  hid  within  a  wall,  it 
ie  used  to  support  arches. 

PIEDOL'CH,  in  architecture,  is  a 
little  stand  or  pedestal,  either  long  or 
square,  enriched  with  moulding;  serving 
to  support  a  bust,  or  other  small  figure. 

PIECE,  Fr.  snare. 

PIER,  (in  building,)  is  a  mass  of 
itone,  &c.  opposed  by  way  of  fortress, 
against  the  force  of  the  sea,  or  a  great 
river;  for  the  security  of  ships  that 
lie  at  harbour  in  any  haven,  as  Dover 
Pier,  the  Pier  at  Great  Yarmouth,  &c. 

Piers  are  also  a  sort  of  square  pil- 
lars, part  of  which  is  hidden  within  the 
wall;  the  only  thing  wherein  it  differs 
from  a  pilaster,  being  this,  that  the 
latter  has  a  base  and  capital,  which  the 
former  has  not.  According  to  the  Act 
of  Parliament,  for  the  rebuilding  of 
London,  after  the  fire  in  1666,  the  scant- 
lings, or  size  of  piers  were  ordered  to 
be  for  the  first  sort  of  houses,  corner 
piers  18  inches  square ;  middle  and  tingle 
piers  12  and  14  inches;  double  piers 
between  house  and  house,  14  and  18 
inches. 

In  the  second  and  third  sort  of  houses, 
corner  piers  2  teet  6  inches  square ; 
middle  or  single  piers  18  inches  square  ; 
double  piers  between  house  and  house 
14  and  19  inches  square. 

PIERCED,  (perce,  Fr.)  in  the  navy, 
to  be  capable  of  receiving ;  as  pierced 
for  one  hundred  guns.  The  French  use 
the  same  term. 

Pierced,  (pace,  Fr.)  In  the  distribu- 
tion of  a  town  it  applies  to  the  streets, 
as  A  town  veil  pierced,  or  having  its 
streets  in  parallel  lines,  or  at  right  angles, 
Une  vttle  bien  percee. 

PIEuKAlLLE,  Fr.  a  heap  of  large 
stones. 

PIERRE,  Fr.  a  stone. 

Pierre  d  feu,  Fr.  dint. 

Pierre  a  JusJ,  Fr.  a  Hint. 

Pierrl  utguisone,  Fr.  a  whetstone,  or 
grindstone. 

Pierre  vive,  Fr.  a  flint. 

Pierue  de  tufle,  Fr.  a  white  sand- 


stone, or  a  soft  and  brittle  stdne,  which 
is  easily  crumbled  into  sand. 

Pierre  herculienne,  Fr.  a  load-stone. 

Pierre  de  canon,  Fr.  a  cannon  bul- 
let. 

Pierre  ponce,  Fr.  the  pumice-stone. 

Pierre  brute,  Fr.  rough  stone. 

Pierre  d'erier,  Fr.  guttter-stone. 

Pierre  nuxienne,  Fr.  a  hone ;  a  whet- 
stone. 

Pierre  d'eponge,  Fr.  pumice-stone. 

Pierre  fondumentale,  Fr.  foundation 
stone. 

Pierre  de  pratique,  ou  a  joints  in- 
certains,  Fr.  This  is  also  called  Pierre 
de  moilonnage,  or  rough  stonts,  and 
are  such  as  may  be  used  as  they  come 
out  of  the  quarry.  Care,  however,  must 
be  taken  to  have  them  irregularly  laid 
in  a  bed  of  mortar,  with  lime  and  sand. 
The.se  stones  are  principally  used  for 
quays. 

Pierre  a  chaux,  Fr.  lime-stone. 

P 1  erres  pcrdues,  fondement  a  pierres 
pcrdues,  Fr.  stones  which  are  sunk  into 
the  water,  for  the  purpose  of  establish- 
ing a  foundation,  when  it  is  impossible 
to  effect  a  necessary  drainage.  See 
Book  iii.  De  la  Science  des  Inginieurs, 
and  the  Second  Part  of  Belidor's  Ar- 
chitecture Hydraulique,  where  the  man- 
ner of  building,  or  raising,  superstruc- 
tures in  water  is  amply  discussed. 

Pierres  siches,  Fr.  unmortared  stones 
which  are  laid  sideways  to  pave  the 
compartments  of  grills  or  gratings  that 
cover  fascine-work.  No  mortar  is  used 
in  these  cases ;  on  which  account,  the 
work  is  said  to  be  a  pierres  stches,  or 
done  without  mortar  or  cement. 

Pierre  d'attente,  Fr.  corner-stones. 

Pierre  de  cant  ou  de  champ,  ou  pie?  re 
debout,  Fr.  a  method  of  laying  stones  or 
bricks  differently  from  the  usual  way ; 
for  instead  of  placing  them  flat,  or  ac- 
cording to  their  natural  position,  they 
are  laid  sideways  (de  cant  ou  de  champ) 
or  upright  (debout.) 

PIERREE,  Fr.  a  drain,  a  water- 
course ;  so  called  from  being  generally 
made  with  dry  stones. 

PIERRIER,  Fr.  a  swivel,  a  pede- 
rero. 

PIERRIERE,  Fr.  a  quarry. 

PIERRIERES,  Fr.  heaps  of  large 
stones  which  are  hastily  collected  to- 
gether near  a  fortified  place,  and  are 
covered  with  earth  iu  order  tp  conceal 
them  from  a  besieging  enemy.  If  grass 
should  have  grown  upon  it,  the  enemy; 


P  I  G 


(     631     ) 


P  I  L 


will,  in  all  probability,  consider  it  as  a 
mere  eminence  or  commanding  spot  of 
ground,  and  will,  of  course,  endeavour 
to  get  possession  of  it.  The  instant  he 
makes  the  attempt,  a  heavy  discharge  of 
ordnance  must  be  directed  from  the 
rampart  against  this  heap  for  the  pur- 
pose of  scattering  the  stones  amongst 
the  assailants,  and  necessarily  forcing 
them  to  retire.  Perhaps  it  might  add 
to  this  species  of  defence,  were  tempo- 
rary works  thrown  up  in  front  of  the 
heap,  and  a  mine  laid  underneath. 

P1ERROITTE,  Fr.  a  small  stone; 
also  a  stony,  flinty,  or  gravelly  soil. 

PIERS,  the  columns  on  which  the 
arch  of  a  bridge  is  raised. 

PIES,  Fr.  knights  that  were  created 
by  Pope  Pius  IV.  in  1500,  with  the 
titles  of  Counts  Palatine.  They  took 
precedence,  at  Rome,  of  the  knights  of 
the  Teutonic  order,  and  of  those  of 
Malta. 

PIETINER,  Fr.  to  move  the  feet 
with  great  quickness.  It  likewise  sig- 
nifies to  murk  time,  but  not  techni- 
cally so 

PI  ETON,  Fr.  a  foot  soldier. 

PIEUX,  Fr.  palisades. 

Pieux,  Fr.  large  piles  which  are 
made  of  oak,  and  serve  lor  the  railing 
of  wooden  bridges,  &c.  The  difference 
between  pieux  and  pilots  consists  in  the 
former  not  being  driven  into  the  earth, 
and  the  latter  being  so. 

PIGISJON,  Fr.  the  gable  end;  also  a 
final  cap,  or  small  pinnacle,  on  the  ridge, 
or  top  of  a  house. 

Pignon  a  redans,  Fr.  a  pinnacle  or 
gable  end  which  is  in  front  of  a  roof 
that  has  two  gutters  or  outlets,  and 
whose  sides  are  indented,  or  have  a 
sort  of  steps,  by  which,  in  former  times, 
persons  used  to  get  to  the  ridge  of  a 
roof,  in  order  to  repair  it.  This  custom 
still  prevails  in  cold  countries,  where 
the  roofs  of  the  houses  are  very  pointed  ; 
but  they  are  more  for  ornament  than 
use. 

Pignon  entrapete,  Fr.  The  end  or 
extremity  of  a  wall  in  front  of  a  roof, 
whose  profile  is  not  triangular,  but  shews 
five  fronts,  as  is  the  case  in  a  mansard, 
(so  named  from  M.  Mansard,  a  French 
architect,)  or  even  four,  as  in  that  of  a 
trapeze. 

Pignon,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  a  watch- 
pinion,  or  any  small  wheel,  or  a  long 
round  piece  of  metal,  which  is  grooved 


for  the  purpose  of  admitting  the  teeth 
of  a  wheel  which  catch  in  the  grooves. 

PIGEON,  (pigeon,  Fr.)  a  bird  well 
known. 

Carrier  Phseon,  (courier  pigeon,  Fr.) 
a  sort  of  pigeon,  used,  when  properly 
trained,  to  be  sent  with  letters  from 
one  place  to  another.  According  to  an 
article  in  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica, 
under  the  letter  C.  or  Carrier- Pigeon, 
it  is  observed,  that  though  you  carry 
these  birds,  hoodwinked,  20,  30,  nay 
00  or  100  miles,  they  will  find  their 
way  in  a  very  little  time  to  the  place 
where  they  were  bred.  They  are  trained 
to  this  service  in  Turkey  and  Persia; 
and  are  carried  first,  while  young,  short 
flights  of  half  a  mile,  afterwards  more, 
till  at  length  they  will  return  from  the 
farthest  part  of  the  kingdom.  See  also, 
Columba,  in  the  same  excellent  work. 

PIKE,  in  war,  an  offensive  weapon, 
consisting  of  a  wooden  shaft,  12  or  14 
feet  long,  with  a  flat  steel  head,  pointed, 
called  die  spear.  This  instrument  was 
long  in  use  among  the  infantry;  but 
now  the  bayonet,  which  is  fixed  on  the 
muzzle  of  the  firelock,  is  substituted  in 
its  stead.  The  Macedonian  phalanx 
consisted  of  a  battalion  of  pikemen. 

The  Morris  or  Moorish  Pike  was 
much  used  in  the  reigns  of  Henry  VIII. 
and  Queen  Elizabeth,  both  by  sea  and 
land. 

PIKEMEN,  soldiers  armed  with 
pikes. 

PIKESTAFF,  the  wooden  pole  or 
handle  of  a  pike. 

PILA,  a  small  standard  which  was 
used  among  the  Romans  when  the 
shields  were  piled  together,  over  which 
it  floated. 

PILANI,  Roman  soldiers  who  were 
armed  with  a  sort  of  spontoon,  the  iron 
of  which  was  thick  and  long,  called 
pilum. 

PILASTER,  (pilastre,  Fr.)  in  archi- 
tecture, a  sort  of  square  column,  some- 
times insulated,  but  more  frequently  let 
into  a  wall,  so  that  only  one  fourth  or 
one  fifth  part  of  its  thickness  is  visible. 
The  pilaster  is  different  in  different  or- 
ders, after  which  it  is  separately  called, 
and  has  the  same  proportions,  and  the 
same  capitals,  members,  and  ornaments 
with  the  columns  themselves.  In  pi- 
lasters which  support  arches,  Palladia 
shews,  that  the  proportions  must  be  re- 
gulated by  the  light  they  give,  aad  at 


P  I  L 


(     f>3C     ) 


P  I  L 


Piles  of  shot  or  shells,  are  generally 
piled    up    in  the    kini;' 


magazines. 


in 
three   different    manners:    the   base    is 
either  triangular,  square,  or  a  rectangle; 
and  thence   the   piles  are  called  trian- 
gular, square,  and  oblong. 
RULES  for  finding  the  Number  in  am/ 
PILE. 
Triangular  Pile. 
Multiply   the   base   by  the  base  -f  1, 
this  product  by  the  base"-f  2,  and  divide 
by  G. 

Square  Pn  r.. 
Multiply    the     bottom    row    by    the 
bottom  row  -j-  l,  and  this   product   by- 


:in<:lr>,  by  the  vi  eight  thev  sustain.  As  to 
their  sight  and  situation,  our  country- 
man, Sir  Henry  Wootton,  tells  us,  that 
pilsaters  must  not  be  too  tall  and 
slender,  lest  they  resemble  pillars,  nor 
too  dwarfish  and  gross,  lest  they  imitate 
piles  or  piers  of  bridges.  lie  also  says, 
that  smoothness  does  not  so  natur; 
become  them  as  a  rustic  superfici<  -  : 
for  thev  aim  more  at  state  and  strength 
than  elegance  ;  that  in  private  buildings 
thev  ought  not  to  be  narrower  than  one 
third; 'nor  broader  than  two  thirds  of 
the  vacuity  or  inter-space,  between  pi- 
laster and  pilaster.  But  as  for  those 
that  stand  at  the  corners,  thev  may 
have  a  little  more  latitude  allowed  them, 
in  proportion  to  the  strength  of  the 
angles. 

I'u.ASTin-^'/cA-.v,  called  also  buttress- 
bricks,  are  made  of  the  same  length, 
breadth  and  thickness,  with  the  great 
bricks,  six  and  nine.  The  only  thin<i  in 
which  they  differ  from  them,  is  this  : 
they  have  a  notch  at  one  end,  which  is 
hall' the  breadth  of  the  brick,  and  made 
of  the  same  mould  with  the  great  bricks, 
only  in  making  pilaster-bricks,  thev  put 
a  cube  of  wood  of  three  inches  square 
into  one  corner  of  the  mould,  which 
piece  makes  the  notch  in  the  bricks  in 
the  moulding.  For  further  particulars 
respecting  this  article,  we  refer  our 
readers  to  the  observations  of  .17.  Man- 
sard, M.  Perrault,  Vitruvius,  Pa/ladio, 
M.  Le  Clerc,  and  Sir  Henri/  Wool  ton. 

PILE,  in  antiquity,  was  a  pyramid 
built  of  wood,  on  which  the  bodies  of 
persons  deceased  were  laid,  in  order  to 
be  consumed,  hence  called  Funereal 
Pile.  This  custom  still  prevails  in  the 
East. 

Pile,  any  heap;  as  a  pile  of  balls, 
shells,  &c. 


twice  the  bottom  row  +  1,  and  divide 
by  6. 

Rectangular  Piles. 

Multiply  the  breadth  of  the  base  by 
itself-J-1,  and  this  product  by  three 
times  the  diflferente  between  the  length 
and  the  breadth  of  th<>  base,  added 
to  twice  the  breadth  -f- 1,  and  divide 
by  6. 

Incomplete  Piles. 

Incomplete  piles  being  only  frus- 
tums, wanting  a  similar  small  pile  on 
the  top,  compute  first  the  whole  pile  as 
if  complete,  and  also  the  small  pile 
wanting  at  top:  and  then  subtract  the 
one  number  from  the  other.  Bombar- 
dier. 

Pile  de  boulets,  Fr.  See  Pile  of  shot 
or  shells. 

Pile,  a  mass  of  body  or  building. 
The  French  say  edifice. 

Pile,  the  head  of  an  arrow.  The 
French  call  it  pointe. 

Pi  le  de  pan/,  Fr.  a  mass  or  bodv  of 
strong  mason-work,  whose  plan  is  gene- 
rally an  hexagonal  parallelogram,  which 
divides,  and  sustains  the  arches  of  a 
stone  bridge,  or  the  scaffolding  of  a 
wooden  one. 

Piles,  in  architecture,  are  great 
stakes,  rammed  into  the  earth  to  make 
a  foundation  to  build  upon  in  marshy 
ground.  Amsterdam  and  Venice,  as 
well  as  many  other  cities,  are  wholly 
built  upon  piles. 

Dovetail-Pii.ES,  piles  which  may  be 
mortised  into  one  another,  by  a  dove- 
tail joint. 

PiLE-mmns  are  a  kind  of  worms 
found  in  the  piles  of  the  sea-dykes  in 
Holland.  Thev  have  heads  covered 
with  two  hard  shells,  with  which  they 
bore  into  the  wood. 

PlLE-engine,  a  very  curious  machine 
invented  by  Mr.  Vauloue,  tor  driving  the 
pile.'  of  Westminster  Bridge.  See  par- 
ticulars under  pile-engine,  in  the  Encv- 
clopiedia  Britanniea. 

Co  PlEE  arms,  to  place  three  muskets, 
with  or  without,  fixed  bayonets,  in  such 
a  relative  position,  that  the  butts  shall 
remain  (inn  upon  the  ground,  and  the 
muzzles  be  close  together  in  an  oblique 
direction.  Thismethodhas  been  adopted 
to  prevent  the  injury  which  was  for- 
merly done  to  musketry,  when  the  prac- 
tice of  grounding  the  firelock  prevailed. 
Every  recruit  should  be  taught  how  t.. 
pile  arms  before  he  is  dismissed  the  drill. 


P  I  L 


(     633     ) 


P  I  L 


PILIER,  Fr.  a  pillar;  post. 

Pilif.h  boutant,  Fr.  a  buttress. 

Piliers  de  manege, Yy.  riding  posts; 
also  posts  which  divide  the  stalls. 

PILLAGE,  (pillage,  Fr.)  the  act  of 
plundering. 

To  Pillage,  (piller,  Fr.)  to  spoil,  to 
waste,  to  plunder. 

Pillage,  in  architecture,  is  a  kind 
of  irregular  column,  round  and  insu- 
lated, deviating  from  the  proportions  of 
a  just  column. 

PILLAGER,  a  plunderer;  one  who 
gets  a  thing  by  violent,  or  illegal  means. 

PILLAR,  in  a  figurative  sense,  sup- 
port. A  well-disciplined  army  may  be 
called  the  pillar  of  the  state;  an  ill  dis- 
ciplined one,  the  reverse. 

A  butting  Pillar  is  a  buttress,  or 
body  of  masonry,  raised  for  the  purpose 
of  propping  or  sustaining  the  shooting 
of  a  vault,  arch,  or  other  work.  The 
French  say  colonne  arc-boutnnt. 

A  square  Pillar  is  a  massive  work 
of  masonry,  called  also  a  pier  or  peer, 
or  piedroit,  serving  to  support  arches, 
&c. 

PILLARS  and  ARCHES.  It  was 
customary  among  the  ancients,  particu- 
larly among  the  Romans,  to  erect  public 
buildings,  such  as  arches  and  pillars, 
for  the  reward  and  encouragement  of 
noble  enterprizes.  These  marks  were 
conferred  upon  such  eminent  persons  as 
had  either  won  a  victory  of  extraor- 
dinary consequence  abroad,  or  had  res- 
cued the  Commonwealth  from  any  con- 
siderable danger  at  home.  The  greatest 
actions  of  the  heroes  they  stood  to  honour, 
were  curiously  expressed  on  th'e  sides, 
and  the  whole  procession  of  a  triumph 
was  sometimes  cut  out.  The  arches 
built  by  Romulus  were  only  of  brick ; 
those  of  Camillus  of  plain  square  stone, 
,,  but  thoseof Cffisar,  1  !,usus, Titus, Trajan, 
Gordian,  &c.  were  all  entirely  marble. 
As  to  their  figure,  they  were  at  first 
semicircular,  whence  probably  they  took 
their  names.  Afterwards  they  were 
built  four  square,  with  a  spacious  arched 
gate  in  the  middle,  and  little  ones  on 
each  side.  Upon  the  vaulted  part  (A 
the  middle  gatehung  little  winged  images, 
representing  victory,  with  crtwns  in 
their  hands,  which  when  they  were  let 
down,  they  put  upon  the  conqueror's 
head  as  he  passed  under  the  triumph. — 
Fabricii  Roma,  cap.  15. 

The  columns  or  pillars  were  converted 


to  the  same  design  as  the  arches,  For  th« 
honourable  memorial  of  some  noble 
victory  or  exploit,  after  they  had  been 
a  long  time  in  use  for  the  chief  orna- 
ments of  the  sepulchres  of  great  men, 
as  may  be  gathered  from  Homer,  Iliad 
16. 

The  pillars  of  the  emperors  Trajan 
and  Antoninus  have  been  extremelj 
admired  for  their  beauty  and  curious 
work.  We  find  them  thus  particularly 
described  in  page  53,  of  Kennett's  Ro- 
man Antiquities. 

The  former  was  set  up  in  the  middle 
of  Trajan's  forum,  being  composed  of 
24  great  stones  of  marble,  but  so  cu- 
riously cemented,  as  to  seem  one  entire 
natural  stone.  The  height  was  144 
feet,  according  to  Eutropius,  (Hist.  lib. 
8.)  though  Martian  (lib.  iii.  cap.  13.) 
seems  to  make  them  but  128.  It  is 
ascended  by  185  winding  stairs,  and 
had  40  little  windows  for  the  admission 
of  light.  The  v.  hole  pillar  is  incrusted 
with  marble,  in  winch  are  expressed  all 
the  n;;ble  acts  of  the  emperor,  and 
particularly  the  Decian  war.  One  may 
see  all  over  it  the  several  figures  of  forts, 
bulwarks,  bridges,  ships,  8cc.  and  all 
manner  of  arms,  as  shields,  helmets, 
targets,  swords,  spears,  daggers,  belts, 
&c.  together  with  the  several  offices 
and  employments  of  the  soldiers  ;  some 
digging  trenches,  some  measuring  out  a 
place  for  the  tents,  and  others  malting 
a  triumphal  procession,  (Fabricius,  cap. 
7.)  Put  the  noblest  ornament  of  this 
pillar,  was  the  statue  of  Trajan  on  the 
top,  of  a  gigantic  bigness,  being  no  less 
than  20  feet  high.  He  was  represented 
in  a  coat  of  armour  proper  to  the  gene- 
ral, holding  in  his  left  hand  a  sceptre, 
in  his  right  a  hollow  globe  of  gold,  in 
which  his  own  ashes  were  deposited  after 
his  death,  (Cassalius,  par.  I.  C.  2.) 

The  column  or  pillar  of  Antoninus 
was  raised  in  imitation  of  this,  which  it 
exceeded  only  in  one  respect,  that  it  was 
lid  feet  high;  (Martian,  lib.  vi.  cap. 
13.)  for  the  work  was  much  inferior  to 
the  former,  as  being  undertaken  in  the 
declining  age  of  the  empire.  The  sculp- 
ture and  the  other  ornaments  were  of 
the  same  nature  as  those  of  the  first ; 
and  on  the  top  stood  a  colossus  of  the 
emperor,  naked,  as  appears  from  some 
of  his  coins. — See  Martian  idem. 

Both  these  columns  are  still  standing 
at  Rome,  the  former  almost  entire.   But 
4M 


P  I  L 


(     634     ) 


P  I  L 


Pope  Sixtus  I.  instead  of  the  two  statues 
of  the  emperors,  set  up  St.  Peter's  on 
the  column  of  Trajan,  and  St.  Paul's 
on  that  of  Antoninus. — Casal.  Part  I. 
C.  11. 

Among  the  columns  and  pillars,  we 
must  not  pass  by  (to  use  Mr.  Kennett's 
words)  the  Miluarium  aureum,  a  gilded 
pillar  in  the  forum,  erected  by  Augustus 
Cajsar,  at  which  all  the  highways  ol  Italy 
met,  and  were  concluded.  (Martian, 
lib.iii.  cap.  18.)  From  this  they  counted 
their  miles,  at  the  end  of  every  mile 
setting  up  a  stone ;    whence  came  the 


phrase  Primus  ab  urbe  lapis,  and  the  like. 

This  pi" 

is  still  to  be  seen, 


Hilar,  as  Mr.  Lascelles  informs  us. 


Pompeys  Pillar,  so  famous  in  history, 
is  also  still  to  be  seen  in  Egypt,  not- 
withstanding the  incursions  of  the 
French,  and  the  subsequent  victory  of 
the  English  in  that  country.  It  is  made 
entirely  of  granite,  and  measures  from 
the  earth  (as  it  stands)  to  the  pinnacle, 
ninety  feet.  Had  Bonaparte  conquered 
the  country,  he  would  probably  have 
imitated  what  Paulus  ZEmilius  did  at 
Delphi,  and  ordered  his  statue  to  be 
placed  upon  it.  The  pillar  at  Delphi 
was  square,  and  of  white  marble,  and  on 
it  was  to  have  been  placed  a  golden 
statue  of  Perseus.  When  the  hitter  was 
conquered,  yEmilius  observed,  that  the 
Conquered  ought  to  give  way  to  the  con- 
queror. Perhaps  the  gratitude  of  the 
Ottoman  court  will,  some  day,  pay  a  fair 
tribute  to  the  memory  of  Sir  Ralph 
Abercrombie. 

Pille,  Fr.  a  great  mortar  or  trough 
of  stone,  or  wood,  &c.  It  is  also  written 
Pile. 

PILLORY,  (pilori,  Fr.)  an  instru- 
ment of  exposure,  well  known  in  mo- 
dern times,  and  not  much  feared,  con- 
sidering the  frequency  of  those  crimes 
for  which  it  was  originally  invented  :  viz. 
perjury,  embezzlement  of  naval  or  mili- 
tary stores,  &c. 

PlLON,  Fr.  a  weapon,  the  use  of 
which  has  been  recommended  by  Mar- 
shal Saxe,  in  his  plan  for  forming  several 
battalions  four  deep.  The  two  lirst  ranks 
are  to  be  armed  with  muskets,  the  third 
and  fourth  with  large  half  pikes  or  pilous, 
having  their  muskets  slung  across  their 
shoulders. 

The  authority  of  Marshal  Saxe  is  cer- 
tainly too  respectable  to  be  hastily  called 
JO  question:     we    are   nevertheless   of 


opinion,  that  a  weapon  which  is  eight 
or  nine  feet  long,  must  be  extremely 
cumbersome  aud  unwieldy,  not  only  in 
long  inarches,  but  likewise  in  the  heat  of 
battle.  We  may  also  ask,  in  conformity 
to  that  general's  own  sentiments,  how 
any  soldier  (who  must  have  his  musket 
slung  across  his  shoulders,  whilst  he 
uses  the  pilon)can  act  in  broken  and  nar- 
row passes  ? 

PlLON,  Fr.  a  drumstick. 

Pilons  de  moulin,  Fr.  large  solid 
pieces  of  wood  which  are  used  in  pow- 
der mills,  for  the  purpose  of  pounding 
into  dust  the  different  materials  of  which 
gunpowder  is  composed,  or  for  bruising 
any  other  ingredients.  Pilou  also  sig- 
nifies a  pestle. 

PILOT,  (pdote,  Fr.)  the  person  who 
coil' huts  a  ship;  a  steersman. 

PILOTAGE,  Fr.  pile-work.  This  is 
essentially  useful  in  marshy  grounds, 
&c. — See  Piles,  in  architecture. 

Pilotage,  the  duty  or  money  paid  for 
piloting. 

ITLOTER,  Fr.  to  drive  in  pUes;  to 
strengthen  with  piles. 

PILOTING,  the  art  of  conducting 
ships  into  roads  or  harbours,  or  over 
bars  and  sands. 

PILOTIS,  Fr.  a  pile;  a  large  stake. 

PILOTS,  Fr.  large  wooden  piles 
which  are  variously  used  in  bridges,  in 
piers,  jettees,  &c. 

Pilots  de  clefs,  Fr.  piles  which  serve 
to  sustain  the  key-stones  of  wooden 
quays. 

Pilots  de  dormans,  Fr.  piles  which 
support  the  sleepers  in  wooden  quays. 

Pilots  de  remplage,  oude  compression, 
Fr.  those  piles  which  are  distributed 
along  a  given  space  of  marshy  or  bad 
ground,  upon  which  a  foundation  is  to 
be  made  :  they  are  so  called  to  distin- 
guish them  from  other  piles,  and  lite- 
rally signify  piles  to  fill  up,  or  to  bind 
together. 

Pilots  de  bordage,  Fr.  piles,  which  are 
driven  either  in  front  of,  or  completely 
round,  the  grating  of  the  mason-work  ol 
a  bridge,  or  of  any  other  structure,  the 
foundation  of  which  is  laid  in  marshy  or 
bad  ground. 

Pilots  de  gurde%  Fr.  large  piles  or 
stakes  of  wood  which  are  driven  in  along- 
side the  quays  or  basins  of  harbours,  to 
shield  the  mason-work  from  the  pressure 
or  shock  of  vessels  that  come  in,  or  ar* 
moored. 


P  I  N 


(     635    ) 


P  I  N 


PILUM,  a  species  of  javelin  which 
was  used  by  the  Romans.  They  darted 
these  weapons  with  so  much  force,  that 
according  to  tradition,  two  men  have 
been    pierced    through,    together    with 


their  shields  or  bucklers.     The  head  of  See  Miner's  Tools. 


Pixces,  Fr.  crows;  instruments 
which  are  used  by  miners.  The  French 
distinguish  them  in  the  following  man- 
ner:— lJince  simple;  Pince  a  talon; 
Pince  a  pied  de  bic/te;  and  pince  a  main> 


an  arrow  was  likewise  so  called  by  the 
Romans. 

PIMBECHE,  Fr.  an  impertinent  or 
silly  woman.  In  military  life,  any 
officer's  lady  who  meddles  with  regi- 
mental details. — See  White  Serjeant. 

PIMONTELLE  de  Milan,  a  piece  of 
ordnance  which  belonged  to  the  Spanish 
army,  commanded  by  the  Marquis  Pi- 
montelli,  and  which  was  taken  by  the 
French.     It  was  a  70-pounder. 

PIMP,  (pinge,  Fr.)  one  who  pro- 
cures gratifications  for  the  lust  of  others; 
a  procurer,  a  pander. 

PIN,  an  iron  nail  or  bolt,  with  a 
round  head,  and  generally  with  a  hole  at 
the  end  to  receive  a  key :  there  are 
many  sorts,  as  axle-tree  pins,  or  bolts, 
bolster-pins,  pole-pins,  swing-tree  pins, 
&c. 

There  are  likewise  musket  pins,  which 
are  small  pieces  of  iron  or  wire  that 
fasten  the  barrel  to  the  stock.  Soldiers 
are  very  apt  to  take  out  these  "pins  in 
order  to  make  their  pieces  ring :  but 
they  should  not,  on  any  account,  be  per- 
mitted to  do  so. 

Axle-Pim,  Linch-Piy,  (aisse,  Fr.)  a 
piece  of  iron  which  locks  the  wheel  to 
the  axle. 

Breech-Pin,  the  screw  or  plug  of  a 
musket  barrel,  the  tang  part  of  which 
is  let  into  the  stock,  and  has  a  screw, 
called  the  breech-nail,  which  secures 
it,  by  going  through  to  the  trigger  plate. 

Bridle-Psas  are  the  screws  which 
steady  the  bridle  to  the  lock  plate. 

Hammer-Pin  is  the  screw  which  the 
hammer  acts  upon. 

Seer-Pm,  the  screw  which  steadies 
the  seer  to  its  action,  and  goes  through 
the  bridle  to  the  lock  plate. 

Seer  spring-Pm,  the  screw  which  con- 
fines the  seer  spring  to  the  lock  plate. 

Tumbler-Pm,  the  screw  which  fastens 
the  cock  to  the  tumbler. 

A  Thorough-Pin,  (in horses,)  a  disease, 
which  consists  of  a  swelling  in  the  hock. 


Pince,  Fr.  pincers,  nippers. 

Avoir  bonne  Pikce,  Fr.  to  take  bribes. 

Pince,  Fr.  an  iron  crow  with  which 
an  artilleryman  points  and  guides  a  can- 
non. It  is  called  levier  de  fer,  iron 
lever. 

Pince,  Fr.  a  pavior's  twibill. 

Pince,  Fr.  the  toe  of  a  horse's  foot. 
The  French  say  figuratively,  un  general 
ou  un  juge  qui  a  bonne  pince,  a  general 
or  judge  who  takes  bribes. 

To  PINCE,  to  squeeze  the  flesh,  to 
gall,  to  fret ;  as  a  saddle  does  when  it 
pinches  a  horse's  back. 

PINDAREES,  Lid.  plunderers  and 
marauders  who  accompany  a  Mahratta 
army. 

PINDARONS  or  Marauders,  Ind. 
armed  men  in  the  East  Indies,  who 
serve  without  pay,  and  subsist  entirely 
by  plunder. 

To  PINION,  to  bind  the  hands  or 
arms  of  a  person  so  as  to  prevent  his 
having  the  free  use  of  them. 

PINION,  (pinion,  Fr.)  in  mechanics, 
is  an  arbor  or  spindle,  in  the  body  where- 
of are  several  indentures  or  notches, 
which  catch  the  teeth  of  a  wheel  that 
serves  to  turn  it  round ;  or  a  pinion  is  a 
lesser  wheel  which  plays  in  the  teeth  of 
a  larger. 

PINK,  a  sort  of  heavy,  narrow- 
stemed  ship,  masted  and  ribbed  like 
other  ships,  except  that  she  is  built  with 
a  narrow  stern,  the  bends  and  libs  com- 
passing, so  that  her  sides  bulge  out  very 
much. 

To  PrfrK,  to  pierce  in  small  holes. 
Among  swordsmen,  to  wound  an  ad- 
versary with  che  point  of  the  sword;  as, 
I  pinked  him  in  the  body. 

PINNACLE,  (pinacle,  Fr.)  in  archi- 
tecture, is  the  top  or  roof  of  a  house 
which  terminates  in  a  point.  The  pedi- 
ment is  said  to  have  taken  its  rise  from 
the  pinnacle. 

PINNACE,  (pinnasse,  Fr.)  a  boat 
belonging  to  a  ship  of  war.    According 


PINCERS,  an  instrument  by  which  i  to  Dr.  Johnson,  it   seems   formerly    to 


nails  are  drawn,  or  anything  is  gnped, 
which  is  required  to  be  held  hard" 

PINCES,  Fr.  a  horse's  gatherers  or 
Jfcre-teeth. 


have  signified   rather  a  small  sloop  or 
bark  attending  a  larger  ship. 

PINNING  (with  bricklayers)  is  the 
fastening  of  tiles  or  slates  together  with 
4  M  2 


o 

the   covering 
The  Paris  pint  con 


( 

of  a 


P    I 

heai*   of   oak    for 
house. 

PINTE,JV.pint. 
tains  two  pounds  of  water  of  sixteen 
ounces  each. 

PINTLE,  in  artillery,  a  long  iron  bolt 
fixed  upon  the  middle  of  the  limber- 
bolster,  to  go  through  the  hole  made  in 
the  trail-transom  of  a  fi<:ld  carriage, 
when  it  is  to  be  transported  from  one 
place  to  another. 

YixTLK-plute  is  a  flat  iron  through 
which  the  pintle  passes,  and  nailed  to 
both  sides  of  the  bolster,  with  eight  dia- 
mond headed  nail*. 

PiNTLE-r</«sAer,  an  iron  ring  through 
which  the  pintle  passes,  placed  close  to 
the  bolster  for  the  trail  to  move  upon. 

PiKTX.E-Ao/e  is  of  an  oval  figure,  made 
in  the  trail-transom  of  a  field-carriage, 
wider  above  than  below,  to  leave  room 
for  the  pintle  to  play  in. 

PINULES,  Fr.  two  small  tablets  in 
the  alhidada  of  an  astrolabe,  having  in 
them  two  small  holes,  through  which  the 
height  of  the  sun,  &c.  is  taken  ;  some 
call  them  the  lights  of  the  alhidada. 

Finale  also  signifies  the  sight  of  an 
instrument  used  in  surveying.  Belidor 
writes  the  word  with  two  n's. 

PIOBRACII,  the  Gaelic  word  for  an 
air  played  upon  the  bagpipe,  [t  is  now 
mare  strictly  applied  to  the  ancient 
liaiu!  martial  music.  It  is  allowed 
by  all  persons  who  have  heard  the  pio- 
brach,  that  it  exceeds  every  other  sort 
of  music  known  in  these  kingdoms.  It 
speaks  forcibly  to  the  mind,  and  is  won- 
derfully descriptive  of  the  various  feel- 
ing* to  which  the  human  heart  is  sub- 
ject. 

Pioeraciis  are  either  simple  or 
compound  ;  some  of  them  consist  of  a 
march,  &c.  and  are  beautifully  varied, 
and  highly  characteristic. 

PIOCHE,  Fr.  a  mattock,  pick-axe. 

PIOCHER,  Fr.  to  dig. 

PION,  a  peasant  in  South  America. 

PIONEERS,  (pioniers,  Fr.)  in  war- 
time, are  such  as  are  commanded  in  from 
the  country,  to  march  with  an  army,  for 
mending  the  ways,  for  working  on  en- 
trenchments and  fortifications,  and  for 
making  mines  and  approaches  :  the  sol- 
diers are  likewise  employed  in  all  these 
things. 

Most  of  the  foreign  regiments  of  ar- 
tillery have  half  a  company  of  pioneers, 
well  instructed  in  that  important  branch 


6S6     ) 


P    I    P 


of  duty.  Our  regiments  of  infantry  and 
cavalry  have  3  or  4  pioneers  each,  pro- 
vided with  aprons,  hatchets,  saws,  spades 
and  pick-axes. 

The  negroes,  or  blacks,  in  our  colo- 
nies, instead  of  being  formed  into  dan- 
gerous battalions,  might  have  been  dis- 
tributed, with  great  effect,  among  the 
white  regiments,  to  act  as  pioneers,  and 
to  do  fatigue  work. 

PIPE,  a  tube ;  a  musical  instrument ; 
a  liquid  measure  containing  two  hogs- 
heads. 

Pipe,  from  the  Gaelic  piob  mohr, 
which  signifies  great  pipe.  The  High- 
land bagpipe  is  so  called,  and  is  an  in- 
strument well  calculated  for  the  field  of 
battle. — When  the  bagpipe  is  skilfully 
performed,  its  martial  music  has  a  won- 
derful effect  upon  the  native  Scotch* 
particularly  the  Highlanders,  who  are 
naturally  warlike.  The  pair  of  pipes 
which  were  presented  by  Sir  Eyre  t'ootu 
to  the  71st  regiment,  during  its  gallant 
services  in  the  East  Indies,  are  a  memo- 
rable instance  of  the  high  estimation  in 
which  this  native  instrument  has  been 
uniformly  held. 

Small  Pi  he,  the  one  above  the  tail 
|>i|>e.  It  assists  in  the  direction  of  the 
ramrod. 

Small  Tri(i»pct-Pivz,  that  next  to  the 
upper  trumpet-pipe,  and  on  which  th# 
upper  swivel  rests  that  receives  the  gun 
sling. 

Tail  Pipe,  a  small  brass  pipe  fixed  at 
the  swell  of  the  musket,  which  receives 
the  ramrod.  It  has  a  spring  fixed  in  it 
to  -cure  the  ramrod. 

Trumpet  Pipe,  a  small  brass  pipe 
near  the.  muzzle  of  the  firelock,  tlu'ough 
which  the  ramrod  is  let  down  to  secure 
it.  It  is  called  the  trumpet  pipe  from 
its  resemblance  to  the  mouth  et  a  trum- 


have  no  pipes  to 
ramrod  being  re- 
which  runs  paral- 


pet.     The  Prussians 
their    muskets;     the 
ceived  into  a  cylinder 
lei  with  the  barrel. 

Old  Vipr.-Clay,  a  familiar  expression 
used,  in  British  regiments,  to  signify  a 
man  of  routine;  an  old  adjutant,  or 
any  officer  who  adheres  minutely,  per- 
haps ridiculously  so,  to  mere  military 
forms  and  dress. 

Vii'V-Clai/  and  l\'/iiling,  a  composi- 
tion which  soldiers  use  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  their  cross-belts,  &c.  clean. 
Every  soldier  belonging  to  the  infantry 
of  the  line,  and  to  the  fencible  infantry 


P  I  Q 


(     637    ) 


P  I  B 


serving  at  home,  is  stopped  4s.  4d.  per 
annum  to  supply  himself  with  pipe-clay 
and  whiting. 

PIPE,  Fr.  deceived,  cozened,  over- 
wrought, gulled;  and  hence — 

Ca?-tes-PiPkr.s,  and  Dcs  Pipes,  false 
cards  and  dice. 

La  PIPEE  du  soir,  Fr.  the  edge  of  the 
evening,  when  the  weather  freshens,  or 
grows  cool. 

PIPES,  (in  building,)  canals  or  con- 
duits for  the  conveyance  of  water,  &c. 

Pipes  for  water  are  usually  of  lead, 
iron,  earth,  or  wood ;  those  of  wood  are 
commonly  oak  or  alder. 

Iron  Pipes  are  cast  in  forges.  Their 
length  is  about  2  feet  and  a  half,  several 
of  which  are  placed  together  by  means 
of  four  screws  at  each  end,  with  leather 
or  old  hat  between  them,  to  stop  tire 
water. 

Earthen  Pipes  are  made  by  potters. 
Their  length  is  commonly  two  feet  and 
a  half.  They  are  fitted  into  one  another, 
one  end  being  always  wider  than  the 
other. 

Wooden  Pipes  are  trees  bored  with 
large  iron  augers  of  different  sizes,  be- 
ginning with  a  less,  and  then  proceeding 
with  a  larger  successively. 

Leaden  Pipes  are  of  two  sorts,  the 
one  soldered,  the  other  not  soldered. 
The  French  use  the  following  words  : — 
A  conduit -pipe,  tityau,  <anal ;  a  wooden 
pipe  for  water,  amezeau ;  pipe  of  a  sink 
or  gutter,  goulet ;  pipe  of  a  fountain, 
tulebute. 

PIQUE,  Fr.  a  pike.  Before  the  use 
of  fire-arms,  it  was  customary,  among 
the  French,  to  make  use  of  this  word 
by  way  of  command  or  designation  : — 
Hence,  faire  difiler  les  piques,  to  make 
the  pikes,  or  a  body  of  men  armed  with 
pikes,  break  off  or  defile ;  k  r&giment  est 
de  tant  de  piques,  the  regiment  consists 
of  so  many  pikes,  or  men  armed  with 
pikes,  as  we  say  firelocks. 

Pique,  Fr.  pique;  low  grudge;  petty 
malevolence,  unworthy  of  a  great  mind. 
PIQUE-NIQUE,  Fr.   clubbing  at  a 
reckoning. 

PIQUENAIRE,  Fr.  a  pikeman. 
PiQVTL-Bauf,  Fr.  an  ox  driver. 
Pique,  Fr.  an  old  word  for  pikeman. 
Pique,  Fr.  In  masonry,  stones  pointed 
and  dressed  outside  are  so  called. 

To  PIQUEER,  to  skirmish.  Accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Johnson,  (who  writes  the  word 
pickeer,  from  Hudibras,)  to  make  a  flying 


skirmish.  Thus  Smollett  in  his  history 
of  England  from  the  revolution,  vol.  4, 
page  275,  says  : — The  French  edging  to 
the  left,  took  possession  of  the  hill, 
from  whence  they  piqucered  with  the  ad- 
vanced posts  of  the  English. 

PIQUER  lebois,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to 
chalk  out  with  the  tracing  line  a  piece  of 
wood,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  and 
shaping  it. 

Piquir  Vavoine,  Fr.  to  ride  a  horse 
very  hard ;  to  make  him  earn  his  pro- 
vender. 

Piquer  un  clieval,  Fr.  to  spur  a  horse; 
to  put  on. 

Piquer  /,-/  mazette,  Fr.  to  ride  a  jade, 
or  bad  horse. 

Piquer  les  absens,  Fr.  to  take  down 
the  names  of  absentees. 

Se  Piquer  a  la  guerre,  Fr.  to  conti- 
nue a  war,  notwithstanding  one  loses. 
PIQUET,  Fr.  a  stake.     See  Picket. 
Ptquet,    Fr.    picket;    a   punishment 
so  called  in  cavalry  corps.     See  Picket. 
Piquet,    Fr.    a    certain    number   of 
men,  horse  and  foot,  who  do  duty  for  '21 
hours  to  prevent  surprizes.     See  Picket. 
Piquet  ferri  par  It  bus  et  bien  point  it, 
Fr.  a  picket  or  stake  with  a  sharp  iron 
ferrel  at  the  end  of  it.     It  is  used  by 
engineers  when   they  trace  a  plan,  and 
wish  to  mark  out  the  angles. 

Lrver,  le  Piquet,  Fr.  to  call  in  the 
picket.  It  also  signifies,  figuratively,  to 
decamp  or  march  off  the  ground. 

PIQfJEK,  Fr.  a  man  employed  in 
the  different  workshops  belonging  to  the 
artillery  to  superintend  the  works,  and 
to  keep  an  account  of  the  several  mate- 
rials. There  are  other  persons  subordi-1 
nate  to  these,  whom  the  French  call  chas- 
sui-uus,  from  chasse-en-avant,  a  sort  of 
overoa  is,  whose  business  is  to  see  the 
jobs  expeditiously  finished. 

PIQUICHINS,  Fr.  irregular  and  ill- 
armed  soldiers,  of  whom  mention  is 
made  in  the  history  of  the  reign  of  Phi- 
lip Augusto.  They  were  attached  to 
the  infantry. 

PIQUIER,  ou  Piquenaire,  Fr.  a 
pikeman,  or  one  who  is  armed  with  a 
pike. 

PIRAMIDE,  Fr.    See  Pyramid. 
PIRAMIDES  de  feu,  Fr.     See  Jets 
defeat. 

PIRATE,  (pirate,  Fr.)  a  robber  on  the 
high  seas. 

PIROUETTE,  Fr.  literally,  a  whirli- 
gig :    any   thing  going  round  upon  on* 


P  I  s 


(     638    ) 


P  I  s 


j>oint  or  axis.  The  French  say,  figura- 
tively, Qui  H  de  i 'urgent  ades  pirouettes, 
money  makes  every  thing  go  on. 

PIROUETTEK,  Fr.  literally  means 
to  turn  upon  one  leg;  to  whirl  ahout. 
Thus,  in  many  of  our  military  evolutions, 
divisions  and  companies  may  be  said  to 
whirl,  or  to  pirouette  round  their  dif- 
ferent pivots. 

PISSE-chaudc,  Fr.  the  venereal  flux, 
or  contagious  running,  commonly  called 
a  clap,  which  brings  on  a  painful  scald- 
ing of  the  urine. 

PISSING  of  blood  in  a  horse.  This 
may  be  occasioned  by  riding  him  beyond 
his  strength,  by  some  vein  breaking  in 
the  body,  or  by  some  stone  or  gravel 
fretting  upon  his  kidnies. 

PISTE,  Fr.  the  track  or  tread  a  horse- 
man makes  upon  the  ground  he  goes 
over  ;  also  the  print  of  a  foot. 

PISTOL,  a  species  of  small  fire  arms, 
of  which  their  are  various  sorts  and 
sizes,  viz. 

Highland  Pistol.  The  old  Highland 
pistol  appears  singular  enough  in  the  pre- 
sent day.  Some,  that  have  been  pre- 
served, exhibit  marks  of  excellent  work- 
manship. The  stock  is  metal,  and  the 
butt  end  so  shaped,  that  when  fired  oft", 
the  pistol  can  be  used  as  a  very  serious 
weapon  at  close  quarters.  The  High- 
land pistol,  though  never  used  by  any  of 
the  British  regiments,  is  still  worn  by 
every  person  who  wishes  to  be  considered 
as  fully  dressed  and  accoutred  in  the 
ancient  garb.  It  is  suspended  from  the 
left  side  of  the  waistbelt. 

Horse-PisTOL,  so  called  from  being 
used  on  horseback,  and  of  a  large  size. 

Management  of  the  Pistol  on  horse- 
back for  military  purposes.  Every  re- 
cruit, when  he  joins  the  horse-drill,  should 
be  made  perfectly  acquainted  with  the 
handling  of  his  pistol  according  to  rule, 
and  of  tiring  correctly  at  a  mark.  To 
this  end,  he  must  be  taught  to  draw, 
load,  fire,  and  return  his  pistol,  by  word 
of  command,  viz. 

1st,  The  right  glove  is  to  be  taken  oft", 
and  the  goat-skin  thrown  back. 

Draw  your  right  Pistol.  This  is  done 
at  two  motions ;  1st.  The  man  must 
seize  the  handle  of"  the  pistol  with  his 
right  hand,  the  back  towards  the  body. 
2d,  Draw  it  out  of  the  holster  with  a 
brisk  motion,  dropping  the  butt  of  the 
pistol  on  the  right  holster,  aud  keeping 
the  muzzle  upwards. 


Load  your  Pistol.  The  pistol  is  ts 
be  dropped  smartly  into  the  left  hand; 
open  the  pan,  prime,  cast  about,  and 
load  ;  as  soon  as  loaded,  seize  the  pistol 
by  the  butt,  and  come  to  the  same  po- 
sition as  in  the  second  motion  in  draw- 
ing ;  the  bridle  hand  must  be  kept  as 
steady  as  possible.  In  loading  the  pis- 
tol, the  barrel  is  to  be  kept  to  the 
front. 

Return  your  Pistol.  This  is  done 
in  two  motions  :  1st,  turn  the  muzzle 
into  the  holster,  with  the  back  of  the 
hand  towards  the  body,  and  press  home 
the  pistol.  2d,  Quit  the  right  hand 
briskly. 

Cock  your  Pistol.  Drop  the  pistol 
into  the  left  hand,  cocking  with  the 
thumb  of  the  right,  and  as  soon  as  done 
come  to  the  second  position,  viz.  muzzle 
upwards. 

To  the  Right  Present.  Come  smartly 
to  a  present,  looking  well  along  the  bar- 
rel to  the  object  you  are  presenting  at, 
and  turning  your  body  as  much  as  is 
necessary  to  aim  well,  but  taking  care 
not  to  displace  your  bridle  hand. 

Fire  !  Pull  briskly  at  the  word,  and 
as  soon  as  fired  go  on  with  the  loading 
motions;  when  loaded,  come  to  the 
position  as  in  the  first  direction,  viz. 
muzzle  upwards. 

Cock  your  Pistol,  as  already  ex- 
plained. 

To  the  Left  Present.  This  requires 
particular  attention,  as  the  men  will  be 
apt  to  bring  their  right  shoulders  too 
forward,  and  by  that  means  displace 
their  bodies  and  the  bridle  hand. 

Fire  ! — as  already  explained. 

Cock  your  Pistol.  To  the  Front  Pre- 
sent. You  must  raise  yourself  in  your 
stirrups,  in  order  to  take  a  proper  aim  ; 
you  must  then  look  well  along  the  pistol, 
and  wait  for  the  fire. 

Fire  !  As  soon  as  you  have  fired,  you 
must  drop  into  your  seat,  and  go  on 
with  the  loading  motions,  as  before  di- 
rected. 

Return  your  Pistol, — as  already  ex- 
plained. 

Draw  your  left  Pistol.  See  Druxt 
your  right  Pistol. 

Poc ket-P i stol,  a  small  pistol,  which 
may  be  conveniently  carried  in  the 
pocket. 

P1STOLADE,  Ft:  the  shot  of  a  pis- 
tol ;  the  blow  given  by  a  discharged 
pistol. 


P  I  T 


(     639     ) 


P  I  V 


PISTOLE,  Fr.  a  pistol ;  also  a  great 
(horseman's)  dag. 

Pistole  de  sancerre,  Fr.  a  sling. 

PISTOLET,  Fr.  a  pistol.  It  derives 
its  name  from  Pistota,  an  episcopal 
town  of  Tuscany,  in  Italy ;  about  30 
miles  N  W.  of  Florence,  where  the  first 
pistols  were  made ;  in  the  same  manner 
that  bayonet  takes  its  appellation  from 
Bayonne,  an  episcopal  city  of  Gascony, 
in  Fiance  ;  or,  as  some  pretend,  from 
Bayon,  a  town  of  Lorrain  in  France; 
and  as  others  again  assert,  from  Bayona, 
a  town  of  Gaiicia  in  Spain,  seated  on  a 
small  gulph  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  The 
Reitres,  who  were  armed  with  them, 
were  called  pistoliers,  pistoleers,  as  mus- 
ket-bearers were  named  mousquetaires, 
musketeers. 

Pistolet  d'arcon,  Fr.  a  pistol  attached 
to  the  bow  of  a  saddle,  commonly  called 
a  horse-pistol,  with  a  holster  to  it. 

PISTOLIER,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  an  expert 
marksman  with  a  pistol. 

PISTON,  (piston,  Fr.)  is  a  part  or 
member  of  several  machines,  as  pumps, 
&c. 

Piston  of  a  pump  is  a  short  cylinder 
of  metal,  fitted  exactly  to  the  cavity  of 
the  barrel  or  body,  and  which,  being 
worked  up  and  down  alternately  in  it, 
raises  the  water,  and  when  raised  presses 
it  again,  so  as  to  cause  it  to  force  up  a 
valve,  with  which  it  is  furnished,  and 
to  escape  through  the  nose  of  the  pump. 

Canon  a  Piston,  Fr.  a  certain  bitt 
which  gives  the  tongue  liberty  without 
a  port. 

PITANS,  Ind.  Accordingto  Mr.Orme, 
in  his  history  of  the  Carnatic,  the  Pitans 
are  supposed  to  be  the  descendants  of 
the  northern  Indians,  who  were  early 
converted  to  Mahomedanism.  They  have 
been  reckoned  the  best  troops,  and,  of 
course,  the  most  dangerous  enemies  of 
the  throne  of  Delhi.  They  are  natu- 
rally fierce. 

Pitan  Nabobs,  certain  chiefs  in  India 
so  called,  viz.  ol'Cudapah,  Canoul,  and 
Savanore. 

PITAUX,  Fr.  This  word  is  some- 
times written  Petaux,  and  was  formerly 
used  to  distinguish  those  peasants  that 
were  pressed  into  the  service,  from  sol- 
diers who  were  regularly  enlisted. 
To  PITCH,  (asseoir,  Fr.) 
To  Pitch  a  camp,  (asseoir  un  camp, 
Fr.)  to  take  a  position,  and  to  encamp 


troops  upon  it  according  to  the  princi- 
ples of  castrametation. 

To  Pitch  a  tent,  to  place  a  certain, 
regulated  quantity  of  canvass  upon  poles, 
so  as  to  afford  a  temporary  cover  against 
the  inclemencies  of  the  weather,  for  one 
or  more  officers  or  private,  soldiers.  In 
order  that  the  men  may  become  expert 
in  pitching  and  striking  tents,  they  ought 
to  be  practised  whilst  in  camp  to  do 
either. 

PITCH,  in  architecture,  is  the  angle, 
and  gable  end,  of  the  roof  of  a  building. 

PITCHANDAH,  Ind.  a  fortified  pa- 
goda, on  the  north  bank  of  the  Cobroon, 
one  mile  east  of  Seringhain.  It  was 
taken  possession  of,  and  immediately 
abandoned  by  the  English  army,  in  July, 
1751. — See  pages  178,  179,  of  Onne's 
History  of  the  Carnatic. 

True-PITCHED.  A  roof  is  said  to 
be  true-pitched,  if  the  length  of  each 
rafter  be  three-fourths  of  a  building. 

High  or  sharp-P  itched.  If  the  rafters 
are  longer  than  three-fourths  of  a  build- 
ing, the  roof  is  said  to  be  high  or  sharp- 
pitched. 

Low  or  flat-PncuzD.  When  the 
rafters  are  shorter  than  three-fourths  of 
a  building,  the  roof  is  said  to  be  low  or 
flat-pitched. 

Pitched  Battle,  (bataille  rangee,  Fr.) 
a  battle,  in  consequence  of  preconcerted 
measures,  when  two  hostile  armies  are 
drawn  up  in  regular  array,  and  upon  the 
issue  of  which  some  important  object 
depends,  as  was  the  case  at  the  battle  of 
Wagram,  in  1809. 

PITCHING,  the  same  as  paving. 

PITONS  d'ajfiit,  Fr.  iron  pins  which 
are  used  to  keep  the  plate-bands  of  the 
carnage  of  a  gun  tight  and  compact. 

PIVOT,  (pivot,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
sense,  that  officer,  Serjeant,  corporal,  or 
soldier,  upon  whom  the  different  wheel- 
ings are  made  in  military  evolutions. — 
There  are  two  sorts  of  pivots  distin- 
guished according  to  the  position  of  the 
troops  who  are  governed  by  them,  via. 
standing  pivot  and  moveable  pivot.  When 
a  battalion,  for  instance,  stands  in  open 
column  of  companies,  the  right  in  front, 
the  last  man  upon  the  left  of  the  front 
rank  of  each  company,  is  called  the  in- 
ner, or  standing  pivot;  and  the  first 
man  upon  the  right  ditto,  is  called  the 
outer,  or  wheeling  flank.  So  much  de- 
pends upon  the  accurate  position  of  the 
different  pivots,  that  no  movement  can 


P  I  V 


(    < '  w    > 


P  L  A 


be  thoroughly  correct  unless  the  inn  t 
Scrupulous  attention  be  pwd  to  them. — 
Officers  in  particular  ought  to  recollect, 
iuiiat  i>  bo  sensibly  pointed  out  in  the 
General  link's  tod  Regulations,)  thai 
when  they  are  posted  upon  the  Ranks, 
tht-v  become  essentially  necessary  to  the 
preservation  of  that  perpendicular  and 
paral li  li-ui  of  a  march,  without  which 
direction,  the  best  digested  martcetivres 
must  be  ultimately  rendered  useless. — 
They  must  constantly  bear  in  mind,  thai 
it  belongs  to  the  mounted  field  offici  rs 
to  watch  the  aggregate,  and  that  they 
themselves,  being  incorporated  pants  of 

the  different  divisions,  are  to  move  suc- 
cessively forward,  with  no  other  object 
in  view  than  the  perpendicular  point  be- 
fore them.  For  rf  they  once  turn  to  the 
right  or  left,  or  become  anxious  about 
the  mm  em<  i.ts  of  others,  instead  of  being 
the  means  of  insensibly  correcting  any 
errors  that  mi>j,ht  casually  occur,  tin  \ 
will  deviate  themselves,  and  at  every 
step  increase  the  irregularity.  On  this 
account,  the  instant  an  officer  has 
wheeled  his  division,  he  must  resume 
his  perpendicular  position,  look  st»  dfastly 
on  his  leading  pivot,  preserve  his  relative 
distance,  and  keep  his  person  perfectly 
square,  He  ought  likewise  to  be  parti- 
cularly correct  in  stepping  off  when  the 
wheel  is  completed. 

Moveable  PrvoT,  one  which  during 
the  wheel  of  its  di\  ision  advances  in  a 
circular  direction,  instead  of  turning  on 
the  spot  where  it  originally  stood.  '1  Ims 
when  divisions,  &c.  are  successively 
wheeled,  without  being  first  halted,  the 
pivot  upon  which  they  wheel  is  said  to 
be  moveable. 

In  the  drill,  single  ranks  are  firequ  1 1 '  1  % 
wheeled  on  a  moveable  pivot,  in  which 
case,  both  Hanks  are  moveable,  and  de- 
scribe concentring  circles  round  a  point 
which  is  a  tew  paces  from  what  would 
otherwise  be  the  standing  flank ;  and  eyes 
are  all  turned  towards  the  directing  pivot 
man,  whether  he  is  on  the  outward  Hank, 
or  on  the  Hank  wheeled  to. 


i'lvoT-J/anks,  the  flanks   upon  which   anothei 


that  Hank,  upon  which  the  wheel  is  made, 
must  consider  himself  as  the  pivot. 

Platoon  Pivots,  the  men  upon  whom 
a  battalion  marches  in  columns  of  pla- 
toons, is  wheeled  up  into  line,  or  back- 
ward into  column,  when  the  line  has 
liein  formed  according  to  a  given  front. 
PlVOT,  (pivot,  Fr.)  the  tainpin  of  a 
gdte  or  great  door;  a  piece  of  iron  or 
brass,  made  ("or  the  most  part  like  a  top, 
round  and  hroad  at  one  end,  and  sharp 
at  the  other,  whereby  it  enters  into  the 
erapaudine,  or  sole,  in  which  the  pivot 
plays,  ami  serves  as  well  to  bear  up  the 
gate  un  whose  bottom  it  is  placed)  as  to 
facilitate  it>  motion.  It  is  also  made, 
sometimes  two-fold  in  the  upper  part, 
and  nailed  upon  both  sides  of  the  c/iar- 
donnereau;  and  sometimes  like  a  spindle, 
sharp  at  both  cuds,  the  upper  sticking  in 
the  chardmnerau,  or  bar  of  the  door. 
Pivot  also  signifies  the  principal  stay, 
support,  or  pillar,  of  a  kingdom.  Whence 
likewise  the  military  term  pivot,  upon 
which  tin:  movements  of  columns,  &c. 
are  made,  and  by  which  they  are  sup- 
ported. 

l'l  \  (TITER  un  /litis,  Fr.  to  hang  a 
door  in;  pivots. 

PIZE,  Fr.  earthen,  or  made  of  mud, 
&c.  whence  murailUi  de  pizc,  earthen 
walls. 

PLACAGE,  Fr.  in  fortification,  a 
kind  of  revctement,  which  is  made  of 
thick  plastic-  earth,  laid  along  the  talus 
ot  such  parapets  as  have  no  mason 
work,   and  which  is  covered  with  turf. 

PLACARD,   }  or,  as  it  is  in  the  ori- 

PLACART,  S  ginal  Dutch  language, 
placaat,  a  term  used  abroad  for  a  pro- 
clamation, edict,  fee.  put  up  in  all  public 
places,  by  the  authority  of  government  J 
whereby  their  subjects  are  ordered  to  do, 
or  forbear,  Something  expressed  therein. 
See  Manifesto. 

Pi.acaiu),  Fr.  any  bill  or  public  paper, 
that  is  posted  up.  It  likewise  means  a 
libel. 

To  Pi  A  CARD,  (plucurder,  Fr.)  to  stick 
up  for  public  observation;  also  to  libel 


a  line  is  formed  from  column.  When 
the  right  of  the  battalion  is  in  front,  the 
pivot  flanks  are  on  the  left  of  its  several 
companies,  platoons,  &c.  and  vice  versfi, 
win  ii  the  left  is  in  front. 

1'ivoT-Jlaal;  officer,  the  officer  who  is 
on  the  first  Hank.  In  all  wheelings  dur- 
ing the  march  in  column  t  he  office*  on 


Placard,  in  architecture,  the  deco- 
ration of  the  door  of  an  apartment,  con- 
-i-ting  of  a  chanibnuilc,  crowned  with 
its  lii/.e,  or  gorge,  and  its  corniche  some- 
times supported  with  consoles. 

PLACARDED,  (placardc,  Fr.)  stuck 
up. 

PLACCAR,  Fr.  a  lock.     Huis  qui  se 


P  L  A 


(     611     ) 


P  L  A 


ferment  a  doubles  placcars,  doors  which 
are  shut  with  double  locks. 

To  PLACE,  to  appoint;  as  to  place 
an  officer  in  the  17th  toot.  It  also  sig- 
nifies to  post  or  distribute  ;  as,  to  place 
a  sentinel ;  to  place  a  piquet.  This  word 
is  confined  to  a  particular  situation,  but 
it  is  not  used  as  a  general  word  amongst 
us.  The  French  say,  Placer  un  jeune 
liomme,  to  provide  for  a  young  man  : 
Placer  dans  Varmee,  to  provide  for  in  the 
army  ;  literally  to  place  him. 

Place,  Fr.  Every  species  of  fortified 
place  is  so  called. 

Place,  Fr.  The  French  say,  when 
any  number  of  men  have  fallen  in  action, 
11  est  demeurc  tel  nombre  d' homines  sur  la 
place  ;  such  a  number  of  men  remained, 
or  were  left,  on  the  spot. 

Place,  emplacement,  Fr.  any  spot  or 
site  which  suits  the  plans  of  an  architect 
to  build  upon. 

Place,  in  fortification,  signifies,  in 
general  terms,  a  fortified  town,  a  fortress. 
Hence  we  say,  it  is  a  strong  place. 

Place  of  arms,  (place  d'armes,  Fr.) 
This  term  has  various  significations,  al- 
though it  uniformly  means  a  place  which 
is  calculated  for  the  rendezvous  of  men  in 
arms,  &c. 

1st.  When  an  army  takes  the  field, 
every  strong  hold  or  fortress  which  sup- 
ports its  operations  by  affording  a  safe 
retreat  to  its  depots,  heavy  artillery,  ma- 
gazines, hospitals,  &c.  is  called  a  place 
of  arms. 

2dly.  In  offensive  fortifications,  those 
lines  are  called  places  of  arms,  or  paral- 
lels, which  unite  the  different  means  of 
attack,  secure  the  regular  approaches, 
&c.  and  contain  bodies  of  troops  who 
either  do  duty  in  the  trenches,  protect 
the  workmen,  or  are  destined  to  make 
an  impression  upon  the  enemy's  out- 
works. 

There  are  demi-places  of  arms  between 
the  places  of  arms.  These  are  more  or 
less  numerous  in  proportion  to  the  re- 
sistance made  by  the  besieged. 

Place,  Fr.  This  word  is  frequently 
used  by  the  French,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  signify  ration,  viz. 

Vne  Place  de  louche,  Fr.  one  ration 
of  provisions. 

Deux  Places  de  fourrage,  Fr.  two 
rations  of  forage. 

Places  of  arms  belonging  to  the  co- 
vert way.  These  are  divided  into  two 
Sorts,  viz,  salient  and  rentrant  places  of 
arms,    There  are  likewise  places  of  arms 


composed  of  traverses,  which  are  prac- 
tised or  made  in  the  dry  ditches  of  mi- 
litary towns,  in  a  perpendicular  direc- 
tion to  the  faces  of  the  half  moons  and 
the  tenaillons. 

Place  of  arms  in  a  fortified  tozai, 
(place  d'armcs  d'une  ville  de  guerre,  Fr.) 
The  place  of  arms  is  always  in  the  middle 
of  the  town,  generally  in  the  market 
place,  if  it  be  central.  The  ground  must 
be  sufficiently  spacious  for  the  parade  of 
the  garrison,  or  at  least  for  the  greatest 
part  of  it ;  for  it  is  there  that  the  several 
guards  are  paraded,  and  tlfe  troops  some- 
times exercised ;  especially  when  the  bar- 
racks are  too  confined,  or  when  it  is  not 
thought  expedient  to  march  them  beyond 
the  gates  for  that  purpose. 

Place  of  arms  of  an  attack,  or  of  a 
trench,  are  deep  trenches  15  or  18  feet 
wide,  joining  the  several  attacks  toge- 
ther :  they  serve  for  a  rendezvous  and 
station  to  the  guard  of  the  trenches,  to 
be  at  hand  to  support  the  workmen  when 
attacked.  It  is  customary  to  make  3 
places  of  arms,  when  the  ground  will 
permit :  the  first,  and  most  distant  from 
the  place,  is  about  300  toises,  or  600 
yards,  from  the  glacis  of  the  covert- 
way  ;  the  second  is  within  140  toises, 
or  280  yards  ;  and  the  third  at  the  foot 
of  the  glacis.     See  Parallels. 

Place  of  arms  of a  camp  was,  strictly 
speaking,  the  bell  tents,  at  the  head  of 
each  company  where  the  arms  were  for- 
merly lodged  ;  likewise  a  place  chosen 
at  the  head  of  the  camp,  for  the  army 
to  form  in  line  of  battle,  for  a  review,  or 
the  like. 

Place  of  arms  of  the  covert  way  is 
a  part  of  it,  opposite  to  the  re-entering 
angle  of  the  counterscarp,  projecting 
outwards  in  an  angle. 

Place  marecageuse,  Fr.  a  marshy 
place.  A  place  of  this  description  may 
be  easily  fortified,  and  at  little  expense; 
nor  does  it  require  many  troops  for  de- 
fence. Among  other  advantages,  that  of 
not  being  exposed  to  an  enemy's  mines, 
is  by  no  means  the  least  considerable. 
On  the  other  hand,  piles  must  be  sunk 
in  almost  every  direction ;  and  should  it 
be  invested,  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
succour  it.  Add  to  these  inconveniences, 
the  danger  to  which  the  garrison  must  be 
constantly  exposed  of  being  visited  by 
some  contagious  disorder;  as  was  the 
case  in  Holland,  particularly  at  Wal- 
cheren,  that  grave  or  British  valour. 

Place  ilevee  dans  un  plat  pays,  Fr. 
4N 


P  L  A 


(     G42     ) 


P  L  A 


places  that  arc  put  in  a  state  of  defence 
in  a  llat  open  country.  These  places  are 
almost  always  secured  by  regular  forti- 
fications:  the  soil  is  good,  and  there  is 
always  plenty  of  earth  adapted  to  every 
species  of  military  work :  there  is 
abundance  of  water;  and  should  an 
enemy  attempt  to  carry  them  by  in- 
sulting the  works,  entrenchments  may 
be  easily  thrown  up  to  check  him.  Add 
to  this,  that  it  would  require  two  or  three 
armies,  at  least,  to  cut  off  the  various 
supplies  which  can  be  procured  from  the 
country  round.  On  the  other  hand,  the 
goodness  and  abundance  of  the  soil  are 
equally  beneficial  to  the  besieging  army. 
For  the  troops  are  thereby  enabled  to 
throw  up  entrenchments,  to  build  re- 
doubts, erect  batteries,  and  by  thus 
securing  their  approaches,  to  annoy  the 
besieged  at  all  hours,   and  in  all  ways. 

Place  situie  stir  It  penchunt  d'uiie 
montagne,  Fr.  a  place  situated  or  built 
upon  the  declivity  of  a  hill.  It  is  very 
difficult  to  fortify  a  spot,  of  this  sort. — 
Whatever  is  erected  upon  it,  must  be 
commanded  by  the  higher  ground,  and 
the  body  of  the  place  be,  of  course,  ex- 
posed to  every  attack. 

Placf.  siluee  dans  tine  vallee,  Fr.  a 
town,  fortress,  or  hold,  that,  is  built  in 
a  valley.  Places  so  situated  must  be  in 
constant  jeopardy,  as  by  getting  posses- 
sion of  the  heights,  the  enemy  can  al- 
ways command  them. 

Place  siluee  stir  les  bords  (Tune  grunde 
riviere,  Fr.  a  place,  &c.  built  upon  the 
banks  or  borders  of  a  large  river.  Places 
constructed  in  a  situation  of  this  sort, 
are  preferable  to  all  others,  provided  they 
have  a  free  and  uninterrupted  communi- 
cation with  the  principal  quarter  from 
which  stores,  provisions,  and  ammuni- 
tion may  be  drawn.  They  may  be  re- 
gularly fortified  towards  the  interior  of 
the  country,  and  it  will  require  little  or 
no  artificial  means  to  secure  them  on 
the  side  of  the  river. 

Place  de  guci-re,  Fr.  any  town  or 
place  that  is  regularly,  or  irregularly, 
fortified. 

Place  basse,  Fr.  in  fortification  :  the 
lower  flanks,  according  to  certain  sys- 
tems, are  so  called. 

Place  forte,  Fr.  a  strong  hold,  or 
place,  which  presents  at  all  points  so 
many  difficult  obstacles  against  a  be- 
sieging army,  that  it  cannot  be  carried 
(except  by  surprize)  unless  the  regular 
means  of  reducing  it  be  resorted  to. 


Places  contreminees,  Fr.  All  for- 
tresses, \c.  are  called  places  contreminiet, 
or  coun/eruiiiittl,  which,  independently  of 
their  open  and  visible  means  of  defence, 
&c.  have  subterraneous  fortifications 
that  are  alongside  the  revetements  of 
the  works,  under  the  glacis,  or  beneath 
the  neighbouring  ground,  to  interrupt  the 
approaches,  and  destroy  the  works  of  a 
besieging  army. 

Place  haute,  Fr.  According  to  the 
systems  of  some  engineers  (which  have 
not  been  followed  of  late  years)  the 
place  haute,  or  high  place,  is  that  which 
stands  the  highest  of  three  platforms 
that  were  constructed  in  the  shape  of 
an  amphitheatre  along  the  flanks  of  the 
bastions.  It  stands  on  a  level  with  the 
terrepleme  of  the  bastion.  The  cannon 
which  is  destined  to  play  against  a  be- 
sieging enemy  is  placed  upon  it.  Pagan, 
Blondel,  and  others,  who  have  copied 
from  these  systems,  did  so  from  an  idea, 
that  considerable  advantages  might  be 
derived  from  a  powerful  and  concen- 
trated discharge  of  artillery  and  musketry . 
Not  conceiving  that  it  was  possible  to 
construct  casemated  flanks  free  of  smoke, 
they  built  three  or  four  open  flanks,  one 
above  the  other.  But  they  were  BOOn 
rendered  useless  and  untenable  by  the 
shells  that  fell,  and  the  fragments  that 
flew  about  in  consequence  of  the  demo- 
lition of  the  mason  work.  Casemated 
ramparts,  on  the  contrary,  have  been 
known  to  stand  proof  against  the  heaviest 
discharge  of  bombs,  &c.  to  take  up  little 
room,  and  to  afford  ample  space  for  a 
wide  range  of  artillery,  that  is  kept  under 
cover. 

PhACE-bassc,  Fr.     See  Casemate. 

Place  d'ar-mes,  Fr.  any  spot  of  ground 
upon  which  troops  may  be  drawn  up  for 
the  purpose  of  being  marched  off. 

Places  en  premiere  ligne,  Fr.  those 
parts  of  a  country  which  are  most  expo- 
sed, and  most  likely  to  be  attacked  by  an 
enemy. 

Places  en  seconde  ligne,  Fr.  those 
parts  or  places  which  lie  between  the 
center  of  a  country  and  its  borders. 
Those  indeed  which  are  again  closer  to 
the  center,  are  called  les  troisiimes  places 
de  ligne. 

Places  d 'urines  du  chemin  cuuvert,  Fr. 
salient  and  rentrant  spaces  which  flank 
the  branches  belonging  to  the  covert  way, 
and  in  which  men  are  posted  for  their 
defence.  We  call  it  also  place  of  arirtt 
without,  or  that  space  of  ground  which 


PLA 


(     643     ) 


PLA 


is  allowed  to  the  covert  way,  in  order  to 
have  cannon  planted  on  it,  for  the  pur- 
ine of  annoying  the  enemy  in  his  ap- 
proaches, and  of  forcing  him  to  retire. 

Places  non-revetues,  Fr.  All  fortified 
towns  or  places  are  so  called,  when  the 
ramparts  that  surround  them  are  only 
lined  with  placage  or  simple  turf.  In 
this  case,  the  ramparts,  so  lined  or  co- 
vered, ought  to  be  fraised  and  palisadoed 
about  the  berme  or  foot  path,  to  prevent 
surprizes.  Hedges  made  of  good  quick- 
set, well  interwoven  with  other  wood, 
and  carefully  attended  to,  will  save  the 
expense  of  palisadoes,  which  in  marshy 
soils  soon  lot,  and  require  to  be  re- 
placed. 

Places  revetues,  Fr.  All  fortified 
towns  or  places  are  so  called,  whose  ram- 
parts are  lined  or  covered  with  brick  or 
stone.  It  frequently  happens,  that  the 
revetement  does  not  reach  the  terre- 
pleine  of  the  rampart,  especially  when 
the  parapets  are  thick  and  solid ;  in 
which  case  the  revetement  is  more  easily 
covered  by  the  glacis.  Parapets  are  no 
longer  lined. 

To  be  PLACED.  This  expression  is 
frequently  used  in  naval  and  military 
matters,  to  signify  the  appointment  or 
reduction  of  officers.  Hence  to  be 
placed  upon  full  or  half  pay.  It  is 
more  generally  applicable  to  the  latter 
case. 

PLACER,  Fr.  to  fix,  to  settle.  This 
word  is  used  among  the  French,  to  ex- 
press the  act  of  providing  for  a  person  by 
appointing  him  to  a  desirable  situation, 
viz.  place?'  un  jeune  liornme  dans  un  regi- 
ment ;  to  get  a  young  man  a  commission 
in  a  regiment. 

Un  cheval  bien  Place,  Fr.  A  horse 
is  said,  among  the  I-  reach,  to  be  well 
placed,  when  his  forehead  runs  perpen- 
dicularly down  between  the  nostrils. 

PLACET,  Fr.  a  memorial, 'a  peti- 
tion. 

PLAFOND,  Fr.  platfound,  in  archi- 
tecture, is  the  ceiling  of  a  room,  whether 
it  be  flat  or  arched  ;  lined  with  plaster 
or  joiners  work,  and  frequently  enriched 
with  paintings  or  ornaments  in  sculp- 
ture. 

Plafond,  or  platfound,  is  also  more 
particularly  used  for  the  bottom  of  the 
pvojecture  of  the  larmier  of  the  cornice, 
called  also  the  soffit. 

PLAFONNER,  Fr.  to  ceil  or  adorn 
the  upper  part  of  a  room,  &c. 

PLAGE,  Fr.  flat  shore,  or  extent  of 


coast,   where  there  are  no  creeks,  &c. 
for  vessels  to  ride  in. 

Belted  PLAID,  the  ancient  garb  of 
the  Scotch  Highlanders,  and  still  worn 
by  some  of  our  Highland  regiments. 

The  belted  plaid  consists  of  twelve 
yards  of  tartan,  which  are  plaited,  bound 
round  the  waist  by  a  leathern  belt,  the 
upper  part  being  attached  to  the  left 
shoulder. 

In  the  regulations  relative  to  the 
clothing  and  half  mounting  of  the  Bri- 
tish infantry,  it  is  directed,  that  in  a 
Highland  corps  serving  in  Europe,  in 
North  America,  or  at  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  each  serjeant,  corporal,  drummer, 
and  private  man,  shall  have  six  yards  of 
plaid  once  in  two  years  ;  and  a  purse 
every  seven  years. 

PLAIE,  Fr.  a  wound. 

Plaie  d 'urgent,  Fr.  an  irregularity  in 
money  matters.  The  French  say  figu- 
ratively :  Plaie  d'argent  ?i'est  pas  plaie 
mortelle,  pecuniary  w  ounds  are  not  mor- 
tal. We  are,  however,  decidedly  of 
opinion,  that  half  the  feuds  and  miseries 
in  human  life,  particularly  among  military 
men,  arise  from  pecuniary  irregularities. 
See  MoNEY-?MaWers. 

PLAIN-ri/e.     See  Tile. 

Plain  scale  is  a  thin  ruler,  either  of 
wood  or  brass,  whereon  are  graduated 
the  lines  of  chords,  sines  and  tangents, 
leagues,  rhombs,  and  is  extremely  useful 
in  most  parts  of  mathematics. 

Plain  table,  an  instrument  used  in 
surveying  land.  The  table  itself  is  a 
parallelogram  of  wood  14%  inches  long, 
and  about  11  inches  broad. 

PLAINE,  Fr.  scutcheon  of  a  lock; 
apron  of  a  cannon. 

Plaine  cumpagne,  Fr.  the  open  field. 
Hence,  la  batuiile  s'est  donn'ce  en  pluine 
cumpagne  ;  the  battle  was  fought  in  the 
open  field. 

PLAN,  gi^oinid  plot,  or  ichnogi'uphy, 
in  fortification,  is  the  representation  of 
the  first  or  fundamental  trace  of  a  work, 
shewing  the  length  of  its  lines,  the  quan- 
tity of  its  angles,  the  breadth  of  the 
ditches,  thickness  of  the  rampart,  para- 
pets, and  the  distance  of  one  part  from 
another;  so  that  a  plan  represents  a 
work,  such  as  it  would  appear  if  cut 
equal  with  the  level  of  the  horizon,  or 
cut  off  at  the  foundation  :  but  it  marks 
neither  the  heights  nor  depths  of  the 
several  parts  of  the  works  :  that  is  pro- 
perly profile,  which  expresses  only  the 
heights,  breadths,  and  depths,  without 
4N? 


PLA 


(     644     ) 


PLA 


taking  notice  of  the  lengths.  As  archi- 
tects,  before  they  lay  toe  foundation  of 
their  edifice,  make  their  design  on  paper, 
by  which  means  they  find  out  their 
faults,  so  an  engineer,  before  he  traces 
his  works  on  the  ground,  should  make 
plans  of  his  designs  upon  paper,  that  he 
may  do  nothing  without  serious  deliber- 
ation. 

Exact  plans  are  very  useful  for  gene- 
rals or  governors,  in  either  attacking  or 
defending  a  place,  in  chusing  a  camp, 
determining  attacks,  conducting  the  ap- 
proaches, or  in  examining  the  strength 
and  weakness  of  a  place  ;  especially  such 
plans  as  represent  a  place  with  the 
country  about  it,  shewing  the  rivers, 
fountains,  marshes,  ditches,  vallies, 
mountains,  woods,  houses,  churches,  de- 
files, roads,  and  other  particulars,  which 
appertain  to  it. 

Plan  of  comparison,  a  geometrical 
sketch  of  any  fortress  and  adjacent 
country,  within  cannon  shot,  in  which 
the  different  levels  of  every  principal 
point  are  expressed. 

PLAN,  Fr.     See  Plan. 

Lever  le  Plan  de  (juelque  place  de 
guerre,  Fr.  to  draw  the  plan  of  a  forti- 
fied town  or  place. 

.Plan  relevS,  ou  plan  en  relief,  Fr.  a 
plan  or  representation  of  all  the  out- 
works, and  inside  buildings,  belonging 
to  a  fortified  town  or  place. 

Plan,  Fr.  plane,  in  geometry,  a  level 
surface  without  thickness,  which  has 
neither  depth  nor  curvity. 

PLANCHER,  Fr.  a  boarded  floor. 
It  also  signifies  a  ceiling  of  boards,  and 
sometimes  a  floor  or  bed  of  plaster. — 
The  French  say,  figuratively,  plancher  de 
ruches,  the  earth. 

PLANCHES,  Fr.  boards,  planks. 

Planchks  d'e?it?'evoux,  Fr.  boards  or 
planks  that  are  laid  between  the  joists, 
or  posts  of  a  building. 

PLANCHETTE,  Fr.  a  small  board 
or  copper-plate,  which  is  used  in  prac- 
tical geometry. 

Lever  a  la  Plaxchette,  Fr.  to  give 
an  exact  representation  of  any  space  of 
ground,  with  its  appurtenances,  on  cop- 
per, or  on  a  piece  of  paper  which  is 
pasted  upon  wood.  In  order  to  do  this, 
a  person  must  be  well  versed  in  practical 
geometry, 

Planchette,  Fr.  a  woman's  stirrup  ; 
also  the  plate  or  the  bottom  of  the 
stirrup,  upon  which  the  foot  rests. 

PLANCJUEYER,  Fr.  to  board  or 
floor. 


PLANCONS,  in  hydraulic  architec- 
ture, small  round  stakes  of  oak,  from  12 
to  15  feet  long,  having  four  inches  dia- 
meter at  top,  and  being  pointed  below. 

Geometrical  PLANE  in  perspective, 
(plan  en  perspective,  Fr.)  a  plain  surface 
parallel  to  the  horizon,  placed  lower  than 
the  eye. 

Horizontal  Plane  in  perspective, 
(plan  horizontal  en  perspective,  Fr.)  a 
plane  which  lies  parallel  to  the  horizon, 
and  on  which  the  eye  is  supposed  to  be 
placed. 

Vertical  Plane  in  perspective,  (plan 
vertical,  ou  plan  a  vue  d'oiseuu,  Fr.)  a 
plain  surface  which  passes  through  the 
eye,  and  is  perpendicular  to  the  geome- 
trical plane. 

Inclined  Plane,  (plan  incline,  Fr.)  in 
mechanics,  an  inclined  surface,  which 
makes  an  oblique  angle  with  an  hori- 
zontal plane. 

To  Plane,  (planer,  Fr.)  to  smooth 
with  a  plane. 

Plane,  (plaine  ou  plan,  Fr. )  in 
joinery,  a  sharp-edged  iron  instrument, 
by  which  the  surface  of  boards  is 
smoothed. 

PLA  N  ET-struck,  or  sfirczc-running, 
as  some  horsemen  call  it,  is  a  distemper 
in  horses,  being  a  deprivation  of  feeling 
or  motion,  not  stirring  any  of  the  mem- 
bers,  but  that  they  remain  in  the  same 
form  as  when  the  beast  was  first  seized 
with  it. 

This  disease  frequently  proceeds  from 
extreme  heat  or  cold.  If  it  proceeds 
from  heat  it  may  be  known  by  the  hot- 
ness  of  the  horse's  breadth,  and  the  fre- 
quent fetching  of  his  wind  ;  but  if  from 
cold,   by  a  stuffing  and  poze  in  his  head. 

PLANIMETRY,  ( planimUrie,  Fr.) 
that  part  of  geometry  which  considers 
lines  and  plain  figures,  without  any  re- 
ference to  heights,  or  depths,  in  opposi- 
tion to  stenometry,  or  the  mensuration 
of  solids. 

PLANISPHERE,  (planisphere,  Fr.) 
a  representation  of  the  globe  or  sphere 
on  paper,  for  geometrical  and  astrono- 
mical purposes. 

7b  PLANK,  to  line  or  lay  any  thing 
with  planks,  as  the  sides  and  decks  of 
vessels,  or  platforms  for  cannon,  &o. 

To  PLANT,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
place,  to  fix;  as  to  plant  a  standard. — 
It  likewise  signifies  to  arrange  different 
pieces  of  ordnance  for  the  purpose  of 
doing  execution  against  an  enemy  or 
his  works.    Hence  to  plant  a  battery. 


P  L  A 


(    645    ) 


P  L  A 


Johnson  applies  it  to  the  act  of  directing 
a  cannon  properly.  The  French  use  the 
word  generally  as  we  do,  except  in  the 
last  mentioned  sense.  They  say  mettre 
le  canon  en  batterie.  In  others  the  terra 
bears  the  same  signification,  with  occa- 
sional deviations  when  they  apply  it 
figuratively,  viz. 

Planter  le  piquet  c/tez  quelquun,  Fr. 
to  quarter  one-self  upon  any  body. 

Planter  la  quclqu'un,  Fr.  to  leave  a 
person  abruptly,  or,  as  we  familiarly  say, 
to  leave  another  in  the  lurch. 

Planter  quelque  chose  au  nez  de 
quelquun,  Fr.  to  reproach  a  person  with 
any  thing,  or,  as  we  familiarly  say,  to 
throw  it  in  his  teeth. 

Plante,  Fr.  to  be  fixed  ;  to  be  sta- 
tionary;  to  be  erect;  as,  Un  soldat  bien 
plant  e  sur  ses  pieds ;  a  soldier  that  is 
well  set  up. 

Planter  un  bdtiment,  Fr.  to  lay- the 
first  stones,  or  the  foundations  of  a  build- 
ins:. 

PLANTEMALIN,  Fr.  a  caltrop. 

PLAQUE,  Fr.  the  shell  of  a  sword. 
See  Placage. 

Plaques  de  plomb,  Fr.  sheets  of  lead. 
These  are  used  for  various  purposes.  In 
the  artillery,  to  cover  the  vent  of  a-  can- 
non ;  and  on  board  ships  of  war,  to 
stop  the  holes  that  are  made  by  cannon 
shot. 

PLAQUER,  Fr.  to  lay  one  plank  over 
another ;  to  cover  any  space  with  earth, 
or  turf,  &c. 

PLAQUET,  an  additional  plate  which 
was  occasionally  put  upon  the  breast- 
piece  of  old  armour  ;  also  a  coin  in 
Flanders  equal  to  three-pence  halfpenny 
English. 

PLASM.     See  Mould. 

PLASTER,  a  piece  of  greased  leather 
or  rag  used  by  rifle*iien,  &c.-to  make  the 
ball  fit  the  bore  of  the  piece. 

Plaster,  or  Plaistkr,  a  composition 
of  slaked  lime,  sometimes  with  hair, 
sometimes  with  sand,  Sec.  for  pargeting 
or  covering  over  the  nakedness  of  a 
building ;  used  by  bricklayers  m  build- 
ing walls,  &c. 

Plaster  of  Paris  is  a  fossile  stone,  of 
the  nature  of  a  lime  stone,  serving  to 
many  purposes  in  building.  It  is  also 
used  in  sculpture,  in  moulding,  and 
making  of  statues,  basso  relievos,  and 
other  decorations  in  architecture. 

This  plaster  is  found  in  quarries  about 
Paris,  whence  it  derives  its  name.  The 
finest  is  that  of  Montmartre. 


Crude  Plaster  of  Paris  is  the  native, 
as  it  comes  out  of  the  quarry,  in  which 
state  it  is  used  as  shards  in  the  founda- 
tion of  buildings. 

Burnt  Plaster  is  the  native  calcined, 
like  lime  in  a  kiln  or  furnace,  pulverized 
or  diluted  with  water  or  other  liquid  in 
working  it.  It  is  used,  in  this  state,  as 
mortar  or  cement  in  building.  When 
well  sifted  and  reduced  to  an  impalpable 
powder,  it  is  used  in  making  figures  in 
sculpture. 

PLASTICE,  or  PLASTIC-«rt,  a 
branch  of  sculpture,  being  the  art  of 
forming  figures  of  men  and  other  ani- 
mals, in  plaster,  clay,  stucco,  &c. 

The  Plastic  Art  is  now  chiefly  used 
among  us  in  fret-work  ceilings  ;  but  the 
Italians  apply  it  to  the  mantlings  of 
chimnies  with  great  figures. 

PLASTRON,  a  piece  of  leather  stuff- 
ed, used  by  fencing  masters,  to  receive 
thereon  the  pushes  made  at  them  by 
their  pupils ;  also  plaster. 

Plastron,  Fr.  a  breast  plate,  or  half 
cuirass.  In  the  old  French  service  the 
gendarmes,  the  heavy  cavalry,  the  light 
horse,  &c.  were  obliged  to  wear  breast 
plates  on  all  occasions  at  reviews,  &c. 
The  hussars  were  an  exception  to  this 
order,  which  took  place  on  the  23th  of 
May,  1733.  In  the  original  order,  dated 
the  1st  of  February,  1703,  it  was  parti- 
cularly specified,  that  in  order  to  be  ac- 
customed to  their  weight,  the  above- 
mentioned  corps  should  wear  half  cui- 
rasses in  time  of  peace.  The  captains 
of  troops  were  obliged  to  keep  the  half 
cuirasses  belonging  to  their  men  in  con- 
stant repair. 

PLAT,  ate,  Fr.  flat,  level,  low.  The 
flat  side  of  any  thing  ;  as,  plat  de  sabre. 

Plat  de  la  langue,  Fr.  mere  talk,  such 
as  courtiers  use. 

Plat  pays,  Fr.  a  flat  or  low  country. 
It  is  generally  used  among  the  French 
to  signify  that  extent,  or  space  of  a  coun- 
try, on  which  scattered  houses  and  vil- 
lages are  built,  in  contradistinction  to 
towns  and  fortified  places.  It  is  like- 
wise used  in  opposition  to  a  mountainous 
country  :  Les  soldats  de  la  garnison  vi- 
rulent aux  depens  da  plat  pays  ;  the  sol- 
diers of  the  garrison  lived  upon  the  ad- 
jacent villages  or  country. 

Punir  d  coup  de  Plat  de  sabre,  Fr.  to 
punish  a  man  by  striking  him  with  the 
flat  side  of  a  sabre  blade.  The  French 
likewise  say,  des  coups  de  plat  d'epee ; 
blows  given  with   the    flat   side    of  a 


P  L  A 


(     6-16     ) 


P  L  A 


sword. — This  mode  of  punishing  is  fre- 
quently adopted  in  foreign  services,  par- 
bcularly  among  the  Germans.  M.  de 
St.  Germain,  minister  of  the  war  depart- 
ment under  Loois  XVI.  attempted  to 
introduce  it  in  France,  but  it  was  re- 
sisted by  the  army  at  large. 

Hall  re  a  Plate  couture,  Fr.  to  gain 
a  complete  and  decisive  victory,  or  to 
beat  an  enemy  so  as  to  kill,  or  take,  al- 
most every  man  he  had  to  oppose.— 
Hence,  (  ne  armee  battue  a  plate  con 
ture ;  an  army  completely  routed  and 
undone. 

Plat  de  I'ajuipage  d'un  vaisscuu,  IV.  a 
dish  or  mess,  consisting  of  seven  rations 
or  portions  put  together,  and  served  out 
for  the  subsistence  of  seven  men,  on 
board  French  ships  of  war. 

Etre  ??iis  an  Plat  des  malades  mr 
met;  Fr.  to  be  put  upon  the  sick  lisl  on 
board  a  king's  ship;  or  to  receive  such 
rations  as  arc  ordered  to  be  served  out 
to  the  sick. 

Mnison  Plate,  Fr.  a  house  which  has 
neither  towers  nor  moat ;  opposed  to 
chateau  or  castle,  which  usually  has. 

Plat,  Fr.  a  term  in  carpentry.  See 
Poser  mr  le  plat ;  also  Poser  de  champ 
or  cant. 

V\.AT-hand,  in  architecture,  accord- 
ing to  M.  Ferruult,  is  any  flat  square 
moulding,  having  less  prefecture  than 
height.  Such  are  the  faces  or  fascia  of 
an  architrave,  and  the  plat-bands  of  the 
modillions  of  a  cornice. 

PLAT-bord,  bord-PL  at,  Fr.  in  a  ship, 
is  the  edge  of  the  deck,  from  the  main- 
mast to  the  fore-castle,  upon  which 
the  great  ordnance  is  placed ;  also  the 
center  board  of  the  deck  of  a  ship.  It 
likewise  generally  signifies  all  the  ma- 
terials or  pieces  which  constitute  the  up- 
per part  of  the  deck  of  a  vessel  or  boat. 

PLATAIN,  Fr.  flat-coast  ;  a  spot 
near  the  sea  which  is  well  calculated  for 
a  descent. 

Krf/-PLATE,  a  piece  of  thick  brass 
'•  r  into  the  butt  end  of  the  stock,  fas- 
tened with  two  screws  at  the.  toe  and 
heel,  in  ©rder  to  secure  the  wood  from 
injury. 

jmggfcr-PLATfi,  a  piece  of  brass  which 
is  let  into  the  stock  under  the  guard 
or  handle,  and  contints  the  action  of  the 
trigger. 

PLATEAU,  IV.  a  flat  piece  of  wood, 
h  is  sometimes  used  to  place  mor- 
tal.- fui.  is.-.-       This  word  also  signifies 
the  moulding  which  goes  round  a  piece 


of  ordnance,  in  three  different  place9,  to 
render  its  diminution  towards  the  muzzle 
less  abrupt  to  the  eye. 

Plateau,  Fr.  the  bottom  piece  of 
wood  on  which  any  thing  is  laid  for  the 
purpose  of  being  weighed  in  large  scales. 

Platj  u  ,  Fr.  in  the  artillery,  an  ele- 
vated piece  of  ground,  made  level  for 
cannon  to  be  mounted  on;  a  platform. 

Pi.  v  1  r..w  d'imc  montagne,  Er.  the  level 
surface  of  any   hill  or  mountain.      See 

T  I  I'./.E. 

PLATEAUX,  Fr.  flat  and  thin  stones; 
flakes  of  stones. 
PLATEBANDES,  Fr.  cap-squares;  a 

particular  part  of  a  piece  of  ordnance, 
which,  though  of  a  llat  form  or  figure, 
rises  beyond  the  rest  of  the  metal,  and  is 
always  cast  before  the  moulding.  There 
are  three  sorts  of  platebandes  upon  a 
regular  piece  of  ordnance,  viz.  cap-square 
and  moulding  at  the  breech  :  cap-square 
and  moulding  of  the  first  reinforce  ;  cap- 
square  and  moulding  of  the  second  rein- 
force. 

Platebandes  d'uft'uts,  Fr.  iron  cap- 
squares,  which  serve  to  keep  the  trun- 
nions fast  between  the  cheeks  of  a  piece 
of  ordnance. 

Platebande  de  pave,  Fr.  curb  stones, 
or  stones  of  a  larger  size  than  the  ordi- 
nary ones,  which  serve  to  line  roads. 

PLATE-/onge  is  a  woven  strap,  four 
fathoms  Long,  three  fingers  broad,  and 
one  thick,  used  in  the  manege  for  raising 
a  horse's  legs,  and  sometimes  for  taking 
him  down,  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
operations  of  the  veterinary  surgeon  or 
farrier. 

PLATEE,  Fr.  the  mass  of  a  founda- 
tion, which  comprehends  the  whole  ex- 
tent of  a  building. 

PLATEFORME  de  pilotage,  Fr.  a 
platform  made  upon  piles.  When  the 
pilework,  in  a  piece  of  marshy  ground, 
I  &c.  has  been  completed,  planks  are 
placed  upon  it  and  secured  together  by 
iron  pins;  so  that  if  it  be  necessary  to 
establish  a  post  or  erect  a  battery,  there 
may  be  foundation  enough  for  the  pur- 
pose. Fort-Rouge,  at  the  entrance  of. 
Calais  harbour,  has  been  constructed 
in  this  manner  ;  and  it  has  been  found 
sufficiently  strong  to  withstand  the  ex- 
plosion oi  the  catamaran. 

Plat  f.form  f.  de  eomble,  Fr.  flat  pieces 
of  wood  laid  together  by  overthwart 
rafters,  so  as  to  form  two  rows  of  beams, 
one  of  which  supports  the  timber  work  of 
a  roof,  and  which  li<.  on  the  top  of  th* 


PLA 


(     647     ) 


PLA 


wall.  When  these  platforms  are  nar- 
row, as  is  the  case  in  walls  of  moderate 
dimensions,  they  are  called  sablieres. 

Plateforme  de  fondation,  Fr.  flat 
pieces  of  wood  which  are  fastened  upon 
pilework  by  means  of  iron  pins,  in  order 
to  build  upon  them ;  or  which  are  laid 
upon  beam-ends  in  the  bottom  of  a  re- 
servoir, for  the  purpose  of  constructing 
an  inside  wall. 

PLATES,  or  prise-plates,  in  artillery, 
two  plates  of  iron  on  the  cheeks  of  a 
gun-carriage,  from  the  cope  square  to  the 
center,  through  which  the  prise-bolts 
go,  and  on  which  the  handspikes  rest, 
when  used  in  raising  the  breech  of  the 
gun,  &c. 

Breast-PL ates,  the  two  plates  on  the 
face  of  the  carriage,  on  the  other  cheek. 

£;e«s£-PLATES,  the  clasps  with  orna- 
mented heads,  by  which  the  cross-belts 
in  the  army  are  attached.' 

7>«/h-Plates,  the  two  plates  on  the 
cheeks  at  the  train  of  the  carnage. 

D/i/idge-FLA.TES,  the  six  plates  on  the 
wheel  of  a  gun-carriage,  where  the  fel- 
lies are  joined  together. 

PLATFOND,  a  French  word,  used 
for  ceiling  or  roof  of  a  chamber  or  other 
room.     The  same  as  soffit. 

PLATFORM,  (plateforme,  Fr.)  The 
upper  part  of  every  brick  or  stone  build- 
ing which  is  arched  and  has  more  doors 
than  one,  is  so  called.  Hence  the  plat- 
form of  a  tower,  or  of  a  redoubt.  All 
pieces  of  ordnance  that  are  planted  on  a 
rampart,  or  are  disposed  along  the  lines 
of  a  besieging  army,  &c.  have  their  plat- 
forms. 

Platform,  in  gunnery,  is  a  bed  of 
wood  on  a  battery,  upon  which  the  guns 
-stand :  each  consisting  of  18  planks  of 
oak  or  elm,  a  foot  broad,  2|  inches 
thick,  and  from  8  to  15  feet  long,  nailed 
or  pinned  on  4,  5,  or  6  beams,  from  4 
to  7  inches  square,  called  sleepers. — 
They  must  be  made  higher  behind  than 
before  by  b'  or  9  inches,  to  prevent  too 
great  a  recoil,  and  to  advance  the  gun 
easily  when  loaded.  They  are  from  18 
to  20  feet  long,  8  feet  before,  and  14  or 
15  feet  behind,  and  the  direction  left  to 
the  officers  of  the  royal  regiment  of  ar- 
tillery. 

Platforms  are  usually  made  of  wood, 
and  sometimes  of  stone.  Platforms  for 
mortars  are  made  quite  level. 

Traversing  Platform.  See  Traver- 
sing. 

Platform,    (plateforme,   Fr.)   in  ar- 


chitecture, a  kind  of  terrace  walk, 
whence  a  full  view  may  be  taken  in  a 
garden.  It  is  also  used  for  a  floor  on 
the  top  of  a  building,  whence  a  prospect 
may  be  taken  of  the  adjacent  country, 
as  may  be  seen  in  Spain,  Italy,  and  even 
in  some  of  the  southern  provinces  of 
France. 

PLAITNA,  a  metal  used  For  touch- 
holes,  and  preferred,  for  that  purpose, 
to  gold.  The  platina  or  gold  touch-hole 
has  the  advantage  over  the  common  one, 
of  being  less  liable  to  become  enlarged, 
because  it  is  enabled  to  resist  the  che- 
mical effect  of  the  nitrous  acid,  produced 
by  the  cumbustion  of  the  powder,  which 
is  not  able  to  decompose  either  of  these 
metals,  so  readily  as  iron,  or  any  of  the 
grosser  species. 

PLATINE  de  lumiere,  Fr.  the  same 
as  plaque  de  plomb,  as  far  as  it  regards 
cannon.  With  respect  to  muskets  and 
other  fire-arms,  it  means  that  part  of  the 
hammer  which  covers  the  pan. 

Platine,  (according  to  the  author  of 
the  Noaveau  Dictionnaire  Mi/itaire, 
published  in  1801,)  when  applied  gene- 
rally, signifies  the  whole  of  a  lock  be- 
longing to  a  musket  or  fire-arm. 

PLATOON,  in  military  affairs,  was 
formerly  a  small  body  of  men,  in  a  bat- 
talion of  foot,  &c.  that  fired  alternately. 
A  battalion  was  then  generally  divided 
into  16  platoons,  exclusive  of  the  gre- 
nadiers, which  formed  2  or  4  platoons, 
more  or  less,  as  occasion  required.  At 
present  the  battalion  is  generally  divided 
into  wings,  grand  divisions,  divisions, 
(or  companies,)  subdivisions,  and  sec- 
tions ;  and  the  word  platoon  is  seldom 
used,  except  to  denote  a  number  (from 
10  to  20)  of  recruits  assembled  for  the 
purpose  of  instruction  ;  in  which  case  it 
may  be  considered  synonimous  with 
company. 

PLATRAS,  Fr.  rubbish,  such  as 
ashes,  pieces  of  broken  bricks,  mortar, 
ike.  It  is  used  by  refiners,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  distilling  saltpetre  into  proper 
vessels. 

They  likewise  extract  saltpetre  out 
of  this  rubbish,  after  having  pounded  it 
well  together,  and  pressed  it  through  a 
wash. 

PLATRE,  Fr.  plaster;  parget;  point; 
plaster  made  of  lime  for  building,  &c. 
Battre  quelqiiun  comme  platre,  to  beat 
a  person  to  mummy. 

PLATRE,  Fr.  literally  plastered; 
patched  up. 


P  L  E 


(     6j48    ) 


P  L  O 


PLATRER,  Fr.  to  plaster ;  to  patch ; 
to  daub  over. 

PLAT-vein,  in  a  horse,  is  a  vein  on 
the  inside  of  each  fore  thigh,  a  little 
below  the  elbow;  some  call  it  the  basilic 
vein. 

The  bleeding  of  this  vein  may  be 
stopped,  when  cut,  by  filling  the  orifice 
with  the  wool  of  a  rabbit  or  hare,  and 
afterwards  sewing  up  the  skin  in  two 
parts,  upon  which  a  little  matter  will 
collect;  but  by  greasing  the  wound,  it 
will  be  healed  in  a  few  days. 

PLATS  de  balance,  Fr.  the  two  dishes, 
or  plates,  of  a  pair  of  scales. 

PLAY  is  occasionally  applied  to  mi- 
litary action ;  as  the  cannon  play  upon 
the  enemy,  &c. 

To  Play,  to  have  the  different  instru- 
ments of  a  band  sounded.  Hence  the 
band  is  ordered  to  play ;  a  privilege 
which  in  many  regiments  is  confined  to 
the  commanding  officer,  particularly  at 
parades. 

Play,  game;  practice  of  gaming; 
contest  at  a  game.  Also,  gambling,  or 
risking  money. 

Foul  Pt  ay,  a  method  of  playing,  by 
which  undue  advantage  is  taken  ;  as  bv 
cogging,  securing,  iS:c.  See  Jeu  de  ho- 
ard. 

I'LAY-debt,  commonly  called  a  debt  of 
honour,  debt  contracted  bv  gaming,  and 
which  must  be  discharged  at  the  expense 
of  every  other  obligation  ;  fashionable 
honour  being  considered,  in  this  case,  as 
paramount  to  common  honesty! 

PLEBEIAN,  from  the  Latin  plebcius, 
any  person  of  the  situation  or  condition 
of  the  common  people.  The  term  is 
chiefly  used  in  speaking  of  the  ancient 
Romans,  who  were  divided  into  senators, 
knights,  and  plebeians,  or  common 
people. 

PLEDGE,  in  a  military  sense,  any 
thing  given  as  warrant  or  security.  Offi- 
cers who  undertake  commands,  &c. 
tacitly  give  a  pledge  to  their  sovereign, 
and  to  their  country,  for  the  necessary 
talent  and  qualifications  required;  and 
no  pledge  should  be  admitted  without  a 
forfeit. 

PLEDGET,  the  same  as  bolster,  com- 
press, in  surge'ry,  a  kind  of  flat  tent, 
which  is  laid  over  a  wound  to  imbibe 
the  superfluous  humours  that  ooze  out, 
and  to  keep  it  clean. 

PLEIN  d'un  mur,  Fr.  the  main  part 
or  body  of  a  wall. 

Cour  PLENIERE,  Fr,  an  open  court, 


to  which  every  body  has  access.  In  the 
ancient  times  of  France,  when  the 
Grand  JMonarqut  signified  his  intentions 
of  being  present  at  a  solemn  assembly 
of  his  nobles,  &c.  or  having  magnificent 
tournaments,  public  notice  was  given 
that  a  cour  p/tiiil  >r,  or  open  court,  would 
be  held.  This  was  done,  in  order  to 
allow  sufficient  time  for  foreign  princes 
to  appear  in  person. 

PLESION,  a  particular  formation  of 
troops  in  close  column,  which  was  in- 
vented by  Dumenil  Durand,  a  French 
military  «  riter,  of  whom  Guibert  speaks. 

PLEUVOIR,  Fr.  to  rain  ;  to  pour. — 
The  French  say,  figuratively,  (when  there 
is  a  heavy  discharge  of  musketry  directed 
against  any  particular  quarter,)  ili/pleut 
des  mousqueludcs  ;  les  coups  de  mousquet 
y  pleuvcnt  ;  musket-shots  pour  upon 
that  quarter ;  musket-shots  rain  or  come 
down  in  torrents. 

PLIER,  Fr.  to  give  way. 

Une  alle  qui  Plie,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  the  wing  of  an  army  which  gives 
way.  When  this  occurs,  it  behoves  a 
wise  and  executive  general  to  send  im- 
mediate support,  for  the  whole  army  is 
endangered  by  the  least  impression  on 
that  quarter.  The  French  say  figura- 
tively of  a  general  who  drives  every- 
thing before  him,  Tout  plie  devant  lui, 
every  thing  gives  way  before  him. 

Plies  also  signifies  to  step  out  of  the 
ranks,  or  to  deform  the  alignement. — 
Hence  plier  le  pied,  to  step  out  in  a  dis- 
orderly manner. 

PLINTH,  the  square  member  which 
serves  as  a  foundation  to  the  base  of  a 
pillar ;  so  called  from  the  Greek  ttXivS^, 
a  brick.  It  is  used  as  the  foundation 
of  columns,  seeming  to  have  been  ori- 
ginally intended  to  prevent  the  bottom 
of  the  primitive  wooden  pillars  from 
rotting. 

Plinth  of  a  statue,  a  base  or  stand, 
either  flat,  round,  or  square,  serving  to 
support  a  statue. 

Plinth  of  a  -wall,  a  term  used  by 
bricklayers  for  two  or  three  rows  of 
bricks,  which  advance  out  from  the  wall ; 
or  it  is  used  generally  to  signify  every 
flat,  high  moulding,  serving  in  a  front 
wall  to  mark  the  floors,  or  to  sustain  the 
eaves  of  a  wall,  and  the  larmier  or  drip 
of  a  chimney.  Vitruvius  calls  the  Tus- 
can abacus,  plinth,  on  account  of  the 
resemblance  it  bears  to  a  brick :  it  is. 
also  called  orlo. 

PLOMB,  Fr.  lead;   a  plummet,  or 


PLO 


(     649     ) 


P  L  U 


small  piece  of  lead,  which  is  attached  to  |      Plong£e  da  rempart,  Fr.  The  slope 
some  packthread,  so  that  it  may  be  sus-jof  the  upper  part  of  the  parapet,  be- 
longing to  the  rampart,  is  so  called.    The 
slope  is  likewise  named  talus  supcrieur, 
or  upper  talus. 

PLONGEONS,  Fr.  artificial  fire- 
works, which  are  shot  into  water,  and 
rise  again  without  being  extinguished. 

Plongeons,  Fr.  plungers  or  divers. 
Men  of  this  description  ought  always  to 
accompany  an  army,  for  the  purpose  of 
swimming  under  bridges  of  boats,  &c. 
and  making  apertures  in  their  bottoms. 

PLONGER,  Fr.  literally  to  plunge  : 
a  term  used  to  signify  all  discharges 
which  are  made  by  cannon,  musketry, 
from  any  height,  such  as  the  rampart, 
&c.  into  the  fosse,  or  upon  the  adjacent 
country. 

PLUG,  or  breech  patent,  called,  also, 
chambered  plug.  In  a  book  entitled 
Scloppetaria,  there  is,  in  page  115,  the 
following  observation  relative  to  this 
article:  "Patent  breeches,  or  cham- 
bered plugs,  are  acknowledged  to  re- 
quire less  powder,  and  to  be  less  liable 
to  stop  up,  than  the  plugs  commonly 
used.  The  excavation  of  the  breech 
should  be  made  to  contain,  as  nearly 
as  possible,  the  exact  quantity  of  pow- 
der intended  to  be  used.  This  exca- 
vation having  been  thus  made  to  con- 
tain the  charge  of  powder,  in  order  to 
prevent  the  grains  from  being  bruised 
by  the  force  of  the  ramrod  in  driving 
down  the  ball,  the  upper  part  should  be 
bored  away,  or  countersunk,  so  as  to  be 
capable  of  receiving  about  a  quarter  part 
of  the  lower  hemisphere  of  the  ball." 

PLUIE  de  feu,  Fr.  literally  a  shower 
or  rain  of  fire.  It  signifies  a  certain 
quantity  of  artificial  fireworks,  whose 
discharge  falls  in  regular  sparks,  with- 
out ever  deviating  into  a  serpentine  di- 
rection. 

PLUMASSIER,  a  word  taken  from 
the  French,  signifying  a  dealer  or  chap- 
man in  feathers. 

PLUM/E,  the  iron  plates  of  which 
the  pieces  of  ancient  armour  were  com- 
posed, for  the  defence  of  the  chest, 
arms,  thighs,  and  legs.  They  were  so 
called  from  their  resemblance  to  the 
feathers  of  a  bird.  Hence  the  cuirasses 
themselves,  or  coverings  for  the  thighs, 
&c.  were  called  plumatae. 

PLUMB,  PLUMMET,   a  leaden  or 

other  weight,  let  down  at  the  end  of  a 

string  or  piece  of  catgut  to  regulate  any 

work  in  a  line  perpendicular  to  the  bo- 

40 


pended  in  a  perpendicular  direction.  It 
is  used  by  miners.  The  packthread  by 
which  it  hangs  is  called  fuuet,  or  whip- 
cord. 

Plomb  also  comprehends,  in  its  sig- 
nification, all  sorts  of  shot,  except  can- 
non-shot, used  in  fire-arms.  The  French 
say,  la  ville  a  tteforcee  de  capituler,faute 
de  plomb,  (i.  e.  balles  de  mousquet)  et  de 
poudre,  the  town  was  forced  or  obliged 
to  capitulate  through  the  want  of  shot 
and  gunpowder. 

A  Plumb,  Fr.  the  perpendicular  po- 
sition of  any  body  or  substance.  Une 
murail/e  est  a  plomb,  a  wall  is  in  a 
stiaii^ht  perpendicular  direction. 

Donuer  d  Plomb,  Fr.  to  fall  verti- 
cally, as  the  rays  of  the  sun  do  in  certain 
latitudes. 

Etre  a  Plomb,  Fr.  to  stand  upright. 

Marcher  a  Plomb,  Fr.  to  march  with 
a  firm,  steady  pace. 

This  word  is  sometimes  used  as  a  sub- 
stantive, viz.  perdre  son  aplomb,  to  lose 
one's  balance. 

Manquer  cC  aplomb,  Fr.  to  be  unsteady. 

PLOMBANT,  Fr.  plumbing  or  try- 
ing the  straightness  of  a  work  by  a 
plumb-ride. 

PLOMB  de  sonde,  Fr.  sounding-line. 

Plomb  a  chas,  Fr.  an  instrument 
made  of  copper  or  brass.  See  Plumb- 
Rule. 

Plomb  de  Mine,  )  r,    ,  .     ,   ,      . 

Mine  dt  Plomb,  \  Fr'  black  lead" 

Plomb  noir,  Fr.  common  or  ordinary 
lead.  The  French  say,'  figuratively,  Cet 
ofjicitr  a  du  plomb  dans  la  tete,  that  offi- 
cer is  a  deliberate,  cool  man. 

Plomb,  Fr.  bullets;  shot.  Le  plomb 
vole,  the  bullets  fly  about.  The  French 
say,  Craindre  ni  plomb,  ni  fer,  not  to 
fear  either  gun  or  sword. 

PLOMBAGINE,  Fr.  lead  and  silver 
ore  intermixed. 

PLOMBATURE,  Fr.  solder  of  lead 
or  tin. 

PLOMBEAU,  Fr.  a  plummet,  or  any 
weight  of  lead  ;  whence  Le  poids  a  plorn- 
beau,  the  Roman  beam,  or  stelleer. 

Plombeau  a"une  epte,  Fr.  the  pom- 
mel of  a  sword. 

PLOMBEE,  Fr.  a  pellet  of  lead. 

PLONG&E,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  artil- 
lery to  express  the  action  of  a  bomb,  ike. 
which  from  the  highest  point  of  the 
curve  it  describes,  takes  a  downward  di- 
rection to  strike  its  object. 


P  L  U 


(     630     ) 


PLU 


nzon,  or  to  sound  the  depth  of  any  thing. 
It  is  of  great  use  to  the  artillerist,  as 
well  as  to  the  engineer. 

Plumb  rule.  Plumb  line,  (plumb 
(Fouvrier,  Fr.)  an  instrument  used  by 
carpenters,  masons,  &c.  to  draw  per- 
pendiculars, in  order  to  judge  whether 
walls  be  upright,  planes  horizontal,  and 
the  like.  It  consists  df  a  small  piece  of 
lead,  or  other  metal,  fastened  to  the 
end  of  a  thread  or  cord,  which  descends 
along  a  plate  of  iron  or  brass,  and  when 
it  is  raised  perpendicular  on  another,  it 
becomes  a  level. 

Pilots,  at  sea,  likewise  ascertain  their 
soundings  by  it.  In  the  forming  of  re- 
cruits it  is  particularly  advantageous; 
as  may  be  seen  in  the  following  extract 
from  the  Rules  and  Regulations. 

Plummets  which  vibrate  the  required 
times  of  march  in  a  minute,  are  of  great 
utility,  andean  alone  prevent,  or  correct 
uncertainly  of  movement  ;  they  must  be 
in  the  possession  of,  and  be  constantly 
referred  to  hv  each  instructor  of  a  squad. 
The  several  lengths  of  plummets,  swing- 
ing the  times  of  the  different  marches  in 
a  minute,  are  as  follow  : — 

Steps     In.Hund. 
in 
Ordinary  time     - 
Quick  time 
Quickest,  or  wheel-  } 

ing  time  -        S 

A  musket  ball,  suspended 
which  is  not  subject  to  stretch,  (and 
must  of  course  be  kept  constantly  dry,) 
and  on  which  are  marked  the  different 
required  lengths,  will  answer  the  above 
purpose,  may  be  easily  procured,  and 
should  be  frequently  compared  with  an 
accurate  standard  in  the  adjutant's  or 
serjeant-major's  possession,  The  length 
.of  the  plummet  is  to  be  measured  from 
the  point  of  suspension  to  the  center  of 
the  ball. 

Accurate  distances  of  steps  must  also 
be  marked  out  on  the  ground,  along 
which  the  soldier  should  he  practised  to 
inarch,  and  thereby  acquire  the  just 
length  of  pace. 

Plumb  line  also  signifies,  among  ar- 
tificers, a  perpendicular,  which  is  so 
called,  because  it  is  usually  described  by 
means  of  a  plummet. 

PLUMBAT^E,  leaden  balls  which 
were  shot  out  of  cross-bows  by  the  Ro- 
man soldiers. 

PLUME,  feathers  worn  by  soldiers 
in  the  hat  or  helmet. 


a  minute. 

75 

24 

96 

108 

12 

03 

120 

9 

30 

ended 

by  a 

string 

Pi  t  me,  Fr.     See  Pen. 

Coup  dc  Plume,  Fr.  stroke  of  the 
pen. 

PLUMET,  Fr.  plume,  feather.  An 
ornament  which  is  worn  by  military  men 
in  their  hats.  It  succeeded  the  panache, 
or  bunch  of  feathers,  that  formerly 
adorned  the  helmets. 

PLUMP,  an  old  word,  now  corrupted 
to  clump,  signifying  a  cluster;  any  num- 
ber joined  in  one  mass;  as  certain 
plumps  of  Scottish  horsemen. 

PLUNDER,  hostile  pillage,  or  spoils 
taken  in  war. 

To  PLUNGE,  to  rush  rapidly  down; 
as  the  artillery  plunged  from  the  heights. 

PLUS,  in  algebra,  commonly  denotes 
majus,  more:  its  character  is  +  .  Thus 
5  +  7  is  read  5  plug  7,  and  is  equal  to  12. 

PLUSH,  a  kind  of  stulV,  with  a  sort  of 
velvet  nap  or  shag  on  one  side,  consist- 
ing of  a  woof  of  a  single  woollen  thread, 
and  a  double  warp;  the  one  of  two  wool- 
len threads  twisted,  the  other  goat's  or 
earners  hair;  though  there  are  plushes 
entirely  of  worsted,  others  of  hair,  and 
others  again  of  silk,  cotton,  &c.  White 
plush  breeches  have  been  often  worn  by 
English  dragoons.  They  resist  moisture, 
and  are  easily  cleaned.  Blue  plush  pan- 
taloons are  worn  by  the  Royal  Artillery 
Drivers. 

PLUTEUS,  a  defensive  machine, 
which  was  used  by  the  ancient  Romans. 
It  was  composed  of  wicker  hurdles  laid 
for  a  roof  on  the  top  of  posts,  which  the 
soldiers,  who  went  under  it  for  shelter, 
bore  up  with  their  hands.  Kennett,  in 
page  238,  of  his  Roman  Antiquities, 
observes,  that  some  will  have  them,  as 
well  as  the  vinea;,  to  have  been  contrived 
with  a  double  roof;  the  first  and  lower 
roof  of  planks,  and  the  upper  roof  of 
hurdles,  to  break  the  force  of  any  blow, 
without  disordering  the  machine.  The 
plutei,  however,  were  of  a  different 
figure  from  the  vineae,  being  shaped  like 
an  arched  sort  of  wagon ;  sortie  having 
three  wheels,  so  conveniently  placed, 
that  the  machine  would  move  either 
wav,  with  equal  ease.  They  were  put 
much  to  the  same  use  as  the  musculi. 
Father  Daniel,  the  Jesuit,  in  his  history 
of  the  French  militia,  makes  mention  of 
this  machine.  He  quotes  a  passage  out 
of  a  poem,  intituled  the  Siege  of  Paris, 
by  Abbon,  the  Monk;  the  meaning  of 
which  is,  that  the  Normans  brought  up 
a  large  quantity  of  machines,  that  were 
called  plutei  by  the  Romans,  and  that 


P  O  I 


(     651     ) 


P  O  I 


seven  or  eight  soldiers  could  be  put 
under  cover  beneath  them.  He  further 
adds,  that  these  machines  were  covered 
with  bull  hides. 

The  moderns  have  imitated  these 
plutei  by  adopting  mantelets.  The  Che- 
valier Folard  mentions  having  seen  one 
at  the  siege  of  Philippeville,  of  a  triangu- 
lar figure,  made  of  cork,  interlaced  be- 
tween two  boards,  and  supported  by 
three  wheels  that  turned  upon  a  pivot. 

PNEUMATICS,  (pneumatique,  Fr.) 
the  doctrine  of  the  air,  or  the  laws 
whereby  it  is  condensed,  rarefied,  gravi- 
tated, &c. 

Pneumatic  Engine  denotes  the  air 
pump. 

PODESTAT,  Fr.  a  magistrate  in  a 
free  town  or  citv;  particularly  in  Italy. 

POELE,  or  POILE,  Fr.  a  stove.  " 

PCENiE  Militares,  Lat.  military  pu- 
nishments. 

POETRY,  (poesie,  Fr.)  See  Mar- 
tial Songs. 

POGE,  Fr.  starboard  ;  the  right  side 
of  a  ship. 

POIDS,  Fr.  weight. 

FoiDsde Marc,¥r. avoirdupois  weight. 

Poids  Komain,  Fr.  troy  weight. 

Poids  a  peser  Veau,  Fr.  waterpoise. 

Eire  de  PorDS,  Ft.   to  weigh. 

Avec  Poids  et  mesure,  Fr.  with  care 
and  circumspection. 

POIGNARD,  Fr.  dagger,  poniard. 

Coup  de  Poignard,  Fr.  a  stab. 

POIGNARDER,  Fr.  to  stab. 

POIGNEE,  Fr.  handful.  Poignee 
d'hommes,  a  handful  of  men ;  a  small 
number. 

Poignee,  Fr.  handle  of  a  sword. 

La  Poignee,  Fr.  the  handle. 

POIL,  Fr.  hair  about  the  body.  The 
French  make  a  distinction  between  the 
hair  which  covers  animals  and  the  bodies 
of  human  creatures,  and  that  which 
grows  upon  the  head  of  the  human  spe- 
cies. They  say,  cheveux  de  la  lite,  and 
pail  du  corps.  They  also  apply  the  word 
crins  to  the  hair  of  a  horse,  particularly 
to  the  mane  and  tail. 

Monter  un  cheval  a  Poil,  Fr.  to  ride 
a  horse  without  a  saddle. 

Un  brave  a  trois  Poils,  Fr.  a  figura- 
tive expression  to  describe  a  bully,  or 
gasconading  fellow. 

POINCON,  Fr.  a  puncheon  ;  bodkin. 
It  is  likewise  an  instrument  which  is 
used  in  the  making  of  artificial  fire- 
works, being  called  poincon  a  arret, 
from  a  piece  of  iron  running  cross-ways 


near  the  point,  to  prevent  it  from  en- 
tering too  far. 

Poincon,  ou  Aiguille,  Fr.  an  upright 
piece  of  wood,  whereat  all  the  smaller 
rafters  meet  in  a  point.  Poincon  also 
signifies  the  tree  or  spindle  of  a  machine* 
upon  which  it  turns  in  a  vertical  direc- 
tion, as  is  the  case  in  a  crane. 

Poincon  d'une  tour,  Fr.  the  ball,  or 
middle  of  the  top,  of  a  round  tower; 
that  part  whereon  a  weathercock  is 
usually  planted. 

POING,  Fr.  the  fist. 

Coup  rfePoiNG,  Fr.  a  blow  given  with 
the  fist. 

POINSON,  from  the  French  poincon, 
a  little  sharp  pointed  iron,  fixed  in  a 
wooden  handle,  which  the  horseman 
holds  in  the  right  hand,  to  prick  a  leap- 
ing horse  in  the  croupe,  to  make  him 
yerk  out  behind. 

POINT,  a  steel  instrument,  of  various 
uses  in  several  arts..  Engravers,  etchers, 
wood-cutters,  stone-cutters,  &c.  use 
points  to  trace  their  designs  on  copper, 
wood,  or  stone. 

Point.  This  term  is  frequently  used 
in  a  military  sense,  as  point  of  intersec- 
tion, intermediate  point,  fyc. — The  seve- 
ral applications  of  which  may  seen  in 
the  General  Rules  and  Regulations. 

Point,  particular  place  to  which  any 
thing  is  directed.  Hence,  to  concentrate 
all  your  forces,  and  to  bring  them  to 
bear  upon  one  point. 

Point,  in  geometry,  according  to 
Euclid,  is  a  quantity  which  has  no  parts, 
being  indivisible;  and  according  to 
others,  that  which  terminates  itself  on 
every  side,  and  which  has  no  boundaries 
distinct  from  itself.  This  is  a  mathe- 
matical point,  and  is  only  conceived  by 
the  imagination  ;  yet  herein  all  magni- 
tude begins  and  ends,  its  flux  generating 
a  line,  that  of  a  line  a  surface,  &c.  A 
line  can  only  cut  another  in  a  point. 

Point,  or  points  of  distance,  in  per- 
spective, is  a  point,  or  points,  (for  there 
are  sometimes  two  of  them,)  placed  at 
equal  distances  from  the  point  of  sight. 

Accidental  Points,  or  Contingent 
Points,  in  perspective,  are  certain  points 
wherein  such  objects  as  may  be  thrown 
negligently,  and  without  order,  under 
the  plan,  do  tend  to  terminate. — For  this 
reason  they  are  not  drawn  to  the  point 
of  sight,  nor  the  points  of  distance,  but 
meet  accidentally,  or  at  random,  in  the 
horizon. 

Point  of  the  Front,  in  perspective, 
4  02 


P  O  I 


(     652     ) 


P  O  I 


is  when  we  have  the  object  directly  be- 
fore us,  and  not  more  on  one  side  than 
the  other,  in  which  case  it  only  shews 
the  foreside ;  and  it  it  be  below  the  ho- 
rizon, a  little  of  the  top  too,  but  nothing 
of  the  side,  unless  the  object  be  poly- 
gonous. 

Third  Potnt,  a  point  taken  at  dis- 
cretion in  the  line  of  distance,  wherein 
all  the  diagonals,  drawn  from  the  divi- 
sions of  the  geometrical  plane,  concur. 

Objective  Point,  a  point  on  a  geome- 
trical plane,  whose  representation  is  re- 
quired on  the  perspective  plane. 

Point  of  concourse,  in  optics,  is  that 
wherein  converging  rays  meet;  more 
commonly  called  the  focus. 

Point  of  dispersion,  is  that  wherein 
the  rays  begin  to  diverge,  usually  called 
the  virtual  focus. 

Covering  Point,  a  point  which,  in 
changes  of  position,  materially  concerns 
the  movement  of  one  line  with  another. 

When  a  change  of  position  is  made  on 
a  flank  or  central  point  of  the  Hist  line, 
the  movement  of  its  covering  point,  of 
the  second  line,  determines  the  new  re- 
lative situation  of  that  second  line. 

Point  of  Honour.     See  Honour. 

Point  of  Appui,  the  point  upon  which 
a  line  of  troops  is  formed.  When  the 
right  stands  in  front,  and  the  column  is 
marching  to  form,  the  Hist  hailed  com- 
pany, division,  &c.  is  the  point  of  ap- 
pui; and  when  the  right  is  in  front,  the 
distant  point  of  formation  is  the  left. 

Point  of  Intersection,  (point  d'inter- 
section,  Fr.)  the  point  where  two  lines 
intersect  each  other. 

Intermediate  Point,  (point  intermc- 
diai/e,  Ft.)  In  marching  forward  that 
is  called  an  intermediate  point  which 
lies  between  the  spot  marched  from,  and 
the  spot  towards  which  you  are  ad- 
vancing. In  forming  line,  the  center 
point  between  the  right  and  left  is  the 
intermediate  point.  It  is  of  the  utmost 
consequence  to  every  body  of  troops, 
advancing  or  retreating,  but  especially 
in  advancing  towards  the  enemy,  to  find 
an  intermediate  point  between  two 
given,  and  perhaps,  inaccessible  objects. 
The  line  of  march  is  preserved  by  these 
means  in  its  perpendicular  direction,  and 
tvery  column  may  be  enabled  to  ascer- 
tain its  relative  point  of  entry  in  the 
same  line. 

Point  of  alignment,  (point  d'aligne- 
ment,  Fr.)  the  point  which  troops  form 
upon,  and  dress  by. 


Point  of  formation,  a  point  taken, 
upon  which  troops  are  formed  in  mili- 
tary order. 

Point  of  view,  specific  survey  of  a 
thing,  intellectual  or  otherwise. 

Military  Point  of  view,  a  survey  of 
things  or  objects  with  reference  to  mili- 
tary operations  only. 

PoiNT  of  viezc,  in  architecture,  is  a 
point  at  a  certain  distance  from  a  build- 
ing or  other  object,  wherein  the  eye  has 
the  most  advantageous  view  or  prospect, 
of  the  same.  This  point  is  usually  at 
a  distance  equal  to  the  height  of  the 
building. 

A  vague  or  indeterminate  point  has  a 
different  effect  from  the  point  of  view,  in 
that,  in  looking  at  a  building  from  an 
indeterminate  point,  the  eye  can  only 
form  an  idea  of  the  magnitude  of  its 
mass,  by  comparing  it  with  other  build- 
ings adjacent  to  it. 

Perpendicular  Point,  the  point  upon 
which  troops  inarch  in  a  straight  forward 
direction. 

Relative  Points,  the  points  by  which 
the  parallelism  of  a  march  is  preserved. 

Point  of  passing,  the  ground  on 
which  one  or  more  bodies  of  armed  men 
march  by  a  reviewing  general. 

Point  to  salute  at,  the  spot  on  which 
the  reviewing  general  stands.  This,  how- 
ever, is  not  to  be  understood  literally, 
as  every  infantry  officer,  when  he  ar- 
rives within  six  paces  of  the  general, 
recovers  his  sword  and  drops  it,  keep- 
ing it  in  that  situation  until  he  shall  have 
passed  him  a  prescribed  number  of 
paces.  The  cavalry  salute  within  the 
breadth  of  the  horse's  neck,  the  instant 
the  object  is  uncovered. 

Point  of  war,  a  loud  and  impressive 
beat  of  the  drum,  the  perfect  execution 
of  which  requires  great  skill  and  ac- 
tivity. The  point  of  war  is  beat  when 
a  battalion  charges. 

VoiKT-b/ank,  in  gunnery,  denotes  the 
shot  of  a  piece  levelled  horizontally, 
without  either  mounting  or  sinking  the 
muzzle.  In  shooting  thus,  the  bullet 
is  supposed  to  go  in  a  direct  line,  and 
not  to  move  in  a  curve,  as  bombs  and 
highly  elevated  random  shots  do.  We 
say  supposed  to  go  in  adirecr.  line,  because 
it  is  certain  that  a  shot  cannot  fly  any 
part  of  its  range  in  a  right  line  strictly 
taken  ;  but  the  greater  the  velocity,  the 
nearer  it  approaches  to  a  right  line ;  or 
the  less  crooked  its  range.  The  French 
point  blank,  or  but  en  blanc.  is  what  the 


P  O  I 


(     653     ) 


P  O  I 


British  artillery  call  tlie  line  of  metal 
elevation;  which,  in  most  guns,  is  be- 
tween one  and  two  degrees. 

Point  of  light,  (point  de  vue,  Fr.)  ^ 

Point  of  the  eye,  (point  d'oril,  Fr.)  S 
called  also  principal  point,  and  perspec- 
tive point,  is  a  point  in  perspective,  in 
the  axis  of  the  eye,  or  in  the  central  ray 
where  the  same  is  intersected  by  the 
horizon.  It  is  called  the  point  of  the 
eye,  or  ocular  point,  because  directly  op- 
posed to  the  eye  of  the  person,  who  is 
to  view  the  piece  or  object. 

Sirfe-PoiNT,  the  point  of  oblique  view, 
or  of  the  side,  is  when  we  see  the  object 
aside  of  us,  and  only  as  it  were  aslant, 
or  with  the  corner  of  one  eye,  the  eye, 
however,  being  all  the  while  opposite  to 
the  point  of  light;  in  which  case,  we 
view  the  object  laterally  or  sideways,  and 
it  presents  to  us  two  faces. 

Point  du  jour,  Fr.  break  of  day; 
dawn. 

De  Point  en  blanc,  Fr.  point-blank. 

A  Point,  Fr.  in  time. 

A  Point  nomine,  Fr.  seasonably. 

De  Point  en  point,  Fr.  thoroughly; 
completely. 

Point  de  niveau,  Fr.  in  levelling,  the 
extremities  or  ends  of  an  horizontal  line 
seen  by  the  eye. 

Point  de  partage,  Fr.  the  highest 
pitch  to  which  water  may  be  raised,  so 
as  to  let  it  flow  one  way  or  the  other. 

Point  physique,  Fr.  that  object  which 
is  least  visible,  or  of  which  the  eye  is 
least  sensible,  marked  by  a  pen,  or  dot- 
ted by  the  point  of  a  compass. 

PO'INTAL,  Fr.  any  piece  of  timber, 
or  upright,  which  serves  to  support 
beams,  or  rafters  that  have  given  way ; 
or  which  can  be  used  to  sustain  any 
other  object. 

POINTE  de  terre,  Fr.  a  point  of 
land,  a  cape. 

La  Pointe,  Fr.  the  point  of  the 
sword. 

Pointe  d'un  bastion,  Fr.  the  exterior 
angle  of  a  bastion. 

La  Pointe  de  Vaile  droite  d'une 
armie,  Fr.  the  head  of  the  right  wing  of 
an  army. 

POINTER,  Fr.  to  point :  as  pointer 
un  canon,  to  point  a  cannon.  The 
French  also  say,  affuter  un  canon. 

Pointer  une  troupe  ennemie,  Fr.  to 
fall  unexpectedly  upon  a  body  of  the 
enemy,  and  to  throw  it  into  disorder  by 
a  sudden  attack  with  the  bayonet,  pike, 
or  sword. 


POINTEUR,  Fr.  the  mau  who  points 
a  gun. 

POINTEURS,  Fr.  levellers;  officers 
in  the  old  French  artillery,  who  were 
subordinate  to  the  extraordinary  com- 
missaries; but  who  were  never  employed 
except  upon  field  service. 

POINTING  of  a  gun  or  mortar  is 
the  placing  either  the  one  or  the  other, 
so  as  to  hit  the  object,  or  to  come  as 
near  it  as  possible. 

POINTS,  Fr.  holes,  as  Points  des 
itriers,  stirrup  holes. 

Poi  nts  of  command,  all  the  particulars 
of  a  military  injunction  or  order. 

Cardinal  Points,  (points  cardinaux, 
Fr.)  the  North,  South,  East,  and  West. 
A  tent  cannot  be  properly  pitched,  un- 
less these  four  points  are  minutely  at- 
tended to.  The  weather-cords  derive 
all  their  stay  by  being  correctly  carried 
to  those  points. 

Points  d'appui,  Fr.  basis,  support. 
The  general  signification  of  this  term  ex- 
presses the  different  advantageous  posts, 
such  as  castles,  fortified  villages,  &c. 
which  the  general  of  an  army  takes  pos- 
session of  in  order  to  secure  his  natural 
position.  In  a  more  limited  sense,  they 
mean  those  points  which  are  taken  up  in 
movements  and  evolutions.  See  Point 
of  appui. 

Vertical  Points,  (points  verticaux, 
Fr.)  two  points  in  the  globe,  one  of 
which  is  directly  over  our  heads,  and 
the  other  under  our  feet.  They  are 
called  in  astronomy,  the  zenith  and  the 
nadir. 

CollateralPo!  nts,  (points  collateraux, 
Fr.)  two  points  in  the  globe  where  the 
sun  rises  and  sets,  called  East  and 
West,  which  the  French  likewise  name 
orient  and  Occident,  or  levant  and  cou- 
chant. 

POIRE  a  poudre,  Fr.  a  powder-horn. 
It  is  sometimes  called  Poire,  from  its 
resemblance  to  a  pear. 

To  POISON  a  piece,  (enclouer  une 
piece,  Fr.)  in  gunnery,  to  clog  or  nail 
it  up. 

POISSARDES,  Fr.  fish-women;  Bil- 
lingsgate sluts.  These  creatures  were 
extremely  active  during  the  height  of 
the  French  Revolution;  particularly  in 
Paris,  where  they  were  ironically  called 
Les  dames  de  la  Halle. 

In  17S9,  these  ladies  paid  a  visit  to 
the  King  and  Queen  of  France,  at  the 
court  of  Versailles,  accompanied  by  some 
of  the  French  guards,  &c.  and  obliged 


POL 


(     654     ) 


POL 


their  Majesties  to  conn  to  Paris.     The 


famous   Marquis  de  la  Fayette  was  at  fixed  in   the  front   part  or'  an  oflicer's 


the  head   if  this  motley  crew. 

l'<  HSSON  tteau  de  vie,  Fr.  a  quartern 
of  brandy;  a  spirit  formerly  exported 
to  other  nations  by  France,  but  since 
her  revolution,  chiefly  consumed  by  her 
soldiery. 

POITRAIL,  (poitrail,  Fr.)  the  tea* 
ton-piece, or  master  beam  in  timber-build- 
ings, by  which  a  front  wall  is  supported. 

POI  PREL,  Fr.  armour  for  the  breast 
of  a  horse,  [t  is  generally  written 
trail, and  signifies  the  breast  or  chest  of 
a  horse,  as  well  as  the  armour  for  its 
defence.  Also,  in  harness,  the  breast 
leather. 

POIIRIXAL,  Pectoral,  in  old  ar- 
mour, breast-plate  for  horses,  which 
was  formed  of  plates  of  metal  rivetted 
together  that  covered  the  breast  and 
shoulders  of  the  horse;  it  was  usually 
adorned  with  foliage,  or  other  orna- 
ments, engraved  or  embossed.  Perhaps 
it  might  be  better  for  the  service,  if,  in- 
stead of  loading  our  war-horses  with 
enormous  saddles  and  thick  stinking 
sheep-skins,  to  the  great  annoyance  and 
peril  of  the  beast  and  his  rider,  this  de- 
fensive armour  were  again  adopted. 

POIX,  Fr.  pitch. 

l'oix  resine,  Fr.  rosin. 

POLACRE,  Fr.  a  lappelled  coat. 

Pol  ACRE,  or  Polaque,  Fr.  a  Levan- 
tine vessel,  which  carries  a  smack-sail 
on  the  raizen  mast,  and  square  sails  on 
the  main-mast  and  bow-sprit. 

POLAIRE,    Fr.  polar. 

POLE,  in  a  four-wheeled  carriage,  is 
fastened  to  the  middle  of  the  hind  axle- 
tree,  and  passes  between  the  fore  axle- 
tree,  and  its  bolster,  fastened  with  the 
pole-pin,  so  as  to  move  about  it;  keep- 
ing the  fore  and  hind  carriages  together. 

Pole,  (pole,  Fr.)  one  of  the  two 
points  upon  which  the  globe  turns: — 
One  is  called  Arctic,  and  the  other  Ant- 
arctic pole;  i.  e.  the  Northern  and  the 
Southern. 

POLEMICAL,  (polemiqve,  Fr.)  con- 
troversial; disputative;  in  military  mat- 
ters, of  or  belonging  to  war  or  fighting; 

POLES,  in  castranx  tatioo,Iong  round 
pieces  of  wood,  by  which  a  marquee  or 
tent  is  supported.  There  are  three  sorts, 
vi,:. 

Rw/ge-PoLE,  a  long  round  piece  of 
wood,  which  runs  along  the  top  of  an 
officer's  tent  or  marquee,  and  i»  sup- 
ported by  two  other  poles,  viz. 


Front-l'oiv.,    a  strong  pole  which  is 


tent  or  marquee,  and  is  kept  in  a  per- 
pendicular position,  bv  means  of  two 
strong  cords,  called  weather  cords,  that 
run  obliquely  from  each  other,  across 
two  other  cords  from  the  rear  pole,  and 
are  kept  fast  to  the  earth  by  wooden 
pegs. 

Hear-PoLE,  a  strong  pole  which  is 
fixed  in  the  hack-part  of  au  officer's 
marquee  or  tent,  and  is  kept  in  the 
same  relative  position  as  has  been  de- 
scribed above. 

Kre-PoLES,  or  Rods,  artificial  fire- 
works. They  aregeuerally.ofthe  length  of 
ten  or  twelve  feet,  and  of  the  thickness 
of  two  inches  at  most.  One  of  the  ends 
of  the  fire-pole  is  hollowed  out  with 
three  or  four  flutes  to  the  length  of  two 
or  three  feet.  Into  one  of  these  flutes 
are  fixed  rockets  or  squibs.  Paper 
crackers  are  fixed  in  the  others.  After 
holes  have  been  bored  through  the  body 
of  the  pole,  in  order  that  the  rockets 
may  have  communication  with  the 
crackers,  they  must  be  neatly  wrapped 
in  paper,  the  more  effectually  to  deceive 
the  spectators. 

Picket  Poles,  round  pieces  of  wood, 
shod  with  iron,  and  driven  firmly  into 
the  earth,  to  fasten  cavalry  by,  when  at 
picket.  The  poles  for  the  heavy  horse 
should  lit;  longer  than  those  which  are 
commonly  used.     See  Pickets. 

POLE  AXE,  an  axe  fixed  to  the  end 
of  a  long  pole.  Of  this  weapon  there 
is  a  great  variety,  especially  among  the 
ancients.  Many  of  these,  as  the  author 
of  a  Treatise  on  Ancient  Armour  ob- 
serves, have  very  little  resemblance  to  a 
modern  axe  in  any  of  their  parts.  This 
may  be  seen  in  the  weapons  still  carried 
by  the  gentlemen  pensioners,  and  still 
called  axes.  The  Welch  ghmc  has  been 
sometimes  reckoned  among  the  pole- 
axes. 

POLICE,  Fr.  In  a  military  sense, 
among  the  French,  this  terms  compre- 
hends the  inspectors,  the  treasurers,  the 
paymasters,  the  commissaries,  the  pro- 
vost marshal,  eve. 

POLICE,  (police,  Fr.)  the  regulation 
and  government  of  a  city,  or  country, 
so  far  as  regards  the  inhabitants.  This 
word  is  also  used  to  express  general,  or 
particular  regulations  for  the  interior 
government  of  troops  in  quarters,  in- 
spection and  examination  of  guides, 
spies,  &c. 


POL 


(     655     ) 


POL 


Police  soldiers.  Under  this  denomi- 
nation may  he  comprehended  what  is 
called  the  gendarmerie  and  marechaussee 
in  France,  and  theSbirri, or  thief-takers, 
in  Italy. 

Police  iTassurance,  Fr.  a  policy  of 
insurance,     See  Insurance. 

POLICY  in  var. — See  Stratagem. 

POLISSON,  Fr.  a  blackguard. 

Se  buttre  en  Polissox,  Fr.  to  fight 
without  system  or  order,  literally,  like 
a  blackboard. 

POLITICAL,  relating  to  policy,  or 
civil  government. 

POLITICS,  (politujue,  Fr.)  a  part 
of  ethics  which  consists  in  the  governing 
of  states,  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
public  safety,  order,  and  good  morals. 

Politics  of  a  Soldier  and  a  Sailor. 
These  are  comprized  within  a  narrow 
compass:  to  fight  for  his  country,  let 
the  administration  of  affairs  be  what  it 
may,  or  let  the  governing  power  be  what 
it  will.  Like  the  late  Lord  Nelson,  and 
old  Admiral  Blake  in  Cromwell's  time, 
every  Englishman  knows  his  duty,  when- 
ever the  honour  or  the  security  of  his 
native  land  requires  exertion. 

FOLK,  or  PULK,  a  Polish  term, 
signifying  a  regiment,  from  which  is 
derived  Polkownick,  Colonel. 

POLKOWNICK.  According  to  the 
last  published  Military  Dictionary  in 
France,  the  colonel  of  a  Polish  regiment 
is  so  called. 

I'OLLAM,  Ind.  a  measure  equal  to 
twenty  ounces :  forty  make  a  viz  in 
weight  in  Madias. 

POLL-Mowey,  commonly  called  poll- 
tax,  ur  capitation.  A  tax  imposeil  by 
parliament  on  each  person,  or  head,  ac- 
cording to  some  known  mark  of  dis- 
tinction ;    thus,    by    Stat.    18   Car.    II. 


Poltron  de  caur,  Fr.  a  bully;  a 
man  of  words,  but  not  of  deeds;  a  dog 
in  forehead,  but  in  heart  a  deer. 

POLTRON  ISER,  Fr.  to  play  the 
coward's  part. 

POLTROON,  a  coward,  a  dastard, 
who  has  no  courage  to  perform  any 
thing  noble.  The  etymology  of  poltron, 
or  poltroon,  as  it  is  usually  pronounced, 
is  curious.  Both  in  ancient  and  modern 
times,  fiequent  instances  have  occurred 
of  men,  who  had  been  forcibly  enlisted, 
having  rendered  themselves  unfit  for 
service  by  cutting  off"  their  thumbs  or 
fingers.  When  this  happened  among 
the  Romans,  they  were  called  pollice 
trunci.  The  French  (as  they  do  in  most 
of  their  words  that  are  derived  from 
the  Latin)  contract  these  two,  and  by 
an  elision  make  poltron  or  poltroon, 
from  which  we  have  adopted  the  term. 
Another,  and,  in  our  opinion,  a  more 
correct  derivation,  comes  from  the  Ita- 
lian poll  rone,  which  takes  its  derivation 
from  poltro,  a  colt;  because  of  that 
animal's  readiness  to  run  away  ;  or  pol- 
tro, a  bed,  as  pusillanimous  people  take 
a  pleasure  in  lying  in  bed.  This  last 
word  is  derived  from  the  high  Dutch 
polster,  winch  signifies  a  bolster  or 
cushion.  This  contemptible  character 
is  little  calculated  for  a  military  life,  as 
the  slightest  imputation  of  cowardice  is 
sufficient  to  render  an  individual  un- 
worthy of  serving  among  reul  soldiers. 
Poltroon  and  coward  stand,  in  fact,  fore- 
most in  the  black  catalogue  of  military 
incapacities.  Every  young  man,  there- 
fore, ought  well  to  weigh,  examine,  and 
digest  the  necessary  qualifications  for  a 
profession,  which,  above  all  others,  ex- 
acts a  daring  spirit,  and  an  unqualified 
contempt  of  death.    It  is  possible,  how- 


every  duke  was  assessed  100/.  marquis 'ever,  that  the  very  man  who  might  have 
80/.  baronet  30/.  knight  20/.  esquire  j  forgot  himself  in  one  action,  and  be- 
10/.  and  every  single  private  person  12d.  haved  disgracefully,  should  make  ample 


Tins  was  only  a  revived  tax,  as  appears 
by  former  acts  of  parliament,  particu- 
larly that  anno  1380,  when  it  was  im- 
Jiosed  upon  women  from  the  age  of 
twelve,  and  men  from  fourteen. 


amends  by  his  future  conduct.  We 
have  a  strong  instance  of  this  sort  in  the 
life  of  Themistocles,  as  related  by  Plu- 
tarch : — "  The  brave  Leonidas  defended 
the  pass  of  Thermopylae  with  three  hun- 


POLSONNETS,Fr.  two  buttons  with  jdred  men,  till  they  were  all  cut  off  ex- 
hooks  at  their  ends,  passing  through  the|cept  one  man,  who  escaped  to  Sparta, 
branch,  and  holding  the  water  chain  of  where  he  was  treated  as  a  coward,  and 


a  bitt. 

POLTRON,  Fr.    See  Poltroon. 

Poltron  de  tete,  Fr.  The  French 
use  this  phrase  to  signify  a  person,  who, 
though  physically  brave,  is  politically 
tiinid;  and  indecisive. 


nobody  would  keep  company  or  con- 
verse with  him  ;  but  he  soon  after  made 
glorious  amends  at  the  battle  of  Platea, 
where  he  distinguished  himself  in  an  ex- 
traordinary manner."  ,. 

According  to  Tacitus,  the  old  Ger- 


POL 


V     656     ) 


P  O  M 


mans  were  in   llie  habit  of  smothering 

cowardly,  and  even  sluggish  soldiers. 
They  «cre  buried  alive  in  mud,  and 
covered  over  with  a  hurdle.  Hence, 
perhaps,  the  general  term  of  dirty  or 
stinking  coward 

POLiGARCIlY,  (poligarcfiie,  Fr.)  a 
government  composed  of  many  chiefs 
or  leaders. 

POLYGARS,  Ind.  chiefs  of  moun- 
tainous and  woody  districts  in  the  Penin- 
sula, who  pay  only  a  temporary  homage. 

POLYGON,  (potygme,  Fr.)  is  a 
figure  of  more  than  four  sides,  and  is 
either  regular  or  irregular,  exterior  or 
interior. 

Regular  Polygon  is  that  whose  an- 
gles and  sides  are  equal.  It  has  an 
angle  of  the  center,  and  an  angle  of  the 
polygon.  The  center  of  a  regular  poly- 
gon is  the  center  of  a  circle  which  cir- 
cumscribes the  polygon;  that  is,  whose 
circumference  passes  through  all  the 
angles  of  the  figure. 

Irregular  Polygon  is  that  whose 
sides  and  angles  are  unequal. 

Exterior  Polygon,  the  outlines  of  all 
the  works  drawn  from  one  utmost  angle 
to  another. 

Interior  Polygon,  the  main  bodv  of 
the  place,  or  works,  excluding  the  out- 
works. 

POLYEDRE,  Fr.    See  Polyedron. 

Lunettes  Polyedres,  Fr.  magnifying 
glasses. 

POLYEDRICAL,    }     having    many 

POLY  ED  ROUS,      J     sides. 

POLYEDRON,  a  solid  figure  or  body 
consisting  of  many  sides. 

POLIGRAPI1Y,  (poligraphie,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  writing  in  various  unusual 
manners,  or  ciphers;  also  of  deciphering 
the  same. 

POLYGLOT,  (polyglot  tc,  Fr.)  that 
which  is  written  in  several  languages. 
Hence  the  name  of  the  public  school  in 
Vienna  for  the  education  of  youth. 

POLYNOMIAL,  (polynome,  Fr.)  an 
algebraical  term,  signifying  a  quantity 
made  up  of  any  others  by  means  of  the 
sign  +  and  the  sign  — . 

POLYORCETE,  Fr.  a  term  used 
among  the  French  to  distinguish  great 
warriors.  It  literally  siguifies  the  takers 
of  strong  towns.  Thus,  Marshals  Saxe 
and  Lowendahl,  les  grunds  Polyorcites 
of  the  17th  century. 

POLYSPASTON,  or  what  the  French 
call  poulie  multipliie,  a  windlass  which 
consists  of  several  pullies.     It  is  also 


named  corbcau  d'A/chinude.  Deme- 
trius Poliorcetes  made  use  of  this 
engine  at  the  siege  of  Rhodes.  Diogne- 
tus,  the  architect,  who  cunt-  after  him, 
improved  it  considerably;  and  Collias, 
who  had  returned  to  Rhodes  from  Arado, 
brought  it  to  the  greatest  perfection  in 
those  days.  It  had  sufficient  power  to 
raise  large  turrets,  and  even  whole  gal- 
lies  into  the  air. 

POLYTECIINIQUE,       ^     a    word 

Eco/e  Polyteciinique,  5  derived 
from  the  Greek,  and  used  by  the  French 
to  distinguish  an  establishment  in  which 
all  sciences  are  taught.  The  military 
school,  which  existed  during  the  French 
monarchy,  is  comprised  in  this  institu- 
tion.— See  Military  School. 

POM  A  DA,  an  exercise  of  vaulting 
the  wooden  horse,  by  laying  one  hand 
over  the  pommel  of  the  saddle. 

POMERIUM,  in  ancient  architecture, 
that  space  of  ground  which  lay  between 
the  walls  of  a  fortified  town  and  the 
inhabitants'  houses.  The  term  is  still 
used  among  modern  architects,  particu- 
larly by  the  Italians,  as  Peter  Cataneo, 
and  Alghisi,  to  describe  the  breadth  of 
the  terre  pleine  of  the  rampart,  its  in- 
ward talus,  and  the  vacant  space  which 
is  usually  left  between  this  talus  and  the 
houses  of  the  town. 

POMMEL,  (jwmmcau,  Fr.)  a  piece 
of  brass  or  other  substance,  at  top,  and 
in  the  middle  of  the  saddle  bow,  to 
which  are  fastened  the  holsters,  stirrup 
leathers,  &c.  Also,  the  knob  at  the 
extremity  of  the  handle  that  balances 
the  blade  of  the  sword. 

POMMES,  Fr.  round  pieces  of  wood 
which  are  variously  used  for  ornament, 
&c. 

Pomme  de  pavilion  et  d'enscigne,  Fr. 
the  piece  of  wood  which  is  fixed  at  the 
top  of  the  colour  staff,  &c. 

POMPE,  Fr.     See  Pump. 

Pompe  a  feu,  Fr.  a  steam  engine. 

Pompk  de  mcr,  Fr.  a  sea  pump,  or  a 
pump  used  on  board  ship. 

Pompe  aspiranle,  Fr.  See  common,  or 
sucking  pump. 

Pompe  soulevante,erpulsive,ou  a  etrier, 
Fr.     See  Forcing-PvMP. 

Pompe  refoulante  on  de  compression, 
Fr.     See  Forcing  Pump. 

Pompe  /nixie,  Fr.  a  pump  constructed 
upon  the  mixed  plan  of  the  sucking  and 
the  forcing  pump. 

Pompe  a  roue  et  a  chaine,  Fr.  a  chain 
pump.     It  is  also  called  a  chapelet. 


PON 


(     657     ) 


PON 


POMPER,  Fr.  to  pump. 

POMPES,  Fr.  armour  called  pieces 
for  the  knee;  also  bones. 

PON  ANT,    Fr.    the   west.     In    the 

French  sea  service,  ponant  signifies  that 

part  of  the   ocean    which   is   separated 

from    the   seas   in   the    Levant   by    the 

•  Straits  of  Gibraltar. 

Of/icier  Ponantin,  Fr.  an  officer  who 
seives  upon  the  ocean. 

Armie  Ponantine,  Fr.  the  army  of 
the  west. 

PONCEAU,  Fr.  a  small  bridge  of 
one  arch,  such  as  is  thrown  across  a 
canal  or  rivulet. 

PONCER,  Fr.  to  rub  pounce  upon 
any  thing. 

Pokcer,  Fr.  This  word  also  signifies 
to  impress  any  drawing,  plan,  or  figure, 
upon  a  sheet  of  paper,  by  means  of  a 
needle  and  some  charcoal,  or  coloured 
dust;  which  is  effected  by  pricking 
through  the  different  features,  lines,  &c. 
of  the  upper  sketch  or  drawing,  at  small 
intermediate  distances,  and  then  forcing 
the  charcoal,  which  is  wrapped  up  in 
a  piece  of  fine  linen,  through  the  dif- 
ferent holes,  upon  the  blank  paper  un- 
derneath. 

PONIARD,  a  little  pointed  dagger, 
yery  sharp  edged. 

PONT,  Fr.  a  bridge ;  a  deck. 

Pont  (Tor,  Fr.  a  figurative  expression 
which  the  French  use,  when  they  suffer 
an  enemy  whom  they  have  defeated,  to 
retire  without  molestation.  Hence,  faire 
un  pont  (For  a  son  ennemi,  to  suffer  your 
enemy  to  escape. 

Pont  flottant,  Fr. — See  Floating 
bridge. 

Poxr-levis, Fr. — See  Draw  bridge. 

¥oKT-tourncint,Yi\i\  moveable  bridge. 
It  is  of  the  nature  of  a  draw-bridge, 
with  this  difference,  that  it  turns  upon  a 
pivot,  and  goes  entirely  round. 

Pont  de  bois,  Fr.  a  wooden  bridge. 

Pont  de  joncs,  Fr.  a  bridge  made 
up  of  large  trusses  of  rushes  or  willows 
that  grow  in  marshy  spots,  or  upon  the 
banks  of  a  river.  These  are  bound  to- 
gether, and  with  planks  thrown  upon 
them,  serve  to  afford  a  passage  over 
fosses,  &c. 

Pont  de  sortie,  Fr.  a  sally-bridge. 

Pont  dormant,  Fr.  a  wooden  bridge, 
tvhich  is  generally  laid  upon  the  fosse  of 
a  fortified  town,  for  the  purpose  of  main- 
taining a  constant  communication  be- 
tween the  main  body  of  the  place  and 
the.  outworks  and  country  round.  These 


bridges  are  not  thrown  entirely  across 
the  fosses,  but  terminate  within  twelve 
or  fifteen  feet  of  the  revetement;  the 
space  from  thence  is  supplied  by  draw- 
bridge«.  When  the  pont  dormant  is 
very  long,  a  swing  bridge  is  constructed 
in  the  center  of  it.  When  the  ditches 
are  wet,  anil  so  constantly  supplied  with 
water,  that  the  depth  is  generally  the 
same,  bridges  of  boats  may  be  used 
instead  of  pouts  dormans.  And  in  cases 
of  attack,  floating  bridges  may  be  sub- 
stituted in  lieu  of  both. 

Pont  u  bascule,  Fr.  a  bridge  which 
is  supported  by  an  axle-tree  that  runs 
through  its  center,  and  is  lifted  up  on 
each  side  as  occasion  requires. 

Pont  a  coulisse,  Fr.  Coulisse  lite- 
rally signifies  a  scene,  such  as  is  used 
in  theatres,  which  can  be  shifted  at 
will.  We  may,  therefore,  not  impro- 
perly call  it  a  sliding  or  shifting  bridge. 
This  bridge  is  used  for  the  purpose  of 
conveying  troops,  on  foot,  across  a  fosse 
or  a  river  of  moderate  breadth.  It 
must  be  very  light  and  portable;  con- 
structed with  boards,  and  measuring 
about  six  feet  in  breadth.  The  planks 
are  numbered,  so  that  the  instant  it  is 
found  necessary  to  effect  a  passage, 
they  may  be  put  together  by  means  of 
running  grooves.  When  the  planks  are 
thus  arranged,  the  pontoneers,  to  whom 
these  matters  are  always  entrusted, 
throw  two  thick  beams  across"-? he  fosse 
or  river,  so  as  to  be  parallel  to  each 
other,  and  about  five  feet  asunder,  to 
allow  the  floor  or  platform  half  a  foot 
on  each  side.  Small  iron  wheels  or 
casters  are  fixed  underneath  the  two 
sides  of  the  floor  or  platform,  in  such 
a  manner,  that  the  whole  may  be  in- 
stantly slided  into  the  deep  grooves  that 
have  been  previously  made  in  the  trans- 
verse beams.  This  construction  is  ex- 
tremely simple,  and  very  practicable  in 
war.  The  sliding  bridges  may  also  be 
used  to  advantage,  in  crossing  rivers 
of  large  dimensions.  In  these  cases 
there  must  be  two  of  the  kind,  and  they 
are  united  in  the  middle  by  means  of 
two  piles,  or  strong  stakes  of  wood, 
driven  into  the  bed  of  the  river,  and 
upon  which  the  transverse  beams  can 
rest  from  each  side.  It  is  here  neces- 
sary to  observe,  that  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  broken  and  mountainous  coun- 
try, an  ingenious  and  active  officer  may, 
at  the  head  of  a  body  of  pontoneers, 
be  of  the  greatest  service  to  a  general, 
4P 


PON 


(     058     ) 


PON 


and  even  sometimes  determine  the  issue 
of  a   battle.     When   the  Austrian  and 
French  armies  first  met,  near  the  me- 
morable village  of  Marengo,  a  large  de- 
tachment   of"   Bonaparte's   army  would 
have  been  drowned   in  the  Scrivia,  had 
it  not   been   for  the  presence  of  mind 
and  the  activity  of  the  officer  who  com- 
manded   a    body  of    pontoneers.     The 
republican   troops,  having  been  thrown 
into  disorder,  were  flying  in  all  direc- 
tions; and  as  the  Scrivia  had  been  con- 
siderably swollen  by  the  rain  which   fell 
the   preceding    night,  they  would  have 
been  cut  off.    Fonts  a  coulisse,  or  sliding 
bridges,    with     the  assistance    of  some 
boats,    were    hastily     established,    and 
they   not  only  escaped   the   pursuit  of 
the  victorious  Austrians,  but  added  to 
the  strength  of  the  French  army,  which 
had  also  given  way.     For  the   particu- 
lars of  this  transaction  see   Berthier's 
Report. 

Font  a  roulettes,  Fr.  a  bridge  on  rol- 
lers or  on  casters  — See  Pont  A  Coulisse. 
Pont  «  quatre  branches,  Fr.  a 
bridge  which  consists  of  four  abut- 
ments, and  is  constructed  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  unite,  at  one  given  point, 
the  navigation  of  four  different  canals, 
by  means  of  an  arch  that  has  four  open- 
ings for  the  passage  of  barges  and  boats. 
A  bridge  of  this  description  was  erected 
in  1750,  when  the  junction  was  made 
of  the  Calais  and  Ardres  canals  on  the 
new  road  which  leads  from  Calais  to 
St.  Omers. 

Pont  d'aqueduc,  Fr.  a  bridge,  over 
which  a  canal  flows;  as  the  Font  du 
Card  in  Languedoc. 

Pont  de  buteauv,  Fr.  a  bridge  of 
boats.  When  a  river  is  either  too  broad, 
too  deep,  or  too  rapid,  to  allow  stone 
or  pile-work  to.be  used,  a  number  of 
boats  or  barges  must  be  moored  and 
lashed  together,  at  given  distances,  over 
the  whole  breadth  of  the  river:  and 
when  this  has  been  done,  a  solid  floor 
or  platform  is  constructed  on  them  for 
the  passage  of  cannons,  wagons,  &c. 

Pont  a  Jleur  d'eau,  Fr.  a  bridge 
which  lies  upon  the  surface  of  the  water. 
It  is  generally  made  for  the  purpose  of 
keeping  up  a  communication  with  the 
different  works  in  a  fortified  place,  when 
the  ditches  are  rilled  with  water.  The 
floor  is  level  with  the  water.  The  bridge 
is  raised  upon  wooden  trestles. 

Pont  de  communication,  Fr.  a  bridge, 
which  serves  to  keep  up  a  regular  com- 


munication between  the  different  quar- 
ters or  cantonments  of  an  army,  which 
is  divided  by  a  river,  or  by  several  strong 
currents.  Several  bridges  of  this  de- 
scription are  built  in  time  of  war,  in 
order  to  receive  and  to  throw  in  supplies 
as  they  may  be  required. 

Pont  de.  fascines,  Fr.  a  bridge  made 
of  hurdles  or  fascines.     It  is  generally 
six   toises   in    breadth,  and    is   used    at 
sieges  when  the  fosses   are  tilled   with 
water.     When    the    besiegers    have  re- 
solved to  storm  a  breach,  the  approach 
to  which  is  interrupted  by  water,  they 
throw  one,  two,  or   three  beds   of  fas- 
cines across,  fastened  together  and  kept 
steady     by    means    of     wooden     piles. 
Stones  and  earth  are  next  thrown  upon 
the   fascines,    to    keep  them  steady    in 
the    water.     An    epaulement    is    theu 
made  towards  the   side  of   the  revete- 
ment  of    the  place,   and   the   bridge  is 
finally    constructed    with    thick   planks. 
The  epaulement  serves  to  (protect  the 
workmen  or  artificers  from  the  fire  of 
the  besieged. 

Pont  de  pontons,  Fr.    See  Pontoon- 
bridge. 

Pont  de  cordes,  Fr.  a  bridge  of 
ropes,  or  a  bridge  constructed  with 
ropes.  A  French  writer  says,  "  I  have 
not  been  able  to  discover,  in  any  work, 
not  even  in  the  Dictionnaire  Ruisonnc 
des  Sciences,  a  description  of  this 
bridge;  yet  it  is  well  known,  that  by 
the  means  of  this  construction,  (which 
owes  its  origin  to  two  Catalonian 
priests,  and  to  which  we  are  indebted 
for  the  knowledge  of  a  passage  over 
the  Legra,)  the  Count  d'Harcourt  gain- 
ed a  victory  over  the  Spaniards  in  the 
plain  of  Lorens,  on  the  22d  of  June, 
1745.  These  bridges  are  made  with 
strong  ropes  twisted  and  interwoven 
together;  and  they  are  extremely  useful 
in  passing  deep  ravines  and  hollow  ways. 
Ionts  de  trunchies,  Fr.  This  term 
is  used  among  the  French  to  signify 
those  parts  of  a  trench  which  have  been 
left  unfinished  through  the  flight  or  de- 
struction of  the  artificers  employed 
upon  it;  or  because  they  have  been  too 
much  wounded  to  continue  at  their 
work.  In  these  cases,  the  persons  who 
have  the  management  of  the  sap,  de- 
tach men  from  the  quarters  where  they 
may  be  least  wanted,  in  order  to  com- 
plete the  undertaking. 

Pont  suspend u,  Fr.  a  hanging  bridge. 
This  sort  of  bridge  is  generally  made 


PON 


(    659     ) 


POO 


for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  commu- 
nication between  two  countries,  which 
are  otherwise  separated  by  precipices 
or  steep  rocks.  The  bridge  is  supported 
by  a  quantity  of  strong  chains,  which 
are  fastened  at  each  of  the  two  extre- 
mities. An  undertaking  of  this  kind 
must  seem,  at  first  sight,  impracticable; 
but  it  has  frequently  succeeded  in  Eu- 
rope, as  may  be  seen  in  Piedmont  and 
Savoy.  In  the  latter  country,  indeed, 
there  is  a  hanging  bridge,  which  is 
built  of  stone  on  iron  chains.  See 
Hanging  Bridge. 

Pont  volant,  Fr.  a  flying  bridge. 
This  sort  of  bridge  has  a  helm  to  it,  by 
which  the  ferryman  can  guide  it  from 
one  side  of  a  river  to  the  other.  The 
one  at  Cologne,  in  Lower  Germany,  is 
large  enough  for  four  or  five  hundred 
men  to  cross  at  a  time.  See  Flying 
Uridge. 

PoNt-levis  a  bascule,  Fr.  a  draw- 
bridge, swung  in  such  a  manner,  that 
the  frame  (half  of  which  is  concealed 
within  what  is  called  cage  de  la  bascule, 
or  hold  of  the  swipe,)  and  the  other 
half  (which  is  properly  the  tablier  du 
pout,  or  frame  itself,)  covers  all  the 
exterior  side  of  the  gate,  or  entrance  into 
the  place. 

PoNTS-/e?«s  en  zig-zags,  Fr.  draw- 
bridges constructed  in  a  zig-zag  manner, 
before  the  gates  of  fortified  towns  or 
places,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  en- 
filading the  entrance. 

Tite  de  Pont.    See  Tete. 

PONTAGE,  PONTON  AGE,  Fr.  mo- 
ney paid  towards  the  maintenance  and 
repairing  of  bridges. 

PONTE,  Fr.  covered  in,  as  a  vessel 
is,  which  has  a  deck. 

PONTLEVIS,  in  horsemanship,  is  a 
disorderly  resisting  action  of  a  horse,  in 
disobedience  to  his  rider,  in  which  he 
rears  up  several  times  successively,  and 
rises  so  high  up  on  his  hind  legs,  that  he 
is  in  danger  of  coming  over. 

PONTON,  Fr.  in  the  artillery,  a 
sort  of  boat  which  has  a  flat  bottom, 
and  is  of  a  rectangular  form  ;  the  whole 
of  which  is  made  of  wood,  covered 
with  large  sheets  of  copper,  closelv 
nailed  together.  The  boats  are  con- 
veyed, when  an  army  moves,  by  means 
of  carriages,  called  liaquets,  and  serve 
to  form  temporary  bridges  for  the 
passage  of  troops,  and  conveyance  of 
cannon. 

Ponton,  Fr.  a  lighter. 


PONTONIER,  Fr.  a  lighterman. 

PONTON  or  PONTOON,  a  kind  of 
flat-bottomed  boat,  whose  carcass  of 
wood  is  lined,  within  and  without,  with 
tin,  serving  to  lay  bridges  over  rivers 
for  the  artillery  and  army  to  march 
across.  The  French  pontoons,  and  those 
of  most  other  powers,  are  made  of  cop- 
per on  the  outside :  though  they  cost, 
more  at  first,  yet  they  last  much  longer 
than  those  of  tin ;  and,  when  worn  out, 
the  copper  sells  nearly  for  as  much  as  it 
cost  at  first ;  but  when  ours  are  rendered 
useless,  they  sell  for  nothing.  Our  pon- 
toons are  21  feet  6  inches  long  at  top, 
and  17  feet  2  inches  at  bottom,  4  feet 
9  inches  broad,  and  depth  within  2  feet 
3  inches. 

The  common  pontoons  will  support  a 
weight  of  4  or  5000  pounds.  General 
Congreve's  wooden  pontoons  are  26  feet 
long  at  top,  23  at  bottom,  2  feet  8  inches 
deep,  and  2  feet  3  inches  wide. 

PoNTooN-rar/vage  is  made  with  two 
wheels  only,  and  two  long  side-pieces, 
whose  fore-ends  are  supported  by  a  lim- 
ber. It  serves  to  carry  the  pontoon- 
boards,  cross  timbers,  anchors,  and 
every  other  thing  necessary  for  making 
a  bridge. 

Po,NTO0N-£m/ge  is  made  of  pon- 
toons, slipped  into  the  water,  and  placed 
about  five  or  six  feet  asunder;  each  fas- 
tened with  an  anchor,  when  the  river 
has  a  strong  current,  or  to  a  strong  rope 
that  goes  across  the  river,  running 
through  the  rings  of  the  pontoons.  Each 
boat  has  an  anchor,  cable,  baulks,  and 
chesses.  The  baulks  are  about  5  or  6 
inches  square,  and  22  feet  8  inches  long. 
The  chesses  are  hoards  joined  together 
by  wooden  bars,  about  three  feet  broad, 
and  12  feet  long.  The  baulks  are  laid 
across  the  pontoons  at  some  distance 
from  one  another,  and  the  chesses  upon 
them  joined  close.  1  Gang  board  22 
feet  long,  1  foot  wide,  Q\  inches  thick. 

POOLBUNDY,  Ind.  a  dam  to  pre- 
vent inundations. 

POONA,  Ind.  a  day  fixed  for  the 
zemindars  to  bring  in  their  balances  for 
the  year. 

POONEA,  Ind.  the  Indian  name  of 
a  month. 

POOR  or  PORE,  Ind.  when  it  ter- 
minates a  word,  means  city  ;  as  Vizia- 
pore,  ckc. 

POOSE,  Ind.   the  name  of  a  month 
following  Ughun  :   it  in  some  degree  ac- 
cords with  December  and  January. 
4P2 


P  O  R 


(     600     ) 


POR 


PQOSHTAY  Bundce,  [nd.  embank- 
ments of  rivers.  It  likewise  means 
bridges  thrown  over  rivers. 

POOSKUT,  Ind.  a  small  weight, 
measuring  eight  koonchys,  or  sixty-four 
Landfills;  one  kooachy  being  equal  to 
eight  hand fu Is. 

POPQN  rouge,  Fr.  a  red  tuft,  made 
of  leathers  or  worsted,  which  is  worn 
in  the  caps  or  hats  of  some  particular 
corps:  especially  in  those  of  grenadiers, 
flic. 

POPULAR,  (populaire,  Fr.)  belong- 
ing to  the  people;  also  in  request  among 
the  common  people. 

A  Popular  general,  a  chief  who,  l>% 
his  success  in  war,  and  good  conduci 
towards  his  fellow  soldiers,  is  beloved 
and  esteemed  by  them. 

POPULARITY,  (popularity,  Fr.)gra- 
ciousness  among  the  people. 

POPULATION,  Populacy,  (popula- 
tion, Fr.)  the  state  of  a  country  with 
respect  to  numbers  of  people. 

Til  I   RC,  Fr.   See  Coin  de  Ma- 

nauvre  Militaire :  also  V 

PORCH,  (pqrche,  Fr.)  in  architec- 
ture, a  kind  of  vestibule,  supported  by 
columns,  much  used  at  the  entrance  of 
ancient  churches. 

In  the  ancient  architecture,  Porch 
was  a  vestibule,  or  disposition,  of  insu- 
lated columns,  usually  crowned  with  a 
pediment,  forming  a  covert-place  before 
the  principal  door  of  either  a  temple  or 
palace.  When  they  had  four  columns 
in  front,  they  were  called  tetrastyles ; 
when  six,  hexasti/les ;  when  eight,  oc- 
tastylet;  when  ten,  deca$tyles ;  and  so 
on. 

POREK,  Fr.    See  Scchcr  a  I'Ombrc. 

PORIME,  |  in   geometry,  is  a  theo- 

PORXMA,  S  rem,  or  proposition,  so 
easy  to  be  demonstrated,  that  it  is  al- 
most self-evident,  as  that  a  chord  is  all 
of  it  within  the  circle.  Aporime,  on  the 
contrary,  is  that  which  is  so  difficult  as 
to  be  almost  impossible  to  be  demon- 
strated. As  were  formerly  the  lunes  of 
Hippocrates. 

PORLSl'ICK  method,  in  mathematics, 
is  that  which  determines  when,  by  what 
means,  and  in  how  many  different  wavs, 
any  problem  may  be  resolved. 

PORPHYRY, (porphyre,  Fr.)  a  pre- 
cious kind  of  marble,  of  a  brownish  red 
colour,  frequently  interspersed  with 
white  stains,  anciently  brought  from 
Egypt,  and  exceeding  all  other  in  hard- 
ness.   The   French  have  found   out  a 


method  of  cutting  porphyry  with  an 
iron  saw,  without  teeth,  and  a  kind  of 
tree-stone,  pulverized,  and  water.  The 
authors  of  this  invention,  according  to 
the  Builder's  Dictionary,  pretend  they 
could  perform  the  whole  contour  of  a 
column  hereby,  had  they  matter  to 
work  on. 

PORT,  pori'ce,  Fr.  the  tonnage  of  a 
vessel. 

Port  de  V urme,  Fr.  the  carriage  of 
the  firelock. 

Firmer  lei  Ports,  Fr.  to  lay  a  ge- 
neral embargo  upon  shipping.  During 
the  French  monarchy,  this  practice  fre- 
quently occurred  for  the  purpose  of 
seeiirniL  able-bodied  seamen. 

PORT,  a  piece  of  iron,  which  belongs 
to  the  bit  of  a  horse's  bridle,  and  acts 
upon  the  inside  of  the  mouth.  It  is 
also  called  upset.  A  restive  horse  is 
kept  in  subjection,  more  or  less,  ac- 
cording  to  the'  size  of  the  port  within, 
and  the  length  of  the  branches  which 
are  outside. 

Port,  (port,  Fr.)  a  harbour;  a  safe 
station  for  ships.  The  French  also  use 
the  word  havrc  to  signify  port. 

PORTABLE  Mantlets,  large  shields, 
ral  ed  pavoises,  which  were  used  by  the 
ancients  in  the  attack  of  fortified  places. 
Portable  arms,  or  weapons,  (urine* 
porlalives,  Fr.)  such  as  muskets,  car- 
bines, swords,  pikes,  &c.  which  may  be 
can  ied  by  an  individual. 

PORTAL,  in  architecture,  signifies 
the  face  or  frontispiece  of  a  church, 
viewed  on  the  side  wherein  the  great 
door  is;  also,  the  great  door  or  gate  of 
a  palace,  &c. 

Portal,  (porlail,  Fr.)  the  front  or 
facade  of  a  large  building,  where  the 
principal  gate  stands. 

Portal, in  architecture, a  little  square 
corner  of  a  room,  cut  off  from  the  rest 
of  the  room  by  a  wainscot;  frequent  in 
ancient  buildings. 

It  is  also  used  for  a  little  gate,  where 
there  are  two  gates  of  different  sizes. 
It  likewise  sometimes  signifies  a  kind  of 
arch  of  joiner's  work  before  a  door. 

Portal  also  means,  generally,  gates, 
openings,  &c.  According  to  Mr,  Addi- 
son, as  quoted  by  Dr.  Johnson,  the 
portal  consists  of  a  composite  order, 
unknown  to  the  ancients. 

Tirer  u  bout  PORTANT,  Fr.  to  fire 
at  an  object  which  lies  as  far  off  as  a 
cannon,  or  musket,  can  carry. 

Tirer  a  bout  Portam,  Fr.  to  fire  and 


POR 


(    661     ) 


P  O  R 


to  kill  at  so  short  a  distance,  that  the 
muzzle  of  the  piece  may  be  said  to  rest 
upon  the  object  Hied  at. 

To  POR'i',  to  carry. 

Port  eras/  a  word  of  command  which 
was  adopted  during  the  late  war,  and  is 
universally  practised  in  the  British  army. 
It  consists  in  bringing  the  firelock  dia- 
gonally across  the  chest  from  the  Cany. 
This  position  of  the  musket  affords  a 
great  facility  to  the  person  who  inspects 
the  touch-hole,  &c.  In  dismissing 
guards,  preparing  to  charge,  &c.  soldiers 
are  ordered  to  Port  arms. —  The  French, 
as  we.  have  already  observed,  do  not 
practise  this  method.  Their  word  of 
command,  Haut  les  amies,  corresponds 
with  our  Recover. 

PORT-CLUSE,  PORT-cullis,  (porte- 
coulisse,  Fr.)  in  fortification, is  an  assem- 
blage of  several  large  pieces  of  wood, 
joined  across  one  another  like  a  harrow, 
and  each  pointed  with  iron  at  the  bot- 
tom. They  are  sometimes  hung  over 
the  gateway  of  old  fortified  towns,  ready 
to  let  down  in  case  of  a  surprize,  when 
the  gates  could  not  be  shut. 

PoRj-fne,  in  artillery,  a  composition 
put  in  a  paper  case,  to  tire  guns  and 
mortars,  instead  of  a  lint-stock  and 
match.     See  Laboratory  Works. 

PORTE,  Fr.  a  gate.  Portes  d'une 
villc,  the  gates  of  a  fortified  town. 

Porte.  This  word  is  used,  both  in 
French  and  English,  to  signify  the  court, 
or  residence  of  the  Emperor  of  the 
Turks,  and  to  distinguish  it  from  that  of 
the  Grand  Signor.  The  French  say,  la 
Porte  Ottomane,  the  Porte,  or  Ottoman 
court. 

Porte  brisce,  Fr.  a  folding  door. 

Porte  a  deux  battans,  Fr.  a  door  with 
two  folds,  or  a  folding  door. 

Porte  vitree,  Fr.  a  glass  door  ;  such 
as  is  sometimes  made  to  an  officer's  tent 
or  marquee,  on  home  service. 

Porte  de  devant,  Fr.  a  street,  or 
front  door. 

Porte  de  dcrricre,  Fr.  a  back  door. 
It  also  signifies,  figuratively,  a  subter- 
fuge. 

PoRTE-rr«?/o?f,  Fr.  a  pencil-case. 

PoRTE-dieu,  Fr.  the  priest  that  car- 
ries the  host   to  sick  people  in  Roman 


literally, 


the 


god- 


Catholic  countries  : 
bearer. 

Porte  a  deux  venteaux,  Fr.  a  flood- 
gate, which  has  two  folds,  and  is  used, 
in  dams,  or  sluices,  with  buttresses. 

Porte  a5  vajincs,  Fr.    This  is  some- 


times called  porte  a  pelles,  and  is  used 
in  square  sluices.  But  as  dams  or  sluices 
are  frequently  constructed  with  double 
gates,  that  which  stands  above  the  cur- 
rent of  the  water  is  called  porte  de  icte, 
and  that  below  it,  porte  demoville.  For 
particulars  on  this  head,  see  the  Second 
part  of  Belidor's  Architecture  hya)ruu- 
lique. 

PoRTE-arquebuse,  Fr.  the  king's  gun- 
bearer. 

PuRTt-baguette,  Fr.  the  pipe  of  a 
musket  or  pistol,  into  which  the  ramrod 
runs.  It  also  signifies  the  cylinder  of 
a  Prussian  musket,  which  is  parallel 
with  its  barrel. 

PoRTE-drapeau,  }  Fr.  the  person  who 

Port  E-enseigne,  $  carries  the  colours. 

Porte  d'ccluse,  Fr.  a  flood-gate.  The 
two  folding  parts  are  joined  together, 
and  form  an  angle  in  the  center. 

PoRiz-epte,  Fr.  a  sword-bearer.  It 
likewise  means  a  sword-belt. 

Por  lE-etendard,  Fr.  the  standard- 
bearer. 

PoRJE-feu,  Fr.  a  machine  made  of 
wood  or  copper,  by  which  fire  is  com- 
municated to  gunpowder  in  a  shell,  fuse, 
or  piece  of  ordnance.  It  is  sometimes 
made  of  paste-board.  Where  there  is 
any  ground  to  apprehend  that  a  cannon 
will  burst,  the  priming,  made  of  a  cer- 
tain composition,  is  put  into  the  paste- 
board case,  by  which  means  the  can- 
noneer has  time  to  retire  before  any  ac- 
cident can  happen. 

PoiiTE-feu,  Fr.  is  likewise  used  among 
artificers,  to  signify  all  sorts  of  fusees 
or  matches,  by  which  fire  is  communi- 
cated to  many  quarters  at  once. — 
They  last  according  to  the  nature  of 
the  composition  with  which  they  are 
made  up. 

PoRTE-feu  brise,  Fr.  in  artificial  fire- 
works, a  species  of  cartridge  which  is 
bent  into  a  curve  by  means  of  a  sloping 
piece  of  wood. 

Port E-gargousse,  ou  lanterne  de  gar- 
gousse,  Fr.  a  wooden  case,  in  wjhich 
cartridges  are  conveyed  to  load  ord- 
nance pieces.  There  are  two  to  each 
piece. 

Por.TE-7««sse  de  la  maison  du  roi,  Fr. 
mace-bearer,  or  tip-staff,  belonging  to 
the  king's  household  ;  a  situation  which 
was  held  during  the  French  monarchy, 
and  signified  the  same  as  huissier  d'urmes, 
which  see. 

Port  E-mousqueton,  Fr.  a  swivel. 

VoR.jE-oriJlamme,  Fr.  In  the  ancient 


P  O  R 


(    66*     ) 


POR 


French  armies,  the  officer  who  held  the 
first  pest  of  dignity  was  so  called.  See 
Oriilamme. 

Pout z-pipe,  Fr.  a  pipe-bearer  among 
the  Turks. 

Porte  d'ttne  place  de  guerre,  Fr.  the 
gate  of  a  fortified  place.  This  gate  is 
always  made  in  the  center  of  the  cur- 
tain, in  order  to  be  well  protected  on 
the  Hanks  and  faces.     See  Portes. 

Pokte  respect,  Fr.  a  figurative  expres- 
sion which  is  attached  to  an  armed 
body,  whose  appearance  impresses  ter- 
ror, or  inspires  awe. 

Porte  de  secours,  Fr.  The  gate  in  a 
citadel,  which  has  an  outlet  towards  the 
country,  is  so  called.  By  means  of  tliit 
gate,  the  garrison  can  always  receive 
succours  or  reinforcements,  in  cases  of 
civil  insurrection,  or  under  circumstances 
of  surprize. 

Poin  E-voi.v,  Fr.  a  speaking  trumpet. 

A  la  PORTEE,  Jr.  within  the  reach 
or  ran»e.  Hence  a  la  port'te  d'un  canon, 
within  the  reach  or  range  of  a  cannon  ; 
within  gun-shot. 

Porte e  du  fusil,  Fr.  By  this  expres- 
sion the  French  generally  understand 
the  distance  which  a  musket-shot  goes 
to  its  ultimate  destination.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  vary  from  l^O  to  150  toises. 

Portee  des  pieces,  Fr.  the  flight  or 
reach  of  cannon. 

Portee  a  toute  voice,  Fr.  the  flight  of 
a  cannon  shot,  when  it  makes  an  angle 
of  45  degress  with  the  horizon,  or  level 
of  the  country.  In  this  manner  it  com- 
pletes the  greatest  possible  range. 

Portee  de.  but  en  btanc,  Fr.  the  for- 
ward direction  and  flight,  which  a  ball 
describes  from  the  mouth  of  the  piece  to 
its  ultimate  object. 

Portee,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  that  por« 
tion  of  a  beam  or  rafter  which  lies  upon 
the  wall  for  support. 

Eire  a  la  Port  ee  du  fusil,  Fr.  to  be 
within  musket  shot. 

Etre  hors  de.  la  Portee  du  canon,  Fr. 
to  be  out  of  the  range  of  a  gun,  or  out 
of  gunshot. 

PORTEGUE,  a  gold  chain  of  great 
value.  We  have  taken  this  word  from 
an  old  book  published  in  1731,  called  the 
"  English  Expositor  improved."  Had 
it  been  our  original  intention  to  have 
given  the  etymology  of  words,  we  should 
have  been  at  a  loss  to  explain  portegue ; 
unless  it  be  derived  from  porter,  to 
carry,  to  bear,  and  gueux,  a  scoun- 
drel.    Indeed  so  many  rich  scoundrels 


are  decorated  with  gold  chains,  instead 
of  being  done  justice  by  with  a  halter, 
that  we  are  disposed  to  adopt  the  ety- 
mology. 

PORTER,  Fr.  to  carry.  It  is  a  ma- 
rine term;  as  porter  toutes  ses  voiles,-— 
to  carry  all  her  sails.  It  is  likewise 
used  as  a  word  of  command,  viz.  Portez 
vos  amies  ! 

Porter,  Fr.  This  word  is  also  ap- 
plied among  the  French,  (and  our  word 
carry  frequently  corresponds  with  the 
various  significations,)  to  the  different 
directions  or  motions  which  belong  to 
all  fire-arms  and  missile  weapons.  They 
likewise  say,  in  speaking  of  a  gun-shot 
wound,  that  it  is  dangerous,  because  the 
ball  (a  port'c  sur  t'os)  has  reached  or 
hit  the  bone. 

Porter  une  botte^Yr.  to  make  a  thrust 
or  pass. 

Porter*  Fr.  to  carry,  a  term  used  in 
the  French  manege,  tor  directing  or 
pushing  on  a  horse  at  pleasure,  whether 
forwards,  upon  turns,  Ike. 

PORTEREAU,  Fr.  a  little  or  less 
gate  adjoining  unto  a  greater,  for  a  pa- 
lace, or  house  of  state;  also  a  floodgate, 
or  kind  of  sluice,  whereby  the  course  of 
a  river  is  diverted  into  a  gut,  on  the  one 
side  thereof,  cut  out  for  the  turning  of 
some  mill. 

PORTES  d'une  tille  de  guerre,  Fr. 
openings  which  cross  the  ramparts  of  a 
fortified  town  or  place,  and  are  generally 
arched  over.  These  openings  are  usually 
)  made  in  the  middle  of  the  curtain,  be- 
tween two  bastions.  They  are  from 
nine  to  ten  feet  broad,  and  from  thirteen 
to  fourteen  feet  high.  The  gates  are 
mostly  decorated  with  trophies  of  war: 
and  in  some  instances  a  very  superfluous 
magnificence  is  exhibited. 

Gausses  Portes,  Fr.  false  gates,  or 
imaginary  inlets.  These  are  almost  al- 
ways made  in  the  reverse,  or  behind  the 
oriilon,  in  order  to  conceal  and  render 
easy  any  projected  sallies  against  the 
besieging  parties;  or  for  the  purpose  of 
suddenly  falling  upon  the  advanced  posts 
of  an  enemv. 

PORTEURS  d'eau,  Fr.  water  car- 
riers. In  India,  they  are  called  beusties. 
Amongst  the  Turks,  the  sakkas,  or 
water-carriers,  are  taken  from  the  lowest 
rank  of  soldiers  belonging  to  the  Capi- 
culy  infantry.  The  number  of  these  men 
depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  servica 
on  which  the  Turks  are  employed. 
They  are  under  the  orders  of  the  offtcsrs 


POR 


(     663     > 


P  o  s 


who  command  companies;  and  although 
their  situation  is  not  only  the  most  de- 
grading, but  the  most  laborious  in  the 
army,  they  may,  nevertheless,  become 
soldiers.  Their  dress  consists  of  brown 
leather;  and,  from  the  continual  fatigue 
which  they  undergo,  their  appearance  is 
wretched  in  the  extreme. 

The  Turks  have  more,  men  of  this  de- 
scription in  their  service,  than  are  found 
in  any  other;  not  even  India  excepted. 
For,  independent  of  the  state  of  their 
climate,  and  the  consequent  necessity  of 
having  water  brought  from  distant  parts 
of  the  country,  they  use  large  quantities 
in  ablution  ;  every  Turk  takes  care  to 
wash  himself  from  head  to  foot  before 
he  says  his  daily  prayers. 

PORT-Jire,  a  composition  of  meal- 
powder,  sulphur,  and  saltpetre,  driven 
into  a  case  of  paper,  to  serve  instead  of 
a  match  to  fire  guns. 

PORTFOLIO,  in  a  general  acceptation 
of  the  term  amongst  us,  is  a  species  of 
large  leathern  case,  made  like  a  pocket 
book,  and  calculated  to  carry  papers  of 
any  size.  Among  the  French  it  not  only 
signifies  the  same  thing,  but  likewise  a 
box  made  of  paste-board,  in  which  are 
contained  the  several  papers  that  relate 
to  any  particular  department.  The  ad- 
jutants, quarter-masters,  &c.  belonging 
to  the  staff,  should  be  provided  with 
portfolios  for  the  purpose  or  keeping 
their  reports,  &c.  in  regular  order. 

PoRi-glaive,  from  the  French  porteur 
and  glaive  ;  one  who  carries  the  sword 
before  a  prince  or  magistrate. 

PoRi-holes,  in  a  ship,  are  the  embra- 
sures or  holes  in  the  sides  of  a  ship, 
through  which  the  muzzles  of  cannon 
are  run. 

PoiiT-nails,  nails  used  in  nailing  of 
hinges  to  the  ports  of  ships. 

Po\n-ropes,  in  a  ship,  such  ropes  as 
serve  to  haul  up  and  let  down  the  ports 
on  the  port-holes. 

PORTICO,  (portique,  Fr.)  is  a  kind 
of  gallery  built  on  the  ground;  or  a 
piazza  supported  by  arches;  as  in  Co- 
vent  Garden. 

Although  the  word  portico  be  derived 
from  the  Latin  porta,  a  gate  or  door, 
yet  it  is  applied  to  any  disposition  of 
columns  which  form  a  gallery  ;  without 
any  immediate  relation  to  gates  or 
doors. 

PORTIERES,  Fr.  two  pieces  or  folds 
of  wood  which  are  placed  in  the  embra- 
sures of  a  battery,  and  which  close  the 


instant  the  piece  has  been  fired.  They 
serve  to  cover  the  cannoneers  from  the 
aim  of  the  enemy,  and  to  resist  the  dis- 
charge of  musketry.  They  are,  how- 
ever, seldom  or  ever  used,  except  when 
the  batteries  stand  close  to  the  counter- 
scarp. 

PORTION,  part;  any  component 
number  of  men,  as  a  portion  of  the 
army. 

PORTLAND-srone,  a  stone  much 
used  in  building,  and  much  softer  and 
whiter  than  Purbeck. 

PORTMANTEAU,  (valise,  Fr.)  a 
cloak  bag  to  carry  necessaries  in  a  jour- 
ney. It  is  generally  made  of  leather  or 
carpeting  stuff. 

PORTMOTE,  a  court  held  in  port 
towns,  as  swainmote  is  in  the  forest. 

PORTULAN,  Fr.  a  book  or  chart 
which  gives  a  description  of  the  situa- 
tion, &c.  of  sea-ports. 

POSAGE,  Fr.  the  laying  stone,  tim- 
ber, &c. 

POSCA.     See  Oxycrat. 

La  FOSE  d'une  pierre,  Fr.  the  position 
or  manner  in  which  a  stone  is  laid  to 
remain. 

POSER,  Fr.  to  lay  down.  It  is  used 
as  a  word  of  command  in  the  French 
artillery,  &c.  viz.  posez  vos  liviers ;  lay 
down  your  levers. 

Poser  une  senlinelle,  Fr.  to  post  a 
sentry. 

Poser  un  corps-de-gardc,  Fr.  to  post 
or  establish  a  guard  in  any  quarter. 

Poser  les  amies,  Fr.  to  lay  down  arms. 

Poser  les  armesa  terre,Pr.  to  ground 
arms. 

Poser,  Fr.  in  masonry,  to  lay,  as  to 
lay  a  stone,  or  to  place  it  where  it  is  in- 
tended it  should  remain.  The  French 
say  diposer,  to  take  it  out  of  its  place. 

Poser  a  sec,  Fr.  to  build,  or  raise 
walls  without  mortar.  In  this  manner 
were  constructed  most  of  the  ancient 
edifices,  as  is  also  the  grand  facade  of  the 
Louvre  towards  St.  Germain,  a  1'Auxer- 
rois,  at  Paris. 

Poser  a  cru,  Fr.  to  place  a  pillar  or 
stay,  without  any  particular  foundation^ 
in  order  to  sustain  something. 

Poser  dec  ant,  ou  de  champ,  Fr.  to  lay 
a  brick  on  iis  thinnest  side. 

Poser  une  piece  de.  bois  sur  son  fort % 
Fr.  to  lay  a  piece  of  wood  upon  its  nar- 
rower face. 

Poser  de  plat,  Fr.  to  lay  any  thing 
flat. 

Poser  en  decharge,  Fr.  to  lay  a  piece 


P  o  s 


(    66i     ) 


P  o  s 


of  worn!  or  timber  sideways  or  obliquely, 
in  order  to  prop  or  support  any  thing. 

POSES,  Fr.  the  sentinels  that  are 
posted. 

PoSES,  grandes  Poxes,  Fr.  a  French 
military  term,  signifying  the  extraordi- 
nary sentinels  or  guards,  winch,  after 
retreat  heating,  are  posted  in  a  fortified 
town  or  place,  for  the  safety  of  certain 
specific  quarters.  The  corporals  who 
post  the  sentinels  are  directed  to  in- 
struct them  not  to  suffer  any  person  to 
go  Upon  the  ramparts,  unless  he  belongs 
to  the  night  patroles  or  rounds,  &c. 
These  extraordinary  guards  are  relieved 
at  daybreak. 

Priming  POSITION,  the  position  in 
which  the  musket  is  held  at  the  time  of 
putting  the  powder  into  the  pan. 

Position  (position,  Fr.)  This  word  is 
variously  used  in  a  military  sense,  both 
by  the  French  and  English.  It  is  appli- 
cable to  locality;  as  the  army  took  an 
excellent  position,  or  drew  up  on  very 
advantageous  ground,  and  in  a  very 
advantageous  manner.  Frederick  the 
Great  of  Prussia  has  laid  it  down  as  a 
maxim,  that  no  army  should  take  up  a 
position  in  rear  of  a  forest,  since  it  is 
thereby  prevented  from  observing  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  and  from 
counteracting  his  plans. 

Position  of  the  soldier  without  arms. 
The  equal  squareness  of  the  shoulders 
and  body  to  the  front,  is  the  first  and 
great  principle  of  the  position  of  die 
soldier:  the  heels  must  be  in  a  line, 
and  closed;  the  knees  straight,  without 
stiffness;  the  toes  turned  out,  so  that 
the  feet  may  form  an  angle  of  about  CO 
degrees;  the  arms  hang  near  the  body, 
but  not  stiff:  the  flat  of  the  hand,  and 
little  finger,  touching  the  thigh,  and  the 
thumbs  as  far  back  as  the  seams  of  the 
breeches;  the  elbows  and  shoulders  arc 
to  be  kept  back;  the  belly  rather  drawn 
in,  and  the  breast  advanced,  but  without 
constraint;  the  body  to  be  upright,  but 
inclining  rather  forwards,  so  that  the 
weight  of  it  may  bear  chiefly  on  the  fore 
part  of  the  feet ;  the  head  to  be  erect, 
and  neither  turned  to  the  right  nor  to  the 
left ;  the  eyes  alone  will  be  glanced  to 
the  right.  See  page  3,  Rules  and  Regu- 
lations. 

Position  of  the  soldier  with  arms. 
The  body  of  the  soldier  being  in  the 
position  above  described,  the  firelock  is 
to  be  placed  in  his  left  hand  against  the 
•houlder;   his  wrist  to  be  a  little  turned 


out;  the  thumb  alone  to  appear  in  front; 
the  fore  fingers  to  be  under  the  butt; 
and  the  left  elbow  to  be  rather  bent  in- 
ward, so  as  not  to  be  separated  from 
the  body,  or  to  be  more  backward  or 
forward  than  the  right  one.  The  fire- 
lock must  rest  full  on  the  hand,  not  fffl 
the  end  of  the  fingers;  and  be  carried 
in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  raise*  advance, 
or  keep  back,  one  shoulder  more  than 
the  other;  the  butt  must  therefore  be 
forward,  and  as  low  as  can  be  permitted 
without  constraint;  the  fore  part  a  very 
little  before  the  front  of  the  thigh;  and 
the  hind  part  of  it  pressed  by  the  Wrist 
against  the  thigh;  it  must  be  kept 
steady  and  firm  before  the  hollow  of 
the  shoulder;  should  it  be  drawn  back, 
or  carried  too  high,  the  one  shoulder 
would  be  advanced,  and  the  other  kept 
back,  and  the  upper  part  of  the  body 
would  be  distorted,  and  not  square  with 
respect  to  the  limbs. 

Position  in  marching.  In  marching, 
the  soldier  must  maintain,  as  much  as 
possible,  the  position  of  the  body  as  di- 
rected in  Sect.  I.  page  3,  of  the  General 
Rules  and  Regulations.  See  likewise 
March. 

Change  of  Position,  the  positive  of 
relative  movement  of  a  body  of  troops 
on  any  given  point.  See  Part  IV.  Ge- 
neral Rules  and  Regulations,  Page  303. 
New  Positions  that  a  regiment  or 
line  can  take  with  respect  to  the  old  one, 
are, 

Parallel  Positions,  or  nearly  so  to 
the  old  one. 

Intersecting  Positions  by  themselves, 
or  their  prolongation,  some  part  of  the 
old  line,  or  its  prolongation. 

Netc  parallel  Positions  being  neces- 
sarily to  the  front,  or  rear  of  the  old  one, 
the  regiment  will,  according  to  circum- 
stances, take  them  up  by  the  diagonal 
march ;  the  flank  march  of  divisions 
after  wheeling  into  column;  or  the 
movement  in  open  column  to  the  new 
line,  and  its  subsequent  formation  in  it. 
New  intersecting  Positions,  which 
themselves  cut  the  regiment,  will,  in  ca- 
valry movements,  be  taken  up  by  the 
diagonal  march ;  or  the  flank  inarch 
ranks  by  three's  of  divisions.  All  other 
new  positions,  which,  in  themselves,  or 
their  prolongation,  will  in  general  be 
taken  up  by  the  march  in  open  column, 
and  its  subsequent  formations,  when  it 
arrives  at  the  line ;  some  6uch  positions 
will,    however,   allow   of,    and    require 


P  o  s 


(     665     ) 


P  o  s 


being  made  by  the  echelon  inarch,  or  by 
the  flank  march  of  divisions.  In  general, 
the  regiment  will  break  to  the  hand 
which  is  nearest  to  the  new  position,  be 
conducted  to  its  nearest  point  in  the  new 
line,  and  form  on  it  as  directed. 

Position  of  the  officer.    See  Sword. 

Position  du  soldat  sans  armes,  Fr. 
position  of  the  soldier  without  arms. 

Position  du  soldat  avec  les  amies,  Fr. 
position  of  the  soldier  with  arms. 

Position  de  Vexlension,  Fr.  in  fencing, 
position  of  extension. 

POSSE,  a  low  word,  signifying  armed 
power,  called  out  on  any  particular 
emergency;  as  the  posse  comitatus, 
who  in  England  are  called  out  by  the 
respective  lord-lieutenants  of  counties. 

POSSEDER,  Fr.  to  possess,  to  be  in 
possession  of. 

POSSESSION.  To  take  possession  is 
the  act  of  occupying  any  post,  camp, 
fortress,  &c.  which  might  facilitate  the 
operation  of  an  army,  or  which  pre- 
viously belonged  to  the  enemy. 

POST,  (poste,  Fr.)  The  following  ob- 
servations, respecting  the  various  means 
which  ought  to  be  resorted  to  by  every 
officer  whose  design  or  instructions  are 
to  attack  a  post,  may  be  found,  with 
much  additional  matter,  in  p.  11,  voLii. 
of  Guide  de  I'Officier,  published  at  Paris 
in  1805,  under  the  immediate  inspection 
of  M.  Mellinet,  adjudant  commandant 
et  sous  inspecteur  aux  revues-,  from  the 
original  work  written  by  M.  Cessac  La- 
cute,  one  of  Bonaparte's  favourite  ge- 
nerals in  Italy. 

"  The  means  are,"  to  quote  our  au- 
thor's own  words;  "  1st,  good  topogra- 
phical charts;  2d,  examination  and  iden- 
tification of  things  and  circumstances, 
made  with  the  greatest  accuracy;  3d, 
the  reports  and  intelligence  brought  by 
spies ;  4th,  the  information  given  by 
runaways  or  persons  coming  over;  5th, 
the  statements  or  declarations  furnished 
by  prisoners  of  war ;  6th,  the  conclu- 
sions to  be  drawn  from  secret  intelli- 
gence; 7th,  the  information  and  local 
knowledge  which  may  be  extracted  from 
peasants,  merchants,  tradesmen,  and 
even  pedlars,  smugglers,  huntsmen,  &c. 
8th,  the  information  which  may  be 
gathered  by  listening  to  the  communi- 
cations of  such  soldiers  as  may  have  ac- 
quired any  knowledge  of  the  country  by 
an  accidental  residence  in  it,  or  by  de- 
tention ;  9th,  finally,  the  precise  obser- 
vations which  the  officer  makes  himself, 


and  the  consequent  knowledge  which  lie 
thereby  obtains." 

As  the  information  which  is  given"  by 
spies  constitutes  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant branches  of  military  precaution,  we 
think  it  right  to  quote  from  the  same 
author  the  following  reference  to  works 
on  that  head  : 

Dictionnaire  des  batuilles,  in  which 
various  modes  are  pointed  out  to  ascer- 
tain the  truth  of  each  communication 
from  what  has  occurred  ;  among  others, 
the  description  of  the  battle  of  An^lona, 
between  the  Romans  and  the  Persians. 

In  the  History  of  Bayard,  recourse 
may  be  had  to  the  account  of  the  siege 
of  Padua  ;  particularly  to  the  conduct 
which  Bayard  observed  towards  Captain 
Manfron,  and  all  that  relates  to  the  sur- 
prize of  Lignago. 

In  the  History  of  France,  the  action  of 
the  Spurs,  and  the  battle  of  Steinkirk. 
See  Memoirs  of  Feuquitres,  vol.  i.  p.  86 ; 
also  the  word  Espion  in  the  Encyclopidie 
Methodiuue,  and  Number  418  of  Guide 
de  VOfficier,  and  for  further  particulars 
our  own  article  under  Spies. 

Post,  in  war,  a  military  station;  any 
spot  of  ground,  fortified  or  not,  where  a 
body  of  men  can  be  in  a  condition  of 
resisting  the  enemy. 

Advanced  Post,  a  spot  of  ground, 
seized  by  a  party  to  secure  their  front, 
and  the  posts  behind  them. 

Post  of  honour.  The  advanced  guard 
is  a  post  of  honour;  the  right  of  the 
two  lines  is  a  post  of  honour,  and  is  al- 
ways given  to  the  eldest  regiment  :  the 
left  is  the  next  post,  and  is  given  to  the 
next  eldest,  and  so  on.  The  center  of 
the  lines  is  the  post  the  least  honourable, 
and  is  given  to  the  youngest  regiments. 
The  station  of  a  sentinel  before  the  co- 
lours, and  the  door  of  the  commanding 
ollicer,  is  a  post  of  honour. 

Advantageous  Post.  Every  situation 
is  so  called  which  an  enemy  occupies  in 
such  a  manner,  that  not  only  mere  force 
of  arms,  but  great  military  skill,  and 
many  stratagems  are  required  to  dis- 
lodge him.  We  have  various  instances 
in  history  of  how  much  may  be  done  on 
both  sides,  when  one  army  has  taken  up 
an  advantageous  post,  and  another  finds 
it  necessary  to  drive  an  adversary  from 
it.  This  subject  has  been  amply  dis- 
cussed in  a  French  work,  entitled, 
Strataglmes  de  Guerre,  page  7 1,  &c. 

Post    of  commanding   officers   on     a 
march.     On  a  march  there  is  no  par- 
4Q 


P  o  s 


(     666     ) 


V  o  s 


ticular  post  for  a  commanding  officer, 
lie  ought  to  range  on  the  front,  flank, 
and  rear  of  his  regiment.  His  eye  should 
lie  everywhere;  and  all  straggling  should 
be  prevented  by  the  activity  of  the  offi- 
cers. See  Narrative  of  General  Moore's 
Campaign  in  Spam,  page  204,  published 
by  James  Moore,  in  18,09. 

Posts  of  ercrcisc  in  the  rear,  the  re- 
lative stations  which  officers  take  in  the 
rear,  when  the  ranks  of  a  battalion  are 
open  for  the  purpose  of  going  through 
the  manual  and  platoon  exercises.  It 
is  likewise  a  cautionary  word  of  com- 
mand, viz.  The  officers  will  take  post  in 
the  rear. 

To  Post.  In  the  disposition  of  troops, 
to  place  the  officers,  music,  drummers, 
lifers,  and  pioneers,  according  to  their 
several  ranks  and  appointments,  either 
for  inspection,  or  exercise  in  the  field. 

To  Post,  to  station  ;  to  place  as  a 
sentry,  &c. 

To  Post  up,  (affchcr,  Fr.)  to  hold  up 
to  public  censure,  or  ridicule.  Sec  Pla- 
card. 

'To  be  Posted,  in  military  tactics,  to 
be  formed  ready  for  action.  Thus  when 
troops  are  brought  up  in  column,  and  or- 
dered to  deploy,  it  frequently  happens, 
that  some  part  of  the  line  is  refused,  in 
order  to  flank  an  enemy,  or  to  cover  a 
weak  position;  in  which  case,  the  part 
that  is  aligned  is  said  to  be  posted. 

'To  be  Posted,  in  a  familiar  sense, 
signifies  to  be  publicly  announced  as  an 
infamous  or  degraded  character.  Hence 
to  post  a  man  as  a  coward,  is  to  stick  his 
name  up  in  a  coffee-house  or  elsewhere, 
and  to  accuse  him  of  a  want  of  spirit, 
&c.  The  French  use  the  phrase  afjicher 
in  the  same  sense.  They  likewise  say, 
figuratively,  afjicher  sa  honte  ;  to  publish 
or  post  up  one's  own  disgrace;  meaning 
thereby,  that  some  persons  are  so  totally 
Tecardless  of  decency  and  decorum,  as 
to  express  sentiments  which  are  unbe- 
coming the  character  of  an  officer,  or  a 
gentleman. 

POSTAGE  of  Letters.  Non-com- 
missioned officers  and  private  soldiers 
are  privileged  to  send  or  receive  letters, 
from  any  part  of  the  kingdom,  on  pay- 
ment of  one  penny  only  for  the  postage. 
POSTE,  Fr.  a  word  generally  used  in 
the  plural  number  to  signify  small  shot, 
viz.  St>?i  fusil  it  ait  charge  de  douze  ou 
quiiize  postes ;  his  gun  or  musket  was 
loaded  with  twelve  or  fifteen  shot. 
Posie.  IV.    This  word  is  always  used 


in  the  masculine  gender  when  it  relates 

D  ... 

to  war,  or  to  any  specific  situation  ;  as 
poste  UVahci,  an  advanced  post. — 1'oste 
avantageux,  an  advantageous  post. — 
Mauvais poste,  an  unfavourable  post. 

Poste  arantagcux,  Fr.  See  Advan- 
tageous Post. 

Poste  jaloux,  Fr.  A  military  post  is  so 
called  when  it  is  likely  to  be  surprized, 
from    its  situation. 

Poste  d'alarmc,  Fr.  alarm-post.  See 
Alarm. 

Poste  des  invulnirables,  Fr.  See 
Mont  pagnote. 

Posti;,  Fr.  station;  place.  Etre  a 
son  poste,  to  be  at  his  post  or  station. 
This  word  is  always  of  the  masculine 
gender. 

Poste,  Fr.        1  In  the  feminine  gen- 
La  Poste,  Fr.  J  der,  post;  post-office ; 
post-boy. 

Poste  d'un,  deux,  ou  t?-ois  sous,  Fr.  the 
penny,  two-penny,  or  three-penny  post. 
It  is  also  generally  called,  La  petite 
poste. 

A  sa  Poste,  Fr.  at  a  prescribed  time. 
Vendue  a  Poste,  Fr.  to  sell  on  condi- 
tion, that  the  articles  delivered  be  paid 
for  at  a  time  agreed    upon  ;   as  is  the 
case  with  public  stores. 

POSTER,  Fr.  to  place  or  post,  as 
poster  des  gardes,  to  place  or  post  sen- 
tries,  or  out-guards. 

POSTES,  Fr.  machines  which  are 
made  of  o^.:er  branches,  standing  six  feet 
in  length  upon  three  in  breadth;  about 
six  inches  thick,  and  covered  on  each 
side  by  two  pieces  of  thick  strong  paste- 
board. Each  machine  is  made  fast  to  a 
large  stake,  which  is  fenced  with  ironi 
and  driven  deep  into  the  earth.  There 
are  two  openings  or  loop-holes  in  each 
post,  through  which  sentries  may  fire 
upon  the  enemy,  when  he  approaches 
towards  a  post  which  has  been  establish- 
ed on  the  high  road,  for  the  purpose  of 
attempting  a  surprize  or  coup  de  main. 
This  machine  was  invented  by  General 
Sernepont,  then  Governor  of  Boulogne 
sur  nier,  and  it  was  used  by  the  Duke  de 
Guise,  with  great  success,  when  he  be- 
sieged and  took  Calais,  in  1558. 

Postes  de  cumpagne,  Fr.  field-works. 
Every  construction  or  group  of  building9 
that  will  admit  of  being  defended,  and  is 
consequently  tenable,  is  called  a  poste  de 
campagne,  or  field-work.  Of  this  de- 
scription are  churches,  houses,  country- 
houses,  farm-houses,  villages,  redoubts, 
&c.  in  which  a  sufficient  number  of  met* 


P  o  s 


(   cor  ) 


POT 


may  be  stationed  for  the  purpose  of 
holding  out  against  an  enemy,  until  suc- 
cours can  arrive.  Chevalier  Folard  has 
written  upon  this  subject ;  and  since 
him,  F.  Gaudi,  with  comments  and  illus- 
trations hy  A.  P.  J.  Belair,  chief  of  bri- 
gade in  the  Republican  French  army. 
We  recommend  the  latter  production, 
which  appeared  in  1793,  to  the  perusal 
of  every  British  officer.  The  work  is 
entituled  Instruction  adressee  aux  0 Ai- 
ders d 'Infant erie  pour  tracer  e.t  con- 
struire  ioutes  sortes  d'ouvrages  de  cam- 
pagne.  See  likewise  Aide  Memoir  e  pour 
les  Officiers  d'Artillerie.  We  think  it 
due  to  the  exertions  of  an  officer  in  our 
own  service  to  mention  a  late  work,  en- 
tituled Duties  of  an  Officer  in  the  Field, 
&c.  by  Baron  Gross,  of  the  Dutch  bri- 
gade. This  gentleman  seems  to  have 
availed  himself  of  what  has  appeared  in 
foreign  treatises,  and  to  have  added 
some  very  sensible  remarks  of  his  own. 
M.  Malorti  de  Martemont,  French  Pro- 
fessor at  Woolwich,  has  also  written 
upon  the  subject. 

Officers  should  never  lose  sight  of  the 
many  advantages  which  may  be  derived 
from  a  knowledge  of  field  fortification, 
and  a  competent  skill  to  choose  a  good 
position,  and  a  tenable  post.  There  is 
scarcely  any  building,  especially  in  an 
intersected  country,  and  in  a  war  of 
posts,  which  may  not  be  rendered  highly 
serviceable  to  one  side,  and  detrimental 
to  the  other.  Acre,  though  dignified  by 
the  name  of  a  town,  when  considered  in 
a  military  point  of  view,  was  nothing 
more  than  a  post:  yet  by  the  gallant  de- 
fence which  was  i$»ade  there,  against 
Bonaparte  and  his  whole  army,  Sir  Sid- 
ney Smith  and  a  few  brave  seamen  and 
marines  not  only  covered  themselves 
with  glory,  but  were  the  primary  causes 
of  the  final  rescue  of  Egypt  out  of  the 
bands  of  the  French.  History  is  full  of 
instances  of  valour,  and  of  consequent 
success,  on  this  head.  The  defence 
which  Charles  the  Xlith  of  Sweden 
made,  in  his  own  dwelling,  when  he  had 
only  eight  men  to  stand  by  him,  is,  per- 
haps, unexampled  :  that  also  of  Marshal 
Saxe,  in  1705,  is  equally  memorable. 

Petits  Postes  separcs,  Fr.  small  de- 
tached posts. 

Postes  intermediates,  Fr.  interme- 
diate posts,  or  men  so  stationed  between 
different  corps,  that,  in  cases  of  urgency, 
they  may,  with  ease,  advance  to  the  sup- 


port of  that  which  is  more  immediately 
threatened  by  the  enemy. 

POSTERN,  more  frequently  called 
a  sally-port,  is  a  small  door  in  the  flank 
of  a  bastion,  or  other  part  of  a  garrison, 
to  march  in  and  out  unperceived  by  an 
enemy,  either  to  relieve  the  works,  or 
make  sallies. 

POSTICHE,  Fr.  any  thing  fictitious 
put  in  room  of  something  that  has  been 
real  and  natural.  In  military  matters, 
among  the  French,  it  serves  to  distin- 
guish supernumerary  or  auxiliary  sol- 
diers that  are  taken  from  one  or  more 
companies,  to  strengthen  any  particular 
body  of  men. 

POSTIELON,  Fr.  an  express-boat 
which  is  kept  in  French  sea-ports  for 
the  purpose  of  carrying  and  bringing  in- 
telligence. 

POSTS,  (in  building,)  large  pieces  of 
timber  placed  upright  in  houses,  tkc. 

Principal  Posts  are  the  corner  posts 
of  a  house,  and  the  posts  framed  into 
breast-summers,  or  pieces  of  wood  in  the 
outward  parts  of  a  timber  building,  be- 
tween the  principal  prick  posts,  for 
strengthening  the  carcass  of  a  house. 
Posts  are  preserved  from  rotting  by 
burning  the  ends  of  such  as  are  to  be 
set  into  the  ground. 

POSTURE,  state;  situation;  condi- 
tion; as  the  posture  of  affairs. 

POT,  (pot,  Fr.)  a  vessel  used  in  the 
making  of  artificial  fireworks,  &c. 

Pot,  an  utensil  of  first  necessity,  either 
for  culinary  or  private  domestic  pur- 
poses. 

Stink-Por,  a  vessel  filled  with  com- 
bustible matter,  used  in  boarding  ships. 
The  consequences  of  its  explosion  are 
sometimes  fatal,  and  always  dangerous. 

_F«Ye-PoT,  (pot-u-feu,  Fr.)  in  artillery, 
a  machine  made  of  potter's  earth  or 
clay,  with  two  handles,  in  which  a  gre- 
nade with  battle  gunpowder  is  confined, 
and  which  is  thrown  against  an  enemy 
after  the  match  has  been  lighted. 

Pot  a  aigrette,  Fr.  an  artificial  fire- 
work, the  center  of  which  contains  a 
certain  quantity  of  powder,  which,  upon 
being  inflamed,  communicates  itself  to 
several  other  branches,  and  exhibits  the 
appearance  of  an  aigrette,  or  cluster  of 
rays,  such  as  issue  from  diamonds  ar- 
ranged in  a  particular  manner.  The 
aigrette  takes  its  name  from  a  bird  so 
called,  whose  feathers  serve  to  make  up 
an  ornament  for  the  head.  It  was  given 
■iQti 


P  ()  T 

as    a    partirul 


(     668    ) 


POT 


in  diamonds,  as  a  particular  mark  of 
distinction,  by  the  Grand  Signor,  to 
Lord  Nelson,  after  his  glorious  conduct 
in  the  battle  of  the  Nile.  General  Lord 
Hutchinson  and  Sir  Sidney  Smith  have 
deservedly  received  the  same  marks  of 
distinction. 

Pot  a  brai,  Fr.  an  iron  pot  in  which 
pitch  or  tar  is  melted. 

Pot  de  chambre,  Fr.  literally  means  a 
chamber-pot ;  when  applied  to  a  town 
or  village  with  respect  to  its  situation, 
signifies,  that  it  is  situated  in  a  deep 
plain,  closely  and  completely  surrounded 
by  commanding  heights. 

Pot  d'une  juste  volantc,  Fr.  the  car- 
cass of  a.  fusee. 

Pot  en  lite,  Fr.  a  head-piece  made  of 
iron,  which  is  proof  against  musket- 
shot.  This  head-piece  is  sometimes 
placed  in  the  crown  of  the  hat,  and  is 
otherwise  used  by  sappers. 

Pot  a  dcu.v  <mses,  Fr.  an  equivocation  ; 
a  word,  or  matter,  whereof  double  con- 
struction may  be  made;  literally  a  pot 
•with  two  handles. 

POTEAU,  Fr.  a  stake,  post. 

Poteau  cornier,  Fr.  the  corner-post 
of  a  house,  or  building. 

Poteau  de  c/oison,  Fr.  an  upright 
piece  of  timber,  which  is  confined  or 
kept  by  tenons  and  mortises,  in  a  parti- 
tion. 

Poteau  de  dic/iarge,  Fr.  a  post,  or 
piece  of  timber,  laid  obliquely  to  ease  or 
support  any  weight  in  a  partition-work, 
Or  wooden  pannel. 

Poteaux  d'tcurie,  Fr.  posts  belonging 
to  a  stall  in  a  stable. 

Poteau  dcfond,Yr.  any  piece  of  tim- 
ber which  stands  upright  upon  another 
through  all  the  stories  of  a  wooden  pan- 
nel. 

Poteaux  de  garde,  Fr.  large  wooden 
piles,  which  jut  out  of  the  mason-work 
of  basins  and  quays,  that  line  sea-ports, 
in  order  to  withstand  the  shock  of  the 
ships  that  are  perpetually  forced  against 
them. 

Poteau  (Thuisserie,  on  de  crohie,  Fr. 
the  side  post  of  a  door,  or  window. 

Poteaux  de  lucarne,  Fr.  side  posts  of 
a  dormer  window. 

Poteau  de  membrure,  Fr.  a  solid  piece 
of  timber,  upon  which  the  beams  and 
rafters  are  supported,  in  partition  work 
and  wooden  pannels. 

Poteau  de  remplissage,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
wood  which  serves  to  fill  up;  a  wooden 
putinel. 


Poteau  montant,  Fr.  a  piece  of  tim- 
ber which  is  used  in  the  construction  of 
a  wooden  bridge,  and  is  kept  upright 
under  the  bed  of  the  water  by  two 
cramps,  and  by  two  supporters  above 
the  pavement,  in  order  to  keep  the  rail- 
ing together. 

POTEE,  Fr.  putty. 

POTKLFT,  Fr.  a  small  post,  or  rail. 

EH  >TFNCE,  Fr.  Troops  are  ranged 
en  potence  by  breaking  a  straight  line, 
and  throwing  a  certain  proportion  of  it, 
either  forward  or  backward,  from  the 
right  or  left,  according  to  circumstances, 
for  the  purpose  of  securing  that  line. 
An  army  may  be  posted  en  potence  by 
means  of  a  village,  a  river,  or  a  wood. 
The  disposition  en  potence  is  frequent- 
ly necessary  in  narrow  and  intersected 
ground.  The  derivation  of  the  word 
may  be  variously  explained,  viz. — From 
potence,  a  gibbet ;  potences,  crutches  or 
supports.  Potence  likewise  means  a 
piece  of  wood  which  is  thrown  across 
two  uprights;  also  a  cross  tahle,  as  table 
en  potence;  and  a  measure  to  ascertain 
the  height  of  a  horse  or  man. 

.DomW<-Potence,  Fr.  two  sides  of  a 
square,  of  more  or  less  extent,  thrown 
opposite  to  each  other  from  another  side. 
Thus,  in  narrow  grounds,  the  two  flank 
companies  may  be  tiled  from  the  batta- 
'ion,  and  facing  inwards,  constitute  to- 
gether the  double  potence. 

Triple  Potence,  Fr.  if  the  term  can 
be  used,  signifies  three  sides  of  a  square, 
and  is,  in  fact,  the  double  potence  taken 
collectively. 

Quadruple  Potence,  Fr,  the  complete 
square. 

Baton  de  Potence,  Fr.  the  staff  from 
which  a  ring  to  be  run  at  hangs. 

Potence,  Fr.  an  upright  piece  of  tim- 
ber which  is  used  to  strengthen  another 
that  is  too  long,  or  to  support  one  that 
is  split. 

POTENTATE,  (polcntat,Yr.)  a  sove- 
reign prince,  whose  power  is  rendered 
formidable  by  the  various  means  of  au- 
thority which  are  vested  in  him. 

POTERNE,  Fr.  a  postern  gate,  a 
sally  port. 

Poterne,  Fr.  likewise  signifies  a  se- 
cret gate.  Gates  of  this  description  are 
made  behind  the  orillons  at  the  extre- 
mity of  the  curtain,  in  the  angle  of  the 
flank,  and  in  the  middle  of  those  cur- 
tains where  there  are  no  gates.  The 
sewers  generally  run  under  the  poterncs. 


POU 


(     669     ) 


POU 


Belidor,  in  his  Art  of  Engineering,  re- 
commends small  arched  magazines  to  be 
constructed  on  the  right  and  left  of  the 
paths  that  lead  to  these  gates. 

POTESTAS,  or  Imperium,  a  com- 
mand among  the  Romans,  which  came 
direct  from  the  people,  and  without 
which  authority  no  genera!  could  carry 
on  the  war.  Of  this  description  was 
the  command  given  to  Fabius,  and  af- 
terwards divided  by  the  people  between 
him  and  Minucius.  See  Presumption. 
POUCH,  (gibernc,Fr.)  a  case  of  black 
stout  leather  with  a  flap  over  it,  which  is 
generally  ornamented  by  a  brass  crown, 
&c.  for  the  battalion-men  ;  a  fuse  for 
the  grenadiers  ;  and  a  bugle-horn  for  the 
light  infantry.  The  pouch  hangs  from 
a  cross  belt,  over  the  left  shoulder, 
and  is  worn  in  that  manner,  by  the  in- 
fantry, for  the  purpose  of  carrying  their 
ammunition.  The  pouches  in  use  among 
the  cavalry  are  smaller,  which  the 
French  call  demie  gibcrne. 

Povcn-fiap,  the  outside  covering  of 
the  pouch.  It  is  made  of  the  stoutest 
blackened  calf-skin,  and  ought  always  to 
he  substantial  enough  to  turn  the  se- 
verest weather. 

POUCE,  Fr.  an  inch,  or  the  twelfth 
part  of  a  French  foot;  which  is  likewise 
divided  into  twelve  parts,  called  lines. 
The  superficial  square  inch  contains  144 
of  these  lines,  and  the  cubic  inch  has 
1728. 

Pouce  de  pied  cube,  Fr.  cubic  foot 
inch  is  a  parallelopiped  whose  base  is  a 
square  foot,  and  whose  height  is  one 
inch,  and  which  is  consequently  worth 
144  cubic  inches. 

Pouce  de  pied  quarri,  Fr.  square 
foot  inch  is  a  rectangle,  whose  base  has 
one  inch  upon  one  toise  of  elevation, 
and  which  contains  11  square  inches. 

Pouce  de  solive,  Fr.  a  parallelopiped, 
whose  base  is  one  inch  square,  and  which 
has  one  toise  in  height.  Thus  an  inch 
of  timber,  or  a  wooden  peg,  is  the  same 
thing. 

Pouce  (Feuu,  Fr.  a  term  used  among 
diggers  of  wells,  or  searchers  of  springs. 
It  consists  of  an  opening  of  one  inch 
diameter,  which,  according  to  M.  Ma- 
riotte,  must  give  fourteen  pints  of  water, 
Paris  measure,  in  a  minute,  810  pints  in 
an  hour,  and  20,160  pints  in  twenty- 
four  hours.  See  Belidor's  article  on  this 
head,  in  the  first  part  of  his  Architecture 
Hydraulique,  vol.  i.  p.  135. 

POUDRE  a  canon,  Fr.     See   Gun- 


powder. The  reader  is  referred,  for 
further  particulars  respecting  the  inven- 
tion of  this  powder,  to  Dictionnaire  de 
Mathematique  de  M.  Saverien,  under 
Artillerie ;  and,  for  its  composition  and 
manufacture,  to  the  second  part  of  Be- 
lidor's Bombardier  Francois.  See  Trait  a 
sitr  l' Influence  de  la  Poudre  a  Canon  ; 
Also,  Traiti  des  Feuv  d 'Artifice  de  ill. 
Frezier,  new  tuition,  printed,  at  Paris  in 
1747. 

Poudre  muette,  poudre  sourde,  Fr.  a 
species  of  gunpowder  which  is  free  from 
noise  or  detonation. 

Poudre  fulminante,  Fr.  a  species  of 
gunpowder  which  makes  a  greater  noise 
than  the  common  sort.  This  powder  is 
composed  of  three  parts  saltpetre,  two 
parts  salt  of  tartar,  and  one  part  sul- 
phur. 

Poudre  a  gros  grains,  Fr.  gunpowder 
which  is  used  for  artillery  pieces.  It  is 
likewise  called  poudre  a  canon. 

Poudre  a  mousquet,  Fr.  gunpowder 
used  for  muskets,  and  other  fire-arms. 

POUDRIER,  Fr.  a  gunpowder  ma- 
ker.    Tt  also  signifies  an  hour-glass. 

POVERTY,  (pauvrete,  Fr.)  indigence, 
necessity,  want  of  riches;  which,  by  some 
fools,  is  reckoned  a  crime,  although  it  be 
too  frequently  the  concomitant  of  merit. 
Poverty  also  means  mental  defect ;  want 
of  understanding. 

Poverty,  a  goddess  adored  by  the 
Pagans,  and  familiar  to  Christians.  She 
was  reverenced,  as  a  deity,  by  the  hea- 
thens, because  they  feared  her,  and  was- 
very  justly  considered  as  the  mother  of 
industry  and  the  fine  arts.  Among  mili- 
tary men,  poverty  is  seldom  felt  whilst  the 
active  duties  of  the  profession  are  exe 


cuted  with  zeal  and  good  sense;  and  the 
individuals  entrusted  with  them  are  not 
only  paid  with  punctuality,  but  are  se- 
cured in  their  honest  hopes  of  promo- 
tion. Economy  is  the  basis  on  which 
every  soldier  should  build  his  views  of 
personal  comfort  and  independence ;  and 
if  he  attends  to  the  perpetual  calls  of  ser- 
vice, he  will  not  fail  to  realize  them.  For 
a  life  of  real  service  affords  no  scope  to 
extravagance ;  and  when  a  good  soldier 
becomes  unequal  to  the  hardships  it  im- 
poses, the  nation  should  provide  for  him. 

Budge  of  Poverty.  The  military 
cockade  is  sometimes  so  called ;  and  not 
without  a  wounding  application  to  its 
wearer,  especially  if  he  have  nothing  but 
his  pay  to  subsist  upon. 

POUF,  Ind_  a  word  used  among  tb* 


P  o  u 


(     670     ) 


POU 


Africans  and  blacks  to  describe  the  ex- 
plosion  tit"  fire-arms. 

POULAIN,  /■'/•.    See  Horse  colt. 

l-oll. DAVIS.  a  sort  of  sail-cloth. 

POULDRONS,  Fr.  part  of  the  an- 
cient armour  which  was  contrived  to  de- 
fend tin;  shoulders. 

POULEVRIN,  Fr.  fine  grains  of  gun- 
powder which  have  been  pounded,  and 
serve  for  priming. 

POULIE,  Fr.  pulley.  A  machine 
which  has  only  one  pulley  is  called  mo- 
nopaste  ;  that  which  has  two,  dispaste  ; 
that  which  has  three,  trispaste;  that 
which  has  four,  tetruspuste ;  that  which 
has  five,  pent/tspaste;  and  that  which  lias 
several,  poli/spaste. 

Poulie  moujl'ee,  Fr.  a  pulley  which 
sets  conjointly  with  one  or  more  pub- 
lics. 

A  POUND  sterling,  a  money  in  ac- 
count value  fJ0s. 

PotJND-note,  a  thin  piece  of  printed 
paper,  which  is  issued  from  the  Bank 
of  England,  and  is  ordered  to  be  taken 
at  the  current  rate  of  twenty  shillings, 
making  one  pound  sterling. 

Pound-7m»&,  nails  which  arc  four- 
square in  the  shank,  much  used  in  Nor- 
folk, Suffolk,  and  Essex,  though  scarcely 
elsewhere,  except  for  paling. 

POUNDAGE,  a  rate  in  the  pound 
sterling,  which  is  allowed  for  collecting 
money.  Army  agents,  &c.  are  entitled 
to  poundage,  which  consists  in  a  certain 
deduction  from  the  pay  of  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers,  and  soldiers. — 
Agents  are  not  allowed  any  poundage, 
on  the  pav  of  the  privates  in  the  mi- 
litia. The  French  say  vingtieme,  or  the 
twentieth  part. 

POUNDER,  a  great  gun  or  piece  of 
ordnance,  denominated  according  to  the 
weight  of  the  ball  it  carries,  as  a  G,  12, 
24  pounder. 

POUPPE,  Fr.  the  poop,  or  hinder 
part  of  a  ship. 

POURBONDIR,  Fr.  to  manage  or 
prance  a  horse,  to  make  him  leap,  £cc. 

POURIE,  Ind.  a  wooden  sandal, 
which  is  used  in  India  during  the  wet 
season. 

POURSUITE,  Fr.  pursuit. 

POURSUIVANS  formes,  Fr.  See 
Pursuivants  at  arms. 

POURSUIVRE,  Fr.  to  pursue. 

Poursuivre  tepee  dans  les  rents,  Fr. 
to  pursue  with  unrelenting  activity. 

POURTOUR,  Fr.  the  length  or  ex- 
leia  ot  a  thing  round  any  given  space  ; 


It  also  signifies  the  circumference  of 
any  round  body,  as  of  a  dome,  a  co- 
lumn, &c.  which,  in  geometry,  is  called 
jit  riphery. 

PoLnroun  likewise  means  the  extent 
of  a  building,  or  the  proportions  of  any 
body  whatsoever. 

pbURVOIR,  Fr.  to  provide,  to  lay 
in  store,  8c<  . 

POL'R VOYEURS  des  vivres,  Fr.  pur- 
veyors. 

POUSSE-ioZfe,  Fr.  a  small  cylin- 
drical instrument,  made  of  iron,  which 
is  used  to  ram  down  a  ball  in  a  ritle 
barrel. 

POUSSE E,  Fr.  the  effort  or  straining 
which  anarch  or  vault  makes  to  drive  its 
piedroits  or  piers  out  of  the  upright  di- 
rection which  has  been  given  to  them, 
and  which  are  kept  firm  by  props  or 
counterforts.  The  flatter  an  arch  is,  th« 
more  violent  will  be  its  effort  to  push  out 
the  piers. 

POUSSER,  Fr.  to  push,  to  press 
upon,  to  drive  before  you,  viz.  Pousser 
mix  ennemis  ;  to  advance  rapidly  against 
the  enemy. 

Pousser  nn  cheval,  Fr.  to  make  a 
horse  go  lull  speed. 

Pousser  les  Jrontieres  a"un  etat,  IV. 
to  break  through  the  frontiers  of  a 
neighbouring  state,  and  to  continue  the 
incursion ;  so  that  it  may  literally  be- 
said,  that  the  frontiers  are  pushed  for- 
ward. 

Pousser  ses  conqueles,  Fr.  to  extend 
one's  concpiests. 

Pousser  ses  succes,  Fr.  to  follow  up  a 
successful  undertaking.      ■ 

POUSSIERE,  Fr.  dust;  the  earth 
you  tread  on  :  it  also  signifies  the  dust 
which  remains  after  the  formation  of 
gunpowder  into  grains  ;  also  the  dust, 
or  ashes,  of  the  human  body. 

Mcfrdre  la  Poussiere,  Fr.  literally 
to  bite  the  dust.  II  a  fait  mot'dre  la 
poussiere  a  son  ennemi,  Fr.  he  has  made 
his  enemy  bite  the  dust,  or  he  has  de- 
stroyed his  enemy. 

POUTRE,  Fr.  a  filley,  or  young 
mare. 

Povtrt,  Fr.  beam ;  the  largest  piece 
of  timber  in  a  building,  and  which 
serves  to  support  the  principal  rafters  of 
a  roof.  They  are  of  various  lengths  and 
sizes  ;  and  always  lie  cross  the  building 
or  the  walls. 

Poltrf.  urm'ee,  Fr.  a  beam  which  has 
iron  cramps,  &c.  in  order  to  enable  it  to 
support  any  extraordinary  weight. 


P  o  w 


(   en   ) 


POX 


PofTRE  feuillee,  Fr.  a  beam,  with 
notches  or  gaps  in  it,  for  the  purpose 
6f  receiving  the  ends  of  the  joists,  or 
girders. 

Poutre  qudrtderonnie,  Fr.  a  beam,  on 
whose  angular  sides,  or  edges,  a  wave,  or 
any  other  moulding,  may  have  been  car- 
ried, for  the  purpose  of  doing  away  a 
withered  or  defective  part. 
POUTRELLE,  Fr.  a  small  beam. 
POWDER,  commonly  called  gun- 
powder, (poudre  a  canon,  Fr ) 

POWD£R-//om,  a  horn  flask,  in  which 
powder  is  kept  for  priming  guns.  Light 
infantry  have  frequently  a  powder  horn 
for  carrying  spare  powder. 

YawDER-magazine,  a  bomb-proof  arch- 
ed building,  to  hold  the  powder  in  for- 
tified places,  &c.  containing  several  rows 
of  barrels  laid  one  over  another.  See 
Magazine. 

PowDER-car£,  a  two-wheeled  carriage, 
covered  with  an  angular  roof  of  boards 
To  prevent  the  powder  from  getting 
damp,  a  tarred  canvass  is  put  over  the 
roof;  and  on  each  side  are  lockers  to 
hold  shot  in  proportion  to  the  quantity 
of  powder,  which  is  generally  four  barrels. 
Powder-wm//,  a  building  in  which  the 
materials  are  beat,  mixed  together,  and 
grained  :  they  are  placed  near  rivers,  and 
as  far  from  any  house  as  can  be,  for  fear 
of  accidents.     See  Mill. 

POWDERINGS,  in  architecture,  a 
term  sometimes  used  for  devices,  in  fill- 
ing up  vacant  spaces  in  carved  work. 

POWER,  a  natural  faculty  of  doing 
or  suffering  any  thing.  Mr.  Locke,  in 
his  Essay  on  the  Human  Understanding, 
considers  power  under  two  heads.  One 
he  calls  active,  and  the  other  passive 
power. 

Power.  This  word  sometimes  signi- 
fies host,  army. 

Power  of  Attorney,  an  authority 
given  to  a  third  person  to  act  between 
one  or  more  parties.  When  an  officer 
is  not  on  the  spot  to  receive  his  half-pay, 
it  is  usual  for  him  to  empower  some 
army  agent  to  act  for  him,  either  in 
Great  Britain  or  Ireland,  according  to 
circumstances.  General  officers,  when 
they  obtain  regiments,  grant  powers  of 
attorney  to  their  agents;  but  they  are, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  respon- 
sible to  the  public  for  the  trust  so  de- 
legated. 

To  be  i?i  the  Power  of  any  body,  in  a 
figurative  sense,  to  have  committed  your- 
self in  such  a  manner;  as  to  be  under  the 


necessity  of  keeping  upon  good  terms 
with  a  person  who  might  injure  you  by  a 
disclosure  of  your  secrets. 

To  be  in  the  Power  of  an  enemy,  to 
have  taken  up,  injudiciously,  such  a  po- 
sition as  to  expose  you  to  a  defeat  when- 
ever the  enemy  may  think  proper  to  at- 
tack you. 

Powers  of  lines  and  quantities  are 
their  squares,'  cubes,  &c.  or  other  multi- 
plications of  the  parts  into  the  whole,  or 
of  one  part  into  another. 

CW'-POX,  a  disorder  incident  to  cows, 
from  which  much  benefit  has  been  pro- 
mised to  the  human  race,  by  introduc- 
ing what  is  called  vaccine  matter  into  the 
habit,  and  thereby  preventing  the  fatal 
effects  of  the  small-pox.  See  Vaccina- 
tion. 

Small  Pox,  a  disease  to  which  most 
infants,  adults,  &c.  are  exposed ;  and 
which  has  been  rendered  less  malignant 
by  inoculation.  When  recruits  join  a 
regiment,  they  should  be  examined  re- 
specting this  disease ;  and  no  time  should 
be  lost  in  inoculating  them. 

Great  Pox,  commonly  called  the 
French  disease.  Few  men  are  more 
likely  to  catch  this  cruel  disorder  than 
soldiers ;  and  in  no  case  ought  the  at- 
tention of  the  regimental  surgeon  to  be 
more  imperiously  engaged  than  in  the 
speedy  cure  of  it.  In  the  navy,  where 
the  disease  is  often  prevalent,  the  sur- 
geons are  entitled  to  receive  a  certain 
sum  of  money,  which  is  stopped  out  of 
the  pay  of  their  venereal  patients,  for 
extraordinary  trouble  and  attendance. 
No  specific  regulation  exists  in  the  ar- 
my. Sometimes,  indeed,  the  captains 
of  companies  have  assumed  a  discre- 
tionary power  with  respect  to  their  men, 
and  the  latter  have  submitted  to  the 
charge.  One  great  evil  has,  however, 
grown  out  of  both  practices,  namely, 
the  men,  to  avoid  the  stoppage,  have 
applied  to  country  quacks,  and  very  fre- 
quently taken  nostrums  of  their  own. 
Every  officer  of  a  company,  who  has  the 
welfare  of  his  soldiers  at  heart,  should 
examine  their  linen  at  the  weekly  in- 
spections, as  the  disorder  generally  ma- 
nifests itself,  particularly  in  its  first 
stages,  in  stains  upon  the  shirt. 

It  is  generally  believed,  that  the  ve- 
nereal malady  was  first  brought  into 
Europe  in  1492,  by  the  followers  of 
Christopher  Columbus,  after  his  disco- 
very of  America.  These  people  gave  it 
to   their  countrywomen  in  Spain ;   the 


P  K  A 


-    ■ 


P    Px 


}  :•  :     r.  ..  __:.:  ::  c::::  .;  ::     -  ege         ::  t 
latter  place  in   1495 ;  and  from  France 
it  was  rapidly  spread  orer  the  : 
Europe  ;  so  that  its  original  nurse 

W&t  of  the  Atlantic,  seems  to' have 
been  a  camp. 

POZZUOLaX  A.  an  earth  of  a  red- 
which  is  used  in  Ilalv 


IB 


Lr-  ■:•:' 


and 


mixed  wij 

; 


:;. 


"--    - 


nCAJ  word  frequa 

-  ..  ■ 


of  the  shells  1,  to 

-.ine  the  length  .  -  — The 

his  pr.  -.    when  a 

mortar-h*  -td  in  a  siege,  to 

know  what  quantity  of 

to  throw  tit.  .to  the  works 

at    a  given   distance,   and   to   cut    the 
of  a  just  length,    that  the  shell 
st   as  soon  as   it  toucher 
id. 
PfcAdrcE- Book.    See  Book. 
-      I  RACT1SE,  in  a  military  M 
to  g  _      the  manual  and  platoon 

ew  ;ue  various  ina- 

hle  acromph.hnn.nl  of  any  object  the   purpose  of  be- 

=noe,  "  a  practicable  breach."  coming   thotoushiy  roaster  of   military 

.CTKE. ->r  Gan-pr.  e,    to    practise    the 

ting,  as  soon  as  the  weather  permits,  nineteen  manoeuvres.     Prt  te- 

■ -rise  of  the  i-    ts  -     -  -rd,  in  imitation  of  the  French,  to 

i  purpose  ot"  sbfcwii;;  .  ntiemen   -  ;  be  act  of  effecting  ore. 

any  military  operation,  viz.   to  pra. 
a  mine  beneath  the  cove:  I  ac 

PK-FFECTrR-t,  Lot.  During  the 
time  of  the  Romans,  there  were  certain 
conqi-  ties  in   Italy,  which 

E    -  emed  by  Roman  magis- 

ans  and  regulations  they 

oliged  to  obey.  These  magistrates 

were  called    :  In  imitation  of 

the  Romans,    the    modem   Frenc: 

-ed  wha  :imrd  prefectures 

-     -  . 
cton,  a  lieutenancy,   or 


ry  academy  at 
.wich,   and   the   private  me: 
■aatro;  ij;.::.  .   ..-.   :^.  >>    .       .. 
".-..-      -    .    -   .  -  -     -••  .  acats 
are  us*d  to  and  the  cent-  r  two 

points,  one  at  the  b: 

taeaHBdr .  -■  • an  rwr%H  w .::.  chalk, 

■hI  blt:-.:;.  the  f  na  it  hn   ted  I 
•     .  '     '  ■    • 

~    _:: .  :     _    •  cat  2   -  the  retj  lired  r.~ 
ration,  which,  a  -  d  at, 

accordine  id  the  distance  the  ta. . 


from  the  piece.     When  the  piece  has 

rxom  captainship,  or  place 

-  list  or  sparks  of  nre  tha-  .ent,  a  d               .  province,  or  place  of 

main  in  the  bore,  and  loaded;  then  I  Set  also  Lexiru*  MUUcre. 

center  ime  is  found,  as  before;  and  [T  S,  Lmt.     See  Pei 

the  shot  wen:  irorvm.  Lat.  an  officer 

the  right  or  to  the  left,  the  elevation  and  anx>i._              mans,  whose  rank  and  si- 


... 
Let  :    .  :.:.::  r .    -.      _  -   -:      . 


or  less,  accor- 
dmg  as  there  is  a  .  r  less  number 

of  recruits.     In  the  mean  time,  others 
■ 

ieldrneces. 
Jfartcr-Pt .,  .5  generally   exe- 

:.:t:  .:.  ",t  :.    :■».-..;    :.:-_. .e:     :.  .. ..e  «.•: 

1500  or  SS0OO  yards  is  measured  in  aa  Roman  praetorian  bands,  who  had  charge 
open  spot  of  ground,   from  the  place  of  the  emperor's  person  :  and  who,  from 
where  the  mortars  stand,  and  a  flag  fixed 
at  about  SCO  or  500  yards :  this  bans 


tuatkci  correspond  with  those  of  a  Marc- 
dud  dt  camp  in  the  French  sen  ice,  and 
a  quarter-master  general  in  the  British. 
Pe  i  -  Clastis,  Lat.  the  comma n- 

a  naval  armament  among 
the  Romans.     His  command  lasted  one 

Pa  i  -   Prftorii,  Lat.    the  pre- 

r  chief  officer  in  command,  in  the 


_•    . 
■  .  •        -..■---..   .ft    t ; 

with  sand,  so  that  they  may  lie  at  an 
of  45  degrees;  then  tbey  are 
with  a  smaM  quantity  of  pow- 
deratutr-  s  increased  afterwards 

»  ounce   c 


-*-r-       .:i  i   :"... 


the 


imscribed  situation,  gradually 
the  most  important  stations. 
PR  Lcr.    Af  xpulsion 

■usul  wasj 
called  among  the  Romans.    H  . 

rower  both  for  civil  and  mili- 
Adam  Littleton*     See  also 
Lexicon  M'dtLen. 
PR  LANA  C  ASTRA,  Ll  I 

. 


P  R  A 


(     673     ) 


PRE 


PRJETORIAXI  MILITARES,  Lai. 
the  general's  body  guard.  They  origi- 
nally" consisted  of  a  cohort,  and  were 
first'  established  as  a  guard  by  Scipio 
Afriranus. 


Les  ckemim  ne  sortt  pas  P&aticables. 
the  roads  are  not  passable. 

Le  gut  nest  pas  Praiicable  dans  re 
moment-ci,  the  river  is  not  fordable  at 
this  moment;  verbatim,  the  ford  ia  not 


PR.ETORIAN  BANDS,  aselecthody   practicable  at  this  moment. 


of  troops  among  the  Romans,  which  gra- 
dually  obtained   so   much  ascendancy, 


PRATIQUE,  FV.practi:        -       term 
likewise   signifies,    among    the  French, 


that  thev  elected  emperors  at  will,  and  \  commerce,  intercourse,  trarnc,  6cc 
dethroned  them  at  pleasure.     The;,   be-        Azotr  Pratique  «rrec  des   imulaires, 
came  enervated  at  last,  and  the  power  j  Fr.  to  trade,  or  have  intercourse  with 
thev  had  possessed  was  absorbed  by  the  [  the  inhabitants  of  islands, 
legions,    or  regular   soldier-,    who,    as         Um  Puatique  iclair'ee,  Fr.  a  pr 
Junius  somewhere  says,  came  from  the{  undertaken  and  put  into  execution  upon 
distant   provinces   and  gave    away    the  j  solid  princip.  - 


empire.    These  bands,  indeed,  were  ori- 
ginally chosen  on  account  of  their  merit,  | 
(as  all  life  and  body-guards  ought  to  be,/ 
and  when  rirst  instituted,  always  accom- 
panied the  commander  in  chief,  or  the 
general,  into  action. 

The  consular  guard  and  the  legion  of 
honour,  established  by  the  late  Emperor 
Napoleon,  were,  in  some  degree,  imita- 
tions of  these  bands ;  and  the  janissaries 
Of  Constantinople  have  sometimes  fol- 
lowed their  example,  in  disposing  ot  the 
Grand  Signor's  title. 

PR.ETORIUM,  Lot.  (pr'doire,  Fr.) 
the  Roman  general's  tent  or  pavilion. 
It  also  signifies  what  we  call  head-quarters. 

PRAfRIE,  Fr.  meadow  or  neld. 

PRAME,  Fr.  This  word  is  some- 
times written  Praam  :  it  is  a  sort  of  flat- 
bottomed  boat  or  barge  which  is  used 
on  the  canals  in  France,  &c. 

Pramk,  in  military  history,  a  kind  of 
floating  battery,  being  a  flat-bottomed 
vessel,  which  draws  little  water,  mounts 
several  guns,  and  is  very  useful  in  cover- 
ing the  disembarkation  of  troops. — They 
are  generally  made  use  ot  in  transporting 
the  troops  over  the  lakes  in  America. 
These  vessels  are  well  calculated  for  the 
defence  of  large  havens  and  seaports. 
Belair,  in  his  Elimens  de  Fortification, 
page  397.  strongly  recommends  the  use 
of  prames  in  cases  of  inundation.  :v 
See  the  improvements  proposed  by  him 
hi  page  310,  where  hespeaks  of"  Battaus 
insubmersibir 

Di  PRATICA,  Ital.  free  intercourse: 


L'ne  Pratique  cxevgle,  Fr.  a  plan 
ill-digested,  and  executed  without  dis- 
cernment or  ability. 

Donner  Pratique  a  un  zaisseau,  Fr. 
to  allow  a  vessel  to  enter  into  port  and 
unload.  This  expression  is  used  in  the 
Mediterranean  under  circumstances  of 
quarantine,  and  comes  from  Prat 

Pratique?,    Fr.     I. 
term  signifies  the  same  as  mal-prac 
or  secret  intelligence  with  aa  enemy,  viz. 

etenir    des    Pratiques 
commandant  tfune  place,  Fr.  to  hold  com- 
munication, or  keep  up  a  secret  corre- 
spondence with  the  commandant  of  a 
fortified  p: 

PRATIQUER  des  intelligences,  Fr.  to 
collect ;  to  gather  useful  information. 

11  arait  Pratique  «k  «  des 

intelligences  qui  lui  ont  donnt  le  moyen  de 
la  surprendre,  Fr.  he  had  g 
information,   bv   hold:._-    se  ret    :.:-..- 
gence  with  the  inhabitants,  as  to  be  able 
to  surprize  the  place. 

Pratiquer.  Fr.  in  architecture,  to 
contrive,  to  make,  to  render  convenient. 

Pratiquer,   Fr.    to  practise.     Pra- 
tiquer me  hamme,  to  try  a  man ;  to  put 
bis  abilities  to  the  test.     It  like- 
nines  to  gain  over,  to  suborn. 

PR  6,  Fr.  meadow  or  field. 

PREACHAT,  Fr.  payment  made  be- 
fore hand :  or  anterior  to  any  circum- 
stance alluded  to. 

BREAD,  Fr.  a  yard,  a  green. 

PRECEDENCE,  priority.     Pri 


rank,  or  precedence  in  military  life, 
arises    from   the    date    of    an  e    a 


U3 


admitted  to   pratique.      Persons    who, 

having  performed  quarantine,    are  per-  commission,  or  the  corps  in  which  he 

mitted  to  land  in  Italv,  and  mix  with  serves. 

the  inhabitants.  PRECEDENT.  Any  act  whi<  bran  be 

PRATICABLE.    Fr.     See    Practi-  interpreted  into  an  example  for  ft*     I 

cable.     This   word  is    in  general   use  times,  is  called  a  precedent.    F 

anion"  the  French,  viz.  high    crucial   situations   are   extre: 

4R 


PRE 


(    674     ) 


PRE 


scrupulous  with  respect  to  precedents, 
especially  in  military  matters. 

PRECEINTES,  Fr.  Long  pieces  of 
timber,  which  bind  together  the  outside 
of  a  ship  from  head  to  stern. 

PRECEPT,  a  writ,  or  official  docu- 
ment, which  is  issued  to  a  department,  or 


column,  the  covering  Serjeants  are  placed 
behind  the  second  file  from  the  pivot 
officers,  that  the  officers  may  the  more 
correctly  see  and  cover  each  other  in 
column. 

PRKDAL,  or  \  a  war  carried 

PREDATOY,  War,  \  on  by  plunder 


persons  in  office,  directing  them  to  make'  and  rapine  ;  such  as  the  French  repub 


up  the  several  branches  and  items  of 
public  expenditure  that  have  been  in- 
curred under  their  management.  Of  this 
description  was  the  precept  sent  out  by 
the  commissioners  of  Military  Inquiry. 

PRECIITTER,'  Fr.  to  precipitate; 
to  urge  or  hasten  on  ;  to  do  any  thing 
prematurely.  This  word  appears  to  be 
used  by  the  French  in  almost  all  the 
senses  to  which  we  attach  it,  especially 
in  military  matters. 

PRfeciPiTra  sa  retrhite,  Fr.  literally 
signifies,  to  precipitate  one's  retreat.  It 
may  be  taken  in  a  good  or  bad  sense,  to 
signify  the  act  of  Hying  away  blindly  or 
rashly,  without  judgment  or  discretion; 
or  of  urging  your  retreat  under  circum- 
stances of  imperious  necessity,  yet  with 
proper  caution  and  foresight.  .So  that 
to  precipitate,  both  in  French  and  Eng- 
lish, signifies, /aire  ties  promptement,  on 
trop  promptement ;  to  do  any  thing  very 
promptly,  or  too  promptly. 

PRECIS,  Ft:  minute,  abstract;  ana- 
lytical view  of  any  thing. 

PnfeciS- Writer)  a  person  employed  in 
the  foreign  department  to  make  abstracts 
from  public  dispatches,  &o\  for  the  in- 
formation of  the  secretary  of  state. 

PRECISION,  exact  limitation,  scru- 
pulous observance  of  certain  given  rules. 
Precision  of  march.  On  the  leading 
platoon  officer  of  the  column  much  of 
the  precision  of  march  depends;  he  must 
lead  at  an  equal  steady  pace ;  he  must 
lead  on  two  objects  either  given  to  him, 
or  which  he  himself  takes  up  on  every 
alteration  of  position  ;  this  demands  his 
utmost  attention  ;  nor  must  he  allow  it 
to  be  diverted  by  looking  at  his  platoon, 
the  care  of  whose  regularity  depends  on 
the  other  officers  and  non-commissioned 
officers  belonging  to  it.  The  second  pla- 
toon officer  must  also  be  shewn,  and  be 
made  acquainted  with  the  points  on 
which  the  first  leads ;  he  is  always  to 
keep  the  first  officer  and  those  points  in 
a  line ;  and  those  two  officers,  together 
with  the  placed  mounted  officers,  thus 
become  a  direction  for  the  other  pivot 
officers  to  cover.     In  inarching  in  open 


lie  carried  on  against  the  continental 
powers,  levying  enormous  contributions 
on  all  the  conquered  towns  or  states. 

PREDESTINARIANj  a  person  who 
believes  in  predestination.  Every  Turk 
may  be  considered  as  a  predestinarian. 
A  Turkish  soldier  is  taught  to  believe, 
that  if  he  fall  in  battle  he  will  instantly 
go  to  heaven.  This  is  a  comfortable 
idea  even  for  a  Christian  soldier.  How 
far  it  ought  to  be  encouraged,  doctors 
and  able  casuists  must  decide. 

PREFECT,  (prifet,  Fr )  a  governor 
or  commander  of  any  place  or  body  ot 
men.  Among  the  Romans,  this  was  a 
title  of  great  importance,  both  in  civil 
and  military  situations.  During  the  ex- 
istence of  the  republic  the  Prafectus 
Legionis  had  a  considerable  command. 
The  two  Ala?,  or  great  divisions  of  th<» 
allies,  had  each  a  Prefect  appointed 
them  by  the  Roman  Consul,  who  go- 
verned in  the  same  manner  as  the  Le- 
gionary Tribunes.  See  Kennett's  Roman 
Antiquities  ;  and  for  a  more  minute  ac- 
count of  the  term  prtefectus,  as  under- 
stood by  the  Romans,  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred to  Lexicon  Militant ;  Authore  Ca- 
rolo  Aquino,  Societatis  Jesu.  There  was 
likewise,  during  the  time  of  the  Roman 
Emperors,  an  officer  called  the  Praifect 
of  the  Pretorian  Band,  or  body  guards. 
The  French  -adopted  the  word  in  their 
new  constitution  at  the  Revolution. 

PREFERMENT,  the  state  of  being 
advanced  to  a  higher  post. 

PREFETS  du  Palais  de  la  cour  det 
premiers  Kois  Francais,  Fr.  Thesepersons- 
were  formerly  called  comtes  du  palais  et 
prefets  du  pretoire.  They  had  once  the 
sole  direction  of  the  government;  ma- 
naging all  state  affairs,  as  well  with  re- 
spect flu  the  exterior  as  to  the  interior 
relations  of  peace  or  war.  A  Prifet  du 
Palais  was  also  called  Major-dome ;  un- 
der which  title  Charles  Martel  is  men- 
tioned by  several  old  writers.  It  was 
afterwards  changed  into  Senichal ;  in 
which  capacity  we  find  Thibuud,  Count 
of  Blois,  who  is  sometimes  styled  Major- 
domc,  and  at  others  Stncchal. 


PRE 


(    675     ) 


PRE 


PREJUDICE,  (prcjuge,  Fr.)  prepos- 
session, judgment  formed  beforehand 
without  examination. 

PRELIMINARY,  (prUiminaire,  Fr.) 
previous,  introductory,  &c.  Prelimi- 
nary, as  a  substantive,  signifies  an  intro- 
ductory measure,  a  previous  arrange- 
ment. Hence  the  "  preliminaries  of 
peace." 

PRENABLE,  Fr.  that  may  be  taken. 
There  is  no  place  but  what  may  be  taken 
by  famine. 

PRENDRE,  a  French  military  term. 
It  is  variously  used,  and  accords  gene- 
rally with  our  word  to  take,  viz. 

Prendre  une  ville  d'assaut ;  par  fa- 
mine, &c.  Fr.  to  take  a  town  by  assault; 
by  famine,  &c. 

Prendre  a  droite,  on  a  gauche,  Fr.  to 
go  to  the  right,  or  left. 

Prendre  a  travers,  Fr.  to  run  across. 

Prendre  les  decants,  Fr.  to  antici- 
pate, to  get  the  start  of  any  body. 

Prendre  le  pas,  Fr.  to  take  prece- 
dence. 

Prendre  la  droite,  Fr.  to  take  the 
right. 

Prendre  terre,  Fr.  to  land. 

Prendre  le  large,  Fr.  a. term  used  fi- 
guratively to  signify  the  act  of  running 
away. 

Prendre  la  clef  des  champs,  Fr.  lite- 
rally, to  take  the  key  of  the  country,  or 
to  run  over  it;  also  to  run  away. 

Prendre  soji  elan,  Fr.  to  dart  forth, 
to  spring  forward. 

Prendre  le  mors  aux  dents,  Fr.  to 
take  head,  as  a  horse  does  when  he  runs 
away;  also  to  undertake  a  thing  warmly. 

Prendre  un  rat,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression used  among  the  French  when  a 
musket  or  pistol  misses  fire,  viz.  Ilvoulut 
tirer,  mais  son  pistolet  prit  un  rat,  that 
is,  he  would  have  fired,  but  his  pistol 
only  flashed  in  the  pan.  Hence  Rater, 
which  see. 

Prendre  da  temps,  Fr.  to  take  time 
in  executing  a  thing. 

Prendre  son  temps,  Fr.  to  do  a  thing 
with  perfect  convenience  to  one's  self. 

Prendre  la  parole,  Fr.  to  speak  first. 

Prendre  sa  revanche,  Fr.  to  make  up 
for  any  past  loss  or  disadvantage. — We 
familiarly  say,  to  take  one's  revenge. 

Prendre  a  partie,  Fr.  an  expression 
peculiar  to  the  French,  in  judicial  mat- 
ters, which  signifies  to  attack  a  judge, 
for  having  prevaricated  and  taken  the 
part  of  one  side  against  another,  without 


any  regard  to  justice.  It  likewise  means 
to  impute  misconduct  or  criminality,  and 
to  make  a  person  responsible  for  it. 

■Se  Prendre  de  vin,  Fr.  to  get  drunk. 
Excess  of  drinking  was  so  little  known 
before  the  revolution,  among  French  of- 
ficers and  soldiers,  that  the  greatest  dis- 
grace was  affixed  to  the  habit.  It  is  re- 
corded, that  when  Marshal  Richelieu 
had  determined  to  storm  a  place  in  the 
Mediterranean,  he  gave  out  the  follow- 
ing order — "  Any  soldier  who  shall  ap- 
pear the  least  intoxicated,  shall  be  ex- 
cluded from  the  honour  and  glory  of 
mounting  the  assault  to-morrow  morn- 
ing." Every  man  was  at  his  post,  and 
not  a  single  instance  of  intoxication  oc- 
curred. Such  was  the  esprit  de  corps  and 
the  amour  propre  which  prevailed  in  all 
ranks,  that  the  dread  of  corporal  pu- 
nishment had  less  effect  than  the  being 
deprived  of  an  opportunity  to  shew 
courage  and  resolution. 

Prendre  lungue,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression  among  the  French,  which  sig- 
nifies to  get  intelligence  by  secret  means. 
Thus,  a  spy  that  is  sent  into  an  enemy's 
camp,  may  be  said  to  go  thither  in  order 
to  hear  what  passes,  and  to  pick  up  in- 
formation. 

Vaisseuu  PPlENEUR,  Fr.  a  term  pe- 
culiarly applicable  to  a  ship  that  has 
taken  a  prize. 

PRENOM,  Fr.  any  name  which 
stands  before  a  surname. 

PREPARATIFS  de  guerre,  Fr.  war- 
like preparations.  He  is  a  wise  man, 
and,  of  course,  a  wise  king,  who  keeps 
the  following  maxim  constantly  in  his 
mind:  —  si  vis  pacem,  para  bellum,  if 
you  wish  to  secure  peace,  be  always 
ready  to  go  to  war.  The  Turks  are, 
perhaps,  the  only  people  who  adhere 
to  this  Roman  adage.  Their  troops 
are  always  ready  for  action ;  or  as  a 
French  writer  says, — Le  biscuit  est  pret, 
de  sorte  qu'ils  nont  a.ua  se  mettre  en 
route;  the  biscuit  is  at  hand,  so  that 
they  have  nothing  to  do  but  to  move,  or 
begin  their  route. 

PREPARATIVE,  having  the  power 
of  preparing,  qualifying,  or  fitting.  This 
\vord  is  used,  in  a  military  sense,  to  give 
notice  of  any  thing  about  to  be  done. 
Hence 

Preparative,  a  beat  of  the  drum,  by 
which  officers  are  warned  to  step  out  of 
the  ranks  when 


the  firings  are  to  com- 


mence. 
4R2 


PRE 


(     676     ) 


PRE 


When  the  Preparative  is  heat,  for  the 
firings,  the  officers  in  the  front  rank  step 
ou(  nimbly  two  paces  from  the  vacan- 
cies between  the  divisions,  platoons,com- 
paniesj  or  Bub-divisions,  face  to  the  left 
without  word  of  command,  and  look,  to 
right  of  companies,  &C  When  the  Pre- 
parative has  ceased,  they  severally  com- 
mence the  firing.  When  the  general  is 
beat,  they  fall  hack  into  the  front  rank. 

To  PREPARE,  to  take  previous  mea- 
sures. 

Prepare  for  action,  a  word  of  com- 
mand used  in  the  British  artillery. 

PREPARATORY,  antecedently  ne- 
cessary ;  giving  that  knowledge  in  any 
art  or  science  which  is  necessary  to  qua- 
lify individuals  for  a  superior  class  or 
branch.     Hence  preparatory  schools. 

Preparatory  academics.  The  junior 
department  of  the  Royal  Military  College 
is  preparatory  to  the  senior.  The  first 
elements  of  military  science  are  taught 
in  the  former,  and  officers  get  qualified 
in  the  higher  branches  of  the  profession 
when  they  enter  the  latter. 

PRESENCE  of  77iind,  ready  concep- 
tion of  expedients,  producing  prompti- 
tude of  action  under  difficult  and  alarm- 
ing circumstances.  Archduke  Charles, 
in  1796,  when  the  Austrians  were  pre- 
cipitately retreating,  dismounted,  and 
placing  himself  at  the  head  of  the  gre- 
nadiers, exclaimed,  "  There  is  the  ene- 
my," pointing  to  the  French,  "you  have 
mistaken  the  road — there  shall  be  no 
retreat  where  T  am." — And  he  beat  the 
Trench,  under  the  electrical  communi- 
cation of  this  feeling. 

Presence  of.  mind.  Then:  is  a  very 
remarkable  instance  of  that  species  of 
presence  of  mind  which  gives  a  sudden 
turn  to  public  opinion,  and,  as  it  were, 
electrifies  the  human  mind.  When  a 
dangerous  mutiny  broke  out  among  the 
Roman  legions,  on  a  proposed  expedi- 
tion against  the  Germans,  Caesar  sud- 
denly exclaimed,  "  Let  the  whole  army 
return  ignominionsly  home,  if  it  think 
proper,  the  tenth  legion  and  myself  will 
remain  and  combat  for  the  republic." 
Having,  as  Plutarch  observes,  excited 
his  troops  to  fresh  ardour,  he  led  them 
against  the  Germans;  and  being  in- 
formed that  the  enemy  had  been  warned 
by  their  soothsayers  not  to  engage  before 
the  next  moon,  he  took  an  immediate 
Occasion  to  force  them  to  battle,  in 
which  he,  as  usual,  obtained  a  victory. 
On  a  subsequent   occasion,   this   great 


man  discovered  a  promptitude  of  con- 
ception  and  a  presence  of  mind  which 
have  never  been  surpassed  in  ancient 
or  modern  history. 

Having  led  his  army  against  the  Ner- 
vii,  the  most  uncivilized,  and  the  most 
fierce  of  all  the  nations  bordering  upon 
the  Roman  territory,  he  met  a  resist- 
ance, which,  as  it  was  not  expected, 
somewhat  shook  the  firmness  of  his 
troops.  The  Nervii,  by  a  sudden  onset, 
at  fust,  routed  his  cavalry  ;  but  perceiv- 
ing  tin  danger  to  which  his  army  was 
exposed,  CaBsar  himself  snatched  up  a 
buckler,  and  forcing  his  way  through 
his  own  men,  he,  with  the  assistance  of 
his  tenth  legion,  changed  the  fortune  of 
the  day,  and  cut  the  enemy  almost  en- 
tirely off.  For,  as  Plutarch  states,  out 
of  60,000  soldiers,  not  above  500  sur- 
vived the  battle. 

Presence  of  a  corps,  the  hostile  ap- 
pearance of  a  body  of  soldiers  for  the 
direct  purposes  of  war. 

Kn  PRESENCE,  Fr.  in  sight;  as  in 
sight  of  the  enemy. 

A  It  P 1 '  ES  E  N  T,  a  term  used  w  nan 
officer  takes  his  Serjeant's  report,  and 
makes  the  necessary  inquiry  respecting 
the  state  of  his  troop  or  company. 

To  Present,  (presenter,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  used  in  various  senses.  Thos6 
which  are  more  immediately  applicable 
to  military  usage  are  as  follow  : — 

To  Present,  to  offer  openly;  to  ex- 
hibit ;  to  give  in  ceremony ;  as  to  pre- 
sent the  colours. 

To  Present  arms,  to  bring  the  fire- 
lock to  a  certain  prescribed  position,  for 
the  purpose  of  paying  a  military  compli- 
ment.    See  Manual. 

To  Present,  to  level  ;  to  aim  ;  to 
bring  the  firelock  to  a  prescribed  posi- 
tion, for  the  purpose  of  discharging  its 
contents. — See  Platoon  Exercise,  under 
Manual.  The  French  use  the  term 
Present  in  almost  all  the  senses  that  we 
do.  There  is  an  exception  in  the  phrase 
Present,  Fire,  instead  of  which  they  say, 
Joue,  Feu.  The  word  Joue,  which  sig- 
nifies cheek,  being  expressive  of  the  par- 
ticular position  of  the  musket  when  the 
soldier  takes  aim.  It  corresponds  with 
Present  in  this  particular  case. 

PRESENTER,  l'r.  among  workmen, 
to  lay  or  place  a  piece  of  wood,  bar  of 
iron,  or  any  other  article,  in  order  to  fit 
it  to  the  spot  where  it  is  to  remain. 

Presenter  let  urines,  Fr.  to  present 
arms,  to  bring  the  firelock  to  any  posi- 


PRE 


(    G77     ) 


PRE 


tion  that  may  be  prescribed  in  military 
exercise.  In  the  firings  it  signifies  make 
reach/,  viz.  Presenter  les  amies,  make 
ready  ;  Joue,  ready  ;  Feu,  tire.  In  the 
manual  and  other  exercises  of  the  piece, 
it  corresponds  with  our  term. 

Presenter  la  baionnette,  Fr.  to  charge 
bayonets. 

PRESIDENCY.  The  seats  of  govern- 
ment are  so  distinguished  in  India. — 
There  are  four  presidencies,  viz.  Bom- 
bay, Calcutta,  Fort  St.  David,  and  Ma- 
dras. 

President  of  a  court-martial,  the 
principal  member  in  a  military  court, 
whether  of  inquiry  into  grounds  for  ac- 
cusation, or  for  direct  prosecution  on 
charges  exhibited  against  a  military  of- 
fender. 

The  president  of  a  court-martial  re- 
sembles, in  some  degree,  the  chief  judge 
of  a  civil  court.  It  is  his  duty  to  take 
minutes  of  all  that  is  deposed  upon  oath 
during  the  proceedings^  and  to  sum 
them  up  at  the  conclusion  ;  putting  the 
question,  Guilty  or  Not  Guilty  ?  to  the 
youngest  member,  and  so  up  to  himself, 
as  casting  vote.  In  a  general  court- 
martial,  the  judge  advocate,  or  his  de- 
puty, always  attends  for  the  purpose  of 
recording  the  proceedings.  His  autho- 
rity, however,  does  not  appear  to  be  suf- 
liciently  defined,  for  in  some  instances 
he  is  not  allowed  to  interfere  with  the 
president  or  members,  unless  applied  to, 
and  in  others  he  assumes,  or  has,  a  right 
to  explain  the  law. 

The  commander  in  chief,  for  the  time 
being,  is,  by  virtue  of  his  appointment, 
perpetual  president  of  the  supreme  board 
of  the  royal  military  college  in  Great 
Britain.  And  the  resident  governor,  or, 
in  his  absence,  the  lieutenant-governor  of 
that  establishment,  is  perpetual  president 
of  the  collegiate  board. 

PRESTESSE,  Fr.  quick-perception ; 
prestesse  d'esprit,  presence  of  mind. 

PRESTIGE,  Fr.  magic  ;  illusion ; 
fascination.  Thus,  at  the  battle  of  Wa- 
terloo, Bonaparte  was  said  by  the  French 
to  have  lost  su  prestige,  i.  e.  that  he  was 
not  invincible. 

PRESQU'ILE,  Fr.   See  Peninsula. 

PRESS-money,  money  given  to  the 
soldier  when  taken  or  pressed  into  the 
sen-ice  :  but  as  the  entrance  into  the 
British  service  is  a  voluntary  act,  it  is 
now  more  properly  called  bounty  or  en- 
listing monev. 


Portable  printing  Press.  A  machine 
of  this  sort  ought  always  to  accompany 
each  brigade  at  least,  of  an  army,  if  not. 
every  regiment,  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
tributing general  orders  with  expedition. 
The  French  always  use  printing  ma- 
chines on  these  occasions. 

PREss-gawg,  a  body  of  armed  sailors, 
who,  under  the  authority  of  the  Impress 
Act,  parade  the  streets,  and  seize  per- 
sons for  the  service  of  the  navy. 

To  Press,  in  horsemanship,  is  to  push 
a  horse  forwards  by  assisting  him  with 
the  calves  of  your  legs,  or  by  spurring 
him  into  speed. 

PRESTANCE,  Fr.  appearance,  de- 
meanour, port  of  body.  Hence  pres- 
tance  militaire,  military  look,  gait  and 
deportment. 

Belle  Pp.estance,  Fr.  a  handsome  ap- 
pearance ;  a  dignified  look,  &c. 

PRESTATION  de  serment,  Fr.  the 
taking  an  oath. 

PRESUMPTION  and  VANITY, 
(presomption  et  vanite,  Fr.)  Under  the 
latter  word  Bailey  very  justly  includes 
emptiness,  unprofitableness,  vain-glory, 
and  pride ;  and  of  all  follies,  bordering 
upon  vice  and  crime,  it  is,  perhaps,  the 
most  dangerous  in  a  military  character. 
We  lament  that  the  limits  of  this  publi- 
cation will  not  allow  us  room  to  illustrate 
the  truth  of  this  observation,  by  tran- 
scribing out  of  Plutarch,  in  the  life  of 
Fabius  Maximus,  whatisgiven  respecting 
the  conduct  of  Minucius,  who  was  his 
colleague,  and  who  fought  conjointly 
with  him  against  Hannibal. 

PRET,  Fr.  the  subsistence  or  daily 
pay  which  is  given  to  soldiers.  The 
French  say, 

Payer  le  Pret,  to  pay  subsistence. 

Recevoir  le  Pret,  to  receive  subsist- 
ence. 

Toucher  le  Pret,  to  touch  subsistence. 

Pret  also  signifies  a  loan  of  money. 

PRETENDER,  (pretendant,  Fr.)  one 
who  pretends  to  any  thing,  whether  it 
be  his  own  or  the  property  of  another. 
Hence  the  Pretender,  who  thought  tho 
Crown  of  England  his  own,  on  the 
ground  of  hereditary  right ;  but  whose 
lineal  claim  was  set  aside  by  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain,  in  favour  of  a 
collateral  Protestant  branch. 

PRETER,  Fr,  in  military  tactics,  to 
expose,  as 

Preter  son  jlanc  a  Vennemi,  to  ex- 
pose one's  flank  to  the  enemy ;  to  march 


P  K  E 


(     678    ) 


P  It  E 


in  «o  unguarded  a  manner,  or  to  take 
up  one's  ground  so  disadvantageous^  as 
to  stand  in  continuaJ  danger  of  being 
out-flanked. 

The  French  likewise  say,  figuratively, 
prefer  le  Jlanc,  to  put  one's  self  in  the 
power  of  another. 

Preter  le  collet  a  quelquuti,  Fr.  to 
fight  body  to  body ;  or  at  close  quarters. 

iScPreteu  an  collet,  Fr.  See  lb  Take 
to. 

PRETEXT,  (prelcxte,  Fr.)  a  colour- 
able excuse,  pretence,  shew.  Persons 
employed  on  secret  service  should  have 
various  pretexts  at  hand. 

PRETOR,  (prcteur,  Fr.)  among  the 
Romans,  the  governor  of  a  province, 
who  had  served  the  office  of  Pre  tor,  or 
chief  minister  of  justice  in  ancient 
Rome.  The  provinces  so  governed  were 
called  pretorian. 

PRETORIAN,  (pritorien,  ne,  Fr.) 
appertaining  to  a  Pretor;  as  Pretorian 
Band,  the  general's  guard  among  the  an- 
cient Romans. 

PRETORIUM,  (pritoire,  Fr.)  the  hall 
or  court  wherein  the  Pretor  lived  and 
administered  justice.  It  also  denoted 
the  tent  of  a  Roman  general,  in  which 
councils  of  war  were  held.  The  place 
where  the  Pretorian  guards  were  quar- 
tered or  lodged,  was  likewise  called  Pre- 
torium. 

PREUX,  JY.  brave  ;  courageous. — 
This  word  is  used  both  as  a  substantive 
and  an  adjective,  viz.  Un  ancicn  preux. 
Un  preux  et  hardi  chevalier. 

To  PREVARICATE,  (privariqver, 
Fr.)  to  shuffle  and  cut,  to  play  fast  and 
loose,  to  make  a  shew  of  doing  a  thing, 
and  to  act  quite  contrary. 

PREVARICATION,  in  a  general 
sense,  deceit,  double  dealing ;  imposi- 
tion upon  the  understanding. 

PREVENTR  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to  get  the 
start  of  an  enemy,  or  to  anticipate  his 
movements. 

PREVENTION,  Fr.  prejudice,  pre- 
possession ;  anticipation  ;   hindrance. 

PREVOT,  Fr.  provost. 

Prevot  d'une  armce,  Fr.  provost- 
marshal  belonging  to  an  army. 

Prevot  de  Vartillerie,  Fr.  an  offi- 
cer under  the  old  government  of  France, 
who  only  exercised  the  duties  of  his 
situation  during  actual  service,  and  who 
always  came  in  rear  of  the  baggage  — 
There  were  some  cases  in  which  the. 
power  of  life,  and  death  was  absolutely 


vested  in  him;  and  in  others,  he  was 
obliged  to  refer  the  sentence  to  the  high 
bailiff  belonging  to  the  royal  arsenal  in 
Paris,  as  a  last  resort. 

Prevot  general  de  la  connetablie, 
gendarmerie,  et  marechaussie  de  France, 
camps  et  armies  du  roi,  Fr.  provost-ge- 
neial  belonging  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
high  constable  of  France,  &c.  This  place 
or  commission  is  of  very  ancient  date, 
having  first  taken  place  during  the  se- 
cond race  of  French  kings,  and  being  as 
old  as  that  of  conn'cfable,  or  constable, 
of  Fiance  ;  with  this  only  exception,  that 
the  appellation  of  marichaussee  was  add- 
ed after  the  suppression  of  the  conneta- 
blie  in  1G07.  The  company,  which  im- 
mediately was  attached  to  the  provost- 
general,  and  which  was  the  colonel's,  or 
la  colonelle,  took  precedence  over  all 
others  of  the  same  description.  This 
superior  officer  was,  in  his  own  right, 
provost-general  throughout  the  king's 
camps  and  armies  in  war  time.  An  in- 
dependent company  always  attended  the 
provost,  in  order  to  execute  his  instruc- 
tions, as  well  as  those  of  the  most  ancient 
Marshal  of  France,  who  represented  the 
constable  since  the  suppression  of  that 
title.  There  was  also  a  guard  at  the 
marshal's  head-quarters,  which  was  con- 
stantly mounted  by  a  given  number  of 
cavalry,  and  which  was  subject  to  the 
orders  of  the  provost-general.  The  pro- 
vost-general was  always  present  when- 
ever a  council  was  assembled  by  the 
Marshal  of  France,  to  settle  disputes 
and  differences  which  might  arise  be- 
tween persons  of  distinction,  noblemen, 
or  private  gentlemen;  and  to  determine 
generally  upon  points  of  honour.  The 
sentence  or  opinion  of  this  tribunal  was 
final  and  decisive. 

Prevot  general  de  monnaies,  Fr. 
provost-general,  or  what  we  call  master 
of  the  mint.  Under  the  old  monarchy 
of  France,  this  person  was  vested  with 
the  same  powers  that  were  annexed  to 
the  title  of  Prevot  des  Marcchaussecs,  and 
had  a  seat  at  the  council  of  the  Mar- 
shals of  France. 

Prevot  general  de  Vile  de  France, 
Fr.  provost-general  of  the  Isle  of  France, 
(so  called  from  an  insular  spot  formed 
by  the  Seine  in  the  center  of  Paris.)— 
This  officer  had  under  his  command  a 
body  of  horse,  divided  into  eight  bri- 
gades, which  were  distributed  about  the 
neighbourhood  of  Paris,  to  secure  the, 


P  R  I 


(     679     ) 


P  R  I 


country  round  from  the  depredations  of 
the  capital.  He  had,  like  the  other  pre- 
vents, a  separate  tribunal  of  his  own.  It 
were  devoutly  to  be  wished  that,  among 
our  manifold  imitations  of  the  Germans, 
we  could  condescend  so  far  to  imitate 
the  French,  as  either  to  employ  some  of 
our  useless  cavalry  in  and  about  the 
skirts  of  London,  or  to  form  some  spe- 
cific body  of  men,  whose  duty  should  be 
to  patrole  within  the  bills  of  mortality 
at  least.  Tn  time  of  peace  this  plan 
might  easily  be  adopted  ;  and  we  could 
point  out  a  corps  which  might  be  ren- 
dered very  serviceable.  But  we  think 
such  an  establishment  ought  to  be  car- 
ried on  on  a  large  and  liberal  scale.  The 
community  would  be  benefited  by  it ; 
and  if  public  money  is  to  be  expended, 
in  time  of  peace  or  in  time  of  war,  how 
can  it  be  more  rationally  employed  than 
for  the  safety  of  those  who  contribute 
towards  the  public  purse  ? 

Pr£vots  generau.v  des  martchaussees, 
Fr.  provosts-general  of  the  different  mar- 
ehalsies  of  France. 

PRICES  of  commissions.  See  Regu- 
lation. 

To  PRICK,  or  Pinch,  (in  horseman- 
ship,) is  an  aid ;  but  to  bear  hard  with 
the  spur  is  correction. 

To  Prick  out,  an  expression  used 
among  engineers,  &c  signifying  to  mark 
out  the  ground  where  a  camp,  &c.  is  to 
be  formed. 

To  Prick  out  the  line  of  circumvalla- 
tion.  This  is  done  by  the  chief  engineer 
and  quarter-master-general  whenever  an 
army  entrenches  itself  before  a  town,  or 
takes  possession  of  any  given  lot  of 
ground,  and  begins  to  hut. 

VRicK-posts,  (among  builders,)  are 
such  as  are  framed  into  the  breast  sum- 
mers, between  the  principal  parts,  for 
strengthening  the  carcass  of  the  house. 

PRICKING,  amongmariners,  to  make 
a  point  on  the  plan  or  chart,  near  about 
where  the  ship  then  is,  or  is  to  be  at  such 
a  time,  in  order  to  find  the  course  they 
are  to  steer. 

PRICKER,  a  brass  wire  used  for 
clearing  the  touch-hole  of  a  musket,  &c. 
A  light  horseman  was  formerly  so  called. 

PRIEST'S  CAP,  (bonnet  de  pretre, 
Fr.)   See  Fortification,  and  Bonnet. 

PRIME,  a  word  of  command  used  in 
the  platoon  exercise.     See  Manual. 

Prime  and  load,  a  word  of  command 
used  in  the  exercise  of  a  battalion,  com- 
pany, or  squad.     See  Manual. 


Prime  parade,  in  fencing,  is  formed 
by  dropping  the  point  of  your  sword  to 
the  right,  bending  your  elbow,  and  draw- 
ing the  back  of  your  sword  hand  to 
within  a  foot  of  your  forehead,  in  a  line 
with  your  left  temple,  so  that  your  blade 
shall  carry  the  thrust  of  your  antagonist 
clear  of  the  inside,  or  left,  of  your  posi- 
tion. 

Prime  thrust,  a  thrust  applicable  af- 
ter forming  the  above  parade,  and  deli- 
vered at  the  inside  of  the  antagonist. — 
To  obtain  an  opening  for  this  thrust,  it  is 
sometimes  necessary  to  step  out  of  the 
line  to  the  right  as  you  parry,  or  else  to 
oppose  the  sword  of  your  antagonist  with 
your  left  hand.     The  first  method  is  most 


eligible. 


Hanging    Guard,    with    the 


Prime 
broadsword,  a  position  in  which  the 
hand  is  brought  somewhat  to  the  left,  in 
order  to  secure  that  side  of  the  face  and 
body.     See  Broadsword. 

PRIME  numbers,  in  arithmetic,  are 
those  made  only  by  addition,  or  the  col- 
lection of  units,  and  not  by  multiplica- 
tion ;  so  that  an  unit  only  can  measure 
it :  as  2, 3,  4,  5,  &c.  Some  call  it  a  sim- 
ple, and  others  an  uncompound  number. 

PRIME  figure,  in  geometry,  is  that 
which  cannot  be  divided  into  any  other 
figures  more  simple  than  itself;  as  a  tri- 
angle into  planes,  a  pyramid  into  solids  ; 
for  all  planes  are  made  of  the  first,  and 
all  bodies  or  solids  are  compounded  of 
the  second. 

PRIMING,  in  gunnery,  the  train  of 
powder  that  is  laid,  from  the  opening 
of  the  vent,  along  the  gutter  or  channel, 
on  the  upper  part  of  the  breech  of  the 
gun,  which,  when  fired,  conveys  the 
name  to  the  vent,  by  which  it  is  further 
communicated  to  the  charge,  in  order  to 
discharge  the  piece.  This  operation  is 
only  used  on  ship-board,  at  the  proof, 
and  sometimes  in  garrison ;  for  on  all 
other  occasions,  tubes  are  used  for  that 
purpose. 

Priming,  or  prime  of  a  gun,  is  the 
gunpowder  put  in  the  pan  or  touch-hole 
of  a  piece,  to  give  it  fire  thereby. 

PRiMiNG-case,  a  small  tin  case,  about 
the  size  and  shape  of  a  cartridge,  for 
the  purpose  of  keeping  a  certain  quan- 
tity of  gunpowder,  tor  priming,  con- 
stantly ready  and  dry.  It  is  to  be  hoped, 
that  this  rational  and  economical  in- 
vention, which  has  been  seen  by  the 
Commander  in  Chief,  will  be  universally 
adopted. 


P    R    I  (     C80 

See  Ptutoon  Ex 


) 


P  R  I 


Priming  position, 
rrcisf,  under  Mam  ai.. 

Priming  aire,  in  gunnery,  :i  sort  of 
iron  needle,  employed  to  penetrate  the 
vent  or  touch-hole  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance, when  it  is  loaded,  in  order  to  dis- 
cover Whether  tlie  powder  contained 
therein  he  thoroughly  dry,  and  fit  for 
immediate  service ;  as  likewise  to  search 
the  vent  and  penetrate  the  cartridge, 
when  the  guns  are  not  loaded  with  loose 
powder. 

PRIMIPILARTI.PimiOPILARH, 
or  PRIMIPILA  &ES,  (Primipilaire,  Fr.) 
among  the  Romans,  were  such  as  had 
formerly  borne  the  office  of  Primipilus 
of  a  legion.  The  banner  was  entrusted 
To  his  care.  Among  other  privileges 
■which  the  Primipilarii  enjoyed,  they  be- 
came heirs  to  what  little  property  was 
left  by  the  soldiers  who  died  in  the  cam- 
paign.    See  Lexicon  Mililare. 

PRIMIPILUS,  the  centurion  belong- 
ing to  the  first  cohort  of  a  legion.  He 
had  charge  of  the  Roman  eagl<  . 

PRIMITIVES,  J'V.  Primitive  colours 
are  distinguished  by  this  term  among  the 
French.  They  are  the  yellow,  the  red, 
and  the  blue  ;  white  and  black  being  the 
extremes. 

PRINCIPAL,  (chef,  Fr.)  the  person 
who  has  the  chief  management  of  any 
thing — as  principal  of  the  riding  depart- 
ment at  Woolwich,  &c. 

PR1NCIPES,  (princes,  Fr.)  Roman 
soldiers.  They  consisted  of  the  strong- 
est and  most  active  men  in  the  infantry, 
and  were  armed  like  the  Ilastati,  with 
this  difference,  that  the  former  had  half 
pikes  instead  of  whole  ones. 

PRINCIPAL,  in  the  militia,  a  per- 
son who  has  been  regularly  ballotted 
for,  and  is  chosen  to  serve  for  a  limited 
period.  The  act  directs  that  every  such 
person  shall  be  enrolled  (in  a  roll  to  be 
prepared  at  a  subdivision  assembled 
for  that  purpose)  to  serve  as  a  private 
militia-man  for  a  limited  period.  Rut 
every  person,  so  chosen  by  ballot,  may 
produce  for  his  substitute  a  man  of  the 
same  county  or  riding,  or  of  some  ad- 
joining county  or  riding,  able  and  tit  for 
.service,  who  shall  not  have  more  than 
one  child  born  in  wedlock,  and  who 
shall  be  approved  by  any  two  or  more 
deputy  lieutenants.  The  necessities  of 
the  times  have  rendered  it  expedient  to 
deviate  from  the  strict  letter  of  the  law 
with  respect  to  substitutes.  Any  able 
bodied  man,  Welch,  English,  Scotch,  or 


Irish,  Protestant,  or  Roman  Catholic- „ 
may  serve  for  a  principal  who  has  been 
regularly  chosen  mid  ballotted  for.— 
That  part  of  the  oath,  which  confined 
the  services  of  the  individual  to  an  ex- 
clusive acknowledgement  of  the  estab- 
lished religion  df  Great  Britain,  is  bow 
wholly  omitted.  The  oath  runs: — "I 
A.  B.  do  sincerely  promise  and  swear, 
that  1  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true  alle- 
giance to  his  Majesty  Jvi i m:  Georae,  and 
1  do  swear  f  am  a  Protestant,  Sue."  By 
means  of  this  omission,  (which  is  done 
by  courtesy,  and  ought  to  be  sanctioned 
by  law,)  persons  of  all  persuasions  may 
join  their  country's  standard.  Princi- 
pals in  the  militia,  who  have  served  five 
years,  may  claim  their  discharge;  but 
substitutes  are  obliged  to  continue  as 
long  as  the  militia  remains  embodied, 
receiving  one  guinea  at  the  expiration 
of  the  term  for  which  they  originally 
enlisted. 

Principal  Secretary  of  Slate.  See 
Sfcretary  or  State. 

PRINCIPLE,accordingtothe  schools, 
is  that  from  which  any  thing  is  done  or 
known. 

Principle  also  denotes  the  founda- 
tions of  arts  and  sciences. 

Military  Principles,  the  basis  or 
ground-work  upon  which  every  military 
movement  is  made,  and  by  which  every 
operation  is  conducted. 

PRIS,  Fr.  This  word  is  variously- 
used  by  the  French,  in  a  figurative  and 
proverbial  sense.  C'est  autunt  de  pris 
sur  Vennemi  is  an  expression  signifying 
that  some  advantage,  at  least,  has  been 
gained. 

Une  villc  Prise,  Fr.  a  town  which 
has  been  taken. 

Prise  des  dehors  d'une  place,  Fr. 
the  taking  possession  of  an  enemy's  out- 
works. 

PRISAGE,  that  share  which  belongs 
to  the  king  or  admiral  out  of  such  mer- 
chandises, &c.  as  are  lawfully  taken  at 
sea.     See  Civil  Law  Officers. 

PRISE  de  possession  d'une  place  con-* 
qiuse  par  les  armes,  Fr.  the  taking  pos- 
session of  a  place  which  has  been  con- 
quered by  force  of  arms.  When  a  town 
surrenders  under  these  circumstances, 
the  walls  of  the  place  and  a  bell  belong- 
ing to  each  parish,  become  the  property 
of  the  conqueror.  The  bells  are  intends 
ed  to  replace  the  damage  which  mar 
have  been  done  to  the  ordnance  in  car- 
rying on  the  siege  ;  but  the  inhabitants 


P  R  I 


(     681     ) 


P  R  I 


tire  always  at  liberty  to  redeem  them,  by 
paving  down  a  stipulated  sum  of  money. 
See  Raciiat  ties  Cloches-. 

Prise  de  corps,  Fr.  arrest. 

Prise  sur  sol,  Fr.  The  French  say, 
donner  prise  sur  soi,  to  let  another  take 
the  advantage  of  one.  Ignorant,  pre- 
sumptuous, and  unexperienced  officers, 
are  much  exposed  to  this  fatal  error. 

Letcher  Pkise,  Fr.  to  lose  one's  hold. 
This  expression  is  used,  when  a  general 
of  an  army,  from  his  forces  being 
either  not  sufficiently  strong,  or  from 
having  himself  omitted  to  take  the  best 
advantage  of  ground,  &,c.  is  obliged 
to  give  way.  Whenever  this  happens, 
it  may  be  said,  with  much  truth,  that 
such  a  general  ought  not  to  be  entrusted 
with  the  command  of  an  army.  The 
circumstances  must  be  very  peculiar  in- 
deed, which  could  exculpate  him  in  the 
judgment  of  military  men. 

Avoir  Prise  sur  quelqiiun,  Fr.  to  be 
able  to  attach  any  thing  to  an  individual 
derogatory  from  his  character;  or,  in  any 
vvav  affecting  his  interest. 

PRISES,  Jr.     See  Prizes. 

Prises  sur  I'enncmi,  Fr.  Every  thing 
taken  from  the  enemy  is  so  called. 

PRISM,  (prisme,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  a 
solid  contained  under  several  planes, 
which  has  commonly  for  base,  a  triangle, 
a  quadrilateral,  or  a  polygon,  the  solid 
content  of  which  consists  of  as  many 
parallelograms  as  there  are  sides  to  its 
base,  and  which  is  crowned  by  a  plane 
that  is  equal  and  parallel  to  the  base. 
It  is  called  light  prism,  prisme  droit, 
when  it  is  contained  under  rectangular 
parallelograms ;  oblique  prism,  prisme 
oblique,  when  it  is  inclined  towards  its 
base ;  triangular  prism,  prisme  triangu- 
laire,  when  its  base  is  a  triangle ;  quadri- 
lateral prism,  or  parallelepiped,  prisme 
quadrilutere,  ou  puraKelepipt.de,  when  its 
base  is  a  parallelogram,  or  a  right  angle. 
In  short,  a  prism  of  five,  six,  or  seven 
sides,  &c.  when  its  base  is  a  polygon  con- 
sisting of  five,  six,  and  seven  sides,  &c. 

PRISMOID  (in  geometry)  is  a  solid 
figure  bounded  by  several  planes,  whose 
bases  are  right  angled  parallelograms, 
parallel,  and  alike  situated.  Also  a  body 
approaching  to  the  form  of  a  prism. 

PRISONERS  of  war,  (prisonniers  dc 
guerre,  Fr.)  those  of  the  enemy  who  are 


Pain  des  Prisonniers,  Fr.  the  bread. 
which  each  state  furnishes  by  contract 
for  the  support  of  prisoners  of  war. 

PRIVATE,  a  term  used  in  the  British 
service  to  express  a  common  soldier. 
Thus,  though  a  corporal  constitute  one  of 
the  rank  and  file,  he  is  not  a  private ;  but 
every  man  under  him  is  so  called. 

Private  is  likewise  a  word  frequently 
placed  at  the  corner  of  a  letter  to  dis- 
tinguish it  from  a  mere  official  docu- 
ment; or  rather,  to  confine  the  commu- 
nication to  the  perusal  of  one  person 
onlv. 

Private,  and  Confidential,  a  term 
frequently  used  in  private  communica- 
tion among  men  in  office,  or  attached  to 
public  situations. 

Private  conversation,  confidential 
communication  with  one  or  more  per- 
sons; any  thing  said  which  is  not  to  be 
made  public.  Hence,  to  repeat  private 
conversation  has,  at  all  times,  and  by  all 
civilized  persons,  been  reckoned  a  gross 
breach  and  violation,  not  only  of  good 
manners,  but  of  every  principle  of  recti- 
tude and  honour. 

PRIVATEER,  a  ship  fitted  out  by 
one  or  more  private  persons,  with  a 
licence  from  the  prince,  or  state,  to  take 
or  make  prize  of  an  enemy's  ship,  or 
goods. 

PRIVATION,  absence ;  removal,  or 
destruction  of  any  thing,  or  quality ; 
lack,  want.  Among  other  necessary 
and  indispensable  qualities  which  officers 
and  soldiers  should  possess  in  actual 
warfare,  the  being  capable  of  enduring 
privations  of  almost  every  kind,  is  per- 
haps the  most  estimable. 

PRIVILEGE  is  any  kind  of  right,  or 
advantage,  which  is  attached  to  a  person 
or  employment,  exclusive  of  others. 

PRIVILEGES  of  the  Guards.  Among 
the  different  privileges  which  prevail  in 
the  British  army,  we  ought  to  notice, 
that  the  Life  Guards  receive  their  pro- 
motions direct  from  the  king,  without 
passing  through  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
as  all  other  corps  do.  The  appointment 
of  colonel  in  the  life  guards  gives  the 
honorary  title  of  Gold  slick,  and  the 
field  officer  of  the  day  is  the  Silver 
Stick,  through  whom  all  reports,  &Q. 
are  conveyed  to  the  King.  The  foot- 
guards  enjoy  the  privilege  of  ranking, 


taken  before,  in,  or  after  a  battle,  siege,  j  from  the  ensign,  one  step  higher  than 
&c.  they  are  deprived  of  their  liberty  the  line.  A  lieutenant,  far  instance, 
at  large,  until  exchanged,  or  sent  on  '  ranks  as  captain,  and  can  purchase  as 
parole.  |  4  S 


P  R  1 


(  ea-  ) 


P  R  O 


fcuoh  into  any  marching  regiment  with- 
out having  waited  the  regulated  period  ; 
and  a  captain,  having  the  brevet  rank 

of  lieutenant-colonel,  may  leap  over  all 
the  majors  of  the  line,  by  getting  ap- 
pointed to  a  marching  regiment.  The 
promotions  of  the  Guards,  among  them- 
selves, are,  however,  extremely  blow; 
vet,  strange  to  say,  the  only  indem- 
nification they  have  must  be  at  the 
expense  of  the  line. 

Pbivileges  des  regimens,  Fr.  certain 
privileges  attached  to  regiments. 

Privilege  of  franking  letters,  an 
exclusive  right  which  is  given  to  peers  of 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  to  send  and  to 
receive  by  their  signatures,  a  prescribed 
number  of  letters  free  of  the  charges  of 
postage,  (we  believe  ten  in  the  first,  and 
fourteen  in  the  second  instance);  also  a 
temporary  right  enjoyed  by  members  of 
parliament  to  do  the  same  ;  both  classes 
being  subjected  to  a  given  weight,  of  twp 
ounces.  Certain  persons  in  official  situa- 
tions have  the  same  privilege,  with  this 
exception,  that  they  are  not  confined  to 
weight.  Letters  of  private  soldiers  and 
seamen,  superscribed  by  their  com- 
manding officers,  are  also  included  in 
this  privilege. 

Privileged  orders,  certain  classes  of 
men  and  women,  who  have  rank  and 
precedence  in  community,  with  exemp- 
tions from  particular  laws,  See.  and 
who  are  sometimes  the  ornament,  but 
very  often  the  disgrace  of  the  stations 
they  hold.  The  offspring  of  these  crea- 
•  tures — we  mean  of  the  latter  description 
— frequently  get  promoted  at  the  expense 
of  unprotected  merit,  in  all  countries. 
With  us  it  has  happened,  though  rarely, 
that  comets  and  ensigns  might  lie  in- 
active in  the  womb,  and  gradually  rise 
into  unfledged  heroes  from  the  cradle. 
The  salutary  rules  and  regulations,  how- 
ever, of  his'  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of 
York,  the  commander  in  chief — and  to 
him  this  praise  is  due — have  put  a  stop 
to  so  disgraceful  a  practice. 

PRIVY'  council,  (conscil  prive,  Fr.) 
n  council  of  state  held  by  the  king  in 
person,  with  his  counsellors,  or  by  his 
orders,  to  concert  matters  for  public 
service. 

Privy  seal,  a  seal  which  the  king 
uses  previously  to  such  grants,  &c.  as 
are  afterwards  to  pass  the  great  seal ; 
as  also  in  matters  of  less  consequence, 
as  payments  of  money,  Sec.  which  do  not 
pass  the  great  seaL 


Lord  Privy  teal,  the  fifth  great  officer 
of  the  crown.  He  is  a  lord  by  office, 
and  a  member  of  the  privy  council. 

PRIX  iles  emplois,  ou  charges  mililaires, 
Fr.  the  price  or  commissions,  or  military 
employments. 

PRIZE-agenf,  a  person  appointed  for 
the  distribution  of  such  shares  of  money, 
as  may  become  due  to  officers  of  the 
na\  v,  or  army.  lie  is  authorized  to  act 
by  means  of  a  licence  granted  from  the 
treasury,  for  which  he  pays  five  shillings 
stamp  duty. 

Vwi-n.-jighter.    See  Gladiator. 
Piu/.i  -money.   Officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  line  doing  duty  on  board  ships  of 
war,  are  entitled  to  prize-money  as  ma- 
rines. 

PRIZE-moreey,  share  of  (part  de  prise, 
Fr.)  the  proportion  which  is  paid  to  the 
several  individuals  belonging  to  the 
navy  or  army,  who,  on  the  capture  or 
surrender  of  a  place,  Sec.  become  enti- 
tled to  the  produce  of  what  is  seized 
upon,  according  to  the  laws  of  war. 

PROA,JFr.  A  sailing  vessel  is  so  called 
in  India. 

PROBABILITY,  (probability  Fr.) 
lil  lihood;  appearance  of  truth;  evi- 
dence arising  from  the  preponderation 
of  argument.  It  is  less  than  moral  cer- 
tainty . 

Calculation  of  Probabilities,  (calcid 
den  probability,  Fr.)  a  calculation  upon 
which  the  mind  depends  for  the  issue 
of  an  event.  A  treatise  has  been  written 
upon  the  subject,  cut  killed  L'Essai  sur 
les  Probability,  par  M.  Desparcieux. 

PRO  BAT,  the  proof  of  wills  .and 
testaments  of  persons  deceased,  in  the 
spiritual  court,  either  in  common  form 
by  the  oath  of  the  executor,  or  with 
witnesses. 

PROBE1- scissors,  scissars  used  to 
open  wounds,  of  which  the  blade  thrust 
into  the  orifice  has  a  button  at  the  end. 
To  Probe,  to  search;  to  try  by  an 
instrument.  We  say,  figuratively,  to 
probe  any  thing  to  the  bottom  ;  to  get 
at  the  real  and  unsophisticated  state  of 
a  business. 

PROBLEM,  (problcmc,  Fr.)  in  geo- 
metry, is  a  proposition  wherein  some 
operation  or  construction  is  required,  or 
it  is  a  proposition  which  refers  to  prac- 
tice, or  which  proposes  something  to  be 
done ;  as  to  divide  a  line,  to  construct 
an  angle,  to  draw  a  circle  into  three 
points,  not  in  a  right  line,  &c.  A  pro- 
blem consists  of  tliree  points.     1st,  The 


PRO 


(     683     ) 


PRO 


Proposition,  which  contains  what  is  to 
be  done.  2d,  The  Resolution  or  solu- 
tion, wherein  the  detail  or  several  steps, 
whereby  the  thing  required  is  to  be  ef- 
fected, are  severally  made  or  rehearsed. 
3d,  The  Demonstration,  which  clearly 
shews,  that  every  thing  required  or  pre- 
scribed in  the  resolution,  having  been 
done,  the  result  must  inevitably  be  such 
as  was  looked  for  in  the  proposition. 
There  are  two  sorts  of  problems,  viz. 

Problem  determinate,  (probicme  de- 
termine, Fr.)  is  that  wherein  all  that  ap- 
pertains to  its  resolution  or  solution, 
is  determined,  nothing  consequently  re- 
mains but  a  resolution,  or  solution. 

Problem  indeterminate,  (probicme  in- 
determine,  Fr.)  is  that,  on  the  contrary, 
wherein  every  thing  appertaining  to  the 
solution  is  not  expressed.  The  solution 
of  these  kinds  of  problems  may  be  done 
in  various  ways. 

PROCEDURE  militaire,  Fr.  military 
process.  It  consists  of  the  investigation 
of  all  crimes  and  offences  committed  by 
soldiers  which  come  under  the  cogni- 
zance of  a  military  tribunal ;  in  contra- 
distinction to  the  authority  which  is 
vested  in  the  civil  magistrates. 

PROCES,  Fr.     See  Lawsuit. 

Pkoces  verbale,  Fr.  a  recital  of  facts 
taken  down  from  word  of  mouth. 

To  PROCLAIM,  (pr  detainer,  Fr.)  to 
promulgate  or  denounce  by  a  solemn  or 
legal  publication.  Hence,  to  proclaim 
peace,  which  is  used  in  contradistinction 
to  the  term  to  declare,  which  denounces 
war.  Both  the  French  and  English  say, 
declarer  la  guerre,  to  declare  war ;  pro- 
clamer la  pair,  to  proclaim  peace. 

PROCLAMATION,  an  instrument 
which  is  published  by  the  king,  with  the 
advice  of  his  privy  council,  whereby  the 
country  at  large  is  advertised  of  some- 
thing, and  whereby  the  people  are  some- 
times required  to  do,  or  not  to  do,  cer- 
tain things.  A  proclamation  has  all  the 
efficacy  of  law,  because  it  is  supposed  to 
be  in  concord  with  the  law  already  in 
being. 

Proclamation  of  Peace,  a  declara- 
tion of  the  king's  will  openly  published 
by  the  herald  at  arms  in  the  most  public 
places  of  London  and  Westminster. 

PROCONSUL,  among  the  Romans, 
a  magistrate  who  was  sent  to  govern  a 
province  with  consular  authority. 

PROCRASTINATION,  delay;  dila- 
toriness ;  an  evil  of  the  greatest  magni- 
tude in  military  operations. 


PROCTOR.     See  Prizes. 
PROCURATION.     See    Power    of 

Attorney. 

PRODIGALITY,  (prodigalite,  Fr.) 
extravagance;  profusion;  waste;  exces- 
sive liberality. 

PRODITION.     See  Treachery. 

PRODUCE,  }   (produit,  Fr.)   effect, 

PRODUCT,  S  fruit.  In  arithmetic, 
it  is  the  quantity  which  grows  out  of  the 
multiplication  of  two  or  more  numbers 
or  lines,  one  by  another:  5  for  instance 
multiplied  by  -1  will  give  the  produce 
20;  and  the  produce  of  two  lines,  mul- 
tiplied one  by  the  other,  is  called  the 
rectangle  of  these  lines. 

PROFESSION,  business  or  calling; 
as  the  profession  of  arms :  also  declara- 
tion, opinion,  promise. 

PROFESSOR,  an  instructor;  a  pro* 
fessed  teacher. 

Professor  of  fortification,  one  who 
teaches  the  science  of  fortification. 

PROFESSIONAL  jealousy,  (jalousie 
de  metier,  Fr.)  the  envy  borne  by  one 
person  to  another  of  the  same  profession. 

PROFILE,  in  drawing,  side-ways,  or 
side  view.  A  picture  in  profile  repre- 
sents a  head  or  face  set  sideways. 

Profile,  (profit,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
the  draft  of  a  building,  fortification,  &c. 
wherein  are  expressed  the  several 
heights,  widths,  and  thicknesses,  such  as 
they  would  appear  were  the  building  cut 
down  perpendicularly  from  the  roof  to 
the  foundation.  It  serves  to  shew  those 
dimensions  which  cannot  be  represented 
in  plans,  but  are  yet  necessary  in  the 
building  of  a  fortification:  they  are  best 
constructed  on  a  scale  of  30  feet  to  an 
inch.  It  is  also  called  Section,  Ortho- 
graphical Section,  and  by  Vitruvius, 
Sciagraphy.  It  is  sometimes  used  in 
opposition  to  Tchnography. 

PROFILER,  Fr.  the  act  of  profiling, 
or  designing  with  rule  and  compass. 

To  PROFIT,  (prqfiter,  Fr.)  to  gain 
advantage ;  as,  the  English  profited  by 
the  sudden  panic  which  their  appearance 
along  the  enemy's  coast  produced. 

PROFITER,  IV.  to  take  advantage 
of. 

PROFLIGACY,  the  act  of  bein5 
abandoned  or  shameless. 

PROFLIGATE,  abandoned ;  lost  to 
virtue  and  decency  ;  shameless. 

PROFONDEUR,  Fr.  See  Depth. 

PROGRAM,    (programme,    Fr.)    a 
word  derived  from  the  Greek,  signifying 
any  public  edict,  notice,  or  declaration. 
•IS  2 


PRO 


(     <5f!  1     ) 


PRO 


Any  pnper  which  is  stuck  up  for  public 
information.    The  French  make  use  <>i' 
ord  on  occasions  of  national  cere- 
mony. 

PROGRESS,  (progris,  Fr.)  a  pro- 
ceeding or  going  forward  in  any  under- 
taking; alsO  a  journey  taken  by  a  prince 
or  nobleman.  In  a  military  sense,  it 
signifies  a  series  of  conquests  or  advan- 
tages ruined  over  an  enemy. 

PROGRESSION,  (progression,  Fr.) 
in  mathematics,  is  either  arithmetical  or 
geometrical.  Continued  arithmetic  pro- 
portion is  where  the  terms  do  increase 
and  decrease  by  equal  differences,  and 
is  called  arithmetic  progression.  Geome- 
tric, or  continued  geometric  progression, 
is  when  the  terms  do  increase,  or  de- 
crease, by  equal  ratio.  Belidor  adds  a 
third,  and  calls  it  harmonic  progression, 
progression  harmonique,  referring  to  the 
word  Progression  in  the  Dictionnaire  de 
Mathtmattque  de  M.  Saoerieh. 

PRO.I  ECTED,mmathematics,dra'wn 
upon  a  plane. 

PROJECTILES,    (projectiles,    Fr.) 

are  such  bodies  as  being  put  in  motion 

by  any  great  force,  are  then  cast  oil,  or 

let  go  from  the    place   where  they  re- 

ceived  their  quantity  of  motion;    as  a 

shell  or  shot  from  a  piece  of  artillery,  a 

stone  thrown  from  a  sling,  or  an  arrow 

from  a  bow,  &c.    This  line  is  commonly 

taken  for  a  parabola,  and  the  ranges  are 

computed    from   the   properties    of  that 

curve.     The  assumption  would  he  just 

in  case  the  ball,  in  its  motion,  nut  with 

no  resistance:   but,  the  resistance  of  the 

air  to  swift  motions  being  very  great,  the 

curve  described  by  the  shot  is  neither  a 

parabola,  nor  near  it:  and  by  reason  ot 

the  resistance,  the  angle  which  gives  the 

gr<  ateet  amplitude  is  not  45  degrees,  as 

commonly  supposed,  but  something  less, 

probably   Kit.     Hence  (lie  sublime  ma- 

I      unities   are    absolutely    necessary    in 

the  investigation  of  the  track  ot'  a  shell 

or  -hot  in  the  air,  known  by  the  name  of 

>inlitnry  projectiles. 

PROJECTION,  (projection,  Fr.)  in 
mechanics,  the  action  of  giving  a  pro- 
jectile its  motion.  It  is  also  used  to 
signify  a  scheme,  plan  or  delineation. 

PROJECTURE,  Fr.  in  architecture, 
i  .'nines  the  out-jetting,  prominency,  or 
I  abossment,  which  the  mouldings,  and 
i  in  i'  tix  mbers  have,  beyond  the  naked 
wall,  column,  Sec.  and  is  always  in  pro- 
portion to  its  height. 

PR<  M  ETy  Fr.v  rough  draft ;  a  sketch 


or  plan  of  fortification,  with  its  relative 
works.  Among  engineers,  it  is  any  work 
which  may  be  deemed  necessary  to  be 
made  for  the  security  of  a  place,  inside, 
or  out.  These  projects  are  exhibited  by 
neans  of  plans  and  profiles  which  are 
washed  over  with  yellow  colour,  in  order 
to  shew  that  they  are  works  recom- 
mended for  construction.  It  likewise 
signifies,  in  diplomacy,  a  plan  or  state- 
ment ot'  terms  and  conditions,  which 
one  country  makes  to  another,  tor  a  final 
adjustment  of  differences. 

Contre-PB.OJTT,  Fr.  a  rescript  or  an- 
swer to  terms  proposed. 

PROLATE,  in  geometry,  an  epithet 
applied  to  a  spheroid  produced  by  the 
revolution  of  a  semi-ellipsis  about  its 
larger  diameter. 

To  Prolono,  (prolunger,  Fr.)  to 
lengthen  out,  to  extend. 

PROD  JNGATION,  (prolongation, 
Fr.)  an  extension  of  leave  of  absence, 
or  a  continuation  of  service.  Militia- 
men, after  Inning  served  their  live 
years,  are  entitled  to  a  fresh  guinea,  for 
prolongation  of  service.  When  a  truce 
between  two  armies  is  prolonged,  it  is 
called  prolongation  d'uue  trive,  the  pro- 
longation or  extension  of  a  truce. 

Prolongation  of  the  Line.  This  is 
done  by  paralb  1  movements  at  the  right 
or  left  of  any  given  number  of  men  on  a 
front  division. 

PROLONGS,  Fr.  a  long  thick  rope 
which  is  used  to  drag  artillery ;  hence 
called  a  drag-rope. 

PROMENADE,  Fr.  walk  ;  walking. 
PROMENER,  Fr.  to  walk,  or  move 
on  leisurely. 

1'uomkner  un  c/icval,  Fr.  to  walk  a 
horse  up  and  down. 

PROMENOIR,  Fr.  a  walk. 
PROMONTORY,  (promontoire,  Fr.) 
an  elevated  piece  of  land,  or  a  high  rock 
which  lianas  oxer  the  sea. 

PROMOTK  )N,  ( promotion,  Fr.)  This 
word  signifies,  in  military  matters,  the 
elevation  of  an  individual  to  some  ap- 
pointment of  greater  rank  and  trust 
than  the  one  he  holds.    See  Standing. 

Undue  Promotion,  an  individual 
exaltation  to  rank  without  a  legitimate' 
claim  to  preferment. 

PROMOUVOIR,  Fr.  to  promote. 
PROMPTITUDE,  (promptitude,  Fr.) 
readiness;  quickness;  a  most  neces- 
sary qualification  in  every  officer  who 
has  the  charge  or  command  of  an  en- 
terprise.    ProcntsUuaUon    and    indetv 


PRO 


(     685     ) 


PRO 


sion  are  the  mortal  enemies  of  promp- 
titude. 

PROMU,  Fr.  promoted. 

PRONONC'E,  Fr.  decided;  marked. 

Un  caractae  PitONONcfe,  Fr.  a  de- 
cided character;  what  every  command- 
ing officer  should  possess. 

PROOF,  in  arithmetic,  an  operation 


Searcher  with  one  point  is  introduced, 
about  which  point  a  mixture  of  wax  and 
fallow  is  put,  to  take  the  impression  of 
the  holes ;  and  if  any  are  found  of  l-9th 
of  an  inch  deep,  or  of  any  considerable 
length,  the  gun  is  rejected  as  unservice- 
able to  government.        * 

Reliever,  an  iron  ring  fixed  to  a  han- 


whereby  the  truth  and  justness  of  a  cal-  die,  by  means  of  a  socket,  so  as  to  be 

at  right  angles  :  it  serves  to  disengage 
the  first  searcher,  when  any  of  the  points 
are  retained  in  a  hole,  and  cannot  other- 


culation  are  examined  and  ascertained. 

Proof  of  artillery  and  small  arms 
is  a  trial  whether  they  will  stand  the 
quantity  of  powder  allotted  for  that 
purpose. 

Government  allows  11  bullets  of  lead 
in  the  pound  for  the  proof  of  muskets, 
and  29  in  two  pounds  for  service  ;  1 7 
in  the  pound  for  the  proof  of  carabines, 
and  20  for  service  ;  28  in  the  pound 
for  the  proof  of  pistols,  and  34  for  ser- 
vice. 

When  guns  of  a  new  metal,  or  of 
lighter  construction,  are  proved,  they 
are  then,  besides  the  common  proof, 
fired  2  or  300  times  as  quick  as  they 
can  be,  loaded  with  the  common  charge 
given  in  actual  service.  Our  light  6 
pounders  have  been  fired  300  times,  in 
three  hours,  27  minutes,  loaded  with 
lib.  4oz.  without  receiving  any  damage. 
Proof  of  powder  is  the  trial  of  its 
goodness  and  strength.  There  have 
been  different  inventions  proposed  and 
put  in  practice  heretofore,  for  the  proof 
of  powder.  See  Gunpowder,  also  Eprou- 
vette. 

Proof  of  cannon  \%  made  to  ascer- 
tain their  being  well  cast,  their  having 
no  cavities  in  their  metal,  and,  in  a 
word,  their  being  fit  to  resist  the  effort 
of  their  charge  of  powder.  In  making 
this  proof,  the  piece  is  laid  upon  the 
ground,  supported  only  by  a  piece  of 
wood  in  the  middle,  of  about  five  or  six 
inches  thick,  to  raise  the  muzzle  a  little  ; 
and  then  the  piece  is  fired  against  a  so- 
lid butt  of  earth. 

Tools  to  Prove  cannon  are  as  follow, 
viz.  Searcher,  an  iron  socket  with 
branches,  from  four  to  eight  in  number, 
bending  outwards  a  little,  with  small 
points  at  their  ends :  to  this  socket  is 
fixed  a  wooden  handle,  from  eight  to 
twelve  ftjet  long,  and  1\  inch  in  diame- 
ter. This  searcher  is  introduced  into 
the  gun  after  each  firing,  and  turned 
gently  round  to  discover  the  cavities 
within :    if   any   are    found,    they    are 


wise  be  got  out.  When  guns  are  re- 
jected by  the  proof-masters,  they  order 
them  to  be  mailed  x  which  the  con- 
tractors generally  alter  to  W  P,  and 
after  such  alteration,  dispose  of  them 
to  foreign  powers  for  Woolwich  proof. 

A  most  curious  instrument  for  finding 
the  principal  defects  in  pieces  of  artil- 
lery, has  been  invented  by  lieutenant- 
general  Desaguliers,  of  the  royal  regi- 
ment of  artillery.  This  instrument, 
grounded  on  the  truest  mechanical  prin- 
ciples, is  no  sooner  introduced  into  the 
hollow  cylinder  of  the  gun,  than  it  dis- 
covers its  defects,  and  more  particularly 
that  of  the  piece  not  being  truly  bored ; 
which  is  a  very  important  one,  and  to 
which  most  of  the  disasters  happening 
to  pieces  of  artillery,  are  in  a  great  aiea- 
ture  to  be  imputed ;  for  when  a  gun  is 
not  properly  bored,  the  most  expert 
artillerist  will  not  be  able  to  make  a  good 
shot. 

Proof  of  mortars  and  howitzers  is 
made  to  ascertain  their  being  well  cast, 
and  of  strength  to  resist  the  eifort  of 
their  charge.  For  this  purpose  the  mor- 
tar, or  howitzer,  is  placed  upon  the 
ground,  with  some  part  of  its  trunnions 
or  breech  sunk  below  the  surface,  and 
resting  on  wooden  billets,  at  an  eleva- 
tion pi"  about  70  degrees. 

The  mirror  is  generally  the  only  in- 
strument to  discover  the  delects  in  mor- 
tars and  howitzers.  Im  order  to  use  it, 
the  sun  must  shine ;  the  breech  must 
be  placed  towards  the  sun,  and  the  glass 
over-against  the  mouth  of  the  piece  :  it 
illuminates  the  bore  and  chamber  suffi- 
ciently to  discover  the  Haws  in  it. 

Proof  armour,  armour  hardened  so 
as  to  resist  the  force  of  an  arrow,  a 
sword,  or  other  weapons  in  use  before 
the  discovery  of  gunpowder;  and  some- 
times of  shot  itself. 

Proof   charge,  the  quantity  of  gun- 


marked  on  the  outside  with  chalk ;    and  powder  which  is  used  in  trying  the  seve- 


then  the 


ral  pieces  of  ordnance. 


PRO 


(     686     ) 


PRO 


PROPER,  in  military  matters,  stands 
as  a  reduplicative,  serving  to  mack  out 
a  thing  more  expressly  and  formally, 
\i/. 

PEOPER     front    of   a    battalion,    the 


given 


usual  continuity  of  line,  which  is 
to  the  formation  of  a  hattalion,  and 
which  remains  unaltered  by  the  coun- 
termarch, or  wheelings,  of  its  divisions  ; 
or,  if  altered,  is  restored  by  the  same 
operation. 

PROPER  right,  the  right  of  a  battalion, 
company, or  subdivision,  when  it  is  drawn 
up  according  to  its  natural  formation. 

Proper  pivot  Jlank,  in  column,  is  that 
which,  when  wheeled  up  to,  preserves 
the  divisions  of  the  line  in  its  natural 
order,  and  to  their  proper  front.  The 
other  may  be  called  the  reverse  flank. 
In  column,  divisions  cover  and  dress  to 
the  proper  pivot  flank  :  to  the  left  when 
the  right  is  in  front ;  and  to  the  right 
when  the  left  is  in  front. 

PROPHET,  (pr ophite,  Fr.)  The 
French  say,  as  we  say  also,  nul  nest  pro- 
phtte  en  son  pays,  no  man  is  a  prophet 
in  his  own  country  ;  that  is,  every  person 
is  more  respected  and  better  thought  of 
in  a  foreign  country  than  in  his  own. 

PROPLASM.    See  Mould. 

PROPORTION,  (proportion,  Fr.) 
comparative  relation  of  one  thing  to 
another  The  quality  of  the  different 
members  of  each  part  of  the  works  of 
architecture,  as  well  as  of  fortification, 
and  the  relative  harmony,  of  all  the  part-, 
put  together. 

Proportion",  (in  mathematics,)  the 
equality  or  resemblance  of  two  or  more 
ratios.  As  these  ratios  may  be  of  three 
different  kinds,  arithmetical,  geometrical, 
or  harmonic ;  so  there  are  three  different 
sorts  of  proportions  comprehended  under 
these  three  epithets. 

Proportion,  (in  the  ordnance,)  an  in- 
strument by  which  stores  were  formerly 
issued,  and  which  was  prepared  in  the 
office  of  the  clerk  of  the  deliveries,  and 
signed  by  three  board  officers.  Since 
the  year  1795,  the  orders  for  the  issues 
have  been  given  by  the  board  in  the  first 
instance. 

PROPORTIONAL,  (proportionnel, 
Fr.)  having  a  settled  comparative  rela- 
tion, as  a  quantity  has  in  lines  or  num- 
bers which  have  a  certain  degree  of  any 
quality  compared  with  each  other. 

PROPOS,  Fr.  loose  observations; 
vague  expressions. 


Des  Propos,  Fr.  insinuations;  liber- 
ties taken  by  a  person  when  he  speaks  of 
another. 

A  Propos,  Fr.  belonging  to  ;  having 
a  connection  with.  The  French  say 
familiarly,  (jucrc/lcr  a  propos  dc  bottes, 
to  quarrel  about  nothing.  This  phrase 
has  probably  arisen  from  the  disputes 
which  frequently  take  place  respecting 
the  hits  given  in  fencing;  botlc  signify- 
ing a  thrust  with  a  foil. 

To  PROPOSE,  to  offer  for  consider- 
ation. 

PROPOSER  tine  personnc  pour  une 
charge,  Fr.  to  recommend  a  person  for 
a  situation. 

PROPOSITION,  (proposition,  Fr.) 
in  geometry,  the  declaration  of  a  truth 
which  is  proved  by  demonstration.  Such 
are  the  propositions  in  Euclid's  Elements. 
Propositions  are  divided  into  problems 
and  Theorems. 

PROPREFECT,  among  the  Romans, 
the  prefect's  lieutenant,  whom  he  com- 
missioned to  do  any  part  of  his  duty  in 
his  place. 

PROPRETE  des  sole/at s,  Fr.  clean- 
liness  required  in  soldiers. 

PROPRETOR,  the  same  in  his  re- 
lative capacity  as  proconsul,  among  the 
Romans,  lie  was  a  magistrate  who,  after 
having  discharged  the  office  of  pretor  at 
home,  was  sent  into  a  province  to  act  in 
the  same  capai  it  v. 

PR(  >QU  ESTOR,  among  the  Romans, 
the  questor's  lieutenant,  who  discharged 
his  office  in  his  stead. 

To  PROSECUTE,  to  carry  on.— 
Hence  to  prosecute  the  war. 

PROSECUTOR,  (accusateur,  Fr.)  the 
person  who  exhibits  charges  against  a 
delinquent.  When  the  king  is  concerned, 
the  advocate-general  assumes  that  cha- 
racter, in  military  matters. 

PROSPECTIVE,  appertaining  to 
viewing. 

PROSTILE,  (in  architecture,)  a 
range  of  columns  in  the  front  of  a  tern- 
pie. 

PROTECTOR,  (protectew,  Ir.)  a 
person  who  patronizes  another,  or  has 
his  interest  at  heart.  The  word  pro- 
tecteur  corresponds  with  our  term  pa- 
tron. The  word  sometimes  denotes  the 
Regent  of  a  kingdom .  Oliver  Cromwell 
assumed  the  title  on  the  death  of 
Charles  I. 

PROTECTORES  DOMESTICI,— 
body  guards  which  were  instituted  about 


V  R  O 


(     63T    ) 


PRO 


the  decline  of  the  Roman  empire  :  they 
did  duty  both  on  horseback  and  on 
foot.  ,     , 

Un  PROTEGE,  Fr.  an  individual 
who  is  patronized  by  another 

To  PROTEST,  to  object;  to  oppose; 
to  declare  illegal. 

An  officer  has  a  right  to  enter  his 
protest  on  the  minutes  of  a  board  ot 
inquiry,  or  on  those  of  a  court-martial. 

PROTESTANT,  a  person  belonging 
to  the  Church  of  England,  or  who  has 
rejected  the  mysteiies,  and  supposed 
errors,  of  the  church  of  Rome,  yet  be- 
lieves in  the  Trinity.  The  appellation  of 
Protestant  was  given  in  Germany  to  all 
who  adhered  to  the  doctrine  published 
bv  Luther,  in  opposition  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion. 

Protestant  religion,  the  established 
religion  of  Great  Britain. 

PROTHYRUM,  (in  architecture,)  a 
porch  at  the  outward  door  of  a  house. 

PROTHYRIS.  According  to  Vignola, 
a  particular  sort  of  a  key  of  an  arch, 
which  consists  of  a  roll  of  water  leaves 
between  two  riglets,  and  two  fillets 
crowned  with  a  Doric  cymatium;  its 
figure  resembling  that  of  a  modilliou. 
It  also  means,  in  ancient  architecture,  a 
quoin,  or  corner  of  a  wall ;  and  some- 
times a  cross  beam  and  overthwart 
rafter. 

PROTOCOL,  (protocole,  Fr.)  a  regis- 
ter ;  the  original  entry  or  writing  of  any 
thing. — Protocole,  in  French,  also  sig- 
nifies any  particular  form  in  which 
princes  or  noblemen  are  addressed. 

PROTOCOLISER,  Fr.  to  take  down ; 
to  enregister. 

PROTOSPATHAIRE,  the  principal 
officer  in  the  guards  that  did  duty  over 
the  Emperor  at  Constantinople.  The 
guards  themselves  were  called Spathaires, 
on  account  of  the  long  swords  with  which 
they  were  constantly  armed. 

PROVEDITOR,  (prov'cdtteur,  Fr.) 
The  Venetians  had  two  appointments  of 
this  description  before  the  revolution 
occasioned  by  the  French. — One  gave 
the  supreme  command  of  the  armies  on 
shore,  the  other  that  of  the  fleets. 

Of  these  proveditors,  there  were  three 
who  had  the  direction  of  matters  rela- 
ting to  policy  throughout  the  Signory. 

PROVEDiTOR-generaZ  of  the  sea,  an 
officer  in  Italy,  whose  authority  extended 
over  the  fleet,  when  the  captain-general 
was  absent.  He  had  particularly  the 
disposal  of  the  cash. 


PROVENU,   Fr.  product;   amount, 
&c. 

PROVERS,  or  TRYERS.  There 
was  formerly  in  the  army,  particularly 
in  Queen  Anne's  time,  a  set  of  officers 
in  most  corps,  who  were  called  Provcrs, 
or  Try'ers;  these,  upon  a  young  officer 
joining  the  regiment,  constantly  and 
without  a  cause  picked  a  quarrel  with 
him ;  when  if  the  young  man  acquitted 
himself  with  honour,  and  escaped  with 
life,  he  passed  the  rest  of  his  time  quietly 
enough  ;  but  if  the  unhappy  youth,  just 
come  from  school  and  unacquainted  with 
the  nice  punctilios  of  honour,  did  not  in 
a  proper  manner  resent  the  injury,  or 
declined  the  combat,  he  led  so  miserable 
a  life,  that  he  was  obliged  to  quit  the 
army.  This  practice,  even  among  civi- 
lians, still  prevails  in  certain  Irish 
counties,  especially  on  the  arrival  of  a 
fresh  regiment. — The  author  from  whom 
we  have  quoted  this  passage,  concludes 
thus: — The  duties  of  the  service  are 
surely  the  most  certain  trials  of  an  offi- 
cer; there  if  he  does  not  behave  as  he 
ought,  he  will  be  cashiered  for  cowardice 
— but  the  other  is  a  most  uncertain 
method  of  trying  a  man's  courage,  be- 
cause there  have  been  many  instance* 
of  officers  refusing  the  duel,  who  have 
marched  intrepidly  to  the  attack  of  a 
battery,  where  these  Provers  would  have 
trembled  to  have  followed  them. 

PROVIANT- Master-General,  in  old 
time,  the  official  denomination  of  what 
we  now  call  commissary  general,  or 
commissary  in  chief. 

PROVINCIALS,    certain  bodies  of 
troops  which  were  raised  in  America, 
during  the  contest  with  the  natives,,  for- 
the  royal  cause. 

To  PROVISION,  properly,  to  victual; 
to  furnish  with  provisions.  This  word  i* 
of  very  modern  adoption  and  evidently 
grows  out  of  the  French  term  approvi- 
sionner. 

PROVISIONS  are  properly  those 
articles  of  food  and  sustenance  which 
soldiers  receive  from  the  public,  and 
which  are  paid  for  by  deductions  from 
their  pay. 

PROVISIONAL,  (provisional,  Fr.) 
temporarily  established. 

PROVISIONAL  Cavalry,  a  kind  of 
militia  cavalry,  first  raised  by  act  of 
parliament  in  1797  ;  each  county  or  dis- 
trict being  divided  into  classes  of  ten 
householders  in  each.  The  person  on 
whom  the  ballot  fell  was  constrained  to 


P  R 


U 


(    688    ) 


P  S  I 


find  a  man  and  horse,  &C.  Like  the 
militia  they  were  commanded  by  officers 
having  commissions  from  the  lord  lieu- 
tenant  of  the  county. 

PROVISION  ALLY,  (provisoirement, 
Fr.)  by  way  of  provision,  or  temporary 
arrangement.  This  word  is  frequently 
used,  both  in  French  and  English,  to 
distinguish  the  exercise  of  temporary 
functions  from  that  of  permanent  ap- 
pointments. 

PROVOCATOR,  (provoqueur,  Fr.)  a 
challenger.  Among  the  Romans  there 
\\;i^  a  particular  gladiator  of  this  appel- 
lation, lie  was  armed  with  a  sword, 
shield,  head-piece,  and  cuissarts,  made 
of  iron. 

PROVOQUER,  Fr.  to  provoke;  to 
draw  on. 

Pkovoquer  an  combat,  Fr.  to  provoke 
or  challenge  to  hattle. 

Phovoqueb  a  sebattre,  Fr.  to  provoke 
any  body  to  fight. 

rROVOST-Marshal,  of  an  army,  is 
an  office!  appointed  to  secure  deserters, 
and  all  other  criminals ;  lie  is  often  to 
go  round  the  army,  hinder  the  soldiers 
from  pillaging,  indict  offenders,  execute 
the  sentence  pronounced,  anil  regulate 
the  weights  and  measures  used  in  the 
army,  when  in  the  field,  lie  is  attended 
by  a  lieutenant's  guard,  has  a  clerk,  and 
an  executioner. 

PROW,  (proue,  Fr.)  the  foremost  part 
«f  a  ship. 


PROWESS,   valour,'  bravery  in   the '.Prytanee 


dictory  qualities  of  the  human  mind  by 
their  amalgamation  with  uncommon  skill. 

The  French  very  wisely  say,  Ix  General 
d'une  prudence  cpnsommee  sail  risguer  sa 
reputation,  a  general  of  consummate 
prudence  knows  how  to  risk  his  repu- 
tation. 

Worldly  Prudence,  (prudence  mon- 
daine,  Fr.)  This  quality  seldom  governs 
a  high  and  adventurous  mind,  and  is 
generally  prevalent  in  that  class  of  selfish 
beings  whose  views  are  confined  to  them- 
selves, and  who  never  think  of  posterity 
either  as  christians  or  heroes. 

PRUDERY,  over-much  nicety  in 
conduct. 

Official  Prudery,  affected  delicacy 
in  matters  of  business;  sometimes  arising 
from  ignorance  and  pride. 

To  PRY,  to  peep  narrowly ,  to  inspect, 
officiously,  curiously  or  impertinently ; 
as  many  assiduous  and  low-minded  re- 
porters do  in  civil  and  military  life,  in 
order  to  acquire  credit  among  persons  of 
rank  or  situation,  whose  minds  are  equally 
grovi  ling  and  debased. 

I'KVLIDES,  a  military  dance  which 
was  practised  anions  the  Greeks. 

PRYTANEE,  Fr.  from  the  Latin 
Prytaneum,  and  originally  from  an  insti- 
tution at  Athens  for  the  support  of  those 
persons  who  had  deserved  well  of  their 
country.  The  name  of  the  Ecole  Mili- 
taire  was  altered  by  Napoleon,  when  he 
was   first  consul   of  France,  to    that  of 


field,  military  gallantry. 


This  institution  it  situated  in  the  Rue" 


To  PROWL,    to  wander   about  for  j St.  Jacques,  in  the  Fauxbourg  St.  Mar- 


prey  ;  to  maraud. 


i  eel.     The  grand  building,  which  may  be 


PRUCE,    an   old  word  for  Prussia,  seen  in  the  maps  of  Paris,  serves  as  bar- 
llence  shields  of  Pruce,  or  shields  made  j  racks  for  the  flying  artillery. 


•f  Prussian  leather 

PRUDENCE,  (prudence,  Fr.)  Wis- 
dom (applied  to  practice,  as  a  moral 
quality)  is  within  the  scope  of  every  in- 
dividual, civil  or  military  ;  and  as  the 
latter  character  is  hourly  exposed  to 
temptations,  Juvenal's  maxim,  nullum 
nuaien  abest  si  nil  Prudentia,  cannot  be 
too  strongly  inculcated;  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  Churchill's  sweeping  declaration, 

—  give  me  all  the  world  can  span, 
I  would  not  be  that  thing,  that  prudent 

man. 
Rut  the  prudence  which  is  required  in  a 


The  Prytance,  as  an  establishment  for 
the  education  of  military  characters,  is 
remarkable  for  the  liberality  of  its  regu- 
lations with  respect  to  religious  tenets. 
Protestant  as  well  as  Catholic  boys,  ike. 
are  received  and  educated  there  without 
being  molested  on  the  score  of  religion. 

P'SENT,  an  abbreviation  of  the  word 
present.     It  is  used  in  platoon  firings. 

PSEUDO-DIPTERE,  in  ancient  ar- 
chitecture, a  teniplehaving  eight  columns 
in  front,  and  a  single  row  of  columns  all 
round. 

PSILOI,  light  armed  men  among  the 


public  and  political  character,  embraces  [Greeks,  who  fought  with  arrows  and 
so  much,  that  to  be  a  prudent,  and  at  darts,  or  stones  and  slings,  but  were  un- 
the  same  time,  a  successful  general  or  fit  for  close  fight.  They  were,  in  honour 
politician,  it  is  necessary  to  possess,  and  and  dignity,  inferior  to  the  heavy  armed. 
to  be  able  to  unite,  aljiiost  all  the  contra- 1  Next    to   these    were  the   Peltastai,  a 


PUG 


(     689     ) 


P  U  L 


middle  sort  of  foot  soldiers  between  the 
Hoplitai  and  the  Psiloi,  being  armed  with 
spe-trs,  but  far  inferior  in  size  to  those  of 
the  heavy  armed;  their  name  is  taken 
from  their  narrow  shields,  called  Pelta-. 
Potter's  Greek  Antiquities,  vol.  ii.  c.  3. 

PTEROPHORES,  heralds  or  mes- 
sengers among  the  Romans  who  brought 
tidings  of  a  declaration  of  war,  of  a 
battle  having  been  lost,  or  of  some 
check  sustained  by  the  army.  They 
generally  wore  feathers  at  the  end  of 
their  pikes. 

PTISAN,  (ptisanne,  Fr.)  a  medical 
drink,  made  of  barley  decocted  with 
raisins  and  stick-liquorice.  It  is  much 
recommended  in  fevers,  and  particularly 
during  the  progress  of  a  certain  disorder 
which  is  very  common  among  young 
officers  and  soldiers.  Linseed  tea  is  also 
very  beneficial  in  the  latter  case. 

PUBLIC,  (public,  Fr.)  the  general 
body  of  mankind,  or  of  a  state  or  nation; 
the  people. 

PUBLICANS,  persons  who  keep  ale- 
houses, &c.  for  the  accommodation  of 
travellers.  Troops  upon  the  march,  or 
in  quarters,  may  be  billeted  on  them, 
under  certain  regulations. 

PUCKA,  Ind.  a  putrid  fever,  gene- 
rally fatal  in  twenty-four  hours. 

PUCKALLIES,  Ind.  leather  bags  for 
carrying  water.  They  are  placed  on  the 
backs  of  oxen.  The  word  is  also  used 
for  water-carriers. 

PUDLAYS,  pieces  of  stuff  to  serve  as 
levers  or  handspikes. 

PUFF,  an  inflated  account  of  oneself, 
or  of  another  person,  whose  good-will 
or  money  is  aimed  at  by  such  unmanly 
means.  Hence  paid-for  paragraphs  and 
puffs  in  newspapers. 

To  Puff,  to  swell  or  blow  up  with 
praise.     To  swell  or  elate  with  pride. 

PUFFER,  a  creature  that  doles  out 
senseless  encomiums,  sometimes  without 
knowing  why  or  wherefore,  but  generally 
from  motives  of  self-interest. 

PUGILISM,  (pugilat,  Fr.)  the  art  of 
boxing,  which  was  held  in  high  repute 
among  the  Greeks,  and  was  constantly 
practised  by  them.  Except  in  England, 
this  art  is  not  known  among  modern 
nations.  With  us  it  has  had  its  parlia- 
mentary advocates. 

PUGIO,  a  dagger  which  was  used  by 
the  Romans ;  a  species  of  that  weapon, 
called  the  hand-seax,  was  worn  by  the 
Saxons,  with  which  they  massacred  the 
English  on  Salisbury  Plain  in  470. 


PUHUR  Din,  Ind.  watches  kept  in 
the  day ;  of  which  there  are  four ;  a 
similar  number  is  kept  in  the  night, 
called  Puhur  rat. 

PUISAGE,  Fr.  the  drawing  up  water. 

PUISANT,  Fr.  a  well  built  of  dry 
stones,  or  made  in  a  wall  to  serve  as  a 
reservoir  for  water. 

PU1SART,  Fr.  a  reservoir  or  drain 
well,  where  water  that  has  been  raised 
by  means  of  a  machine,  is  again  taken 
up  by  fresh  pumps  and  carried  higher. 
Thus  at  the  machine  of  Marli  near  Paris, 
there  are  two  reservoirs  on  the  declivity 
of  the  hill. 

Puisarts  de  sources,  Fr.  certain  drain 
wells  which  are  sunk  at  intermediate  dis- 
tances in  order  to  discover  springs,  all 
of  which  communicate  together  by  means 
of  drains  that  convey  their  waters  to 
one  reservoir,  whence  they  flow  into  an 
aqueduct. 

PUISER,  Fr.  to  draw  up.  Puiser  a 
la  sowce,  figuratively,  to  go  to  the  foun- 
tain head  of  any  thing. 

PUISOIR,  Fr.  a  copper  vessel  which 
is  used  in  making  saltpetre. 

PUISSANCE,  Fr.  in  algebra  and 
geometry,  powers  of  lines  and  quantities. 

PUTTS,  Fr.  a  well. 

Puits  perdu,  Fr.  a  well  with  a  loose 
sandy  bottom  through  which  the  water 
passes. 

Pi  its  de  mineur,  Fr.  a  perpendicular 
opening,  about  four  feet  square,  which 
is  made  in  the  earth  for  miners  to  let 
themselves  down,  as  deep  as  may  be 
judged  expedient,  in  order  to  push  the 
subterraneous  galleries  beneath  the  co- 
vert way,  or  under  any  other  works  con- 
structed by  the  besieged  or  besieger. 

PULK,  a  tribe,  a  particular  body  of 
men.  This  word  is  chiefly  used  in  Rus- 
sia ;  as  a  Pulk  of  Cossacks. 

PULLEY,  in  military  mechanics. — 
See  Mechanics. 

PULVTNATA,  a  frieze,  a  swelling  or 
bulging  out  like  a  pillow. 

PULSE,  (poux,  Fr.)  the  motion  of  an 
artery  as  the  blood  is  driven  through  it 
by  the  heart,  and  as  it  is  perceived  by 
the  touch. 

To  feel  one's  Pulse,  (later  le  Poux  a 
quelqu'un,  Fr.)  to  try  or  know  one's  mind 
artfully. 

PULVERIN,  Fr.  priming  powder. 

PULVIS  fulminans,     the    same    as 

poudre  J'ulminunl,  thundering  powder,  a 

mixture  of  three  parts  of  saltpetre,  two 

of  tartar,    and   one  of  brimstone ;    all 

4T 


PUN 


(     690     ) 


P  U   N 


limlv  powdered.  A  small  part,  even  a 
single  dram  of  this  being  put  into  a 
shovel  over  a  gentle  tire,  till  it  melts  by 
degrees  and  changes  colour,  will  go  off 
or  explode  as  loud  as  a  musket.  But  it 
will  not  do  any  injury,  because  its  force 
tends  chiefly  downwind. 

PULWAR,  bid.  a  light  boat  for  dis- 
patches- 

PUAIICE-s/ohc,  a  spungy,  light, 
crumbling  stone  which  is  cast  out  of 
mount  /Etna,  and  other  burning  moun- 
tains. It  is  used  in  graving,  polishing, 
&c. 

PUMMEL.— See  Pommel. 
PUMP,  (pompc,  Fr.)  in  hydraulics,  a 
machine  funned  for  the  purpose  of  rais- 
ing water. 

Pumps  are  distinguished  into  different 
kinds,  according  to  the  manner  in  which 
they  severally  act. 

The  common  pump,  sometimes  called 
the  sucking  pump,  which  acts  by  the  pres- 
sure of  the  air,  and  whereby  water  i> 
raised  out  of  a  lower  into  a  higher  place, 
not  exceeding  '61  French  feet,  or  3'2 
English. 

Hand-PvMv,  (pompc  a  bringuebale, 
Fr.)  a  pump  that  is  less  than  the  common 
pump,  and  generally  used  on  board  a 
ship. 

Head-VvMP,  (pompc.  hors  du  bord,  Fr.) 
a  pump  which  is  put  over  the  side  of*  a 
ship  to  throw  off. water. 

Hood  of  a  Pump,  the  lid  or  cover 
which  is  laid  upon  a  chain-pump.  The 
French  call  it,  Capot  pour  recouvrir  la 
roue  d'une  pompe  a  chapelet. 

Pvuv-dale,  the  wooden  handle  of  a 
pump. 

Pomp  gear,  (garniture  de  pompc,  Fr.) 
the  necessary  apparatus  of  a  pump. 

Forcing  Pump,  a  pump  which  acts  by 
mere  impulse  and  protrusion,  and  raises 
water  to  any  height  at  pleasure. 

Ctcscbes's  Pump,  a  remarkably  fine 
pump  which  acts  both  by  suction  and 
expulsion. 

PUNCH,  (poincon,  Fr.)  an  instru- 
ment for  making  holes.  Every  Serjeant 
of  a  company,  at  least,  and  indeed  every 
corporal  of  a  squad,  should  be  provided 
with  a  punch,  as  there  is  frequent  occa- 
sion to  fit  on  the  cross-belts,  &c. 

Punch,  azccll-set,  well-knit  horse,  that 
is,  short-backed  and  thick-shouldered, 
with  a  broad  neck,  and  well  lined  with 
flesh. 

PUNCHEON,  (poincon,  Fr.)  a  com- 


mon name  for  all  the  iron  instruments 
used  by  stone-cutters,  sculptors,  lock- 
smiths, &c  for  cutting  or  piercing  their 
different  articles.  Puncheon  is  also  a 
piece  of  timber  raised  upright,  under 
the  ridge  of  a  building,  whi  rein  the  little 
forces,  &c.  are  joined.  Puncheon  like- 
wise means  the  arbour  or  principal  part 
of  a  machine  on  which  it  turns  vertically, 
as  that  of  a  crane,  *xx. 

PUNCHINS,  in  architecture,  are 
short  pieces  of  timber  placed  upright 
between  two  posts  to  support  some  con- 
siderable weight. 

PI  NCTIIIO,  B  small  nicety  of  be- 
haviour; a  nice  point  ot  exactness,  as 
punctilio  of  honour,  for  which  men  fre- 
quently fight  with  more  desperation  than 
they  would  for  their  country. 

PUNCTO,  the  point  in  fencing. 

PUNCTUALITY,  (ponctitalite,  Fr.) 
exactitude  in  performing  any  thing  in 
time  and  place.  A  very  respectable 
friend  of  the  author's,  who  has  seen 
most  parts  of  the  world,  and  served  in 
the  foot-guards,  in  America,  has,  from 
experience,  imbibed  so  strong  a  sense  of 
the  propriety  and  necessity  of  punctua- 
lity, that  his  familiar  phrase  is,  better 
never  than  late  ;  being  the  reverse  of  our 
common  term,  better  late  than  never. 
It  is  needless  to  add,  that  among  naval 
and  military  men,  this  sentence  ought  to. 
be  proverbial. 

PUNIC,  (punique,  Fr.)  from  punicus, 
of  Pnmi,  the  Carthaginians,  who  were 
reckoned  a  perfidious  people. 

Pvsic-faith,  (la  foi  punique,  Fr.) 
falsehood,  treachery,  perjury.  The  mo- 
dern French,  during  the  late  war,  thought 
proper  to  attach  this  term  to  honest  old 
England;  and,  in  order  to  prove  the 
absurdity  and  injustice  of  the  application, 
(especially  towards  their  prisoners)  ex- 
emplified,  in  every  act,  the  adage  them- 
selves. 

PUNISHMENT,  in  the  army,  in 
general,  signifies  the  execution  of  a  sen- 
tence pronounced  by  a  court-martial 
upon  any  delinquent;  but  in  particular 
it  means" that  kind  of  punishment  which 
is  often  used  by  inflicting  a  certain  num- 
ber of  lashes  upon  a  reduced  non-com- 
missioned officer,  or  private  man.  There 
are  various  methods  in  different  coun- 
tries which  have  been  adopted  for  the 
punishment  of  officers  and  soldiers,  with- 
out ultimately  depriving  the  public  of 
their  sen  ices.    Those  in  the  British  are 


PUN 


(     691     ) 


PUR 


simple,  and  in  general  very  summary; 
especially  with  regard  to  officers.  In 
some  foreign  services  it  is  usual  to  send 
an  officer  from  his  regiment  to  do  duty 
in  a  garrison  town,  during  which  period 
he  loses  all  the  advantages  of  promotion. 
Hence  etre  envoyt  en  garnison,  to  be 
sent  into  garrison,  implies  a  species  ot 
military  chastisement.  Perhaps  the 
method  adopted  in  our  navy,  of  putting 
an  officer  at  the  bottom  of  the  list  of 
his  own  rank,  might  be  beneficial  in  the 
army. 

PUNITIONS  corporelles,  Fr.  corporal 
punishments.  In  the  old  French  service, 
military  punishments  or  chastisements, 
which  were  not  of  a  capital  nature,  were 
of  two  kinds.  The  picket  was  for  the 
cavalry,  and  the  gauntelope,  or  passing 
through  the  rods,  for  the  infantry.  The 
rods,  or  baguettes,  (which  properly  mean 
small  sticks,  or  switches,)  were  generally 
osier  or  willow  twigs.  Previous  to  the 
execution  of  the  sentence,  a  corporal,  with 
two  privates  of  the  company  to  which 
the  culprit  belonged,  were  sent  to  get 
the  rods.  These  they  brought  in  a  bun- 
dle to  the  guard-house,  or  to  any  place 
of  security  which  was  near  the  spot 
where  the  punishment  was  to  be  inflicted. 
The  criminal,  under  an  escort  of  two 
Serjeants  and  four  grenadiers,  with  fixed 
bayonets,  went  for  the  bundle,  and  as 
he  passed  through  the  interval  of  the 
line  which  was  faced  inwards,  each  sol- 
dier drew  out  one  twig.  The  grenadiers 
at  the  head  of  the  line  took  off  their 
slings,  which  they  used  instead  of  rods. 
When  the  culprit  reached  the  end  of  the 
line,  he  undressed  himself  naked  to  the 
waist.  The  right  and  left  openings  of 
the  double  line,  faced  inwards,  were 
closed  by  the  grenadiers  that  hadescorted 
the  prisoner,  viz.  two  with  one  Serjeant 
at  the  head  of  the  right,  and  two  with 
ditto  °.t  the  head  of  the  left.  It  some- 
times happened,  that  a  Serjeant  or  cor- 
poral marched  backward  in  ordinary 
time ;  keeping  the  point  of  his  pike  di- 
rected at  the  chest  of  the  man  who  re- 
ceived the  lashes.  The  culprit  was,  how- 
ever, generally  allowed  to  make  the  most 
of  his  legs.  Whilst  he  was  receiving  his 
punishment,  the  drummers  of  the  regi- 
ment, who  were  equally  divided  and 
stationed  behind  the  grenadiers  that  had 
formed  the  escort,  beat  the  charge.  If 
a  French  soldier  was  convicted  of  theft, 
or  any  flagrant  dishonourable  practice 


that  injured  the  military  character,  he 
not  only  underwent  this  punishment,  but 
he  was  conducted,  in  the  most  ignomi- 
nious manner,  to  the  outward  gate  of  a 
frontiertown;  there  expelled  the  country, 
and  cautioned  never  to  be  found  within 
its  limits  under  pain  of  suffering  death. 
The  nicety  of  military  honour  and  repu- 
tation, among  French  soldiers,  used  to 
be  proverbial.  They  never  survived  a 
blow,  even  among  themselves,  nor  would 
a  private  soldier  exist  under  the  disgrace 
of  having  been  struck  by  an  officer. 

When  a  girl  of  the  town,  or  a  noto- 
rious prostitute,  was  taken  up,  and  or- 
dered to  be  punished  in  a  camp  or  gar- 
rison, she  went  through  the  same  pro- 
cess ;  the  drums  beating  the  mariounetes, 
a  sort  of  rogue's  march,  during  the  exe- 
cution of  the  sentence. 

In  the  life  of  Gustavus  Adolphus  of 
Sweden,  it  is  observed,  that  he  was  re- 
marked for  being  strict  to  his  officers  and 
mild  to  the  private  men.  It  was  a  prin- 
ciple with  him,  that  even  a  common 
soldier  should  rarely,  if  ever,  receive 
corporal  punishment;  fully  persuaded, 
that  such  a  disgrace  cast  a  damp  after- 
wards upon  his  vivacity,  and  agreed  not 
well  with  the  notions  which  an  high  spi- 
rit ought  to  entertain  of  honour.  It  was 
his  idea  that  a  man  of  bravery  would 
sooner  forgive  a  sentence  of  death,  in- 
flicted upon  him  by  a  court-martial,  than 
pass  by  the  scandal  of  corporal  chastise- 
ment. His  general  rule,  therefore,  was 
to  degrade,  or  banish. — Essay  on  the 
Military  State  of  Europe  in  the  former 
part  of  the  17th  century  ;  vol.  i.  page  6, 
Life  of  Gustavus  Adolphus. 

PURBECK-sforte  is  a  hard  greyish 
stone,  almost  like  Sussex-Petties,  which 
is  used  for  pavements. 

PURCHASE.  Although  the  sale  and 
purchase  of  commissions  are  counte- 
nanced by  government,  and  the  prices 
of  those  commissions  are  regulated  by 
the  King's  authority,  yet  there  are  va- 
rious ways  through  which  young  men  of 
fortune  and  connexions  may  get  over 
the  heads  of  veteran  officers.  Not- 
withstanding the -avowed  existence  of 
this  deplorable  system,  it  must  be  ac- 
knowledged, that  its  abuses  have,  in  some 
degree,  been  provided  against  by  a  spe- 
cific regulation,  which  says,  that  the 
names  of  the  officers  who  intend  to 
purchase,  shall  be  regularly  transmitted, 
upon  the  back  of  each  regimental  return, 
■4T2 


P  U  R 


(     009     ) 


P  Y  C 


every  mx  months  at  least,  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief,  in  order  that  the  same 
may  i»'  laid  before  his  Majesty. 

Purchase  and  sale  are  terms  unknown 
in  the  navy.  We  should  be  happy  to 
have  it  in  our  power  to  say,  that  in  the 
course  of  time,  the  word  purchase  will 
be  erased  from  the  vocabulary  of  mili- 
tary terms ;  as  far,  at  least,  as  it  re- 
gards the  British  service. 

PUltEAU,  ou  ichuntillon,  Fr.  the 
whole  outside,  or  all  that  appears  of  a 
slate  or  tile  which  is  laid  for  use. 

PURLINS,  (in  building,)  those  pieces 
of  timber  which  lie  across  the  rafters 
on  the  inside,  to  keep  them  from  sinking 
in  the  middle  of  their  length. 

Highland  PURSE,  from  the  Gaelic 
Sporan,  and  sometimes  called  Check- 
purse,  is  a  part  of  the  Highland  dress, 
which  claims  great  antiquity.  Some- 
thing similar  to  it  is  to  be  found  in  the 
early  history  of  those  nations  that  in- 
habit the  temperate  regions. 

The  purse  which  is  at  present  worn 
by  our  Highland  regiments,  consists  of 
goat  skin,  and  the  tassels  hanging  from 
them  are  of  the  long  hairs  or  bristl.  3, 

The  Highlanders  seem  formerly  to 
have  displayed  great  ingenuity  in  making 
their  purses,  both  with  regard  to  the 
pockets,  and  to  the  different  heads  of 
animals  with  which  they  decorated  the 
fronts. 

Purse,  (with  the  Grand  Signor,)  a 
gift,  or  gratiiication  of  live  hundred 
crowns. 

Purse  of  money,  (in  theLevant,)  about 
one  hundred  and  twelve  pounds  sterling. 
It  is  so  called,  because  all  the  Grand 
Signor's  money  is  kept  in  leather  purses, 
or  bags  of  this  value,  in  the  seraglio. 

Pu RSE-proud  fellow,  (gros  richard,  Fr.) 
a  term  in  common  use  among  the  gene- 
rality of  mankind,  but  seldom  known  in 
military  bfe;  a  creature  whose  only 
value  is  his  weight  of  gold. 

PURSE  VAN  T,  PURSUIVANT, 
from  the  French  poursuivant,  a  sort  of 
serjeant  at  arms,  who  is  ready  to  go 
upon  any  special  occasion,  or  to  carry 
any  special  message.  His  general  ofhee 
is  to  apprehend  a  person  who  has  been 
guilty  of  an  offence. 

PURSIN  ESS,        {  (poussc, Fr.)  adis- 
PUR&n  F.NESS,  5  ease  in  horses;  a 
shortness  of  breath. 

PURSUIT,  (poursuite,  Fr.)  the  act 
of  following  with  hostile  intention. 


PURVEYOR,  a  person  employed  in 
the  quarter-master  or  commissary-gene- 
ral's  department.  Likewise  one  belong- 
ing to  a  military  hospital,  whose  duty  it 
is  to  provide  food  and  necessaries  for  the 
sick. 

Purveyor  of  oats  to  the  army,  a 
person  who  is  employed  as  agent  by  the 
contractors  for  the  supply  of  oats  to  the 
army.  By  a  war-office  order,  dated  the 
l.";th  August,  1801,  all  contractors  are 
to  have  an  agent,  of  this  description,  in 
every  market  town,  with  his  name,  and 
the  words  u  Purveyor  of  oats  lo  the 
U7  nit/"  painted  over  his  door. 

To  PUSH,  (pousser,  Fr.)  to  make  a 
thrust. 

To  Pusu  back,  to  force  an  enemy  to 
retreat. 

A  Push,  (tin  coup,  Fr.)  as  a  push  of 
the  bayonet,  uu  coup   de  la  ba'idnnette. 
PU  SILLAN IMO  US,  cowardly,  want- 
ing spirit. 

To  PUT  a  horse,  in  horsemanship, 
signifies  to  break  or  manage  him. 

To  Pur  a  horse  upon  Ins  haunches,  to 
force  him  to  bend  them  in  galloping  in 
the  manege,  or  upon  a  stop. 

To  Pur  a  horse  to  the  walk,  trot,  or 
gallop,  is  to  make  him  walk,  trot,  or 
gallop.  The  French  say,  Mettre,  as 
Mettre  un  clteval  au  galop. 

To  Put  in  march,  (mettre  en  marclw, 
Fr.)  to  move  bodies  of  troops. 
To  Put  to  death,  to  kill. 
To  Put  up,  to  pass  unrevenged;  as 
to  put  up  an  injury,  &c. 

To  Put  in  the  tompions,  (mettre  les 
tappes  au  canon,  IV.)  to  stop  the  mouth 
of  a  cannon. 

PUTLOGS  (in  carpentry)  are  short 
piece*  of  timber,  about  seven  feet  long, 
used  by  masons  in  building  scaffolds  to 
work  upon.  The  putlogs  are  those 
pieces  that  lie  at  right  angles  to  the  wall, 
or  horizontal  to  the  building,  with  one 
of  their  legs  resting  on  the  ledges  of  the 
poles,  which  are  those  pieces  that  lie 
parallel  to  the  side  of  the  wall  of  the 
building. 

PUTTING  -Stone,  a  great  stone, 
which  formerly  was  laid  at  the  gate  of  a 
laird  in  Scotland,  and  by  which  he  tried 
the  bodily  strength  of  each  man  in  his 
clan. 

PYCNOSTYLE,     )  in    ancient    ar- 

PYCHNOSTYLE,  \  chitecture,   is  a 

building  where  the  columns  stand  very 

close  one  to  another ;  one  diameter  and 


PYR 


(     60S     ) 


PYR 


ahalf  of  the  column  being  allowed  for  the 
inteicolumniations.  Pycnostyle  is  the 
smallest  of  all  the  intercolumniations 
mentioned  by  Vitruvius. 

Pye-Balu  Horse  is  one  that  has 
white  spots  upon  a  coat  of  another  co- 
lour. 

Thus  there  are  pye-bald  bays,  pye- 
bakl  sorrels,  and  pye-bald  blacks,  and  so 
of  the  rest. 

PYRE,  Ind.  a  person  employed  as  a 
guard  at  night. 

PYL1NG,  (in  building,)  the  ground 
for  foundation. 

PYRAMID,  (pyramide,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  originally  derived  from  the  Greek, 
and  takes  its  name  from  a  resemblance 
to  the  spiral  ascendancy  of  tire.  It  is 
the  same  as  obelisk. 

Pyramid,  in  geometry,  a  solid  ter- 
minating at  top  in  a  point,  and  formed 
by  three,  four,  five,  and  six  triangles  or 
more,  that  is,  by  as  many  triangles  as 
there  are  sides  at  the  basis  of  the  pyra- 
mid. If  the  base  have  only  three  sides, 
its  surface  is  composed  of  three  trian- 
gles, and  it  is  called  a  triangular  pyra- 
mid;  if  it  have  four,  its  surface  contains 
four  triangles,  and  is  called  a  quadrila- 
teral triangle;  when  its  top  isnot  inclined 
more  on  one  side  than  another,  it  is 
called  a  straight  pyramid, pyramide  droit e ; 
and  when  it  inclines  towards  its  base,  an 
oblique  pyramid,  pyramide  oblique. 

Pyramid,  (in  architecture,)  a  solid 
massy  edifice,  which  from  a  square,  tri- 
angular, or  other  base,  rises  in  gradual 
diminution  to  a  vertex  or  point. 

PYRAMIDAL  numbers,  (in  arithme- 
tic,)   the   sums  of  polygonal  numbers, 
collected  after  the  same  maimer  as  the 
polygon  numbers  themselves  are  extract- 
ed from  arithmetical  progressions. 
Pyramidal,      >  appertaining  to,  like 
Pyramidical,  J  to  a  pyramid. 
Pyramide  tronquee,    Fr.    a  pyramid 
whose  top  has  been  taken  off  in  cutting 
the  pyramid  into  two  parts  by  a  plane 
parallel  to  its  base;  in  which  case  the 
part  that  corresponds  with  tiie  base,  is 
called  pyramide  tronquee. 

PYRAMIDOID,  from  the  Greek,  is 
what  is  sometimes  called  a  parabolic 
spindle,  and  is  a  solid  figure  formed  by 
the  revolution  of  a  parabola  round  its 
base,  or  greatest  ordinate. 

The  PYRAMIDS  of  Egypt  are  enor- 
mous piles  of  building,  within  three 
leagues  of  Grand  Cairo,  and  are  called 
one  of  the  seven  wonders  of  the  world. 


The  pyramids  of  Giza,  the  largest  of 
which  was  originally  built  by  Cheops, 
are  supposed  to  have  been  erected  about 
14  years  after  the  building  of  Solomon's 
temple,  about  2661  years  ago.  The 
pyramids  are  known  by  various  names, 
viz. 

Pyramids  of  Giza,  (five  in  number,) 
which  are  those  already  mentioned,  and 
near  which  the  French  established  a 
camp  in  1799. 

Pyramids  of  Saccara,  (three  in  num- 
ber.) These  stand  in  the  plain  of  Mum- 
mies, and  are  about  600  feet  high. 

Dashour  Pyramids,  (six  in  number,) 
stand  in  the  same  plain,  and  appear 
somewhat  lower.  The  French  General 
Friant,  in  1799,  pursued  Murad  Bey 
across  this  plain,  leaving  the  pyramids 
on  his  left. 

The  Southern,  or  Great  Pyramid. — 
This  pyramid  has  been  called  by  Bruce, 
the  traveller,  the  false  pyramid.  It 
stands  in  the  plain  of  Mummies,  and 
appears  to  be  about  600  feet  high. 

Pyramids,  in  ruins.  Two  pyramids 
of  smaller  size,  which  stand  near  the 
Fioume  Mountains,  close  to  Joseph's 
canal. 

Battle  of  the  Pyramids,  so  called 
from  having  taken  place,  July  21,  1799, 
close  to  the  large  pyramids  in  the  plain 
of  Mummies,  at  Waardam,  within  a  few 
miles  of  Grand  Cairo. 

PYRENNEAN  Mountains,  or  Py- 
rennccs  from  the  French  Pyrennees,  a 
ridge  of  mountains  which  divide  France 
from  Spain.  Except  the  Alps,  they  are 
the  most  celebrated  in  Europe.  They 
extend  about  212  miles  in  length.  The 
safety  of  Spain,  when  in  a  state  of  hos- 
tility with  France,  depends  greatly,  if 
not.  wholly,  upon  the  possession  of  the 
principal  passes  in  the  Pyrennees.  See 
Passes. 
PYROBOLY,  the  art  of  gunnerv,  &c. 
PYROBOLTST,  (pyroboliste,  Fr.)  a 
maker  of  fire-balls,  &c. 

PYROETS,  in  horsemanship,  are  mo- 
tion-, either  of  one  tread  or  pist,  or  of 
two  treads  or  pists. 

Pyroets  of  one  tread,  or  what  the 
French  call  de  la  tete  a,  la  queue,  from 
the  head  to  the  tail,  are  entire  and  very 
narrow  turns  made  by  a  horse  upon  one 
tread,  and  almost  at  one  time,  so  that 
his  head  is  placed  where  his  tail  was, 
without  putting  out  his  haunches. 

Pyroets  of  two  pists,  are  turns  of 
two  treads  upon  a  small  compass  of 


Q  U  A 


(     694     ) 


Q  U  A 


•round,  almost  of  the  length  of  the 
horse. 

PYROTECHNIC,  of  or  appertaining 
to  pvrotechnv. 

PYROTECHNY,  (pyrotechnic  Fr.) 
in  military  matters,  the  doctrine  of  arti- 
ficial fireworks,  and  lire-arms,  teaching 
the  structure  and  service,  hoth  of  those 
used  in  war,  for  the  attacking  of  forti- 
fications, &c.  as  cannons,  bombs,  grena- 
does,  gunpowder,  wildfire,  &c.  and  those 
made  for  diversion,  as  serpents,  St.  Cathe- 
rine's wheel,  rockets,  &c. 


PYRRHICA,  a  dance  invented  by 
King  Pyrrhus.  It  was  performed  by  the 
soldiers  striking  their  shields  together, 
and  in  cadence,  so  as  to  resemble  the 
noise  and  action  of  a  battle.  This 
amusement  was  practised  by  the  Greeks 
and  Romans  ;  on  which  occasions  the 
men  and  women  were  armed  with  wood- 
en swords. 

PYXIS  nautica,  (bousso/e,  Fr.)  a  ma- 
riner's compass.  It  was  invented  by 
Goja  of  Amalphis,  in  the  year  1300. 


Q. 


QUACK,  a  boastful  pretender  to  arts 
which  he  does  not  understand. 
This  word  is  often  applied  to  artful 
practitioners  in  physic,  but  it  generally 
signifies  any  vain  pretender.  The  French 
use  the  word  charlatan. 

To  Quack,  to  chatter  boastingly ;  to 
brag  loudly  ;  to  talk  ostentatiously. 

QUADRA  (in  building)  is  any  square 
border,  or  frame,  encompassing  a  basso 
relievo,  pannel,  painting,  or  other  work 

QUADRANGLE,        )  a  square    fi 

QUADRANGULAR,  J  gure    having 
four  right  angles.     To  the  class  of  qua 
drangles  belong  the   square,    parallelo- 
gram,   trapezium,    rhombus  and  rhom- 
boids. 

QUADRANT,  (in  gunnery,)  an  in- 
strument made^f  brass,  or  wood,  divided 
into  degrees,  and  each  degree  into  ten 
parts,  to  lay  guns  or  mortars  to  any 
angle  of  elevation. 

The  common  sort  is  that  whose  radii 
project  the  quadrant  about  twelve  inches, 
and  whose  plummet  suspends  in  its 
centre,  by  means  of  a  fine  piece  of  silk  ; 
so  that,  when  the  long  end  is  introduced 
into  the  piece,  the  plummet  shews  its 
elevation. 

The  best  sort  has  a  spiral  level  fixed 
to  a  brass  radius;  so  that,  when  the 
long  end  is  introduced  into  the  piece, 
this  radius  is  turned  about  its  center  till 
it  i>  level  :  then  its  end  shews  the  angle 
of  elevation,  or  the  inclination  from  the 
horizon ;  whereas  the  first  shews  that 
angle  from  the  vertical. — See  Level. 

QUADRANTAL  triangle  is  a  sphe- 
rical triangle,  one  of  whose  sides,  at 
least,  is  a  quadrant  and  one  right  angle. 

QUADRATE,  or  to  quadrate  a  gun, 


is  to  see  it  duly  placed  on  its  carriage, 
and  that  the  wheels  be  of  an  equal 
height. 

Quadrate,  a  square  having  four  equal 
and  parallel  sides. 

QUADRATIC  equations  are  such 
as  retain,  on  the  unknown  side,  the 
square  of  the  root,  or  the  number 
sought. 

QUADRATRIX,  (quadratrice,  Fr.) 
in  geometry,  is  a  mechanical  line  by 
the  means  of  which  we  can  find  right 
lines  equal  to  the  circumference  of  a 
circle  or  other  curve,  and  the  several 
parts  belonging  to  it.  This  line  was 
discovered  by  Dinostratm. 

QUADRATURE,  (quadrature;  Fr.) 
a  square,  or  the  squaring  of  any  thing. 
The  French  pronounce  this  word  ca- 
drature. 

Quadrature  of  the  circle,  in  mathe- 
matics.    See  Mensuration. 

QUADREL,  (in  building,)  a  sort  of 
artificial  stone  perfectly  square,  whence 
its  name,  made  of  chalky,  white,  pli- 
able earth,  and  dried  in  the  sun  for  % 
considerable  time. 

QUADRILATERAL,  (quadri/aterc, 
Fr.)  having  four  sides. 

Quadrilateral  figure,  (quadrila- 
tere,  Fr.)  is  a  figure  whose  sides  are  four 
right  lines,  and  those  making  four  angles, 
as  parallelogram ,  trapezium,  rectangle  or 
long  square,  rhombus  and  rhomboid. 

QUADRILLE,  Fr.  This  word  is 
pronounced  cadrille.  Small  parties  of 
horse,  richly  caparisoned,  &.c.  which 
used  formerly  to  ride,  &c.  in  tourna- 
ments, and  at  public  festivals.  The 
quadrilles  were  distinguished  from  one 
another  by  the  shape,  or  colour  of  the 


QUA 


(    695     ) 


QUA 


coat  which  the  riders  wore.  This  word 
is  derived  from  the  Italian  Quudriglia, 
or  Squudriglia,  being  a  diminutive  of 
Squadra,  a  company  of  soldiers  drawn 
up  in  a  square. 

Quadrille,  Fr.  a  troop  of  horse  for 
a  tournament,  or  carousal.  According 
to  Richelet,  Quadrille  also  signifies  a 
troop  of  soldiers  not  less  than  25  in 
number. 

QUADRIPARTITION,  a  dividing 
by  four. 

*  QUADRIREME,  among  the  an- 
cients, a  ship  of  war,  which,  besides  its 
sails,  had  four  banks  of  oars  on  each 
side. 

QUADRIVIAL,  having  four  roads  or 
ways  meeting  in  a  point. 

QUjESTORES  provinciates,  Lat.  offi- 
cers in  high  trust  among  the  Romans, 
who  always  accompanied  the  consuls 
and  the  praetors  into  the  different  pro- 
duces. Their  immediate  business  on 
these  occasions,  was  to  supply  the  troops 
with  provisions  and  money. 

Qu.kstores  urbtmi,  Lat.  These  were 
also  officers  of  high  trust,  among  the 
ancient  Romans,  who  not  only  received 
foreign  tributes  and  domestic  imposts, 
but  also  took  charge  of  the  Roman 
Eagles,  which  were  lodged  in  the  public 
treasury.  Whenever  the  consuls  under- 
took a  military  expedition,  the  standards 
were  delivered  to  them  by  the  Quastores 
vrbani.  Foreign  ambassadors  were  like- 
wise provided  with  appropriate  places  of 
residence,  under  their  direction,  and 
afterwards  personally  introduced  to  the 
Roman  senate. 

Qu.estores  candidati,  Lat.  During 
the  reign  of  certain  Roman  emperors  the 
Quicstores  candiduti,  who  were  officers 
that  always  attended  their  persons,  stood 
proxies  for,  or  delivered  the  sentiments 
of  the  consul,  when  the  latter  did  not 
chuse  to  attend  the  senate. 

QUvESTORIUM,  the  Exchequer, 
among  the  ancient  Romans ;  also  the 
tent,  pavilion,  or  head  quarters  of  the 
quccstor.  It  was  there  likewise  that  the 
military  chest  belonging  to  the  army 
was  deposited. 

QUAI,  Fr.    See  Quay. 
QUAICHE,    or    CAICHE,    Fr.    a 
decked  vessel,  a  ketch. 

QUALIFICATION,  thatwhichmakes 
any  person,  or  thing,  fit  for  any  thing. 
It  is  a  term  particularly  used  with  re- 
spect to  the  militia  of  the  three  united 


kingdoms;  the  lords  lieutenant,  deputy 
lieutenants,  and  officers  belonging  to 
that  establishment  being  directed,  under 
a  specific  penalty,  to  give  in  their  several 
qualifications,  as  far  as  they  relate  to 
property  (landed  or  personal,  as  the  case 
may  be)  within  a  prescribed  period.  For 
particulars  see  Military  Finance. 

Qualifications  required  to  constitute 
an  efficient  soldier,  are — bodily  strength, 
activity,  hardihood,  active  courage, 
passive  courage,  dexterity  or  skill,  steadi- 
ness, discipline,  watchfulness,  clean- 
liness, good  conduct,  (in  which  is  in- 
cluded sobriety,)  enthusiasm,  and  con- 
tempt of  death. 

To  QUALIFY,  to  fit  for  any  thing ; 
to  furnish  with  qualifications ;  to  make 
capable  of  any  employment  or  privilege: 
as  to  give  an  individual,  in  any  parti- 
cular country,  town,  or  place,  a  certain 
possession  in  land  or  tenements  to  en- 
able him  to  hold  a  company,  or  to  be 
a  field  officer,  in  a  militia  corps.  In  a 
general  acceptation  of  the  term,  To 
qualify  does  not  mean  to  give  proofs  of 
mental  ability. 

To  Qualify,  to  abate,  to  soften,  to 
diminish. 

QUALIFIED  Oath  for  the  British 
Army,  an  oath  in  which  the  words,  I  am 
a  Protestant,  SfC.  are  omitted.  On  the 
9th  of  May,  1794,  the  following  ex- 
emption was  made  in  favour  of  such 
foreigners  or  persons,  formerly  of  the 
Irish  Brigade  in  France,  who  might 
enter  into  the  British  service,  viz. 

"  Provided  also,  that  no  such  person 
as  aforesaid  shall  be  liable  to  any  pain 
or  penalty  for  having  enlisted  as  a  sol- 
dier in  any  such  regiments  as  aforesaid, 
(namely,  corps  of  emigrants  and  the 
Irish  Brigade,)  by  reason  of  his  having 
professed  the  Popish  religion,  not  having 
declared  the  same  at  the  time  of  his 
enlisting. 

QUALITIES  necessai-y  in  a  Military 
Body,  (qualitis  nccessaires  dans  la  com- 
position d'wie  armie,  Fr.)  The  most 
rare  and  valuable  qualities  in  a  military 
body  have  been  so  well  described  by 
the  late  General  Sir  John  Moore,  in 
his  orders  dated  the  97th  December, 
1808,  from  Benevente,  that  we  shall 
wave  all  comment,  and  briefly  quote 
the  words  of  that  brave  and  honest 
soldier. 

"These,"  he  observes, "  are  not  bravery 
alone,  but  patience  and  constancy  under 


QUA 


(     606     ) 


QUA 


fatigue  and  hardship,  obedience  to  com- 
mand, firmness  and  resolution  in  every  si- 
tuation in  which  soldiers  may  be  placed." 
—  Narrative,   !></  James  Moore,  p.  170. 

Negative  Qi  w  hies,  qualities  of  the 
mind,  which,  however  pure  and  good  in 
us  intention,  fail  of  producing  any  bene- 
ficial effects,  from  the  inert  or  feeble 
direction  of  its  measures. 

Positive  Qualities,  qualities  which 
manifest  themselves  by  direct  exertions. 

Ql  ALM  literally  signifies  a  fainting 
tit;  but  it  figuratively  means  a  scruple 
of  conscience ;  such  as  now  and  then, 
like  the  visitation  of  God,  conies  across 
the  gorged  senses  of  public  men  who 
have  not  acted  fairly  towards  the  coun- 
try; but  it  seldom  has  sufficient  force 
to  make  them  disgorge  their  ill-gotten 
wealth  ;  until  an  Exchequer  Writ,  or  an 
Information  e.i  officio,  brings  them  before 
our  Lord  the  KiiiLr. 

Ql '  A  N TIEjVJ  E,jFY\ a  term  used  among 
the  French  to  signify,  not  only  the  day 
of  the  month,  as  quel  quantihne  du  mois 
avons-noui  ?  what  is  the  day  of  the 
month?  but  likewise  the  numerical  order 
in  which  an  individual  stands  upon  a 
muster  roll,  &c.  viz.  Quel  quantieme  tles- 
vous  dans  votre  compagnief  how  do  you 
rank  in  your  company  ?  or,  of  what 
standing  are  you  ? 

QUANTITY, amount;  bulk;  weight. 

Quantity,  (quantite,  Fr.)  in  mathe- 
matics, the  sole  and  principal  object. 
Under  this  word  may  be  comprehended 
all  that  may  be  augmented  or  dimi- 
nished. 

QUARANTINE,  (quarantine,  Fr.) 
the  time  which  jjersons,  suspected  of 
having  any  contagious  disorder,  are  ob- 
liged to  remain  without  mixing  with  the 
inhabitants  of  the  sea  port  or  town  at 
which  they  arrive.  It  takes  its  name 
from  quuruntaine,  the  term  of  40  days. 

Ql'ARRE,  Fr.  Although  this  word 
is  written  with  a  Q  in  all  the  French 
Dictionaries,  (except  in  that  published 
by  the  Academy  at  Paris,)  it  ought, 
nevertheless,  to  stand  Carre.  In  the 
first  hurry  of  our  compilation  we  omit- 
ted to  notice  this  error,  so  that  Butuillon 
Carre  d'/iommes,  signifies  a  square  bat- 
talion. The  French  say,  Partie  curice,  a 
party  consisting    of  tour    people.     See 

DOJ    \RE. 

QUARREAUX,  Fr.  darts  or  arrows 
which  the  bowmen  anciently  used,  and 
which  were  so  called  from  the  iron  at 
the  end  being  square,  with  a  sharp  point. 


!  These   were  sometimes  corruptly  styled 
quarrels,  or  quarrils. 

QUARRELS,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
disagreements  between  individuals  of 
that  serious  nature,  as  to  produce  chal- 
lenges, duels,  &c.  In  Sect,  the  Vllth. 
Art.  lVth.  of  the  Articles  of  War,  it  is 
specified,  that  all  officers  of  what  con- 
dition soever,  have  power  to  quell  all 
quarrels,  frays,  and  disorders,  though 
the  persons  concerned  should  belong  to 
another  regiment,  troop,  or  company, 
and  either  to  order  officers  into  arrest, 
or  non-commissioned  officers  or  soldiers 
to  prison,  until  their  proper  superior 
officer  shall  be  made  acquainted  there- 
with; and  whosoever  shall  refuse  to 
obey  such  officer,  (though  of  an  inferior 
rank,)  or  shall  draw  his  sword  upon  him, 
shall  lie  punished  at  the  discretion  of  a 
general  court-martial. 

A  German  Quarrel,  (querelle  d'Al- 
lemaud,  Fr.)  a  misunderstanding  about 
trifles ;  a  gratuitous  offence  which  is  given 
for  the  express  purpose  of  quarrelling. 

Quarrel,  )  an  arrow   with  a  square 

Quarry,   y  head.     See  Quarheaux. 

QUARRELSOME, inclined  to  broils; 
easily  irritated;  irascible;  petulant. 

QUART,  Fr.  a  fourth. 

Quart  de  cerele,  Fr.  a  quadrant,  such 
as  bombardiers  use  when  they  take  the 
angles,  and  give  what  inclination  they 
think  necessary  to  a  mortar.  Also  the 
fourth  part  of  any  given  circumference 
containing  ninety  degrees. 

Quart  de  conversion,  Fr.  a  military 
movement  by  which  a  body  of  armed  , 
men  are  made  to  describe  the  quarter 
of  a  circle  round  the  leading  file  of  the 
right  or  left  Hank,  and  which  becomes, 
of  course,  the  point  d'appui  to  the  rest. 
See  Quarter  Wheeling. 

Demi-Qv art  de  conversion,  Fr.  half- 
quarter  wheel. 

The  French  say  figuratively  ;  Cottier 
ses  affaires  au  tiers  et  an  quart,  to  tell  or 
communicate  one's  private  affairs  to  all 
persons  indiscriminately.  They  likewise 
Bay,  mtdire  du  tiers  et  du  quart,  to  speak 
ill  of  every  body. 

Travailler  tin  cheval  de  Quart  en 
Quart,  Fr.  in  the  manage,  to  work  a 
horse,  or  lead  him  three  times  over  each 
line  of  the  square. 

QIARTDERONNER,  Fr.  to  take 
off  the  edges  or  borders  of  a  beam  or 
joist  by  running  a  moulding  along  it, 

QUARIE,  Fr.  in  fencing,  See 
Carte. 

i 


QUA 


(     ^7     ) 


QUA 


QUARTER,  in  war,  signifies  the 
■sparing  of  men's  lives,  and  giving  good 
treatment  to  a  vanquished  enemy. — 
Hence  To  give  quarter. 

To  Quarter  upon,  (loger,  Fr.)  to 
oblige  persons  to  receive  soldiers,  &x. 
into  their  dwelling  houses,  and  to  pro- 
vide for  them. 

QUARTERS.  Military  stations  are 
£o  called ;  as  head  quarters,  home  quar- 
ters, regimental  quarters,  &c. 

Quarters,  at  a  siege,  the  encamp- 
ment upon  one  of  the  most  principal 
passages  round  a  place  besieged,  to 
prevent  relief  and  convoys. 

Head  Quarters  of  an  Army,  the 
place  where  the  commander  in  chief  has 
his  quarters.  The  quarters  of  generals 
of  horse,  are,  if  possible,  in  villages  be- 
hind the  right  and  left  wings ;  and  the 
generals  of  foot  are  often  in  the  same 
place ;  but  the  commander  in  chief 
should  be  near  the  center  of  the  army. 

General  Head  Quarters,  (quartiers 
gineraux  de  Vrwuie,  Fr.)  any  town, 
place,  or  station,  which  the  commander 
in  chief  of  an  army  may  occupy,  for  the 
time  being,  with  his  staff. 

Regimental  Head  Quarters,  (etat 
major  d'un  Regiment,  Fr.)  any  town, 
place,  or  station,  where  the  colonel,  or 
commanding  officer  of  a  regiment,  may- 
be quartered  with  his  staff,  consisting, 
usually,  of  his  adjutant,  paymaster,  sur- 
geon, and  quarter-master. 

Quarters  of  Refreshment,  the  place 
or  places  where  troops  that  have  been 
much  harassed  are  put  to  recover  them- 
selves, during  some  part  of  the  cam- 
paign. 

Quarter  of  Assembly,  the  place 
where  the  troops  meet  to  march  from 
in  a  body,  and  which  is  the  same  as  the 
place  of  rendezvous. 

Intrenched  Quarters,  a  place  for- 
tified with  a  ditch  and  parapet  to  secure 
a  body  of  troops. 

Winter  Quarters  sometimes  means 
the  space  of  time  included  between 
leaving  the  camp  and  taking  the  field ; 
but  more  properly,  the  places  where  the 
troops  are  quartered  during  the  winter. 

The  first  business,  after  the  army  is  in 
winter  quarters,  is  to  form  the  chain  of 
troops  to  cover  the  quarters  well:  which 
is  done  either  behind  a  river,  under  cover 
of  a  range  of  strong  posts,  or  under  the 
protection  of  fortified  towns.  Hu9SHJJ 
tie  very  useful  on  this  service. 


. 


It  should  be  observed,  as  an  inrari  - 
able  maxim,  in  winter  quarters,  that  your 
regiments  be  disposed  in  brigades,  to  be 
alw  ays  under  the  eye  of  a  general  otficer ; 
and,  if  possible,  let  the  regiments  be  so 
distributed,  as  to  be  each  under  the 
command  of  its  own  chief. 

Tn  Quarters,  within  the  limits  pre- 
scribed. 

Out  of  Quarters,  beyond  the  limits 
prescribed.  Officers,  non  commissioned 
officers,  and  soldiers,  who  sleep  out  of 
quarters,  without  leave,  are  liable  to  be 
tried  by  a  general  or  regimental  court- 
martial,  according  to  the  rank,  they 
severally  hold. 

Qua rter- Master,  an  officer,  whose 
principal  business  is  to  look  after  the 
quarters  of  the  soldiers,  their  clothing, 
bread,  ammunition,  firing,  Sec.  Every 
regiment  of  foot,  and  artillery,  has  a 
quarter-master,  and  every  troop  of  horse 
one.  These  are  only  warrant-officers  : 
but,  in  the  Blues,  the  quarter-masters 
have  the  King's  commission. 

Quarter-  Master-General,  a  con- 
siderable officer  in  the  army,  and  should 
be  a  man  of  great  judgment  and  expe- 
rience, and  well  skilled  in  geography; 
his  duty  is  to  mark  the  marches,  and 
encampments  of  an  army ;  he  should 
know  the  country  perfectly  well,  with 
its  rivers,  plains,  marshes,  woods,  moun- 
tains, defiles,  passages,  &c.  even  to  the 
smallest  brook.  Prior  to  a  march,  he 
receives  the  orders  and  route  from  the 
commanding  general,  and  appoints  a 
place  tor  the  quarter-masters  of  the  army 
to  meet  him  next  morning,  with  whom 
he  marches  to  the  next  camp;  where, 
after  having  viewed  the  ground,  he  marks 
out  to  the  regimental  quarter-masters 
the  space  allowed  each  regiment  for 
their  camp:  he  chuses  the  head  quar- 
ters, and  appoints  the  villages  for  the 
generals  of  the  army's  quarters :  he 
chuses  a  proper  place  for  the  encamp- 
ment of  the  train  of  artillery  :  he  con- 
ducts foraging  parties,  as  likewise  the 
troops  to  cover  them  against  assaults, 
and  has  a  share  in  regulating  the  winter 
quarters  and  cantonments. 

QuARTER-ro«/«/,  (quart  de  rond,  Fr.) 
among  workmen  in  general,  any  mould- 
ing whose  contour  is  either  a  perfect 
quadrant,  or  quarter  of  a  circle,  or  what 
approaches  to  that  figure.  Architects 
commonly  name  it  Ovolo;  Vitervius 
calls  it  Echinus. 
4U 


QUA 

Qv  \mrn-Stntf,  (baton  a  deux  bouts, 
Fr.)  an  old  military  weapon,  made  of 
strong  wood,  bigger  and  heavier  than  a 
pike:  it  is  6*  feet  long  between  the  i'er- 
rules  that  keep  fast  the  two  spikes  of  iron 
stuck  into  the  ends  of  the  stall". 

Quarter,  in  the  manege,  as  to  work 
from  quarter  to  quarter,  is  to  ride  a 
horse  three  times  in  upon  the  first  of 
the  four  lines  of  a  square;  then,  changing 
your  hand,  to  ride  him  three  times  upon 
the  second;  and  so  to  the  third  and 
fourth  ;  always  changing  hand.-,  and  ob- 
serving the  same  order. 

A  false  Quarter,  in  horsemanship,  is 
when  the  hoof  has  a  kind  of  cleft,  occa- 
sioned by  a  horse's  casting  bis  quarter, 
and  getting  a  new  one,  for  then  the  born 
beginning  to  grow  is  uneven  and  ugly,  as 
also  bigger  and  softer  than  die  rest  oi 
the  hoof;  and  such  feet  should  be  shod 
with  half-Panton  shoes;  but,  if  the 
clefi  be  considerable  and  take  up  a 
quarter  part  of  the  hoof,  the  horse  will 
not  be  serviceable,  and  is  not  worth 
bin  ii 

Quarteb  behind  is  when  a  horse  has 
the  quarters  or'  his  hind  fei  t  strong  ;  that 
is  to  say,  the  horn  thick,  and  capable  of 

admitting  a  good  gripe  bj  the  nails. 

QoA&TER-wheeling  is  the  motion  by 
which  the  front  of  a  body  of  men  is 
turned  round  tow  lure  the  (lank  stood, 
by  taking  a  quarter  of  a  circle. 

Quarters  of'  «  saddle  are  the  pieces 
of  leather,  or  stuff  made  fast  to  the 
lower  parts  of  the  sides  of  the  -addle, 
and  hanging  down  below  the  saddle. 

Qua  r  n  as  of  a  hone.  The  fore  quar- 
ters are  the  shoulders  and  the  tore  legs ; 
the  hind  quarters,  are  the  hips  and  the 
hind  legs. 

Quarters  of  a  horse's  foot  are  the 
sides  of  the  corhn,  comprehended  be- 
tween the  toe  and  the  hell  on  one  side, 
and  the  other  of  the  foot :  the  inner 
quartersarethoseopposite  to  one  another, 
facing  from  one  foot  to  the  other  ;  these 
are  always  weaker  than  the  outside 
quarters  which  lie  on  the  external  sides 
of  the  coliin. 

Quarter-cos^.     A   horse  is  said   to 


698  )  QUA 

placed  between  the  puncheons  and  posts, 
used  to  lathe  upon. 

Single  Quarters  are  sawn  stuff  two 
inches  thick  and  four  inches  broad. 

lAnib/c  Quarters  are  sawn  to  four 
inches  square. 

QUARTERING,  in  carpentry,  is  the 
putting  in  of  quarters.  It  is  sometimes 
used  for  the  quarters  themselves. 

QUARTERIZATION,  part  of  the 
punishment  of,  a  traitor,  by  dividing  his 
body  into  four  parts  besides  the  head, 
which  quarters  were  formerly  set  up  on 
poles  over  the  gates  of  the  city. 

Qi  mm  i  in. v  return,  a  return  which 
is  made  every  quarter,  taking  the  last 
day  of  each  quarter  inclusive,  of  the 
different  allowances  that  are  made  to 
certain  officers  belonging  to  the  ord- 
nance department,  under  the  several 
heads  of  forage  for  horses,  fuel  and  lodg- 
ing money. 

QUARTERON,  one,  Fr.  a  quarte- 
roon;  on*'  born  of  a  white  man  and  a 
mulatto  wonian,  or  of  a  mulatto  maq 
and  a  white  woman. 

QUARTIDI,  Fr.  the  fourth  day  of 
the  dec  d<  according  to  the  distribution 
of  the  French  republican  year. 

QUARTIER,  Fr.  This  word  not 
only  signilies  the  ground  of  encampment 
for  troops,  but  also  the  main  body  of 
the  troops  themselves,  whence  head- 
quarters,  quartiers gintraux. 

Qi '.vrtier  d'asscmblie,  Fr.  the  general 
parade,  or  spot  where  troops  assemble 
for  the  purpose  of  being  looked  at  or 
marched  oft. 

Quartier  de  cantonnement,  Fr.  any 
space  or  extent  of  country  in  which  troops 
are  cantoned. 

Quartier  de  precaution,  Fr.  a  camp 
which  is  established  on  one  of  the 
chief  roads  or  leading  avenues  of  a  be- 
sieged or  masked  place,  for  the  purpose 
of  intercepting  any  succours  or  pro- 
visions that  might  be  brought  to  relieve 
it. 

Quartier  d'un  siege,  Fr.  a  station 
taken,  or  an  encampment  made  in  one 
of  the  leading  avenues  to  a  besieged 
town  or  place.    When  the  quartier  d'un. 


cast  his  quarters,  when,  for  any  disorder  I  siege    was    commanded    by   a   general 
in  his  corhn,  the  farrier  is  obliged  to  cut  |  officer,  during  the  old  French  monarchy, 


one  of  tin  quarters  oft",  and  when  the 
boot  "is  thus  cut  it  grows  and  comes  on 
a-new. 

Quarters,  in  architecture,  are  those 
blight  upright  pieces  of  timber  which  are 


it  was  called  quartier  du  roi,  the  king's 
quarters. 

Quartiers  de  siege,  Fr.  the  different 
spots  or  places  within  the  lines  which 
are    occupied  by  troops   that  are  en- 


QUA 


(  m  ) 


QUA 


tamped  under  the  orders  of  a  general 
officer,  subordinate  to  the  commander  in 
chief.  These  quarters  must  be  on  the 
Hanks  or  wings,  and  on  the  center  of  the 
lines. 

Qv artier  des  vivres,  Fr.  the  park  of 
stores,  provisions,  Sec.  any  place  where 
the  stores  and  provisions  of  an  army  are 
deposited. 

Quartier  d'hiver,  Fr.  winter  quar- 
ters. Count  de  Turpin  has  written 
largely  upon  this  subject.  See  Essai  sur 
VArt  de  la  Guerre ;  likewise,  Suite  de  la 
Science  de  la  Guerre,  torn,  i v.  p.  170. 

Quartier  de  rafralchissemens,  Fr. 
See  Quarters  of  Refreshment. 

Quartier  de  fourrage,  Fr.  foraging 
quarters.  When  the  active  operations 
of  a  campaign  are  necessarily  inter- 
rupted by  the  inclemency  of  the  season, 
means  are  adopted  to  lessen  the  heavy 
expenses  of  winter  quarters,  by  remain- 
ing a  certain  time  in  foraging  quarters. 
A  wise  general  will  take  care  to  live  as 
long  as  he  can  upon  his  enemy's  country, 
in  order  to  draw  as  little  as  possible  from 
his  own. 

Quartier  du  roi,  ou  du  general,  Fr. 
head  quarters,  or  the  spot  where  the 
king  or  commander  in  chief  resides. 

Qu artier  general  dc  la  tranchee,  Fr. 
head  quarters,  or  principal  station  of  the 
trenches.  That  spot  is  so  called  in 
which  the  commanding  otlicer  of  the 
trenches  takes  post,  and  to  which  all  re- 
ports of  progress,  &x.  are  from  time  to 
time,  conveyed.  When  the  siege  is 
somewhat  advanced,  it  is  usual  to  fix 
this  quarter  near  the  outline  of  the  last 
parallel  which  leads  to  the  head  of  the 
saps,  in  the  principal  line  of  attack. 

Un  Quartier  bien  retranche,  Fr.  a 
quarter  that  is  well  entrenched. 

LTn  Quartier  enkri,  Fr.  quarters 
taken  possession  of  by  force. 

Officiers  de.  Quartier,  IV.  officers 
who  were  upon  duty  for  three  months, 
or  during  the  space  of  one  quarter  of  a 
year.  This  term  was  used  in  the  old 
French  service,  to  distinguish  such  offi- 
cers from  those  who  did  duty  through- 
out the  year. 

Etre  de  Quartier,  Fr.  to  be  on 
duty  for  three  months. 

Quartier  de   dedans,     )    Fr.      See 

Quartier  de  dehors,  \  Quarters 
of  a  horse. 

QuARTiERnn//,  Fr.  See  Quarter- 
cast. 


Quartiers  d'une.  selle,  Fr.  Seo, 
Quarters  of  a  saddle. 

Quartiers  generaux,  Fr.  general 
head-quarters. 

QuARTrER-Jwa&re,  Fr.  quarter-master. 
This  term,  with  respect  to  foreign  troops, 
corresponds  with  marcchal  des  logis  in  a 
French  infantry  corps. 

QuARTiER-?««(7;r,  Fr.  The  situation 
of  quartier-maure  among  the  French 
corresponds  with  that  of  regimental  pay- 
master in  the  British  service.  Among 
the  Germans  he  holds  the  rank  of  cap- 
tain. The  French  also  call  him  quartier- 
maitre  trfeorier.  When  he  is  first  ap- 
pointed, he  receives  the  rank  of  lieute- 
nant, and  after  a  certain  number  of 
years,  holds  that  of  captain.  He  never 
does  any  sort  of  military  duty,  or,  to 
use  a  French  phrase,  II  iiest  pas  en  ba- 
taille.    He  generally  rises  from  the  ranks. 

The  French  make  a  distinction  be- 
tween quartier-maitre  and  quartier-mes» 
Ire  :  the  former  signifying  a  quarter-mas* 
ter  or  paymaster  of  a  regiment,  or  a 
purser  on  board  a  ship ;  and  the  latter  a 
quarter-master  belonging  to  a  foreign, 
regiment  of  cavalry. 

QvARTiT.K-Mestre-Gcnei-al,  Fr.  quar- 
ter-master-general. Amongforeign  troops 
the  same  as  marcchal  general  des  logis  in 
the  old  French  service.  There  is  a 
quarter-master-general  in  the  Turkish 
service,  whose  immediate  duty  is  to 
mark  out  the  ground  of  encampment, 
the  instant  he  has  received  orders  to 
that  purpose  from  the  grand  Vizir,  or, 
in  his  absence,  from  the  Seraskier,  who 
is  the  general  in  ordinary,  and  who  is 
always  with  the  army,  whether  the 
Grand  Vizir  be  present  or  not. 

Quartier,  Fr.  This  word  is  also 
used  by  the  French  in  many  other  signi- 
fications, viz. — 

]\lettre,  donnerValarme  au  Quartier, 
Fr,  to  give  the  alarm  in  quarters.  This 
is  either  done  by  the  enemy's  advanced 
posts,  or  designedly  contrived  to  keep 
soldiers  on  the  alert. 

Donner  Quartier,  Fr.  to  give  quar- 
ter.    See  Represailkr. 

Prendre  Quartier,  Fr.  to  take 
quarter,  or  to  surrender  at  discretion. 

Dcmandcr  Quartier,  Fr.  to  ask 
quarter,  or  to  throw  one's  self  on  the 
mercy  of  a  conqueror. 

Ne  point   (aire   de  Quartier,    Fr. 
to   give  no  quarter,    or  to  put  to  the 
sword. 
4U2 


QUE 


(     700     ) 


QUI 


Pivmcttre  Quartier,  Ft:  to  promise 
quarter,  or  to  spare  the  life  of  an  enemy 
that  surrenders  at  discretion. 

Pierre*  dc  Quartier,  Fr.  in  ma- 
sonry, large  blocks  of  hewn  stone  which 
are.  taken  out  of  the  quarry,  and  of 
which  one  or  two  are  sufficient  for  a 
common  wagon  drawn  by  three  or  four 
horse's.' 

QUATRE,  Fr.  four. 

QUAY,  QUAI,  Fr.  a  key ;  an  arti- 
ficial bank  to  the  sea  or  river  generally 
made  sloping,  and  constructed  with 
mason  work  upon  large  piles,  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  up  an  embankment, 
restraining  the  influx  of  water,  or  for 
goods  to  be  conveniently  unladen  upon. 

QUAYAGE,  Fr.  key-toll. 

To  QUELL,  to  crush;  to  subdue. 
Military  force  is  sometimes  resorted  to 
by  the  civil  magistracy  to  quell  riots, 
&c.  In  which  case,  the  riot-act  must 
be  read  by  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
if  the  rioters  or  insurgents  do  not  dis- 
perse, the  magistrate  may  order  the  offi- 
cer to  do  his  duty,  by  firing,  &c.  upon 
them.  When  military  law  has  been 
proclaimed,  there  is  not  any  necessity 
for  this  preliminary  caution. 

Vider  une  QUERELLE,  Fr.  an  ex- 
pression among  the  French,  which  is 
used  when  two  persons  meet  to  deter- 
mine their  quarrel  by  fighting  with 
sword  or  pistol. 

Querelle  cTAllemand,  Fr.  See 
Quarrel. 

Querelle  (Tinofficiosile,  Fr.  a  dis- 
pute or  contest  on  the  ground  of  infor- 
mality or  injustice  done  to  one  party  at 
the  expense  of  another.  This  is  pro- 
perly a  law  term,  but  may  be  applied 
to  irregular  or  informal  promotion. 

Querelles,  Fr.  quarrels,  feuds,  &c. 

QUERRY.    See  Equerry. 

To  go  in  QUEST  of  ua  enemy  y  to 
send  out  vedettes,  patroles,  &c.  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  an  enemy's 
motions. 

La  QUESTION,  Fr.  a  torture  used 
in  despotic  governments  to  force  an  ac- 
cused person  to  avow  the  crime  alleged 
against  him.     See  Torture. 

QUEUE,  from  the  French,  which 
signifies  tail;  an  appendage  that  every 
liritisb  soldier  was  formerly  directed  to 
wear.  Regimental  tails  were  ordered 
to  be  nine  inches  long ;  among  the 
Guards  they  were  fourteen. 

La  Queue  de  I'armee,  Fr.  the  rear 
•f  au  army. 


Queue  de  picrrc,  Fr.  the  rough  or, 
squared  end  of  a  stone  laid  across. 

Queue  d'aronde,  Fr.  a  corruption  of 
queue  d'yrondc.  It  signifies  a  piece  of 
wood  which  is  so  made  that  it  reseran 
bles  at  each  end  a  swallow's  tail. 

Queue  d'yronde,  ou  d'yro?idclle,  Fr.' 
See  Swallow's  tail. 

Queue  d'un  butail/on,  Fr.  the  rear 
or  serre-file  of  a  battalion,  when  it  is 
countermarched  by  files;  the  front  files 
passing  to  the  rear. 

Queue  du  camp,  Fr.  literally  means 
the  tail  or  extremity  of  the  camp.  It 
is  the  line  which  is  drawn  in'the  rear  of 
the  camp,  and  which  is  directly  oppo- 
site to  the  one  in  front,  called  the  headi 
of  the  camp. 

Queue  dc  paott,  Fr.  literally  means  a 
peacock's  tail.  It  is  used  in  architec- 
ture, to  signify  the  different  compare 
ments  or  spaces  which,  in  a  circular 
figure,  spread  gradually  from  the  center 
to  the  circumference. 

Queue  a  queue,  Fr.  one  after  ano* 
r.her. 

Etre  a  la  Queue,  Fr.  to  be  behind, 
or  in  the  rear. 

Avoir  Vennemi  en  Queue,  Fr.  to 
have  the  enemy  close  at  one's  heels. 

Queue  dc  la  tranchee,  Fr.  that  part 
where  the  opening  of  a  trench  first 
commences,  and  where  the  men  are  co- 
vered from  the  fire  of  the  besieged.  See 
Tail  oft  lie  Trenches. 

Queues  de  renard,  Fr.  literally  fox's 
tails.  Loose  roots  or  branches  which 
gather  in  conduit  pipes,  probably  engen- 
dered by  seeds  that  have  been  carried 
in  by  the  water,  and  which  have  re* 
mained  in  the  small  holes  or  inequalities. 
They  multiply  so  fast  that  they  some- 
times choak  the  pipes  and  cause  them 
to  burst. 

QUILTED  Linen,  a  covering  which 
was  anciently  used  for  the  defence  of 
horses  in  battle, 

QUI  TAM,  a  species  of  action  wherein, 
a  penalty  is  given  half  to  the  king,  and 
half  to  the  informer;  this  term  is  taken 
from  a  part  of  the  declaration,  which 
states  that  the  party  sues,  as  well  for 
himself  as  for  the  king;  but  it  more 
frequently  happens,  that  notwithstand- 
ing such  profession,  informers  ar« 
more  strongly  interested  for  their  own 
private  emolument,  than  for  any  gene- 
ral service  they  intend  towards  the  state. 
The  unguarded  manner  in  which  mili- 
tary .uen  commit  themselves  to  money- 


Q  U  I 


(   roi   ) 


Q  U  I 


changers  and  money-lender?,  &c.  ren- 
ders this  article,  by  way  of  caution,  par- 
ticularly necessary.     See  Usury. 

QUIBERON,  or  Quibron,  a  small 
peninsula  of  France,  in  Bretagne,  in  the 
bishopric  of  Vannes,  and  to  the  north 
of  Belleisle ;  as  also  a  small  island  called 
the  Point  of  Quiberon,  separated  from 
the  peninsula  by  a  channel,  and  the  sea 
next  it  is  called  the  Bay  of  Quiberon. 
This  spot  has  been  rendered  remark- 
able by  the  expedition  which  took  place 
in  June,  1795.  Upwards  of  3000  re- 
gular troops  (composed  mostly  of 
French  emigrants  that  had  served  a- 
broad,  with  the  ill-judged  addition  of 
some  French  prisoners,  taken  out  of 
English  gaols)  were  landed  upon  the 
coast.  This  force  was  intended  as  a 
co-operation  with  the  insurgents  of  La 
Vendee,  and  was  afterwards  to  have 
been  increased  by  the  descent  of  an 
English  army,  under  the  command  of 
the  Earl  of  Moira.  His  lordship  had, 
indeed,  already  been  instructed  to  de- 
tach a  covering  body  for  that  purpose; 
but  the  British  did  not  land,  having 
been  driven  from  the  French  coast  b\ 
stress  of  weather.     See  Chouan. 

QUICK,  with  celerity.  It  forms  the 
cautionary  part  of  a  word  of  command 
when  troops  are  ordered  to  move  in 
-quick  time;  as  Quick — march. 

Quick  step,  or  quick  time,  is  108 
steps  of  30  inches  each,  or  270  feet  in 
a  minute,  and  is  the  step  used  in  all 
filings  of  divisions. 

QviCK-match,  ire  laboratory  works. 
See  Laboratory. 

QUICKEST  step  or  quickest  time,  is 
120  steps  of  30  inches  each,  or  300 
feet  in  a  minute.  In  this  step  all  wheel- 
ings are  performed,  as  also  the  doub- 
lings up  of  divisions,  and  their  increase 
or  diminution  of  front. 

QUIETISM,  apathy,  indifference. 

QUIETISME,  Fr.  the  state  of  those 
persons  who  did  not  take  an  active  part 
in  the  French  Revolution. 

QUIETISTE,  Fr.  a  man  who  did 
not  meddle  with  the  Revolution. 

QUIETUS,  a  term  used  in  public 
accounts,  signifying  a  complete  settle- 
ment between  individuals  and  the  go- 
vernment by  which  they  have  been 
employed.  Until  this  has  taken  place, 
no  public  accountant  can  be  secure  in 
the  enjoyment  of  one  farthing  he  has 
earned ;  nor  are  his  heirs  exempt  from 


the   visitation    of   an    exchequer    writ. 
Nullum  tempus  occur?  it  regi. 

QUILLON,  Fr.  the  cross-bar  of  th« 
hilt  of  a  sword. 

QUILTING  grape-shot,  in  gunnery. 
See  Laboratory,  and  To  make  Grape 
S/iot. 

QUINCONGE,  or  Qamconce,  Fr. 
Quincunx  order  is  a  plantation  of  trees, 
disposed  originally  in  a  square,  con- 
sisting of  five  trees,  one  at  each  corner, 
and  a  fifth  in  the  middle,  which  repeated 
again  and  again,  forms  a  regular  grove, 
wood  or  wilderness;  and  when  viewed 
by  an  angle  of  the  square  or  parallelo* 
gram,  presents  equal  or  parallel  alleys. 

QUINCUNX,  (quinconce,  Fr.)  an 
ancient  order  of  battle,  in  which  the 
iegion  stood  with  five  or  more  fronts 
upon  different  lines,  with  intermediate 
distances.  This  formation  was  some- 
what similar  to  a  chess-board. 

QUINDECAGON  is  a  plain  figure 
of  fifteen  sides  and  angles,  which,  if 
they  are  all  equal  to  one  another,  is 
called  a  regular  Quiudccagon.  Euclid 
shews  how  to  describe  it  in  a  circle. 
Prop.  16.  c.  4. 

QUINQUANGULAR,  having  five 
corners  or  angles. 

QUINQUIREME,  among  the  an- 
cients, a  ship  of  war,  which  besides  its 
sails,  had  five  banks  of  oars  on  each 
side.  The  Quinquireme  carried  120 
soldiers,  and  300  seamen,  in  all  420 
men.     See  Polybius,  book  i.  chap.  2. 

QUINTAIN E,  )  an  instrument  used 

QUINTIN,  \  in  the  ancient  prac- 
tice ofi  tilting.  It  consisted  of  an  up- 
right post,  on  the  top  of  whichra  cross 
post  turned  upon  a  pivot;  at  one  end 
of  the  cross-post  was  a  broad  board, 
and  at  the  other  a  bag  of  sand.  The 
practice  was  to  ride  against  the  board 
with  a  lance,  and  at  such  speed,  as  to 
pass  by  before  the  sand-bag cuuld  strike 
the  filter  on  the  back.  This  word  sig- 
nifies the  same  as  pal,  poteau,  or  jaque- 
mart.  The  latter  word,  according  to 
the  Dictionnaire  de  VAcad'emie  Frun- 
(,'aisc,  means  a  man  in  complete  armour. 
It  is  also  used  hy  way  of  derision. 

QUINTAL,  Fr.  one  hundred  weight, 
The  quintal  varies  in  different  places, 
according  as  the  pound  consists  of 
more  or  fewer  ounces.  The 
quintal  is  112  pounds. 

QUINTANA,  Lat.  Among  the  Ro- 
mans, the  quintana  signified   that  part 


English 


Q  U  I 


(     702       ) 


Q  U  I 


of  an  encampment,  where  the  sutlers 
and  camp  followers  remained.  The 
Turks  imitate  this  nude  of  encamp- 
ment to  this  day. 

QUINTE,  Fr.  a  low  thrust  in  fenc- 
ing, delivered  at  the  outside  of  the 
position,  with  the  nails  turned  up,  as 
ij)  low  carte.  When  this  thrust  is  forced 
over  the  blade  from  the  guard  in  carte, 
it  is  termed  flanconade. 

QUINTIDI,  Fr.  the  fifth  day  of  the 
decade  in  the  French  republican  year. 

QUINTUPLE,  fivefold. 

QUIRITES.  In  ancient  Rome,  the 
common  citizens  were  so  called,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  soldiery. 

QUIRK  (with  builders),  a  piece  of 
ground  taken  out  of  any  ground-plot  or 
floor:  thus,  if  the  ground-plot  were 
square  or  oblong,  and  a  piece  be  taken 
out  of  a  corner  to  make  a  court  or  yard, 
&c.  that  piece  is  called  a  Quirk. 

Quirk  and  Quibble,  shift  and  ca- 
vil; an  attempt  to  overcome  sound  rea- 
soning by  low  conceits  dependinsj;  on 
the  sound  of  words;  much  practised 
by  some  lawyers,  and  almost  always 
resorted  to  by  low  attornies.  The  terms 
are  here  mentioned  as  unworthy  of  the 
high  sense  and  honourable  meaning  of  a 
soldier. 

To  QUIT,  to  leave,  to  abandon. 
This  word  is  various.lv  used  in  military 
phraseology,  viz. 

To  Quit  your  post,     ^  to  retire  with- 

To  Quit  your  ranks,  J  out  having  re- 
ceived any  previous  order  for  that  pur- 
pose, from  a  station  entrusted  to  your 
care.  Any  officer  or  soldier  who,  during 
the  heat  of  an  engagement,  shall  quit 
his  ranks,  may  be  shot,  or  otherwise 
dispatched  upon  the  spot.  A  sentry 
who  quits  his  post  before  he  is  regularly 
relieved,  is  ordered  to  suffer  death,  or 
such  other  punishment  as  may  be  in- 
flicted by  a  general  court-martial. 

Quit  your  Arms,  a  word  of  com- 
mand which  is  not  used,  having  been 
replaced  by  that  of  Pile  Arms.  It  for- 
merly signified  to  lay  down  the  muskets; 
at  which  order  the  soldiers  grounded 
their  arms,  then  stood  up  and  remained 
till  they  were  directed  to  face  right 
about,  when  they  marched  clear  of 
their  pieces,  and  dispersed.  On  the 
beat  of  the  drum,  they  ran  to  their 
arms  with  a  huzza ;  the  officers  having 
their  swords  drawn,  and  holding  the 
point  upwards. 


To  Quit  the  tiege  of  a  place,  (ahaii* 
donncr  Ic  siege  d'une  place,  Fr.)  to  leave 
the  different  positions  which  have  been 
taken  for  the  purpose  of  reducing  a 
garrison,  in  a  fortified  place,  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  surrendering,  and  to  with- 
draw the  troops  that  have  invested  it. 

QUITTANCE,  Fr.  receipt,  acquit- 
tance. 

Quittance  de  finance,  Fr.  a  term 
formerly  used  among  the  French  to  ex- 
|)k  ss  any  sum  paid  into  the  king's  trea- 
sury for  an  appointment  or  place. 

QUITTER,  Fr.  to  quit. 

Quitter  I'epee,  Fr.  figuratively  to 
leave  the  profession  of  arms ;  to  leave 
the  army. 

Quitter-Bone,  a  hard  round  swell- 
ing upon  the  coronet,  between  a  horse's 
heel  and  the  quarter,  which  most  com- 
monly grows  on  the  inside  of  the  foot. 
A  quitter-bone  is  occasioned,  and  may 
be  contracted  various  ways;  sometimes 
by  gravel  underneath  the  shoe,  and 
sometimes  by  a  bruise,  stub,  prick  of  a 
nail,  or  the  like,  which  being  neglected, 
will  turn  to  matter  and  break  out  about 
the  hoof.  Now  and  then  a  quitter-bone 
comes  from  foul  humours,  which  de- 
scend to  the  hoof. 

Quitter,  the  matter  of  an  ulcer  or 
sore  in  a  horse. 

QUIVER,  called  also  an  arrow  case, 
a  machine  which  hung  upon  the  shoulder 
of  an  ancient  archer  and  served  as  a 
magazine  for  his  arrows.  Arrows  for 
immediate  u_se  were  worn  in  the  girdle. 

QVlvivef  )  Fr.  literally,  who  lives 

Qui  va  la  ?  >  there?  Who  goes  there? 

Qui  est  lu  f  >  Who  is  there?  Terms 
used  by  the  French  sentries  when  they 
challenge.  They  correspond  with  our 
word,  Who  comes  there? 

Etre  sur  le  Qui  vivc,  Fr.  to  be  upon 
the  alert. 

Qui  irop  embrasse  mal  etreint,  Fr. 
the  man  who  undertakes  too  much,  cal- 
culates badly.  It  literally  signifies,  he 
who  embraces  too  much,  binds  or  con- 
nects loosely.  This  proverb  is  much 
used  among  the  French,  and  compre- 
hends a  serious  lesson  to  those  would-be 
great  generals  and  officers,  who  falsely 
imagine,  that  military  reputation  con- 
sists in  rank  only. 

A  QUIZ.  This  cant  word  is  fre- 
quently used  as  a  substantive  to  describe 
a  strange  out  of  the  way  character.  It 
is  a  term  of  ridicule. 


Q  U  I 


(    703     ) 


QUO 


To  Quiz,  a  cant  word  much  in  use 
among  fashionable  bucks  or  blades,  as 
certain  creatures  are  called.  It  signifies 
to  turn  another  into  ridicule,  by  some 
allusion  to  his  dress  or  manners,  some 
ironical  word  or  quaint  expression.  In 
other  terms,  to  take  unwarrantable  li- 
berties with  the  natural  defects  or 
harmless  habits  of  unoffending  indivi- 
duals. This  absurd  and  childish  prac- 
tice (which  grows  out  of  ignorance,  is 
supported  by  privileged  assumption, 
and  ought  to  be  discouraged  by  every 
sensible  man)  has  sometimes  found  its 
way  into  the  British  army.  We  need 
scarcely  add,  that  it  has  frequently 
been  the  cause  of  the  most  serious 
quarrels,  and  is  always  contrary  to  good 
order  and  discipline.  Commanding  offi- 
cers should,  on  all  occasions,  exert  their 
authority,  whenever  there  appears  the 
least  tendency  to  this  unmanly,  un- 
officer-like,  and  uugentleman-like  cus- 
tom. It  ought  constantly  to  be  remem- 
bered, that  the  influence  of  evil  is  much 
stronger  upon  the  commonalty  of  man- 
kind, than  that  of  good.  If  an  officer 
suffer  himself  to  be  quizzed  by  a  brother 
officer,  he  will,  by  degrees,  become  ri- 
diculous to  the  soldiers  ;  and  if  he  resent 
it,  as  he  ought  to  do  prima  limine,  bv  a 
manly  explanation  with  the  weak  fool 
who  attempts  to  be  witty,  without  pos- 
sessing one  spark  of  real  wit,  it  is"ftiore 
than  probable,  that  much  ill  blood  will 
be  engendered  between  them.  The 
Articles  of  War  have,  in  some  degr-ee, 
provided  against  this  evil.  In  Sect.  VII. 
Art.  I.  it  is  there  specifically  stated, 
That  no  officer,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cer, or  soldier,  shall  use  any  reproachful 
or  provoking  speeches  or  gestures  to 
another,  upon  pain,  if  an  officer,  of 
being  put  in  arrest,  (or  if  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer,  or  a  soldier,  of  being  im- 
prisoned,) and  of  asking  pardon  of  the 
party  offended,  in  the  presence  of  his 
commanding  officer.  The  French  use 
the  word  mi/stifier. 


A  QUIZZER,  a  creature  who,  with- 
out possessing  any  real  wit  or  humour, 
affects  to  turn  others  into  ridicule,  by 
an  insolent  affectation  of  the  talent. 
The  thing,  which  is  generally  found 
among  fashionable  young  men,  (to  use  a 
very  common,  yet  a  very  apposite  ex- 
pression,) has  more  money  than  wit, 
plumes  itself  upon  birth  or  connexion, 
and  endeavours  to  make  up  by  noise, 
turbulence,  and  privileged  contradic- 
tion, what  it  wants  in  real  knowledge 
and  solid  understanding.  It  is  some- 
times seen  at  a  military  mess,  and  about 
the  purlieus  of  St.  James's;  and  in 
fashionable  coffee-houses. 

QUOIL,  a  round  of  a  cable  when  the 
turns  are  laid  one  upon  another;  or  a 
rope  or  cable  laid  up  round,  one  turn 
over  another,  so  that  they  may  run  out 
free  and  smooth  without  kenks,  that  is, 
without  twistings  or  doublings. 

QUOIN,  (coin,  Fr.)  a  wedge  used  to 
lay  under  the  breech  of  a  gun,  to  raise 
or  depress  the  metal. 

QUOINS,  in  architecture,  stones  set 
in  the  corners  of  brick  or  stone  walls. 

Rustic  Quoins  are  those  which 
stand  out  beyond  the  brick-work;  their 
edges  being  chamfered  off. 

Canticle  Quoins,  short,  three  edged 
quoins,  to  put  between  casks. 

QUOIT,  the  ancient  discus  —  ah 
Olympic  game,  still  practised  in  some 
parts  of  England.  It  consists  in  throw- 
ing a  large  iron  ring  to  a  considerable 
distance,  at  a  peg,  driven  into  the 
ground. 

QUOTA,  share  or  contribution.  Thus 
every  county  furnishing  a  certain  num- 
ber of  men  for  the  militia,  &c.  is  said  to 
give  its  quota. 

QUOTE,  Fr.  part;  proportion. 

QUOTIENT,  in  arithmetic,  the  num- 
ber resulting  from  the  division  of  a 
greater  number  by  a  smaller,  and  which 
shews  how  often  the  smaller,  or  the  di- 
visor, is  contained  in  the  greater  or  di- 
vidend. 


(     "ui    ) 


R. 


11  A  C 

-nAKBETTINO,  in  carpentry,  is  the 
■*•*■  planing  or  cutting  or'  channels  or 
grooves  in  hoards. 

RABINET,  formerly  a  name  given 
to  a  small  sort  of  ordnance  between  a 
falconet  anil  a  base,  about  one  inch  and 
n  half  diameter  in  the  bore,  five  feet  six 
inches  long,  and  300  pounds  in  weight, 
loaded  with  six  ounces  of  powder,  and 
carrying  a  shot  one  inch  and  three- 
eighths  in  diameter. 

RABOT,  Fr.  in  masonry,  a  plas- 
terer's beater.  The  word  rable  is  also 
used  for  the  same  thing. 

Rabot,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  joiner's 
plane. 

Rabot,  J'V.  a  species  of  rough  free- 
stone, which  is  used  for  paving  certain 
places,  and  to  line  the  borders  of  paved 
roads. 

Rabot,  Fr.  a  whipsaw. 

RACCOMMODER,  IV.  literally,  to 
mend,  piece,  patch,  or  botch.  It  signi- 
fies, figuratively,  to  reconcile,  to  make 
friends  again. 

Se  Raccommoder,  FV.  to  be  recon- 
ciled. The  French  say,  proverbially, 
lrn  mauvais  raccommodement  taut  mie.u.v 
qiiuii  boti  proces ;  a  bad  or  indiffeient 
reconciliation  is  better  than  a  good  or 
successful  lawsuit.  This  proverb  is  par- 
ticularly applicable  to  military  men.  who, 
from  their  high  notions  of  honour,  are 
apt  to  differ, and  subsequently  to  become 
the  dupes  of  cunnin"  and  designing 
law  vers. 

RACCORDEMENT,  Fr.  This  word 
is  derived  from  raccordir,  which,  in 
Trench  architecture,  signifies  to  join 
two  pieces  of  building  on  one  surface, 
or  to  unite  an  old  building  with  a  new 
one. 

RACCORDER,  Fr.  to  make  a  le- 
velling. 

RACE,  (race,  IV.)  a  generation,  a 
particular  breed. 

Mauvaise  Race,  Fr.  a  bad  breed. 
This  term  is  frequently  applied  to  the 
branches  of  several  families,  not  one  of 
which  can  discover  a  single  good  qua- 
lity, or  be  betrayed,  even  by  accident, 
into  one  solitary  virtue.  It  is  also  said 
•f  soldier*,  when  they  luive  been  enlist- 


R  A  C 

ed  from  some  particular  count}',  town, 
or  village,  v\  here  the  inhabitants  are  of 
a  perverse  and  otherwise  bad  disposi- 
tion. The  French  say,  II  n'est  pas  de 
race  djairc  tine  lacheti,  ;  he  is  not  of  a 
breed  to  act  cowardly,  or  do  a  dirty 
action. 

Cfiasser  de  Race,  Fr.  to  follow  the 
footsteps  of  one's  ancestors  ;  alluding 
to  the  breed  of  vvell-scehted  dogs. 

To  Race  it,  a  new  term  among  mili- 
tary men,  signifying  to  make  every  pos- 
sible exertion,  by  forced  marches,  ike. 
to  get  to  some  particular  point  or  posi- 
tion. Thus,  in  the  retreat  to  Corunna, 
in  1808,  General  Moore  and  his  army 
may  be  truly  said  to  have  raced  it,  or  to 
have  made  all  the  speed  they  could 
to  get  to  Corunna  before  the  French  ; 
who,  on  their  side,  made  similar  ex- 
ertions, to  prevent  his  arrival  at  that 
port. 

RACHAT  du  pain,  Fr.  a  certain  pe- 
cuniary allowance  which  was  made  in 
the  old  French  service,  to  the  officers  of 
each  company,  for  the  surplus  rations  of 
ammunition  bread  that  were  left  in  the 
purveyor's  hands. 

Rackat  des  cloches,  Fr.  the  ransom 
which  is  paid  by  the  inhabitants  of  a  be- 
sieged place,  after  it  has  been  taken,  for 
the  redemption  of  the  church  bells.  See 
Prises  d'u?ie  place  assi'egee. 

RACHE,  FV.  dregs  of  pitch  and  tar; 
scurf  or  scabs  on  the  head. 

RAC1IETER,  FV.  in  masonry,  to 
join,  as  is  the  case  in  the  sloping  part 
of  a  cellar,  when  it  regains  the  vault. 

Soldat  RAC11EUX,  J-V.  a  soldier  with 
.  a  scald  head. 

RACINAL,  Fr.  in  hydraulics,  the 
piece  of  wood  in  which  is  fixed  the  cra- 
paudine  or  sole,  that  receives  the  pivot 
or  iron  bar  of  a  flood-gate. 

RACINAUX,  FV.  large  pieces  of 
wood,  such  as  the  ends  of  beams,  that 
are  fixed  upon  poles,  and  upon  which 
planks  and  platforms  are  laid,  in  order 
to  support  the  inside  walls  of  reservoirs  ; 
also  pieces  of  timber  that  have  more 
breadth  than  thickness,  which  are  nailed 
to  the  tops  of  piles,  and  upon  which  % 
platform  rests. 


RAD 


(     705     ) 


R  A  F 


Racinaux   de  comble,    Fr.    wooden  j      RADOTAGE,  Fr.  dotage,  or  the  act 
corbels  or  brackets,  which  support,  upon    of  talking  irrationally. 


cartridges  of  timber,   the  top  of  an  old 
house. 

Racinaux  d'icurie,  Fr.  the  small 
posts  upon  which  the  manger  is  sup- 
ported in  the  stall  of  a  stable. 

Racinaux  de  grue,  Fr.  pieces  of 
wood  laid  cross-ways,  which  make  the 
ground-work  of  a  crane,  and  in  which 
are  assembled  the  tree  and  buttresses  : 
when  they  are  flat,  they  are  called  girders, 
or  joists. 

RACIN*E,  Fr.     See  Root. 
RACK,    a    wooden    frame,  made    to 
hold  hay  or  fodder  for  cattle. 

J?-w-R,ack,  a  place  fitted  up  for  the 
purpose  of  enabling  troops  to  lodge  their 
arms  securely. 

RACLOIR,  Fr.  a  scraper;  it  is  used 
in  the  artillery  to  clean  out  mortars. 

RACOLER,  Fr.  to  entice  men  to 
enlist. 

RACOLEUR,  Fr.  a  crimp,  a  bringer 
of  recruits,  one  who  entices  others  to 
enlist.  Men  of  this  description  are  to 
he  found  in  all  countries  where  military 
establishments  prevail. 

RADE,  Fr.  road  for  ships  to  ride  in  ; 
road  for  anchoring. 

RADEAU,  Fr.  a  raft  of  timber.— 
Rafts  are  frequently  used  in  sieges,  for 
the  purpose  of  crossing  ditches,  &c. 
Chevalier  Folard  enters  largely  into  the 
nature  of  these  rafts,  particularly  in  his 
4th  volume,  page  07.     See  Raft. 

RADIER,  Fr.  the  lower  part  or  bed 
in  dams  or  sluices,  which  is  between  the 
two  side  walls,  over  which  the  water 
runs,  and  which  is  made  of  the  same 
materials  that  constitute  the  dams  them- 
selves. 

^t«nf-R,ADiERs,  on  faux  radiers,  Fr. 
a  succession  of  beds  marie  only  of  fas- 
cine-work,covered  over  with  stones  with- 
out mortar. 

RADIOMETER,  (rmliomitre,  Fr.) 
This  instrument  is  sometimes  called 
Jacob's  staff,  baton  de.  Jacob.  It  is 
used  by  some  to  take  the  sun's  altitude, 
and  by  others  to  ascertain  elevations  at 
sea. 

RADIUS,  the  semi-diameter  of  a  cir- 
cle. In  fortification,  the  radius  is  dis- 
tinguished into  exterior,  interior,  ob/ii/ue, 
and  right  radius.  The  three  former  are 
noticed  each  under  its  initial  letter.  The 
latter  is  a  perpendicular  line  drawn  from 
the  center  of.  a  polygon  to  the  exterior 
side. 


RADOTER,  Fr.  to  talk  irrationally. 
RADOTEUR,  Fr.  a  dotard ;   a  per- 
son whose  intellects  are  impaired  by  age 
or  sickness. 

RADOUB,  Fr.  literally  a  piecing, 
mending,  or  botching  up  of  any  thing. 
This  word  is  chiefly  used  as  a  sea 
term,  and  signifies  all  the  jobs  done  by 
carpenters  and  caulkers  for  the  repair 
of  a  ship. 

RADOUBER,  Fr.  to  repair  a  ship, 
by  caulking  her ;  also  to  stop  up  the 
vents  or  fissures  in  the  flood-^ate  or  bed 
of  a  dam  or  sluice. 

RAFFINAGE,  Fr.  a  term  used  by 
the  French  to  express  the  operation 
through  which  saltpetre  passes  after 
it  has  been  boiled  once.  The  literal 
meaning  is  refinement ;  the  act  of  cleans- 
ing any  thing  from  recrementitious 
matter. 

RAFFINOIR,  Fr.  a  wooden  cask, 
or  copper  vessel,  in  which  saltpetre  is 
deposited  after  it  has  been  boiled  once. 
It  usually  remains  thirty  minutes,  after 
which  it  is  let  out  through  a  cock  fixed 
for  that  purpose  at  the  bottom  of  the 
vessel. 

RAFFUTE,  Fr.  new  stocked,  as  a 
musket  may  be  ;  fitted  with  a  new 
staff",  as  a  pike  ;  or  a  new  carriage,  as  a 
gun. 

RAFFUTER,  Fr.  to  fit  or  furnish 
with  a  new  stock. 

RAFRAICHIR,  Fr.  to  cool  ;  to 
spunge;  as  rafraichir  le  canon,  to  spunge 
a  canon. 

Rafraichir  une  place,  Fr.  to  suc- 
cour a  place  by  sending  in  fresh  troops 
and  provisions. 

Rafraichir  destroupes,  Fr.  to  allow 
troops  to  repose ;  likewise  to  supply 
them  with  fresh  provisions. 

RAFRAICHISSEMENS,  Fr.  This 
word  literally  signifies  refreshments.  It 
is  used  in  a  military  sense  among  the 
French,  for  cantonments  or  quarters  of 
repose,  after  troops  have  been  much  on 
service.  See  Quarter.  Rafraichisse- 
mens  also  means  fresh  stores  and  provi- 
sions for  the  army. 

RAFT,  or  species  of  floating  bridge, 
(radcau,  Fr.)  a  machine  which  is  rea- 
dily constructed,  and  is  used  for  the 
passage  of  troops  over  rivers,  or  ground 
that  may  be  overflowed.  It  consists 
of  a  certain  number  of  planks  that  are 
fastened  together,  and  form  a  sort  of  fla* 
4X 


R  A  F 


(     706     ) 


R  A  I 


deck  or  barge,  upon  which  men  and  light 
artillery  may  be  embarked. 

Hafts  are  also  used  by  miners,  when 
the  fosses  are  full,  that  they  may  he 
able  to  carry  on  their  works  at  the  foot 
ot  the  reveteujcnt  belonging  to  the 
Lasti.m  which  they  have  directions  to 
blow  in). 

M.  Philiipes  made  use  or'  rafts  with 
considerable  advantage  in  17;:'>,  when 
lie  enabled  the  Marquis  du  Chatelel  to 
pass  the  river  [ser,  after  he  had  been 
forced  to  evacuate  Ingelfingen,  at  the 
head  of  1100  men.  When  Hannibal 
resolved  to  cross  the  Rhone,  (a  large 
liver  in  France,  which  rises  in  Mount 
F'ourche,  on  the  confines  of  Switzerland, 
and  falls  by  several  mouths  into  the 
Mediterranean,)  and  found  it  expedient 
to  take  his  elephants  with  him,  he  con- 
structed a  quantity  of  double  rafts,  and 
effected  his  purpose. 

Hafts  are  preferable  to  boats  or  barges, 
on  account  of  the  ease  with  which  they 
may  be  put  together.  The  Swedes,  who 
call  these  rafts  praams,  make  use  of 
them  on  every  occasion,  and  thev  unite 
the  several  pieces  by  means  of  a  frame. 
Chevalier  Folard  does  not  hesitate  to 
give  a  preference  to  the  rafts,  over 
bridges  constructed  on  boats.  Yet  the 
French  author,  from  whose  work  we 
have  extracted  this  article,  expresses  his 
doubt  by  saying  that  a  bridge  of  boats 
seems  to  him  to  be  better  calculated  to 
resist  the  current  of  a  rapid  river,  than 
any  raft  can  possibly  be.  "Neverthe- 
less," continues  the  same  author,  "  the 
opinion  of  such  a  man  as  Chevalier 
Folard  is  unquestionably  great;  and  the 
example  of  Charles  XII.  of  Sweden, 
who  excelled  in  every  sort  of  movement 
which  was  connected  with  the  passage  of 
rivers, &c.  is  still  more  powerful." 

RAFTERS,  (sqliveaux,  chevrons,  Fr.) 
in  building,  are  pieces  of  timber,  which 
stand  by  pairs  upon  the  reason,  or  rais- 
ing piece,  meet  in  an  angle  at  the  top, 
and  help  to  form  the  roof  of  a  building. 
Principal  K afters  should  be  near 
as  thick  at  the  bottom  as  the  beam,  and 
should  diminish  in  their  length  one-fifth 
or  one-sixth  of  their  breadth;  the  ring 
posts  shouid  be  as  thick  as  the  principal 
rafters,  and  their  breadth  according  to 
the  bigness  of  those  that  are  intended  to 
be  let  into  them;  the  middle  part  being 
left  something  broader  than  the  thick- 
pess. 


RAG  ATS  d'eau,  Fr.  a  great  flood; 
inundation  ;   ravage  '.."waters. 

RAGE-PUTES,  Fr.  Indian  soldiers, 
who,  during  the  days  of  the  Emperor 
Tamerlane,  were  supposed  to  be  invin- 
cible. According  to  P.  Catrou,  a  French 
writer,  the  Raspoutes  and  Ragrputes 
mean  the  same  people. 

RAGREER,  Fr.  to  new  front;  it 
also  signifies  to  put.  the  finishing  hand  to 
any  piece  of  building,  or  to  carpentry 
work,  &c.  The  term  Jaire  un  ragritr 
wait  is  likewise  used  to  signify  the  same 
thing. 

RAJAH,  Jnd.  This  word  means  king. 
The  Rajahs  are  generally  tributary  to 
the  Mogul,  but  are  suffered  to  follow 
their  own  modes  of  government. 

RAJAPOOTES,  Ind.  a  tribe  of  Hin- 
doos, but  of  various  denominations. 
They  are  soldiers  by  profession,  and  the 
most  warlike  of  the  Hindoos.  They  rank 
next  to  the  Bramins.  See  Orme's  His- 
tory of  the  Carnatic,  pages  6,  and  40. 

EAIE,  IV.  properly  means  a  seam, 
furrow,  streak. 

RAILLON,   Fr.    an    arrow    with    a 
forked  or  barbed  head  ;    a   broad  arrow. 
lur  dejliche  «  Raillox,  Fr.  a  forked 
or  barbed  head  of  an  arrow. 

RAIN  de  foret,  Fr.  the  purlieus  or 
skirts  of  a  forest. 

R  A  INURE,  Fr.  a  groove. 
RAIS,  Fr.  a  spoke  of  a  wheel. 
To  RAISE  troops.     See  Levy. 
To  Raise  a  plan  of  a  fortress  is   to 
measure  with  cords  and  geometrical  in- 
struments, the   length   of  the  lines  and 
the    capacity    of    the    angles,    that    by 
knowing  the  length,  breadth,  and  thick- 
ness of  all  the  different  parts  of  a  for- 
tification, it  may   be    represented  upoa 
paper,  so  as  to  find  out  its  advantages 
and  disadvantagi  s. 

Raise.  To  raise  a  horse  upon  curvets, 
upon  caprioles,  upon  pesades,  is  to 
make  him  work  ar  those  several  mo- 
tions. We  sometimes  say,  Raise  the 
fore-hand  of  your  horse. 

Raise  is  likewise  used  for  placing  a 
horse's  head  right,  and  making  him 
carry  well  ;  hindering  him  from  carry- 
ing low,  or  arming  himself;  which  is 
extremely  dangerous,  especially  if  the 
horse  be  hard  mouthed,  and  not  strongly 
bitted. 

RAISER,  in  building,  a  board  set  ou 
edge,  under  the  i'oreside  of  a  step,  stair, 
&c, 


UAL 


(     ?07     ) 


R 


A  M 


RAISING  pieces,  iiii  architecture, 
pieces  that  lie  under  the  beams,  on 
brick  or  timber,  by  the  side  of  the 
house. 

Raising,  one  of  the  three  actions  of 
a  horse's  legs,  the  other  two  being  the 
Slav  and  the  tread ;  which  see. 

RAISON,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  by 
the  French,  in  a  mathematical  sense,  to 
express  the  relation  which  one  number 
has  to  another,  and,  in  general,  that 
which  exists  between  one  quantity  and 
another.  The  term  is  distinguished 
into  raison  arithm'dique,  or  arithme- 
tical reasoning;  and  raison  giomitriquer, 
or  geometrical  reasoning.  French  car- 
penters likewise  use  the  term,  to  shew 
that  pieces  of  wood,  &c.  are  properly 
laid,  viz.  Des  pieces  de  buis  en  leur  rai- 
son. 

RAIZ  pit,  Raiz  terre,  Fr.  even  with 
the  ground. 

Raiz  de  chaussie,  Fr.  the  level  ground, 
the  ground  floor. 

RAKE.  A  horse  rakes  when,  being 
shoulder-splait,  or  having  strained  his 
fore-quarters,  he  goes  so  lame,  that  he 
drags  one  of  his  fore  legs  in  a  semi- 
circle, which  is  more  visible  when  he 
trots  than  when  he  paces. 

To  Rake  a  horse,  to  draw  his  ordure 
with  one  hand  out  of  his  fundament 
when  he  is  costive,  or  cannot  dung; 
in  doing  this  the  hand  must  be  an- 
ointed with  sallad-oil,  butter,  or  hog's 
grease. 

RALLIEMENT,  Fr.  rallying  point. 
It  is  sometimes  written  r aliment. 

Mot  de  Rallifment,  Fr.  a  word 
or  countersign,  which  is  given  to  out- 
posts, and  to  sentries  that  are  stationed 
beyond  the  lines. 

Foint  de  Ralliement,  Fr.  the  rally- 
ing point;  any  spot  particularly  marked 
out,  to  which  troops  are  directed  to 
repair  in  cases  of  discomfiture  or 
surprize. 

RALLION.     See  Ratllon. 

RALLONGE,  Fr.  stretched,  length- 
ened, pulled  out ;  whence 

Cercle  Rallongee,  Fr.  a  certain  in- 
strument with  which  masons  round  and 
fashion  pillars. 

RALLONGEMENT  d'arestier,  Fr. 
See  Reculement. 

RALLUMER,  Fr.  to  light  up  again, 
to  rekindle,  to  renew. 

RALLY,  one  of  the  bugle  horn 
soundings. 

To    Rally,  (rallier,  Fr.)  to    bring 


, troops   back    to  order   that  have  been 
dispersed. 

RALLYING,  in  war,  re-establish- 
ing, or  forming  together  again,  -  oopa 
broken  and  put  to  flight. 

To  RAM,  to  drive  with  violence,  as 
with  a  battering  ram. 

To  Ram  down,  to  force  any  thing 
downwards,  or  to  fill  with  any  thing 
driven  hard  together,  as  in  the  charge 
of  fire-arms. 

Ram  down  cartridge,  a  word  of  com- 
mand which  is  used  in  the  platoon  ex- 
ercise.    See  Manual. 

Battering  Ram,  in  antiquity,  a  mili- 
tary engine  used  to  batter  and  beat 
down  the  walls  of  places  besieged. 

The  battering  ram  was  of  two  sorts; 
the  one  rude  and  plain,  the  other  com- 
pound. The  former  seems  to  have  been 
no  more  than  a  great  beam,  which  the 
soldiers  bore  on  their  arms  and  shoul- 
ders, and  with  one  end  of  it,  by  main- 
force,  assailed  the  walls.  The  com- 
pound ram  is  thus  described  by  Jose- 
phus  :  it  is  a  vast  beam,  like  the  mast 
of  a  ship,  strengthened  at  one  end  with 
a  head  of  iron,  something  resembling 
that  of  a  ram,  whence  it  took  its  name. 
This  was  hung  by  the  middle  with 
ropes  to  another  beam,  which  lay  across 
two  posts,  and  hanging  thus  equally 
balanced,  it  was  by  a  great  number  of 
men  drawn  backwards  and  pushed  for- 
wards, striking  the  wall  with  its  iron 
head. 

Plutarch  informs  us,  that  Mark  An- 
tony, in  the  Parthian  war,  made  use 
of  a  ram  80  feet  long :  and  Vitruvius 
tells  us,  that  they  were  sometimes  IOC, 
and  120  feet  long :  to  this  perhaps  the 
force  and  strength  of  the  engine  was  in 
a  great  measure  owing.  The  ram  aC 
one  time  was  managed  by  a  whole 
century  of  soldiers;  and  they,  being 
exhausted,  were  seconded  by  another 
century;  so  that  it  played  continually 
and  without  intermission. 

The  momentum  of  a  battering  ram, 
28  inches  in  diameter,  180  feet  long, 
with  a  head  of  cast  iron  of  one  ton  and 
a  half,  the  whole  ram,  with  its  iron 
hoops,  &c.  weighing  41,112  pounds, 
and  moving  by  the  united  strength  of 
1000  men,  will' be  only  equal  to  that  of, 
a  ball  of  36  pounds,  when  shot  poinS 
blank  from  a  cannon. 

According   to  Pliny,   Epeus,  the  sen 
of    Endymion,    and    brother    of  Paon, 
was  the  original  inventor  of  this  engine; 
4X2 


Ii  A  M 


(     708     ) 


r  a  m 


whereupon,  perhaps,  Virgil  takes  an  oc- 
casion tp  report  him  the  builder  of  the 
Trojan  horse. 

J{  VMADAN,  Fr.  a  month  so  called 
among  the  Turks,  during  which  period 
they  observe  fast  days. 

11  A  MASSE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  sledge,  in 
which  travellers  are  conveyed  from  the 
tops  of  mountains  that  are  covered 
w  ilh  snow. 

LI  AM  ASS  ER,  Fr.  to  collect,  to  get 
together.  On  a  ramasse  tout  cc  gu'on  u 
pu  trouver  de  so/Juts ;  they  got  as  many 
soldiers  together  as  they  could. 

RA MASSE,  Fr.  gathered  together, 
collected.  This  word  is  likewise  used 
to  distinguish  men  that  are  hastily 
raised  and  embodied,  from  soldiers  who 
have  been  regularly  disciplined,  viz. — 
Ce  ne  sotot  pas  des  troupes  reglces,  ce 
font  des  gens  ramaues ;  they  are  not 
regular  troops,  but  persons  hastily  got 
together. 

Ramasse,  Ft.  strong,  vigorous.  Un 
honiiin  ratnassi  ;  a  strong  athletic  num. 
Ramasse,  in  this  sense,  agrees  with  the 
Enuiish  word  tight-built,  thick-set,  &c. 

RAM  A/A  X;     See  Ramadan. 

RAMBADE,  Fr,  wale  of  a  galley. 

RAMBERGE,  Fr.  an  advice  boar. 

RAME,  Fr.  an  oar.  It  is  likewise 
called  slviron. 

Bulle  Ramef,  Fr.  cross-bar  shot. 

RAMEAUX  de  la  mine,  Fr.  branches 
belonging  to  a  mine.     See  <  >  ai.i.iuv. 

RAMINCUE,  from  the  French  Ra- 
niiugue,  a  restive  sort  of  a  horse,  that 
resists  or  cleaves  to  the  spin >  ;  or  ra- 
ther defends  himself  with  malice  against 
the  spurs,  sometimes  doubles  the  reins, 
and  frequently  jerks,  to  favour  his  dis- 
obedience. 

HAMMER,  an  instrument  used  for 
diiving  down  stones  or  piles  into  the 
ground,  in  military  works;  or  for  beat- 
ing the  earth,  in  order  to  render  it  more 
aohd  for  a  foundation. 

Rammer,  or  Ramrob  of  a  gun,  (Rc- 
t'ou/oir,  Fr;)  the  ramrod  or  gun-stick;  a 
rod  used  in  charging  a  gun,  to  drive 
home  the  powder  and  shot,  as  also  the 
wad,  which  keeps  the  shot  from  rolling 
out.  The  rammer  of  a  piece  of  artillery 
is  a  cylinder  of  wood,  whose  diameter 
and  length  are  each  equal  to  the 
diameter  of  the  shot,  with  a  handle 
fixed  to  it,  at  the  end  of  Which  is  ano- 
ther cylinder,  covered  with  lamb  skin, 
so  as  to  fit  the  gun  exactly,  and  called 
■a  iponge  :    it  is  used   to  clean  the  piece 


before  and  after  it  is  fired.  The  ramrod 
qf  a  musket  is  one  entiie  piece  of  iron. 
The  ramrod  was  formerly  called  scourer. 
RAMNENSIS,  one  of  the  three 
mounted  cent  in  ia-  or  centuries  which 
were  formed  by  Romulus.  They  re- 
tained the  appellation  of  the  three  first 
tribes,  consisting  of  the  Ramnusians, 
the  Tatians, and  the  Luceres. 

RAM  PA  li'l',  (rempart,  rumpier,  Fr.) 
an  elevated  piece  of  ground)  or  a  great 
massy  bank  of  earth  raised  about  a 
place  to  resist  the  enemy's  great  shot, 
and  cover  the  buildings.  A  parapet  is 
raised  upon  this  bank  or  elevation 
which  looks  towards  the  country.  ]t 
is  generally  about  three  fathoms  high, 
and  ten  or  twelve  thick;  but  this  de- 
pends upon  the  quantity  of  earth 
which  may  be  taken  out  of  the  ditch, 
and  cannot  be  otherwise  disposed  of. 
A  rampart  with  half  moons  has  advan- 
tages from  being  low,  because  the  mus- 
kets of  the  besieged  can  better  reach 
the  bottom  of  the  ditch;  but  care  must 
be  taken  that  it  is  not  commanded  by 
the  covert-way.  A  rampart  ought  to 
be  sloped  on  both  sides;  that  is,  the 
mass  of  earth  which  composes  the  lam- 
part,  ought  always  to  be  larger  at  bot- 
tom than  at  top;  more  or  less  so,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  earth  :  it 
should  be  broad  enough  to  allow  the 
passing  of  wagons  and  cannon,  inde- 
pendent of  the  parapet  which  is  raised 
on  it.  As  the  earth,  of  which  the  ram- 
part is  composed,  is  taken  from  the 
outside  of  it,  (because  by  so  doing  the 
rampart  and  the  fosse  are  made  at  the 
same  time,)  it  follows,  that  their  several 
proportions  must  depend  upon  one 
another ;  for  since  the  rampart  is  made 
of  a  certain  size,  the  fosse  must  be  dug 
deep  enough  to  supply  earth  for  the 
rampart,  the  parapet,  and  the  espla- 
nade. Sentinels  are  regularly  distri- 
i  buted  round  the  ramparts,  and  pieces 
of  heavy  ordnance  are  planted,  at  given 
distances,  for  the  protection  of  the 
place. 

RAMFE,  ou  pente  extraitement  douce 
qiiontfaH  It  long  des  talus  drs  /  imparts, 
Fr.  a  slope,  or  declivity,  which  is  ex- 
tremely gradual  along  the  talus  or  slopes 
of  ramparts.     These  slopes  contain  two 
i  toises  in  breadth,  and  are  cut  upon  the 
j  interior  talus.     They  are  made,  accord- 
ling  to  circumstances  and  the  exigencies 
jof    the    place,     sometimes    within    the 
!  angle  of  the  rampart,  opposite  to  the 


R  A  N 


700     ) 


R  A  N 


entrance  into  the  bastion,  when  tlie 
latter  is  full;  sometimes  along  the  flanks, 
or  at  the  flanked  angle  when  the  bastion 
is  empty.  Pieces  of  ordnance,  ammu- 
nition, ecc.  are  conveyed  up  these  slopes 
to  the  embrasures  of  the  ramparts. 

Rampe  d'escalier,  Fr.  the  flight  of  a 
staircase;    also  a  balustrade,  &c. 

Rampe  par  ressaut,  Fr.  the  flight  or 
ascent  of  a  staircase,  which  is  broken 
or  interrupted  by  a  winding  quarter, 
or  by  railing. 

RAM  PER,,  Fr.  to  incline  or  bend 
according  to  any  given  slope, 

RAMPS,  (rumpcs,Fr.)  in  fortification, 
are  sloping  communications,  or  ways 
of  very  gentle  ascent,  leading  from 
the  inward  area,  or  lower  part  of  a 
work,  to  the  rampart  or  higher  part  of  it. 

Return  RAMROD.  See  Platoon 
Exercise  under  Manual. 

RAMS-HORNS,  in  fortification,  are 
a  kind  of  low  works  made  in  the  ditch, 
of  a  circular  arc;  they  were  invented 
by  M.  Belidor,  and  serve  instead  of  te- 
uailles. 


one  another,  that  is  called  un  rang  de 
pilots;  a  row  of  piles. 

Rang  d'un  escadron  ou  d'un  batail- 
lun,  Fr.  rank  in  a  squadron  of  horse,  or 
battalion  of  infantry.  Any  straight 
line  which  is  formed  by  soldiers  stand- 
ing on  the  side  of  each  other,  is  so 
called. 

Rang,  Fr.  the  relative  rank  which 
is  observed  in  military  corps  with  re- 
gard to  precedence,  tour  of  duty,  &c. 
In  some  instances  rang  and  grade  mean 
the  same  thing. 

Be  Ra??g,  Fr.  a-breast,  side  by  side. 

Paroitre  sur  les  Rangs,  Fr.  to  enter 
the  lists. 

Eire  sur  les  Rangs,  Fr.  to  be  num- 
bered amongst  any  particular  set  of 
men. 

Mcttre  eat  Rang,  Fr.  to  class  with, 
to  associate. 

Vaisseau  de  premier  Rang,  Fr.  a 
first  rate  ship  of  war. 

Vaisseau  du  second,  ou  troisiemel&AXG, 
Fr.  a  second  or  third  rate. 

Placer  par  Rang    de   taille,  Fr.   to 


RANCHES,  Fr.  pegs  of  wood  which  j  siz 
are  stuck  into  the  ladder  belonging  to  i      Doubler  les  Rangs,  Fr.  to  form  rank 
a  crane,  and  run  through  it.     They  are  I  entire,  or  to  throw  two  ranks  into  one, 


used  for  the  purpose  of  getting   up  to 
the  top  of  the  machine. 

RANC1HR,  Fr.  a  sort  of  long  lad- 
der with  smali  steps,  which  is  placed 
upright  for  the  purpose  of  going  clown 
into  quarries,  and,  with  a  rest,  to  get  up 
to  any  engine,  crane,  Ike. 

RANC'ON,  Fr.  ransom.  It  was 
likewise  "the  name  oflju  old  French 
weapon,  consisting  of  a^fiig  stake  with 
a  sharp  iron  point  at  the  end,  arwl  two 
blades,  or  wings,  bent  backwards,  and 
extremely  keen. 

RAN  CONNER,  Fr.  to  ransom. 

RANC'UME,  Fr.  grudge,  rancour, 
spite,  standing  hate. 

RANCUN I ER, -Fr.  rancourous,  spite- 
ful ;  every  thing  that  a  brave  and  honour- 
able man,  especially  an  oflicer,  ought 
not  to  be. 

RANDOM  5/(0/,  in  artillery,  when 
the  piece  is  elevated  at  an  angle  of  45 
degrees  upon  a  level  plane.  See  Range. 

Random,  done  by  chance,  roving  with- 
out a  direction,  as  a  random  shot. 

RANG,  Fr.  rank. 

Rang  de  pave,  Fr.  a  line  or  row  of 
pavement,  of  one  size,  which  runs  along 
a  gutter. 

Rang,  Fr.  a  row.  When  piles  are 
driven  into  the  ground  in  a  line  close  to 


and  thereby  diminish  the  depth  of  anj 
given  number  of  men,  by  extending 
their  front.  Hence  to  double  up,  or 
extend  the  front  of  any  leading  line. 

RANGE,  in  gunnery,  the  distance 
from  the  battery  to  the  point  where  the 
shot  or  shell  touches  the  ground. 

Point-blank  Range.  When,  the  piece 
lies  in  a  horizontal  direction,  and  upon 
a  level  plane,  without  any  elevation  or 
depression,  the  shot  is  said  to  take  a 
point  blank  range.  See  Point-blank. 

RANGE,  Fr.  drawn  out  or  placed  in 
regular  order. 

RANGE E,  Fr.  a  series  of  things 
placed  upon  the  same  line. 

Bataille  Rangee,  Fr.  a  pitched  or 
set  battle,  in  which  two  armies  are 
drawn  up  opposite  to  one  another. 

RANGER,  Fr.  to  place  in  a  certain 
line  or  order. 

Rancer,  Fr.  to  place  under.  The 
French  say,  Ranger  sous  sa  domination, 
ike.  to  place  a  town  or  province  under 
one's  own  government,  or  to  make  it 
subservient  to  one's  own  laws. 

Ranger  en  ordre  de  bataille,  Fr.  to 
place  in  order  of  battle;  to  dispose 
troops  for  action. 

Ranger  la  cole,  Fr,  to  sail  along  the 
coast. 


RAN 


(    710    ) 


It  A  N 


RANGEZ  t-ottz,  Fr.  a  term  in  general 
use  among  the  French  when  any  number 
tit"  persons  are  ordered  to  clear  the  way, 
by  drawing  up  on  one  side  or  the  other 
of  a  street  or  road. 

RANGING,  in  war,  disposing  the 
troops  in  proper  order  for  an  engage- 
ment, manoeuvres,  or  march,  &c. 

RANK,  range  of  subordination;  de- 
gree of  dignity;  the  relative  situations 
which  officers  hold  with  respect  to  each 
other,  or  to  military  things  in  general. 
Hence  regimental  tank,  local  rank,  rank 
in  the  army,  &c. 

By  an  order  from  the  King,  the 
officers  belonging  to  the  Life  Guard-) 
are  entitled  to  the  rani;  of  lieutenant 
colonel,  when  they  obtain  or  purchase  a 
majority,  provided  they  have  been  seven 
years  in  the  service.  Their  commis- 
sions in  this  case  run  major  and  lieute- 
nant colonel  :  but  if  an  officer  should 
not  have  completed  either  of  those 
periods,  he  obtains  the  rank  of  major 
only,  until  its  completion.  A  lieute- 
nant colonel  receives  the  rank  of  full 
colonel  if  lie  has  been  seven  years 
major,  or  twenty-one  years  in  the  British 
service.  Cornets  in  the  Lite  Guards 
rank  as  sub-lieutenants  in  their  own 
corps,  and  as  first  lieutenants  in  the 
army.  The  English  Fuzileers  enjoy  the 
same  privilege.  Sub-lieutenants  in  the 
Welsh  Fuzileers  rank  only  as  second 
lieutenants  in  the  army.  Marines  do 
the  same. 

W  ith  respect  to  rank  in  general,  the 
following  are  the  rules  (as  published  by 
authority)  by  which  the  relative  rank 
of  the  officers  of  His  Majesty's  regular 
forces,  militia,  fencibles,  yeomanry,  ca- 
valry, and  volunteer  corps,  is  to  be  de- 
termined. 

Officers  of  the  regular  forces  com- 
mand the  officers  of  equal  degree  be- 
longing Co  the  other  services;  with  the 
exception  after-mentioned. 

Olficers  of  the  militia,  fencibles,  yeo- 
manry cavalry,  and  volunteer  corps, 
rank  together  according  to  the  dates  of 
their  respective  commissions. 

Notwithstanding  the  regulation  con- 
tained in  the  two  preceding  articles, 
such  officers  of  Fencibles  as  have  com- 
missions dated  on  or  before  the  27th  of 
July,  1798,  continue  to  rank  with  the 
officers  of  the  regular  forces  of  equal 
degree,  according  to  the  dates  of  their 
respective  commissions:  unless  when 
acting  in  conjunction  also  with  officers 


of  the  militia;  in  which  case,  if  the 
commission  of  the  fencible  officer  be  of" 
a  junior  date  to  that  of  the  militia 
officer,  of  the  same  degree,  the  regular 
officer  of  equal  rank,  although  his  com- 
mission be  of  a  junior  date  to  that  of 
the  fencible  officer,  commands  both. 

It  will  further  be  observed,  that  all 
commands  in  the  regular  forces  fall  to 
the  eldest  ollicers  in  the  same  circum- 
stances, whether  of  cavalry  or  infantry, 
entire  or  in  parties.  In  case  two  com- 
missions of  the  same  date  interfere,  a 
retrospect  is  to  be  bad  to  former  com- 
missions. Should  it  happen,  as  it  pos- 
sibly may,  that  the  original  commissions 
interfere,  the  seniority  of  the  corps,  we 
presume,  must  determine  the  prece- 
dency of  command;  and  if  the  officers 
belong  to  one  corps,  it  must  be  decided 
by  lot. 

In  page  49  of  the  Articles  of  War  it 
is  laid  down,  that  the  eldest  officer  is 
to  command  when  any  troops  of  the 
Horse  Guard",  and  the  regiment  of  Horse 
Guards,  shall  do  duty  together;  or 
when  any  of  the  Life  Guards,  Horse  or 
Foot  Guards,  shall  do  duty  with  any 
other  corps.  The  regiments  of  Life 
Guards,  doing  duty  unmixed,  are  to  be 
considered  as  one  corps;  and  the  officers 
are  to  take  rank  according  to  the  dates 
of  their  commissions.  The  same  holds 
good  with  respect  to  the  Foot  Guards. 
Regular  officers,  with  whom  militia 
officers  take  rank  as  youngest,  command 
officers  of  equal  degree  in  the  Fencibles, 
Yeomanry  Cavalry,  and  Volunteer  Corps, 
who  are  to  rank  together  according  to 
the  dares  of  their  commissions. 

Rank  is  sometimes  given  to  persons 
holding  civil  situations  in  the  navy  and 
army,  in  order  to  secure  to  them  the 
privileges  and  advantages,  particularly 
in  cases' of  capture,  which  military  com- 
missioned officers  enjoy.  Thus  pay- 
masters in  the  army,  and  surgeons  in 
the  navy,  rank  as  captains  youngest  of 
the  line.  The  surgeons  in  the  navy 
obtained  this  privilege  in '1798.  We 
are  not  aware,  that  the  surgeons  in  the 
armv  enjoy  the  same;  nor  do  we  under- 
stand that  the  pursers  in  the  navy  have 
any  rank.  We  humbly  conceive  that 
the  same  principle  which  actuated  go- 
vernment in  favour  of  navy  surgeons, 
ought  to  prevail  in  these  instances. 

To  Rank  zitith,  to  hold  the  same  re- 
lative situation  with  regard  to  others. — 
Thus  post  captains  of  three  years  btaud- 


R  A  N 


(     711     ) 


RAN 


ing  in  the  royal  navy  rank  with  colonels 
in  the  army;  and  lieutenants  in  the 
Guards  rank  with  captains  in  the  line  or 
regulars.  Officers  in  the  militia  rank 
generally  with  the  regular  forces  as 
junior  of  their  respective  commissions. 
An  ensign  in  the  Guards  ranks  no  higher 
than  an  ensign  in  the  regulars. 

To  Rank  with,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
to  be  in  equal  estimation,  to  hear  the 
same  character  for  skill  and  valour,  &c. 

Brevet  Rank,  rank  without  pay,  no- 
minal distinction,  which  sometimes  en- 
titles the  holder  of  it  to  command  in 
mixed  service.  The  brevet  rank  in  the 
militia  is  confined  to  the  colonels  and 
adjutants  of  the  several  corps  in  that 
establishment.  The  former  receive  the 
brevet  rank  of  colonels  in  the  army 
whilst  actually  embodied  for  service, 
and  command  all  lieutenant  colonels  in 
the  line  when  they  do  duty  together. 
Adjutants  in  the  militia  may  have  the 
brevet  rank  of  captain  provided  they 
have  served  five  years  as  lieutenants  in 
the  militia,  or  in  other  forces  on  the 
British  establishment.  In  the  line,  an 
adjutant  who  has  the  rank  of  captain, 
may  command  as  such  when  there  is 
no  superior  officer  on  the  parade,  or 
for  duty.  This  is  not  the  case  in  the 
militia. 

Brigade  majors  rank  with  captains 
provided  they  have  that  rank  in  the 
army,  independent  of  their  staff  appoint- 
ment. But  aides-de-camp  do  notposgess 
any  rank  in  that  capacity  with  regard  to 
the  army.  The  latter  constitute  a  part 
of  the  general's  family,  and  are  paid  out 
of  his  allowance;  they  are  in  fact  the 
mere  carriers  of  his  orders  in  the  field, 
and  his  domestic  inmates  at  home,  ccc. 
The  former  belong  to  the  brigade,  and 
are  a  necessary  part  of  its  effective  force. 
It  has  been  judiciously  ordained,  that 
both  the  one  and  the  other  should  be 
regular  officers.  It  were,  however,  to 
be  wished,  in  imitation  of  our  military 
neighbour  and  rival,  that  none  but  ex- 
perienced officers  should  be  selected  for 
aides-de-camp. 

There  is  likewise  a  sort  of  brevet 
rank  which  exists  in  the  several  regi- 
ments belonging  to  the  British  service, 
and  is  confined  to  the  rank  and  file,  or 
corporals  and  private  soldiers.  Thus 
a  lance  Serjeant  is  a  corporal  who  does 
the  duty  of  serjeaut,  without  the  pay  or 
emoluments  of  the  latter;  and  a  lance 
porporal  is  a  private  soldier,  who  does 


the  duty  of  corporal.  So  that  lance, 
which  comes  from  lansquenet,  and  ought 
therefore  to  be  written  lans-serjeant, 
&c.  is  the  abbreviation  of  that  word, 
which  signifies  a  private  soldier,  and  is 
derived  from  the  German ;  and  when 
put  before  serjeant  or  corporal,  points 
out  that  a  corpora!  or  private,  soldier 
has  the  brevet  rank  of  one  of  those 
situations.  A  captain  of  a  company 
may  appoint  or  reduce  lonce-serjeanij 
or  corporals,  according  to  his  judgment. 

Rank  and  Precedence  in  the  Army 
and  Navy,  are- as  follow: 

Engineers  Rank.  Chief,  as  colonel ; 
director,  as  lieutenant-colonel;  sub-di- 
rector, as  major;  engineer  in  ordinary, 
as  captain;  engineer  extraordinary,  as 
captain  lieutenant;  sub-engineer,  as 
lieutenant;  practitioner-engineer,  as  en- 
sign. 

Navy  Rank.  Admiral,  or  comman- 
der in  chief  of  his  Majesty's  fleet,  has 
the  rank  of  a  field  marshal;  admirals, 
with  their  flags  on  the  main-top-mast- 
head, rank  with  generals  of  horse  and 
foot;  vice-admirals,  with  lieutenant- 
generals;  rear-admirals,  as  major-gene- 
rals; commodores,  with  broad  pendants, 
as  brigadier-generals;  captains  of  post 
ships,  after  three  years  from  the  date 
of  their  first  commission,  as  colonels; 
other  captains,  as  commanding  post 
ships,  as  lieutenant  colonels;  captains 
not  taking  post,  as  majors  ;  lieutenants, 
as  captains. 

Court  Rank.  The  rank  or  precedence 
which  the  British  guards  enjoy  over  the 
line  of  the  marching  army,  is  so  called, 
by  the  author  of  an  ingenious  pamphlet, 
entituled,  Prevailing  Ahuses  in  the  Bri- 
tish Army.    See  Privileges. 

Nominal  Rank,  a  rank  continued  to 
a  person  who  lias  been  in  the  service; 
and  sometimes  assumed  by  individuals 
who  have  "never  been  in  the  service 
at  all. 

Rank  in  the  army,  a  rank  which  opens 
to  the  individual  possessing  it,  all  the 
avenues  to  military  promotion  from  an 
ensigncy  in  the  line  up  to  that  of  a  full 
general,  but  by  which  he  is  not  entitled 
to  any  certain  additional  pay. 

Rank  is  a  straight  line  made  by  the  ■ 
soldiers  of  a  battalion,  or  squadron, 
drawn  up  side  by  side;  this  order  was 
established  for  the  marches  and  for  re- 
gulating the  different  bodies  of  troops 
and  officers  which  compose  an  army. 
Doubling  of  the  Ranks  is  the  placing 


RAP 


(     712     ) 


R  A  S 


two  ranks  in  One,  which  is  frequently 
dune  in  tha  manoeuvres  of  a  regiment. 

Rank,  and  File.  iNlen  carrying  the 
firelock,  and  standing  in  the  ranks,  are 
called  rank  and  file.  Thus  corporals  are 
included  in  the  return  which  is  made 
under  that  head. 

Ranks  and  Files  are  the  horizontal 
and  vertical  lines  of  soldiers  when  drawn 
up  for  service,  cvc 

RANSOM,  (runcon,  Fr.)  a  stipulated 
price  given  for  the  release  of  a  prisoner 
of  war.  The  ransom  of  prisoners  of 
war,  according  to  Grose,  was  one  of  the 
principal  sources  of  emolument  to  mili- 
tary men  of  ancient  days,  similar  to  the 
prize  money  of  the  present  time  to  the 
otlicers  and  seamen  of  the  royal  navy, 
many  baling  thereby  raised  large  for- 
tunes; Sir  Walter  Manny,  in  the  reign  of 
King  Edward  III.  is  said  to  have  gamed 
8000/.  by  prisoners  of  war  in  one  cam- 
paign ;  an  enormous  sum  for  those 
days.  Instead  of  ransom,  the  usual  mode 
of  liberating  prisoners  is  now  by  ex- 
change of  man  for  man  and  officer  for 
officer,  of  the  same  rank  reciprocally, 
when  there  are  such  to  exchange,  other- 
wise it  is  arranged  by  a  cartel;  and 
there  are  resident  commissioners  from 
the  powers  at  war  to  see  it  duly  put  in 
execution.  In  England  the  care  of  the 
prisoners  is  under  the  management  of 
the  Transport  Board.  In  France,  during 
the  late  revolution,  the  unfortunate  pri- 
soners were  left  to  provide  for  them- 
selves. 

RAPE,  Fr.  a  rasp;  a  file. 

RAPE,  a  division  of  a  county,  as  the 
county  of  Sussex,  for  instance,  which  is 
divided  into  six  rapes. 

RAPIDES,  Fr.  Falls  in  a  river  are 
so  called;  as  the  falls  in  the  river  St. 
Laurence,  &c. 

RAPIER,  (rapiere,  Fr.)  formerly 
signified  a  long,  old-fashioned  broad- 
sword, such  as  those  worn  by  the  Scotch 
regiments;  but  now  is  understood  only 
to  mean  a  small  sword,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  a  broad  sword. 

RAPINE,    Fr.  rapine,  plunder. 

RAPPAREILLER,  Fr.  to  set  sail 
again. 

RAPPELER,  Fr.  to  call  back  or  to 
assemble.  This  is  done  by  a  particular 
beat  of  drum,  when  soldiers  are  directed 
to  repair  to  their  colours. 

RAPPORT,   Fr.  report. 

Rapport,  Fr.  in  mathematics,  a 
t«rm  frequently  used  among  the  French. 


It  bears  the  same  import  as  raison,  and 
signifies  the  relation  which  two  quan- 
tities have  one  with  another.  Thin 
the  rapport  or  relation  between  twelve 
and  six  is  the  same  as  between  six  and 
three. 

Rapport  commercial,  Fr.  balance  of 
trade. 

J'tlres  de  Rapport,    Fr.  inlaid  work. 

RAPPORTEUR,  Fr.  judge  advocate 
at  a  court-martial. — He  is  also  called 
Con/ in issa ire  Rapporteur. 

Rapporteur,  in  geometry,  an  in- 
strument mane  in  the  figure  of  a  half 
circle,  and  divided  into  one  hundred 
and  eighty  degrees.  It  is  used  for  the 
purpose  of  ascertaining  the  openings  in 
angles,  and  to  take  plans  upon  paper. 

Rapporteur  signifies  also  a  reporter, 
a  tale-bearer. 

RAREFACTION,  the  extension  of 
the  parts  of  a  body,  by  which  it  is  made 
to  take  up  more  room  than  it  did  before. 
It  is  essentially  connected  with  gun- 
nery ;  for  in  proportion  to  the  rapid 
combustion  and  consequent  rarefaction 
of  air,  produced  by  the  ignition  of  gun- 
powder confined  in  the  chamber  of  a 
gun,  so  will  be  the  force  of  expulsion 
with  which  the  charge  is  propelled. 

HAS,  Fr.  Every  barge,  or  vessel, 
&c.  which  is  without  any  deck  or  up- 
ward covering,  is  called  by  the  French 
bateau,  or  batiment  ras. 

RASADE,  Fr.  a  bumper.  SeeTo\sr. 

RASANTE,  Fr.    See  Eigne  rusante. 

RASA  NT,    ^  In  fortification,  rasant 

RAZANT,  ^  flank,  or  line,  is  that 
part  of  the  curtain  or  flank  whence  the 
shot  projected  raze  or  glance  along  the 
surface  of  the  opposite  bastion. 

To  RASE  (from  the  French  raser,  to 
rase,  or  glance  upon  the  ground)  is  to 
gallop  near  the  ground,  as  our  English 
horses  do,  particularly  race  or  blood 
horses. 

RASE,  Fr.  pitch  and  tar  mixed  with 
tow  for  the  purpose  of  caulking  a  ship. 

Table  RaSE,  Fr.  any  plain  piece  of 
copper,  steel,  stone  or  wood  upon  which 
no  marks  have  been  made,  or  letters, 
&c.  engraven. 

Rase  campagne,  Fr.  an  open  country, 
which  is  extremely  flat,  and  has  not 
either  wood  or  rivers  in  it;  such  as  Sa- 
lisbury plain.  Hence  les  deux  armies 
sc  battirent  en  rase  campagne,  the  two 
armies  fought  against  each  other  in  the 
open  ground. 

RASER  une  place,  Fr.  to  demolish 


RAT 


(    713    ) 


RAT 


the  fortifications  of  a  town  or  place, 
This  is  often  done  by  mutual  compact 
between  contending  powers;  but  more 
frequently  on  the  principle  of  retalia- 
tion, or  by  the  effect  of  bombardment. 
Hence,  Raser  les  fortifications  a  coups  de 
canon,  to  batter  or  demolish  the  fortifi- 
cations by  cannon  shot,  or  by  the  dis- 
charge of  ordnance. 

RASLE,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  in 
some  parts  of  France  to  signify  rafter, 
and  means  the  same  as  chevron. 

RASPOUTE,  Fr.  Father  Catrou,  the 
Jesuit,  in  his  history  of  the  Moguls,  con- 
founds this  word  with  Rage-puge.  Ifhey 
probably  both  mean  the  tame  as  R\iju- 
poot,  which  see. 

RASSEMBLER,  Fr.  to  collect  to- 
gether. 

Rassembler  des  troupes,  Fr.  to  call 
troops  or  forces  together. 

Rassembler  les  debris  (Tune  armie, 
Fr.  to  collect  together  the  broken  parts, 
or  scattered  remnants  of  an  army.  It  is 
likewise  used  with  the  personal  pro- 
noun, viz.  Tous  les  soldats  disperses  se 
rassemblerenf  aulour  du  drapeau,  all 
the  soldiers  or  troops  that  had  been 
dispersed  gathered  together  round  the 
standard,  or  colours. 

Rassembler  les  forces  d'un  cheval,  Fr.. 
to  put  a  horse  well  upon  his  haunches. 

RASSIEGER,  Fr.  to  besiege  again. 

RASSIS,  Fr.  stale;  as  pain  rassis, 
stale  bread. 

Rassis,  Fr.  putting  fresh  nails  in  a 
horse's  shoe. 

RASSURER,  Fr.  to  restore  confi- 
dence; to  encourage;  to  invigorate. — 
Quelques  soldats  commencaient  a  s'ebran- 
ler,  quand  I'exemple  de  leur  capitaine  les 
rassura,  some  soldiers  began  to  give  way, 
when  the  example  of  their  captain  in- 
spired them  with  fresh  confidence. 

RAT,  (rat,Yr.)  an  animal  well  known 
in  most  countries. 

Rats  are  sometimes  used  in  military 
operations,  particularly  in  enterprises 
for  the  purpose  of  setting  fire  to  maga- 
zines of  gunpowder.  On  these  occa- 
sions a  lighted  match  is  tied  to  the  tail 
of  the  animal.  Marshal  Vauban  re- 
commends, therefore,  that  the  walls  of 
powder  magazines  should  be  made  very 
thick,  and  the  passages,  for  light,  wind- 
ing, and  so  narrow  as  not  to  admit  him. 

R&T-tuils,  a  venemous  disease  in 
horses,  not  unlike  the  scratches. 

RA.y-tails,  as  well  as  scratches,  some- 
times proceed  from  the  want  ot'  rubbing 


and  dressing,  and  sometimes  from  the 
horse  being  too  we.l  kept,  without  ex- 
ercise. Large  horses  are  most  subject 
to  this  disease. 

K.\i-tail.  A  horse  is  so  called  whea 
he  has  no  hair  upon  his  tail. 

Rat,  Fr.  is  used  in  a  figurative  sense, 
viz.  Vne  arme  a  feu  a  pris  un  rat,  a 
musket  has  missed  fire. 

Rat,  Fr.  a  sort  of  floating  platform 
made  of  planks  which  are  tied  together 
upon  two  or  three  masts.  It  is  used 
in  caulking  ships,  &c. 

R-AT-island,  a  place  near  Scilly,  over- 
run with  rats. 

To  Rat,  a  figurative  term  signifying  to 
desert  or  abandon  any  particular  party, 
or  side  of  a  question.  The  term  itself 
comes  from  the  well-known  circum- 
stance of  rats  running  away  from  de- 
cayed and  falling  houses. 

Trou  de  Rat,  Fr.  literally  a  rat-hole; 
a  trap  or  snare  laid  for  an  enemy. 

RATAN,  a  cane  used  by  Serjeants  of 
companies,  &c.  in  drilling  the  men,  and 
with  which,  in  other  countries,  the  non- 
commissioned officers,  and  privates,  are 
corrected  for  slight  offences. 

RATE,  price,  rank,  (taux,  taxe,  rang, 
voice,  Fr.)  price  fixed  on  any  thing,  al- 
lowance settled,  degree,  &c. 

Rate  of  pay,  a  certain  settled  al- 
lowance by  which  the  pay  of  the  army 
is  regulated. 

Abated  Rate,  a  deduction  from  the 
tax  on  property,  (a  tax  that  once  bore 
so  cruelly  upon  the  British  army,)  which 
was  made  in  favour  of  the  subalterns  of 
regiments,  leaving  on  an  average  about 
7^  per  cent,  to  be  paid  on  their  nett  re- 
ceipt. 

RATELEE  du  butin,  Fr.  the  share  of 
the  booty. 

RATELIER,  Fr.  a  rack  used  in  ar- 
mouries, &c.  for  the  purpose  of  keeping 
fire  arms  arranged  in  proper  order. 

Ratelier,  Fr.  a  rack  in  a  stable  to 
put  hay,  &c.  also  a  row  of  pegs  or  pina 
to  hang  any  thing  upon. 

RATER,  Fr.  to  snap,  to  flash  in  the 
pan,  to  miss  fire.  Son  pistolet  a  rate, 
his  pistol  has  missed  fire. 

Rater  likewise  means,  figuratively, 
to  be  unsuccessful  in  an  application. — 
11  a  rate  sa  charge,  he  did  not  get  the 
commission. 

RATES  of  subsistence.     See  Pay. 

RATH,  an  old  word  signifying  a  hill. 
It  is  used  by  Spenser, 

RATIFICATION,  (ratification,  Fr. 
4  Y 


RAT 


(     714    ) 


RAY 


the  act  of  ratifying  or  confirming.  Thus 
all  treaties  which  are  made  between  con- 
tracting parties,  whether  sovereigns  or 
generals  possessing  full  powers  to  exe- 
cute, can  never  be  valid  until  the  ratifi- 
cation of  each  treaty  has  been  recipro- 
cally exchanged. 

To  RATIFY,  (rotifer,  Fr.)  to  con- 
firm; to  render  binding. 

RATION,  a  certain  allowance  which 
is  given  in  bread,  &c.  or  forage,  when 
troops  are  on  service, — for  an  otlicer  or 
eoldier. 

Complete  Ration  of  the  small  Species. 
Flour,  or  bread  \\  lb. 

Beef  ....         l 

Or  pork  \ 

Peas  --.-•-{  P'11*- 

Butter,  or  cheese       -        -         1  oz. 
Rice  -        -         -        -         1  oz. 

When  the  small  species  are  not  issued, 
\\  lb.  of  Hour  or  bread,  with  \\  lb.  of 
beef,  or  10  oz.  of  pork,  forms  a  com- 
plete ration:  or  3lbs.  of  beef;  or  2lbs. 
of  cheese;  or  half  a  pound  of  rice,  form 
a  complete  ration. 

The  deductions  to  be  taken  for  pro- 
visions  from  the  pay  of  officers,  non- 
commissioned officers,  or  men,  are  the 
nine  for  all  ranks,  and  in  all  corps, 
under  the  like  circumstances  of  service, 
when  serving  out  of  Great  Britain,  on 
stations  where  provisions  are  supplied 
by  the  public:  also,  when  embarked  in 
transports  or  other  vessels  (except  when 
serving  as  marines) ;  also,  when  pri- 
soners of  war  are  maintained  at  the 
«xpense  of  Great  Britain;  also  when  in 
general  hospitals,  whether  at  home  or 
abroad,  a  deduction  of  sixpence  per  day 
is  made. 

A  deduction  of  three-pence  halfpenny 
is  made  from  the  pay  of  every  non- 
commissioned officer  and  private  in  Ja- 
maica, in  New  South  Wales,  and  Gibral- 
tar. Non-commissioned  officers  and 
soldiers  serving  as  marines  shall  not  be 
liable  to  any  deduction  from  their  full 
pay  on  account  of  provisions. 

Ration  for  a  horse  on  home  service 
in  1796  : — 14  lbs.  of  hay,  10  lbs.  of  oats, 
4  lbs.  of  straw;  for  which  a  stoppage 
is  made  of  six-pence. 

The  French  use  the  same  term,  viz. 
Ration  defoin,  a  ration  of  hay.  Double 
ration,  double  ration.  Demi  ro.tion,  a 
naif  ration. 

Ration  d'un  fantassin,  Fr.  the  ra- 
tion or  allowance  which  is  giveu  to  a 
toot  soldier. 


Ratton  de  cavaleric,  Fr.  the  allo^fc 
auce  given  to  each  cavalry  soldier. 

Ration  defourrage,  Fr.  a  ration  of 
forage. 

Rations  des  oficiers  du  regiment  des 
gardes  Francoises,  Fr.  rations  allowed 
in  a  regiment  of  French  guards. 

RATISSOIRS,  Fr.  graters  used  by 
the  men  employed  in  making  saltpetre. 

RATTLING  in  the  sheath,  a  term 
used  of  a  horse,  when  he  makes  a  noise 
in  the  skinny  part  of  his  yard. 

RATURE,  Fr.  an  erasure;  a  scratch. 

Rature  ecriere,  Fr.  an  erasure  made 
with  the  pen. 

To  RAVAGE,  (ravager,  Fr.)  to  do 
all  the  mischief  one  can  in  a  country  by 
force  of  arms,  or  other  ways. 

Ravages  of  roar,  the  spoil,  plunder, 
or  waste,  made  by  contending  armies  in 
the  theatre  of  war. 

RAVALEMENT,Fr.aslightstrengtlK 
ening  made  in  mason-work,  or  carpentry, 
either  with  plaster  or  wood. 

RAVALER,  Fr.  to  plaster  a  wall,  &c. 

RAVELIN,  Fr.  See  Fortifica- 
tion. 

RAVELINS,  in  fortification,  are 
works  raised  on  the  counterscarp  before- 
the  curtain  of  the  place,  and  serve  to 
cover  the  gates  of  a  town,  and  tha 
bridges.  They  consist  of  two  faces, 
forming  a  salient  angle,  and  are  de- 
fended by  the  faces  of  the  neighbouring 
bastions.  They  are  the  most  in  use  of 
all  out-works,  and  are  by  the  soldiers 
most  commonly  called  half  moons,  or 
demi-lunes.  They  should  be  lower  than, 
the  works  of  the  place,  that  they  may 
be  under  the  fire  of  the  besieged.  Their 
parapets,  as  those  of  all  out-works, 
should  be  cannon  proof;  that  is,  about 
18  feet  thick. 

RAVIN,  Fr.  a  hollow  road ;  a  broken 


passj 


&c. 


RAVINE,  in  field  fortification,  * 
deep  hollow,  usually  formed  by  a  great 
flood,  or  long  continued  running  of  wa- 
ter; frequently  turned  to  advantage  ia 
the  field. 

RAVITAILLER  une  place,  Fr.  to 
throw  stores,  ammunition,  and  provi- 
sions into  a  fortified  place. 

Principal  RAY,  in  perspective,  i» 
the  perpendicular  distance  between  the, 
eye  and  the  vertical  plane,  or  table,  as 
some  call  it. 

RAYE,  Fr.  rifled. 

Canon  Ray£,  Fr.  rifle-barrel. 

RAYJERE,  Fr,  a  loop-hole;  a  lo$g 


R  E  A 


(    715    ) 


R  E  A 


**nd  narrow  cleft  in  the  wall  of  a  prison, 
dungeon,  or  tower,  whereby  light  and 
air  are  partially  let  into  the  rooms. 

Les  Rayeres  d'un  moulin  (Teau,  Fr. 
the  arms  or  starts  of  a  wheel  of  a  water- 
mill. 

RAYON,  Fr.  in  geometry,  radius. 

Rayon,  Fr.  the  spoke  or  staff  of  a 
wheel. 

Rayon  exterieur,  Fr.  in  fortification, 
a  line  which  is  drawn  from  the  center 
of  the  place  to  the  flanked  angle  of  a 
bastion. 

Rayon  int'crieur,  Fr.  a  line  drawn 
from  the  center  of  the  place  to  the  cen- 
ter of  the  bastion. 

RAW,  in  a  military  sense,  unsea- 
soned, unripe  in  skill,  wanting  know- 
ledge in  military  tactics,  &c. 

Raw  troops,  unexperienced  soldiers ; 
men  who  have  been  little  accustomed 
to  the  use  of  arms.  This  term  is  gene- 
rally used  in  opposition  to  veteran  troops. 
A  cool  and  wise  general  will  always 
know  how  to  make  the  most  of  that  part 
of  his  army  which  is  composed  of  raw 
troops;  and  a  rash,  intemperate  one 
will  equally  miss  the  proper  application 
of  the  spirit  and  manhood,  which  igno- 
rance of  danger,  and  confidence  of  suc- 
cess, almost  always  give.  Some  of  the 
most  brilliant  actions,  and  some  of  the 
greatest  victories  have  been  achieved 
and  won  by  means  of  that  daring  impe- 
tuosity, which  hurries  raw  troops  into 
the  thickest  of  an  enemy.  A  thousand 
instances  might  be  adduced  from  an- 
cient and  modern  history,  to  prove  the 
correctness  of  this  remark.  It  may, 
perhaps,  be  sufficient  for  our  purpose, 
to  refer  the  curious  reader  to  the  bold 
and  unexampled  charge  which  was  made 
against  the  French  troops  in  Germany, 
by  Elliot's  new  raised  light  horse.  The 
laurels  of  EmsdorlYare  still  the  glory  of 
the  15th  regiment  of  dragoons,  and  every 
man  who  has  the  honour  of  belonging  to 
this  distinguished' corp6,  looks  back,  with 
a  spirit  of  exaited  emulation,  at  the  re- 
corded valour  of  their  raw  and  unex- 
perienced predecessors. 

RAZED.  Any  works  or  fortifica- 
tions when  demolished,  are  said  to  be 
razed. 

RAZE,  Fr.  razed;  ruined;  cut  close 
to  the  ground. 

RAZEFORTS,  Fr.  forts-razing;  bul- 
wark-overthrowing. 

REACTION,  (reaction,  Fr.)  the  ac- 
tion of  one  body  which  acts  upon  ano- 


ther, whence  it  receives  its  action.  For 
instance,  when  a  billiard  ball  is  driven 
in  a  certain  direction,  and  hits  against 
the  cushion,  that  circumstance  produces 
the  action;  and  as  it  does  not  remain 
there,  but  rebounds  of  itself  into  ano- 
ther direction,  the  circumstance  of  so 
doing  produces  what  is  called  reaction. 
The  power  of  reaction  is  invariably  equal 
to  that  of  its  action ;  and  there  is  no 
such  thing  in  nature  as  action  without 
reaction. 

READINESS,  a  state  of  alertness ;  a 
uromptitude  for  action. 

To  hold  one's  self  in  Readiness,  to 
be  prepared,  in  consequence  of  some 
previous  order,  to  march  at  a  moment's 
notice. 

READY,  a  word  of  command  in 
platoon  firing,  being  a  contraction  of 
Make  ready.     See  Manual. 

Ready,  prepared;  prompt,  or  in- 
clined to. 

To  make  Ready,  to  prepare.  In  the 
platoon  exercise,  as  well  as  in  all  other 
firings  by  battalions  or  companies,  &c. 
to  take  the  first  posture  or  position  for 
firing. 

REAFAN,  the  royal  banner  or  flag  of 
the  Danes ;  so  called  from  a  raven  em- 
broidered upon  it  by  King  Ladbroke's 
daughter. 

REALE,  }  Fr.  The  largest  or 

Galire  Reale,  S  principal  galley  used 
in  catholic  countries,  is  so  called.  The 
first  galley  belonging  to  the  Pope  is 
called  reale,  because  it  takes  precedence 
of  all  vessels,  in  the  service  of  the  dif- 
ferent Roman  catholic  powers. 

REAR,  in  a  general  acceptation,  any 
thing  situated  or  placed  behind  another. 
The  term  is  variously  used  in  military 
matters. 

Rear  of  an  army  signifies,  in  general, 
the  hiudermost  part  of  an  army,  bat- 
talion, regiment,  squadron,  or  company, 
&c.  Generally  the  third  component 
part  of  a  large  body  of  forces,  which 
consists  of  an  advanced  guard,  a  main 
body  and  a  rear  guard. 

Rear  guard,  a  certain  proportion  of 
an  army  or  regiment,  which  acts,  in  va- 
rious capacities,  according  to  circum- 
stances, and  the  extent  of  military 
operations.  The  rear  guard  of  an  army 
is^  often  the  reserve,  &c.  The  rear 
guard  of  a  regiment  is  usually  appointed 
for  the  purpose  of  picking  up  stragglers, 
&c.  The  ojd  grand  guards  of  the  camp 
always  form  the  rear-guard  of  the  aimv. 
4Y3 


It  E  A 


(     716     ) 


R  E  C 


and  are  to  see  that  every  thing  comes 
safe  to  the  new  camp.     See  Guard. 

Rear  line,  of  an  army  encamped,  is 
s  1200  feet  at  least  from  the  center 
line;  both  of  which  run  parallel  to  the 
front  line,  as  also  to  the  rescue. 

Rear  rank  When  a  regiment,  troop, 
or  company,  is  drawn  up  two  or  three 
deep,  the  last  line  of  men  is  called  the 
rear  raok. 

Rear  ranks,  all  the  ranks  of  a  line, 
regiment,  troop,  or  company,  which  are 
ranged  in  order  behind  the  front  rank. 
When  troops  are  drawn  up  three  deep, 
the  second  rank  is  called  center  rank. 

Rear  rank  take  open  order,  a  word 
of  command  which  is  given  in  the  ma- 
nual and  other  parade  exercises.  It  :s 
likewise  used  in  marching  by  the  general 
at  a  review,  or  on  guard  mounting,  &c. 
See  Open  Order. 

Rear  half-files  are  the  three  hinder- 
most  ranks  of  the  battalion,  when  it  is 
drawn  up  six  deep. 

VLkkk front.  When  a  battalion,  troop, 
Or  company,  is  faced  about,  and  stands 
in  that  position,  it  is  then  said  to  be 
rear  front.  It  sometimes  happens,  that 
through  oversight,  forgetfulness,  or  ig- 
norance and  confusion,  troops  are  so 
clubbed,  that,  on  the  deployment  of  a 
column,  the  different  troops  and  com- 
panies not  only  lose  their  stations  in  the 
line  of  original  formation,  but  the  rear 
rank  men  stand  where  the  front-rank- 
men  ought  to  be;  in  the  latter  case, 
they  appear  rear-front.  This  error  can 
be  easily  remedied,  by  counter-march- 
ing the  several  troops  or  companies. 

Rear  rank  lengthening  out  a  line. 
It  is  observed  in  Part  the  IVth,  of  the 
Rules  and  Regulations,  that  although  a 
single  battalion  may,  by  opening  its 
companies  and  d\es,J'rom  3  deep  form  2 
deep,  by  introducing  its  rear  rank  into 
the  other  two,  yet  a  considerable  line 
posted,  which  is  to  be  lengthened  out  to 
one  or  both  flanks  by  its  rear  rank, 
must,  to  greater  advantage,  perform 
such  operation,  by  each  company  wheel- 
ing the  subdivisions  of  its  rear  rank- 
backward,  and  facing  to  the  hand  they 
are  to  march  to;  the  last  rank  of  each 
company  closes  up  to  its  first;  the  sub- 
divisions of  each  battalion  move  up  to 
open  distances  from  their  respective 
head  ones,  and  from  each  other ;  offi- 
cers from  the  rear  are  appointed  to 
command,  them;  those  of  each,  or  of 


every  two  battalions,  being  considered 
as  a  battalion,  they  march  on  in  co- 
lumn, and  prolong  the  line.  By  this 
mode  of  lengthening  out  the  .line,  the 
two  front  ranks  remain  undisturbed* 
and  they  protect  the  movement  which 
is  made  unseen  behind  thtni 

REARWARD,  the  last  troop  or 
company. 

REASON,  or  R  USING  piece,  in 
building,  that  part  upon  which  the  raf- 
ters rest. 

REARPENTAGE,  IV.  a  second 
land  survey. 

REATTELER,  Fr.  to  put  to  again. 

Eire  en  REATU,  Fr.  to  be  impeached 
of  a  crime. 

REBEEWAR,  Ind.  Sunday. 

REBEL,  (rebelle,  Fr.)  any  one  guilty 
of  rebellion. 

Se  Rebeller,  Fr.  to  rebel. 

REBELLION,  a  traitorous  taking  up 
of  arms  against  the  king  by  his  own 
natural  subjects,  or  of  those  who  are 
bound  to  bear  faithful  allegiance  to 
him  and  to  his  government ;  hence  called 
open  rebellion. 

REBOUND,  the  act  of  flying  back 
in  consequence  of  motion  impressed 
and  resisted  by  a  greater  power. 

A  REBOURS,  Fr.  in  reverse. 

Fortification  a  Rebours,  Fr.  a  forti- 
fication thrown  up  in  reverse. 

REBRIDER,  Fr.  to  bridle  again. 

Le  REBUT,  Fr.  the  refuse,  the 
scum,  &c. 

Le  Rebut  du  peuplc,  Fr.  the  refuse, 
the  dregs  of  the  people. 

REBUTANT,  Fr.  repulsing;  repel- 
ling ; — Hence 

Air  Rebutant,  Fr.  a  repulsing  or 
repelling  look. 

RECEIPT,  a  voucher,  given  or  taken 
for  any  thing  received  or  given.  Sol- 
diers, who  cannot  write,  subscribe  their 
marks;  in  which  cases  the  pay-serjeants, 
or  some  trusty  persons,  witness  the 
signature.  Captains  of  troops  and  com- 
panies should  be  particularly  minute  on 
this  head,  as  illiterate  minds  are  natu- 
rally full  of  suspicion;  and,  in  many 
instances,  soldiers  have  been  found  un- 
principled enough  to  deny  their  marks. 
Sec  Vouchers. 

Receipts  of  officers,  soldiers,  and 
seamen ;  for  the  purchase  of  stock, 
bank  bills,  or  promissory  notes  legally 
stamped,  or  for  releases  on  stamped 
deeds,    are    duty    free.     Acknowledg- 


R  E  C 


(    TIT    ) 


R  E  C 


ttients  in  letters  of  the  receipt  of  any 
notes,  bills,  or  securities  for  money,  are 
not  liable  to  duty. 

To  RECEIVE,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  wait  the  approach  of  a  friend  or  foe. 

To  Receive  an  enemy,  to  make  the 
best  disposition  possible  of  troops,  for 
the  purpose  of  meeting  the  attack  of 
an  enemy  that  is  advancing  against 
them. 

To  Receive  a  general  or  reviewing 
officer,  to  be  drawn  up  according  to  re- 
gulations which  are  Jaid  down,  for  the 
purpose  of  paying  the  compliments  that 
are  due  to  the  rank  of  a  superior,  or 
commanding  officer.  For  the  method 
in  which  a  general  is  to  be  received  by 
all  cavalry  corps  and  infantry  regiments, 
on  the  British  establishment,  see  Cavalry 
Regulations. 

RECELEMENT  aVun  deserteur,  Fr. 
the  act  of  secreting  or  concealing  a  de- 
serter. 

RECEPER,  Fr.    See  Resceper. 

RECEPTACLE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  basin 
into  which  several  conduits  of  aqueducts, 
or  conduit  pipes,  are  collected  for  the 
purpose  of  being  distributed  through 
other  channels.  This  work  is  also  called 
conserve,  Fr.  conservatory. 

RECEPTION  d'un  officicr  dansun 
corps,  Fr.  a  ceremony  which  was  per- 
formed in  the  old  French  service,  when 
an  officer  first  joined.  This  was  done 
by  beat  of  drum  in  front  of  the  com- 
pany. The  officer,  being  dressed,  ac- 
coutred, and  armed,  according  to  regu- 
lation, faced  towards  his  men,  and  as 
soon  as  the  drums  had  ceased,  took  oft" 
his  hat  to  his  commanding  officer,  who 
did  the  same  to  him,  addressing  the 
company  in  the  following  terms: — 

De  par  le  Roi.  Soldats,  vous  recon- 
naitrez  ill....  pour  voire  capitaine,  ou 
pour  lieutenant  de  la  compugnie,  etvous 
lui  obeirez  en  tout  ce  quil  vous  ordon- 
nera  pour  le  service  du  Roi  en  cettc  qua- 
lite. 

From  the  king !  or  pursuant  to  the 
king's  will.— Soldiers,  you  will  acknow- 
ledge M....-to  be  captain,  or  lieute- 
nant, of  the  company,  and  you  will 
obey  whatever  orders  or  commands  he 
may  issue,  in  that  capacity,  for  the 
good  of  the  king's  service. 

When  a  colonel  or  major  was  received 
at  the  head  of  a  corps,  the  word  Soldats, 
soldiers,  was  altered  into  Messieurs,  gen- 
tlemen; the  latter  term  including  both 
officers  and  men.    On  this  occasion, 


the  corps  of  captains  and  subalterns 
formed  a  circle ;  round  them  stood  the 
Serjeants  drawn  up  in  the  same  manner, 
and  beyond  the  Serjeants,  the  drummers, 
&c.  The  different  circles  being  concen- 
trical  to  each  other.  The  field  officer, 
who  was  to  be  admitted  or  to  take  com- 
mand, stood  in  the  center  of  the  whole, 
surrounded  by  the  principal  officers  of 
the  regiment. 

RECETTE,  Fr.  a  trough,  which 
persons  employed  in  preparing  saltpetre, 
&c.  place  beneath  tubs  filled  with  broken 
rubbish,  ashes,  &c.  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving  the  liquid  that  is  filtered 
through. 

RECHANGE,  Fr.  reserved;  kept 
for  occasional  need;  in  store;  hence 
des  armes  de  rechange,  arms  kept  in 
store. 

RECHARGE,  a  renewal  of  the 
charge  or  attack. 

Recharge  d'une  arme  a  feu,  Fr.  a  se- 
cond charge  or  loading  of  a  fire-arm  im- 
mediately after  the  first  has  been  fired. 
In  proportion  as  these  charges  increase, 
the  quantity  of  powder  is  lessened  ;  and 
when  the  piece  has  been  fired  ten  or 
twelve  times  successively,  it  must  be 
cooled  or  refreshed. 

RECHAUD,  Fr.  a  chaffing  dish,  or 
pan  used  for  various  purposes,  particu- 
larly during  a  siege.  They  are  filled 
with  burning  materials,  and  hung  in 
different  parts  of  the  wall,  so  as  to 
throw  light  into  the  ditches,  and  to  pre- 
vent surprizes. 

RECHERCHE  de  couverture,  Fr. 
the  repair  which  takes  place  when  fresh 
tiles  or  slates  are  put  upon  a  roof,  and 
the  plaster  work,  &c.  is  restored. 

Recherche  de  pave,  Fr.  the  repair- 
ing of  a  pavement,  or  paved  road,  by 
putting  fresh  stones  where  the  old  ones 
are  broken. 

RECHERCHER,  Fr.  to  seek  after; 
to  court;  hence  recherchcr  l' alliance 
d'un  prince,  ou  d'une  nation  par  des 
voies  honnetes,  ct  non  par  la  corruption  ; 
to  seek  or  court  the  alliance  of  a  prince, 
or  of  a  nation,  in  a  fair  and  open  man- 
ner, without  having  recourse  to  the  base 
tricks  of  corruption. 

RECHUTE,  Fr.  literally  means  a 
second  fall;  but  in  fortification  it  sig- 
nifies a  greater  elevation  of  the  rampart 
in  those  spots  where  it  is  likely  to  be 
commanded. 

RECIDIVE,  Fr.  the  act  of  doing 
any  thing  wrong  a  second  time» 


REC 


(     718     ) 


REC 


RECIDIVER,  Fr.  to  relapse,  or 
commit  a  crime  or  fault  twice. 

It  EC  IF,  Fr.  uote  or  voucher  given 
for  a  deposit. 

RECIPERE  fcrrum,  Lat.  to  receive 
the  weapon  or  sword.  This  expression 
signified,  among  the  ancient  Romans, 
the  sentence  of  death  which  was  pro- 
nounced, by  the  people,  against  a  van- 
quished gladiator.  The  instant  he  fell 
under  it,  he  voluntarily  exposed  his 
chest  to  have  the  dagger  plunged  into 
him. 

RECIPIANGLE,  Fr.  recipient  an- 
gle. A  geometrical  instrument,  which 
is  much  used  among  the  French,  for 
taking  the  quantities  of  anglei,  espe- 
cially in  drawing  plans  of  fortification. 
It  consists  of  two  moveable  rules  made 
in  the  shape  of  a  square  rule.  The 
center  of  one  of  its  hands  is  marked 
by  a  semi-circle,  which  is  divided  into 
180  degrees. 

RECIPIENDAIRE,  Fr.  one  who 
offers  himself  for  any  office  or  appoint- 
ment. 

Reciprocal  figures,  in  geometry, 
are  such  as  have  the  antecedents  and 
consequents  of  the  ratio  in  both  figures. 

Reciprocal  proportion  is  when,  in 
four  numbers,  the  fourth  is  lesser  than 
the  second,  by  as  much  as  the  third  is 
greater  than  the  first,  and  vice  versa. 

RECKONING,  computation,  calcu- 
lation; accounts  of  debtor  and  cre- 
ditor; also  money  charged  by  an  host. 

Short   Reckonings.     According    to 


Sully,  minister  of  Henry  the  Fourth  of 
France,  short  reckonings  are  account* 
with  the  man,  and  not  with  his  execu- 
tors. This  wise  legislator  (who  reco- 
vered the  finances  of  his  country  by  an 
honest  application  of  private  rules  to 
public  regulations)  always  considered, 
that  it  was  much  easier  to  obtain  an 
account  of  one  thousand  pounds  than 
of  one  million;  and  that  in  the  event 
of  defalcation,  securities  were  more  ac- 
cessible after  twelve  months  than  after 
twelve  years.  No  nation  ever  stood 
more  in  need  of  the  rigid  exercise  of 
these  sound  principles  than  poor  Old 
England ! 

RECOGNISCING,  an  old  term, 
used  by  some  English  military  writers, 
signifying  reconnoitring,  which  see. 

RECOIL,  (recul,  Fr.)  a  falling  back. 
The  retrograde  motion  made  by  any 
piece  of  fire  arms  »n  being  discharged, 
which  is  occasioned  by  the  rarified  air 
pressing  on  all  sides,  in  order  to  expand 
itself  with  freedom.  This  term  is  gene- 
rally applicable  to  fire-arms,  especially 
to  pieces  of  ordnance,  which  are  always 
subject  to  a  recoil,  according  to  the  sizes 
and  the  charge  they  contain,  &c.  Guns, 
whose  vents  are  a  little  forward  in  the 
chase,  recoil  most.  To  lessen  the  recoil 
of  a  gun,  the  platforms  are  generally 
made  sloping  towards  the  embrasures 
of  the  battery. 

To  Recoil,  (reculer,  Fr.)  to  fall 
hack,  to  run  back  in  consequence  oft 
resistance  or  repercussion. 


The  following  particulars  are  extracted  from  the  Little  Bombardier. 
Recoil  of  Field  Guns  on  Travelling  Carriages,  on  Elm  Planks, 


1  Shot, 

2  Shot, 

Case  Shot, 

Nature. 

Charge. 

at  1°  30' 

at  1°  30' 

at  3°  45' 

Elevation. 

Elevation. 

Elevation. 

lbs.  oz. 

Feet. 

Feet. 

Feet. 

12  Pr.  Med. 

4     0 

12 

25 

81        , 

6  Pr.  Heavy 

2     0 

7 

11 

71 

*  2 

6  Pr.  Light 

1     3 

12 

21 

10 

3  Pis.  Heavy 

1     0 

3 

5 

H 

Recoil  of  Land  Service  Iron  Mortars, 
on  Iron  Beds. 

Ft 
13-Tnch,  with  a  charge  of  6lbs — 4 

10-Inch, 3lbs.— 2    10 

S-IhcIj, —  .,..,.  Hb.9oz.3  10 


In. 
2| 


RECOLLECTION,  a  mode  of  think- 
ing, whereby  those  ideas  sought  after 
by  the  mind,  are  brought  again  to  view. 
A  retentive  memory  and  a  cool  col- 
lected presence  of  mind  are  necessary 
qualities  iu  every  goad   officer  ;    and 


UEC 


(    719     ) 


R  E  C 


military  men  should  often  exercise  the 
faculty  of  thinking,  in  order  to  become 
instantly  familiar  with  what  they  have 
formerly  studied,  and  occasionally  prac- 
tised. For  memory,  like  every  thing 
else,  acquires  strength,  and  is  increased, 
by  cultivation.  Memoria,  ut  in  cateris 
rebus,  colendo  augetur. 

Necessary  RECOLLECTIONS  for 
the  exercise  of  a  battalion,  as  laid  down 
in  the  Rules  and  Regulations. 

It  appears,  that  the  front  of  any  di- 
yision  or  body  is,  in  ordinary  paces  of 
'  30  inches,  nearly  3-4ths  of  the  number 
of  files  of  which  it  is  composed. — 
That  the  circumference  of  the  quarter 
eircle  which  it  describes,  is  in  wheeling 
paces  of  33  inches,  the  same  as  the 
number  of  files  of  which  it  is  com- 
posed.— That  the  number  of  files  being 
once  ascertained  in  each  division,  the 
officer  commanding  it  must,  on  all  occa- 
sions, recollect  the  number  of  paces  that 
are  equal  to  his  front;  also  the  number 
of  wheeling  paces  which  the  flank  man 
must  take  to  complete  the  quarter 
circle;  also  the  spare  time,  which  he  has 
to  regulate  the  halt,  march,  of  his  divi- 
sion after  wheeling. 

The  field  officers  and  adjutants  must 
always  recollect  the  number  of  paces 
the  front  of  the  battalion  and  its  divi- 
sions occupy,  in  order  to  take  up  ground 
exactly  in  all  formations. 

RECOLLEMENT,  Fr.  a  re-examina- 
tion of  witnesses  (especially  when  they 
have  not  deposed  fully, or  plainly  enough) 
before  they  are  confronted  with  those 
they  have  accused. 

Recoller  des  tcmoins,  Fr.  to  re-ex- 
amine witnesses. 

To  RECOMMEND.  When  a  young 
gentleman  wishes  to  enter  into  the 
JBritish  army,  his  first  object  is  to  get 
well  recommended  for  that  purpose. 
It  is  a  regulation,  that  none  under  the 
rank  of  field  officer  in  the  regulars  can 
recommend  a  person  so  circumstanced. 
He  must  state,  that  from  his  own  per- 
sonal knowledge,  he  believes  the  young 
candidate  to  be  perfectly  qualified  to 
hold  a.  commission  in  his  Majesty's  ser- 
vice. The  person  who  recommends  is 
responsible  to  the  Commander  in  Chief 
for  the  character  and  situation  of  the 
candidate. 

RECOMMENDATION,  in  a  mili- 
tary sense,  a  certificate,  stating  an  indi- 
vidual to  be  properly,  qualified  for  a 
situation  in  the  army.    This  certificate 


must  be  signed  by  a  field  officer  in  the 
regulars,  addressed  to  the  command- 
ing officer  of  the  regiment,  by  whom  it 
is  forwarded  to  the  Commander  in  Chief, 
who  lays  the  name  of  the  person  recom- 
mended before  the  King. 

Book  of  Recommendation,  a  book  of 
entry  which  is  kept  in  public  offices,  and 
by  army  agents,  for  the  insertion  of  the 
names  of  such  officers,  or  candidates  for 
commissions,  as  have  been  recommended 
to  the  Commander  in  Chief  for  his  Ma- 
jesty's approbation. 

RECOMPENSES  milit aires,! r.  See 
Military  Rewards. 

RECONNAISSANCE,  Fr.  the  act  of 
reconnoitring* 

RECONNAITRE  une  place,  Fr.  to 
reconnoitre  a  fortified  town  or  place. 

RECONNOITRE,  (reconnoitre,  Fr.) 
to  view,  to  examine. 

Parties  ordered  to  reconnoitre  are  to 
observe  the  country  and  the  enemy  ;  to 
remark  the  routes,  conveniences,  and  in- 
conveniences of  the  first;  the  position, 
march,  or  forces  of  the  second.  In 
either  case,  they  should  have  an  expert; 
geographer,  capable  of  taking  plans 
readily;  he  should  be  the  best  mounted 
of  the  whole,  that  in  case  the  enemy 
happen  to  scatter  the  escort,  he  may 
save  his  works  and  ideas. 

All  parties  that  go  for  reconnoitring 
only  should  be  but  few  in  number.  In 
general  the  number  should  not  exceed 
12  or  20  men.  An  officer,  be  his  rank 
what  it  will,  cannot  decline  going  with 
so  few  under  his  command:  the  honour 
is  amply  made  up  by  the  importance 
of  the  expedition  ;  which  is  frequently 
of  the  most  interesting  consequence, 
and  the  most  proper  to  recommend  the 
prudence,  bravery,  and  address,  of  any 
officer  that  has  the  good  fortune  to  suc- 
ceed. 

It  is  previously  necessary,  that  the 
officer  ordered  on  this  duty  should  be 
well  acquainted  with  the  country,  the 
roads,  and  the  distance  of  the  enemy. 
His  party  must  consist  of  men  of  ap- 
proved fidelity,  part  of  whom  should 
be  disguised.  This  detachment  must 
march  off"  in  the  night.  The  men  must 
have  strict  orders  neither  to  smoke  to- 
bacco, make  a  noise,  nor  speak.  The 
officer  must  be  provided  with  two  guides, 
who  are  to  be  strictly  interrogated,  but 
are  to  remain  ignorant  of  the  route  in 
contemplation.  A  detachment  of  this 
kind  should  be  furnished  with  subsistence. 


REC 


(   H*  ) 


REC 


for  two  or  three  days.     The  horses  arejnutely    expressin 
to  be  ted  every  two  or  three  leagues,  for 
it    is   absolutely   necessary,    that   they 
should  be  always  fresh  and  fit  for  duty 


every 


variation  or 
change  that  happens  in  the  road  ;  if 
narrow  or  hollow,  the  depth  of  the  hol- 
low; if  broken  or  impassable ;  leading 


The  orficer  will  take  care  never  to  halt,'  through  or  near  any  road  or  cover,  and 
but  at  a  distance  from  any  road,  and  ]  how  far  it  may  continue  through  or  close 
also  take  every  precaution  to  prevent  his   to  that  cover.     If  the  ground  on  both  or 


being  surprized,  whilst  his   horses   are 
feeding,  &c. 

RECONNOITRING,  (la  reconnais- 
sance, Fr.)  orders  and  instructions  to  be  j  through  the  neighbouring  fields. 
observed  in.     We  have  been  favoured  by   particularly   attentive    to    mark 


one  side  of  the  road  will  admit  of  shun- 
ning the  above  inconveniency,  by  quit- 
ting  the    road,    and  making    openings 

To  be 


a  very  ingenious  and  intelligent  corre- 
spondent, with  the  following  directions, 
which  were  digested  by  the  late  Major- 
general  Roy,  and  issued  as  instructions 
to  be  followed  by  officers  and  engineers 
in  examining,  describing,  representing 
and  reporting,  any  country,  district,  or 
particular   spot  of  ground. 

First,  As  the  encampments,  marches, 
and  every  possible  movement,  proper 
for  an  army  to  make  in  the  field,  en- 
tirely depend  on  a  just  and  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  country,  the  greatest 
care  and  exactness  should  be  observed 
in  examining  minutely  the  face  of  that 
country,  and,  from  time  to  time,  to 
make  proper  memorandums  of  every 
variety  of  the  ground  ;  whether  the 
face  of  the  ground  be  flat  and  level,  or 
interrupted  with  hollows  and  deep 
tales,  always  mentioning  the  nature  of 
the  soil  in  either,  whether  dry  or  wet, 
clay  or  sand,  rocky,  stony,  or  smooth, 
in  tillage  or  in  grass;  if  inclosed,  the 
nature  of  the  fences,  and  largeness  of 
the  enclosures;  where  woody,  the  na- 
ture of  the  wood,  whether  thick  and 
impassable,  copse,  or  grown  timber,  and 
open  ;  the  extent  of  the  wood;  or  if  cut 
by  few  or  many  roads. 

If  there  are  any  bogs  or  morasses,  to 
be  particularly  exact  in  expressing  the 
nature  of  either,  both  as  to  their  size 
and  extent,  from  north  to  south,  and 
from  east  to  west;  if  deep  and  impass- 
able, or  capable  of  being  traversed,  with 
very  little  labour,  by  foot  or  horse. 
Where  there  are  meadows,  to  observe 
the  above  direction  in  describing  them. 

In  all  places,  where  the  country  is 
cut  by  valleys  or  hollows,  to  be  as  ex- 
plicit as  possible  in  conveying  a  perfect 
idea  of  the  bottom  and  banks  of  the 
said  valley. 

Second,  carefully  to  follow  the  line  of 
the  principal  roads,  in  the  several  bend- 
ingsand  turnings,  marking  the  breadth; 
and  at  every  half  mile's  distance,  mi- 


every 


lane,  cross-road,  or  communication,  that 
either  crosses  the  great  road,  or  may 
lead  from  the  right  to  the  left  of  it ; 
mentioning  the  distance  where  they  run 
off" in  right  or  left,  with  what  place  or 
places  they  communicate,  and  how  far 
they  go.  When  you  come  to  a  farm- 
house, small  village,  or  country  town,  to 
be  particular  and  exact  in  describing 
the  situation  and  extent  of  either,  by 
mentioning  the  number  of  houses  and 
barns,  and  how  supplied  with  water. 

Third,  All  rivers  or  waters,  great  or 
small,  to  be  examined  with  the  greatest 
attention  and  exactness  ;  marking  every 
where  their  breadth  and  depth,  in  floods 
and  ordinary  water,  nature  of  their 
bottom,  height  of  their  banks,  nature  of 
the  soil  on  both  sides,  and  the  access  to 
the  banks,  if  easy  or  difficult. 

The  above  directions  to  be  strictly 
observed  in  mentioning  and  inserting 
every  ford  across  any  river  or  rivulet  ; 
and  all  bridges  to  be  particularly  de- 
scribed, whether  stone,  brick,  or  timber, 
number  of  arches,  with  the  width  of 
each;  thickness  of  the  parapet;  if  the 
communications  to  the  bridge  are  free, 
and  on  commanding  ground,  and  the 
nature  of  the  command. 

Fourth,  If  the  surface  of  the  country 
be  mountainous,  or  only  broken  by 
gentle  heights  :  to  describe  and  mi- 
nutely express  the  nature  of  the  moun- 
tains, as  to  their  ascent  and  height,  in 
what  direction  they  run,  and  how  far; 
where  broken,  or  cut  by  hollows  and 
waters ;  where  covered  by  woods  or 
waters,  or  any  other  obstructions. 

If  the  country  be  cut  with  rising 
grounds,  to  be  very  particular  in  ob- 
serving the  same  mode  in  describing 
them. 

Fifth,    In    reconnoitring,    never    to 


trust 


any 


thing  to  memory,    but    con- 


stantly to  sketch  and  mark  memoran- 
dums with  method,  and  regularly  in  tra- 
velling the  road,  and  from  time  to  time, 


REC 


(     721     ) 


REC 


Wt  stated  distances,  to  collect,  digest,  en- 
large, and  vary  these  memorandums  and 
sketches  before  quitting  the  ground,  so 
that  every  thing  may  he  as  correct,  ex- 
plicit, and  expressive  as  possible.  Great 
and  many  are  the  inconveniences  that 
continually  arise  from  not  duly  attend- 
ing to  this  precaution,  and  trusting  too 
much  to  one's  own  memory ;  which 
should  therefore  be  avoided. 

Sixth,  At  first  setting  out,  if  possible, 
to  measure  a  long  base,  and  intersect 
the  most  convenient  objects,  and,  as  fre- 
quently as  the  nature  of  the  ground  will 
permit,  to  make  proper  measurements 
and  cheques  to  the  series  of  triangles  in 
their  proper  position. 

In  an  inclosed  country,  the  only  exact 
and  useful  method  to  lay  down  such,  is 
to  trace  the  roads  with  the  greatest 
exactness  and  accuracy;  always  remem- 
bering, that  in  military  maps,  nothing 
should  ever  be  represented  at  guess  or 
random  ;  and  that  the  space  of  one 
quarter  of  a  mile  truly  laid  down,  is  far 
more  useful,  than  an  imperfect  and  loose 
representation  of  an  entire  country. 

Seventh,  When  ordered  to  survey  a 
ground  for  an  encampment,  the  survey 
should  at  least  contain  three  miles  dia- 
meter; in  which  ought  to  be  expressed, 
with  the  greatest  minuteness,  every  par- 
ticular above-mentioned,  the  advantages 
and  disadvantages  of  water;  if  easy  to 
be  come  at,  if  plenty  and  good,  in  rivers, 
rivulets,  springs,  and  ponds  of  water;  if 
elear  and  soft,  or  muddy  or  hard. 

Eighth,  To  be  particularly  attentive 
to  the  produce  of  each  part  of  a  coun- 
try, and  how  inhabited;  if  abounding 
in  grass  or  hay,  or  only  for  pasture;  if 
chiefly  in  corn,  and  what  quantities  of 
hay  and  straw  are  generally  thought  to 
be  in  the  country;  of  all  which  particu- 
lars you  may  be  easily  informed  after 
some  acquaintance  with  a  judicious 
countryman. 

Ninth,  Every  representation  must  be 
laid  down  to  a  particular  fixed  scale: 
when  it  is  necessary  to  represent  a  spot 
ot  ground  proper  for  an  encampment 
or  any  particular  manoeuvre  for  the 
troops,  the  best  scale  is  one  of  500  yard* 
to  an  inch,  which  is  sufficient  to  shew 
every  part  in  its  just  proportion,  and  to 
express  distinctly  the  nature  of  the  sur- 
face. 

General  sketches  of  a  country  may 
be  laid  down  to  a  scale  of  two  inches 
.to    a   mile ;   and   when    the  sketch    is 


finished,  the  miles  must  be  constantly 
marked  along  the  roads  with  red  figures. 

We  cannot  quit  this  important  article 
without  endeavouring  to  impress  upon 
the  mind  and  understanding  of  every 
officer  in  the  British  service,  from  the 
commander  in  chief  of  an  army,  to  the 
head  of  a  detached  party,  the  necessity 
or  taking  the  most  minute  information, 
respecting  the  state  and  condition  of  an 
enemy,  before  he  is  marched  against  or 
attacked.  The  act  of  reconnoitring  re- 
quires not  only  great  presence  of  mind, 
a  knowledge  of  ground,  and  an  accurate 
combination  of  circumstances,  but  also 
a  daring  and  unshaken  soul. — Previous 
to  the  assault  of  a  place,  it  is,  above  all, 
indispensably  necessary,  that  the  different 
parts  of  its  fortifications  should  be  scru- 
pulously examined.  The  depth  of  its 
ditches,  and  the  height  of  its  walls,  must 
be  ascertained;  for  although  a  breach 
may  have  been  effected,  it  does  not 
therefore  follow  that  the  assault  is  prac- 
ticable. Had  these  particulars  been  at- 
tended to  in  India,  we  should  not  have 
had  to  lament  the  untimely  fate  of  so 
many  brave  and  gallant  countrymen,  who 
fell  before  Bhurtpore;  nor  should  we  have 
to  lament  the  melancholy  issue  of  our 
attack  upon  Walcheren,  had  an  extended 
system  of  reconnoitring  been  adopted. 
It  is  not  our  province  to  enter  at  large 
into  the  operations  of  our  generals;  but 
it  is  certainly  our  duty  to  point  out,  to 
the  best  of  our  ability,  the  means  which 
can  be  adopted  to  forward  the  business 
of  war,  at  the  least  expense  of  human 
blood  and  industry. 

RECONQUER,  (reconquer ir,  Fr.)  to 
regain  ;  to  retake  by  force  of  arms. 

RECON  QUEST,  (  reconquete,  Fr.  ) 
any  thing  regained  by  force;  hence  pays 
reconquis,  a  reconquered  country. 

RECOUPEMENT,  Fr.  a  large  recess 
made  in  a  wall  or  building. 

RECOUPES,  Fr.  shards  ;  waste  or 
rubble  of  stones. 

Poudre  de  Recoupes,  Fr.  pounded 
rubble  which  is  mixed  with  mortar  to 
resemble  the  stone. 

To  RECOVER  arms,  a  position  of 
the  firelock  when  the  piece  is  held  with 
the  lock  equal  to  the  left  shoulder,  and 
the  sling  to  the  front.  The  steadiness 
of  soldiers  is  frequently  proved  by  bring- 
ing them  to  the  recover,  after  the  word 
present. 

To  bring  to  the  Recover.  See  .Re* 
cover  Arms. 


II  E  C 


(    724    ) 


BEC 


RECOUSSE,  Fr.  rescue;  help.  The 
French  make  use  of  this  expressiou, 
when  soldiers,  contrary  to  haw  and  the 
rules  ot"  war,  have  seized  upon  the  cat- 
tle, grain,  &c.  and  are  carrying  their 
booty  away  ;  in  which  case,  an  alarm  is 
given,  and  the  civil  powers  dispatch  per- 
sons after  the  plunderers  to  rescue  the 
property  which  has  been  thus  taken  by 
■violence.  The  party  sent  on  this  busi- 
ness is  said  to  be  gone  a  la  recousse. — 
Hence  aller  a  la  recousse,  to  go  out  for 
the  express  purpose  of  rescuing  stolen 
goods  out  of  the  hands  of  the  ma- 
rauders. 

Droit  de  Recousse,  Fr.  a  right  which 
is  vested  in  every  individual,  to  rescue 
or  get  back  what  has  been  unjustly  taken 
from  him. 

RECOUVREMENT,  Fr.  a  sort  of 
hem  or  border  which  is  made  to  a  fork 
in  order  to  fit  it  to  something  else. 

RECRUITING,  a  term  prefixed  to 
certain  corps  and  districts,  which  are 
specifically  established  for  the  recruiting 
service. 

The  Recruiting  corps,  professedly 
so  called,  and  having  place  in  the  Army 
List,  consisted  of  Ogle's,  Loft's,  Brad- 
ikaw's,  Nugcnt's,  Sir  Vere  Hunt's,  Mac- 
donald's,  and  Armstrong's.  There  for- 
merly were  several  others  during  the 
Course  of  the  late  war,  viz.  the  Hon. 
George  Hanger's,  Steele's,  French's  lew, 
&c. 

Recruiting  Districts.  These  wpre 
established  in  1802,  and  consist  of 
eighteen  divisions,  whose  head-quarters 
are  at  specified  towns  and  places  in 
Great  Britain.  The  object  is  to  pro- 
duce an  uniform  system  for  the  better 
recruiting  of  his  Majesty's  forces  in 
(rreat  Britain  and  Ireland. 

An  inspecting  field  officer  is  stationed 
ju  each  district  for  the  purpose  of  com- 
manding them. 

These  inspecting  field-officers  are  au- 
thorised to  give  an  intermediate  approval 
of  the  recruits\vhom  they  may  judge  fit 
for  service,  except  in  cases  where  regi- 
ments are  so  quartered  as  to  render  it, 
in  point  of  distance,  equally  convenient 
for  the  recruits  to  be  sent  at  once  to  the 
head-quarters  of  the  regiment  to  which 
they  belong,  for  final  approval,  and  spe- 
cial authority  shall  have  been  given  for 
that  purpose. 


cruit,  together  with  a  surgeon,  for  that 
of  examining  his  state  of  health,  ccc. 

RECRUITS,  (recrucs,  Fr.)  men  raised 
for  military  purposes  on  the  first  forma- 
tion of  a  corps,  or  to  supply  the  places 
of  such  as  are  disabled,  or  have  lost  their 
lives  in  the  service. 

The  recruits  made  for  the  regular 
army  of  this  country  are  generally  en- 
listed for  life. 

l\Ef  ru it- horses  are  the  horse* 
brought  up  for  completing  the  regiment* 
of  horse  and  dragoons,  &c. 

RECRUTER,   Fr.  to  recruit. 

RECUUTEUR,  Fr.  a  person  dulji 
authorized  to  enlist  men.  This  word  is 
used  in  contradistinction  to  racoleur,  a, 
crimp,  which  see. 

RECTANGLE,       )  „ 

RECTANGULAR,  S         ANCLE- 

RECTILIGNE,  Fr. 
right-lined. 

RECTILINEAR,    )  after  the  man- 


reclilinear,    or 


»} 


RECTIL1NEOUS,  $  ner,  or  consist- 
ing of.  right  lines.  This  term  is  applied 
to  figures  whose  perimeter  consists  of 
right  lines. 

KECUIT,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  foundries  of  artillery,  signifying 
the  mating  or  hardening  of  a  caution- 
mould. 

RECUL  du  canun,  Fr.  the  recoil  of 
a  piece  of  ordnance.     See  Recoil. 

RECULADE,  Fr.  the  act  of  recoil- 
ing, or  falling  back. 

KECULER,  Fr.  to  fail  back.  Thi» 
expression  is  used  by  the  French  in  a 
figurative  sense,  viz. 

Riculer  pour  mieux  sauter,  Fr.  to 
fall  hack  or  retreat,  in  order  to  return 
and  advance  with  more  energy. 

Reculsb  les  bornes  d'un  pays,  Fr.  a 
figurative  phrase,  signifying  to  enlarge  or 
extend  the.  boundaries  of  a  country. 

Reculer.  Fr.  to  give  way;  to  yield. 
The  French  say  of  a  brave  man,  who 
has  often  faced  the  enemy,  and  stood 
his  groundy-7/  n'a  jamais  recult,  he  has 
never  given  wav.  On  ne  I'u  jamais  vu 
reader,  nu  one  has  ever  seen  him  giv# 
wav. 

'A  RECULONS,  Fr.  backward.— 
Hence  travailler  a  reculons,  to  work  or 
gel  on  by  going  backward,  as  rope-ma- 
kers do. 

RECUSANTS,  a  name  generally 
given   to  such  persons  as  dissent  from 


An   adjutant  is  attached  to  each  in-   the  Established  Church.     Of    this   de- 


spectmg  field-officer,  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  the  height,  &c.  of  each  re- 


scription  are  Roman  Catholics,  vulgarly 
called    Papists;    Presbyterians,    com- 


RED 


(     723    ) 


RED 


monly  called  Round-heads;  Methodists, 
generally  styled  Field-preachers;  Ana- 
baptists, Quakers,  &c.  &c.  These  per- 
sons, if  English  or  Scotch,  cannot  hold 
a  situation  above  that  of  a  troop  or 
company,  in  the  British  army,  foreigners 
may. 

REDANS,  in  field  fortification,  are 
indented  works,  lines,  or  faces,  forming 
sallying  and  re-entering  angles,  flanking 
one  another;  generally  constructed  on 
the  sides  of  a  river  which  runs  through 
a  garrison  town.  They  were  used  before 
bastions  were  invented,  and  are  by  some 
thought  preferable  to  them.  They  are 
likewise  called  ouvruges  a  scie,  from 
their  resemblance  to  a  saw. 

RED-COAT,  a  familiar  term  for  a 
British  soldier. 

REDDITION  d'une  place,  Fr.  the 
surrender  of  a  besieged  place. 

RED  Hot  Shot,  (boulets  rouges,  Fr.) 
shot  made  red  hot,  and  in  that  state 
thrown  out  of  cannon,  against  the  ves- 
sels or  magazines  of  an  enemy. 

REDENTS,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
to  express  the  several  projections  which, 
in  the  building  of  a  wall  upon  a  sloping 
ground,  are  made  towards  the  recess, iu 
order  to  keep  it  upon  a  level  by  inter- 
mediate spaces;  also,  in  foundations, 
the  different  recesses  which  are  caused 
by  the  unevenness  or  inequality  of  the 
ground,  or  by  a  steep  declivity. 

Redents  also  signify  the  teeth  or  in- 
dentures of  any  machine  or  instrument 
that  enter  into  one  another. 

REDIGER,  Fr.  to  draw  out. 

Redjger  des  memoires,  Fr.  to  draw 
out  memorials. 

REDINGOTE,  Fr.  a  corruption  of 
the  English  word  riding-cuut,  which  is 
familiarly  used  among  the  French;  lite- 
rally, a  great  coat.    , 

REDINTEGRATION,  the  act  of 
restoring  any  single  substance,  horn  a 
damaged  mixed  body,  to  its  former 
nature  and  properties.  Thus  General 
Congreve,  of  the  Royal  Artillery,  by  the 
redintegration  of  nitre  from  damaged 
gunpowder,  has  effected  a  vast  saving  to 
government  in  that  article. 

REDOUBT,  (redout,,  Fr.)  in   forti- 


rapet  and  ditch.  Both  the  one  and  the 
other  serve  for  detached  guards  to  in- 
terrupt the  enemy's  works;  and  are 
sometimes  made  on  the  angles  of  the 
trenches  for  covering  the  workmen 
against  the  sallies  of  the  garrison.  The 
length  of  their  sides  may  be  about  20 
toises :  their  parapets  must  have  two 
or  three  banquettes,  and  be  about  nine 
or  ten  feet  thick.  They  are  sometimes 
(in  a  siege)  called  places  of  arms. 

Redoubt  is  also  the  name  of  a  small 
work  made  in  a  ravelin,  of  various 
forms.     See  Fortification. 

Redoubt,  castle  or  donjon,  a  place 
more  particularly  intrenched,  and  sepa- 
rated from  the  rest  by  a  ditch.  There 
is  generally  in  each  of  them  a  high 
tower,  whence  the  country  round  the 
place  may  be  discovered. 

Detached  Redoubt  is  a  work  made 
at  some  distance  from  the  covert-way, 
much  in  the  same  manner  as  a  ravelin 
with  flanks.     See  Arrow. 

Field  Redoubt,  a  temporary  defence 
or  fortification,  which  is  thrown  up  in  a 
war  of  posts,  or  under  sudden  emer- 
gencies. Field  redoubts  are  highly  use- 
ful. By  them  Peter  the  Great,  of  Rus- 
sia, gained  the  battle  of  Pultowa,  which 
was  fought  on  the  8th  of  July,  1709. 

REDOUTER,  Fr.  to  be  alarmed  at. 
Redouter  les  armes  iCun  ennemi,  to  be 
alarmed  at  the  strength  of  an  enemy. 

REDOUTES  en  crimaillire  differ 
from  all  the  rest,  because  the  inside  line 
of  the  parapet  is  broken  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  resemble  a  pot-hook,  or  the 
teeth  of  a  saw ;  whereby  this  advantage 
is  gained,  that  a  greater  fire  can  he 
brought  to  bear  upon  the  defile,  than  if 
only  a  simple  face  was  opposed  to  it, 
and  consequently  the  passage  is  rendered 
more  difficult. 

Redoutes  de  terre,  Fr.  redoubts  that 
are  hastily  thrown  up,  and  are  made 
with  earth,  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
entrenchments,  cireumvallations,  pas- 
sage of  rivers,  ike. 

R  BOOUTIS  de  moronnerie,  Yv.  redoubts 
made  of  mason-work.  These  are  gene- 
rally constructed  in  places  where  an 
enemy    liiinht    derive    advantage    from 


fication,  a  square   work   raised   without .1  establishing  himself;  they  are  likewise 


the  glacis  of  tlie  place,  about  nutsket- 
shot  from  the  town;  having  loop-holts 
for  the  small  arms  to  fire  through,  and 
being  surrounded  by  a  ditch.  Some- 
times they  are  of  earth,  having  only  ■ 
defence  in  front,  encompassed  by  a  ua- 


I'uilt  upon   the   salient  angles  of    the 


glacis. 


Redoutes  casematces,  Fr.  casemared 

redoubts.     These  aie  arched  over  aud 

lire  bomb  proof.    Those  constructed  for 

the  defence  of  Gibraltar,   aud  for  the 

4Z3 


RED 


(     724     ) 


R  E  D 


security  of  Dover  Castle,  are  of  this 
iK  scription. 

Redoutes  a  machicoulis,  Fr.  redoubts 
made  of  brick  or  stone-work,  which  are 
several  stories  high.  The  highest  storv 
juts  out  about  one  foot  beyond  the  wall 
that  surrounds,  or  fronts,  the  redoubt. 

REDRESSER,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  to  recover.  To  make  straight 
again,  viz. 

Redressez   vos  amies!    Fr.    Recover 


arm* 


Redressez  la  ligne!  Fr.  redress  or  re- 
form the  line. 

Redresser  les  torts,  Fr.  In  the  days 
of  ancient  chivalry,  this  expression 
signified  to  redress  the  wrongs  of  the 
oppressed.  The  knights,  on  these  oc- 
casions, underwent  the  greatest  hard- 
ships and  faced  the  most  imminent 
dangers. 

To  REDRILL,  to  drill  again.  To 
put  a  soldier  through  the  first  elements 
of  military  training. 

To  REDUCE,  to  make  a  thing  less 
than  it  was;  as,  to  reduce  a  regiment, 
leaving  the  officers  on  half-pay. 

To  Reduce  a  place  is  to  oblige  the 
governor  to  surrender  it  to  the  besiegers, 
by  capitulation. 

To  Reduce  the  circle,  to  restore  or 
bring  back  a  battalion  or  company, 
which  has  been  formed  in  circle,  to  its 
original  position  in  line. 

To  Reduce  the  square,  to  restore  or 
bring  back  a  battalion  or  battalions, 
which  have  been  formed  in  a  hollow  or 
oblong  square,  to  their  natural  situation 
in  line  or  column.  'In  Part  IV.  of  In- 
fantry Regulations,  Seer.  189,  the  fol- 
lowing method  is  hud  down,  whereby  the 
square  is  to  be  reduced.  On  the  word. 
Form  close  column,  the  hies  that  faced 
outwards  will  come  to  their  proper 
front,  and  the  files  that  moved  into  the 
intervals  will  face  about.  At  the  word 
Quick  JMurch,  the  grenadiers  take  one 
pace  forward,  and  the  two  rear  com- 
panies take  one  and  two  paces  forward, 
and  then  face  about ;  the  files  from  the 
intervals  take  their  proper  places;  offi- 
cers, Serjeants,  &c.  will  quit  the  inte- 
rior, move  to  their  several  stations,  and 
the  companies  that  composed  the  flank 
faces  will  be  completed;  the  companies 
will  close  inwards  by  sub-divisions  one 
pace. 

To  be  REDUCED,  in  a  military 
sense,  to  be  taken  off  the  establishment, 
to  cease  to  receive  pay  as  soldiers. — 


When  a  regiment  is  reduced,  the  offi- 
cers are  generally  put  upon  half-pay. — i 
Sometimes  the  corps  are  reduced,  and 
the  officers  remain  upon  full  pay.  This 
happens  at  the  close  of  a  war,  when  the 
standing  army  of  the  country  is  confined 
to  a  certain  number  of  battalions. — 
Hence  is  derived  the  expression  in  and 
out  of  the  break.  In  the  break  is  the 
liability  of  being  reduced;  out  of  the 
break  is  the  certainty  of  being  kept 
upon  the  establishment. 

To  be  Reduced  to  the  ra?iks,  to  be 
taken  from  a  superior  appointment  in  a 
regiment,  and  to  be  ordered  to  the  duty 
of  a  common  soldier.  This  sometimes 
happens  by  ways  of  punishment,  when 
a  serjeant  or  corporal  misbehaves  him- 
self. A  serjeant,  however,  cannot  at  pre- 
sent be  reduced,  except  by  the  sentence 
of  a  regimental  court-martial.  For- 
merly this  necessary  class  of  men  was 
at  the  mercy  of  every  flippant  officer 
that  happened  to  have  the  command  of 
a  company,  without  the  knowledge  or- 
abilities  to  manage  its  interior  economy. 
The  army  is  indebted  to  the  late  Mar- 
quis Town  send,  for  his  manly  exertions 
in  favour  of  non-commissioned  officers. 
According  to  the  Regulations,  printed 
officially,  April  9th,  1800,  if  a  serjeant 
be  reduced  to  the  ranks,  his  clothing  is 
to  be  given  in  for  the  use  of  his  succes- 
sor; and  he  himself  is  to  receive  pri- 
vate's clothing,  equally  worn  (or  as 
nearly  as  may  be)  with  the  clothing  he" 
has  i:iven  in. 

REDUCT.     See  Redoubt. 

Redict,  in  building,  a  quirk  or  little 
place  taken  out  of  a  larger,  to  make  it 
more  uniform  and  regular;  or  for  some 
conveniences,  as  for  small  cabinets  on 
the  sides  of  chimnies,  alcoves,  &c. 

REDUCTION  des  troupes,  Fr.  a  re- 
duction of  the  armed  force  of  a  country. 
We  make  use  of  the  same  term. 

REDUCTION,  in  arithmetic,  is  the 
converting  monies,  weights  and  measures 
into  the  same  value  in  other  denomi- 
nations, as  pounds  into  shillings  and 
pence,  fvc. 

REDUIRE,  Fr.  in  drawing,  to  copy, 
to  reduce  a  plan  or  picture.  This  ope- 
ration differs  from  that  of  chalking  out. 
The  French  use  the  expression  in  various 
senses,  viz. 

Rediire  en  grand,  Fr.  to  copy  an 
original  drawing  by  giving  it  larger  di- 
mensions. 

Reuuire  en  petit,   Fr.   to  copy  as 


R  E  F 


(     725     ) 


REF 


original  drawing  by  giving  it  smaller  di- 
mensions, which  is,  literally,  to  reduce  it. 

RfeDUiRE  un  plan  au  petit  pied,  Fr. 
to  make  a  copy  of  a  drawing,  in  which 
every  part  is  faithfully  represented,  though 
on  a  small  scale. 

Reduire  un  butaillon,  Fr.  to  reduce 
a  battalion,  or  to  diminish  its  quota  of 
men. 

Reduire  en  poudre,  Ft.  to  reduce  to 
ashes,. 

REDUIT,  Fr.  literally  means  a  nook, 
or  bye-place ;  in  a  military  sense,  it  sig- 
nifies a  sort  of  citadel,  which  is  extremely 
inconvenient  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town,  because  it  takes  up  more  ground 
than  those  that  are  regularly  built,  and 
is,  at  the  same  time,  uncomfortable  to 
the  troops,  because  they  must  be  very 
much  crowded.  This  word  is  explained 
by  an  English  lexicographer,  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner :  Redact  or  Reduit,  an 
advantageous  piece  of  ground,  intrenched 
and  separated  from  the  rest  of  the  place, 
camp,  &c.  for  an  army,  garrison,  &c. 
to  retire  to  in  case  of  surprize.  Reduits 
are  sometimes  made  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  different  posts  in  a  town  inde- 
pendent of  its  citadel.  These  have  been 
proposed  by  the  celebrated  Vauban. 

Reduit,  in  architecture,  a  recess. 

REED,  an  arrow ;  also  a  musical  in- 
strument which  has  lately  been  intro- 
duced into  this  country,  and  is  used  in 
some  military  bands. 

REEDIFIER,  Fr.  to  rebuild. 

RE-ENTERING  angle,  in  fortifica- 
tion, is  that  which  turns  its  point  towards 
the  center  of  the  place.  See  Fortifi- 
cation. 

RE-EVACUATION,  (ri-ivacuation, 
Fr.)  the  act  of  evacuating  a  place  more 
than  once.  As  the  re-evacuation  of 
Bilboa,  in  Spain,  by  the  French  army, 
in  1803. 

REFAIT.  Bois  refait  et  remis  a 
Vequerre,  an  expression  used  among 
French  carpenters,  and  by  tlie  artificers 
belonging  to  the  train,  to  signify  any 
piece  of  wood  which  has  been  planed, 
and  made  perfectly  square  and  level. — 
The  ingenious  compiler  of  the  Diction- 
nuire  Mi/itaire  has  observed,  under  this 
term,  that  although  this,  as  well  as 
many  other  words,  which  have  been 
inserted,  cannot  strictly  be  called  mi- 
litary, yet  they  are  not  to  be  deemed 
entirely  superfluous,  when  it  is  consi- 
dered, that  wood  is  necessarily  used  in 
the  artillery,  &c.     We  must  offer  the 


same  apology  for  having  given  place  to 
manv  expressions  and  words  which  may 
not  be  thought  rigorously  technical  in 
military  matters. 

REFEND,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a 
partition  wall,  vu.  Mur  de  Refend. 

REFENDRE,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to 
cut  up  large  pieces  of  wood  with  a  saw, 
in  order  to  mate  rafters,  &c. 

Refexdre,  Fr.  among  locksmiths,  to 
shorten  a  piece  of  red  hot  iron,  with  th» 
trenching  knife  and  mallet. 

Ti-efekdre,  Fr.  among  masons,  to 
split  or  divide  slate  into  thin  sheets,  be- 
fore it  is  made  square  or  even. 

Refendre,  Fr.  among  paviors,  to 
divide  large  stones  into  two  pieces,  in 
order  to  pave  courts,  stables,  &c.  with 
the  split  pieces. 

REFEREE,  (reftre,  Fr.)  a  person 
referred  to.  Every  candidate  for  a  vacant 
regimental  paymastership  in  the  British 
service,  must  have  four  referees  from 
whom  the  War-office  obtains  the  neces- 
sary information  respecting  the  responsi- 
bility of  himself  and  his  sureties. 

REFLUX,  Fr.  the  ebb  tide. 

REFONDRE,  Fr.  to  put  damaged 
pieces  of  ordnance  in  the  foundry,  for 
the  purpose  of  rnelting  them  dovvs  ;  to 
new  cast. 

REFONTE,  Fr.  the  melting  down 
again  or  new  casting. 

To  REFORM,  (reformer,  Fr.)  ge- 
nerally speaking,  (in  military  affairs,)  is 
to  reduce  a  body  of  men,  either  by  dis- 
banding the  whole,  or  only  breaking  a 
part  and  retaining  the  rest. 

REFORM,  (rtforme,  Fr.)  reforming, 
reformation  ;  reduction  ;  a  disbanding 
some  part  of  an  army. 

To  Reform,  in  a  military  sense,  is, 
after  some  manoeuvre  or  evolution,  to 
bring  a  line  to  its  natural  order,  by 
aligning  it  on  some  given  point.  Thi* 
frequently  occurs  in  the  passage  of  lines, 
&c.  viz.  when  a  line  of  several  battalions 
has  passed  another  that  remains  posted, 
by  retreating  through  by  tiles,  it  may  be 
reformed  in  the  following  manner : 

To  Reform  by  a  flank  battalion,  on 
a  central  battalion,  in  un  oblique  position. 

When  by  a  flank  battalion,  the  line 
that  has  passed  is  fronted  in  column, 
and  the  several  pivots  are  dressed  cor- 
rectly before  wheeling  up  into  line.  To 
effect  this,  the  commander  of  the  head 
battalion  will  instantly  place  the  pivots 
of  his  three  first  platoons  in  a  true  di- 
rectionj  and  order  the  officers  of  his  othct 


R  E  t 


(     ?2<J     ) 


REF 


platoons  to  line  on  them  ;  himself  re- 
uiaining  witk  the  head  placed  at  the 
fmini  d'appui  will  see  that  this  is  *or- 
rectlj  done.  The  first  battalion  thus 
steadied  will  become  a  -utl"ici«  sit  direc- 
tion for  the  second,  ajid  every  other 
one,  to  prolong  it  by  their  adjutants; 
and  this  operation,  though  succc^m 
from  platoon  to  platoon,  and  from  bat- 
talion to  battalion,  may  be  performed 
quickly  and  correctly;  if  the  adjutant? 
are  timeously  detached,  and  if  the  head 
of  the  column  is  quickly  arranged. 

To  Ri.iokm  a  first  line  on  a  central 
battalion. 

In  order  to  give  ttie  alignment  from 
a  central  battalion,  after  halting  and 
fronting,  the  platoon  pivots  of  the  given 
battalion  are,  from  its  head,  to  be  ac- 
curately lined  by  its  commander  in  the 
true  direction.  This  battalion  being 
placed,  from  which  distances  and  dress- 
ings are  taken,  the  others  will  instantly 
proceed  to  line  their  pivot  flanks  upon 
it :  those  that  are  behind  it  will  readily 
do  this;  those  that  are  before  it  will 
find  more  difficulty,  as  they  must  take 
their  distances  froaa  t lie  rear; — to  faci- 
litate this  necessary  object,  their  platoon 
officers  will  fare  to  the  directing  bat- 
talion, and  will  then  successively  take 
their  distances  and  covering  from  their 
then  front;  as  soon  as  each  has  ac- 
quired his  true  portion,  he  will  face 
about,  and  make  his  platoon  join  to  and 
dress  to  him.  The  line  will  then  be 
ready  to  form,  by  wheeling  up  to  the 
pivot  flank. 

To  Reform  c  first  line, — that  has 
passed  through  a  second  uhich  remains 
posted, — in  an  oblique  position. 

When  it  is  found  necessary  that  the 
passing  battalions,  which  constitute  the 
first  line,  should  take  a  new  position  not 
parallel  to  die  second,  or  to  their  own 
original  formation,  the  commander  with 
his  two  leading  platoons  will  first  enter 
it  (i.  e.  the  new  position)  and  direct  the 
others  to  regulate  their  Hanks  by  them  ; 
and  if  several  battalions  are  passing  the 
6econd  line,  the  new  alignment  is  thus 
made  easier  for  them. 

It  frequently  happens,  that  a  height 
in  the  rear  is  to  be  crowned  by  a  retiring 
line.  In  this  case,  each  officer  must  not 
dress  exactly  to  the  platoou  that  pre- 
cedes him,  but  in  joining  it  he  must  halt, 
and  arrange  his  own  in  such  a  manner, 
that  the  slope  of  the  rising  or  ascent  can 
%e  tuUrtly  ieeu  aud coiunianded,  which 


is  here  the  great  object,  and  would  not 
be  attained,  if  the  troops  were  to  adhcra 
to  a  straight  line. 

To  Reform,  (reformer,  Fr.)  is  like- 
wise to  reduce  a  OMM  of  men,  by  either 
disbanding  the  whole  or  only  breaking 
a  part,  and  retaining  the  rest :  or  some- 
times by  incorporating  them  with  other 
regiments. 

IM'JORMADO,  or  Reformed.  Re- 
duced or  disbanded  officers  were  for- 
merly so  called,  and  they  sometimes 
carried  arms  as  privates,  till  they  could 
be  re-instated.  Sir  James  Turner  says, 
they  were  in  some  places  permitted  to 
be  without  arms. 

RE  FORME,  Fr.  the  reduction  of  an 
armed  establishment,  such  as  is  gene- 
rally made  at  the  proclamation  of  peace. 

Oli'rier  Reiorme,  Fr.  an  officer  put 
upon  half-pay  ;  or  seconded  according  to 
ihe  regulations  of  the  old  French  service. 

REFORMED  Officer,  one  whose 
troop  or  company  being  broke,  is  con- 
tinued on  full,  or  half-pay.  He  pre- 
serves the  right  of  seniority,  and  conti- 
nues in  the  way  of  preferment,  by  brevet. 

RF.FOULEU,  Fr.  to  ram  down. 

RFTOUEOIR,  Fr.    See  Rammer. 

REFRACTION,  in  mechanics,  in 
general  is  the  incurvation  or  change  of 
determination  in  the  body  moved,  which 
occurs  while  it  euters  or  penetrates  any 
medium. 

REFUGEE,  (rifugu,  Fr.)  See  Emi- 
grant. 

REFUITE,  Fr.  This  is  said  of  a  mor- 
tise that  has  too  much  depth;  also  of 
a  hole  which  is  too  large  for  the  inser- 
tion of  a  piece  of  wood. 

REITS,  Fr.  This  is  said  of  a  stake 
or  pile  which  is  driven  in  as  far  as  it  can 
be  bv  main  strength,  or  by  the  force  of 
the  rammer,  and  when  the  top  must  bo 
cut  off.     Hence 

Enfoucc  au  Refvs  du  moutou ;  driven 
in  so  deep  that  the  rammer  will  drive  it 
no  deeper. 

REFUSE,  n  military  phrase,  signify- 
ing to  throw  back,  or  to  keep  out  of 
that  regular  alignment  which  is  formed 
when  troops  are  upon  the  point  oi  en- 
gaging an  euemy.  This  often  occurs  iu 
order  to  occupy  a  particular  position; 
to  prevent  the  enemy's  designs  on  any 
particular  pint  of  a  line,  or  at  1<  ast  to 
make  him  take  a  greater  detour  to  ef- 
fect his  purpose;  or  that  he  may  be 
obliged  to  aligne  his  own  ou  a  height 
whicu  is>  occupied,  tuid  horn  which  he 


R  E  F 


(    737    ) 


R  E  G 


jmay  be  flanked.  When  a  first  line  has 
passed  through  a  second,  and  it  is  found 
necessary  to  refuse  a  wing,  the  several 
platoons  of  that  line  must  pass  according 
to  the  wing  which  is  to  be  refused.  If 
the  left,  for  instance,  is  to  be  posted, 
and  the  right  to  be  refused,  the  platoons 
.may  pass  from  their  left;  the  column 
will  thereby  have  its  left  in  front,  will 
be  more  readily  directed  on  the  point  of 
appui,  and  the  preservation  of  distances 
will  be  facilitated,  as  they  will  then  be 
taken  from  the  front.  If  the  right  is  to 
be  posted,  the  platoons  may  pass  from 
their  right. 

It  may  happen,  where  the  passing 
line  is  to  post  one  flank  and  refuse  the 
pther,  that  the  officers  will  have  their 
distances  to  take  from  behind ;  the  ori- 
ginal remedy  for  this  inconvenience  has 
been  shewn  (page  346,  Part  IV.)  ;  ano- 
ther also  may  be  applied,  which  is  to 
halt  the  whole,  at  any  time  after  passing, 
and  to  countermarch  each  platoon, 
which  will  then  cause  the  future  forma- 
tion to  be  taken  from  the  front  of  the 
column. 

A  retiring  line  may  also  infuse,  a  wing, 
by  forming  in  line  very  soon  after  pass- 
ing, and  then  taking  up  an  oblique  po- 
sition to  the  rear,  by  the  echellon  march, 
or  some  other  of  the  modes  already  pre- 
scribed. See  Rules  and  Regulations, 
from  page  357  to  page  360,  Part  IV. 
See  also  pages  287  and  297  of  Saldern's 
Elements  of  Tactics,  translated  by  J. 
Landmann. 

Frederic,  simiamed  the  Great,  king 
of  Prussia,  who  had  attentively  studied 
the  tactics  of  the  ancients,  first  adopted 
the  method  of  refusing  a  wing  in  the 
forming  of  an  attack.  This  method  has 
been  since  successfully  followed  by  the 
best  modern  generals.  It  answers  to  a 
partial  reserve  of  a  force  which  is  always 
ready  at  command ;  and  in  point  of  se- 
curity, it  is  the  reverse  of  what  the 
French  mean  by  prefer  une  aile,  to  ex- 
pose a  wing,  or  post  it  in  a  precarious 
manner.  The  French,  during  the  whole 
of  the  action  which  was  fought  in  Egypt, 
on  the  21st  of  March  1301,  refused  their 
right  wing.  Notwithstanding  this  precau- 
tion, they  were  defeated  by  the  British. 
REFUSER,  Fr.  For  its  application 
in  a  military  sense,  see  To  Refuse. 

Refuser,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
among  the  French  as  a  sea-phrase,  viz. 
le  misteau  a  re/me,  the  ship  has  missed 
the  wind. 


REGAIN,  Fr.  in  carpentry  and  ma* 
sonry,  means  die  surplus  of  a  piece  of 
stone  or  wood  when  it  proves  too  broad 
or  too  long  for  any  particular  use,  and 
must  of  course  be  taken  oft".  It  like- 
wise signifies  after-grass  or  math. 

REGALER,  ou  aplanir,  Fr.  in  archi- 
tecture, to  level,  to  lay  or  make  even. 

REGALEURS,  Fr.  persons  employ- 
ed in  levelling  ground. 

REGARD,  in  old  times  an  addi- 
tional douceur  which  was  paid  to  the 
troops  over  and  above  their  daily  sti- 
pend. This  was  a  kind  of  perquisite  to 
the  commanding  officer,  or  chief  con- 
tractor with  the  Crown,  for  every  bodj 
of  men,  to  enable  them  to  keep  a  table 
for  their  officers,  and  to  provide  for 
the  different  contingent  expenses  :  the 
amount  differed  according  to  the  nature 
of  the  service  or  country  in  which  the 
troops  were  to  be  employed.  These 
Regards  were  sometimes 
and  often  doubled. 

REGATTA,  (regate,  Fr.)  a  rowing- 
match  ;  a  procession  by  water.  This 
word  is  taken  from  the  Italian,  signify- 
ing a  species  of  water  tournament,  or 
exliibition,  which  took  place  on  the  grand 
canal  at  Venice.  The  conqueror,  on 
these  occasions,  received  a  prize  from 
the  senate. 

REGENCY,  (regence,  Fr.)  the  go- 
vernment of  a  state  or  kingdom,  during 
the  minority  or  absence  of  a  prince,  bj 
one  or  more  subjects;  also  a  post  of 
dignity  with  which  one  or  more  per- 
sons are  invested  under  visitations  of 
disease  or  incapacity  in  the  lawful  sove- 
reign. 

Regency  also  means  certain  persons 
who  are  at  the  head  of  different  states 
in  Europe. 

switch. 

government,    adminis* 


augmented,, 


REGET,  Fr. 

REGIE,  Fr. 
tration. 

REGIMENT,  (regiment,  Fr.)  a  terra 
applied  to  any  body  of  troops,  which, 
if  cavalry,  consists  of  one  or  more  squa- 
drons, commanJed  by  z  colonel:  and, 
if  infantry,  of  one  or  more  battalions, 
each  commanded  in  the  same  manner. 
The  squadror-s  in  cavalry  regiments  are 
divided,  sometimes  into  six,  and  some- 
times into  nine  troops.  The  battalions 
of  British  infantry  are  generally  divided 
into  ten  companies,  two  of  which  are 
called  the  flanks ;  one  on  the  right  con- 
sisting of  grenadiers,  and  another  on  the 
left  formed  of  light  troops.    There  is 


REG 


(     7™     ) 


REG 


not,  however,  any  established  rule  on 
this  head  :  as  both  cavalry  and  infant  rv 
regimen^  differ  according  to  the  exi- 
gencies of  service  in  time  of  war,  or  the 
principles  of  economy  in  time  of  peace. 
We  are  humbly  of  opinion,  that  every 
regiment  of  foot  should  consist  of  2400 
men,  making  three  battalions  of  800 
each.  The  ( rerman  regiments  frequent- 
ly consist  of  WOO  men;  and  the  regi- 
ment of  Picardy  in  the  old  French  ser- 
vice had  6000.  The  French  made  a 
distinction  between  the  commanding 
officer  of. i  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  the 
commanding  officer  of  a  regiment  of 
infantry.  The  former  was  styled  Mes- 
tre  de  Camp,  the  latter  Colonel,  as  with 
■us. 

W  ith  respect  to  the  derivation  of  the 
word,  it  appears,  that  the  best  etymo- 
logy is  from  the  French  word  regie, 
management,  which  comes  from  the 
Latin  regere,  to  govern.  Hence  a  re- 
giment is  said  to  be  governed  by  a  colo- 
nel. M.  Beneton,  a  celebrated  French 
etymologist,  differs  from  this  explana- 
tion. He  traces  it  from  the  French 
■regime,  which  signifies  system,  regimen, 
administration,  and  which  is  again  de- 
rived from  the  Latin  regimen,  bearing 
the  same  import. 

Regiments  were  first  formed  in  France 
in  the  year  1558,  and  in  England  in  the 
year  1660. 

Dromedary  Regiment,  a  corps  raised 
by  the  French  during  their  stay  in  Egypt. 
Uhe  men  were  mounted  upon  dromeda- 
ries. To  quote  the  words  of  Mr.  Mo- 
rier,  in  his  account  of  a  campaign  with 
the  Ottoman  army  in  1800,  the  drome- 
daries composing  this  troop  are  made  to 
go  through  a  number  of  evolutions,  and 
when  attacked  they  are  formed  into  a 
hollow  square :  they  kneel,  and  by 
means  of  a  cord  which  is  thrown  round 
one  of  the  knees,  they  are  prevented 
from  getting  up,  and  thus  they  afford  a 
breast-work  for  the  soldier. — The  same 
author  observes  in  a  note,  page  59,  that 
the  most  convenient  and  only  way  of 
travelling  in  Egypt  is  upon  dromedaries. 
The  traveller  need  not  encumber  himself 
With  food  for  his  animal,  as  a  very 
scanty  allowance  of  beans  suffices  for 
many  days'  journey.  Travellers  ride 
upon  convenient  saddles ;  and  the  ani- 
mal is  so  docile,  that  he  is  guided  only 
by  touching  him  with  a  small  stick  on 
the  side  that  lie  is  to  turn.  Some  have 
a  png  through  each  nostril,  which  serves 


as  a  bit  to  a  bridle  fastened  to  then*. 
They  walk  very  fast;  and  their  trot  is 
swift,  but  very  inconvenient. 

Cape  Ki.gime.nt,  a  corps  which  was 
raised  during  the  late  war  for  the  spe- 
cific purpose  of  doing  duty  at  the  Cape. 
It  was  originally  suggested  by  Colonel 
King.      See  IIorrr.N Kris. 

Ma/aj/  Kegimem,  a  corps  raised  for 
the  specific  purpose  of  doing  duty  in  the 
island  of  Ceylon. 

Literary  Regiment,  ( Regiment  Lit  te- 
nure, IV.)  a  corps  formed  of  the  student* 
of  Salamanca  during  the  Spanish  strug- 
gle for  independence  in  1808. 

Regiment,  a  figurative  term  signify- 
ing an  association  of  particular  persons, 
who  are  under  the  influence  of  particu- 
lar principles,  for  the  execution  of  par- 
ticular purposes. 

Standing  Regiment,  (regiment  entre~ 
tenu  sur  pie,  Fr.)  one  out  of  the  break. 

REGIMENTAL,  any  thing  belong- 
ing to  a  regiment. 
U r.o  i  ,m  i  \ta  i.-s/«//;     See  Staff. 
Reg i mental    courts  -  martial. 
Coo RTS-martial. 
Regimental  land. 
Regimental  booh. 
Regimental  parade. 
Regimental  orders. 
Reg i m  en  r  a  l  leave, 
tatre,   Fr.)    permission    granted    by 
commanding  officer  of  a  battalion. 

Reg  i  m  i  \  i  a  i.  necessaries.  By  the  M u- 
tiny  Act,  it  is  declared,  that  any  person 
buying,  detaining,  or  exchanging  any 
articles  called  regimental  necessaries,  or 
who  shall  cause  the  colour  of  the  clothes 
to  be  changed,  shall  forfeit  51.  Soldiers 
selling  or  exchanging  them,  are  liable  to 
military  punishment,  &c. 

Regimental  ,  receipts  for  forage  on, 
service,  vouchers  which  must  be  pro- 
duced by  the  contractors  of  an  army  to 
authorize  them  to  have  their  claims  dis- 
charged by  the  commissary-general  or 
his  deputies. 

REGIMENTALS,  the  uniform 
clothing  of  the  army  ;  as  a  hat,  coat, 
waistcoat,  breeches,  stocks,  shoes,  boots, 
gaiters,  &c. 

REGIR,  Fr.  to  rule;  to  govern;  to 
manage.     Thus  Frederick  the  Great  of 
Prussia  says  in  his  Poem  on  the  Art  of 
War: 
Dans  des  honncurs  obscurs  vous  nc  vieil- 

lirez  pas; 
Soldai  !    vous   appreudrci  a   ukgijl  des 
Solduls. 


Se» 

See  Band. 
See  Book. 

See  Parade. 

See  Orders. 
(conge  regimen- 
the 


REG 


(     7 

See 


29     ) 


R  E  I 


REGISTRAR  in  the  Commons, 
Phizes. 

REGLE,  Fr.  rule;  order;  method. 

Etre  en  R£gle,  Fr.  to  be  regular;  to 
conduct  one's  self  according  to  order. 

REGLE,  Fr.  exact,  punctual. 

Vent  RfeGLfe,  Fr.  a  trade  wind. 

RliGLEMENT,  Fr.  regulation. 

REGLET,  Fr.  in  architecture,  a  flat 
narrow  moulding  which  separates  the 
various  parts  of  pannels,  &c.  The  Reg- 
let,  or  flat  moulding,  differs  from  thev 
lintel  or  fillet,  in  as  much  as  its  profile 
is  every  where  like  a  ruler. 

REGLOIR,  Fr.  a  ruler. 

REGLURE,  Fr.  ruling,  lines  made 
by  a  ruler. 

REGRATTER,  Fr.  in  architecture, 
to  scrape  the  outside  of  a  building. 

Among  engravers,  this  word  signifies 
to  re-touch  a  plate. 

REGULAR,  in  geometry.  A  regular 
body  is  a  solid,  whose  surface  is  com- 
posed of  regular  and  equal  figures,  and 
whose  solid  angles  are  all  equal.  Such 
as  the  tetrahedron,  hexahedron,  octa- 
hedron, dodecahedron,  and  icosahedron. 
These  are  the  only  regular  bodies  that 
can  be  found. 

Regular  figures,  in  geometry,  are 
those  whose  sides,  and  consequently 
their  angles,  are  all  equal  to  one  ano- 
ther ;  whence  all  regular  multilateral 
planes  are  called  Regular  polygons. 

The  area  of  such  figures  is  speedily 
found,  by  multiplying  a  perpendicular 
let  fall  from  the  center  of  the  inscribed 
circle  to  any  side,  by  half  that  side  ; 
and  then  that  product  by  the  number  of 
the  sides  of  the  polygon. 

Regular  attacks,  in  a  siege,  are 
such  as  are  made  iii  form ;  that  is,  by 
regular  approaches.     See  Attacks. 

Regular,  when  applied  to  the  army, 
signifies  well  disciplined,  and  fit  for  any 
service.  Hence  regular  troops,  or  re- 
gulars. 

REGULARS,  (troupes  regtilieres,  Fr.) 
those  troops  whose  conditions  of  enrol- 
ment are  not  limited  to  time  or  place,  in 
contradistinction  to  fencible,  militia,  or 
volunteer  corps  ;  called  also  The  Line. 

To  REGULATE,  to  adjust  by  rule  or 
method. 

REGULATING  battalion.  See  Pa- 
rallelism of  a  March. 

R  EGULATIQN,the  act  of  regulating, 
or  adjusting  by  rule  or  method. 

Regulation,  a  term  generally  used  in 
tlie  British  army  to  signify  the  regulated 


price  at  which  any  commission,  or  sale- 
able warrant,  is  permitted  to  be  dis- 
posed of.  These  prices  have  been  fixed 
by  the  King.  For  particulars,  see  Mili- 
tary  Finance. 

To  buy  or  sell  at  the  Regulation,  to 
give  or  receive  for  a  commission  the 
exact  sum  that  has  been  settled  by  the 
King's  authority. 

Cavalry  Regulations,  a  book  pub- 
lished by  Authority,  so  called.  It  con- 
tains specific  instructions  for  the  for- 
mations and  movements  of  the  British 
cavalry  ;  which  are,  by  his  Majesty's 
commands,  to  be  strictly  observed  and 
practised  by  the  cavalry  corps  in  general, 
in  the  British  service,  "till  further  orders. 
The  Commander  in  Chief  has  further  di- 
rected, that  every  officer  of  cavalry  shall 
be  provided  with  a  copy  of  these  Regu- 
lations, and  the  commanding  officers  of 
corps  are  to  take  care  that  this  order  be 
duly  observed. 

Infantry  Regulations,  a  book  pub- 
lished by  authority,  so  called.  This 
ingenious  system  of  tactics  has  been 
translated  and  compiled  from  the  best 
foreign  authorities,  and  has  been  adapted 
to  the  British  service  by  General  Sir 
David  Dundas,  to  whose  indefatigable 
industry  and  perseverance  not  only  the 
government  of  the  country,  but  the 
army  at  large,  stand  considerably  in- 
debted. 

General  Regulations  and  Orders,  a 
collection  of  certain  general  rules  pub- 
lished by  authority,  which  are  to  be 
considered  as  the  ground-work  of  those 
instructions  that  generals  commanding 
districts,  and  officers  in  the  command  of 
brigades  and  regiments,  forts  and  gar- 
risons, may  find  it  necessary  to  issue  to 
the  troops  under  their  respective  com- 
mands. 

Military  Regulations,  certain  laws 
by  which  armies  are  governed,  and  the 
routine  of  service  is  preserved. 

REHABILITATION,  Fr.  the  act  of 
restoring  a  person  to  his  former  rights  or 
privileges,  &c.  ;  reinstatement. 

RE-IMBODY  is  to  embody  again  any 
regiment  or  corps  that  lias  been  disbanded. 
Thus,  the  militia  is  disbanded,  and  par- 
tially re-imbodied  for  'J8  days  in  every 
year,  during  peace. 

REINCEAU,  }  Fr.  in  architecture, 

RINCEAU,  $  foliage,  such  as  is 
used  for  ornament  in  frizes,  pannels,  &c. 

REINFORCE,  that   part  of  a   gun 
next   to   the    breech,    which    is    inadt 
5  A 


R  E  J 


(     730     ) 


R  E  L 


Ptronjer  than  the  rest  of  the  piece,  in 
order  to  resist  the  force  of  the  powder. 
There  are  generally  two  in  each  piece, 
called  the  first  and  second  reinforce: 
the  second  is  something  smaller  than 
the  first,  upon  the  supposition,  that 
when  the  powder  is  inflamed,  and  oc- 
cupies a  greater  space,  its  force  is  dimi- 
nished ;  which  is  not  the  case.  See 
Cannon. 

RElNFORCE-ring.  There  are  three  in 
each  gun,  called  the  first,  second,  and 
third  :  they  are  flat  mouldings,  like  flat 
iron  hoops,  placed  at  the  breech  end  of 
the  first  and  second  reinforce,  projecting 
from  the  rest  of  the  metal  by  about  one 
quarter  of  an  inch. 

REINFORCEMENT  to  the  army, 

an  addition  of  fresh  troops  to  Strengthen 
an  army,  in  order  to  enable  it  to  go  on 
■with  an  enterprize, &c. 

REJdlNDER.  Tn  military  courts- 
martial  the  prisoner  is  entitled  to  a  re- 
joinder ;  that  is,  when  the  prosecutor 
makes  a  reply  to  the  defendant,  the  latter 
may  answer  again. 

REINS,  Fr.  the  loins,  lower  part  of 
the  back. 

Reins  de  vtmtc,  Fr.  mason  work  of 
rubble  and  plaster,  which  fills  up  the 
extrados  of  an  arch  up  to  its  crowning. 

Reins  ridden,  Fr.  those  parts  of  an 
arch  which  are  not  filled  up,  in  order  to 
render  the  weight  less. 

REINS,  two  long  slips  of  leather  fas- 
tened on  each  side  of  a  curb  or  snaffle, 
whu  b  the  rider  holds  in  his  hand  to  keep 
his  horse  in  subjection.  Also  two  straps 
or  i  opes  of  a  cavesson,  made  fast  to 
the  girths,  or  pommel,  of  a  saddle  in 
order  to  bend,  or  supple,  the  neck  of  a 
horse. 

False  Rein  is  a  lathe  of  leather  passed 
sometimes  through  the  arch  of  the  ban- 
quet, to  bend  the  horse's  neck. 

To  REINSTATE,  to  place  an  officer 
or  non-commissioned  officer  in  the  same 
rank  and  situation  from  which  he  had 
been  removed. 

To  REJOIN,  to  meet  again;  to  re- 
turn ;  as,  He  left  his  regiment  when  it 
broke  up  camp,  but  rejoined  it  before 
the  army  marched  into  the  enemy's 
country. 

REjQTNTOYER,  Ft*,    in    architec 
tine,  to  put  fresh  mortar  or  cement  into 
the   chasms  or  holes  which  have  been 
Occasioned  by  wear  and  tear  in  an  old 
wall.  , 

KEJOUISSANCES    publiques,    Fr. 


public  rejoicings  or  thanksgivings.  Che- 
valier I'olard  makes  a  curious  and  in- 
teresting comment  relative  to  this  sub- 
ject, in  one  of  his  notes  upon  Polvbius. 
He  therein  asserts,  that  the  Te  JDeurn, 
or  thanksgiving  to  God,  was  as  much 
practised  among  the  heathens  as  it  is 
among  the  moderns. 

REISTRE,  Fr.  a  German  horseman  ; 
also  the  large  cloak  which  he  wears. 

B  EITRE,  Fr.  a  term  derived  from 
the  German,  signifying  a  cuirassier  or 
mounted  soldier  ;  a  dragoon.  It  is  used 
among  the  French  to  express  derision 
and  contempt.  They  say,  for  instance, 
de  qum  s'avise  ce  zicu.r  Retire  de  devenir 
amourevx  a  soixante  et  quatorze  am? 
What  can  induce  this  old  dotard  to  fall 
in  love  at  seventy-tour? 

REITRES,  a  body  of  horse,  of  which 
the  elite  of  the  German  cavalry  was  for- 
merly composed.  This  corps  was  of  in- 
finite use  to  France  during  the  regency 
of  Catharine  of  Medicis.  The  king  of 
Navarre  had  upwards  of  35,000  of  these 
troops  in  support  of  the  Calvinists. 
During  the  reign  of  Henry  III.  they 
were  incorporated  with  the  carabineers 
of  France. 

RELAIS,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  fortifi- 
cation to  signify  a  space,  containing 
some  feet  in  breadth,  which  is  between 
the  foot  of  the  rampart  and  the  scarpe 
of  the  fosse.  It  serves  as  a  convenient 
receptacle  for  the  earth  that  occasionally 
crumbles  off. 

Chevaux  de  Rel  \  is,  Fr.  horses  kept  in 
prescribed  places  on  the  high  way,  for 
the  dispatch  and  convenience  of  such 
persons  as  ride  express,  &c. 

A  Relais,  Fr.  at  rest ;  not  used. 

Far  Rex  A  IS,  Fr.  by  turns;  one  do- 
tng  something  whilst  another  rests. 

RELATION  on  REGIT,  Fr.  any  ac- 
count or  description  which  is  given  of  » 
war,  or  battle,  or  warlike  feat,  &c. 

RELAXATION,  ( relachement,  Fr.  ) 
remission  of  attention  or  application. 

Relaxation  of  discipline,  (reluche- 
ment  de  la  discipline  militaire,  Fr.)  Plu- 
tarch, in  his  lite  of  Caius  Marios,  very 
properly  says,  "  The  soldiers  are  more 
fond  of  the  commander  who  will  assist 
them  in  their  work,  than  of  him  who  en- 
courages them  in  idleness." 

RELAY,  horses  on  the  road  to  re- 
lieve others.  - 

lihhw-liorses,  in  the  artillery,  are 
spare  horses  that  march  with  the  artillery 
and  baggage,  ready  to  relieve  others,  or 


R  E  L 


(     731    ) 


R  E  L 


to  assist  in  getting  up  a  hill,  or  through 
bad  roads,  &c. 

RELAYER,  Fr.  to  relieve  ;  to  lessen 
the  labour  of  any  particular  set  of  men 
bv  occasionally  sending  fresh  workmen. 
"  RELEASE  The  commanding  offi- 
cer alone  has  the  prerogative  of  releas- 
ing a  prisoner  from  confinement,  after 
he  has  once  been  duly  given  in  charge 
to  the  guard,  with  his  crime  or  crimes 
stated  in  writing  ;  or  of  remitting  after 
he  has  been  adjudged  to  suifer  military 
punishment;  except  in  cases  of  a  general 
court-martial,  when  the  king  alone  can 
remit  or  mitigate. 

RELEGUE,  Fr.  a  retirement,  or  pen- 
sion, which  was  formerly  given  to  a  ve- 
teran gendarme  in  the  French  service. 

RELEYEE,  Fr.  the  afternoon. 

RELEVER,  Fr.  to  relieve.     Hence, 

Relever  une  sentinelle,  Fr.  to  relieve 
a  sentry,  by  posting  another  soldier  in 
his  room. 

Relever  1agarde,Yr.  to  relieve  guard. 

Relevf.k,  Fr.  This  word  is  also  used 
by  the  French  to  hold,  or  to  have  a  right 
to.  Thus,  Le  roi  ne  relive  que  de  Dieu 
seul ;  the  king  holds  of  God  alone. 

Relever  les  vieur  fosses,  Fr.  to  cleanse 
or  scour  the  old  ditches. 

Relever  la  ti-anchee,  Fr.  to  relieve  the 
troops  that  have  been  doing  duty  in  the 
trenches. 

RELIEF,  Fr.  an  order,  given  by  the 
minister  at  war,  to  authorize  an  officer 
to  receive  the  arrears  of  pay  which  had 
accumulated  during  his  absence  from  the 
regiment. 

Relief,  Fr.  in  architecture,  means 
the  same  as  the  term  does  when  used  in 
English. 

RELIEN,  Fr.  the  broken  grains  of 
gunpowder  which  have  not  passed 
through  the  sieve. 

To  RELIEVE  the  guard,  to  put 
fresh  men  upon  guard,  which  is  generally 
done  every  24  hours. 

To  Relieve  the  trenches,  to  relieve 
the  guard  of  the  trenches,  by  appointing 
those  for  that  duty,  who  have  not  been 
there  before,  or  whose  turn  is  next. 

To  Relieve  the  sentries,  to  put 
fresh  men  upon  that  duty  from  the  guard, 
which  is  generally  done  every  two  hours, 
by  a  corporal  who  attends  the  relief,  to 
see  the  proper  orders  are  delivered  to  the 
soldier  who  relieves. 

RELIEVER,  an  iron  ring  fixed  to  a 
handle  by  means  of  a  socket,  so  as  to 
be  at  right  angles  to  it ;  it  serves  to  dis- 


engage the  searcher  of  a  gun,  when  one 
of  its  points  is  retained  in  a  hole,  and 
cannot  be  got  out  otherwise.  See 
Searcher. 

RELIEVO,  (relief,  Fr.)  in  architec- 
ture is  the  projecture  of  any  ornament. 
D'Aviler  observes,  that  this  ought  al- 
ways to  be  proportioned  to  the  magnitude 
of  the  building  it  adorns,  and  the  dis- 
tance at  which  it  is  viewed. 

RELIGION.  Vauvenarguessays  very 
properly,  in  one  of  his  maxims,  (viz.  538.) 
Le  plus  sage  et  le  plus  courageux  de  tous 
les  homines,  M.  de  Turenne,  a  respecti,  la 
religion  ;  el  une  infinite  d'hommes  obscurs 
se  p/acent  au  rang  des  ginies  et  des  ames 
fortes,  seulernent  a  cause  qu'ils  la  mi- 
prisent. 

The  author  of  a  small  volume  entituled : 
"  Cautions  and  Advices  to  Officers  of 
the  Army,  particularly  Subalterns," 
makes  the  following  observations  upon 
this  important  and  vital  subject. 

"  I  have  in  the  course  of  my  advice 
generally  persuaded  you  from  vices  upon 
a  principle  oi' morality  only  ;  but  I  would 
fain  arm  you  with  a  more  sovereign,  a 
more  infallible  antidote  against  them, 
and  that  antidote  is  religion  ;  whose  yoke 
is  easy,  and  the  burden  light.  Do  not 
think  that  I  am  going  to  turn  preacher, 
that  is  neither  my  province  nor  my  in- 
tention ;  but  as  I  was  never  yet  ashamed 
of  being  known  for  a  christian,  I  would 
recommend  a  religious  life,  not  the  rigi- 
dity of  a  Carthusian,  or  a  Methodist,  as 
the  means  of  making  you  a  better  man  ; 
and  of  instigating  you  to  the  discharge 
of  your  duty  as  a  soldier,  upon  the  prin- 
ciple of  conscience.  I  would  have  you 
brave  from  a  sense  of  duty,  and  not  from 
vanity,  or  interest ;  your  pay  will  not  be 
less  here,  for  expecting  a  reward  here- 
after ;  nor  will  your  actions  be  less  illus- 
trious, by  rising  on  the  basis  of  virtuei 
It  will  be  well  worth  your  while  to  raise 
your  ambition  to  this  noble  height.  I 
could  never  yet  be  induced  to  believe, 
that  the  duties  of  a  soldier  were  incom- 
patible with  those  of  a  christian.  On  the 
contrary,  I  am  sure  religious  men  must 
make  the  best  soldiers.  Religion  alone 
can  furnish  them  with  the  only  true,  the 
only  real  courage.  Heligion  alone  will 
cause  them  to  have  no  dread,  anxiety  or 
fears  for  futurity,  and  consequently  will 
make  their  behaviour  in  action,  more 
regular  and  uniform,  than  the  poor  aban- 
doned wretch  whose  bad  life  then  stares 
him  in  the  face,  and  whose  behaviour 
oA'i 


s 


REL 


(  m  ) 


K  E  M 


there  sufficiently  indicates  the  disturb- 
ano  in  his  breast.     With  wbal  serenity 
of  eounti  nance  he  faces  danger,  who  has 
bo  reflexion,  but  thai  of  having  done  bis 
to  God  and  man,   to  the  utmost  of 
his  Trail  abilities  :  for  ii  is  sin  alone  arms 
death  with  terrors  ;  innocence  dare?  pro- 
voke  it,  and  even  charge  through  hell : 
for   death    can   only    take    from    pious 
chrislians  a   life   they  must  sum  ndrr   to 
nature,  its  power  only  reaches  the  body, 
and  its  dominion  expires  with  our  hist 
brenth. — With  what  dread,  what  anxiety 
and  fear- must  he  be  possessed  at  such  a 
time,  whose  mind  is  distracted  with  hor- 
rors accumulated  for  the  ills  he  has  com- 
mitted :  terrible  must  be  his  situation 
indeed!    For  you  may  as  soon  strike  fire 
out  of  ice,  as  valour  out  of  crimes.  Keep 
therefore  yourself  clear  of  sin  :  you  will 
fight  with  a  good  heart,  if  a  good  con- 
science follows  you  to  the  engagement, 
and  will  <  ither  come  oil'  a  conqueror,  or 
fall  a  hero  ;  but  if  crimes  draw  upon  the 
soul,  whilst  muskets  and  artillery  play 
upon  the  body,  fortitude  will  not    Long 
stand  by  you.     Courage  without  a  good 
conscience  trembles  at  hell,  and  leaves 
a   man   dUpifited    when   he  most  needs 
^ipport :    for  who  will  charge  an  enemy 
through  smoke  and  fire,  that  fears  the 
next  moment  to  plunge  into  everlasting 
torments?     If  therefore  yoa  hive  <i  mind 
to jlght  mil,  resolve  to  lire  weU. 

"  1  have  read  of  a  general,"  continues 
the  same  writer,  "  who  always  used, 
whengoingiOB  to  action, to  pull  oll'his  hat 
at  the  head  of  his  troops,  and  with  an 
audible  voice  pronounce  this  path'tn 
prayer:  0  my  Gpd,  if'  in  the  hurry  of 
this  day's  duly  J  forget  thee  ;  Jorge!  not 


REMAILLEll,  Fr,  to  piece  a  broken 
coat  of  mail  or  net,  with  new  links  or 
meshes. 

A  REMAIN,  a  term  used  among 
storekeepers  belonging  to  the  board  of 
ordnance,  Sic.  to  express  the  actual 
quantity  of  stores  which  is  found  at  au 
out  port,  Sec.  when  a  new  storekeeper  is 
appointed. 

Remains  of  stores  are  ordered  to  be 
taken  at  all  places  at  home,  once  in 
seven  years,  as  also  at  the  expiration  of 
a  war.  In  foreign  parts  a  remain  is  taken 
only  on  the  appointment  of  a  new  store- 
keeper.    See  Office  of  Ordnance. 

To  REMAND,  to  send  back;  as 
when  a  soldier  who  has  been  brought 
out  of  prison,  or  the  guardhouse,  for  the 
purpose  of  being  examined  or  tried,  is 
sent  back  without  any  thing  final  occur- 
ring relative  to  his  case. 

REMAN  1ER,  Fr,  See M  a  n  i  er  a  bout. 
To  REMARK,  to  take  note  of  any 
thing. 

REMARKS.  Army  returns, regimental 
statements,  guard  reports,  Sec.  have  a 
column  allotted  for  remarks  and  obser- 
vations relative  to  extraordinary  occur- 
rences. 

REMBARQUER,  Fr.  to  re-embark. 
REMBLAI,  Fr.  earth  collected  to- 
gether for  the  purpose  of  making  a  bank, 
way,  Sec. 

REMBLAYER,  Fr.  to  collect  earth 
together 

REMBOITEMENT,  Fr.  setting  into 
joint  again. 

REM  HOTTER,  J'V.  the  same  as  em- 
boiler,  to  replace,  to  put  together.     The 
latter  term  is  used  by  the  French  in  ar- 
tillery and  cavalry  manoeuvres.    It  is  the 
thou  me,  0  Lord,     it  is  recorded  of  jhej  correlative  to  dchoi/er,  to  break  off. 
late    King  William,    and   the  Duke  of        REMBOURSEMENT,    Ft.     reim- 
Marlborough,  that  before  an  expected  bursement  ;  repayment 


general  engagement,  they  have  passed 
the  whole  night  in  prayer;  and  before 
they  went  out  to  head  their  troops,  have 


REM E NEE,  I'r.  a  sort  of  small  arch 
over  a  door  or  casement. 

REMETTRE,  Ft.,  to  restore,  to  bring 


received  the  sacrament  from   the   band  back  again.     It   is  frequently  used  in  a 
of  their  Chaplains.     Did  they  light  ever. military  sense,  viz.  Remettre  un  balaillon, 
the  worse  for  thifc?  or,  w  as  their  courage, ;  to  restore,  or  bring  back  a  battalion  to  its 
or  military  conduct  ever  called  in  ques-  ]  original  formation. 
turn  for  it? — I  think  not.  Religion,  then, '      8c  Remettre,   Fr.  to   take  a  former 


professedly  makes  the  best  soldiers  :  and 
if  nothing  else  could  make  tin  in  religious, 
this  of  a  conscientious  discharge  of  duty 
ought  to  be  suthcient  encouragement  to 
the  practice  of  it;  since  he  who  obeys 
bis  God,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  will 
ex<  it  thai  power  also  to  the  utmost,  to 
serve  and  obey  his  King." 


position,  to  return  to  the  original  ground. 

Remettez  vous  !  This  term  agrees 
with  the  British  phrase — As  you  were  ! 

REMISE  de  galere,  Fr.  a  particular 
place  in  a  dock  that  is  covered  in,  under 
which  the  gallies  lie  afloat. 

Remise,  Fr.  a  coach-house ;  also  a 
remittance  of  money. 


R  E  M 


(     733     ) 


REN 


REMIT,  to  lessen ;  ns  to  remit  a  part  of 
a  soldier's  punishment.     See  Release. 
REMMANCHER,  Fr.  to  new  haft. 
REMOLADE  is  a  less  compounded 
Honey  charge  for  horses. 

To  REMONSTRATE,  to  make  a 
representation  of  a  case  or  cases  wherein 
one  or  more  may  consider  themselves 
to  be  aggrieved.  Military  men  may  re- 
monstrate through  their  superior  officers ; 
but  where  the  duty  of  the  service  is 
concerned,  that  duty  must  be -first  per- 
formed with  cheerfulness  and  fidelity. 
REMONTER,  Fr.  to  remount. 
Rejmonter  une  compagnie  decavalerie, 
Fr.  to  remount  a  troop  of  horse. 

Remonter  une  rivitre,  Fr.  to  sail  up 
a  river. 

REMORA,  Fr.  This  word  is  some- 
times written  Rcmorc,  and  signifies  ob- 
stacle, hindrance.  It  comes  from  the 
Latin  Remora,  a  small  fish,  which  was 
supposed  by  the  ancients  to  impede  the 
progress  of  a  ship. 

REMORAL,  Fr.  an  officer  belonging 
to  a  galley  who  has  charge  of  the  oars. 
To  REMOVE,  to  change  the  situa- 
tion of  a  person. 

A  Remove,  a  term  used  in  farriery 
signifying  the  taking  off  a  horse's  shoe, 
for  the  purpose  of  paring,  or  doing  some- 
thing to  the  hoof  or  foot. 

A  REMOUNT,  (remonte,  Fr.)  means 
a  supply  of  good  and  serviceable  horses 
for  the  whole  or  part  of  a  cavalry  regi- 
ment. 

To  Remount,  (remontcr,  Fr.)  To 
remount  the  cavalry  or  dragoons,  is  to 
furnish  them  with  horses  in  the  room  of 
those  which  have  been  either  killed,  dis- 
abled, or  cast. 

Se  REMPARER,  Fr.  to  seize  sud- 
denly; also  to  make  a  prompt  and 
vigorous  defence  against  any  sudden 
attack. 

Se  Remparer  d'une  place,  Fr.  to  get 
possession  of  a  place  which  has  been  in 
the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
REMPART,  Fr.  a  rampart. 
REMPIETEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of 
repairing  the  base  of  a  wall,  which  has 
given  way,  or  is  grown  defective. 

REMPIETER  un  mur,  Fr.  to  refit  or 
repair  the  base  or  foot  of  a  wall. 

REMPLACEMENT,  Fr.  the  act  of 

replacing,  filling  up,  or  succeeding. 

En  Remplacement,  jBV.  in  room  of. 

REMPLACER,  Fr.  to  succeed  to ; 

to  iill  up  a  place  or  situation  originally 

occupied  by  another. 


REMPLTR  un  poste,  Fr.  to  fill  a  post ; 
to  hold  a  situation. 

Remplir  son  devoir,  Fr.  to  do  one's 
duty. 

REMPLISSAGE  de  muraille,  Fr.  the 
inside  of  a  wall  which  is  filled  up  with, 
rugged  stone  or  materials. 

REMPORTER,  IV.  to  carry  away; 
to  bear  away. 

RENARD,  Fr.  among  well-diggers 
or  spring  searchers,  a  small  fissure  or 
opening  which  is  made  in  the  inside 
covering  or  lining  of  a  basin,  reservoir 
or  dam,  through  which  the  water  in- 
sensibly oozes  out. 

RENCONTRE,  Fr.  This  word  has 
been  adopted  amongst  us,  and  signifies 
either  a  private  quarrel,  in  which  in- 
dividuals accidentally  meet  and  fight; 
or  an  unexpected  or  irregular  combat 
between  two  bodies  of  armed  men, 
who  belong  to  armies  that  are  in 
hostile  opposition  to  each  other.     Thus, 


as  in  die  former  instance,  it  serves  to 
distinguish  the  casual  determination  of 
a  feud  or  difference  from  the  pre-deter- 
mined  and  settled  plan  of  a  duel ;  so 
in  the  latter  it  marks  the  difference  be- 
tween a  skirmish,  &c.  and  a  regular 
battle. 

Roue  de  Rencontre,  Fr.  a  balance, 
wheel. 

RENDER.     See  Surrender. 

RENDEZVOUS, )  inamilitarysense, 

RENDEVOUS,  >  the  place  appoint- 
ed by  the  general,  where  all  the  troops 
that  compose  the  army  are  to  meet  at  the 
time  appointed,  in  case  of  an  alann. — 
This  place  should  be  fixed  upon,  accord- 
ing to  the  situation  of  the  ground,  and 
the  sort  of  troops  quartered  in  the 
village.  In  an  open  country  it  is  easj 
to  fix  upon  a  place  of  rendezvous,  be- 
cause the  general  has  whatever  ground 
he  thinks  necessary.  In  towns  or  vil- 
lages the  largest  streets,  or  market- 
places, are  very  fit ;  but  let  the  place 
be  where  it  will,  the  troops  must  assem- 
ble with  ease,  and  be  ready  for  the 
prompt  execution  of  orders. 

RENDRE,  Fr.  to  surrender  a  for- 
tified place  upon  terms  of  capitulation. 

Rendre  I'epee,  lea  amies,  Fr.  to  deliver 
up  sword  and  arms,  or  to  submit  to  the 
discretion  and  humanity  of  an  opponent. 

.Se  Rendre  sails  coup  firir,  Fr.  to 
give  up,  or  become  prisoner  of  war 
without  striking  a  blow. 

&lkxDKEflS(m  posle,  Fr.  to  repair 
to  one's  station ;  to  join. 


REN 


(     TU    ) 


REP 


RENDUj  Fr.  surrendered,  given  op. 
Soldal  Rendu,  Fr.  Thra  term  is 
used  in  express  the  difference  between 
a  soldier  who  deserts  to  the  enemy, 
and  one  who  lays  down  liis  arms.  In 
the  former  instance  he  is  called  D& 
serteur :  in  the  latter,  soldat  rendu.  It 
is  sometimes  used  as  a  substantive,  viz. 
■ii»  rendu,  a  man  who  has  surrendered. 

UFA  !•'.«;  \I)F,  )  n  deserter;  am  one 

REN EQ ADO,  S  who  goes  over  to 
tin'  rut  my. 

2b  if  I  A  EW,  (renonveler,  Fr.)  to  re- 
peal; to  begin  afresh.  Hence,  To  renew 
hostilities. 

RENEWAL,  the  act  of  renewing; 
as,  The  renewal  of  hostilities. 

RENFLEMENT  de  cotonne,  Fr.  the 
bellv  or  Swelling  of  a  pillar. 

RENFONCExMENT,  Fr.  any  hol- 
low space.  In  fortification  it  more  im- 
mediately signifies  the  opening  or  pas- 
sage which  has  been  made  in  the  glacis 
of  the  covert  way,  tor  the  purpose  of 
rendering  the  communication  with  the 
traverses  more  commodious  to  the 
troops. 

RENFORCER,  Fr.  to  reinforce;  to 
strengthen ;  to  Fortify. 

RENFORMIS,  "fr.  the  repairing 
of  an  old  wall  in  proportion  to  its  de- 
cay. 

RENFORMIR,  RENFORMER,  Fr. 
in  building,  &c  to  repair  an  old  wall 
by  putting  in  fresh  stones,  or  shards, 
where  they  are  wanted,  and  by  stop- 
ping up  the  holes.  It  also  signifies  to 
make  a  wall,  which  is  thicker  in  one 
part  than  another,  equally  strong  through- 
out. 

RENFORT,  Fr.  reinforcement. 

Ren  fort,  Fr.  a  certain  part  of  a 
Cannon  so  called.     See  Rein  i  orce. 

Renfort,  Fr.  the  joining  of  several 
pieces  of  wood  together,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  strengthening  any  particular 
work. 

RENIVELER,  Fr.  to  measure  again, 
or  lay  even  with  a  level ;  to  sound  again 
with  a  plummet. 

RENN-^/azze,  the  standard  of  a  troop 
of  horse, 

RENOMMEE,  Fr.  Fame  (an  alle- 
gorical figure,  which  has  been  so  beau- 
tifully described  by  Virgil,  with  her 
hundred  mouths)  not  only  publishes 
to  the  world  at  large,  all  great  and 
good  actions,  but  also  (sooner  or  later) 
flives  an  ample  detail  of  all  the  bad 
and  mischievous  deeds  by  which   vic- 


tories are  ultimately  disgraced  ;  and  of 
all  the  crimes  and  vices  by  which  the 
heroes  of  the  day  are  dishonoured.  The 
testimony  she  bears  in  both  instances 
is  so  far  indisputable,  that  she  is  beyond 
the  reach  of  flattery  or  corruption,  and 
consequently  discloses  every  thing  she 
sees  or  heirs. 

RENOWN,  or  Reputation,  (rcnom, 
on  reputation,  l'r.)  the  character  ac- 
rju  ed  by  means  of  great  and  good  ac- 
tions. 

RENVOI,  Fr.  sending  back;  any 
thing  returned. 

Chevaux  de  Renvoi,  Fr.  returned,  or 
cast  horses, 

REPAIR  of  arms,  (reparations  d'ar- 
mures,  I  r.)  the  keeping  in  constant  good 
order  the  different  lire-arms  belonging  to 
a  troop,  or  company ;  such  as  muskets, 
pistols,  8cc. 

REPAIRE,  Fr.  a  mark  which  is 
made  on  a  wall,  in  order  to  draw  a 
straight  line,  or  to  stop  a  measurement 
at  a  given  distance,  or  for  the  purpose 
of  fixing  certain  points  in  levelling. 

REUANDRE,  Fr.  to  spread;  to  give 
out. 

REPANDU,  Fr.  This  word  is  applied 
to  a  person  who  is  generally  known,  and 
who  mixes  much  in  society. 

REPARATIONS  dans  un  regiment, 
Fr.  repair  of  arms,  necessaries,  camp 
equipage,  &c. 

REPARATION  dhonneur,  Fr.  a  re- 
paration of  honour.  Under  the  word 
Injure,  in  the  Nouvean  Dictionnaire 
Milituire,  by  A.  T.  Gaigne,  we  have 
found  an  elaborate  article  respecting 
the  notice  which  ought  to  be  taken 
when  injuries  have  been  received,  and 
insults  offered.  This  article  concludes 
with  the  following  observation,  which 
combats  the  prevailing  practice  of  duel- 
ling. "  In  my  opinion,  true  grandeur 
of  soul  is  more  shewn  (par  line  repara- 
tion pubHijitc)  by  an  avowal  of  one's 
wrong,  and  an  open  apology  to  the  party 
aggrieved,  than  by  an  appeal  to  the 
sword  in  private  combat.  This  rule  of 
conduct  is  conformable  to  all  the  prin- 
ciples of  honour  and  honesty;  whilst  a 
deviation  from  it  is  contrary  to  all  human 
and  divine  institutions :  so  much  so, 
that  the  very  persons  who  lose  sight  of 
them,  run  into  dark  and  retired  spots  for 
the  purpose  of  gratifying  a  spirit  of  re- 
venge." This  language  is  certainly  cor- 
rect; but  how  far  it  will  be  followed, 
even  by  those  who  feel  the  justness  of 


REP 


(     7S5     ) 


REP 


it,  daily  experience  must  determine.  For 
our  own  ideas  on  the  subject,  see  Ho- 
nour. 

REPARER  une  injure,  Fr.  to  apolo- 
gise to  another  for  an  injury  done,  or  an 
insult  offered. 

REPART,  to  put  a  horse  on,  or  make 
him  part  a  second  time. 

REPARTIR,  Fr.  to  divide ;  to  se- 
parate ;  to  detach. 

REPARTITION  des  troupes,  Fr.  dis- 
tribution of  troops  in  different  quarters. 

Repartition  also  signifies  division, 
as  in  manoeuvring. 

To  REPEAT,  (repiter,  Fr.)  to  say  or 
dn  the  same  thing  over  again. 

To  Repeat  signals,  (repiter  les  sig- 
7iaitx,  Fr.)  to  do  over  again  any  sign  or 
token  which  is  given  for  the  execution, 
or  the  communication  of  a  thing.  Hence, 
the  repeating  signals  in  a  fleet,  &c.  See 
Signal. 

To  Repeat  private  conversation.  See 
Private. 

REPERTORY.     See  Magazine. 

To  REPLACE,  to  put  back  ;  to  put 
in  the  room  of.  The  French  say  in 
the  latter  sense,  remplacer,  etre  rem- 
pluc'e. 

To  be  REPLACED,  to  be  put  back 
to  an  original  situation,  as  to  be  replaced 
upon  the  halt-pay  establishment  of  a 
regiment,  after  having  been  brought  to 
full  pay:  also  to  be  superseded  by  the 
appointment  of  another. 

REPLATRER,  Fr.  to  plaster  over 
again. 

REPLIER,  Se  replier,  Fr.  to  fall 
back ;  to  retreat.  In  military  move- 
ments, to  take  a  rear  direction  towards 
any  particular  part  of  the  line,  viz.  Se 
replier  sur  la  droite,  to  fall  back  upon 
the  right. 


Report  of  the  Military  Commissioners 
appointed  by  Act  of  Parliament,  a  re- 
port which  was  made  for  the  informa- 
tion of  his  Majesty,  the  parliament  and 
the  nation  at  large,  on  the  several  estab- 
lishments belonging  to  the  British  army, 
Sec.  with  a  specific  statement  of  all 
monies  that  have  been  issued  for  th* 
different  services.  These  commissioners 
sat  throughout  the  year,  and  their  reports 
were  laid  upon  the  table  of  the  House 
of  Commons  for  the  perusal  and  exami- 
nation of  the  members.  They  were  ap- 
pointed by  Mr.  Pitt  in  1805,  and  wen* 
abolished  in  1813. 

Report,  specific  statement  of  per- 
sons and  things.  Although  this  word 
may,  in  some  sense,  be  considered  the 
same  as  Retwn,  yet  it  so  far  differs  in 
military  matters,  that  it  is  less  compre- 
hensive, and  relates  more  immediately 
to  persons  and  occurrences  than  to 
things. 

General  officers  report  to  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  only. 

The  Commander  in  Chief's  guard  re- 
ports to  himself'  by  one  of  his  aides-de- 
camp. 

Reports  of  cavalry  are  given  in  to 
the  senior  generals  of  cavalry  ;  and  re- 
ports of  infantry,  to  the  senior  general 
officers  of  infantry.  On  a  march  the 
field  officer  of  the  picket  reports  to  the 
general  of  the  day  who  leads  the  co- 
lumn; and  in  camp  to  the  next  superior 
officer  to  himself.  A  provost  marshal 
gives  in  his  return  ef  prisoners,  and  re- 
ports to  the  general  of  the  day. 

Deputy  judge  advocates,  acting  in 
districts,  or  garrisons,  &c.  send  in  the 
minutes  of  courts-martial,  and  report  to 
the  judge  advocate  general,  without  going 
through  any  general  officers.  Regimental 


Replier    is    also  used  in  an  active  j  surgeons    report   to    their   commanding 
sense ;  as,  Replier  la  premiere  ligne  d'une   officers;  and  surgeons  in  districts,  &c.  to 


arm'ce  sur  ses  reserves,  to  throw  back  the 
first  lines  of  an  army  upon  its  reserved 
corps 

REPLY,  (r'eplique,  Fr.)  answer;  re- 
turn to  an  answer.  After  the  prisoner's 
defence  before  a  court-martial,  the  pro- 
secutor or  informant  may  reply,  but 
without  noticing  any  matter  foreign  to 
the  crime  or  crimes  expressed  in  the 
charge. 

REPOLON    is    a   demi-volt ; 
croupe  is  closed  at  five  times. 

REPORT,  sound;     loud  noise; 
that  made  by  the  discharge  of  a  musket 
or  cannon. 


the 


as 


the  medical  board. 

The  Life  Guards  report,  through  the 
Gold  Stick,  to  the  King  "direct,  from 
whom  they  receive  the  parole. 

The  Foot  Guards  report,  through  the 
field  officer  of  the  day,  to  the  King 
direct. 

All  other  troops  belonging  to  the 
British  service  (the  Marines  excepted, 
who  report  to  the  Admiralty),  report 
through  their  several  commanding  offi- 
cers, &c.  to  the  adjutant  general  and 
secretary  at  war,  and  to  the  Commander 
in  Chief. 

Special  Report.    A  special  report  is 


REP 


(     736     ) 


REP 


Bnid  to  be  made  when  the  name  of  an 
officer  is  transmitted  by  his  commander 
to  the  general  of  a  district,  independent 
of  the  regular  returns  ;  and  some  spe- 
cific instance  of  good  or  bad  conduct 
is  laid  before  him.  It  must  be  gene- 
rally remembered  that  even  officer  oa 
his  arrival  from  abroad  with  a  regi- 
ment,  or  detachment  of  troops,  must 
report  himself  to  the  governor,  or  com- 
manding officer  of  the  sea-port  at 
which  he  arrives;  and  every  officer 
who  takes  his  passage  lor  foreign  service 
must  do  the  same  previous  to  his  dc 
parture. 

The  senior  officer  in  each  recruitim 
quarter  reports  weekly  to  the  tield  officer 
of  the  district,  the  number  and  strengtl 
of  the  parties  therein.  The  field  officers 
commanding  recruiting  parties  in  dis- 
tricts, report  to  the  inspector  general, 
to  whom  all  returns  and  reports  are  to 
be  transmitted  by  them,  and  not  direct 
from  the  recruiting  officers!. 

Reports  are  made  daily,  weekly,  every 
fortnight,  or  monthly,  according  to  cir- 
cumstances. 

The  various  subordinate  reports  con- 
sist of 

Report  of  a  rear  guard. 

Report  of  a  barrack  guard. 

Report  of  a  quarter  guard. 

Report  of  the  sick,  commonly  called 
$ick  Report. 

Report  of  a  main  guard,  and  its  de- 
pendencies Sto.  &c. 

In  the  column  of  remarks  which  must 
accompany  eacli  of  these  reports,  it  is 
•necessary,  for  the  person  who  signs,  to 
specify  all  casualties  and  extraordinary 
occurrences  according  to  the  particular 
nature  of  each  report.  The  different 
hours  at  which  the  grand  rounds,  visit- 
ing rounds,  and  patroles  went,  must  like- 
v\ise  be  put  down. 

Report  of military  operations,  a  state- 
ment of  what  has  passed  during  cam- 
paigns, or  on  any  particular  expedition. 

REPOS,  Fr.  rest ;  ease.  It  is  used 
by  the  French  as  a  word  of  command. 

Repos  !    Fr.  Stand  at  ease  ! 

Quartiers  dc  Repos,  Fr.  Those 
places  are  so  called  where  troops  re- 
main for  some  days  to  refresh  them- 
selves. They  correspond  with  our  halt- 
ing days. 

Repos,  ou  palier  d'esculier,  Fr.  land- 
ing place  in  a  staircase.  In  large  flights, 
where  there  are  several  landing  places, 


the  latter  must  have  the  breadth  of  two 
steps  at  least.  Those  that  are  upon  the 
winding  part  of  the  staircase  must  be 
square. 

Repos,  Fr.  in  hydraulic  architecture, 
the  upright  in  a  floodgate  which  remains 
stationary. 

Repos  also  signifies  certain  round 
pieces  of  wood,  which  are  covered  with 
brass,  that  bear  the  same  name,  upon 
which  the  floodgate  turns  with  more 
facility. 

S:,idat  REPOS  £  tier  ramie,  Fr.  a 
soldier  standing  at  ease  with  ordered 
arms. 

In  REPOSE,  (en  repos,  Fr.)  This 
term,  which  is  manifestly  taken  from 
the  French,  applies  to  troops,  that  are 
allowed  to  be  stationary  for  any  given 
period,  during  an  active  campaign,  either 
through  sickness,  or  from  some  Other 
cause.  Thus  the  5th  regiment  being 
in  repose,  it  was  judged  expedient  to 
order  the  '28th  to  advance  by  forced 
marches. 

REPOSER,  luisscr  Tteposer,  Fr.  to 
permit  the  garrison  of  a  place,  which 
has  been  closely  and  vigorously  be- 
sieged, to  relax  from  the  severity  of 
their  former  discipline.  The  same  is 
said  of  troops,  who,  after  having  exe- 
cuted all  the  plans,  orders,  and  mea- 
sures laid  down  for  the  conquest  of 
any  town,  &c.  are  allowed  to  be  in  re- 
pose. 

REPOSEZ-rwws  sur  vos  amies!  Fr. 
Order  arms ! 

REPOSITORY^  a  place,  or  reper- 
tory, in  which  any  thing  is  preserved. 
Thus  the  Royal  Repository,  at  Wool- 
wich, contains  models  of  every  sort  of 
warlike  stores,  weapons,  and  fortilica- 
tion ;  whether  invented  by  officers  of 
the  army,  or  civilians,  as  well  of  other 
nations  as  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land; receipts  being  given  to  preserve 
the  title  to  the  inventor.  The  Royal 
Repository  is  indebted  to  the  inge- 
nuity of  General  Congreve,  for  some 
of  its  most  useful  ana  important  in- 
struments of  escalade,  fortification  and 
gunnery.  It  is  under  the  immediate 
controul  of  one  superintendant,  and 
consists  of  1  modeller,  1  clerk,  and  \ 
draftsman. 

REPOSOTRES  d'un  escalier,  Fr.  the 
jests  or  landing  places  of  a  half-pace 
stair;  every  fifth  or  sixth  step  being, 
much  broader  than  the  rest. 


REP 


(     737     ) 


REP 


REPOSTE  is  the  vindictive  motion 
of  a  horse  that  answers  the  spur  with  a 
kick  of  his  foot. 

REPOUS,  Fr.  a  sort  of  small  plaster 
which  comes  from  old  mason-work,  and 
is  made  into  mortar  with   brick   dust, 


the  following  general  order,  which  must 
ever  do  him  honour  as  a  gentleman,  a 
soldier,  and  a  christian. 

"  H.Q.  Tourney,  7  June,  1791. 
"  His  Royal  Highness  the  Duke   of 
York   thinks  it  incumbent  on    him   to 


lime,  &c.   for  the  purpose  of  laying  it  I  announce  to    the  British  and   Hanove- 


to  drive    back, 


upon  moist  soil. 

REPOUSSER,  Fr 
to  repel. 

REPOUSSOIR,  Fr.  an  iron  driver 
used  by  carpenters  to  force  out  wooden 
pegs,  &c.  achissel. 

Repoussojr,  Fr.  a  small  stick  which 
artificers  and  fireworkers  use  in  making 
tire  pots  and  other  works. 
REPREXDRE,  Fr.  to  retake. 
Reprendre  courage,  haleine  pour 
marcher  de  nouveau  a  lennemi,  Fr.  to  re- 
sume courage,  or  take  breath  in  order 
to  march  afresh  against  an  enemy. 

Reprendre  un  mur,  Fr.  to  repair  a 
wall  at  the  top. 

Reprendre  un  butiment  sous  ccuvre, 
Fr.  to  repair  a  building  at  its  base,  or  to 
underpin  it. 

REPRESAILLER,  Fr.  in  a  military 
sense,  to  retaliate,  or  to  subject  the 
prisoners  who  may  tall  into  our  hands, 
to  the  same  treatment  which  is  expe- 
rienced by  our  own  troops.  When  an 
enemy  violates,  or  breaks  through  the 
rights  of  nations,  and  the  established 
rules  of  war,  the  vengeance  which  is 
taken  by  his  opponent  is  called  by  the 
French  reprisailles,  retaliation.  Great 
Britain  is,  perhaps,  the  only  country  in 
the  world,  in  which  the  minds  of  the 
inhabitants  are  impressed  with  those 
natural  principles  of  humanity,  that 
make  them  rise  superior  to  the  dictates 
of  private  revenge.  During  the  cam- 
aigns  in  Flanders,  when  His  Royal 
lighness  the  Duke  of  York  commanded 
the  British  army,  there  were  several 
instances  in  which  the  clemency  of  the 
English  character  was  eminently  con- 
spicuous. But  on  no  occasion  has  it 
ever  appeared  in  so  bright  and  unques- 
tionable a  light,  as  when  Robespierre, 
from  a  barbarous  and  mistaken  policy, 
prevailed  upon  the  members  of  the 
French  Convention  to  issue  a  decree, 
that  no  quarter  should  be  given  to  the 
British  and  Hanoverian  prisoners.  This 
decree,  which  was  forwarded  to  the 
army  under  General  Pichegru,  was  no 
sooner  known  at  the  British  head  quar- 
ters, than  his  Royal  Highness  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  immediately  gave  out 


nan  troops  under  his  command,  that 
the  .National  Convention  of  France, 
pursuing  that  gradation  of  crimes  and 
horrors  which  has  distinguished  the 
periods  of  its  government,  as  the  most 
calamitous  of  any  that  has  yet  occurred 
in  the  history  of  the  world,  has  passed 
a  decree,  that  their  soldiers  shall  give 
no  quarter  to  the  British  and  Hanoverian 
troops. 

"  His  Royal  Highness  anticipates  the 
indignation  and  horror  which  will  natu- 
rally arise  in  the  minds  of  the  brave 
troops  whom  he  addresses,  upon  re- 
ceiving this  information. 

"  His  Royal  Highness  desires,  how- 
ever, to  remind  them,  that  mercy  to 
the  vanquished  is  the  brightest  gem  in 
a  soldier's  character,  and  he  exhorts 
them  not  to  suffer  their  resentment  to 
lead  them  to  any  precipitate  act  of 
cruelty  on  their  part,  which  may  sully 
the  reputation  they  have  acquired  in  the 
world. 

"  His  Royal  Highness  believes,  that 
it  will  be  difficult  for  brave  men  to 
conceive,  that  any  set  of  men,  who  are 
themselves  exempt  from  sharing  the 
dangers  of  war,  should  be  so  base  and 
cowardly,  as  to  seek  to  aggravate  the 
calamities  of  it  upon  the  unfortunate 
people  who  are  subject  to  their  orders  ; 
it  was,  indeed,  reserved  to  the  present 
time,  to  produce  to  the  world  the  proof 
of  the  possibility  of  the  existence  of 
such  atrocity  and  infamy;  the  pretence 
for  issuing  this  decree,  even  if  founded 
in  truth,  could  justify  it  only  to  minds 
similar  to  those  of  the  members  of  the 
National  Convention,  that  is,  in  fact, 
too  absurd  to  be  noticed,  and  still  less 
to  be  refuted.  The  French  must  them- 
selves see  through  the  flimsy  artifice 
of  a  pretended  assassination,  by  which 
Robespierre  had  succeeded  in  procuring 
that  military  guard  which  has  at  once 
established  him  the  successor  of  the 
unfortunate  Louis,  by  whatever  name 
he  may  choose  to  dignity  his  future 
reign. 

"  In  all  the  wars,  which  from  the 
earliest  times  have  existed  between  the 
English  and  French  nations,  thev  have 
5  B 


R  E  P 


(     7S8     ) 


II  E  Q 


l..n  accustomed  to  consider  each  other 
in  the  fight  of*  generous,  as  well  as 
brave  enemies;  while  the  Hanoverians, 
I,,,  a  century  the  allies  of"  the  former, 
have  shared  in  this  reciprocal  esteem, 
humanity  and  kindness,  which  have  at 
all  times  taken  place  the  instant  that 
opposition  had  ceased;  and  the  same 
cloak  has  frequently  been  seen  cover- 
ing the  wounded  enemies,  while  indis- 
criminately conveying  to  the  hospitals  of 
the  conqueror. 

"The  British  and  Hanoverian  armies 
toll  not  believe,  that  the  French  nation, 
even  under  their  present  infatuation, 
ran  so  far  forget  their  character  as  sol- 
diers, as  to  pay  any  attention  to  a  de- 
cree, as  injurious  to  themselves  as  it  is 
disgraceful  to  the  persons  who  passed  it. 

"  On  this  confidence  his  Royal  High- 
ness trusts,  that  the  soldiers  of  both 
nations  will  confine  their  sentiments  ot 
resentment  and  abhorrence  to  the  Na- 
tional Convent  ion  alone,  persuaded  that 
they  will  be  joined  in  them  by  every 
Frenchman  who  possesses  one  spark  of 
honour,  or  one  principle  of  a  soldier : 
and  His  Royal  Highness  is  confident, 
that  it  will  only  be  on  finding,  contrary 
to  every  expectation,  that  the  French 
army  has  relinquished  every  title  to  the 
fair  character  of  soldiers  and  of  men, 
by  submitting  to,  and  obeying  so  atro- 
cious an  order,  that  the  brave  troops 
under  his  command  will  think  them- 
selves justified,  and  indeed  under  the 
necessity,  of  themselves  adopting  a 
species  of  warfare,  for  which  they  will 
stand  acquitted  to  their  own  consei 
to  their  country,  and  to  the  world.  In 
such  an  event,  the  Trench  army  alone 
will  be  answerable  for  the  tenfold  ven- 
geance which  will  fall  upon  themselw  s, 
their  wives,  their  children,  and  their  un- 
fortunate country,  already groaningunder 
every  calamity  which  the  accumulated 
<  rimes  of  unprincipled  ambition  and 
avarice  can  heap  upon  their  devoted 
victims. 

"  His  Royal  Highness  desires,  that 
this  order  may  be  read  and  explained 
bo  the  troops  at  their  successive  roll 
callings." 

REPKRSAILLES,  Fr.  reprisals. 

Droit  de  Rbprz6aim.ES,  Fr.  letters 
ol  marque^  such  as  are  given  to  priva- 
i       .  8cc. 

(  REPRIMAND,  (riprmande,  Fr.)  a 
slighter  kind  of  punishment  sometimes 
inflicted   on  officers   and  non-commis- 


sioned officers.  It  consists  in  reproving 
or  reprimanding  them  at  the  head  ot 
their  respective  regiments,  troop,  or 
company,  as  the  case  may  be.  A  repri- 
mand issonietitnesiuserted  in  the  orderly 
books. 

REPRISE,  J'V.  renewal:  often  re- 
peated. Les  troupes  se  son/  battues,  ft 
plusieurs  reprises,  avec  ach&tnement,  the 
troops  engaged  again  at  repeated  inter- 
vals, with  rancour,  or  redoubled  fury. 

Reprise,  a  lesson  repeated,  or  a 
manege  recommenced;  as,  to  give  breath 
to  ahorse  upon  the  lour  corners  of  the 
\olt,  with  only  one  reprise;  that  is,  all 
■with  one  breath. 

REPRISES  (Formes,  Fr.  the  taking 
up  arms  again  for  the  purpose  of  going 
into  action. 

REPRISES  d' hostility,  Fr.  renewal  of 
hostilities. 

A  dir-crses  REPRISES,  Fr.  at  different 
times. 

REPROOF,  (reprehension,  Fr.)  cen- 
sure; blame  to  the  face:  Military  re- 
proof may  however  be  conveyed  through 
the  orderly  books,  as  in  the  following 
instance.  "  The  misbehaviour  of  the 
troops  in  the  column  which  inarched  by 
\  alderas  to  this  place  exceeds  what  the 
commander  in  chief  could  have  be- 
lieved of  British  soldiers.  It  is  dis- 
graceful to  the  officers,  as  it  strongly 
marks  their  negligt  nee  and  inattention." 
—  General  Orders,  Head  Quarters  Bcna- 
oente,  27  Dec.  1808. 

REPUBLIC,  (rqmbliquc,  Fr.)  a  go- 
vernment where  democracy  has  the  as- 
cendancy. 

REPUTATION,    (reputation,    Fr.) 
credit ;  honour. 

REQUETE  d'armes,  Fr.  a  public 
challenge. 

REQUISITION,  ( requisition,  Fr.)  a 
lerm  peculiarly  used  b\  the  French  dur- 
ing the  course  of  their  re\olution,  and 
applicable  to  most  nations  in  ite general 
import.  It  signifies  the  act  of  exacting 
eitin  r  men,  or  things,  for  the  public  ser- 
\  ice. 

Jmnes  gens  de  la  REQUISITION,  Fr. 
young  men  required  or  called  upon  to 
serve  in  the  army. 

REQUISITION!^  MRP,  Fr.  a  per- 
son liable  to  be  put  in  a  state  of  requi- 
sition. This  term  has  been  adopted  by 
one  English  writer,  who  says  requisilion- 
ary ;  but  we  do  not  recommend  such 
frequent  recourse  to  Gallicisms.  See 
Siege  of  Genua. 


RES 


(    739     J 


RES 


RESAPER,  RESAPPER,  Fr.  to 
underdrop,  or  underset  a  wall;  to  re- 
pair it  at  the  foot,  or  after  it  has  been 
undermined. 

RESEPAGE,  Fr.  the  act  of  sawing, 
or  cutting  a  second  line. 

RESEPER,  Fr.  to  saw  or  cut  again ; 
to  take  off  with  a  hatchet,  or  saw,  the 
head  or  top  of  a  stake  or  pile,  which 
cannot  be  driven  deeper  into  the  earth, 
in  order  to  make  it  level  with  the  rest  of 
the  pile  work.  Belidor  writes  the  word 
Resc'eper. 

Il£SERVrE,  (corps  de  reserve,  Fr.) 
any  select  body  of  troops  posted  by  a 
general  out  of  the  first  line  of  action,  to 
answer  some  specific  or  critical  purpose, 
in  the  day  of  battle.  The  French  like- 
wise call  that  body  a  corps  de  reserve, 
which  is  composed  of  the  staff  of  the 
army,  and  moves  with  the  commander 
in  chief,  from  whom  it  receives  the  pa- 
role or  word  ;  but  in  every  other  respect 
it  is  governed  by  its  own  general.  In 
British  operations,  even  forward  ones, 
the  reserve,  instead  of  forming  a  select 
corps  of  support,  and  being,  of  course, 
behind  the  wings,  or  center  of  an  army, 
is  frequently  in  front.  This  is  not  the 
case  among  the  French,  &c, 

Ariny  of  Reserve.  By  an  act  passed 
on  the  (ith  day  of  July,  1803,  the  King 
of  Great  Britain  was  enabled  to  raise 
and  assemble  in  England,  an  additional 
military  force,  for  the  better  defence 
and  security  of  the  United  Kingdom,  and 
for  the  more  vigorous  prosecution  of  the 
war.  The  number  of  men  to  be  raised 
for  the  formation  of  this  new  army,  to 
be  styled  the  Army  of  Reserve,  was  as 
follows  :  for  England  and  Wales  34,000, 
for  Scotland  6,000,  and  for  Ireland 
10,000 ;  in  all  50,000. 

RESERVOIR,  (reservoir,  Fr.)  a 
place  where  water  is  collected  and  re- 
served for  the  purpose  of  having  it  occa- 
sionally conveyed  through  pipes,  &;c.  or 
to  be  spouted  up. 

The  Reservoir  is  a  building,  or  large 
basin,  usually  made  of  wood  lined  with 
lead,  in  which  water  is  kept  to  supply 
the  occasions  or  calls  of  the  house. 

A  Reservoir  is  also  sometimes  a 
large  basin  of  strong  masonry,  the  bot- 
tom being  either  covered  with  clay,  or 
paved,  where  the  water  is  reserved  to 
feed  jets  d'eau,  or  fountains.  Of  this  de- 
scription is  the  7-eservoir  on  the  top  of 
Marti,  near  Paris,  called  Troud'Enfcr, 


the  Hole  or  Mouth  of  Hell ;  whose  sur- 
face, according  to  D'Aviler,  contains  50 
acres,  and  its  depth  such  as  under  that 
superficies  to  contain  100,000  cubic 
fathoms  of  water. 

RESIGN,  to  sell  out;  to  give  up  the 
situation  which  one  fills  either  by  com- 
mission or  warrant.  In  which  case  the 
individual  must  state  his  reasons  by 
respectfully  applying,  through  his  com- 
manding officer,  for  permission  to  retire 
from  the  service,  and  wait  his  Majesty's 
pleasure  thereon.  In  commissions  of 
the  militia,  and  in  cases  of  warrants 
given  by  the  colonels  of  regiments,  &c. 
the  memorial  must  be  made  out  to  the 
latter,  who  will  take  the  necessary  steps. 
But  in  no  instance  whatever  can  an 
officer,  commissioned  or  otherwise,  pre- 
sume to  quit  the  service,  without  having 
previously  obtained  permission  for  so 
doing. 

RESIGNATION,  (resignation,  de- 
mission, Fr.)  in  a  military  sense,  the  act 
of  giving  up  any  thing,  post,  or  situa- 
tion, voluntarily.  The  French  say,  don- 
ner  sa  demission,  to  resign,  or  give  in 
one's  resignation .  Recevoir  sa  demission, 
to  be  dismissed,  or  to  be  forced  to 
resign.  Although  it  is  in  the  power  of 
an  officer  to  send,  or  to  give  in  his 
resignation,  (which  must  always  be  done 
through  his  commanding  officer,)  he  is 
not  released  from  the  service,  or  its  in- 
cumbent duties,  until  his  Majesty's  ap- 
probation has  been  notified  to  him 
through  the  Commander  in  Chief.  This 
holds  good  in  the  militia. 
RESINE,  Fr.  rosin. 
To  RESIST,  (r'esister,  Fr.)  to  with- 
stand ;  not  to  yield  or  give  up. 

RESISTANCE,  (resistance,  Fr.)  the 
act  of  opposing,  resisting,  or  withstand- 
ing. 

RESOLUTION,  in  algebra,  the  so- 
lution of  a  problem. 

Resolution,  in  mathematics,  a  me- 
thod invented,  whereby  the  truth,  or 
falsehood  of  a  proposition,  or  the  im- 
possibility, is  discovered  in  an  order 
contrary  to  that  of  synthesis  or  compo- 
sition. 

Resolution,  (resolution,  Fr.)  fixed 
determination,  settled  thought,  con- 
stancy, firmness,  steadiness,  high  daring, 
srreat  courage. 

The  difference  between  resolution  and 
obstinacy  consists  in  this — resolution  is 
always  accompanied  by  reason,  honour, 
5B2 


RES 


C     7-10     ) 


RES 


nnil  perseverance;  obstinacy,  on  the 
contrary,  is  seldom  guided  by  any  thing 
but  passion,  and  is  generally  of  a 
changeable,  vacillating  character,  under 

the  specious  appearance  of  firmness  and 
Stability.  Resolution  is  the  virtue  of 
a  wise  man ;  obstinacy  the  vice  of  a 
fool. 

RESPECT,  Fr.  respect;  regard;  awe. 
The  French  say  of  a  fortified  place, 
cette  place  de  guerre  tient  I'ennemi  en 
respect,  that  town  or  fortified  place  keeps 
the  enemy  in  awe,  or  checks  his  opera- 
tions. 

RESOM,  h,d.  feasor  dues. 
A  RESPITE,  a  term  used  in  mili- 
tary accounts,  signifying  a  certain  sum 
of  money  which  is  directed  to  be  with- 
holden  from  the  issue  of  pay,  in  order 
to  make  up  the  several  stoppages  in  re- 
gimental distributions,  for  a  more  spe- 
cific explanation,  see  Regimental  Com- 
panion, vol.  i.  page  467,  oth  edition. 

To  ]>  i  spite,    to  suspend,  to  delay; 
froih  the  French  Repiter. 

To  be  RESPITE!)  on  the  muster  roll, 
to  be  suspended  from  pay,  &w.  during 
which  period  all  advantages  of  promo- 
tion, pay,  8cc.  are  stopped.  It  is  ori- 
ginally derived  from  respite,  which  sig- 
nifies delay,  forbearance,  &c.  Thus  in 
(  larcndon's  History  of  the  Civil  Wars  we 
read,  that  an  act  passed  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  the  officers  of  the  King's  army,  by 
which  they  were  promised  payment  in 
November  following;  till  which  time 
they  were  to  respite  it,  and  be  con- 
tented; that  the  common  soldiers  and 
inferior  officers  should  be  satisfied  upon 
their  being  disbanded.  At  present,  to 
respite  means  to  deprive  an  individual 
gf  all  the  advantages  attached  to  his 
situation ;  in  which  sense  it 
much  the  same  as  to  suspend. 

W  hen  an  officer  has  exceeded  his 
leave  of  absence,  and  has  not  sent  a 
satisfactory  account  of  himself  to  his 
commanding  officer,  the  latter  reports 
him,  in  an  especial  manner,  to  the  ge- 
neral of  the  district,  by  whom  he  is 
returned  absent  without  leave.  It  some- 
times happens,  that  the  colonel,  or  com- 
manding officer,  gives  directions  to  have 
him  noted  on  the  muster-roll  of  the 
regiment ;  in  which  case,  he  is  said  to 
be  respited  or  deprived  of  pay.  This 
is  the  first  step  towards  suspension  from 
iank  and  pay,  which  ultimately  ternii- 
uute-s  in  a  total  exclusion  from  the  ser- 


signifies 


vice,  by  the  offending  party  being  per- 
emptorily superseded.  The  name  of 
ilu'  person  is  Laid  before  Ins  Majesty, 
who  directs  the  Commander  in  Chief  to 
strike  it  off  the  list  of  the  army. 

The  money  which  is  respited  upon 
the  muster-roll  is  accounted  for  by  the 
muster-master-general,  and  placed  to 
the  credit,  of  the  public  by  the  paynias- 
ter-gi  mral. 

UESPONSIBLE,  answerable,  ac- 
countable. Thus  all  commanding  offi- 
cers of  regiments,  as  well  as  comman- 
ders in  chief,  8cc.  down  to  the  corporal 
of  a  squad  of  recruits,  are,  more  or  less, 
responsible  for  the  trust  reposed  in  them. 
But  in  no  instances  are  individuals  more 
responsible  than  in  those  where  the  dis- 
tribution of  the  public  monies  is  entrust- 
ed to  the  wisdom  and  honesty  of  boards, 
or  the  heads  of  boards. 

RES P(  >NSI BIL1TY ,  (responsabiliti, 
Fr.)  the  state  of  being  answerable.  All 
public  officers,  civil  or  military,  are  in 
a  state  of  responsibility  with  respect  to 
national  concerns. 

RESPONSIONJ,  Fr.  a  term  used  by 
the  French,  in  military  orders,  signify- 
ing the  same  as  charge  or  redevance, 
charge  or  service.  Thus  each  com- 
mandery  pays  a  certain  sum,  called 
Somme  de  Responsion,  to  its  order,  in 
proportion  to  its  value. 

RESSAC,  Fr.  the  breaking  of  a  wave 
upon  the  shore,  together  with  its  reflux 
into  the  sea. 

RESSAUT,  Fr.  jutty;  projection. 
Ressaut   d'escalitr,  Fr.   the  winding 
or  turning  off  of  a  balustrade. 

Ressaut,  in  architecture,  is  the  ef- 
fect of  a  body  which  either  projects  or 
sinks,  that  is,  which  stands  more  out  or 
in  than  another,  so  as  to  be  out  of  tin* 


ne,  or  level  of  it. 


RESSERRER,  Fr.  to  hem  in;  to 
confine.  Une  garnison  fort  rcsserrie,  a 
garrison  narrowly  watt  lied  by  a  besieg- 
ing army,  and  kept  within  its  walls. 

RESSORT,  fr.  spring;  elasticity. 
This  word  is  used  in  various  senses  by 
the  French,  viz. 

Dernier  ReSSORT,  Fr.  last  shift. — 
When  applied  to  trials  or  courts-martial, 
it  signifies  a  sentence,  a  decision  from 
which  there  is  no  appeal ;  as  Juge/nent 
en  dernier  ressort. 

Grand  Rlssort,  Fr.  main  spring. 

N'agir  que  par  Ressort,  Fr.  to 
do  nothing  of  one's  own  free  will ;  to 


RES 

be    acted 


(     741 
upon    by 


) 


II  E  T 


be   influenced,   to 
others. 

Manquer  de  Ressort,  Fr.  to  want 
energy,  vigour,  &c. 

Un  caractire  qui  a  du  Ressort,  Fr.  a 
firm,  determined  character. 

Cela  nest  pas  de  mon  Ressort,  Fr. 
that  is  not  within  my  province. 

RESSOURCE,  Fr.  resource,  shift, 
refuge. 

Un  homme  de  Ressources,  Fr.  a 
man  that  has  resources  within  himself. 

Un  homme  plein  de  Ressources,  Fr. 
a  man  full  of  resources,  full  of  expedients. 

REST,  an  instrument  in  the  shape 
of  a  fork,  which  was  formerly  used  to 
support  the  old  heavy  musket,  when  the 
men  were  ordered  to  present  and  fire. 
Sometimes  these  rests  were  armed  with 
a  contrivance  called  a  swine's  feather, 
which  was  a  sort  of  sword  blade,  or 
tuck,  that  issued  from  the  staffof  the  rest, 
at  the  head ;  this  being  placed  before  the 
musketeers  when  loading,  served,  like  the 
stakes  placed  before  the  archers  and  the 
lancers,  to  keep  oft*  the  cavalry  :  these 
preceded  the  use  of  the  bayonet ;  the  in- 
vention of  which  originated  in  the  sol- 
diers sticking  the  handles  of  their  dag- 
gers in  the  muzzles  of  their  pieces, 
when  they  had  discharged  all  their  am- 
munition. The  muskets,  having  a  rest, 
were  used  with  the  matchlock. 

Rest,  the  third  motion  of  the  fire- 
lock in  presenting  arms.  The  French 
present  in  two  motions.  Perhaps  our 
method  is  the  best,  if  we  consider  it  as 
a  mere  motion  of  parade ;  but  certainly 
not  so  for  service. 

To  Rest  arms,  to  bring  the  firelock 
to  the  same  position  as  in  present  arms. 

To  Rest  upon  r-eversed  urms.  At  mi- 
litary funerals  the  arms  are  reversed. 
The  soldiers  belonging  to  the  firing  party 
rest  upon  the  butt  ends  of  their  firelocks, 
while  the  funeral  service  is  performed, 
leaning  with  their  cheeks,  so  as  to  look 
towards  the  corpse. 

Rest  upon  your  firelocks  reversed!  is 
the  word  of  command  now  ordered  to 
be  used  at  military  funerals. 

RESTANT,  Fr.  the  remainder;  what 
is  left. 

Poste  Restante,  Fr.  a  term  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  that  letters, 
&c.  are  to  remain  in  the  post-office  un- 
til called  or  sent  for.  This  term  is 
always  written  at  the  foot  of  the  super- 
scription of  a  letter. 


RESTAURATION,  Fr.  the  entire 
repair  which  is  made  to  a  building  that 
has  fallen  into  decay  through  time,  or 
from  bad  construction,  so  that  it  is  not 
only  restored  to  its  original  state,  but 
considerably  embellished. 

RESTE,  Fr.  remainder,  viz.  le  reste 
dcs  troupes,  the  remainder  of  the  troops. 

Etre  en  Reste,  Fr.  to  be  in  arrears. 

R ESTER,   Fr.  to  remain  behind. 

RESTIVE,  RESTY.  A  resty  horse 
is  a  malicious,  unruly  horse,  that  shrugs 
himself  short,  and  will  only  go  where 
he  pleases. 

RETABLIR,  Fr.  to  restore,  or  to 
bring  back.  Hence,  retallir  la  disci- 
pline,' to  restore  to  good  order  or  dis- 
cipline. It  is  wisely  observed  by  a 
French  writer,  that  the  maintenance  of 
good  order,  among  troops,  is  far  more 
easy  than  the  restoration  of  it  from  a 
state  of  relaxation  and  indiscipline. 

RETAPER,  Fr.  to  cock  up  a  hat. 

RETENTIR,  Fr.  to  resound;  to 
re-echo ;  to  repeat. 

RETENTISSEMENT,  Fr.  the  act 
of  resounding,  &c. 

RETENUE,  Fr.  stoppage;  any  thing 
kept  back. 

Retenue,  Fr.  This  word  is  applied 
to  any  piece  of  wood  which  is  so  fixed 
in  a  wall,  or  elsewhere,  as  not  to  be 
moved  one  way  or  another.  Hence 
Avoir  sa  retenue,  to  be  iinmoveably  fixed. 

RETIARIUS,  (Rctiaire,  Fr.)  a  kind 
of  gladiator  who  fought  in  the  amphi- 
theatre during  the  time  of  the  Romans. 
He  is  thus  described  by  Kennett,  in  his 
Roman  Antiquities,  page  274. 

The  Retiarius  was  dressed  in  a  short 
coat,  having  a  fuscina  or  trident  in  his 
left  hand,  and  a  net,  from  which  he  de- 
rives his  name,  in  his  right.  With  this 
he  endeavoured  to  entangle  his  adver- 
sary, that  he  might  then  with  his  trident 
easily  dispatch  him  :  on  his  head  he 
wore  only  a  hat  tied  under  his  chin  with 
a  broad  ribbon. 

RETICENCE,  Fr.  the  suppression, 
or  voluntary  omission  of  any  thing  which 
ought  to  be  disclosed. 

RETIRADE,  or  coupure,  Fr.  in  for- 
tification, a  retrenchment,  which  is  gene- 
rally made  with  two  faces,  forming  a 
rentrant  angle,  and  is  thrown  up  in  the 
body  of  a  work  For  the  purpose  of  receiv- 
ing troops,  who  may  dispute  the  ground 
inch  by  inch.  When  the  first  means  of 
resistance  have  been  destroyed;  others 


R  E  T 


(     74CJ     ) 


RET 


are  substituted  by  cutting  a  ditch,  rmd 
lining  it  \\  ith  ;i  parapet.  The  retiradt 
sometimes  consists  of  nothing  inure  than 
rows  of  fascines  filled  with  earth,  stuffed 
gabions,  barrels,  or  sand-bags,  with  or 
without  a  ditch,  and  <  it  1  kl  fenced  with 
palisadoes,  or  left  without  them. 

Whenever  it  becomes  absolutely  ne- 
cessary, to  quit  the  head  or  side  of  a 
work,  the  whole  of  it  must,  on  no  ac- 
count, be  abandoned.  On  the  contrary, 
whilst  some  determined  troops  keep  the 
enemy  in  cheek,  others  must  H)e  actively 
employed  in  throwing  up  n .tirades,  which 
may  Hank  each  other,  and  in  cutting  a 
ditch  in  front.  It  is  particularly  incum- 
bent upon  the  engineer  officer  to  assist 
works  of  this  sort,  and  every  officer  and 
soldier  should  zealously  co-operate  with 
him.  A  slight  knowledge  of  field  fortifi- 
cation will,  on  these  occasions,  give  a 
decided  advantage.  The  body  of  a  rcti- 
rude  should  be  raised  as  high  aspossible, 
and  several  fougasses  should  be  laid  be- 
neath it,  for  the  purpose  of  blowing  up 
the  ground  on  which  the  enemy  may 
have  established  himself. 

Retiuades,  OS  practised  by  the  ancients. 
These  were  walls  hastily  run  up  behind 
breaches  that  were  made  by  the  batter- 
ing rams.  The  able  commentator  upon 
Polybius  observes,  that  in  no  instance 
did  the  skill  of  the  great  men  of  antiquity 
appear  in  so  conspicuous  a  light,  as  in 
the  various  chicanes  to  which  they  re- 
sorted for  the  preservation  of  a  town. 
Their  ingenuity  and  resolution  increased 
in  proportion  as  the  danger  approached. 
Instead  of  offering  to  capitulate,  as  the 
moderns  generally  do,  when  a  practica- 
ble breach  has  been  opened  by  a  besieg- 
ing enemy,  the  ancients,  in  that  emer- 
gency, collected  all  their  vigour,  had  re- 
course to  various  stratagems,  and  waited 
behind  their  retirades  or  temporary  re- 
treats, to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  and  ob- 
stinate reception.  Caesar,  in  his  Com- 
mentaries, has  given  a  minute  descrip- 
tion of  the  manner  in  which  these  reti- 
rades were  constructed;  and  we  find 
them  mentioned  by  Josephus  in  his  His- 
tory of  the  War  of  the  Jews  against  the 
Romans. 

The  intermediate  periods,  since  the 
days  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans,  and 
before  the  modern  era,  furnished  various 
examples  on  this  head.  In  1219,  Genghis 
Khan  set  all  his  battering  rams  to  work, 
for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a  breach  in 


the  walls  of  Ottrar;  but,  to  his  great  sur- 
prize, he  no  sooner  entered  the  town, 
than  he  found  a  fresh  line  of  entrench- 
on  uts  that  had  been  thrown  up  in  the 
\ii\  heart  of  the  city.  He  saw  every 
street  cut  asunder  with  temporary 
ditches,  and  every  house  presented  fresh 
obstacles:  so  much  so,  that  he  experi- 
enced  more  difficulty  in  subduing  the 
inhabitants  after  he  had  forced  the  walls, 
than  had  occurred  in  practising  the 
breach. 

When  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  laid 
siege  to  Metz,  in  1552,  the  Duke  4e 
Guise,  who  was  governor  of  the  town, 
instantly  adopted  the  necessary  precau- 
tions to  defend  it  to  the  last.  He  built 
a  new  wall  behind  the  one  against  which 
the  principal  attack  was  directed;  and 
when  the  breach  was  made,  the  besiegers 
found  themselves  obstinately  opposed 
afresh,  within  a  short  space  of  the  ground 
thej  had  carried.  In  consequence  of 
this  unexpected  check,  the  enemy's  troops 
grew  disheartened;  and  their  want  of 
confidence  soon  convinced  the  emperor, 
that  the  place  could  not  be  taken.  The. 
siege  was  unexpectedly  raised,  and  the 
preservation  of  the  town  was  entirely 
owing  to  the  wise  precautions  that  had 
been  adopted  by  the  Duke  de  Guise. 

In  17-12,  Marshal Broglio, being  closely 
besieged  in  the  city  of  Prague,  threw  up 
retrenchments  within  the  walls,  and  pre- 
pared to  make  a  most  vigorous  resistance. 
An  occasion,  however,  presented  itself, 
of  which  he  took  advantage,  that  ren- 
dered any  further  precautions  useless. 
He  made  a  vigorous  sortie,  and  forced 
the  enemy  to  raise  the  siege. 

To  RETIRE,  (retirer,  Fr.)  to  leave 
a  situation,  local  or  otherwise. 

To  Retire  under  the  protection  of  a 
fortified  place,  is.c.  (retirer  sous  une place 
fartifile,  Fr.)  to  take  up  a  position  undei 
some  strong  town  or  fortress,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  being  entrenched.  We  also  say 
to  Retire  under  the  guns  of  a  town  or 
place. 

To  Retire  from  the  service,  (se  re- 
tirer du  service,  Fr.)  to  quit  a  military 
situation  or  place  of  trust.  See  to  Re- 
sign. 

To  Retire  upon  full  pay,  to  leave 
any  particular  regiment,  department  or 
office,  with  the  full  pay  or  subsistence 
which  is  attached  to  the  actual  exercise 
of  its  duties  or  functions.  Iii  cases  of 
military  retirement,  the  allowances  do- 


RET 


(     743     ) 


R 


E  T 


not  come  within  the  meaning  of  full  pay 
or  suhsistence. 

Officers  who  Retire  in  the  East  India 
service.  The  India  Company  have  re- 
solved, that  an  officer,  (in  his  military 
capacity,)  after  twenty  years  actual  ser- 
vice in  India,  coming  to  Europe  on 
leave,  will  he  allowed  to  retire  on  the 
pay  of  his  rank,  provided  he  signifies  his 
intention  of  so  doing  within  twenty 
months  after  his  arrival.  Officers  on 
leave  who  are  desirous  of  retiring,  and 
who  declare  their  intention  to  that  etfect, 
within  twelve  months  from  their  arrival, 
will  be  permitted  to  retire  on  the  pay  ot 
the  rank  they  may  he  entitled  to  at  that 
period.  An  officer  having  completed  '22 
vears  actual  residence  in  India,  will  be 
allowed  to  retire  on  the  full  pay  of  his 
rank,  directly  on  his  leaving  India. 

RETIRED  List,  a  list  on  the  Ord- 
nance and  Marine  establishment  upon 
which  superannuated,  or  deserving  of- 
ficers whose  health  or  circumstances  jus- 
tify a  retirement,  are  placed.  Also  a  list 
of  such  officers  as  have  retired  from  the 
army  in  general  upon  full  pay. 

Faireli EITHER,  Fr.  to* force  back; 
to  drive  away. 

RETOMBEE,  Fr.  the  declivity  of  an 
arch. 

Porte  qui  RETOMBE,  Fr.  a  pulley 
door. 

RETORS,  Fr.  twisted.  The  French 
say,  figuratively,  homme  retors,  a  shrewd 
man. 

RFTORSOTR,  Fr.  a  card  wheel. 
RETOURNER,    Fr.    among   stone- 
cutters,  to   turn   a  stone,  one   side   of 
which  has  been  dressed,  in  order  to  shape 
or  smooth  the  opposite  one. 

Se  Retoirner  d'eqnerre,  Fr.  to  raise 
a  perpendicular  upon  the  length  or  ex- 
tremity of  a  real  or  supposed  line. 

RETOURS  de  la  mine,  Fr.  returns  of 
a  mine.     See  Gallery. 

Retours  de  la  tranch'te,  Fr.  returns  of  a 
trench.  In  fortification,  the  several 
windings  and  oblique  deviations  of  a 
trench,  which  are  drawn,  in  some  mea- 
sure, parallel  to  the  sides  of  the  place  at- 
tacked, in  order  to  avoid  being  enfi- 
laded, or  having  the  shot  of  the  enemy 
scour  along  the  length  of  the  line.  On 
account  of  these  different  returns,  a  con- 
siderable interval  is  opened  between  the 
head  and  the  tail  of  the  trench,  which 
(were  the  lines  direct)  would  not 
be  at  any  great  distance  from  each 
other. 


Retoors  d'eqnerre,  Fr.  coins  or  cor- 
ners at  riu;ht  angles. 

RETRAITE,  Fr.     See  To  Retreat. 

Retraite,  Fr.  in  architecture,  the  di- 
minution or  lessening  of  the  outward,  or 
visible  part  of  a  wall,  above  its  base,  or 
course  of  hard  stones,  by  which  it  ap- 
pears to  draw  inwards  from  its  founda- 
tion. 

Retraite  dans  les  montagnes,  Fr.  the 
act  of  falling  back  or  retreating  among 
the  mountains. 

This  was  practised  with  peculiar 
judgment  and  success  by  the  Tyrolese  in 
their  contest  with  the  French  troops 
under  the  Duke  of  Dantzic,  who,  confi- 
dent in  their  numbers,  ventured  through 
the  passes  of  the  mountains.  The  de- 
fenders had  recourse  to  the  following  ar- 
rangements : — The  largest  trees  were  cut 
down,  and  fastened  with  ropes  to  the 
other  trees  which  stood  on  the  brink 
of  the  precipice;  rocks,  rubbish,  and 
huge  pieces  of  timber,  were  laid  on  these 
trees.  As  soon  as  the  enemy  approached, 
the  ropes  were  cut,  and  trees,  rocks,  rub- 
bish, and  what  they  dragged  with  them 
in  their  fall,  tumbled  with  a  horrible 
crash  upon  the  heads  of  the  invading 
corps:  this  occurred  in  1809. 

Faire  Retraite,  Fr.  to  retire;  to  fall 
back. 

Battre  la  Retraite,  Fr.  to  beat  the 
tap-too;  also  to  sound  the  retreat. 

Se  battre  en  Retraite,  Fr.to  maintain 
a  running  fight;  also  to  fight  in  retreating. 

Retraite,  Fr.  an  allowance  which 
is  given  by  the  French  government  to 
officers,  when  they  retire  from  the  ac- 
tive duties  of  their  profession,  to  afford 
them  means  of  support. 

Retraite,  Fr.     See  Relais. 

RETR  AITS  or  Pricks.  In  farriery,  if 
a  prick  with  a  nail  be  neglected,  it  may 
occasion  a  very  dangerous  sore,  and 
fester  so  into  the  flesh,  that  the  foot  can- 
not be  saved  without  extreme  difficulty. 
When  a  farrier,  in  shoeing  a  horse,  per- 
ceives that  he  shrinks  at  every  blow 
upon  the  nail,  it.  should  be  immediately 
pulled  out,  and  if  the  blood  follow,  there 
is  no  danger;  he  must,  however,  be  cau- 
tious not  to  drive  another  nail  into  the 
same  place. 

When  a  horse  halts  immediately  aft* 3, 
he  has  been  shod,  you  may  reasonably 
conclude,  that  some  of  the  nails  press 
the  vein,  or  touch  him  in  the  quick. 

In  order  to  ascertain  where  the  pain 
really  lies,  take  up  his  lame  foot  ami 


R  E  T 


(     741     ) 


It  E  T 


knock  with  your  shoeing  hammer  on  the 
sound  foot  (for  some  skittish  horses  will 
lilt  up  the  toot  win  n  you  touch  it,  al- 
though it  he  not  pricked)  that  you  may 
be  the  better  enabled  to  judge  whether 
the  horse  be  pricked  when  you  touch  the 
lame  toot;  then  lift  up  the  sound  foot, 
and  knock  gently  upon  the  top  of  the 
clenches  on  the  lame  toot;  then  lift  up 
the  others,  and  if  you  perceive  that  he 
shrinks  in  when  you  strike  any  of  the 
nails,  von  may  conclude,  that  he  is 
pricked  in  that  place. 

RETRANCHE,  Fr.  entrenched. 

RF/FK  A  N(  1HEMKN S,  Fr.   See  Re- 

TRKNCUMENTS. 

RetRAKCHEMEJJS  part iculii res  qu'on 
fait  sur  la  tete  des  breches  d'une  place 
as&Ugee,  Fr.  particular  retrenchments, 
which  are  made  in  front  of  breaches  that 
have  been  effected  in  the  walls  of  a  be- 
sieged town. 

It  is  always  necessary,  that  retrench- 
ments of  this  description  should  have  the 
figures  of  rentrant  angles,  in  order  that 
they  may  not  only  flank  the  breaches, 
but  be  capable  of  defending  themselves. 

A  besieging  enemy  seldom  or  ever  at- 
tempts a  breach  at  the  Hanked  angle  of 
a  bastion,  because  it  must  be  seen  by  the 
two  flanks  of  the  neighbouring  bastions, 
and  be  perpetually  exposed  to  the  lire  of 
the  casemates  of  the  town.  Neverthe- 
less, should  the  breach  be  actually  ef- 
fected, retrenchments  might  be  thrown 
up  in  the  same  manner  that  horn-works 
are  constructedKfor  the  purpose  of  flank- 
ing it. 

H  the  breach  should  be  made  in  the 
face  of  the  bastion,  (which  usually  hap- 
pens, because  that  quarter  can  be  seen 
by  the  garrison  from  one  side  only,)  re- 
trenchments in  the  shape  of  rentrant 
angles  must  be  constructed. 

.Breaches  are  seldom  attempted  at  the 
angle  of  the  epaulement,  because  that 
part  of  the  bastion  is  the  most  solid  and 
compact,  and  the  most  exposed  to  the 
tire  I  mm  the  curtain,  to  that  of  the  oppo- 
site flank,  and  to  the  reverse  discharge, 
«>r  fire  from  the  rear.  Add  to  this,  that 
the  storming  party  would  be  galled  in 
flank  and  rear,  not  only  from  the  simple 
bastion,  but  likewise  from  the  case- 
■ii'  s.  If,  however,  a  breach  should  be 
•  d  in  that  quarter,  it  would  be 
nee.  ssary  to  throw  up  retrenchments  of 
a  salient  and  rentrant  nature. 

in  constructing  these  different  re- 
trenchments it   unist  be  an  invariable 


rule,  to  get  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
parapets  of  the  bastions  and  to  their 
ruins,  in  order  to  batter  those  in  Hank 
and  rear,  who  should  attempt  to  scale, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  be  out  of  the 
n  ach  of  the  besieger's  ordnance. 

When  the  head  of  the  breach  is  so 
much  laid  open,  that  the  besiegers'  can- 
non can  scour  all  above  it,  small  mines 
must  be  prepared  beneath,  and  a  re- 
trenchment be  instantly  thrown  up  in 
the  boclv  of  the  bastion. 

RETRANCHEMENTi  Fr.  a  bye- 
room;  partition. 

Retranchement,  Fr.  This  word  is 
not  only  used  among  carpenters,  to  sig- 
nify the  cutting  down  any  large  piece  of 
timber,  or  other  article,  in  order  to  re- 
duce it  to  a  given  proportion,  but  it  also 
means  the  taking  off  projections,  &c. 
from  streets  and  high-ways  to  make 
them  passable  and  even. 

RETRANCHER,  Fr.  to  entrench. 

Retranchek  an  camp,  Fr.  to  throw 
up  works  before  and  round  a  camp,  in 
order  to  strengthen  it,  and  to  keep  the 
enemy  in  check. 

Se  Retrajvcher,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression among  the  French  signifying  to 
curtail  expenses. — They  say:  11  vaut 
mieux  se  retrancher  que  de  scndeltcr. 

To  RETREAT,  to  make  a  retrograde 
movement.  An  army  or  body  of  men 
are  said  to  retreat  when  they  turn  their 
backs  upon  the  enemy,  or  are  retiring 
from  the  ground  they  occupied  :  hence, 
every  march  in  withdrawing  from  the 
enemy  is  called  a  retreat. 

Retreat  is  also  a  beat  of  the  drum, 
at  the  tiring  of  the  evening  gun;  at  which 
the  drum-major,  with  all  the  drums  of 
the  battalion,  except  such  as  are  upon 
duty,  beats  from  the  camp  colours  on  the 
right  to  those  on  the  left,  on  the  parade 
of  encampment:  the  drums  of  all  the 
guards  beat  also;  the  trumpets  at  the 
same  time  sounding  at  the  head  of  their 
respective  troops.  This  is  to  warn  the 
soldiers  to  forbear  firing,  and  the  senti- 
nels to  challenge  till  the  break  of  day, 
when  the  reveille  is  beat.  The  Retreat 
is  likewise  called  setting  the  watch. 
When  the  Retreat  is  ordered  to  be  beat, 
four  rank  and  file,  with  a  corporal,  should 
accompany  the  fifes  and  drums,  distri- 
buted in  the  following  manner:  the  cor- 
poral in  the  rear  covering  the  drum-ma- 
jor, who  marches  in  front,  and  one  pri- 
vate upon  each  flank,  front  and  rear. 

To  be  in  full  Retreat,  (etreen  pleine 


RET 


(     745     ) 


RET 


retraite,  Fr, )    to    retire   before  a  con- 
quering enemy,  &c. 

Chequered  Retreat,  (retraite en  echi- 
quier,  Fr.}  It  is  so  called  from  the  seve- 
ral component  parts  of  a  line  or  batta- 
lion, which  alternately  retreat  and  face 
about  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy,  exhi- 
biting the  figure  of  the  chequered  squares 
upon  a  chess  board. 

RETRENCHMENT,  (retranche- 
ment,  Fr.)  in  the  art  of  war,  is  any  work 
raised  to  cover  a  post,  and  fortify  it 
against  an  enemy;  such  as  fascines  load- 
ed with  earth,  gabions,  barrels,  &c.  filled 
with  earth,  sand-bags,  and  generally  all 
things  that  can  cover  the  men,  and  stop 
the  enemy;  but  it  is  more  applicable  to  a 
ditch  bordered  with  a  parapet;  and  a 
post  thus  fortified,  is  called  a  retrenched 
post,  or  strong  post.  Retrenchments  are 
either  general  or  particular. 

General  Retrenchments  are  a  kind 
of  new  defence  made  in  a  place  besieged, 
to  cover  the  defendants,  when  the  enemy 
becomes  master  of  a  lodgment  on  the 
fortification,  that  they  may  be  in  a  condi- 
tion of  disputing  the  ground  inch  by  inch, 
and  of  putting  a  stop  to  the  enemy's  pro- 
gress, in  expectation  of  relief.  Thus  it 
the  besiegers  attack  a  tenaille  of  the 
place — which  they  judge  the  weakest, 
either  by  its  being  ill  flanked,  or  com- 
manded by  some  neighbouring  ground — 
then  the  besiegers  make  a  great  retrench- 
ment, inclosing  all  that  part  which  they 
judge  in  most  danger.  These  should  be 
fortified  with  bastions  and  demi-bastions, 
surrounded  by  a  good  ditch  counter- 
mined, and  higher  than  the  works  of  the 
place,  that  they  may  command  the  old 
works,  and  put  the  besiegers  to  infinite 
trouble  in  covering  themselves. 

Particular  RETRENCHMENTS,  or 
Retrenchments  within  a  bastion,  ( re- 
tranchemens  dans  un  bastion,  Fr.)  Re- 
trenchments of  this  description  must 
reach  from  one  flank  to  another,  or  from 
one  casemate  to  another.  It  is  only  in 
full  bastions  that  retrenchments  can  be 
thrown  up  to  advantage.  In  empty  bas- 
tions you  can  only  have  recourse  to  re- 
tirades,  or  temporary  barricadoes  above 
the  ramparts.  The  assailants  may  easily 
carry  them  by  means  of  hand  grenades, 
for  these  retrenchments  never  flank  each 
other.  It  is  necessary  to  raise  a  parapet 
about  five  or  six  feet  thick  before  every 
retrenchment.  It  must  be  live  feet  high, 
and  the  ditches  as  broad  and  as  deep  as 
they  can  bo  made.     There  must  also  be 


small  mines  run  out  in  various  direction?, 
for  the  purpose  of  blowing  up  the  as- 
sailants, should  they  attempt  to  force 
the  retrenchments. 

RETROGRADE,  going  backward. 

To  Retrograde,  to  move  backward  ; 
to  the  rear. 

RETROUSSIS,  Fr.  turnbacks  in  an 
uniform. 

RETURNS,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
of  various  sorts,  but  all  tending  to  ex- 
plain the  state  of  the  army,  regiment, 
troop,  or  company  ;  namely,  how  many 
are  capable  of  doing  duty,  on  duty,  sick 
in  quarters,  barracks,  infirmary,  or  hos- 
pital ;  prisoners,  absent  with  or  without 
leave  ;  total  effective ;  wanting  to  com- 
plete to  the  establishment,  &c. 

The  royal  artillery  make  their  returns 
to  the  master  general  and  the  Board  of 
Ordnance. 

Returns  may  be  generally  stated  un- 
der the  following  heads. 

General  Return. 

Regimental  Return. 

Return  for  forage,  lodging  money, 
fuel,  &c. 

Return  to  be  given  in  to  head-quar- 
ters after  an  action  by  the  several  regi- 
ments that  have  been  engaged. 
Killed, 

Severely  wounded, 
Dangerously  wounded, 
Badly  wounded, 
Slightly  wounded, 
Taken  prisoners, 
Missing, 
Deserted, 
^Gone  over  to  the  enemy. 

Names  of  officers  killed,  wounded, 
missing,  and  gone  over  to  the  enemy. 

False  Return,  a  return  which  is  not 
borne  out  by  the  real  existence  of  the 
thing  or  person  stated. 

An  officer  ought  to  be  so  tenacious  of 
bis  honour  and  character  in  this  respect, 
that  he  should  not  put  it  in  the  power  of 
his  own  conscience  to  accuse  him,  or 
even  of  his  Maker  to  convict  him,  of  a 
false  Return.  lie  should  always  remem- 
ber, that  every  false  return  is  a  robbery 
committed  against  the  public. 

In  Section  V.  of  the  Articles  of  War, 
page  14,  it  is  expressed  that  every  officer 
who  shall  knowingly  make  a  false  return 
to  the  King,  to  the  commander  in  chief 
of  the  forces,  or  to  any  his  superior  offi- 
cer authorised  to  call  for  such  returns, 
shall,  upon  being  convicted  thereof  before 
a  general  court-martial,  be  cashiered. 


Number  of 
officers,  Ser- 
jeants, and 
rank  and  file 


RET 


(     716     ) 


REV 


Whoever  shall  he  convicted  ofhaing 
d<  signedly,  «>r  throagb  neglect,  omitted 
sending  Buch  returns,  shall  be  punished 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  offence, 
bv  the  judgment  of  a  general  court- 
martial. 

Return,  in  building,  is  a  side,  or  part 
that  falls  away  from  the  foreside  of  any 
straight  work. 

RETURNS  of  a  mine  are  the  turnings 
and  windings  of  the  gallery  leading  to  the 
mine.     See  Gallery. 

Returns  of  a  trench,  the  various 
turnings  and  windings  which  form  the 
lines  of  the  trench,  and  are,  as  near  as 
they  can  be,  made  parallel  to  the  place 
attacked,  to  avoid  being  enfiladed. — 
These  returns,  when  followed,  make  a 
long  way  from  the  end  of  the  trench  to 
the  head,  which  going  the  straight  way 
is  very  short :  but  then  the  men  are  ex- 
posed ;  yet,  upon  a  sally,  the  courageous 
never  consider  the  danger,  but  getting 
over  the  trench  with  such  as  will  follow 
them,  take  the  shortcut  way  to  repulse 
the  enemy,  and  cut  off  their  retreat,  if 
possible. 

To  RETURN,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
insert  the  names  of  such  officers,  &c.  as 
are  present  or  absent  on  the  stated  pe- 
riods for  the  identification  of  their  being 
with  their  regiments,  or  detachment,  or 
absent  with  or  without  leave. 

Return  bayonet.  This  term  is  some- 
times used,  but  it  is  not  technically  cor- 
rect, as  the  proper  word  of  command  is 
Unfix  bayonet. 

Return  pistol.     See  Pistol. 

Return  ramrod.    See  Manual. 

Return  swords     See  S\voiu>. 

To  be  RETURNED,  to  have  one's 
name  inserted  in  the  regular  monthly, 
fourteen  days,  or  weekly  state  of  a  re- 
giment, according  to  circumstances  ;  as 
Jo  br  returned  absent  wilhou,t  leave;  to  be 
reported  to  the  Commander  in  Chief,  or 
to  any  superior  officer,  as  being  absent 
from  the  duty  of  the  corps;  either  from 
having  exceeded  the  leave  given,  or  from 
having  left  quarters  without  the  neces- 
sary permission.  When  an  officer  has 
been  returned  absent  without  leave,  or 
has  never  joined  his  regiment,  the  pay- 
master is  directed  to  withhold  his  pay  or 
subsistence.  In  such  cases  an  applica- 
tion must  be  made  to  the  Adjutant-Ge- 
neral, through  whose  office  all  permis- 
sions or  leaves  of  absence  must  pass, 
before  the  respite  can  be  removed.  To 
be  returned  upon  the  surgeon's  list  as 
unfit  for  duty,  See.  from  illness,  &c. 


Returned  next  for  purchase.  When 
vacancies  occur  in  regiments  upon  foreign 
or  domestic  stations,  the  names  of  such 
officers  as  intend  to  purchase  must  be 
inserted  in  the  muster-rolls  :  they  are 
then  said  to  be  returned  next 'for  purchase. 
This  serves  as  a  government  to  the  seve- 
ral agents,  and  prevents  the  introduction 
ot'  persons  into  a  corps  with  which  they 
have  not  done  duty,  to  the  disparage- 
ment of  those  who  have  always  followed 
the  colours.  Every  officer  that  is  re- 
turned next  for  purchase,  must  take  care 
to  apprise  his  agent,  that  the  money  will 
be  lodged  for  that  purpose. 

RE  VEIL,  ou  Diane,  Fr.    See  Reveille.. 

REVEIL-wiar/w,  double  canon,  brisr- 
mur,  Fr.  an  ancient  piece  of  ordnance 
which  is  no  longer  in  use;  it  carried  a 
ninety-six  pound  shot. 

REVEILLE,  is  the  beat  of  a  drum, 
about  break  of  day,  to  advertise  the  army 
that  it  is  day-light,  and  that  the  sentinels 
are  to  forbear  challenging. 

REVENGE,  an  impulse  in  the  human 
mind  which  excites  it  to  acts  that  are 
scarcely  ever  excusable.  Dryden  writes 
thus  : 

Exalted  Socrates,  divinely  brave! 
Injur'd  he  fell,  and  dying  he  forgave, 
Too  noble  lor  revenge  ;   which  still  we 

find 
The  weakest  frailty  of  a  feeble  mind. 

It  ought  never  to  be  forgotten,  espe- 
cially by  high-minded  men,  such  as  real 
officers  are,  that  the  secret  and  vindic- 
tive malice  of  weak  or  wicked  persons 
can  only  be  conquered  by  the  dignified 
silence  of  wise  and  good  men. 

REVERIES,  (reveries,  Fr. )  loose 
musings  ;  irregular  thoughts ;  desultory 
reflexions.  The  celebrated  Marshal  Saxe 
lias  given  this  title  to  a  collection  of  mi- 
litary ideas,  whioji,  in  many  instances, 
have  proved  the  most  correct  principles 
in  war. 

EEVERS,  Fr.  behind,  in  rear,  at  the 
back  of  any  thing. 

Eire  vu  de  Revers,  Fr.  to  be  over- 
looked by  a  reverse  commanding  ground. 
Wheu  a  work,  for  instance,  is  com- 
manded by  some  adjacent  eminence,  or 
has  been  so  badly  disposed,  that  the 
enemy  can  see  its  terre-pleine,  or  ram- 
part, that  work  may  be  said  to  be  over- 
looked, etre  vu  de  revers.  The  same 
term  is  applicable  to  a  trench,  when  the 
fire  of  the  besieged  can  reach  the  troops 
that  are  stationed  within  it.  This  was 
the  case  at  Dover  Castle,  which,  until 
the  year  1796,  was   overlooked  by   a 


REV 


(     747     ) 


REV 


commanding  piece  of  ground  on  the 
north-east.  A  battery  is  now  erected  on 
the  spot ;  but  God  only  knows  how  long 
the  Castle  itself  may  be  allowed  to 
stand,  considering  the  impolicy  of  its 
excavations. 

Revers  de  la  tranchee,  Fr.  literally 
means  the  back  part  of  the  trench.  It 
is  the  ground  which  corresponds  with 
that  proportion  of  the  border  of  the 
trench  that  lies  directly  opposite  to  the 
parapet.  One  or  two  banquettes  are 
generally  thrown  up  in  this  quarter,  in 
order  that  the  trench  guard  may  make 
a  stand  upon  the  reverse  when  it  hap- 
pens to  be  attacked  by  a  sortie  of  the 
enemy. 

Revers  de  torillon,  Fr.  that  part  of 
the  orillon  in  a  bastion,  which  looks  in- 
wards, or  towards  the  main  body  of  a 
fortified  place.  Sally-ports  are  generally 
constructed  in  this  quarter. 

Revers,  Fr.  This  word  also  signifies  a 
backstroke.  Hence,  Abattre  la  tete  d'un 
revers,  to  give  a  blow  on  the  head  with  a 
bark  stroke. 

Revers,  Fr.  facings  of  an  uniform. 

Revers  de  fortune,  Fr.  reverse  of  for- 
tune ;  disappointments,  &c. 

Prendre  des  Revers,  Fr.  to  take  up  a 
position  so  as  to  be  able  to  fire  obliquely 
into  the  rear  of  an  enemy. 

REVERSE,  a  contrary ;  an  oppo- 
site; as  the  reverse  or  outward  wheeling 
flank  ;  which  is  opposite  to  the  one 
wheeled  to  or  upon.     See  Pivot. 

Reverse,  in  movements  of  artillery, 
denotes  that  each  gun,  wagon,  or  car, 
goes  about  upon  its  own  ground  to  the 
hand  ordered,  and  produces  a  change  in 
the  relative  position  of  the  carnages. 

Reverse  likewise  signifies  on  the  back, 
or  behind :  so  we  say,  a  reverse  command- 
ing ground,  a  reverse  battery,  &c. 

REVERSED,  upside  down;  as  arms 
reversed. 

Reversed  arms.  Arms  are  said  to  be 
reversed  when  the  butts  of  the  pieces 
are  slung  or  held  upwards. 

REVETEME>)S  passages,  Fr.  tem- 
porary revetements.  These  worts  sel- 
iloin  last  more  than  three  years. 

REVETEMENT,  (revetement,  Fr.) 
in  fortification,  a  strong  wall,  built  on 
i he  outside  of  the  rampart  and  parapet, 
to  support  the  earth,  and  prevent  its 
rolling  into  the  ditch. 

-Dcwm-Revetement,  Fr.  a  revetement 
which  is  made  trom  the  outward  slope 


of  the  fosse  to  the  cordon  or  terrepleine 
of  the  rampart. 

Revetement  de  saucisson,  Fr.  a  re- 
vetement which  is  hastily  thrown  up 
during  a  siege  by  means  of  saucissons, 
especially  when  breaches  have  been  ef- 
fected or  practised  in  the  outward  works. 
Revetements  of  this  sort  are  also  formed 
of  pointed  fascines,  &c. 

REVETIR,  Fr.  literally  to  clothe  or 
cover.  This  term  is  used,  in  fortification, 
to  signify  the  mason-work  which  is  made 
in  the  construction  of  fortified  places, 
when  no  expense  is  spared,  in  order  to 
render  them  more  capable  of  resisting 
the  force  of  cannon,  and  of  lasting 
longer. 

Revetir  de  gasons,  Fr.  to  lay  turf 
upon  the  different  parts  of  fortified  works, 
such  as  the  glacis,  &c. 

Revetir,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to  fill  up 
with  small  beams  or  posts  the  wooden 
partition  or  front  of  any  thing.  In 
joineiy,  to  wainscot  a  wall,  &c, 

Revetir,  Fr.  This  word  is  also  used 
to  signify  sanctioned,  acknowledged,  au- 
thorised*. Thus  in  the  last  edition  of 
the  Dictionnaire  de  FAcademie  Fran- 
chise, the  Editor  says,  Les  Editions 
aronees  seront  revet ues  de  ma  signature. 

Revetir,  Fr.  to  throw  up  revete- 
ments. The  French  also  apply  this  term 
in  the  same  general  sense  that  we  use 
the  word  invest,  as  applicable  to  com- 
mission, power,  authority.  Hence,  re- 
vetir d'une  co?nmission  ;  d'un  pouvoir ; 
d'un  ordre  important ;  to  invest  or  entrust 
any  person  with  a  commission,  with  cer- 
tain powers,  or  with  any  important 
charge  or  order. 

REVETUS,  Fr.  literally,  clad,  or  co- 
cered  over. 

Ouvrages  REVETUS,  Fr.  in  fortifi- 
cation, works  that  are  constructed  with 
stone  or  brick. 

Ouvrages  tjoh-Revetus,  Fr.  in  forti- 
fication, works  that  are  made  of  earth, 
&c.  and  are  not  lined  or  covered  with 
stone  or  brick. 

REVIEW,  (revue,  Fr.)  in  the  military 
acceptation  of  the  term,  an  inspection  of 
the  appearance,  and  regular  disposition 
of  a  body  of  troops,  assembled  for  that 
purpose. 

REYTRER,  Fr.  a  marine  term,  sig- 
nifying to  tack  about. 

xb  REVISE,  (reviser,  Fr.)  to  review  ; 
tore-examine;  tore-consider.  This  term 
is  frequently    used  in  military  matters, 
5C'2 


R  E  V 


|       i!8      ) 


n  1:  \v 


ially  iii  those  which  relate  to 
the  pro<  ■  dings  ofa  general  or  regimental 
court-martial.  Ii  sometimes  happens, 
that  the  members  are  directed  to  re-as- 
assemble  for  the  purpose  of  revising  part, 
or  the  whole  mass,  of  the  evidence  that 
has  been  brought  before  them,  and  of 
maturely  weighing  afresh  the  substance 
of  the  proofs  upon  which  they  have 
formed  their  opinion  and  judgment. 
Great  delicacy  and  discretion  are  re- 
quired in  those  who  have  authority  to 
order  a. revision  of  this  sort.  A  court- 
martial  is,  perhaps,  the  most  independent 
court  on  earth.  Interest,  prejudice,  or 
partiality,  has  no  business  within  its 
precincts.  An  honest  regard  to  truth,  a 
sense  of  the  necessity  of  good  order  and 
discipline,  and  a  stubborn  adherence  to 
tacts,  constitute  the  code  of  military  laws 
and  statutes.  Quirks,  quibbles,  and  eva- 
sions are  as  foreign  to  the  genuine  spirit, 
of  martial  jurisdiction,  as  candour,  man- 
liness, and  resolute  perseverance,  in  ut- 
tering what  he  knows  to  be  the  fact,  are 
familiar  to  the  real  soldier.  The  King 
has  the  power  of  ordering  the  members 
ofa  general  court-martial  to  revise  their 
sentence;  but  he  cannot  oblige  them  to 
alter  it.  The  same  authority,  subject  to 
the  same  limitations,  is  vested  in  the 
commanding  officers  of  regiments,  with 
respect  to  regimental  courts-martial. 

REVOCABLE,  (revocable,  Fr.)  that 
may  be  recalled.  Commissions  in  the 
line,  granted  during  the  reign  of  one  K  ing 
and  commissions  in  the  militia,  granted 
during  the  life  of  a  lord  lieutenant  of  a 
county,  or  deputy,  are  not  revocable  at 
the  death  of  the  grantor. 

REVOLT,  (r&mlte,  Fr.)  mutiny;  in- 
surrection. 

REVOLTER,  one  who  rises  against 
lawful  authority  ;  a  deserter,  Sec. 

&  REVOLTER,  Fr:  to  revolt;  to 
rise  in  open  rebellion.  The  French  also 
Bay,  rivolter,  to  raise  a  rebellion. 

REVOLTES,  Fr.  rebels. 

REVOLUTION,  (revolution,  Fr.)  a 
change  in  government,  as  the  French 
Revolution.  With  us  it  denotes  that 
particular  change;  which  was  produced  by 
the  admission  ofWilliam  and  Mary. 

I  In  most  memorable  revolutions  which 
have  occurred  within  the  last  three  hun- 
dred years  are: — In  England  in  lo"b8  ; 
Poland  1704$  1709,  and  1775,  when  it 
was  divided  by  Frederic  the  Great  of 
Prussia,  Maria  "Theresa,  Queen  of  Hun- 
gary, and  Catherine.  Empress  of  all  the 


Russias.  Turkey  in  1730 ;  Persia  in 
17  18,  and  17.').'> ;  Russia  in  16G8,  17  1<». 
and  1762;  Sweden  in  177'i;  America  in 
1775  ;  and  last,  not  least  in  the  uncertain 
wheel  of  fortune,  France  in  17:;;;,  1789, 
179'.',  1793,  179.">,  1802,  1804,  and  1809, 
when  Bonaparte,  as  emperor,  absorbed 
them  all  in  his  own  person  and  family. 
Here,  however,  the  wheel  went  round 
again,  and  we  have  lived  to  see  this 
wonderful  man  first  exiled  to  the  island 
of  Elba  in  1814,  then  emerging  from  his 
obscurity,  and  assuming  the  chief  com* 
inand  of  the  French  armies  in  1815, 
finally  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  surv<  n- 
dering  himself  a  prisoner  of  war  to  the 
Captain  ofa  British  ship,  and  now  closely 
watched  in  the  island  of  St.  Helena  ! 

Jardin  Je  Revolution,  Fr.  revolu- 
tion garden  ;  a  name  which  was  given 
to  the  garden  belonging  to  the  Palais 
1  toy  a  I  ;  and  which  was  called  MaisOQ 
Egalite,  or  Equality-House,  during  the 
paroxysm  of  the  French  Revolution. 
This  garden  is  situated  in  Paris,  and 
formerly  belonged  to  the  Duke  of  Or- 
leans ;  to  whose  son,  the  present  duke, 
it  has  been  restored  by  Louis  XVII  I. 

Place  de  Revolution,  Fr.  revolution 
square,  or  place;  a  name  given  to  the  spot 
of  ground  on  which  the  Bastile  stood, 

Ke  volition,  (revolution,  Fr. )  in 
geometry,  the  motion  of  any  figure  what- 
soever round  a  fixed  line,  which  is  called 
the  axis  of  the  figure  ;  thus  a  triangle 
rectangle,  which  revolves  round  one  of 
its  sides,  as  an  axis,  produces  a  cone  by 
its  revolution. 

REVOLUTIONNALRE,  Fr.  a  friend 
to  revolution. 

Revoli  iionn  \mn,  Fr.  an  adjective 
of  two  genders;  any  thing  belonging  to 
the  revolution.     Hence — 

Armie  RfevoLW.TioNNA.iaE,  Fr.  a  re- 
volutionary army;  such  as  appeared  in 
France  during  the  bloody  reign  of  Robes- 
pierre, when  the  troops  were  regularly 
accompanied  by  travelling  guillotines — 
des  guillotines  ambulantes. 

REVOLUTIONS  Eli,  Fr.  to  revo- 
lutionize ;  to  propagate  principles  in  a 
country  which  arc  subversive  of  its  ex- 
isting government. 

RE  I  SSITE,  Fr,  issue  :  it  also  signi- 
fies success. 

REVUE,  Fr.    See  Review. 

REWARD,  (rccowpcnse,Yv.)  a  recom- 
pense given  for  good  performed. 

Military  Rewards,  (recompenses  mi- 
lltaires,  Fr.)     The  original  instances  of 


REW 


(   ?w   ) 


R  E  W 


military  rewards  are  to  be  found  in  the 
Grecian  and  Roman  histories.  The  an- 
cients did  not,  however,  at  first  recom- 
pense military  merit  in  any  other  way 
than  by  erecting  statues  to  its  memory, 
or  presenting  their  chiefs  with  triumphal 
crowns.  The  warriors  of  that  age  were 
more  eager  to  deserve  public  applause 
by  extraordinary  feats  of  valour,  by 
temperance  and  moral  virtue,  than  to 
become  rich  at  the  expense  of  the  state. 
They  thirsted  after  glory ;  hut  it  was 
after  that  species  of  glory  which  was  not 
in  the  least  tarnished  by  the  alloy  ot 
modern  considerations. 

The  services  which  individuals  ren- 
dered were  distinguished  by  the  kind  ot 
statue  that  was  erected,  and  its  accom- 
panying decorations ;  or  by  the  mate- 
rials and  particular  formation  of  the 
crowns  that  were  presented. 

In  process  of  time,  the  state  or  civil 
government  of  a  country  felt  the  pro- 
priety and  justice  of  securing  to  its  de- 
fenders something  more  substantial  than 
mere  show  and  unprofitable  trophies.  It 
was  considered,  that  men  who  had  ex- 
posed their  lives,  and  had  been  wounded, 
or  were  grown  infirm  through  age,  S^c. 
ought  to  be  above  want ;  and  not  only  to 
have  those  comforts  which  through  their 
exertions  millions  were  enjoying,  but  to 
be  placed  in  an  independent  and  honour- 
able situation.  The  most  celebrated  ot 
their  warriors  were  consequently  pro- 
vided for  at  the  public  expense,  and  they 
had  regular  claims  made  over  to  them, 
which  were  answered  at  the  treasury. 

Triumphal  honours  were  likewise 
reckoned  among  the  military  rewards 
which  the  ancients  voted  to  their  best 
generals.  Fabius  Maximus,  Paulus  Emi- 
lius,  Camillus,  and  the  Scipios,  were 
satisfied  with  the  recompense  for  their 
services.      With    respect  to  old  infirm 


tive,  such  as  statues,  &c.  The  latter 
descended  to  their  posterity,  and  gave 
their  families  a  certain  rank  in  the  re- 
public. 2d)y.  By  pensions  or  allowances; 
and  3dly.  By  a  grant  of  lands  which  ex- 
ceeded the  lots  given  to  private  soldiers. 

The  French,  who  got  possession  of  the 
country  which  was  formerly  occupied  by 
the  Gauls,  had,  at  first,  no  other  method 
of  recompensing  their  generals  than  by 
giving  them  a  certain  proportion  of  land. 
This  grant  did  not  exceed  their  natural 
lives,  and  sometimes  it  was  limited  to  the 
time  they  remained  in  the  service. 

These  usages  insensibly  changed,  and 
by  degrees  it  became  customary  for  the 
children  of  such  men  as  had  received 
grants  of  national  territory,  to  continue 
to  enjoy  them  ;  upon  condition,  how- 
ever, that  the  actual  possessors  of  such 
lands  should  be  liable  to  military  ser- 
vice. Hence  the  origin  of  fiefs  in 
France,  and  the  consequent  appellation 
of  Milke  da  Fieffes,  or  militia  com- 
posed of  men  who  held  their  lands  on 
condition  of  bearing  arms  when  called 
upon.  The  French  armies  were,  for 
many  years,  constituted  in  this  manner  : 
and  the  custom  of  rendering  military 
service  in  consideration  of  land  tenure, 
only  ceased  under  Charles  \  II. 

By  degrees  those  lands,  which  had 
been"  originally  bestowed  upon  men  of 
military  "merit,  descended  to  their  chil- 
dren, and  were  insensibly  lost  in  the 
aggregate  lots  of  inheritable  property. 
Other  means  were  consequently  to  be 
resorted  to  by  the  state,  in  order  to  sa- 
tisfy the  just  claims  of  deserving  officers 
and  soldiers.  The  French,  therefore, 
returned  to  the  ancient  custom  of  the 
Romans,  and  rewarded  those,  who  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  war,  by  hono- 
rary marks  of  distinction. 

Under  the  first  race  of  French  kings 


soldiers,  who  were  invalided,  they  were  may  be  found  several  instances  oi  men 
provided  for  by  receiving,  each  a  lot  of  j  of  low  condition  having,  by  their  valour, 


ground,  which  they  cultivated  and  im- 
proved. Lands,  thus  appropriated, 
formed  part  of  the  republican  or  na- 
tional domains,  or  were  divided  amongst 
them  in  the  conquered  countries. 

The  Roman  officer  was  rewarded  for 
his  services,  or  for  particular  acts  of 
bravery,  in  three  ways  :  1st,  By  marks 
of  honour  or  distinction,  which  consisted 
of  two  sorts,  viz.  Of  that  which  was 
merely  ornamental  to  their  own  persons, 
or  limited  to  the  investiture  for  life  ;  and 
of  that  which  may  be  called  rememorctr 


obtained  the  rank  and  title  of  Count, 
and  even  those  of  Duke.  These  dig- 
nities, of  themselves,  entitled  the  bearers 
to  places  of  high  command  in  the  armies. 
The  title  of  Knight,  most  especially  of 
Knight  Banneret,  gave  very  high  rank 
during  the  reign  of  Philip  Augustus; 
and  in  the  reigns  of  one  or  two  of  his 
predecessors,  it  was  bestowed  upon  indi- 
viduals who  behaved  in  a  distinguished 
manner  in  the  field. 

This  species  of  reward  did  not  cost 
the  public  any  thing.     It  was  bestowed 


REW 


(     750     ) 


REW 


upon  the  individual  by  the  general  of  the  I  formed  any  particular  feat,  or  act  of 


army,  and  consisted  in  nothing  more 
than  a  salute  given  by  the  latter  on  the 
field  of  battle,  by  which  he  became 
Knight  Banneret,  and  was  perfectly  sa- 
tisfied with  the  honour  it  conferred. 


bravery.  They  were  likewise  promoted 
from  the  ranks,  and  made  Serjeants  or 
corporals. 

Honorary  rewards  and  compensations 
for  service  were  not  confined  to  indivi- 


This  mode  of  rewarding  individuals  dual  officers  and  soldiers.     Whole  corps 

for  great  actions,  or  long  services)  con-  were    frequently    distinguished    in    the 

tinned  until  men  enlisted  themselves  for  same    manner.      When    several    corps 

money,  and  the  army  was  regularly  paid,  acted  together,  and  one  amongst  them 


according  to  the  several  ranks  of  those 
who  composed  it.  At  this  period,  how- 
ever, it  became  expedient  to  have  re- 
course to  the  second  method  which  was 


gave  signal  proofs  of  gallantry  and  pood 
conduct,  that  one  frequently  took  pre- 
cedence of  the  others  in  rank,  or  was 
selected  by  the  sovereign  to  be  his  per- 


adopfed  by  the  Romans  to  compensate  sonal   guard.     Sometimes,    indeed,    the 


individuals  for  services  rendered  to  the 
state.  The  royal  treasury  was  either 
subjected  to  the  annual  claims  of  indivi- 
duals, or  to  the  payment  of  a  specific 
sum,  for  having  distinguished  themselves 
underarms.  Notwithstanding  this,  ho- 
norary rewards  continued  to  be  given  : 
and  knighthood,  conferred  in  the  field 
by  the  kiss  or  salute  of  a  general,  which 
the  French  style  accolade,  was  practised 
until  the  16th  centurv. 

It  was  usual,  even  during  that  centurv, 
to  reward  a  soldier,  who  did  a  brave 
action,  by  some  mark  of  distinction, 
that  was  given  on  the  spot ;  by  a  crown 
made  of  grass  or  other  verdure,  which 
was  placed  upon  his  head  by  his  com- 
rades, or  by  a  gold  ring,  which  his  com- 
manding officer  put  upon  his  finger  in  the 
presence  of  the  whole  troop,  or  company, 
to  which  he  belonged.  It  sometimes 
happened,  as  in  the  reign  of  Francis  the 
First,  that  this  mark  of  distinction  was 
given  by  the  general  of  the  army. 

Several  brave  men  have  been  distin- 
guished with  titles  of  nobility  and  ar- 
morial bearings,  which  were  conferred 
by  princes,  in  consequence  of  some  sin- 
gular feat,  or  exploit.  There  have  been 
instances  recorded  in  the  French  his- 
tory of  extraordinary  actions  having  been 
rewarded  upon  the  spot  by  kin<j;s  who 
commanded  in  person.  A  soldier  of 
merit  was  peculiarly  honoured  by  Louis 
the  Xlth,  tor  bravery  and  good  conduct 
in  the  field.  That  monarch  took  the 
collar  of  a  military  order  oil"  his  own 
neck,  and  placed  it  round  the  neck  of 
Launay  Morvillier,  as  a  reward  for  great 
prowess  and  intrepidity. 

Besides   the   gramineous   crown   and 


king  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  such 
a  corps  on  the  day  of  battle;  thereby 
testifying  his  approbation  of  their  con- 
duct, and  giving  a  proof  of  his  conli- 
dence  in  their  bravery. 

It  is  now  Usual,  in  most  countries,  to 
confer  marks  of  distinction  on  those 
corps,  that  have  formed  part  of  any 
army  that  has  signalized  itself.  Thus  the 
kettle-drums,  under  the  appellation  of 
Nacaiies,  were  given  to  some  regiments, 
as  proof"  of  their  having  behaved  gal- 
lantly on  trying  occasions. 

The  military  order  of  St.  Louis,  which 
was  created  by  Louis  the  XlVth  in 
Hi!):},  and  that  of  Maria  Theresa,  as 
well  as  many  other  orders  in  different 
countries,  were  only  instituted  for  the 
purpose  of  rewarding  military  merit. 
The  establishment  of  hospitals  for  inva- 
lids, such  as  Chelsea,  &c.  owes  its  origin 
and  continuance  to  the  same  just  sense 
of  what  is  due  to  deserving  officers  and 
soldiers.  Hence,  likewise,  our  invalid 
companies,  and  retired  lists. 

The  most  recent  order  which  has  been 
instituted  for  the  reward  of  military 
merit  is  that  of  the  Legion  of  Honour 
in  France. 

No  such  instances,  however,  are  to  be 
found  in  ancient  history.  The  Greeks 
and  Romans  satisfied  themselves  with 
honorary  rewards,  or  occasional  com- 
pensations. The  moderns,  particularly 
the  French  and  English,  have  placed 
military  claims  upon  a  more  solid  footing. 
The  gratitude  of  the  public,  particularly 
among  the  former,  keeps  pace  with  the 
sacrifices  of  individuals,  and  permanent 
provisions  are  made  for  those  who  are 
wounded,   or    rendered   infirm,    in    the 


gold  ring,  which  were  thus  given  as  marks  ,  service 
of  honour  and  distinction,  the  private)  The  Athenians  supported  those  who 
soldiers  were  frequently  rewarded  by  had  been  wounded  in  battle,  and  the 
small   sums  of  money,  when  they  per-   Romans   recompensed    those    that    had 


RHE 


(     751     ) 


R  I  B 


served  during  a  given  period.  The 
French  kings  reserved  to  themselves  the 
privilege  or  providing  for  individuals  who 
had  been  maimed  in  action,  by  giving 
them  certain  monastic  allowances  and 
logins,  &c.  in  the  different  convents  ot 
royal  institution.  Philip  Augustus,  King 
of  France,  first  formed  the  design  ot 
building  a  college  for  soldiers  who  had 
been  rendered  infirm,  or  were  grown  old 
in  the  sendee.  Louis,  surnamed  the 
Great,  not  only  adopted  the  idea,  but 
completed  the  plan  in  a  grand  and  mag- 
nificent btyle.  Charles  the  Second,  on 
his  restoration  to  the  crown  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, established  Chelsea,  and  James  the 
Second  added  considerable  improvements 
to  this  royal  institution.  .  During  the 
present  reign,  military  merit  has  been 
rewarded  with  titles  and  pensions;  but 
what  is  still  more  creditable  to  the  go- 
vernment, and  reflects  honour  upon  his 
Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York,  old 
and  meritorious  soldiers  are  taught  to 
expect  a  secure  retreat  in  the  decline  of 
lite  ;  and  every  rank  is  provided  for  Re- 
cording to  the  claims  and  services  of 
individuals. 

REZ,  Fr.  a  preposition  which  signi- 
fies close  to,  adjoining,  level  with.  It 
is  never  used  except  with  pied  or  terre, 
as  rez-pied,  rez-terre.  Dtmolir  Icsforti- 
ficatmis,  rez-pied,  rez-terre,  to  level  the 
fortifications  with  the  ground. 

lia.z-mur,  Fr.  the  naked  wall,  or  that 
which  is  seen  outwardly. 

HEZ-de-chaussee,  Fr.  the  ground-floor; 
the  surface  or  floor  of  any  building 
which  is  even  with  the  ground  on  which 
it  is  raised. 

RHAGOON,  Lid.  die  twelfth  month, 
which,  in  some  respect,  corresponds  with 
February.  It  follows  the  month  Magh, 
which  agrees  with  January. 

RiiEUM  is  a  riowingdown  of  humours 
from  the  head  upon  the  lower  parts. 
This  distemper,  in  horses,  proceeds 
from  cold,  which  makes  the  teeth  loose, 
and  seem  long  by  the  shrinking  up  of  the 
gums,  which  will  spoil  their  feeding,  so 
that  all  the  meat  will  lie  in  a  lump  in 
the  jaws. 

RHEUMATIC  eyes,  in  horses,  are 
caused  by  a  flux  of  humours  distilling 
•  from  the  brain,  and  sometimes  by  a 
blow ;  the  signs  are,  the  continual  wa- 
tering of  the  eye,  and  the  close  shutting 
the  lids,  and  sometimes  attended  with  a 
little  swelling. 

RHEUMATISM,  (rheumatism,  Fr.) 


a  painful  distemper  supposed  to  proceed 
from  acrid  humours.  It  generally  affects 
the  muscular  system ;  and  is  one  of  the 
dreadful  concomitants  of  active  warfare; 
especially  in  a  wet  season. 

RHINEGRAVE,  (rlungrave,  Fr.)  the 
Count  Palatine  of  the  Rhine.  The 
judges  and  governors  in  the  several  towns 
situated  on  the  banks  of  the  Rhine  were 
formerly  so  called. 

RHINELAND  Rod  is  a  measure  of 
twelve  feet,  used  by  all  the  Dutch  en- 
gineers. 

RHOMBUS,  (rhombe,  Fr.)  in  geome- 
try, an  oblique  angled  parallelogram,  or 
a  quadrilateral  figure  whose  sides  are 
equal  and  parallel,  but  the  angles  un- 
equal ;  two  of  the  opposite  ones  being 
obtuse,  and  the  other  two  acute. 

RIBAND,  (rubande,  ruban,  Fr.)  This 
word  is  sometimes  written  ribbond.  A 
narrow  web  of  silk  which  is  worn  for 
ornament. 

Riband  Cockade.  The  cockades 
which  are  worn  by  the  British  officers 
are  made  of  black  riband.  The  riband 
cockade  which  is  given  to  recruits  is 
commonly  called  colours,  from  being 
made  of  ribands  of  different  colours. 
iSo  deduction  is  to  be  made  from  the 
bounty  or  subsistance  of  the  recruit  on 
this  head. 

RIBAUD,  E,  Fr.  irregular,  noisy, 
ill-mannered.  This  term  is  likewise  used, 
as  a  substantive,  viz. 

Un  Ribaud,  Fr.  a  noisy,  ill-mannered 
fellow.  It  is  an  old  French  word,  which 
at  present  is  seldom  spoken  in  the  upper 
circles  of  life.  i 

Ribaud,  Fr.  adj.  likewise  means 
lewd,  debauched,  &c. 

U>i  Homme  Ribai'd,     )  Fr.    a  licen- 

Une  Femme  Ribaude,  \  tious  man;  a 
licentious  woman. 

RIBAUDEQUIN,  fr.  a  warlike  ma- 
chine or  instrument,  which  the  French 
anciently  used.  It  was  made  in  the 
form  of  a  bow,  containing  twelve  or  fif- 
teen feet  in  its  curve,  and  was  fixed 
upon  the  wali  of  a  fortified  town  for  the 
purpose  of  casting  out  a  prodigious  jave- 
lin, which  sometimes  killed  several  men 
at  once. 

According  to  Monstrelet,  a  French 
writer,  ri.baudequi?i  or  ribauderin,  signi- 
fied a  sort  of  garment  which  was  worn 
by  the  soldiers  when  they  took  the  field. 

A  fire-arm  containing  one  pound  of 
bails  or  shot  was  also  formerly  so  called. 
See  Nouveau  Dictionnaire  Militaire. 


R  I  C 


( 


752     ) 


R  I  C 


RIBAl'DAILLE,  Fr.  a  term  of  re- 
proach which  was  formerly  attached  to 
the  character  of  a  poltroon,  or  cowardly 
■oldier.  When  Philip  of  Valois  went  to 
war  with  Edward  King  <>t*  England,  he 
took  into  pay  twelve  thousand  Genoese 
archers,  and  placed  them  in  the  front. 
During  their  march,  these  men  had  neg- 
lected to  secure  their  bows  against  the 
inclemency  of  the  weather,  and  when 
they  came  into  action,  they  found  them 
entirely  useless,  and  were  obliged  to  re- 
ceive several  British  flights  of  arrows, 
without  being  able  to  return  a  single  one 
against  them  ;  insomuch,  that  they  were 
forced  to  give  way.  Philip,  imagining 
he  was  betrayed  by  these  mercenary 
troops,  exclaimed  to  the  French,  Et  tut, 
tuez  cette  ribaudailh  qui  nous  empiche  la 
voie !  Quick!  kill  this  dastardly  gang, 
that  only  stop  the  way  ! 

RIBBI  M  r  7tails,  nails  which  are  used 
for  fastening  the  ribbing  to  keep  the  ribs 
of  ships  in  their  place  in  building. 

Ribbing  nails  are  also  very  useful  for 
fastening  timbers  that  are  to  be  put  up 
for  a  time,  and  taken  down  again  for 
further  service. 

K 1BLER,  Fr.  to  ramble,  &c.  was  for- 
merly the  verb ;  riblerie,  the  act  of 
rambling,  8cc.  the  substantive.  Both 
rerms  are  now  obsolete,  except  among 
the  lower  orders. 

Rl  BLEURS,  Fr.  vagabonds,  debauch- 
ed fellows  that  run  about  the  streets,  or 
spend  their  nights  in  disorderly  houses. 
Soldiers  who  give  themselves  up  to  pil- 
lage, &c.  in  war  time,  are  likewise  called 
rib/curs,  by  way  of  reproach. 

RICHES,  (richesses,  Fr.)  wealth  in 
land  or  money. 

Embarras  'des  RICHESSES,  Fr.  the 
care,  trouble,  and  vexation,  which  are 
the  unavoidable  consequences  of  over- 
grown fortunes  in  civil  or  military  life; 
the  uneasiness  of  wealth. 

RICOCHER,  Fr.  to  ricochet,  to  bat- 
ter or  fire  at  a  place  with  ricochet  shots. 
The  author  of  a  very  valuable  work,  en- 
titled Essai  General  de  Fortification,  et 
d' ' Attaquc  et  Defense  des  Places,  observes, 
in  a  note  to  page  89,  vol.  i.  that  in  strict 
analogy,  we  should  say  ricocheter ;  but 
use,  which  is  above  all  rules,  has  made 
ricocher  a  technical  term,  whenever  we 
speak  nf  the  ricochets  of  cannon-shot. 

I  neface  RICOCHEE,  Fr.  the  face 
of  a  fortification,  which  is  fired  at  with 
ricochet  shots. 

RICOCHET  literally  means  abound, 


a  leap,  such  as  a  flat  piece  of  stone  or 
slate  makes  when  it  is  thrown  obliquely 
along  the  surface  of  a  pool  ;  as  is  done 
by  boys  when  they  play  at  duck  and 
drake. 

Ricochet,  (ricochet,  Fr.)  in  gunnery, 
is  when  guns,  howitzers,  or  mortars,  are 
loaded  with  small  charges,  and  elevated 
from  five  to  twelve  degrees,  so  that, 
when  fired  over  the  parapet,  the  shot  or 
shell  rolls  along  the  opposite  rampart. 
It  is  called  ricochet-firing,  and  the  but- 
teries are  likewise  called  ricochet-batte- 
ries. The  method  of  firing  out  of  mor- 
tars was  first  tried  in  17'23,  at  the  military 
school  of  Strasburgh,  and  with  success. 
At  the  battle  of  Rosbach,  in  1757,  the 
King  of  Prussia  had  several  G-inch  mor- 
tars made  with  trunnions,  and  mounted 
on  travelling  carriages,  which  fired  ob- 
liquely on  the  enemy's  lines,  and  amongst 
their  horse,  loaded  with  eight  ounces  of 
powder,  and  at  an  elevation  of  one  de- 
gree fifteen  minutes,  which  did  great 
execution ;  for  the  shells  rolling  along 
the  lines,  with  burning  fuzes,  made  the 
stoutest  of  the  enemy  not  wait  for  Their 
bursting. 

Ricochet  firing  is  not  confined  to 
any  particular  charge  or  elevation  ;  each 
must  vary  according  to  the  distance  and 
difference  of  level  of  the  object  to  be 
fired  at;  and  particularly  of  the  spot  on 
which  it  is  intended  the  shot  shall  make 
the  first  bound.  The  smaller  the  angle, 
under  which  a  shot  is  made  to  ricochet, 
the  longer  it  will  preserve  its  force  and 
have  efteci,  as  it  will  sink  so  much  the 
less  in  the  ground  on  which  it  bounds; 
and  whose  tenacity  will,  of  course,  pre- 
sent so  much  less  resistance  to  its  pro- 
gress. In  the  ricochet  of  a  fortification 
of  any  kind,  the  angle  of  elevation 
should  seldom  be  less  than  10°,  to  throw 
the  shot  over  a  parapet  a  little  higher 
than  the  level  of  the  battery.  If  the 
works  should  be  of  an  extraordinary 
height,  the  piece  must  be  removed  to 
such  a  situation,  and  have  such  charge, 
that  it  can  attain  its  object  at  this  ele- 
vation, or  at  least  under  that  of  13°  or 
14°,  otherwise  the  shot  will  not  ricochet, 
and  the  carriages  will  suffer  very  much. 
The  first  gun  in  a  ricochet  battery  should 
be  so  placed,  as  to  sweep  the  whole 
length  of  the  rampart  of  the  enemy's 
work,  at  3  or  4  feet  from  the  parapet, 
and  the  rest  should  form  as  small  an 
angle  with  the  parapet  as  possible.  For 
this  purpose  the  guns  should  be  pointed 


II  I  D 


(     753     ) 


R  T  D 


about  4  fathoms  from  the  face  of  the 
work  toward  the  interior.  In  the 
ricochet  of  ordnance  in  the  field,  the 
objects  to  be  fired  at  being  principally 
infantry  and  cavalry,  the  guns  should 
seidoin  he  elevated  above  three  degrees; 
as  with  greater  angles  the  hall  would  be 
apt  to  bound  too  high,  and  defeat  the 
object  intended.  For  ricochet  practice, 
see  the  different  pieces  of  ordnance,  as 
gun,  mortar,  and  howitzer.  See  also 
the  Bombardier  and  Pocket  Gunner, 
page  185. 

Batlre  en  Ricochet,  Fr.  to  put  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  gunpowder  in  a 
piece  of  ordnance  to  carry  the  hall,  with 
effect,  into  the  works  that  are  enfiladed. 
This  sort  of  filing  is  generally  practised 
along  the  whole  extent  of  a  face  or 
flank.  The  celebrated  Marshal  Vauban 
first  invented  the  mode  of  filing  ricochet- 
shots.  He  tried  the  experiment  at  the 
siege  of  Ath,  in  1679. 

Battre  un  rempart  a  Ricochet,  Fr. 
to  batter  a  rampart  with  ricochet  shots. 
We  cannot  forbear  mentioning  under 
this  ftrticle  (and  we  trust  no  presump- 
tuous motive  will  be  attributed  to  us  for 
so  doing)  an  anecdote  which,  at  least, 
shews  the  necessity  of  a  work  of  this 
description.  An  officer  of  rank  visiting 
Woolwich  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  the 
Royal  Arsenal  and  Laboratory,  &c. ; 
after  having  been  shewn  the  different 
sizes  of  cannon-balls,  very  gravelv  asked, 
which  were  the  ricochet  ones  ?  This 
also  happened  during  the  American  war, 
when  a  general  officer  observed,  that  a 
particular  position  would  be  safe,  for  he 
knew  the  Americans  had  no  ricochet 
shot  !     So  much  for  military  reading  ! 

Faire.  dcs  RICOCHETS,  Fr.  to  make 
ducks  and  drakes;  to  throw  at  random, 
as  spendthrifts  usually  do. 

To  RIDE,  (monter  a  cheval,  Fr.)  to 
go  on  horseback. 

To  Ride  short,  (monter  a  cheval  a  la 
genette,  Fr.)  to  use  short  stirrups. 

To  Ride  long,  to  use  long  stirrups. 

RIDEAU  is  a  rising  ground,  or  emi- 
nence, commanding  a  plain,  sometimes 
almost  parallel  to  the  works  of  a  place. 
It  is  a  great  disadvantage  to  have  rideaus 
near  a  fortification,  which  terminate  on 
the  counterscarp,  especially  when  the 
enemy  fire  from  afar:  they  not  only 
command  the  place,  but  facilitate  the 
enemy's  approaches. 

RIDER,  in  artillery  carriages,  a  piece 
of  wood,  which  has  more  height  than 


breadth;  the  length  being  equal  to  that 
of  the  body  of  the  axle-tree,  upon  which 
the  side-pieces  rest  in  a  four  wheel  car- 
riage, such  as  the  ammunition-wagon, 
block-carriage,  and  sling-wagon. 

Rough-RiDER.     See  Rough. 

A  Rider,  a  figurative  phrase,  signify- 
ing an  idle  individual,  who,  through  in- 
terest, or  upon  a  trafficking  principle, 
receives  a  certain  proportion  of  the  pay, 
or  allowances,  of  another  who  does  the 
duties  of  some  official  situation,  and  is 
held  responsible  for  the  trust  reposed  in 
him;  in  which  case  he  is  said  to  be  sad- 
dled, and  the  drone  is  his  rider. 

RIDES,  hin»es  for  doors. 

RIDGE,  in  building,  the  highest  part 
of  the  roof,  or  covering,  of  a  house. 

RlDGE-/;o/e.     See  Pole. 

RIDGELING,  the  male  of  any  beast 
that  has  been  half-cut. 

RIDGES  of  a  horse's  mouth  are 
wrinkles  in  the  roof,  running  from  one 
side  of  the  jaw  to  the  other,  with  fur- 
rows between  them. 

RIDING,  a  division  in  Yorkshire. 
The  militia  regiments,  and  those  of  the 
line,  which  bear  the  name  of  the  several 
counties,  are  distinguished  in  Yorkshire 
by  the  word  riding,  which,  according  to 
Dr.  Jolmson,is  a  corruption  of  trithing; 
but  according  to  others,  is  taken  from 
radings,  districts  or  governments.  Rudt 
in  Celtic  signifies  ruler,  or  provincial 
minister.  A  counsellor  of  state  was  of 
old  called  Raadt :  the  council  was  styled 
The  Raadst.  Thence  whoever  had  the 
capital  influence  in  council  was  said  to 
rule  the  Raadst;  or,  in  the  present  pro- 
nunciation, to  rule  the  roast.  The  latter 
interpretation  differs  from  Johnson,  who 
says  roast  perhaps  comes  from  roist,  a 
tumult.  The  provincial  corps,  which 
are  particularly  known  by  the  addition 
of  Riding,  consist  of  the  1st  and  2d 
West  Riding,  the  East  Riding  and  the 
North  Riding  regiments.  These  regi- 
ments are  likewise  distinguished  from, 
each  other,  in  the  North,  by  an  allusion 
to  their  facings:  hence  Green  Cuffs, 
which  are  the  1st  and  2d  West  Riding 
regiments;  the  Beverley  Buffs,  which  are 
the  East;  and  the  Black  Cuffs,  which 
are  the  north  Yorkshire  Riding. 

RiTHXG- Master,  in  the  cavalry,  an 
officer  whose  duty  is  to  instruct  the 
officers  and  soldiers  in  the  management 
of  their  horses. 

Ri di KQ-house- establishment  belonging 
to  the  ordnance.  This  establishment  was 
5D 


R  I  F 


(     754     ) 


R  I  F 


first  formed  in  consequence  of  the  or- 
gaiuzation  of  a  coi ■;  if  horse-artillery, 
under  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  when 
Master  General.  It  continued  as  a 
mixed  department,  with  the  Royal  Ar- 
tillery, until  the  year,  1809,  when,  by 
dii  eel  ion  of  the  Eai  1  of  Chatham,  it  was 
made  into  a  distinct  establishment.  All 
the  Horse-Artillery  and  Corps  of  Royal 
Artillery  Drivers  are  taught  horseman- 
ship under  an  officer  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

The  Riding  House  is  at  Woolwich  ; 
and  the  strictest  attention  is  daily  given 
to  the  exercise  of  those  duties  for  which 
it  was  originally  formed.  Of  its  utility 
there  cannot  exist  a  doubt;  and  on  the 
manner  in  which  it  is  conducted,  we 
have  every  reason  to  believe  no  invidious 
comments  can  be  justly  made. 

Rr  di  ng  the  wooden  horse.  This  was  a 
punishment  much  in  use,  of  old,  in  dif- 
ferent services.  The  wooden  horse  was 
formed  of  planks  nailed  together,  so  as 
to  make  a  sharp  ridge,  or  angle,  about 
eight  or  nine  feet  long;  this  ridge  repre- 
sented the  back  of  the  horse;  it  was 
supported  by  four  posts  or  legs,  about 
six  or  seven  feet  long,  placed  on  a  stand 
made  moveable  by  trucks  :  to  complete 
the  resemblance,  a  head  and  tail  were 
fixed  to  the  machine.  When  a  soldier 
or  soldiers,  who  were  chiefly  from  the 
infantry,  were  sentenced  or  ordered  to 
ride  this  horse,  they  were  placed  on  the 
back  with  their  hands  tied  behind  them, 
and  frequently  muskets  were  fixed  to 
their  legs,  to  prevent  the  horse,  as  was 
humourously  observed,  from  kicking 
off. 

RTFLART,  Fr.  a  large  plane. 

To  RIFLE,  to  plunder;  to  rob. 

Rifle,  the  thread,  ray,  or  line,  made 
in  a  rifled  barrel. 

RIFLED  gun,")   (nrquebuse      rai/ee, 

Ruled  piece,    ?•  Fr.)  a  lire-arm  which 

Rifled  barrel,)  has  lines,  or  exigu- 
•us  canals,  within  its  barrel,  that  run  in 
a  vermicular  direction,  and  are  more  or 
less  numerous,  or  more  indented,  ac- 
cording to  the  fancy  of  the  artificer. — 
With  respect  to  the  word  itself,  it  does 
not  appear  to  bear  any  other  analogy  to 
our  common  acceptation  of  the  verb, 
than  what  may  be  vulgarly  applied  to 
the  common  practices  of  riflemen.  It  is, 
on  the  contrary,  more  immediately  con- 
nected in  sense  and  signification,  with 
an  old  obsolete  word,  to  ray ;  to  streak : 
which  comes  from  the  French  rayer.— 


The  rifled  barrel  possesses  many  advan- 
tages over  the  common  one;  which  ad- 
vantages are  attributed  to  the  threads  or 
rays  with  which  it  is  indented.  These 
threads  are  sometimes  cut  in  such  a 
manner,  that  the  line  which  commences 
on  the  right  side  of  the  breech,  termi- 
nates on  the  left  at  the  muzzle;  by 
which  means  the  ball  acquires  a  rotary 
movement,  revolving  once  and  a  halt 
round  its  own  axis  before  it  quits  the 
piece,  and  then  boring  through  the  air 
with  a  spiral  motion.  It  is  well  known, 
that  cannon  balls,  and  shot  out  of  com- 
mon barrels,  are  impelled  in  a  different 
manner. 

The  rifled  barrels  which  were  used 
during  the  war  in  America,  contained 
from  10  to  16  rays  or  threads;  some  had 
as  few  as  4.  Some  persons  have  thought, 
that  those  of  16  rays  were  the  best, 
from  a  supposition  that  by  the  air  col- 
lapsing in  the  several  grooves,  the  ball 
obtained  more  velocity.  Mr.  Robins, 
however,  seems  to  differ  in  opinion,  par- 
ticularly with  respect  to  the  depth  of 
the  grooves.  He  observes,  page  339  and 
340,  in  his  Tract  on  Gunnery,  that  what- 
ever tends  to  diminish  the  friction  of 
these  pieces,  tends  at  the  same  time  to 
render  them  more  complete;  and  con- 
sequently it  is  a  deduction  from  hence, 
that  the  less  the  rifles  are  indented,  the 
better  they  are;  provided  they  are  just 
sufficient  to  keep  the  bullet  from  turn- 
ing round  the  piece.  It  likewise  fol- 
lows, that  the  bullet  ought  to  be  no 
larger  than  to  be  just  pressed  by  the 
rifles,  for  the  easier  the  bullet  moves  in 
the  piece,  supposing  it  not  to  shift  its 
position,  the  more  violent  and  accurate 
will  its  flight  be.  It  is  necessary,  that 
the  sweep  of  the  rifles  should  be  in  each 
part  exactly  parallel  to  each  other.  See 
Robins  on  Gunnery,  page  828. 

Parades,  a  gunsmith  at  Aix-la-Cha- 
pelle,  who  was  reputed  to  be  very  inge- 
nious in  the  construction  of  rifled  bar- 
rels, used  to  compress  his  barrels  in  the 
center. 

RIFLEMEN",  marksmen,  armed  with 
rijles.  They  formed  the  most  formida- 
ble enemies  during  the  war  in  America, 
being  posted  along  the  American  ranks, 
and  behind  hedges,  &c.  for  the  purpose 
of  picking  off  the  British  officers;  many 
of  whom  fell  by  the  rifle  in  our  contest 
with  that  country.  They  have  proved 
equally  fatal  in  the  hands  of  the  French 
during  the  late  war,  and  they  have  been 


R  I  G 


(     755     ) 


R  I  O 


wisely  added  to  our  establishment.  Con- 
siderable improvements  are  daily  made; 
and  we  shall  hope  to  see  not  only  addi- 
tional corps  of  riflemen,  but  light  in- 
fantry battalions,  like  the  chasseurs  of 
the  French,  form  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  British  army.  This  has  been 
called  a  murderous  practice,  and  some 
persons  have  questioned  how  far  it 
ought  to  be  admitted  in  civilized  war- 
fare; but  is  not  war  itself  a  murderous 
practice? 

Mounted  Riflemen,  a  corps  of  rifle- 
men formerly  in  the  British  service, 
dressed  like  hussars,  and  mounted  on 
horseback  ;  of  which  description  was  the 
German  corps  raised  by  Baron  Ferdi- 
nand Hompesch. 

RIFLOIR,  Fr.  a  sort  of  file. 

Bloody  RIFTS  in  the  palate  of  a 
horse,  a  disease  which  is  cured  by  wash- 
ing the  sore  place  with  vinegar  and  salt, 
till  it  be  raw,  then  rubbing  it  with  ho- 
ney and  the  powder  of  jet. 

RIG,  a  horse  that  has  had  one  of  his 
stones  cut  out,  and  yet  has  a  colt. 

RIGHT,  in  geometry,  something  that 
lies  equally,  without  inclining  or  bend- 
ing one  way  or  the  other. 

Right  angled  is  understood  of  a  fi- 
gure, when  its  sides  are  at  right-angles, 
or  stand  perpendicularly  one  upon  ano- 
ther. 

Right,  that  which  is  ordered;  that 
which  justly  belongs  to  one. 

To  the  Right  about,  (demi  tour  a 
droite,  Fr.)  Make  a  half  face  to  the  right, 
ship  the  right  foot  back,  so  that  the  ball 
of  the  right  toe  is  in  contact  with  the 
heel  of  the  left  foot;  slightly  holding 
with  the  right  hand  the  cartouch  box, 
and  on  the  word  face,  come  to  the  right 
about,  that  is,  let  )>our  front  be  where 
your  rear  was. 

To  be  sent  to  the  Right  about,  a  figu- 
rative expression  in  the  British  service, 
signifying  to  be  cashiered,  to  be  dismiss- 
ed. 

RIGHTS,  C  droits,  Fr.)  certain,  unal  en- 
able claims  and  privileges,  which  every 
individual,  civil  as  well  as  military,  pos- 
sesses in  a  well  regulated  community.  Al- 
though there  is  not  any  specific  mention 
made  of  these  rights  in  the  Articles  of 
War,  (which  constitute  the  military  code 
of  Great  Britain,)  yet  they  are  mani- 
festly known  to  exist,  from  the  circum- 
stance of  a  mode  being  pointed  out, 
whereby  an  officer  or  soldier  who  thinks 
himself  wronged  may  find  redress. 


RIGOL.     See  Circle. 
RIGOLE,  Fr.  a  trench;  gutter. 
RING,  circle,  an  orbicular  line. 
Ring  of  an  anchor,  that  part  of  aa 
anchor  to  which  the  cable  is  fastened. 

Ring  in  a  horse,  a  callous  substance 
growing  in  the  hollow  of  the  pastern 
above  the  coronet. 

RiNG-fcowe  in  a  horse  is  a  hard,  cal- 
lous, or  brawny  swelling,  growing  on  one 
of  the  tendons,  between  the  coronet  and 
pastern  joint,  and  sticks  very  fast  to  the 
pastern;  so  that  if  it  be  not  removed  in 
time,  it  will  cause  incurable  lameness. 

To  Ring,  to  make  a  sharp  reverberat- 
ing noise. 

Ring  ramrod!  a  word  of  command 
sometimes  used  at  private  inspections, 
to  try  the  bottom  of  the  barrel  of  a 
musket. 

RINGS,  in  artillery,  are  of  various 
uses;  such  as  the  lashing  rings  in  tra- 
velling carriages,  to  lash  the  sponge, 
rammer,  and  ladle,  as  well  as  the  tar- 
paulin that  covers  the  guns;  the  rings 
fastened  to  the  hreeching-holts  in  ship- 
carriages;  and  the  shaft-rings  to  fasten 
the  harness  of  the  shaft-horse  by  means 
of  a  pin. 

Rings  of  a  gun,  circles  of  metal,  of 
which  there  are  five,  viz. 

Base-ring,  reinforce-ring,  trunnion- 
ring,  cornice-ring,  and  muzzle-ring.  See 
Muller's  Artillery,  page  30,  for  a  fuH  ex- 
planation of  the  several  rings. 

RINGLEADER,  the  head  of  any 
particular  body  of  men  acting  in  a  riot- 
ous or  mutinous  manner. 

RINGORO,  Fr.  a  strong  iron  bar 
used  in  forges.  It  likewise  means  a 
thick  pole  with  an  iron  fenel. 

RINGRAVE,  Fr.  pantaloon  bree- 
ches. 

RIOT  and  Tumult,  sedition,  civil  in- 
surrection, disturbance,  &c. ;  a  breach 
of  the  peace  committed  by  an  assembled 
multitude.  It  frequently  happens,  upon 
breaking  out  of  riots,  or  other  distur- 
bances, at  a  distance  from  the  abode  of 
any  magistrate,  that  the  otficers  com- 
manding troops  have  expressed  doubts 
how  far,  and  under  what  circumstances, 
they  should  be  justified  in  proceeding  to 
suppress  such  riots  and  disturbances, 
without  the  directions  of  a  magistrate, 
or  such  other  peace  otficers  as  are  speci- 
fied in  the  Riot  Act. 

In  consequence  of  these  doubt?,  an 
opinion    was    taken     upon    the    follow- 
ing case,  which  was  laid  before  the  At- 
5D  2 


11  I  o 


(     756     ) 


R  I  S 


tornev  General,  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1801,  by  order  <>f  his  Royal  Highness 
the  Duke  of  York,  then  commander  in 
chief. 

('use. — Your  opinion  is  requested 
whether  in  case  of-  any  sudden  riot,  or 
disturbance,  a  constable,  or  other  peace 
officer,  being  under  the  degree  of  those 
described  in  the  it  Act,  can  call  upon 
the  military  to  suppress  such  riot,  or 
disturbance;  or  how  far,  in  the  absence 
of  any  constable,  or  other  peace  officer 
at  all,  the  military  would  be  justified  in 
proceeding  to  suppress  any  riot  which 
might  break  out? 

Opinion. — I  understand  the  distur- 
bances here  meant  to  be  such  as  to 
amount  to  the  legal  description  of  riots. 
The  word  disturbance  has  no  legal  and 
appropriate  meaning,  beyond  a  mere 
breach  of  the  peace,  which  is  not,  how- 
ever, the  sense  in  which  the  word  is 
used  in  this  case;  the  case  plainly  im- 
porting-a  breach  of  the  peace  by  an  as- 
sembled multitude.  In  case  of  any  such 
sudden  riot  and  disturbance  as  above 
supposed,  any  of  his  Majesty's  subjects, 
without  the  presence  of  a  peace  officer 
of  any  description,  may  arm  themselves, 
and,  of  course,  may  use  ordinary  means 
of  force  to  suppress  such  riot  and  dis- 
turbance.— This  was  laid  down  in  my 
Lord  Chief  Justice  Popham's  Reports, 
121,  and  Keyling  7(i,  as  having  been  re- 
solved by  all  the  judges  in  the  39th  of 
Queen  Elizabeth  to  be  good  law,  and 
has  certainly  been  recognized  in  Haw- 
kins, and  other  writers  oil  the  crown 
law,  and  by  various  judges  at  different 
periods  since.  And  what  his  Majesty's 
subjects  may  do,  they  also  ought  to  do 
for  the  suppression  of  public  tumult, 
when  an  exigency  may  require  that 
such  means  be  resorted  to;  whatever 
any  other  class  of  his  Majesty's  subjects 
may  allowably  do  in  this  particular,  the 
military  may  unquestionably  do  also;  by 
the  common  law,  every  description  of 
peace  officers  may  and  ought  to  do,  not 
only  all  that  in  him  lies  towards  the 
suppressing  riots,  but  may,  and  ought 
to  command  all  other  persons  to  assist 
therein. 

However,  it  is  by  all  means  advisa- 
ble to  procure  a  justice  of  the  peace  to 
attend,  and  for  the  military  to  act  under 
his  immediate  orders,  when  such  at- 
tendance and  the  sanction  of  such  orders 
can  be  obtained  ;  as  it  not  only  pre- 
vents   any   disposition    to   unnecessary 


violence  on  the  part  of  those  who  act  in 
repelling  the  tumult,  but  it  induces  also, 
from  the  known  authority  of  such  ma- 
gistrates, a  more  ready  submission  on 
the  part  of  the  rioters,  to  the  measures 
used  for  that  purpose;  but  still,  in  cases 
of  great  and  sudden  emergency,  the 
military,  as  well  as  all  other  individuals, 
may  act  without  their  presence  or  with- 
out the  presence  of  any  other  peace 
officer  whatsoever. 

(Signed)  Edward  Law. 

(Now   Lord   Ellenborouiih,   Lord   Chief 
Justice  of  the  Court  of  King's  Bench.) 
Lincoln's  Inn,  \st  April,  1801. 

RIOT-«(7,  an  act  of  parliament  pro- 
hibiting riotous  or  tumultuous  assem- 
blies. This  being  read  by  a  magistrate 
or  peace  officer  to  the  mob,  if  they  do 
not  in  a  given  time  disperse,  or  if  they 
commit  any  act  of  violence  on  the  pro- 
perty or  persons  of  others,  the  soldiery 
may  fire  on  them,  and  reduce  them  by 
force  of  arms  to  quiet,  and  obedience 
to  the  laws. 

RIOTERS,  disturbers  of  the  public 
peace;  persons  acting  in  open  violation 
of  good  order;  raising,  or  creating  sedi- 
tion, &c.  Soldiers  are  not  to  fire  on 
rioters  until  the  Riot-act  has  been  read 
by  a  magistrate,  or  peace-officer ;  unless 
martial  law  is  proclaimed  ;  or  in  extra- 
ordinary enses.     See  Riot. 

RIPOSTE,  Fr.  a  parry  and  thrust; 
it  likewise  signifies,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
a  keen  reply,  a  close  retort. 

RIPOSTER,  or  RISPOSTER,  Fr. 
in  fencing,  to  parry  and  thrust. 

RISBAN,  Ft.  in  fortification,  a  fiat 
piece  of  ground  upon  which  a  fort  is 
constructed  for  the  defence  and  security 
of  a  port  or  harbour.  It  likewise  means 
the  port  itself.  The  famous  Risban  of 
Dunkirk  was  built  entirely  of  brick  and 
stone;  having  within  its  walls  excellent 
barracks,  a  large  cistern  well  supplied 
with  water,  magazines  for  stores,  pro- 
visions, and  ammunition.  A  ready  com- 
munication was  kept  up  with  the  town 
by  means  of  the  jettee,  which  corre- 
sponded with  the  wooden  bridge  that 
joined  the  entrance  into  the  fort.  The 
rampart  was  capable  of  receiving  forty- 
six  piece*  of  ordnance,  which  were  dis- 
poser! in  three  different  alignments,  or 
tiers,  owing  to  the  triangular  figure  of 
the  fort;  so  that  a  fire  could  be  kept  up 
on  all  sides. 

Risban,  Fr.  a  fort,  or  castle,  which 
is    built   in    the  sea,  at  some    distance 


R  I  V 


(     757     ) 


R  I  V 


from  the  dry  shore,  upon  a  sand-bank  ; 
on  which  account  it  is  called  Rispan,  a 
corruption  of  Richepan  ;  alluding  to  the 
great  expense  which  unavoidably  at- 
tends the  construction  of  a  work  of  this 
sort.  Fort  Rouge,  at  Calais,  is  of  this 
description. 

RISBERME,  Jr.  a  sort  of  glacis, 
which  sometimes  projects  out,  and  rises 
by  degrees.  It  is  used  in  jetties  made 
of  fascine  work,  the  sides  of  which, 
towards  the  sea,  are  constructed  or  laid 
down  in  the  form  of  a  Risberme,  in  order 
to  withstand  the  violence  of  the  waves. 

To  RISE,  to  break  into  commotions; 
to  make  insurrections. 

To  Rise,  in  a  military  sense,  to  make 
hostile  attack;  as,  the  soldiers  rose 
against  their  officers. 

To  Rise,  to  obtain  promotion. 

To  Rise  from  the  ranks,  to  obtain 
promotion  by  degrees,  after  having  been 
in  the  ranks  as  a  private  soldier;  a  cir- 
cumstance which  lias  happened  to  some 
of  the  best  generals  in  the  world. 

Rise,  increase  of  price;  as  the  rise 
of  commissions  in  the  army  upon  the 
prospect  of  peace. 

RISEE,  Fr.  ridicule;  laughing-stock. 
This  word  often  signifies  the  object  of 
laughter,  or  ridicule.  Ce  Martinet  fut 
la  risie,  de  toute  I'arinie ;  that  Martinet 
was  the  laughing-stock  of  the  whole 
army. 

RISK,  (risque,  hasard,  Fr.)  Everv 
person  who  undertakes  a  military  ope- 
ration, especially  of  command  and  re- 
sponsibility, ought  well  to  weigh  the 
powers  of  his  own  mind;  to  calculate 
the  chances  against  him;  and  to  know 
how  to  risk  his  reputation  in  them. 

RrsK  is  the  touch-stone  of  human 
courage;  and  without,  resolution  to  en- 
counter it,  there  can  be  no  honour. 

RISSALA,  or  RUSSAULA,  Ind.  an 
independent  corps  of  cavalry. 

RISSALDAR,  Ind.  the  commander 
of  an  independent  corps  of  cavalry. 

RIVAGE,  Fr.  shore;  bank. 

Rivage  eleve,  Fr.  strand;  beach. 

RIVAL,  one  who  is  in  quest  of  the 
same  thing  which  another  pursues;  a 
competitor. 

Rival  powers.  Nations  are  so  called 
when  their  relative  situation  and  re- 
sources in  men  and  money,  &c.  enable 
them  to  oppose  each  other;  as  Great 
Britain  and  France. 

RIVALISER,  Fr.  to  vie  with  ano- 


ther; to  rival  him.  Rivaliser  de  cou- 
rage, de  celerite,  Fr.  to  vie  in  courage, 
in  swiftness. 

RIVALITE,  Fr.    See  Emulation. 
RIVE,    Fr.    the    sea-shore    side    or 
coast,  the  bank  or  side  of  a  river. 

Rive  de  Genes,  Fr.  that  line  of  coast 
which  runs  along  the  country  of  Genoa. 
La  Rive  d'un  boh,  Fr.  the  skirt,  edge, 
or  side  of  a  wood. 

RIVER  un  clou.  Fr.  a  figurative 
phrase,  signifying  to  make  a  reply  in 
point;  literally  to  hit  the  nail  upon  the 
head. 

River,  (riviere,  Fr.)  a  land  current 
of  water  larger  than  a  brook. — Vessels 
used  upon  navigable  rivers  may  be  im- 
pressed in  cases  of  emergency  by  a 
warrant  from  any  justice  of  the  peace. 
See  M.VTiTsY-Act,  Sect.  46. 

Fordable  River,  a  river  which  may 
be  passed  without  the  assistance  of  any 
floating  machines.  In  order  to  sound  the 
ford,  and  to  ascertain  the  state  of  it, 
men  on  horseback  are  first  ordered  to 
cross.  By  that  means  it  will  be  known 
whether  any  obstacles  have  been  thrown 
in  the  way  by  the  enemy;  for  nothing 
is  more  easily  effected.  The  passage  of 
a  ford  may  be  rendered  impracticable 
by  throwing  whole  trees  in,  by  tables  or 
platforms  covered  with  nails,  and  by 
stakes.  The  two  latter  impediments 
are  the  most  dangerous. — But  stakes 
are  not  easily  fixed,  and  are  conse- 
quently seldom  used.  When  fords  are 
embarrassed  by  them,  it  requires  some 
time  and  trouble  to  clear  the  river; 
and  it  is  equally  difficult  to  get  rid  of 
the  inconvenience  that  arises  when  wells 
have  been  sunk.  Whenever  there  is 
reason  to  apprehend  such  obstacles,  it 
is  always  best  to  reach  the  ford  at 
dusk. 

When  the  Prince  of  Conde,  in  1567, 
resolved  to  cross  the  river  Seine,  the 
royalists,  who  were  on  the  opposite 
side,  endeavoured  to  prevent  his  pas- 
sage by  throwing  quantities  of  madriers, 
or  thick  planks  that  were  nailed  toge- 
ther, iron  hoops  and  water-cats  into  the 
ford.  The  Huguenots  or  Protestants, 
however,  were  not  diverted  from  their 
purpose.  Aubigne,  a  French  writer, 
says,  that  on  that  occasion  they  placed 
400  arquebusiers  upon  the  bank  to  pro- 
tect the  men  that  raked  the  ford. 

This  was  certainly  a  singular  method 
to   clear  a  ford,  nor  could  it  be  done 


R  I  V 


(     75S     ) 


ii  a  a 


Without  much  difficulty,  and  a  consi- 
derable device  of  danger.  The  Cheva- 
lier Folard  lias  proposed  a  much  safer, 
add  a  much  easier  way,  by  means  ol 
grappling  hooks  tied  to  long  ropes, 
which  might  be  thrown  into  the  ford. 
Vtt  even  in  this  case,  observes  that 
writer,  the  object  could  not  be  accom- 
plished if  the  river  were  broad,  unless 
the  persons  employed  in  the  under- 
taking be  under  the  cover  of  so  heavy 
a  discharge  of  ordnance  and  musketry, 
that  the  enemy  would  not  be  able  to 
interrupt  them,  even  from  an  intrenched 
position  on  the  opposite  bank.  ' 

With  respect  to  caltrops,  the  removal 
of  them,  when  properly  distributed  at 
the  bottom  of  a  ford,  must  be  attended 
with  great  dilliculty ;  for  they  uiust  ren- 
der the  passage  absolutely  impractica- 
ble, unless  they  were  to  sink  very  deep 
into  the  mud  and  sand,  and  thus  become 
useless.  The  men  that  fust  enter  are, 
in  this  case,  the  only  persons  incom- 
moded; the  rest  may  follow  without 
much  hazard. 

It  sometimes  happens,  that  the  bot- 
tom of  a  stream,  or  rivulet,  is  firm  and 
gravelly;  when  this  occurs,  the  greatest 
precautions  must  be  taken  to  escape 
the  effects  of  caltrops.  For  this  pur- 
pose, a  good  stock  of  hurdles  must  be 
provided.  The  soldiers  will  hand  them 
to  one  another,  force  them  into  the 
water,  and  then  cover  them  with  stones. 

When  one  or  two  fords  in  a  river  are 
•o  situated,  that  several  battalions  can- 
not cross  them  upon  one  front,  it  is 
then  highly  prudent  to  throw  a  bridge 
over,  either  above  or  below  the  ford  ; 
for  a  swell  may  intervene,  and  render 
it  otherwise  impassable ;  add  to  which, 
you  have  the  advantage  of  getting  a 
greater  number  of  troops  over  at  once. 

In  order  to  effect  a  passage  for  his 
army  over  the  river  Segre,  C&'sar  gave 
directions  that  ditches,  thirty  feet  broad, 
should  be  dug  in  such  parts  of  the 
banks  as  might  with  ease  receive  the 
water  out  of  the  stream,  and  render  it 
fordable.  Having  accomplished  this  ob- 
ject, he  found  no  difficulty  in  reaching 
Petreius,  who,  being  in  the  daily  fear 
of  wanting  provisions  and  forage  for  his 
men,  was  on  the  eve  of  quitting  his 
position  and  marching  forward. 

The  passage  of  the  Granicus  by  Alex- 
ander the  Great  is  likewise  mentioned 
in  history,  as  an  instance  of  bold  enter- 


prize.  But  however  celebrated  that  act 
may  be  in  ancient  records,  we  shall  not 
he  thought  partial  to  the  modems  when 
we  state,  that  the  passage  of  the  river 
Itolowitz,  by  Charles  XII.  of  Sweden, 
was  equally  bold  and  well  managed. 

RIVERAINS,  Fr.  persons  who  in- 
habit the  banks  of  rivers.  By  a  regula- 
tion, which  was  in  force  during  the 
French  monarchy,  all  persons  so  situ- 
ated, were  obliged  to  leave  a  space  18 
feet  broad  at  least,  between  their  houses 
or  huts,  and  the  bank,  for  the  conveni- 
ence of  navigation.  A  set  of  men,  called 
Balheurs,  were  paid  to  see  this  regula- 
tion strictly  complied  with. 

RIVET,  a  fastening  pin  clenched  at 
both  ends,  so  as  to  hold  an  intermediate 
substance  with  more  firmness. 

Rivet,  in  farriery,  is  that  extremity 
of  the  nail  that  rests,  or  leans  upon  the 
horn  when  you  shoe  a  horse. 

RIVETTl\G-/j/a/e9,  in  gun-ear- 
riuges,  small  square  thin  plates  of  iron, 
through  which  the  ends  of  the  bolt* 
pass,  and  are  rivetted  upon  them. 

RIVIERE,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
by  the  French,  in  one  particular  in- 
stance, to  signify  coast  or  shore — As  la 
Riviax  de  Genes;  the  coast  of  Genoa. 

RlX-dollar,  (risdale,  Fr.)  a  dollar 
worth  4s.  fid. 

RIZAMEDAR,  Ind.  an  officer  com- 
manding a  small  body  of  horse. 

RO,  Ind.  in  Indian  music  means 
quick. 

ROAD,  (chemin, Fr.)  For  the  manner 
in  which  roads  should  be  reconnoitred 
for  military  purposes,  see  Reconnoi- 
tring ;  also  page  231  of  the  Littlb 
Bombardier. 

Military  Road,  a  road  calculated  for 
the  passage  of  troops,  and  the  conve- 
nience of  artillery,  &c.  Of  this  descrip- 
tion is  the  road  directed  to  be  cut,  by 
Act  of  Parliament,  from  Sussex  into 
Kent.  These  roads  are  made  of  a  cer- 
tain breadth,  and  through  a  country 
susceptible  of  defence. 

ROAN.  A  roan  horse  is  one  of  a 
bay  sorrel,  or  black  colour,  with  grey 
or  white  spots,  interspersed  very  thick. 
When  this  party-coloured  coat  is  ac- 
companied with  a  black  head,  and  black 
extremities,  he  is  called  a  roan,  with  a 
blackmoor's  head  ;  and  if  the  same  mix- 
ture be  predominant  upon  a  deep  sor- 
rel, it  is  called  claret  roan. 

ROARER,   a    horse   that    makes   a 


ROC 


(     759     ) 


ROC 


noise  similar  to  that  of  a  broken- 
winded  one,  and  who  is  generally  a 
crib-biter. 

ROBBER,  one  that  plunders  by  force, 
or  steals  by  secret  means. 

Pablic-RoKBER,  one  who  betrays  the 
trust  reposed  in  him,  either  in  a  mili- 
tary or  civil  capacity,  aud  enriches 
himself  unlawfully,  at  the  expense  of 
the  nation.  This  term  is  intrinsically 
the  same  as  public  defaulter.  A  public 
robber  is  the  more  infamous,  because  he 
not  only  betrays  his  trust,  but  pilfers 
from  the  hard  earned  pittance  of  every 
individual  in  the  nation.  The  common 
highwayman  is  less  criminal. 

ROBIN  ET,  an  ancient  machine  of 
war,  which,  like  the  Mute-griffon,  threw 
both  stones  and  darts. 

ROC,  Fr.  a  rock. 

Roc  de  lance,  Fr.  in  tournaments ; 
the  wooden  part  of  a  lance  is  so  called. 

ROCAILLE,  Fr.  a  term  of  orna- 
mental architecture,  signifying  the  col- 
lection of  shells,  pebbles,  and  petrifac- 
tions, ike.  which  are  used  in  grottos. 

ROCHE,  Fr.  By  this  word  the 
French  mean  the  hardest  and  the  most 
difficult  stone  to  be  cut  that  is  found. 
Such  as  flint,  and  other  stones  that  can 
be  broken  into  scales. 

Roche  a  feu,  Fr.  a  solid  composition, 
which  gradually  consumes  when  it  has 
been  lighted,  but  which  emits  a  very 
broad  and  lively  flame,  and  is  not  ex- 
tinguished by  water. 

ROCHE  vive,  Fr.  such  a  rock  as 
is  all  of  stone,  without  any  bed  or  mix- 
ture of  earth. 

ROCHER,  Fr.  a  large  rock;  de- 
rived from  roc,  and  generally  bearing 
the  same  import. 

ROCK,  (rue,  Fr.)  stone  which  is  ex- 
tremely hard,  and  is  difficult  to  he 
worked,  the  broken  pieces  of  which  are 
used  to  throw  at  the  foot  of  a  jetty,  in 
order  to  strengthen  it  against  the  vio- 
lence of  the  waves.  This  species  of 
stone  does  not  decay  by  being  exposed 
either  to  air  or  water. 

The  Rock,  a  term  familiarly  used 
among  military  men,  to  signify  the 
Rock  of  Gibraltar. 

ROCKET   as   used   in   India.      See 

FotTGETTE. 

ROCKETS.     See  Laboratory. 

Signal  Rockets  are  seldom  more 
than  one  pound  weight.  They  are  used 
in  the  navy  for  signals,  and  are  fired 
perpendicularly. 


Indian  Rockets  are  used  by  the 
native  troops  in  India.  These  rockets 
are  made  of  iron,  and  are  lashed  to  a 
bamboo  cane.  The  weight  is  seldom 
more  than  two  pounds,  or  less  than  one. 
They  were  used  with  very  destructive 
effect  against  the  British  during  the 
siege  of  Seringapatam  in  1799.  See 
Fougette. 

Congreve's  Rockets,  so  called  from 
the  name  of  the  inventor,  are  of  a  pe- 
culiar internal  structure  and  composi- 
tion, by  which  the  action  of  this  prin- 
ciple of  projectile  force  is  so  greatly 
increased,  as  not  only  to  triple  the 
flight  of  small  rockets  so  formed,  but 
also  to  allow  of  the  construction  of 
rockets  of  such  dimensions  as,  on  the 
ordinary  principles  of  combination, 
would  not  even  rise  from  the  ground, 
and  of  such  powers  of  flight  and  bur- 
then as  have  hitherto  been  considered 
altogether  impracticable. 

On  the  basis  of  this  increase  of  power, 
Mr. Congreve  has  succeeded  in  making 
war  rockets  for  various  naval  and 
military  purposes,  and  of  various  de- 
scriptions and  calibres,  either  for  ex- 
plosion or  conflagration,  and  armed 
both  with  shells  and  case-shot;  the  32 
pr.  rocket  carcass,  which  is  the  nature 
hitherto  chiefly  used  for  bombardment, 
will  range  3000  yards  with  the  same 
quantity  of  combustible  matter  as  that 
contained  in  the  10  inch  spherical  car- 
cass, and  2500  yards  with  the  same 
quantity  as  that  of  the  13  inch  spheri- 
cal carcass.  The  12  pr.  rocket  case 
shot,  which  is  so  portable  that  it  may 
be  used  with  the  facility  of  musketry, 
has  a  range  nearly  double  that  of  field 
artillery,  carrying  as  many  bullets  as  the 
6  pr.  spherical  case:  and  here  it  ought 
to  be  observed,  that  the  projectile  force 
of  the  rocket  is  peculiarly  well  calculated 
for  the  conveyance  of  case  shot  to  great 
distances,  because  as  it  proceeds  its 
velocity  is  accelerated  instead  of  being 
retarded,  as  happens  with  every  other 
projectile,  while  the  average  velocity 
of  the  shell  is  greater  than  that  of  the 
rocket  only  in  the  ratio  of  9  to  8;  in- 
dependent of  which,  the  case  shot 
conveyed  by  the  rocket  admits  of  any 
desired  increase  of  velocity  in  its  range 
by  the  bursting  powder,  which  cannot 
be  obtained  in  any  other  description  of 
case. 

Of  this  description   of   rocket   case 
shot,  one  hundred  infantry  soldiers  will 


ROC 


(     760') 


ROC 


carry  into  action,  in  any  situation  where 
musketry  can  act,  300  rounds,  and  10 
frames,  from  eacli  of  which  four  rounds 
nun  he  fired  in  a  minute.  And  of  the 
same  description  of  case  shot  for  the 
u~.  of  cavalry,  four  horses  will  carry 
ninety-six  rounds  and  four  frames,  from 
which  may  he  tired  sixteen  rounds  in  a 
minute — each  horse  not  having  more 
than  the  ordinary  burthen  of  a  dragoon 
horse.  Can  any  other  species  of  am- 
munition give  sucli  powers  and  facili- 
ties ? 

The  carcass  rockets  were  first  used 
at  Boulogne  in  1805,  in  consequence  of 
a  demonstration  of  their  powers  made 
at  Woolwich  by  Mr.  Congreve,  in  the 
presence  of  Mr.  Pitt,  and  several  other 
Cabinet  Ministers,  in  the  month  of 
September.  Sir  Sidney  Smith  was  ap- 
pointed to  command  this  expedition, 
but  from  the  lateness  of  the  season,  it 
being  the  end  of  November,  before  the 
preparations  were  completed,  nothing 
was  done  that  year.  In  1U0G,  however, 
Mr.  Congreve  renewed  his  proposition 
for  the  attack  of  Boulogne  by  rockets, 
and  it  was  ordered,  in  consequence  of 
Lord  Moira,  then  master  general  of  the 
ordnance,  and  Lord  Ilowick,  then  first 
lord  of  the  Admiralty,  having  attended 
an  experiment  at  Woowich,  and  having 
satisfied  themselves  by  their  own  obser- 
vation of  the  powers  of  the  weapon.  The 
attack  was  accordingly  made  under  the 
command  of  Commodore  Owen,  late 
in  October,  180G;  having  been  put  off 
during  the  summer  months  in  conse- 
quence of  the  negociation  for  peace  at 
that  time  pending.  From  this  delay, 
however,  instead  of  being  carried  on 
upon  the  great  scale  at  first  intended,  it 
became  a  mere  desultory  attack,  in 
which  not  more  than  200  rockets  were 
fired.  The  town,  however,  was  set  on 
fire  by  the  first  discharge,  and  continued 
burning  for  nearly  two  days  :  it  is  also 
believed  that  some  of  the  shipping  were 
burnt,  but  the  greater  part  of  the 
rockets  certainly  went  over  the  basin 
into  the  town. 

Since  this  period  the  rockets  have 
been  used  in  almost  every  expedition, 
and  the  importance  of  their  effect  in  the 
ever  memorable  battle  of  Leipzig  is  in 
the  recollection  of  all  Europe.  The 
use  of  this  weapon  is  now  extended  to 
cavalry,  as  well  as  infantry  and  artillery. 
The  great  general  point  of  excellence 
of  the  rocket  system  is  the  facility  with 


which  all    the  natures  of   this  weapon 
may  be  conveyed  and  applied. 

Its  peculiar  applicability  to  naval 
bombardment  hinges  on  this  property, 
that  there  is  no  re-action,  no  recoil  in 
the  firing  of  the  largest  rockets;  so  that 
by  this  means  carcasses,  equal  to  those 
projected  from  the  largest  mortars,  may 
be  thrown  from  the  smallest  boats.  And 
its  peculiar  fitness  for  land  service,  is, 
that  it  is  a  description  of  extremely 
powerful  ammunition  without  ordnance, 
so  that  the  burthen  of  mortars  and  guns 
is  dispensed  with,  and  all  that  is  to  be 
carried  is  actual  available  missile  matter, 
capable  of  the  range,  and  of  many  of  the 
most  important  effects,  of  the  heaviest 
artillery. 

There  has  been  much  misapprehension 
as  to  the  expense  of  the  rocket  system; 
and  it  is  therefore  proper  to  explain, 
that,  in  fact,  it  is  the  cheapest  of  all 
ammunition  depending  on  the  projectile 
force  of  gunpowder;  for  the  proof  of 
which  it  will  be  only  necessary  briefly 
to  state,  that  the  32-pr.  carcass  rocket 
costs  only  U.  lis.  0{d.  complete  in 
every  respect  for  service;  whereas  its 
equivalent,  the  10-inch  splu-rical  car- 
cass, with  the  charge  of  powder  neces- 
sary to  convey  it  3000  yards,  which 
power  is  contained  in  the  rocket,  costs 
1/.  2s.  Id.  independent  of  any  charge 
for  the  morlar,  mortar  bed,  platforms, 
difference  qf  transport,  Ike.  tkc.  attach- 
ing to  the  spherical  carcass  and  not  to 
the  rocket,  which  actually  requires  no 
apparatus  whatever  to  use  it  in  a  bom- 
bardment, and  has  therefore  no  charge 
attaching  to  it,  beyond  the  first  cost, 
but  that  of  transport;  and  a  vessel  of 
300  tons  will  carry  5000  of  them  at 
least.  We  have  indeed  seen  a  calcula- 
tion, by  which  it  appears,  that  in  every 
10-inch  carcass,  so  thrown,  there  is  an 
actual  saving  of  3/.'  In  fact,  when  our 
previous  observation  is  carried  in  mind, 
that  "  the  rocket  system  is  a  system  of 
ammunition  withoutordnance,"it  cannot 
fail  to  strike  every  one  reading  the  above 
statement,  that,  in  all  its  applications, 
the  rocket  must  be  the  cheapest  possi- 
ble arm. 

Rocket  Light  Ball,  also  invented  by 
Mr. Congreve,  is  a  species  of  light  ball 
thrown  into  the  air  by  means  of  one  of 
his  rockets,  where  having  reached  the 
summit  of  the  rocket's  ascent,  it  is 
detached  from  it  by  an  explosion,  and 
remains  suspended  in  the  air  by  a  small 


ROC 


(     761     ) 


R  O  I 


parachute  to  which  it  is  connected  by  a 
chain,  Thus,  in  lieu  of  the  transient 
and  momentary  gleam  obtained  by  the 
common  light  ball,  a  permanent  arid 
brilliant  light  is  obtained  and  suspended 
in  the  air  for  five  minutes  at  least,  so  as 
to  afford  time  and  light  sufficient  to 
observe  the  motions  of  an  enemy  by 
night  either  on  shore,  or  at  sea,  where  it 
is  particularly  useful  in  chasing,  or  for 
giving  more  distant  and  extensive  night 
signals.  It  is  to  be  observed  that 
nothing  of  this  Kind  can  be  obtained  by 
the  projectile  force  of  either  guns  or 
mortars — because  the  explosion  would 
infallibly  destroy  any  construction  that 
could  he  made  to  produce  the  suspen- 
sion in  the  air. 

Floating  Rocket  Carcass.  This  is 
another  of  Mr.  Congreve's  applications 
of  his  rocket,  and  of  the  parachute,  for 
the  purpose  of  conveying  combustible 
matter  to  distances  far  beyond  the  range 
of  any  known  projectile  force:  at  the 
same  time  that  it  is  cheap,  simple  and 
portable.  The  floating  carcass,  like  the 
light  ball, is  thrown  into  the  air,  attached 
to  a  rocket,  from  which,  being  liberated 
at  its  greatest  altitude,  and  suspended 
by  a  small  parachute,  it  is  driven  for- 
ward by  the  wind,  and  will  in  a  moderate 
breeze  afford  ranges  at  least  double  those 
of  the  common  carcass,  and  may,  there- 
fore, for  naval  purposes,  from  a  block- 
ading squadron,  be  thrown  in  great 
quantities  with  a  fair  wind  against  any 
fleet  or  arsenal,  without  the  smallest 
risk,  or  without  approaching  within 
range  either  of  guns  or  mortars :  thus, 
during  the  blockade  of  the  Russian  fleet 
at  Baltic  Port,  it  might  have  been  con- 
tinually used,  at  all  events,  with  great 
prospect  of  success,  and  certainly  where 


other  .  means   of   annoyance   whatever 
exist. 

ROD.     See  Measuring. 

Rod,  a  switch  carried  by  a  horse- 
man, in  his  right  hand,  partly  to  repre- 
sent a  sword,  and  partly  to  conduct  the 
horse,  and  second  the  effects  of  the  hand 
and  heels. 

Rod,  a  measure  of  length,  containing 
by  statute,  sixteen  feet  and  a  half 
English. 

Rod  of  iron. — To  govern  or  command 
with  a  rod  of  iron. —  A  figurative  ex- 
pression, signifying  to  treat  those  over 
whom  we  have  command  or  rule,  with 
unqualified  severity;  to  act  as  tyrants. 

RODS,  or  rammers, instruments  either 
of  iron  or  wood,  to  drive  home  the 
charges  of  muskets,  carabines,  and  pis- 
tols. 

Rods,  sticks  fastened  to  sky-rockets, 
to  make  them  rise  in  a  straight  line. 

RODOMONT,  Fr.  a  bully ;  an  un- 
military  character. 

Faire  le  Rodomont,  Fr.  to  bully;  to 
talk  loudly,  without  possessing  the  real 
spirit  of  a  man,  or  soldier. 

RODOMONTADE,  Fr.  rodomon- 
tade ;  the  act  of  bullying,  vain  boasting, 
or  arrogating  to  ourselves  qualities  which 
we  do  not  possess.  A  French  writer 
has  very  justly  observed,  that  there  can- 
not be  a  greater  defect  in  the  character 
of  an  officer  than  an  over-weening  dis- 
play of  real  or  fictitious  talents.  The 
word  is  derived  from  one  Rodomond, 
the  hero,  or  principal  character  in  an 
old  romance,  who  makes  himself  con- 
spicuously ridiculous  in  this  way. 

ROGNURES,  Fr.  shreds;  scrapings; 
parings. 

ROGUES's-mo/c^..     See  March. 

ROHILLAL,  lnd.  a  tribe  of  Afghans 


no  other  means  of  annoyance  could  have   inhabiting   the    country   north   of    the 


been  applied.  The  rocket  containing  this 
carcass  is  not  larger  than  the32-pounder 
rocket  carcass;  and  the  whole  expense 
added  to  the  rocket  does  not  exceed  5s. : 
nor  are  the  approaches  of  the  carcass 
itself  necessarily  visible  by  night,  as  it 
may  be  arranged  not  to  inflame  till 
some  time  after  it  has  settled.  It  is 
evidently,  therefore,  capable  of  becoming 
a  very  harassing  weapon,  with  a  great 
chance  of  doing  as  much  mischief  as 
any  other  carcass  amongst  large  fleets 
and  flotillas,  by  lodging  unperceived 
in  the  rigging,  or  lighting,  in  exten- 
sive arsenals,  in  situations  where  no 


Ganges,  as  far  as  the  Suba  of  Oude  to 
the  eastward. 

ROI,  Fr.  king. 

Roi  a" amies,  Fr.  See  King  at 
Arms. 

Le  Roi  i?avisera,  Fr.  the  King  will 
consider.  By  these  words  written  on  a 
bill  presented  to  the  King  by  the  Parlia- 
ment, is  understood  his  absolute  denial 
of  that  bill  in  civil  terms,  and  it  is  there- 
by wholly  made  null  and  void. 

Le  Roi  le  veid,  Fr.  the  King  is  willing, 

A  term  in  which  the    royal    assent  is 

signified  by  the  clerk  of  the  Parliament 

to  the  public  bills ;    giving  authority  to 

5E 


ROL 


(   w   ) 


ROL 


ihosr,  which  before  were  of  no  force  or 
virtue. 

l)e  par  le  Ror,  Fr.  by  the  king's 
order. 

ROKER,  fad.  cash. 

KOLE,  Fr.  a  muster-roll,  state,  or 
return.  The  word  rule  is  used  among 
the  French,  indiscriminately,  to  signify, 
either  the  effective  force  of  an  army,  or 
the  actual  quantity  of  stores  and  ammu- 
nition which  the  magazines  contain. 

To  Roll  in  duty,  an  old  term  which 
is  seldom  used  at  present,  although  ex- 
tremely appropriate,  and  which  corre- 
sponds with  the  French  term  router. 
It  signifies  to  take  one's  turn  upon  duty, 
and  to  be  subject  to  a  fixed  roster  ac- 
cording to  rank  and  precedence.  When 
officers  of  the  same  rank  take  their  turns 
upon  duty,  pursuant  to  some  established 
roster,  as  captains  with  captains,  and 
subalterns  with  subalterns,  and  com- 
mand according  to  the  seniority  of  their 
commissions,  they  are  said    to    roll  in 


duty. 

To  Roll,  to  continue  one  uniform 
beat  of  the  drum,  without  variation, 
for  a  certain  length  of  time.  When  a 
line  is  advancing  in  full  front,  or  in 
echelon,  for  any  considerable  distance, 
the  music  of  one  regulating  battalion 
may,  at  intervals,  be  permitted  to  phi v 
for  a  few  seconds  at  a  time,  and  the 
drums  of  the  other  battalions  may  be 
allowed  occasionally  to  roll;  drums  like- 
wise roll  when  troops  are  advancing  to 
the  charge. 

Limg-Rott,  a  beat  of  drum  by  which 
troops  are  assembled  at  any  particular 
spot  of  rendezvous,  or  parade. 

Muster-RoLL,  a  return,  given  bv 
paymasters,  on  which  are  written  the 
names  of  both  officers  and  soldiers  of 
the  regiment,  troop,  or  company,  with 
their  country,  age,  and  service. 

$<7«arf-liur.r.,  a  list  containing  the 
names  of  each  particular  squad.  Every 
non-commissioned  officer  and  corporal, 
who  is  entrusted  with  the  care  and  ma- 
nagement of  a  squad,  must  have  a  roll 
of  this  kind. 

Stzc-lioi.i ,  a  list  containing  the  names 
of  all  the  men  belonging  to  a  troop,  or 
company,  with  the  height,  or  stature  of 
each  specifically  marked.  Every  Ser- 
jeant keeps  a  regular  size  roll, and  every 
captain  of  a  troop,  or  company,  ought 
to  have  one  likewise. 
RoLL-ca//,  the  culling  over  the  names 


ol  the  several  men  who  compose  any 
part  of  a  military  body.  This  neces- 
sary duty  is  done  by  serjeauts  of  com- 
panies, morning  and  evening,  in  every 
well  regulated  corps.  Hence  morning 
roll-cull,  and  evening  roll-call.  On  cri- 
tical occasions,  and  in  services  that  re- 
quire promptitude  and  exertion,  fre- 
quent roll-calls  should  be  made. 

ROLLER,  a  small  wheel  placed  at 
the  foot  of  the  hammer  of  a  gun,  or 
pistol  lock,  in  order  to  lessen  the  fric- 
tion of  it  against  the  hammer,  or  feather 
spring. 

Roller,  a  stuffed  bandage  from  4 
to  6  inches  broad,  which  serves  to  keep 
the  cloth  upon  a  horse's  back.  It  is 
fastened  by  means  of  leathern  straps 
with  buckles,  and  is  made  of  woollen 
stuff,  or  Russia  duck,  to  correspond 
with  the  winter  or  summer  clothing. 
There  are  also  very  broad  rollers  used 
for  the  purpose  of  confining  the  carcass 
of  a  horse  that  may  be  running  to 
belly. 

Roller  likewise  means  a  long  piece 
of  wood  which  was  formerly  rounded 
and  made  taper  to  suit  the  regulated  size 
of  a  military  tail. 

Rolleu,  in  surgery,  a  long  and  broad 
ligature,  usually  made  of  linen  cloth, 
tor  binding,  surrounding,  and  contain- 
ing the  parts  of  the  human  body,  and 
keeping  them  in  their  proper  situation, 
thereby  disposing  them  to  a  state  of 
health  and  redintegration. 

ROLLERS  are  round  pieces  of  wood 
of  about  nine  inches  diameter,  and  four 
feet  long,  used  in  moving  pieces  of  artil- 
lery from  one  place  to  another. 

Rollers,  )  with  carpenters,  masons, 
Rolls,  j  &c.  are  plain  cylinders 
of  wood,  seven  or  eight  inches  in  di- 
ameter, and  three  or  four  feet  in  length, 
used  for  removing  beams,  large  stones, 
or  other  weights  of  a  similar  kind. 

These  rollers  are  placed  successively 
under  the  fore  part  of  the  massives  or 
heavy  bodies  that  are  to  be  removed ; 
which  at  the  same  time  are  pushed  for- 
ward by  means  of  levers,  &c.  applied 
behind. 

Endless  Rollers  are  rollers  used  to 
remove  blocks  of  marble,  or  other  loads 
of  excessive  weight. 

ROLLING,  in  mechanics,  is  a  kind  of 
circular  motion,  in  which  the  moveable 
turns  round  its  own  axis  or  center,  and 
continually   applies   new   parts   of  it* 


R  O  M 


(    763     ) 


RON 


surface  to  the  body  upon  which  it 
moves.  The  motion  of  rolling  is  op- 
posed to  that  of  sliding,  in  which  the 
same  surface  is  continually  applied  to 
the  plane  along  which  it  moves. 

The  friction  of  a  body  in  rolling,  or 
the  resistance  made  to  it  by  the  rough- 
ness of  the  plane  upon  which  it  moves, 
is  found  to  be  much  less  than  the  fric- 
tion in  sliding. 

ROMAINE,  Fr.  a  steelyard,  or  ba- 
lance for  weighing  things  of  various 
weights  by  one  single  weight,  as  from 
one  single  pound  to  112  pounds, 

ROMANS.  Before  the  establishment 
of  the  mess  at  the  Horse  Guards,  which 
was  formerly  paid  out  of  the  King's  privy 
purse,  and  is  now  charged  in  the  extra- 
ordinaries  of  the  army,  the  captain  of 
the  guard  at  St.  James's  kept  a  table 
for  the  subalterns  attached  to  that  duty. 
In  order  to  enable  the  captains  to  sup- 
port these  expenses,  a  certain  number 
of  men  were  allowed  to  work  in  the  me- 
tropolis, on  condition  that  they  left  their 
pay  in  the  hands  of  their  officers  :  these 
men  were  called  Romans, 

ROMAN  Catholics,  a  name  given  to 
all  such  Christians  as  acknowledge  the 
Pope's  supremacy.  The  English  and 
Irish  Roman  Catholics  were  formerly 
subjected  to  very  severe  restrictions  on 
account  of  their  religious  opinions.  The 
penal  code  has,  however,  been  gradually 
relaxed  in  their  favour  during  the  pre- 
sent reign. 

Roman  order,  in  architecture.  This 
order  is  the  same  as  the  Composite.  It 
was  invented  by  the  Romans,  in  the 
reign  of  Augustus,  and  placed  above  all 
others,  to  shew  that  the  Romans  were 
lords  over  other  nations.  It  is  made  up 
of  the  Ionic  and  Corinthian  orders. 

ROMPRE,  Fr.  to  break;  to  divide, 
&c. 

Rompre  un  bataillon,  Fr.  in  military 
evolutions,  to  break  a  battalion  into  a 
given  number  of  parts  for  the  purpose 
of  defiling,  &c. 

Rompre  en  colonnc,  Fr.  to  break  into 
column. 

Rompre  la  ligne,  Fr.  to  break  the 
line;  to  advance  against  a  force  drawn 
up  in  battle  array,  so  as  to  force  through 
its  continuity  of  line,  and  thereby  occa- 
sion the  greatest  confusion.  Admiral 
Sir  George  Rodney  first  practised  this 
manoeuvre  at  sea,  and  defeated  the 
French  fled  under  Count  de  Grasse,  on 


the  12th  of  April,  1778;  Lord  Howe  did 
the  same  on  the  1st  of  June,  1793,  and 
after  him  Lord  Nelson  at  the  battle  of 
the  Nile,  and  at  Trafalgar.  No  general, 
however,  availed  himself  of  the  supe- 
riority of  this  manoeuvre  in  land  engage- 
ments, so  much  as  the  late  Emperor  of 
the  French. 

Rompre  un  cheval,  Fr.  to  break  a 
horse  ;  to  supple  him,  &c. 

Rompre  xif,  Fr.  to  break  alive  upon 
the  wheel.  During  the  French  mo- 
narchy, soldiers  conspiring  against  their 
sovereign,  or  concealing  a  conspiracy, 
were  broken  alive  upon  the  wheel. 

Chemin  ROMPU,  Fr.  a  cragged 
broken  road. 

Rompu  aux  affaires  militaires,  Fr. 
well  versed  in  military  economy. 

RONDACHE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  shield 
which  the  French  formerly  used,  and 
which  is  still  carried  by  the  Spaniards. 

RONDEL,  in  fortification,  a  round 
tower,  sometimes  erected  at  the  foot  of 
a  bastion. 

RONDES,  Fr.  See  Rounds. 

RoNDE-wq/or,  Fr.  town-major's  round; 
so  called  from  the  town-major  visiting 
the  different  quarters  of  a  garrison  dur- 
ing the  night.  This  round,  in  some  de- 
gree, corresponds  with  our  Grand  Round. 
See  Round. 

Rondes  roulantes,  Fr.  rounds  that 
are  made  by  officers,  Serjeants,  or  cor- 
porals, over  a  certain  part  of  the  ram- 
parts. These  agree  with  our  visiting 
rounds. 

Ronde  d'officier,  Fr.  officer's  round. 

Chemin  dcs  Rondes,  Fr.  a  path 
marked  out  for  the  convenience  of  the 
rounds. 

Ronde  de  gouverneur,  Fr.  the  go- 
vernor's round. 

The  French  method  of  ascertaining 
the  nature  of  the  several  rounds  is  by 
challenging  in  the  same  manner  that  we 
do,  viz.  Qui  va  la?  Who  goes  there? 
This  must  be  said  sufficiently  loud  for 
the  main  guard  to  hear.  He  is  instantly 
answered — Ronde  de  Gouverneur,  Go- 
vernor's rounds ;  Ronde-Major,  Major's 
rounds,  or  grand  rounds,  and  so  on,  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  rounds. 
The  sentry  who  stands  posted  near  the 
guard-house,  after  having  cried  out  De- 
meurez-la,  stop  there,  or,  as  we  say, 
Stop  round,  cries  out  again,  Caporat 
hors  de  la  garde,  Corporal  from  the 
guard.  The  corporal  of  the  guard  wick 
5E  2 


It  ()  o 


(     761     ) 


ROP 


his  sword  drawn,  according  to  the  French 
custom,  repeats,  Qui  va  la  f  Who  comes 
there?  He  is  answered  Romlc,  round. 
He  then  says,  Avance  qui  a  t'ordre,  Let 
him  advance  who  has  the  parole,  or 
countersign;  or,  as  we  say,  Advance 
one,  and  give  the  countersign. 

Ronde   des   ojjiciers  de    piquet,    Fr, 
piquet  rounds. 

Ronde  pesante,  Fr.  a  garrison  trick 
which  was  formerly  played  on  cadets  in 
the  French  service,  to  try  their  tempers. 
It  was  a  burlesque  on  the  regular  rounds, 
and  was  performed  in  the  following 
manner  :  The  cadet,  accompanied  by  an 
officer,  went  the  romids  with  a  sack  on 
his  back.  He  was  challenged,  Qui  vire  f 
— Ronde. —  Quelle  ronde? — Ronde  pc- 
sunle, — Avance  qui  a  Vordrc. — Accor- 
dingly, the  cadet  advanced,  and  the  sen- 
try putastoneinto  the  sack,  saying  Passe, 
lourdaut — Pass,  sluggard.  The  sentries, 
as  it  will  be  readily  supposed,  were 
numerous  on  the  occasion,  being  offi- 
cers, and  the  cadet  had  50  or  60  pounds 
of  stones  to  carry  home.  The  natural 
levity  of  the  French  character,  and  its 
apparent  childishness  in  familiar  inter- 
course, may  account  for  this  extraordi- 
nary mixture  of  grave  and  humourous 
conduct. 

Rondes  chez  les  Turcs,  Fr.  See 
Turkish  Rounds. 

RONDELLE,  Fr.  a  small  round 
shield,  which  was  formerly  used  by 
light  armed  infantry.  It  likewise  means 
a  part  of  the  carriage  of  a  gun. 

RONDELIERS,  Fr.  Soldiers  who 
were  armed  with  rondelles,  or  small 
wooden  shields,  covered  with  leather, 
were  anciently  so  called. 

ROOF,  in  architecture,  is  the  upper 
part  of  any  building. 

The  roof  contains  the  timber  work 
and  its  covering  of  slate  or  tile,  or  what- 
soever serves  it  as  a  cover,  although 
carpenters  usually  mean  by  rooj\  the 
timber-work  only. 

Roofs  are  variously  formed ;  being 
sometimes  pointed  ;  in  which  case  the 
most  beautiful  proportion  is,  to  have  its 
profde  an  equilateral  triangle. 

.ROOLET,  Fr.  a  watchword  among 
the  French  clergy,  during  the  civil  wars 
ot  France,  signifying  a  collection  of  the 
pensions  of  those  eminent  persons,  who 
had  undertaken  to  protect  them. 

ROOM,  space,  extent  of  space,  great 
or  small ;   any   part  of  a  building  for 


the  accommodation  of  individuals;  as 
barrack  room,  orderly  room ;  viz.  the 
orderly  room  at  St.  James's,  mess  room, 
guard  room,  officers'  rooms,  soldiers' 
rooms,  and  store  room,  for  the  duty  of 
the  regiment. 

ROOMS,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
those  parts  of  a  building  or  barrack 
which,  by  specific  instructions,  the  dif- 
ferent barrack  masters  must  provide 
and  furnish,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  King's  troops  in  Great  Britain  or 
elsewhere.  The  schedule,  as  published 
by  authority,  describes  the  number  of 
rooms  allowed  in  barracks  for  the  com- 
missioned, warrant,  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  and  private  men. 

ROPE,  a  cord;  a  string;  a  halter;  a 
cable;  a  haulser. 

Rope,  cord,  or  strap,  is  a  great  strap 
tied  round  a  pillar,  to  which  a  horse  is 
fastened,  when  horsemen  begin  toquicken 
and  supple  him,  and  teach  him  to  fly 
fiom  the  shambrier,  and  not  to  gallop 
false.  In  maneges  that  have  no  pillar, 
a  man  stands  in  the  center  of  the  ground, 
holding  the  end  of  the  rope. 

Rope  of  sand,  a  phrase  in  familiar 
use,  to  signify  disunion,  want  of  adhe- 
sion and  continuity.— Thus  the  colonel 
and  the  captains  of  a  regiment  disagree- 
ing may  be  called  a  rope  of  sand. 

ROPES  are  of  various  length  and 
thickness,  according  to  the  uses  they 
are  made  for;  such  as  drags  for  the 
gin,  for  the  sling-cart  and  wagon,  &c. 

Ropes  of  tzco  pillars  are  the  ropes, 
or  reins  of  a  cavesson,  used  to  a  horse 
that  works  between  two  pillars. 

Drag-RoFES,  in  the  artillery,  by 
which  the  soldiers  pull  the  guns  back- 
ward or  forward,  both  at  practice  and 
in  an  engagement,  are  of  the  following 
dimensions,  viz. — For  a  24-pounder,  54 
feet  long,  with  the  loop-holes  for  the 
pegs  included,  and  5j;  inches  in  circum- 
ference; for  18  and  12-pounders,  48 
feet  long,  and  4  inches  in  circum- 
ference; for  6  and  3-pounders,  39  feet 
long,  and  1|  inch  in  circumference. 
For  13  and  10-inch  howitzers,  45  feet 
long,  and  6^  inches  in  circumference; 
for  8-inch  howitzers,  48  feet  long,  and 
4  inches  in  circumference  ;  for  all  other 
howitzers,  35  feet  long,  and  2  inches  in 
circumference. 

Picket  Ropes.    See  Picket. 

Hea (/-Ropes, ropes  affixed  to  the  heads 
of  horses  for  any  particular  purpose. 


ROT 


(     705     ) 


ROU 


7fee/-RoPES,    ropes    affixed    to   the 
hind   legs    of    horses    for   some   direct 


purpose. 

ROQUE,  Tr.  a  blockhouse,  or  strong 
hold  built  upon  a  rock. 

ROSACE  ou  ROSASSE,  Fr.  in  ar- 
chitecture.   See  Rose. 

ROSE,  in  architecture,  &c.  is  an  or- 
nament cut  so  as  to  resemble  a  rose. 

The  rose  is  chiefly  used    in    friezes, 
cornices,  vaults  of  churches,  and  parti- 
cularly in  the  middle  of  each  face  of 
the  Corinthian  abacus.     It  is  also  used 
in   the   spaces   between   the   niodilions 
under  the  plafonds  of  cornices. 
RosE-buds.     See  Nails. 
ROSETTE,  an  ornamental  bunch  of 
black  riband,  or  cut  leather,  which  was 
worn  both  by  officers  and  soldiers  in  the 
British  service,   on   the   upper  part  of 
their  cues,  when  those  appendages  were 
deemed  necessary. 

Rosettes,  two  small  bunches  of 
ribands  that  are  attached  to  the  loops 
by  which  the  gorget  of  an  officer  is  sus- 
pended upon  his  chest.  The  colour  of 
the  riband  must  correspond  with  the 
facing  of  the  uniform.  The  French  use 
the  same  word. 

ROSETTE,  Fr.  molten  copper,  such 
as  is   used   in   the  allay  or  mixture  of 
metals  for  cannon  and  mortal's. 
ROSIN.     See  Resin. 
ROSSE,  Fr.  a  jade;  a  sorry  horse. 
ROSTER,    in   military   affairs,   is  a 
plan,  or  table,  by  which  the  duty  of  offi- 
cers,  entire   battalions,  and  squadrons, 
is  regulated. 

ROSTRAL  Crown,  (couronne  rostrale, 
Fr.)  a  crown  which  was  bestowed  upon 
that  Roman  soldier  who  should  first  leap 
on  board  an  enemy's  ship.  We  wonder 
some  honourable  marks  of  distinction 
are  not  given  to  British  sailors  for  feats 
of  valour.  Medals  are  bestowed  upon 
the  non-commissioned  officers  and  sol- 
diers in  the  army. 

ROSTRUM,  a  Latin  word  which  lite- 
rally means  the  beak  or  bill  of  a  bird, 
and  figuratively  the  prow  of  a  vessel. 
There  was  in  a  public  place  in  ancient 
Rome,  a  tribunal  ornamented  with  va- 
rious prows  of  ships,  which  the  Romans 
had  taken  from   the  Antiati.    The  ora- 
tors,   who    harangued    the    people    in 
public,  mounted  this  Rostrum.     Hence 
the  Roman  phrase;  to  speak  from  above 
the  rostra  or  prows. 
ROTATION,    in    geometry,    is    the 


circumvolution  of  a  surface  round  aw 
immoveable  line  called  the  axis  of  ro- 
tation. 

ROTULE,  Fr.  the  knee-ball. 
ROU  AGE,  Fr.  the  wheel-work  of  a 
carriage,  ike. 

Bois  de  Rouage,  Fr.  timber  to  make- 
wheels  with. 

ROU  ANNE,  Fr.  a  concave  iron  in- 
strument, which  is  used  for  the  purpose 
of  enlarging  the  hollow  of  a  pump.  It 
likewise  signifies  a  mark.  Belidor  writes 
the  word  boinette,  and  says  it  is  a  small 
tool  with  which  carpenters  and  coopers 
mark  wood. 

ROUANNER,  Fr.  to  bore;  also  to 
mark  casks. 

ROUE,  Fr.  a  libertine;    one   whose 
principles  of  morality  are  considerably 
relaxed,    but    who    is    not    sufficiently 
vitiated  in  his  manners  to  be  excluded 
from    society.      The    French    make    a 
familiar   use   of  the  term,   particularly 
among  officers,  and  do  not  affix  any  de- 
gree of  stigma  to  it.     They  say,  on  the 
contrary,  Cest  un  aimable  roue;  he  is 
an  agreeable,  gay  fellow. 
ROUE,  Fr.    See  Wheel. 
Muitresse  Rou  e,  Fr.  great  wheel. 
Roue  de  feu,    Fr.    an  artificial  fire- 
work.    See  Sole r L  tourna?it. 

ROUELLE,  or  wheel  spur.  See  Spur. 
ROUER  de  coups,  Fr.   to  beat   un- 
mercifully. 

ROUET,  Fr.  a  small  solid  wheel, 
made  of  steel,  formerly  fixed  to  the  pans 
of  blunderbusses  and  pistols,  for  the 
purpose  of  firing  them  oft'. 

Arquebuses  et  Pisto/ets  oRouet,  Fr. 
blunderbusses  and  pistols  to  which  a 
small  wheel  was  attached.  These  fire- 
arms are  now  very  little  known ;  some, 
however,  are  still  to  be  found  in  arsenals; 
being  kept  there  merely  for  curiosity. 

Rouet,  Fr.  a  circular  assemblage  of 
four  or  more  platforms,  of  oak,  to  form 
the  foundation  of  a  well,  &c.  upon 
which  is  placed  the  first  lay  of  dry  rub- 
ble, stone,  or  bricks. 

Rouet  de  poulie,  Fr.  sheave  of  a 
pulley. 

Rouet  de  moulin,  Fr.  the  cog  wheel 
of  a  mill.     It  is  called  rouet  dentele. 

Rouet  de  serrure,  Fr.  scutcheon  of 
a  lock. 

Rouet  d'arquebuse,  Fr.  lock  of  an 
arquebuse. 

ROUGES,  loulets  Rouges,  Fr.  red- 
hot-balls. 


R  O  U 


(     766     ) 


KOI/ 


TIOI1  OH  Riilcr,  a  person  who  is  in- 
dispensably necessary  in  every  cavalry 
regiment,  lie  is  a  sort  of  non-commis- 
liooed  officer,  and  should  always  asso- 
ciate with  the  serjeants  in  preference  to 
the  private  men. 

Rough  Riders  are  the  assistants  of 
the  riding  master,  and  one  should  al- 
ways he  appointed  to  eacli  troop.  '1  lie 
necessary  qualifications,  for  every  rough 
rider,  (independently  of  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  horsemanship,)are  activity, 
seal,  and  good  conduct. 

No  Rough  Rider  ought  to  be  an  offi- 
cer's servant,  as  his  situation  puts  him 
ahove  the  level  of  common  men. 

Rough  Riders  are  generally  paid  five 
guineas  a  year  as  a  compensation  for 
their  trouble;  they  likewise  receive  10s. 
od.  from  every  officer  who  learns  to  ride, 
and  from  every  officer  who  has  a  horse 
broke  at  the  riding  school.  This  money 
is  divided  equally  amongst  them. 

Every  Rough  Rider  must  provide 
himself  with  a  proper  jacket  for  the 
riding  school  business,  according  to  the 
pattern  fixed  upon  in  the  regiment. 

When  it  is  found  absolutely  necessary 
to  employ  non-commissioned  officers  as 
Rough  Riders,  they  must  do  as  much 
troop  duty  as  they  can. 

To  Rough  Horses,  a  word  in  familiar 
use  among  dragoons  to  signify  the  act  of 
breaking  in  horses,  so  as  td  adapt  them 
to  military  purposes. 

'To  Rough  it,  a  cant  phrase  used 
among  military  men,  signifying  to  face 
every  sort  of  hardship. 

To  Rouca-ride  a  person,  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  the  zeal  or  good-nature  of 
another  for  one's  own  convenience  or 
advantage,  without  any  reciprocal  feeling. 
This  word  agrees  with  our  school-boy 
term  to  fug. 

Rough  casting.     See  Plastering. 

Rough  mortar,  a  mortar  chiefly  used 
in  the  county  of  Kent.  It  is  made  of  a 
sort  of  sand,  which,  when  mixed  with 
lime,  makes  it  look  as  red  as  blood. 
Powder  of  cinders  is  thrown  into  the 
mixture,  which  changes  it  to  a  bluish 
colour,  w  ith  which  they  rough  cast  their 
houses. 

ROULE,  Fr.  in  navigation,  course 
at  sea. 

ROULEAU,  Fr.  a  cylindrical  piece 
of  wood  with  iron  ferrels  at  both  ends, 
and  with  mortises  fitted  to  the  end  of 
the  lever. 


Roulf.au  de  cartouche,  Fr.  a  cylm* 
drical  solid  piece  of  wood  used  in  making 
cartridges. 

ROULEAUX,  Fr.  round  bundles  of 
fascines  tied  together.  They  serve  to 
cover  men,  when  the  works  are  pushed 
close  to  a  besieged  town,  or  to  mask  the 
bead  of  a  work. 

Rouleaux  sans  Jin,  Fr.  called  also 
tours  tcrriacs,  are  wooden  rollers,  put 
together  with  cross-quarters  of  timber ; 
they  are  used  for  the  conveyance  of 
heavy  burthens,  ike. 

ROULEMEN8,  Fr.  the  several  rolls 
or  ruffles  beat  upon  a  drum,  as  prepa- 
ratives for  exercise,  &c. 

ROULER,  Fr.  to  be  subject  to  a 
fixed  roster  according  to  rank  and  pre- 
cedence.    See  To  Roll. 

Roui.er,  Fr.  to  be  in  motion;  to 
be  stirring.  The  French  say,  figura- 
tively, U argent  route,  money  is  stirring, 
or  in  plentiful  circulation.  They  also 
say,  speaking  of  any  particular  point, 
tout  route  fa-dessus,  that  is  the  main 
point,  or  all  turns  upon  that. 

ROULIER,  Fr.  a  wagoner,  a  carman. 

Chevul  Rouher,  Fr.  a  large  carl- 
horse. 

ROULIS,  Fr.  large  round  stakes  of 
wood. 

-  ROUND,  from  the  French  ronde.  In 
military  matters,  a  visitation ;  a  per- 
sonal attendance  through  a  certain  cir- 
cuit of  ground  to  see  that  all  is  well.  A 
round  consists,  in  the  ordinary  way,  of 
a  detachment  from  the  main  guard,  of 
an  officer  or  a  non-commissioned  officer 
and  (3  men,  who  go  round  the  rampart 
of  a  garrison,  to  listen  if  any  thing  be 
stirring  without  the  place,  and  to  see 
that  the  sentinels  be  diligent  upon  their 
duty,  and  all  in  order.  In  strict  garri- 
sons the  rounds  go  every  half  hour. 
The  sentinels  are  to  challenge  at  a  dis- 
tance, and  to  port  their  arms  as  the 
round  passes.  All  guards  turn  out, 
challenge,  exchange  the  parole,  and  pre- 
sent arms. 

Rounds  are  ordinary  and  extraordi- 
nary. The  ordinarv  rounds  are  three : 
the  Tow n- majors  Round,  the  Grand 
Round,  and  the  Visiting  Round. 

Grand  Rounds,  the  rounds  which 
are  gone  by  general  officers,  governors, 
commandants,  or  field  officers.  When 
there  are  no  officers  of  the  day  on 
picket,  the  officer  of  the  main  guard  in 
garrison  may  go  the  grand  rounds. 


ROU 


(     767     ) 


ROU 


Visiting  Rounds,  rounds  gone  by 
captains,  subalterns,  and  the  town-ma- 
jors of  garrisons. 

The  Grand  Rounds  generally  go  at 
midnight;  the  Visiting  Rounds  at  inter- 
mediate periods,  between  sun-set  and 
the  reveille.  The  Grand  Rounds  receive 
the  parole,  and  all  other  rounds  ghe  it 
to  the  guard. 

There  are  also  a  species  of  bastard 
rounds,  (if  we  may  be  permitted  the 
expression,)  which  arc  gone  by  a  corporal 
and  a  file  of  men;  and  which  are  in  rea- 
lity nothing  more  than  apatrole.  When 
challenged,  they  answer,  Pat.  Rounds, 
i.  e.  Patrole  Rounds. 

The  governor  of  a  garrison  can  order 
the  rounds  to  go  as  often  as  he  may 
judge  expedient.  Extraordinary  rounds 
are  resorted  to  when  any  particular 
event  or  occurrence  is  expected,  and  in 
cases  of  tumult,  &c. 

The  going  the  rounds,  though  gene- 
rally considered  among  the  inferior  duties 
of  military  discipline,  ought  to  be  most 
scrupulously  attended  to;  and  we  are 
sorry  to  have  the  opinion  of  many  good 
officers  with  us,  when  we  assert,  that  a 
specific  regulation  is  wanted  upon  this 
head.  It  will  be  observed,  that  we  call 
the  duty  when  done  by  the  town-major, 
&c.  round,  not  rounds,  as  is  erroneously 
practised. 

Turkish  Rounds.  The  Turks  are  in 
the  habit  of  going  the  rounds  like  other 
nations,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining 
whether  sentries  are  alert  and  vigilant 
on  their  posts.  They  call  the  rounds 
vol.  They  start  from  the  guard-house, 
and  the  person  who  goes  with  them  has 
no  other  weapon  of  defence  than  a  stick 
in  his  hand.  He  is  accompanied  by  a 
corporal  who  carries  a  lanthern.  He 
observes  whether  at  his  approach  the 
sentry  instantly  cries  out,  Jcgder  Allah, 
which  signifies  Good  God.  If  any  sentry 
should  be  found  asleep,  or  be  backward 
in  crying  out  Jcgder  Allah,  he  is  put 
into  prison,  and  there  severely  bastina- 
doed. The  Turks  never  give  a  parole  or 
countersign,  in  camp  or  in  garrison. 

The  design  of  rounds  is  not  only  to 
visit  the  guards,  and  keep  the  sentinels 
alert,  but  likewise  to  discover  what 
passes  in  the  outworks,  and  beyond 
them. 

Round- Major,  (ronde-major,  Fr.)  the 
round  which  the  town-major  goes  in  a 
fortified  place.    The  officers  of  the  guard 


receive  him  with  two  musketeers,  and 
give  him  the  word  once,  when  he  goes 
that  round. 

When  the  governor  of  a  town  goes  his 
round,  the  officers  turn  out  the  guard 
without  arms,  and  send  four  musketeers 
to  receive  him  at  ten  paces  distance, 
and  give  him  the  word  as  often  as  he 
chuses  to  demand  it.  All  other  rounds, 
without  exception,  are  obliged  to  give 
the  word  to  the  corporal  of  the  guard. 

ROUNB-Parades.     See  Parades. 

Rou  nd- Robin,  a  compact  of  honour 
which  officers  enter  into, (when  they  have 
cause  of  complaint  against  their  supe- 
rior -officer,)  to  state  their  grievances, 
and  to  endeavour  to  obtain  redress, 
without  subjecting  one  individual  more 
than  another  to  the  odium  of  being  a 
leader,  or  chief  mover.  The  term  is  a 
corruption  of  ruban  rond,  which  sig- 
nifies a  round  ribbond.  It  was  usual 
among  French  officers,  when  they  signed 
a  remonstrance,  to  write  their  names 
in  a  circular  form,  so  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  ascertain  who  signed  first. 
Hence  to  sign  a  round  robin  against 
any  person,  is  for  a  specific  number 
of  men  to  sign,  one  and  all,  a  remon- 
strance against  him.  Colonels  of  regi- 
ments have  been  sometimes  treated  in 
this  manner.  Great  judgment,  operating 
upon  motives  grounded  in  strong  facts, 
should  always  influence  on  these  nice 
occasions.  For  it  is  possible,  that  on  a 
serious  investigation  of  the  motives,  ccc. 
the  round  robin  may  be  construed  into, 
and  proved  to  be,  a  conspiracy. 

ROUND.  A  general  discharge  of 
cannon  or  fire-arms  is  so  called.  The 
French  use  the  word  salve  on  this  oc- 
casion ;  ronde  being  confined  to  the  act 
of  visiting  posts,  &c. 

ROU N  D,  or  Volt,  a  circular  tread. 

To  Round  a  horse,  or  to  make  him 
round,  is  a  general  expression  for  all 
sqrts  of  manege  upon  rounds;  so  that 
to  round  a  horse  upon  a  trot,  gallop,  or 
otherwise,  is  to  make  him  carry  his 
shoulders  and  his  haunches  compactly 
or  roundly,  upon  a  greater  or  smaller 
circle,  without  traversing  or  bearing  to 
a  side. 

To  round  your  horse  the  better, 
make  use  of  a  cord  or  strap,  held  in 
the  center,  till  he  has  acquired  the 
habit  of  rounding,  and  not  making 
points. 

Rov  a  D-iotvers,  buildings  constructed 


It  o  u 


(     768    ) 


ROW 


in  ancient  times  at  small  distances  from 
one  another,  with  portions  of  wall  be- 
tween,  for  the  defence  of  a  town. 

To  Round  off]  to  give  a  compact 
circular  form  to  any  thing.  Thus,  in 
the  Requisition  of  territory,  the  acces- 
sion of  any  particular  portion  of  land 
or  country  in  a  given  direction,  is  said 
to  round  the  possessor  off  on  that  side. 
It'  Russia,  for  instance,  had  made  her- 
self mistress  of  Sweden,  and  incorpo- 
rated that  kingdom  in  her  own  vast 
empire,  such  au  act  would  have  round- 
fit  her  off  on  the  strongest  part  of 
Europe. 

ROUNDELLE,  or  lionduchc,  a  spe- 
cies of  shield  which  was  used  by  our 
Norman  ancestors. 

ROUPIE,  Fr.  rupee.  An  Indian 
coin,  equal  to  two  shillings  and  three 
pence  British. 

ROURA,  hid.  a  term  used  to  ex- 
press Lord,  Sir,  Master,  Worship. 

ROUSE,  one  of  the  bugle-horn 
soundings  for  duty.  It  is  derived  from 
the  German  word  which  signifies  To 
turn  out. 

ROUSSEN,  a  strong,  well-knit, 
well-stowed  horse,  which  commonly 
goes  into  France  from  Germany  and 
Holland. 

ROUT,  (dcroute,  Fr.)  confusion  of 
an  army  or  body  of  men  defeated  or 
dispersed. 

To  Rout,  to  put  to  the  Rout;  to 
defeat,  to  throw  into  confusion,  tkc. 

ROUTE,  (route,  Fr.)  a  term  used  in 
military  matters  to  express  the  destina- 
tion of  one  or  more  bodies  of  armed 
men.  The  destination  of  the  troops 
originates  in  the  Cabinet;  their  specific 
movements  are  planned  by  the  quarter- 
master-general, who  makes  minutes 
thereof  for  the  Secretary  at  War,  the 
latter  giving  the  stamp  of  office,  and 
sending  them  into  circulation  :  to  him 
falls  the  task  of  accounting  to  parlia- 
ment for  the  expenses  of  military  move- 
ments in  Great  Britain. 

,1/«)t//c  Route,  Fr.  route  of  march. 
The  French  use  this  term  is  contradis- 
tinction to  marche  jnanauvre,  march  in 
manoeuvring. 

Pas  de  Route,  Fr.  stepping  at  ease, 
or  marching  with  the  least  possible  re- 
straint.    See  Pas. 

Feuille  de  Route,  Fr.  a  military 
pn>^. 

ROUTIER,    Fr.     a    ruttier.      The 


French  say  figuratively,  Cest  un  vieux 
routier,  he  is  an  old  stager. 

KOUT1ERS,  )Fr.    Routier  sig- 

BRABAN90NS,>mfies,  literally,  a 

COTEREAUX,  )  ruttier,  or  a  man 
constantly  plying  upon  the  road.  Rou- 
liert,  according  to  the  author  of  the 
A'ouveau  Dictionrwire  j\lilitaire,  were 
formerly  a  gang  of  adventurers  or  ban- 
ditti in  Brabant;  who  by  degrees  form- 
ed themselves  into  armed  troops  and 
companies,  and  were  hired  by  those 
who  paid  them  best.  These  Braban- 
cous  were  called  Cotereaux  and  Rou- 
tiers,  because  they  were  constantly 
lurking  about  the  skirts  and  heights, 
&c.  of  places,  and  in  the  highways. 

ROUTINE,  Fr.  This  word  has  been 
adopted  by  us  in  the  same  sense  that 
it  is  familiarly  used  by  the  French.  It 
signifies  capacity,  or  the  faculty  of  ar- 
ranging; a  certain  method  in  business, 
civil  or  military,  which  is  rather  ac- 
quired by  habit  and  practice  than  by 
regular  study  and  rule.  We  say  fami- 
liarly, the  routine  of  business. 

Routine  also  signifies  general  cus- 
tom or  usage,  as  the  routine  of  any  par- 
ticular service.  Thus  the  routine  qf 
the  old  Portugueze  army  was  to  have 
field  officers,  captains,  and  subalterns, 
who,  out  of  their  respective  military 
duties,  were  liable  to  serve  in  menial 
capacities.  We  have  a  particular  in- 
stance of  this  case  in  what  occurred* 
when  the  famous  Count  de  la  Lippe 
was  dining  with  the  Marquis  of  Pom- 
balle,  then  Prime  Minister,  at  Lisbon. 
The  Count  had  passed  the  troops  in 
review,  and  when  he  dined  at  the  Mar- 
quis's was  not  a  li tie  surprized  to  see  a 
person  in  livery,  whom  he  perfectly 
recollected  to  have  reviewed  at  the 
head  of  a  company  of  soldiers.  After 
the  servants  had  withdrawn,  he  ex- 
pressed his  surprize  on  this  head.  Pom- 
balle  calmly  replied,  "  O,  this  is  the 
routine  of  our  army  !  You  might  have 
seen  my  valet,  who  is  a  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  the  army."  This  anecdote 
is  the  best  proof  we  can  furnish  of  the 
then  degraded  state  of  the  Portugueze 
army. 

ROUVERIN,  Fr.  brittle  iron,  such 
as  easily  breaks  when  it  is  committed 
to  the  forge. 

Cheval  ROUVIEUX,  Fr.  a  horse 
that  has  the  poll-evil,  or  dry  mange. 

ROWANNA,   or   Rovinda,   Ind.    a 


ROY 


(    769 


passport  or  certificate  from  the  collec- 
tor of  the  customs. 

ROWEL,  the  pointed  wheel  of  a 
horseman's  spur. 

Rowel,  in  surgery,  a  sort  of  issue 
which  is  made  in  man  or  horse,  by 
drawing  a  skein  of  silk  or  thread  through 
the  nape  of  the  neck. 

ROW  ELLIN  G  of  horses,  an  ope- 
ration performed  by  a  farrier  or  vete- 
rinary surgeon,  or  even  by  a  groom, 
when  a  small  slit  is  made  through  the 
skin,  three  or  four  inches  below  the 
part  aggrieved,  in  order  to  let  out  some 
foul  humour. 

ROXANA,  Ind.  an  Indian  term  ex- 
pressive of  great  magnificence;  resplen- 
dence. 

ROY,  Ind.  a  Hindoo  priest. 

ROYAL,  (royal,  Fr.)  belonging  to  a 
king;  kingly. 

Royal  assent,  the  assent  of  the  King 
to  an  Act  which  has  passed  both  Houses 
of  Parliament. 

The  term  Royal  is  likewise  applied, 
by  way  of  distinction,  to  corps  and  es- 
tablishments, viz.  Royal  Train  of  Ar- 
tillery, Royal  Artillery  Drivers,  Royal 
Wagon  Train,  Royal  Marines,  &c. 

Royal  arm//,  an  army  marching 
with  heavy  cannon,  capable,  of  besieg- 
ing a  strong  fortification,  ccc. 

Royal  standard.     See  Standard. 

Royal  parapet,  in  fortification,  a 
%ank  about  three  toises  broad,  and  six 
feet  high,  placed  upon  the  brink  of  the 
rampart,  towards  the  enemy  :  its  use 
is  to  cover  those  who  defend  the  ram- 
part. 

Royal  Academy.     See  Academy. 

Royal  Arsenal.    See  Arsenal. 

Royal  word,  the  word  of  a  sovereign. 

Royal  Military  School  at  Paris. 
See  School. 

ROYALS,  in  artillery,  small  mortars, 
which  carry  a  shell  5^  inches  in  dia- 
meter. They  are  mounted  on  beds  the 
same  as  other  mortars. 

The  ROYALS.  This  term  is  applied 
to  the  First  Regiment  of  Foot,  which  is 
likewise  sometimes  called  Itoyal  Scotch 
Royals.  It  is  supposed  to  be  the  oldest 
regular  corps  in  Europe.  The  men  ori- 
ginally went  out  of  Scotland,  and  en- 
tered into  the  French  service.  They 
afterwards  returned  to  England  in  1033, 
during  the  reign  of  Charles  the  First, 
and  were  styled,  The  First,  or  Royal 
Regiment  of  Foot. 

ROYALISE,  ic,  Fr.  brought  over  to 


)  R  U  D 

the  royal  cause ;  attached  to  the  kingly 
dignity. 

ROYALISER,  Fr.  An  expression 
which  has  been  made  use  of  since  the 
commencement  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion :  it  signifies  to  wean  the  mind  from 
revolutionary  principles;  to  attach  it  to 
legitimate  sovereignty. 

ROYALISME,  Fr.  an  attachment 
to  the  royal  cause.  The  French  used 
to  say,  figuratively,  Us  sentent  le  royal- 
isme,  they  are  attached  to  the  royal 
cause. 

A  ROYALIST,  (Royaliste,  Fr.)  one 
who  is  of  the  King's  or  Queen's  party, 
and  who  maintains  his  or  her  interest. 

ROZEENDAR,  Ind.  a  person  hold- 
ing a  yearly  pension. 

ROZENADAR,  Ind.  one  who  re- 
ceives an  allowance  daily. 

ROZENAMA,  Ind.  a  day-book. 

RUADE,  Fr.  a  horse's  jerking  with 
his  heels. 

To  RUB  down,  to  clean  or  curry  a 
horse. 

RUBBLE,  any  loose  materials,  such 
as  broken  bricks,  stones,  &c.  which  are 
thrown  into  a  confined  space,  for  the 
purpose  of  resisting  water,  &c. 

RUBBY,  Ind.  a  division  of  the  year 
containing  the  months  of  Chaite  or  3d 
mouth,  from  the  11th  of  March  to  the 
10th  of  April.  Bysac  or  4th  month, 
from  the  11th  April,  to  the  11th  of 
May.  Icet  or  5th  month;  Assam  or 
6th  month,  from  the  12th  of  June  to 
the  13lh  of  July.  Sohan  or  7th  month, 
in  some  manner,  agrees  with  July  and 
August.  Buudoon,  or  the  same  as  Icet, 
from  the  11th  of  May  to  the  12th  of 
June.  The  other  half  of  the  year  is 
called  Dereef. 

RUBICAN  colour  of  a  horse  is  a  bay 
sorrel  or  black,  with  a  light  grey,  or 
white  upon  the  flank;  but  so  that  the 
grey  or  white  is  not  predominant  in 
those  parts. 

RUDENTURE,  in  architecture,  the 
figure  of  a  rope  or  staff",  sometimes 
plain,  sometimes  cut  carved,  with  which 
the  third  part  of  theflutings  of  columns 
are  filled  up. 

According  to  M.  Le  Clerc,  ruden- 
tures  are  sometimes  cut  in  the  flutings, 
to  strengthen,  their  sides,  and  render 
them  less  lianfe  to  be  broken. 

RUDIMENTS,  the  first  principles, 
the  elements  of  any  particular  science. 
Hence — 

Rudiments  of  rear,  the  first  prin- 
5  F 


K  U   L 


(   ??<*    ) 


n  r  m 


clples  of  war;  as  the  drill,  manual,  and 
platoon  exercises,  manoeuvres,  &c.  &c. 

It  IK,  Fr.  street. 

Rve  passant e,  Fr.  thoroughfare. 

Ki  i  (/c  traverse,  Fr.  cross-street. 

RUERj  Fr.  to  fling;  to  jerk. 

Ruer  rfe  grands  coups,  Fr,  to  strike 
hard,  or  with  violence. 

&  RuBtt  sur,  Fr.  to  rush  upon,  as 
avail  v  do  in  a  charge. 

RUFFLE,  (roulement,  Fr.)  a  term 
used  among  the  drummers  of  a  British 

•       •  •  c       i  ■ 

regiment,  to  signify  a  sort  oi  vibrating 

Bound,  wliicl)  is  made  upon  a  drum, 
and  is  less  loud  than  the  roll. 

To  beat  a  RcFPLE,  to  make  a  low 
vibrating  noise  upon  the  drum.  It  is 
generally  practised  in  paying  a  military 
compliment  to  a  general  officer,  and  at 
military  funerals. 

A  lieutenant-general  is  entitled  to 
three  ruffles. 

A  major-general  to  two  ruffles. 

A  brigadier-general  to  one  ruffle. 

RUG,  (couverture  velue,  Fr.)  a  coarse 
nappy  coverlet.  Each  set  of  bedding 
which  is  provided  for  regimental  hos- 
pitals has  one  rug. 

RUGINE,  Fr.  an  instrument  with 
which  a  surgeon  scales  bones. 

RUILLEE,  Fr.  among  titers  and 
slaters,  a  covering  of  plaster  which  is 
used  to  keep  slates  or  tiles  even  with 
the  walls,  tSrc. 

RUJLLER,  Fr.  to  establish  marks 
for  the  purpose  of  rendering  surfaces 
and  places  correct. 

RUINE,  Fr.  literally  signifies  ruin. 
It  is  used  by  the  French  in  a  warlike 
sense. 

liattre  tn  Ruine,  Fr.  to  defeat  an 
enemy  in  such  a  manner  as  to  destroy 
nil  his  means  of  talking  the  field  again. 

RUINER  un  pays,  Fr.  to  Jay  waste  a 
country. 

RUINES,  Fr.  ruins. 

RUINURE,  Fr.  a  jag,  or  notch  made 
with  a  hatchet  in  the  sides  of  joists, 
or  rafters,  in  order  to  keep  together 
brick  or  mortar  pannels  in  a  wooden 
front  or  partition,  or  to  maintain  the 
spaces  between  two  joists  or  posts  in  a 
flooring. 

RULE,  in  a  general  sense,  govern- 
ment, sway,  empire. — In,  a  more  con- 
fined one,  canon,  precept,  direction, 
lb  nee,  Rules  and  Regulations  for  the 
Government  of  the  arm  v. 

To  Rule  over,  to  govern;  to  command. 
Rule,   a   simple   instrument,    com- 


monly made  of  hard  wood,  thin,  narrow 
and  straight,  used  in  drawing  lines, 
measuring  distances,  &c.  There  are 
different  sorts  of  rules,  all  of  which 
are  necessary  in  many  branches  of  mi- 
litary architecture,  viz. 

A  Mason's  Rule  is  12  or  15  feet 
long,  and  is  applied  under  the  level 
for  regulating  the  courses,  and  for 
making  the  pied roitfl  equal. 

A  Carpenter's  Rule  is  an  instru- 
ment generally  made  of  boxwood,  21 
inches  long,  and  one  and  a  half  broad; 
each  inch  being  subdivided  into  eight 
parts.  On  the  same  side  with  these 
divisions, is  usually  Gunter's  line  of  num-  • 
bers.  On  the  other  side  are  the  lines 
of  timber  and  broad  measure. 

A  StonC'Cut/er's  Rule  is  commonly 
four  feet  long, and  divided  into  feet  and 
inches. 

Rule  called  Cogglesball's  sliding  rule, 
a  rule  used  in  the  mensuration  of  arti- 
ficer's work. 

Rule  of  Three,  i  commonly 

Rule  of  Proportion,  S  called  the 
Golden  Rule,  is  a  rule  which  teaches 
how  to  find  a  fourth  proportional  num- 
ber to  three  others  given. 

RULES  and  Articles.  Under  this 
term  may  be  considered  the  military 
code  of  the  British  army.  They  com- 
prehend 24  sections,  divided  into  sepa- 
rate articles,  and  contain  the  substance 
of  the  Mutiny  Act,  which  passes  annu- 
ally for  the  government  of  all  the  King's 
forces. 

For  rules  relating  to  courts-martial, 
in  cases  where  the  Life  Guards  and 
Horse  Guards,  likewise  where  the  Foot 
Guards  are  concerned,  see  Articles  of 
War. 

Rules  and  Regulations.  Two  books 
so  entituled,  which  have  been  indus- 
triously and  ably  compiled  by  General 
Sir  David  Dundas,  from  Saldein,  &c. 
and  which  are  published  by  authority, 
for  the  discipline  of  the  British  army. 
One  book  specifically  relates  to  the 
formations,  field  exercises  and  move- 
ments of  the  infantry;  the  other  to 
those  of  the  cavalry;  and  both  are 
ordered  to  be  strictly  observed  and  prac- 
tised, without  any  deviation  therefrom. 

RUMB  dc  vent,  Fr.  point  of  the 
compass. 

RuMii  or  rum,  Fr.  the  hold  of  a 
ship. 

RUMOUR,  a  desultory,  loose  report 
of  what  may,  or  may  not  be. 


RUP 


(     771     ) 


R  U  S 


To  spread  false  Rvmqvrs,  to  circu- 
late things  without  the  foundation  of 
reality.  Reports,  &c.  are  sometimes 
circulated  by  means  of  spies,  deserters, 
&c.  for  the  purpose  of  covering  some 
particular  design,  or  intended  operation. 
Rumours  of  this  kind  should  be  cau- 
tiously listened  to  by  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  army  through  which  they 
are  spread.  It  sometimes  happens,  that 
individuals,  through  wantonness,  or  from 
some  other  motive,  create  alarms  among 
their  own  people  by  anticipating  some 
looked  for,  or  dreaded  event.  This 
offence  is  not  only  punishable  by  the 
civil  law,  but,  being  contrary  to  good 
order  and  discipline,  is  rigidly  so  in  every 
army. 

To  RUN  the  gantlope,  to  undergo 
a  punishment  which  has  been  allotted 
for  considerable  offences  in  some  foreign 
countries.  When  a  soldier  lias  been 
sentenced  to  run  the  gantlope,  the  regi- 
ment is  drawn  out  in  two  ranks  facing 
inwards;  each  soldier  having  a  switch 
in  each  hand,  lashes  the  criminal  as  he 
runs  along,  naked  from  the  waist  up- 
wards. While  he  runs,  the  drums  beat 
at  each  end  of  the  ranks.  Sometimes 
he  runs  3,  5,  or  7  times,  according  to 
the  nature  of  the  offence.  The  major 
is  on  horseback,  and  takes  care  that 
each  soldier  does  his  duty.  This  punish- 
ment is  not  known  in  the  British  ser- 
vice. 

RUN.  To  run  a  horse  is  to  put 
him  to  his  utmost  speed,  and  to  keep 
him  on  a  quick  resolute  gallop,  as  long 
as  he  is  able  to  hold  it.  Galloping 
and  running  are  not  synonimous  terms, 
though  vulgarily  thought  so;  for  run- 
ning implies  a  degree  of  velocity,  which 
the  mere  action  of  galloping  does  not 
reach. 

RUNNING-j?re.     See  Fire. 

A  Running  sentinel.  See  Senti- 
nel. 

RUPEE,  a  silver  coin  which  varies  in 
its  value  according  to  the  part  of  India 
in  which  it  is  current.  Rupees  struck 
by  the  English  are  generally  worth  two 
shillings  and  three-pence. 

Sicca-Rui'EE,  a  coin  in  India  some- 
what higher  than  the  sonaut  rupee. 

Sonaul-Ru  fee,  lad.  a  coin  in  India. 
When  the  pay  of  an  oflicer  belonging 
to  the  Company's  service  is  issued  in 
England,  the  sonaut  rupee  is  valued  at 
two  shillings  and  sixpence.  The  army 
in  Bengal,  &c.  is  always  paid  in  sonaut 


rupees,  which  makes  a  difference  of 
4  percent,  between  the  sicca  rupees  in 
which  coin  the  civilians  are  paid. 

RUPTARII,  Routers  and  Ryters,  sti- 
pendiary foreign  troops  who  were  paid 
out  of  the  privy  purse  by  our  ancient 
kings,  or  suffered  to  live  upon  free 
quarters.  They  were  known  by  the 
various  names  of  Ruptarii,  Routers  and 
Ryters :  the  last  term  comes  from  the 
German  signifying  a  horseman  or  knight. 
They  were  also  called  Brabancons,  or 
persons  from  Brabant,  now  Belgium, 
Provencales,  Coterelli  and  Flemings, 
and  were  really  a  set  of  freebooters  of 
all  nations,  ready  to  embrace  any  side 
for  hire. 

RUPTURE,  a  disease  which  dis- 
qualifies a  man  from  being  admitted 
as  a  soldier;  but  as  some  men  are  ca- 
pable of  producing  and  reducing  a 
rupture  with  great  ease,  they  should 
not  be  discharged  in  slight  cases,  as  by 
the  use  of  a  truss  they  may  be  enabled 
to  do  duty  for  a  long  time.    See  Truss. 

Rupture.  This  word  signifies  the 
commencement  of  hostilities  between 
any  two  or  more  powers. 

Rupture,  incording,  or  burstenness, 
in  a  horse,  is  when  the  rim  or  thin  film, 
or  caul,  which  h  'ds  up  his  entrails,  is 
broken  or  overstrained,  or  stretched,  so 
that  the  guts  fall  down. 

The  signs  which  indicate  a  rupture  in 
a  horse,  are  his  forsaking  his  meat,  and 
standing  shoring  and  leaning  on  the  side 
where  he  is  hurt. 

RUSE,  Fr.  cunning,  trick,  ingenuity. 
It  is  applied  to  military  matters,  and 
signifies  stratagem. 

RUSER,  Fr.  to  make  use  of  strata- 
gems. II  est  permis  de  ruscr  a  la  guerre, 
it  is  lawful  to  make  use  of  strata-tms 
in  war. 

RUSES  de  guerre,  Fr.  stratagems  of 
war.    See  Stratagems. 

RUSSOOT,  Ind.  a  tribe  of  Hindoos, 
whose  particular  duty  is  the  care  of 
horses. 

RUSSUMDAR,  Ind.  a  person  de- 
riving a  particular  perquisite. 

RUSTRE,  IV.  According  to  the 
author  of  the  Nouveau  Dictionaaire 
Mitituire,  a  lance  which  the  stneieuts 
used  in  prize-fighting  was  so  called.  We 
have  carefully  examined  our  Latin  au- 
thorities for  its  derivation,  but  the  only 
word  that  seems  to  approach  its  mean- 
ing is, 

RUTRUM,  which  Adam  Littleton 
5F2 


SAB 


(     7?2     ) 


SAB 


thus  interprets;  an  instrument  where- 
with Band  or  such  like  is  digged  out. 
A  mattock,  a  spade,  a  shovel,  a  pick- 
axe, a  hoe;  also  an  instrument  where- 
with .sand  is  mingled  and  beaten  with 
lime,  to  make  mortar  with.  Also  a 
strickle. 

In  the  Lexicon  Militate,  authore 
Carolo  a  Aquino,  S.J.  RutTUtn  was  an- 
ciently written  Rution,  a  riundo,  sen 
diruendo.  Idem  instrumentum  apud 
Liv.  lib.  J3,  Bell.  Punic,  recensitur  inter 


arma  militix  nautica;.  See  vol.  ii,  under 
Rus. 

RUTTIER,  a  direction  of  the  road 
or  course  at  sea. 

RYAL,  a  Spanish  coin,  worth  six- 
pence three  farthings  English  money. 

RYET,  or  Ryot,  Ind.  a  general  name 
given  in  India  to  the  lower  order  of 
people,  particularly  the  cultivators  of 
the  ground. 

Ryet,  or  ryot  lands,  Ind.  lands  fann- 
ed out,  and  cultivated  by  the  tenant. 


S. 


m    an  iron  bar  like  the  letter,  used  for 
^5  fastenings  in  walls. 

SABBATH,  the  seventh  day;  set 
Apart  from  works  of  labour  to  be  em- 
ployed in  piety.     See  Divine  Service. 

S.\BLE,  I'r.  sand. 

SABLIERE,  Fr.  a  piece  of  timber  in 
which  rafters  are  inserted  ;  the  grooved 
wood  of  a  partition. 

Sabliere  ilc  planclicr,  Fr.  a  piece 
of  timber  about  eight  or  nine  inches 
thick,  commonly  called  the  summer, 
that  compasses  the  top  or  upper  part 
of  a  room.  Sablieres  also  signify  panne! 
squares  which  are  nailed  to  the  sides  of  a 
beam,  into  which  the  joists  are  mortised. 

Sabi.iere,  Fr.  a  sand-pit;  also  a 
gravel-pitv 

SABLIERES,/"/-.  See  Plateformes. 

SABLONIERl£,  Fr.  a  sand-pit. 

SABORD,  Fr.  a  port  hole. 

SABOT,  ou  Soulier,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
sharp  iron  with  which  the  ends  of  large 
piles  are  shod. 

Sabot,  Fr.  a  wooden  shoe;  horse's 
hoof;  also  a  top.  The  French  say 
figuratively  :  ilormir  comme  un  sabot,  to 
sleep  like  a  top.  This  was  the  case 
with  one  of  our  generals  during  the 
contest  in  America,  when  his  camp 
was  surprized  by  the  insurgents,  and  be 
was  found  fast  asleep  in  the  arms  of  a 
strumpet. 

SABRE,  (sabre,  Fr.)  a  kind  of  sword, 
or  cimetar,  with  a  very  broad  and  heavy 
blade,  thick  at  the  back,  and  a  little 
falcated,  or  crooked  towards  the  point: 
it  is  generally  worn  by  the  heavy  cavalry 


and  dragoons.  The  grenadiers,  belong- 
ing to  the  whole  of  the  French  rn- 
fautry,  are  likewise  armed  with  sabres. 
The  blade  is  not  so  long  as  that  or  a 
small  sword,  but  it  is  nearlv  twice  as 
broad.  French  hussars  wear  the  curved 
ones  somewhat  longer  than  those  of  the 
grenadiers.  The  time  will,  perhaps, 
arrive  when  it  may  be  thought  advan- 
tageous to  the  service  to  arm  the  British 
grenadiers  with  this  useful  and  formid- 
able weapon. 

Sabre  (coup  de  plat  de.)  Undertheold 
French  monarchy,  it  was  usual  to  punish 
dragoons  for  small  offences,  by  giving 
them  a  certain  number  of  blows  with 
the  flat  side  of  a  sword  or  sabre.  A  coup 
de  Sabre  likewise  signifies  any  strike  or 
blow,  which  is  made  with  a  sword  or 
sabre. 

SABRE-fwsc/if,  from  the  German  sable, 
sabre,  and  tasche,  pocket.  An  appoint- 
ment or  part  of  accoutrement  which 
has  been  adopted  amongst  us  for  the 
imaginary  use  and  convenience  of  dra- 
goon officers.  It  consists  of  a  pocket 
which  is  suspended  from  the  sword-belt 
on  the  left  side,  by  three  slings  to  cor- 
respond with  the  belt.  It  is  usually  of 
an  oblong  shape  scolloped  at  the  bot- 
tom with  a  device  in  the  center,  and  a 
broad  lace  round  the  edge.  The  colour 
of  it  always  corresponds  with  that  of 
the  uniform.  The  sabre-tasche  worn 
in  the  10th  regiment  of  light  dra- 
goons, commanded  by  his  Royal  High- 
ness the  Prince  Regent,  is  of  royal 
blue  cloth,  with  an  imperial  crown  and 


SAC 


(     773     ) 


SAC 


feathers,  tlie  motto  Ich  dien,  I  serve ; 
and  the  badge  G.  R.  reversed.  It  is 
edged  with  white  silver  lace;  the  pocket 
under  the  flap  of  red  leather,  with  red 
slings  stitched  with  silver,  waistbelt  or' 
the  same,  with  silver  buckles. 

SABRER,  Fr.  to  cut  to  pieces. 

SaBRER  une  affaire,  Fr.  to  huddle 
up  an  affair;  to  cut  matters  short;  to 
quash  all  minute  inquiry  ;  as  is  fre- 
quently the  case  in  some  unaccountable 
enterprizes  and  expeditions. 

SABREUSE,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  the 
French  armies  to  signify  a  bold  and  in- 
trepid woman.  Of  this  description  was 
the  young  female  who  exhibited  herself 
on  the  10th  of  August,  1792;  when  the 
Marsellois  attacked  the  Swiss  guards 
and  besieged  Louis  the  XVIth.  in  his 
palace. 

SAC  d'une  ville,  Fr.  the  storming  of 
a  town. 

Mettre  une  ville  a  Sac,  Fr.  to  give 
a  town  up  to  the  plunder  of  the  sol- 
diers. 

Sac,  Fr.  a  bag. 

Sac  a  poudre,  Fr.  a  bag  of  gunpowder. 
These  bags  are  frequently  used  in  war, 
for  the  purpose  of  intimidating  an 
enemy,  and  setting  tire  to  places.  They 
are  of  different  sizes  and  dimensions ; 
some  to  be  thrown  by  the  hand,  and 
others  out  of  a  mortar.  A  French  work, 
entituled  Le  Bombardier  Francais,  gives 
a  full  account  of  both. 

Sac  a  tcrre,  Fr.  a  sand-bag,  or  a  bag 
filled  with  earth. 

Sac  a  amorce,  Fr.  a  small  leathern  bag, 
which  is  used  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
gunpowder  to  the  different  batteries,  to 
prime  the  pieces. 

Sac  «  htine,  Fr.  a  bag  made  of,  or 
stuffed  with  wool  and  other  soft  mate- 
rials. It  is  larger  than  a  sand-bag. — 
Every  army  should  be  provided  with  a 
certain  quantity  of  these  bags,  in  order 
to  supply  the  want  of  soil  on  critical 
occasions. 

Un  Havre  Sac,  Fr.  a  knapsack.  See 
Havresack. 

Cul  de  Sac,  Fr.  a  street  or  passage 
that  has  no  outlet. 

Un  Sac  a  vin,  Fr.  a  drunkard. 

SACCADE,  Fr.  in  the  manege,  a 
violent  check  or  jerk,  which  the  horse- 
man gives  his  horse  by  drawing  both 
the  reins  very  suddenly.  This  is  prac- 
tised when  the  horse  bears  too  heavy 
on  the  hand  ;  but  it  ought  to  be  done 
with  great   caution,  as  the   frequency 


of  it  must  eventually  spoil  the  horse's 
mouth. 

SACCAGER,  IV.  to  sack,  ransack, 
plunder  ;  to  break  and  destroy. 

SACHET,  Fr.  a  pouch.  It  likewise 
signifies  a  bag  in  the  diminutive  sense; 
a  satchel. 

Sachets  de  mitrailles,  Fr.  small  bags 
filled  with  grape-shot,  which  are  after- 
wards fired  from  cannon,  or  thrown  out 
of  mortars. 

Sachets  de  balles  de  plotnb,  Fr.  bags 
of  bullets. 

SACKS.     See  Bags. 

SACKERS,  they  who  sack  a  town. 

SACR AMENTUM,  the  oath  which 
was  taken  by  the  Roman  soldiers,  when 
they  were  enrolled.,  This  oath  was 
pronounced  at  the  head  of  the  legion, 
in  an  audible  voice,  by  a  soldier  who 
was  chosen  by  the  tribune  for  that  pur- 
pose. He  thereby  pledged  himself  be- 
fore the  gods,  to  expose  his  life  for  the 
good  and  safety  of  the  republic,  to  obey 
his  superior  officers,  and  never  to  absent 
himself  without  leave.  The  aggregate 
of  the  le«ion  assented  to  the  oath  with- 
out  going  through  the  formal  declaration 
of  it.  Another  oath  was  then  tendered, 
which  related  to  the  tribune  only,  and 
which  was  taken  indiscriminately  by 
every  person  that  had  access  to  the  camp. 
Every  individual  bound  himself  by  oath, 
not  to  take  away  any  thing,  and  to  carry 
to  the  tribune  every  article  that  might 
fall  into  his  hands  during  the  campaign. 

SACRE  ou  Sacret,  Fr.  a  name  for- 
merly given  to  pieces  of  ordnance  that 
carried  balls  of  4  to  5lb.  weight.  Each 
piece  weighed  from  two  thousand  five 
hundred,  to  two  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred rounds.     The  same  as  Saker. 

Saint  SACREMENT,  Fr.  holy  sa- 
crament, or  consecrated  host.  Accord- 
ing to  Bailey,  a  sign  of  an  holy  thing 
containing  a  divine  mystery,  with  some 
promise  annexed  to  it ;  an  outward  vi- 
sible sign  of  an  inward  spiritual  grace. 
In  the  acceptation  of  the  French  term, 
and  in  conformity  to  the  tenets  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  religion,  the  holy  sa- 
crament, or  consecrated  host,  is  the 
symbol  containing  the  real  body  and 
blood  of  Christ,  and  taken  in  remem- 
brance of  his  crucifixion. 

As  a  sense  of  religion  (to  use  the 
words  of  Colonel  Macdonald,  the  trans- 
lator of  the  Tactics  and  Discipline  of 
the  French  army )  is  the  very  best 
foundation  of  discipline  in  any  country, 


SAC 


(     774     ) 


S  A  D 


we  shall,  in  this  place,  transcribe  the 
article  which  describes  the  military  ho- 

BOura  that  arc  paid  to  the  holy  sacra- 
ment, or  consecrated  host,  in  France ; 
leaving  to  casuists  the  solution  of  those 
points  which  have  occasioned  the  dif- 
ference between  the  Protestant  Lord's 
Supper,  and  the  Roman  Catholic's  be- 
lief in  the  doctrine  of  transubstantiation. 

In  page  414,  vol.  ii.  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing particulars : 

"  If  a  body  of  men  are  halted  in  line, 
at  any  time  when  the  consecrated  host 
appi  oaches  towards  them,  the  command- 
ing officer  will  order  anus  to  be  present- 
ed, lie  will  then  order,  Kneel,  (Genoa 
a  hrn  .')  on  which  the  drums  will  beat 
Ant  champs,  To  the  field. 

"  If  the  corps  is  marching,  the  com- 
manding officer  will  halt  and  wheel  it 
into  line,  so  as  to  make  front  to  the 
consecrated  host.  He  will  then  order 
arms  to  be  presented,  and  the  corps  to 
kneel  ;  on  receiving  the  word,  Kneel, 
(  Gi  nou  a  tcrrc! )  the  thre*e  ranks  are  to 
assume  the  position  directed  to  be  taken 
by  the  front  rank  when  firing. 

"  Should  the  body  of  men  consist  of 
a  regiment  or  battalion,  all  the  officers, 
not  only  captains  of  companies,  but  the 
officers  also  in  the  supernumerary  rank, 
must  salute  with  their  swords;  the 
bearers  of  the  colours  must  salute  with 
the  colours,  at  the  same  time  that 
the  troops  present  arms  ;  and  they  are 
to  kneel  also  along  with  the  general 
body, 
"All  non-commissioned  officers,  whe 


ther  covering  Serjeants,  or  belonging  to 
the  supernumerary  ranks,  and  likewise 
those  attached  to  the  guards  of  the 
colours,  are  to  present  arms,  and  kneel 
at  the  same  time  that  the  genaral  body 
kneels. 

"  The  colonel  will  take  post  at  the 
distance  of  six  paces  in  front  of  the  cen- 
ter of  his  regiment,  and  each  lieutenant- 
colonel  at  the  distance  of  six  paces  in 
front  of  the  center  of  his  battalion  ; 
they  will  face  towards  the  consecrated 
host,  after  giving  the  word  Kneel,  (Genou 
a  tcrrc!)  they  must  salute  with  their 
swords,  and  kneel  afterwards,  if  they  are 
on  foot. 

'The  adjutant-major  and  adjutants 
stationed  in  the  rear  of  the  wings  they 
respectively  belong  to,  are  to  salute 
and  kneel,  at  the  same  time  that  the 
battalion  kneels  to  which  they  are  at- 
tached. 


"  When  the  consecrated  host  is  pass- 
ing, the  officers,  non-commissioned  offi- 
cers, and  soldiers,  are  to  bow  then- 
heads. 

"  The  consecrated  host  having  passed, 
the  commander  of  the  troops  will  di- 
rect the  drums  to  cease  beating,  and  he 
will  order  Attention,  (Gave  a  vans.')  the 
officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
soldiers,  will  raise  their  heads.  The 
commander  of  the  troops  will  imme- 
diately order  \\\-c,(  Debout ! )  upon  this 
word  of  command,  the  officer*,  non-com- 
missioned officers,  and  soldiers  are  to 
rise  up.  The  non-commissioned  officers 
and  soldiers  are  to  resume  the  position 
of  presented  arms.  The  officers  and 
bearers  of  the  colours  will  keep,  the 
former,  the  points  of  their  swords,  and 
the  latter,  the  point  of  the  spear  of  the 
colours,  lowered,  or  in  the  saluting  posi- 
tion, until  the  commandant  gives  the 
words  Shoulder  arms,  (Furttz  vosarmes!) 
When  the  corps  has  risen  from  the 
kneeling  attitude,  the  commandant  will 
order  arms  to  be  shouldered." 

SACRILEGE,  ou  profanation,  Fr. 
sacrilege,  or  profanation.  In  the  old 
French  service  this  crime  was  reckoned 
capital.  By  an  order  which  was  issued 
on  the  1st  of  July,  1717,  it  was  decreed, 
that  every  soldier  who  should  be  found 
guilty  of  having  robbed  a  church  in  time 
of  peace ;  or  who,  in  war  time,  should  be 
proved  to  have  taken  away  church  pro- 
_  perty,  such  as  chalices,  &c.  from  any 
consecrated  place  within  the  kingdom, 
y'or  belonging  to    the   enemy's   country, 


was  to  be  hanged  or  strangled  to  death  ; 
and  if  the  theft  was  accompanied  by  an 
act  of  profanation,  such  as  drinking  out 
of  the  chalices,  and  using  irreverend  ex- 
pressions, &c.  the  culprit,  or  culprits 
were  coudemned  to  be  burned  alixe. 

SADDLE,  (sellc,  Fr.)  a  seat  upon  a 
horse's  back  contrived  for  the  safety 
and  conveniency  of  the  rider.  The 
saddles  in  the  British  service  are  reck- 
oned better,  both  in  quality  and  for  ser- 
vice, than  those  of  any  other  nation. 
The  Hungarian  saddle  has  been  lately 
adopted  in  some  dragoon  regiments. 

It  is  observed  in  an  old  work  called  the 
Sportsman's  Dictionary,  from  which  w« 
have  frequently  quoted  terms  in  horse- 
manship, that  a  horseman  who  would  sit 
a  horse  well,  ought  always  to  sit  on  his 
twist,  and  never  on  his  buttocks,  which 
should  not  touch  the  saddle ;  and  what- 
ever disorder  the  horse  may  commit, 


SAD 


(     775     ) 


SAG 


the  rider  should  never  move  above  the 
saddle. 

The  late  Lord  Pembroke,  in  his  me- 
thod of  breaking  horses  for  the  army, 
has  some  very  excellent  observations  on 
this  head,  page  10 ;  particularly  with 
respect  to  a  good  seat  on  horseback. 

The  ancient  Romans  are  supposed  not 
to  have  made  use  of  saddles  or  stirrups. 
According  to  the  Greek  historian  Zona- 
ras,  saddles  and  stirrups  did  not  come 
into  use  before  the  time  of  Constantine 
the  Great,  A.C.  340. 

The  saddles  now  chiefly  in  use  are : 

The  running  Saddle;  which  is  a  small 
one  with  round  skirts. 

The  Burford  Saddle  ;  which  has  the 
seat  and  the  skirts  both  plain. 

The  pad  Saddle  ;  of  which  there  are 
two  sorts,  some  made  with  burs  before 
the  seat,  and  others  with  bolsters  under 
the  thighs. 

The  French  pad  Saddle,  of  which  the 
burs  come  wholly  round  the  seat. 

The  portmanteau  Saddle  ;  that  has  a 
cantle  behind  the  seat,  to  keep  the  port- 
manteau from  the  back  of  the  rider. 

A  war  Saddle;  which  has  a  cantle 
and  a  bolster  behind  and  before;  also  a 
fair  bolster. 

The  pack  Saddle,  a  saddle  upon  which 
loads  may  be  carried. 

The  several  parts  of  a  saddle  are  too 
well  known  to  require  any  minute  de- 
scription in  this  place.  They  consist 
chiefly  of  the  bars,  buckle,  civet,  crupper, 
buckle  and  strap,  girth,  girth-web, c\c. 

Saddle  recommended  by  Marshal 
Saxe,  for  the  use  of  cavalry  regiments. 
"  The  bow  is  to  be  made  of  iron,  strong 
and  well  tempered,  and  fixed  upon  a  pair 
of  cloth  or  leathern  pannels,  stuffed 
with  either  wool  or  hair;  to  the  end  of 
which  must  be  fastened  the  crupper; 
over  these  must  be  placed  a  black  sheep- 
skin, or  one  of  any  other  animal,  which 
will  serve  at  once  for  housing,  and  as  a 
covering  for  the  pannels;  this  skin  is  to 
be  brought  across  the  horse's  chest,  and 
will  have  a  graceful  effect;  underneath 
it  also  must  go  a  surcingle,  which,  in 
that  position,  can  never  gall  either  the 
horse  or  his  rider,  who,  at  the  same  time, 
will  have  a  very  close  and  easy  seat.  The 
stirrups  are  to  be  the  same  as  those 
used  in  the  riding  school,  fastened  at  the 
bow  of  the  saddle,  and  capable  of  being 
shortened  or  lengthened  at  pleasure. 

SADBLE-6ac/cerf,  horses  that  have  their 
backs  low  with  a  raised  head  and  neck. 


S.\T>DLE-cloth,  (housse,  Fr.)  See  Fur- 
niture. 

SADDLZ-gall,  a  hurt  upon  a  horse's 
back  caused  by  the  saddle.  This  is  fre- 
quently cured  by  bathing  the  part  with 
urine  or  warm  wine,  and  sometimes, 
when  the  sore  is  large,  with  the  second 
water,  strewing  over  it  the  powder  of  an 
old  rope  or  flax,  and  eating  away  the 
proud  flesh  with  vitriol. 

Saddle  horses  let  to  hire  may  be  im- 
pressed by  warrant  of  a  justice  in  cases 
of  emergency.  See  Mutiny  Act,  sec- 
tion 46. 

To  be  SADDLED,  a  figurative  term 
signifying  the  necessity,  which  an  indi- 
vidual, who  receives  a  salary  condi- 
tionally, is  under  of  paying  a  given  sum 
to  another  person:  in  plain  English,  to 
be  burthened  or  loaded  with  him. 

SAFE  conduct,  (sauf  conduit,  Fr.)  a 
security  under  the  broad  seal,  which  is 
given  by  the  King,  or  by  some  other  per- 
son in  authority,  to  any  individual,  for 
his  quiet  coming  into,  or  passing  out  of, 
the  realm.  It  is  also  given  by  governors  of 
fortified  places, commanding  officers, &c. 

SAFE-guard,  defence;  security;  a  pro- 
tection granted  by  a  prince  or  general, 
for  some  of  the  enemy's  lands,  houses, 
persons,  &c.  to  preserve  them  from 
being  insulted  or  plundered.  See 
Guard. 

Safe-w«h,  (homme  sitr,  Fr.)  a  person 
in  whose  discretion  and  prudence  the 
greatest  confidence  may  be  placed ;  be- 
fore whom  anything  may  be  spoken  in 
private  intercourse,  without  the  hazard 
of  repetition,  and  who  is  the  direct  con- 
trast to  the  wretch  that  Juvenal  has  so 
well  described  in  the  following  line: 
Scire,  volens  secreta  domus,  atque  inde  ti- 

meri ! 
A    wretch   of    this  description    always 
owes  his  elevation  in  life  to  a  possession 
of  some  dirty  secret  or  other  belonging 
to  a  prince  or  nobleman. 

SAFYNAMA,  Ind.  a  certificate  or 
writing,  specifying  any  matter  of  dis- 
pute, which  it  is  found  necessary  to  have 
settled  or  cleared  up. 

SAGACITY,  (sagacite,  Fr.)  quickness 
of  scent;  acuteness  of  discovery.  Saga- 
city, according  to  Locke,  finds  out  the 
intermediate  ideas,  to  discover  what 
connection  there  is  in  each  link  of  the 
chain,  whereby  the  extremes  are  held 
together.  A  singular  instance  of  saga- 
city is  mentioned  in  the  great  Duke  of 
Marlborough,  when  he  was  sent  on  a 


S  A  I 


(      77fi     ) 


S  A  I 


particular  mission  to  the  King  of  Sweden, 
commonly  called  the  Madman.  On  be- 
ing introduced  to  His  Majesty,  the  duke 
observed  that  a  pair  of  compasses  were 
laid  on  a  map,  and  that  their  legs  pointed 
towards  Petersburg!}.  lie  instantly 
concluded,  that  the  intentions  of  th< 
king  were  directed  againsl  Russia;  which 
was  the  case.  Weak  and  self-sufficient 
men  frequently  mistake  low  cunning  for 
sagacity.  The  difference  is,  however, 
easily  discovered  by  any  man  of  real  in- 
tellect and  understanding. 

SAGITTA,  in  architecture,  an  arrow, 
which  the  Italians  call  saclta,  and  with 
us  the  key  piece  of  an  arch. 

SAGITTAL,  belonging  to  an  arrow. 
SAGITTARIUS,   or  SAGITTARY. 
See  Archer,  Bowman. 

SAGO,  lnd.  a  tree  of  the  palm  spe- 
cies. A  flour  is  made  from  this  tree, 
which,  formed  into  bread  and  fresh 
baked,  eats  like  hot  rolls;  when  it  grows 
stale  it  becomes  hard,  and  requires  to  be 
soaked  in  water  before  it  can  be  used. 
Three  of  these  trees  are  found  sufficient 
to  give  sustenance  for  one  man  during  a 
whole  year;  and  an  acre  properly  plant- 
ed, will  supply  food  for  one  hundred  for 
that  period. 

SAGUM,  a  woollen  garment,  which 
was  formerly   worn    by  the  Roman  sol- 
diers when   they  took    the  field.     It  is 
said  that  the  Gauls  adopted  the  use  of  it. 
SAH,  lnd.  a  banker. 
SAHEB,  lnd.  master,  sir. 
SAHOOKER,  lnd.  a  merchant. 
SAICK,   (sa'ique,  Fr.)    a   ship    used 
among   the  Greeks.     It   has   only  one 
mast,  which,  together  with  its  topmast, 
is  extremely  high,  and  on  account  of  (he 
quantity  of  timber  it  takes,  it  never  sails 
well  except  with  a  leading  wind. 

SAIGNEE  du  fiKse,  Fr.  the  act  of 
drawing  oh"  the  water  which  is  in  the 
ditch  or  fosse  of  a  town  or  fortified 
place.  When  this  has  been  executed, 
clays  or  hurdles  covered  with  earth,  or 
bridges  made  with  reeds,  must  be  thrown 
upon  the  mud,  to  establish  a  firm  loot- 
ing. 

Saign£e  du  saucisson,  Fr.  the  act  of 
cutting  off  a  part  of  a  linen  saucisson, 
which  is  filled  with  gunpowder,  for  the 
purpose  of  introducing  the  moine  or 
cylindrical  tube,  in  order  to  set  lire  to  a 
mine. 

SAIGNER  zinc  piece,  Fr.  an  expres- 
sion used  iu  artillery,  when  a  piece  of 
ordnance,  that  is  mounted  on  a  carriage, 


has  its  breech  carried  away  by  the  viru- 
lence of  the  explosion.  This  some- 
times happens  when  the  discharge  is 
made  directly  downwards,  or  from  top 
to  bottom. 

Saigner  unc  riviere,  Fr.  to  turn  the 
current  of  a  river,  by  partially  drawing 
'ill  some  of  its  water.  We  also  use  tho 
word  Saigner  as  an  English  word  in  mi- 
litary matters;  hence  saigner  a  mote,  to 
empty  or  take  water  out  of  it  by  con- 
veyances under  ground,  that  it  may  be 
passed  over,  alter  having  laid  hurdle-, 
&c.  over  the  mud. 

Saigner  du  nez,  Fr.  literally  to  bleed 
at  the  nose.  This  is  said  by  the  French 
of  a  piece  of  ordnance  which  is  fixed  in 
such  a  manner,  as  to  cany  away  its 
breech.  This  happens  when  the  cylin- 
der becomes  crooked  or  bent,  from  the 
piece  having  been  fired  repeatedly,  with- 
out being  cooled  or  refreshed. 

SAILLANT,  Fr.  salient.  See  Salient 
Angle.  This  word,  as  well  as  Suiltic, 
signifies  generally  any  part  of  a  build- 
ing that  does  not  run  up  perpendicu- 
larly from  its  base,  but  projects  or 
slopes  out. 

SAILLIE,  ou  prefecture,  Fr.  See 
Projecture. 

Saili.ie  de  maixon,  Fr.  any  out-jut- 
ting room  belonging  to  a  house,  or  part 
thereof. 

SAILOR,  a  name  indiscriminately 
given  to  all  persons  when  they  go  on 
board  a  ship,  with  the  intention  of  fol- 
lowing a  sea-life,  and  in  the  course  of 
time,  of  becoming  able-bodied  seamen. 
Dr.  Johnson,  for  what  reason  we  know 
not,  calls  a  sailor  a  person  acquainted 
with  navigation,  whereas  this  knowledge 
implies  a  seaman. 

SAINT  George's  guard,  a  guard  of 
the  broad  sword  or  sabre,  used  in 
warding  oft'  blows  directed  against  the 
bead.     See  Broadsword. 

SAISIE  des  appointemens  den  offi- 
cii m,  Fr.  the  sequestration  of  officers' 
pay  and  emoluments.  If,  in  conse- 
quence of  any  part  of  their  pay  being 
retained  by  the  captain  of  a  troop  or 
company,  the  soldiers  belonging  to  the 
old  French  service  indemnified  them- 
selves by  raising  contributions,  and  the 
fact  was  made  known  to  the  war-office, 
the  pay,  &c.  of  such  captain,  or  cap- 
tains, was  directed  to  be  stopped  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer-general  belong- 
ing to  that  department;  and  the  com- 
missaries of  war  were  ordered  to  make 


SAL 


(  m  ) 


SAL 


good  the  several  exactions,  and  to  re- 
port the  names  of  all  such  officers  to 
the  King,  that  they  might  be  instantly 
cashiered.  This  regulation  was  issued 
on  the  7th  of  February,  1661. 

SAISIR,  Fr.  to  seize*  to  take  sudden 
possession  of  any  thing. 

SAKER,  originally, signifies  a  hawk; 
pieces  of  artillery  being  often  deno- 
minated from  birds  of  prey.  The 
saker  carried  a  shot  of  five  pounds  and 
a  quarter  weight  :  the  diameter  of  the 
bore  was  three  inches  and  9-16ths;  the 
length  eight  or  nine  feet.  See  Can- 
kon. 

SALADE,  Fr.  This  word  literally 
means  salad.  It  likewise  signifies  a  head 
piece.  The  French  use  it  frequently  in 
a  figurative  sense,  viz. 

Donner  une  Salade  a  quelqu'un,  Fr. 
to  give  any  one  a  good  dressing. 

Regiment  de  Salade,  Fr.  a  term  of 
ridicule  which  the  French  frequently  ap- 
plied to  small  new  made  corps;  such  as 
our  independent  companies,  which  were 
levied  for  rank  only. 

The  men  belonging  to  these  corps 
were  also  vulgarly  called  mangeurs  de 
salade,  salad-eaters. 

SALAMANDRES  et  serpens,  Fr.  In 
the  Nouveau  Dictionnaire  Militaire, 
published  at  Paris,  in  1801,  by  A.  T. 
Gaigne,  this  article  is  thus  described  : 
Brittle  vessels,  made  of  earthen  compo- 
sition, are  filled  with  these  venomous 
animals,  care  having  been  previously 
taken  to  let  in  the  air  by  small  apertures. 
When  a  storming  party  is  on  the  point 
of  ascending  the  breach,  these  vessels 
are  suddenly  thrown  down  by  the  be- 
sieged, and  being  broken,  the  enraged 
and  hungry  inmates  are  scattered  among 
the  soldiers,  to  their  no  small  surprize 
and  discomfiture.  In  order  to  render 
them  innocuous,  the  assailing  party 
should  have  salt  in  their  havresacks,  by 
the  application  of  which  upon  the  ser- 
pent's back,  he  is  immediately  benum- 
bed, and  is  ultimately  destroyed. 

SALE,  state  of  being  venal;   price. 

Sale  of  commissions.  The  sale  and 
purchase  of  commissions,  though  not 
unknown  in  other  services,  is  of  general 
usage  in  the  British  :  the  navy,  the  ma- 
rines, and  the  royal  artillery  excepted. 
Commissions  in  the  British  army  are 
sold  for  various  purposes ;  sometimes  to 
idemnify  individuals  for  their  original 
purchase;  sometimes  as  rewards  for  gal- 
lant and  meritorious  actions;  sometimes 


as  a  provision  for  the  widows  or  children 
of  deceased  officers ;  and  sometimes  for 
the  relief  of  an  indigent  gentleman,  or 
lad}\  Such  multiplied  channels  for  the 
disposing  of  an  article,  which  is  always 
called  for  in  a  country  abounding  in 
young  men  of  fortune  and  expectations, 
must  naturally  produce  all  the  specula- 
tive commerce  of  bargain  and  sale  ;  and 
as  London  is  the  grand  emporium  of 
every  species  of  traffic,  official  or  other- 
wise, it  is  not  wonderful  that  a  most 
lucrative  system  of  brokerage  should 
branch  out  of,  or  rather  be  spuriously 
connected  with,  the  regular  agency  of 
regiments  :  Nor  can  it  be  prevented,  so 
long  as  the  partial  agency  of  corps  is 
suffered  to  continue.  In  Vol.  I.  6th. 
edition,  of  the  Regimental  Companion, 
a  necessary  caution  is  thrown  out  for 
the  benefit  of  young  purchasers.  We 
wish  it  were  within  the  limits  of  this 
undertaking  to  enter  at  large  into  the 
subject,  and  to  couple  our  observations 
with  what  was  proved  in  the  House  of 
Commons  in  1809. 

SALAMALEE,  a  Turkish  salutation; 
a  very  low  bow. 

SALIAN  priests,  twelve  persons, 
among  the  Romans,  whose  particular 
duty  was  to  take  care  of  the  Ancilium, 
or  sacred  shield,  which  was  believed  to 
have  been  sent  by  the  gods  to  Numa 
Pompilius.  These  priests  were  attended 
by  a  certain  number  of  maids,  who  were 
called  the  Salian  virgins.  It  is  further 
said,  in  tradition,  that  when  the  shield 
fell  from  Heaven,  a  voice  was  heard  t« 
say,  "  Rome  shall  be  mistress  of  the 
world,  as  long  as  she  remains  possessed 
of  this  shield."  At  the  commencement 
of  the  month  of  March,  in  every  suc- 
ceeding year,  three  festival  days  were 
instituted,  during  which  period  no  bu- 
siness could  be  transacted  of  any  sort, 
nor  any  functions  of  a  civil  nature  be 
performed.  The  author  of  the  Nouveau 
Dictionnaire  JMilitaire  (from  which  we 
have  chiefly  extracted  this  article)  ob- 
serves, that  many  writers  have  men- 
tioned ancilium  as  a  javelin.  "But  I 
have  satisfied  myself,"  continues  the 
same  author,  "  by  a  reference  to  many 
old  established  authorities,  that  the  an- 
cilium was  a  shield  which  was  worn  by 
a  particular  sort  of  militia  called  Anci- 
listse,  that  threw  javelins." 

SALIENT  angle,  in  fortification,  that 
whose  points  turn   from  the  center  of 
the  place.     See  Fortification. 
5G 


S  A  L 


( 


SALLE  t/'iiniitx,  Fr.  a  fencing  school. 

Salle  tfarmea  dans  un  magasin,  ou 
ursenaL,  Fr.  an  armoury;  a  particular 
place  (  as  in  the  Tower,  or  at  Wool- 
wich) where  arms  of  all  descriptions, 
lor  offensive-  or  defensive  purposes,  are 
kept  in  store. 

SALLESEE,  Ind.  arbitration. 

SALLIS,  Ind.  an  arbitrator. 

SALLY.     See  Siege. 

SALLY  -ports,  or  postern-gates  as 
tliev  are  sometimes  called,  are  those 
under-ground  passages  which  lead  from 
the  inner  to  the  outward  works;  such  as 
from  the  higher  Hank  to  the  lower,  to  the 
tenailles,  or  the  communication  from  the 
middle  of  the  curtain  to  the  ravelin. — 
\N  hen  they  are  constructed  for  the  pas 


778 

k 


) 


S  A  L 


sage  of 


i   only,  thev  are  made  with 


steps  at  the  entrance  and  outlet.  They 
are  about  six  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet 
and  a  half  high.  There  is  also  a  gutter 
or  shore  made  under  the  sally-ports  that 
are  in  the  middle  of  the  curtains,  in  order 
that  the  water,  whirl)  runs  down  the 
streets,  may  pass  into  the  ditch  ;  hut  this 
can  only  he  done  when  thev  are  wet 
ditches.  When  sally-ports  serve  to  carry 
puns  through  them  for  the  outworks, 
instead  of  making  them  with  steps,  they 
must  have  a  gradual  slope,  and  he  eight 
feet  wide. 

SALMANAZER,  Ind.  the  salutation 
of  victory. 

SALON,       )   in   architecture,    from 

SALOON,  J  the  French  Salon,  is  a 
very  lofty  spacious  hall,  vaulted  at  top, 
and  sometimes  comprehending  two  sto- 
ries, or  ranges  of  w  indows,  as  is  the  case 
at  Blenheim  House. 

The  saloon  is  a  grand  room  in  the 
middle  of  a  building,  or  at  the  head  of  a 
gallery,  &c. 

The  faces  or  sides  ought  all  to  have 
a  symmetry  with  each  other;  and  as  it 
usually  takes  up  the  height  of  two  stories, 
ii-  ceiling,  according  to  d'A  viler,  should 
be  with  a  moderate  sweep. 

Saloons  are  frequently  built  square, 
and  sometimes  octagonal,  or  in  other 
forms. 

The  bottom  of  the  plafond  of  a  saloon 
"iiiiht  to  be  arched,  as  is  the  case  in  some 
ot  the  Italian  palaces. 

SALOOTER,  Jnrf.  a  farrier. 

SALOOTEREE,  Ind.  the  business  of 
a  farrier. 

SALPETRE,  Fr.  See  Saltpetre. 
Fain  peter  le  Salpetre,  Fr.  to  fire 
repeated  discharges  of  cannon,  or  mus- 


vctry.  The  French  say  familiarly.  Vet 
offieier  est  un  talp&tre,  that  officer  is  all 

fire  and  gunpowder. 

SALPETMERE,  Fr.  a  particular  spot 
in  an  arsenal  where  there  are  pits,  6vc- 
for  the  purpose  of  making  saltpetre  :  also 
a  place  of  confinement  in  Paris. 

SALPETRIERS,  Fr.  men  employed 
in   making  saltpetre. 

SALTPETRE,  a  salt,out  of  which,  by 

means  of  a  chemical  preparation,  a  fixed 
alkali  and  a  volatile  acid  may  be  ex- 
tracted. These  constitute  the  principal 
ingredients,  or  properties,  that  distinguish 
saltpetre  from  other  salts.  This  salt  is 
collected  from  the  surfaces  of  the  earth, 
out  of  cellars,  vaults,  stables,  and  other 
places,  above  and  under  ground,  which 
are  covered  in,  and  are  impregnated  with 
animal  and  vegetable  particles,  and  to 
which  the  air  has  no  access.  Saltpetre 
is  used  in  the  composition  of  gunpowder 
after  its  third  concoction  or  boiling. 

SALTING  boxes,'m  artillery,  are  boxes 
of  about  four  inches  high,  and  two  inches 
and  a  half  in  diameter,  for  holding  mealed 
powder,  to  sprinkle  the  fuzes  of  shells, 
that  they  may  take  fire  from  the  blast  of 
the  powder  in  the  chamber ;  but  it  has 
been  found,  that  the  fuze  takes  tire  with- 
out this  operation,  so  that  these  boxes  are 
now  laid  aside. 

SALVE,  Fr.  a  volley  :  it  generally 
means  a  discharge  of  heavy  ordnance 
and  other  fire-arms  in  concert. 

SALUER  dc  la  mousqueterie,  Fr.  to 
fire  a  volley,  or  a  discharge  of  musketry 
only. 

Salueb  du  canon,  Fr.  to  salute  by  a 
discharge  of  ordnance. 

Salukr  de  la  voix,  Fr.  to  huzza;  to 
cry  out,  as  I  'ive  le  Roi !  God  save  the 
King!  Vice  la  RepubliqueJ  Long  live 
the  Republic  !  This  manner  of  saluting 
generally  appertains  to  the  mob  of  a 
country,  which  lavishes  its  applause 
upon  every  man  who  happens  to  succeed. 
It  has,  however,  been  customary,  in 
England,  France,  and  other  countries, 
for  whole  battalions  of  soldiers  to  salute 
a  vive  voir,  or  by  exclamation,  in  which 
case  they  generally  take  off  their  hats, 
and  give  three  huzzas. 

Saluer  du  pavilion,  Fr.  to  salute  with 
the  colours. 

Saluer  &  boulct,  Fr.  to  salute  with 
ball. 

S  \LUT,  J>.  the  salute. 

Salutc/m  sponton,  Fr.  the  spontoon 
salute. 


SAL 


(    779     ) 


SAM 


S  ylut  de  I'cpee,  Fr.  the  sword  salute. 

Salut  de  mer,  Fr,  the  deference  and 
respect  which  are  shewn  at  sea  by  ships 
of  inferior  force,  to  those  of  superior 
rate.  This  is  done  by  lowering  the  flag. 
The  British  flag  stands  paramount  to  all 
others,  and  is  always  saluted  by  foreign 
ships  at  sea. 

SALUTATORES,  courtiers,  saluters, 
or  persons  who  pay  homage  or  obeisance 
to  others.  The  following  article  is  from 
a  publication  (viz.  Dictionnuire  Mili- 
taire)  which  made  its  appearance  in  1801, 
and  has  been  extant  in  France  during  all 
the  stages  of  her  Revolution. 

"  It  has  been  customary  (says  its  au- 
thor), from  time  immemorial,  to  cast  a 
ridicule  upon  every  species  of  attendance 
on  persons  in  superior  stations,  without 
any  reflexion  being  made,  that  such  an 
intercourse  must  eventually  be  produc- 
tive of  considerable  advantages  to  all 
parties.  The  custom  itself  has  existed 
from  the  earliest  times;  and  I  am  confi- 
dent, that  the  very  persons  who,  but  a 
little  while  back,  condemned  the  prac- 
tice, are  at  this  very  moment  sedulous  in 
their  attentions  to  some  man  in  power; 
and  they  are  so,  not  through  accidental 
circumstances,  but  from  their  own  re- 
flexions, and  from  mental  acquiescence. 
The  Roman  soldiers  did  not  scruple  to 
follow  the  example  of  courtiers.  When 
they  were  encamped,  they  went  every 
morning  in  a  body  to  pay  their  respects 
to  their  centurion.  The  centurion  waited 
upon  the  tribune:  and,  after  that,  the 
tribune,  together  with  other  courtiers, 
went  to  the  general's  tent.  The  only  ob- 
jection (observes  our  author)  which  I  can 
make  to  this  ceremony,  is  in  the  visit  of 
the  soldiers  to  their  centurions.  Yet 
these  haughty  citizens  of  Rome  (who 
looked  upon  kings  as  their  inferiors)  car- 
ried the  system  of  paying  homage  to  a 
much  greater  extent.  They  spent  a  cer- 
tain portion  of  the  forenoon  in  waiting 
upon  those  of  their  fellow  citizens,  whose 
votes,  or  good  will,  could  contribute  to 
their  attainment  of  any  place,  or  situ- 
ation, in  the  Republic.  Some,  out  of 
respect  and  deference,  remained  in  hum- 
ble attendance  in  the  anti-chamber; 
others  stood  in  the  vestibule,  and  when 
their  patrons  came  forth,  (in  order  to  go 
through  the  same  ceremony  themselves 
elsewhere,)  these  saluters,  or  courtiers, 
very  submissively  crouded  round  their 
litters,  and  accompanied  them  to  the  spot 
where  they  alighted,  paying  fresh  reve- 
rence as  the  concluding  homage  of  the 


morning. — This  attendance  became  at 
last  a  heavy  tax  upon  the  several  classes 
of  dependent  citizens;  for  they  felt  se- 
verely the  consequences  of  the  slightest 
neglect  to  their  superiors.  The  mere 
empty  parade  of  a  court  must  be  con- 
temptible in  the  eyes  of  all  thinking  men; 
but  there  is  certainly  a  middle  track 
which  may  always  be  adopted.  Where- 
as the  Romans  (with  all  their  pride  and 
apparent  independence)  went  into  two 
opposite  extremes.  They  affected  to 
despise  kings,  and  yet  almost  every  one 
amongst  them  condescended  to  play  the 
part  of  a  menial,  and  dependent  servant;" 
and  so  have  the  French,  even  in  the 
coarsest  epochs  of  their  revolution. 

SALUTE,  a  discharge  of  artillery,  or 
small  arms,  or  of  both,  in  honour  of  some 
person ;  also  the  ceremony  of  presenting 
arms.  The  colours  salute  royal  persons, 
and  generals  commanding  in  chief; 
which  is  done  by  lowering  the  point, 
within  one  inch  of  the  ground.  In  the 
field,  when  a  regiment  is  to  be  reviewed 
by  the  King,  or  his  general,  the  drums 
beat  a  march  as  he  passes  along  the  line, 
and  the  officers  salute,  pointing  their 
swords  downwards.  The  ensigns  do  so 
likewise,  by  lowering  their  colours,  when 
his  Majesty,  or  any  of  the  royal  family, 
are  present.  When  the  word  of  com- 
mand, Shoulder  arms  !  is  given,  the  officers 
recover  their  swords,  and  the  ensigns 
raise  the  colours  together. 

llot/al  Salute.  This  consists  in  the 
discharge  of  twenty-one  pieces  of  ord- 
nance, and  is  given  on  the  approach  of 
his  Majesty  at  review  days;  and  on  so- 
lemn occasions,  wherein  their  Majesties 
appear. 

The  other  salutes  are, — 19  pieces  to 
the  commander  in  chief;  17  to  a  gene- 
ral; 15  to  a  lieutenant-general;  13  to  a 
major-general;  11  to  a  brigadier-general. 

These  salutes  are  answered  by  one  gun 
less  from  the  body  saluted,  where 
troops,  &c.  approach  one  another. 

To  be  SALUTED,  to  have  the  usual 
compliments  paid,  which  are  prescribed 
by  the  rules  of  the  service.  It  also  sig- 
nifies to  be  hostilely  opposed;  as,  the 
enemy  was  saluted  with  our  guns  as 
they  rushed  up  the  hill. 

SAMATA.     SeeCriuASS. 

SA.MBUCUS,  (sambuque,  Fr.)  an  an- 
cient musical  instrument  of  the  wind 
kind,  resembling  a  flute.  It  probably 
derives  its  name  from  sumbucus,  the 
elder  tree;  being  made  of  that  wood. 

Sambicus  was  also  the  name  of  an 
5C2 


S  A  N 


(     780      ) 


S  A  N 


■ni  ient  engine  of  war  used  by  Marcel- 
!ii^  in  besieging  Syracuse.  Plutarch  re- 
lates that  two  ships  were  required  to 
parry  it.  A  minute  description  of  this 
engine  may  he  seen  in  Polybius. 

SAMPIT,  an  instrument  or  weapon 
which  is  used  by  the  inhabitants  of  the 
island  of  Borneo.  They  sometimes  con- 
vert it  intoasort  of  cross-bow,  from  which 
they  shoot  poisoned  arrows;  at  others, 
into  a  javelin:  and  frequently  into  a 
bayonet,  which  they  fix  at  the  end  of  a 
firelock. 

SAMPODAR,  Ltd.  a  treasurer,  or 
cashkeeper. 

SAND,  (sable,  Fr.)  a  fine  hard  gra- 
velly earth  of  great  use  in  building,  and 
in  other  works. 

There  are  three  sorts  of  sand,  which 
are  distinguished  by  being  called  after 
the  place  out  of  which  they  arc  drawn, 
viz.  pit-sand,  river-sand,  and  sea-sand. 
Sand  is  used  in  building,  as  one  of  the 
ingredients  in  mortar.  Pit-sand,  for  this 
use,  is  preferable  to  any  other;  and  of 
pit-sand  the  whitest  is  always  the  worst. 
O/'Ru'ct-Sand,  that  which  is  found  in 
the  falls  of  water  is  reckoned  the  best. 
because  it  is  most  purged.  River  sand 
serves  for  rough-casting. 

Fit-SAav,  as  being  fat  and  tough,  is 
most  used  in  building  walls  and  vaults. 

iSca-Sand  is  the  worst  that  can  be 
used.  All  sand  is  good  in  its  kind,  if, 
when  squeezed  and  handled,  it  crackles, 
and,  being  put  on  paper,  &c.  it  does  not 
stain,  or  make  it  foul. 

All  sand  is  bad  which  mixed  with 
water  makes  it  dirty,  or  which  has  been 
long  exposed  to  the  air;  for  it  will  retain 
much  earth  and  rotten  humour.  For 
this  reason,  some  masons  wash  their 
band  before  they  use  it. 

De  Torine  observes,  that  the  sand  of 
Pozzuolo  is  the  best  in  the  world,  espe- 
cially for  maritime  buildings. 

Some  distinguish  sand  into  male,  and 
female.  The  male  sand  is  of  a  deeper 
colour  than  another  sort  of  sand,  in  the 
same  bank  or  bed,  called  female  sand. 

Founders  make  use  of  fossile  sand.  It 
is  properly  a  yellow  fat  earth,  with  which 
they  make  their  moulds  for  the  casting 
of  small  work,  whence  they  call  it  east- 
tng  in  sand.  Plumbers  use  sand  in 
moulding  several  of  their  works,  particu- 
larly large  sheets. 

Sand  Bads.     See  Bags. 
vN\(i,  Pr.  Wood.     This  word  is  used 
among  the  French  in  many  senses.  They 


say,  figuratively,  Se  battre  au  premier  sung, 
to  light  (as  duellists  do)  until  blood  is 
drawn  on  one  side  or  the  other;  Alettrc 
un  pays  a  feu  et  a  sang,  to  commit  every 
species  of  enormity  in  a  country  by  de- 
stroying the  human  race,  and  burning 
their  habitations :  Sfifaire  la  guerre  <)  feu 
et  a  sang,  to  carry  on  the  war  with  fire 
and  sword  ;  or  without  the  least  regard 
to  humanity. 

Sxxt.j'roid,  Fr.  a  certain  state  of  the 
mind,  in  which  it  is  not  rullled  or  agi- 
tated. It  also  signifies  cold  blood. 
If:  nee,  II  Vatuide  sangfroid,  he  killed 
him  in  cold  blood,  or  without  emotion. 
We  use  the  word  sangfroid  to  signify 
coolness,  presence  of  mind. 

SANGIAC,  a  Turkish  dignity,  which 
entitles  the  person,  who  is  invested  with 
it,  to  have  a  horse's  tail  carried  before 
him.  The  Sangiac  is  governor  of  a  pro- 
vi  ice,  and  next  in  authority  to  the  Beg- 
ierbcys,  who  are  viceroys  in  that  coun- 
try, and  give  the  name  of  Beglerbat,  or 
Beglerbey,  to  a  militia  which  they  sup- 
port at  their  own  expense.  Sangiac  also 
means  a  standard  which  is  used  by  the 
Turks. 

SANGLANT,  Fr.  bloody.  Combat 
sang/ant,  a  bloody  contest.  The  French 
also  say,  Injure,  offense  sangluntc,  an  out- 
rageous injury,  or  offence. 

SANGLE,  Fr.  a  girth. 

SANGLER,  Fr.  to  gird. 

SANGUINARY,  ( sunguinaire,  Fr.) 
one  who  loves  blood,  and  delights  in 
deeds  of  sanguinary  devastation  and 
spoil.  A  sanguinary  chief  may  have  his 
name  mentioned  in  history,  and  be 
marked  for  extraordinary  feats  in  war, 
but  the  tradition  will  only  serve  to  hand 
him  down  to  posterity  as  an  object  of 
horror  and  detestation.  The  true  hero 
is  he  who  gains  a  victory  at  the  least 
expense  of  blood  ;  for  every  wretch  may 
be  a  butcher  of  his  own  species. 

SANS-C«/o«e,  Fr.  a  revolutionary 
term  which  was  first  given  by  the  French 
to  the  most  indigent  class  of  the  people, 
and  which  Robespierre,  and  other  furi- 
ous demagogues,  endeavoured  to  convert 
into  an  honourable  title.  It  means, 
literally,  a  man  without,  breeches. 

SA^-culotterie,  Fr.  the  class  consist- 
in"  of  what  are  called  Sans- Culottes. 

S\*.^-ai/ottides,  Fr.  a  name  given,  for 
some  time,  ro  the  five  complementary 
days  which  were  added  to  the  twelve 
months  that  formed  the  revolutionary 
year  of  the  French  Republic. 


SAP 


(     ?81     ) 


SAP 


SAP,  (sape,  Fr.)  a  gallery  sunk  under 
ground,  through  the  center  of  which  the 
soldiers  may  secretly  advance  towards 
some  of  the  enemy's  works,  hy  covering 
or  shielding  themselves  against  the  fire  of 
the  place  with  stuffed  gabions,  and  a 
mantelet,  which  see. 

The  sap  is  different  from  the  trench, 
inasmuch  as  the  latter  is  openly  effect- 
ed, and  because  the  sap  is  less  broad; 
but  when  a  sap  is  widened  to  the  dimen- 
sions of  a  trench  it  then  assumes  that 


name. 
There 


are  several  sorts  of  saps  :   the 


are  conducted,  see  Sap,  2d  edit.  Bom- 
bardier. 

FlyingSxp,  (sape  volante,  Fr.)  When 
a  flying  sap  is  undertaken,  it  is  not  ne- 
cessary to  fill  up  the  gabions ;  these  are 
merely  conducted  upon  the  plan  or  scale 
which  the  sap  embraces.  Flying  saps 
are  resorted  to  according  to  circumstan- 
ces, during  the  night,  and  when  the 
danger  of  being  attacked  is  not  imme- 
diate. 

Half  Sap,  (demie-sape,  Fr.)  a 
trench  which  is  sunk  by  degrees  near 
some   fortified    place,  and    during    the 


single,  which  has  only  a  single  parapet :  j  execution  of  which,  the  workmen  are 
tluTdouble,  having  one  on  each  side ;  covered  by  gabions,  sand  bags,  and 
and  the  flying,  made  with  gabions,  &c.  mantelets.  The  difference  between 
In  all  saps,  traverses  are  left  to  cover  i  working  at  a  demi  or  half  sap,  and  at 
the  men.  a  trench,  consists  in  the  one  being  done 

Double  Sap,  (sape  double,  Fr.)  k  that  i  in  open  day,  and  to  a  considerable  ex- 
which  has  two  sides,  and  where  the  men  tent,  whereas  the  other  is  accomplished 
work  between  two  parapets.     The  dou- (under  circumstances  of  peculiar  caution, 


ble  sap  is  undertaken  in  cases  ot  immi- 
nent danger.     By  way  of  precaution,  a 
picket  or  stake,  which  rises  from  18  to 
20  inches  above  the  top,  must  be  fixed 
in  each  gabion,  for  the  purpose  of  keep- 
ing it  firm  and  upright,  when  the  gabion 
is  filled.     A  berm  or  small  path,  about 
seven  inches  wide,  must  also  be  left  at 
the  foot  of  the  gabion.     When  the  ga- 
bions have  been  filled  up  with  earth,  a 
fascine  must  be  laid  on  the  borders  or 
edges  of  it,  and  another  above,  through 
which  the  picket  or  stake  is  forced,  so 
as  to  stand  some  inches  higher  than  the 
gabion.     After  this,  the  whole  is  to  be 
covered  with  earth,  in  order  to  form  a 
parapet,   which   is   sloped  towards  the 
point  of  attack.     A  trench,  properly  so 
called,  is  always  from  3   French,  or  4 
feet  English,  deep,  and  10  to  12  French, 
or  11  to  13  feet  English,  broad.     Every 
species  of  work,  which  leads  by  way  of 
communication  upon  these  dimensions  to 
a   fortified   place,    is  called  a   trench : 
that  which  fronts  the  place,  is  called  the 
parallel,  or  place  of  arms,  belonging  to 
the  trench,  and  is  used  for  the  lodgment 
or  distribution  of  troops.     The  articles 
which    are    indispensably   necessary   to 
form  or  work  a  sap,  consist  of  gabions, 
sand-bags,  iron  pitch-forks,  poles  with 
iron  hooks,    stakes,    pick -axes,  spades, 
mallets,    mantelets.      The    chief   of    a 
brigade  in  a   sapping  party  or  detach- 
ment, or  the  leading  sapper,  should  be 
particularly  careful  to  prevent  every  ap- 
pearance of  intoxication  among  thework- 
men.    For  the  manner  in  which  saps 


and  on  a  very  confined  scale. 

Single  Sap,  (sape  simple,  Fr.)  that 
which  has  a  single  parapet,  on  account 
of  the  work  being  on  one  side  only. 

Covered  Sap,  (sape  couverte,  Fr.)  The 
covered  sap  consists  of  a  gallery  that  is 
sunk  into  the  earth,  by  means  of  which 
soldiers  may  secretly  approach  the  work 
they  have  orders  to  surprize. 

SAPE,  Fr.  The  French  say  : — etre 
commande  pour  la  sape,  to  be  in  orders 
for  the  sap  ;  etre  de  jour,  oiler  d  la  sape, 
to  be  officer  of  the  day,  to  be  on  duty 
for  the  sap;  pousser,  continuer  la  sape, 
to  forward,  to  get  on  with,  or  continue, 
the  sap;  commander  la  sape,  to  give  or- 
ders for  the  opening,  or  commencement, 
of  a  sap. 

Sappe  not  only  signifies  the  opening 
which  is  made,  but  also  the  act  of  sap- 
ping. Richelet,  Boyer,  and  others, 
write  the  word  with  one  p,  Trevoux 
and  Belidor  with  two ;  but  the  mere 
spelling  of  a  word  seems  not  to  have 
been  much  attended  to,  even  by  the 
best  French  writers. 

SAPEUR,  Fr.  a  sapper.  See  Sap,  in 
the  2d  edition  of  the  Bombardier,  or 
Pocket  Gunner. 

SAPIN,  Fr.  fir;  deal. 
Ais  de  Sapin,  Fr.  deal  boards. 
Sapin  rouge,  Fr.  red  fir. 
II  sent  le  Sapin,  Fr.  he  has  a  church- 
yard countenance ;  literally,    he  smells 
of  the  coffin. 

SAPPER,  Fr.  to  demolish  a  wall 
peacemeal  with  hammers,  mattocks,  and 
pick-axes,    or   to  destroy  a    buttress; 


S  A  11 


(     782     ) 


S  A   S 


taking  care  to  prop  it  underneath  with 
si :t\  ~.  &c.  which  are  afterwards  set  fire 
to  at  the  bottom,  to  make  the  whole 
(all  down:  also  to  blow  up  a  rock,  by 
means  of  a  mine. 

SAPPERS,    (sapeurs,  Fr.)   are    sol- 


diers  belonging  to  the  artificers  or  en- 
gineers, whose  business  it  is  to  work 
at  the  saps,  and  Tor  which  they  have  an 
extraordinary  pay.  A  brigade  of  sap- 
pert  generally  consists  of  eight  men,  di- 
vided equally  into  two  parties.  Whilst 
one  of  these  parties  is  advancing  the 
Bap,  the  other  is  furnishing  the  gabions, 
fascines,  and  other  necessary  imple- 
ments ;  they  relieve  each  other  alter- 
nately. 

>.\  RAT.  The  breaking  up  or  ending 
of  the  rains,  is  so  called  in  India. 

SARCASM,  (sarcame,  Fr.)  a  taunt; 
a  gibe;  keen  reproach.  A  French  au- 
thor has  observed,  that  although  a  sar- 
casm, or  well  pointed  satirical  remark, 
may  sometimes  cause  a  smile,  the  per- 
son who  makes  it,  is  always  obnoxious 
to  society.  Instances  of  this  species  of 
wit  are  innumerable,  particularly  among 
the  French. 

In  1668,  M,  D'Humiircs,  an  officer 
in  the  French  army,  was  unexpectedly 
raised  to  the  dignity  of  Marshal,  in  con- 
sequence of  an  application  which  had 
been  made  in  his  favour,  by  Marshal 
Turenne,  whose  better  judgment  had 
yielded  to  the  personal  charms  and  fine 
wit  of tlie  Marchioness  1)'  ILumieres.  The 
vary  day  on  which  the  promotion  took 
place,  Louis  XIV.  asked  the  Chevalier 
De  Grammont,  if  he  knew  the  person 
whom  he  had  just  made  a  Marshal  of 
France?  IV,  Sire,  answered  the  Che- 
valier,  it  is  Madame  D'  Humieret. 

Tin  commander  in  chief  of  an  armv, 
whose  natural  turn  of  mind,  and  ac- 
quired talents,  rendered  him  more  (it  to 
shine  in  a  ball-room,  than  at  the  head 
of  an  army,  had  ordered  a  marauder  to 
be  hanged.  The  captain  of  his  com- 
pany used  all  his  interest  to  obtain  a 
pardon  ;  he  represented  to  the  General 
that  this  unfortunate  man  was  the 
bravest  soldier  in  his  company  ;  but  he 
did  so  in  vain ;  no  argument  or  re- 
monstrance could  soften  the  General. 
H  hat  a  weak  fool  have  I  been!  exclaimed 
the  Captain  ;  instead  of  pleading  for  my 
poor  comrade  on  the  score  of  bravery,  I 
'  to  have  extoUed  his  dancing,  and 
by  so  doing,  [  should  have  secured  his 
pardon  from  the  General. 


During  the  French  campaigns  in 
Flanders,  in  1672,  an  officer  of  rank. 
having  been  worsted,  had  made  a  most 
precipitate  retreat.  Some  time  after, 
several  English  horses  were  exhibited 
before  Louis  XIV.  and  said  to  be  most 
excellent  hunters,  or  fast  runners  :  Sire, 
observed  a  nobleman  present,  I  know 
a  much  swifter  goer  than  any  of  these 
English  race  horses;  I  mean  the  .Mar- 
quis of  *  *  *;  alluding  to  the  general 
who  had  run  away. 

SARDER,   bid.  a  chief ;  a  leader. 
SAKISSA,    a    weapon     of   offence, 
which   was  first  used   by   the  Macedo- 
nians, and  afterwards  by  the  Grecians. 
It   was    longer  than    the  modern    pike, 
measuring  from  12  to  14  feet  in  length. 
The  soldiers  that  carried  this   weapon 
were   in    complete   armour,   and  when 
they  went  into  action,  they  wore  a  shield 
on  their  left  arms,  and  fought  with  the 
sarissa ;  to   the   end  of  which  was  at- 
tached a  sharp  cutting  blade  made  of 
iron.      The    President    Fauchet  states, 
that  the   inhabitants  of  Flanders  used 
this  offensive  weapon,  which  they  called 
godenhoc.      He  further   adds,    that    by 
means  of  this  long  pike,  the  Counts  of 
Artois  and  Saint  Pol  were  completely 
routed  and  overt  urned  in  a  deep  ditch 
or  ravine,  close  to  Courtray,  in  1311. 

SARK,  a  small  island  on  the  coast  of 
Normandy,  in  France,  subject  to  Great 
Britain.  The  Mutiny  Act  extends  to 
that  island  in  various  instances.  See 
Mutiny  Act,  sect.  78. 

SARRAU,  Fr.  a  frock  made  of 
coarse  linen  or  Russia  duck,  such  as  is 
generally  worn  by  peasants,  wagoners, 
carmen,  &c.  It  more  particularly  sig- 
nifies a  loose  coat,  with  a  cuff  and 
cape  of  a  different  colour.  Of  this  de- 
scription  are  the  coats  and  frocks  of  our 
artillery  drivers,  and  other  camp  fol- 
lowers. 

SARRASINE,  Fr.  a  herse;  portcul- 
lis. 

SARRE,  Fr.  a  small  piece  of  artil- 
lery anciently  in  use. 

SAS,  Fr.  a  space  of  ground  with  wa- 
ter in  it,  confined  by  means  of  sluices, 
into  which  barges  and  boats  are  ad- 
mitted, in  order  to  facilitate  their  pas- 
sage over  mountains,  whence  they  go 
down  by  means  of  fresh  sases  which 
they  enter.  Of  this  description  is  the 
Sat  de  Gand,  which  connects  the  navi- 
gation of  the  canals  in  Flanders  with 
those  of  Brabant :  literally  a  lock. 


SAT 


(   ran   ) 


S  A  U 


Sas,  Fr.  sieve;  searce.  The  French 
say  figuratively :  Passer  uu  gros  sas,  to 
look  over  any  thing  in  a  loose,  cursory 
wav. 

SASCE,  Ind.  the  moon. 

SASH,  a  mark  of  distinction,  which, 
in  the  British  service,  is  generally  made 
of  crimson  silk  for  the  officers,  and  with 
crimson  mixed  with  white  cotton  for  the 
Serjeants.  It  is  worn  round  the  waist 
in  most  regiments ;  in  some  few,  par- 
ticularly in  the  Highland  corps,  it  is 
thrown  across  the  shoulder.  Sashes  were 
originally  invented  for  the  convenience 
and  ease  of  .wounded  officers,  &c.  By 
means  of  which,  (in  case  any  of  them 
were  so  badly  wounded,  as  to  render 
them  incapable  of  remaining  at  their 
posts,)  they  might  be  carried  off  with 
the  assistance  of  two  men.  They  are 
now  reduced  to  a  very  small  size,  and 
of  course  unfit  for  the  original  purpose. 
Both  the  sash  and  gorget,  indeed,  must 
be  considered  as  mere  marks  of  distinc- 
tion, to  point  out  officers  on  duty.  In 
some  instances  they  were  worn  together : 
in  others  the  gorget  is  laid  aside,  and 
the  sash  only  worn.  The  British  ca- 
valry tie  the  sash  on  the  right,  the  in- 
fantry on  the  left  side.  According  to 
Bailey,  this  word  should  be  written 
Shush,  from  the  Italian  word  Sessa. 

SATELLITE,  (satellite,  Fr.)  a  per- 
son who  attends  on  another,  either  for 
his  safety,  or  to  be  ready  to  execute  his 
pleasure. 

SATELLITES,  Fr.  certain  armed  men, 
of  whom  mention  is  made  in  the  his- 
tory of  Philip  Augustus,  king  of  France. 
The  word  satellite  itself,  which  we  fre- 
quently find  in  ancient  historians,  signi- 
fies a  guard  or  attendant  about  the  per- 
son of  a  Prince.  It  is  derived  from  the 
Latin  word  satelles,  which  comes  from 
the  Syriac  term  for  a  companion.  The 
satellites  of  Philip  Augustus  were  men 
selected  from  the  militia  of  the  country, 
who  fought  on  foot  and  horseback.  The 
servants  or  batmen  who  attended  the 
military  knights,  when  they  went  into 
action,  were  likewise  called  satellites, 
and  fought  in  their  defence,  mounted, 
or  on  foot. 

SATISFACTION.  When  an  officer 
or  other  person  goes  out  to  fight  with 
one  whom  he  has  offended,  or  by  whom 
he  has  been  offended,  he  is  said  to  give 
or  take  satisfaction.  Hence  to  demand 
satisfaction  is  tantamount  to  challenge, 
to  call  to  account,  &c. 


SATRAPA,  (satrape,  Fr.)  the  chief 
governor  of  a  province  in  Persia,  and  iti 
other  parts  of  India.  These  men  are 
commonly  very  rich,  extremely  haughty, 
much  addicted  to  pleasure,  and  gene- 
rally inhuman.  The  French  frequently 
apply  the  term  satrape,-  by  way  of  irony, 
to  the  understrappers  of  a  government. . 

SATRAPY,  the  jurisdiction  or  go- 
vernment of  a  Satrapu. 

SAUCISSE,     |  in  mining,  is  a  long 

SAUCISSON,  S  pipe  or  bag,  made 
of  cloth  well  pitched,  or  sometimes  of 
leather,  of  It  inch  diameter,  filled  with 
powder,  going  from  the  chamber  of  the 
mine  to  the  entrance  of  the  gallery.  It 
is  generally  placed  in  a  wooden  pipe, 
called  an  auget,  to  prevent  its  growing 
damp.  It  serves  to  give  fire  to  mines, 
caissons,  bomb-chests,  &c. 

Saucisson  is  likewise  a  kind  of  fas- 
cine, longer  than  the  common  ones :  it 
serves  to  raise  batteries,  and  to  repair 
breaches.  Saucissons  are  also  used  ia 
making  epaulements,  in  stopping  pas- 
sages, and  in  making  traverses  over  a 
wet  ditch,  &c. 

Saucisson  de  brulot,  Fr.  a  machine 
made  use  of  to  set  fire  to  the  different 
compartments  in  a  fire-ship. 

Saucisson  d'artifice,  Fr.  saucissons 
used  in  artificial  fire-works. 

Saucissons  volans,  Fr.  flying  saucis- 
sons ;  a  species  of  sky  rocket. 

SAULLE,  Fr.  a  willow,  or  sallow 
tree. 

Chevul  SAURE,  Fr.  a  sorrel  horse. 

SAUSSAIE,  Fr.  a  willow  plot. 

SAUT,  Ind.  an  hour. 

Saut,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  in  hy- 
draulics to  signify  a  considerable  fall  of 
water,  such  as  the  fall  of  Niagara,  &c. 

Saut,  Fr.  This  word  is  often  used 
among  the  French,  to  signify  that  a 
soldier  has  suddenly  risen  from  the 
ranks  to  the  situation  of  lieutenant  or 
captain ;  we  also  say,  in  the  same  sense, 
to  leap  over;  hence  to  leap  over  the 
heads  of  older  officers. 

SAUTER,  Fr.  to  leap;  to  jump; 
also  to  rise  without  passing  through  the 
intermediate  situations. 

Sauter  a  Vabordage,  Fr.  to  leap 
upon  the  deck,  or  any  part  of  an  ene- 
my's ship,  for  the  purpose  of  boarding 
her. 

Sauter,  Fr.  The  French  also  say, 
Faire  sauter  tin  bastion,  to  blow  up  a 
bastion,  or  to  cause  it  to  blow  up; 
fair  sauter  la  cervelle  a  quelqiCun,    to 


S  A  W 


(     784     ) 


S  B  I 


blow  a  parson's  brains  out,  or  to  fire  a 
pistol  at  his  head. 

s  w  n  ii  « /«  gorge,  Fr.  a  figurative 
expression   among   the    French,   which 

nihilities   to  rush  upon  an  enemy  with 
r;iLr<'  and  fury. 

Sautbb  mi  fosse,  Fr.  to  leap  a  ditch 
or  fosse. 

Salter  en  sc/lc,  Fr.  to  y;et  on  horse- 
back ;  to  spring  into  the  saddle. 

8AUTEREAU,  Fr.  a  small  piece  of 
loose  wood  in  a  mortoise,  which  causes 
the  cord  of  certain  instruments  to  go  off 
by  means  of  a  feather,  which  is  placed 
in  its  tongue  or  languet.  Also  the  jack 
of  a  spinnet  or  virginal. 

Saltereau,  Fr.  a  piece  of  artillery 
*vliich  is  not  reinforced  at  the  breech, 
commonly  called  a  grasshopper. 

SAUTERELLE,  Fr.  an  instrument 
used  by  stone-cutters  and  carpenters, 
to  trace  and  form  angles,  &c.  It  con- 
sists of  two  wooden  rulers  of  equal 
breadth  and  length,  kept  together  at 
one  of  their  extremities,  by  means  of  a 
turning  joint  or  hinge;  so  that  it  opens 
and  shuts  like  a  compass. 

Sauteur,  Fr.  a  leaper.  It  also  sig- 
nifies a  horse  that  makes  regular  volts 
in  a  manege.  The  French  say  figura- 
tively :  cest  un  habile  sauteur,  he  is  an 
ingenious,  or  clever  leaper;  alluding  to 
a  person  who  boasts  of  being  able  to  do, 
or  having  done,  more  than  he  really  can, 
or  could  :  i.  e.  a  Rhodian  leaper. 

SAUVE-conduite,  Fr.  a  pass.  This 
word  among  the  French  signifies  not 
only  safe-conduct,  but  also  a  letter  of 
licence;  such  as  creditors  frequently 
give  to  individuals  who  have  failed  in 
business,  &c. 

Sa\j\ L-gai'de,  Fr.  safe-guard;  protec- 
tion. 

Accorder  des  Saw  z-gardes,  Fr.  to 
grant  protections. 

Fnvoyer  tine  ga?'de  en  S.\wv.-ga?-de, 
Fr.  to  send  out  a  party  for  the  purpose 
of  escorting  persons,  or  of  protecting 
any  particular  quarter. 

Savvf.  qui  petit!  Fr.  let  those  escape 
that  can  !  This  expression  is  familiar  to 
the  French  in  moments  of  defeat  and 
great  disorder. 

SAUVER,  Fr.  to  save. 

SAW,  (scie,  Fr.)  an  indented  instru- 
ment which  serves  to  cut  or  divide  into 
pieces  various  solid  matters,  as  wood, 
stone,  marble,  &c.  Each  pioneer  is 
provided  with  one. 


J '//-Saw,  a  large  two  handed  saw,, 
used  to  saw  timber  in  pits. 

The  ii/iip-Swv  is  also  two-handed, 
and  used  in  sawing  such  large  pieces  of 
stulV  as  a  hand-saw  is  not  capable  ot 
lining  with  any  facility. 

The  hand-SAW  is  made  for  a  single 
man's  use.  Of  these  there  are  various 
kinds. 

The  t en on-S aw  is  a  very  thin  saw, 
and  has  a  back  to  keep  it  from  bending. 

The  cowpass-SAW  is  very  small,  and 
its  teeth  are  not  usually  set ;  the  use  of 
it  is  to  cut  a  round,  or  any  other  com- 
pass kerf;  for  which  purpose  the  end  is 
made  broad,  and  the  back  thin,  that  it 
may  have  a  compass  to  turn  in. 

SAWING,  (sciage,  Fr.)  the  applica- 
tion of  the  saw  in  dividing  of  timber, 
&c.  into  boards. 

There  are  mills  for  sawing  of  wood, 
worked  both  by  wind  and  water.  These 
mills  consist  of  parallel  saws,  which  rise 
and  fall  perpendicularly,  by  means  of 
one  of  the  grand  principles  of  motion. 

M.  Felibien,  in  his  principles  of 
architecture,  makes  mention  of  a  kind 
of  mill  invented  by  one  Missien,  in- 
spector of  the  marble  quarries  in  the 
Pyrenees,  by  means  of  which,  stones 
are  sawed  even  in  the  rock  itself,  out  ot 
which  they  are  taken. 

SAWN,  Ltd.  the  name  of  an  Indian 
month,  which  corresponds  with  July. 

SAYON,  Fr.  a  kind  of  coarse  habit 
in  which  soldiers  were  formerly  clothed 
among  the  French. 

SBlltRE,  Fr.  from  the  Italian,  sbirro, 
an  archer ;  a  name  given  to  a  particular 
class  of  Serjeants  or  archers  in  Italy,  and 
principally  to  those  in  Rome,  where  a 
large  body  is  maintained  for  the  public 
service.  Before  the  Revolution,  the  ma- 
rechaussees  of  France  were,  in  different 
provinces,  called  archers;  which  indi- 
cates an  analogy  between  the  duties  ot 
the  sbirri  and  those  of  the  old  mare- 
chaussee,  or  police  of  that  country,  with 
this  difference,  that  the  latter  was  one 
of  the  oldest  corps  of,  French  militia, 
whereas  the  former,  or  the  sbirri,  are 
more  like  a  body  of  banditti,  than  men 
attached  to  the  regular  distribution  of 
justice.  The  sbirri  have  a  sort  of  uni- 
form.— They  march,  or  rather  patrole, 
with  a  large  cocked  hat,  armed  with  a 
fusil,  pistols,  and  invariably  with  a 
poniard.  They  are  under  the  immediate 
command,  and  subject  to  the  orders,  oi 


S  C  A 


(    785    ) 


S  C  A 


the  different  intendants  or  governors  of 
provinces,  and  in  small  towns  under 
those  of  the  magistrates,  who  are  usually 
called  podeste,  or  vicarii,  somewhat  like 
our  country  justices. 

The  sbirri  are  employed,  like  our  Bow- 
street  officers,  in  taking  up  thieves  and 
assassins,  whom  they  are  authorized  to 
lodge  in  the  different  prisons,  and  at 
whose  execution  they  must  personally 
attend.  These  men  are,  in  general, 
despised,  and  not  much  feared  by  the 
people ;  they  are  often  accused  of  being 
in  connivance  with  the  leaders  of  the 
various  gangs  of  robbers  and  assassins 
that  infest  Italy,  particularly  the  Apen- 
nine  mountains. 

When  M.  De  Crequi  was  sent  ambas- 
sador from  France  to  the  court  of  Rome 
in  1G62,  the  sbirri  joined  the  Corsican 
guards,  and  insulted  that  nobleman. 
The  French  treated  them  with  contempt, 
and  called  them  sbirri,  or  thief-takers  : 
the  latter  said  they  were  not  sbirri,  but 
soldiers !  Upon  which  a  Frenchman 
drew  his  sword,  and  slightly  wounded 
one  of  the  set.  The  Abbe  Regnier,  and 
the  Imperial  Cardinal,  (i.  e.  the  one  in 
the  interest  of  the  house  of  Austria)  en- 
couraged the  sbirri  and  the  Corsicans  to 
revenge  this  insult ;  and  a  dreadful  mas- 

:  e 
Louis  XIV7.  who  was  then  all  powerful, 


diers  are  sometimes  scabbarded  under 
the  sanction  of  the  captains  of  compa- 
nies, for  slight  offences  committed 
among  themselves.  A  court-martial  is 
held  in  the  Serjeant's  room  or  tent,  to 
ascertain  the  culprit's  guilt ;  it  having 
been  previously  left  to  him  to  abide  by 
the  judgment  of  his  comrades,  in  this 
manner,  or  be  tried  by  a  regimental 
court-martal. 

ScABKAiiD-button,  a  brass  button,  or 
hook,  by  which  the  scabbard  is  attached 
to  the  frog  of  the  belt. 

The  word  scabbard  has  been  some- 
times used,  in  a  figurative  sense,  to  dis- 
tinguish those  persons  who  have  obtained 
rauk  and  promotion  in  the  army,  with- 
out having  seen  much  hard  service,  from 
those  who  have  fought  their  way  through 
all  the  obstacles  of  superior  interest,  &c. 
Hence  the  favourite  expressien  of  a  de- 
ceased English  general — Some  rise  by  the 
scabbard,  and  some  by  the  sword  !  Which 
means  more  than  we  are  at  liberty  to 
illustrate,  but  which  may  be  easily  ap- 
plied to  cases  in  point.  However,  these 
avenues  to  promotion  are  not  peculiar 
to  England.  Petticoat  interest  has 
reigned  in  France,  notwithstanding  the 
salique  law,  and  will  reign  again. 

SCABBED  heels  in  horses,  a  distem- 


sacre  ensued.    In  consequence  of  which,  i  per  called  also  the  /rush. 


SCALADE 

insisted  upon  the  most  public  atonement  i  lade,  a  furious 
being  made,  by  causing  the  sbirri  to  be 
severely  punished,  and  the  Corsican 
guard  to  be  broken  and  dismissed.  In 
addition  to  which,  he  forced  the  court 
of  Rome  to  erect  a  pyramid  in  a  conspi- 
cuous part  of  the  city,  and  to  inscribe 
upon  it,  in  large  letters,  the  crime  and 
the  punishment.  Several  writers  assert, 
and,  indeed,  appear  to  give  good  testi- 
mony in  behalf  of  their  assertion,  that 
the  sbirri  and  the  Corsican  guards  had 
been  designedly  provoked  and  insulted 
by  the  French  ambassador's  suit. 

SCAB,  or  Itch,  a  distemper  in  horses, 
proceeding  from  their  being  over  heated, 
or  from  a  corrupt  state  of  their  blood. 

SCABBARD,  (fourre.au,  Fr.)  a  case 
commonly  made  of  black  leather,  with 
a  ferrel  at  the  end,  in  which  a  sword, 
sabre,  Sec.  may  be  sheathed. 

Bayonet  Scabbard,  a  leathern  sheath 
made  in  a  triangular  form  to  correspond 
with  the  shape  of  the  bayonet. 

To  Scabbard,  to  punish  with  the 
scabbard  of  a  bayonet.     Infantry  sol- 


lioin  the  French  Esca- 
attack  upon  a  wall  or 
rampart,  contrary  to  form,  and  without 
any  regularity.  This  is  frequently  dona 
by  means  of  ladders,  to  insult  the  wall 
by  open  force. 

SCALE,  (echelle,  Fr.)  a  right  line 
divided  into  equal  parts,  representing 
miles,  fathoms,  paces,  feet,  inches,  &c. 
used  in  making  plans  upon  paper;  giving 
each  line  its  true  length,  &c.  See  also 
Balance,  Escalade,  8cc. 

SCALES,  a  sort  of  armour  consisting 
of  brass  plates  laid  like  scales  one  over 
the  other,  to  defend  the  glandular  parts 
and  the  side-face  of  a  dragoon.  These 
scales  are  attached  to  the  helmet,  and 
can  be  buttoned  up  in  front. 

SCALENE,  a  term  used  in  geo- 
metry, to  express  a  triangle  whose  three 
sides  and  three  angles  are  unequal  to  one 
another. 

SCALING-Wders.     See  Ladders. 

SCALLOP,  any  segment  of  a  circle. 

To  SCALP,  to  deprive  the  scull  of 

its  integuments ;  a  barbarous  custom,  in 

practise  among  the  Indian  warriors,  of 

5H 


S  C  A 


(     78G     ) 


S  C  H 


talune  off  the  tops  of  the  scalps  of  the 
en,  mies  skulls  with  their  hair  on.    They 

rve  i In  in  ;is  trophies  of  their  vic- 

-.  ami  me  rewarded  bv  their  chiefs, 

according  to  tin-  number  they   bring  in. 

In  America  it  is  vulgarly  called  tculping. 

SCALPEL,  Fr.  a  surgical  instrument 

Used  in  dissection. 

To  SCAMPER,   (cscampcr,    Fr.)    to 
run  a\\  ay  precipitately. 

S<    \IT.  -<>,//.    This  expression,  which 
is  in  familiar  usage  among  civilized  na- 
tions, under  different  modes  of  descrip- 
tion,   is  of   very    ancient  origin.      We 
read  in  chapter  the  16th  of  Leviticus, 
that  in  the  yearly  feast  of  the  expiations 
among  the  Jews ;  it  was  customary  to 
have  a  goat,   over  whom  certain  cere- 
monies were  performed  in  atonement  tor 
the  sins  of  the   Israelites;    which  was 
done   in    the    following    manner:    The 
high  priest  laid  both  his  hands  upon  the 
head   of   the  live  goat,    and  confessed 
over  him  all  the  iniquities  of  the  children 
of  Israel :  and  all  their  transgressions  in 
all  their  lives,  putting  them  on  the  head 
of  the  goat,  and  then  sent  him  away  by 
the  hand  of  a  fit  man  into  the  wilderness! 
There  is  also  a  fable  in  PIr.edrus,   where 
the  fox  contrives  to  leave  a  foolish  goat 
in  a  scrape,  after  having  made  the  most 
of  his   ingenuity.      Hence,    Scape- gmil 
with  us  signifies  figuratively  to   be  the 
passive  instrument,  or  sufferer,  for  ano- 
ther's folly  or  delinquency  in  civil,  inili- 
tarv,  or  political  life.     The  French  use 
the  term  Hone  anissmrc,  alluding  to  tin- 
goat  's  mission  into  the  wilderness;  they 
also  -av  Houc  a  Israel. 

To  SCARF,  to  fright;  to  frighten: 
to  strike  with  sudden  fear.  Hence 
Be  *  RE<  ROW, 

SCARF.  SeeS.iMi. 
SCARIFICATION,  an  operation 
wherein  several  incisions  are  made  in 
the  skin.  Sedentary  persons,  and  free 
livers,  such  as  are  frequently  to  be  found 
in  the  army,  particularly  among  dra- 
OOns,  may  receive  considerable  benefit 
by  having  recourse  to  this  operation, 
under  circumstances  of  repletion,  or  ex- 
travasation  of  blood  and  lymph; 

6<  ARW1CATOR, (scarificateur,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  used  in  cupping,  8cc.  It 
is  made  in  the  form  of  a  box,  with 
twelve  or  more  lancets,  all  perfectly  in 
I  •  same  plane  ;  which  being,  as  it  were, 
cocked  by  means  of  a  spring,  are  all 
discharged  at  the  same  time,  by  [lulling 


a  kind  of  bigger,  and  the  points  of  the 
lancets  are  at  once  equally  driven  into 
the  skin. 

SCARLETj  the  prevailing  national 
colour  for  the  dress  of  the  British.  The 
artillery  and  cavalry  are  clothed  chiefly 
in  blue ;  rifle  corps  in  dark  green ;  and 
the  cavalry  for  the  Fast  India  service  in 
light  blue, 

SCARPE.     See  Escaupe. 

SCA'lX'Al-imiut/i  is  a  bitt-mouth, 
differing  from  a  cannon-month  in  this 
— that  the  cannon  is  round,  and  the 
other  more  oval.  The  scatch-inouth  is 
staid  upon  the  branch  by  a  coperon 
which  surrounds  the  banquet,  whereas 
the  cannon  is  staid  upon  it  by  a  fonceau 
only. 

SCEAU,  Fr.  a  seal.  Sceau  also  sig- 
nifies an  inviolable  secret,  as  It  scant  de 
la  confession,  the  secret  of  confession. 

Gi  '  IT  |         r  f     *\  sPrll 

Faire'un  SCELLEMENT,  Fr.     Sec 

SCELLER. 

SCELLER,  Fr.  in  building,  to  cramp 
iron  hooks  into  a  wall,  to  fasten  them 
with  molten  lead  or  plaster. 

SC  EN  OG  It  API!  Y,  (scawgraphie,  Fr.) 
the  representation  of  a  building,  town, 
&c.  as  it  appears  in  prospective  or  from 
without,  with  all  its  dimensions  and 
shadows. 

SCHEDULE,  an  inventory,  a  list  ; 
also  something  referred  to  by  numbers 
or  letters;  as  the  oaths  of  the  recruit 
and  magistrate,  marked  A.  and  B.  at  the 
end  of  the  Mutiny  Act. 

SCHOLIUM,  (scholie,  Fr.)  with  ma- 
thematicians, a  remark  by  the  bye,  as 
after  the  demonstrating  of  a  proposition, 
it  is  pointed  out  how  it  might  be  done 
some  other  way ;  some  advice  is  given, 
or  precaution  afforded,  to  prevent  mis- 
takes, or  some  particular  use  or  applica- 
tion thereof. 

Scholium  also  signifies  a  note,  anno- 
tation, or  remark,  made  on  some  pas- 
sage, proposition,  ivc.  a  brief  exposition, 
a  short  comment. 

SCHOOL,  (icole,  Fr.)  a  house  of  dis- 
cipline and  instruction  ;  a  place  of  lite- 
rary education  ;  an  university.  It  is  a 
more  general  and  comprehensive  term 
than  college  or  academy.  The  French 
have  made  a  great  distinction  on  this 
head  with  respect  to  their  military  insti- 
tutions. Thus  the  great  receptacle  for 
military  genius  was  called  L'Ecole  Mtli- 
tairc  de  Paris,    the   military  school  of 


S  C  H 


(   7sr   ) 


SCH 


Paris ;  whereas  the  subordinate  places  of 
instruction,  and  the  preparatory  houses, 
were  termed  colleges,  viz.  Colleges  de 
Sore/e,  Brienne,  Tivon,  Rebais,  Beau- 
mont, Pont-le-voy,  Vendome,  Eniat, 
Pont-a-Mousson,  Tournon. 

Royal  Military  School.  See  Col- 
lege. 

The  Royal  Military  School  of  Paris, 
(Ecole  Royule  Mililuire  de  Paris,  Fr.) 
This  celebrated  establishment,  which  so 
many  years  supplied  France  with  supe- 
rior talents  and  abilities,  and  to  which 
Bonaparte  was  indebted  tor  the  ground 
work  of  that  military  knowledge  which 
so  long  astonished  and  confounded 
Europe,  owes  its  origin  to  Henry  IV. 
who  lirst  erected  a  public  building  in 
Anjou,  for  the  free  education  of  the 
children  of  poor  noblemen;  it  was  called 
the  college  of  La  Fleche,  wherein  one 
hundred  young  boys  of  the  above  de- 
scription were  supported,  &c.  at  the 
king's  expense.  They  were  there  taught 
Latin  and  the  liberal  arts  by  the  Jesuits; 
whose  learning  and  aptitude  at  teaching 
others  to  learn,  have  been  so  deservedly 
admired  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe. 
This  order,  however,  having  been 
banished  out  of  France  in  1770,  by- 
Louis  XV,  the  direction  of  the  college 
was  entrusted  to  the  secular  priests,  and 
the  number  of  students  was  increased  to 
350.  On  this  occasion  it  was  distin- 
guished by  a  particular  mark  of  royal 
favour,  and  was  called  the  Royal  College. 

In  addition  to  this  provincial  esta- 
blishment, Louis  XV.  instituted  the 
Royal  Military  School  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Paris,    where   250  voung  lads 


annual  pension  of  200  livres,  (about 
81.  sterling)  which  was  paid  them  with- 
out deduction,  until  they  obtained  the. 
rank  of  captain ;  provided  they  had  a 
certificate  of  good  behaviour  from  the 
staff  or  etat  major  of  their  corps.  They 
received  moreover,  when  they  quitted 
the  school,  a  small  kitt  of  linwn,  a  hat, 
sword,  and  an  uniform  coat.  They 
were  replaced  in  the  military  school  by 
an  equal  number  of  youths  who  came 
from  the  college  of  La  Fleche,  for  that 
purpose,  at  the  age  of  13  or  11 

Both  these  establishments  underwent 
a  considerable  alteration  during  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Count  de  St.  Ger- 
main, in  April,  177b.  This  minister 
persuaded  Louis  XVI.  that  great  public 
benefit  might  be  derived  from  increasing 
the  number  of  these  colleges,  and  ad- 
mitting youths  from  every  class  of  his 
subjects.  When  these  alterations  took 
place  in  the  Royal  Military  School,  all 
the  young  men  that  were  18  years  old 
were  incorporated  with  the  regiments  of 
gentlemen  cadets.  These  enjoyed  all 
the  advantages  which  their  predecessors 
had  possessed;  with  this  exception,  that 
they  did  not  wear  the  uniform  of  their 
corps,  nor  the  cross.  Those  lads  that 
had  not  reached  the  period  in  question, 
were  placed  in  different  corps,  and 
several  remained  in  the  military  school 
who  were  afterwards  provided  for  on 
another  footing.  The  number  of  young 
men  was  gradually  increased,  not  only 
by  fresh  arrivals  from  La  Fleche,  but  by 
the  admission  of  several  others,  for  whom 
a  yearly  pension  was  paid  by  their 
parents.     The  latter  were  not,  however, 


received   a  regular  education  under  the  entitled  to  any  advantage  or  indulgence 
most  able  masters;  particularly  in  those  beyond  what  was  generally  allowed 


branches  which  contributed  to  military 
knowledge.  During  their  vacations,  and 
at  periods  of  intermission  from  classical 
pursuits,  they  were  attended  and  in- 
structed by  experienced  officers.  They 
generally  remained  until  the  age  of  18, 
and  were,  after  that,  distributed  among 
the  different  regiments  with  appropriate 
commissions.  They  were  then  distin- 
guished by  being  permitted  to  wear  a 
cross,  which  was  tied  to  a  crimson 
piece  of  ribbon,  and  hung  from  a 
button-hole  in  their  coat.  The  cross, 
on  one  side,  represented  the  figure  of 
the  Virgin  Mary ;  and  on  the  other, 
there  was  a  trophy  adorned  with  three 
rleurs   de   lis.     They   had   likewise   an 


On  the  28th  of  March,  1776,  the 
king  gave  directions,  that  ten  colleges 
hould  be  established,  over  the  gates 
of  each  of  which  was  written — College 
Royal  Mililuire  ;  Royal  Military  Col- 
lege. These  colleges  were  under  the 
immediate  care  and  instruction  of  the 
Benedictine  monks,  and  other  religious 
persons. 

The  secretary  of  state  held  the  same 
jurisdiction  over  these  colleges,  that  he 
possessed  over  La  Fleche,  and  the  mili- 
tary schorl  at  Paris. 

Louis  XVT.  exclusively   of   the    600 

students  who  were  placed  in  the  different 

colleges  pursuant  to  the  new  regulations, 

restored  the  ancient  foundation  of  La 

5H2 


S  C  -H 


(     788     ) 


S  C  H 


could  be  admitted.     The  students  con- 
sisted of  oue  company,  whose  number 
never  exceeded  50.     They  had  the  rank 
and   whose  parents  had  rendered  some  of  sub-lieutenant, and  received  a  monthly 
service  to  the  state  in  the  civil,  military,  i  subsistence,  amounting  to  forty  French 
or  ecclesiastical  line.     They  were  edu-  livres,  a  little  more  than  1/.  13s.  Eng- 


Fleche,  which  had  originally  been  estab- 
lished by  Henry  IX.  for  the  benefit  of 
km  poor  boys,  who  were  of  noble  blood, 


cated  according  to  the  bent  of  their 
talents  and  disposition,  and  fitted  to 
any  of  those  professions;  provisions  and 
regulations  having  been  made  in  the 
college  of  La  r  leche  for  these  purposes, 
that  differed  from  the  general  system 
pursued  in  the  other  military  colleges. 

The  French  had  likewise  a  marine 
school,  (ecole  de  murine,)  which  was 
kept  at  the  expense  of  government,  and 
wjs  regularly  attended  to  in  one  of  the 
departments.  There  was  also  a  ship, 
distinguished  by  the  name  of  school, 
(ecole,)  which  was  regularly  manned  and 
equipped  for  the  instruction  of  young 
marines. 

There  were  several  schools  of  artil- 
lery, (ecoles  d'artitlerie,)  distributed  in 
different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  and 
supported  at  the  public  expense.  The 
five  principal  ones  were  at  La  Flic, 
Metz,  Grenoble,  Strasburgh,  and  Per- 
pignan. 

1  hey  were  under  the  direction  of  an 
inspector  general,  who  had  the  rank 
of  a  lieutenant-general  in  the  army. 
Each  school  was  superintended  by  three 
commandants,  and  was  composed  of 
ordinary  and  extraordinary  commissaries 
belonging  to  the  artillery,  of  officers 
who  had  the  immediate  direction  of  the 
levelling  and  pointing  pieces  of  ord- 
nance, and  of  volunteer  cadets. 

These  schools  were  open  throughout 
the  year;  advantage  being  taken  of  oc- 
casional line  weather  during  the  winter 
mouths  to  practise  and  exercise  the 
cadets.  'I  hey  were  divided  into  schools 
of  theory,  ecoles  de  th'eorie,  and  into 
schools  of  practice,  ecoles  de  pratique. 

The  theoretical  establishments  were 
for  the  immediate  instruction  of  all 
officers  belonging  to  the  engineer  and 
artillery  departments. 

The  practical  schools  were  open  in- 
discriminately to  all  officers  and  sol- 
diers. There  was  also  a  particular  school 
for  the  information  of  those  persons  who 
directed  their  attention  to  mining  and 
sapping;  this  school  was  called  L'ecole 
d>  i  Sapeurs,  the  miners'  school.  There 
"was  likewise  a  school  established  at  La 
Fere,  to  which  none  but  artillery  olhcers 


lish. 

The  school  at  Mezieres,  which  was 
established  before  the  additional  one  at 
La  Fere,  for  the  exclusive  use  and  ad- 
vantage of  the  artillery,  was  calculated 
to  receive  30  officers ;  and  those  wno 
went  from  La  Fbre  had  the  rank  of 
second  lieutenants,  with  60  livres,  some- 
thing more  than  2/.  sterling,  as  monthly 
subsistence.  . 

On  the  26th  of  July,  1783,  an  order 
appeared,  by  which  the  king  directed, 
that  the  young  gentlemen  who,  by  a 
former  regulation  could  only  be  admitted 
into  the  royal  colleges  between  the  ages 
of  eight  and  eleven,  should  be  received 
from  the  age  of  seven  to  that  of  ten. 
Orphans  alone  could  be  admitted  a* 
late  as  the  full  completion  of  twelve 
years.  The  parents  of  such  children  as 
had  been  approved  of  by  his  Majesty, 
were,  without  delay,  to  send  in  proofs 
and  certificates  of  their  nobility;  in 
failure  whereof,  one  year  after  their  no- 
mination, they  were  deprived  of  the 
situation  which  had  been  destined  for 
them. 

TSo  family  could  solicit  a  letter  of 
admission  for  more  than  one  child  at 
a  time;  and  when  it  was  granted,  no 
application  could  be  made  in  favour  of 
another  child  until  the  first  had  com- 
pleted his  education,  and  was  provided 
tor  in  a  regiment,  or  elsewhere. 

The  wisdom  of  this  regulation  is  ma- 
nifest. It  was  calculated  to  prevent 
every  species  of  partiality  and  undue 
influence,  and  it  kept  the  door  open  for 
many  a  meritorious  youth,  that  might 
otherwise  be  deprived  of  the  advantages 
of  this  useful  institution. 

It  will  naturally  strike  every  observer, 
from  these  several  establishments,  which 
were  all  supported  by  government,  and 
warmly  patronized  by  the  different  reign- 
ing monarchs  in  France,  that  military 
science  constituted  one  of  the  chief 
chief  objects  of  French  policy ;  and  it 
is  bare  justice  to  say,  that  their  en- 
couragement was  not  fruitlessly  be- 
stowed. The  only  public  military  esta- 
blishments in  this  country  (which  may 
be  said  to  have  sound  theory  and  prao- 


S  C  I 


(     789    ) 


SCO 


tice  for  their  groundworks)  are  the  Royal 
Academy  at  Woolwich,  the  institution 
at  Sandhurst,  near  Windsor,  and  the 
Academy  in  Portsmouth.  The  Turks 
have  a  military  school,  called  the  School 
for  the  Agemolans,  or  young  men  at- 
tached to  the  corps  of  Janizaries.  This 
institution  was  created  by  Amurat,  for 
the  purpose  of  enuring  a  certain  number 
of  persons  to  every  possible  hardship  ot 
military  service. 

Fencing  School,  (tcole  (Tarmes,  Fr.) 
Every  French  regiment,  when  in  bar- 
racks, or  otherwise  conveniently  quar- 
tered, has  a  room  allotted  for  the  exercise 
of  the  small  sword,  the  spadroon,  &c. 
Some  active  clever  serjeant  or  soldier  is 
authorised  to  teach  his  comrades,  and 
to  derive  what  benefit  he  can  from  giving 
lessons  abroad.  We  need  scarcely  add, 
that  some  internal  regulation  of  the  kind 
would  be  highly  advantageous  to  British 
officers. 

School- Master-Serjeant.  See  Ser- 
jeant. 

Bois  de  SCIAGE,  Fr.  wood  that  is 
proper  to  be  sawed  in  planks,  or  to  be 
made  fit  for  any  use  in  carpentry. 

SCIAGRAPHY,  (sciagraphe,  Fr.)  the 
profile  or  section  of  a  building  to  shew 
the  inside  thereof. 

SCIE,  Fr.  a  saw. 

SCIENCE,  any  art  or  species  of 
knowledge;  as  military  science,  &c. 

Science  of  war,  (science  de  la  guerre, 
Fr.)  According  to  the  author  of  the 
Nowoeau  Dictionnai7e  Militaire,  the 
science  of  war,  or  the  knowledge  of 
military  tactics  upon  an  extensive  scale, 
is,  perhaps,  the  most  comprehensive 
operation  of  the  human  mind,  and  de- 
mands the  full  exercise  of  all  its  powers. 
To  be  equal  to  the  multifarious  branches 
of  this  unbounded  art,  the  strictest  at- 
tention must  be  given  to  military  disci- 
pline. The  best  authors,  both  ancient 
and  modern,  must  be  resorted  to  for 
information,  and  when  the  mind  has 
been  well  stocked  with  the  sound  princi- 
ples of  theory,  practice  and  experience 
must  follow,  in  order  to  confirm  what 
has  been  carefully  selected  from  the 
first  authorities,  and  maturely  digested. 
Courage,  zeal,  prudence,  and  discretion, 
must  likewise  be  the  constant  compa- 
nions of  those  persons  who  would  dis- 
tinguish themselves  in  war;  and  it  ought 
never  to  be  forgotten,  that  a  scrupulous 
adherence  to  morality,  a  rigid  observance 


of  every  social  duty,  and  a  manly  sub- 
jugation of  the  many  passions  by  which 
different  men  are  differently  agitated, 
must  constitute  the  character  of  a  real 
warrior.  These  are  the  qualifications 
by  which  the  science  of  war  is  distin- 
guished from  every  other  pursuit  in  life ; 
and  without  these  qualifications,  a  con- 
queror can  neither  be  called  a  hero,  nor 
an  able  general,  but  only  a  lucky  soldier. 
We  have,  indeed,  our  military  colleges 
and  institutions,  and  so  had  the  Grecians 
and  the  Persians,  not  only  for  the  in- 
struction of  the  privates,  but  also  for  the 
education  and  formation  of  those  indivi- 
duals who  were  destined  to  be  officers. 
These  colleges  and  institutions  were 
under  the  superintendance  of  persons, 
who  had  established  their  reputation  by 
a  knowledge,  not  only  of  the  theoretical, 
but  also  of  the  practical  branches  of 
their  profession.  Nobody  could  be  ad- 
mitted in  the  capacity  of  master  or  pro- 
fessor, unless  he  had  previously  under- 
gone several  examinations  respecting  the 
science  of  war,  both  as  to  offensive  and 
defensive  operations.  These  professors 
were  called  tacticians. 

SCIMITAR,  (Cirneterre,  Fr.)  a  short 
sword  with  a  convex  edge  more  or  less 
incurvated. 

SCIRITES  et  Squirites,  a  body  of 
cavalry  which  formerly  made  part  of 
the  Macedonian  army.  The  men  who 
chiefly  composed  it  came  from  a  small 
town  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Lacedae- 
mon,  which  was  called  Sciros. 

SCITIE  or  SETIE,  Fr.  a  small 
decked  barge  with  Levant  sails. 

SCIURE,  Fr.  saw  dust. 

SCLOPPETARIA,  from  Scloppetum, 
Lat.  a  musket  or  gun,  the  title  given  to 
a  modern  work  on  the  nature  and  use  of 
a  rifled  barrel  gun,  to  which  we  refer  the 
military  reader  for  some  interesting  par- 
ticulars respecting  that  weapon. 

SCONCE,  in  fortification,  a  fort;  '4 
bulwark. 

SCOPETIN,  Fr.  a  person  armed  with 
a  scopette. 

SCOPETTE,  Fr.  a  fire  arm,  re- 
sembling, in  shape  and  make,  a  small 
blunderbuss,  which  was  formerly  used 
by  the  gens  d'annes  under  Henry  the 
I Vth  and  Lewis  the  Xlllth  of  France. 
It   carried  from   four  to   five   hundred 


paces. 

SCORIA,  (scorie,  Fr.)  dross ; 
ment  of  metals. 


recrc- 


SCO 


(     790     ) 


s 


c  o 


SCORPION,  (scorpion,  Fr.)  a  sort 
of  lorn:  thick  javelin  or  arrow,  which 
w;i-  used  among  the  ancients.  For  ;i 
specific  description,  see  Yegctius  and 
Justus  Lipsius.  The  Cretans  are  Bup> 
posed  to  have  invented  the  scorpion. 

SCOT,a  north-countryman  beyond  the 
Tweed. 

Scot,  from  the  French  icot,  shot,  pay- 
ment. 

Scot  and  lot,  parish  payments. 
SCOTCH,   a  slight  cut;     a   shallow 
incision.     NN  ben  placed  before  the  sub- 
stantive   man,    a    native    of   Scotland, 
hence  Scotchman. 

Scotch  Brigade,  (Brigade  Ecossaise, 
Fr.)  a  brigade  which  was  tunned  in  Hol- 
land alter  the  abdication  of  James  II. 
consisting  chiefly  of  the  adherents  and 
followers  of  the  Stuart  family,  who 
emigrated  from  Scotland  to  Holland  in 
the  same  manner  thai  several  individuals 
did  from  England  and  Ireland  to  France. 
The  Scotch  brigade  in  Holland  became 
partly  absorbed  in  the  revolutions  of 
1794,  and  partly  followed  the  expelled 
Stallholder, commonly  called  the  Prince 
of  Orange,  whose  descendant  is  now  King 
of  the  Netherlands. 

SCOTFREF.,  without  scot  or  mulct; 
not  liable  to  pay  any  thing. 

SCOTIA,  (scot ie,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
a  semi-circular  cavity  or  channel  be- 
tween the  tores  in  the  bases  of  columns; 
or  between  the  thorus  and  the  astragal, 
and  sometimes  it  is  put  under  the  drip  in 
the  cornice  of  the  Doric  order.  The 
scotia  has  an  effect  just  opposite  to  the 
quarter-round.  English  workmen  fre- 
quently call  it  the  casement.  Perruult 
calls  it  a  hollow  obscure  moulding  be- 
tween the  tores  of  the  base  of  a  column. 
In  the  Corinthian  base  there  are  two 
scotia,  the  upper  of  which  is  the  smaller. 
According  to  Felibien,  cavettois  a  fourth 
part  of  the  scotia;  Belidor  and  others 
call  it  trochilus,  from  the  Greek  tro- 
chj/los,  a  pully,  which  it  resembles  as  to 
form.  Scotia  is  also  commonly  called  a 
rundle. 

SCOTLAND,  once  a  kingdom  of 
Europe,  comprehending  the  north  part 
of  the  island  of  Great  Britain,  and 
hence  called  North  Britain.  It  was 
united  to  England  in  the  reign  of  Queen 
Anne;    so  that  both  countries  with  the 

frincipality  of  Wales,  form  one   nation, 
reland  has  been  added  to  them,  during 
the  present  reign. 


Scotland  has  the  sea  on  all  sides,  ex- 
cept the  south,  on  which  it  is  separated 
from  England.  Il  is  about  330  miles 
long,  and  190  broad.  Exclusive  of  the 
main  land,  there  are  about  ;500  islands 
in  its  vicinity, 

There  are  some  laws  respecting  mili- 
tary matters  winch  are  peculiar  to  Scot- 
land. Officers  and  soldiers,  for  instance, 
can  only  be  quartered  there,  as  they 
might  have  been  quartered  by  the  laws 
in  force  in  Scotland  at  the  time  of  the 
I  mon.  No  officer  or  soldier,  however, 
is  obliged  to  pay  for  his  lodging,  wheu 
he  is  regularly  hilletted,  except  in  the 
suburbs  of  Edinburgh. 

Carriages  are  to  be  furnished  there  in 
like  manner  as  by  the  laws  in  force  at 
the  Union. 

Vt  hen  any  troops,  or  parties  upon 
command,  have  occasion  in  their  march 
to  pass  regular  ferries  in  Scotland,  it  is 
lawful  for  the  commanding  officer  either 
to  pass  over  with  his  party  as  passengers, 
or  to  lure  the  ferry  boat  entirely  for 
himself  and  his  party,  debarring  others 
for  that  time,  in  his  option.  When  he 
takes  passage  for  himself  and  party  as 
passengers,  he  is  only  to  pay  for  himself, 
and  for  each  person,  officer,  or  soldier, 
under  his  command,  half  of  the  ordinary 
rate  payable  by  single  persons  at  any 
SUCQ  ferry  J  and  when  he  hires  the  ferry- 
boat for  himself  and  party,  be  is  to  pay 
halt  of  the  ordinary  rate  for  such  boat 
or  boats ;  and  in  such  places  where 
there  are  no  regular  ferries,  but  that  all 
passengers  hire  boats  at  the  rates  they 
can  agree  for,  officers  with  or  without 
parties  must  agree  for  boats  at  the  rate 
other  persons  do  in  like  cases. 

To  SCOUR,  (butt re  a  toufe  volte, 
Fr.)  This  term  is  frequently  used-  to 
express  the  act  of  firing  a  quick  and 
heavy  discharge  of  ordnance  or  mus- 
ketry, for  the  purpose  of  dislodging  an 
enemy.  Hence,  to  scour  the  rampart, 
or  the  covert  way.  It  likewise  signifies 
to  clear,  to  drive  away,  viz.  to  scour  the 
sea-,  icumcr  les  mers;  to  scour  the  Streets, 
balayer  les  rues ;  to  scour  the  trenches, 
netloyer.  la  t rune  hie :  also  to  run  about  in 
a  loose  desultory  manner,  as,  to  scour  the 
country. 

To  Scour  a  line  is  to  flank  it  so  as 
to  see  directly  along  it,  that  a  musket- 
ball  entering  at  one  end,  may  fly  to  the 
other,  leaving  no  place  of  security.    See 

NlTTOYER. 


SCR 


(     T91     ) 


S  C  IT 


SCOURER.  The  ramrod  was  so 
called  in  old  times.  It  formerly  made 
a  part  in  the  exercise  of  the  lirelock,  as, 
Draw  forth  your  scourer ;  Return  your 
scourer. 

SCOUTMASTER,  an  ancient  officer, 
whose  duties  are  variously  described  by 
Grosse,  page  9.22,  vol.  ii,  in  his  History 
of  the  English  Army,  and  who  had  the 
management  and  direction  of  a  certain 
number  of  horsemen  that  were  sent  out 
to  discover  the  enemy  and  lo  watch  his 
movements. 

SCOUTS,  from  the  Saxon  word  sent 
out  or  forth. 

Scouts  are  generally  horsemen  sent 
out  before,  and  on  the  wings  of  an  army, 
at  the  distance  of  a  mile  or  two,  to  dis- 
cover the  enemy,  and  give  the  general  an 
account  of  what  they  see. 

SCRAMASAXES.  According  to  the 
author  of  the  Nouveau  Dictionnaire 
Militaire,  the  Scramasaxes  was  an  of- 
fensive weapon,  made  in  the  shape  of 
a  sword,  but  not  so  long.  Gregoire 
de  Tours  observes,  in  the  21st  chapter 
of  the  fourth  book  of  his  history,  that 
Fredegonde  caused  Sigisbert,  king  of 
Austrasia,  to  be  assassinated  by  two 
drunken  valets,  who  were  armed  with 
this  weapon. 

SCREW,  one  of  the  mechanical 
powers,  which  is  defined  a  right  cylin- 
der cut  into  a  furrowed  spiral..  Wilkins 
calls  it  a  kind  of  wedge,  that  is  multi- 
plied or  continued  by  a  helical  revolution 
about  a  cylinder,  receiving  its  motion, 
not  from  any  stroke,  but  from  a  vectis  at 
one  end  of  it. 

Mule  Screw,  a  crew  which  works  in 
a  vermicular  direction  through  another: 
it  might  properly  be  called  an  entering 
screw. 

Female  Screw,  a  screw  into  which  a 
smaller  one  is  worked. 

Screws,  in  gunnery,  are  fastened  to 
the  cascable  of  light  guns  and  howitzers, 
by  means  of  an  iron  bolt,  which  goes 
through  a  socket  fixed  upon  the  center 
transom,  to  elevate  or  depress  the  piece 
with,  instead  of  wedges. 

Screw  of  direction,  (vis  dc  point  age, 
Fr.)  The  screw  of  direction,  used  in 
the  artillery,  is  formed  of  a  brass  hori- 
zontal roller  placed  'between  the  two 
cheeks  of  the  carriage.  The  trunnions 
ot  the  roller  move  upon  two  vertical 
iron  pivots,  which  are  gfixed  against  the 
intejior  sides  of  the  cheeks.     By  means 


of  this  screw,  the  direction  of  pieces 
is  either  raised,  or  lowered,  with  a  re- 
gular movement,  and  in  the  smallest 
space. 

The  screw  of  direction,  or  vis  de 
point  age,  is  equally  used  for  howitzers, 
as  well  as  for  heavy  pieces  of  ordnance. 
It  has  been  invented  by  the  French,  and 
serves  in  lieu  of  the  coins  a  cremai/l'ere, 
or  indented  coins. 

Lock  Screws,  small  screws  which 
are  attached  to  the  lock  of  a  musket. 

SCROWLS  or  SCROLLS,  in  archi- 
tecture.    See  Volt  i  E 

SCULL,  in  ancient  armour,  a  head 
piece,  without  visor  orbever,  resembling 
a  bowl  or  basin,  such  as  was  worn  by  our 
cavalry  forty  or  fifty  years  back. 

Scull,  (petit  bateau,  Fr.)  a  small 
boat,  which  one  man  rows  with  two 
oars. 

SCULLCAP.— See  Helmet. 

SCULLER,  (bateau  a  un  ra/neur,  Fr.) 
a  small  boat  with  one  man  or  boy  to 
row  it. 

SCULPTURE  is  the  art  of  cutting 
or  carving  in  wood,  stone,  or  other 
matter,  to  form  various  figures  or  repre- 
sentations. Sculpture  also  means  the 
fashioning  of  wax,  earth,  plaster,  &c.  to 
serve  as  models  or  moulds,  for  the  cast- 
ing of  metals  in. 

SCUPPER-n««7s,  nailswhich  are  used 
in  fastening  leather  and  canvass  to  wood, 
and  consequently  require  a  broad  head, 
that  neither  may  work  loose. 

SCURVY,  (scorbut,  Fr.)  a  disease 
to  which  soldiers  and  seamen  are  pecu- 
liarly exposed,  from  eating  salted  meat 
and  drinking  bad  water,  &c.  &c. 

SCUTAGE,  shield  money,  derived 
from  the  Latin  Scutum.  A  tax  granted 
to  Henry  III.  to  defray  his  expenses  to 
the  Holy  Land. 

SCUTAGIO  habendo,  an  ancient  writ 
to  tenants  who  held  bv  a  knight's  service, 
to  attend  the  king  to  the  wars. 

SCUTE,  or  Cunot,  Fr.  any  small  boat 
which  is  used  in  navigation  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  a  ship;  a  skill". 

SCUTIFER,  or  Shield-bearer,  a  per- 
son who  carried  a  shield  to  cover  his 
master  whilst  he  shot  at  an  enemy  with 
hi-;  bow  and  arrow.  As  this  must  have 
been  a  service  of  danger,  the  office  of 
Scutifer,  or  Shield-bearer,  was  always 
called  honourable. 

SCUTUM,  the  Latin  word  for  a 
buckler  or  a  shield,  with  which  the  Ro- 


SEA 


(     792     ) 


SEA 


jnnn  soldiers  were  formerly  armed.  It  than  seven  years  at  sea.  He  is  rated 
also  signified  a  target.  The  scutum  dit-  A.  I},  on  board  the  ships  of  war.  There- 
fered  from  the  clypeus,  in  as  much  that  is  also  another  description  of  men  rated 
the  former  was  oval  and  the  latter  round,  oh  board  ships  of  war,  that  is  between  a 
That  which  was  used  amongtheGrecians  landsman  and  able-bodied,  and  an  able- 
was  sometimes  round,  at  others  square,  bodied  seamen,  called  an  ordinary  sea- 
aud  not  unfrequentlv  oval.  The  scutum,  man,  who  is  paid  more  than  the  lands- 
or  buckler,  which  the  Lacedaemonians  man,  but  not  so  much  as  the  able-bodied 
used,  was  so  large,  that  the  dead  and   seaman. 


wounded  were  carried  on  it. 

SliA-boat,  commonly  called  Life- 
boat, a  floating  vessel  of  a  particular 
construction,  made  tor  the  preservation 
of  persons. 

Sr.A-jight,  (combat  naval,  Fr.)  a  con- 


SEAMS,  SEYMS,  in  horses,  are  cer- 
tain clefts  in  their  quarters,  caused  by  the 
dryness  of  the  foot,  or  by  being  ridden 
upon  hard  ground. 

SEANCE,  Fr.  place;  seat;  session. 

Let  qutUrt  S£amces  des  touts  de  judi- 


test  at  sea,  in  which  the  ships  of  two  | cature,  Fr.     See  Term 


hostile  fleets  come  to  action,  and  take, 
burn,  sink,  or  otherwise  destroy  one 
another.  To  record  the  many  sea-fights 
in  which  this  country  has  been  engaged, 
particularly  with  Trance,  Spain,  and  Hol- 
land, would  occupy  volumes.  It  will  be 
sufficient  for  us  to  state,  that,  although 
the  majority  of  our  military  operations 
have  not  been  equal  to  the  valour  of  our 
troops,  our  naval  contests  have  never 
failed  to  answer  the  most  sanguine  ex- 
pectations of  the  country-  And  yet  a 
nation,  once  as  warlike  as  our  own  upon 
the  ocean,  was  ultimately  stripped  of  its 
proud  ascendancy  by  the  over-weening 
ambition  of  her  rival.  In  the  second 
naval  action  which  the  Romans  had  with 
the  Carthaginians  during  the  first  Punic 
war,  there  were,  on  both  sides,  upwards 
of  290,000  men  engaged ;  how  trifling 
are  modern  sea-fights  compared  to  such 
engagements! 

SEAL,  (sceau,  Fr.)  the  print  of  a 
coat  of  arms,  or  some  other  device, 
made  in  wax,  and  set  to  any  deed  or 
writing;  also  the  piece  of  metal  on 
which  the  arms,  or  cypher,  is  engraven. 

Privy  Seal,  (seel  secret  du  roi,  Fr.) 
the  King's  seal,  which  is  first  set  to  such 
grants  as  pass  the  great  seal  of  England. 

The  Lord  Privy  Seal,  a  great  oflicer 
who  keeps  the  King's  privy  seal,  and  i>, 
by  office,  next  in  dignity  to  the  lord  pre- 
sident of  the  council. 

[''lying  Seal,  (sceau  volant,  Fr.)  an 
impression  made  with  sealing-wax  upon 
the  outside  cover  of  a  letter,  under  w  Inch 
fresh  wax  may  be  put  to  close  the  enve- 
lop. This  frequently  happens  in  letters 
of  introduction,  &c. 

SEAMAN,  )a  sailor  capa- 

Able-bodied  Seaman,  y  ble  of  taking 
huh  helm  and  lead,  having  served  more 


To  SEARCH  a  wound,  (sonder  une 
pluie,  Fr.)  to  probe  it. 

To  Search  a  country,  to  examine  mi- 
nutely all  the  inlets  and  outlets,  woods, 
rivers,  Sec.  of  a  country  through  which  an 
army  is  to  advance.  All  columns  ought 
to  be  preceded  by  an  advanced  guard; 
but,  in  a  country  near  the  enemy,  in  order 
to  ensure  the  safety  of  it,  a  very  strong 
and  respectable  one  should  be  formed, 
particularly  if  there  is  any  reason  to  ima- 
gine the  enemy  are  ambuscaded,  or  mean 
to  attack  or  harass  you,  so  as  to  prevent 
the  completion  of  the  object  of  your 
movement.  Mons.  le  Cointe  Drum- 
mOnd  de  Melford,  a  most  able  tactician, 
has,  in  a  treatise  of  cavalry  published 
by  him,  given  a  plan  for  the  distribu- 
tion of  an  advanced  guard,  shewing  also 
how  to  search  the  country  through 
which  the  column  has  to  pass. 

SEARCHER,  an  instrument  used  by 
founders  to  discover  any  flaws  in  the 
bore  of  cannon,  &c.     See  Proof. 

To  SEASON,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
accustom;  to  enure.  Soldiers  are  fre- 
quently sent  to  Gibraltar  in  order  to  be 
seasoned  lor  a  hot  climate. 

SEASONED  troops,  troops  that  have 
been  accustomed  to  climate,  and  are  not 
so  liable  to  become  the  victims  of  any 
endemical  disorder,  as  raw  men  must 
unavoidably  be.  The  French  use  the 
word  acclirnater,  to  get  accustomed  to 
a  change  of  climate.  Hence  troupes 
acclmaties,  troops  that  have  been  sea- 
soned. 

SEASONING  of  timber  is  the  pre- 
paring ol  timber  for  use,  which  is  done  in 
the  following  manner:  the  timber  having 
been  felled,  &c.  it  must  be  laid  up  very 
dry  in  an  airy  place,  yet  free  from 
extreme    heat,    from    cold,    and    rain; 


SEC 


(     793     ) 


SEC 


and  that  it  may  not  cleave,  but  dry 
equally,  it  ought  to  be  daubed  over  with 
cow-dung.  It  must  not  stand  upright, 
but  lie  along,  one  piece  upon  another, 
interposing  some  short  blocks  between 
them,  to  preserve  them  from  a  certain 
mouldiness,  which  they  usually  contract 
while  they  sweat,  and  that  often  produces 
a  kind  of  fungus,  especially  if  there  are 
any  sappy  parts  remaining. 

Water  seasoning,  among  wheelwrights, 
is  particularly  attended  to.  As  for  the 
elm,  though  the  tree  be  felled  never  so 
green,  for  sudden  use,  if  it  be  plunged 
four  or  five  times  in  water,  especially 
salt,  which  is  best,  it  acquires  an  admira- 
ble seasoning,  and  may  be  immediately 
used. 

Timber  is  also  seasoned  by  burying  it 
in  the  earth,  covering  it  with  wheat,  or 
scorching  it  by  fire;  especially  if  it  be 
intended  for  piles,  &c. 

SEAT  of  war,  the  country  in  which 
*var  is  actively  carried  on. 

SECANT,  (secante,  Fr.)  a  line  which 
cuts  another,  or  divides  it  into  two  parts. 

Secant  of  an  arch,  in  trigonometry,  is 
a  right  line  drawn  from  the  center  of  the 
circle  to  the  extremity  of  the  tangent. 

Secant  of  an  angle.  Supposing  an 
angle  to  be  terminated  by  a  base  that  is 
perpendicular  to  one  of  the  sides,  and 
that  the  smallest  side  of  the  angle  be 
taken  for  the  radius,  or  whole  sinus,  the 
greatest  of  the  two  sides  of  that  angle 
will  be  its  secant. 

SECOND,  (second,  Fr.)  the  next  in 
order  to  the  first;  the  ordinal  of  two;  the 
next  in  dignity,  place,  or  station.  The 
French  use  the  word  second,  in  military 
matters,  somewhat  diiferent  from  the 
English,  viz. 

Compagnie  en  Second,  Fr.  This  lite- 
rally means  second  company,  but  ac- 
cording to  the  old  French  regulations  it 
signifies  a  company  which  consists  of 
half  the  number  of  men  that  other  com- 
panies are  composed  of.  This  was,  how- 
ever, applied  to  the  cavalry  only. 

Capitaine  en  Second,  ou  riform'c,  Fr. 
an  officer  whose  company  has  been 
reduced,  but -who  does  duty  in  an  other, 
and  is  destined  to  till  up  the  first  vacancy. 
We  have  borrowed  the  expression,  and 
say,  To  be  seconded. 

To  be  seconded.  This  word  is  generally 
pronounced  secouned.  When  an  officer  is 
seconded,  he  remains  upon  full  pay,  his 
rank  goes  on,  and  he  may  purchase  the 
.next  vacant  step,  without  being  obliged  to 


memorial,  in  the  manner  that  a  half-pay 
officer  must.  Should  the  latter  have  taken 
a  difference, he  will  find  much  difficulty  in 
getting  upon  full  pay,  and  he  can  only- 
avail  himself  of  his  standing  in  the  army 
when  the  last  object  is  accomplished.  So 
that  a  seconded  officer  stands  in  a  mora 
favourable  light.  He  is,  besides,  likely 
to  be  appointed  to  the  vacant  coin- 
mission  of  the  regiment  in  which  he  is 
seconded. 

Second,  both  in  English  and  French, 
also  signifies  a  witness  in  a  duel;  whence 

Prendre  pour  son  Second,  Fr.  to  take 
for  a  second. 

Les  Seconds  de  cote  et  d 'autre  se  sont 
tuts,  Fr.  both  the  seconds  weie  killed,  or 
the  seconds  on  each  side  killed  one  ano- 
ther. It  was  very  usual  among  the 
French  for  the  seconds  to  make  common 
cause  with  their  principals,  and  to  fight 
upon  the  decease  of  the  former. — The 
practice  is  out  of  date.  Seconds  in 
duels  are  considered  by  the  Law  of  Eng- 
land  as  principals  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses, and  liable  to  prosecution  and  in- 
dictment for  murder  as  the  case  may  be^ 

To  Second,  (seconder,  Fr.)  to  aid  or 
assist;  to  support. 

Second  covert  way,  that  beyond  the 
second  ditch.     See  Fortification. 

Second  ditch,  that  made  on  the  out- 
side of  the  glacis,  when  the  ground  is 
low,  and  there  is  plenty  of  water. 

Second  fane,  Fr.  See  Flank  Oblique 
in  Fortification. 

Le  Second,  Fr.  the  second  beat  of  the 
drum,  when  troops  are  to  move. — See  La 

GfeNERALE. 

SECONDE,  Fr.  a  thrust  in  fencing, 
which  is  delivered  at  the  outside  of  the 
body  beneath  the  arm,  with  the  nails 
downward. 

SECOURABLE,  Fr.  that  may  be  ro 
lieved,  or  have  succours  thrown  in.  The 
French  say  of  a  fortihed  place,  which  is 
invested  at  all  points,  or  so  blockaded, 
that  there  is  neither  egress  nor  ingress, 
quelle  nest  pus  secourable,  that  it  cannot 
be  relieved,  or  have  succours  thrown  in. 

SECOURIR  une  place,  Fr.  to  throw 
succours  into  a  besieged  town  or  place. 
It  sometimes  siirnih.es  to  force  an  invest- 

1_ 

ing,  or  attacking,  army  to  raise  the  siege. 

bFCiJl  lis,  Fr.     See  buccotR. 

Passer  du  Secocrs,  Fr.  to  do  without 
the  aid  or  assistance  of  another, 

SECRECY,  a  quality  of  the  mind,  by 
which  men  are  enabled  to  keep  to  them- 
selves anything  reposed  in  trust,  or  de* 
5  1 


S  E  C 


(     791     ) 


SEC 


i  nded  for  exe<  ution,      In  the 
!il  volume  of  Polybius,  page  L34, 
the  following  sensible  observations  occur 
on  this  h<  ad: 

••  Among  tin-  many  precautions  to 
which  a  commander  ^ !  1  ■  > li i ( 1  attend,  that 
Of  observing  lecrecv  is  the  principal:  tiiat 
neither  the  joy  which  springs  from  an  un- 
expected  prospect  of  success,  nor  yet  the 
dread  of  a  miscarriage;  that  neither 
friendship  not  affection  mayprevail  upon 
him,  to  communicate  his  design  to 
any  persons,  except  those  alone  with- 
out whose  assistance  it  cannot  be  carried 
into  execution:  and  not  even  to  these, 
till  the  time,  in  which  their  sen  ices  are 
severally  required,  obliges  him  to  dis- 
close it.  Nor  is  it  necessary  only,  that 
the  tongue  be  silent,  but  much  more,  that 
the  mind  also  make  not  any  discovery. 
For  it  has  often  happened,  that  men  who 
have  carefully  restrained  themselves 
from  speaking,  have  sometimes,  by  their 
countenance  alone,  and  sometimes  by 
their  actions,  very  clearly  manifested 
their  designs." 

!n  military  economy,  this  quality  is 
peculiarly  requisite.  It  signifies  fidelity 
to  a  secret;  taciturnity  inviolate  j  (lose 
silence.  Officers,  in  particular,  should 
be  well  aware  of  the  importance  of  it,  as 
the  divulging  of  what  litis  been  confi- 
dentially entrusted  to  them,  especially 
on  expeditions,  might  render  the  whole 
project  abortive.  The  slightest  devi- 
ation from  it  is  very  justly  considered  as 
a  breach  of  honour,  as  scandalous  con- 
duct, unbecoming  an  officer  and  a  gen- 
tleman. In  official  matters,  the  person. 
so  offending,  is  liable  to  the  severest 
punishment  and  penalty! 

'J  he  following  authentic  anecdote  can- 
not be  uninteresting  to  a  military  reader, 
with  respect  to  the  morality  of  the  thing 

A  lieutenant  in  the  Prussian  service 
having  ingratiated  himself  into  the  confi- 
dence of  the  late  King  of  Prussia,  (when 
he  was  crowned  Prince  of  Prussia,) 
Frederick  the  Great  sent  for  him,  and 
accosted  him  in  the  following  manner: 

•'  Sir,  I  am  very  happy  my  nephew  has 
so  discreet  a  choice,  as  that  of  se- 
fou  for  his  friend  ;  but  there  is  a 
matter   in    which    you    may    oblige  me 
tially;  and  that  is,  to  make  me  ac- 
quainted with  the  particulars  of  his  oon- 
duct.    This  will  gratify  me  much,  and  1 
will  take  care  of  your  promotion." 

The  lieutenant  bowed  very  respect- 
fully, and  nobly  replied,  "  I  am  sensible 


to  your  majesty's  mark  of  approbation  ; 
hut  it    would   he  dishonourable,  and,  ot 

coarse,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  betray 
the  prince's  scents."      He  was  then  Re- 
tiring, when  old  Frederick,  in  an  altered 
of  voice,  exclaimed, 

"  Mr.  Lieutenant!  as  you  do  not 
know  how  to  oblige  me,  1  will  now  teach 
.mi  to  obey  me.     To  Spandau  !'' 

The    young  officer    was   immediately 
d,  and  confined  in  a  prison  ot  that 
name,  which  is  in  the  neighbourhood  ol 
Berlin. 

We  lament,  that  so  great  a  man 
should  have  tarnished  the  splendour  of 
his  character,  by  descending  into  the  low 
temper  of  a  prying  courtii  r. 

An  ancient  philosopher  has  very  justly 
considered  secrecy  as  one  of  the  most 
holy  and  sacred  of  mysteries.  Myste- 
ries were  originally  certain  feast.-,  which 
were  celebrated  in  honour  ot  the  goddess 
Ceres ;  and  as  the  greatx  St  secrecy  pre- 
vailed on  those  occasions,  the  word  mys- 
tery has  been  applied  to  everything  hid- 
den, or  concealed. 

The  greatest  generals  have  always 
been  persuaded  that  those  counsels  and 
decisions  are  the  best,  which  are  so 
managed  as  never  to  reach  the  enemy. 
Demetrius,  son  of  Antigonus  the  Great, 
once  asked  his  father,  on  what  day  he 
meant  to  >:ive  the  enemy  battle:  "Art 
thou  afraid  of  not  hearing  the  trumpet 
sound  ?"  was  the  king's  reply. 

A  general  officer  having  once  put  an 
indiscreet  question  to  Peter  the  Third 
of  \rragon,  that  monarch  hastily  ex- 
claimed :  "  If  I  knew  that  my  shirt  were 
privy  to  the  slightest  thought  which 
passes  in  my  imagination,  I  would  burn 
it." 

The  commander  in  chief  of  an  army 
was  on  his  inarch  for  the  execution  of  a 
most  important  enterprise.  One  of  his 
otficers  anxiously  sought  to  know  the  ul- 
timate object.  The  general,  instead  of 
answering  him,  put  the  following  ques- 
tion :  ''  Were  1  to  tell  you,  would  you 
mention  it  to  anybody?"  The  officer 
basing  solemnly  declared  he  would  not, 
the  general  calmly  r<  plied:  "  I  also  know 
bow  to  keep  a  secret,  as  well  as  you." 
This  wise  answer  checked  the  indiscre- 
tion of  the  offic<  r. 

In  the  history  of  Athens,  there  is  a 

remarkable  instance  of  this   virtue  re- 

I  of*  a  woman  named  Lionna,  who, 

been   taken    up    as   one    of  the 

conspirators  against  the  reigning  tyrant, 


S'E  C 


(    795    ) 


SEC 


refused  to  betray  her  accomplices.  She 
was  put  to  the  torture ;  and  after  having 
undergone  the  most  excruciating  pain, 
began  to  doubt  her  own  resolution  and 
Strength  of  mind,  and  in  order  to  render 
it  impossible  for  her  to  break  the  secret, 
she  cut  out  her  own  tongue.  After  the 
expulsion  of  the  tyrants,  the  Athenians, 
in  grateful  remembrance  of  so  heroic  an 
action,  erected  a  statute  to  her  memory, 
in  the  shape  of  a  lioness  without  a 
tongue,  with  the  following  sentence  in- 
scribed upon  its  base  :  "  Virtue  has  tri- 
umphed over  the  sex."  Which  sen- 
tence, however  honourable  to  one  dis- 
tinguished female,  is  a  tacit  lesson  to 
mankind  with  regard  to  the  caution 
which  ousiht  to  be  observed  in  all  com- 
munications, on  business,  with  women. 
Commanders  in  Chief,  and  all  officers, 
civil  or  military,  cannot  be  too  much 
guarded  in  this  respect.     See  Syren 

SECRET,  (secret,  Fr.)  Under  this 
word  may  be  considered  the  caution 
and  circumspection  which  every  good 
general  should  observe  during  a  cam- 
paign ;  the  feints  he  may  think  proper 
to  make  for  the  purpose  of  covering  a 
projected  attack;  and  the  various  strata- 
gems to  which  he  may  resort  to  keep  his 
own  intentions  concealed,  and  to  get  at 
those  of  others. 

Secret,  kept  hidden,  not  revealed. 
Hence  secret  expedition,  secret  enter- 
prize,  &c.  Secret  articles  of  a  treaty 
are  the  correlative  words  to  patent 
articles. 

SECRET,  Fr.  The  French  use  this 
word  in  the  same  sense  that  we.  do, 
which  signifies,  figuratively,  a  certain 
skill  or  aptitude  jn  one  general,  to  dis- 
cover and  penetrate  into  the  latent  de- 
signs of  another,  who  may  be  opposed 
to  him.  This  also  holds  good  in  politics. 
Hence,  Le  plus  grand  secret  de  Fart  mili- 
tate et  de  la  pu/itii/ue,  est  de  savoir  bien 
etudier,  ct  bien  patt-lrtr,  les  actions  et  les 
desseins  de  sun  adversaire ;  the  greatest 
secret  in  war,  as  well  as  in  politics,  con- 
sists in  being  able  to  ttudy  with  correct- 
ness, and  to  penetrate  with  certainty, 
not  only  the  actions,  but  also  the  designs 
of  an  adversary. 

La partie  Secrette  d'une  urm'ee,  Fr. 
that  particular  branch  of  correspondence 
and  communication  in  an  army, by  which 
secret  intelligence  is  obtained  respecting 
the  movements  and  operations  of  an 
enemy,  <kc. 

T  his  species  of  service  constitutes  an 


important  branch  of  military  policy 
among  the  French  Although  the  un- 
tural  bluntness,  we  may  say  honesty,  ot 
an  Englishman,  may  revolt  at  the  very 
idea  of  acting  with  duplicity,  it  should 
nevertheless  be  remembered,  that  when 
nations  are  brought  into  hostile  contact, 
and  their  very  existence  may  depend 
upon  the  issue  of  their  strength,  the 
morality  of  individuals  has  nothing  to  do  , 
with  the  policy  of  nations. 

Secret,  Fr.  the  spot  chosen  by  the 
captain  of  a  fire-ship  to  apply  the  sau- 
cieson  of  communication. 

Secret  expedition.  Those  are  often 
called  such,  which  in  fact  are  known  to 
the  enemy  before  they  are  put  into  exe- 
cution ;  they  should  never  be  communi- 
cated to  any  other  than  the  commander 
of  the  troops  and  the  first  naval  officer, 
until  they  are  in  absolute  readiness  to 
act,  and  but  a  few  hours  before  the  en- 
terprize  is  put  in  execution ;  no  officer 
being  allowed  to  open  his  instructions 
until  he  is  eitherat  his  destination,  or  at 
sea.     See  Expedition. 

SECRETAIRE,^.  The  clerk  belong- 
ing to  the  Swiss  regiments  in  the  old 
French  service  was  so  called.  He  acted 
likewise  as  quarter-master  serjeant,  and 
was  styled  itiusterschriebcr. 

Secretaire  general  d'arlillerie,Fr.  a 
place  of  trust,  which,  during  the  old 
French  monarchy,  was  in  the  nomina- 
tion of  the  srand  master. 

SECRETARY  at  war,  (secretaire  de 
guerre,  Fr.)  the  first  civil  otficer  next  to 
the  minister  of  the  war  department:. 
All  military  matters  that  are  of  a  pecu- 
niary nature,  rest  with  the  secretary  at 
war. 

Military  Secretary,  at  the  Horse 
Guards,  a  confidential  person,  who  is 
attached  to  the  Commander  in  Chief  of 
the  British  forces,  and  who  does  the  offi- 
cial business  of  the  army,  as  far  as  re- 
spects the  rank  and  precedence  of  officers, 
&c.  It  is  his  duty  to  receive  communi- 
cations, memorials,  and  other  documents 
appertaining  to  the  executive  branches 
of  the  service,  and  to  lay  them  before 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  without  favour 
or  affection.  He  has  also  fixed  days  and 
hours  for  the  reception  of  military  men ; 
whose  cases  he  listens  to  with  candour, 
and  to  whom  he  behaves  with  the  be- 
coming firmness  of  a  soldier,  without 
deviating  from  the  conciliating  manners 
of  a  gentleman.  A  military  secretary 
should  be  well  versed  in  every  sort  of 
512 


SEC 


(     ™6     ) 


SEC 


military  reading,  thoroughly  conversant 
with  every  species  of  military  duty,  and 
capable  of  tin  most  ready  combination 
of  theory  and  practice.  All  memorials, 
8cc.  to  be  addressed  for  the  ( Commander 
in  Chief,  are  to  lie  sent  under  cover  to 
his  public  or  oificial  secretary,  at  the 
Commander  in  Chief's  office,  Horse 
Guards. 

Military  Sr.c  rf.tary  on  expeditions,  an 
experienced  orlicer,  who  is  selected  from 
the  staff  of  the  line,  or  from  the  army  at 
larg(  ,  to  accompany  a  general  officer 
•who  has  the  charge  of  some  important 
expedition.  He  ought,  in  addition  to 
the  qualities  above  recited,  to  be  also 
well  versed  in  foreign  languages,  and 
have  a  thorough  knowledge  of  geogra- 
phy, &c. 

SfiCB  ET  a  r  v  and  aide-de-camp.  The  con- 
fidential aide-de-camp  of  a  Commander 
in  Chief,  or  general  officer,  is  usually  so 
called. 

Se<  i:i  iary  of  state,  (secretaire  d'etat, 
Fr.)  This  ofhcer,  independent  of  his 
civil  capacity,  has  so  far  an  intimate 
connexion  with  the  administration  of  the 
army,  that  many  of  its  essential  branches 
must  necessarily  pass  through  him.  It 
1-  hi-  duty,  in  particular,  to  lay  before 
the  King  the  names  of  all  persons  re- 
commended to  hold  commissions  in  the 
militia.  He  must  likewise  cause  copies 
of  the  several  qualifications,  which  have 
been  transmitted  to  him  l>\  the  clerks  of 
the  peaci ,  or  their  deputies,  to  be  annu- 
ally laid  before  both  houses  of  Parlia- 
ment. This  clause,  we  believe,  has 
lati  ly  been  disp<  nsed  with,  as  well  as  a 
foregoing  one,  winch  enacts  that  the 
clerk  >>t  the  peace  of  every  county, 
riding,  and  plate,  shall  enter  the  qualifi- 
cations transmitted  to  him  upon  a  roll, 
and  shall  cause  to  he  inserted  in  the 
London  Gazette,  the  dates  of  the  com- 
missions, and  names  and  rank  ot  the  offi- 
cers, together  with  the  names  of  tht  offi- 
cers in  whose  room  they  are  appointed  ; 
in  like  manner  as  commissions  in  the 
army  are  published  from  the  War-office. 
The  expense  ot"  such  insertion  in  the 
Gaz<  tte,  for  each  commission, is  likewise 
directed  to  be  charged  to  the  treasurer 
of  the  county,  riding,  or  place,  for  par- 
ticulars, see  the  last  edition  of  the  Regi- 
ni'-iit  >i  >  ompanion. 

2bSE<  RETE,  to  hide;  to  keep  pri- 
vate ;  to  harbour;   to  conceal, &c.     By 
articles  of  War  it  is  provided,  that 
it  any  person  shall  harbour,  conceal,  or 


assist  any  deserter  from  his  Majesty's 
service,  knowing  him  to  be  such,  the 
person,  so  offending,  shall  forfeit,  for 
every  such  offence,  the  sum  of  five 
pounds. 

Faire  SECTE  a  part,  Fr.  to  maintain 
singular  opinions  respecting  military  or 
civil  things. 

SECTION,  (section,  Fr.)  from  the 
Latin  word  sectio,  which  is  derived  from 
seco,  to  cut,  a  part  of  a  thing  divided,  or 
the  division  itself.  Such  particularly  are 
the  subdivisions  of  a  chapter,  called  also 
paragraphs  and  articles.  Sometimes  we 
find  the  term  section  divided  into  articles; 
as  in  the  Articles  of  War.  The  Rules 
and  Regulations  for  the  discipline  of  the 
British  army  are  divided  into  parts,  and 
each  part  subdivided  into  heads  or  sec- 
tions of  explanation.  So  that  when  an 
officer  readi  the  higher  tactics  under 
Battalion  and  Line,  and  wants  any  spe- 
cific explanation,  he  must  refer  to  the 
section.  The  Drill,  or  instruction  of 
the  recruit,  is  explained  in  forty  sections 
which  constitute  the  1st  part.  The  in- 
structions and  various  operations  of  the 
Company  are  explained  in  265  sections, 
which  form  the  2d  part. 

The  several  operations,  &c.  which  be- 
long to  a  battalion  when  it  acts  singly, 
or  in  line  with  others,  are  explained  in 
108  sections,  which  form  the  3d  part. 
And  the  principal  circumstances  relative 
to  the  movements  of  a  considerable  line, 
are  explained  in  3'2  sections,  which  con- 
stitute the  4th  part,  or  the  line.  All  of 
which  have  been  compiled  and  arranged, 
with  much  skill  and  accuracy,  by  Gene- 
ral Sir  David  Dundas. 

Section,  a  certain  proportion  of  a 
battalion  or  company,  when  it  is  told  off 
for  military  movements  and  evolutions. 
It  is  stated  in  the  Rules  and  Regulations, 
that  a  section  should  never  be  less  than 
five  files.  This  rule,  however,  is  not  ab- 
solute, as  we  find  in  another  part  of  the 
Regulations,  that  a  section  may  consist 
of  four  tiles.  This  relates  to  the  infan- 
try ;  the  cavalry  is  not  told  off  into  sec- 
tions, but  into  ranks  by  threes.  The 
French  use  tin  word  section  for  the  same 
purpose  ;  but  their  sections  are  stronger 
than  our's.  We  generally  divide  a  com- 
pany into  two  sub-divisions,  and  each 
subdivision  into  two  sections;  and  tor 
the  convenience  of  marching  through 
narrow  ground,  these  sections  are  fre- 
quently reduced  to  three,  or  even  two, 
files   in  front.     The  French  form  their 


SEC 


(     797     ) 


SEC 


•ompanies  into  platoons,  and  divide  their 
platoons  into  two  sections,  so  that  their 
sections  are   equal  to  our  subdivisions. 

Section,  in  mathematics,  signifies  the 
cutting  of  one  plane  by  another  ;  or  a 
solid  by  a  plane. 

Section  of  a  building,  in  architecture, 
is  understood  of  the  profile  and  delinea- 
tion of  its  heights  and  depths,  raised  on 
a  plane,  as  if  the  fabric  were  cut  asunder 
to  discover  the  inside. 

Conic  Section,  (section  conique,  Fr.) 
is  the  figure  made  by  the  solid  body  ot 
a  cone  being  supposed  to  be,  cut  by  a 
plane.  These  sections  are  generally  dis- 
tinguished by  four  separate  names,  viz. 
circle,  ellipsis,  hyperbola,  and  puiubola. 

SECTOR,  (secteur,  Fr.)  a  mathema- 
tical instrument  of  great  use  in  finding 
the  proportion  between  quantities  of  the 
same  kind  ;  as  between  lines  and  lines, 
surfaces  and  surfaces,  &c.  for  which  rea- 
son the  French  call  it  the  compass  of 
proportion. 

The  great  advantage  of  the  sector, 
above  common  scales,  &c.  is,  that  it  is 
adapted  to  all  radii,  and  all  scales.  The 
sector  is  founded  on  the  fourth  proposi- 
tion of  the  sixth  book  of  Euclid.  The 
sector  consists  of  two  equal  legs,  or  rules 
of  brass,  &c  riveted  together,  but  so  as 
to  move  easily  on  the  rivet;  on  the  faces 
of  the  instrument  are  placed  ■  several 
lines ;  the  principal  of  which  are,  the 
line  of  equal  parts,  line  of  chords,  line 
of  sines,  line  of  tangents,  line  of  secants, 
line  of  polygons,  and  line  of  rhumbs. 

Sector  of  a  circle,  (secteur  de  cercle, 
Fr.)  a  portion  comprehended  between 
two  radii,  or  semidiameters,  and  the  arc 
of  the  circle,  making  an  angle  at  the 
center;  and  an  arch  or  part  of  the  cir- 
cumference. 

Sector  of  a  sphere,  ( secteur -d'une  sphere, 
Fr.)  is  the  conic  solid,  whose  vertex  ends 
in  the  center  of  the  sphere,  and  its  base 
is  a  segment  of  the  same  sphere. 

SECULAR,  (seculune,  Fr.)  belonging 
to  the  space  of  one  hundred  years. 

Secular  games,  among  the  Romans, 
solemn  feasts,  celebrated  at  the  end  oi 
every  age,  or  one  hundred  years. 

SECUNDAIxS,  in  mathematics,  an 
infinite  series  or  rank  of  numbers,  which 
begin  from  nothing,  and  proceed  as  the 
squares  of  numbers  in  arithmetical  pro- 
portion ;  as,  0,  2,  4,  9,  16,  25,  36,  49, 
64,  &c. 

SECUNDARY,  an  officer  next  under 
the  chief  officer. 


To  SECURE,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
preserve,  to  keep,  to  make  certain ;  as 
to  secure  a  place,  to  secure  a  conquest. 
In  the  management  of  the  firelock,  it 
signifies  to  bring  it  to  a  certain  position, 
by  which  the  locks  are  secured  against 
rain.     Hence 

Secure  arms!  a  word  of  command 
which  is  given  to  troops  who  are  under 
arms  in  wet  weather.  To  bring  your 
firelock  to  the  secure,  1st.  throw  your 
right  hand  briskly  up,  and  place  it.  under 
the  cock,  keeping  the  piece  steady  in  tha 
same  position. 

2d.  Quit  the  butt  with  the  left  hand, 
and  seize  the  firelock  with  it  at  the  swell, 
bringing  the  elbow  close  down  upon  the 
lock  ;  the  right  hand  kept  fast  in  this 
motion,  and  the  piece  still  upright. 

3d.  Quit  the  right  hand,  and  bring  it 
down  vour  right  side,  throwing  the  fire- 
lock nimbly  down  to  the  secure ;  the  left 
hand  in  a  line  with  the  waist-belt.  In 
order  to  shoulder  from  the  secure,  you 
must,  1st.  bring  the  firelock  up  to  a  per- 
pendicular line,  seizing  it  with  the  right 
hand  under  the  cock. 

2d.  Quit  the  left  hand,  and  place  it 
strong  upon  the  butt. 

3d.  Quit  the  right  hand,  and  bring  it 
smartly  down  the  right  side. 

Secure  arms  now  forms  a  part  of  the 
new  manual. 

Government  SECURITIES.  Under 
this  term  may  be  comprehended  the  fol- 
lowing negociable  and  convertible  pro- 
perty : 

Exchequer  bills  are  issued  by  govern- 
ment under  acts  of  parliament,  in  anti- 
cipation of  the  revenue  of  the  current 
vear.  They  bear  an  interest  per  diem, 
specified  in  the  body  of  each  bill.  This 
interest  has  varied.  Exchequer  bills  are 
usually  either  of  100/.  200/.  500/.  or 
1000/.  value  each  ;  payable  to  bearer, 
and  requiring  neither  assignment  nor 
endorsement.  They  are  usually  paid  off 
about  one  year  after  their  issue  ;  of 
this,  due  notice  is  given  in  the  Gazette 
and  newspapers.  Upon  these  occasions, 
the  owners  of  them,  or  their  bankers 
and  agents,  attend  at  the  Exchequer 
office  where  th^y  receive  the  interest  and 
the  principal,  either  in  cash,  or  new  bills, 
at  their  ow  n  option.  Exchequer  bills  are 
most  eligible  securities,  on  account  of 
the  certainty  and  expedition  with  which 
they  can  be  converted  into  cash ;  and 
seem  particularly  worthy  the  notice  of 
military  officers,  who  art  desirous  of  ds- 


SEC 


(      7!>B      ) 


SEE 


poi-itin<r  in   their  agent's  bands  a  sum 
applicable  bo  the  purchase  of  promotion, 
and  capable  of  producing  an  interme- 
tnteresi  - 

It  is  here  well  to  remark,  that  when 
mi  officer,  who  is  poss  issed  of  exchequer 
bills,  is  ordered  abroad,  he  should  nol 
omit  depositing  them  i:i  the  hands  of hi> 
v.^i  nt,  or  of  some  pi  rson  holding  his 
power  of  attorney,  in  order  that  they 
ma\  be  cashed  or  reneWed. 

India  bonds  are  no(  government  se- 
curities,  but  scarcely  1(  ss  negociable  than 
exchequer  bills.  They  are  granted  by 
the    I  ;«nny,  bear  a  netl 

interest  of  .' '  i  •  nt.  and  r< 
paid  in  March  and  September  at  the 
India  House.  They  are  never  due,  but 
are  always  taken  as  cash  by  the  India. 
(  i  impanj  in  payment  of  duties,  merchan- 
dize, &c. 

Naty  bills  are  bills  of  exchange  drawn 
at  90  days  date,  on  the  treasun  r  of  t li< 
navy.  The)  bear  an  interest  at  the  rate 
of  5/.  percent,  per  annum,  which  is  ex- 
pressed in  the  bill,  and  forms  part  of  the 
total  sum  paid  at  maturity  of  the  bill. 

Victualling  bills.     See  AV/r-y  bills. 

Treasury  bills,  bills  of  exchapge  drawn 
on  the  lords  of  the  treasury  at  various 
dates.  They  arc  frequently  drav  n  from 
gn  station?,  by  military  <>r  naval 
commanders,  ambassadors,  envoys,  con- 
suls, tlu  head  of  the  commissariat.  They 
are  usually  accepted  l>\  the  secretary  of 
the  treasury 

Bills  071  the  par/master  general,  hills  of 
exchange  drawn  by  officers,  or  others, 
for  public  services  of  a  military  nature, 
on  the  paymaster  general  of  the  force^g, 
at  various  dat;  s,  and  usually  accepted  by 
the  accomptai  I  generai,  or  cashier,  at 
the  Pay  Office,  Horse  Guards. 

The  above  four  different  descriptions 


medied  ;  as  it  must  he  obvious  to  every 
man  of  common  sense,  that  the  mere 
admission  of  a  claim  does  not  constitute 
property,  or  afford  those  facilities  of  ne- 
gotiation which  are  the  main  springs  of 
commerce. 

Ni<  i  urn  is  to  be  given  for  places  of 
public  trust.  In  consequence  of  some 
aotorioue  defalcations,  particularly  in  the 
Ordnance  treasury  department,  and  in 
the  Marine  Pay-office,  a  bill  has  been 
brought  into  Parliament,  to  render  it  im- 
possible lor  any  individual  to  receive,  or 
hold  in  trust)  public  monies,  without 
having  given  full  security  for  the  faithful 
discharge  of  his  duty.  We  have  often 
urged  the  necessity  for  .such  a  bill,  espe- 
cially in  the  Regimental  Companion, 
I  (Is   of  ten  years  ago. 

SECDT(  IRES,  or  »V  quutores,  a  certain 
class  of  gladiators,  among  the  ancient 
Romans, w  bo, being  armed  with  a  helmet, 
a  shield,  and  a  sword,  or  a  leaden  mace, 
encountered  the  Retiarii.  The  latter 
stood  always  upon  the  defensive,  and 
only  watched  an  opportunity  to  throw  a 
net  ovi  r  their  antagonist,  in  order  to 
destroy  him  with  a  pitchfork  ;  which  was 
the  only  weapon  the  Retiarii  used. 

SEDENTAIRE,  Er.  stationary. 

Troupes  S£dentaIRES,  /•'?•.  stationary 
troops.  Thus  the  national  guards  in 
France,  who  do  duty  in  the  several  garri- 
son towns,  are  called  gardes  national 
sedenlaires,  in  contradiction  to  colonms 
mobiles,  or  moveable  columns.  The  lat- 
ter are  sometimes  ('ailed  troupes  en  acti- 
vate, troops  on  service. 

SEDITION,  ( sedition,  revolt e,  emeute, 
Tr.)  mutiny,  strife,  popular  tumult,  up- 
roar. 

Solon,  the  celebrated  lawgiver,  made 
a  rule  which  rendered  all  persons  infa- 
mous who  stood  neuter  in  a  sedition. 


of  hills  are  all  discountable,  and  seldom   This  good  and  wise  man  thought,  indeed, 
declined  (when  within  65  days  of  ma-  that  no  individual  ought  to  be  insensible 


Unity)  by  the  Rank  of  England,  to  any 
amount. 

Ordnance  debentures  are  securities  of  a 
very  diffi  r<  ..\  d<  gcription.  They  are  not 
negociable  or  discountable.  They  are3 
.in  fact,  nothing  more  than  official  ac- 
knowledgements of  a  debt  payable  at 
some  remote  time,  when  it  may  suit  the 
a  'rangement  of  the  Ordnance  board.  No- 
illy sent  to  the  holders  of  de- 
when  they  may  attend  for  pay- 
ment, but  instances  have  occurred  when 
such  attendances  have  been  fruitless. 
This,  however,  we  presume,  will  be  re- 


with  regard  to  his  country,  nor  value  him- 
()n  providing  for  his  own  security,  by 
refusing  to  share  the  distresses  of  the 
public;  but.  in  the  defence  of  a  just 
cause,  he  judged  that  a  good  citizen 
should  bravely  run  all  hazards,  rather 
than  remain  an  inactive  spectator. 

2b  SEE,  in  a  military  sense,  to  have 
practical  knowledge  of  a  thing;  as  to  see. 
service.  The  French  use  the  word  servir 
alone. 

To  See  a  regiment,  to  pass  a  regiment 
in  review,  as  a  general  officer  does. 

SEELIMG.     A  horse  is  said  to  seclt 


S  E  I 


(     799     ) 


S  E  L 


when,  upon  his  eye-brows,  there  grows 
white  hairs,  mixed  with  those  or'  his 
natural  colour,  about  the  breadth  of  a 
farthing,  which  is  a  sure  mark  of  old  age. 

To  have  SEEN  a  shot  fired,  a  figura- 
tive expression  in  the  British  service, 
signifying  to  have  been  in  action  ;  also 
to  have  been  in  fire. 

SEER,  a  piece  of  iron  which  the 
trigger  acts  upon  in  the  lock.  This 
word  is  sometimes  written  cear,  but  we 
think  it  is  more  properly  derived  from  the 
French  serrer}  to  close,  to  hold  fast,  to 
keep  firm. 

Seer,  hid.  a  weight  nearly  equal  to  a 
pound. 

SEESAR,  Ind.  the  dewy  season. 

SEEARISH,  Ind.  a  recommenda- 
tion. 

SEEPEEYA,  hid.  a  triangle  to  which 
culprits  are  tied  to  be  flogged. 

SEFFY,  hid.  a  dynasty  of  Persia. 

SEGBANS,  horsemen  among  the 
Turks,  who  have  care  of  the  baggage 
belonging  to  cavalry  regiments. 

SEGMENT,  (segment,  Fr.)  generally 
signifies  a  piece  cut  off  from  something. 

Segment  of  a  circle,  (segment  d'un 
carle,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  is  a  figure  ter- 
minated by  a  right  line,  less  than  the  dia- 
meter and  circumference ;  on  it  is  a  figure 
contained  between  a  chord  and  an  arch 
of  the  same  circle. 

Segment  of  a  sphere,  (segment  dc 
sphere,  Fr.)  in  mathematics  :  this  is  also 
called  section  of  a  sphere,  and  consists  of 
a  portion  of  it  cut  off  by  a  plane,  in  any 
part  except  the  center,  so  that  the  base  of 
such  segment  must  alwavs  be  a  circle, 
and  its  surface  a  part  of  that  of  the 
sphere ;  the  whole  segment  being  either 
greater  or  less  than  an  hemisphere. 

SEJA,  hid.  a  fenced  terrace. 

SEILLURE,  sillage,  can,  hoiiage,  ou 
ouiuche,Fr.  terms  used  among  the  rrench 
to  express  the  way  a  ship  makes  ;  it  cor- 
responds with  our  naval  word  wake. 

SE JOUR,  IV.  a  halting  day;  such  as 
is  usually  marked  out  by  the  secretary  at 
war,  when  troops  are  on  their  march  in 
the  interior  of  a  country  ;  or  by  the  ge- 
neral of  an  army,  when  they  are  in  the 
field.  In  a  naval  sense,  it  signifies  the 
time  that  a  ship  remains  in  port. 

SEIN,  Fr.  in  the  midst.  The  French 
say  figuratively,  porter  la  guerre  dans  le 
sein  d'un  rot/aume  ;  to  carry  war  .into  the 
heart  of  a  kingdom.  An  sein  de  ses  sol- 
dats,  in  the  midst  of  his  soldiers  ;  au  sein 
de  su  famille,  in  the  midst  of  his  family. 


SETNG  Manuel,  Fr.  sign  manual. 

SEL,  Fr.  salt.  Before  the  revolution 
of  1789,  the  French  troops  were  allowed 
a  specific  quantity  of  salt,  which  was  re- 
gularly accounted  for  at  the  back  of  the 
muster-rolls. 

Sel,  Fr.  The  salt  used  in  the  artillery 
is  lixivia),  and  of  a  fixed  quality.  It  is 
extracted  from  saltpetre,  and  must  be 
thoroughly  washed,  as  no  saltpetre  can 
be  good  which  has  the  least  saline,  or 
greasy  particle  about  it. 

SELENDERS  are  chops,  or  mangy 
sores,  in  the  bending  of  a  horse's  hough, 
as  the  malendersare  in  the  knees. 

To  SEEECT,  to  choose  in  preference 
to  others  rejected. 

SELECTION,  the  act  of  choosing  in 
preference  to  others  rejected ;  hence  se- 
lection of  officers  to  act  upon  the  staff, 
&c.  in  which  case  merit  only  ought  to 
be  the  guiding  principle. 

SELF,(soi-»«eW,  Fr.)one's  own  person. 

Self -confident.     See  Vanity. 

Self- sufficient.     See  Vanity. 

SELFISHNESS, a  narrow,  mean,  and 
unmanly  regard  for  one's  own  interest 
only;  a  quality  incompatible  with  the 
fine  feelings  and  the  high  notions  of  an 
officer. 

SELICTAR,  a  Turkish  sabre. 

SELION,  (sillon,  Fr.)  a  ridge  of  land 
which  lies  between  two  furrows. 

To  SELL,  to  dispose  of  for  a  price. 

To  Sell  out,  a  term  generally  used 
when  an  officer  is  permitted  to  retire 
from  the  service  ;  selling  or  disposing  of 
his  commission  or  commissions.  It  is 
the  correlative  word  to  buy  in.  Officers 
who  have  purchased  or  bought,  are 
usually  allowed  to  sell.  But  much  de- 
pends upon  the  interest  or  good  luck  ot' 
the  individual,  with  respect  to  the  ad- 
vantages which  are  derived  from  this 
traffic.  It  sometimes  happens,  that  an 
officer,  who  has  only  perhaps  bought  one- 
commission,  and  has  risen  to  the  top  of 
the  regiment,  is  permitted  to  get  the  ag- 
gregate value  of  all  the  steps  :  and  he  is 
fortunate  indeed,  if  the  step  he  pur- 
chased was  the  first,  and  consequently 
the  cheapest.  During  the  administra- 
tion of  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of 
York,  a  great  check  has  been  put  to  the 
enormous  abuses  which  were  formerly 
practised. 

To  Sell«£  the  Regulation,  to  receive 
the  regulated  price  oi  a  commission.  A 
commission  is  sometimes  allowed  to  ba 
sold  at  the  regulation  for  the  benefit  ef  as 


; ' 


S  E  M 


(     800     ) 


SEN 


individual  whose  children  have  fallen  in 
t!ii-  service;  audit  sometimes  happens, 
thai  individuals  are  obliged  to  quit  the 
army  without  being  able  to  take  advan- 
tage of  the  market. 

SELLA  impcratoria  vel  CMtretuii,  a 
chair  of  state,  made  of  carved  ivory, 
which  the  Roman  generals  used  in  the 
field,  and  which  was  afterwards  con- 
verted into  the  Imperial  throne. 

SELLANDER,  a  dry  scab  in  a  horse's 
hoof,  or  pastern. 

SELLE,  l'r.  a  saddle.  See  Boute- 
SELLB. 

Selle  rase,  Fr.  a  saddle  without  a 
bow. 

Seli.f  a  (tram,  Fr.  a  bow-saddle. 

/•'()/  de  Selle,  Fr.     See  Tree  of  a 

Saddle. 

SELLERIE,  Fr.  a  place  appropriated 
for  horse  harness. 

SFLEETTE,  Fr.  a  stool;  also  a  pad, 
or  saddle,  for  a  cart-horse.  Likewise  a 
»tool  on  which  the  prisoner  sits,  in 
foreign  countries,  during  his  trial. 

SeLLETTE,  Fr.  in  mechanics,  apiece 
of  wood  placed  near  the  top  of  the  pin  ot 
an  engine,  or  machine,  upon  which  two 
hold-fasts  are  fixed  that  sustain  the  cross 
beam  which  carries  the  puilies. 

SEMBLABLES,  Fr.  in  geometry, 
similar,  alike,  equal.  This  term  is  ap- 
plied to  any  two  figures,  the  sides  of 
one  of  which  correspond  with  the  sides 
of  the  other,  and  are  always  in  the 
same  ratio.  So  that  semblable,  or  alike, 
only  means,  in  this  sense,  equal.  Two 
circles,  though  unequal  in  their  sizes, 
may  still  be  alike  ;  that  is,  their  several 
parts  may  agree  according  to  a  certain 
ratio. 

SEMELLE,  Fr.  lee-board. 

Semelle,  Fr.  a  sort  of  beam  upon 
which  certain  parts  of  a  roof  are  kept 
together,  in  order  to  prevent  them  from 
widening  out. 

Semelle  d'etuie,  Fr.  a  piece  of  tim- 
ber, which  is  laid  heneath  the  foot  of  a 
prop,  &.c. 

Si  melle,  Fr.  in  artillery,  the  end  of 
a  thick  plank,  which  is  laid  between 
the  two  cheeks  of  a  gun-carriage,  and 
upon  which  the  cannon  rests. 

Lea  SE-ftlELLES,  Fr.  the  axle-trees 
belonging  to  the  carriage  of  a  gun.  The 
French  also  call  them  lea  aissieux. 

SEMESTRE,  Fr.  This  word  lite- 
rally signifies  a  term  of  six  months ;  but 
it  is  generally  understood  to  express  any 
tvrui  of  have  of  absence  which  is  granted 


to  officers,  or  soldiers.     With  respect  to 
the  latter,  it  means  furlough. 

SEMESTRIER,  Fr.  This  term 
comes  from  the  word  Semestre,  and 
siguilics  the  person  who  lias  leave  of 
absence,  or  who  goes  on  furlough. 

SEMICIRCLE,  part  of  a  circle  di- 
vided by  the  diameter. 

SEMIDIAMETER,  half  of  the  line 
which  divides  a  circle  into  two  equal  parts. 
SEMiniAMETiui  of  the  globe  of  com- 
pression,  in  mining.  This  is  the  dis- 
tance from  the  center  of  the  chamber 
of  the  mine,  to  the  circumference  of  the 
excavation,  made  by  the  explosion,  or 
springing,  of  the  mine,  and  is  estimated 
to  be  equal  to  the  hypothenuse  of  a 
right  angled  triangle,  whose  other  two 
sides  are  the  line  of  least  resistance,  and 
the  semidiameter  of  the  excavation. 

SEMIORDINATE,  a  line  drawn  at 
right  angles  to  be  bisected  by  the  axis, 
and  extending  from  one  side  of  the  sec- 
tion to  the  other. 

Vieille  SEM1TTERNELLE,  Fr.  the 
old  trot. 

SENAU,  Fr.  a  small  skiff,  or  tender, 
calculated  for  quick  sailing. 

SENEC1IAL,  Fr.  This  is  the  most 
ancient  of  all  the  titles  or  dignities 
which  were  attached  to  those  indivi- 
duals that  undertook  the  command  of 
armies,  when  the  Kings  of  France,  be- 
longing to  the  second  race,  ceased  to  go 
in  person.  The  Sinichal  was  selected 
by  the  sovereign  from  among  those  vas- 
sals and  subjects,  who  were  highest  in 
nobility,  and  were  most  distinguished 
for  their  rank,  wealth,  and  talents.  The 
title  of  grand  Sen'echul  of  France  wai 
first  created  by  Lotharios,  in  928,  and 
conferred  upon  Geoffrey,  Count  of  Anjou, 
surnauied  Grisegonnelle.  This  rank,  or 
situation,  continued  to  be  attached  to 
the  Count  of  Anjou,  until  the  reign  of 
Philip  Augustus,  in  whom  it  was  extin- 
guished, when  he  ascended  the  throne  of 
France,  in  1121.  The  grand  Senechal 
likewise  exercised  the  functions  of  Lord 
Steward  of  the  King's  household  ;  having 
under  him  several  subordinate  st'nechals, 
who  also  held  places  of  considerable 
trust.  These  were  called  Senechdux  de 
France,  Senechals  of  France. 

SEiSECIlALE,  Fr.  the  seneschal's 
wife  or  lady. 

SE\SS-dcsaus-deasous,  Fr.  topsy-turvy. 

Sms-dewant-derriere,  Fr.  wrong  way. 

SENIORITY,  in  military  matters,  is 
j  the  difference  of  lime  betwixt  the  raising 


SEN 


(     301     ) 


SEN 


of  two  regiments,  whereby  the  one  is 
said  to  be  so  much  senior  to  the  other. 
All  regiments  take  place  according  to 
seniority  in  numerical  order.  The  dif- 
ference of  time  betwixt  the  dates  of  two 
commissions  of  officers  makes  the  one 
senior  to  the  other ;  and  all  officers  of 
the  same  rank  roll  by  the  seniority  of 
their  commissions. 

The  seniority  of  a  regiment  or  bat- 
talion supersedes  the  standing  of  an 
individual  in  the  army,  being  wholly 
distinct  from  each  other  with  respect  to 
rank.  A  regiment,  for  instance,  may 
have  three  battalions,  and  be  thus  com- 
manded;— 1st  battalion  by  a  major- 
general,  2d  battalion  by  a  lieutenant- 
general,  and  the  third  again  by  a  full 
general ;  or,  to  make  the  case  as  it  really 
existed  during  the  late  war,  the  first 
and  second  battalions  shall  be  com- 
manded by  a  major-general  and  a  lieu- 
tenant-general, the  latter  having  the 
youngest  battalion.  Should  the  second 
battalion  be  reduced,  the  senior  officer 
with  respect  to  rank  in  the  army  goes 
to  the  right  about,  and  the  junior  re- 
mains full  colonel  of  the  standing  bat- 
talion; being  senior  in  regimental  rank. 
It  must  likewise  be  observed,  that  in  the 
line  of  battle,  officers  are  posted  accord- 
ing to  the  seniority  of  their  regiments : 
so  that  in  the  case  adduced,  the  lieu- 
tenant-general would  be  commanded  by 
the  major-general. 

SENSE,  understanding;  soundness  of 
faculties;  strength  of  natural  reason. 

Common  SENSE,  that  genuine  fa- 
culty of  the  mind  which  is  not  diverted 
from  any  rational  pursuit,  by  refined 
ideas.  According  to  Bailey,  common 
sense  consists  of  those  general  notions 
arising  in  the  minds  of  men,  by  which  they 
apprehend  things  after  the  same  manner. 

Sense  of  duty,  an  affection  of  the 
mind  which  governs  the  actions  of  men, 
according  to  the  principles  of  what  they 
feel  they  ought  to  do. 

Sense  of  honour,  a  fine  feeling,  by 
which  men  of  spirit  and  delicacy  are 
governed,  in  contradistinction  to  those 
grovelling  motives  by  which  mean  and 
selfish  creatures  are  actuated. 

SENSIBLE,  Fr.  susceptible;  liable 
to  take  a  quick  impression,  and  to  im- 
bibe a  spirit  of  resentment. 

Sense  of  Hereafter,  a  consciousness  of 
something  beyond  the  grave,  where  the 
highest  and  the  lowest  must  be  respon- 
sible for  their  conduct  iu  this  world. 


SENSUALIST,  one  devoted  to  cor- 
poreal pleasures,  generally  at  the  expense 
of  his  mental  faculties ;  an  animal  of 
this  sort  is,  perhaps,  less  adapted  to  a 
military  life,  than  almost  any  other  in 
creation. 

SENTENCE,  decision;  determina- 
tion; final  judgment.  There  is  an  ap- 
peal allowed  from  the  sentence  of  a 
regimental  court-martial  to  the  opinion 
of  a  general  one,  in  pecuniary  matters. 

To  Sentence  a  thousand  lushes,  to 
pass  judgment  upon  a  man,  by  which 
he  is  liable  to  receive  that  specific  num- 
ber of  lashes.  When  the  sentence  pro- 
ceeds from  a  general  court-martial,  the 
King  only  can  remit  the  punishment;  in 
regimental  cases  the  total  remission,  or, 
mitigation,  rests  with  the  commanding 
officer. 

SENTIER,  Fr.  a  path;  a  by-way.  ' 

SENTINEL,  ^  from    the   Latin  sen- 

S  ENTRY,  j  tio,  or  more  properly 
from  the  Italian  sentinel/a,  a  private 
soldier,  placed  in  some  post,  to  watch 
the  approach  of  the  enemy,  to  prevent 
surprizes,  to  stop  such  as  would  pass 
without  order,  or  being  discovered  who 
they  are.  Sentries  are  placed  before 
the  arms  of  all  guards,  at  the  tents  and 
doors  of  general  officers,  colonels  of 
regiments,  &c. 

All  sentries  are  to  be  vigilant  on  their- 
posts  ;  they  are  not,  on  any  account,  to 
sing,  smoke  tobacco,  nor  suffer  any 
noise  to  be  made  near  them.  They  are 
to  have  a  watchful  eye  over  the  things 
committed  to  their  charge.  They  are 
not  to  surfer  any  light  to  remain,  or  any 
fire  to  be  made  near  their  posts  in  the 
night-time ;  neither  is  any  sentry  to  be 
relieved,  or  removed  from  his  post,  but 
by  the  corporal  of  the  guard.  They  are 
not  to  suffer  any  one  to  touch  or  handle 
their  arms,  or  in  the  night-time  to  come 
within  ten  yards  of  their  post. 

No  person  is  to  strike  or  abuse  a 
sentry  on  his  post;  but  when  he  has 
committed  a  crime,  he  is  to  be  relieved, 
and  then  punished  according  to  the  rules 
and  Articles  of  War. 

A  sentinel,  on  his  post  in  the  - nitrht, 
is  not  to  knew  any  body,  but  by  the 
countersign ;  when  he  challenges,  and 
is  answered,  relief,  he  calls  out  stand, 
relief!  advance  corporal !  upon  which 
the  corporal  halts  his  men,  and  ad- 
vances alone  within  a  yard  of  the  sentry's 
firelock,  first  ordering  his  party  to  port 
arms,  on  which  the  sentrv  does  ths 
5K 


S  E  11 


same.  Mid  gives  him  the  same  counter- 
sign, taking  care  that  no  one  hears  it. 
S«   Rounds. 

I  running  SENTINEL,  a  sentry 
who  is  upon  the  look  out,  at  ail  ad- 
vanced post,  or  near  the  gates  of  a  for- 
tified place,  and  is  not  confined  to  a 
particular  spot. 

SENTTNELLE,  Fr.  sentinel;  sen- 
try. This  word  is  likewise  used  to  ex- 
press the  duty  done  by  a  sentinel. 
Faire  sentinclle,  to  stand  sentry. 

Sentinem.e  perdue,  Fr.  a  sentry 
posted  in  a  very  advanced  situation,  so 
as  to  he  in  continual  danger  of  surprize 
from  the  enemy. 

SEPTANGULAR,  having  seven  an- 
gles. 


(     802     )  S    E    It 

SERASKUR,    Ind.      This  word    is 


SEPTENTRION,  Fr.  the  north 


the 


SEPADAR,  Ind.  an  officer  of 

rank  of  brigadier  general. 

SEPAHE,  Ind.  a  feudatory  chief,  01 
military  tenant. 

SEPHARRY,   Ind.  afternoon. 

SEPOYS,  Ind.  derived  from  Sepahe, 
natives  who  have  enlisted  themselves 
into  the  service  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany, and  are  attached  to  the  infantry. 
These  troops  have  both  native  and  Eu- 
ropean officers;  but  the  Europeans  at 
all  times  command.  The  Sepoys  make 
excellent  soldiers,  are  remarkably  clean, 
and  feel  a  natural  predilection  for  anus. 
SEPTEMBRISADE,  Fr.  a  term 
msed  to  express  the  general  massacre 
which  took  place  in  Paris  on  the  2d 
and  3d  of  September,  1792. 

SEPTEMBRISER,  JFV.   to  septem- 
brise;    to    massacre;    to    kill    without 

judge  or  jury. 

SEPTEMBRISEURS,  Fr.  a  name 
^iven  to  those  who  were  concerned  in 
the  French  massacres  of  September,  in 
1798,  and  co  those  who  were  suspected 
of  having  aided  and  abetted  the  perpe- 
trators of  those  horrid  acts.  The  latter 
were  also  called  Septembristes. 

SEPTIDI,  Fr.    the  seventh  day  in 
the  French  Republican  decade. 
SEPTILATERAL, having  seven  sides. 
SEPTUPLE,  seven  fold. 
SERAKHUR,    bid.  )  native  officers 
SERANG,  >  who   are   em- 

ployed in    the   artillery,  and    on   board 
tthips  of  war,  to  command  the  Lascars. 

SERASKIER,  (serasquier,  Fr.)  a- 
mong  the  Turks,  the  next  in  rank  to 
the  Vizier,  in  whose  absence  he  com- 
mands, but  to  whose  orders  he  is  con- 
stantly subservient. 


sometimes  written  Seraskier,  and  sig- 
nifies the  commander  in  chief  of  a 
Turkish  army. 

SERDANS,  colonels  ia  the  Turkish 
service. 

SERF,  SERVE,  Fr.  a  bond-man, 
bond-woman.  Formerly  those  only  wer» 
called  bond-men  and  bond-women  whose 
(Kiisons  and  property  belonged,  uncon- 
ditionally, to  some  lord  of  a  manor,  to 
whom  the  property  devolved  in  default 
of  lineal  inheritance.  A  bond-man,  or 
serf,  was,  in  fact,  a  slave.  All  the  pea- 
sants in  Poland  are  of  this  class,  as  well 
as  those  of  Russia. 

SERGENS  d'armes,  Fr.  a  distinguish- 
ed class  of  military  men,  that  constituted 
tbe  body  guard  of  Philipe  Auguste  of 
France.  Under  Philipe-le-bel,  they  only 
did  duty  every  quarter,  at  the  palace. 
Their  weapons  consisted  of  the  masse. 
d'armes,  or  mace,  and  the  arc  or  bow. 
The  company  of  sergens  d'armes  was,  at 
first,  composed  of  two  hundred  men ; 
afterwards  it  was  reduced  to  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty,  and  then  again  to  one, 
hundred.  During  the  absence  of  his  fa- 
ther John,  who  was  a  prisoner  in  Eng- 
land, Charles  the  Fifth,  regent  of  France, 
reduced  them  to  six  individuals.  And 
since  the  reign  of  Charles  the  Seventh, 
the  sergens  d'armes  have  not  been  spo- 
ken of. 

SERGENT,  Fr.     See  Serjeant. 
Sr.Rcr.NT  noble,  Fr.  a  post  of  honour 
which  existed  during  the  first  periods  of 
the    French    monarchy.      The    French 
compiler,  from   whose   work    we    have 
occasionally  translated  much  matter  re- 
lative  to  the    military    history,   Sec.   of 
France,  has  the  following  passage  con- 
cerning the  term  itself.     We  shall  give 
his  words  literally : — "  This  term  does 
not    come    from    serviens,   as    I    ima- 
gined, in  common  with  many  other  ety- 
mologists.     Monsieur  Beneton,    in   his 
Htitoire  de   la   Guerre,  says,   that  the 
Serjeant    was    a    gentleman    by    birth, 
who  during   the  prevalence  of  military 
fiefs,  was  liable  to  do  military  service, 
in    consequence    of   the  feodal  tenure, 
called  fuf  de  sergenterie,  by  which  he 
held  his 'land.     His  superior  officer  was 
called  Suzeruin,  the  functions  of  whose 
situation  corresponded  with  those  of  a 
modern   adjutant  general.     It  was  tha 
business  of  the  sergent  noble,  or  gentle- 
man serjeant,  to  assemble  all  the  vassal* 
of  the  Suzerain,  for  the  purpose  of  incor- 


SER 


(     803     ) 


SER 


porating  them  under  one  standard,  and 
of  rendering  them  tit  for  war." 

Sergent  de  bunde,  Fr,  a  serjeant  in 
the  common  acceptation  of  the  term. — 
The  etymology  of  this  word  is  different 
from  that  of  sergent  noble.  It  evidently 
comes  from  the  French  serregent,  that 
close,  or  lock,  up,  the  same  as  serre- 
files;  shewing  that  this  non-commis- 
sioned officer  was  placed  to  take  charge 
of  the  rear  files,  whilst  the  commissioned 
one  was  in  front.  It  was  his  business 
to  see  that  the  rear  conformed  itself  to 
the  orders  which  were  given  in  the 
front;  to  make  the  files  lock  up,  and 
dress,  &c. 

Sergent  de  bataille,  Fr.  field  ser- 
jeant. This  was  an  appointment  of  con- 
siderable trust  in  the  old  French  armies. 
The  sergens  de  bataille  held  commands, 
and  did  the  duty  of  inspectors.  They 
ranked  next  to  a  field  marshal,  or  mari- 
chal  de  bataille.  The  sergens  de  bataille, 
or  field  Serjeants,  existed  under  Francis 
the  First.  But  these  field  Serjeants  were 
only  at  that  time  sergens  de  bandes,  or 
train  Serjeants.  There  were  likewise, 
under  the  same  king,  sergens  giniraux de 
bataille,  general  field  Serjeants.  These 
were  officers  of  rank,  and  did  the  duty  of 
a  modern  major-general. 

There  were  also  officers  of  the  same 
description  in  the  reign  of  Henry  IY;. 
This  appointment  appears  to  have  been 
dropped  after  the  peace  of  the  Pyre- 
nees. The  author  of  the  Hisloire  de 
la  Milice  Francaise,  observes,  that  the 
appointment  and  duty  of  the  different 
officers,  called  marshals,  or  field  Ser- 
jeants, varied  according  to  the  will 
and  pleasure  of  the  French  kings,  and 
their  war  ministers.  He  agrees  with 
us,  that  the  situation  of  field  serjeant 
was  originally  of  great  consequence, 
but  that  it  gradually  declined,  and  was 
eventually  made  subservient  to  a  supe- 
rior officer,  who  was  called  marechal  de 
bataille,  whose  duties  corresponded  with 
those  of  adjutant-general  in  the  present 
times. 

There  have  been  officers  of  the  same 
denomination  both  in  Spain  and  Ger- 
many, who  did  the  duty  of  marechal  de 
camp;  another  term,  we  presume,  for 
major-general.  But  the  general  field 
Serjeants,  in  those  countries,  were  divided 
into  two  classes;  one  class  was  confined, 
in  its  functions,  to  the  infantry,  and  the 
*ther  to  the  cavalry;    and   both   acted 


independently  of  one  another  ;   whereas 
in  France  they  acted  together. 

SERGENTER,  Fr.  a  word  frequently 
used  by  the  French,  in  a  figurative 
sense,  signifying  to  press,  to  importune. 
On  n'aime  point  a  itrc  scrgent'e,  on« 
does  not  like  to  be  pressed ;  or,  as  wa 
familiarly  say,  to  be  dragooned  into  a 
thing. 

SERUD,  Tnd.  a  boundary  or  frontier. 

SERJEANT,       i    in  war,   is  a  non- 

SERGEANT,     >   commissioned    or 

(Sergent,  Fr.)  }  inferior  officer  in 
a  company  or  troop,  armed  with  a  pike, 
and  appointed  to  see  discipline  observed; 
to  teach  the  private  men  their  exercise ; 
and  to  order,  straighten,  and  form  ranks, 
tiles,  &c.  lie  receives  the  orders  from 
the  serjeant-major,  which  he  communi- 
cates to  his  officers.  Each  company  has 
generally  three  Serjeants  in  the  British 
service. 

SERJEANT-Ma/or.  The  serjeant- 
major  is  the  first  non-commissioned 
officer  in  the  regiment  after  the  quarter- 
master. He  is,  in  fact,  an  assistant  to 
the  adjutant. 

It  is  his  peculiar  duty  to  be  perfect 
master  of  every  thing  which  relates  to 
drills ;  and  it  is  always  expected,  that 
he  should  set  an  example,  to  the  rest 
of  the  non-commissioned  officers,  of 
manly,  soldier-like,  and  zealous  activity. 

He  must  be  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  all  the  details  which  regard  the 
interior  management  and  the  discipline 
of  a  regiment.  For  this  purpose  he 
must  be  a  good  penman,  and  must  keep 
regular  lists  of  the  Serjeants  and  cor- 
porals, with  the  dates  of  their  appoint- 
ments, as  well  as  the  roster  for  their 
duties,  and  rosters  of  privates,  orderly 
duty  and  commands,  as  far  as  relates  to 

or  cora- 
in  every 
respect,  responsible  for  the  accuracy  of 
these  details.  He  must  look  well  to  the 
appearance  of  the  men,  and  order  such 
to  drill  as  he  sees  awkward,  slovenly,  or 
in  any  way  irregular.  If  it  be  meant  as 
a  punishment,  he  specifies  the  time  for 
which  they  are  sent  to  drill ;  if  only  for 
awkwardness,  they  remain  there  until 
their  faults  are  removed. 

When  he  has  occasion  to  put  a  non- 
commissioned officer  in  arrest,  he  must 
report  him  to  the  adjutant. 

In  most  regiments,  the  serjeant-major, 
under  the  direction  of  the  adjutant,  rs 
5  K3 


the  number  which  each  troop, 
pany,   is   to    furnish.     He   is, 


SER 


(     804     ) 


S  E  II 


:.  (I  to  drill  every  young  officer  who 
,-(niu-  into  the  n  .uncut,  in  the  manual 
-tiitl  platoon  exi  rases;  In  is  likewise  to 
instruct  him  in  the  slow  imd  quick 
marches,  in  wheeling,  &c.  He  is  paid 
for  his  trouble  by  each  officer  whom  lie 
instructs.  In  some  regiments, especially 
of  cai  airy,  one  guinea  and  a  half,  and  in 
others  one  guinea  is  given. 

li.  reports  regularly  to  the  adjutant 
flu- 1  xact  -till  of  the  awkward  drill, Sec. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  observe  in 
this  place,  that  the  good  or  had  ap- 
pearance of  a  regiment,  with  or  with- 
out anus,  depends  greatly  upon  the  skill 
and  activity  of  a  serjeant-major  ;  and 
that  he  has  every  inducement  to  look 
forward  to  promotion. 

Armourer-SEBJZAJHr,  the  serjeant  who 
lias  the  care  of  the  arms  belonging  to  a 
battalion,  troop  or  company.  He  is 
under  the  quarter-master. 

Corcrmg-SERJEANT,  a  non-commis- 
sioned officer,  who  during  the  exercise  of 
a  battalion,  regularly  stands  or  moves 
behind  each  otiicer,  commanding,  or  act- 
ing  with,  a  platoon  or  company.  When 
the  ranks  take  open  order,  and  the 
officers  move  in  front,  the  covering  Ser- 
jeants replace  their  leaders  ;  and  when 
the  ranks  are  closed  they  fall  back  in 
their  rear. 

DrUlSzRJZATUT,  an  expert  and  active 
non-commissioned  officer,  who,  under 
the  immediate  direction  of  the  serjeant- 
major,  instructs  the  raw  recruits  of  a 
regiment  in  the  first  principles  of  military 
exercise.  \\  hen  awkward,  or  ill-be- 
haved men  are  sent  to  drill,  they  are 
usually  placed  under  the  care  of  the 
drill-Serjeant*.  This  non-commissioned 
cer  will  dp  well  to  bear  constantly  in 
mindthe  followingobser  various  from  page 
13.3, vol.  i.  of  the  Reglemens  pour  I' bifun- 
terie  Praj  '■>  nne. 

"  In  teaching  young  recruits  their 
first  duties,  the  greatest  caution  must  be 
observed  not  to  give  them  a  disgust  to 
the  service,  by  harsh  treatment,  angry 
and  impatient  words,  and  much  less  by 
blows.  The  utmost  mildness  must,  oil 
the  contrary,  be  shewn,  in  order  to 
endear  the  service  to  them;  and  the 
several  parts  of  exercise  must  be  taught 
[hem  by  degrees;  so  that  they  become 
insensibly  acquainted  with  the  whole  of 
the  discipline,  without  having  been  dis- 
puted in  the  acquirement.     Rustics  and 

strangers  must  be  used  with   extreme 

lenity,' 


P«)/-Sekjeakt,  or  PaytriOsief-Ss.** 
JEANT,  an  honest,  steady,  non-commis- 
sioned officer,  (who  is  a  good  accountant, 
and  writes  well)  that  is  selected  by  the 
captain  of  a  company  in  the  infantry,  to 
pay  the  men  twice  a  week,  and  to  ac- 
count weekly  to  him,  or  to  hi?  subaltern, 
(as  the  case  may  be)  for  all  disburse- 
ments, lie  likewise  keeps  a  regular  state 
of  the  necessaries  of  the  men,  and  assists 
in  making  up  the  monthly  abstract  for 
pay  allowances,  &c. 

Qmirta-iiittstcr-bv.iu v.AX7,  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  who  acts  under  the 
quarter-master  of  a  regiment;  he  ought 
to  be  a  steady  man,  a  good  accountant, 
and  to  be  well  acquainted  with  the  re- 
sources of  a  country-town  or  village. 

Lu)iccSep..i f.ant,  a  corporal  who  acts 
as  a  serjeant  in  a  company,  but  only  re- 
ceives tlie  pay  of  a  corporal. 

Scliool-Ii]ti*lir-Sh\:j\  ant,  the  serjeant 
who  has  the  instruction  of  the  boys  be- 
longing  to  a  regiment,  where  a  school  is 
kept  up  and  supported  by  the  colonels  of 
regiments. 

II ////c-SF.r.jrAXT,  a  term  of  just  ridi- 
cule in  the  British  service,  which  is 
applied  to  those  ladies,  who,  taking  ad- 
vantage of  the  uxoiiousiiess  of  their  hus- 
band-, neglect  their  household  concerns, 
to  interfere  in  military  matters. 

Si.i;jEANT-«(-«rw.s-,  an  officer  appointed 

to   attend  the  person   of  a    king,  arrest 

traitors,  and  persons  of  quality  offending, 

and  to  attend  the  lord  steward  when  he 

sits  in  judgment  on  any  traitor. 

SERMENT,  Fr.  oath. 

Fitter  Sei;mi.>  r,  Fr.  to  take  an  oath. 

Sekment    de  sotilut,  Fr.  the  soldier's 

oath,    or  oath    of   fidelity,  and   passive 

obedience,  as  far  as  lawful  commands 

extend.     For  the  oath  which  was  taken 

among  the  Romans,  see  Sacuamextum. 

SERPE,  Fr.  a  billhook. 

SERPr.d'armeSyYr.  an  offensive  weapon; 

so  tailed  from  its  resemblance  to  a  hedg- 


ing bill. 


SERPENS,  Fr.  See  Salamanure. 

SERPENTF.AU,  Fr.  a  round  iron 
circle,  with  small  spikes,  and  squibs  at- 
tached to  them.  It  is  frequently  used 
in  the  attack  and  defence  of  a  breach. 
It  likewise  means  a  fusee,  which  is  filled 
with  gunpowder,  and  is  bent  in  such  a 
manner,  that  when  it  takes  fire,  it  ob- 
tains a  circular  rapid  motion,  and  throws 
out  sparks  of  light  in  various  directions. 

Serplntealx,  et  serpenteaux  bro- 
ckets, Fr.  a  spedes  of  fusee,  which  is 


SER 


(     805     ) 


SER 


garnished  or  loaded  with  a  stick  or 
spit,  that  is  a  third  of  the  length  of  the 
cartridge. 

SERPENTIN,  Fr.  the  cock  of  a 
musket  or  nrelo*ck. 

Serpentin,  Fr.  an  old  piece  of  ord- 
nance which  resembled  a  cannon,  but  is 
no  longer  in  use. 

SERPENTINE  line,  the  same  as 
Spiral. 

Langue  Serpentine,  Fr.  ill  tongue. 
See  Langue  ;  also  Insinuative  Abuse. 

SERPILIERE,  Fr.  packing  cloth. 

SERRE-file,  Fr.  the  last  rank  of  a 
battalion,  by  which  its  depth  is  ascer- 
tained, and  which  always  forms  its  rear. 
When  ranks  are  doubled,  the  battaiion 
resumes  its  natural  formation  by  means 
of  the  serre-files.  Serre-file  literally  sig- 
nifies a  closer  up.  Perhaps  the  term 
serre-jile  would  be  more  appropriate  than 
supernumerary,  as  both  officer  and  Ser- 
jeant are  posted  in  the  rear  to  keep  the 
rear-ranks  up. 

SERRE-rfe>«(;/?/e,  Fr.  that  rank  in  a 
battalion  which  determines  the  half  of 
its  depth,  and  which  marches  before  the 
demi-file.  Thus  a  battalion  standing  six 
deep  has  its  serre-demi  file  in  the  third 
rank,  which  determines  its  depth. 

Capitaine  de  Serre-/?7c.s,  Fr.  an  offi- 
cer who  commands  a  rear-guard,  when  a 
regiment  is  on  its  march. 

'SxiR.RZ-papiers,  Fr.  a  place  of  security 
where  papers  may  be  deposited. 

SERRER,  Fr.  to  close  up. 

Serrer  la  bride,  Fr.  to  pull  in  the 
bridle. 

Serrer  la  botte,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
cavalry  movements,  when  dragoons  are 
ordered  to  close  in,  knee  to  knee. 

Serrer  Viperon,  Fr.  to  push  the  spin- 
home,  when  the  horse  is  required  to  go 
full  gallop. 

Serrer  les  canons,  Fr.  to  house  the 
guns. 

SERREZ  la  masse!  Fr.  a  word  of  com- 
mand in  the  French  service,  signifying — 
Form  close  column ! 

Serrez  vosrangs. 'Fr.  Take  close  order! 

SFitRURE,  Fr.  a  lock. 

SERRURES  renardes,  Fr.  locks  which 
may  be  opened  inside  and  out. 

SERRURERIE,  -Fr.  This  word  not 
only  signifies  the  lock-smith's  work,  but 
also  the  art  of  working  iron, 

SERRURIER,  Fr.  a  locksmith. 

SERVANS  d" '  amies,  or  Chevaliers  Ser- 
vaus,  Fr.  persons  belonging  to  thu  third 
class  of  the  Order  of  Malta  are  so  called. 


They  are  not  noblemen,  although  they 
wear  the  sword  and  the  cross. 

SERVANTS,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
soldiers  taken  from  the  ranks,  for  the 
purpose  of  waiting  upon  officers,  and 
of  accompanying  them  when  they  are 
with  their  respective  corps.  Among  the 
standing  orders  for  Prince  William  of 
Gloucester's  regiment, namely,  the  115th7 
which  were  printed  during  the  last  war, 
we  find  the  following  particulars  respect- 
ing this  class  of  men. 

The  officers'  servants  to  be  taken  from 
the  rear  and  center  ranks.  t 

No  soldier  to  be  permitted  to  act  as 
an  officer's  servant,  that  is  not  perfect 
in  his  exercise,  and  whose  conduct  is 
not  good. 

Recruits  on  no  account  whatever  to 
be  suffered  to  attend  officers  as  ser- 
vants. 

No  soldier  to  be  taken  as  a  servant, 
without  the  consent  of  the  commanding 
officer  of  his  company;  and  if  he  is  of  a 
different  company  from  that  to  which  the 
officer  belongs,  he  is  to  have  the  consent 
of  both  captains,  or  commanding  offi- 
cers. When  a  soldier  is  to  be  employed 
as  a  servant,  by  an  officer  who  does  not 
belong  to  the  same  company,  his  com- 
manding officer  will  chuse  out  of  the 
company  to  -which  such  servant  is  trans- 
ferred, another  man  in  exchange,  from 
the  same  rank,  as  that  in  which  the  ser- 
vant has  been  accustomed  to  serve. 

It  is  recommended,  that  every  soldier 
who  shall  attend  an  officer  in  the  capa- 
city of  a  servant,  may  be  allowed  no 
more  wages  than  one  shilling  British  per 
week. 

Servants  to  constitute,  invariably, 
part  of  the  detail  with  their  masters  on 
duty. 

They  are  to  be  punctual  in  their  at- 
tendance, at  the  time  the  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  men  are  ordered  for 
inspection. 

No  officer  is,  on  any  pretence  what- 
ever, to  neglect  reporting  to  the  com- 
manding officer  instantly,  when  he  dis- 
covers an  act  of  dishonesty,  either  in  his 
own  servant,  or  in  the  servant  of  any 
other  officer  of  the  regiment.  Any  sol- 
dier, employed  by  an  officer  in  the  cha- 
racter of  a  servant,  who  either  himself 
robs,  or  knowingly  suffers  others  to  do 
so,  from  his  master,  or  from  any  body 
else,  let  the  articles  be  ever  so  trifling, 
shall  be  brought  to  a  court-martial,  and 
if  found  guilty ;  be  punished  for  a  breach 


SER 


(     806     ) 


SER 


c«t  the  standing  orders  of  the  regiment. 
\\  e  humbly  presume  to  suggest,  that 
under  bo  serious  a  charge  as  that  of  theft, 
the  delinquent  should  he  tried  for  a 
breach  of  the  specific  article  of  war, 
before  a  general  court-martial. 

Whenever  an  officer  dismisses  a  soldier 
from  acting  as  his  servant,  such  soldier 
is  to  return  to  his  company  complete  in 
regimentals,  necessaries,  and  appoint- 
ments, without  any  expense  to  his  cap- 
tain ;  and  if  he  is  discharged  on  account 
of  dishonesty,  or  irregularities  of  any 
kind,  such  servant  is  not  afterwards  to 
be  employed  by  any  other  officer  of  the 
regiment. 

In  addition  to  these  orders,  we  take 
the  liberty  to  observe,  (since  the  article 
of  war,  which  says  expressly,  that  no 
soldier  shall  wear  a  livery,  is,  through 
neglect  and  by  custom,  become  a  dead 
letter,)  that  if  officers'  servants  were  to 
be  plainly  dressed,  with  a  cull"  and  cape 
to  correspond  with  the  facings  of  the 
several  regiments,  much  ridiculous  parade 
and  show  would  be  avoided.  British 
soldiers  would  not  be  exposed  to  the 
galling  necessity  of  submitting  to  the 
whim  and  caprice  of  many  a  white  Ser- 
jeant, or  ostentatious  fribble,  and  be- 
<  1.1 1 ling  the  laughing  stocks  of  their 
comrades,  through  their  party-coloured 
tlresses. 

Servants  attached  to  officers,  com- 
monly called  officers'  servants.  Every 
officer  in  the  British  service,  being  with 
his  regiment,  or  on  detachment,  &c.  is 
allowed  one  private  soldier  or  more  ac- 
cording to  his  rank,  to  act  in  the  capa- 
city of  bat-man.  It  would  exceed  the 
limits  of  this  work,  were  we  to  enter  into 
the  gross  abuse  of  this  indulgence.  In 
order,  however,  to  do  away  the  possi- 
bility of  it,  we  would  suggest  the  fol- 
lowing measure;  namely,  to  allow  every 
officer  20(.  or  more,  to  enable  him  to 
hire  a  servant,  who  would,  of  course,  be 
amenable  to  military  law,  and  to  con- 
tinue that  allowance  on  a  certificate 
transmitted  through  the  regimental  pay- 
master, that  he  had  been  so  hired,  and 
was  not  a  soldier.  This  would  throw  a 
considerable  body  of  effective  good  fire- 
locks into  activity,  and  it  would  also  be 
the  means  of  recruiting  the  army  at 
huge;  as  many  boys  would  by  degrees 
get  attached  to  a  military  life,  and  enlist 
into  their  respective  regiments. 

As  far  buck  as  the  year  1695,  an  al- 
lowance for  servants  was  made  to  every 


4 


d. 
0 


17     0 


0  15     0 


0  10     0 


-048 


officer  in  the  British  army.     It  appear* 
by  a  MS.  in  the  Harleian  Library  still 
extant  in  the  Museum,  that  at  the  camp 
of  Bccclaer,  in  Flanders,  a  warrant  was 
signed  by  William  III.  dated  the  17th 
day  of  June,  1695,    by  which  the  fol- 
lowing rate  of  pay  was  established  for 
47  infantry  regiments;  being  the  stand- 
ing army  of  that  period. 
Colonel   12s.   three   servants 
each    3d.    as    captain    8s. 
three  servants  at  3d.  Daily  L 
pay  (without  deductions.)       1 
Lt.  Colonel  7s.  as  captain  8s. 

three  servants  at  8d.  -     ( 

Major  5s.  as  captain  8s.  three 

servants  at  8d. 
Captains  each  8s.  three  ser- 
vants at  8d. 
Lieutenants  each  4s.  one  ser- 
vant 8d. 
Ensigns  each  3s.  one  servant 

8d. 
Chaplain     - 
Adjutant 
Surgeon 
Surgeon's  mate 
Quarter-master  4s.  one  ser- 
vant 8d. 
Serjeants 
Corporals 
Drummers 

This  authenticated  statement  will  not 
only  bear  us  through  our  suggestion, 
but  may  also  prove  the  partial  hardship 
which  the  fighting  officers  suffer,  not 
only  from  their  pay  being  numerically 
less — but  from  being  rendered  still  more 
inadequate  to  their  wants,  through  the 
high  price  of  every  necessary  of  life. 

To  SERVE,  (servir,  Fr.)  in  a  mili- 
tary sense,  to  do  duty  as  an  officer  or 
soldier. 

To  Serve  a  piece,  (servir  une  piece, 
Fr.)  in  the  artillery,  to  load  and  fire 
with  promptitude  and  correctness.  The 
French  use  the  term  in  the  same  sense, 
viz.  L'artillcrie  Jut  bien  servie  a  ce 
siege;  the  artillery  was  well  served  at 
that  siege. 

SERVICE,  (service,  Fr.)  in  a  general 
sense  of  the  word,  as  far  as  it  relates  to 
war,  every  species  of  military  duty  which 
is  done  by  an  inferior  under  the  influ- 
ence and  command  of  a  superior.  It 
likewise  means  exploit,  achievement. 
It  also  points  out  thA  particular  profes- 
sion to  which  a  man  belongs,  as  land 
service,  sea  service,  and  the  degree  of 
knowledge  which  he  may  have  acquired 


0 

3 

8 

0 

6 

8 

0 

4 

0 

0 

4 

0 

0 

3 

6 

0 

4 

8 

0 

1 

6 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

S  E  R  <  m 

He  has  seen  a  great 


) 


S  E  R 


fcy  practice,  viz 
deal  of  service. 

Service  likewise  means  the  period 
during  which  a  man  has  done  duty,  or 
followed  the  military  profession  in  an 
active  manner. 

Service,  Fr.  in  building,  signifies  the 
conveyance  of  materials  from  the  tim- 
ber-yard to  the  foot  of  the  edifice  which 
is  being  constructed,  and  thence  up  to 
the  scaffolding. 

To  go,  or  enter  upon  Service,  to  join 
a  corps  which  is  ordered  into  actual 
warfare. 

To  meet  in  Service,  to  come  in  con- 
tact with  a  person  who  is  engaged  in  the 
same  state  of  warfare. 

To  see  Service,  to  be  in  actual  con- 
tact with  an  enemy. 

To  be  on  Service,  to  be  doing  actual 
duty  with  a  corps,  or  detachment. 

To  enter  into  the  Service,  to  pur- 
chase, or  receive  without  purchase,  a 
commission  in  the  army.  In  either  ease 
the  individual  must  be  recommended  to 
the  Commander  in  Chief,  or  to  the  secre- 
tary at  war,  (as  the  case  may  be,)  stating 
him  to  be  fully  qualified  to  hold  that 
situation.  This  is  done  for  his  Majesty's 
approbation ;  and  no  person,  under  the 
rank  of  a  field  officer,  can  recommend 
-another.     See  Recommend. 

To  retire  from  the  Service,  to  quit 
the  army,  or  resign  with  or  without  the 
advantage  of  being  benefited  by  the  sale 
of  one,  or  more  commissions. 

No  officer  can  resign  his  commission, 
or  retire  from  the  service,  without  hav- 
ing previously  obtained  his  Majesty's 
permission  through  the  Commander  in 
Chief,  or  the  secretary  at  war,  as  the 
case  may  be. 

To  retire  from  the  Service,  keeping 
one's  rank.  It  has  sometimes  happen- 
ed, that  an  officer  has  obtained  per- 
mission to  quit  the  army,  keeping  his 
rank;  by  which  means  he  has  been 
enabled  to  return  into  the  service,  and 
to  take  advantage  of  his  original  stand- 
ing. A  very  meritorious  officer,  of 
high  rank  at  present,  was  permitted  to 
retire  iu  this  manner.  There  have  been 
instances  of  officers  retiring,  not  only 
with  their  rank,  but  with  a  certain 
allowance  from  the  regiment.  Few  or 
none,  however,  of  any  description,  have 
occurred  during  the  administration  of 
the  army  under  His  Royal  Highness  the 
Duke  of  York,  who  is  said  to  be  deci- 
dedly averse  to  every  thing  of  the  kind. 


Infantry  Service,  service  done  by 
foot  soldiers. 

Cavalry  Service,  service  done  by 
soldiers  on  horseback. 

General  Service.  This  term  is  ap- 
plied to  troops  that  are  liable  to  be  sent 
to  any  quarter  of  the  habitable  globe; 
hence,  men  raised  for  general  service. 
Regiments  composed  of  volunteers  from 
the  militia  are  not  of  this  description; 
nor  do  the  officers,  who  came  from  that 
establishment,  enjoy  progressive  rank  in 
the  army.  Stars  are  affixed  to  their 
names  in  the  Army  List. 

A  Letter  of  Service.     See  Letter. 

Home  Service,  in  a  military  sense, 
and  with  us,  the  duty  which  is  done 
within  the  limits  of  the  three  United 
Kingdoms,  and  the  adjacent  islands. 
This  term  is  frequently  used  to  distin- 
guish such  troops  as  are  not  liable  to 
serve  beyond  specified  limits,  from  those 
that  have  been  raised  for  general  service. 

Foreign  Service,  military  duty,  or 
service,  done  abroad. 

Secret  Service,  any  service  performed 
by  an  individual,  in  a  clandestine  secret 
manner.  It  likewise  means  intelligence, 
or  information  given  by  spies  when 
countries  are  engaged  in  war,  for  which 
they  receive  pecuniary  compensation. 

Secret  Service  (abroad),  the  act  of 
obtaining  and  transmitting  intelligence 
respecting  the  movements  and  measure* 
of  an  open  enemy,  or  of  powers,  &c. 
that  may  be  more  or  less  coanected 
with  him. 

Secret  Service  (at  home),  the  act  of 
watching  the  conduct  of  persons  at 
home,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  infor- 
mation thereon  to  government. 

Secret  Service  money,  the  reward  or 
compensation  which  is  given  for  secret 
intelligence. 

Hard  Service.  This  term  is  used, 
among  the  British,  to  signify  the  exer- 
cise of  military  duties  in  the  presence  of 
an  enemy  :  we  say,  he  has  seen  muck 
hard  service ;  which  the  French  express 
thus  :  11  a  beaucoup  servi. 

Service  of  danger.  Any  duty,  of- 
fice, or  undertaking,  may  be  so  called 
when  the  character  or  personal  safety 
of  an  individual  is  involved.  Thus  to 
write  for  the  public  good,  however  pure 
the  motive  may  be,  is  always  a  service 
of  danger,  especially  in  degenerate  times, 
and  under  a  system  of  corruption. 

Limited  Service.  A  prescribed  pe- 
riod by  law,  during  which  men  enlisted 


S  K  It 


(     308     ) 


S  E  T 


Under  that  provision  are  bound  to  serve 
as  soldiers,  liut  at  the  expiration  of 
which,  they  are  at  liberty  to  return  to 
their   respective   homes.     This  rational 


Avoir  du  Service,  Fr.  a  vulgar  term 
used  among  the  French  to  signify,  that 
a  man  has  been  in  various  situations 
without    much   credit    to     himself,    or 


suggestion,  which  had  been  pressed  upon  j  benefit  to  others.     It  is  particularly  ap 


the  attention  of  our  representatives 
during  several  years  in  repeated  publi- 
cations, was  brought  forward  by  Mr. 
WindhaU  itl  ltJOti,  and  passed  into  a 
law;  so  that,  with  all  his  eccentricities, 
that  gentleman  has  done  some  good  to 
the  army. 

Unlimited  Service,  military  service 
done  abroad  or  at  home,  according  to 
the  exigencies  of  the  state,  without  li- 
mitation or  restriction. 

Services,  pecuniary  disbursements, 
or  payments,  made  for  military  pur- 
poses. 

Eire  de  Service,  Fr.  to  be  on  duty. 
Etre  de  Service  c/icz  le  roi,  Fr.  to 
do  duty  at  the  palace. 

Service  likewise  means  tour  of  duty, 
or  routine  of  service. 

Service  de  Cirtfantcric  en  marche,  Fr. 
the  regular  duties  or  routine  of  service 
which  an  infantry  regiment  goes  through, 
when  it  receives  orders  to  inarch.  These 
are  the  general,  la  generate,  ou  le  pre- 
mier;  the  assembly,  I'asscmb/ee,  ou  le 
second;  the  troop,  le  drapeau,  ou  le 
dernier. 

Service  des  places,  Fr.  the  regular 
duty,  or  routine  of  service,  which  is 
performed  in  fortified  towns  or  places : 
of  which  description  arc  garrison  duties. 
See  Essai  snr  la  Science  de  lu  Guerre, 
par  Mons.  le  Baron  IVEspagnac,  torn, 
iii.  p.  855,  and  E/hnens  Militaires,  torn, 
ii,  p.  116,  where  specific  regulations  on 
this  head  may  be  seen.  We  likewise 
recommend  to  the  perusal  of  every  en- 
gineer and  artillery  officer,  a  valuable 
publication,  entituled  Essai  General  de 
Fortification,  et  d'Attaijuc  ct  Defense 
des  places. 

Service  de  campagne,  Fr.  field  du- 
ties. This  subject  has  been  ably  treated 
by  several  French  writers,  and  among 
others  by  the  author  of  Eliincns  Mili- 
taires, torn.  ii.  p.  1,  &c.  and  in  torn.  iv. 
p.  G8,  &c.  We  likewise  recommend  to 
British  officers,  in  general,  a  small 
treatise  which  has  been  published  at 
the  Military  Library,  relative  to  the 
duties  of  an  officer  in  the  field,  and 
principally  of  light  troops,  whether  ca- 
valry or  infantry ;  as  containing  much 
uselul  information,  and  preparatory 
knowledge. 


plied  to  a  soldier  who  has  been  in  dif- 
ferent services,  or  who  has  deserted  and 
got  into  two  or  three  different  regi- 
ments. 

Service  des  Grands  nest  pas  heritage, 
Fr.  an  expression  used  among  the; 
French,  which  signifies,  that  attendance 
on  the  great  seldom  produces  any  per- 
manent advantage.  Every  individual, 
who  has  talents,  should,  of  course,  de- 
pend upon  his  own  exertions.  He  ought 
indeed  never  to  lose  sight  of  the  French 
phrase,  Nage  toujuttrs,  et  ne  fy  fie  pas  ; 
Keep  swimming  on,  and  do  not  trust  to 
the  stream. 

Fnire  son  Servic  f,  Fr.  to  go  through 
the  functions  or  duties  of  a  place  or  si- 
tuation. 

SERVICEABLE,  capable  of  per- 
forming all  necessary  military  duty;  also 
fit  for  use,  as  serviceable  arms. 

SERVIENTES,  in  old  times  substi- 
tutes for  tenants  in  capite,  according  to 
the  feudal  laws. 

Time  SERVING.     See  Time. 
SERVIR,  Ft.  to  serve,  to  do  duty. 
Se  Servir  d'un  autre,  Fr.  to  make 
use  of  another.     See  Use. 

Servir  le  canon,  Fr.  to  serve  the  can- 
non, or  bring  it  into  action. 

Servir  Cartillerie,  Fr.  to  serve  the 
artillery  or  bring  it  into  action. 

SE RVTTEUR,  Fr.  The  French  use 
this  word  in  the  same  way  that  we  do 
servant ;  hence,  bon  serviteur  du  Prince, 
de  I'itat,  dr.  la  patrie,  a  good  servant  of 
his  prince  or  sovereign;  a  good  servant 
of  the  state,  of  the  country.  By  which 
is  meant  a  rule  of  conduct  marked  by 
zeal  and  assiduity,  together  with  un- 
shaken fidelity;  all  of  which  are  essential 
ingredients  in  the  military  character. 

SESQUITERTIONAL  proportion  is 
when  any  number,  or  quantity,  contains 
another  once,  and  one  third. 

To  SET  a  sentry,  (poser  unc  sentinclk, 
Fr.)  to  place  a  soldier  at  any  particular 
spot  for  its  security. 
To  Set  on,  to  attack. 
To  Set  at  defiance,  to  defy;  to  dare 
to  combat,  ckc. 

To  Set  up,  to  make  a  man  fit  for  mi- 
litary movements  and  parade.  It  is  ob- 
served in  the  Rules  and  Regulations,  that 
too  many  methods  cannot  be  used  to 


SEX 


809    ) 


S  II  A 


supple  the  recruit,  and  banish  the  air  of 
the  rustic;  hut  that  excess  of  setting  up, 
which  stiffens  the  person,  and  tends  to 
throw  the  body  backward  instead  of  tor- 
ward,  is  contrary  to  every  true  principle 
of  movement,  and  must  therefore  be 
most  carefully  avoided. 

To  Set  up,  to  begin  a  scheme  of  life. 
Thus  Bonaparte,  who  was  first  brought 


malics,  an  instrument  which  serves  to 
measure  angles.  It  is  the  segment  of  a 
circle,  or  an  arch  of  CO  degrees,  which 
makes  the  sixth  part  of  a  circle. 

SEYMA'Rr Bassy,  or  first  lieutenant- 
general  of  the  Janizaries,  .an  officer 
among  the  Turks,  who  not  only  com- 
mands the  Janizaries  that  are  called 
Segments,  hut  when  the  Aga  (which  sig- 


into  notice  by  Barras,  the  French  Direc-  nines  chief  guaidian,  and  the  Aga-si, 
tor,  like  Eumenes,  one  of  Alexander's  '.  chief  or  guardian  of)  takes  the  field,  who 
captains,  set  up  for  himself.  ChristopheJ  further  assumes  the  title  of  Kaymekan, 
the  black  Emperor,  has  done  the  same  or  his  lieutenant  at  Constantinople.    He 


in  St.  Domingo, 

SETENDY,  Ind.  the  militia. 

SETTER,  in  gunnery,  a  round  stick 
to  drive  fuzes,  or  any  other  compositions, 
into  cases  made  of  paper. 

To  SETTLE,  (in    building,)  to  give 


is  authorized  to  put  his  own  seal  upon 
the  different  dispatches. which  he  sends, 
and  takes  rank  of  all  the  sardans,  or 
colonels,  in  his  jurisdiction.  lie  is  like- 
wise entrusted  with  the  entire  direction 
and  management  of  all  that  concerns,  or 


way,   to   sink.     This  is  said  of  a  wall, '  relates  to,  the  interior  government  ot 


that  cracks,  or  is  otherwise  defective 

SETTLEMENT,  the  act  of  settling; 
the  state  of  being  settled;  as  the  settle- 
ment of  accounts.  In  order  to  arrive 
at  this  indispensable  period  of  human 
transactions,  officers,  and  paymasters 
in  particular  should  never  omit  taking 
receipts  for  disbursements,  however 
minute.  In  money  matters,  delicacy  is 
a  ciime,  because  it  is  sure  to  involve  one 
party,  or  the  other,  in  eventual  mischief; 
whereas  a  clear  and  undisputed  record 
can  never  offend.     See  Vouchers. 

SHAFT-ri?igs.     See  Rings. 

SEUIL>  Fr.  a  threshold. 

Seuil  a"iclusc,  Fr.  a  thick  piece  of 
wood  which  is  laid  cross-ways  between 
two  stakes  at  the  bottom  of  the  water, 
for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  flood- 
gate. 

Seuil  de  pont  levis,  Fr.  a  thick  piece 
of  wood  with  a  groove,  which  is  fixed  on 
the  edge  of  the  counterscarp  of  a  fosse 
or  ditch,  in  order  to  bear  the  weight  or 
pressure  of  the  draw-bridge,  when  it  is 
lowered.  It  is  likewise  called  sommier, 
a  summer,  or  princpial  beam. 

SEVEL,  of  the  branches  of  a  bridle,  is 
n  nail  turned  round  like  a  ring  with  a 
large  head,  made  fast  in  the  lower  part 
of  the  branch,  called  Garganille. 

SEVIR,  one  of  the  chief  knights  of 
ancient  Rome,  being  six  in  all,  and  one 
to  each  ten;  also  a  captain  of  a  regi- 
ment of  horse 

SEWER,  (cgout,  Fr.)  a  drain,  con- 
duit, or  conveyance,  for  carrying  off 
water,  soilage,  &c. 

SEX-a?/,g/er/,  having  six  angles. 

SEXTANT,  (sextant,  Fr.)  in  mathe-' wooden  pin*. 

5L 


the  Janizaries. 

SEXTIDI,  Fr.  the  sixth  day  in  the 
French  republican  decade. 

SEXTILE,  Fr.  In  the  French  re- 
publican almanack,  a  year  is  said  to  be 
sextile,  when  it  contains  366  days ;  in 
which  case  there  is  a  sixth  complemen- 
tary day. 

SUABLE.  The  shable  was  formerly 
more  in  use  amongst  the  horse,  than 
other  bodies  of  men  ;  it  is  not  altogether 
so  long  as  the  sword,  but  to  make  amends 
for  that,  the  blade  is  twice  as  broad, 
and  edged  on  both  sides;  and  therefore 
it  is  more  used  for  cutting  than  thrusting. 
The  shable  has  a  guard. 

SHABRACK,  an  Hungarian  term, 
generally  used  among  cavalry  officers, 
to  signify  the  cloth  furniture  of  a  troop 
horse,  or  charger. 

SHAFT,  an  arrow;  a  missive  weapon. 

Shaft,  (in  architecture,)  as  the  shaft 
of  a  column,  is  the  body  of  it,  so  called 
from  its  sti  aightness.  But  it  is  more  fre- 
quently called  by  architects  the  fust. 

Shaft  is  also  used  for  the  spire  of  a 
church  steeple. 

Shaft  likewise  signifies  an  artificial 
descent  practised  into  the  earth  for  the 
purpose  of  mining,  making  excavation*, 
&c.  as  in  coal  pits,  &c. 

Shafts  of  a  carriage  are  two  poles 
joined  together  with  cross  bars,  by  which 
the  hind  horse  guides  the  carriage,  and 
supports  the  fore  part  of  the  shafts;  the 
hind  part  turning  round  an  iron  bolt. 

SiiAFT-trt/s  are  two  pieces  of  wood  to 
fasten  the  hind  ends  of  the  shafts  toge- 
ther, into  which    they  are   pinned  with 


sua  c  81°  ) 

SHAEEE,  lad.  a  small  coin  of  the 
value  of  about  three-pence. 

SHAKER,  Ind. city. 

MIA  IT,  bid.  bridge,  embankment. 

SHAKY,      )  with  builders,  such  stuff 

SHAKEN,  I  as  is  cracked  either  with 
the  beat  of  the  sun,  or  the  draught  of 
thr  wind. 

SHALLIE,  Ind.  the  same  as  batty, 
which  signifies  rice  in  the  husk. 

SHALONS,  an  old  word  in  Chaucer, 
signifying  blankets. 

SHAM,  pretended;  not  real,  as  a 
sham-fight. 

SsA-it-Jelons.     SecMoiciiEsef  Mou- 

XOMS. 

SAMMBRIE,  (in  the  manege,)  is  a 
long  thong  of  leather,  made  fast  to  the 
end  of  a  cunc  or  slick,  for  the  purpose  of 
animating  a  horse,  or  of  punishing  him 
if  he  refuses  to  obey  the  ruler. 

SHAMMIES^/br  chaise  and  harness, 
dressed  sheep-skins  to  clean  the  chaise 
and  harness;  one  is  always  kept  dry  for 
the  latter  purpose. 

SHAMOIS,  a  kind  of  wild  goat.  The 
hair  of  it  is  also  so  called. 

SHAMPOOING,  hid.  an  expedient 
generally  used  in  India  and  the  Levant, 
as  a  luxury,  and  often  resorted  to  by  the 
inhabitants,  as  a  remedy,  in  very  high 
estimation.  The  operation  is  performed 
by  people  regularly  trained  to  the  office, 
Called  Shampoo  men. 

SHAHPOO-ffien,  persons  employed  in 
shampooing. 

MouwtedSHARP-SHOOTERS.  See 
Voltigeurs. 

SHAM  HOCK,  the  Irish  word  for 
three-leafed  grass.  It  is  worn  hy  the 
Irish  in  their  liats  on  St.  Patrick's  day; 
as  the  leek  is  by  the  Welch  on  St.  Da- 
vid's, and  the  thistle  by  the  Scotch  on 
St.  Andrew's. 

SHANK,  the  long  part  of  any  instru- 
ment. 

Shank,  in  architecture,  the  body  of  a 
pillar. 

Shank,  in  a  horse,  is  that  part  of  the 
fore-leg,  which  is  between  the  knee  and 
second  joints,  next  to  the  foot,  called  a 
fet-lock,  or  pastern  joint. 

SHAROCK,  lud.  a  silver  coin,  equal 
in  value  to  about  one  shilling. 

SHARP!  a  password  which  is  given 
at  Windsor  among  the  attendants  on 
royalty,  to  signify  the  approach  of  the 
King. 

Sharp, keen,  fierce,  ardent,  fiery. 
Sa\Y.p-affair — the    French    use    the 


S  II  E 


word  J'iir — a  contest  in  war,  such  as 
skirmishing,  disputing  a  post  or  passage, 
in  which  the  combatants  eagerly  attack 
one  another. 

SHATTERED,  broken  to  pieces; 
having  the  continuity  of  the  parts  de- 
stroyed; as  a  shattered  limb. 

SHAH  MIA  R1S,  Ind.  a  canopy  of  cot- 
ton cloth. 

SHAW.IM  a  king. 

SHAWZADA,Ind.  the  king's  son. 

SHEAF  of  arrows.  In  ancient  time?, 
arrows  were  reckoned  by  sheaves,  and 
one  sheaf  contained  twenty-four  arrows. 

SHEED,  Ind.  a  witness. 

SI1EICK,  a  chief  of  a  tribe  among  the 
Arabs.  Mr.  Morier,  in  his  account  of  a 
campaign  with  the  Ottoman  army,  re- 
lates, that  in  1800,  a  fanatic  sheick,  who 
pretended  to  be  inspired,  headed  the 
Fellahs,  (the  lowest  class  of  inhabitants 
are  so  called  among  the  Arabs,)  of  the 
district  of  Demenhor,  and  caused  a  de- 
tachment of  80  Frenchmen  to  be  put  to 
death  in  the  night;  this  was  efl'ected  by 
first  securing  the  sentinel. 

SHELL  of  a  sword,  (plaque  (Tepee, 
Fr.)  a  particular  part  of  a  sword,  which 
serves  as  a  shield  to  the  hand  when  it 
grasps  the  hilt.  The  regulation  sword, 
which  is  directed  to  be  worn  in  a  cross 
belt,  has  its  shell  so  constructed  that  one 
side  can  fall  down,  by  which  means  the 
hilt  hangs  more  conveniently. 

A  spring-Su eli.  of  a  sword,  (plaque 
(Tepee  a  ressort,  Fr.)  a  shell,  which,  by 
means  of  a  spring,  can  lie  flat  against 
the  hip,  when  the  sword  is  worn  in  a 
cross-belt.  The  proper  word  is  coquille, 
not  plaque. 

Shell,  the  outward  part  of  a  tent  or 
marquee. 

Shell,  a  short  jacket  without  arms, 
which  was  worn  by  light  dragoons,  and 
in  some  instances  by  the  infantry,  be- 
fore the  new  regulations  took  place  re- 
specting the  clothing  of  the  British 
army.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
late  wars,  some  militia  colonels  derived 
no  inconsiderable  emolument  from  this 
mode  of  dress. 

Shells,  in  gunnery,  are  hollow  iron 
balls  to  throw  out  of  mortars  or  howit- 
zers, with  a  fuze-hole  of  about  an  inch 
diameter,  to  load  them  with  powder, 
and  to  receive  the  fuze :  the  bottom,  or 
part  opposite  the  fuze,  is  made  heavier 
than  the  rest,  that  the  fuze  may  fall  up- 
permost; but  in  small  elevations,  this  is 
not  always  the  case,  nor  is  it  necessary; 


SHE 


(     811     ) 


S  II  I 


for,  let  it  fall  as  it  will,  the  fuze  sets 
hie  to  the  powder  within,  which  hursts 
the  shell,  and  causes  great  devastation. 
The  shells  had  much  better  be  made  of 
an  equal  thickness,  for  then  they  hurst 
into  more  pieces. 

Message-SnEhLS  are  nothing  more 
than  howitzer  shells,  in  the  inside  of 
which  a  letter,  or  other  papers,  aie  put; 
the  fuze  hole  is  stopt  up  with  wood  or 
cork,  and  the  shells  are  fired  out  of  a 
royal  or  howitzer,  either  in  a  garrison  or 
camp.  It  is  supposed  that  the  person 
to  whom  the  letter  is  sent  knows  the 
time,  and  accordingly  appoints  a  guard 
to  look  out  for  its  arrival.  During  the 
bombardment  of  Flushing,  and  while 
the  communication  with  Cadsand  was 
cut  off,  means  were  found  to  convey  a 
letter  from  the  garrison  in  the  latter 
place.  It  was  inclosed  in  a. shell,  which 
without  being  filled  with  inflammable 
materials,  was  discharged  from  a  mor- 
tar planted  on  one  of  the  sea-batteries 
The  shell  was  taken  up  in  Cadsand  and 
emptied  of  its  contents,  which  were  for- 
warder! to  Paris. 

To  find  the  weight  of  a  Shell.  Rule. 
Double  the  difference  of  the  cubes  of 
the  diameters  of  the  shell  and  hollow 
sphere,  and  7  times  the  result  gives  the 
weight  in  pounds,  cutting  off  the  two 
right  hand  figures  of  whole  numbers. 

Example.  Let  the  diameter  of  the 
shell  be  13  inches,  and  that  of  the  hol- 
low sphere  9  5.  Then  the  cube  of  13  is 
2197,  and  that  of  9.5,  is  857.357;  the 
difference  is  1339.625,  its  double  is 
2679.25,  which  multiplied  by  7,  gives 
18751.625,  and  cutting  off  two  places  in 
whole  numbers,  the  result  is  137lb.  or 
1  cwt.  2qrs.  211b.  the  weightof  the  shell. 

To  Shell,  among  horses,  to  have  the 
teeth  completely  bare  and  uncovered, 
which  happens  about  the  fifteenth  or 
sixteenth  year. 

Sh?-ap?iel-Hu ells,  shells  of  a  peculiar 
construction,  invented  by  Col.  Shrapnel 
of  the  royal  artillery.  They  were  used 
with  peculiar  effect  against  the  French 
army,  which  Sir  Arthur  Welleslcy,  now 
Duke  of  Wellington,  fought  on  the  21st 
August,  1803;  and  also  at  the  battle  of 
Waterloo  in  1815. 

Snr.i.i.-toothed  horse  is  one  that  from 
four  years,  to  old  age,  naturally  bears  a! 
mark  in  all  his  fore  teeth,  and  there  still 
keeps    that   hollow   place  with  a  black 
mark,  which  we  call  the  eye  of  a  bean,' 
insomuch,  that  at  twelve  or   fifteen  lie 


appears  with  the  mark  of  a  horse  that  is 
not  vet  six. 

SHERISCHERWAR,  Ind.  a  word 
which  corresponds  with  Saturday. 

SHERISTA,  Ind.  an  officer;  a  re- 
gistry. 

SHTJES,        tin   building,  are  small 

SHINGLES,  5  pieces  of  wood  or  quar- 
tered oaken  boards,  sawed  to  a  certain 
scantling,  or  more  usually  cleft  to  about 
an  inch  thick  at  one  eud,  and  made  like 
wedges,  four  or  five  inches  broad,  and 
eight  or  nine  inches  lone. 

To  SHIFT,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
change  place  or  station.  Hence,  to 
shift  quarters.  In  the  exercise,  &c.  of  a 
battalion,  officers  commanding  divisions 
are,  upon  particular  occasions,  such  as 
marching  past,  ccc.  to  shift  from  the 
right  to  the  left,  to  conduct  the  heads  of 
(iles,  or  the  pivot  flanks,  in  column  or 
echelon.  Whenever  officers  shift,  they 
must  pass  briskly  by  the  rear,  and  never 
along  the  front  of  the  division.  The 
covering  Serjeants  always  move  with 
them. 

SHIFTS,  a  term  formerly  used  in 
England,  to  signify  a  certain  per  cenrage 
or  douceur,  which  usurers  exacted,  and 
for  which  they  were  liable  to  fine  and 
imprisonment,  &c.  before  the  interest 
for  the  use  of  money  was  fixed  at  a  cer- 
tain standard  in  the  reign  of  Henry  the 
VTIIth. 

The  SHILLINGS,  a  phrase  in  fami- 
liar use  among  army  brokers,  to  express 
a  certain  profit,  or  per  centage,  which 
they  gain  in  the  sale,  purchase,  and  ex- 
change of  commissions.  The  regulated 
price  of  a  company  in  any  regiment  of 
foot  being  15001.  that  sum  only  can  be 
lodged  at  an  agent's,  or  a  banker's;  but 
if  the  company  be  (what  is  called)  in  the 
market,  the  broker  who  transacts  the 
business,  receives  one  shilling  in  the 
pound,  and  in  order  to  produce  this 
premium,  the  purchaser  gives  1500  gui- 
neas, out  of  which  the  shillings,  amount- 
ing to  75i.  are  paid  to  the  broker,  leav- 
ing the  nett  regulation  untouched. 

SHINGLE,  a  lath  or  cleft  of  wood  to 
cover  houses  with. 

.SHINGLES,  a  disease,  a  spreading 
inflammation  about  the  waist,  which  kills 
the  patient  if  it  get  quite  round.  Horses 
are  subject  to  this  complaint. 

SHIP,    a    general  name  given  to  all 
vessels  navigated   upon  the  ocean ;     in 
sea  language,  however,  it  is  more  parti- 
cularly applied  to  a  vessel  furnished  with 
5  Li 


S  II  o 


(    818     ) 


S  II  o 


three  masts,  each  of  which  is  composed 
of  a  lower-mast,  n  top-mast,  and  a  top- 
gallant*  mast,  with  the  yards  and  other 
machinery  thereto  belonging. 

Ship  of  war,  (vaissiau  dc  guerre,  Fr.) 
a  vessel  belonging  to  the  royal  navy, 
and  armed  for  action. 

Merchant  Ship,  (vaisseau  marchond, 
Fr.)  a  ship  of  burthen,  constructed  for 
the  purposes  of  trade. 

Head-quarter  Ship,  the  ship  on  which 
the  commander  in  chief  of  an  expedition 
is  embarked,  and  from  which  signals  are 
made  for  ihe commanding  officers,  adju- 
tants, &c.  of  corps,  to  attend. 

Hospital  Smr,  the  ship  in  which  the 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  ccc.  are  taken 
care  of  on  expeditions,  and  during  sea 
voyages.  The  gun-deck  is  entirely  ap- 
propriated for  the  reception  of  the  sick, 
ami  is  flush,  without  cabins  or  bulk- 
heads, except  one  of  deal,  or  canvass,  for 
separating  those  in  malignant  distem- 
pers. 

Prison  Smr,  a  ship  appropriated  for 
the  reception  of  prisoners  of  war,  &c. 

Slop  Ship,  a  vessel  appointed  as  a  de- 
pot of  clothes  for  the  seamen. 

Store  Ship,  a  vessel  employed  to  car- 
ry artillery  and  stores  for  the  use  of  a 
fleet,  fortress,  or  garrison. 

Troop  Ship,  a  vessel  appointed  to 
carry  troops.  It  is  also  called  a  trans- 
port. 

SIIOCCA,  hid.  any  letter  written  by 
the  kiii'_r. 

SHOCK,  (choc,  Fr.)  conflict;  mutual 
impression;  violence;  violent  concourse; 
as  the  shock  of  cavalry. 

To  Shock,  to  meet  with  hostile  vio- 
lence. 

To  SHOE,  to  fit  the  foot  with  a  shoe. 
This  word  is  usually  confined  to  a  horse. 
The  French  say  ferrer  un  cheval.  An 
excellent  regulation  took  pi. ice  in  1812, 
l>y  which  every  soldier  belonging  to  a 
cavalry  regiment  is  taught  how  to  shoe 
his  horse. 

SHOEING-Z/o/n,  (chausse-pied,  Fr.)  a 
horn  used  to  facilitate  the  admission  of 
the  foot  into  a  narrow  shoe.  Soldiers 
■should  always  take  care  to  have  their 
fchoes  easv. 

To  be  "SHOOK  in  the  shoulder.  A 
horse  may  be  shook  in  the  shoulder, 
either  from  accident,  or  through  haul 
iiding;  in  which  case,  he  never  can  be 
reckoned  Bafe.   |,js  feet  may  De  good. 

8HOOKREWAR,  fad.  a  word  which 
corresponds  with  Friday. 


To  SHOOT,  to  discharge  a  gnn,&c 

To  Shoot,  a  term  in  carpentry,  signi- 
fying to  take  off  the  edge  of  R  board, 
&c.  with  the  jointer-plane. 

To  Shoot  a  bridge,  to  go  through  that 
part  of  a  bridge  through  which  the  main 
current  runs:  as,  to  shoot  London 
bridge. 

SHOOTING.      See   Gun.nf.ky   and 

Plll'JF.CTILE. 

SHORE,  a  coast  of  land  near  the  sea. 

Shore,  in  architecture,  a  prop  to  sup- 
port a  building, 

To  Shore  up,  in  architecture,  to  prop  ; 
to  support. 

SHORTEN  your  bridle,  a  word  of 
command  used  in  cavalry,  viz. 

1st.  Seize  the  upper  end  of  the  reins 
of  the  bridle,  which  is  to  lie  on  the  right 
side  of  the  horse,  with  the  right  hand. 

2d.  Bring  it  up  as  high  as  your  chin, 
keeping  your  right  elbow  on  a  level 
with  your  shoulder. 

3d.  Slip  your  left  hand  along  the  reins 
of  the  bridle,  and  take  hold  of  the  loop 
or  button,  which  is  near  the  upper  end 
of  the  iei:is. 

4th.  Slip  the  loop  down  with  the  left 
hand  as  low  as  the  pommel  of  the  saddle. 

5th.  Bring  the  right  hand  down  with 
life  on  the  right  holster-cap,  quitting 
the  reins  of  the  bridle  with  both  hands. 

S 1 1  ORT-roll.     See  S  t  c  N  a  ls. 

SuoRT-jointcd.  A  horse  is  said  to  be 
short-jointed  that  has  a  short  pastern. 

Shoi  t-juiuted  horses  do  not,  usually, 
manage  well;  but  out  of  the  manage, 
they  are  the  best  for  travel  or  fatigue. 

SHOT,  a  denomination  given  to  all 
kind  of  balls  used  for  artillery  and  fire- 
arms; those  for  cannon  being  of  iron, 
and  those  for  guns  and  pistols,  &C.  of 
lead. 

Ci  rape  } 

Chain  CShot.     See  Laboratory. 

Case     ) 

To  find  the  weight  of  an  iron  Shot, 
whose  diameter  is  given;  and  the  con- 
trary. Rule.  Double  the  cube  of  the 
diameter  in  inches,  anil  multiply  it  by 
7;  so  will  the  product  (rejecting  the  2 
last  or  right-hand  figures)  be  the  weight 
in  pounds. 

Example.  What  is  the  weight  of  an 
iron  shot  of  7  inches  diameter  ?  The 
cube  of  7  is  313,  which  doubled  is  GHti, 
and  this  multiplied  by  7  produces  4802, 
which,  with  the  right  hand  figures  re- 
jected, gives  48  pounds,  the  weight  re- 
quited. 


S  II  o 


(     813     ) 


S  H  O 


N.  B.  This  rule  is  sufficiently  exact 
for  practical  uses. 

To  find  the  diameter  of  the  Shot, 
when  the  weight  is  given.  Rule.  Mul- 
tiply the  cube  root  of  the  weight  in 
pounds  by  1.923,  and  the  product  is  the 
diameter  in  inches. 

To  find  the  diameter  of  a  Shot,  from 
the  impression  or  cavity  it  makes,  by 
striking  a  brass  gun,  or  other  object. 
P^ule.  Divide  the  square  of  the  radius 
of  the  cavity  by  the  depth  of  it,  and 
add  the  quotient  to  the  depth;  so  will 
the  sum  he  the  diameter  of  the  shot 
required. 

Langrel  Shot,  a  sort  of  shot  which 
runs  loose,  with  a  shackle,  or  joint,  in 
the  middle. 

Spherical  Cow-Shot.  Case-shot  is 
so  termed  from  the  whole  charge  of  the 
nun  being  contained  in  a  tin  case.  Ihe 
tin  case  is  cylindric,  in  diameter  a  little 
less  than  the  calibre  of  the  gun  or  how- 
itzer. It  is  tilled  with  iron  balls,  so  as 
to  make  up  the  weight  of  the  shot. 
These  balls  are  seldom  less  than  1£  oz. 
in  weight.  But  little  effect  is  to  be  ex- 
pected from  firing  case-shot  beyond  300 
yards,  from  the  very  great  divergency 
of  the  balls. 

Although  we  could  enter  very  fully 
into  this  destructive,  and  hitherto  un- 
paralleled, mode  of  annoying  an  enemy, 
we  shall  abstain  from  giving  any  of 
those  particulars  which  might  lead  to  a 
discovery  of  the  invention.  Colonel 
Shrapnel,  of  the  Royal  Artillery,  has 
the  exclusive  merit  of  having  added  this 
formidable  weapon  to  those  already  in 
use,  with  the  acknowledged  advantage 
of  possessing  the  talent,  as  well  as  the 
inclination,  to  render  it  generally  useful. 

The  following  explanation  of  the  ef- 
fects and  advantages  that  might  be  de- 
rived by  firing  this  species  of  shot,  is 
extracted  from  a  book  lately  published. 
We  should  not,  otherwise,  have  thought 
ourselves  justified  in  saying  as  much 
upon  the  subject. 

1st.  The  whole  charge  takes  effect  on 
the  enemy  at  any  distance.  By  the  pre- 
sent mode  of  firing,  the  greatest  part  of 
the  charge  disperses  as  soon  as  it  leaves 
the  muzzle  of  the  gun,  and  cannot  be 
directed. 

2d.  Grape,  or  case,  shot  may  be  fired 
with  an  effect  equally  close  and  collect- 
ed, to  any  distance  within  the  range  of 
rhe  piece;  and  the  artillery  need  not 
advance  within  musket  shot  of  the  ene- 


my, to  make  use  of  this  kind  of  fire  with 
its  full  etfect,  and  are  not  so  subject  to 
have  their  guns  charged  either  by  ca- 
valry or  infantry. 

3d.  It  requires  less  precision  and  ex- 
actness to  point  a  piece  of  ordnance 
charged  with  spherical  case  shot  than 
with  round  shot,  because  case  shot  is  a 
wide  and  dispersed  fire,  and  the  difficul- 
ty in  elevation  consequently  less. 

4th.  Its  comparative  destruction  with 
that  of  round  shot  will  be,  generally, 
as  the  number  of  shot  within  the  shells 
to  one;  that  is  to  say,  a  three  pounder, 
twentv-two  to  one  in  its  favour;  a  six- 
pounder,  fifty  to  one,  &c.  in  which  cal- 
culation is  not  enumerated  any  effect 
from  the  splinters  of  the  shell. 

6th.  Small  balls  cannot  be  projected 
to  very  considerable  distances,  unless 
inclosed  in  heavy  spherical  cases,  which, 
from  their  form  and  weight,  are  not 
much  influenced  by  the  resistance  of  the 
aii-,  or  diverted  from  their  direction. 

6th.  The  explosion  of  the  shell  makes 
no  change  in  the  direction  of  the  shot 
within  it;  they consequentlycomplete the 
shell's  track,  or  curve,  which  has  some- 
times been  observed  to  be  400  yards. 

7th.  From  the  unevenness  of  the 
ground,  such  as  hillocks,  banks,  fallow- 
fields,  &c.  all  shot  which  graze  most 
commonly  lodge;  whereas,  by  using  this 
shell,  the  whole  charge  will  be  carried 
over  these  irregularities,  and  reach  the 
object  with  its  full  contents  of  balls. 

N.  B.  Firing  these  kind  of  shells  from 
guns  is  managed  with  more  facility  than 
the  ordinary  howitzer  practice,  both  as 
to  the  length  of  fuze,  as  well  as  the  ele- 
vation required,  and  may  be  carried  on 
in  the  field  precisely  the  same  as  firing 
round  shot. 

Mode  of  Examining  the  different  Na- 
tures  of  Lieut.    Colonel   Shruptiel's 
Shells  in  the  Royal  Laboratory. 
1st.    The  shells    are   to    be  well   ex- 
amined with  a  pick  hammer  of  a  proper 
weight  to   the  diameter  of  each  nature, 
to   find  they  are  not  damaged   by  sand 
holes,  or  other  flaws. 

2d.  They  are  to  be  well  scraped  in- 
side, with  scrapers  that  will  get  under 
the  dip  of  the  fuze-hole,  so  that  all  the 
bore,  sand,  or  gravel,  may  be  cleaned 
out,  which  is  to  be  done  by  rolling  and 
shaking  the  shell  with  the  fuze-hole 
downwards.  It  may  be  taken  out  of 
large  shells  with  a  proper  ladle,  that  will 
bo  into  the  fuze-hule. 


S  H  o 


C     81*     ) 


S  II  o 


Sd.  They  are  to  be  proved  with  a 
strong  bellows  and  water  as  usual;  the 
shot  being  placed  under  in  a  tub  or 
bucket,  introduce  the  nose  of  the  bel- 
lows into  the  fuze,  and  by  blowing  them 
the  water  will  bubble,  if  the  shell  be 
porous. 

4th.  They  are  to  be  examined,  by  the 
new  calliper  instruments,  round  the  side 
and  at  the  bottom,  to  ascertain  their 
thickness  and  concentricity. 

5th.  They  are  to  be  examined  by  a 
circular  gauge,  and  appropriated  to  the 
respective  ordnance  they  are  lound  to 
answer.  If  any  are  too  high  by  03  of 
an  inch,  or  too  low  by  03  of  an  inch, 
they  are  to  be  rejected. 

Gth.  When  each  shell  is  ascertained 
to  be  perfectly  dry  inside,  it  is  to  be 
placed  with  its  fuze-hole  up,  and  the 
nose  of  a  strong  bellows,  forming  an  an- 
gle downwards,  being  introduced  into  it, 
a  few  blasts  being  given,  will  blow  the 
remaining  particles  of  dust  out  of  the 
shell. 

7th.  The  shells  are  to  be  classed,  by 
their  fuze-holes,  into  different  numbers, 
viz.  1,  2,  3,  and  4;  those  of  an  equal 
size  to  be  packed  in  boxes  by  them- 
selves. 

8th.  A  file  to  be  used  occasionally  to 
try  if  the  metal  is  soft,  instead  of  break- 
ing the  shell. 

9th.  Each  shell  to  be  sounded,  by 
sti  iking  it  gently,  as  the  ringing  tone 
will  be  lost,  should  there  be  an  imper- 
ceptible crack  in  it. 

N.  B.  In  the  examination  of  spheri- 
cal case  shot  shells,  the  thick  side  of 
the  shell  need  not  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration, but  the  thinnest  part  only; 
for  when  the  thinnest  part  is  too  thin 
by  the  rule  given,  the  thickest  part 
must  be  too  thick,  which  needs  no  ex- 
amination to  discover. 

Supposing  an  eighteen-pounder  shell 
ought  to  be  five  inches  thick  in  every 
part,  subtract  the  non-concentricity  al- 
lowed of  0.83  from  it,  and  there  re- 
mains 4.17  inches,  for  the  thinnest  part 
of  an  eighteen-pounder  shell  which  can 
be  received. 

Method  of  making  Fuzes  of  Colonel 
Shrapnel's  Construction. 

The  fuzes,  after  being  turned  so  as  to 
fit  the  fuze-holes,  are  bored,  and  a  deep 
thread  grooved  inside,  to  hold  the  com- 
position firm  ;  and,  instead  of  being 
turned  with  cups,  they  arc  hollowed 
conical,  and  roughed  with  a  tool  that 


cuts   under,  the  better   to   receive   the 
priming. 

After  they  are  driven,  with  fuze  com- 
position, one  and  one  half  inch,  they 
are  sawed  across  the  top,  about  one  fifth 
of  an  inch  down,  so  as  not  to  touch  the 
composition,  and  divided  into  five  equal 
parts,  of  two  tenths  of  an  inch  each ; 
after  which  a  bit  of  quick  match  is 
placed  across,  and  drawn  tight  in  the 
same  grooves;  they  are  then  primed, 
with  mealed  powder  and  spirits  of  wine, 
capped  and  packed  for  service. 

To  Snot  a  gun,  to  load  a  piece  of 
ordnance  with  the  necessary  quantity  of 
gunpowder  and  ball. 

SHOVEL,  an  instrument  for  digging. 

SHOULDER,  the  upper  part  of  the 
blade  of  a  sword  is  so  called.  The 
shoulders  of  regimental  sword-blades,  for 
the  infantry,  are  directed  to  be  one  inch 
broad  at  least. 

Shoulder  of  a  horse  is  that  part  of 
his  fore-hand  that  lies  between  the 
withers,  the  fore-thigh,  the  counter,  and 
the  ribs. 

Charged  with  Shoulders.  A  horse  is 
said  to  be  so,  when  he  has  thick,  fleshy 
and  heavy  shoulders,  and  is,  consequent- 
ly, liable  to  trip,  or  fall. 

§)\o\3 LVF.n-pegged  horses  are  so  called 
when  thev  are  gourdy,  stiff,  and  almost 
without  motion. 

Shoulder-*/)/^,  a  horse  is  said  to  be 
so  when  he  has  given  bis  shoulders  such 
a  violent  shock,  as  to  disjoint  the  shoul- 
der-joint from  the  body. 

Shoulders  of  a  horse,  should  be  sharp 
and  narrow  at  the  withers,  of  a  middle 
size;  fiat,  and  have  little  flesh  upon  them; 
for  if  a  horse  be  charged  with  shoulders, 
he  will  not  only  be  heavy  on  hand,  and 
soon  weary,  but  also  trip  and  stumble, 
especially  if,  with  such  shoulders,  his 
neck  should  be  thick  and  large. 

The  shoulders  of  a  well-shaped  horse 
are  compared  to  those  of  a  hare,  and  the 
distance  between  them  should  be  little 
more  than  half  the  breadth  of  his  hind- 
quarters. 

Shoulder-/)*^/^  is  a  malady  in  a  horse, 
being  the  displacing  the  point  of  the 
shoulder  by  some  great  fall,  rack,  or  pain, 
which  may  be  known  by  one  shoulder 
point  sticking  out  farther  than  its  fellow, 
and  by  his  halting  downright. 

Shoulder  -pinching,  a  misfortune 
which  befals  a  horse  by  labouring  or 
straining  when  too  young,  or  by  having 
been  overloaded. 


S  H  R 


(     815     ) 


S  I  E 


SuovtvER-splaiting,   )        a     malady 

SnouLDER-torn,  )  which  may  be- 

fal  a  horse  by  some  dangerous  sliding, 
either  at  home  or  abroad,  by  which  the 
shoulder  is  parted  from  the  breast,  and 
so  leaves  an  open  rift,  not  in  the  skin, 
but  in  the  flesh,  and  the  skin  next  under 
the  outward  skin,  which  renders  the 
horse  so  lame,  that  he  is  not  able  to  go; 
and  this  may  be  known  by  his  trailing 
his  le<js  after  him. 

tinov  LV>ER-wrench  is  a  misfortune 
which  happens  to  horses  several  ways, 
sometimes  by  turning  or  stopping  too 
suddenly  upon  some  uneven  ground, 
sometimes  by  running  too  hastily  out  of 
the  stable  door;  at  other  times  by  slip- 
ping or  sliding,  either  in  the  stable  or 
abroad  ;  and  by  various  other  accidents. 

SaovLDZR-shield,  a  part  of  ancient 
armour  which  was  formed  of  plates  of 
iron  rivetted  together,  and  served  to  pro- 
tect the  breast  and  shoulders  of  a 
horse. 

Shoulder  of  a  bastion,  in  fortifica- 
tion.    See  Epaule. 

Snoui.DER-belt,  so  called  because  it 
hangs  over  the  shoulder,  to  carry  the 
bayonet  or  sword  :  it  is  made  of  strong 
buff  leather. 

To  Shoulder,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  lay  on  the  shoulder,  or  to  rest  any 
thing  against  it.  Hence,  to  shoulder  a 
musket. 

Shoulder  amis  !  a  word  of  command 
which  is  used  in  the  British  service. 
See  Manual. 

Right  Shou lders  forward,    )        two 

Left  Shovlders  forward,  S  terms 
of  command  in  the  Briti;.h  service,  when 
a  column  of  march  (in  order  to  follow 
the  windings  of  its  route)  changes  its 
direction  in  general,  less  than  the  quar- 
ter of  the  circle.  See  Sections  22  and 
39  of  the  Rules  and  Regulations. 

SHREADINGS,  in  carpentry,  the 
making  good  of  the  rafter-feet  in  the 
cornice,  that  is,  when  rafters  are  cut 
with  a  knee.  These  slireadings  (other- 
wise called  furrings)  go  straight  along 
with  the  rafter  from  the  top  of  the 
knee  to  the  cornice. 

SHREWDNESS,  according  to  Dr. 
Johnson,  cunning,  mixed  with  petu- 
lance and  ill-nature.  This  word,  how- 
ever, is  often  understood  in  a  good  sense, 
and  signifies  acuteness,  quick  discrimina- 
tion, &c.     See  Sagacity. 

SHROF,  Ind.  a  banker,  a  money- 
changer, or  one  who  keeps  a  shop  for  I  order  to  take  possession  of  all  the  ave- 


the  accommodation  of  the  public  in  pe- 
cuniary matters,  and  who  derives  consi- 
derable advantage  from  the  circulating 
medium  of  other  people's  property. 

SHROFFING,  lnd.  the  act  of  ex- 
amining and  sorting  money. 

SHUMSURTREEPUT,  Ind.  avowal, 
acknowledgement,  confession. 

To  SHUT,  to  close,  to  make  not  open. 

Shut  pans  !  a  word  of  command  used 
in  the  inspection  of  arms.  Place  the 
inside  of  your  fingers  against  the  back 
part  of  the  hammer,  and  bring  it  briskly 
to  in  one  motion.  In  opening  pans,  you 
place  the  thumb  against  the  inside  of 
the  hammer. 

SHU  TERN  AUL,  Ind.  a  sort  of  ar- 
quebuss,  which  is  fixed  upon  the  back  of 
a  camel. 

SICK  and  Hurt,  a  Board  so  called,  to 
which  the  agents,  commissaries,  &c.  be- 
longing to  the  several  military  hospitals 
in  Great  Britain  are  responsible. 

SICKLEGAR,  Ind.  a  person  whose 
business  is  to  polish  iron. 

SIDE.  To  ride  a  horse  side-ways,  is 
to  passage  him,  to  make  him  go  upon 
two  treads,  one  of  which  is  marked  by 
his  shoulders,  and  the  other  by  his 
haunches. 

SiDE-pieces  of  gun-carriages.  See 
Carriages. 

SiDE-straps,  in  a  field  carriage,  are 
flat  iron  bands  which  go  round  the  side- 
pieces,  in  those  places  where  the  wood 
is  cut  across  the  grain  to  strengthen 
them  near  the  center  and  the  trail. 

SiDE-drum,  the  drum  so  called  in  for- 
mer times,  from  being  borne  on  the  side 
of  the  person  who  beats  it. 

SIDERATION,  the  same  as  sphacelus, 
(among  surgeons,)  an  entire  mortifica- 
tion of  any  part  of  the  body. 

SIEGE,  (siege,  Fr.)  the  position 
which  an  army  takes,  or  its  encampment, 
before  a  fortified  town,  or  place,  for  the 
purpose  of  reducing  it.  The  term  comes 
from  siege,  which  signifies  seat,  chair, 
&c.  Hence,  to  sit  down  before  a  place, 
signifies,  in  a  military  sense,  to  chuse  a 
position  from  which  you  may  commence 
the  necessary  operations  to  attack  and 
get  possession  of  it.  The  French  use 
the  word  generally  as  vye  do. 

The  first  operation  of  a  siege  is  in- 
vesting. The  body  of  troops  investing 
a  town  should,  at  least,  be  as  strong 
again  as  the  garrison;  so  as  to  be  able 
to  divide  itself  into  several   parties,  in 


S  I  E 


(    «16    ) 


S  I  E 


nues  leading  to  the  place.  By  day  they 
should  keep  themselves  out  of  cannon- 
shnt ;  but  as  soon  as  it  is  dusk,  they 
must  approach  much  nearer,  the  better 
to  be  able  to  support  each  other,  and  to 
straiten  the  town. 

To  undertake  the  Siege  of  a  town, 
(rntrcprcndre  le  siege  d'uneville,  Fr.)  to 
invest  it,  to  form  lines  of  circumvalla- 
tion,  to  open  trenches,  &c. 

To  lai/  Siege  too  town,  (fuire  le  siege 
d'une  ville,  Fr.')  to  draw  your  forces 
round  a  town,  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
tacking it. 

To  carry  on  et  Siege,  (continucr  an 
siege,  Fr.)  to  persevere  by  regular  ap- 
proaches, &c.  in  gaining  ground  upon 
the  garrison. 

To  lay  close  Siege,  (prcsscr  le  siege, 
Fr.)  to  approach ,  close  to  the  walls  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  breach  and 
storming,  or  of  starving  out  the  garrison. 
For  a  full  and  scientific  explanation  of 
the  different  methods  which  are  adopted 
in  modern  times,  for  the  attack  and  de- 
fence of  places,  particularly  of  sieges, 
see  Essai  General  de  Fortification  et 
d'attaque  et  defense  des  places,  torn.  i. 
page  61,  &C.  &C. 
General  phrases  and  terms  used  at  a 
Siege  are,  viz. 

To  besiege  a  place.     See  Siege. 

To  accelerate  thcSir.GT.,  (accelerer  le 
siege,  Fr.)  is  when  an  army  can  approach 
so  near  the  place  as  the  covert-way, 
without  breaking  ground,  under  favour 
of  some  hollow  roads,  rising  grounds,  or 
cavities,  and  there  begin  their  work. 

An  attack  is  when  the  besieging  army 
can  approach  the  town  so  near  as  to 
take  it,  without  making  any  considerable 
works. 

To  form  the  Siege,  or  lay  siege  to  a 
place,  (mettre  le  siege  a  une  place,  Fr.) 
there  must  be  an  army  sufficient  to  fur- 
nish five  or  six  reliefs  for  the  trenches, 
pioneers,  guards,  convoys,  escorts,  &c. 
and  artillery,  with  all  the  apparatus 
thereto  belonging  ;  magazines  furnished 
with  a  sufficient  quantity  of  all  kinds  of 
warlike  stores;  and  a  general  hospital, 
with  physicians,  surgeons,  medicines,&c. 

To  raise  the  Siege,  (lever  le  siege,  Fr.) 
is  to  give  over  the  attack  of  u  place,  quit 
•  he  works  thrown  up  against  it,  and  the 
posts  formed  about  it.  If  there  be  no 
reason  to  fear  a  sally  from  the  place, 
the  siege  may  be  raised  in  the  day  time. 
'1  he  artillery  and  ammunition  must  have 
a   strong  rear  guard,  lest  the  besieged 


should  attempt  to  charge  the  rear:  if 
there  be  any  fear  of  the  enemy  in  front, 
this  order  must  be  altered  discretionally, 
as  safety,  and  the  nature  of  the  country 
will  admit. 

To  turn  the  Siege  into  a  blockade, 
(convertir  le  siege  en  blocks,  Fr.)  is  to 
give  over  the  attack  and  endeavour  to 
take  it  by  famine;  for  which  purpose 
all  the  avenues,  gates,  and  streams, 
leading  into  the  place,  are  so  well 
guarded,  that  no  succour  can  get  in  to 
its  relief. 

To  insult  a  tooth,  to  attack  it  in  a 
sudden  and  unexpected  manner,  with 
small  arms,  or  sword  in  hand. 

Surprise,  the  taking  a  place  by  * 
coup  de  main,  by  stratagem,  or  treason. 

To  escalade  a  place,  to  approach  it 
secretly,  then  to  place  ladders  against 
the  wall  or  rampart,  for  the  troops  to 
mount  and  get  into  it  that  wav. 

To  petard  a  place,  privately  to  ap- 
proach the  gate,  and  fix  a  petard  to  it, 
so  as  to  break  it  open  for  the  troops  to 
enter. 

Line  of  circwnvallation,  a  kind  of 
fortification,  consisting  of  a  parapet  or 
breast-work,  and  a  ditch  before  it,  to 
cover  the  besiegers  against  any  attempt 
of  the  enemy  in  the  iield. 

Line  of  contravallation,  a  breast-  : 
work,  with  a  ditch  before  it,  to  cover 
the  besiegers  against  any  sally  from  the 
garrison,  in  the  same  manner  that  the 
line  of  circumvallation  serves  to  protect 
them  in  the  field. 

Lines,  works  made  to  cover  an 
army,  so  as  to  command  a  part  of  the 
country,  with  a  breast-work  and  ditch 
before  them. 

Retrenchment,  a.  work  made  round  the 
camp  of  an  army,  to  cover  it  against  any 
surprize. 

Line  of  counter-approach,  a  trench 
which  the  besieged  make  from  the  co- 
vert-way to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
besieger's  attacks,  in  order  to  scour 
their  works.  This  line  must  lie  perfectly 
enfiladed  from  the  covert-way  and  the 
half  moon,  &c.  that  it  may  be  of  no 
service  to  the  enemy,  in  case  he  gets 
possession  of  it. 

Batteries  at  a  siege  cannot  be  erected 
till  the  trench  is  advanced  within  reach 
of  the  cannon  of  the  place;  that  is, 
within  what  is  generally  understood  to 
be  a  point-blank  range,  which  is  reckon- 
ed about  1300  toises,  1800  feet. 
Cannon  is  made  use  of  at  a  siege  for  tw» 


S  I  E 


(      817    ) 


S  I  E 


different  purposes;  the  first  to  drive 
away  tlie  enemy  from  their  defences; 
and  the  second  to  dismount  their  guns. 
To  produce  these  two  effects,  the  batte- 
ries should  not  be  above  the  mean  reach 
of  cannon-shot  from  the  place  :  there- 
fore there  is  no  possibility  of  construct- 
ing them,  till  the  first  parallel  is  formed; 
as  that  work  is  usually  traced  at  S00 
toises  from  the  place:  therefore  the  bat- 
teries must  be  on  this  line,  or  between 
it  and  the  town. 

The  completion  of  the  batteries  is  in 
some  services  left  to  the  officers  of  the 
royal  artillery,  after  the  engineers  have 
thrown  up  the  mass  of  cover:  but  in 
the  British  service  the  engineers  finish 
every  part  of  them.  They  must  be 
parallel  to  the  works  of  the  town  which 
they  are  to  batter.  It  is  customary  to 
place  the  mortar-batteries  and  gun-bat- 
teries side  by  side,  and  in  the  same  line, 
to  the  end  that  they  may  batter  the 
same  parts.  The  use  of  both  is  to  de- 
molish the  enemy's  works,  to  dismount 
their  guns,  to  penetrate  into  their  pow- 
der magazines,  and  to  drive  the  besieged 
from  their  works  and  defences;  as  also 
to  ruin  and  destroy  the  principal  build- 
ings, by  setting  fire  to  the  town  ;  and 
to  fatigue  and  distress  the  inhabitants 
in  such  a  manner,  that  they  shall  press 
the  garrison  to  surrender. 

To  sally  at  a  siege  is  to  go  privately 
out  of  a  besieged  town,  fall  suddenly 
upon  the  besiegers,  and  destroy  part  of 
their  works,  spike  their  cannon,  and  do 
every  other  possible  damage. 

A  sally,  a  secret  movement  which  is 
made  out  of  a  besieged  town  or  place, 
by  a  chosen  body  of  troops,  for  the 
purpose  of  destroying  an  enemy's  out- 
works, ccc.  Sallies  are  seldom  made 
when  the  garrison  is  weak;  for  although 
they  molest  the  enemy,  and  keep  him 
on  the  alert,  yet  the  chance  of  losing 
men  renders  it  prudent  to  keep  within 
the  works. 

Saps.  To  sap,  at  a  siege,  is  the  me- 
thod of  carrying  on  the  approaches 
when  so  near  the  place  as  to  be  unable 
to  work  without  cover.  It  is  performed 
by  men  On  their  knees  behind  a  mantlet 
or  stuffed  gabion:  they  make  the  sap 
3  feet  deep,  and  3  feet  6  inches  wide; 
then,  common  workmen  widen  it  to  the 
usual  size,  and  it  bears  the  name  of 
trench.  There  are  various  sorts  of  saps, 
viz. 

Single  sap,  that   which  is   made  on 


one  side  only,  or,  which  is  the  same 
thing,  has  only  one  parapet. 

Double  sap  has  a  parapet  on  each 
side,  and  is  carried  on  wherever  its  two 
sides  arc  seen  from  the  place. 

Flying  sap  is  that  in  which  the  work- 
ing parties  of  the  besiegers  place  their 
gabions  themselves,  and  instantly  fill 
them  with  earth,  and  continue  to  work 
under  their  cover :  it  is  made  where  the 
workmen  are  not  much*  exposed,  and  in 
order   to  accelerate  the  approaches. 

Sap:faggots  are  a  kind  of  fascines, 
only  three  feet  long,  and  about  six  inches 
in  diameter. 

Saucissons  are  another  species  of  fas- 
cines, from  12  to  19  feet  long,  and  from 
8  to  10  inches  in  diameter,  and  are  used 
in  making  batteries,  and  repairing  the 
breaches. 

Sortie.    See  Sally. 
Tail,  or   rear  of  the  trench,  (Queue 
de  la  tranchee,  Fr.)  is  the  first  work  the 
besiegers    make    when    they  open   the 
trenches. 

Tambour,  a  kind  of  traverse,  at  the 
upper  end  of  the  trench,  or  opening 
made  in  the  glacis  to  communicate  with 
the  arrows.  This  work  hinders  the  be- 
siegers from  being  masters  of  the  arrow, 
or  discovering  the  inside  of  the  place  of 
arms  belonging  to  the  covert-way. 

Traverse  in  a  siege,  a  kind  of  re- 
trenchment which  is  made  in  the  dry 
ditch,  to  defend  the  passage  over  it. 

Trenches  are  passages  or  turningsdug  in 
the  earth,  in  order  to  approach  a  place 
without  being  seen  from  its  defences. 

Wool-packs  used  in  a  siege  differ  from 
sand-bags,  in  this  only,  that  they  are 
much  larger,  and,  instead  of  earth,  they 
are  rilled  with  wool.  They  are  used  in 
making  lodgments  in  places  where  there 
is  but  little  earth,  and  for  other  similar 
purposes.  They  are  about  five  feet  nigh, 
and  15  inches  in  diameter. 

Rear  of  an  attack  is  the  place  where 
the  attack  begins. 

Front,  or  head  of  an  attack,  that  part 
next  to  the  place. 

Mantlets,  are  wooden  fences,  rolling 
upon  wheels,  of  two  feet  diameter;  the 
bodv  of  the  axle-tree  is  about  four  or 
five  inches  square,  and  four  or  five  feet 
long;  to  which  is  fixed  a  pole  of  eight 
or  ten  feet  Ion;:,  by  two  spars;  upon 
the  axle-tree  is  fixed  a  wooden  parapet, 
three  feet  high,  made  of  3-inch  planks, 
and  four  feet  long,  joined  with  dowel- 
pins,  and  two  cross-bars  :  this  parapet 
5  M 


S  I  E 


(    818     ) 


S  I  E 


Jeani  somewhat  towards  the  pole,  and 
is  supported  by  a  brace,  one  end  of 
which  is  fixed  to  the  pole,  and  the 
other  to  the  upper  part  of  the  parapet. 
Mantlets  are  used  to  cover  the  sappers 
in  front  against  musket-shot. 

Maxims  in  Sieges,  1st.  The  ap- 
proaches should  be  made  without  being 
teen  from  the  town,  either  directly,  ob- 
liquely, or  in  flank. 

2.  No  more  works  should  be  made 
than  are  necessary  for  approach! ng  the 
place  without  being  seen;  i.e.  the  be- 
siegers should  carry  on  their  approaches 
the  shortest  way  possible,  consistent  with 
being  covered  against  the  enemy's  fire. 

3.  All  the  parts  of  the  trenches  should 
mutually  support  each  other;  and  those 
which  are  farthest  advanced,  should  be 
distant  from  tbose  that  defend  them 
about  120  or  130  toises,  that  is,  within 
musket  shot. 

4.  The  parallels,  or  places  of  arms 
the  most  distant  from  the  town,  should 
have  a  greater  extent  than  those  which 
fire  the  nearest,  that  the  besiegers  may 
be  able  to  take  the  enemy  in  flank,  should 
he  resolve  to  attack  the  nearest  parallels. 

5.  The  trench  should  be  opened  or 
begun  as  near  as  possible  to  the  place, 
without  exposing  the  troops  too  much, 
in  order  to  accelerate  and  diminish  the 
operations  of  the  siege. 

6.  Care  should  be  taken  to  join  the 
attacks;  that  is,  they  should  have  com- 
munications, to  the  end  that  they  may 
be  able  to  support  each  other. 

7.  Never  to  advance  a  work,  unless 
it  be  well  supported;  and  for  this  reason, 
in  the  interval  between  the  2d  and  3d 
place  of  arms,  the  besiegers  should  make 
on  both  sides  of  the  trenches,  smaller 
places  of  arms,  extending  40  or  50 
toises  in  length,  parallel  to  the  others, 
and  constructed  in  the  same  manner, 
which  will  serve  to  lodge  the  soldiers  in, 
who  are  to  protect  the  works  designed 
to  reach  the  third  place  of  arms. 

8.  Take  care  to  place  the  batteries  of 
cannon  in  the  continuation  of  the  laces 
of  the  parts  attacked,  in  order  to  silence 
their  fire;  and  to  the  end  that  the  ap- 
proaches, being  protected,  may  advance 
with  greater  safety  and  expedition. 

9.  For  this  reason,  the  besiegers  should 
always  embrace  the  whole  front  attack- 
ed, in  order  to  have  as  much  space  as  is 
requisite  to  place  the  batteries  on  the 
produced  faces  of  the  works  attacked. 

10.  Do  not  begin  the  attack  with 
*"0rka  that  lie  close  to  one  another,  or 


with  rentrant  angles,  which  would  e»- 
pose  the  attack  to  the  cross  fire  of  the 
enemy. 

Stores  required  for  a  month's  Siege  are 
nearly  as  follow  : — 

Powder,  as  the  garrison 

is  more  or  less  strong  8  or  900,000lb. 
ci    ..  V  for  battering  pieces        -       6000 
I  of  a  lesser  sort     -        -    20,000 
Battering  cannon     -  80 

Cannons  of  a  lesser  sort  -  40 

Small  field  pieces  for 

defending  the  lines       -  20 

i\r     .        r      .i  (shells  24 

Mortars  for  throwing  {   „  t- 

b  (  stones  12 

Shells  for  mortars  -     15  or  16,000 

Hand-grenades         *        -  •  40,000 

Leaden  bullets        -        *  -  180,000 

Matches  in  braces  -  10,000 

Flints  for  muskets,  best  sort  100,000 

Platforms  complete  for  guns  100 

Platforms  for  mortars      -  60 

/carriages  for  guns  -           60 

r.  1  mortar  beds  60 

Spare    -<  j 

r  1  spunges,  rammers,  and 

'      ladles,  in  sets  -  20 

Tools  to  work  in  trenches  -  40,000 
Several  hand-jacks,  gins,  sling-carts, 
travelling  forged,  and  other  engines  pro- 
per to  raise  and  carry  heavy  burdens ; 
spare  timber,  and  all  sorts  of  miners' 
tools,  mantlets,  stuffed  gabions,  fascines, 
pickets,  and  gabions. 

Siege  brusque,  Fr.  an  expression  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  the  prompt 
and  immediate  movement  of  a  besieging 
army,  against  a  fortified  town  or  place, 
without  waiting  for  the  regular  forma- 
tion of  lines,  &c.  In  this  case,  the  troops 
make  a  vigorous  attack  upon  all  the  out- 
works, and  endeavour  to  make  a  lodge- 
ment upon  the  counterscarp.  When  they 
have  succeeded,  they  instantly  throw  up 
temporary  lines,  &c.  behind  them,  in 
order  to  secure  a  retreat,  should  the  gar- 
rison force  them  to  quit  their  ground. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  most 
important  Sieges  from  the  twelfth  cen- 
tury to  the  year  1815. 
Acre,  1192;  1799,  by  Bonaparte. — The 
siege  raised  after  60  days  open  trenches. 
Agria,  1566,  1687. 
Aiguillon,  1345. 
Alba    Regalis,  (Stulweissenberg),  1543, 

1601,  1602,  1683. 
Alcantara,  1706. 
Alessandria,  (Italy,)  1801. 
Algiers,  besieged  by  an  armament  from 
Charles  V.  of  Spain,  in  1541. — Bom- 
barded by   order  of  Louis  XIV.   in 
1682,  on  which  occasion  bomb  vessels 


S  I  E 


(     319     ) 


S  I  E 


were  first  employed  by  a  French  en- 
gineer of  the  name  of  Renau. — 
Bombarded  again  in  1683;  again  in 
1689,  by  the  French;  and  finally  by 
Lord  Exmouth  on  die  27th  day  of 
August,  1816. 

Algesiras,  1341. 

Alhama,  1481. 

Alkmaar,  1573. 

Almeida,  Aug.  27,  1810. — Lost  by  the 
accidental  explosion  of  the  principal 
magazine,  and  the  after-treachery  of 
Major  Jose  de  Barreiros,  the  Poi  tu- 
gueze  artillery  commander. 

Amiens,  1597. 

Ancona,  1799. 

Angely  (St.  Jean  d'),  1569,  1621. 

Angouleme,  1345. 

Antequera,  1410. 

Antwerp,  1576,  1583;  1585,  use  of  in- 
fernal machines;  1706, 1792, 1814. 

Aretino,  1800. 

Arras,  1414. 

Arisch  (El),  1800. 

Astorga,  April  12,  1810. 

Azof}',  1736. 

Asti,  1745,  1746. 

Atella,  1496. 

Ath,  1697,  1700;  1745. — First  general 
adoption  of  firing  with  artillery  a  ri- 
cochet, at  a  siege. 

Avignon,  1226. 

Badajoz,  March  11,  1811;  besieged  by 
Lord  Wellington  in  May,  the  siege 
raised;  a  second  time  during  May 
and  June,  again  raised  June  9th,  from 
an  insufficiency  of  means;  besieged 
by  his  Lordship,  the  third  time,  in 
1812,  and  taken  by  escalade  on  the 
night  of  April  6th.  If  the  British  had 
failed  in  this  last  attempt,  the  army 
must  have  gone  back  to  the  lines 
of  Torres  Vedras. — Remark. — After 
twenty  days  open  trenches,  three 
breaches  were  made;  the  assault  of 
these  failed,  while  an  attack  of  the 
same  walls  by  escalade  succeeded. — 
Such  were  the  exertions,  and  so  daring 
was  the  intrepidity  of  the  British 
troops  during  the  escalade,  particularly 
that  made  by  General  Leith,  and  the  i 
late  lamented  Sir  Thomas  Picton, 
K.  B.  that  a  few  years  hence  they 
will  scarcely  obtain  belief. 

Bagdad,  1248. 

Barcelona,  1697,  1705,  1706,1711. 

Bastia,  1511,  1793. 
Bayonne,  1451. 
Beauvais,  1472. 

Belgrade,  1439,  1455,  1521,  1638,  1690, 
1717,  1739,  1789. 


Bellegarde,  1793,  1794.  ^ 

Belle-Isle,  April  7,  1761. 

Belvedere  (Calabria),  1289. 

Bene,  1551,1795. 

Bergerac,  1345. 

Bergen-op-zoom,  1588,  1622,  1747, 
1314. — During  one  of  the  most  ob- 
stinate sieges  against  this  strong  place, 
the  Dutch,  from  the  prevalence  of  a 
thirst  for  lucre,  actually  sold  gun- 
powder and  other  materials  to  en- 
able the  enemy  to  destroy  their  o\v« 
property, 

Berwick,  1293. 

Besancon,  1668,  1674. 

Bethune,  1710. 

Blisecastel,  1674,  1794. 

Bois-le-duc,  160S,  1629,  1794. 

Bologna,  1512,  1796. 

Bommel,  1599,  invention  of  the  coverK 
way;   1794. 

Bonifacio,  1553. 

Bonn, 1587, 1689, 1703. 

Bordeaux,  1451,  1452,  1653. 

Bouchain,  1676;  1711, — last  siege  of 
the  Duke  of  Marlborough. 

Boulogne,  1545. 

Bourbon  (Ft.),  Martinique,  1794;  13— 
Taken  and  blown  up. 

Bo  urges,  1412. 

Braunau,  1744,  1805. 

Breda,  1590, 1625,  1793,  1794. 

Brescia,  1439,  1512, 1796,  1799. 

Breslaw,  1741,  1757,  1759;  Jan.  8, 1S07. 

Brest,  1373. 

Brieg,  1741,  ir>06,  1307. 

Brisac,  1638,  1703,  1704. 

Brussels  (bombardment),  1695,  1746. 

Buda,  1526,  1528,  1541,1684,  1686. 

Burgos,  (Castle  of,)  Sept.  19  to  Oct.  2% 
1812. — The  siege  of  this  insignifi- 
cant place  was  raised  from  the  want 
of  sufficient  means  of  attack — there 
not  being  a  miner,  a  sapper,  hardly 
an  artificer  in  the  attacking  party.— 
The  fortifications  were  blown  up  by 
the  French  in  1813,  in  their  retreat, 
June  13th. 

Cadiz,  Feb.  10,  1810,  raised  Aug.  12th, 
1812,  in  consequence  of  the  defeat  of 
Marmont  at  the  battle  of  Salamanca. 

Caen,  1346,  1450. 

Calais,  1347,  starved  into  a  surrender 
by  Edward  III.;   1436,  1558,1596. 

Calvi  (Corsica),  1794. 

Campo-Mayor, March  23,1811;  April  15. 

Candia,  1667  to  1669. — The  largest  can- 
non at  that  time  known  in  Europe  cast 
by  the  Turks  in  their  camp. — Parallels 
to  support  the  approaches,  invented 
by  an  Italian  engineer,  first  used. 


S  I  E 


(     820    ) 


S  I  E 


Capua,  1501. 
( larignan,  1544. 

(.  m  tli.i;_t  na,  1706. 

<         .  1584,  1629,  1630. 

(  0884  I.   1328. 

I  I  lcsse),  1761. 

Castiilon,  1-152,  1586. 

Ceuta,  1790. 

Chains,  1199.— Death  of  Richard  Cceur 
de-Lion. 

Charleroi,  1672, 1677, 1693,  1736,  17D4 

(■dartres,  1568,  1591. 

Chateau-gaillard,  1203,  1418. 

Chaves,  March  25,  1809. 

Cherbourg,  1450. 

Chmcilla,  Oct.  30,  1812. 

Chio,  1316. 

Ciudad  Rodrigo,  1706;  July  10,  1810; 
Jan.  19,  1812. 

Colberg,  1760,  1761,  1807. 

Colchester,  1645. 

Colliouri,  1794. 

Compiegne,  1430. — Joan  of  Arc  taken 
prisoner. 

Conde,  1670,  1792,  1794. 

Coui,   1691,  17  I  I. 

Constantinople,  1453. 

Copenhagen,  1700,  1801;  Sept.  1307. 

Corbeil,  1590. 

Corfu,  1715. 

Courtrai,   taken   and    re-taken 
times,  from  1302  to  1800. 

Cracow,   1772. 

Cremona,  1702. — Surprized  by   Prince 
Eugene,  who  carried  oft'  Marshal  Yi 
leroy  prisoner;  but  was  finally  driven 
out  of  the  town,  after  a  combat  o 
several  hours. 

Crcvecceur,  1672,  1794. 

Croye,  1442  to  1467. 

Damien  (St.),  1617. 

Dantzic,  1734,    1793,    1807;    1813 
Jan.  12,  1814. 

Denia,  1707. — The  siege  raised  by  the 
Marquis  d'Asfeld,  to  prevent  the  en- 
tire destruction  of  his  army,  after 
having  given  three  general  assaults. 

Dewinter,  1591. 

Dioant,  1466,  1674. 

Diu,  1538,  1546. 

Dole,  1479,  1636;  1668,  completed  the 
conquest  of  Franche  Comte ;  1C74. 

Domingo  (St.),  1805. 

Douai,  1710. 

Dover,  1816. 

Dresden,  1745,  1760,  1814. 

Dunemonde,  1710. 

Dunkirk,  1646,  1793. 

Daren,  1543. 

ggra,  1742,  1713. 

Elmo  (St.),  170;;. 


twenty 


Fpernay,  1592. 

Erie  (North  America),  Aug.  12,  1814. 

Esseck,  1690. 

Faria,  1373. 

Figueras,  August  19,  1811. 

Flushing,  August  15, 1809,  taken  by  the 
British. 

Fontenay,  1242,  demolished. 

Fossano,  1536. 

Frederickshall,  Dec.  1718. — Charle» 
XII.  killed. 

Frederickstein,  Aug.  13,  1814. 

Fumes,  1675,  1744,  1793. 

Gaeta,  1433,  1707,  1734,  1799;  July, 
1806;  1815. 

Gavi,  1625. 

Genoa,  1747,  1800. 

Gerona,  Dec.  10,  1809. 

Gertruidenberg,   1593,  1793,  1795. 

Ghent,  1576;  1708.  A  French  garri- 
son of  37  battalions  surrendered  to 
the  Duke  of  Marlborough  in  four  days 
open  trenches  and  previous  to  the  first 
batteries  being  completed  :  had  the 
place  resisted  till  the  following  day, 
in  all  probability  the  siege  would  have 
been  raised,  in  consequence  of  the 
intense  cold  which  set  in  the  night  of 
the  capitulation.     1745,  1789. 

Gibraltar,  1704,  1779;  Sept.  1782. 

Giorgewo,  1790,  1807. 

Girona,  1286,   1711. 

Glatz,  1742,  1807. 

Glogau,  1109,  1741,  1806. 

Gottingen,  1760. 

Graves,  1586, 1602,  remarkable  defence, 
1674,  1794. 

Gravelines,  1644. 

Grenada,  1491  and  1492.— End  of  the 
Moorish  power  in  Spain,  after  a  do- 
minion or  762  years. 

Groll,  1527,  1606. 

Groningen,  1580,  1594,  1672,  1795. 

Guastalla,  1702. 

Gueldres,  1637,  1639,  1640,  1703. 

Haarlem,  1572,  1573. 

Haguenau,  1675,  1705. 

Ham,  1411. 

Harfleur,  1415,  1450. 

Havannah  and  dependencies,  1762. 

Heidelberg,  1688. 

Hennebon,  1341. 

Hesdin,  1639. — Shells  brought  into  ge- 
neral use. 

Hostalrich,  May  12,  1810. 

Hulsr,  1591,  1596,  1747. 

Huningen,  1815. — The  fortifications  de- 
stroyed. 

Ingolsmdf,  1632,  1743. 

fsmael,  1739,  taken  by  the  Russians, 
when  the  inhabitants  and  soldiers  were 


to 


S  I  E 


( 


821 
of 


) 


put  to  the  sword,  by   the  order 
Prince  Suwarrow;   1307. 

Ispahan,  1723. 

Kaininiek,  1672. 

Kehl,  1733,  179G,  1797. 

Keyserwert,  1702,  1794. 

Kinhurn,  1787. 

Knotesembourg,  1591. 

Kcenigstein,  1745,  1792,  1793,  1796. 

Kosel,  1807. 

Lagni,  1432,  1590. 

Landau,  1702,  1703,  1704,  1713,  1792, 
1793. 

Landrecis,  1513,  1637;  1712.  The  Im- 
perialists defeated  at  Denain,  and  the 
siege  raised  in  consequence  of  Prince 
Eugene  having  established  his  maga- 
zines at  too  great  a  distance  for  his 
army  to  protect  the  communication 
with  them.    1794, 

Laon,  991,  1594. 

Leipsic,  1637,  taken  and  re-taken  seve- 
ral times  afterwards,  particularly  in 
1315. 

Lemberg,  1704. 

Lens,   1647. 

Lerida,  1647,  1707;  May  14,  1807. 

Leucate,  1590,  1637. 

Leutmeritz,  1742. 

Leyden,  1574. 

Liege,  1468,  1702. 

Lille,  1296,  1667;  August,  1708;  1793. 

Lillo,  1747. 

Limerick,  1651,  1691. 

Livron,  1547. 

Loja,  1482. 

Londonderry,  1689. 

Louisbourg,  1758. 

Lourde,  1373. 

Lyons,  1793. 

Maestricht,  1576,  1579 ;  1673,  Vauban 
first  came  into  notice ;  1676,  1748, 
1743,  1794. 

Magdebourg,  1631,  1806. 

Malaga,  1487. 

Malta,  1565,  1793,  1800. 

Mantua,  1734,  1797,  1799.  Taken  by 
Bonaparte. 

Marseille?,  1544. 

Martos,  1238. 

Mentz,  by  Charles  V.  1552;  1689,  1792, 
1793,  1794,  1796,  1797. 

Meaux,   1422,  1439. 

Melun,  1420,  1559. 

Menin,  1706,  1744. 
Mequinenza,  June  8,  1810. 

Messina,  1282;   1719— 91  days. 
Metz,  1552,  1553. 
Mezieres,  1521. 
Middelboun;,  1572. 
Miihaud,  1586. 


S  I  E 

1691,  1709,   1746,  1792, 


Mons,   1572, 
1794. 

Montargis,  1427. 

Montauban,  1621. 

Monte-Calvo,  155S. 

Monterau-Fault-Yonne,  1437. 

Montevideo,  January,  1808. 

Montmedi,  1657. 

Montmelian,  1600,  1691. 

Mortagne,  1378,  1794. 

Mothe,  (de  la)  1634.— The  French, 
taught  by  Mr.  Muller,  an  English 
engineer,  first  practised  the  art  of 
throwing  shells. 

Murviedro,  (Saguntum)  Oct.  25,  1811. 

Naerden,  1572. 

Namur,  1692,  1695,  1746,  1792. 

Naples,  1253,  1381,  1435,  1448,  150", 
1557,  1792,  1799,  1806. 

Neiss,  1741,  1807. 

Nemez,  1686. 

Neuhausel,  1621,  1663,  1685. 

Nice,  1705,  remarkable  for  the  mode 
of  attack  adopted  by  Marshal  Ber- 
wick ; — see  his  Memoirs. 

Nieuport,  1745;  1794,  inundated  and 
obstinately  defended  by  a  handful  of 
British  troops  against  a  large  French 
force  under  the  command  of  General 
Pichegru. 

Nocera,  1386. 

Oliventa,  (blockade,)  Jan.  23,  1811. 

Olmutz,  1758. 

Oran,  1509,  1708,  1732. 

Orleans,  1428,  1563. 

Ostend,  from  1701  to  1704,  the  Spani- 
ards lost  40,000  men  in  the  attack  ; 
1706,  1745. 

Oudenarde,  1532,  1703,  1745. 

Padua,   1509. 

Palamos,  1694,  1695. 

Pampeluna,  1312;  October  31,  1813, 
(blockade.) 

Paris,  1411,  1429,  1435,  1594. 

Parma,  1248. 

Pavia,  1524  and  1525,  siege  raised,  and 
Francis  made  prisoner;   1655,  1796. 

Peronne,  1536. 

Perpignan,  1543,  1642. 

Pliilipville,  1578. 

Philipsbourg,  1644,  1675;  1688,  first 
experiment  of  firing  with  artillery  a 
riochet;  1734,  Duke  of  Berwick  kill- 
ed ;  1795. 

Pizzighitone,   1706,  1733,  1796,  1799. 

Plattsbourg,  (Lake  Champlain,  N.  A.) 
September  11,  1814. 

Pletzkow,  1581. 

Polocz,  1550. 

Pondicherry,  1748,  1761,  1778,  1792. 

Pontoise,  1419,  1437,  1451. 


S  I  E 


(     822     ) 


S  I  E 


Ptagoe,  17  H,  17l.°>,  1714. 

Que»noy  (Le.)  1712,1794. 

Randan,  1380. 

Rees   1599. 

Rennet,   1357. 

Retire,  (Madrid,)  August  11,  1812. 

Rheima,  1359. 

Rliocles,  besieged  three  times,  the  last 

in   15 i  >. 
Riga,   1700,  1710. 
Rochelle,  1372,  1573,  1627. 
Rome,  1527,  1798. 
Romorantio,  135(3. — Artillery  first  used 

in  sieges. 
Ronda,  1485. 
Rosas,  1645,  1795,  1803. 
Rotweil,  1640. 

Rouen,  1204,  1419,  1449,  1562,  1591. 
Royan,  1621. 
Salamanca, (Forts  of— St.Vicente,  Gaye- 

tano,  Merced,)  June  27, 1812. 
Salisbury,  1349. 
Saragossa,   1710;  1808,  four   months; 
February  21,  1809,  taken  after  fifty- 
two  days  open  trenches,  29  of  which 
the  enemy  were  in  the  streets. 
Saverne,  1675. 
Sbarras,  1676. 

Schweidnitz,  1762,  the  first  experiment 
to   reduce    a    fortress    by   springing 
globes  of  compression  ;  1807. 
5chonoven,  1575. 

Sebastian,  (St.)  next  to  Gibraltar,  the 
strongest  place  in  Spain,  1719;  Sept. 
8,   1814,  most  obstinately  defended 
by  the  French ;  till  General  Graham 
directed  the  guns  to  be  fired  against 
the  curtain,  over  the  men's  heads  as 
they  advanced  to  the  breach, 
^erezanella,  a  town  in  Tuscany,  1487 ; 
the  first  mines,  since  the  invention  of 
gunpowder,  were  made  at  the  siege  of 
this  place,  by  the  Genoese. 
Seringapatam,  1799. 
Seville,  1096,  1248. 
Skid,  1678. 
Sienna,  1544. 
Sigeth,  1566. 
Silberberg,  1807. 
Sluys,  1587,  1604,  1757,  1794. 
Smolensko,  1611. 
S'jissons,  1414. 

Stralsund,  1675,  the  method  of  throw- 
ing red-hot  balls  first  practised  with 
certainty;  1713,  1807. 
StrauLing,  1742. 

St.  Philip,  (Fort,)  in  Minorca,  1756; 
1782;  the  garrison  nearly  destroyed 
from  being  lodged  in  damp  casemates, 
and  the  defence  very  much  abridged 
thereby. 


Tarifa,  1292;  December  20,  1811. 

Tarragona,  June  28,  1811,  stormed  by 
the  French — man,  woman,  and  child 
put  to  the  sword. — May,  1813,  be- 
sieged by  Sir  John  Murray, — siege 
raised. 

Temeswar,  1716. 

Terremonde,  1534. 

Tergoes,  1572. 

Therouanne,  1513,  1553. 

Thionville,  1643,  1792. 

Thorn,  1703. 

Thouars,  1372,  1793. 

Tortona,  1734,  1745,  1799. 

Tortosa,  January  2,  1811. 

Toulon,  1707,  1793. 

Toulouse,  1217. 

Tournai,  1340,  1352,  1581,  1667;  1709, 
the  best  defence  ever  drawn  from 
countermines;  1745,  1794. 

Tiembawla,  1675. 

Treves 


,,  1675. 
Tunis,  1270,  1535. 
Turin,  1640,  1706,  1799. 
Urbino,  1799. 
Vachtendonck,  1588. 
Valencia,  1098,  1238;  Dec.  25,  1811. 
Valencia  (of  Alcantara),  1705. 
Valencia  (New,  Spanish  America),  Aug. 

18,  1811,  surrendered  to  Miranda. 
Valenciennes,  1557,  1677;  1794,  taken 
by  the  allied  Army  under  the  com- 
mand of  II.  R.  H.  the  Duke  of  York. 
Valognes,   1364. 
Vannes,  1343. 
Velcz,  1487. 
Venloo,  1702,  first  siege  undertaken  by 

the  Duke  of  Marlborough  ;  1794. 
Verceil,  1617,  1704. 
Verdun,  1792. 
Vienna,  1529,  1683. 
Vintimiglia,  1746. 
Wakefield,  1460. 
Walcheren,  (Island   of,)   taken  by   the 

British. — See  Flushing. 
Woygnaff,  1676. 

Xativa,  1707;  a  most  memorable  de- 
fence made  by  the  inhabitants,  as- 
sisted by  a  garrison  of  600  English 
troops  :  as  a  punishment,  the  whole 
town,  with  the  exception  of  the  prin- 
cipal church,  was  razed,  and  its  nauia 
changed  to  St.  Philippe. 
Xeres,  1262. 

Ypres,  1584,  1648,  1744,  1794. 
Ziriczee,  1576. 
Zurich,  1544. 
Zutphen,  1572,  1586. 

For  interesting  particulars  respecting 
the  operations  in  the  Peninsula,  we  refer 
our  readers  to  the  very  able  and  intel- 


S  I  G 


(     823     ) 


S  I  G 


ligent  publication  by  Colonel  Jones  of 
the  Royal  Engineers. 

SIENS,  Ft:  the  plural  of  sien,  his, 
her's,  or  one's  own.  This  word  is  used 
among  the  French,  to  signify  the  same 
as  gens,  men,  people,  soldiers;  viz.  ce 
general  Jut  abandonni,  par  les  siens,  Fr. 
that  general  was  abandoned  by  his  own 
soldiers. 

SIERRA,  a  word  used  for  hill  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  world,  particularly 
on  the  West  coast  of  Africa,  on  the 
North  coast  of  South  America,  and  on 
the  coasts  of  Chili  and  Peru;  also  in 
Spain,  as  the  Sierra  Morena. 

SIERRILLO,  the  term  for  a  little 
hill,  being  the  diminutive  of  Sierra ;  in 
which  sense  it  is  used  on  the  south-west 
coast  of  South  America. 

SIEVE,  an  instrument  which  by 
means  of  hair,  lawn,  or  wire,  is  capable 
of  separating  the  fine  from  the  coarse 
parts  of  any  powder. — See  Gunpow- 
der, Laboratory,  &c. 

SIES  or  SHIAS,  Ind.  a  tribe  of  peo- 
ple in  the  N.  West  of  India. 

SIFFLEMENT,  Fr.  literally  means 
the  noise  of  a  whistle.  It  is  used  to 
express  the  sound  which  a  ball  or  bul- 
let makes  when  it  cuts  the  air ;  as  svffle- 
ment  des  armes  a  feu,  the  whistling,  or 
whizzing  noise  of  fire-arms. 

SIFFLET,  Fr.  a  whistle.  The 
French  make  use  of  the  whistle  on  board 
their  ships  in  the  same  manner  that 
we  do.  It  answers  the  same  purposes 
at  sea,  that  the  drum  and  trumpet  do 
on  shore.  The  boatswain's  whistle 
pipes  all  hands  up,  as  occasion  requires 
in  a  ship  :  and  the  drum  and  trumpet 
collect  troops  together  in  camp,  garri- 
son, or  elsewhere. 

SIG,  an  old  Saxon  word,  importing 
victory. 

SIGHT,  (la  mire,  Fr.)  a  small  piece 
of  brass  or  iron  which  is  fixed  near  to 
the  muzzle  of  a  musket  or  pistol,  to 
serve  as  a  point  of  direction,  and  to  as- 
sist the  eye  in  levelling,  and  by  which 
the  bayonet  is  fixed  on  the  barrel. 

Folding  notch  Sight.  According  to 
the  author  of  Scloppetaria,  page  131,  of 
all  sights  in  use,  none  seem  preferable 
to  the  common  folding  notch  sight;  it 
lies  close  on  the  barrel,  and  is  thus  less 
exposed  to  injury  than  such  as  are  con- 
stantly fixed  upright;  and  from  the  sim- 
plicity of  the  construction,  it  is  seldom 
out  of  order,  and  is  easily  replaced  if 
lost  or  worn  out.  The  chief  requisite 
in  the  construction  of  these  sights,  is 


due  attention  to  the  hinges;  for  if  they 
once  begin  to  shift  or  shake  to  the  right 
or  left,  the  visual  ray  will  no  longer  be 
parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  bore  of  the 
barrel,  but  diagonal,  and  consequently 
the  shots  cannot  be  depended  on. 

Military  first  Sight.  SeeCoup  d'CEil. 

Second  Sight,  the  power  of  seeing 
things  future,  or  things  distant :  sup- 
posed inherent  in  some  of  the  Scottish 
islanders ;  and  often  erroneously  acted 
upon  by  ministers  of  state. 

SIGLES,  cyphers;  initial  letters  put 
for  the  word ;  as  O.  H.  M.  S.  i.  e.  on 
his  Majesty's  service. 

SIGN,  a  sensible  mark  or  character, 
denoting  something  absent  or  invisible. 
As  the  trace  of  a  foot,  the  hand-writing 
or  mark  of  a  man ;  also  the  subscription 
of  one's  name. 

Sign,  (signe,  Fr.)  in  algebra,  that 
which  distinguishes  positive  from  nega- 
tive quantities.  Such  are  the  signs  + 
(plus)  —  (minus)  —  (equal). 

SiCK-?nanual.  The  king's  signature  is 
so  called.  All  commissions  in  the  re- 
gular army  of  Great  Britain,  army  war- 
rants, &c.  bear  the  sign  manual.  The 
appointments  of  officers  in  the  volun- 
teers were  so  distinguished  during  the 
late  war.  Adjutants  only,  in  the  mi- 
litia, have  their  commissions  signed  by 
the  King;  those  of  the  field  officers, 
captains,  and  subalterns,  &c.  are  signed 
by  the  lords  lieutenants  of  counties,  or 
by  their  deputies  for  the  time  being, 
sanctioned  by  a  previous  intimation  from 
the  secretary  of  state,  that  the  King  does 
not  disapprove  of  the  names  which  have 
been  laid  before  him. 

SIGNAL,  (signal,  Fr.)  any  sign  made 
by  sea  or  land,  for  sailing,  marching, 
fighting,  &c.  Signals  are  likewise  given 
by  the  short  and  long  rolls  of  the  drum, 
during  the  exercise  of  the  battalion. 

Signal,  in  the  art  of  war,  a  certain 
sign  agreed  upon  for  the  conveying  in- 
telligence, where  the  voice  cannot  reach. 
Signals  are  frequently  given  for  the  be- 
ginning of  a  battle,  or  an  attack,  usually 
with  drums  and  trumpets,  and  sometimes 
with  sky-rockets,  &c. 

Signal  of  attack  or  assault,  (signal 
d'une  attaque,  ou  d'un  assaut,  Fr.) — This 
signal  may  be  given  in  various  ways. 
By  the  discharge  of  a  lighted  shell,  by 
sky-rockets,  by  colours  displayed  from  a 
conspicuous  spot,  &c. — In  1747,  Mar- 
shal Lowendhal  made  useof  lighted  shells 
or  bombs,  when  he  laid  siege  to  the  town 
of  Bergeu-op-zoom. — Louring  the  con- 


S  1  G  t  W*  )  SI  G 

■MTMtioa  of  the  inhabitants,  which  W08|a  hard-fought  and  doubtful  battle,  ex- 


excited  by  a  continual  discharge  oi  these 
■ignal  shells,  the  grenadiers  entered  a 
practicable  breach,  and  look  the  town 
by  storm. 

SicsAi.-Jlag,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, was  a  glided  shield  hung  out  of  the 
admiral's  galley;  it  was  sometimes  a  red 
garment  or  banner.  During  the  eleva- 
tion ot*  this  signal  the  fight  continued, 
and  by  its  depression  or  inclination  to- 
wards the  right  or  left,  the  rest  of  the 
ships  were  directed  how  to  attack  their 
enemies,  or  retreat  from  them. 

Signals  made  by  the  colours  of  an 
(trim/,  (signaux  des  enseignes,  Fr.)  The 
ancients  had  recourse  to  all  the  various 
methods  which  could  be  used  by  signals, 
to  express  the  particular  situation  of 
affairs,  and  to  indicate  measures  that 
should  be  adopted.  If,  during  an  en- 
gagement, victory  seemed  inclined  more 
to  one  side  than  another,  the  colours 
belonging  to  the  victorious  party  were  I  the  subject, 
instantly  bent  towards  its  yielding  anta-  Nor  are  the  advantages,  which  arise 
gonist.     This  signal  was  conspicuous  to    from  the  use  of  signals  confined  to  these 


pressing  thereby  that  fresh  succours 
were  arrived  to  strengthen  the  French 
army.  This  circumstance,  so  apparently 
triHing,  produced  the  desired  effect.  It 
threw  the  enemy  into  confusion,  gave 
the  Trench  fresh  spirits,  and  finally  de- 
termined the  victory  in  their  favour. 
We  read  of  various  instances  in  which 
signals  have  been  used  to  express  the 
personal  danger  of  a  king  or  general, 
who  was  fighting  at  the  head  of  a  select 
body  of  men.  The  knowledge  of  the 
critical  position  in  which  their  leader 
stood,  excited  fresh  courage  in  the  rest 
of  the  troops,  nnd  drove  them  to  acts  of 
the  greatest  intrepidity.  In  the  course  of 
the  late  war,  some  examples  of  the  same 
sort  might  be  adduced,  both  on  the  side 
of  Austria,  and  on  that  of  France.  The 
action  on  the  bridge  of  Lodi,  the  passage 
of  the  Tegliementi,  &c.  would  illustrate 
any  observations  we  could  make  upon 


the  men,  and  excited  thein  to  fresh 
efforts.  They  imbibed  the  most  lively 
hopes  of  success,  and  eagerly  pressed 
forward  to  reap  the  advantages  of  bra- 
very and  good  conduct. 

When  an  army  was  hard  pressed  by 
its  enemy,  the  colours  of  the  former 
were  raised  high  in  air,  and  were  kept  in 
a  perpetual  flutter  and  agitation,  for  the 
purpose  of  conveying  to  the  soldiers, 
that  the  issue  of  the  battle  was  still 
doubtful,  and  that  nothing  but  courage 


particular  cases.  Various  circumstances 
grow  out  of  the  desultory  nature  of  mi- 
litary operations,  to  render  flags  of  com- 
munication indispensably  necessary.  The 
vast  scope  which  is  given  to  modern  tac- 
tics  makes  it  impossible,  that  the  human 
eye  or  voice  should  take  in  all  the  cri- 
tical manoeuvres  or  evolutions  that  occur, 
when  an  extended  line  is  actually  en- 
gaged. The  right  wing  may  be  giving 
way,  while  the  left  is  gaining  ground, 
and  the  center  might  be  in  danger,  while 


and  perseverance  could   determine  the '  the  two  flanks  were  rapidly  advancing 


victory.     If,  in  the  heat  of  action,  any 
particular  regiment  seemed  to  waver  and 
and  give  way,  so  as  to  cause  an  appre- 
hension that  it  might  finally  be   broken, 
its  colours  were  instantly  snatched   out 
of  the  bearer's  hands  by  the  general  or 
commanding  officer,  and  thrown  into  the 
thickest  of  the  enemy.  It  frequently  hap- 
pened, that  the  men,  who  were  upon  the 
point  of  yielding  ground  and  flying,  re- 
ceived  a    fresh   impulse   from   this  act, 
rallied,  and,    by  a   desperate   effort    of 
courage,  recovered  the  colours,  and  re- 
stored  the  day.     This   method   of   re- 
animating  their   legions    was    generally 
resorted   to  by  the  Romans.     We  have 
bad  instances  in  modern  times,  in  which 
the  fortune  of  the  day  has  been  wholly 
decided  by  some  sudden  and  unexpected 
act   of  an   individual.      In    the  reign  of 
Louis  XIV.  a  private   soldier  threw  his 
liMl  into  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  during 


with  apparent  security  against  the  ene- 
my; as  was  the  case  in  the  battle  of 
Marengo.  Under  these  circumstances, 
a  general,  by  means  of  communicating 
signals,  would  be  enabled  to  provide  for 
every  contingency,  without  losing  time 
by  sending  his  orders  verbally.  Al- 
though signal  flags,  in  modern  engage- 
ments, have  been  generally  laid  aside, 
their  use  has  been  acknowledged  in  the 
adoption  of  warlike  instruments,  which, 
by  the  variety  of  their  sounds,  convey 
the  necessary  directions  to  an  engaging 
army. 

The  ancients  had  signals  which  they 
called  mute  signals,  (signaux  miicls.) — 
These  consisted  in  certain  actions  or 
signs  that  were  made  by  a  general ;  such 
as  waving  the  hand,  brandishing  a  stick 
or  sword,  or  by  exhibiting  to  view  any 
part  of  his  dress,  accoutrements,  &c. 
Instances  of  the  same  kind  have  occurred 


S  I  G 


(   8:5   ) 


S  I  G 


among  the  moderns.  Under  this  deno- 
mination may  likewise  be  classed  the 
different  signals  which  are  made  for  the 
movement,  marching  and  manoeuvring  of 
troops,  in  and  out  or  quarters. 

When  troops  are  scattered,  or  sepa- 
rated from  one  another,  it  is  usual  to 
communicate  by  means  of  fires  lighted 
upon  eminences,  during  the  night,  and 
by  smoke,  during  the  day. 

In  former  times,  large  pieces  of  wood 
were  hung  above  the  lowers  of  cities  or 
castles,  which,  by  being  drawn  up  or 
lowered,  gave  intelligence  of  what  passed. 
This  method  has  been  succeeded  by  the 
invention  of  telegraphs,  which  answer 
every  purpose  of  communication,  when 
they  can  be  established  through  any  ex- 
tent of  country.  Besides  those  signals, 
there  are  others  which  may  be  called 
Tocal  and  demi-vocal.  The  vocal  signals 
are  those  of  the  human  voice,  which 
consist  in  the  necessary  precautions  that 
are  adopted  to  prevent  a  guard  or  post 
from  being  surprized,  to  enounce  words 
of  command  in  action,  &c.  Of  the  first 
description  are  paroles  and  countersigns, 
♦vhich  are  exchanged  between  those  to 
whom  they  are  entrusted,  and  which  are 
frequently  altered,  during  the  day  and 
night,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  re- 
ceiving any  information  by  means  of 
spies.  The  demi-vocal  signals  are  con- 
veyed by  military  instruments;  the  dif- 
ferent soundings  of  which  indicate,  in- 
stantaneously, whether  an  army  is  to 
halt  or  to  advance,  whether  troops  are 
to  continue  in  the  pursuit  of  an  enemy, 
or  to  retreat. 

The  demi-vocal  signals,  directed  to  be 
observed  in  the  British  service,  as  far  as 
regards  the  manoeuvring  of  corps,  &c. 
consist  of  signals  for  the  government  of 
light  infantry,  and  of  cavalry  regiments, 
squadrons,  or  troops:  the  latter  are  pro- 
perly called  soundings.  Light  infantry 
signals  are  to  give  notice, — to  advance ; 
to  retreat ;  to  halt ;  to  cease  firing ;  to 
assemble  ;  or  call  in  all  parties.  In  the 
Regulations,  printed  by  authority,  it  is 
observed,  that  these  signals  are  to  be 
nlwavs  considered  as  fixed  and  deter- 
mined  ones,  and  are  never  to  be  changed. 
The  bugle  horn  of  each  company  is  to 
make  himself  perfect  master  of  them. 
All  signals  are  to  be  repeated ;  and  all 
those  signals  which  are  made  from  the 
line  or  column,  are  to  convey  the  inten- 
tion of  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
line,  to  the  officer  commanding  the  light 


infantry,  who  will  communicate  them  to 
the  several  companies,  or  detachments, 
either  by  word  or  signal. 

Sir, x At.  staff.  In  matters  of  military 
parade  it  is  usual  to  fix  a  red  flag,  some- 
what larger  than  a  camp  colour,  to  point 
out  the  spot  where  the  general,  or  officer 
commanding,  takes  his  station  in  front 
of  a  line.    This  is  called  tlte  signal  staff. 

SIGNALEMENT,  Fr.  the  descrip- 
tion of  a  man's  person,  his  appearance, 
iVc.  It  signifies  not  only  the  description 
of  a  man's  figure,  but  an  exact  and  spe- 
cific detail  of  such  marks  and  prominenc 
features,  that  by  comparing  the  copy 
taken  on  paper  with  the  original,  the 
latter  may  be  instantly  recognized.  Ic 
is  the  custom,  in  all  well  regulated  ar- 
mies, for  every  regiment  to  have  an 
exact  description  of  each  man  that  be- 
longs to  it,  specifically  drawn  out  in  the 
adjutant's  book  :  so  that  when  a  soldier 
deserts,  a  copy  is  instantly  taken,  and 
forwarded  to  those  places  to  which  he  is 
must  likely  to  resort. 

Fcuille  de  Signalemf.nt,  Fr.  a  paper 
containing  the  description  of  an  indi- 
vidual. 

SIGNS  of  health  in  a  hone,  a  cold 
nose,  moist  tongue,  cool  mouth,  warm 
ears,  and  good  appetite.  The  latter 
may  sometimes  be  rendered  useless  on 
account  of  the  state  of  the  mouth. 
Lampreys  may  have  increased  to  such  a 
degree  that  the  animal's  power  of  masti- 
cation will  be  destroyed,  and  the  grinders 
may  grow  so  sharp  and  cragged,  that 
they  will  cut  the  tongue.  In  which 
cases  the  former  must  be  burnt  out,  and. 
the  latter  filed  down. 

SIGNUM,  a  standard,  an  ensign,  a 
streamer,  a  flag.  In  the  early  days  of 
Rome,  the  military  ensign  or  standard 
consisted  of  a  wisp  or  handful  ot  straw, 
which  was  fixed  at  the  end  of  a  pike. 
It  was  then  called  mdhipulus  f<rni,  a 
bottle  of  hay.  By  degrees,  the  Romans 
adopted  more  respectable  marks  to  move 
by.  The  wisp  of  straw,  or  bottle  of  hay, 
was  changed  into  a  piece  of  wood  which 
lay  crossways  at  the  end  of  a  pike,  and 
underneath  the  traverse  hung  different 
small  figures  and  representations  of  the 
gods.  In  latter  periods,  the  likenesses 
of  the  different  emperors  were  suspended 
in  the  same  manner.  The  staff,  in  these 
case%  was  made  of  solid  silver,  so  that  it 
required  uncommon  strength  of  body  to 
be  able  to  carry  the  signmn.  When  the 
armies  were  encamped,  each  legion  had 
5N 


S  1  Iv 


(     626     ) 


S  I  M 


us  lignum  erected  in  front  of  thepreto- 

rium;  which  was  always  close  id  the 

hi  fl  tent. 

.>i  c  n  t  m  mi/Hare,  the  watch  -  word 
which  was  given  among  the  Romans,  to 
the  tribunes  that  were  on  guard.  The 
lignum  militare  was  changed  every  morn- 
ing. The  watch-word  of  the  pat  role 
was  also  called  tessera,  which  signifies  a 
ftignal  in  war;  any  private  sign  or  token. 

Signum  profectionis.  The  signal  for 
marching,  which  was  given  among  the 
ancient  Romans,  vv"as  so  called.  It  cor- 
responds with  our  beat,  the  general. 

.SioNtM  pugiuc,  the  signal  for  battle 
which  was  used  among  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans. When  this  happened,  a  red  coat 
of  arms  was  displayed  above  the  general's 
tent,  after  which  all  the  different  warlike 
instruments  Bounded  together,  and  pro- 
claimed the  signal  of  attack. 

SIGURGIIAL,  hid.  a  feudal  tenure. 

SIGUETTE,  Fr.  is  a  cavesson  with 
teeth  or  notches,  that  is,  a  semi-circle  of 
hollow  and  vaulted  iron,  with  teeth  like 
a  saw,  consisting  of  three  pieces  joined 
with  binges,  and  mounted  with  a  head- 
stall, and  two  ropes  ;  somewhat  like  the 
cavesson  that  in  former  times  was  put 
upon  the  nose  of  a  fiery,  stiff-headed 
horse,  in  order  to  keep  hint  in  subjec- 
tion. There  is  a  sort  of  Siguette  con- 
sisting of  a  round  iron,  all  of  one  piece, 
sewed  under  the  nose-band  of  the  bridle, 
that  it  may  not  be  in  sight. 

SIKHS.  Mr.  Malcolm,  in  his  Sketch 
of  this  tribe,  has  the  following  observa- 
tions : — "  The  Sikhs  have  been  reputed 
deceitful  and  cruel ;  but  I  know  no 
grounds  upon  which  they  can  be  consi- 
dered more  so  than  the  other  tribes  of 
India.  They  seemed  to  me,  from  all  the 
intercourse  [  had  with  them,  to  be  more 
open  and  sincere  than  the  Mahrattas, 
and  less  rude  and  savage  than  the 
Afghans.  They  were  indeed  become, 
irom  national  success,  too  proud  of 
their  own  strength  and  too  irritable  in 
their  tempers,  to  have  patience  for  the 
wiles  of  the  former  ;  and  they  retain,  in 
spite  of  their  change  of  manners  and 
religion,  too  much  of  the  original  charac- 
ter of  their  Hindoo  ancestors,  to  have 
the  constitutional  ferocity  of  the  latter. 

"  The  Sikh  soldier  is,  generally  speak- 
mg,  brave, active, and  cheerful — without 
polish,  but  destitute  neither  of  sincerity 
nor  attachment.  And  if  he  often  ap- 
pears wanting  in  humanity,  it  is  not  so 
much  to  be  attributed  to  his  national 


Character^  as  to  the  habits  of  a  life 
which,  from  the  condition  of  the  society 
hi  winch  he  is  born,  is  generally  passed 
in  scenes  of  violence  and  rapine.  The 
Sikh  merchant,  or  the  cultivator,  if  lie  is 
a  Singh,  or  follower  of  Guru  Govind, 
differs  little  in  character  from  the  sol- 
dier, except  that  his  occupation  renders 
hiai  less  presuming  and  boisterous.  He 
also  wears  arms;  and  is,  from  education, 
prompt  to  use  them,  whenever  his  indi- 
vidual interest,  or  that  of  the  community 
in  which  he  lives,  requires  him." 

SILENCE,  (silence,  Fr.)  This  word 
is  used  by  the  French  as  a  caution  to 
soldiers  to  prepare  for  any  part  of  the 
military  duty  or  exercise. — The  French 
have  likewise  another  term  which  cor- 
responds with  our  word  Attention.  See 
Gare  a  vous.  We  use  Attention  in  both 
instances. 

To  Silence  a  battery,  to  attack  it  in 
such  a  manner,  either  by  heavy  dis- 
charges of  artillery,  or  by  dexterous  ma- 
noeuvres, as  to  render  it  impossible  for 
the  men  to  keep  to  their  guns  or  to 
work  them. 

SILHATARIS,  Fr.    See  Spaiiis. 

SILLADARS,  Ind.  armour  bearers 
belonging  to  the  Mahratta  princes,  who 
are  obliged  to  furnish  a  certain  number 
of  men,  composing  the  second  class  of 
their  cavalry. 

SILLAGE,  Fr.  the  wake  of  a  ship; 
the  trace  which  a  vessel  leaves  astern 
when  she  moves  forward. 

SILLON,  in  fortification,  is  a  work 
raised  in  the  middle  of  a  ditch,  to  de- 
fend it  when  it  is  too  wide.  It  has  no 
particular  form,  and  is  sometimes  made 
with  little  bastions,  half-moons,  and  re- 
dans, which  are  lower  than  the  works  of 
the  place,  but  higher  than  the  covert- 
way.  It  is  more  frequently  called  en- 
telope,  which  see. 

SILVER-.f/JO(i»  head,  among  archers, 
the  head  of  an  arrow  which  resembles 
the  head  of  a  silver  spoon. 

SIMBLEAU;  ou  cimbleau,  Fr.  in  car- 
pentry, a  cord  used  by  carpenters  to 
trace  curves  of  a  certain  extent,  that 
exceeds  the  capacity  of  the  compass. 
This  cord  is  made  of  hemp,  or,  what  is 
better,  of  the  rind  of  a  young  linden  tree, 
which  does  not  stretch  as  hemp  will. 

SIMILAR  polygons  are  such  as  have 
their  angles  severally  equal,  and  the  sides 
about  those  angles  proportional. 

SIMPLE  soldut,  Fr.  a  private  soldier. 

SIMPLIFICATION,  (simplification, 


S  I  N 


(     827     ) 


SIS 


Fr.)  the  act  of  rendering  plain,  clear, 
and  simple.  The  state  of  any  thing 
that  is  made  plain  and  simple.  This 
substantive,  like  the  verb,  is  evidently 
borrowed  from  the  French ;  who  say 
familiarly,  Travailler  a  la  simplification 
d'une  affaire ;  to  endeavour  to  make  a 
matter  plain  and  conspicuous.  The  sim- 
plification of  army  accounts  is  perhaps 
one  of  the  most  desirable  objects  in  fi- 
nance, especially  during  a  war,  when  so 
many  branches  of  service  rendered  them 
unavoidably  complicated. 

To  SIMPLIFY.  This  word  has  been 
adopted  amongst  men  of  business  and 
arrangement,  from  the  French  simplifier, 
which  means  to  relate  the  bare  matter  of 
fact.  This  signification  likewise  reaches 
every  species  of  analysis,  &c. 

SIMULATION,  (simulation,  Fr.)  that 
part  of  hypocrisy  which  pretends  that  to 
be  which  is  not ;  in  contradistinction  to 
dissimulation,  which  is  the  act  of  dis- 
sembling; downright  hypocrisy;  falla- 
cious appearance;  false  pretensions;  a 
vice  in  no  shape  pardonable,  except  to 
dissemble  injuries. 

SIMULTANEOUS,  acting  together  ; 
existing  at  the  same  time. 

SIMULTANEOUSLY,  at  the  same 
time  ;  in  conjunction. 

SINE,  (sinus,  Fr.)  a  kind  of  geome- 
trical line. 

Right  Stne,  (sinus  droit  d'tin  arc,  Fr.) 
in  geometry,  is  a  right  line  drawn  from 
one  end  of  an  arc,  perpendicular  upon 
the  diameter  drawn  from  the  other  end 
of  that  arc,  or  is  half  the  chord,  or  twice 
the  arc. 

Sine  complement  of  an  arc,  (sinus  to- 
tal, ou  le  sinus  de  C  angle  droit,  Fr.)  in 
geometry,  the  sine  of  what  that  arc  or 
angle  is  less  than  90°,  or  what  it  is 
greater  than  90°,  when  it  exceeds  them. 
Sine  versed  of  an  arc,  (si?ius  verse 
<Tun  arc,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  an  arc  or 
angle  less  than  90°,  being  that  part  of 
the  diameter  which  is  comprehended 
between  the  arc  and  the  right  line. 

SINECURE,  from  the  Latin  sine  cu- 
ra,  originally  a  benefice  without  cure  of 
souls,  or,  of  any  employment.  Dr. 
Johnson  calls  a  sinecure  an  office  which 
lias  revenue  without  any  employment. 
Of  this  description,  in  a  military  sense, 
are  those  appointments  which  admit  of 
deputies  upon  deputies  :  so  that  the 
original  holder  receives  the  public  money 
without  doing  any  public  service  ;  an 
abuse  that  has  been  very  justly  repro- 


bated by  the  select  Committee  of  the 
House  of  Commons. 

Sinew.  To  unsinezc  a  horse,  is  to  cut 
the  two  tendons  on  the  side  of  his  head. 

SiHEW-shrunk.  A  horse  is  said  to  be 
sinew-shrunk,when  he  is  over-ridden, and 
so  borne  down  with  fatigue,  that  he  be- 
comes gaunt-bellied,  through  a  stiffness 
and  contraction  of  the  two  sinews  that 
are  under  his  belly. 

Sixzw-sprung  is  a  violent  attaint,  or 
over-reach,  in  which  a  horse  strikes  bis 
toe,  or  hinder  feet,  against  the  sinew  of 
the  fore  leg. 

The   Sinews    of  War,   monies    are 
figuratively  so  called. 

SINGE,  Fr.  in  drawing,  a  tracing  or 
copying  machine.     See  Pantography. 

Singe,  Fr.  literally  a  monkey  ;  a 
windlass,  or  draw-beam  ;  in  mechanics, 
when  an  axle-tree,  or  a  capstan,  instead 
of  being  supported  by  two  jambs,  is 
placed  upon  two  pieces  of  wood  in  the 
shape  of  St.  Andrew's  Cross;  it  is  called 
singe,  or  windlass.  It  is  used  to  draw 
water  out  of  wells,  or  to  raise,  or  let 
down  articles  of  weight  or  burthen. 

SINGLE  corftbat,  a  contest  in  which 
not  more  than  two  are  engaged. 

SINUS,  Fr.  See  Line  for  its  geo- 
metrical acceptation. 

Sinus,  in  English,  signifies  a  bay  of 
the  sea,  an  opening  of  the  land ;  any  fold 
or  opening. 

SINUSOIDE,  Fr.  a  geometrical  curve, 
which  has  been  imagined  by  Monsieur 
Belidor,  for  the  purpose  of  balancing  or 
preserving  the  equipoise  of  a  draw-bridge. 
See  Science  des  Ingtnieurs,  liv.  iv.  See 
likewise  the  specific  construction  of  this 
curve  as  explained  by  the  Marquis  de 
I'Hopital,  in  a  book  entituled,  Acta  Eru- 
ditorum,  published  at  Leipsic,  in  1695; 
and  demonstrated  by  M.  Bernouilli,  who 
discovered,  that  this  curve  was  nothing 
more  than  the  epicycloid,  which  is 
formed  by  one  circle  moving  upon 
another  circle. 

SIPHON,  (syphon,  likewise  siphon, 
Fr.)  in  hydraulics,  a  crooked  tube,  one 
leg  or  branch  whereof  is  longer  than  the 
other.  It  is  used  in  the  raising  of  fluids, 
emptying  of  vessels,  and  in  various  hy- 
drostalical   experiments. 

SIRKAR,  lad.  the  government. 

SIROC,  from  Sirius,  the  dog-star. 
The  wind,  which  we  call  south-east,  is 
so  named  in  Italy. 

SISTRUM,  a  musical  instrument,  of 
an  oval  shape  like  a  racket,  which  was 
5  N  3 


S  I  z 


(     828     ) 


SKA 


lied  bv  the  Egyptians  in  their  armies. 
It  also  signifies,  generally, an  instrument 
,ivL,i  in  battle  instead  of  a  trumpet. 
Likewise  a  brazen  or  iron  timbrel  much 
like  to  the  kettle-drum. 

To  Sir,  (asscoir,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
*cnsc,  to  take  a  stationary  position  ;  as, 
to  sit  before  a  fortified  place  ;  to  lie  en- 
camped for  the  purpose  of  besieging  it. 
The  French  use  the  word  asseoir,  as  an 
active  verb,  viz.  asseoir  un  camp,  to  pitch 
a  camp.  7/  assit  son  camp  hors  de  la 
■portcc  du  canon  de  la  ville  ;  he  pitcher! 
Iiis  camp  out  of  the  range  of  the  town's 
cannon. 

SlT-fa$t,        )  a  bard  knob,  that  grows 

STICKrfast,  S  under  a  horse's  skin, 
beneath  the  saddle,  fast  to  his  flesh, 
which  is  occasioned  by  a  saddle-gall,  or 
bruise. 

SITUE,  Fr.  situated  ;  placed  ;  pitched. 
The  French  say,  un  camp  bicn  siluc,  a 
camp  well  situated,  or  pitched. 

SIXAIN.  Sixth,  Sexagena,  in  war, 
an  ancient  order  of  battle,  wherein  six 
battalions  being  ranged  in  one  line,  the 
second  and  fifth  were  made  to  advance, 
to  form  the  r«?i  guard;  the  first  and 
sixth  to  retire  to  form  the  rearguard; 
the  third  and  fourth  remaining  to  form 
the  main  corps.  The  word  is  derived 
from  the  French,  which  signifies  the 
same  thing.  The  sixain  order  of  battle 
may  be  formed  with  all  the  battalions 
■whose  number  is  produced  by  the  num- 
ber six.  Twelve  battalions,  fur  instance, 
may  be  ranged  in  order  of  battle,  by 
forming  two  sixains ;  and  eighteen  bat- 
talions, by  forming  three  sixains;  and  so 
on  progressively. 

To  SIZE,  in  a  military  sense,  to  take 
the  height  of  men  for  the  purpose  of 
placing  them  in  military  array,  and  of 
rendering  their  relative  statures  more 
effective.  \w  all  regiments,  the  sizing 
begins  from  flanks  to  center,  the  tallest 
men  being  placed  upon  the  right  and 
left  of  the  several  companies  in  the  front 
rank,  and  the  shortest  in  the  center  and 
rear  ranks.  The  flank  troops  of  a 
squadron  must  be  sized  in  the  following 
manner  : — That  of  the  right  flank,  from 
right  to  left;  that  of  the  left  flank,  from 
left  to  right ;  the  center  one  from  center 
to  flanks  :  the  tallest  man  must,  of 
Course,  be  always  in  the  part  where  the 
sizing  begins,  excepting  the  corporals, 
one  of  whom  must  he  on  each  (lank  of 
the  front  rank  of  the  troop,  or  company, 
covered  by  a  clever  soldier  in  the  rear 


rank.  If  there  be  only  tvyo  troops  in  a 
squadron,  or  companies  in  a  battalion, 
they  size  the  right  from  the  left,  the  left 
from  the  right  (lank.  A  question  has 
arisen  among  military  men,  especially 
among  those  who  have  seen  service,  re- 
specting the  propriety  of  placing  the 
shortest  infantry  men  in  the  center  and 
rear  ranks. 

To  Size,  among  artificers,  to  do  or 
daub  over  with  size. 

SKA  IT,  Skate,  or  Scale  ;  Skidor, 
Swedish  ;  Skid,  Islandic ;  Sceabba, 
Saxon  ;  Skier,  Norwegian ;  Patin,  Fr. 
a  sort  of  shoe  or  sandal  made  of  wood, 
and  armed  with  iron  for  sliding  on  ice. 

Skates  are  used  by  the  inhabitants  of 
all  Northern  nations,  either  for  expedi- 
tion in  travelling,  or  for  amusement. 
They  are  made  of  wood  and  iron,  fas- 
tened to  the  feet  by  straps  of  leather, 
or  by  screws.  The  Dutch  were  pro- 
bably the  original  inventors  ;  but  the 
English  have  greatly  improved  upon 
them,  for  by  comparing  them  together, 
the  preference  must  he  given  to  the  lat- 
ter. Skates  are  so  well  known,  that  it 
is  needless  to  describe  them.  It  will  be 
necessary,  however,  to  remark  that  the 
Dutch  skates  are  very  long  in  the  iron, 
of  a  flat  broad  surface,  to  enable  them  to 
run  over  rough  ice  with  ease  and  expe- 
dition, while  those  that  are  used  by  the 
English  are  short  and  circular,  so  that 
not  above  two  inches  of  it  touch  the  ice, 
and  all  that  is  required,  is  for  the  skater 
to  keep  his  body  in  a  proper  equilibrium. 
It  has  another  advantage  over  the  Dutch, 
the  friction  on  the  ice  is  considerably 
diminished.  In  Holland,  it  is  not  so 
much  a  diversion  as  an  employment. 
Women,  as  well  as  men,  practise  it  for 
the  purpose  of  going  from  one  place  to 
another,  and  carrying  provisions  to  mar- 
ket. But  it  is  in  England  that  skating 
has  been  brought  to  the  highest  perfec- 
tion. An  artillery  officer,  about  30  or  40 
years  ajio,  published  a  very  ingenious 
treatise  on  it,  which  work  is  now  seldom 
to  be  met  with.  In  it  he  lays  down 
rules  for  the  at  r,  which  is  still  capable  of 
great  improvement. 

In  Norway,  a  kind  of  skate  is  used  for 
travelling  upon  land.  These  are  formed 
of  planks  of  wood  as  broad  as  the  hand, 
and  nearly  of  the  thickness  of  the  little 
linger,  the  middle  underneath  being  hol- 
lowed to  prevent  vacillation,  and  to  fa- 
cilitate the  advancing  in  a  direct  line. 
The  plank  fastened  under  the  left  foo^ 


SKA 


{     829     ) 


SKA 


is  ten  feet  in  length  ;  that  intended  for 
the  right  is  only  six,  or  thereabouts; 
both  of  them  are  bent  upwards  at  the 
extremities,  but  higher  before  than  be- 
hind. They  are  fastened  to  the  feet  with 
leather  straps  attached  to  the  middle  of 
them,  and  for  this  purpose,  they  are 
formed  a  little  higher  and  stronger  in 
that  part. 

The  plank  of  the  right  foot  is  gene- 
rally lined    below   with   the    rein  deer's 
skin,  or  at  least,  with  skin  of  the  sea- 
wolf,  so  that  in  drawing  the  feet  succes- 
sively, in  right,  or  parallel  lines,  with 
skates    thus   lined   with   skin,  and  very 
slippery  in  the  direction  of  the  hair,  the 
skielober,  or  skater,   finds   them,  never- 
theless, capable  of  resistance,  by  afford- 
ing a  kind  of  spring  when  he  would  sup- 
port himself,  with  one  foot,  in  a  contrary 
direction,    as    by    such    movement    he 
raises  up  the  hair,  or  bristly  part  of  the 
skin.     With  skaits  on  this  plan,  it  is  as- 
tonishing, (however    loose,  or  compact, 
the  snow  may  be,)  to  what  a  distance   a 
Norwegian  will  travel  in  a  day.     In  Ca- 
nada, the  Indians,  and  other  inhabitants, 
make  use  of  what  are  called  snow-shoes, 
for  a  similar  purpose:  these  are  shaped 
something   like    a    pear   with    a    stalk. 
They  are  made  of  a  hoop  of  wood  bent 
to  that  form,  and  fastened  at  the  narrow 
end    by    the   sinews  of  deer,   or   small 
thongs  of  the  skin  of  the  same  animal. 
Two  cross   pieces  of  wood  are  placed, 
one  about  three  inches  from  the  broadest 
end  of  the  snow-shoe,  and  the  other  the 
length  of  a  man's  foot  from  it.     These 
pieces  are  fixed  into  the  outer  frame. 
Between  them   a  kind  of  net  work  is 
made  from  small  thongs  of  deer  skin, 
something  like  a  racket.     On   this  net 
work,  the  feet  are  placed  and  fastened 
by  a  pliable  strap  of  smoked  deer  skin 
in  a  very  simple  manner;   so    that  the 
feet  may  be  extricated  without  untying 
the  strap  ;  which  is  sometimes  necessary, 
particularly  when  the  traveller  acciden- 
tally falls  in  deep  snow,  or  strikes  his  feet 
against  the  stump  of  a  tree.     During  the 
first  American  war,  the  king's  troops  were 
practised  in  the  use  of  these  shoes,  and 
could  walk  or  run  with  them,  as  well  as 
the  natives.     All   the   scouting   parties 
sent  out  from  the  frontier  posts,  during 
the  winter,  were  equipped   with    snow 
shoes,  to  enable  them  to  travel  through 
the  woods,  where  the  snow  is  frequently 
of  astonishing  depth. 

In  Norway  there  is  a  regiment  of  two 


battalions  of  skaters;   one   stationed  ir| 
the  North  and  the  other  in   the  South. 
The  corps  consists  of  960  men.     The 
uniform  is  a  short  jacket,   or  waistcoat, 
a   grey   surtout,  and   grey   pantaloons. 
The  arms  are  a  carbine,  which  is  hung 
in  a  leather  belt,  passing  over  the  shoul- 
ders, a  large  couteau  de  chasse,astaff  of 
three  yards  and  a  half  long,  an  inch  and 
a   quarter   in    diameter,  to  the  end   of 
which  is  affixed  a  piece  of  iron,  which 
serves  principally  to  moderate  his  speed 
in  going   down  a  hill;  the  skater  then 
puts  it  between   his  feet,  and  contrives 
to  draw  it  in  that  manner,  or  he  drags  it 
by  his  side,  or  uses  it  to  help  himself 
forward  when  he  has  occasion  to  ascend 
a  hill;  in  short,  he  makes  use  of  it  ac- 
cording to  the  occasion  and  to  the  cir- 
cumstances in  which  he  may  be  placed ; 
this  staff,  besides,  affords  a    rest  to  the 
firelock   when   the  skater  wishes  to  dis- 
charge  its   contents.     In   the   ordinary 
winter  exercise,   the  skaters  draw  up  in 
three  ranks,  at  the  distance  of  three  paces 
between   each  file ;   and  eight  paces  be- 
tween each  rank  ;  a  distance  which  they 
keep  in  all  their  movements,  (whenever 
they  do  not  disperse,)  in  order  that  they 
may   not  be  incommoded  in  the  use  of 
their  skates.     When  there  is  occasion  to 
fire,  the  second  and  third  ranks  advance 
towards  the  first.     The  baggage  of  the 
corps  (kettles,  bottles,  axes,  &c.)  is  con- 
veyed  upon  sledges,  or  carriages  fixed 
upon  skates,  and  easily  drawn  by  men, 
bv  the  help  of  a  leather  strap  passing 
from  the  right  shoulder  to  the  left  side, 
like  that  of  a  carabineer.     In  Canada, 
when  the  Indians  travel  in  the  winter, 
they  make  use  of  a  similar  conveyance, 
which  is  generally  drawn  by  the  synaws, 
by  means  of  a  broad  strap  across  the 
fore-head  that  passes  the  shoulders.  The 
Norwegian  skaters  are  of  great  use  in 
winter  campaigns,  as  from  their  velocity, 
and  form  of  their  skates,  they  are  enabled 
to  move,  in  every  direction,  over  light  or 
deep  snow,  rivers,  or  creeks  covered  with 
thin  ice,  and  where  cavalry,  or  regular 
infantry  cannot  act.     Their  use  in  ha- 
rassing an  enemy,  in  reconnoitring,  or 
performing  the  office  of  couriers,  must 
be  obvious  to  every  one.     It  may    be 
conceived,  that  they  find  great  difficulty 
in  turning,  on  account  of  the  length  of 
their  skates :  this,  however,  is  not   the 
case;  they  make  a  retrograde  motion  with 
the   right    foot,  to  which    the   shortest 
plank  is  attached,  and  put  it  vertically 


S  K  E 


(     830     ) 


SLA 


against  the  left.  They  then  raise  the 
U  it  loot  ami  place  it  parallel  to  the  right, 
by  which  movement  they  have  made  a 
//(///'face  ;  if  they  wuuld  face  about,  they 
MMkt  the  motion. 

\\  e  have  given    these  particulars,  as 


SKILL,  knowledge  in  any  particular 
art — As, 

Military  Skill,  (hablletc  mililaire, 
Fr.)  JM.  Bellcisle,  the  French  general, 
after  the  example  of  Xenophon,  the 
Greek,    undertook    in     the   month   of 


furnished  to  us  by  an  officer  who  has  December,  1742, to  withdraw  the  French 
served  in  Canada,  because  we  humbly  army  from  Prague,  where  it  was  at  that 
conceive,    that   the    knowledge  of   the  time  shut  up,  and   to  march  over  the 


troops  in 


art  might  he  of  use   to  ou 
America 

SKATERS,  (patlncurs,  Fr.)  persons 
who  are  expert  in  skating. 

SKEAN.  This  word  is  sometimes 
written  skene,  skeyne,  or  skaine.  It 
signifies  a  weapon,  in  the  shape  of  a 
small  sword,  or  knife,  which  was  an- 
ciently used  by  the  Irish. 

SKELETON.  This  word  is  fre- 
quently applied  to  regiments  that  are 
extremely  reduced  in  their  number  of 
men.  Thus  a  regiment  that  went  out 
to  St.  Domingo  1000  strong,  and  re- 
turned to  England  with  20  or  30  men 
only,  was  called  a  skeleton  regiment. 
The  French  use  the  word  cadre. 

Skeleton  plan.    SeeQuiLiNE. 

SKETCH.    See  ditto. 

Sketch-/)oo/;,  (livre  d'esquisse,  ibauchc, 
Fr.)  In  page  231  of  the  Little  Bom- 
bardier, we  find  the  following  particu- 
lars relative  to  the  use  which  may  be 
made  of  a  sketch-book,  in  military  re- 
connoitring. 

"  Before  an  officer  sets  out  to  recon- 
noitre a  country,  he  should  trace  out, 
from  the  best  map  he  can  procure,  its 
leading  features,  which  will  serve  him  as 
a  guide,  in  his  progress  through  the  prin- 
cipal parts  that  are  to  be  the  subject  of 
bis  observations,  and  will  enable  him  to 
connect  the  whole  into  one  grand  plan. 
His  observations  should  be  expressed  by 
written  remarks,  and  by  sketches.  For 
this  purpose,  he  must  be  provided  with 
a  sketch-book,  on  the  right  hand  page  of 
which  he  may  express  the  appearance  of 
the  country  by  sketches;  and  on  the 
left,  the  remarks  made  on  particular 
parts,  with  the  names  of  the  towns, 
their  distances  asunder, &c.  with  proper 
references  to  the  sketches.  The  scale 
best  adapted  to  this  purpose,  is  two 
inches  to  a  mile  ;  if  therefore  the  sketch- 
book be  made  six  inches  wide,  and  the 
leaves  divided  by  lines  into  three  equal 
parts,  each  division  will  be  one  mile, 
which  will  be  a  sufficient  scale  for  the 
purpose." 

SKEWBACK,  (in  architecture.)  the 
levelling  end  of  an  arch. 


enemy's  country  through  a  road  of  38 
leagues,  upwards  of  12-1  English  miles, 
covered  with  ice,  and  over  mountains 
whose  precipices  were  concealed  under 
the  snow,  having,  besides,  an  army  of 
between  eighteen  and  twenty  thousand 
men,  under  the  command  of  Prince 
Lobkowitz,  to  fight  with.  For  the  par- 
ticulars of  this  famous  retreat,  in  which 
was  evinced  so  much  military  skill,  and 
which,  in  Count  Turpin's  words,  de- 
serves to  be  written  by  Xenophon  him- 
self, see  page  2,  Vol.  I.  of  his  Art  of 
War. 

SKINS.  Sheep-skins  are  made  use  of 
to  cover  the  mortars,  or  howitzers,  be- 
tween firing,  to  prevent  any  wet,  or 
dampness  getting  into  them. 

SKINNER,  (coriace,  Fr.)  a  crimp. 

SKIRMISH,  in  war,  a  loose  desul- 
tory kind  of  combat,  or  encounter,  in 
presence  of  two  armies,  between  small 
parties  who  advance  from  the  main 
body  for  that  purpose,  and  invite  to  a 
general  fight. 

SKIRMISHERS,  detached  parties  of 
light  horse,  or  marksmen,  sent  out  in 
front  of  a  battalion,  &c. 

SKIRT,  in  a  general  acceptation, 
ed«;e,  border,  extreme  part ;  as  the 
skirt  of  a  country,  the  skirts  of  a  wood. 
It  also  signifies  the  loose  or  hanging  part 
of  a  coat,  or  garment.  The  whole  of 
the  British  army  formerly  wore  skirts 
to  their  coats.  The  non-commissioned 
officers  and  soldiersjiow  generally  wear 
jackets. 

SKITALE,  Fr.  according  to  the 
Nnurcau  Dictionnairc  Militaire,  a  staff, 
or  stick  of  distinction,  which  was  used 
by  the  Lacedemonian  generals. 

SKREEN,  an  instrument  used  by 
labourers,  in  sifting  earth  for  making 
mortar.     It  is  also  called  a  riddle. 

SKY-rockel.     See  Rocket. 

SLABBERING-jB^.      See   Mash- 

GADOUR. 

SLACK  a  leg  is  said  of  a  horse, 
when  he  trips,  or  stumbles. 

.Slack  the  hand  is  to  slacken  the 
bridle,  or  to  give  the  horse  head. 

SLANDERER,  one  who  belies  an- 


SLA 


(    831     ) 


S  L  I 


other;  one  who  lays  false  imputations 
on  another;  a  low-lived  reptile  that 
creeps  into  the  confidence  of  weak 
princes  and  generals,  and  ought  to  be 
driven  out  of  every  military  mess. 

SLANG,  cant  terms;  expressions 
peculiar  to  some  particular  class  of 
persons;  generally  of  a  vulgar  sort. 

Garrison  Slang,  (ton  de  garnison, 
Fr.)  a  low  phraseology,  not  un frequently 
mixed  with  oaths,  which  is  prevalent 
in  camps  and  barracks;  also  a  coarse 
and  abrupt  mode  of  conversation. 

SLASH,  a  cut;  a  wound;  also  a  cut 
in  cloth.  It  is  used  to  express  the 
pieces  of  tape,  or  worsted  lace,  which 
are  upon  the  arms  of  non-commissioned 
officers  and  corporals,  to  distinguish 
| hem  from  the  privates. 

SLASHED,  cut  in  stripes,  or  lines. 
Hence,  slashed  sleeves  and  pockets, 
which  are  peculiar  to  the  British  cavalry, 
when  the  officers  or  men  wear  long 
coats. 

SLASHERS,  a  nickname  which  was 
given,  during  the  American  war,  to 
the  28th  regiment  of  foot,  and  which 
took  its  origin  from  the  following  cir- 
cumstance : — One  Walker,  a  magistrate, 
in  Canada,  having,  during  a  severe 
winter,  with  great  inhumanity  refused 
to  give  comfortable  billets  to  the  women 
belonging  to  the  28th,  and  some  of 
them  having  perished  in  consequence  of 
the  inclemency  of  the  season,  so  great 
was  the  resentment  of  the  corps,  that 
some  officers  dressed  themselves  like 
savages,  entered  his  house  whilst  he  was 
sitting  with  his  family,, danced  round 
the  table,  and  suddenly  pulling  him 
back  upon  his  chair,  cut  off'  both  his 
ears.  They  instantly  disappeared;  nor 
was  the  deed  discovered  until  after  their 
departure.  From  this  circumstance, and 
in  consequence  of  various  intrepid  ac- 
tions which  the  28th  performed  during 
the  course  of  the  war,  the  men  ob- 
tained the  name  of  Slashers.  Their 
conduct  in  Egypt,  &c.  has  confirmed 
this  character  for  intrepidity;  so  that 
a  recruit  no  sooner  joins  the  28th,  or 
Slashers,  than  he  instantly  feels  himself 
equal  to  the  most  desperate  enterprize; 
daring  to  do  what  some  scarce  dare  to 
think. 

SLATE,  in  military  architecture,  a 
kind  of  bluish  fossile  stone,  very  soft 
when  dug  out  of  the  quarry,  and  there- 
fore easily  slit,  or  sawed  into  thin  long 
squares,  to  serve  instead  of  tiles  for  the 


covering  of  all  kinds  of  military  build- 
ings, &c. 

'  SLAUGHTER,  destruction  by  the 
sword,  bayonet,  and  fire-arms. 

SLEDGE,  or  sledge  hammer,  (gro& 
marteuu,  Fr.)  a  smith's  large  iron- 
headed  hammer,  to  be  used  with  both 
hands  in  beating  out  iron  upon  the 
anvil. 

Sledge,  a  sort  of  carriage  without 
wheels,  upon  which  a  plough,  or  other 
weighty  things,  may  be  laid.  It  also 
signifies  a  machine,  on  which  traitors 
are  usually  drawn  to  the  place  of  exe- 
cution. It  means  likewise  a  genteel 
carriage  without  wheels,  which  is  used 
by  the  nobility  and  gentry  in  cold  cli- 
mates, to  divert  themselves  in  winter 
upon  the  snow.  Likewise  a  machine 
which  is  hired  by  travellers  in  the 
North  of  Europe. 

The  Dutch  have  a  sort  of  sledge 
upon  which  they  can  carry  any  burthen 
by  land.  It  consists  of  a  plank  a  foot 
and  a  half  broad,  and  the  length  of  the 
keel  of  a  moderate  ship,  raised  a  little 
behind,  and  hollow  in  the  middle,  so 
that  the  sides  go  a  little  aslope,  and  are 
furnished  with  holes  to  receive  pins; 
the  rest  is  quite  even. 

SLEEPER,  in  architecture,  is  the 
oblique  rafter  that  lies  in  a  gutter. 

SLEEPERS,  the  undermost  timbers 
of  a  gun  or  mortar-battery.  Small 
joists,  or  beams  of  wood,  which  are 
laid  over  a  foundation,  for  boards,  &c. 
to  be  placed  upon  them.  See  Plat- 
form. 

SLEETS  are  the  parts  of  a  mortar 
going  from  the  chamber  to  the  trun- 
nions, to  strengthen  that  part. 

A  SLIDER,  a  small  leathern  loop 
which  runs  upon  the  curb  bridle,  and 
serves  to  ease  the  hand. 

SLIDING,  passing  without  difficulty 
or  obstruction,  easily  removed. 

Sliding,  in  mechanics,  a  motion 
when  the  same  point  of  a  body,  moving 
along  a  surface,  describes  a  line  on  that 
surface. 

Sliding  of  courage,  an  obsolete  term, 
signifying  easily  daunted. 

Sliding  knot,  a  running  knot  which 
is  made  in  a  rope,  for  the  purpose  of 
being  stopped  when  required. 

Sliding  rule,  >  mathematical  instru- 

Sliding  scale,  )  ments  to  be  used 
without  compasses  in  gauging. 

SLING,  a  leathern  strap  which  is  at- 
tached to  a  musket,  and  serves  to  sup- 


S  L  U 


(    8SS     ) 


S  L  Y 


port  it  across  the  soldier's  back,  as  occa- 
sion m;i v  require, 

SLING,  a  missive  weapon  made  by  a 
sti  ap  and  t«o  strings;  the  stone  is  lodged 
in  the  strap,  and  thrown  by  loosing  one 
of  the  strings. 

Si  i no  likewise  means  a  kind  of  hang- 
ing  bandage,  in  which  a  wounded  limb 
is  sustained.  This  is  too  frequently  a 
badge  of  ostentation, or  deception,  which 
a  weak  military  man,  who  may  have  beei 
wounded,  continues  to  wear,  tilOUgl 
perfectly  recovered ;  or  which  a  design- 
ing scoundrel,  whose  vices  have  entailed 
decrepitude,  insidiously  displays,  about 
the  streets  of  a  capital;  impudently  in- 
sinuating that  he  has  had  an  affair  of 
honour.  In  the  latter  sense,  see  Swind- 
ler. 

Breeches  Sling,  an  article  of  regi- 
mental necessaries  which  is  used  to  keep 
Mp  the  breeches,  and  which  must  be 
paid  for  by  the  men;  vulgarly  called 
Gatlozcses. 

To  Sling,  to  hang  loosely  by  means 
of  the  strap  belonging  a  firelock. 

Sling  arms!  a  word  of  command 
which  is  given  in  the  field  previous  to 
the  inarch  of  artillery,  when  the  artil- 
lerymen are  ordered  to  fall  in  to  their 
several  stations,  and  the  men  to  the 
drag-ropes. 

Sling  your  firelocks !  a  word  of  com- 
mand formerly  used  in  the  exercise  of 
British  grenadiers. 

SLIP,  a  place  lying  with  a  gradual 
descent  on  the  banks  of  a  river,  or  har- 
bour, convenient  for  ship-building. 

SLIPPER.    See  Plinth. 

SLOPE  arms,  a  word  of  command 
by  which  the  musket  rests  upon  the 
shoulder  with  the  butt  advanced.  In 
long  marches,  soldiers  are  sometimes 
permitted  to  slope  arms.  In  all  other 
instances  it  is  strictly  forbidden. 

SLOPING  swords,  a  position  of  the 
sword  among  cavalry,  when  the  back  of 
the  blade  rests  on  the  hollow  of  the 
right  shoulder,  the  hilt  advanced. 

SLOPS.     See  Necessaries. 

Slops  also  signifies  a  sailor's  trowsers. 
The  French  say,  culottes  de  matelot. 

M.OW  time.     See  Ordinary  time. 

SLUGS,  cylindric,  or  cubical  pieces 
of  metal,  shot  from  a  gun. 

SLUICfi-gate,  a  water-gate,  by  which 
a  country  may  be  inundated,  or  the 
water  excluded  at  pleasure. 

SPLICES,  iu    military  architecture, 


are  made  for  various  purposes  ;  such  as 
to  make  rivers  navigable;  to  join  one 
river  to  another,  which  is  higher  or 
lower,  by  means  of  a  canal ;  to  form  in- 
undations upon  particular  occasions,  or, 
to  drain  spots  of  ground  that  are  over- 
flowed by  high  tides;  they  are  also  made 
in  fortresses,  to  keep  up  the  water  in 
one  part  of  the  ditches,  whilst  the  other 
is  dry;  and  to  raise  an  inundation  about 
the  place  when  there  is  any  apprehen- 
sion of  being  attacked. 

Sluices  are  made  different  ways,  ac-* 
cording  to  the  uses  for  which  they  are 
intended :  when  they  serve  for  naviga- 
tion, they  are  shut  with  two  gates  pre- 
senting an  angle  towards  the  stream  ; 
when  they  are  made  near  the  sea,  two 
pair  of  gates  are  made,  the  one  pair  to 
keep  the  water  out,  and  the  other  in,  as 
occasion  may  require  :  in  this  case,  the 
gates  towards  the  sea  present  an  angle 
that  way,  and  the  others  the  contrary 
way.  The  space  inclosed  by  these  gates 
is  called  chamber. 

When  sluices  are  made  in  the  ditches 
of  a  fortress,  to  keep  up  the  water  in 
some  parts,  instead  of  gates,  shutters 
are  made,  so  as  to  slide  up  and  down  in 
grooves;  and  when  they  are  made  to 
raise  an  inundation,  they  are  then  shut 
by  means  of  square  timbers  let  down 
i n to cullisses,  so  as  to  lie  close  and  firm. — 
Particular  care  must  be  taken  in  the 
building  of  a  sluice,  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion in  the  securest  manner  ;  that  is, 
to  lay  the  timber,  grates,  and  floors,  in 
such  a  form,  that  the  water  cannot 
penetrate  through  any  parr,  otherwise 
it  will  undermine  the  work,  and  blow 
it  up,  as  it  has  sometimes  happened  : 
lastly,  to  make  the  gates  of  a  proper 
strength,  in  order  to  support  the  pres- 
sure of  the  water,  and  yet  to  use  no 
more  timber  than  what  is  necessary.— 
Those  who  wish  to  be  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  this  kind  of  work,  may 
refer  to  V Architecture  Hydrau/iauc, 
par  ill.  Bc/idor  ;  or  to  Mr.  Millar's 
Practical  Fortification. 

SLY,  meanly  artful ;  secretly  insi- 
dious ;  cunning.  Dr.  Johnson,  iu  a  quo- 
tation from  Watts,  justly  observes, 
"  Envy  is  a  cursed  plant ;  some  fibres 
of  it  are  rooted  almost  in  every  man's 
nature,  and  it  works  in  a  sly  impercep- 
tible manner."  Some  weak  fools  ima- 
gine themselves  sagacious  when  they  are 
only  sly.    See  Sagacity. 


SOB 


(    833    ) 


S  O  F 


SMALL  arms,  muskets,  fusils,  cara- 
bines, pistols,  &c.  The  French  use  the 
word  portatif,  as,  amies  portal ives. 
Small  gun  department.  See  Office. 
Small-/?oj.'  blanket.  The  Americans 
have  had  recourse  to  this  mode  of  war- 
fare against  the  wild  Indians,  whom 
they  have  never  yet  been  able  to  con- 
quer. Blankets  thus  recently  infected, 
are  sent  as  presents,  and  the  introduc- 
tion of  this  fatal  disorder,  especially  in 
the  hot  summer  months,  is  sure  to  prove 
destructive  to  them. 

SMA RTS.  The  different  sums  which 
are  received  by  recruiting  parties  under 
the  head  of  Smart-money,  are  frequently 
so  called.  It  is  a  standing  order  in  most 
regiments,  that  an  account  of  all  Smarts 
should  be  kept,  and  regularly  accounted 
lor,  by  an  officer  or  non-commissioned 
officer  commanding  the  parties,  to  the 
officer  commanding  the  regiment,  in  the 
different  abstracts,  that  he  may  give  or- 
ders for  the  distribution  thereof  when 
the  parties  join  the  regiment.  See 
Money. 

SMUGGLERS,  persons  who  carry  on 
an  illicit  trade  upoa  the  shores,  or  be- 
tween the  frontiers,  of  two  adjacent 
countries.  These  men  are  useful  in 
secret  expeditions. 

SNAFFLE,  after  the  English  make, 
is  a  very  slender  bitt-mouth,  without 
any  brai>ches :  the  English  make  much 
use  of  them,  and  scarcely  have  any  true 
bridles,  but  in  the  service  of  war. 

Snaffle,  or  small  watering  bitt,  is 
commonly  a  scatch-mouth,  accoutred 
with  two  very  little  straight  branches, and 
a  curb,  mounted  with  a  head-stall,  and 
two  long  reins. 

SNAPHANCE,  a  firelock;  a  gun 
that  fires  without  a  match,  Bailey. — 
Snaphance,  according  to  Nugent's 
French  and  English  Dictionary,  signi- 
fies in  French,  rouet  d'arqitebuse. 

SNAPSACK,  from  the  Swedish  snap- 
gack,  a  soldier's  bag;  more  usually  knap- 
sack. 

SNARES,  small  pieces  of  leather  at- 
tached to  the  cords  of  a  drum,  for  the 
purpose  of  bracing  it. 

SNICK  and  SN  EE,  a  combat  with 
knives,  such  as  the  Dutch  carry, 

SNORT,  the  sound  which  a  horse 
full  of  fire  makes  through  his  nostrils : 
this  noise  or  sound  proceeds  from  a 
cartilage  within  the  nostrils. 

SOBRIETY,  (sobri'ete,  tempirance, 
Fr.)  general  temperance.    Iu  a  military 


consideration,  abstinence  from  an  inor- 
dinate use  of  strong  liquors.  However 
frequent  the  deviations  from  this  great 
and  uncommon  virtue  may  be  found 
among  soldiers,  nothing  can  excuse  or 
exculpate  an  officer  who  should  so  far 
forget  himself,  especially  upon  service, 
as  to  give  the  least  countenance  to  such 
excesses,  even  by  an  occasional,  much 
less  by  an  habitual,  dereliction  of  this 
estimable  quality.  Sobriety  keeps  the 
head  cool,  strengthens  the  nerves,  and 
renders  moderate  abilities  equal  to  great 
exertions.  Drunkenness,  on  the  con- 
trary, unfits  the  man  for  the  common 
functions  of  life,  and  makes  an  officer 
not  only  contemptible  to  his  soldiers, 
and  dangerous  to  the  cause  he  has  en- 
gaged to  fight  for,  but  an  indirect  spur 
to  the  enterprise  of  an  enemy;  who  will 
soon  know  how  to  take  advantage  of  his 
vice  and  weakness. 

SOC,  Fr.  a  machine  made  of  leather, 
which  is  fixed  near  the  stirrup,  to  receive 
the  end  of  the  standard  staff  in  cavalry 
regiments.  It  is  likewise  called  braicr, 
and  is  used  by  the  persons  who  carry 
the  colours  either  in  infantry  or  cavalry 
regiments.  In  the  former  instance,  it  is 
fixed  to  a  leathern  belt  that  comes  over 
the  shoulder,  or  that  is  fixed  to  the  waist. 

SOCKET  generally  means  any  hollow 
pipe  that  receives  something  inserted. 

Socket  of  a  bayonet,  the  round  hol- 
low part  near  the  bent  or  heel  of  a  bay- 
onet, into  which  the  muzzle  of  a  fire- 
arm is  received  wlien  the  bayonet  is 
fixed. 

SOCLE,    i    in    architecture,    a  flat, 

ZOCLE,  $  square  member,  under 
the  bases  of  pedestals  of  statues,  vases, 
&c.  to  which  it  serves  as  a  foot  or 
stand. 

SODS,  pieces  of  turf  with  which  works 
are  faced. 

SOFFIT,      }  (sofite,   Fr.)    in   archi- 

SOFFITO,  S  tecture,  is  any  plafond 
or  ceiling  formed  of  cross  beams  or  fly- 
ing cornices,  the  square  compartments, 
or  pannels,  of  which  are  enriched  with 
sculpture,  painting,  or  gilding.  Accord- 
ing to  a  modern  author,  if  the  soffits  of 
arches  are  divided  into  pannels,  they 
must  be  of  an  uneven  number,  by  hav- 
ing one  pannel  in  the  middle. 

Soffit,  or  soffito,  is  particularly  used 
for  the  under-side  or  face  of  an  archi- 
trave ;  and  for  that  of  the  corona,  or 
larmier,  which  we  call  plafond,  and  the 
ancient  Roman  architects  lacunar.  In 
60 


SOL 


(    231     ) 


SOL 


Ordinary  buildings,  soffit  or  soft,  is  taken 
for  the  boards  over  the  tops  of  win- 
dowBj  opposite  to  the  window  hoards  at 
bottom. 

SOHAN,  Ind.  the  seventh  month. 
Ir,  in  some  degree,  conesponds  with 
July  and  August. 

SOI,  Fr.  one's  self;  itself;  one. 

Sot-disant,  Fr.  pretended;  would-be 


arcnturier,  the  term  may  be  brought 
under  a  plain  and  historical  explanation. 
These  aventuriers,  or  adventurers,  were 
nothing  more  than  a  certain  descrip- 
tion of  soldiers  or  armed  men,  who 
were  hired  by  a  number  of  lords,  that 
had  the  command  of  little  jurisdictions 
beyond  the  Pyrenees  and  the  Alps. 
Charles  the  Vlllth,  Louis    the   Xllth, 


Hence,  soi-disant  soldut,  a  pretended  or  I  Francis  the  1st,  and  Ilemy  the  lid, 
VOlild-be  soldier;  Soi-disant  roi,  pre-  made  use  of  these  adventurers  during 
tending  to  be  king,  but  not  acknow-  their  campaigns  in  Italy.  To  return  to 
leclged  as  such.  This  was  said,  by  the  our  first  article,  it  is  nevertheless  cer- 
British,    of  James    the   lid,    when.  l»e!  tain,  that,  in  France,  bodies  of  armed 


lived  at  St.  Germain,  in  France. 

SOL,  Fr.  soil;  ground. 

Sol.,  Fr.  the  ground  upon  which  any 
building  or  edifice  is  erected. 

SOLA  I  RE  de  la  jarnbe,  Fr.  the 
greatest  of  the  six  hinder  muscles  of  the 
leg,  ending  in  the  sole  of  the  foot, 
■which  it  serves  to  extend. 

SOLAKS,  bowmen  or  archers  belong- 
ing to  the  personal  guard  of  the  Grand 
Seignor,  They  are  always  selected  from 
the  most  expert  bowmen  that  are  among 
the  Janizaries.  Their  only  arms  are  the 
sabre,  bow,  and  arrows. 

SOLAN  ORES,  Fr.  chaps  or  ulcers 
in  the  ham  of  a  horse. 

SOLBATU,  Fr.  in  farriery,  surbated. 

SOLDAN.  This  word  is  pronounced 
Soudan.  It  was  formerly  given  to  a 
general  who  commanded  the  caliph's 
army.     Saladin,  a  general  under  Nara 


men  were  already  taken  into  pay  under 
the  reign  of  Philipe  Aunusie;  and  it  is 
equally  certain,  that  foreigners  or  mer- 
cenaries were  first  employed,  tor  money, 
by  Philipe-le-Bel.  Among  the  Romans, 
soldiers  were  distinguished  under  a  mul- 
tiplicity of  appellations,  which  giew  out 
of  the  dress  or  uniform  of  each  parti- 
cular arm  or  corps;  which  was  again 
marked  by  some  particular  service,  and 
peculiar  weapon  of  offence.  When 
strangers  were  taken  into  their  pay, 
they  were  called  auxitiarii. 

Simple  Soi.dat,  Fr,  a  private,  or  a 
soldier  in  the  ranks. 

Soldat  ecron'e,  Fr.     See  EcRoufe. 

Sol i) at  d'ordonnance  a  I'armee,  Fr. 
an  orderly  man. 

SOLDATS  grangers  ou  mercenaires, 
Fr.  foreign  or  meicenary  troops. 

Sol  DATs  de  marine,  Fr.    marines,  or 


din,   king  of  Damas,  having   killed  the  soldiers  who  do  duty  on  board  ships  of 
caliph   Cay  ID,  usurped  the   throne,  and  j  war. 


assumed  the  title  in   1116;  so  that  he 
became  the  first  Soldan  of  Egypt. 

SOLDAT,  Fr.  a  soldier.  Although 
we  have  offered  our  own  observations 
respecting  the  etymology  of  this  word, 
under  Soldier  ;  we  shall  nevertheless 
extract,  from  a  French  authority,  what 
is  sa;ii  upon  the  same  subject.  In 
the  Nouveau  Dictionnaire  Militaire  we 
iind  that  Soldat,  which  conies  from 
Soldf,  signifies  any  man  who  serves  the 
state    for  a  stipulated  sum   of  money 


Soldats  gardiens,  Fr.  a  description  of 
invalid  soldiers,  so  called  during  the  old 
French  monarchy.  They  were  stationed 
at  the  sea-ports.  There  were  300  at 
Toulon,  ditto  at  Rochefort  and  Brest, 
and  50  at  Havre-de-Grace.  There  were 
besides,  300  in  each  of  the  first  three 
ports,  who  received  half-pay. 

Faux  Soldats,    Fr.      See    Fagot  ; 
PAS^v.-volant. 

SOLDATESQUE,  Fr.  a  substantive 
of  the  collective  feminine  gender,  which 


This  distinction  did  not  obtain  ground,' signifies  private  soldiers,  viz. 


nor  was  it  acknowledged  in  France,  un- 
til after  the  reign  of  Francis  I.  Under 
the  reigns  of  Charles  the  Vlllth  and 
Louis  the  Xllth,  persons  who  took  up 
the  profession  of  arms,  were  simply 
Styled  arcntutiers  or  adventurers;  and 
Vet. lie  we  conclude  this  article,  it  will 
not  be  thought  superfluous  to  remark, 
that  although  many  writers  have  given 
various    interpretations    to    the    word 


La  bourgeoisie  itait  exposee  aux  in- 
suites  de  la  wldatesque ;  the  citizens 
were  exposed  to  the  insults  of  the  sol- 
diery.— La  soldatesque  s'est  revolt  ee  con- 
Ire  U*  officiers,  the  soldiers  revolted,  or 
mutinied,  against  the  officers. 

Solhatesque.  The  French  say  also 
soldatesquc,  or  qui  sent  le  soldat  in  a 
bad  sense,  meaning  thereby  coarse,  rough, 
and  overbearing,     Hence  insolence  sol- 


SOL 


( 


WJ 


) 


SOL 


datesque,  a  military  broil,  or  a  dispute 
among  private  soldiers.  We  have  an 
adjective,  which  is  derived  from  the 
same  source,  and  which  is  frequently 
used,  as  soldier-like  conduct,  soldier- 
like hi  liaviour;  unsoldier-like  being  the 
opposite. 

SOLDE,  Fr.  the  pay  or  subsis- 
tence of  a  soldier.  In  a  work  pub- 
lished at  Paris,  by  P.  N.  Quillet,  Chef 
du  Bureau  de  la  Solde  au  Ministerc  de 
la  Guerre,  entituled,  Etat  Actuel  de 
lu  legislation  sur  I' Administration  des 
Troupes,  we  find  the  following  obser- 
vations. ' 

En  the  infancy  of  the  French  mo- 
narchy, the  soldier's  pay  (ia  solde)  con- 
sisted only  of  the  plunder  he  made  in 
an  enemy's  country. 

The  troops,  says  Mezerai,  (in  his 
book  Maun  et  Coutumes,  .sous  fa  pre- 
miere race.)  found  magazines,  stores, 
and  provisions  in  the  different  provin- 
ces, particularly  on  the  frontiers.  But, 
I  believe,  they  had  no  other  pay  than 
the  booty  they  collected,  and  which  they 
shared  among  one  another. 

In  process  of  time,  fiefs,  or  tenures, 
were  given  in  lieu  of  pay,  benefic'vwm 
propter  ojficiutn.  It  was  only  under 
Louis  Augustus  that  a  particular  de- 
scription of  troops  began  to  be  regular- 
ly subsisted.  This  monarch  having  been 
reduced  to  the  necessity  of  establishing 
a  given  rate  for  the  payment  of  the 
infantry  which  he  was  leading  into  the 
Holy  Land,  fixed  it  at  one  sol  (£  penny 
English)  per  day ;  whence  it  was  called 
solde,  at  least  according  to  this  writer. 
The  first  regular  rates  for  the  payment 
•of  the  troops  were  established  under 
Francis  the  First;  which  were  succes- 
sively augmented  according  to  circum- 
stances, as  may  be  seen  in  the  regula- 
tions for  the  years  1549,  1553,  1567, 
1633.   Page  7,  v.  i. 

The  pay  of  the  British  army  was  first 
brought  into  regular  rates  by  William 
the  Third,  when  he  was  in  Flanders,  as 
may  be  seen  in  a  paper  signed  by  Sir 
Robert  Harley,  then  Secretary  of  State, 
and  still  extant  in  the  Museum.  From 
that  period  down  to  the  present  day, 
no  augmentation  has  taken  place,  ex- 
cept a  partial  one  in  favour  of  the 
subalterns,  and  of  general  officers  who 
rre  not  colonels  of  regiments.  See 
.British  Pat. 

Demie-SoLDz,    Fr.    half-pay.     The 


French  likewise  say,  demie  paye,  halF- 
pay. 

Solde  urri'er'ee,  Fr.  arrears,  or  mo- 
ney stopped. 

Compagnies  SOLDEES,  Fr.  troops  or 
companies  receiving  stated  pav. 

SOLDER,  >    a    metallic     or     mine- 

SODDER,  $  ral  composition  used  in 
soldering  or  jointing  together  other  me- 
tals. 

SOLDIER,  a  piece  of  money;  the 
pay  of  a  soldier.  Dr.  Johnson  derives 
the  word  from  solidarius,  low  Latin  of 
so/ic/us.  We  conceive  it  to  be  imme- 
diately taken  from  the  French  soltlat, 
which  conies  from  the  Latin  solidatus, 
Veget.  a  soldier  in  pay — a  solido  quern 
meretur.  Some  again  trace  both  the 
English  and  French  word  to  the  Italian 
soldato,  and  others  to  the  German  sol- 
dut ;  sold  in  German  signifying  pay. 
So  that  originally  soldier  meant  only  one 
who  listed  himself  to  serve  a  prince 
or  state,  in  consideration  of  certain 
daily  pay.  The  word  Soldier  was  for- 
merly applied  to  persons  of  different 
ranks  and  pay ;  for  we  meet  with  the 
term  Scutifer,  or  Esquire,  Soldier,  at 
12d.  per  diem,  and  Soldier-constable 
with  simple  Soldier  having  the  same 
rank  and  pay. 

Soldier,  (soldat,  Fr.)  Under  this, 
head  so  much  might  be  written,  that 
it  would  become  rather  a  dissertation 
than  an  article  in  a  dictionary.  Who 
is  the  best  soldier?  All  the  people  in 
Europe  have  claimed  this  honour  in 
their  turn ;  even  the  Tartar  and  the 
Arab  are  not  without  well-founded  pre- 
tensions. Perhaps  some  nations  may 
have  greater  aptitude  for  war  than 
others;  but  then  that  very  aptitude  is 
formed,  strengthened,  and  even  cre- 
ated, by  particular  habits,  education, 
and  a  certain  state  of  society.  The 
laurel  on  the  warrior's  brow  is  not  pe- 
rennial, but  is  liable  to  wither  and  de- 
cay. Almost  every  country  in  Europe, 
has  had  its  share  of  military  renown, 
at  some  particular  period.  Greece, 
Italy,  France,  Germany,  Sweden,  Spain, 
Russia,  England,  have  all  to  boast  of 
the  bravery  of  their  soldiers,  and  the 
skill  of  their  generals.  This  reflexion 
ought  to  diminish  the  pride  of  those 
nations  who  consider  themselves,  at  this 
moment,  as  the  most  military  ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  administer  consolation., 
to  the  infirmity  of  weaker  powers,  who 
5  02 


SOL 


(     836     ) 


SOL 


mav  yet  hope  to  have  their  day,  and  to 
be  "illuminated  by  the  sun  of  warlike 
glory.  Of  all  the  puerile  vanities  into 
which    national    presumption    and   na- 


tempted  fortune,  and  risked  more  than 
was  prudent  or  perhaps  justifiable.  The 
confidence,  with  which  they  had  in- 
spired  their  soldiers,  led   them  out   of 


tional    prejudice  have  caused    men    to   every  difficulty.      Under    such   leaders 


fall,  surely   none  is    less    consonant  to 
reason,  or  more  reprehensible,  than  the 
idle,  we  might  say  blasphemous  opinion, 
that  God  has  created  one  nation  braver 
than    another.     Courage,    perhaps,  de- 
pends   upon    human   institutions   more 
than   any  other  quality    of  the  mind; 
and  upon  those  strong  impelling  circum- 
stances, which  induce  every  individual 
to  become  a  party  in  the  common  cause, 
and  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  public  as 
if  they  were  his  own.      The   King  of 
Prussia   (sometimes   a  great  authority, 
but  at  others  a  disingenuous   and  mise- 
rable sophist)  has  declared  his  opinion 
that    soldiers    ought    to   be    machines, 
beings  with  sense  and  motion,  but  with- 
out feeling  and  understanding ;  born  for 
confinement,  chains,  hunger,  and  drill- 
ing.      This  principle  may    do    on    the 
parade,  for  there  a  soldier  may  be  an 
automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  stick  of 
the  corporal  ;  but  his  Prussian  Majesty 
found  out  the  folly  of  this  position,  or 
rather  of  this  assertion,  (for  he  was  too 
great   a  man  to  believe  in  it  himself,) 
when  he  lost  25,000  men  bv  desertion, 
in   the   campaign  ot    1??8,  against  the 
Austrians.     History  and  military  expe- 
rience sufficiently  vindicate  human  na- 
ture from  this  stain.     Perhaps  soldiers 
are  so  far  from  being  automatons,  that 
the  greatest  successes  in  war  have  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  influence  of 
the   human    passions.      What    did   the 
Arabs,  operated  upon  by  an  intolerant 
zeal  and  religious  enthusiasm  ?    The  raw 
levies  of  the  French,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war  in   1792,  resisted  and 
repulsed  the  veteran  troops  of  Europe  ; 
nni mated  by  a  mistaken   love  of  what 
they  called  liberty,  and  by  an  uncon- 
querable   determination    not    to   suffer 
foreign  powers  to  interfere  in  their  do- 
mestic concerns.     At  other  times,  hope 
and  confidence  have  enabled  soldiers  to 
perform   the  most    illustrious   achieve- 
ments ;  hope,   inspired  by   former  suc- 
cess,   and  confidence,  built    upon    the 
knowledge  of  the  talents  and  military 
views  of  a  fortunate  general.     It  is  cer- 
tainly true,  that  a  mistake,  which  would 
rum  a  general  of  inferior  reputation,  has 
sometimes  added  to  the  fame  of  a  su- 
perior one.     Citsar  and  Alexander  often 


they  thought  themselves  invincible,  and 
they   actually   became    so.      We    have 
dwelt   particularly  on   this  part  of  the 
subject,  because  we  are  convinced,  that 
the  most  erroneous  and  dangerous  opi- 
nions have  been  adopted  upon  it.     We 
repeat  it   again,  and    we  would   never 
cease    to    re-echo    it,    till    the    solemn 
sound  vibrated  upon  the  ear  of  every 
British  officer,  that  a  soldier  is  not  an 
automaton,  but  a  man,  in  whose  hum- 
ble breast  the  pulse  of  glory  often  beats 
high,    and    who    rushes,    with    indiffe- 
rence, into  the  heat  and  danger  of  bat- 
tle, without   the"  hope   of  fame,  or  the 
prospect  of  sharing  in    the    reward  of 
victory.      Where    is    the   philosophy— 
where  is  the  reason  of  him  who  asserts, 
that   in   order   to  dravv   forth  the  best 
exertions  of  a  man,  and  to  make  him  a 
hero  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  it  is 
necessary  first  to  degrade  him  from  the 
rank   of  a  human    being,  and  to   level 
him  to  the  standard  of  a  brute  ?  No ; 
on  the   contrary,  arm  the  human  pas- 
sions in  your  favour;  teach  the  soldier 
to   believe   that  he  has   an   interest  in 
your  cause  ;  pity  his  weakness ;  cherish 
his  good  and  noble  qualities;  instil  into 
his  breast  principles  of  honour  and  rec- 
titude ;    you   will    then    be    invincible, 
and  place  around  you   a  wall   stronger 
than   brass,   which    the    efforts    of   no 
earthly  power  shall  ever  be  able  to  pene- 
trate.    Should  you  be  induced  to  assert, 
that  a  soldier  is  a  machine,  make  an 
appeal  to  your  own  heart ;  if  you  are  not 
contradicted,  retire  from  the  profession 
of  arms,  for  you  are  a  man  without  pas- 
sions, and  consequently  without  talents. 
This  doctrine  of  the  moral  education 
of  the  soldier,  ought  not  only  to  be  in- 
culcated, but  should   be  acknowledged 
and  adopted.    When  you  reflect  that  all 
the  European  powers  have  now  nearly 
the  same  arms,  the  same  constitution, 
practise  the  same  movements,  and  follow 
the  rules  of  the  same  tactic;  to  look  upon 
them  on  a  parade,  or  in  a  field  of  exer- 
cise, the  shades  of  distinction  between 
the  troops  of  different  countries  are  only 
just  perceptible;  so  that  the  superiority 
which  the  army  of  one  power  may  have 
over  that  of  another,  cannot  arise  from 
practices  which  are  similar  in  all,  but 


SOL 


<   ssr   ) 


SOL 


from  causes  arising  out  of  the  moral  and 
intellectual  qualities  of  man.  To  give 
strength  and  perfection  to  those  qualities 
is  the  great  desideratum,  and  ought  to 
be  the  object  of  our  most  zealous  pur- 
suits. Our  military  institutions  'are  not 
perhaps  the  best  possible,  but  we  will 
adopt  the  idea  of  a  great  legislator, 
(Solon,)  and  say,  they  are  ours,  and  con- 
sequently the  best  for  us,  as  far  as  na- 
tional habit  and  constitution  go.  Among 
the  ancients,  the  army  of  one  nation 
might  have  had  a  great  and  real  advan- 
tage over  that  of  another,  from  the  com- 
parative excellence  of  their  tactic,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  arms ;  but  in  our 
times  the  European  nations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Turks,  have  all  of  them 
adopted  a  tactic  nearly  similar,  if  not 
the  same.  We  do  not  mean  to  say,  that 
there  are  not  great  shades  of  dilference, 
and  a  marked  line  of  separation,  which 
clearly  distinguish  the  soldier  of  one 
country  from  that  of  another.  War  is 
a  science,  which,  like  physic,  is  divided 
into  a  multiplicity  of  different  branches ; 
because  a  man  is  great  in  the  practice  of 
one,  it  does  not  therefore  follow,  that 
he  should  be  excellent  in  another.  So  it 
is  with  the  troops  of  different  nations; 
they  have  each  their  peculiar  qualities 
and  comparative  merits.  The  cool  and 
steady  courage,  the  phlegm,  the  obedi- 
ence of  a  German,  make  him  excellent 
in  a  retreat;  the  natural  sagacity,  the 
activity,  the  promptitude  of  a  Frenchman, 
make  him  admirable  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  country  of  mountains.  In  a 
plain,  and  in  a  day  of  general  action,  the 
British  infantry  are  inferior  to  none  in  Eu- 
rope ;  there  is  a  decision  in  ■their  mind, 
a  boldness  in  their  character,  and  per- 
haps even  an  impatience  in  danger,  which 
ever  prompts  them  to  close  with  their 
enemy,  and  to  bring  the  contest,  at  once, 
to  a  glorious  issue.  Every  officer,  who 
looks  to  great  command,  ought  to  study 
the  nature,  the  habits,  the  constitution  of 
the  different  European  armies.  This 
knowledge  is  absolutely  necessary,  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  troops  of  his  own  country,  of  its 
allies,  and  of  those  which  are  opposed 
to  him.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of 
the  profession  which  requires  more 
serious  meditation.  The  French  first 
brought  into  practice  a  system  of  opera- 
tions peculiarly  consonant  to  the  tone  and 
temper  of  the  mind,  the  disposition  and 


state  of  the  troops  which  composed  their 
armies.  The  Austrian  generals  had  the 
weakness,  or  rather  the  imbecility,  to 
follow  them,  and  to  imitate  a  mode 
of  warfare,  which  their  soldiers,  by 
nature  and  habit,  were  eminently  dis- 
qualified to  adopt.  They  committed  the 
greatest  of  all  possible  errors,  that  of 
suffering  themselves  to  be  dictated  to  by 
their  enemies,  and  to  wait  upon  their 
movements.  Had  they  sufficiently  studied 
the  constitution  of  their  own  troops,  and 
that  of  the  enemy  whom  they  opposed, 
they  would  have  avoided  those  multiplied 
affairs  of  posts  which  led  to  their  defeat 
and  ruin ;  on  the  contrary,  had  they  con- 
centrated their  troops,  and  engaged  in 
nothing  but  general  actions,  the  ultimate 
issue  of  the  war  would,  probably,  have 
been  very  different  from  what  it  unfor- 
tunately was. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  important 
subject  without  conjuring  British  officers 
to  consider  war  as  a  science,  the  com- 
mon property  of  all;  to  place  them- 
selves above  narrow,  little,  dangerous 
prejudices ;  to  cease  to  over-rate  them- 
selves, and  to  under-rate  their  enemies. 
It  is  not  permitted  to  despise  your  enemy, 
and  least  of  all,  an  illustrious  people, 
who,  in  modern  times,  have  produced 
more  great  generals  than  any  other;  who 
were  victorious  for  sixty  years  in  the 
former  century,  and  who,  in  the  latter, 
over-ran  half  Europe.  It  is  in  vain  to 
deny,  that  the  French  are  a  military 
nation ;  history  and  our  own  experience 
demonstrate,  that  the  French  troops  have 
been  and  are  excellent. 

The  three  great  and  necessary  qualities 
of  an  army  are,  marching,  abstaining, 
and  fighting;  in  the  latter  virtue,  we 
yield  to  none  in  the  world :  but  surely 
candour  must  allow,  that  the  French  are 
better  marchers,  and  require  a  much 
less  quantity  of  food  to  subsist  on  than 
an  English  army  of  the  same  force.  To 
have  contended  with  such  a  nation,  so 
superior  to  us  in  population,  extent  of 
territory,  and  natural  resources  for  five 
hundred  years ;  to  have  generally  been 
victorious  over  her,  has  been  the  fortune, 
and  is  now  the  glory  and  boast  of  the 
British  name. 

Soldier  now  generally  signifies  any 
fighting  man. 

Private  Solther,  a  man  in  the  ranks; 
one  under  the  degree  of  a  corporal ;  as 
distinct  from  the  commanders. 

A  real  Soldier,  a  term  amongst  miii- 


SOL 


(     836     ) 


SOL 


mav  yet  hope  to  have  their  day,  and  to 
be  illuminated  by  the  sun  of  warlike 
glory.  Of  all  the  puerile  vanities  into 
which    national    presumption    and   na- 


tempted  fortune,  and  risked  more  tha* 
was  prudent  or  perhaps  justifiable.  The 
confidence,  with  which  they  had  in- 
spired  their  soldiers,  led   them  out   of 


tional   prejudice  have  caused    men   to   every  difficulty.      Under    such   leaders 


fall,  surely  none  is  less  consonant  to 
reason,  or  more  reprehensible,  than  the 
idle,  we  might  say  blasphemous  opinion, 
that  God  has  created  one  nation  braver 
than  another.  Courage,  perhaps,  de- 
pends upon  human  institutions  more 
than  any  other  quality  of  the  mind ; 
and  upon  those  strong  impelling  circum- 
stances, which  induce  every  individual 
to  become  a  party  in  the  common  cause, 
and  to  tight  the  battles  of  the  public  as 
if  they  were  his  own.  The  King  of 
Prussia  (sometimes  a  great  authority, 
but  at  others  a  disingenuous  and  mise- 
rable sophist)  has  declared  his  opinion 
that  soldiers  ought  to  be  machines, 
beings  with  sense  and  motion,  but  with- 
out feeling  and  understanding ;  born  for 
confinement,  chains,  hunger,  and  drill- 
ing. This  principle  may  do  on  the 
parade,  for  there  a  soldier  may  be  an 
automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  stick  of 
the  corporal  ;  but  his  Prussian  Majesty 
found  out  the  folly  of  this  position,  or 
rather  of  this  assertion,  (for  he  was  too 
great  a  man  to  believe  in  it  himself,) 
when  he  lost  25,000  men  by  desertion, 
in  the  campaign  of  1778,  against  the 
Austrians.  History  and  military  expe- 
rience sufficiently  vindicate  human  na- 
ture from  this  stain.  Perhaps  soldiers 
are  so  far  from  being  automatons,  that 
the  greatest  successes  in  war  have  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  influence  of 
the  human  passions.  What  did  the 
Arabs,  operated  upon  by  an  intolerant 
zeal  and  religious  enthusiasm  ?  The  raw 
levies  of  the  French,  at  the  commence 


they  thought  themselves  invincible,  and 
they  actually  became  so.  We  have 
dwelt  particularly  on  this  part  of  the 
subject,  because  we  are  convinced,  that 
the  most  erroneous  and  dangerous  opi- 
nions have  been  adopted  upon  it.  We 
repeat  it  again,  and  we  would  nevef 
cease  to  re-erho  it,  till  the  solemn 
sound  vibrated  upon  the  ear  of  every 
British  officer,  that  a  soldier  is  not  an 
automaton,  but  a  man,  in  whose  hum- 
ble breast  the  pulse  of  glory  often  beats 
high,  and  who  rushes,  with  indiffe- 
rence, into  the  heat  and  danger  of  bat- 
tle, without  the  hope  of  fame,  or  the 
prospect  of  sharing  in  the  reward  of 
victory.  Where  is  the  philosophy— 
where  is  the  reason  of  him  who  asserts, 
that  in  order  to  draw  forth  the  best 
exertions  of  a  man,  and  to  make  him  a 
hero  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  it  is 
necessary  first  to  degrade  him  from  the 
rank  of  a  human  being,  and  to  level 
him  to  the  standard  of  a  brute  ?  No ; 
on  the  contrary,  arm  the  human  pas- 
sions in  your  favour ;  teach  the  soldier 
to  believe  that  he  has  an  interest  in 
your  cause  ;  pity  his  weakness ;  cherish 
his  good  and  noble  qualities  ;  instil  into 
his  breast  principles  of  honour  and  rec- 
titude ;  you  will  then  be  invincible, 
and  place  around  you  a  wall  stronger 
than  brass,  which  the  efforts  of  no 
earthly  power  shall  ever  be  able  to  pene- 
trate. .Should  you  be  induced  to  assert, 
that  a  soldier  is  a  machine,  make  an 
appeal  to  your  own  heart;  if  you  are  not 
contradicted,  retire  from  the  profession 


rnent  of  the  war  in  1792,  resisted  and!  of  arms,  for  you  are  a  man  without  pas- 
repulsed  the  veteran  troops  of  Europe  ;  j  sions,  and  consequently  without  talents. 


animated  by  a  mistaken  love  of  what 
they  called  liberty,  and  by  an  uncon- 
querable determination  not  to  suffer 
foreign  powers  to  interfere  in  their  do- 
mestic concerns.  At  other  times,  hope 
and  confidence  have  enabled  soldiers  to 
perforin  the  most  illustrious  achieve- 
ments ;  hope,  inspired  by  former  suc- 
cess, and  confidence,  built  upon  the 
knowledge  of  the  talents  and  military 
views  of  a  fortunate  general.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true,  that  a  mistake,  which  would 
ruin  a  general  of  inferior  reputation,  has 
sometimes  added  to  the  lame  of  a  su- 
perior one.     Cssar  and  Alexander  often 


This  doctrine  of  the  moral  education 
of  the  soldier,  ought  not  only  to  be  in- 
culcated, but  should  be  acknowledged 
and  adopted.  When  you  reflect  that  all 
the  European  powers  have  'now  nearly 
the  same  arms,  the  same  constitution, 
practise  the  same  movements,  and  follow 
the  rules  of  the  same  tactic;  to  look  upon 
them  on  a  parade,  or  in  a  field  of  exer- 
cise, the  shades  of  distinction  between 
the  troops  of  different  countries  are  only 
just  perceptible;  so  that  the  superiority 
which  the  army  of  one  power  may  have 
over  that  of  another,  cannot  arise  from 
practices  which  are  similar  in  all,  bur 


SOL 


<   8sr   ) 


SOL 


from  causes  arising  out  of  the  moral  and 
intellectual  qualities  of  man.  To  give 
strength  and  perfection  to  those  qualities 
is  the  great  desideratum,  and  ought  to 
be  the  object  of  our  most  zealous  pur- 
suits. Our  military  institutions  'are  not 
perhaps  the  best  possible,  but  we  will 
adopt  the  idea  of  a  great  legislator, 
(Solon,)  and  say,  they  are  our3,  and  con- 
sequently the  best  for  us,  as  far  as  na- 


tional habit  and  constitution  go. 


Among 


the  ancients,  the  army  of  one  nation 
might  have  had  a  great  and  real  advan- 
tage over  that  of  another,  from  the  com- 
parative excellence  of  their  tactic,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  arms ;  but  in  our 
times  the  European  nations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Turks,  have  all  of  them 
adopted  a  tactic  nearly  similar,  if  not 
the  same.  We  do  not  mean  to  say,  that 
there  are  not  great  shades  of  difference, 
and  a  marked  line  of  separation,  which 
clearly  distinguish  the  soldier  of  one 
country  from  that  of  another.  War  is 
a  science,  which,  like  physic,  is  divided 
into  a  multiplicity  of  different  branches ; 
because  a  man  is  great  in  the  practice  of 
one,  it  does  not  therefore  follow,  that 
he  should  be  excellent  in  another.  So  it 
is  with  the  troops  of  different  nations; 
they  have  each  their  peculiar  qualities 
and  comparative  merits.  The  cool  and 
steady  courage,  the  phlegm,  the  obedi- 
ence of  a  German,  make  him  excellent 
in  a  retreat;  the  natural  sagacity,  the 
activity,  the  promptitude  of  a  Frenchman, 
make  him  admirable  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  country  of  mountains.  In  a 
plain,  and  in  a  day  of  general  action,  the 
British  infantry  are  inferior  to  none  in  Eu- 
rope ;  there  is  a  decision  in  -their  mind, 
a  boldness  in  their  character,  and  per- 
haps even  an  impatience  in  danger,  which 
ever  prompts  them  to  close  with  their 
enemy,  and  to  bring  the  contest,  at  once, 
to  a  glorious  issue.  Every  officer,  who 
looks  to  great  command,  ought  to  study 
the  nature,  the  habits,  the  constitution  of 
the  different  European  armies.  This 
knowledge  is  absolutely  necessary,  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  troops  of  his  own  country,  of  its 
allies,  and  of  those  which  are  opposed 
to  him.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of 
the  profession  which  requires  more 
serious  meditation.  The  French  first 
brought  into  practice  a  system  of  opera- 
tions peculiarly  consonant  to  the  tone  and 
temper  of  the  mind;  the  disposition  and 


state  of  the  troops  which  composed  their 
armies.  The  Austrian  generals  had  the 
weakness,  or  rather  the  imbecility,  to 
follow  them,  and  to  imitate  a  mode 
of  warfare,  which  their  soldiers,  by 
nature  and  habit,  were  eminently  dis- 
qualified to  adopt.  They  committed  the 
greatest  of  all  possible  errors,  that  of 
suffering  themselves  to  be  dictated  to  by 
their  enemies,  and  to  wait  upon  their 
movements.  Had  they  sufficiently  studied 
the  constitution  of  their  own  troops,  and 
that  of  the  enemy  whom  they  opposed, 
they  would  have  avoided  those  multiplied 
affairs  of  posts  which  led  to  their  defeat 
and  ruin  ;  on  the  contrary,  had  they  con- 
centrated their  troops,  and  engaged  in 
nothing  but  general  actions,  the  ultimate 
issue  of  the  war  would,  probably,  have 
been  very  different  from  what  it  unfor- 
tunately was. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  important 
subject  without  conjuring  British  officers 
to  consider  war  as  a  science,  the  com- 
mon property  of  all;  to  place  them- 
selves above  narrow,  little,  dangerous 
prejudices;  to  cease  to  over-rate  them- 
selves, and  to  under-rate  their  enemies. 
It  is  not  permitted  to  despise  your  enemy, 
and  least  of  all,  an  illustrious  people, 
who,  in  modern  times,  have  produced 
more  great  generals  than  any  other;  who 
were  victorious  for  sixty  years  in  the 
former  century,  and  who,  in  the  latter, 
over-ran  half  Europe.  It  is  in  vain  to 
deny,  that  the  French  are  a  military 
nation ;  history  and  our  own  experience 
demonstrate,  that  the  French  troops  have 
been  and  are  excellent. 

The  three  great  and  necessary  qualities 
of  an  army  are,  marching,  abstaining, 
and  fighting;  in  the  latter  virtue,  we 
yield  to  none  in  the  world :  but  surely 
candour  must  allow,  that  the  French  are 
better  marchers,  and  require  a  much 
less  quantity  of  food  to  subsist  on  than 
an  English  army  of  the  same  force.  To 
have  contended  with  such  a  nation,  so 
superior  to  us  in  population,  extent  of 
territory,  and  natural  resources  for  five 
hundred  years  ;  to  have  generally  been 
victorious  over  her,  has  been  the  fortune, 
and  is  now  the  glory  and  boast  of  the 
British  name. 

Soldier  now  generally  signifies  any 
fighting  man. 

Private  Soldier,  a  man  in  the  ranks; 
one  under  the  degree  of  a  corporal ;  as 
distinct  from  the  commanders. 

A  real  Soldier,  a  term  amongst  mili- 


SOL 


(     836     ) 


SOL 


mav  yet  hope  to  have  their  day,  and  to 
te  illuminated  by  the  sun  of  warlike 
glory.  Of  all  the  puerile  vanities  into 
which    national    presumption    and   na- 


tempted  fortune,  and  risked  more  than 
was  prudent  or  perhaps  justifiable.  The 
confidence,  with  which  they  had  in- 
spired  their  soldiers,  led   them  out   of 


tional    prejudice  have  caused    men    to   every  difficulty.      Under    such   leaders 


fall,  surely  none  is  less  consonant  to 
reason,  or  more  reprehensible,  than  the 
idle,  we  might  say  blasphemous  opinion, 
that  God  has  created  one  nation  braver 
than  another.  Courage,  perhaps,  de- 
pends upon  human  institutions  more 
than  any  other  quality  of  the  mind; 
And  upon  those  strong  impelling  circum- 
stances, which  induce  every  individual 
to  become  a  party  in  the  common  cause, 
and  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  public  as 
if  they  were  his  own.  The  King  of 
Prussia   (sometimes   a  great  authority, 


they  thought  themselves  invincible,  and 
they  actually  became  so.  We  have 
dwelt  particularly  on  this  part  of  the 
subject,  because  we  are  convinced,  that 
the  most  erroneous  and  dangerous  opi- 
nions have  been  adopted  upon  it.  Wa 
repeat  it  again,  and  we  would  never 
cease  to  re-erho  it,  till  the  solemn 
sound  vibrated  upon  the  ear  of  every 
British  officer,  that  a  soldier  is  not  an 
automaton,  but  a  man,  in  whose  hum- 
ble breast  the  pulse  of  glory  often  beats 
high,    and    who    rushes,    with    indiffe- 


but  at  others  a  disingenuous  and  mise-  rence,  into  the  heat  and  danger  of  bat- 
rable  sophist)  has  declared  his  opinion  tie,  without  the'  hope  of  fame,  or  the 
that  soldiers  ought  to  be  machines,  prospect  of  sharing  in  the  reward  of 
beings  with  sense  and  motion,  but  with-  victory.  Where  is  the  philosophy- 
out  feeling  and  understanding;  born  for  where  is  the  reason  of  him  who  asserts, 
confinement,  chains,  hunger,  and  drill-   that   in   order   to  draw   forth  the  best 


This  principle  may  do  on  the 
parade,  for  there  a  soldier  may  be  an 
automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  stick  of 
the  corporal  ;  but  his  Prussian  Majesty 
found  out  the  folly  of  this  position,  or 
rather  of  this  assertion,  (for  he  was  too 
great  a  man  to  believe  in  it  himself,) 
when  he  lost  25,000  men  bv  desertion, 
in  the  campaign  of  1778,  against  the 
Austrians.  History  and  military  expe- 
rience sufficiently  vindicate  human  na- 
ture from  this  stain.  Perhaps  soldiers 
are  so  far  from  being  automatons,  that 
the  greatest  successes  in  war  have  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  influence  of 
the  human  passions.  What  did  the 
Arabs,  operated  upon  by  an  intolerant 
zeal  and  religious  enthusiasm  ?  The  raw 
levies  of  the  French,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  war  in  1792,  resisted  and 


exertions  of  a  man,  and  to  make  him  a 
hero  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  it  is 
necessary  first  to  degrade  him  from  tho 
rank  of  a  human  being,  and  to  level 
him  to  the  standard  of  a  brute  ?  No ; 
on  the  contrary,  arm  the  human  pas- 
sions in  your  favour ;  teach  the  soldier 
to  believe  that  he  has  an  interest  in 
your  cause  ;  pity  his  weakness ;  cherish 
his  good  and  noble  qualities  ;  instil  into 
his  breast  principles  of  honour  and  rec- 
titude ;  you  will  then  be  invincible, 
and  place  around  you  a  wall  stronger 
than  brass,  which  the  efforts  of  no 
earthly  power  shall  ever  be  able  to  pene- 
trate. .Should  you  be  induced  to  assert, 
that  a  soldier  is  a  machine,  make  an 
appeal  to  your  own  heart ;  if  you  are  not 
contradicted,  retire  from  the  profession 
of  arms,  for  you  are  a  man  without  pas- 


repulsed  the  veteran  troops  of  Europe  ;   sions,  and  consequently  without  talents 


animated  by  a  mistaken  love  of  what 
they  called  liberty,  and  by  an  uncon- 
querable determination  not  to  suffer 
foreign  powers  to  interfere  in  their  do- 
mestic concerns.  At  other  times,  hope 
and  confidence  have  enabled  soldiers  to 
perform  the  most  illustrious  achieve- 
ments; hope,  inspired  by  former  suc- 
cess, and  confidence,  built  upon  the 
knowledge  of  the  talents  and  military 
views  of  a  fortunate  general.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true,  that  a  mistake,  which  would 
ruin  a  general  of  inferior  reputation,  has 
sometimes  added  to  the  fame  of  a  su- 
perior one.     Cssar  and  Alexander  often 


This  doctrine  of  the  moral  education 
of  the  soldier,  ought  not  only  to  be  in- 
culcated, but  should  be  acknowledged 
and  adopted.  When  you  reflect  that  all 
the  European  powers  have  'now  nearly 
the  same  arms,  the  same  constitution, 
practise  the  same  movements,  and  follow 
the  rules  of  the  same  tactic;  to  look  upon 
them  on  a  parade,  or  in  a  field  of  exer- 
cise, the  shades  of  distinction  between 
the  troops  of  different  countries  are  only 
just  perceptible;  so  that  the  superiority 
which  the  army  of  one  power  may  have 
over  that  of  another,  cannot  arise  from 
practices  which  are  similar  in  all,  bur 


SOL 


<     83f     ) 


SOL 


from  causes  arising  out  of  the  moral  and 
intellectual  qualities  of  man.  To  give 
strength  and  perfection  to  those  qualities 
is  the  great  desideratum,  and  ought  to 
be  the  object  of  our  most  zealous  pur- 
suits. Our  military  institutions  'are  not 
perhaps  the  best  possible,  but  we  will 
adopt  the  idea  of  a  great  legislator, 
(Solon,)  and  say,  they  are  ours,  and  con- 
sequently the  best  for  us,  as  far  as  na- 
tional habit  and  constitution  go.  Among 
the  ancients,  the  army  of  one  nation 
might  have  had  a  great  and  real  advan- 
tage over  that  of  another,  from  the  com- 
parative excellence  of  their  tactic,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  arms ;  but  in  our 
times  the  European  nations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Turks,  have  all  of  them 
adopted  a  tactic  nearly  similar,  if  not 
the  same.  We  do  not  mean  to  say,  that 
there  are  not  great  shades  of  difference, 
and  a  marked  line  of  separation,  which 
clearly  distinguish  the  soldier  of  one 
country  from  that  of  another.  War  is 
a  science,  which,  like  physic,  is  divided 
into  a  multiplicity  of  different  branches ; 
because  a  man  is  great  in  the  practice  of 
one,  it  does  not  therefore  follow,  that 
he  should  be  excellent  in  another.  So  it 
i.s  with  the  troops  of  different  nations; 
they  have  each  their  peculiar  qualities 
and  comparative  merits.  The  cool  and 
steady  courage,  the  phlegm,  the  obedi- 
ence of  a  German,  make  him  excellent 
in  a  retreat;  the  natural  sagacity,  the 
activity,  the  promptitude  of  a  Frenchman, 
make  him  admirable  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  country  of  mountains.  In  a 
plain,  and  in  a  day  of  general  action,  the 
British  infantry  are  inferior  to  none  in  Eu- 
rope ;  there  is  a  decision  in  their  mind, 
a  boldness  in  their  character,  and  per- 
haps even  an  impatience  in  danger,  which 
ever  prompts  them  to  close  with  their 
enemy,  and  to  bring  the  contest,  at  once, 
to  a  glorious  issue.  Every  officer,  who 
looks  to  great  command,  ought  to  study 
the  nature,  the  habits,  the  constitution  of 
the  different  European  armies.  This 
knowledge  is  absolutely  necessary,  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  troops  of  his  own  country,  of  its 
allies,  and  of  those  which  are  opposed 
to  him.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of 
the  profession  which  requires  more 
serious  meditation.  The  French  first 
brought  into  practice  a  system  of  opera- 
tions peculiarly  consonant  to  the  tone  and 
temper  of  the  mind;  the  disposition  and 


state  of  the  troops  which  composed  their 
armies.  The  Austrian  generals  had  the 
weakness,  or  rather  the  imbecility,  to 
follow  them,  and  to  imitate  a  mode 
of  warfare,  which  their  soldiers,  by 
nature  and  habit,  were  eminently  dis- 
qualified to  adopt.  They  committed  the 
greatest  of  all  possible  errors,  that  of 
suffering  themselves  to  be  dictated  to  by 
their  enemies,  and  to  wait  upon  their 
movements.  Had  they  sufficiently  studied 
the  constitution  of  their  own  troops,  and 
that  of  the  enemy  whom  they  opposed, 
they  would  have  avoided  those  multiplied 
affairs  of  posts  which  led  to  their  defeat 
and  ruin  ;  on  the  contrary,  had  they  con- 
centrated their  troops,  and  engaged  in 
nothing  but  general  actions,  the  ultimate 
issue  of  the  war  would,  probably,  have 
been  very  different  from  what  it  unfor- 
tunately was. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  important 
subject  without  conjuring  British  officers 
to  consider  war  as  a  science,  the  com- 
mon property  of  all;  to  place  them- 
selves above  narrow,  little,  dangerous 
prejudices;  to  cease  to  over-rate  them- 
selves, and  to  under-rate  their  enemies. 
It  is  not  permitted  to  despise  your  enemy, 
and  least  of  all,  an  illustrious  people, 
who,  in  modern  times,  have  produced 
more  great  generals  than  any  other;  who 
were  victorious  for  sixty  years  in  the 
former  century,  and  who,  in  the  latter, 
over-ran  half  Europe.  It  is  in  vain  to 
deny,  that  the  French  are  a  military 
nation ;  history  and  our  own  experience 
demonstrate,  that  the  French  troops  have 
been  and  are  excellent. 

The  three  great  .and  necessary  qualities 
of  an  army  are,  marching,  abstaining, 
and  fighting;  in  the  latter  virtue,  we 
yield  to  none  in  the  world :  but  surely 
candour  must  allow,  that  the  French  are 
better  marchers,  and  require  a  much 
less  quantity  of  food  to  subsist  on  than 
an  English  army  of  the  same  force.  To 
have  contended  with  such  a  nation,  so 
superior  to  us  in  population,  extent  of 
territory,  and  natural  resources  for  five 
hundred  years ;  to  have  generally  been 
victorious  over  her,  has  been  the  fortune, 
and  is  now  the  glory  and  boast  of  the 
British  name. 

Soldier  now  generally  signifies  any 
fighting  man. 

Private  Soldier,  a  man  in  the  ranks; 
one  under  the  degree  of  a  corporal ;  as 
distinct  from  the  commanders. 

A  real  Soldier,  a  term  amongst  mili- 


SOL 


(     836     ) 


SOL 


mav  yet  hope  to  have  their  day,  and  to 
be  illuminated  by  the  sun  of  warlike 
glory.  Of  all  the  puerile  vanities  into 
which  national  presumption  and  na- 
tional prejudice  have  caused  men  to 
fall,  surely  none  is  less  consonant  to 
reason,  or  more  reprehensible,  than  the 
idle,  we  might  say  blasphemous  opinion, 
that  God  lias  created  one  nation  braver 
than  another.  Courage,  perhaps,  de- 
pends upon  human  institutions  more 
than  any  other  quality  of  the  mind ; 
and  upon  those  strong  impelling  circum- 
stances, which  induce  every  individual 
to  become  a  party  in  the  common  cause, 
and  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  public  as 
if  they  were  his  own.  The  King  of 
Prussia  (sometimes  a  great  authority, 
but  at  others  a  disingenuous  and  mise- 
rable sophist)  has  declared  his  opinion 
that  soldiers  ought  to  be  machines, 
beings  with  sense  and  motion,  but  with- 


tempted  fortune,  and  risked  more  than 
was  prudent  or  perhaps  justifiable.  The 
confidence,  with  which  they  had  in- 
spired their  soldiers,  led  them  out  of 
every  difficulty.  Under  such  leaders 
they  thought  themselves  invincible,  and 
they  actually  became  so.  We  have 
dwelt  particularly  on  this  part  of  the 
subject,  because  we  are  convinced,  that 
the  most  erroneous  and  dangerous  opi- 
nions have  been  adopted  upon  it.  We 
repeat  it  again,  and  we  would  never 
cease  to  re-echo  it,  till  the  solemn 
sound  vibrated  upon  the  ear  of  every 
British  officer,  that  a  soldier  is  not  an 
automaton,  but  a  man,  in  whose  hum- 
ble breast  the  pulse  of  glory  often  beat3 
high,  and  who  rushes,  with  indiffe- 
rence, into  the  heat  and  danger  of  bat- 
tle, without  the?  hope  of  fame,  or  the 
prospect  of  sharing  in  the  reward  of 
victory.      Where    is    the    philosophy- 


out  feeling  and  understanding;  born  for   where  is  the  reason  of  him  who  asserts, 


confinement,  chains,  hunger,  and  drill 
ing.  This  principle  may  do  on  the 
parade,  for  there  a  soldier  may  be  an 
automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  stick  of 
the  corporal  ;  but  his  Prussian  Majesty 
found  out  the  folly  of  this  position,  or 
rather  of  this  assertion,  (for  he  was  too 
great  a  man  to  believe  in  it  himself,) 
when  he  lost  25,000  men  bv  desertion, 
in  the  campaign  of  1778,  against  the 
Austrians.  History  and  military  expe- 
rience sufficiently  vindicate  human  na- 
ture from  this  stain.  Perhaps  soldiers 
are  so  far  from  being  automatons,  that 
the  greatest  successes  in  war  have  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  influence  of 
the  human  passions.  What  did  the 
Arabs,  operated  upon  by  an  intolerant 


that  in  order  to  draw  forth  the  best 
exertions  of  a  man,  and  to  make  him  a 
hero  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  it  i9 
necessary  first  to  degrade  him  from  the 
rank  of  a  human  being,  and  to  level 
him  to  the  standard  of  a  brute  ?  No ; 
on  the  contrary,  arm  the  human  pas- 
sions in  your  favour ;  teach  the  soldier 
to  believe  that  he  has  an  interest  in 
your  cause  ;  pity  his  weakness ;  cherish 
his  good  and  noble  qualities ;  instil  into 
his  breast,  principles  of  honour  and  rec- 
titude ;  you  will  then  be  invincible, 
and  place  around  you  a  wall  stronger 
than  brass,  which  the  efforts  of  no 
earthly  power  shall  ever  be  able  to  pene- 
trate. Should  you  be  induced  to  assert, 
that  a  soldier  is  a  machine,  make  an 


zeal  and  religious  enthusiasm  ?  The  raw  appeal  to  your  own  heart;  if  you  are  not 
levies  of  the  French,  at  the  commence-  contradicted,  retire  from  the  profession 
men  t  of  the  war  in  1792,  resisted  and!  of  arms,  for  you  are  a  man  without  pas- 


repulsed  the  veteran  troops  of  Europe  ; 
animated  by  a  mistaken  love  of  what 
they  called  liberty,  and  by  an  uncon- 
querable determination  not  to  suffer 
foreign  powers  to  interfere  in  their  do- 
mestic concerns.  At  other  times,  hope 
and  confidence  have  enabled  soldiers  to 
perform  the  most  illustrious  achieve- 
ments; hope,  inspired  by  former  suc- 
cess, and  confidence,  built  upon  the 
knowledge  of  the  talents  and  military 
views  of  a  fortunate  general.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true,  that  a  mistake,  which  would 
ruin  a  general  of  inferior  reputation,  has 
sometimes  added  t0  the  fame  of  a  su- 
perior one.     Caesar  and  Alexander  often 


sions,  and  consequently  without  talents. 
This  doctrine  of  the  moral  education 
of  the  soldier,  ought  not  only  to  be  in- 
culcated, but  should  be  acknowledged 
and  adopted.  When  you  reflect  that  all 
the  European  powers  have  "now  nearly 
the  same  arms,  the  same  constitution, 
practise  the  same  movements,  and  follow 
the  rules  of  the  same  tactic;  to  look  upon 
them  on  a  parade,  or  in  a  field  of  exer- 
cise, the  shades  of  distinction  between 
the  troops  of  different  countries  are  only 
just  perceptible;  so  that  the  superiority 
which  the  army  of  one  power  may  have 
over  that  of  another,  cannot  arise  from 
practices  which  are  similar  in  all,  but 


SOL 


<   ssr   ) 


SOL 


from  causes  arising  out  of  the  moral  and 
intellectual  qualities  of  man.  To  give 
strength  and  perfection  to  those  qualities 
is  the  great  desideratum,  and  ought  to 
be  the  object  of  our  most  zealous  pur- 
suits. Our  military  institutions  'are  not 
perhaps  the  best  possible,  but  we  will 
adopt  the  idea  of  a  great  legislator, 
(Solon,)  and  say,  they  are  our3,  and  con- 
sequently the  best  for  us,  as  far  as  na- 
tional habit  and  constitution  <jo.  Among 
the  ancients,  the  armv  of  one  nation 
might  have  had  a  great  and  real  advan- 
tage over  that  of  another,  from  the  com- 
parative excellence  of  their  tactic,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  arms ;  but  in  our 
times  the  European  nations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Turks,  have  all  of  them 
adopted  a  tactic  nearly  similar,  if  not 
the  same.  We  do  not  mean  to  say,  that 
there  are  not  great  shades  of  ditference, 
and  a  marked  line  of  separation,  which 
clearly  distinguish  the  soldier  of  one 
country  from  that  of  another.  War  is 
a  science,  which,  like  physic,  is  divided 
into  a  multiplicity  of  different  branches; 
because  a  man  is  great  in  the  practice  of 
one,  it  does  not  therefore  follow,  that 
he  should  be  excellent  in  another.  So  it 
is  with  the  troops  of  different  nations; 
they  have  each  their  peculiar  qualities 
and  comparative  merits.  The  cool  and 
steady  courage,  the  phlegm,  the  obedi- 
ence of  a  German,  make  him  excellent 
in  a  retreat;  th«  natural  sagacity,  the 
activity,  the  promptitude  of  a  Frenchman, 
make  him  admirable  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  country  of  mountains.  In  a 
plain,  and  in  a  day  of  general  action,  the 
British  infantry  are  inferior  to  none  in  Eu- 
rope ;  there  is  a  decision  in  ^heir  mind, 
a  boldness  in  their  character,  and  per- 
haps even  an  impatience  in  danger,  which 
ever  prompts  them  to  close  with  their 
enemy,  and  to  bring  the  contest,  at  once, 
to  a  glorious  issue.  Every  officer,  who 
looks  to  great  command,  ought  to  study 
the  nature,  the  habits,  the  constitution  of 
the  different  European  armies.  This 
knowledge  is  absolutely  necessary,  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  troops  of  his  own  country,  of  its 
allies,  and  of  those  which  are  opposed 
to  him.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of 
the  profession  which  requires  more 
serious  meditation.  The  French  first 
brought  into  practice  a  system  of  opera- 
tions peculiarly  consonant  to  the  tone  and 
temper  of  the  mind;  the  disposition  and 


state  of  the  troops  which  composed  their 
armies.  The  Austrian  generals  had  the. 
weakness,  or  rather  the  imbecility,  to 
follow  them,  and  to  imitate  a  mode 
of  warfare,  which  their  soldiers,  by 
nature  and  habit,  were  eminently  dis- 
qualified to  adopt.  They  committed  the 
greatest  of  all  possible  errors,  that  of 
suffering  themselves  to  be  dictated  to  by 
their  enemies,  and  to  wait  upon  their 
movements.  Had  they  sufficiently  studied 
the  constitution  of  their  own  troops,  and 
that  of  the  enemy  whom  they  opposed, 
they  would  have  avoided  those  multiplied 
affairs  of  posts  which  led  to  their  defeat 
and  ruin  ;  on  the  contrary,  had  they  con- 
centrated their  troops,  and  engaged  in 
nothing  but  general  actions,  the  ultimate 
issue  of  the  war  would,  probably,  have 
been  very  different  from  what  it  unfor- 
tunately was. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  important 
subject  without  conjuring  British  officers 
to  consider  war  as  a  science,  the  com- 
mon property  of  all ;  to  place  them- 
selves above  narrow,  little,  dangerous 
prejudices;  to  cease  to  over-rate  them- 
selves, and  to  under-rate  their  enemies. 
It  is  not  permitted  to  despise  your  enemy, 
and  least  of  all,  an  illustrious  people, 
who,  in  modern  times,  have  produced 
more  great  generals  than  any  other;  who 
were  victorious  for  sixty  years  in  the 
former  century,  and  who,  in  the  latter, 
over-ran  half  Europe.  It  is  in  vain  to 
deny,  that  the  French  are  a  military 
nation ;  history  and  our  own  experience 
demonstrate,  that  the  French  troops  have 
been  and  are  excellent. 

The  three  great  and  necessary  qualities 
of  an  army  are,  marching,  abstaining, 
and  fighting;  in  the  latter  virtue,  we 
yield  to  none  in  the  world :  but  surely 
candour  must  allow,  that  the  French  are 
better  marchers,  and  require  a  much 
less  quantity  of  food  to  subsist  on  than 
an  English  army  of  the  same  force.  To 
have  contended  with  such  a  nation,  so 
superior  to  us  in  population,  extent  of 
territory,  and  natural  resources  for  five 
hundred  years ;  to  have  generally  been 
victorious  over  her,  has  been  the  fortune, 
and  is  now  the  glory  and  boast  of  the 
British  name. 

Soldier  now  generally  signifies  any 
fighting  man. 

Private  Soldier,  a  man  in  the  ranks; 
one  under  the  degree  of  a  corporal ;  as 
distinct  from  the  commanders. 

A  real  Soldier,  a  term  amongst  mili- 


SOL 


(     836     ) 


SOL 


mav  yet  hope  to  have  their  day,  and  to 
be  illuminated  by  the  sun  oi*  warlike 
glory.  Of  all  the  puerile  vanities  into 
which  national  presumption  and  na- 
tional prejudice  have  caused  men  to 
fall,  surely  none  is  less  consonant  to 
reason,  or  more  reprehensible,  than  the 
idle,  we  might  say  blasphemous  opinion, 
that  God  has  created  one  nation  braver 
than  another.  Courage,  perhaps,  de- 
pends upon  human  institutions  more 
than  any  other  quality  of  the  mind ; 
And  upon  those  strong  impelling  circum- 
stances, which  induce  every  individual 
to  become  a  party  in  the  common  cause, 
and  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  public  as 
if  they  were  his  own.  The  King  of 
Prussia  (sometimes  a  great  authority, 
but  at  others  a  disingenuous  and  mise- 
rable sophist)  has  declared  his  opinion 
that  soldiers  ought  to  be  machines, 
beings  with  sense  and  motion,  but  with- 
out feeling  and  understanding ;  born  for 
confinement,  chains,  hunger,  and  drill- 
ing. This  principle  may  do  on  the 
parade,  for  there  a  soldier  may  be  an 
automaton,  to  be  moved  by  the  stick  of 
the  corporal  ;  but  his  Prussian  Majesty 
found  out  the  folly  of  this  position,  or 
rather  of  this  assertion,  (for  he  was  too 
great  a  man  to  believe  in  it  himself,) 
when  he  lost  25,000  men  bv  desertion, 
in  the  campaign  ot  1778,  against  the 
Austrians.  History  and  military  expe- 
rience sufficiently  vindicate  human  na- 
ture from  this  stain.  Perhaps  soldiers 
are  so  far  from  being  automatons,  that 
the  greatest  successes  in  war  have  de- 
rived their  origin  from  the  influence  of 
the  human  passions.  What  did  the 
Arabs,  operated  upon  by  an  intolerant 


tempted  fortune,  and  risked  more  thaw 
was  prudent  or  perhaps  justifiable.     The 
confidence,    with    which  they    had    in- 
spired  their  soldiers,  led   them  out  of 
every  difficulty.      Under    such   leaders 
they  thought  themselves  invincible,  and 
they   actually   became    so.      We    have 
dwelt   particularly  on    this  part  of  the 
subject,  because  we  are  convinced,  that 
the  most  erroneous  and  dangerous  opi- 
nions have  been  adopted  upon  it.     We 
repeat   it   again,  and    we  would   never 
cease   to    re-erho    it,    till    the    solemn 
sound  vibrated  upon  the  ear  of  every 
British  officer,  that  a  soldier  is  not  an 
automaton,  but  a  man,  in  whose  hum- 
ble breast  the  pulse  of  glory  often  beats 
high,    and    who    rushes,    with    indiffe- 
rence, into  the  heat  and  danger  of  bat- 
tle, without   the  hope   of  fame,  or  the 
prospect  of  sharing  in    the    reward  of 
victory.      Where    is    the   philosophy— 
where  is  the  reason  of  him  who  asserts, 
that   in   order   to  draw   forth  the  best 
exertions  of  a  man,  and  to  make  him  a 
hero  in  the  cause  of  his  country,  it  is 
necessary  first  to  degrade  him  from  the 
rank   of  a  human    being,  and  to   level 
him  to  the  standard  of  a  brute  ?   No ; 
on  the   contrary,  arm  the  human  pas- 
sions in  your  favour ;  teach  the  soldier 
to   believe   that  he  has  an   interest  in 
your  cause  ;  pity  his  weakness ;  cherish 
his  good  and  noble  qualities ;  instil  into 
his  breast  principles  of  honour  and  rec- 
titude ;    you   will    then    be    invincible, 
and  place  around  you   a  wall  stronger 
than   brass,   which    the    efforts    of   no 
earthly  power  shall  ever  be  able  to  pene- 
trate.    Should  you  be  induced  to  assert, 
that  a  soldier  is  a  machine,  make  an 
zeal  and  religious  enthusiasm  ?    The  raw  I  appeal  to  your  own  heart ;  if  you  are  not 
levies  of  the  French,  at  the  commence-   contradicted,  retire  from  the  profession 
ment  of  the  war  in  1792,  resisted  and!  of  arms,  for  you  are  a  man  without  pas- 
repulsed  the  veteran  troops  of  Europe;  sions,  and  consequently  without  talents. 
animated  by  a   mistaken   love  of  what  I      This  doctrine  of  the  moral  education 


they  called  liberty,  and  by  an  uncon 
querable  determination  not  to  suffer 
foreign  powers  to  interfere  in  their  do- 
mestic concerns.  At  other  times,  hope 
and  confidence  have  enabled  soldiers  to 
perform  the  most  illustrious  achieve- 
ments ;  hope,  inspired  by  former  suc- 
cess, and  confidence,  built  upon  the 
knowledge  of  the  talents  and  military 
views  of  a  fortunate  general.  It  is  cer- 
tainly true,  that  a  mistake,  which  would 
ruin  a  general  of  inferior  reputation,  has 
sometimes  added  to  the  fame  of  a  su- 
perior one.    Caesar  and  Alexander  often 


of  the  soldier,  ought  not  only  to  be  in- 
culcated, but  should  be  acknowledged 
and  adopted.  When  you  reflect  that  all 
the  European  powers  have  'now  nearly 
the  same  arms,  the  same  constitution, 
practise  the  same  movements,  and  follow 
the  rules  of  the  same  tactic;  to  look  upon 
them  on  a  parade,  or  in  a  field  of  exer- 
cise, the  shades  of  distinction  between 
the  troops  of  different  countries  are  only 
just  perceptible;  so  that  the  superiority 
which  the  army  of  one  power  may  have 
over  that  of  another,  cannot  arise  from 
practices  which  are  similar  in  all,  but 


SOL 


<   ssr   ) 


SOL 


from  causes  arising  out  of  the  moral  and 
intellectual  qualities  of  man.  To  give 
strength  and  perfection  to  those  qualities 
is  the  great  desideratum,  and  ought  to 
be  the  object  of  our  most  zealous  pur- 
suits. Our  military  institutions  'are  not 
perhaps  the  best  possible,  but  we  will 
adopt  the  idea  of  a  great  legislator, 
(Solon,)  and  say,  they  are  ours,  and  con- 
sequently the  best  for  us,  as  far  as  na- 
tional habit  and  constitution  zo.  Among 
the  ancients,  the  army  of  one  nation 
might  have  had  a  great  and  real  advan- 
tage over  that  of  another,  from  the  com- 
parative excellence  of  their  tactic,  and 
the  superiority  of  their  arms ;  but  in  our 
times  the  European  nations,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Turks,  have  all  of  them 
adopted  a  tactic  nearly  similar,  if  not 
the  same.  We  do  not  mean  to  say,  that 
there  are  not  great  shades  of  ditference, 
and  a  marked  line  of  separation,  which 
clearly  distinguish  the  soldier  of  one 
country  from  that  of  another.  War  is 
a  science,  which,  like  physic,  is  divided 
into  a  multiplicity  of  different  branches ; 
because  a  man  is  great  in  the  practice  of 
one,  it  does  not  therefore  follow,  that 
he  should  be  excellent  in  another.  So  it 
is  with  the  troops  of  different  nations; 
they  have  each  their  peculiar  qualities 
and  comparative  merits.  The  cool  and 
steady  courage,  the  phlegm,  the  obedi- 
ence of  a  German,  make  him  excellent 
in  a  retreat;  the  natural  sagacity,  the 
activity,  the  promptitude  of  a  Frenchman, 
make  him  admirable  in  a  war  of  posts, 
and  in  a  country  of  mountains.  In  a 
plain,  and  in  a  day  of  general  action,  the 
British  infantry  are  inferior  to  none  in  Eu- 
rope ;  there  is  a  decision  in  •their  mind, 
a  boldness  in  their  character,  and  per- 
haps even  an  impatience  in  danger,  which 
ever  prompts  them  to  close  with  their 
enemy,  and  to  bring  the  contest,  at  once, 
to  a  glorious  issue.  Every  olficer,  who 
looks  to  great  command,  ought  to  study 
the  nature,  the  habits,  the  constitution  of 
the  different  European  armies.  This 
knowledge  is  absolutely  necessary,  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  troops  of  his  own  country,  of  its 
allies,  and  of  those  which  are  opposed 
to  him.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  part  of 
the  profession  which  requires  more 
serious  meditation.  The  French  first 
brought  into  practice  a  system  of  opera- 
tions peculiarly  consonant  to  the  tone  and 
temper  of  the  mind;  the  disposition  and 


state  of  the  troops  which  composed  their 
armies.  The  Austrian  generals  had  the 
weakness,  or  rather  the  imbecility,  to 
follow  them,  and  to  imitate  a  mode 
of  warfare,  which  their  soldiers,  by 
nature  and  habit,  were  eminently  dis- 
qualified to  adopt.  They  committed  the 
greatest  of  all  possible  errors,  that  of 
suffering  themselves  to  be  dictated  to  by 
their  enemies,  and  to  wait  upon  their 
movements.  Had  they  sufficiently  studied 
the  constitution  of  their  own  troops,  and 
that  of  the  enemy  whom  they  opposed, 
they  would  have  avoided  those  multiplied 
affairs  of  posts  which  led  to  their  defeat 
and  ruin  ;  on  the  contrary,  had  they  con- 
centrated their  troops,  and  engaged  in 
nothing  but  general  actions,  the  ultimate 
issue  of  the  war  would,  probably,  have 
been  very  different  from  what  it  unfor- 
tunately was. 

We  cannot  conclude  this  important 
subject  without  conjuring  British  officers 
to  consider  war  as  a  science,  the  com- 
mon property  of  all;  to  place  them- 
selves above  narrow,  little,  dangerous 
prejudices;  to  cease  to  over-rate  them- 
selves, and  to  under-rate  their  enemies. 
It  is  not  permitted  to  despise  your  enemy, 
and  least  of  all,  an  illustrious  people, 
who,  in  modern  times,  have  produced 
more  great  generals  than  any  other;  who 
were  victorious  for  sixty  years  in  the 
former  century,  and  who,  in  the  latter, 
over-ran  half  Europe.  It  is  in  vain  to 
deny,  that  the  French  are  a  military 
nation ;  history  and  our  own  experience 
demonstrate,  that  the  French  troops  have 
been  and  are  excellent. 

The  three  great  and  necessary  qualities 
of  an  army  are,  marching,  abstaining, 
and  fighting;  in  the  latter  virtue,  we 
yield  to  none  in  the  world :  but  surely 
candour  must  allow,  that  the  French  are 
better  marchers,  and  require  a  much 
less  quantity  of  food  to  subsist  on  than 
an  English  army  of  the  same  force.  To 
have  contended  with  such  a  nation,  so 
superior  to  us  in  population,  extent  of 
territory,  and  natural  resources  for  five 
hundred  years ;  to  have  generally  been 
victorious  over  her,  has  been  the  fortune, 
and  is  now  the  glory  and  boast  of  the 
British  name. 

Soldier  now  generally  signifies  any 
fighting  man. 

Private  Soldier,  a  man  in  the  ranks; 
one  under  the  degree  of  a  corporal ;  as 
distinct  from  the  commanders. 

A  real  Soldier,  a  term  amongst  mili- 


SOL 


(     CSS     ) 


SOL 


tarv  men  to  mark  out  one  who  knows 
and  does  his  duty,  and  is  ready  to  face 
the  enemy  in  ali  climates. 

A'o  .Soldier,  an  expression  of  familiar 
currency  in  the  British  service.  It  is 
sometimes  used  as  a  term  of  reproach, 
and  sometimes  of  harmless  irony;  as, 
You're  a  dirty  fellow  and  no  soldier. 

Citizen  Soldier,  (soldut  citoyen,  Fr.) 
In  a  general  acceptation  of  the  term,  a 
citizen  soldier  signifies  any  man  who  is 
armed  for  the  support  and  vindication  of 
his  rights. 

A  Brother  Soldier,  a  term  of  affec- 
tion which  is  commonly  used  in  rhe  Bri- 
tish service  by  one  who  serves  under  the 
same  banners,  and  fights  for  the  same 
cause,  with  another.  In  a  more  exten- 
sive signification,  it  means  any  military 
man  with  respect  to  another. 

Soldier  of  fortune,  (soldat  dc  fortune, 
Fr.)  During  the  frequent  wars  which 
occurred  in  Italy,  before  the  military  pro- 
fession became  so  generally  prevalent  in 
Europe,  it  was  usual  for  men  of  enter- 
prize  and  reputation  to  offer  their  services 
to  the  different  states  that  were  engaged. 
They  were  originally  called  condottieri, 
or  leaders  of  reputation.  They  after- 
wards extended  their  services,  and  under 
the  title  of  soldiers  of  fortune,  sought  for 
employment  in  every  country,  or  state, 
that  would  pay  them. 

Soldier's  friend,  a  term  in  the  Bri- 
tish service,  which  is  generally  applied  to 
such  officers  as  pay  the  strictest  atten- 
tion to  their  men  ;  granting  them  sea- 
sonable indigencies  without  injuring  the 
service;  seeing  their  wants  relieved;  and 
above  all  things,  having  them  punctually 
paid,  and  regularly  settled  with.  There 
is  much  confidence  in  the  multitude 
when  they  are  justly  dealt  by,  and  every 
soldier  fights  well  under  the  guidance  of 
a  soldier's  friend ! 

Soldier -officer,  a  term,  generally 
used  among  naval  men,  to  signify  any 
officer  belonging  to  the  land  service. 

Old  Soldier,  a  familiar  phrase  used 
m  the  British  army  to  signify  a  shrewd 
and  intelligent  person.  It.  sometimes 
means  an  individual  who  will  not  scruple 
to  take  advantage  of  the  credulity  or  in- 
experience of  others.  Hence  to  come  the 
old  soldier  over  you.  The  French  say  un 
vieus  routier,  to  which,  however,  they 
attach  a  more  extensive  signification. 

Our  countryman,  Mr.  Hume,  speaking 
of  national  characters,  makes  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  on  soldiers  in  general. 


A  soldier  and  a  priest  are  different 
characters  in  all  nations,  and  all  ages  : 
and  this  difference  is  founded  on  circum- 
stances, whose  operation  is  eternal  and 
unalterable. 

The  uncertainty  of  their  life  makes 
soldiers  lavish  and  generous,  as  well  as 
brave.  Their  idleness,  together  with  the 
large  societies,  which  they  form  in  camps 
or  garrisons,  inclines  them  to  pleasure 
and  gallantry  ;  by  their  frequent  change 
of  company,  they  acquire  good  breeding 
and  an  openness  of  behaviour:  being 
employed  only  against  a  public  and  an 
open  enemy,  they  become  candid,  honest, 
and  undesigning  :  and  as  they  use  more 
the  labour  of  the  body  than  that  of  the 
mind,  they  are  commonly  thoughtless 
and  ignorant. 

It  was  a  saying  of  Menander  that  it 
is  not  in  the  power  of  God  to  make  a  polite 
soldier.  —  Men.  apud  Stoba»um.  Yet, 
as  Mr.  Hume  properly  remarks,  the  con- 
trary observation  with  regard  to  the  man- 
ners of  soldiers  takes  place  in  our  days. 

To  use  the  words  of  Caius  Marius,  a 
soldier  ought  to  glory  in  the  wounds  he 
i  receives  in  the  service  of  his  country, 
not  in  the  monuments  of  the  dead, 
and  the  statues  of  his  ancestors.  See 
Plutarch's  Lives. 

SOLDIER'S  ointment,  a  medicine  for 
a  horse  that  is  shoulder  splaited.  It  is 
prepared  in  the  following  manner:  — 
Take  12  ounces  of  fresh  bay-leaves, 
rosemary,  and  basil,  of  each  2  ounces, 
5  pounds  of  olive  oil,  1  pound  of  yellow 
wax,  an  half  pound  of  Malaga  wine. 
Bruise  all  the  leaves,  and  boil  the  whole 
to  the  consistence  of  an  ointment. 

SOLDIERSHIP,  (metier  de  soldat, 
Fr.)  the  profession,  character,  and  qua- 
lities of  a  military  man. 

SOLDIERY,  body  of  military  men ; 
soldiers  collectively. 

SOLDURIERS,  Fr.  a  term  ancient- 
ly used  among  the  French  to  signify 
those  persons  who  attached  themselves 
to  some  particular  general  or  military 
knight,  whose  fortunes  they  followed, 
in  consequence  of  being  paid  and  sup- 
ported by  him. 

Solduriers.  According  to  the  au- 
thor of  the  Nouveau  Dictionnaire,  these 
were  intrepid  men  among  the  Gauls, 
who  were  so  closely  attached  to  some 
particular  chief,  that  if  he  fell  in  action, 
they  fell  also,  by  continuing  to  fight,  or 
by  destroying  themselves.  It  is  said,  in 
Cesar's  Commentaries,  that  no  man  of 


SOL 


(    339    ) 


SOL 


this  class  was  ever  known  to  forfeit  his 
engagement.  The  word  comes  from  sol- 
darius,  a  man  sworn  and  devoted  to  his 
friend,  to  partake  of  his  good  and  ill 
fortunes ;  a  retainer  to  a  great  person, 
or  one  of  his  clan.  With  certain  modi- 
fications, the  clans  of  Scotland  come 
under  this  description. 

Barque  a  80LE,  Fr,  a  flat-bottomed 
vessel. 

Sole,  Fr.  a  horse's  hoof. 

Sole,  (plafond,  Fr.)  bottom,  he.  a 
term  used  in  fortification.  The  sole  of 
the  embrasure  is  the  under  part  of  the 
■embrasure.  Tn  embrasures,  for  cannon, 
the  sole  inclines  outwurds  ;  but  in  those 
for  mortars  it  inclines  inwards. 

Sole  of  a  horse,  a  horny  substance, 
which  encompassing  the  flesh,  covers 
the  whole  bottom  of  the  foot. 

The  sole  ought  to  be  strong  and  thick, 
and  the  whole  lower  part  of  the  foot, 
where  the  shoe  is  placed,  hollow. 

The  shoe  of  a  horse  ought  to  be  so 
set  upon  the  hoof,  as  not  to  bear  upon 
the  sole ;  for  otherwise  the  sole  would 
be  hurt,  and  not  only  make  the  horse 
lame,  but  corrupt  the  flesh  which  sepa- 
rates it  from  the  coffin  bone. 

Crowned  Sole  is  when  the  foot  is 
shaped  like  the  back  part  of  an  oyster 
shell,  and  the  sole  higher  than  the  hoof; 
so  that  the  whole  foot  is  quite  filled  up 
on  the  lower  part. 

High  soled,  when  his  sole  is  round 
underneath,  so  that  it  is  higher  than 
the  hoof,  which  frequently  causes  a 
horse  to  halt,  and  hinders  the  shoeing 
of  him,  unless  the  shoe  be  vaulted. 

SOLEIL,  Fr.  the  sun.  The  French 
say  figuratively,  as  we  do,  Adorer  le 
soled  levant,  to  adore,  or  court,  the 
rising  sun,  i.  e.  a  growing  power,  or  a 
presumptive  heir  to  a  crown,  &c. 

Soleil  fire,  an  artificial  fire-work, 
so  disposed,  that  when  it  takes  fire,  it 
emits  a  brilliant  light  from  a  fixed  cen- 
ter, and  resembles  the  sun  at  mid  day. 

Soleil  tournant  et  courant  sur  une 
corde,  Fr.  an  artificial  fire-work  made 
in  the  shape  of  the  sun,  which  is  so 
contrived,  that  it  moves  in  full  illumi- 
nation, either  backward  or  forward, 
along  a  rope. 

Soleil  montant,  Fr.  an  artificial  fire- 
work, so  called  from   its   ascending  in 
full  illumination,  and  scattering  fire  in 
various  directions,  by  a  desultory  move- 
*  nient.     It  is  likewise  called  tourbillon  de 
feu  ;  a  whirlwind  of  fire. 


Soleil  tournant  et  girandole,  Fr.  an 
artificial  tire-work,  which,  when  set  fire 
to,  resembles  a  sun  moving  round  its 
axis,  and  exhibiting  the  figure  of  a  giran- 
dole ;  which  see. 

SOLID,  (solide,  Fr.)  in  geometry, 
is  the  third  species  of  magnitude,  having 
three  dimensions,  viz.  length,  breadth, 
and  thickness,  and  is  frequently  used 
in  the  same  sense  with  body.  A  solid 
may  be  conceived  to  be  formed  by  the 
direct  motion,  or  revolution  of  any  su- 
perficies of  whatever  nature  and  figure. 

A  solid  is  contained,  or  terminated, 
under  one  or  more  planes  and  surfaces ; 
as  .1  surface  is  under  one  or  more  lines. 

Regular  SOLIDS  are  those  terminated 
by  regular  and  equal  planes  ;  under  this 
class  come  the  tetrahedron,  hexahedron, 
or  cube,  octahedron,  dodecahedron,  icosi- 
hedron. 

Iregular  Solids  are  such  as  do  not 
come  under  the  definition  of  regular 
solids ;  such  are  the  sphere,  cylinder, 
cone,  parallelogram,  prism,  parullelopiped, 
&c. 

Solid  angle  is  an  angle  made  by  the 
meeting  of  three  or  more  planes,  and 
those  joined  in  a  point,  like  the  point  of 
a  diamond  well  cut. 

Solid  numbers  are  those  which  arise 
from  the  multiplication  of  a  plane  num- 
ber by  any  other  whatsoever,  as  18  is 
to  a  solid  number  made  by  6,  (which 
is  plane,)  multiplied  by  3;  or  of  9  mul- 
tiplied by  2. 

Solid  problem,  in  mathematics,  is  one 
which  cannot  be  geometrically  solved, 
but  by  the  intersection  of  a  circle  and 
a  conic  section  ;  or  by  the  intersection 
of  two  other  conic  sections  besides  the 
circle. 

Solid  bastion.     See  Fortification. 

SOLID  A  IRE,  Fr.  consolidated.  An 
old  French  legal  term,  but  now  gene- 
rally used  to  signify  a  concentration  of 
good  qualities,  &c.  Thus  the  French 
Convention  declared — Que  les  armies 
ctaient  solidaires  de  gloire ;  that  the 
armies  had  consolidated  their  glory ; 
meaning  thereby,  that  the  victories  of 
one  part  of  the  army  had  been  added  to 
the  account  of  the  rest.  Solidaire  also 
signifies  responsible,  liable  to ;  as  part- 
ners are  answerable  for  the  commercial 
engagements  of  their  general  firm. 

SOLIDATUS,  the  Latin  word  for 
soldier,  or  for  any  person  who  carried 
arms  for  pay. 

SOLIDE*  Fr.     This  word  is  applied 


SOL 


(     340     ) 


SON 


not  only  to  the  solid  earth,  upon  which 
a  foundation  is  laid,  but  also  to  any 
thick  massive  body  of  mason-work, 
which  has  no  cavity  within. 

SOLIDITY,  (solidite,  Fr.)  is  the 
quantity  of  space  which  a  body  tills,  or 
occupies  in  length,  breadth,  and  thick- 
ness; called  also  the  solid  content  and 
the  cube  thereof.  The  space  or  soli- 
dity of  a  body  is  ascertained  by  making 
the  product  of  the  above  three  dimen- 
sions. 

Solidity,  in  architecture.  See  So- 
lide,  Fr. 

SOLINS,  Fr.  the  spaces  which  are 
between  the  joists,  or  rafters,  above  the 
beams. 

Solins  also  signify  the  lays  of  plas- 
tering along  a  gable  end,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  keeping  together  the  first  tiles. 

SOLITAURILIA,  (  solitauriles,  Fr.) 
sacrifices  of  three  things  of  sundry  kinds, 
as  a  bull,  a  ram,  a  boar,  which  were 
made  by  the  Romans  in  honour  of  Mars, 
the  god  of  war. 

SOLIVE,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  girder ; 
a  joist,  or  piece  of  wood  slit,  or  sawed, 
with  which  the  builders  lay  their  ceil- 
ings. 

These  girders,  or  joists,  are  made  of 
different  thicknesses  in  proportion  to 
their  several  lengths  ;  and  their  dis- 
tances from  each  other  are  usually  equal 
to  their  depths.  The  author  of  the 
Builder's  Dictionary  uses  the  word  so- 
live,  as  an  English  term.  Belidor  classes 
it  under  several  denominations,  viz. 

Solive  de  brin,  Fr.  that  which  con- 
sists of  the  entire  thickness  of  the  tree. 
This  kind  is  preferable  in  building,  to 
that  which  is  rounded,  cleft,  or  sawed. 

Solives  d'encheveturet  Fr.  the  two 
strongest  joists,  or  girders  in  a  floor, 
which  support  the  chevrons,  or  rafters. 
They  are  generally  made  of  round,  or 
uncleft  wood.  Those  pieces  which  are 
of  shorter  dimensions,  and  are  assembled 
in  the  roof  a  building,  are  likewise  so 
called. 

Solive  de  sciage,  Fr,  those  girders, 
or  joists,  which  are  cut  out  of  a  thick 
tree  according  to  its  length. 

Solive  passante,  Fr.  joist,  or  rafter, 
of  round,  or  uncleft  wood,  which  runs 
the  whole  breadth  of  a  floor  without 
any  beam  to  support  it. 

Solive,  Fr.  a  measure  used  in  taking 
the  different  dimensions  of  timber,  and 
which  is  supposed  to  contain  three  cubic 
feet;  thus  the  solive  in  the 


of  timber,  is  what  the  cubic  toise  is  with 
respect  to  that  of  ground  or  mason- 
work.  The  French  divide  the  solive  into 
six  feet,  which  they  call  pieds  de  solive, 
(which  see.)  The  pied  or  foot,  into  12 
inches,  called  pouces  de  solive ;  and  the 
inch  into  12  Tines,  which  are  likewise 
called  ligncs  de  solive.  In  order  to  form 
a  correct  idea  of  the  solive,  as  a  measure 
with  respect  to  all  its  parts,  it  must  be 
considered  as  a  parallelopiped,  whose 
base  is  a  rectangle  of  12  inches  in 
breadth,  upon  six  in  height,  with  the 
toise  for  its  length  ;  this  solid,  (or  paral- 
lelopiped) containing  three  cubic  feet. 

SOLIVEAU,  Fr.  a  small  girder,  joist, 
or  rafter. 

SOLTICE,  (solstice,  Fr.)  the  point 
beyond  which  the  sun  does  not  go ;  the 
tropical  point ;  the  point  at  which  the 
day  is  longest  in  summer,  or  shortest 
in  winter.  It  is  taken,  of  itself,  com- 
monly for  the  summer  solstice. 

The  Summer  Solstice,  (le  solstice 
d'ete,  Fr.)  is  when  the  sun  is  in  the 
tropic  of  cancer,  and  gives  us  the  long- 
est day,  which  is  about  the  middle  of 
June. 

The  Winter  Solstice,  (le  solstice 
d'hiver,  Fr.)  is  when  the  sun  is  in  the 
tropic  of  Capricorn,  and  gives  us  the 
shortest  day,  which  is  about  the  mid- 
dle of  December.  There  is  not  any 
solstice  under  the  equator ;  there  being, 
in  that  quarter,  without  variation,  equal 
day  and  equal  night. 

SOLUTION,  (solution,  Fr.)  resolu- 
tion of  a  doubt;  removal  of  any  intel- 
lectual difficulty. 

SOMACHE',  Fr.  brackish,  salt.  Tha 
mixture  of  sea  and  river  water  is  so 
called,  as  eait  somache. 

SOME-WAR,  hid.  Monday. 

SOMME,  Fr.     See  Sum. 

SOMMERS,  in  an  ammunition  wa- 
gon, are  the  upper  sides,  supported  by 
the  staves  entered  into  them  with  one 
of  their  ends,  and  the   other  into  the 


in  geometry.      See 
See  Summer,  in 
Sea 


side  pieces. 

SOMMET,    Fr. 
Summit. 

SOMMIER,  Fr. 
architecture  and  in  carpentry. 

Sommier  d'un  pont  levis,   Fr. 
Seuil  de  pont  levis. 

SONAILLER,  Fr.  a  term  used 
among  the  drivers  of  mules,  to  signify 
the  leading  animal  that  has  a  bell  tied 
to  his  neck,  which  they  call  sonuille. 

SONDE,  Fr.  sounding  lead ;  also  a 


sou 


(     841    ) 


SOU 


fnrobe,  or  any  instrument  used  to  ascer- 
tain the  nature  of  soil,  &c. 

Sondes,  Fr.  to  sound,  to  throw  out 
the  lead  ;  to  sound,  or  ascertain  the  na- 
ture of  ground  upon  which  it  is  intended 
to  build.  This  is  done  by  means  of  an 
instrument  resembling  an  auger,  or  large 
wimble.  This  is  forced  into  the  ground, 
and  from  the  sort  of  earth  which  is 
brought  up,  the  fitness  of  it  with  respect 
to  building  is  discovered. 

SONNANT,  Jr.  a  participle  which 
is  frequently  used  by  the  French,  to 
express  a  specific  period  of  time,  or  the 
nature  of  any  thing. 

A  5  heures  Sonnaxtes,  Fr.  at  five 
o'clock  precisely,  or  as  the  clock  strikes 
five; 

Argent  Sonnant,  Fr.  hard  cash. 
This  term  was  in  familiar  use  at  the 
commencement  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion, when  it  was  found  expedient  to 
pay  a  select  body  of  troops,  called  the 
gendarmes,  in  ready  money,  whilst  the 
aggregate  of  the  nation  took  paper  cur- 
rency, or  assignats. 

SONNER,  Fr.  to  sound.  Sonner  de  la 
trompette,  to  sound  the  trumpet. 

SONNETTE,  Fr.  a  machine  which 
is  used  in  driving  piles  of  wood  into  the 
earth ;  a  sort  of  rammer. 

SOODER,  Ind.  the  fourth,  or  lowest 
of  the  original  tribes  of  Hindoos,  as 
they  come  from  the  feet  of  Brama,  which 
signifies  objection.  They  are  obliged  to 
labour,  and  to  serve  when  called  upon. 

SOOKHBAR,  Ind.  Friday. 

SOORETIIAUL,  Ind.  statement  of 
a  case. 

SOQUENILLE,  Fr.    See  Sarrau. 

SORDET,      >     the    small     pipe    or 

SORDINE,  5  mouth  piece  of  a 
trumpet. 

SORN,  a  senile  tenure  in  Scotland, 
by  which,  formerly,  a  chieftain  might, 
with  his  followers,  live  upon  his  tenants 
at  free  quarters. 

SORT,  Fr.  fate;  lot;  destiny. — Sort 
de  la  guerre,  the  fate  of  war. 

Titer  au  Sort,  Fr.  to  draw  lots. — 
Ftre  condamnes  par  le  Sort,  to  be  con- 
demned in  consequence  of  lots  being 
drawn. 

SORTIE  e.vterieure,  Fr.  a  sortie  or 
sally  which  is  made  out  of  a  besieged 
place,  or  invested  camp,  when  the  be- 
sieging army  is  at  some  distance  from 
the  works,  and  which  is  consequently 
full  of  uncertainty  and  danger. —  Grande 
tortie,  a  sortie,  or  sally  made  by  a  large 


proportion  of  the  troops   in  camp,   of 
garrison. 

Sortie  intirieure,  Fr.  a  sortie  or  sally 
which  is  made  when  the  enemy  gets 
close  to  the  covert-way.  This  sort  of 
sally  is  less  dangerous  than  the  former, 
because  the  retreat  is  more  certain.  The 
Turks  are  remarkable  for  their  prowess 
on  these  occasions;  they  generally  con." 
mence  their  sorties  at  break  of  day* 
and  at  the  very  beginning  of  a  sieg( . 
The  ancients,  on  the  contrary,  always 
sallied  out  in  considerable  force,  at  mid- 
night. 

SORTIES,  in  a  siege,  parties  that 
sally  out  of  a  town  secretly  to  annoy 
the  besiegers,  and  retard  their  opera- 
tions. 

SORTINGUES,  Fr.  the  Scilly  Is- 
lands. 

SORTIR,  Fr.  to  go  out. — Sortir  sttr 
Vennetni,  to  rush  upon  the  enemy. 

Sortir  du  camp,  du  port,  Fr.  to  leave 
camp  ;  to  sail  out  of  port. 

Sortir  d  un  ptril,  Fr.  to  get  out  of 
a  scrape. 

Sortir  dcs  homes  de  la  discipline  mili- 
tuire,  Fr.  to  trespass  upon  military  dis- 
cipline, or  to  go  out  of  military  rules 
and  regulations. 

SOUBASSEMENT,  Fr.  base, 
ground-work. 

Soubassemext  de  colonnc,  Fr.  the 
base,  or  foot  of  a  pillar. 

Soubassemext  d'uii  t/wr,  Tr.  the 
foundation  or  ground-work  of  a  wall, 
which  is  carried  up  to  a  certain  height, 
and  is  generally  made  of  shards,  rubble, 
Sec.  It  is  thicker  than  the  rest  of  the 
wall,  or  that  part  of  the  wall  which  is 
exposed  to  the  open  air.  The  founda- 
tion, or  ground-work,  which  is  laid  under 
revetements  in  fortification,  contribute 
greatly  to  that  power  of  resistance 
which  is  necessary  against  the  pressure 
of  the  earth.  For  further  information 
on  this  head,  see  La  Science  des  Ingi- 
nieurs,  livre  i. 

SOUBREVESTE,  Fr.  apart  of  the 
old  dress  of  a  musketeer,  which  was 
somewhat  similar  to  a  close  jacket 
without  sleeves,  and  was  hooked  on 
each  side  like  a  cuirass. 

SOUCHET,  Fr.  a  kind  of  free  stone  ; 
also  the  last  layer  of  stone  in  a  quarry. 

SOUCI,  Fr.  care;  anxiety. 

Un  suns  SoL'd,  Fr.  a  person  devoid 
of  all  care,  &c. 

SOUDAN,   Fr.     SeeSoLDAN. 

SOI'DARD  on  Soudart,  Fr.  an  old 
5  P 


S  O  IT 


(     6-i*     ) 


SOU 


Trench  term,  signifying  soidaf,  or  sol- 
dier. It  is  often  used  in  familiar  dis- 
course,  when  the  subject  relates  to  a 
person  who  has  Berved  for  an}'  length  o( 
time.     Hence  un  vicux  soudard,  an  old 

.soldier. 

SOUDOYER,  Fr.  to  keep  in  pay. 
SOUDOYES,   Fr.  from  soudoyer,  to 
keep  in  pay.     This  name  was  originally 

given  to  a  body  of  men  who  enlisted 
themselves  under  Phi!i|>  Augustus  of 
France,  on  condition  that  they  should 
receive  a  certain  daily  pay  in  the  way  of 
subsistence.  Froissart  calls  all  soldiers, 
who  are  paid  for  doing  duty,  or  for 
going  to  war,  soudouis. 

SOUDRILLE,  Fr.  a  term  of  re- 
proach, signifying  a  dishonest  soldier; 
a  vagabond,  or  thief. 

SOVEREIGN,  supreme  in  power; 
having  no  superior.  In  Great  Britain 
the  sovereign  is  so  far  limited  with  re- 
spect to  this  explanation,  that  he  has 
no  power  beyond  the  legislative  dele- 
gation of  their  authority  by  the  two 
Houses  of  Parliament.  He  has,  how- 
ever, no  superior  with  regard  to  the 
army  and  navy. 

Sovereign  contempt.  This  expres- 
sion is  used  to  signify  contempt  that  is 
shewn  in  the  highest  degree. 

SOUFFLAGE,  Fr.  sheathing,  or  fur- 
ring of  a  ship. 

SOUFFLE,  Fr.  the  wind  of  a  can- 
non. 

SOUFFLFR  les  canons,  Fr.  to  scale 
pieces  of  ordnance.  This  is  done,  by 
means  of  a  moderate  charge  of  gun- 
powder, for  the  purpose  of  cleaning 
them. 

Souffler,  Jr.  This  word  is  used 
figuratively  among  the  French,  and  sig- 
nifies to  do  any  thing  underhand,  or  by 
stealth.  Hence,  souffler  la  division,  le 
feu  de  la  discorde,  to  sow  the  seeds  of, 
or  secretly  to  blow  up  the  embers  of 
discord. 

Souffler  vn  avancement,  Fr.  to  ob- 
tain promotion,  without  having  any  claim 
from  personal  service  or  merit.  To  rise 
by  underhand,  or  low  means.  See  Scab- 
bard. 

Souffler  le  froid  ct  le  chaud,  Fr.  to 
blow  hot  and  cold. 

Souffler  an  poil,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
farriery,  to  signify  that  the  pus  or  matter 
oozes  out  of  the  crown  of  a  horse's  hoof, 
through  the  hair  that  grows  round  it. 

Sovrn.ER  un  exploit,  Fr.  to  boast  of 
Some   exploit   which  has    never  taken 


place.  The  French  also  use  the  word 
souffler  in  an  absolute  sense,  to  signify 
any  fruitless  attempt,  or  wild  scheme 
to  become'  rich,  by  looking  after  the 
philosopher's  stone,  and  trying  to  make 
gold  and  silver  by  chemical  operations. 
Hence,  il  a  depense  tout  son  bien  a  souffler, 
he  has  spent  or  wasted  all  his  property 
in  visionary  pursuits. 

Souffler  un  vuisseau,  Fr.  to  sheath 
a  vessel. 

SOUIFLEURS,  Fr.  a  mean,  de- 
graded set  of  men,  who  get  military 
promotion  at  the  expense  of  neglected 
merit,  and  succeed  in  life  by  being  sub- 
servient to  the  vices  and  caprices  ot 
imaginary  greatness. 

SOUVFliE-iloulcurs,  Fr.  a  drudge. 

SOUFFLURE,  Fr.  a  cavity,  or  hole, 
which  is  frequently  occasioned  when 
pieces  of  metal  have  been  forged  in  too 
intense  a  fire.  Cannon  balls  lose  their 
required  weight  by  Haws  of  this  sort. 

SOUFFRIR,  FT.  to  bear ;  to  support ; 
to  meet.  Hence,  souffrir  tine  tempete,  to 
meet  a  storm. 

Souffrir  tin  siege,  Fr.  to  stand  a 
siege. 

Souffrir  une  attaque,  Fr.  to  stand  an 
attack. 

SOUFRE,  Fr.     See  Sulphur. 

SOUGARDE,  Fr.  guard,  throatband 
of  a  gun.  A  simi-circular  piece  of  brass 
which  is  fixed  beneath  the  trigger  of  a 
musket,  to  prevent  it  from  going  off  by 
accident. 

Souoardes,  Fr.    See  Dechargeurs. 

SOUGH,  (sous,  Fr.)  a  subterraneous 
drain. 

SOUGORGE,  Jr.  throat-band  of  a 
bridle. 

SOUILLARD,  Fr.  in  hydraulic  ar- 
chitecture, a  piece  of  wood  laid  upon 
stakes,  in  front  of  the  slopes  that  are 
between  the  piles  of  stone  bridges  :  it 
is  also  placed  between  those  of  wooden 
ones. 

SOUILLER,  Fr.  to  sully  ;  to  stain; 
to  defile. 

Souiller  ses  main*  de  sang,  Fr.  to, 
sully,  or  stain  one's  bands  with  blojd. 

SOUKARS,  Ind.  a  general  name  for 
bankers. 

Se  SOULER,  Fr.  to  get  drunk.  See 
Sobriety. 

SOULEVEMENT,  Fr.  insurrection, 
revolt.  t 

SOULEVER,  Fr.  to  stir  up,  to  excite 
to  insurrection. 

Se  Soulever,  Fr.  to  rise;  to  revolt : 


sou 


C     «4S     ) 


sou 


against  1         ueral. 


feo  mutiny.  L'arrnte  s'est  sou/evee  con/re  I  the  purpose  of  letting  out  the  air  and 
son  general ;  the  army  rose,  or  mutinied  wind  that  may  be  collected  within,  and 

which  must  naturally  impede  the  course 
of  the  water. 

SOURA,  Ind.  a  division ;  as  that  of  a 
chapter. 

SOURCES,  Fr.    See  Springs. 

SOURD,  e,  Fr.  literally  means  deaf, 
dull.  It  is  variously  applied  by  the 
French,  viz. 

Lanterne  Sourde,  jr.  a  dark  lanthern. 

i«V/zeSouRDE,  Fr.  a  hie  which  is  made 
in  such  a  manner,  that  you  may  separate 
pieces  of  iron  without  making  any  noise 
in  the  operation.  It  is  likewise  used  in 
a  figurative  sense — To  signify  a  person 
who  says  little,  but  is  always  meditating 


SOUMETTRE,  Fr.  (as  an  active 
verb,)  to  subdue,  to  overcome,  to  reduce 
to  subjection. 

Se  Sot  meitre,  Fr.  to  submit  oneself; 
to  yield 

SOUMISSION,  Fr.  submission. 

SOUMIS,  Fr.  in  fortification,  to  lie 
tinder,  to  be  commanded.  Thus,  one 
work  is  said  to  be  commanded,  etre 
soumis,  when  it  is  lower  than  another. 
The  same  signification  holds  good  with 
respect  to  heights,  or  elevations. 

SOUND,  (son,  Fr.)  any  thing  audible, 
noise;  that  which  is  perceived  by  the 
ear.  The  experiments  are  numerous  by 
which  it  has  been  found,  that  sound  is 
audible  to  the  distance  of  50,  60,  or  80 
miles  ;  but  Dr.  Hearne,  physician  to  the 
king  of  Sweden,  tells  us,  that  at  the 
bombardment  of  Holmia,  in  1G58,  the 
sound  was  heard  00  Swedish  miles,  which 
make  180  of  ours  :  and  in  the  fight  be- 
tween England  and  Holland  in  1072, 
the  noise  of  the  guns  was  heard  even  in 
Wales,  which  cannot  be  less  than  200 
miles. 

The  velocity-  of  sound  is  380  yards,  or 
1 142  feet  in  a  second  of  time,  as  found 
by  very  accurate  experiments.  The  ex- 
actness of  measuring  distances  by  sound, 
has  been  sufficiently  proved  by  measuring 
the  same  distances  by  trigonometry. 

Sound,  (sonde,  Fr.)  an  instrument 
used  by  surgeons  in  probing. 

Sound.  A  horse  is  said  to  be  sound, 
when  he  does  not  halt,  hot  or  cold. 

To  Sound,  to  betoken,  or  direct  by  a 
sound;  as,  to  sound  the  retreat.    Hence 

SOUNDINGS,  signals  made  by  any 
kind  of  instruments. 

SOUPAFE,  Fr.  every  part  of  the 
machinery  in  a  pump,  which  tends  to 
stop  the  water ;  also  the  sucker  of  a 
pump. 

SOUPENTES,  Fr.  the  braces  of  a 
coach. 

SOUPENTE  de  cliem'u\ce,  Fr.  an  iron 
hold-fast  which  supports  the  dosser  of  a 
kitchen  chimney;  soupenle  also  signifies 
a  loft. 

Soupente  de  machine,  Fr.  a  piece  of 
wood,  which  being  kept  perpendicular 
from  above,  is  hung  for  the  purpose  of 
sustaining  the  roll,  or  axle-tree  and  wheel 
of  a  machine,  as  is  the  case  in  a  crane. 

SOUPIRAIL  d'aqueduc,  Fr.  a  vent- 
holt  in  *   covered  aqueduct,  made  for 


something  mischievous,  or  injurious  to 
others. 

The  French  likewise  say,  sourdes  pra- 
tiques, pratiques  sourdes ;  secret,  or  un- 
derhand practices;  sourdes inenecs, men'ees 
sourdes;  secretor  underhand  ways.  These 
terms  are  always  used  in  a  bad  sense.  Tn 
mathematics,  the  French  call  those  quan- 
tities quuntitis  sourdes,  which  are  in- 
commensurable, that  is,  which  cannot  be 
exactly  expressed,  either  by  whole  num- 
bers, or  by  fractions.  Thus  the  square 
root,  or  racine  earr'ce,  of  two,  is  a  quan- 
tity gourde. 

SOURDINE,  Fr.  a  little  pipe,  a  mute. 
It  likewise  means  a  small  spring,  which 
is  fixed  in  a  dumb  repeater.  The  French 
make  use  of  this  word  in  a  figurative 
sense,  to  signify  literally,  without  noise. 
Les  ennemis  out  deluge  a  lu  sourdine;  the 
enemy  decamped  privately,  and  without 
noise. 

SOURIS,  Fr.  literally,  a  mouse.  For 
its  application  in  fortification,  sec  pas  de 
souris. — Le  souris  qui  na  quun  trou  est 
bientot  pris ;  the  mouse  that  has  only  one 
hole  to  run  to,  is  soon  caught. 

SOURIS  is  a  cartilage  in  the  nostrils 
of  a  horse,  by  the  means  of  which  he 
snorts. 

SOURNOIS,  Fr.  a  sullen  character. 

SOUS,  Fr.  a  preposition  which  is 
used  to  denote  the  state  or  condition  of 
one  thing  with  respect  to  another  which 
is  above  it,  viz. 

Sovs-tangenie,  Fr.  See  Sue-tan- 
oi  vr. 

Sous,  Fr.  under ;  close  to.  Camper 
sous  une  vi/le,  to  encamp  under  a  town  ; 
etre  sous  le  feud' un  bat ai Hon,  to  be  under 
the  fire,  or  exposed  to  the  fire  of  a  bat- 
talion ;  les  solda's  sont  sous  /es  armes,  the 
soldiers  are  under  arms ;  sous  les  d>~u- 
^P2 


sou 


(      844     ) 


SPA 


ptOUX,  under  the  colours ;  sorts  les  auspices, 
iiniler  the  auspices;  itre  en  sous-o?-dre, 
to  be  under  orders. 

Sous  bande,  Fr.  an  iron  plate  which  is 
fixed  upon  a  mortar  carriage  where  the 
trunnions  are  laid. 

Sovs-bassement,  Fr.  pattern  of  a  pillar; 
bases  of  a  bed  ;  socket. 

Sovs-brigadier,  Fr.  sub-brigadier. 

Sovs-ckevron,  Fr.  a  rafter  belonging  to 
a  dome,  or  to  the  roof  of  a  dome. 

Sovs-faite,  in  carpentry,  a  long  piece 
of  timber,  from  six  to  seven  inches  thick, 
which  is  laid  under  the  ridge  of  a  house, 
and  is  parallel  to  it ;  commonly  called 
under  roof  timber. 

Sovis-garde,  Fr.  throat-band  of  a  gun. 

Sous- gorge,  Fr.  throat- band  of  a 
bridle. 

Sovs-gueule,  Fr.  a  bridle. 

Sovs-tieutenance,  Fr.  under-lieutenant's 
place  or  appointment. 

Sovs-lieutenant,  Fr.  sub-lieutenant. 

Sovs-seci-etab-c,  Fr.  under-secretary. 

Sovs-ventriere,  Fr.  under-girth. 

SOUSSIGNE,  Fr.  underwritten. 

XeSoussiGNE,  Fr.  the  undersigned. 

SOUSSIGNER,  Fr.  to  undersign. 

SOUSTRAIRE,  Ft:  to  withdraw;  to 
take  away. 

La  SOUTE,  Fr.  the  powder  or  bread- 
room  on  board  ship. 

SOUTENEUR,  Fr.  in  a  bad  sense,  a 
bully;  a  bravo;  one  who  attempts  to 
carry  things,  by  noise  and  menaces,  in 
opposition  to  truth  and  reason. 

Soutexeur,  Fr.  a  supporter;  an 
abettor. 

SOUTENIR,    Fr.    to   maintain;    as 
ioutenir  le  combat ;  to  maintain  the  fight. 
Soutexir  le  feu  dc  I'ennemi,  Fr.  to 
stand  the  enemy's  tire. 


Soutexir  le  siege,  Fr.  to  hold  out  in  a 
besieged  place. 

Soutexir.     This  word  is  also  used  in 


capital  of  Brisgaw,  in  Germany,  and 
Figuieros.  The  latter  belongs  to  Spain, 
and  is  so  skilfully  and  so  solidly  con-- 
structed,  that  the  horses  of  several  regi- 
ments may  be  quartered  in  them. 

SOUTH  WARK,  a  dependency  of  the 
city  of  London.  All  musters  of  soldiers 
taken  or  made  in  the  borough  of  South- 
wark,  must  be  in  the  presence  of  two 
justices.     See  Mutiny  Act,  Sect.  21. 

SOUTIEN,  Fr.  a  prop ;  a  support : 
any  work  in  fortification,  which  props  or 
supports  another. 

SOUVERAIN,  Fr.  sovereign.  The 
person  in  whom  sovereignty  is  vested. 

SOUVERAIN ETE,  Fr.  sovereignty  : 
supremacy ;  highest  place ;  supreme 
power. 

SOW,  in  ancient  military  history,  a 
kind  of  covered  shed,  fixed  on  wheels, 
under  which  the  besiegers  filled  up  and 
passed  the  ditch,  sapped  or  mined  the 
wall,  and  sometimes  worked  a  kind  of 
ram.  It  had  its  name  from  its  being 
used  for  rooting  up  the  earth  like  a  swine, 
or  because  the  soldiers  therein  were  like 
pigs  under  a  sow. 

SOWER,  hid.  a  horseman. 

SOWGUND,  hid.  an  oath. 

SPADASSIN,  Fr.  in  familiar  lan- 
guage, a  bully.  It  also  signifies  a  cut- 
throat ;  a  fellow  who  is  regardless  of  hi* 
own  life,  and  attempts  that  of  another, 
for  the  slightest  offence  or  contradiction. 

SPADE,  (becltc,  Fr.)  an  instrument 
for  digging.  See  Intrenching  Tools, 
Mining,  Sfc. 

SPADROON,  a  sword  much  lighter 
than  a  broad  sword,  and  made  both  to 
cut  and  thrust. 

Spadroox  Guard,  a  guard  sometimes 
used  with  the  cut  and  thrust  sword,  and 


also  with  the  broadsword.  It  consists 
in  dropping  the  point  towards  the  right 
from    the  outside  guard,    till   it  comes 


the  French  drill,  and  signifies  -to  support :  under  your  adversary's  blade,  the  edge 
or  balance  the  body  on  the  right  or  left  .being  upwards,  and  your  wrist  at  the 
foot,  according  to  the  given   direction,   same  time  raised. 


The  point  upon  which  the  heel  turns,  is 
sailed  the  pivot,  (le  pivot.) 

SOUTE  RRAINS,  Fr.  subterraneous 
passages,  lodgments,  &c.  that  are  bomb- 
proof. 

There  are  several  lodgments  of  this 
description  in  the  different  fortified  places 
upon  the  continent.  The  most  remark- 
able are  those  at  Landau,  an  ancient  and 
strong  town  of  Lower  Alsace,  in  France; 
New  Brisach,  a  town  of  Alsace,  in 
France,  not  far  from  Brisac,  the  ancient 


SPADI,  an  upper  garment  made  of 
blue  cloth,  which  is  worn  by  the  Jani- 
zaries, in  the  same  manner  that  we  wear 
a  loose  great  coat,  or  surtout. 

SPAHILAR-AGASI,  Fr.  colonel-ge- 
neral of  the  Spahis.  He  has  the  same 
command  or  authority  over  them  which 
is  vested  in  the  Aga,  who  is  head  of  the 
Janizaries. 

SPAHIS,  a  corps  of  Turkish  cavalry, 
which  is  kept  in  pay  by  the  Grand  Signor. 
The  Spahis  do  not  possess  any  lands  as 


SPA 


(     845     ) 


S  P  E 


the  Zaims  and  Timariots  are  allowed  to 
do.  This  corps  is  composed  of  twelve 
or  fifteen  thousand  men,  and  consists  of 
the  Silhataris,  whose  standard  or  cornet 
is  yellow,  and  of  the  Spahis-Glanis,  who 
have  a  red  one.  When  these  troops 
were  first  formed,  the  latter  acted  as  ser- 
vants or  batmen  to  the  former :  they  be- 
came a  separate  class  or  troop  in  conse- 
quence of  their  superior  conduct  on  ser- 
vice, and  are  distinguished  in  this  man- 
ner :  they  are  armed  with  a  sabre  and  a 
lance,  which  they  call  misrack.  They 
likewise  make  use  of  a  long  dart  or 
javelin,  called  a  gerie,  with  an  iron  ferrel 
at  one  end,  which  they  throw  at  an 
enemy  with  surprizing  skill;  and  if  they 
should  happen  to  miss  their  aim,  they 
can  instantly  bend  from  their  saddles, 
and  catch  it  up,  whilst  the  horse  is  on 
full  gallop. — Others  again  are  armed  with 
bows  and  arrows,  and  some  have  pistols 
and  carbines.  When  the  Grand  Signor 
takes  the  field  in  person,  he  generally 
makes  a  present  of  five  thousand  aspers 
to  each  Spain.  This  bounty  is  called 
sadach-ackchiasi,  or  gift  to  enable  each 
man  to  purchase  bows  and  arrows. 

When  the  Spahis  take  the  field,  they 
march  in  rear  of  their  standard ;  but 
they  do  not  observe  any  particular  order 
of  route.  They  divide  themselves,  on  the 
contrary,  into  small  bodies,  and  advance 
in  the  most  desultory  manner. 

Besides  these  two  troops  of  Spahis, 
there  are  four  others  in  the  Turkish  ser- 
vice, which  are  only  called  upon  under 
circumstances  of  extreme  pressure  and 
emergency.  The  first  is  called  sag-vlcsigi; 
the  standard  is  red  and  white.  The 
second  is  named  sol-vlesigi ;  the  standard 
is  white  and  yellow.  The  third  is  styled 
sag-gureba ;  the  standard  green :  and  the 
fourth,  sol-gurebu ;  the  standard  is  white. 
All  these  Spahis  receive  a  daily  pay  of 
twelve  to  twenty  aspers ;  and  they  are 
subject  to  every  species  of  duty. — There 
are  Spahis  called  Timurs,  or  Timariots. 
See  Timariots. 

SPAHIS-GLANIS,  Fr.  See  Spahis. 
SPAN,  a  term  used  in  civil  architec- 
ture. The  span  of  an  arch  is  the  dis- 
tance between  the  imposts,  or  the  parts 
of  piers  from  which  the  arch  springs,  or 
on  which  it  rests. 

SPANISH,  a  vulgar  phrase,  used  prin- 
cipally among  sea-faring  men,  to  signify 
money. 

SPANNER,  the  lock  of  a  fusil,  or 
carabine. 


SPARUM,  a  kind  of  dart,  which  was 
used  by  the  ancients  in  war,  and  was 
shot  out  of  a  cross-bow.  The  wound  it 
occasioned  was  extremely  dangerous,  as 
its  point  was  triangular.  Several  of  these 
darts  were  discharged  in  a  volley. 

SPATHAIRES.       See     Protospa- 

THAIRES 

SPATTERDASHES,  a  kind  of  cover- 
ing for  the  legs  of  soldiers,  made  of 
cloth,  or  coarse  linen  waxed  over,  and 
buttoned  tight;  by  which  the  wet  is  kept 
off:  now  called  long  gaiters. 

SPATTS,  a  small  sort  of  spatter- 
dashes, that  reach  only  a  little  above 
the  ancle;  called  also  half  gaiters.  This 
word  is  seldom  used,  except  among 
common  soldiers. 

SPATULE,  spattle,  from  the  Latin 
spatula,  a  slice  or  instrument  which 
apothecaries  and  surgeons  use  where- 
with to  spread  plasters.  Also  an  instru- 
ment used  in  the  composition  of  gun- 
powder. 

SPAVIN.  This  disease,  in  horses,  is 
a  bony  excrescence  or  crust  as  hard  as 
a  bone,  that  grows  on  the  inside  of  the 
hough. 

Blood  Spavin,  a  distension  of  the 
sinews  in  a  horse  occasioned  by  extra- 
vasation. 

SPEAKING  trumpet,  a  trumpet  by 
which  the  voice  may  be  carried  to  'a 
great  distance.  It  was  formerly  used  in 
large  armies;  and  even  so  late  as  the 
siege  of  Gibraltar,  when  General  Elliott, 
(afterwards  Lord  Heathfield)  caused  the 
brigade  words  of  command  to  be  given 
by  means  of  this  instrument.  The  French 
say  porte-voix. 

SPEAR,  a  lance,  or  long  weapon 
with  a  sharp  point,  formerly  used  as 
a  manual,  or  missile  weapon.  See 
Lance. 

Major  Cartwright,  in  a  late  ingenious 
publication,  has  given  some  curious  par- 
ticulars respecting  this  weapon.  See 
.Egis  published  by  that  gentleman. 

Spear,  the  feather  of  a  horse,  called 
the  streak  of  the  spear,  is  a  mark  in  the 
neck,  or  near  the  shoulder  of  some  barbs; 
and  some  Turkey  and  Spanish  horses 
represent  the  blow  or  cut  of  a  spear  in 
those  places,  with  something  like  the 
appearance  of  a  scar.  This  feather  has 
been  reckoned  by  some  an  infallible  sign 
of  a  good  horse. 

Spear,  the  long  piece  of  wood  which 
is  fixed  to  the  body  or  beam  of  a  cheval 
de  frize.    The  spears  are  53  in  number, 


S  P  II 


(     846     ) 


S    P    I 


weighing  Clbs.  each,  are  three  feet  long, 
and  1J  inch  square.  They  are  placed 
9\  inches  asunder. 

Speak  hand  or  sword  hand,  of  a  horse- 
man, is  his  right  hand. 

Spear  foot  of  a  horse  is  his  far  foot 
behind. 

SPECTACLE,  Fr.  spectacle ;  show ; 
exhibition. 

SPECULATOR.  This  word  had 
three  different  meanings  aniont  the  an- 
cient Romans.  It  signified  a  spy  in 
war,  or  a  sentinel  and  a  scout;  it  also 
expressed  a  soldier  who  did  duty  at  the 
imperial  palace;  and  sometimes  it  was 
used  to  mark  out  the  person  who  did 
the  function  of  a  public  executioner. 
^  SPECULATORES.  According  to 
Suetonius,  there  was  a  body  of  men 
among  the  ancient  Romans,  which  was 
railed  caligu  speculatoria,(the  word  caliga 
signifying  a  sort  of  military  spatterdash) 
whose  duty  was  to  observe  the  motions 
of  the  enemy,  and  be  constantly  hover- 
ing about  him.  The  speculatores  were 
better  paid  than  any  other  soldiers,  on 
account  of  the  dangers  to  which  they 
were  exposed,  but  they  were  not  so  well 
clothed,  being  looked  upon  as  a  forlorn 
hope. 

To  SPEND.  Tins  term  is  used  at 
sea  of  a  mast  of  a  ship ;  when  it  is 
broken  down  by  foul  weather,  it  is  said 
to  be  spent.  It  is  sometimes  used  in 
military  matters  to  express  the  con- 
sumption of  any  thing ;  as  to  spend  all 
your  ammunition. 

SPENT  ball,  (boukt  mart,  balk  ?norte, 
Fr.)  A  cannon  or  musket  ball,  &c.  is 
said  to  be  spent  when  it  reaches  an 
object  without  sufficient  force  .to  pass 
through  it,  or  otherwise  wound,  than 
by  a  contusion.  Spent  balls,  however, 
are  frequently  fatal  in  their  effects,  espe- 
cially when  they  hit  any  of  the  noble 
p:ms.  It  is  on  occasions  of  this  sort, 
that  the  activity  and  skill  of  a  field  or 
ambulating  surgeon  are  absolutely  neces- 
sary ;  for  which  reason  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  these  useful  attendants  upon  an 
army  ought  always  to  accompany  the 
different  battalions  that  go  into  action. 
The  French  pay  the  strictest  attention 
to  this  branch  of  the  service.  Their 
flying  hospitals  are  not  only  well  sup- 
plied with  all  the  requisites  for  so  im- 
portant an  establishment,  but  every  de- 
pendent part  is  equally  well  provided. 
SI'IKEK/1^  or  Sphorac.  See  Cestus. 
SPHERE,  a  round  body,  of  which 


the  center  is  at  the  same  distance  from 
every  point  of  the  circumference ;  as  is 
the  case  with  shot,  shells,  &c. 

SPHERES  d'artifice,  Fr.  iron  hoops 
with  matches  steeped  in  combustible 
matter,  fixed  round  them.  When  there 
is  only  one  hoop  it  is  called  cerc/e  d'arti- 
fice; when  there  are  two  or  three,  one 
within  the  other,  the  assemblage  of  them 
is  called  sphere  d'artifice,  from  its  re- 
semblance to  that  figure. 

SPHERICAL,  round;  as  spherical 
case  shot. 

SPHEROID.  When  it  is  generated  by 
the  revolution  of  the  semi-ellipsis  about 
its  greater  axis,  it  is  called  an  oblong 
spheroid;  and  when  generated  by  the 
revolution  of  an  ellipsis  about  its  letter 
axis,  it  is  called  an  oblate  spheroid,  M. 
D'A viler  observes,  that  the  contour  of  a 
dome,  should  be  half  a  spheroid.  Half  a 
sphere,  he  says,  is  too  low  to  have  a 
good  effect  below. 

SPIES,     )  in  war,  are  persons  em- 

SPIALS,  $  ployed  to  give  intelligence 
of  what  the  enemy  is  doing.  They 
should  be  well  paid ;  for  he  who  pays 
them  ill,  is  never  well  served.  They 
should  never  be  known  to  any  body,  nor 
should  they  know  one  another.  When 
they  propose  any  thing  very  material, 
their  persons,  or  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, should  be  secured  and  kept  as 
hostages  for  their  fidelity.  If  they  are 
apprehended  they  immediately  suffer 
death. 

Spies  are  found  in   the  cabinets  of 
princes,    in    the    closets   of    ministers, 
amongst  the  officers  of   the  army,  and 
in   the  councils  of  generals;   in  towns 
belonging   to    the   enemy,   and  in  mo- 
nasteries,  &c.      The   greatest  generals 
strongly  recommend  them,  whatever  ex- 
pense they  may  occasion  ;    and  indeed 
a  commander  had  better  be  in  want  of 
many     particulars,   however   necessary, 
than   be   destitute  of  spies.      Nothing 
should  be  spared  to  procure  them;  and 
even  the  promises  made  to  them  should 
be  observed  with  the  most  inviolable  in- 
tegrity.     By   making   a  proper   use    of 
these  necessary  creatures,  the  most  secret 
designs  of  an  enemy  may  be  discovered, 
the  positions  his  armies  are  to  take,  the 
stations  of  his  fleets,  and  even  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  former  is  to  be  secured 
by  masked  batteries,  or  the  latter  be  kept 
firm  by  chain  moorings,  &c.  as  was  the 
case  otf  Boulogne  in  1800. 

When  a  spy  or  a  person  suspected  to 


S  P  I 


C     847     ) 


$  P  L 


be  one,  is  admitted  into  the  presence 
of  a  general,  it  should  always  be  so 
managed  as  to  have  his  face  opposite 
the  light;  by  which  means,  all  the 
changes  and  variations  of  his  counte- 
nance will  appear ;  and  few  persons  can 
sufficiently  command  their  feelings  to 
keep  down  the  natural  ebullition  of  th-; 
blood,  &c.  In  matters  of  considerable 
weight,  one  spy  should  always  be  placed 
to  watch  another.  The  French  adopt 
this  system  in  civil  and  military  diplo- 
macy. 

To  SPIKE  a  gun.  To  choak  up  the 
touch-hole  of  a  piece  of  ordnance,  so 
as  to  render  it  useless.  For  a  new  and 
effective  mode  of  rendering  the  touch- 
hole  of  a  piece  of  ordnance  useless,  ex- 
cept by  fresh  casting,  see  Varnish. 

SPIKES,  in  gunnery.  See  Hand- 
spikes. 

SPIN,  or  to  spin  hay,  is  to  twist  it 
up  in  ropes,  very  hard,  for  an  expedition; 
by  which  means  it  is  less  bulky,  and  less 
troublesome  for  the  cavalry  to  carry  be- 
hind them.  An  expert  horseman  can 
spin  five  days  forage  into  a  very  narrow 
compass. 

SPIRAL,  (spirale,  Fr.)  in  architec- 
ture, a  curve  that  ascends  winding  about 
a  cone  or  spire,  so  that  all  the  points 
thereof  continually  approach  the  axis. 

Spiral  tine,  (ligne  spirale,  Fr.)  a  curve 
line,  which  makes  a  circular  movement 
like  a  screw,  perpetually  diverging,  or 
going  off  from  its  center. 

Spiral,   ^  a  line  drawn  progressively 
SPIRE,   $  round  the  same  axis,  with 
n  distance  between  each  circle ;    as  the 
thread  of  a  screw.    See  Screw. 

SPIRIT,  ardour,  courage,  elevation, 
vehemence  of  mind,  genius,  vigour  of 
mind,  intellectual  powers  distinct  from 
the  body.  The  French  say,  caur,  cou- 
rage, fxrti,  ardeur.  Junius  has  very 
justly  observed,  that  one  of  the  surest 
indications  of  real  spirit  is  a  quick 
sense  of  shame. 

To  Spirit,  to  animate,  to  encourage ; 
as  to  spirit  the  soldiers. 

A  man  of  Spirit,  a  resolute  deter- 
mined character. 

Parti/  Spirit.  See  Party. 
SPIROLE,  Fr.  a  small  culverin,  which 
was  so  called  from  the  spiral  or  crooked 
direction  that  was  taken,  and  the  hissing 
noise  which  was  made  by  the  ball  shot 
from  it.  Hence  it  was  also  called  ser- 
pentine and  basilisk. 


SPLEGET,  a  cloth  dipped  in  any 
kind  of  liquor  to  wash  a  sore. 

SPLENTS,  a  disease  in  horses,  which 
is  a  callous  insensible  swelling,  or  hard 
gristle,  breeding  on  the  shank  bone, 
which, when  it  increases,  spoils  the  shape 
of  the  leg,  and  generally  appears  upon 
the  inside  of  it;  but  if  there  be  one 
opposite  it  on  the  outside,  it  is  called  a 
peg  or  pinned  splent,  because  it  pierces, 
as  it  were,  the  bone,  and  is  extremely 
dangerous. 

The  simple  splents  are  only  fastened 
to  the  bone,  at  some  distance  from  the 
knee,  and  without  touching  the  back 
sinew.  These  are  not  very  dangerous ; 
but  those  that  touch  the  back  sinew,  or 
spread  on  the  knee,  will  make  a  horse 
lame  in  a  short  time. 

Horses  are  also  subject  to  fuzes  in 
the  same  place.  These  two  are  splents 
joined  by  the  ends,  one  above  the  other, 
and  are  more  dangerous  than  a  simple 
splent. 

To  SPLICE,  (episser  un  cordage,  Fr.) 
to  join  together ;  as  to  splice  a  rope  by 
interweaving  the  strands  in  a  regular 
manner ;  or  two  pieces  of  wood  by  in- 
terlacing and  glewing  them  together. 

SPLICING  below  the  tail  pipe  is 
glewing  a  piece  of  wood  on  the  back 
part  of  the  stock  below  the  lower  pipe 
of  the  ramrod.  This  extends  to  the  nose- 
cap,  and  is  called  a  whole  splice. 

Splicing  above  the  tail-pipe  is  the 
same  process,  only  above  instead  of 
below,  and  being  generally  about  the 
middle,  is  called  a  half-splice. 

Splicing  under  the  trumpet,  or  upper 
pipe,  is  the  same  process,  and  is  called  a 
quarter -splice. 

SPLINT,  a  malady  incident  to  horses 
which  resembles  the  splent.  A  splint 
is  found  for  the  most  part  on  the  inside 
of  the  shank,  between  the  knee  and  the 
fetlock  joint. 

A  splint  may  be  known  both  by  the 
sight,  and  by  feeling ;  for  if  it  be  pinched 
matter  used  by  chirurgeons  to  hold  the 
bone  newly  set.  in  its  place. 

Splint,  a  thin  piece  of  wood  or  other 
with  the  thumb  or  finger,  the  horse  will 
draw  up  his  leg. 

SPLINTERS,  in  artillery,  fragments 
of  shells,  &c. 

SpLiy.TV.R-pi'oqf,  a  fence  or  guard 
which  is  provided  in  field  attacks  to 
protect  the  person  who  attends  in  the 
powder  magazine,  and  gives  out  ammu- 


S  P  R 


(     318     ) 


SPU 


nition,  from  the  splinters  of  shells,  &c. 
1 1  consists  of  a  shelving  sort  of  frame 

made  of  strong  timber,  through  which 
an  aperture  is  made  to  gi\e  out  the 
powder,  ivc. 

SPLINTS,  in  ancient  armour,  a  de- 
fence for  the  arms,  which  constituted  a 
part  of  the  suit,  called  an  almaine  n/vett. 

SPOKES,  the  bars  of  a  wheel  that 
pass  from  the  naves  to  the  felly. 

SPOLIA,  from  spolium,  among  the 
ancient  Romans,  spoils;  booty  taken 
from  an  enemy. 

Spolia  Opima,  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  those  spoils  which  a  subaltern 
officer  took  from  any  officer  of  distinc- 
tion belonging  to  the  enemy. 

SPONTON,  Fr.     See  Spontoon. 

SPONTOON  is  a  weapon  much  like 
a  halberd,  formerly  used  instead  of  a 
half-pike,  by  the  officers  of  foot.  When 
the  spontoon  was  planted,  the  regiment 
halted;  when  pointed  forwards,  the  re- 
giment marched;  and  when  pointed 
backwards  the  regiment  retreated. 

SPRAIN,  }  (cntorse,  Fr.)  a   misfor- 

STRAIN,  S  iunfe  incident  to  horses 
through  the  extension,  or  stretching,  of 
the  sinews  beyond  their  strength,  or  by 
a  slip  or  wrench.  These  strains  may 
happen  in  the  shoulder,  in  the  pastern 
or  fetlock  joint. 

To  SPRAWL,  to  widen  out  in  an 
irregular  and  unsoldier-like  manner. 
This  term  is  chiefly  applicable  to  the 
cavalry. 

SPRAWLING,  loose,  unconnected, 
wide  of  each  other. 

A  Sprawling  charge,  a  loose  and 
irregular  movement  of  cavalry,  instead  of 
a  close,  compact  forward  attack. 

To  SPRING,  to  give  vent  to  any  com- 
bustible matter  upon  which  gunpowder 
principally  acts  by  the  power  of  explo- 
sion. Hence  to  spring  globes  of  com- 
pression, &c.  The  latter  are  frequently 
used  for  the  same  purposes  that  sky- 
rockets, &c.  are,  viz.  to  serve  as  signals 
when  any  sudden  attack  is  to  be  made. 

Spring,  in  a  general  acceptation,  an 
elastic  body  ;  a  body  which  when  bent, 
or  distorted,  has  the  power  of  restoring 
itself  to  its  former  state.  It  is,  in  gene- 
ral, a  piece  of  tempered  metal,  which  by 
moans  of  its  elastic  force,  is  useful  in 
several  machines  to  give  them  motion. 
In  a  gun-lock,  the  springs  are  distin- 
guished by  various  appellations  accor- 
ding to  their  several  uses,  &c. 

Seer,  and  Seer  Spring.     The  seer  is  a 


piece  of  hardened  iron  or  steel  in  a  guff 
lock,  which  moves  on  a  pivot,  the  point 
of  which  is  received  in  a  notch  cut  in 
the  tumbler,  and  the  other  end  is  acted 
upon  by  the  trigger. 

The  seer  spring  is  a  small  spring*  which 
throws  the  seer  into  the  notch  cut  in  the 
tumbler  of  a  gun  cock,  when  the  piece  is 
at  half  cock,  or  full  cock. 

Feather  Spring,  or  Hammer  Spring, 
the  spring  of  a  gun-lock  beneath  the 
foot  of  the  hammer. 

Main  Spring,  the  spring  of  a  gun- 
lock  which  operates  on  the  tumbler,  and 
gives  force  to  the  cock. 

To  Spring,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
step  forward  with  a  certain  degree  of 
elasticity. 

Spring  up,  a  word  of  command  which 
has  been  occasionally  used  when  sections 
double  up.  It  signifies,  indeed,  the  same 
as  double  up,  and  is  sometimes  used 
singly,  as  Spring!  particularly  to  light 
infantry  men. 

To  Spring  the  fire-lock,  to  bring  it 
briskly  up  to  any  ordered  position ;  to 
the  recover,  for  instance. 

SPRINGER.     See  Voltigeur. 

SPUNGE,  (ecouvillon,  griffon,  Fr.) 
a  long  staff  with  a  roll  at  one  end, 
covered  with  a  sheep's  skin,  of  the  big- 
ness of  the  bore  of  a  gun,  to  scour  it 
after  firing;  and  to  prevent  any  sparks 
from  remaining.  It  is  sometimes  called 
merkin,  from  its  artificial  texture  of  hair 
at  the  end  of  the  staff. 

PyrotechnicalSpvHGES,  spunges  which 
constitute  the  black  match,  or  tinder 
that  is  brought  from  Germany,  for  striking 
fire  with  a  Hint  and  steel.  These  spunges 
are  made  of  the  large  mushrooms,  or 
fungous  excrescences  which  grow  upon 
old  oaks,  ash  trees,  firs,  &c.  These  are 
boiled  in  water  and  beaten,  and  then 
put  in  a  strong  lye  made  of  saltpetre,  and 
afterwards  dried  in  an  oven. 

To  Spunge  the  gun,  (  ccouvilloner  It 
canon,  Fr.)  to  cool  and  cleanse  the  bore 
of  a  piece  of  ordnance  by  means  of  a 
wet  spunge,  which  is  fixed  to  the  end  of 
a  long  pole. 

Spunge  of  a  horse-shoe  is  the  extre- 
mity, or  point  of  the  shoe,  that  answers  to 
the  horse's  heel,  upon  which  the  calkins 
are  made. 

Jingling  SPUR,  a  curious  spur  which 
was  worn  in  the  seventeenth  century. 
The  Reverend  Walter  I  [arte,  in  his  inge- 
nious translation  of  the  Life  of  Gustavus 
Adolphus,  King  of  Sweden,  has  furnished 


SQU 


(     849     ) 


SQU 


the  following  particulars    respecting  it. 
His  words  are — 

"  I  have  seen  one  of"  these  jingling 
spurs  which  was  found  in  the  Star  Park, 
on  the  famous  White  Mountain,  near 
Prague,  where  the  battle  was  fought  be- 
tween the  Imperialists  and  troops  of  the 
union;  by  the  event  of  which  the  Elector 
Palatine  lost  the  crown  of  Bohemia. 
The  spur  was  large  and  strong ;  it  was 
made  of  brass,  and  had  a  short  curved 
neck.  The  box  (from  whose  center  the 
rowels  came)  was  as  broad  as  an  halt 
crown  piece ;  hollow,  and  something 
more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch.  It  was 
of  bell  metal  gilt,  and  contained  three  or 
four  metal  balls,  about  the  size  of  a  small 
field  pea.  The  rowels,  which  were  ge- 
nerally four  or  six,  passed  through  the 
sides  of  the  box,  and  measured  near 
three  inches,  from  opposite  point  to  point." 
In  the  text  it  is  observed,  see  Essay, 
Vol.  i.  page  43,  that  it  is  thought,  these 
spurs  were  made  to  jingle,  in  order  to 
animate  the  horses,  and  keep  them  up  to 
their  duty,  without  goring  their  flanks 
unmercifully. 

SPURS,  in  old  fortificat ions,  are  walls 
that  cross  a  part  of  the  rampart,  and 
join  to  the  town  wall. 

Spurs,  instruments  fixed  to  the  heel  of 
horsemen,  with  which  they  can,  at  plea- 
sure, goad  the  horse  to  action. 

Spurs,  in  the  construction  of  a  wooden 
bridge,  are  braces  which  prop  the  two 
pillars  that  support  it.  The  French  use 
the  word  eperon. 

SQUAD,  (escouade,  Fr.)  a  diminutive 
of  squadron.  It  is  used  in  military  mat- 
ters to  express  any  small  number  ot"  men, 
horse,  or  foot,  that  are  collected  together 
for  the  purposes  of  drill,  &c. 

To  Squad,  to  divide  a  troop  or  com- 
pany, into  certain  parts,  in  order  to  drill 
the  men  separately,  or  in  small  bodies, 
or  to  put  them  under  the  direction  and 
care  of  some  steady  corporal,  or  lance 
corporal.  In  every  well  regulated  troop, 
or  company,  the  men  are  squadded  in 
such  a  manner,  that  the  most  minute 
concern  with  respect  to  the  interior  eco- 
nomy can  be  instantly  accounted  for. 

Aukwai-d  Squad.  The  aukward  squad 
consists  not  only  of  recruits  at  drill,  but 
of  formed  soldiers  that  are  ordered  to 
exercise  with  them,  in  consequence  of 
some  irregularity  under  arms.  This  term 
has  likewise  been  used,  partly  in  ridicule, 
and  partly  in  reproach,  to  mark  out 
those  officers  who  are  negligent  of  their 


duty.  A  well  known  industrious  Tacti- 
cian in  the  British  army,  frequently  uses 
the  expression,  in  the  latter  sense. 

SQUADRON,  (escadron,  Fr.)  a  body 
of  cavalry,  composed  of  two  troops.  The 
number  is  not  fixed,  but  is  generally  from 
80  to  120  men.  The  oldest  troop  always 
takes  the  right  of  the  squadron,  the  se- 
cond the  left. 

The  most  scientific  and  the  most  ex- 
perienced officers,  have  always  held  the 
cavalry  in  high  estimation.  The  services 
which  have  been  rendered  by  this  body 
of  men,  their  innumerable  successes,  of 
which  so  many  records  are  preserved 
both  in  ancient  and  modern  history,  to- 
gether with  the  unanimous  approbation 
of  those  authors,  who  are  considered  as 
masters  in  the  art  of  war ;  all  these  cir- 
cumstances sufficiently  evince,  that  ca- 
valry is  not  only  useful,  but  indispensably 
necessary  in  war.  Marshal  Turenne  was 
known  to  say — Avec  une  bonne  cavalerie, 
on  travaille  I'armie  de  son  ennemi  par  de- 
tail, with  a  body  of  good  cavalry,  one 
works,  or  harasses  the  army  of  one's 
enemy  by  detail;  meaning  thereby,  that 
the  desultory  and  rapid  movements  of 
dragoons,  if  properly  managed,  are  of  a 
nature  to  destroy  the  best  concerted  plans 
of  an  adversary,  by  hanging  upon  his 
Hanks,  driving  in  his  outposts,  intercept- 
ing his  convoys,  and  by  taking  advantage 
of  every  opening  during  the  heat  of  en- 
gagement. The  Austrians  had  a  me- 
morable instance  of  the  latter,  when  the 
French  General  Desaix,  at  the  head  of 
a  body  of  horse,  decided  the  fate  of 
the  battle  of  Marengo.  In  pursuits  the 
superiority  of  the  cavalry  is  unques- 
tionable. 

SQUARE,  (carree,  Fr.)  a  figure  with 
angles  and  equal  sides. 

The  Square,  a  particular  formation 
into  which  troops  are  thrown  on  critical 
occasions;  particularly  toresistthe  charge 
of  cavalry. 

Solid  Square,  a  body  of  foot,  where 
both  ranks  and  files  are  equal.  It  was 
formerly  held  in  great  esteem  ;  but  when 
the  prince  of  Nassau  introduced  the  hol- 
low square,  this  was  soon  neglected. 

Hollow  Square  is  a  body  of  foot  drawn 
up,  with  an  empty  space,  in  the  center, 
for  the  colours,  drums,  and  baggage, 
facing  every  way  to  resist  the  charge  of 
the  horse. 

Oblong  Square,  a  square  which  is  not 
at  right  angles,  but  represents  the  figure 
of  an  oblong,  whose  sides  are  unequah 
5Q 


SQU 


(     850     ) 


S  T  A 


Thus,  as  eight  companies  of  equal  num- 
bers would  form  a  perfect  square,  ten 
make  an  oblong. 

Perfect  Sqi  ar!>  a  square  whose  sides 
nre  equal  and  at  right  angles. 

The  perfect  square,  in  the  formation 
of  troops,  seems  best  calculated  for  mi- 
litary movements  and  arrangements. 
Battalions,  for  instance,  which  are  com- 
posed of  eight  companies,  with  one  hun- 
dred rank  and  tile  in  each,  are  equal  to 
every  species  of  disposition.  It  is  upon 
this  principle,  we  presume,  that  the 
French  have  distributed  their  infantry. 
British  regiments,  on  the  contrary,  con- 
sist often  companies,  and  are  so  com- 
posed that  no  square  of  this  kind  can  be 
formed.  This  is  manifestly  a  defect  in 
our  system.  It  is  indeed  remedied  by 
the  grenadier  and  light  infantry  compa- 
nies being  occasionally  detached,  or  cast 
into  separate  battalions  ;  so  that  the  re- 
maining companies,  by  being  told  off,  are 
brought  to  eight  equal  parts.  Tacticians 
will  perhaps  agree  with  us,  that  it 
would  be  better  to  have  seven  compa- 
nies flanked  by  a  subdivided  one  of 
grenadiers,  the  whole  being  so  equalized 
as  to  produce  eight  equal  parts.  In  this 
case,  the  light;  companies  should  be 
formed  into  separate  bodies  of  chasseurs, 
or  riflemen,  after  the  manner  of  the 
French. 

Shakespeare  uses  the  word  square,  to 
signify  squadron  ;  but  it  is  now  obsolete. 

Square  root,m  geometry.  The  squure 
root  of  any  number  is  that  which  multi- 
plied by  itself,  produces  the  square;  thus 
4  is  the  square  root  of  l(i. 

Square  number,  in  arithmetic,  is 
when  another  number,  called  its  root, 
can  be  found,  which  multiplied  by  itself', 
produces  the  square ;  thus  16  is  the 
square  number  of  -4,  and  9  the  square 
of  3. 

Square,  an  instrument  of  brass,  or 
wood,  having  one  side  perpendicular,  or 
at  right  angles  to  the  other,  sometimes 
made  with  a  joint  to  fold  for  the  pocket ; 
and  sometimes  with  a  back  to  use  on  a 
drawing  board,  to  guide  the  square. 

SQUARING,  in  mathematics,  signi- 
fies the  making  of  a  square,  equal  to  a 
circle.  Thus  the  quadrature,  or  squariug 
of  the  circle,  is  the  finding  a  square  equal 
to  the  area  of  a  circle. 

SQUELETTE,  Fr.  literally  means  a 
skeleton.  It  is  used  by  the  French,  as 
by  us,  to  signify  the  "remnant,  or  in- 
Complete  state  of  a  regiment,   viz.    JLe 


squelette  d'un  regiment,  the  skeleton  of  * 
regiment. 

Squelette,  Fr.  likewise  means  the 
skeleton  state  of  a  ship,  or  a  ship  upon 
the  stocks,  which  has  only  her  ribs  and 
first  timbers  laid  in.  So  that  squelette, 
among  the  French,  will  apply  either  to 
the  first  organization,  or  arrangement  of 
the  parts  belonging  to  a  work,  or  esta- 
blishment, before  it  is  completed,  or  to 
the  remnant  of  such  a  work,  or  establish- 
ment, after  it  has  been  completed.  In 
the  first  sense,  the  word  cadre,  frame, 
outline,  &c.  bears  the  construction  of 
squelette,  among  the  French,  as  cadre  d'un 
corps.  When  the  expedition  into  Bri- 
tanny  was  planned,  there  were  several 
cadn  s  of'  this  description.  They  con- 
sist-;d  of  French  noblemen  and  gentlemen 
who  were  to  organize  the  Chouans,  and 
to  receive  appointments  according  to 
their  respecthe  ranks,  .Sec.  &c.  Carcass, 
in  building,  signifies  the  same  thing. 

SQUIRE.  An  attendant  on  a  warrior 
was  formerly  so  called.     See  Armiger. 

STABLE,  a  convenience  well  known 
for  the  comfortable  reception  of  a  horse. 
A  stable  should  be  in  good  air,  and  upon 
hard,  firm,  and  dry  ground.  It  ought,  if 
possible,  to  be  built  upon  an  ascent,  that 
the  urine,  foul  water,  or  any  other  mois- 
ture may  be  conveyed  away  by  means  of 
trenches,  or  sinks,  cut  for  that  purpose. 

Brick  is  better  for  building  stables 
than  stone;  the  latter  being  liable  to 
sweat  in  wet  weather,  and  the  moisture 
causes  rheums  and  catarrhs. 

In  some  stables,  (in  those  for  instance, 
at  Woolwich,)  a  hollow,  or  cavity  with 
a  grating  over  it,  is  made  in  every  stall, 
into  which  the  urine  runs;  but  we  hum- 
bly conceive,  that  this  drain  is  highly 
prejudicial  to  the  horse's  eyes  ;  as  the 
saline  particles  must  collect,  especially 
in  summer. 

Stable  horse,  Ind;  that  part  of  Tip- 
poo  Sultaun's  cavalry,  which  was  best 
armed,  accoutered,  and  most  regularly 
disciplined. 

STADIUM,  (studion,  Fr.)  an  ancient 
Greek  long  measure,  containing  12.">  geo- 
metrical paces,  or  625  Roman  feet,  cor- 
responding to  our  furlong. — This  word  is 
formed  from  the  Greek  term,  which  sig- 
nifies station.  It  is  said,  that  Hercules, 
after  running  that  distance  at  one  breath, 
stood  still.  The  Greeks  measured  all 
their  distances  by  stadia.  The  Romans 
had,  likewise,  their  stadia,  derived  from 
the  Greek,  by  which  they  measured  dia- 


$  T  A 


(     851     ) 


S  T  A 


tartces.  The  stadium  at  Rome  con- 
rained  620  geometrical  paces.  Eight 
stadia  make  one  Italian  mile. 

The  Sl*A»iON,  among  the  Greeks,  sig- 
nified also  a  space  ot*  inclosed  or  open 
ground,  (containing  that  measure,)  where 
the  public  races  were  run. 

STAFF,  in  military  affairs,  consists 
of  a  quarter-master  general,  adjutant- 
general,  majors  of  brigade,  aides-de- 
camp, &c. 

Regimental  Staff  are  the  adjutant, 
paymaster,  quarter-master,  chaplain,  and 
surgeon. 

The  staff  in  India  consists  of  a  general 
Staff,  station  staff,  cantonment  and  gar- 
rison staff";  and  an  hospital  staff. 

The  staff  in  Great  Britain  is  compre- 
hended under  general  staff,  garrison 
staff,  district  staff,  and  staff  belonging  to 
-the  cavalry  depot  at  Maidstone,  and  the 
general  infantry  one  in  the  isle  of  Wight. 
There  is  likewise  an  hospital  or  medical 
Staff. 

&,  axf  of  command.     See  Battoon. 

Personal  Staff,  those  particular  offi- 
cers who  are  constantly  about  the  person 
of  a  general ;  as  the  military  secretary, 
aides-de-camp,  ike. — according  to  the 
nature  of  their  appointment ;  or  the  com- 
position of  the  arm  or  corps  to  which 
they  may  be  attached. 

Civil  Staff.  Under  this  head  may  also 
be  included  commissaries,  purveyors, &c. 
Upon  this  important  point  volumes  might 
be  written. 

Medical  Staff,  an  important  branch 
.of  public  service ;  on  the  good  manage- 
ment of  which  the  health,  and  conse- 
quently the  effective  vigour  of  our  bravest 
troops,  must  at  all  times,  in  all  seasons, 
and  under  all  circumstances,  depend. 
Various  rules  and  regulations  have  been 
framed  for  the  proper  administration  of 
this  branch.  The  following  indispen- 
sable form  is  called  for,  before  an  indi- 
vidual can  be  appointed.  It  is  necessary 
for  every  gentleman  who  is  desirous  of 
entering  the  medical  department  of  the 
army,  to  apply  to  the  inspector  general 
at  the  office,  (Berkeley -street,  Berkeley- 
square,)  and  to  pass  a  medical  examina- 
tion there,  as  well  as  a  surgical  one  at 
the  College  of  Surgeons.  After  which, 
the  first  appointment  is  that  of  Hospital 
mate,  from  whence  the  next  step  is  as- 
sistant regimental  surgeon,  then  regi- 
mental surgeon  ;  so  mi  to  staff  surgeon ; 
deputy  inspector,  and  inspector. 

Physicians  are  appointed,  under  the 


recommendation  of  the  physician  general- 
The  candidates  must  be  members,  or 
licentiates,  of  the  College  of  Physicians, 
or  be  graduates  of  one  of  the  Univer- 
sities. 

Staff-oo?'/>s,  a  corps  which  wa$ 
formed  in  July,  1799,  consisting  of  intelli- 
gent and  active  officers  and  men.  They 
are  chiefly  attached  to  the  adjutant- 
general's  department. 

Staff  corps  of  cavalry,  a  particular 
description  of  men  that  are  employed  for 
general  service  under  the  immediate 
controul  of  the  adjutant-general. 

District-SjATF,  a  specified  number  of 
commissioned  and  non-commissioned 
officers,  that  are  stationed  in  a  district 
lor  the  use  of  the  army  in  general,  and 
the  conduct,  &c.  of  recruiting  parties. 
The  officers  consist  of  a  paymaster,  ad- 
jutant and  surgeon,  who  are  under  the 
command  of  the  general  of  the  district. 

STAG-evil,  in  a  horse,  a  distemper 
which  is  a  kind  of  palsy,  in  the  jaws, 
which  frequently  proves  mortal,  if  it 
should  spread  all  over  the  body. 

It  chiefly  proceeds  from  the  horse's 
being  exposed  to  cold  after  great  heat. 

STAGGERS,  ^  in  horses,  a  disease 

STAVERS,  S  which  is  a  giddiness 
hi  the  brain,  and  often  occasions  mad- 
ness. 

STAKES.  In  former  times  the  archer* 
to  protect  themselves  from  the  attacks  of 
the  enemy's  horse,  carried  long  stakes 
pointed  at  both  ends  ;  these  they  planted 
in  the  earth,  sloping  before  them. 

Hammer  STALL,  a  piece  of  leather, 
which  is  made  to  cover  the  upper  part  of 
the  lock  belonging  to  a  musket. 

STALLION,  (cheval  entier,  Fr.)  an 
ungelt  horse.  A  stallion  is  also  called  a 
stone-horse. 

STAMP  duties,  imposts  laid  upon  pa- 
per that  is  used  for  legal  or  commercial 
purposes.  Proceedings  of  courts-martial, 
whether  copies  or  originals,  are  not 
chargeable  with  stamp  duties ;  nor  are 
the  receipts  given  by  officers  for  their 
respective  pay  or  allowances  ;  but  all 
commissions,  warrants,  &c.  fall  under 
the  duty. 

STAMPE,  Batte,  ou  Demoiselle,  Fr.  a 
large  rammer. 

STAMPER,  Fr.  to  beat  down  earth, 
&c.  with  a  rammer. 

STANCHING  blood,  (itancher,  Fr.) 

In  case  a  horse  should  happen  to  be  cut 

or  hurt,  fill  the  cut  full  of  wool  of  a  hare 

or  rabbit,  and  hold  it  for  some  tune  witk 

*Q2 


S  T  A 


(     852      ) 


S  T  A 


your  hand,  or  else  bind  it  on  the  part ; 
then  burn  the  upper  leather  of  an  old 
Shoe,  strew  the  ashes  among  the  wool, 
and  let  it  lie  on  for  twenty-four  hours, 
and  it  will  stanch  the  bleeding. 

STANCHIONS,  supporters  in  build- 
ing, from  the  French  elancons. 

STAND,  the  act  of  opposing;  thus 
troops  that  do  not  yield,  or  give  way,  are 
■aid  to  make  a  stand. 

To  Stand  the  enemy's  fire,  to  remain 
with  steady  firmness,  in  orderly  array, 
without  being  discomposed  by  the  shot, 
8cc.  of  an  opposing  enemy.  British  troops 
are  remarkable  for  their  coolness  on  these 
occasions. 

To  Stand,  to  have  an  erect  position. 
Every  recruit  should  be  taught  to  hold 
bis  body  in  such  a  manner,  that  he  feels 
himself  firm  and  steady  upon  whatever 
ground  he  may  be  placed  for  the  pur- 
poses of  exercise  or  parade.  See  Posi- 
tion without  arms. 

Tn  Stand  well  under  urms,  to  be  so 
perfectly  master  of  the  firelock  as  not  to 
be  embarrassed,  or  to  be  rendered  un- 
steady by  its  weight,  but  to  be  able  to 
preserve  a  correct  relative  position  of  the 
body  through  all  the  changes  of  the  ma- 
nual and  platoon,  &.c.  and  during  the 
preset  ibed  movements  in  parade  and 
field  exercises.    See  Position  with  urms. 

To  Stand  at  ease,  to  be  allowed  a  cer- 
tain indulgence  with  regard  to  bodily 
position,  with  or  without  arms.  See 
Ease.  It  is  likewise  a  word  of  command, 
as  Stand  at — Ease! 

STAND/'as/.  This  term  is  frequently 
used  ns  a  caution  to  some  particular 
part  of  a  line,  or  column.  In  the  first  of 
the  lineteen  manoeuvres,  for  Distance, 
the  gienadiers  are  directed  to  stand  fast, 
while  the  remaining  companies  march 
from  their  alignemeut  to  form  close  co- 
lumn behind  them.  When  a  battalion, 
drawn  up  in  line,  is  to  move  forward  in 
front  of  its  original  position  from  the 
right,  left,  or  center,  the  named  division, 
subdivision,  or  section  stands  fast,  and 
the  remaining  ones,  which  have  been 
wheeled  backward  into  column,  march 
towards  the  inward  flank  of  the  standing 
division,  subdivision,  or  section.  On 
the  first  of  the  moving  bodies  arriving  at 
the  inward  pivot  of  the  standing  one, 
the  latter  receives  the  word  march,  and 
the  former  wheels  into  the  ground.  The 
rest  successively  do  the  same.  By  this 
method,  the  leading  division  is  spared 
the  trouble  of  wheeling  back,  and  return- 
ing again  to  its  original  ground. 


To  Stand  to,  to  oppose  oneself  to  any> 
thing,to  be  resolute  and  determined  upon 
any  point. 


To  Stand  to  the  guns,  to  prepar 
takin 


e  for 
s  station  at  the 


action,   by 
guns. 

Stand  to  your  arms.'  a  cautionary 
word  of  command  when  soldiers  are  put 
upon  the  alert. 

To  Stand  fry  another,  to  second  and 
support  him,  let  the  consequences  be 
what  thev  niav. 

STANDARD,  that  which  is  the  test 
or  criterion  of  other  things. 

Standard,  ;i  measure  by  which  men 
enlisted  into  his  Majesty's  service  have 
the  regulated  height  ascertained. 

Standard,  in  war,  a  sort  of  banner,  or 
flag,  borne  as  a  signal  for  the  joining  to- 
gether of  the  several  troops  belonging  to 
the  same  body. 

The  standard  is  usually  a  piece  of  silk 
\\  foot  square,  on  which  are  embroidered 
the  arms,  device,  or  cypher  of  the  prince 
or  colonel.  It  is  fixed  on  a  lance,  t'.ght 
or  nine  feet  long,  and  carried  in  the  cen- 
ter of  the  first  rank  of  a  squadron  of 
horse,  by  the  cornet. 

Standards  belonging  to  the  cavalry. 
Standards  are  posted  in  the  following 
manner : 

The  King's  with  the  right  squadron. 
The  second  with  the  left;  and  the  third 
with  the  center. 

In  advancing  to  the  front  on  foot,  the 
advanced  standards  and  their  serjeante 
must  not  slacken  their  pace,  or  deviat* 
from  right  to  left,  as  the  lieutenant-co- 
lonel, or  leading  officer,  may  happen  to 
do  ;  but  if  he  be  in  their  way,  they  must 
call  to  him,  because  they  alone  regulat* 
the  march. 

The  standards  must  always  be  brought 
to  the  parade  by  the  troop,  viz.  by  that 
which  has  its  private  parade  nearest  to 
head-quarters.  They  must  be  accom- 
panied by  as  many  trumpeters  as  can 
conveniently  assemble  with  that  troop. 
Swords  must  be  drawn,  and  the  march 
sounded.  The  cornets  parade,  of  course, 
with  that  troop  to  receive  the  standards. 
The  standards  are  received  by  the  regi- 
ment, or  squadron,  at  open  ranks,  with 
swords  drawn,  officers  saluting,  and  the 
march  sounding  by  the  remaining  trum- 
peters. They  must  inarch  off  from  head- 
quarters, and*  be  lodged  w  ith  the  same. 
term. 

Royal  Standard,  (orifiammc,  Fr.)  a 
standard,  which  is  carried  when  sove- 
reigns accompany  their  armies  to  battle.. 


S  T  A 


Standard- fearer,  he  who  carries  the 
standard;  a  cornet,  ensign,  &c. 

Standard-  Bearer  to   the    Gentlemen 
Pensioners. — The  gentlemen  pensioners 
have,  tor  almost  three  centuries,  been  the 
nearest  guard  of  his  Majesty's  person, 
and  on  all  state  occasions  they  take  pre- 
cedence of  all  guards,  being  stationed 
close  to   the  person   of  the   sovereign 
Their  services  are  never  required  except 
upon  state  occasions.     The  honourable 
band,  as  it  is  termed,  consists  of  a  cap- 
tain, (who  must,  in  virtue  of  his  office, 
be  a  peer  of  the  realm,)  three  officers, 
and  a  paymaster.     There  are  2.5  gentle- 
men pensioners  who,  being  esquires,  are 
in  point  of  rank  equal  to  captains  in  the 
army.     They  are  occasionally  knighted, 
particularly  at  an  installation  ;  and  two 
have  always  obtained  that  distinction  at 
a    coronation.     The   standard-bearer  is 
the  next  officer  but  one  to  the  captain. 
The  band  of  gentlemen  pensioners  was 
originally  a  corps  of  staff"  cavalry;  each 
pensioner  being  provided  with  a  certain 
number  of  attendants  in  the  field;  whence 
the  appellation  of  standard-bearer  takes 
its  origin,  as  it  is  at  a  coronation  only 
that  the  standard  of  royalty  is  borne. 
At  other  times  the  baton,  or  silver  stick 
of  office,  similar  to  that  of  the  field  offi- 
cer in  waiting,  is  the  only  badge  he  wears. 
The  salary  is  .'310/.  per  annum,  subject  to 
the  land  and  other  taxes,  which  are  levied 
on  all  places  of  the  same  description,  and 
which  reduce  the  salary  to  about  240/. 
The  stipend  has   never  been  increased 
since  the  first  institution  of  the  band. 
The  situation  of  standard-bearer  is,  like 
the  rest,  to  be  purchased  ;  three  thousand 
guineas  have  been  given. 

Standard-H*//,  a  hill  in  England, 
near  Battle,  in  Sussex,  so  called  because 
William  the  Conqueror  set  up  his  stan- 
dard on  it,  before  he  joined  battle  with 
Harold. 

STANDING,  settled,  established,  not 
temporary. 

Standing  anny,  (armee  sur  pied,  Fr.) 
an  army  which  is  quartered  upon  a 
country,  and  is  liable  to  every  species  of 
duty,  without  any  limitation  being  fixed 
to  its  service.  The  lite  and  foot  guards 
form  a  part  of  the  standing  army  of 
Great  Britain.  The  militia,  but  not  the 
volunteers,  may  be  partially  considered 
as  such ;  the  adjutant,  non-commissioned 
officers  and  drummers,  being  in  constant 
pay,  and  a  third  of  the  quota  of  men, 
together  with  all  the  officers*  being  called 


(    833     )  s    T   A 

a  year  to  be  exercised  for  28 


out  once 
days. 

Standing,  rank,  condition.  It  like- 
wise signifies  length  of  time.  As,  such 
an  officer  is  of  very  old  standing  in  the 
army. 

STAPLES  are  loops  of  iron,  or  bars 
pointed  and  bent  so  as  to  be  driven  in  at 
both  ends. 

STAR,  (itoih,  Fr.)  a  mark  of  distinc- 
tion which  sometimes  is  conferred  upon 
merit,  and  is  always  attached  to  certain 
privileged  individaals ;  also  a  mark  of 
rank  among  field  officers,  which  is  at- 
tached to  the  strap  of  an  epaulette. 

Star  Chamber,  a  chamber  in  West* 
minster  Hall,  so  called  because  the  ceil- 
ing of  it  was  adorned  with  the  figures  ot 
stars,  where  the  lord  chancellor  formerly 
kept  a  court  in  order  to  punish  riots, 
forgeries,  &c.  This  chamber  was  ren- 
dered infamous  by  the  oppressive  mea» 
sures  which  were  resorted  to  in  the  reign 
of  Charles  the  First,  and  which  ended 
in  his  execution. 

Star  fort,  in  fortification.  See  Fort 
and  Forth  ration. 

STAHOSTIES,  Fr.  certain  tenures  or 
fiefs,  which  the  kings  of  Poland  formerly 
granted  to  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  tha 
country,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  them 
to  support  the  expenses  of  military  expe* 
ditions.  The  person  who  received,  out 
of  the  royal  domains,  a  fief  of  this  sort, 
(for  the  public  were  not  taxed  on  that 
account,)  was  called  a  Staroste.  Staroste 
also  signified  a  Polish  nobleman,  and  Sta- 
rostise  his  wife. 

ST  ATARI  US,  hence  stationary,  that 
•keepeth  in  his  standing,  and  doth  not 
move  from  one  place  to  another. 

STATARIUM  prandium,  that  the 
soldiers  eat  standing.  This  was  fre- 
quently done  among  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans, not  only  to  save  time,  but  to  enure 
themselves  to  every  species  of  military 
dispatch. 

STATARII  excubitores,  a  standing 
watch,  or  sentinels  who  were  upon  the 
alert,  and  did  not  sit  or  lie  down,  but 
stood  steady  at  their  posts. 

STATE,  condition  of  any  thing;  as  a 
weekly  state  of  a  regiment,  &c 

State  of  a  detachment.  The  differ- 
ence between  the  state  of  a  corps  or 
detachment,  and  a  mere  return  of  the 
same,  consists  in  this,  that  the  former 
comprehends  the  specific  casualties,  &c. 
that  have  occurred ;  whereas  the  latter 
gives  an  abstract  account  of  the  officer;? 


5  T  A 


(     854     ) 


STA 


and  Caen  in  :i  more  general  and  compre- 
hensive manner.  The  word  state  is  like- 
wise used  to  express  the  condition  ot 
every  tiling  belonging  to  the  equipment 

of  a  regiment ;  as,  state  of  anus,  accou- 
trements, &c. 

STATEMENT,  (expose,  Fr.)  a  plain, 
explanatory,  or  comprehensive  exposition 

of  any  thing. 

STATES,  nobility  ;  also  the  governing 
power  in  a  country  ;  as  the  states-general 
of  Holland  and  the  states  of  Venice  were, 
before  the  French  usurpation 

STATESMAN,  (homme a"  Hut,  Fr.)  a 
politician;  one  versed  in  the  arts  of  go- 
vernment. 

STATHOLDEIl,  (Stathouder,  Fr.) 
from  the  Teutonic  Studthalter.  Ac- 
cording to  Bailey,  this  word  signifies  a 
governor  of  a  province,  chiefly  that  of 
Holland.  The  author  of  the  Dietum- 
naire  Militaire,  says,  on  this  subject, 
that  Statholder  was,  some  time  back,  (al- 
luding to  the  period  before  the  Erench 
invasion,)  the  name  of  the  head  of  the 
Dutch  Republic.  This  title,  or  dignity, 
had  rank  with  that  of  sovereign  princes, 
although  the  person  invested  with  it  was 
subordinate  to  the  United  States,  in  the 
same  manner  as  the  Doge  of  Venice 
acted  under  the  Senate.  The  French 
writer  further  adds  ;  the  orthography  of 
this  word  is  not  right,  although  I  have 
followed  the  JDictiormaire  de.  CAcademie 
Frangaise.  It  must  both  be  written  and 
pronounced  Statholder — Stadthouder. 

STATHOUDERAT,  Fr.  the  dignity 
of  the  Statholder,  when  such  was  ac- 
knowledged in  Holland.  At  present  it 
is  absorbed  in  the  title  of  King  of  the 
Netherlands. 

STATICS,  (statiquc,  Fr.)  a  branch  of 
mathematics  which  considers  weight  or 
gravity,  and  the  motions  of  bodies  arising 
therefrom.  Those  who  define  mechanics 
to  be  the  science  of  motion  make  statics 
a  member  thereof,  viz.  That  part  which 
considers  the  motions  of  bodies  arising 
from  gravity.  Others  again  say,  that 
statics  should  be  the  doctrine  or  theory 
01  motion,  and  mechanics  the  application 
thereof  to  machines. 

Hydro-STATics,  (hydrostatiuue,  Fr.)  a 
science  which  treats  of  the  gravity  of 
fluids,  or  of  the  weight  of  solid  bodies 
that  are  immersed  in  any  liquid,  or  that 
float  upon  its  service. 

STATION,  \u  geometry,  a  place 
pitched  upon  to  make  an  observation,  to 
tide  an  an^le,  or  the  like. 


Station,  a  standing  place;  also  post* 
condition,  rank. 

Military  Station,  a  place  calculated 
for  the  rendezvous  of  troops,  or  for  the 
distribution  of  them;  also  a  spot  well 
calculated  for  offensive  or  defensive 
measures. 

Si'&tiqs -staff",  a  mathematical  instru- 
ment used  by  surveyors. 

Station  Orders.     See  Orders. 

Mortar  Station,  any  particular  spot, 
selected  for  the  placing  of  mortars,  or 
battering  pieces,  during  a  siege,  &c. 

Rocket  Station,  a  spot  chosen  for  the 
coin  enience  of  the  officer  who  has  th? 
management  of  the  rockets. 

STATIONARIUS,  a  sentinel,  a  gar- 
rison soldier. 

STATIONERY,  paper,  sealing-wax, 
pens,  Jkc.  for  which  an  allowance  is 
made  to  officers  on  the  staff. 

STATl  RII  Milites,  stationary  soldiers, 
or  soldiers  in  garrison. 

STATISTICS.  According  to  the  au- 
thor of  a  late  work,  statistics  are  that 
comprehensive  part  of  municipal  philo- 
sophy, which  states  and  defines  the 
situation,  strength,  and  resources  of  a 
nation.  They  constitute  a  kind  of  poli- 
tical abstract,  by  which  the  statesman 
may  be  enabled  to  caluculatehis  finances, 
as  well  as  guide  the  economy  of  his 
government ;  and  they  are  equally  useful 
in  ascertaining  the  military  resources  of 
a  country. 

STATIVA  Castra,  standing  camps. 
The  ancient  Romans  accustomed  their 
troops  to  remain  occasionally  under  can- 
vass, both  in  winter  and  summer;  but 
these  encampments  were  of  short  dura- 
tion. At  first,  they  were  only  for  a  single 
night,  and  they  were  then  named  lodg- 
ments :  but  if  they  lasted  several  nights 
they  were  called  Stutiva. 

The  winter  camps  were  always  better 
supplied  with  provisions  and  warlike 
stores  than  the  summer  ones.  Whilst 
Rome  was  governed  by  Emperors,  their 
armies  were  constantly  in  the  field,  or 
encamped  upon  the  frontiers  of  the  em- 
pire, both  in  peace  and  war.  They  were 
certainly  less  considerable  in  the  first 
than  in  the  latter  instance,  and  they  al- 
ways remained  in  the  camp  during  the- 
winter,  as  well  as  the  summer  months. 
Particular  care  was  taken  to  have  these 
camps  well  fortified,  and  abundantly 
provided  with  stores  and  provisions. — 
This  precaution  was  the  more  necessary, 
because,  iu  those  days,  there  were  not 


S  T  E 


(     853     ) 


S  T  E 


strong;  places  enough  along  the  frontiers 
or' the  Roman  empire,  to  prevent  the  in- 
cursions of  the  barbarians  into  the  dif- 
ferent provinces.  By  degrees,  fortified 
camps  grew  into  fortified  castles  and 
strong  forts,  and  even  into  fortified 
towns  ;  many  of  which  took  their  names 
from  the  several  legions  that  had  been 
encamped  upon  the  ground.  Stativa 
likewise  signifies,  generally,  quarters. 

STATOR,  one  of  the  standing  watch. 
It  also  signified,  among  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans, a  serjeant,  a  messenger,  or  any 
person  who  was  always  attending  about 
an  officer,  to  be  ready  at  command. 
The  term,  in  some  degree,  corresponds 
with  our  word  orderly. 

STATORES  Pratorii,  a  certain  de- 
scription of  soldiers  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  belonging  to  the  Imperial 
guard,  who  always  did  duty  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  Prajtorium,  or  general's 
pavilion. 

STATURE,  height.     See  Standard. 

STATUTE  duty,  (corvee,  Fr.)  The 
word  corvee  seems  derived  from  cura 
vice,  i.  e.  the  care  of  the  roads.  It  sig- 
nifies a  call  made  on  individuals  to  tar- 
nish labour,  and  materials  in  kind,  for 
the  construction  and  repair  of  roads. 
The  same  did  exist  in  England,  under 
the  name  statute  duty,  and  is  with  us, 
at  present,  under  very  proper  restric- 
tions ;  but,  in  France,  where  there  are 
no  turnpikes,  all  the  roads  are  made  and 
repaired  by  Government. 

STAVES,  used  in  ammunition  and 
other  wagons  or  carts,  are  round  and 
flat  sticks  between  the  summers  and 
side-pieces,  also  in  common  and  scaling 
ladders. 

To  STAY  the  hand.  To  stay,  or  sus- 
tain, a  horse,  is  to  hold  the  bridle  firm 
and  high. 

STAYS,  in  truck  carriages,  are  the 
irons  which  are  fixed  one  end  under 
the  fore  axle  tree,  and  the  other  to  the 
side-pieces,  in  the  form  of  an  S. 

STEAM  Boats.  The  Americans  claim 
the  honour  of  having  discovered  "  the 
art  of  navigating  a  vessel,  with  a  keel 
1G0  feet  long,  so  as  to  go,  by  the  force 
of  steam,  6'  miles  an  hour,  without  a 
sail,  and  against  the  wind  and  tide." 
The  idea,  however,  has  otten  been  prac- 
tically tried  in  England  ;  and  it  is  be- 
lieved, that  the  principal  merit  of  the 
discovery  in  question  is  owing  to  a 
native  of  Scotland,  born  at  the  Calton- 
kill  in   Edinburgh,  where  a  number  of 


ingenious  mechanics  reside  ;  the  son  of 
one  of  whom,  after  living  at  Glasgow  as 
an  engineer,  went  some  years  ago  to 
America,  and  having  a  mechanical  turn, 
completed,  with  the  assistance  of  an 
American  gentleman,  this  important  in- 
vention. Steam-boats,  as  they  are  called, 
are  already  established  on  the  Hudson, 
where  the  tide  runs  at  the  rate  of  six 
miles  an  hour;  and  in  the  Delaware, 
where  it  runs  four  miles ;  and  it  is  soon 
to  be  extended  to  the  Ohio  and  the 
Mississippi. 

Steam  boats  and  vessels  have  been 
lately  used  to  cross  arms  of  the  sea;  two 
regularly  sail  from  the  river  to  Margate, 
and  we  understand  it  is  in  contempla- 
tion to  try  them  across  the  channel. 
The  principle  has  been  also  successfully 
applied  to  iron  rail-ways. 

STECCADO,  the  lists  ;  a  place  railed 
in  for  beholding  a  combat  or  duel.  The 
tennis  Spanish. 

Steccado,  in  fortification,  a  sort  of 
pale,  or  fence,  which  is  raised  before 
the  trenches. 

STEED,  ahorse  either  for  state  or  war. 

STEEL,  particularly  applied,  mean* 
weapon  ox  armour. 

Steel  also  signifies  sword. 

STEELED,  being  tipped  with  steel, 
as  is  the  case  sometimes  in  a  horse-shoe, 
especially  if  the  animal  should  go  near 
to  the  ground,  and  occasionally  hit  the 
front  of  his  shoes. 

STEELYARD,  abalance  for  weighing. 

STEGANOGRAPHY,  (st'eganogru- 
phie,  Fr  )  the  art  of  secret  writing,  or  of 
writing  in  cyphers,  known  only  to  per- 
sons corresponding.  It  is  much  used  in 
war. 

STENOGRAPHY,  (stenographic,  Fr.<) 
See  Stereography. 

STEP,  (pas,  Fr.)  progression  by  one 
removal  of  the  foot.  It  likewise  signi- 
fies pace. 

To  Step,  to  move  forward  or  back- 
ward, by  a  single  change  of  the  place 
of  the  foot. 

To  Step  out,  to  lengthen  your  pace. 

To  Step  short,  according  to  the  Regu- 
lotions,  is  to  diminish  or  slacken  your 
pace.  This  step  is  useful  when  a  mo- 
mentary retardment  of  either  a  battalion 
inline,  or  of  a  division  in  column,  shall 
be  required. 

To  Step  out,  according  to  the  Regu- 
lations, is  to  lengthen  the  step  to  33 
inches,  by  leaning  forward  a  little,  but 
without  altering  the  cadence.     This  step 


S  T  E 


(     856     ) 


S  T  E 


is  necessary  when  a  temporary  exertion 
in  line  and  to  the  front,  is  required; 
mid  is  applied  both  to  the  ordinary  and 
quirk  time. 

These  phrases  are  frequently  used  in 
military  movements,  when  it  is  found 
necessary  to  gain  ground  in  front,  or  to 
give  the  rear  of  a  column,  &c.  time  to 
acquire  its  proper  distance.  The  officer 
who  leads  a  head  division,  should  be 
particularly  attentive,  when  he  is  or- 
dered to  step  out,  or  step  short,  espe- 
cially in  the  different  wheelings,  not  to 
lose  the  precise  moment  when  either 
may  be  thought  expedient  ;  and  in 
marching  in  open  column,  every  succes- 
sive officer  should  watch  the  seasonable 
moment,  after  a  wheel,  of  preserving  his 
relative  distance. 

To  Step  off]  in  a  military  sense,  to 
take  a  prescribed  pace  from  a  halted 
position,  in  ordinary  or  quick  time,  in 
conformity  to  some  given  word  of  com- 
mand or  signal. 

Balancing  Step,  (pas  d'ecole,  Fr.)  a 
step  so  called  from  the  body  being  ba- 
lanced upon  one  leg,  in  order  to  render 
it  firm  and  steady  in  military  move- 
ments, &c.  Men  at  the  drill  should  be 
frequently  exercised  in  this  step. 

Deploy  Step;  Lock  Step,  (pas  clc 
maiuruvre,  Fr.)     See  Lock. 

The  side  or  closing  Step,  (pus  de  cole, 
ou  pas  serve,  Fr.)  a  step  which  is  taken 
in  order  to  gain  ground  to  the  right 
or  left,  without  altering  the  front  of 
the  battalion,  or  of  closing  it  to  its 
center,  whenever  a  chasm  occurs  in  tlie 
line  after  it  has  wheeled  from  the  column, 
&c.  According  to  the  Regulations,  this 
step  is  performed  from  the  halt,  in  or- 
dinary time,  by  the  following  words  of 
command  : — 

Close  to  the  Right  —  March,  (Ap- 
pui/ez  ti  la  droite,  Fr.) 

Close  to  the  Left — March,  (Appuycz 
a  la  gauche,  Fr.) 

Back  Step,  (pas  en  arriere,  Fr.)  a 
Step  taken  to  the  rear  from  any  position 
without  any  change  of  aspect.  Accord- 
in.  to  the  Regulations,  the  back  step  is 
performed  in  the  ordinary  time  and 
length  of  pace,  from  the  halt,  on  a 
given  word  of  command.  It  will  be 
'■•  i  ally  recollected,  that  a  few  paces 
only  of  the  back  step  can  be  necessary 
at  a  time. 

Step  back,  March,  (en  arriere,  murche, 
Fr.)  a  word  of  command  w  Inch  is  given 


when  one  or  more  men  are  ordered  to 
take  the  back  step  according  to  the 
regulation. 

Quick  Step,  (pas  acc'elcre,  Fr.)  a  mi- 
litary step  consisting  of  SO  inches,  (of 
which  108  are  to  be  taken  in  a  minute, 
making  ','70  feet  in  a  minute,)  which  con- 
stitutes what  is  technically  called  quick 
tone  in  marching. 

Quickest  Step,  (pas  precipitin,  Fr.)1  a 
step  measuring  30  inches,  and  of  which 
120,  making  300  feet,  may  be  taken  in 
a  minute. 

This  step  is  applied  chiefly  to  the* 
purpose  of  wheeling,  and  is  the  rate  at, 
which  all  bodies  accomplish  theirwheels ; 
the  outward  file  stepping  33  inches,  whe- 
ther the  wheel  is  from  line  into  column, 
during  the  march  in  column,  or  from 
column  into  line.  In  this  time  also,  and 
by  this  step,  should  divisions  double, 
and  move  up,  when  they  pass  obstacles 
in  line ;  or  when  in  the  column  of 
march,  the  front  of  divisions  is  in- 
creased, or  diminished. 

To  Step  between,  to  interfere. 

To  Step  forth  or  forward,  to  take  an 
active  part  in  any  thing.  Thus,  when 
the  circle  was  formed,  the  grenadiers 
stepped  forward  to  beg  oil"  their  comrade, 
&c.  Ihe  officers  stepped  forward,  and 
remonstrated  against  their  colonel. 

Step  is  likewise  figuratively  used  to 
signify  promotion.  As,  the  next  step 
from  a  lieutenancy  is  a  troop  or  com- 
pany, and  from  that  to  a  majority;  ex- 
cept in  the  Guards,  who  have  the  exclu- 
sive privilege  of  going  over  this  inter- 
mediate rank,  and  stepping  into  a  lieu- 
tenant-colonelcy at  once.  The  Engi- 
neers enjoy  the  same  privilege. 

To  Step  over,  to  rise  above  another. 
This  term  is  generally  used  in  a  bad 
sense.  As,  young  men  of  interest  and 
connection  frequently  step  over  old  sol- 
diers. 

Step,  (echelon,  Fr.)  According  to  tha 
Translator  of  Rules  and  Regulations  for 
the  field  exercise  and  manoeuvres  of  tho 
French  infantry,  echelon  means,  in  a 
figurative  sense,  what  we  understand  by 
step  in  military  promotion.  See  Grades 
Milituires  in  the  Nouveau  Dictionnaire 
Militaire,  by  A.  T.  Gaigne. 

Step  and  Leap  is  one  of  the  seven 
airs,  or  artificial  motions  of  a  horse, 
being  as  it  were  three  airs. 

The  step  puts  the  horse  upon  the  hand, 
and  gives  him  a  rise  to  leap,   like  unto 


S  T  I 


©ne  that  runs  before  he  leaps,  and  so 
may  leap  higher  than  he  that  goes  every 
time  a  leap. 

STEPPING  off  to  music.  In  step- 
ping otF  to  music,  or  to  the  tap  of  the 
drum,  it  will  be  recollected,  that  the 
word  of  command  is  the  signal  to  lift 
tip  the  left  foot,  and  that  it  comes  down, 
or  is  planted,  the  instant  the  tap  is 
given,  or  the  music  completes  its  first 
note,  so  that  the  time  must  be  in- 
variable marked  by  the  left  foot,  and 
not  by  the  right,  as  has  been  practised 
by  the  Guards  and  the  Artillery,  until  a 
recent  regulation. 

STERE,  Fr.  a  measure  for  firewood 
which  has  been  adopted  by  the  French, 
.since  the  revolution.  The  stere  is  equal 
to  the  cubic  meter.  It  is  used  instead 
of  the  vole,  and  is  about  half  of  that 
measure.  The  Corde,  in  decimals,  an- 
swers to  3.305  steres. 
.  STEREOGRAPHY,  (stirtographie, 
Fr.)  the  art  of  drawing  the  forms  of 
solids  upon  a  plane. 

STEREOMETRY,  (stire'omitrie,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  measuring,  or  that  which 
teaches  how  to  measure,  all  sorts  of 
solid  bodies. 

STEWARD,  one  v.  ho  manages  the 
affairs  of  others.  In  all  well  conducted 
messes  belonging  to  military  corps,  cer- 
tain orhcers  are  named  to  act  as  stew- 
ards, for  some  specific  period.  These 
act,  conjointly  with  the  treasurer  and 
pay-master,  for  the  good  of  the  whole. 

STICK,  the  same  as  Baton,  an  in- 
strument of  dignity,  which  is  occasion- 
ally carried  by  persons  and  officers  in 
high  situations,  particularly  by  such  as 
are  in  waiting  near  the  royal  person. 

Stick,  an  instrument  of  punishment 
among  the  Germans,  and  attempted  to 
be  introduced  among  the  French  by  M. 
De  St.  Germain,  minister  of  the  war 
department  under  Louis  XVI.  No  such 
instrument  is  used  among  the  British. 

Gold  Stick,  an  officer  of  superior 
rank  in  the  Life  Guards  so  called,  who 
is  in  immediate  attendance  upon  the 
king's  person.  When  his  Majesty  gives 
either  of  his  regiments  of  Life  Guards 
to  an  officer,  he  presents  him  with  the 
gold  stick.  The  colonels  of  the  two 
regiments  wait  alternately  month  and 
month.  The  one  on  duty  is  then  called 
gold  stick  in  waiting,  and  all  orders 
relating  to  the  Life  Guards  are  trans- 
mitted through  him.  During  that  month 
he  commands  the  brigade,  receives  all 


S  T  I 

and  communicates  them  to  the 


reports, 

king.  This  temporary  command  of  the 
brigade  does  not,  however,  interfere 
with  the  promotions  that  may  be  going 
forward,  as  each  colonel  lays  those  of 
his  own  particular  corps  before  his 
majesty.  Formerly  the  gold  stick  com- 
manded all  guards  about  his  Majesty's 
person.  On  levees  and  drawing-room 
days,  he  goes  into  the  king's  closet  for 
the  parole. 

Silver  Stick.  The  field-officer  of  the 
Life  Guards,  when  on  duty,  is  so  called. 
The  silver-stick  is  in  waiting  for  a  week, 
during  which  period  all  reports  are  mad« 
through  him  to  the  gold-stick,  and  orders 
from  the  gold-stick  pass  through  him  to 
the  brigade.  In  the  absence  of  the  gold- 
stick  on  levees  and  drawing-room  days, 
he  goes  into  the  king's  closet  for  the 
parole. 

STICKLER,  a  sidesman  to  fencers, 
or  second  to  a  duellist ;  also  an  indi- 
vidual that  adheres  to  trifles. 

STEREOTOMY,  ( stir 'tot omie,  Fr.) 
the  art  of  cutting  solid  bodies ;  it  aleu 
means  the  method  of  cutting  stones. 

Mr-  Frezier  has  written  scientifically 
upon  this  subject  in  a  work  called  Traite. 
de  Stircotomte. 

STILETTO,  (stikt,  Fr.)  a  small 
dasger,  with  a  round  blade  and  sharp 
point. 

STINKPOT,  a  firework  made  of  of- 
fensive combustibles,  which  is  used  at 
sieges,  Sec.     See  Laboratory. 

STIPEND,  (saluire,  Fr.)  salary,  hire, 
wasres,  pav. 

STIPENDIARY,  (stipendiaire,  Fr.) 
that  serves  a  foreign  power  for  pay. 
Hence,  stipendiary  troops. 

STIPENDIUM,  wages,  or  pay  for 
soldiers.  This  term  was  applied,  among 
the  ancient  Romans,  to  the  money  which 
was  paid,  bv  way  of  subsistence,  for 
military  service,  and  which  only  took 
place  in  the  year  347  of  the  Roman 
sera.  Until  that  period  the  Roman  sol- 
diers, or  rather  citizens,  served  volun- 
tarily, and  without  pay ;  clothing  and 
subsisting  themselves  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  in  which  the  Republic  might 
be  engaged.  It  was  so,  likewise,  in  the 
early  days  of  Greece.;  among  the  Lace- 
daemonians, the  Athenians,  and  the 
Spartans,  who  never  paid  their  soldiers 
except  when  the  campaign  was  at  a 
great  distance  from  home.  The  pay  or 
the  foot  soldiery,  among  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  resembled,  in  some  degree,  th» 
5R 


S  T  I 


subsistence  which  is  given  to  modern 
soldiers ;  being  equally  subject  to  de- 
ductions tor  arms,  accoutrements,  ne- 
cessaries, &c.  But  the  cavalry  of  the 
ancients  was  more  amply  supplied  than 
that  of  the  moderns  in  every  respect, 
and  better  paid. 

STRATOCRACY,  (stiratocratie, 
Fr.)  a  government  in  which  military 
power  has  the  ascendancy. 

STIFF  legs,  a  disease  in  horses,  un- 
der which  are  also  comprehended  dried, 
decayed,  or  bruised  legs. 

STIFLE,  in  a  horse,  a  large  muscle, 
or  that  part  of  the  hind  leg  which  ad- 
vances towards  his  belly.  It  is  a  most 
dangerous  part  to  receive  a  blow  upon. 

Sthle-7'o/h^,  in  a  horse,  the  first  joint 
next  the  buttock,  and  above  the  thigh. 

STIFLED-/«orse,  whose  leg  bone  is 
put  out,  or  the  joint  rouch  hurt. 

STIFLING,  a  malady  which  acci- 
dentally befals  a  horse  either  by  some 
strain,  by  leaping,  or  by  a  slip  in  the 
stable,  or  on  travelling,  or  else  by  some 
blow,  which  either  puts  out  the  stijle- 
bone,  or  hurts  and  strains  the  joint. 

STILES,  in  joinery,  &c.  are  the  up- 
right pieces,  which  go  from  the  bottom 
to  the  top  in  any  wainscoat. 

STIRRUP,  (itrier,  Fr.)  a  well  known 
iron  frame  fastened  to  a  saddle  with  a 
thong  of  leather,  for  the  foot  of  the  rider 
to  rest  upon. 

It  is  observed,  in  a  publication  en- 
tituled  the  Sportsman's  Dictionary,  that 
you  should  bear  vigorously  upon  your 
stirrup  when  you  have  your  foot  in  it, 
and  hold  the  point  of  your  foot  higher 
than  your  heel. 

When  you  would  stop  your  horse,  you 
must  bear  upon  your  stirrups. 

You  should  keep  your  right  stirrup 
half  a  point  shorter  than  the  left,  for 
in  combat  the  horseman  bears  and  rests 
more  upon  the  right ;  which  also,  from 
the  weight  of  the  sword,  carbine,  &c. 
renders  that  side  heavier  than  the  left, 
and  the  pressure  consequently  greater. 
Besides  in  mounting,  the  facility  is  in- 
creased by  the  imperceptible  length  of 
the  left  stirrup. 

To  lose  one's  Stirrups,  to  suffer  them 
to  slip  from  the  foot ;  this  may  happen 
from  the  coxcombical  practice  of  resting 
upon  the  toe  instead  of  the  ball  of  the 
foot,  which  is  the  true  fulcrum. 

Stirrup/oo^  is  the  left  foot. 
Stirrup  leather  is  a  lathe  or  thong 
•f  leather  descending  from  the  saddle, 


(     853     )  S   T    O 

down   by  the  horse's  ribs,  upon  which 
the  stirrups  hang. 

STiRRUP-fawer,  an  end  of  leather 
made  fast  to  the  end  of  the  saddle,  to 
truss  up  the  stirrups  when  the  rider  is 
alighted,  and  the  horse  sent  to  the  stable. 

STOCCADO,  a  push  or  thrust  with 
a  rapier. 

STOLE.     See  Order  of'  the  Stole. 

STOCK,  the  whole  of  the  wooden 
part  of  a  musket  or  pistol. 

Stock,  (col,  Fr.)  a  part  of  an  officer's 
dress,  which  consists  generally  of  black, 
silk  or  velvet,  and  is  worn  round  the 
neck  instead  of  a  neckcloth.  The  sol- 
dier's stock  is  of  black  ribbed  leather", 
and  is  part  of  his  small  mounting.  Red 
stocks  were  formerly  worn  in  the  Guards ; 
they  are  still  so  in  some  Prussian  regi- 
ments. 

As  his  Majesty  has  been  graciously 
pleased  to  relieve  the  British  soldier 
from  a  load  of  grease,  &c.  by  dispensing 
with  clubs  and  tails,  we  cannot  forbear 
expressing  a  wish,  that  the  same  hu- 
mane attention  could  be  paid  to  the 
stiff  piece  of  leather  in  which  his  neck  is 
confined.  One  of  the  punishments,  still 
existing  among  the  French,  and  frequent- 
ly resorted  to  during  the  old  monarchy, 
is  the  carcan  or  iron  collar.  We  men- 
tion this,  circumstance,  because,  we  ho- 
nestly believe,  that  hundreds,  among  our 
brave  soldiers,  would  sooner  be  put 
into  the  black  hole,  or  even  suffer  cor- 
poral punishment,  than  be  doomed  to 
have  their  necks  so  dreadfully  hampered. 
Indeed  we  may  appeal  to  those  officers 
who  have  been  in  warm  climates,  -or 
upon  service,  to  acknowledge  the  pro- 
priety of  this  remark.  They  will  say, 
that  soldiers  sieze  the  first  opportunity 
to  get  rid  of  this  galling  encumbrance. 

Stock  purse,  (masse,  Fr.)  a  certain 
saving  which  is  made  in  a  corps,  and 
which  is  applied  to  regimental  purposes. 
In  some  corps  this  fund  is  so  honestly 
managed,  that,  without  encroaching 
upon  the  public,  the  most  beneficial 
effects  are  produced  :  in  others  again, 
it  is  so  mysteriously  handled  between 
commanding  officers  and  paymasters, 
that  it  becomes  a  perpetual  source  of 
discontent  and  jealousy. 

Stock  purse  in  his  Majesty's  Foot 
Guards,  a  fund  which  is.  created  at  th« 
expense  of  the  effective  state  of  every 
company,  and  regularly  shared  among 
the  captains  who  rank,  as  lieutenant- 
colonels  in  the  line. 


STO 


(     859     ) 


STO 


STOCKS  for  building  ships,  (chantier, 
Fr.)  certain  places,  on  the  sides  of  rivers 
or  up  creeks,  which  are  appropriated  to 
the  construction  of  vessels,  Sec. 

Elm  Stocks,  the  naves  of  wheels  for 
field  carriages  are  so  called  in  the  ord- 
nance service. 

STOMPER,  Fr.  to  sketch  out  a  de- 
sign, or  to  draw  with  colours  that  have 
been  pounded  into  dust.  Instead  of  the 
pencil  or  crayon,  a  roll  of  paper  which  is 
dipt  into  the  coloured  dust,  serves  to  put 
on  the  different  colours. 

STONES,  in  military  architecture, 
may  be  distinguished  into  two  sorts ; 
that  is,  into  hard  and  soft :  hard  stone 
is  that  which  is  exposed  to  the  open 
air,  such  as  rocks,  and  which  lies  loose 
upon  the  surface  of  the  earth :  the  soft 
stone  is  that  which  is  found  in  quarries, 
and  under  ground.  It  is  undoubtedly 
true,  that  the  hardest  stones  make  the 
most  durable  works ;  but  as  there  is 
seldom  a  sufficient  quantity  to  huild 
the  whole  fortification,  the  best  serve  in 
the  facings  of  the  building,  in  the  found- 
ations, and  where  the  works  are  exposed 
to  the  violence  of  the  waves. 

The  stones  of  some  quarries  are  very 
soft,  and  easily  worked,  when  first  cut 
out ;  but  when  exposed  for  some  time 
to  the  open  air,  become  very  hard  and 
durable. 

As  there  is  undoubtedly  a  kind  of 
sap  in  stones,  as  well  us  in  timber,  by 
which  the  same  sort  of  stone,  taken  out 
of  the  same  quarry,  at  one  season,  will 
moulder  away  in  a  few  winters,  but, 
when  dug  out  in  another  season,  will  re- 
gist  the  weather  for  many  ages  ;  stones 
should  always  be  dug  in  the  spring,  that 
they  may  have  time  to  dry  before  the 
cold  weather  comes  in  ;  for  the  heat  of 
the  sun  will  extract  the  greatest  part  of 
the  moisture,  which  otherwise  expands 
in  frosty  weather,  and  causes  the  stone 
to  splinter,  although  it  be  otherwise  hard 
and  good. 

As  stones  lie  in  the  quarries  in  hori- 
zontal beds  or  strata,  (that  is,  they 
cleave  in  that  direction,)  and  have  like- 
wise a  breaking  vein,  which  is  perpen- 
dicular to  the  former ;  both  these  direc- 
tions must  be  observed  in  cleaving,  as 
well  as  in  raising  them  out  of  their  beds. 
Stones  that  will  not  easily  cleave,  must 
be  blown  up  by  gunpowder. 

Marble  is  of  various  sorts  and  colours; 
the  most  beautiful  of  which  is  imported 
from   abroad.      The    marble  found  in 


England  is  mostly  blackish,  and  so  very 
hard  and  difficult  to  polish,  that  very 
little  use  is  made  of  it,  except  to  burn 
and  make  lime. 

-Fire -Stone  comes  from  Reygate, 
and  serves  chiefly  for  chimnies,  hearths, 
ovens,  furnaces,  and  stones ;  being  a 
dry,  porous,  gritty  stone,  which  bears 
the  heat  without  breaking :  on  account 
of  this  quality,  it  is  called  fire-stone. 

Purbeck-$TO*E  is  a  hard,  greyish 
stone,  and  serves  chiefly  for  paving, 
coping  of  walls,  and  for  all  such  other 
uses  where  strength  is  required ;  it  be- 
ing the  most  hard  and  durable  stone, 
except  the  Plymouth  marble.  It  is 
found  on  Purbeck  island. 

Rag-SronT.  is  of  a  bluish  colour,  and 
commonly  used  in  paving;  but  there  is 
a  stone  called  Kentish  rag,  that  is  very 
useful  in  building :  it  splits  very  easily, 
and  yet  is  very  hard. 

I'rec-STONE,  more  generally  called 
Portland-stone  ;  it  is  a  fine  whitish  stone, 
without  any  veins.  This  stone  is  very 
soft  when  it  comes  out  of  the  quarry,  is 
easy  to  be  worked,  and  becomes  very  hard 
in  time.  Hence  it  is  very  fit  for  military 
works. 

Alabaster  is  a  clear  whitish  stone,  not 
unlike  coarse  marble.  It  is  plentiful  in 
some  parts  of  Italy :  but  there  is  none 
to  be  tbund  in  England.  It  is  to  be  had 
in  great  abundance  in  Scotland,  and 
makes  the  very  best  lime. 

Whin,  or  Aberdeen  whin,  is  of  a  greyish 
colour,  intermixed  with  veins,  not  unlike 
coarse  marble.  This  stone  is  fittest  of 
any  for  military  works  :  because  it  with- 
stands the  weather,  and  the  violence  of 
the  waves,  better  than  any  stone  found 
in  England. 

Russian  Stone,  commonly  called  As- 
bastos.  Cloth,  which  is  proof  against 
fire,  may  be  fabricated  out  of  this  stone, 
when  decomposed.  It  is  indigenous  to 
Russia. 

Keep-STOJS  e,  center  stone  in  a  chimney 
piece. 

.Key-STONE  of  an  arch  is  the  middle 
stone  of  an  arch  to  bind  the  sweep  of  the 
arch  together. 

Stone-.s7u>£.  The  ancient  bombards 
were  sometimes  very  large,  and  chiefly 
discharged  stone  balls  of  a  monstrous 
size.  There  is  an  order  extant  in  Rymer, 
from  King  Henry  V.  to  the  clerk  of  the 
ordnance,  and  John  Bonet,  a  mason  of 
Maidstone,  to  cut  7000  stone-shot  in 
the  quarries  there. 
5  112 


S  T  O 


(     860     ) 


S  T  O 


'  STOP.     To  form  a  stop  in  horseman  - 
ship  is  to  stop  upon  the  haunches. 

Half  a  Stop,  a  stop  not  finished, 
but  a  pesate;  so  that  the  horse,  after 
falcading  three  or  four  times  upon  the 
haunches,  resumes  and  continues  his 
gallop,  without  making  pesates  or  cur- 
ved. 

STOPPAGES,  in  a  military  sense, 
deductions  from  a  soldier's- pay  the  better 
to  provide  him  with  necessaries,  &c. 

Great  coat  Stoppage,  to  provide  each 
man  with  a  great  coat;  to  defray  the 
expense  of  which,  government  allows 
3s.  annually  per  man,  and  the  colonel 
contributes  '2s.  6d.  for  each  serjeant, 
and  Is.  lOd.  for  each  rank  and  file  an- 
nually. 

Stoppage,  for  the  subsistence  of  the 
Sick.  In  the  Regulation's  for  the  better 
management  of  the  sick  in  regimental 
hospitals,  it  is  particularly  laid  down, 
under  the  head  Subsistence,  p.  16,  that 
sufficient  funds  should  be  established  for 
the  support  of  the  sick  without  any  ad- 
ditional charge  to  government ;  and, 
at  the  same  time,  that  the  sick  soldier 
should  be  provided  with  every  reason- 
able comfort  and  indulgence  that  can 
be  afforded.  The  sum  of  four  shillings 
per  week  from  the  pay  of  each  soldier 
will,  under  proper  regulations,  and  with 
strict  company,  be  sufficient  for  this 
purpose ;  which  sum  is  to  be  retained 
by  the  paymaster  of  the  regiment. 

STOPPER,  a  piece  of  wood  or  cork, 
made  to  fit  the  bore  of  a  musket  barrel, 
which  soldiers  use  in  wet  weather;  and, 
on  other  occasions,  when  the  piece  is 
not  loaded,  to  prevent  moisture  and  dust 
from  getting  into  the  barrel. 
STOPPLE.     See  Patch. 

STORE-Keeper,  a  person  entrusted 
with  the  care  of  the  stores  in  the  maga- 
zines, such  as  the  provisions,  forage,  &c. 
During  a  war,  storekeepers  receive  these 
articles  from  contractors,  and  deliver 
them  out  to  the  troops.  They  have  several 
clerks  under  them,  appointed  to  different 
departments,  of  provisions,  hay,  straw, 
oats,  &c.  '1  he  storekeepers  belonging  to 
the  ordnance  have  charge  of  all  the 
King's  stores,  belonging  both  to  land 
and  sea-service. 

Government  SiORE-keeper  general,  an 
appointment  of  recent  date,  which  has 
be  ji  given  to  John  Trotter,  Esq. 

Store-sA«/).     See  Ship. 

STOREHOUSE.    See  Magazine. 


Military  STORES  are  provisions,, 
forage,  arms,  clothing,  ammunition,  &c. 
Officers,  storekeepers,  or  commissaries, 
who  are  convicted  of  embezzling  or  mis- 
applying any  military  stores,  are  to  make 
good  the  damage,  forfeit  100/.  and  to 
be  cashiered.    See  Mutiny  Act,  Sect. 65. 

Medical  Stores  on  board  transports. 
Certain  articles  of  diet  which  are  put 
on  board  each  transport,  are  so  called. 
These  are  to  be  considered  as  intended 
solely  for  the  use  of  the  sick,  or  con- 
valescents ;  they  are  to  remain  in  the 
charge  of  the  master  of  the  transport, 
and  only  to  be  issued  upon  demand  in 
writing,  made  by  the  surgeon  from  time 
to  time  as  he  shall  judge  proper ;  or, 
when  there  is  no  surgeon,  upon  demand 
of  the  commanding  officer.  And  the 
surgeon  or  commanding  officer  is  to  give 
the  master,  at  the  end  of  the  voyage,  a 
certificate  that  his  demands  for  the  said 
medical  stores  have  been  made  only  upon 
proper  occasions,  and  have  not  been 
expended  for  any  oter  use,  than  that  of 
the  sick,  or  convalescent. 

To  STORM,  (donna-  I'assaut,  Fr.)  in 
military  matters,  to  make  a  violent  as- 
sault, on  any  fortified  place,  or  works. 
At  the  siege  of  Louisbourg  in  the  year 
1758,  the  following  anecdote  occurred  ; 
and  as  it  shews  the  superiority  of  true 
general-ship  over  brutal  courage,  we  re- 
commend it  to  the  perusal  of  every 
officer,  and  to  the  imitation  of  every 
general  who  may  have  the  lives  of  his 
fellow  subjects  entrusted  to  his  judg- 
ment. The  celebrated  General  Wolfe, 
always  brave,  always  eager  to  put  forth 
the  energies  of  his  nature,  proposed  to 
General  Amherst  who  commanded  the 
besieging  army,  that  the  place  should  be 
stormed.  The  General  asked  his  friend 
Wolfe,  how  many  lives  he  thought  it 
might  cost?  the  latter  said,  about  three 
hundred;  and  he  then  asked  how  long  he 
thought  it  might  hold  out  against  a 
blockade  ?  Not  above  three  days.  Well 
then,  let  us  wait  three  days  and  save  our 
men.  The  place  surrendered  on  the 
second  day. 

STORMING  party,  a  select  body  of 
men,  consisting  generally  of  the  grena- 
diers, who  first  enter  the  breach,  &c. 

STORY,  history  ;  account  of  things 
past :  hence  to  be  famed  in  story.  Also 
small  tale,  petty  narrative ;  idle  or  trifling 
tale  ;  also  a  deviation  from  the  truth. 

Long  Stoky,  a  tedious  recital  of  any 


STR 


(     861     ) 


STR 


thing;  a  minute  description,  &c.  Such 
as  military  men,  especially  at  their  table 
or  mess,  consider  intolerable. 

STOUT,  brave,  bold,  determined,  not 
to  be  dismayed. 

STRAGGLERS,  (traineurs,  Fr.)  men 
who  wander  from  the  line  of  march.  It 
is  the  business  of  the  rear  guard  to  pick 
up  all  stragglers,  &c. 

STRAIGHT,  in  horsemanship.  To 
part  or  go  straight,  or  right  out,  is  to 
go  upon  a  tread,  traced  in  a  straight 
line. 

STRAIN.     See  Sprain. 

STRAIT,  with  bricklayers,  a  term 
used  for  half,  or  more  or  less  than  half 
of  a  tile. 

STRANGLES,  a  disease  in  a  horse's 
throat,  proceeding  from  some  choleric  or 
bloody  fluxion,  which  issues  out  of  the 
branches  of  the  throat  veins,  into  those 
parts,  and  there  causes  a  violent  inflam- 
mation. It  engenders  a  hard  swelling 
between  the  horse's  chaps,  and  upon  the 
roots  of  his  tongue,  and  about  his  throat, 
which  swelling  if  not  prevented,  will  stop 
his  wind  pipe,  and  so  strangle  or  choak 
him. 

STRANGURY,  \  a  distemper  in 

STRANGULLION,  $  horses,  which 
may  be  known  by  the  horse's  having  an 
inclination  to  stale  often,  and  yet  void- 
ing only  a  few  drops. 

STRAP,  a  narrow  long  slip  of  cloth 
or  leather.  It  is  directed,  that  every 
recruit  shall,  on  his  final  approval,  be 
provided  with  straps  for  his  coat,  the 
amount  of  which,  namely  2s.  4d.  is  to 
be  stopped  out  of  his  bounty. 

Strap,  a  strap  made  of  worsted,  silk, 
gold,  or  silver,  which  is  worn  upon  the 
shoulder  that  has  no  epaulette.  The 
French  call  it  contre  epaulette. 

Strap,  a  piece  of  round  leather,  which 
is  attached  to  the  martingale,  for  the 
purpose  of  confining  a  horse's  head. 

Coin  Strap,  a  strap  which  was  for- 
merly used  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
the  coins  or  wedges  in  a  gun  or  limber 
carriage.  Not  known  in  the  present 
service. 

Lashing  Strap,  a  leather  strap  for  the 
purpose  of  lashing  on  side-arms,  and 
intrenching  tools,  on  the  gun  and  limber 
carriages. 

Muzzle  Strap,  a  leather  strap  applied 
round  the  muzzle  cap  to  secure  it  to  the 
gun. 

STRAPONTIN,  Fr.  a  sort  of  ham- 
mock which  is  used  in  hot  countries,  &c. 


Also  a  moveable  seat  in  a  chariot  or 
chaise,  or  what  we  vulgarity  eall  Bodkin. 
See  Hammock. 

STRAPPADO,  (estrapade,  Fr.)  a 
punishment  sometimes  inflicted  upon 
foreign  soldiers,  by  hoisting  them  up  with 
their  arms  tied  behind  them ;  and  then 
suddenly  letting  them  down  within  a 
certain  distance  of  the  earth, 

E/acA--STRAPPING,  a  term  in  com- 
mon usage  among  several  regiments  of 
the  line,  to  express  their  being  upon 
fatigue  duty.  When  they  are  on  the 
King's  works,  where  other  men  whose 
tour  of  duty  it  is  to  receive  an  allowance 
of  spirits  or  wine,  they  are  obliged  to 
work  without  any  remuneration. 

STRAPS  of  a  saddle  are  small  leather 
straps  nailed  to  the  bows  of  the  saddle, 
with  which  the  girths  are  made  fast  to 
the  saddle. 

STRATAGEM,  in  war,  any  scheme 
or  plan  for  the  deceiving  ami  surprizing 
an  army,  or  any  body  of  men. 

Stratagems  of  war,  (stratagemes  dc 
guerre,  Fr.)  certain  feints  which  are 
resorted  to  by  able  generals,  &c.  to  cover 
their  real  designs  during  the  operations 
of  a  campaign.  It  is  impossible  to  lay 
down  any  specific  rules  on  this  head,  as 
every  general,  according  to  the  capacity 
and  activity  of  his  mind,  makes  use  of 
the  various  means  and  expedients  which 
grow  out  of  times,  circumstances,  and 
occasions.  It  has  been  asserted  by  some 
writers,  that  all  sorts  of  stratagems, 
(even  those  which  are  connected  with 
treachery,)  may  be  adopted  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  any  design.  This  maxim 
is,  however,  strongly  combated  against 
by  those  who  have  written  upon  the  law 
of  nations.  Probity,  in  fact,  and  eleva- 
tion of  mind,  (which  are  superior  to  the 
pitiful  measures  of  teacherous  affiliation, 
or  intercourse,)  should  always  bear  the 
ascendancy  in  human  actions.  There 
are  stratagems  which  may  be  practised 
and  carried  on,  without  the  least  de- 
viation from  honour  and  good  faith. 
Many  distinguished  generals  have  had 
recourse  to  these ;  but  none  ever  suc- 
ceeded so  well  as  Hannibal.  Wishing, 
to  cross  the  river  Rhone,  and  being  in 
want  of  almost  every  article,  that  was 
necessary  to  effect  the  passage  in  the 
presence  of  an  enemy  who  was  diligently 
watching  his  motions,  he  caused  him  to 
imagine,  that  it  was  his  intention  to 
keep  the  ground  he  occupied.  He  or- 
dered large  fires  to  be  lighted  up  in  dtt- 


STR 


(     862     ) 


STR 


fcrent  quarters  of  his  camp,  and  directed 
some  of  his  troops  to  shout  and  make 
loud  noises,  as  if  they  were  perfectly 
stationary.  During  this  apparent  state 
of  inactivity,  he  broke  up  his  camp, 
inarchedalongthe  river'sside,and  crossed 
it  at  a  place  where  it  was  least  expected 
he  would  make  the  attempt. 

Among  other  good  qualities,  which 
are  indispensably  necessary  in  an  able 
general,  that  of  knowing  how  to  con 
ceal  a  projected  march,  and  to  anticipate 
the  motions  of  an  enemy,  is  not  the  least 
important. 

The  army  under  the  command  of  the 
Duke  of  Saxe  Weimar,  having  laid 
siege  to  Brissack  in  1638,  the  Impe- 
rialists went  to  the  relief  of  that  place. 
The  Duke,  on  receiving  intelligence  of 
their  approach,  instantly  marched  against 
them,  with  a  body  of  forces  composed 
of  Swedes  and  French  allies.  The  Im- 
perialists, who  had  advanced  by  rapid 
marches,  had  gained  possession  of  an 
eminence,  by  means  of  which  they  would 
have  enjoyed  all  the  advantages  of  local 
superiority,  had  not  the  Count  de  Gue- 
briantjwho  was  then  a  lieutenant-general 
in  the  Swedish  service,  suggested  a  stra- 
tagem to  dislodge  the  enemy.  The  fol- 
lowing plan  was  consequently  adopted, 
and  it  succeeded  to  the  full  extent  of  his 
design. 

The  drums  and  trumpets  of  the  dif- 
ferent corps  were  collected  together,  and 
stationed  in  a  neighbouring  wood,  so  as 
to  draw  the  enemy's  force  and  attention 
from  the  quarter  proposed  to  be  carried. 
The  Imperialists  being  naturally  led  to 
believe,  from  the  noise  and  concurrence 
of  so  many  military  instruments,  that 
they  were  going  to  be  attacked  from  that 
quarter,  beat  to  arms,  and  left  their 
position  in  complete  order  of  battle. 
They  had  scarcely  quitted  the  eminence, 
before  the  Duke  of  Saxe  Weimar  ap- 
peared in  their  rear,  took  possession  of 
the  ground  which  they  had  so  impru- 
dently abandoned,  and  became  master 
of  all  the  advantages  which  his  enemy 
would  otherwise  have  enjoyed. — An  in- 
teresting acconnt  of  this  ingenious  ma- 
noeuvre may  be  found  in  the  History  of 
Le  Marechal  de  Guebriunt. 

Stratagems  of  this  description  have 
been  frequently  used  by  the  French 
during  the  late  war,  particularly  in  Italy. 
Stratagems,  in  fact,  constitute  one  of 
the  principal  branches  in  the  art  of  war. 
Tliey  have  been  practised  in  all  ages  by 


the  most  able  generals,  and  have  con- 
tributed,  in    a    great    degree,   to    their 
military  reputation.  Virgil,  in  his  iEneid, 
Book  II.  says  : — 
Dolus  an  virtus  quis  in  hoste  requirat. 

The  history  of  France  abounds  with 
instances,  in  which  stratagems  of  every 
kind  have  been    successfully  practised. 
It  seems  the  peculiar  talent  of  the  in- 
habitants of  that  country  to  derive  ad- 
vantages from  well  concerted  feints,  &c. 
in  war,  and    to    secure   their   victories 
more  by  science  than  by  downright  har- 
dihood. Nevertheless,  far  be  it  from  us  to 
detract  from  the  latter.    Modern  French- 
men, as  soldiers,  seem  to  have  acquired,, 
or  to  have  had  wakened   in  them,  on 
shore,     the    courage   and    perseverance 
which   are  so    remarkably  conspicuous 
amongst  us  at  sea.     Perhaps  it  is  out  of 
the  natural  course  of  things,  that  they 
should  ever  reach  the  naval  excellence 
by  which  this  country  is  so  singularly 
distinguished  ;   and  perhaps  it  is  equally 
ordained,  that  we  should  never  be  the- 
first  in  military  knowledge.    France  and 
England   unquestionably  hold  between 
them   the   destinies  of  Europe,  and  of 
the   three  other  quarters  of  the  globe : 
France  by  the  natural  advantages  of  her 
continental  position,  added  to  a  predi- 
lection   for    arms,    which    is    manifest 
throughout  her  population;  and  England 
by  its  insular  situatiou,  rendered,  as  it 
were,  impregnable,  by  an  innate  courage^ 
and  unrivalled  aptitude  at  sea.    Time 
alone,  and  the  experience  of  facts,  must 
hereafter  determine  how  far  either  nation 
will  be  benefited  by  a  deviation  from  the 
primary  advantages   which  nature   fur- 
nishes to  each.     For  it  must  be  acknow-. 
ledged,  that  the  true  element,  in  which 
a  Frenchman  seems  calculated  to  act,  is 
on  shore,  or  within  the  guardian  range 
of  his  artillery  and  lire-arms  ;    and  that 
an   Englishman,  though  far  from  being 
vvhollv  out  of  his  element  on  land  ser-» 
vice,  is  thoroughly  himself  at  sea.    From 
the  increase  of  our  foreign  possessions, 
but  most  especially  from  the  extent  of 
our  territories  in  India,  and  the  armed 
state  of  Europe,  it  has  been  found  ex- 
pedient to  enlarge  the  scale  of  our  mili- 
tary establishments,  in  proportion  to  the 
exigencies  of  a  very  desultory  service 
abroad,  and  a  possible  necessity  at  home 
for  military  operations.    Without,  there- 
fore, entering  into  the  policy  of  either 
country,  we  shall  content  ourselves  with 
observing,  that  as  we  have  an  army,  it 


S  T  R 


(    863     ) 


S  T  R 


behoves  every  efficient  character  belong- 
ing to  that  army,  to  obtain  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  his  profession,  and  to  study 
the  nice  shades  of  an  art  which,  of  all 
others,  has  principles  that  are  fixed  and 
immutable,  under  circumstances  of  the 
greatest  apparent  casualty.  It  has  been 
wisely  observed  by  a  French  writer,  under 
the  article  of  stmtagemea  de  guerre,  that 
a  chief,  who  is  defeated  in  a  general 
action,  will  sometimes  attribute  his  fai- 
lure to  fortune,  although  it  be  universally 
-acknowledged,  that  chance,  or  fortune, 
has  a  very  trifling  share  in  pitched  battles, 
while  art  and  science  regulate  the  dif- 
ferent movements,  and  finally  determine 
their  issue.  Whoever,  therefore,  suffers 
himself  to  be  surprized  by  his  enemy, 
cannot  be  said  to  stand  wholly  excul- 
pated from  ignorance,  or  neglect,  since  it 
must  have  been  in  his  power  to  have 
avoided  the  snares  laid  for  him,  by  means 
of  vigilant  spies,  and  unremitting  atten- 
tion. This  remark  appears  to  us,  not 
only  to  be  generally  correct ;  but  it 
seems  more  immediately  applicable  to 
all  generals  that  have  secret  service 
money  at  command.  The  influence  of 
that  commodity  (upon  which  no  em- 
bargo can  be  laid)  will  be  felt  in  every 
garrison  town,,  or  sea  port;  and  those 
who  have  the  management  of  the  public 
purse,  must  be  dull  indeed,  if  they  do 
not  feel  their  way  into  the  secret  prepa- 
rations of  an  enemy,  before  they  hazard 
an  attack  against  him.  Of  a  deficiency 
on  this  ground,  we  have  had  melan- 
choly proofs  both  in  Spain  and  Holland, 
particularly  at  Walcheren  in  1809. 

Besides  the  different  stratagems,  which 
may  be  used  by  an  able  general,  to  bring 
about  the  overthrow  of  the  whole  or  part 
of  an  army,  by  leading  it  into  an  am- 
buscade, there  are  various  ones  which 
may  be  practised  against  a  fortified  place. 
To  effect  the  latter  purpose,  you  may 
contrive  to  get  soldiers,  in  disguise, 
through  the  gates  at  unguarded  hours  ; 
to  introduce  them  through  subterraneous 
passages,  or  by  any  other  means  that 
may  offer.  Before  any  attempt  of  this 
sort  is  made,  every  part  of  the  fortifica- 
tions should  be  narrowly  reconnoitred, 
and  as  much  knowledge  be  obtained  of 
the  interior  situation  of  the  place  as  can 
be  procured  by  means  of  good  spies,  or 
from  deserters.  You  must,  above  all 
things,  be  well  assured,  that  the  garrison 
is  relaxed  in  duty  ;  that  the  diCerent 
guards  are  negligently  attended  to ;  that 


the  soldiers  who  compose  them  are  ia 
the  habits  of  drinking,  or  gaming,  that 
their  officers  neglect  their  rounds,  or  go 
them  without  system,  or  regularity ;  that 
the  gates  are  ill  guarded,  and  the  avenues 
to  them  ill  watched ;  and  that  there  are 
certain  places,  or  entrances,  which  are 
not  watched  at  all ;  for  it  is  almost  im- 
possible to  surprize  any  place,  that  has 
been  regularly  fortified,  while  the  garrison 
does  its  duty. 

If  it  should  appear  practicable  to  sur- 
prize a  town,  by  taking  advantage  of  the 
negligence  of  the  sentries,  See.  at  some 
particular  gate,  previous  means  must  be 
adopted  to  introduce  some  soldiers 
dressed  like  market  women,  or  in  the 
garb  of  some  religious  order.  You  may 
then  contrive  to  get  a  wagon  or  cart, 
(seemingly  loaded  with  hay  or  straw,  but 
with  soldiers  concealed  beneath  it,)  so 
placed  in  the  entrance  of  the  gate  that  it 
will  serve  as  an  obstacle  when  ic  may  be 
found  necessary  to  shut  it.  In  order  to 
do  this  effectually,  let  a  pin  be  taken  out, 
so  that  the  wheel  comes  off,  or  the  axle- 
tree  gets  broken.  The  instant  this  is 
done,  the  soldiers,  who  had  entered  the. 
town  in  disguise,  must  join  the  drivers, 
the  men  that  have  been  concealed  in  the 
wagon  will  then  leap  out,  and  the  whole 
must  rush  upon  the  port-guard.  While 
this  happens,  the  troops  that  have  been 
placed  in  ambush  round  the  fortifica- 
tions, will  advance  with  promptitude  and 
firmness,  and  endeavour  to  get  possession 
of  the  town  before  a  sufficient  force  can 
be  collected  to  repel  the  attack.  In  th» 
year  1789,  a  rabble  from  Courtray  took 
advantage  of  the  carelessness  of  the  Im- 
perial troops,  whs  were  in  garrison  at 
Gand,  iu  Flanders,  and  by  seizing  upon 
the  gate  and  purt  guard,  brought  about 
a  temporary  rebellion  in  the  country. 
The  author  of  this  compilation  was  an 
eye-witness  to  the  consequent  effects  of 
this  coup  de  main  ;  and  he  is  fully  per- 
suaded that  Antwerp  might  have  been 
taken  in  1809,  by  a  prompt  and  vigorous 
approach.  This,  indeed,  was  done  with- 
out stratagem  ;  but  tile  circumstance 
proves,  that  when  the  sentries  of  a  forti- 
fied place  are  negligent  in  their  duty,  a 
surprize  is  always  practicable.  We  are 
precluded,  by  the  limits  of  our  under- 
taking, from  going  more  fully  into  this 
important  branch  of  military  science. 
Several  treatises  have  been  written  on  the 
subject.  Among  others,  one  appeared 
in  175b,  entituled,  Stratagemes  de  guerre, 


STR 


(     864     ) 


STR 


illustrating  from  history,  the  various 
stratagems  which  had  been  practised  by 
some  of  the  ablest  generals,  during  a 
long  period  of  time,  down  to  the  peace 
of  Aix-la-Cuapelle.  It  was  published  by 
Mr.  Carlet  de  la  Rosier* ;  an  oli»cer  in 
the  Trench  service,  and  acting  engineer 
in  the  isles  of  France  and  Bourbon.  It 
contains  much  curious  matter. 

Stratagem  and  force  united.  Count 
Turpin,  page  43,  vol.  i.  in  his  Essay  on 
the  Art  of  War,  judiciously  remarks, 
that  when  an  enemy,  superior  in  force, 
is  in  possession  of  a  pass,  from  which  lie 
cannot  be  dislodged  but  by  art,stratagem 
and  force  should  be  blended  together  as 
often  as  possible.  Onozander,  the  Greek 
general,  set  fire  to  a  wood  which  was  at 
the  foot  of  a  mountain  in  the  enemy's 
possession,  and  which  he  wanted  to  go 
over;  the  flames  and  smoke  forced  the 
enemy  to  abandon  it,  and  leave  the  pas- 
sage free  for  him. 

STRATEGICALLY,  according  to  the 
principles  of  strategy ;  done  out  of  sight 
of  an  enemy. 

STRATEGICS  and  Tactics.  Mr.  C. 
Malorti  de  Martemont  in  his  translation 
of  a  work  entituled  the  Modern  System 
of  War,  has  defined  these  terms  in  the 
following  manner. 

"  I  define  strategics,  the  science  of  the 
movements  in  war  of  two  armies,  out  of 
the  visual  circle  of  each  other;  or,  if 
better  liked,  out  of  cannon  reach. 

"  Tactics  are  the  science  of  the  move- 
ments made  within  sight  of  the  enemy, 
and  within  reach  of  his  artillery. 

"  The  reader  may,  if  he  pleases,  pre- 
fer the  reach  of  cannon  to  that  of  sight, 
for  the  bounds  within  which  the  move- 
ments of  war  cease  to  be  strategics  and 
become  tactics.  But  were  I  to  decide 
for  one  of  them,  I  should  adopt  the  reach 
of  sight;  for  the  following  reason  :  that 
deploying  columns  in  order  of  battle,  is 
an  operation  of  tactics;  yet,  it  is  gene- 
rally done  out  of  cannon  reach.  At 
Rosbach,  to  be  sure,  it  was  not  so,  but 
what  was  the  consequence  ?"  p.  87. 

STRATA RITHMOMETRY,  in  war, 
the  art  of  drawing  up  an  army,  or  any 
part  of  it,  in  any  given  geometrical  fi- 
gure; and  of  expressing  the  number  of 
men  contained  in  such  a  figure,  as  they 
stand  in  order  of  battle,  either  at  hand, 
or  at  any  distance  assigned. 

STRATEGY,  (st rategie,  Fr.)  Stra- 
tegy differs  materially  from  tactic ;  the 
latter  belonging  only  to  the  mechanical 


movement  of  bodies,  set  in  motion  by" 
the  former.  One  is,  in  fact,  the  soul* 
the  other,  the  mere  body  of  military 
science.  In  a  most  excellent  publica- 
tion, entitled  Idies  Raisonntes  sur  un 
Syst'etne  General,  Sfc.  pour  ctudicr  la 
Science  de  la  Guerre,  §c.  by  Nockhern 
de  Schorn,  we  find  the  following  expla- 
nation of  the  term;  and  as  it  does  not 
exist  in  any  of  our  English  lexicogra- 
phers, we  presume  the  extract  must  be 
particularly  gratifying  to  the  intelligent 
officer.  In  page  198,  Troisieme  Partie, 
Sixihme  Chapitre,  Sixicme  table  M'ctho- 
dique,  our  author  thus  continues  : 

"  We  are  at  length  got  to  the  sixth 
integral  part  of  military  knowledge, 
which  is  termed  strategie,  or  the  art  of 
knowing  how  to  command,  and  how  to 
conduct  the  different  operations  of  war  : 
the  word  is  derived  from  the  Greek 
strategos,  which  signifies  chief,  or  general 
of  the  army.  The  term  general  or  chief 
conveys  the  same  meaning,  indeed,  that 
constitutes  the  word  universal,  and 
points  out  an  officer  of  superior  rank, 
whose  mind  is  well  stored  with  military 
theory,  and  who  can  practically  lead  into 
active  service,  all  the  different  arms,  or 
component  bodies  belonging  to  war ; 
such  as  cavalry,  infantry,  and  artillery. 
This  definition  clearly  points  out  the  im- 
propriety of  confining  the  terms  general, 
lieutenant-general,  and  major-general,  to 
any  particular  body  of  armed  men  :  for 
what  is  a  general,  whose  skill  consists  in 
being  able  to  manage  a  body  of  cavalry, 
or  of  infantry  only,  without  knowing 
how  to  conduct  others  ?  A  general, 
whether  he  be  commander  in  chief,  or 
be  acting  in  a  subordinate  capacity  to 
him,  ought  to  know  cavalry,  infantry, 
and  artillery  movements,  and  possesses 
all  the  branches  of  military  science. 

"  Nor  are  these  observations  confined 
to  the  generals  and  superior  officers  of 
armies  :  subaltern  officers  should  be 
more  or  less  versed  in  the  science  of 
knowing  how  to  conduct  men  into  ac- 
tion, and  to  combine  the  different  opera- 
tions of  war  ;  particularly  so,  if  their 
natural  ambition  should  lead  them  to 
aspire  to  the  highest  posts  of  military 
preferment. 

"  Strategy,  or  the  knowledge  of  com- 
manding armies,  may  be  divided  into 
two  parts ;  one  comprehending  the 
higher,  and  the  other  embracing  the 
lower*  branches  of  the  art.  The  first 
embraces  all  that  a  commander  in  chief, 


S  T  R 


(     865     ) 


STR 


and  all  that  his  subordinate  generals 
should  be  acquainted  with  ;  and  the  se- 
cond (which  may  also  be  called  la  petite 
guerre,  being  the  diminutive  of  the  first) 
appertains  to  the  staff,  and  to  a  certain 
proportion  of  subaltern  officers. 

To  be  adequate  to  a  chief  command, 
it  is  necessary,  that  the  person,  si;  se- 
lected, should  possess  extraordinary  ta- 
lents, and  not  only  be  master  of  all  the 
theory  of  war,  but  likewise  know,  from 
practice  and  experience,  every  species 
of  military  operation.  He  should,  in 
fact,  to  refer  to  one  of  our  own  articles, 
(vide  Mind)  be  gifted  with  a  military 
mind. 

In  order  to  obtain  all  that  can  be  ob- 
tained by  study,  (for  natural  genius 
must  supply  a  very  large  proportion,) 
the  intelligent  officer  will  first  fix  upon 
a  distinct  and  clear  idea  of  the  part  he 
means  to  investigate.  From  one  idea 
he  will  gradually  proceed  to  another; 
and  when  the  whole  system  has  thus 
been  progressively  touched  upon,  he  will 
take  an  analytical  view  of  the  several 
component  parts  ;  examine  them  toge- 
ther; weigh  their  relative  points,  and 
then  look  into  the  different  authors  that 
have  written  upon  this  vast  and  compli- 
cated subject.  He  will  peruse  what 
relates  to  the  first  branch,  or  La  Grande 
Strategic,  in  the  following  works  : — 
1.  Les  Memoires  de  Montecuculi. 
L'Esprit  de  Folard. 
Art  de  la  Guerre,  par  le  Maiechal 

de  Pnisegtir. 
Les    Reveries     du     Marechal     de 

Saxe. 
L'Essai    sur   l'Etat   de   la  Guerre, 

parTurpin. 
Les  Instructions  du  Roi  dePrusse. 
Le  Corns  et  leTraite  de  Tactique, 
par  Joly  de  Mezerov. 

8.  Theorie  de  la  Guerre  par  le  meme. 

9.  Peusees  sur  la  Tactique  et  la  Stra- 

tegic, par  M.  de  Sylva. 

10.  L'Essai  General  de  Tactique,  par 

M.  Guibert. 
The  best  writings  on  what  is  called 
La   Petite    Strategic,    or    the   inferior 
branches  of  the  art  of  war,  are 

1.  Le  Premier  livre  du  1  tome,  et  le 
cinquieme  livre  du  2  tome,  de  l'Art  de 
la  Guerre,  par  M.  Turpin. 

This  work  has  been  translated  by 
Captain  Otway. 

2.  Le  Traite  sur  la  Petite  Guerre,  par 
Grand  Maison. 

8.  Le  Partisan,  par  Jenny. 


2. 

3. 


7. 


4.  Principes  sur  la  Petite  Guerre  : 
Outrage  ajoute.  aux  Instructions  du  Roi 
de  Prusse. 

5.  La  Petite  Guerre,  par  M.  le  Capt. 
Knock. 

6.  Sentimens  d'un  Officier  Hessois 
sur  l'art  de  conduire  les  detacheniens  a 
la  guerre. 

7.  Le  Chasseur  a  la  Guerre,  ou  du 
service  des  troupes  legeres. 

8.  Observations  sur  le  Service  de 
Cavalei  ie  a  la  Guerre,  par  le  Chevalier 
de  Shonacken. 

Although  these  celebrated  writers 
ought  to  be  considered  by  every  young 
officer  as  the  oracles  of  his  profession, 
he  must,  nevertheless,  guard  his  mind 
against  that  fatal  persuasion,  which 
mi^ht  lull  it  into  a  belief,  that  nothing 
more  is  required  than  to  peruse  and  to 
digest  their  rules  and  regulations.  When 
he  has  made  himself  completely  master 
of  their  thoughts,  he  must  endeavour  to 
identify  himself,  as  it  were,  with  the  au- 
thors and  the  generals  themselves.  By 
this  method  he  will  probably  hit  upon 
some  of  those  hidden  truths  in  military 
science,  from  which  many  secondary 
ones  are  drawn  ;  and  in  contemplating 
the  commentaries,  etc.  of  great  gtnerals, 
he  will  discover,  that  they  knew  well  how 
to  calculate  daggers,  to  appreciate  pro- 
babilities, and  by  occasionally  deviating 
from  ordinary  rules  and  prescribed  prin- 
ciples, how  to  move  in  untrodden  paths, 
and  to  obtain  signal  advantages,  where, 
to  superficial  minds,  nothing  but  despe- 
rate hazard  and  destruction  appeared. 

STR ATOGRA  PHY,  (stratographie, 
Fr.)  the  description  and  details  of  all 
that  belongs  to  an  army ;  of  the  dress, 
arms,  &e.  of  the  soldiers,  and  of  the 
manner  of  encamping,  &c.  Vegetius 
has  given  the  stratography  of  the  Ro- 
mans. 

STRATOR.  Anions  the  ancient 
Romans,  sti  ator  signified  an  officer,  be- 
longing to  the  army,  whose  duty  was  to 
take  care  of  the  military  roads;  to  see 
that  all  obstacles  to  the  ready  movement 
of  troops  were  taken  away  ;  to  level 
heights,  throw  bridges  ove.  rivers,  cut 
down  wood^  r,nd  t.  execute  all  i  lie  orders 
which  tended  towards  facilitating  the 
march  of  an  army. 

STRAW.  According  to  the  regula- 
tions, published  by  authority  in  1799, 
relative  to  forage,  tkc.  which  troops  are 
to  receive  in  the  home  encampments,  it 
is  directed  that  straw  is  to  be  allowed  at 
5S 


S  T  R 


(     866     ) 


S  T  R 


the  rate  of  one  truss  of  36  pounds  to 
each  paillasse  for  two  men,  being  a  full 
bedding;  at  the  expiration  of  sixteen 
days  to  be  refreshed  with  half  a  truss  to 
each  paillasse;  and  at  the  expiration  of 
32  days  to  be  removed,  and  a  fresh  bed- 
ding of  one  truss  is  to  be  given  : — and  so 
on  every  succeeding  period  of  sixteen 
and  thirty-two  days. 

For  the  sick  in  the  hospital,  the  straw 
is  to  be  changed  as  often  as  it  may  be 
deemed  necessary. 

Two  trusses  per  troop, or  companv,are 
to  be  allowed  for  batmen,  or  servants, 
not  soldiers;  and  three  trusses  per  troop, 
or  company,  for  the  washer-women,  to 
be  changed  every  sixteen  days,  not  hav- 
ing paillasses. 

Thirty  trusses  of  straw  per  troop,  or 
company,  are  allowed  on  first  taking  the 
field  for  thatching  the  women's  huts. 

Regiments,  not  having  paillasses,  are 
allowed  straw  at  the  following  rates: — 

On  taking  the  field,  two  trusses  of  36 
pounds  each  to  every  rive  men,  at  the 
end  of  eight  days  to  be  refreshed  by  one 
truss,  and  at  the  end  of  eight  days  more 
to  be  refreshed  again  by  the  same  quan- 
tity. At  the  end  of  twenty-four  days 
the  whole  to  be  removed,  and  an  entire 
new  bedding  to  be  given,  and  refreshed 
as  before,  viz.  two  trusses  for  tvevy  five 
men. 

Four  pounds  of  straw  are  to  be  added 
to  the  ration  forage  for  the  cavalry  and 
artillery  horses  only. 

Six  pounds  of  straw  are  to  be  allowed 
to  the  general  officers  and  staff,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  prescribed  ration  of  forage. 

The  straw  which  is  allowed  to  cavalry 
regiments  for  the  bedding  of  their  horses, 
is  cailed  long  forage. 

Tor  Straw,  a  word  of  command  to 
dismiss  dragoons  when  they  have  ground- 
ed their  arms,  so  that  they  may  be  ready 
on  the  first  signal  given.  The  French 
say—  A  la  Faille.     See  Paille. 

STREAKS,  the  iron  bands  on  the  out- 
Side  of  the  wheel  to  bind  the  fellies 
strongly  together. 

Streak  nails  are  those  driven  through 
the  streaks  into  the  fellies. 

STREET.     See  Encampment. 

STiiczT-firing.     See  Firing. 

S1RELITZ,  a  Russian  word,  whose 
plural  number  is  strelitzy,  derived  from 
$trelui,  an  arrow,  iu  the  same  language. 
•An  ancient  militia,  which  was  formerly 
kept  in  pay  among  the  Muscovites,  both 
in  time  of  peace  and  in  time  of  war, 


was  so  called.  The  men  who  composed 
it  always  served  on  foot,  and  were  ori- 
ginally armed,  as  their  name  indicates, 
with  bows  and  arrows.  They  after- 
wards received  muskets,  or  firelocks, 
and  laid  aside  the  bows  and  arrows.  The 
rest  of  the  Russian  army,  which  was 
only  called  together  in  casesofeinergency, 
retained  the  bows,  arrows,  and  lances; 
with  which  each  soldier  armed  himself, 
according  to  his  own  particular  whim  or 
notion. 

In  ihe  remote  periods  of  the  Russian 
empire,  the  strelitzy  were  the  only  regu- 
lar body  of  troops  that  formed  any  part  of 
the  standing  armv  of  that  country.  It 
consisted  of  twenty  to  twenty-four  thou- 
sand men,  who  enjoyed  a  multiplicity  ot 
privileges  and  immunities,  and  were 
quartered  in  one  of  the  suburbs  of  Mos- 
cow, which  is  still  called  strelitzkaia 
slaboda.  From  the  latitude  allowed 
them,  and  the  peculiar  indulgences 
which  these  soldiers  enjoyed,  they  might 
well  becompared  to  thePrajtorian  bands 
under  the  first  Roman  emperors,  and,  in 
some  degree,  to  the  present  Janizaries  of 
Constantinople.  They  frequently  muti- 
nied, like  the  latter,  and  interfered  in 
the  management  of  public  affairs.  Their 
last  revolt,  however,  was  fatal  to  them, 
it  happened  in  1698,  during  the  absence 
of  the  Czar  Peter  I.  who,  on  his  return 
into  Russia,  broke  the  whole  corps, 
erased  its  name  from  the  list  of  military 
establishments,  and  put  his  troops  upon 
the  same  footing  that  those  of  the  rest 
of  Europe  were. 

STRENGTH.  This  word  may  be 
variously  understood  in  military  matters, 
viz. 

Strength,  fortification;  fortress; 
strong  hold.  It  likewise  signifies  arma- 
ment; power;  force.  In  all  returns 
which  are  made  of  corps,  strength  im- 
plies the  number  of  men  that  are  borne 
upon  the  establishment,  in  contradis- 
tinction to  effective  force,  which  means 
the  number  fit  for  service:  hence,  the 
strength  of  a  battalion,  troop,  or  com- 
pany, &c 

Strength  of  a  country.  This  consists 
principally  in  narrow  passes,  as  the 
passes  between  Spain  and  France;  moun- 
tains, rivers;  but  above  all  the  sea,  pro- 
vided the  naval  resources  are  adequate 
to  the  extent  of  coast  that  may  be  in- 
vaded-; for  without  that  the  sea  is  no- 
thing. 

Strength  of  body,  force  of  any  bodily 


STR 


(     867     ) 


S  T  Y 


faculty;    vigour    and    exercise    of   the 
limbs. 

Strength  of  mine],  force  of  any  men- 
tal faculty ;  vigour  and  exercise  of  reason. 

Strength  of  an  army,  the  infantry, 
of  which  it  is  principally  composed,  com- 
manded by  able  officers. 

To  be  returned  upon  the  Strength  of 
a  corps,  to  stand  upon  the  general  or  re- 
gimental report  as  actually  present  with 
the  regiment,  in  contradistinction  to 
absent  on  leave,  or  otherwise. 

STRLL,  in  ancient  architecture,  are 
the  lists,  fillet^,  or  rays  which  separate 
theflutings  of  columns. 

STRIBORD,  Fr.  a  marine  term  sig- 
nifying starboard. 

STRICT,  exact,  severe,  rigorous;  the 
contrary  to  mild,  indulgent.  Hence  a 
strict  officer.  It  is  sometimes  used  in  a 
bad  sense,  to  signify  a  petulant,  trouble- 
some commander. 

STRIGES,an ancient  term  forfluting's. 

To  STRIKE.  This  word  is  variously 
used  in  military  phraseology,  viz. 

To  Strike  at,  to  attack;  to  endea- 
vour to  destroy,  directly  or  indirectly. 

To  Strike  off,  to  erase;  to  blot  out: 
as  to  strike  otf  the  list  of  the  army. 
This  can  be  done  only  by  the  King's 
order. 

To  Strike  a  tent,  in  castrametation, 
to  loosen  the  cords  of  a  tent  which  has 
been  regularly  pitched,  and  to  have  it 
ready,  in  a  few  minutes,  to  throw  upon 
a  bat-horse,  or  baggage-wagon. 

To  Strike  terror  into  an  enemy,  to 
cause  alarm  and  apprehension  in  him  ; 
to  make  him  dread  the  effects  of  supe- 
rior skill  and  valour. 

To  Strike  a  blow,  to  make  some  de- 
cisive effort. 

To  Strike  the  colours.  This  is  pro- 
perly a  naval  term,  but  it  may  be  ap- 
plied to  military  matters  on  some  occa- 
sions. Thus  at  the  battle  of  Fontenoy, 
when  the  British  had  driven  the  French 
out  tif  the  field,  Louis  XV".  who  was  upon 
an  eminence  in  the  neighbourhood  with 
the  Dauphin,  and  his  guards, ike.  order- 
ed the  royal  standard  to  be  struck,  from 
a  full  persuasion  that  the  battle  was  lost. 
But  the  victory  was  ultimately  gained 
through  the  bravery  of  the  Irish  Brigade ; 
and  in  this  instance,  as  in  many  others, 
England  may  be  said  to  have  been  de- 
feated by  her  own  flesh  and  blood  ! 

STRING-/ia/<,  in  horses,  an  imper- 
fection which  is  a  sudden  twitching  or 
snatching  up  one  of  the  hinder  legs  much 


higher  than  the  other.  A  high-mettled 
horse  is  more  subject  to  this  defect 
than  any  other. 

STRIPE.  Dr.  Johnson  calls  a  stripe 
a  lineary  variation  of  colour.  Regi- 
mental sword 'knots  are  directed  to  be 
made  of  crimson  and  i:oid  in  stripes. 

STRUCTURE,  {structure,  Fr.)  the 
manner  in  which  any  thing  is  built  line 
edifice  de  belle  structure,  an  edifice 
which  is  built  in  a  handsome  manner. 

To  STRUGGLE  with  or  against,  to 
make  extraordinary  exertions  in  direct 
contest  with  an  enemy,  or  against  supe- 
rior forces. 

STUC,  Fr.  stucco;  plaster  of  Paris. 
STUCATEURS,   Fr.    the   men   em- 
ployed at  stucco  work. 

STUCCO,  a  sort  of  fine  white  mortar 
or  composition,  which  is  made  of  lime 
mixed  with  pounded  marble. 

To  STUD,  to  imboss;  to  cover  with 
knobs  either  for  use  or  ornament.  Thus, 
a  fortified  position  is  said  to  be  studied 
with  redoubts. 

STURMBALKEN.  These  are  large 
cylindrical  pieces  of  timber.  When 
used  in  defence  of  a  breach,  they  are 
hollow  and  tilled  with  -hells;  but  when 
they  are  laid  on  the  summit  of  a  height 
and  rolled  down  on  the  enemy,  during 
his  ascent,  they  are  merely  ponderous 
and  solid,  or  filled  with  stones. 

STYLE,  in  chronology,  a  particular 
method  of  reckoning  the  year,  according 
to  the  old  or  new  style. 

New  Style,  the  new  computation  of 
time  according  to  the  settlement  of  Pope 
Gregory  Xlii  (hence  cul.ed  the  Grego- 
rian style)  which  now  goes  11  days  be- 
fore the  old  ;  the  first  day  of  the  month, 
among  those  that  go  by  the  old  style, 
being  the  twelfth  with  those  who  ob- 
serve the  new;  so  that  their  fixed  festi- 
vals fall  eleven  days  before  the  other: 
this  style  is  used  in  must  places  beyond 
sea,  and  is  now  adopted  by  us. 

Old  Siyle  is  the  computation  of  time 
according  to  the  settleme  t  of  Julius 
l  ajsar.  This  style  was  used  in  England, 
and  in  some  other  Protestant  countries; 
but,  for  the  convenience  of  trade,  &C. 
was  altered  by  act  of  parliament  in  1752;" 
so  that  the  new  style  is  now  almost  uni- 
versal. 

Style,  a  manner  of  expression,  as  a 
military  style;  also  of  appearance  and 
presentation. 

Style,  (in  heraldry,)  the  manner  in 
which   a  person  bus  a  right  to  be  aa- 
5S2 


SUB 


(     80JS     ) 


SUB 


<?re*sed  or  accosted.  Every  officer  un- 
der the  rank  of  Captain  is  called  Mr. ;  his 
commission  running  Lieutenant  or  En- 
sign  , Gentleman;  as  is  also  the 

case  with  an  attorney  at  law.  The  com- 
mission of  a  Captain,  &c.  is  coupled  with 
the  word  or  style  Esquire. 

STYPTIC,  (styptigue,  Fr.)  a  strong 
astringent;  a  liquid  to  stop  the  effusion 
of  hiood  from  a  wound. 

SUB,  a  familiar  abbreviation  which  is 
used  in  the  British  army  to  signify  sub- 
altern. 

Svn-brigadier,  an  officer  in  the  old 
Horse  guards,  who  ranked  as  cornet. 

Svv-lieutenant,  an  officer  in  the  royal 
regiment  of  Artillery  and  Fuziliers,  where 
they  have  no  ensigns,  and  is  the  same  as 
second  lieutenant. 

SUBA,  lnd.  a  province. 

SUBA.DAR,  lnd.  the  governor  of  a 
province.  It  likewise  signifies  a  black 
officer,  who  ranks  as  captain  in  the  com- 
pany's troop;  but  ceases  to  have  any 
command  when  a  European  officer  is 
present. 

SUBADARY,  lnd.  the  appointment 
or  office  of  a  subadar. 

SUBALTERNS,  ( officiers subalternes, 
Fr.)  subaltern  officers.  This  word  is 
used  among  the  French,  as  with  us,  to 
signil'y  all  officers  of  a  certain  inferior 
degree,  viz.  les  subalternes,  the  subal- 
terns. 

All  officers  under  the  rank  of  major, 
technically  considered,  are  subalterns ; 
captains  of  troops  and  companies,  in  an 
effective  battalion,  under  arms,  are  in  a 
subaltern  station,  and  subject  to  the 
word  of  command  given  by  one  person  ; 
hence  subaltern, — from  the  Latin  sub 
and  alter — in  the  same  manner  that 
lieutenants,  cornets  and  ensigns,  are 
under  the  controul  of  captains  of  troops 
or  companies. 

SU  BARM  ALE,  Fr.  a  thick  garment 
or  clothing,  which  wa«  formerly  used  to 
secure  the  body  from  the  hard  and  cold 
contact  of  armour. 

SUBDIVISION,  the  parts  distin- 
guished by  a  second  division.  Thus  a 
company  divided  forms  two  subdivisions; 
whereas  two  companies  added  together 
make,  a  grand  division  :  except  the  flank 
companies,  which  constitute  grand  divi- 
sions of  thernsehes. 
SUBDUR,  iW.  chief. 
SUBJECT,  (sujet,  Fr.)  one  who  lives 
under  the  dominion  of  another.  It  is 
only  used  in  the  first  instance,  as  no  one 
can  be  the  subject  of  a  secondary  power, 


although  he  is  bound  to  obey  his  orders. 
Thus  soldiers  are  obliged  to  submit  to* 
the  orders  of  a  general,  but  they  are  not 
his  subjects.  The  French  make  the 
same  distinction. 

SUB-MARlNE-nattignh'ora.  See  Ma- 
chine. 

SUBIR,  Fr.  to  undergo;  to  suffer;  as 
subir  une  punilion,  to  undergo  a  punish- 
ment. 

SUBLIMITY  of  the  parabola,  in  pro- 
jectiles, is  what  the  altitude  of  the  pro- 
jection wants  of  being  equal  to  the  im- 
petus. 

In  any  two  projections  equally  above 
and  below  the  elevation  for  the  greatest 
amplitude  of  any  impetus,  the  altitude 
of  the  lower  projection  will  be  equal  to 
the  sublimity  of  the  higher,  and  the  alti- 
tude of  the  higher  eqaal  to  the  sublimity 
of  the  lower.  Hence  the  sura  of  the 
altitude  and  sublimity  in  every  projec- 
tion is  equal  to  the  impetus  of  the  pro- 
jectile force. 

Military  SUBMISSION,  military  obe- 
dience, (obcissance  militaire,  Fr.)  an  im- 
plicit deference  which  is  paid  to  military 
rules  and  regulations;  and  a  proper  and 
vigorous  execution  of  what  is  ordered  to 
be  done. 

SUBMULTIPLE  (sons  multiple,  Fr.) 
number  or  quantity  (among  mathema- 
ticians) is  that  which  is  contained  in 
another  number  or  quantity,  a  certain 
number  of  times  exactly;  thus  4  is  the 
submultiple  of  24,  being  contained  in  it 
just  six  times. 

Submultiple  proportion,  (in  mathe- 
matics,) the  reverse  of  multiple  propor- 
tion. 

SUBNORMAL,  in  mathematics,  is 
a  line  determined  in  any  curve,  the  in- 
tersection of  the  perpendicular  to  the 
tangent  in  the  point  of  contact  with  the 
axis. 

SUBORDINATION,  a  perfect  sub- 
mission to  the  orders  of  superiors;  a 
dependence  which  is  regulated  by  the 
rights  and  duties  of  every  military  man, 
from  the  soldier  to  the  general.  Subor- 
dination should  shew  the  spirit  of  the 
chief  in  all  the  members;  and  this  single 
idea,  which  is  manifest  to  the  dullest 
apprehension,  suffices  to  shew  its  impor- 
tance. Without  subordination,  it  is  im- 
possible that  a  corps  can  support  itself ; 
that  its  motions  can  be  directed,  order 
established,  or  the  service  carried  on. 
In  effect,  it  is  subordination  that  gives 
soul  and  harmony  to  the  service  :  it  adds 
strength  to  authority,  and  merit  to  obe- 


SUB 


f    369    ) 


SUB 


dience  ;  and  while  it  secures  the  efficacy 
of  command,  reflects  honour  upon  its 
execution.  It  is  subordination  which 
prevents  every  disorder  ;  and  procures 
every  advantage  to  an  army. 

To  SUBORN,  (suborner,  Fr.)  to  put 
one  upon  hearing  tatse  witness,  or  any 
mischievous  design  ;  to  send  one  privily 
and  instruct  him  what  to  do  or  say  con- 
trary to  truth. 

SUBORNATION,  the  act  of  set- 
tine;  up,  or  hiring  false  witness;  also  the 
enticing  thereto. 

SUBPOZNA,  (i.  e.  under  the  penalty, 
as  sub  pana  centum  librarian,  under  the 
pain  of  forfeiting  one  hundred  pounds,) 
a  writ  for  the  summoning  of  witnesses, 
to  testify  or  give  evidence  in  courts  of 
justice,  ccc. 

SUBSIDE,  Fr.  See  Subsidy. 
SUBSIDIA.  Among  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans, the  suhsidia  consisted  of  troops, 
that  formed  a  body  of  reserve,  and  re- 
mained in  the  rear,  in  order  to  support 
any  part  of  the  line  that  might  give  way. 
This  corps  was  always  composed  of 
allies,  or  subsidiary  soldiers.  Their  post 
was  in  the  rear  of  the  Triarii ;  and  until 
they  were  called  into  action,  they  sat 
upon  the  ground. 

SUBSIDIARY  troops,  troops  of  one 
nation  assisting  those  of  another,  for  a 
given  sum  or  subsidy. 

SUBSIDY,  (subside,  Fr.)  an  aid,  tax, 
or  tribute,  granted,  in  England,  by  the 
Parliament  to  theKing  upon  some  urgent 
occasion,  and  imposed  upon  the  subjects 
according  to  a  certain  rate  on  lands  or 
goods. 

Subsidy  also  means  money  given  to 
a  foreign  power  to  enable  it  to  carry  on 
a  war. 

To  SUBSIST,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
give  pay  or  allowance,  &c.  to  soldiers; 
as  a  captain  of  the  light  company  will 
subsist  20  men  belonging  to  other  com- 
panies, for  so  many  days  during  the 
inarch. 

SUBSISTANCErfc>s/na-€S,  Fr.  This 
term  is  used  among  the  French  to  sig- 
nify the  pay  or  allowance  which  is  given 
to  the  officer,  bombardier,  and  men  be- 
longing to  the  train  of  ai  tillery  who  serve 
the  batteries. 

SUBSISTENCE,  ( subsist ance,  Fr.) 
in  a  military  sense  this  word  may  be 
divided  into  two  sorts,  viz.  the  species 
of  subsistence  which  is  found  in  the 
adjacent  country  :  such  as  forage,  and 
frequently    corn  that  is  distributed    in 


parcels ;  and  that  which  is  provided  at 
a  distance,  and  regularly  supplied  by 
means  of  a  well  conducted  commissa- 
riat. The  latter  consists  chiefly  of  meat, 
bread,  beer,  &c.  To  these  may  be  added 
wood  or  coals,  and  straw;  which  are 
always  wanted  in  an  army.  Every  ge- 
neral will  take  proper  precautions  to 
have  his  men  well  supplied  with  these 
tirst  necessaries  of  life.  A  very  sensible 
tieatise  has  been  published  in  this  coun- 
try, respecting  the  system  of  a  British 
commissariat  staff  in  England;  it  is  en- 
titled the  British  Commissary. 

Baron  d'Espagnac  has  written  more 
at  large  upon  this  important  subject. — 
See  Elemens  Militaires,  torn.  I.  page 
162 ;  and  that  writer's  Suite  de  I'Essui 
sur  la  Science  de  (a  Guerre,  tom.i.  page 
246. 

Subsistence  should  be  the  clear  and 
nett  pay  which  is  given  to  an  officer  and 
soldier,  as  the  wages  of  his  person  in  the 
service  of  his  king  and  country. 

To  SUBSTITUTE,  (substituer,  Fr.) 
to  put  in  the  place  of  another. 

Substitute,  one  placed  by  another 
to  act  with  delegated  power. 

Substitute  in  the  militia,  a  person 
who  voluntarily  offers  to  serve  in  the 
room  of  another  that  has  been  chosen 
by  ballot.  But  if  afterwards  he  should 
himself  be  chosen  by  ballot,  he  is  not 
exempted  from  serving  again,  as   princi- 


pals are,  within  certain  restrictions. — 
Substitutes  may  be  provided  forQuakers. 
Every  substitute  is  liable  to  a  penalty 
for  not  appearing  to  be  sworn  upon  due 
notice  being  given  ;  and  every  regularly 
enlisted  soldier  who  shall  offer  to  serve 
as  a  substitute  in  the  militia,  is  liable  to 
forfeit  101.  or  to  be  imprisoned.  Sub- 
stitutes w  ho  desert  are  lo  serve  the  re- 
ma  nder  of  their  term  when  taken. 

SUBSTITUTION,  Fr.  an  algebrai- 
cal term  used  by  the  French,  signify- 
ing to  substitute  in  an  equation  any 
quantity  in  the  room  of  another,  which 
is  equal  to  it,  but  which  is  differently 
expressed. 

Substitution,  (substitution,  Fr.)  the 
act  of  placing  any  person,  or  thing,  in  the 
room  of  another.  Thus  the  substitution 
of  what  is  false,  instead  of  what  is  true, 
in  addition  to  the  suppression  of  the 
truth,  is  doubly  criminal  ;  and  is  what 
the  Latins  call  suppressio  veri  et  substi- 
tute falsi. 

SUBTANGENT,  (sous-tangent,  Fr.) 
in  any  curve,  is  the  line  which  deter4- 


sue 


(     S70    ) 


S  U  I 


mines  the  intersection  of  the  tangent  in 
the  axis  prolonged. 

SUBTENSE,  (souslendante,  Fr.)  a 
geometrical  term  signifying  the  base  of 
an  angle,  that  is  to  say,  a  straight  line 
opposite  to  an  angle,  which  is  supposed 
to  he  drawn  from  the  two  extremes  of 
the  section  that  measures  it.  Likewise 
the  chord  of  an  arch;  that  which  is  ex- 
truded under  any  thing. 

SUBTERFUGE,  trick  ;  evasion;  un- 
manly recourse  to  equivocation. 

SUBTRACTION,  (soustraction,  Fr.) 
one  of  the  four  fundamental  rules  of 
arithmetic;  a  method  of  taking  a  quan- 
tity from  a  greater,  in  order  to  take  the 
product  of  the  greatest  number. 

SUBTRAHEND,  in  arithmetic,  the 
lesser  number,  which  is  to  be  taken  or 
subtracted  out  of  a  greater. 

SUBTRIPLE  proportion,  in  arith- 
metic, is  when  one  number  is  contained 
in  another  just  three  times;  thus  2  is 
said  to  be  the  subtripleof  6,  and  6  is  the 
triple  of  2. 

SUBVERSION,  (subversion,  Fr.)  a 
state  of  total  disorder  and  indiscipline; 
generally  produced  by  a  neglect  of 
small  faults  at  the  beginning,  ami  a 
gradual  introduction  of  every  sort  of 
military  insubordination. 

SUBURBS,  (fuuxbourgs,  Fr.)  build- 
ings without  the  walls  of  a  city  ;  from 
the  Latin  sub  and  urbs. 

SUCCESS,  (succes,  Fr.)  the  happy 
issue  of  some  undertaking,  or  enterpn/e. 
In  a  very  general  sense,  but  an  usual 
one,  it  also  signifies  the  event,  or  issue 
ot  a  business  either  good  or  bad.  Success, 
without  an  epithet,  signifies  generally 
good  success. 

SUCCESS  of  arms,  the  good  luck,  or 
fortune,  which  attends  military  opera- 
tions, and  upon  which  the  fate  of  a 
nation  frequently  depends.  It  has  been 
observed,  that  military  successes,  above 
all  others,  elevate  the  minds  of  a  people. 

SUCCESSION  of  rank,  relative  gra- 
dation according  to  the  dates  of  com- 
mission. 

Succession  of  Colonels.  A  particular 
part  of  the  official  Army  List  is  so  called. 
The  dates  of  the  several  appointments 
are  therein  specified,  together  with  the 
numbers  and  facings  of  the  different 
regiments. 

A  commission  in  Succession,  a  com- 
mission in  which  an  individual  has  an 
inherent  property  from  having  purchased 
it,  or  raised  men;  or  which,  through 
interest,  he  is  at  liberty  to  sell  to  the 


best  advantage,  provided  it  does  not  g<? 
in  the  regiment;  in  which  case  no  more 
than  the  King's  regulation  can  be  taken. 

SUCCOUR,  in  war,  an  assistance  in 
men,  stores,  ammunition,  6cc. 

To  SUCCOUR,  (sccourir,  Fr.)  to 
strengthen,  to  make  more  film,  as  to  suc- 
cour a  mast,  a  cable,  S(c. 

To  Succour  a  place,  (secourir  une 
place,  Fr  )  to  raise  the  siege  of  it,  by 
forcing  the  enemy  from  before  it. 

To  throw  in  SUCCOURS,  to  intro- 
duce aimed  men,  ammunition,  provi- 
sions, 6v'c.  into  a  besieged  place. 

SUCCULA,  in  mechanics,  a  bare 
axis,  or  cylinder,  with  staves  in  it,  to 
move  it  round  with  any  tympanum. 

SUD,  Fn  This  word  is  variously 
used  by  the  French.  It  signifies,  in 
sea  language,  the  south  wind,  and  the 
southern  regions;  and  in  an  absolute 
sense,  it  means  one  of  the  four  cardinal 
winds  which  blows  from  the  south. 
Hence,  le  sud,  the  south  wind;  sud  est, 
south  east;  sud  ouest,  south  west. 

To  SUFFER,  (soufrir,  Fr.)  to  allow  ; 
to  permit;  to  be  the  cause  through  neg- 
ligence, &c.  As  to  suffer  an  enemy  to 
turn  one  of  your  flanks,  or  to  take  a 
strong  position. 

SUFITSANTE,  Fr.    SeePAssEMUR. 

SUFFOCATING  POTS,  see  Stink 
Pots;  and  for  further  particulars,  see 
Pocket  Gunner,  page  82. 

SUFFRAGES,  Fr.  votes. 

SUICIDE,  (suicide,  Fr)  the  act  of 
self-murder. 

SUISSES,  Fr.  The  Swiss  soldiers 
who  were  in  the  pay  of  France  previous 
to  the  10th  of  August,  1792,  were  gene- 
rally so  called.  It  was  also  a  general 
term  to  signify  stipendiary  troops.  Hence, 
Point  d'argent,  point  de  Suisse  !  which 
agrees  with  our  cant  phrase — No  pay, 
no  soldier. 

SUITE,  or  SERIES,  Fr.  This  term 
signifies  generally  any  regular  collection 
and  successive  distribution  of  things. 

This  word  was  also  used  among  the 
French,  to  signify,,  that  although  an  offi- 
cer might  be  reduced,  or  put  upon  half- 
pav,  he  was,  nevertheless,  obliged  to 
follow  (etre  a  la  suite)  some  given  re- 
giment, or  to  remain  stationed  in  some 
fortified  place.  Peihaps  a  regulation  of 
this  kind  might  be  resorted  to  with  be- 
nefit to  the  service,  as  far  as  regards  the 
British  half-pay,  who,  in  time  of  peace, 
might  occupy  the  vacant  barracks. 

Officiers  a  la  Suite,  Fr.  supernume- 
rary officers  attached  to  a  regiment,  ccc. 


S  IT  M 


(    871    ) 


SUP 


during  the  old  monarchy  of  France,  who 
were  not  required  to  do  duty  with  it. 

SUIVRE,  Fr.  to  follow.  'The  French 
say,  mitre  la  profession,   le  metier  des\ 
armes,  to  follow  the  profession,  or  trade,' 
of  :>rms;  to  embrace  a  military  life. 

Suivre  la  fortune,  Fr.  to  adhere  to 
the  strongest  side;  to  follow  fortune. 

Suivre  le  chemin  de  la  gtoire,  Fr.  to 
Follow  the  path  of  glory. 

SULPHUR,  or  brimstone,  a  mineral 
very  useful  in  making  gunpowder,  and 
artificial  fire-works. 

SULTAN,  or  SULTAUN,  Ind.  king. 
The  title  which  was  assumed  hy  Tippoo 
Saib,  chief  of  the  Mysore  country. 
Ueuce,  called  Tippoo  Sultaun.  This 
term  generally  signifies  the  Emperor  of 
the  Turks;  but  in  that  case  it  is  proper 
to  prefix  the  word  Grand  or  Great;  as 
most  Mahometan  princes,  especially 
those  of  Tartary,  assume  the  title  of 
Sultan. 

Sultan  shirki,  Ind.  king  of  the 
East. 

SULTAUNUT,  Ind.  the  decorations 
or  appenduges  annexed  to  royalty. 

To  SUM  up,  (sommer,  Fr.)  in  a  judi- 
cial sense,  to  collect  particulars  into  a 
total  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  them 
to  a  jury;  in  which  case  it  is  also  called 
the  judge's  charge.  In  a  general  court- 
martial,  the  judge  advocate,  or  his 
deputy,  reads  to  the  members  of  the 
court  all  the  minutes  thereof,  for  their 
final  decision.  In  regimental  courts- 
martial,  the  president  does  the  same. 

SUMMARY  arithmetic,  the  art  of 
finding  the  flowing  from  the  fluxion. 

SUMMER,  in  architecture,  is  a 
larger  stone,  the  first  that  is  laid  over 
columns  and  pilasters  in  beginning  to 
make  a  cross  vault;  or  it  is  a  stone 
which  being  laid  over  a  piedroit,  or 
column,  is  hollowed,  to  receive  the  first 
liaunce  of  a  plat-band. 

Summer,  in  carpentry,  is  a  large 
piece  of  timber,  which  being  supported 
on  two  stout  piers,  or  posts,  serves  as 
a  lintel  to  a  door,  window;  likewise  a 
large  piece  of  timber  to  which  the 
girders  are  framed. 

There  are  also  summers  in  various 
engines,  serving  to  sustain  the  weight. 
Summer  is  derived  from  the  Latin 
trabs  summaria,  or  the  principal  beam  of 
a  floor. 

SuMMER-rree,  in  architecture,  abeam 
full  of  mortises  for  the  joints  to  lie  in. 

SUMMERING,  in  architecture,  the 


level  joists  betwixt  the  courses  of  brick* 
in  an  arch. 

To  SUMMON,  (sommer,  Fr.)  to  de- 
mand the  surrender  of  a  place.  This  is 
done  either  in  writing,  by  beat  of  drum, 
or  sound  of  trumpet;  it  also  signifies  to 
excite;  to  encourage;  to  call  up.  Thus 
our  immortal  poet  exclaims  : — 
When    the  blast  of  war   blows  in  our 

ears, 
Stiffen  the  sinews,  summon  up  the  blood  ! 

Military  Summons,  (sommation  mili- 
taire,  Fr.)  a  call  of  authority;  a  citation 
to  surrender  any  fortified  place,  or  body 
of  men.  In  this  case  the  governor  is  in- 
formed, that  unless  he  yield  before  the 
assault  is  made,  the  inhabitants  will  be 
put  to  the  sword,  and  their  property 
given  up  to  the  plunder  of  the  soldiers. 

SUMNUTCHEER,  Ind.  a  word, 
among  others,  which  signifies  Saturday. 

SUMOODER,  Ind.  the  sea,  or  main 
ocean. 

SUMPTER  horse,  (sommier ;  cheval 
de  somnte,  Fr.)  a  horse  that  carries  ne- 
cessaries on  a  journey;  the  same  as  bat- 
horse. 

SUN,  Ind.  the  year. 

SUN  AT,  Ind.  old  rupees,  on  which 
a  discount  is  allowed.  Hence,  sunat 
rupees. 

SUNEEBAR,  Ind.  another  word  for. 
Saturday. 

SUNEECHUR,  Ind.  a  word  likewise 
meaning  Saturday. 

SUNNUD,  Ind.  a  charter,  grant,  or 
patent,  from  any  man  in  authority, 
When  it  is  given  by  the  king,  it  obtains 
the  appellation  of  firmaun. 

Sunnud  deuaunt/,  Ind.  a  grant  or  in- 
strument in  writing,  which  entitles  a 
person  to  hold  land  in  India. 

SUNSET.     See  Retreat  beating. 

Sunset,  the  time  at  which  the  even- 
ing gun  tires,  and  the  retreat  is  beat  in 
camp,  or  quarters,  &c.  When  troops 
are  embarked  on  board  transports,  or 
any  of  his  Majesty's  ships,  the  men  are 
ordered  to  parade  at  half  an  hour  before 
sunset,  quite  clean  as  to  their  persons. 
See  Regulations  and  Orders,  page 
178. 

To  SUP  up,  a  term  used  in  the  Bri- 
tish cavalry,  to  signify  the  last  duty 
which  is  performed  under  the  inspec- 
tion of  the  quarter-masters  of  troops, 
when  the  horses  are  allowed  to  rest  for 
the  night. 

SUPERANNUATED,  (surannt, Fr.) 
in  a  general  Military  sense,  too  old  to 


SUP  (     872     ) 

serve,  either  from  age,  infirmity,  or  in- 
capacity; and    in   a  more  specific  one, 


SUP 


having  passed  the  period  at  which  an  in 
dividual  may  be  admitted  into  any  esta- 
blishment. Thus  young  gentlemen  in- 
tended for  cadetships  at  Woolwich  must 
be  entered  on  the  master-general's  list 
before  16. 

SUPERCILIOUS,  haughty;  dicta- 
torial; arbitrary:  despotic;  over-bear- 
ing. Some  officers  commanding  corps, 
&c.  are  betrayed  into  supercilious  habits, 
from  a  mistaken  idea,  that  familiarity 
engenders  contempt.  Instead  of  adopt- 
ing a  middle  path,  where  dignified  con- 
duct is  tempered  by  a  suavity  of  manners, 
they  assume  the  elevated  ground  of  a 
hateful  superiority,  and,  to  use  a  com- 
mon phrase,  never  unbend.  As  good 
nature,  connected  with  good  sense,  is  a 
sure  indication  of  courage,  so  superci- 
liousness, even  with  talents,  is  almost 
alivavs  a  proof  of  cowardice. 

SUPERFICIAL,  shallow ;  having  no 
depth.  Hence,  an  officer  of  shewy  ap- 
pearance, and  desultory  conversation, 
hut  devoid  of  true  knowledge  in  his  pro- 
fession, is  said  to  be  superficial. 

SUPERFICIES,  (superficie,  Fr.)  ex 


tent   in    length    and    breadth,    without  j  commission,  &c. 


25th  of  December,  1809,  committed  to 
the  charge  of  three  superintendents;  to 
whose  office  In  Duke-strect,  Westmin- 
ster, the  accounts  and  estimates  of  agent3 
and  paymasters,  and  their  answers  to 
abstracts  of  examination  for  the  past, 
as  well  as  for  the  current  period,  were 
to  be  transmitted;  those  of  the  paymas- 
ters being,  however,  addressed  under 
cover  to  the  Secretary  at  War,  with  the 
words  "  Superintendents  of  Accounts," 
on  the  left  hand  of  the  cover. 

SUPERIOR,  (supirieur,  Fr.)  that  is 
above  others  in  authority,  dignity,  power, 
strength,  and  knowledge.  This  term 
always  implies  some  rank,  title,  or  situa- 
tion, by  which  one  person  is  placed 
above  another.  In  military  life,  as  well 
as  in  every  other  branch  of  society,  the 
individual  who  holds  an  inferior  post, 
or  place,  is  bound  to  pay  due  obe- 
dience and  respect  (as  far  as  regards  the 
exercise  of  his  duties,  or  functions)  to 
his  superior  in  rank.  At  all  times,  in- 
deed, the  latter  is  entitled  to  a  certain 
degree  of  deference  and  attention. 

Superior  officer,  an  officer  of  higher 
rank  than  another,  or  who  has  priority 
in  the   same  rank,  by  the  date  of  his 


depth  or  thickness. 


Officier  SUPERIEUR,  Fr.  when  not 


In  bodies,  the  superficies  is  all  that  i  used  comparatively,  conveys  the  same 


presents  itself  to  the  eye 

There  are  various  sorts  of  superficies 
or  surfaces,  viz. 

A  rectilinear  Superficies,  that  com- 
prehended between  right  lines. 

A  curvilinear  Superficies,  that  com- 
prehended between  curve  lines. 

A  plane  Superficies,  that  which  has 
no  inequality,  but  lies  even  between  its 
boundary  lines. 

A  concave  Superficies,  the  interior 
part  of  an  orbicular  body. 

A  convex  Superficies,  the  exterior 
part  of  a  spherical  body. 

The  measure  or  quantity  of  a  superfi- 
cies, or  surface,  is  called  the  area  of  it. 

The  finding  the  measure,  or  area  of 
a  superficies,  is  called  the  quadrature 
of  it. 

SUPERINTENDENT,  (surinten- 
dant,  Fr.)  a  person  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  any  particular  district,  or  de- 
partment. Hence,  military  supeiinten- 
dent. 

SUPERINTENDENTS  of  army  ac- 
counts. The  examination  of  regimental, 
and  certain  other  accounts  of  the  ordi- 
nary service  of  the  army  were,  on  the 


idea  as  our  word  field  officer,  meaning 
any  officer  above  a  captain  and  under  a 
general  officer. 

SUPERIORITY,  (superiority  Fr.) 
pre-eminence,  excellence  above  others. 
Although  men,  in  general,  viewing  them 
abstractedly,  and  with  regard  to  legal 
rights  may  be  called,  and  indeed  are, 
equal;  human  nature  is,  nevertheless,  so 
constituted,  that,  for  the  sake  of  good 
order  in  civil,  and  good  discipline  in  mi- 
litary, life,  certain  persons  must  be  se- 
lected out  of  the  mass  of  community, 
for  the  guidance  and  government  of 
others.  Hence  the  origin  of  intelligent 
leaders.  We  shall  here  recommend  to 
the  perusal  of  those  in  power,  the  fol- 
lowing passage  out  of  the  Life  of  Gus- 
tavus  Adolphus,  (vide  p.  7,  Essay  on  'he 
Military  State,  &c.  vol.  i.)  After  stating 
the  laudable  methods  which  were  pur- 
sued by  that  able  king,  in  the  formation 
of  his  troops,  his  ingenious  translator 
thus  continues: — "  Heuce  it  happened, 
that  the  loss  of  the  commanding  officers, 
in  some  sharp  engagements,  rarely  dis- 
composed a  Swedish  regiment,  (a  thing 
frequent  enough  iu  other  armies,)  for 


SUP 


(     873     ) 


SUP 


Iialf  the  corps  was  just  as  capable  to 
take  the  command  as  those  who  had 
given  them  laws.  There  were  but  two 
means  of  advancement :  seniority  (which 
was  sometimes  superseded)  and  merit. 
Birth,  quality,  and  court  friends  availed 
nothing;  so  that  the  world  can  hardly 
expect  to  see  such  another  army ;  at 
least  but  very  seldom ;  an  army  formed 
by  a  monarch  equally  brave,  moral,  and 
religious;  ami  nursed  by  him  for  20 
years,  with  all  the  care  that  a  parent 
educates  a  single  child.  The  same  plan 
was  observed,  more  or  less,  by  his  gene- 
rals, till  the  conclusion  of  the  peace  of 
Westphalia;  and  this  body  of  troops, 
from  the  year  1612  to  1028,  had  hardly 
ever  tasted  a  single  month's  repose.  The 
regulations,  order,  and  discipline,  of 
Juiius  Caesar,  can  bear  no  comparison 
with  the  correct  emendations,  harmo- 
nious adjustment,  and  religious  decency, 
of  Gustavus."  It  is  not  difficult  to  con- 
clude, that  the  ground-work  of  this 
excellent  military  superstructure,  was 
superiority  in  talents,  and  not  mere. se- 
niority, or  rank  in  life ;  and  this  con- 
clusion is  a  tacit  condemnation  of  those 
rigid  rules,  without  exception,  by  which 
the  promotion  of  able  officers,  in  our 
sei  vice,  is  constantly  impeded. 

SUPERNUM~ERARY,(sur  numeraire, 
Fr.)  beyond  a  fixed,  or  stated  number. 
In  a  strict  military  sense,  it  means  the 
officers  and  non-commissioned  officers 
that  are  attached  to  a  regiment,  or  bat- 
talion, for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the 
places  of  such  as  fall  in  action,  and  for 
the  better  management  of  the  rear 
ranks  when  the  front  is  advancing,  or 
engaged. 

Supernumerary  officers  and  non-com- 
missioned officers  must  always  divide 
their  ground  equally  in  the  rear  of  the 
division  they  belong  to,  and  pay  the 
strictest  attention  to  the  orders  which 
are  issued  for  its  exercise  or  movement. 

If  an  officer  is  killed,  or  wounded,  in 
action,  the  supernumerary  officer  of  the 
division  takes  the  command,  and  so  on  to 
the  quarter-master  and  Serjeants,  &c. 

To  SUPERSEDE,  (rcmplacer,  Fr.) 
See  to  Respite. 

To  be  SUPERSEDED,  (etre  rem- 
plac'e,  Fr.)  Both  these  terms  are  used, 
by  the  French,  in  the  same  military 
sense  that  we  adopt  them,  viz.  to  be 
deprived  of  rank  and  pay  for  some  of- 
fence, and  to  have  another  put  in  one's 
stead. 


SUPERSEDING  signdl,  a  signal 
hoisted  by  order  of  a  superior  officer  on 
board  a  ship,  giving  notice  that  some 
individual  has  been  deprived  of  his  au- 
thority. Officers  of  the  army,  when  in 
transports,  have  the  power  of  hoisting 
up  the  superseding  signal  on  proof  of 
misconduct,  or  mismanagement  in  the 
captain  of  the  transport.  But  this  rarely 
happens,  as  the  responsibility  which  de- 
volves upon  the  land  officer  is  great  and 
hazardous. 

SUPPLANT,  (supplanter,  Fr.)  lite- 
rally, to  tiip  up  the  heels;  in  a  figurative 
sense,  to  displace  by  stratagems  ;  to 
!  turn  out.  It  is  generally  said  in  a  bad 
sense,  as  the  means  are  seldom  honour- 
able. 

To  SUPPLE,  from  the  French  soupk, 
to  render  pliant,  flexible;  as  is  the  case 
when  young  countrymen  are  first  sent 
to  drill,  in  order  to  fit  their  bodies  to 
military  action. 

SUPPLE  ANT,  Fr.  a  substitute;  any 
person  named  to  do  the  functions  of 
another. 

Le  Suppt.eant,  IV.  officer  in  waiting. 

SUPPLEMENT,  addition  ;  augmen- 
tation, in  case  of  deficiency. 

Supplement  of  an  arch,  in  geometry, 
or  trigonometry,  the  number  of  degrees 
which  it  wants  of  being  an  entire  semi- 
circle; as  complement  signifies  what  an 
arch  wants  of  being  a  quadrant. 

Supplement  of  an  angle,  (supple- 
ment d'un  angle,  Fr.)  the  number  of 
degrees  which  are  wanting  in  an  angle 
to  constitute,  or  make  up  two  angles. 

SUPPLEMENT,  Fr.  supplement; 
addition  to  any  thing  by  which  its  de- 
fects are  supplied.  In  the  staff  of  the 
French  army,  there  are  officers  attach- 
ed to  generals  as  supernumerary  aides- 
de-camp.  These  are  calied  aides-de- 
camp  de  supplement. 

Supplement,  Fr.  additional  allow- 
ance, or  gratification  money,  given  by  a 
sovereign  to  his  officers,  over  and  above 
their  regular  subsistence. 

SUPPLEMENTAL,      >  (supplimen- 

SUPPLEMENTARY,  S  taire,  Fr.  ) 
additional ;  such  as  fills  up  what  is 
wanting. 

Supplementary  militia.  See  Mi- 
litia. 

SUPPLY,  relief  of  want ;  making  up 
deficiencies;  as  a  fresh  supply  of  troops, 
ammunition,  &c. 

To  Supply,  to  make  up  deficiencies  ; 
to  aid  ;  to  assist;  to  relieve  with  some- 
5T 


S  U  R 


M     ) 


S  U  R 


I ;  to  fill  aav  room  made       Howjk  SriL  i~- 

serjeants  -  :-  S  ilAPAN,  Ind.  an  honorary  dress, 
piv  the  places  of  officers  when  they  which  is  giren  to  an  inferior  by  a  supe- 
aup  oat  of  the  ranks,  or  are  killed  in ,  nor. 

-     RARBITRE.  Fr.  an  umpire. 


To  SUPPORT,  to  aid ;  to 
likewise  siEQines  to  preserve 

the  corps. 

Lime  of"  Scppokt,  the 


::       SURBAISSEMENT,  Fr.  the  line  of 


v  arc  drawn  in  an  elliptic  or  cir 
_-  portion  which  has  less  elevation  than 
|  the  half  of  its  base,  and  is  consequently 
in    under  the  full  arch. 

SUB    B  A  RGE.  to  make  a  demand 
Scppost,  (smpmort,  Fr.)   This  term  is  of  money  for  things,  either  not  retained, 


:. 


any  particular  work    k 


which  another,  on  a  larger  scale,  is  de- 

:t: r-z  .     "  r-       -: 

TED.  well  aided;  well 
laiiili  il      It  ?ignihes  well  kept 

up.   as  a   well  supported  Jire  from  the 
mtteria  ;    a    well    supported     ore    of 


sed  not  to  have  been. 
SURECOT,  Fr.    See  2*ex  Reckos- 


IVG. 


directly,   or  indirectly,  that 
ought  to  be  told  fairlv  and  whc-llv. 
SUPREMACY,     (siprcmatU,     Y: 
place ;  highest  authority  :   state 


-""RPLOMBER.  Fr.  id  slope. 
SURAT  kaai,  lnd.  a  state,  or  repre- 
senta  t  lOL  :  ase, 

SURBATE,        /        -     iture.  F 
SURBATi:  uise      under     a 

]     5UPPI  ESS,  to  conceal  ;  not   to, horse's  foot,  which  is  often  occasioned 
not  to  reveal  -.  also,  to  quell ;   as.   by  the  loss  of  a  shoe,  and  by  his  travel* 
:    s  _ ; :  ~-  _  -r  _      -  ig  too  long  in  that  state. 

SUPPI    :S*  f  the    truth,    tht        SU  RB  A  TED.  bqgaed;  harassed. 

SURCINGLE,  'txrfau,  Ft.)  a  girth, 
with  which  the  saddle,  or.  any  other 
harden,  is  bound  upon  a  horse. 

SURCULOTTE,  Jr.  over-all;  a  co- 
of  being  supreme;  owning  no  superior,  vering  which  omcers  and  soldiers  have 
except  God,  in  temporal,  or  spiritual  on  service,  over  their  breeches  and  pan- 
rights.     Dean  Swift   has  observed,  that ,  taloons. 

Henry  YI1L  had  no  intention  to  change  SURETY,  bondsman ;  one  that  gives 
religion,  be  continued  to  barn  Protestants  security  for  another;  one  that  is  bound 
after  he  had  cast  off  the  Pope's  supre-  for  another.  master  in  the 

awry.     The  objection,  which  the  Roman   British   servi.-  zed  to   find  two 


Catholics  fed  oa  this  ground,  predades 
them  from  the  full  enjoyment  of  oar 
civil  constitution. 

Oath  of  Supremacy,  an  oath  admi- 
nistered, or  supposed  to  be  miniiiiiuli  i<  <l, 
to  all  persons,  civil  and  military,  who  are 
with  places  of  trust  under  the 
ent.  This  oath  is  never 
or  omitted,  with  regard 
to  privy  counsellors,  members  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  omcers  of  the  royal  navy, 
above  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  It  is  not 
enforced  in  the  army,  owing  to  the  great 
of  Roman  Catholics  who  are 
to  hold  commissior- 
of  their  own  country 

attachment   to  the 


d*. 


Pope 

i.  Fr.  upon  ;  against.  It  is  often 
«*ed  in  the  latter  sense  by  the  French, 
ac,«arcacrsnr  tmcplace,  to  march  against 

A  ■-■_  -•  •  ay  -.-  pBrtBJalj  : 
■*"«it  fa:.  Toe  French  also  sav,  pour 
**r}  for  certain. 


sureties,  who  bina  themselves  in  given 
sums,  for  the  security  of  monies  entrust- 
ed to  him  bv  government. 

wFACE,  in  fortification,  is  that 
part  of  the  side  which  is  terminated  by 
the  flank  prolonged,  and  the  angle  of 
the  nearest  bastion ;  the  double  of  this 
line  with  the  curtain  is  equal  to  the  ex- 
terior side. 

SURGEON.  *' chirursvtn,  Pi 
wbo  cures  by  manual  operation  ; 
whose  duty  it  is  to  act  in  external  mala- 
dies, by  the  direction  of  the  physician  ; 
a  stair  officer,  whoiscbief  of  the  medical 
department  in  each  regiment,  or  hospital 
ship,  cvc. 

Navy  Scf.geos,  one  who  is  oh    ; 
to  act  in  tne  three  capacities  of  physi- 
cian, surgeon,  and  apothecary,  on  board 
a  snip  of  war. 

ntraL,  the  £ri::  ct  senior 
suraeoD  of  toe  army. 

en  a  soldier  is  punished,  it  is  the 

duty  of  the  regimental  surgeon  to  at- 

,  tend  at  the  execution  of  tit    .-.:   racs, 


SUR 


(     875     ) 


S  U  R 


and  to  see  that  the  life  of  the  culprit  is  term  in  the  French  manege,  signi*  : 
not  endangered  bv  excessive  rigour.  He  to  over-ride,  or  over-work  a  horse. 
is,  in  facr,  paramount  to  the  commanding  Hence,  un  che~al  surmeni.  a  jnded  h       e 


officer  on  this  occasiou,  and  ought  to  in- 
terfere whenever  his  judgment  dictates. 


or  one  spoiled  bv  v*>  much  wc  rk. 
To  SURMOUNT,  (mrmonte-.  F- 


If  anv  commanding  orr.cer  should  be  lie  above;  as  a  figure  or  urnament  ia 
hardy  enough  to  continue  the  chastise-  architecture  does,  when  it  is  placed  over 
ment,  m  spite  of  the  surgeon's  interpo-  an  arch.  ice. 


sition,  the  responsibility  will  then  res 
with  him. 

Assistcnt-SvncEoy,  the  person  who 
acts  iiumediate!y  under  the  regimental 
surgeon.     In   the    Regulations    for  im- 


To  SuRMnr.vT    difficulties,    to 
superior  to  rhe  variaaa  obstacles  which 
occur,  especial iv  in  warfare,  by  means 
of  skill  and  activirv. 

La  SURPENTES,  Fr.  the  siines  or 


proving  the  situation  of  regimental  sur-  straps  used  in  the  artillery.  The  French 

geons  and  mates,  which  took   place  in  also  say.  ies  herses  <taf~ut. 
1796,    it    is   expressed,   that   surgeon?'       SURPLOMB.  Fr    not  upright,  or  in 

mates  in  future  are  to  be  styled  Assis-  a  perpendicular  situation,  as  is  the  case 

tant  Surgeons,  and  to   be  appointed  by  when  a  wall  bellies. 


commission    from    his    Majesty,   or   by! 
generals  authorized  bv   him.     For  fur 


To  SURPRIZE,  (surprendre,  Fr.)  ia 
war,  to  fall  on  an  enemy  unexpectedly, 


ther  particulars  respecting  «urgeons  and   iu   marching  through  narrow  and  dim- 
assistant  surgeons,  see  Military  Finance,  cult  passes,  when  one  part  has  passed, 


Veterwmry  Surgeox.  See  Veteri- 
nary. 

SURHAUSSE,  Fr.  in  architecture, 
any  thing  built  higher  than  the  full  or 
regular  circle,  as  is  the  case  in  a  gothic 
arch. 

SURBAUSSEMENT,  Fr.  the  reverse 
of  svrbuissemtnt :  thus  surhausser  - 


so  as  not  easilv  to  come  to  the  succour 
of  the  other ;  as  in  the  passage  of  rivers, 
woods,  inctosures,  &c  A  place  is  sur- 
prized by  drains,  casemates,  or  the  issues 
of  rivers  or  canals;  bv  encumbering 
the  bridge  or  gate,  by  wagons  meeting 
and  stopping  each  other ;  sending  soldiers 
into  the  place,  under  pretence  of  being 


the   half  of  its 
vault  higher  or 


baisser  is  to  give  to  an  arch  either  more  deserters,  who,  on  entering,  surprize  the 
or  less  elevation   than 
base  :    i.  e.    to    raise  a 
lower. 

SURIXTENDANT  des  fortifications, 
Fr.  a  place  of  great  trust  and  consider- 
able importance  during  the  old  French 
government.  It  was  his  dutv  to  submit 
plans  of  places  that  were  to  be  tortided, 
or  of  others  that  wanted  repairing ;  to 
give  in  estimates  of  the  expenses  that 
would  attend  the  works;  and  to  state  to 


guard ;  being  snstained  by  troops  in 
ambush  near  the  place,  to  whom  they 
give  entrance,  and  thereby  seize  it. 
Soldiers,  dressed  .ike  peasants,  mer- 
chants, jews,  priests,  or  women,  are 
sometimes  employed  for  this  purpose. 
The  enemy  sometimes  sends  in  his  sol- 
diers, as  if  thev  were  his  commg  from 
the  hospitals.  &c.  be  also  dresses  oppo- 
nent's soldiers  in  his  regimentals,  who, 
presenting    themselves   at   the   gate   as 


the  directors  the  degrees  of  skill  and  !  such,  are  immediately  admitted,  seize  the 
activitv  which  he  had  discovered  in  the  j  guard,  and  become  masters  of  the  place, 
dittereut  engineers  who  acted  under  him.  j  Sometimes  houses  are  set  on  tire,  and 
He    likewise   communicated    with    the  whilst  the  garrison  comes  out  to  extin- 


guish   it,    troops    who   lav    in   ambush 
survevor    general   in    our   march  in,  and  surprize  the  place.     Otfi- 

rs,   commanding  guards  at  the  prin- 
cipal gates,  are  lured  out  under  various 
pretences;    matters  being  so  contrived, 
:  that  a  partv  may  seize  the  gate  in  coming 
i  in  with  them.     Sometimes  an  alarm  is 


king  on  everv  weightv   branch  ot  ord 
nance.     The 

service  only  communicates  with  the 
master  general,  or  the  Board,  who  re- 
ports to  the  King. 

SfRtxTEXPAxr   ■         .-'  dts  poudres 
et  salpitres  de  Frmmee,  Fr.  superinteu- 


dant  general  of  the  powder  and  salt-' given  at  one  side  of  the  garrison,  whilst 
petre  magazines  of  France:  an  ap-  the  enemy  enters  secredy  at  the  other, 
pointment  in  the  old  French  artillery, :  which  at  that  time  is  too  ofttu  ne- 
which  was  created  in  ld34,  and  paid  the 


Paulette. 

SURMEXER,  Fr. 


to  founder;    a 


glected. 

Surprizes,  ( surprises,  Fr.)  in  a  mili- 
tarv  sense,  mav  appiv  either   to  th-.se 

"  5T  2 


S  U  R 


(     876     ) 


S  U  R 


measures  which  are  adopted  by  one 
army  in  the  field  to  surprize  another,  or 
to  those  which  are  followed  in  the 
attack  of  fortified  places.  The  French 
make  a  distinction  between  surprises  dc 
ctunpagne,  and  surprises  des  places;  or 
the  surprizes  which  are  practised  against 
an  army  in  the  field,  and  those  which 
are  executed  against  fortified  towns  or 
places.  What  has  been  said  under  the 
article  Stratagems  of  War,  will  equally 
apply  to  the  latter  system. 

When  it  is  found  expedient  to  at- 
tempt a  surprize  in  the  field,  a  suliicient 
number  of  men  must  be  collected,  for 
the  purpose,  not  only  of  advancing  with 
confidence  against  the  enemy,  but  of 
being  able  to  make  good  a  retreat 
should  he  prove  stronger  than  was  ex- 
pected. The  troops  that  are  selected 
for  this  duty  should  be  remarkable  for 
their  fidelity,  and  be  able  to  undergo  the 
greatest  fatigues.  Intelligent  and  faith- 
ful guides  must  be  distributed  among 
the  different  troops  and  companies,  in 
order  to  keep  up  the  continuity  of  the 
march,  and  to  put  those  of  the  rear  in 
the  right  paths,  should  they  have  de- 
viated from  the  direct  route,  or  line  of 
march. 

If  the  detachment  or  corps,  that  is 
entrusted  with  the  secret  expedition  or 
surprize,  be  marched  out  of  an  en- 
trenched camp,  proper  precautions  must 
be  taken,  to  prevent  any  intercourse 
between  the  enemy  and  persons  em- 
ployed to  send,  or  give  intelligence.  To 
do  this  effectually,  the  instant  the  rear 
guard  has  left  the  camp,  the  gates  must 
be  shut,  and  the  strictest  orders  be 
issued  to  prevent  spies,  or  deserters, 
from  stealing  out.  Small  parties  of 
dragoons  and  riflemen  must  likewise  be 
sent  forward  to  scour  the  roads,  and  to 
pick  up  stragglers.  Care  is  taken  to 
have  it  understood  by  the  people  of  the 
country,  that  these  parties  are  detached 
for  no  other  purpose  than  to  escort 
some  wagons,  whicli  are  expected  for 
the  use  of  the  army,  to  parley,  or,  ap- 
parently, to  execute  some  business  that 
can  neither  create  jealousy,  nor  give  un- 
ea.-iness. 

About  an  hour  after,  it  must  he  pro- 
claimed, in  and  about  the  camp  and 
adjacent  country,  that  no  officer,  soldier, 
sutler,  or  inhabitant  of  the  villages,  &c. 
shall,  on  any  account,  go  more  than  one 
quarter  of  a    league  from   the  army. 


Small  scouring  parties,  with  the  provost 
marshal's  field  patroles,  must  be  dis- 
tributed beyond  these  limits,  in  order  to 
pick  up  stragglers,  and  to  search  their 
persons  lest  they  should  be  the  bearers  of 
letters,  &c.  A  great  number  of  small 
ambuscades  must  be  laid  along  the  lead- 
ing avenues  between  the  enemy's  camp 
and  your  own.  If,  notwithstanding  all 
these  precautions, you  should  learn,  that 
the  enemy  has  gained  some  information 
respecting  your  movement, a  report  must 
be  instantly  spread  to  make  him  imagine, 
that  you  have  some  other  design  in  con- 
templation. 

If,  duiing  the  night,  or  in  the  course 
of  the  day,  small  reconnoitring  parties, 
belonging  to  the  enemy,  should  be  dis- 
covered upon  the  road,  or  about  it,  one 
half  of  your  patrole  or  scouring  detach- 
ment must  be  placed  in  ambush  along 
one  side  of  the  road,  in  order  to  take 
them  in  the  rear,  whilst  the  other  half 
attacks  them  in  front,  and  by  thus  sur- 
rounding them,  prevents  anj  intelligence 
from  being  carried  to  the  enemy. 

When  such  parties  consist  of  a  re- 
gular advanced  detachment  from  the 
enemy's  forces,  that  challenges  you  on 
your  approach,  your  out-scouts  must  in- 
stantly give  the  name  of  the  prince  or 
general  against  whose  troops  you  are 
marching,  or  make  them  imagine,  that 
you  are  returning  from  some  secret  ex- 
pedition which  had  been  undertaken  in 
his  favour,  or  that  you  came  out  of  a 
neighbouring  state  which  is  in  alliance 
with  him.  As  you  draw  near,  proper 
measures  must  be  adopted  to  get  upon 
its  flanks;  so  as  ultimately  to  surround 
the  whole  guard,  and  to  prevent  any  in- 
formation from  being  forwarded  to  the 
main  body  of  the  enemy.  This  opera- 
tion cannot  fail  of  success,  if  you  act 
with  promptitude;  and  most  especially, 
if  you  can  get  possession  of  the  enemy's 
watchword,  or  countersign. 

Such  are  the  leading  precautions  to 
he  observed  at  the  first  outset  of  an 
army,  whose  design  is  to  surprize  its 
enemy.  But  these  are  not  all.  A  per- 
fect knowledge  of  his  position  must  have 
been  acquired;  correct  descriptions  of 
all  the  posts  and  stations,  local  as  well 
as  artificial  advantages,  must  likewise 
have  been  given  in,  with  a  specific  ac- 
count of  the  bridges,  fords,  &c.  the 
state  of  his  provisions,  and  of  the  general's 
head-quarters. 


S  U  It 


(     877     ) 


S  U  R 


If  it  be  vour  design  to  surprize  any 
strong  holds,  or  particular  posts,  to  fail 
suddenly  upon  some  detached  general's 
command,  or  to  carry  the  head  quarters 
themselves,  you  must  be  made  tho- 
roughly acquainted  with  all  the  intri- 
cacies of  ground  about  them,  with  the 
number  of  men  which  may  be  opposed 
to  you ;  and,  when  you  have  gained 
the  necessary  information  respecting 
these  matters,  particularly  the  latter, 
you  must  assemble  a  body  of  active 
and  zealous  troops,  whose  number  shall 
be  one-third  at  least  greater  than  that 
of  the  enemy,  to  execute  your  plan. 

When  your  project  has  been  com- 
pleted, you  must  call  your  men  together. 
For  in  all  expeditions  of  this  sort,  de- 
sultory operations  are  unavoidably  neces- 
sary, and  the  troops  employed  upon 
them  must  be  dispersed.  Should  any  be 
found  absent  at  the  roll-calling  of  the 
different  companies  or  detachments,  it 
may  reasonably  be  presumed,  that  they 
are  engaged  in  pillaging  the  place  they 
entered.  In  which  case,  you  must  set 
lire  to  the  houses,  if  you  cannot  with- 
draw the  free-booters  by  any  other 
method. — Strict  orders  should  be  given 
out,  that  no  soldier,  or  follower  of  the 
army,  shall  move  before  the  detachment 
returns  to  the  main  body,  after  having 
effected  the  surprize,  or  remain  behind 
when  ic  marches  off.  It  frequently 
happens,  that  a  few  irregular  soldiers, 
&c.  will  avail  themselves  of  the  con- 
fusion of  the  moment,  to  conceal  the 
property  that  may  have  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  detachment,  and  thereby 
avoid  sharing  it  with  their  comrades. 
Patroles  must  be  sent  out  of  the  camp, 
and  be  posted  along  the  road  or  roads, 
that  lead  to  the  place  which  has  been 
surprized,  and  strict  injunctions  to  stop 
all  stragglers;  and  the  quarter  and  rear 
guards  of  the  camp  itself  must  see,  that 
none  enter  before  the  detachment  is 
regularly  marched  in.  When  any  are 
found  guilty  of  this  unmilitary  practice, 
they  must  not  only  be  stripped  of  their 
booty,  but  they  must  also  be  severely 
punished,  for  the  sake  of  example.  If 
there  should  not  be  a  sntficient  number 
of  wagons  to  bring  off  the  wounded,  the 
cavalry  must  dismount,  and  the  wounded 
be  put  upon  their  horses.  But  if  it  be 
found  expedient  to  make  use  of  the 
cavalry,  you  must  then  convey  the  dis- 
abled in  the  best  manner  you  can,  by 


taking  all  the  horses,  &c.  which  may 
have  been  found  in  the  place  you  have 
surprized. 

After  a  surprize  has  been  accom- 
plished, the  troops,  employed  upon  that 
service,  must,  if  possible,  be  inarched 
back  to  head-quarters  by  a  different  road 
to  the  one  they  took  in  advancing  against 
the  enemy.  For  it  would  be  extremely 
impolitic  to  expose  them,  even  though 
their  number  were  a  third  greater  than 
that  of  the  enemy,  to  a  second  action; 
under  the  manifest  disadvantages  of 
being  fatigued  with  the  march,  and  the 
attack  they  had  just  made,  and  of  being 
encumbered  with  the  booty,  &c.  of  the 
place  they  had  surprized.  Their  re- 
treat must  be  effected  the  shortest 
way  back.  But  if  there  should  be  the 
least  ground  to  apprehend,  that  any 
attempt  might  be  made  by  the  enemy 
to  cut  them  off,  the  first  movement  must 
be  upon  the  same  road  they  came; 
and  when  night  approaches,  the  troops 
must  be  suddenly  countermarched,  in 
order  to  take  a  different  road,  and  to 
avoid  any  ambush  that  might  be  laid  by 
the  enemy. 

Under  these  circumstances,  every 
measure  must  be  embraced  to  deceive 
the  enemy.  Some  prisoners  may  be 
suffered  to  escape,  before  the  troops 
have  been  countermarched,  in  order  to 
give  false  information  ;  some  mules  or 
horses  may  be  left  on  the  road,  and 
small  parties  of  drummers,  &c.  be  de- 
tached forward  to  keep  beating  along 
the  first  road,  as  if  the  whoie  body 
were  marching  that  way.  Fires  may 
also  be  lighted  by  patroles  sent  forward 
tor  that  purpose.  Among  other  means 
which  may  be  resorted  to,  to  induce  the 
enemy  to  believe  that  the  original  line 
of  march  has  been  continued,  that  of 
sending  horses  and  men  forward  to  mis- 
lead them  by  their  footsteps  is  not  the 
worst  imagined. 

It  is  more  than  probable,  that  if  the 
retreat  be  made  during  the  night,  and 
through  an  inclosed  or  intersected 
country,  the  enemy  will  scarcely  run 
the  risk  of  pursuing,  lest  ambuscades 
should  be  formed  to  surprize  him  on  his 
march. 

If,  notwithstanding  all  your  precau- 
tion-, the  enemy  should  get  intelligence 
of  what  has  happened,  and,  in  conse- 
quence thereof,  he  should  have  time  to 
collect  his  forces  together  in  order  to 


SUR 


(     878     ) 


SUR 


attack  you  in  your  retreat;    under  these 
circumstances,  a  position  must  he  taken 
that  is  hest  suited  to  the  kind  of  troops 
you  have  with  you,  and  to  their  effec 
tive  number. 

If  there  be  a  ford,  a  bridge,  or  a  de- 
file, near  to  the  ground  you  have  taken 
up,  which  the  enemy  must  unavoidably 
pass,  the  grea'est  expedition  must  be 
made  to  get  beyond  the  obstacle,  so  as 
to  have  it  securely  in  your  rear.  Should 
the  obstacle  be  upon  either  of  your 
Hanks,  a  detachment  must  be  posted 
there  to  keep  the  enemy  in  check,  while 
your  main  body  continues  on  its  march. 
If  you  cannot  conveniently  send  for- 
ward your  booty,  for  fear  of  weakening 
your  forces,  it  must  be  placed  in  such 
a  manner,  as  not  to  be  in  the  way  when 
you  find  it  necessary  to  engage  the 
enemy. 

As  soon  as  the  enemy  approaches, 
the  whole  body  must  be  halted,  and 
the  proper  dispositions  be  made  for 
battle.  The  guard  that  is  entrusted 
with  the  care  of  the  prisoners  must  in- 
stantly strip  them  of  their  swords,  bay- 
onets, and  of  every  offensive  weapon, 
(supposing  them  to  have  had  permission 
to  wear  them,)  and  must  order  them  to 
sit  down,  threatening  to  shoot,  or  cut 
down,  the  first  man  that  should  pre- 
sume to  stir.  On  this  account,  the  men 
who  compose  the  guard,  should  always 
be  ready  to  do  their  duty  upon  the 
least  symptom  of  irregularity.  A  small 
cavalry  detachment  is  usually  employed 
upon  this  service,  as  it  would  not  be  in 
the  power  of  the  infantry  to  act  with  so 
much  promptitude  and  activity.  Before 
the  troops  are  ranged  in  order  of  battle, 
directions  must  be  given  for  every 
soldier  to  take  off  his  knapsack,  or  havre- 
sack  ;  for  if  the  men  were  allowed  to 
retain  this  load  of  baggage  and  booty, 
it  would  not  be  in  their  power  to  act. 

History  furnishes  us  with  various  in- 
stances in  which  fortified  places,  strong 
holds,  and  gates  have  been  surprized. 
There  are  others  again,  in  which  sur- 
prizes have  been  practised  with  success 
by  means  of  spies,  and  of  secret  inter- 
course with  one  or  more  of  the  party 
against  whom  you  are  engaged.  In 
1707,  several  Miquelets  disguised  them- 
selves as  peasants,  entered  Balvastro, 
and  remained  concealed  in  the  houses 
of  some  of  the  inhabitants,  who  sup- 
plied them  with  arms  to  enable  them 
to  attack  the  gate  of  Monsons,  in  order 


to  co-operate  with  a  detachment  which 
was  advancing  towards  that  quarter  for 
the  purpose  of  surprizing  the  place. 
But  they  did  not  succeed  :  for  two  regi- 
ments, which  lay  in  the  town,  to  guard 
the  hospitals  and  magazines  belonging 
to  the  army,  instantly  flew  to  arms, 
marched  against  the  detachment,  and 
forced  them  to  retreat.  Had  the  latter 
been  superior  in  force,  it  is  more  than 
probable  that  the  stratagem  used  by  the 
Miquelets,  and  seconded  by  the  trea- 
chery of  the  inhabitants,  would  have 
amply  succeeded.  In  1580,  Count  Eg- 
mont  surprized  Courtray,  by  ordering  a 
number  of  determined  good  soldiers  to 
get  into  the  town  a  la  debandade,  and 
to  remain  concealed  in  the  houses  of 
the  Roman  Catholics.  See  Stratagemes 
de  Guerre,  page  164,  &c.  ike. 

For  various  interesting  particulars 
which  regard  the  article  we  have  been 
cursorily  discussing,  we  refer  oar  reader 
to  La  Suite  de  I'Essai  sur  la  Science  de 
la  Guerre,  torn.  iii.  page  259;  and  torn, 
iv.  page  87.  Likewise  Les  (Euvres  Mi- 
litaires,  torn.  ii.  p.  69;  and  to  the  Stra- 
tagimes  de  Guerre,  page  173. 

To  prevent  a  Surprize.  Turpin  in 
his  Art  of  War  observes,  that  it  is  not 
sufficient  for  the  security  of  the  quar- 
ters, that  they  are  well  distributed,  that 
the  guards  of  horse  are  posted  on  the 
outside,  and  guards  of  foot  on  the  in- 
side, and  that  patroles  also  are  added  to 
them;  detachments  must  likewise  be  sent 
out  in  advance  of  the  guards,  in  order 
to  make  discoveries. 

A  quarter  should  never  be  imagined 
to  be  totally  secure,  whilst  there  are 
only  guards  before  it:  it  would  not  be 
difficult  for  the  enemy  to  come  close 
up  to  them,  particularly  if  the  country 
is  enclosed,  either  during  the  day  or 
night;  and  if  it  is  an  open  country,  in 
the  night  time  only. 

Detachments,  in  advance  of  the  quar- 
ters, are  absolutely  necessary,even  when 
there  are  guards;  they  should  be  in- 
creased, according  to  the  number  of  the 
troops,  and  in  proportion  to  the  extent 
of  country  to  be  guarded. 

These  detachments  should  march  se- 
parately in  the  front,  and  they  should! 
occupy  as  much  country  as  possible  upon 
the  flanks ;  they  must  march  upon  the 
roads  leading  to  the  enemy.  In  the 
day  time  they  must  scour  the  hedges, 
thickets,  and  woods ;  the  villages,  the 
hollows,  and  every  sort  of  place  that 


S  U  It 


(     379    ) 


SUE, 


may  serve  for  an  ambuscade :  in  the 
night  time,  they  must  draw  near  the 
quarter,  and  remain  at  the  distance  of 
at  least  four  hundred  paces,  and  even 
farther,  if  the  country  is  open. 

In  the  night,  detachments  must 
march  very  leisurely,  not  advancing,  but 
crossing  each  other;  and  besides  the 
word  given  out  in  orders,  they  will 
have  another  particular  one  to  recog- 
nize each  other.  Every  now  and  then, 
they  must  stop  and  listen,  in  order  to 
discover  whether  they  can  hear  any- 
thing. The  officers  commanding  the 
detachments  should  avoid  fighting  till 
the  last  extremity;  they  should  con- 
stantly bear  in  mind,  that  the  sole  pur- 
pose of  their  being  ordered  to  advance, 
is  to  preserve  the  quarters  from  a  sur- 
prize. 

These  detachments  should  not  con- 
tinue out  above  six  or  eight  hours,  and 
consequently  should  never  dismount.  If 
there  are  any  hussars  in  the  quarters, 
they  should  be  employed  in  these  de- 
tachments preferably  to  an  y  other  troops, 
as  they  are  better  calculated  to  scour  a 
country  than  cavalry,  or  even  dragoons: 
their  horses  being  more  in  wind,  and 
less  liable  to  be  fatigued.  It  is,  be- 
sides, the  sort  of  war  which  is  natural 
to  hussars. 

As  soon  as  these  detachments  are  re- 
turned, others  should  be  sent  out  for 
the  same  purpose ;  as  the  quarters 
should  never  he  uncovered  in  front.  If 
these  detachments  hear  any  thing  in  the 
night,  the  commanding  officer  should 
send  to  discover  what  it  is,  and  must 
afterwards  convince  himself  of  the  truth 
of  it;  if  it  should  be  occasioned  by 
troops,  he  will  directly  send  an  hussar 
to  the  commanding  officer  of  one  of  the 
guards,  if  there  are  any  in  the  front  of 
the  quarters;  but  if  not,  then  to  the 
commandant  of  the  first  quarter,  who 
will  apprize  the  general.  He  must  con- 
ceal himself  in  some  place,  whence, 
without  being  discovered,  he  will  with 
greater  ease  be  able  to  form  a  judgment 
of  what  is  marching  towards  him;  and 
when  he  shall  be  more  confirmed  that 
they  are  enemies,  he  will  send  a  second 
hussar  to  give  notice  to  the  first  post, 
who  will  inform  the  general;  and  will 
always  continue  to  observe  their  motions 
by  marching  either  on  their  flank,  or 
before  them.  See  p.  36,  &c.  of  Turpin's 
Art  of  War,  vol.  ii. 

For  some  very  sensible  observations 


respecting  surprizes,  see  Hints  to  Non- 
commissioned officers  on  actual  service, 
compiled  and  translated  by  Colonel 
Sontag,  pajje  68. 

To  SURRENDER,  (se  rendre,  Fr.) 
to  lay  down  your  arms,  and  give  your- 
self up  as  prisoner  of  war. 

To  Surrender  a  besieged  tozvn  or 
place,  (rendre  une  place  de  guerre,  Fr.) 
to  offer  to  'capitulate,  or  give  up  any 
fortified  place  which  has  been  entrusted 
to  one's  care  and  courage. 

During  the  reign  of  Louis  XIV.  of 
France,  it  was  ordained  that  every  go- 
vernor or  commandant  of  a  town,  or 
fortified  place,  should  not  offer  to  sur- 
render until  a  practicable  breach  had 
been  effected  by  the  besiegers,  and  the 
walls  had  been  assaulted  three  times 
successively,  under  pain  of  death. 

The  late  Emperor  of  the  French, 
Napoleon  the  first,  acting  up  to  this 
sound  doctrine,  ordered  a  military  com- 
mission to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of 
General  Monnet,  who  was  governor  of 
Flushing,  when  besieged  by  the  English 
under  Lord  Chatham.  He  was  con- 
victed of  an  inefficient  defence,  and 
condemned  accordingly.  Indeed,  if  the 
mere  bombardment  of  a  place  were 
sufficient  reason  to  give  it  up,  what 
would  become  of  some  of  the  most 
celebrated  sieges  in  history  ?  What 
should  we  think  of  Prague,  Bergen-op- 
zoom,  Ismael,  &c.  ?  It  is  within  our 
own  recollection,  and  personal  obser- 
vation on  the  spot,  to  have  seen  the 
ruins  of  the  Quartier  des  Fives  in  Lille, 
which  city  maintained  a  bombardment 
for  eight  days  successively,  and  was 
several  times  on  fire  during  that  period, 
yet  neither  the  governor  nor  the  in- 
habitants would  yield,  although  the 
Emperor's  brother  in  law,  Prince  Saxe- 
Teschen,  commanded  the  besieging 
army  in  person  ;  and  on  the  day  of  St. 
Francis,  the  emperor's  birth-day,  Chris- 
tina, governess  of  the  low  countries, 
used  every  exertion  to  intimidate  them. 

Surrender,  (reddition,  Fr.)  the  act 
of  giving  up  ;  as  the  surrender  of  a 
town  or  garrison. 

SURROGATE,  a  deputy,  a  delegate. 
It  applies  chiefly  to  an  ecclesiastical 
appointment,  although  the  term  be  ge- 
nerally applicable.  In  Doctors'  Com- 
mons this  person  has  some  share  in  the 
distribution  of  prize-money.  See  Pri- 
sage. 

To  SURROUND,  in  fortification,  to 


S  U  R 


(  'S80    ) 


SUR 


invest.     In  tactics,  to  outflank  and  cut 
off  the  means  ol"  retreating. 

Surrounded,  inclosed,  invested.  A 
town  is  said  to  be  surrounded  when  its 
principal  outlets  are  blocked  up;  and 
an  army,  when  its  flanks  are  turned, 
and  its  retreat  cut  off. 
SURSOLID,  (sursolide,Yv.)  in  algebra, 
the  fourth  multiplication,  or  power,  ol' 
any  number  whatever,  taken  as  the  root. 

Suksolid  problem,  in  mathematics, 
that  which  cannot  be  resolved  but  by 
curves  of  a  higher  nature  than  a  conic 
section. 

SURTOUT,  Fr.  This  term  is  used 
by  the  French,  to  express  the  elevation 
of  the  parapet,  and  of  the  rampart, 
which  is  made  at  all  the  angles  of  a 
fortified  town  or  place,  in  order  to  pro- 
tect the  garrison  from  enfilades  and 
ricochet  firings. 

Surtout,  Fr.  a  great  coat.  We  also 
use  the  word  surtout  to  signify  the 
outward  garment  of  a  man;  generally 
however  one  coat  over  another. 

SURVEILLANCE,  Fr.  inspection; 
superintendence;  the  act  of  watching. 
This  substantive  is  new  among  the 
French,  and  comes  from  Surveiller,  to 
watch. 

Eire  en  Surveillance,  Fr.  to  be 
under  the  eye  of  the  police,  as  is  the 
case  of  many  an  individual  in  Paris 
and  elsewhere. 

Conduit  et  Surveillance,  Fr.  a 
term  used  in  public  offices  ;  as  conduite 
et  surveillance  des  prisonniers  de  guerre, 
conduct  and  management  of  prisoners 
of  war. 

SURVEY.  A  survey  is  an  exami- 
nation of  any  place  or  stores,  ccc.  to 
ascertain  their  fitness  for  the  purposes 
of  war,  tkc. 

SURVEYING,  in  military  mathe- 
matics, the  art  or  act  of  measuring 
lands;  that  is,  of  taking  the  dimensions 
of  any  tract  of  ground,  laying  down  the 
same  in  a  map  or  drawing,  and  finding 
the  content  or  area  thereof. 

Surveying,  called  also  geodasia,  is  a 
very  ancient  art ;  it  is  even  held  to 
have  been  the  first,  or  primitive,  part 
of  geometry,  and  that  which  gave  occa- 
sion to,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  all 
the  rest. 

Surveying  consists  of  three  parts ;  the 
first  is  the  taking  of  the  necessary  mea- 
sures, and  making  the  most  necessary 
observations,  on  the  ground  itself;  the 
second   is,   the   laying   down    of  these 


measures  and  observations  on  paper  j 
and  the  third,  the  finding  the  area,  or 
quantity  of  ground  there  laid  down. 
The  first  is  what  we  properly  call  sur- 
veying ;  the  second  we  call  plotting, 
protracting,  or  mapping ;  and  the  third, 
casting  up. 

The  first  again  consists  of  two  parts, 
viz.  the  making  of  observations  for  the 
angles,  and  the  taking  of  measures  for 
the  distances.  The  former  of  these  is 
performed  by  some  one  or  other  of  the 
following  instruments,  viz.  the  theodo- 
lite, circumferenter,  semi-circle,  plain 
table,  or  compass.  The  latter  is  per- 
formed by  means  either  of  the  chain, 
or  perambulator. 

The  second  branch  of  surveying  is 
performed  by  means  of  the  protractor, 
and  plotting  scale.  The  third,  by  re- 
ducing the  several  divisions,  inclosures, 
&c.  into  triangles,  squares,  trapeziums, 
parallelograms,  &c.  but  especially  tri- 
angles; and  finding  the  areas  or  con- 
tents of  these  several  figures.  See 
Love's  Geodasia,  and  Wyld's  Practical 
Surveyor. 

SURVEYOR  General  of  the  Ord- 
nance. The  surveyor  general  of  the 
ordnance  is  the  second  person  in  rank 
at  the  Board,  which  he  attends  with 
the  other  principal  officers,  to  give  di- 
rections in  all  matters  relating  to  the 
department  in  general ;  and  he  is  par- 
ticularly looked  to  at  their  meetings 
for  his  advice  and  opinion  respecting 
contracts  and  the  prices  of  every  arti- 
cle of  store  or  material  wanted  for  the 
ordnance  service;  the  artificers' propo- 
sals being  referred  to  him  for  compa- 
risons to  be  made,  in  all  cases  where 
(he  lowest  tender  cannot  be  ascertained 
at  the  time  they  are  opened  at  the 
Board.  He  is  directed  to  survey  all 
stores  and  provisions  of  war  in  charge 
of  the  principal  storekeeper,  and  to  see 
that  they  are  properly  placed  for  their 
preservation;  to  take  care  that  all  la- 
bourers, artificers,  and  workmen,  are 
kept  to  their  labours  and  duties,  and 
that  the  clerk  of  the  cheque  keeps  his 
account  according  to  the  rules  pre- 
scribed. He  is  to  peruse  and  allow  all 
bills  demanding  payment  of  monies  for 
»;oods  delivered,  or  for  works  and  ser- 
vices done  at  home  or  abroad,  and  to 
examine  and  allow  all  the  accounts  of 
the  storekeepers  and  of  the  paymasters 
of  the  artillery,  engineers,  and  other 
military  corps,  under  the  direction  of 


S  U  R 


(    asi    ) 


S  U  R 


the  ordnance,  both  for  subsistence  and 
allowances:  the  accounts  thus  to  be 
audited  and  passed,  comprehending  the 
whole  of  the  charges  for  that  part  of 
the  department  winch  is  'in  Ireland, 
and  altogether  comprizing  (with  the 
exception  of  the  salaries  of  the  persons 
on  the  civil  branch  at  home,)  the  entire 
expense  of  the  office  of  ordnance  in  all 
its  ramifications,  and  which  at  this  time 
(1809)  exceeds  six  millions  of  pounds 
Sterling  per  annum.  The  surveyor  ge- 
neral is  further  required  to  assist  at  the 
taking  of  all  accounts  and  remains,  and 
to  survev  all  stores  returned  into  the 
magazines  from  ships  of  war,  forts,  and 
garrisons.  It  is  in  his  office  that  the 
estimates  made  by  the  different  officers 
commanding  the  royal  engineers,  at 
home  and  abroad,  are  examined,  as  far 
as  is  practicable  in  regard  to  prices  and 
calculations  ;  the  sort  of  materials  to  be 
used,  the  measurement  of  the  works 
when  executed,  and  the  general  si) per- 
il) tendance  of  the  works  themselves 
having  been  left  with  the  engineer  de- 
partment since  that  corps  has  so  much 
increased.  •  The  surveyor  general  is, 
notwithstanding,  allowed  to  be  compe- 
tent to  submit  his  sentiments  to  the 
master-general,  or  board,  on  any  point 
wherein  he  conceives  the  public  service 
may  be  benefited,  by  regulation,  or 
otherwise.  To  him  is  committed  the 
particular  superintendance  of  t lie  small 
arm  department,  in  manufacture  and 
arrangement ;  he  also  has  the  direction 
of  the  repairs  of  the  Tower,  and  is 
one  of  the  officers  who  is  to  survey  all 
stores  received  from  the  artificers  and 
tradesmen,  whether  for  land  or'  sea 
service;  and  he  is  required  to  sign  the 
warrants  for  their  provision. 

The  business  of  the  surveyor  general 
of  the  ordnance,  from  the  nature  of  his 
office,  in  some  shape  or  other,  mate- 
rially affects  every  branch  of  the  ser- 
vice; but  its  most  essential  objects  are 
the  due  provision  and  distribution  of 
stores  to  meet  the  various  demands  on 
the  ordnance;  and  for  the  correct  inves- 
tigation of  the  pecuniary  arrangement 
of  the  department,  he  is  in  a  great 
degree  responsible. 

The    manufacture    of    ammunition, 
gunpowder,    small    arms,   cannon,   car-  general  is  required  to  peruse,  and  state 


and  comparison  of  tenders  for  supplies, 
or  carrying  on  works,  and  of  all  cash 
accounts,  depends  principally  on  the 
surveyor  general;  and  the  rest  of  the 
boaid  make  official  orders  for  his  re- 
ports on  these  points  where  the  cases 
are  doubtful  or  intricate. 

By  the  instructions  of  King  Charles 
the  Second,  which  have  been  confirmed, 
or  amended,  by  each  succeeding  mo- 
narch, the  surveyor  general,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  clerk  of  the  ordnance, 
is  required  to  sign  all  warrants  for  the 
provision  of  stores;  and  from  his  gene- 
ral knowledge  of  the  expenditure,  it  is 
the  particular  duty  of  the  surveyor 
general  to  point  out  the  best  means  of 
obtaining  them. 

Either  in  his  own  person,  or  by  his 
clerks,  the  surveyor  general  is  to  assist 
at  the  taking  of  remains  of  stores;  he 
also  gives  orders  for  repairs  within  the 
Tower,  and  the  clerk  of  the  cheque 
there,  is  considered  under  his  direction. 

The  surveyor  general  is  likewise  ex- 
pected to  ascertain  that  all  stores  and 
provisions  of  war,  in  charge  ot  the 
principal  storekeeper,  are  properly  pla- 
ced for  their  preservation,  and  his 
clerks  assist  at  the  receipt  of  stores  in 
the  Tower,  or  its  vicinity,  to  see  that 
they  are  of  good  quality  and  according 
to  agreement. 

An  allowed  bill  of  the  surveyor  ge- 
neral is  the  only  authority  on  which  the 
board  orders  a  final  payment,  his  audit 
being  conclusive  in  the  department. 

The  calculations  of  estimates  for 
works  or  repairs,  the  tonnaging  of  de- 
mands of  stores,  and  the  examination 
of  accounts,  previous  to  their  being 
brought  under  the  inspection  of  the 
surveyor  general,  is  performed  by  his 
chief  clerk,  assisted  by  the  rest  of  the 
establishment  of  clerks  in  the  surveyor 
general's  office  at  the  Tower,  who  are 
divided  into  four  branches,  each  under 
a  principal,  viz. 

1st.    The    home    storekeeper's    and 
tradesmen's  bills. 

3d.  The  Irish  accounts. 

3d.  The  foreign  accounts. 

4th.  The  military,  and  those  of  corps 
under  the  ordnance. 

After  this  examination,  the  surveyor 


riages,  and    other  implements    of  war, 
are  intimately   connected  with   the  du- 
ties of  the  surveyor  general's  office. 
The  controul  of  contracts,  agreements, 


his  objections  by  a  report  to  the  board, 
or  to  allow,  as  he  may  judge  proper, 
all  bills  demanding  payment  of  monies 
for  goods  delivered,,  and  for  works  and 
6U 


sus 


(     882     ) 


SUS 


services  done  at  home  and  abroad;  he 
is  to  examine  and  allow,  .  ':ke  man- 
ner, all  accounts  of  the  ordnu  :e  store- 
keepers, of  the  paymasters  of  the  royal 
artillery,  engineer  and  other  military 
cups,  as  well  as  those  of  the  field  train 
of  artillery,  and  barrack  department  of 
the  ordnance,  both  for  subsistence  and 
allowances  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  accounts  thus  to  be  examined  in 
the  surveyor  general's  office,  and  al- 
lowed by  him,  comprise  the  whole  ol 
the  public  expenditure  for  ordnance 
services  in  all  its  various  distributions. 

SUSBANDE,  Fr.  the  iron  hand  or 
plate  which  covers  the  trunnion  be- 
longing to  a  piece  of  ordnance,  or  to  a 
mortar,  when  either  is  fixed  upon  its 
carriage. 

SUSBOUT,  arbre  sur  bout,  Fr.  a 
thick  piece  of  timber  standing  upright 
and  turning  on  a  pivot,  like  the  tree  of 
a  mill,  into  which  several  assemblages 
of  carpentry  are  received,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  communicating  motion  to  ma- 
chines. 

SUSCEPTIBLE,  (susceptible,  Fr.) 
capable  of  admitting;  disposed  to  ad- 
mit. It  may  be  used  in  a  good  or  bad 
sense.  Men  of  extreme  susceptibility 
are  not  calculated  for  command. 

SUSCITER,  Fr.  to  excite  ;  to  en- 
courage persons  to  rise.  This  fre- 
quently happens  between  neighbouring 
princes. 

SUSPECT,  Fr.  a  term  adopted  by 
the  modern  French,  to  signify  any  per- 
son suspected  of  being  an  enemy,  or 
indifferent  to  the  cause  of  the  Revo- 
lution. Hence,  classe  des  suspects,  the 
list  of  the  suspected;  repute  suspect, 
looked  upon  as  a  suspected  person. 

Suspect  d'etre  suspect,  Fr.  one  of 
those  extraordinary  phrases  adopted 
during  the  effervescence  of  the  French 
revolution,  which  had  currency  for  a 
time,  and  was  practically  felt  by  many 
unfortunate  individuals.  It  literally  sig- 
nifies to  be  suspected  of  being  a  sus- 
picious character. 

2b  SUSPEND,  (suspendre,  Fr.)  in 
a  military  sense,  to  delay,  to  protract ; 
hence  to  suspend  hostilities.  It  is  like- 
wise used  to  express  the  act  of  depriving 
an  officer  of  rank  and  pay,  in  conse- 
quence of  some  offence.  "  This  some- 
times happens  by  the  sentence  of  a 
general  court-martial,  or  by  the  sum- 
mary oider  of  his  Majesty  through  the 
commander  in  chief.     In  both  cases,  it 


is  usual  for  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  regiment  to  report  him  to  the  gene- 
ral of  the  district,  by  whom  lie  is  again 
reported  to  the  commander  in  chief, 
through  the  adjutant  general.  He  is 
then  directed,  by  letter  to  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  regiment,  to  be 
suspended  agreeably  to  the  nature  of 
the  transgression.  In  a  trifling  case, 
he  is  oniy  suspended  from  pay,  and  is 
respited  accordingly  upon  the  next 
muster  roll,  for  the  government  of  the 
regimental  agent.  But  when  the  of- 
fence is  aggravated  by  palpable  neg- 
lect, or  obstinacy,  in  not  sending  a  sa- 
tisfactory reason  for  his  absence,  (which 
can  only  be  done  by  vouchers  from  the 
Medical  Board,  &c.)  he  is  suspended 
from  both  rank  and  pay.  So  that  to- 
be  suspended  is  either  partially  or  ge- 
nerally to  be  deprived  of  the  advan- 
tages of  a  military  appointment. 

To  Suspend  hostilities^  to  cease  at- 
tacking one  another. 

SUSPENDED,  in  a  military  sense, 
deprived  of  the  pay  and  emolument  of 
a  situation,  and  rendered  incapable  of 
exercising  the  duties  attached  to  it, 
during  the  pleasure  of  some  ruling 
power. 

SUSPENSION  of  arms,  a  short 
truce  which  contending  parties  agree 
on,  in  order  to  bury  their  dead,  wit  hi 
out  danger,  or  molestation  ;  to  wait  for 
succours ;  or  to  receive  instructions 
from  a  superior  authority. 

SUSPENSION,  temporary  privation 
of  an  office. 

Suspension,  as  a  military  punislv 
ment,  was  probably  intended  to  operate 
as  pecuniary  fining  does  in  that  of 
the  common  law;  but  (to  use  Mr.  Sul- 
livan's words,  in  his  Treatise  on  Mar- 
tial Law,)  it  can  neither  be  considered 
as  deprivation,  or  degradation.  It  does 
not  divesx  an  officer  of  his  military 
character,  though  it  puts  him  under  a 
temporary  incapacity  to  exercise  the 
duties  of  his  station:  he  still  possesses 
his  rank,  though  he  does  not  reap  any 
immediate  advantage  from  it.  It,  in 
fact,  may  be  looked  upon,  and  consi- 
dered, as  borrowed  from  the  ecclesias- 
tical system  of  jurisdiction,  which  ad- 
mitted suspension  as  a  minor  excom- 
munication. 

The  late  Mr.  Tytler,  deputy  judge 
advocate  of  North  Britain,  who  has 
published  an  Essay  on  Military  Law, 
quotes  the  case  of  Lord  George  Sack- 


s  u  s 


(     383     ) 


S    U    S 


viite,  when  he  treats  of  officers  under  the  privileges  of  Parliament  were  to  he 
suspension,  and  agrees  in  every  point  considered  only  in  the  light  of  immuni- 
ties, or  benefits,  personal  to  the  indivi- 
dual who  claims  tliem,  it  might,  with 
some  reason,  lie  argued,  that  a  Member 
of  Parliament,  by  the  acceptance  of  a 
military  commission,  subjects  himself, 
in  all  respects,  to  the  operation  of  the 
military  law,  and  renounces  his  privi- 
lege of  freedom  from  personal  arrest ; 
as  every  person  is  competent  to  re- 
nounce a  benefit  granted  in  favour  of 
himself.  But  the  privileges  of  Parlia- 
ment belong  to  the  Parliament  as  a 
body,  and  their  dignity  and  indepen- 
dence, being  interested  in  maintaining 
them  inviolate,  it  would  thence  seem 
to  follow,  that  no  individual  member 
has  a  right  to  renounce  any    of  those 


with  the  author  just  referred  to.     Sus 

pension,  observes   the  late   Mr.  Tytler, 

in   his  Essay   on  Military  Law,  though 

it  has  the  effect  of  depriving  an  officer, 

for  the  time,  of  his  rank   and  pay,  and 

putting  a  stop  to  the  ordinary  discharge 
of  his  military  duties,  does  not  void  his 
commission,  annihilate  the  military  cha- 
racter, or  dissolve  that  connection 
which  exists  between  him  and  the  so- 
vereign, of  whom  he  is  a  servant.  He 
retains  his  commission,  and  is,  at  all 
times,  liable  to  a  call  to  duty,  which 
would  take  off  the  suspension.  See 
Essay  on  Military  Law,  pages  131,  132. 
Suspension  of  parliamentary  privi- 
lege. This  can  only  be  considered,  in 
a  military  point  of  view,  as  affecting  privileges,  without  consent  of  the  whole 
such  officers,  who,  being  Members  of,  body  of  which  he  is  a  part.  General 
Parliament,  are  entrusted  with  any  spe- '  utility,  however,  demands,  that  the 
cific  appointment  in  the  -army,  and  ordinary  course  of  justice  should  not 
thereby  make  themselves  liable  to  the  be    impeded     in    the     prosecution    of 


Mutiny  Act,  or  Articles  of  War.  We 
have  had  an  instance,  during  the  late 
war,  of  a  militia  colonel,  (who  was  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons,) 
having  been  put  in  arrest,  tried  before 
a  general  court-martial,  cashiered  in 
consequence  of  gross  offences  and  mis- 
demeanours, and  afterwards  expelled 
the  house,  in  consequence  of  military 
delinquency.  We  do  not  hesitate  to 
say,  from  the  character  of  the  culprit, 
that  if  the  privilege  of  Parliament  could 
have  been  taken  advantage  of,  it  would 
have  been  by  him. — Mr.  Tytler,  how- 
ever, does  not  speak  so  positively  as 
we  could  wish  on  this  important  ques- 
tion ;  for  important  it  certainly  is,  when 
we  reflect,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  ge- 
neral of  a  district,  or  colonel  of  a  mi- 
litia corps,  but  might  avail  himself  of 
this  privilege  ;  since  the  majority  of 
them  are  Members  of  Parliament.  It 
is,  indeed,  within  the  personal  know- 
ledge and  recollection  of  the  compiler 
of  this  Dictionary,  that  all  the  field 
officers  and  two  captains  of  a  company, 
in  a  militia  regiment,  belonged  to  the 
Lords  or  Commons. 

Mr.  Tytler,  pp.  129  and  130,  writes 
in  the  following  manner:  "  It  has  been 
questioned,  whether  the  privilege  of  Par- 
liament prevents  any  officer,  who  is  a 
member  of  either  House  of  Parliament, 
from  being  put  under  arrest  by  his  ge- 
neral, or  tried  by  a  court-martial.  This 
is  a  subject  of  difficult  discussion.     If 


crimes;  and  therefore  it  is  an  under- 
stood point  of  law,  that  the  privilege 
of  Parliament  does  not  protect  from 
arrests  in  cases  of  treason,  felony,  or 
breach  of  the  peace.  With  respect  to 
military  crimes,  the  same  political  ex- 
pediency demands,  that  the  course  of 
justice  should  not  be  obstructed  :  but 
as  the  law  has  not  expressly  warranted 
the  suspension  of  parliamentary  privi- 
lege, in  such  cases,  the  safest  course 
seems  to  be,  that  previously  to  the  ar- 
rest of  any  member,  in  order  to  try  him 
for  a  military  crime,  notice  should  be 
given  to  the  House  of  which  lie  is  a 
member,  with  a  request,  that,  for  the 
sake  of  public  justice,  they  should  con- 
sent to  renounce  the  privilege  in  that 
instance,  in  so  far  as  the  body  of  Par- 
liament is  concerned;  as  the  individual 
member  is  understood  to  have  re- 
nounced it  for  himself,  by  the  accep- 
tance of  a  military  commission." 

The  method  which  is  here  proposed, 
though  perfectly  consonant  to  the  usual 
proceedings  in  civil  cases,  and  full  of 
deference  to  the  legislative  body  of  the 
country,  would  be  attended  with  innu- 
merable inconveniences  in  military  mat- 
ters. The  service  would  be  exposed  to 
perpetual  interruptions,  most  especially 
as  it  would  be  necessary  to  make  a  mo- 
tion in  Parliament,  every  time  it  should 
be  found  expedient  to  put  a  privileged 
officer  in  arrest.  The  learned  advocate, 
besides,  did  not  probably  recollect,  that 
5  U  2 


S  U  T 


C     884     ) 


S  U  T 


the  most  active  period  of  military  ser- 
vice in  England,  except  in  cases  of  ac- 
tual invasion,  or  insurrection,  occurs  at 
a  time  when  Parliament  is  not  sitting; 
90  that  i do  very  object,  for  which  lie 
contends,  would  be  lost  by  the  course 
of  justice  being  considerably  impeded. 
It  must  be  manifest  to  every  thinking 
man,  that  military  service  is  of  such  a 
prompt  imperious  nature,  as  not  to  bear 
the  most  trifling  suspension,  or  inter- 
ruption, in  the  exercise  of  its  duties. 
Though,  in  one  sense,  the  military  be 
subject  to  the  civil  power,  according  to 
the  principles  of  the  constitution,  in 
every  other  it  ought  to  be  paramount  to 
extraneous  authority;  and  one  simple 
question  would  shew  the  impolicy  not 
to  say  the  absurdity  of  such  an  interrup- 
tion. A  member  of  Parliament,  who 
claims  his  privilege  whilst  he  is  an  offi- 
cer, is,  in  fact,  like  the  man  who  would, 
but  cannot,  serve  two  masters  at  once. 

Among  other  inconveniences,  and  in- 
deed partial  hardships,  which  do  arise 
from  members  of  Parliament  claiming 
their  privilege  and  attending  in  either 
house,  that  of  the  regiment  being  left 
without  its  efficient  officers,  and  the  duty 
consequently  falling  most  heavily  upon 
a  few  unprivileged  individuals,  is  cer- 
tainly not  the  least.  This,  as  we  have 
already  stated,  has  been  the  case,  and 
probably  still  is,  in  many  militia  regi- 
ments. No  such  anomaly  is  allowed 
in  foreign  services. 

SUSPICION,  (soupcon,  Fr.)  the  act 
of  suspecting;  imagination  of  something 
ill  without  proof.  The  French  use  the 
word  suspicion  in  law.  A  generous  mind 
is  seldom  open  Co  this  unworthy  affec- 
tion.  It  is  almost  always  an  indication 
of  something  base  and  unmanly  in  the 
person  who  indulges  his  imagination  by 
yielding  to  every  trifling  impression  of 
mistrust.  Among  military  men,  it  is 
peculiarly  mischievous. 

To  SUSTAIN,  (soutenir,  Fr.)  to  aid, 
*uccour,  or  support,  any  body  of  men  in 
action,  or  defence  ;  to  receive  and  bear 
with  firmness  any  violent  attack. 
SUTLER  and  Victualler(vivandier,Yv.) 
may  be  considered  as  synonimous  terms 
as  far  as  they  relate  to  military  matters  ; 
most  especially  when  an  army  lies  en- 
camped,or  rather  takes  the  field.  A  sutler 
may  be  considered  as  one  who  follows  the 
camp,  and  sells  all  sorts  of  provisions 
to  the  soldiers.  There  are  also  sutlers 
in  garrison  towns,    who    serve  the  sol- 


diery, and  are  subject  to  military  regur 
latious. 

Among  the  French,  according  to  the 
establishment  of  their  army  under  Bona- 
parte, a  sutler  was  a  soldier  or  inferior 
officer, who  was  authorized  to  follow  head 
quarters,  and  to  be  constantly  with  the 
corps  to  which  he  was  attached.  He  was 
permitted  to  sell  the  necessariesof  life  to 
the  soldiers,  and,  under  certain  restric- 
tions, to  deal  in  wine  and  spirituous 
liquors. 

The  sutlers  are  usually  chosen  from 
the  regiments  to  which  they  belong,  and 
are  subordinate  to  the  quarter-masters, 
after  they  have  been  appointed  by  the 
regimental  committee,  or  council  of  ad- 
ministration. They  receive  a  licence 
enabling  them  to  sell  and  buy,  which  li- 
cence must  be  approved  of  by  the  chief 
of  the  etat-major  or  staff  of  the  division, 
in  which  the  corps  is  stationed,  or  under 
which  it  acts. 

The  sutlers,  attending  head-quarters, 
are  licensed  by  the  quai  ter-master-gene- 
ral.  In  order  to  distinguish  them  from 
adventitious  travellers  or  pedlers,  &c. 
it  is  wisely  recommended  by  Paul  Thie- 
bault,  (author  of  a  treatise  upon  the 
duties  of  an  etat-major,  or  general  staff,) 
that  they  should  have  a  particular  num- 
ber, which  is  to  be  engraved  on  a  tin 
plate,  and  constantly  worn  by  them,  as 
a  mark  of  their  being  licensed  by  the 
quarter-master  general. 

When  an  army  moves,  the  sutlers  ac- 
company the  baggage.  As  many  irregu- 
larities must  naturally  grow  out  of  this 
necessary  evil,  the  conduct  of  sutlers 
ought,  at  ail  times,  to  be  narrowly  watch- 
ed, and  severe  penalties  to  be  announced 
in  general  orders,  for  every  instance  of 
unlawful  depredation  among  the  inha- 
bitants, or  of  disorder  in  their  booths. 
It  is  the  duty  of  the  piquet,  at  night,  to 
be  particularly  watchful  on  these  occa- 
sions.— !See  March  an  ds. 

SUTURE,  (suture,  Fr.)  a  seam  ;  a 
sewing,  joining,  or  fastening  together. 

Dry  Suture,  (suture  scc/ie,  Fr.)  a 
closing  up  of  wounds,  by  glewing  on 
either  side  thereof  a  piece  of  indented 
cloth,  whose  points  answering  one  an- 
other, are  gently  drawn  together  with 
needle  and  thread. 

Intertwisted  Suture,  in  surgery,  a 
suture  wherein  the  needles  are  left  stick- 
ins  in  the  wound  with  a  thread  twisted 
round  them. 

Incantative  Suture,  in  surgery,  so 


SWE 


(     885     ) 


S  W  I 


named,  because  it  rejoins  ihe  edges  of  a  i  comprehending  matters  that  may  not  be 
wound  and  keeps  them  close  together,  distinctly  stated  in  Acts  of  Parliament, 
by  means  of  a  thread  thrown  across  them  &c. ;  a  word  which  is  peculiarly  attached 
with  a  needle,  which  causes  them  to  grow  |  to  one  of  the  sections,  or  clauses,  in  the 


together  and  incarnate. 


SWALLOW'S-tai/,    (queue  d'aronde,  i  Sweeping  Clause 


Articles  of  War,  namely  the  21th.  Hence 


Fr.)  in  fortification,  an  out-work,  differ- 
ing from  a  single  tenaille,  as  its  sides  are 
not  parallel,  like  those  of  a  tenaille;  but 
if  prolonged,  would  meet  and  form  an 
angle  on  the  middle  of  the  curtain  ;  and 
its  head,  or  front,  composed  of  faces, 
forming  a  re-entering  angle.  This  work 
is  extraordinarily  well  flanked,  and  de- 
fended by  the  works  of  the  place, 
which  discover  all  the  length  of  its  long 
bides,  &c. 

Swallow's-tail  signifies  also  in  build- 
ing a  fastening  of  two  pieces  of  timber 
so  strongly  together,  that  they  cannot 
fall  asunder. 

SWAMMIES,  Ind. pagan  gods  or  idols. 

SWAMP.     See  Maesh. 

A  SWAP,  a  vulgar  expression  signi- 
fying one  thing  given  for  another;  a 
matter  of  barter. 

SWAY,  the  swing  or  sweep  of  a 
weapon.  Likewise  power,  as  military 
sway. 

SWAYING  of  the  back,  in  horses,  a 
serious  injury  which  may  be  received 
several  ways,  viz. 

1.  By  some  great  strain,  slip,  or  heavy 
burden. 

2.  By  turning  him  too  hastily  round. 
The  pain  usually  lies  in  the  lower  part 

of  the  back,  below  his  short  ribs,  and 
directly  between  his  fillets. 

The  malady  may  be  perceived  by  the 
reeling  and  rolling  of  the  horse's  hinder 
parts  in  his  going,  he  being  then  ready 
to  fall  to  the  ground  by  his  swaying 
backwards  and  sidelong  ;  and  when  he 
is  down,  he  cannot  rise  but  with  great 
difficulty. 

To  SWEAR  in,  to  administer  oaths, 
which  are  prescribed,  to  persons  enter- 
ing into  certain  official  situations,  such 
as  the  privy  council,  &c.  and  to  men 
enlisting  into  the  army  or  militia  of  the 
United  Kingdom. 

To  SWEEP,  to  clear  or  brush  away; 
as,  the  cannon  swept  every  thing  before 
it.  The  French  say,  bulayer  and  raser 
campagne. 

SwLEP-bar  of  a  wagon  is  that  which 
is  fixed  on  the  hind  part  of  the  fore  guide, 
and  passes  under  the  hind  pole,  which 
slides  upon  it. 

SWEEPING,  taking  in  every  thing; 


Sweeping  Clause  or  Section.  This 
comprehensive  clause  states,  that  all 
crimes,  not  capital,  and  all  disorders, 
and  neglects,  which  officers  and  soldiers 
may  be  guilty  of,  to  the  prejudice  of 
good  order  and  military  discipline,though 
not  specified  in  any  of  the  foregoing 
rules  and  articles,  are  to  be  taken  cog- 
nizance of  by  a  general,  or  regimental, 
court-martial,  according  to  the  nature 
and  degree  of  the  offence,  and  to  be 
punished  at  their  discretion. 

This  wisely  imagined  clause  serves  as 
a  check  to  the  paltry  tricks  and  subter- 
fuges, which  are  sometimes  resorted  to 
by  men  who  are  not  thoroughly  soldiers. 
It  frequently  happens,  even  among  offi- 
cers, that  the  service  is  hurt  and  embar- 
rassed by  the  ingenuity  of  evasive  charac- 
ters, who  think  they  are  safe,  provided 
they  do  not  glaringly  transgress  specifio 
rules  and  regulations.  Another  advan- 
tage is  likewise  derived  from  this  clause. 
It  enables  officers,  at  a  court-martial,  in 
cases  where  the  offence  is  manifestly  felt 
but  cannot  be  brought  under  any  specific 
article,  to  do  justice  to  the  service,  by 
punishing  the  delinquent  under  an  in- 
disputable clause. 

SWELLED  legs,  in  a  horse,  an  in- 
firmity to  which  a  horse  is  frequently 
exposed  through  hard  riding,  or  much 
fatigue.  It  may  also  proceed  from  his 
being  too  fat,  carelessly  put  out  to 
grass,  or  set  up  in  the  stable  too  hot, 
whereby  he  takes  cold,  which  causes  the 
blood,  grease,  and  humours  to  fall  down 
into  his  legs,  and  to  make  them  swell. 

SWIMMING.  Although  we  have 
touched  upon  this  article  under  Nagcr, 
we  shall  now  enter  more  fully  into  the 
subject.  This  art  consists  wholly  in 
being  able  to  support  the  body  towards 
the  surface  of  the  water,  so  as  to  float, 
and  to  advance  by  means  of  a  com- 
bined and  regular  action  performed  by 
the  hands  and  feet.  Man  is  the  only 
animal  that  learns  to  swim.  The  brute 
creation  has  an  aptitude,  more  or  less, 
by  instinct. 

Everard  Digby,  our  countryman,  and 
Nicolas  Winnian,  a  German,  have  both 
written  treatises  on  this  art.  Boselli, 
in   his  publication  entituled   JDs  Motu 


S  W  I 


(     88(3     ) 


S  W  I 


Anttiiaitum,  has  also  touched   upon  the 
Btibjsct,  and  may  be  consulted. 

ft  is  ascertained,  upon  the  truest 
principles  in  hydrostatics,  that  the  body 
of  a  man  is  nearly  equal,  in  weight  or 
gravity,  to  the  proportionate  volume  of 
water  in  which  it  is  immersed  ;  so  that 
it  is,  almost  of  itself,  in  equilibrium,  and 
consequently  requires  very  little  aid  to 
support  it. 

There  is  no  country,  perhaps,  better 
calculated  for  improvement  in  this  art 
than  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  ;  and 
none  in  which  common  sense  prescribes 
more  forcibly  the  necessity  of  having 
its  youth  early  instructed.  It  is  mani- 
fest, that  although  every  sea  officer  is 
exposed  ten  times  a  day  to  the  danger 
of  being  drowned,  too  few  of  that  class 
know  how  to  swim.  We  have,  indeed, 
experienced,  in  the  loss  of  the  brave  and 
gallant  Captain  Jarvis,  the  truth  of  this 
observation. 

The  French  have  paid  particular  at- 
tention to  this  branch  of  military  know- 
ledge, and  there  arc  not  only  individuals 
attached  (o  their  armies,  who  can  swim 
with  perfect  ease,  but  companies,  called 
compagniesde?iageurs,have  been  formed, 
and  are  still  encouraged  in  their  service. 
Their  dress  is  adapted  to  the  functions 
they  are  destined  to  perform,  such  as 
passing  a  river,  &e,  in  order  of  battle, 
or  in  detached  parties,  &c.  for  the  pur- 
pose of  surprizing  an  enemy's  advanced 
posts,  or  of  affording  assistance  (by  drag- 
ging light  cables  across)  to  large  bodies 
of  their  own  men  who  might  be  ordered 
to  pass  in  pontoons. 

In  1799  a  detachment  of  French 
swimmers  passed  the  river  Linth  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Zurick,  took  the  ad- 
vanced posts  of  the  Cossacks  by  sur- 
prize, and  cut  them  to  pieces.  The 
victory,  indeed,  which  was  afterwards 
gained  by  Massena  over  the  Russians, 
was  entirely  owing  to  the  protection 
which  this  corps  of  swimmers  afforded, 
when  a  considerable  division  of  French 
troops  effected  their  passage  over  the 
Linth.  It  is  well  known,  that  the  Rus- 
sian general  Prince  Corsacow,  made  a 
most  disorderly  retreat  out  of  Zurick, 
after  having  lost  bis  military  chest,  his 
magazines,  stores,  &c.  and  upwards  of 
5000  men.  The  particulars  of  this 
event  may  be  seen  in  General  Massena's 
dispatches,  where  he  speaks  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  corps  of  swimmers. 

In  1800,  whilst  the  French  army,  un- 


der the  command  of  Moreau,  was 
watching  the  right  hank  of  the  Danube, 
that  French  general  followed  the  ex- 
ample of  Massena,  and  was  equally  suc- 
cessful. Two  companies  of  experienced 
swimmers  crossed  the  river  during  the 
night,  and  whilst  one  was  engaged  hi 
driving  in  the  Austrian  advanced  posts, 
the  other  was  employed  in  dragging 
some  pontoons  across,  and  thus  enabled 
a  whole  battalion  to  get  over. 

The  Austrians,  being  suddenly  at- 
tacked throughout  the  whole  extent  of 
their  cantonments,  made  a  precipitate 
retreat,  and  before  the  close  of  the 
following  day,  the  whole  of  the  repub- 
lican division  were  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  Danube. 

We  are  perfectly  convinced  within 
ourselves  (and  indeed  the  example  of 
the  ancients  as  well  as  the  practice  of 
the  modern  French  bear  us  through) 
that  the  formation  of  a  school  of  mili- 
tary natation  would  be  very  beneficial 
to  Great  Britain.  A  small  corps  of 
swimmers  could,  in  the  space  of  six 
weeks  or  two  months,  ac  farthest,  be 
rendered  not  only  masters  of  the  art 
themselves,  but  be  made  capable  of 
teaching  others. 

Extract  of  a  letter  written  by  General 
Moreau,  when  he  had  the  chief  com- 
mand of  the  army  of  the  Rhine,  to 
the  minister  of  the  war  department. 
Ncresheim,   21th  Jane. — I    herewith 
transmit  to  you  a  copy  of  my  dispatch 
to  the  First  Consul,  with  a  correct  de- 
tail of  the  battle  of  Hochstedt.     Mar- 
shal  Kray  is  forced   to  abandon   Ulm. 
This  successful  event  on  our  part  is  of 
considerable  moment;    but  great  exer- 
tions were  required  to  secure  it.     You 
will   be  able  to   form  some  opinion  of 
the   difficulties   we   had    to   encounter, 
when    I    state,   that  although  we   had 
neither  the  advantage  of  a  bridge,  nor  a 
single  pontoon  to  cross  on,  the  passage 
of  the  river  was  rendered  easy  by  the  in- 
trepidity of  a  small  body  of  swimmers. 
(Signed)      Moreau. 
Certified  as  correct, 

(Signed)  Carnot. 
After  having  given  a  detailed  account 
of  the  state  of  the  two  armies,  the 
French  general  states,  that  eighty  swim- 
mers having  crossed  the  river,  and  being 
supplied  (by  means  of  two  very  small 
boats  dispatched  after  them)  with  mus- 
kets and  cartouch  boxes,  took  posses- 
sion of  the  two  villages  of  Grensheim 


SWI 


(     887     ) 


S  W  I 


and  Blenheim,  and  seized  several  pieces 
of  ordnance,  which  were  instantly  served 
by  some  cannoneers  that  had  effected 
their  passage  on  ladders  thrown  across 
the  chasm  of  the  broken  bridge.  These 
men  stood  their  ground  with  wonderful 
steadiness  and  courage,  whilst  a  de- 
tachment of  sappers  and  pontooneers 
were  occupied,  under  the  enemy's  fire, 
in  repairing  the  bridges,  across  which 
fresh  succours  were  thrown,  in  order  to 
meet  the  reinforcements  of  the  enemy; 
who  was  no  longer  at  a  loss  to  ascertain 
the  precise  object  of  the  attack. 

General  Grenier  likewise  made  the 
necessary  dispositions  to  cross  the  Da- 
nube at  Guutzburgh;  but  the  Austrians, 
who  had  previously  destroyed  the  cen- 
ter arches  of  the  bridge,  threw  up  a 
sort  of  temporary  fortification  on  the 
part  that  remained,  with  straw  steeped 
in  pitch  and  other  combustible  mate- 
rials, which  were  to  be  set  on  fire  the 
instant  the  attack  should  be  made.  They 
did  not,  indeed,  omit  doing  this  as  soon 
as  they  saw  the  detachment  of  swim- 
mers plunge  into  the  river.  The  latter 
were  so  eager,  that  several  volunteered 
to  extinguish  the  fire  under  a  discharge 
of  heavy  ordnance  and  musketry;  but 
that  was  not  practicable. 

General  Moreau,  speaking  of  this  de- 
tachment of  swimmers  in  another  part 
of  his  dispatches,  concludes  by  saying, 
"  the  behaviour  of  the  corps  of  swim- 
mers, "under  the  command  of  Citizen 
Degrometrie,  who  was  adjutant  of  the 
94th  demi-brigade,  is  a  proof  of  intre- 
pidity, of  which  there  are  few  instances 
or  examples." 

The  following  account  is  also  on  re- 
cord, and  was  transmitted  to  Paris  by  a 
French  officer,  who  was  then  serving  in 
Germany. 

One  of  the  detachment  of  swimmers, 
having  crossed  the  Danube,  suddenly 
took  possession  of  a  howitzer,  and  in- 
stantly threatened  to  fire   upon  a  guan 


by  the  detachment  of  swimmers,  we 
shall  make  another  extract  from  General 
Moreau's  official  communication. 

"  The  movement,  which  to  me  ap- 
peared absolutely  necessary,  was  not 
only  difficult,  but  extremely  hazardous. 
We  were  unluckily  destitute  of  every 
species  of  pontoon  equipage,  &c.  and 
the  enemy  had  not  only  destroyed  the- 
bridges,  but  also  sunk  his  boats,  pon- 
toons and  rafters." 

This  was  the  position  of  the  army  on 
the  18th  day  of  June;  which  position 
had  been  gained  by  dint  of  hard  fight- 
ing, and  by  forcing  the  enemy  to  fall 
back  on  Ulm. 

We  have  already  stated,  tliat  eighty 
swimmers,  naked,  or  rather  slightly 
clothed,  and  afterwards  armed  with  mus- 
kets and  cartouch-boxes,  had  crossed 
the  river.  In  consequence  of  their  suc- 
cess, the  94th  demi-brigade  immediately 
followed,  took  possession  of  the  villages 
of  Grensheim,  Blenheim,  Languenau, 
and  Sharingen,  where  General  Marigny 
was  slightly  wounded. 

General  Grenier,  on  the  other  hand, 
had  crossed  the  Danube  at  Guntzburgh. 
These  different  movements,  which 
were  begun  by  a  small  body  of  swim- 
mers, gradually  led  to  the  memorable 
battle  of  Hohenliuden,  the  success  of 
which  secured  to  France  so  marked  a 
superiority  over  the  Austrians  in  Ger- 
many, and  completed  Bonaparte's  tri- 
umph in  Italy. 

In  offering  these  extracts  to  our  rea- 
ders, we  are  aware  of  the  high  colour- 
ing which  was  invariably  given  to  the 
official  dispatches  of  France  during  hei' 
revolutionary  career.  The  proof,  how- 
ever, of  the  utility  of  a  corps  of  swim- 
mers in  every  country, cannot  be  weak- 
ened by  the  manner  in  which  partial 
occurrences  may  be  represented;  and 
that  such  a  corps  should  be  formed  at 
Woolwich  is  unquestionable.  We  know, 
indeed,  that  if  a  certain   nobleman  had 


consisting  of  twenty  men,  unless  they  i  continued  at  the  head  of  the  ordnance, 
surrendered  and  gave  up  their  arms;!  this  indispensable  branch  of  military' 
the  latter  took  to  their  heels,  leaving' education  would  have  been  attended  to, 
their  firelocks  behind  them,  and  the!  and  the  plan  which  was  conveyed  to  his 
swimmer,  with  a  reinforcement  of  some!  successor  by  the  compiler  of  this  work 
of  his  naked  comrades,  seized  the  mus-  would  have  been  carried  into  execution, 
iets  of  the  Austrian  fugitives,  and  dis-|      In  addition  to  these  observations,  the 


lodged  a  guard  which  had   occupied    a 
tite-de-pont. 

In  order  to  give  our  military  readers 
a  more  accurate  idea  of  the  importance 


following*  authenticated  facts  cannot  be 
deemed  superfluous. 

In    17o7,   (when    General    Keith  re- 
treated  out   of    Bohemia,)  among   the 


of  the  coup  de  main  which  was  executed  i  Austrian  irregulars,  or  fri-corps,  which 


s  w  r 


(     888     ) 


s  w  o 


incommoded  the  movements  of  our 
troops  i 1 1  their  march,  there  was  a  party 
oi  Croats,  who  (with  more  courage  than 
prudence,  putting  their  arms  in  three 
small  bouts)  threw  themselves  into  the 
Elbe,  near  Ister,  and  swam  across  that 
river,  in  order  to  intercept  a  small  body 
of  Prussians  who  were  escorting  the 
baggage.  Thi  Life  of  Gustavus  Adol- 
phtts,  Vol.  ii.  page  204. 

Flavins  Vegetius,  lib.  i.  cap.  10.  De 
Re  Militari,  speaks  in  the  following 
terms  respecting  the  necessity  of  having 
soldiers  regularly  taught  to  swim — 

Natandi  usum,  aslivis  mtnsibus,  om- 
nis  aqua-liter  debet  tyro  coudiscerc  ;  non 
ftiim  pontibus  semper  ftumina  transeun- 
tur,  scd,  ct  sedens  et  inseqnens,  nature 
cagitur  frequenter  exercitus.  Seepe  re- 
pentinis  imbribus,  rel  nivibus,  so/cut  ex- 
undarc  torrentes,  et  ignorantia  non  solum 
ub  koste,  sed  etiam  ub  ipsis  aquis,  discri- 
men  incurrit ;  ideoque  Romani  veteres, 
quos  tot  bella  et  continuala  perieula,  ad 
omnem  rei  militaris  emdierunt  avian, 
Campuni  Martium,  vicinum  Ti/beri,  de/e- 
gerunt :  in  quo  juvenilis,  post  exercitium 
armor um,  sudorem,  pulvcremque  diluerct, 
ac  lassitudinem  eursus,  natandi  labore 
deponcret.  Non  solum  an/em  pedites 
sad  et  equites,  ipsosque  equos,  ad  natan- 
dum  excrcae  percommodum  est,  ne  quid 
imperitis,  cum  necessitas  incumbit,  eve- 
vi/tt.  Page  10,  Editio  Lugduui  Bata- 
vnrum. 

'■  Every  young  man  ought  to  be  prac- 
tised in  the  art  of  swimming,  during  the 
summer  months;  for  there  are  not  al- 
ways bridges  ready  to  cross  rivers  upon; 
but  an  army,  whether  stationary  or 
moving,  is  often  under  the  necessity  of 
swimming.  Sudden  inundations  fre- 
quently happen,  through  a  heavy  fall 
of  rain  or  snow ;  and  a  want  of  know- 
ledge in  swimming,  not  onlv  exposes 
the  ignorant  man  to  imminent  danger 
from  the  enemy,  but  also  from  the  waters 
themselves.  On  this  account,  the  old 
Romans  (who,  from  the  experience  of  so 
many  wars,  and  such  continued  dangers, 
l)ad  become  perfect  masters  of  the  mili- 
tary art)  had  their  field  of  Mars  near  the 
banks  of  the  river  Tiber;  where  the 
youth  of  the  Capital,  after  having  been 
practised  with  arms,  might  wash  off  the 
sweat  and  dust,  and  get  releaved  from 
their  fatigue  by  the  exercise  of  swim- 
ming. It  is  not  onlv  proper  and  advan- 
tageous that  foot  soldiers,  but  also  that 
the  cavalry,  and  the  horses  themselves, 


should  be  taught  to  swim,  lest,  in  cases 
of  necessity,  something  hazardous  should 
happen  to  the  inexpert." 

To  SWINDLE,  a  cant  word,  signi- 
fying to  cheat;  to  impose  upon  the  cre- 
dulity of  mankind,  and  thereby  defraud 
the  unwary,  by  false  pretences,  fictitious 
assumptions,  &c.  This  criminal  and 
unmanly  practice  oftentimes  proves 
successful  under  the  garb  of  a  military 
dress  and  character,  and  even  sometimes 
under  that  of  holy  orders.  The  records 
of  Bow-street  are  filled  with  pseudo- 
majors,  captains,  parsons,  &c. 

S\\TNG-<ree  of  a  wagon,  the  bar 
placed  across  the  foreguard,  to  which 
the  traces  are  fastened. 

SWIPE,  an  engine  which  is  used  to 
draw  up  water;  also  that  part  of  a 
drawbridge  on  which  it  is  swung  :  like- 
wise one  which  serves  to  throw  gre- 
nades. 

SWIVEL,  a  small  piece  of  ordnance 
which  turns  on  a  pivot  or  swivel. 

SWIVELS,  commonly  called  Loop  and 
Swivel,  and  Guard  and  Snivel ;  two  iron 
rings  attached  to  a  musket,  through 
which  the  swing  passes. 

SWOLLEN  vein,  a  crooked  vein, 
swelling  with  corrupt  blood  in  the  tem- 
ples, belly  or  leg  of  a  horse. 

SWORD,  a  weapon  used  either  in 
Cutting,  or  thrusting.  The  usual  wea- 
pon of  lights  hand  to  ham).  It  also 
signifies,  figuratively,  destruction  by 
war  ;  as,  b)  lire  and  sword  ;  a  feu  et  d 
sang,  Fr.  ^ 

Broad  Sword,  an  original  weapon  of 


■>co; 


mil 


is    sometimes    called     a 


Back  Sword,  as  having  but  one  edge  :  it 
is  basket-handled,  and  three  feet  two 
inches  long. 

A  small  Broad  Sword,  a  weapon 
of  the  same  construction  as  the  com- 
mon broad  sword,  but  less  and  lighter. 
The  French  call  this  sort  of  sword  bri- 
quet. 

Regulation  Swokd,  a  sword  which  is 
ordeied  to  be  worn  by  officers,  through- 
out the  British  service.  It  has  a  spring 
shell  and  embossed  blade. 

The  sword,  which  is  worn  by  British 
officers,  may  be  properly  called  a  long 
cut  and  thrust. — It  is  a  manifest  imita- 
tion of  the  Austrian  sword,  and  was  in- 
troduced last  war.  It  is  not,  however, 
so  conveniently  used  by  us  as  it  is  by  the 
Austrians. — The  latter  have  it  girted 
round  their  waists,  so  that  it  hangs 
without     any    embarrassment    to    the 


swo 


(     S89    ) 


SWO 


wearer,  close  to  the  left  hip  or  thigh  ; 
whereas  with  us,  it  is  suspended  in  an 
awkward  diagonal  manner  from  a  cross 
belt  over  the  loins,  and  is  scarcely  visi- 
ble in  front,  except  occasionally,  when 
it  is  drawn,  or  gets  between  the  officer's 
legs,  and  sometimes  trips  him  up.  We 
could  exemplify  our  ideas  upon  this  sul>- 
ject  by  various  known  occurrences,  such 
as  the  sword  being  suspended  so  much 
out  of  the  grasp  0f  tne  Wearer,  that  his 
right  hand  has  appeared  to  run  after  the 
hilt,  which  has  as  constantly  evaded  its 
reach  by  the  left  side  bearing  it  off,  in 
proportion  as  the  right  turned  towards 
it;  by  officers  being  reduced  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  applying  to  their  Serjeants,  &c. 
to  draw  their  swords :  but  it  is  not  our 
wish  to  turn  any  regulation  into  ridicule. 
It  is,  however,  our  duty,  and  the  duty  of 
all  men  who  write  for  the  public,  to 
point  out  practical  inconveniencies,  &c. 
Perhaps  it  may  not  be  thought  super- 
fluous to  remark,  that  the  sword  ought 
not  to  be  considered  as  a  mere  weapon 
of  offence  or  defence  in  an  officer's 
hand;  for  unless  that  officer  should  be 
singly  engaged,  which  scarcely  ever  hap- 
pens upon  service,  the  very  notion  of 
personal  safery  will  take  his  mind  off  the 
superior  duty  of  attending  to  his  men. 
Officers,-  in  fact,  should  always  bear  in 
mind,  that  they  are  the  cardinal  points 
by  which  others  are  directed.  Their 
whole  attention  should  consequently  be 
paid  to  their  men,  and  not  the  slightest 
idea  must  interfere  with  respect  to  them- 
selves. We  are  therefore  convinced, 
with  due  deference  to  the  superior  judg- 
ment of  others,  that  the  swords  of  in- 
fantry officers,  and  of  the  staff  in  general, 
should  be  of  the  small  sword  kind,  suffi- 
ciently long  to  dress  the  leading  files, &c. 
and  extremely  portable.  Setting  aside 
this  suggestion,  we  shall  not  be  contra- 
dicted when  we  say,  that  every  officer 
ought  to  know  the  use  of  his  sword ;  and 
on  this  account  it  might  be  reasonable 
to  propose  a  limited  imitation  of  what 
was  so  generally  practised  in  France. 
We  mean  the  appointment  of  a  fencing- 
master,  or  driil-swordsman,  for  every 
company  of  grenadiers  in  the  service, 
who  should  be  armed  with  sabres,  or 
good  cut  and  thrusts.  With  respect  to 
the  officers  of  the  British  army,  common 
sense  dictates  the  propriety  of  their 
being  skilled  in  the  art  of  fencing. 

Among  the  French  there  are  various 
sorts  of  swords,  each  adapted  to  the  ser- 


vice of  some  particular  arm  ;  with  us  the 
following  only  are  according  to  regula- 
tion. FJank  officers  are  distinguished 
by  wearing  the  hanger  blade  with  what 
is  called  a  G.  R.  hilt,  or  Guards  hilt,  as 
it  was  first  worn  by  the  flank  officers  of 
the  Guards.  Serjeants  and  drummers 
wear  swords  of  the  same  pattern,  not 
siilt.  Heavy  dragoon  officers  wear  a 
bioad  straight  cut  and  thrust  blade  with 
a  hanger  point,  mounted  with  a  hilt, 
with  a  sheil  as  a  guard.  This  is  called 
their  field  sword,  or  sword  for  service. 
They  have  also  a  second  sword,  called  a 
frock  sword,  which  has  a  two  edged 
blade  of  a  lighter  construction  than  their 
field  sword.  It  is  mounted  with  a  gilt 
hilt,  called  a  boat  shell  hilt.  This  is"  to 
replace  their  heavy  field  sword,  and  is 
worn  chiefly  when  the  officer  is  dis- 
mounted. The  sword  worn  by  the  pri- 
vates of  heavy  dragoons  is  of  the  same 
construction  as  the  officer's  field  sword. 

The  officers  of  light  dragoons  wear 
a  steel  sabre  with  a  steel  scabbard  and 
stirrup  hilt;  and  for  a  frock  sword  one 
of  the  same  construction  with  the  sabre, 
only  much  lighter,  with  a  leather  scab- 
bard. 

The  privates  of  light  dragoons  wear  a 
sabre  made  as  the  above  mentioned. 

The  admirals  and  captains  in  the  navy 
wear  the  cut  and  thrust  blade,  same 
size  as  the  infantry,  with  a  stirrup  gilt 
hilt  lion's  head,  back  piece  and  ivory 
gripe. 

The  lieutenants  and  midshipmen  wear 
the  same  kind  of  blade,  only  not  the 
end  gilt,  and  the  hilt  differs  in  having 
a  plain  back  piece  instead  of  a  lion's 
head,  and  the  gripe  fish  skin  instead  of 
ivory. 

Ship's  cutlass  is  a  short  broad  hanger 
with  a  common  black  japan  hilt. 

There  are  many  fancy  swords  worn  as 
dress  swords  for  court,  of  various  pat- 
terns, and  many  other  fancy  swords  and 
scimitars  which  officers  have  according 
to  their  taste;  but  the  regulation  ones 
must  be  worn  when  on  duty. 

N.B.  The  artillery  wear  the  same  as 
the  infantry  of  the  line ;  the  horse-ar- 
tillery and  drivers,  the  same  as  the  light 
dragoons. 

Position  of  the  Sword  at  open  order. 
When  an  officer  stands  or  marches  (slow- 
time),  in  front  of  his  company,  &c.  the 
position  of  the  sword  is  diagonal  across 
the  chest.  At  close  order,  or  when  the 
officer  is  on  the  flank  of  his  company,  &c, 
5  X 


swo 


(    890     ) 


SYM 


(and  marches  quick  time)  the  hilt  is  close 
to  the  right  thigh,  and  the  blade  in  the 
hollow  of  the  right  shoulder.  When 
mounted,  he  carries  it  diagonally  across 
the  bridle  hand. 

When  troops  or  squadrons  of  cavalry 
advance : — In  the  walk,  the  sword  is 
carried  with  the  blade  resting  on  the 
right  arm ;  in  the  trot  and  gallop,  the 
right  hand  must  be  steadied  on  the  right 
thigh,  the  point  of  the  sword  rather  in- 
clining forward  ;  and  in  the  charge,  the 
hand  is  lifted,  and  the  sword  is  carried 
rather  forward,  and  cross-ways  in  front 
of  the  head,  with  the  edge  outwards. 

SwoRD-bat/onet,  a  bayonet  which  is 
longer  than  the  common  one,  and  is 
generally  used  with  rifles. 

SwoRD-bearer,  one  who  wears  a  sword. 
It  also  signifies  a  public-oflicer. 

SwoRD-belt,  a  belt  made  of  leather, 
that  hangs  over  the  right  shoulder  of 
an  officer,  by  which  his  sword  is  sus- 
pended on  the  left  side.  When  the 
sword  is  suspended  from  a  belt  round 
the  waist,  the  French  use  the  word 
ceinturon. 

SwoRD-cutter,  one  who  makes  swords. 

SwoRT>-knot,  a  riband  tied  to  the  hilt 
of  a  sword. 

Sword  -knot,  according  to  the  regu- 
lation. This  knot  is  made  of  crimson 
and  gold. 

SvfoRD-late,  (la  hi  du  plus  fort,  Fr.) 
When  a  thing  is  enforced,  without  a 
due  regard  being  paid  to  established 
rules  and  regulations,  it  is  said  to  be 
carried  by  sword  law,  or  by  the  will  of 
the  strongest. 

SvtORD-player,  a  gladiator;  one  who 
fences  publicly. 

S  WORDED,  girt  with  a  sword. 

SWORDER,  an  old  term  signifying 
a  man  who  plays,  or  fights  with  his 
sword. 

SWORDSMAN,  (homme  d'tpce,  Fr.) 
This  word  was  formerly  used  to  signify 
a  soldier,  a  fighting  man.  But  at  pre- 
sent it  generally  means  a  person  versed 
in  the  art  of  fencing.  Hence  a  good 
swordsman.  The  French  use  the  terms 
bretteur  and  bretaiUeur.  The  former  is 
more  immediately  applicable  to  a  man 
who  wears  a  sword  and  piques  himself 
upon  the  exercise  of  it:  the  latter 
means  a  person  who  frequents  fencing 
schools,  and  often  exercises  himself  in 
that  art. 

To  be  SWORN  in,  or  to  take  the 
oaths,  an  ordeal  or  ceremony  through 


which  every  officer  in  the  British  navy 
above  the  rank  of  lieutenant  is  obliged 
to  pass,  before  he  receives  his  com- 
mission. These  oaths,  which  are  ad- 
ministered at  the  Admiralty,  and  con- 
sist of  a  total  abjuration  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  doctrine,  and  the  consequent 
admission  of  the  power,  spiritual,  as 
well  as  temporal,  of  the  King,  are  called 
Allegiance  and  Supremacy.  Officers  in 
the  army  never  take  these  oaths;  the 
reason  is  obvious,  with  respect  to  English 
and  Irish  R,oman  Catholics ;  in  regard 
to  foreigners,  see  Qualified  Oath. 

Sworn  brothers,  soldiers  of  fortune, 
particularly  in  Germany,  who  used  to 
engage  themselves  by  mutual  oaths,  tw 
divide  among  one  another  the  rewards 
of  their  services. 

SYBAHITICAL,  effeminate;  wan- 
ton; luxurious.  This  term  takes  its 
origin  and  application  from  the  Syba- 
rite, who  inhabited  the  city  of  Sybaris. 
These  men  had  arrived  to  such  a  height 
of  luxury  and  voluptuousness,  that  they 
taught  their  horses  to  dance  to  the 
sound  of  the  flute,  so  that  tbeCrotoniataj, 
who  waged  war  against  them,  bringing 
a  great  number  of  pipes  into  the  field 
of  battle,  made  their  horses  fail  a  dancing, 
and  so  broke  their  ranks,  by  which 
means  they  utterly  overthrew  tliem. 

SYCOPHANT,  a  dirty,  mean,  grovel- 
ling creature  that  sometimes  finds  its 
way  into  the  army,  and  gets  to  the  ear 
of  a  superior  officer  for  the  purpose  of 
undermining  the  good  opinion,  which 
honest  valour  and  open  manhood  may 
have  obtained;  a  thing  that  will  fetch 
and  carry;  a  paltry  jackall  that  collects 
news,  &c.  and  pours  its  trash  in  the 
ear  of  indolent  credulity,  pride  or  wicked- 
ness. 

SYEF,  Ind.  a  lung  sword. 

SYEFUL  mulk,  Ind.  the  sword  of 
the  kingdom. 

SYMBOL, (symbole,Yv.)  a  badge,  sign 
or  mark,  an  emblem  or  representation 
of  something;  also  a  motto  or  device; 
as  two  bands  joined  or  clasped  toge- 
ther are  a  sign  or  symbol  of  union  or 
fidelity. 

Symbols,  in  algebra,  letters,  cha- 
racters, signs,  or  marks,  by  which  any 
quantity  is  represented,  or  which  de- 
note addition,  subtraction,  multiplica- 
tion, &c. 

SYMBOLE,  Fr.  The  French  make 
use  of  this  word  in  the  same  seuse  that 
they  apply  Enseigne.    Symbols  means 


TAB 


(     891     ) 


TAB 


with   them,  in  a  military   sense,   what 
badge  does  with  us. 

SYMMETRY,  (symmetric,  Fr.)  a 
word  derived  from  the  Greek.  True 
symmetry  consists  in  a  due  proportion. 

Respective  Symmetry  is  that  where- 
in the  opposite  sides  are  equal  to  each 
other. 

SYMPATHETIC  ink,  (encre  sym- 
pathique,  Fr.)  a  sort  of  ink  which  is 
used  by  diplomatic  persons,  &c.  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  on  a  secret  corre- 
spondence. This  ink  is  called  sympa- 
thetic because  it  can  be  made  to  appear 
or  disappear  by  the  application  of  some- 
thing that  seems  to  work  by  sympathy. 
Sometimes  it  is  brought  out  by  holding 
the  paper  before  a  quick  fire;  but  it 
then  remains. 

SYNOPSY,  a  sight  or  full  view  of  a 
thing. 

SYRTES,  or  sables  mouvans,  Fr.  quick- 
sands. 

SYSTEM,  (systhne,  Fr.)  a  scheme 
which  reduces  many  things  to  regular 
dependence,  or  co-operation.    This  word 


is  frequently  applied  to  some  particular 
mode  of  drilling  and  exercising  men  to 
fit  them  for  manoeuvres  and  evolutions. 
Hence  the  Prussian  system,  the  Austrian 
system,  &c.  The  Rules  and  Regulations, 
which  have  been  compiled  and  published 
by  authority,  and  consist  almost  wholly 
of  extracts  from  Saldern,  who  wrote 
upon  Prussian  tactics,  constitute  the 
military  system  of  Great  Britain,  with 
respect  to  order  and  discipline. 

Military  System,  specific  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  government  of  an 
army  in  the  field  or  in  quarters,  &c. 

Rocket  System.     See  Rocket. 

Systems,  (systhnes,  Fr.)  in  fortifica- 
tion, a  particular  arrangement  or  dis- 
position of  the  different  parts  which 
compose  the  circumference  of  a  town 
or  fortified  place,  according  to  the  ori- 
ginal idea  or  invention  of  an  engineer. 
The  systems  best  known  under  this 
head,  and  most  followed,  are  those  of 
Vauban,  Coehorn,  De  Ville,  Pagan,  &C. 
See  Fortification. 


T. 


T, 


a    subterraneous    arrangement   in 
mining;    so  called  from  its  resem- 
blance to  that  letter.     See  Tfe,  Fr. 

TABAC,  Fr.  tobacco.  During  the  old 
monarchy  of  France  there  was  a  specific 
allowance  made  of  tobacco  to  the  cavalry 
and  infantry,  when  they  were  in  camp, 
quarters,  or  garrison.  They  were  like- 
wise supplied  by  the  captains  of  troops 
or  companies,  with  a  certain  quantity  of 
this  valuable  leaf,  whilst  on  the  march 
from  one  province,  or  quarter,  to  another. 
We  wish  the  same  practice  prevailed 
in  this  country,  especially  when  soldiers 
are  encamped  at  the  close  of  the  year, 
lie  thick  in  barracks,  or  do  prison  duty. 

TABARD,  )  (cotte  d'armes,  Fr.)  a  he- 

TABERD,  \  raid's  coat;  also  a  short 
jacket  without  sleeves. 

TABER,  a  small  drum.  See  Tabour. 

TABLE,  in  military  affairs,  a  kind 
of  register  to  set  down  the  dimensions 
of  carriages  for  guns,  mortars,  &c.  also 
for  the  practice  of  artillery,  charges  of 
mines,  &c. 


Table,  in  literature,  an  index,  a  re- 
pertory, at  the  beginning,  or  end,  of  a 
book,  to  direct  the  reader  to  any  passage 
in  it. 

Table,  (table,  Fr.)  in  architecture,  is 
a  smooth  simple  membrane  or  orna- 
ment of  various  forms  ;  but  most  com- 
monly in  that  of  a  long  square. 

A  projecting  Table  is  that  which 
stands  out  from  the  naked  of  the  wall, 
pedestal,  or  other  matter  which  it  adorns. 

Raked  Table  is  that  which  is  hol- 
lowed in  the  die  of  a  pedestal,  or  else- 
where, and  is  usually  encompassed  with 
a  moulding. 

Crowned  Table,  in  architecture,  one 
which  is  covered  with  a  cornice,  and  in 
which  is  cut  a  basso  relievo ;  or  a  piece 
of  black  marble  incrusted'  with  an  in- 
scription. 

Razed  Table,  in  architecture;  an 
embossment  in  a  frontispiece  for  the 
putting  an  inscription,  or  other  ornament 
m  sculpture.  This  is  what  M.  Perrault 
understands  by  abacus  in'  Vitruviivs'. 
5X2 


TAB 


(     892     ) 


TAB 


Rusticated  Table,  in  architecture,  one 
which  is  picked,  whose  surface  appears 
rough,  as  in  grottoes. 

The  Round  Table,  a  table  to  distin- 
guish military  merit,  which  was  first  in- 
vented by  King  Arthur,  who  succeeded 
his  father,  Uther Pendragon,  King  of  the 
Britons,  who  was  brother  to  Aurelius 
Ambrosius,  and  third  son  of  Constautine. 
Arthur  was  the  11th  King  of  England, 
from  the  departure  of  the  Romans,  and 
was  crowned  about  the  year  516. 

Having  expelled  the  Saxons  out  of 
England,  conquered  Norway,  Scotland, 
and  the  greatest  part  of  France,  (where 
at  Pans  he  was  crowned,)  this  monarch 
returned  to  his  native  country,  and  lived 
in  so  great  renown,  that  many  princes 
and  knights  came  from  all  parts  to  his 
court,  to  give  proof  of  their  valour  in 
the  exercise  of  arms.  Upon  this  he 
erected  a  fraternity  of  knights,  which 
consisted  of  twenty-four,  of  whom  he 
was  the  chief;  and  for  the  avoiding  con- 
troversies about  precedency,  he  caused 
a  round  table  to  be  made,  from  whence 
they  were  denominated  Knights  of  the 
Round  Table.  This  table,  according  to 
tradition,  hangs  up  in  the  castle  at 
Winchester,  where  they  used  to  meet. 
The  time  of  their  meeting  was  at  Whit- 
suntide. 

Table  des  officiers  generaux  et  prin- 
cipaux,  Fr.  mess  or  table  as  directed  to 
be  kept  for  the  general  and  other  supe- 
rior officers  of  the  old  French  army. 
During  the  old  monarchy  of  France,  the 
principal  officers  in  the  king's  service 
were  so  handsomely  provided  for,  that 
they  were  enabled  to  keep  a  respectable 
table,  not  only  for  themselves,  but  like- 
wise for  the  accommodation  of  several 
officers,  to  whose  finances  it  proved  ex- 
tremely beneficial.  It  is  here  proper  to 
remark,  that  certain  allowances  were 
made  to  general  officers  for  this  express 
purpose ;  and  in  other  instances  it  was 
always  understood,  that  a  proportion  of 
the  officers  under  their  command  should 
invariably  have(  access  to  their  table. 
This  practice,  indeed,  prevails  in  the 
British  service,  but  not  universally ; 
neither  is  it  incumbent  upon  the  generals 
of  districts,  &c.  to  provide  a  table-  No 
allowance  is  made  to  them  on  that  head; 
but  it  is  usually  expected,  and,  with  the 
exception  of  a  very  few  instances,  the 
custom  is  general.  The  old  French  regu- 
lation expressed,  that  all  general  officers, 
to  whom  allowances  were  made  for  that 


specific  purpose,should  keep  table  ouverte, 
or  open  table,  for  the  convenience  of 
such  officers  as  stood  in  need  of  ac- 
commodation, and  who  might  repair  to 
it  without  waiting  for  a  daily  invitation, 
or  being  exposed  to  the  galling  caprice 
of  ostentatious  folly. 

It  has  Keen  observed  by  a  French 
writer,  that  the  custom  of  keeping  an 
open  table  was  peculiarly  congenial  to 
the  character  of  the  nation  ;  and  so  little 
was  there  a  necessity  of  enjoining  it, 
that  a  regulation  came  out,  limiting  the 
expenses  of  the  general  officers,  and 
strictly  forbidding  them  to  use  sump- 
tuous utensils,  or  to  give  rich  repasts. 
It  was  specifically  stated,  by  order  of  his 
Majesty,  that  no  officer,  whilst  with  the 
army,  should  have  any  other  vessels  or 
utensils  in  silver,  besides  spoons,  forks, 
and  goblets  ;  and  that  all  general  officers, 
or  such  as  kept  open  table,  should  con- 
fine themselves  to  soup,  plain  boiled  and 
roasted  meat,  with  vegetables,  and  one 
or  two  side  dishes  of  ragout,  &c.  But 
they  were  not,  on  any  account,  to  have 
high  seasoned  messes,  8cc.  Their  dessert 
was  to  consist  of  cheese,  stewed  pears 
or  fruit  in  season,  without  confectionary, 
sugared  biscuits,  &c.  The  whole  to  be 
served  up  in  common  plates  and  dishes. 
Porcelain,  china,  and  chrystal  vessels, 
&c.  were  strictly  forbidden.  These  re- 
strictions grew  out  of  two  very  rational 
principles,  viz.  to  prevent  unnecessary 
expense,  and  consequent  embarrassment, 
and  to  give  those,  who  kept  open  tables, 
a  facility  and  convenience  in  asking 
guests  to  them.  If  any  general,  or  other 
superior  officer,  &c.  presumed  to  act 
contrary  to  this  regulation,  and  the  trans- 
gression reached  the  King's  ear,  he  was 
ordered  to  quit  the  army,  and  to  remain 
in  a  garrison  town  during  the  campaign. 

The  French  regulation  took  place  on 
the  first  of  April,  1705,  and  was  again 
renewed,  with  additional  clauses,  on  the 
20th  of  January,  1741,  on  the  1st  of 
December,  1746,  on  the  17th  February, 
1753,  and  on  the  9th  of  March,  1787. 
For  further  particulars,  the  curious  are 
referred  to  a  French  publication,  entitled, 
Elemens  Mdituires. 

During  the  old  French  monarchy, 
it  was  usual  for  officers  belonging  to 
the  line  in  that  service,  to  mess  to- 
gether according  to  their  several  ranks  ; 
the  colonel  excepted,  who  had  a  pri- 
vate table  to  which  he  occasionally 
invited  the,  officers  of  the  corps.     A  re- 


TAB 


(     893     ) 


T  A  C 


gular  roster  was  kept  for  this  purpose. 
The  lieutenant-colonel  and  major  uni- 
formly messed  with  the  captains ;  and 
the  different  tables  were  generally  com- 
posed of  eight  or  ten  officers,  of  the 
same  rank.  The  lieutenants  dined  to- 
gether ;  so  did  the  sub-lieutenants ;  each 
paying  towards  the  mess  in  proportion 
to  the  receipt  of  daily  subsistence.  When 
an  officer,  of  independent  income,  or 
private  fortune,  wished  to  fare  better 
than  those  of  his  own  immediate  rank, 
he  was  at  liberty  to  join  the  upper  table, 
or  mess.  This  method  of  messing  was 
certainly  preferable  to  the  mode  adopted 
amongst  us.  But  a  method  still  more 
preferable  than  either  might  be  devised. 

Table  dc  cupitaine  de  vaisseau,  Fr. 
a  mess,  or  table,  which  was  regularly 
provided  at  the  King's  expense,  for  the 
superior  officers  who  served  on  board. 

Table  d'hote,  Fr.  an  ordinary. 

Table  en  saillie,  Fr.  in  architecture, 
a  table  which  juts  out  of  the  facing  of  a 
wall,  or  of  a  pedestal. 

Table  fouillee,  Fr.  that  which,  in- 
stead of  being  salient,  is  indented  :  it  is 
commonly  adorned  with  a  border. 

Table  d'attente,  Fr.  See  Rusticated 
Table. 

Table  de  marbre,  Fr.  a  marble  table. 
During  the  old  monarchy  of  France, 
there  were  two  courts,  or  jurisdictions, 
which  were  called  Tables  de  Marbre,  or 
marble  tables;  one  was  that  of  the  Con- 
stable, and  the  Marechaussee,  or  police 
of  France ;  and  the  other  that  which 
gave  directions  for  the  general  clearing 
of  the  forests,  and  the  purifying  of  stag- 
nant waters.  They  are  so  called  from 
the  meeting  being  held  round  a  large 
marble  table. 

Table  dc  reunion,  Fr.  an  ordinary, 
or  table,  to  which  persons  of  dilleient 
nations  and  situations  in  life  are  ad- 
mitted. 

TABLEAU,  Fr.  a  description,  a  cata- 
logue. It  likewise  signifies  a  chimney- 
piece. 

Tableau  de  montagne,  Fr.  the  level 
upon  the  top  of  a  hill,  or  mountain. 
Hence  Table  Mountain  at  the  Cape. 

TABLETTE,  Fr.  a  flat,  thin  stone, 
which  is  used  to  cover  the  outside  of  a 
wall  belonging  to  a  terrace,  or  the  bor- 
der  of  a  basin,  &c.  Also  a  Memo- 
randum Book ;  hence  tablet  of  memory. 
Also  small  shelves  or  leaves  in  a  case  or 
drawer. 

TABLIER,  Fr.  apron.     It  likewise 


signifies  an  outside  cover  made  for  or- 
nament, or  to  prevent  any  thing  from 
being  damaged  by  the  weather.  In  the 
old  French  army,  the  kettle-drums  had 
two  of  these  aprons,  or  covers ;  one 
made  of  damask  or  satin,  on  which  were 
embroidered  the  arms  of  the  king,  or  of 
the  general  to  whom  they  belonged,  and 
the  other  of  black  leather.  It  is  also 
called  Tablier  de'Timbales. 

Tablier  de  pont  levis,  Fr.  that  part  of 
a  draw-bridge,  which  is  raised  for  the 
purpose  of  shutting  a  gate,  and  to  pre- 
vent access  to  it,  and  upon  which  persons 
pass  when  the  bridge  is  let  down. 

TABLORINS,  Fr.  (a  word  used  in  the 
artillery,)  the  thick  boards  or  planks 
that  constitute  the  platform  upon  which 
cannon  is  mounted  in  battery. 

TABNED,  a  jerkin,  or  short  coat, 
without  sleeves.  Of  this  description  i» 
a  military  shell. 

TABOUR,  -)a  small  drum,  beat 

TABOURET,      (with   one   stick  to 

TABOURINE,  {accompany  a  pipe. 

TABRET,  J  It     was    anciently 

used  in  war. 

TABOURET  ou  TAMBOURET,  Fr. 
an  instrument  used  in  draining  water 
out  of  quarries. 

TABUL/E  Triumphales,  public  re- 
cords among  the  ancient  Romans,  which 
were  deposited  in  the  Capitol  at  Rome, 
by  the  several  generals,  &c.  who  had 
made  triumphant  entries.  These  records 
were  written  in  a  sort  of  prosaic  verse, 
having  neither  measure  nor  cadence. 
The  following  one  was  exhibited  by 
Acilius  Glabrio — Fundit,  fugat,  pros- 
ternit  maximas  legiones :  he  pours  or 
rushes  upon,  he  puts  to  flight,  he  over- 
throws the  greatest  legions. 

TACES,  armour  for  the  thighs. 

TACHE,  Fr.  properly  means  job,  or 
a  regular  rate  for  labour.  Workmen  are 
thus  hired  and  paid  by  the  day,  or  by 
the  lump.     We  also  say  task. 

Tache  also  means  province,  or  busi- 
ness, in  a  general  acceptation  of  the 
term — as,  Ce  nest  pas  la  tache  d'un  offi- 
cier  de  terre  de  donner  un  Dictionnaire 
des  termes  de  la  marine.  It  is  not  the 
province  or  business  of  a  land-officer, 
to  publish  a  dictionary,  or  vocabulary, 
of  sea  terms. — See  Discours  preliminaire 
of  the  new  French  Military  Dictionary. 

Tache  also  signifies  stain,  blemish. — 
Hence  one  of  the  Auvergne  regiments  in 
France,  viz.  the  royal  Auvergne,  was 
called    by    distinction,  Auvergne    sans 


T  A  C 


(     894     ) 


TAC 


tnrhc,  from  the  high  reputation  which 
il  had  invariably  maintained. 

TACKLE.  The  weapon,  or  arrow,  shot 
from  a  bow,  was  so  called  by  the  ancient 
W«lsh. 

TACKLES  are  more  particularly  used 
for  small  ropes  running  in  pullies,  the 
better  to  manage  all  kinds  of  ordnance. 
See  Gi\. 

TACT,  Fr.  one  of  the  five  senses  ; 
the  sense  of  touching. 

Avoir  le  Tact  Jin,  Fr.  a  figurative  ex- 
pression signifying  to  have  a  fine  taste 
and  judgment. 

TACTICS,  a  word  derived  from  the 
Greek,  signifying  order,  or  the  distribu- 
tion of  things  by  mechanical  arrange- 
ment, so  as  to  make  them  subservient  to 
the  higher  principles  of  military  science: 
i.  e.  of  Strategy.  Tactics  consist  of  a 
knowledge  of  order,  disposition,  and  for- 
mation, according  to  the  exigency  of 
circumstances,  in  warlike  operations. 
These  dispositions  are  severally  made,  or 
one,  disposition  follows  another,  by  means 
of  manoeuvres  and  evolutions.  Hence 
the  necessity  of  paying  the  greatest  at- 
tention to  the  first,  principles  of  military 
art;  and  hence  the  absurdity  and  igno- 
rance of  some  men,  who  would  pass  for 
great  and  able  tacticians,  without  having 
grounded  themselves  in  the  elements  of 
their  profession.  As  well  might  a  per- 
son assume  the  character  of  a  complete 
arithmetician,  under  a  total  ignorance  of 
the  first  rules. 

General  tactics  are  a  combination, 
or  union,  of  first  orders,  out  of  which 
others  grow,  of  a  more  extensive  and 
complicated  nature,  to  suit  the  parti- 
cular kind  of  contest,  or  battle,  which  is 
to  be  given,  or  supported.  Let  it  not 
however,  be  inferred  from  this,  that 
evolutions  and  tactics  are  one  and  the 
same.  They  are  closely  connected,  but 
there  is  still  a  discernible  difference  be- 
tween them. 

Tactics  (or  as  the  French  say,  la  tac- 
tiquc,  tactical  art)  may  be  compre- 
hended under  order  and  disposition ; 
evolution  is  the  movement  which  is 
made,  and  eventually  leads  to  order. 
The  higher  branches  of  tactics,  or  la 
grunde  tuctique,  should  be  thoroughly 
understood  by  all  general  officers ;  but 
it  is  sufficient  for  inferior  officers  and 
soldiers  to  be  acquainted  with  evolu- 
tions. Not  that  the  latter  are  beneath 
the  notice  of  general  officers,  but  that 
having  already  acquired  a  knowledge 
of  them,  they  ought  to  direct  their  at- 


tention more  immediately  to  the  former; 
carefully  retaining,  at  the  same  time,  a 
clear  apprehension  of  every  species  of 
military  detail,  and  thereby  obviating 
the  many  inconveniencies  and  embar- 
rassments, which  occur  from  orders  being 
awkwardly  expressed  by  the  general,  and 
of  course  ill-understood  by  the  inferior 
officer.  It  may  be  laid  down,  as  a  cer- 
tain rule,  that  unless  a  general  officer 
make  himself  acquainted  with  particular 
movements  and  dispositions,  and  pre- 
serve the  necessary  recollections,  it  is 
morally  impossible  for  him  to  be  clear 
and  correct  in  his  general  arrangements. 
Of  all  mechanical  operations,  founded 
upon  given  principles,  the  art  of  war  is 
certainly  the  most  compendious,  the 
most  enlarged,  and  the  most  capable 
of  improvement.  Almost  every  other 
science  and  art  are  comprehended  in 
it ;  and  it  should  be  the  subject  matter, 
the  chief  study,  and  the  ultimate  object 
of  a  general's  reflections.  He  must  not 
be  satisfied  with  a  limited  conception  of 
its  various  branches ;  he  should  go  deeply 
into  all  its  parts,  be  aware  of  its  manifold 
changes,  and  know  how  to  adapt  move- 
ments and  positions  to  circumstances  and 
places. 

It  will  be  of  little  use  to  a  general  to 
have  formed  vast  projects,  if,  when  they 
are  to  be  executed,  there  should  be  a 
deficiency  of  ground;  if  the  general  move- 
ments of  the  army  should  be  embar- 
rassed by  the  irregularity  of  some  par- 
ticular corps,  by  their  overlapping  each 
other,  &c.  and  if  through  the  tardiness 
of  a  manoeuvre,  an  enemy  should  have 
time  to  render  his  plan  abortive  by  a 
more  prompt  evolution.  A  good  general 
must  be  aware  of  all  these  contingencies, 
by  making  himself  thoroughly  master  of 
tactics. 

The  Prussian  tactics,  under  Frederic 
the  Great,  had  for  their  principal  object 
to  concentrate  forces,  and  to  attack  the 
chief  points  of  an  enemy,  not  at  one 
and  the  same  time,  but  one  after  another: 
whereas  the  tactics  which  have  been 
uniformly  pursued  by  the  French,  since 
the  commencement  of  their  revolution, 
have  been  founded  upon  this  principle, 
—  to  attack  all  points  with  divided 
forces,  at  one  and  the  same  time.  We 
thus  see,  that  the  principles  of  extension 
have  been  as  much  followed  by  the 
latter,  as  those  of  compression  were 
studiously  adhered  to  by  the  former. 

TACTILE,  Fr.     See  Tangible. 

TACTIQUE,  Fr.  the  art  of  ranging 


T  A  K 


(     895    ) 


T  A  K 


troops  in  order  of  battle,  of  encamping 
an  army,  and  performing  military  evolu- 
tions.    See  Tactics. 

Tactique  maritime,  Fr.  naval  tactics, 
or  sea  manoeuvres,  &c.  See  Maritime 
iactics. 

TACTIQUES,  Fr.  tacticians;  a  name 
which  was  formerly   given  in  Persia  and 
Greece,  to  those  persons  who  taught  the 
military  art.     See  Science  of  War. 
TAGBEERE,  hid.  dismission. 
TAIGAU,  hid.  a  sabre. 
TAIL  of  the  trtnchcs,  the  post  where 
the  besiegers  begin  to  break  ground,  and 
cover  themselves   from   the  lire  of  the 
place,  in  advancing  the  lines  of  approach. 
TAiL-pipe.     See  Pipe. 
1 AILLE  du  soldat,  Fr.  the  size,  height, 
*md  stature  most  proper  for  a  soldier. 

TAILLER,  Fr.  to  cut. — Tailkr  en 
pieces ;  to  cut  to  pieces. 

TAILLEUR  depierre,  Fr.  a  stone  cut- 
ter, or  one  who  shapes  stones  after  they 
have  been  chalked  or  marked  out. 

TAILLOIR,  in  architecture,  a  term 
used  by  some  writers  in  imitation  of  the 
French  for  abacus,  commonly  a  square 
.member  which  forms  the  upper  part  of 
a  capital. 

TAIRE,  Fr.  to  silence.  The  French 
.say,  faire  taire  le  canon  des  cnnemis,  to 
silence  the  enemy's  cannon. 

Se  Taire,  Fr.  to  hold  one's  tongue,  to 
be  silent. 

To  TAKE.  This  verb,  as  Dr.  John- 
son observes,  like  prendre  in  French,  is 
used  with  endless  multiplicity  of  rela- 
tions. Its  uses  are  so  numerous  that 
they  cannot  easily  be  exempli  tied  ;  and 
its  inferences,  to  the  words  governed  by 
it,  so  general  and  lax,  that  they  can 
hardly  be  explained  by  any  succedaneous 
terms.  But  commonly  that  is  hardest 
to  explain  which  least  wants  explication. 
We  shall  content  ourselves  with  giving 
a  few  general  terms,  in  which  the  verb 
Take  is  used  with  respect  to  military 
matters. 

To  Take,  to  make  prisoner. 
To  Take  advantage  of,  to  avail  one- 
self of  any  peculiar  event,  or  opening, 
whereby  an  enemy  may  be  overcome, 
viz. — He  took  advantage  of  the  debau- 
cheries which  were  daily  committed  in 
the  enemy's  camp,  to  surprize  the  army. 
To  Take  ground  to  the  right  or  left,  to 
extend  a  line  towards  either  of  those  di- 
rections. 

To  Take  up  quarters,  to  occupy  lo- 
cally j  to  go  into  cantonments,  barracks, 


&c.     To  become  stationary  for  more  or 
ess  time. 

To  Take  a  position,  to  dispose  troops 
in  any  particular  spot,  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  or  receiving  battle,  or  of  remain- 
ing stationary. 

To  Take  up  the  gauntlet,  the  correla- 
tive to  throw  down  the  gauntlet. — To 
accept  a  challenge. 

To  Take  up  arms,  to  embody  and 
troop  together  for  offensive,  or  defensive 
purposes.  We  likewise  say,  to  take 
arms. 

To  Take  down,  to  minute;  to  commit 
to  paper  what  is  spoken  or  given  orally  ; 
as  to  take  down  his  words. 

To  Take  the  field,  to  encamp.  It 
like-  .ise  means  generally  to  move  with 
troops  in  military  order. 

To  Take  in,  a  low  phrase,  signifying 
to  cheat,  to  gull.  Officers,  especially  the 
junior  classes,  are  frequently  taken  in  by 
usurers  and  money-lenders,  and  some- 
times by  what  are  called,  old  soldiers. 

To  Take  oath,  to  swear. 

To  Take  up,  to  seize;  to  catch;  to 
arrest ;  as  to  take  up  a  deserter. 

To  Take  on,  an  expression  in  familiar 
use  among  soldiers  that  have  enlisted  for 
a  limited  period,  to  signify  an  extension 
of  service  by  taking  a  fresh  bounty. 

To  Take.  To  adopt  any  particular 
formation : 

Rear  ranks  take  open  order.  1  Words  of 
Rear  ranks  take  close  order.  $  command 
which  are  used  in  the  British  service. 
For  the  manner  in  which  they  are  exe- 
cuted, see  Order. 

To  Take  cognizanct,  to  investigate 
with  judicial  authority. 

To  Take  to  any  thing,  (embrasser 
quelque  chose,  Fr.)  to  adopt,  embrace, 
or  follow  any  particular  profession,  &c. 
as  to  take  to  the  army. 

To  Take  to  the  collar,  a  term  used 
with  regard  to  draught  horses  when  they 
go  steadily  in  harness,  of  which  the  col- 
lar may  be  called  the  most  important 
part.  Too  much  attention  cannot  bo 
given  to  it,  particularly  in  the  first  out- 
fit, and  afterwards  in  the  training  of  the 
animal.  He  should  be  gradually  accus- 
tomed to  its  pressure  against  the  chest, 
by  being  driven  up  and  down  hills,  and 
occasionally  through  cross  roads,  Sec.  The 
unavoidable  motion  which  will  arise 
from  his  forcing  his  way  through  rutts, 
&c.  will  contribute  not  a  little  to  the  ac- 
quirement of  this  indispensable  quality ; 
for  no  horse  can  be  called  a  safe  horse 


T  A  L 


(     896    ) 


T  A  M 


r  hi  ise  temper  is  not  made  subservient  to 
the  collar. 

To  Take  head,  to  refuse  the  bit,  (as  a 
horse  does,)  and  run  furiously  on,  break- 
ing the  reins,  &c. 

TALC,  (talc,  Fr.)  isinglass.  In  na- 
tural history,  a  shining,  squamous  fissile 
species  of  stone,  easily  separable  into 
thin  laminar,  or  scales. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  talc,  viz.  the 
white  talc  of  Venice,  and  the  red  talc  of 
Muscovy. 

TALE,  information  ;  disclosure  of 
any  thing  secret. 

Tale,  Ind.  an  Indian  coin  equal 
to  six.  shillings  and  eight  pence. 

TALEBEARER,  one  who  officiously 
gives  ill-judged, or  maiignant  intelligence. 
With  respect  to  the  interior  economy  of 
military  life,  a  talebearer  is  the  most 
dangerous  creature  that  can  insinuate 
itself  among  honourable  men ;  and  how- 
ever acceptable  domestic  information 
may  sometimes  seem  to  narrow  minds, 
it  will  be  found,  even  by  those  who  coun- 
tenance the  thing,  that  such  means  of 
getting  at  the  private  sentiments  of  others 
not  only  defeat  their  own  ends,  but  ulti- 
mately destroy  every  species  of  regi- 
mental harmony.  The  only  way  to  secure 
a  corps  from  this  insidious  evil,  is,  for 
commanding  officers  to  treat  those  with 
contempt,  who  would  endeavour  to  ob- 
tain their  countenance  by  such  base  and 
unofficer-like  conduct ;  for  it  is  a  known 
axiom,  that  if  there  were  no  listeners, 
there  would  be  no  reporters. 

TALENT,  quality  ;  disposition  ; 
natural  endowment  ;  an  aptitude  to 
things. 

Count  Turpin,  in  his  Essay  on  the  Art 
of  War,  makes  the  following  distinction 
between  genius  and  talent : — Talent  re- 
mains hidden  for  want  of  occasions  to 
shew  itself;  genius  breaks  through  all 
obstacles ;  genius  alone  is  the  contriver, 
talent  only  the  workman. 

Talent  of' persuasion.  See  Persua- 
sion. 

Talent,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  by 
the  French  in  the  same  figurative  sense 
that  it  is  generally  received  in  England. 
We  say  a  man  of  talents,  tin  homme  a  ta- 
kns ;  men  of  talents,  gens  a  talens. 
.  Un  Talent  manque, demi  Talent",  Fr. 
a  man  of  mistaken  talents,  a  half  genius. 

Enterrcr  ses   Talens,   Fr.    to    bury 


To  TALK,  to  make  use  of  the  powers 
of  speech.  Officers  and  soldiers  are 
strictly  forbidden  to  talk  under  arms. 

A  great  TALKER,  a  creature  that 
makes  a  great  noise  about  little  things, 
and  talks  much  but  does  little ;  one 
who  laughs  at  scars  but  never  felt  a 
wound. 

TALLOW,  a  well  known  name  for 
the  fat  of  animals.  It  is  used  as  a  com- 
bustible in  the  composition  of  fire-works. 
See  Laboratory. 

TALON,  Fr.  in  architecture,  an  or- 
namental moulding,  which  is  concave 
below,  and  convex  above. 

Talon  7-enverse,  Fr.  an  ornamental 
moulding  which  is  concave  above  ;  it  is 
also  called  cymaise  droite  et  renversce. 
This  word  is  likewise  applied  to  many 
other  things,  as  the  upper  part  of  a  scythe, 
&c.  the  end  of  a  pike,  &c. 

Talon  d'un  cheval,  Fr.  a  horse's  heel, 
or  the  hind  part  of  his  hoof.  Talon  lite- 
rally means  heel. 

TALONNER,  Fr.  to  tread  upon; 
literally  to  tread  upon  the  heels  of  an- 
other. This  term  is  used  in  a  military 
sense  by  the  French,  as  talonner  son  en- 
nemi,  to  tread  upon  the  heels  of  one's 
enemy.  This  seems  to  correspond  with 
our  expression,  to  hang  upon  the  rear  of 
an  enemy. 

TALOOKDAR,  Ind.  the  head  of  any 
department  under  a  superior. 

TALPATCHES,  Fr.  a  nickname 
which  is  given  to  the  foot  soldiers  in 
Hungary.  It  is  derived  from  Talp, 
which  in  the  Hungarian  language  sig- 
nifies sole  of  a  shoe,  and  plainly  proves, 
from  the  ridicule  attached  to  it,  that 
the  Hungarians  would  rather  serve  on 
horseback  than  on  foot.  All  persons  are 
strictly  forbidden  to  call  them  by  this 
name. 

TALUS,  Fr.  This  word  is  sometimes 
written  Talut.     For 
Fortification. 

TALUTER,  Fr.  to  give  a  slope  to  any 
thing  in  fortification. 

TAMBOUR,  in  fortification,  is  akind 
of  work  formed  of  palisades,  or  pieces  of 
wood,  10  feet  long,  and  6  inches  thick, 
planted  close  together,  and  driven  2  or  3 
feet  into  the  ground  ;  so  that  when  fi- 
nished, it  may  have  the  appearance  of  a 
square  redoubt  cut  in  two.  Loop-holes 
are  made  6  feet  from  the  ground,  and  o 


its  signification  see 


one's  talents,  to  misapply  natural  endow-  feet  asunder,    about    8  indies   long,    2 
ments,  or  suffer  them  to  remain  inactive  j  inches  wide  within,  and  6  without.     Be- 


tljrough  indolence. 


|  hind  is  a  scaffold  2  feet  high,  for  the  soi- 


T  A  M 


(     897     ) 


TAM 


diers  to  stand  upon.  They  are  frequently 
made  in  the  place  of  arms  of  the  co\ert 
way,  at  the  salient  angles,  in  the  gorges, 
halt-moons',  and  ravelins,  &c. 

Tambours,  in  fortification,  are  also 
solid  pieces  of  earth  which  are  made  in 
that  part  of  the  covert-way  that  is  joined 
to  the  parapet,  and  lies  close  to  the  tra- 
verses, being  only  3  feet  distant  from 
them.  They  serve  to  prevent  the  covert- 
way  from  being  enfiladed,  and  obstruct 
the  enemy's  view  towards  the  traverses. 
When  tambours  are  made  in  the  covert- 
way,  they  answer  the  same  purposes  that 
works  en  crimaillae  would. 

Tambour  likewise  means,  in  fortifica- 
tion, a  single  or  isolated  traverse,  which 
serves  to  close  up  that  part  of  the  covert- 
way,  where  a  communication  might  have 
been  made  in  the  glacis,  for  the  purpose 
of  going  to  some  detached  work. 

Tambour  also  signifies, both  in  French 
and  English,  a  little  box  of  timber-work 
covered  with  a  cieling,  within  side  the 
porch  of  certain  churches,  both  to  pre- 
vent the  view  of  persons  passing  by,  and 
to  keep  oft"  the  wind,  &c.  by  means  ot 
folding  doors.  In  many  instances  it  is 
the  same  as  porch. 

Tambour,  in  mechanics,  the  cylindri- 
cal axle-tree  of  a  wheel,  which  serves  to 
draw  up  stones  out  of  a  quarry.  It  is 
likewise  called  tympan.  Tambour  is  also 
used  for  a  round  stone,  or  course  of  stones, 
several  of  which  serve  for  a  section  of  the 
shaft  of  a  column. 

Tambour  de  basque,  Fr.  a  tabor,  tim- 
brel ;  also  portal  in  joinery. 

Tambour,  Fr.     See  Drum. 

Marcher  Tambours  battans  et  dra- 
pcau.v  flottans,  ou  enseignes  dcp/oyies,  Fr. 
to  match  with  drums  beating  and  colours 
flying. 

Tambour,  Fr.  See  Drummer.  We 
frequently  use  the  word  drum  in  the  same 
sense  as  the  French  do,  viz.  to  signify 
drummer.  We  likewise  sav  fife  for  titer ; 
as,  one  drum  and  fife  to  each  company. 

Tambour  major,  Fr.  drum-major. 

Batteries  de  Tambour,  I^V.the  different 
beats  of  the  drum.  The  principal  beats 
among  the  French  are — La  generate,  the 
general  ;  t'assemblee,  the  assembly ;  le 
dernier,  the  last  beat ;  le  drapcau,  the 
troop ;  wax  champs,  to  the  tield  ;  la 
marche,  the  march  ;  ladiane,  the  reveille; 
Vidurtne,  to  arms,  or  the  alarm  ;  la  chu- 
wade,  the  parley  ;  I'app&l,  the  roll  or  call; 
la  fascine  ou  brelogue,  the  workman's  call. 
Le  ban  et  la  retraite. 


Aux  champs,  or  le  premier,  is  beat 
when  any  particular  corps  of  infantry 
is  ordered  to  march ;  but  if  the  order 
should  extend  to  a  whole  army,  it  is  then 
called  La generate,  the  general.  We  do 
not  make  this  distinction  in  our  service, 
but.  we  omit  the  Premier,  or  first  beat, 
when  one  regiment,  detachment,  or  com- 
pany, marches  out  of  a  camp  or  garrison 
where  there  are  other  troops. 

Le  second,  or  I' assemble,  is  to  give 
notice  that  the  colours  are  to  be  sent  for. 

Lm  murche  is  beat  when  troops  march 
oft'  their  parade. 

Butt  re  la  charge,  or  battre  la  guerre,  to 
beat  the  charge,  or  the  point  of  war. 
This  occurs  when  troops  advance  against 
an  enemy.  Battre  la  retruite  is  to  beat 
the  retreat,  to  cease  firing,  or  to  withdraw 
after  the  battle.  It  is  likewise  used  in 
garrison  to  warn  soldiers  to  retire  to  their 
quarters. 

Battre  la  fricassee,  to  beat  the  long 
roll. — A  beat  which  is  practised  to  call 
soldiers  suddenly  together. 

Battre  la  diane,  to  beat  the  reveille. 
This  is  done  in  a  camp  or  garrison  at 
break  of  day.  When  an  army  besieges 
a  town,  the  reveille  is  confined  to  those 
troops  belonging  to  the  infantry  that 
have  mounted  guard,  particularly  in  the 
trenches ;  and  it  is  then  followed  by  the 
discharge  of  those  pieces  of  ordnance 
which  had  ceased  firing  on  account  of 
the  darkness  of  the  night,  that  prevented 
their  being  properly  pointed  against  the 
enemy's  works. 

Tambour,  in  architecture,  a  term  ap- 
plied to  the  Corinthian  and  Composite 
capitals,  as  bearing  some  resemblance 
to  a  drum,  which  the  French  call  Tam- 
bour. 

Tambour  likewise  denotes  a  round 
course  of  stone,  several  whereof  form  the 
shaft  of  a  column  not  so  high  as  a  dia- 
meter. 

Vn  TAMBOURIN,  Fr.  a  timbrel. 

TAMBOURINE,  a  drum  somewhat 
resembling  the  tabor,  but  played  in  our 
military  bands  without  either  stick  or 
pipe. 

TAMING.  Co/f-TAMiNu  is  the  act 
of  breaking  a  colt  so  as  to  be  mounted 
and  ridden. 

Tiie  best  times  is  at  three  years,  or 
four  at  most :  but  he  who  will  have  the 
patience  to  see  his  horse  at  full  five,  may 
be  sure  to  have  him  of  a  longer  continu- 
ance, and  much  less  subject  to  diseases 
and  infirmities. 
5  Y 


TAN 


(     898     ) 


TAP 


TAMIS,  Fr.  a  sieve. 

TAMKIN,  the  stopple  of  the  mouth 
of  a  great  gun. 

To  TAMPER  until  the  enemy,  to  carry 
on  a  secret  correspondence  for  unlawful 
purposes. 

TAMPIONS,  or  |    are  wooden  cylin- 

TOMPIONS,  S  ders  to  Put  illto 
the  mouths  of  the  guns,  howitzers,  and 
mortars,  in  travelling,  to  prevent  the  dust 
or  wet  from  getting  in.  They  are  fastened 
round  the  muzzle  of  the  guns,  ike.  hy 
leathern  collars. 

They  are  sometimes  used  to  put  into 
the  chambers  of  mortars,  over  the  pow- 
der, when  the  chamber  is  not  full. 

Tampions,  in  sea-service  artillery,  are 
the  iron  bottoms  to  which  the  grape-shot 
are  fixed  ;  the  dimensions  of  which  are 
as  follow,  viz. 

Diameter. 
6-10ths  inches 

4-10ths 
9-10ths 
3-10ths 
9-10ths 
3-4ths 
9-10ths 
l-10th 
4-10ths 
TAMPON,  Fr.  a  wooden  peg  or  in- 
strument which  is  used  to  plug  up  car- 
tridges, petards,  &c.  a  stopper. 
TAMPON  NEK,  Fr.  to  bung;  to  stop. 
TAMPONS,  Fr.   in  mason-work,  are 
wooden  pegs  by  which  beams  and  boards 
for  floors  are  fastened  together. 

Tampons,  Fr.  fiat  pieces  of  iron, copper, 
or  wood,  which  are  used  by  the  French 


42-pounders 

6 

82  ditto 

6 

24  ditto 

5 

18  ditto 

4 

12  ditto 

4 

9  ditto 

3 

6  ditto 

3 

4  ditto 

2 

If  ditto 

2 

f  ditto 

1 

made    by    cannon-balls 


engagement. 


on  board   their  men  of  war,  to  stop  up 
holes    that    are 
during  a  naval 

Tampons  de  canon,!' r.  the  apron  made 
of  cork  or  lead,  which  is  put  over  the  vent 
of  any  piece  of  ordnance. 

TANACLES,  from  the  French  te- 
nailles,  instruments  of  torture,  like  pin- 
cers, wherewith  the  flesh  is  plucked  from 
the  human  frame.  They  are  sometimes 
made  red-hot. 

TANG,  the  upper  part  of  the  plug,  or 
breech  pin ;  also  that  part  of  a  sword- 
blade  to  which  the  hilt  is  rivetted. 

TAN  GAGE,  Fr.  motion  of  a  ship. 

TANGENT,  (tangente,  Fr.)  in  trigo- 
nometry, is  a  light  line  raised  perpendi- 
cularly on  the  extreme  of  the  diameter, 
and  continued  to  a  point,  where  it  is  cut 
by  a  secant,  that  is,  by  a  line  drawn  from 


the  center,  through  the  extremity  of*  the. 
arch,  whereof  it  is  the  tangent. 

TANGIBLE,  something  whereon  to 
fasten.  Thus  an  officer,  by  the  arts  of  a 
man,  or  the  artifices  of  a  woman,  might 
be  so  far  deluded,  as  to  deviate  from  the 
line  of  strict  honour  and  integrity,  and 
by  so  doing,  be  brought  to  account  on 
some  very  tangible  ground. 

Tangible  arithmetic,  a  mode  or  me- 
thod of  understanding  arithmetic  by 
means  of  artificial  numbers,  made  in 
wood  or  bone,  &c.  See  NAPiEr..'* 
bones. 

Tangible  manauvres,  a  modern  in- 
vention, by  which  the  ditierentmanceuvrei 
may  be  gone  through  with  pieces  of  wood, 
that  are  so  arranged  as  to  be  convertible 
to  any  shape  or  form.  Too  close  an  at- 
tention, however,  to  this  mode  of  learn- 
ing military  movements,  may  be  product 
tive  of  that  confined  view  which  lifeless 
objects  give,  and  prevent  the  mind  from 
going  into  enlarged  tactics. 

TANK,  (cuvette,  J'ontaine,  Fr.)  any 
place  where  water  is  collected  for  use4 
either  by  means  of  springs  or  rain. 

TAN  NAD  Alt,  Ind.  a  commander  of 
a  small  fort. 

TAP,  a  gentle  blow,  as  a  tap  of  the^ 
drum. 

TAPABORD,  Fr.  a  sort  of  cap  of 
slouched  hat  made  in  the  English  fashion, 
which  the  French  sailors  wear.  Its  sides 
hang  over  the  shoulders,  and  shield  them 
from  rain  in  wet  weather.  It  likewise" 
signifies  a  riding  cap,  a  montero. 

Za  TAPE,  /eTAPON, ou TAMPON, 
Fr.  the  tampion,  bung  or  stopple. 

TAPER  ou  TAMPON  NER  mi  canon, 
Fr.  to  put  in  the  tampion ;  d'ttuper  un 
canon,  Fr.  to  take  out  the  tampion. 

TAPER,  tapering,  in  joinery,  &c.  is 
understood  of  a  piece  of  board,  timber, 
or  the  like,  when  it  is  broad  beneath,  and 
sharp  towards  the  top,  or  diminishing 
gradually  from  the  biggest  end.  The 
French  say,  Dimiuuant. 

TAPE-cw/,  Fr.  that  part  of  a  swipe  or 
swinging  gate,  which  serves  to  raise  and 
let  down  a  draw-bridge. 

Tape-cw,  Fr.  a  falling  gate. 

Fn  TAPINOIS,  Fi\  slyly  ;  secretly  :. 
lying  close  and  still  ;  ducking  for  fear  of 
being  seen,  as  is  the  case  with  sharp- 
shooters and  riflemen. 

Se  TAPIR,  Fr.  to  lie  squat. 

TAPIS,  Fr.  This  word  literally  means, 
carpet,  and  is  used  by  the  French  in  » 
figurative  sense,  viz. 


TAR 


(     899     ) 


TAR 


Amuser  le  Tapis,  Fr.  to  trifle. 
Mettre  une  affaire  sur  le  Tapis,  Fr.  to 
open  any  particular  transaction,  to  move 
a  business. 

TAPPEE,  Lid.  an  express. 
TAPROBANE,    Lid.     the     ancient 
name  for  the   island  of  Ceylon.     It  is 
derived  from  tapoo,  an  island;  and  bony, 
a  ferry. 

TAP-TOO,  )  See  Drum;  alsoTATOu, 
TAT-TOO,  S  Fr. 

TAQUET,  Fr.  a  brace  or  piece  of 
wood  nailed  to  n  post,  &c.  to  keep  an- 
other from  shaking  or  slipping;  also  the 
clapper  of  a  mill. 

TAR,  a  kind  of  liquid  pitch  used  in 
the  composition  of  some  sorts  of  fire- 
works. 

Tar,  a  familiar  word  for  a  sailor,  &c. 
Dr.  Johnson  calls  it  a  term  of  contempt. 
A  jolly  tar,  however,  is  by  no  means  a 
contemptible  being. 

TARAXTHE,  Fr.  a  thick  iron  peg 
which  is  used  to  turn  the  screw  in  a 
press. 

TARAU,  Fr.  an  instrument  which  is 
used  in  making  the  nut  of  a  screw.  It 
is  a  round  piece  of  steel  with  a  spiral 
shape. 

TARAUDER,  Fr.  to  make  a  hole- 
like  that  which  is  effected  by  the  opera- 
tion of  the  Tarau. 

TARD-w»«s,  ou  mulandrins,Yr.  late- 
comers, or  banditti:  a  body  of  men  who 
formerly  gathered  together  in  France, 
without  any  order,  or  authority,  from  the 
king,  or  government,  and  who  were 
commanded  by  a  chief  of  their  own  se- 
lection. These  troops  or  companies  first 
made  their  appearance  in  1300.  They 
were  professed  plunderers,  that  did  a 
great  deal  of  mischief  in  France,  until 
they  made  inroads  into  Italy.  The  au- 
thor of  the  Kouveau  Dictionnalre  Mili- 
taire  humorously  concludes  this  article 
by  observing,  that  the  term  trop  tot-venus, 
or  persons  coming  too  soon,  would  have 
been  more  suitable  to  the  occupation  of 
these  freebooters. 

TARE,  Fr.  a  word  adopted  by  the 
French  from  the  English  term  tar. 

Tare,  (from  tarare,  Ital.)  to  subtract. 
The  weight  or  allowance  made  to  the 
buyer,  for  the  weight  of  the  cask,  chest, 
bag,  &c.  in  which  goods  are  packed  up  ; 
a  deduction  which  is  made  from  the  off- 
reckoning of  the  colonel  of  a  British  regi- 
ment ;  also  a  blemish,  as  tare  de  chevul. 
TAREAU,  Fr.  a  screw-tap. 
TARGE,   Fr.      It  is   generally   pro- 


nounced targue,  from  whence  is  derived 
the  figurative  expression  se  targuer,  to 
plume  one's-self,  or  to  be  self-sufficient. 
Le  poltron  se  targue  du  courage  de  son 
pere,  the  coward  plumes  himself  upon 
the  courage  of  his  father. 

Targe,  Fr.  a  weapon  of  defence.— 
See  Pavois. 

TARGET,  a  sort  of  shield,  being  ori- 
ginally made  of  leather,  wrought  out  of 
the  back  of  an  ox's  hide.  They  were 
much  used  by  the  Scotch. 

Target  is  also  a  mark  for  the  artil- 
lery, &c.  to  fire  at  in  their  practice. 

Target,  a  mark  set  up  at  certain  dis- 
tances, to  be  fired  at  with  musket  and 
ball.  The  mark  is  sometimes  made  in 
the  form  of  a  man,  and  of  the  same  size  ; 
and  sometimes  in  a  circular  form,  on 
which  are  concentric  circles,  to  deter- 
mine the  distance  from  the  center ;  the 
point  aimed  at.  The  distance  of  tha 
taiget,  from  the  firing  station,  is  generally 
about  a  hundred  yards,  and  for  security, 
it  is  placed  at  the  bottom  of  a  hill,  or  a 
large  mound  of  earth  is  raised,  or  faggots 
are  piled  up  to  such  a  length  or  height, 
as  is  deemed  sufficient  to  stop  all  the 
stray  balls. 

A  round  Target,  a  target  made  in  a 
circular  form. 

A  little  Target,  a  small  portable 
target,  such  as  the  Romans  carried  in 
battle,  and  the  Highlanders  formerly 
used. 

A  I  ARGUT-fence.  See  Taudis. 
TARIEttE,  Fr.  auger,  wimble,  gim- 
let. The  French  make  a  distinction  with 
respect  to  the  gender  of  this  word.  When 
they  express  a  large-sized  auger  or  wim- 
ble, they  say,  JJn  gros  tariire,  making  it 
masculine,  and  when  they  mean  a  small 
sized  one,  they  say,  Une  petite  tariere, 
making  it  feminine. 

Tariere,  Fr.  likewise  signifies  a 
miner's  tool  with  which  he  bores  into 
the  earth.  It  is  used  to  force  a  lighted 
match  into  the  chamber  of  a  counter- 
mine, and  to  make  it  explode. 

TAttIF,  Fr.  book  of  rates;  tariff. 
TARLE,  Fr.  a  wood- worm,  or  moth; 
hence  turle,ror  worm-eaten. 

TARMEES,  Fr.  thick  maggots ;  or 
short  and  hairy  worms,  oftentimes  breed- 
ing in  the  fundaments  of  horses.  They 
are  destroyed  by  powders  prepared  with 
antimony.  The  escarides  in  the  human 
frame  are  perhaps  of  the  same  genus. 

TARPAULIN  GS  are  made  of  strong 
canvass,  thoroughly  tarred,  and  cut  int« 
SY2 


TAR  (   900   ) 

different  sizes,  according  to  their  several 
uses  in  the  held ;  such  as  to  co\  er  the 
powder  wagons  and  tumbrels  (carrying 
ammunition)  from  rain;  each  iield  piece 
has  likewise  one  to  secure  the  ammuni- 
tion boxes. 

Ta i:pa f  li n n  alsosignifies, figuratively, 
a  common  sailor. 

TARKASS,  j  a  sort  of  plaster  or  strong 

TERR  ASS,  S  mortar  chiefly  used  in 
lining  basins,  cisterns,  wells,  and  other 
reservoirs  of  water.  In  architecture,  it 
signifies  an  open  walk  or  gallery ;  also  a 
flat  roof  of  an  house. 

To  be  TARRED,  a  cant  word  used 
among  the  Guards  to  signify  the  punish- 
ment which  privates  undergo  among 
themselves,  when  they  have  been  tried 
and  sentenced  by  their  own  comrades. 
It  is  the  same  as  being  scabbarded  or 
booted ;  with  this  exception,  that  the 
Guards  chastise  with  their  cross-belts, 
whereas  the  cavalry  and  infantry  of  the 
line  use  their  boots  and  scabbards. 

TARTAN,  (tartane,  Fr.)  a  vessel 
used  in  the  Mediterranean,  whose  prow 
and  stern  are  even  with  the  deck.  It 
has  only  one  large  mast  and  a  mizen. 
The  sail  is  triangular  or  three-cornered, 
and  when  she  carries  a  square  one,  it  is 
then  called  rode  c/e  fortune.  Oars  are 
sometimes  used  in  these  vessels. 

To  catch  a  TARTAR.  This  expres- 
sion, which  signifies,  figuratively,  to  get 
hold  of  something  stronger  than  our- 
selves, is  not  without  its  moral  with  re- 
spect to  military  life.  It  may  be  gene- 
rally applied  to  those  rash  minds,  who, 
having  more  valour  than  judgment,  not 
only  run  headlong  into  danger,  but  even 
presume  to  treat  a  brave  enemy  with 
contempt.  Unfledged  coxcombs  some- 
times catch  a  Taitar,  by  taking  liberties 
with  a  truly  brave  but  modest  man. 

TARTARES,  Fr.  a  word  used  in  the 
French  army,  to  distinguish  officers'  ser- 
vants and  bat-men  from  the  soldiers  that 
serve  in  the  ranks.  Torture  likewise 
means  a  groom. 

TARTARS,  (Tartarcs,  Fr.)  Asiatics, 
whose  principal  arms  are  the  bow  and 
arrow,  and  sabre  or  pike.  Some  lew 
have  firelocks  and  pistols. 

Calmuc  Tartaus,  a  free  people  in- 
habiting the  borders  of  the  Caspian  Sea, 
and  the  banks  of  the  river  Wolga.  They 
are  under  the  immediate  protection  of 
Russia,  and  in  consideration  of  the  se- 
curity they  enjoy,  they  are  obliged  to 
serve,  when  called  upon.     They  consist 


T  A  S 

of  wandering  hordes,  live  in  tents,  and 
are  armed  with  bows  and  arrows.  Some 
have  rifle  guns,  with  one  or  two  pistols. 
But  they  are  extremely  cruel,  and  worse 
disciplined  than  the  Cossacks. 

TARTES,  Fr.  bogs. 

TAS,  Fr.  a  heap.  When  die  works 
of  a  fortification  are  lined  with  turf  and 
fascines,  &c.  small  beds  of  earth  are 
previously  prepared  and  laid  one  over 
another,  till  the  necessary  thickness  is 
obtained ;  when  completed,  it  is  called 
Ttts  de  ga.zon,  on  de  placage;  a  heap  of 
turf  or  a  placaue,  which  see.  —  Tus  is 
likewise  used  in  a  sense  of  contempt  to 
signify  a  crowd. —  Vu  las  defuincuns;  a 
heap,  or  crowd  of  para>ues. 

/  it  Tas  de  ynensouges,  Fr.  a  heap  of 
lies. 

Tas  de  charge,  Fr.  an  arch  made  in  a 
particular  manner.  It  is  generally  found 
in  Gothic  buildings. 

Tas  droit,  Fr.  in  paving,  a  line  of 
pavement  on  the  upper  part  of  each  side 
of  a  large  street  from  which  the  slope  or 
declivity  is  taken,  right  and  left,  to  the 
gutter  which  runs  in  the  middle,  or  to 
the  borders  of  a  paved  highway, 

TASK,  something  to  be  done  imposed 
I >y  another;  employment;  business. 

TASSA,  Ltd.  a  kind  of  drum,  formed 
from  a  semisphere  of  copper,  hollowed 
out  and  covered  with  goat-skin.  It  is 
hung  before  from  the  shoulders,  and  beat 
with  two  ^rattans. 

TASSE,  Fr.  literally  heaped  up  or 
laid  together.  This  is  said  of  a  building 
which  has  all  its  foundations  laid, 

TASSEAU,  Fr  a  small  piece  of  wood 
kept  by  a  tenon  and  mortise  on  the  main 
part  of  a  roof,  in  order  to  sustain  the 
rafters. 

Tasseau,  Fr.  a  small  anvil;  also  a 
bracket. 

TASSEL-c/ose,  a  field  in  London 
where  the  cross-bow  makers  used  to  ex- 
ercise themselves,  and  try  their  weapons 
at  the  popingjoy  or  artificial  parrot. 
The  field  was  so  called  from  the  number 
of  thistles  that  grew  there.  This  field 
was  afterwards  hired  by  the  Artillery 
Company,  and  is  called  the  Old  Artillery 
Ground. 

TASSELS,  in  building,  are  pieces  of 
board  that  lie  under  the  mantle-tree. 

TASSES,  armour  for  the  thighs. 

TASSETTE,  Fr.  ail  those  parts  of 
an  iron  armour  which  are  under  the 
cuirass,  and  serve  to  cover  the  thighs  of 
an  armed  man. 


TAX 


(     901     ) 


T  E  B 


TATTA,  hid.  a  bamboo  frame,  which 
incloses  an  herb  called  jawassea.  Frames 
ot"  this  sort  are  made  to  put  to  the  dif- 
ferent openings  of  a  room  ;  by  throwing 
water  against  them,  the  hottest  wind,  in 
passing  through,  becomes  cool. 

TATILLON,  Fr.  a  busv-bodv. 

TATILLONNER,  Fr'.  to  be  med- 
dling ;  to  interfere  in  matters  which  do 
not  concern  ourselves. 

TATQU,  Fr.  a  kind  of  long-tailed 
hedge-hog,  w  hich  has  a  scaly  coat,  where- 
into,  in  times  of  danger,  he  draws  up 
liimself.  It  is  not  improbable  but  our 
word  top-too  or  tattoo  has  been  taken 
from  this  term,  signifying  a  notice  given 
to  go  under  cover,  or  into  quarters. 

TATTLE,  (baitarder,  Fr.)  to  talk  or 
converse  with  indiscriminate  freedom  ; 
to  repeat  private  conversation,  &c. 

TATTLER,  (jaseur,  bavard,  Fr.)  one 
who  collects  all  he  can  respecting  per- 
sons or  things,  and  who  repeats  all  he 
hears,  without  any  regard  to  truth. 

TAUDION,  Fr.  a  filthy  place;  as 
the  privy  at  the  back  of  a  camp. 

TAUDIR,  Fr.  to  cover  booths,  &c 
with  canvass  or  with  raw  cloth. 

Se  Taudib,  Fr.  to  screen  one's  self; 
to  duck  under. 

TAUD1S,  Fr.  the  roof  or  vault  of  a 
house ;  any  shroud  or  shelter  made  roof- 
wise.  Hence  a  target  fence,  or  a  defen- 
sive engine  under  which  approaches  are 
made,  or  breaches  entered  by  soldiers. 
It  is  also  called  pavoisade. 

TA VERNIER,  Fr.  a  tavern-keeper; 
a  suttler ;  any  person  keeping  a  house  of 
reception,  where  drink  or  meat  is  given 
for  money. 

TAUGOUR,  Fr.  a  small  lever  which 
is  used  for  various  purposes. 

'TAUPINS,  Francs  Taupins,  Fr.  a 
name  which  was  formerly  given  to  a 
body  of  free  archers,  or  Francs  archers, 
in  France.  This  body,  consisting  chiefly 
of  countrymen  and  rustics,  were  probably 
so  called  from  taupe,  a  mole ;  of  which 
there  are  great  quantities  in  the  fields. 
Taupin  likewise  signifies  swarthy. 

TAUX,  Fr.  assize,  tax,  rate. 

TAX,  (tare,  Fr.)  an  impost ;  a  tribute 
imposed;  an  excise  ;  a  tallage.  Hume 
observes,  that  the  most  pernicious  of  all 
taxes  are  the  arbitrary.  They  are  com- 
monly converted  by  their  management, 
into  punishments  on  industry  ;  and  also, 
by  their  unavoidable  inequalities,  are 
more  grievous  than  bv  the  real  burden 
which  they  impose.     It  is  therefore  sur- 


prising to  see  them  take  place  among  any 
civilized  people. 

Tax  upon  properly,  or  income  Tax,  a 
tribute  which  was  required  from  all  per- 
sons, civil  as  well  as  military,  of  the 
tenth  part  of  their  incomes,  it  they  ex- 
ceed 601.  per  annum. 

This  tax  was  peculiarly  burthensome 
to  British  officers.  It  was  repealed  in 
1816,  by  a  large  majority  in  the  House 
of  Commons. 

Tax  also  signifies  charge,  censure ;  as 
to  be  taxed  with  having  acted  contrary 
to  good  order  and  discipline. 

TAX-gatherer,  a  person  who  collects 
the  taxes.  In  a  military  sense,  an  army 
agent,  who  is  ordered  to  stop  a  given  sum 
out  of  the  subsistence  and  allowances  of 
officers,  and  to  pay  the  same  into  the 
War-office  at  prescribed  periods. 

War  Taxes,  particular  taxes  which 
were  imposed  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
these  islands,  to  enable  the  government 
to  cany  on  the  war  against  France. 

Tax  on  the  use  of  hair  powder,  or 
pozeder  Tax,  a  contribution  which  is 
exacted  from  the  public,  and  to  which 
all  officers  in  the  army,  subalterns  ex- 
cepted, are  liable. 

TAYLOR,  (lailleur,  Fr.)  a  person 
who  cuts  eut  and  makes  clothing  apparel. 
A  certain  number  of  men  are  always 
selected  out  of  a  regiment  either  to 
make,  or  to  fit  on  the  clothing  of  the  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates  of 
the  corps.  They  are  under  the  imme- 
diate direction  of  the  quarter-master,  and 
occasionally  do  duty,  especially  on  days 
of  review,  &c. 

TCHAROTCIIEK  A,  a  small  measure 
of  brandy,  which  the  Russian  soldier 
takes  with  his  toloqueno  on  service. 

TE,  Fr.  a  term  used  amouj  miners 
to  express  a  figure  which  greatly  resem- 
bles the  letter  T,  and  which  consists  of 
a  certain  arrangement  and  disposition  of 
the  furnaces,  chambers,  and  lodgments 
that  are  made  under  any  particular  part 
of  a  fortification,  in  order  to  blow  it 
up.  The  ti  has  four  lodgments ;  the 
double  ti,  has  eight ;  and  the  triple  u  has 
twelve. 

To  TEASE,  to  give  unnecessary  trou- 
ble. This  frequently  happens  when  sol- 
diers fall  under  the  command  of  men 
who  have  all  She  show  without  any  of 
the  good  qualities,  of  a  military  character. 
TLBET,  a  sort  of  hatchet  which  the 
Turks  use  in  war.  It  hangs  suspended 
on  one  side  of  the  saddle. 


TEL 


(     902     ) 


TEL 


TECHNICAL,  (technique,  Fr.)  All 
terms,  or  words,  which  have  been  in- 
vented for  the  purpose  of  expressing  par- 
ticular arts,  are  called  technical ;  hence 
the  distinction  which  is  frequently  made 
when  a  person  is  said  to  be  radically 
wrong,  though  technically  right. 

Mots    Techniques,    Fr.    technical 
words. 

TE  DEUM,  as  far  as  it  concerns 
military  matters,  is  a  holy  hymn  sung  in 
thanksgiving  for  any  victory  obtained. 

TEEP,  Ind.  a  contract,  or  note  of 
hand. 

TEETH,  called  also  Denticles  and 
Dentils,  in  architecture,  an  order  in  cor- 
nices' bearing  some  resemblance  to  ceeth, 
particularly  affected  in  the  Ionic  and 
Corinthian  orders. 

TEFTERDA  (ffendi.  The  commissary 
general  is  so  called  among  the  Turks. 

TEIGNES,  in  horses,  a  distemper  in 
the  foot,  when  the  frush  moulders  away 
in  pieces,  and  goes  the  length  of  the 
quick,  causing  so  much  itching  pain,  that 
it  will  often  make  the  horse  halt. 

TEINT,  (teinte,  Fr.)  in  painting,  an 
artificial  or  compound  colour,  or  the 
several  colours  which  are  used  in  a  pic- 
ture, considered  as  more  or  less  high 
or  bright,  deep  or  thin,  or  weakened 
&c.  to  give  the  proper  relievo,  or  soft- 
ness, or  distance,  &c.  of  the  several  ob- 
jects. 

Teint,  which  is  used  to  draw  a  plan 
(Teint  dont  on  se  sert pour  lever  tin  plan, 
Fr.)  Teint,  in  the  general  acceptation  of 
the  word,  means  any  shade  that  is  given 
to  an  object  which  is  raised  from  the 
canvass,  paper,  &c.  and  placed  in  per- 
spective. 

TELAMONES,a  term  used  in  ancient 
architecture,  to  express  the  figures  of 
men  supporting  entablatures,  and  other 
prefectures. 

TELEGRAPH,  a  machine  by  which 
any  combination  of  letters,  or  words, 
may  be  made  known  in  fine  weather, 
to  a  person  within  sight  of  it,  by  means 
of  a  telescope.  It  is  made  in  England 
with  three  upright  beams,  and  three 
cross  parallel  beams,  which  divide  the 
space  between  the  four  outside  beams, 
into  six  compartments,  to  each  of  which 
is  a  shutter  opened,  or  shut,  by  means 
ot  a  string  and  pulley.  Under  this  ma- 
chine is  a  room  provided  with  telescopes, 
in  which  the  observer,  sitting  at  a  table, 
can,  by  drawing  the  strings,  open,  or 
shut,  any  shutter  at  pleasure.     The  let- 


ters of  the  alphabet  are  expressed  ac- 
cording to  agreement,  each  by  a  certain 
position  of  the  shutters,  and  the  other 
positions  serve  for  any  signal  which  has 
been  previously  determined  upon. 

Anthropo  Telegraph,  a  telegraph 
formed  by  means  of  persons  placed  "in 
different  spots,  and  making  different  sig- 
nals. This  mode  was  suggested  by  a 
lieutenant  of  the  navy.  It  is  also  called 
homo  telegraph;  from  the  Latin  and 
Greek  word  signifying  man. 

Marine  Telegraph,  an  invention  of 
Capt.  (now  Admiral)  Sir  Home  Popham, 
of  the  royal  navy,  has  been  used  with 
great  benefit  by  him  at  different  times; 
and  by  many  others,  When  Admiral 
Dickson  commanded  the  North  Sea  fleet, 
during  the  late  war,  and  was  lying  off 
Elsineur,  Sir  Home  Popham  was  station- 
ed off  Copenhagen  with  the  Romney 
man  of  war.  To  facilitate  the  convey- 
ance of  intelligence,  the  latter  invented 
a  set  of  flags  to  be  used  as  a  sea  tele- 
graph ;  and  although  the  distance  be- 
tween these  pi:- cos  is  at  least  six  miles, 
yet  it  was  conveyed  in  five  minutes.  He 
afterwards  practised  it  while  command- 
ing in  the  Red  Sea,  and  brought  it  to 
great  perfection.  On  his  return  from 
thence  to  Calcutta,  he  printed  at  the 
Company's  press  there,  a  small  volume, 
entituled,  "  A  Marine  Vocabulary:  or, 
Telegraphic.  Signals."  hi  April,  1803, 
he  returned  to  England,  and  submitted 
his  plan  to  several  of  the  first  naval 
characters,  who  approved  highly  of  it, 
and  deemed  that  it  might  be  of  the  most 
essential  service  in  the  royal  navy.  This 
induced  him  to  reprint  Iris  work  with  con- 
siderable additions,  and  the  great  ad- 
vantages derived  from  it  have  been  uni- 
versally acknowledged. 

Semaphoric  Telegraph,  from  ~s.f,y.a, 
signum,  indicium,  sign,  indication,  and 
<p6pot,  ferax,  f'erens,  bearing.  The  tele- 
graphs with  shutters  have  been  lately 
superseded  by  an  improved  Semaphoric 
Telegraph,  which  consists  of  an  upright 
post,  with  two  arms,  moving  on  pivots  ; 
the  one  arm  at  top,  the  other  near  the 
center  of  the  post.  Each  arm  is  capable 
of  being  placed  in  three  different  posi- 
tions (two  diagonal  and  one  horizontal) 
on  either  side  of  the  post.  The  means  of 
ommunication  thus  afforded  are  equally 
applicable  to  every  purpose  by  land  or 
sea ;  and  with  the  assistance  of  a  well- 
arranged  Vocabulary,  the  system  has 
been  rendered  at  once  simple  and  com^ 


TEL 


(     903     ) 


T  E  M 


jjrehfensive.      These   improvements,    we 
understand,  are  the  result  of  the  further 

studies   of  the    intelligent  officer  before 
mentioned. 

&a  Telegraph  or  Semaphore.  This 
is  in  reality  a  division  of  the  Semaphoric 
Telegraph  above  described,  for  the  sake 
of  convenience  and  perspicuity.  Instead 
of  two  arms  placed  on  one  post,  two 
posts  are  used,  -with  only  one  arm  to 
each  :  the  arm  on  one  post  representing 
the  upper  arm  of  the  semaphoric  tele- 
graph, and  that  on  the  other  correspond- 
ing with  the  lower. 

Night  Telegraph,  invented  by  En- 
sign Beaufoy  of  the  2fth,  or  Ennis- 
killen  regiment. 

The  principle  of  this  telegraph  is  its 
being  capable  of  conveying  intelligence 
by  night ;  and  worked  in  the  most  simple 
manner.  The  advantage  of  ground  and 
situation  being  observed,  and  the  ma- 
chine placed  forty  feet  high,  the  author 
conceives,  that  it  will  afford  all  che  use 
of  the  solar  telegraph,  in  its  communi- 
cations. It  is  perfectly  portable,  and 
will  require  very  little  trouble  in  esta- 
blishing it  for  operation. 

This  machine  is,  in  fact,  in  miniature, 
what  the  common  telegraphs  are  upon  a 
larger  scale.  The  light  is  thrown  through 
the  several  apertures  by  means  of  lamps 
suspended  within. 

Portable  field  Telegraph,  (tilegraphe 
de  campagne,  Fr.)  a  very  ingenious  ma- 
chine which  was  originally  invented  bv 
an  engineer  in  the  British  service,  when 
he  was  doing  duty  in  Corsica.  It  is 
extremely  simple,  and  can  always  be 
carried  with  any  movable  force  ;  serving 
to  convey  the  necessary  information  for 
bodies  acting  together,  although  they  are 
not  immediately  in  contact  with  one 
another.  The  inventor  was  Major  Le 
Febure,  who  tell  in  the  honourable  dis- 
charge of  his  duty  at  Matagorda. 

Movable  Telegraph  for  communica- 
ting and  receiving  intelligence.  (Tile- 
graphe mobile  de  reconnoissance  et  corres- 
poudance,  Fr.)   See  Balloon. 

TELEPHIUM,  (among  surgeons,)  a 
great  ulcer,  and  of  difficult  cure;  so 
named  from  Telephus,  who  received  a 
wound  from  Achilles,  which  proved  in- 
curable.    See  Homer's  Iliad. 

TELESCOPE,  (telescope,  Fr.)  an 
optical  instrument,  composed  of  lenses, 
by  means  of  which,  remote  objects  ap- 
pear as  nigh  at  hand.  The  telescope 
vvas  invented  by  Galilaso. 

TEHFEROUS,  dart  bearing. 


TELINGY,  Tnd.  a  word  used  upon 
the  Coromandel  coast  to  signify  Sepoy. 

To  TELL  off]  a  term  used  in  mili- 
tary formations,  to  designate  the  relative 
proportions  of  any  given  body  of  men.. 
Thus  a  battalion  may  be  told  off  into 
wings,  grand  divisions,  divisions  or  com- 
panies, subdivisions  or  sections.  It  is 
the  peculiar  duty  of  every  adjutant  and 
serjeant-major  to  be  particularly  expert 
at  telling  off.  Squadrons  of  horse  are 
told  off  by  half  squadrons,  4  divisions, 
and  8  sub-divisions,  ranks  by  threes,  and 
files  right  and  left. 

TELLERS,  (in  the  Exchequer,)  4  offi- 
cers whose  business  is  to  receive  and  pay 
all  the  monies  on  the  King's  account. 

TEMERAIRE,  Fr.  rash;  heedless 
of  danger.  Un  homme  thneraire,  a  rash 
man.  A  French  author  observes  under 
this  word,  (after  having  said  the  French 
were  naturally  rash,)  that  courage  is  not 
always  an  inmate,  or  even  a  companion, 
of  rashness,  since  the  latter  too  often 
exceeds  the  bounds  of  sober  discipline. 
There  are,  however,  occasions  and  mo- 
ments, in  which  a  soldier  may  be  rash ; 
particularly  in  a  storming  party,  and 
when  he  mounts  a  breach. 

TEMOIN,  Fr.  a  witness.  It  like- 
wise signifies  the  second  in  a  duel. 

lA  piece  of  tinder  (also  so  called) 
which  corresponds  in  size  and  prepara- 
tion, with  that  which  a  miner  lays  upon 
the  saucisson.  By  means  of  this  dupli- 
cate, he  can  ascertain  the  moment  of 
explosion. 

Temoins,  Fr.  in  civil  and  military 
architecture,  are  pieces  of  earth  left 
standing  as  marks  or  witnesses  in  the 
fosses  or  places  which  the  workmen  are 
emptying,  that  they  may  know  exactly 
how  many  cubical  fathoms  of  earth  have 
been  carried. 

TEMPER,  a  state  of  steel  or  other 
metal,  that  best  fits  it  for  the  use  to 
which  it  is  to  be  applied. — Thus,  the 
blade  of  a  sword  should  be  so  tempered 
as  to  admit  of  considerable  flexure  with- 
out breaking,  yet  so  elastic  as  to  return 
to  its  shape,  on  the  pressure  being  re- 
moved. 

To  Temper,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
form  metals  to  a  proper  degree  of  hard- 
ness ;  hence  a  fine  tempered  blade. 

TEMPEST,  (tempete,  Fr.)  according 
to  Dr.  Johnson,  the  utmost  violence  of 
the  wind  :  the  names  by  which  the  wind 
is  called,  according  to  the  gradual  in- 
crease of  its  force,  seem  to  be,  a  breeze ; 
a  gale;  a  gust;  a  storm;  a  tempest. 


TEN 


(    OOi     ) 


T  E  N 


TEMPLARS,   certain  Christian  sol- 
dwelling    about    the    temple   at 

-  ilcin,  whose  otiice  was  to  entertain 
Christian  strangers  that  went  thither  far 
devotion,  and  to  guard  them  in  safety 
when  they  visited  the  places  of  the  holy 
land  ;  they  wore,  by  their  order,  a  white 
cloak,  or  upper  garment,  with  a  red 
See  Military  Orders. 
TEMPORARY,  being  i»  force,  having 
effect,  or  lasting  otttj  for  a  limited  time; 
as    a    temporary  truce,  temporary  rank. 

S(  B   IvAXK. 

TEMSE  bread,         )  bread   which  is 

TEMSED  bread,  S  made  of  flour 
better  sifted  than  common. 

TENABLE,  (tenable,  Fr.)  such  as 
may  be  maintained  against  opposition; 
such  as  may  be  held  against  attacks. 

TENAILLE,  Fr.  (this  word  literally 
means  shears.)  a  military  evolution  which 
was  performed  in  the  times  of  the  an- 
cients. In  page  2Ud  of  Observatiens  on 
the  Military  Art,  we  have  the  following 
account:  of  it. 

"  A  phalanx,  attacked  by  a  lozenge  or 
triangular  wedge,  bent  its  right  and  left 
forward  by  a  half-quarter  conversion, 
eacli  wing  on  their  common  center;  and 
when  they  found  themselves  opposite  the 
sides  of  the  eRemy's  arrangement,  they 
each  marched  on  their  own  side,  right 
before  them ;  by  winch  means,  they 
both  inclosed  and  attacked  the  enemy 
together,  at  the  same  time,  while  the 
enemy  was  engaged  and  at  blows  with 
the  center  of  the  phalanx  that  had  kept 
its  ground.  Such  is  the  description  au- 
thors have  left  us  of  the  design  and 
effects  of  this  manoeuvre. 

The  tenaille  had  considerable  advan- 
tage over  the  triangular  wedge;  but, 
according  to  the  Chevalier  Eolard,  it 
was  not  equally  efficacious  against,  the 
column.  The  latter  could  alter  the 
direction  of  its  march,  and  fall  upon 
one  of  the  wings,  whether  in  motion  or 
not,  or  detach  the  section  of  the  tail,  or 
rear,  to  take  its  wings  in  flanks,  while 
it  was  occupied  in  making  the  quarter 
conversion.  The  column  and  tenaille 
»  formed  foracting  againsteach  other, 
and  couid  only  be  victorious  over  one 
another  by  the  superior  abilities  of  their 
commander.  1  fancy,  however,  the  co- 
bum:  was  always  exposeel  to  less  danger 
than  the  tenaille,  for  the  latter  could 
not  pursue  the  column  without  chang- 
ing its  mder;  whereas  the  column  must 
destroy,  and,    in  a  manner,   annihilati 


the  tenaille,  in  case  it  could  once  break 

it." 

The  tenaille  is  unquestionably  an  ex- 
cellent manoeuvre,  and  strictly  conform- 
able to  a  very  wise  maxim,  which  directs 
us  to  multiply  our  strength  and  efforts 
as  much  as  possible  against  one  point. 
We  sometimes,  indeed,  make  use  of  it 
in  war,  without  being  sensible  of  its  ad- 
vantages. This,  however,  does  not  hin- 
der the  manoeuvre  from  being  well  per- 
formed ;  for  the  nature  of  the  ground 
not  being  level  like  a  sheet  of  paper,  the 
commander  in  ranging  his  troops,  accorel- 
ing  to  the  advantages  'of  the  situation, 
does  not  form  a  perfect  tenaille,  such  as 
may  be  drawn  or  sketched  out,  but  one 
of  an  irregular  kind,  which  produces  the 
same  effects ;  and  this  is  what  should  be 
sought  on  all  occasions. 

Tenailles,  in  fortification,  are  low 
works  made  in  the  ditch  before  the  cur- 
tains. There  are  three  sorts  :  viz.  the 
first  are  the  faces  of  the  bastions  pro- 
duced till  they  meet,  but  much  lower; 
the  second  have  faces,  flanks,  and  a 
curtain  ;  and  the  third  have  only  faces 
and  flanks. 

bingle  Tenaille,  (tenaille  simple,  Fr.) 
is  a  work  whose  front  is  advanced  to- 
wards the  country,  having  two  faces, 
forming  a  re-entering  angle :  its  two 
long  sides  terminate  on  the  counterscarp, 
opposite  to  the  angle  of  the  shoulder. 

Double  Tenaille,  (tenaille  double,  ou 
flanquee,  Fr.)  is  a  work  whose  front, 
having  four  faces,  forms  two  re-entering, 
and  three  salient  angles;  its  long  sides 
are  likewise  parallel,  and  terminate  on 
the  counterscarp,  opposite  to  the  angle 
of  the  shoulder.  Both  the  single  and 
double  tenailles  have  this  fault,  viz.  that 
they  are  not  flanked  or  defended  at  the 
re-entering  angle,  because  the  height  oi 
the  parapet  hinders  the  soldiers  from 
discovering  before  that  angle.  There- 
fore tenailles  should  only  be  made  when 
there  is  not  room  enough  to  make  horn- 
works.  The  ramparts,  parapets,  ditches, 
covert-way,  and  glacis  of  tenailles,  are 
the  same  with  other  out-works. 

Tenaille  of  a  place  is  what  is  com- 
prehended between  the  points  of  two 
neighbouring  bastions ;  as  the  faces, 
flanks,  and  curtains.  Hence  it  is  said, 
the  enemy  attacked  the  whole  tenaille  of 
a  place,  when  they  made  two  attacks  on 
the  faces  of  the  two  bastions. 

Tlnailles,  Fr.  pincers,  nippers,  te- 
nails. 


TEN 


(    905    ) 


TEN 


TENAILLER,  Jr.  to  tear  off  the 
flesh  with  red  hot  pincers.  This  punish- 
ment existed  in  civilized  Europe,  until  a 
year  or  two  before  the  French  revolution. 
TENAILLON,  Fr.  This  is  some- 
times called,  among  the  French,  grande 
lunette.  It  is  a  work  composed  of  two 
parts,  each  of  which  covers  the  faces  of 
the  half  moon  ;  in  whose  front  the  te- 
naillon  is  constructed. 

Un  Tenaillon,  Fr.  a  little  tenaille. 
See  Fortification. 

TENDELET,  Fr.  an  awning  ;  such 
as  is  used  on  board  of  a  ship,  and  over 
carriages,  in  hot  countries. 

TENDRE,  Fr.  to  stretch;  to  spread. 
This  word  has  various  significations  in 
the  French  language.  In  military  mat- 
ters, it  is  common  to  say, 

Tendre  un  piege  a  quelquun,  Fr.  to 
lay  a  snare  for  a  person. 

Tendre  une  marquise,  une  tente,  Fr. 
to  pitch  a  marquee,  a  tent. 

TENIR,  Fr.  to  hold;  to  keep,  &c. 

Tenir  tite  a  quelquun,  Fr.  to  cope 
with  any  body. 

Temr  la  campagne,  Fr.  to  keep  the 
field. 

Tenir,  Fr.  to  hold  out,  as  in  a  siege. 

Tenir,  Fr.  to  cover,  as  Le  camp  tient 
taut  cle  terrain,  the  camp  covers  so  much 
ground. 

Tenir  une  armce  en  respect,  Fr.  to 
keep  an  army  in  a  constant  state  of  alert- 
ness. 

Tenir  tete  a  Vennemi,  Fr.  to  face 
the  enemy ;  to  hold  up  against  all  his 
attacks. 

Se  Tenir,  Fr.  to  remain ;  to  stay  ;  to 
■•old  fast. 

Sc  Tenir  bien  a  cheval,  Fr.  to  sit  well 
on  horseback;  to  have  a  good  seat. 

TENNON,  a  term  in  carpentry,  the 
end  of  a  side  piece  in  the  frame  of  a 
bed  which  goes  into  the  posts;  any  thing 
that  holds  or  keeps  fast. 

TENON  d'arquebuse,  Fr.  loop  of  a 
•gun. 

TENT,  (tente,  Fr.)  (This  word  is 
originally  derived  from  the  Latin  tendo, 
I  stretch ;  whence  tendre,  to  stretch.) 
A  soldier's  movable  lodging  place,  com- 
monly made  of  canvass,  and  extended 
upon  poles. 

The  sizes  of  the  officers'  tents  are  not 
fixed ;  some  regiments  have  them  of  one 
size,  and  some  another.  A  captain's  tent 
and  marquee  is  generally  10-J  feet  broad, 
14  deep,  and  8  high :  those  of  the  sub- 
alterns are  a  foot  less  :    the  majors  and 


lieutenant  colonels,  a  foot  larger;    ancj 
the  colonel's  2  feet  larger. 

The  subalterns  of  foot  lie  two  in  * 
tent,  those  of  horse  but  one. 

The  tents  of  private  men  are  6$  feet 
square,  5  feet  high,  and  hold  five  soldier* 
each. 

The  tents  for  the  horse  are  7  feet 
broad,  and  9  feet  deep  :  they  held  like- 
wise five  men  and  their  horse  accoutre- 
ments. The  new  tents  contain  sixteen 
men. 

In  a  common  infantry  tent,  the  length 
of  the  ridge  pole  is  seven  feet;  length  of 
standards  six  feet.  Weight  complete 
271b. 

Bell  Tents,  so  called  from  their  re- 
semblance to  a  bell.  They  serve  to  shelter 
the  fire-arms  from  rain. 

Round  Tent,  a  circular  tent  which 
contains  twelve  men ;  the  weight  com- 
plete, with  poles,  43lbs.  Length  of  pole, 
nine  feet. 

Hospital  Tent,  a  large  commodious 
tent,  which  is  appropriated  for  the  sick. 
It  sometimes  happens,  that  when  a  con- 
tagious disorder  breaks  out  in  a  camp, 
or  in  barracks,  the  persons  infected  are 
removed  from  the  hospital  and  lodged 
in  a  tent,  which  is  pitched  for  that  pur- 
pose, in  their  neighbourhood.  It  is 
usual  for  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
regiment  to  order  one  or  more  sentries 
to  be  furnished  to  the  regimental  hos- 
pital, and  the  same  to  the  hospital  tent; 
which  sentries  are  directed  to  permit  no 
person  to  enter  but  those  concerned  in 
the  hospital,  or  belonging  to  the  staff, 
and  officers  of  the  regiment.  They  are 
to  be  particularly  careful  in  preventing 
liquor,  or  any  thing  improper  from  being 
carried  into  the  hospital ;  nor  are  they 
to  permit  any  patient  to  go  out  (to  the 
necessary  excepted)  without  a  ticket  of 
leave  from  the  attending  surgeon.  See 
pages  20  and  21  of  Regulations  for  the 
better  Management  of  the  Sick. 

Laboratory  Tent,  in  artillery,  a  large 
tent  which  is  sometimes  carried  to  the 
field  for  the  convenience  of  fire-workers 
and  bombardiers.  The  weight  complete, 
with  poles,  pins,  &c.  3  cwt.  24  lbs. ; 
length  of  ridge  pole  18  feet,  length  of 
poles  14£  feet. 

TETiJ-bedstead,  a  small  portable  bed- 
stead, so  contrived  as  to  correspond  with 
the  shape  of  an  officer's  tent. 

TsNT-pins,  pieces  of  wood  which  are 
indented  at  the  top,  and  made  sharp  at 
the  bottom,  to  keep  the  cord*  of  a  tent 


T  E  R 


(     906     ) 


T  E  II 


or  marquee  firm  to  the  earth.  There 
are  four  large  ones  which  serve  for  the 
weather  cords. 

Tz^r-polcs,  the  poles  upon  which  a 
tent  or  marquee  is  supported. 

Ti.n  i-ua/ls.     See  Wall. 

Tent  likewise  means  lint  to  put  on  a 
wound. 

Tent,  in  surgery,  a  certain  instru- 
ment used  by  surgeons  for  the  searching 
of  wounds. 

Tent,  Ind.  A  tent  in  India  costs 
about  300  rupees,  and  every  officer,  the 
instant  he  enters  the  country,  must  be 
provided  with  one. 

Tent  allowance,  Ind.  an  allowance 
made  in  India  for  the  purchase  of  a 
tent,  together  with  four,  five,  or  six 
camels  and  their  drivers,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  that  and  his  other  bag- 
gage. 

TENTAGE,  a  term  used  in  India  to 
signify  the  allowance  which  is  made 
under  that  head. 

TEXTED,  having  tents  pitched  on  it. 
Hence  the  tented  field. 

TENTER,  any  tiling  whereon  articles 
may  be  stretched  or  hung.  As  tenter- 
pole;  tenter-hook.  To  tenter  is  used 
both  as  an  active  and  a  neuter  verb  ;  as 
to  stretch  by  hooks  or  to  admit  extension. 

TENTOPJA,  the  tents  or  pavilions 
under  which  the  ancient  Roman  soldiers, 
and,  indeed,  the  shepherds  of  Italy  were 
accustomed  to  lie.  The  first  tents  were 
made  out  of  the  branches  of  trees  ;  these 
were  improved  into  covers  made  of  the 
skins  of  wild  beasts,  and  kept  together  by 
means  of  cords.  When  the  Romans 
wished  to  express  a  distinction  between 
a  soldier's  and  a  shepherd's  tents,  they 
said  of  the  former  sub  pcllibus  esse,  to  be 
under  skins ;  in  the  same  manner  that 
we  say,  to  be  under  canvass.  During 
the  winter  months,  the  Roman  tents  were 
made  of  wood. 

TENUE,  Fr.  steadiness. 

Avoir  de  la  Tenue,  Fr.  to  be  steady. 

Fond  de  bonne  Tenue,  IV.  good  an- 
chorage. 

TERGIDUCTEUR,  Fr.  from  the 
Latin  iergiductor,  the  bringer  up  of  a 
rear  file  of  soldiers,  or  Serre-file. 

TERM,  (ternie,  Fr.)  in  geometry,  some- 
times signifies  a  point,  sometimes  a  line, 
&c.  a  line  is  the  term  of  a  superficies,  and 
a  superficies  of  a  solid. 

Team,  in  algebra,  signifies  the  dif- 
ferent members  of  which  an  equation  in 
algebra  is  composed  :  thus  in  the  equa- 


tion a  a-f-  a  b~  X  the  three  terms  are 
a  a,  a  b,  x  • 

TERM,  >    in    architecture,   a 

TERMINUS,  J  sort  of  statue,  or 
column  adorned  at  the  top  with  the  fi- 
gure of  the  head  of  a  man,  a  woman,  or 
satyr,  as  the  capital,  and  the  lower  part 
ending  in  a  kind  of  sheath  or  scabbard. 
These  terms  are  sometimes  used  as  con- 
soles and  sustain  entablatures  ;  and 
sometimes  as  statues  to  adorn  gardens. 
The  ancients  made  gieat  variety  of  these 
termini,  viz.  angelic,  rustic,  marine,  double, 
in  bust,  §c. 

]\liliturjj  Terms,  among  the  ancient 
Greeks,  were  heads  of  certain  divinities, 
placed  on  square  land-marks  of  stone,  or 
on  a  kind  of  sheath  to  mark  the  several 
stadia,  &c.  in  roads. 

Military  Terms,  or  terms  used  in  tear, 
(termes  de  gtierre,  Fr.)  certain  technical 
expressions,  which,  either  directly  or  in- 
directly, ought  to  be  used  by  every  mili- 
tary man,  when  he  writes  upon  his  pro- 
fession, or  when  he  relates  the  events  of 
war. 

TERNIR,  Fr.  to  tarnish  ;  to  soil. 

Tern  i r  sa  reputation,  Fr.  to  tarnish 
one's  reputation. 

TERRA  a  terra,  in  the  manege,  is  a 
series  of  low  leaps,  which  a  horse  makes 
forwards,  hearing  side-ways,  and  working 
upon  two  treads 

(terrasse,  Fr.)  a  plat 
bank  of  earth 
and  breasted, 
or  lined  by  a  strong  wall  in  order  to  con- 
form to  the  natural  inequality  of  the 
ground,  made  sometimes  in  talus  or  slope, 
and  covered  with  turf;  an  open  raised 
walk  in  a  garden,  &c.  Among  the  an- 
cients a  bank  of  this  sort  answered  the 
purpose  of  an  epaulement  in  modern  for- 
tification. This  bank  was  raised  behind 
in  such  a  manner,  that  it  surrounded  the 
fosse,  and  served  as  a  cover  for  the  ar- 
chers, who  poured  in  showers  of  darts, 
while  the  exterior  defences  of  a  fortified 
town  or  place,  were  insulted  at  all  points. 
The  terraces  also  answered  the  same  end, 
in  those  days,  that  trenches  and  contra- 
valkitions  do  in  these  times.  A  terrace 
likewise  signified,  in  former  times,  a  sort 
of  cavalier,  which  was  carried  to  a  great 
height,  in  order  to  overlook  and  com- 
mand the  walls  of  a  town.  These  ter- 
races were  constructed  by  means  of  man- 
telets, which  stood  very  high,  for  the 
purpose  of  covering  the  working  parties 
from   the   arrows,  &c.    of  the  besieged. 


jou  two  ueaus. 
TERRACE,  )  (terrasse, 
TERR  ASS,     [-form;  a  I 
TERRASSE,  )  raised    a 


TER 


(     907    ) 


TER 


Alexander  the  Great  had  frequent  re- 
course to  these  terraces  when  he  attacked 
a  town. 

Couuter-TzRRACE  is  a  terrace  raised 
above  another  for  the  purpose  of  joining 
the  ground,  or  of  raising  a  parterre. 

Terrace,  in  building,  is  used  to  signify 
the  roofs  of  houses  which  are  flat,  and 
may  be  walked  upon  ;  as  also  balconies 
which  project. 

The  terrace  is  properly  the  covering 
of  a  building  which  is  in  platform.  As 
that  of  the  peristyle  in  the  Louvre. 

TERRAIN,  Fr.  sometimes  written 
Terrein,  generally  *ny  space  or  extent  of 
ground. 

Terrain,  Fr.  the  ground  or  soil 
upon  which  any  thing  is  built. 

Terrain  de  niveau,  Fr.  level  ground. 

Terrain  par  chutes,  Fr.  any  piece 
of  ground  whose  continuity  is  broken  or 
interrupted  and  again  connected  with 
another  piece  by  means  of  steps  or  glacis. 

Gagner  du  Te  r  r  a  i  n  peu-a-peu,  Fr.  to 
gain  ground  little  by  little. 

Perdre  du  Terrain,  Fr.  to  lose 
ground. 

Menager  son  Terrain,  Fr.  to  make 
the  most  of  one's  ground.  It  is  likewise 
used  in  a  figurative  sense,  viz.  Un  horn  me 
est  fort  quoad  il  est  sur  son  terrain,  Fr.  a 
man  always  speaks  with  great  confidence 
when  he  is  thoroughly  master  of  his 
subject. 

Terratn  du  camp,  Fr.  the  ground 
within  the  lines  of  encampment. 

Lever  le  Terrain,  Fr.  to  reconnoitre, 
to  take  a  survey  of  ground. 

Chicaner  le  Terrain,  Fr.  to  dispute 
the  ground,  to  fight  it  inch  by  inch. 

Tenir  un  grand  Terrain,  Fr.  to  take 
up  much  ground. 

Terrain,  with  horsemen,  the  manage 
ground  upon  which  the  horse  makes  his 
pist  or  tread. 

TERRASSE  de  Hollandc,  Fr.  a  sort 
of  powder  or  dust  which  is  made  of  an 
earth  that  may  be  found  near  the  lower 
Rhine  in  Germany,  and  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  Cologne ;  it  is  concocted  or 
made  up  like  plaster,  and  afterwards 
reduced  to  a  powder.  This  powder  is  a 
very  good  ingredient  for  the  composition 
of  mortar  that  is  to  be  used  in  buildings 
under  water. 

Terrasse  de  sculpture,  Fr.  the  lower 
part  of  the  plinth. 

Terrasse  de  marbre,  Fr.  the  soft  or 
defective  part  in  marble. 

TERRASSER,  Fr.  to  level  with  the 


earth ;  to  throw  down ;  to  route  com- 
pletely. 

TERRASSIER,  Fr.  This  word  is 
used  among  the  French,  not  only  to  sig- 
nify the  person  who  undertakes  to  see 
heaps  of  earth  removed,  &c.  for  any 
specific  purpose,  but  likewise  the  man 
who  actually  carries  it. 

TERRE,  Fr.  earth,  land,  ground. 

Ouvrages  de  Terre,  Fr.  works  which 
are  thrown  up  with  earth.  This  does 
not,  however,  imply,  that  nothing  but 
earth  is  used ;  since  palisades,  traverses, 
chevaux  de  frizes,  &c.  may  also  form  part 
of  the  defence. 

A  Terre,  Fr.  on  the  earth,  or  ground. 

Etre  genou  a  Terre,  Fr.  to  kneel. 

Genoa  a  Terre  !  Fr.  Kneel!  a  word 
of  command  used  in  the  French  service, 
in  firing,  or  when  the  sacrement  passes. 

Terre  also  signifies  dominions,  pos- 
sessions, as  les  terres  de  France. 

Terre  a  dcgraisser,Yr.  fuller's  earth. 

En  Terre  itrangire,  Fr.  in  a  foreign 
country. 

En  Terre  ennemie,  Fr.  in  an  enemy's 
country. 

Tvv.RE-franche,  Fr.  a  sort  of  clay  or 
fat  earth,  without  gravel,  of  which  mortar 
is  made. 

Terre  massive,  Fr.  solid  earth  without 
space  or  cavity. 

Terre  naturelle,  ou  terre  vierge,  Fr. 
earth  that  has  never  been  moved  or 
turned  up. 

Terre  rapportee,  Fr.  earth  which  has 
been  brought  from  any  place  to  fill  up  a 
ditch,  or  to  make  ground  level,  &c. 

Terres  jectisses,  Fr.  This  term  not 
only  signifies  that  earth  which  has  been 
dug  up  for  the  purpose  of  being  carried 
away,  but  also  that  which  is  left  in  order 
to  raise  a  piece  of  ground. 

TERREIN.     See  Terrain. 

TERRE-PLEIN,  TERRE-PLAIN, 
Fr.    See  Fortification. 

TERRER,  se  Ferrer,  Fr.  to  hide  un- 
der ground.  The  French  say,  Les  gens 
de  guerre  se  sont  bien  terres;  meaning 
thereby,  that  they  had  thrown  up  en- 
trenchments with  earth,  so  as  to  be  co- 
vered from  the  enemy's  fire.  Ferrer  un 
artijice,  to  cover  tlie  head  of  any  fire- 
work with  earth. 

TERRES-a/«eH(/des,  Fr.  earths  that 
have  been  used  in  the  cleansing  of  salt- 
petre. Saltpetre-men  call  these  earths 
terres  rtanimees. 

TERREUR,  Fr.  fear;  apprehension. 

Rtpandre  la  Teejieur,  Fr.  to  spread 
6Z2 


TES 


(    906    ) 


T  K  T 


terror ;  to  cause  dismay.  Jeter  la  terreur 
parmi  le»  ennemis,  to  throw  terror  amongst 
the  enemies.  A  French  author  has  made 
a  very  just  distinction  between  causing 
fear  and  apprehension  to  exist  in  an  ad- 
versary's  army,  and  occasioning  terror 
and  dismay  among  the  inhabitants  of  a 
country  through  which  troops  are  obliged 
to  march.  Marshal  Saxe  was  particu- 
larly cautious  on  this  head ;  so  much  so, 
that  he  was  always  well  received  by  the 
inhabitants  of  every  place,  where  he  had 
made  war.  This  cannot  be  said  of  all 
Conquerors  or  generals.  In  cases  of 
tumult,  or  insurrection,  raw  and  unexpe- 
rienced officers  and  soldiers  should  be 
employed  as  little  as  possible,  as,  from 
their  ignorance  of  real  service,  they  are 
generally  brutal,  and  cause  dismay  and 
terror  among  the  peaceable  and  well  in- 
clined part  of  community. 
Terrev  r  panique,  Fr.  See  Panic. 
TERRIGNOL,  a  horse  that  cleaves 
(o  the  ground,  that  cannot  be  made  light 
upon  the  hand, or  put  upon  his  haunches; 
in  general,  one  whose  motions  are  all 
short  and  too  near  the  ground. 

To  TERTIATE,  in  gunnery,  is  to  ex- 
amine the  thickness  of  the  metal  of  a 
piece  of  artillery,  in  order  to  judge  of  its 
strength.  This  is  usually  done  with  a 
pair  of  calliper  compasses. 

TERTRE,  Fr.  a  small  rising  ground 
that  stands  unconnected  with  any  other. 
TESSELLATED  pavement  is  a  rich 
pavement  of  Mosaic  work,  composed  of 
curious  small  square  pieces  of  marble, 
bricks,  or  tiles  called  tessellce,  from  having 
the  shape  of  tiles. 

TESSERA,  a  composition  which  has 
been  lately  invented  to  cover  the  tops  of 
bouses,  &c.  in  lieu  of  using  tiles  or  slates. 
Tessera.  See  Signum  Militate. 
TESSERJE  Militures,  military  watch- 
words or  countersigns.  Among  the  an- 
cient Romans,  the  military  watch-word 
or  countersign,  was  passed  in  the  follow- 
ing manner : — 

One  soldier  was  selected  throughout 
ten  legions,  and  was  called  tesserarius, 
the  bringer,  or  the  giver,  of  a  watch-word. 
It  was  the  duty  of  this  roan  to  wait, 
at  sunset,  upon  the  tribune  of  the  guard, 
from  whom  he  received,  written  upon  a 
6inall  wooden  tablet, certain  orders  which 
had  been  issued  by  the  general.  This 
tablet,  besides  the  watch-word,  con- 
tained also  some  specific  orderfrom  head- 
quarters, As  soon  as  the  Tesserarius 
had  received  the  orders  from  the  tribune, 


he  immediately  repaired  to  his  legion, 
and  delivered  the  tablet  to  the  command- 
ing officer,  in  the  presence  of  witnesses. 
This  officer  transmitted  it  to  the  next  in 
command,  after  having  inserted  the  par- 
ticulars in  his  own  orderly  books  ;  and 
as  each  centurion  (when  he  sent  to  the 
tribune  for  orders)  was  obliged  to  trans- 
mit the  tablet,  containing  the  watchword, 
after  sunset,  the  latter,  by  referring  to 
the  minutes,  (which  he  kept  of  every  part 
of  the  army,)  easily  ascertained  every 
omission  or  neglect  of  orders  ;  and  if  the 
person  so  offending,  affected  to  deny 
his  having  seen  the  tablet,  the  witnesses 
were  examined,  as  to  the  delivering  of  it 
by  the  Tesserarius.     See  Ronde,  Fr. 

TESSONS,  Fr.  potsherd;  or  pieces  of 
broken  earthen  vessels,  or  free -stone, 
which  are  pounded  to  dust  for  the  pur- 
pose of  making  mortar  for  cement. 

TESTAMENT,  Fr.  will,  testament. 

Testament  Militaire,  Fr.  among  the 
French,  a  will  which  is  made  in  the  pre* 
sence  of  two  -witnesses  only,  by  word  of 
mouth,  and  is  not  committed  to  paper, 

TESTIMONY,  verbal  declaration, 
given  upon  oath  or  honour,  before  any 
court  martial.  The  testimony  of  a  wit- 
ness should  neither  be  influenced  nor 
interrupted,  and  the  precise  words  used 
by  him  should  be  written  down  in  the 
proceedings  without  any  alteration. 

TESTUDO,  in  the  military  art  of  the 
ancients,  was  a  kind  of  cover  or  screen, 
which  the  soldiers  of  each  company  made 
themselves  of  their  bucklers,  by  holding 
them  up  over  their  heads,  and  standing 
close  to  each  other.  This  expedient 
served  to  shelter  them  from  darts,  stones, 
&c.  thrown  upon  them,  especially  thos« 
from  above,  when  they  went  to  the  as- 
sault. 

Testudo  was  also  a  kind  of  large 
wooden  tower,  which  moved  on  several 
wheels,  and  was  covered  with  bullocks' 
hides :  it  served  to  shelter  the  soldiers 
when  they  approached  the  walls  to  mine 
them,  or  to  batter  them  with  rams. 

TETE,  Fr.  head. 

Tete  dii  camp,  Fr.  the  head  of  the 
camp,  or  the  front  ground  which  looks 
towards  the  country ;  also  that  part  of 
a  camp  which  lies  contiguous  to  the 
enemy,  and  where  the  troops  bivouac. 

Tete  de  la  sappe,  Fr.  head  of  the  sap. 

Tete  de  chevalement,  Fr.  a  cross  beam 
which  lies  upon  two  stays,  and  supports 
any  part  of  a  wall,  Sec.  whilst  it  is  iu 
repair; 


TET 


(     909     ) 


TET 


Faire  (ou  tenir)  Tete  a  quelqu'un, 
Tr.  to  oppose  a  person  ;  to  keep  him  at 
bay. 

Avoir  quelqu'un  en  Tete,  Fr.  to  have 
any  person  opposed  to  one,  viz.  Turenne 
mvoit  en  tete  Montecuculli ;  Turenne  was 
apposed  by  Montecuculli. 

Tete  baissee,  Fr.  headlong. 

A  la  Tete,  Fr.  at  the  head  of. 

Tete  d'une  armee,  Fr.  the  head  of  an 
army.  This  consists  of  the  troops  which 
are  farthest  advanced  towards  the  enemy, 
■or  on  any  given  point  of  direction. 

Montrer  une  Tete,  Fr.  This  phrase 
is  used  among  the  French,  to  signify 
any  particular  direction  that  an  army 
takes. 

Tete  de  tranchie,  Fr.  that  part  of  a 
trench  which  is  closest  to  a  fortified  town 
or  place. 

Tete  de  Maure,  Fr.  a  sort  of  grenade 
which  is  thrown  out  of  a  piece  of  ord- 
nance. 

Tete  d'un  ouvrage  a  conie,  a  couronne, 
Fr.  that  part  of  a  horn,  or  crown-work, 
which  looks  towards  the  country. 

Tete  d'un  ouvrage,  d'une  armee,  qui 
tssiege  une  ville,  Fr.  that  part  of  a  forti- 
fied work,  or  proportion  of  an  army, 
which  looks  towards  the  country,  and  is 
connected  with  the  line  of  contravalla- 
tion. 

Avoir  la  Tete  de  tout,  Fr.  to  be  the 
most  advanced. 

Tete  de  poni,  Fr.  that  part  of  a  bridge 
which  is  on  the  enemy's  side.  \\  hen  the 
bridge  is  fortified  on  both  sides,  the 
French  say,  les  deux  tites  de  pont. 

Tete  conronnee,  Fr.  a  crowned  head. 
This  term  is  used,  as  with  us,  to  signify 
emperor,  or  king. 

Avoir  le  rang  de  Tetes  couroyinies,  Fr. 
to  rank  with  crowned  heads.  Thus  the 
Republic  of  Venice,  and  theUnitedStates 
of  Holland,  formerly  ranked  with  crowned 
heads. 

Tete  de  travail,  Fr.  in  fortification, 
the  front,  foremost  part,  or  that  which 
is  farthest  advanced  and  closest  to  the 
enemy. 

Tete  de  mur,  Fr.  all  that  is  seen  of 
the  thickness  of  a  wall  in  an  opening, 
which  is  generally  lined  with  a  chain  of 
stones. 

Tete  de  voussoir,  Fr.  the  front,  or 
back  part  of  the  bending  of  an  arch. 
Richelet  writes  the  word  vousseau  as  well 
as  voussoir. 

Tete  perdue,  Fr.  This  word  refers 
to  all  the  heads  of  iron  pins,  screws,  or 


nails,  which  do  not  appear  over  theaaf* 
face  of  anything  they  hold,  or  are  fixed 
to ;  hence 

Clou  a  Tete  perdue,  Fr.  a  sunk  nail. 

Tete  de  pore,  Fr.  This  word  means 
literally  a  hog's  head.  It  is  used  to  de- 
note a  military  arrangement  of  the  tri- 
angular kind.  Those  mentioned  under 
the  term  wedge,  were  composed  of  ranks, 
greater  one  than  another,  in  a  regular 
progression  from  the  incisive  angle  to  the 
base.  The  tete  de  pore  was  formed  of 
small  bodies  ranged  in  lines  in  the  same 
sense,  and  in  the  same  progression  as  the 
ranks  in  the  preceding  wedges  ;  that  is 
to  say,  a  small  body  (probably  square) 
was  placed  at  the  head,  another  of  the 
same  size  was  posted  behind  it,  having 
two  others,  one  on  its  right,  the  other  on 
its  left,  both  extending  the  full  length  of 
their  front  beyond  the  wings  of  the  first. 
Behind  those  three,  five  others  wer« 
ranged  in  the  same  order,  and  so  on  suc- 
cessively until  all  were  placed. 

This  arrangement  is  equal  to  the  for- 
mer (viz.  that  of  the  wedge)  with  regard 
to  defects  ;  as  to  advantages,  it  has  but 
one  only,  which  will  never  be  of  weight 
enough  to  gain  it  any  degree  of  reputa- 
tion ;  it  is  this,  that  being  composed  of 
small  bodies,  each  having  its  leader  or 
commander,  all  the  different  parts  are 
more  or  less  capable  of  defence,  should 
they  be  attacked  at  the  time  they  are 
forming  or  dividing ;  and  if  the  enemy 
attempted  to  form  the  tenaille,  they 
might  detach  some  of  those  small  bodies 
to  interrupt  their  motions,  or  to  attack 
them  in  flank.  See  Observations  on  the 
Military  Art,  page  205. 

Tetes,  Fr.  in  the  plural  number,  are 
the  same  as  men  or  lives,  viz.  La  prise 
de  la  place  a  coute.  bien  des  tites,  the  re- 
duction or  taking  of  the  place  has  cost 
many  lives  or  men. 

TETHER,  (entrave,  Fr.)  a  string  by 
which  horses  are  held  from  pasturing 
too  wide.  We  say,  figuratively,  to  go 
the  length  of  one's  tether;  to  speak  or 
act  with  as  much  freedom  as  circum- 
stances will  admit. 

TETIERE,  Fr.  the  fillet,  or  head- 
stall, of  a  horse's  bridle. 

TETRACTYS.  In  ancient  geome- 
try, the  Pi/t/tugoric  tetrach/s  consisted 
of  a  point,  a  line,  a  surface,  and  a  so- 
lid. 

TETRAEDRON,  (tttraedre,  Fr.)  m 
geometry,  one  of  the  five  regular  bodies, 
it  is  a  pyramid  which  is  terminated  by 


TIIA 


(   nio   ) 


T  H  E 


.four equilateral  triangles,  that  are  equal 
to  t  a<  li  other;  in  the  same  manner  that 
the  tetragon  is  a  rectilineal  figure  of 
four  equal  sides,  which  lias  tour  right 
angles. 

TETRAGONAL,  (titragme,  Fr.) 
four  square,  having  equal  sides  and  an- 
gles. 

TETRAGON  ISM  is  used  by  some 
■writers  to  signify  the  quadrature  of  a 
circle. 

TETRALISTE,  Fr.  a  building  sup- 
ported by  four  columns,  or  pillars. 

TETRARCH,  a  Roman  governor  of 
the  fourth  part  of  a  province. 

TETRASTYLE,  in  ancient  archi- 
tecture, was  a  building,  and  particu- 
larly a  temple,  which  had  four  columns 
in  front  and  rear. 

TETU,  Ft:  a  large  hammer. 

TEUTONIC,  (teutonique,  Fr.)  See 
Orders. 

TEYEEL,  Inch  the  treasury. 

TEVEELDAR,  Ind.  the  treasurer. 

THACK  Hies.     See  Tiles. 

THANE,  an  ancient  military  title  of 
honour,  now  obsolete. 

To  THANK,  in  military  matter*,  to 
make  honourable  mention  of  a  person 
or  persons,  for  having  behaved  gallantly 
in  an  action,  or  otherwise  rendered  a 
public  service. 

To  be  THANKED,  to  receive  a  pub- 
lic testimony  of  good  conduct.  Officers, 
&c.  are  generally  thanked  in  public 
orders. 

THANKS,  public  acknowledgments 
for  gallant  actions. 

Vote  of  Thanks.  It  has  been  cus- 
tomary, in  all  civilized  countries,  for 
the  legislature  to  pay  a  public  tribute 
of  applause  to  those  warriors  who  have 
fought  their  country's  battles  with  suc- 
cess, and  have  otherwise  distinguished 
themselves  by  particular  feats  of  gal- 
lantry and  good  conduct.  The  French, 
during  the  progress  of  their  Revolution, 
have  had  frequent  recourse  to  this  mode 
of  adding  new  zeal  and  fresh  courage  to 
their  armies,  and  of  expressing  national 
gratitude.  It  has  been  the  good  fortune 
ot  this  country,  to  have  experienced 
occasions  of  testifying  a  higher  sense  of 
its  obligations  to  the  navy,  and  of  late 
years  to  the  army,  than  can  be  found  in 
the  history  of  any  people. 

THAIS  LACHES,  Fr.  weapons  which 
were  used  among  the  Gauls,  or  ancient 
French,  of  an  offensive  and  defensive 
aature.     The  former  were  made  in  the 


shape  of  halberts  or  pikes,  and  the  lat- 
ter were  a  sort  of  small  round  shields. 

THEATRE  of  war.  Any  extent  of 
country  in  which  war  is  carried  on  may 
be  so  called.  The  French  say  theatre 
de  lu  guerre.  It  signifies  the  same  with 
us  as  seat  of  war.  According  to  Tur- 
pin,  page  21,  in  his  Essay  on  the  Art 
of  War,  there  are  but  three  sorts  of 
countries  which  may  become  the  thea- 
tre of  war;  an  open  country  divided  by 
rivers,  a  woody,  or  a  mountainous  one. 
The  dispositions  for  a  march  must  of 
course  be  varied  as  the  situations  of 
places  differ. 

Theatre,  in  architecture.  This  word 
is  chiefly  used  by  the  Italians  to  signify 
an  assemblage  of  several  buildings, 
which,  by  a  happy  disposition  and  cor- 
responding elevation,  exhibits  an  agree- 
able scene  to  the  eye. 

Of  this  description  are  the  vineyards' 
at  Rome ;  particularly  that  of  Monte 
Dragone  in  Frescati,  and  the  new  castle 
of  St.  Germain  en  Lay,  in  France. 

THEOCRACY,  (thiocraiie,  Fr.)  go- 
vernment by  God  himself;  such  as  the- 
Jewish  form  of  government  was  before 
they  had  an  earthly  king.  It  also  sig- 
nifies the  government  of  the  Lama,  which 
was  vested  in  the  Incas,  and  which  still 
exists  among  the  tribes  of  Tartary. 

THEODOLITE,  (theodolite,  Fr.)  a 
mathematical  instrument  generally  use- 
ful, and  particularly  so  to  engineers  and 
artillerists,  in  surveying  and  taking 
heights  and  distances. 

THEOREM,  (theoreme,  Fr.)  in  ma- 
thematics, a  proposition  which  is  purely 
speculative,  and  tends  to  the  discovery 
of  some  hidden  truth. 

An  universal  Theorem,  in  mathe- 
matics, is  one  that  extends  universally 
to  any  quantity  without  restriction; 
as  that  the  rectangle  of  the  sum,  and 
difference  of  any  two  quantities,  are 
equal  to  the  difference  of  their  squares. 

A  particular  Theorem  is  when  it  ex- 
tends only  to  a  particular  quantity. 

A  negative  Theorem  is  one  that  de- 
monstrates the  impossibilities  of  an  asser- 
tion, as,  that  the  sum  of  two  biquadrate 
numbers  cannot  make  a  square. 

A  local  Theorem,  that  which  relates 
to  surface,  as  the  triangles  of  the  same 
base  and  altitude  are  equal. 

General  Theorems  are  those  which 
extend  universally  to  any  quantity,  with- 
out restriction. 

Plane  Theorems  are  such  as  either 


T  H  I 


(    911    ) 


T  H  R 


regimental 


relate  to  a  rectilinear  surface,  or  to  one 
terminated  by  the  circumference  of  a 
circle. 

Solid  Theorems  are  those  which  con- 
sider a  space  terminated  by  a  solid  line, 
that  is  by  any  of  the  three  conic  sec- 
tions. 

Reciprocal  Theorems  are  those  whose 
converse  is  true. 

THEORETICAL,    (thcorique,    Fr.) 
what  appertains  to  theory. 

THEORY,  (thiorie,  Fr.)  the  specu- 
lative part  of  any  particular  science,  in 
which  truths  are  demonstrated  without 
being  perfectly  followed. 

School  of  Theory.  In  order  to  se- 
cure to  the  army  intelligent  and  well 
informed  officers,  it  has  been  wisely  sug- 
gested, that  there  should  be  a  school 
of  Military  Theory  in  each  regiment. 
The  persons  selected  for  this  purpose 
are  to  pass  an  examination  before  the 
professors  at  the  Military  College,  when 
ever  the  vicinity  of  the 
quarters  will  allow  them  to  attend. 

Order  of  MARIA  THERESA,  a  mi- 
litary order  of  knighthood,  which  was 
founded  and  established  by  the  House 
of  Austria,  on  the  18th  of  June,  1757, 
and  was  distinguished  by  the  name  of 
the  reigning  queen  and  empress,  being 
called  the  Imperial  Military  Order  of 
Maria  Theresa.  It  was  instituted  with 
the  view  of  manifesting  the  sovereign's 
approbation  of  the  merits  of  the  army, 
and  of  consigning  to  the  latest  posterity, 
a  memorial  of  its  good  conduct.  The 
15th  regiment  of  British  Light  Dragoons, 
by  its  singular  prowess  and  good  conduct 
on  the  24th  of  April,  1794,  were  found 
worthy  of  imperial  notice  and  considera- 
tion. 

THERMES,  Fr.  small  barges  or 
boats  in  which  persons  bathe.  There  are 
several  upon  the  river  Seine,  between 
the  Pont-Neuf  and  the  Pont- Royal,  at 
Paris.  There  is  also  one  on  the  river 
Thames,  near  Westminster-bridge. 

THERMOMETER,  (thennomitre, 
Fr.)  an  instrument  for  measuring  the 
heat  of  the  air,  or  of  any  matter. 

THERMOSCOPE,  (thcrmoscope,  Fr.) 
an  instrument  by  which  the  degrees  of 
heat  are  discovered  ;  a  thermometer. 

Soldie7-'s  THIGH  figuratively  means 
an  empty  purse,  or,  speaking  familiarly, 
ji  pair  of  breeches  that  sit  close  and  look 
smooth,  because  the  pockets  have  no- 
thing in  them. 

Thighs  of  a  horseman.  The  effect 
of  the  rider's  thighs  is  one  of  the  aids 


that  serves  to  make  a  horse  work  vi- 
gorously in  the  manege. 


Fore  Thigh,  or  arm  of  a  horse,  is 
that  part  of  the  fore  leg  that  runs  be- 
tween the  shoulder  and  the  knee. 

THILL,  the  shafts  of  a  wagon ; 
hence  the  horse  which  goes  between 
the  shafts  is  called  the  thill-horse,  or 
duller. 

To  THIN,  to  make  less  numerous. 
As  to  thin  the  ranks  by  a  heavy  dis- 
charge of  ordnance  and  fire-arms.  The 
French  sav,  eclaireir  les  rungs. 

THIRD  point,  )  in  architecture,  is 
TIERCE  point,  j  the  point  of  section 
in  the  vertex  of  an  equilateral  triangle. 
Arches  or  vaults  of  the  third  point, 
which  the  Italians  call  de  terzo  acuta,  are 
such  as  consist  of  two  arches  of  a  circle, 
meeting  in  an  ansjle  at  the  top. 

A  THIRTEEN,  a  shilling  is  so  called 
in  Ireland  ;  thirteen  pence  of  that  coun- 
try's currency  being  only  equal  to  twelve 
pence  English. 

THOROUGHFARE,  a  passage  with- 
out any  stop  or  let. 

THREAD,  one  of  the  two  compo- 
nent parts  of  a  screw.  It  consists  of  a 
spiral  protuberance,  which  is  wound 
round  a  cylinder. 

To  THREATEN,  in  a  military  sense, 
to  shew  a  disposition  to  attack ;  as,  the 
enemy  threatened  our  left  wing. 

Til  REE  deep.  Soldiers  drawn  up  in 
three  ranks,  consisting  of  front,  center, 
and  rear,  are  said  to  be  three  deep.  It 
is  the  fundamental  order  of  the  infantry, 
in  which  they  should  always  form  and 
act  at  close  order,  and  for  which  all 
their  operations  and  movements  are  cal- 
culated. 

THREES,  a  term  used  in  the  telling- 
off  in  a  squadron. 

Banks  by  Threes,  each  half  squadron 
told  off  by  threes. 

THROAT,  a  well  known  part  of  the 
human  frame.  An  enterprising  warrior 
always  takes  his  enemy  by  the  throat, 
par  la  gorge;  that  is,  he  disregards  mi- 
nor objects  in  order  to  secure  some  well 
digested  plan,  or  fortunate  occurrence. 

Throat,  or  gorge,  in  architecture,  is 
a  sort  of  concave  moulding,  wider,  but 
not  so  deep  as  a  scotia,  chiefly  used  in 
frames,  chambranles,  S:c. 

To  THROW,  to  force  any  thing 
from  one  place  to  another;  thus  artil- 
lerists say  to  throw  a  shot  or  shell,  or 
so  many  shot  or  shells  are  thrown  :  also 
to  supply,  as  to  throw  in  succours,  &c. 
THRUST,  (bolle,  Fr.)  hostile  attack 


TIE 


(    912    ) 


T  I  M 


with  anv  pointed  weapon,  as  in  fencing. 
\\  hen  one  party  makes  a  push  with  his 
gword,  to  wound  his  adversary  with  the 
point,  it  is  called  a  thrust. 

To  Thrust  home,  (Liver  a  fond,  Fr.) 
a  term  used  in  fencing.  This  thrust  is 
used  after  any  parade  of  tierce,  or  of 
half-circle,  when  the  adversary  does  not 
throw  in  a  reposte,  oris  late  in  doing  it. 

To  Thrust  carte,  (tirer  carte,  Fr.) 
The  thrust  in  carte  is  made  after  a  close 
disengage,  or  disengagement. 

To  Thrust  tierce,  (tirer  tierce,  Fr.) 
This  thrust  differs  from  the  thrust  in 
carte  over  the  arm,  only  by  the  position 
of  the  hand,  which  must  be  reversed ; 
and  it  is  never  used  in  attacks. 

To  Thrust  seconde,  (titer  seconde, 
Fr.)  the  thrust  in  seconde  is  commonly 
done  on  the  following  occasion  :  having 
parried  in  tierce,  if  you  perceive  that 
■your  adversary  keeps  his  sword  heavy 
against  your's,  disengage  dexterously 
under  the  hilt,  reversing  the  nails  down- 
wards, and  make  your  thrust  on  the  flank ; 
taking  care  that  your  arm  be  in  a  perfect 
opposition,  and  that  your  head  is  inside 
the  thrust. 

THUMBSTALL,  (  couvre-platine,  Fr.) 
a  piece  of  leather  which  every  careful 
soldier  carries  with  him  to  secure  the 
lock  of  his  musket  from  moisture. 

THUNDERING  Legion.  This  le- 
gion is  said  to  have  saved  the  whole 
army,  then  ready  to  perish  from  thirst, 
by  procuring,  by  their  prayers,  a  very 
plentiful  shower  thereon,  and  at  the 
same  time,  a  furious  storm  of  hail, 
mixed  with  lightning  and  thunder-bolts, 
on  the  enemy. 

This  is  the  account  commonly  given 
bv  ecclesiastical  historians,  and  the 
whole  history  is  engraved  in  bass-re- 
lievos   on  the   Antonine  column.     See 

FuLMINANTE. 

Neap  TIDES,  the  ebbing,  falling,  or 
decreasing  tides. 

Spring  Tides,  the  great  and  full  tides. 

TIDEGATE.    See  Sivicn-gate. 

TIERCE,  a  thrust  in  fencing,  de- 
livered at  the  outside  of  the  body  over 
the  arm. 

TIERCEON,  TIERCERET,  Fr.  in 
architecture,  a  cross  branch  on  the  out- 
side of  a  vault.  This  applies  more  par- 
ticularly to  Gothic  vaults,  where  the 
arches  begin  to  rise  in  the  angles,  and 
join  at  the  <-im  rtoises. 

Le  TIERS-efctf,  Fr.  that  state  in 
community  which  does  not  belong  to 
the  nobility  or  clergy  ;   the  commonalty. 


Tf v.ns-point,  Fr.  the  point  of  section 
which  takes  place  at  the  summit  of  an 
equilateral  triangle,  either  above  or  un- 
der: it  is  so  called,  because  it  is  the 
third  point  after  the  two  that  constitute 
the  base. 

TIGE,  in  architecture,  a  term  used 
by  the  French,  for  the  shaft,  or  fust  of 
a  column;  comprehended  between  the 
astragal  and  the  capital. 

Tige,  bois  de  tige,  Fr.  forest  timber 
which  has  reached  its  highest  growth ; 
also  the  trunk  of  a  tree. 

TIGETTE,  Fr.  in  the  Corinthian 
capital,  a  sort  of  stalk,  generally  grooved 
and  ornamented  with  leaves,  whence 
are  derived  the  volutes  and  vermicular 
lines. 

TIL,  ou  TILLE,  Fr.  rind  of  a  young 
linden  tree,  out  of  which  cords  are 
made  for  tracing  large  plans  of  build- 
ings, &c.  They  are  particularly  useful 
on  these  occasions,  because  they  are 
not  liable  to  stretch. 

TILE,  in  building,  a  sort  of  thin, 
factitious,  laminated  brick,  used  on  the 
roofs  of  houses ;  or  more  properly  a  kind 
of  clayey  earth,  kneaded  and  moulded  of 
a  just  thickness,  dried  and  burnt  in  a 
kiln,  like  a  brick,  and  used  in  the  co- 
vering and  paving  of  different  kinds  of 
military  and  other  buildings.  The  best 
brick  earth  should  only  be  made  into 
tiles.     See  Builder's  Dictionary. 

TILLAC,  Fr.  the  orlop;  or  more  ge- 
nerally the  hatches  of  a  ship. 

Franc  Tillac,  Fr.  the  lower  deck. 

TILT,  a  thrust,  or  fight  with  rapiers  ; 
also  an  old  military  game.  See  Tour- 
nament. 

TILTER,  one  who  fights,  or  contests 
in  a  tournament. 

TILTING-flrmowr  consisted  in  general 
of  the  same  pieces  as  those  worn  in  war, 
except  that  they  were  lighter  and  more 
ornamented. 

Tilting  -lances  differed  from  those 
used  in  war,  both  in  their  heads  and 
staves ;  the  heads  of  tilting  lances  being 
blunt,  or  occasionally  tilted  with  a  con- 
trivance to  prevent  penetration,  called  a 
coronel  or  cronel,from  its  resemblance  to 
a  crown. 

TIMARIOT,  a  Turkish  soldier  who 
has  a  certain  allowance  made  him,  for 
which  he  is  not  only  obliged  to  arm, 
clothe,  and  accoutre  himself,  but  he  must 
likewise  provide  a  certain  number  of 
militia  men.  The  allowance  is  called 
Tiraar. 

The  Timariots  are  under  the  imme» 


T  I  M 


( 


tliate  command  of  the  Sangiack  or  Bey, 
Recording  to  their  particular  distribution. 
When  the  Titnariots  belonging  to  Na- 
tolia  do  not  join  the  standard,  they  for- 
feit a  whole  year's  allowance,  which  is 
deposited  in  a  chest,  or  stock-pnrse, 
called  mankaf'ut.  But  the  Timariots  in 
Europe,  or  Turkey,  are  not  liable  to  this 
fine.  When  they  refuse  to  serve,  they 
are  suspended  for  two  years.  The  in- 
come of  a  Timariot  amounts  to  five 
thousand  aspres,  and  the  Timariots  of 
Hungary  have  six  thousand.  When  a 
Hungarian  Timariot  dies,  the  Bashaw  of 
Buda  has  the  power  of  dividing  his  pro- 
perty into  two  parts  which  is  placed  to 
the  account  of  the  Ottoman  government, 
and  enables  it  to  pay  two  soldiers. 

There  are  different  classes  among  the 
Timariots  :  some  are  called  I  haulers, 
some  Iseh,  and  others  Bernobets. 

The  Ikmulers  are  in  possession  of  that 
species  of  timar  which  cannot  be  divided 
for  the  benefit  of  government,  after  the 
decease  of  the  individual. 

The  Isels  are  subject  to  a  division  of 
property  among  two  or  three  persons,  at 
the  will  of  the  Porte. 

The  Bernobets  are  in  possession  of  that 
kind  of  timar,  which  may  become  the 
property  of  three  or  four  individuals  who 
serve  together,  or  relieve  each  other  al- 
ternately, on  condition  that  the  one  who 
takes  the  field  enjoys  the  whole  benefit 
of  the  timar  during  his  stay  with  the 
army.  There  are  many  of  this  kind  in 
IS'atolia.  Every  thing  which  appertains 
to  the  Turkish  cavalrv,  known  by  the 
name  of  Topachly,  and  which  is  regu- 
larly clothed,  armed,  accoutred,  and  paid 
by  certain  officers  belonging  to  the  Otto- 
man empire,  out  of  revenues  called  maly- 
mukata,  may  be  ascertained  and  known 
under  the  several  appellations  of  Tima- 
riots, Zaims,  Begliers,  and  Beglier-bei/s. 
TIMARS,  certain  revenues,  in  Tur- 
key, growing  out  of  lands  which  origi- 
nally belonged  to  the  Christian  clergy  and 
nobility,  and  which  the  sultans  seized, 
when  they  conquered  the  countries  they 
inhabited. 

By  means  of  these  Timars  and  Zia- 
mets,  the  Grand  Signor  is  enabled  to 
support  the  greatest  part  of  his  cavalry. 

The  Timars  differ  in  value.  The 
richest,  however,  do  not  exceed  twenty 
thousand  aspres  annually,  which  may  be 
considered  as  equal  to  about  sixty  or 
seventy  pounds  sterling;  and  the  Ziumets 
receive  full  as  much.     Those  v,  ho  are 


913    )  TIM 

entitled  to  Timars,  are  called  Timuriots* 
and  those  who  have  Ziumets  are  named , 
Zaims. 

TIMBALE,  Fr.  a  brass  kettle-drum, 
such  as  is  used  in  the  cavalry.  French 
soldiers  say  figuratively,  fuire  bouillir  la 
timbale  ;  to  make  the  pot  boil. 

TLMBAL1ER,  Fr.  kettle-drummer. 

TIMBER,  in  military  architecture, 
includes  all  kinds  of  felled  and  seasoned 
wood  used  in  several  parts  of  building, 
&c. 

TIMBON,  Fr.  a  kind  of  brass  drum. 

TIMBRE,  Fr.  helmet;  stone  trough. 

TIMBRE,  Fr.  stamped.  The  French 
sav  figuratively — Avoir  Vesprit  mal  tim- 
Ir'c,  to  want  sense  ;  also  to  be  wrong 
headed,  or  have  a[ false  bias ;  also  crazy. 

TIMBRER,  Fr.  to  stamp  paper. 

TIMBREUR,  Fr.  the  person  who 
stamps. 

TIME,  the  measure  of  duration,  by 
which  soldiers  regulate  the  cadence  of  a 
march  ;  as  ordinary,  quick,  and  quickest- 
time  or  step,  which  see. 

Double  quick  Time,  a  measure  now 
adopted  to  accelerate  the  movement  of 
troops. 

Time,  in  manoeuvring,  the  neces" 
sary  interval  betwixt  each  motion  in  the 
manual  exercise,  as  well  as  in  every 
movement  of  the  army,  or  of  any  body 
of  men. 

Time,  in  fencing.  There  are  threQ 
kinds  of  time  ;  that  of  the  sword,  that  of 
the  foot,  and  that  of  the  whole  body. 
AH  the  times  that  are  perceived  out  of 
their  measure,  are  only  to  be  considered) 
as  appels  or  feints  to  deceive  and  amuse 
the  antagonist. 

Time  thrust,  in  fencing,  a  thrust 
given  upon  any  opening  which  may  occur 
by  an  inaccurate  or  wide  motion  of  your 
adversary,  when  changing  his  guard,  &c 

Time.  The  Lacedemonians  were  ac- 
customed to  say,  that  time  was  the  most 
precious  thing  in  life.  Great  men,  who 
frequently  make  use  of  others,  take  no 
note  of  time;  nor  make  any  allowance 
for  the  sacrifice  of  that  inestimable 
thing.     Men  of  sense  know  its  value. 

Time  in  marching,  prescribed  periods, 
during  which  a  body  of  armed  men  is 
made  to  go  over  any  given  proportion  of 
ground,  in  quick,  ordinary,  or  slow  time. 

Tiiiz-book.     See  Book. 

TiME-ptece,    an    instrument    for   the 
measurement  of  time,  synonimous  with 
clock,  watch,  and  chroxometer.    Al- 
though these  exquisite  machines  are  of 
6  A 


T  I  M 


(   on   ) 


T  1  R 


ii!<|  .'it  nice  in  naval  than  in  mili- 
um matters,  9s  il  is  principally1  by  them 
thai  the  longitude  at  sea  is  ascertained, 
tli.-v  are,  nevertheless-,  of  vei'j  consider- 
able utility  in  military  operations;  espe- 
cially in  the  practice  of  artillery;  in 
ascertaining  the  range  of  shot  and  shells, 
and  the  distances  of  places,  by  the  flight 
of  sound,  the  velocity  of  whirl),  being 
estimated  to  be  1142  feet  per  second,  the 
number  of  seconds  between  the  flash  and 
report  of  any  gnu  ghes  the  distance  of 
the  gun. 

This  instrument  was  used  by  the  an- 
cients under  the  title  of  Clepsydra,  or 
Water  Clock,  supposed  to  have  been 
invented  in  Egypt  under  the  Ptolemies; 
in  these  machines  the  time  was  measured 
by  the  passage  of  water  through  small 
apertures.  It  is  needless,  therefore,  to 
say,  their  imperfections  were  very  great. 

The  Sam)  Glass  probably  succeeded 
the  Clepsydra,  next  in  point  of  anti- 
quity ;  but  the  ancients  knew  nothing  of 
the  application  of  pendulums,  balances, 
weights,  or  springs,  to  the  measurement 
of  time.     They  are  the  gradual  produc- 
tion of  later  ages.     The  first  mechanical 
clocks  are  believed  to  have  been  made 
about  the  sixth  century,  and  to  have  been 
first  introduced  into  this  country  in  the 
year  13d!'.     Galileo  was  the  first  who 
used  a  heavy  body,  suspended  by  a  string, 
tor  the  measurement  of  time;  but  Huv- 
gens  first  applied  the  pendulum  as  the 
regulating  organ  to  a  clock.  The  balance, 
and  balance-spring,  applied  to   watches 
and  chronometers,  to  answer  the  same 
purpose  as  the  pendulum  to  clocks,  is 
the  invention  of  the  celebrated  Doctor 
Jlooke,  about  the  elose  of  the  17th  cen- 
tury.    Since    the   first    construction    of 
clocks  and  watches,  the  most  ingenious 
mechanics   and   artists   have    employed 
themselves    in    refining   and   improving 
upon  the  original  construction;  but  with- 
out any    essential   variation    as    lo    the 
principle    of   connection    between    the 
motive  power  of  the  clock  or  watch,  and 
the   pendulum    or    balance.     We    find, 
however,  that  a  patent  has  lately  been 
taken    out    by    Sir    William   Congreve, 
whose  mechanical  labours  we  have  al- 
ready had  ncoasion  to  mention,  which 
seems  to  open  a  new  asra  in  the  science 
of  measuring  tame.     We  shall  therefore 
refer  our  readers  to  the  specification  of 
ms  patent,  as  published  in  the  Repertory 
ot  Arts,  not  only  as  explanatory  of  the 
new  system  invented  by  bimssHj  but  as 


shewing  the  most  important  and  delicate 
considerations  attaching  to  the  principle 
of  time-keepers  in  general. 

TIMING^  in  fencing,  the  accurate  and 
critical  throwing  in  of  a  cut  or  thrust 
upon  any  opening  that  may  occur,  as 
your  adversary  changes  his  position. 

TIAION,  Fr.  coach-pole ;  shafts  of  a 
cart;  also  the  staff  or  handle  (which  we 
call  the  whip)  of  the  helm,  or  rudder,  ot 
a  ship. 

TIMONIER,  Fr.  This  word  is  fre- 
quently used  as  a  sea  term  by  the  French, 
and  signifies  helmsman,  or  steersman, 
from  tin/on,  which  is  applied  to  the  part 
of  the  helm  he  holds. 

TIMPAN,    >a  timpan,  or  timbrel; 

TYMPAN,  \  also  a  tabor;  also  the 
gable  end  of  a  house ;  also  the  square 
frame  covered  with  parchment  upon 
which  a  printer  lays  the  shdet  or  leaf  that 
is  to  be  printed. 

Timpan  dc  machine,  Fr.  any  hollow 
wheel,  in  which  one  or  more  persons 
may  move,  for  the  purpose  of  turning  it, 
such  as  the  great  wheel  of  a  crane;  also 
a  mill  wheel  that  takes  and  yields  water 
in  turning. 

Timpan  dentclce,  Fr.  the  cog  wheel  of 
a  mill. 

TIMPANNE,  Fr.  the  pannel,  or  Hat 
square,  on  the  top  or  head  of  a  pillar. 

TIN  tubes.  See  Tubus  and  Labo- 
ratory. 

TINDALS,  Tnd.  native  officers  em- 
ployed in  the  artillery,  and  in  ships. 

TlNGCES,  Fr.  small  boards  of  an 
unequal  length,  upon  which  clay  is  laid, 
with  moss  above  it,  and  which  serve  to 
cover  or  fill  up  the  joints  and  seams  of 
planks  belonging  to  wooden  quays,  be- 
hind which  they  are  nailed. 

TINS*  Ft.  a  sea  term.  Ship-carpen- 
ters use  it  to  signify  large  pieces  or  blocks 
of  wood  which  are  laid  upon  the  ground, 
for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  keel 
and  the  ribs  of  a  vessel  whilst  it  is  upon 
the  stocks. 

To  IIP,  a  term  used  in  farriery,  sig- 
nifying, to  guard  the  hoofs  of  the  fore- 
feet of  a  horse,  when  he  is  sent  to  a 
straw-yard,  by  covering  them  with  a 
slight  shodding. 

Till,  Fr.  in  artillery,  a  term  used  to 
express  the  explosion  or  discharge  of  any 
fire-arm  in  any  given  direction.  Union, 
u»  ni'juvats  tir,  a  good,  a  bad  shot;  or  a 
shot  well  or  ill-directed. 

La  llttorie  dc  Tik,  Fr.  the  theory  or 
art  of  firing. 


T  I  R 


(     915     ) 


T  I  11 


Tin  prrprndiculaire,  Fr.  a  shot  made 
in  a  perpendicular  direction. 

Tir  oblique,  Fr.  an  oblique  shot. 

Tin  a  ricochet,  Fr.  a  ricochet  shot. 

Tik  rasant,  Fr.  a  grazing  shot;  or  shot 
made  rasant.     See  Fortification. 

Tir  piongeant,  Fr.  a  downward,  or 
plunging  shot. 

Tir  ftchant,  Fr.  a  shot  made  jichant. 
See  Fortification. 

TIRADE,  Fr.  a  volley;  also  of  words  ; 
strong  remonstrance,  either  of  a  reproach- 
ful or  satirical  nature. 

TIRAGE,  Fr.  the  foot-path  which  is 
made  upon  the  banks  of  a  canal  or  river, 
&c.  for  men  or  horses  employed  in  tow- 
ing barges,  &c. 

TIRAILEER,  Fr.  to  shoot,  to  keep 
shooting  unskilfully.  Among  military 
men,  however,  this  word  signifies  to 
shoot,  as  light  armed  marksmen  do,  in 
a  desultory  manner,  but  with  specific 
aim. 

TIRAILEEUR,  Fr.  a  person  who 
shoots  at  random.  In  a  strict  military 
sense,  one  who  fires  individually,  and 
out  of  the  regular  line  of  fire,  tor  the 
purpose  of  annoying  out-posts,  recon- 
noitring parties,  &.c. 

Tirailleurs  are  likewise  riucmen, 
skirmishers,  or  marksmen,  advanced  in 
front  to  annoy  the  enemy,  and  draw  oft" 
his  attention  ;  or  they  are  left  behind  to 
amuse  and  stop  his  progress  in  the  pur- 
suit. In  page  '262,  of  the  Spirit  of  the 
Modern  System  of  War,  lately  published, 
with  a  commentary  by  C.  Malorti  de 
Martemont,  French  professor  at  Wool- 
wich, we  find  the  following  account  of 
the  origin  of  these  troops: — "What, 
however,"  observes  the  author,  "  ren- 
ders this  war  remarkable,  in  a  military 
point  of  view,  is,  that  the  first  use  of 
tirailleurs  may  be  dated  from  that  period, 
and  that  the  American  soldiery  were  the 
first  troops  employed  in  that  manner." 

TIRANT,  Fr.  a  sea-term,  signifying 
the  quantity  of  water  which  a  ship  draws, 
technically  called  the  ship's  guage. 

Tirant,  Fr.  a  long  iron  bar,  at  the 
end  of  which  a  hole  has  been  made, 
called  an  eye,  in  order  to  pass  an  iron- 
brace.     It  is  used  in  flood-gates. 

Tirant,  Fr.  a  long  piece  of  timber  or 
beam,  running  through  the  whole  extent 
of  a  dwelling,  which,  being  fastened  at 
both  ends  with  iron  braces,  prevents  the 
widening  of  the  under-roof,  as  well  as 
that  of  the  walls  which  support  it.  It  is 
also  called  entrait. 


Tirant,  Fr.  a  boot-strap. 
TIRE  are  great  guns,  shot,  shells,  &c, 
placed  in  a  regular  form.     See  Piles. 

TinF.-ballc,  Fr.  an  instrument  used  by 
surgeons  to  extract  musket-balls.  This 
word  is  also  used  by  the  French,  to  ex- 
press a  strong  worm,  with  which  bullets* 
and  balls  are  drawn  out,  after  having 
been  well  rammed  down. 

Tir E-bourre,  Fr.  in  artillery,  a  wad- 
hook.  It  likewise  signifies  a  worm  to 
draw  the  charge  out  of  a  musket. 

TiRE-Jbud,  Fr.  an  instrument  which  is 
used  among  the  French  to  hs.  a  petard. 
It  likewise  means  a  surgeon's  terebra  or 
piercer. 

TjRE-ligne,  Fr.  an  instrument  used  in 
drawing  lines;  a  ruler;  a  drawing  pen. 

Tn\E-ploi/er,  Fr.  to  discharge  ;  to  un- 
load. 

TiRE-bolte,  Fr.  a  boot-strap;  a  jack 
or  piece  of  wood,  by  means  of  which  a 
boot  may  be  drawn  off.« 

TiRE-bouc/ion,  Fr.  a  cork-screw. 
Tjre-cIou,  Fr.  a  nail-drawer. 
TiRL-fienl,  Fr.  a  crooked  dung-fork. 
TIRER,  Fr.  to  shoot;  to  fire ;  to  let  off. 
Tiuer,  Fr.  to  pull.      Cheval  qui  tire  a 
la  main,  a  horse  that  pulls,  or  bears  heavy 
in  hand. 

Tiuer  a  boulets  routes,  Fr.  to  fire  with 
red  hot  shot. 

Tirer  le  canon,  Fr.  to  fire  or  discharge 
pieces  of  ordnance. 

Tirer  likewise  means  to  move  to- 
wards any  place,  viz.  Apnes  la  bataille. 
gagnce,  I'armee  lira  vers  uu  tel  lieu,  after 
the  battle  had  been  won,  the  army  moved 
towards  such  a  quarter. 

Tjrer  clir  on  doiuze  pieds  d'eau,  Fr.  to 
draw  ten  or  twelve  feet  water. 

Tirer  a  la  mer,  Fr.  to  put  off  to  sea. 
Tirer  Vip'ce,  Fr.   to  draw  swords;  to 
fight. 

Tirer  Vepce  contre  son  prince,  Fr.  to 
rise  in  open  rebellion  against  one's 
sovereign. 

Tirer  un  homme  de  prison,  Fr.  to  take 
a  man  out  of  prison. 

Tirer  le  plan  d'une  forteresse,  Fr.  to 
draw  or  take  apian  ol'a  fortress. 

Tirer  uvautnge,  Fr.  to  take  advantage. 
Tirer  parti,  Fr.  to  derive  advantage. 
See  Parti. 

Sc  Tirer,  Fr.  to  get  out  or  oil';  to 
extricate  oneself. 

TIR  EUR,    Fr. 
shooter. 

Tireur   d'arc, 
archer. 
GA2 


a  game -keeper;    a 
Fr.    a  bowman  ;    a  a 


TOI 


(    916     ) 


TOM 


TiREt'R  d'armes,  Fr.  a  fencing-master. 
TIROLIANS,  abody  of  sharpshooters 
in  the  Austrian  service.  They  take  their 
name  from  the  Tyrol,  a  country  in  Ger- 
many, about  150  miles  long,  and  120 
broad.  It  is  rather  mountainous,  and 
forms  part  of  the  hereditary  dominions 
of  Austria. 

TIRONES.  Among  the  ancient  Ro- 
mans, the  Tirones  were  supernumerary 
soldiers,  who  were  not  enrolled  or  en- 
listed, but  were  regularly  sworn  when 
they  replaced  the  superannuated,  or 
dead,  belonging  to  a  legion. 

TISSUE,  (tissu,  Fr.)  in  a  figurative 
sense,  any  regular  series  or  continuation 
of  things,  &c.  viz.  un  tissu  de  grandes 
actions,  a  series  of  great  actions. 
TOCSIN,  Fr.  an  alarm  bell. 
TOD,  a  certain  weight,  twenty-eight 
pounds ;  as  a  tod  of  wool. 

TOGA  militaris,  the  dress  which  was 
anciently  worn,  tucked  up,  by  the  Ro- 
man soldiers,  when  they  were  quartered 
in  a  town.  The  Sagum  was  worn  in  camp. 
TOIIIE,  Ltd.  a  canoe, 
TOILE,  Fr.  canvass.  The  French 
say  as  we  do,  Vurmie  est  sous  la  toilc, 
the  army  is  under  canvass,  or  is  en- 
camped. 

TOISE,  in  military  mensuration,  is  a 
French  measure,  containing  6  feet,  or  a 
fathom  :  a  square  toise  is  30"  square  feet, 
and  a  cubical  toise  is  216  feet. 

These  two  measures  correspond  in 
the  division  of  the  feet ;  but  these 
divisions  being  unequal,  it  is  necessary 
to  observe,  that  the  proportion  of  the 
yard,  as  fixed  by  the  Royal  Society  in 
London,  to  the  half  toise  as  fixed  by 
the  Royal  Academy  at  Paris,  is  as  36 
tfi  33.355. 

Toise  carrce,  Fr.  any  square  extent, 
having  six  feet  in  every  sense. 

Toise  cube,  Fr.  any  substance  having 
six  feet  in  length,  six  ditto  in  breadth, 
and  six  in  depth. 

Toise  courunte,  Fr.  the  length  of  a 
thing  measured  by  the  toise,  whose 
height  or  breadth  is  supposed  to  be  every 
where  alike. 

Toise  quarree,  ou  superficielk,  Fr.  a 
surface  or  superficies  containing  one 
fathom,  or  six  feet,  in  length,  upon  the 
same  quantity  in  breadth,  the  product 
of  which  is  thirty-six  square  feet.  The 
French  say  figuratively,  On  ne  mesure 
pas  les  homines  a  la  toise ;  the  merits  of 
men  are  not  to  be  estimated  by  their  size 
of  body. 


Le  TOISE,  Fr.  This  word  is  used 
in  the  masculine  gender,  and  signifies 
in  mathematics,  the  science  or  art  of 
measuring  surfaces  and  solids,  and  of  re- 
ducing the  measure  by  accurate  calcu- 
lation. 

Une  affaire  Toisee,  Fr.  a  familiar 
phrase,  signifying  the  tiling  is  done,  all 
is  over. 

ToisE,FV.  ameasure  taken  by  the  toise. 
Toise,  Fr.  measure  of  brick-work, 
in  order  to  ascertain  the  price  and  quan- 
tity of  any  work  done  about  a  building. 
Toise,  du  bout  d'uvant,  Fr.  in  car- 
pentry, the  enumeration  of  the  pieces  of 
timber  belonging  to  a  building,  taken 
from  their  lengths. 

TOISER,  Fr.  to  measure  by  the  toise. 
Toiser,  Fr.  in  a  military  sense,  to 
take  the  height  of  a  man,  as,  toiser  un 
soldat,  to  take  the  height  of  a  sfildier; 
to  put  him  under  the  standard.  The 
French  likewise  say,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
toiser  son  homme,  to  examine  one's  man 
with  great  attention,  in  order  to  find  out 
his  merits,  or  good  qualities. 

TOISEUR,  Fr.  a  measurer;  a  per- 
son employed,  among  the  French,  in  the 
constructing  and  repairing  of  fortifica- 
tions. 

TOISON  d'or,  Fr.  the  golden  fleece. 

LaToisoN,FV.  Theorder  of  the  golden 
fleece  is  so  called. 

TOIT,  Fr.  roof. 

TOKERY,  Ind.  a  basket  made  with 
cane. 

TOLE,  Fr.  iron  beat  into  thin  plates, 
such  as  is  used  for  locks,  &c. 

TOLERATION,  (tolerance,  Fr.)  a 
suffering,  permitting,  or  allowing  of. 

TOLOQUENO,a  sort  of  dough  which 
the  Russian  soldier  bakes  on  thin  plates 
of  heated  iron,  and  carries  with  him  for 
subsistence  in  time  of  war. 

TOLP ACHES.     See  Talpatche. 

TOMAN,  Ind.  ten  thousand  men. 

TOMAN  D,  Ind.  equal  to  something 
more  than  three  guineas. 

TOMBAC,  Fr:  pinchbeck. 

TOMBER,  Fr.  to  fall.  Le  vent  tombe, 
the  wind  falls;  tomber  entre  les  maim 
des  ennemis,  to  fall  into  the  hands  of 
enemies. 

TOMBEREAU,  Fr.  a  dung  cart; 
also  tumbrel. 

TOMBIE,  Ind.  a  wind  instrument 
made  in  the  shape  of  a  globe. 

TOMPION.     See  Tampion. 

TAMSOOK  Hazin  Zaminee,  Ind.  a 
security  for  personal  appeasance. 


TON 


(     917     ) 


TON 


TAMTOM,  hid.  a  drum  made  in  the 
shape  of  a  tambourine. 

TON  de  garnison,  Fr.  a  peremptory 
coarse  manner  of  expressing  one-self, 
wliat  we  would  familiarly  term  garrison 
slang. 

TONDRE,  Fr.  to  shear;  shave  one's 
head;  cut  one's  hair;  to  crop. 

Se  laisser  Tondre  la  laine  sur  le  dos, 
Fr.  figuratively  to  endure  any  thing, 
alluding  to  the  tame  and  passive  nature- 
of  sheep. 

TONG.  See  Tenaille. 
TONG  of  a  wagon,  a  piece  of  wood 
fixed  between  the  middle  of  the  hind 
ends  of  the  shafts,  mortised  into  the 
fore  cross-bar,  and  let  into  the  hind  cross- 
bar. 

TONGUE  of  a  sword,  that  part  of  the 
blade  on  which  the  gripe,  shell  and  pum- 
mel are  fixed, 

A  triangular  Tongue.  The  bayonet 
is  figuratively  so  called  from  its  shape. 
Its  wonderful  effect,  in  peremptorily 
putting  an  end  to  the  senseless  jargon 
of  contending  factions,  has  sometimes 
been  acknowledged.  Cromwell,  who  was 
a  man  of  few  words,  and  since  him 
Bonaparte  (equally  remarkable  for  his 
taciturnity)  found  the  application  of  it 
wonderfully  efficient. 

Devil's  Tongue,  a  battery  so  called 
in  Gibraltar.  See  Colonel  Drinkwater's 
account  of  the  memorable  defence  of 
that  honorary,  but  unprofitable  spot,  to 
Great  Britain. 

To  swallow  the  Tongue,  with  horse- 
men, is  said  of  a  horse  when  he  turns 
it  down  his  throat,  which  makes  him 
wheez  as  if  he  was  short  winded. 

Aid  of  the  Tongue,  with  horsemen,  a 
sort  of  agreeable  clacking,  or  a  certain 
sound  made  by  the  rider,  &c.  by  striking 
the  tongue  against  the  roof  of  the  mouth, 
when  he  would  animate  the  horse,  sus- 
tain him,  and  make  him  work  well  in  the 
manage. 

TONNAGE,  Fr.  a  word  adopted 
from  our  term  tonnage. 

Tonnage,  a  custom  or  impost  due  for 
merchandize,  brought  or  carried  in  tons, 
from  or  to  other  nations,  after  a  cercain 
rate  in  every  ton ;  also  on  vessels  car- 
rying passengers.  It  was  formerly  a 
partial  duty  laid  upon  the  English  pack- 
ets between  Dover  and  Calais,  in  1801 
and  1802;  but  by  a  retaliatory  act  in 
1815,  it  is  now  a  general  one. 

Tonnage.  The  usual  method  of  find- 
ing the  tonnage  of  any  ship  is  by  the 
following  rule  : — Multiply  the  length  of 


the  keel  by  the  breadth  of  the  beam, 
and  that  product  bv  half  the  breadth 
of  the  beam  ;  and  divide  the  last  pro- 
duct by  94,  and  the  quotient  will  be  the 
tonuage. 

Ship's  keel  72  feec:  breadth  of  beam- 
'24  feet. 

72  x  21 X 12 


94 


■=220-G  tonnage. 


The  tonnage  of  goods  and  stores  is 
taken  sometimes  by  weight  and  some- 
times by  measurement;  and  that  method 
is  allowed  to  the  vessel  which  yields  the 
most  tonnage. — In  tonnage  by  weight, 
20  cwt.  make  1  ton. — In  tonnage  by 
measurement,  40  cubic  feet  equal  1  ton. 
— All  carriages,  or  other  stores,  to  be 
measured  for  tonnage,are  taken  to  pieces, 
and  packed  in  the  manner  which  will 
occupy  the  least  room  on  board  ship. — 
All  ordnance,  whether  brass  or  iron,  is 
taken  in  tonnage  by  its  actual  weight. — 
Musket  cartridges,  in  barrels  or  boxes,  all 
ammunition  in  boxes,  and  other  articles 
of  great  weight,  are  taken  in  tonnage  ac- 
cording to  their  actual  weight. 

The  following  is  the  tonnage  allowed 
to  the  military  officers  of  the  ordnance 
embarked  for  foreign  service,  for  their 
camp  equipage  and  baggage  : — 
For  a  field  officer  -     5  tons. 
For  a  captain  -     -     3  do. 
For  a  subaltern     -     If  do. 

TONNE,  Fr.  a  tun  :  it  likewise  sig- 
nifies, a  large  cask  or  vessel  which  is 
used  for  stores  and  ammunition. 

Tonne,  Fr.  a  marine  term  ;  the  same 
as  bonce,  whence  our  word  buoy,  a  large 
machine  in  the  shape  of  a  barrel,  which 
is  kept  afloat  by  a  cable  and  anchor  in 
order  to  point  out  a  sand  bank,  rock,  ?cc. 
in  the  sea,  and  to  warn  navigators  not  to 
approach. 

TONNEAU,  Fr.  ton.  The  French 
ton,  in  shipping,  contains  about  three 
muids  and  a  half,  French  measure,  or 
twenty-eight  cubic  feet,  and  weighs  2000 
pounds  ;  so  that  when  we  say  a  vessel 
carries  three  hundred  tons,  we  mean  that 
it  carries  three  hundred  times  the  value 
of  2000  pounds  weight,  that  is,  600,000 
pounds,  and  to  that  end,  the  sea  water 
which  would  fill  up  the  space  occupied 
by  the  ship,  in  its  sinking  or  immersion, 
weighs  exactly  as  much  as  the  ship  and 
its  cargo  put  together. 

TONNEAUX  Meurtriers,  Fr.  casks 
which  are  bound  together  with  ropes, 
or  circled  round  by  iron  hoops,  and 
are  filled  with  gunpowder,  pebbles,  &c. 


TOP 


(     018     ) 


TOP 


The  particular  method  in  which  these 
i  are  prepared  may  bo  seen  in  torn, 
ii.  page  218,  Dm  (Eiwres  Militaires. 

TO.WKI.LOX,  Fr.  a  drawbridge, 
which  was  used  by  the  ancients,  in  order 
to  pet  suddenly  over  the  ibsse  upon  the 
walls  of  a  besieged  place. 

TONNERRE,  Fr.  that  part  of  a 
piece  of  ordnance,  or  fire-arm,  wherein 
the  charge  is  deposited. 

TOOkSt  AVARS,  Ind.  the  vizier's 
body  of  cavalry. 

TOOLS,  used  in  war,  are  ef  many 
denominations  and  uses,  as  laboratory 
tools,  mining  tools,  artificers  tools,  &c. 
■which  see. 

TOOP,  Ind.  a  small  wood  or  grove. 

Toop  e  11  alia,  Ind.  a  person  who  wears 
a  hat. 

Toop  Conna,  Tnd.  the  place  where  the 
guns  are  kept. 

S//e//-TOOTIIED.     See  Shell. 

TOPARCHj  (loparqve,  Fr.)  the  prin- 
cipal man  in  a  place. 

TOPARCHY,  (toparcMe,¥r.)  super- 
intendance ;  command  in  a  district. 

TOPASS,  hid.  This  name  was  ori- 
ginally given  by  the  natives  of  India 
to  a  native  Portugueze  soldier,  on  ac- 
count of  his  wearing  a  hat.  It  is  now 
generally  used  to  distinguish  all  Euro- 
peans. 

'I'OP-beam,  the  same  as  collar  beam; 
in  building,  a  beam  framed  across  be- 
tween two  principal  rafters. 

TOPEYS,  Fr.  the  cannomers  belong- 
ing to  a  Turkish  army  are  so  called. 

'l\)PGI-Bachi,  grand  master  of  the 
Turkish  artillery.  This  appointment  is 
one  of  the  most  important  situations  in 
the  gift  of  the  Porte.  It  is  generally 
bestowed  upon  a  relation  to  the  Grand 
Signor,  or  upon  a  favourite  to  the  Grand 
Vizier. 

The  name  is  derived  from  Top,  which, 
in  the  Turkish  language,  signifies  can- 
non, and  from  Bach,  which  means  lord, 
chief  or  commandant. 

The  next  person  in  command  to  the 
Topgi-Bachi  is  called  Dukigi-Bachi,  or 
Master  of  the  Topgis,  who  are  both  | 
cannoneers  and  founders.  The  latter 
are  paid  every  month  by  a  commissary  of 
their  own,  whom  they  call  Kiatib. 

TOPGIS,  sometimes  written  Topchis, 
a  name  generally  used  among  the 
rmks  to  signify  all  persons  employed  in 
the  casting  of  camion,  and  who  are 
afterwards  appointed  to  the  guns.  It  is 
here  necessary  to  observe,  that,  on  ac- 
count of  the  vast  extent  of  the  Ottoman 


empire,  the  Turks  do  not  attach  much 
heavy  ordnance  to  their  armies,  especially 

when  they  carry  on  their  operations  from 
one  frontier  to  another.  This  is  owing  to 
the  scarcity  of  draught  horses,  and  to 
the  natural  obstacles  of  the  country.  So 
that  they  seldom  carry  into  the  held 
above  eight  or  twelve  pounders. 

But  when  it  is  their  design  to  form 
arty  considerable  siege,  they  load  camels 
with  all  the  materials  requisite  for  cast- 
ing cannon.  A  certain  number  of  Topgis 
accompany  them,  and  the  instant  the 
army  takes  up  its  quarters  near  to  the 
spot  where  the  attack  is  to  be  made, 
they  set  to  work,  and  make  pieces  of 
ordnance  of  every  species  of  calibre  or 
bore. 

The  Turkish  cannon  is  extremely 
beautiful  and  well  cast.  The  ornamen- 
tal parts  consist  of  plants,  fruits,  &c. 
for  it  is  expressly  forbidden  in  the  Al- 
coran to  give  the  representation  of  any 
human  figure  upon  fire-arms,  particu- 
larly upon  pieces  of  ordnance ;  the 
Turks  being  taught  to  believe,  that  God 
would  order  the  workman  to  give  it  life, 
or  would  condemn  him  to  eternal  punish- 
ment. 

The  Turks  are  very  aukward  in  con- 
structing platforms  for  their  batteries, 
and  are  almost  ignorant  of  the  art  of 
pointing  their  pieces.  From  a  conscious- 
ness of  their  deficiency  on  this  head, 
they  encourage  Christian  artillerymen 
and  engineers  to  come  amongst  them ; 
but  until  the  late  war  they  seldom 
viewed  them  but  with  a  jealous  eye,  and 
always  gave  the  preference  torenagadoes. 
General  Koehler,  with  a  few  British 
officers  belonging  to  the  train,  joined  their 
army  in  1801,  tor  the  purpose  of  acting 
against  Egypt. 

TOPH,  among  surgeons,  a  kind  of 
swelling  in  the  bones. 

TOPOGRAPHER,  a  person  skilled 
in  ground  and  locality,  &c. 

TOPOGRAPHY.*  In  military  history, 
a  description  or  draught  of  some  par- 
ticular place,  or  small  tract  of  land,  as 
that  of  a  fortification,  city,  manor  or 
tenement,  garden,  house,  castle,  fort,  or 
the  like;  such  as  engineers  set  out  in 
their  drawings,  for  the  information  of 
their  prince  or  general.  Hence  a  Topo- 
graphical Chart — Carte  Topogruphique . 
Topography  constitutes,  very  deservedly, 
a  principal  branch  of  study  at  the  Royal 
Military  College  or  School,  and  is  an 
indispensible  quality  in  officers  belong- 
ing to  the  Staff  Corps. 


TOR 


C     919     ) 


T  O  S 


TOQUE,  Fr.  a  velvet  cap  with  the 
?ides  turned  up,  and  flat  at  the  top. 
T lie  Cent  Suisses,  or  the  King's  Swiss 
bodv  guard,  wore  the  toque  during  the 
old  French  monarchy. 

TOR,  a  tower,  or  turret 

TORCHENESS,  (to,chc-nez,  Fr.)  a 
long  stick  wiih  a  hole  at  the  end  or  it, 
through  which  a  strap  of  leather  may  be 
run;  the  two  ends  whereof  being  tied 
together,  serve  to  straiten  closely,  and 
tie  up  a  horse's  nose,  as  long  as  the  stick 
is  stayed  upon  the  halter  or  snaffle. 
This  is  done  to  keep  the  horse  from 
being  unruly  when  he  is  dressed,  &c. 

TORCHES,  (corchcs,  Fr.)  in  military 
matters,  are  lights  used  at  sieges,  ecc. 
They  are  general iy  made  of  thick  ropes, 
&c. 

Torches  inexlinguibles,  Fr.  particular 
lights  or  torches,  which  are  made  for 
the  use  and  convenience  of  workmen  at 
a  siege,  and  which  are  not  extinguished 
by  wind  or  rain. 

Torches,  Ft:  in  masonry,  wads  of 
straw  which  are  used  by  the  workmen 
in  conveying  stones  that  have  been 
dressed,  to  prevent  their  sides  or  edges 
from  being  injured.  Also  wisps  or 
wads  of  straw,  which  women  place  upon 
their  heads,  when  tiiev  carry  burthens. 

TORCHIERE,  Fr'.a  high  stand  upon 
which  a  chandelier  is  placed,  to  adorn 
and  give  light  in  rooms  of  state.  M. 
Blondel  has  given  some  curious  draw- 
ings of  this  sort  of  ornament,  at  the 
end  of  the  second  volume  of  his  work 
emituled  Decoration  desFdijlces.  Riche- 
let  and  other  authors  write  the  word 
torchere. 

TORCH  IS,  Fr.  naud;  clay;  also  clay 
mixed  with  chopped  straw,  with  which 
the  walls  of  barns,  cottages,  ccc.  are 
usually  made. 


him.  ,  This  punishment  was  confined  to 
slaves.  La  Question,  among  the  French, 
was  an  imitation  of  this  barbarous 
practice;  with  this  difference,  that  it 
was  extended  to  all  ranks  and  degrees, 
to  answer  the  views  of  despotism  and 
tyranny.  It  ceased  at  the  Revolution 
iu  1789. 

TORNADO,  a  Portugueze  word, 
which  is  used  on  the  southern  coasts  of 
Africa,  to  express  furious  whirlwinds 
that  are  often  fatal  to  mariners  and  sea- 
men. Dr.  Johnson  calls  it  generally,  a 
hurricane;  a  whirlwind. 

TORSE,  Fr.  This  word  means,  lite- 
rally, twisted.  In  architecture,  it  sig- 
nifies a  pillar,  the  body  of  which,  or  the 
part  between  the  base  and  the  capital, is 
surrounded  with  concave  and  convex 
circular  lines. 

TORSEL.     See  Tassel. 

TORTILLIS,  ou  Vermkule,  Fr.  in  ar- 
chitecture, a  sort  of  ornament  which  is 
cut  upon  the  embossment  of  stones  in 
rustic  decorations,  and  which  resembles 
worm-work  in  cloth. 

TORTOISE.     SeeTESTUDo. 

TORTS,  Fr.     See  Wrongs.  I 

Avoir  des  Torts  reels  vis-a-vis  de 
quelqu'un,  Fr.  to  be  completely  in  the 
wrong  with  respect  to  another  person  ; 
or  to  have  done  him  some  serious  in- 
jury, without  any  justifiable  cause. 

TORTUE,  Fr.  literally  means  tor- 
toise. It  likewise  signifies  the  testudo, 
a  warlike  machine  which  was  used 
among  the  ancients. 

Tortue  d'houunes,  Fr.  a  particular 
formation  which  was  formerly  adopted 
by  the  besieged,  when  they  made  a  sor- 
tie. 

Tortce  de  mer,  Fr.  a  sort  of  vessel 
which  has  its  deck  raised  in  such  a 
manner,  that  it  resembles  the   roof  of 


TORCULARIS,  with  surgeons,  a  con-   a  house,  or  the  shell  of  a  turtle,  beneath 


trivance  for  stopping  the  flux  of  blood 
in  amputation. 

TORE,  Fr.     See  Torus. 

TORLAQUI,  a  sort  of  priest  in 
Turkey. 

TORMENTUM,  an  instrument  of 
torture,  which  was  used  by  the  ancient 
Romans,  when  they  had  reason  to  sus- 
pect the  fidelity  or  honesty  of  a  slave. 
The  delinquent  was  tied  to  a  wheel,  by 
his  neck;  having  his  legs  and  arms 
fastened  on  it  in  the  form  of  St.  An- 
drew's cross.  The  wheel  was  then  put 
in  rapid  motion,  and  continued  so, 
until  some  confession  was  extorted  from 


which  soldiers  and  passengers  may  con- 
veniently stand  or  sit  with  their  bag- 
gage iu  bad  weather. 

TORTURE,  rack,  extreme  torment 
or  pain;  a  punishment  which  has  been 
frequently  resorted  to  abroad  to  exact 
confessions  of  guilt,  but  it  is  not  known 
in  Great  Britain. 

TORUS,  in  architecture,  a  large 
round  moulding  used  in  the  bases  of 
columns. 

TOSCAN,  Fr.    See  Tuscan  Order. 

TOSHA  couna,  Ind.  store-room,  ward- 
robe. 

TOSTE,   Fr.  a  rowing   bench   in  a 


T  O  IT 


(     $20     ) 


T  O  U 


boat.      It  is  likewise   called    Toste  de 
I  '.halottpe. 
TOTALITE,  Fr.  the  whole;    as  La 

tola/itc  de  la  cavalerie,  the  whole  of  the 
cavalry. 

TOUCHER,  Fr.  to  touch.  The 
French  say — Toucher  srs  appointemens, 
to  touch,  or  receive  one's  pay,  or  allow- 
ances. 

TOUCll-holc,  the  vent  through  which 
the  fire  is  conveyed  to  the  powder  in 
the  chamlier  of  a  gun. 

TOUEUX,  Fr.  small  anchors  used 
for  the  purpose  of  towing  any  thing 
along.  They  also  called  ancres  de  tou- 
agc,  or  towing  anchors. 

TOUR,  turn.  That  which  is  done  by 
succession. 

Tour  of  duty.  The  tour  of  duty, 
throughout  the  British  army,  is  always 
from  the  eldest  downwards.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  different  heads  of  duty, 
and  the  ranks  in  which  they  respectively 
stand. 

1.  The  King's  guard. 

2.  The  guards  of  the  royal  family. 

3.  The  Commander  in  Chief's  guard 


army 


and 


4.   Detachments    of    the 
out-posts. 
-   5.  General  officer's  guard. 

ti.  The  ordinary  guards  in  camp  and 
garrison. 

7.  Pickets. 

R.  Courts-martial. 

9.  Fatigues,  or  duties  which  are  done 
without  arms. 

Tour  bastionnie,  Fr.  a  small  bastion, 
with  subterraneous  passages  under  it, 
which  are  bomb  proof,  where  cannon  is 
placed  to  defend  the  pass  of  a  fortified 
place. 

Tour  a  feu,  Fr.  a  light  house. 

Tour  de  treuil,  Fr.  a  large  wooden 
cylinder,  roll,  or  axle  tree,  which  is  used 
in  machines  for  raising  weights,  and  is 
moved  by  a  wheel,  or  by  levers  with  a 
rope  going  round  it. 

Tours  de  baton,  Fr.  by-profits. 

Tours  mobiles,  Fr.  moveable  towers. 
These  were  made  use  of  in  remote 
ages;  and  although  the  invention  of 
them  has  been  attributed  by  some  to 
the  Greeks,  and  by  others  to  the  Ro- 
mans, it  does  not  belong  to  either;  for 
we  read  of  moveable  towers  in  Ezekiel. 
The  curious  may  derive  much  infor- 
mation on  this  head  from  the  Chevalier 
Folard,  in  his  translation  of  Polybius, 
page  530,  torn.  ii.  See  Moveable  Tow- 
ers. 


Tours  isolees,  Fr.  detached  towers; 
such  as  are  made  in  forts,  or  stand  upon 
the  coast  to  serve  for  light  houses. 

Tours  territres,  Fr.  large  pieces  of 
wood,  which  are  used  in  mechanical 
operations,  to  convey  or  remove  heavy 
burthens. 

La  TOURBE  menue,  Fr.  the  common 
people;  the  rabble. 

TOUR  BILLON,  Fr.  whirlwind;  vor- 
tex. The  French  likewise  call  a  water- 
spout by  this  name. 

Tourbillon  defeu,  Fr.  SeeSoLEiL 
Montant. 

TOURELLE,  Fr.  a  turret. 

TOURILLON,  J'V.  a  sort  of  pivot, 
upon  which  the  swipes  of  drawbridges, 
and  other  machines,  turn  ;  also  an  in- 
ner verril ;  also  a  thick  round  piece  of 
iron  which  is  fixed  at  the  bottom  of  the 
gates  in  coach  houses,  and  at  the  ends 
of  the  axle  trees  of  a  mill  wheel,  to 
make  them  move  more  conveniently, 
and  with  less  friction. 

Tourillon  du  bran,  Fr.  the  head  or 
top  of  the  arm  where  it  is  joined  with 
the  shoulder  blade. 

TOURET,  Fr.  a  drill  or  instrument 
with  which  holes  are  made  in  metal, 
&c. ;  also  the  chain  which  is  at  the  end 
of  the  cheek  of  a  bitt. 

TOURILLONS.  See  Trunnions. 

TOURMENTE,  Fr.  a  violent  storm. 
TOURNAMENT,  from  the  old 
French  word  tournoi,  which  is  derived 
from  tourner,  to  turn.  An  exercise  of 
honour  formerly  practised,  wherein 
princes  and  gentlemen  afforded  speci- 
mens of  their  dexterity  and  courage  in 
public  places,  by  entering  the  lists  and 
encountering  all  opposers.  They  were 
well  mounted  on  horseback,  clad  in  ar- 
mour, and  accoutred  with  lance  and 
sword  :  first  tilted  at  one  another,  and 
then  drew  their  swords  and  fought  hand 
to  hand. 

These  exercises  being  designed  to 
make  the  persons,  who  practised  them, 
expert  in  the  art  of  war,  and  also  to 
eutertain  the  court,  the  arms  were,  in 
a  great  measure,  rendered  so  far  inno- 
cuous, that  they  could  not  kill  the  com- 
batants. For  this  purpose,  the  points 
of  the  lances  and  swords  were  broken 
off;  but  notwithstanding  this  precau- 
tion, frequent  mischief  occurred ;  in 
consequence  of  which,  the  Pope  pro- 
hibited all  sorts  of  tournaments,  under 
pain  of  excommunication. 

Tournaments'  had    their  origin  from 


T  O  U 


(     921     ) 


TOW 


the  ancient  gladiatory  combats,  and  not 
from  the  usage  of  the  northern  people, 
as  is  commonly  believed.  In  Cicero's 
time,  they  were  called  by  the  Greek 
name,  Anabatis;  because  their  helmet, 
in  a  great  measure,  obstructed  their  see- 
ing. 

TOURNE  a  gauche,  Fr.  a  tool  used 
by  carpenters,  masons,  and  other  arti- 
sans, in  turning  screws,  saws,  ccc. 

TOURNEE,  Fr.  a  circuitous  journey 
made  for  the  purpose  of  inspection, 
ccc. 

Le  general  Jit  une  Tournee  pour 
examiner  les  avant  pastes,  Fr.  the  gene- 
ral went  round  to  examine  the  out- 
posts. 

TOURNER,  Fr.  to  turn.  In  military 
matters  it  signifies  to  get  upon  the 
flank,  or  in  the  ivar,  of  any  object  you 
propose  to  attack. 

Tourner  un  ouvrage,  Fr.  in  forti- 
fication, to  turn  a  work.  This  is  effected 
by  cutting  off  its  communication  with 
the  main  body  of  the  place,  and  taking 
possession  of  the  gorge.  Tourner  le 
jlanc,  to  turn  the  flank;  tourner  Vaile 
droite,  ou  Vaile  gauche,  to  turn  the  right 
or  left  wing;  tourner  un  paste,  une  mon- 
tagne,  to  get  into  the  rear  of  a  post, 
mountain,  ccc. 

TOURNEVENT,  Fr.  a  sort  of  pent- 
house or  portal  set  before  a  door  to 
keep  off  the  wind;  also  a  kind  of  move- 
able horse  at  the  top  of  a  chimney,  or 
house ;  or  what  is  generally  called  a  cowl. 

TOURNEVIRE,  Fr.  a  large  cable 
with  which  the  anchor  is  weighed. 

TOURNEVIS,  Fr.  the  key  of  a 
Screw. 

TOURNIQUET,  Fr.  a  turnstile;  it 
likewise  signifies  a  swivel,  or  iron  ring. 

Tourniquet,  Fr.  among  artificers, 
a  species  of  firework  composed  of  two 
fusees,  which,  when  set  fire  to,  pro- 
duces the  same  effect  as  the  soleil  tour- 
nunt. 

Tourniquet,  (tourniquet,  Fr.)  in 
surgery,  an  instrument  made  of  rollers, 
compresses,  screws,  ccc.  for  compressing 
any  wounded  part,  so  as  to  stop  haemor- 
rhages. 

The  common  tourniquet  is  very  sim- 
ple, consisting  only  of  a  roller,  which, 
with  the  help  of  a  small  stick,  serves  to 
stop  the  etfusion  of  blood  from  large 
arteries,  in  amputation,  by  forcibly  tying 
up  the  limb.  The  things  required  in 
this  operation  are,  a  roller  of  a  thumb's 
breadth,  and   of  an  ell  in   length;   a 


small  cylindrical  stick,  a  conglomerated 
bandage,  two  fingers  thick  and  four 
long;  some  compresses  of  a  good  length, 
and  about  three  or  four  fingers' breadth, 
to  surround  the  legs  and  arms,  and  a 
square  piece  of  strong  paper  or  leather, 
about  four  fingers  wide.  By  the  regu- 
lations published  in  1799,  for  the  better 
management  of  the  sick  in  regimental 
hospitals,  every  surgeon,  and  assistant 
surgeon,  is  directed  to  have,  among  other 
surgical  instruments,  a  certain  number 
of  tourniquets;  and  Serjeants,  ccc.  are 
to  be  taught  the  method  of  using  them. 

In  May,  1793,  two  tourniquets  were 
directed  to  be  sent  to  each  regiment, 
the  rest  are  to  he  made  by  the  men  of 
the  regiment;  and  besides  one  to  each 
person,  who  will  be  taught  the  use  of 
it,  it  is  necessary  to  have  four  for  every 
hundred  men. 

The  non-commissioned  officers,  band, 
and  drummers  of  every  regiment,  are 
to  be  taught  the  manner  of  applying  it, 
according  to  instructions  sent  down  from 
the  surgeon  general's  department. 

Tourniquets  cle  fer,  Fr.  swivels; 
such  as  loop  and  swivel,  guard  and 
swivel. 

TOURNOIS,  Fr.  tournament. 

TOURTEAU  goudronn'e,  Fr.  old  rope 
which  is  untwisted,  steeped  in  pitch  or 
tar,  and  afterwards  left  to  dry.  It  is 
used  in  fosses  and  other  places  during  a 
siege.  The  French  make  the  tourteau 
goudronne  in  the  following  manner. — 
Take  12  pounds  of  tar  or  pitch,  six  ditto 
of  tallow  or  grease,  which  put  to  three 
pints  of  linseed  oil,  and  boil  the  whole 
together.  You  then  take  old  matches, 
or  twisted  pieces  of  rope  of  any  length 
you  want,  and  let  them  soak  in  the 
boiling  liquor.  If  you  wish  to  prevent 
them  from  burning  too  fast,  add  six 
pounds  of  resin  and  two  of  turpentine. 

TOURTOUSE,  Fr.  a  rope  about  a 
criminal's  neck. 

TOUT  le  monde  huut,  Fr.  a  French 
word  of  command  at  sea,  which  corre- 
sponds with  our  sea  phrase,  Pipe  all 
hands  up ! 

Tout  le  monde  has,  Fr.  a  French  word 
of  command  at  sea,  which  corresponds 
with,  Pipe  !   all  hands  down. 

Toute  voice,  Fr.  the  utmost  distance 
to  which  a  ball  can  be  shot. 

Hirer  a  Toute  voice,  Fr.  to  raise  the 
piece  so  as  to  make  the  shot  go  as  fac 
as  possible. 

To  TOW,  (toner,  Fr.)  a  sea-term, 
G  B 


T  O  W 


(     922     ) 


T  II  A 


signifying  to  put  along,  which  is  done 
either  by  Fastening  a  cable  or  rope  to 
some  fixed  point  on  the  bank  of  a  river, 
or  to  an  anchor  in  the  sea,  and  dragging 
yourself  towards  it  by  straitening  the 
rope  round  a  capstan. 

TOWER,  (tour,  Fr.)  any  high  build- 
ing raised  above  another,  consisting  of 
several  stories,  usually  of  a  round  form, 
though  sometimes  square  or  polygonal: 
a  fortress,  a  citadel.  Towers  are  built 
for  fortresses,  prisons,  &c.  as  the  tower 
of  the  Bastille,  which  was  destroyed  by 
the  inhabitants  of  Paris,  July  14th,  1789. 

The  Tower  of  London,  commonly 
Called  The  Tower;  a  building  with  five 
Small  turrets,  at  different  angles,  above 
it,  situated  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
Thames.  The  Guards  usually  do  duty 
in  it. 

The  Tower  of  London  is  not  only  a 
citadel  (o  defend  and  command  the  city, 
river,  &c.  but  it  is  also  a  royal  palace, 
where  the  kings  of  England,  with  their 
courts,  have  sometimes  lodged;  a  royal 
arsenal,  wherein  are  stored  arms  and 
ammunition  for  60,000  soldiers;  a  trea- 
sury for  the  jewels  and  ornaments  of 
the  crown;  a  mint  for  coining  money; 
the  archive,  wherein  are  preserved  all 
the  ancient  records  of  the  courts  of 
Westminster,  &c.  and  the  chief  prison 
for  state  delinquents.  The  officers  be- 
longing to  the  Tower  of  London  consist 
of 

1  constable  and  chief  go-  ) 

vernor  at    -    -    -    -    J 
1  lieutenant  governor,  at 
1  deputy  lieutenant,  at 
1  major,  at    -    -     -    -     - 
1  chaplain,  at     -    -    -     - 
1  gentleman  porter,  at 
1  gentleman  gaoler,  at 
1  physician,  at    -     -     -     - 
1  surgeon,  at       -     -    -    - 
1  apothecary,  1  yeoman  porter 

TowER-bastions,  in  fortification,  are 
small  towers  made  in  the  form  of  bas- 
tions, by  M.  Vauban,  in  his  second  and 
third  method;  with  rooms  or  cellars 
underneath  to  place  men  and  guns  in 
them. 

Martcllo  Towers.     See  Martello. 

Moveable  Towers,  in  ancient  military 
history,  were  three  stories  high,  built 
with  large  beams,  each  tower  was  placed 
on  tour  wheels,  or  trucks,  and  towards 
the  town  covered  with  boiled  leather, 
to  guard  it  from  fire,  and  to  resist  the 


per  unn. 

1000 

0 

0 

700 

0 

0 

365 

0 

0 

182 

10 

0 

151 

13 

4 

84 

6 

o 

70 

0 

0 

182 

10 

0 

45 

12 

6 

darts;  on  each  story  100  archers  were 
posted.  They  were  pushed  with  the 
force  of  men  to  the  city  wall.  From 
these  the  soldiers,  placed  in  the  different 
stages,  made  such  vigorous  discharges, 
thai  none  of  the  garrison  dared  to  shew 
themselves  on  the  rampart. 

TOWN,  any  walled  collection  of 
houses,  from  the  Saxon,  meaning  any 
enclosed  place. 

Tow  x-Adjulant,  an  assistant  to  the 
town-major.     See  Adjutant. 

TowN-Mia;or,  (major  de  place,  Fr.)  an 
officer  constantly  employed  about  the 
governor  or  officer  commanding  a  gar- 
rison, ckc.  He  issues  the  orders  to  the 
troops,  and  reads  the  common  orders  to 
fresh  troops  when  they  arrive.  He  com- 
mands according  to  the  rank  he  had  in 
the  army  ;  but  if  he  never  had  any  oilier 
commission  than  that  of  town  or  fort- 
major,  he  is  to  command  as  youngest 
captain. 

TRABAND,  a  trusty  brave  soldier 
in  the  Swiss  infantry,  whose  particular 
duty  was  to  guard  the  colours  and  the 
captain  who  led  them.  He  was  armed 
with  a  sword  and  a  halbert,  the  bladt 
of  which  was  shaped  like  a  pertuisan. 
He  generally  wore  the  colonel's  livery, 
and  was  excused  all  the  duties  of  a  sen^ 
try.  His  pay  was  eight  deniers  mort 
than  the  daily  subsistence  of  the  coup- 
pany. 

TRABE  d'un  ancre,  Fr.  the  beam  or 
staff  of  an  anchor. 

TRABE  A,  (trubce,  Fr.)  a  white  gown 
bordered  with  purple,  and  adorned  with 
clavi  or  trabere  of  scarlet.  See  Kennett, 
Rom.  Antiq.  page  313. 

TRABEATION,  (trabcalion,  Fr.)  the 
same  as  entablement  or  entablature. 

TRABOUR,  a  species  of  fire-arm  re- 
sembling a  blunderbuss,  with  a  verv 
wide  muzzle,  carrying  ten  or  twelve 
small  pistol  balls;  used  by  the  Austrians. 
in  1760.  Wamery  speaks  of  this  fire- 
arm, but  observes,  at  the  same  time,  that 
the  Prussians  never  perceived  any  effect 
produced  by  it. 

TRACE,  Fr.  This  word  is  used,  by 
the  French,  in  fortification,  as  a  sub- 
stantive; thus,  It  trace  d'un  onvrage, 
the  plan  or  drawing  of  a  work. 

TRACER,  Fr.  to  chalk  out;  describe; 
to  trace. 

Tracer  en  grand,  Fr.  to  chalk  out  or 
draw  a  large  plan;  or  to  draw  the  full 
dimensions  of  a  column,  or  any  other 
piece  of  architecture. 


T  R  A 


(     925     ) 


TRA 


Tracer  au  simbleau,  Fr.  to  chalk  out 
with  a  tracing  cord  according  to  various 
given  centers,  upon  a  plan  or  model, 
ellipses,  elliptic  arches,  winding  of  stair- 
cases, curves,  ike.  in  order  to  make  the 
figures  larger  hereafter  with  a  compass. 

TRACERET,  Fr.  a  small  instrument 
of  sharp  iron,  with  which  carpenters 
mark  and  point  wood. 

TRACES,  the  harness  by  which 
beasts  of  draught  are  enabled  to  move 
bodies  to  which  they  are  yoked. 

When  horses  are  put  to,  very  parti- 
cular attention  should  be  given  to  the 
traces.  They  must  be  even,  and  the  in- 
side traces  should  always  be  somewhat 
shorter  than  the  outside  ones,  in  order 
to  keep  the  horses'  heads  together,  and 
by  throwing  out  their  haunches,  to  pre- 
vent the  traces  or  pole  of  the  carriage 
from  galling  them. 

TRACTRIX,  in  geometry,  a  curve 
line,  called  also  catenaria. 

TRADE,  according  to  Johnson,  occu- 
pation; particular  employment,  whether 
manual  or  mercantile,  distinguished  from 
the  liberal  arts;  or  learned  professions. 
Among  the  French,  the  word  metier, 
which  corresponds  literally  with  trade, 
is  applied  to  arts  and  learned  profes- 
sions, as  metier  de  la  guerre,  the  science 
or  art  of  war.  With  us,  as  the  learned 
lexicographer  very  justly  states,  trade  is 
not  expressive  of  any  liberal  art,  science, 
or  profession, 

TRAFFICK,  trade  or  commerce;  sale 
or  exchange  of  goods. 

A  TRAFFICKER,  a  trader ;  a  person 
who  deals  in  the  sale  or  exchange  of 
goods,  &C. :  as,  a  trafficker  in  army  com- 
missions, &c. 

TRAGULA,  a  javelin,  with  a  bar- 
bed head.  It  was  used  among  the  an- 
cients, and  the  wound,  occasioned  by 
it,  was  extremely  dangerous.  It  is  sup- 
posed to  he  the  same  as  Jaculum  amen- 
tatum,  or  a  javelin  fastened  with  some- 
thing, (such  as  a  strap  or  string,)  so 
that  it  might  be  drawn  back  by  the 
thrower. 

TRAGULA RII,  soldiers  among  the 
Romans,  who  shot  arrows  out  of  cross- 
bows, or  threw  barbed  javelins. 

TRAHISQN,  Fr.  treason. 
Haute  Trahison,  Fr.  high  treason. 
Tuer  en  Trahison,   Fr.  to  kill  in  a 
treacherous  manner. 

TRAIL,  in  uunnery,  the  end  of  a 
travelling  carriage,  opposite  to  the 
wheels-,  and   upon   which   the  carriage 


slides  when  unlimbered,  or  upon  the  bat- 
tery.    See  Carriages. 

To  Trail  literally  means  to  draw 
along  the  ground.  In  military  matter? 
it  signifies,  to  carry  the  firelock  in  an 
oblique  forward  position,  with  the  butt 
just  above  the  ground.  Hence  Trail 
Arms,  a  word  of  command  for  that 
purpose.  This  practice  is  certainly  un- 
necessary; and  we  believe  only  in  use 
amongst  us.  Indeed  it  must  be  obvious 
to  common  sense,  that  when  troops  are 
marching  through  a  wood  with  trailed 
arms,  they  must  be  exposed  to  a  variety 
of  accidents;  especially  where  there  is 
underwood. 

TRAILLE,  Fr.  a  large  flat-bottomed 
boat  to  cross  wide  rivers  in.  It  is  also 
called  pont-volant ;  which  see. 

TRAIN,  (train,  Fr.)  in  a  military 
sense,  all  the  necessary  apparatus,  im- 
plements of  war,  such  as  cannon,  &c. 
that  are  required  at  a  siege  or  in  the  field. 

Train  of  Artillery,  (truin  d'artil- 
lerie,  Fr.)  in  a  general  sense,  means  the 
regiment  of  artillery;  it  also  includes 
the  great  guns,  and  other  pieces  of  ord- 
nance belonging  to  an  army  in  the  field. 
See  Artillery. 

Train,  (trainee,  Fr.)in  mining,  a  line 
of  gunpowder  laid  to  give  fire  to  a  quan- 
tity thereof,  which  has  been  lodged  for 
the  purpose  of  blowing  up  earth,  works, 
building,  ike. 

Train  is  also  used  to  denote  the  at- 
tendants of  a  prince  or  general,  upon 
many  occasions. 

TRAiN-6a«(/s,or  trained-bands,  a  name 
formerly  given  to  the  militia  of  London  ; 
out  of  which  the  3d  regiment,  or  old 
Buffs,  were  originally  formed. 

Field-T rais,  a  body  of  men,  con- 
sisting chiefly  of  commissaries  and  con- 
ductors of  stores,  which  belong  to  the 
Royal  Artillery. 

Field  Train.     See  Artillery. 

Wagon-TRAW,  a  body  of  men  which 
formerly  belonged  to  the  ordnance,  but 
has  since  been  made  a  sort  of  regular 
corps,  divided  into  troops,  for  general 
service. 

Le  Train  de  guerre,  Fr.  warfare. 

Train,  Fr.  in  navigation,  a  sort  of 
timber-raft,  composed  of  several  pieces 
of  wood,  which  are  tied  together,  and 
made  to  flout  upon  rivers. 

TRAIXE,  Fr.  a  term  among  French 

sailors  and  soldiers  at  sea,  signifying  a 

thin  rope,  or  rather  packthread,  to  which 

thev  tie  their  linen;    leaving  it  to  float 

* '   6B3 


T  R  A 


(     921     ) 


T  II  A 


or  be  dragged  through  the  waves  until  it)  pay  ;  as,  traitement  de  cinq  cficlins  par 

jour,  an  allowance  of  live  shillings  per 
diem. 

TRAITOR,  (traitrc,  Fr.)  a  betrayer 
of  his  king  and  country ;  one  who  is 
guilty  of  high  treason.  Tacitus  says,  it 
was  usual  among  the  ancient  Germans 
to  tie  traitors  and  deserters  to  trees,  and 
to  let.  them  die  suspended  from  them. 

TRAITS,  Fr.  drag-ropes, &c.  used  in 
the  artillery. 

This  word  is  also  generally  used  by  the 
French,  to  signify  all  sorts  of  arrows, 
darts,  javelins,  &c.  that  are  cast  out  of 
bows,  or  thrown  from  the  hand. 

TRAJET.     See  Ferry. 

TRAME,  Fr.  a  plot. 

Trame  de  la  vie,  Fr.  the  thread  of 
life. 

TRAMER,  Fr.  to  plot;  to  enter  into 
a  conspiracy. 

TRAMMEL,  an  iron  moving  instru- 
ment in  chimnies,  upon  which  a  pot  is 
hung  over  the  fire. 

Trammel,  a  machine  for  teaching  a 
horse  to  amble. 

TRAMMELLED.  A  horse  is  said  to 
be  trammelled  that  has  blazes,  or  white 
marks,  upon  the  fore  and  hind  feet  on 
one  side;  as  the  far  foot  before  and 
behind. 

TRAMONTAINE,  Fr.  The  north 
wind  in  the  Mediterranean  is  so  termed 
by  the  French.  It  is  so  called,  because 
it  blows  beyond  the  hills  that  are  near 
Rome  and  Florence.  The  French  say 
figuratively,  perdrc  la  tramontuine,  to  be 
at  a  loss.  This  word  comes  from  the 
Italian  tramontana,  signifying  the  north. 
The  French  say  perdre  la  tramontuine, 
literally,  to  lose  the  north,  or  the  means 
of  directing  the  vessel  by  the  magnetic 
needle. 

Une  ep'ced  afea.rTRANCHANS,  Fr.  a 
two-edged  sword. 

THAN  CHANT,  Fr.  cutting. 

Couleurs  TRANCHANTES,  Fr. 
glaring  colours. 

TRANCHEE,  Fr.     See  Trench. 

Tranchee  double,  Fr.  a  double 
trench,  one  side  of  which  serves  as  a 
traverse  to  the  other;  by  which  means 
they  are  mutually  covered  from  a  re- 
verse or  enfilade  firing. 

Tranchee  d  crochet,  Fr.  a  bending 
trench,  or  one  in  the  shape  of  a  hook. 
This  species  of  trench  is  found  where 
the  line  turns,  at  the  extremities  of  the 
places  of  arms,  and  at  the  ends  of  the 
cavaliers. 


is  clean 

Train  r,  Fr.  This  word  is  used  va- 
riously by  the  French,  in  conjunction 
with  other  words,  viz. 

Traw  E-malheur,   Fr.    a    miserable 
wretch. 

TRAiNE-/)o^?jce,  Fr.  a  villain  ;  a  gal- 
lows-looking fellow. 

Trai nr-rapicre,  Fr.  a  bully;  a  hec- 
toring fellow. 

TRAINEAU,  Fr.    See  Dray. 

TRAINEAUX,  Fr.  several  pieces  of 
wood  made  in  the  form  of  a  large  sledge, 
upon  which  pieces  of  ordnance  and 
stores,  &c.  are  conveyed  to  the  rampart, 
and  brought  from  one  place  to  another. 

TRAINEE,  Fr.  a  train,  a  certain 
length,  or  space,  which  is  filled  with  gun- 
powder, for  the  purpose  of  setting  fire 
to  same  particular  spot  or  place. 

TRAINER  en  platre,  Fr.  in  architec- 
ture, to  make  a  cornice,  or  any  other 
moulding  with  a  wooden  bore,  which  is 
cut  according  to  the  profile  that  may  be 
wanted;  and  then  drawn  repeatedly  up 
and  down,  the  whole  thickness  of  the 
profile,  which  is  covered  with  very  fine 
clear  plaster,  until  the  cornice  has  ob- 
tained a  thorough  consistency,  and  taken 
the  form  that  is  wanted. 

TRAIN EURS,  Fr.  stragglers,  men 
who  on  a  march  lag  behind,  and  thereby 
occasion  a  loose  and  unconnected  ap- 
pearance in  the  line  of  march.  It  is  the 
duty  of  the  rear  guard  to  pick  up  all 
stragglers,  and  to  report  them  to  head- 
quarters. 

Tuaineur  d'epie,  Fr.  a  parasite;  a 
man  who  has  never  done  a  day's  duty, 
but  wears  a  sword  aud  looks  big;  a  bully. 

TRAIT,  Fr.  in  a  general  sense,  any 
line  drawn  to  form  a  figure  of  whatso- 
ever description. 

Trait  corrompti,  Fr.  a  line  which  is 
simply  drawn  by  the  hand  without  the 
aid  of  a  compass,  differing  from  the  re- 
gular figures  of  geometry. 

Trait  quarre,  Fr.  aline,  which  inter- 
secting another  perpendicularly,  and  at 
right  angles,  makes  the  angles  square. 

Trait  biais,  Fr.  a  line  which  inclines 
upon  another,  or  is  drawn  diagonally  in 
a  figure. 

Cheval  de.  Trait,  Fr.  draught  horse. 

TRAITE,  Fr.  a  treaty. 

Traite  public,  Fr.  an  act,  or  treaty, 
which  is  made  for  the  public,  or  nation 
«t  lame. 

TRAITEMENT,   Fr.   allowance   or 


T  R  A 


(     925    ) 


T  R  A 


Tranchee  directe,  Fr.  a  trench  which]  of  the  transfer,  it  falls  to  give  a  man  to 
is  carried,  or  run  out  in  a  straightforward  J  the  said  troop;  and  a  troop  so  giving  a 


direction,  and  which  serves  to  shut  up 
any  spot  whence  you  might  be  enfiladed. 
Tranchee  tournante,  Fr.  a  trench 
which  is  carried  round  a  work,  that  is 
or  may  be  attacked.  Of  this  description 
is  the  glacis,  or  the  head  of  the  trench. 

Tranchee  (retours  de  la),  Fr.  See 
Rexours. 

Tranchee,  Fr.  in  architecture,  an 
opening  which  is  made  in  the  ground, 
dug  deep  and  square,  to  lay  the  founda- 
tion of  a  building ;  or  carried  length- 
ways, in  order  to  place  leaden  or  iron 
pipes,  or  for  the  purpose  of  planting 
trees. 

Tranchee  de  mur,  Fr.  a  long  open- 
ing which  is  made  in  a  wall  for  the  pur- 
pose of  receiving  partition  potts  or  laths. 
It  also  signifies  a  notch  or  jag  in  a  line 
or  chain  of  stone,  on  the  outside  of  a 
wall,  in  order  to  enclose  in  it  the  iron 
brace  of  the  head-beam  of  a  door,  and 
then  cover  it  with  plaster. 

Depots  de  la  Tuanchee,  Fr.  places 

where  tools  and  materials  necessary  for 

a  siege  are  collected  together  and  lodged. 

TRANCHEES,  Fr".  gripes;  as  gripes 

in  horses. 

TRANCHEFILE,  Fr.  the  cross-chain 
of  a  bridle  that  runs  along  the  bit-mouth 
from  one  branch  to  the  other. 

TRAl^CllE-)nontagne,  Fr.  a  hector, 
a  bully,  a  swaggering  coward. 

TRANSFERS.  Soldiers  taken  out  of 
one  troop,  or  company,  and  placed  in 
another,  are  so  called. 

When  a  man  is  transferred  from  one 
troop  to  another,  his  own  horse  is  to  go 
with  him  (unless  it  be  of  a  different 
colour  from  those  of  which  the  troop 
into  which  he  goes  is  composed)  but  not 
his  arms,  nor  any  of  his  accoutrements, 
excepting  his  belts;  and  if  the  troop  re- 
ceiving such  man,  finds  out  that  he  has 
not  been  transferred  with  his  own  horse, 
the  commanding  officer  of  it  must  im- 
mediately make  his  complaint  to  the 
officer  commanding  the  regiment.  The 
transfers  are  to  be  entered  in  the  ge- 
neral, and  troop,  or  company  registers, 
as  soon  as  they  take  place,  so  that  no 
mistake  may  arise  from  delay. 

Whenever  a  troop  receives  a  man  as 
a  non-commissioned  officer,  or  for  any 
other  reason,  the  troop  that  transfers,  if 
it  does  not  receive  a  non-commissioned 
officer  in  return,  must  receive  a  man 
from  the  troop,  on  which,  in  the  course 


man,  must  set  apart  its  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  officers'  servants,  and 
four  men,  including  its  lance  corporals, 
if  it  has  any  ;  out  of  the  remainder,  the 
other  captain  chuses. 

It  ought  to  be  generally  observed, 
that  the  most  convenient  period  at 
which  transfers  should  be  made,  is  the 
24th  day  of  each  month. 

TRANSFIXED,  an  ancient  term  used 
to  express  the  state  of  being  desperately 
wounded  by  some  pointed  instrument, 
as  being  run  through  by  a  spear,  javelin, 
or  bayonet,  &c. 

TRANSFUGE,  Fr.  from  the  Latin 
iransfuga,  a  turn-coat,  a  deserter,  a  run- 
away, one  who  abandons  his  party,  in 
time  of  war,  and  goes  over  to  the  enemy. 
It  also  signifies,  generally,    any  person 
that  is  guilty  of  tergiversation  in  private 
or   public  life.     A    French  author   has 
made  the  following  distinction  between 
un    transfuge   et   un    diserteur,    which 
terms  have  been  considered  as  synoni- 
mous.    A  man  may  be  looked  upon  as  a 
transfuge,    or    turncoat,    although    he 
should  not  go  over  to  the  enemy  of  the 
party  which  he  abandons      When  the 
well-known  Count  de  Saint-Germain  left 
France,  and  sought  military  employment 
under  the  King   of  Denmark,   he  was 
most  unquestionably  a  transfuge,  or  de- 
serter, from  his  country;  and  when  he 
again  suddenly  returned  to  France,  on 
the  commencement  of  hostilities  with 
Denmark,  and  became  minister  of  the 
war  department,  he  was  equally  looked 
upon    in    the  same  light.     For  it  is  a 
known  truth,  that  to  quit,  abruptly,  the 
service  of  any  state  or  king,  by  which  an 
individual  has  been  paid,  for  the  direct 
purpose  of  fighting  under  the  banners 
of  his  adversary,  not  only  implies  de- 
sertion, but  justifies  the  imputation  of 
treachery  ;  but  it  must  be  allowed,  that 
that  is  a  man's  country,  where  he  has 
been  well  received,  and  to  which  he  has 
pledged  his  life  and  talents.     There  are 
certainly    shades    of   difference   in    the 
manner,  and  hi  the  motive,  of  quitting 
one  party  for  another.     It  is,  however, 
necessary  to  observe,  that  Count  Saint- 
Germain  sent  in  his  resignation,  and  re- 
turned the  cross  of  St.  Louis  previous  to 
his  entering  into  the  Danish  service,  and 
Count  Lany;allerie,  a  French  general-offi- 
cer, went  abruptly  from  the  French  army 
,  in  Italy  to  the  Austrian  army,  and  served 


T  R  A 


(     926    ) 


T  R  A 


in  the  same  capacity  the  day  after  his 
desertion.  Count  Bonneval  did  the 
same  from  the  Austrian  to  the  Turkish 
service.  Arnold  left  the  American  ser- 
vice to  come  to  the  British,  and  General 
Lee  left  the  British  for  the  American. 
The  best  proof  that  Count  de  St.  Ger- 
main was  not  in  disgrace  for  quitting 
the  service,  is  the  fact,  that  previous  to 
his  being  made  minister  at  war  by  Louis 
the  XVIth,  he  enjoyed  from  Louis  the 
XVth,  a  pension  of  10,000  livres  per 
annum. 

The  celebrated  Eugene  of  Savoy,  for 
instance,  may  be  considered  as  a  trans- 
fugc,  but  certainly  with  less  reproach  or 
disgrace  than  must  be  attached  to  Saint 
Germain;  since  the  latter  quitted  France 
from  peevishness,  and  unjustifiable  dis- 
gust ;  whereas  Prince  Eugene  (who  had 
never  received  any  commission  in  the 
French  army,  but  was,  on  the  contrary, 
rejected,  with  disdain,  by  Louis  the 
XIVrth,  when  he  applied  for  service)  was 
graciously  received  by  the  Emperor  of 
Germany,  and  remained  attached  to 
Austria,  which  became  his  country,  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  his  life.  There 
were  instances  of  both  kinds,  during 
our  contest  with  the  alienated  colonies 
of  America,  which  might  be  brought  in 
illustration  of  this  article.  The  French 
say  proverbially,  on  huit  les  transfuges 
plus  que  les  ennemis  mime,  one  hates  a 
tran sfuge,  or  a  turn-coat,  more  than  the 
enemies  themselves. 

TRANSMUTATION,  in  geometry, 
the  reducing,  or  changing,  owe  body 
into  another  of  the  same  solidity,  but 
of  a  different  figure;  as  a  triangle  into 
a  square;  a  pyramid  into  a  parallelo- 
piped,  ccc. 

TRANSOMS,  in  artillery,  pieces  of 
wood  v\  tuch  join  the  cheeks  of  gun- 
carriiiges;  there  is  but  one  in  a  truck- 
carriage,  placed  under  the  -trunnion- 
holes;  and  four  in  a  wheel-carriage,  the 
trail,  the  centre,  the  bed,  and  the  breast 
transoms. 

TRANSOM-p/a/gSi  with  hooks. 
There  is  one  on  each  side  of  the  side- 
piect  ,  iost  each  end  of  the  transom, 
the  bed-transom  excepted,  fastened  by 
two  ti ansom  bolts. 

n-om -/*///,  with  bars.    They  serve 
to  tie  tine  side-pieces  to  the  transom. 

I  ransom,  in  buylding,  a  piece  that  is 
Irani  .  ,     i      hie  window  light. 

TH  \  iSfittATION,  Fr.  This,  word 
is  used  I.;  the  French  in  hydraulics,  to 
signify  the  oozing  of  water  through  the 


pores  of  the  earth.  It  often  happens, 
in  digging  a  canal  through  sandy  ground, 
that  the  transpirations,  or  oozings,  are 
so  plentiful  as  not  to  leave  water  enough 
for  the  intended  purposes  of  navigation. 
This  occurred  at  New  Brisack,  when 
a  canal  was  dug  in  order  to  convey 
materials  for  its  fortifications.  The 
waters  having  been  let  in,  the  whole 
body  was  absorbed  in  the  space  of 
twenty-four  hours.  This  evil,  or  in- 
convenience, can,  however,  be  reme- 
died; as  may  be  seen  in  the  fourth 
volume  of  Belidor's  Architecture  Hy- 
draulique. 

TRANSPORT,  (vaisseau  de  trans- 
port, Fr.)  a  vessel  in  which  soldiers  are 
conveyed  on  the  sea. 

TKANSPORT-ioarrf,  an  office  in  Can- 
non Row,  Westminster,  which  was 
created  by  the  late  Mr.  Pitt,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  French  war  in 
1793,  but  has  been  abolished  in  18 IG, 
and  the  building  changed  into  the  Foreign 
Ollice. 

TRANSPORTATION,  the  act  of 
banishing,  or  sending  away,  a  criminal 
into  another  country. 

The  number  of  convicts  transported 
to  Botany  Bay  has,  of  late  years,  in- 
creased so  much,  that  regular  regiments 
are  sent  from  Europe  to  do  garrison 
dutv  in  that  quarter  of  the  globe. 

TRANSPOSTER,  Fr.  to  transfer, 
to  remove,  to  change  the  situation  of 
any  thing. 

Thansposter  les  files  et  les  rungs 
dHun  bataillon  duns  les  evolutions,  Fr. 
to  change  fi les  or  ranks  in  military  evo- 
lutions. To  countermarch  any  given 
number  of  men  so  as  to  place  the  right 
where  the  left  stood,  and  make  the 
front  rank  take  the  ground  that  was 
occupied  by  the  rear,  with  a  different 
aspect.     See  Countermarch. 

When  the  countermarch  is  effected 
on  the  centre,  or  by  a  central  conver- 
sion, the  French  use  the  phrase,  fai re 
Ic  moulinet,  from  the  similarity  of  move- 
ment round  a  central  point  ;  moulinet 
signifying  capstan,  turnstile,  &c. 

TRANSVERSE,  going  across  from 
the  right  to  the  left. 

TRAP.  See  Ambush,  Strata- 
gem, &c. 

TUAPE,  IV.  a  falling  door. 

TRAPEZE,   Fr.     See  Trapezium. 

TRAPEZIUM,  a  quadrilateral,  or 
square  figure,  whose  four  sides  and 
angles  are  unequal,  and  no  sides  arc 
parallel. 


T  R  A 


(    927    ) 


T  R  A 


TRAPEZOID,  (trcpezoide,  Fr.)  a 
figure  in  geometry,  which  is  formed  by 
the  circumvolution  of  a  trapezium,  in 
the  same  manner  that  a  cylinder  is  by 
that  of  a  parallelogram. 

TRAPPINGS.     See  Housings. 
TRATTES,    IV.    the  several    beams 
and  long  pieces  of  wood  which  support 
the  body  of  a  windmill. 

TRAVADE,  Fr.  a  whirlwind  ;  a  vio- 
lent squall  accompanied  by  thunder  and 
lightning. 

TRAVAILLER,  Fr.  to  work.  In 
mechanics,  to  warp,  to  open,  &c. 

Travailler  also  signifies,  in  a  fa- 
miliar sense,  to  work  upon  the  feelings, 
or  understanding,  of  a  person,  so  as  to 
impose  upon  him.  Travailler  les  es- 
prils  des  soldats,  to  work  upon  the 
minds  of  the  soldiery.  Travailler  un 
pays,  to  feel  the  pulse  of  a  country  by 
working  upon  the  minds  of  the  inha- 
bitants. 

Grand  TRAVAILLEUR,  Fr.  a  per- 
•son  who  gives  up  his  whole  time  to 
business, 

TRAVAILLEURS,  Fr.  literally, 
workmen.  In  military  matters,  pio- 
neers and  soldiers  employed  in  fatigue 
duties,  or  in  digging  trenches,  &c. 

Travailleurs  a  la  tranchee,  Fr.  a 
detachment  consisting  of  a  given  num- 
ber of  men  from  each  battalion,  which 
is  employed  in  the  trenches. 

TRAVAISON,  Fr.  entablature. 
TRAVAUX     militaires,     Fr.       See 
Military  Works. 

Travaux  avances,  Fr.  advanced 
works,  or  outworks.  The  same  as  pieces 
detuchees,  or  dehors.     See  Dehors. 

TRAVEE,  Fr.  a  bay  of  joists;  a 
scaffold. 

Travee  de  balustres,  Fr.  a  balustrade, 
or  row  of  rails  between  two  pillars,  or 
pedestals. 

Travee  de  pont,  Fr.  that  part  of 
the  floor  of  a  wooden  bridge  which  is 
between  two  rows  of  piles,  or  buttresses. 
TRAVELLING/orge.  See  Forge. 
TRAVERS,  Fr.  a  rope  which  is  used 
to  fasten  cannon  on  their  carriages,  &c. 
and  which  serves  for  various  other  pur- 
poses. 

TRAVERSE,  in  fortification,  is  a 
parapet  made  across  the  covert-way, 
opposite  to  the  salient  angles  of  the 
works,  near  the  place  of  arms,  to  pre- 
sent being  enfiladed.  Traverses  are  18 
feet  thick,  and  as  high  as  the  ridue  of 
the  glacis.     There  are  also    traverses 


made  by  caponiers;  but  then   they  art 
called  tambours. 

To  Traverse  a  gun,  or  mortar,  to 
bring  her  about  to  right  or  left  with 
hand-spikes,  till  she  is  pointed  exact 
to  the  object. 

Traverse,  in  horsemanship.  A  horse 
is  said  to  traverse  when  he  cuts  his 
tread  crosswise,  throwing  his  croupe  to 
one  side,  and  his  head  to  another. 

Traverse  contre  un  commandement, 
Fr.  an  elevation*  made  of  earth,  in  a 
bastion,  either  on  a  curtain,  or  on  any 
other  work  of  a  fortified  place,  for  the 
purpose  of  protecting  it  against  the  en- 
filading fire  of  an  enemy,  from  some 
commanding  spot. 

Traverse  d\Utaque,  Fr.  See  Place? 
d'armes. 

Traverse  de  tranchee,  Fr.  When 
an  engineer,  either  through  oversight, 
or  even  through  necessity,  has  exposed 
himself  to  the  enfilade  of  an  enemy's 
cannon,  he  leaves  a  certain  proportion 
of  the  field  terre-pleine  in  the  boyau 
of  the  trench,  in  order  to  conceal  from 
the  besieged  the  operations  in  that 
quarter.  This  is  called  traverse  de 
tranchee. 

Traverse  dans  le  fosse,  Fr.  a  sort 
of  trench  which  the  besiegers  make 
across  a  dry  ditch,  in  front  of  the  point 
of  a  bastion,  to  pass  the  miner  and 
those  that  are  ordered  to  assist  or  pro*- 
tect  him.  This  ditch  is  always  lined 
with  two  parapets  on  the  side  from 
which  the  besieged  fire,  and  it  is  mad* 
proof  against  fire-works. 

Traverse  du  chemin  convert,  Fr.  a 
body  of  earth,  or,  more  properly  speak- 
ing, a  parapet,  which  takes  up  the 
whole  width  of  the  covert-way,  and 
which  separates  the  branch,  or  side,  ' 
from  the  place  of  arms,  or  from  the 
salient  angle  that  is  in  front  of  the  half* 
moon. 

Traverse,  Traversier,  JV.  a  cross 
piece  of  timber. 

Traverse,  Fr.  a  cross  iron  bar; 
also  a  short  cut,  a  cross-way. 

Cheval  Traverse,  IV.  a  thick, 
broad-set,  well-trussed,  short-made, 
horse. 

Homme  Traverse,  Fr.  a  broad- 
shouldered,  broad-chested  man. 

TRAVERStE,  IV.  passage;  short 
trip  by  sea. 

TRAVERSER,  Fr.  to  cross,  to  mar, 
to  render  abortive. 

TRAVERSIER,  Fr.  a  passage  boat, 


T  R  A 


(     928    ) 


TRA 


which  lias  only  one  mast,  although  it 
frequently  carries  three  sails,  and  is 
sometimes  rowed.  In  the  Levant  it  is 
Called  tartaric  It  likewise  means  a 
wind  tliat  blows  into  port;  also  a  pon- 
toon. 

Perche   Traversier,    Fr.    a   cross- 
pole. 

TRAVERSIN,  Fr.  a  bolster,  such 
as  is  used  in  beds;  also  a  cross-beam, 
or  piece  of  timber,  in  a  ship. 

TRAVERSIN ES,  Fr.  pieces  of  tim- 
ber which  are  laid  across  a  dam,  or 
sluice,'  and  lie  square-ways  upon  the 
longrines,  (which  see)  and  which  con- 
stitute a  part  of  the  grating  that  is  laid 
as  a  foundation  in  the  assemblage  of 
the  boards  of  a  sluice;  the  other  pieces, 
which  lie  cross-ways,  are  also  called 
I raver sines. 

TRAVERSING,  in  fencing,  is  the 
change  of  ground  made  by  moving  to 
right  or  left  round  the  circle  of  defence. 

T raversing-// lat es,  in  gun-carriages, 
are  two  thin  iron  plates,  nailed  on  the 
hind  part  of  a  truck  carriage  of  guns, 
where  the  hand-spike  is  used  to  traverse 
the  gun. 

Traversing  platform,  a  method  of 
mounting  guns,  introduced  some  years 
back  for  the  defence  of  the  coast,  and 
generally  for  all  sea  batteries,  as  afford- 
ing greater  facility  of  traversing  the 
gun,  so  as  to  follow,  without  loss  of 
time,  any  quick  moving  object  on  the 
water.  In  this  system,  the  gun  is 
mounted  on  a  common  garrison  car- 
riage; but  instead  of  this  carriage  beinu; 
placed  and  working  on  a  fixed  platform, 
as  formerly,  it  works  and  recoils  on  a 
moveable  platform ;  or,  as  it  may  be 
more  properly  termed,  a  rail-way,  mov- 
ing round  a  centre  in  its  front,  on 
rollers,  the  axes  of  which  produced 
would  intersect  in  this  centre  of  mo- 
tion; so  that  this  platform,  with  the 
carriage  and  gun  upon  it,  may  be  tra- 
versed with  considerable  ease  in  any 
direction.  The  length  of  the  skids,  or 
rail-way,  on  which  the  upper  carriage 
recoils,  is  sixteen  feet,  and  the  hinder 
part  is  somewhat  higher  than  the  front, 
so  that  by  running  up  hill  the  recoil  is 
reduced,  and  the  facility  of  running  the 
gnu  out  again  much  increased. 

Anothei  advantage  of  the  traversing 
platform  is,  that  it  raises  the  gun  so 
that  it  may  be  fired  over  a  parapet 
without  embrasures,  which  gives  at  once 
more  security  to  the  artillerymen,  more 


scope  for  the  fire  of  the  gun,  and 
greater  strength  and  solidity  to  the  pa- 
rapet. 

Sir  William  Congreve,  the  inventor 
of  the  rockets,  has  brought  forward  an 
improvement  upon  the   traversing  plat- 
form,   by   which    the   upper  carriage  is 
dispensed  with ;    the    necessary    height 
for  firing  over  the  parapet  being  given 
by  the  lower  carriage,  or,  as  it  is  called, 
the  platform  itself.     In  this  construc- 
tion, the  gun  recoils   on   trucks  which 
work  upon  its  trunnions,  and  which  are. 
allowed   to  turn  as  the  gun    runs  out, 
but  are  palled  by  a   strong  catch  con- 
cealed in   the  trunnion,  which  prevents 
their  turning  when  the  gun  recoils;  the 
elevation    being   regulated   by    a    small 
cast  iron   cradle   also  attached   to   the 
trunnions.     This  construction  not  only 
very  much  reduces  the  expense  of  the 
traversing  platform,  by  saving  the  upper 
carriage,  but  gives  much  greater  ease  in 
working    the  gun ;    for    by    palling   the 
trucks  the  recoil   is  diminished,  and  by 
getting  rid  of  the  weight  of  the  upper 
carriage   the  men   have   little  more    to 
move  than  the  gun,  instead  of  having, 
in  addition   to  it,  a  heavy  carriage  also 
to  run  out.     There  is  also  a  very  im- 
portant   advantage    attending    this    im- 
provement, namely,    the    reduction    of 
vulnerable  space  for  the  enemy's   shot 
to  strike;  for  not  only  is  the  length  of 
the  skids,  or  platform,   itself  reduced, 
but  all  the  surface  of  the  upper  carriage 
is  entirely  done  away  with,  at  the  same 
time   that,  by   the    diminution  of   the 
general  weight,  it  is  evident  that  it  re- 
quires less  labour  to  traverse  the  plat- 
form, as  well  as  to  fight  the  gun.     This 
system  of   mounting  guns,  by   putting 
the    trucks   upon    the    trunnions,   and 
placing   those    trucks    immediately   on 
the  skids  of  the  traversing  platform,  has 
been  offered  by  Sir  William  Congreve  as 
being  particularly   well   adapted  to  the 
arming  of  the  Martello  Towers,  which 
have    been   deemed   too  small  for    the 
number   of    guns    originally    intended, 
namely,  one  long  gun  and  two  short  ones. 
The  diameter  of  the  interior  of  the  top 
of  these   towers  is   twenty-six    feet:    it 
occurred  to  Sir  William  Congreve  that 
his  method  of  putting  the  trucks  upon 
the  trunnions  of  the  gun  brings  the  gun 
so   near    to    the  skids  of  the  platform 
that  a  platform  so  constructed  might  be 
laid  upon  the  upper  surface  of  the  pa- 
rapet of  a  martello  tower,  without  ex- 


T  R  A 


(     929    ) 


TRA 


posing  more  or  even  so  much  surface  as  at  j  one  foot  ten  inches  high,  preserving  all 
present,  where  the  platform  is  kept  with-  the    thickness  of  masonry    entire,   and 


in  the  parapet;  for  the  muzzle  cf  the  gun 
would  be  no  higher  in  one  case  than  in 
the  other.  On  this  principle,  therefore, 
Sir  William  Congreve  proposed  to  take 
four  feet  all  round  the  tower  for  the 
ends  of  his  platform  to  work  upon,  which 
would  at  once  virtually  make  a  tower 
of  twenty-six  feet  in  diameter  equal  to 
one  of  thirty-four  feet;  that  is  to  say, 
it  actually  gives  the  area  of  a  circle  ot 
thirty-four  feet  diameter  for  the  guns 
to  work  in,  instead  of  one  of  only 
twenty-six  feet ;  and  thus  would  afford 
abundant  area  for  the  three  guns  ori- 
ginally intended.  But  this  is  not  all; 
for  by  this  plan  there  is  actually  less  of 
the  space  in  the  area  within  the  para- 
pet occupied  by  the  three  improved 
traversing  platforms  than  by  one  on 
the  old  construction  :  the  latter  com- 
pletely occupies  a  space  of  sixteen  feet 
in  length  by  five  in  breadth;  whereas 
all  the  skids  of  Sir  \Y.  Congreve's  three 
platforms  are  above  the  men's  heads, 
so  that  they  may  pass  freely  to  and  fro 
in  all  directions  under  them,  having 
every  where  six  feet  six  inches  head- 
way; nor  is  there  any  part  of  these 
platforms  that  takes  up  any  of  the 
space  of  the  area,  except  two  perpen- 
dicular legs  of  eight  inches  square  to 
each  platform,  on  which  the  rear  of  the 
platforms  is  supported.  To  these  ad- 
vantages are  to  be  added  the  greater 
facility,  as  above  explained,  of  work- 
ing the  gun,  and  also  that  the  muzzle 
is  by  these  means  thrown  forward  be- 
yond the  parapet,  which  gives  a  power 
of  greater  depression,  and  prevents  the 
possibility'  of  accident  to  the  parapet 
from  the  explosion  of  the  gun  when 
depressed. 

There  is  another  most  important  im- 
provement in  the  practice  of  fortifica- 
tion, which  Sir  William's  traversing 
platform  has  given  rise  to,  and  which 
teas  first  matured  with  the  assistance  of 
Captain  Lefebure  of  the  Engineers,  and 
brought  before  the  committee-  of  that 
corps  upwards  of  two  years  since:  it  is 
the  inversion  of  the  embrasures  of  case- 
mated  defences,  that  is  to  say,  the  pre- 
senting of  the  small  aperture  of  the 
embrasure  to  the  enemy  instead  of  the 
large  one.  Thus,  in  an  embrasure  of 
this  description,  which  Sir  William  Con- 
greve has  constructed,  he  can  fight  a 
twenty-four  pounder  through  an  aper- 


allowing  the  piece  a  field  or  scope  of 
thirty  degrees  with  the  ordinary  power 
of  elevation  and  depression;  to  obtain 
all  which  on  the  common  principle 
requires  an  exterior  aperture  of  six  feet 
high  and  six  feet  wide.  Now  the  whole 
of  this  depends  on  the  extraordinary 
compactness  of  the  platform,  and  its 
piece  of  ordnance,  as  mounted  by  put- 
ting trucks  on  the  trunnions  of  the  gun, 
or  On  the  trunnion  bolt  of  the  car- 
ronade,  and  to  the  greatly  increased 
facility  of  working  either,  especially  the 
latter,  which  the  trucks  afford :  for  by 
these  means,  the  gun  or  carronade,  in- 
stead of  being  obliged,  as  in  the  common 
mode,  to  be  worked  in  the  body  of  the 
casemate,  is  here  actually  worked  in 
the  thickness  of  the  wall  itself  so  that 
in  the  carronade  as  well  as  in  the  gun,, 
the  muzzle  is  actually  protruded  through 
the  embrasure,  and  is  fired  in  free 
space:  whence  result  all  the  following 
important  comparative  advantages. 

The  common  embrasure  acts  as  a 
widely  extended  funnel  to  lead  the 
enemy's  shot  into  the  body  of  the  case- 
mate, and  is  particularly  objectionable 
on  this  account  as  to  grape  shot,  and 
presents  a  large  line  of  edge  to  be, 
chipped  and  ruined  by  the  enemy's  shot. 

In  the  inverted  embrasure,  the  shot, 
whether  round  or  grape,  must  strike  a 
space  of  eighteen  inches  by  two  and 
twenty  inches  to  enter;  a  very  small 
quantity  of  grape  shot,  therefore  can 
take  effect,  and  a  proportionahly  less 
line  of  edge  is  presented  to  be  destroyed 
by  round  shot. 

In  the  common  embrasure,  the 
explosion  of  firing  the  gun  takes  place 
within  the  arch,  from  which  not  only  is 
the  masonry  constantly  shaken  by  fi- 
ring a  few  rounds,  but  the  noise  and 
smoke  rebound  into  the  body  of  the 
casemate  greatly  to  the  annoyance  of 
the  men. 

In  the  inverted  embrasure,  the 
muzzle  when  fired  being  projected  into 
free  space,  no  accident  or  jar  can  pos- 
sibly happen  to  the  masonry  from  the 
explosion;  nor  does  the  smoke,  or  the 
report,return  into  the  casemate  as  above. 

Another  advantage  is,  that  such  an 
embrasure  may  be  close  to  the  bottom 
of  the  ditch  without  danger  of  being 
stormed,  and  that  in  fact  it  requires  no 
prevention  against  such  attack,  as  when 


ture  only  one  foot  six  inches  wide,  and  the  gun  is  iu  it6  place  a  man  cannot 

a  C 


T  R  A 

possibly   force   himself  in. 


(     030     ) 


T  R  A 


Nor  does 
there  in  fact  appear  any  drawback  to 
these  obvious  advantages;  for  the  load- 
ing and  firing  goes  on  with  the  same 
rapidity  or  even  greater  than  in  the 
common  mode:  the  gun  or  carronade 
necessarily  recoiling  when  fired  far 
enough  to  be  loaded  with  perfect  ease, 
and  allowing,  by  the  application  of  the 
trucks  as  already  explained,  of  being 
run  out  again  with  even  greater  facility 
than  by  any  other  construction  hitherto 
devised;  in  so  much  that  the  heavier 
the  nature  of  ordnance,  the  greater  is 
the  comparative  advantage. 

We  shall  conclude  this  article  by 
stating  that  Sir  William  Congreve  has 
applied  this  same  principle  of  gun  and 
carronade  carriage  very  successfully  to 
naval  purposes,  several  ships  having 
already  been  armed  on  his  plan.  Hav- 
ing therefore  already  given  a  general 
idea  of  the  construction,  the  principles 
of  which  are  common  to  all  its  applica- 
tions, we  shall  here  only  take  notice  of 
the  advantages  proposed  by  it  on  ship 
board. 

First.  Sir  William  Congreve  has  con- 
trived, in  the  application  of  the  princi- 
ples of  his  traversing  platform  to  the  sea 
service,  to  give  all  the  advantages  of 
quick  pointing,  and  of  the  diminution  of 
labour  in  a  space  not  exceeding  that  occu- 
pied In/  the  common  gun  carriage,  in  so 
much  that  the  heavy  guns  in  a  line  of 
battle  ship  will  not  require  more  than 
half  the  ordinary  number  of  men  to  fight 
them,  without  taking  up  more  room  than 
is  now  required  for  the  common  carriage. 

Secondly.  A  gun  mounted  on  this 
principle  will  recoil  much  more  smooth- 
ly, and  without  jumping  as  the  com- 
mon gun  carriage  does,  when  fired  ;  not 
only  because  it  is  confined  to  the  port- 
sill  and  cannot  rise,  but  because  the 
plane  on  which  it  recoils  is  so  much 
nearer  the  axis  of  the  piece;  for  as  Sir 
\\  illiaro  Congreve  has  demonstrated,  the 
jumping  of  the  common  carriage  is  ow- 
ing to  the  height  of  the  gun  above  the 
plane  of  the  deck,  on  which  it  recoils; 
this  height  acting  as  a  lever  to  tip  the 
carriage  over  backwards  when  the  gun 
is  fired,  and  so  producing  a  double  mo- 
tion in  the  recoil,  first  raising  the  fore 
trucks  and  then  the  hind  ones  off  the 
deck  ;  all  which  he  proves  to  be  obviated 
by  putting  the  trucks  on  which  the  gun 
recoils  on  its  own  trunnions,  and  thereby 
getting  rid  of  the  lever  which  produces 
the  mischief. 


Thirdly.  The  actual  weight  of  the  sea 
service  gun  carriage  is  reduced  by  this 
mode  of  mounting  ship  guns. 

Fourthly.  The  new  carriage  presents 
considerably  less  vulnerable  surface  than 
the  common  carriage,  and  consequently 
less  is  to  be  feared  from  splinters  ;  nor 
has  the  new  carriage  the  same  liability 
to  rot  the  decks,  as  the  air  circulates 
freely  underneath  it  instead  of  its  caus- 
ing a  continual  dampness,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  present  carriage;  seamen  will 
feel  the  force  of  this  property. 

Fifthly.  By  this  construction  the 
muzzle  of  a  short  gun  may  be  run  out 
as  far  as  that  of  the  long  gun  can  be 
with  the  common  carriage. 

Sixthly.  This  carriage  allows  of  very 
greatly  more  training  than  a  common 
carriage,  owing  to  the  comparative  dif- 
ference of  breadth  and  to  its  working  on 
a  fixed  center;  thus  it  may  be  traversed 
90°.  This  is  a  most  important  point 
gained,  and  yet, 

Seventhly,  it  does  not  require,  to  give 
this  power  of  training,  a  port  so  wide  as 
the  common  port  by  nine  inches  of  a 
side,  which  is  obviously  of  great  conse- 
quence, both  to  the  strength  of  the  ship 
and  the  security  of  the  men  at  the  guns 
against  musketry  and  grape  shot, 

Eighthly.  The  span  of  this  carriage  is 
so  much  less  than  that  of  the  common 
carriage,  that  four  of  them,  if  required, 
might  be  put  in  the  space  of  three  com- 
mon carriages,  leaving  the  same  inter- 
vals, yet  it  cannot  be  overset  as  it  works 
on  a  fixed  center. 

Ninthly.  This  carriage  may  be  housed 
fore  and  aft  so  as  not  to  lake  up  more 
than  two  feet  from  the  breadth  of  the 
deck,  or  in  bad  weather  it  may  be  secured 
athwart  ship  without  occupying  more 
room  than  the  common  carriage.  It  is 
however  capable  of  better  security,  and 
may  be  housed  so  as  to  take  off  all  strain 
whatever  from  the  side  of  the  ship,  and 
to  prevent  the  possibility  of  its  stirring, 
as  it  allows  of  direct  lashings  to  ring  bolts 
on  the  deck,  which  the  common  carriage 
will  not  any  how  admit  of,  and  must 
therefore  always  have  some  motion  in  a 
gale  of  wind. 

Lastly.  Notwithstanding  all  these 
points,  which  would  appear  to  be  the 
result  of  a  complicated  machine,  the 
construction  of  this  carriage  is  so  simple, 
that  it  is  actually  easier  repaired  at  sea 
than  a  common  carriage,  and  is  even  less 
perishable  :  in  fine,  it  requires  nothing 
but  common   square  scantling,  and  the 


TEE 


(     931     ) 


T  R  E 


work  of  any  ship  carpenter.  Sir  William 
Congreve  has  published  an  account  of 
this  important  improvement  in  mounting 
heavy  artillery,  with  a  series  of  plates 
explanatory  of  the  different  modes  of 
construction  and  advantages,  and  we 
understand  that  he  has  a  patent  for  the 
invention. 

TRAVESTISSEMENT,  Fr.  disguise. 
In  the  old  French  service,  it  was  or- 
dained, that  no  dragoon,  or  foot  soldier, 
should  change  his  uniform  or  regimentals 
whilst  in  garrison,  nor  within  the  boun- 
daries of  it.  Every  infraction  of  this 
order  was  punished  with  three  months 
imprisonment. 

TRAUiMATICK,  vulnerary;  useful 
to  wounds;   as  traumatick  decoction. 

TRAVOIS,  Fr.  a  frame,  cieling,  or 
floor,  made  with  beams  or  thick  planks. 

TRAVONAISON,  Fr.  an  arched 
frame,  deling,  or  floor,  made  of  beams. 

TRAYOXIZER  la  muraille,  Fr.  to 
arch  or  floor  a  wall  over  with  a  frame  of 
beams,  &c. 

TRAVONS  ou  SOMMIERS,  Fr.  the 
principal  pieces  of  timber  which  run 
across  a  wooden  bridge,  not  only  to  sup- 
port the  cross-beams,  but  also  to  bear 
the  pile-work  underneath. 

TRAYNE,  Fr.  a  large  round  post,  or 
piece  of  timber  like  an  apple-tree  ;  also 
a  dray  without  wheels. 

TREACHERY,  perfidy  ;  breach  of 
faith  ;  of  all  other  acts,  the  most  disho- 
nourable in  military  life. 

TREAD  (of  a  horse)  is  good,  if  it  be 
firm,  without  resting  more  on  one  side 
of  the  foot  than  upon  the  other,  or  let 


appointed  by  the  treasury,  to  take  charge 
of  all  monies  issued  for  the  ordnance 
service.  His  salary  is  5607.  per  annum. 
In  May,  180G,  a  bill  was  brought  into 
the  House  of  Commons  for  regulating  the 
ollice  of  treasurer  of  the  ordnance,  by 
which  bill  it  is  specifically  ordered,  that 
all  monies  shall  be  paid,  instanter,  into 
the  Bank  of  England;  the  same  being 
placed  to  his  credit,  for  the  use  of  the 
public.  In  order  to  protect  public  pro- 
perty, securities  are  required  from  every 
person  holding  this  situation,  and  this 
is,  or  ought  to  be,  the  case  with  every 
public  accountant. 

Treasurer's  office.  The  office  of  the 
treasurer  of  the  ordnance  is  at  theTower, 
where  all  payments  are  made  for  that 
service.  He  has  a  chief  clerk  with  sub- 
ordinate assistants  under  him.  This  of- 
fice, like  that  of  the  surveyor  general, 
communicates  with  the  board  in  Pali- 
Mall. 

TREBUCHET,  Fr.  an  ancient  ma- 
chine for  throwing  stones,  for  which 
purpose  a  sling  was  sometimes  fixed  on 
it.  It  acted  by  means  of  a  great  weight 
fastened  to  the  short  arm  of  a  lever, 
which  being  let  fall,  raised  the  end  of 
the  long  arm  with  great  velocity. 

Trebuchet,  Fr.  a  trap. 

Se  trouver  pris  uu  Trebuchet,  Fr. 
to  be  caught  in  a  trap.  This  was  the 
case  of  the  French  at  Moscow,  in  1812. 

TRECHETOR,   ^   one  who    betrays 

TRECHEUR,  S  a  place,  or  body 
of  men  ;  an  obsolete  word. 

TREE  of  a  saddle,  the  wooden  part 
of  a  saddle  which  is  covered  with  leather. 


ting  down  the  toe  or  heel  one  before  the  The  French  say,  fust  de  selle. 
other  ;  for  if  he  should  let  his  heels  first 
to  the  ground,  then  it  is  a  sign  that  lie  j 
is  foundered  in  his  feet;  but  if  he  should 


TREEKS,  the  iron  hoops  about  a  cart. 

TREFLE,  Fr.  trefoil ;   a  term    used 

in  mining,   from    the  similarity  of  the 


set  his  toes  first  to  the.  ground,  it  shews  j  figure  to  trefoil.     The  simple  trefle  has 
that  he  has  been  a  draught-horse;  there- 1  only  two  lodgments;    the  double  trefle 


fore  the  whole  foot  should  be  set  down 
equally  at  the  same  instant  of  time,  and 
turned  neither  out  nor  in. 

TREASON,  disloyalty  ;  treachery  ; 
perfidious  dealing. 

High  Treason,  an  offence  against  the 
security  of  the  commonwealth,  or  of  the 
king's  majesty,  whether  by  imagination, 
word  or  deed.  It  is  a  capital  crime,  and 
subjects  the  offender  not  only  to  loss  of 
life,  but  alsa  to  forfeiture  of  all  he  may 
possess. 

TREASURER,  (Irisorier,  Fr.)  one 
who  has  care  of  money ;  one  who  has 
charge  of  money. 

Treasurer  of  the  ordnance,  a  person 


four;  and  the  triple  one  six. 

Trefle,  Fr.  fringe;  any  ornament 
which  is  affixed  to  the  extremities  of 
things;  as  the  fringe  of  a  shoulder-knot, 

Afi/je-TREFLEE,  Fr.  a  mine  having 
three  chambers. 

TREILLAGE,  Fr.  any  assemblage 
of  wood  which  is  laid  cross-ways.  Of 
which  description  are  the  palisadoes,  &c. 
in  gardens. 

TREILLIS,  Fr.  the  method  that  is 
used  in  copying  plans,  &c.  It  consists 
of  a  certain  arrangement  of  straight 
lines,  which  being  measured  at  equal 
distances  from  one  another,  and  crossed 
6  C3 


T  R  E 


(     932     ) 


T  11  E 


from  right  to  left,  represents  a  quantity 
of  small  equal  squares.  This  arrange- 
ment, or  disposition  of  lines,  is  used  by 
painters,  engravers,  and  engineers,  in 
taking  accurate  copies  of  plans,  &c.  and 
is  called  by  the  French  trcillis. 

TREILLISSER,Fr.  to  trellis,  to  fur- 
nish with  a  trellis. 

TRELLIS,  (treille,  Fr.)  an  assem- 
blage or  setting  together  of  wooden  or 
iron  bars,  which  cross  one  another  in  a 
straight  line,  or  slopingly;  the  use  of  it 
being  chiefly  for  wall-fruit  trees,  or  to 
surmount  low  walls,  in  order  that  run- 
ning sprigs,  &c.  may  grow  along  them. 

Wire  Trellis,  a  trellis  made  of  iron 
wire. 

TREMEAU,  Fr.  an  ancient  term  in 
fortification.  See  Mortar. 
TREMIE,  Fr.  a  mill-hopper. 
TREMION,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  piece 
of  timber  which  supports  the  mill-hop- 
per. Tremion  also  signifies  the  wooden 
bar  which  serves  to  support  the  dossel 
of  a  chimney. 

TREMPE,  Fr.  the  temper  of  a  wea- 
pon ;  also  the  disposition  or  composition 
of  the  mind;  as  esprit  (Cune  bonne  on 
mauvaise  trempe,  a  good  or  bad  disposi- 
tion :  also  corps  (Tunc  bonne  trempe,  a 
robust  bodv. 

TREMPER,  Fr.  literally  to  soak,  to 
drench;  tremper  dans  une  conspiration, 
to  be  concerned  in  a  conspiracy. 
TRENCHANT,  Fr.  sharp  or  cutting. 
TRENCHER,  the  same  as  tampion. 
Trenchers  fire  sometimes  made  of  green 
wood,  when  the  ball  is  hot.  See  Tam- 
pion. 

TRENCHES,  in  a  siege,  are  ditches 
made  by  the  besiegers,  that  they  may 
approach  more  securely  to  the  place  at- 
tacked ;  on  which  account  they  are  also 
called  lines  of  approach.  The  tail  of 
the  trench  is  the  place  where  it  was 
begun,  and  its  head  is  the  place  where 
it  ends. 

Trenches  are  also  made  to  guard  an 
encampment. 

The  trenches  are  usually  opened  or 
begun  in  the  night-time,  sometimes  within 
musket-shot,  and  sometimes  within  half 
or  whole  cannon-shot  of  the  place;  ge- 
nerally about  800  toises.  They  are  car- 
ried on  in  winding  lines,  nearly  parallel 
to  the  works,  so  as  not  to  be  in  view  of 
the  enemy,  nor  exposed  to  his  shot. 

The  workmen  employed  in  the 
trenches  are  always  supported  by  a 
number  of  troops  to  defend  them  against 


and  other  workmen,  sometimes  work  ofa 
their  knees,  and  are  usually  covered 
with  mantlets  or  saucissons;  and  the 
troops  who  support  them  lie  flat  on 
their  faces,  in  order  to  avoid  the  enemy's 
shot.  On  the  angles,  or  sides  of  the 
trench,  there  are  lodgments,  or  epaule- 
ments,  in  form  of  traverses,  the  better  to 
hinder  the  sallies  of  the  garrison,  and 
to  favour  the  advancement  of  the 
trenches,  and  to  sustain  the  workmen. 

The  platforms  for  the  batteries  are 
made  behind  the  trenches;  the  first  at  a 
good  distance,  to  be  used  only  against 
the  sallies  of  the  garrison.  As  the  ap- 
proaches advance,  the  batteries  are 
brought  nearer,  to  ruin  the  defences  of 
the  place,  and  dismount  the  artillery  of 
the  besieged.  The  breach-batteries  are 
made  when  the  trenches  are  advanced 
near  the  covert-way. 

If  there  are  two  attacks,  it  will  he 
necessary  to  have  lines  of  communica* 
tion,  or  boyaus,  between  the  two,  with 
places  of  arms  at  convenient  distances. 
The  trenches  are  6  or  7  feet  high  with 
the  parapet,  which  is  5  feet  thick,  with 
banquettes  for  the  soldiers  to  mount 
upon. 

The  approaches  at  a  siege  are  gene>- 
rally  carried  on  upon  the  capitals  of  the 
works  attacked ;  because  the  capitals 
produced  are,  of  all  other  situations  in 
the  front  of  a  work,  the  least  exposed  to 
the  fire  of  either  the  cannon  or  mus» 
ketry;  and  are  the  least  in  the  line  of 
fire  between  the  besieged  and  besieger's 
batteries.  But  if,  from  particular  cir- 
cumstances, these  or  other  advantages  do 
not  attend  the  approaches  upon  the 
capitals,  they  are  by  no  means  to  be  pre- 
ferred to  other  positions. 

The  trenches  of  communication,  or 
zig-zags,  are  3  feet  deep,  10  feet  wide 
at  bottom,  and  13  feet  at  top,  having  a 
berm  of  one  foot,  beyond  which  the 
earth  is  thrown  to  form  a  parapet. 

The  parallels,  or  places  of  arms  of 
the  trenches,  are  3  feet  deep,  12  feet 
wide  at  bottom,  and  17  or  18  feet  wide 
at  top,  having  a  banquette  of  about  3 
feet  wide,  with  a  slope  of  nearly  as  much. 

On  the  first  night  of  opening  the 
trenches,  the  greatest  exertions  are  made 
to  take  advantage  of  the  enemy's  igno- 
rance as  to  the  side  of  attack  ;  and  they 
are  generally  carried  on  as  far  in  ad- 
vance as  the  first  parallel, and  even  some- 
times to  the  completion  of  that  work. 
The  workmen  set  out  on  this  duty,  each 


the  sallies  of  the  besieged.   The  pioneers,   with  a  fascine  of  6  feet,  a  pick-axe  and 


TRE 


(     933    ) 


TRE 


a  shovel;  and  the  fascines  being  laid  so 
as  to  lap  one  foot  over  each  other,  leave 
5  feet  of  trench  for  each  man  to  dig. 

The    usual  method    of  directing  the 
trenches   or   zigzags,    is    by    observing, 
during   the  day,  some  near  object  in  a 
line  with  the  salient  parts  of  the  work, 
and  which  may  serve  as  a  direction  in 
the  night;  or  if  the  night  be  not  very 
dark,  the  angles  of  the  works  may  be 
seen   above   the   horizon ;    but  as  both 
these    methods   are    subject   to    uncer- 
tainty, the  following  is  proposed  to  an- 
swer every  case  : — Having  laid  down  the 
plan  of  attack,  the  exact   positions  of 
the  flanked  angles  of  the  works  of  the 
front  attacked,  and  particularly  of  those 
most  extended   to  the  right   and    left; 
mark   on    the   plan   the    point  of  com- 
mencement for  the  first  portions  of  zig- 
zag, the  point  where  it  crosses  the  capital, 
and  the  point  to  which  it  extends  on  the 
other  side  of  the  capital :  this  last  point 
will  be  the  commencement  of  the  second 
branch ;  then  mark  oft'  the  point  where 
this  branch  crosses  the  capital,  and  its 
extent  on  the  other  side;  and  this  will 
give   the   commencement   of  the   third 
branch;  and  so  on  for  the  others.    Thus 
provided  with  a  plan  ready  marked  off, 
it  will  be  very  easy,  even  in  the  darkest 
night,  to  lay  down  the  points  where  the 
zig-zags  are  to  cross  the  capital,  and  the 
points  to  which  they  are  to  be  produced 
beyond  them. — The  first  parallel  is  ge- 
nerally run  about  600  yards  from  the 
place,  and  of  such  extent  as  to  embrace 
the  prolongation  of  the  faces  of  all  the 
works  which  fire  upon  the  trenches;  and 
each  end  has  a   return  of  about  30  or 
40  yards. 

The  second  parallel  is  constructed 
upon  the  same  principles,  and  of  the 
same  extent  as  the  first,  at  the  distance 
of  about  300  yards  from  the  salient 
angles  of  the  covert-way. — This  parallel 
is  usually  formed  of  gabions;  each 
workman  carrying  a  gabion,  a  fascine, 
a  shovel,  and  a  pick-axe. — After  this  the 
trenches  are  usually  carried  on  by  sap. 
The  half  parallels  are  about  140  or 
150  yards  from  the  covert-way,  and  ex- 
tend sufficiently  on  each  side  to  embrace 
the  prolongation  of  the  branches  of  the 
covert-way. 

The  third  parallel  must  not  be  nearer 
than  the  foot  of  the  glacis,  or  it  will 
mask  the  ricochet  batteries.  It  is  gene- 
rally made  rather  wider  than  the  other 
parallels. 


Cavaliers  of  the  trenches  must  not  be 
nearer  than  28  yards  from  the  covert- 
way,  or  they  will  be  liable  to  be  annoyed 
by  hand-grenades. 

Returns  of  a  Trench  are  the  elbows 
and  turnings,  which  form  the  lines  of 
approach,  and  are  made,  as  near  as  can 
be,  parallel  to  the  place,  to  prevent  their 
being  enfiladed. 

2b  mount  the  Trenches  is  to  mount 
guard  in  the  trenches,  which  is  generally 
done  in  the  night. 

To  relieve  the  Trenches  is  to  relieve? 
the  guard  of  the  trenches. 

To  scour  the  Trenches  is  to  make  a 
vigorous  sally  upon  the  guard  of  the 
trenches,  force  them  to  give  way,  and 
quit  their  ground,  drive  away  the  work- 
men, break  down  the  parapet,  fill  up  the 
trench,  and  nail  the  cannon. 

Counter-T  rescues  are  trenches  made 
against  thehesiegers;  which  consequently 
have  their  parapet  turned  against  the  ene- 
my's approaches,  and  are  enfiladed  horn 
several  parts  of  the  place,  on  purpose  to 
render  them  useless  to  the  enemy,  it 
they  shoutd  chance  to  become  masters 
of  them;  but  they  should  not  be  enfi- 
laded, or  commanded  by  any  height  in 
the  enemy's  possession. 

To  open  the  Trenches  is  to  break 
ground  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on 
approaches  to  a  besieged  place. 

TBENCH-wasrer.  In  former  times  there 
was  an  otiicer  of  this  description.  He 
had  the  command  over  all  the  pioneers,- 
under  the  directions  of  the  master-ge- 
neral of  the  ordnance,  who  was  then 
actively  employed,  and  it  was  his  duty 
to  see  all  manner  of  trenches  cast  up, 
whether  for  guard  and  inclosing  ot  the 
camp,  or  for  any  other  particular  pur- 
pose to  annoy  the  enemy.  He  was  some- 
times called  Devisour,  from  the  French 
deviser,  of  the  fortifications  to  be  made. 
TRKNTE-«>  mois,  ¥r.  thirty-six 
months :  a  sea-phrase.  By  this  term 
was  understood  among  the  French  be- 
fore the  Revolution,  un  engage,  a  person 
who  hired  himself  for  that  period  to 
another,  on  condition  that  the  latter 
defrayed  his  passage  to  the  Fast  Indies; 
after  the  expiration  of  which  term,  the 
former  was  at  liberty  to  settle  in  that 
country. 

TREPAN,  Fr.  an  instrument  which 
is  used  to  find  out  the  quality  of  any 
ground  into  which  beams  or  stakes  aie 
to  be  driven. 

This   instrument    likewise   serves   ta 


TRE 


(     934     ) 


T  R  I 


cive  air  in  the  gallery  of  a  mine,  and 
its  necessity  is  discovered  by  means  of  a 
lighted  candle,  when  it  ceases  to  blaze. 

TREPAN,  (trepan,  Fr.)  an  instru- 
ment by  which  surgeons  cut  out  round 
pieces  of  the  skull.  Also  a  snare;  a 
stratagem,  by  which  any  one  is  ensnared. 
To  Trepan,  (trepaner,  Fr.)  to  per- 
forate with  an  instrument  of  that  name. 
TREPAN DRIOxNT,  in  surgery,  an  in- 
strument used  to  cut  out  a  small  bone. 

TREPAN ER  une  mine,  Fr.  to  let 
fresh  it i r  into  a  mine. 

TREPHINE,  a  small  trepan;  a 
smaller  instrument  of  perforation  ma- 
naged by  one  hand. 

TREFTGMER,Fr.  to  clatter;  in  horse- 
manship it  is  used  to  describe  the  action 
of  a  horse  who  beats  the  dust  with  his 
fore  teet  in  managing,  without  em- 
bracing the  volt;  who  makes  his  motions 
and  time  short  and  near  the  ground, 
without  being  put  upon  his  haunches. 
This  defect  is  usually  occasioned  by  a 
weakness  in  the  shoulders. 

TRESOR,  Fr.  the  military  chest. 
TRESORIER,  Fr.  paymaster.  There 
were   formerly  on   the  French  military 
establishment  two  classes  of  paymasters- 


treasurers,  or  paymasters-general  of  the 
forces. 

Tresoriers  des  gratifications,  Fr. 
treasurers,  or  paymasters  of  compensa- 
tions, gratuities,  cxc. 

Tresoriers  de  la  private  de  t'hutel, 
Fr.  treasurers,  or  paymasters  of  the  pro- 
vost-marshal's department  at  the  hotel, 
or  town-hall  in  Paris. 

Le  Trksorier  general  de  I'artillcrie, 
Fr.  the  treasurer  or  paymaster-general 
of  the  artillery. 

Le  Tresorier  general  des  fortifica- 
tions, Fr.  the  treasurer,  or  paymaster- 
general  of  fortifications. 

All  these  treasurers,  or  paymasters, 
were  subject  to  their  several  comptrol- 
lers of  accounts,  and  their  issues,  &c. 
were  audited  accordingly.  There  were 
likewise  provincial,  or  subordinate  pay- 
masters of  the  extraordinaries  of  the 
army.  They  were  appointed  by  the 
treasurers,  or  paymasters-general,  and 
resided  in  the  different  departments  and 
general  districts  of  the  kingdom. 

TRESSELS,  pieces  of  wood  used  to 
support  any  thing. 

TREVE,  Fr.     See  Truce. 

Treve  da  seigneur,  Fr.  a  particular 


viz.  tresoriers  de  I'ordinaire,  and  ire-  law,  or  injunction,  that  was  passed  under 
soriers  de  U  extraordinaire,  paymasters,  I  Henry  II.  king  of  France,  in  the  year 
or  treasurers,  for  the  ordinary  expenses  1041,  by  which  all  duels  and  private 
of  the  service,  and  ditto  for  the  extra-  j  combats  were  forbidden  from  Wednes- 
ordinary.     The  latter  were  accountable  |  dav  night  until  the  morning  of  the  Mon- 


to  government  for  a  just  distribution  of 
stores  and  provisions,  and  gave  in  their 


day   following.     President    Henaut    re- 
marks, that  this  was  all  which  could,  in 


estimates  and  vouchers  to  the  comptrol- ;  those  days,  be  effected  by  royal  autho- 
Jer   general's   officer    in    Paris.      These  I  rity  and   interference,  to  prevent   men 


were  formerly  called  clercs  du  tresor  ou 
paycurs,  clerks  attached  to  the  military 
chest  or  paymasters.  They  were  partly 
the  same  as  our  paymasters  and  com- 
missaries-general on  service. 

During  the  old  monarchy  in  France 
there  were  several  treasurers,  or  pay- 
masters general  in  ordinary,  belonging  to 
the  army,  who  had  their  several  depart- 
ments, &c. 

Tresoriers  de  la  gendarmerie  e.t  des 
troupes  de  la  maison  du  roi,  Fr.  trea- 
surers, or  paymasters,  attached  to  the 
gendarmes  and  the  king's  household. 

Tresoriers  de  I 'extraordinaire  de 
guerre,  Fr.  treasurers,  or  paymasters  of 
the  extraordinaries  of  the  army. 

Iresoriers  des  murcchauss'ees  de 
trance,  Fr.  treasurers,  or  paymasters, 
of  the  marshalsey,  or  armed  police  of 
France. 

Tresoriers  payeurs  des  troupes,  Fr. 


from  killing  one  another. 

TRE  VET,  (tripled,  Fr.)  any  thing 
that  stands  upon  three  legs;  an  iron  in- 
strument to  set  a  pot,  or  saucepan  on 
over  the  fire.  It  is  likewise  used  in 
field  ovens. 

TREUIL,  Fr.  a  roll ;  an  axle-tree,  &c. 

TRIAIRES,  Fr.   See  Triarii. 

TRIAL,  test;  examination;  experi- 
ment. It  is  in  the  power  of  his  Majesty 
to  dismiss  an  officer  from  the  regular 
army,  militia,  or  volunteer  service,  with- 
out any  species  of  investigation  or  trial. 

Trial  by  jury,  an  investigation  of 
matters  of  fact,  before  a  certain  number 
of  men,  impannelled  upon  cases  of  a 
criminal,  or  civil,  nature.  The  trial  by 
jury  is  the  pride  of  English  justice,  and 
the  bulwark  of  English  liberty.  No 
British  subject  can,  in  fact,  be  legally 
condemned  except  by  the  verdict  of  a 
jury,  composed  of  his  own  couutrymea. 


T  R  I 


(     935    ) 


T 


R  I 


Such  is  the  glorious  boast  of  this  envied 
land;  and  no  power  on  earth  should 
make  the  slightest  encroachment  upon  it. 
Englishmen  have  been  cradled  in  this 
darling  privilege. 

TRIANGLE,  ( triangle;  Fr.)  The  tri- 
angle may  be  considered  as  the  most 
simple  of  all  figures.  It  is  composed  of 
three  lines  and  three  angles,  and  is  either 
plain  or  spherical. 

Triangle,  Fr.  a  carpenter's  instru- 
ment, consisting  of  two  rules  assembled 
at  right  angles,  with  which  a  square  line 
is  drawn. 

A  plain  Triangle  is  one  that  is  con- 
tained under  three  right  lines. 

A  spherical  Triangle  is  a  triangle 
that  is  contained  under  three  arches  of 
a  great  circle  or  sphere. 


A    right 


angled 


Triangle    is   one 


which  has  one  right  angle. 

An  acute  angled  Triangle  is  one 
which  has  all  its  angles  acute. 

An  obtuse  angled  Triangle  is  that 
which  has  one  obtuse  angle. 

An  oblique,  angled  Triangle  is  a  tri- 
angle that  is  not  right  angled. 

An  equila.'cralTpA  asgle  is  one  whose 
sides  are  all  equal. 

An  isosceles  Triangle,       )  a  triangle 

An  equitegged  Triangle,  ji  that  has 
only  two  legs,  or  sides,  equal. 

A  scalenus  Triangle,  one  that  has 
not  two  sides  equal. 

Similar  Triangles  are  such  as  have 
all  their  three  angles  respectively  equal 
to  one  another. 

Triangles,  a  small  triangular  piece 
of  metal,  which  is  used  in  military 
bands,  emitting  a  sharp  reverberating 
sound  in  concord  with  the  rest  of  the 
music. 

Triangles  likewise  mean  a  wooden 
instrument  consisting  of  three  poles 
which  are  fastened  at  top  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  they  may  spread  at  bottom  in 
a  triangular  form,  and  by  means  of  spikes 
affixed  to  each  pole,  remain  firm  in  the 
earth.  An  iron  bar,  breast  high,  goes 
across  one  side  of  the  triangle.  The  tri- 
angles are  used  in  some  regiments  for 
the  purpose  of  inflicting  military  pu- 
nishments. 

Triangular  compasses,  compasses 
that  have  three  legs,  or  feet,  with  which 
any  triangle  may  he  taken  oft'  at  once. 

Triangular  quadrant,  a  sector  with 
a  loose  piece  to  make  it  an  equilateral 
triangle,  which  has  the  calendar  gra- 
duated on  it,  with  the  sun's  place,  decli- 


nation, &c.  used  in  dialling,  navigation, 
surveying,  &c. 

TRIANON,  Fr.  a  generical  French 
term  signifying  any  pavilion  that  stands 
in  a  park,  and  is  unconnected  with  the 
castle,  or  main  building.  Of  this  de- 
scription was  the  late  French  Queen's 
Petit  Trianon  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Versailles. 

TRIARII,  soldiers  so  called  among 
the  Romans.  According  to  Kennet  the 
Triarii  were  commonly  veterans,  or 
hardy  old  soldiers,  of  long  experience 
and  approved  valour.  They  had  their 
name  from  their  position,  being  mar- 
shalled in  the  third  place,  as  the  main 
strength  and  hopes  of  their  party.  They 
were  armed  with  a  pike,  a  shield,  a 
helmet,  and  a  cuirass.  They  are  some- 
times called  Pilarii,  from  their  weapon 
the  pila.  See  Rennet's  Roman  Ant.  p. 
190.  They  were  likewise  styled  Tier- 
tiarii.  A  certain  number  of  these  vete- 
rans was  always  distributed  in  each 
cohort. 

Polybius,  in  his  6th  book,  classes 
the  Roman  troops  under  four  different 
heads :  the  first  he  calls  Pi/ati,  or  Ve- 
lites,  light  armed  men,  selected  from 
the  lower  order  of  the  people,  and  ge- 
nerally composed  of  the  youngest  men 
in  the  army.  The  second  class  consisted 
of  pikemen,  Hastati,  were  more  ad- 
vanced in  age,  and  had  more  experience. 
The  third  class,  called  Principes,  were 
still  older,  and  more  warlike  than  the 
second. 

The  fourth  class  consisted  of  the 
oldest,  most  experienced,  and  bravest 
soldiers.  These  were  always  posted  in 
the  third  rank,  as  a  reserve,  to  support 
the  others  in  case  they  gave  way.  Hence, 
their  appellation  of  triarii,  or  tiertiarii ; 
and  hence,  the  Roman  proverb,  ad  tri- 
arium  Ventum  est,  signifying  thereby, 
that  the  last  efforts  were  being  made. 
The  triarii  were  likewise  named  post- 
signani,  from  being  posted  in  the  rear  of 
the  princeps,  who  carried  the  standard  in 
a  legion. 

TRIBUNAL  castrense.  Among  the 
ancient  Romans  the  tribunal  castrense, 
or  camp-tribunal,  was  made  of  turf. 
The  curulean  chair  was  placed  upon  this 
elevation,  and  the  Roman  general  not 
only  dispensed  justice,  but  also  harangued 
the  soldiers  occasionally  from  it. 

TRIBUNATE,  (tribunal,  Fr.)  the 
office  of  tribune. 

TRIBUNE,  ( tribun,  Fr.)a  title  which 


T  R  I 


(     956    ) 


T  R  I 


♦  as  originally  given  to  certain  Roman 
magistrates,  who  were  established  for 
the  specific  purpose  of  maintaining  the 
rights  of  the  tribes,  or  mass  of  the  peo- 
ple, in  opposition  to  the  possible  en- 
croachments of  the  consuls  and  the 
senate;  on  which  account,  they  were 
styled  the  tribunes  of  the  people,  les 
tribuns  du  peuple.  The  number,  at 
first,  was  limited  to  two;  but  they  were 
subsequently  augmented  to  ten.  There 
were  likewise  military  tribunes,  tribuni 
militares. 

TRlBUNI<-?/-am,  paymasters-general 
belonging  to  the  military  establishment 
of  ancient  Rome.  These  persons  were 
selected  on  account  of  their  great  wealth 
and  known  probitv. 

TRIBUNUS  Celerum,  the  chief,  or 
commandant,  of  a  body  of  men  which 
Romulus,  the  founder  of  Rome,  selected 
from  his  own  body-guard.  The  indivi- 
duals, who  composed  it,  were  called 
Celercs,  swift-footed.  According  to  the 
Dictionnaire  des  Dieux,  they  were  very 
wealthy,  of  high  birth,  and  distinguished 
for  their  bodily  and  mental  qualifi- 
cations. 

TRICKER.     See  Trigger. 

TRICOISSES,  Fr.  pincers  used  by 
Carriers. 

TRICOLOR,  Fr.  three  coloured; 
bence  the  tricolor-cockade,  which  was 
adopted  by  the  French  at  the  com- 
mencement of  their  Revolution.  It  con- 
sisted of  sky-blue,  pink,  and  white,  and 
was  emblematical  of  the  three  estates  of 
the  kingdom,  viz.  nobility,  clergy,  and 
peasantry. 

TRICOT,  JFV.  a  cudgel.  The  cloth 
which  ts  used  for  the  waistcoats  and 
breeches  of  the  French  army  is  also  so 
called.    . 

TRIDENT,  with  mathematicians,  is 
used  for  a  kind  of  parabola,  by  which 
Des  Cartes  constructed  equations  of,  six 
dimensions. 

TaiDEKT,  any  three  forked  instru- 
ment, particularly  the  three  forked  mace, 
which  Neptune  is  feigned  by  the  poets 
to  have  wielded. 

To  hold  the  Trident  of  the  seas,  a 
familiar  word,  among  the  British,  to  ex- 
press their  dominion  at  sea. 

TR1EGE,  Fr.  a  strung  able-bodied 
horse. 


the  finest  soldiers.  Triage  is  used  as 
the  substantive,  signifying  the  act  of 
picking  and  chusing. 

To  TRIG  a  wheel,  (enrayer,  Fr.)  to 
put  in  the  necessary  spokes,  &c. 

TRIGAUDER,  Fr.  to  shuffle;  to 
play  fast  and  loose. 

TRIGAUDERIE, Fr.  shuffling;  play- 
ing  fast  and  loose. 

TRIGGER,  an  iron  hook  which  is 
used  to  trig,  or  stay  a  wheel :  also  a 
catch,  which  being  pulled,  disengages 
the  cock  of  a  gun-lock,  that  it  may 
strike  fire. 

Hair  Trigger,  (detente  a  cheveux, 
Fr.)  The  hair  trigger  is  generally  used  for 
rifles,  when  there  is  a  great  nicety  re- 
quired for  shooting.  The  difference  be- 
tween a  hair  trigger  and  a  common 
trigger  is  this: — the  hair  trigger,  when 
set,  lets  off  the  cock  by  the  slightest 
touch;  whereas  the  common  trigger  re- 
quires a  considerable  degree  of  force,  and 
consequently  is  longer  in*  its  operation. 

To  pull  a  Trigger,  to  fight  a  duel. 

TRIGLIPHS,  (trighjphes,  Fr.)  in 
architecture,  certain  triple  gutters,  fur- 
rows, or  trenches  graven  along  columns, 
or  pillars;  a  sort  of  ornament  repeated 
at  equal  intervals  in  the  Doric  frieze; 
or  they  are  a  kind  of  steps  (in  the  Doric 
frieze)  between  the  metopes.  The  ordi- 
nary proportion  of  these  trigliphs  is  one 
module  in  breadth,  and  one  and  a  half 
in  height.  Vignola  makes  the  pillars,  in 
the  intercolumniations  of  porticos,  five 
modules  broad;  but  ill.  Le  Clerc  ac- 
commodates the  proportion  of  the  tri- 
gliphs to  that  of  the  intercolumniations. 
When  the  trigliphs  and  the  metopes 
follow  each  other  regularly,  the  columns 
must  only  stand  one  by  one;  excepting 
those  of  the  inner  angles,  which  ought 
always  to  be  accompanied  with  two 
others,  one  on  each  side;  from  which 
the  rest  of  the  columns  may  be  placed 
at  equal  distances  from  each  other;  and 
it  is  to  be  observed,  that  these  two  co- 
lumns, which  accompany  that  of  the 
angle,  are  not  less  necessary,  on  account 
of  the  solidity  of  the  building,  than  of 
the  regularity  of  the  intercolumniations. 

TRIGON,  a  triangle;  hence, 

TR1 GON O M ETR Y,  ( trigonometric, 
Fr.)  the  art  of  measuring  triangles,  or  of 
calculating   the    sides    of    any    triangle 


TRIEULE  d'un  puit,  Fr.  the  round:  sought.  This  is  either  plain,  or  spherical. 


beam  about  which  the  rope  of  a  well  turns. 
I  iUElt,  Fr.  to  pickiiiid  chuse.  Hence 


TRILATERAL,  having  three  sides. 
TRILLION,  in  arithmetic,  the  num- 


trier  les  p!us  beaux  soldats,  to  pick  out  j  her  of  a  billion  of  billions 


T  R  I 


*To  TRIM,  in  carpentry,  to  fit  one 
piece  into  another;  hence,  to  trim  in  a 
piece.  Figuratively,  to  change  sides  or 
politics  for  one's  own  interest;  to  fluc- 
tuate between  two  parties. 

TIUMESTRE,  Fr.  a  period  of  three 
months. 

TRIMMERS,  in  architecture,  pieces 
of  timber  that  arc  framed  at  right  angles 
to  the  joists,  against  the  ways  for  chim- 
nies  and  well-holes  for  stairs;  fiVura- 
tirely,  persons  who  change  sides,  or 
politics,  from  motives  of  interest. 

TRINE  dimension,  or  three-fold  di- 
mension, what  includes  length,  breadth, 
and  thickness.  The  trine  dimension  is 
peculiar  to  bodies  or  solids. 

TRINGLE,  in  architecture,  a  name 
common  to  several  lit i le  square  mem- 
bers, or  ornaments,  as  reglets,  listels, 
and  platbands.  It  is  more  particularly 
used  for  a  little  member  fixed  exactly 
over  every  trigliph,  under  the  platband 
of  the  architrave;  whence  hang  down  the 
gutta;,  or  pendent  drops. 

Tringle,  Fr,  a  curtain  rod;  also  a 
lath  that  reaches  from  one  bed-post  to 
another;  likewise  a  long  and  narrow 
wooden  rule. 

TRINGLER,  Fr.  to  draw  a  straight 
line  upon  wood  by  means  of  a  stretched 
piece  of  packthread,  or  cord,  which  is 
chalked.  Eelidor  uses  the  words  Trin- 
cler,  Singler,  and  Cingleb  as  syno- 
nimous. 

TRINOME,  Fr.  a  word  used  among 
the  French,  in  algebra,  to  express  any 
quantity  which  is  produced  by  the  addi- 
tion of  three  numbers  or  quantities  that 
are  incommensurable. 

TRINOMIAL,  or  Trinomial  wot, 
in  mathematics,  is  a  root  consisting  of 
three  parts,  connected  together  by  the 
signs  +  or—,  as  x  -f  y  +  z,  or  x—  y 
■»— z. 

TRINQUET,  Fr.  a  word  used  m  the 
Levant  to  signify  the  mizen  or  foremast 
of  a  ship.  It  also  signifies  generally  the 
foremast  and  sail. 

TRINQUETTE,  Fr.  a  sail  used  on 
board  the  ships  in  the  Levant,  which  is 
of  a  triangular  shape. 

TRIOMPHE,  Fr.    See  Triumph. 

Arc deTr.iOMPHE, Fr.  a  triumphal  arch. 

TRIPARTITE,  being  of  three  parts, 
or  three  parties  being  concerned:  hence 
tripartite  alliance. 

VHhtoirc  Tripartite,  Fr.  an  abridg- 
ment of  the  history  of  Eufcebius,  Socra- 
tes, and  Sozomeneus. 


9sr   )  T  R  I 

TRIPARTITION,  a  division  by  fhree ; 


or  the  taking  the  third  part,  as  was  the 
case  when  Frederick  called  the  Great,  of 
Prussia,  Catherine,  Empress  of  Russia, 
and  Maria  Theresa,  the  devout  Queen  of 
Hungary,  took  their  separate  shares  of 
Poland." 

TRIPASTE,  Fr.  a  machine  which 
consists  of  three  pullies,  and  is  used  in 
raising  heavy  weights. 

liaison  TRIPLEE,  Fr.  among  mathe- 
maticians, the  agreement  or  correspon- 
dence which  is  between  cubes. 

TRIPLICATE,  the  second  copy  of 
an  original,  the  duplicate  being  the  first. 
In  matters  of  importance,  especially 
when  the  transmission  of  papers  is  across 
the  ocean,  or  to  any  very  distant  quar- 
ter, duplicates,  triplicates,  and  even 
quadriplicates  are  advisable.  In  these 
cases,  the  original  is  usually  sent  by  on© 
vessel  or  conveyance,  the  duplicate  by 
another,  and  so  on. 

TRIPOT,  Fr.  a  tennis  court. 

Chevalier  de  Tripot,  Fr.  a  sharper. 

TRIQUE,  Fr.  a  large  cudgel. 

TRIQUE-BALE,  Fr.  a  sling  cart  or 
machine  which  is  used  to  convey  pieces 
of  ordnance  from  one  quarter  to  another. 

TRIREME,  Fr.  a  galley  with  three 
benches  for  rowers. 

TRISECTION,  (trisection,  Fr.)  the 
division  of  a  thing  into  three.  The, 
term  is  chiefly  used  in  geometry  for  the 
partition  of  an  angle  into  three  equal 
parts. 

The  trisection  of  an  angle  geometri- 
cally, is  one  of  those  great  problems 
whose  solution  has  been  so  much  sought 
by  mathematicians;  being  in  this  respect 
on  a  footing  with  the  quadrature  of  the 
circle,  and  the  duplicature  of  the  cube 
angle. 

TRIVELINADE,  from  Trivelin,  an 
old  comedian,  a  piece  of  low  wit. 

TRIUMPH,  a  solemnity  practised  by 
the  ancient  Romans,  to  do  honour  to  a 
victorious  general. 

There  are  two  sorts  of  triumphs,  the 
greater,  and  the  lesser  particularly  called 
ovation;  of  these  the  triumph  was  by 
much  the  more  splendid  procession. 
None  were  capable  of  this  honour  but 
the  dictator,  consuls, and  praetors;  though 
there  are  examples  to  the  contrary,  as 
particularly  in  Pompey  the  Great,  who 
had  a  triumph  decreed  him  when  he  was 
only  a  Roman  knight,  and  had  not  yet 
reached  the  senatorial  age. 

The  triumph  was  the  most  pompous 
6D 


T  II  I 


(     938     ) 


T  R  O 


show  among  the  ancients;  authors  usually 
attribute  its  invention  to  Bacchus,  and 
tell  US,  that  he  first  triumphed  upon  the 
conquest  of  the  Indies;  and  yet  this 
ceremony  was  only  in  use  among  the 
Romans.  The  Grecians  had  a  custom 
which  resembled  the  Roman  triumph; 
for  the  conquerors  used  to  make  a  pro- 
cession through  the  middle  of  their  city, 
crowned  with  garlands,  repeating  hymns 
and  songs,  and  blandishing  their  spears; 
their  captives  were  also  led  by  them,  and 
all  their  spoils  exposed  to  public  view. 
The  order  of  a  Roman  triumph  was 
chiefly  thus:  the  senate  having  decreed 
the  general  a  triumph,  and  appointed  a 
day,  they  went  out  of  the  city  gate  and 
marched  in  order  with  him  through  the 
city.  The  cavalcade  was  led  up  by  the 
musicians,  who  had  crowns  on  their 
heads;  and  after  them  came  several  cha- 
riots with  plans  and  maps  of  the  cities 
and  countries  subdued,  done  in  relievo: 
they  were  followed  by  the  spoils  taken 
from  the  enemy;  their  horses,  arms, 
goid,  silver,  machines,  tents,  ccc.  After 
these  came  the  kings,  princes,  or  gene- 
rals subdued,  loaded  with  chains,  and 
followed  by  mimics  or  buffoons,  who 
exulted  over  their  misfortunes. — Next 
came  the  officers  of  the  conquering 
troops,  with  crowns  on  their  heads.— 
Then  appeared  the  triumphal  chariot,  in 
which  was  the  conqueror,  richly  clad 
in  a  purple  robe,  embroidered  with  gold, 
setting  forth  his  glorious  achievements. 
His  buskins  were  beset  with  pearls,  and 
he  wore  a  crown,  which  at  first  was  only 
laurel,  but  afterwards  gold  ;  one  hand 
held  a  laurel-branch,  the  other  a  trun- 
cheon. His  children  were  sometimes  at 
his  feet,  and  sometimes  on  the  chariot- 
horses.  As  the  triumphal  chariot  passed 
along,  the  people  strewed  flowers  before 
it.  The  music  played  in  praise  of  the 
conqueror,  amidst  the  loud  acclamations 
of  the  people,  cry  in»,  Io  trmmphe  !  The 
chariot  was  followed  by  the  senate  clad 
in  white  robes:  and  the  senate  by  such 
citizens  as  had  been  set  at  liberty  or 
ransomed.  The  procession  was  closed 
by  the  sacrifices,  and  their  officers  and 
utensils,  with  a  white  ox  led  along  for 
the  chief  victim.  In  the  mean  time  all 
the  temples  were  open,  and  the  altars 
were  loaded  with  offerings  and  incense; 
'-'anus  ami  combats  were  celebrated  in 
the  public  places,  and  rejoicings  appeared 
every  where. 
TRIUMVIRI,  orTRESvjKi  Capita- 


les,  men  employed,  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  to  preserve  the  public  peace, 
ike.  For  particulars,  see  Rennet's  Ro- 
man Antiquities,  page  121.  They  like- 
wise signify  the  three  persons,  Ca;sar, 
Crassus,  and  Pompey,  who  seized  on  the 
government  of  the  republic,  and  divided 
it  among  them.     Hence, 

TRIUMVIRATE,  ( triumvirat,  Fr.) 
an  absolute  government  administered  by 
three  persons  with  equal  authority. — 
There  are  two  triumvirates  .particularly 
recorded  in  history  :  Pompey,  Caesar, 
and  Crassus,  who  bad  all  served  the  re- 
public as  generals  of  marked  reputation 
in  the  first  instance;  and  Augustus, 
Mark  Antony,  and  Lepidus,  in  the 
second.  The  three  consuls  of  France 
were  nearly  of  the  same  cast,  in  1S0O, 
Bonaparte,  Cambaceies,  and  Le  Brim. — 
Bonaparte  soon  followed  the  example 
of  Augustus,  first  becoming  Chief  Con- 
sul, and  then  Emperor  of  the  French. 

TROCAR,  (trocar,  Fr.)  a  surgical  in- 
strument wherewith  to  make  incisions. 

TROCHLEA,  one  of  the  mechanical 
powers  usually  called  a  pulley. 

TROCHOID,  in  geometry,  a  figure 
made  by  the  upper  end  of  the  diameter 
of  a  circle,  turned  about  a  right  line. 

The  trochoid  is  the  same  with  what  is 
otherwise  called  the  cycloid. 

TROCIIOLIQUE,  Fr.  a  name  used 
amonii  the  French  for  that  branch  of 
mathematics  which  treats  of  circular 
movements. 

TROMOE,  Fr.  a  water-spout.  It  is 
likewise  called  siphon  or  syphon. 

TROMBLON,  Fr.  a  tire-arm  which 
has  a  rest,  and  from  which  several  balls 
and  slugs  may  be  discharged.  An  an- 
cent  wall-piece;    also  a  blunderbuss. 

TROMPE,  Fr.  in  architecture,  an 
arch  which  grows  wider  towards  the  top. 

Tromi'ls,  Fr.  in  artificial  fireworks, 
a  collection  of  pots  a  feu,  or  fire-pots,  so 
arranged,  that  upon  the  first  being  in- 
flamed, a  ready  communication  takes 
place  with  the  rest,  and  the  explosion  is 
successively  effected. 

TROMPETTE,  Fr.  This  word, 
which  signifies  trumpet,  is  applied  by 
the  French,  not  only  to  the  instrument, 
but  to  the  man  who  blows  it,  in  the  same 
manner  that  we  say  fifes  and  drums,  for 
fifers  and  drummers;  but  we  do  not  say 
trumpet  for  trumpeter,  although  we  say 
bugle  for  the  man  who  blows  the  bugle- 
horn  ;  trowpette,  when  used  in  this  sense, 
is  of  the  masculine  gender. 


TRO 


(     939    ) 


TRO 


Trompette  sonnante,  Fr.  with  sound 
of  trumpet,  or  trumpet  sounding. 

Trompette  parlunte,  Fr.  a  speaking- 
trumpet.     This  instrument  is  generally 
used  at  sea;  and  owes  its  invention  to 
'an  Englishman. 

Deloger  sa?j.s  Trompette,  Fr.  to  steal 
away,  to  take  French  leave. 

TROMPILLON,  Fr.  the  diminutive 
of  trompe,  a  term  used  in  architecture, 
which  owes  its  origin  to  the  resemblance 
that  exists  between  the  wide  part  of  a 
trumpet,  and  the  arch  or  vault  so  called. 
TRONC  (tune  calonne,  Fr.  the  shaft 
of  a  pillar;   Fust  signifies  the  same. 

Le  Tronc  de  la  queue  d'un  cheval,  Fr. 
the  dock  of  a  horse's  tail. 

TRONCHE,  Fr.  a  thick  short  piece 
of  timber,  something  like  the  end  of  a 
beam,  out  of  which  a  bending  for  a  stair- 
case may  be  cut. 

TRONCHILE,     )  is  that  hollow  ring 

TRONCHILUS,  J  or    cavity    which 

runs  round  a  column  next  to  the  tore ; 

or  it  is  one  whose  cavity  is  composed  of 

two  arches. 

TRONCON",  Fr.  a  piece  cut  or 
broken. 

Troncon  de  lance,  Fr.  a  trunked 
spear. 

TROOP,  any  body  of  soldiers. 
Troop,  in  cavalry,  a  certain  number 
of  men  on  horseback  who  form  a  com- 
ponent part  of  a  squadron.  It  is  the 
same,  with  respect  to  formation,  as 
company  in  the  infantry.  When  a  troop 
dismounts  and  acts  on  foot,  it  is  still 
called  a  troop. 

Troop,  a  certain  beat  of  the  drum. 
See  Drum. 

To  Troop  the  colours.    See  Colours. 
Troops,  the  same  as  copies  in  Latin, 
and  troupes   in   French,    any  collective 
body  of  soldiers. 

Heavy  Troops,  (troupes  d'ordonnance, 
Fr.)  horse  soldiers  heavily  armed  and 
accoutred  for  the  purpose  of  acting  toge- 
ther, in  line,  &c.  The  Life  Guards 
come  under  this  description. 

Light  Troops,  (troupes  Icgires,  Fr.) 
hussars,  light  horse,  mounted  riflemen, 
and  light  infantry  are  so  called,  in  oppo- 
sition to  cavalry  or  heavy  horse,  gre- 
nadiers and  battalion  men.  Skirmishing 
is  solely  the  business  of  light  horse,  who, 
according  to  Count  Turpin,  should  be 
constantly  exposed  as  the  forlorn  hope 
of  the  army  ;  or  as  troops  whose  duty  it 
is  to  be  continually  watchful  for  its  re- 
pose and  security. 


When  the  light  horse  compose  an  ad- 
vanced camp,  the  men  should  keep  their 
horses  constantly  saddled;  it  being  only 
an  indulgence  to  allow  those  oft'  duty  to 
have  their  horses  unsaddled.  It  is  very 
true,  that  a  camp  of  cavalry  cannot  be 
managed  after  the  same  manner ;  but 
then  cavalry  is  seldom  so  situated  as  to 
he  attacked,  or  to  attack  every  day, 
which  is  the  real  business  of  light  horse. 
They  should  serve  as  vedets  to  the  whole 


army,  in  order  to  prevent  the  enemy 
from  approaching  it;  whereas  cavalry 
should  never  be  employed,  but  in  the 
greatest  operations;  and  on  occasions 
which  are  to  decide  the  fate  of  a  cam- 


paign. 

Light  troops,  according  to  the  same 
writer,  are  employed  to  gain  intelligence 
concerning  the  enemy,  to  learn  whether 
he  hath  decamped,  whether  he  hath  built 
any   bridges,    and   other  things  of   the 
same  nature,  of  which  the  general  must 
necessarily  be  informed,  and  should  have 
a  day  fixed  for  this  return.     There  are 
other  detachments,  which  should  be  sent 
out  under  intelligent  officers,  and  which 
should  never  lose  sight  of  the  enemy,  iu 
order  to  send  in  daily  intelligence,  to  at- 
tack small  convoys  and  baggage,  to  pick 
up  marauders,  and  harass  the  advanced 
guards.     There  should  not  be  any  time 
fixed  for   the  return    of  these   detach- 
ments, neither  should  they  be  confined 
to  particular  places;  they  should,  how- 
ever, return  to  the  camp  at  the  expira- 
tion of  eight  or  ten  days   at  farthest. 
The  inconvenience,    arising  from   con- 
fining these  detachments  to  a  particular 
time,  would  perhaps  be,  that  the  very 
day  appointed   for  their   return,  would 
be  that  on  which  they  might  have  the 
fairest  opportunity  of  learning  intelli- 
gence of  the  enemy  :  consequently  their 
being    forced    to   return    would    defeat 
the  objects  for  which   they  were    sent 
out. — See   page  122,   vol.  ii.   of  Count 
Turpin's  Art   of  War.     In  addition   to 
this  valuable  work,  we  recommend  the 
perusal  of   the  following,   which    treat 
more  or    less,  of   light  troops :   Baron 
Gross's  Duty  of  Officers  in   the  Field: 
Duty  of  Officers  commanding   Detach- 
ments, by  Lieut. -Colonel  John   Ormsby 
Vandeleur ;    and  a   small   Treatise   on 
the  Duty  of  Hussars,  translated  by  Mr. 
Rose,  junior.     Likewise    a    very    well 
written  treatise   entituled,   Instructions 
concernant    le   Service    de    Vlftfanterie 
legire   en    Cumpagne :    also    Guide   de 
6D3 


T  R  O  (   94°   ) 

COffuicr  en  Campagne.  The  former 
production  comes  out  of  the  Royal  Mili- 
tary College  at  Sandhurst,  and  has  been 
published  in  French  and  English. 

Light  Troops  are  sometimes  called 
irregulars,  as  they  almost  constantly  act 
in  detached  and  loose  bodies.  The  ti- 
railleurs, Tyroliens,  Yagers,  sharp-shoot- 
ers, the  Chasseurs  a  cheval  el  a  pied,  and 
Voltigeurs,  to  which  the  French  owed 
much  during  the  whole  course  of  their 
stupendous  Revolution,  are  of  this  de- 
scription. General  Money  observes  in 
page  8,  of  a  small  pamphlet  addressed 
to  the  late  Secretary  at  War,  "  that 
what  was  called  in  this  country,  ad- 
vancing en  masse,  by  the  French,  was 
nothing  more  than  very  large  bodies  of 
irregulars  (or  light  troops,)  which  covered 
the  country,  in  the  front  of  their  armies, 
like  an  inundation.  To  their  irregulars, 
and  to  their  light  artillery,  are  the 
French  indebted  for  most  of  the  victories 
they  have  gained."  He  adds,  that  the 
troops  styled  in  France  Chasseurs,  are, 
more  or  less,  to  be  met  with  in  every 
service  in  Europe,  except  the  British. 
The  Austrians  have  many  regiments  of 
them;  the  Prussians  have  them  attached, 
in  a  certain  proportion,  to  each  corps; 
but  the  French,  seeing  the  good  effect 
of  these  irregulars,  have  brought  them 
more  into  the  field  than  all  the  combined 
powers  together."  These  troops  are 
peculiarly  useful  in  enclosed  countries, 
i*nd  must,  of  course,  be  highly  essential 
in  Great  Britain.  Upon  this  principle 
four  regiments  of  Lanciershave  been  re- 
cently formed. 

Revenue  Troops,  a  body  of  invalid 
troops  in  the  service  of  the  Honourable 
the  East  India  Company.  Their  esta- 
blishment in  1787  consisted  of  eight 
battalions,  each  battalion  containing  five 
companies,  and  each  company  contain- 
ing 150  men:  so  that  the  total  of  the 
battalions  (each  being  C50  strong) 
amounted  to  5232.  The  strength  of  each 
company  was  1  captain  commandant, 
who  was  an  European,  1  Subadar,  1 
Jemidar,  5  Havaldars,  8  Naigues,  16 
Sepoys,  104  Sepoys  who  were  natives. 
I  he  strength  of  a  battalion  was  1  Eu- 
ropean captain  commandant,  3  Euro- 
pean Serjeants,  5  Subadars,  5  Jemidars, 
'23  Havaldars,  15  Naigues,  80  Sepoys, 
6'20  effective  Sepoys. 

In  the  event  of  a  war,  these  troops 
were  drawn  into  the  garrisons  of  the  dis- 
trict to  which  they  belonged;  on  which 


T  R  O 


occasion  they  were  placed  upon  the  same 
footing  and  pay,  in  every  respect,  as  the 
regular  battalions.  One  vakeel  or  pay- 
master was  allowed  to  every  company, 
who  received  monthly  1  pagoda  38  fa- 
nams.  The  revenue  troops  did  not  re- 
ceive any  bounty,  nor  were  any  stop- 
pages made  out  of  their  pay.  The  fol- 
lowing clothing  and  half-mounting  were 
issued  to  them  annually,  viz.  one  coat, 
one  sash,  two  white  jackets;  also  two 
pair  of  short  drawers,  and  three  turbans, 
every  two  years.  The  commanding  offi- 
cers of  these  corps  drew  per  annum  400 
pagodas  off-reckonings.  Considerable 
alterations  having  taken  place  in  the 
organization  of  the  different  corps  in 
India,  we  have  given  the  above  article 
according  to  what  existed  in  1787. 

Foreign  Troops,  (troupes  ctrangeres, 
Fr.)  bodies  of  armed  men,  the  individuals 
of  which  are  not  the  natural  born  subjects 
of  the  realm. 

TROOPER,  (cavalier,  Fr.)  a  horse 
soldier.  According  to  Dr.  Johnson,  a 
trooper  rights  only  on  horseback  ;  a  dra- 
goon marches  on  horseback,  but  light!, 
either  as  a  horseman  or  footman.  There 
is  no  such  thing  as  a  trooper  in  the  Bri- 
tish service.  The  Blues  were  the  last 
corps  that  deserved  that  appellation  ; 
but  they  now  act,  like  the  rest  of  the 
cavalry,  on  foot. 

TROPHEE,  Fr.     See  Trophy. 

Faire  Trophee,  Fr.  to  glory  in. 

TROPHY,  something  taken  from  aii 
enemy,  and  shewn  or  treasured  up  in 
proof  of  victory.  Among  the  ancients, 
it  consisted  of  a  pile  or  heap  of  arms  of 
a  vanquished  enemy,  raised  by  the  con- 
queror in  the  most  eminent  part  of  the 
held  of  battle. 

The  trophies  were  usually  dedicated 
to  some  of  the  gods,  especially  to  Jupiter. 
The  name  of  the  deity  to  whom  they 
were  inscribed,  was  generally  mentioned, 
as  was  that  also  of  the  conqueror.  The 
spoils  were  first  hung  upon  the  trunk  of 
a  tree:  but  instead  of  trees,  succeeding 
ages  erected  pillars  of  stone  or  brass,  to 
perpetuate  the  memory  of  their  victories. 
To  demolish  a  trophy  was  a  sacrilege, 
because  they  were  all  consecrated  to 
some  deity. 

Trop  BX-jnoney,  certain  money  annu-*. 
ally  raised  in  the  several  counties  of  the 
kingdom,  towards  providing  harness  and 
maintaining  the  militia. 

Trophy,  in  architecture,  is  an  orna- 
ment which    represents  the   trunk  of  a^ 


TRO 


•(  94i  y 


T  R  U 


tree  charged,  or  encompassed  all  around, 
with  arms  of  military  weapons,  both 
offensive  and  defensive. 

TROPIQUE,  Fr.  tropic.     It  is  like- 


TROUPES,  Fr.  troops;  forces.. 
Troupes  lega-es,  Fr.  light  troops. 
TROUS  de  loup,  Fr.     Wolf-holes,  i» 
field  fortification,  are  round  holes,  about 


wise  used  as  an  adjective,  and  signifies,  6  feet  deep  and  pointed  at  the  bottom, 
tropical.  j  with  a  stake  placed  at  the  middle.  They 


Bapteme  du  Tropique,  Fr.  the  ce-  are  frequently  dug  round  a  redoubt,  to 
remony  which  is  performed  when  a  per- j  obstruct   the   enemy's  approach.     They 


son  crosses  the  line  for  the  first  time. 
TROSSERS,    )a   kind 
TROUSE,       ►>  reachin 


are  circular  at  the  top,  of  about  4|  feet 


„,g  down  to  the       TROUSEPAS,    Fr.    a    sort   of  iron. 
TROWSERS,  )  ankles,  worn  by  some  spade  which  is  used  in  cutting  turf, 
•regiments  of  infantry  and  light  cavalry.       TROUSEQUEUE,    Fr.   with    horsey 
See  Pantaloon.  |  men,  a  large  case  of  leather  as  long  as 

the  dock  of  a  horse's  tail,  which  serves- 
for  a  covering  for  the  tails  of  leaping 
horses,  ccc.  abroad;  also  for  those  ot 
coach  horses  in  dirty  weather. 

TROUSEQUIN,'with    horsemen,    a 


TROSSULI,  a  select  body  of  cavalry 
among  the  old  Romans,  to  every  indivi- 
dual of  which  was  given  the  title  of  Ro- 
man Knight,  from  their  having  taken 
Trossulum,  an  inland  town  in  Tuscany,1 


(still  called  Trosso,)  without  the  assist- j  piece  of  wood  cut  archwise,  raised  above 


unce  of  the  infantry.  According  to 
Pliny,  they  were  first  called  Celcres,  and 
(hen  Flexumines. 

TROTTOIR,  Fr.  a  footway.  It  more 
properly  means  a  raised  pavement  on 
the  sides  of  a  street  or  bridge,  for  the 
convenience  of  foot  passengers;  also  the 
path  at  the  sides  of  bridges  under  their 
parapets. 

TROU,  Fr.  a  hole. 

Trou  de  rat,  Fr.  literally  a  rat-hole 
or  rat-catch.  Figuratively,  any  disad- 
vantageous position  into  which  troops 
are  rashly  driven.  Thus  Quiheron  was 
called  by  the  French  a  trou  de  rat, 
when  that  foolish  expedition  took  place 
in  1794. 

Trou  de  mineur,  Fr.  a  lodgment 
which  is  made  for  the  safety  and  conve- 
nience of  a  miner,  when  he  first  begins 
his  operations. 

TROUBADOUR,  Fr.  literally,  a  pro- 
vincial or  country  poet.  The  French 
apply  the  word  to  any  lively  person. 

TROUEE,  Fr,  an  opening  ;  a  gap. 
This  word  is  applied  to  any  passage, 
which  is  made  through  an  abatis,  wood 
or  hedge;  also  to  the  impression  of  ca- 
valry, when  it  breaks  the  line,  &c. 

Les  cinq  Trou  e  es  en  Champagne,  Fr. 
the  principal  openings  through  which  an 
enemy  can  penetrate  into  Fiance  in  the 
province  of  Champagne.  The  Duke  of 
Brunswick,  in  1792,  took  possession  of 
these  openings;  and    the    Prussian  and 


the  hinder  bow  of  a  great  saddle,  which" 
serves  to  keep  the  holsters  tight. 

TROUSSE,  fr.  a  quiver.  It  also  sig- 
nifies any  bundle  of  things  tied  together, 
viz.  une  trousse  defoin,  a  bundle  of  hay, 

Monter  en  Tuousse,  Fr.  to  ride  be- 
hind. 

Un  cheval  bien  Trousse,  Fr.  a  well- 
set  horse. 

TROUSSEAU,  Fr.  a  long  piece  of 
wood  in  tl.e  shape  of  a  cane,  which 
has  one  end  smaller  than  the  other, 
and  is  used  in  foundries  to  make  can- 
non-mouUls. 

Eire  uux  TROUSSES,  Fr.  to  be  up- 
on one's  heels ;  literally  at  one's  trowseis. 

TRUCE,  (treve,  Fr.)  a  suspension  of 
arms,  or  a  cessation  of  hostilities  between 
two  armies,  in  order  to  settle  articles  of 
peace,  bury  the  dead,  See. 

TRUCHEMAN,  or  TRUCHE- 
MENT,  Fr.  an  interpreter. 

To  TRUCK,  to  give  in  exchange:  to- 
traffic  by  exchange. 

Truck,  wooden  wheels  for  the  car- 
riage of  cannon,  &c. 

Trucks  of  a  ship  carriage  are  wheels 
made  of  one  piece  of  wood,  from  12  to 
19  inches  diameter;  and  their  thickness 
is  always  equal  to  the  calibre  of  the  gun. 

The  trucks  of  garrison-carriages  are 
made  of  cast-iron. 

A  truck  carriage  goes  upon  four  trucks 
of  24  inches  diameter  ;  has  two  flat  side 
pieces  of  ten  inches  broad,  and  serves  to 


Austrian  armies  passed  through  them  in  i  carry   guns,   ammunition    boxes,  or  any 
1814  and  1815.  |  other  weights,    from    the    store-houses 

TROUGH,   a   hollow  wooden  vessel '  to  the  water-side,  or  to  any  small  dis- 
to  knead  bread  in.  It  is  used  among  the   tance. 
utensils  of  field  bakery.  To  TRUCKLE.  This  word  is  adopted 


T  11  U 


(     942     ) 


T  R  U 


from  truckle-bed,  which  is  a  low  mean 
bet),  that  can  be  pushed  under  another. 
Hence, 

To  Truckle  to,  to  submit  to;  to  allow 
the  superiority  of  another. 

TRUE-fow-H,  according  to  Dr.  John- 
son, having  a  right  by  birth  to  any 
title;  as  a  true-born  Englishman. 

TRUELLE,  Fr.  a  trowel. 

TRUG,  a  hod  for  mortar. 

TRULL,  a  low,  vagrant  strumpet;  a 
hedge-whore,  or  one  that  has  promis- 
cuous dealings  upon  the  road,  or  else- 
where, with  men  of  all  descriptions. 
Hence  a  soldier's  trull.  In  every  well 
regulated  camp  and  garrison  the  ut- 
most precaution  should  be  taken,  to 
!)revent  these  wretches  from  having  the 
east  intercourse  with  the  soldiery. 

TRULLIZATION,  in  ancient  archi- 
tecture, all  kinds  of  couches  or  layers  of 
mortar,  wrought  with  the  trowel  of  the 
inside  of  the  vaults  ;  or  to  hatches  made 
on  the  layers  of  mortar,  to  retain  the 
lining  of  the  stria;. 

TRUMEAU,  Fr.  in  architecture,  the 
space  in  a  wall  which  is  between  two 
windows.      It  also  signifies   a  pier-glass. 

TRUMPET,  or  trump,  a  wind  instru- 
ment made  of  brass  or  silver,  with  a 
mouth  piece  to  take  out  and  put  in  at 
pleasure.  Each  troop  of  cavalry  has  one. 

Trumpet  soundings.  SeeSouNDiNGS. 
TRUMPETER,  the  soldier  who  sounds 
the  trumpet. 

TRUNCHEON,  a  club;  a  cudgel; 
also  a  staff  of  command.     See  Baton. 

To  Truncheon,  to  beat  with  a  trun- 
cheon. Dr.  Johnson  has  quoted  a  pa- 
sage  out  of  Shakspeare,  which  is  ex- 
tremely apposite  to  those  blustering  im- 
posing characters  that  sometimes  annoy 
public  places,  and  commit  swindling  acts 
of  depredation,  under  the  assumed  title 
of  captain.  Captain  !  thou  abominable 
cheater  !  if  captains  were  of  my  mind, 
they  would  truncheon  you  out  of  taking 
their  names  upon  you  before  you  earned 
them  ! 

TRUNCHEONEER,  one  armed  with 
a  truncheon. 

TRUNDLE,  a  sort  of  tube  used  for 
fuses. 

TRUNK,  in  architecture,  is  used  for 
the  fust  and  shaft  of  a  column,  with 
that  part  of  the  pedestal  between  the 
base  and  cornice,  called  the  die. 

TRUNNIONS,  in  guns,  two  cylin- 
diic  pieces  of  metal  in  a  gun,  mortar, 
'«r  howitzer,  which  project  from  pieces  of 


ordnance,  and  by  which  they  are  sup- 
ported upon  their  carriages.  See  Can- 
non. 

Trunnion  plates  are  two  plates  in 
travelling  carriages,  mortars  and  how- 
itzers, which  cover  the  upper  parts  oi 
the  side  pieces,  and  go  under  the  trun- 
nions. 

TRUSS,  a  bundle;  as  a  bundle  of 
hay  or  straw.  Any  thing  thrust  close 
together.  Trusses  of  this  description 
have  been  sometimes  used  in  military 
affairs;  the  men  carrying  them  in  front 
for  l  he  purpose  of  deadening  shot. 

Truss  of  forage  is  as  much  as  a 
trooper  can  carry  on  his  horse's  crupper. 
See  Spun  Hay. 

Truss,  a  machine  used  for  hernia?, 
commonly  called  rupture;  various  are 
the  instruments  that  have  been  formed 
for  this  purpose,  the  chief  of  which  that 
have  been  brought  into  general  use,  have 
been  made  known  by  advertisements. 
The  makers  of  these  instruments  are 
careful  to  call  them  spring  trusses;  in- 
timating the  advantage  that  arises  from 
a  truss  being  constructed  with  a  spring, 
whereas  the  springs  of  trusses  in  general 
are  so  defective  for  the  purpose  in- 
tended, that  straps  are  affixed  by  which 
they  become  merely  bandages,  in  as 
much  as  the  springs  being  confined  by 
strapping,  they  of  course  cease  to  act 
as  springs.  We  have  seen  a  truss  in- 
vented by  Tatharri,  of  Charing-Cross, 
which  is  chiefly  in  use  in  the  army  and 
navy,  that  is  composed  of  a  complete 
spring,  taking  the  whole  circumference 
of  the  body,  and  is  applied  without  the 
aid  of  straps.  This  has  ever  been  the 
object  of  truss  makers,  but  none  have 
succeeded  until  the  inventor  of  this  truss 
found  out  the  art  of  turning  tempered 
steel  without  the  use  of  heat,  and  for 
which  he  has  obtained  a  patent. 

TRUSSED.  A  horse  is  said  to  be 
well  trussed,  when  his  thighs  are  large 
and  proportioned  to  the  roundness  of 
the  croup. 

To  TRUST,  to  give  credit  to,  on  pro- 
mise of  payment.  In  article  63,  of  the 
39  and  40  of  the  king,  cap.  27,  it  is 
enacted,  that  no  soldier  shall  be  liable 
to  be  arrested  for  a  sum  under  201.  and 
then  an'oath  of  the  debt  must  be  made 
before  a  judge. 

TRUSTY,  honest,  faithful,  true,  fit  to 
be  trusted,  jhis  word  is  used  in  the. 
preamble  of  military  commissions,  dec. 
viz. — To  our  trusty  and  well  beloved,  &x. 


T  U  G 


(     943    ) 


T  U  I 


and  frequently  applied   to  things,  as   a 
trusty  sword. 

TRUTH,  purity  from  falsehood ; 
honesty;  virtue  That  which  makes  a 
coward  brave,  and  through  the  want 
of  which  the  bravest  man  becomes  a 
coward.  The  human  mind  is  so  oddly 
constituted,  that  some  persons,  espe- 
cially in  the  military  classes,  would 
fight  a  fellow  creature  for  the  bare  in- 
sinuation of  a  lie,  and  yet  have  not 
sufficient  courage  to  tell  the  truth.     See 

hi  All. 

TUBA,  a  trumpet  or  military  instru- 
ment which  was  used  among  the  an- 
cients. There  were  three  kinds  among 
the  Romans,  viz. — The  straight  or  long 
trumpet,  with  which  they  sounded  the 
charge;  the  crooked  ones,  or  buccinu?, 
with  which  the  signal  for  battle  was 
given,  in  the  presence  of  the  general,  or 
for  any  military  punishment;  and  the 
horn,  by  which  orders  were  communi- 
cated from  the  general  to  the  standard- 
bearer. 

TUBE,  (lube,  Fr.)  a  pipe,  conduit,  or 
canal;  being  a  cylinder,  hollow  within, 
of  lead,  iron,  or  wood,  tkc.  for  the  air,  or 
some  other  fluid  to  have  a  free  passage. 
It  is  particularly  applicable  to  optical  in- 
sti  uments. 

TUCDUMMA,  Ind.  an  account 
which  is  closed,  after  it  has  been  exa- 
mined. 

TUCK,  a  long  narrow  sword. 

TUDESQUE,  Fr.  Teutonic;  Ger- 
manic. 

TUEL,  the  fundament  of  a  horse. 

TUERIE,  Fr.  slaughter,  massacre. 

TUF,  TUFFEAU,  Fr.  a  soft  sandy 
stone,  which  answers  two  purposes, either 
to  build  upon,  or  to  build  with.  The 
French  say  figuratively — C'est  un  homme 
dc  tuf,  he  is  a  man  of  no  depth,  or  pro- 
found knowledge. 

TUFFES,  Fr.     See  Petaux. 

TUFT  hunter,  a  term  used  at  our 
universities,  when  an  individual  of  com- 
mon extraction  and  ordinary  means,  is 
meanly  obsequious  to  a  young  noble- 
man, &c. 

TUG,  Fr.  a  Turkish  term  for  tail;  a 
sort  of  standard  called  so  by  the  jurks. 
It  consists  of  a  horse's  tail,  which  is 
fixed  to  a  Ions:  pole,  or  half  pike,  by 
means  of  a  gold  button.  The  origin  of 
this  standard  is  curious.  It  is  said,  that 
the  Christians  having  given  battle  to  the 
Turks,  the  latter  were  broken,  and  in 
the  midst  of  their  confusion,  lost  their 
grand  standard.     The  Turkish  general, 


being  extremely  agitated  at  the  unto- 
ward circumstances  which  happened, 
most  especially  by  the  loss  of  the  great 
standard,  cut  off  a  horse's  tail  with  a 
sabre,  fixed  it  to  a  half  pike;  and  hold- 
ing it  in  his  hand,  rode  furiously  to- 
wards the  fugitives,  and  exclaimed,  Here 
is  the  great  standard  !  let  those  who  love 
me,  follow  me  into  action  !  This  pro- 
duced the  desired  effect.  The  Turks 
rallied  with  redoubled  courage,  rushed 
into  the  thickest  of  the  enemy,  and  not 
only  gained  the  victory,  but  recovered 
their  standard.  Other  writers  assert, 
that  six  thousand  Turks  having  been 
taken  prisoners  during  a  general  engage- 
ment, contrived  to  escape  from  their 
guard,  or  escort,  and  afterwards  fought 
so  gallantly^  that  they  gained  another 
battle;,  that  in  order  to  recognize  one 
another,  they  cut  off*  a  horse's  tail  which 
tlvey  carried  as  a  standard  ;  that  when 
they  joined  the  Ottoman  army,  they  still 
made  use  of  the  tug ,  or  tail;  that  the 
Turks,  in  consequence  of  the  victory 
which  was  obtained  under  this  new 
standard,  looked  upon  it  as  a  happy 
omen  :  and  that  since  that  period  they 
have  always  fought  under  it,  as  their 
banner  and  the  signal  of  success. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  origin, 
it  is  certain,  that  when  the  Grand  Sig- 
ner takes  the  field  in  person,  seven  of 
these  tails  are  always  carried  before 
him;  and  when  he  is  in  camp,  they  are 
planted  in  front  of  his  tent. 

The  Grand  Vizier  is  entitled  to  three 
of  these  tails. 

The  three  principal  Bashaws  of  the 
empire,  (viz.  those  of  Bagdad,  Grand 
Cairo,  and  Buda,)  have  the  Grand  Sig- 
nor's  permission  to  use  this  mark  of  dis- 
tinction, throughout  the  whole  extent  of 
their  jurisdiction. 

Those  Bashaws,  that  are  not  Viziers, 
have  the  privilege  of  having  two  tails. 

The  Beys,  who  are  subordinate  to  the 
Bashaws,  have  only  one. 

In  the  bas-relievo  which  is  under  the 
tomb-stone  of  John  Cassimir,  King  of 
Poland,  in  the  abbey  church  of  St. 
Germain  des  pies  de  Paris,  that  mo- 
narch is  represented  at  the  head  of  his 
cavalry,  with  a  horse's  tail,  or  tug,  for 
his  standard. 

Tug,  a  draught  chain. 

TvG-pins  are  the  iron  pins  which 
pass  through  the  fore  end  of  the  shafts 
of  the  army  carts,  to  fasten  the  draught 
chains  for  the  fore  horses. 

TUILE,  Fr.  a  tile. 


TUM 


(     $44     ) 


TUN 


Tr  jle  creuse,  Fr.  a  gutter  tile. 

Tin  i:  de  petit  moule,  Fr.  a  tile  mea- 
suring about  10  inches  in  length,  and  six 
in  breadth.  About  300  will  cover  a 
square  toise. 

Ti  n.r.  de  grand  moule,  Fr.  a  tile 
Measuring  about  10  inches  in  length, 
and  about  eight  and  a  half  in  breadth. 
One  thousand  are  sufficient  to  cover 
seven  toises. 

Tuile  Jiumande,  Fr.  a  hollow  tile 
•Whose  profile  is  an  S. ;  a  Dutch  tile. 

TUILEAUX,  Fr.  shards  of  tiles. 

TUILERIE,  Fr.  tile  kiln. 

TUILERIES,  Fr.  the  gardens  be- 
longing to  the  Royal  Palace  in  Paris 
are  so  called  from  the  spot  having  origi- 
nally been  used  for  tile  kilns. 

TUKNEKYAH,  hid.  carpenters. 

TUKNARjMmmfijInd.  money  brought 
more  than  once  to  account. 

TULBANUA,  Ind.  a  fee  taken  by 
Peons  when  placed  as  guards  over  any 
person. 

TULLUB,  Ind.  This  word  literally 
means  a  demand,  but  it  is  often  used 
for  pay. 

Tullub  chitty,  Ind.  a  summons. 

TULWAR,  Ind.  a  sword. 

TUMBLER,  that  part  of  the  lock 
that  has  two  bents,  in  which  the  nose  of 
the  seer  catches  at  half  cock  and  whole 
cock. 

TUMBRELS,  (tombereaux,  Fr.)  co- 
vered carts,  which  carry  ammunition 
for  cannon,  tools  for  the  pioneers,  mi- 
ners, and  artificers;  and  sometimes  the 
monev  of  the  army. 

TUMULT,  (tumulte,  Fr.)  According 
to  Bailey,  a  bustle,  uproar,  stir,  hurly- 
burly,  riot,  sedition,  mutiny.  When 
this  happens,  especially  in  any  British 
populous  town  or  city,  recourse  is  first 
bad  to  the  civil  power,  which,  if  well 
managed,  seldom  fails  to  put  down  the 
most  violent  ebullitions  of  a  mob.  When 
the  military  are,  from  extreme  necessity, 
called  in,  the  greatest  attention  should 
be  paid  to  the  description  of  troops  that 
are  employed.  Men,  but  especially  offi- 
cers, who  have  seen  service,  and  are 
marked  for  bravery  and  forbearance, 
should  always  be  selected  in  preference 
to  raw  troops,  and  inconsiderate  youths. 

TUMULTUS.  Among  the  ancient 
Romans,  the  word  tumultus  signified 
more  than  was  generally  understood  by 
the  term  helium  (war.)  For  during  hos- 
tilities, the  civil  distribution  of  justice 
was  never  interrupted  ;  whereas  in  times 
of  tumult,  and  popular  insurrection,  all 


functions  of  the  kind  ceased ;  every 
magistrate,  and  public  officer,  was  obliged 
to  take  up  arms,  and  the  Consuls  alone 
were  invested  with  the  full  authority  of 
the  state. 

TUMUSSOOK,  Ind.  a  bond. 

TUNCAW,  Ind.  an  assignment. 

TUNES,  Fr.  small  twigs  which  are 
inlaced,  or  twisted  across,  round  several 
stakes  planted  in  the  earth,  and  which 
serve  to  keep  the  fascines  together. 

TUNIC,  (tuniqnc,  Fr.)  a  coat  with- 
out sleeves.  It  derives  its  name  from 
the  Latin  word  tunica,  or  close  coat, 
which  was  the  common  garment  worn 
within  doors  by  itself,  and  abroad,  un- 
der the  gown.  It  was  distinguished 
by  different  names  among  the  Romans, 
corresponding  with  the  several  classes  of 
the  people,  that  were  clothed  according 
to  their  rank  in  life.  See  Kennel's  Ro- 
man Antiquities,  page  311,  ccc. 

This  sort  of  clothing  is  still  worn  in 
the  East,  and  was  prevalent  among  the 
French  after  their  return  from  the  Cru- 
sades to  the  Holy  Land.  They  adopted 
it  from  the  Saracens,  and  seemed  ambi- 
tious of  appearing  in  a  garb  which  bore 
testimony  to  their  feats  of  valour.  These 
tunics,  which  were  converted  into  a  sort 
of  uniform,  obtained  the  name  of  Sala- 
dines  among  the  French,  in  compliment 
to  the  Emperor  Saladin.  Hence  too 
the  origin  of  Salade,  which  not  only  sig- 
nified the  armour  that  was  worn  beneath 
the  tunic  or  Saladine,  but  also  the  light 
helmet  of  that  name. 

Among  the  French  it  likewise  signi- 
fied a  particular  dress  which  was  worn 
by  their  kings,  under  their  robes  of 
state,  at  a  coronation. 

TUNICA  palmuta,  a  purple  garment, 
or  long  robe,  worn  among  the  ancient 
Romans,  which  had  a  gold  cloth  border 
on  it  of  a  hand's  breadth.  Littleton  says 
under  Palmatus,  a  gown  embroidered 
and  branched  all  over  with  palms,  worn 
in  triumph;  also  marked  with  the  palm 
of  one's  hand.  The  Roman  Emperors, 
by  a  refinement  in  politics,  had  attached 
a  considerable  consequence  to  this  ap- 
pointment; for  they  well  knew,  that  it 
was  necessary  to  keep  the  public  mind 
in  a  state  of  constant  amusement  or  oc- 
cupation; and  this  could  only  be  done 
by  popular  feasts  and  games.  The  per- 
son who  presided  on  these  occasions 
was  intitled  to  the  first  posts  and  em- 
ployments in  the  Republic.  This  policy 
was  followed  by  the  French,  particularly 
during  the  reign  of  Bonaparte;  when  the 


T  IJ  R 


(     945     ) 


T  U  R 


sans-culotte  system  gave  way  to  that  of 
the  consulate;  and  Napoleon,  the  late 
Emperor,  carried  it  still  farther. 

TUNTUNGI-baski,  a  Turkish  term 
signifying  master  of  the  pipes,  a  situa- 
tion under  the  Pacha. 

TUQUE,  Fr.  a  tarpaulin. 

TURBAN,      -\  (turban,  Fr.)  a  cover 

TURBANT,  (.consisting    of  several 

TURBAND,  )  folds  of  white  muslin, 
&c.  which  is  worn  by  the  Turks  and 
other  oriental  nations.  The  blacks  be- 
longing to  the  different  bands  that  are 
attached  to  British  regiments  likewise 
wear  turbans,  ornamented  with  fictitious 
pearls,  and  feathers.  Those  of  the  Foot 
Guards  are  particularly  gorgeous.  The 
French  say  familiarly  Prendre  le  turban, 
to  turn  Turk. 

The  Great  Turk  bears  over  his  arms, 
a  turban  enriched  with  pearls  and  dia- 
monds, under  two  coronets.  The  first, 
which  is  made  of  pyramidical  points,  is 
heightened  up  with  large  pearls,  and  the 
uppermost  is  surmounted  with  crescents. 

Grcen-TvRhAK,  a  turban  worn  by  the 
immediate  descendants  of  Mahomet,  and 
by  the  idiots  or  saints  in  Turkey. 

TT/n7e-TuRBAN,  a  turban  generally 
worn  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  East. 

Ye//ow-T urban,  a  turban  worn  by 
the  Polygars  who  are  chiefs  of  moun- 
tainous, or  woodland  districts,  in  the 
East  Indies.  By  the  last  accounts  from 
India,  this  turban  has  been  adopted  by 
the  revolted  natives  of  that  part  of  the 
globe,  as  a  signal  of  national  coincidence 
and  national  understanding.  The  Poly- 
gars are  in  possession  of  very  extensive 
tracts  of  countrv,  particularly  among  the 
woods  and  mountains,  and  are  likely  to 
be  extremely  troublesome  to  the  British. 
For  an  interesting  account  of  them,  see 
Orme's  History  of  the  Carnatic,  pages 
S86,  390,  396,  420,  &c. 

TURCIE,  Fr.  mole;  pier;  dyke. 

Grand  TURCOPOLIER  de  la  Reli- 
gion, Fr.  Before  the  Reformation, 
(when  the  Roman  Catholic  religion  pre- 
vailed in  Great  Britain,)  England  formed 
the  sixth  tongue  in  the  Order  of  Malta; 
and  the  Grand  Prior,  as  Turcopolier  de 
la  Religion,  had  the  chief  command  of 
the  troops  belonging  to  the  Order.  See 
Nouveau  Dictionnaire  Militaire,  pub- 
lished in  1802. 

TURC-Oyjj/Jfr,  Oppihr,  Fr.  Oppilo, 
Lat.  Oppilare,  Ital.  to  stop. — English 
also,  Oppilate,  to  obstruct. 

This  word,  with  its  substantive  and 


adjective,  almost  confined  to  medical 
uses,  is  rare,  except  with  the  physicians, 
who  threw  such  a  lustre  over  Italy,  in 
the  17th  century;  and  among  them, 
Johnson  quotes  our  Harvey. 

From  the  physicians,  it  got  into  the 
French  poets  of  the  time,  as  Regnier 
and  Senece ;  or,  perhaps,  it  might  have 
come  from  Lucretius — 

Uti  possit,  magnus  congestus  arena 
Fluctibus  adversis  oppilare  ostia,  con- 

tra 
Cum  mare  pcrmotum  ventis,  ruit   intus 

arenam. 
An  hypothesis  of  his,  on  the  periodical 
swell  of  the  Nile. 

Pilier,  Fr.  also  signifies  a  buttress. 
Perhaps,  we  may  not  strain  the  inter- 
pretation, when  we  say  Turco-Pilier,  a 
buttress  against  the  Turks;  in  which 
light,  the  Order  of  Malta  was  originally 
considered.  So  that  (by  a  very  easy 
affinity  to  the  word)  Grand  Turcopil.ier 
de  la  Religion  meant  the  grand  support, 
or  buttress,  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Re- 
ligion against  the  Turks  ;  and  a  compli- 
ment was  paid  to  England,  by  investing 
the  Grand  Prior  of  the  English  language 
or  tongue,  with  that  dignity. 

TURK,  (Pure,  Fr.)  the  following 
account  of  the  Turks  has  been  given  by 
a  modern  French  writer: — "  The  Turks 
are  a  nation  that  is  naturally  warlike, 
whose  armies  are  commanded  by  expe- 
rienced generals,  and  are  composed  of 
bold  and  executive  soldiers.  They  owe 
their  knowledge  of  war,  and  their  expe- 
rience in  tactics  to  three  national  causes, 
two  of  which  do  credit  to  their  intellects. 
In  the  first  place,  they  become  inured  to 
arms,  from  being  bred  to  the  profession 
from  their  earliest  infancy;  in  the  se- 
cond, they  are  promoted  upon  the  sole 
ground  of  merit,  and  by  an  uninter- 
rupted gradation  of  rank;  and  in  the 
third,  they  possess  all  the  opportunities 
of  learning  the  military  art  that  constant 
practice  and  habitual  warfare  can  afford. 
They  are  naturally  robust,  and  consti- 
tutionally courageous,  full  of  activity, 
and  not  at  all  enervated  by  the  de- 
baucheries of  Europe,  or  the  effeminacy 
of  the  East.  Their  predilection  for  war 
and  enterprize  grows  out  of  the  recollec- 
tion of  past  victories,  and  is  strengthened 
by  the  two  most  powerful  incentives  to 
human  daring,  viz.  reward  and  punish- 
ment :  the  first  of  which  is  extremely 
attractive,  because  it  is  very  great ;  and 
the  other  equally  deterring,  because  it  is 
6E 


TUR 


(     946     ) 


TUR 


,U?  in  the  extreme.     Add  to  these  i original  jester  or  buffoon,  was  Monsieur 
the  strong  influence  of  a  religion,  which  I  d'Arrqagnac.     In    the    second    part    of 
holds  out  everlasting; happiness,  and  seats  Bailey,  we  read  Tur/upinade,  a  low  dry 
near  Mahomet  in  heaven,  to  all  who  die  jest  or  witticism. 
fighting  for  their  country  on  the  field     ■  TURLUPIN  ER,  Fr.  to  jest,  ormake 


of  battle;  and  which  further  teaches 
them  most  implicitly  to  believe,  that 
every  Turk  bears  inscribed  upon  his 
forehead  his  fatal  moment,  with  the 
kind  of  death  he  must  submit  to,  and 
that  nothing  human  can  alter  his  destiny. 
When  anything  is  to  be  carried  into  exe- 
cution, the  order  they  receive  is  absolute, 
free  from  every  species  of  intervention 
or  controul,  and  emanating  from  one  in- 


game  of  another,  in  a  low,  coarse  man- 
ner.    See  Quiz. 

TURLUPIN ES,  a  sect  or  sort  of 
people  who  made  a  public  profession  of 
impudence,  going  naked,  without  so 
much  as  covering  their  privy  parts,  and 
who  were  not  ashamed  to  ha.ve  to  do 
with  women  in  the  open  market. 

TURMA,  a  troop  of  cavalry  among 
the    ancient    Romans.     The    horse    re- 


dependent  authority.     The  power  which  i  quired  to  every  legion  was  three  hundred, 


is  entrusted  to  their  generals  (like  that 
of  the  Romans  to  their  dictators)  is 
brief  and  comprehensive,  viz. — Promote 
the  interests  of  your  country,  or  your 
sovereign."  See  Essai  sur  la  Science  de 
la  Guerre,  torn.  i.  p.  207. 

Such  is  the  character  of  the  Turks, 
as  detailed  by  their  old  allies  the  French. 
How  far  it  corresponds  with  reality,  espe- 
cially in  regard  to  military  knowledge, 
we  must  leave  to  future  historians  to 
determine;  observing  at  the  same  time, 
that  a  few  sparks  of  British  valour  and 
perseverance  contributed  more  to  the 
preservation  of  the  Ottoman  empire, 
during  the  late  war,  than  all  the  fantastic 
images,  or  well-devised  hypocrisies  of 
Mahomet,  could  have  done.  Our  brave 
countrymen,  on  their  return  from  Egypt, 
have  been  enabled  to  give  a  more  faith- 
ful and  correct  account  of  their  charac- 
ter as  soldiers. 

TURKISH- Bow,  a  remarkably  strong 
bow,  which,  to  use  the  words  of  Lord 
Verulam,  gave  a  very  forcible  shoot,  in- 
somuch that  it  has  been  known  that  the 
arrow  has  pierced  a  steel  target,  or  a 
piece  of  brass,  two  inches  thick. 

TURLUPINADE,  Fr.  the  art  of 
punning,  or  making  people  laugh  by 
sallies  of  false  wit,  and  by  ridiculous 
equivocation,  or  double  meaning.  It 
is  so  called,  from  a  celebrated  French 
buffoon  of  the  name  of  Turlupin.  It 
has  been  very  properly  observed  by  a 
French  writer,  that  persons  of  taste 
reject  this  species  of  pretended  wit.  It 
was,  however,  very  prevalent  at  the 
Fiench  court,  particularly  before  and 
during  the  reign  of  Louis  the  14th. 
Boileau  savs : — 

J'outefbis  a   la  cour  les  Turhtpins  res- 
tirent. 
The  most  notorious  imitator  of  this 


divided  into  ten  turmae  or  troops,  thirty 
to  a  troop,  every  troop  making  three 
decuriae,  or  bodies  of  men.  See  Ken- 
nett,  R.  A.  p.  192. 

TURN,  a  word  commonly  used  by 
the  riding  masters  when  they  direct 
their  scholars  to  change  hands. 

TURNCOAT,  a  renegade,  a  deserter; 
one  who  abandons  his  party. 

TURNOVER,  a  piece  of  white  linen 
which  used  to  be  worn  by  the  soldiers 
belonging  to  the  British  cavalry  over 
their  stocks,  about  half  an  inch  deep. 
Three  turnovers  per  annum  are  ordered 
to  be  provided  by  stoppage,  in  the  list 
of  necessaries,  from  the  pay  of  each 
cavalry  soldier. 

To  TURN  out,  to  bring  forward  ;  to 
exhibit;  as,  to  turn  out  the  guard;  to 
turn  out  so  many  men  for  service. 

To  Turn  out  the  line,  to  exhibit,  in 
battle  array,  a  certain  number  of  men, 
for  the  purpose  of  parade,  or  to  bring 
them  into  action. 

To  Turn  in,  to  withdraw ;  to  order 
under  cover;  as,  to  turn  in  the  guard. 

TURNPIKE,  an  obstacle  placed 
across  a  road,  to  prevent  travellers, 
wagons,  &c.  from  passing  without  paying 
an  established  toll.  Officers  and  sol- 
diers, regimentally  dressed,  and  on  duty, 
may  pass  through  turnpikes  gratis. 

Turnpike  is  also  used  in  the  military 
art,  for  a  beam  stuck  full  of  spikes,  to  be 
placed  in  a  gap,  a  breach,  or  at  the 
entrance  of  a  camp,  to  keep  oft' the  enemy. 
It  may  be  considered  as  a  sort  of  c/ievul 
dc  frize. 

'TURPENTINE,  a  very  combustible 
gum,  used  in  the  composition  of  fire- 
works. 

TURRET,  a  small  tower. 
Moveable  Turrets.    See  Towers. 
TURRIS,  a  tower;    a  turret.     This 


TUR 


(    947    ) 


T  Y  M 


Vias  formerly  a  sort  of  retrenchment, 
used  among  the  people  in  Asia,  and 
which  the  Greeks  adopted  for  warlike 
purposes.  It  was  a  moveahle  machine 
and  principally  employed  at  sieges.  In 
the  latter  case,  Vegetius  calls  it  'Purvis 
ambulatoria,  a  moveable  turret,  which 
was  higher  than  the  walls  of  a  town,  and 
went  upon  wheels.  Atheineus  gives  the 
invention  of  this  turret  to  the  Sicilians  : 
and  Servius  says  that  Agrippa,  a  cele- 
brated sea  captain  among  the  Romans, 
first  introduced  it.  We  are  of  opinion, 
with  the  author  of  the  French  Military 
Dictionary,  that  it  owes  its  origin  to  the 
remotest  antiquity,  and  that  it  was  com- 
mon among  the  Hebrews,  the  Israelites, 
&c. 

American  TURTLE,  a  machine   in- 
vented by  Mr.  David  Bushnell,  of  Say- 
brook,  in  Connecticut,    for  sub-marine 
navigation.     The  Catamarans,  so  pom- 
pously submitted,  and  so  expensively  at- 
tended to,  by  the  late  Mr.  Pitt,  as  being 
the   original  invention   of  Mr.   Fulton, 
were  direct  imitations,  or  rather  copies, 
of  the  American  Turtle.    It  is  a  decked 
boat,    to  go   under  water,    and  several 
persons   have  gone  under  water  many 
leagues.     The  difficulty  is  to  provide  the 
persons   in  'the  boat  with  fresh  air  for 
respiration,    and    this    is  contrived,   by 
having  a  reservoir  of  air,  of  suitable  di- 
mensions to  the  size  of  the  boat,  and  the 
number  of  persons  in  it.    By  means  of  a 
condensing  pump,  the  air,  in  this  reser- 
voir, is  condensed  about  four  hundred 
times ;  and  by  a  spring,  the  air  is  let  out 
at  intervals,  as  circumstances  require; 
the  impure  air  being  rectified  by  carbonic 
acid,  neutralized  with   chalk.     W  ithin 
the  boat  are  Haps,  like  those  of  a  rundle, 
to  move  the  boat,  two  rudders,  one  ver- 
tical, the  other  horizontal,  and  a  pump 
to  empty  the  hold,  or  air  reservoir.    The 
persons  within  can,  at  pleasure,  come  to 
the  top  of  the  water;  and  to  injure  an 
enemy's   vessel,  the  boat  is  steered  to 
the  ship,  and  a  machine,  filled  with  com- 
bustibles, is  fixed  to  it,  which  is  set  on 
fire  by  a  cock  let  off  by  a  spring,  after  a 
certain  time,  during  which  the  persons 
within  the  boat  have  provided  for  their 
safety.     It  does   not  appear,  that  any 
vessel  has,  as  yet,  suffered  by  this  inven- 
tion.   Experiments  have  been  made,  par- 
ticularly by  the  French,  but  the  dilricul- 
ties  of  carrying  them  into  execution,  in 
real  practice,  are  too  great  to  afford  any 
cause  of  alarm  to  our  navy. 


TUSCAN-order.     See  Order. 

Tvsc.\^--tcork  is  rarely  used,  except  in 
vaults,  in  some  rustic  edifices,  and  huge 
piles  of  building,  such  as  amphitheatres, 
&c. 

TUSK,  (in  carpentry,)  a  level  shoulder 
made  to  strengthen  the  tenon  of  a  joist, 
which  is  let  into  the  girder. 

TUSSULDAR,  hid.  the  Company's 
collector  of  the  kistvbundy. 

TUYAU,  Fr.  nozzle,  the  end.  Any 
pipe,  &c.  of  lead,  or  gutter,  or  canal, 
made  of  burnt  clay,  &c.  which  serves  to 
carry  off  the  water  from  the  roof  of  a 
house. 

Tuyau  de  cheminee,  Fr.  the  cylindrical 
conduit  which  receives,  and  lets  out,  the 
smoke  at  the  top  of  a  chimney. 

Tuyaux  de  descente,  Fr.  the  pipes 
which  convey  the  water  downwards. 

TWEED,  a  river  that  divides  Eng- 
land from  Scotland. 

Berwick  upon  Tweed.  The  power 
respecting  the  militia  for  the  county  ot 
Northumberland  extends  to  this  place; 
the  men  belonging  to  it  being  subject  to 
be  balloted  for,  in  the  same  proportion 
with  the  other  divisions,  and  to  join  and 
be  deemed  part  of  the  militia  of  that 
county. 

The  chief  magistrate  of  Berwick  upon 
Tweed  has  authority  to  appoint  deputy- 
lieutenants,  and  to  nominate  officers. 

TW1BIL,  an  instrument  used  by  car- 
penters to  make  mortise-holes. 

TWIIUNDI,  an  old  term  signifying 
men,  valued  at  200  shillings,  who  were 
of  the  lowest  degree  :  and  if  such  a  man 
was  killed,  the  mulct  was  thirty  shillings. 

TWIST,  with  horsemen,  the  inside  or 
flat  part  of  a  man's  thigh,  upon  which 
every  true  horseman  rests  on  horseback. 

TWISTED  IN,  a  term  synouimous_ 
to  sworn  in,  used  by  the  insurgents  of 
the  manufacturing  towns  and  villages  in 
Yorkshire  and  Lancashire,  in  1812. 

TWISTING,  with  horsemen,  the  re- 
ducing a  horse  to  the  same  state  of  im- 
potence with  a  gelding,  by  the  violent 
wringing,  or  twisting,  of  his  testicles, 
twice  about,  which  dries  them  up,  and 
deprives  them  of  nourishment. 

TWOPENCES,  an  allowance  in  the 
pound,  given  to  army  agents. 

TYMPAN,  (tympanal.)  in  architec- 
ture, the  area  of  a  pediment,  being  that 
part  which  is  on  a  level  with  the  naked 
of  the  frieze.  Or  it  is  the  space  included 
between  the  three  cornices  of  a  triangular 
pediment,  or  the  two  cornices  of  a  cir- 
0  E2 


V  A  C 


(     948     ) 


V  A  I 


fiilar  one-     Among  joiners,  it  signifies  J  animals,  such  as  horses,  dogs,  kc.  walk, 


the  pannels  of  a  door. 

Tl  miw\  of  an  inch  is  the  triangular 
space  or  table  in  the  corners  or  sides  of 
the  arch,  usually  hollowed  and  enriched, 
sometimes  with  branches  of  laurel,  olive- 
tn  ■< ,  or  oak,  or  with  trophies,  &c.  Some- 
times with  flying  figures,  as  Fame,  \  ic- 
tory,&c,  or  sitting  figures, as  the  Cardinal 
Virtues. 

TYMPA  \  I  M,  a  drum,  a  musical  in- 
strument which  the  ancients  used,  and 
which  consisted  of  a  thin  piece  of  leather 
or  skin  stretched  upon  a  circle  of  wood  or 
iron,  and  beat  with  the  hand.  Hence 
the  origin  of  our  drum. 

Tympanum,  in  mechanics,  a  kind  of 
wheel  placed  round  an  axis  or  cylindrical 
Learn,  on  the  top  of  which  are  two  levers, 
or  fixed  staves,  for  the  more  easy  turning 
the  axis  about,  in  order  to  raise  a  weight 
required.  It  is  also  used  for  any  hollow 
wheel,  wherein  one  or  more  persons  or 


to  turn  it.    This  wheel  is  found  in  cranes, 
calenders,  &c. 

Tympanum,  the  area  orspace  included 
between  the  cornice  which  crowns  it,  and 
the  entablature  which  supports  and  serves 
it  as  a  foundation. 

TYRANT,  (tyran,  Fr.)  Any  indivi- 
dual is  so  called,  who,  by  force  of  arms, 
or  by  other  illegitimate  means,  has  en- 
croached upon,  or  usurped,  the  sovereign 
authority  in  a  country.  Thus  Diony- 
sius  was  called  the  tyrant  of  Sicily,  and 
Robespierre  the  tyrant  of  France. 

Petty  Tyrants,  (tyranneaux,  Fr.)  a 
low,  grovelling  set  of  beings,  who,  with- 
out one  spark,  of  real  courage  within 
themselves,  execute  the  orders  of  usurped 
or  strained  authority,  with  brutal  rigour. 
The  creatures  belonging  to  an  oligarchy 
are  generally  of  this  cast;  hence  the 
Poet's  line — 
And  fly  from  petty  tyrants  to  the  throne. 


V. 


T/ACANCY,    (Vaeancf!}    Fr\    vacant 

state  of  an  office  or  commission  to 
which  no  one  is  appointed. 

Empbis-V AC ANS,  Fr.  During  the 
old  French  monarchy,  seniority  of  rank 
or  standing  did  net  give  the  right  of 
promotion.  It  belonged  solely  to  the 
king  to  appoint  and  nominate  all  persons 
to  vacant  commissions  or  employments. 
The  same  power  is  vested  in  our  King, 
forming  a  part  of  his  prerogative :  thus 
the  Prince  of  Saxe-Cobourg  has  been 
appointed  colonel  of  the  vacant  regiment 
of  Dragoon  Guards,  the  5th,  or  Princess 
Charlotte  of  Wales's  own. 

VACANT,  (vacant,  e,  Fr.)  empty; 
not  filled.     Hence,  vacant  mind. 

\  a  (ant  companies,  (compagnies  va- 
cantcs,  Fr.)  companies  to  the  permanent 
command  of  which  no  person  is  ap- 
pointed, for  the  time  being. 

\  ,\(  am  Pay.     See  Pay. 

VACATIO  militia,  military  exemp- 
tion. Among  the  Creeks  no  man  was 
called  into  active  service  after  he  had 
reached  his  sixtieth  year.  The  Romans 
established  the  vacatio-militia;,  or  mili- 
tary exemption,  at  forty-five  and  fifty. 
We  imitate  the  latter. 

VACCINATION,    the  VACCINE. 
I  he  term  inoculation  signifies  the  trans- 
planting of  distempers  from  one  subject 


to  another;  and  is  used,  particularly,  for 
the  engraftment  of  the  small  pox;  while 
Vaccination  denotes  the  operation  for 
communicating  the  variola  bovilla,  or 
cow  pox. 

VAC  HE  enragee,  Fr.  a  term  used  in 
France  to  express  great  discontent.  Je  te 
J'erai  manger  de  la  vache  enragee,  thou 
shalt  go  for  a  soldier;  intimating  thereby 
that  soldiers  are  obliged  to  eat  any  thing, 
and  any  sort  of  meat,  even  that  of  a 
mad  cow  or  bullock.  This,  thank  God, 
is  not  the  case  with  us :  for  no  men 
live  better  than  the  soldiers  of  Old 
England. 

VADEMANQUE,  Fr.  short  of  cash. 

VAGUE,  Fr.  wave;  surge.  Flot  is 
used  in  the  same  sense. 

V ague -fnattre,  Fr.  a  term  adopted 
from  the  Germans,  signifying  master  of 
the  wagons  of  an  army.  There  being  no 
W  in  the  French  alphabet  the  V  is  used: 
we  say  simply,  wagon-master. 

\TAGVE-Mestre- General,  Fr.  This 
word  has  been  adopted  by  the  French 
from  the  German  term  Wagen-$teistert 
which  signifies  wagon-master. 

VAIGRES,  Fr.  a  marine  term,  the 

clamp  and  thick  stuff  used  in  the  ceiling 

of  a  ship.    It  is  sometimes  written  vegres. 

Vaigkes  de  fond,  Fr.  the  thick  stulf 

laid  next  to  the  keel. 


V  A  L 


(     949     ) 


Vaigres  d'empature,  Fr.  the  thick 
stuff  laid  between  the  floor-heads  and 
the  keel. 

Vaigres  depout,  Fr.  the  clamps  which 
support  the  ends  of  the  beams. 

Vaigres  dejieures,  Fr.  the  thick  stuff 
laid  opposite  to  the  floor  head. 

VAINCU,  Fr.  beaten ;  overcome  ; 
defeated. 

VAIXQUEUR,  Fr.  a  conqueror ; 
one  who  beats,  overcomes,  or  defeats 
another. 

YAIRON,  Fr.  a  silver-eyed  or  wall- 
eyed horse;  or  a  horse  that  has  one  eye 
different  from  the  other.  The  same  is 
said  of  a  man. 

VAISSEAU,  Fr  a  ship. 

Vaisseau  du  premier  rang,  Fr.  a  first 
rate. 

Vaisseau  du  second  rang,  Fr.  a  second 
rate. 

Vaisseau  de  guerre,  Fr.  a  man  of  war. 

Vaisseau  murchand,  Fr.  a  merchant- 
man. 

VAISSELLE  d'argent,  Fr.  silver  uten- 
sils ;  plate  We  have  already  remarked 
under  Table  d'O/Hciers,  that  during  the 
old  government  of  France,  it  was  strictly 
forbidden  to  use  any  other  plate  than 
silver  goblets,  spoons,  and  forks. 

VA1\  ODE,  Fr.  an  old  Sclavonian 
word,  which  signifies  prince  or  general. 
This  title  was  formerly  given  to  the  so- 
vereign princes  of  Wallachia,  Moldavia, 
and  Transilvania. 

YAJ1B  ul  Auzee,  Ind.  a  petition, 
memorial,  or  proposal  to  a  superior. 

VAKEEL,  lnd.  an  agent,  a  subor- 
dinate envoy  or  ambassador. 


V  A  L 

Fr.  the  desk  of  a 


Valet  de  miroir.t 
table  looking  glass. 

Valet  a  dibutter,  Fr.  a  jack  to  pull  off 
boots. 

Valet,  with  horsemen,  is  a  stick 
armed  at  one  end  with  a  blunt  point  of 
iron,  to  prick  and  aid  a  leaping-horse. 

Valet,  Fr.  an  instrument  which  is 
used  by  carpenters  to  keep  boards,  that 
have  been  glued,  close  together. 

Valets  de  Vurmie,  Fr.  officers'  ser- 
vants ;  they  are  likewise  called  by  the 
French  tar  tares. 

Valets  d'urtillerie,  Fr.  men  attached 
to  the  guns  on  board  ships  of  war,  for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  the  regular  can- 
noneers. 

Valet  d'luiis,Yv.  a  log, block,  or  piece 
of  metal  hanging  by  a  rope  on  one  side 
of  a  door,  for  the  purpose  of  closing  it 
altar  a  person  has  passed. 

Valets  a  pat  in,  Fr.  an  instrument 
which  is  used  by  surgeons ;  a  small  pincer 
to  take  up  the  arteries  when  it  is  found 
necessary  to  make  a  ligature. 

Valets  de  vil/e,  Fr.  constables,  &c. 
men  who  are  attached  to  the  police  of  a 
town. 

VALETER,  Fr.  to  wait ;  to  cringe  ; 
to  dance  attendance. 

VALETUDINARIUM,  an  infirmary, 
or  hospital  for  sick  folks.  Among  the 
Romans,  the  valetudinarium,  or  hospital, 
was  only  established  in  time  of  war,  when 
their  armies  marched  beyond  the  boun- 
daries of  the  republic.  In  the  remote  pe- 
riods of  their  history,  the  wounded  sol- 
diers were  lodged  with  the  inhabitants  of 
the  several  towns  belonging  to  the  re- 


VAKIAS,  Ind.  a  weight  nearly  equal  public,  by  whom  they  were  nursed  and 

fed ;  and  when  they  were  on  foreign  ser- 
vice, the  wounded  were  obliged  to  dress 
one  another.  There  were  in  those  times, 
neither  physicians  nor  surgeons  attached 
to  the  armies;  and  it  often  happened, 
that  superannuated  or  old  soldiers  did 
their  business. 

VALEUREUSEMENT,  Fr.  coura- 
geously. 

VALIANT,        >    personally    brave, 

VALOROUS,  )  fearless  of  danger 
in  war,  &c. 

VALLEE  de  inhere,  Fr.  in  Paris,  the 
poultry  and  game  market. 

VALLEY,  (val,Fr.)  a  space  of  ground 
between  hills. 

VAN-jbss,  in  fortification,  a  ditch  dug 


to  a  pound.     It  also  signifies  a  measure. 

VAKILIT,  hid.  the  first  office  in  the 
empire. 

VALET,  Fr.  a  servant-man ;  a  person 
in  waiting  about  another ;  a  valet.  In 
ancient  history,  there  is  an  account  of 
valets  under  the  article  of  esquires,  who 
received  12d.  per  diem.  Du  Cange  and 
other  writers  are  of  opinion  that  the  ap- 
pellation of  valet  was  generally  given  to 
young  gentlemen  of  rank  and  family,  who 
were  not  yet  knighted.  At  present,  it 
means  a  menial ;  one  who  is  about  the 
person  of  another  in  a  servile  capacity  ; 
as  Valet  de  chambre. 

Valet  a  loner,  Fr.  figuratively,  a  man 
out  of  place  ;  as  a  minister  sometimes  is; 
or  a  discarded  general. 

Ame  de  Valet,  Fr.  a  mean,  base, 
sneeking  soul. 


without  the  counterscarp,  and 
all  along  the  glacis,  usually  full  of  water. 
VALLUM,  Agger,  Vines,  Turves.  All 


V  A  L 


(     950     ) 


V  A  L 


these  different  terms  were  used  among 
I  rreeks  and  ancient  Romans,  as  well 
as  among  the  Eastern  nations,  to  signify 
the  retrenchments  which  were  made  for 
offensive  or  defensive  purposes.  That 
which  was  called  Agger  consisted  of  an 
elevation  made  with  piles  of  wood, 
branches  of  trees,  &c  and  afterwards 
covered  with  turf.  It  was  sufficiently 
high  to  overlook  the  town.  This  artifi- 
cial mount  was  surrounded  by  a  fosse  or 
ditch,  and  fenced  with  palisades.  These 
retrenchments  had  different  terms  ap- 
plied to  them,  according  to  the  different 
manner  in  which  they  were  constructed. 
The  vinea  were  engines  of  war  made  of 
timber  and  hurdles,  beneath  which  the 
ancients,  in  assaults,  came  safely  under 
the  walls  of  a  town,  and  so  scaled  them. 
Then  came  the  Turres,  which  see. 

VALOIR,  Fr.  to  have  value,  or  to  be 
worth  something. 

Faire  Valoir  le  talent,  Fr.  to  enhance 
any  particular  talent  or  quality  of  the 
mind. 

Se  faire  Valoir,  Fr.  to  support  one's 
own  dignity  as  a  man  ;  not  to  permit 
one's  self  to  be  degraded  or  under-rated. 

VALOUR,  (valeur,  Fr:)  courage,  bra- 
very, intrepidity  ;  a  generous  quality, 
which,  far  from  assuming  brutality  and 
violence,  with-holds  the  fury  of  the  sol- 
dier, protects'  helpless  women,  innocent 
infants,  and  hoary  age.  Nothing  which 
is  incapable  of  resistance  can  ever  be 
the  object  whereon  true  valour  would 
exercise  its  powers.  Courage  is  that 
grandeur  of  soul,  which  prompts  us  to 
sacrifice  all  personal  advantages,  and 
even  the  preservation  of  our  beings,  to 
a  love  of  doing  our  duty.  The  exercise 
of  this  determined  courage  in  the  pro- 
fession of  arms  is  called  valour.  It  is 
composed  of  bravery,  reason,  and  force  : 
by  bravery  we  understand  that  lively  ar- 
dour which  fires  us  for  the  combat ;  rea- 
son points  out  to  us  the  method  of  con- 
ducting it  with  justice  and  prudence  ; 
and  force  is  necessary  for  the  execution. 
It  is  bravery  which  animates  the  heart, 
reason  springs  from  the  soul,  and  force 
ads  upon  the  body  ;  without  bravery 
we  fear  obstacles,  danger  and  death ; 
«  ithout  reason,  courage  would  have  no 
Legitimate  view;  and  without  force  it 
would  be  useless:  these  three  qualities 
shouldconcur  to  form  true  military  valour. 

Dr.  Johnson  defines  valour,  bravery, 

and  courage  almost  as  synonimous  terms. 

tfr,  Addison  distinguishes  between  that 

sort  of  courage  which  springs,  by  instinct 


>\ 


from  the  soul,  and  from  that  which  ori- 
ginates in  a  sense  of  duty,  and  is  strength- 
ened by  reflexion.  Count  Turpin,  on  the 
other  hand,  establishes  a  wide  difference 
between  bravery  and  courage,  which  he 
makes  two  terms.  In  page  5  of  the  Pre- 
liminary Discourse  to  his  Essay  on  the  Art 
of  War,  he  has  the  following  passage  : 

"  Is  the  officer — (speaking  of  the  re- 
quisite qualifications  in  a  general) — who 
loves  his  duty,  and  who  would  make  him- 
self master  of  it,  under  no  obligation  to 
ascertain  what  qualifications  his  station 
requires  ?  That  he  ought  to  have  such 
or  such  a  quality,  under  such  or  such  a 
circumstance  ?  That  here,  only  bravery 
is  necessary,  there,  only  courage  ?  And 
that  he  is  not  always  obliged  to  have 
both  at  the  same  time  ?" 

These  two  qualities,  which  are  often 
confounded  in  the  same  subject,  merit  a 
particular  distinction  :  they  are  not  so 
closely  united,  but  that  one  may  be  found 
without  the  other.  Courage  seems  fittest 
for  a  general,  and  for  all  those  who  com- 
mand; bravery  more  necessary  for  a 
soldier,  and  for  all  those  who  receive 
orders ;  bravery  is  in  the  blood ;  courage 
in  the  soul ;  the  first  is  a  kind  of  instinct, 
the  second  a  virtue ;  the  one  is  an  im- 
pulse almost  mechanical,  the  other  a 
noble  and  a  sublime  conception.  A  man 
is  brave  at  a  particular  time,  and  accord- 
ing to  circumstances  ;  but  he  has  con- 
rage  at  all  times,  and  upon  all  occasions: 
bravery  is  impetuous,  in  as  much  as  it  is 
less  the  result  of  reflection ;  courage,  on 
the  contrary,  in  proportion  as  it  grows 
out  of  reason,  becomes  more  or  less  in- 
trepid. Bravery  is  inspired  by  the  force 
of  example,  by  insensibility  to  danger, 
and  by  the  mingled  fury  of  conflict  and 
action  ;  courage  is  infused  by  the  love  of 
our  duty,  the  desire  of  glory,  and  by  the 
zeal  we  feel  to  serve  our  king  and  coun- 
try :  courage  depends  on  reason,  but,  bra- 
very on  the  constitution.  Achilles,  such 
as  Horace  describes  him  from  Homer, 
implacable,  cruel,  despising  every  law 
except  that  of  the  strongest,  presents  no- 
thing to  the  idea,  but  the  hardiness  of  a 
gladiator.  But  the  Roman  general, 
whose  death  would  have  occasioned  the 
ruin  of  the  army,  the  great  Scipio,  when 
covered  by  the  bucklers  of  three  soldiers, 
to  avoid  a  shower  of  arrows,  which  the 
enemy  directed  against  him,  approaches 
in  safety  the  walls  he  besieged,  and 
standing  only  a  spectator  of  the  action, 
exhibits  the  picture  of  true  courage, 
whilst  he  contents  himself  with  giving  the 


V  A  L 


( 


) 


V  A  L 


necessary  orders;  and  in  the  same 
manner  did  the  present  Duke  of  Wel- 
lington remain  undaunted  in  one  of  his 
squares,  during  the  heat  of  the  battle 
of  Waterloo.  Bravery,  again,  is  in- 
voluntary, and  does  not  depend  wholly 
npon  ourselves  ;  whereas  courage  (as 
Seneca  observes)  may  be  acquired  by 
education;  provided  nature  has  sown  the 
first  seeds  of  it.  Cicero,  sheltering  him- 
self from  the  hatred  of  Catiline,  un- 
doubtedly wanted  bravery  ;  but  certainly 
he  possessed  an  elevated  tirmness  of 
mind  (which  is  in  reality  courage)  when 
he  disclosed  the  conspiracy  of  that 
traitor  to  the  senate,  and  pointed  out  all 
his  accomplices  ;  or  when  he  pleaded  for 
Deiotarus  against  Ceesar,  his  friend  and 
his  judge. 

Coolness  is  the  effect  of  courage, 
which  knows  its  clanger,  but  makes  no 
other  use  of  that  knowledge,  than  to  give 
direction  with  greater  certainty  ;  courage 
is  always  master  of  itself,  provided  against 
all  accidents,  and  regulated  by  existing 
circumstances;  never  confounded  by  any 
danger,  so  as  to  lose  sight  of  the  motions 
of  the  enemy,  or  of  the  means  by  which 
he  may  be  most  effectually  opposed. 

The  Chevalier  Folard  makes  the  fol- 
lowing remarks  upon  this  quality  of  the 
mind  and  heart.  He  says,  in  his  notes 
on  Polybius,  there  are  various  kinds  of 
that  species  of  courage,  intrepidity,  or 
strength  of  soul,  which  no  circumstances 
can  vanquish,  and  no  events  can  shake. 
I  do  not  know  whether  a  quality,  so  di- 
versified in  its  nature,  can  be  found  uni- 
ted in  the  same  person  to  the  full  extent 
of  its  activity.  We  generally  discover, 
that  some  men  possess  a  larger  propor- 
tion of  it  than  others. 

In  order  to  form  a  correct  opinion  of 
its  existence  in  the  human  character,  we 
should  find  out  some  individual  who  has 
acted-through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  life, 
and  has  uniformly  discovered  the  same 
firmness  of  mind  and  intrepidity  of  heart. 
But  where  shall  we  pick  out  a  character 
of  this  sort  ?  Life  is  too  short  for  the 
full  exercise  of  its  various  powers,  and 
were  it  of  a  longer  date,  the  circum- 
scribed faculties  of  man  render  the  re- 
search useless.  I  do  not  believe  it  is 
possible  to  point  out  an  individual  who, 
free  from  the  natural  weaknesses  that  are 
attached  to  our  constitution,  has,  in  ad- 
versity as  well  as  prosperity,  been  equally 
determined  throughout  all  the  changes  to 
which  military  operations  are  unavoid- 
ably subject. 


This  intrepidity  and  strength  of  mind 
have  been  ]>eculiarly  visible  on  manifold 
occasions,  in  some  extraordinary  charac- 
ters, who  have  been  equally  remarkable 
on  others  for  weakness  and  pusillanimi- 
ty. We  have  seen  them  bold,  to  the 
full  extent  of  hardihood,  during  a  suc- 
cession of  triumphs  ;  we  have  then  be- 
held them  shamefully  agitated  under  a 
temporary  reverse  of  fortune,  and  we 
have  again  seen  them  recover  their 
wonted  energy  on  the  first  favourable 
opportunity.  These  opposite  qualities 
succeed  one  another ;  and  we  see  bold- 
ness and  timidity  occupy,  by  turns,  the 
same  man,  so  as  to  produce,  according 
to  circumstances,  the  utmost  solicitude 
and  caution  in  some  instances,  and  the 
greatest  courage,  firmness,  and  decision 
in  others,  during  the  prosecution  of  a, 
war. 

These  fluctuations  of  the  human  cha- 
racter may  be  traced,  almost  every  day, 
in  a  certain  description  of  generals. 
When  they  are  reduced  to  defensive 
operations,  their  understanding  becomes 
perplexed ;  they  know  not  how  to  act, 
and  not  only  omit  to  make  use  of  fa- 
vourable opportunities  themselves,  but 
unwittingly  afford  them  to  their  enemies  ; 
whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  in  offensive 
war,  their  genius  expands  itself  into  a 
variety  of  expedients  ;  they  create  occa- 
sions that  did  not  seem  to  exist,  turn 
them  to  account,  and  finally  succeed. 
Thus  we  see  united  in  the  same  men 
promptitude,  vigour,  and  enterprize  in 
one  species  of  warfare ;  and  timidity, 
doubt,  and  consternation  in  another. 

I  have  known,  says  Folard,  generals  of 
marked  intrepidity  (who  in  trifling  mat- 
ters have  discovered  a  solicitude  that 
approached  to  a  want  of  manliness)  con- 
ceive projects  of  vast  extent,  that  were 
full  of  intricate  developements,  and  che- 
quered by  incertitude  ;  and  I  have  seen 
them  conquer  the  greatest  obstacles  by 
their  courage  and  good  conduct. 

Human  nature  is  so  strangely  consti- 
tuted, that  whilst  one  man  will  rush  into 
danger,  as  if  attracted  by  blood  and  de- 
vastation, another  will  not  have  tirmness 
enough  to  stand  his  ground,  and  face  the 
coming  evil.  He,  who  in  the  hour  of 
battle  would  give  fresh  courage  to  his 
troops,  by  being  the  foremost  to  advance, 
has  been  known  to  turn  pale  in  the  very 
trench  where  a  soldier's  boy  or  woman 
has  sat,  undisturbed,  selling  spirits  and 
provisions,  or  lias  been  discovered  to 
tremble,  when   the  signal  for  storming 


VAL  (   95 

vtUM  given.     The  very  man  that  would 

courageously  load  his  troop  into  action.. 
or  would  prove  the  most  expert  mavks- 

man  In  the  world,  were  lie  directed  to 
practise  in  the  front  of  a  whole  line,  has 
been  known  to  shrink  at  a  single  combat, 
and  would  rather  rush  headlong  into  a 
guarded  breach,  than  measure  swords,  or 
point  a  pistol,  with  an  antagonist.  An- 
other again,  "  hom  no  danger  could  arl'ect 
in  public  contests  or  in  private  feuds, 
when  visited  by  sickness,  is  full  of  appre- 
hension, has  recourse  to  physic,  and  in 
proportion  as  his  malady  increases,  grows 
timid,  scrupulous,  and  unhappy.  It 
sometimes  happens,  on  the  other  hand, 
though  rarely,  that  the  rankest  coward 
■will  lie  peaceably  in  bed  amidst  all  the 
surrounding  terrors  of  dissolution,  and 
will  even  smile  as  his  agony  approaches. 

I  have  seen,  continues  the  same  au- 
thor, (and  daily  experience  confirms  his 
observation,)  one  of  the  bravest  officers 
in  the  world,  suddenly  turn  pale  in  a 
thunder-storm,  and  even  so  far  give  way 
to  his  fears,  as  to  hide  himself  in  a  cel- 
lar. One  man  possesses  what  the  French 
so  forcibly  style  unc  valeur  journaliere,  a 
sort  of  ephemeral  courage,  or  what  de- 
pends upon  the  influence  of  the  moment; 
to-day  he  is  as  bold  as  Achilles ;  to- 
morrow, he  sinks  into  the  degraded  cha- 
racter of  Thersites. 

These  changes  in  character  and  con- 
stitution, which  are  so  visible  in  indivi- 
duals, may  be  traced  in  their  influence 
over  whole  nations,  with  little  or  no  de- 
viation. The  Persian  cavalry  still  main- 
tains its  ancient  reputation  for  valour,  and 
is  still  dreaded  by  the  Turks.  Tacitus 
relates,  that  the  Sarmatian  horse  was  in- 
vincible ;  but  when  the  men  were  dis- 
mounted, nothing  could  be  more  misera- 
bly defective  in  all  the  requisites  of  war. 
Their  whole  dependance  was  on  their 
cavalry,  and,  as  far  as  we  are  enabled  to 
judge,  the  same  partial  quality  exists  to 
this  day. 

The  French,  until  their  unprecedented 
revolution,  seem  to  have  preserved  the 
character  and  disposition  of  the  ancient 
Gauls.  They  went  with  more  alacrity 
into  action,  and  met  death,  at  first  si^ht, 
with  more  valour,  than  they  discovered 
firmness  and  resolution  to  wait  patiently 
lor  its  approach.  Hurry  and  agitation 
appeared  more  congenial  to  their  minds 
•  than  calmness  and  composure. 

In  order  to  conquer,  it  was  found  ne- 

>ary,  by  their  ablest  generals,  to  make 

them   attack   and   insult   their   enemy. 


) 


V  A  L 


They  grew  impatient  in  slow  operations, 
and  gradually  became  less  capable  of 
meeting  their  antagonists  in  proportion 
to  the  time  they  were  restrained  from 
coming  to  action.  Their  whole  history, 
indeed,  is  a  continued  proof  of  the  just- 
ness of  this  observation  ;  and  although 
their  character  seems  to  have  undergone 
considerable  changes  since  their  Revolu- 
tion, they  have  still  retained  so  much  of 
the  original  cast,  as  to  shew  more  prompti- 
tude in  offensive,  than  steadiness  and  per- 
severance in  defensive  operations :  not 
that  they  are  deficient  in  the  latter,  but 
that  the  former  quality  has  been  more 
brilliantly  successful.  To  the  first  they 
owe  their  stupendous  triumphs  under 
Bonaparte  ;  but  they  have  again  been 
rendered  almost  equally  conspicuous  by 
their  conduct  in  the  second  under  Ge- 
neral Moreau,  in  his  celebrated  retreat 
out  of  the  Black  Forest.  Having  said 
so  much  of  our  rival,  we  shall  not  be. 
thought  unjust  to  other  nations,  or  too 
much  prejudiced  in  favour  of  our  own, 
if  we  assert  that  the  British  character 
unites  within  itself  every  quality  that 
constitutes  the  real  soldier.  Let  Bri- 
tish soldiers  be  well  officered,  and  ably 
commanded,  and  they  will  march  into 
action  not  only  with  the  elastic  prompti- 
tude of  the  Frenchman,  but  they  will  also 
carry  with  them  the  cool  determined 
courage  of  the  German.  If  there  be  a 
feature  in  their  character  that  approaches 
nearer  to  one  nation  than  another,  it  is 
in  the  quickness  and  vigour  of  their  at- 
tacks. In  the  hard  fought  battle  of 
Waterloo  it  even  surpassed  the  French. 

In  a  work,  originally  written  by  the 
Marquis  of  Santa  Cruz  de  Marzenada, 
and  translated  under  the  title  of  jRe- 
flexions  Militaires  et  Politiques  pai-  De 
Vergy,  the  following  just  observations 
are  made  relative  to  this  important  qua- 
lity of  the  mind. 

Valour  ( by  which  we  understand  a 
thorough  indifference  to  all  sort  of  per- 
sonal danger,  and  even  a  contempt  of 
death)  is  so  necessary  an  ingredient  in 
the  character  of  a  general,  that  were  I  to 
discuss  the  subject,  I  should  pay  a  bad 
compliment,  indeed,  to  the  idea  which 
every  individual  must  have  formed  of  it 
in  his  own  mind.  A  real  general,  in  my 
opinion, should  therefore  remain  satisfied 
with  saving  in  the  words  of  Marius,  Ni- 
hil metuo  nisi  turpem  fumam — (Salust. 
Bel.  Jugur.)  I  fear  nothing  except  the 
disgrace  which  must  be  incurred  by  a 
bad  reputation;  or  in  those  of  Alcibiades, 


V  A  N 


(     95S     ) 


V  A  R 


Ke  there  quidem  vellem,  si  timidus  essem. 
— Plut.  1.  5.  Alci.  1.  I  would  not  even 
live,  were  I  conscious  of  being  timorous. 
or  afraid  of  death  :  and  this  saying  is 
the  more  correct,  because,  according  to 
Strada,  Belli  dux  nihil  mugis  timere  debet, 
quam  timere  videatur  (I  amianus  Strada 
de  Bello  Belgico,  1.  7.)  There  is  nothing 
which  a  general  or  chief  of  an  army 
should  so  much  fear  as  having  it  known, 
or  even  suspected,  that  he  is  afraid. 

To  these  might  be  added  the  more 
modern  saying  : 

Je  crains  Dieu,  cher  Abner — et  riai 
point  d'uutre  a  unite.  I  fear  God,  dear 
Abner — and  have  no  other  fear. 

\  ALUE,  in  a  general  acceptation  of 
the  term,  signifies  the  rate  at  which  any 
thing  is  estimated.  It  is  particularly  ap- 
plicable to  the  half-pay,  in  contradistinc- 
tion to  full  pay.  The  former,  having  an 
inherent  value,  but  not  being  a  saleable 
commodity,  (as  every  olKcer  is  strictly 
forbidden  to  sell  that  allowance,)  it  can- 
not properly  be  said  to  have  a  price, 
which  implies  bargain  and  sale,  but  still 
it  has  a  value  within  itself;  whereas  full 
pay  has  both  value  and  price.  Hence 
regulation  price  of  a  commission  means 
the  marketable  rate  at  which  a  full  pay 
commission  may  be  bought  or  sold;  and 
regulation  value  of  a  hall-pay  signifies 
the  rate  at  which  it  is  estimated,  but 
cannot  be  sold. 

VAMBASIUM  or  Wambasium,  an 
ancient  military  vestment,  calculated  for 
the  defence  of  the  bodv,  differing  very 
little  from  the  aketou,  gambeson  and 
jack. 

VAMBRACES.     See  Br  ass  arts. 

VAMPLET,  a  piece  of  steel  some- 
times in  the  shape  of  a  tunnel,  used  in 
tilting  spears,  just  before  the  hand,  to 
secure  and  defend  it ;  it  was  made  to  be 
taken  off  and  put  on  at  pleasure. 

VAN,  the  front  of  an  army,  the  first 
line. 

X  AK-guard,  that  part  of  the  army 
which  marches  in  the  front.   See  Guard. 

VANCOURIER.     See  Avakt-cou- 

RIER. 

VANDALS,  a  barbarous  and  fierce 
people  of  a  part  of  Sweden,  which  was 
afterwards,  from  the  Goths,  their  succes- 
sors, called  Gothland,  who,  leaving  their 
native  soil,  took  pleasure  in  ranging  to 
and  fro,  and  spoiling  countries.  Thus 
the  French,  during  the  course  of  their 
Revolution,  were  called  the  modern 
Goths  and  Vandals. 


VANES,  in  mathematical  instru- 
ments, are  sights  made  to  move  and  slide 
upon  them. 

VANITEUX,  Fr.  ridiculously  vain. 

VANNE,  Fr.  a  floodgate. 

Vannes,  venteuux,  ou  cloisons  de  bois 
de  chine,  Fr.  floodgates,  generally  made 
ofoak. 

YANNETTE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  flat  open 
basket,  or  sieve,  in  which  oats  are  given 
to  horses. 

VANTAUX,  Fr.  window-shutters. 

VANTAIL,  Fr.  leaf  of  a  folding-door. 

\  .VST-brass,  armour  for  the  arm. 

VANTER,  Fr.  to  praise  excessively ; 
to  extol  the  merit  of  a  peison,  or  to  en- 
hance the  price  of  a  thins. 

Se  Vanter,  Fr.  to  praise  oneself;  to 
speak  boastingly  of  one's  own,  actions. 

VANTILLER,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  to 
lay  strong  planks  or  boards  to  stop  the 
influx  of  water. 

VAQUER,  F?-.  to  be  vacant. 

Venir  «  Yaquer,  Fr.  to  become  va- 
cant. Ce  regiment  vient  a  vuquer ;  that 
regiment  is  become  vacant.  The  French 
also  say  vaquer  a  ses  affaires,  to  attend 
to  one's  business. 

Terres  Vaines  et  Vaques,  Fr.  waste 
ground. 

VARAIGNE,  Fr.  the  inlet  of  sea 
water  into  salt-marches. 

VARANGUES,  Fr.  floor  timbers  in 
a  ship. 

Varangt.es  acculces,  Fr.  the  crotches 
or  floor-timbers  afore  and  abaft. 

VARECH,  Fr.  a  term  used  in  Nor- 
mandy, upon  the  coast  of  France,  to  sig- 
nify all  goods,  &c.  that  are  washed  on 
shore,  and  are  near  enough  for  a  man  on 
horseback  to  touch  them  with  aTance, 
thereby  making  them  his  property. 

Droits  de  Varech,  Fr.  the  right  to 
salvage;  a  term  used  in  Normandy. — 
Varech  likewise  signifies  any  vessel  under 
water. 

YARENNE,  Fr.  a  warren  ;  a  chase. 

Yarenne,  ou  varene,  Fr.  waste  land, 
kept  so  for  the  convenience  of  the  King 
in  hunting. 

VARLESSE,  in  horses,  an  imperfec- 
tion upon  the  inside  of  the  ham,  a  little 
distant  from  the  curb,  but  about  the 
same  height.  There  is  a  bone  some- 
what high  and  raised ;  that  part  of  the 
ham  which  is  below  the  said  bone  some- 
times swells  by  the  discharge  from  th« 
great  vein,  and  is  termed  varissc ;  this 
defect  does  not  make  the  horse  halt,  but 
spoils  his  sale  by  growing  excessively 
0  F 


V  A  S 


(     951     ) 


V  A  U 


Hest  and  ease,  especially  it"  the 
parj  be  bathed  with  spirit  o(  wine,  will 
so  I.ukI  and  restrain  it  as  not  to  be  per- 
ceived for  the  time. 

\  LRLET,  Fr.  In  the  davs  of  chi- 
valry this  word  was  synonimous  to  page. 
With  us  it  anciently  meant  a  yeoman's 
nt.  \  arlet  is  also  taken  in  a  bad 
si  nse,  and  signifies  a  sorry  wretch,  a 
rogue,  or  rascal. 

In  Stat.  20  Rich.  II.  varlets  meant 
mi  inn  n,  oc  the  servants  of  yeomen.  For 
the  etymology  of  this  word,  see  p.  149, 
in  the  second  part  of  Mr.  Home  Tooke's 
learned  and  interesting  publication,  en- 
titled flu'  Diversions  of  Parley. 

Yakut,  on  valet,  Fr.  in  a  dam  or 
sluice,  an  assemblage  of' several  pieces  of 
carpenter's  work  which  together  form  a 
sort  of  cross-beam  or  gallows  that  leans 
against  one'  of  the  walls  of. the  sluice,  and 
is  shut  by  ;t  tinning  flood-gate. 

VARLOPE,  Fr.  a  carpenter's  large 
plane. 

\  ARNISII.  Meunier,  a  distinguished 
officer  of  the  royal  corps  of  engineers  in 
France,  under  the  old  government,  in  ef- 
fecting the  decomposition  of  sea-water, 
in  order  to  render  it  fit  Lor  the  purposes 
of  masonry,  had,  as  a  part  of  his  appara- 
tus or  recipient,  the  cylinder  of  an  old 
cannon,  in  which  he  submitted  the  sea- 
water  to  the  heat  of  a  reverberating  fur- 
nace. Alter  his  experiment  he  examined 
the  cylinder,  and  found  it  covered  with  a 
layer  or  coating  of  varnish,  which  set  all 
instruments  at  defiance,  for  neither  steel 
nor  iron  could  make  any  impression 
upon  it.  ft  is  beyond  all  doubt,  that  by 
this  varnish  pieces  of  ordnance  may  be 
choaked,  and  rendered  useless. 

\  ARRER,  Fr.  to  put  to  sea. 

\  ARSA,  Ind.  the  rainy  season. 

V  hSiA-conctamwe.  Among  the  an- 
cient Romans,  the  first  signal  to  decamp, 
(which  was  given  by  the  sound  of  a  bugle- 
horn,)  was  so  called.  The  first  time  the 
bugle  sounded,  the  general's  tent  was 
struck,  and  immediately  after,  the  sol- 
diers struck  theirs,  and  packed  up.  \\  hen 
it  sounded  the  second  time,  the  wagons 
were  loaded;  and  at  the  third  signal,  the 
marched  oft'  the  ground  ;  care  be- 
ing  taken  to  leave  lighted  fires  in  the 
(amp,  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  the 
<  m  my. 

S  \SANT,  Ind.  the  mild  season,  or 
spring. 

VASE,  (vase,  Fr.)  in  architecture,  a 
»ort  of  decoration  made  of  stone,  marble, 


bronze,  or  gilt  lead,  which  is  placed,  at 
equal  distances,  at  the  tops  of  houses,  in 
gardens,  &c. 

VAULT,  (route,  Fr.)  in  architecture, 
is  a  piece  of  masonry-arch  without  side, 
and  supported  in  the  air  by  the  artificial 
placing  of  the  stone  which  tonus  if,  its 
principal  use  being  for  a  cover  or  shelter ; 
or  it  is  an  arched  roof,  so  contrived,  as 
that  the  several  voussoirs  or  vault  stones, 
of  which  it  consists,  do,  by  then  dispose 
tion,  sustain  each  other.  \  aults  are  to 
be  preferred  on  many  occasions  to  solids, 
or  flat  cielings,  as  they  give  a  greater  rise 
and  elevation,  and  are,  besides,  mure 
firm  and  durable. 

Salmasius  observes,  that  the  ancients 
had  only  three  kinds  ol  vaults.  The  tirst 
was  the  fornix  made  cradle-wise;  the 
second  a  testudo,  that  is,  tortoise-wise, 
which  the  trench  call  cut  de  loaf,  or 
|  oven-wise;  and  the  third,  coucltu,  or  trum- 
pet-wise. 

But  the  moderns  have  subdivided  these 
three  sorts  into  many  more,  to  which 
they  have  given  different  names,  accord- 
ing to  their  figures  and  uses;  some  of 
theni  are  circular,  and  others  elliptical. 

Again,  the  sweeps  of  some  are  larger, 
others  lesser  portions  of  a  sphere  All 
such  as  are  above  hemispheres  are  called 
high  or  surmounted  vaults  ;  and  ail  that 
are  less  than  hemispheres,  are  called  low 
ox  sin  bused  vaults,  or  testudines. 

Kci/  of  a  Vault  is  a  stone  or  brick  in 
the  middle  of  the  vault  in  the  form  of  a 
truncated  cone;  winch  serves  to  bind  or 
fasten  all  the  rest. 

Reins  of  a  Vault  are  the  sides  which 
sustain  it ;  they  are  also  called  the  till- 
ing up. 

Pendentive  of  a  Vault  is  the  part  sus- 
pended between   the  arches  or  ogives. 

Impost  of  a  Vault  is  the  stone  on 
which  the  first  voussoir,  or  stone  of  the 
vault,  is  laid. 

ili(/)><er-VAULT  (muitresse  voute,  Fr.) is 
that,  which  covers  the  principal  part  of  a 
building,  in  contradistinction  to  the  up- 
per or  subordinate  vaults,  which  only 
cover  some  little  part,  as  a  passage  or 
gate,  &e. 

Double  Vault  (double  voute,  Fr.)  is 
one  that  is  built  over  another,  to  make 
the  outer  decoration  range  with  the  in- 
ner, or  to  make  the  beauty  and  decora- 
tion of  the  inside  consistent  with  that  of 
the  outside;  leaving  a  space  between  the 
convexity  of  the  one,  and  the  concavity 
of  the  other.     Instances  of  which  may 


V  E  A 


(     955     ) 


V  E  L 


be  seen  in  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's  at 
Rome,  St.  Paul's  in  London,  and  in  that 
of  the  Invalids  at  Paris.  P.  Tier  and, 
tlie  French  architect,  has  written  largely 
upon  this  subject  in  his  Traiii  sur  ('ar- 
chitecture des  voittes,  and  M.  Frczier  in 
that  of  the   Coupe  des  pierrcs. 

According  to  the  author  of  the  Builder's 
Dictionary,  besides  Gothic  vaults  with 
ogives,  &c.  there  are  various  sorts  of 
vaults,  such  as  single,  double,  cross,  dia- 
gonal, horizontal,  ascending,  descending, 
angular,  oblique,  pendent,  &c.  Belidor,  in 
his  Dictionnuire  portatif  de  Vlngmieur, 
mentions  several.     See  Voute. 

To  Vault  a  shoe,  in  farriery,  is  to 
forge  it  hollow  for  horses  that  have  high 
and  round  soles  ;  in  order  that  the  shoe, 
thus  hollow,  may  not  bear  upon  the  sole 
that  is  then  higher  than  the  hoof. 

But,  after  all,  this  sort  of  shoe  spoils 
the  feet,  tor  the  sole,  being  softer  than 
the  shoe,  assumes  the  form  of  the  shoe, 
and  becomes,  every  day,  rounder  and 
rounder. 

VASSAL,  Arriire  Vassal,  Fr.  Under 
the  race  of  Charlemagne,  in  France,  the 
arriere  vassal  was  a  man  who  owed  alle- 
giance at  the  same  time  for  feudal  tenure, 
both  to  the  king  and  to  some  particular 
lord  of  the  manor,  so  that  when  the  king 
of  the  manor  differed,  he 


and  the  lord 
did  not  know  which  master  he  was  bound 
to  serve.  This  monstrous  and  incon- 
gruous system,  so  disgraceful  to  the  very 
name  of  manhood,  continued  until  the 
third  race  of  French  kings,  when  it  was 
reduced  to  a  mere  rational  homage, 
which  was  paid  to  the  king  or  lord  of  the 
manor,  with  a  low  rent  for  the  right  of 
tenure. 

Vassal-//^,  Fr.     See  Vassalace. 

Vassals,  they  who,  in  the  feudal  sys- 
tem, were  obliged  to  attend  their  lord  in 
\\ar,  as  a  tenure  by  which  they  held  their 
lands,  &c. 

VASSALAGE,  subjection,  or  the  con- 
dition of  a  vassal. 

A  VAUDEKAULE,  Fr.  in  utter  con- 
fusion. 

VAUDOIS,  or  Barbels,  a  species  of 
light  troops  in  the  service  of  Sardinia. 
They  consist  of  mountaineers  or  high- 
landers,  who  are  lightly  clothed  and 
armed,  and  are  enured  to  the  chicanery 
of  mountain-service. 

VEAU,  Fr.  in  carpentry,  a  piece  of 
wood  which  is  sawed  from  the  inside  of 
a  bending,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  or 
dressing  it. 


VEDETTE,  (vedette,  Fr.)  in  war,  a 
sentinel  on  horseback,  with  his  horse's 
head  towards  the  place  whence  any  dan- 
ger is  to  be  feared,  and  his  carabine  ad- 
vanced, with  the  butt  end  against  his 
right  thigh.  Vedettes  are  "generally 
posted  at  a'l  the  avenues,  and  on  all  the 
rising  grounds,  to  guard  the  several  pas- 
sages when  an  army  is  encamped. 

The  Vedettes  to  the  out-posts  should 
always  be  double,  for  the  following  rea- 
sons :  first,  that  whenever  they  make  any 
discovery,  one  may  be  detached  to  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  out-posts ; 
secondly,  that  they  may  keep  each  other 
watchful :  and  thirdly,  that  the  vigilance 
of  both  may  render  it  impossible  for  any 
thing  to  come  near  them  without  being 
seen.  They  should  be  at  no  greater  dis- 
tance from  their  detachments  than  80  or 
100  paces.    • 

For  particular  instructions,  relative  to 
the  posting  of  vedettes,  see  a'  Treatise  on 
the  Duties  of  an  Officer  in  the  Field,  by 
Baron  Gross  ;  see  likewise  Gen.  Peg.  and 
Orders,  page  34  to  37. 

VEHICLE,  (vthicule,  voiture,  Fr.) 
carriage,  a  machine  which  is  made  to 
convey  one  or  more  persons  :  of  this 
description  are  our  military  cars. 

VE1LLE,  Fr.  literally,  privation  of 
rest,  want  of  sleep  ;  also  a  night-watch. 

Faire  la  Veili.e  des  armes,  Fr.  an  an- 
cient ceremony  in  which  the  knight  who 
was  to  be  armed  and  accoutred  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  passed  the  preceding 
night  on  watch  in  a  chapel,  where  the 
weapons  were  deposited. 

Fire  a  la  Veille  de  rcnir  aux  mains, 
Fr.  to  be  upon  the  eve  of  coming  to  blows. 

VEINES  despierres,  Fr.  veins,  streaks, 
or  lines  in  stones,  which  generally  arise 
from  some  inequality  in  their  consisten- 
cy, so  that  they  break  or  loosen  in  cer- 
tain parts.  Stones  of  this  kind  are  some- 
times rejected  as  unlit  for  nice  work. 

VEKILCHAKES,  a  word  used  among 
the  Turks,  which  signifies  the  same  as 
fourricr  in  the  French,  and  corresponds 
\\  nh  our  quartermaster. 

VELICE,  a  cover;  a  case;  as  a 
saddle  velice. 

VELITES,  Roman  soldiers,  who  were 
commonly  some  of  the  Tiros,  or  young 
soldiers  of  mean  condition,  and  lightly 
armed.  They  had  their  name  a  volaado, 
from  (lying,  or  a  velocitaie,  from  swiftness. 
They  seem  not  to  have  been  divided  into 
distinct  bodies  or  companies,  but  to  have 
hovered  in  loose  order  before  the  army. 
6F2 


V  E  N 


(     056     ) 


V  E  N 


Kcnnctt's  11.  A.  page  190.  Their  anna 
consisted  of  a  sword  and  javelin,  and 
they  had  a  shield  or  buckler,  which  was 
sutlieientlv  large  to  cover  its  man,  being 
round,  and  measuring  three  feet  and  a 
h. lit' in  diameter. 

They  generally  wore  a  wolfs  skin,  or 
some  other  indifferent  ornament  upon 
their  heads,  to  distinguish  them  dining 
an  action.  Their  javelins  were  a  sort  or 
dart,  the  wood  of  which  measured  three 
cubits  in  length,  and  was  about  the  thick- 
ness of  a  finger.  The  point  was  about  a 
hand's  full  breadth  in  length,  and  was  so 
thin  and  brittle,  that  it  snapped  off  the 
instant  it  reached  or  penetrated  its  object, 
so  that  the  enemy  could  not  return  it.  It 
was  distinguished,  in  this  particular,  from 
other  darts  and  javelins. 

VELITES,  Fr.  a  corps  in  the  late  im- 
perial French  service.    See  Yoltigeurs. 

VELOCITY,  the  quickness  of  motion 
with  which  bodies  are  moved  from  one 
place  to  another. 

In  the  years  1788,  1789,  1790,  expe- 
riments were  made  at  Woolwich  with 
the  balistic  pendulum,  to  ascertain  the 
initial  velocity  of  military  projectiles; 
the  result  of  which  will  be  found  in  a 
work  entituled  the  Pocket  Gunner,  first 
published  in  1801. 

Chemin  VELOUTE,  Fr.  a  foot-path 
covered  with  turf. 

VELUE,  )  stone  as  it  comes 

Pie/re  VELUE,  $  out  of  the  quarry; 
it  is  also  called  pierre  brute. 

La  VENDEE,  Fr.     SeediouAN. 

VENDEANS,  Fr.     See  Chouan. 

VENEERING   )  is    a   sort  of  mar- 

VANEERING  S  quetry,  or  inlaid 
work,  whereby  several  thin  slices,  or 
leaves  of  line  woods  of  different  kinds, 
are  applied  and  fastened  on  a  ground  of 
some  common  wood. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  inlaying;  the 
one,  which  is  the  more  ordinary,  goes  no 
farther  than  the  making  compartments  of 
different  woods ;  the  other  requires  a 
great  deal  more  art,  and  represents 
flowers,  birds,  &c. 

The  first  kind  is  what  is  properly 
called  veneering,  the  other  is  marquetry 
or  inlaid  work. 

VENEREAL  disease, pox,  lues,  syphi- 
lis or  sip/tiiis.     See  Pox. 

In  the  navy,  the  surgeons  are  entitled 
to  receive  a  certain  sum  of  money,  stop- 
ped out  of  the  pay  of  their  venereal  pa- 
tients, for  extraordinary  trouble  and  at- 
tendance.    No  specific  regulation  exists 


in  the  army.  The  captains  of  companies 
have  sometimes  assumed  a  discretionary 
power  with  respect  to  their  men,  and  this 
latter  have  submitted  to  the  charge.  One 
great  evil  has,  however,  grown  out  of 
both  practices ;  namely,  the  men,  to 
avoid  the  stoppage,  have  applied  to 
country  quacks,  and  very  frequently 
taken  nostrums  of  their  own.  Every 
officer  of  a  company,  for  the  welfare  of 
his  soldiers,  should  examine  their  linen 
at  the  weekly  inspections,  as  the  dis- 
order is  generally  first  made  manifest  by 
stains  upon  the  shirt. 

It  is  generally  believed,  that  the  ve- 
nereal malady  was  first  brought  into 
Europe  in  1492,  by  the  followers  of 
Christopher  Columbus,  after  his  disco- 
very of  America.  These  people  gave  it 
to  their  countrywomen  in  Spain ;  the 
Spaniards  extended  it  to  Naples,  and 
the  French  caught  it  during  the  siege  of 
the  latter  place  in  1495;  and  from  Francs- 
it  has  spread  over  the  rest  of  Europe ;  so 
that  its  original  nursery,  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic,  seems  to  have  been  a  camp. 

VENETIANS,  akind  of  longbreeches, 
or  trowsers,  (similar  to  the  present  pan- 
taloons,) worn  by  Queen  Elizabeth's  sol- 
diers in  -Ireland.  In  Grosse's  History  of 
the  English  army  there  is  the  following 
item  with  regard  to  the  price  of  these 
articles : — One  pair  of  Venetians,  of 
Kentish  broad  cloth,  with  button,  loops, 
and  lining  of  linen,  thirteen  shillings  and 
four-pence. 

VENGEANCE,  (vengeance,  Fr.)  pu- 
nishment;  penal  retribution;  avenge* 
ment.  There  is  an  old  proverb  in  our 
language,  regarding  the  first  part  of  the 
interpretation  of  this  term,  which  has 
been  quoted  by  N.  Bailey  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner: — 

When  Vice  goes  before,  Vengeance 
follows  after.  The  notion  of  impunity 
often  animates  ill-disposed  persons  to  the 
commission  of  Jlug?'ant  crimes,  which 
would  never  have  been  perpetrated,  had 
the  verity  of  this  proverb  been  impressed 
in  the  minds  of  those  delinquents ;  for 
certain  it  is,  however  slowly  Vengeance 
may  seem  to  move,  it  will  assuredly 
overtake  the  offender  at  last;  and  by 
how  much  it  is  the  longer  in  coming, 
being  once  arrived,  it  will  fall  on  them 
the  heavier.  According  to  that  maxim, 
though  Justice  has  leaden  feet,  it  has  iron 
hands.  Horace  says,  Raro  antecedentcm 
scelestum  descruil  pede  pana  claudo. 

With  respect  to  the  last  interpretation, 


V  E  N 


(    957     ) 


VEN 


atrngement,  a  French  author  very  justly 
observes,  that  the  indulgence  of  this  fatal 
passion  has,  at  all  times,  proved  a  source 
of  the  greatest  evils.  Vengeance,  among 
men,  grows  out  of  self-interest ;  is  the 
offspring  of  ambition;  and  frequently 
the  effect  of  the  blackest  ingratitude.  It 
also  often  happens,  that  under  the  mis- 
taken veil  of  justifiable  chastisement,  the 
most  unmanly  acts  of  vengeance  are  per- 
petrated ;  happy  the  man  who  is  a 
stranger  to  this  mean  and  unworthy  pro- 
pensity !  It  has  been  said,  (and  most, 
absurdly  so,)  that  vengeance  is  a  godlike 
pleasure.  The  wretch  who  fosters  in  his 
breast  this  melancholy  notion,  is  secretly 
nursing  ten  thousand  vipers  that  must, 
sooner  or  later,  sting  him  to  the  heart. 
Let  it,  however,  be  remembered,  that  if 
the  suppression  of  the  dictates  of  revenge 
be  ornamental  to  the  human  mind,  the 
never  giving  cause  for  vengeance  is 
equally  brilliant;  and  if  the  person, 
against  whom  sufficient  has  been  done 
to  excite  a  just  resentment  in  his  mind, 
can  rise  superior  to  his  own  wrongs, 
such  a  person  may  be  truly  called  a 
high-minded  man,  and  a  hero  in  the 
best  sense.  The  French  call  a  low  and 
mean  revenge  la  vengeance  desfemmes. 

VENGER,  Fr.  to  revenge ;  to  avenge. 

VENT,  (lumiere,  Fr.)  in  artillery,  or, 
as  it  is  vulgarly  called,  the  touch-hole,  is 
the  opening  through  which  the  fire  is 
conveyed  to  the  powder  that  composes 
the  charge. 

As  the  placing  the  vents  in  mortars, 
howitzers,  and  guns,  in  the  best  maimer, 
is  so  very  delicate  a  point,  and  about 
which  both  authors  and  practitioners 
differ,  we  will  advance  what  the  result 
of  experiments  has  demonstrated.  The 
most  common  method  is  to  place  the 
vent  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  from  the 
bottom  of  the  chamber  or  bore ;  though 
we  have  seen  many  half  an  inch,  and 
some  an  inch  from  the  bottom.  It  has 
always  been  imagined,  that  if  the.  vent 
was  to  come  out  in  the  middle  of  the 
charge,  the  powder  would  be  inflamed  in 
less  time  than  in  any  other  case,  and 
consequently  produce  the  greatest  range ; 
because,  if  a  tube  be  filled  with  powder, 
and  lighted  in  the  center,  the  powder 
will  be  burnt  in  half  the  time  it  would 
otherwise  be,  were  it  lighted  at  one  end. 
This  gave  a  grounded  supposition,  that 
the  greater  the  quantity  of  powder  which 
burnt  before  the  shot  or  shell  was  sensibly 
moved  from  its  place,  the  greater  force 
it  would  receive.     To   determine  this, 


the  King  of  Prussia,  in  1765,  ordered 
that  a  light  three-pounder  should  be 
cast,  with  three  shifting  vents,  one  at 
the  center  of  the  charge,  one  at  the 
bottom,  and  the  other  at  an  equal  dis- 
tance from  the  bottom  and  center  one  ; 
so  that  when  one  was  used,  the  others 
were  effectually  stopped.  The  gun 
weighed  2  cwt.  1  qr.  20  lb.  its  length 
was  3  feet  3  inches,  and  the  bottom  of 
the  bore  quite  flat.  It  was  loaded  each 
time  with  one-fourth  of  the  shot's  weight; 
and  it  was  found,  that  when  the  lowest 
or  bottom  vent  was  used,  the  shot  went 
farthest,  and  the  ranges  of  the  others 
diminished  in  proportion  as  they  were 
distant  from  the  bottom.  The  piece  was 
elevated  to  1  degree  30  minutes. 

In  17tit3,  the  same  monarch  caused  se- 
veral experiments  to  be  tried  with  three 
small  mortars  of  equal  size  and  dimen- 
sions, but  of  different  forms  in  their 
chambers ;  each  of  which  held  seven 
ounces  and  a  half  of  powder.  From 
these  experiments  it  appeared,  that  the 
concave  chamber  produced  the  greatest 
ranges,  and  that  the  bottom  of  the 
chamber  is  the  best  place  for  vents,  hav- 
ing in  that  place  the  greatest  effect. 

Vent- field  is  the  part  of  a  gun  or 
howitzer  between  the  breech  mouldings 
and  the  astragal. 

Y^T-astrugal,  that  part  of  a  gun  or 
howitzer  which  determines  the  vent-field. 

Vent,  Fr.  that  vacancy  which  is  oc- 
casioned by  the  difference  between  the 
calibre  of  a  piece  of  ordnance,  and  the 
diameter  of  its  ball.     See  Windage. 

Vent,  Fr.  wind.  The  French  use 
this  word  in  various  senses. 

Vent  d'un  boulet  de  canon,  Fr.  the 
wind  of  a  cannon-ball. 

Coup  de  Vent,  Fr.  heavy  weather;  a 
squall. 

Vent  regie,  Fr.  a  regular  wind ;  such 
as  the  trade-wind  ;  the  monsoon. 

Avoir  du  Vent,  Fr.  in  farriery,  to  be 
pursy. 

VENTS-afrces,  Fr.  trade  winds. 

VENTA1L,  Fr.  the  fold  of  a  door  or 
of  a  shutter;  it  is  also  called  battant. 

VENTAILLE,  Fr.  the  breathing  part 
of  a  helmet,  the  sight  of  the  beaver; 
also  the  folding  parts  of  a  flood-gate. 

VENTAILS  ou  VENTEAUX,  Fr. 
the  two  posts  which  constitute  the  flood- 
gates in  a  sluice,  when  they  open  and 
close  like  folding  doors. 

VENTIDUCTS,  in  building,  are  spi- 
racles or  subterraneous  places,  whence 
fresh,  cool  winds  are  made  to  communi- 


V  E  N 


(    958     ) 


V  E  R 


i-.it>\  by  means  of  ducts,  funnels,  or 
vaults,  with  the  chambers,  or  other 
■pertinents  of  a  house,  to  cool  them  in 
sultry,  weather. 

VENTOUSES,  Fr.  air-holes,  venti- 
lator-. 

\  ENTRE,  Fr.  belly;  womb.  When 
a  piece  of  ordnance  is  oft*  its  carriage, 
and  lies  on  the  ground,  it  is  said,  among 
the  French,  to  be  upon  its  belly — etre 
sur  le  ventre. 

Se  coucker  Ventre  a  terre,  Fr.  to  lie 
down  Hat  on  your  face.  Le  capilaine 
ordonna  a  scs  soldats  de  se  coucker  ventre 
a  l( /re,  the  captain  ordered  his  men  to 
lie  down.  This  frequently  occurs  in 
action,  when  any  part  of  the  line  or  de- 
tached body  is  so  posted  as  to  be  within 
reacli  of  the  enemv's  cannon,  and  not 
sufficiently  near  to  make  use  of  its  own 
musketry.  A  cool  determined  officer 
never  lies  down  himself. 

Demander  pardon  Ventre  a  terre,  Fr. 
to  ask  pardon  in  a  most  abject  position. 

VENTR1ERE,  IV.  a  belly-band  for  a 
draught  horse. 

\  ENTRiERE,  Fr.  in  hydraulics,  a  large 
piece  of  even  timber  which  is  tixed  be- 
fore a  range  of  boards  in  order  to  make 
some  mason-work  more  secure,  either 
against  the  current  of  a  river,  or  the  pres- 
sure  of  earth. 

Ventrieres,  IV.  also  pieces  of  timber 
which  are  laid  horizontally  under  the 
railing  of  wooden  quays.  They  are  like- 
wise used  in  the  roofs  of  ordinary 
buildings 

VENTS-  ou  RUMBS  DE  VENT, 
Fr.  Belidor  has  the  following  article  on 
this  term. 

"  For  the  convenience  and  ease  of 
navigation,  mariners  have  divided  the 
horizon  into  thirty-two  equal  parts,  which 
the  French  call  Rinnbs  de  Vent,  or 
Airs  de  Vent,  so  marked  upon  the  com- 
pass. Among  these  thirty-two  winds, 
there  are  four  principal  ones  which  cor- 
respond with  the  four  cardinal  points  of 
the  globe,  and  which  are  known  by  the 
following  names.  Nord  means  Septi  n- 
trionor  the  North,  and  is  always  distin- 
guished by  ajtozver  de  lys  upon  the  com- 
pass;  Sud is  Midi  or  South;  Est,  Levant, 
or  Orient,  the  East;  Ouest,  Couchant  or 
I'Occident,  the  West :  also  Ponant  in  the 
Mediterranean.  These  four  winds  are 
called  by  the  French  vents  primitifs,  pri- 
mitive winds,  and  are  each  distant  from 
one  another  90  degrees.  By  dividing 
each  quarter  of  a  circle  into  two  equal 
parts,  we  shall  have  the  collateral  winds, 


whose  names  grow  out  of  the  two  pri- 
mitive winds  between  which  they  are 
placed.  For  instance,  the  wind  that  is 
between  the  North  and  the  West,  is 
called  Nord-Ouest,  North-West;  that 
which  is  between  the  South  and  the 
West,  is  called  Sad-Ouest,  South-West; 
that  which  is  between  the  North  and  the 
Fast,  North-Fast ;  that  between  the 
South  and  the  East,  South-East.  These 
lour  collateral  winds,  and  the  four  pri- 
mitive ones,  which  are  45  degrees  dis- 
tant from  one  another,  are  called  rhumbs 
cntiers."  For  the  subdivisions  of  the 
winds,  see  a  French  work  entituled 
Diclionnaire  Universel  de  Mathcmutiquc 
et  de  Physique. 

VERACITY,  (vcracite,  Fr.)  an  invio- 
lable attachment  to  truth;  one  of  the 
attributes  of  the  Divinity,  and  the  most 
sublime  virtue  in  the  human  mind. 

YHRANDA,  Ind.  the  covering  of 
houses,  being  extended  beyond  the  main 
pile  of  building,  by  means  of  a  slanting 
roof,  forming  external  rooms  or  passages. 
It  is  sometimes  spelt  Varhanda. 

\ ' ERBA L  orders,  inst ructions  given  by 
word  of  mouth,  which,  when  commu- 
nicated through  an  official  channel,  are 
to  be  considered  as  equally  binding  with 
written  ones. 

Verbal,  Fr.  verbal;  given  by  word 
of  mouth. 

iVoco,- Verbal,  Fr.  a  verbal  deposi- 
tion, or  a  written  report  which  is  made 
ofticially  of  what  has  been  seen,  said, 
and  done,  between  persons  concerned. 
When  applied  to  things,  proch-vcrbal 
corresponds  with  our  word  survey. 

VERBIAGE,  Fr.  mere  words;  super- 
fluous talk ;  nonsense. 

VERBIAGER,  IV.  to  talk  much  about 
nothing. 

VERBOQUET,  Fr.  a  small  rope,  or 
cord,  which  is  tied  to  a  cable,  at  the  end 
of  which  hangs  a  piece  of  wood  or  large 
stone,  that  is  to  be  raised  to  any  given 
height  in  a  building.  The  verboquet  is 
used  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  the 
cable  and  its  weight  from  touching  any 
part  of  the  building  while  it  is  drawing  up. 

VERD,  IV.  green.  This  word  is  some- 
times used  in  a  figurative  sense  by  the 
French,  viz. 

Homme  Verd  or  Vert,  Fr.  a  resolute 
man. 

Pete  Verte,  Fr.  a  giddy,  thoughtless 
fellow. 

Verd  pour  les  chevaux,  Fr.  green  forage 
or  grass. 

VERDICT,  (jugement,  rapport,  Fr.) 


V  E  R 


(     959     ) 


VER 


the  determination  of  the  jury  declared 
to  the  judge;  decision,  determination, 
opinion. 

YERDIGREASE,  (verd-de-gris,  Fr.) 
a  kind  of  rust  of  copper,  which  is  of  great 
use  among  painters.  It  is  also  taker 
medicinally. 

Green  VERDITER,  a  sandy  colour, 
which  does  not  bear  a  good  body,  and 
is  seldom  used  but  in  landscapes,  where 
variety  is  required.  It  should  be  washed 
before  it  is  used. 

Blue  Verditer  is  somewhat  sandy, 
not  of  a  very  good  colour,  nor  of  a  good 
body  of  itself,  being  apt  to  turn  greenish; 
but  beino;  mixed  with  yellow,  it  makes  a 
good  green.  It  should  be  washed  before 
it  is  used. 

VERGE,  Fr.  a  yard ;  a  measure ;  a 
switch,  &c.     See  Rod. 

Verge  Rkinlandique,  Fr.  a  measure 
which  is  equal  to  two  French  toises,  or 
to  12  French  feet.  It  is  often  used  by 
Dutch  engineers,  in  the  measuring  of 
works  in  a  fortification. 

Verge  defer,  Fr.     See  Rod  of  iron. 
Verge  dor,  Fr.  the  same  as  arbalete, 
arbalcslrille,  or  Jacob's  stall";  in  astro- 
nomy, a  beam  of  light. 
Verges,  Fr.  rods. 

Passer  pur  les  Verges,  Fr.  to  run  the 
gauntlet;  a  punishment  which  was  for- 
merly practised  among  the  French.  See 
Positions  corporelles. 

Verges,  Fr.  twigs  or  branches,  mea- 
suring from  ten  to  twelve  feet  in  length, 
which  are  used  in  making  fascines. 
VERGUE,  Fr.  a  ship's  yard. 
La  VERITE,  Fr.  truth.  A  French 
lexicographer  has  entered  very  diffusely 
into  the  explanation  of  this  term :  we 
shall  satisfy  ourselves  by  extracting  the 
most  remarkable  passage  in  it ;  this  re- 
lates to  the  general  character  of  his 
countrymen.  He  says,  "  The  French, 
considered  collectively,  are  mostly  of  an 
open  and  ingenuous  character ;  but  it 
must  be  allowed,  at  the  same  time,  that 
the  generality  of  the  nation  are  light  and 
thoughtless,  and  extremely  indifferent 
about  what  they  may  assert  as  truth, 
and  indeed  about  their  actions."  See 
Truth. 

En  Verite,  Fr.    in   truth;    without 
disguise,  or  prevarication. 

A  la  Verite,  Fr 
the  French  to  acknowledge  a  thing;  forth 
with,  viz-.  L'runemi  avail,  a  la  virile,  que 
deux  miUc  hommes ;  the  enemy,  to  speak 
the  truth,  had  only  two  thousand  men. 


sed  among 


VERMICULE,  Fr.  in  ornamental  ar- 
chitecture, a  term  used  to  express  the 
representation  of  worms  in  the  act  of 
crawling,  &c.  as  may  be  seen  in  rustic 
work.     Hence  our  term  venniculated. 

VERMILION  is  the  most  delicate  of 
all  light  reds,  being  of  itself  a  perfect 
scarlet  colour :  it  is  made  artificially  out 
of  quicksilver  and  brimstone. 

VERNACULARNESS,  peculiarness 
to  one's  own  country ;  whence  verna- 
cular tongue,  or  the  language  of  one's 
mother  country. 

VERNIS,  Fr.  varnish. 

VEROLE,  Fr.  great  pox,  which  see. 

VER  RE  pour  prendre  hauteur,  Fr.  a 
thick  coloured  glass,  through  which  an 
observation  is  taken  of  the  sun. 

V errk  pile,  Fr.  broken  pieces  of  glass, 
which  are  sometimes  used  in  artificial 
fire-works. 

VERRIN,  Fr.  a  machine  which  is 
used  to  raise  large  weights ;  such  as 
cannon,  Sec. 

Verrin,  Fr.  a  machine,  consisting  of 
two  screws  and  two  pieces  of  timber  laid 
horizontally,  which  serves  to  raise  or 
lower  the  flood-gates  in  sluices,  water- 
mills,  or  to  drain  inundations;  also  to 
draw  large  piles  out  of  the  ground,  ike. 
Likewise  a  kind  of  jack-screw  used  oc- 
casionally   to   launch   a  ship  from    the 

VERROU,  Fr.  a  bolt. 

VERS,  Fr.  towards.  Hence,  marcher 
vers  la  cote,  to  march  towards  the  coast ; 
diriger  les  operations  vers  la  cote,  to  direct 
a  plan  of  operations  towards  the  coast. 

VERSER,  Fr.  to  spill ;  to  shed ;  to 
pour  in.  Yerser  du  sang,  to  spill  blood  ; 
fusees  vcrsees  a  V arsenal,  firelocks  deli- 
vered up,  or  thrown  into  the  arsenal ; 
verserdes  fonds,  to  lodge  money. 

VERTEVELES,  Fr.  staples  of  a  bolt. 

VERTEX,  the  top  of  any  thing ;  as 
the  vertex  of  a  cone,  pyramid,  conic 
section,  &c. 

VERTICAL,  (vertical,  Fr.)  perpendi- 
cular. 

Vertical  point,  (point  vertical,  Fr.)  a 
term  used  in  astronomy,  to  express  an 
imaginary  point  in  the  heavens,  which 
is  supposed  to  fall  perpendicularly  upon 
our  heads. 

VERTHGADIN,  Fr.  in  gardening,  a 
glacis  or  rising  ground  that  is  made  in 
the  form  of  an  amphitheatre,  whose  cir- 
cular lines  are  not  parallel  to  each  other. 
Vertugade,  whence  vertugadin,  signi- 
fies a  farding;i(e;  a  sort  of  hoop-petticoat. 


VET  (   9G0 

\  ERUTUM,  a  weapon  or  dart,  whicl 


) 


V  E  T 


was  used  among;  the  ancients,  short  and 
narrow,  headed  with  iron,  like  a  narrow 
spit ;  some  call  it  a  casting  dart  with  a 

string, 

VERVENA,  (verveine,  Fr.)  vervem, 
nn  herb  that  was  reckoned  sacred  among; 
the  Romans,  with  which  the  Pater  Fu- 
tratus,  or  the  king  of  heralds,  was 
crowned,  when  he  quitted  the  council  of 
heralds,  for  the  purpose  of  declaring  war, 
or  proclaiming  peace. 

\  ERVINA,  among  the  Romans,  a 
long  javelin  ;  also  a  spit  or  broach. 

VESSIGNON,  a  wind-gall,  or  soft 
swelling  on  the  inside  and  outside  ot  a 
horse's  hoof ;  that  is,  both  on  the  right 
and  left  of  it, 

VESSION,  a  sort  of  wind-gall,  or 
swelling,  about  the  bigness  of  halt  an 
apple,  consisting  of  soft  spungy  filth 
growing  between  the  flesh  and  the  skin, 
in  the  hollow  next  the  hock  of  a  horse, 
and  beneath  the  big  sinew,  a  little  above 
the  capelet  and  bending  of  the  ham. 

VESTIBLE,  (vestibule,  Fr.)  in  archi- 
tecture, a  kind  of  entrance  into  large 
buildings ;  being  an  open  place  before  the 
ball,  or  at  the  bottom  of  the  staircase. 

Vestibule,  (vestibule,  Fr.)  in  fortifi- 
cation, is  that  space  or  covered  ground 
which  is  in  front  of  guard-houses,  and  is 
generally  supported  by  pillars.  Of  this 
description  is  the  front  part  of  the  new 
guard-house  near  Buckingham  Gate.    In 


a  more  general  sense,   any 


open 


space  before  the  door  or  entrance  of  a 
house.  In  the  West-Indies  the  vestibule 
is  called  a  balcony. 

VETERAN,  (veteran,  Fr.)  an  old 
soldier.  This  word  comes  from  the  Latin 
vctcrunus,  a  soldier  in  the  Roman  militia, 
who  was  grown  old  in  the  service,  or 
who  had  made  a  certain  number  ot  cam- 
paigns, and  on  that  account  was  entitled 
to  certain  benefits  and  privileges, 

Twenty  years  service  were  sufficient  to 
entitle  a  man  to  the  benefit  of  a  veteran. 
These  privileges  consisted  in  being  ab- 
solved from  the  military  oath,  in  being 
txcused  all  the  duties  and  functions  of  a 
soldier,  and  in  being  allowed  a  certain 
salary  or  appointment. 

A  French  soldier  is  entitled  to  the 
honourable  name  of  veteran,  after  he  has 
served  twenty-four  years,  without  any 
break  in  his  service. 

Veteran,  as  an  adjective,  is  affixed 
to  any  person  or  thing  that  has  been 
tried ;  as  a  veteran  soldier,  veteran  skill. 


Veteran  Battalions,  regiments  com- 
posed of  men  of  a  certain  age. — They 
were  formed  during  the  late  war. 

VETERANCE,  Fr.  the  state,  condi- 
tion of  an  old  soldier. 

Leltre  de  Veterance,  Fr.  the  docu- 
ment or  letter  which  enables  an  old  sol- 
dier to  claim  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
an  old  soldier. 

VETERANI.  Among  the  Romans  all 
soldiers  were  so  called  who,  after  having 
served  twenty-five  years,  obtained  their 
discharge.  If  they  chose  to  continue  in 
the  service,  they  were  exempted  from  all 
sentry  and  fatigue  duties ;  and  they  only 
joined  their  different  legions  when  the 
army  took  the  field.  The  period  for 
being  put  upon  this  list  was  shortened 
by  the  Emperor  Augustus,  and  was 
(from  having  once  been  29)  reduced  to 
twenty  years  service  in  the  infantry,  and 
to  ten  in  the  cavalry. 

VETERINAIRE,  Fr.  See  Veteri- 
nary. 

Ecole  Veterinaire,  Fr.  veterinary 
school. 

VETERINARIAN,  (veterinarius, 
Lat.)  one  skilled  in  the  diseases  of  cat- 
tle; a  farrier,  or  horse-leech. 

VETERINARY,  appertaining  to  the 
science  of  taking  care  of  cattle. 

Veterinary  surgeon.  The  surgeon 
appointed  to  take  care  of  the  horses  in  a 
cavalry  or  dragoon  regiment  is  so  called. 
He  is  subordinate  and  accountable  to  the 
Veterinary  College. 

VET  ILLES,  Fr.  This  word  literally 
signifies  trifles.  In  artificial  fire-works, 
they  are  small  serpentine  compositions, 
confined  within  a  single  roll  of  paper. 
They  have  generally  three  lines  in  dia- 
meter. 

VETO,  are,  Lat.  to  forbid;  to  com- 
mand not  to  be  done;  to  prevent;  to 
hinder.  The  Queen  of  France,  Antoi- 
nette, who  was  universally  supposed  to 
exercise  undue  influence  over  the  weak 
mind  of  her  husband  Louis  XVI,  and 
was  consequently  hated  by  the  nation  at 
large,  became  peculiarly  obnoxious  on 
this  ground.  Pasquinades  and  placards 
were  stuck  upon  the  walls  of  the  capital, 
and  a  popular  song,  called  Madame 
Veto,  was  sung  about  the  streets.  Nor 
can  any  sensible  man  be  surprized  at 
this  expression  of  national  disgust;  espe- 
cially in  a  country  where  a  law  existed 
to  prevent,  all  sort  of  female  ascendancy 
in  government.  The  veto  constitutes, 
at  present,  a  material  obstacle  to  the 


VIA 


(     9(tt     ) 


V  I  E 


emancipation  of  the  Irish  Roman  Ca- 
tholics. 

VEXATIOUS  and  groundless.  Charges 
of  accusation,  and  appeals  for  redress  of 
wrongs,  are  so  called,  when  the  persons 
who  make  them  cannot  substantiate  their 
subject  matter.  Officers,  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  and  soldiers,  are  liable  to 
be  punished,  at  the  discretion  of  a  gene- 
ral court-martial,  for  vexatious  conduct. 
His  Majesty  sometimes  peremptorily  dis- 
misses the  former,  without  permitting 
them  to  stand  the  investigation  of  a 
court-martial. 

VEXER,  Fr.     See  To  Tease. 

VEXILLARII,  standard-bearers.  A- 
mong  the  Romans,  the  vexillarii  were  a 
certain  number  of  chosen  men,  who  were 
attached  to  the  standards,  and  who  were 
the  first  on  the  lists  of  promotion,  and 
military  reward.  This  standard  was 
called  vexillum  legionis.  There  were  five 
hundred  vexillarii,  or  standard-bearers, 
belonging  to  each  legion,  who  enjoyed 
the  same  privileges  as  were  given  to  the 
veterans ;  with  this  exception,  that  they 
were  obliged  to  carry  the  standard  on 
service. 

VEXILLUM,  the  standard  which  was 
carried  by  the  Roman  horse.  It  cor- 
responds with  the  standard  and  guidon 
of  modern  times  It  also  signifies,  gene- 
rally, a  banner,  ensign,  or  flag. 

Vexillum  novate,  a  streamer;  the 
top-gallant  of  a  ship.  Whence  vexilla 
submittere,  to  strike  the  colours. 

Vexillum  likewise  meant  the  Impe- 
rial standard.     See  Labarum. 

UGHUN,  Ind.  a  month  which  partly 
corresponds  with  November:  it  follows 
Katik. 

VIANDE,  Fr.  meat;  animal  food. 
In  the  old  regime,  every  French  soldier 
was  allowed  half  a  pound  of  meat  per 
day. 

M.  de  Louvois,  who  was  in  a  public 
situation  under  the  old  monarchy  of 
France,  sent  in  a  plan,  recommending 
that  a  quantity  of  dried  meat  reduced  to 
powder,  should  be  distributed  to-  troops 
on  service.  He  took  the  idea  from  a 
custom  which  is  prevalent  in  the  East. 
He  did  not,  however,  live  to  fulfil  his 
intentions,  although  he  had  already  con- 
structed copper  ovens  that  were  large 
enough  to  contain  eight  bullocks.  Very 
excellent  broth  can  be  made  of  this 
powder;  one  ounce  of  which,  boiled  in 
water,  will  supply  a  sufficient  quantity 
for  four  men  ;    and  one  pound  of  fresh 


meat  gives  one  ounce  of  powder;  so 
that,  according  to  the  inventor's  asser- 
tion, there  is  a  saving  of  one  pound 
The  portable  soup-balls  and  dried  meats 
which  are  sold  in  this  country  are  of  the 
same  nature. 

VIBRATION.     See  Pendulum. 

VICE,  among  smiths,  &c.  is  a  ma- 
chine or  instrument  serving  to  hold  fast 
the  piece  to  be  filed,  bent,  riveted,  &c. 

Vice,  with  glaziers,  a  machine  for 
turning  or  drawing  lead  into  flat  rods, 
with  grooves  on  each  side,  to  receive 
the  edges  of  the  glass. 

VICE-ADMIRAL,  (vice-amir -al,  Fr.) 
a  naval  officer  of  the  second  rank,  who 
takes  rank  with  generals  of  horse.  Louis 
XIV.  who  endeavoured  to  establish  a 
French  navy  in  1669,  created  two  vice- 
admirals  of  the  fleet,  whom  he  called 
vice  admiral  of  the  East,  and  vice- 
admiral  of  the  West. 

VICE-ROY,  one  acting  with  dele- 
gated powers  from  the  chief  or  heads  of 
a  government;  as  the  vice-roy  of  Ireland; 
the  vice-roy  of  Mexico,  &c. 

VICTOR,  a  conqueror;  generally  ap- 
plied to  the  chief  officer  of  a  successful 
army. 

VICTORY,  (victoire,  Fr.)  the  over- 
throw, or  defeat  of  an  enemy  in  war, 
combat,  duel,  or  the  like. 

VICTUAILLES,  Fr.  The  provisions 
which  are  embarked  on  board  ships  of 
war,  are  so  called  by  the  French. 

VICTUALLER,    )  (victuailleur,Tr.) 

VICTUALLERS,  $  See  Sutlers. 

VICTUALS,  food  or  sustenance  al- 
lowed to  the  troops,  under  certain  re- 
gulations, whether  on  shore  or  embarked 
in  transports. 

YIDAM,  (vidame,  Fr.)  the  judge  of 
a  bishop's  temporal  jurisdiction.  He 
formerly  held  lands  under  the  bishop, 
on  condition,  that  he  should  always  be 
ready  to  defend  the  temporal  rights  of 
the  church,  and  to  place  himself  at  the 
head  of  the  ecclesiastical  troops. 

VIDIMER,  Fr.  to  certify  that  an  act 
is  conformable  to  its  original. 

Crier  la  VIE,  Fr.  to  ask  quarter 
of  an  enemy,  who  has  one's  life  in  his 
power. 

Dormer  la  Vie,  Fr.  to  give  quarter. 

Vie,  Fr.  is  also  used  in  a  variety  of 
significations,  as  donner,  hasarder,  ex- 
poser  sa  nit:,  to  give,  to  hazard,  to  ex- 
oose  one's  life ;  (iter,  arrucher,  ravir  la 
vie,  to  take  away,  to  wrest,  to  snatch 
away  life ;  entrependre  sur  la  vie  de 
6G 


V  I  G 


(     962     ) 


V  I  G 


fuelgu'ttn,  to  have  some  design  against 
the  life  of  another;  sous  peine  de  la  vie, 
under  pain  of  death,  or  at  the  forfeit 
of  one's  life ;  soutenir  au  peril  de  sa  vie, 
to  sustain  any  thing  at  the  risk  of  one's 
life. 

A  Vie,  Fr.  for  life. 
Fan  de  Vie,  Fr.  brandy. 
VIEDASE,   Fr.    a   puppy;    a  cox- 
comb. 

Les  VIES  de  mulets,  Fr.  literally, 
mules'  pintles.     See  Swivel. 

VJEUX  corps,  Fr.  a  term  used  among 
the  French  before  the  Revolution,  to  dis- 
tinguish certain  old  regiments.  There 
were  six  of  this  description,  viz.  Picardy, 
Piedmont,  Navarre,  Champagne,  Nor- 
mandy, and  the  Marine  corps.  The 
three  first  were  formed  in  1562,  and 
that  of  Champagne  in  1575.  They  were 
then  called  les  vieilles  bandcs,  the  ancient 
or  old  bands;  and  before  that  period,  each 
was  known  by  the  name  of  its  colonel. 

Les  petits  Vieux  corps,  Fr.  La  Tour 
du  Pin,  Bourbonnois,  Auvergne,  Bel- 
sunce,  Meilly,  and  the  Regiment  du 
Roi,  or  the  King's  own,  were  so  called, 
during  the  old  French  monarchy.  All 
the  other  regiments  ranked  according  to 
the  several  dates  of  their  creation,  and 
the  officers  took  precedence  in  conse- 
quence of  it. 

VIEW  of  a  place.  The  view  of  a 
place  is-  said  to  be  taken  when  the 
general,  accompanied  by  an  engineer, 
reconnoitres  it,  that  is,  rides  round  the 
place,  observing  its  situation,  with  the 
nature  of  the  country  about  it ;  as 
hills,  valleys,  rivers,  marshes,  woods, 
hedges,  &c.  thence  to  judge  of  the 
most  convenient  place  for  opening  the 
trenches, and  carrying  on  the  approaches; 
to  find  out  proper  places  for  encamping 
the  army,  and  for  the  park  of  artillery. 
lb  View.  See  To  Reconnoitre. 
VIF,  Fr.  This  word  is  frequently  used 
among  the  French  to  signify  the  core,  or 
inside  of  any  thing — viz. 

Vif  d'uu  arbre,  Fr.  the  inside  of  a 
tree. 

Vif  d'une  pier  re,  Fr.  the  inside  of  a 
stone. 

Vif  de  I'euu,  Fr.  high  water. 
Vif,  Fr.  alive,  busy;    applied  to  the 
artificers  in  a  wharf,  dock  or  ship,  who 
ere  all  at  work  on  the  shipping. 

Eire  en  VIGIE,  Fr.  to  watch  at  the 
top  of  the  mainmast. 

VIGIER,   Fr.    to    keep   watch;    to 
ronvuv. 


Vigier  tine  fiotte  de  vaisscauz  mar* 
chands,  Fr.  to  convoy  a  fleet  of  mer- 
chantmen. 

V1GIES,  Fr.  a  term  given  to  certain 
rocks  under  water  near  the  Acores. 
Vigie  likewise  signifies  a  watch,  or  sen- 
tinel, on  board  ship;  but  it  is  chiefly 
used  among  the  Spaniards  in  South 
America. 

VIGILANCE,  (vigilance,  Fr.)  watch- 
fulness; circumspection;  incessant  care. 
This  quality  is  essentially  necessary  in  a 
general ;  nor  will  it  be  found  in  his 
character,  unless  he  has  sedulously  che- 
rished it  through  all  the  intermediate 
stations  of  his  profession. 

Vigilance,  or  vigilancy,  must  not  be 
confounded  with  precipitancy  of  con- 
duct; for  the  latter  does  not  compre- 
hend either  the  care  or  the  reflection 
and  regularity  which  must  all  be  united 
in  the  former. 

It  is  well  said,  page  199,  vol.  ii. 
Guide  de  l'Officier  particulier  en  Cam* 
pagne  par  M.  Cessac  Lacuee.  "  Pen- 
dant les  marches  de  nuit,  on  doit  ra- 
doubler  de  soins  et  d'attentions ;  alors, 
comme  le  dit  Xenophon,  les  ycux  doivent 
itre  remplacis  par  les  oreilles." 

VIGILANT,  (vigilant,  Fr.)  watchful,- 
attentive. 

VIGILES,  guards  or  outposts,  round 
a  camp,  &c.  and  sentinels,  were  so  called 
among  the  Romans.  Their  duty  was^ 
in  some  degree,  similar  to  that  which  is- 
practised  in  these  days ;  with  this  diffe- 
rence, that  the  Vigiles,  among  the  an* 
cients,  were  not  armed,  in  order  to  pre- 
vent them  from  sleeping,  either  by  lean- 
ing against  their  pikes,  or  by  lying  upon 
their  shields.  The  man  or  sentry  held  a 
sort  of  dark  lanthern,  which  was  so  con- 
structed, that  the  light  reflected  to  him- 
self and  his  three  comrades  only.  The 
Roman  sentinel  challenged  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: — State,viri;  qucz  causa  via? 
Quive  estis  in  armis't  Stop,  men;  what  is 
the  cause  of  your  journey,  or  on  what 
business  are  you  ?  or  wherefore  are  you 
in  arms  ?  lie  then  demanded  the  tessera^ 
or  watchword,  from  the  patrole. 

VIGNETTE,  i-V.  a  flourish ;  head, 
piece  ;  generally  ornamental. 

VIGOROUS,  (vigoureux,  Fr.)  strong, 
brisk,  active,  resolute;  as,  a  vigorous 
attack. 

VIGOTE,    Fr.  a  model    by   which 
the  calibres  of  pieces  of  ordnance  are 
ascertained,  in  order  to  pick  out  appro- 
priate bullets.     This  model  consists  of* 
I 


V  I  N 

•thick  piece  of  wood,  in  which  there  are 
holes  of  different  sizes,  according  to  the 
several  calibres  of  cannon. 

VILBREQUIN,  Jr.  a  wimble. 

VILLAGE,  (village,  Fr.)  Gen.  Lloyd 
in  his  history  of  the  Seven  Years  War, 
viz.  1756, — has  laid  down  the  following 
maxim : 

When  a  village  is  intended  to  be  sup- 
ported, the  retrenchment  must  be  sepa- 
rated from  the  houses  by  an  interval, 
sufficient  for  the  troops  to  form  in,  be- 
tween the  houses  and  the  retrenchments; 
and  the  village  must  be  cleared  behind, 
that  you  may  march  two  or  more  bat- 
talions in  front,  otherwise  you  cannot 
defend  it ;  the  instant  it  is  put  on  fire, 
you  must  abandon  it  in  such  confusion 
as  sometimes  communicates  to  the  whole 
line. 

VILLAIN,  (vilain,  Fr.)  formerly  a 
man  of  low  and  servile  condition,  who 
had  a  small  portion  of  cottages  and  land 
allotted  him,  for  which  he  was  dependant 
on  his  lord,  and  bound  to  certain  work 
and  corporal  service.  In  the  ancient 
days  of  France,  it  was  customary  to  de- 
grade officers  and  men  of  rank,  by  re- 
ducing them  to  the  condition  and  servi- 
tude of  a  villain.  In  these  times,  villain 
generally  signifies  an  arrant  rogue,  or 
pitiful  sordid  fellow. 

VILLE,  Fr.    See  Town. 

Ville  moyenne,  Fr.     See  Moycnne. 

Ville  ouverte,  Fr.     See  Ouverte. 

VILLES  libres,  Fr.  free  towns.  See 
Hans-Towns. 

VIN,  Fr.  wine.  The  genuine  juice 
of  the  grape,  which  is  so  plentiful  and 
so  cheap  in  France,  that  a  common 
soldier  has  a  larger  quantity  to  his  share 
than  a  British  soldier  can  get  of  small 
beer  here. 

VINCIBLE,  conquerable;  in  a  state 
to  be  defeated. 

VINDAS,  Fr.    See  Windlass. 

VINEjE.     See  Vallum. 

VINEGAR,  (vinaigre,Fr.)  Vinegar  is 
frequently  used  in  the  artillery  to  cool 
pieces  of  ordnance.  Two  pints  of  vinegar 
to  four  of  water  is  the  usual  mixture  lor 
this  purpose. 

VINGTIEME.     See  Poundage. 

VINTAINE,  -Fr.  a  small  rope  which 
masons  use  to  prevent  stones  from  hit- 
ting against  a  wall  when  they  draw  them 
up. 

VINTENARY,  or  Vintenarius,  a 
military  officer  in  the  reign  of  Edward 
III.  belonging  to  the  army  sent  to  Ire- 


(     965    )  V    I    R 

land.  He  had  20  archers  under  him  at 
four  pence  per  diem. 

VINGTNERS,  a  term  used  in  the 
old  English  army  to  designate  a  particular 
class  of  officers  who  had  the  command 
of  twenty  men.  The  companies  or 
hundreds  were  commanded  by  centena- 
ries; but  the  title  of  the  officer  com- 
manding thousands  is  not  mentioned. 

VIOL,  Fr.  a  rape,  or  the  act  of  for- 
cing a  female,  by  main  force,  to  give  up 
her  person.  It  sometimes  happens,  that 
through  the  obstinacy  of  the  governor  of 
a  besieged  place,  the  inhabitants  are 
exposed  to  the  dreadful  calamity  of  see- 
ing themselves  and  their  property  given 
up  to  the  plunder  of  an  enraged  soldiery. 
When  this  is  the  case,  the  conquering 
general  does  himself  infinite  honour,  by 
strictly  forbidding  every  soldier,  under 
pain  of  death,  to  commit  the  least 
violence  on  the  persons  of  the  inha- 
bitants, but  most  especially  on  those  of 
defenceless  women,  or  to  set  fire  to  their 
houses. 

The  punishment  in  the  French  army 
for  a  rape  on  a  girl  under  fourteen  years 
of  age,  is  two  years  in  irons ;  if  followed 
by  death, — death. 

VIOLENCE,  (violence,  Fr.)  an  irra- 
tional indulgence  of  an  ungovernable 
temper,  which  is  frequently  mistaken  for 
real  spirit;  and  almost  always  defeats 
itself. 

VIOLENT  man,  (homme  violent,  Fr.) 
a  person  who  yields  to  the  first  impulse 
of  passion,  and  never  listens  to  the  sober 
dictates  of  good  sense. 

VIRAGO,  a  female  warrior. 

VIRE,  Fr.  a  quarrel,  an  arrow  used 
for  a  cross-bow. 

VIRER,  Fr.  to  change,  to  turn  round. 
The  word  is  used  figuratively  by  the 
French,  viz.  tourner  et  virer,  to  beat 
about  the  bush ;  as,  tourner  et  virer 
quelquun,  in  an  active  sense,  to  pump 
another,  or  to  draw  out  his  secret. 

VIRETONS,  Fr.  arrows. 

VIREVAU,  Fr.  the  same  as  vindas, 
a  sort  of  moveable  capstan;  a  draw- 
beam  ;  a  windlass. 

VIRE-VOLTE,  Fr.  a  quick  turning 
about.     It  is  a  term  in  the  manege. 

VIROLE,  Fr.  a  ferrule;  a  verrel. 

VIRTUE,  (verlu,  Fr.)  efficacy,  power, 
force,  quality,  property. 

By  Virtue  of,  (en  vertu  de,  Fr.)  in 
consequence  of  powers  vested,  or  dele- 
gated ;  by  authority  of. 

Political  Virtue,  a  steady  adherence 
6G  9,     - 


V  I  s 


(     964     ) 


V  I  T 


to  sound  principles ;  an  inviolable  at- 
tachment to  truth  ;  unshaken  integrity, 
in  matters  of  -fate. 

Military  VI ET  U  ES,  (vertuesmililaires, 
Fr.)  strict  adherence  to  discipline,  great 
patience  and  undaunted  resolution,  under 
the  controul  and  guidance  of  unblemished 
honour  and  fidelity. 

VIS,  Fr.  the  vice  or  spindle  of  a 
press;  also  a  winding  stair. 

Vis  a  jour,  Fr.  stairs  so  contrived 
that,  though  consisting  of  many  steps,  a 

fierson  may  from  the  highest  discern  the 
owest. 

Vis,  ou  noyau  d'escalier,  Fr.  in  archi- 
tecture, the  center  piece  of  timber  of  a 
staircase. 

Vis,  ou  noyau  de  montee,  Fr.  the  spindle 
tree  of  a  staircase. 

Unescalier  a  Vis,  Fr.  a  winding  stair- 
case. 

Vis  a  Vis,  Fr.  over  against;  opposite ; 
as  vis-a-vis  de  Vennemi,  opposite  to,  or  in 
front  of  the  enemy. 

VISA,  a  word  from  the  Latin,  and 
generally  used  by  the  French  in  their 
passports  and  other  public  documents. 
It  is  a  form  in  an  instrument  which 
must  bear  the  sign  manual  of  the  person 
through  whom  it  becomes  authentic  and 
has  effect. 

VISER,  Fr.  to  aim  at  any  thing. 

Viser  a  un  but,  Fr.  to  aim  at  a 
mark ;  also  to  have  some  object  in 
view. 

VISIBLE,  Fr.  visible;  at  home; 
ready  to  see  any  body  :  a  familiar  in- 
struction which  masters  give  to  their 
servants  when  they  mean  to  receive  a 
person.    Not  visible  is  the  contrary. 

VISIER,    )  ( visir,  Fr.)  an  otiicer  of 

VIZIER,    >  dignity  in  the  Ottoman 

VIZIR,  3  Empire;  whereof  there 
are  two  kinds,  the  first  called  by  the 
Turks  Vizir  Azero,  or  Grand  Vizir,  first 
created  in  1370  by  Amurath  the  First, 
in  order  to  ease  himself  of  the  chief 
and  weightier  affairs  of  the  government. 
The  Grand  Vizir  possesses  great  powers, 
especially  with  regard  to  military  affairs. 
The  orders  he  issues  are  so  thoroughly 
discretional,  that  when  he  quits  Con- 
stantinople to  join  the  army,  he  does 
not  even  communicate  his  intentions  to 
the  sultan.  This  system  entirely  differ 
from  that  which  is  followed  by  European 
generals.  When  the  latter  take  the 
field,  they  proceed  upon  plans  that  have 
been  previously  digested ;  and  although 
they  may  occasionally  change  their  dis- 


positions, yet  they  never  deviate  from 
the  essential  and  governing  principles. 

The  Grand  Vizir,  on  the  contrary, 
not  only  makes  the  arrangements  ac- 
cording to  his  own  judgment,  but  he 
even  changes  an  operation  that  has  been 
previously  ordered  by  the  sultan,  if,  on 
his  arrival  at  the  spot,  he  should  think 
it  expedient  to  employ  the  troops  in  a 
different  way.  This  absolute  power  is 
not,  however,  without  its  risk;  for  if 
the  Grand  Vizir  should  fail  in  his  enter- 
prize,  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the 
sultan  will  cause  him  to  be  beheaded  :  a 
punishment  which  has  long  been  familiar 
to  the  Turks,  from  the  arbitrary  manner 
in  which  it  is  practised,  and  thefrequency 
of  its  occurrence. 

When  the  Turks  engage  an  enemy, 
the  Grand  Vizir  generally  remains  with 
the  reserve,  and  seldom  mixes  with  the 
main  body,  which  is  soon  converted  into 
a  mob  of  desperate  combatants.  The 
war  which  was  carried  into  Egypt  once 
bade  fair  to  change  the  whole  system  of 
Turkish  tactics. 

VISIERE,  Fr.  the  sight  which  is 
fixed  on  the  barrel  of  a  musket  or  fire- 
lock. 

To  VISIT,  (visiter,  Fr.)  to  go  to  any 
place,  as  quarters,  barracks,  hospital, 
&c.  for  the  purpose  of  noticing  whether 
the  orders  or  regulations  which  have 
been  issued  respecting  it,  are  observed. 

VISITE  des  posies,  Fr.  the  act  of  visit- 
ing posts,  &c. 

Faire  la  Visite,  Fr.  to  visit,  to  in- 
spect. 

VISITEUR,  Fr.  the  person  who  visits, 
or  goes  the  rounds. 

VISITING  officer,  he  whose  duty  it 
is  to  visit  the  guards,  barracks,  messes, 
hospital,  &c.     See  Orderly  Officer. 

VISOR,      )  that  part  of  the  helmet 

VIZARD,  )  which  covered  the  face. 

VITAL,  essential;  chiefly  necessary. 

Vital  air,  or  oxygen,  the  cause  of 
the  rapid  ignition  of  gunpowder. 

VTrCHOURA,  Fr.  a  furred  coat  ;  a 
corruption  of  the  German  word  Wild- 
scluirr,  which  signifies  the  skin  ot  a  wild 
beast. 

VITESSE,  Fr.  dispatch;  prompti- 
tude of  action. 

VITIS,  a  vine;  a  centurion's  rod; 
such  as  was  used  among  the  old  Ro- 
mans to  chastise  soldiers  that  stepped 
out  of  the  ranks,  or  were  guilty  of 
small  irregularities.  Mercenaries,  and 
those  men  that  were  not  Roman  citizens, 


V  I  V 


(     965     ) 


V  I  V 


**ere    flogged    with   switches    on  their 
naked  shoulders. 

VITONIEEtES,  Fr.  limber  holes. 

VITRAGE,  Fr.  This  term  compre- 
hends every  thing  that  relates  to  the 
glazing  of  houses,  Sec. 

VITRERIE,  Fr.  a  term  compre- 
hending every  thing  that  appertains  to 
the  use  of  glass;  also  the  glass  trade. 

VIVANDIERS,  Fr.  victuallers,  sut- 
lers, &c. 

VIVAT,  Fr.  a  familiar  exclamation, 
which  is  used  not  only  by  the  French, 
but  by  the  Dutch  and  Germans.  It 
comes  from  the  Latin  and  signifies,  lite- 
rally, May  he  live ! 

VIVE  le  Roi!  Fr.  God  save  the  king! 
Long  live  the  king. 

Vive  la  Republique,¥r.  Long  live  the 
republic. 

Qui  Vive?  Fr.  a  military  phrase 
which  is  used  in  challenging. —  Who 
comes  there?  literally,  who  lives?  To 
be  kept  upon  the  Qui  Vive,  to  be  roused 
to  particular  vigilance  by  some  unex- 
pected accident,  or  occurrence. 

Vive  eau,  Fr.  high  water;  the  same 
as  vifcle  I'eau,  or  marie. 

VIVO,  iu  architecture,  the  shaft  or 


The  ration  of  bread  for  each  soldier 
consists  of  one  hundred  drams  per  day, 
or  fifty  drams  of  biscuit,  sixty  of  beef 
or  mutton,  twenty-five  of  butter  to  baks 
the  peeled  barley  in,  and  fifty  of  rice. 
The  rice  is  given  on  Friday  every  week, 
on  which  day  they  likewise  receive  a 
ration  of  fifty  drams  of  bulgur  mixed 
with  butter,  as  an  extraordinary  allow- 
ance, making  a  kind  of  water-gruel. 

These  provisions  are  distributed  in 
two  different  quarters.  The  meat  19 
given  out  at  the  government  stall  or 
butchery,  where  a  certain  number  of 
Armenians,  Greeks,  and  Jews  regularly 
attend.  Each  company  sends  a  head 
cook,  who  goes  with  a  cart  and  receive* 
the  allowance  from  a  sort  of  quarter- 
master serjeant,  who  is  in  waiting  with 
a  regular  return  of  what  is  wanted  tor 
each  oda. 

This  person  is  styled  among  the  Turks 
Meidan  Chiaous.  He  stands  upon  a  spot 
of  ground  which  is  more  elevated  than, 
the  rest,  and  receives  the  allowance  du» 
to  his  district. 

The  distribution  of  bread,  &c.  is 
made  within  the  precincts  of  the  Tef- 
terday-Bascy,    where  the  Vekil-Kharet 


fust  of  a  column;  it  is  also  used  for  the   attends  as  director  or  superintendant  of 


naked  of  a  column. 

VIVOTER,  Fr.  to  live  from  hand  to 
mouth;  as  is  the  case  with  most  military 
men. 

VIVRE,  Vitres,  Fr. food ;  provisions; 
subsistence.  In  the  Dictionnaire  Mili- 
taire,  vol.  iii.  page  525,  there  is  an  in- 
teresting account  of  the  manner  in  which 
troops  were  subsisted  during  the  first 
years  of  the  old  French  monarchy. 

Vivres,  et  leur  distribution  c/iez  les 
Tiars,  Fr.  the  kind  of  provisions,  &c. 
and  the  manner  in  which  they  are  dis- 
tributed among  the  Turks.  The  food 
or  provisions  for  the  Turkish  soldiery 
form  an  immediate  part  of  the  military 
baggage. 

The  government  supplies  flour,  bread, 
biscuit,  rice,  bulgur  or  peeled  barley, 
butter,  mutton  or  beef,  and  grain  for  the 
horses,  which  is  almost  wholly  barley. 

The  bread  is  generally  moist,  not 
having  been  leavened,  and  is  almost 
always  ready  to  mould.  On  which  ac- 
count, theArmenians, who  are  the  bakers, 
bake  every  day,  in  ovens  that  have  been 
constructed  under  ground  for  the  use  of 
the  army.  When  there  is  not  suthcient 
time  to  bake  bread,  biscuit  is  distributed 
among  the  men. 


stores  and  provisions,  and  by  whose  ordev 
they  are  delivered. 

When  the  allowance  is  brought  to  th« 
oda  or  company,  the  Vekil-Kharet,  a 
sort  of  quarter-master,  sees  it  regularly 
measured  out,  and  if  any  portions  b© 
deficient,  he  takes  note  of  the  same,  in 
order  to  have  them  replaced  for  the 
benefit  of  the  company.  The  remainder 
is  then  given  to  the  head  cook,  who 
divides  it  into  two  meals,  one  for  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the  other  for 


1  in  the  evening 


These  two  meals  consist  of  boiled  of 
stewed  meat,  mixed  with  rice,  and  sea- 
soned with  pepper  and  salt;  water-gruel 
being  regularly  made  for  each  man  or^ 
Friday. 

There  are  six  kitchen-boys  or  quateri 
attached  to  each  oda,  by  which  they  ar* 
paid  a  certain  subsistence.  On  solemn 
occasions,  and  on  festival  days,  the  qua- 
teri are  dressed  in  long  gowns  made  of 
skins,  with  borders  to  them;  they  like- 
wise wear  a  large  knife,  with  an  en- 
crusted silver  handle,  which  hangs  at 
their  side.  They  serve  up  the  victuals  in 
two  copper  vessels,  that  are  laid  upon  a 
tabic  covered  with  a  skin,  round  which 
seveu  or  eight  persons  may  be  seated. 


IJLA 


(     066     ) 


U  L  A 


V1VBK-7WMJ,  Fr.  bread  provided  for 
the  sustenance  of  a  French  army  by 
contract  or  requisition. 

Vivni.s-i  iandc,  Fr.  meat  provided  for 
the  sustenance  of  a  French  army,  by 
contract  or  requisition. 

VTVRIERS,  Fr,  purveyors  and  other 
persons  employed  by  the  commissary 
general,  or  contractor  for  stores  and 
provisions. 

Mons.  Duprc  D'Aulnay,  in  a  work 
enrituled  Traite  cles  Subsistanccs  Mili- 
taires,  has  suggested  the  establishment 
of  a  regular  corps  of  Vivriers,  or  persons 
whose  sole  duty  should  be  to  attend  to 
the  subsistence  of  an  army  in  the  field, 
as  well  as  in  garrison.  His  reasoning 
upon  this  subject  is  very  acute,  full  of 
good  sense,  and  seems  calculated  to  pro- 
duce that  system  of  economy  and  whole- 
some distribution,  that,  to  this  day,  are 
so  manifestly  wanted  in  all  military  ar- 
rangements. 

VIZ,  hid.  a  small  coin  ;  it  is  also  a 
weight  equal  to  about  three  pounds ; 
but  differs  much  in  value  according  to 
place. 

VIZARUT,  Ind.  the  office  of  vizier. 

VIZIER,  hid.  prime  minister. 

UKASE,  a  Russian  word  signifying 
manifesto,  proclamation,  &c. 

ULANS,  Fr.  This  word  is  some- 
times written  Hulans,  and  more  fre- 
quently Uhlans.  A  certain  description 
of  militia  among  the  modern  Tartars 
was  so  called.  They  formerly  did  duty 
in  Poland  and  Lithuania,  and  served  as 
light  cavalry. 

It  is  not  exactly  known  at  what 
epoch  the  Tartars  first  came  into  Po- 
land and  Lithuania.  Dlugossus,  in  his 
History  of  Poland,  book  XI,  page  243, 
relates  that  there  were  troops  or  com- 
panies of  Tartars  attached  to  the  army 
which  was  under  the  command  of  Alex- 
ander Witholde,  Grand  Duke  of  Lithu- 
ania. Heidenstein,  in  Ins  account  of 
Poland,  Rcr.  Polonic.  p.  152,  makes 
mention  of  a  corps  of  Tartars  belonging 
to  the  army  which  Stephen  Bathori, 
King  of  Poland,  carried  into  the  field 
when  he  fought  the  Russians.  This 
corps,  according  to  the  same  author, 
wa9  headed  by  one  Ulan,  who  said  he 
was  descended  from  the  princes  of 
Tartary. 

Although  the  origin  of  the  word  Ulan, 
as  far  as  it  regards  the  modern  militia 
so  called,  does  not  appear  to  be  indis- 
putably  ascertained,   it  is   nevertheless 


well  proved,  that;  besides  the  Tartar 
chief  under  Stephen  Bathori,  the  person 
who  in  the  reign  of  Augustus  II,  formed 
the  first  pulk,  or  regiment,  of  that  de- 
scription, was  not  only  called  Ulan  him- 
self, but  likewise  gave  the  name  to  the 
whole  body  under  his  command.  This 
chief  is  mentioned  in  the  records  of  the 
military  institution  of  Poland  in  1717.. 
He  was  then  colonel  or  commandant  of 
the  first  pulk,  or  King's  regiment,  and 
there  were  three  captains  under  him  of 
the  same  name,  viz.  Joseph  Ulan,  David 
Ulan,  and  Cimbey  Ulan.  In  1744,  one 
of  these  was  captain  of  a  company  of 
Ulans  in  Bohemia,  and  was  afterwards 
colonel  of  a  corps  of  the  same  descrip- 
tion in  Poland.  He  is  likewise  said  to 
have  been  descended  from  the  Tartar 
princes.  It  is,  however,  left  undecided, 
whether  Ulan  be  the  name  of  a  parti- 
cular family,  or  a  term  given  to  distin- 
guish some  post  of  honour;  or  again, 
whether  it  barely  signify  a  certain  class 
of  turbulent  haughty  soldiers,  such  as 
the  Strelez  of  Russia,  or  the  Janizaries 
of  Constantinople. 

If  there  be  any  thing  which  can  mako 
us  question  theauthenticity  or  probability 
of  this  account,  it  is  the  passage  we  find 
in  the  book  already  quoted;  viz.  Dlu- 
gossus, where  he  says,  liv.  XIII.  page 
423,  that,  in  1467  an  ambassador  from 
Tartary  had  arrived  at  Petrigkow  to  an- 
nounce to  King  Cassimir,  that,  after  the 
death  of  Ecziger,  his  son  Nordowlad  had 
ascended  the  throne  of  Tartary,  with  the 
unanimous  consent  and  concurrence  of 
all  the  princes  and  Ulans. 

Quitting  the  etymology  of  the  word, 
and  leaving  the  original  name  to  the 
determination  of  wise  and  scientific 
men,  we  shall  confine  our  present  re- 
searches to  the  modern  establishment 
of  the  Ulans :  which,  by  the  best  ac- 
counts, we  find  to  have  happened  in 
1717. 

It  is  acknowledged  by  all  writers,  that 
the  Ulans  are  a  militia,  and  not  a  sepa- 
rate nation  or  class  of  people;  theii 
origin,  in  this  particular,  resembles  that 
of  the  Cossacks.  When  Augustus  II, 
in  1717,  altered  the  military  establish- 
ments of  Poland,  he  formed  two  regi- 
ments of  Ulans;  one  consisting  of  six 
hundred  men,  which  had  already  existed, 
and  was  called  the  King's  Pulk,  and 
the  other  of  four  hundred,  which  was 
given  to  the  great  general  of  the  republic. 

Augustus  HI.  un  bis  accession  to  the 


U  L  A 


(     967     > 


U  L  A 


ihrone,  took  both  these  regiments  into 
his  own  immediate  pay,  and  afterwards 
augmented  the  establishment  by  raising 
several  other  pulks  or  corps  of  this  de- 
scription. The  Ulans  are  mounted  on 
Polish  or  Tartar  horses,  and  do  the  same 
duty  that  is  allotted  to  hussars;  with 
this  essential  difference,  that  they  are 
better  armed  and  accoutred,  and  that 
their  horses  excel  those  of  the  hussars  in 
strength  and  swiftness,  although  they  are 
mostly  of  the  same  size.  The  Ulans 
have  frequently  distinguished  themselves 
on  service,  particularly  in  Bohemia. 

Their  principal  weapon  is  a  lance  five 
feet  long,  at  the  end  of  which  hangs  a 
eilk  streamer,  that  serves  to  frighten  the 
liorse  of  the  Ulan's  opponent,  by  its 
.fluttering  and  noise.  The  lance  is  sus- 
pended on  his  right  side,  by  means  of  a 
■pelt  which  is  worn  across  the  Ulan's 
shoulders,  or  by  a  small  leathern  thong 
which  goes  round  his  right  arm,  the  end 
of  the  lance  resting  in  a  sort  of  stay  that 
is  attached  to  the  stirrup.  Before  the 
Ulan  takes  his  aim,  he  plants  his  lance 
upon  his  foot,  and  throws  it  with  so 
much  dexterity,  that  he  seldom  misses 
his  object. 

The  dress  of  the  Ulan  consists  of  a 
short  jacket,  browsers  or  breeches,  made 
like  those  of  the  Turks,  which  reach  to 
the  ancle  bone,  and  button  above  the 
hips.  He  wears  a  belt  across  his  waist. 
The  upper  garment  is  a  sort  of  Turkish 
robe  with  small  facings,  which  reaches 
to  the  calf  of  the  leg ;  his  head  is  co- 
vered with  a  Polish  cap.  The  colour  of 
the  streamer  which  is  hxed  to  the  end  of 
the  lance,  as  well  as  of  that  of  the 
facings,  varies  according  to  the  different 
pulks  or  regiments  which  it  is  meant  to 
distinguish.  The  Ulan  is  likewise  armed 
with  a  sabre,  and  a  brace  of  pistols 
"which  hang  from  his  waistbelt. 

As  the  Ulans  consider  themselves  in 
the  light  of  free  and  independent  gentle- 
men, every  individual  amongst  them  has 
one  servant,  if  not  two,  called  pocztouy 
or  pacholeks,  whose  sole  business  is  to 
attend  to  their  baggage  aud  horses. 
'When  the  Ulans  take  the  field,  these 
servants  or  batmen  form  a  second  or  de- 
tached line,  and  fight  separately  from 
their  masters.  They  are  armed  with  a 
carbine,  which  weapon  is  looked  upon 
with  contempt  by  their  masters,  and  they 
clothe  themselve*  in  the  best  manner 
fhej  can. 


The  Ulans  generally  engage  the  ene- 
my in  small  platoons  or  squads,  after 
the  manner  of  hussars ;  occasionally 
breaking  in  the  most  desultory  manner. 
They  rally  with  the  greatest  skill,  and 
frequently  affect  to  run  away,  for  the 
purpose  of  inducing  their  opponents  to 
pursue  them  loosely;  a  circumstance 
which  seldom  fails  to  be  fatal  to  the 
latter,  as  the  instant  the  pursuers  have 
quitted  their  main  body,  the  Ulan  wheels 
to  the  right  about,  gets  the  start  of  him 
through  the  activity  of  his  horse,  and 
obtains  that  advantage,  hand  to  hand, 
which  the  other  possessed  whilst  he  acted 
in  close  order. 

The  instant  the  Ulans  charge  an  ene- 
my, their  servants  or  batmen  form  and 
stand  in  squadrons  or  platoons,  in  order 
to  afford  them,  under  circumstances  of 
repulse,  a  temporary  shelter  behind,  and 
to  check  the  enemy.  The  batmen  be- 
longing to  the  Ulans  are  extremely  clever 
in  laying  ambushes. 

The  pay  of  the  Ulans  in  time  of  peace 
is  very  moderate.  Poland,  before  its 
infamous  dismemberment  and  partition 
by  Russia,  Prussia,  and  Austria,  kept  a 
regular  establishment  of  four  squadrons 
and  ten  companies  on  foot.  These  troops 
were  annually  supplied  with  a  thousand 
rations  of  bread  and  forage,  which  quan- 
tity was  paid  them  at  the  rate  of  272 
florins,  Polish  money,  per  ration.  The 
Grand  Duchy  of  Lithuania  subsisted, 
in  the  same  manner,  fifteen  other  com- 
panies of  Ulans.  The  other  pulks  were 
paid  by  tha  king.  The  annual  pay  of 
the  captains  was  five  rations,  and  that 
of  the  subalterns  two ;  that  is  1360 
florins  to  the  former,  and  544  florins  to 
the  latter. 

In  1743  Marshal  Saxe,  with  the  ap- 
probation and  concurrence  of  the  French 
court,  raised  a  regiment  of  Ulans,  which 
was  attached  to  the  military  establish- 
ment of  that  country.  This  corps  con- 
sisted of  one  thousand  men,  divided  into 
six  brigades,  each  brigade  composed  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  eighty  of 
whom  were  Ulans,  and  eighty  dragoons. 
So  that  the  regiment  consisted  of  five 
hundred  Ulans,  properly  so  called,  armed 
and  accoutred  like  those  in  Poland,  and 
the  other  five  hundred  were  dragoons, 
without  being  considered  as  the  servants 
or  batmen  of  the  Ulans ;  in  which  in- 
stance, they  differed  from  the  pacholeks 
of  the  Polish  Ulans.    These  dragoons 


U  L  T 


(     008     ) 


U  N  C 


were  paid  by  the  king ;  whereas  in  Po- 
land each  Ulan  paid  his  own  servant  or 
batman,  who  looked  to  him  only  for 
clothing,  arms,  and  subsistence.  On  the 
death  of  Marshal  Saxe,  the  Ulans  in 
France  were  reduced  ;  and  the  dragoons 
only  kept  upon  the  establishment.  They 
were  considered  as  a  regiment;  being  in 
the  first  instance  given  to  Count  de  Fnse, 
who  was  a  major-general  in  the  service, 
and  became  their  colonel.  They  re- 
mained on  that  tooting  until  the  Revo- 
lution. 

The  uniform  of  the  French  Ulans  con- 
sisted of  a  green  coat  or  cloak,  with 
green  breeches,  Hungarian  half-boots, 
pinchbeck  helmet,  with  a  turban  twisted 
round  it  of  Russian  leather;  the  tail,  or 
mane,  of  the  helmet  consisted  of  horse 
hair,  which  was  coloured  according  to 
the  facings  of  the  brigade;  their  arms 
were  a  lance  nine  feet  long,  with  a  float- 
ing streamer  at  the  top,  a  sabre,  and  a 
pistol  in  the  waist-belt. 

The  dragoons  were  clothed  like  other 
regular  troops.  Their  cpat  was  green, 
with  cream-coloured  facings  and  scarlet 
linings  ;  plain  brass  buttons,  an  aiguillette 
or  tagged  point,  made  of  red  worsted  ;  a 
fawn-coloured  waistcoat,  edged  round 
with  scarlet ;  leather  breeches ;  half- 
boots  that  were  laced  up  to  the  calf  of 
the  leg ;  pinchbeck  helmet,  with  a  seal- 
skin turban  round  it,  and  two  rosettes 
made  of  pinchbeck ;  the  top  was  adorned 
with  horse-hair,  which  hung  behind. 
Their  arms  consisted  of  a  fusil  with  a 
bayonet,  which  was  always  fixed;  two 
pistols  and  a  sabre ;  the  horse  was  co- 
vered with  a  wolf's  skin.  The  Ulans 
rode  horses  which  were  somewhat  lower 
than  those  of  the  dragoons,  and  were 
inure  active.  The  dress  of  the  German 
Ulan  is  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  the 
French. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  French 
revolution,  particularly  in  179'2  and 
1793,  the  Ulans  belonging  to  the  Impe- 
rial army  that  endeavoured  to  penetrate 
into  France,  were  the  terror  of  the  inha- 
bitants all  along  the  frontiers.  The  ex- 
cesses which  they  committed,  and  the 
desolation  they  occasioned,  rendered 
their  very  name  a  signal  of  alarm.  They 
seldom  gave  quarter,  and  they  never  re- 
ceived it. 

ULTIMATUM,  a  term  used  in  nego- 
tiations to  signify  the  last  condition  or 
conditions  upon  which  propositions  that 


have  been  mutually  exchanged,  can  hi 
finally  ratified. 

ULTRAMARINE,  (d'outre  mer,  Tr.) 
from  beyond  the  sea;  foreign. 

Ultkamarine,  (outre  mer,  Fr.)  a 
very  delicate  sky-blue  powder  used  in 
the  drawing  of  plans,  &c. 

ULTRAMONTANE,  derived  from 
the  Latin,  ult?^a,  beyond,  and  r?i07is,  moun- 
tain. This  term  is  principally  used  in 
relation  to  Italy  and  France,  which  are 
separated  by  the  Alps.  According  to 
Bailey,  ultramontanus  is  a  name  given 
by  the  Italians  to  all  people  who  live 
beyond  the  Alps. 

UMBO,  the  pointed  boss,  or  promi- 
nent part  in  the  center  of  a  shield  or 
buckler ;  literally,  the  navel. 

UMBRO,  a  colour  which  resembles 
that  of  new  oaken  wainscot;  it  dries 
quickly  and  with  a  good  gloss. 

UMBRIERE,  the  visor  of  a  helmet. 

UMPIRE,  (arbitre,  Fr.)  an  arbitrator, 
or  a  power  which  interferes  for  the  ad- 
justment of  a  dispute  or  contest. 

UNANELED,  a  term  in  Shakspeare, 
signifying  without  the  bell  rung,  from  un, 
negative,  and  knell  the  tolling  of  a  bell. 
Dr.  Johnson  doubts  the  propriety  of  this 
interpretation.  As  the  term,  however, 
was  used  with  respect  to  the  mangled 
remains  of  our  brave  countrymen  who 
fell  in  the  battle  of  Talavera  de  la 
Reyna  in  Spain,  and  who  were  left  to 
the  mercy  of  the  elements,  we  cannot 
omit  the  word ;  and  in  so  doing,  we  are 
solicitous  to  pay  that  just  tribute,  which 
the  heroic  conduct  of  British  soldiers 
deserves  from  every  well  thinking  Eng- 
lishman. Their  bodies  may  lie  unaneled 
on  foreign  ground,  but  their  praises  will 
be  rung  as  long  as  the  memory  of  that 
hard  fought  day  shall  last. 

UNARMED,  the  state  of  being  with- 
out armour  or  weapons. 

To  UNCASE,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
display,  to  exhibit ;  as,  to  uncase  the 
colours.  It  is  opposed  to  the  word  To 
Case,  which  signifies  to  put  up,  to  en- 
close. 

To  UNCOCK,  to  put  the  trigger  of  a 
musket  completely  at  rest. 

To  UNCOVER.  When  troops  de- 
ploy, the  different  leading  companies  or 
divisions,  &c.  successively  uncover  those 
in  their  rear,  by  marching  out  from  the 
right  or  left  of  the  column. 

UNCONDITIONAL,  at  discretion ; 
not  limited  by  any  terms  or  stipulations. 


U  N  D 


(     969     ) 


U  N  G 


UNCONQUERED,  not  subdued  or 
defeated;  in  opposition  to  conquered  or 
defeated.  Thus  Wales  considers  itselt 
unconquered,  though  subject  to  England, 
because  it  never  yielded  to  invasion. 

UNDAUNTED,  not  appalled  by 
fear;  valiant. 

UNDECAGON,  a  regular  polygon  of 
eleven  sides  or  angles. 

UNDECIDED,  not  determined.  See 
Promptitude. 

UNDER,  in  a  state  of  subjection  to; 
also  in  the  days  of,  or  during  the  reign 
of,  as  under  Alexander  the  Great ;  under 
George  the  Third. 

UNDEjw/rwvs,  (sous  armes,  Fr.)  in  a 
state  of  military  array ;  having  the  ne- 
cessary weapons  of  offence  and  defence, 
as  musket,  sword,  Sec. 

UxuzR-sentence,  liable  to  be  punished 
according  to  a  sentence  passed;  as,  under 
the  sentence  of  a  general  court-martial ; 
under  sentence  of  death. 

UywR-acceptayices,  in  a  state  of  being 
liable  to,  or  limited  by;  as,  every  ac- 
romptant  is  who  accepts  a  bill. 

Under  command,  (sous  ordre,  Fr.)  in 
subjection  to ;  liable  to  be  ordered  to  do 
any  particular  duty. 

To  be  cool  Under  fire,  (tire  de  sang- 
froid sous  tc  feu  de  Vennemi,  Fr.)  not  to 
be  disconcerted  by  the  noise,  or  smoke, 
or  other  casualties  of  a  battle ;  the 
groans  of  the  dying,  or  the  ghastly  ap- 
pearance of  the  dead. 
"  Under  cover,  (a  convert,  a  Vabri,  Fr.) 
shielded,  protected,  &c.     See  Cover. 

Under-o$r'£t,  an  inferior  officer ;  one 
in  a  subordinate  situation. 

Under  contribution,  liable  to  give,  in 
money  or  in  kind,  what  may  be  authori- 
tatively called  for.  Countries  are  some- 
times put  under  contribution,  for  the 
support  of  an  army.     See  Requisition. 

This  term  is  also  figuratively  applied, 
when  an  individual  is  weak  enough  to 
permit  himself  to  be  alarmed  at  the  abuse 
of  a  hacknied  and  unprincipled  writer ; 
especially,  if  he  should  ever  have  com- 
mitted himself  to  him  by  an  ill-placed 
confidence. 

UsvER-Sccretary  of  State,  a  principal 
clerk  in  the  home  or  foreign  department, 
who  acts  under  the  orders  and  instruc- 
tions of  the  chief  secretary. — The  Under- 
Secretary  of  State  for  the  Home  Depart- 
ment has  now  the  superintendence  and 
direction  of  all  aliens ;  the  office  in 
Crown  Street,  Westminster,  having  been 
abolished. 


To  bring  Under,  to  submit  to  the  pe- 
rusal and  consideration  of  another;  as  to 
bring  the  memorial  of  an  officer  under 
the  Commander  in  Chief's  eye. 

UNDERHAND,  (sous  mam,  Fr.) 
clandestinely ;  with  fraudulent  secrecy. 
A  term  not  known  in  military  phraseo- 
logy ;  or  if  known,  that  ought  to  be  ex- 
punged, by  the  expulsion  of  every  secret 
pander,  and  underhand  dealer. 

To  UNDERMINE,  to  dig  cavities 
under  any  thing,  so  that  it  may  fall,  or 
be  blown  up  ;  to  excavate. 

To  Undermine,  in  a  figurative  sense, 
to  injure  by  clandestine  means. 

UNDERMINER,  a  sapper,  one  who 
i  digs  a  mine. 

UNDERMINING,  in  a  figurative 
sense,  adopting  secret  measures  for  the 
purpose  of  attaining  any  particular  end. 

UNDERPENASING,  in  building, 
signifies  the  bringing  it  up  with  stone 
under  the  ground  cells.  Sometimes  it 
is  used  to  signify  the  work  itself  when 
finished. 

UNDERSTANDING,  skill;  know- 
ledge ;  exact  comprehension  ;  also  intel- 
ligence ;  privity;  concurrence. 

UNDISCIPLINED,  not  yet  trainer! 
to  regularity  or  order:  not  perfect  in 
exercise  or  manoeuvres. 

To  UNFIX,  in  a  military  sense,  to 
take  off,  as  Unfix  bayonet!  on  which  the 
soldier  disengages  the  bayonet  from  his 
piece,  and  returns  it  to  the  scabbard. 
The  word  Return,  as  we  have  already 
observed,  is  sometimes  used  instead  of 
unfix  :  but  it  is  improperly  used,  although 
it  more  immediately  corresponds  with 
the  French  term  Hemettre. 

UNFORTIFIED,  not  strengthened 
or  secured  by  any  walls,  bulwarks,  or 
fortifications. 

UNFURLED.  A  standard  or  colour, 
when  expanded  and  displayed,  is  said  to 
be  unfurled. 

UNGENTLEMANLIKE-cowdMcif.— 
Under  this  term  is  comprehended  every 
infraction  of  the  laws  relative  to  social 
intercourse,  in  which  the  most  trifling 
deviation  from  truth,  honour,  or  honesty, 
must  subject  an  officer  to  a  charge  for 
ungentlemanlike  conduct  and  behaviour. 

UNGENTLEMANLY,  illiberal,  not 
becoming  a  gentleman. 

UNGULA,  in  geometry,  is  the  sec- 
tion of  a  cylinder,  cut  off  by  a  plane, 
passing  «bliquely  through  the  plane  of 
the  base,  and  part  of  the  cylindrical 
surface. 
611 


UNI 


(     970     ) 


UNI 


UNHARNESSED,  disarmed;  di- 
vested of  armour  or  weapons. 

UNHORSED,  thrown  from  the  sad- 
dle ;  dismounted. 

UN  HOSTILE,  not  inimical,  or  be- 
longing  to  an  enemy. 

UNIFORM, (uniforme,Yr.)  The  coat, 
waistcoat,  breeches,  &c.  of  an  officer  and 
soldier,  are  comprehended  under  this 
term. 

Scarlet  is  the  national  uniform  of  the 
British  army,  blue  of  the  modern  French, 
except  of  the  Legions  who  are  dressed  in 
white,  white  of  the  Austrian,  green  of  the 
Russian,  &c.  But  in  each  of  these  armies 
there  are  particular  corps  which  are 
clothed  in  other  colours,  and  whose  cloth- 
ing is  made  in  a  shape  peculiar  to  them- 
selves. Though,  generally  speaking,  each 
has  an  uniform  within  itself,  yet  this 
uniform,  strictly  considered,  is  a  regi- 
mental. Thus,  the  regimentals  of  the 
Guards  cannot  be  called  the  regimentals 
of  the  29th,  but  scarlet  is  the  uniform  of 
both.  In  the  same  manner,  though  sky 
blue  be  the  regimental  colour  of  dragoon 
regiments  which  serve  in  India,  and  dark 
or  bottle  green  be  that  of  rifle  corps,  yet 
neither  the  one  nor  the  other  can  be  called 
the  uniform  of  the  British  army.  It  were 
to  be  wished,  indeed,  that,  like  the  navy, 
all  the  land  troops  could  be  clothed  alike, 
and  in  one  colour.  With  respect  to  the 
origin  of  Military  Uniforms,  we  may  as- 
sert, with  some  degree  of  confidence, 
that  however  ancient  the  custom  of  being 
clothed  in  some  distinguished  manner  is 
allowed  to  be,  it  is  impossible  to  trace 
their  first  adoption  beyond  the  eleventh 
century. 

We  should  make  useless  inquiries, 
were  we  to  direct  our  attention  to  those 
periods  in  which  the  Romans  fought  co- 
vered with  metal  armour,  or  with  leather, 
which  was  so  dressed  and  fitted  to  the 
body,  that  the  human  shape  appeared  in 
all  its  natural  formation ;  nor  to  those 
in  which  the  French,  almost  naked,  or 
at  least  very  lightly  clad  in  thin  leather, 
conquered  the  ancient  Gauls. 

Better  information  will  be  acquired  by 
referring  to  the  crusades  which  were 
made  into  Palestine  and  Constantinople 
by  the  Europeans.  We  shall  there  find, 
that  the  western  nations,  France,  Eng- 
land, &c.  first  adopted  the  use  of  rich 
garments,  which  they  wore  over  their  ar- 
mours and  adorned  their  dresses  with 
furs  from  Tartary  and  Russia. 

We  may  then  fix  the  origin  of  coloured 


dresses  to  distinguish  military  corps, 
&c.  in  the  eleventh  century.  The  Sara- 
cens generally  wore  tunics  or  close  gar- 
ments over  their  armour.  These  garments 
were  made  of  plain  or  striped  stuffs,  and 
were  adopted  by  the  Crusaders  under 
the  denomination  of  coats  of  arms, 
Cottcs  d'armes.  We  refer  our  readers, 
for  further  particulars,  to  a  French  work 
intituled,  Traiti  des  Marques  Rationales, 
and  to  page  533,  torn.  in.  of  the  Diction- 
naire  Mil  it  aire;  observing,  that  the  uni- 
forms of  the  French  army  were  not  com- 
pletely settled  until  the  reign  of  Louis 
XIV.  and  that  the  whole  has  undergone 
considerable  alterations  since  the  late  re- 
volution. The  uniform  of  the  British  army 
is  too  well  known  to  require  any  particular 
detail  from  us.  We  must,  however,  ob- 
serve, that  from  the  great  attention  which 
the  Commander  in  Chief  pays  to  every 
species  of  military  system  and  organiza- 
tion, we  make  nodoubt,but  thegreat  prin- 
ciples of  economy  and  unifomiityin  dress, 
will  form  no  inconsiderable  part  of  the 
reform  and  good  order  which  he  is  gra- 
dually effecting. 

UNIFORMITY,  conformity  to  one 
pattern  ;  resemblance  of  one  thing  to 
another.  In  order  to  preserve  this  es- 
sential requisite,  in  the  exercise  and  ma- 
noeuvres of  the  British  forces,  it  is  ex- 
pressly ordered  by  his  Majesty,  that  the 
general  officers  appointed  to  review  his 
troops  shall  pay  particular  attention  to 
the  performance  of  every  part  of  the  Re- 
gulations issued  for  the  Formations,  Field 
Exercise,  &c.  and  report  their  observa- 
tions thereupon,  for  his  Majesty's  infor- 
mation ;  so  that  the  exact  uniformity 
required  in  all  movements  may  be  at- 
tained and  preserved,  and  his  royal  in- 
tentions thereby  carried  into  full  effect. 
See  General  Regulations. 

UNION.  The  King's  or  national  co- 
lours are  called  the  Union. 

The  Union,  a  term  used  to  signify  the 
junction  of  Scotland  with  England,  un- 
der certain  stipulations.  It  also  signifies 
the  annexation  of  Ireland  to  Great  Bri- 
tain, without  almost  any  stipulations, 
except  for  the  benefit  of  the  latter. 

UNITED,  connected;  bound  toge- 
ther by  oath,  &c. ;  hence  United  Irish- 
men. 

UNIVERSITY,  in  a  general  accepta- 
tion of  the  word,  any  nursery  where 
youth  is  instructed  in  languages,  arts, 
and  sciences.  It  likewise  means  the 
whole  in  general,  generality.     But,  in  a 


U  N  S 


C     971     ) 


V  O  I 


more  partial  sense,  it  signifies  one  of  the 
two  national  institutions  which  have  been 
established  for  the  encouragement  of 
literature  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge. — 
Among  other  privileges  which  belong  to 
these  royal  foundations,  the  vice-chancel- 
lors have  a  right  to  know  the  authority 
by  which  any  armed  force  enters  either 
city  ;  and  every  commanding  officer,  the 
instant  he  has  marched  in,  should  report 
to  the  vice-chancellor  the  nature  of  his 
route,  &c.  In  this  respect,  the  vice- 
chancellors  of  both  Universities  are  to 
be  looked  upon  as  governors  of  their 
respective  cities. 

To  UNLOAD  a  gun  or  a  musket, 
(dtc/iarger  un  canon,  un  mousquet,  Fr.) 
to  take  the  powder  and  ball  out  of  a 
piece  of  ordnance,  or  musket. 

UNMILITARY,  (pas  miliiairement, 
Fr.)  not  according  to  military  rules  and 
regulations.  Thus,  to  quote  the  words 
of  General  Dundas,  "The  marching  of 
great  bodies  in  file,  where  improper  ex- 
tension is  unavoidable,  must  be  looked 
upon  as  an  unmilitary  practice :  and 
ought  only  to  be  had  recourse  to  when 
unavoidably  necessary." 

UNSAFE,  not  to  be  trusted ;  not  to 
be  depended  upon  ;  liable  to  betray. 

UNSAFE-man,  a  person  from  whose 
indiscretion,  or  want  of  principle,  every 
thing  may  be  apprehended,  that  is  con- 
trary to  honour  and  honesty.  A  creature 
of  this  sort  is  a  most  dangerous  inmate  at 
head-quarters,  and  ought  always  to  be 
kept  aloof. 

To  UNSHOT,  a  gun,  (desarmer  un 
canon,  Fr.)  to  take  the  ball  out  of  a 
piece  of  ordnance. 

UNSKILLED,  wanting  skill;  want- 
ing knowledge ;  as,  unskilled  in  the  stra- 
tagems of  modern  warfare. 

UN  SOLDIERLIKE  conduct.  This 
term  is  intimately  connected  with  a 
former  article  on  ungentlemanlike  con- 
duct, with  some  additional  circumstances 
in  regard  to  personal  behaviour  when  on 
service,  that  may  expose  the  character  of 
a  military  man  to  censure  or  degradation. 
Cowardice,  like  the  loss  of  virtue  in  a 
female,  is,  however,  the  most  to  be  guard- 
ed against,  in  the  Articles  of  War 
these  terms  constitute  what  is  generally 
called  the  Sweeping  Clause,  under  which 
officers  may  be  tried,  when  any  difficulty 
arises  with  respect  to  a  specific  article. 

To  UNSPRING,  a  word  of  command 
used  in  the  exercise  of  cavalry. 

Unsprinq  your  carbine ;  quit  the  reins 


of  your  bridle,  and  take  hold  of  tlia 
swivel  with  the  left  hand,  placing  the 
thumb  on  the  spring,  and  opening  it;  at 
the  same  time  take  it  out  of  the  ring. 

UNSTEADY, mutable;  restless;  as, 
unsteady  under  arms. 

UNTENABLE,  not  to  be  held  in 
possession  ;  incapable  of  being  defended. 
UNTRAINED,    not  disciplined  to 
exercise  or  manoeuvre. 

UNTRUTH,  moral  falsehood ;  falsa 
assertion ;  a  thing  of  so  base  and  'de- 
grading a  nature  among  military  men, 
that  the  very  appearance  of  it  is  suffi- 
cient to  create  disgust.     See  Liar. 

UN  VANQUISHED,  not  conquered 
or  defeated. 

UNVVALLED,  being  without  walls 
of  defence ;  dismantled. 

UNWARLIKE,  not  fit  for,  or  used  to 
war. 

UNWEAPONED,  not  provided  with 
arms  of  offence. 

VOGUE,  Fr.  the  course,  or  way  which 
a  galley,  or  ship,  makes  when  it  is  rowed 
forward. 

VOGUER,  Fr.  to  make  way  upon 
water  either  by  means  of  sailing,  or  by 
oars.     It  also  signifies  generally  to  row. 

VOIE,  Fr.  way,  means,  course  of 
communication. 

Voie  ou  voye,  Fr.  a  way  ;  a  road. 

Voie  royale,  Fr.  the  king's  high-way. 

Voie  naittuire,  Fr.  a  military  road. 

Voie,  Fr.  This  word  also  means  the 
way  of  conveying  any  thing.  As,  par  la 
voie  de  Paris,  by  the  way  of  Paris.  We 
generally  adopt  the  Latin  term  via,  a« 
via.  Dublin,  by  the  way  of  Dublin. 

Voie,  Fr.  the  riding  bed  in  a  carriage. 

Voie,  ou  voye  d'eau,  Fr.  a  leak  in  a 
vessel. 

Voie  de  pierre,  Fr.  a  load  of  stone. 
Among  the  French  this  load  is  generally 
reckoned  not  to  contain  less  than  fifteen 
cubic  feet. 

VOILE,  Fr.  a  sail.  This  word  is 
frequently  used  by  the  French  to  signify 
the  ship  itself;  and  so  sail  is  with  us. 

Voile  quarrie,  ou  a  trait  quarre,  Fr. 
a  square  sail,  such  as  the  main-sail. 

Voile  latine,  ^voile  a  tiers  point  ou  & 
oreille  de  liivre,  Fr.  a  triangular  shaped 
sail,  such  as  is  used  in  the  Mediterra- 
nean. 

Jet  de  Voiles,  Fr.  the  complete  com- 
plement of  sails  for  a  ship. 

Faire  Voile,  Fr.  to  go  to  sea. 

VOIR,  Fr.  literally  to  see;  to  behold. 

Voir  en  grander,  to  view,  or  consider 
6H3 


VOL 


(     97'2     ) 


VOL 


tiings  and  men  upon  a  large  scale  ;  and 
not  to  be  diverted  from  a  main  object, 
by  attending  to  trifles. 

'  \'<>i a  en  petit, Ft.  to  view,  or  consi- 
der thins:-,  and  men  in  a  confined  way  ; 
and  by  so  doing  to  lose  sight  of  the  main 
object. 

VOIR  Uennemi,  Fr.  to  be  in  active 
warfare;  literally,  to  see  the  enemy. 

VOIR  IE,  Fr.  a  lay-stall.  The  French 
say  figuratively,  jettcr  quetyu'un  a  la  roi- 
rie,  to  den?  u  prison  Christian  burial. 

Gen*  de  Voiiue,  Fr.  scavengers,  dung 
fanners,  &c. 

Voiiur.,  Fr.  a  road,  way,  path,&c. 

VOITURES,  Fr.  carriages,  wagons, 
&c. 

VOL,  Fr.  theft.  The  military  regula- 
tions on  this  head  during  the  existence  of 
the  old  French  monarchy  were  extremely 
rigid  and  severe. 

Whosoever  was  convicted  of  having 
stolen  any  of  the  public  stores  was  sen- 
tenced to  be  hanged,  or  strangled ;  and 
if  any  soldier  was  discovered  to  have 
robbed  his  comrade,  either  of  his  necessa- 
ries, bread,  or  subsistence  money,  he  was 
condemned  to  death,  or  to  the  gallies  for 
life.  So  nice,  indeed,  were  the  French 
with  respect  to  the  honesty  of  the  sol- 
diery in  generally,  that  the  slightest  de- 
viation from  it  rendered  an  individual 
incapable  of  ever  serving  again. 

VOLANTS,  Fr.  the  sail-beams,  or 
flights  of  a  windmill. 

VOLEE,  Fr.  the  vacant  cylinder  of 
a  cannon,  which  may  be  considered  to 
reach  from  the  trunnions  to  the  mouth. 

Voi  eh  et  culasse  d'une piece, Fr.  This 
term  signifies  the  same  as  ttte  et  queue 
d'une  piece,  the  mouth,  or  head,  and  the 
breech  of  a  piece  of  ordnance. 

Volee  signifies  not  only  a  discharge 
of  ordnance,  or  musketry,  but  also  the 
single  shot  of  a  cannon.  II  eut  /a  Icte 
emportee  (Tune  voice  de  canon  ;  his  head 
was  carried  off  by  a  cannon  shot. 

Twer  a  toute  Volee,  Fr.  to  fire  a 
cannon  laid  upon  the  sole,  without  giving 
it  any  particular  aim,  so  that  the  ball 
may  hit  and  rise  again  a  ricochet.  In 
a  general  sense,  tirer  a  toute  voice  signi- 
fies, to  fire  so  as  to  propel  the  shot  to  the 
greatest  possible  distance  by  elevation. 

Homme  de  huule  Volee,  Fr.  a  person 
of  high  rank  and  distinction. 

Parler  a  la  Volee,  Fr.  to  talk  at 
random. 

Prendre  entrchondet  Volee,  Fr.  to 
-get  any  thing  by  availing  one's-selfof 


the  nick  of  time,  or  of  circumstance 
just  arising. 

Volee,  Fr.     See  Soxnf.itk. 

VOLET,  Fr.  a  shutter,  it  likewise 
means  a  small  sea  compass. 

Volet  ou  oiseait,  Fr.  a  mason's  hod. 

Volet  brise,  Fr.  a  shutter  made  of 
two  folds  which  close,  and  enter  into  th* 
opening  of  a  wall. 

VOLIGE  on  Volille,Yr.  in  carpentry,  a 
small  piece  of  deal,  or  poplar,  which  is 
extremely  thin  and  light;  it  is  generally 
from  three  to  live  lines  thick,  ten  inches 
broad,  and  six  feet.  long. 

VOLISSEok  Volice,  Fr.  in  carpentry, 
the  lath  or  thin  board  upon  which  a  slate 
is  nailed;  it  is  generally  twice  the  breadth 
of  the  common  lath. 

VOLETTES,  Fr.  horse's  net. 

VOLLEY,  the  discharging  of  a  great 
number  of  fire-arms  at  the  same  time. 

VOLONES.  In  a  general  accepta- 
tion of  the  term,  volones  signified  volun- 
teers among  the  ancient  Romans.  This 
word  was  also  particularly  applied  to 
those  slaves  who  volunteered  their  ser- 
vices after  the  battle  of  Canine,  and  on 
which  account  they  became  Roman  ci- 
tizens. 

VOLONTAIRES,  Fr.    See  Volun- 

TEERS. 

VOLONT£,  Fr.  will,  &c.  It  like, 
wise  signifies  readiness  to  do  any  thing. 
Officier,  soldat  de  bonne  volonte,  an  officer, 
a  soldier  that  is  ready  to  do  any  sort  ol* 
duty. 

JJernib-cs  Voi.ontes,  Fr.  the  last  will 
and  testament  of  a  man. 

Y<  )LT,  (volte,  Fr.)  in  horsemanship, 
a  bounding  turn.  It  is  derived  from  the 
Italian  word  volta;  and,  according  to  the 
Farrier's  Dictionary,  is  a  round,  or  a  cir- 
cular tread;  a  gait  of  two  treads  made 
by  a  horse  going  sideways  round  a  center; 
so  that  these  two  treads  make  parallel 
tracts;  the  one  which  is  made  by  the  fore 
feet  larger,  and  the  other  by  the  hinder 
feet  smaller ;  the  shoulders  bearing  out- 
wards, and  the  croupe  approaching  to- 
wards the  center. 

JMettre  un  chcvalsur  les  VOLTES,  Fr. 
to  make  a  horse  turn  round,  or  perform 
the  volts.  They  likewise  say  in  the  ma- 
nege, demi-volte,  half-turn  or  volt. 

VOLTE,  Fr.  in  fencing,  a  sudden 
movement,  or  leap,  which  is  made  to 
avoid  the  thrust  of  an  antagonist. 

VoLTE-/ace,  Fr.  right  about. 

Faire  YoLTZ-jace,  Fr.  to  come  to  the 
right  about.     It  is  chiefly  applicable  to  a 


V  O  L 


(     973     ) 


VOL 


cavalry  movement;  and  is  sometimes  ge- 
nerally used  to  express  any  species  of 
facing  about,  viz.  Les  ennetnis fuircnt  jus- 
qiCa  un  certain  endroit,  ou  Us  Jirent  volte 
face ;  the  enemy  fled  to  a  certain  spot, 
where  they  faced  about. 

Volte  is  also  used  as  a  sea  phrase, 
among  the  French,  to  express  the  track 
which  a  vessel  sails  ;  likewise  different 
movements  and  tacks  that  a  ship  makes 
in  preparing  for  action. 

VOLTER,  Fr.  in  fencing,  to  volt ;  to 
change  ground  in  order  to  avoid  the 
thrust  of  an  antagonist. 

VOLTIGER,  Fr.  to  float ;  to  stream 
out ;  to  hover  about ;  la  vuvalerie  toltige 
uutour  du  camp ;  the  cavalry  hovers  about 
the  camp.  It  also  means  in  the  manege, 
to  ride  a  wooden  horse  for  the  purpose  of 
acquiring  a  good  seat. 

VOLTIGEURS,  Fr.  springers,  lea- 
pers. 

"  The  corps  of  voltigeurs  were  formed 
but  a  few  years  since,  by  Bonaparte 
himself. 

"  The  di (Terence  betwixt  tirailleurs 
and  voltigeurs,  is,  that  the  first  move  ir- 
regularly, and  scattered  about,  and  the 
others  are  formed  and  act  as  numerous 
and  collected  bodies. 

"  The  qualifications  required  for  being 
admitted  into  that  corps  are,  an  unequi- 
vocal reputation  for  courage,  a  short  sta- 
ture, a  sound  body,  and  great  agility. 

"  Their  uniform  is  the  same  as  worn 
by  the  French  infantry,  with  the  appro- 
priate distinction  of  the  collar  being 
yellow. 

"  They  wear  the  grenade,  and  enjoy 
the  same  additional  pay  as  the  grena- 
diers, though  the  greatest  part  are  of  a 
diminutive  size. 

"  Each  regiment  of  infantry  has  a 
company  of  voltigeurs,  which  always 
inarches  in  front  of  the  grenadiers.  They 
have  two  trumpeters  instead  of  drum- 
mers. 

"  The  voltigeurs  are  armed  with  a 
short  fusil,  (carbine,)  and  a  short  broad- 
sword, the  pouch  is  supported  on  the 
loins  by  a  waist-belt;  according  to  re- 
gulation, their  pack  should  be  very  light. 
"  When  in  presence  of  the  enemy,  the 
voltigeur  companies  of  each  regiment  are 
collected  together,  forming  a  distinct 
corps,  and  lead  the  attack ;  they  are  in 
general  employed  to  climb  up  the  moun- 
tains, (if  there  be  any,)  or  to  attempt  dif- 
ficult passes  ;  the  grenadiers  follow  at  a 
short  distance;    but  it  is  the  voltigeur's 


privilege  to  shew  the  road  to  victory. 
They  are,  on  such  occasions,  carefully 
reminded  of  that  honourable  distinction. 
"  Ever  since  their  formation,  those 
corps  have  proved  of  the  greatest  utility 
to  the  French  armies ;  the  pride  of  their 
grenade,  the  hope  of  being  first  at  the 
pillage,  every  thing  has  contributed  to 
aise  the  spirit  of  these  diminutive  sol- 


diers to  the  highest  degree  of  enthusiastic 
valour." 

VOLUMUS,  i.  e.  We  will,  the  first 
word  of  the  clause  in  the  king's  letters 
patent,  and  letters  of  protection. 

VOLUNTEER,  in  a  general  accep- 
tation of  the  word,  any  one  who  enters 
into  the  service  of  his  own  accord.  The 
signification  of  it  is  more  or  less  extensive, 
according  to  the  conditions  on  which  a 
man  voluntarily  engages  to  bear  arms. 

Volunteers  are  also  bodies  of  men 
who  assemble,  in  time  of  war,  to  defend 
their  respective  districts,  and  do  so,  ge- 
nerally, without  pay. 

To  Volunteer,  to  engage  in  any  af- 
fair of  one's  own  accord.  Officers  and 
soldiers  often  volunteer  their  services  on 
the  most  desperate  occasions;  sometimes 
specifically,  and  sometimes  generally. — 
Hence,  to  volunteer  for  any  particular 
enterprize,  or  to  volunteer  for  general 
service.  In  some  instances,  soldiers  vo- 
lunteer for  a  limited  period,  and  within 
certain  boundaries.  Of  this  description 
were  the  drafts  from  the  militia  in  1798, 
who  volunteered  to  serve  in  Europe  only. 
It  is  not  our  business  to  enter  into  the 
impolicy  of  this  measure;  the  inconve- 
niences which  have  already  arisen  from 
it,  and  the  enormous  addition  to  the  half- 
pay  list,  sufficiently  condemn  it.  We  are 
certainly  advocates  for  a  limited  period 
of  enlistment,  quoad  time  or  duration, 
but  decidedly  repugnant  to  limited  ser- 
vice, quoad  place  and  situation.  Even  the 
regular  militia  ought,  in  our  humble  opi- 
nion, to  be  subject  to  Channel  duty.  A 
real  soldier  knows  no  bouudary  to  his 
exertions,  when  the  interests  of  his  coun- 
try require  an  extension  of  them. 

With  respect  to  the  volunteer  system, 
of  which  so  much  has  been  written,  and 
concerning  which  so  many  contradictory 
opinions  have  been  hazarded  by  indivi- 
duals, both  in  and  out  of  Parliament,  we 
cannot  conceive,  how  any  difference 
should  exist  on  the  ground  of  national 
utility.  That  there  were  defects  in  its 
organization  no  man  will  pretend  to 
deny  ;  but  that  the  root  of  its  establish- 


VOL 


(    974    ) 


VOL 


inetft,  and  its  stamina]  branches,  might 
have  been  converted  into  u  state-engine 
of  defence,  the  most  prejudiced  of  its 
opposers  must  acknowledge  When  the 
enemy  was  on  the  frontiers  of  France, 
and  a  victorious,  because  an  imposing 
army  from  established  fame,  was  ready 
to  storm  the  gates  of  her  capital,  no 
member  of  the  French  Convention,  no 
regular  old  officer,  or  upstart  hero  of  the 
line,  attempted  to  weaken  the  energies  of 
the  country,  by  throwing  a  damp  upon 
the  public  spirit  of  the  nation.  All  were 
invited  to  join  the  threatened  standard  of 
their  mother  country  ;  all  were  respected 
alike,  and  when  uncommon  genius  was 
elicited  by  uncommon  circumstances  and 
events,  extraordinary  stations  were  allot- 
ted to  it.  La  Fayette,  who  had  distin- 
guished himself,  as  a  regular  officer, 
against  the  bravest  troops  that  ever 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  had  too  much  good 
sense,  and  (though  not  the  best  politician 
in  the  world)  too  much  discernment  not 
to  see,  that  the  aggregate  of  a  nation  is 
never  to  be  despised.  Every  part  has  its 
little  orbit ;  and  if  it  be  permitted  to 
move  so  as  not  to  jar,  or  come  in  mis- 
chievous contact,  with  larger  bodies,  it 
will  always  contribute  to  that  general 
harmony,  which  constitutes  good  order. 
It  is  a  solecism  in  state,  and  a  most  fatal 
error  in  military  government,  to  cause 
any  man  to  feel  little  within  himself, 
whose  assistance  in  person,  or  mind,  may 
be  useful  to  community  ;  but  it  is  more 
than  a  solecism,  and  worse  than  an  er- 
ror, to  depreciate  a  whole  body  of  men. 
Every  part  can  be  usefully  employed,  and 
no  part,  especially  in  a  military  organi- 
zation, ought  to  be  lessened  or  degraded. 
With  regard  to  individuals,  it  will  cer- 
tainly not  be  denied,  that  in  the  dispen- 
sations  of  Providence, and  in  the  immense 
variety  of  the  gifts  of  nature,  many  may 
be  found,  who,  without  having  been  born 
in  the  womb  of  grandeur,  or  brought  up 
in  the  lap  of  opulence,  are  equal  to  the 
first  employments  of  a  state.  History 
can  furnish  us  with  innumerable  instan- 
ces of  this  sort ;  and  the  annals  of  our 
own  times  sufficiently  prove  the  justness 
of  this  observation.  How,  therefore,  any 
man  of  these  Islands, — whose  great  boast 
is  equality  of  right,  and  whose  pride  is  the 
aristocracy  of  talents  ! — could  descend 
to  invidious  comparisons,  or  degrading 
animadversions  before  the  grave  senate 
of  such  a  nation  ;  or  how  any  officer,  of 
common    sense,    could    be   prejudiced 


against  an  active  and  meritorious  indivi- 
dual, because  he  had  not  been  in  the 
line,  is  a  circumstance,  in  our  opinion, 
which  deserves  the  severest  censure. — » 
This  gentleman  did  not,  probably,  recolj 
lect,  that  some  of  the  best  generals  in 
Europe,  and,  indeed,  some  of  the  bravest 
warriors  on  record,  have  issued  out  of 
the  aggregate  of  a  nation,  and,  not  un- 
frequently,  out  of  bodies  of  volunteers, 
— witness  General  Moreau,  who  was  a 
lawyer  till  he  was  more  than  30  years  old. 
To  Volunteer.  Dr.  Johnson  calls 
this  a  cant  word,  signifying  to  go  for  a 
soldier.  It  is,  however,  in  such  general 
currency  now,  especially  among  military 
men,  that  with  all  due  deference  to  the 
learned  lexicographer,  we  shall  treat  of 
the  term  according  to  its  acceptation. 
There  appear  to  be  three  different  kind9 
of  volunteers,  exclusive  of  the  common 
class  who  go  into  the  ranks  as  enlisted 
soldiers.  The  first  consists  of  young 
gentlemen  joining  a  regiment  going  upon 
service,  and  doing  duty  with  that  corps, 
until  they  get  a  commission.  This  kind 
of  volunteer  in  the  Austrian,  Prussian, 
and  Russian  services,  is  called  a  cadet. 
The  second  kind  of  volunteers,  are  officers 
of  foreign  armies  who  serve  with  troops 
not  belonging  to  their  own  sovereign,  for 
the  purpose  of  acquiring  experience,  and 
learning  their  profession.  The  third 
species  of  volunteers,  are  officers  who, 
though  actually  in  the  same  service,  do 
not  belong  either  to  any  regiment  em- 
ployed, or  to  the  staff  of  the  army.  With 
respect  to  the  prevailing  notion,  that  offi- 
cers actually  employed  may  volunteer  in 
general ;  it  does  not  appear,  how  such  a 
notion  can  be  admitted  ;  as  every  man 
must  do  his  appropriate  duty,  and  go 
where  he  is  ordered,  and  not  where  he 
chuses  himself;  nor  can  the  circumstance 
of  not  offering  to  go  on  any  extraordinary 
service  be  viewed  in  any  light  derogatory 
to  the  high  spirit  of  an  individual. 

The  official  answer,  that  whenever  an 
officer  's  services  may  be  wanted,  they  will 
be  culled  for,  ought  to  silence  the  least 
insinuations  of  that  sort. 

Volunteers  formerly  were  much  more 
numerous,  and  men  of  higher  rank  in  the 
world  than  they  have  been  of  late  years. 
Spinola  was  a  volunteer  in  the  Spanish 
army  before  Genoa,  during  one  year ; 
and  in  the  next  campaign  he  commanded 
that  very  army.  Prince  Eugene  began 
his  military  career  as  a  volunteer  in  the 
Austrian  army  against  the  Turks.     We 


U  P 


(    975     ) 


U  P  o 


could  enumerate  many  other  instances  ofl      To  cut  Up,  the  same  as  cut  down,  iw 
the  same  cast.     We   wish,  however,  to   a  military  sense;  or  rather  a  more  general 
impress  upon  the  minds  of  young  military 
men,  that  although  to  volunteer  be  very 
laudable,  not  volunteering,  when  actually 
employed,  is  not  disgraceful. 

VOUCHERS,  receipts  ;  written  do- 
cuments to  prove  the  payment  of  monies, 
&c.  Bankers,  agents,  commissaries,  and 
regimental  paymasters,  &c.  cannot  be 
too  circumspect,  or  minute  on  this  head, 
particularly  with  officers  and  soldiers. 
They  ought  not  only  to  require  receipts  for 
the  most  trifling  disbursement,  or  pay- 
ment; but  also,  at  stated  periods,  to 
deliver  them  to  the  several  parties, taking 
especial  care,  at  all  such  peiiods,  to  re- 
quire a  written  acknowledgement  of  the 
examination,  and  final  delivery  of  the 
documents.  Public  accountants  are, 
above  all  others,  most  interested  in  the 
observance  of  this  rule.  Entries  may 
be  omitted,  double  entries  may  be  made, 
and  miscellaneous  services  may  be  con- 
founded together ;  but  vouchers  can 
always  replace  the  first,  correct  the 
second,  and  separate  the  third.  The 
French  call  vouchers,  pieces  justijicatives. 

Regimental  Vouchers,  particular  do- 
cuments which  are  signed  by  regimental 
colouels,  paymasters,  adjutants,  quarter 
masters,  &c.  for  pay  and  allewances,  &c. 

VOUGE,  IV.  a  sort  of  hedging  bill. 
It  likewise  signifies  an  axe,  which  the 
ancient  bowmen  of  France  had  fixed  to 
their  halberts.  It  is  also  called  a  hunter's 
staff. 

VOULGUE,  Fr.  a  sort  of  javelin 
which  was  formerly  used  in  hunting  the 
wild-boar.     See  Gcisarmiers. 

VOUSSOIll,  in  architecture,  a  vault- 
stone,  or  a  stone  proper  to  form  the 
sweep  of  an  arch. 

VUUSSURE,  Fr.  the  arch,  or  bend- 
ing of  a  vault. 

VOUTE,  Fr.  a  vault;  an  arch. 

VOUTE,  Fr.  vaulted;  arched. 

Ferde  cheval  Vout£;  Fr.  a  horseshoe 
hollowed. 

Vonfc,  Fr.  speaking  of  persons 
crooked,  round  shouldered. 

VOUTER,  Fr.  to  vault ;  to  make  an 
arch  roof;  to  arch. 

Se  Voujer,  Fr.  to  bend;  to  stoop 
with  age ;  to  grow  round  shouldered. 

VOYAGE  sur  mer,  Fr.  a  sea  voyage. 
The  French  call  a  voyage  to  the  East 
Indies,  ua  voyage  de  long  cows. 

UP,  an  adverb  frequently  used  in 
military  phraseology,  viz. 


term  to  signify  the  entire  destruction  of  a 
body  of  men.     See  Cut. 

To  draw  Up,  to  put  in  regular  array, 
as  to  draw  up  a  regiment. 

Up,  in  a  state  of  insurrection,  ready- 
to  oppose.  This  term  is  also  figuratively 
used ;    as,  my  soul  is  up  in  arms. 

XJp-hill.  A  line  of  cavalry  will  always 
make  a  more  advantageous  attack  up 
hill,  than  when  it  is  descending;  but  the 
case  is  reversed  with  infantry. 

\Jv-to,  adequate  to.  Hence,  up  to 
the  circumstances  of  the  times.  The 
French  say,  a  la  hauteur  des  circonstances, 
up  to  every  thing,  or  commensurate  with 
circumstances ;  a  trite,  and  indeed  a 
vulgar  phrase,  which  implies,  that  a  per- 
son is  adequate  to,  and  ready  for,  every 
project,  or  undertaking.  It  is  generally 
used  in  a  bad  sense.  The  French  say, 
particularly  with  respect  to  play,8cc.  II  a 
fait  les  quatre  coups,  or  he  has  been  up  to 
every  thing. 

To  come  Up  with,  a  term  used  in  the 
British  service,  when  an  army,  or  de- 
tachment is  in  pursuit  of  an  enemy,  and 
gets  near  enough  to  harass  and  attack 
him. 

Up  !  exhorting,  exciting,  or  rousing 
to  action. 

Thus,  Dryden  says : 
Up  !    up,  for  honour's  sake;    twelve  le- 
gions wait  you, 
And  long  to  call  you  chief. 

Heads-\Jp,  (la  tete  haute,  Fr.)  a  term 
used  at  the  drill,  by  which  recruits  and 
soldiers  are  cautioned  to  take  an  erect 
and  soldier-like  posture,  without  con- 
straint. 

UPHERS,  in  carpentry,  long  fir  poles, 
used  in  scaffolding,  for  masts,  &c. 

UPON,  this  word  is  variously  used  in 
military  matters. 

Upon,  noting  assumption ;  as,  he 
took  the  office  of  commander  in  chief 
upon  him.  Also  to  incur  responsibility; 
as,  the  general  took  every  thing  upon 
himself. 

Upon,  near  to;  adjoining;  as,  the 
enemy  lodged  themselves  upon  the  river 
Thames. 

Upon,  noting  attack;  as,  the  infantry 
rushed  upon  them. 

Upon  also  denotes  security,  as,  upon 
honour.  This  term  is  particularly  used 
when  an  officer,  who  purchases  a  com- 
mission, or  exchanges, &c.  in  the  British 
army,  is  obliged  to  sign   upon  honour, 


U  S  E 


(     S76     ) 


usu 


that  he  has  not  given,  or  received,  one 
shilling  above,  or  under  the  regulation. 
It  «ere  to  be  wished,  for  the  honour  of 
the  service,  that  so  long  as  trafficking 
for  commissions  is  allowed  to  exist,  an 
oath  could  be  attached  to  each  nego- 
<  lation. 

UPRIGHT,  in  architecture,  a  repre- 
sentation, or  d i  aught  of  the  front  of  a 
building,  called  also  an  elevation. 

Upright,  a  principal  piece  of  timber 
which  serves  to  support  rafters,  or  any 
part,  of  a  building. 

UPSET,  part  of  a  horse's  bit.  See 
Pout. 

URBANICI,  from  Urbanicus,  be- 
longing to  a  city;  a  body  of  armed 
men,  amounting  to  six  thousand  effec- 
tives, which  was  formed  hy  the  Emperor 
Augustus  for  the  defence  and  internal 
tranquillity  of  Rome.  This  body  was 
divided  into  four  cohorts,  which  were 
quartered  in  a  particular  part  of  the 
citv  called  Castra  Urbana. 

VRILLE,  Fr.  a  wimble. 

VRIELER,  Fr.  among  fire-workers, 
to  rise  in  a  spiral  manner,  as  sky-rockets 
do. 

URN,  in  architecture,  a  sort  of  vase 
of  a  circular  form,  but  largest  in  the 
middle.  It  serves  as  au  ornament  over 
chimney  pieces,  a  buffet,  &c. 

A  funeral  Urn,  a  covered  vase  en- 
riched with  sculpture,  and  serving  as 
the  crowning,  or  finishing  of  a  tomb,  a 
column,  a  pyramid,  or  any  other  funeral 
monument.  It  is  generally  made  in  imi- 
tation of  the  ancients,  who  deposited 
the  ashes  of  their  deceased  friends  in 
this  kind  of  urn.  We  sincerely  wish, 
for  the  sake  of  the  survivors,  that  this 
decent  custom  could  be  restored  with 
respect  to  the  remains  of  the  dead  in 
our  time.     See  Funereal  Pile. 

USARII,  Ind.  the  name  of  a  month; 
which  partly  corresponds  with  June;  it 
follows  Jeth. 

To  USE,  to  employ  to  any  particular 
purpose;  to  bring  into  action;  as,  he  used 
his  choicest  troops  on  that  decisive  day. 

To  make  Use  of  another,  to  convert 
the  talents  and  industry  of  a  fellow 
creature,  either  to  one's  own  advantage, 
without  the  least  regard  to  truth  or  ho- 
nour, or  to  that  of  the  public,  for  the 
common  interest  of  all.  In  the  first 
sense,  which  is  a  bad  one,  genius  and 
real  knowledge  are  frequently  made  use 
of,  or  rather  abused  and  misused,  by 
assumed   superiority,    under    the    mean 


garb  of  affected  friendship,  and  barred 
patronage;  in  the  latter  sense,  which  is 
a  good,  and  certainly  a  political,  one, 
wise  men  know  how  to  derive  advan- 
tage, by  employing  characters  of  all  de- 
scriptions, and  adapting  their  abilities 
and  sources  of  information  to  the  various 
exigencies  of  the  state. 

USTENSILES,  Fr.  the  necessary  ar- 
ticles which  a  soldier,  who  is  quartered 
or  billetted  at  an  inn, &c.  has  a  right  to 
be  supplied  with. 

Ustensit.es  de  m-agasin,  Fr.  Under 
tills  word  are  comprehended  all  the 
various  tools,  implements,  &c.  which  are 
required  in  military  magazines  and  store- 
houses. 

Ustensiles  d'un  raisseait,¥v.  every 
thing  which  is  necessary  in  the  naviga- 
tion of  a  ship. 

Ustensiles  de  canon,  Fr.'every  tiling 
which  is  required  to  load  and  unload 
a  piece  of  ordnance,  viz.  the  rammer, 
sponge,  priming  horn,  wedges,  &c. 

To  USURP,  (usurper,  Fr.)  to  seize 
upon  by  violence  or  stratagem. 

USURPER,  (usurpateur,  Fr.)  Any 
person  is  so  called,  who  by  force,  or 
stratagem,  gets  possession  of  a  power, 
or  authority,  to  which  he  is  not  legally 
entitled. 

USURY,  (mure,  Fr.)  excessive  inte- 
rest for  money  lent;  from  the  Latin 
uxura.  No  class  of  individuals,  per- 
haps, (if  we  except  that  of  gamblers,) 
are  so  often  driven  to  the  necessity  of 
applying  to  this  ruinous  source  of  ac- 
commodation, as  that  of  military  men  ; 
especially  of  such  of  the  profession  as 
have  been  placed  upon  the  half-pay  list 
of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  The 
danger  which  attends  every  species  of 
usurious  contract,  is  rendered  less,  and 
the  practice  consequently  more  frequent, 
in  proportion  to  the  nice  sense  of  honour 
that  is  attached  to  a  military  character. 
It  is  not,  however,  less  criminal,  parti- 
cularly with  regard  to  the  half-pay;  and 
we  should  be  deficient  in  our  duty  to 
the  army  at  large — for  whom  alone  we 
write — did  we  omit  to  warn  them  against 
the  insidious  aid  of  discount,  and  of 
temporary  loans.  Nor  do  we  scruple 
to  say,  (however  sacred  the  word  of  an 
officer  must  at  all  times  be  held,)  that  a 
deviation  from  it,  under  circumstances 
of  palpable  extortion,  is  not  dishonour- 
able. Perhaps  it  might  not  be  wholly 
useless,  were  the  legislature  so  far  to 
interfere,  as  to  express  in  the  Mutiny 


u  s  u 


(     977     ) 


U  T  E 


bill,  not  only  the  nullity  of  all  pecu- 
niary engagements,  beyond  the  bona  fide 
interest  of  the  law,  between  officers  and 
money  lenders;  but  also  to  make  it 
criminal  in  the  latter  to  injure  the 
King's  service,  by  inveigling  the  former 
into  promissory  notes,  &c.  With  regard 
to  usury  in  general,  it  is  defined  to  he 
an  unlawful  profit  which  a  person  makes 
of  his  money ;  in  which  sense,  usury  is 
forbidden  by  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical, 
and  even  by  the  law  of  nature.  For  the 
information  of  those  gentlemen  who  are 
in  the  habit  of  accommodating  ollicers, 
it  may  not  be  irrelevant  to  state,  that  by 
stat.  12  Ann,  c.  16,  which  is  called'  the 
statute  against  excessive  usury,  it  is  or- 
dained, that  no  person  shall  take  for  the 
loan  of  any  money,  or  other  thing,ahove 
the  value  of  five  pounds  for  the  for- 
bearance of  one  hundred  pounds  for  a 
year;  and  so  in  proportion  for  a  greater 
or  lesser  sum :  and  it  is  declared,  that  all 
bonds,  contracts,  and  assurances,  made 
for  the  payment  of  any  principal  sum 
to  be  lent  on  usury,  above  that  rate, 
shall  be  void;  and  that  whosoever  shall 
take,  accept,  or  receive,  b*  way  of  cor- 
rupt bargain,  loan,  &c.  a  greater  interest 
than  5  per  cent,  shall  forfeit  treble  the 
value  of  the  money  lent;  (provided  the 
information  is  laid  within  the  space  of 
one  year,  for  the  borrower,  or  informer, 
and  of  two  years  for  the  King;)  and 
also  that  scriveners,  solicitors,  and  drivers 
of  bargains,  shall  not  take,  or  receive, 
above  five  shillings  for  the  procuring  of 
the  loan  of  one  hundred  pounds  for 
one  year,  on  pain  of  forfeiting  twenty 
pounds. 

In  an  action  brought  for  usury,  the 
statute  made  against  it  must  be  pleaded; 
und  in  pleading  an  usurious  contract,  as 
a  bar  to  an  action,  the  whole  matter  is 
to  he  set  forth  specially,  because  it  lies 
within  the  party's  own  privity;  yet  on 
an  information  on  the  statute  for  making 
such  contract,  it  is  sufficient  to  mention 
the  corrupt  bargain  generally;  because 
matters  of  this  kind  are  supposed  to  be 
privily  transacted;  and  such  information 
may  be  brought  by  a  stranger.  1  Hawk. 
P.  C.  248.  See  Orel  on  Usury,  aiso 
Hen  t.ham. 

It  will  likewise  be  remembered,  that 
upon  an  information  on  the  statute 
against  usury,  he  that  borrows  the  money 
may  be  a  witness,  after  he  has  paid  the 
same.  In  closing  this  article,  we  cannot 
belri  remarking,  that  if  money  were  in 


this  country  to  obtain  its  level,  the  term, 
usury  might  be  converted  into  a  bene- 
ficial mode  of  general  accommodation. 
Money  would  then  be  legally  lent  at  6, 
7,  or  8  per  cent,  and  the  necessity  of 
granting  ruinous  annuities  at  10,  12, 
and  even  16f  per  cent,  be  superseded  ; 
as  is  the  case  all  over  Europe,  except: 
Great  Britain. 

UTENSILS,  in  a  military  sense,  are 
necessaries  due  to  every  soldier,  and  to 
be  furnished  by  his  host,  where  he  is 
in  quarters,  viz.  bed  with  sheets,  a  pot, 
a  glass  or  cup  to  drink  out  of,  a  dish,  a 
place  at  the  fire,  and  a  candle.  See 
Billeting. 

Utensils,  t$c.  directed  to  be  provided 
for  the  use  of  regimental  hospitals.  la 
page  19,  of  the  Regulations  for  the 
Sick,  it  is  stated,  that  each  hospital 
ought  to  be  furnished  with  a  slipper 
bath  or  bathing  tub,  two  water-buckets, 
one  dozen  of  Osnaburgh  towels,  one 
dozen  of  flannel  cloths,  half  a  dozen  of 
large  sponges,  combs,  razors,  and  soap; 
two  large  kettles  capable  of  making 
soup  for  30  men,  two  large  tea  kettles, 
two  large  tea-pots,  two  sauce-pans,  40  tin 
cans  of  one  pint  each,  40  spoons,  one 
dozen  of  knives  and  forks,  two  close-* 
stools,  two  bed-pans,  and  two  urinals. 

A  regiment  consisting  of  1000  men, 
and  provided  with  three  medical  per- 
sons, ought  to  be  furnished  with  hospital 
necessaries  and  utensils  for  at  least  40 
patients.  It  should  be  provided  with. 
40  cotton  night  caps,  40  sets  of  bedding, 
in  the  proportion  of  four  for  every 
hundred  men;  each  set  consisting  of  one 
paillasse,  one  straw  mattress, one  bolster, 
three  sheets,  two  blankets,  and  one  rug. 
For  regiments  of  a  smaller  number,  the 
quantity  of  hospital  necessaries  will,  of 
course,  be  proportionally  reduced. 

Bakery  Utensils.  The  following 
list  of  bakery  utensils,  being  the  pro- 
portion requisite  for  an  army  of  36,000 
men,  has  been  extracted  from  the  British 
Commissary,  to  which  useful  treatise  we 
refer  the  military  reader  for  a  specific 
description  of  field  ovens,  ccc.  and  field 
bakery,  page  16,  &c. 

12  double  iron  ovens,  11  feet  long, 
9  feet  diameter,  and  3  feet  high;  28 
troughs  and  their  covers,  16  feet  long, 
3  feet  wide,  and  3  feet  deep,  to  knead 
the  dough. 

12  large  canvass  tents,  (having  double 
coverings,)  32  feet  long,  and  24  feet  wide, 
to  make  the  bread  in. 
6  I 


V    U    E  <     97R 

4  ditto  to  cool  and  deposit  the  bread 


) 


VUL 


in. 


2  ditto  to  deposit  the  meal  and  empty 
sacks  in. 

200  boards,  8  feet  Ions;,  and  If  foot 
wide,  to  carry  the  bread  to  the  ovens 
and  (tack  when  baked;  24  small  scales 
to  weigh  the  dough,,  with  weights  from 
half  an  ounce  to  61b;  24  small  lamps, 
for  night  work  ;  24  small  hatchets  ;  '24 
scrapers,  to  scrape  the  dough  from  the 
troughs;  12  copper  kettles,  containing 
each  from  10  to  12  pails  of  water;  12 
trevets  for  ditto;  12  barrels  with  han- 
dles, to  carry  water,  containing  each 
from  6  to  7  pails. 

12  pails,  to  draw  water;  24  yokes 
and  hooks,  to  carry  the  barrels  by  hand; 
24  iron  peels,  to  shove  and  draw  the 
bread  from  the  ovens ;  24  iron  pitch- 
forks to  turn  and  move  the  fire-wood 
and  coals  in  the  ovens;  24  spare  handles, 
14  feet  long,  for  the  peels  and  pitch- 
forks ;    24   rakes,  with   handles   of  the 


view  of  a  building  from  its  top  and  flat 
roof,  taken  in  their  whole  extent.  Some 
persons  improperly  call  this  plan  des 
combles,  plan  of  the  roofs. 

Vue  de  bdtiment,  Fr.  the  view  or  in- 
spection of  a  building  taken  from  the 
center;  hence  called  vue  de  front,  front 
view. 

Vue  de  cote,  Fr.  a  side  view. 

Vue  d'ungle,  Fr.  a  corner  view. 

Vue  d'oiseau,  Fr.  a  bird's  eye  view,  or 
the  representation  of  a  plan  raised  in 
perspective,  supposed  to  be  seen  from  a 
very  elevated  spot. 

Vue  de  toute  longueur,  et  de  toide 
hauteur,  Fr.  When  you  stand  directly 
opposite  the  center  of  a  plan  or  build- 
ing, the  aspect  is  called  vue  de  front, 
a  front  view ;  when  placed  on  one  of 
the  sides,  it  is  called  vue  de  cote,  a  side 
view ;  when  the  building  is  seen  from 
one  of  its  corners,  the  aspect  is  angular, 
or  a  corner  view. 

VUiDANCErfcaw,  Fr.  the  draining 


same  length,  to  clear  away  the  coals  and  ior  emptying  of  water  out  of  any  par- 
cinders  from  the  ovens;  4  large  scales, ,  ticular  place,  by  means  of  water-mills, 
to  weigh  the  sacks  and  barrels  of  meal, ior  other  machines  used  in  hydraulics, 
and  capable  of  weighing  500lbs. ;  4  tri-ifor  the  purpose  of  making  the  ground 
angles  for  the  said  scales;  to  each  must  |  thoroughly  dry, and  building  thereon, 
be  added  500lbs.  of  weights, 3  of  lOOlbs.l  Vuidance  de  terre,  Fr.  the  carriage 
each,  2  of  oOlbs.  each,  and  downwards  [of  any  particular  sort  of  earth,  which  is 
to  half  a  pound.  sold  according  to  its  quality. 

UTER,  a  bladder  to  swim  with.  This  VU1DE,  tant  plein  que  vuide,  Fr. 
machine  is  mentioned  in  Csesar's  Com- j This  expression  is  used  in  carpentry  to 
nientaries,  and   was  frequently  used  by!  signify    the    distribution    of   beams   or 


the  Rinnans  in  crossing  rivers,  ike 

VU,  Fr.  seeing  that;  considering. 

Vu  l\tat  de  I'armce,  Fr.  considering 
the  state  of  the  army. 

VUE,  Fr.  sight;  view;  prospect; 
look,  (Sic.  The  French  say,  Les  armies 
sont  en  vue  ;  the  armies  are  in  sight  of 
one  another.  Camper  en  vue  de  Ven- 
nemi ;  to  encamp  in  sight  of  the  enemy. 
Marcher  a  vue  de  pays;  to  march  by 
guess,  or  without  any  particular  direc- 
tion to  move  by,  except  the  mere  ap- 
pearance of  the  country. 

Garder  un  prison/tier  a  Vue,  Fr.  to 
watch  a  prisoner  so  closely  as  to  keep 
him  always  in  sight. 

Payable  a  Vue,  Fr.  payable  at  sight; 
or  so  many  days  after  sight. — A  term 
used  in  drawing  bills  of  exchange. 

A  Vue  d'ail,  Fr.  visibly. 

Vue,  ou  bee,  Fr.  This  term  signifies 
generally,  every  species  of  opening  or 
aperture  through  which  day-light  enters; 
hie  meaning  open. 

Vue  a  plomb,  Fr.  a   perpendicular 


ratters  in  a  floor,  in  such  a  manner,  that 
the  intervals  are  not  wider  than  the 
thickness  of  the  beams  or  rafters.  The 
French  also  say  of  a  facade,  or  front  of 
a  building,  elle  est  espacee  tant  pleine  que 
vuide,  when  the  piers  or  parting  walls 
are  as  broad  as  the  windows. 

Tirer  au  Vuide,  Fr.  to  diverge  or 
bulge,  as  the  front  of  a  house  does 
when  it  goes  out  of  its  perpendicular 
direction.  Pousser  au  vuide  has  the 
same  signification. 

VUIDEK,  Fr.  literally,  to  empty. 

Vutdeu  tm  fosse,  Fr.  to  drain  a  ditch. 

VULCANO,  (volcan,  Fr.)  a  burning 
mountain  which  throws  forth  flames, 
smoke  and  ashes;  such  as  Mount  Ve- 
suvius, Mount  Etna,  &c. 

VULNERABLE,  susceptive  of 
wounds;  liable  to  external  injuries; 
capable  of  being  taken  ;  as  the  town  is 
extremely  vulnerable  in  such  a  quarter. 
It  is  also  applied  to  military  disposi- 
tions, viz.  the  army  was  vulneiable  in 
the  center,  or  on  the  left  ning. 


WAD 


(     979     ) 


WAG 


VULTURE,  a  large  bird  of  prey, 
well  known  and  figuratively  applied  to 
many  members  even  of  civilized  society, 
such  as  money  scriveners,  low  attornies, 
&c.  It  has  lately  been  used  to  mark 
one  of  those  blood  thirsty  followers 
of  the  French  revolution,  that  pay  no 
regard  to   honour  or  honesty.     Hence 


Bonaparte's  vultures,  or  the  adherents  of 
that  system  which  was  governed  by  law- 
less rapine  and  devastation. 

UVULA  spoon,  in  surgery,  an  instru- 
ment to  be  held  just  under  the  uvula, 
with  pepper  and  salt,  or  any  other  in- 
gredient in  it,  to  be  blown  up  into  the 
hollow  behind  the  same. 


W. 


VIT'AD,  in  gunnery,  a  substance  made 
*  '  of  hay  or  straw,  and  sometimes  of 
tow  rolled  up  tight  in  a  ball.  It  serves 
to  be  put  into  a  gun,  after  the  powder, 
and  rammed  home,  to  prevent  the 
powder  from  being  scattered,  which 
would  have  no  effect  if  left  unconrined. 
W AD-hook,  a  strong  iron  screw,  like 
that  which  serves  for  drawing  corks, 
mounted  upon  a  wooden  handle,  to 
draw  out  the  wads,  or  any  part  of  car- 
tridges, which  often  remain  in  guns,  and, 
when  accumulated,  stop  up  the  vent 

WAV-mill,  a  hollow  form  of  wood  to 
make  the  wads  of  a  proper  size. 

VVADA,  or  WADADARY,  Ind.  a 
farm  of  a  district. 

WAD  A  BUN  DY,  Ind.  stated  periods 
or  dates,  on  which  money  is  to  be 
paid. 

WADADAR,  Ind.  a  government 
officer,  who  is  responsible  for  the  rents 
of  a  zemindary. 

WADDING,  hay  or  straw,  or  any 
other  forage,  generally  carried  along 
with  the  guns  to  be  made  into  wads. 

Experiments  relative  to  the  effects  of 
Wadding.  The  quantity  of  powder 
requisite  to  raise  a  shell  weighing  218 
pounds,  clear  of  the  mortar  and  bed, 
was  found  to  be  4  oz.  2  dr.  without  any 
wadding;  but  with  the  help  of  a  little 
wadding,  rammed  over  the  powder,  3  oz 
1  dr.  were  sufficient.  The  powder  re- 
quisite to  raise  a  shell  weighing  1061b. 
clear  of  the  mortar  and  bed,  was  found 
to  be  2  oz.  6  dr.  without  any  wadding; 
but  with  wadding,  properly  rammed 
over  the  powder,  2  oz.  were  found  to  be 
sufficient. 

To  raise  a  shell  of  16lb.  4  dr.  were 
sufficient  without  wadding,  and  only 
3  dr.  with  wadding. 

And  to  raise  a  shell  of  8lb.  2  dr.  were 
enough  without  wadding,  and  1  dr.  two 
thirds  with  wadding. 


From  the  above  experiments,  it  may 
be  observed,  that  the  judicious  ram- 
ming of  a  little  wadding  over  the  pow- 
der, adds  about  £  part  of  the  whole 
effect. 

WAFER,  paste  made  to  close  letters, 
&c.  The  Fiench  call  it  pain  a  cacheter. 

The  Irish  Wafer  is  wery  thin,  and 
consequently  the  best  for  use;  the 
English  water  is  thick,  and  if  not  well 
moistened,  and  left  to  dry  a  few  mi- 
nutes in  the  paper,  it  may  be  cut 
through.  The  safest  method,  however, 
especially  in  dispatches  and  official  com- 
munications, is  first  to  use  a  wafer,  and 
then  to  cover  it  with  sealing  wax. 

To  WAGE,  to  attempt;  to  venture; 
to  undertake  any  thing  dangerous. 
Whence  to  wage  rear. 

WAGON,  in  the  army,  a  four-wheel 
carriage  drawn  by  four  horses,  and  for 
sundry  uses. 

Ammunition  Wagon,  a  carriage  made 
for  transporting  all  kinds  of  stores,  as 
also  to  carry  bread,  it  being  lined  round 
in  the  inside  with  basket-work. 

Wagon  Train.  The  wagons,  carts,  &c. 
that   are  provided    for   the  '  use  of  an 
army  are  so  called.     In  page  25  of  the 
British  Commissary  we  find  the  follow- 
ing observations  concerning  this  neces- 
sary establishment.    "  The  great  engine 
in  the  hands  of  the  commissariat,   on 
which  the  movements  of  an  army  de- 
pend, is  a  proper  establishment  of  wa- 
gons.   In  all  wars  where  a  British  army 
has  taken   the  field,  great  abuses  have 
unfortunately  prevailed  in  this  depart- 
ment, and   it  even  now  remains  a  pro- 
blem,   whether    government    ought   to 
purchase  wagons  and  horses,  and  form 
temporary  establishments,    or   whether 
the   army    should    be   provided  with  a 
train  by  contractors? 

"  In  the  seven  years  war,  there  was  a 
general  contractor  for  the  wagon  train, 
6  I  2 


W  A  G 


(     980     ) 


WAG 


fend  his  contract  was  kept  until  the  very 
year  before  the  peace,  when  govern- 
ment bought  the  train  of  him.  The 
contractor  was  Sir  Lawrence  Dundas, 
father  to  the  present  peer  of  that  name. 
In  the  American  war,  wagons  were  con- 
sidered almost  as  a  privilege  by  the  de- 
partments to  which  they  were  attached, 
until  the  arrival  of  the  gentleman  (we 
presume  Brook  Watson)  last  sent  there 
as  commissary  general,  who  found  it 
necessary  to  make  great  reforms  iu  that 
branch  of  the  service.  The  same  gen- 
tleman, when  he  went  out  to  the  conti- 
nent with  the  army,  (viz.  in  1793)  made 
use  of  the  wagons  of  different  contrac- 
tors :  but  in  the  beginning  of  1794,  an 
experiment  was  made  bv  raising  a  corps 
called  the  Royal  Corps  of  Wagoners,  and 
purchasing  wagons  and  horses.  Of  this 
corps  little  need  be  said,  as  its  miserable 
state  became  proverbial  in  the  army;  it 
failed  completely  in  every  part;  and  on 
many  occasions  the  service  suffered  very 
materially  in  consequence. 

"  The  idea  of  this  corps  was  probably 
taken  from  the  fine  well-regulated  esta- 
blishment of  Austrian  wagons.  This  is 
a  standing  establishment  kept  up  in 
peace  and  war,  having  officers  and  men 
trained  to  the  service,  and  a  system  im- 
proved and  perfected  through  a  succes- 
sion of  years.  The  ingenious  author 
very  properly  remarks,  that  such  an 
establishment  is  necessary  to  Austria  on 
account  of  its  large  military  force,  which 
is  constantly  kept  up;  but  that  it  is 
utterly  impossible  for  Great  Britain  to 
procure  a  similar  one  upon  the  spur  of 
the  moment.  He  further  remarks,  with 
great  justness,  that  the  excellent  roads 
of  England  also  render  it  difficult  to 
find  English  drivers  capable  of  acting  in 
foreign  countries  in  the  same  capacity; 
the  carriages  in  those  countries  being 
constructed  purposely  for  the  roads, and 
both  different  from  any  thing  seen  here. 

"  Bad,  therefore,  as  were  the  contract 
wagons  in  the  campaign  of  179-1,  they 
certainly  did  far  better  service  than  the 
Royal  Corps  of  Wagoners. 

"  Accordingly  the  royal  train  was  sold, 
*nd  every  purchaser  of  not  less  than  50 
wagons  was  admitted  to  the  advantages 
of  a  contract  for  all  the  wagons  he  pur- 
chased ;  he  was  insured  the  duration  of 
his  contract  for  three  months,  and  was 
only  to  deposit  one  third  of  the  cost, 
allowing  the  remainder  to  be  paid  out  of 
tos  earnings.    The  form  of  the  contract 


and  the  pay  of  the  wagons  were  pre- 
viously fixed,  and  by  this  mode  a  most 
advantageous  sale  was  procured,  while  a 
new  set  of  contractors  were  introduced, 
with  the  additional  advantage  of  obliging 
old  contractors  to  reduce  their  prices, 
and  to  come  under  the  same  terms." 

Royal  Wagon  Train.  Notwithstand- 
ing these  sensible  observations,  an  es- 
tablishment of  no  small  importance  to 
the  country,  with  respect  to  expenditure, 
has  been  added  to  the  army;  and  what 
was  originally  a  part  of  the  train  be- 
longing to  the  artillery,  is  now  formed 
into  a  corps  consisting  of  several  troops, 
under  the  Quarter  Master  General's  De- 
partment. This  corps  has  been  fre- 
quently confounded  with  that  of  the 
Royal  Artillery  Drivers,  with  which  it 
has  no  connection  whatsoever. 

The  space  of  ground  occupied  by  a 
wagon  with  Jour  horses  is  about  1ft 
paces;  a  mile  will,  therefore,  hold  llf 
wagons;  but  allowing  a  short  distance 
between  each  wagon  in  travelling,  a 
mile  may  be  said  to  contain  about  100 
wagons.  Wagons,  in  convoy,  may  travel 
from  one  to  two  miles  per  hour,  ac- 
cording to  the  roads  and  other  circum- 
stances. A  great  object  in  convoys,  is 
to  preserve  the  horses  as  much  as  pos- 
sible from  fatigue  For  this  purpose,  if 
the  convoy  amounts  to  many  hundred 
wagons,  they  must  be  divided  into  divi- 
sions of  not  more  than  500  each.  Should 
it  consist  of  thousands,  it  will  be  advise- 
able  to  divide  them  into  grand  divisions, 
and  then  again  into  subdivisions  of  500 
each:  by  this  means,  and  the  time  of 
departure  being  calculated  by  the  fol- 
lowing rules,  each  division  may  remain 
at  rest,  till  just  before  its  time  of  move- 
ment; and  which  will  prevent  the  neces- 
sity of  the  latter  part  of  a  large  convoy 
being  harassed  for  a  considerable  time 
before  its  turn  to  move. 

Rule  1.  To  find  the  time,  in  which  any 
number  of  wagons  may  be  driven  of: 
Divide  the  number  of  wagons  by  100, 
and  multiply  by  the  time  of  travelling 
one  mile. 

Rule  2.  To  find  the  time  in  which  any 
number  of  wagons  will  drive  over  any 
number  of  miles,  to  the  time  they  take  in 
driving  ojf  :  add  the  time  any  one  of  the 
wagons  takes  to  travel  the  distance. 

The  different  divisions  of  the  convoy 
should  be  numbered,  and  obliged,  each 
day,  to  change  the  order  of  their 
marching. 


W  A  L 


X    981    > 


W  A  L 


WAGONER,  one  who  drives  a  wagon. 

Corps  of' Wagoners,  or  Royal  Wagon 
corps,  a  body  of  men  originally  employed 
in  the  Train  under  the  Board  of  Ord- 
nance. It  now  forms  a  part  of  the  regular 
army,  and  is  subject  to  the  Quarter- 
Master  General. 

WAIN  ROPE,  the  large  cord  with 
which  the  load  is  tied  on  the  wagon. 

WAINSCOT,  in  joinery,  is  the  timber 
work  that  serves  to  line  the  walls  of  a 
room,  being  usually  in  pannels,  and 
painted,  to  serve  instead  of  hangings. 
In  most  modern  buildings,  it  is  usual  to 
have  wainscot  breast  high,  on  account 
of  the  natural  moisture  of  the  walls. 
Some  joiners  put  charcoal  behind  the 
pannels  of  the  wainscot,  to  prevent  the 
sweating  of  the  stone  and  brick-walls 
from  unglueing  the  joints  of  the  pan- 
nels; others  use  wool  for  the  same  pur- 
pose; but  neither  one  nor  the  other  is 
sufficient  in  some  diseases :  the  only  sure 
way  is  to  prime  over  the  back-sides  of 
the  joints  with  white-lead,  Spanish  brown, 
and  linseed  oil. 

To  Wainscot,  to  line  walls  with 
boards;  to  line  in  general. 

WAIT,  to  lie  in  wait ;  to  lay  wait. 
See  Ambush. 

In  WAITING.  This  term  is  used, 
in  the  British  service,  to  mark  out  the 
person  whose  turn  is  next  for  duty;  as 
officer  in  waiting. 

Field  Officer  in  Waiting,  a  monthly 
duty  taken  by  the  field  officers  of  the 
three  regiments  of  Foot  Guards,  who 
attend  his  Majesty  on  Court  days,  to 
present  the  detail  of  this  corps,  and  re- 
ceive the  parole  or  other  orders  from 
him  personally,  which  are  afterwards 
given  to  the  guards  in  orders.  The  field 
officer  in  waiting  commands  all  the 
troops  on  duty,  and  has  the  immediate 
care  of  his  Majesty's  person  without 
doors,  as  the  gold  stick  has  of  it  while 
in  Court.  The  latter  also  receives  the 
parole  from  the  King. 

WAKANAGUR,  Ind.  a  writer  of 
occurrences. 

To  WALK,  generally  speaking,  to 
move  with  the  ordinary  pace  of  man  ;  it 
is  likewise  said  with  respect  to  horses. 
When  the  term  is  applied  to  the  latter, 
it  is  commonly  used  in  an  active  sense ; 
as,  to  walk  a  horse. 

Walk,  the  slowest  and  least  raised  of 
a  horse's  goings. 

Walk  about!  a  term  used  by  British 
©mcers  when  they  approach  a  sentry, 


and  think  proper  to  wave  the  ceremony 
of  being  rested  to. 

A  Walk,  any  particular  spot  where 
persons  may  indiscriminately  meet,  and 
walk  about  for  exercise,  or  on  business. 
Of  this  description  are  the  walks  in  the 
Royal  Exchange. 

In  the  reign  of  James  I.  and  Charles  I. 
the  body  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  was  the 
common  resort  of  the  politicians,  news- 
mongers, and  loungers  of  all  denomina- 
tions. It  was  called  Paul's  walk,  and 
the  frequenters  of  it  Paul's  walkers. 

WALL,  a  series  of  brick,  stone,  or 
other  materials,  carried  upwards,  and 
cemented  with  mortar.  When  used  in 
the  plural  number,  wall  signifies  fortifi- 
cation ;  works  built  for  defence. 

Chinese  Wall,  or  the  ureat  wall  in 
China,  a  wall  of  immense  extent,  which 
the  Chinese  built  to  secure  their  country 
from  the  incursions  of  their  neighbours, 
but  which  was  not  found  sufficiently 
strong  to  keep  out  the  Tartars.  This 
wall,  which  has  lasted  one  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  thirty  odd  years,  is  still  in 
good  condition;  it  comprehends,  in  cir- 
cumference, five  hundred  leagues;  runs 
over  mountains,  down  into  vallies  and 
steep  descents,  and  is,  almost  in  every 
part,  more  than  20  feet  in  breadth,  and 
thirty  in  height. 

lb  be  driven  to  the  Wall,  a  figurative 
term,  signifying  to  be  so  pressed,  that 
you  can  neither  advance  nor  retreat. 

Walls  of  a  tent  or  marquee,  that 
part  of  the  canvass  which  is  attached  to 
the  fly,  or  top,  by  means  of  hooks  and 
eyes,  and  which  is  fixed  to  the  earth 
with  wooden  pegs.  These  walls  should 
be  frequently  lowered  in  order  to  admit 
fresh  air.  When  there  is  an  hospital 
tent,  this  precaution  is  indispensable,  if 
the  weather  will  permit. 

Walls,  in  architecture,  a  wall  of 
stone,  brick,  wood,  or  the  like.  Walls 
make  the  principal  part  of  a  building, 
serving  both  to  inclose  it,  or  to  separate 
particular  rooms,  and  to  support  the 
roof,  floors,  &c. 

Walls  are  either  entire  or  continued, 
or  intermitted, and  the  intermissions  con- 
sist either  of  pillars  or  pilasters. 

Walls,  though  built  very  thick  and 
strong,  and  with  foundations  laid  deep, 
yet  if  carried  on  in  a  straight  line,  are 
inclined  to  lean  or  fall ;  and  such  as  are 
built  crooked,  though  thin  and  weak, 
are  much  more  lasting. 

A  wall  which  is  raised  over  a  river  oq- 


W  A  L 


(     982    ) 


WAN 


arches  of  pillars,  will  stand  as  firm  as 
others  whose  foundation  is  entire. 

Hence  it  appears,  that  a  wall  built 
much  thinner  than  usual,  by  only  having, 
at  the  distance  of  every  twenty  feet,  an 
angle  set  out  at  about  two  feet  or  more 
in  proportion  to  the  height  of  the  wall; 
or  by  having  a  column,  at  the  like  dis- 
tance, erected  along  with  it,  six  or  eight 
inches  on  each  side,  and  above  the  thick- 
ness of  the  rest  of  the  wall  :  such  a  wall 
will  be  much  stronger  than  if  five  times 
the  quantity  of  materials  were  used  in  a 
great  wall. 

Walls  are  distinguished  into  different 
kinds  according  to  the  matter,  or  mate- 
rials, of  which  they  are  composed :  as 
plastered  or  mud  walls,  brick  walls,  stone 
walls,  flint  or  boulder  walls,  and  boarded 
walls. 

The  following  general  rules  are  re- 
commended to  be  strictly  adhered  to  in 
the  construction  of  walls. 

1.  That  they  be  built  exactly  perpen- 
dicular to  the  ground  work;  for  the 
right  angle  therein  depending  is  the 
true  cause  of  all  stability,  both  in  arti- 
ficial and  natural  position. 

2.  That  the  most  massy  and  heavy 
materials  be  laid  lowest,  as  fitter  to  bear 
than  be  borne. 

3.  That  the  walls  as  they  rise,  de- 
crease proportionably  in  thickness,  to 
lessen  the  weight,  and  diminish  the  ex- 
pense. 

4.  That  certain  burzes  or  ledges,  of 
more  strength  than  the  rest,  be  inter- 
laid, like  bones,  to  strengthen  the  whole 
fabrick. 

As  brick  walls  are  the  most  usual, 
and  consequently  the  most  important  in 
this  country,  the  following  observations 
may  be  added  to  the  foregoing  rules. 

1.  Particular  care  is  to  be  taken  about 
laying  the  bricks.  In  summer,  for  in- 
stance, they  must  be  laid  as  wet,  and  in 
winter  as  dry  as  possible,  to  make  them 
bind  the  better  with  the  mortar;  for  this 
purpose,  in  summer,  as  fast  as  they  are 
laid  they  must  be  covered  up,  to  pre- 
vent the  mortar,  etc.  from  drying  too 
fast;  and  in  winter,  they  must  be  well 
covered  to  protect  them  from  rain,  snow, 
or  frost,  which  are  all  enemies  to  mor- 
tar. They  must  be  laid  point  and  joint 
in  the  walls  as  little  as  possible,  but 
good  bond  must  be  made  there,  as  well 
as  on  the  outside. 

2.  The  angles  must  be  firmly  bound, 
as  they  are  the  nerves  of  the  whole  edi- 


fice, and  are,  therefore,  commonly  forti- 
fied by  the  Italians,  even  in  their  brick 
buildings,  with  well  squared  stone. 

3.  In  working  up  the  walls  of  a  build- 
ing, it  is  not  adviseable  to  raise  any  wall 
above  eight  feet  high,  before  the  next 
adjoining  wall  be  wrought  up  to  it,  in 
order  that  good  bond  may  be  made  in 
the  progress  of  the  work  ;  for  it  is  a  bad 
custom  among  some  bricklayers,  to  carry 
or  work  up  a  whole  story  of  the  party 
walls  before  they  work  up  the  fronts, 
or  other  work  adjoining,  that  should  be 
bonded,  or  wrought  up  together  with 
them  ;  which  custom  occasions  cracks 
and  settlings  in  the  walls. 

Stone  Walls,  walls  constructed  with 
stone.  They  serve  not  only  for  walls  of 
houses,  &c.  but  also  for  fence  walls 
round  gardens,  &c.  particularly  in  Ox- 
fordshire, Gloucestershire,  &c. 

Flint  or  boulder  Walls.  These  walls 
are  much  used  in  some  parts  of  Sussex 
and  Kent,  both  for  fence  walls,  round 
courts,  gardens,  &c.  and  also  for  walls 
of  stables  and  other  outhouses. 

Bourded  Walls.  Walls  are  some- 
times boarded,  particularly  the  walls  of 
some  barns,  stables,  and  other  out- 
houses.    See  Weather-Boarding. 

WALLET.  See  Haversack;  Knap- 
sack. 

WAMBASIUM,a  part  of  the  ancient 
military  vestment. 

WANT,  deficiency ;  need. 
Want  of  ammunition,  a  deficiency  of 
gunpowder  and  ball,  &c. 

Want  of  money,  a  lack  of  gold,  silver, 
or  any  other  currency.  Without  money, 
in  these  times,  the  greatest  man  is  little, 
and  with  it  the  most  insignificant  may  be 
seemingly  great. 

Want  of  courage,  a  deficiency  of  that 
spirit  and  resolution  which  are  required 
in  the  character  of  every  officer  and 
soldier. 

Want  of  provisions,  want  of  men,  not 
having  the  necessary  quantity  of  food, 
the  requisite  number  of  troops,  &c. ;  but 
in  the  management  of  an  army  the 
greatest  of  all  wants  is — 

W  a  nt  of  intelligence.  This  term  can 
only  be  explained  by  appealing  to  the 
understanding,  and  practical  good  sense, 
of  such  officers  as  have  had  frequent 
opportunities  of  witnessing  the  dis- 
astrous consequences  which  have  arisen 
from  a  want  of  intelligence.  The  French 
generally  say  manque  de ;  as  manque  de 
courage,  want  of  courage,  &c. 


WAR 


(    935     ) 


WAR 


WANTING,  deficient;  short  of ;  a 
word  used  in  military  returns,  as  100 
men  wanting  to  complete. 

VVANTY,  a  surcingle,  large  leathern 
girth,  or  belly  strap  for  a  pack  horse. 

WAPENTAKE,(from  the  Saxon,)  the 
same  as  what  we  call  a  hundred,  and 
more  especially  used  in  the  northern 
counties  beyond  the  Trent.  There  have 
been  several  conjectures  as  to  the  ori- 
ginal of  the  word  ;  one  of  which  is,  that 
anciently,  musters  were  made  of  the 
armour  and  weapons  of  the  inhabitants 
of  every  hundred;  and  from  those  who 
could  not  find  sufficient  pledges  of  their 
good  abeai  ing,  their  weapons  were  taken 
away;  whence  it  is  said  wapentake  is 
derived.  Spenser  says  it  was  so  named, 
of  touching  the  weapon  or  spear  of  their 
alderman,  and  swearing  to  follow  him 
faithfully,  and  to  serve  their  prince  truly. 

WAR,  a  contest  or  difference  hetween 
princes,  states,  or  large  bodies  of  people, 
which,  not  being  determinable  by  the 
ordinary  measures  of  justice  and  equity, 
is  referred  to  the  decision  of  the  sword, 
&c. 

It  is  that  important  event,  for  which 
all  military  education  is  designed  to  pre- 
pare the  soldier.  It  is  for  this  that,  in 
peace,  he  receives  the  indulgence  of  a 
subsistence  from  society;  and  for  this  he 
is  gratefully  bound  to  secure  the  repose 
of  that  society  from  the  outrage  of  an 
enemy,  and  to  guard  its  possessions 
from  the  devastations  of  invaders. 

There  are  five  different  kinds  of  war, 
each  of  which  is  to  be  conducted  dif- 
ferently the  one  from  the  other,  viz.  the 
offensive;  the  defensive;  that  between 
equal  powers;  the  auxiliary,  which  is 
carried  on  out  of  our  own  territories  to 
succour  a  prince,  or  ally,  or  to  assist  a 
weaker  whom  a  more  powerful  prince 
ha*  attacked  ;  and  a  civil  war. 

Offensive  war  must  be  long  meditated 
on  in  private,  before  it  be  openly  under- 
taken; when  the  success  will  depend 
upon  two  essential  points: — that  the  plan 
be  justly  formed,  and  the  enterprize 
conducted  with  order.  It  should  be 
well  and  maturely  considered  and  di- 
ge?H:d,  and  with  the  greatest  secrecy, 
!e-i  (however  able  the  prince,  or  his 
council  may  be)  some  of  the  precau- 
tions, necessary  to  be  taken,  be  disco- 
vered.  These  precautions  are  infinite 
both  at  home  and  abroad. 

Abroad,  they  consist  in  alliances  and 
security  not  to  be  disturbed  ia  the  me- 


ditated expedition,  foreign  levies,  and 
the  buying  up  of  warlike  ammunition, 
as  well  to  increase  your  own  stores,  as 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  them. 

The  precautions  at  home  consist  in 
providing  for  the  security  of  our  distant 
frontiers,  levying  new  troops,  or  aug- 
menting the  old  ones,  with  as  little  noise 
as  possible;  furnishing  your  magazines 
with  ammunition  ;  constructing  carriages 
for  artillery  and  provisions;  buying  up 
horses,  which  should  be  done  as  much 
as  possible  among  your  neighbours; 
both  to  prevent  their  furnishing  the 
enemy,  and  to  preserve  your  own  ca- 
valry, and  the  particular  equipages  of 
the  officers. 

Defensive  war  may  be  divided  into 
three  kinds.  It  is  either  a  war  sustained 
by  a  prince,  who  is  suddenly  attacked  by 
another,  superior  to  him  in  troops  and 
in  means;  or  a  prince  makes  this  sort 
of  war  by  choice  on  one  side  of  his 
frontiers,  while  he  carries  on  offensive 
war  elsewhere;  or  it  is  a  war  become 
defensive  by  the  loss  of  a  battle. 

A  defensive  war  which  a  prince  at- 
tacked by  a  superior  enemy  sustains, 
depends  entirely  on  the  capacity  of  his 
general.  His  particular  application 
should  be,  to  chuse  advantageous  camps 
to  stop  the  enemy,  without,  however, 
being  obliged  to  fight  him ;  to  multiply 
small  advantages  ;  to  harass  and  perplex 
the  enemy  in  his  foraging  parties,  and 
to  oblige  him  to  go  out  with  great 
escorts;  to  attack  the  convoys;  to  ren- 
der the  passages  of  rivers,  or  defiles,  as 
difficult  to  them  as  possible;  to  force 
them  to  keep  together;  if  they  want 
to  attack  a  town,  to  throw  in  succours 
before  it  is  invested.  In  the  beginning, 
his  chief  aim  should  be,  to  secure  the 
enemy's  respect,  by  his  vigilance  and 
activity,  and  by  forcing  him  to  be  cir- 
cumspect in  his  marches  and  manner  of 
encampment;  to  gain  time  himself,  and 
make  the  enemy  lose  it.  An  able  gene- 
ral, carefully  pursuing  these  maxims, 
will  give  courage  to  his  soldiers,  and  to 
the  inhabitants  of  the  country ;  he  affords 
time  to  his  prince  to  take  proper  pre- 
cautions to  resist  the  enemy  who  attacks 
him;  and  thus  changes  the  nature  of 
this  disagreeable  and  vexatious  kind  of 
warfare. 

The  management  of  a  defensive  war. 
requires  more  military  judgment  than 
that  of  an  offensive  one. 
A  war  between  equal  powers  is  thi£ 


XV  A  R 


(     984     ) 


WAR 


in  which  the  neighbouring  princes  take 
DO  part,  so  long  as  the  belligerent  par- 
ties obtain  no  great  advantage,  the  one 
over  the  other.  This  sort  of  war  never 
sli-juld  last  long,  if  you  want  to  reap  any 
advantages  from  it.  As  to  its  rules, 
they  are  entirely  conformable  to  those 
already  given;  but  we  may  look  on  it 
as  a  certain  maxim,  in  this  sort  of  war, 
that  the  general  who  is  the  most  active 
and  penetrating  will  ever  in  the  end 
prevail  over  him  who  possesses  these 
qualities  in  a  lesser  degree;  because,  by 
his  activity  and  penetration,  he  will 
multiply  small  advantages,  till  at  last 
they  procure  him  a  decisive  superiority. 
The  success  which  attended  the  rapidity 
of  the  movements  of  the  French  armies, 
is  a  strong  illustration  of  this  maxim. 
A  general  whose  mind  is  continually 
bent  on  procuring  himself  small  advan- 
tages, always  obtains  his  end,  which  is,  to 
ruin  the  enemy's  army;  in  which  case, 
he  changes  the  nature  of  the  war,  and 
makes  it  offensive  ;  which  should  ever  be 
the  chief  object  of  his  prince. 

Auxiliary  War  is  that  in  which  a 
prince  succours  his  neighbour,  either  in 
consequence  of  alliances,  or  engage- 
ments entered  into  with  them  ;  or  some- 
times to  prevent  their  falling  under  the 
power  of  an  ambitious  prince. 

If  it  be  in  virtue  of  treaties,  he  ob- 
serves them  religiously,  in  furnishing 
the  number  of  troops  prescribed,  and 
even  offering  to  augment  his  quota,  if 
required;  or  in  making  a  diversion  by- 
attacking  the  common  enemy,  or  hfs 
allies. 

If  it  be  to  prevent  a  neighbouring 
prince  from  being  crushed  by  a  power, 
who,  after  this  conquest,  may  become 
dangerous  to  yourself,  there  are  several 
measures  to  be  taken  for  your  own  par- 
ticular interest.  One  of  the  chief  is, 
to  exact  from  those  you  succour,  the 
possession  of  some  place  in  security,  lest 
they  make  their  peace  without  your 
knowledge,  or  to  your  prejudice. 

The  general,  therefore,  who  is  chosen 
for  the  command  of  this  auxiliary  corps, 
should  have  wisdom,  penetration,  and 
foresight;  wisdom  to  preserve  a  proper 
discipline  in  his  corps,  that  the  allied 
prince  may  have  no  cause  to  complain 
«»f  him;  foresight  and  penetration,  to 
prevent  his  troops  suffering  from  want  of 
subsistence,  or  being  exposed  to  the 
perils  of  war,  except  in  proportion  to 
their  numbers  with  those  of  the  allied 


prince;  and,  finally,  that  nothing  shall 
pass  without  his  knowledge,  which  maj 
be  prejudicial  to  his  master. 

Civil  or  intestine  War  is  that  between 
subjects  of  the  same  realm,  or  between 
parties  in  the  same  state.  In  this  sense, 
we  say,  the  civil  wars  of  the  Romans 
destroyed  the  republic;  the  civil  wars 
of  Grenada  ruined  the  power  of  the 
Moors  in  Spain  ;  the  civil  wars  of  Eng- 
land began  1641,  and  ended  in  the  king's 
death. 

Religious  War,  a  war  maintained  in 
a  state  on  account  of  religion,  one  of 
the  parties  refusing  to  tolerate  the  other. 
Holy  War,  that  species  of  warfare 
which  was  anciently  maintained  by 
leagues  and  crusades,  for  the  recovery 
of  the  Holy  Land. 

Civil  and  religious  Wars  are  almost 
always  fatal  to  the  states  that  sustain 
them.  These  sorts  of  war,  which  the 
animosity  of  the  different  parties  and 
fanaticism  ever  carry  beyond  the  bounds 
of  humanity,  and  the  duties  of  society, 
have,  in  general,  no  other  rules  but 
those  of  the  offensive  and  defensive.  It 
has,  however,  always  been  observed, 
that  civil  wars  form  great  men  and  good 
soldiers,  because  the  nobility,  citizens, 
and  labourers,  being  equally  obliged  to 
right  for  their  property  and  preservation, 
every  man  has  an  equal  opportunity  of 
learning  the  art  of  war.  This  species  of 
war  may  likewise  be  called  revolutionary, 
with  the  additional  circumstance,  that  in 
the  latter  sense  it  is  of  a  more  extensive 
nature. 

Council  of  War  is  an  assembly  of 
great  officers  called  by  a  general,  or 
commander,  to  deliberate  with  biin  on 
cnterprizes  and  attempts  to  be  made. 
On  some  occasions,  council  of  war  is 
also  understood  of  an  assembly  of  offi- 
cers sitting  in  judgment  on  delinquent 
soldiers,  deserters,  cowardly  officers,  &c. 

War.  This  word  is  frequently  pre- 
fixed, or  attached  to  things,  or  persons, 
in  order  to  distinguish  their  particular 
state  or  functions,  viz. 

War  establishment.  See  Establish- 
ment. 

War  minister.     See  Minister. 

Secretary  at  War,  an  efficient  cha- 
racter at  the  head  of  the  War-ollice,  with 
whom  all  pecuniary  matters  belonging  to 
the  army  rest.     See  Office. 

W AR-carts,  in  old  times,  a  species  of 
artillery  carriage  which  carried  two  pete- 
raros,  or  chambered  pieces.  These  carte. 


\V  A  R 


(     985     ) 


W  A  R 


were  used  at  the  siege  of  Boulogne,  and !  Cinque  Ports,  a  magistrate  that  has  the 
Seem  to  havebeen  invented  by  theScotch.  jurisdiction  of'  those  havens  in  the  east 
Wak-saMc,  a  species  of  defensive I  part  of  England,  commonly  called  the 
armour  which  was  anciently  used,  whose'  cinque  ports,  or  five  havens,  where  he  is 
arcon  of  bows  of  steel  covered  the  rider/  invested  with  all  that  jurisdiction  which 
as  high  as  the  navel. — Our  modem  hussar  j  the  admiral  of  England  has  in  places 
saddle  seems  lo  have  been  imitated  from  i  not  exempt.  His  residence  is  supposed 
it.  |  to   be  in   Dover  Castle.     According  to 

WAR-cry  was  formerly  customary  i  Cowel,  from  whom  this  explanation  is 
in  the  armies  of  most  nations,  when  J  taken,  the  reason  why  one  magistrate 
they  were  just  upon  the  point  of  eh-  should  be  assigned  to  these  havens  seems 
gaging.  Sometimes  it  consisted  of  tu-  to  be,  because,  in  respect  to  their  situ *• 
multuous  shouts,  or  horrid  yells  uttered    tion,  they  formerly    required  a  more  vi- 

e  than  other  havens,  being  isi 
of    invasion    from    our 
enemies.        On    this   account    the    lord 
chief  warden  of  the  cinque  ports  is  pre- 
sumed  to   be  an  officer   of  some  expe- 


witli  an  intent  to  strike  terror  mto  their 
adversaries;  such  as  are  still  practised 
by  the  Indians  in  America.  See  War- 
whoop. 

W  AR-horse.    According  to  the  author 


greater   danger 


of  the  Sportsman's   Dictionary,  the  fol-j  rience,  well  skilled  in  the  art  of  defence, 


lowing  directions  are  given  with  respect 
to  the  chasing  such  a  horse. 

He  must  be  tall  in  stature,  with  a 
comely  head,  and  an  out  swelling  fore- 
head;  he  must  have  a  large  sparkling 
eye,  the  white  of  which  is  covered  with 
the  eye-brows;  a  small  thin  ear,  short 
and  pricking;  if  long,  well  carried  and 
moving;  a  deep  neck,  a  large  crest, 
broad  breast,  bending  ribs,  broad  and 
straight  chine,  round  and  full  buttocks;  a 
tail  high  and  broad,  neither  too  thick 
nor  too  thin  ;  a  full  swelling  thigh;  a 
broad,  flat,  and  lean  leg ;  short  pasterns 
and  strong  joints. 

WAR-zc/ioop,  a  signal  of  attack  among 
the  Indians.     See  Whoop. 

WARASDINS,  a  kind  of  Sclavonian 
soldiers,  clothed  like  the  Turks,  with 
a  sugar-loaf  bonnet  instead  of  a  hat. 
Their  arms  are  a  fuzee  and  pistols;  the 
butt  end  of  their  fuzees  serves  for  a 
spade,  when  they  have  occasion  to  throw- 
up  earth. 

To  WARD,  to  guard;  to  watch;  to 
defend;  to  parrv  any  attack.    The  word 


and  equal  to  the  superintendance  of  so 
important  a  range  of  coast,  upon  which 
France  has  cast  a  jealous  eye  from  time 
immemorial,  and  where  Cajsar  made  a. 
successful  landing.  It  is  generally  given 
to  the  prime  minister. 

By  Act  of  the  26th  of  the  King,  it  has 
been  directed,  that  the  warden  of  the 
cinque  ports,  two  ancient  towns,  and 
their  members,  and,  in  his  absence,  his 
lieutenant,  or  lieutenants,  may  put  in 
execution,  within  the  said  ports,  towns, 
Ike.  all  the  powers  and  authorities  given 
and  granted  by  this  act,  in  like  manner 
as  lieutenants  of  counties,  and  their 
deputy  lieutenants,  may  do,  and. shall 
keep  up  and  continue  the  usual  num- 
ber of  soldiers  in  the  said  ports,  towns, 
and  members,  unless  he,  or  they,  find 
cause  to  lessen  the  same.  The  militia 
of  the  ports  is,  according  to  this  act,  to 
remain  separate  from  the  militia  of  the 
counties,  and  may  be  called  out,  pur- 
suant to  an  act  passed  in  the  13th  and 
1 1th  years  of  King  Charles  II.  notwith- 
standing   the    pay    advanced    may    not 


q/jTis  generally  used  with  it;  as,  toward  have  been  reimbursed. 
off" a  blow.  Warden  of  the  Stannaries.     By  Act 

Ward,  watch;   the  act  of  guarding;  the  26th  of  his  present  Majesty,  it  is 

a   garrison  or   party   stationed   for  the  directed,  that  the  warden  of  the  stan 


defence  of  any  place;  a  position  of  de- 
fence, or  guard  made  by  a  weapon  in 
fencing  ;  that  part  of  a  lock,  which, 
corresponding  with  the  proper  key,  hin- 
ders any  other  from  opening  it  ;  a  dis- 
trict of  a  town  ;  division  of  a  building, 
&c.  It  is  also  used  to  denote  one  under 
the  care  of,  and  subject  to,  the  controul 
oi'  a  guardian. 

WARDEN,  a  keeper;  a  head  officer. 

WAKDtN,  or   Lord    Warden   of  the 


naries,  and  such  as  he  shall  commis- 
sion and  authorize  under  him,  shall 
have  and  use  the  like  powers  with  the 
lords  lieutenants  of  counties,  and  array, 
assess,  arm,  muster,  and  exercise  the 
tinners  in  the  counties  of  Devon  and 
Cornwall,  within  the  said  counties,  or 
either  of  them,  according  to  the  ancient 
privileges  and  customs  of  the  said  stan- 
naries. 

WARDER,  a  guard  ;  a  truncheon  by 
SK 


W  A  R 


(     980     ) 


W  A  S 


which  an  officer  at  aims  formerly  for- 
bade liglit. 

Warder,  a  beadle,  or  staff-man,  who 
keeps  guard  or  watch  in  the  day  time. 

Warders,  or  Yeoman  Warders,  of 
the  Tower  of  London,  officers  whose 
duty  is  to  wait  at  the  gates,  and  to  take 
an  account  of  all  persons  who  come 
into  the  Tower;  it  is  also  their  duty  to 
attend  prisoners  of  state.  They  are 
appointed  by  the  constable  of  the  Tower, 
from  whom  they  purchase  their  situa- 
tions. 

WARFARE,  military  service,  state  of 
war. 

To  Warfare,  to  lead  a  military  life. 

WARHABLE,       }  military;  "fit  for 

WARLIKE,  S  war. 

Warlike  virtues  are,  love  of  our 
country,  courage,  valour,  prudence,  in- 
trepidity, temperance,  disinterestedness, 
obedience,  wisdom,  vigilance,  and  pa- 
tience. In  the  last  celebration  of  the 
anniversary  of  the  destruction  of  the 
Bastille,  which  took  place  at  Paris  oil 
the  14th  of  July,  1789,  the  French  cha- 
racterized these  eleven  virtues  by  the 
following  emblems  : — a  pelican,  a  lion, 
a  horse,  a  stag,  a  wolf,  an  elephant,  a 
dog,  a  yoked  ox,  an  owl,  a  cock,  and  a 
Camel. 

WARNED,  admonished  of  some  duty 
to  be  performed  at  a  given  time  or 
place.  Thus  officers  and  soldiers  are 
warned  for  duty,  tkc. 

WARRANT,  a  writ  of  authority  in- 
ferior to  a  commission  ;  thus  quarter- 
masters are  warrant  officers.  Likewise 
a  document  with  the  sign  manual  at- 
tached to  it,  to  authorize  the  assembling 
a  general  court-martial  in  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland,  iS:c.  the  receipt  of  public 
monies  at  the  treasury,  &c.  Also  a  writ 
to  arrest  and  take  persons  into  custody. 
A  Warrant,  an  order,  authentic 
permission,  power,  &c. 

The  Speaker's^/ arrant,  a  writ  which 
is  issued  by  the  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Commons,  in  consequence  of  some 
decision  of  the  majority  of  the  members 
assembled,  and  which  the  Serjeant  at 
arms  serves  upon  any  individual,  in  or 
out  of  parliament,  with  a  power  of 
summary  commitment,  and  forcible  en- 
try, (aided  by  the  military  if  opposed,) 
that  is  not  vested  in  the  other  branches 
of  the  legislature. 

A  Wabrant-hhjw,  a  non-effective 
allowed  per  company  as  a  perquisite  to 
each  colonel  of  a  regiment, 


To  Warrant,  to  attest;  to  authorise. 

To  Warrant  a  horse,  (vendre  ua 
chevul  sain  et  net,  le  garantir  sain  et 
net,  Fr.)  to  be  responsible  for  the  health 
and  soundness  of  a  horse  which  one 
sells.  A  month  is  usually  allowed  on 
these  occasions;  during  which  period,  if 
any  material  delect  should  appear,  th« 
horse  is  liableto  be  returned;  especially 
if  he  should  have  been  bought  at  a 
warrantable  price. 

To  WARRAY,  (guerroyer,  Fr.)  to 
make  war  upon  any  state  or  body  of  men  j 
an  obsolete  word. 

WARREN,  a  kind  of  park  for  rabbits. 

Warren,  at  Woolwich,  so  called 
from  the  spot  having  formerly  been 
stocked  with  rabbits.  It  now  compre- 
hends the  head-quarters  for  the  royal 
artillery,  the  royal  foundry,  the  royal 
laboratory,  the  royal  military  academy. 
It  is  also  famous  for  proofs  and  experi- 
ments  of  artillery,  and  great  apparatus 
of  war.  The  Warren  is  now  called  the 
Royal  Arsenal;  in  compliment  to  an 
observation  made  by  his  present  Majesty. 

WA  RRIOR,  a  soldier;  one  who  rights 
in  war. 

2'oWARRY,  an  old  word  signifying 
to  make  war  upon,  tkc. 

WART,  an  excrescence,  or  super- 
fluity of  spungy  flesh  that  arises  in  the 
hinder  pasterns  of  coach  horses,  almost 
as  big  as  a  walnut. 

A  wart  suppurates  and  voids  red 
stinking  matter,  and  is  never  effectually 
cured. 

Wart,  or  spungy  excrescence  near  the 
eye  of  a  horse.  This  imperfection  pro- 
ceeds from  congealed  phlegm  lodged 
there,  which,  in  time,  causes  the  eye  to 
waste,  or  to  grow  little,  if  it  be  not  re- 
medied. 

WARWOLF,  in  ancient  military  his- 
tory, an  engine  for  throwing  stones  and 
other  great  masses. 

WAR-WORN,  worn  out  in  the  ser- 
vice. 

WASELAAT,  Ind.  collections  made. 

WASEL  baky,  Ind.  collections  made, 
and  balances  struck. 

WASHER,  a  flat  circular  ring  put  on 
the  axle-tree,  between  the  linch-pin  and 
small  end  of  the  nave,  to  prevent  the 
nave  rubbing  against  the  linch-pin  and 
wearing  it,  as  likewise  to  diminish  the 
friction  of  the  nave. 

WASHERS  of  a  cart,&,c.  the  rings  on 
the  ends  of  the  axle-tree. 

WASHING,,  in  painting,  is  when  ?. 


vr  A  T 


(     087     ) 


W  A  T 


design,  drawn  with  a  pen  or  crayon, 
has  any  particular  colour  laid  over  it 
with  a  pencil,  as  Indian  ink,  bistre,  or 
the  like,  to  make  it  appear  the  more 
natural,  by  adding  the  shadow  of  pro- 
minences, apertures,  &c.  and  by  imi- 
tating the  particular  matters  of  which 
the  thing  is  supposed  to  consist. 

Thus  we  wash  with  a  pale  red  to 
imitate  brick  and  tile;  with  a  pale  In- 
dian blue  to  imitate  water  and  slate; 
with  green  for  trees  and  meadows; 
with  saffron  or  French  berries  for  gold 
or  brass;  and  with  several  colours  for 
marbles. 

WASHY,  in  horses,  weak;  feeble. 

WASSYOUT  noma,  Ind.  a  will  or 
last  testament. 

WASTAGE  of  fuel,  an  allowance  of 
two  pounds  per  diem  which  was  made 
to  the  officer  at  the  head  of  the  Quarter 
Master  General's  Department  in  theWest 
Indies.  This  allowance  was  discontinued 
in  1816. 

The  WASTE,  that  part  which  is 
between  the  main  and  the  foremast  of  a 
ship.  i 

To  Waste,  in  war,  to  destroy;  to  de- 
solate. 

Waste,  wanton  or  luxurious  destruc- 
tion :  useless  expense. 

Waste  of  blood,  an  unnecessary  ef- 
fusion of  blood,  which  does  not  entitle 
even  a  conqueror  to  the  thanks  of  his 
country  :  especially  if  the  object  could 
have  been  obtained  by  able  management 
in  the  iield,  or  cabinet. 

Waste  of  character,  a  wanton  and 
unnecessary  exposure  of  established  fame 
or  reputation,  to  answer  the  crooked 
policy  of  corrupt  or  ignorant  rulers. 

To  WATCH,  to  keep  guard;  to  be 
attentive  and  vigilant;  to  observe  the 
conduct  of  any  one. 

A  WATCH,  a  machine  in  common 
use,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 
periodical  divisions  of  time  into  hours, 
minutes,  and  seconds.  Staff  officers 
should  always  be  provided  with  good 
watches.     See  T]MV-piece. 

Watch,  a  duty  performed  on  board 
ship.  It  likewise  means  the  person  who 
performs  that  duty. 

Serjeant  of  the  Watch,  a  non-com- 
missioned officer  belonging  to  the  Ma- 
rines, or  other  troops  on  board,  who 
does  duty  for  a  stated  period.  At  sea, 
the  term  watch  denotes  a  measure  or 
space  of  four  hours,  because  half  the 


their  turn,  so  long  at  a  time  :  and  they 
are  called  the  starboard  watch  and  lar- 
board watch. 

The  following  instructions  have  been 
published  respecting  the  watch  duty 
which  is  to  be  done  by  troops  embarked 
in  transports,  &c. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  every 
man  is  to  be  in  his  birth,  except  the 
men  on  watch  ;  the  officer  of  the  watch 
to  go  round  with  a  lanthorn,  to  see 
that  the  above  has  been  complied  with. 

The  whole  to  be  divided  into  three 
watches,  both  subaltern  officers  and 
men  ;  the  watch  gives  all  the  sentries, 
&c.  &c. 

A  captain  of  the  day  to  be  ap- 
pointed, to  whom  the  subaltern  of  the 
watch  will  make  his  reports;  and  the 
captain  to  the  commanding  officer,  if 
there  be  a  superior  officer  on  board. 

The  whole  natch  to  be  always  on 
deck,  except  when  rain  obliges  them  to 
go  down  for  shelter;  and,  in  fine  wea- 
ther, every  man  should  be  upon  deck 
the  whole  watch. 

WATCH-HOUSE,  a  place  where  the 
chief  constable  of  the  night  sits,  to  re- 
ceive disorderly  persons,  that  may  be 
brought  in  by  the  watchmen. 

WATCHMAN,  a  sentinel,  one  set 
to  keep  guard;  also  a  constable  of  the 
night  in  and  about  London,  Dublin,  and 
Edinburgh,  &c. 

WATCH-TOWER,  a  tower  on  which 
a  sentinel  is  posted  to  keep  guard 
against  an  enemy. 

WATER,  an  element  well  known, 
and  of  such  general  use  and  requisition, 
that  the  following  observations,  which 
are  extracted  from  the  Builder's  Dic- 
tionary, cannot  appear  superfluous,  al- 
though thev  may  trespass  greatly  upon 
the  limits  of  our  undertaking. 

This  author  observes,  "  that  the 
learned  Varennius,  in  his  System  of 
General  Gcogruphi/,  tells  us,  from  Vi- 
truvius,  '  that  if  fountains  do  not  flow 
of  their  own  accord,  their  heads  are  to 
be  sought  for  under  ground,  and  so  col- 
lected together.  These  springs  may  be 
discovered  in  the  following  manner: — 
If  you  lie  down  on  the  ground,  in  places 
where  you  would  seek  for  them,  before 
the  sun  rises,  and  having  placed  your 
chin,  as  close  as  you  can,  till  it  is,  as  it 
were,  propped  by  the  earth,  so  that  the 
adjacent  country  may  be  plainly  seen, 
(the  reason  of  this  posture  is,  that  by 


•hip's  company   watch  and  do   dqty  in  j  such  a  position,  the  sight  will  not  wan- 

6  K  2 


\Y  A  T 


w    ) 


W  A  T 


rter  m  r  than  it  ought.)    If  yoa\ 

iii;  unmoved,  it  will  give  a 
certain  definition  and  true  level  of  the 
parts  where  you  are.  placed,  and,  in  those 
\a[)  >urs  gathering 
themselves  together,  and  rising  up  into 
the  air,  tlieie  you  may  dig;  for  this 
sign  never  occurs,  in  a  dry  place.' 

"  Coronarius  and  some  oi  the  an- 
cients  intimate  that,  wherever  the  twig- 
withy,  flea-bane,  reeds,  trefoil,  pond- 
grass,  and  the  bull-rush  grow  very  plen- 
tifully, there  you  may,  most  probably, 
find  water. 

"  Water  may  also  be  discovered  by 
the  nature  of  the  soil.  If  it  be  a  black 
fat  soil,  and  abound  with  pebbles  ot  a 
black  or  yellowish  colour,  you  need  not 
fear  wanting  water  in  such  a  place.  It 
the  soil  be  glutinous  and  clayey,  you 
may  expect  to  find  water  in  it. 

"  Water  or  springs  may  be  discovered 
hy  the  natural  produce  of  ibe  soil,  as 
we  have  already  stated;  particularly 
where  water-plan tane,  the  sun-flower, 
reed-grass,  oxbane,  brambles,  or  shave- 
':ia>-,  i  alamint,  mat-rushes,  maiden-hair, 
melilot,  sour-sorrel  or  ditch-clock, cinque- 
foil,  blood-wort,  night-shade,  water-mil- 
foil, and  coltsfoot,  grow.  Where  these 
weeds  grow  in  the  greatest  abundance, 
there  will  be  found  the  most  plentiful 
springs. 

"  Both  the  ancients  and  moderns 
agree,  that  flat  and  extensive  plains 
are  commonly  most  destitute  of  water, 
whereas,  rising  grounds  seldom  fail  of 
abounding  with  it;  and  those  emi- 
nences which  are  most  shaded  with 
trees  have  generally  the  greatest  share 
of  springs. 

"  The  ancients  used  to  maintain, 
that  wherever  swarms  of  flies  were  seen 
hovering  and  pitching  about  one  and 
the  same  place,  water  was  sure  to  be 
discovered." 

Quality  of  Water.  Next  to  the 
possession  of  this  indispensable  article 
nt'  first  necessity,  especially  in  armies, 
the  quality  should  lie  an  object  ot'  most 


be  found,  which  are  collected  from 
winter  rains  as  they  subside  in  clayey 
'.•rounds,  and  these  have  the  best  flavour. 
In  ground  where  there  is  a  clear 
gravel,  springs  do  not  much  abound, and 
i  he  veins  are  uncertain  ;  but  the  water 
is  very  sweet. 

In  large  pebbly  grave],  and  in  sand, 
stone,  or  loose  veins  of  coal,  the  springs 
are  more  certain,  and  the  water  has  uni- 
formly a  good  taste. 

Springs  are  also  abundant  in  red 
stone,  and  if  they  remain  and  do  not 
run  off  through  the  interventions  thereof, 
they  are  good. 

They  flow  plentifully  also  under  the 
foot  of  mountains,  and  in  stony  places; 
these  are  very  cold,  but  very  healthy. 
Water,  however,  which  is  found  in 
champaign  open  places,  (such  as  the 
water  is  in  all  stagnated  ponds,) is  thick, 
betwixt  hot  and  cold,  and  not  sweet; 
uniess  it  be  that  which  springs  out  of 
the-  bottom  of  mountains,  and  runs  into 
the  middle  of  large  plains;  and  where 
the  springs  or  reservoirs  are  shaded 
with  trees,  they  there  excel  the  sweet- 
ness of  mountain  springs. 

For  further  particulars  see  the  Ency- 
clopaedia Britannica,  and  the  Builder's 
Dictionary. 

W A'i  LR-iablc,  in  architecture,  is  a 
sort  oi  lodge,  left  in  stone  or  brick 
walls,  about  IS  or  20  inches  from  the 
ground,  (more  or  less,)  from  which  place 
the  thickness  of  the  wall  is  abated  (or 
taken  in)  the  thickness  of  a  brick. 

W'ater  proper  for  horses.  The  pre- 
servation of  horses  depends  considerably 
upon  the  water  they  drink  while  they 
are  travelling:  that  which  is  least  quick 
and  penetrating  is  best :  a  river  being 
preferable  to  a  spring,  and  a  fountain  to 
a  drawing  well. 

If  it  should  be  necessary  to  let  a 
horse  drink  such  penetrating  water,  it 
OHght  to  be  set  in  the  sun,  or  some  of 
it  warmed,  to  correct  the  sharpness  of 
the  rest ;  or  it  may  be  a  little  corrected 
by  stiiring  it  about  with   the  hand,  or 


.-■  livus  consideration,     In  the  following  i  throwing  hay  among  it;  but  if  the  water 


rigs  are  certain  and  good. 
In  chalk,  •  writers  say,  it  is  tine, 

but  does  not  rise   very   high;    this   is 
best      iter. 

ravel  also  it  is  fine ;    but  if 

it  be   found  in    low    places,  it  generally 

from  rain  springs;    in  which  case 

ill   hi    muddy  and   unsavoury;    but 

ills,  line  thin  distillations  may 


be  extremely  quick  and  piercing,  a  little 
warm  water  or  wheat  bran  should  be 
mingled  with  it. 

R«  </  Wat  er.  This  is  a  filthy  humour, 
issuing  from  any  wound,  sore,  or  ulcer, 
in  a  horse,  which  is  extremely  mischie- 
vous to  him,  as  long  as  it  is  suffered  to 
remain. 

WAJZXrdeck,  a  painted  piece  of  can- 


W  A  T 


(     9S9     ) 


W  A  Y 


vass,  which  is  made  sufficiently  large  to 
cover  the  saddle  and  bridle,  girths,  ccc. 
of  a  dragoon's  horse.  When  the  tents 
are  not  large  enough  to  admit  of  these 
articles,  in  addition  to  the  tire-arms  and 
bags  of  necessaries,  the  water  decks 
serve  to  secure  them  from  rain,  and  are 
fastened  with  pegs  to  the  ground.  The 
name  of  the  regiment  is  generally 
painted  on  the  outside;  and  when  the 
dragoon  is  mounted  for  service  on  a 
inarch,  it  is  strapped  over  his  portman- 
teau. 

Water-c/ocA\  a  vessel  so  contrived, 
that  time  may  be  measured  by  the  dis- 
tillation of  water.  It  is  what  the  an- 
cients formerly  used  under  the  name  of 
Clepsydra. 

W ATER-wheel,  an  engine  for  raising 
water  in  great  quantity  out  of  a  deep  well. 

V>TATLR-rocket,  a  kind  of  fire-work 
made  to  bum  in  the  water. 

Watik-c«j/is,  casks,  or  vessels,  which 
ought  to  be  properly  prepared  and 
sweetened,  for  the  purpose  of  contain- 
ing salubrious  water  on  board  ships  of 
war  and  transports. 

Casks  which  have  had  oil,  or  other 
liquors,  formerly  in  them,  without  having 
been  properly  cleansed  or  purified,  are 
sometimes  sent  on  board  troop  ships,  to 
the  manifest  injury  and  inconvenience  of 
every  person  embarked. 

WATERLOO,  a  small  village  in  the 
vicinity  of  Brussels,  rendered  memo- 
rable on  the  18th  day  of  June,  1815,  by 
the  most  decisive  victory  in  modern 
history;  in  which  the  combined  forces 
of  Great  Britain,  Russia,  Prussia,  Aus- 
tria and  the  Netherlands,  under  the  im- 
mediate command  of  their  respective 
Sovereigns,  and  the  Duke  of  Wellington, 
on  the  part  of  England,  were  opposed 
to,  and  defeated,  the  choicest  troops  of 
France,  under  the  personal  guidance  of 
Bonaparte.    See  Battle. 

Waterloo- AiW«/,  a  silver  medal 
worn  pendant  from  the  military  ribbon, 
about  the  size  of  a  three  shilling  piece, 
having  on  one  side  the  head  of  His 
Royal  Highness  the  Prince  Regent,  and 
round  the  head  inscribed  George  P. 
Regent :  on  the  reverse  a  figure  of  Vic- 
tory with  wings  elevated,  sitting  on  a 
pedestal  inscribed  Waterloo — holding  in 
the  dexter  hand  a  palm  branch,  and  in 
the  sinister  a  laurel  branch  ;  over  her 
head  is  incribed  Wellington,  and  under 
the  pedestal,  June  18,  1815:  round  the 
edge  of  the  medal  is  engraved  the  name 
of  the  othcer  to  whom  it  was  given. 


WATERTNG-ca//,  a  trumpet  sound- 
ing, on  which  the  cavalry  assemble  to 
water  their  horses. 

W  ATERj^iG-cap,  a  cap  made  of  leather 
or  cloth,  which  dragoons  wear  when 
they  water  their  horses,  or  do  stable 
duty. 

Water  inn-jacket,  a  waistcoat  with 
sleeves  which  dragoons  wear  on  the 
above  occasions. 

WATERiNG-p/uce,  among  sea-faring 
men,  a  situation  where  boats  can  load 
fresh  water  for  the  use  of  a  ship.  See 
new  edition  of  Falconer's  Naval  Dic- 
tionary, by  J.  W.  Norie,  for  some  very 
pertinent  remarks  on  this  head. 

WATERS,  or  1  in  horses.   The 

WATERY  humours,  S  hind  legs  of 
horses  are  subject  to  certain  white,  sharp, 
and  corrupt  humours,  or  waters,  which 
happen  very  rarely  in  the  fore-legs,  and 
are  discovered  by  searching  the  pasterns, 
if  a  moistness  be  found  beneath  the  hair, 
which  is  very  foetid,  and  will  gather 
round  the  pastern  and  pastern  joint,  and 
sometimes  almost  up   to  the  very  ham. 

These  waters  frequently  cause  the 
pasterns  to  swell,  keep  the  legs  stiflj 
make  the  horse  lean,  and  separate  the 
flesh  from  the  coronet,  near  the  heels. 

WATREGANS,  Fr.  This  word  is 
pronounced  outregans,  there  being  no 
W.  in  the  French  alphabet.  It  is  a 
Flemish  term  which  is  generally  used 
in  France,  and  signifies  a  ditch  full  of 
water,  that  has  been  made  for  the  pur- 
pose of  separating  landsand  inheritances. 
These  ditches  are  sometimes  large 
enough  to  receive  small  boats  or  barges, 
and  run  through  a  whole  village. 

WATTLE,  a  hurdle,  made  by  entwin- 
ing twigs  together. 

To  WAVE,  to  flutter  ;  to  agitate  ;  as 
to  wave  the  colours  by  way  of  signal. 

To  Wave,  to  decline;  not  to  urge  a 
thing  which  might  of  right,  or  from 
usage,  be  supported,  or  obtained  ;  as,  to 
wtive  one's  rank,  &c. 

WAY,  a  military  road  among  the  Ro- 
mans and  Saxons. 

Way  of  the  rounds,  in  fortification,  is 
a  space  left  for  the  passage  of  the 
rounds,  between  the  rampart  and  the 
wall  of  a  fortified  town.  This  is  not 
much  in  use  at  present.     See  Berme. 

W&Y-wiser,  a  hand  in  the  road  to 
shew  travellers  the  way. 

WAY-wiser,  in  a  pocket,  a  movement, 
like  a  watch,  to  count  one's  steps  to 
ascertain  how  far  one  walks  in  a  day. 

To  WAYLAY,  to  beset  by  ambush. 


W  E  D 


(     990    ) 


WED 


WAYMODE,  Ind.  a  prince  ;  a  chief- 
tain. . 
WAYS  and  MEANS,  a  term  used 
to  express  the  financial  state  oi  a  coun- 
try, and  to  shew  how  its  exigencies  are 
to  be  supplied. 

WEAKNESS,  want  of  judgment, 
want  of  resolution,  foolishness  of  mind. 
Tt  has  been  well  said  by  a  French  wri- 
ter :  Que  la  kainc  den  faibles  n'est  pan  si 
dangereuse  que  Isur  untitle.  Max.  484, 
Vauvernarguea.  La  socictc  des  faibles 
eat  plus  dangereuse  que  cellc  des  medians, 
Idem.  A  weak  man,  or  a  fool,  in  fact, 
is  more  to  be  dreaded,  especially  if  he 
be  vainglorious  and  presumptuous,  than 
a  wicked  one. 

WEAPON,  an  instrument  of  offence. 
\VEAPONED,armed;  furnished  with 
arms  of  offence. 

WEAPONLESS,  unarmed;  having  no 
weapon. 

WEAR,  a  sluice-gate,  or  dam  to  shut 
up  the  water. 

WEATHER-toarrft'n^,  in  carpentry, 
signifies  the  nailing  up  of  boards  against 
a  wall.  It  is  sometimes  used  to  signify 
the  boards  themselves  when  nailed  up. 

This  work  is  usually  done  with  fea- 
ther-edged boards.  In  plain  work,  car- 
penters usually  nail  the  thick  edge  of 
one  board  an  inch  or  an  inch  and  a  half 
over  the  thin  edge  of  another.  But  if 
the  v\04-k  is  to  be  something  extraordi- 
nary, they  set  an  ogee  on  the  thick  edge 
of  every  board. 

\W EATHER-tiling  is  the  covering  the 
upright  sides  of  houses  with  tiles. 

WEDGE.  See  Coins,  Mechanic 
Powers,  &c. 

Wedge,  (coin,  Fr.)  In  a  work  trans- 
lated from  the  French,  and  which  is  en- 
tituled,  Observations  on  the  Military 
Art,  we  find  the  following  description 
of  this  instrument.  It  is  composed  of 
live  surfaces,  two  of  which  arc  triangular, 
two  long  squared,  and  the  fifth  arbitrary. 
The  two  oblong  surfaces,  by  their  incli- 
nation to  each  other,  form  the  point  that 
insinuates  itself  in  the  wood,  Ike.  that  is 
to  be  split,  as  well  as  the  sides  or  trian- 
gular surfaces,  if  the  triangle,  as  it  is 
driven,  lengthens  the  slit  or  opening. — 
Thev  are  the  square  surfaces  that  first 
insinuate  themselves  into  the  body  to  be 
cleft;  and  what  are  called  the  triangular 
surfaces  are  only  what  fill  the  space  that 
separates  the  two  quadrangular  sides. 
After  this  reflection,  it  appears,  that  the 
column  has,  at  least,  as  just  a  claim  as 
the  triangle,  to  the  term  or  word  wedge. 


We  may  even  say,  with  confidence,  it 
has  a  much  better;  for  a  triangle  of  men 
ranged  according  to  the  same  propor- 
tion as  the  triangle  of  the  mechanic 
wedge,  would  be  of  very  little  force ; 
and  a  mechanic  wedge,  of  which  the 
incisive  angle  was  as  great  as  that  of  a 
triangle  of  men,  would  be  too  large  to 
enter  those  bodies  we  might  want  to 
cleave  or  split. 

The"  double  phalanx  amphistorne,  of 
which  Epaminondas  formed  the  wedge, 
contained  3000  men,  who  were  ranged, 
in  BoLichaud's  opinion,  one  hundred  in 
front,  and  30  deep.     This  opinion,  ac- 


cording to  some,  is  erroneous.  Among 
the  different  evolutions  of  the  ancients, 
the  wedge  was  frequently  resorted  to, 
and  was,  in  some  degree,  connected  with 
the  lozenge,  which  is  a  figure  in  geo- 
metry composed  of  four  sides  and  four 
angles  :  of  the  four  angles  two  are  always 
obtuse,  and  two  acute.  The  angles  that 
are  alike  are  always  opposed  one  to  the 
other,  and  always  in  the  same  number 
of  degrees.  According  to  Elien,  there 
are  many  ways  of  ranging  squadrons  in 
a  lozenge.  In  the  first,  they  have  ranks 
and  files;  in  the  second,  neither;  in  the 
third,  they  have  files,  but  no  ranks  ; 
lastly,  in  the  fourth,  they  have  ranks 
alone  without  files.  With  regard  to  the 
wedge,  it  was  a  formation  which  the 
ancients  adopted  both  in  cavalry  and 
infantry  evolutions,  and  was  variously 
used,  viz: — 

The  Wedge  of  cavalry.  This  figure 
was  formed  on  the  same  principles  and 
movements  as  the  lozenge,  as  far  as  the 
greatest  rank  of  the  latter,  which  served 
as  a  base  to  the  triangular  wedge.  It 
was  therefore  as  the  half  of  a  lozenge, 
cut  and  divided  at  its  obtuse  angles. 

The  triangular  Wedge  of  infantry. 
Some  people  pretend,  that  there  were 
two  sorts  of  triangular  wedges  in  use 
among  the  ancients.  The  first  was  full, 
and  formed  after  the  same  manner  a9 
the  lozenge,  and  the  wedge  of  the  ca- 
valry. The  second  was  open  at  the  base, 
and  ranged  differently  from  that  of  the 
first. 

Triangular  Wedge  with  a  full  center. 
The  Greek  soldier  occupied,  at  all  times, 
a  square  space  greater  or  less  in  propor- 
tion to  the  requisite  order,  either  at  a 
review,  advancing  towards  the  enemy,  or 
standing  in  a  position  to  receive  him. 
This  wedge  was  formed  according  to  the 
arithmetical  progression,  -5-1, 3, 5,  7,  &c. 
The  open  Wedge.    This  species   of 


W  E  D 


(     991     ) 


W  E  I 


wedge  was  formed  two  different  ways, 
with  the  Greeks  and  Romans.  Bou- 
cliaud  du  Bussy,  who  takes  them,  one 
from  Elien,  whom  he  translates,  and  the 
other  from  Vegetius,  gives  us  a  third, 
which  appears  to  he  of  his  own  invention, 
and  is  very  much  superior  to  the  other 
two.  According  to  Elien,  Epaminondas, 
the  Theban  general,  employed  the  open 
wedge  at  the  battle  of  Leuctre,  and  over- 
threw the  Lacedemonians,  whose  army 
wus  much  superior  to  the  one  he  com- 
manded. To  form  this  wedge,  the  two 
divisions  of  a  double  phalanx  amphis- 
tome  are  to  unite  together  at  the  head, 
being  separate  or  open  at  the  tail  or 
rear;  which  gives  them  a  near  resem- 
blance to  the  Greek  letter  \.  Bouchaud 
du  Bussy  formed  the  wedge  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner : — 

''  The  same  body  of  troops  being  in 
array  may  likewise,  says  he,  form  the 
wedge  in  marching  forward,  and  this 
manoeuvre  requires  no  preliminary  move- 
ment. The  three  divisions  being  marked, 
as  well  as  the  three  files  of  the  center 
which  composes  the  head  of  the  wedge, 
the  following  words  of  command  are 
given  :  Marked  divisions,  prepare  to 
form  the  wedge  in  marching:  March. 
At  the  first  notice,  the  riles  and  ranks 
close  suddenly ;  at  the  second,  the  three 
files  of  the  center,  which  will  be  the  two 
first  left  files  of  the  division  on  the  right, 
and  the  first  right  file  in  the  division  on 
the  left,  march  straight  forward  ;  at  their 
second  pace,  the  first  file  that  is  conti- 
guous to  them  on  the  right,  and  that 
which  is  equally  contiguous  on  the  left, 
move  in  their  turn,  so  as  to  have  their 
chiefs  or  leaders  on  aline,  and  in  a  rank, 
as  it  were,  with  the  second  soldiers  of 
the  three  files  of  the  center;  at  the  se- 
cond pace  of  the  files  that  have  made  the 
second  motion,  the  files  which  touch  them 
march  immediately  likewise,  and  the 
game  manoeuvre  is  to  continue  succes- 
sively; each  head  of  a  file  taking  notice 
not  to  move  until  the  moment  he  finds 
himself  on  a  line  with  the  second  man 
of  the  file  contiguous,  &c." 

This  method  is  beyond  dispute  the 
most  simple,  short,  and  secure  that  can 
be  devised.  The  men  occupy  necessary 
and  proper  spaces,  and  if  the  enemy's 
resistance  should  stop  their  head,  the  rest 
of  the  files  continuing  their  movements, 
would  all  arrive  on  the  same  front  to 
engage  together,  that  is,  they  would  be 
in  their  primitive  order  of  the  phalanx. 


This  author,  to  whose  observations  we 
refer,  from  page  170  to  page  203,  thus 
concludes  : — 

"We  shall  only  remark,  that  all  terms, 
metaphorically  applied,  sooner  or  later 
produce  doubt  and  uncertainty.  Nei- 
ther a  column  nor  a  triangle  of  men 
should  have  ever  been  denominated  a 
wedge;  for  a  line  of  troops  is  not  formed 
to  be  split  like  a  piece  of  timber;  it  may 
be  opened,  broken  through  or  divided 
into  as  many  parts  as  possible." 

WEIGHT,  a  quality  in  natural  bo- 
dies,- whereby  they  tend  downwards 
towards  the  center  of  the  earth. 

Or  weight  may  be  defined  to  be  a 
power  inherent  in  all  bodies,  whereby 
they  tend  to  some  common  point,  called 
the  center  of  weight  or  gravity;  and 
that  with  a  greater  or  less  velocity,  as 
they  are  more  or  less  dense,  or  as  the 
medium,  through  which  they  pass,  is 
more  or  less  rarefied. 

Weight  may  be  distinguished,  like  gra- 
vity, into  absolute  and  specific. 

Weight,  in  mechanics,  is  any  thing 
that  is  to  be  raised,  sustained,  or  moved, 
by  a  machine  ;  or  any  thing  that  in  any 
manner  resists  the  motion  to  be  pro- 
duced. 

In  all  machines  there  is  a  natural  ratio 
between  the  weight  and  the  moving 
power.  If  the  weight  be  increased,  the 
power  must  be  so  likewise;  that  is,  the 
wheels,  &c.  are  to  be  multiplied,  and  the 
time  be  thus  increased,  or  the  velocity 
diminished. 

Weight,  quantity  measured  by  the 
balance  ;  also  a  mass  by  which,  as  the 
standard,  other  bodies  are  examined. 
In  the  interior  economy  of  cavalry  re- 
giments, particular  attention  should  be 
paid  to  the  weight  of  oats,  as  giving 
them  out  by  mere  measure  is  liable  to 
gross  abuse;  for  it  is  well  known,  that 
by  sprinkling  a  little  water  over  dry  oats, 
some  time  before  their  delivery,  the  grain 
will  swell  so  as  to  fill  up  a  regulated 
measure,  and  yet  be  greatly  deficient  in 
weight  and  quantity,  when  dry.  Indeed, 
a  court-martial  was  lately  assembled  in 
the  north  of  England  for  the  trial  of  a 
quarter-master  of  dragoons,  who  was 
found  guilty  and  broke  upon  this  specific 
charge. 

WEiGHTS,in  mi!itarymatters,are  those 
in  general  use,  except  in  the  artillerv, 
where  hundreds  are  made  use  of,  each  of 
1 12lb.  quarters,  each  of  i8lb,  and  pounds, 
each  of  1C  ounces. 


AV  E  L 


-? 


E  T 


m. 


. 


m 


- 


•:K.  or"  EogUca,  Scotland,  acd 

.    -.  iM  BfsaJ  :-' 

. 

uiaerp  or  Brabant; 
0 — Roses,  the  Ttscoooty  weigh:; 

—  ... 
i  - 

Q— Roendle; 
11 — Toutotrae  ai  .  rgsedoc; 

—  Marseilles  or  Pn*rex . 

—  . 

r — Fn  -■ 

— 
11 — Leghorn ; 
11—   - 
0 — Venice ; 
10— 

—St 
15— Port. 

"  ~-    ■- 
| — : 

— : 
—  Desaa 

:    e:-  .  ■-.    :  _~- 

:  -  -■--       1    z  _  ■  - 


" 


Weix,  in  building,  is  a  bole  left  in  the 
floor  for  the  stairs  to  come  ibrosgh. 

-L,  a  narrow  opeojc:  :ylin- 

dricai  form. 

-.     .  ' 

Id  discos  for  a  w t  must  work  in 

a  pace  remote  from    bosses  of  office, 

sr*  _-       s»js:..i  other spots  which, 

impart  a  very  cisa- 

tbe  water. 

:  I  am. 
.  e  !  a  word  of  command 
• 
*;ih  r he  French  Rcmrttez-roms .'  It  s:-:ui- 

return  to  the  same   : 
which  too  had  faced  or  nL  :.  and 

is  get"  e  notion  of 

r  movement  of  the  body 
has  been  done  imprcc  e 

ssiaa  measure  in  tra- 

. :      T .  z  -:veo  hun- 

metrical  paces. 

STER.  aad  -  i«s. 

is 

that  co  codil  shall    muster  asj 

bin  the 


•  :  -  :  -  --z-  :_.  :  -■  :.  ;.  ;_-i  e  .;:::::- 
of  pushing  forward ;  and  what  tbe  iiea: 
drasooos  wast  is  weight,  the x  sen.  - 


■      _      of 

wa 

■di  isl  im  which  beaw  cavalrv  has  s  presence  of  two  orac  : 

tbe  light  horse,  and  parties  e  peace,  not  bet-  ■  as  of  the  army, 

troops,  cosastswhoUy  in  its  pres-'ander  tbe  pec.  tad  of 

-?    powr 
British  are  snperior  to   ail  others,  be-  hoars  no- 

ratrx1,  in  addition  to  tbe  weight  of  so:  -        -  -   - 

-    -  -  -  -         -  . 

city  l  -         -   - 

Is  -     - :  and 

is  case       -  :ch  neglect,  socb  commissary 
e  British  Jass  i   to  muster  socb  regiment, 

E  .soked  opes  as  tbe hestj troop,  or  company;  provided  that  oath 
is  the  world  for  a  cbarse.    The  same 'be  made  before  a: 
esst  be  said  of  the  infant        IseEsf  "-be  peace,  within  forty-eight 

l    -.         :.   ■_  -  -  taken,  that  soch 

broad-set.  and   strut  r-iitn  led;  "tbev    _  of  tbe 

.-■-%  -z  :•  . :.  .  .  _  •  .  . .  •  z  '.--:'-._  -  -  z..i:  -•_  :.---.::-  ^  ^::er.  ;  t 
aaay  be  eosailT  abie-botiied  in  appear-  empowered  to  sign  the  said  master-rolls, 
asre,  neither  ther,  nor  eren  the  and  to  take  cognizance  of  socb  ma- 

mrrr  that  elastic  impalse  and  activitv  and  to  examine  the  truth  thereof  before 
by  which  British  troops,  when  well  orb-  tbey  skn. 

cered  and  abiv  commanded,  make   ise  -"  "<*d  fel- 

ae  baronet  with  irresistible  effect,  ind  of  course  in  a 

id  of  bill  w hie:  take  a  cheerful  glass, 

was  reckjoed  arac    ■  -■ale-aae?  *iag  popuiarly,  to  moisten  one 

former  times. 

rt,  a  depth        -     ~     ~~  a  commission.     It  has  al~ 
~    ■'     ■-  i;  -       -;  -  •     -  •_.  -.--  _  -■_■__    :  zz        .-._•::       7    .:-     ..  ~- .   :.: 

hrasdhes  ,aning  a  7     e  and  Foot  G  rd5) 

atber  to  prepaie  a  mine,  or  to       -  £cer,  when  be  obtains  a  com- 

corer  t^d  disappoint  tbe  eneu;-  .    i  -sion,  gets  promoted,  or  exchanger 

.  :d  some  mark  and  acknowledgment 


-  - 


W  H  E 


(     «3    ) 


\Y  H  E 


:-.=  ■•     «  ' 


Eega-  io  the  wear  of  tire; 
!*--».  a  prraaTiij  eoosideratieB  is  acadc  r^oies 

a  service  of  p!ate  is  allowed,}  aumdiag  |  wear  one  - 

is  not,  that  acxn  iwiedgraeat  is  gives  ii>        On  she  satgect  < 
wiae.     To  the  best   of  — r  iffrsflninii, *k  has heea 

a  nde  La  a  weM  cob dactr  d  rerL-ne 
of  Light  Dragoons,  for  a  fartraiit-c  - 

afPbrt;  the  anger  4;  captain  5:  lieate-  and  pn 
-  ■•    :  .      :•    t  :_..,:-  - 

i::;:    :~  ;-.    .     it;     -  ■    -. .    ;  -     .-•::.     ; \         . 
the  commmaaom  or  jthat,  oa  the  whole,  the'r 

the  iodiridaai  pars  oae  bottle  ■■are  ac-  wonSd  be  nrare  expedient  to 
-.  .i.     la  a  regTarat  of { shape  lyrindiiraf 

for  its  in  ter    :  El,  an  a   aafitary 

flnhj  regabtfinn  k      -  ward  or  backward  ia  a  i 

sr--::       :i      —  :t:.  -    .     .    :     -  -  .: :  ~.  ~=z  r  ■-;-.    :•.     i      *ei 

SOBS: 

A  =ecood  Dcateuaat  pays  fire  gaineas  Carai-j    iTrijmifBan.  that  wheefin*  is 
towards  the  mess-piaxe.  a  first  heaseaaat  oae  of  the  i 
i  ten,  a  major  fifteen,  ar 

twenty-five.    Each  but  changes  nf  _ 

-.     -.  - 
~'z     ------  -.  .1     i     .:  — 5:  1         '■'■■  "HULLS"  I-. 

giviag  sooBEthiag  more  when  the  •  horse  and  foot,  ekher  to  the  tight  or 

t-.i_-  z.z--. .»       -.  -  t    :  ■    ._     -  :.      -  -.:-     -  "-  .  -       :-_.:_.:-:-..--..:..'.-- 
changed,  without  purchase  or  dificicnce. '  ward  nr  back  ward. 
There  is  also   a    grand   day   whenever        Genera/  rmla  Jcr  Wbxetjsc 

■     z  ii  :        -  :         -        - 
the  nsanl  aiowaace  of  wise  k  f  thence,  waeeJc?  to  the  right 

e::^t:f-.  

WKARFTXGER  ci  tie  Tmur,  As  d^'rajht  or  left  abaci,  k  oaekaif  id  das 
r-;-;:      *     .  __^  ; ..-  :_  ;  . :   :    -  v  i    -.  _;    ;_-:  ~. 
.  .-:   T    -  z-  -  -       * 

WHEEL,  is  artillery,  a  ci-calar  bad  v 
which   tores  ronod  oa  ils  ask.      T 
strength  of  these  wbeeb  k  ahrz;  s,  ;r  ail  wheeling 

be.  proportioBai  to  the  weghs  \  batnfina  k   jsarehiae   by 


:_r 


. : ':---.        ~  i    ~  ■".  . -  z  ■ 


eB  each 


of  heavy  saa-carmees  are  So  iachesaad'fwheE  - 

thuse  far*bght  field^p:-  aes     I  wdy.  LhegraaBdas  which  dm  rasks,  be 

Qt&aVirai  la    the   crsc   iz.  wheesed:  bat  no-:  terixe. 

report  from  the  cnanfahtee  oa  the  high-  whrrfjag,,  the  nea  a 

wars   of  the  kiacdoei,  ordeied  to   be '  ricallar-care,  Bekher  to  opes 

r  11,  1806,  we  £ad  the  to-!-  :  their  raaks,  sad  to  carrj  their  an 

>  with  regard  to  the  sa- >     Whea  job  wher  .:.  joaax 

r  r%b&haad  asaB,  hi 
are  of  pecafiar  iatportaace,  aad  the  re-  Bag  haa~;  aad  to  loos.  o>  thekft 
■ah,  in  a  mn"ir»l  poiist  o:'  view,  caaBot   to  hriag  the  i 
be  placed  ia  a  stronger  hght,  tbaa  ia  the  t      Ia  wtee&ag,  the 
fcUowBig  words  Bade  ase  of  by   M        s  oakker  or  slower,  accord^  z  to  the 

a : — I  any  t^maie  to  assert,  the      . 

e  cxc.us; v'e  adoptJoa  of  ryliodricaJ  i  rhas,  whea  yoa  wheel  la  the  right,  each 
broad  wheeb  aad  aat  roads,  there  woaid  [  aaaa  awaes  aaicker  thai  tk  right  baii 
be  a  saving  of  one  horse  ia  fbar,  of  75  asaa :   aad,  ■htiLnag.  t 

* 


W  II  I 


(     99  it     ) 


W  I  D 


man;  the  circle  that  every  man  wheels 
being  larger  according  to  the  distance 
lie  is  from  the  hand  he  wheels  to;  as 
may  he  seen  by  describing  several  cir- 
cles within  one  another,  at  two  feet 
distance  from  each,  which  is  nearly  the 
space  every  man  is  supposed  to  take  up. 

Over-Ww&EimsG,  the  act  of  moving 
beyond  a  given  point  or  pivot,  so  as  to 
he  ohliged  to  rein  or  fall  hack.  When 
this  happens,  the  leaders  of  squadrons  or 
divisions  are  generally  in  fault. 

\Yui:\  i, -Cart  inges,  in  artillery,  &c. 
The  whole  doctrine  thereof,  as  it  stands 
on  a  mathematical  theory,  may  he  re- 
duced to  the  following  particulars,  viz. 

1.  Wheel  Carriages  meet  with  less  re- 
sistance than  any  other  kind  of  carriage. 

2.  The  larger  the  wheels,  the  easier  is 
the  draught  of  the  carriage. 

3.  A  carriage,  upon  four  wheels  of 
equal  size,  is  drawn  with  less  force  than 
with  two  of  those  wheels,  and  two  of  a 
lesser  size. 

4.  If  the  load  be  all  on  the  axle  of  the 
larger  wheels,  it  will  be  drawn  with  less 
force  than  if  laid  on  the  axle  of  the  lesser 
wheels;  contrary  to  the  common  notion 
of  loading  carriages  before. 

5.  Carriages  go  with  much  less  force 
on  friction  wheels,  than  iii  the  common 
way. 

WHEELBARROW,  a  small  carriage 
of  burthen,  pushed  forward  by  the  hands, 
on  one  wheel;  a  certain  number  are  al- 
ways attached  to  the  artillery. 

WHEEZING  or  blowing,  in  horses, 
is  quite  different  from  pursiveness;  for 
this  wheezing  does  not  proceed  from  any 
defecl  in  the  lungs,  but  from  the  nar- 
rowness of  the  passages  between  the 
bones  and  the  gristles  of  the  nose. 

WHIN  YARD,  a  sword,  so  called  by 
Butler  in  his  Hudihras;  a  sort  of  back- 
sword or  scimitar. 

WHIPCORD,  a  tight-spun  cord,  with 
which  the  cat-o'-nine-tails  is  made. 

WHIPSAW,  (rabot,  Fr.)  a  saw  which 
is  used  by  joiners  to  divide  such  great 
pieces  of  stuff  that  the  hand-saw  will 
not  easily  cut  asunder. 

WHIRLIGIG,  an  instrument  of  pu- 
nishment which  was  formerly  used  for 
disorderly  persons.  It  was  a  kind  of 
circular  »  ooden  cage,  which  turned  on  a 
pivot,  and  when  set  in  motion,  whirled 
round  with  such  an  amazing  velocity, 
that  the  delinquent  became  extremely 
sick,  and  was  subject  to  every  sort  of 
evacuation. 


WHISKER,  an  appendage  of  natural 
or  artificial  hair,  which  is  exhibited 
upon  the  upper  lip  of  a  light  dragoon  or 
hussar. 

WHISKERED  regiment,  a  corps  in 
which  the  officers  and  men  wear  whiskers 
or  mustaches. 

WHITE  face,  or  hh/ze,\s  a  white  mark 
upon  a  horse,  descending  from  the  fore- 
head almost  to  the  nose. 

White  foot  is  a  white  mark  that 
appears  in  the  feet  of  a  great  many 
horses,  both  before  and  behind,  from 
the  fetlock  to  the  coffin. 

Horses  thus  marked  are  either  tram- 
melled, cross-trammelled,  or  white  of 
all  four. 

Some  horsemen  place  an  unlucky  fata- 
lity in  the  white  of  the  far  foot  behind. 

White  lead  is  the  rust  of  lead,  or 
lead  dissolved  by  vinegar.  It  is  much 
used  by  painters. 

WHOLE,  all,  total,  containing  all. 

Tuke  care,  The  Whole,  a  cautionary 
word  which  was  formerly  used  in  the 
British  service,  and  is  sometimes,  but 
improperly,  given  now.  The  term  At' 
tention  is  adopted  in  its  room. 

WHOOP,  a  shout;  a  loud  noise  which 
soldiers  make  in  charging,  ccc.  It  is  a 
natural,  though  a  barbarous  habit,  and 
has  been  preserved  in  civilized  armies 
from  a  prevailing  custom  among  savages, 
particularly  the  wild  Indians  of  America. 

WHORES,  nuisances  which,  in  for- 
mer times,  were  ordered  to  be  turned 
out  of  the  army,  their  money  taken  from 
them,  and,  under  circumstances  of  re- 
peated transgression,  were  ordered  to 
have  their  left  arms  broken.  In  modern 
times  they  are  less  severely  handled, 
even  by  the  chiefs  of  armies. 

WlC'KET,  a  small  door  in  the  gate  of 
a  fortified  place,  through  which  people 
go  in  and  out,  without  opening  the  great 
gate;  likewise  a  small  door  within  a 
gate,  or  a  bole  in  the  door,  through 
which  what  passes  without  may  be  seen. 

WIDERZOUROUK,  a  compound 
word  from  the  German,  which  signifies 
back  again.  The  French  pronounce  it 
vuiderzouruuh.  It  means  a  movement 
which  is  made  to  the  rear,  in  order  to 
bring  a  squadron  to  the  right  about,  in 
the  same  manner  that  a  battalion  ig 
faced  about.  Marsha!  Puystjgur  re- 
marks, that  the  French  adopted  this 
movement  from  the  Germans,  in  the 
year  1670.  He  is  of  opinion,  that  pre- 
vious  to   this    epoch,    squadrous   were 


W  I  N 


(     995     ) 


WIN 


faced  to  the  rear  by  means  of  a  double 
caracol,  describing  a*  half-circle,  the  ex- 
tent of  w